Laura fumbled her way into Kat's room, the gentle glow of the morning light casting soft shadows on the walls. As she stepped inside, her mind drifted back to last night—the comforting presence of Daniel and the lengthy conversation they'd shared. His steady voice had calmed her, and even now, that memory warmed her like a quiet promise amid uncertainty.

"Hello, baby girl, how are you feeling? Better, I hope?" Laura whispered as she made her way to Kat's bedside. Her tone was tender yet laced with hope.

A nurse in the room smiled as she adjusted a blanket over Kat. "Oh, she's been such a good girl this morning," the nurse said. "We just changed her diaper and gave her a quick shower to freshen her up. I was just about to go get her breakfast."

Laura returned the smile, her eyes soft with gratitude. "Thanks for taking such good care of her," she replied, her voice steady despite the lingering worry in her heart.

As Laura knelt beside Kat, her daughter began to mumble softly. "Mommmmm, mmmuma?" Kat reached a weak hand toward her mother, her voice a blend of sleep and longing.

Cradling Kat's hand gently, Laura felt the bittersweet pull of hope and responsibility. In that quiet moment—bathed in warm morning light and echoing with the comforting memory of last night—Laura knew that every small step in Kat's recovery was a promise of a future they both had to carefully plan for.

The nurse offered a warm smile. "I'll go get Kat's breakfast now. I'll be right back," she said before quietly slipping out of the room.

Left alone with her daughter, Laura settled into the chair beside Kat's bed. Instead of trying to lull her to sleep, she began to sing a soft, comforting tune—a melody that spoke of love and reassurance. It wasn't a lullaby meant to put Kat to sleep, but rather a way to soothe the lingering tension of the night.

Kat's eyes, still half-lidded in a quiet haze, registered the sound. Slowly, her mumbled responses emerged—soft, indistinct phrases that seemed to ebb and flow with the melody. "Ma... mama... love..." she murmured, her voice growing gentler and more subdued with each passing moment.

Laura smiled and nodded, her eyes full of understanding and tenderness. "Yes, sweetheart," she replied in a quiet, rhythmic tone that echoed the cadence of her song. "I'm here. I love you so much."

Kat's murmurs became even softer, almost recessive in their quiet submission—each syllable a delicate, unformed word that blended with the music. "Oh, mama...," she repeated, her hand weakly reaching out as if seeking reassurance.

Laura continued her song, her voice a steady current of comfort in the soft morning light. "That's it, my love. I'm right here," she whispered between notes, gently stroking Kat's hand. The simple exchange—a melody and a series of quiet replies—wove a tapestry of connection between them. Even though Kat's words were faint and tentative, every soft sound and every nod from Laura conveyed a deep, unspoken promise: that she was never alone.

The nurse returned with a warm smile, carrying a tray. "Here we go, sweetie—nice and healthy," she said as she set the breakfast down on the rolling table beside Kat's bed.

Laura glanced at the meal, her heart swelling at the sight of the neatly mashed-up food. It was easy for Kat to manage—soft, smooth, and gentle on her system. She reached for the spoon, instinct taking over as she stirred the food slightly before scooping up a small portion.

"Alright, sweetheart," Laura cooed, shifting the spoon toward Kat's lips. "Here comes the airplane." She made a gentle whooshing sound, guiding the spoon forward.

Kat's lips curled into a tiny, amused smile, her eyes lighting up with something familiar—something childlike and warm. She giggled softly, opening her mouth just as she had when she was little.

Laura gently placed the spoonful in her mouth, watching as Kat barely chewed before swallowing. The soft texture made it easy for her, and she accepted another bite without hesitation.

"That's my good girl," Laura murmured encouragingly, wiping the corner of Kat's mouth with a napkin. Kat let out another small giggle, her body relaxed as she allowed her mother to care for her.

The moment was tender, reminiscent of years long past, yet deeply rooted in the present reality. Laura continued feeding her daughter, her movements steady, her heart full of love and quiet sorrow.

Laura gently set the spoon down and reached for the cup of special apple juice, inserting the straw carefully. "Here you go, sweetie. Drink up," she cooed, bringing the straw to Kat's lips.

Kat eagerly latched onto the straw, sipping slowly at first before taking bigger gulps. The sweet, familiar taste of apple juice made her hum softly in satisfaction. What she didn't know was that the juice had been mixed with a gentle yet effective dose of lactulose—a medication designed to soften stools and encourage bowel movements. Given Kat's condition and limited mobility, the nurse had recommended it to help keep her system regular.

Laura watched as Kat continued to drink, a small smile playing on her lips. "That's it, baby girl. Drink it all up."

The nurse, who had returned to check in, nodded approvingly. "That should help keep things moving," she said softly to Laura, making a small note in Kat's chart.

