:: T W E N T Y ::
Just as Ellie's eyes had fluttered open, they fluttered shut. Luke stood up in a rush, letting go of her hand before running out of the ICU screaming 'Dr. Claire!' as he ran through the hallways, skidding on the slippery, white tiles.
He kept running, panting due to the lack of exercise in the past few weeks. He rounded a corner and collided with something white making him fall backwards and land on the floor.
"Oh my!" Exclaimed Dr. Claire as she rushed to help Luke up. "Are you running a marathon, my dear?"
"Do - Doctor, E - El," Luke said out of breath.
"What's wrong, Luke?" Dr. Claire asked, baffled by Luke's incoherent mumbling.
"El," Luke exclaimed abruptly taking Dr. Claire aback. "She woke up! She opened her eyes and looked at me when I finished the song and then they fluttered close again. You have to come and check, Dr. Claire!" He said in a hurry.
Dr. Claire gasped and started walking to the ICU really fast with the nurses who were listening in tow. She rushed over to Ellie's side after entering the ICU and started checking all the machines. She then examined Ellie, checking for signs that she was alright.
This went on for what felt to Luke like hours. Hours of waiting to find out if your other half was going to make it after all. Dreadfully long hours that made him chew on his nails and by the time Dr. Claire was done, Luke barely had nails on his fingers. "She's okay!" Dr. Claire said with a sigh of relief as a smile crept its way onto her face, lighting it up. "Thank the gods, she's okay!"
All the nurses broke out into smiles and a soft cheer went across the room. Some nurses even hugged each other making Luke look at them fondly. They really cared about her. He thought to himself happily.
Suddenly the atmosphere in the room felt light as if a fog had just been lifted. Everyone felt as if the world's weight had just been lifted off their shoulders. The worry that they had been feeling, gone and replaced by warmth instead.
But then Luke saw something that made his happiness escalate even further - Ellie had opened her eyes again. Their eyes locked and Luke smiled widely and he saw the faintest smile form on Ellie's face. Dr. Claire, who had seen Ellie open her eyes, started talking to her after removing the ventilator.
"Can you tell me what your name is?" She asked kindly.
"El - Elaine," Ellie said faintly and Luke walked over to stand by her side.
"Elaine what, my dear?" Dr. Claire asked again.
"Elaine Hawthorn," Ellie responded.
"Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?"
"I'm Elaine Hawthorn. I live at home with my parents and brother. I go to Eastwood High. And this here," she said turning to Luke. "Is my boyfriend."
Luke looked at Ellie lovingly with tears welling up in his eyes. She remembers me. She remembers everything. Thank the gods. He thought, closing his eyes momentarily.
"Very good!" Dr. Claire said excitedly. "Do you remember what happened? Before you went into a coma?" She asked.
"Yes. I remember going to a party. Our end of exams party, to be exact. I remember asking Luke to take me home early because I don't really like parties," she said, getting everything out to show she remembered. "The sweat, alcohol and grinding bodies are not my type of fun," she scrunched up her nose in disgust and paused to breathe in deeply. "I remember, while on the way home, a truck swerved onto our lane and I screamed when the headlights flashed. That's the last thing I remember."
"That was the last thing you were awake to see," Luke said quietly with a sad look on his face. "It's all my fault."
"It's not your fault, Luke," Ellie said softly. "It's that driver's fault. And I'm alright now, see?" She smiled making Luke nod and return the smile.
"It's incredibly good news that you remember everything, Elaine. This shows that you have slight to no brain damage which is remarkable." Dr. Claire stated. "We will, however, carry out some tests to ensure that you are perfectly alright, okay?" Ellie nodded, feeling drowsy all of a sudden. "Alright. I should call you parents and let them know!"
"She closed her eyes again," Luke panicked. "Is she okay?"
"Yes, she's alright, Luke." Dr. Claire said calmly. "It happens when a person just awakes from a coma. They won't be awake for longer periods on the first day. We should let her rest." She said as she smoothed Ellie's hair and stood up.
"Come on now, Luke. We have a lot of people to call and enlighten with the happy news," she smiled kindly as she walked out of the room with Luke trailing behind her quietly.
