Dr. Sims, Alex and Jessica decided to enter the room again, it had been over an hour now. As they walked in they saw Tony and Michelle sound asleep on the bed together. They were both laying flat on their backs right next to each other and they were holding hands. Jessica went over to them and gently laid a blanket across them before they all left them to sleep. Jessica and Alex decided they would go home too for some sleep, Dr. Sims promised the hospital would call them when Michelle and Tony woke up.
Tony woke up close to 5pm, he couldn't believe it – they had slept for the entire day. He turned to lie on his side so that he was facing Michelle. He stroked her arms and face gently with his fingers. It made him feel so warm inside to wake up next to her. He thought about everything they had been through over the last couple of weeks, it made him appreciate even more how lucky he was to still have her by his side. He knew that some people could be married for 50 years and still not go through half as much as they had in such a short time. Michelle and Tony had both been ripped raw emotionally and exposed to each other, revealing insecurities, fears and emotions that they both didn't even know they had. Tony couldn't believe how distraught he had become earlier in the morning, never in his life would he have imagined that he could be reduced into such a mess. He had been through many heartbreaking moments in his life but usually he prided himself on how in control he could remain, yet Michelle managed to pull on heartstrings he didn't even know he had. He loved that about her, she made him feel the extreme end of each emotion. He couldn't believe how something as simple as her touching his arm or chest made his heart rush, how when she was happy it made him feel so happy, when she hurt he felt sick – this woman now controlled his heart. Just thinking that made him smile, he kissed a bare patch on her shoulder that was not covered by her gown. He could lay there for ever just staring at her.
Tony began to wonder what would happen when Michelle was allowed to leave in a couple days. He couldn't imagine Michelle wanting to go back to his apartment that was the last place in the world he wanted to see as well. There would be too many bad memories there now and he doubted there was anything he could ever do that would make Michelle feel safe there again anyways. He didn't even want to go back there for even a few minutes to pick something up. Then there was Michelle's place, which was a studio apartment and far too small for the both of them. Tony was going to take at least a weeks leave from work to look after and care for Michelle, there was no way he was leaving her side.
Tony started to imagine what it would be like if he and Michelle had a place together. It was early days still but that didn't feel like that was even an issue at all. Even before all of this had happened they both wanted to spend every night together and they knew each other so closely from the last year or so at work that there wasn't going to be any weird surprises. Tony felt like he wanted to have a fresh start in his life after all the things that had happened lately and seeing as Michelle was his motivation for new found love for life it only made sense that they both got a new start together. Even just thinking of sharing a place with Michelle gave him tingles all over his body.
A nurse came in to administer an injection into Michelle's thigh. Tony gave her a nod and she smiled back. Michelle's body didn't even stir at all as the needle went in. Tony winced a little himself just watching. After the nurse left Tony started to run his hand up and down her good leg. He loved her legs, everything about them was perfect and they felt so good and sexy in his hands. He nudged his head into her neck and she stirred a little. He tightened his grip on her leg as he rubbed it and then nudged her again – this time she turned her head and kissed his forehead and raised the leg he was rubbing and bent it. He did two little nudges this time, he pushed his forehead and the top of his head into her neck and then he nudged her again straight away on the cheek. He ran his hand up above her knee and to the inside of her thigh and tightened his grip again. After he nudged her cheek she met his mouth with hers – it felt intense and fuelled with a need to taste each other. She rolled her body a tiny bit and lifted her leg and rested it on top of his body. His hand then moved from her inner thigh to the outside of her leg. He ran his hand up to her underwear and then he slipped it inside where he firmly gripped her back side. As he did this she upped the intensity of their kiss making him sit up more to lean over her body. After a few minutes they stopped kissing and Tony kept his face close to hers and took his hand from her leg and massaged the side of her face. "Hey beautiful."
Michelle looked at Tony's face which was just inches from hers. He looked so adorable and there was a real glow in his eyes. It had been days since he had shaved and his stubble was quite thick and scratchy – which she absolutely loved. She lifted her head a little and rubbed her cheek on his chin, making him giggle. She traced his lips were her thumb, "Wow.....you can wake me up like that anytime you want!"
"mmmm...I was just lying here watching you and I couldn't help myself."
"I am so glad you stayed here with me Tony. With you by my side I was totally able to sleep. Thank you."
"Honey, it allowed me to have a good sleep too – there was no way I could have slept without you."
