***Jennifer***
Jennifer woke up and stretched, and then instantly felt Jonathan's arms around her.
"Morning".
"Morning, darling." He leaned over and kissed her forehead.
"How did you sleep?"
"Better, now that you're here. Promise me you won't go away again?"
"I promise. I'll never leave your side again".
Jennifer reached for him, and then suddenly, he vanished.
She woke up with a start, and sat straight up. It quickly dawned on her that she was in the hospital, Jessalynn was in the hospital, and Jonathan was not with them.
With her heart in her throat, she climbed out of bed and went to Jessalynn's side and leaned down and kissed her.
"At least I have you. It might be me and you and Bubby from now on, all on our own, but we'll make it."
She gave her another kiss.
After a shower and some breakfast, she was feeling a little bit better, but not much.
To put it simply, she was tired. Tired of being at the hospital. Tired of not being home. Tired of Jessalynn not getting better. Tired of not hearing from Jonathan. Tired of not knowing where he was. Tired of realizing that she might never get the answers from him that she desperately wanted.
She tried to distract herself for about an hour while she waited for Susan to come in.
She looked up when there was a knock at the door.
"Hi, my name is Misty. I'm a Baby buddy here at the hospital. Can I give you a break for a bit?"
"You know what, I would love that. I'm going to take my phone with me, and if the doctor comes in, please have her call me. She knows the number. I'm just going to go take a walk in the parking lot or something".
"Yes ma'am".
"You can't pick her up, but she loves to be sung to, and you can hold her hand and she likes it if you rub the back of her hand with your fingers."
"We'll be fine, ma'am".
"I'll be back in about 20 minutes, unless Dr. Kendall comes in. Thank you so much".
"Certainly, ma'am".
Jennifer headed to the elevator, and then out to the parking lot. She went and walked the courtyard, trying to enjoy the sun and the fresh air.
After her walk was over, she headed back inside.
Susan was in the room, waiting on her.
"Feel better?"
"Some. Not a lot, but some".
"Well, how would you like to hold your daughter's hand as I take her breathing tube out?"
"You mean it?"
"I mean it. The longer we keep her on it, the more we risk an infection. So, I am going to take it out, and then give her some cannula, and keep her in the oxygen tent at night".
Jennifer nodded.
"Ok, wash your hands and then we will do it".
After Jennifer was all set, she got to hold both of Jessalynn's hands while Susan took the breathing tube out, and then Susan picked Jessalynn up and handed her to Jennifer.
"Hi there, princess. I bet that feels better, doesn't it?"
She gave her several kisses, and then they walked down the hall to the room with the bath beds.
As soon as Jennifer put Jessalynn into the warm water, she opened her eyes.
"Hi princess. You love bath time, don't you? I bet this feels so good".
She gave her a leisurely bath, and got her all nice and clean, and then got her out and dried her off and diapered her again.
They walked back down the hall and got dressed again, and then Jennifer sat with her in the bed some.
The nurse came in and reattached her IV's, but still let Jennifer hold her.
She held her for an hour and sang to her and loved on her.
"Daddy isn't home yet, but Mommy knows he'll be home soon. And he's going to hate that he's missed seeing you all these days".
Susan came back in to the room.
"Well, someone looks very happy. I think she may have turned a corner".
"Gosh, I hope so".
"Hold her, while I put the cannula on her."
Jennifer was singing to Jessalynn and she didn't even notice the cannula being placed on her face.
"Ok, Mama. 10 more minutes, and then it's into the tent".
"Yes, Dr. Kendall".
Jennifer soaked up every second of her ten minutes and then after about a thousand goodnight kisses, she laid Jessalynn down in the tent. Susan turned on the oxygen, while Jennifer got her all covered up with a blanket and got her paci.
"When can we take the feeding tube out?"
"Let's give her a few days without the breathing tube and then we'll talk about it".
"Thank you".
"She's not out of the woods yet. But she's covered some distance. In the morning, I'll do another chest x-ray and recheck her bloodwork, so we will know where we stand".
"Great".
"Well, goodnight. I'll tell the nurses to call me if something happens. Otherwise, I'll see you bright and early in the morning".
"Thank you".
Jennifer went and took a quick shower and then changed into her pajamas and came out and got into bed.
She called the house to check on Jagger.
Rachel picked up.
"Hey, how's my son, and my best friend, and my aunt?"
"Your son is just fine. He's so happy. I think he's hitting a growth spurt, because he slept longer today both times and he's been so active. He's in the jumperoo right now, wearing himself out. And your aunt made us the most delicious meal I've ever had. Bacon wrapped stuffed shrimp, on a salad with cilantro lime dressing. And your best friend is hanging on by a thread, missing her fiance and all".
"I'm missing my husband just as much."
"How's Jessalynn?"
"She's great. She got the breathing tube taken out just a bit ago, and had a nice, long bath, and woke up. I mean, really woke up. She now just has nasal cannula, and hopefully, in a few days she can get the feeding tube out. Susan said we will do more x-rays and more bloodwork in the morning. I wanted to hold her all night, but she's in her oxygen tent, sleeping nicely".
"That's great".
"Listen, tomorrow, do you think you could bring Jagger up to the hospital? I'm hoping that Susan will allow me to take Jessalynn out to the courtyard, and I was hoping they could see each other. And when you do, please pack me a bag and bring me a change of underwear and a fresh t-shirt and some more lounging pants".
"Certainly. How about we come around 11?"
"Wonderful idea".
They chatted a little longer, and then Jennifer hung up and tried to get some sleep.
She got her wallet out of her purse, and pulled out a picture of her and Jonathan.
"Goodnight, darling, wherever you are".
