Hi! :-) Thanks, as always, for your great reviews and support of this story! It means a lot to me. :-) This is a short chapter, but it should move the story along. Hope you enjoy.

Chapter 25

To Jack's relief, a petite brunette nurse entered the room shortly after Taylor had spoken.

"I'm so glad you're here," Jack said. "I think Taylor is waking up."

"That's excellent news," the nurse said.

She gave Jack an encouraging smile and then turned her attention to the patient.

"I need to tell her mother," Jack said. "I'll be right back."

"Stay," Taylor said softly, trying to look in Jack's direction. "With me."

"But I was going to get your mother. She just stepped outside. She hasn't left your bedside."

"Stay," Taylor said again. "Please."

"Okay," Jack said, eager to tell Janet the good news but not wanting to upset the fragile little girl who looked so waif-like in the large bed.

The way she was staring at him melted his heart.

"Where is her mother?" the nurse asked.

"She's having a bite to eat at the café across the street."

"Okay. I'll call there after I page Dr. Davis."

"Thank you," Jack said appreciatively. "That would be great."

But the phone call wasn't necessary. Moments later, Janet walked into the room with Terri and cried out with joy when she saw Taylor was awake.

"You're awake!" Janet exclaimed, stating the obvious but not caring as she rushed to her daughter's side. "How are you feeling?"

"Kinda tired," Taylor said. "And hungry."

Terri beamed. "That's the best thing she could have said. I'll go find some soup for her and maybe some gelatin or pudding, too."

"Thanks, Terri."

The two women shared a relieved smile before Terri went in search of food.

The nurse had lowered the railing, so Janet sat on the edge of Taylor's mattress and smoothed her brow.

"What happened, Mommy?"

"Well, honey, you got really sick, so we had to bring you to the hospital."

"Did I miss the turkey?" she asked, disappointed.

Janet laughed. So did Jack.

"No, sweetie. When you're well enough, there will be turkey for you to eat."

She nodded and then noticed the IV in her arm.

"What's this?"

"That's how you are getting the fluids and the medication you need."

"Oh. Am I all better?" she asked. "I wanna go home."

"That's always a good sign," Dr. Davis said, as he entered the room. "But let's check you out so we can be sure you are getting better."

"Well, Doctor?" Janet asked anxiously, when he had completed his examination.

"Her temperature is about normal, and she doesn't appear to have any pain."

Janet sent up a silent prayer of thanks.

"I'd like to keep her here overnight and continue the IV. Tomorrow, we'll see what she eats for breakfast, and if she's stronger, we'll remove the IV and start her on oral medication. If she does all right, I'll release her tomorrow afternoon."

"Thank you, Doctor. That would be wonderful."

"I'll be in tomorrow morning to check on her progress."

"Okay. I'll be here, too."

"You need to sleep tonight," he sternly advised Janet. "In a real bed."

"I will."

After the doctor left, Janet couldn't take her eyes off of her beautiful daughter.

"I'll never forget this Thanksgiving," she said, as Jack moved behind her and gently massaged her shoulders, "but I sure have a lot to be thankful for."