Chapter Nineteen

"Hi, baby" I whisper as I see him hooked up to all the different machines. I feel so guilty because there's nothing that I can do. Kyoko has been by his side all this time but I'm his mother. Even Kuu gave blood to him but I can't give him anything. He's unconscious and they don't think that he'll wake up. "I'm here," I tell him as I take his hand in mine. I squeeze it but he still stays there unresponsive to my actions.

"You know, I don't think I told you enough when you were a little boy that I love you and my love is unconditional," I kiss his cheek but still there's no reaction. I hate how he did all this because someone harassed Kyoko but he's the type of person who would do this for his wife and not expect to be thanked for it.

"Did you hear?" I hear a weak voice at the doorway and see Kyoko standing there, one arm wrapped around her waist. I turn to Kuon. Not a sound. He's been in a coma for nearly a week now and I still can't do anything but support him and contribute money towards the hospital bill.

"He hasn't said anything," I tell her and Kyoko shakes her head, her eyes are red with tears .

"Kuon, the way that they operated on his brain in order to stop the bleeding. They say that he might have some learning disabilities or mental, cognitive, behavioral…" she tells me and I nod. I've researched all of this myself. I'm not the type of mother who would coldly cast my son out to the cold. If Kyoko is unable to care for him then I will. Even if he becomes someone who makes people's stomachs turn with pity and sympathy, that doesn't matter to me. Kuon is my baby. He's my only child despite my love for the woman in front of me.

"Are you telling me this because you're trying to be considerate of me?" I ask and Kyoko blinks at me confused. "I've spoken to the nurses and the doctors. I've done independent research on the type of injuries that are possible and the lasting disabilities." I feel my breath catch in my throat. Saying what is next might seem somewhat cold. "Or are you justifying it to yourself that you'd prefer he be in our care?"

Kyoko stares at me, she blinks back tears and goes over to Kuon pushing his hair back and kissing his forehead. "I won't leave him. I just thought that you should know," she bows her head, "but you already know so that's good then. We're all on the same page."

"Kyoko," I tell her stiffly, "Whatever happens to him, if he wakes up and is a different Kuon then he still is Kuon, he's still my son."

"He's still my husband," she argues back to me and I nod. Yes. He will still be her husband. I only hope that she can appreciate the sacrifice which he made for her.

….

….

I go over to Kuon after the nurse leaves and help him back into bed before putting the guard rail up again. I hate that he has to have so many things to help him but at least he's home. I've bought a lot more sheets and comforters and blankets and bedding sets because I always want Kuon to be comfortable and sometimes the incontinence pads aren't enough for him. The doctors have assured us he most likely won't be wearing these forever but I know they embarrass him.

"Stay there, okay?" I ask before putting the radio on quietly so he can listen to an audio book that is read at a slower speed, he told me it comforts him since he's not supposed to be watching the television just yet. I turn to where the nurse has gone and walk over, leaving a gap in the door. "How is he doing today?"

"He might be a little energetic this afternoon," the nurse tells me and I smile happily. That means that he probably will be able to talk with me but I hate that someone who was once so active is told that he has to stay in bed. "His overall health is improving gradually. Make sure that he gets some sleep this morning and I'll see you at the same time day after tomorrow."

"Yes," I smile happily, "Thank you so much," I tell her before looking towards the bedroom again. I'm excited to go back in there and talk to him when he's ready. As I go to the door, seeing Kuon's nurse off. I hear Rose behind me. She grabs my hand and I smile to her. The girls have been so well behaved and so understanding when it comes to Kuon and his health issues.

"Mama, can I try on my Halloween costume?" Rose asks and I nod excitedly. The nurse has just said that Kuon needs to rest, I should give him some time and enjoy this time with the girls. Kuon and I have discussed it and next week, Halloween, I'm going to take the girls trick or treating but Kuu is going to be here in case Kuon needs someone. Father said he's getting too old for parties but is going to bring some snacks for himself.

The past two years, Rose has wanted to be Princess Aurora who she's named after but this year she wanted to be Princess Belle. That meant I got to make a beautiful gold dress for her. "Okay. Are you excited about Halloween?" I ask and she shifts a little.

"Yeah," she says without her usual enthusiasm. I squat in front of her and take her hands in mine. "Yeah," she says before nodding quickly and I hum.

"I'm sorry that Daddy's not going to be joining us this year." I apologize. Rose looks to me with a weak smile.

