Disclaimer: I do not own any of the "In a Heartbeat" characters that are featured in this story. Also, no profit is being made.
Author's Note: Thanks to all who have read my story. To Momo Claus, I have to admit that I think Ashley Angel from O-Town is quite hot. So are Dan Miller and Erik-Michael Estrada and they cal sing really good too. Just thought that I would clear that bit up. Anyway, I know this is like the story that goes on forever, but that's okay. Keep reading, readers!
Chapter 17 "Collisions"
They had had a beautiful, almost fairy-tale wedding seven months from the day Tyler proposed to Val. White roses were placed throughout the church and reception hall, and it looked simply perfect. Val glowed in her billowing wedding dress. She looked absolutely glorious. Brooke was her maid of honor for the wedding, Hank the best man. Jamie escorted the newly engaged Catie Roth, one of Val's bridesmaids, down the isle, and Dean Klofke walked Heather Stillmore down the isle. After they said their vows, and the Paster pronounced them husband and wife, they engaged in their most heated kiss. They just couldn't wait to spend the rest of their lives together. Their honeymoon had been in a log cabin near a lake in Tennessee. It was simply marvelous. They relaxed, and enjoyed each other's company.
They were back from their honeymoon now, and settled into a beautiful house in the country just outside Kingsport. Val and Tyler worked as pediatricians and enjoyed it immensely. Val was now eight and a half months pregnant, and couldn't be happier. She was sitting at the kitchen table having a glass of juice when Tyler came home, walked over to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "How are you doing, honey?" he asked her affectionately.
"I'm fine."
"How's Baby doing?" he asked as he rubbed her belly.
"Baby's fine, Tyler," she said, giving him a smile. "She's been moving all day." They knew that it was a girl, and they were going to name her Carrie.
Two weeks later, she and Tyler were snuggling and watching TV when her water broke. Tyler knew what to do. He helped up Val and helped her make her way to the car. He carefully rushed to the hospital and she gave birth to happy, healthy, Baby Carrie. When the nurse brought Carrie to Val, her face - and Tyler's - had an expression of pure joy. Val couldn't believe that she and Tyler had created such a gorgeous little girl. Tyler carefully touched Carrie's wiggling toes, and she made a cooing sound.
"Hey, Daddy, look at your little girl. Look how pretty she is." Val looked down at Carrie.
"She's going to be pretty just like her mommy," was his happy response. Val cradled the baby lovingly in her arms and smiled at the father of her child, her devoted and loving husband. He got up and kissed her on the lips as they both held their child…
THREE YEARS LATER
Frustrated, Val pounded the steering wheel. She had promised Tyler she would be there to pick up him and Carrie. He had gone up to Cape Cod to visit his grandmother a week ago, and Val hadn't been able to come because she had the flu. As soon as the light turned green, she slammed her foot down on the accelerator. All of a sudden, she saw brake lights turn on. It was too late. She heard the sound of a train as it bounded down the tracks. Then all she heard was the sound of crunching metal and shattering glass as she crashed into the car in front of her going seventy-five miles per hour. And then all was black.
She heard sirens in the background. Then she felt a hand go around her wrist, checking for a pulse. She tried to move, but couldn't. She was sandwiched in her car so tightly. She heard the sound of someone trying to pry open her car door, and then felt someone gently maneuver her out of the car and put her on a stretcher. The ambulance she was in rushed over the extremely bumpy roads as the paramedics kept her steady. And then she fell asleep.
Tyler Connell and his two-year-old daughter, Carrie, had been standing in the airport for over five hours. He had tried continuously calling the house but there was no answer every time. Tyler was now frantic with worry. Where could she be? He picked up his daughter and placed her on his hip as he went over to the payphone to try and call his house one more time to see if Val was there.
He heard it ring twice and then heard the receiver being picked up. "Hello?" came a man's voice.
"Hello. I'm Tyler Connell. Who are you?"
"I'm John Mercy. I am sheriff of the Kingsport police. May I ask why you are calling?"
"I'm Tyler Connell. I'm Val Connell's husband. I've been trying to get ahold of her. Why are you in my house? What's wrong?"
He heard a sigh come from the other end of the phone. "I'm sorry to say, Mr. Connell, that your wife has been in a tragic accident. We're guessing that she was on her way to pick you up at the airport based on what we saw on the calendar. I suggest you rent a car or something and get back here as soon as possible. She's in the intensive care unit of Trinity Hospital."
Tyler felt silent tears drip from his chin. "I'll be there right away," he whispered and hung up the phone. He then went and quickly rented a car and raced to Trinity Hospital. He opened the front door and went to the reception desk. He said to the nurse that was minding it, "I'm Tyler Connell. I'm here to go see my wife, Val. She's in the intensive care unit."
"Ah yes, the police told me to be expecting you. She's on the tenth floor in room 645."
"Thanks," Tyler muttered as he hurried away, his daughter in tow.
He barged into the elevator and soared to the tenth floor. Once there, he walked down the hall until he saw the door to room 645. He slowly and quietly opened the door to find a bruised and cut Val lying in the hospital bed with an IV stuck in her arm. She looked to be between being conscious and unconscious. He went over to the bed and knelt down beside it. He took Val's hand in his and whispered her name. She opened her eyes a little and said, "Tyler…" as a smile played her lips. She slipped her hand from his and sat up. She went to move her legs from the bed, then, alarmed, shrieked, "I can't move my legs!!"
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