Page 68 of The Destruction You Desire

Squeezing her hand in support, I release her and drag the other chair over so I can sit beside her.

"What did they say?"

She nods and holds her hands up for a few seconds as she tries to formulate the words.

"Brain activity was good. We have to wait for her to wake up, but they said they're more confident that there hasn't been too much damage and t-that…" She takes a moment. "She might have minimal damage from the stroke."

"That's fantastic news, P."

"They said she's got damage to both her liver and her… kidneys, I think. They said something about her heart, but I can't remember. It was a lot to absorb."

"I can imagine. Come here." I pull her into my arms and hold her tight.

"She might be okay, Luc."

With my fingers twisted in her hair, I pull her face from my neck and look into her tear-filled eyes.

"Luc?" she breathes.

Leaning forward, I brush my lips against hers. My need for her is too much to deny.

She tenses in my hold and I expect her to pull away but when I move again, she doesn't back off, instead her lips mimic mine until they part and I'm able to slip my tongue inside.

"Okay, kids. Break it up," an amused voice says from the doorway.

Peyton jumps away from me as if she's been burned and looks over my shoulder.

"Hi, Doc. Sorry, we were—"

"It's okay. I've just got some paperwork for you to sign." She passes a clipboard over to Peyton, whose eyes briefly fly over the information before she signs her name at the bottom. "We've been in contact with Maddison County General and they have a room for Libby. Once we've woken her up and have been able to assess her we'll discuss the logistics of her transfer."

"Okay. That's great. Thank you so much."

"Did you need me to go over anything we said earlier?" Dr. Willis asks Peyton who shakes her head.

"N-no it's fine. I think I got it."

"It was good news, Peyton. The best we could expect given the situation. But there is still a very long road ahead for your sister."

"I know," Peyton agrees sadly. "But at least we're a step closer to the end."

"We are. Tomorrow, we'll begin reducing her medication and see how she goes. The detox is going to be tough, and we might find that she'll handle it better under sedation, but we'll have to wait to see."

"Okay. Whatever is better for her."

"I'll check in again later on. Keep it PG yeah?" she says with a laugh.

"Sure thing, Doc." I smile at her over my shoulder as she excuses herself from the room. "You okay?" I ask Peyton once we're alone again.

"Yeah," she says, resting back in the chair. "I know it's only the beginning but I can't help feeling that we might just go in the right direction."

I nod at her, looking over at Libby. I wish I could say she looked better, but the reality is that she looks as terrible as she did yesterday. To the point that if I passed her in the street like how she looks at this moment, I would never recognize her. It's heartbreaking.

"Letty called," I say after a few minutes, going back to what I was going to say when I first walked in. "She asked if she could do anything, so I suggested she stop in on Fee and Kayden. I hope that's okay."

"Of course. Aunt Fee will like that. I should call her and let her know the news."

"Why don't you go and get some air, take a minute after all that. I'll wait here with Lib."