6. Hours Turn to Days

Ten days later 

Finn was exhausted as he walked into Lili's room and took off his suit jacket and started to undo his tie.  He cursed under his breath at Hal and his violent tirade.  How could anyone impart such vindictiveness to a beautiful creature like Lili? And to kill Jude!  What was his reason? 

He was in mourning for Jude.  He was such a good friend, quiet, trustworthy and loyal.  He was one of the first to connect with Finn when he stumbled across this small town, out of sorts, lost with the need to be found.  

Jude met him where he was; broken and lost.  He was a faithful friend and never judged his past.

He was the one that suggested that Finn stay for a few months and he would introduce him to Russel over at the ranch, recommending that he should work for the summer as a ranch hand.  That job turned into his current security position and taught him the value of hard work and honesty.  

He stayed, and this sleepy little backwater town became his home.  That was just three years ago, but it feels like a lifetime ago.  He continued to stay sober and away from distractions like the beauty next to him now fighting for her life.    

He wondered what would happen to them when she woke up.  He suspected that she just needed a friend and he could be that, and only that, if that's all she could handle.  If Lili wanted more, Finn wasn't sure if his broken past would stand in the way.  How could he ever trust himself to love her without hurting her?  He couldn't guarantee that his past wouldn't rear it's ugly head.  What if he slipped and fell and used again?  It could destroy both of them in an instant.

Elle walked in just as he took his shirt off and he saw her eyes blaze a trail across his chest and before she got any ideas, he quickly pulled a t-shirt on.  Finn has enough on his mind, he didn't want to give the wrong impression to a pretty nurse.

"Hey, Elle!  How's our favorite girl doing today?"  He made sure to keep their conversations on Lili but that was easy to do, since he truly was concerned about Lili while he was gone. 

"Elle smiled and explained, "Her blood work came back good and her brain scans look excellent.  Doctor Berkeley will be in shortly with a team for a final evaluation.  If all goes well they will start to take her out of the coma within the next hour or two."

Finn sat down and took in deep breaths.  Turning his head his eyes met Elle's and he said, "Great news!  Just scary.  What if she freaks out? What if her emotions are through the roof and stress her out?  Elle, I am scared for what comes next."

Elle pierced her lips and wanted to go to him and relieve his fright, but he wasn't hers and he would never see her that way.  She wished that she had met Finn under different circumstances, then who knows.

She managed to say, "It's always different but the doctors can help ease her transition and you will be there for her too."  With that she turned and walked back to her nurses station and he thought he saw her wipe away a tear or two from her eyes.  

Finn finished changing into jeans and his boots, then he packed his suit in its garment bag and hung it up.  He checked his phone for messages and was relieved when there wasn't anything important to deal with.  Then he sat by her side and talked about the memorial and how he met Jude.  He just rambled as it helped him relieve his stress, even though she couldn't respond.

"Lili, I was so lost when I met Jude.  Only God knows where I would be if it wasn't for him and now he's gone.  My heart is broken but it will somewhat mend.  Damn it! I will miss his friendship."

Finn sat there for a bit and tried to let his mind find other memories to talk to Lili about.  He eventually said, "Anyway, I think I was at The Breakfast Bar the first time you caught my eyes.  Thinking back now, you were so scared.  You weren't pushing me away but warning or trying to, about your own dangers.  How did we all miss it?  We failed you.  Oh how we failed you, my little Lili."

He stayed silent and just held her hand and kissed it gently every now and again.  He heard a bit of commotion outside her room and there were several doctors crowding around. 

He stood up and acknowledged Dr. Berkeley and asked, "I know you have to examine her, but I really want to be here when she wakes up."

Dr. Berkeley smiled and agreed that he could be in the room as she woke but Finn had to stay in the hall until they were ready to wake her.  Elle joined him in the hall and recommended that he sit in the waiting room and that she would get him shortly.  "I promise, Finn.  I will not let you miss this."

Reluctantly he agreed and sat quietly by himself and he remembered that he could pray and he bowed his head and started to pray to this God he questioned for her speedy recovery.  

Tears started to flow from his eyes as memories and emotions flooded his senses.  He tried to hide them when Elle walked in and said, "Mr. Finnegan, we anticipate that she'll wake soon."

He could barely speak and mumbled a thank you as he stood up and slowly walked to her room.  Uncertainty gripped him and fear raged through his body.  He started to breath slowly to calm himself down and he almost feinted as his eyes fell on her sleeping face, knowing that everything would change within minutes.

He sat in his chair and held her hand in his, as he'd done so many times before.  He gave up trying to hide his tears as he looked at her and waited.  

Dr. Berkeley interrupted his thoughts as he spoke to him, "Finn, this could take hours and she may not comprehend much as she wakes.  Just don't let your heart and mind think that the Lili that existed before the incident will be the Lili that wakes up today.  At least not at first."

He couldn't speak and just nodded his head, then he heard Dr. Berkeley say, "Finn, there's increased brain activity and she'll wake soon."

Finn felt a hand on his shoulder and the doctor continued, "Your commitment to her has been something amazing for all of us to watch.  You made a promise to someone you didn't know and you could have walked away.  She would have never known and might not remember asking you, but you stayed anyways.  You can't imagine the inspiration you have brought to my team.  Even if she wakes up scared, I will be certain to relay your loyalty to her.  Everything will work out in the end."

"Thanks doc.  I am scared to death of the unknown and I haven't been a praying man but she has brought me to my knees this week.  It's in His hands!"

"That it is! That it is!" Dr. Berkley replied with more enthusiasm than Finn could conjure up in the moment.  

Finn continued to hold her hand as she became more restless and started to break free from her slumber. 

"Come on sweetheart.  Come back to us, Lili!  You can do this.  I am here for you and there's nothing to fear now.  Your safe, I promise.  No more bullets or abuse." Finn whispered as he rubbed her hand gently.