Elizabeth spent most of the night by Dylan's bedside, checking in on Jack when she could. Tom and Charlotte kept vigil over Jack, while Grace and William stayed in the waiting room, watching over Harper as she slept.

Grace ran her fingers through Harper's blonde locks as she slept. The young girl's head was resting in her lap.

"What a night," she whispered to her husband. "It could have been so devastating."

"I know, but they're both still with us. We'll all be okay."

Even so, the previous night had chilled the whole family to the bone.

"Do you think Jack and Dylan will recover in time for the wedding?" Grace asked.

William smiled. "Jack was quite motivated prior to this. I imagine that hasn't lessened with this accident. He's probably all the more motivated now."

"I hope so." She sighed. Looking back down at Harper. "They need their happy ending."

After a painful and restless night's sleep, Jack awoke feeling like he wasn't alone. Pretty common when one is admitted into the hospital. The nurses were in constantly to make sure he wasn't about to crash medically. He understood it, but it drove him batty. He just wanted to sleep, heal, and get out of there.

After a weak stretch of his arms and legs, Jack opened his eyes. They widened as he focused on the slender figure in the chair beside him.

"You're not the nurse," he said bluntly.

"And a good morning to you too, sunshine," his ex wife teased. Her long blonde hair was up in a messy ponytail. She wore jeans and a well-loved hoodie. Not her usual attire, but Jack could only assume she'd recently hopped off a plane.

"I think I need the doc now. I must have hit my head pretty bad. I'm seeing things."

"Funny. Glad to see your sense of humor is still intact. Though, I bet your head's gonna need some time to heal."

He nodded and then winced from the movement. Jack asked for water and Ashely handed it to him quickly.

"You okay?" Her voice sounded worried. "I can get the nurse."

"No, I'm fine." He sighed and laid his head back against the pillow. "When'd you get here?"

"A couple of hours ago. I got the call and tossed some random clothing items in a suitcase and caught a very early flight."

"Does Harp know you're here yet?"

Ashely nodded. "I checked in with her first thing. I met Elizabeth too, by the way. She is pretty amazing, isn't she?"

"That she is." Jack couldn't help but smile, but it quickly faded. "How's Dylan? Is he okay?"

"He's doing well, all things considered. Pretty banged up, but nothing that won't heal in time. Harper is with him and Elizabeth now having breakfast. She made me promise to watch over you and text her if you start going to the light."

"I'm not going anywhere," he growled.

"Yeah, I told her that too." She smiled, then refilled his water cup.

There was a long pause before Jack spoke again.

"Is there any information on the car that hit us?"

"No," she sighed heavily. "Charlotte said as of late last night, the police were still trying to notify the next of kin."

"Notify? So that means the person's…?"

"Yeah. The man in the other car died on the scene. Presumably on impact."

Jack let out a harsh huff. "That family is in for a world of hurt. Circumstances don't matter. To them, all that happened was they lost a loved one."

"Yeah. I know." In a purely platonic manor, she moved a wisp of hair off his forehead. "I remember back when we were married, when you'd get home from telling a family that kind of news. You'd be a wreck."

Jack nodded, remembering back to a time that seemed like a whole other life now.

"You were good at it. Everyone would say that your strength of compassion and understanding surpassed everyone."

"It was hard stuff, but yeah. I was honored to be there for them."

"Dylan and Elizabeth are lucky to have you, you know?"

"Thanks, Ash."

Hospitality had brought in breakfast for all three on the children's ward. Elizabeth stepped out of the room to grab a fork, leaving Dylan and Harper alone in the room.

"You're staring at me again," Dylan spoke groggily at Harper. "Quit it. My leg's busted, but I'm fine."

"I know."

"Then why are you staring at me?"

"Don't you get it? We almost lost you!" Tears formed in the corners of her eyes. "Face it, brother. I like having you around. You scared me."

Dylan reached over and gave her a brotherly shove in the shoulder with his bruised and scratched up hand. "I'm sorry, Harp."

"You have nothing to be sorry about."

He handed her a box of tissues. "Can I tell you something?"

"Of course," she said, blowing her nose loudly into the tissue.

"When I was stuck in the truck and Dad passed out… I was so mad."

"Mad at Dad?"

