Thank you so much for your reviews! They definitely keep the inspiration flowing. I didn't think I'd finish this one so quickly but I was able to crank it out. Hope you enjoy!
Le Bistro Du Panier
Kim's eyes glanced at her phone for the umpteenth time since she and Aisha had sat down for lunch. The brunette was still fuming from her argument with Tommy that morning. She was equal parts hoping he'd reach out and apologize but also not wanting to hear his voice for at least the next couple of hours. In her hormone-driven mind, it made total sense.
"Kim, your salmon is already dead. Please stop stabbing it."
Kimberly dropped her fork. The utensil clanged loudly against her plate.
"I just can't get over the fact that he had the gall to actually throw our breakup in my face! You have no idea, 'Sha, I wanted to strangle him."
The former yellow ranger nodded, sympathizing with her friend.
"He was definitely wrong for that one," she agreed, as she cut up some more pieces of chicken for baby Antonio. The 13-month-old immediately fisted the food and shoveled it into his mouth excitedly. "Like father, like son," Aisha chuckled, shaking her head slightly.
Kim couldn't help smiling at the adorable toddler with the beautiful caramel skin and golden curls. She reached out and gently caressed his chubby cheek.
"I'm not sure what to do, 'Sha. I don't want this to be a point of contention between us because it seems Tommy isn't going to let it go and I absolutely will not give up my career. I just don't get why he doubts me, especially after all this time."
Aisha put a hand on her forearm, flashing a supportive smile at her best friend.
"Listen, Kim, Tommy doesn't doubt you or your capabilities. I know you know that. I'm pretty sure the man thinks you walk on water." They both shared a short laugh. "I'm not trying to choose sides here. I love you both and I understand where you're both coming from." She sat back in her chair and took a swig of her lemonade.
"That being said, leaving your career should be your choice and your choice alone. However, you two need to sit down and have a heart-to-heart. Ask him what brought this on all of sudden. Doesn't seem like him. He's always been so proud of your boss bitch, badassery."
Aisha's words had left her with something to think about. She indeed had a point. Tommy had always been supportive of Kim's career. It wasn't until recently that he'd grown anxious about her going back to work.
"You're right, 'Sha. Maybe there is something more to this." Aisha nodded." But I'm still pissed about his comment."
"Rightfully so."
"And then he just left afterward, without even saying anything. We always make it a point to never leave the house or go to bed angry at each other."
"Swing by the dojo, Kim. We're too old for the prideful crap anymore. He knows he hurt your feelings and that your hormones are liable to get him murdered, so maybe he was just giving you the space you asked for. But I'm sure he's ready to apologize. You know that man can't stay mad at you."
The brunette squeezed her friend's hand. "Thanks, 'Sha. You always know exactly what I need to hear."
"Anytime, girl. In other news, are you still having these babies Friday or what? I'm dying to see my nieces already. What is this, month 22 for you?"
Kim sat back in her chair, both hands coming up to caress her belly as she chuckled. "You kid, but it sure as hell feels like it. I am NEVER doing this again!"
Aisha laughed. "Yeah, that's what I said after Sophia and here I am."
"But look at this handsome little guy. And he's such a good boy. As long as you keep him fed, he's content."
"Yeah, I basically gave birth to my husband, huh?"
As their laughter quelled and Aisha turned her attention to her young son, now flinging food in the air like confetti, Kim contemplated her argument with Tommy. The more she thought about it, the more she felt something was off. While he'd always been protective of her, especially in their ranger days, his anxiety toward the subject was concerning.
As the mother of three, Kim knew there was more at stake should something happen to her, but if there was one lesson she'd learned in life, in all the hardest ways possible, was that living in fear could be devastatingly damaging.
"You mind if I go see Tommy and cut our lunch date a little short? I'll let you know once I have the girls. Oh, and Caden."
