“Zara and Phil will be here. You haven’t left the room since we got here. You need a break.”
I bite down on my bottom lip and slowly nod my head. “Okay.” I let her lead me out of the room and back through the seating area. It seems like days have passed since we were in here waiting for news. Stopping at a vending machine, I get a bottle of water. “What time is it?” I ask Emma as we get outside.
“It’s late. Two twenty-five a.m.”
“Savannah messaged me earlier. I never replied. It’s too late to reply now.” My hand flies to my mouth. “Oh, God! Jacob!”
She places her hand on my arm. “He’s fine, Aria. Savannah still has him. She knows Jack’s going to be okay, but is still unconscious.” She pauses. “You really love him, don’t you?”
“Jack? Yeah, I do.”
“No. I mean Jacob.”
“Oh. Well, yes, I love Jacob. I love them both.”
She smiles. “They love you too.”
“Can we go back inside? I want to be there when he wakes up.” She nods and we walk back toward Jack’s room in comfortable silence. As we near his room, I notice an orange light flashing above the door. “What’s that?” I ask as we get nearer. Before Emma can answer, a doctor and nurse run from the other end of the corridor and into Jack’s room. The unopened bottle of water drops from my hand and I sprint the short distance to his room. I fling the door open. It bangs off the wall, and everyone turns to look at me.
“Is he okay?” I ask desperately, almost afraid to hear the answer.
“He’s waking up,” Zara exclaims. “He squeezed my hand.”
“It could have just been a reflex,” the nurse explains. “Dr. Lewis is just checking him over.”
I nod as I hold my breath, waiting for them to do their checks.
“Jack, can you hear me?” the doctor asks.
“Where am I?” he croaks.
“He’s awake,” I whisper, looking at Emma, who’s smiling widely.
“You’re in the hospital, Jack. You had an accident. How are you feeling?” Dr. Lewis asks as he flashes a light in Jack’s eyes.
“My head hurts.”
“That’s to be expected. I’m afraid you’ve fractured your skull. We did a CT scan, and it showed a small swelling. It’s a mild fracture though, and you should make a full recovery. Nurse Carter will get you some painkillers, and I’ll be back to check on you later.” He looks overwhelmed and I’ve no idea if he took everything in that the doctor told him.
“Thank you,” Emma says as Dr. Lewis and Nurse Carter leave the room. My eyes go to Jack, who’s staring at Zara.
“Zara,” he whispers, holding his hand out to her. Her eyes widen in surprise before a smile erupts on her face and she moves closer toward him. His outstretched hand reaches for hers, his eyes fixed on her stomach. “The baby?” he asks, panic lacing his voice. “How long have I been asleep? Did I miss it?” Emma gasps from the side of me and suddenly I can’t breathe. My fingers begin to tingle and black spots dance in front of my eyes.
“What?” Zara whispers.
“Did you have the baby?” he asks, confused. “Why aren’t you pregnant?”
“He thinks it’s three years ago,” I mumble. Emma reaches for my hand and pulls me into her side.
“I’ll get the doctor,” Phil says, his voice sounding distant and muffled. Seconds later the same doctor and nurse return, their eyes full of concern.
“What year is it, Jack?” the doctor asks as he comes to the side of his bed. Jack’s eyes are still focused on Zara and a frown appears on his face.
“What?” he asks, dragging his eyes off her.
“What year is it?”
“It’s 2017. Why are you asking me that?”