Dr. Wez who had taken over for Dr. Sims came in to check up on Michelle. Tony shook his hand and introduced himself. Dr. Wez chatted to Tony for a few minutes basically filling them in on who had stopped in for a visit. Angie had come in last night but wasn't allowed to see Michelle so she would be back again tonight – she had let all of their friends know. Jack had informed everyone at CTU as well now. Dr. Wez then asked Tony if he could have a few minutes alone with Michelle. Tony said he would go and grab some coffee.
Tony drank his coffee outside the room waiting for the doctor to leave. Once he was gone he made his way back into Michelle. He had gotten her a huge hot chocolate which he new she loved. Michelle kissed him on the forehead and thanked him.
"Is everything ok Chelle? You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want too, I just want to make sure you are alright."
"Ummm, yeah I'm not really – well I am, sort of, I'll be ok, I don't know...." Michelle bit her bottom lip nervously.
"Hey, hey honey – it's ok, it's ok....I am here, come here." He pulled her in and wrapped himself around her for a hug. "Do you want to try again?"
Michelle took a deep breath. "I'm ok really, I just got thrown a little bit by a couple things he said."
"Do you want to talk about it Chelle?"
"I've been to this hospital quite a few times growing up and so they already have a file on me. They pulled Mom's file out as well because my next of kin to contact was her. I guess mum has been in over the last few years because he said all her information had been updated but mine hadn't since I was last in which was nearly 7 years ago." Michelle took a huge breath and Tony tucked a couple of her curls behind her ear. "Anyways, because my file said that then they called her and told her everything that had happened. Tony, she said she couldn't be bothered coming down and she didn't care to see me. She told them to take her name off my folder."
Tony had no idea what to say. He was completely floored by what Michelle had just told him. He kissed her cheek and forehead a few times, "I am so sorry Chelle, I am so so sorry. How long since you saw each other?"
Michelle didn't shed a tear. "About 5 years ago. It's ok really, I wouldn't expect any different from her – it's just a bit shit is all."
"How did things get so bad?"
"They were never good. My parents weren't anything like yours babe. After Dad left then mum just got stuck into drugs and before long was a heroin addict. She was never around and if she did show up for a day or two then it would always be with some new arsehole boyfriend."
"Who looked after you Michelle?"
"I took care of myself. I started working when I was 12. I don't know – I just got use to taking care of myself."
Tony massaged her cheek with his thumb. "You are incredible honey. Look at all the amazing things you have accomplished even after all of this. You should never have had to go through any of that – I am sorry. Tell me what I can do to help you feel better?"
"Nothing babe, just you being here is all I need. It wasn't just that, they want a couple new people to put on my contact list. They are suppose to be family, but I don't have anyone else to put on the list Tony.......I can't believe I have no one else."
"Sweetheart, that's ok – it doesn't have to be family. I want you to put my name down as the first contact."
Michelle gave Tony a weak smile. "Really.....you want me to put you down?"
Tony smiled and nodded his head. "Definitely Chelle, it should be me. And then what if you put either Angie or my parents down as your second contact.?
"Ok." The doctor walked back in, he had only left to pick up a few things. Dr Wez stood at the end of the bed, "Sorry to interrupt but I would like to check your stitches and change the bandages."
"Ok, hang on I am in the way." Tony got off the bed so the doctor could get to Michelle from his side. He pulled up a chair on the other side of Michelle and took her hand.
"Umm Dr. Wez....I just told Tony everything that you told me about my mom. Because I don't have any other family, I am going to put Tony down – is that ok?"
Dr. Wez looked at Tony and then Michelle and smiled. "I am glad you have Tony to talk to about all of this. It was an awkward situation but I had to tell you." He turned back to Tony, "Will you be caring for Michelle once she is discharged? Because I should show you how to do this (change the bandage) – you two live together right?"
Michelle answered for Tony. "No, actually I live on my own. I'm ok."
"Michelle you will need to be cared for after you leave for at least a week or so. I can't discharge you without a nominated carer. You won't be leaving for a few days yet anyway."
Tony kept holding her hand and stood up over her. "Chelle....I will be caring for you." He turned to Dr. Wez, "I will be looking after Michelle."
Michelle traced his hand. "You can't babe, you will be at work. Plus there is not much room in my stupid studio."
"Chelle....I'm not going back to work until you are better...."
Michelle interrupted him, "you can't do that, and no way will they let you. I don't want you to get into trouble Tony."
"I'm not going to get into trouble. Michelle, I haven't had one day off including sick days for years. I'm owed my annual 4 weeks break for the last 3 years now. Trust me, Chappelle is always trying to push me to take them so they don't have to pay me out – there will be no problem for me to take the next 2-3 weeks to look after you."