The former yellow ranger grinned at the mention of the boy. "Tommy's golden boy. He's such a sweet kid. Don't be surprised in a couple of years when he comes knocking at your door with flowers."
"Don't I know it,' Kim replied with a smirk as she reached into her wallet.
"I got it. No worries."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course!" she said, waving her off.
Kim got to her feet and pulled her friend into a tight hug.
"And I'll see you later, my little Ant," she cooed, cradling the baby's face and kissing him on the tip of his nose. "'Sha, I'll get you on the next one!"
"Yeah, yeah. Go get that man of yours. I know he's been suffering all morning. Probably dragging my husband along with him, too. And as always, send Char my way tonight when ya'll decide to piss off the neighbors with your crazy make-up sex."
"Aisha!" she squealed before bursting into laughter. "But I might just take you up on that."
"Yeah, I know there's nothing random about those spur of the moment, middle of the week sleepovers."
Aisha watched as her sister walked towards the sidewalk, slipping sideways between two cars in order to clear her belly over the top bumper of her SUV. As she attempted to unlock the door, her cell phone slipped from her hand, bouncing off the pavement and under the vehicle.
"Shit!" the brunette cursed.
Kim almost contemplated leaving the damned thing there since getting down on all fours in her state, let alone on the street, was the last thing she wanted to do. She suddenly bit her lip, naughty thoughts of Tommy coming to mind, knowing she'd certainly have no qualms with that position tonight over their soft bed.
Extending her arm as best as she could, she was able to grasp the small object between two fingers.
"Kim, are you okay?" Aisha called, now standing on the other side of Kim's car on the sidewalk, Anthony on her hip.
"Yeah, just dropped this stupid phone."
"Oh, well, why didn't you tell me. Here, let me get it." She'd started walking towards Kim.
"It's okay; I got it!"
"Kimberly Anne Oliver, are you sitting in the street? Have you lost your damn mind? Girl, get up! You're making me nervous."
Kim braced herself against the steel door and pushed up to her feet. "Okay, Mom!"
"Don't okay, Mom me! You could have been…" Aisha's words died in her throat. An out-of-control, black sedan came barreling around the corner, its screeching tires deafening, nearly drowning out the strangled cry now flying from Aisha's lips. "KIM!"
Simultaneously, Kimberly's eyes narrowed for a split second at Aisha's sudden alarmed expression until the shrill of tires against hot pavement registered in her mind. As she turned around, time seemed to slow to a crawl. Her name rang loudly in her ears like an echo. There was no time to react. In the next heartbeat, the black car was on top of her. All she could do was brace herself, and shield her girls, though ultimately knowing the effort would be in vain.
The air fled out of Aisha's lungs as her dearest sister was struck head-on. The faintest flash made her flinch for a fraction of a second. But the sickening thud of the initial impact had wrenched her eyes open only to witness, to her horror, how Kim's body was mercilessly catapulted some fifteen feet into the air before falling into a lifeless heap onto the hard pavement.
HOSPITAL
ICU WAITING AREA
Charlotte's trembling figure lay across two seats, her head resting over her Aunt Aisha's lap. The young girl was crying softly, her tears flowing in a steady stream.
"Char, sweetie, you have to calm down," she murmured, gently caressing her face.
"I-I can't. I want my mom. I want her to be okay. I'm so scared, Auntie 'Sha. She's going to be okay, right? She just has to be."
"She's alive and so are your sisters. All we can do now is pray."
Charlotte nodded, wiping at her cheeks. "Where's my dad? Why is he taking so long?"
He's watching over the babies while the doctors work on Kim."
She sat up abruptly. "I want to see them."
Aisha reached for her, framing the girl's mournful face and using her thumbs to wipe away her tears. "You will, I promise. We just have to wait a bit longer, okay?"
Aisha pulled her niece into a solid hug and kissed the top of her head. The former ranger was still in complete shock herself, while simultaneously trying her best to comfort Charlotte. Her thoughts were chaos, just like the moments after Kim's accident. She remembered dialing 911 and having to hand not only the phone to a bystander at her inability to speak but also her son, so that she could check on Kim.
