Luke nodded in understanding, his expression softening with concern. “Deal with your self, Detective. I am signing on for my shift. See you tomorrow.”

With a grateful smile, Olivia waved. “Thanks, Luke. See you tomorrow.”

She began the engine and put the automobile in gear, the acquainted hum soothing her frayed nerves. With a deep breath, she pulled out of the parking zone and onto the darkened streets of Waverly Junction. The journey to the hospital handed in a blur, the silence of the empty roads punctuated solely by the rhythmic thud of her tires in opposition to the pavement.

As she pulled into the hospital parking zone, Olivia’s ideas turned to Jackson. With a silent prayer on her lips, she parked in an empty spot.

With a last look on the dimly lit constructing earlier than her, she stepped out of the automobile and made her method inside, hoping Jackson was in higher situation than when she left.

Twenty-5

Tuesday, October seventeenth

Along with her badge hanging round her neck, Olivia navigated by the acquainted hustle of the emergency room. It hadn’t slowed down since she left hours earlier. Approaching the nurses’ station, she requested to talk with Dr. Everhart, her thoughts racing with questions on Jackson’s situation.

Earlier than she may inquire additional, Sophie emerged from a close-by affected person room, her eyes lighting up on the sight of her sister. With out hesitation, she enveloped Olivia in a decent hug, a silent reassurance passing between them. “He is out of the hyperbaric chamber and within the ICU,” Sophie relayed, her voice tinged with aid. “He is responding.”

Olivia’s shoulders sagged with aid on the information. She longed to see Jackson. “Is he going to be okay?”

Sophie continued, “He’s being stored closely sedated to permit his physique to relaxation and recuperate from the opposite accidents. The massive concern remains to be his airway. Pulmonary will need to scope him. He has some facial burns that can heal. Add his six damaged ribs and a damaged shoulder. I don’t know the way he managed to rescue the burned girl.”

She listened as Sophie outlined Jackson’s prognosis.

“Mother lastly managed to persuade Martha to lie down and relaxation.” The information introduced a small smile to Olivia’s lips.

After a last hug of thanks, Olivia made her approach to the ICU, her footsteps echoing within the quiet hallway. The nurses greeted her with sympathetic smiles as they allowed her entry into Jackson’s room, granting her a second of privateness with him.

Olivia sat beside Jackson’s mattress within the ICU room, a delicate glow emanating from the screens casting a mild gentle throughout his nonetheless type. She discovered herself misplaced in a one-sided dialog.

“Hey, Jackson,” she started softly, as if afraid to disturb the delicate peace that surrounded them. “It is me, Liv. I hope you possibly can hear me.”

She paused, her gaze lingering on his peaceable face, keen him to get up, to reply not directly. However he remained nonetheless, his chest rising and falling rhythmically with the help of the machines he was tethered to.

“I simply needed to let you know that you are a hero, Jackson,” Olivia continued, her phrases full of emotion. “What you probably did in that warehouse—saving that girl—it was unbelievable. You are unbelievable.”

Tears welled in her eyes as she spoke. “God, I’ve cried extra right now than I did when my dad died. I hope he understands within the ether someplace.” She reached out to brush a stray lock of hair from Jackson’s brow, her contact tender and loving.

“I do know you are going by so much proper now,” she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. “However I would like you to know that you just’re not alone. We’re all right here for you, Jackson. Your mother, Sophie, my household, your organization, me—we’re all rooting for you.”

A faint smile tugged at Olivia’s lips as she once more recalled reminiscences of their time collectively, moments of laughter and camaraderie that now appeared like a distant dream. She longed for the day once they may share these moments once more, when Jackson could be awake and wholesome, his infectious grin lighting up the room.

“I miss you, Jackson,” Olivia whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. “However I do know you want this time to relaxation. Happiness by prescription drugs, proper?”

Filling a basin with heat water, Olivia rigorously started to scrub his face across the tubes and screens, her actions light and deliberate. With every stroke, she whispered phrases of encouragement, her coronary heart aching with the will for Jackson to get up and know that he was not alone.

As she tended to him, Olivia discovered peace within the quiet intimacy of the second, a silent vow passing between them that she could be there for him each step of the best way, it doesn’t matter what the longer term held. And as she leaned in to press a mild kiss to his brow, she prayed for his swift restoration, realizing his journey was simply starting.

She settled again into her chair, vowing to remain by his facet, to proceed chatting with him, even when he could not reply. In that second, all that mattered was being there for him, providing him the consolation and help he wanted to combat his method again.

* * *

Sophie’s contact was light but pressing as she shook Liv awake. “I’m sorry to wake you.”

“What’s mistaken?” Liv sat up straight within the chair.

Sophie chewed her lip. “I’m going residence. The intensive care crew is taking him again to the hyperbaric chamber. He’s nonetheless in bother. I made positive they’ve your quantity if one thing adjustments.” She crossed her arms and stared at Jackson. “Liv, don’t get your expectations too excessive.”

With a silent nod, Liv rose from the lounger. “Jackson,” she whispered softly and leaned right down to press a young kiss to his brow. She adopted Sophie out of the room.

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