Chapter 12

The Crash - part 1

New Years Eve is fast approaching. Jack text Elizabeth.

J. What do you want to do for New Years Eve?

B. It really don't matter but I would really like Jarrick included though.

J. Really? You don't want a romantic dinner somewhere?

B. Yes really. I like fireworks. The really big ones that go way up in the sky. LOL. I love the one you send through my body but I would really like to see the real ones.

J. Well their not allowed here because the can start an avalanche. The closest fireworks are all the way over in Grand Junction. That's 128 miles away. 2 hrs and 15 min drive.

B. Do you think we could all go? Maybe get a room and drive back New Years night. I'm sure we could find something to do during the day while we wait for the fireworks show, can't we?

J. Beth I don't know about all that.

B. Can I at least look?

J. Sure but I'm not promising anything, ok?

B. Fine. Will let you know what I find out.

J. Ok.

Elizabeth brought up Grand Junction on her iPad. Clicked on things to do. She seen a Family Activity tab. She noticed there wasn't anything to do. So she text Jack.

B. Never mind. There isn't anything to do at all there this time of year. So I guess I'll stay at home and watch the ball drop on tv.

Jack never came back to her. She says to herself that he must be busy at work.. she would just tell him if he came over tonight. She got up and decided to fix a pot of chili and cornbread. She went to the freezer. Noticed that she didn't have enough hamburger to make it. She says that she'll just go to the store and pick it up. I'll have plenty of time to get back and make it before he comes. She puts her coat on. Grabs her purse and keys. Out the door she went. Gets in her SUV and backs out of her driveway. All of a sudden she gets an eerie feeling. She didn't know what was going on. She just dismissed it and went to the store. She makes her purchases and goes back out to her SUV. She opens the hatch to put her groceries in. She shuts the hatch and gets this gut wrenching feeling that something is wrong. She get in and instead of going home she heads to the station. She pulls up and parks. She get out and heads for the door. Just as she touches the door handle she pulls back, turns around and starts back her SUV. She stops, turns back around and opens the door. She knows something is wrong. She immediately asks, where is Jack? Everyone just stands there looking at her. One whispers how did she know? Elizabeth asks again, where is Jack? Mike Hickum says, we don't know. Elizabeth says, what do you mean you don't know? Get on the radio and find out. He says we can't. They won't answer. She is trying to stay composed. She asks, what happened? Mike tells her that they lost radio contact just about 20 minutes ago. She asks, where was he going? Faith speaks up and says, there was a bad skiing accident up over the mountain past Mt. Baldy. Faith leads her down the hall into Jack's office. We don't really know anything right now. We lost radio contact. Elizabeth asks, what was his last coordinates? Faith says, let me find out. I'll be right back. Faith walks out of the office. Elizabeth follows but as she walks past Jack's desk she notices a double picture frame. She picks it up to look at it. It a picture of Jarrick in one with his train he got for Christmas and the other was of her looking out her back window heavy in thought. It was a good picture of her but wondered when he took it? She sat it back down on his desk and said a small prayer for Jack to come home to her. She leaves out of his office. She meets Faith in the hallway. Elizabeth asks, what did you find out. Faith swallows hard. She tells Elizabeth that the last time they heard anything from him or the team, they were on their way up Mt. Baldy 211 miles away. Elizabeth asks, why so far? Faith said, they were helping out with 4 other rescue squads. There was a call from the incident that they needed a rescue squad fron the north, south, east, and west. We were the squad from the north end. Frank took them up by helicopter. There is only 1 road in from here and it would have taken to long. We haven't heard from Frank either. Elizabeth asked for a map. Mike showed her where the helicopter was last transmitting. Elizabeth says, get another helicopter and go up there. Faith says, we don't have another helicopter. Franks was the only one we have. Elizabeth says, get everyone that is available. Faith asks her what's was she planning? I'm hiring 2 helicopters to go get them. Mike told her there wasn't anymore helicopters available. She turns and says, watch me. The man I love is lost and may be hurt. I have the ability to find him and I am. Faith says, how? Elizabeth puts finger up to Faith, motioning to hold on. Elizabeth calls the airport helicopter service. Hello. This is Elizabeth Thatcher from Thatcher Enterprise. I need 2 helicopters in Aspen ASAP. The man on the other end tells her on it. They