The blood in her veins turned to ice as she ran toward her sister. Everything in her screamed that what she was about to witness would shock her to her core. Deep down, Aisha knew her best friend was gone. Realistically, it was just impossible for her to have survived such an impact. But she hoped against hope for some kind of miracle.
As she neared the body, her breaths came in hard, uncontrollable pants. Kneeling beside her fallen friend, mouth aghast, Aisha's vision quickly blurred behind unshed tears. Kimberly lay still. Unmoving. She wasn't breathing. Blood was dripping out of what seemed to be every orifice, pooling around her like a scene from a horror film. Kim's right leg was twisted at a grotesque angle, and road rash sheered the skin where it had been exposed and in other areas where the fabric of her clothing had been tattered.
"Oh, Kim!" she cried, putting a quivering hand on her cheek. "No, no… you can't do this, Kim. Please, no! Oh, god…" Aisha could barely catch her breath. Their whole world had just shattered in an instant. Nothing would ever be the same. Gently stroking one of Kim's bloody hands, her thoughts drifted to Tommy and Charlotte. Sobs racked her body, knowing how Kim's death would destroy them.
Aisha heard sirens wailing in the distance, but they were of little solace. It was painfully clear that she was beyond help. Aisha lay a hand over Kim's protruding and blood-stained abdomen as strangled cries spilled from her lips.
"No, sis… this can't be happening—" She stilled suddenly, frozen into place at what rolled softly beneath her palm. Aisha gasped, both hands now splayed over the badly jagged skin. More movement. Her eyes went wide. "Oh, my god. The babies!"
Kim's chest suddenly sank, filling with a ragged breath before she exhaled in the same manner.
"Kim! Oh, Kim! Breathe, please. Breathe!" She cupped her face. "You have to be okay. Fight, please, you have to fight!"
The brunette was wheezing now, blood sputtering from her mouth, her body twitching as she tried to move, but was too broken.
"Relax, Kim. Just breathe for me, okay? Oh, god." Aisha moved the matted, damp hair from her friend's face. "Can you open your eyes? Can you hear me?"
Kimberly's eyes fluttered open, and Aisha gasped loudly. Startled, she fell backward at what she saw. Suddenly, a cacophony of voices echoed around her. The paramedics circled her friend, whose body had gone limp again. A male voice had started asking Aisha questions at rapid-fire pace, but she couldn't focus on his words. Her mind was reeling, still trying to comprehend what it had seen.
"Aisha!"
Trini's voice called out, breaking her from her thoughts. She and Jason approached, their faces pained and fraught with worry. Charlotte sprinted toward the pair, jumping into her uncle Jason's arms, her cries muffled into his shoulder. He held her tightly, kissing into her hair.
"It's okay, Nugget," he whispered softly.
Trini reached over and stroked her niece's back, but Charlotte only held on tighter and buried her face deeper into her uncle's shirt. If there was any other place where she felt completely safe, other than her father's arms, it was with her uncle Jason.
"Any updates?" he asked.
Aisha shook her head somberly. "She's still in surgery. Tommy is upstairs with the babies." A smile graced her lips. "They're doing really good. The doctors… they can't explain how…" Aisha looked over to Charlotte's petite frame and decided not to continue, not wanting to upset the girl more than she was.
"I'm going to take her downstairs to the cafeteria, get her mind off things for a bit and get her a bite to eat. Call me as soon as there's an update."
The two women nodded.
Trini sat beside Aisha and squeezed her hand as the woman was finally able to fall apart. She had fought so hard to keep it together for Charlotte, but the images in her head had been tormenting her nonstop. The original yellow ranger pulled her successor tightly into a comforting embrace.
"I can't get it out of my head," she cried. "It's all I see. All I hear. The blood… Kim's broken body. It won't stop. Make it stop!"
