Ch19.

"I watched the tape you made me."

Fox was sitting in Teresa's hospital room, telling her about the party the night before.

"It was great hearing your voice again." He stroked her cheek.

"Pretty soon, I know I'll get to hear it again from your lips." He touched them gently. They were warm.

He smiled.

"You know you were right about our friends sweetheart…they are so amazing."

He hesitated before continuing.

"I have a confession to make. I was starting to give up hope about you Teresa…but they have completely restored my faith. I know you are going to pull through this, I just know it deep down in my soul. Its just a matter of time."

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. It was Whitney.

"Hey Fox.

"Whitney! Hey come on in!" he walked over and gave her a hug.

"Well aren't you in a fantastic mood today" Whitney said smiling. She knew that last night really helped out a lot.

"You know I a really am" he said. " This has been the first time that I've been smiling in a long time. I really can't thank you guys enough for last night."

"Fox don't even try and thank us, its completely unnecessary…I think last night was something we all needed ya know?"

"Yea I know."

Whitney walked over to Teresa, and grabbed her hand.

"She looks better today."

"Yea that's what your mom said." "She said her color is starting to come back."

"That's good."

"Yea," Fox walked over and looked out the window.

Whitney could tell he was deep in thought.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Oh, nothing." Fox said. He seemed almost embarrassed.

"Fox what is it? Tell me!"

"Well…."

"Fox I'm nosy …come on…just tell me what it is"

He laughed.

"Alright …but promise not to laugh ok?"

She put her fingers up.

"I swear I wont."

"Ok…well I was just thinking about this game me and Teresa play."

"Oh good grief," Whitney said. " Is this some kind of sexual game that I shouldn't be hearing about?"

"WHAT? No its nothing like that, Man, Whitney what's on your mind?"

She laughed.

"Sorry!" she put her hands up. " I'm sorry look, please continue"

"Ok…" Fox chuckled.

"As I was saying," he looked at Whitney. " This game we used to play…its really pretty dumb but she likes it. Basically what it is is that Teresa would come up with a quote from one of her favorite movies, and I would have to guess what movie it was from."

Whitney rolled her eyes.

"You two and your cheesy games" she laughed.

"Hey don't knock it till you've tried it whit…its actually pretty fun…Teresa thinks she can stump me, but I've guessed right every time."

"Really? Well, I bet I can think of one that you can't guess."

"Is that a challenge Mrs. Russell? Because I have to warn you, I am always up for one."

"Why yes it is Mr. Crane…I bet I can stump you."

"Bring it on!" Fox said laughing.

"Ok give me minute to think of a good one."

Whitney searched her brain for the perfect chick flick that her and Teresa would know, but that Fox wouldn't have a clue about. Finally she thought of one.

"As you wish."

Fox looked at her.

"What?"

"As you wish," she said. "That's the quote…. now guess the movie."

Fox was dumbfounded…he had no idea.

"What's the matter Fox? Cat got your tongue?" Whitney teased.

"I'm thinking I'm thinking!" he walked around the room for a minute, trying to think of the answer. He wasn't going to be defeated, especially by Whitney.

"Fox, I don't have all day. Do you know the answer, or should I start alerting the papers that the great Fox Crane actually lost."

"Its on the tip of my tongue…."

"Yea sure it is fox" "face it I win!"

"I'm going to think of it eventually."

"Yea well call me when you do…I got to go I'm late. I told Chad I would meet him at the Blue Note like 10 minutes ago."

She walked over to the door.

"It was fun kicking your ass Fox…we should do this again sometime!"

"Oh yea this was great fun!" he said his voice dripping with sarcasm.

She laughed as she said goodbye, then walked out the door.

Fox stood there for a few seconds.

"What the hell is that movie?" he said to himself.

That's when he heard it: A small feeble voice, coming from the other side of the room.

"The Princess Bride."

Fox stiffened. His eyes grew large, and his hands began shaking.

~Oh my god. ~

He slowly turned around and faced Teresa's bed.

She was laying there, her big brown eyes slowly blinking as she looked at him.

She was awake.