**IN THE HOSPITAL**
It had been a while since the surgery ended, but Elizabeth's eyes had yet to open. The kind stranger, Maverick, stared at his newly adopted sister. He had asked them to move her to a private ward so she could recover well.
The attending doctor had already told him that it would take some time for the anesthesia to wear off.
The adrenaline rush from earlier had finally left his system as he sat down wondering why he had even bothered doing something like that, he could have just called someone on her emergency list since her phone wasn't locked and then leave.
Deep down Maverick knew, a sad smile spread across his face as he acknowledged what had driven him to do what he did.
Maverick's eyes wandered over Elizabeth's peaceful face, his mind drifting back to memories of his younger sister, Emily.
The resemblance was uncanny – same heart-shaped face, same button nose, ans the delicate blush across her cheeks, though Elizabeth's complexion now seemed pale and fragile.
It was as if Emily had come back to life, lying there in the hospital bed.
Maverick's gaze dropped to his hands, still feeling the phantom weight of Emily's small hand in his. He had held her hand as she took her last breath, his heart shattering into a million pieces. The pain of that loss still lingered, a constant ache in his chest.
She was just 18 when she died in a car accident.
As he looked back at Elizabeth, Maverick realized that his actions hadn't been just about helping a stranger in need. It had been about saving Emily, or at least, saving a part of her. He knew it wasn't rational, but in that moment, he couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility, a sense of duty to protect this young woman who reminded him so much of his lost sister.
The machines beeping around him brought Maverick back to the present. He took a deep breath, letting the sadness wash over him.
He would be here for Elizabeth, no matter what. He would make sure she was safe, that she received the care she needed. And maybe, just maybe, he would find some measure of peace in the process.
As the hours ticked by, Maverick's concern for Elizabeth's prolonged unconsciousness grew. The nurses had been in and out of the room, checking her vital signs and administering medication, but Elizabeth remained still, her eyes closed.
Maverick's eyes were fixed on the machines surrounding Elizabeth, the beeps and whirs a constant reminder of her fragile state. He felt a pang of worry, wondering if he had made the right decision in staying with her.
Just then, a nurse entered the room, a friendly smile on her face. "Hi there, Mr...?" She trailed off, looking at Maverick expectantly.
"Maverick," he supplied, standing up to greet her. "How is she doing?"
The nurse checked the machines, her expression thoughtful. "She's stable, but we're a bit concerned about the length of time she's been unconscious. The doctor will be in to see her soon, but in the meantime, we're going to keep a close eye on her."
Maverick nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. "Thank you," he said, his voice sincere. "I appreciate everything you're doing for her."
The nurse smiled, patting Maverick's arm. "We're doing everything we can. Try not to worry too much, okay?"
Maverick nodded, taking a deep breath as the nurse left the room. He sat back down, his eyes fixed on Elizabeth's peaceful face. He would be here for her, no matter what.
Just then, Maverick's mother called. He took a deep breath, clearing his throat before he accepted the call.
" Hi mom" he said.
"Mav, where are you?" his mom asked, a hint of worry creeping into her voice. "You were supposed to arrive today. How was your flight?"
Maverick hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal over the phone. "Mom, I'm...I'm actually at the hospital."
There was a pause on the other end of the line. "What? Maverick, what happened? Are you okay? Were you injured?"
Maverick quickly reassured her, "No, Mom, I'm fine. I just...I need to take care of something here. I'll come home tomorrow and explain everything, okay?"
His mom's voice was laced with concern, but she trusted Maverick. "Okay, sweetie. Just be careful and get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow."
Maverick smiled, feeling a mix of relief and guilt. He knew he'd have to face his mom's questions tomorrow, but for now, he just wanted to focus on Elizabeth. "I love you, Mom."
"I love you too, Maverick. See you tomorrow."
Suddenly, he heard someone groan in pain. Maverick's heart skipped a beat as he turned to see Elizabeth stirring.
Her eyes fluttered open, and she groaned again, her face contorting in pain.
Maverick quickly pressed the button on the table, summoning the medical team. "Nurse! Doctor!" he called out, his voice laced with urgency.
The machines surrounding Elizabeth began to beep more rapidly, and a nurse rushed into the room, followed closely by the doctor.
"Welcome back, Elizabeth," Dr. Thompson said softly, smiling as he checked her vitals. She tried to smile but all she felt was intense pain.
"We're going to take good care of you. Can you tell me how you're feeling?"
" P..pain" she stuttered. Now that anaesthetic had worn off everything began to ache.
The nurse quickly administered a dose of pain medication, and the doctor gently examined Elizabeth's wounds. "You're doing great, Elizabeth," he reassured her. "The surgery was a success, and you're on the road to recovery."
Elizabeth's eyes fluttered closed, and she took a deep breath, wincing in pain. Maverick's heart went out to her, and he reached out, gently taking her hand in his.
As the medication began to take effect, Elizabeth's grip on his hand relaxed, and her breathing slowed. The doctor and nurse exchanged a nod, satisfied with her progress.
"We'll keep a close eye on her," the doctor said to Maverick. "But it looks like she's going to be just fine."
Maverick smiled, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. He squeezed Elizabeth's hand gently, his eyes locked on her peaceful face.
Then Maverick felt a pang of guilt. He had been treating Elizabeth as if she were his deceased sister, Emily, without even considering her own feelings or awareness of the situation. He sighed softly before gently patting her hand, watching as she drifted off to sleep once again.