will be there in 20 minutes. Elizabeth turns to Faith and says, the helicopters will be here in 20. Please get ready. I have to go pick up someone. Meet me at the helipad in 20. Elizabeth gets in her SUV and goes to the Thornton home. She runs in without knocking an asks where is Tommy? Tommy comes out of his bedroom and asks, what's up? Everyone looks at her for an answer. She asks them to please step outside. Jarrick yells Ms Elizabeth and runs up to her and asks, me to? She stoops down to be eye level. She hugs him and says, no not this time little man. Ms Elizabeth just needs to talk to them this time, ok? Yes ma'am, he said. He ran back to finish watching tv. Everyone steps outside with her. She motioned them to step away from the porch. Charlotte asked, Elizabeth what is wrong? Jack went on a rescue up over Mt. Baldy. Frank flew the squad up but they lost transmitting. I have 2 helicopters coming to the helipad in about 15. I want Tommy to come with me. He's a good skier and I trust his judgment. Get your stuff and put it in my SUV. Tommy touched her hand and says, thanks Elizabeth. Charlotte runs into the house and brings back 2 walk-in talkies. She says, the range is 100 miles. I have the third one. Please let me know what you find out. Elizabeth tells her that they will let her know as soon as they can. Charlotte looks at Tommy and Elizabeth and says, please bring our boy home. Jarrick can't lose his father to. We are going to try our best, Tommy said. Elizabeth spoke up, I'm not coming home without him. Tom puts his arm around Charlotte. She falls right into him. Elizabeth says, we have to hurry. They leave and head to the helipad. Elizabeth, Tommy, and Faith get in one. 3 more get in the other. Elizabeth tells the chopper pilot to lets go as she's swirling her finger in the air. The helicopters lift off. With the last coordinates they head in that direction. The pilot says, the temperature will start to drop and they only have about 4 hours of daylight left. He says, Ms Thatcher it's starting to snow. She tells him to keep going. Everyone is looking out the windows. Elizabeth asks the pilot to get as low as he can. The pilot tells them that they are almost to where transmitting was lost. Elizabeth says, everyone to keep a look out. They say ok. The big red helicopter came into sight. Elizabeth said, set it down, set it down now. They couldn't see any movement. The pilot set it down just up from the wreckage. Faith immediately started to assess everyone. Everyone was alive but Jack was nowhere to be found. Frank was alive but barely. The second helicopter set just off from the first. Everyone was out of it. The other 3 squad members Mike, Bill, and Carter were alive but barely. Elizabeth yells for Jack. He wasn't there. His bag was but he was no where to be found. Everyone was yell for him but no answer. They get the injured in one of the helicopters and Faith yells take off to the hospital. Elizabeth and Tommy steady holler for Jack. The second rescue squad start looking for clues. The knew Jack would be heading down the mountain. He always stressed that if you ever go down, start going down the mountain and head to the nearest town to you. They knew the area and the nearest towns near by. Elizabeth told them to tell the pilot. She was going down. She tells Tommy, if you find him first to use your walk-in talkie. We'll come back and fly him back. Her and the pilot take off. Lee told everyone that this was not the place for her. If or when they find Jack, it may be real bad. Lee tells them to fan out. He tell them what to be looking for. Tommy tells them that they don't know how many times Jack had taken him out to practice getting lost. They start their decend. They start seeing broken limbs and hanging branches. Lee spots blood. He yells there's blood. Keep your eyes open. Tommy finds another broken limb with blood. Lee yells keep going. Tommy was just east of Lee. Tommy opens his watch. He's heading NNE, Tommy yells out. They all stay on that course. Tommy finds more broken limbs about 100 feet. By the time they got halfway down the mountain the blood had stopped. Tommy yells he's off track. He's headed in the wrong direction to the town. He must have a head injury. He's got turned around. He's lost. Lee said, keep looking. About 50 more feet they find another broken limb. Everyone stay in line. Check your compass. Make sure you stay heading NNE. Sound off. They all one by one yell yes, yes, yes, Lee says yes. They start picking up speed. Tommy got on the walkie talkie to Elizabeth.she says, yes Tommy have you found him yet? Tommy says, no but I want you and the pilot to start heading back towards the crash site. Then start heading NNE. Jack is off track. He's heading into trouble. There are to many ridges between here and home. Elizabeth, I think he has a head injury. Just by the path he's taking. Have the pilot fly as low as he can and keep on the look out for anything