"It's okay," Trini murmured. "I'm so, so sorry you had to see that. But Kim is going to get through this."
Aisha suddenly pulled away from her friend and looked at her, eyes wide, as she shook her head. "That's just it, Trini. She shouldn't have."
The other woman looked at her with knitted brows, puzzled by her words. "What do you mean?"
"I saw it happen. There's no way Kim should have… let alone the girls. I saw her, Trini. She was gone. I know she was."
"She was knocked unconscious, then probably came to." The first yellow tried to reason.
"No," Aisha doubled down. "She wasn't breathing. She was dead, Tri."
Trini stared at her friend, confusion creasing her features. "What are you saying?"
Aisha lowered her tone to a whisper. "It all happened so fast. But I could have sworn… just before the impact, I saw a flash of light."
"Headlights?"
Aisha shook her head, squeezing her eyes shut briefly, gathering her bearings. "I don't know. I just know that when I asked Kim to open her eyes, she must have heard me. And when she did—Trini, they were glowing."
HOSPITAL
CAFÉ
"You haven't touched your sandwich."
Charlotte rested her chin in one hand, unable to look up at her uncle. "I'm not hungry. I actually feel like I need to puke."
"Well, let me know so I can move out of your way. I already have your snot all over my shirt, you know." The semblance of a smile crept over the girl's face. "There's that beautiful smile."
He tilted her chin gently, meeting her reddened eyes. "Hey, look at me. You know how much I love your mom, right?" Charlotte nodded. "If I thought, even for a second, that she wasn't going to make it out of this, I'd be out of my mind right now."
She nodded again, though her tears betrayed her as they slid down her cheeks in rivulets. He pulled her onto his lap and Charlotte lay her head against his chest, fingers clutching at his shirt.
"Char, your mom is one of the strongest women I know. She's a fighter. Trust me when I tell you that. I know you're scared; I am, too."
Tears sprung to his own eyes as he fought to stay strong for his niece.
When he'd received the call, it felt as though someone had knocked the wind out of him. He couldn't breathe, couldn't move. Kim had always been so special to him. She was the little sister he never had. He just couldn't imagine losing her, especially in such a tragic and horrific way. His love for the former pink ranger extended to the child he held so tightly and protectively in his arms. He didn't have a daughter of his own yet and didn't know if he ever would, but he had Charlotte, and to him, it was one and the same.
"Uncle Jase?"
"Hm?"
"Thank you for being here with me."
"Where else would I be?" he said, kissing into her hair. "I love you, Char. And I'll always be here for you no matter what. We're all going to get through this. Together. Always."
She held on to him tighter and smiled.
"My mom is going to be okay." It wasn't a question.
"You know Kim is too damn stubborn not to."
She giggled, "Hey!"
"Oh, just wait. One day, I'll tell you the stories."
Charlotte nodded not knowing exactly what he'd meant but something inside her understood there were things, incredible things she didn't know about her amazingly unique family.
"I have a surprise for you," he said happily after several moments of silence.
She sat up, fixing him a quizzical gaze. Jason turned his phone so that she could see the picture Tommy had just sent.
"Oh… my sisters," she murmured, wiping away tears. "They're okay."
"They are. They're beautiful, aren't they?" They both stared at the picture of the twins, together in a hospital bassinette. They were perfect, without so much as a scratch or bruise. One had a head full of darker, wavy hair, while the other had wisps of lighter brown. Fraternal twins.
"Amelia and Jules," she whispered, smiling.
Charlotte suddenly felt a soothing warmth engulf her, curling around her heart. Initially, she thought it was brought on by the picture of her newborn sisters, but for reasons she couldn't explain, she knew that wasn't the case.
Her slightly puffy eyes scanned her surroundings, and as if by instinct, they fell expectantly on a small corridor in front of the elevators. Seconds later, a figure she recognized very well came around the corner, his face anxious.
