A Little Sane

Chapter 122

Mercedes' eyes fluttered open. She was staring straight ahead at the hospital room wall with the TV on it. Her eyes looked from left to right. She thought she was alone. Slow breathing filled her right ear. She recognized the breathing pattern. It took her a few moments before she realized she was smiling to herself. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. She was hoping she could do more than just smile. When she opened her eyes she focused on her action. Slowly her head turned to the right to see Jerome fast asleep in his chair. He was slightly slumped over. She couldn't help her smile that only grew. He looked so peaceful and handsome. Her mouth fell open and tears ran down her face as she raised her hand to touch his cheek. She was beyond happy that she was moving. She bit her bottom lip as more tears fell. She slowly ran her fingertips down his cheek. She cupped his cheek. Jerome shuffled and leaned deeper into her hand. He smiled as he slowly woke up. His eyes opened and he gasped after he realized Mercedes had moved. He grabbed her hand and smiled.

"You moved... Oh my God.."

Mercedes opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Jerome could see the sadness in her eyes. She still couldn't speak. He sighed and leaned forward to gently kiss her lips. 

"It's okay.. moving is a start.. Don't worry about speaking.. Here."

Jerome let go of Mercedes and stood up. He walked over to the counter by the sink and picked up two objects. He brought them back. He handed Mercedes a dry erase board and a marker.

"Lee brought this in case you started moving. That way you could talk.."

Mercedes stared at the board and marker. A tear slowly trailed down her cheek. Jerome gently wiped it away. He set back in the chair.

"Hey.. I know this isn't easy, but this is a start.."

Mercedes' expression changed to almost worried. She quickly wrote on the board. She turned it to Jerome.

I have to pee! 

Jerome chuckled. 

"I'll dump out the bedpan when you're done. Don't worry."

Mercedes shook her head. Jerome started at her confused. 

"Um.. doll face.. you need to go if you have to."

She opened her mouth and then shut it frustrated. She pointed towards the bathroom in the room. Jerome sighed and shook his head.

"I don't know baby.. we don't know if your legs are working okay yet or even at all.."

Mercedes violently erased the board and started writing again. 

I want to try! And now before I pee on myself! Please!

Jerome sighed and Mercedes pointed towards the bathroom. Jerome chuckled as he took the board from her. 

"Okay.. we can try.. but slow okay..?"

Jerome gently turned her legs and pulled her to a stand. Pain ran through her stomach. Her expression showed that. Jerome cupped her cheek.

"I'm sorry.. see.. maybe you shouldn't be up.."

Mercedes glared and pointed towards the bathroom. He held her hands and slowly backed away towards the bathroom. Mercedes took in a deep breath. She stumbled forward and Jerome caught her in his arms. Mercedes looked up at Jerome with a smile. She wasn't walking perfectly, but she was walking. He smiled back as he helped her the rest of the way. She closed her eyes and her tears became heavy after she set on the toilet. Jerome knelt in front of her he gently placed his hand on her knee. She opened her eyes and gave him a genuine happy smile. He nodded.

"Yeah.. it's not perfect, but you got up and walked to the bathroom.. you're peeing in the toilet.. not a bedpan.. None of this is perfect, but.. you are alive.. baby you survived."

"I was wondering when you two would get here."

TaTyana shook her head at Lee. 

"They wouldn't let us come up here last night. Jerome says she's awake.."

Lee smiled at TaTyana and Ed.

"Yes. She's awake. But... she isn't talking or moving.. at least she wasn't.. I'm about to go check on her now. Come one."

Lee stopped dead in her tracks after she entered the room. Mercedes' bed was empty. Her heart began to race.

"Oh no! Jerome?! Holy shit! He took her!"

TaTyana looked around the room worried. Lee started to call for the police until the bathroom door opened.

"Whoa whoa! Hey! Hold on!"

Jerome received several glares. He gave Lee a weak smile. 

"She just wanted to pee on the actual toilet.."

Lee gently shook her head. She helped guide Mercedes back to the hospital bed.

"I'm glad you were able to do that, but ask me first next time okay? You really need to take things slow.."

Lee slowly moved from in front of her.

"Look who came to see you.."

Mercedes instantly extended her hand to TaTyana as tears fell down her cheeks. TaTyana shook her head. She grabbed her hand and set next to her.

"Hey.. no.. come on we're not crying.. I'm so sorry.."

TaTyana turned to Jerome angry.

"Why didn't you take her with you when you left the room?!"

Mercedes yanked TaTyana's arm. When TaTyana looked back at her Mercedes shook her head. She reached for her dry erase board. 

He was trying to help. There was no way he could have known I would do that. It's not his fault. 

Jerome's phone rang. The caller I.D. read inbred ugly twin. Everyone stared at him.

"It's Jeremiah.."

Mercedes' eyes widened. Jerome gently cupped her cheek.

"It's okay. He has the kids.. He's sitting with them at our apartment.. unless he took them back to the bunker."

Jerome answer the phone and put Jeremiah on speaker.

"Hey.."

"Is she okay..? Is she awake yet..?" 

Mercedes stared at the phone sadly. Jerome sighed.

"Yes she's awake... she just started moving... but um.. she can't talk yet.. She's been trying it just mostly comes out as broken up sounds.."

The phone was silent for a moment. They could hear Jeremiah's sad breathing. Jeremiah;s next sentence frightened Mercedes to her core.

"Well.. I was thinking about coming up there later, but I would have to bring the kids.."

Mercedes instantly started shaking her head no and trying to get Jerome's attention. Only broken come out. He looked at her and she shook her head frantically again. She didn't want the twins to see her in the hospital. Jerome could see how scared and serious she was. He sighed.

"Uh.. that's probably not a good idea. Mercedes just shook her head no. I don't think she wants them to see her like this.."

The whole room went silent.