A/N: Sorry it's taken so long to update! I've been delayed for several reasons and I apologize.
Passions, You're about to find out!
I hope everyone enjoys this chapter and please, please review! People seem to have lost interest in this one for some reason. I think it's because everyone is reading my other fic, "Visions of Utopia" Lol. Anyway, enjoy and please review!
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Set 9 years after Chapter 27
With a gasp, Patience sat up in bed, drenched in a cold sweat. She was cold and confused and couldn't figure out where she was at first; her vision was blurred. When it cleared, she took in the strange room she was in and the tubes sticking out of her body. Tears welled in her eyes.
"Mommy!" She shrieked – and realized her voice was deeper and she sounded older, more like her mommy sounded. She looked down at her hand and her body – it was all much bigger than she remembered. She felt her hair, which was longer. What was going on?
Strange people entered the strange room and rushed to her side.
"She's awake!" one of the women stated in surprise.
"Better get Dr. Evans," the other replied. She left the room.
"It's okay, sweetie," the one women – who had remained behind – said. "You're safe."
Patience whimpered. The women went to touch her and Patience shrieked.
Just then, the doctor came in.
"Oh, good, you're here," the nurse sighed. "She's frightened as can be."
"I'm sure she is. Nurse Higgins went to call her family to come right away," Dr. Evans replied. He walked to Patience's bedside. "It's nice to see you, awake."
"Go away! Help!!" Patience cried, pulling her blanket up to herself.
Dr. Evans frowned. "Patience, I won't hurt you. You're in the hospital. You're cousins will explain everything to you when they get here."
"Cousins?" Patience repeated, then her eyes widened. "Presley and Paisley?"
"Good, you remember. No amnesia is a very good sign," Dr. Evans stated happily.
Thumping footsteps in the hallway, and moments later Presley and Paisley ran into the room. Patience didn't even recognize them.
Presley was now twenty five and the owner of a large chain of P3 Club's, situated all over the world. Paisley was now sixteen and the new advise columnist for Bay Mirror Newspaper.
"Patience!" Presley cried, running to her cousin's side. "We were so worried! We didn't think you'd ever wake up!"
"Where's mommy? What's going on?" Patience asked, tears in her eyes.
Presley turned to Dr. Evans, who nodded and left, shutting the door behind him. Then she turned to Patience. "Sweetie, a lot has happened in the past few years . . ."
"How many years?" Patience asked.
"Nine. Nine years have passed since you were- well you were in a coma," Paisley replied.
Patience gulped. She couldn't speak; Nine years had passed? Nine?
"Where's mommy?" she asked. "I want mommy."
Presley and Paisley looked at each other, then at Patience.
"Patience, five years ago, our mom's were killed in a car crash," Presley said gently.
Patience fell silent, shock and fear and confusion registering on her face. "What?"
"I'm sorry . . ." Presley said, frowning. She turned to Dr. Evans. "Can we take her home? We have a lot of catching up to do and I think, now that she's okay, she should be with us."
"We'll have to run a few more tests. Remember Ms. Halliwell, that we never could figure out what put your cousin in a coma in the first place, and now she's perfectly well, it seems."
"Presley nodded. "I understand. But please, try to be quick. I really want to get her home."
Dr. Evans nodded and left to get the tests and everything prepared.
A few hours passed by – slowly and torturously. Presley and Paisley paced the waiting room; they weren't allowed to stay in Patience's room while she had the last of her tests done.
Finally, Dr. Evans and two nurses escorted Patience out to them. Presley signed the release form and they left the hospital, walking side by side with Patience a short distance a part from the rest.
No one spoke as they piled in the car and Presley started the engine. She pulled out and began a silent drive home.
Patience stared out her window. She barely remembered going into the coma because it had been so long ago. Try as she might, she couldn't remember what her mom looked like or the sound of her voice. She couldn't remember her aunts any more than she could her mom. She couldn't remember what their house looked like. She didn't remember what her cousins looked like nine years ago and she couldn't even remember what she herself had looked like, and looked like now.
Presley and Paisley sat in the front, speaking in soft voices. Patience heard them whispering but couldn't hear what they were whispering about. They acted closer than cousins. They acted more like best friends or sisters. She wondered if she'd ever regain that bond with them, and if they'd ever regain that bond as one.
Pulling to a stop, Patience found herself staring at a large, maroon colored Victorian manor. Small memories slowly came back to her and she remembered the house; not all of it, but some.
Presley and Paisley got out. Presley helped Patience out of the car and together they walked up the lawn and to the front door. Presley took out her keys and unlocked the door. She pushed it open and led the others inside, then closed it behind them.
Patience looked around, feeling the warmth and comfort of her home embrace her.
"Well, home sweet home," Presley said gently.