BEN
Well, Tom had done it. He's been trying to shorten the press tour anyway he can and he's figured it out.
Instead of having those few days to come home inbetween some interviews, he managed to reschedule some interviews during those times which meant he would be home in three weeks instead of four.
When he set his mind to something there was no going back, so you aren't at all surprised that he found a way to get home to his girl sooner. He was due home next week.
You were glad as well. Jane was wearing down these last few days and it was making both you and Sophie a tad nervous. She had a horrible cough, she just sleeps, has hardly any appetite, and her oxygen was at four liters now.
You had told all of this to Tom and he gave you some tips to make her more comfortable and a few things to watch for. He said he knew Jane wouldn't go to the hospital without him so there was no use in bringing that up.
Jane seemed to be having a little bit of a better afternoon now that her oxygen had been adjusted.
She was propped up on the couch a bit and Sophie was painting her nails. They were talking about baby things and giggling. It made you smile. Meanwhile you were in the kitchen cooking Sophie's latest craving, spaghetti and meatballs.
"Ben dear, is supper almost done? Jane is actually feeling up to eating a bit." Sophie says from the couch.
The fact Jane was a little hungry made you smile even more. "Yes it should be done in no more than fifteen minutes."
"Thanks, Ben." Jane's hoarse little rasp comes from the couch. Her throat positively raw from all the coughing.
Once dinner was done you made a plate for Jane and brought it out to her with her cup full up medicines. Her shaky little hands take it from you and smile a thank you. Sophie was already up and in the kitchen filling her plate when you turned back around. You stifle a giggle and then make your way back to get yourself a plate.
You and Sophie each go and have a seat in the living room and watch some mindless television during dinner. Jane takes a break inbetween bites to cough often.
She manages about half of her little plate, meanwhile Sophie has finished her second helping.
You go and start to clean up the kitchen while Sophie readies Jane's evening breathing treatments. Once Jane starts her nebulizer machine Sophie has a seat with Jane's feet in her lap to start painting her toes.
Tom started texting, asking how she was doing this evening and if it was ok to give her a call, not wanting to wake her if she was resting. Once you notice she is done with her nebs you ask her.
"Jane, is now a good time for Tom to give you a ring?"
Her face immediately lit up. It was what she looked forward to most each day. "Yes please!"
You text Tom the ok and then Sophie and you get ready to go for your evening stroll around the block. It was good to get Sophie some fresh air and exercise, but you couldn't leave Jane alone often or for long, so each night during her and Tom's phone call you would both take a little walk.
Her phone rings and you wave goodbye and head out for your walk with your wife and your growing baby.
TOM
You counted the hours to you and Jane's evening phone calls each day. You used to be able to call in the morning as well, but she was ill and needed her rest so you limited the calls to once a day now.
You were so nervous that she was feeling sick while you weren't there. You knew how well Ben and Sophie were caring for her though. Still, hearing her voice put you at ease.
Jane picks up on the first ring. Always just as eager to talk to you as you were to talk to her.
"Hello you" You hear her small voice croak from the other end. Clearly the added coughing was making her lose her voice. It sounded painful for her to speak.
"Oh love, you really aren't feeling well are you?"
"It sounds worse than it is. I've felt worse than this. I'll be fine for awhile longer."
"Are you sure? Maybe you should go see the doctor. I'd hate for you to put it off and feel even sicker than you already do."
"Tom, I'm fine. I don't want to go without you. It will only stress me out more. Now, enough about that, how was your day?"
"Such a stubborn little penguin." You heard her giggle, which then called her to cough a bit. It did sound awful. "You alright?"
After a moment of her catching her breath she answered quietly. "Yes. Sorry. Now, what were you going to say?"
"No apologies, dear. I had a fine day. I had a phone interview for a magazine, a radio interview, and then a internet Q and A. Tomorrow I have a small screening and then a interview for some gossip show. I can't quite remember which."
"I'm glad you had a good day. Sounds busy. I felt a little better today, probably because my oxygen got adjusted. I still slept alot, but not as much as these last few days, Sophie painted my nails and Ben cooked a delicious spaghetti meal that I managed to eat some of."
"Oh that's wonderful. I'm glad you ate and had a better day. I can't wait to get home and take care of you. I hate being away, especially when you feel so unwell."
"I miss you, too. I'm counting down until you come home."
You hear a knock on the door and then Luke pops his head in. You look toward the clock and realize it's time to leave for a dinner with some of the cast.
"Love, I'm sorry to cut this short, but I've completely forgotten I have a dinner to attend."
"Oh, ok. It's fine I'm pretty tired. Have fun at dinner, get some pudding for me, ok? I love you and I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"I love you too, my darling. Sweet dreams."
JANE
Since you and Tom's conversation was so short, Ben and Sophie were still on their walk. Usually they are home long before you and Tom are off of the phone.
Your throat was terribly sore and you had heartburn so you decided to make your way to the kitchen to get some milk and your antacids.
You push the pile of blankets off your lap and stand slowly and carefully. Your legs were quite wobbly. You haven't done anything without Ben or Sophie's help these past few days.
You pick up some slack of your oxygen tubing, being careful not to trip over it. You shuffle your way towards the kitchen, already feeling out of breath and light headed. You reach the front counter and grip it tightly, using it as support to keep you upright, holding it all the way around until you were across from the fridge.
