The Next Day

Simmi was just waking up when she saw Hunter sitting on the chair next to her bed. She watched him for a few moments as he slept in the hospital chair, and then she started calling his name.

"Hunter, Hunter wake up," she whispered.

"Huh? What? Oh Simmi. Hi sunshine," he yawned as he smiled at her.

"Hunter, what are you doing here?" asked Simmi as she looked around.

"Your mom called me and told me what happened last night and I wanted to come see you. I asked your mom and she said it would be fine. It is fine, isn't it?" asked a worried Hunter, not knowing if she wanted him there.

"Yeah, yeah it's fine. Where's John?" asked Simmi.

"You mean your dad?" asked Hunter.

"No, I mean John. You know, John Cena?" reminded Simmi.

"Ohh…I guess Steph didn't tell you yet," mumbled Hunter.

"Tell me what?" asked Simmi, getting curious as to where Hunter was going with this.

"Never mind, it's not important," brushed off Hunter.

"No, tell me now," begged Simmi.

"No, ask your mom. I shouldn't have said anything," mumbled Hunter, looking at the ground. He breathed a sigh of relief as Stephanie and Shane walked into the room.

"Hey Simmi!" screeched Stephanie, smiling.

"Hey girl, how are you?" asked Shane.

"I'm pretty good, my leg hurts but I'm not too bad," replied Simmi.

"That's good. The doctor said that it would be sore for a few weeks. You know what that means! No school!" exclaimed Stephanie.

"Yeah!" laughed Simmi.

While Hunter sat and watched the family talking, he couldn't help but wonder. Did Steph really not tell Simmi? Was she really hiding the fact that John was Simmi's real father? His thoughts were interrupted when Stephanie took his hand in hers and held onto it. She sat down on the chair next to him and looked at Hunter for support. What she was about to tell Simmi would not only change her life forever but it would affect the way she thought, slept and dreamt. It was something Stephanie had been waiting to tell Simmi for years but thought she needed to wait.

"Umm…Simmi there's something we need to talk about. It's got to do with your dad, me and John," started Stephanie, still holding Hunter's hand and watching Shane walk away.

"Alright, mom. What is it?" asked Simmi, getting comfortable in her bed.

"Honey, all these years you thought that Adam was your real father. Well honey, just before you were even born I had an affair with John because your dad was very controlling and abusive towards me. I didn't think I could handle it till I found shelter in a close friend," continued Stephanie.

"Wait? You had ANOTHER affair?" asked Simmi, knowing her mom was quite "active."

"Yes, Simmi I did. I don't regret it because it brought me something more than all the money in the world could buy me. It brought me you," continued Stephanie.

"So that means that John is actually my dad?" asked Simmi, looking at Hunter.

"Yeah kiddo," replied Hunter.

"Ewww! I thought my dad was hot! That's sick," yelled Simmi.

"Yeah you did," laughed Hunter.

"So honey, how do you feel knowing that he's your real dad and that you don't have to live with Adam anymore. You can live with me and John," asked Stephanie.

"Alright, Mom! This is awesome. I finally don't have to listen to dad whine and complain about you!" exclaimed Simmi.

"What do you mean he whines?" asked Stephanie, wondering why after three years of divorce he was still talking about her.

"You know, Mom. He's always telling me things you did that would really piss him off. Like spending too much money, staying out late and partying, flirting with other guys. You know," replied Simmi.

"Seriously?" asked Stephanie, laughing.

"Yeah, he's like a little teenage girl, its really sad," laughed Simmi.

"That's OK, Simmi. You get to stay with John and me now. I just hope he wakes up before then," Stephanie, mumbled the ending.

"What was that, mom?" asked a confused Simmi.

"Uhh…I think I'm gonna go get some coffee," said Hunter, cutting her off and getting up off the chair.

"Can you get me some too?" asked Stephanie, looking up at Hunter. He could see that she had been crying all night.

"Of course, Steph. I'll be right back," replied Hunter.

"Thanks," called Stephanie.

"Mom, what were u saying?" Simmi asked, noticing that Stephanie was watching Hunter walk away.

"Oh nothing, honey. It's nothing. I think I'll let you rest and I'm gonna go see John," replied Stephanie.

"Ok mom, can you tell him he still owes me ice cream?" laughed Simmi, not knowing that John was currently in a coma and it would be awhile till he would be able to take her to go get ice cream.

"Ok, honey. I'll see you later," sobbed Stephanie, walking towards the door.

"Bye," called Simmi.

John's Room

Stephanie walked towards John's bed and watched, as he lay there motionless. He looked so peaceful. She started crying as she reminded herself that he might never awaken from the coma. He has suffered from a heavy head injury and would probably not remember anything that happened. Stephanie sat down in the chair next to his bed and cried. She had been crying for a few moments when Vince walked in. He saw Stephanie crying and went to comfort her. He knew that she loved John deeply, but he had also just spoken to the doctor. John would soon die in his sleep. A peaceful death was best.

"Daddy, is he gonna be okay? Is he going to wake up?" asked Stephanie, still crying.

"Honey, we need to talk about that. I just spoke to the doctor," Vince replied. "The doctor said that John will either stay in the coma and they will eventually just pull the plug on him or he will die peacefully in his sleep."

"What? He can't die!" exclaimed Stephanie.

"I'm sorry Stephanie," replied Vince.

"How can he die? The doctors are wrong; he's going to wake up. He's gonna come back to me," cried Stephanie, taking John's lifeless hand in hers.

"Sweetheart, he's not going to wake up," answered Vince.

"He has to! I love him! He knows I love him! He will come back to me," continued Stephanie. She continued to look into the face of the man she adored. They had made plans to marry one day, to have children and to build a family together.

"Yes, I know that he knows you love him. But the doctor's are right, he is in a very fragile condition," replied Vince.

"The doctors are wrong!" yelled Stephanie.