Different Is Good

Twenty eight

Stevie resumed her usual spot at Lindsey's side after going to her mother's house. She had slept better at Lindsey's side than she did at home. "Baby, I have a surprise for you when you wake up," she whispered to him. The doctor told her that the longer he was in a coma, the less his chances got of waking up and fully recovering.
She stroked his cheek and his hair. His beard was growing in and she took it upon herself to shave for him. She was happy to take care of him until he could take care of himself again.
"At least your hair is growing out again...you always kept it short for work," She chuckled, kissing his forehead, "I remember I cried the first time you cut it."
She loved his company even if he couldn't talk to her. She watched nurses come in and out, checking his vitals. She sat by simply waiting. She was tired but didn't dare leave to grab a cup of awful hospital coffee or go home to rest. She wanted to stay that by his side. She took her book from her bag and read aloud, hoping somewhere in the back of his mind, he could hear her.
An older nurse popped her head in, smiling sadly as Stevie. "How are you today, dear?" She asked

"I'm alright, I was just reading to Lindsey."

"I can believe that he can hear us, y'know?"
The nurse walked in briefly to check the chart at the end of Lindsey's bed and check his vitals once more. It was done hourly and became routine for Stevie. She continued to read, the nurse smiling once more as she left. "Take care of yourself"

Stevie simply nodded and the door closed behind the older woman. The petite blonde sighed. "I hope you wake up soon, honey"
There was a knock on the door once more, Stevie assuming it to be another nurse, "Come in."

"Stevie..." it was Adam
Stevie wiped tears she didn't know had fallen and stood up. "What are you doing here?!"

He put his hands up in defense. "I didn't come to fight."
"Then what did you come for?! Actually, I don't care what you came for! This," pointing to Lindsey, "is your fault!"
"I didn't mean it! He saw me and he had a murderous look in his eye. The guy was out for blood."

"You threatened his family! He has every reason to hate you and so do I! Please leave. You aren't wanted here." Stevie's voice was stern and her eyes shot daggers at him. He shifted uncomfortably and jammed his hands into the pockets of his jeans, the sleeves of his letterman jacket ruching up slightly.
"Can I see Sara?"

"No! She isn't here! She isn't yours! Leave us alone!" Stevie screamed, nurses jogged in and Stevie ordered for him to leave and not be let back in ever.
A large security officer was alerted but before he could take Adam out by force, he went willingly.

"This isn't over, Stevie." Though his tone didn't show it, it felt like a threat. A nurse made sure Stevie was okay, soothing her with comforting words but still was in her own head. She needed to make sure Adam left them alone. She didn't want any more trouble around her family again. He had done enough. If she had to, she would press charges in order to make him stay away.
Once he was escorted down the hall Stevie rushed back to Lindsey, "Its okay, baby...he's gone."
She watched the machines monitoring him like a hawk. She knew he could hear her and didn't want his blood pressure to jump up and delay his recovery. She sat down in her chair again, holding his hand and stroking his knuckles.
"He won't get to us...I'll protect you like you protected me that day in the woods, remember? You were my hero..."
She studied his features. His face was so serene like he was sleeping and in some ways it was a comfort. In others, it was terrifying. "Please, don't leave me to raise our little girl alone," she wept.
Beeping noises could be heard from the machines, Stevie automatically assuming the worst, "Don't leave me!" She cried, nurses pulling her out of the room as she fought against them
Stevie was scared, wrapping her arms around herself, completely inconsolable. Her eyes stared at the door, begging for someone to come out and tell her something. She needed to know. All she could think of was that the love of her life was dying and she would soon die of a broken heart. Sara needed a father and Stevie needed him too. Even more than anyone could imagine.
Stevie was on the verge of a melt down when the old nurse from earlier approached her, "He's waking up, dear...." she smiled, Stevie immediately jogging towards the room. Lindsey's doctor was standing over him while shining a flash light into his eyes. "Mrs. Buckingham, congratulations," he smiled sadly, "though I do have to warn you that we don't know how much damage has been done by now..."
Stevie quickly nodded, focusing her attention on Lindsey. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it, dying to feel the pressure returned. He was weak but alive, awake and that's all that mattered right now. "I'm so glad you're awake" she whispered.

"Would you like for me to call anyone?" The doctor asked

"His parents-Ruth and Morris. Tell them to call my parents as well, please," she answered, never taking her eyes off of Lindsey
The doctor left and Stevie smiled, tears still falling down her cheeks. "I will take care of you. I will make sure you get better. I can't wait to have you home with me." Stevie picked up his hand and kissed his knuckles. "You're still my hero, Linds, and now I want to be yours."
She watched as he slowly opened his eyes, settling on her. Stevie immediately began to sob and kiss his face repeatedly as she was overcome with joy, "Hello!" She stroked his hair out of his face. Lindsey grunted at her, opening his mouth to speak but nothing that resembled a work came out. Stevie thought that it was just from not using his voice.
He grunted again as she kissed his lips and his cheeks, tears from her eyes falling onto his skin. She pulled back to look at him, his eyes scanning hers as if to read her emotions. "I love you, I love you so much!" she told him.
His hand shakily reached up and held her cheek, Stevie kissing him on the lips once more, "I've waited so long to see those eyes..."
Once again he tried to speak and couldn't. "It's okay" she told him, seeing the fear and sadness in his eyes. "I just want you to rest and get better. "
His eyes began to close once more, Stevie almost not wanting him to go to sleep out of fear of not waking up again. "Just rest...." she kissed his head