Love Means Holding On-Part Nine

Notes: I'm no doctor and I'm not sure all of the stuff I've included is factual, but that's the point of fiction. I did research some of the medical facts, but I'm sure on some so please don't criticize me because it's pretty much the same thing they do on the show if you listened to the commentary on the Season One DVD.

I hope you like this chapter and reviews are appreciated.

Two Days Later . . .

The hospital waiting room had not changed since the last time this group of people waited for someone to come out of surgery. The only difference was the very talented and highly paid Dr. Brown was sitting in the waiting room instead of showing off his talent and operating on a head trauma victim. The waiting room had added a few new faces too it though. Hannah and Delia both came to wait for Ephram to get out of surgery with the rest of them. Andy had originally said that he wasn't going to allow Delia to be there in case something went wrong and he needed to not worry about her, but she was adamant about going so he eventually gave in. The waiting room was fairly silent and most of the crowd was staring off into space trying not to worry. They all waited three hours before a doctor or anyone came back to say anything. As the doctor walked toward them they all, Amy and Andy sprang out of the seats to get the info.

"He's out of surgery and he did quite well. We drained most all the fluid out and we'll have to medicate him and keep him under observation to make sure this does not happen again and he heals properly. Otherwise, he pulled through really fabulously. I know the doctors in the room are aware, but you all need to realize he went through organ surgery. There's going to be a lot of rehabilitation involved and we need to take it slow." Andy stepped forward, "When can we take him home?" The doctor nodded, "I'd say in at least two weeks but we'll go day to day to see when he's ready. He's should be out of it for the rest of the night, but you can sit with him." The doctor turned and left and they all began to hug each other in relief.

Everyone in the waiting party went home because the doctor assured them they had time before he would wake up, all except Amy who wanted to be in the room when he woke up because then she could be sure he was okay. Amy sat in a chair in Ephram's hospital room next to his bed playing with his hair, waiting for him to wake up. Ephram still had the oxygen mask on, but his breathing wasn't raspy and it sounded . . .normal. Amy was overjoyed that the procedure seemingly worked. Amy stopped playing with Ephram's hair and laid her hand on his bed next to his and just stared at the man she loved. In that moment, she realized that she wanted to always be able to stare at him like this. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. All of a sudden she felt Ephram's hand take hers. She looked down to her hand and back to Ephram who's eyes fluttered open and looked straight to Amy. A smile appeared on Ephram's face which was mirrored by Amy. "How do you feel?"Amy asked. "Like hell,"he breathed out. "Does your chest hurt?"she asked. "Yea,"he told her through the mask. "But you can breathe better right?"Amy asked. "Yea, I don't feel like I'm gasping anymore,"he said softly. "Did everyone else go home?" Ephram asked. "Yeah. I offered to stay with you and keep you company,"Amy said. "Thanks,"Ephram said removing the mask from his face. "I'm glad I stayed. Ephram I want to be here for you,"Amy said with a smile. "Now that I'm a little better and we have some privacy do you want to talk about it?"Ephram asked this question which anyone but Amy would ask what "it" was but she didn't need to. "Ephram, what we have here, us, is very important to me. I've been really up front with everyone that I don't think we're some high school fling that say our goodbyes at graduation and see each other in ten years when you're bald and I'm fat and we can reminisce about the good ol' days. I don't want to be some fill in for Madison or even feel like I'm a fill in for some void that I can't fill, that's why I've been angry. If you choose to be with me I don't want you settling for something you don't want, but can live with. I don't deserve that and neither do you. If you love me . . .and you want to be with me . . then you need to really choose me,"Amy said. " . . .I'm not settling with you at all. I want to be with you. You can compare how I love you to how I thought I felt about Madison. I cared for her, but I can't be with out you. I guess I cared about her in a different way than I realized before I lied to you. She was my first in a lot of categories, but I didn't know what it felt like to really love somebody until I was with you. We don't compete for each others affection and I love that. It's natural with us. I love you and I can tell you whatever I want and not feel scared or hold back. You are what I want. There is no second guessing and no regrets. You're it for me and the last thing I ever want you to feel is like you're . . .second to me which is the farthest from the truth,"Ephram said. "Good. And I love you too, but you if you ever lie to me again I won't be held responsible for what I do to you,"Amy said with a smile. "Don't worry. I won't,"Ephram said.

"So, now that we got the 'issues' out of the way let's move on to the positives. The doctor said you should be in about two weeks. That's good news,"Amy said tracing figures up and down Ephram's arm. "Two more weeks in this bed and then the joyous feeling of walking with every step feeling like a knife is being stabbed into my back sounds like fun,"Ephram said with a little sarcastic chuckle. "You're such a cynic. How do you know it's going to hurt when you walk?"Amy asked. "Well the doctor told me and just having woke up there is a throbbing pain in my back where they cut me open. Also, a second ago I moved and there was a stabbing pain. All sarcasm aside it will be very nice to be home again. I'll have to remain in bed, but atleast I'll be home. Hey, I think I'll probably need a nurse for awhile. Know anybody who'll wear one of those cute short white dresses?"Ephram asked. "Are you fantasizing about me in hospital clothing . . .again. You won't need a nurse but I'll be there with you every minute I can. I promise,"Amy said. "Thank-you for being with me when I know part of you didn't want to and for coming to the hospital when you heard my dad was sick when you were pissed you off and I screwed up . .bad. You are unbelievable,"Ephram said taking his hand and massaging her cheek. "Well we are in this together right?"Amy asked. "Right,"Ephram said.