Different Is Good

Twenty seven

Two weeks had passed as Lindsey was still in a coma...Stevie was sinking deeper and deeper into a shell of her former self. She hardly left his side at the hospital, Ruth and Barbara taking care of Sara.

Stevie was out for blood as Adam had been the cause for so much pain...
She couldn't stop thinking about all that had happened. If Adam hadn't come by and scared her, Lindsey wouldn't have felt the need to protect her. If Lindsey hadn't gone out that evening, he wouldn't have encountered Adam and he wouldn't be in this coma now. She blamed herself as much as she blamed her former flame for the damage her family was enduring.

"I swear, Linds, if I ever see that man again...I'll kill him myself with my bare hands." Stevie whispered angrily, tears pouring down her cheeks as she held his hand.
She often laid beside him in the bed, messing over his gown and blanket. "We'll make sure he gets what's coming to him," she assured, kissing his cheek

"Mrs. Buckingham, we are going to give him a bath now..." two young nurses walked in
Stevie looked up, remembering his parents had allowed him to be known as his wife even if on paper alone. She blinked away her tears, nodding. "I don't have to leave, do I?"

"Stay behind the curtain, dear," one of the nurses said, smiling warmly.
"He doesn't like being alone," Stevie said nervously, clutching his hand

"I believe that he knows you'll be near..."
Stevie looked at the woman who didn't seem much older than herself. She took her at her word, nodding tightly before the nurses pulled the curtain around Lindsey's bed. Their hands slipped apart, the touch of his fingers becoming just a close memory. She sat down in the chair close by and heard the water being wrung from a sponge into the wash basin. She chewed her lip, wishing she could be the one to perform the task. She found it strange that two other women would view his body. It wasn't in the same way Stevie had seen him many times but still, it set her on edge. She stared at the clock, hoping it would be over soon. The curtain opened again and Stevie stood up, taking her place at his side again. She seemed to be glued lately. She watched the nurses check his vitals, write the results on the clipboard at the foot of his bed then leave. The moment the door shut, Stevie kissed Lindsey's knuckles.

"I love you, Lindsey. Please wake up soon."
Minutes later there was another knock on the door, "Come in," Stevie said softly, thinking that it was another nurse

"Tee..." she heard her mother's voice was heard, "Sara wanted to come see you..." gesturing to the baby leaning against her shoulder
Stevie burst into tears, getting up to hold her daughter.

"How are you?" Barbara asked, noticing the dark circles under her eyes. She saw how thin her daughter was becoming. She was almost frail looking and Barbara was concerned.
"I'm okay," she avoided her mother's eyes as she kissed her baby's head, bouncing softly. "Mommy missed you too, Sara."
She held the baby close, turning away to focus her attention back on Lindsey. He lay so still. It was eerie. He was usually bobbing his leg up and down, wound right with nervous or excited energy but now...nothing. "Sara's here, Linds." She day the baby down beside him, hoping her touch would be a comfort to him. Maybe he would wake up.
Sara was obviously happy to see her father, maneuvering herself closer to him as she laid her head on his chest. "Show him how you talk, Sara," Barbara encouraged, the baby had babbled a lot more in the last few weeks
Stevie watched he interaction and Barbara cuddled up to her daughter, pressing her into her side.

"How are you holding up, sweet girl?" Barbara asked again, hoping her guard would be down enough to check in.
"I'm fine. Just waiting for him to wake up..." Stevie told her mother

"I don't believe that you are fine."
"Mom, I want to focus on Lindsey right now." Stevie said and her mother nodded.
"Has anything changed?" Barbara asked, smoothing his hospital gown out.