Ch 20.
"Teresa?" Fox rushed to her bed. "Oh my god, you're really awake!"
Teresa blinked slowly, trying to register what Fox was talking about.
"Where am I?" she choked out, her throat raw and burning.
"Shh don't talk," Fox said. " The doctors just took a tube out of your throat a few days ago"
"Doctors?" she questioned.
"Resa, don't talk, just hold on for a second…I'm going to go get Eve." He jumped up and bolted out of the room.
Teresa looked around.
~Am I in the hospital? ~ she thought.
Fox and Eve came running back into the room.
"Oh Teresa its so good to see you awake," Eve said.
"Dr, Russell, what happened? What am I doing here?"
"Let me check you out first Teresa…I'll let Fox explain everything to you."
While Eve checked her heartbeat, and other vitals, Fox filled her in on everything that happened.
"I've really been out for that long?" Teresa asked when he was done.
"Yea sweetie, it's been a long time." Fox was overjoyed. He knew she wasn't out of the woods yet, but just seeing her move, and talk, and breath…his eyes brimmed with tears.
"Well everything looks good Teresa," Eve said. "I'm going to go call everyone and tell them the good news. I'll be back in a few minutes to check up on you."
Eve walked toward the door.
"Dr. Russell."
She turned…it was Fox.
"Thank you" he said.
She smiled.
"I'll go call Pilar…keep an eye on her for me."
Eve left, and Fox sat down by Teresa's bed.
"I knew it," he whispered. " I knew you would wake up." His tears were dangerously close to overflowing.
"Fox," she murmured, taking his hand. "You didn't think you could get rid of me that easily now did you?"
He smiled.
"I told everyone you were a fighter. I knew you wouldn't leave."
"Oh Fox, I could never leave you." "I…I-" she stammered.
"Hey shh it's ok, don't try to talk." He put his fingers on her lips. "You just rest for a little bit ok? We can talk later."
She nodded, and closed her eyes.
"You know its funny, she whispered. "I've been in a coma for months, and I'm still tired." She smiled.
He laughed.
"Will you stay with me Fox?"
He kissed her cheek.
"Always."
She smiled, and sighed, before closing her eyes, and falling asleep.
"Thank you God," Fox whispered to himself, before the tears came.
"Thank you."
Eve came back about 20 minutes later.
"Everyone is here Fox…do you want to go tell them the good news?"
"You mean you haven't told them yet?"
"No. I just told them to come down here…I thought they should here it from you."
He stifled back a sob.
"I would love to tell them."
He slowly let go of Teresa's hand, and stood up. He walked out of the room, down the long hall to the waiting room. When he walked in, everyone jumped up and ran over to him.
"Fox you've been crying!" Pilar cried out. "What's going on, what is wrong with my Teresita?"
"Actually Pilar, nothing is wrong with her-"
"Then what is it?" Gwen exclaimed.
A huge smile broke out across Fox's face.
"She's awake."
Everyone gasped.
"Oh my god! Since when?" Luis asked.
"About an hour ago."
"Oh my baby is awake! Thank you God!" Pilar cried.
"Mamma, lets go see her," Miguel said taking her hand. The Lopez-Fitzgerald's went to Teresa's room. Everyone else just stood there in shock.
"I can't believe it" Ethan said. "It's unbelievable!" he turned to Gwen and hugged her, both of them laughing with joy.
Chad and Whitney were also hugging.
Fox smiled at his friends…he knew he wouldn't be here without them.
"Hey Fox," he felt a tap on his shoulder.
He turned and looked.
It was Ethan.
"I knew you could do it man…I knew you could help pull her through." Ethan said, hugging his little brother.
Fox hugged back.
"Thank you Ethan."
Luis walked out.
"Do you guys want to come see her? She's asking for you."
Chad, Whitney, Gwen, and Ethan all went, anxious to see their friend. Fox stayed behind, and plumped down in one of the chairs that were there. He ran his fingers through his hair.
Luis walked over and sat beside him.
"You know Fox, I never thought I would be saying this to a Crane…but thank you."
"For what?"
"I know my sister wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you…I can tell you really love her."
"With all my heart Luis…I swear."
He smiled.
"Well good…because that's what my little sister deserves…she deserves your whole heart…and you better always give it to her…don't make me have to become a stereotypical older brother and pound you."
Fox laughed.
"Trust me Luis I don't want that anymore than you do."
"As long as we are in agreement." Luis stood up, patting Fox on the shoulder.
"Are you coming?"
"You go ahead…I'll be there in a minute."
"Ok."
Luis left, and Fox was alone again.
He had never felt so lucky in his entire life.