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Cass smiled. “Yeah. We can keep the BD part, though.”

“I am reducing the sedation,” Dr. Lima announced as though she was giving a seminar. “Heart rate and vitals will be monitored regularly. We’ll perform simple cues to gauge her response as the medication wears off.”

Hunter remained quiet. She had worked with Dr. Lima before and knew the instructions were not for Hunter’s benefit but a running commentary on Lima’s next steps. In her silence, however, Hunter began thinking of all of the side effects this medically induced coma could produce. Her hope was that Rebecca hadn’t been under long enough to suffer the worst of those side effects.

“Dr. Vale?”

Hunter blinked, focusing on Dr. Lima. “Yes?”

“I asked if your friends were going to wait out in the corridor the entire time.”

Hunter smiled. “Probably. Rebecca is very much loved.”

“By you as well, I see.”

Hunter nodded. “Yes. We met at one of the lowest points of her life. I was there at the happiest point of her life. I’ll continue to be there for Rebecca and Cass. That’s why I brought you in. I trust your work.”

“The side effects are not inevitable, Dr. Vale,” Dr. Lima said, seemingly having read Hunter’s earlier concerns. “However, you should prepare for the worst scenario. Rebecca is healthy, fit, and relatively young. Those factors rule in her favor.”

Hunter glanced over at Rebecca, chuckling. “She’ll love you for saying she’s young. Relatively or not.” She placed a hand on Rebecca’s foot, squeezing gently. “Rebecca is strong. This is nothing compared to what she’s survived before. I’ll follow Cass’s positivity vibe she has going.”

“Very well. I’ll be back in an hour to check on Rebecca. I’ve left instructions with the nursing staff to page me immediately if there are changes before I return.”

“If you don’t take it easy, you’ll end up in a bed next to Rebecca.”

Cass dropped from the bar she was hanging from. It had been five hours since Dr. Lima reduced Rebecca’s meds, and Rebecca still wasn’t awake. Cass’s restlessness got the better of her, and Hunter sent her to the physical therapy ward to work off some of that energy.

“What I wouldn’t give to be in bed next to Rebecca,” Cass panted, taking the offered towel from Ellie. “Thanks. Is she awake?”

“Hunter is in with her now.” Ellie handed Cass a bottle of water. “She said Rebecca is coming around, so I came to get you from torturing yourself.”

“Torture is not being with Becca.” Cass sniffed her underarms. “Should I take a shower?”

Ellie sucked in her lips to keep from laughing. “I’m sure Rebecca will love seeing you whether you’re stinky or not.”

Cass’s eyes shot to Ellie in shock. Ellie’s cute little mischievous smile did more to calm Cass’s nerves than the workout she just did.

“You’re mean. But probably right,” Cass grinned. “Is Aunt Wills here? I know she stepped out to get food earlier.”

“Mmhmm. She got back about an hour ago.”

“Shit, I’ve been in here that long?” Cass glanced at her watch. “That explains why my arms are like jelly.”

“You know, you could have meditated with me. That probably would have been less stressful on your body.”

“Nah, the physicality of weightlifting really helps my concentration. I mean, no offense to your yoga stuff. Rebecca gets me to do that occasionally, but I guess I haven’t mastered how to do it. I can’t get my brain to stop thinking stupid things while I’m trying to relax.”

Ellie smiled. “People don’t realize how difficult meditating is. Some believe it’s just sitting there, maybe chanting here and there. But it is something you have to practice. You should keep at it with Rebecca. You’d be surprised how it can change your life.”

Cass wrapped a sweaty arm around Ellie, chuckling when Ellie let out a soft ‘ew.’ “I will keep that in mind. I do know that yoga and meditation certainly help Rebecca in many different aspects of our lives together.”

“Oh, I know. Hunter says the same about me,” Ellie winked. “Now, let’s go see your girl.”

“Patient is responding to stimulation,” Dr. Lima announced. “The ventilator has already been adjusted, and the patient is maintaining steady breaths without assistance.”

“She’s waking up,” Hunter said when Rebecca stirred. She pushed past Dr. Lima, forgetting about protocol, and took Rebecca’s hand. “Becca?”

“Dr. Vale…”