Louisa's POV

I thought I was going to faint when I got the phone call from the hospital. Will was awake. I told Mum and Treena and they started crying. Dad stayed home with Granddad and Treena's three years old son, Tommy. Treena's boyfriend had left town shortly after finding out she was pregnant and Treena dropped out of university. She got a job at a flower shop in town and Tommy had my old bedroom. Will's family had been staying at a hotel nearby and Camilla started crying when I told her Will was awake. We arrived at Saint Bartholomew's Hospital a few minutes after the phone call.

"Excuse me," I said to the receptionist.

"May I help you?" she asked.

"I'm Louisa Traynor. My husband, Will Traynor, is a patient."

"What ward is he in?"

"He's in the CCU."

I watched her typing on the keyboard as she looked at the screen then she nodded.

"He just woke up. He's in Room 7," she said.

"Is it alright if we went up to see him?" Mum asked and the nurse looked at her.

"Are you family?"

"She's my mum and that's my sister," I told her then looked at Stevie. "And this is Will's and my son."

"Oh. I am sorry. But he can't go up," she said with a sad look then she smiled at Stevie.

"Why not?"

"It's a hospital rule. Children are not allowed up in the CCU."

"It's alright, Lou. You go up. He would want to see you first," Mum said.

"And his family's not here yet. We'll tell them where you went the moment they show up," Treena said and I handed Stevie to her. The receptionist told me what floor the CCU was on as I headed for the lift and I hoped Will was still awake. I arrived at the CCU a few minutes later and I stood in the doorway while the nurse was examining Will. I was still in shock with how ill he looked and he had a foam collar around his neck. I looked at the plastic oxygen mask over his nose and mouth and the heart monitor when the nurse looked at me and she frowned.

"May I help you?" she asked.

"Oh. Yes. I am Louisa Traynor," I said as I looked at Will. Most of the nurses had seen me standing at the window to his room over the last two and a half months, but this nurse was new.

"Do you have any identification?"

"She's…my…wife," Will said in a breathy voice and she looked at him then she looked at me. I walked to the bed when I looked down at him and I felt tears in the corners of my eyes. His hair was plaster to his head and he had a full beard. His eyes locked with mine and he slowly blinked. "Aren't you…going to…say anything?"

"Finally decided to wake up?" I teased and he smiled at me.

"How dare you!" the nurse said with a curt tone and Will glared at her.

"She can…tease me…if she…wants to," he said then nearly crossed his eyes as he tried to look at the plastic oxygen mask over his nose and mouth. "Louisa?"

"Yes?" I asked and he looked at me.

"Take this…off of…me."

"No," I said as I elongated the "o" and he frowned. "You need that."

"I can…breathe just…fine."

"I'm sure you think you can. But let's not take any chances."

"But…."

"William John…," I said. He knows I'm getting angry when I call him by his full name.

"Spoil…sport."

I reached over to brush some hair from his forehead and the nurse looked at the heart monitor.

"You can…leave now," Will said to her and the nurse glanced at him.

"I cannot do that," the nurse said and I saw the angry in Will's eyes.

"Calm down," I whispered and I started carding his hair. The anger left his eyes as he blinked and he sighed.

"What day…is it?" he asked.

"Thursday."

"You look…tired."

"I'm fine."

He gave me a sarcastic look as he arched an eyebrow and I arched mine up while widening my eyes.

"I feel…like I'm…floating," he said then made a tiny puff of air.

"Must be the pain medication," I said and he rolled his eyes.

"He needs to stop talking," the nurse said with a curt tone and he glanced at her.

"You…need to…leave," he grumbled.

"Sorry. He gets grumpy when he's not feeling well," I explained and he moved his eyes to look at me."

"I'm not…grumpy."

"Are you sure about that?" I teased and he looked like he wanted to shrug his shoulders. Instead, he just lowered his eyelids and I carded his hair some more.

"Louisa?!" Camilla called out a few minutes later then she, Georgina and Steven stopped at the doorway. "There you are."

"Who are you?" the nurse asked as she looked at them with the same angry look which she gave me.

