River's Dawn

One year ago.  River woke to a beeping sound. Pain shot through her, instantly bringing to mind what had happened the night before.  She heard a throat cleared across the room.  She tensed up as she squinted to see who it was. No one she recognized. Good, her secret was safe.   “How are you feeling?” He asked.  Concern filled his voice.  She looked around, she was in a hospital room, her arms connected to IVs, bruises covering every inch of exposed skin.  She must look awful. She thought to herself.  She moved slightly and hissed as pain shot through her body.   “Don’t try to move yet, let the doctor come in and examine you first.” He said. She squinted back at him.  He seemed familiar, but she didn’t know why.    “Who are you?” She croaked.  “Your brother, however, we can discuss that at a later time. How are you feeling?”  Annoyance shot through her. “I don’t have a brother, I’ll be fine.” She answered through clenched teeth. Just the act of talking was painful. She laid her head back, hoping for a little relief from the pain.   “Actually, you have 7 brothers” His voice took on an amused tone.   The doctor chose that moment to tap on the door and introduce himself.  She barely caught his name, the pain had gotten so great that the edges of her vision were starting to become cloudy.  He asked her a few questions and she mumbled a response. Her eyes getting heavy, she barely saw the doctor inject something into the IV bag as she drifted off to sleep. *** Liam placed a cup into the coffee maker, placed the coffee pod into the coffee pod, pressed brew, and waited.  Soon the aromatic smell of coffee surrounded him.  After a 15 hour flight and 3 days watching over his sister while she was unconscious, the days were beginning to catch up with him.   He didn’t know how he was going to break the news to her or even if she would receive it well.  Her life was about to change for the better, but that didn’t shake the knowledge that she would have questions and he would need to provide answers.    His little sister, he smiled with memories. The last time he saw her, they were both children.  She was a toddler, barely able to talk, he was 8, the second oldest.  She had grabbed onto his hand, barely walking, but insistent on not being held as they went to the supper table.  She was so independent and strong-willed, demanding her own place in the world.  He was fiercely protective of her, from the moment she was born.  His father, Bryce, had instilled in him the duty to protect those he loved, and so he did.