Jax felt her breath come easier but worry still nagged her. “What other risks and side effects are we looking at?”

“Medically induced comas are basically a heavy dose of anesthesia. Some individuals have a hard time reaching consciousness after a three-hour surgery. Gretchen has been under for two weeks.” Dr. Melendez made a few notes for herself in her notepad and adjusted a few monitors. “Some patients report feeling sick and sluggish for days to weeks after waking up, and some experience vivid nightmares. The time it takes to shake the symptoms is different for everyone.”

Jax widened her eyes. “Vivid nightmares?”

“The mind is an amazing and crazy thing,” Dr. Melendez said offhandedly. “I’m going to have a nurse come in for checkups every hour now. If you notice anything change, and I do mean anything, please call someone and have them page me. I think we’re going to see Gretchen really soon.” Before Dr. Melendez could leave, Jax stopped her.

“How much experience do you have with medically induced comas?”

Dr. Melendez’s smile was pleasant. “I see it often but not every day.”

Jax opened her mouth to ask another question, but Amanda elbowed her. “Ow.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” Amanda said. “We’ll let you know if we notice anything, and we’ll keep the nurses updated as well.”

Dr. Melendez winked at Amanda and left the room.

“Did she just wink at you? Why did she wink at you?” Jax’s paranoia set in. “Do you guys talk about me when I’m not here?”

“She winked at me because you’re a handful, and I just saved her from you. Now sit down.” Amanda pointed to a chair. “Do you want to pick up Caleb today, or do you want me to go?”

Jax sat on the edge of the chair. “I asked Wyatt to get him and take him out for an early dinner. I didn’t know what to expect here.”

“He’s already seen so much.”

“I know.” Jax tried to see everything through a four-year-old’s eyes every day, but she would never really know how Caleb felt. “It scares me to think about something happening to Gretchen and him not having that last good night or good morning.” She flexed her hands and ran her thumb along her bare ring finger. “You know how Gretchen felt.”

“She hadn’t spoken to our mother in over a year before she died.”

“The situations aren’t the same, I know, but I can’t imagine carrying that kind of feeling with me for the rest of my life. You know how I am about family, after Michael took me in and we had so little time together.” Jax saw the look on Amanda’s face. “You think I’m making this about me again.”

Amanda shook her head. “No, for once I don’t.” She smiled. “I think you’re a good parent who really cares about their child’s future.”

“Shouldn’t all parents?”

Amanda looked sad as she relaxed back into the chair she had claimed as her own over the past two weeks. “Our father didn’t when he left, and our mother…”