By noon, Noah's hospital room no longer felt like part of the intensive care unit.
It felt like a meeting room.
Vinny had somehow convinced a nurse to let him bring in enough food to feed an entire department. Paper bags covered one side of the small table, filling the room with the smell of warm pastries, fresh fruit, sandwiches and coffee.
Aiden stared at the mountain of food.
"...Why?"
Vinny shrugged proudly.
"I didn't know what everyone liked."
"So you bought everything?"
"Exactly."
Matthew pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I should really start limiting your credit card."
"You say that every month."
"And every month you ignore me."
"It builds character."
Even Lily laughed.
The sound was refreshing after everything they had lived through.
Noah sat propped up against several pillows, still looking pale but much more awake than earlier. The pain medication had taken the edge off his injuries, though every movement was clearly uncomfortable.
