Waiting on Lesley so they could get going, Rick was starting to get worried that she figured out what his plans were when he tried as hard as possible to keep it secret to surprise her
" Lesley, are you ready yet…." Rick called up
" I will be ready in just a moment darling. I just have to make sure my medical stuff is together." Lesley answered as Rick went up to assist
" Sweetheart I already made sure things were together all I had to leave out were your medications and your oxygen stuff. Everything else I took out to the car with our suitcases.."
" And you're still not gonna tell me about what you have planned or up your sleeve are you….?" Lesley looked in his direction but all she saw was his grin
" I don't tell surprises, we just live with them." Rick answered and carried everything out.
It didn't take long for Rick to get to the destination of where the ship was waiting and it didn't take much with doing alot as Rick already had everything prearranged with their things going to their state room. Rick hurried himself though so Lesley wouldn't get irritated waiting for him to let her take the blindfold off and once he took it off of her she couldn't hide her feelings back of how special she knew she was to him
" I…… Rick… How did you…. When did you… Y…you did this for… for me." Lesley gave up on trying to say anything and just looked at Rick with tears that ran down her face
" Happy birthday darling. And yes my little bug… I did this just for you….."
Rick walked with Lesley at his side, minding that it sometimes was difficult for her to walk up a set of steps and reminded the attendants that she had a few medical difficulties.
" I can't believe that you did this just for me…. To have someone who would go to any length for me… Rick I… I…. I'm just so grateful that I have you in my life."
" I think I could say the same thing about you… there's no one more special to me than you are other than the kids…. Somebody better just have me sent to jail if I were to walk out on you and the kids because just the thought of that is criminal."
Rick stopped talking when Lesley kissed him more than once and later as it was almost sundown Lesley had taken her night-time medication before she and Rick laid together and just relaxed before she finally fell asleep and Rick made sure she had her nasal cannula
Come morning, Rick was up alittle earlier so when Lesley woke up they could get some fresh air before going for breakfast and later they decided to stay by the pool while they had time to themselves.
" You know Sweetheart the water feels great you could come for a swim." Rick tried to encourage Lesley
" It's tempting Rick but I don't know that I want other people to see the scarring. It's hard enough that people can see that I've had cardiac surgery and all of that but…. I don't know maybe I'm just alittle self conscious about the way I look after everything we've been through."
" It's alright to feel that way…. Especially around complete strangers but sweetheart no one's gonna care and if they try to bully and comment about anything they'll have me to deal with. The only thing that I would like for you to do is relax and enjoy your birthday vacation..."
" You're right..." Lesley put her towel on the chair and had joined Rick for a couple hours until they were ready to go take a rest. " Rick, have I ever told you that you are the most amazing person in my life..."
" Hmm no I don't think you have. I think you might have forgotten to mention that." Rick gave a sarcastic answer that he knew would have Lesley up on her toes but with a smile
" Well you are the most amazing person in my life that I am very proud of. Because you have done more for me than anyone else in my entire life." Lesley gave Rick a kiss again and stepped out of the pool to get both hers and his towel.
" Why don't we get a couple hours to rest and that… I know you're alittle tired and I think I'm not gonna be far behind myself."
Rick walked with Lesley back to the room so they can relax until they head to dine in for dinner. Seeing that Lesley was happy was the best feeling he felt in a long time and he was proud of himself that he was able to accomplish it as a surprise. He almost hated that the trip was almost over soon and soon they were gonna have to return back to a normal week schedule between the hospital and spending time with the kids.
" I almost hate that we have to go home..." Lesley commented while laying beside Rick.
" I know…. But we'll all take another trip again. And we'll have many adventures to look forward to after this."
A few days after returning from their trip Rick and Lesley returned to a normal schedule again and later prepared for the kids going back to school and later the girls' birthdays were coming up and Lesley knew she was gonna have alot of things to get together as they were now turning 13 and then later it was gonna be Rick's birthday again only Lesley didn't wanna surprise Rick the same way he surprised her, she wanted to try to go a different way this coming time.