"My parents…and my…sister," Will said and I softly hushed him.

"Is it alright if we come in?" Georgina asked.

"Only one family member is allowed to visit at a time," the nurse said as though she was reading from a script.

"Do you have any idea who I am?!" Camilla demanded and Steven cleared his throat.

"Camilla…," Steven warned.

"No! I will not be talked to in such a manner!"

"Mommy, please. Will just woke up. I'm sure Louisa wants to be alone with him. Let's go wait in the waiting room," Georgina said.

"Georgina's right, Dear. Let's go," Steven said.

I noticed how Camilla glared at the nurse while Steven led her away and the nurse looked at the heart monitor.

"I hope…you're going…to like…being unemployed," Will said and the nurse looked down at him

"What are you talking about?" the nurse asked.

"You pissed…her off."

"So?"

"My mother…is a…high court…judge. She's not…just going…to sit…in the…waiting room. She's going…to talk…to your…supervisor and…have you…dismissed."

The nurse's eyes widened as she placed the medical chart on the small table near the bed then she ran out of the room. I leaned on the bed so Will could see me better and he arched his eyebrows up at the puzzled look on my face.

"Is your mother really going to have her sacked?" I asked.

"No. But she…will talk…to her…supervisor," Will said. I noticed he was getting a little breathless as I stood and he looked up at me. "Louisa?"

"Stop talking."

"Stevie?"

"What about him?"

"Tell me…about him."

I had brought a plastic bag with some photographs of Stevie as I placed my purse on the small table by the bed then I opened my purse. I removed the plastic bag with photographs, closed my purse and I looked the Stevie smiling at me.

"Louisa?"

I showed Will the photographs as I told him what Stevie was doing in them and Will glanced up at me from time-to-time.

"He's gotten…so big," he said when a nurse walked in the room and she headed for the bed. She was one of the nurses I met over the last two and a half months and I gave her a small smile.

"Hello, Mrs. Traynor," she said after she stopped near the bed.

"Hello," I said and she looked down at Will.

"Good afternoon."

"Hello," Will said and she moved my purse out of the way so she could pick up the medical chart.

"Finally decided to wake up, hunh?"

"Yes."

"Stop talking."

Will gave her a small smile as she examined him then she wrote the information in the medical chart.

"How's he doing?" I asked.

"He's stable," the nurse said then looked at him. He parted his lips to say something and she arched an eyebrow. "I said stop talking."

We both softly laughed after he stuck his tongue out at her from under the oxygen mask and she placed the medical chart in the holder at the end of the bed. She left the room while I showed Will some more photographs of Stevie then noticed Will looked upset.

"What's wrong?" I asked, placing the photographs back in the plastic bag.

"Where's…Stevie?" he asked.

"He's here, but we couldn't bring him up."

"Why?"

"Hospital rules."

Will frowned as I looked at the doorway, at the plastic oxygen mask and I reached over to the box of tissues. Will watched as I removed two tissues and he must have noticed what I was thinking.

"Go…on," he said as he nearly crossed his eyes to look at the oxygen mask. I wasn't sure if I should remove the oxygen mask when I slowly lowered the oxygen mask, wiped the film of sweat around his nose and mouth with the tissues and waited. He breathed softly through his nose a few times then smiled. I leaned over to kiss his lips and I saw the numbers on the heart monitor go up slightly. I moved back, slid the oxygen mask over his nose and mouth and he lightly licked his lips.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

"I'm…fine," he said and I adjusted the oxygen mask.

"Is it alright if we come in?" made me turn to see Mum, Treena and Stevie and I saw the happy look in Will's eyes.

"Yes," Will said while he smiled and I looked at the screen to the heart monitor. The numbers were a little high then settled after Mum, Treena and Stevie stood next to the bed and Mum frowned.

"Oh…. Look at the state of you," Mum said.

"Can't. Don't have…a mirror," Will teased.

"Don't you get cheeky with me," she said with a shaky laugh.

"Sorry…Mum."

"That's alright. You're poorly. I forgive you,"

I felt butterflies flying around in my stomach over how sweet Mum was with Will and she had leaned over to kiss the top of his head.