"No, the situation." He shook his head, eyes filling with tears he didn't want to shed. "Mom and I are so close, you know? So close to her having the kind of husband that won't treat her like dirt. So close to me having a dad that actually wants to be a dad. That stupid driver almost took it all away."

"Well, he's gone now. He can't hurt anyone anymore."

"Yeah," he sighed. "Not sure I can be happy about that either. I mean, he was being an idiot, but what if he had a family? A wife and kids? That's not fair either."

"Well, crap, when you put it that way…"

Elizabeth came back into the room, and both kids stared down at their food.

"You two okay?"

"Yup," they said together.

Elizabeth sat down at the foot of the bed and they began to eat. The food was surprisingly good for hospital fare.

"Hey, can I see Dad yet?" Dylan asked in between slow bites. His lip and face was still pretty swollen from the airbag. "I know you said he's okay, but I want to see it for myself."

"Finish your breakfast and as soon as the doctor comes to check on you, we'll go see him, okay?"

"Kay."

About an hour later, there was a knock on Jack's door. When it opened, Elizabeth poked her head in and smiled. "Hey, babe, you up for visitors?"

"Do you mean you?" He smiled. "I'm always up for that."

"Yes, me." She laughed. "The kids are here too."

"Dylan?" Jack quickly tried to sit up but regretted it, swearing under his breath.

"What are you doing?" Ashley scolded. "Don't over do it, wise guy." She stood and moved away from Jack's bedside to hug her daughter. "I'm gonna go grab a bite to eat and give you guys some time together."

"Are you sure?" Elizabeth asked. "I don't want you to feel pushed out."

"Nah, totally sure. Charlotte said she'd meet me to catch up. I guess she doesn't hate me anymore."

"You're Harp's mom," Jack said. "She would never hate you. You just weren't her favorite person for a little while."

"Understandable." She patted Dylan's shoulder as he sat in his wheelchair, told him she was glad he was doing well and hugged Elizabeth before leaving.

"Wow," Jack said with a laugh after the door closed. "Blue eyes, did you just hug my ex wife?"

"I did, yeah," Elizabeth laughed.

"You guys... friends now?"

"I don't know if we're quite there yet. Maybe a little more than acquaintances though."

"Huh, okay."

"You worried about that, babe?" she teased.

"Worried, I don't think so. I'm just surprised, that's all. I never thought you and she would hit it off, I guess."

"Oh really? Why is that?"

"I don't know. I feel like she's so...Ashley...and you're...not."

"You know you're talking about my mom, right Dad?" Harper sassed.

"Okay, can we please change the subject!" He laughed. "Or should I fake a medical emergency so you'll all take pity on me?"

"Don't you dare!" both Elizabeth and Harper exclaimed.

Jack noticed Dylan sitting awfully quiet. "Dylan? You alright, bud?" He shrugged. "Ladies, I love you, but could you give us guys a sec?"

"Sounds like a good idea," Elizabeth smiled. She kissed Jack lightly on the lips then kissed Dylan on the top of the head. "Harper and I will take a little walk."

Once they were gone and the door was shut, Jack reached for the wheelchair, pulling Dylan closer to his bed.

"Talk to me, bud." He waited patiently while Dylan took his time trying to form the words he wanted to say.

"Last time I saw you it was dark. I guess I had it in my mind that you weren't hurt too bad. But you look…. I don't know."

"Looks like I was on the wrong end of a horse's hoof, huh?" Dylan nodded. "I'm going to be fine, okay?"

"You need to be. Please, Dad? We can't lose you."

"I'm not going anywhere. I promise."

Later that afternoon, Harper left the hospital with her mom to go home for a long bath and an even longer nap. Charlotte and Tom stayed with Jack while Elizabeth and her parents stayed with Dylan.

Dylan was sitting up in his bed playing Mario Kart on the Switch with William.

"This game is ridiculous!" William exclaimed.

"We can do something else, Grandpa."

"Not a chance. I'm going to beat you in this, somehow!"

Elizabeth laughed and then turned to her mother. "Dad really is a big kid sometimes, isn't he?"

"More than you know," Grace laughed, shaking her head at her husband.

Elizabeth felt her phone ring in her back pocket. Pulling it out she took a look at the ID. The call had already gone to voicemail.

"I should deal with this. It's Grandma and Grandpa Wyatt."

"Do they know about the accident?" Dylan asked. "Does Dad?"