"Caden?"
Jason's forehead creased as she hopped off his lap. "Where are you…?"
"It's Caden. He's here."
The boy's eyes found hers and he let out a breath of relief. They walked slowly towards each other, his blue eyes never wavering from hers. The pair stopped almost in unison, standing about three feet apart. Caden spoke first, his words spilling out.
"Char, I-I heard what happened from my dad. I'm so sorry. I took the bus here. He doesn't know I came. But I had to—I needed to see you. I just wanted to make sure you're alright." He looked away sadly. "I know you don't want to see me, and maybe I shouldn't have come but—umph!"
Charlotte crashed into his chest, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. Caden's arms immediately came up around her shoulders, pulling her closer and resting his chin on her head.
"I'm so sorry, Caden. I should have never said those things to you. I didn't mean any of it. I don't care what anyone says or thinks. Caden, I love…" She looked up at him. "I love having you as a friend and I don't want that to change."
Charlotte lay her head against his chest, fresh tears gleaming in her eyes.
"Hey, it's okay, Char. I said some things I didn't mean, either."
She pulled away from him, swiping at the moisture on her cheeks. "What, so I really am the center of the universe after all?"
They both burst into peals of laughter, and she launched herself at him again, a move he wasn't expecting, sending them both tumbling to the floor. Their laughter intensified until Jason loudly cleared his throat, grabbing their attention.
The former red Ranger stood with a rigid posture, arms crossed over his chest and a serious expression. He looked every bit like the overprotective dad, or in this case, uncle.
Jason eyed the tall boy who quickly came to his feet and immediately turned to offer Charlotte his hand. Jason knew of Caden Ford, Tommy's 11-year-old phenom, but had never worked with him since he trained the teen to adult age group.
He noted how closely his niece hovered next to him, hands still clasped together. The top of Charlotte's head barely reached past the boy's shoulders. Had it not been for his blue eyes and a better haircut, it would have been like looking into the past at a much younger Tommy and Kim. The irony of it all hadn't escaped him.
Caden instinctively put himself partially in front of Charlotte without realizing it. Jason rolled his eyes.
"Your father know you're here?"
"No, sir," he answered, eyes firmly on Jason's, with a little more bravado than he should have possessed for his age and the circumstance.
"You rode a bus across town by yourself without telling anyone? Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?"
Caden's eyes finally cast downward sheepishly. "I know. But I had to see her—"
Jason gave him his cellphone and told him to dial his father's number.
"Please, ask if Caden can stay. Please, Uncle Jase, please."
Jason pulled Charlotte toward him, far enough so that her hand tore away from Caden's. He bent down to her eye level. "Nugget, this is a hospital, not a playground. Kids don't just hang out here."
"We're not hanging out. He came here to make sure I'm alright. And I feel better…" She clutched at her heart, her voice on the verge of cracking. "…when he's here."
Charlotte couldn't explain the warmth that was swirling in her heart. It was like sunshine. He was sunshine.
Her best friend. And she needed his comfort on what had turned out to be the darkest day of her life.
Jason narrowed his eyes, looking at his niece's beautiful, pleading face. He didn't like this. Didn't like it one bit, but Charlotte had been through enough heartache for one day. And if this boy made her feel even an ounce better, he'd have to push his discomfort aside—for now.
"I'll do what I can. But ultimately, it's up to Caden's father."
"Thank you," she murmured, cupping his stubbly face and placing a sweet kiss on his cheek.
"You're lucky those gorgeous eyes still work on me," he teased throwing a wink her way. "Go sit while I talk to Mr. Ford." His attention moved to Caden. "And you—precious cargo here," he instructed, motioning toward Charlotte and nodding once.
Caden returned the nod, a prideful smile on his face at the notion that Kyoshi Scott had just left him responsible for Charlotte. A job he'd never take lightly. Not when it came to her. Not ever.
