Sorry for the evil cliffie :). That's not really my style, I just couldn't resist.
The stuff in italics are thoughts
Now chapter 3
Don't pay much attention to the chapter titles, they're just the first words that come to mind :p
Second Chances: Chapter 3.Faith
The doctor was talking to the family "I'm sorry. We did everything we could, it was a very serious and complicated surgery. She died. I'm sorry"
"What!!"
"Not my baby, please no!!"
"This... this is a nightmare. This can't be real!!" The young man said as he fell in tears to the floor
"I'm really sorry" Said the doctor and left the family alone
"I hope the doctor doesn't tell us the same thing" Said Helen to Will as they watched the other family crying
"Yeah, poor family" Said Will as they waited for the doctor to talk to them
"Hi, I'm Dr. Carter the surgeon that was with Joan. Sorry for making you wait I was getting a cup of coffee."
"Its ok" Said Helen "How is she? How's Joan?"
"Joan is fine Mrs. Girardi" Said the doctor.
Helen was finally able to breathe "Oh Will. Our girl is fine. She's fine"
"She's not out of the woods yet, but everything looks fine." Said Dr. Carter
"Yeah" Will said holding Helen "When can we see her?"
"Well, she's going to have to spend the night on the ICU for observation and she can only have one visitor in there. Tomorrow we'll move her to her own room and then you all can come visit her."
"Oh, well then I'll stay tonight with her and I'll call you in the morning so you and the boys know when to come." Said Helen to Will
"All right Helen, do you need something? We can bring you something to eat before we go"
"No that's ok, I couldn't eat anyway"
"All right Mrs. Girardi, Joan is still under the effects of the anesthesia so she's asleep. Follow me and I'll take you with her"
"All right. Oh thank you so much Dr. Carter" Helen said hugging the doctor "Bye guys" She waved goodbye and followed the doctor
"Well Adam looks like you got the second chance you asked for" Kevin told him
"Yeah" Said Adam happy
"Okay. I still have to go back to the station to finish the papers on Ramsey's arrest"
"Mr. Girardi. I would like to go see Ramsey" Said Adam. Everyone stared at him "Joan told me to tell him something. And I'd like to talk to him"
"All right. I'll see what I can do" Said Will
"Then since I have the other car I'll take Luke, Kevin and Grace" Said Rebeca
"I can't wait to get out of this dress" Said Grace
"See you boys at the house later"
"All right bye dad" Said Kevin and Luke and they left
"Ok, let's go Adam" Said Will and they left too
-Police station-
The ride on Will's car was silent except for the radio, because they couldn't think of anything to talk about
"Wait here Adam. I'll go find where are they keeping him" Said Will leaving Adam in a room
"All Right"
Will went to the cell they were keeping Ramsey in
"Ramsey?"
"What do you want?" Ramsey said as Will went in
"Someone wants to talk to you"
"Well I'm sure it's not my stepdad or my dad. They're probably saying that they knew all along this is where I was going to end" Ramsey said as Will took him out of the cell with his handcuffs on
"Ramsey I really don't know what's going to happen to you. My daughter sees something in you. Must be something good to disobey all that her mother and I told her not to do. Are you telling me she's wrong?"
"Maybe. I don't know see what she sees. She probably hates my guts now too. I always screw up the good things. Is Joan ok?"
"Yeah, she's out of surgery. The doctor said she's going to be ok" Said Will looking at him "Hey, is that my tie?"
"Joan lent it to me. You can take it. I won't need it where I'm going"
"It's okay, I never liked it anyway" Will laughed and put Ramsey in the room Adam was in "I still have some papers to fill so you boys have time to talk"
"Rove, what are you doing here? Decided to get off your I'm-better-than you-cloud and visit the simple people?" Asked Ramsey mad
"I'm here because I have a message from Jane"
"Jane? Do you mean Joan? She probably told you to tell me that she hates me and to stay away from her. I really didn't mean to shot her. It was accident" He said calming down and sitting in one of the chairs
"When we were at the forest she told me to tell you to not lose your light. That this wasn't your fault."
