Chapter 4 - The Voice That Brought Him Back
Lena did not go home alone.
Marcus drove her.
Two of Adrian's security employees followed in another car.
Rosie was staying with Lena's neighbor, Mrs. Wilkins, who answered the door holding a wooden spoon like a weapon.
"If somebody's bothering you," the seventy-year-old announced, "I still have cousins in Cicero."
Lena hugged her.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Rosie ran from the living room.
"Mama!"
Lena dropped to her knees and held her daughter so tightly Rosie squeaked.
"Can't breathe."
"Sorry."
Rosie studied her.
"That's scared face number three."
"Which one is that?"
"The really scared one."
Lena kissed her forehead.
That night, Marcus arranged for Lena and Rosie to stay temporarily in a furnished apartment belonging to Vale Meridian near the hospital.
Lena objected.
"I can't accept that."
"You can accept a locked door and twenty-four-hour security."
"I don't want Adrian paying for—"
"Adrian isn't paying for anything. I'm using a vacant corporate residence."
"That's still—"
"Lena."
Marcus's voice softened.
"Somebody photographed your daughter."
That ended the argument.
The following morning, St. Catherine's childcare center unexpectedly closed because of a burst pipe.
Lena had no one to take Rosie.
She called off work.
Dr. Reeves called twenty minutes later.
"His responses are stronger today."
Lena sat on the edge of the temporary apartment bed.
"You think he's waking up?"
"I think your voice may be useful."
Lena looked toward Rosie, who was building a fort out of couch cushions.
"I have my daughter."
"Bring her."
"Into ICU?"
"Not ICU anymore. He's in monitored private care. I'll clear it."
Lena hesitated.
"Is that safe?"
"Medically? Yes."
That afternoon Rosie entered Room 814 holding Lena's hand.
She stopped three feet inside.
"He's huge."
"Rosie."
"What?"
Lena looked toward Adrian.
If he could hear, she imagined he might be amused.
"That's Adrian."
Rosie approached cautiously.
"Is he sleeping?"
"Kind of."
"Like Sleeping Beauty?"
"Nothing like Sleeping Beauty."
Rosie considered Adrian's tattoos.
"Definitely not."
Lena almost laughed.
Claire was there.
So was Dr. Reeves.
Marcus stood near the door.
Rosie climbed into the chair and looked at Adrian.
"My mama talks about you."
Lena nearly choked.
"Rosie."
"What? You do."
Claire turned away to hide a smile.
Rosie leaned toward Adrian.
"She says you're stubborn."
"I said his neurological responses were stubborn."
"No, you said, 'That stubborn man better wake up.'"
Marcus coughed suspiciously.
Lena covered her face.
Then Adrian's monitor changed.
Dr. Reeves looked up sharply.
"Rosie, keep talking."
Rosie brightened.
"I'm Rosie."
Adrian's pulse rose.
"I put cereal in Mama's shoes."
His left fingers twitched.
Everyone froze.
Rosie gasped.
"He moved!"
Dr. Reeves came forward.
"Adrian, if you can hear me, move your left hand."
Nothing.
"Adrian, open your eyes."
Nothing.
Lena stepped beside Rosie.
She took Adrian's hand.
It felt warm.
Alive.
"Adrian."
His fingers moved beneath hers.
Claire began crying.
Dr. Reeves checked his pupils.
"Again."
Lena leaned closer.
"Adrian, it's Lena."
His breathing changed.
Slow.
Uneven.
Then his eyelids fluttered.
Once.
Twice.
Rosie whispered, "Wake up."
Adrian's eyes opened.
Only a fraction.
Then closed again.
Claire made a broken sound.
"Adrian!"
Dr. Reeves raised one hand.
"Don't overwhelm him."
The room filled quickly.
Nurses.
Another physician.
Equipment.
Lena pulled Rosie away.
For a moment, Adrian's eyes opened again.
This time they stayed open.
Confused.
Unfocused.
Dr. Reeves moved into his field of vision.
"Adrian, you're at St. Catherine Medical Center. You've been unconscious. Don't try to move."
Adrian stared through him.
His gaze drifted toward Claire.
Then Marcus.
Then the ceiling.
His lips moved.
No sound came.
"Don't speak yet," Dr. Reeves said.
Adrian's brow furrowed.
His gaze moved again.
And stopped on Lena.
The effect was immediate.
Something in his face changed.
Recognition.
Not vague familiarity.
Recognition.
Lena's heart slammed against her ribs.
Adrian lifted his hand half an inch.
It fell.
He tried again.
His fingers reached toward her.
Dr. Reeves stared.
"Lena."
She stepped closer.
Adrian's hand found hers.
His eyes closed.
But his fingers remained wrapped around her hand.
Claire stared at Lena.
Marcus stared at Adrian.
Nobody spoke.
After several minutes, Adrian drifted back into sleep.
Dr. Reeves assured them it was expected.
"He isn't unconscious in the same way anymore. His brain is recovering. Sleep is part of that."
Lena nodded.
But her attention was on Adrian's hand.
He had known her.
That evening, Grant appeared.
Marcus stopped him outside Room 814.
"You can't see him."
"I'm COO of his company."
"You're not family."
"I'm authorized—"
"Not anymore."
Grant's expression turned icy.
"Careful, Marcus."
"No. You be careful."
Lena watched from farther down the corridor.
Grant noticed her.
For a second, his composure vanished.
Then he turned and left.
Adrian woke twice overnight.
Both times he seemed confused.
Both times his eyes searched the room.
The second time, Lena was there.
He found her almost immediately.
His lips moved.
She leaned closer.
"What?"
Nothing audible.
"Don't try."
His fingers pressed hers.
By morning, he could follow simple commands.
Raise a finger.
Turn his eyes.
Squeeze a hand.
Dr. Reeves smiled for what seemed like the first time in weeks.
"This is significant."
Claire kissed Adrian's forehead.
Marcus stood near the window, quietly emotional.
Rosie had fallen asleep curled in a reclining chair with a blanket over her legs.
Lena looked at the child, then at Adrian.
"We should go."
Adrian's fingers tightened around hers.
Lena looked down.
His eyes were open.
Focused.
"No?" she asked softly.
One squeeze.
No.
Her chest tightened.
"I'll come back."
Another squeeze.
Then Adrian looked toward Rosie.
Back to Lena.
His lips moved again.
This time, a breath of sound emerged.
Not enough to understand.
Lena leaned closer.
Adrian tried once more.
One hoarse syllable.
"Le..."
Lena froze.
Dr. Reeves stepped forward.
"Don't force it."
Adrian ignored him.
His eyes stayed locked on hers.
And Lena suddenly understood the impossible truth.
He had not learned her name after waking.
May you like
He had known it before opening his eyes.
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