Another squeeze, this one a little stronger, a little more deliberate.
Tears streamed down my face, a wave of relief and happiness. He was in there.
And to our greatest shock, his eyes slowly fluttered open. He was dazed and confused, and he couldn't speak because of the ventilator, but he was there.
"Giovanni," I sobbed, my hand tightening around his. "You're awake. You're really awake."
He was awake! Thank goodness. He was truly awake.
My eyes welled with tears, but this time they were tears of joy. I had almost lost all hope, thought I had lost him again the same way I lost my first mate, thought history was repeating itself and luck wasn’t on my side for the second time, but this time, the moon goddess had answered my prayers.
The doctor and nurses rushed in and immediately got t