"Light? What is that supposed to mean?" Asked Ramsey confused
"I don't know. I thought it was something between you two" said Adam "Sometimes what she says doesn't really make sense"
"You know, she's the only person that wasn't afraid of me and that took the time to talk to me since... a really long time. Since the last time we hung out together" Said Ramsey looking a little sad. He quickly masked it with anger
"Why did we stop being friends?"
"Come on Adam, you know. After your mom died you changed. You didn't want to hang out anymore. You stayed in your shed all day long doing your so-called art. Then when I was having a bad day you didn't even listened to me, so I said your art was stupid and you kicked me out of your shed and told me to never come back"
"Oh yeah. I remember when you said my art was stupid. My art was the only thing that could make me feel connected to my mother. You know I blame myself for what she did. Maybe it was my fault" Said Adam his eyes watering {In this episode he hasn't read his mother letter yet}
"Oh save the soap operas for other day Rove. You want to know bad? My dad left us to go with his new bimbo secretary to Miami. My mom couldn't handle it so she became and alcoholic. She remarried this jerk, who hates me, but she didn't care that he hit me or that he made me do all the work around the house. She lives for this man. She practically forgot about me! So when I most needed a friend he kicks me out. Now that is bad!! I hate the world!!" Said Ramsey grabbing the chair he was sitting on and slamming against the wall "People suck!! My mom suck!! You suck!!" A guard came in and took Ramsey back to his cell
"I'll come again Ramsey" Said Adam as they where taking him
"Don't bother!"
"Ready to go?" Said Will "I finished all the paperwork. What was all that about?"
"Just stuff. Yeah, let's go"
Will left Adam in his house and then headed for his house. Kevin and Luke where already sleeping so he took a shower and went to bed too.
-Hospital-
Helen had finally fallen asleep for five minutes. The nurses were frequently coming in to check on Joan and to take notes, that didn't let her sleep.
Another nurse came in and Helen woke up
"Sorry for not letting you sleep Mrs. Girardi, but is our job to annoy the hell out of the patients family" Said the nurse smiling
"It's ok." Said Helen yawning "Is she doing ok?"
"For the kind of surgery she had, she's doing ok." The nurse took some notes "I got to go there's another mother sleeping in the next bed" the nurse left
Helen noticed Joan moving "It's ok honey I'm here" She said holding Joan's hand.
Joan opened her eyes and looked around the room. She tried to talk, but the tube in her throat didn't let her. She was connected to a ventilator to help her breathe
"Joan it's me is mom" Joan nodded, since she couldn't talk "You're in the hospital" Joan nodded again "I'm going to go get the nurse" Helen said and left
"Well at least I'm alive" Joan thought "Oh, everything hurts"
"Joan?" Came the voice of the nurse. Joan nodded "Hi, welcome back. I'm nurse Lockhart, I prefer you call me Abby. I know you must be feeling extremely uncomfortable, but we have to keep you here until the doctor checks you, I know it sucks. I'm going to go find Dr. Carter, I'll be right back. And don't worry, he's a hottie" Joan smiled and nodded again. The nurse smiled, took some notes, and left.
"See, everything is going to be all right Joan" Said Helen smiling
"Hi Joan" Said Dr. Carter coming in with Abby behind him "I'm the doctor who's been taking care of you. I know you must be anxious to talk, but we still need to do some tests before I can take the tube out." He got his stethoscope out and placed it on Joan's chest "Take a deep breath Joan. All right. I'll be back to check on a while" Dr. Carter smiled told the nurse the tests he needed and left
"Didn't I told you he was a hottie" Said Abby winking, she took some blood and left the room too
-Later-
Joan was now officially bored. Helen had fallen asleep again, now that the nurses didn't come to check so often on Joan she could sleep more. Joan didn't want to sleep again. She had slept enough last night. The only entertainment she had was trying to guess how many of the stains in the ceiling were blood.
"Well, I really hope none, how would blood get on the ceiling anyway?"
