Blaze Sleeping Beauty

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LYRA*

I have heard and read up on near-death experiences. When I was in the ambulance, I went into the future. I was getting married to the man of my dreams, quite literally, I must say—and a double wedding at that. That would be amazing if that wedding were to happen. It had been enough to jump-start my heart and had brought me back to reality, which happened to be unimaginable pain. I couldn't open my eyes. All I could do was mumble, and I couldn't form words.

Now I lay here and listened to everyone who came to visit me as I laid there in peace. Sometimes my soul would leave my body, and I could see whoever happened to be talking to me as I hovered above them. I would will myself to wake up. Looking at myself, though, kept me in this realm of peace. I did not want to go back to the pain I knew would consume me once I woke up.

I drifted in and out of dreams that made no sense. More people that I had never met before came and went; as the future continued and flashed before my eyes.

Angels had visited me who claimed to be my guardians. I have three, by the way; their names are Tamiel, Zadrael, and Hadrael. It was almost as if they were translucent with a golden hue of light that outlined their forms. They had to be ten feet tall, with long flowing golden hair. A golden light outlined their wings, with all of the colors of the rainbow that swirled the insides of their wings. They were so beautiful. With each visit, they would cast a bright golden light over my body to give me the healing I needed. Then they would award me with a glimpse into my possible future. I could admit seeing my future was the only thing keeping me from passing on into the next life, other than not wanting to leave Vega and my family. Hadrael has told me that the damage had been extensive but that the Lord was healing me through them. She said that the road to recovery would be long, but the Lord had plans for me. I have never been a religious person, but I'm slowly beginning to believe that God, Heaven, and angels are real. I could feel his love and healing reaching out to me. Each passing day my faith and belief in God grew more assertive.

The quiet had suddenly been replaced by my sister Vega, saying, "good morning Lyra. I brought one of your favorite books, and I'm going to read it to you this morning," Vega said.

My essence left my body, and I hovered over Vega as she read to me—one of my favorite books, Irresistible Love by Layla Hagen. I have been trying to get her to read this book series forever. It took me being bedridden for her to break down and read it. I love Vega so much, and I don't know where I would be without her.

Two hours later, Vega had finished the book. The look on her face showed me that she loved the book. I knew she would see once she gave the book a chance; now, she needed to read the others. Vega put the book down and rested her head on my hand. What happened next wasn't anything short of a miracle; my sister began to pray for me. Neither one of us even knew how to pray, but she was. I prayed that God would reveal himself to her, as he had revealed himself to me.

************BLAZE***********

By the time I had made it out of the office, it was almost noon. I had sat there for a while longer before I convinced myself to see Lyra. I didn't know if that was how I wanted to see her. Jace had said that Lyra didn't look like herself, that she had bandages and wires hanging all over the place. I knew, however, that Lyra was my soulmate, and thus, all of that should not matter. It isn't what she looks like that scars me; it's seeing her helpless and me not being able to help her in any way it would drive me nuts.

At the same time, I needed to be near Lyra, hold her hand and comfort her in any way I could.

My next issue was Vega and Jace; I knew that they spent a lot of time at the hospital with Lyra, and I didn't want to share my time with her. I hoped that when I arrived, I would be the only one there. I know that that seems selfish, but I can't help it. Vega shared a womb with Lyra, and Jace had spent the last six months with them both. I shared a mind-blowing dream with Lyra, or I hope so anyway? Lyra had gotten in the wreck before we had had a chance to meet, so I don't know if she dreamt what I dreamt or not. But still, I wanted my first time seeing Lyra to be special; for Lyra and me.

It sounds crazy, I know; I know Lyra is in a coma. I know we wouldn't be able to speak to one another, but that can't stop me from talking to her. Maybe I could play some music quietly in the background.

I've read that it's good to play music for coma patients. Music helps to stimulate the brain to help coma patients to wake up. I had done a lot of research on the subject every night before I passed out into a dreamless sleep since Lyra had gotten into the accident. Man, I had it bad for this woman, and I haven't met her yet.

