Ex-Husband's Regret

I stare at her, not really knowing what to do. “You can’t do that. Her mother hasn’t woken up yet.”

“I know, but those are the rules of the hospital. One of you has to take her home whether Ava wakes up or not”

Fuck. I run my hands through my messy hair. “Can’t she stay for just a little bit?”

“I’m sorry, but no. We can only allow her to stay until tomorrow, but that’s it”

I nod my head. “Okay. I’ll discuss it with her grandparents.”

Without waiting, I walk out of the nursery and head straight towards Ava’s room. I was about to enter, when the door opens. Nora and Theo come out of the room:

“Just the people I wanted to see” the doctor’s voice makes all three of us turn to face him.

“Is there a problem?” Theo asks, concern marring his face.

“Yes. I want you to consider a certain option for Ava. Usually patients wake up from the coma within a month, the fact Ava hasn’t concerns us and we are afraid that she won’t be able to”

I feel dread rising in my back. I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but I don’t fucking like where this conversation is going.

“But you told us she might recover,” Nora points out.

“Yes, might, but now I’m not too confident. Not when there is little brain activity” he takes a deep breath.

"I suggest you consider stopping her treatment”

The sounds that comes of my mouth can only be described as a snarl. “In other words, you’re asking us to end her life. To kill her”

“I’m sorry, but yes. She hasn’t responded to treatment and I fear that she may never will. At this point, it would take a miracle for her to wake”

Feeling tired of hearing his nonsense I turn.

“Then that is what we will wait for. A fucking miracle, cause there is no fucking way we’re going to do what you’re suggesting.

I don’t wait to hear his response or those of Nora and Theo. I walk away and enter Ava’s room.

“Please, Ava. Come back. We can’t do without you. Noah misses you so much, and so do I. Iris also needs you, now more than ever. They want to release her from the hospital. Please. Please wake up,” I beg.

There is nothing from her side. She doesn’t move. She doesn’t open her eyes. She doesn’t speak.

“They want us to consider ending your life. Please don’t make me do that. Don’t make me watch while they kill you. You need to open those fucking beautiful eyes.” 

I place my head on my hand and just lean into her. For the first time since her shooting, I let my tears fall. I can’t stop them even if I want to, so I just let them fucking flow.

I let the sorrow and heartache that I’ve been holding in wash over me. I was supposed to be strong for Noah, Iris, and her, but now I feel like the weakest fucker to ever walk the earth.

I continue silently crying. Begging God for a miracle and begging Ava to wake up I don’t know how long I was bent over when I felt soft, trembling fingers running down my face.

At first, I thought it was just my imagination until a voice called my name. It’s hoarse, but it’s unmistakable.

“Rowan”Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

I take a deep breath before rising my head, so afraid that it was all a dream, but it wasn’t. My eyes clash with her confused ones.

Holy fuck. Ava was awake.