Lana could hear people laughing. She opened her eyes but no one was there. She moved her head and there was Rachel.
She was sleeping on the couch near her bed, she could see flowers in the next room, and she could see Sarah sleeping there. The laughing must've come from outside the room.
She wanted to speak but there was an oxygen mask, so she tried to take it off. Rachel felt the rustling movement on Lana's bed and saw her moving her hand. She woke up and immediately ran to her side.
"No, no, honey." Her sistersaid as she stopped her from taking the mask off. She brushed her hair gently and said with a smile, "Hi..." Lana just looked at her. Her whole body felt so sore, her mind couldn't tell anymore which one hurt the most. She wanted to speak but she couldn't, Lana just felt weak.
The next few days were spent to make her stronger. Both her sisters would spend the whole day with her, they practically lived in the hospital already. Uncle James visited too, together with their aunts. Both her grandmothers have visited her as well, but no sign of their dad.
Rachel sensed the longing and it took a while but she finally convinced her dad to let go of their differences, put down his pride and visit his daughter who nearly died being attacked.
Everyone was in her room one afternoon, she was feeling a bit stronger this time, and was pain-free thanks to her medication. It was amazing she wasn't high. She underwent another surgery the other day to insert plates and screws to make it easier for her ribs to heal.
"Remember when Rachel and I were fighting because of that baby sitter? We actually had a bet about you." Sarah was in the middle of her story. Rachel was laughing already, remembering all the petty things they fought about. Lana was trying hard not to laugh because there was still a bit of pain, and that would mean she'd be gasping for air.
"I had my sticker album as my wager!" Sarah continued. Lana glanced at the door and saw their dad. Sarah noticed the look in Lana's eyes, turned around and saw their dad. "Dad!" Sarah urged him to come in. He had a cake with him.
"I know... I know…you're not very fond of pink. But it was the only cake they had downstairs." He said with a smile. He didn't know how to go about it, so Sarah just took the cake from him and brought it to the other room where the pantry was. Rachel squeezed Lana's hand and moved to the other room with Sarah.
Lana was fighting hard to not let her tears fall, but when her dad saw the struggle, he went to her bedside and held her. She cried. She cried hard. And just like that, all their differences, everything that had transpired between them, was gone.
Later that afternoon, after the laughter had died down a bit, Will Gardner and Diane Lockhart showed up at the door for a meeting Mr. Delaney had set up. They were to discuss the case and ask Lana some questions. They were preparing her for her statement to the police, which they have miraculously delayed until now. They were showing Lana some sketches of known associates of Bishop, but none of them looked familiar to Lana.
"I don't think I can be of help. I can't remember all the details." Lana begged.
"What do you remember, then?" Diane asked.
Lana paused. She wasn't comfortable having to recall what happened. "Someone was following me on my way to my car. I can't even remember the face."
"I know this is hard, honey, but just try. Here, have a look at these photos again, you might recognize one of them." Her dad tried.
"Dad, please."
"I had my people look into you past cases. The name that keeps on popping up is Lemond Bishop. That must account for something." Her dad said.
"If I may, sir. Agent Delaney, if we can just make a connection between your attackers and his men, we can go on and win this. I assure you." Will told Lana.
"No. I can't remember their faces. And I'm not really keen on reliving the memories, Mr. Gardner."
"I know I'm asking a lot from you." Her dad tried again.
"Someone followed me to my car. What happened after, I don't know anymore. I can't."
"Wasn't there a footage?" Her dad asked the lawyers.
"There was, but the one who followed her had his back against the camera, while the other man who—came from behind Agent Delaney was wearing a mask." Will had to pause, he wasn't sure Lana remembered that part or was okay with being reminded of it.
Lana did remember. She breathed deeply and glanced up the door to avoid the gaze of everyone.
She didn't expect to see her there. She couldn't react, what with everybody in the room. She told her dad she was tired and maybe, they could do this some other time. It has been a long day for her. Sarah noticed the change in demeanor so she looked at the door to see who was there. It was Kalinda.
Lana wasn't sure what she felt when she saw Kalinda on the door. On the one hand, she was almost happy to see her. It's been over a year, after all. On the other, she wanted to get mad at her for leaving her the way she did. She wanted answers, but she wasn't sure she was ready to hear them.
Her thoughts were interrupted when a nurse came in for her medications.
