Chapter 6
Back at the apartment Sab and Jake arrive to find Frank sitting on the couch with his ankle packed in ice and Elaina lying asleep on his shoulder. Cody, Alex, Monica and Maria were in the kitchen eating. "Save any food for us?" Sab took the sandwich that Cody was eating.
"Can't you make your own?" Cody grabbed it back before she could eat it. "Better yet let me make one for you."
Cody went to the countertop and proceeded to make Sab's sandwich. "Here you go my lady." He handed her the sandwich.
Sab bit into in and spit it back out very quickly and grabbed a drink. "What the hell did you put on this?" Cody was laughing so hard he didn't notice she was taking a swing at him.
She knocked him of his chair making him land at Jakes feet. "If I were you Cody I would stay down there."
"I can't believe you would put Tabasco Sauce on my sandwich. Jake is right you stay down there." Sab yells him. "And also I'm still mad at you from earlier."
Sab walks to the counter to fix herself another sandwich.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you." Cody says getting off the floor. "I didn't think you wanted to know I went out with Maria in the academy."
Sab turns around with anger in her eyes. "You went out with her?"
"She didn't tell you?" Cody asks as he feels as if he stepped into it.
"Uh no." Sab yells at him.
"Cody, I'd run like mad if I were you." Jake says putting a hand on his shoulder.
"You don't have to tell me twice." Cody says as Sab continues to stare at him furiously.
They were getting too loud with their laughing and talking and Frank threw a pillow into the room to get their attention. Alex and Monica looked in that direction.
"Quite down in there." He whispered.
"Hey we're getting too loud, Boss says to quite down." Alex told all of them.
"I'm not asleep I'm just resting my eyes." Elaina looks up at Frank.
"They were still too loud. Do you want to tell Maria what is going on, I can tell the others to go home?" Frank asks her.
"Do you have any objections to my telling them too?"
"It's up to you, they do care about you."
"Hey could everyone come in here I want to say something." Elaina yelled right in Frank's ear. "Sorry didn't mean to do that."
"That's okay I can read lips now that I'm deaf." He laughed and she playfully smacked him in the head.
The team and Maria walked in wondering what she would have to say. "I suppose you want us to leave now that the case is over?" Maria asks.
"Not really, it isn't over until he is in jail permanently. I have to tell you all something. I should tell you Maria in private but I don't think I could say it twice. So please forgive me."
Seeing her cousin's distress she held her hand. "Go ahead I'll understand."
"As Cody knows I had a call from my doctor this morning. Last week I had my semiannual check up. One of my tests came back with bad news."
She saw everyone start to worry about what was going to be said. "When I was pregnant with Sarah, I found out that I also had a tumor in one of my ovaries. They said it was cancer, and that I should have it removed. They also wanted to terminate the pregnancy so I could have therapy, when I refused I knew that my chances were going to go steadily down hill of beating it." Elaina explains. "The complications that I had stemmed from the tumor growing as Sarah did, it caused the premature labor and the bleeding. Now my doctor thinks that it maybe coming back." Elaina got up and walked away from them she wasn't ready for too many questions.
Maria followed her cousin. "When are you going in the hospital?"
"I have to call tomorrow to set it up."
"Do you want me to be there with you and Frank?"
"I would very much like that. I'm sure Frank would appreciate someone waiting with him." She hugged Maria.
"I guess I should go back in there, Frank is probably getting a lot of questions thrown at him." She looked in to see that Frank was talking quietly to the team.
"Both of you seem to be pretty open about your lives to them." Maria's observation made Elaina laugh. "What's so funny?"
"I am more open than Frank, he would have them in the dark yet that we are married, except that last summer during vacation things happened that caused the change."
"Sab and Cody told me some of what happened."
"If you want to know anything those are the two to talk too." They walked back in and Elaina sat back down next to Frank.
"What questions have you had to answer?" Elaina asks.
"When are you going? What will be done? Can they be there?" Frank replies.
"What were your answers?"
"You'll call tomorrow. Surgery. And they had to ask you."
"I don't mind if they want to wait, but if they have assignments they are to work first." She looked at all of them as she said it. "The justice department won't stop sending cases just because your boss is on sick leave."
"I thought you were resigning now that this case is over?" Cody asked hopeful that she changed her mind.
"I have a few loose ends to take care of, but I will resign."
"If you need a sitter on Megan's day off one of us will fill in. If we are not working." Monica stressed.
"I will remember that." Frank replies.
"I think we should get back to the nest and leave them alone." Alex suggests.
"You don't have to leave right away."
"Yes they do they have paper work to do right?" Frank wanted them to leave.
"Right." They all said together.
"Maria you might want to stay at a hotel your place is a mess." Elaina told her.
"Not necessary she can stay with me tonight." Sab offered.
"I think I'll take you up on that Sab." Maria and Sab both saw that Cody felt uneasy about the two of them being alone to talk about him.
"All of you drive safe and take care." Elaina says as the phone rang. "I'll get it don't move." She said it to Frank. "Hello..okay thank you for calling. That was the guard at the hospital Thomas didn't make it, seems your problems are over with Maria."
"Thank goodness I can go back to work now." Maria sighed.
"You two are alike." Frank says staring at Elaina. "You both love your work."
"I just like making the world a safer place." Maria giggled as they all left.
"I didn't think they would ever leave." Frank says trying to stand on his ankle.
"Where are you going?"
"No where, I just wanted to see if I could stand." Frank replies.
"You can, now try walking."
Frank walked over to her without much trouble. "See all better now."
"Liar it hurts like hell. I can tell remember." She put her arms around his waist and he took his weight off his ankle. "You should have it x-rayed."
"It's only twisted it will be fine in the morning. Don't worry about me; I want to talk to you."
"About what? My not resigning as fast as you thought?"
"I told you on the way here that I didn't want you to resign yet." Frank says.
"That is definitely puzzling me. Why do you want me to wait?" Elaina asks.
"I don't want you to wait; I don't want you to resign exactly."
"You have been after me to quit for months, why the change?"
"I never wanted you to quit altogether, just field assignments. You'll drive the family crazy if you quit completely."
"I want to quit and you're going to stop me from doing it?" Elaina asks surprised.
"If you want to quit then quit, but don't say I didn't try to stop you."
"So that's the reason, you just don't want to take the blame for my resigning?"
Frank sighed. "It has to be your decision."
"Okay I will reconsider it. I do have to talk to Andy anyway; I was going to ask him to take over while I was out on sick leave."
"He's a good choice."
"I come up with good ideas too. Like the one I'm coming up with now if you're up to it." She kissed him.
"I definitely like that idea, lead the way."
"More like support you the way." Elaina giggles.
"Move it lady. The pain is going away as we speak."
"I must be a miracle worker if that kiss took away the pain." She held on to him as they walked to the bedroom.
**********
The next morning at Sab's apartment, Maria made breakfast for the two of them. "Good morning Sab. Hope you're hungry, when I get worried I cook.
"I think I can manage a little something to eat. I'm worried too. Do you think that her cancer is coming back?"
"Elaina kept her true feelings from me, but she is scared that it is. If it is caught early she has a better chance of beating it again." Maria explains.
"Why wouldn't the doctors have taken both ovaries the first time?" Sab asks sitting down at the counter.
"It's the hormone thing. If the cancer had not spread to the other ovary they keep them in for hormone production. It's healthier for the woman."
"Yeah, but now she has to go through surgery again and who knows what else."
"Could you imagine the mood swings she's going to have now?" Maria asks.
"What do you mean?" Sab asks in confusion.
"She has always had trouble with her temper and moods, but with a hormone imbalance like she's going to have, let's just say I'm glad I don't live with her."
"I'm sure the doctor will give her hormone replacement therapy won't he?"
"I hope so for Frank's sake. Not to mention every person in a 20 mile radius of her." Maria laughed. "I'm sorry I also tend to make bad jokes when I'm upset and worried."
"Laughter is the best medicine or so they say." Sab says as she stares off at the counter.
"Something wrong?" Maria asks taking a seat on the other side.
"It's nothing." Sab says looking up at her.
"It's about how Cody never told you we went out, right?"
"Yeah, a little." Sab replies. "I don't like it when he keeps things from me."
"Well that was in the past. He actually helped me out more then just school." Maria says.
"What do you mean?"