When I arrived at the hospital and walked to Lyra's room, I saw Vega and Jace leaving her room; I timed that perfectly. Jace and Vega leaving saved me from having to be directed to her room, which was also fantastic. Once I saw them go around the corner, I walked to Lyra's room. I stopped in my tracks as I looked at the sight before me and started to cry. I don't cry often, but seeing Lyra caged in a swarm of IV lines and everything hooked up to her did me in. The real kicker was the breathing tube that protruded from her mouth and the bruises on her face. If I ever got my hands on the man who caused all of this, he would wish he were dead.

I will never again in my life drink and drive. Knowing that I could do something like this to someone else, no, no, never again. I'll call an Uber or not drink, period, if that's what it takes.

I thought back to the last couple of times I drank and then drove home and mentally slapped myself for being so stupid. Then thanked whoever had been watching over me all these years and apologized for being such an idiot. I stood there rooted in place for quite a while until a nurse walked in.

"Excuse me, sir, would you mind stepping out for a moment. I need to change out Sleeping Beauty's IV. I'll come back for her sponge bath later," the nurse said and then took note of my face and changed her mind.

"Are you ok, sir? Can I get you anything? Here is a tissue," she said.

"Yes, I'm ok; this is my first time seeing Lyra like this. I feel like I got sucker-punched in the gut, is all," I said.

"I've known Lyra for years; we went to high school together. I was a grade above her, but we have always been good friends. So I understand what you mean. It's so hard to see her like this. Lyra can be a bitch when times call for it, but she is also the kindest, loving person I've ever known. Lyra is a fighter, though, and she will wake up soon; I know she will," she said.

"Thank you, I'll step out so that you can do what you need to do," I said as I turned and walked outside.

Me not being able to help Lyra was what I was afraid of. I wasn't prepared for what I was going to see and almost had a panic attack over it. I slid down the wall and parked myself on the floor, and ran my hands down my face. Could I get myself together enough to go back in there?

I sat there for fifteen minutes until the nurse emerged from the room. She jumped in fright. She wasn't expecting me to be where I was, I suppose.

"My God, you scared the crap out of me. Why didn't you go to the waiting room? I was going to get you once I was done," she said.

"I'm sorry, I was shocked, so I just planted myself here on the floor. Is it ok for me to go back in there now?" I asked.

"Are you sure you'll be ok to go back in there? Color has come back to you, but still," she said.

"Yes, I'll be fine now," I said as I picked myself up from the floor.

"Ok. I'll be back in an hour, just breathe, ok," she said as she turned and walked down the hall.

I was more prepared this time when I walked back into Lyra's room. I walked over and kissed her cheek. It seemed to be the only thing I could get to. A spark ignited as I kissed her cheek, something telling me that she was indeed my soulmate.

"Hello, love. I'm so sorry it has taken so long for me to come to you. There are no excuses; I was just scared. I kept telling myself I would wait until you woke up to come to see you. It has been a week, though, and I could no longer wait," I said as I sat and squeezed Lyra's hand.

"Time for some music. How about alternative instrumental music? I listen to this when I need to relax; it's so much better than listening to classical music. Not that I would listen to classical music anyway. I hope you like it; I know I do," I said as I turned the music on.

I sat and talked with Lyra for an hour until the nurse walked back in. Maybe it was just me, but her heart rate seemed to beat faster every once and a while.

"I'm sorry, sir, but I need to give Lyra her sponge bath, and I can't do that with you in here. If you wanted to come back in about thirty minutes, I would be done," she said.

"I have been up since four-thirty this morning. My bed is calling my name. I'll come back and see here tomorrow," I said.

"Four-thirty on a Saturday. My goodness. I'll see you tomorrow," she said as I bent down and kissed Lyra on the cheek.

"Wake up, my love," I whispered into Lyra's ear; and then walked out.

Lyra*

Vega and Jace left, and the man from my dream walked in. Am I dreaming now? What is happening? He broke down and began to cry. I wanted so much to reach out and console him, but I was trapped in fog.

The music he played for me was so soothing, and his voice as he talked to me sent a jolt to my soul. When he kissed my cheek, static coursed through me. I have not felt anything in a while; no pain, no one's touch to my flesh. When he told me to wake up, I thought that would be the one thing that would get me out of this in-between realm of not being dead but not alive either. I didn't want him to leave, but he did, and now I'm back to being nothing. Would you please come back to me? Don't stay gone too long, I thought.