Chapter 321
Sara was woken up by the twirping birds outside early morning. She turned her head and saw Kate peacefully asleep next to her, her soft, full lips parted slightly. Amelia was snoozing in the cot next to the bed. Sara sighed contently and smiled. A few minutes later Kate slowly blinked her eyes open.
"Good morning gorgeous" whispered Sara and softly kissed Kate's lips.
"Hmmm, good morning beautiful" said Kate and stretched.
"Go back to sleep, it's early" whispered Sara.
"Okay… come here" said Kate, her voice thick with sleep and even huskier than normal. She pulled Sara closer and breathed into Sara's neck.
Sara soon drifted off again. She was woken up by Amelia's babbling next to her. Amelia stood up in the cot trying to get her parents' attention.
"Hey sugarbum, how long have you been staring at us?" said Sara and picked Amelia up. She quickly changed her diaper and headed out to the kitchen to make Amelia's bottle and put on a pot of coffee.
"Morning Sara" said Tegan already sipping on a cup of coffee.
"Hey Tee. You're up early" said Sara.
"So are you" said Tegan.
"Must be nerves or excitement or something. That and Amelia!" laughed Sara.
"Hey Amelia. Your cousins are still sleeping, sorry" said Tegan and took Amelia from Sara so he could prepare the bottle and pour some coffee.
Sara and Tegan sat on the wide porch overlooking the lake sipping coffee. Amelia was calmly lying in Sara's lap drinking her bottle.
"You excited for today?" asked Tegan.
"Absolutely. I'm just so... incredibly happy. I love her so much I never knew it was possible to be this in love... Body, heart and soul. She's everything to me" smiled Sara.
"I'm happy for you Sar. Kate's a good woman, and she's one hell of a lucky one to marry you. You are amazing" said Tegan.
"I love you Tegan" smiled Sara.
"Yeah I kinda like you too" winked Tegan. "Alright... I love you Sar. You two be good to each other okay" said Tegan now serious.
"We will. I have no doubt that we'll to another"
-0-
The rest of the gang, except Kate slowly trickled out with coffee in hand.
"Kate's sleeping late today. She's usually the first one up" said Tegan.
"Hmmm, it's good, she needs the rest" said Sara.
"Uh huh" said Tegan looking confused.
"I'll take her some coffee in bed" said Sara.
-o-
"Katy cat… hey baby… wake up" said Sara stroking Kate's face.
"Hey… happy wedding day" said Kate and smiled.
"I've bought you some coffee in bed" said Sara.
"Thank you! What time is it?"
"Hmmm – almost 9" said Sara scratching the side of her hip.
"Whoa… sorry my internal clock never works quite right when I'm here. Only place I really rest and unwind" laughed Kate.
"I'm glad you got a good night's rest. Big day" smiled Sara and kissed Kate's forehead.
Kate sat up and yawned.
"Where's snookums?" she asked.
"Playing with the cousins outside" said Sara scratching again.
"Babes why are you scratching?" asked Kate.
"Huh, I'm not scratching" said Sara.
"Come here"
Kate pulled Sara's shorts down a bit.
"Oh dear… you have a bite mark of some sort here"
"What?" said Sara trying to see. She eventually inspected it with a mirror.
"Sar, hold still, let me have another look" said Kate and inspected the bite mark closely.
"Hmmm… I don't think it's a tick bite. Could be a spider" she frowned.
"Holy crap a spider!" yelled Sara.
"Calm down… it's very probably not poisonous"
"I hate spiders… when did this… oh ok… rolling around in the grass" said Sara.
"Come sit down so I can check your temperature"
Sara looked super upset suddenly and started pacing around.
"I don't want this to spoil our day…. Fucking spider!"
"Honey relax, it won't. I've got some antibiotic cream in my bag. If it gets infected we'll get you some oral antibiotics"
"I don't feel sick or anything…. It just itches"
"And it's swollen and warm to the touch. We'll ice it. I've got you" said Kate and kissed Sara's cheek.
"Not now" Sara snapped.
"Ooookay" said Kate rolling her eyes. She got out of bed to get her bag from the closet.