"During school I was an alcoholic and that was also why my grades were failing. Cody was asked to tutor me and one night he found me drunk and put two and two together." Maria explains. "He helped me to get help and we grew closer during that time and we started dating. But it didn't last long. We knew we were better off as friends. That's probably part of the reason why he didn't tell you. He didn't want anyone to know about my past."
"Oh." Sab says as a knock at the door interrupts them.
"That's probably Cody to pick me up." Sab went to the door. "We don't want any, sell to the neighbors."
"I come bearing gifts." Cody answers.
"Gifts?" Sab opens the door. Cody had both hands behind his back. "Gimme, gimme. What do you have for me?"
"Not just for you." He handed Sab a bouquet of white roses with one red rose in the middle. "These are for you and these are for Maria." He handed Maria a bouquet of pink carnations with one white rose in the center.
"You remembered all these years." Maria was surprised.
"Remembered what?" Sab was suspicious as to what she meant.
"This is the arrangement that Elaina and her sister Miranda would send on my birthday. Reese on the other hand would send deep red almost black roses with one white in the center."
"Is it your birthday today?"
"No I just wanted to cheer you both up. I knew you'd be worried." Cody explained.
"Thank you Cody." Maria kissed him on the cheek. "I think we both needed cheering up. I just hope Frank is keeping Elaina's spirits up."
"I sent flowers to the apartment too, from all of us. Hope you don't mind."
"That was very thoughtful of you Cody. No wonder I love you so much." Sab kissed him deeply.
"What was that for?" Cody asks as Sab pulls away from him.
"Nothing. Just for being as sweet as you are."
******
At the apartment Frank was cooking breakfast, when Elaina came from the bedroom. "So much for breakfast in bed." He kissed her good morning.
"I'm willing to go back to bed if you had your heart set on it." She put her arms around him and held him tight. "I have a question for you first."
"What would my lady like to know?"
She waved her hand in his face. "Your lady would like to have her wedding ring back."
"I lost it." He went back to cooking.
"Liar. Where is it?" She searched his pant pockets. "Frank I want my ring back now!"
"Okay I'll get it." He walked over to his jacket and removed a chain for its pocket. "I put it on here with mine so it would be with me even when I'm working." He took it off the chain and put the chain around his neck.
"Wait a minute." She took the chain back from his neck and took his ring off it. "Give me your hand." He held out his hand and she placed the ring on his finger. "They know that you are married there is no reason for you not to wear it."
"Your hand Lady." She held out her hand and he placed the ring on her finger and kissed it. "Next time I won't give it back."
"There won't be a next time. Cross my heart and hope to. I guess under the circumstances that may not be a good thing to say." There was a knock at the door.
Frank answered the door and was given the flowers. "These must be for you. Here's the card." He handed her the card and flowers. He went back to finishing breakfast. He saw that she had tears in her eyes as he came back to the table. "Who are they from?"
"The team and Maria. My guess is that Cody sent them his name is first." She showed him the card.
"Why don't you call and thank them later?" Frank suggested.
Elaina looked at the clock. "I think I should be making another call that is more important don't you think?"
"I suppose you should get it over with." He handed her the phone.
"Well here we go." She dialed the phone and waited. "Yes this is Mrs. Donovan; I would like to talk to Dr. Nathan please. Yes I will hold." Elaina waited for the doctor to answer.
"Elaina, how do you feel?" Dr. Nathan asks as he gets on the other line.
"Why does every doctor ask that question?"
"Because we're doctors."
"Okay, when do you want me for more tests?"
"When can you get to St. Augustine's?" Dr. Nathan asks.
"That soon? I can be there this afternoon, about 1:00. I have something to do at the office first." Elaina replies.
"That will be fine. I'll have a room waiting for you. See you then."
Elaina hung up the phone and stared at it. "Is there anyway I can get away with not going this afternoon?"
"No, I'll be there right beside you." He set the plate in front of her. "Eat your breakfast."
"I'm not hungry, but I'll eat to make you happy."
"It would make me very happy. Then we need to get home and talk to Derek and Megan."
"I would rather wait until I know for sure what is going on."
"I already called and kept him home today, we're going to tell him this morning."
"Yes sir." She ate her breakfast and then went to get dressed.
******
Later that morning at the nest the team was making out their reports as Frank and Elaina arrived. "What are you guys doing here?" Monica was surprised to see them; Elaina walked over and sat down with her.
"Last I heard I still work here." Frank says walking to his office. "I called Andy Rawlinson he's going to come by here so I can speak to him. Instead of driving to my office and then back to the hospital."
"So you're going in today?" Alex came over to join her and Monica.
"No time like the present." Elaina smiled weakly.
"Have you talked to Derek yet?"
"We just got back from there. He took it the way I thought he would. He wanted to be with me today too, but I don't want him there."
Jake walked over and sat with them. "How about I go riding and keep Derek occupied today."
"You can if you don't have any work to do here. I would like for him to have someone around to talk to. He doesn't open up to Megan."
Frank came back downstairs and joined them.
"What are those three up to?" He was looking at Cody, Maria and Sab.
"I'm not sure they been over there since we got here. I'll just go find out then." Elaina walks over to them. "Why aren't you huddled with us? Planning a bank robbery or something?"
"Something, but we can't say what just yet." Maria smiled at her cousin.
"I know that smile from the past. I never cared for it then or now. What are you planning?"
"That's for us to know and you to find out later." Sab replies.
"Okay I won't ask anymore questions, I think I figured it out. By the way thanks for the flowers they were beautiful." She had noticed they glanced at Frank while they were being questioned. She walked back over and sat down next to him. "You have them planning a party for Derek don't you, knowing I might be in the hospital for his birthday?"
"Cody told you didn't he?" Frank looked at Cody accusingly.
"Nope you did by asking what they were up to." Elaina smiled.
"I didn't want you to have to worry about it."
"So you called them from your office and told them what to do. That was really sneaky."
"Not sneaky enough though." Jake observed. "You figured it out."
"I'm just a damn good agent. Right Frank?" She slapped him on the arm.
"Agent Rawlinson is here." Cody was looking at the security monitors.
"Good, can I use your office?" Elaina asks.
"What if I said no?" Frank answers.
"I'll do it anyway." Elaina met Andy as he walked in. "Hello Andy. We'll go up to Frank's office to talk." They went upstairs and she finds the door is locked. She took out her keys to unlock it. "He does this to irritate me."
"When did he put the sign up?" Andy asked pointing to a sign as they entered.
It read: Check all weapons at the door.
"That's new to me. Must have done it recently, I was here the other day, never mind." Elaina says remembering the last time she was in the office. "Well I'm going to ask you straight out. How would you like to take over for me?"
"Take over your job? Why?" Andy asks in confusion.
"I have to go on sick leave for a while. I thought you might want to get a taste of how it feels to be Boss for a while."
"May I ask why you're going on sick leave?"
"I need to have some test done, probably surgery." Elaina replies.
"How long will you be gone?"
"A few weeks to start. I've been kicking around the idea of resigning, but we haven't made up my mind yet."
"You mean Frank is against you resigning?" Andy thought that hard to believe.
"I find it hard to believe, but last night he acted differently when I mentioned it. He told me to wait a while."
"Isn't it your decision to make?"
"We have decided all major decisions are to be made together whether it be home or work. So do you want to take over while I'm out or not?" Elaina asks.
"Sure I think I can handle it. Frank and I seem to get along well."
"Well I know that you can do it. If the others give you a hard time, I will be back and kick their asses.
"They probably won't, knowing you as they do." Andy says.
"At times I think I've told them too much about me. They aren't as scared of me as they should be. So as of now you are acting Special Agent in charge of this division." Elaina shook his hand. "Good luck you're going to need it." Elaina opened the door.
"Did you have to say that?" They both laughed as they walked out the door together.
"Okay guys this is your temporary boss while I'm out of commission. Play nice, he is just as mean as I am." Elaina winked at him.
"He looks pretty tame to me." Alex says.
"Looks can be deceiving Agent Cross." Andy smiled at her. "I'll see you later Elaina, I hope everything goes okay. Frank take good care of her."
"I plan to don't worry." Frank walked him to the door. "We better be going ourselves." He said walking over to Elaina.
"I don't want to go."
"Lady get up." He pulled on her arm. "Let go of the chair you big baby."
"I hate hospitals have I ever mentioned that before?" Elaina asks whining.