ICU
ROOM 505
Tommy stood at the foot of Kim's hospital bed as the orthopedic surgeon who'd attempted to insert a rod into her right femur, only to open her up and find out her fracture had practically healed itself, looked over her chart and vitals. The grey-haired physician had doubted himself, brief panic taking over as he thought he'd cut open the wrong leg. However, once he'd realized there had been no mistake, the surgeon had only become more confused and shaken at what he'd witnessed.
The former leader was too consumed by the day's near-tragedy that he failed to notice the man studying him curiously.
Tommy's body ached from head to toe. Every muscle utterly spent. His heart heavy. And a brain that wouldn't quiet. The images it had conjured, over and over again, had him reeling in pain so intense, it made his chest physically hurt. He had never been more scared, so absolutely hopeless as he'd been receiving that phone call. The very essence of his life had been ripped from him through every word Aisha had spoken.
The only thing he'd said to Rocky before racing out the door was that there had been an accident and Kim was badly hurt. And in a last-minute decision, he'd decided to pick up Charlotte. If Kim was going to… if she was… Charlotte just had to be there.
Tommy couldn't fathom how close he'd gotten to losing her, the other half of his soul. His heart faltered at the mere thought.
"Mr. Oliver, your wife confounds us all." The surgeon finally spoke.
"How so?"
"Forgive me for being blunt, but she survived an accident which very well should have killed her. Even more remarkable is the fact that a twin pregnancy remained virtually untouched, unscathed despite the numerous injuries to her abdomen and those sustained on impact, both with the vehicle and against the ground."
He closed her file, tucking it under his arm.
"My colleagues and I have exchanged notes and we're all, without a doubt, intrigued, to say the least, and confused as all hell."
Tommy's eyes raised towards the man who looked like the type to never curse unless he found himself in a situation exactly like the one he was currently facing.
"My wife is very strong. She's a fighter."
"Indeed. And apparently a self-healer. When Mrs. Oliver first arrived, she had significant trauma and bleeding on the brain. Her skull was also fractured in several critical places." Tommy winced at his descriptions. "I've been practicing medicine for over thirty-five years. And I'll tell you this, humans don't survive that type of head trauma." The man eyed Tommy suspiciously. "A second CT was ordered as her vitals kept improving and if I hadn't seen the first with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it. No bleeding, no swelling, no fractures. Nothing."
"I-I don't… understand. Maybe there was a mistake."
Tommy racked his exhausted brain for some type of cover story, but nothing could explain away the findings the surgeon was now checking off. Fuck. Even Kim's skin, where there once were tears, gashes, and scrapes, had begun to smooth and pinken. He was honestly just as baffled.
"You know, about sixteen years ago, some of my buddies and I were on a golf getaway. We had told our wives it was an important medical conference. Coincidently, my grandson also had his first baseball game that same weekend, and all he wanted was for his Pop to watch him play. Selfishly, I blew it off, saying to myself that there would be others." His eyes found Tommy's. "And do you know what city we were in?"
Tommy shook his head, unsure of where the man was going with his story. Frankly, he felt himself growing irritated. The last thing he wanted was to engage in small talk.
"Angel Grove." Tommy's posture became stiff, his jaw tight. "Our game was going pretty well… until a fifty-foot alien began destroying the city. You know, typical Tuesday in Angel Grove, and all," he chuckled, but Tommy remained serious. "My good friend Harry and I were trapped in the parking garage of our hotel as it collapsed around us. I knew I was gonner, and I was racked with so much guilt over my grandson, realizing I'd missed my chance to ever watch him play."
Faint memories began to materialize in Tommy's head. "That must have been terrifying," he stated, looking the man straight in the eyes.
"Oh, absolutely. That is, until two warriors appeared, risking their own lives in the chaos, trying to save ours. One Pink and one White."
The men stared at each other in silence for several seconds. Maybe he was waiting for Tommy to say something, but the former white ranger remained quiet, giving up nothing.
