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Chapter 6

By the time Maria got back to Maggie's room Bianca was asleep. She had laid her head on the bed beside Maggie and was holding her hand. It was going on 9:00 and Maria's twelve hour shift was ending. She just wanted to stop back by like she had promised to see how Maggie was doing and how Bianca was holding up. She was sorry her busy schedule hadn't allowed her time to check on them sooner. Doctors and nurses had gone in many times during the day, but Maria wanted to be there as a friend. Bianca heard the door close and awoke to see who it was.

"Oh Maria, I was just resting. When you're waiting on something like this time seems to pass by so slowly."

"I know what you mean. So, how is she doing?"

"Well, the last doctor who came in said she had made some progress."

"That's great." Maria said "Any progress before 24 hours is a real sign of hope."

"Can I ask you a question and get an honest doctor's opinion?" Bianca asked

"Sure."

"You saw Maggie when she was brought in right?"

"Yes."

"How long do you think it will be before she wakes up?"

"Well Bianca, I don't know. It could be anywhere from 24 hours to a month. But I'm sure you know how lucky she is. The man who ran into you guys died instantly." Maria said trying to let Bianca know how lucky Maggie really was.

"Yea, I know. It should have been me though." Bianca was yet again blaming herself.

"Bianca it's not your fault. That man ran the stop sign." Maria tried to reassure her.

Bianca's eyes began to feel with tears. Maria knew she just wanted to be alone with Maggie.

"Visiting hours are over, but I'll tell everyone around here to let you come and go as you please."

"Thanks Maria. And can you tell David, Kendall, and Uncle Jack they can go home and get some rest. Tell them I'll be fine."

"Yea, I'll tell them." Maria said wondering why Bianca didn't say Erica's name also. She remembered earlier Bianca not wanting Erica there, but she was there now and had been for hours. 'Maybe she just forgot.' Maria thought, and headed to the waiting room.

"Maria, how is Maggie?" David asked as Maria walked up to them.

"Well Bianca said the last doctor who was in there said she had made progress, which is very unlikely in situations like this. So progress this early is an extremely good sign. But that's about all we know right now." Maria explained

"So, she could wake up soon then?" Kendall asked

"It is very possible." Maria answered "But what I really came to tell you is Bianca said for you guys to go home and get some rest. She said she would be fine, and I'm going to tell the staff to let her in and out whenever she wants."

"I'm not leaving my baby here alone." Erica spoke up

"Actually Erica, I think it would be best if we all go." Jack gave her a "don't do this" look as he spoke

"She just wants to be alone with Maggie."

"But Jack…"

"Erica we're leaving and that's final."

All five walked over to the elevator and got on.

Maggie's room was the quietest it had been all day. What Maria had told Bianca made her feel better. Any progress before 24 hours was a sign of hope, and Maggie had made progress. Bianca stood up and looked down at Maggie. She saw how peaceful she looked. Lying there, not even really in the world right now. She couldn't remember the last time she saw Maggie so calm and peaceful. Lately she always had a hint of worry in her eyes. Sometimes she even looked scared and hurt. Much like Bianca was sure she looked whenever Erica said something mean to her about Maggie. Then it hit Bianca. She had figured out part of what Leo and Frankie meant. Maggie didn't feel like she was good enough for Erica. But why would Maggie care about Erica? Maggie knew Bianca pushed everything Erica said to her out of her mind. Bianca just couldn't make sense of it all. She thought maybe she was too tired to sort it out right then, so she sat back down in the chair beside Maggie's bed, took her hand, and laid her head down to go to sleep.

TBC