Kat, oblivious to the medicine's effects, simply finished her juice with a satisfied sigh, licking her lips before resting her head back against the pillow. Laura stroked her hand, whispering soothing words as she watched her daughter, unaware of how soon the medicine would take effect.

Laura gently wiped Kat's chin with a napkin as she rested in her chair, her body relaxed and her eyes half-lidded with post-breakfast drowsiness. The nurse took the empty tray and set it aside before pulling up a chair beside Laura.

"She did well with breakfast," the nurse said warmly, watching Kat's slow blinks.

Laura nodded, tucking a strand of Kat's hair behind her ear. "She did. She's been so much more responsive today."

The nurse smiled but then took on a more serious tone. "Laura, I wanted to talk to you about the importance of keeping Kat's system regular. Because she isn't very mobile, her digestion slows down. That, combined with some of the medications she's on—including the sedative she had the other day—can cause constipation."

Laura's brows furrowed with concern. "I hadn't even thought of that," she admitted. "She used to be so active before... before all this. It makes sense that things aren't moving the way they used to."

The nurse nodded. "Exactly. That's why we sometimes give her a mild medication to help things along. Nothing too harsh, just enough to keep her comfortable."

Laura glanced at Kat, watching the slow rise and fall of her chest. She looked so peaceful now, oblivious to the conversation about her care. "And this morning's medicine?"

"It'll work gently over the next few hours," the nurse assured her. "It's designed to be easy on her stomach, so it won't cause cramps. Just enough to help her go naturally."

Laura sighed, reaching out to stroke Kat's arm. "I just don't want her to be uncomfortable."

"I know," the nurse said gently. "And that's why we stay on top of it. If we let it go too long, she could end up in real pain, and we don't want that."

Laura nodded, appreciating the nurse's patience and thoroughness. "Thank you for explaining all this to me. I want to do everything I can to make things easier for her."

"You're doing great, Laura," the nurse reassured. "You're here, you're involved, and Kat knows she's loved. That's the most important thing."

Laura swallowed the lump in her throat and gave a small smile. "That's all I want for her."

A soft knock at the door interrupted their conversation, and a familiar figure stepped inside. Laura recognized him immediately—Dr. Porter, Kat's primary doctor. He carried a tablet in one hand, his expression calm but focused.

"Good morning," he greeted. "I wanted to check in on Kat and discuss the next steps in her care."

Before Laura could respond, the door opened again. This time, her face lit up.

"Tony!" she breathed, relief flooding her.

Tony stepped inside, his dark eyes searching hers before shifting to Kat. Without hesitation, Laura walked toward him, wrapping her arms around his waist. He hugged her back tightly.

"I came as soon as I could," he murmured against her hair. "How is she?"

Laura pulled back slightly, glancing at Kat. She was resting, her fingers twitching slightly against the blanket. "She had a fever yesterday... a setback," Laura admitted, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "She got really agitated, and it was scary, but she's doing better today."

Tony let out a breath. "I hate that she's going through this." He stepped closer to Kat's bedside, brushing a few strands of hair from her face. "Hey, beautiful," he said softly, though she barely reacted. His jaw tightened, but he masked it quickly, turning back to Laura.

Dr. Porter cleared his throat slightly, drawing their attention back to him. "It's good to see how much support Kat has," he said with a small smile. "I wanted to talk to you both about the next stage of her recovery. We're starting to consider transitioning Kat to home care in the near future."

Laura's heart skipped a beat. "Home care?"

Dr. Porter nodded. "She's stabilized from the acute phase of her injury, and while she will always require medical support, a structured home environment could help her long-term progress. That said, this will require significant preparation—specialized equipment, mobility aids, regular therapy sessions, in-home nursing support, and 24/7 supervision."

Laura's mind spun. She had dreamed of bringing Kat home, but now that it was being discussed as a real possibility, the weight of it settled heavily on her chest.

Tony spoke up first. "What kind of therapy would she need?"

Dr. Porter glanced at his notes. "A mix of physical, occupational, and speech therapy. She'll need continued support with motor function, cognitive exercises, and communication skills. We'll also have to assess how much mobility assistance she'll require—whether she can transfer with help or if she'll need more intensive support."

Laura swallowed. "That's... a lot."

Tony nodded but didn't waver. "If it's what's best for her, we'll figure it out."

Kat suddenly mumbled something, her voice barely above a whisper.

Laura immediately turned toward her. "Sweetheart? What is it?"

Kat's lips moved as she tried to form words, her expression determined but playful. She squeezed Tony's hand, her fingers twitching slightly before she wiggled her arms, shifting them clumsily against the blanket.

"Buh... buh... boi... boi friennn," she babbled, her voice light and airy. Her eyes locked onto Tony's with a spark of familiarity.

