Through the long night, no one got much sleep. One of them was always checking on either their father or mother. There had been no change in either one's condition. The only good thing was that Jed hadn't had any more arrhythmias, which gave the doctors hope that he would recover.
After eating breakfast, Liz went to visit her father.
As she entered the CCU, she realized that she didn't hear the whooshing of the ventilator. With her heart in her throat, she turned the corner by her father's cubicle.
What she saw pleased her. The breathing tube had been removed and Jed was propped up in the bed, lying against a stack of pillows. He still had nasal oxygen going, but Liz was so relieved to see that tube out of his throat.
Jed opened his eyes as Liz approached the bed. He smiled weakly at the sight of his oldest.
"Hi there. Nice to see you."
"You don't know how nice it is to see you, Dad. We've been so worried. Do you remember what happened?" Liz gave him a gentle hug.
"No. I've been told that we experienced carbon monoxide poisoning at the farmhouse two days ago. But all I remember is going to bed early Saturday night. I've lost a couple of days."
He lay back on the bed, short of breath. It was an effort for him to speak.
"Dad, on Sunday morning, the agents found all of us passed out. You and Mom were brought to Boston because your conditions were so serious and the rest of us were treated in Manchester."
"Everybody okay?" Jed asked anxiously.
"Yes. Annie and Gus are still upset because the paramedics had to shock your heart on the living room floor in front of them. I've tried to talk with them, but they are desperate to know that you're going to be okay. Ellie and Zoey are fine, and are here with me. They're with Mom right now."
"How is she?" Now Jed was very anxious.
"I won't lie to you, Dad. She's in a coma and the doctors don't understand why. She was conscious shortly after we were found, then she was in and out. But suddenly, she stopped breathing and went into this unexplained coma. The doctors say that if the coma was related to the accident, then she should have come out of it by now. But she hasn't."
"Where is she?"
"She's upstairs, in the VIP suite. She's on a ventilator, but otherwise she's okay. She's strong."
Jed closed his eyes, and said a quick prayer for her recovery.
"Okay, thanks. I'll ask the doctors here to transfer me upstairs, but I don't know if they will. I have got to see her, to be by her side."
"No, Dad. What you need to do is to rest and get better. I don't think you would rest if you were in the room with her."
"Probably not. But I'm going to ask anyway. In the meantime, would you have her doctor come and see me? Even that would help a little bit."
"Sure. Now, I need to go tell the others that you're awake. I'm sure you'll have some visitors shortly. Are you up to it?"
"I'm tired but yes, I would like to see the other two. Just encourage them to make a short visit. Okay? Also, will you call home and tell the grandkids that Grandpa will be fine? There's no need to make them worry any more. Tell them that I love them and will see them soon."
"Of course. I know they'll be so happy. Almost as happy as we are." Liz leaned over and kissed her father. She knew two more people that would be very happy to hear this news.