PART OF HER WORLD

CHAPTER 18

Asher sat with her day and night, only going home to shower, grab a bite to eat, and then returned to her side. His boss had given him compassionate leave and even told him that his job would be there when he was ready to come back. Two weeks had come and gone, Sophia lay there unmoving on her bed. Although no longer in critical condition, she still had not come out of her coma. The doctors had upgraded her condition and now they were hopeful. The baby was still alive, still growing inside her and they were doing everything to make sure Sophia didn't lose their child. The police had charged Bentley with several different crimes, including attempted murder, and he would never again bother Sophia.

 Picking up the newspaper, Asher began to read it to her. He had done so every day now, it was something she had enjoyed. The doctor had encouraged them to talk to her, and he did, as did Maxine and Margret. As he finished the paper, he slipped his hand into hers and felt the light pressure of a squeeze. In the past two weeks, she had squeezed his hand a few times. The doctors told him this was common. It happened with most comatose patients and it was expected. Asher began telling her that Hallie would be getting her operation. They had gotten enough money from the fundraisers the local organizations had held for her to cover what his insurance wouldn't.

It was good news for a change, and although he wouldn't be going, he knew Mike would be Crystal's rock this time. As he told Sophia that he would be staying behind, her hand squeezed his again. This time, she didn't stop. He stared at her hand in his and it began to shake a little. Asher glanced up at her face and spotted the wet streaks coming from her eyes. Tears ran from her closed lids, this was something he wasn't told might happen.

Reaching for the panic button, he continued to talk to Sophia. Her small hand trembled in his, something was happening, and he was both afraid and elated at the same time.

"Is something wrong?" a young nurse asked as she entered the room.

"I don't know. She's crying,” he said, choked up, fighting the tears in his eyes.

"I'll get the doctor on call,” she stated and left.

As he waited for the doctor, he could not take his gaze off her face. Sophia’s lids fluttered open for a moment, then her eyes rolled in her head and her eyelids closed. The trembling stopped, and her hand went limp in his. Asher began to panic, fear that she may be taking another stroke washed over him.

"Mr. Lincoln, can I ask you to step out for a moment." The doctor who came marching in asked.

"Is she ok, is she having another stroke,” his mind raced, as did his heart in his chest.

"I don't believe so, but I need you to step out please,” he said again.

Asher did as he was asked, pacing up and down the hallway, fear gripping him as two more doctors went into the room. What if she was about to die, what if he wasn't there for her and why was it taking the doctors so long? He watched as a nurse walked past him, she held a syringe and a small clear bottle in her hands as she stepped into Sophia's room. Nearly thirty more minutes went by and as Asher was getting ready to call Maxine, the door opened and the doctor peered out.

He looked at Asher and smiled as he walked towards where he had been pacing back and forth.

"You can go in now,” he said.

"Is she alright?"

"Yes, she is tired, weak, and not able to say much. Her speech is not completely coherent, and she may not understand everything you say.” The doctor was saying, and Asher stood there completely stunned.

"Mr. Lincoln, are you alright?" the doctor asked.

"I don't understand, she's awake?" He asked, not sure if that was what the man was trying to tell him.

"Yes, but as I said, she is still very weak.”  

Asher never heard another word the man said as he moved to see Sophia. He paused for a moment at the door to wipe the tears from his eyes before going in.

* * *~~~* * *

It had been a long road to get here, two months of therapy and Asher had gone with her to every one of her sessions. She still had a long way to go yet, but the doctors were confident she would make a full recovery. Her sight had come back after a few weeks, and now she was enjoying having it again. Asher was as handsome as Margret had portrayed him and his niece Hallie looked like an angel. She got to see Crystal and Mike, was able to even read the paper to Asher for a change.

 Yesterday, she had her ultrasound done and both she and Asher got to see their unborn child. Sophia had bawled like a baby at seeing the small life growing in her womb. It was something she never dreamed would happen. Asher cried as he squeezed her hand and although the technician asked if they wanted to know the s*x of their baby, both of them said no. They both wanted it to be a surprise. Apparently, Margret and Crystal were already planning the baby shower and they were disappointed when they learned that Sophia hadn't learned the s*x.

Because of her condition, she needed to see a neonatal specialist; he was a kind and sweet man who treated her with the utmost respect. She was his first pregnant coma recovery patient. He made sure he covered all the avenues with her, referring with several other doctors who had seen such cases. Her neonatal doctor told her the baby was developing at a normal rate. He didn't foresee any problems that could have developed from her stroke or the surgery. It was the best news she could have ever received.

Sophia knew that by the time the baby arrived, she may not be at a hundred percent. Her pregnancy also added to the slowness of her recovery. Her therapy had to be done differently because of it. Her time spent doing the exercises and rehabilitation was much shorter than the other patients at the clinic. Asher had already made plans to be home with her after the baby came so he could help her.

