Disclaimer : I don't own anything so there!
HOCKEY-GIRL90 : Thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!
XSARAH : Suppose she'll wake up when she's good and ready lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!
SHANEWESTLOVER66 aka Perrie : Wow, OMG I think that's the most you've written your whole life lol. I do appreciate the review though. You know how you're wanting an 'a walk to remember' story, the only way that is going to happen with you as a main character is if, I steal Shane/Landon from you lol. But thanks for the idea lol. I can see the look on your face now, if you actually get round to reading this – your eyes will roll, and a huge sigh will exit your lungs, but hey babe, the only way to fix that, is to write the story yourself then give it to me lol, but even then I suppose I could change it lol. Yea babe, writing Adam as a villain is like a million miles off lol. Anyways sugar, thanks for the extra long review, I'll probably see you in like half an hour of putting this up though lol. CHEERS MI DEARS!
CAKEEATER : Yep, Connie's in a coma. Henry has been to visit really, I just forgot to mention it lol. Yeah, her mom's a bitch, but hey she's not the only bitchy mom in the world lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!
Chapter 11, part 2
The room was silent, except for the odd sniffle, which I was sure were coming from my Mom, and Gran. The Reverend began speaking to the full congregation, explaining the meaning of marriage and the likes. I however paid no attention to him, I just gazed at the woman that in less than 5 minutes would be my wife…
2 days later, things were still pretty much the same. I hadn't left the hospital yet, and had no immediate plans to. Of course I was nagged to death by the Ducks and my family, to go home, get some rest and clean up a bit, I refused blankly. I wasn't leaving her, even if someone sat with her the full time I was gone. The nurses were kind enough however to offer me the use of the shower that was adjoined to private room Connie was in. My Mom rallied around and brought me clothes and food, even though I had meals brought up along with other patients from the cafeteria.
A few of the ducks had attended a few of their classes, but remained faithful and came straight back. Averman however had stayed in the waiting room. Sure he'd popped home on several occasions, for a shower and change of clothes, but returned straight away. He was the one who kept me company throughout the night, when all the others retired home for the night.
Connie's Dad came and went every so often, sometimes Mike was with him, others not. He strangely never seemed to stay long. Just long enough to ask if there was any news, and pass a few pleasantries with me and whoever might be in the waiting room at that time. He seemed more stressed by the fact that he'd not yet managed to get hold of Connie's Mom.
"How's she doing"? Charlie asked, as he slowly entered.
"No change". I answered, sitting a little straighter in my chair.
"She never was one to rush". He chuckled.
"Yeah". I nodded, a smile slipping onto my face. "Hey, um, I was just wondering, you've known him a hell of a lot longer than me. But Averman, he seems, I dunno"… I began voicing my worries.
"Out of it". I nodded. "Yeah, he's kinda taking it a bit hard. He hates hospitals, has done ever since his brother died when he was 12. He had cancer, and toward the end he was in hospital permanently. Both me and Connie stayed with him constantly. But me and Connie are the closest thing he's got to family and well I suppose the Ducks too, but you know what I mean. His parents aren't exactly the best, they kinda lost it after his brother died".
"Jesus". I whispered.
I had known his brother had died when Averman was young, but I never really knew any details about it. I suppose that explains his reluctance to go, incase anything happened, or I suppose he felt the same as me, and just didn't want to leave her. I said as much to Charlie, who agreed, and asked me not to mention anything to him about it.
After a while, we both left the room, being immediately replaced by Ken and Dwayne. I listened to Julie as she tried to catch me up on the classes I'd been missing. Though I really didn't care less. I could flunk out of college for all I cared at the minute, so long as Connie was ok. That was all that mattered.
This went on for another few days. Connie's condition still had no change. Her bruising around her cuts were now a deep purple. Both me and Averman spent every waking minute at the hospital. It became an unspoken word between us, that once the last visitor had left at night, we'd both go and sit in Connie's room, sometimes silently, other times we chatted a bit, until the morning, when the visitors returned.