Michelle looked relieved and smiled. "Wow.....I can't believe we will actually have lots of time together. I know it's not exactly a holiday, but thanks Tony I'll feel so much better with you with me."
A nurse came in and called the doctor for an emergency, he excused himself and said he would be back as soon as he could.
Tony pulled himself in a little closer to Michelle and then began to run his hand through her hair. He felt so nervous for what he was going to suggest, but figured it was the perfect time to do it. "Ummm, Chelle....Sweetie, I am pretty sure I know the answer but how do you feel about my apartment?"
Michelle didn't know what to say – she didn't want to hurt his feelings but the thought of having to go back there would freak her out. She bit her bottom lip. "I...ummm, well ummmm, God don't hate me for saying this Tony but I'd be kinda scared to go back there at the moment. I'm sorry."
Tony leaned down and gave her a kiss on her forehead. "It's ok Chelle, I feel the same way – I just wanted to check. It would be too hard to be there and not be reminded of what happened. Then there is your place, but it's pretty small for me to be there with you too."
"What are we going to do Tony? I hadn't thought about all this. I mean, far out – we are in trouble!! I know this is all because of me but please don't make me stay at my place by myself."
"Hey hey sweetie relax, it's going to be ok. It isn't all because of you Chelle and I'd never make you stay at your place by yourself, I wouldn't do that – I don't want to be at my place either. I do have an idea, something I have been thinking about a little bit."
Michelle was instantly intrigued. "Tell me, tell me."
Tony took both of her hands and held them in his. He could feel his heart start to race and his face felt like it was going red. The last thing in the world he could handle right now would be a rejection from Michelle. He gave her a smile, cleared his throat and began...
"Well....what if you and I were to get a new place together? That takes care of the apartment problem and also it would mean I got to wake up next to you every morning." Tony kept talking almost as if he didn't want to stop so she could say no. "I know its quick Chelle but things are different with us. We have been best friends for over a year and now that we are finally together things between us couldn't be better. I mean, we haven't wanted to spend any time apart at all. We could just rent and if you were ever unhappy it would be easy for you to go your own way...."
Michelle cut him off, "You want to live with me? Is it because you want too or because you can't think of another solution for right now?"
Tony lowered his eyes, it felt like a rejection was coming. "No Chelle I want to live with you because I love you, I want to start a new life with you...."
Michelle's heart did a flip when he said that. She wondered how she had become so lucky as to end up with Tony. Tears started flowing.
Tony felt ashamed, he had made her cry again – already. He felt so stupid for putting his foot in it. "Oh my God I am so sorry. Just forget I said anything...please don't cry..."
"Tony they are happy tears."
"Happy tears? What?"
"Tony – I would love to live with you – LOVE TOO!! I want a new life with you, I want to go to sleep every night in your arms."
Michelle forgot about her injuries for a moment in the excitement and threw her arms around his neck and then buried her head just under his ear. She squeezed so tightly and then that's when she felt a vicious pain shoot through her stomach and chest making her yelp in pain. She couldn't move her body at all because she was so fearful of the pain. Tony pulled his head back, "What's wrong, what's wrong – where does it hurt?"
Michelle felt like she was winded and could barely speak. She curled her fists into a tiny ball and held them so tight. "My stomach, my chest – it hurts....ahhh Tony it hurts."
Tony felt her entire body tense up. He put one hand behind her back and with the other one he started to pull her hands from his body so that he could lay her back on the bed. Michelle resisted his hand, "don't move me, I can't move, it will hurt too much."
"Chelle I need to lay you back on the bed." Tony softly rubbed his hand in a circle on her back to soothe her.
"I can't, I'm not being a wimp – I promise, it'll just hurt too much."
Tony had to smile at her comment. "I don't think you are a wimp sweetheart. Now I have to move you Chelle because it's not going to help staying like this and I know you will be better lying down. We have to do this – I'll be so gentle with you." Before she had a chance to respond he moved her arms out and started lowering her whilst supporting her by her back. He saw that he eyes were shut extremely tight, she was biting her lower lip roughly and her fists were still all clenched up. "You're doing good baby – almost there." It made him physically hurt to see her in so much pain.
Once he had her back on the bed properly he pressed the emergency nurse button. Her eyes were still closed, she was still biting her lip and her fists stayed the same. Her entire body was really tight and stiff. "You did it sweetie. I've called for the nurse." Michelle just nodded her head in response.
