Chapter 2

They all walked over to the chairs and sat down; Dr. Sheppard faced all 6 pairs of eyes and said, "There are 2 sets of chambers in the heart, the left side, has a left atrium and a left ventricle, and the right side, has a right atrium and a right ventricle. The right atrium receives oxygen-poor blood from the body and pumps it to the right ventricle. The right ventricle pumps the oxygen-poor blood to the lungs. After the lungs filter the oxygen into Oxygen Rich blood, the left atrium receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and pumps it to the left ventricle. The left ventricle pumps the oxygen-rich blood to the body."

Dr. Sheppard said, "You with me so far?"

6 heads nodded and he continued, "There are several other Cardiomyopathy conditions, but Restrictive Cardiomyopathy is a rare condition in which the heart muscle becomes stiff and cannot fully expand to allow enough blood to enter its lower chambers, the ventricles because the ventricles cannot expand fully, blood that would normally enter the heart backs up in the circulatory system. Usually, heart failure eventually develops. Heart failure does not mean the heart stops pumping; rather, it is a condition in which the heart is not able to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs for oxygen and nutrients."

Dr. Sheppard inhaled and continued, "Your sister has even a more rare case, because she has Primary Restrictive Cardiomyopathy, In most cases, restrictive Cardiomyopathy is a progressive disease in which the underlying cause of the disease is not known and, therefore, cannot be directly treated. Typically, the heart muscle continues to stiffen and lose function and strength, and heart failure develops. In these cases, treatment involves trying to decrease the heart's workload..."

Dr Sheppard sighed heavy and said, "If we can't then she'll need a heart transplant...I would bank on the latter more then just being able to decrease it. It's extremely hard to decrease a hearts workload...I'm going to put her on list for a new heart...we'll know more once we do an exploratory on her...I'm just warning you ahead of time...Don't get your hope up...more then likely, 70 of people have to have a transplant."

Paul said, "What can we do in the mean time?" Dr. Sheppard said, "Well, support her...emotional, physically and mentally..."

Everyday after the exploratory, Stephanie was there, with Jennie and Melissa would take turns sitting in Alyssa's hospital room, talking, watching TV, reading to her...

- -8 Months Later- -

Paul, Mark and Glenn would stop by as much as they could...

This afternoon it was no different...Stephanie was sitting next to Alyssa's bed. Reading a magazine quiz to Aly...Aly had definitely seen better days, today she was paler, and her lips were turning blue, she'd been having shallow breathing for the last 2 weeks...

Stephanie said, "Okay, What do you find more sexually appealing on a man, a) His ass, b) His lips, C)His chest or D) His personality...On you're brother I'd chose a, b, and c...but since I want a better score I'll put D." Aly laughed a little.

Steph said, "Are you ok? Do you need anything?" Aly said, "I want...you to promise me...something." Stephanie said, "Anything honey, you name it." Stephanie took her hand and Aly said, "Take care of Paul for me...please." Steph said, "C'mon...don't even go there...what's got you talking craziness?"

Tears slowly ran down Alyssa's cheeks as she said, "Because, I'm never...gonna get a heart...you know that...In order for me...to get one...someone has to die. Just promise me...you'll always take care of Paul...even if you guys...don't get married...if things don't work out...he's my best friend."

Tears leaked out of Stephanie's big blue eyes, as she squeezed Alyssa's hand and said, "I promise I will, but I won't have to keep the promise, you'll get a new heart and you'll be up running around and knocking the hot guys on their ass for a date with you before you know it."

Aly said, "I'm getting a new heart...not a new body."

Meanwhile across the country in California...The guys just got done filming Raw...Paul Glenn and Mark were sitting in the dressing room talking. Mark said, "How's Aly doing?"

Paul sighed heavy and ran his hand through his long sandy blonde hair and said, "Dr. Sheppard said she's progressing faster then what they have the resources for...but she can't be moved. She's been in the St. Louis hospital for 8 months solid...She hates it there...and I can't say that I blame her." Glenn patted Paul on the back and said, "Don't worry man...the call will come...you've just gotta keep the faith."

They all stood up ready to leave for the hotel when Paul's cell phone started ringing. Paul picked it up and looked at the caller ID...it was Aly's hospital room number. Paul flipped open his phone and said, "Hey kiddo, what's going on."

The next thing he heard was, "Paul...they did it...they found a heart for Alyssa...Paul...you've got to hurry up and get here...they are taking her into surgery in 4 hours...I called Dad he said use the company jet...bring Glenn and Mark with you...You've gotta be here before she goes in...she wants you here now."

Paul was white as a ghost...he could feel the tears building in his eyes as he said, "Okay Steph, well be there." He hung up and Mark said, "What?" Paul couldn't hold it in anymore...he yelled, "THEY GOT ONE! THE GOD DAMN HOSPITAL GOT ALY A HEART!"

They packed as fast as they could and left the airport to St. Louis. Only praying everything would work out.