red. His rescue suit is red. She says, I remember that. Ok. We are taking off now. Faith gets the injured to the hospital. Calls their families. She explained what had happened. She tells them she has to go back. She tells the pilot to go refuel so they can go back. He says, we only have about 2 hours left of daylight. She yells, I don't care. My Captain is still up there somewhere. He says, yes ma'am. They head to the little airstrip to refuel. They take off. The pilot radioed the other helicopter to let them know they are on their way back from the hospital. Charlotte is listening but says nothing. She walks out her back door so Jarrick doesn't hear anything. Tom keeps him occupied. Back on the mountain Elizabeth tells Tommy that they are back at the crash site and has the pilot set his coordinates to NNE. Elizabeth tells the pilot to fly as low as he can. We are looking for anything red. Tommy says from below, we are about 3/4 the way down the mountain. He tells Lee, soot off a flare so Elizabeth's helicopter Loews where we are. The says to wait about 10 minutes before he shoots it off so we'll be closer. Tommy tells Lee what the pilot said. Lee watches his watch and wait. Lee spots more broken branches. Lee yells, it's time to send the flare up. He aims up and fires. Faith's helicopter sees the flare. Her pilot asks the other pilot what was going on? Did you see it? Elizabeth's pilot says, that's where the rescue team is at. He tells the pilot with Faith to start looking for something red. We are heading NNE. So when you get to where you saw the flare, turn and set your coordinates in that direction. Elizabeth says a prayer to please protect Jack, Lord. Bring him home safe. Jarrick needs him Lord. That little man cannot lose the only parent he has. You called his mother home to be with you the day he was born. So please don't take his father Lord. The pilot speaks up and says, Ms Thatcher we only have about an hour of daylight left. She says, that's fine but you will drop me off before going back. Is that understood? You will come back first thing in the morning. I have a signal on my phone. You will call me before you start back. Tell the other pilot the same thing. Is that understood? He says, yes ma'am. Oh and don't contact Thatcher Enterprise either. I will be paying for all this out of my pocket, understood? He says, yes ma'am that's fine. He asks her , you are a Thatcher are you? She says yes I am. As soon as we find him and get him to the hospital I will be down to pay for all your trouble. He agrees. Another 30 minutes went by. Then all of a sudden 3 flares went up. Elizabeth's heart went up into her throat. Both pilots found a spot to land safely. Elizabeth runs to where the team is. She stops and asks, is...he...Tommy rushes over to her and puts his arms around her. She pulls back and asks, Tommy is he alright? He replies, he's alive, that's all we know. Faith runs over to Jack. Elizabeth follows. Faith bends down and assessed him. She pulls his gloves off, his hands aren't blue. She says that's a good sign! He has a nasty wound on his head. She calls him but no response. Faith asks, was he down when you found him? Lee yells her that he was down just like you see him in this ball. She yells, get him loaded now, hurry. Put him in the chopper I came in. It's full of fuel. Move now. The 4 men carry him to the chopper. Elizabeth, Tommy, and Faith with Jack gets in the chopper. The rest of the rescue squad get into the other helicopter, they radio the station and have them pick them up from the airport helicopter barn in 30 minutes. Elizabeth yells take off now, hurry. Faith tell the pilot to radio the hospital and tell them that we are 30 minutes out. We are coming in with an injured 26 year old male that's unconscious with a head injury. The pilot did as he was told. ETA is 30 minutes . The hospital tells him to land on the helipad on the roof. Elizabeth is praying all the way back. Jack's body temperature is starting to rise, Faith says. That is a good thing. Tommy gets on the walkie talkie to his mother. Mom are you there? She quickly keys in, yes son I'm here. Did you find him? Tommy says, yes mom we have him. Meet us at the hospital. He asks the pilot what our ETA is. The pilot replies, 10 minutes out. Tommy tells his mom, we are 10 minutes out. Elizabeth was hugging Jack's bag that she had gotten out of the crash. They land 10 minutes later. The trauma team was waiting with a gurney. They transfer Jack to the gurney and whisk him away before everyone could get out of the helicopter. Tommy waits for Elizabeth. She grabs his arm and they head to the elevator. They have to wait for the elevator to get down and then back up before it opens. They step into the elevator and Tommy pushes the E button. Faith was with Jack. Tommy and Elizabeth went to the emergency room nurses station and says, we're with Jack Thornton. He just came in by helicopter. Please let me know when we