Roy

All of Mia's tests came back with no cause for concern.

The neurosurgeon was happy with Mia's progress and saw nothing they had to worry about. They were simply waiting on her being ready to return to them.

Roy felt his limbs shaking as the news was delivered to them both. His knees quivered and he had the very sudden urge to sit down. His breath shuddered out of him and for the first time today, it felt like he could breathe.

He managed to keep himself upright though. Riza wasn't much better than him.

Together they both shook with relief.

Together, they held each other up.

It had been a tough few hours, alone, as Roy rode in a taxi himself to the nearest hospital, courtesy of the hospital (no matter how many times Roy politely thanked them, but insisted on paying, as a thank you for all their help, they never relented), then a tough evening waiting as the doctors ran the tests they needed to.

Once he'd arrived at the new hospital, as soon as he'd set eyes on Riza again, they collided in an embrace. It had felt like an eon since he'd seen her. Held her. In reality, it had only been a few hours, but it was far too long. Especially now.

He most certainly was never leaving her or Mia's side ever again. That taxi journey confirmed it.

And now they had answers.

She was going to be fine.

If she awoke.

No, when. When. Roy would accept nothing less.

There was no realm of possibility to entertain the idea that she wouldn't wake.

"Oh, thank god." Riza leaned into him as Mia's neurosurgeon delivered the news with an encouraging smile.

"We believe she will make a full recovery. We just need to wait for now."

"Thank you, doctor." Roy's voice was thick. He felt his eyes stinging.

Good news. It was good news.

The hours he'd spent worrying himself in circles in a taxi by himself melted away from him. He straightened and secured his arm around Riza's shoulders tighter. He reached over to shake the woman's hand, and she offered them a polite smile.

"You're welcome to wait with her. I understand you do not live in the country?"

Riza shook her head for them.

"Understood. We will ensure you're both comfortable in your stay here. Is there anyone else you're expecting to join you?"

"No, no one else."

"All right then. Mia is in a private room now, and you are welcome to sit with her. Someone will be with you shortly to discuss arrangements for staying here with her."

"Thank you, we appreciate it."

"Of course." She inclined her head. "If you'll excuse me, I have to see to another patient."

"Yes, yes of course, doctor." Roy reached out to shake her hand once again. "Thank you again."

"If you need anything, just ask a member of staff. Any further questions you have I will be happy to answer as well."

"We will. Thank you."

As soon as the doctor left them, Riza turned into his arms. "She's going to be okay?"

"I think so." Roy wrapped his arms tight around her, pressing a kiss to the side of her head as her voice became muffled in his chest. "I think she will. She's a fighter, our girl. She wouldn't let something like this ruin her adventure."

Riza let out a sob as she laughed.

"She'll be back with us before you know it."

"I wish she'd wake up." A quiet whimper sounded at the end of her sentence, breaking Roy's heart.

He ran a hand over Riza's hair, cradling her head close to him. "I know, Riza. I know. Me too."

"I want to see her smile. Hear her laugh."

Roy pulled back and cupped Riza's face.

"I want to speak to her."

The tears on her cheeks were brushed away. "We will." Roy wished he could promise it. The urge was there to do so…

Her smile wobbled but it still remained. "She'll be okay."

"She'll be okay," Roy repeated.

If they said it enough, hoped for it enough, they could will it into being.

Riza

Roy was snoring softly in his slumber behind her. She leaned back, feeling his familiar weight support her. A small smile graced her lips as his arm wrapped tighter around her waist. Keeping her close.

It had been too long since she'd been held like this.

His warmth enveloped her. Wrapped around her and burrowed deep within her chest, where she'd always held him and his love. Even after all these years, her feelings had never changed. There had been uncertainty, and she'd wondered if they ever would alter or fade, but she'd accepted they'd never change. She'd accepted this was their life, her life, until he was ready and had done all he needed to do in the world. Until he felt ready to return home.

Riza's eyes drifted over to her daughter on the bed over.

Not for the first time, Riza sent up a prayer for her daughter's recovery. It was a near constant thought by this point.

Sleep eluded her, as it always did. She couldn't remember the last time she had a full night's sleep. She couldn't remember the last time she didn't have a nightmare. Roy was much the same, however his earlier exhaustion had caught up with him for now. Riza wondered when it would do the same for her. Wondered if he'd need comforting again upon waking. Which, of course, Riza was always there and ready to provide.

Mia slept peacefully. She had some colour back in her cheeks and she was connected to less machines and had less tubes coming out of her than in the previous hospital. Whether that was due to higher tech equipment, Riza didn't know. Couldn't bring herself to care, because at least it looked as though she was getting better. And that was enough for Riza as her mother for now.

Riza managed to slide out of Roy's hold. He huffed in his sleep then sighed. His now free arm curled around the pillow Riza had been lying on and pulled it close.

