Wildflower

Forty-Six

"You feeling alright?" The nurse is a kind woman with soft brown eyes, Calum would assume she's a couple years older than he, but not too much older, mid to late twenties probably.

"I'm good. Nothing to worry about." He smiles, glad the pain is more than manageable considering he would have been put back to bed if not. And today that can't happen, today he is going to see Zeppelynn finally.

"Good. Let's get you downstairs, from what I understand you've got someone waiting for you."

"I do. And I'm hoping I arrive to find things better than I've been informed of." Calum nods softly, his neck still tender.

"We can always hope. Until things are definite they can't take our hope away." She answers, reaching forward to press the elevator button as they reach it.

"I'm definitely hoping. And praying. She means so much to me. It's scary to think she was in a coma for three weeks before I was injured, and now three weeks later she's still in a coma where as I've come out of mine." He rambles slightly, his nerves getting the best of him as the elevator lurches to a stop just a couple floors below where his hospital room is.

"Keep it up. I've seen a few miracles in my days, and heard stories of so many more. And they all start with hope."

"Until it's ripped from me, I will hope." He smiles, tightening his fists nervously as the familiar hallway comes into view, the corner he knows they will round before Zeppelynn's room will be right in front of him.

"Here we go. Remember to stay hopeful, and call the nurse when you're ready to go back upstairs." She fills him in as she pushes through the door backwards

"Thank you." Calum nods, watching her go before turning to face the room.

"Calum." Ruby meets his eyes first, her hair grown out, the red color he'd become accustomed too dulled somewhat, dark roots hanging for an inch or more from her scalp.

"Sorry, I wasn't trying to die too." He smiles sadly, accepting the hug she carefully wraps him in.

"Don't apologize. We're just glad she's held on for you to get back here." Levi smiles softly.

"Me too." Calum sighs, his eyes finally moving to the girl in the bed, her beauty still evident, though everything Zane had said a few days previous was also evident. The ashy tone to her complexion, the way her skin seemed relaxed where it was usually pulled tight over muscle mass.

"Hey Z." He swallows hard, tears stinging his eyes quickly.

"We're going to give you some space, Cal. Frank and Zac should be back in a bit." Ruby rubs his shoulder softly, pushing him to the bed's edge before she and Levi leave the room.

"Don't judge me." Calum chuckles, pressing his palms to the edge of Zeppelynn's bed, hobbling on his right foot until he can turn himself enough to fall gently onto his backside next to her.

"That's better now isn't it." He smiles softly, taking her hand in his, frowning at how cold it is.

"If I could, I'd give you this hoodie." He whispers, lifting her hand until he can press his lips to the back of it.

"You told me in my coma that I had shit to do, a life to keep living in reality. I need you to remember you have that too Wildflower. You have a family, friends, a boyfriend... we all need you—." And involuntary sob wracks through his chest, "we need you to come back. I don't want to explain that my girlfriend fucking died before I get to show you off. I need you Zeppelynn, I— I love you."

"Come back to me, please. I wrote you a song, I want you to hear it. I— I'm so sorry I've been in my own mess for the last few weeks. I'm so sorry I got in that stupid wreck and haven't been here to support you. But please baby, fight back. I need you. Your dad needs you, Zac, Zane, Levi, Ruby, Timmy, and all the other people I've yet to meet. We all need you. Please."

Calum leans forward carefully, glad no one can see the awkward way he maneuvers himself up the bed, pressing his lips to her forehead, cheeks, nose, lips. Wanting her to feel his presence to know he's here and he's still fighting for her.

Resting himself beside her he wraps an arm over her middle, resting his head against the crook of her neck.

Sitting in silence for a minute he sighs, feeling like the lack of noise is louder than it would be if there were twelve people in the room. Taking a deep breath he parts his lips, quietly beginning to sing.

"I hear you callin' out my name
I love the sound, I love the taste
And I can see it in your face
You've got a side you can't explain
You're tellin' me, tellin' me, tellin' me you wanna come over
You wanna be, wanna be, wanna be, wanna be closer
I love it when you wear your hair down over your shoulder
'Cause I wanna hold ya
'Cause I know where tonight is going..." he mumbles the lyrics into her ear, tears wetting his cheeks as he sings her song, every fiber of his being aching with the desire to someday have the chance to sing it to her when she's awake to hear it.

***

"Calum!" He startles slightly, glancing up to see Frank standing over him.

"Did I fall asleep?" He chuckles slightly, pushing himself into a seated position slowly.

"We've all done it." Zac smiles sadly, his once joyful eyes looking warn and sick almost.

"I'm glad you made it back here." Frank smiles sadly, "before she passed."

"Sorry I got hurt myself and couldn't be here for so long." Calum offers in response.

"Sorry I freaked you out and caused you to drive while so emotionally changed." Zac adds with a slight eye roll, "we're just glad you aren't in the same place she is right now."

"I wish she wasn't." Calum sighs, glancing back down at Zeppelynn beside him.

"Don't we all. The only good I can come up with is thinking about the reunion she and her mom will have when she gets to whatever's on the other side." Frank offers softly.

"I feel like I got cheated, like I didn't get enough time with her. She's so special and I only got to know her for a few months. I wanted to know her for years." Calum swallows hard.

"I wish you could have known her longer, you made such a positive impact on her life." Zac has tears beading in his eyes as he confesses.

"She had such a huge positive impact on my life too." Calum nods, "so huge."

"Don't forget what you learned from her, that's the best way to honor her memory, to live like her everyday." Frank has a sincere look in his eye as he makes eye contact with both of them.

"I could never forget what I learned from her, I just wish I'd got to learn more from her." Calum nods, imagining that her fingers tighten slightly around his as he squeezes her hand.

———————————
Only three chapters and the epilogue left!

What happens!?!?!?

Vote and comment!

I love you guys!!!

~M =)