The hospital room was quiet, save for the soft beeping of the machines monitoring Rebecca's vitals.
I sat in a chair beside her bed, the sterile scent of antiseptic mingling with a faint hint of jasmine from the small bouquet I had brought.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on her pale face.
Jake and Lily were at home with Noah, but I knew they were anxious to hear about their mother.
I felt a mix of excitement and fear bubbling in my chest. What would she remember? Would she be able to speak?
I leaned closer, gripping her hand gently. "Hey, Rebecca. It's me, Ryan." My voice was soft, filled with hope. "You've been through so much, but you're safe now. We're all waiting for you."
As I spoke, I thought about the letters she had written—how she had poured her heart out, revealing her struggles and her love for our children.
I wanted to tell her everything: how Jake and Lily were thriving, how they spoke of her often, and how much they loved her.
"Jake misses you. He's always asking questions, wanting to know when you'll be back." I paused, taking a deep breath. "Lily talks about you all the time, too. She says you're the best mom ever."
A flicker of movement caught my eye. Rebecca's eyelids fluttered, and I leaned closer, my heart racing. "Rebecca? Can you hear me?"
Her lips parted slightly, and I could see the effort it took for her to focus. "R...Ryan?" Her voice was a whisper, hoarse and fragile.
"Yes! I'm here," I said, my heart swelling with relief. "You're okay. You're in the hospital. You're going to be alright."
"I... I tried to... come back." Her voice cracked, and I could see the struggle in her eyes. "The kids..."
"They're safe and happy, Rebecca. They love you so much." I squeezed her hand gently. "They want to see you."
"Jake and Lily," she repeated, a tear escaping from the corner of her eye. "I missed... so much."
I nodded, swallowing hard. "I know. But we can fix this. You're awake now, and we'll take it one step at a time."
Her brow furrowed as she tried to speak again. "I... I remember... bits and pieces." She paused, her breath shaky. "I was so scared, Ryan. I didn't know how to come back."
I felt my throat tighten. "You don't have to worry about that now. Just focus on getting better. I'm here for you, and I'll help you through this."
She closed her eyes, and I could see the weight of her thoughts. "What if... what if they find out? My family..."
"Your family doesn't matter right now," I said firmly, wanting to reassure her. "What matters is you and the kids. You have a chance to be with them again. We can figure it out together."
A small sigh escaped her lips. "I want to be a good mom... I want to know them."
"You will," I promised, my voice steady. "They've been waiting for you. You have so much love to give, and they need you."
Rebecca's gaze turned distant, and I knew she was grappling with her memories. "I was lost," she murmured. "I thought... I thought I couldn't come back."
"But you did," I reminded her, squeezing her hand again. "You're here, and you're alive. We can face whatever comes next together."
Her eyes searched mine, filled with a mix of hope and fear. "Can you tell me... about them? What do they like?"
I smiled, my heart lightening at the thought of my children. "Jake loves dinosaurs. He's always pretending to be one, roaring around the house. And Lily? She's obsessed with fairy tales. She loves to dress up as princesses and tell stories."
A small smile tugged at the corners of Rebecca's lips. "They sound amazing."
"They are," I said, warmth flooding through me. "And they miss you more than you know. We're going to be a family again, I promise."
Rebecca took a shaky breath, her voice barely above a whisper. "I want to hold them. I want to tell them... that I love them."
"You will. Soon, I'll bring them here, and we'll make up for lost time." I paused, feeling the weight of the past but choosing to focus on the future. "You'll see, Rebecca. We're stronger together."
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she fought to stay present. "I was so afraid. I didn't want to hurt them. I thought... I thought I had to run."
"You made choices to protect them," I said gently. "But now, you're here. You're safe, and it's time to heal."
Her eyes locked onto mine, a flicker of determination emerging. "I want to fight for them. I don't want to be afraid anymore."
"That's the spirit," I said, my voice filled with encouragement. "We'll face everything together. You're not alone in this."
Rebecca's grip on my hand tightened, and I could feel her strength returning. "I need to learn to talk... to be there for them."
"You're already doing it," I reassured her. "Just take your time. We'll get through this one step at a time."
As we sat in silence, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. This was just the beginning of a long journey, but with Rebecca awake and ready to reconnect, I felt a renewed hope for our family's future.
"Ryan," she whispered, her voice shaky but steady. "Thank you for not giving up on me."
I leaned closer, my heart full. "I'll never give up on you, Rebecca. You're my family, and we're going to build a life together."