Debbie was on the shore of Westmont Lake. Tom was there, as was James, Meg, Becky and Susan. Everyone was having a great time. The three giant girls decided to go swimming, and urged her to join them. Debbie waded into unusual cold water, and followed her friends as far as she could. Suddenly, she felt herself sinking, and try as she might, couldn't get anyone’s attention. Lower and lower she sank under water, until she was at the bottom. Panic was setting in. She tried to scream, but could make no sound. The water was pitch black and getting darker. She felt herself slipping away, until a giant hand reached down into the water and lifted her up to the shore. She suddenly realized that she was by herself. And then she heard a distant voice that told her ‘Not Today’.
The doctor, with the sweat stained, blood soaked scrubs still on, had looked at everyone in the waiting room, and again offered Tom and James the opportunity to talk in private. Tom repeated that the man could speak in front of everyone. The man told Tom that Debbie had suffered massive internal injuries, and though they tried their best, they still didn't know whether or not she would survive. The next 48 hours were the most critical. They were going to keep her in a medically induced coma for some time, in order to keep her still and allow the stitches and sutures to close all the wounds. He also explained that she had flatlined on the operating table, but they were able to bring her back.
Tom told the doctor that Debbie was pregnant, and wanted to know if the baby was alright. The man replied that it was too early in the pregnancy to know for sure. But all they could do was hope and pray. Tom asked him if Debbie did survive, would she be alright physically. The doctor said that they wouldn't know for sure for a month or two. She had suffered a broken pelvis, ribs, and the bones of the left leg. And because of the swelling, they needed to wait to examine more clearly. But he also told Tom that the hospital had an excellent physical therapy and rehabilitation center, called Imaginate Rehabilitation Center. And if anyone could get Debbie up and moving like before, it was them. But all they could do at the moment was pray that she pulls through, and hope that she can recover.
By then a female police officer had joined them. A young Alpha, she was first on the scene, and explained what had happened. Apparently, as Debbie Adams was driving through the intersection with a green light, some man who was drunk drove through the red light, hitting her car more towards the rear driver side door. If the hit had been direct, Debbie would have never survived.
Susan asked the doctor if they had a private room, to which the man said yes. Susan then asked him if it would be possible to move Debbie into the room, with a separate bed. That way, Tom could spend day and night with her. The man said he didn't see a problem with that. But then Tom thought about James. He couldn't leave his son alone in the house, not knowing how his mother was doing. James tried to tell his father that he would be alright, but Tom thought of his mental well being. He might need someone to talk to, and if he didn't make sure that his son had an outlet, he would never forgive himself.
Becky volunteered to take James in for as long as needed. She had plenty of room, and would make sure he was fed and did his homework. Susan made the same offer. In fact, the two lifelong friends started arguing over who would take care of James the best. Back and forth they went, basically ignoring please from James and his father.
Their voices were rising, until a booming male voice said that he would take James in. Everyone turned around to look at Leo Daniels. Even Meg was shocked. James looked like he had been given a test on nuclear fusion. Leo, looking at everyone in the room, simply stated that if James was with Meg, it might help him deal with the situation better, as they have become really close. And it would make Meg feel useful if she could take care of her boyfriend when he needed her the most. But only if it was ok with Tom and James.
Tom looked at his son, then at Leo, and thanked him for the offer, but he couldn't impose on his family like that. Leo assured him that it would not be a problem. They had the room. And they would make sure that he ate and did his homework. It was the least they could do.
Tom said that he would need to talk to James, and when father and son went off to a corner of the room to discuss the matter, Meg asked her dad if her mom would be ok with that arrangement. Leo looked at his daughter with a smile, and said that he would handle things with her mom. He just wanted her to concentrate on helping James through this terrible tragedy. Meg hugged her father, and thanked him, telling him that she loved him.
Tom asked James if he would be comfortable staying with the Daniels? Or would he prefer Becky or Susan. Without hesitation, he replied the Daniels. Even though he wasn't sure what would happen with her mom, he just really needed to be around someone that he loved. He couldn't do anything for his mom at present, but he needed to let Meg know that what had happened was in the past. And then it finally hit him. Leo Daniels had mentioned twice that he was Meg’s boyfriend, which meant that he knew and was ok with that fact.
Tom and James went up to Leo Daniels and thanked him again for his offer. James could tell by Meg's expression that she was nervously anticipating his answer. Tom said that he would be grateful if his son could stay at the Daniels house. Meg fought back tears of joy, while Leo held out his hand, and gently shook Tom’s hand.
