Cal didn't know how long he'd been asleep for but, he was soon woken up by a hand on his shoulder. He lifted his head to see Lofty.
"How is he doing?" Lofty asked quietly.
"Yeah, he's doing fine." Cal responded rubbing his eyes.
"Why don't you go home? You've been here all night. You should get some rest."
Cal shook his head.
"No, I don't want to leave him."
"Ok. Why don't you get yourself a cup of coffee then?" Lofty suggested.
Cal glance over at Ethan. Lofty noticed Cal's hesitance at leaving him but, he knew he needed time to freshen up.
"It's okay, I'll stay with him while you take a break."
Cal nodded.
"Come and find me as as soon as something happens." Cal told him before closing the door.
Lofty nodded his head in response. Lofty took the seat and looked over at Ethan. He watched as his chest rose and fell with the help of the ventilator. While Cal didn't want to leave Ethan alone just in case something happened or he woke up, he was grateful he could have time to be on his own for awhile. He needed to pull his act together for Ethan's sake.
"Any news?" Charlie asked him as he entered the staffroom.
"No."
"He will pull through this, you'll see."
"Yeah, I know. He's a fighter."
"Just like his big brother." Charlie smiled.
Cal smiled back. Charlie always knew what to say when to say it. Back in ICU Lofty was still watching over Ethan. He didn't know if Ethan could hear him but, Lofty continued to speak to him.
"I know you and Cal don't always get on with each other, but deep down I know you two care about each other. And anyway who's going to keep an eye out for him when he goes out and has too much to drink? Who's going to be the sensible one? Cal needs you, mate, more than he'd like to admit it."
Lofty had just finished his sentence when the monitor suddenly started showing an increased heart beat. Lofty got out of his chair and checked Ethan's vital signs. All the signs indicated his condition was improving and he was regaining consciousness. Lofty ran out of the room and down the stairs to reception. He was about to ask Noel where Cal was when he spotted him in the staffroom with Charlie. Lofty burst through the door.
"You guys, you better come up to ICU." He announced breathlessly.
"Why?" Cal asked sounding worried.
"It's Ethan. I think he might be coming out of his coma."
Cal along with Charlie followed Lofty back up to ICU. When the three of them got inside the room the monitors that were keeping Ethan alive indicated his vital signs were improving with every beat. Cal approached the bed and shone a light into Ethan's eyes. When the light was shone his pupils reacted.
"Ethan, mate? If you can hear me, squeeze my hand." Cal asked.
Cal felt a squeeze. Cal with the help from Lofty and Charlie began to remove the tube from Ethan's throat to enable him to breathe on his own. With the tube removed Cal double checked Ethan's results. Pleased with everything Cal remained by his side.