Krystal was reading aloud from a magazine to Marissa. She had heard somewhere that it can help recovery if you talk to someone in a coma as if they can hear you. The article in question was just a fluff piece about Fall fashion, but she knew her daughter would appreciate the emphasis on red being the new black.

"Knock, knock. Can we come in?"

Opal appeared and was followed in by AJ and Bianca's little girls.

"I hope you don't mind, we've just been on a visit to Bianca and AJ wanted to see his mom."

"Not at all." said Krystal getting up from her chair to welcome them.

AJ looked nervously around the room. Miranda was holding his hand, as the children made their way to the bed.

"She looks like sleeping beauty." said Miranda, "Maybe when mommy gets better she could wake her with a kiss."

Krystal smiled.

"Maybe."

"Can I talk to her?" asked AJ quietly.

"You can say whatever you like to her honey." said Krystal, "I'm sure she's listening."

AJ bit his lip and squirmed nervously.

"Is it a secret?" Krystal asked.

AJ nodded.

"Maybe you should whisper it then."

Opal led Miranda and Gabby a little way away to give him some privacy as AJ leant forward and kissed his mommy's cheek. Then he started to whisper in her ear, only his whisper wasn't very quiet and Krystal could hear every word.

"Mommy, you know our something special. The thing that you do that always makes me feel better when I'm sick or sad; I want it to make you feel better too…"

Then AJ started to sing…

"All through the night, near and far,

We will be together.

So hush, don't you cry,

You will be, in my arms for ever more."

When he stopped singing Krystal realised she had been holding her breath. She had thought maybe that moment would be the catalyst for bringing Marissa back - but there was no change. AJ looked as devastated as she was feeling. She put her hands on her grandson's shoulders and whispered words she prayed were true.

"That was beautiful AJ. She will have heard every word, and I'm sure that song, and knowing you are here has made her feel so much better."

"Then I shall sing to her every day until she wakes up." he said determinedly. He looked up at Krystal, "Would that be alright?"

"That would be wonderful." said Krystal with a smile.

...