Tony grinned, his heart swelling. "That's me, princess," he said, brushing his thumb over the back of her hand. "Your boyfriend."

Kat's face lit up, and she let out a soft giggle. "Boi... boi... mineee," she mumbled, her speech slurred but full of meaning.

Tony chuckled. "Yeah, I'm all yours, baby."

Laura watched, warmth spreading in her chest. Seeing Kat so engaged, even in her limited way, filled her with hope. She reached over, gently stroking Kat's hair. "You're in a chatty mood today, sweetheart."

Kat blinked up at her, then made a happy hum. "Mmmhmm!" she babbled, her voice rising in excitement as she moved her arms again, one of them reaching weakly toward Laura.

Laura smiled and took Kat's outstretched hand in hers. "Are you excited to go home soon?"

Kat's expression shifted, her brows knitting together in confusion. She blinked, processing the words, then suddenly let out a bubbly giggle. "Hummm hummmm!" she cooed, waving her arms slightly in excitement.

Tony and Laura exchanged amused glances before laughing softly.

"Yes, home," Tony said, squeezing her hand. "Where you belong, sweetie."

Kat hummed again, content, her fingers lightly curling around Laura's hand as her eyes fluttered sleepily.

Laura leaned in, kissing Kat's forehead. "We'll make sure everything is ready for you, baby girl."

Kat's face scrunched as she slightly squirmed and mumbled something, and a concerned look immediately crossed Tony's face. "What's wrong, Kat?" he asked softly.

Kat whimpered, and a small tear rolled down her cheek. Then, a faint odor reached Laura's nose. With a gentle laugh, she said, "Oh, did you make a stinky, Miss Katherine?" as she carefully lifted the edge of Kat's gown to check her diaper.

Glancing at the soiled diaper, Laura chuckled warmly. "Oh yes, you did," she teased, her eyes softening as she looked at Kat's reddened face. "Don't worry, honey, I'll call the nurse."

Tony quickly stepped forward. "I'll do it," he said, pressing the buzzer with a tender smile as he looked at his little girl.

As Tony waited for the nurse, he couldn't help but tease, leaning in with a playful smirk. "Peeheww—smells like you made a big surprise in your diaper, Kat."

At his words, Kat's face crumpled, and a few tears spilled down her cheeks. A small, distressed whimper escaped her lips as she squirmed weakly.

Tony's teasing smile softened immediately. He reached for her hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. "Oh, princess, don't worry," he soothed. "I still love you."

He grinned, trying to lift her spirits. "You and your stinky bum."

Kat blinked up at him, her lip trembling slightly before she mumbled, "Luvvv... me?"

Tony's heart melted. He brushed a hand gently over her hair and nodded. "Of course, sweetheart. Always."

Laura playfully wrinkled her nose and waved a hand in front of her face. "Oof, I sure hope the nurse isn't too long," she teased, holding her nose for dramatic effect. "I don't know how much longer we can survive in here!"

Tony chuckled, shaking his head. "Kat's always keeping everyone on their toes," he said, grinning down at her. "Even when she's just lying in bed, she's still making a statement."

Kat let out a soft giggle of her own, her previous distress fading as she basked in their attention. She wiggled her fingers slightly, reaching toward Tony.

"Aww, there's my happy girl," Laura cooed, leaning in to press a kiss to Kat's cheek. "We're just playing, sweetheart. You're still our perfect princess, no matter what."

Kat hummed in response, her eyes fluttering as she nuzzled into the touch.

The nurse stepped into the room, her expression soft with concern. "Oh, what's with the tears, Kat?" she asked gently, approaching the bed.

Laura and Tony exchanged a glance before Laura spoke up. "Well... it's her diaper," she admitted with a small chuckle.

Tony nodded. "She got a little upset, but we've reassured her. She's okay now."

The nurse turned to the wall and switched off the call buzzer. "Oh, I see," she said, smiling warmly at Kat. "No worries, sweetheart, we'll get you all freshened up."

Moving efficiently, the nurse began setting up the hoist, carefully adjusting the straps. "Alright, Kat, let's get you up," she murmured, pressing the control to gently lift Kat from the bed. Kat made a few soft noises, her arms twitching slightly as she was moved.

Laura brushed a hand over Kat's hair. "It's okay, baby girl, we're just going to the bathroom," she soothed.

Once Kat was securely in the hoist, the nurse guided her toward the bathroom, Laura following close behind. "I'll help," Laura offered, stepping in beside the nurse.

"Of course," the nurse said with a nod.

As the door shut behind them, Tony leaned back in his chair with a sigh, shaking his head with amusement. "Always an adventure, huh, Kat?" he murmured to himself, waiting patiently for their return.

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