" I will tell you Jessie…. It was absolutely wonderful with what Rick did. There were a couple of moments in my mind that I had to see if I was really awake or not because Rick is the only one who has ever done anything above what you'd expect of a man… Ever since he adopted Laura, he's always gone above and beyond for anything that I might need."
" I can't think of any reason why he wouldn't… Lesley you are his entire world. Just by nearly getting himself killed just to protect you shows that that's written in stone to him." Jessie pointed out while accidently hinting that she was apart of the surprise
" You were in on it… Jessie, weren't you..."
" Me! All I did was volunteer to take Riley and the girls. I am happy that you had a great time and weekend."
Lesley and Jessie were about to finish their breaks until Lesley was paged to the emergency room for an emergency unaware that it was Rick and Jesslyn being brought in. " I guess duty calls… walk with me Jessie would you."
" Course I can… You might need extra help over there."
" Victim is a 12 year old female BP is 84/60 respiration is fair but unstable was intubated on scene."
Walking into the ER, Lesley had no idea for what she was about to walk into when Steve was there waiting at the counter to talk to her. Jessie knew by the look on Steve's face that it wasn't good and before Lesley was gonna find out she told Lesley to give her and Steve a moment.
" I knew the minute I saw the look on your face Steve… just how bad is it and who."
" It's Rick and Jesslyn and before you ask, I don't know much of anything until I assess…." Steve answered
" Lesley can't hear about this from you… she's got to hear it from me."
Waiting to know what's going on and why she was stopped from talking to Steve, Lesley started to have the sinking feeling that something was wrong and she was hoping that it was all just in her head.
" Jessie I should be helping with the emergency patient not sitting here..." Lesley started to say and Jessie interrupted " The 1st emergency patient that they brought in… Lesley it's Jesslyn."
" Jessie what are you talking about, Jess is in school and she doesn't get out until 3…." Lesley argued with confusion but realized that Rick said earlier in the morning he was gonna pick everybody up from school early.
" Where's Rick, Genesis and Riley…." Lesley started to get worried
" As far as I know Captain Ramsey and Rose have Riley and Genesis…. They weren't hurt but Rick and Jesslyn were hurt. Rick should be coming in shortly."
Lesley stood up and started to head to attend to Jesslyn when Rick was just coming in with minor injuries from the hit and run
" Richard…. I'm right here and you're gonna be fine."
Rick came to after a few hours with Lesley at his side as usual of course keeping in mind that Jesslyn was up in surgery but tried to remain calm as much as she could
" I called to check on Genesis and Riley…. They're okay. They were scared like I am but they're okay…"
" How's our daughter… is Jesslyn okay. I tried to protect her."
" Rick calm down, you just regained consciousness and you have to take it easy." Lesley spoke up…
" I tr…tried to protect her." Rick repeated
" Rick, our daughter is fine and she will be out of surgery very soon… in the meantime Rick please… just rest."
" What about you….. are you alright."
" I am okay and right now I won't focus on me I'm gonna focus on you and Jess…. Because you both need me right now."
Finally in recovery, Lesley went to check on Jesslyn and stayed at her side until she was to wake up and later spoke with Mark about her condition while praying that it wasn't gonna be as bad as she was fearing it to be.
" Your daughter's gonna be fine. There was no significant damage. However as a precaution Lesley I want to keep her under close watch for the next few weeks. Otherwise there's no reason that she wouldn't make a full recovery."
" Mark, thank you…. I don't know how to thank you enough. I was so afraid that I was gonna have to once again make funeral arrangements and have to lose another child but thanks to you… you saved her life and I'm so grateful."
" Just make sure that you take care of yourself too Lesley… that's all the thanks that I will accept from you."