"Oh my god I may be having a panic attack" said Sara breathing fast.
"Sara calm down. Everything's okay I promise" said Kate pulling on some shorts and a t-shirt.
"That fuck in the grass was your idea" said Sara and punched Kate's arm softly.
"Noooo, a fuck in the car was my idea"
"I think I feel sick"
"You didn't feel sick a minute ago?"
"Well I think I do now"
"Baby it's not the end of the world! People get spider bites all the time…. And they don't even miss work for it"
"Really?"
"Yes… really. When last did you have a tetanus shot?"
"I… fuck I don't know? Never… maybe when I was a kid? I don't know"
"Alright. Sit down… put your head down. I'm going to clean it, ice it, give you a shot and organise those antibiotics and you'll be good to go"
"It's my wedding day!" Sara started crying.
"I know… and it's going to be wonderful" said Kate and hugged Sara tight.
"Really?" said Sara with her cheek on Kate's shoulder.
"Yeah… really" smiled Kate.
Sara didn't reply but was hanging on to Kate for a while.
Kate gently pried herself out of Sara's grip and put the thermometer into Sara's ear
"Temp is normal. Good news" smiled Kate.
"Good" Sara smiled half heartedly.
"You ready for that shot?" asked Kate.
"Do I have a choice?" said Sara.
"Sorry honey. I'd rather be safe" said Kate and sat Sara down on the bed before digging through her medical bag for the right medication.
"Alright… bum or arm?" said Kate.
"Arm… no bum! In case it bruises. The other bum… not the bitten one"
"I don't bruise people but okay, bum it is"
"Very confident aren't you"
Kate shrugged and cleaned a patch on the upper part of Sara's bum with an alcohol swab.
"Lean forward" she said softly and plunged the needle into flesh when Sara obliged.
"Mother fucker" breathed Sara.
"Can't be that bad" laughed Kate.
"Easy for you to say"
"I'm sorry sweetie pie… sorry"
"Ouch" sulked Sara rubbing her bum when Kate was done with the shot.
"Lie down" said Kate softly. She gently cleaned the bite and put some ointment and a plaster on it.
"You have such magic hands" said Sara.
"Thank you" smiled Kate and kissed Sara's thigh.
"Feels better already"
"I'll keep an eye on it. If it gets worse I'll send someone to go get you some oral antibiotics in town" said Kate.
"You just want an excuse to look at my ass" winked Sara and squeezed Kate's bum.
"Busted... I'm going to get you an ice pack" laughed Kate.
"Don't stay away too long"
"Baby, we have visitors" laughed Kate
"Oh alright then" Sara sighed. "I'll come with you"
"Can you walk you poor thing" joked Kate.
"I can walk and I can kick your ass!" laughed Sara and put her arm around Kate's waist and kissed her as they walked to the kitchen.
"Morning lovers" said Tegan when she spotted Sara and Kate. "Big day, big daaay" she winked.
"Morning Tee" said Kate and poured some coffee.
"So, you ready for that walk?" asked Kate.
"I'm not going anywhere, I have a spider bite. A fucking spider bite Tegan" said Sara.
"No shit... That's something" said Tegan frowning.
"I know, it sucks" said Sara putting up a show.
"Will she live Kate?" asked Tegan suppressing a laugh.
"I think we got to it in time, we should be able to save the bum" winked Kate.
"Stuff off you two, it's really sore" sulked Sara.
"Oh poor baby... I know, let me kiss it better" said Kate folding her arms around Sara from behind and kissing her neck.
"Jokes aside Kate, is she okay?" asked Tegan.
"Oh Teetee you do care" joked Sara.
"Come here Sasa" joked Tegan and tried to hug Sara.
"Get away you freak" joked Sara laughing.
"She should be just fine Tegan. I gave her a tetanus shot and some anti-histamine, some antibiotic ointment. I'll keep an eye on it though" said Kate.
"Ok good. Walk after coffee?" asked Tegan.
"Sure. Sar... Is that okay with you? I'll take Amelia with so you can get a bit of a snooze in. Those anti-histamines will probably start making you a bit drowsy soon" said Kate.
"Sure... Just leave your ill bride here to take care of herself" said Sara only half joking.
