| The miracle didn’t come that night, or the next, or the night after that. They all expected the worse when the doctor joined them on Christmas night. But the truth was there was no change in Catherine’s condition. He allayed all their fears though. The cardiologist and neurologist were only doing routine checks. The extent of damage due to the stroke was inconclusive at this time. Only upon Catherine’s waking would they be able to assess fully her capabilities. He urged them to continue to spend time with her. The talking, playing music and reading to her could only help. She could awaken at any time. It was just up to Catherine. However, he did voice his concern that this stroke had occurred out of the blue. The infarction was of medium strength and she had shown no signs of distress during her last visit to see him only two weeks earlier. Of course, he told them they could erupt without any warning but he wondered if any of them knew if she had been under any undue stress lately. Colby and William had exchanged glances and Garrett sneered. The doctor did not let the exchange go unnoticed. “I’m warning you all now,” he said looking at them sternly, “I will not tolerate any family squabbles in front of her. Keep them out of her room and out of this hospital.” His words were emphatic. “If stress or anxiety brought this on, it may well keep her there indefinitely if she senses any tension around her. She may use this as a tool to keep her from confronting it. So if you want Catherine to regain consciousness heed my advice or I may have to limit your visits as well as the number of people in her room. I’ve relaxed the rules but I can rescind them if necessary.” No one spoke, as they all studied the floor tiles. “We understand,” William said meekly looking at the others for confirmation. Colby and Brian nodded and Garrett grunted. “I want her well again. We all do. I just can’t bear to see her lying there so still. She’s the glue that holds this family together. She’s my life.” Garrett stared at his father in disbelief. He had never heard him speak so about his wife. William’s voice cracked and tears ran down his cheeks. What was happening to him. He’s falling apart. Garrett stood, disgust written on his face. He’s becoming useless he thought. Well tomorrow was back to business as usual with or without his father. His mother lay unconscious and there was nothing he could do about it. She had brought it on herself anyway. If she had kept her nose out of this whole affair with Colby she would probably be home right now sipping her tea and reading her favorite mystery. “William you can return to her room now if you wish. But remember, no stress.” The doctor stood and William shook his hand. Garrett headed towards the elevators, but William called out to him. “Garrett I need to speak with you.” William then turned to Colby. “Go sit with Catherine for a while and then you can go home and get some well deserved sleep.” “I’m fine, William, really,” she yawned as the words spilled from her lips. He gave her a fatherly scowl. “William’s right Colby. You need a good night’s sleep.” Brian held her around the shoulders. “Listen to the boy, Colby.” Brian cringed at his choice of words. “Stay for an hour and then go home.” “But,” neither man let her finish. “No,” they both said together. William smirked at Brian and the younger man just stared at him. “I guess I’m outnumbered.” They both nodded at her. “Brian come with me please.” Brian looked at William who just blinked his eyes and gave a slight nod of his head. “Go ahead. You are both better for her than I am, I’m sure of it. I don’t know how I’m going to make it all up to her.” He ran his hand through his hair. Colby went to him and put her hand on his shoulder. “Well I would say you are on the right track, William. I for one am proud of how you have stayed by her side these last few days. And I know she would be too.” It was the first time in all the years they had known each other that Colby had paid him a compliment. The week became a blur. All Colby’s waking hours, and they were many, were spent at the hospital. She got very little sleep. Even though William and Brian tried their best to convince her otherwise she wouldn’t leave the hospital except to shower and change clothes. And Brian wouldn’t leave her. So he stayed and they caught a few hours sleep each night either in Catherine’s room or the waiting room. They both looked worn out and by New Year’s Eve Brian didn’t know how they could manage one more day. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ In five minutes it would be a new year. A bottle of sparking apple cider chilled in a plastic bowl so they could toast each other at midnight. Colby wouldn’t admit it to anyone but she was exhausted. The lack of sleep had long caught up with her and she was beginning to think she may have to swallow her pride and go home and get some long overdue sleep tonight. Brian had stopped arguing with her and William too. And as the week progressed the strain between the three of them lessened also. At first they barely spoke to each other but gradually Colby and William began to find some common ground. Brian still very unsure about William and his motives, offered little to their conversations. “I’m losing hope every day, Colby. I don’t feel she will wake up.” William sat next to the bed holding Catherine’s hand. “You can’t William. We have to have faith.” Brian placed a hand on Colby’s shoulder and squeezed it. “It’s almost time,” she looked at the still form in the bed. “five, four, three, two one, Happy New Year Catherine.” Colby kissed the woman’s cheek. Brian pulled Colby to her feet and pressed her body close to his. There was a look of raw desire in his eyes and Colby could feel the bulge in his pants where their bodies touched. “Happy New Year,” he whispered as his lips touched hers. “I love you, baby” his words were hushed as his tongue brushed along her bottom lip. “I love you too, Happy New Year.” Her lips brushed his lightly but he held her fast and deepened the kiss. Colby could feel her own need swell within her as his mouth devoured hers. Their lack of time alone pushed Brian. Forgetting where he was his hands roamed down her back grabbing her butt as he ground himself against her. Colby let out a moan as Brian’s tongue sought out every corner of