OK... B4 I Type up this chapter I would like to thank an awesome gal for all the reviews and feed back that she has given to me…….SAHARIAH(My real- life Tessa)girl this is story's dedicated to YOU!

Desert Palm Hospital

Las Vegas, Nevada

September 1st,2003 3:30pm

"Mom!" Meghan came bounding into the hospital room and hugged me

I grinned at my Daughter. "Hi, Baby. Happy Birthday." I said giving her a kiss on the forehead. She grinned back at me. "Guess what, Mom the girls at school had a party for me today at lunch time."

"Wow. That's great Megs." I said. She shrugged. "Yeah I guess so. But I'd rather spend my Birthday with you." I smiled wistfully at my daughter. "In the hospital? Megs I'm sure that you would rather go out. I mean Greg and Sara and Nick wanna take you out. Cath and Warrick too. Lindsey will be there(Lindsey was Catherine's' daughter and our girls who were the same age had become close friends). Climbing up beside me on the bed, Meghan rested her head on my shoulder, playing with my now short hair.

Knowing that I was going to lose it all anyway, I had cut my hair short. Meghan, who had loved trying out all the "Latest up-dos" on my hair had cried for hours when she saw that I had cut it off, and surprisingly she had gotten used to it.

Just then I saw the entire gang trooping in to the room loaded with presents, and with Sara carrying a cake. "Since you wanted to spend your birthday here with your mom, we figured that we would give you a party here." Grissom said. I watched Meghan's face light up with a smile. "Happy Birthday you little munchkin." Sara said as she hugged Meghan. "So Meghan, what's thirteen like? You'll have to remind us." Warrick teased as he hugged her too.

As Meghan got her Birthday hugs from the rest of the gang, Nick came over. "Hey darlin' how you feelin'?" he asked as he kissed me. "Better now that all of you are here." I replied. The party only lasted an hour before one of the nurses came in to ask that everything be wrapped up. "Tessa needs her rest." She said with a smile.

"Happy Birthday by the way, Meghan" She called as she headed out of the room.

"Thank-You guys so much for making Meghan's birthday such a special one." I said as they headed out. "Well you only turn 13 once." Cath replied, smiling. "Ready to go Meg?" Lindsey's waiting in the car." Meghan hugged me. "I'll come see you again tomorrow mom."

"Ok Meg. Be good for Cath." For once when I said that Meghan didn't tell me that she already knew to be good nor did she remind me that she didn't have to be reminded. Instead she grinned at me. "I will mom. Promise. See you tomorrow."

Once Meghan and the others had gone, Nick sat down in his chair. Anything that I can get for you Tessa?" I shook my head. "I'm fine thanks sweetie. Tired mind you but I'm fine." Nick nodded get some sleep Tessa, I'll be here."

But, Nick what about work? Shouldn't you be at home getting some sleep?"

"I took tonight and tomorrow night off Tessa, I want to be here in the morning when they start your next round of Chemo." I couldn't argue with him there. I felt better knowing that I wouldn't have to be alone. Closing my eyes I drifted off to sleep.