"I talked to your grandparents last night. If you're up for it, they'd like to come see you when you're better. They said they'd tell your father. He called last night a couple times but I missed the calls. I've been keeping him updated through texts though."

She blew him a kiss and stepped out to return the call, knowing he was in good hands with her parents. Once down the hall in a private space she pushed send on her phone. Her father-in-law answered after just one ring.

"Paul, hi. It's Beth."

"Hello, Beth. How is Dylan and your fiance?"

"Good. Jack is still not out of the woods, but he's strong. Dylan may get to go home as early as tomorrow, though."

"Praise God! That's great news," he said, though the tone in his voice was different. "I'm sorry, Beth, I need to talk to you. Can you meet me in Hospital Lobby C?"

"Wait, you're here? Like in Massachusetts?"

"Yes, dear. Do you know how to get down here? I think it's in the East Wing."

"Yes, I know where it is. I'll be right there."

Slowly she lowered the phone from her ear and hung up. What could this be about? Did something happen to Kathleen? Despite the turmoil of her marriage to their son, she loved Paul and Kathleen. They were good people.

"Beth, dear?" Grace was suddenly beside her, quickly noticing her daughter's pale expression.

"Paul is here. He says we need to talk."

"Here? As in, at the hospital?" She nodded. "Would you like me to go with you?"

"Will I sound like a child if I say yes?"

"Not in my book, you won't."

"Then yes, please."

It took two elevators and a few long hallways before Elizabeth pushed open the double door out into Lobby C, Grace by her side. This lobby had one wall built entirely out of windows that overlooked a beautiful indoor garden. It felt serene. Maybe that was to help keep the families calm while they waited for news of their loved ones.

Elizabeth scanned the room for Paul. When she found him, he was standing near the windows talking with a police officer. Elizabeth recognized him as Officer Christianson. He had been one of the officers on the scene the night before and had been kind enough to ride with Dylan to the hospital.

"Officer, Paul…" Elizabeth said as they approached. "What's going on?"

"Beth, Grace," Paul sighed heavily. Tears falling from his tired and worn eyes. "I'm...I'm so sorry."

"Thank you, Paul. Dylan and Jack are going to be okay," Grace said encouragingly. "Nothing permanent."

"I'm so grateful for that, but that's not all. I need to tell you…" He couldn't get the words out. He just sat down in the nearest chair, his head in his hands.

"Paul, where's Kathleen?" Elizabeth asked, sitting beside him.

"She's at the hotel. She couldn't bring herself to face you."

Elizabeth stood and turned to face the officer. "What's going on?"

The officer looked to Paul for permission, then addressed Elizabeth.

"Ma'am, it's regarding the driver of the other vehicle. I'm sorry to say that the man who caused the accident last night involving Mr. Thornton and your son, was Raymond Wyatt."

"No…" Grace gasped, wrapping her arm around her daughter, who'd looked like she was about to collapse. "Was he… I mean, had he been drinking?"

"No ma'am." The officer continued. "Our investigation concluded it was due to a combination of speed and ice. Mr. Wyatt was driving at normal speed, but with the black ice that was on that part of the road, he didn't stand a chance. From what we can tell he lost control just before the bend in the road and… well that's what caused him to plow into Mr. Thornton's truck."

"This isn't happening…" Elizabeth argued, her voice cracking and tears forming. "You said last night that the man who caused the accident died on the scene last night. I have received three calls from Ray since then. I was so preoccupied with Dylan that I missed them, but he called! He's not dead."

The office looked at his notes. "These calls, would they have come in at 11:45 at night, then 12:20 and 1 AM?"

"Yes..." she said wearily.

"I'm so sorry ma'am. Those calls came from the officer who had Mt. Wyatt's phone. We were trying to notify his family and your number was listed as one of his emergency contacts on the phone.

"It… it was Ray?" Elizabeth's voice was barely a whisper as she tried to let the truth sink in.

"Yes, ma'am."

"So… you're telling me Ray's… gone?"

"Beth," Paul stood again.

The room began to spin and before Elizabeth could make her way to a chair, the room began to fade into nothing. Her body went limp and she hit the ground with a thud.

Everything was dark and all voices seemed muffled as Elizabeth began to regain consciousness. It was unclear to her where she was, but she was pretty sure she wasn't on the floor of Lobby C anymore.

