Glass Hearts [BL]

Ash’s POV

The cab barely stopped before I was already opening the door.

"Keep the change," I said, shoving cash at the driver as I jumped out.

I ran past the sliding doors, and the security desk.

"Hey! Stop running!" A security man called after me.

I didn’t stop.

I rushed to the front desk, breathing unevenly.

"My mom," I said, breathing fast. "Indiana Rivera. I just got a call. They said she’s awake." I was about to squeal.

The nurse behind the desk looked up, and smiled. "She is awake."

"Okay...okay," I exhaled. "Where is she? Can you take me to her? I just need to see her."

Her expression softened, but she shook her head.

"Not yet."

My heart dropped again.

"Why?" I asked immediately.

"I understand you’re anxious," she said gently, "but she’s still undergoing evaluations."

"I just want to see her," I said. "I don’t even need to talk. I just need to know she’s okay."

"She has to complete some tests first."

"What tests?" I asked. "Is something wrong? Did anything happen?"

"No," she said quickly. "This is standard procedure after prolonged unconsciousness. Neurological checks. Blood work. Imaging."

"How long?" I asked. My hands were shaking now and I couldn’t stop them. "I’ve been waiting months. I just...please."

She stepped closer, lowering her voice.

"I know," she said. "I know how long you’ve been waiting. But this is standard."

I nodded, forcing myself to relax.

"I can’t give an exact time, but Dr Sean’s running her tests right now."

Another nurse slowed nearby and waved at me. I recognized her from the pediatric section.

"Ash Rivera," she said. "You look like you ran here."

"I did," I replied.

I pressed my palms together, breathing hard.

"Can I just stand outside her room?" I asked. "I won’t go in. I won’t touch anything. I just need to know she’s really awake."

"I already told you several times." The nurse behind the counter shook her head. "She is awake. Ugh!"

The other nurse smiled softly. "I get the adrenaline rush. You waited for months, you should be able to wait an hour or two."

"Yeah." I nodded softly. "I don’t mind waiting days."

"That’s the spirit!" she said, smiling. "By the way. I was just talking about you."

I let out a breathy laugh. "Hopefully good things."

"Always," she said. "But we were wondering....where’s little miss chaos been?"

My chest tightened.

"Alia?" I asked.

"She hasn’t come in weeks," she said adjusting her clipboard. "We miss her energy. And her funny questions."

I smiled nervously. "She has a new best friend now. Violet."

"Ooo," the other nurse grinned. "That sounds serious."

"It is," I said. "They have sleepovers now. A lot of them. I think I’ve been replaced too."

They laughed softly.

"That’s good," she smiled. "She deserves some normal."

"So do you," the other nurse added.

I nodded.

"Have a seat," the nurse said. "Dr. Sean will update you as soon as he can."

I sat down in the same chair I’d sat in a hundred times before.

The one near the wall, with the loose armrest.

I pressed my palms together, trying to slow my breathing.

She’s awake.

She’s actually awake.

What if she doesn’t recognize me?

What if she wakes up scared?

What if she asks about Dad?!

My leg bounced uncontrollably.

Footsteps approached me. I looked up immediately. It was Dr Sean.

He had that same calm expression that carried me through the worst nights of my life.

"Rivera," he said. "I was just coming to find you."

I stood up too fast. "How is she?"

"She’s stable," he said. "Your mother regained consciousness about two hours ago."

"Can I see her now?" I asked. "Please just tell me that."

"Not yet," he said. "We need to complete her imagining and blood work first. After prolonged unconsciousness, we move carefully. We don’t rush."

My throat tightened. "She’s really awake though?"

"Yes! She recognized her name," he continued. "Followed basic commands. That’s a very good sign."

"How long will the process take?" I sighed.

"An hour or two," he said. "If everything looks good."

He met my eyes. "But right now? She’s doing better than expected."

I kept nodding.

"Thank you," I said quietly. "For not giving up on her."

He gave me a soft look.

"That was never an option," he said. "Now go sit. I’ll come get you when it’s time.

I sank back into the chair, watching him walk away.

My phone buzzed in my hand. I hadn’t even realized I was holding it.

June already called.

I couldn’t open them yet.

I leaned back, staring at the white ceiling, holding into the little hope.

After everything.....Dominic, the engagement, the breakup, the guilt, the messy night..

This was the thing that mattered.

"Please," I whispered to no one. "Just let her be okay."

——-

I must’ve fallen asleep without realizing it.

One moment I was staring at the blank wall across from me, counting the cracks in the paint, and the next....

"Ash Rivera."

A gentle tap on my shoulder.

I jolted awake, my heart started racing like I’d missed something important.

"You can see her now," the nurse whispered. "Just for a little while."

For a second, I couldn’t move.

My body felt heavy.

"Now?" I asked softly, just to be sure.

She nodded with a soft smile.

My hands started shaking.

I stood, and followed her down the hallway.

Every step closer made my heart beat louder.

We stopped in front of a door.

Room 312.

My mom’s room.

The nurse paused. "Take your time."

I nodded, but I didn’t feel ready.

My chest felt tight, like my heart didn’t know whether it was allowed to be happy yet.

What if she doesn’t recognize me?

What if she looks at me and I’m just... a stranger?

I lifted my hand, hesitated... then pushed the door open.

The room was quiet and dark. Machines hummed softly. Even the curtains were fully drawn.

And there she was.

Smaller and paler than I remembered.

I gasped in shock.

"Mom," I called softly.

Her head turned slowly toward me.

"Ash," she said weakly.

That was it.

Tears spilled down my face, as I ran across the room. I dropped beside her bed, wrapped my arms around her carefully, like she might break if I held her too tight.

"Thank God," I sobbed into her shoulder. "Thank God you’re awake. I missed you so much. I love you so much, Mom. I didn’t know what to do without you."

Her hand came up weakly, trembling as it rested against the back of my head.

"I’m here," she whispered. "I’m still here."

I shook against her, crying quietly, trying to be strong and failing completely.

"I was so scared," I admitted. "I kept thinking... what if you didn’t wake up? What if I never got to say how much I love you."

She hushed me softly. "Shh... No what ifs. I’m here now. I love you too."

I pulled back just enough to look at her, wiping my face quickly.

"You scared me," I said, trying to laugh and failing. "You’re not allowed to do that again."

She smiled faintly and brushed her thumb under my eye, wiping away a tear.

"You did good," she said softly. "I’m proud of you."

My chest ached in the best way.

I stayed there, holding her hand, afraid to let go, so this moment doesn’t slip away.

She was breathing. She was here.

So was hope.