A/N – Here you go! Two updates again, just because I love you!

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Chapter Eleven – Was it meant to be?

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Sadie sat next to her sister's body, head in her hands. She had been in this position ever since she stormed away from Kwest. I mean, yeah, he's a great guy. He cares about everyone. But come on! She needed him--more than he could ever realize.

"Miss Harrison?" She glanced up at the mention of her name and saw a young female doctor standing in the doorway.

Standing quickly, she moved away from the bed. "Do you need to run some tests? I can get out of the way."

"No, no. We need to speak with you actually." The doctor motioned for herto sit and she was glad. Her legs couldn't really hold up her weight anymore.

"What is it?" she asked nervously.

"Miss Harrison," the doctor began, eyeing her sadly. "We were unable to reach either of your parents. And I'm afraid your sister isn't doing so well. She's not responding to anything and the resident doctor here thinks we should just send her to a hospital by her home until she wakes up."

Sadie swallowed hard, feeling her throat tightening with each passing word. "How long is that going to be?"

"It could be days. Could be months. We're not sure. She doesn't seem to want to wake up," she added solemnly.

"So, it's up to me? Whether or not she goes home?" Sadie asked apprehensively. The doctor nodded.

"Yes. We'd be sending her home in a helicopter, with two doctors on hand, just in case."

Sadie paused for a moment. "Okay. We can do that."

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Brigitte sat down in the hallway, listening to Tom packing up his things. A smile was plastered on her face. She was finally going to have her family she always wanted. It was the best birthday present she ever could have gotten--even if her birthday was still a month away.

Tom stumbled out into the hallway, his face brightening at the sight of his daughter waiting for him. "Where's Mommy?"

"She went to get the car," Brigitte answered. "I love you, Daddy..."

Tom was speechless for a moment. No one had said that to him in a long time. "I love you too, Sweetie."

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"So, wait. She's going home?" Kwest was still a little confused. One little fight with Sadie and suddenly he had no idea what was going on. She had come and apologized, quickly explaining that Jude was going home, because her condition was not worsening or getting better.

"Yes. They are getting her ready to go right now. She'll probably be in Toronto Memorial before we get there." Sadie sighed.

"Is this what you want? For her?" he asked, choosing his words carefully.

Sadie nodded. "Yeah. I want her home with me. Safe from Tommy hurting her."

Kwest wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head. "Okay..."

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Tom walked into the waiting room, Brigitte in tow. The lights seemed brighter in here. Or maybe it was just his killer hangover headache.

"Tom!" He heard Kwest's gentle voice calling from across the room. "Tom!"

Turning, he noticed him over by the far wall, sitting next to Sadie. Groaning, he made his way slowly over to them. "Hey, guys," he greeted, hoping Sadie wouldn't bite his head off.

"Are you going...home?" Kwest asked.

"Yeah...I'm gonna go check on Jude first, though. Just wanted to take Brigitte out to Portia." He motioned toward the little girl, hiding behind him. "Guys, this is Brigitte, my daughter. Brige, this is Kwest and Sadie. My friends."

She peeked her head out from behind her dad. "Hi..."

Sadie ignored her. "Don't bother going to see Jude."

Tom sighed. "Look, Sadie. I know you're angry, but I need to see her."

Sadie crossed her arms over her chest and rolled her eyes. "No. Don't bother because she won't be there."

Tom frowned. "What do you mean? Where is she?"

"She's going home today," she said matter-of-factly. Tom furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"How can you take her home? She's unconscious in a hospital!"

Kwest spoke up for the first time since Sadie and Tom started their ongoing argument. "Man, she's not...doing good, okay? We're taking her home to Toronto Memorial in case...in case she doesn't wake up...soon."

"No, but just give her time. She'll be fine. She's a fighter. She's--"

Kwest threw his hands up, wishing his best friend would just listen, for once in his life. "Tommy, you have to listen to me. She's not getting any better..."

Tom sighed deeply, tears prickling his eyes. "Kwest, she has to. She just has to. I can't do this without her. Trust me, I've tried." Salty drops started their course down his face. "That's how I ended up here!"

Kwest pulled him into a brotherly embrace. "I know, man. I know."

"I need to be with her. I need to go home," he mumbled into Kwest's shoulder. Pulling away from his best friend, he dried his eyes on the back of his hand.

Turning around slowly, he looked down at his daughter, who was watching him with wide eyes. "Daddy?"

Kneeling down, he set his hands on her shoulders. "Sweetie, I love you, okay? Don't ever forget that. But you know that girl who came to visit me before? Jude? I love her too. With all my heart. I can't be a father, not without her. And I'm sorry, honey.

"Portia's a great mom and her parents, Grammie and Grampie? They're a great family. I'm just not cut out to be a dad. I'm sorry. I have to be with Jude. I have to go home."

Portia stopped dead in her tracks, on her way over to Tom and Brigitte. "Did I hear him right? Is he going back?"

Brigitte looked up at Tom, her face twisted in agony. "I hate you, Daddy."

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A/N - Updated twice, so go read #12!