"I saw your mother talking with one of the nurses at the front desk. She looked really pissed off," Treena said. I explained what happened and an angry look appeared on Mum's face.

"The cheek. I hope she is dismissed," Mum said.

"Louisa?" Will asked and I looked down at him. I held Stevie in my arms and Will looked at him.

"Stevie? Look. Papa Bear's awake," I said and Stevie looked at Will. Stevie looked a little confused at first then he smiled and reached out for Will. "I think he wants to give you a hug."

"I wouldn't…mind a… hug," Will said.

"What is going on in here?" came from the doorway and I saw a female doctor standing in the doorway. She had long, curly red hair and green eyes and she wore a white doctor jacket over a white blouse and black pants and white sneakers.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"I am his doctor. Doctor Maeve O'Shea," she said with a slight Irish accent and she titled her head to one side. "Who are you?"

"She's my…wife," Will said and Doctor O'Shea walked to the bed.

"Finally decided to wake up, eh?" she asked with a smile.

"Why does…everyone keep…asking me…that?"

"Maybe it's because you've been sleeping for nearly three months."

"Do you want us to wait outside?" Mum asked and Will frowned.

"Not until…my son…gives me…a hug," Will said.

"I don't think that would be a good idea," Maeve said then she saw the sad look on Stevie's face. "Fine. Just a little one."

I leaned closer so Stevie could hug Will, but the foam collar got in the way.

"Looks like he can't hug you," I said and Will frowned.

"Then just…hold him…up so…I can…see him," Will said and I held Stevie close to Will's face. Stevie started giggling as Will made faces then Will smiled.

"Sorry. But I really need, if he's up to it, to talk to him about his injuries," Maeve said and I handed Stevie to Mum.

"I want…my wife…to stay," Will said.

"If that's alright," I said while looking at Doctor O'Shea.

"I was going to suggest you stay," she said and I nodded. Mum and Treena left the room while I slid Will's left hand into my hand and I wrapped our fingers together.

"Shall we get started?" Maeve asked.

"Yes," Will said.

Will watched her as Doctor O'Shea checked the numbers on the heart monitor then she wrote the information in the medical chart. She placed the medical chart in the holder at the foot of the bed then she stood next to me. I know his parents had been told about the extent of his injuries, but I was shocked to learn just how badly they were.

"Will?" I asked after I noticed how quiet he was and his eyes moved to look at me.

"I know this is a lot to take in. But you are in excellent health and there is a chance you might be able to move your fingers and, maybe, your hands. That is if you want to put in the effort," Maeve said, but Will just looked at the ceiling.

"What's…the point?" Will grumbled.

"The point is you're alive and…"

"I wish…I wasn't."

I knew Will was upset, but it still hurt to hear the defeat in his voice.

"That is understandable," she said with a nod.

"Will?" I asked and he glanced at me. "I didn't think you'd give up so soon."

His eyes slightly widened then he barely smiled under the oxygen mask.

"I want…to," he said.

"Do you want to know why you're not going to?"

"Why?"

"You are Will John Traynor. The financial whiz-kid. He never gives up. He's stubborn and it takes a lot to change his mind," I told him while leaning on the bed and our eyes locked. I felt his anger, frustration and fear as he pressed his lips into a thin line then he licked his lips.

"Can I…be honest…with you?" he asked.

"You're scared."

"Yes."

"So am I. But do you know what I have been doing while you have been napping? I've been doing research. I used your computer and I checked every website I could find. I read up on what being a paraplegic or a quadriplegic means and searched to see if there are some treatments or operations available. I also looked into what you can eat and what you can't. What you can drink and what you can't. What you'll need if you have to go to the loo. What sort of wheelchairs and other equipment are available or needed to make things easier for you. I even looked for flats which deal with someone in your condition. Do want to know why? I did it because it's not the Will on the outside who counts. It's the Will on the inside. The Will not that many people see or know about. He needs me and I will do whatever I can to make sure you get the most out of this new life. For as long as it lasts."

He looked at me with such pride, but confusion in his eyes and he blinked his eyes a few times.