"Tiana, the girl in the ICU is awake. We'll have to find a bed for her so could you please arrange it?" Dr. Claire asked a young, curly haired, brown skinned nurse who flashed a bright smile.
"She's awake?" Tiana asked with a sparkle in her eyes. Dr. Claire nodded. "Praise the lord!" Tiana said happily and when her eyes trained on Luke she said, "I'm so happy for you, sweetie."
Luke smiled and thanked her before following Dr. Claire. "Everyone in this hospital is so caring and kind," Luke said with tears in his eyes. He seemed to always have tears in his eyes the past few weeks. "Everyone cares as if it's someone of their own family that's hurt and not a stranger. I like that," he nodded. "It's like you all are one big family here."
Dr. Claire chuckled lightly. "We like to think of ourselves as one big family as well, Luke. And us doctors have feelings too. Most of the nurses and doctors working here have had their loved ones in the most critical situations. For some, they have lost their loved ones," she said with a sad smile.
"Anyway," she said as she opened her office door and gestured for Luke to enter. "How about I call the parents and you call the friends?"
Luke nodded and Dr. Claire showed him to a telephone while she sat next to the other one.
Luke picked up the handset, placing it against his ear before dialing Ashton's number. In the middle of the third ring he picked up the phone and said, "Hello."
"Hey, Ashton, it's me, Luke." Luke said into the phone.
"Luke! Are you feeling better now?" Ashton asked, concerned. "I thought you went home? Or is this your home number?"
"No, I mean, yes I'm alright now. I did go home but I came to visit El today and Ashton, you won't believe it but, she's okay!" He heard Ashton gasp. "She woke up, Ash! She spoke to us and she remembers everything!"
"That's, that's great! Oh my god," Ashton sniffed and became quiet. Luke, who understood, waited quietly as well until Ashton spoke again. "Can we visit her?"
"Yes, you can. I have to call Calum as well now and," Luke was interrupted when he heard Ashton saying something. "What?" He asked as he watched Dr. Claire riffle through a book containing phone numbers.
"Calum's here. He stayed at my place for the night. He's asleep but I'll fill him in on the news and bring him with me," Ashton smiled though Luke couldn't see.
"Alright, Ash. See you soon," Luke said before hanging up. "Did you find the numbers Dr. Claire?" He asked once he set down the handset.
"Ah, yes! Hold on," she said as she dialed the number and waited. "Hello? Is this Mr. Hawthorn?" and when she received a 'yes' she continued, "This is Dr. Claire and I have wonderful news! Elaine has awakened from her coma!" she heard a gasp and John calling for his wife.
"I asked her the most important questions to check whether she still had her memory and she does which is a good sign. We will be running some tests soon to make sure she has no brain damage but other than that, she's doing really well." She finished off with a smile.
John was crying and Jane took the phone from him and said, "Thank you so much, Dr. Claire. Can we visit her?"
"Yes you can, Mrs. Hawthorn," Dr. Claire responded. "You can call me Claire."
"Please call me Jane and thank you, Claire. Thank you so very much," Jane said before ending the call.
"They're coming over to visit her," Dr. Claire said once she set down the handset.
"So are Calum and Ashton," Luke smiled.
"I feel so happy to see everyone around me this happy," Dr. Claire sighed with content.
"Dr. Claire, you are one extraordinary human being," Luke said honestly making the doctor chuckle.
"I am not all that extraordinary, my dear. I just want happiness, that's all. I think we all need a bit of that in our lives, don't we?" She asked.
"That's definitely something we need," Luke nodded.
***
I feel as if i'm thanking you guys everyday but, thank you because honestly without you all what would this story be? Where would it go? I love you all so much! Your comments always make me smile! And I love all of you that vote so one more thank you to you haha!
Dedicated to @AlyHemss because this story started thanks to her book 'Demons' so check out her work! Her book 'Vinyls' is a must read! Oh and don't forget about little me once you start reading her books, okay? xD
Are any of you fans of A Rocket To The Moon? I just heard their song 'Ever Enough' and I'm in love *-*
IMPORTANT: I will not be updating next Friday because my A Levels start on Friday. So my updates will be slower.
- Pooji