~~~
A few days after being in recovery, Rick was moved to the seventh floor and Lesley stayed up by his side while she had the time off and later took him up to sit with Jesslyn who was still in acoma but was stable for the time being
" She should be home playing with Riley or doing school work. Not having to be here like this."
" Rick it is not your fault…. You have only ever done your very best. And she knows that."
" Has anyone said anything?"
" Mark expects a full recovery in the next few weeks. He said her injuries weren't as severe as he was expecting when you guys were brought in."
" At least she's okay and we won't have to worry about anything…. Well I won't have to worry about it much… just about you as always." Rick gave alittle smirk
" No you're not going to do that Richard I will be fine I am okay. I don't want you to worry about me right now."
Starting to wake up, Lesley had Mark paged while Rick stayed at Jesslyn's side and later Lesley took Rick back to his room to wait on anything important with both his and Jesslyn's status and how Jesslyn was going with her recovery
" Sweetheart, why don't you take it easy and try to relax… This kind of stress is gonna harm you."
" I will when Mark tells me that you and our daughter are able to go home." Lesley gave Rick the look he knew too well and it was the same look he saw a few days before they took their daughter off the ventilator up in the NICU.
" Lesley we will both be fine Jesslyn has always been a fighter even when she were to just have a cold. You said it yourself that Mark was sure she would make a full recovery. The injuries weren't too severe as he thought so she will pull through. And I am fine, in fact I will be released by Steve as early as tomorrow. Now will you come and relax, Les please.?"
Lesley went and laid for alittle while and was asleep when Mark and Steve came to talk to her about Jesslyn and her condition.
" It's okay Steve… I finally got her to get some rest….. is it about Jesslyn's condition? Tell me she's okay!"
" Prognosis is real good. She's woken up and is alert and she knows who and where she is and later wanted to send you a message…. She said to tell my Daddy that I'm fine and he doesn't need to feel guilty that I was also hurt."
" I looked over your scans and blood work and I have decided Rick that I will release you today. Hopefully that will ease Lesley's peace of mind and you guys can then focus for Jesslyn." Steve said with a pleased smile.
" Thank you Steve… we can't thank you enough for the help you've given us."
" Don't thank me Rick, both of you have been on this staff for more than 30 years. Just make sure you both take care of yourselves."
Finally bringing Jesslyn home everything has gotten back too what would seem to be normal in the Webber home and normally Lesley would be running her tail to get things together on time for when Rick or any of the kids' birthdays started to approach but earlier in the week Rick
started to see that Lesley had alittle more trouble with her focus but he didn't want to push it because it could've meant anything like she had trouble with getting sleep at night again or it could've just have been one of those days for her where she's just tired and she would push herself to finish a task she started.
" Lesley you've done enough for today… come and relax. Whatever we still have to do, I will finish it later. I don't want you to put a strain on yourself and make yourself sick." Rick insisted
" Rick I'm fi...fine I just need to finish what I have done already." Lesley argued but had slight trouble with her balance.
" Lesley you're gonna end up hurting yourself and you're gonna make yourself sick. Sweetheart you're in no shape to push yourself like this so please give yourself a good long break and go back to it all later. Before you end up collapsing and really end up hurting yourself." Rick tried again hoping he knocked alittle sense into her head.
" I'm sorry I just want their birthday to be special. They're gonna be 13 this year…." Lesley tried not to let the tears show again but eventually gave up
" Hey, everyday that we have them with us is a special time or moment." Rick stopped talking as he wiped the tears from Lesley's face. " Even if we just took them to Dino's, that would be special to them… and do you want to know why that is?."
" Because it's one of their places to go…." Lesley answered but showed a little smile when Rick gave her a look.
" Lesley it would still be special to them because you are there with us…. You are more special and important to the kids than anything else. Just like you are very special to me ."
Leaning into Rick, Lesley felt that he wrapped his arms around her and later he brought her upstairs to bed so she could rest for the rest of the day and later they both decided to surprise the girls for their birthday.
" The only thing that matters is that you're here to spend it with us momma… nothing would matter to me if you weren't here."