She leaned over to Mia, taking her hand in hers. It was cold, so Riza enveloped it in both of hers to try and warm it up. A terrible guilt overwhelmed her, thinking of how her other hand must be just as cold – but she couldn't do anything to help that. Not with the wires in the way and the IV in the back of her hand.

The urge to hold her was unbearable, as it always was. Just to touch her, hold her hand. To let her know silently that Mum was here with her throughout her ordeal. That she was always here, and always would be. Riza wanted her to know, to be aware, that her father was here for her as well. That Roy had dropped everything and had run to her side. To their side. To tell her he'd vowed he wasn't leaving them again.

How that would work logistically and realistically… They'd worry about that when (definitely when) Mia woke up.

He was here now, and he wasn't leaving.

That was enough for now.

One day at a time.

So Riza told her daughter this once again. For the hundredth time.

They were here. They were with her. And they weren't leaving her.

Mia

Her leg throbbed.

She felt as though she were disorientated but wasn't sure how. There was something prodding at her to wake up and wake up now. Like an alarm reaching you in a dream, however it wasn't quite breaking through just yet. It was difficult to grasp the urge. It was exhausting.

Plus, the more she tried, the more it hurt.

The dark was quiet. It was far from pain. There was an urge to remain there, but Mia could vaguely recall thinking of her parents at some point. Could she hear her mother's voice, just now? That would be impossible, surely. She was in Xing, travelling by herself…

The screech of metal.

The smashing of glass.

A terrible crunch –

Fear spiked in her chest. Mia tried to open her mouth to cry out, to let out the pain slowly creeping over her, but her muscles wouldn't co-operate.

There was a pressure on her hand though. Someone was holding her hand. Someone was there with her throughout this. There to guide her, if needed. Mia didn't know who it was, but there was just something… Perhaps she ought to remember what it was, but right now, it was impossible. She just knew she was safe. She was with people who would look after her.

Her consciousness was returning. Slowly, but it was coming back to her. She could hear voices. They had been loud and she was groggy, so the sounds and words had been jumbled. However it was those same two voices – her parents – so Mia knew she was okay with them for now. She was in safe hands.

Still, she wanted to open her eyes. To greet them. To find out why they were here.

To hold her after her accident. To tell her not to worry, that all would be all right. They'd do everything to look after her.

That she would be fine.

Just as they'd told her and numerous different occasions throughout her life.

When she was young and had fallen out of that tree and hurt her wrist. He father had immediately scooped her up into his arms and taken her to make it all better. He'd made jokes and made her laugh to halt her tears. Pulled funny faces that made her giggle as the doctor bandaged her up. He'd taken her for ice cream on the way home. Mum had held her tight, brought her medicine before she'd even known what she needed to ask for, and had sang her to sleep. She'd stroked her forehead, along her hairline, which put her out like a light. She'd taken the pain away from her so easily.

They'd both made it all better.

Dad also read stories to her to help her sleep. From her earliest memories, Dad had been there to help her with anything she may need. His voice was a comfort and a constant. As was his love. Even when he couldn't be there all the time, he'd gone above and beyond to make up for it. Now she was older, Mia realised just how much he'd done so. He hadn't needed to, but he did. Still did. Dad always made sure Mia knew she was loved and was never far from his thoughts.

Her mother had watched over her constantly. Holding her tight when she'd been sad. Sang to her to lull her to sleep. Read stories. Helped her through the more painful and awkward parts of growing up. Done everything in her power to ensure Mia had everything, that she never wanted for anything. Had sacrificed so much for her sake. Again, now she was older, she realised just how much.

They'd both kept her safe. Made her feel loved.

And they were here, wherever "here" was, and Mia knew they'd guide her through it, just as they'd done for everything else.

They were her constants.

She just had to wake up.

Everything in her memory was muddled. Mia wasn't entirely sure what had happened. She remembered climbing in the taxi after dinner, after saying goodbye to her new friends. She remembered…

Screech of metal.

Terrible crunch –

Fear gripped her. Her body was sluggish, but she felt perhaps she gasped? Mia couldn't even tell.

And that made her even more anxious.

Was she really gasping for air? Panic was gripping her, so surely, she was, but she felt so still. Was she paralyzed? Was she stuck unconscious?

Mia didn't know.

She was alert now. Everything in her mind was screaming at her to wake up now, and did she try. Her eyelids wouldn't move. It felt like a monumental effort to do so. Her legs wouldn't so much as twitch. There was a strong pressure on one of them? Both of them? Keeping them still and locked in place.

Her hands…

One felt… Warm. Comfortable.

Pouring all her focus into the movement, Mia willed her hand to move. To break free from the terror enveloping her, holding her hostage in its clutches.

And held tight within her mother's hand, Mia's fingers started to twitch.