"Hi Joan" Said Dr. Carter coming in again "I have the test results and everything is fine. We can take you off the ventilator now" Joan smiled
"Finally" She thought
Helen woke up
"Hi Mrs. Girardi. I was just telling Joan we're finally going to take her off the ventilator"
"Oh well that's good news"
"Yeah. Okay Joan I'm going to count to three. What I want you to do is take a deep breath and then blow as hard as you can. Then I want you to cough. Ready?" Joan nodded "Ok one, two, three!" The doctor pulled the tube out and Joan coughed "Ok, very good Joan"
"Man that hurts" Said Joan in a raspy voice
"I know. Now let's talk about your surgery Joan. It was very serious so it's ok if you take things easy for a while. You can sit up in the bed, with the help of somebody if you need it, but don't try to run any marathons yet. If you need anything or feel dizzy or nauseous I need you to tell the nurse fast and she'll come get me, but I'll be checking on you anyway. Any questions?"
"Can she eat?" Asked Helen
"Yeah, you can start with something soft like a soup. The nurse knows what's on today's menu that is adequate for Joan to eat so you can ask her. Anything else?"
"It hurts a lot" Said Joan
"Ok I'll tell the nurse to give you some morphine for the pain. You're still going to feel sore for a while. Any more questions?"
"Are you single?"
"Joan!!" Said Helen
"What, I was just kidding"
"It's good to see you're feeling better" He said smiling "Okay Joan I'm going to start filling the papers to move you to your own room. I'll see you in a while"
"Ok, bye Doctor. It's good to speak again" Joan said smiling
"I'm just thankful you didn't die Joan. I was so scared. I told you not to get in the car with that boy. Why didn't you listen? You went and did it anyway and... and..." Helen broke in tears and hugged Joan "You could have died"
"Ow, mom, ow" Said Joan in pain
"Oh sorry honey"
Dr. Carter popped his head in the room "Joan, they'll be coming to move you to a room in a while"
"Ok thanks"
"I'm going to go call your dad and tell him the news" Said Helen and left
-Giradi House-
The phone ringing woke Will up
"Hello?" He said still sleepy
"Oh, did I wake you?" Asked Helen on the other side
"Yeah, but it's ok. Is something wrong? Is Joan ok?"
"Yeah Will, she's fine. She woke up and they're moving her to a room"
"Oh then I'll go wake the boys and we'll be there as soon as we can"
"Ok, got to go the doctor is here to move her. Bye"
"Bye" Said Will hanging up. He got out of bed and went to Kevin's room "Kevin?" The room was empty. Then he went to Luke's room "Luke?" He wasn't there either
"Dad we're in the kitchen!" He heard Luke. Will headed for the kitchen and found them eating
"Morning dad" Said Kevin "We're making breakfast, what do you want Trix, or a toaster strudel?"
"Ah good healthy breakfast, I'll have a toaster strudel"
"Coming up" Said Luke opening the package and putting them on the toaster "Who called? Was it mom?"
"Yeah, she said Joan is awake and they're going to move her to her own room. Then we can go visit"
"That's great" Said Luke
"Yeah, let's finish breakfast and then we'll go get ready" Said Kevin
"Oh, we have to call Grace and Adam" Said Luke
"I think it's to early to wake them up. Why don't we go first and then we'll call them" Said Will
"Yeah, okay dad"
They finished eating and then headed for the hospital
-Hospital-
Joan was now in another hospital room. It had two beds, but the other one was empty. It also had a little TV
"Do you think Adam is coming?" Joan asked Helen smiling
"Probably. He was here all night yesterday"
"I can't wait to see him. I need to tell him something"
"Well don't worry too much. I'm sure he's coming now or later"
Joan's smiled faded when an idea hit her "Oh, but how am I going to tell him I know, if he doesn't know I know. And if I tell him how I know he's going to think I'm crazy"
"What? Honey, you're babbling"
"I'm babbling?"
"Are you delirious? Should I call the nurse?"