" Baby I know that it's hard on you sometimes when it seems like I'm not okay but I promise you…. I'll be okay like I promised your Dad, I will promise you now and again… I will always fight through everything I can so I can be here with you guys..."
" We know Mom and we both love you so much…" Genesis hugged Lesley before they went up to get ready for bed.
" They're growing up so fast and so soon… I don't know how I would handle when they graduate from high school."
" I think we'll be able to get through it… We made it through Laura's."
" Yeah we did…. Why don't we go And relax and get ready to head to bed ourselves… you do have surgery tomorrow and I have to be in the clinic around 6 tomorrow morning..."
" I don't have surgery until the afternoon… but you do however have an appointment with Monica and Jerry tomorrow morning 10:00."
" Lucky me." Lesley uttered to herself but went upstairs with Rick at her side so they could try to get some sleep for the night
Waking up the following morning, Lesley was careful with not waking Rick before she had to and went to take a shower after turning off her respirator machine and shortly after getting dressed for the hospital, she went to make breakfast after waking up the kids for school.
" I was wondering when you were gonna come join us this morning."
" How come you didn't wake me… you know I hate it when you don't wake me."
" I know sweetheart, and I'm sorry… I was gonna wake you but looking at you when you're asleep… I just.. I just couldn't wake you, so I took a shower and woke up the kids and came down and made breakfast."
" Hey, you know that you don't have to wake me… I am glad that you for once had a good night's rest."
" Yeah I know… hopefully l'll start sleeping better through the nights and I won't always end up waking you up like I have before." Lesley commented after sitting back down next to Rick and the kids.
" Hey rather if you wake me or you don't it doesn't matter because I would rather you do than you don't and I wake up to something being wrong." Rick pointed out
Lesley and Rick sent the kids out for the bus and reminded them about being home for Riley while they put Riley's coat and got his shoes on him. After dropping Riley off at his school, Rick and Lesley headed for the hospital to get to their busy schedules and rounds before Lesley had to see Monica and Dr. Richards for her appointments as normal and later Rick had to be on the 10th floor for afternoon surgeries that he had scheduled before the upcoming holidays which were fast approaching in Lesley's mind and she was gonna have an endless trail again to do and she was hoping that it wasn't gonna be difficult this time around.
" I hate waiting for tests to come back…. It almost always makes me nervous or paranoid of the thought that something is wrong." Lesley admitted
" Everything will be fine bug. Because I'm gonna be with you throughout everything…. And I'm not gonna leave your side."
" Why is it before I met you, I've never felt cared for this much but then you and I become something and I feel so much safer and loved?..."
" I think it's because you weren't really treated right up until you and I met. And for the real first time of your life, you're treated the way you need to be. I'm just thankful that I got a second chance all that time ago." Rick answered while keeping Lesley wrapped in his arms.
Getting the results back Monica was pleased to see that things appeared to be normal with no signs of anything occurring or relapsing which made Dr Richards happy to see.
" It's not too good is it… something's come back hasn't it?" Lesley looked up expecting to get troubling results
" Lesley everything is normal, nothing has come back, your cardiac labs look good, you're gonna be just fine."
" I knew it… how much..." Lesley stopped mid sentence when she realized again what she just heard. " Wait… did you say that I'm really okay?"
" You're gonna be fine Lesley. There are no indications that would suggest that you're not." Monica answered.
" Then why do I have so much trouble with getting sleep at night where every so often I continue to wake Rick up for no reason."
Lesley finished with Rick at her side of her appointments and later went back to work while she still has alot to catch up on and Rick had to get things going with his pre op patients before going into surgery with Cunningham's assist. Luckily Lesley had some free time to talk with Steve before going on rounds.
" Steve…. I never got the chance to thank you with everything.."
" Lesley you taking care of yourself and Rick making sure that you and your family is doin' well is all the thanks needed. How is Jesslyn after the hit and run?"