"Do you think she can hear everything we say"? Averman asked suddenly, startling me.
"The Doctor says she might". I replied, once I'd regained my composure.
"Knowing Connie, she can hear every single word, and is laughing her ass off". He smiled slightly.
"More than likely". I chuckled gently, knowing Averman was probably more than right. "She'd probably find the fact that neither of us have barely left her, highly hilarious".
We sat quietly for the next few minutes, mainly just thinking about what we'd each just said. I could imagine her laughing at us now, and no doubt call us stupid for worrying about her.
"She was the one who kept me going, after… after Jonathan… after he um died". Averman informed me. "And she's been the one whose kept me going ever since". I could see a few tears in his eyes. "I can't even begin to imagine what I'd have done without her and Charlie. My folks, they never really came to terms with it, and well, I suppose I became the least of their worries".
"I'm sorry Averman. I didn't know". Ok, so it was a little white lie, but I only found out from Charlie a few days ago. He shrugged, and turned to face Connie.
"That's why I don't wanna leave her. She's my little sister, and I don't know what I'd do without her". He sobbed gently.
"Hey, hey, she isn't going anywhere. We're both gonna make sure of that". I leant over the bed and gave his shoulder a squeeze.
After that, we fell back into the semi comfortable silence, we'd originally been sat in. Every so often I looked up at Averman, I suppose to check he was ok. His eyes were locked on Connie, like an eagle locked on it's prey.
Day's passed without either of us really taking much notice. I hadn't seen the sunlight in over a week, but I still refused to leave her. Connie had been in her coma for 6 days, and there was still no change in her condition. I was slowly beginning to lose faith. Averman too stayed by Connie's side, and as I result, I began to get extremely close to him. When either of us needed a break, the other would stay with her, and vice versa. To keep us awake at night, we told each other stories from our childhoods, though Connie was in nearly everyone of Averman's.
"The guys have just left. They said to say night". Averman crept back into the room, after spending the last half an hour with the guys. I nodded gently in reply.
"You want a drink". I sat up straighter, rolling my aching shoulders. I couldn't remember what it felt like to sleep in a bed.
"Yeah, why not". He answered.
I wandered into the hallway and down the corridor to the nearest vending machine. The bright lights of the corridor stunned me, compared to the dim lights in Connie's room, they were like the sun. Before I knew it, I was back in the room, passing Averman his can. I sat heavily in the seat that had now long ago molded to my shape. I opened my can and took a swig, before sitting it down on the bedside table.
After about half an hour Averman began dropping off to sleep. Knowing this, I quickly headed down the corridor to get myself a coffee to help keep me awake. It took Averman no longer than 5 minutes before his eyes closed for the final time, and the gentle lull of his breathing began. I drank the coffee quickly, but it didn't help and soon, I began to feel my eyes closing. I fought as hard as I could, but alas, I fell asleep, only to be awoken by Averman coughing.
"Averman, go get a drink". I told him, still half asleep.
"Huh"! I heard him say sleepily. Obviously he'd woken himself up coughing.
"I said go get a drink". I replied, my eyes still closed.
"I don't need one". He answered.
Though this time, there was a cough as he was speaking. It didn't register at first, but when it did, my eyes flew open, looking directly at Averman, then at Connie The coughing was coming from her. She was laid completely still, her eyes were shut, but twitched every so often.
"Connie". I shot up from my chair, knocking it over in the process.
"What"! Averman awoke immediately, and jumped from his chair.
"Connie. Hey baby, can you hear me"? I whispered, so as not to startle her.
Her eyes fluttered slightly, then she managed to open them no more than a millimeter. Her lips began to move, trying to speak, but all that came out, was a cough. I looked at Averman, unsure what to do. He looked directly back at me, before dashing toward the door.
"SHE'S AWAKE". He yelled at the top of her lungs.