"No, mom. I'm okay"
Will, Luke and Kevin arrived
"Hi we're here" Will said giving some flowers to Joan
"Hi Daddy, Luke, Kevin. I'm so happy you're all here. I thought I was never going to see you guys again" Joan said crying. She tried to get up to hug them, but she was still weak "Ok so you're going to have to hug me"
They moved in to hug her
"But not to hard 'cause it hurts" She said stopping them
"Ok" They all hugged her
"But not so soft either." She wined
"Ok, Joan is definitely back" Said Kevin and everyone laughed
"Hey? Where are Adam and Grace?"
"Oh well it was early and I didn't to wake them up" said Will
"But are they coming later?"
"Yeah we'll call them" said Will and his beeper started to beep "It's work. I have to call. Where's the phone?" Asked Will
"It's down the hall. I'll show you" Said Helen
"I'm going to get a soda. You want one?" Offered Kevin
"Not supposed to eat anything sugary yet" Said Joan
"Ok, and you Luke?"
"Sure""All right. I'll be right back" Said Kevin
A nurse came in "Hi Joan"
"Hi"
"And hi to you too" She said to Luke
"Hi" He said
"You should talk to Luke" The nurse said taking Joan's pressure
"God" Joan sighed and looked at the nurse "You know. I want to thank you for... not dying... you know"
"You're welcome Joan. You know people are always asking me to do things for them and favors, but almost everyone forgets to say thank you" Nurse/God said smiling she wrote something on Joan's chart "Talk to Luke" She left the room
Luke and Joan were alone in the room again
"Hey Luke, can you help me sit up, I can't do it alone yet" Joan said trying to make conversation
"Sure" Luke helped Joan "Anything else? Another pillow?"
"No, I'm fine"
"Water? Some ice chips?"
"Well some ice chips sound nice."
Luke brought her some ice chips "What's wrong with you Luke?"
"This is my fault. This is all my fault I should have been there. You almost died because of me"
"And... how is this your fault?"
"I was supposed to protect you. That's what brothers do." Joan looked at him confused "When we were in AP Chem and you told us you were going to the dance with Ramsey, Friedman told you not to worry that I would defend you"
"Oh come on Luke this wasn't your fault"
"Yes, yes it was. I'm your brother and brothers protect each other"
"Luke you're my brother and I love you, but there was nothing you could have done. This was my fault." Joan said holding his hand "And you know how stubborn I am. So even if you told me not to go that wouldn't have stopped me."
Luke sighed and ran his hand through his hair "Yeah, you are pretty stubborn"
Kevin came back with two sodas and a cup full of ice chips "I asked a nurse what to bring you and she gave me these" He said handing the ice chips to Joan
"Thanks" She said smiling and showing him the cup of ice chips Luke had brought her too
"Oops. And this is for you Luke" He handed Luke the other soda
"Thanks Kevin" Luke said
Will and Helen came back arguing
"Well can't they understand that your daughter is important too?" Said Helen
"Sorry honey, I have to go. This is really important" Will said a little sad
"It's ok daddy. You'll come back later right?"
"I'll try" Will kissed the top of her head and left
"Well I have to go to work too actually" Said Kevin "See you later Joan" He gave Joan a hug and left
"This soda is warm" Luke said grabbing Joan's ice chips
"Hey, those are my ice chips"
"Brothers also share" He said with an innocent smile
-Later -
Adam and Grace were in the room too. Adam's father gave them a ride to the hospital on his way to work
"Hi guys" Said Joan hugging them "Oh I seriously thought I wasn't going to see you two again"
"Well that would have been your fault Girardi. Only you would have had the brilliant idea to go to the party with Steve Ramsey and then getting on a car with him" Said Grace mad "You should know better than that"
"Hey, I know this is my fault. There's no need to keep reminding me" Joan said annoyed
"Hi Jane" Said Adam "I made something for you" He handed her a sculpture of a little angel "I called it 'the angel made of stuff'" he said smiling
Joan looked at it and smiled too "Thanks" She put it in the counter next to her bed
"I think we better leave them alone" Said Helen and she, Grace, and Luke left the room.
