Wildflower

Twenty-Five

Running up the hospital staircase two at a time Calum tries to collect himself at least a little bit as he pushes into the unit, taking deep breaths to try and slow his heart rate and near hyperventilation. His body seeming to be completely in a panic and out of his control.

She has to be okay.

"Good evening sir." The nurse greets him as usual.

"Hi!" He waves quickly, his eyes set in the corner he needs to round.

Twisting the doorknob he pushes into the room, preparing for the worst, making eye contact with Frank, Zane, Zac, and Ruby, all with tear tracks in their eyes.

"Wha—"

"Where did your curls go?" His eyes go wide, still locked with Ruby's as the realization of who's soft voice is filling the space, Ruby smiling ever so slightly at him before he drags his eyes slowly towards the bed.

"Z?" his voice raises harshly as his lip trembles, meeting her brown eyes.

"Hey." She chuckles hoarsely, reaching out slightly with her fingers for him.

She looks exhausted still, her eyelids only half open, but she's awake.

Crossing the room in two long strides he settles himself onto the edge of her bed, taking her hand in his, the sensation of her squeezing back against his fingers causing his body to fill with a warm sensation.

"Holy shit, I was so afraid something bad happened." He chuckles to stop the tears threatening, leaning forward to rest his forehead against hers.

"Not this time Curls." she chuckles lowly.

"I've missed you so much Z." he mumbles.

"Sorry I scared you so much."

"I'm so glad you're awake." He mumbles softly, leaning forward just enough to press a chaste kiss to her lips.

Both of them turning at the sound of someone clearing their throat. Frank glaring at Calum sharply from his place standing across the room.

"Ignore him." Zeppelynn laughs lightly, turning his attention back from the other people in the room to focus on her again.

"He likes me and he knows it." Calum chuckles.

"I can't believe you met my dad already." She laughs, "And I had to miss it."

"You were a little busy trying to die on us to be there."

"Ya, I'm really going to try not to do that again."

"My heart and anxiety levels would appreciate that."

"Thanks for not running out on me because of this. Thank you for not letting it overwhelm you to the point you couldn't be with me. It means a lot." she whispers again, her eyes meeting his.

"Never." he smiles softly.

"So," Zeppelynn turns her attention to the room at large, "I was really out for eighteen days?"

Calum sits up further, staying beside her but not leaned over her as she invites everyone else back into the conversation. His eyes staying focused on her after not getting the chance to see her smile for so long.

"The longest eighteen days of my life." her dad answers.

"And where is Levi? Why is he not crying at my bedside then?" She jokes softly.

"We've been doing limited work in the shop, each of us sort of taking different times to go work, we couldn't just completely shut down for weeks on end. He'll be back after his session there. He's going to be pissed you decided to wake up now though." Zane laughs.

"I'm a little bit sad I wasn't here too." Calum chuckles, "I would have been a lot less panicked if I had been, or if Zac could have said something other than just to get here." he turns to glare playfully at Zac.

"I was freaking out, I got the most important part of the message across didn't I. You got here quickly." Zac scoffs.

"And about had a heart attack from the anxiety of worrying something bad had happened to her. We're all lucky I didn't end up in my own hospital bed from a nasty wreck."

"Well nothing bad happened this time, and that's really what matters." Zeppelynn chuckles, "Stop bickering or I will go back to sleep just so I don't have to hear it."

"Has the doctor been in to talk to you?" Calum turns back to her, ending the argument.

"Ya, that's when Zac called you. I was very confused when I woke up. The last memory I have from before the accident was calling you the night before going back to set and then falling asleep, so waking up in the hospital with these three here was disorienting. Dad and the doctor explained what happened and talked me through everything. The doctor was surprised with how well I accepted what they were saying, but I think the fact that I knew it was a possibility for me to wake up like this one day helped." She shrugs.

"We're just glad you are still you, you could have had short or long term amnesia, paralysis, issues with talking or motor skills, but so far, you seem your happy self." Ruby smiles.

"I mean, I haven't actually moved more than my neck and fingers really, but I do still remember who I am, and who all of you are."

"Short term amnesia would have been very bad for me." Calum chuckles, "I don't know how I would have handled you not remembering me."

"I could never forget you for good Cal."

"You can't know that. But I appreciate that you would lie to try and spare my feelings." he laughs.

"I wish you wouldn't have cut your curls, that would have spared my feelings." She smirks, eyeing his shaved blonde head.

"It's just hair, someday I might grow them back."

"And by someday you don't mean anytime soon do you?" She pouts slightly.

"No, probably not."

"I guess I can learn to live with that." she sighs overdramatically, Calum rolling his eyes at her antics.

"I'm glad you're okay Z."

"Me too."

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What's next for Z and for her relationship with Calum?

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~M =)