Melody hadn't slept in more than thirty minute burst in what felt like years. Despite everyone's insistence that she spend a night at home and that she'd be summoned at the first sign of anything happening, she couldn't stomach the thought of leaving Nora all alone. The nurses, while dedicated and focused, weren't able to sit at her bedside throughout their entire shift and the healers had far too many patients to manage to be solely dedicated to one two year old. What if Nora woke to an empty room? What if she got up and wandered off in search of either of her parents? What if Nora worsened and no one was there to catch it? Melody worked herself into a panic everytime she even considered leaving the hospital with these thoughts. Heading home simply wasn't an option.

The only time she felt as though she could let down her guard was when Ben was there too. He was similarly focused on their daughter, his every thought and anxiety were also consumed by the potential outcomes of this nightmare. It had pained him to leave, she knew, but there was still the campaign (which Melody only slightly begrudged Aldous for continuing under these circumstances) and his job (which was necessary to maintain their houses) to attend to. Ben had to leave, just as Melody had to stay.

Still, his departure was made only with the promise to be notified as soon as anything — for better or worse — changed. And, despite her focus being everywhere but her quill and parchment, Melody had held true to her promise. Come now. Nora is moving. She'd written in a hasty script, not bothering to address or sign the parchment. Then, after forcing the tightly folded note into one of the nurses' hands, Melody had returned to see a beautiful and equally terrifying sight — her daughter's eyes were open but she had a look of utter terror etched across her face.

It was a flurry of healers and nurses after that. Melody was often moved towards the side of the room for the various examinations and conversations that had to be had. But, it was alright, because Nora was awake. All their anxieties, all her cries and sobs and panic and pleas with whatever deities existed were relieved all at once because Nora was awake and seemingly aware.

And not uttering a single sound.

They had known there could be any sort of consequence to a severe head injury. Memory loss, loss of mobility, anything. And, despite knowing all of this, Melody hadn't considered the possibilities because to her there were only two options - awake and not. All the possibilities were for after they had some sort of notion of what laid ahead. And still, she was suddenly desperately wishing she had considered it for even a moment because what were they to do now if their daughter couldn't speak?

And how was she to inform Ben of this change of results?

Nora had fallen back asleep nearly an hour after waking. The healers insisted that due to her nlw being awake she'd soon awake again and that head injuries were exhausting and the little one would need her strength, but Melody was barely able to stomach her terror at the sight of Nora sleeping once more. They were right, of couse, she had to sleep so her brain might continue healing, but what if that was it? What if she never woke again and Melody had spent the time glued to the wall observing her baby be poked and prodded by strangers?

She turned to the opening door, her eyes wide with her internal panic, as Ben rushed in. "She woke up," Melody answered quickly. "She was aware and alert. Scared, I think. They said she needed to rest still, so she's sleeping again but -" Melody broke off, unable to voice the new terrifying reality they faced.

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