"I'm sorry Adam, for what I did to your sculpture" Said Joan not looking at him
"It's okay, there are more important things Jane. You've apologized a hundred times already"
"Sorry" She said again
"I was really scared yesterday Jane" Said Adam sitting with her in the bed
"I was scared too Adam"
"When I saw you get in the car with Ramsey. And then when I saw you in the floor in the woods it felt like my heart stopped"
"Don't take this the wrong way, but what were you doing in the forest with my dad?"
"That's where Ramsey and me used to hang out when we were little. I thought that's where he was probably going and I showed your dad the way"
"Well thank you. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't showed up"
"You know I was so scared last night, I prayed. I haven't prayed since my mom died"
"That's really sweet. Thank you Adam"
They stayed silent for a while. An awkward silence like they both wanted to say something, but didn't know what. Adam started:
"Jane yesterday. It made really realize something. That I don't... I don't hate you. I was just mad at you. I could never hate you." Adam looked at Joan in the eyes "In fact I think I uh... Well, I think I… I uh"
"It's okay Adam" Joan said looking in his eyes and giving him a reassuring smile "I think I 'uh' you too"
They slowly started to lean closer until they were kissing
"Wow" Said Adam as they separated
"Yeah, wow" Said Joan. Then Luke, Grace and Helen came back in
"Hope that was enough time alone for you too. Dr. Carter is here to check on you again honey" Said Helen
"My shift is ending and I like to check on all my patients before I go" He said getting his stethoscope out again "Take a deep breath Joan. Again. Good. So Joan have you been feeling dizzy? Nauseous?"
"Only when I looked at the food." She said joking
"Yeah it can have that effect sometimes. Any pain?"
"I still feel a little sore"
"Yeah, that's normal after surgery." He grabbed the thermometer "Hmm 99.6, your temperature is a little high. I'll order some Tylenol. I'll be back to check in the morning. See you Joan"
"Bye Dr. Carter"
"And remember you shouldn't be getting out of bed yet." He waved goodbye and left
"Looks like you're doing ok" Said Adam
"Yeah, I can't wait to get out of the hospital"
"You've only been here two days, half of it unconscious" Said Helen
"I... I don't like hospitals" Joan said
Luke was sitting in the empty bed with Grace "You know the science fair is next month"
"Yeah" Grace said looking at the little TV in the room
"Well, I was just thinking maybe we should get together and discuss some ideas"
"Well, why don't you have the ideas and I'll tell you if they're fine or not"
"Yeah, ok. But I have all my papers at home. Maybe you could come by some day and we could review them together"
Grace was going to say something, but another nurse came in "Visiting hours are over" Joan recognized the nurse as the God nurse
"Ok, I'll walk you guys downstairs and while you wait for your Adam's dad" Said Helen
"I'll go too" Said Luke following them
The nurse came in "I brought your medicines." She handed Joan some pills "Dark times are coming Joan. You may not see me, but remember I'll always be with you. You have to trust me, even in a silence"
"Why are you going somewhere?"
"I'm God I'm everywhere"
"What? Dark times? Silence? Is it the apocalypse? 'Cause Adam and I just hooked up-" God interrupted her
"No Joan. Here lie down and get some sleep. You'll need it" Nurse god helped Joan lie down and left "Remember I'm always here even in the silence"
-Hospital 1st floor Emergency room (ER)-
Dr. Ross was organizing all the paperwork from yesterday "This is the part I hate of my job, filling forms, paperwork, sign here, sign there"
"Ah, so you hate the easy part" Said Carol that was in the room with him
"This is weird" He said looking at some labs
"What?"
"There's something weird in this labs, they're from yesterday's GSW. I'll call upstairs to check" Said Dr. Ross and went to look for a phone
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Ok, ok. I said no more cliffies and I did it again...
I'll try to have the next chapter as soon as I can, but I'm leaving tomorrow and I wont be home until Monday, so don't expect updates this weekend. Sorry.
Now I know the 'I uh you too' is from some movie. But I can't remember which. I googled it, but got nothing...
Bye