You cross the way over to grab the gallon of milk, turning with it carefully, watching your feet so you don't slip on your tubes.
You reach in the cupboard for a small glass and then head to your medicine shelf, searching the labels for the right one. You take out two pills and then shuffle back towards your glass of milk to take a drink to swallow them.
You try take deep and steady breaths, closing your eyes in the hopes it would help your dizziness. Feeling your legs get weaker by the minute you decide it would be best to just get to the couch before your legs gave out or the dizziness caused you to fall.
You take your first step and trip over your oxygen tube, sending you straight toward the ground. You manage to put your hands out so you don't hit your head. The yank on the tubing ripped the cannula from your nose and it landed towards your feet. Still in shock from the fall, you just lie there gasping.
Your head continues to spin and now your chest ached from the lack of oxygen. You tried to sit up but your arms failed you. Struggling to reach your cannula you prayed for Ben and Sophie to walk through the door.
SOPHIE
It was such a lovely evening so we took extra time on our walk. Not just because we were enjoying our time to ourselves, but because we wanted to give Tom and Jane their privacy.
However the sun was beginning to set, your ankles were starting to swell, and you both didn't like leaving Jane for too long.
You walk back into the house and notice Jane isn't on the couch. Panic immediately sets in. Ben follows her oxygen tube that led toward the kitchen and you followed. Horrified by what you saw.
Jane was lying on the floor, face terribly pale, and her oxygen by her feet. Ben falls to his knees and pulls her into his lap, you grab her cannula and put it back under her nose and then go to turn the concentrator up to six liters. You rush back to the kitchen and hold back tears as Ben tries to wake her up.
"Jane? Jane dear, can you hear me?"
He pats her cheek and you wet a wash cloth and kneel down to lay it on her forehead, seeing if cold water will stir her.
A small moan escapes her lips once you move the rag to the back of her neck.
"Jane? Jane it's Ben. Please open your eyes." He sounds calm, but his features scream frantic.
Her eyes flutter and she seemingly starts searching for a face. She lands on yours and you place a hand on her cheek.
"Jane, it's Sophie. You're ok. We're here."
She nods and then turns to look back up to Ben. Her cheeks regaining a bit of color, her breathing starting to steady. Her voice comes out a slow whisper.
"I'm sorry. I tried to get a glass of milk and tripped over my oxygen. I think I'm ok though."
Ben looks at with her concern. "Are you sure? Maybe we should go to the hospital and make sure you're alright."
She shakes her head. "No no, they'll want to keep me I just know it. I didn't hit my head or anything. I just need to lay down and have my oxygen turned up for a little bit. I'm fine, honest."
Ben looks at you with uncertainty in his eyes. You nod and then look to Jane.
"Ok Jane, we won't go to the hospital. But if you aren't able to go back down on the oxygen by morning or show any signs of a concussion we are going. And no more getting up while we aren't here. If you need something and we aren't present you just call and Ben will rush to help with whatever you need, or we can just make sure one of us is always here. Deal?"
She nods with tears in her eyes. "I'm so sorry. I can't even get my own drink anymore. It's humiliating. I'm such a burden. I am so sorry to both of you." She's sobbing now. Ben's arms tighten around her and you run fingers through her hair, shushing her to calm her down.
"Jane Jane Jane, you are no such thing. Do you understand? You have nothing to apologize for. Everyone needs help sometimes. When I'm the size of a house do you think I'll be moving anymore than you are? We want to do whatever we can to help you, sweetie. And we are happy to do it."
She just nods, her eyes getting droopy. Ben picks her up gently and carries her to the couch and tucks her back under the covers. You go to get her a new cannula seeing as that one had been on the floor, but you didn't have time to get one before.
By the time you switch her tubing she is already fast asleep.
Ben was sat in the recliner on the side of the room, keeping a close watch on her. You went and sat in his lap and wrapped your arms around his neck and laying your head on his shoulder.
"That was terrifying."
He rubs his hand in circles on your back. "I'm going to sleep out here tonight to keep a close watch on her."
You sit back to look at him. "Honey I can do that. You hardly get enough sleep as it is with me tossing about."
He shakes his head. "You and our baby need sleep more than I do. If I don't get any sleep I will take a nap tomorrow. Besides, if you toss and turn in bed, you'll definitely never be able to get comfortable in this chair."
You give him a kiss. "You need to call Tom. I know it's going to worry him, but he has to know."
He sighs and grabs his phone from his pocket, you stand to let him up to go to the other room.
"I know. Poor bloke is worried enough as it is though."
He goes to the bedroom to call and you go over to Jane to adjust her pillows and blankets to assure she's as comfortable as possible.
A few minutes later, Ben comes back into the room. Already changed into his jammies and his pillow and a blanket in hand.
"Well, I talked him out of rushing back tonight. But he's going to find a way to get home tomorrow. He says that they can't waste anymore time on getting her on the transplant list. The doctor warned him about this, that her strength would start to fail her despite the exercises because of her decreasing oxygen levels. He is going to find a way home and call once he finds out when he will be out of there to make an immediate appointment to get the ball rolling on the transplant process."
Those words hit hard. You start to cry and he comes over and pulls you into his chest, his arms wrapped around you tightly.
"Ben, I can't leave her. She's my best friend. Her and Tom are going to need all the help and support they can get."
"I'm already way ahead of you, darling."