A nurse came rushing in asking what was wrong. Tony explained that Michelle had gotten a little over excited forgetting about her injuries and had sat up quickly throwing her arms around him. He explained how much pain she was in and how hard it was to be able to move her back onto her bed.
The nurse walked to the opposite side of the bed that Tony was on and told Michelle she would be ok, that she was going to give her something for the pain that would help straight away. She started checking her pulse. Tony started stroking her forehead and then back through her hair. He looked down and saw Michelle finally open her mouth a little and stop biting her lip. Blood started pouring out immediately and running down her chin. Tony was horrified. "You are bleeding!" He looked at the nurse, "Why is she bleeding? What the hell is going on?" He had started wiping the blood from her chin in a panic. The nurse opened her mouth and started looking to see where the blood was coming from. Michelle's eyes had opened a tiny bit but barely enough to really see anything properly. The nurse found the problem "You have bitten the inside of your mouth on the gums just below your lip." She looked at Tony, "it's very deep, she must have bitten so hard."
Tony had a look himself. He actually felt a little relieved at what it was, he was having horrible visions of why blood had started coming out of her mouth and none of them were very nice – bleeding from the mouth was never a good sign. "She clamped her mouth shut when the pain started, it looked like she was biting her lip which she does when she is nervous or upset. My poor Chelle, you really must be in so much pain." The nurse left the room. He stroked her forehead again and gave her a wink – she was looking at him a little. Her body was still all closed up tight, she opened her mouth to talk, "Tony..."
"Sshh baby, it's ok." Tony knew that sometimes when you were in so much pain you just wanted to be left alone and not move in the slightest – the last thing you felt like doing was trying to talk because usually you feel so winded and your airways become so tight and restricted. "You just lay there sweetie, the nurse will be back any second to give you something. Don't worry about talking if you don't want to – I understand."
Michelle nodded her head slightly and closed her mouth again looking somewhat relieved. The nurse walked back in and walked straight to Michelle. She pulled the blankets down and then lifted up her gown to the top of her thigh. "Michelle I am going to give you a needle now. It is simular to the other pain injections you have been having except that it is almost twice as strong. Your body will become warm and feel flushed for a couple minutes but it will start working immediately – you will begin to feel better in just a couple minutes." Michelle forced a little smile and nodded her head. The nurse gave her the needle, wiped her face and stuck a little bit of gauze in between her teeth and gum. She then signalled for Tony to move down the bed a little.
Tony took Michelle's hand in his and stepped down closer to the nurse. She leaned in to Tony and lowered her voice a little.
"This will make Michelle very spaced out and drowsy for a few hours. You will find her quite relaxed – it will be like she has had a few drinks! She will feel quite good pain wise so I need you to make sure she stays really calm and doesn't try and do anything she shouldn't do. She needs to drink a lot of water."
After the nurse had left Tony sat next to Michelle holding her hand. Her body had already started to relax, her other fist was now open. They sat like that for another 10 minutes before Michelle opened her eyes fully and turned to Tony. "Well....hello there!!" She almost startled him with her chirpy upbeat tone. He stood up and leaned over her.
"This is better – look at you smiling again for me."
"I know.....look at me!!"
Tony laughed out loud at Michelle. "You have got to be more careful babe, I don't want to see you have to go through that again."
"I will. I can't believe I bit my lip – I'm such a geek, that hurt so bad."
Tony smiled, "that's right....you are a geek, but you are my geek."
"Thanks Tony dude for putting me back on the bed. That was a horrible last half hour that I never ever want to repeat.....but I feel kinda good now dude, that needle totally kicks ass!!"
"Wow, I don't think I have ever heard you call me 'dude' before. You are too cute."
Michelle ran her hand up Tony's arm. "TONY – do you understand just how sexy you are? Tony, I am very serious – you are just so damn adorable. I find you very nice to look at."
