Chapter 28.
Emily smiled at Lucas, as he woke up and began to look around the room.
"Hey, you OK? Sorry I didn't have time to talk to you earlier today, I had to talk to your brother!" Emily explained, nodding her head towards Matt. "It wasn't your fault he was angry though, he just had a lot on his mind and it all kinda exploded in a big icky mess."
The explanation of Matt's outburst was comical and brought a smile to Lucas's face. He was glad that his brother wasn't mad at him; he couldn't bear it if they weren't talking. It had been bad enough with Baz, but he couldn't be mad with his only two remaining family members.
"I'm OK now. I spoke with Barry earlier." Lucas explained through sign language.
Lucas, deciding couldn't sit down any longer for fear of getting cramped, decided to walk over to where Baz lay. He stood round the other side of Baz's bed and took hold of his hand. Emily smiled when she saw this and lay her head down on top of Baz's chest. They stayed like that for a few minutes before they heard a groan coming from the bed. Emily's head snapped up and looked at Baz, calling his name.
"Matt! Barry! Wake up! I think he's waking up, come quick." Emily called.
The pair jumped to their feet and hurried to Baz's bedside. Lucas began to reassuringly rub the back of Baz's hand. Barry, thinking ahead, ran to get the first doctor or nurse he could find.
"Come on, Baz. You can do it!" Matt coaxed.
Eventually Baz opened his eyes and began to look around. The first thing he saw was Lucas, Matt and Emily all stood around his bed, but apart from that he didn't recognise his surroundings.
"Water, please?" Baz managed to croak.
Emily grabbed a glass, and making sure he didn't choke or swallow too much, supported the cup as he drank from it.
"Where am I and did anyone catch the number of the bus that hit me?" Baz croaked again, earning a smile from all the people around him.
"You're at the Bay View hospital. Can you remember what happened?" Matt responded.
"No," Baz frowned trying to remember.
"Well, don't worry. That's perfectly normal for someone in your condition." Doctor Roosevelt suddenly appeared from behind Matt, making Lucas jump. Barry also reappeared next to the doctor. "I'm just going to run a few tests on you, to make sure there isn't any permanent damage." The doctor began to quiz Baz with some straight forward questions, like what the name of the president is and what does the UEO stand for. Baz answered all questions correctly and the doctor announced, "I'm pleased to say you have no immediate memory problems, but you have to remember you're still not out of the woods yet. You've still got to keep up your rest. And don't over tire him. He's only just woken up! Congratulations Mr Sunderland, you are well on the road to recovery." With that the doctor left the group alone.
"How did I get here?" Baz asked sleepily.
"Apparently a box was dropped on your head while you were working at the conference…" Baz neglected to mention the bit about the police, as he didn't want to over excite the elder man. The rest of the group, except Lucas lapsed into conversation and soon Baz began to yawn again.
"I think it's time for someone's beddie-byes!" Matt stated, using an expression that Baz used to pull on the brothers all the time when they were younger. They all laughed at Baz's horrified expression. "Look, it's either you go to sleep now, or we bring Dr Roosevelt in here to sedate you!"
"OK, you win…I'm going to sleep. Night all." Baz was almost fast asleep before he'd even finished his sentence.
Not more than half an hour later, the group were thrown out because 'visiting hours' had ended. They didn't mind however, as Baz had woken up and they had something to celebrate and look happy about for the first time in days. The thought of brain damage had loomed over them like a dark shadow, but now Baz had woken up, they knew that wouldn't happen. Not to their Baz.
TBC…
I thought Lucas and the gang needed a bit of happy news to cheer them up.