Darren was still and silence filled the room. He could feel her presence. Something warm and familiar that made him happy, he was screaming out to her but nothing happened on the outside, just quiet. He wanted her to know he could hear her and he knew she was there but his brain wouldn't allow him to move.

Lillian felt a tear slip down her cheek and she squeezed his hands, "I love you. I-I just feel like I needed to say that again. I love you Darren so much."

'I love you too. I'm here' was what ran through his mind but a continued silence remained.

Her heart fell again. It felt like it was shattering. Lillian whispered, "I love you. W-wake up soon."

The surgery had been long and it was getting late, Jon knocked before entering, "Uh, hey honey, are you sleeping in here tonight in case he wakes or something?"

Lillian looked at Jon as she yawned. Her hand still held onto his, "Yeah."

"Alright, I'll be out in the family room for the night if you need me," With that Jon left the two alone.
Nurses entered and asked her to sit in a chair on the other side of the room as they prepared the life or death moment of extubation.

Lillian didn't want to leave his side, but silently walked over to the chair. Her leg was bouncing up and down. Her fingers danced within each other. She was tired, but she wanted to be awake if he….

The nurses sighed sadly and took the tube from his throat, the machine breathing for him suddenly stopped as his heartbeat slowed. The nurses expected him to be gone within minutes.

Lillian was muttering to herself with tears in her eyes. The lids grew heavier, "Come on Darren. Wake up. Please. You can do this."

The nurses all frowned and prepared to walk away with the sorrowful look of losing a young life. His heartbeat was slow until it flatlined. Darren was dead, unable to breathe on his own. The nurses? They couldn't do a thing about it, he signed his papers.

Lillian felt the tears fall down her face. She could feel the scream build in her throat. But nothing happened. She just stared. He was dead. Darren was dead. H-he was dead. Gone just like that. His eyes won't ever open again. She would never see those beautiful forest green eyes again. She looked up. Wait was he breathing? He was alive? Her body moved on it's own as she approached him.

One nurse turned back at the sound and walked over, she readjusted him, "Make sure he's comfortable okay? When people are put on a breathing machine and don't need it, it can cause some damage," With that she walked out, nothing more she could do.

Lillian gave a quick nod and took his hand. She whispered quietly, "Darren? Are you awake?"

No response was given just the silence and beeping. His chest rose and then fell quickly like he was close to panting, trying to catch his breath.

Lillian didn't know what to do. How could she help him? She moved his body to an upright position. That should help the airways right?

Darren took a deep breath and his breathing regulated. In his mind, he was reaching out to Lillian and screaming for her but nothing happened on the outside… Then his hand twitched

Lillian took his hand and squeezed it, "I'm here. Please wake up."

Darren squeezed her hand in return but didn't make any other movement.

Lillian let out a happy sigh, "At least your alive."

Darren's eyes were open ever so slightly, his hand attempted to move toward her face.

Lillian leaned her head against it. She looked into his eyes, "You're alive."

Infinitesimal tremors pressed his hand closer to her face, his finger moved slowly like he was trying to form the contours of Lillian's face… Maybe that wasn't it. No that wasn't, he was trying to wipe her tears, his eyes weren't fully open. His fingers made small jerks but he was slow and careful.

Lillian felt another tear slip down. Even thought she was fine, she should be helping him, he wanted to care for her. She felt a slight laugh slip past her lips.

Darren's mouth was quiet, as was the rest of him, the only moving parts were his tremoring hand and his eyes that had opened just wide enough for Lillian to see the edge of green.

Lillian smiled at the green she could see. She whispered encouragingly, "You're doing great babe."

(….

Lemme try that again

SALUTATIONS