Hi Minna-san! How is everybody? (I always start out like this, don't I? ^_^) I hope you are having a great end of the summer or a great week at school. I start on September 4 and tell you the truth, I'm sort of looking forward for it and sort of not. Let's just say the homework is thing I'm not looking forward for again, but it's my last year of school so I'm sort of nervous for it also. ^_^ Anyway, I started typing this chapter before I even posted chapter two! Amazing isn't it? I didn't want to leave you guys on a limb too long.

Okay…well…about the poll…I'd have to say that majority of you said that you wanted (or hoped) the Judith would live. A couple of you were iffy on the subject though. Also, most of you guys wanted more Syaoran POV, so I gave it to you!

Note: I've NEVER been good with medical things. If I totally screw this up, (I don't think I totally screwed it up, but maybe a little bit), please don't kill me. I tried my hardest.

One last thing to say, I'm going to do the shout-outs next chapter, okay? I'm sort of rushing here! ^^; Sorry! *hugs all reviews* Merci!!!!!! Umm...that was thanks to all of you! I'm glad you have enjoyed the story so far!

Okie dokie! On with the story!

Enjoy!

Last Chapter:

When they arrived home, Sakura put the grocery's away and preheated the oven to cook some meat. While waiting for the right temperature, the phone rang and Kristen yelled that she would get it.

"Mom," Kristen yelled, "it's for you!"

"Who is it?"

"I don't know! Some lady."

Sakura groaned and grabbed the cordless phone from the kitchen and picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Turn on your TV," she heard a husky male voice on the other side.

Sakura gasped. "Syaoran!?"

"Yes, it's me," he said. He sounded like he was on the verge of crying. There was also a panic tone to his voice. "I wasn't sure if you wanted Kristen to know this before you did so I disguised my voice."

"Not know about what?" Sakura questioned.

"Just turn your TV onto one of the news channels," he said.

Sakura, not sure what he was up to, walked into the living room and turned on the TV to channel four.

"Are you still with me?" he asked. The tone in his voice had not left him.

"Yeah, I just turned it on," Sakura answered.

A newscast lady appeared and the words "Special Report" came on in the lower right hand screen. This is what the lady said:

"There was a terrible crash tonight downtown as a car full of seven teens crashed into a car carrying three passengers only a couple hours before. The crash was caused when teen driver, Steve Tyson, wasn't paying attention to the road and was paying too much attention to the friends around him. He ran a red light, which was when he hit the other car. All seven teens are safe and Tyson was arrested. The other car was totaled and belonged to Zachary Vanith, co-owner of the famous restaurant "Patsy's". Him and his wife, Chelsea Vanith, who was sitting in the front seat with him at the time, died on impact. Their twelve-year old daughter, Judith, is in a serious condition at Hope Hospital. We will keep you updated on the little girl's condition."

Sakura's heart stopped as she nearly dropped the phone.

"Syaoran!?" she sobbed. "How is she? Is she going to survive?"

"Sakura," he said slowly, "I need you down here. Please tell Kristen and bring her down here also. Judith needs her best friend for support as I need you for support."

My Daughter, The Matchmaker

Chapter 3:

Phone Calls Home and Life-Changing Decisions are Made

By: Cutie Blossom

Sakura was on her way downtown to Hope Hospital. Tears were blurring her vision slightly. She had to keep wiping them way before she couldn't see at all. She was trying to act strong for her daughter's sake. Kristen was in the seat next to her. Silent tears slid down her daughter's young face. Sakura's heart went out to her daughter. She never had to go through the chances of loosing her best friend to death yet.

The moment Sakura had hung up the phone with Syaoran, she went straight to tell her daughter. Sakura tried to tell her in the best way, but either way she knew Kristen would fall to the floor in tears.

And that's exactly what she did.

She recovered quickly though, demanding that she see Judith. Sakura agreed and they left quickly, after turning off the oven.

Sakura pulled into the parking lot of the Hope Hospital. After the parked the car, Sakura and Kristen rushed their way into the hospital to find Syaoran and any news of Judith's condition.

~*~

Syaoran sat in the waiting room with his head in his hands. There was only one question going through his mind.

Why?

Why did it happen to Zachary and Chelsea?

They were both great people. They were the nicest people you would ever meet. If they were then why did their lives end in such a horrible fate? Chelsea and Zachary have both bought cookies from the girls next door. They've always—always—been there for Judith. No questions asked. Man, why couldn't it have happened to a man or women who don't have a heart like they did?

