We weren’t that far from the hospital, but it felt like an eternity before I was walking back through the emergency room doors. I overheard as the nurse told Lauren, Libby, and Taylor that Alex had been moved to a room.
As everyone walked to the elevator to head up to the floor where Alex’s room was, Libby grabbed my hand. I peeked down at her, and she smiled at me. My heart instantly felt better from just having Lib here with me. I closed my eyes and waited until the elevator door opened, and we exited.
We walked up to the nurses’ station. A nurse told us that only two people could visit at a time. Colt and I looked at each other.
He nodded his head. “Let’s go,” he whispered.
I looked back at Libby.
She nodded her head and mouthed, It’s okay.
Colt and I stopped at Lex’s door and looked at each other. I glanced back at the door, pushed it in, and walked inside. Colt followed, and he walked directly up to Lex as I held back.
He started crying. “Oh God. Oh, Alex. I’m so sorry…oh God, I’m so sorry.” His body was shaking as he cried harder.
I closed my eyes and opened them again before I walked around the bed, still not looking directly at Lex. When I got to the other side of her, I took a deep breath and looked at her. My heart slammed against my chest, and a feeling I’d never experienced before washed over my body. I bit down on the inside of my cheek to keep from crying. I was afraid she could hear us. My heart had never beat so fast and so hard in my life.
I looked at her swollen face and swallowed hard. Her right eye was black and blue and three times the normal size. Her lips were busted open. The whole right side of her face was bruised. I put my hand up to my mouth and attempted to hold back the sobs wanting to come out.
Colt looked at me and shook his head. He turned and walked out of the room as I tried to regain some sort of composure.
Thirty seconds later, Libby walked in. She looked at Alex and started crying as she made her way over to me. She turned me to face her, and she wiped away her tears.
Taking in a deep breath, she whispered, “Be strong for her right now. Do you hear me, William Gregory Hayes?”
I quickly nodded my head. I somehow reached deep down inside me and pulled out the strength I needed to settle down. I would be here for Lex.
I’ll be the strength she needs right now.
Taking in a deep breath, I turned back to face Lex.
I took her hand in mine. “Lex, baby, I’m here now. I promise you, Lex, you’re safe. I love you so much. Please wake up for me, baby.”
I needed her to hear the love in my voice. I needed her to come back to me.
“Lex, I love you so much. It’s time to wake up now, baby.”
Will…
“Alex? Baby, please wake up now. Grace brought you Emma. Oh, Alex. Please, honey, wake up.”
Mom…
“Hey, baby girl. Daddy’s here now, Little Bear. You’re all right.”
Daddy…
My face hurt. My body hurt. I just wanted to sleep, but everyone was talking to me.
Will…
I need you, Will.
Someone took my hand.
“Lex, I’m right here.”
Will…