A nurse followed him back inside, then a doctor, who asked us to leave. We did so hesitantly, but we remained outside the door, neither wanting to go too far incase she needed us.
"She's awake". I said quietly, mainly to myself.
"Yeah, she's awake". Averman repeated much more upbeat.
We looked at each other, before jumping into each others arms, tears rolling from both our eyes, more so in pure relief. A few minutes later, the doctor emerged, a smile on his face. He told us that Connie recounted everything that happened, and we could go in to her, but we weren't to tire her out. We walked in quietly, seeing her in the exact same position as she had been 5 minutes previous.
"Hey baby. How you feeling"? I asked, as I planted a kiss on her forehead, before sitting down beside her.
"Tired". She managed to croak.
"Trust you to be tired after 6 days sleeping". Averman chuckled, taking her hand in his. "Other than being tired, how'd you feel"?
"My head hurts and my throat". Her voice remained strained. "I'm sorry about your car".
"It doesn't matter, none of it matters". I kissed her hand, that I had now gripped with my own.
"I'm just gonna"… Averman gestured toward the door. "Call the others". He added. "Glad you're ok Con's. I'll be back in a bit". And with that he leant over and kissed her forehead, before leaving quietly.
"He's been real worried about you". I whispered to her, my thumb stroking her hairline. "We all have".
"I'm fine". She mumbled sleepily.
"Get some rest baby". I whispered softly. She nodded gently, as she slipped back into a peaceful slumber.
When I was sure she was back asleep, I almost tiptoed out of the room. I looked both up and down the corridor, before finally catching a glimpse of Averman. As he had said, he was on the phone. When I got to his side, I realized it was Charlie he'd called.
"That was Charlie". Averman said, after he'd put the phone down. "He's gonna ring around the others, then he's coming in". He told me. I nodded along with him. "Connie gone back to sleep"? He asked.
"Yeah". I nodded. "Listen, will you go and sit with her, incase she wakes up, while I ring my folks and her Dad"? I asked him.
"Yeah, course I will"?
I watched him leave me. In the 10-15 minutes since Connie had woken up, Averman had ultimately relaxed. Though then again, so had I. But as I watched him walk away, his whole posture seemed as though those heavy weights that had sagged on his shoulders this passed week, had been lifted. He stood taller, his walk had a slight bounce to it, and he no longer dragged his feet. Even I felt different. I was no longer tired, a smile sat firmly on my face, the 1st in what felt like a long time. It was amazing how quickly everything had changed.
I turned back to the phone, intending on calling my parents. I slipped a quarter into the slot, before dialing the number. It rang a few times, before I heard the familiar click on the answer machine. I glanced at my watch, 2.30am, where the hell were they?
"Hello"? Suddenly a voice spoke, followed by another click, as the answering machine turned off.
"Dad"? I said.
"Adam? Adam what's wrong"? His voice filled with panic. I could hear my Mom asking what was wrong, in the background. "Is it Connie, is she ok"?
"No she's ok, everything's fine". I answered cheerfully, not really making my reason for calling clear.
"Then what? Why are you ringing at 2.30 in the morning"? He asked confused, but who could blame him.
"She's awake". I managed to keep myself from screaming down the phone. "She woke up". I was now almost bouncing on the spot. I suppose reality finally hitting me.
"What? When"? He too suddenly seemed, far more awake.
"She woke up, um about 15-20 minutes ago". I repeated, a little more self controlled than before.
"Right, we'll call Steven and be right there". He told me.
Before I had time to argue, he'd slammed the phone down. I knew though, that even if I had told them not to come, they'd have ignored me and come anyway. Secretly though, I wanted them here. Next I called Connie's Dad, who I'm sure broke into tears when I told him, his voice quivered, but I didn't say anything. He too said he'd call Henry, wake Mike and come straight to the hospital.
