"You may go and see her now," the doctor stated.
"She's okay?" Will questioned.
"Oh, yeah. She's fine. Gun shot to the foot. We bandaged her up. She'll limp for a while, but it'll eventually get better."
"Kids… you go see her. I'll be in in a few minutes," Will stated to Kevin, Joan, and Luke. He turned to the doctor. "Thank you."
"Sure," the doctor stated and left the area.
Will walked over to Detective Peters and Lucy Preston. "Thank you, Detective. For your help," he remarked and shook Peters' hand. "Lucy… Thanks."
"No problem," Lucy replied.
In the hospital room, Kevin, Joan, and Luke are crowded around Helen's bed.
"You sure you're alright?" Joan timidly asks.
"Of course, sweetie," Helen responded as she ran her fingers through Joan's hair.
"I love you," Joan said and kissed her mother on the cheek.
Kevin takes Helen by the hand. "I love you," he stated.
"I love you, too," Helen replied and kissed his hand.
Joan and Kevin exited the room, leaving Luke in there with Helen. Luke pulls a chair over next to the bed.
"What is it?" Helen asked him.
"Nothing… I was just so afraid I would never see you again," he replied.
"Oh, baby…"
Helen starts to cry. Luke gets up and gives his mother a hug.
"I love you, Mom," Luke stated.
"I love you, too," Helen sobbed and kissed Luke on the forehead.
Luke left the room. Helen covered her face with her hands and bawled.
Will is pacing the waiting room, when Kevin, Joan, and Luke came and met him.
"Your turn," Joan said softly.
"Let's go get some dinner," Will stated.
"What? You have to go see her," Kevin demanded.
"I will. I was just thinking that we could go and pick up some fast food, then bring her something back."
"Sounds like a plan," Kevin said.
No more than thirty minutes later, the Girardis arrived back at the hospital. Will carried a Wendy's bag into Helen's room. She looks up from her newspaper and smiles. Will walks over to her and hands her the bag.
"Here," he states.
"Aww. Thank you," she replied.
'Sure."
Will sat down on the bed. Helen pulled out a cheeseburger from the bag.
"Just how I like it," she smiles.
"I know," Will responds.
Helen starts eating the burger. Will looks depressed. She finishes chewing her one bite.
"What's the matter?" she asks.
"I found the magazine…" Will states.
Helen freezes. She moves the burger and the bag to the table next to her bed.
"It's nothing," she says.
"Helen," Will states and takes her by the hand, "it's obviously something."
Helen's eyes fill with tears.
"I'm so sorry," Will states.
"Oh… it's not just you. It's…" Helen starts.
"Yeah. I read it," Will chuckled.
"I just…" Helen started again.
"Helen. I know I haven't been the best husband, recently. I don't know what's wrong with me. But, I do love you. You're everything I've ever wanted in a woman, and you always will be."
Helen starts to cry. Will lies down next to her and puts his arms around her.
"I'm sorry," Helen says.
"Oh,… honey," Will soothes.
She cries on his shoulder.
Kevin, Joan, and Luke come through the door and see Will and Helen. Joan smiles, as do Kevin and Luke.
XXXXX
The End: Snowed In. TBC. Look for Christmas to Christmas: Coming Soon!