DISCLAIMER: Again, I own nothing but this story plot and the way it is told and Meredith Oliver is mine, but I'll let those that ask borrow her for a while. :-)
Chapter 4
Alone in the room, Kimberly removed her hand from Tommy's.
"Look, Meredith asked me to come and help you. I couldn't refuse a request from my best friend," Kim said.
Tommy continued to stare at her. He wasn't sure if it was the shock of her being there, the anger that his SISTER had called her or the fact that he'd been unconcious for several days.
"So why did you come," he asked, glaring at her.
"Your sister didn't want to lose you. In case you haven't noticed, that woman will do anything for you. She's your sister and your best friend," Kim said.
Tommy didn't know how to respond.
He reached for Kimberly's hand.
"Well, thank you for helping her...and me."
Kim smiled at Tommy and squeezed his hand. "I don't know how to be right now, Tommy. I'm relieved you're okay, but I can't help feeling the way I do at this moment," she said, "I had no idea that our break up distracted you that much. I'm so sorry."
Tommy looked away. The letter Kim sent had hurt him terribly. He had trouble focusing and he knew his former teammates blamed her for it.
Tommy looked back and Kim and they stared in silence.
I exited Tommy's room in search of my husband and ex-boyfriend.
Jason and Rocky were drinking coffee and talking in the waiting room.
"So, how's married life," Jason asked.
"With, Meredith, it couldn't be better," Rocky said.
"Yeah, Meri is a terrific. I'm glad the she's happy," Jason said.
"Look, I'm sorry about what happened with you and Mer, but I'm not sorry that I love her and we're married."
"I know. We were right for each other in high school, but as we got older, I don't think so. We're really better off friends now and I'm glad that she reached out to me."
"I know she needed to contact you. You were a big part of her life and you are Tommy's best friend. You and Mer should talk. And before you say anything, I'm not going to hurt her. I've already gotten the talk from Tommy. We've been married four years and together for 8, so I think we've got this thing covered," Rocky said.
Not wanting them to know I had heard their whole conversation, I started walking very heavy on the tiled floor.
"Rocky, Jason," I called.
"Here, sweetie," Rocky called.
Jason looked at me and smiled. I was grinning from ear to ear and Rocky said, "He's awake?"
I nodded my head, "He's spending time with Kimberly. I think they need to talk," I said.
Rocky handed me a cup of coffee that I hadn't seen sitting on the table. "Figured you were about due," he said.
This is another reason why I love this guy. Most of the team thought Rocky was a big prankster and always wanted to have fun, but Rocky was a kind soul. He always put others feelings ahead of himself. That's probably why we were apart when he thought I needed to be with Jason. He felt that everyone thought he was merely a substitute for Jason since he had taken Jason's spot on the team. When a spell caused everyone to voice their true opinions, Rocky couldn't help but announce that he didn't want to be second in my life or even third. He believed that Tommy and Jason were the first and second people in my life and he couldn't compete. When the spell was broken, I asked if that was still true and he confessed that was his thinking. When we were apart, I couldn't believe how he kept away from everyone. He fought with us, but he avoided all situations that had him dealing with me or Jason. Later, when Jason and I broke up, Adam told him he had to talk to me because that was the only way that things were going to get sorted out. I met him at the botanical gardens where we had our first date. He and I had talked, but had avoided anything really meaningful because we didn't want to confuse the situation. I was hurting from Jason, but I was also hurting because Rocky was so withdrawn. I wanted to be with him, but didn't know what to say about it. Finally, that afternoon, I told him that I wanted to be with him. I think he was shocked, but he told me he was stupid for letting me go. I reminded him that he could've acted like an ape and gotten me back. Rocky's just been it for me. He's quiet when he needs to be and acts like he's supposed to when he's around others. I don't mind. I don't think the gang would believe for a minute that he is the gentle soul that I get to see every single night.
"What do you think they're talking about," Jason asked, interrupting my thoughts.
"Probably why I brought her here. I honestly thought he was going to yell at me, but he didn't. Something definately changed with Tommy Oliver in there," I said.
"Seeing Kim's must be a huge shock. There was no time for him to prepare for it," Jason said.
I nodded and took a sip of my coffee. Vanilla hazel nut, my favorite. Gee, Rocky's really getting bonus points today.
"Meredith," I hear Kim call out the door. Spotting us in the little alcove, she comes toward us. "Tommy wants you to come in and he insisted that I get something to eat. I haven't had anything since breakfast. I was too nervous and scared to eat until I got here."
