Chapter 26 – Heartbeats and Birthday Wishes

Isabel didn’t want a birthday celebration — which was exactly why everyone ignored her and planned one anyway. By six o’clock, Gray’s hospital room had been transformed. Nothing too over-the-top — just a few pastel balloons tied to the bed railing, a small banner above the window that read HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BOSSY, and a tiny cake box tucked discreetly in the corner. The smell of something warm and sweet wafted through the room, and the air buzzed with the low murmur of conversation and easy laughter. Amelia had helped set things up, though she blushed furiously when Zach made her hold the “Bossy” banner for perfect alignment. “This feels illegal,” she whispered. “Welcome to friendship,” Zach replied, taping the last balloon to the IV stand. Everyone was there — Charles and Vivienne had arrived just after five with Isabel’s favorite pastries from a bakery that apparently had a six-month waiting list. Dr. Levin popped in and out, trying to feign professionalism while still sneaking bites of chocolate torte. Even Jessica was present — her second time joining them all, but the first time meeting Gray. She strolled into the room wearing a lilac dress and matching confidence, her eyes immediately locking on Gray. “Okay, but real talk,” she said, arms crossed and tone mischievous. “Until now, I was ninety percent sure this guy was a figment of Lia’s imagination. Like, the dreamy backstory of a secret hospital romance.” That’s when it happened. Beep-beep-beep. The monitor jumped. Dr. Levin, who had been seated quietly by the small table, stood immediately, nearly knocking over his chair. “Hold on—” he said, rushing to Gray’s side, scanning the screen. “That’s… definitely a response.” Amelia gasped. “What?” “Oh my god, did I offend him?” Jessica blinked. “Are we doing telepathic shade now?” Zach stared at the monitor, then at Gray. “Bro. Are you jealous right now?” Another beep spike. “Okay, yep, confirmed.” Zach leaned over, lowering his voice dramatically. “Don’t worry, man. No hot doctors have swooped in. Though… I mean, the nurses are very charming.” Amelia turned bright red. “Zach!” “What? I’m just saying—” “There are no crushes! No one is swooping! And I haven’t seen any doctors on this floor aside from Dr. Levin!” Levin, adjusting the wires with an amused glance, lifted a brow. “Good to know I’ve cornered the market.” “You’re not helping,” Amelia muttered, burying her face in her hands. Jessica leaned into her. “I take it back — this is so better than fiction.” Zach crossed his arms, still grinning. “It’s a miracle the guy hasn’t woken up just to stop us from embarrassing him to death.” From the bed, Gray stayed still, but the monitor readings were elevated — not alarming, just… aware. As if every teasing word, every voice in the room, was pulling him closer to the surface. Charles stood at the foot of the bed and raised a glass of sparkling cider. “To Isabel,” he said, voice warm. “And to the chaos she brings wherever she goes.” “To chaos,” Zach echoed, clinking his cup against Isabel’s. “To family,” Vivienne added softly. Amelia lifted her own cup, glancing toward Gray. “To second chances.” The group went quiet just long enough to feel the weight of it. Then Jessica, ever the mood-shifter, leaned over and poked Amelia’s side. “So. Be honest. Are you drawing comic strips of this whole soap opera in that sketchpad?” Amelia giggled, covering her face again. “I’m not—okay maybe one. But he was wearing a superhero cape.” Zach dramatically gasped. “I better be in the next one.” Jessica nodded. “I want a cameo. But make me cooler. And taller.” Beep. Beep. Dr. Levin looked at the monitor, then at Amelia. “Whatever you’re doing… keep doing it.” Jessica, eyes sparkling, leaned back with mock innocence. “Actually, since we’re talking about admirers—Lia might have a fan club of her own.” Amelia groaned. “Jess…” “Don’t you ‘Jess’ me. I’m just saying—between the oat milk guy, the cute intern who always ‘accidentally’ bumps into her at the printer, and Nurse Green Eyes from earlier—our girl here is thriving.” Isabel’s eyebrows shot up. “Wait, there’s a printer guy and a coffee guy?” Zach held up a hand like a referee. “Hold on, let’s list this out: Coffee guy, Printer guy, Green Eyes—” “Can we not do this?” Amelia squeaked, her entire face turning scarlet. Jess added casually, “There’s also the subway artist who gave her his number and a free sketch.” Isabel gasped dramatically. “A creative type? Gray would hate that.” Beep-beep-beep. Everyone looked at the monitor. Zach let out a low whistle. “Dude is literally flatlining over the idea of a starving artist hitting on Lia.” “Oh please,” Amelia muttered, hiding behind her hands. “You’re telling me Gray didn’t have girls all over him?” Jess shot back, raising a brow at Zach and Isabel. Isabel smirked. “He had admirers. Like, a whole trail of them.” Zach nodded. “He once got a bouquet with someone’s phone number and star chart attached.” “Please,” Jess scoffed. “Lia once got a handwritten poem on recycled paper and a Spotify playlist.” “Oh wow,” Zach said, mock-staggered. “That is dangerously romantic. Gray might combust.” Beep. Beep. “He’s reacting to the playlist, I swear,” Dr. Levin said, half-laughing as he checked the screen. “Should we play lo-fi heartbreak through the monitors next?” “Don’t tempt Jess,” Amelia said, attempting to bury her red face in Isabel’s shoulder. “Oh I will make a playlist,” Jess declared. “It’ll be called Lia’s Secret Suitors and Softboys.” “And mine will be Gray and the Women Who Knew Better,” Zach grinned. “They’ll be rivals on Spotify,” Isabel added with mock gravity. “Competing in the genre of emotional damage.” “Guys,” Amelia groaned. “I’m going to die. I’m actually going to die.” “Too late,” Jess whispered. “You’re already part of the chaos family.” Dr. Levin tapped the monitor lightly. “And apparently the chaos is therapeutic.” Gray’s vitals were still slightly elevated—stable, but steady in a way that carried weight. There was something hopeful pulsing in the numbers. A kind of presence. Amelia finally peeked out from behind her fingers, still blushing but smiling now. She leaned slightly forward and brushed her fingertips gently across the back of Gray’s hand. “Happy birthday, Isabel,” she said softly. “But… thank you, Gray. For bringing all of them into my life.” The room went quiet. And then— his fingers twitched. Not a spasm. Not involuntary. A curl, subtle and searching — the barest pull toward hers. Beep. Beep. Beep-beep. The monitor jumped again, louder and sharper. Dr. Levin was already at his side. “There it is,” he murmured. “That was deliberate.” Zach’s mouth dropped. “No way. Did he just—?” “He moved,” Isabel breathed, stunned. Amelia’s breath caught. “Gray?” Another spike. Zach grinned. “He’s alive and officially possessive. Dude did not appreciate all that talk about oat milk and playlists.” Vivienne’s eyes softened, but her smile was knowing. “He may be still, but that boy is absolutely listening.” Charles chuckled, shaking his head. “Possessive. Just like his mother.” Vivienne gave him a playful glare. “Excuse me?” “I said what I said,” Charles replied, eyes locked on his son. “He knows what he wants. And he’s already fighting to keep it.” Amelia stared at Gray’s hand — still, but warmer now beneath her touch. She didn’t move away. “I’ll stay,” she whispered. The monitor calmed. Not flat, not fading — just steady. Like a promise. A rhythm that said he was still here. Still fighting.