"Baby... I'll have my phone with me and we'll probably be gone for like half an hour or something" said Kate.
"Whatever Kate... Go" said Sara sulking.
Tegan looked uncomfortable and left the room.
"Sara... I'm sorry, I won't go" said Kate.
"I said it's okay... Go"
Kate was quiet for a few seconds before answering. "I don't want to fight sweetie... I'm sorry... I wasn't thinking. It's our wedding day. I want to spend all of it with you" said Kate.
"No, I'm sorry... I'm a bitch" sighed Sara shaking her head. "I'm just... I'm so over emotional today... I don't know what's come over me"
"Honey" said Kate kissing Sara's forehead. "It's normal to feel emotional on a day like today" said Kate.
"Then why do you look cool as a cucumber" said Sara pulling away.
"I guess I... Everybody deals with things in different ways Sar" said Kate.
"It's not... It's not that I'm stressed... Or unsure or... I've never been more sure of anything. This is everything I want... Everything... I love you... You make me so incredibly happy... I guess it's more an overwhelming feeling of... Peace... Of happiness... Of security" said Sara.
"I hope to bring you peace and happiness and security every day of your life Sara" whispered Kate and kissed Sara, first softly then more intense.
"I love you hands on me" whispered Sara after a few long moments.
"I need to stop now or I'll need to go all the way" said Kate breathlessly.
"Well they are all going walking soon" smiled Sara.
"Yeah everybody except our baby" laughed Kate.
"I'm being a big baby. I'll come with. Honestly, it doesn't even hurt it's just a bit itchy and sensitive" said Sara.
"Maybe you should just take it easy" said Kate.
"No really, we're not going to be walking for miles are we? I'll be fine" said Sara.
"Are you sure?" Asked Kate.
"Hundred percent" said Sara and smiled.
-0-
About two miles into the gorgeous walk Sara was starting to feel the strain. She was breathing heavily and her face was flushed.
Kate was pointing something out on the horizon to the group. She turned around and saw Sara standing with her hands on her knees, her head bowed.
"Baby? Sara, are you okay?" Said Kate hurrying over to Sara.
"Yeah... It's just... Hot" said Sara stumbling a bit on unsteady feet.
"Sit down"
"I'm okay"
"Sit down now" said Kate and pushed Sara down gently.
"Talk to me sweetie" said Kate.
Sara sat with her head between her knees.
"Can I have some water please" she mumbled.
"Water! Somebody get me water" said Kate sounding panicked. She took Amelia out of the carrier on her chest and handed her to Erin.
"Lie down" said Kate softly and put her hand on Sara's forehead.
"What's going on? Does she have a fever? Is she okay? Kate should we get help" Tegan rattled off.
"Give me a minute" said Kate taking Sara's wrist in her hand to feel her pulse. Fast but strong and regular.
"Water... Water!" Kate snapped holding her hand out.
Alex handed her his water bottle.
"Just breathe baby... It's okay I've got you" said Kate.
Kate gently poured some water over Sara's face.
"Let's just get you cooled down a bit... There we go" said Kate.
"I'm okay" mumbled Sara.
"Shhhh... Just relax" said Kate pouring more water over Sara.
Kate put her ear to Sara's chest for a few seconds.
"Tegan, can I have your inhaler please" said Kate not taking her eyes off Sara.
"Is she okay? Should I call 911" asked Tegan sounding freaked out.
"She's going to be okay... Just take a puff baby, you're wheezing a bit" said Kate.
Sara did as instructed and felt almost immediately better.
"Alex, can you go home and get the car. There's a dirt road about 200 yards that way" said Kate.
"I know the one. I'll meet you guys there" said Alex giving his baby to Erin.
"I'm fine... I was just overheating a bit" said Sara sitting up.
"Lie down baby" said Kate.
"Kate seriously... I'm okay to go on"
"Maybe but I'm not taking chances" said Kate. She sat down and put Sara's head into her lap.
"I'm sorry, we should have stayed home... I'm sorry" said Kate rocking Sara in her arms. Her eyes filling with tears fast.
"Kate don't... I'm okay" said Sara.
