They were able to get her out of Elliot's SUV without any issues and get her to the hospital. Elliot was trapped in the vehicle for twenty minutes before they were able to get him out. His injuries were worse than Felicity's. The driver of the truck was treated on the scene for minor injuries and then arrested.
I play the scene over and over again in my head. Were they laughing before it happened? Did Elliot see the truck before it hit them? Were they happy one minute and in pain the next?
It doesn't matter. All that matters now is what the doctor has to say about Elliot and Felicity. We need an update. Just as I'm about to go find the nurse I spoke with earlier, the doctor walks in the room. I stand when he comes in the room, ready to introduce myself. "Mr. and Mrs. Evans."
I drop back into my seat. Will scoops up my hand and laces our fingers. James takes my other hand and does the same. Mr. Evans nods his head and the doctor takes a seat next to him. I watch as the doctor places his hand on Mr. Evans shoulder and I know what's about to happen. The tears start to fall before the words are spoken.
"Elliot was badly injured in the accident. His heart stopped in the ambulance on the way here, but we were able to revive him. He had multiple internal injuries and internal bleeding that we were unable to get it under control causing stress on his heart. We did everything we could. I'm terribly sorry for your loss."
I CAN'T MOVE. My body is in shock. I will myself to snap out of it, but it's no use. The doctor’s words echo through my mind followed by Mrs. Evans’ screams. It's like my brain is on instant replay. I hear it over and over again. James took them home a while ago, but it's still all I can hear.
Will's still here. He hasn't moved. He hasn't let go of my hand. He hasn't said a word. I think he understands me better than I gave him credit for. Right now I just need someone to be here for me. I don't want to talk about it. I can't. Not yet. I need him to hold my hand, though. I need him to give me strength.
This is just the beginning.
I want to go see Felicity. I want to stand up and get in the elevator. I want to walk into her room and see her face. I need to see that she's alive for myself. My fear is that she won't make it. I can't lose them both. I won't survive.
Felicity's doctor showed up right after Elliot's left. He said that she should recover but that she has a long road ahead of her. Her burns weren’t nearly as bad as they had anticipated. Most of them were superficial and will heal on their own. She's still unconscious and not out of the woods completely. They need to evaluate her once she wakes up. Until then they won't know if there is any brain damage.
"I can't lose her." I have to say the words out loud.
"I know. You won't."
"You don't know that. You can't promise me that." I know Will's intentions are genuine but false hope isn't going to do me any good and neither are promises that he can't possibly keep.
"You're right. I can't. She has a chance, though. She made it through the surgery. I'm sure she has a rough road ahead of her, but she has you. You'll help each other through this."
I let his words sink in. I'm going to have to help her through this. Through her recovery and the loss of Elliot. Who's going to help me?
"I will."
I must have said that out loud. I never meant to ask the question, but I'm not surprised by his answer. "Why?"
"Do I have to have a reason?"
I turn toward him and look him in the eye. "There's a reason for everything in life. There's a reason Elliot... There's a reason Felicity is lying in a hospital bed right now. There's a reason you are sitting here with me. Some of the reasons suck. What's your reason?"
"I care about you, Reagan. A lot. More than I should. I'm hoping that someday you might feel the same way about me. If not, I'll gain an amazing friend out of the deal." Always so honest.
I want to care about Will. If there's been anyone I've met who's been worth caring about, it's him. I didn't realize it at first, our date being cut short and all, but I realize it now. He's a good person, a good man. He's the kind of man that I've been trying to avoid all these years for fear of falling in love with someone else. Someone that isn't Luke.
Luke. I wonder if he knows.
"I have to head to the airport soon to pick up Felicity's parents. Why don't you wait upstairs with her? I'm sure she'd like some company." Will stands and holds his hand out for me. I place mine in his and allow him to pull me to my feet. "I know this is horrible timing, but I'm going to kiss you, Reagan. Not because I'm trying to get you in bed and not because I like you. I'm going to kiss you because you need it. You need something good right now and it's all I can offer you. I can be your consolation prize."
He's right in so many ways, but I'll never tell him that.
I let him kiss me. It's sweet but passionate. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him closer. He responds perfectly, pulling me into his body and holding me there. When our lips part, my first thought is that I want him to do that again. For me, that's the opposite of normal.
"Ready?"
His eyes meet mine and I see the meaning behind that one word. For the first time ever, I don't hesitate. I don't run. "Yes."
Walking hand in hand to the elevators, I smile. I think about how Felicity would be proud of me. Thinking of Felicity causes me to think of Elliot and my smile fades. Guilt creeps in. I lost him today. He was smiling and happy this afternoon. He was alive, fighting with Luke on the phone. He had his entire life ahead of him. He was going to ask Felicity to marry him.
It all ended in the blink of an eye. His life was cut short by some asshole that decided to run a red light. He destroyed Elliot's world. He destroyed the Evan's world. He destroyed a large part of my world.
The door to her room is open. I take a step in the door and I feel like I'm being punched in the face. So many sounds assault me at once. Felicity is hooked up to a bunch of machines, but she looks like she's sleeping peacefully. The doctor said that they were able to remove the machine that was breathing for her. She's still hooked up to a heart monitor, an IV and a couple of other machines that I have no idea what they are for.
"Are you going to be okay if I leave you here and head to the airport?"
"I'll be fine. Thank you for all your help and for picking them up. Will I see you when you come back?"
"I'll bring them up here. Did you want me to stay?"
Do I? No. "I was hoping that you might bring me back home. If she's not awake by the time they get here, I want to give them their space with her."
"Sure. I'll see you in a little bit. Call me if you need anything."
Will closes the door behind him and I take the seat next to the bed. I caress Felicity's hand and talk to her like she can hear me. I tell her all good things, only positive things. I tell her all about how amazing Will has been. I tell her about my plans for taking this one seriously and giving him a chance. When the words come out of my mouth I'm shocked. It was only this afternoon when I told him that I couldn't offer him more than friendship. Now, I'm telling Felicity that I want more.
I'll have to be the one to tell her about Elliot. I don't want to be that person but at the same time, I do. She's going to need me when she finds out. I'm going to need her when I finally say the words aloud. Until then, it's not real. Not as real as it will be at least.