CHAPTER 13
Valley Trauma Center
"That's great Sinj, looks like things are finally looking up for a change."
"I couldn't believe it, in a way still can't, I'm half afraid I'll walk in there and she will have slipped away again, or they got the wrong person."
"She'll be fine; I told you she would be."
"And I'll be ok because of you. Speaking of which, did I ever thank you for bringing her back from Italy?"
"Who said it was me?" the younger brother teased.
"Just a hunch."
"Well then you're welcome. I'll let you see her first if that's alright while I check Chance out, then we can barge in together."
"No problems there."
"One thing though."
"Yeah?"
"Not trying to dampen your enthusiasm, but try not to expect too much; she has been in a coma for nearly three months."
\A/
"Daddy! Daddy!" Chance called out excitedly.
"Hey buddy. You ready to get out of here?"
"Yeah, leave. Boring here."
"Can't blame you there," he agreed, hugging the child closer to him and letting out a relieved sigh. He looked so much better he almost couldn't believe it. Only a week ago he was barely hanging on to his life, and now he was ready to go home, under supervision granted, but he didn't figure it was the wisest idea to leave a three year old with a penchant for trouble unsupervised for very long anyway. "You want to see Ellie and Uncle Saint John before we go?"
"Yeah! Mommy too?"
"Yeah, we'll see Mommy afterwards. Now come on, let's get out of here."
\A/
The Cabin
6:38 pm
That Night
"Delicious String, as usual," Dominic praised, taking another bite of spaghetti. Personally he thought some meatballs would have gone nicely, but the marinara sauce worked just as well. "So, you want to bring me up to speed? I heard it' been an eventful couple of days."
"Very," Saint John agreed, "but mostly in a good way."
"Well? What is it?"
"Sinj and I think we've taken care of the ones trying to wipe out the whole family."
"And Chance is out of the hospital - appears to be back to normal," Caitlin added.
"Le's enrolled in a new school and starts Monday," Saint John rejoined, "and String has offered to let him stay with him and Cait until then. Also Ellie Mae regained consciousness last night and the doctors are holding a pretty optimistic prognosis on her recovery."
"Sounds like things are pretty good then." He raised his glass of red wine, "a toast - to the family, to friends, and to life."