Chapter Eight
Tori's Big Surprise
"Jade?"
Jade slowly raised her head. "Tori?" Tears began to fill her eyes. Please don't let this be a dream!
Tori touched Jade's hair and smiled. She wasn't dreaming. Tori was awake. Thank God! I have my Tori back!
"Tori!"
Jade was never more happy too see her as she was at that moment. She wanted to kiss her. She wanted to hold her. She wanted to take her in her arms and make love to her. But she couldn't. Not now. All she could do, was cry. She laid her head against Tori's uninjured shoulder and wept...
"Jade, what – what happened?" Tori asked weakly. Alice was checking her vitals. Jade called her into the room a few minutes ago.
Jade was stroking Tori's hair. "Hit and run. There was a hold up. Two kids knocked off a convenience store on Monday. They hit you trying to evade the cops," she explained. "You got fucked up pretty bad."
Tori looked down at her casts and the brace on her left leg. No wonder my head hurts. "Obviously," she muttered. "Was anyone else hurt?"
Jade sighed. She didn't want Tori to know about Karen Wilkes and Brenda Clarke until she was a little stronger, but it was inevitable that she would find out. May as well tell her. "Yes...unfortunately." She squeezed Tori's hand. "Two women. They both died."
Tori dropped her head sadly. "Oh God."
"You don't need to know anymore right now."
"How – how long was I unconscious?"
"It's Friday. What does that tell you?"
Tori dragged a hand through her stringy hair. "I've been unconcious for a week?"
"Uh huh." Alice chimed in.
"Wow."
Jade brushed hair off Tori's face and slid her hand into hers. "I've missed you!"
Tori met her gaze and pressed her hand to Jade's cheek. Her eyes grew moist. "Baby...I'm OK! Please don't cry."
Jade wiped her eyes. "Can't help it. This has been the worst week of my life!" This despite learning she was pregnant.
"I'm sorry."
"Not your fault."
"Been rough on everyone I guess, huh?" Tori surmised.
Jade nodded. "Yeah."
"How's everyone doing?"
"They've been great. Beck especially."
"He's a good man..."
Jade eagerly spread the word that Tori was awake, starting with the Vegas. The relief in her voice did not go unnoticed as she updated Tori's condition. She had gone down to the cafeteria to get some coffee and make her calls.
When she returned to the room, Dr. Jordan was checking Tori over.
"How is she?" Jade queried. She kissed Tori's mouth and slid her hand on top of hers.
"Everything looks good. Vitals are back where they should be, and she shows no signs of a lingering concussion." Dr. Jordan commented. "I'd say you should make a full recovery, Tori."
Tori traded smiles with Jade and kissed the top of her hand. "Thank you, Doctor," she replied. "What about my leg?"
"It should heel fine. You did lose a very tiny fragment of bone, though," Dr. Jordan continued. "It was so badly pulverized that we couldn't do anything with it, so we removed it as best we could."
"So...what does that mean, exactly?" Tori inquired.
"It means, you're going to have a bit of a limp for the rest of your life," Dr. Jordan informed. "But it won't affect your ability to sing in anyway."
"What about my ability to dance?"
"You might have to compensate a little, but you should be able to do that too."
She wasn't going to let that stop her from resuming her career. "If the worst I get out of this is a permanent limp, I can live with it."
"Me too. I'm just glad you're back." Jade added.
Tori squeezed her hand. "That makes two of us."
"You're very lucky, Tori. Your friend Robbie's blood saved your life."
"It did?" Tori commented.
"Without question. The EMTs got to you immediately, but even so, you probably would have bled to death if Mr. Shapiro hadn't donated a pint of his blood," Dr. Jordan informed.
I so owe you big time for this, Robbie! Tori shouldn't have been surprised at his gesture. But...she was moved more than words.
"Thank you, Doctor," Tori remarked.
"How soon can she have visitors?" Jade asked.
"Anytime." Dr. Jordan answered. "But I wouldn't overdo it."
"Yeah, that's probably a good idea," Jade agreed.
Dr. Jordan nodded. "I'll be back to check on you a little later."
Tori gazed deeply into Jade's eyes. "You know, I heard everything you said, babe" she remarked. She kissed Jade's hand. "Every word. Just hearing your voice kept me going. I knew I couldn't leave you – I wasn't going to - I knew I had to wake up because of the promise I made to you. But you know what really did it was when you played our song."
Jade finally broke. "Tori, when I heard how badly hurt you were, I didn't want to believe it. But then, I saw you hooked up to all these tubes and, I couldn't stand it. You looked so...fragile." she wiped away tears. "I thought I might lose you."
Tori pulled her in close. "Now, you listen to me, West; I am not going anywhere – ever! I love you! I am still going to marry you, lady – even if I have to be rolled down the aisle in this hospital bed!" she continued. "We are going to have that dream wedding we have been planning. I won't let anything stop me from marrying the girl I have loved since high school. I will not break my promise to you, Jade – ever! Forever and always, Jade. Got it?"
Jade peered at her. She smiled. "Got it." Don't ever let her go, Jade. That's what her mother said.
"Good." Tori leaned over and kissed her softly. Then she noticed the dark circles under Jade's eyes and caressed her cheek. "God baby, you look so tired. Go get some sleep, OK?"
Jade wasn't about to argue. "I will, but I have something to tell you first."
Tori had gotten really good at reading her over the years, and under normal circumstances, she would have a good idea what Jade was going to tell her. But this was not one of those times. Her head was still a little fuzzy from the concussion.
"Oh yeah? Good news, I hope."
"You could say that...yes." Jade moved Tori's hand to her stomach.
"What?"
"It worked."
"What worked?"
"The procedure. It worked."
Tori looked down at Jade's stomach. Then it hit her. Her eyes grew as wide as saucers. "Jade! Omygod! Baby...you're-"
Jade was nodding. "Yes..I'm pregnant..."