"Jack…" she whispered, not yet ready to open her eyes. Her head throbbed with pain. "Jack?"

"Oh, Beth," Grace emotionally spoke from Elizabeth's bedside. "He's upstairs in his room. I'm here though. Your father is still with Dylan. Oh, Beth, you have quite the bump on your head."

She opened her eyes just a bit, letting them adjust to the light in the exam room. Seeing the look on her mom's face and Paul standing in the corner, she knew it hadn't just been a bad dream. Ray was gone.

"I need to go to Jack."

"Ms. Thatcher," a tall doctor in navy scrubs stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder, preventing her from moving further. "You need to stay put till we do a CT. We need to make sure you're alright."

"I can answer that for you right now. I am not alright! My ex, the father of my child, is gone. Like, really gone."

"Ma'am…"

"I'm fine, but I'm going to go see my fiance. You can do your test after."

Grace knew better than to argue with her daughter right then. Instead she grabbed a wheelchair and told Elizabeth she'd take her.

The doctor threw his hands up and headed out of the room. "Page me when she's ready, I guess."

"I will," Grace said.

"Elizabeth," Paul whispered. "Before you go to Jack, there's something you should know."

Jack was sitting up in his bed playing a card game with his dad. It wasn't all for fun. The doctor gave him a number of tasks to do to assess how his brain was fairing from the accident. So far, all was normal.

There was a knock on the door so Charlotte put down her knitting and went to answer it.

"Grace?" She looked past and saw Elizabeth in a wheelchair, ice pack on her head. "What in the world?"

"Long story," Grace sighed. "Well, at least very complicated. They're gonna need a minute."

"Of course. Thomas, let's go for a walk."

"In a minute. I'm about to beat the pants off this guy." Jack laughed, not noticing what was transpiring in the doorway.

"No. Now."

Both men looked at each other.

"Oh boy. That's your mom's, 'I mean it' voice."

"I know. I'm her son, remember? I'm usually the one on the receiving end of that tone."

Tom laughed and walked out with Charlotte, making room for Grace to push Elizabeth through and beside Jack.

"What the… honey, what happened?" Jack tried to leap off the bed but winced in pain and fell back.

"I'm alright. Please rest?"

"You're in a wheelchair!"

She nodded and then moved to sit on the bed with Jack. She didn't want him moving and hurting himself any more. She needed him now more than ever.

"Mom, can you take this chair and go get Dylan, please?"

"Shouldn't I leave the chair for you?"

"I won't be using it again. Certainly not in front of Dylan."

"If you're sure."

"Very."

Grace nodded and left.

"Sweetheart," Jack said, taking her hand. "What happened?" She stayed silent. "Elizabeth…."

"It was Ray."

"He's here? He hurt you?" Rage appeared on his face.

"No." Tears began to fall from her eyes. "The man in the other car last night... it was him."

Jack's grip on her hand loosened and his hand fell.

"What? Why was he here? We have a restraining order and everything. He shouldn't have…."

"I know, Jack, but it was him. His father just told me."

"Was he wasted? Is that what happened?"

"No, he hadn't been drinking. Apparently he had been doing some outpatient rehab and it was working. Paul… his father, said that he'd been talking about coming up here. He had something for me and Dylan."

"What could he possibly give you that would be worth breaking a restraining order for?"

She held up a big envelope that Paul had given her. "This."

Jack took the envelope and began looking at its contents.

"Oh, my God…" Jack closed his eyes. "This is… wow."

"I don't know what to do, Jack. How do I tell Dylan his father is dead?" she sobbed.

"I don't know, but we'll do it together, okay?"

She nodded. "I have no idea how he'll react. Heck, I don't even know how I feel! He was horrible to us. All I wanted was to be rid of his terror, and I am. I was. I have you and Harp and… now he does this?" she gestured to the papers in Jack's hands.

"It's okay, sweetheart. We'll get through this together. I promise you."

It didn't take Dylan long once he was wheeled into Jack's room fifteen minutes later to know something was very wrong.

"What's going on? Dad? Did something happen?"

"Come here, sweetie," Elizabeth said reaching out her hand. "We need to talk to you."

Grace, William, Charlotte and Tom waited silently in the hall. Suddenly, there was a loud wail of tears.

"Is that..?" Charlotte asked.

"Dylan," William said through his own tears. "That would be Dylan."