And then there was Judith.

His sweet little, twelve-year-old cousin.

Syaoran has been trying to act strong ever since he heard the news, but he could feel himself fail as he thought about Judith. Tears started to run down both of his cheeks.

Judith was always a girl who loved her parents. Sure she's had her arguments with her parents, but always ended up apologizing not an hour later after she cooled off. She was a girl who always was smiling. Judith was a very smart girl with great grades that made her parents proud. She was also a great friend. She loved Kristen and by the way he saw her the night of the play, he could tell that Kristen loved her also. Judith also talked very fondly of Sakura and how she was a great mother to Kristen and much more.

And now, Judith was without her mother and father due to some stupid teen who was driving illegally with seven teens in his car. What was going to happen with her if she survives.

Tears were still gliding down his cheeks when he heard his name called. Syaoran turned to see Sakura and Kristen rush up to him. Both were in tears. When they reached him, he first pulled Sakura into a tight hug. He could feel her tremble when he hugged her. She was scared just as he was.

He let her go and kneeled in front of the crying Kristen. He pulled her into a hug and felt her cry into his shoulder. She was just as scared. She might be loosing her best friend. Why wouldn't she be?

"Is she alright?" he heard Kristen whisper when they broke apart.

Syaoran looked deep into the girl's dark brown eyes. They were filled with a mixture of feelings. Feelings such as sadness, fright, and even hope. "I'm don't know, kiddo."

Kristen looked down at the ground. "Oh."

Syaoran laid a helpful hand on the girl's shoulder. "I have a good feeling that she will," he assured her. "Judith has always been a strong girl. You should know that."

Kristen nodded.

Syaoran stood up and looked over at Sakura. He brushed his tears away from his cheeks.

Sakura still had tears sliding down from her beautiful emerald eyes. "So you haven't heard anything from the doctor?"

Syaoran shook her head. "Nothing since I've arrived."

Sakura shoulders slumped. "Oh."

Syaoran walked over to her and lifted her chin so she would look up at him. Not a moment later, she was in his arms, crying hard. Syaoran joined her with tears of his own, but was trying to remain in control of his emotions.

When Sakura calmed down, the three of them sat down in three vacant chairs in the waiting room. They waited for news on Judith's condition.

And waited…

And waited…

None came.

Kristen had her head in her mother's lap, asleep while Sakura had her head on Syaoran's shoulder and was also asleep. Syaoran put his arm around her shoulders while he started to drift off to earlier events that day. He cracked a smile, the first real smile for a while now, as he remembered the argument between Sakura and her boss. Sure it irritated her, but he thought it was just plain funny. Then the lunch at Patsy's where he learned a little bit about Sakura's past. Then his mind turned to his promise that he kept.

The kiss.

He didn't know why in the world this Tyler guy let Sakura go. She was beautiful! Her emerald eyes were so easy to drown in. Sakura was also kind, hardworking, and boy did she know how to kiss. She tasted like chocolate cherries. This Tyler guy was a fool to let her pass by just because she was pregnant with his child. Kristen was a great kid. He hasn't gotten the chance to fully get to know her, but she was caring, kindhearted, and a good friend to Judith. Syaoran looked down at Kristen. She looked almost just like her mother except for the deep brown eyes that she must have gotten from her father.

Syaoran's thoughts turned to when he found out of Zachary and Chelsea's accident. He was sitting behind his desk, working when he received the phone call from the hospital. When he hung up with them, he almost felt his heart rip into two. His aunt and uncle had died unexpectedly. He suddenly felt horrible and wished he spent more time with them. He should have come from Hong Kong earlier to talk to them more, but he didn't. It was too late. He hoped they knew that he loved them. They were both great to him.

When he arrived at the hospital, the doctors and nurses wouldn't let him see Judith. He wanted to so badly, but they were too stubborn and still wouldn't let him see his cousin.

He felt Sakura stir next to him and then she opened her eyes. Man were those emerald eyes of hers were beautiful. She looked down at her lap at the sleeping Kristen nestled in her lap. She then turned to Syaoran.

"Hello," she said, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

"Hello Sleeping Beauty," he said with a small smile.

Sakura smiled. He could tell she wasn't fully awake since he would have gotten a different reaction from her if she was. "Any news on Judith?" she asked.

Syaoran shook his head. "Nope."

Sakura looked down at the watch on her left wrist. Syaoran saw it said eleven o'clock, nearly four and a half hours since their arrival at the hospital.

