Greer
Life had a way of handing us things beyond our control sometimes, and in Knight’s case, that ended up being what allowed Knight’s mom to both be taken and returned to him in the end. A lot of that red tape his grandpa put him through to keep his mom away ended up dissolving, though tragically considering the circumstances. His grandpa had fought him to the end, and that may have been the very thing that had triggered his heart attack, something Knight not only dealt with but had been the bigger person in the end. He handled all the arrangements, was there for his grandpa even in death and even with divided attention. His mom was priority now that he’d finally gained power of attorney over her, but even still, he gave his grandpa a proper send off.
Like I said, way bigger than probably most would have been.
His grandpa’s “protection” had been under the form of pain and suffering, a heavy hand, and Knight not only rose above it, but did all he could to correct. His mom was out of that nursing home the next day, flown up state for the best care and his doctors. He took care of her, was by her side even while balancing school and his grandpa’s funeral. He got everything done, and when she ultimately woke up, came back from a twelve-year coma, he was by her bedside again. She couldn’t speak, of course. It wasn’t like in the movies where someone got up, love in their eyes as they embraced the family who’d long been waiting for their return. The process was tragically slow, an eye blink, some finger movement, and mumbled words. The doctors said it’d take weeks, months, or maybe even years of therapy, and she still may not return to who she used to be. But even still, Knight didn’t give up hope. Even still, he was there.
And I was too.
I was at lunch when I got Knight’s text that day and dropped everything the minute I saw it. It said three words.
Knight: She’s coming home.
I’d known this was a possibility today since he’d gone to see her, and after telling him how excited I was for him, he’d said he’d send a car to pick me up after my last class. He wanted me there, there with him when his mom returned home. Needless to say, I was more than excited and honored that he trusted me enough to be there for him. Things with his mom had been tumultuous to say the least, slow, but I’d been there. I’d been there too when she’d first opened her eyes, by his side and taking in the world. His mom hadn’t recognized him, of course, and from what I understood, he hadn’t told her. Everything was so new for her, still very slow. Knight and her doctors were taking things day by day, but still, she must have been doing well enough in her therapy for them to green-light her return home. This was a really happy day, and I was so excited for him.
Knight sent a town car to come get me after my final class of the day, and after going back to my dorm to get an overnight bag, I climbed in for my ride. My roommates wished me luck before. They all knew the situation and I was happy for their support. Especially Haley who not only stepped back from the situation with Knight but had shared the most support. I had such good friends and roommates and knew how lucky I was.
In the town car, I gazed out onto the road. I was going back to Maywood Heights today, Knight’s hometown and where his grandpa’s estate was. The estate had been in their family for generations, a place I once lived too for a short time. I was kind of nervous to be going back there, but the circumstances were way different than those final days when his grandpa had fired my mom. I knew all the facts now, the background, and was not only overwhelmed by it but by who Knight was. He’d been protecting me since we were kids, and I couldn’t help smiling when I thought about my boyfriend.
Oh, yeah. That was new as well, so many things changing. Through all this, Knight and I came back to each other, so different from how we’d both begun. Even when we’d been kids. He was so much gentler now, his experience with his mom only helping.
I texted him during the duration of the ride to Maywood Heights, asking him for updates. He couldn’t give me much, just that she was home and laying down but simply hearing from him made my heart soar.
Knight: I’m so glad you’re coming. You don’t even know.
So different than how he was, but then again. I think I was different too. I was stronger, changed in the best way. I texted Knight how close I was, and as we pulled past that welcome sign greeting me into the town of Maywood Heights, I got a buzz in my pocket from Mom.
Mom: Wish Knight and his mom luck for us. Ben and I are thinking about you both. Love you!
Mom and Ben, of course, knew everything too, and once more, Mom was that supportive rock I loved. Knight corrected everything with them, speaking to the school personally about their jobs. I didn’t know exactly what all the talks entailed, but Mom and Ben had their jobs back within hours of him reaching out. Knight even apologized to them personally, profusely. Once more, my mom hadn’t shown any feelings of anger or resentment. She was just so kind spirited, always had been. As an extra special apology, Knight sent both Mom and Ben off on a second honeymoon, a cruise to the Caribbean which was where they were currently now. I kept getting pictures and had been too jealous since I was still at school and forced to live vicariously through them and their Facebook photos.
Me: Thank you. I’ll pass that along. Not sure what state his mom is in today, but I’m hopeful.
Mom: We are too. That boy deserves that. He needs his mama.
I’d especially agree if she was anything at all remotely like mine. She’d been there for me my whole life, my rock.
I told them to enjoy the rest of their time on their vacation and after giving me their love, I noticed the car slowing down.
“We’re coming up on Reed Manor, miss,” the driver said, stealing my attention.
Reed Manor, a distant memory in my thoughts, and I leaned forward, peering through the tinted window. Steel gates opened to the wide property of a well-trimmed lawn, rose bushes lining the path toward an exquisite fountain. Just behind was the grand estate Reed Manor and still as beautiful as I remembered as a child. A gray brick castle, Knight’s property sat tucked behind a sea of well-trimmed hedges and flower boxes filled with elegant daisies. The place was literally like a castle out of a storybook, and I spent lots of time hiding in as many places I could find. It’d been fun for me, like a little adventure of my own to explore.
