Pretending

The quiet in the hospital room was a fragile thing, broken only by the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor.

Chris and Claire had just finished eating and didn't know what to say or if to leave Alex with Emma in his condition.

He seemed like he could collapse anytime soon so they couldn't leave him.

Emma lay so still, her pale face soft in the muted daylight filtering through the window.

Alex hadn't moved from her side, his hand still cradling hers as if letting go would mean losing her all.

His gaze was locked on her face, searching for any sign of consciousness, any sign that she was coming back to him.

Ivy also stood nearby, equally silent, her eyes shifting between Emma and Alex, lost in her own thought.