Continued from: Lump in the Throat
There, nestled in the hospital bed beside Russell, was none other than Cassandra - her petite frame curled up against his larger one, her head resting on his chest as if seeking comfort from the steady beat of his heart, which, despite the circumstances, was still beating.
But it was the way she held onto him that truly had me sobbing fresh tears - for she had taken his lifeless arm and draped it protectively around herself, as if seeking to shield her from the harsh realities of that sterile room.
The gesture was so simple, so innocent, and yet it spoke volumes about how much Russell actually meant to Cassandra, how deeply she cared for him as a father figure in her life. I felt a surge of love and gratitude wash over me, knowing that even in his weakened state, Russ was still able to provide solace and support to those who needed it most.
Sarah Jane had awoken and crept up beside me, her hand squeezing mine for support, followed by Summer, who broke down completely at the sight of her bff, Cassie, finally home but under such brutal circumstances. It was a tearful reunion for all of us, especially when Cassandra finally awoke to see us all standing there, sobbing into our hands. In that moment, I made a silent vow to do everything in my power to ensure Russell pulled through, that he recovers fully and returns to us whole and unbroken.
He is the rock, the anchor in all of our lives, the steadfast presence that has always held us together through thick and thin.
**********************
A few days passed in a blur of hospital visits, hushed conversations, and anxious waiting. Cassandra stayed with Summer and I at the Facility, keeping a rather low profile. Despite my urging and maternal counselling, she refused to even let her mother know that she was back in Canada.
Then finally, mercifully, the news we had all been praying for arrived: Russell was brought out of his induced coma, his body having stabilized enough to breathe on his own once more. Through it all, Sarah Jane remained by his side, her hand never leaving his, her gaze never wavering from his face. She reported that he was his usual cheerful and comical self, despite being a little groggy and disoriented.
"You big asshole!" she hissed, her voice trembling with barely contained emotion. "Don't scare me like that!" Despite the gravity of the situation, I couldn't help but smile at her feisty demeanour.
Russell, for his part, merely smirked and glanced over at the doctor standing in the corner of the room - a silent acknowledgment of Cassie's characteristic outburst.
"Good to see you too, Cassandra," he chuckled, his voice still hoarse from the ventilator tube that had recently been removed. The sound of his laughter, as weak as it was, sent a wave of warmth right to my heart.
"This must be your daughter?"
An awkward silence descended upon the room as the doctor's question hung in the air, unanswered. We all exchanged glances, unsure of how to respond without revealing the complex web of relationships that existed between us.
But before any of us could formulate a suitable reply, Cassie took matters into her own hands - as she so often does. With a boldness that bordered on recklessness, she marched straight up to Russell's bedside and climbed onto his lap like a little girl, wrapping her arms around his neck in a tight embrace.
"Yep, this is my dad," she declared, as tears spilled down her cheeks.
I watched with pride as she nuzzled her face into the crook of Russell's neck, her body molding perfectly against his despite the IV lines and monitoring wires that snaked across his torso.
"I thought I was gonna lose you, Daddy," Cassie gasped out between heaves of her chest.
Then she leaned in close, her lips brushing against his ear. I strained to catch her whispered words. "If you weren't in a hospital bed," she hissed, her voice laced with playful irritation, "I'd tan your bare arse for scaring me like this!"
I suppressed a small smile at her threat. It was classic Cassandra - fierce, protective, and utterly unafraid to assert her dominance no matter the setting.
Russell smirked as well, but his expression shifted from amusement to concern. His gaze sought out Sarah Jane.
"What's the state of the house?" he asked, his voice rough and raspy. "Is insurance taking care of things?"
Sarah hesitated for a moment, her eyes dropping to the floor as she shook her head in defeat. When she finally met Russell's gaze again, her voice was heavy with resignation. "It'll be months before they even start on the interior, huni," she said softly. "They've got us in some rental condo downtown..." Sarah's voice trailed off as I prepared to put a stop to this.
"Nonsense!" I interrupted firmly, stepping forward to take charge of the situation. "You two will move in with Summer and I until the house is repaired. Yes, it's primarily a BDSM studio but you know we have vanilla living quarters too. Besides, the place is practically a mansion."
"We couldn't possibly impose like that, Ma'am," Sarah protested weakly, her eyes darting nervously between Russell and I. But I was having none of it. With a swift, decisive motion, I reached into my purse and withdrew the menacing wooden hairbrush that I always kept on hand for just such occasions.
"My decision is final, Sarah Jane," I declared, while tapping the brush against my palm. "You're moving in with us, or shall we go into the bathroom over there and discuss this further?"
"Russ, you're her 'Daddy' again, tell her." I looked in his direction with daggers in my eyes.
"Thank you, Andrea, from the bottom of my heart, we accept your gracious offer." Russell smiled at Sarah Jane and nodded warmly in approval.
Summer immediately squealed and rushed to Sarah's side, tickling her tummy and bouncing up and down in front of her!
"Ma cherie!"
"We'll be just like sisters again!"
Mistress Andrea
xoxo
Continued in: The Goth Girls