Tonight, as Asher helped her down the steps of their home, she knew she may never walk right again. She thought it was a small price to pay to be able to see again.

"So where are we going?" she asked him as he took her by the hand.

"I promised you a picnic down at the river and I always keep my promises,” he said as they headed down the driveway.

"Without a basket?" she asked, as he carried nothing with him.

"Don't worry, that's already taken care of,” he said with a sly grin.

"Oh really?" Sophia grinned. Asher was up to something.

"So what do you think of the name Ryan?" he asked, changing the subject.

"Not bad, what about Elisha?" she queried.

"Kind of old fashioned isn't it? How about Samantha?"

"I think I like Roberta better." she chided him. A smile played on her face, they still had no names picked out, and it became a daily thing to discuss.

This afternoon had been wonderful as she and Asher worked at turning her office into a nursery.  She was pleasantly surprised when he asked her to go for a picnic with him. Walking down to the river holding hands with Asher, Sophia enjoyed the warm breeze against her skin. Her cane dug into the ground as she used it to help support her as they walked. The sun was just starting to slip behind the tall trees that lined the narrow road. The colors it cast within the clouds overhead was a tapestry of pinks and reds. The hues were so vibrant that she had all but forgotten how wonderful the sunsets here were.

As they reached the small bridge, she spotted Crystal's car parked on the side of the road. A child's giggle drew her attention toward the river. Her breath caught in her throat. A small flat area on the riverbank had a small bistro table and two chairs. It was already set up with covered plates, candles, and wine glasses. Soft romantic music began to play and Sophia’s tears well in her eyes. Crystal, Mike, and Hallie were just walking up from the spot, all three culprits smiling at her.

"Hey, you kids have fun. We got a movie to catch." Crystal said, giving both her and Asher a hug as did Hallie.

"Yeah enjoy yourselves, it's not fine Italian dining, but it's not tuna sandwiches either,” Mike said with a lighthearted laugh.

* * *~~~* * *

Helping Sophia down to the spot he had asked his sister to get ready earlier, he could see how utterly surprised Sophia was. He was overjoyed at how happy it made her and he hoped that the rest of his surprise wouldn't backfire on him. As they got settled, he uncovered their plates and Sophia's face lit up.

"I hope you like it,” he said. He was more than a little nervous tonight.

"It's wonderful," she exclaimed.

Their plates were filled with pasta salad, potato salad, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and thinly sliced cold cuts. And for dessert, there were two slices of cherry pie. It was the same as the first dinner she had cooked for him. She reached across the table and held his hand. She had tears in her eyes.

"Asher, you are so romantic," she declared.

"And there's a nice bottle of chilled milk in the cooler," he said as he reached down and took it out.

"You thought of everything," she said as he poured them both a glass and then put it in the cooler.

While they ate, they talked, laughed, and tried to come up with both a boy's and girl's name for the baby. It was to no avail, but they still had five more months to figure it out. When they finished eating, he got up and held out his hand to her.

"May I have this dance?" he said as the music played from the small battery-operated radio nearby.

"I'm not sure how well I'll do,” she laughed as she stood.

"It's OK if you step on my feet,” he said with a smile.

"It's a good thing I'm wearing sandals then,” Sophia giggled.

"You smell so good,” he told her as he pulled her close and began to slowly move to the music.

He didn't want to make her too tired so he paused occasionally, giving her a moment to rest before he continued to dance. As the song ended, he leaned in and kissed her.

"I love you Sophia,” he told her as he pulled his lips away.

"I love you too,” she said, her eyes glistening in the soft light cast by the candles on the table beside them.

"Let me help you sit down,” he said, and aided her to her seat. As she sat down, he dropped to one knee and reached into his pocket.

"I know we've only known each other for half a year but I know that you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. No one's ever made me feel the way you do inside. I can't explain it, just saying I love you is nowhere near how my heart feels,” he began. A soft smile played on Sophia's pretty face as she looked at him.

Now or never, he thought to himself, and he nervously took out the small ring box and opened it.

"Will you marry me Sophia?" he asked, as his tummy fluttered full of butterflies.

"Yes, oh god yes," she squealed out and flung her arms around his neck.

"Sophia, I promise I will be the best husband and father.  I love you so much,” he murmured against her hair as he hugged her back.

Pulling away from her, he took her left hand and slipped the tiny diamond onto her finger. It wasn't much but he had come to know that Sophia wasn't a materialistic person.  She seemed more than thrilled with the ring he had picked for her.

"I want you to know, I don't think I have ever been so happy,” she said as he held her hand.

"We're a family, you and the baby are my life and there is nothing I wouldn't do for you,” he told her, and she kissed him.

"Take me home and make love to me," she whispered into his ear. It sent his heart tumbling again, and after he cleaned up their little picnic, they walked home.