"You did…all that…for me?" he asked after a few seconds.

"Yes," I said.

"And you…still want…to be…with me?"

"Yes, M'Lord," I teased and he puffed out a breath of air which slightly fogged up the oxygen mask.

"Even if…I get…grumpy…and don't…want to…do anything?"

"Even then."

"I can't…help you…with Stevie."

"You can by just being there."

"Sounds to me like you really want to live," Maeve said and Will glanced at him.

"Uh… I forgot…you were…there," he said with a tiny smile and she softly laughed.

"That's fine. Proves you're one of my favorite patients. You might want to give up, but you're not going to."

"Not so…sure about…that."

"Give it time," she said then she looked at the keypad where had the information about Will's injuries. "Do you want me to continue?"

"Yes," he said and I kissed the top of his head.

After Maeve left, Mum and Treena came back with Stevie and Will looked tired.

"Well? What did the doctor say?" Mum asked as she handed Stevie to me.

"I can't…move," Will said with a sleepy tone.

"That's because of the pain medication," Treena said.

"No. He's serious. He might not be able to move," I explained then told them what Maeve told us.

"I see," Mum said with a blank look and Treena looked like she wanted to cry. I remember her looking like that after Granddad had his strokes.

"Treena? Let's go outside," I said while moving my head toward the door and she nodded. We headed out into the hallway, but not far enough that I couldn't hear what Mum was going to say to Will.

"Well…," Mum started as she leaned on the edge of the bed and I could just see Will locking eyes with her. "Are you giving up?"

"I want…to," Will said.

"I'm sure you do. But you have to realize there are a lot of people who would be devastated if you did give up. Lou. Treena. Bernard. Tommy. Stevie. Your parents. Your sister. Your friends. My father. And me."

"I'm…scared."

"I know. You don't know what to do. It feels like your whole world has come to an end."

"It has…come to…an end."

"True. Your old life might have, but this life is waiting for you to give it a try."

"You sound…like you've…had this…talk before."

"I have. With my dad. Do you remember what he was like after he had his first stroke?"

"Yes."

"He didn't really mind the limits which were tossed at him. He could still talk and take care of himself. Then the second stroke happened. He still could talk, but he needed help walking and doing things. Then the last stroke happened. It nearly killed him. True, he hates how things are. But he didn't give up."

"But he…can move. Walk. I…can't."

"Then let us be your arms, hands and legs."

Treena and I had tears rolling down our cheeks. I could just see Will's face as he blinked his eyes a few times and I knew he was thinking over what she said.

"You really…don't mind…me being…like this?" Will asked.

"No," Mum said and she leaned over to kiss his forehead. She moved her fingers through his hair and I heard her sighing. "But I do mind your hair being a mess. I'll go see if someone can give it a wash. And see if someone will give you a shave."

I noticed he was barely smiling under the oxygen mask as the nurse walked by me and she headed for the bed.

"Sorry. I need to check on him," the nurse said and Mum nodded as she looked at Will.

"You be good," Mum warned as she wagged her right index finger at Will. Mum walked to us as she gave me a reassuring look and we headed down the hallway. We walked into the waiting room and I noticed the black plastic chairs and the vinyl couches with chrome arms. The windows were floor to ceiling and they looked out at the other building across the street and the traffic. There was a television on a base bolted to the wall and a few wooden side tables near the couches with old magazines on them. The lights were embedded in the ceiling and potted plants were in the corners.

"Is he still awake?" Steven asked after walking to me.

"Yes. And he has been told about his injuries," I explained and I saw the pained look on his face.

"How did he handle it?" Georgina asked.

"He wasn't happy."

"Understandable," Steven said.

"Where is his doctor?" Camilla finally asked. She looked angry and I felt like I was shrinking slightly in her presence.

"I saw her near the nurses' station," Mum said.

"We can talk with her later," Steven said as he looked at the doorway. "Let's go see William."

I followed them out of the waiting room and we walked down the hallway. No one said a word. I stopped at the doorway to Will's room and the nurse watched while Camilla, Steven and Georgina headed for the bed.

