"Minimal discomfort," the doctor assured him. "She might be disoriented for a few hours. Just… keep things calm when she wakes. Familiar faces help."
Evans huffed out a short, humorless laugh. "You mean this face?" He pointed at his own, dark circles shadowing his eyes. "I'm sure she will scream at the sight of me beside her. We have complicated history."
"It will be fine, Mr. Everest."
As they worked, Evans backed up slightly, hands shoved in his pockets, watching the clear liquid slide into Ivy's IV line. His stomach clenched. He'd been waiting for this moment for days, and now that it was here, he wasn't ready. He wasn't sure he ever would be.
When the doctor and nurses finished, Stanton gave him a quiet nod. "She'll start to come around soon. Try to be gentle. She's been through… a lot."
Evans's throat worked. "Yeah," he said softly, gaze fixed on Ivy's still form.
The door shut behind them, leaving Evans alone again with her—the hum of the machines filling the silence.