Tom realized that James was probably starving at the moment, so he gave his son money to buy Meg and himself dinner in the hospital cafeteria. James thanked his father, then walked out of the room with his girlfriend, hand in hand, and headed for the cafeteria.
Once the kids were out of the room, both Becky and Susan told Tom that he was to spend all his time with Debbie. He wasn't to think about work, or even come in. He was needed at the hospital. Becky and Susan could handle the office. Tom tried to object, but the two giantesses told him he was to be with his wife, no matter what. So Tom reluctantly agreed.
The duty nurse came into the waiting room, and asked to see Tom. She was a middle aged Alpha woman that he thought was quite attractive. She brought over a step stool, which allowed him to reach the Alpha chair. She really was attractive, but he quickly brought his mind around when he had to fill out paperwork dealing with a myriad of issues.
First thing on the list was the Don't Resuscitate Order/Organ Donor, or DNR for short. This was a form that let the hospital staff know that if anything happened to Debbie, and she flatlined, they would not do anything to bring her back. Tom refused to sign. He would not consent to just letting his Debbie die. It was making him terribly upset that she would even suggest something like that. The nurse could see how upset he was getting, and quickly moved on to another topic.
Physical therapy. If Debbie did survive and healed, and needed physical therapy, they could do it there at the Imaginate Rehabilitation Center. It was headed by Dr Nigel Bruce, and had the reputation of being the best in the state. She handed him a card with the number, so that when the time came, arrangements could be made.
Third and final thing was the waiver he had to sign, absolving the hospital of any responsibility if personal items were stolen or misplaced. Tom signed that form, and the nurse thanked him for his patience, and expressed her sympathy for what had happened to his wife. Tom thanked her and got down and headed back towards the waiting room
He suddenly realized that he was also hungry. Becky volunteered to go on a food run to the cafeteria, and took everyone’s order. She double checked, and disappeared, emerging 15 minutes later with a tray full of food. By then, James and Meg returned. The little privacy they got did wonders, especially for Meg.
When James and Meg sat down to eat, Meg apologized for her behavior last week. She told him that she hadn't been completely honest with him. She was having issues with her mom, and was too upset to talk about it. She had just assumed that he would understand. She never thought that he would think that she didn't trust him enough. It was just too painful for her. Then she explained that her mom had threatened to hit her, and if it wasn't for Amanda coming into the room, she would have.
James grew quiet with Meg’s description of the event. It was over him, and her love for him. He started cursing himself in silence. He felt like she needed a true friend, and he selfishly put his feelings above hers. He apologized for his behavior.
Meg then apologized from the bottom of her heart for her actions on the bus. Although she was extremely frustrated by his refusal to listen to her, she should have known better than to act the way she did. She could never forgive herself for that. James remarked that it took him by complete surprise, because he knew how gentle she was, and how big her heart was. He just never thought that an incident like that would ever happen between them. As he was finishing, both had tears running down their faces. He looked up at her, and told her that he loved her, and that there was nothing she could do to make him stop loving her, except if she told him that she liked The Spice Girls!
Meg broke out laughing, almost to the point where she had to catch her breath. She took his smaller hand into her larger one, and gently started rubbing it. James always knew how to cheer her up. It was one of the things that she loved about him. James was happy that he was able to put a smile on her face. And once the meal was finished, they headed back up to the waiting room.
They walked in just as Becky was handing out the food. James asked his father if there was any update on his mother's condition, and Tom said not yet. And the food that Becky delivered really hit the spot. Tom didn't realize how hungry he was. He was so worried about Debbie that once that feeling lessened, his stomach started growling.
But as soon as the meal was finished, an Alpha nurse from the ICU entered the room to let Tom and James know that Debbie was being moved into a private room, and she wanted to know if they wanted to walk next to her bed as they transfer her. Both father and son said yes in unison, and excused themselves and left.
But neither one was prepared for what they saw. A bruised and swollen face. Tubes up the nose, down the throat, and in the chest to provide nasal drainage, air into the lungs, and food. Both men just looked at Debbie Adams with a feeling of complete helplessness. She looked totally at peace, but that was due to the medically induced coma. But both men feared that she would never wake up. It was only a brief thought, but one that scared them. Tom hugged his son, and both cried at the sight of Debbie clinging to life. But James told his dad that if his mom and the baby survived, and it was a girl, Hope would be a great name. That seemed to lessen the anxiety running through Tom. He considered what James had said, and thought it was a tremendous idea. A girl named Hope. He just needed to pray that both mother and child survived.