“She moved, she’s waking up” Dana said quickly

Jane readjusted the monitors and watched as Alice did indeed move her head and shoulders ever so slightly.

Moments later she flicked her eyes open and it took her a few seconds to re-adjust to the light around her and focus on where she was. It was all unfamiliar. She didn’t know what had happened or where she was, she only saw a white ceiling above her but as she moved her line of sight down slightly she saw the one thing that she would recognise anywhere. Dana.

Alice looked at Dana for a moment, it took a second for her body to respond to her thought but when it did she flashed Dana the biggest smile she could manage.

Dana’s heart soared and the tears threatened once more.

“Hey you”

Alice smiled and croaked “Hey” in reply.

Jane the nurse came into Alice’s field of vision.

“Don’t worry Alice I know this is scary and you feel all out of sorts but you are in good hands.  You probably just want to sleep again and that’s fine, just listen to your body.”

Alice’s eyes were heavy and as she closed them she gave Dana’s hand another squeeze before uttering a barely audible “Love you Fairbanks.”

Dana smiled and kissed Alice’s forehead. “Love you too Al, get some rest. I’ll be right here.”

Jane and Dana left the room moments later. Dana was in tears and Jane had her arm around her as they made their way into the corridor.  Bette, Shane and Sharon immediately thought the worst when they saw the tears and all three began to well up too.

Jane read the expressions on their faces and in a heartbeat, calmed their fears.

“She’s fine, she’s just resting now. She was awake and moved and spoke. Excellent signs that we could only have hoped for.”

Shane engulfed Dana in a bear hug

“It’s happy tears, I’m just so happy.” Dana stuttered

Bette hesitated not wanting to ask the question by dying to know the answer.

“Did she you know, recognise you? Is she really ok?”

Dana looked to Bette and smiled, touching her arm.

“I’m not sure, she said she loved Fairbanks and I don’t know anyone by that name do you?”

Sharon disapproved of her daughter’s comedic timing.

“Dana! This is not the time for such silly jokes.”

Dana blushed, feeling like she was 5 again

“Sorry Mom.”

Sharon smiled and pulled her daughter into another hug

“I’m just so relieved for you both.”

Dana smiled at the three people stood in front of her. Happy tears running down all of their faces,

“She’s gonna be ok, I can just feel it.”

They all smiled

“You both are” Bette added.