Eli had fallen asleep in a family lounge. Rook sat outside the unit because visiting hours had ended.
When the emergency doors opened, he saw Michael pushing equipment toward Lucy’s room.
Father and son stopped.
Four years of silence stood between them.
Then Michael said, “Stay with the boy.”
Rook nodded.
That was their first exchange.
Eli woke during the crisis and tried to enter intensive care. Rook caught him before he reached the doors, wrapped both arms around him, and held him while the boy kicked and shouted Lucy’s name.
“She needs Rosie!”
“I know.”
“She can’t do it alone!”
“She ain’t alone.”
Rook’s voice broke.
Inside the room, Michael and Whitaker worked beside Lucy. The retired surgeon could not operate anymore, but he recognized a pattern in her blood gases suggesting mucus obstruction rather than irreversible decline. He advised the attending physician. Michael helped reposition Lucy and clear her airway.
