When Two Worlds Collide

Chapter 3

AN: Hi guys! Thank you soo much for all the kind reviews! I'm glad you're enjoying the story as much as I am writing it! When you're done, review and let me know what you think! Read on : )

When Don and Nora got on the plane, neither suspected that anything would go wrong. In mid flight, many hours later, Nora was asleep with her head on Don's shoulders. The plane suddenly dipped, causing Nora to wake up. The plane went back to normal height, so Nora went back to sleep. Not too long after, the plane dipped again, but this time it didn't go back to its original height. Instead, the plane just kept dropping in height. It seemed as if it was literally falling out of the sky. Air masks were released abruptly, causing people on the plane to wake up.

"Don," Nora frantically shook him awake, "the plane's going down,"

It took Don a couple of seconds to comprehend what his fiancé was saying, but once he did his eyes grew wide.

"The plane's going down?" He repeated, looking around him and seeing people freaking out just as much as he was about to.

The overhead speaker crackled and then a voice spoke, "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm afraid that our plane is," it crackled again, and the lights even went out.

"Don, I love you," Nora yelled above all the noise, causing Don to pull her in for a long kiss.

"I love you, too, Nora," Don replied, kissing her nose.

"I have to call Loren, tell her I love her," She explained, she knew she didn't have much time. Nora dug around in her purse before quickly pulling out her cell phone and called Loren, hoping she wouldn't pick up. She didn't want her to answer as they were crashing, Loren would be terrified. She just wanted to leave her daughter with a piece of her, even if it was a voicemail. Thankfully, her daughter didn't answer. The tone beeped and Nora spoke clearly into the phone above all the people screaming. Nora held Don's hand as she saw out the window that they were headed straight for the ocean.

"Loren, just know that I love you and I'll miss you. You have become an amazing young woman who will do great things. Whether your future involves music or not, I just want you to know how proud of you I am. I love you," Nora's phone call was interrupted by the sound of the plane crashing into the water.

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Loren had apparently fallen asleep during testing because the next thing she knew she was being lifted from her wheelchair back into her bed. She looked around, confused, then fell right back asleep. Eddie laughed, turning to thank Amanda.

"It's no problem," She smiled politely at him before taking the wheelchair and exiting the room.

Eddie heard Loren's phone vibrate and went to turn it off so she wouldn't wake up. He kissed her forehead before settling back down in the chair.

"Go home," Loren muttered, turning her head towards him, but keeping her eyes closed, "at least go shower."

"The girl is right, you look like a mess,"

Eddie turned to face the door, "Chloe? What the hell are you doing here?"

That got Loren's attention. She opened her eyes and unfortunately saw Chloe Carter standing in the doorway of her hospital room.

"I heard about the accident," She walked into the room, looking around, "I wanted to see how you were holding up."

"That's a lie if I've ever heard one," Loren retorted, "you don't care about me."

"That's true," She laughed, looking Loren right in the eyes, "I only care about Eddie."

Eddie rolled his eyes, "Just get out, Chloe. As I've said before, we are never getting back together. Don't make me call security."

"You wouldn't do that," Chloe remarked, "You don't have the guts."

"He might not, but I do," Max snapped, walking into Loren's hospital room, "Sorry, Loren for this intrusion. Chloe, Loren's hurt. You need to leave."

Loren smiled gratefully at Max before glancing at Eddie. When her and Eddie had first started to date, she had her doubts. She thought he would go running back to Chloe the first chance he got. Fortunately, he proved her wrong.

"I just wanted to see—" Chloe started, but just as she did Eddie immediately pulled out his phone.

"Leave. Now, Chloe," Eddie held up his phone, "or security will throw you out."

Chloe huffed, muttering something crazy (as usual) before stomping out of the room.

"Loren, I'm so—" Eddie started, but before he could finish Loren was shaking her head.

"It's not your fault, you didn't know she was coming. It's fine, Eddie," Loren smiled at him to reassure him that she was fine.

"Well, it won't happen again. I'll tell security," Max said, walking closer to Loren, "So, how are you feeling Miss Loren?"

"Like a million hammers are pounding on my head, but other than that... I'm fine." Loren put a hand to her head, "Do you think I could have something for this? It's really killing me."

"I'll go ask the nurse," Eddie immediately walked out to find Amanda.

While Eddie was out of the room, Loren took this moment to talk to Max. Maybe his father could tell him to go get some decent sleep instead of in a crappy hospital chair.

"Max, do you think you could—"

Max laughed, as if he knew what she was going to ask, "Loren, I have as much say so in what Eddie chooses to do as you do. He's stubborn, just like his mother."

"I know, I've tried telling him that he's not to blame and that he should go home and get some rest," Loren sighed, "I can't get through to him on either subject."

"I think he'll be better once you get out of the hospital... when things return to normal. He'll understand that you'll be alright once he isn't constantly reminded of it, you know?" Max replied, putting his hands in his pockets.

"That makes sense, I guess." Loren's stomach interrupted her, causing both her and Max to laugh, "I guess I'm a little hungry."

"I can go get you something," Max moved to walk out the door.

Loren shook her head, "No, that's okay, I have some food here."

She moved forward to reach the sack of bagels sitting on her side table. She let out a groan and moved back into her pillow.

"I keep forgetting," Loren laughed softly.

Max smiled at her, handing her a bagel that was sitting on the plate in front of her," I know the feeling. I broke my ribs once and kept forgetting all the time. It's a lot harder to remember than anyone would think."

Max and Loren talked for a few minutes, and then Eddie came in with the doctor.

"Hey, Loren, how are you feeling?"

Loren smiled politely at the doctor, "My head kind of hurts, but other than that I'm okay."

"That's perfectly normal. We'll get you some Advil." The doctor jotted some things down on her notepad before looking back at Loren, "Well, I got your results from your tests and everything looks perfectly normal. But there is something I need to discuss with Loren privately."

Loren shared a look with Eddie, "Whatever it is, they can hear it."

The doctor looked slightly uncomfortable before shaking her head, "I'm afraid I need to discuss this with Loren first, then if she says it's okay, I'll share with you two."

"Oh, okay," Eddie kissed Loren's cheek, muttering for her to not worry before leaving the room with Max.

"Is there something wrong with me?" Loren asked, sitting up very carefully while eyeing the doctor.

"No, it's not you. I'm afraid that this is about your mother," the doctor paused, watching as Loren's face went from worried to confused, "The hospital recently got news that your mother and her fiancé were involved in a plane crash. They went crashed into the ocean. I'm afraid there have been no survivors."

With those words spoken, Loren's entire world came crashing down.

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Eddie and Max went back into Loren's hospital room to find her sitting in her wheelchair. She was looking out the window; the blinds were open.

"Loren?" Eddie asked, approaching her with ease.

Loren didn't turn her head towards him, not wanting to tell them. Not wanting it to be true. But she had to face it. Her mother was gone.

"The doctor told me," Loren said softly, so softly that both Eddie and Max almost didn't hear, "that my mom's plane crashed."

Eddie and Max exchanged horrified looks.

"Do they know where?" Max asked carefully, bending down to Loren's level.

Loren shook her head, finally turning to face them, "Somewhere in the ocean. There... there weren't any survivors."

She quickly turned away, hand over her mouth as she quietly cried and mourned for her mother. Eddie and Max were speechless, neither knowing why this happened to Loren.