Awakenings

Over the next hours, Wyck's parents and Harper shared stories from their childhood and their lives since leaving Carrington Ridge. Though he called often, Wyck had rarely ventured back to the town he'd grown up in. He'd even moved Marjorie and Hank to a new home overlooking the New River several years ago. Hearing these missing pieces, Harper felt even closer to the complex man she loved.

Late that night after Wyck's parents reluctantly went to the hotel to rest, Harper dozed off still holding his hand. Around dawn, she gradually awoke to the feeling of fingers lightly brushing her hair. Disoriented, her eyes flew open.

Wyck was watching her, his grey eyes finally open but still dulled with pain and medication. Harper jolted upright. "Wyck! You...you're awake!" He gave a faint, lopsided smile around the oxygen mask that had lived on his face since they had taken him off the ventilator. His fingers continued weakly combing through the length of her hair.

Tears of awe and relief flooded