can see him please. The nurse asks, who are you and are you related to Mr. Thornton? Tommy says, I'm his brother Thomas Thornton, Jr. She said just one moment sir, I'll check. About that time Charlotte came through the door of the emergency room. She hugged Tommy then hugged Elizabeth. She said, thank you for bringing my boy home. Elizabeth says, it was a team effort. I just paid for the helicopters. The squad and Tommy was the ones that found him. They were on the ground looking. We were in the air looking. I just wish they would come out and tell us something. About that time Faith came out. She shook Elizabeth's hand and gave her a big hug for saving Jack's life. Elizabeth replies, I just couldn't leave him up there and die. I knew it was him when I got that dreadful feeling. It must have been about the same time their chopper went down. It hit me at home but I shook it off. I didn't know what it was until I came out of the grocery store. Then I knew it was him. Charlotte looked at Tommy and Tommy looked at Charlotte. They both just nodded and smiled at each other. Elizabeth asked Faith, how bad is it? Faith says, he has a pretty bad concussion but they have him down getting a full body CT Scan. Elizabeth asks, why a full body Scan? Faith says, it's just as a precaution. They want to make sure there isn't any internal bleeding or broken bones. They all sit in the waiting room and wait. It seemed like forever. Finally the doctor came out and said, I'm Dr. Huggings. He shakes everyone's hand. Everyone introduces themselves. He asks, who is Beth? Elizabeth says, I am. Is he awake? Dr. Huggings says, he came to during the CT Scan and said he had to get to Beth. I sedated him so we could finish the scan. So for right now he's sleeping. We found a spot on his brain that concerns me. So I'm going keep him sedated. I'm admitting him under observation over night. We'll let you know when we get him a room. Elizabeth asks, can we see him now? Dr. Huggings says, yes for just a few minutes. I want him to rest. The nurse shows them to triage. They walk in his room behind the curtains. Elizabeth stops. Letting Charlotte and Tommy go in first to see him. Charlotte bends over his bed and kisses his cheek and tells him that she is here and she love's him. She tells him that he's going to be just fine and Jarrick will be with them until he can come home. She steps back to let Tommy go next. He kisses his forehead and says, I will take care of things until he can come home. Just get better and don't worry about anything. They motioned for Elizabeth to come in. She tells her to stay as long as she likes. Elizabeth says, Tommy my SUV is at the airport by the helicopter barn. Will you go get it and bring it here for me? Tommy replies, sure. Is there anything you need me to do? She replies, yes my Christmas lights are on at my house. Can you run by and shut them off? I don't want the tree to dry out and catch fire. Tommy shakes his head yes. Elizabeth hands him her keys. They hug and Tommy whispers in her ear, thank you for saving his life today. She replies, Tommy I didn't have a choice. I had to go find him and bring him home. He had a little boy that needs him besides me. Thank you for going with me. He nods, glad I was there. Charlotte hugs her and tells her thank you for bringing my son home to me. Elizabeth nods yes. They leave out of the room. Charlotte stops by the nurses station and tells them to put Elizabeth Thatcher on the list for Jack Thornton. She will be staying. You can tell her everything that is going on with him. The nurse types Elizabeth's name in the computer. Elizabeth sends over and kisses Jack on the lips gently. She tells him, I love you Jack Thornton very much. I'm going to be right here when you wake up. You need to get better because Jarrick needs you. I need you just as much, handsome. The nurse came in to check his vitals. I'm nurse Reed and I will be his nurse while he's down here. Elizabeth says, I'm Elizabeth Thatcher. I'm his girlfriend. Nurse Reed says, I know his mother said you were and to let you stay as long as you wanted to. She also put your name down so the doctor would talk to you. Elizabeth asked, how long are you going to keep him knocked out? The nurse looked at his chart. It looks like for 24 hours. Elizabeth looks at her and says, it must be pretty bad, huh? His chart says he has a small brain bleed on the right side right behind where he hit his head, the nurse said. Elizabeth asked, is it life threatening? The nurse says, it can be. That's why the doctor wants him to rest and sleep for the first 24 hours. Can I get you anything? Elizabeth says, a sandwich and a cup of coffee would be nice. I haven't ate all day. Nurse Reed says, let me see what I can find and bring it back to you. Elizabeth says, thank you so much. Elizabeth sits down next to Jack's bed and puts the bed rail down. She grabs his hand and starts singing softly "Feels So Right" by Alabama.

