The soft beeping of medical equipment filled the hospital room as Emma stirred from her uncomfortable position in the chair beside Diana's bed. She blinked, disoriented, as the events of the past day came rushing back. Her mother had woken up, a glimmer of hope in what had been a nightmare of uncertainty.
Emma leaned forward, studying Diana's face. Her mother was sleeping peacefully now, her breathing steady. The rush of relief Emma had felt when Diana first opened her eyes was still there, but now it was tempered with worry about the long road to recovery ahead.
A gentle knock on the door startled Emma out of her thoughts. She turned, expecting to see a nurse or perhaps Jake returning with more coffee. Instead, she found herself looking into the anxious eyes of Tom.
"Tom?" Emma whisper