"Yes!" came from all the team.
"Well I guess Frank will let you know what happens. Jake again thanks for going out with Derek." Elaina says as she gets out of her chair.
"I'm going right now. Think positive okay?" Jake kisses her on the cheek.
"Don't kiss my wife." Frank pushes Jake playfully.
"Let's go before I really chicken out." They left the nest and headed to the hospital.
"I really hope she gets good news. She doesn't deserve anything bad." Monica says as she went back to writing her report.
"She was putting up a brave front until she had to leave. That was the first time I saw actual fear in her eyes." Alex adds.
*****
At the hospital Elaina was given several tests. Maria arrived after she helped make the plans for the party. It was early evening by the time they were done with the tests. When Elaina came back to her room she was tired and fell asleep. The doctor called Frank into the hallway so they wouldn't disturb her.
"I have some of the tests back and they are very encouraging, I won't know for sure until we get the rest of them back. I would still like for her to have the tumor and ovary removed as soon as possible." The doctor explains.
"Even if the tests show there's no cancer?"
"Yes. There is a possibility that she could develop more tumors if we don't remove it." Dr. Nathan replies. "I'll discuss this with her in the morning. You both need to get some rest. Good night."
"Thank you Doc." Frank went back in and sat next to Elaina.
Maria walked over to him and softly asked. "Was it good news?"
"He said encouraging, but still waiting on the rest of the tests."
"I hope they are all encouraging."
"Me too."
Elaina heard Frank's voice and woke up. "How long have I been asleep?"
"Not long about a half hour. Just go back to sleep you need your rest." Frank replies.
"Has the doctor been here?" Elaina asks sitting up.
"We just talked; he only has some of the test back." Frank replies as he helps her get comfortable. "He still wants you to have the surgery no matter what the tests show."
"What did he say about the results so far?"
Frank sighed he didn't want to her to get her hopes up. "He said he would talk to you in the morning about them."
"It's bad news I knew it."
"Why are you being so negative?" Maria asks.
"If there was good news he would tell me not make me suffer all night waiting."
"Listen I want you to quit worrying about the tests for now. Why don't you just try to get some rest?" Frank asks.
"You tell me one more time to get some rest and you'll be sharing this room with me." Elaina threatens him.
"Frank I think you should tell her." Maria suggests.
"Hiding something again Frank?"
"Doc said that the tests were encouraging, but that didn't mean that the other test would be the same."
She turned away from him in the bed. "Thanks for telling me, now be quite so I can sleep."
"Wait a minute no discussion as to why I kept it from you?" Frank asks in confusion.
"You were just trying to protect me; at least I hope that is why you did it."
"It is." He leaned over and kissed her good night. "I'll be right here if you want anything."
"I'm going back to Sabrina's she's letting me stay there until I get my house fixed up. If you need me call, okay." Maria says.
"I will. Good night and thanks for being here." Frank walked her to the door and a nurse came in to check on Elaina.
"I'm sorry but the doctor said to let you know he scheduled surgery for you first thing in the morning. He would have told you but he had an emergency."
"Why do I feel I was left out of the loop deciding about surgery?" Elaina asks.
"He knows you too well to let you think about it. He did say it was needed." Frank replies walking back over to the bed.
"I know but he is forcing the issue a little."
"You can always have it rescheduled if you need more time to think about it."
"No I want to get it over with. The doctor knows that and so do you. Sit here and hold me till I go to sleep." She moved over in the bed and he got in beside her. She kissed him and settled in tight next to him as he put his arms around her. "I love you."
"I love you too my Lady." He held her close as she drifted off to sleep. After he knew she was asleep he left the room to make a few phone calls.
"Reese, this is Frank. Elaina is in the hospital." Frank says as Reese picks up.
"What happened?" Reese asks.
"She has another tumor we don't know if it's cancer yet. She's having surgery in the morning." Frank explains.
"I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Don't let Miranda come she won't be welcomed here."
"I understand. I don't think she'll want to come. I'll call Mom and Dad for you." Reese offers.
"Thanks I'd appreciate that."
"I'll leave after I make the call see you soon Frank."
"Okay thanks again."
*****
The next morning early Jake woke Derek to go to the hospital. "Rise and shine Derek we need to leave in a half hour."
"Thanks for staying here last night. I hope you slept okay." Derek says as he turns over.
"Except for the one time Sarah cried, I did pretty well." Jake replies.
"I was out like a light, I didn't hear her. Was she okay?" Derek asks.
"Meg said she had a bad dream, she rocked her back to sleep."
"Do you think Mom would want Sarah there?"
"She probably would but I think we should let your parents decide when she goes."
"You're right."
"Now get moving or well be late." Jake pulled the blankets off of him to get him to move.
*****
At Sab's place she and Maria were getting ready to go. "Maria are you sure Frank wants us there? I mean I know that Elaina said it was okay but I wasn't sure he would want us there."
"Elaina considers all of you as extended family."
"Did she pick up strays as a child? She seems to be the type." Sab giggled.
"Come to think of it she did have a stray cat she took care of once." Maria replies also giggling.
"She has become a great friend of mine; I have some one close by to tell my troubles to."
"Sorry to hear you have troubles but then we all do at some point. Elaina is a terrific friend to have as long as you don't cross her. Then she can be your worst enemy."
"I've seen that side of her a few times and she is scary to be around."
*****
At the hospital they were prepping Elaina for surgery when the Doctor showed up with the rest of the results. "Good morning how's my patient?"
"I would like to know when I could go home after the surgery."
"Barring no complications I'll let you go tomorrow. That is the earliest I will let you go so don't protest." Dr. Nathan explains.
"I'm not going to protest, but what kind of complications are you referring to?" Elaina asks worried.
"What the biopsy shows from the tumor."
"What did the other test results show?"
"They don't show any sign that you have cancer."
"That's great news right?" Frank asks.
"Not really the biopsy could show that it is cancer and that the tests aren't picking it up yet?"
"How often does that happen?" Elaina asked scared of the answer.
"Not very."
"So you are just trying to scare me to death."
"I'm doing my job of informing you of all possibilities."
"Thank you Doc." Frank says.
"I'll leave the two of you alone for a while. The orderlies will be here in a little while to take you to surgery." He left the room.
"I'll be glad when this is over with. The time seems to be dragging." Elaina sighs.
There was a knock at the door they both looked and saw Jake and Derek. "Don't just stand there come see your Mom." Frank says to Derek.
"Hi, are you feeling okay?" Derek sits on the edge of the bed. Elaina hugs him.
"I'm fine sweetie; this surgery is just a way of keeping anything bad from developing." Elaina explains to him.
"I was worried about you. Jake stayed at the house last night, we talked and it helped me cope with all this. I just wish I could have been here with you and Dad." Derek says as he hugs her.
"I know that is what you wanted, but I think I made the right decision in keeping you away."
"I love you Mom." He gave his mom another bear hug.
"I love you too sweetie. I want you to keep your Dad in line while I'm in surgery. Don't let him bother the nurses about how the surgery is going okay?"
"I'll try you know how he is though." Derek jokes as he pulls away from her.
"I'll help you Derek, I know where to get a pair of handcuffs if we have to use them." Jake jokes.
"I'm in the same room you know." Frank pulls Derek off the bed so he could sit down. "Don't worry about any of us we will be fine. I promise to behave myself."
"You better; I have witnesses to you saying that." They kissed so long that Derek and Jake stepped outside. "I think we just ran them out of the room."
"I don't care." He kissed her again, this time they were interrupted by the orderlies.
"Time to go Mrs. Donovan." One orderly said.
"See you when you get out." Frank told her.
Maria and Sab were waiting outside the door as Elaina was wheeled out. "We're keeping our figures crossed." Maria says. Elaina smiled as they took her away.
******
After the surgery Elaina slept almost the rest of the day. She would wake up but was too groggy to talk. It was evening before she woke up totally. "Hi Mom."
"Hi Honey, What time is it?" Elaina says a bit groggy as she looks around for a clock.
"About 7:00pm. We were beginning to think you were going to sleep until tomorrow." Derek says as he pulls his chair closer.
"This has been the best sleep I've had in a few months, I was enjoying it. Where's your Dad?' Elaina asks as she notices that he wasn't in the room.
"He went for a walk, want me to find him?" Derek offers.
