When Karen woke again she was greeted to the sight of Jessica, Bobby, Dennis and Sam. The four were gushing over Dustin whom was cradled in Sam's arms with a bottle. Too distracted to notice she had awakened, Karen took a moment to observe her four friends. She knew they had become close these past years but there was always a small part of her that wondered if one day they would turn on her because of Ivy. Watching them now, all doubts vanished and she knew now they were not just friends but family.
"Hey you guys" she said, her voice still weak. The four turned to her and Jessica was the first to squeal. "IOWA!" "You're awake, you had us so scared" Karen who felt a little stronger slowly raised herself into a sitting position. "How long have you guys been here?" She asked with a smile on her face. "We got here about an hour ago" Bobby cheerfully answered. "Derek asked if we could stay while he went home to change." "I hope you don't mind that we have Dustin?" Sam said "But the nurse came in and when she saw Derek had left, she asked if any of us would like to feed him." Sam continued. "I guess the little guy got hungry sooner than anticipated." He laughed "No I don't mind at all; and I want to thank you guys for taking care of him and for all the support you've given to me and Derek." Karen said. "You don't know how much it means to us and I know Derek can be difficult when it comes to personal matters." They all laughed and Dennis was the first to speak "IOWA, he has actually been really good. Let's just say fatherhood agrees with him. ""That and knowing you are getting better" Bobby added.
Sam finished feeding Dustin and gently placed him in Karen's arms. Immediately the baby's expression changed to one of excitement when he heard Karen's voice say "There's my little man." The five talked and laughed but Karen noticed that not one of the four had mentioned rehearsal, Bombshell or Ivy. So she looked up from Dustin who was now sleeping and asked the four. "How did rehearsal go today?" Each of them looked to the other and finally Sam spoke. "Rehearsal was cancelled." "Why she asked, arrangement's had already been made for Linda to take over while Derek was gone." She said with confusion. "Derek not being there wasn't the reason for it being cancelled" Jessica replied. "It was cancelled because Eileen fired Ivy." "What?" Karen asked. "Tom had a conversation with Ivy about what happened between the two of you yesterday and based on Ivy's explanation; Tom recommended she be let go." Sam added "But I still don't understand, she didn't mean for me to fall" Karen said "I mean I don't remember exactly what happened but I don't think she pushed me." She commented. "You don't remember what she said to you?" asked Dennis "No" Karen responded. "Well, let's just say that while she didn't push you, her motives for grabbing you were a little out of the ordinary and Tom suggested she was too loose of a cannon to have around." Sam remarked "To tell you the truth, I agree with him this time" Bobby remarked.
"So what will happen to Bombshell, so much hard work has gone into it" Karen stated with concern. "They are holding auditions for a new Marilyn until you come back" Jessica answered. "What about you?" Karen said. "Are you trying out?" She asked Jessica. "Me? I can't play Marilyn I'm not that good" Jessica said. "Yes you are you can do this we can help you get ready" Karen responded with excitement. "When are the auditions?" Next week. "You're in here IOWA too weak to barely stand with an IV coming out of you." "I appreciate the offer but I don't think you are in a position to help" Jessica said. "I can help you with the music, I don't need to stand for that; and Derek can give you notes for the choreography he has." "We'll help you get the moves down" Bobby, Dennis and Sam added. "Do you really think I can do this?" Jessica questioned. And in unison the four said "Yes"
At that moment Derek entered the room to soft laughter. His eyes lit up when he saw Karen was at the center of it. "Maybe I should leave the five of you alone more often if means I get to see a gorgeous smile on your face when I get back." He remarked as he walked towards her bed. Dennis got up to let him pass. Derek leaned in to give her a tender kiss saying "hello beautiful" and then bent to his son giving him a kiss as well on his forehead. Karen blushed at the compliment and reached for his hand as he took a seat next to her bed.
"So what did I miss, tell me what I can do to keep that smile on your face?" He mischievously asked. "The gang was telling me that Ivy was fired and auditions are going to be held to fill Marilyn. Did you know?" "No but it doesn't surprise me" he said coldly. "If I never see Ivy again I'd be happy" he continued. Karen looked at him with surprise but decided not to question him with the others still in the room so she decided to tell him what they thought. "Well, Bobby, Sam, Dennis and I were telling Jessica she should try. We told her we would help her get ready for the audition. I also told her you would help with notes on the choreography." She looked to him for his reaction. "I think that's an excellent idea
!" he said without hesitation. "You do?" Jessica asked "I do" He replied "Don't sell yourself short Jessica. I have to say I'm biased about Karen as Marilyn (he smirked) but you are equally talented as Ivy." Jessica was stunned at Derek's comments and Dennis, Bobby and Sam appeared to be in shock as well. Not that they didn't agree with Derek but it was rare that Derek paid unsolicited compliments. They could get use to this new Derek they thought. "I'll do then" Jessica said. "Great Derek said, I'll get you my notes tomorrow and I'll give suggestions as to how to impress Michael your new director.
"Thanks" Jessica responded and with that she turned to the others and said "maybe we should get going so that Karen can get some rest." The other three agreed and upon exchanges hugs and kisses with Karen and handshakes with Derek, the four left. "Thank you" Karen said when the door was finally closed. "For what" Derek asked. "For supporting Jessica" Derek smiled and responded "Love, you know I would do anything for you but I wouldn't pay someone a compliment if I didn't believe it. So there is no need for thanks" He smiled. "But I will take a kiss if you'd like" Karen shook her head and sighed with content. "Why don't I take Dustin and you can get some rest." Karen gave her son and Derek as kiss and allowed herself to fall into a deep sleep. Derek looked to his sleeping wife and then to his sleeping son and for the first time in two days he felt relief. He also felt a sense of gratitude that the two most important people in his life were still with him.