Knight’s driver pulled us up to the doors, and after letting me out, I told him I’d take my own bag to the door. Knight wanted me to stay for the weekend, and since things with classes were going so well, I hadn’t had a problem with that.
I wheeled my bag up to the door and started to knock before it was pulled open, a woman in a white coat and an elegant grin behind it.
“Greer, welcome. Knight and his mom are upstairs. I’ll take you to both of them.”
Recognizing the woman as Dr. Chopra, one of the doctors caring for Knight’s mom, I thanked her and followed. From what I understood, she’d be overseeing his mom for around-the-clock care now that she was home and had been very nice in the times I’d seen her. It’d been a lot. I’d been a frequent visitor during his mom’s rehabilitation process and at Knight’s side whenever I could be.
I kept pace with the doctor, my bag taken by one of the maids of the house. I recognized her too, an older woman who still worked here after my mom and I had left. She said she’d leave it in my room and would show it to me after my visit with the master of the house.
The master of the house turned out to be upstairs, inside a room facing the sun. Light literally bled upon my shoes once Dr. Chopra opened the door, and the first thing I noticed after the sun was Knight and his mom. It was basically drowning them in it, Knight sitting in an easy chair with his hands folded. He was leaning forward, staring at a woman in bed hooked up to many lines.
“Go ahead,” Dr. Chopra whispered, closing the door behind me when I went inside. I honestly didn’t want to disrupt the peace of this room, but the moment the door closed, dark eyes shifted my way, a gorgeous guy rising from his chair.
“Dove,” fell from Knight’s lips as he crossed the room to me, hard and perfect muscle gripping me into an embrace. He basically picked me up off my feet, my weight nothing for him. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
He kissed me after that, hands in my hair and everything as he pushed it out of my face.
“Your drive okay?” he asked, easing a heavy arm around me, and I nodded, so happy to see him too. The moments I wasn’t with him, I found it hard to breathe, how much really had changed. I think I found myself falling in love with this boy, so hard and damn fast.
I smiled. “I did. How’s she doing?”
Panning, I studied the woman so gorgeous beneath silk sheets. She was hooked up to a lot of monitors, but nothing like when she’d been at the hospital. She actually looked at peace here, her long, dark hair resting on her shoulders.
A smile and Knight tugged me over to her with him. We sat down together by her bedside, his hand still in mine, but I couldn’t help noticing the worry that twisted his brow. This was a recurring expression during this whole process as well.
“She’s sleeping now. Just sleeping.” Leaning forward again, he rubbed my hand between his. “I know it’s dumb, but I can’t stop looking at her. I think a part of me is scared she won’t wake up again.”
He said this shyly like he was ashamed when he shouldn’t be. I mean, the woman had been in a coma for more than half his life. “That’s not dumb. It’s normal. I’d be worried too, but I don’t think you have to be. You have the best doctors now.”
“I know, but still.” His fingers lazily warmed mine again. “I’m just scared, dove. And not just about that.”
“About what then?”
His tongue dampened his lips before he faced me. “Say she does come back.”
“She will.”
He smiled. “Say she does and I’m not who she wants me to be. That I’m… I don’t know. A letdown or something.” He shook his head before looking at her. “I’d hate that. I’ve done so many stupid things.”
He had, but that was what made us human. I touched his jaw, and with it, I got his eyes. “You’re her son, and though I’m not a parent, something tells me there’s little you could do where she’d want nothing to do with you. Where you’d disappoint her? Knight, she loves you…”
“Knight?”
The voice had been faint when I heard it, soft, but the moment I did, chills lined my skin. They’d been good chills, ones that had me gripping Knight’s hand. I didn’t even have to ask if he’d heard his name as well.
Immediately, his eyes darted over to his mom, fastening on her gaze. She stared right at us, at him, and her fingers lifted from the sheets. “Knight…”
He rose, instantly taking her hand, and immediately, I got up, calling for Dr. Chopra. His mom didn’t do this, call for him or anyone. Her speech was usually pretty mumbled, like she was out of it most of the time, but she definitely wasn’t now. She called specifically for Knight, wanting his hand.
“Mom.” He warmed hers between his, focusing on nothing but her, and my eyes watered, his too as he smiled at her. “Yeah, Mom. It’s me. Knight. Your son.”
“Knight,” she whispered again, and he touched her cheek. Her lips lifted, a soft smile forming them. “So big.”
Laughter, emotion-lined as he nodded at her. “I am, but it’s me. I swear it is.”
He kissed her hand, closing his eyes, and I couldn’t breathe, watching the two of them together. It took me a while to realize Dr. Chopra and her team had arrived but, like me, stayed frozen in place. At the door, they watched on, studying the scene with smiles like I was. They refused to break this moment, and neither would I…
A mother who finally returned to her son.