"He'll be back, I'll wait." Elaina says as she straightens herself in bed. "Has the doctor said anything about the surgery?"
"Not yet but he did want to know when you are awake, I'll go tell the nurse. I'll be right back don't go anywhere."
"I don't think I will." She watched him go out the door.
Frank met Derek in the hallway. "Is your Mom awake?"
"Yeah I was just going to tell the nurse and find you." Derek replies.
Frank went in to the room and saw Elaina sitting up. "Are you sure you want to be sitting up so soon?"
"I feel fine; so far I don't have any pain." Frank kisses her and gives her a hug. "That didn't hurt did it?"
"No, I could use another hug and kiss." He did as she asked only this time she wouldn't let go.
"I'm sure the doctor will be here soon and if you keep squeezing me this tight I'm going to be his next patient."
"Sorry I'm just nervous." She broke her hold on him.
Derek and the doctor walked in the room together. "How are you feeling"?
"I guess you'll tell me."
"I can stay right Mom?" Derek asks.
"Sure you can. So don't keep us in suspense any longer." Elaina says turning to the doctor.
"Well the biopsy showed there was a small amount of cancer." He saw the scared look on their faces and then smiled. "But that is actually good news. The tumor was enclosed in a sac, that sac is what protected you from the cancer spreading right away. We got it out in time and as far as I'm concerned you are in great shape for years to come."
Elaina squealed with relief. "That is what I wanted to hear. Thank you, thank you, thank you." She hugged Derek and Frank. "Derek please go get Maria and who ever else is here, I want to tell them."
"The room is going to fill up fast so I will leave you to tell the others. I'll make sure you are released tomorrow. I know better than to keep you here any longer than that." Stated the doctor.
Derek led the rest of the group in to see Elaina. "Well the doctor was right this place did get full. Reese? I didn't know you were here."
Reese came over and kissed her on the forehead. "Frank called me last night and I came in after you were already in surgery, my flight was delayed. That's what I get for not flying myself."
"Why didn't you?"
"I was too nervous and worried about you." Reese replies.
"Well tell us the news we can't stand it any longer." Cody demanded. He and Sab were standing to together, him with his arms wrapped around her.
"I'm going to be fine. If I had waited longer I wouldn't have been, but there is no cancer to reckon with." Elaina replies.
"That's great we're so happy for you." Monica said.
"No more dark clouds hanging over you, now cousin." Maria hugged her cousin.
"Thanks to all of you for being here, you don't know how much it has meant to me." Elaina's smile seemed to brighten the room.
"It's been a long day, I think I'm going to take Sab and Maria out to eat and then take them home. Anyone want to join us?" Cody offered.
"If you're buying I'll go." Monica replies.
"I'll stick around and take Derek back; he needs to tell Megan the news." Jake replies.
"That's right, Derek you better go tell her before she gets mad at all of us." Frank told him.
"Alex what are your plans?" Sab asks her.
"If Jake and Derek don't mind, I'll go with them."
"We don't mind do we Derek?" Jake asked. Derek shook his head no.
"We'll see you all tomorrow when I get out of here." Elaina told them as they all filed out of the room. "Reese will you stay a few minutes please?"
"Miranda told you what happened between us?"
"Yes and she is very sorry about that too." Reese replies.
"She should be. I want you to tell her that I still can't forgive her for what she did or how she brought it to light. I know what stress can do to a pregnancy I want her to concentrate on that. Someday we will talk, but that is a long way off." Elaina explains.
"She wanted me to tell you that she is keeping the baby and that she wants you two as the Godparents." Reese adds.
"She's amazing; after all of this she still thinks we would do that?" Frank asks.
"She's hoping that you wouldn't deny her child the opportunity to have both of you in his life." Reese explains.
"She's having a boy?" Elaina asks.
"Yes. She found out last week. Will you do it for the sake of the baby?" Reese asks.
She looked at Frank and he shook his head yes.
"Alright for the baby's sake we'll do it." "She stifled a yawn.
"I better let you rest so you can leave here tomorrow."
"One more thing brother dear. You are just as much to blame as anyone; you are the one that took Frank out drinking that night." Elaina adds
"I know that and I'm sorry too. Good night sis."
"Good night big brother." Reese left the room.
"Now that all the drama and uncertainty is over, I would like to say something to you Lady."
"Before you do can I say something?" Elaina asks.
"Sure, what is it?"
"I love that you have gone back to calling me Lady. It's been a long time and I missed it." Elaina replies.
"Tell you the truth I don't know why I ever stopped. Could have been our attitudes toward each other."
"So what did you want to say to me?" Elaina asks.
"If you will promise me not to go on field assignments, I will let you break your promise to resign. I know that you really don't want to quit all together and if you did I think there will still be tension in the marriage." Frank explains.
"I told Andy I might resign, but I think I have a better idea as to how to handle my work load. I am going to give Andy more authority. We can work as equals running this division. That will help me have more free time and let him become better acquainted with how to do the job on a long-term basis." Elaina explains.
"Sounds like a plan to me. And I think Andy will like the idea too."
"So you're positive you do not want me to resign, no regrets in the future?" Elaina asks.
"I'm positive I'll have regrets in the future." He jokes.
"Frank Donovan!"
"Okay I'll have no regrets letting you not resign." He kisses her to seal the deal.
******
The next day Elaina came home from the hospital to see luggage in the hallway. "Why is that here and who does it belong too?" Elaina wondered.
"Maria is staying here for a few days. Megan has a family crisis and has to go home." Frank replies.
"What happened?" Elaina asks worriedly.
"Her Mom and Dad were in an accident. Before you get too upset they are okay nothing too serious, she just wants to visit a while." Frank explains to her.
"Good I'm glad they are okay, but why is Maria staying I thought she wanted to get back to work fast?"
"She wants to spend some time with you and the kids and she took a leave of absence so she could." Maria came down stairs with Megan.
"Am I being talked about?" Maria inquired. "You should be sitting down not standing here talking." She led Elaina over to the couch.
"You're not going to mother hen me all the time you're here, are you?" Elaina asks as she sits down.
"Only when I can get away with it." Maria giggles.
"Where is this party supposed to be for our son tonight?" Elaina asks.
"Here. Sab is coming over in a little bit to help decorate and Jake is keeping Derek occupied at the church playing basketball with the other boys there." Maria answers.
"Frank will you help me up stairs I want to lay down for a while. I'm beginning to like this sleep thing I started in the hospital." Elaina says to her husband.
"We made a bed up in the office for you so you don't have to take the stairs." Frank replies.
"I thought you would carry me?"
"Only if I have too. I don't want to end up in traction." Frank jokes.
"Oh you will pay for that remark as soon as I figure out how."
"That sounds promising."
"You can be so ."
"Loving and caring to my beautiful wife." Frank finishes off for her.
"Man is it ever getting deep in here." Maria says laughing at them.
"Okay take me to this bed you have made, just wake me an hour before the party so I can change."
"What are you going to change into?" Frank teased.
"I'm going to change into someone you don't want to mess with if you don't quit joking around." He took her to the office and lay next to her until she fell asleep.
****** Sab and Maria decorated the living room with help from Frank and Cody moving the furniture around to make room for everyone. Elaina was up and supervising the work and tried to help when Maria wasn't looking.
"I'm going to shower and change clothes; come on Lady if I don't get you out of here Maria is going to chain you down." Frank says to Elaina as he picked her up.
"One smart remark about me being heavy I'll make sure you fall down the steps soon." Elaina warned him.
"You are light as a feather my dear." Frank says climbing the stairs.
******
Later as the guest were arriving Frank and Elaina asked Derek to go outside with them to greet them. Alex was the last to arrive. A brand new Dodge Intrepid pulled up in front of Derek. Alex got out of it. "Wow that is a great car Alex. Did you just get it?" Derek asks admiring the car.
"No I didn't. I picked it up for a friend." She handed Derek the keys.
He looked to his Mom and Dad. "Is this mine?"
"Until you get a speeding ticket it is." Frank warned. "Happy Birthday!"
"Mom thanks I really didn't expect this after what I did. I really don't deserve this."
"You're right you don't and you aren't actually going to drive it until you serve out your punishment." Elaina says as she took the keys back from him.
"I understand." Derek went over and checked out the car.
"Looks like everyone is here let's get this party going." Elaina says as they all walked in the house.