Tony felt so good. Michelle was very funny when she was drugged up. Her last comment totally bought a smile to his face and made him feel like the luckiest guy in the world. He had to kiss her. He leant his head down drawing himself closer to Michelle. He cupped her face with his hand. He opened his mouth and pushed his tongue to his lips. He closed his eyes when they were just a couple inches apart. He felt just her tongue ever so slightly brush over his lips. Something so simple just drove him crazy. She went over his lips again, he pushed his tongue out of his mouth to meet with hers. Their lips were not far behind. Their tongues circled each other and then after a few moments their lips met and they kissed tenderly. Tony tried to be very careful of her cut, which was easy seeing as it was protected by her teeth. After kissing for a little bit, Tony closed his lips around her tongue and sucked on it. He released her and then after they had kissed again he pushed his tongue, almost begging for her to do the same to him. She trapped his tongue and he went weak at the knees when she sucked his tongue and then circled it with her own before releasing it. She let out a groan and he kissed her even harder. She raised her head a little off the bed giving her more strength to kiss him back harder. They both were getting frustrated not being able to take things any further. Tony wished he could cover her body with his own. They couldn't do much more than this right now though so all of their desires poured into their kiss making it more and more intense. It almost became rough but they didn't care they just needed to be as close to one another as possible. Their breathing became desperate. Michelle pulled apart to talk to him, she had to speak over his panting. "Tony I want all of you, I wish I could have your body against mine."
"I'm going crazy just thinking of all the things I want to do to you Chelle."
Their faces remained inches apart. Tony put her bottom lip in his mouth and pulled on it in a fast desperate action to taste her again.
"What do you want to do to me my Almeida?"
"How I am feeling right now - I'd rip your clothes off, push you down onto the bed and then crawl on top of you, pinning your arms above your head." Michelle let out a provocative sigh. "I'd kiss and suck you everywhere starting at your neck and then making my way down your whole body, I wouldn't miss a spot and then I'd take my hands and let them explore all of you." He had her complete attention. "Tony...." She kissed his chin and then did it again when she felt his stubble – she just loved it when he was a little unshaven. "I would pull your body up so that you were sitting and I'd have you help me remove my clothes. I'd have you undo the buttons on my shirt while I watched and then you would take off my belt and undo my pants before pulling them and my boxers off. I'd lay you back down again and you would pull me down with you. Our bare bodies would be pressed into each other and I'd kiss you passionately. When we both couldn't stand it anymore I'd lift your legs and have you wrap them around my body before I pushed myself inside of you. I'd make love to you all night long Chelle."
Michelle traced her lips with her tongue and massaged his cheeks with her thumbs. "That just sounds so perfect. I've got tingles all through my body. My Tony, if only you knew how amazing I feel when you touch me. I'd give anything to be able to let you do all of what you wanted."
They were both snapped back to reality by one of the machines by Michelle's bed starting to beep. Tony saw it was just a battery low so he plugged the machine into the power point on the wall. He turned back to Chelle.
"Are we really going to live together?"
Michelle was nodding her head, "Yup, if that's really what you want, I know how happy I'd be." She smiled the biggest smile Tony had ever seen, so that her mouth was completely open and her eyes looked like they were popping out of her head, she looked really funny.
"What on earth are you doing Chelle?"
"Tony – I was showing you how happy I would be."
He had to laugh. Even if it was because she was drugged up he was loving seeing her happy again, she was a lot like her normal giddy self. Michelle had always been able to make Tony laugh. He could think of numerous meetings where they would both be painfully bored listening to Chappelle babble and Michelle would start pulling faces behind his back, a couple times she had been even more daring and began flicking things at Tony. Chappelle would then get frustrated and keep asking Tony why he was laughing and Michelle would just sit back all innocent like. She had a huge cheeky streak that he just loved so much.
"Chelle you would make me the happiest, most lucky guy on the planet if we lived together."
"Where are we going to live? What sort of place? When can we do this – soon right? Can we get a new TV?"
Tony got back onto the bed and lay on his side facing Michelle. "We can live anywhere babe – I think something in the areas we already are is pretty nice and convenient to most things. What do you think....how about like a top apartment in one of those new complexes with the gyms and pools and everything. I am pretty sure you can get like 2-3 bedroom ones...."
"Tony that sounds so awesome. I'd love one of those places – they are so new and modern and they have all that stuff you can use, plus they have the best security and underground parking."
"I love the idea of that as well, and we would have no problem getting into one of those immediately, I drive past the one on Drover Street all the time and it always has heaps listed for rent or to buy. Sweetheart, I'll buy you any TV you want. Our place is going to only have things in it that we really want."
Michelle couldn't stop smiling. She was playing with Tony's hand. "I am so excited Tony. When can we do this? What about the time when I first get out of hospital, what will we do then?"
"Chelle it is completely up to you. Would you want me to look into them in the morning? If there is time in between or anything then we will stay at a hotel until we are ready."
"Yeah Tony check out that place in the morning – see if you like it."
"I can get all the info, wouldn't you want to see it as well though?"
"That doesn't really worrying me. If it were houses or something that would be different but I already know these are brand new apartments so they have got to be nice. I'm sure if you liked it, then I'd be happy."
