"The Dive From Reefside Pier"
Disclaimer:
Same as always. See chapter 1.
Awakening
The next morning, Kira awoke to the bright sunlight streaming in through the blinds hanging on the window and the shrill ringing of the telephone. Groggily picking it up, Kira answered it on the third ring. "Hello?" She asked not knowing that the person on the other end of the line was bearing news she'd been dying to hear for the past couple of days. "Kira? It's Dr. Patterson. I'm calling about Tommy." Sitting bolt upright on the bed, Kira felt her heart begin to race with anticipation. Nervously, she asked "Is he okay?" Smiling, Dr. Patterson added "Yes, he's fine. I just called to tell you he just woke up." Stunned, Kira couldn't believe what she was hearing. Tommy was finally awake. Pinching herself just in case, she soon found that she wasn't dreaming. Finally she answered "That's fantastic!" Smiling even wider now, Dr. Patterson added "Yeah. And he's asking to see you." Still amazed to find out that Tommy was awake, Kira replied "Thank you for calling me, I really appreciate it." Understanding, Dr. Patterson added "No problem, Kira." Hanging up the phone, Kira hurriedly got dressed and left for the hospital.
Five minutes later, Kira hurried into the waiting room and hurried down to Tommy's room. Walking in, the sight hadn't changed aside from the fact that they now had Tommy lying in a level position as opposed to the angled position she'd seen him the day before. As she approached him, Kira looked into his eyes and took his hand. Then, she heard him speak around the ventilator tube which was still protruding from his mouth as he said "I'm sorry." Feeling her heart begin to break at the thought of Tommy feeling guilty for what had happened, Kira just fought back the tears as she gently stroked some loose hair off his face as she replied "Don't worry...I love you." She knew she had to stay strong for Tommy. If she let on how much she was hurting from all of this, Tommy would feel even worse and she didn't want that. Plus, in this condition, he needed someone to give him strength. Kira stayed a while with Tommy until the others arrived. When the others arrived, Kira added "I'll let the others come see you, too. I'll be back later. I promise." Smiling, Tommy looked up into her soft doe eyes and added "Okay...I love you." Smiling, Kira just gently stroked his cheek and replied just as gently "I love you, too." With that, Kira turned and left the room. Watching her re-enter the waiting room, Hayley approached her. "How is he?" She asked concerned. Sighing, Kira answered "Well, pretty good all things considered. I mean, I think he thinks that somehow this is his fault but aside from that, he's doing pretty well given the circumstances." Half-smiling, Hayley replied "Well, that's natural for him to blame himself. How're you holding up?" Sighing and frowning some, Kira replied "About as well as anbody could expect to be under the circumstances. Looking up and trying to sound more confident, Kira added "Well, listen, I'll let you guys go see him. I'm just gonna head home for a while." Nodding his understanding, Trent spoke up. "Okay, Kira..." Placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, he added "Hang in there, Kira. He really needs you right now. More than ever." Looking up into his caring eyes, Kira added "Yeah...I know." With that, Kira said her goodbyes to the rest of the gang and left the hospital.
Arriving home, Kira went inside and just thought about Tommy and what Trent had said. ..."He really needs you right now..."...He's right...If I'm not there for Tommy, who will be...I mean, yeah the others try but they just can't be there for him like I can...and he needs that now more than ever...But who's gonna be there for me?...Kira just relax...You know you'll both feel a lot better once Tommy's back home... Trying not to think about it too much and psych herself out, Kira rolled over on the bed and found a picture of her and Tommy and lost herself in another happy memory of her and Tommy.
Reefside Christian Church:
Conner had just married Krista and Tommy had actually been the best man while Krista had asked Kira to be the maid of honor. The picture had been take while Tommy and Kira were slow dancing at the reception. Conner and Krista were so happy...so were she and Tommy. She'd spent the entire night in Tommy's arms. The one place she knew she belonged. It had been a night she'd never forget. The whole night she kept thinking about how much she couldn't wait until her and Tommy's wedding...
As the rest of the day passed her by, Kira decided to go see Tommy again. She was trying to put her mind at ease and show herself that he was okay. Upon arriving, she immediately had to fight the tears back once more. Stay strong, Kira. Tommy needs you. If he knows you're hurting, it'll only make him hurt, too. Feigning a smile, Kira took his hand and said "Hey, how ya feelin'?" Smiling as best he could with the ventilator tube, he replied "Better, now that you're here." Smiling slightly more convincingly, she gently stroked his cheek as she added "I'm glad I make you feel better." Still smiling, he looked up into her eyes as Tommy replied "You always have..." Kira stayed with Tommy for a couple of hours...talking about nothing specifically, yet talking about everything. Somehow, Kira had managed to stay strong the entire visit and didn't let on how much she hated seeing him like this. Finally, when visiting hours had come to an end, she left the hospital and headed home. Getting ready for bed, Kira found sleep somewhat easier knowing Tommy was awake and was going to be all right...Though, being without him lying next to her, she was still hurting and would continue to be hurting until he was back home with her.