The end.
Back at the apartment Sab and Jake arrive to find Frank sitting on the couch with his ankle packed in ice and Elaina lying asleep on his shoulder. Cody, Alex, Monica and Maria were in the kitchen eating. "Save any food for us?" Sab took the sandwich that Cody was eating.
"Can't you make your own?" Cody grabbed it back before she could eat it. "Better yet let me make one for you."
Cody went to the countertop and proceeded to make Sab's sandwich. "Here you go my lady." He handed her the sandwich.
Sab bit into in and spit it back out very quickly and grabbed a drink. "What the hell did you put on this?" Cody was laughing so hard he didn't notice she was taking a swing at him.
She knocked him of his chair making him land at Jakes feet. "If I were you Cody I would stay down there."
"I can't believe you would put Tabasco Sauce on my sandwich. Jake is right you stay down there." Sab yells him. "And also I'm still mad at you from earlier."
Sab walks to the counter to fix herself another sandwich.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you." Cody says getting off the floor. "I didn't think you wanted to know I went out with Maria in the academy."
Sab turns around with anger in her eyes. "You went out with her?"
"She didn't tell you?" Cody asks as he feels as if he stepped into it.
"Uh no." Sab yells at him.
"Cody, I'd run like mad if I were you." Jake says putting a hand on his shoulder.
"You don't have to tell me twice." Cody says as Sab continues to stare at him furiously.
They were getting too loud with their laughing and talking and Frank threw a pillow into the room to get their attention. Alex and Monica looked in that direction.
"Quite down in there." He whispered.
"Hey we're getting too loud, Boss says to quite down." Alex told all of them.
"I'm not asleep I'm just resting my eyes." Elaina looks up at Frank.
"They were still too loud. Do you want to tell Maria what is going on, I can tell the others to go home?" Frank asks her.
"Do you have any objections to my telling them too?"
"It's up to you, they do care about you."
"Hey could everyone come in here I want to say something." Elaina yelled right in Frank's ear. "Sorry didn't mean to do that."
"That's okay I can read lips now that I'm deaf." He laughed and she playfully smacked him in the head.
The team and Maria walked in wondering what she would have to say. "I suppose you want us to leave now that the case is over?" Maria asks.
"Not really, it isn't over until he is in jail permanently. I have to tell you all something. I should tell you Maria in private but I don't think I could say it twice. So please forgive me."
Seeing her cousin's distress she held her hand. "Go ahead I'll understand."
"As Cody knows I had a call from my doctor this morning. Last week I had my semiannual check up. One of my tests came back with bad news."
She saw everyone start to worry about what was going to be said. "When I was pregnant with Sarah, I found out that I also had a tumor in one of my ovaries. They said it was cancer, and that I should have it removed. They also wanted to terminate the pregnancy so I could have therapy, when I refused I knew that my chances were going to go steadily down hill of beating it." Elaina explains. "The complications that I had stemmed from the tumor growing as Sarah did, it caused the premature labor and the bleeding. Now my doctor thinks that it maybe coming back." Elaina got up and walked away from them she wasn't ready for too many questions.
Maria followed her cousin. "When are you going in the hospital?"
"I have to call tomorrow to set it up."
"Do you want me to be there with you and Frank?"
"I would very much like that. I'm sure Frank would appreciate someone waiting with him." She hugged Maria.
"I guess I should go back in there, Frank is probably getting a lot of questions thrown at him." She looked in to see that Frank was talking quietly to the team.
"Both of you seem to be pretty open about your lives to them." Maria's observation made Elaina laugh. "What's so funny?"
"I am more open than Frank, he would have them in the dark yet that we are married, except that last summer during vacation things happened that caused the change."
"Sab and Cody told me some of what happened."
"If you want to know anything those are the two to talk too." They walked back in and Elaina sat back down next to Frank.
"What questions have you had to answer?" Elaina asks.
"When are you going? What will be done? Can they be there?" Frank replies.
"What were your answers?"
"You'll call tomorrow. Surgery. And they had to ask you."
"I don't mind if they want to wait, but if they have assignments they are to work first." She looked at all of them as she said it. "The justice department won't stop sending cases just because your boss is on sick leave."
"I thought you were resigning now that this case is over?" Cody asked hopeful that she changed her mind.
"I have a few loose ends to take care of, but I will resign."
"If you need a sitter on Megan's day off one of us will fill in. If we are not working." Monica stressed.
"I will remember that." Frank replies.
"I think we should get back to the nest and leave them alone." Alex suggests.
"You don't have to leave right away."
"Yes they do they have paper work to do right?" Frank wanted them to leave.
"Right." They all said together.
"Maria you might want to stay at a hotel your place is a mess." Elaina told her.
"Not necessary she can stay with me tonight." Sab offered.
"I think I'll take you up on that Sab." Maria and Sab both saw that Cody felt uneasy about the two of them being alone to talk about him.
"All of you drive safe and take care." Elaina says as the phone rang. "I'll get it don't move." She said it to Frank. "Hello..okay thank you for calling. That was the guard at the hospital Thomas didn't make it, seems your problems are over with Maria."
"Thank goodness I can go back to work now." Maria sighed.
"You two are alike." Frank says staring at Elaina. "You both love your work."
"I just like making the world a safer place." Maria giggled as they all left.
"I didn't think they would ever leave." Frank says trying to stand on his ankle.
"Where are you going?"
"No where, I just wanted to see if I could stand." Frank replies.
"You can, now try walking."
Frank walked over to her without much trouble. "See all better now."
"Liar it hurts like hell. I can tell remember." She put her arms around his waist and he took his weight off his ankle. "You should have it x-rayed."
"It's only twisted it will be fine in the morning. Don't worry about me; I want to talk to you."
"About what? My not resigning as fast as you thought?"
"I told you on the way here that I didn't want you to resign yet." Frank says.
"That is definitely puzzling me. Why do you want me to wait?" Elaina asks.
"I don't want you to wait; I don't want you to resign exactly."
"You have been after me to quit for months, why the change?"
"I never wanted you to quit altogether, just field assignments. You'll drive the family crazy if you quit completely."
"I want to quit and you're going to stop me from doing it?" Elaina asks surprised.
"If you want to quit then quit, but don't say I didn't try to stop you."
"So that's the reason, you just don't want to take the blame for my resigning?"
Frank sighed. "It has to be your decision."
"Okay I will reconsider it. I do have to talk to Andy anyway; I was going to ask him to take over while I was out on sick leave."
"He's a good choice."
"I come up with good ideas too. Like the one I'm coming up with now if you're up to it." She kissed him.
"I definitely like that idea, lead the way."
"More like support you the way." Elaina giggles.
"Move it lady. The pain is going away as we speak."
"I must be a miracle worker if that kiss took away the pain." She held on to him as they walked to the bedroom.
**********
The next morning at Sab's apartment, Maria made breakfast for the two of them. "Good morning Sab. Hope you're hungry, when I get worried I cook.
"I think I can manage a little something to eat. I'm worried too. Do you think that her cancer is coming back?"
"Elaina kept her true feelings from me, but she is scared that it is. If it is caught early she has a better chance of beating it again." Maria explains.
"Why wouldn't the doctors have taken both ovaries the first time?" Sab asks sitting down at the counter.
"It's the hormone thing. If the cancer had not spread to the other ovary they keep them in for hormone production. It's healthier for the woman."
"Yeah, but now she has to go through surgery again and who knows what else."
"Could you imagine the mood swings she's going to have now?" Maria asks.
"What do you mean?" Sab asks in confusion.
"She has always had trouble with her temper and moods, but with a hormone imbalance like she's going to have, let's just say I'm glad I don't live with her."
"I'm sure the doctor will give her hormone replacement therapy won't he?"
"I hope so for Frank's sake. Not to mention every person in a 20 mile radius of her." Maria laughed. "I'm sorry I also tend to make bad jokes when I'm upset and worried."
"Laughter is the best medicine or so they say." Sab says as she stares off at the counter.
"Something wrong?" Maria asks taking a seat on the other side.
"It's nothing." Sab says looking up at her.
"It's about how Cody never told you we went out, right?"
"Yeah, a little." Sab replies. "I don't like it when he keeps things from me."
"Well that was in the past. He actually helped me out more then just school." Maria says.
"What do you mean?"