My parents were the 1st to arrive. By the time they arrived, everything had really hit home. My emotions were all over the place. I felt the urge to laugh, when I saw them running down the corridor. My Mom had curlers in her hair, though was fully dressed. My Dad still wearing his night clothes, had haphazardly thrown a sweater and pair of pants over his PJ's. By the time they'd reached me, instead of wanting to laugh, I wanted to cry. My Mom hugged me tightly first, and I felt a lump rising in my throat. By the time my Dad took me in his arms, I'd broken down in buckets of tears.
"It's ok, it's ok Son". My Dad gripped me tightly, his hand running up and down my back.
He lead me into the empty waiting room, my Mom had gone up to see Connie, and Averman, who she had also become quite close with, since she'd too been supplying him with food and cleaning his clothes over the last two days. We sat down, but my Dad never let go of me, until I eventually I pulled out of his arms, wiping my eyes, partly embarrassed from my break down.
"Sorry, I'm just"… I began explaining.
"It's understandable Son. I'd be worried if you hadn't". He gave me a playful nudge. "Relief has a way of breaking people into a million different feelings".
"I just… One minute I'm laughing my ass off, the next I just wanna cry my eyes out, then I want to go up to the roof and shout to the world that she's awake". I explained as best I could.
"C'mon with me". He stood up suddenly.
"What"? I looked at him confused.
"I said c'mon". He repeated, before walking out of the room.
I jumped up and followed him down the hall to where the lift shafts were. I asked him a few times where he was taking me, but his only reply was 'you'll see'. When we got in the lift, he pressed the 16th floor button. There was only 16 floors to the hospital, and I knew then what he was planning.
"You can't be serious"? I asked in hilarity.
"Deadly". He responded.
We climbed out of the lift on the 16th floor, before heading toward the stairs that would lead to the roof. As soon as the doors opened, and the night sky hit me, it suddenly revived me. This was the 1st time in 6 days, I'd felt fresh air enter my lungs. We walked toward the edge, where there was a metal bar to prevent people walking over the edge. I turned to face my Dad, who had never been all the fantastic with heights and was looking slightly nervous.
"Go on. You can shout to your hearts content". He told me.
I turned back around facing the Minnesota sky, I had seen so little of recently. Even though the hospital wasn't as tall as other buildings around it, the view was amazing. The sky was a deep blue, the stars twinkling away without a care in the world.
"SHE'S AWAKE"! I shouted at the top of my lungs.
I shouted another few times, feeling every bit better for it. I turned back to my Dad who was smiling with his 'I told you so' smile. I shook my head and returned the smile, before walking back toward him. When I reached him, I pulled him into a tight hug.
"Feel better"? He asked, a chuckle beginning to grow in his throat.
"Yeah". I replied, a huge grin now on my face.
"You looked really stupid by the way". He told me, laughter now erupting from him.
"Well thanks". I answered.
Before I knew it, I too was laughing with him, a laughter that continued all the way back down onto the 12th floor, where Connie's room was. We headed into the waiting room, to find the ducks waiting. Most still looked pretty much asleep, though Julie was the most awake of the lot of them.
"Oh hey guys. Sorry, we were just"… I began to explain, that we were just getting some fresh air. There was no need to tell them all the details.
"On the roof shouting. We heard". Charlie chuckled.
"Can we all go have a go"? Goldberg asked.
"I don't think the whole of Minnesota wants waking Goldie". Russ answered.
I loosely explained what had happened to the guys. By the time I'd finished, Henry and Claire had arrived. They both went up to see Connie, my Mom and Averman returning to the waiting room. Connie's Dad appeared shortly after, leaving a fast asleep Mike with us, and going up to see Connie. I was slightly worried that all these people visiting would tire her out, but then I realized that, everyone had to pass the nurses station, and I suppose they'd say something if there was a problem.
