The Pixley Emergency Hospital

One hour later, Lisa and Oliver were standing in Eb's private room as the doctor explained their hired hand's situation.

"Eb hit his head pretty hard, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas," he said as he looked over Eb's medical charts. "But we can't be sure how severe the damage is until his x-ray results come back."

"Vhen vill Eb vake up," Lisa asked as tears brimmed her eyes.

"That also depends on the severity of the situation," the doctor replied.

"Oh dear," Lisa said as she looked over her shoulder and gazed sadly at Eb.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Douglas. Eb is a strong young man. There is no reason why he shouldn't be alright," the doctor said in an attempt to comfort her, but fear was still evident in Lisa's eyes. Oliver put an arm around her shoulder in a comforting motion.

"Thank you very much, doctor," Oliver said with a slight smile.

"Your welcome, Mr. Douglas. I'll be back with the results of Eb's tests shortly." And with that last note, the doctor walked out of Eb's room.

As soon as the doctor was gone, Lisa removed her self from Oliver's grasp and took a seat by Eb's bedside. Oliver sighed and sat on the couch at the opposite side of the room. Obviously she still hadn't forgotten how mad she was at him.

Ever since they arrived at the hospital, Lisa was adamant on not taking to her husband beyond what was necessary. Even when they were bandaging up her sprained right wrist, she wouldn't answer his questions of concern with anything longer than two word responses. She hadn't spoken a word to him since.

I guess I deserve it, Oliver thought sadly. No, that's not right. I know I deserve it.

During the silent trip to the hospital, Oliver had the opportunity to review all the horrible things he had done to his wife and friends in the past couple of months, and as he did, a tremendous pang of guilt would wash over him. He couldn't believe the things he had said or done to the people he cared for.

Whatever possessed me to treat my friends that way, he asked himself. Whatever possessed me to treat my own wife that way?

He looked over at Lisa with sad eyes. He hadn't noticed before how much thinner and paler she had become. She looked so sad and vulnerable.

I did that to her, Oliver thought. Me and my foolish pride.

Oliver couldn't believe he had let things get that far. He knew how much he loved her and needed her, yet he pushed her to the point of leaving him. Why had he done that? He just couldn't understand.

Oliver's thoughts were interrupted when he began to hear quiet sobs. He looked over at Lisa to see tears trickling down her cheeks. She was whispering something to Eb, but Oliver couldn't quite make out what it was. He leaned in a little and listened hard. After awhile, he began to understand what she was saying.

"Oh Eb," Oliver heard Lisa say, "You have to wake up; you just have to. You can't leave me alone. Please, please don't leave me alone."

The guilt Oliver felt increased ten fold at those words. He knew he was the reason his wife felt so alone at that moment.

I have to apologize to her right now, Oliver thought. I have to set things right between us again. But what could I say to make her understand the guilt I feel?

Oliver stood up and sauntered over to Lisa's side with his hands in his pockets. He still wasn't quiet sure what to say, but he still had to try.

"Um, is your wrist okay," he asked her.

"Fine, thank you," Lisa responded coldly without looking at him. Oliver winced. Boy, am I off to a great start, Oliver thought sarcastically. He cleared his throat and tried again.

"I hope Eb is going to be alright," he said. "I would never forgive myself if something bad happened to the man I owe everything to."

"Vot do you mean," Lisa replied, his words obviously sparking her interest. Oliver's confidence boosted a bit at the fact that he caught her attention as he continued.

"Well, he saved your life and you mean everything to me. Therefore, I owe him a great deal," Oliver explained.

"It hasn't seemed like I mean everything to you lately," Lisa replied.

"I know, Lisa and I'm sorry," Oliver apologized. He looked at Lisa expectedly, but she didn't move an inch. Obviously it was going to take more than a little apology to bring her back to him. Oliver walked over to the front of her chair and knelt down in front of her.

"Lisa," he said as he gently turned her face so that they were staring into each other's eyes, "I truly am sorry. I really am. I've been an idiot. I let my stupid pride blind me from the fact that I was hurting the person I loved most in the world. And I know I don't deserve your forgiveness and I'm not asking for it. I just want to let you know that I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry," Oliver said, his voice cracking with emotion. He then got up from in front of Lisa and turned away from her, knowing that if he looked at her any longer, he would lose all control.

"I don't deserve you anymore, Lisa. I really don't. Therefore, I'm going to go back to the farm and pack the rest of your things. I'll call New York and rent out a nice penthouse for you, where you can be happy and far away from me," Oliver said as a couple of tears slid down his cheeks. He turned around and headed for the door. He was about to open it when he heard his name called.

"Olivah," Lisa cried as she jumped up from her chair. Oliver turned around and looked at her questioningly. Lisa stared at him for a second, but then rushed over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Oliver stood stunned for a second, but then gladly wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close.

"Olivah," Lisa said into his neck, "I don't want you to leave! You can't leave!"

"But Lisa, I hurt you so…" Oliver began to say, but she cut him off.

"I know, I know, but I still love you. And I hate it. I hate that you can hurt me but still make me love you so much, and I do," she cried.

"Oh Lisa," Oliver said sadly. "I'm so, so sorry. I promise I'll make things better. I promise."

"Oh Olivah, I love you," Lisa said as she looked into his eyes.

"I love you too," he replied. "And it was foolish of me to assume that you knew how I felt. The truth is I love you more than anything and you mean everything to me."

Oliver then bent down and kissed Lisa passionately, trying to show her the strong feelings he had for her.

Suddenly, their kiss was interrupted by a small groan. They both turned around to find Eb stirring in his bed. His eyes fluttered for a second and then opened.

"What happened," he asked.

"Eb," Oliver and Lisa exclaimed simultaneously. They rushed over to his bedside and bent down by him.

"Oh Eb, your avake," Lisa said as tears of joy streamed down her cheeks.

"You had us worried there for a second," Oliver said with a smile. Eb looked over at Oliver and glared at him.

"What are you doing here," Eb asked in a seething voice. Oliver frowned with a hurt look in his eyes.

"Oh Eb, it's alright," Lisa said. "Mr. Douglas is back to normal. Everything's fine," she said happily. Eb glared at Oliver for a second more, but then his look softened and extended his hand.

"Good to have you back, dad," he said with a smile.

"It's good to be back," Oliver replied as he took Eb's hand and shook it warmly. "Son," he added. Eb and Lisa's eyes widened with delighted surprise. Suddenly the doctor walked in.

"Well, I'm glad to see somebody's awake," he said with a smile. He quickly checked Eb's vital signs.

"Well, everything is just fine Eb, just fine. Your vitals are normal and your x-rays just came out of the lab with not a scratch on them. You can go home with your friends later tonight," the doctor explained. He was about to walk out the door when Oliver stopped him.

"Thank you for everything doctor, but you made a mistake," he said. "We're not his friends." Oliver looked down at Eb and Lisa with a fond smile.

"We're his family."