"You can take Kristen home, if you want," he told her. "I'll call you the minute I receive news on Judith."

Sakura looked back up at him and shook her head. "Kristen will never forgive me if I did. Good thing it's Saturday tomorrow. Not only that but I want to be here for you."

Syaoran smiled. "Thank you."

Sakura returned the smile. "You're welcome."

"Are you Mr. Li?"

Syaoran jumped out of his seat. A man in a white coat stood near him. Finally! Some news on Judith. "Yes, I am."

The doctor eyed Sakura with the sleeping Kristen on her lap.

"They are just as much family as I am," Syaoran said before he could say anything. "They have a right to hear about Judith."

The doctor sighed. "Okay, then," he said. "Judith is suffering many injuries all over her body."

"Is she alive?" Syaoran interrupted. "Tell us that first before you start naming everything that's going on with her."

The doctor heaved a sigh. "Yes, she's alive."

Syaoran's face turned into a huge smile. His cousin was alright and…alive. He turned to look at Sakura, who also had a smile across her face.

The doctor continued. "As I was saying, Judith is suffering many injuries all over her body. Her wrist on her right is broken and is now in a cast. There is only one major problem."

"Which is?"

The doctor sighed again before answering. "There is a possibility that she may never walk again."

The second time that day, Syaoran felt his heart sink down to his feet.

~*~

Sakura could feel her mouth drop. The girl who used to play sports with her daughter would never do it again. The part that really bugged Sakura was that it wasn't Judith's fault. It was some careless teenager who took the girl's ability to ever walk again. But the doctor said that there was a possibility, which meant that it wasn't set in stone yet.

Syaoran looked just as shocked as Sakura. He hadn't moved since the doctor's last statement. She knew that his heart was aching. He should be happy about one thing though. Judith was alive. That's all that mattered. Sure, there was a possibility of never walking again, but she was alive. Sakura knew, just like Syaoran said to Kristen earlier, that Judith was a strong girl and she could overcome it…somehow.

"How big is the possibility?" she heard Syaoran ask the doctor.

"It's a fifty-fifty chance," the doctor answered. "She has feelings in her legs at the moment, but it's really hurting her. We are not sure if the feeling will last. Time will tell."

She heard a sharp intake of breath from Syaoran.

The doctor continued. "The best thing for you to do is to be there to support her through this. Has the rest of her family been called?"

Syaoran shook his head. "Not yet."

"You might want to do that then," the doctor said.

Syaoran nodded. "When can we see her?"

The doctor nodded. "She's resting now, but in a few hours you'll be able to go in and see her. If there is anything else, please ask the lady at the desk. I'll keep in touch," he said and then walked out of the waiting room

She watched Syaoran sat down again. He was beginning to look like a huge truck hit him.

"Are you going to be alright?" Sakura asked. Stupid question, she thought to herself. She already knew the answer.

Syaoran closed his eyes. He looked extremely tired. "I'll be fine once everything is calm again."

Sakura nodded, understanding.

Sakura looked down at Kristen. Should she wake her up? Sakura decided to wake her even though her daughter is usually grouchy when woken up from her sleep or grouchy any time within a ten minute time span of waking up.

"Kristen," she said softly, shaking her daughter slightly. "Wake up, darling."

Her daughter tried to mover her mother's hands away so she could go back to sleep. After a little bit of shaking, Kristen opened her eyes half way and lifted her head to look around. After she looked around her, she snuggled back into her mother's lap. Before Sakura tried to wake her up again, Kristen suddenly bolted from her mother's lap.

"What happened?" she asked in a hurry.

Sakura heard Syaoran chuckle next to her. "She sure is a funny one to try and wake up," he said.

Sakura nodded and looked over at him. "Did you want to tell her?" she asked him.

Syaoran nodded and stood up. He kneeled in front of Kristen. Before he said a word, Kristen did the unthinkable and burst into tears.

"She's dead isn't she?" Kristen asked through her sobs. "My best friend's dead! Now what am I going to do? I want to see her!"

She silenced when Syaoran gripped her hands and stared into her brown eyes. "She's not dead," he told her. "She's just fine."

"Alright!"

"But," Syaoran continued, "there is a fifty-fifty chance that she won't walk again."

Kristen stared at him like he was speaking a foreign language. "Won't walk again?"

Syaoran nodded. "Yes, but if we are there for her to support her, I'm positive that she will get through this walking again."