"William," Steven said with a cold tone and I wondered why he was acting so strangely.

"Father," Will said with a breathy voice.

"Finally decided to wake up, hunh?" Georgina teased and I could just see Will smiling. "How are you feeling?"

"I can't…feel anything."

"Uh…."

I couldn't see her face, but I knew she felt embarrassed and she moved back from the bed.

"Georgie. It's…alright. You didn't…say anything…wrong," he said and she nodded.

"Ronnie and the others at the agency have been asking me about you."

Ronald Kaye was Georgina's boss and Will and I speculated that they were having an affair.

"I'm surprised…he let…you come…here. Aren't you…busy this…time of…year?" he asked.

"I took a personal needs break."

"Will you…do me…a favor?"

"What sort of favor?"

"Stop looking…at me…like I'm…going to…die in…the next…ten seconds."

"William!" Camilla gasped and I could just see him rolling his eyes.

"She looks…like she…wants to…cry," he said as he looked at Camilla.

"That doesn't give you the excuse to be cruel to her."

"He wasn't being cruel, Mommy. I do feel like crying," Georgina said.

"And I don't…want you…to," Will said.

"How are you going to stop me?"

"I'll…"

"Right. That's enough," I said while walking in the room and I went to stand next to Georgina. Will looked at me with a pleased look and I slid his left hand into my hands.

"Louisa said you talked with your doctor," Camilla said and Will glanced at her.

"Yes," he said then paused and I noticed he was getting tired. "What I…don't understand…is why…you let…them put…me back…together. Why didn't…you let…me die?"

I was as shocked as they were when he said that and I wrapped our fingers together.

"I'm sorry," the nurse, who we forgot was in the room, said as she looked at the heart monitor then at us. "I'm afraid you all have to leave. He needs to rest."

"Yes," Steven said as he led Camilla and Georgina out of the room, but I didn't let go of Will's hand. Will's eyes moved to look at me. I knew he wondered what I was thinking, but I wasn't thinking anything.

"Why did you do that?" I finally asked while moving my thumbs over his index fingers.

"Sorry. It just…came out," Will said with a sad look.

"It was rather cruel."

He gave me a look like he knew I was right then his eyes closed. I kissed his knuckles as I placed his hand back on the bed and the nurse looked at the heart monitor.

"He's asleep," she said and I nodded. I watched him sleep for a few minutes then I kissed the top of his head and headed out into the hallway. I saw Steven, Camilla and Georgina standing there as I walked closer and they all looked upset.

"I can't believe he said that!" Georgina said and tears rolled down her cheeks. "Of all the selfish nerve!"

"George. Please. William is just upset. He didn't mean it," Camilla said.

"He did mean it!"

"Look at it from his point of view. He just found out he will never be able to move again. He's angry. Frustrated. And, maybe, a little afraid."

Georgina could see me as I nodded my head in agreement and Georgina sighed.

"He still shouldn't have said that," Georgina said then walked toward me. She walked by me as I turned and I watched her heading for Will's room. I followed her and she went inside the room. I saw the nurse looking at her then at me and I nodded it was alright for her to be in there.

"Will," Georgina said, softly. I saw Will's eyes open slightly and Georgina took hold of his left hand.

"Don't say anything. I just want you to know that it's alright to be afraid. I would be if I were in your place. But you have to remember that I do love you. You're my big brother. That's never going to change. Even with you unable to hold my hand. Or walk. Or… Dammit. Just don't give up. Please."

I walked to her as Will looked up at his little sister then he glanced down at her hands wrapped around his hand.

"Are you…sure?" he asked in a soft voice.

"Am I sure my love for you won't change? That seeing you like this isn't going repulse me or make me pity you? No. It's not. And, if I do seem like I'm pitying you, it's because I'm angry. Not at you, though. I'm angry over the fact there is nothing I can do to fix it. That's what I do for Ronnie. If things don't go the way it's supposed to? I fix it."

"Yes. You...do."

"Then think of me as one of your helpers," she said then looked at me. "Both of you."

"Georgie?"

"Yes?"

"Thank…you," he said then closed his eyes and we both watched him drift back to sleep.