her mouth. William sat and watched them under hooded eyes. He could feel his own blood begin to warm at the sight of them wrapped in each other’s arms. He looked down at Catherine, his desire for her suddenly so strong. As he glanced again at Colby and Brian so totally engrossed with each other he leaned over and kissed Catherine on the lips. It had been so long since they shared a kiss with any kind of intimacy. Her lips were cool and William kissed her a second time lingering a bit longer. He started to pull away when the lips moved under his responding back. He opened his eyes to see Catherine looking at him. “Catherine!” he gasped. The sound of William’s voice brought Colby back to reality. She broke their embrace; her face flushed from their passionate kiss, to find William sitting on the edge of the bed touching Catherine’s cheek. “Oh my God,” Colby exclaimed as Catherine turned her head and blinked repeatedly at Colby. “Catherine,” Colby turned to Brian. “She’s awake, Brian. She’s awake.” She turned back and took her hand. “Stay here,” William said as he stood and moved towards the door. “I’m going to get the doctor.” Catherine tried to speak but couldn’t. Spittle fell from the corners of her lips and Colby wiped it away. The older woman tried to sit up and became agitated when she found she couldn’t. “Catherine, calm down,” Colby soothed her. “Let the doctor check you.” Moans came from her mouth. Colby could see her frustration and didn’t know what to do. The doctor arrived and Colby stepped back from the bed. Brian wrapped his arms around her and she savored his strength as the doctor gave Catherine a quick exam. He spoke softly to Catherine and slowly her head nodded to his questions. From his cursory exam, he noticed her left side was paralyzed. She had limited movement on her right side too and her speech had been effected. She wanted to talk but the words would not come. She seemed to understand everything he said, however, the pull on the left side of her face gave her no control as spittle again oozed out. William rushed to her side and gently wiped the corner of her mouth. The exchange between them didn’t escape Colby. Something had changed and Catherine noticed too. A slight upturn of the corner of her mouth told Colby that their life together had a chance to be saved. Colby took Brian’s hand and led him out into the hall. “You all right?” he questioned as the door closed on the room. “Yes. I just through they needed the time alone. Let the doctor tell them privately.” Tears fell on her cheeks. “She’s awake, Brain. We got our miracle.” “Yes we did. I told you.” He smiled and brushed her wet cheeks. “Once we find out the effects of the stroke I think we should leave. I’m so tired.” When she looked into his eyes, he saw the exhaustion of going days without proper rest. “They need to be together tonight, just William and Catherine.” He nodded and thought that they could use some time alone too. It wasn’t too long before William opened the door and asked them to come back in. He returned to his chair next to the bed and took Catherine’s hand in his. A complete set of tests would be done first thing in the morning. But the preliminary exam showed paralysis on the left side and loss of speech. Catherine recognized everyone and had full understanding when spoken to. Brian and Colby sat and talked to her for a while and then they bade them goodnight. William followed them into the hall. “Colby, before you go,” William paused as he looked warily at the young couple standing in front of him. “Thank you.” “William there is no need,” Colby started but he interrupted her. “Let me finish. Your presence here this week meant a lot to me. I know we rarely spoke but knowing you were here, “ he looked over at Brian, “and you too Littrell, made all the difference. Garrett’s been no help. I failed miserably with that boy and the damage is done. I just wanted you to know that I appreciate everything.” Colby couldn’t speak. The change in this man was still beyond her comprehension. Suddenly she felt as if a dark shadow had been lifted from her life. “William I love Catherine. I had to be here and I will continue to do whatever it takes to help her get well.” She looked at Brian who nodded in agreement. He took her hand. “You get some sleep tonight too. You deserve it. We will see you tomorrow.” “Not too early though, please. You need the rest.” They stood awkwardly staring at each other. The urge to hug him was strong but Colby felt it was still too soon. “Goodnight William.” Brian nodded at him and they left. William returned to Catherine’s room and for the first time in ages the only thought in his head was the woman lying in the bed in front of him. He had been given a second chance and was determined to make up for all the years he had wasted. He sat down next to Catherine. She stared at him blankly. He leaned closer. “I love you Catherine,” he said and his lips kissed hers softly. Catherine closed her eyes as tears seeped out the corners and ran down her cheeks. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Brian turned off the car. He leaned over and kissed Colby’s cheek. She had fallen asleep on the ride home. “Colby, wake up, baby. We’re home.” His thumb brushed her cheek and he kissed her again lightly. She moaned and slowly opened her eyes. “Come on, let’s get you inside and into bed.” She nodded. She didn’t even argue that they were at Brian’s house but went quietly into his bedroom. He found an oxford cloth shirt for her to change into and Colby went into the bathroom. Brian turned down the bed. When Colby emerged Brian kissed her lightly and went into the bathroom. She slipped under the covers and curled on her side waiting for him to join her. Brian turned out the lights and noticed the shirt casually draped at the foot of the bed. He slipped out of his boxers and slid in next to Colby. Her body was warm and she snuggled closer to him. “Make love to me Brian,” she whispered as her hands moved down his chest and she touched him lightly. It was enough to make Brian moan his need so strong. He stroked her breasts and Colby guided him into her. They lay motionless savoring the feel of their bodies joined. Brian’s mouth covered hers and they moved slowly together. Sleep would come but at that moment all they needed was the comfort of each other. |