Whisper to me softly, breathe words upon my skin

No one's near and listening, so please don't say goodbye

Just hold me close and love me, press your lips to mine

Mmm feels so right. Feels so right.

Lying here beside you I hear the echoes of your sighs

Promise me you'll stay with me and keep me warm tonight

So hold me close and love me, give my heart a smile

Mmm feels so right, feels so right.

Nurse Reed comes to the doorway and hears her singing to him. She waits until she stops. She waves the other nurses to come here. They come over to the doorway and listens.

Your body feels so gentle and my passion rises high

You're loving me so easy, you're wish is my command

Just hold me close and love me, tell me it won't end

Mmm feels so right. Feels so right. Feels so right

Ah, you feel so right baby...

The nurses listened and had tears in their eyes. They whisper now that is true love. Nurse Reed walks in and hands her a sandwich and a cup of coffee. Here is sugar and creamer if you want them. Elizabeth takes them and says, thank you so much. She lets go of Jack's hand long enough to fix her coffee and eat her sandwich. The nurse tells Elizabeth that if she needs anything just push the call button. She says, thank you I will. She finishes her sandwich and coffee, reaches back for his hand. She bends her head down on his bed and falls asleep. A couple of hours later an orderly comes in to take Jack upstairs to his room. Elizabeth wakes up. They tell her they are taking him up to his room. She follows them to the elevator to the 3rd floor. Room 3104 just past the nurses station. Elizabeth sent everyone a text telling them he's on the 3rd floor in room 3104. She stays outside his room until they get him all hooked up and situated. They ask her if she is Elizabeth Thatcher? She replies, yes I am. The nurse introduces herself, I'm Nurse Vicki. I'll be Mr. Thornton's nurse for the night. I've been instructed to offer you a cot. Would you like a cot? Elizabeth says, yes please. Thank you. Nurse Vicki tells her that she will be right back with it, sheets, blankets, and a pillow. Elizabeth sits down in the chair next to Jack's bed. Puts the bed rail down. Takes his hand in hers and brings it to her lips, softly kisses it. She tells him, I love you Jack Thornton with my heart and soul! The nurse brings her the cot and bed linens. I'll leave you 2 alone. If you need anything please press the call button. Elizabeth asks when his next medication is due? She tells Elizabeth that it will be in 3 hours around 2:00 am. I'll try not to wake you when I come in. Elizabeth assures her it will be alright. Elizabeth sets the cot up next to Jack's bed so she can hold his hand until she falls asleep. She begins to pray. Kind Heavenly Father I come to you tonight to ask you to intervene for Jack. Lord he needs you help to heal his body. Please Father touch him from the top of his head to the tip of his toes. Let him feel your healing touch and presence. Lord he has a son that needs him Lord. I need him Lord. I love him with all my heart and soul Lord. I truly believe you brought me here to meet him and fall in love with him Lord. I truly believe he needs me just as much as I need him Lord. You made our paths cross for some reason, Lord. So Lord, I'm asking you to bring him out of this completely healed. He does so much for everyone else and never asks for anything in return. Lord he is so selfless. Never thinking of himself. I pray that you do this for him in Jesus name, Amen. She sits awhile longer when she sees his face wince. She pushes the call button. Someone says, can I help you? Elizabeth tells her that he's wincing his face. Is that normal? The voice says, I'll be right there. Nurse Vicki comes in to check his vitals. His BP is slightly elevated. That probably means he's in pain. I'll be right back with his medication.she came back with his medications. He was shaking his head no but couldn't open his eyes or talk. Nurse Vicki explains that Dr. Huggings wants you to rest for 24 hours. So your head injury can heal. There was a tear run down the side of his face. Elizabeth bends over and kisses him on the lips and tells him to just sleep. I will be here when you wake up. A smile forms in his mouth and he was out. The medication works fast. Elizabeth slept with her head on her arm while holding his hands lol night long. The sunlight was coming in from the window. She sat up and looked at Jack. He was staring at her. She says, good morning handsome! He just nodded yes. It concerned her that he didn't say anything. He had the biggest grin on his face. His dimples shined big time. She started singing again.

Whisper to me softly, breathe words upon my skin

No one's near and lis, so please don't say goodbye

Just hold me close and love me, press your lips to mine

Mmm feels so right. Feels so right

Lying here beside you I hear the echoes of your sighs

Promise me you'll stay with me and keep me warm tonight

So hold me close and love me, give my heart a smile

Mmm feels so right, feels so right

Your body feels so gentle and my passion rises high

Your loving me so easy, you're wish is my command

Just hold me close and love me, tell me it won't end

Mmm feels so right, feels so right, feels so right

Ah, you feel so right baby...