"During school I was an alcoholic and that was also why my grades were failing. Cody was asked to tutor me and one night he found me drunk and put two and two together." Maria explains. "He helped me to get help and we grew closer during that time and we started dating. But it didn't last long. We knew we were better off as friends. That's probably part of the reason why he didn't tell you. He didn't want anyone to know about my past."
"Oh." Sab says as a knock at the door interrupts them.
"That's probably Cody to pick me up." Sab went to the door. "We don't want any, sell to the neighbors."
"I come bearing gifts." Cody answers.
"Gifts?" Sab opens the door. Cody had both hands behind his back. "Gimme, gimme. What do you have for me?"
"Not just for you." He handed Sab a bouquet of white roses with one red rose in the middle. "These are for you and these are for Maria." He handed Maria a bouquet of pink carnations with one white rose in the center.
"You remembered all these years." Maria was surprised.
"Remembered what?" Sab was suspicious as to what she meant.
"This is the arrangement that Elaina and her sister Miranda would send on my birthday. Reese on the other hand would send deep red almost black roses with one white in the center."
"Is it your birthday today?"
"No I just wanted to cheer you both up. I knew you'd be worried." Cody explained.
"Thank you Cody." Maria kissed him on the cheek. "I think we both needed cheering up. I just hope Frank is keeping Elaina's spirits up."
"I sent flowers to the apartment too, from all of us. Hope you don't mind."
"That was very thoughtful of you Cody. No wonder I love you so much." Sab kissed him deeply.
"What was that for?" Cody asks as Sab pulls away from him.
"Nothing. Just for being as sweet as you are."
******
At the apartment Frank was cooking breakfast, when Elaina came from the bedroom. "So much for breakfast in bed." He kissed her good morning.
"I'm willing to go back to bed if you had your heart set on it." She put her arms around him and held him tight. "I have a question for you first."
"What would my lady like to know?"
She waved her hand in his face. "Your lady would like to have her wedding ring back."
"I lost it." He went back to cooking.
"Liar. Where is it?" She searched his pant pockets. "Frank I want my ring back now!"
"Okay I'll get it." He walked over to his jacket and removed a chain for its pocket. "I put it on here with mine so it would be with me even when I'm working." He took it off the chain and put the chain around his neck.
"Wait a minute." She took the chain back from his neck and took his ring off it. "Give me your hand." He held out his hand and she placed the ring on his finger. "They know that you are married there is no reason for you not to wear it."
"Your hand Lady." She held out her hand and he placed the ring on her finger and kissed it. "Next time I won't give it back."
"There won't be a next time. Cross my heart and hope to. I guess under the circumstances that may not be a good thing to say." There was a knock at the door.
Frank answered the door and was given the flowers. "These must be for you. Here's the card." He handed her the card and flowers. He went back to finishing breakfast. He saw that she had tears in her eyes as he came back to the table. "Who are they from?"
"The team and Maria. My guess is that Cody sent them his name is first." She showed him the card.
"Why don't you call and thank them later?" Frank suggested.
Elaina looked at the clock. "I think I should be making another call that is more important don't you think?"
"I suppose you should get it over with." He handed her the phone.
"Well here we go." She dialed the phone and waited. "Yes this is Mrs. Donovan; I would like to talk to Dr. Nathan please. Yes I will hold." Elaina waited for the doctor to answer.
"Elaina, how do you feel?" Dr. Nathan asks as he gets on the other line.
"Why does every doctor ask that question?"
"Because we're doctors."
"Okay, when do you want me for more tests?"
"When can you get to St. Augustine's?" Dr. Nathan asks.
"That soon? I can be there this afternoon, about 1:00. I have something to do at the office first." Elaina replies.
"That will be fine. I'll have a room waiting for you. See you then."
Elaina hung up the phone and stared at it. "Is there anyway I can get away with not going this afternoon?"
"No, I'll be there right beside you." He set the plate in front of her. "Eat your breakfast."
"I'm not hungry, but I'll eat to make you happy."
"It would make me very happy. Then we need to get home and talk to Derek and Megan."
"I would rather wait until I know for sure what is going on."
"I already called and kept him home today, we're going to tell him this morning."
"Yes sir." She ate her breakfast and then went to get dressed.
******
Later that morning at the nest the team was making out their reports as Frank and Elaina arrived. "What are you guys doing here?" Monica was surprised to see them; Elaina walked over and sat down with her.
"Last I heard I still work here." Frank says walking to his office. "I called Andy Rawlinson he's going to come by here so I can speak to him. Instead of driving to my office and then back to the hospital."
"So you're going in today?" Alex came over to join her and Monica.
"No time like the present." Elaina smiled weakly.
"Have you talked to Derek yet?"
"We just got back from there. He took it the way I thought he would. He wanted to be with me today too, but I don't want him there."
Jake walked over and sat with them. "How about I go riding and keep Derek occupied today."
"You can if you don't have any work to do here. I would like for him to have someone around to talk to. He doesn't open up to Megan."
Frank came back downstairs and joined them.
"What are those three up to?" He was looking at Cody, Maria and Sab.
"I'm not sure they been over there since we got here. I'll just go find out then." Elaina walks over to them. "Why aren't you huddled with us? Planning a bank robbery or something?"
"Something, but we can't say what just yet." Maria smiled at her cousin.
"I know that smile from the past. I never cared for it then or now. What are you planning?"
"That's for us to know and you to find out later." Sab replies.
"Okay I won't ask anymore questions, I think I figured it out. By the way thanks for the flowers they were beautiful." She had noticed they glanced at Frank while they were being questioned. She walked back over and sat down next to him. "You have them planning a party for Derek don't you, knowing I might be in the hospital for his birthday?"
"Cody told you didn't he?" Frank looked at Cody accusingly.
"Nope you did by asking what they were up to." Elaina smiled.
"I didn't want you to have to worry about it."
"So you called them from your office and told them what to do. That was really sneaky."
"Not sneaky enough though." Jake observed. "You figured it out."
"I'm just a damn good agent. Right Frank?" She slapped him on the arm.
"Agent Rawlinson is here." Cody was looking at the security monitors.
"Good, can I use your office?" Elaina asks.
"What if I said no?" Frank answers.
"I'll do it anyway." Elaina met Andy as he walked in. "Hello Andy. We'll go up to Frank's office to talk." They went upstairs and she finds the door is locked. She took out her keys to unlock it. "He does this to irritate me."
"When did he put the sign up?" Andy asked pointing to a sign as they entered.
It read: Check all weapons at the door.
"That's new to me. Must have done it recently, I was here the other day, never mind." Elaina says remembering the last time she was in the office. "Well I'm going to ask you straight out. How would you like to take over for me?"
"Take over your job? Why?" Andy asks in confusion.
"I have to go on sick leave for a while. I thought you might want to get a taste of how it feels to be Boss for a while."
"May I ask why you're going on sick leave?"
"I need to have some test done, probably surgery." Elaina replies.
"How long will you be gone?"
"A few weeks to start. I've been kicking around the idea of resigning, but we haven't made up my mind yet."
"You mean Frank is against you resigning?" Andy thought that hard to believe.
"I find it hard to believe, but last night he acted differently when I mentioned it. He told me to wait a while."
"Isn't it your decision to make?"
"We have decided all major decisions are to be made together whether it be home or work. So do you want to take over while I'm out or not?" Elaina asks.
"Sure I think I can handle it. Frank and I seem to get along well."
"Well I know that you can do it. If the others give you a hard time, I will be back and kick their asses.
"They probably won't, knowing you as they do." Andy says.
"At times I think I've told them too much about me. They aren't as scared of me as they should be. So as of now you are acting Special Agent in charge of this division." Elaina shook his hand. "Good luck you're going to need it." Elaina opened the door.
"Did you have to say that?" They both laughed as they walked out the door together.
"Okay guys this is your temporary boss while I'm out of commission. Play nice, he is just as mean as I am." Elaina winked at him.
"He looks pretty tame to me." Alex says.
"Looks can be deceiving Agent Cross." Andy smiled at her. "I'll see you later Elaina, I hope everything goes okay. Frank take good care of her."
"I plan to don't worry." Frank walked him to the door. "We better be going ourselves." He said walking over to Elaina.
"I don't want to go."
"Lady get up." He pulled on her arm. "Let go of the chair you big baby."
"I hate hospitals have I ever mentioned that before?" Elaina asks whining.
