Thanks for the reviews, everyone. I really appreciate the feedback. Also, I cannot promise that I won't kill off one of the characters. And now, back to the story.
"Girardi family?" the doctor asked.
"Yes" came Helen's almost inaudible reply.
"Joan's surgery is over. We reduced the swelling in her head and stopped the bleeding in her abdomen. We had to induce coma for the night but we will attempt to wake her tomorrow. She is not out of the woods yes, but things are looking good so far. Do you have any questions?"
"Yes, can I see my baby girl now?" was all Helen could manage to get out as tears streamed down her face.
"Of course you can. However, we can only have one visitor at a time. It's the ICU rules." Adam met Helen's gaze and let her know that he wasn't going to leave before he saw Jane.
Helen followed the doctor to see Joan and Mr. Girardi went to call the station to check in on the status of the case he was working on. Adam, Grace, Luke, and Kevin decided that they were hungry and headed for the cafeteria. As they made their way down they were met by Mr. Rove.
"I thought you would be hungry and hospital food will make us all sick." Carl said. A small laugh came over the whole group as they headed back to the waiting room to eat and wait to see Joan. When they reached the ICU waiting room, Will was waiting for them. "Carl, you didn't have to come but we do appreciate it."
Cutting Will off, "Our kids have been friends for a long time. I couldn't leave you here along. Besides I brought food and coffee."
Helen soon returned to the lobby and the rest of the Girardi's family took their turns watching over the unconscious Joan. Adam had insisted that he would go last. He wasn't sure if it was because he was just being respectful to the feelings of the Girardi's, if he was still too scared to see Jane, or both.
As night turned into day it was finally Adam's turn. As he stepped into Joan's room he saw one of the doctor's in with her. The doctor turned to Adam and with a heavy accent said "I was wondering when you were going to get up the courage to come in here, Adam."
Shocked, Adam looked at the man and said "How do you know my name and how did you know that I was scared to come in here?"
"I know everything about you. How you miss your mother and how you still long to be with Joan, but you are too afraid because every time you get close she ends up hurting you. Unfortunately, sometimes she ends up hurting you because of an assignment from me" was God's calm explanation.
"Are you? Are you, God?" God shook his head yes. Adam continued, "Jane hasn't talked about you since that day in the hospital. I just assumed that she stopped seeing you."
"No, Joan still saw me many times after that day in the hospital. She has done many wonderful things for me over the years. But now, she needs your help. She will be waking up soon. Stay here." With that Dr. God walked out of the room with his customary wave.
Still recovering with his encounter with God, Adam waited for the medicine to wear off and for Joan to wake up. Slowly Joan began to wake up, but who she saw was the last person she expected. "Adam?"
"Jane." Adam noticed Joan's broad smile at the use of her nick name and as she tried to move to face him he said "Jane, don't move. You are still very weak."
"Adam, what are you doing here? I haven't seen you in 4 years let alone talked to you and doesn't your art gallery open this week?"
"Cha, Jane. You know about my opening?"
"Of course, I still keep tabs on you through the papers and Grace. I was going to come to the opening."
Not knowing what to say, "Jane, you just focus on getting better. You've got a rough road ahead."
"You're not going to leave me, are you?" Joan pleaded.
"Never, Jane. I'm not leaving you again." After a pause he continued. "I'm going to go get your family. I'm sure they will want to see you." As he got up to leave he saw that look in Joan's eyes. That look of sadness, that make his heart break into a million pieces. "Don't worry Jane, I'm only going to leave for a minute. I'll be back and we will talk when you are feeling better. You should rest now while I go get your family."
Within a few minutes the Girardi's, Grace, Carl, and Adam filled back in. After a few failed attempts at hugs and one hundred questions from Helen about how Joan is feeling and if she wanted anything to eat, things started to calm down. Finally speaking up Adam said, "Jane, I have to go back to New York for the night. I promise to be back here before you awake tomorrow morning. Dad is going to let me borrow his car so that I can be back by tomorrow. You should rest now. I will see you tomorrow." With that he kissed Joan's forehead and said his goodbyes to the rest of the Girardi's, his father, and Grace.
Next up... Jane really does need Adam in more ways then one and Adam's return to New York.