The four recipients of Dr Shapiro’s brief were silent, each of them digesting the information in their own individual way.

It was Irvin who spoke first

“Can we sit with her?”

“Of course, but I’d prefer it if you went in two at a time.”

“Of course.”

With that Sharon and Irvin and Howie and Alice made their way to Dana’s room.  It was just outside the door that Alice was taken by surprise.  Irvin hesitated and turned round. His voice was soft and his eyes slightly glazed,

“Alice, why don’t you and Sharon go in first? Howard and I will get some coffee.”

Alice was still reeling from Dr Shapiro’s information so just stared at Irwin as he talked to her.  Her head felt heavy and her senses numb but she understood enough to return his smile and take Sharon’s hand that was being offered to her as they made their way into Dana’s room.

The scene in front of her was not one Alice as prepared for.  Her beautiful Dana was lying flat on a hospital bed looking quite lifeless and in the gown she had been given earlier. Now however, the right side of the gown was exposed and there was a mound of padding and bandages surrounding the site of the operation. The top inside of her arm was also heavily bandaged where the lymph nodes had been removed.  She was hooked up to a monitor that recorded her blood pressure, heart rate and various other things that Alice didn’t know or recognise.  She also was connected to oxygen via two prongs that were coming from her nose.

Alice was shocked.

“Dana?” Alice half cried half whispered as she swiftly moved round to the right hand side of the bed and gently took Dana’s hand her hers and began her calming stroking gesture without even realising it. 

This act did not go unnoticed by Sharon who at Dana’s left side was also holding Dana’s hand but unable to talk to her with the ease that Alice had, after all Dana was unconscious and probably couldn’t hear her she thought.

“Dana, baby we’re all here just waiting for you to wake up so you just take your time and rest and I’ll be just here.” Alice placed a gentle and tender kiss on Dana’s forehead and sat down at the side of the bed.

A while later Howie and Irwin entered the room with coffee for Sharon and Alice. Knowing it was only fair for the boys to have some time with Dana too, Alice excused herself and went to phone Shane who had been jittery all day waiting for Alice to call.

“How’d it go?” was Shane’s immediate greeting.

Alice filled Shane in on the day’s events as clearly as she could remember them and without too many teary pauses.

“Al I’m coming over.”

“No seriously it’s fine, Dana’s parents and Howie are here and we’re all getting along fine.  I’m just going to sleep in the comfy chair in her room tonight, I’ve already cleared it with the nurse and once she’s awake and settled tomorrow I’ll let you guys know ok?”

“Only if you’re sure Al? If anything changes or you just want some company just give me a call ok?”

“Yeh thanks Yoda, there is one thing you could do for me though”

“Shoot”

“Can you phone everyone else? I’m not up to telling the story like 6 times!”

“Consider it done Al, take care.”

“I will do Shane.”

“Give Dana my love when she wakes.”

“Night.”

“Night.”

In no time at all it was the end of visiting time and Irwin, Sharon and Howie all bid Alice and Dana goodnight and promised to be back as soon as they were allowed in the morning.  As Alice began her solo bedside vigil a single tear escaped from her eye as she sat and whispered to Dana, recounting their favourite days and dates over the years until she fell into an uneasy sleep but never once letting go of her lover’s hand.