Chapter 16

Lee spent the rest of the evening bouncing between Amanda's and William's rooms. Dr. Lore made arrangements with the nursing staff to be sure his medications were brought to him as well as a dinner meal. Lee finally settled into his own room for the remainder of the night where he fell into a dreamless sleep.

The next morning, Dr. Lore found Lee attempting to shave. Lee just gave him a sheepish look and admitted, "Amanda doesn't like the scruffy look. I want to be sure… if she wakes up today…" His voice faded and his hand lowered slowly to the edge of the sink.

Much to Lee's surprise, Dr. Lore offered, "Do you want some help?"

"Uh… yeah," he muttered in return. He allowed the doctor to clean up the few spots he struggled with and minutes later, he was dragging a hot cloth against his bare skin. "Amanda was always right. After being down and out for a few days, a fresh shave makes you feel like a new man."

"Speaking of your wife," Dr. Lore began. "I have a good feeling about her today. All her blood tests came back promising this morning. She appears to be resting comfortably on her own."

"What does that mean, Doc? Resting on her own," Lee asked.

"It means that she no longer has a sedative keeping her asleep," Dr. Lore responded with a smile.

Lee perked up immediately. "Can we head up there now? I don't want her to wake up and be alone."

"She isn't alone. Mrs. West got here about a half-hour ago." Dr. Lore stepped back to give Lee space to walk by him.

"Dotty got here early. Is she by herself?" Lee tugged on the sling and adjusted his arm.

Dr. Lore nodded. "I believe so. I didn't see anyone else with her. I have some other good news for you, Mr. Stetson. You are going to be discharged this afternoon. I see no reason to keep you here any longer."

Lee pursed his lips and contemplated everything that could go wrong with Krejci's whereabouts still unknown. Dr. Lore watched as Lee struggled to respond.

"I see no reason to keep you here as a patient. However, we can have a bed made up in your son's room so you'll be close to him and still have the protection of the agents assigned to you."

Lee lifted his eyes and exhaled loudly. "Thanks, Doc. I don't know what to say."

Dr. Lore held his hand out to Lee. "Mr. Stetson, we may have gotten off on the wrong foot. Although your reputation for hospitals and doctors leaves much to be desired, there's one thing I can't deny, and that's your love and dedication to your family. You've shown more concern for them than your own injuries from the moment they wheeled you through those ER doors."

Lee reached out and squeezed his hand in return. "They're my everything and I'd do anything to protect them."

"And Mrs. Farnsworth? Your mother-in-law seemed to indicate she was like family as well," Dr. Lore questioned.

"Was… until she withheld information that nearly got my family killed," Lee snapped, pulling his hand back.

Dr. Lore nodded. "I see."

"Can we go see Amanda now?" Lee abruptly changed the subject.

"Of course." Dr. Lore held the door open for Lee and together they made their way to Amanda's room.

Dotty greeted them as soon as the door opened. "Lee! Today's going to be the day… I know it is!"

"Good morning, Dotty. How are the boys?" Lee smiled at his mother-in-law.

"Well, as you can imagine, they're both upset. Especially Jamie. But we sat down and talked about everything and I told them what Dr. Lore said about how strong Amanda is. And then I told them what Dr. Johnson said about William and how he's doing all the things they hoped he'd do. After a little bit, they both decided they wanted to wait to see them. If something changes, then they'll be right here, but they both remember how scary things were when William was born and… well… you know how they are, Lee. They don't want to be reminded of the past like that," Dotty rambled.

Lee nodded in agreement. "I know. It took them a long time to get over the fear they might lose their mom, so I get it."

"Maybe if you called them… when you feel up to it," Dotty suggested. "That might ease them a little bit more. Hearing your voice… you've been such a great influence on both of them."

"That's a great idea." Lee gazed at Amanda. "She looks so peaceful." He reached down and wove his fingers into hers.

Unexpectedly, Amanda emitted a soft groan and Lee felt a slight tug on his hand. His head snapped up, and he made eye contact with Dr. Lore.

"She's slowly coming out of it. She was doing that early this morning with the nurses." Dr. Lore grinned and added, "I told you I had a good feeling about today."

"Amanda, darling, it's Mother… and Lee… we're here," Dotty stated as she adjusted her position slightly higher in her chair. "Amanda, open your eyes. Please."

Lee watched as Amanda's features fluttered between relaxed and a tense twitch for several seconds before it relaxed again.

"Give her time. Think of this as waking her from a dream after she's been in a deep sleep. You don't want to jolt her awake too quickly, but hearing your voices will help guide her," Dr. Lore explained.

"So, just keep talking to her?" Lee questioned.

"Exactly. While you two are here, I'm going to check in with William."

Dr. Lore turned to leave the room when Dotty called out, "How is Emily today?"

"She's better than yesterday. The surgery was a success, and she's not in as much pain as she was. She still has a long way to go, but it is a big improvement."

Amanda groaned again and Lee felt her hand move in his once more. He focused back on his wife but said softly, "Thanks, Doc."

Dr. Lore flashed a smile in their direction and left the room.

"Did you hear that, Amanda? The doctor said Emily is going to be just fine. And William is going to get better, but I think he needs his mother to help him with that," Dotty exclaimed.

Lee caressed Amanda's hand with his thumb and added, "William does need his Momma, that's for sure. And he's not the only one. We all need you."

"Lee?" Amanda's voice crackled softly.

"Amanda!" Lee exhaled. His heart pounded in his chest. He glanced over at Dotty and noticed her eyes were glistening with tears. "Amanda, it's okay. I'm here."

"William," she breathed.

Lee reached up and brushed a strand of hair off her face. "William's going to be okay. Don't you worry. The doctors have been taking good care of him."

Amanda's eyes fluttered behind closed lids. "Emily… safe?" she gasped as if the memory of the accident was playing out in her mind.

"Emily's safe, Amanda. The doctors are taking good care of her," Dotty interjected.

"Accident… what… happened?" Amanda breathed heavily.

Lee dragged a fingertip down Amanda's jawline and reassured her, "I'll tell you all about it when you get better. Just relax."

Amanda's eyes stopped moving, and she sighed softly before slipping back into sleep.

"We should probably get the nurse and let her know she woke up," Dotty suggested. She scrambled to her feet and ran to the door. "Oh… I'm so glad…" Her face lit up as she glanced at Amanda one last time and disappeared into the hallway yelling, "Nurse! She's awake… she woke up! My daughter is awake!"