"Part of a cement column suddenly collapsed on the male, and the female called out for her teammate. In a moment of desperation, I'm sure, she called out his name—Tommy."
Fuck, fuck, fuck, Tommy cursed inwardly. He remembered the exact incident the doctor was talking about and what came next.
"This petite pink ranger pushed the massive column off her partner. It had to weigh at least a ton. And when she found him, his helmet had partially broken away. The white ranger was unconscious so she, using some very colorful language, gave him a few good whacks," he recalled with a grin. "When he came to, in his confusion, he called for her—Kim."
Tommy ran a rough hand across his chin as he inhaled deeply.
"You know, Tommy, in my line of work, it is imperative that we retain information. I looked straight into the white ranger's broken helmet, and I swore to myself that I would forever be grateful to the warriors who'd saved my life and gave me a second chance… and I swore that I'd never forget your eyes or your names."
"Look, I… you can't…"
Having all the confirmation he needed, the surgeon put a hand up.
"I'd never. I always prayed for the day I'd get to thank the two of you. And this is me doing just that." He turned to the computer and with a few clicks, the information and images in Kim's file were deleted. "I'm the head of my department. I'll make sure my colleagues believe there were errors."
Tommy nodded his gratitude. "Thank you so much."
The older man laid a hand on his shoulder. "It's good to know you two stayed together. You were one hell of a team. And congratulations on the birth of your daughters."
With that he left the room, the door closing behind him with a soft click. Tommy let out a ragged breath.
Jesus, he thought.
Before he could even dwell on everything the doctor had revealed, a small whimper had him running to his wife's side.
"Kim," he whispered tenderly, a hand on her cheek. "Hey, beautiful, can you hear me?"
Tommy's voice cracked as tears gathered in his eyes. "It's okay, baby. I'm here," he whispered, his lips brushing against her chin before pressing gently to her skin.
Kim's eyelids fluttered but remained closed. He watched as moisture slid from the corners, her lips trembling as she began to silently cry. Her shaky arms lifted toward her abdomen as she felt for her babies. The emptiness filled her heart with dread and her breathing began to accelerate.
"Kim, it's okay. Our girls are doing so good. They're perfect."
She turned her face toward his voice, eyes opening slowly as she met his glassy brown ones. She tried to speak but her throat felt dry and raw. Tommy quickly grabbed her water cup, guiding the straw to her waiting lips.
"T-Tom… Tommy? Where are they? Where are my babies?" she supplicated, a sob burning her throat.
"In the nursery, beautiful. I promise they're okay and healthy," he assured her, wiping her tears.
"How?" She shook her head. "The car… it hit us. I'm so sorry, Tommy. I should have never—"
Tommy gently cradled her face. "None of this was your fault, Kim. God, I was so scared… so fucking scared I'd lost you." He rested his forehead against hers. "I can't lose you, Kim. I can't."
Tommy had finally come apart at seams. He sobbed openly. Hard. Like he'd never cried in his entire adult life. He'd held it together for as long as physically possible. The happiness he felt upon knowing his love was awake, alive, whole… was more than his heart and soul could take.
They held each other for what seemed like hours. Once their cries quelled, he explained everything in vivid detail. From how the accident had occurred, to the emergency birth of their girls, and the doctor's recent confession.
Kim stared up at the white ceiling, surprised at all she could remember and everything she'd seen.
"Tommy, I'm not supposed to be here."
"Kim, please don't say that."
"Me, the girls… we weren't supposed to make it." Tommy flinched at her revelation. "What you told me confirms what I probably would have thought was a dream." She turned to look at him. Her expression grave. "It was the Morphing Grid, Tommy. I saw it. I felt it. I felt a part of all of you there—even Charlotte and Sophia."
"I don't understand, Kim."
"Right before the impact, it was like I conjured up the power, somehow. I didn't mean to. I don't even know how I did it. It just manifested around me, but especially around the girls. Their imprints are a part of the grid now, too. I felt it. It protected them and healed me, Tommy. "She shook her head, staring beyond him. "How did this happen?"
