Chapter Seventeen: Ready For The Good Times

I don't wanna clear the cobwebs from my head
Time will bring them back I bet
So if you hear me say that I believe in love
Don't make me feel ashamed
I used to sing the saddest songs
And while in the meantime roaches used to climb my door
Falling back down to the floor
I used to read survival guides
When my world was full of seven legged cats
But here I am with eight more lives

Emma

Oliver's been in a coma for seven months and six days now. I never though that anything like this would happen. But there's no way I'm going to give up on him. So many people ask me how I can go to the hospital and talk to someone who can't respond? I know he can hear me. And that's all that matters. I would never abandon the guy I love more than anyone I've ever loved before (besides Danica of course).

So here I am, sitting in the hospital after school, as usual. Danica is here with me of course, and she's crawling around on Oliver's bed. Every once in awhile she'll crawl right up to him, poke him in the arm, and start laughing. She thinks he's playing a game with her.

That's when it happened. I took my eyes off of them for one minute to look out the window. And Danica said her first word.

"Dada!" she squealed, followed by laughter. It seemed like everything else that happened after that was in slow motion. I turned my head to praise her, and his eyes were open.

Brooklyn

I'm not sure how I feel about Jay right now. He's been really supportive. I don't know what his true intentions are, but I won't let myself fall for someone again like I did with Sean.

I think Jay's just trying to make up for his best friend's actions. Well, I should say ex-best friend. He won't talk to him anymore.

I don't know what I'm going to do when the baby's born. I'm not sure if I can handle two kids. Maddox is already a handful, and I don't even have my parents to help me anymore. I would never be able to give the baby up for adoption. I hope I can figure something out.

Craig

Everything in my life is perfect now. I have Manny, the girl of my dreams, and we're going to get married. I feel a little guilty about not spending so much time with Danica. I was just shocked when I first found out about her, and angry with Emma for keeping such a big secret from me. Then, when Manny broke up with me, I wanted to keep my mind off of her and focus everything on Dani. I think I was using her to keep me busy. I know that sounds horrible, but I can't help it. I'll try to spend more time with her in the future. When I'm not with Manny, that is.

Emma

"Oliver?" I whispered, tears in my eyes.

"Emma," he said.

He's awake.

I don't believe it!

I jumped up and threw my arms around him. He put his arm behind me and stroked my hair.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too." Tears of joy streamed down my face. I was praying for this day. And it was finally here. When we finally broke out of our hug, I kissed him hard. I missed his lips on mine, actually kissing back.

After a few more minutes, I sat on the edge of the bed and held Danica out to him.

"Dada!" she squealed for the second time as he held her close to him.

"It's her first word," I smiled. Oliver returned the smile and hugged her.

"How long have I been…" he trailed off, not knowing how to finish the sentence.

Oliver

"Seven months," she told me. I can't believe it. Seven months of my life gone. All because of a bullet. But then I realized that losing seven months is better than no life at all.

"I want to kill the bas…" I stopped before I said the word. I didn't want Danica picking up that kind of language.

"He's dead," she whispered.

"How?" I asked, intrigued.

"Jay shot him…" Emma looked at me, tears spilling down her face. I wiped some of them away and she told me the entire story of what happened after I blacked out.

"And how is Jay not in jail right now?" I asked her.

"Well, we both lied to the police. We used the same exact story and they had no reason to doubt us. As for the two guards, they never told the truth either. I guess because they didn't want to be tied into Mark's whole business."

"Emma…I know you're going to a therapist, but are you really okay? So much has happened to you. I can't believe that Jay would…do what he did…especially when he knew that it happened before. I'm still not sure if I want to kick his ass or not. And…" I stopped talking when I realized that she was staring at me. The look on her face confused me. "What is it?" I asked.

"You…you could hear me?" she asked. "All that time that I talked to you?"

"Yes. And I remember most of it. The coma was like…it was like one big dream. I can't really explain it, but I could always hear your voice. It was what helped me keep going, keep trying to find a way out."

"After hearing all of that, I know I'm going to be fine. I love you Oliver."

Brooklyn

"WHAT?" I yelled into the phone. "Are you serious? Emma, that's great! I'll be there as soon as I can." Oliver's awake. I don't believe it. I grabbed Maddox, put him in the car, and drove straight to the hospital.

When I got to his room, about three doctors and two nurses were talking to him and checking him out to make sure everything was okay. I could tell that they were surprised that he woke up.

Emma was standing against the wall, holding Danica and watching. I joined her and simply smiled. As soon as the doctors were gone, I ran up to Oliver and hugged him. Maddox jumped up on his bed.

"Daddy!" he yelled.

"Hey buddy." Oliver hugged and kissed him, then turned towards me. "I can't believe it," he said, gesturing at my stomach.

"I know, I'm an idiot," I said, sitting down and hanging my head.

"Hey, I'm gonna leave you guys alone for a little while. I'm sure you have stuff to catch up on," Emma said. She left Danica on the bed next to Maddox and walked out of the room.

"You're not an idiot," Oliver said, putting his hand under my chin and pulling my head up so I was looking at him. "People make mistakes."

"How many mistakes will I make?" I asked, tears forming behind my eyes.

"Don't be so hard on yourself. You know Maddox wasn't your fault. And he's not mistake either. I can't imagine my life without him, and I know you can't either," he told me. I was really grateful for his words.

"You're right," I said.

"And you're a great mother. Maddox loves you and so does this baby," he said, putting his hand on my stomach.

"Thanks Oliver," I said. We talked for another twenty minutes, about anything and everything, until Emma came back. Oliver's parents and her parents followed her into the room.

Emma and I both said goodbye to Oliver and left the parents to talk with him. Emma had to go to work, and Jay and I were going to go out to dinner alone. Oliver wanted Maddox and Danica to stay with him, and Emma's parents were going to bring them home later.

Emma

I'm so happy. I know that everything's going to be okay now. I have Oliver back.

Sitting here watching other people live
Frozen by the fear to fail
Cause, everyday there's a war to fight
And if I win or lose, never mind
As long as you're my shelter every night
I used to cry against a wall
But now I've got a shoulder that I can lean on
Swear to me you won't be gone

I'm ready for the good times
I'm ready for the good times
Ready to get it on
I'm ready for the good times
I'm ready for the good times
Now that I'm not alone

A/N: This chapter takes place on Monday, May 3rd. The song is "Ready For The Good Times" by Shakira and she owns it.