Sakura could have cried right there. Syaoran was a great guy. He knew just what to say to her daughter. He would make a great father.

Kristen nodded. "Okay, Syaoran. I'll do whatever is needed to help Judith to walk again! Whatever it takes!"

Syaoran smiled at the girl. "She's lucky to have you as a friend," he said to Kristen.

He stood up and looked at Sakura. "I'm going to go call Judith's other relatives."

Sakura nodded. "Okay."

Syaoran walked away.

Sakura watched as he disappeared from her sight, smiling slightly.

Kristen laid her head on Sakura's shoulder and giggled. "Now come on. Admit it."

Sakura blinked. "Admit what?"

Kristen smiled. It was the first smile that she had smiled in a while. "That you like him."

Sakura felt her face heat up. "What!?"

Kristen sighed. "Guess you are still in denial."

Sakura couldn't believe that she was hearing this from her daughter. Before Sakura answered, Kristen spoke again.

"I want to be there for Judith," Kristen said. "I would do anything for her. I would go chase down Voldermort from Harry Potter or go on a dangerous mission to destroy the ring just like they do in Lord of the Rings!"

Sakura shook her head. Her daughter sure read a lot, just like her mother. "I know you would, Kristen. Just like Syaoran said earlier, Judith is lucky to have you as a best friend."

Kristen beamed at her mother's comment.

~*~

Syaoran stepped out of the hospital and sighed. He didn't really want to call Judith's other relatives. They all lived elsewhere. Except for him, there were no living relatives of Judith's in Tokyo or even near it. The nearest was Hong Kong where his mother and sisters lived. His father died when he was very young. What would he say about his now deceased aunt and uncle? Should he be straightforward or should he try to drag it out? Syaoran shook her head. Dragging wouldn't work otherwise he would never get through all of the relatives. But still…what should he say? "Oh, hi mom! How's it hanging? By the way, my aunt and uncle are dead!" His mother would have a heart attack! Syaoran sighed. This was going nowhere.

"Not sure how to do it?"

Syaoran jerked around to face none other than Sakura. "Sakura!"

She smiled at him sadly. "Just tell them kindly, Syaoran. That's the best way."

"How did you know I was having trouble?" Syaoran asked.

"The pacing," she answered.

"Oh." He didn't even realize that he was.

"Are you going to call them or not?" Sakura asked.

Syaoran sighed. "I have no choice."—He looked over at her—"Would you stay with me for a minute while I do this?"

Sakura nodded. "If you want me to. Kristen wanted some time a lone so I left to find you."

Syaoran nodded and looked back down at his cell phone. "Better get this done and over with," he mumbled before dialing the phone number for his family in Hong Kong.

It rang about four times before there was a pick up. "Hello?"

"Hi Wei," Syaoran said. "This is Syaoran. Can I speak to mother?"

"Yes, Master Syaoran. She's here. Hang on a minute."

Syaoran nodded even though Wei couldn't see it. Syaoran only had to wait a couple minutes before his mother picked up.

"Syaoran? Is that you dear?"

"Yes, mother, it's me," he said with no enthusiasm whatsoever.

"What's the matter Syaoran?"

"Mother," Syaoran began and hesitated slightly before bringing out the news, Zachary and Chelsea are dead."

There was a sudden silence that filled the other side. Syaoran didn't hear a thump, which meant his mother hadn't fainted for which he was thankful for, and he could also hear her breathing. "Mother?"

"How?"

Syaoran told her the story of the car accident and about Judith. After he was finished, his mother asked him a question that solved a lot of his problems.

"Did you want me to tell the others?" she asked.

"Would you?" Syaoran asked unsure. He didn't want to do it, but he also didn't want to push this off on his dear mother.

He could almost see his mother's sad smile when she said. "You were never one to express bad news, Syaoran. I will tell them."

"Thank you, mother. Sorry to put this on you."

"It's alright. I understand," she said. "You just take care of that girl, Syaoran. Judith will need all of the help and support she can get."

"Yes, I know."

"I'll talk to you later."

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye, dear," his mother said before hanging up.

Syaoran clicked off his phone and sighed.

"How did it go?"

Syaoran jumped. He had forgotten that Sakura was standing outside the hospital with him. "It went as well as it could be. My mother is going to call the rest of Judith's family."

"That was nice of her," Sakura said.

Syaoran nodded. "Yes it was and I'm forever grateful for her for it."

"Mom!" Kristen shouted, running out of the entrance to the hospital. "They said we can see Judith now!"

