Finally, one of the doctors stepped back to talk to us. Before he could say anything, though, Sarah and Chloe came rushing through the door, Emma, Luke, and my parents hot on their heels. Damn, they’d gotten here fast!
“Okay, folks. I’m Dr. Michaels. I’ve examined Mr. Matthews and have some good news. Yes, he did, in fact, wake up from his coma and I’m confident we’re on the road to recovery. So far his lungs sound good and we’re taking him off the ventilator; the puncture has healed very nicely with no complications as far as I can tell. We’ll do some scans to be sure, though. We’re going to keep a close eye on him to see if there are any lasting effects from the head trauma; we’ve been rather worried about the slowing of his brain activity, but only time and testing will tell what we’re dealing with.”
He glanced around at everyone and said, “Since he’s just waking up, we’ll let you all see him briefly, two at a time, and then we’ll be taking him to get started on running the tests and scans. Try not to excite him or we’ll have to kick you all out. Okay?”
We all nodded and Sarah asked a few questions of the doctor as I sidled away from the group, moving closer to the bed. I could see Jackson’s eyes searching the room and they widened when they landed on my face. One of the nurses followed his eyes and motioned me over. I went, taking his hand in mine once more, and smiling like crazy when he gave it a small squeeze.
And just like that, my world began to right itself…
The last few days had been crazy since Jackson woke up and he was definitely on the mend. They’d moved him out of ICU last night, and so far everything was checking out great; no lasting brain damage or anything, the cast on his leg was getting ready to come off. He wasn’t one hundred percent, but he was alive and that’s more than I could ask for.
He was getting restless, but then again, who wouldn’t? He’d already been told that he’d need to do some therapy just to get back up to speed from being out for so long, but he didn’t bat an eye at it; he’d only asked when he could start. I hadn’t told him the news yet about the baby…but I think it might be about time. Brandon and I had been sitting there talking to him for a while, Emma and Luke had just left, and Sarah and Chloe were on their way. I hadn’t told anyone else just yet; I wanted to tell Jackson first. I took a deep breath and grabbed for Brandon’s hand. He held it, bringing it up to his lips for a kiss, and then nodded at me to go ahead.
“So…” I began, not really sure how to approach the subject.
“That sounds serious,” Jackson quipped, a smile quirking the corner of his full, kissable lips.
“Well, it is…sort of.” I sighed and decided to just blurt it out. “I’m pregnant.”
Jackson shifted in his bed, straightening up a bit, and then fiddling with the blanket. “That’s…wow. Are you…is it a good thing? I mean, how do we…?”
Brandon took pity on him and clapped him on his shoulder. “Dude…it’s a good thing. She’s happy, we’re happy, you’re gonna be a dad, man!”
Jackson caught my eyes, his brows raising in question. I nodded and he grinned, then hooted loudly and reached for me, capturing my face between his palms when I moved toward him, kissing me gently. When he finally let me go, I turned to Brandon and my smile slipped when I saw the sadness in his eyes. It was gone so fast that I wondered if I was mistaken, but my gut said I wasn’t.
Jackson’s voice broke into my thoughts. “How far along are you?” he asked excitedly.
I smiled at him and answered, “About a month and a half, two months? I found out the day…” My smile fell and my words trailed off. The day of the accident was the day I’d found out at the doctor’s office Emma had dragged me to.
His smile faded and a look of concern replaced it. “Allie, baby, I’m so sorry!” he said quietly.
I gasped and smacked his arm lightly. “No! You don’t apologize! It wasn’t your fault and you know it!”
He nodded, but I could still see the regret and sadness swimming in his gaze. I clapped my hands together and smiled, trying to lighten the mood. “Well, isn’t it about time for your sponge bath?”