"Ok – I go down in the morning while you are having a sleep or something. Chelle, the last few years have been so....well miserable and hard. All I want to do is leave them behind me and have a completely new fresh start. You are my future now Chelle and I can't think of anything better than us getting a whole new place and starting over together."
"Tony, I couldn't have said it better myself. I've never had anyone in my life that means as much to me as you have come to. I've always felt like there was something missing, yet with you I feel complete – I love this feeling."
They kissed tenderly until they were interrupted by a noise at the door. Tony spun around to see his parents walking in. They came straight over and gave Tony a huge hug. And then lent over and gave Michelle a kiss on the forehead.
"You both look a little bit better than last time we were in, did you have a good sleep?" Jessica had bought in flowers and put them up on the ledge while she spoke.
"We are so much better – Tony slept forever, he is such a sleepyhead!! Then Tony got me this great needle that has made me feel so good."
Jessica and Alex smiled but looked a little confused. Tony was laughing and had to pull himself together a bit so he could explain. First he looked and spoke to Michelle, "Oh I am the sleepyhead am I?......that's funny because I remember waking you up!" Then he stroked Michelle's forehead as he turned to his parents, "We had a really high amount of pain and so they gave Michelle a very powerful injection. She feels a lot better pain wise and it is a lot like she has been drinking! Let's just say she has been very entertaining!"
Alex grabbed one of the bags he had come in with. "That's fantastic, so much better this way, plus we are always up for a good laugh. We bought you guys in some pizza – we figured you probably hadn't eaten since dinner at our house. Hospital food isn't always the best." He put the pizzas on the tray table and then pulled out some beers from his bag and handed one to Tony.
"Beer and pizza, you guys have out done yourselves – how good is this! Just smelling that I can't believe how hungry I am."
Jessica helped put the back of Michelle's bed up and then put a slice on a napkin for her. Michelle's eyes widened as she took the pizza. "Thank you. I love pizza. Seriously.....I really enjoy eating pizza and I am so very hungry."
The four of them all sat around chatting, making their way through both boxes. When Alex and Tony opened their second beers Tony decided this was a good time to tell his parents their news.
"Mum, Dad – Michelle and I have some exciting news for you. We have been talking because neither one of us felt comfortable going back to my apartment again and Michelle has a small studio set-up and there is no room at all for a second person. So we were at a loss as to what we were going to do next. We decided what we would really like is to get a new place together."
Both Jessica and Alex smiled and then Alex clinked his beer with Tony's. "What a good idea, a fresh start for both of you. Any idea's where or when?"
"Do you know that new apartment complex on Dover sty?"
Alex and Jessica nodded their heads and so did Michelle.
"We both love the idea of getting one of those places. There are lots available still. I am going to go down there in the morning and check it all out. Ideally we want something straight away."
"That is really exciting. We would love to help you with the move. Do you have all the furniture and everything you need?"
They hadn't discussed this yet so Tony looked over at Michelle to see what she thought but her eyes were closed – she had completely just fallen asleep in a matter of seconds, her hand was still gripped tightly around her pizza but she had lowered it so it was resting on her chest. She looked adorable. Tony took the pizza out of her hand and then wiped it clean with a napkin. He lowered her bed a little and pulled her blankets back over her. He sat back in one of the chairs.
"I can't believe how strong that stuff must be – it was so good to have her smiling and laughing again. Anyways, I think between both of us we will have most things – we might want to buy some new things together."
There was another knock at the door and then it opened and Angie followed by a couple more of Michelle's friends walked in. Before they had even made it across the room Jack and Ryan Chappelle also walked in. Tony jumped up and began introducing everybody. The room was packed and Michelle was still completely out of it. Michelle's girlfriends started crying when they saw her, they were very shocked at the injuries they could see. Tony and Jack put their arms around the girls and led them to the other side of the room. Angie started talking but her breathing was all over the place and she had to keep wiping away the tears.
"We came last night but they wouldn't let us in to see her - they said she wasn't ready but then they wouldn't even tell us what had happened. What's wrong with her Tony, what's going on?"
Jack started explaining to save Tony having to go through it all again. He kept his tone very calm to try and soothe them. As Jack told them the story they all interrupted him many times over to ask questions.
Chappelle was in conversation with Alex and Jessica. He had never met Tony's family before and was glad he had this chance. Alex and Jessica bought him up to speed on everything.
The room was bustling and so loud full of people who cared so much for Michelle, yet she continued to sleep through it.