I glanced back at Rocky. He caught my look. "Hey, Jason, Kim, why don't we grab a quick bite in the cafeteria, just until Mer's ready to head back home. I'll make sure you guys are fed right, but I think Mer needs to see Tommy," he said.
Knowing I did need to talk to Tommy, Jason and Kim reluctantly went with Rocky and I turned on my heel and walked back into Tommy's room.
Opening the door, I saw my brother sitting up and looking at the doorway. I entered and stood at the door until it closed, then approached the bed.
Tommy started to speak, but I spoke first. "I know exactly what you're going to say and I'm not sorry I did it. You're just going to have to get used to how things need to be. Kim loves you, I love you. I've already sacrificed so much in my life, I was NOT going to give you up. No matter what you may think, I love you and I'll do what I have to do to make sure I don't lose my best friend," I said on the verge of tears.
Tommy stared at his sister. He knew I would do anything for him, but he didn't have any idea that this had upset me this much.
"Summer," he said, and I smiled. Tommy always used my middle name when he was trying to apologize and make something just between us. He was the only one I let call me Summer.
"I'm sorry I wanted to get mad at you. I know you would only do the best thing you could for me. Thank you. You fought for me and made me realize what I need to do. You are my best friend, Mer, and I love you. I'm grateful for everything you've done AND that you haven't wanted to stop being my sister," Tommy said.
I couldn't help it. I started crying, which I knew made my brother uncomfortable, but this was the closest he's EVER come to admitting how he felt.
I reached over and hugged my brother. Being able to have him hug me back was the greatest feeling I've had, well in the last few days. Actually it was great knowing he was there and could hug me back. Tommy may not be good at expressing his feelings, but he has no problem offering a hug or a kiss if the situation needs it. He's just got a sixth sense about that.
"Okay, now will you please stop crying. You know what that does to me. I don't want to see you crying," he said.
"You don't want to see ANY woman crying," I corrected him.
Sitting down on the bed next to him, I grabbed his hand. "I love you, Thomas Oliver. You're my brother and you're not going to get rid of me that easy," I said.
As Tommy and I are laughing together, we hear the door to his room open and Rocky and Jason appear in the doorway.
"Is it okay if we come in now," Rocky asked.
"Yeah, dude was starting to really miss his wifey," Jason said, grinning at Rocky.
"I can only imagine how badly Rocky was missing Mer. Those two can give you a cavity, they can be so sweet to each other," Tommy said. "Ouch!"
I smiled as my little pinch to Tommy's side had really communicated the point that he shouldn't tease his sister and her husband.
"Welcome guys, Tommy and I were just having a little discussion. Is Kim still in the waiting room," I asked.
"Yeah, she promised she'd wait and talk to you and come back if Tommy wanted," Jason said.
Nodding, I got up off my brother's bed and headed toward the door. Jason and Rocky were already in a discussion with Tommy about his choice of careers and colors and who knows what else as I headed out the door.
I walked down to hall to the waiting area. Kimberly sat with her cell phone to her ear and a latte on the table. She heard me coming and finished her call. I could only assume she was talking to Aisha or Katherine. I didn't want to pry. Kim and I were friends before Tommy and she had ever met, but I do know that our friendship changed when she and Tommy broke up.
"You didn't have to end the call on my account."
"It wasn't important. I was just calling my mom to let her know where I was. Didn't want her to worry about me not answering when she called," she said.
"Are you sorry that you answered the phone when I called," I quickly asked her.
She shakes her head, "No. We're friends, despite the gap between myself and your twin brother," Kim said.
"This group has been through so much. We have to get back as friends. We can't let whatever it is keep us apart," I said.
"I know. You seem to have forgiven Jason," she said, taking a sip of her latte.
"Thank Rocky for that one. Jason really, really hurt me with what he did. I would never have thought that of him. I'm glad I found out when I did because I wouldn't have had these wonderful years with Rocky, but I don't understand why Jason did it. I never saw it coming. I never thought my first love would suddenly decide that I wasn't good enough for him in high school and then turn around and demand that I come back to him. He tried to get everyone to believe that I'd be living a lie if I married Rocky because I was 'settling.' I would never have thought that Jason would turn on me like that," I said.
"Love makes you do crazy things. Look what happened with Tommy and me. I thought I was saving us both by ending things, but the both of us have been miserable. You said so yourself. Now I have to figure out exactly what this means for the two of us," Kim said.
I gave Kim and hug and thought about what had happened to everyone over the last few hours.
***What's up next? Anyone have any thoughts? I want to continue this story but I don't know what direction it should go and would appreciate feedback/ideas. HUGS. - mereditholiver***
