Page 65 of Eternally London

“Thank you,” I say again. “When can I see him?”

“They’re moving him to recovery now. Someone should be out to get you shortly.”

The surgeon leaves, and the rest of us fall into a group hug. I make eye contact with Lindi, and she’s looking at me with uncertainty in her eyes.

Poor baby. What a confusing day for her.

“Come here, baby girl.” I hold out my arms, and Lindi dives into them. “Everything is okay.”

“Ma, kye.” Lindi touches my tear-soaked face.

“Mommy is crying because she is so happy,” I tell her truthfully.

“Pee?”

“Yes, so happy.” I pepper her cute little cheeks with kisses and soak in her giggles.

The nurse calls us back to Loïc’s room. She tells us that only two visitors are allowed at a time, but when we all follow, she doesn’t protest.

I gasp when I see Loïc lying in the hospital bed. I open my mouth to speak, but I only end up choking on air. It’s heavy, suffocating.

He has all sorts of wires and IVs jutting out from his body. There are machines beeping and bags with clear liquid dripping into the tubes connected to his arm. He’s very pale and still sleeping. He barely looks like himself, and the sight of him is rather haunting.

The nurse checks the monitor and messes with one of the IVs.

“When will he wake up?” I ask her, finding my voice.

“Could be hours or tomorrow. He’s still pretty sedated, and we’re also giving him pain meds, which will make him sleepy. His body has gone through a lot of trauma, and the body repairs itself in sleep.”

“But he’s okay?”

“He’ll be fine, sweetie. Just give him some time,” the nurse says.

“Can I stay with him tonight?” I ask.

“Of course.” She points to the big faux-leather chair. “This reclines back. I’ve heard it’s pretty comfortable to sleep in. There are extra blankets and pillows in the closet.” She points to the door on the wall.

“Thank you.”

“I’ll let you all visit for a few minutes but try not to stay too long. It’s best that he gets rest right now. And there’s only supposed to be two visitors at a time.” She smiles kindly.

“We appreciate you letting us visit. Thank you,” my dad says.

The nurse gives him a nod and a smile before leaving the room.

Lindi points to Loïc. “Da?” she says softly.

“Yes, Lin, that’s Daddy.” I walk toward his bed with her in my arms. “He got a boo-boo, but he’ll be fine. He’s sleeping. Daddy’s tired.”

“Da,” she says again.

“Yes, that’s Daddy.”

Lindi touches Loïc’s hand, and I kiss his face.

Everyone else touches his hand, and then we all stand around his bed for a while. No words are spoken because, really, what is there to say?

After a half hour, I give my dad my car keys and let him know where I parked the car. I go over Lindi’s bedtime routine with my mom.

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