Page 98 of The Fool
I pepper Bea with kisses over her forehead while Emma begins to sob from the other side of the bed. I’ve never felt such relief, such hope, that everything will be ok.
“Well done, baby,” I say as I lean into her, “keep waking up for me.”
Chapter 33
Bea
My senses are dulled but I can hear the muffled sound of voices all around me, accompanied by a shock of bright light stinging at my eyes. I keep dreaming that I’m up and ready for work but then I find myself back in bed again. It’s exhausting and I’m going to be late. After a while of this happening on repeat, I can’t work out if I’m awake or not. Whatever is happening, the sensation is not pleasant, and I wish I could just get up and stay up.
After what feels like such a long time, a face suddenly looms in front of me, but I’m not sure who it is. In my head I think it must be Cameron because I’m at work…or am I?
“Mr Carter?” I mumble but I can’t be sure if the words have come out right. “Do you need coffee?”
The figure makes a muffling sound that could be laughter, but again, I’m not sure. I try to get up, but blackness begins to consume me, and I soon fall under it.
Nate
“NATE!” Cam hollers down the hall for me after I’ve literally just escaped to go to the bathroom. “Quick! Get in here!”
I run as fast as I can, ignoring the angry stares of hospital staff and visitors. I offer apologies but still pelt it down the linoleum floor to get to my brother.
“Nate, she just said something; something about getting me a coffee,” he all but yells, beaming as I lean over her, trying to get her to respond to me.
“Bea, baby, say something to me, anything,” I beg, but she says nothing. I try in vain for a little while longer, but end up slumping in my chair, vowing not to go to the bathroom until she wakes up.
“Don’t look so disheartened, Nate,” Tamara, one of the nurses, says with a grin, “these are all good signs, be patient.”
I let out a groan like a frustrated little toddler, but she just laughs at me.
“I hate you,” I pout at Cam, all the while he smiles smugly in my direction.
“Hey, I’ve always been the one to have an effect on the ladies,” he says with a casual shrug. “Some of us are born with it; some of us aren’t!”
“Oh, you’re a bad man.” Tamara grins at him. “Cute, but so bad!”
“Don’t tell my wife that,” he chuckles, “she’s pregnant and oh, so hormonal. Why do you think I’m here with this miserable bastard?”
She lets out a loud laugh before sauntering off down the corridor.
“Ass,” I retort, then return my attention to Bea, who continues to sleep soundly.
_____
Nate
I don’t remember falling asleep, but I do know it’s one of the most peaceful ones I’ve had since all of this happened. I dream I’m at work, all routine, all normal, and Bea is sitting at the desk with me. I’m rambling on and on about God knows what while she writes it all down on her tablet, only stopping to look at me every now and then. After what feels like a long time, she looks up and beams at me, literally taking my breath away. I stare at her, not realizing that she’s reaching out to take hold of my hand.
“Nate?”
I wake with a start, feeling disorientated and confused. I stare at the woman who is now stirring in front of me, though it takes me a while to realize that this is actually happening; this is real. Her delicate features pinch together when she tries to speak, as though she has a sore throat, the type that burns.
“Nate?”
When my senses finally return, and I believe this is reality, not my dream, I rush to her side and grip hold of her hand with everything I’ve got. I place my lips on her forehead and hold the back of her head as softly as I can. When I finally pull back, she reaches up and weakly places her hand on my cheek. It’s got to be about the best feeling I’ve ever had.
“Hey, baby,” I whisper, noticing her poor eyes wincing against the light. “Oh, thank God, you’re here, you’re really here!”
She looks at me like I’m insane, especially with tears spilling down my cheeks. I take in her consciousness, feeling so overcome with emotion that she’s finally coming back to life.