Title: A Chance at happiness 1/?

Author: Christen (purplehaysc@netscape.net)

Disclaimer: these characters belong to once and again except any characters you don't recognize

Distribution: Take it, but let me know. If you have any of my other fics, go ahead.

Comments: email me all you comments and suggestions. This is my first once and again fan fic so any ideas or comments you have would be great. So please email me with them. J

Eli was sitting in the chair next to his mother's bed. She was still sleeping. She has been sleeping since he got there. He did not really want her to wake up. He had no clue what he would say to her if she did.  The moment he had heard about the accident, he forgot all the anger and all hse cared about was getting to her. She needed him. Jessie needed him. That is all he thought about at the time. But sitting here watching her now, everything started to come back. They both had lost it with each other. He had said something things he did not mean. Hopefully, she had also. He had not cried yet about the accident, about what she said, but he knew he would. When he felt, no one was watching him. He knew that if anyone saw him that be shocked. He was not supposed to cry. He had to be strong. Jessie needed him to be. If he did cry, he would let every one down again but then again that is what was expected of him. He was supposed to fail. He always did and he always will.

He saw her move. He almost jumped. She could not be waking up. She did and when she opened her eyes, he was gone.

Lily pulled the covers over Jessie and walked out of the room. "How's she holding up?" Rick asked.

"Good with all things considered."

"I wish there was something I could do."

"Just be there for her. Be the father that she loves. Right now that's all she needs."

He put his arms around her. "So do you think Eli actually went to see her?"

"I think he might of. It's hard for him. Karen and him have had some hard times not like Karen and Jessie."

"But most of the those hard times were caused by him…"

"And Karen has nothing do with this?"

"I never said that."

"You didn't have to. Look I'm going to go check on Grace and Zoe why don't you decide to get a little faith in your son."

Grace had gone to the hospital to see how he was holding up; he has been there all night. She had got a friend to drop here off and told her mom she was going to the library. She had watched him sitting there next to her bed about to cry. She did not know what to say to him but she knew he needed someone. She just was not sure she was that person. She had waited for him to say something to her but he did not. When he got up to leave, she had ducked into a room. When she came out, he was gone. She knew why he had left, he was sacred he was going to cry. She knew there was no reason to wait any more. She called her friend to come pick her so she could head back home.

"Mom?" Zoe asked as she saw the light from the hall come in the room.

"Yeah it's me." She walked over to where Zoe was sleeping.  She had just came from Grace's room and she wasn't there.  "Where's you sister?"

"Last time I checked she was at the library."

"It's midnight. The library is closed." Lily said a little worried.

"All I know is she said she was going to the library. I'm not my sister's keeper." Zoe said.

Lily smiled. "I know you're not. She's probably down stairs on the couch or something maybe she didn't want to wake you up."

"Sure, all I know is she's not here and I'm ok with that."

"Good night, Zoe."

"Good night, mom. Oh mom?"

"Yes?"

"How is Jessie and Eli's mom?"

"I don't know but she'll be alright I hope."

"Me too for Jessie's sake."

"I didn't think you even liked Jessie."

"Well I don't love the girl but I just well I wouldn't want to be going though this with you. That's all."

Lily smiled again. "Good night Zoe."

She walked out the room. Where was Grace? She knew better than to stay out this late.

~end of chapter 1~