"It's okay," she says and I put my hand to the top of her head and pull her close to me. She's being really understanding of the fact that her dad's not immortal. "Can we bring him back some candy?" she asks and I pause. Kuon isn't supposed to be eating candy on his current medication and it's not what he would prefer to eat but I can't bear to let Rose down when she's thinking of something so sweet. I know Kuon will accept it and will eat it eventually.

"That's a great idea. That's so kind of you to want to give some to Daddy."

Rose looks at me and then stares down, she shifts again. "When Daddy flew in the air, I was really scared but I wanted to keep Ana safe," she tells me and I smile, she's so mature for her age, "Will he get better soon?"

"It's going to take a little time," I tell her before wrapping her up in my arms even more. "I can tell you that Daddy is doing his best to get stronger for us. I believe that maybe next year or the year after, Daddy will be able to join us again."

Rose nods before turning to the dress excitedly. She grabs it and grins happily. "It's so pretty," she says and I nod. I wonder if she really is fine with the explanation to why Kuon can't be with us this year. She's so mature for her age but it's heartbreaking for both me and Kuon that he has to have a slight absence in her life but at least he's alive, it would be much harder if he had passed away.

…

…

As I blink up, I notice that it's the late afternoon. I've slept most of the day away. I hate being like this, I want to get better but all I hear is rest and take the medication. My throat feels sore and I think I'm going to be scribbling on paper again. I see Kyoko knock on the door gently and I smile to her, seating myself slowly.

"Hey," she says quickly as she rushes towards me, "Let me help you."

"I-I-I-Imm…fi-nne," I stutter and Kyoko takes a deep breath in. She sighs and bows her head but still comes over to me. She fluffs the pillows before setting them behind me.

"I know," she says as she bows her head and makes sure that I'm comfortable. "It's for my good too," she says as she looks away. "I'm being overly protective again, aren't I?" she asks and I look her over. Maybe I'm being the judgmental one, reaching the wrong conclusion that she doesn't trust me. She pushes my hair back and kisses me before reaching for something near the bed. "I keep forgetting to give you this," she says and I stare at her.

It must not be anything from the doctor, she has a checklist of things that the doctors and the nurses have even mentioned. She hands me a box before looking down, her cheeks turning red. I look at it, letting my hands rest on the side of it.

"Ccc—" I try but I can't get the words out. She nods and I start to unwrap the box. I open it to see a gold colored sheep pillow. It matches the one that I got from her when I turned twenty-one. I smile as I hold it with a smile. Nostalgia can help one feel a lot better.

"Do you like it?" she asks with a huge grin on her face and she waits eagerly for an answer. How can I not love it? I nod with a smile before turning to her. I grab to a pen and notepad before writing on it.

'How can I not love it?' I write. It looks a little illegible but hopefully she can read it. She takes it and lets her head rest against my shoulder.

"I thought that you'd like it after your reaction to the first one. This is a limited anniversary release," she explains before letting her hand go over mine. I turn to her and open my mouth to apologize for losing most of my spirit. "Don't you dare apologize," she tells me and I freeze. "You have nothing to be sorry about and feeling like you've let me down is just wrong and you need your strength."

I sigh before grabbing the notepad again, 'Thanks'

She smiles and kisses my cheek. "Ana and Rose wanted to show you their Halloween costumes when you woke up. Are you ready to see them? I can always let them know that you need some time, they are trying their best to understand though I'm not sure Ana quite understands." Kyoko pauses before turning to me. She stops and bows her head. Even though she's been careful with the speed and clarity she speaks with, I know she doesn't quite understand my limitations. "Have I been speaking too quickly or too much?" she asks nervously. "Are you able to…"

"Iii..und-der-sttan-ddd" I stutter again and she sighs in relief.

"I love you," she tells me again and I sit back down, making sure to rest my head on the new sheep. I close my eyes and see her smile fade slightly before she looks forward and steadies herself with a nod that everything will be okay. I pull her down gently and she slips into the covers with me. She pushes her head to my chest and takes slow breaths.

"L-l-llov-ve y-y-yyou…" I tell her and she smiles before putting a hand to my cheek and fiddling with some strands of my hair with her fingers. She kisses my lips before puling back and just beams. I love her so much. I'll see the costumes in a moment when I've had more rest, I'm excited to see them. I just feel so much happiness being at home with my family.

End of Chapter Nineteen

Thank you for reading, reviews are appreciated

Thank you to the reviewers of Chapter Eighteen

Kyoko minion

AN: There will be Kuu and/or Julie in next chapter. Probably the latter.