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CH3: A Hero in the Making

Reba's POV:

I can't believe I kissed my ex-husband. And told him I loved him.

"Do you want to get re-married," Brock asked, "The divorce between BJ and me is finalized. Please?"

"Yes," I said, "I will." I can't believe what just came out of my mouth.

"Carol Hart," A doctor said as he came in the room. Carrie hated it when people called her "Carol" even if it was a mistake.

"CAROLINA," Carrie snapped. She was just like me.

"Well, everything looks fine with you," the doctor said, "You can get ready to go home. I'll give you a prescription for painkillers and amoxicillin."

"Okay," Carrie said, "How's Gabe?"

"He is in a coma," the doctor explained, "We don't know if he'll wake up or not." Carrie started crying. Everyone pulled her into a hug. This is something she shouldn't endure. Carrie went back to school the following week.

Carrie's POV:

"Hey, Carrie," Bryanna said, "How's Gabe?"

"In a coma," I said, "I'm going up to testify tomorrow morning."

"Same here," Bryanna said, "I saw the whole thing from my window. I ran out and called the cops. Jake got the ambulance."

"If it wasn't for you two, he would have died on the spot," I said as I hugged my best friend.

"You're the real hero," Bryanna said, "If you didn't give him one of your kidneys, there would be no Gabe/Carrie."

"True," I said, "Wait, look at the cover of the newspaper! My face is on it!" Bryanna and I ran over to Cutie-Pie Matthews to read it.

"Mr. Matthews, can we see that newspaper, please," I asked.

"Anything for the little girl who saved my favorite cousin," Mr. Matthews said.

"Wait, Gabe is your cousin," I asked.

"Yeah," Mr. Matthews said.

"I just died and came back," I said. Kyra came rushing over toward us to read the article about Gabe and me. This is what the article said:

Thursday May 8th, 2008

Yesterday, a tragedy struck among Houston. Gabriel Rowan Johnson, 14, was shot by Edward Southgate in the head, and stomach. Johnson was rushed to the nearest hospital. He was in critical condition upon the arrival. He underwent a surgery to remove the bullets. A bullet was lodged in his kidney, causing it to fail immediately. Johnson needed an immediate kidney transplant. It was said by doctors that if Johnson did not receive a kidney by that night, he would die.

Carolina Nell Hart, also 14, willingly gave Johnson a kidney. Hart saved his life. She and several others including Hart's sister, Kyra Eleanor Hart, and friend, Bryanna Darius, will be testifying tomorrow in front of Judge Marquis Harris.

- From reporter Hannah Cooke

"What a crappy article," I said. There should be more on what happened when Gabe was approached and shot. It was a horrible article.

The final bell rang, and it was time to leave. I was going with Kyra and Bryanna to the hospital to visit Gabe. BJ drove us there.

"Kyra, Carrie, before you go in, can I tell you something," BJ asked.

"Yeah, what," I replied.

"Your mom and dad are getting re-married," BJ said. I smiled. Kyra didn't. My smile faded quickly.

"What about you," I asked, "What will you do now that Daddy's leaving?"

"I'm moving to Austin," BJ said.

"No, stay in Houston," Kyra said, "Please BJ. My mom needs you in her life. She acts like she hates you, but I know behind her redheaded fury is a secret liking for you. Mom loves you."

"Aw thanks, Kyra, I might stay," BJ said, "Go in there and see Gabe."

Kyra's POV:

Carrie and I walked into the hospital and went to Gabe's room. Carrie almost fainted when she saw him. There was a tube in his mouth helping him breathe. We could tell he was on life support. Carrie sat on his bed and cried. She held his hand and kissed it.

"Please wake up, baby," she whispered, "Please. I'm nothing without you." A tear fell from Carrie's cheek and onto Gabe's hand. I saw Gabe's eyes flutter open.

"Carrie, look," Bryanna said, "He's awake!"

"GABE," Carrie screamed, "Can you hear me? Blink once for yes." Gabe blinked.

"Can you breathe without that tube," Bryanna asked. Gabe blinked once again. Carrie was so happy. He woke out of his coma. I ran to get a doctor.

Reba's POV:

Carrie came home crying.

"What now," I asked.

"He's gonna be okay, Mom," Carrie smiled, "Gabe woke up." I smiled. I pulled my baby girl into a hug. She was happy to know that her boyfriend was going to be okay.

"Can I stay at the hospital with him, please," Carrie asked.

"Carolina Nell, you have to testify tomorrow," I said.

"I know," she muttered, "But Gabe needs me."

"Fine, but I'll be there for you at ten. Be ready," I said to her.

"'Kay," Carrie answered.

Carrie's POV:

I pulled Gabe into a hug. The only sound in his room was Gabe's heartbeat monitor. I looked at it with a shut-up-we're-trying-to-kiss look. We just laid there in the hospital bed and kissed. I was so happy to know that he was going to be okay. My stomach started hurting really badly.

"What's wrong, baby," Gabe asked.

"My stomach," I said, "I'm not supposed to engage in physical activity or contact."

"Oh," Gabe said, "I heard that I'm gonna be released in a week."

"YAY," I squealed. I've never been so happy in my entire life.

"Carrie, can you sing for me, please," Gabe asked.

"Sure," Carrie said, "What do you want?"

"Our song," Gabe said. He wanted us to sing "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey. I did what he asked. We both fell asleep.

Reba's POV:

Brock came over to check on Carrie. I had told him that Carrie was with Gabe.

"He woke up? Good," Brock said, "I had to give Butt-Breath a cleaning. He likes being sedated, so I pulled out his dentures and cleaned them with the stuff he hates using. I even pulled out the front teeth and stuck Chiclets in the holes." I laughed. What a scene that's gonna be in court.

"I still love you Reba," Brock said, "You know that, right? I wanna re-marry with you."

"I still love you, too, Brock," I said, "I think it would be a good thing if we started over."

"How would we break it to the kids, though," I asked.

"We tell Van, Cheyenne and Elizabeth first," Brock said, "Then we tell Kyra and Carolina, then Jake, then Henry."

"Elizabeth and Henry are too young to understand," I said, "So we should just leave them out. I gotta tell Lori Ann. Does Barbra Jean know?"

"Yeah," Brock said, "I'm tired. Let's go up to bed." Brock and I went up to my room and slept. I was really tired. I had to get Kyra, Carrie, and their friend, Bryanna, in the morning.