"I should have protected you" said Kate, she looked completely freaked out.
"You do... Baby that's what you're doing right now" said Sara.
Kate burst out into tears. "You're going to be okay baby, I'm going to take care of you. I'm sorry" she wept.
"Katy stop... Baby, I'm okay I promise" said Sara.
Kate and Sara sat like that for a few minutes. Kate looked up and saw Tegan, Lindsey and Erin staring at them looking spooked.
"Should we get her to the road?" asked Tegan.
"Yeah" said Kate getting up. Sara followed but Kate tried to stop her to pick her up.
"No Kate... You'll open up your appy incision" said Sara.
"I don't know what... What to do... We should... Um... Um..." Kate mumbled, completely out of character.
"Kate I'm okay to walk I promise... It's just to the road" said Sara taking Kate's hand. She was taken aback to find that Kate was trembling.
"Baby look at me" whispered Sara taking Kate's face in her hands.
Kate looked about ready to throw up.
"I'm okay... I promise. Breathe... Calm down" said Sara.
Kate looked into Sara's eyes and took a shuddering breath.
"Okay Morgan calm down" she breathed.
"That's it" Sara smiled.
"Come on guys lets get to the road" said Tegan.
The group took a slow walk to the road. Sara still felt hot and shaky but she managed okay. A minute or two later two SUVs came racing down the road. Alex in one and his father in the other.
Kate's father jumped out of the car instantly and ran up to Kate and Sara.
"Sara are you okay? Kate what's her status?" he barked.
"Um... She... Um..." Kate mumbled.
"She was overheating a bit... Some wheezing, a little dizziness" said Tegan.
"You feeling better now?" asked Dr Morgan senior.
"I'm okay... I just need a cold shower or a swim" said Sara.
"She has a bite mark... I gave her a tetanus shot and some anti-histamines... Maybe its some sort of reaction" said Kate seemingly pulling herself together a bit.
"Let's get you home and have a look" said John with a smile. Alex helped Sara into the car.
"Fuck" said Kate looking pale with her hands in front of her mouth.
"Sweetie... Calm down, take a deep breath. We've got this" said John and patted Kate's shoulder.
"I shouldn't have let her come... She didn't want to come to start off with" said Kate.
"Get in the car Kate" said John. Kate obliged.
-0-
"Kate why don't you get Sara something cold to drink while I take a look at her" said John.
"Daddy I'll do it" said Kate.
"Katy... You're shaking... I've got this" said John.
"Okay, but I'm staying... I'm staying" said Kate.
"I'll go get her some ice water" said Tegan.
John took Kate's medical bag and started examining Sara.
"Pulse is a bit fast but that's to be expected. Heartbeat is strong and regular. Let's see... Blood pressure is slightly high but nothing to worry about, probably just the heat. Katy how about getting us some wet towels so we can cool your bride down a bit" smiled John and switched the overhead fan on.
"I'm fine sir" said Sara.
"You probably are, but I know my daughter and she'll want me to check everything" said John swinging a penlight into Sara's pupils.
Kate stormed back into the room with some wet towels.
"Dad we should get a full blood panel... I'm not liking this one bit" said Kate.
"Kate one step at a time" said John.
"Should I get some oxygen... I think she needs oxygen" said Kate.
"Her sats are perfectly fine Kate, 99" said John listening to Sara's chest with a stethoscope.
"You're completely overreacting" said Sara rolling her eyes.
Kate was still pacing up and down.
John put away the stethoscope.
"I think you just had a bit of a reaction to the anti-histamines. Just stay put for a while. Maybe take a nap. I'm sure you'll feel much better after that" smiled John.
"Dad the blood panel" said Kate.
"Kate... Step outside with me for a minute" said John.
Sara sighed and stared at the ceiling listening to Kate and her dad's muted disagreement outside the door.
Tegan came through the door and handed Sara a glass of ice water.
"How are you feeling?" she asked.
"Better... I'm fine, really. You know how easily I overheat" said Sara.
"Yeah like that time you left me on stage alone so you could you lie in an ice bath" laughed Tegan.
"Exactly" laughed Sara.
"Kate's freaking out" said Sara.
