Chapter Forty Four

Stephen

The past three days had been a nightmare. I’d only left the hospital twice, just to freshen up and change clothes, then I’d rush right back. Our friends were a godsend, helping me out and taking care of the kids. The few times the kids came to visit their mom, it was heart-wrenching. They’d cry and try to talk to her, not understanding why she couldn’t respond.

I was doing my best to stay strong for them, but every time I saw my kids crying for their mom, I couldn’t hold back my own tears.

Now, it was 1 a.m. on the fourth day. I was sitting with my wife, praying for her to wake up, when I felt her hand twitch in mine. I looked up quickly, holding my breath, waiting for another sign. When her fingers twitched again, I hit the call button for the doctors.

In no time, the doctors were there.

Doctor - Mr. Gotti, what can I do for you?

Stephen - My wife’s hand moved.

The doctor came over and ran some tests. When she ran an instrument along the palm of my wife’s hand, it twitched again.

Doctor - Your wife is waking from her coma, Mr. Gotti. This is a good sign. We wanted her to wake naturally. When she wakes up, she’s going to be disoriented. I need you to keep her calm and talk to her. Soothe her. Hit the call button and I’ll come to remove the breathing tube. Most patients try to pull it out when they wake up, but stress to her not to do that.

I listened to everything the doctor said before she left. I was eager to see my wife’s beautiful eyes again. About forty-five minutes later, I finally got what I’d been longing for. Her eyes started to flicker before they slowly opened. I hit the call button right away, holding her hand tighter and leaning in close. She started to panic, just like the doctor said she would, so I grabbed her head and made her look at me.

Stephen - Trinity, babe, calm down. It’s okay. You’re in the hospital. There was an accident. The doctor is coming now. Just wait a little bit and they’ll come and remove the tube for you, okay?

She nodded at me, blinking rapidly, looking puzzled.

Stephen - It’s okay, baby. I’m right here. I won’t leave you, okay?

She tried to nod, but she still looked confused. I held her hand tightly, stroking her cheek, and felt tears start to fall.

Stephen - Oh, Trinity, baby, please don’t cry. You’re okay, I promise. Everything’s okay.

She started to breathe heavily, looking like she was getting worked up, just as the doctor walked in.

Doctor - Trinity, it’s good to see you awake. I’m going to help get this tube out, okay? I need you to listen and help me, okay?

She nodded, and I kept holding her hand. The doctor got everything ready and then moved up next to Trinity to remove the tape holding the breathing tube in place.

Doctor - Okay, on my count of three, I want you to cough for me, okay? Just blink if you understand.

Trinity blinked.

Doctor - Great. Okay, on three. One, two, three.

Trinity coughed, and I watched as the doctor quickly removed the tube from her throat. Once the tube was out, I noticed she was still coughing and rubbing her throat, so I passed her a glass of water from the jug next to the bed.

Doctor - Okay, I just want to run a few tests. Is that alright?

She sipped the water slowly and nodded to the doctor. While the doctor was doing the tests, I quickly texted Clint and Mia to let them know she was awake. Clint texted back within a few seconds, but I told him to wait until morning to bring the kids so he didn’t have to wake them. Plus, the doctors were still running some tests.

Doctor - Okay, good. I’m just going to go process these. I’d also like to organize another CT scan. Mr. Gotti, can I get you to sign here to authorize the scan, please?

I took the folder from the doctor and signed. I saw Trinity looking at me, a little confused.

Doctor - Thank you. I’ll check these results and be back within the hour to organize the scan. In the meantime, Trinity, I want you to rest, okay?

She just nodded. The doctor left the room, and I turned back to my wife. She was staring at me curiously, her eyes wide with a mix of confusion, fear, surprise, and something else I couldn’t quite identify. I pulled my chair closer to her bed and took her hand in mine again. I was relieved when she squeezed back.

Stephen - Hi, beautiful.

Trinity - Hi.

Her voice was raspy, and I could tell her throat was sore and swollen from the tube. I got some ice from the cup next to her bed and held a piece up to her lips. She opened her mouth and gently took the ice, her lips brushing my fingers. My heart raced. God, I’d missed her so much these past few days.

Stephen - I missed you.

She blushed, which made my heart race even faster. I reached up with my other hand and brushed her hair off her face.

Trinity - How long . . . was . . .

Stephen - How long were you asleep?

She nodded.

Stephen - A couple of days, baby. Just long enough to get the rest you needed.

Right now, I was just overwhelmed with relief that she was okay and her memory was fine. Those were my biggest worries. The doctor came in and soon after, they wheeled Trinity off for the scan and more tests. As they were leaving, she squeezed my hand tighter.

Stephen - What’s wrong, baby?

Trinity - You’ll be . . . here when . . .

Stephen - Save your energy, beautiful. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be right here when you get back.

She nodded, and I kissed her forehead softly as they took her away.

I was left waiting in her room for a little over an hour before they brought her back. I was just starting to doze off when she returned. I sat up quickly and opened my eyes. She smiled at me warmly.

Doctor - I’ll be back in the morning to go over a few more things with you. In the meantime, get some rest. Both of you.

Stephen - Thanks, doctor.

She nodded and left. I turned back to my wife.

Stephen - How are you feeling?

Trinity - Better. My throat is still sore and dry.

Stephen - Here, suck on some more ice, baby. It’ll help.

Trinity - The doctor said I fell.

Stephen - Yes, babe. You hit your head pretty hard, but the main thing is you’re okay.

Trinity - You were there when it happened?

Stephen - Yes, baby.

Trinity - Thank you for helping me, Stephen.

Stephen - Always.

Her eyes are blinking more frequently now, and she seems to be fighting off sleep.

“Get some rest, baby. You need it,” I tell her.

She turns her head towards me, reaching out to stroke my cheek.

“You look tired,” she says.

“I’m okay, now that I know you are,” I assure her.

“Lay with me?” she asks.

“I’d love to,” I reply.

I carefully climb onto the bed next to her, spooning her from behind and wrapping my arms around her. I rest my head in the crook of her neck, breathing in the familiar scent of my wife.

“I missed this,” I confess.

“This is nice,” she murmurs, gripping my hands in hers.

We both drift off to sleep before we even realize it, and wake the next morning to a knock on the door. I sit up quickly, seeing Clint standing in the doorway with Mia just behind him, and the five kids.

“Hey man, come in,” I greet him.

“How is she?” Clint asks.

“Who is it?” Trinity questions.

“Hey, it’s okay. It’s just Clint and Mia,” I reassure her.

“Your friends, right?” she asks.

“Our friends, baby,” I correct her.

She smiles at me, and they come in. But before they can get far, the kids rush in.

“Momma, momma!” Olivia exclaims.

“Mommy!” Nate echoes.

The twins throw themselves at Trinity, hugging her tightly. She looks confused.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” I ask her.

She leans over to whisper to me, trying to be discreet for the twins.

“Stephen, whose kids are these? Why are they calling me mom?” she asks.

“Haha, funny babe. You had me for a minute there,” I laugh.

“Oh, is this you lot messing with me? So who looked after them when we were in Jamaica last week, huh? Nice try, you,” she teases, laughing softly. My heart sinks.

“Babe, what did you say?” I ask her.

“Jamaica, our holiday we just got back from. Babe, stop joking with me already,” she insists.