"Yes!" came from all the team.
"Well I guess Frank will let you know what happens. Jake again thanks for going out with Derek." Elaina says as she gets out of her chair.
"I'm going right now. Think positive okay?" Jake kisses her on the cheek.
"Don't kiss my wife." Frank pushes Jake playfully.
"Let's go before I really chicken out." They left the nest and headed to the hospital.
"I really hope she gets good news. She doesn't deserve anything bad." Monica says as she went back to writing her report.
"She was putting up a brave front until she had to leave. That was the first time I saw actual fear in her eyes." Alex adds.
*****
At the hospital Elaina was given several tests. Maria arrived after she helped make the plans for the party. It was early evening by the time they were done with the tests. When Elaina came back to her room she was tired and fell asleep. The doctor called Frank into the hallway so they wouldn't disturb her.
"I have some of the tests back and they are very encouraging, I won't know for sure until we get the rest of them back. I would still like for her to have the tumor and ovary removed as soon as possible." The doctor explains.
"Even if the tests show there's no cancer?"
"Yes. There is a possibility that she could develop more tumors if we don't remove it." Dr. Nathan replies. "I'll discuss this with her in the morning. You both need to get some rest. Good night."
"Thank you Doc." Frank went back in and sat next to Elaina.
Maria walked over to him and softly asked. "Was it good news?"
"He said encouraging, but still waiting on the rest of the tests."
"I hope they are all encouraging."
"Me too."
Elaina heard Frank's voice and woke up. "How long have I been asleep?"
"Not long about a half hour. Just go back to sleep you need your rest." Frank replies.
"Has the doctor been here?" Elaina asks sitting up.
"We just talked; he only has some of the test back." Frank replies as he helps her get comfortable. "He still wants you to have the surgery no matter what the tests show."
"What did he say about the results so far?"
Frank sighed he didn't want to her to get her hopes up. "He said he would talk to you in the morning about them."
"It's bad news I knew it."
"Why are you being so negative?" Maria asks.
"If there was good news he would tell me not make me suffer all night waiting."
"Listen I want you to quit worrying about the tests for now. Why don't you just try to get some rest?" Frank asks.
"You tell me one more time to get some rest and you'll be sharing this room with me." Elaina threatens him.
"Frank I think you should tell her." Maria suggests.
"Hiding something again Frank?"
"Doc said that the tests were encouraging, but that didn't mean that the other test would be the same."
She turned away from him in the bed. "Thanks for telling me, now be quite so I can sleep."
"Wait a minute no discussion as to why I kept it from you?" Frank asks in confusion.
"You were just trying to protect me; at least I hope that is why you did it."
"It is." He leaned over and kissed her good night. "I'll be right here if you want anything."
"I'm going back to Sabrina's she's letting me stay there until I get my house fixed up. If you need me call, okay." Maria says.
"I will. Good night and thanks for being here." Frank walked her to the door and a nurse came in to check on Elaina.
"I'm sorry but the doctor said to let you know he scheduled surgery for you first thing in the morning. He would have told you but he had an emergency."
"Why do I feel I was left out of the loop deciding about surgery?" Elaina asks.
"He knows you too well to let you think about it. He did say it was needed." Frank replies walking back over to the bed.
"I know but he is forcing the issue a little."
"You can always have it rescheduled if you need more time to think about it."
"No I want to get it over with. The doctor knows that and so do you. Sit here and hold me till I go to sleep." She moved over in the bed and he got in beside her. She kissed him and settled in tight next to him as he put his arms around her. "I love you."
"I love you too my Lady." He held her close as she drifted off to sleep. After he knew she was asleep he left the room to make a few phone calls.
"Reese, this is Frank. Elaina is in the hospital." Frank says as Reese picks up.
"What happened?" Reese asks.
"She has another tumor we don't know if it's cancer yet. She's having surgery in the morning." Frank explains.
"I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Don't let Miranda come she won't be welcomed here."
"I understand. I don't think she'll want to come. I'll call Mom and Dad for you." Reese offers.
"Thanks I'd appreciate that."
"I'll leave after I make the call see you soon Frank."
"Okay thanks again."
*****
The next morning early Jake woke Derek to go to the hospital. "Rise and shine Derek we need to leave in a half hour."
"Thanks for staying here last night. I hope you slept okay." Derek says as he turns over.
"Except for the one time Sarah cried, I did pretty well." Jake replies.
"I was out like a light, I didn't hear her. Was she okay?" Derek asks.
"Meg said she had a bad dream, she rocked her back to sleep."
"Do you think Mom would want Sarah there?"
"She probably would but I think we should let your parents decide when she goes."
"You're right."
"Now get moving or well be late." Jake pulled the blankets off of him to get him to move.
*****
At Sab's place she and Maria were getting ready to go. "Maria are you sure Frank wants us there? I mean I know that Elaina said it was okay but I wasn't sure he would want us there."
"Elaina considers all of you as extended family."
"Did she pick up strays as a child? She seems to be the type." Sab giggled.
"Come to think of it she did have a stray cat she took care of once." Maria replies also giggling.
"She has become a great friend of mine; I have some one close by to tell my troubles to."
"Sorry to hear you have troubles but then we all do at some point. Elaina is a terrific friend to have as long as you don't cross her. Then she can be your worst enemy."
"I've seen that side of her a few times and she is scary to be around."
*****
At the hospital they were prepping Elaina for surgery when the Doctor showed up with the rest of the results. "Good morning how's my patient?"
"I would like to know when I could go home after the surgery."
"Barring no complications I'll let you go tomorrow. That is the earliest I will let you go so don't protest." Dr. Nathan explains.
"I'm not going to protest, but what kind of complications are you referring to?" Elaina asks worried.
"What the biopsy shows from the tumor."
"What did the other test results show?"
"They don't show any sign that you have cancer."
"That's great news right?" Frank asks.
"Not really the biopsy could show that it is cancer and that the tests aren't picking it up yet?"
"How often does that happen?" Elaina asked scared of the answer.
"Not very."
"So you are just trying to scare me to death."
"I'm doing my job of informing you of all possibilities."
"Thank you Doc." Frank says.
"I'll leave the two of you alone for a while. The orderlies will be here in a little while to take you to surgery." He left the room.
"I'll be glad when this is over with. The time seems to be dragging." Elaina sighs.
There was a knock at the door they both looked and saw Jake and Derek. "Don't just stand there come see your Mom." Frank says to Derek.
"Hi, are you feeling okay?" Derek sits on the edge of the bed. Elaina hugs him.
"I'm fine sweetie; this surgery is just a way of keeping anything bad from developing." Elaina explains to him.
"I was worried about you. Jake stayed at the house last night, we talked and it helped me cope with all this. I just wish I could have been here with you and Dad." Derek says as he hugs her.
"I know that is what you wanted, but I think I made the right decision in keeping you away."
"I love you Mom." He gave his mom another bear hug.
"I love you too sweetie. I want you to keep your Dad in line while I'm in surgery. Don't let him bother the nurses about how the surgery is going okay?"
"I'll try you know how he is though." Derek jokes as he pulls away from her.
"I'll help you Derek, I know where to get a pair of handcuffs if we have to use them." Jake jokes.
"I'm in the same room you know." Frank pulls Derek off the bed so he could sit down. "Don't worry about any of us we will be fine. I promise to behave myself."
"You better; I have witnesses to you saying that." They kissed so long that Derek and Jake stepped outside. "I think we just ran them out of the room."
"I don't care." He kissed her again, this time they were interrupted by the orderlies.
"Time to go Mrs. Donovan." One orderly said.
"See you when you get out." Frank told her.
Maria and Sab were waiting outside the door as Elaina was wheeled out. "We're keeping our figures crossed." Maria says. Elaina smiled as they took her away.
******
After the surgery Elaina slept almost the rest of the day. She would wake up but was too groggy to talk. It was evening before she woke up totally. "Hi Mom."
"Hi Honey, What time is it?" Elaina says a bit groggy as she looks around for a clock.
"About 7:00pm. We were beginning to think you were going to sleep until tomorrow." Derek says as he pulls his chair closer.
"This has been the best sleep I've had in a few months, I was enjoying it. Where's your Dad?' Elaina asks as she notices that he wasn't in the room.
"He went for a walk, want me to find him?" Derek offers.