"I noticed" said Tegan dryly.
"Why this... On our wedding day" said Sara.
"Hey listen... Shit happens. You're going to be fine come five of clock" said Tegan.
Kate burst into the room again followed by her father. She looked mad.
She flipped her bag open wordlessly and pulled out a bag of saline connected to an IV line.
"What the hell" said Sara.
"Shhh... You're dehydrated, just a quick bag of saline. That will make you feel a lot better soon" said Kate.
John watched his daughter wordlessly, his arms folded.
Kate tied the tourniquet around Sara's arm and patted her arm for a vein.
"Is this really necessary" said Sara.
"It can't hurt" said Kate.
Sara looked at Kate's dad who just shrugged his shoulders.
"I really feel fine again now that I've cooled down"
"Sara... Just lie back and let me take care of you" barked Kate.
"Jeez" breathed Sara.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry" mumbled Kate.
After she started the IV Kate proceeded to draw a few vials of blood.
"I'll be right back baby... Right back okay... Just relax. Take deep breaths" said Kate and left the room.
"This is... Is this... Her PTSD coming back. It's a lot like the last time... She just can't see me hurting or sick... Or... I don't know... God this is killing me" said Sara close to tears.
"She'll be okay once she sees you are Sara. Humor her a bit" said Tegan.
"Yeah... my baby... Oh sweet baby" Sara whispered to herself.
"Why don't you try and get some rest Sara. I'll come check on you in an hour or so. Big night" smiled John.
"Thank you... Please check on Kate for me. It's weird, she was fine this morning with the spider bite. She downplayed it if anything" she said.
"I will. Don't worry about Kate. She just loves you, she feels responsible for you" smiled John.
"I know... I love that she does... And I hate it too"
A few minutes later Tegan and John left when Kate came back into the room.
"How are you feeling sweetie?" asked Kate looking nervous.
"I'm fine baby... Come her, lie down with me" said Sara.
Kate did as instructed and Sara put her head on Kate's chest.
"Babe your heart is beating out of your chest! Try and calm down now, I'm okay, I swear"
"I'm sorry... I should have stayed home with you. I was irresponsible" said Kate.
"Kate... I know you're freaked out... And I know where it's coming from. But I want you to just close your eyes and take deep breaths... We have a wedding to get to you know" said Sara and softly kissed Kate's jaw.
"I love you... It scares me... It scares me shitless to even imagine you really sick or hurting" said Kate, her voice breaking.
"I know... But I'm okay now... Just close your eyes and relax"
-0-
An hour later Sara woke up in Kate's arms. Kate didn't sleep a wink, constantly checking Sara's pulse.
"Hey, feel better?" asked Kate.
"I felt fine all along"
"Sar..."
"Yes, I feel a lot better thank you"
"Good, you seem to have cooled down. I sent your assistant into town with your blood work. I'll just call to check if they have the results yet"
"Mmmm I smell breakfast"
"Uh huh, I'll bring you some"
"No, get this thing out of me so we can go have breakfast with our guests"
"Sara just lie down"
"Kate, listen to me... Focus... I'm fine" said Sara sitting up annoyed.
Kate swallowed hard and stared at Sara.
"Oh fuck... I'm sorry babe... But you need to let go, trust me... Like I trust you. I promise you'll be the first to know if anything is off"
"I need to pull myself together" mumbled Kate.
"Everything's okay, I promise" said Sara and kissed Kate's lips softly.
Kate just took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Now let's see if we can restart this special day the right way" smiled Sara.
"Let's do that" smiled Kate.
"They probably have their hands full outside with all the kids" laughed Sara. She really was feeling one hundred percent again and her smile eased Kate's fears a bit.
She pulled Kate's hand to get her up.
"I think I need a quick shower first. I'm sticky. Join me?" Sara grinned.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world" Kate smiled.
"Sara I'm sorry if I over reacted" said Kate removing the IV line.
"It's okay... I feel so safe with you. So loved" said Sara and kissed Kate again.
A/N: I know I'm in deep shit about this really long hiatus. Sorry, life got in the way. I hope to be updating more regularly from now on! Please review to let me know you're still out there!