Page 60 of Choosing Skyler

“That or cognizant,” Tracey says.

“Okay, Smarty Pants,” Devon says, pulling her against his side on the sofa.

She smiles at him with starry eyes and I’m so glad to see them moving forward. Skyler will be too. I know she wants that for them. I look at her with what I’m sure is the same starry-eyed expression and I don’t even care who sees it. I kiss her forehead and she snuggles into my chest.

Skyler jolts awake when Julie knocks on the door.

“It’s okay. It’s just Julie coming in to help you in the bathroom and chase Tracey out.” I chuckle.

I’m trying to stealthily gage her presence when she does the best thing she’s done in three days—she lifts her head and looks me in the eye. I have no idea what expression is on my face, but it makes her smile. She’s making full expressions.

“Hey, Beautiful,” I choke out.

When she furrows her brow, I shake my head. “I’m just happy to see your… smile,” I tell her.

She smiles again before laying her head back on my chest and squeezing my hand that’s still laced with hers.

Devon and Tracey jog to the bedside.

“Got any of those smiles for us, Sweets?” Devon begs.

She lifts her head again and smiles at Devon. Then, she turns her head to Tracey and does the same. She lays her head back down and nuzzles my chest. Devon wraps his arm around Tracey’s shoulder, pulling her into his side.

“We’ll take that, Sweets. We love you. You know that, right?” he says to Skyler.

She nods without lifting her head. Then, she pulls her hand from mine, but she doesn’t move it. I look down to see her making the ASL sign for “I love you”.

Julie steps up beside them. “Well. Aren’t you a chatty Cathy tonight?"

Skyler nods, smiling again.

“I’m glad to see it. You ready for a bathroom break?” Julie asks her.

She furrows her brow, but nods. I hadn’t considered how the bathroom routine would affect her now that she’s conscious enough to know what’s happening. I decide not to make an issue of it. I don’t want her to be embarrassed or uncomfortable. I just slide off the side of the bed, holding her the same as I have the past two evenings. I carry her to the bathroom and set her down with Julie following behind us.

Devon meets me outside the bathroom door when I exit to wrap me in a bear hug. He sobs into my shoulder quietly and I wrap my arms around him.

“I know, man. Me, too,” I choke out.

He straightens and wipes his eyes on the shoulder of his shirt, and I do the same. Then, he wraps Tracey in a hug as she lets out a few tears of her own. When she straightens, he wipes her tears with his thumbs.

I clear my throat. “Are you walking Tracey down?”

That’s been the routine. When Skyler is done using the bathroom we’ll get in the shower. Devon will be back up in time to carry her to bed once I get her dressed. Then, I’ll shower and dress before climbing into bed with her.

“Um, I will. But Tracey wants to say goodnight to Skyler,” he tells me.

“Yeah, of course,” I tell her.

When Julie knocks, letting me know that Skyler is done I open the door just enough to stick my head in.

“Tracey wants to say ‘goodnight’. Can she come in?” I ask Skyler.

Skyler looks up and nods. So, I step back for Tracey to go in. When comes out, she hugs me and tells me goodnight before heading out with Devon. I step back into the bathroom and look at Skyler.

“You ready for a shower?” I ask her.

She nods, looking at Julie.

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