Sakura eyed her daughter. "So soon? It has not been an hour yet!"

Kristen shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not complaining. Let's go!" Kristen ran back into the hospital.

Syaoran and Sakura looked at each other before also rushing into the hospital.

~*~

Syaoran rushed into Judith's room first. His heart sunk when he saw how she looked. Judith looked like she was asleep on her white bed. She had bruises all over her body that were bandaged up with white tape. There were also tubes all around her and a bed cover, covering her legs from being seen. Just like the doctor said, there was a pink cast on her right wrist. Syaoran knew that this wasn't right. Judith should not be like this! She should be outside playing like a normal kid would be.

Syaoran saw Kristen take a couple steps forward, but was pulled back by Sakura. He looked over at her. Sakura gave him a nod that said they'd be out in the hall a couple of minutes so he could have some time with Judith alone.

Syaoran smiled at her respectively as her and Kristen walked out into the hall, or Kristen being dragged out into the hall. Once they were gone, Syaoran walked over and sat next to Judith's bed. He reached over and held the girl's hand that felt warm under his. Judith opened her eyes and looked over at him and smiled.

"Syaoran!"

Syaoran smiled warmly at her. "Hey kiddo. How are you feeling?"

Judith smiled. "I'm just peachy!"

"Do you know what happened?" He was sort of afraid of the answer she would give him.

"Yes, I do," Judith answered frowning. "The doctors never answered my question though. Is my dad and father okay?"

Syaoran remained silent, but tears sprang to his eyes.

Judith must have read the answer to her question in his eyes because she looked away, tears also coming to her eyes. "Oh," she said silently, almost not hearable, "I see. Just as I thought."

"They died on impact," Syaoran informed her. "So they didn't suffer any."

Judith remained silent though the tears were now gliding down her cheeks.

"Judith…"

"Who was the person driving the other car?"

Syaoran hesitated before answering. "Some teenager with an illegal amount of friends in his car. He's arrested now."

"I see."

Syaoran stayed silent as Judith looked into space.

"Does anybody else of our family know, cousin?" she asked Syaoran.

Syaoran nodded. "Yes, my mother is calling them right now."

"Syaoran?"

"Yes, Judith?"

She tried to wipe away a stray tear, but a wire going from her hand got in the way. Syaoran reached over and brushed away the tear.

"Where am I supposed to go after I get out of this wretched place?"

"Your house, I guess."

"Alone?"

"No, silly," Syaoran said. "I'll be there with you."

"To take care of me always? Forever?"

She wanted to know if he'd be the one to take care of her instead of her parents, Syaoran thought as he stared into her blue eyes, full of hurt, sadness, hopefulness, and many other emotions. He'd always wanted a daughter, but his business in Hong Kong didn't allow him to do it with the hours he put in. Now, because he lives in Tokyo, he could take care of Judith. Syaoran thought a minute before answering, "Yes, I will. Unless you'd want anyone else."

Judith smiled at him and shook her head slightly. "No way!"

Syaoran smiled. "I must tell you though, your grandparents will try to take you from me."

Judith looked down at the hand he still held. "I know, but I don't want to live with them. They all live far away from here and they'll make me eat nasty looking food and clean everyday. Can we stay in Tokyo, right? We don't have to move, do we?"

Syaoran smiled at her. "No, we don't. We can stay in Tokyo."

"Good," Judith said.

"I'll warn you know," Syaoran said. "I have never been a dad."

Judith smiled. "I know that."

"That's what I wasn't warning you about."

"Oh."

"I don't know exactly how to take care of you, Judith, since I haven't taken care of kids before. Don't hurt me if I don't get the hang of it right away, okay?" Syaoran asked.

Judith nodded. "I'm sure you'll be a great guardian!"—Tears came to her eyes—"My legs are really bugging me, Syaoran. I hope this pain stops soon."

Syaoran took a sharp intake of breath. At least she could feel them, he told himself. Hopefully that was a sign that she will beat the odds and will walk again one of these days.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Today is September 11, 2002 (or at least when I finished this). God Bless America! God Bless everyone of this country!

*Sigh* I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Well, I mean, I hope this chapter was filled with emotion! I tried at least! Um…all I know what to say is, I would really love it if you guys would review!!!! That is all.

One last thing before I leave you fellow readers, I may be a little slow from now on since finals are coming up. Like my sister would say, "Sad day!" Sorry! I'll try my best though!

Ja ne till the next time!

Cutie Blossom