"He'll be back, I'll wait." Elaina says as she straightens herself in bed. "Has the doctor said anything about the surgery?"
"Not yet but he did want to know when you are awake, I'll go tell the nurse. I'll be right back don't go anywhere."
"I don't think I will." She watched him go out the door.
Frank met Derek in the hallway. "Is your Mom awake?"
"Yeah I was just going to tell the nurse and find you." Derek replies.
Frank went in to the room and saw Elaina sitting up. "Are you sure you want to be sitting up so soon?"
"I feel fine; so far I don't have any pain." Frank kisses her and gives her a hug. "That didn't hurt did it?"
"No, I could use another hug and kiss." He did as she asked only this time she wouldn't let go.
"I'm sure the doctor will be here soon and if you keep squeezing me this tight I'm going to be his next patient."
"Sorry I'm just nervous." She broke her hold on him.
Derek and the doctor walked in the room together. "How are you feeling"?
"I guess you'll tell me."
"I can stay right Mom?" Derek asks.
"Sure you can. So don't keep us in suspense any longer." Elaina says turning to the doctor.
"Well the biopsy showed there was a small amount of cancer." He saw the scared look on their faces and then smiled. "But that is actually good news. The tumor was enclosed in a sac, that sac is what protected you from the cancer spreading right away. We got it out in time and as far as I'm concerned you are in great shape for years to come."
Elaina squealed with relief. "That is what I wanted to hear. Thank you, thank you, thank you." She hugged Derek and Frank. "Derek please go get Maria and who ever else is here, I want to tell them."
"The room is going to fill up fast so I will leave you to tell the others. I'll make sure you are released tomorrow. I know better than to keep you here any longer than that." Stated the doctor.
Derek led the rest of the group in to see Elaina. "Well the doctor was right this place did get full. Reese? I didn't know you were here."
Reese came over and kissed her on the forehead. "Frank called me last night and I came in after you were already in surgery, my flight was delayed. That's what I get for not flying myself."
"Why didn't you?"
"I was too nervous and worried about you." Reese replies.
"Well tell us the news we can't stand it any longer." Cody demanded. He and Sab were standing to together, him with his arms wrapped around her.
"I'm going to be fine. If I had waited longer I wouldn't have been, but there is no cancer to reckon with." Elaina replies.
"That's great we're so happy for you." Monica said.
"No more dark clouds hanging over you, now cousin." Maria hugged her cousin.
"Thanks to all of you for being here, you don't know how much it has meant to me." Elaina's smile seemed to brighten the room.
"It's been a long day, I think I'm going to take Sab and Maria out to eat and then take them home. Anyone want to join us?" Cody offered.
"If you're buying I'll go." Monica replies.
"I'll stick around and take Derek back; he needs to tell Megan the news." Jake replies.
"That's right, Derek you better go tell her before she gets mad at all of us." Frank told him.
"Alex what are your plans?" Sab asks her.
"If Jake and Derek don't mind, I'll go with them."
"We don't mind do we Derek?" Jake asked. Derek shook his head no.
"We'll see you all tomorrow when I get out of here." Elaina told them as they all filed out of the room. "Reese will you stay a few minutes please?"
"Miranda told you what happened between us?"
"Yes and she is very sorry about that too." Reese replies.
"She should be. I want you to tell her that I still can't forgive her for what she did or how she brought it to light. I know what stress can do to a pregnancy I want her to concentrate on that. Someday we will talk, but that is a long way off." Elaina explains.
"She wanted me to tell you that she is keeping the baby and that she wants you two as the Godparents." Reese adds.
"She's amazing; after all of this she still thinks we would do that?" Frank asks.
"She's hoping that you wouldn't deny her child the opportunity to have both of you in his life." Reese explains.
"She's having a boy?" Elaina asks.
"Yes. She found out last week. Will you do it for the sake of the baby?" Reese asks.
She looked at Frank and he shook his head yes.
"Alright for the baby's sake we'll do it." "She stifled a yawn.
"I better let you rest so you can leave here tomorrow."
"One more thing brother dear. You are just as much to blame as anyone; you are the one that took Frank out drinking that night." Elaina adds
"I know that and I'm sorry too. Good night sis."
"Good night big brother." Reese left the room.
"Now that all the drama and uncertainty is over, I would like to say something to you Lady."
"Before you do can I say something?" Elaina asks.
"Sure, what is it?"
"I love that you have gone back to calling me Lady. It's been a long time and I missed it." Elaina replies.
"Tell you the truth I don't know why I ever stopped. Could have been our attitudes toward each other."
"So what did you want to say to me?" Elaina asks.
"If you will promise me not to go on field assignments, I will let you break your promise to resign. I know that you really don't want to quit all together and if you did I think there will still be tension in the marriage." Frank explains.
"I told Andy I might resign, but I think I have a better idea as to how to handle my work load. I am going to give Andy more authority. We can work as equals running this division. That will help me have more free time and let him become better acquainted with how to do the job on a long-term basis." Elaina explains.
"Sounds like a plan to me. And I think Andy will like the idea too."
"So you're positive you do not want me to resign, no regrets in the future?" Elaina asks.
"I'm positive I'll have regrets in the future." He jokes.
"Frank Donovan!"
"Okay I'll have no regrets letting you not resign." He kisses her to seal the deal.
******
The next day Elaina came home from the hospital to see luggage in the hallway. "Why is that here and who does it belong too?" Elaina wondered.
"Maria is staying here for a few days. Megan has a family crisis and has to go home." Frank replies.
"What happened?" Elaina asks worriedly.
"Her Mom and Dad were in an accident. Before you get too upset they are okay nothing too serious, she just wants to visit a while." Frank explains to her.
"Good I'm glad they are okay, but why is Maria staying I thought she wanted to get back to work fast?"
"She wants to spend some time with you and the kids and she took a leave of absence so she could." Maria came down stairs with Megan.
"Am I being talked about?" Maria inquired. "You should be sitting down not standing here talking." She led Elaina over to the couch.
"You're not going to mother hen me all the time you're here, are you?" Elaina asks as she sits down.
"Only when I can get away with it." Maria giggles.
"Where is this party supposed to be for our son tonight?" Elaina asks.
"Here. Sab is coming over in a little bit to help decorate and Jake is keeping Derek occupied at the church playing basketball with the other boys there." Maria answers.
"Frank will you help me up stairs I want to lay down for a while. I'm beginning to like this sleep thing I started in the hospital." Elaina says to her husband.
"We made a bed up in the office for you so you don't have to take the stairs." Frank replies.
"I thought you would carry me?"
"Only if I have too. I don't want to end up in traction." Frank jokes.
"Oh you will pay for that remark as soon as I figure out how."
"That sounds promising."
"You can be so ."
"Loving and caring to my beautiful wife." Frank finishes off for her.
"Man is it ever getting deep in here." Maria says laughing at them.
"Okay take me to this bed you have made, just wake me an hour before the party so I can change."
"What are you going to change into?" Frank teased.
"I'm going to change into someone you don't want to mess with if you don't quit joking around." He took her to the office and lay next to her until she fell asleep.
****** Sab and Maria decorated the living room with help from Frank and Cody moving the furniture around to make room for everyone. Elaina was up and supervising the work and tried to help when Maria wasn't looking.
"I'm going to shower and change clothes; come on Lady if I don't get you out of here Maria is going to chain you down." Frank says to Elaina as he picked her up.
"One smart remark about me being heavy I'll make sure you fall down the steps soon." Elaina warned him.
"You are light as a feather my dear." Frank says climbing the stairs.
******
Later as the guest were arriving Frank and Elaina asked Derek to go outside with them to greet them. Alex was the last to arrive. A brand new Dodge Intrepid pulled up in front of Derek. Alex got out of it. "Wow that is a great car Alex. Did you just get it?" Derek asks admiring the car.
"No I didn't. I picked it up for a friend." She handed Derek the keys.
He looked to his Mom and Dad. "Is this mine?"
"Until you get a speeding ticket it is." Frank warned. "Happy Birthday!"
"Mom thanks I really didn't expect this after what I did. I really don't deserve this."
"You're right you don't and you aren't actually going to drive it until you serve out your punishment." Elaina says as she took the keys back from him.
"I understand." Derek went over and checked out the car.
"Looks like everyone is here let's get this party going." Elaina says as they all walked in the house.
The end.