Stable

After a long day at the conference, my mind was still buzzing with thoughts. I knew I had to focus on what mattered most—Rebecca. She had been in the hospital, and I was desperate to hear good news about her condition.

As I walked through the hospital's bright hallways, I felt a mix of hope and worry. I clutched my notebook tightly, ready to take notes on whatever the doctors had to say.

When I reached the waiting area, I noticed the walls were painted cheerful colors. They had pictures of animals and nature, which made the place feel a little less serious.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. Soon, a doctor in a white coat approached me. He had kind eyes and a reassuring smile.

"Mr. Thompson?" he asked. "I'm Dr. Wilson. I'll be updating you on Rebecca's condition."

"Yes, thank you, Doctor," I replied, feeling a bit anxious but hopeful.

Dr. Wilson led me to a small conference room with a round table. "Please, have a seat," he said, gesturing to the chairs. I sat down, and he took a seat across from me.

"Rebecca is stable," he began, looking at his notes. "She is responding to some stimuli, which is a good sign. We're hopeful that she will wake up soon."

My heart raced. "What do you mean by responding to stimuli?" I asked, eager to understand.

"Well," he explained, "when we touch her hand or speak to her, we can see slight movements. Sometimes, she squeezes our hands, which shows she can feel us."

"That's amazing!" I said, feeling a flicker of hope. "What's the next step in her treatment?"

Dr. Wilson nodded. "We are considering a few options. One possibility is physical therapy to help stimulate her muscles and improve her responses. We also want to keep monitoring her brain activity closely."

I wrote down everything in my notebook, trying to absorb all the information. "How important is it for family to be present during this time?" I asked, remembering the advice from my own experiences.

"Family presence is crucial," Dr. Wilson said firmly. "Studies show that when loved ones talk to patients and are nearby, it can greatly enhance their recovery. It creates a comforting environment that can encourage them to wake up."

I felt a rush of determination. "I want to be there for her. I want to talk to her, share stories, and let her know that we're all waiting for her."

"That's a great idea," Dr. Wilson replied, smiling. "You can read to her or just tell her about your day. It can make a big difference."

I nodded, feeling inspired. "I'll do that. I'll bring Jake and Lily, too. They miss her so much."

"That's a wonderful plan," he said. "Children often bring a unique kind of energy that can be very healing."

As we continued talking, Dr. Wilson explained more about the treatments they might use. "We'll also monitor her nutrition and hydration. Making sure she has the right vitamins and fluids is essential for her recovery."

"Is there anything else I can do?" I asked, wanting to be as supportive as possible.

"Just being there is important," he reassured me. "And keeping her environment calm and positive. We want her to feel safe and loved."

I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me. "Thank you, Dr. Wilson. This helps a lot. I'm ready to do everything I can."

After our meeting, I stepped outside, feeling hopeful. The sun was shining, and the sky was a brilliant blue. I couldn't wait to share the news with Jake and Lily. I quickly texted them, letting them know I'd be picking them up from school early. They needed to see their mom, and I knew this was the right moment.

When I arrived at their school, the twins were waiting by the gate, excited to see me. "Dad! What's going on?" Jake asked, running up to me.

"I have some good news about your mom!" I said, kneeling to their level. "She's stable, and she's starting to respond to us!"

Lily's eyes widened. "Really? That's amazing!" she exclaimed.

"Yes! And we're going to visit her together," I added. "We can tell her all about what we've been doing and how much we love her."

Jake jumped up and down. "I want to tell her about my soccer game!"

"I want to tell her about my art project!" Lily chimed in, clapping her hands with excitement.

As we drove to the hospital, I could see the twins chatting eagerly about what they wanted to share with Rebecca. I felt a sense of relief wash over me. They were excited, and I hoped their enthusiasm would help Rebecca feel their love when we arrived.

When we reached the hospital, I took Jake and Lily's hands. "Remember to be gentle and calm," I reminded them. "Your mom might still be very sleepy."

They both nodded, their faces serious. We walked down the hallway to her room, my heart pounding with anticipation. As we entered, I saw Rebecca lying in the bed, peaceful and still. Machines beeped softly around her, and I felt a mixture of emotions—love, hope, and a little fear.

"Mommy!" Lily whispered, moving closer to the bed. "We're here!"

Jake stood beside her, holding her hand gently. "We've missed you so much!" he said, his voice trembling slightly.

I took a deep breath and sat down next to them. "Rebecca, we're all here," I said softly. "The kids have been working on their projects, and they can't wait to share everything with you."

I watched as Lily pulled out her drawings from her backpack, her favorite crayon pictures of us as a family. "Look, Mommy! I drew us at the park!" she said, placing the pictures on the bedside table.

Jake smiled at his sister's excitement. "And I have stories about my soccer games! I'm the best player on the team!" he added with pride.

As they chatted about their school day, I felt a sense of warmth in the room. I could see the way they were focusing on Rebecca, hoping she could hear them. I leaned in closer. "Rebecca, we love you so much. Your strength inspires us every day."

We spent the next hour talking about our days and sharing stories. I encouraged the twins to keep sharing as I held Rebecca's hand. I hoped she could feel our love and support surrounding her.

Finally, as we prepared to leave, I noticed the twins looked a little tired. "Okay, let's let Mommy rest now," I said gently. "But we'll come back tomorrow, and we'll bring more of your drawings."

"Can we come back every day?" Jake asked, looking up at me with hopeful eyes.

"Absolutely," I replied, smiling. "We're not going anywhere. Family is the most important thing."

As we left the hospital, I felt lighter. The visit had been so meaningful, and I believed in my heart that Rebecca could feel our presence. It was a start, and I was determined to keep showing up for her.

The next day, I called Dr. Wilson to ask about any updates. He assured me that Rebecca was still stable, and the team was optimistic. "Keep talking to her," he reminded me. "Every moment matters."

That night, I tucked Jake and Lily into bed, and I could see they were still buzzing from the visit. "Can we draw more pictures for Mommy tomorrow?" Lily asked sleepily.

"Of course! We can make a whole book of drawings for her," I said, kissing their foreheads.