Tommy folded his arms over his chest and paced, pondering everything she'd said.
"We haven't had access to the power since right before Charlotte was born. She was conceived in it. It's a part of her… In what ways? We have no idea. You think there's a connection?"
They both knew of past Rangers who had passed away after their tenure, so they were sure immortality or healing wasn't a lifelong side effect from touching the Grid.
"Have you checked the shed lately?" she asked.
"Only a current Ranger can activate the door. Billy ensured it the way. It's impenetrable"
"Mom?"
They'd been so engrossed on the subject that neither noticed the door slowly creeping open.
"Mommy!" Charlotte burst into tears, sprinting towards Kim.
They embraced and cried in each other's arms. It took nearly thirty minutes for Charlotte to ease her hold on her mother. She snuggled up beside her, her tiny body finally succumbing to the immense weight of the day's heart-wrenching events. Laying her head over Kim's shoulder, she fell soundly into a deep sleep.
Kimberly had one of her babies asleep in her arms while her heart ached desperately for her girls. It took another fifteen minutes before a nurse, accompanied by Jason, entered the room, the babies sharing a bassinette.
Fresh tears abound, the reunion was heartfelt and emotional.
"How are you feeling?" Jason asked, cradling a sleeping Amelia.
"Like I was hit by a bus," she chuckled, one arm draped over a still sleeping Charlotte, the other firmly holding Julianna against her chest.
"You always trying to be the center of attention, huh? Can't just do things the normal way." he teased, bracing himself for her wrath.
"Jase, if I had a free hand, I would throw this tray of food at you."
Jason laughed motioning to the baby in his arms. His expression suddenly turned serious, his eyes becoming watery. "Kim, the way Aisha described… what happened? How?"
Tommy and Kim exchanged looks. While they knew Charlotte was asleep, they couldn't risk having a conversation of that magnitude in her presence. Somehow, Jason understood the gist of their impending explanation and he dropped the subject.
"Hey, man, thanks so much for watching her. Trini told me you were able to cheer her up a bit," Tommy said, motioning to his oldest daughter.
Jason waved him off. "You don't need to thank me, bro. It's Charlotte. You know I'd do anything for her."
Tommy nodded appreciatively, clapping his brother on the back.
"And I wasn't alone. Your student, her friend Caden stopped by."
"Caden was here? Where is he?"
Jason nodded, a small smirk playing on his lips.
"His dad had no clue he'd left his uncle's house. Rode the bus here by himself just to keep Char company and see how she was doing. I called John. Needless to say, he was not happy. Picked him up about an hour later." The former red put a hand on Tommy's shoulder. "Good luck with that, Tommy. That boy has got it so bad for her."
Tommy shook his head and exhaled loudly, rubbing the back of his neck.
Kim smiled, smoothing her fingers gently through her daughter's long hair, gazing at her still figure adoringly. While she knew of the boy's feelings for Charlotte, she also understood romance was not what their friendship was about. They shared something precious and innocent, a connection that came around seldomly in a person's life. Maybe one day those affections would turn into something more, but for now, she knew her daughter had found a beautiful companionship in Caden.
Soulmates sometimes entered each other's lives to be whatever the other needed them to be at that moment in time. Some meant to stay, while others only remained for a season.
A soft knock drew everyone's eyes to the solid wooden door. Trini and Aisha stepped inside slowly. The three women immediately became emotional. Tommy knowingly drew baby Jules against his chest, as his wife's best friends encircled her into their arms.
A/N : A little shorter than last, but I thought this was a good stopping point. Oh, and the baby names are characters Amy has played in her other works. We're all familiar with Jules from Flashpoint. She's also used Amelia quite a few times for some of her original works, so I thought it would be a good one. Thanks again for reading! Please let me know your thoughts :)
