SEVEN

"Mom?" I heard Zenith say in a whisper as he woke up.

"Oh, I am here, baby," I said, moving closer to his bedside. Zendaya followed me, and we both sat on the hospital bed with him. I held his small hand gently, careful not to disturb the cast. "You're okay, baby. The doctor said you're ready to go."

"You were sleeping for almost the whole day," Zendaya chimed in, her eyes wide with the amazement only a child could muster.

"No, I wasn't. You're lying," Zenith retorted, his voice stronger than I expected.

I couldn't help but chuckle at their exchange. It was comforting to see Zenith's personality shining through even after everything he'd been through. It was a small sign that things were returning to normal, or as normal as they could be in a hospital room.

I turned to look at the doctor who was standing nearby. "Where's the paperwork? I'd like to get everything settled so we can leave."

"Of course, Miss Hanson," he responded with a professional nod. "I'll get the discharge papers rea