It was late but Elise still didn't wake up. Since daytime, Brian has always been by her side. He wanted to be by Elise's side when she realized. Because Brian is worried about Elise's situation, he is afraid that when Elise gets out later and not finding Brian beside her, Elise thinks badly and causes her trauma to recur.
Brian remembers how hard it was for him to keep Elise sane six years ago. And how many meetings with psychologists and hypnotists have made Elise forget about her trauma. Because Elise thought a little about the sexual harassment incident, her trauma would come back. Even things that have nothing to do with it can make Elise sink into her trauma again. Like the thought that Brian was leaving her would definitely make her trauma come back.
Brian's hand reached out and stroked Elise's face gently and carefully. He seemed afraid to wake Elise suddenly, something that might shock her and worst of all make her trauma recur.