He calms down and smiles but the tears fall. He shakes his head no. She knew he knew what she was singing. She put her forehead to his, leans her face down to kiss him soft and gentle. He shakes his head yes. She tells him, I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying right by your side. It's where I belong! He shakes his head up and down. She tells him that she has to call the nurse now. She pushes the button. The nurse says I'll be right there. Elizabeth says softly, the doctor needs to keep you sedated because you have a brain bleed. They need you to lay real still so it will stop. His tears are flowing when the nurse comes in. He looks at Elizabeth and shakes his head up and down agreeing with her. Elizabeth nods to the nurse to go ahead. As the meds goes in he starts relaxing then asleep. Elizabeth kisses his cheek and says, sleep well handsome! I love you! Elizabeth asks the nurse why he can't talk? He tried but couldn't get anything out. The nurse left the room after the conversation with Elizabeth. The doctor came in and asked me what ha? Elizabeth replies, he woke up with a big grin on his face. He just started at me. I told him good morning handsome! He just shook his head up and down. There were tears flowing down his cheeks. I asked him if he could speak and he shook his head no. So I sang to him and started calming down. Dr. Huggings was righting in his chart. He told the nurse that he wants to get a full head CT Scan stat. She said yes doctor. Elizabeth had to ask, what could it be that was causing him not to speak? He told her, there may be some swelling on the brain but we won't know until the results come back. He should sleep for the next 4 hours. Why don't you go get some breakfast. Elizabeth says, I will when they come get him to take him down for the scan. 10 minutes later they came and took him down. The orderlies told her that it would take about 45 minutes. Elizabeth bent over and kissed Jack. She whispers, I'll be when you get back. Love you Jack Thornton. Please come back to me. As soon as they left the room with Jack, Elizabeth went down to the cafeteria. She called Tommy, she told him everything that had happened. As the tears rolled down her face Charlotte got on the phone and said, we'll be there shortly. Elizabeth says, I'll meet you out front. She hung up, picked up her apple and headed for the front doors. They arrived 10 minutes later. Tommy stayed with Jarrick. Charlotte and Tom met her with a hug. They motioned for her to sit on the bench over in the corner. Elizabeth and Charlotte sat on the bench while Tom pulled a chair over. Elizabeth explained what all had happened and what the doctor said. She bursted out with tears and said, I'm so scared Charlotte. Charlotte hushed her and told her not to think like that. Elizabeth nods but the tears kept falling. Tom asked, how soon would he be back in his room? Elizabeth looked down at watch and said, in about 20 minutes. He said, ok let's go get something to eat because I have a feeling by the apple in your hand that you haven't eaten. They went to the cafeteria and got a quick lunch. By the time they were finished it, it was time to go back up to Jack's room. When they got here, the orderlies were just pushing him into his room. They got him hooked back up and said, Dr. Huggings would be in in just a bit. He's looking at all the scans. Charlotte and Tom walked over and was talking to Jack. Elizabeth walked over to the window. Gazing out at all that God's voice had spoken into existence! Dr. Huggings walked in and brought Elizabeth out of her trans. She walked over to join Charlotte and Tom. She reached down and took Jack's hand. Dr. Huggings started speaking. He said, Mr. Thornton had some swelling on his brain that was putting pressure on the part of speech in his brain. Which is just above his head injury. I need to put him in to a medically induced coma to try and get this swelling down. Elizabeth broke in immediately. Will he come out of it? Will he be ok? He told her that as soon as the swelling goes down that he would bring him out of it slowly. Once he's fully recovered he would be fine but with head injuries it just takes time. Elizabeth sat down on the edge of Jack's bed. Jack I know you can hear me. Dr. Huggings has to put you into a medically induced coma to get the swelling off your brain. This is why you can't talk. Don't worry I will be here with you. I won't leave you by yourself. I want you to rest and will your body to heal. We are praying all the time. We need you to come back to all of us. Your mom and dad are here. Jarrick is fine. He's with Tommy. She leans in and kisses him long and gentle. I love you Jack Thornton. I'll be right here. Charlotte puts her hand over her mouth in awe. Her and Tom bent down and kissed their son on the cheek. We love you so much. Hurry back to all of us. Tom looks back at Dr. Huggings and asks, how long do you think he'll have to stay in the coma? He says, it's hard to say. I've seen just a few days to a month or so. They shook his hand and said, thank you doctor. The nurse went to the station to retrieve the medication. She comes back. She cleans the IV port. The doctor nods for her to start the medication. Slowly she starts pushing the syringe of medication in. She puts 2 ml in and stops. In 3 minutes increments the rest of the 5 ml was administrator. Jack is now in a coma and hopefully going to heal. Elizabeth excused herself and ran out the door to the elevator. She needed to get to the chapel. She needed to be as close to God as she could get.