15 minutes later, Henry and Claire came back, telling me that Connie was asking for me. I got up immediately quite worried, until they told me she was fine. I passed her Dad on the hall, who smiled, but remained silent. He looked as tired as I felt, but I knew even if I did try to sleep, I wouldn't. I entered Connie's room quietly. Her eyes were shut, and I assumed she was asleep. I moved slowly and stealthily toward the chair I had previously occupied.
"Adam". She whispered. Her voice still had that slight huskiness to it, but I noticed she spoke with much more ease.
"I'm here baby". I whispered, placing my hand on her forehead, as her eyes fluttered open. "How you feeling"?
"I'm bored". She smiled slightly. "I really am sorry about your car".
"It doesn't matter Con. I don't care about the car. I care about you".
"I love you". Her eyes met mine, and I don't think I could have loved her anymore than I did right then.
"I love you too… so much". I leant up, and softly brushed her lips with my own.
2 weeks later, she was due to come home from the hospital. There had been plenty of discussion on where she should go, since the Doctors were only allowing her home if she had someone to help her. On finding out this, Averman offered to stay at home with her, but Connie wouldn't hear of it, 'you've already missed enough school', she argued. She argued the exact same thing with me. She could have gone to her Dad's which would have been ok, but she'd be even further away then, plus as she pointed out her Dad had enough on what with work and looking after Mike. Eventually after going down different roads, it was decided she'd go and stay with my folks. My Mom, ecstatic about the idea, already mentally planning everything she'd need to do before her arrival.
"Hey Kiddo". My Dad greeted her, as I wheeled her through the door. "How ya doing today"?
"Hi". She greeted him back warmly. "I'm great thanks. Oh and thanks for having me".
"Our pleasure honey. It'll be nice to have someone to talk too". My Mom piped up, as she bounded happily down the stairs.
After a few minutes, I picked Connie up in my arms, and carried her upstairs to my room, where she would be staying. I'd had a word with the dean of college and he'd been nice enough to allow me to have the full week off, to help her get settled. My hockey coach was ok about my time off too, but did want me to try and attend at least one practice and the game at the end of the week. It took about half an hour to get Connie settled – or should I say, get the TV, VCR and DVD positioned so the sun only glared on it first thing in a morning.
"There, you comfy"? I asked, as I finished fluffing her pillows.
"I'd be more comfy, if you'd stop fussing". She giggled.
"I'm sorry. I just can't help it". I sat by her side.
"I know you can't. But Adam, as much as I love you, if you keep it up, I'm gonna be ready to kill you in a few days". She laughed.
"I get it". I joined in with her laughter. "I'd prepare yourself, fussing is hereditary in this family". I warned. "It's getting less and less though with each generation. Though my Mom can get pretty bad".
"You kiss your Mom with that mouth". Connie giggled infectiously.
"Yeah, but it prefers kissing you". I sweet talked her.
The following week wasn't too bad. Connie had a few bad days, where pain racked her body, though the Doctor had warned us of these days. They were mainly down to the fact, she was only ever really comfortable in one position due to bruising and have casts on her arm and leg. But as you do every so often, even your comfiest position can become uncomfortable. I think a lot of it was boredom, and just wanting to run before she could walk, so to speak.
The ducks all visited regularly, though Averman, Goldberg, Russ, Portman and Fulton were here more often, than the others due to traveling. At the very end of the week, Connie's arm cast was taken off, allowing her slightly more freedom, as she was now strong enough to wheel her own chair, but much to her dismay, not strong enough to walk with crutches.
Before any of us knew it, she was on crutches, and back in school. Though we all begged her to take it easy, she was determined to do everything her own way. Even missing about a month of school, she managed to catch up in all her classes, with only slight help from the others. At this point I was coming back every other night, though when I wasn't there, I rang Averman first to check how she was, before talking to her.
It was amazing really how fast she got back on track, and soon, we were back to normal, the way things had been before the accident. She'd even started driving again, though the first few times had been nerve racking for us all, she'd overcome her fear, and the same old Connie Moreau, was back with us.
So what do you think? PLEASE R&R!