She kissed it and put it back in her wallet and then turned out the light and fell asleep.
***Jonathan***
Jonathan was running out of wood and things to burn to keep the fires going. He looked up and realized that the trees were sort of blocking the smoke from rising above the forest. He looked around and guesstimated that it was sometime early the next morning. Hard to tell for sure, with the trees.
He got up and started digging around in the wreckage. He found the other emergency kit he kept in the main cabin, and opened it.
Finding nothing useful in there, he closed it back in frustration.
He looked over at Jack and realized he had fallen asleep. His chest was rising and falling, which was good.
He stared at the fire closest to him, and watched the embers burn and crumble. At some point, his body just gave into the exhaustion, and he drifted off.
Sometime later, he woke up when he heard voices.
"How awesome!"
"I've never seen a real-life plane wreck before!"
Jonathan opened his eyes and saw that three kids, about 13 years old, were standing in front of him.
"Hey, where did you two come from?"
"We were just riding our bikes, and we found you".
"I tell you what-if you guys can go get help-like the police or something, I'll give each of you a nice reward. Lots of cash, new bikes, whatever you want. Just go get us help, please. Tell them there's two of us who need stretchers and two more that will need to be hauled out".
"Sure, Mister".
Two of the boys went to get help, and the third one stayed behind with Jonathan.
"Mister, how did your plane crash?"
"Oh, usual way, I suppose. Nothing exciting".
"Plane crashes are really cool".
"Not when you're in them".
He pulled out a pen from his shirt pocket, and his wallet, and handed the kid some business cards and a pen.
"Write down your address and your name and phone number. I want to make sure you three get the rewards I promised".
Even though he needed the sleep and the rest, he was so grateful that the boys had come along.
***Jennifer***
Jennifer showered while Jessalynn was gone for her chest x-ray.
She was tidying up the room when they brought Jessalynn back.
Rachel called and told her they were on their way.
"Perfect. I'm waiting to speak with the doctor. If she says yes, we will meet you in the courtyard on the ground floor, and if she says no, I'll come meet you".
"Great. See you in a few".
Jennifer got Jessalynn all dressed up, and was sitting on the bed holding her when Susan came in.
"Hello. So, I have the results of her chest x-ray. Pneumonia spot is almost gone. I want to keep her on the medicine though, just to be sure."
"Yay! I'm so proud of you, princess".
Jennifer kissed her forehead.
"So, Rachel and Jagger are on their way up, so that I can see Jagger for a few minutes. Would it be the end of the world for me to take her to the courtyard and let her get some fresh air and see her twin brother for a few minutes?"
"I think that is a lovely idea. But, let's say only half an hour or so. I know that Jagger needs to see his Mama, but we don't want to overtire Jessalynn".
"I understand".
Susan got her all checked out, and then disconnected all of her IV's, and the nasal cannula, and she and Jessalynn and Susan walked down to the elevator.
Jessalynn was smiling at everyone and was so happy.
"I'll come see you two in a couple of hours. Have fun with your Jagger visit".
"Thank you, so much".
Jennifer and Jessalynn walked down to the courtyard and found Rachel and Jagger.
"Hi!"
"Hi! Hey little man! Mama missed you!"
They swapped babies and Jennifer loved on Jagger for several minutes.
"Mama missed you so, so much".
Jagger was holding tight to Jennifer's arm.
Jessalynn laid on Rachel's chest and let her rock her.
"Susan said we can only stay out here about 30 minutes. But, Jessalynn got a wonderful report-her pneumonia is almost gone, and she is allowed to be more active today".
"That's wonderful".
"Hopefully, this means we will get to go home soon. I cannot wait to sleep in my own bed again".
They turned the babies so they could see each other. They instantly started smiling.
"How is Aunt Marnie?"
"Wonderful. She's the sweetest little lady. She is seriously the best cook! She's taught me so much, and she's so good with Jagger. And she knows how to keep me calm. The wind was seriously going nuts last night and I could have sworn I heard someone outside like 4 times, but she kept calming me down and reassuring me it was just the wind".
"That makes me happy. I'm so thankful to the both of you. I swear, I owe you both so much for helping us through this".
"You don't owe me a thing. I'm happy to help out".
The thirty minutes was up all too quickly, and Jagger definitely didn't like leaving Jennifer, but Rachel managed to distract him and get him to calm down.
Jennifer and Jessalynn made their way back to her room, and got settled again.
Jennifer pushed the button for the nurse, and they came and got her IV's and cannula hooked up again.
"Just a few more days, Princess. Hopefully, we will only be here a few more days".
***Jonathan***
As soon as the boys got back with help for Jonathan and Jack, things happened very fast.
There were police, firemen, EMT's, all buzzing around.
"He has a head injury, of some kind. He was complaining of a headache earlier. I tried to keep him awake, but it didn't work. And there's another guy in the front of the wreckage-but he didn't survive".
They got Jonathan on a stretcher, and he told the police about what happened to them.
"I want us to be flown to Los Angeles. I'll cover all the costs".
"We can make that happen, Mr. Hart."
"And, I want the names and addresses of these three boys, so I can get them a reward. And if someone could loan me a phone so I can call my wife, I'd appreciate it".
"Right away, Mr. Hart".
***Willow Pond***
Rachel, Jagger and Aunt Marnie were in the living room. Jagger was happily doing tummy time, and playing with some toys, while Aunt Marnie and Rachel visited.
"She looked like she was finally getting some rest. I think the idea of possibly coming home perked her up quite a bit. And Jessalynn couldn't have been cuter. You could tell she loved being outside, and she loved seeing Jagger. And Jagger loved seeing his Mama too".
"Well, that's wonderful. Hopefully, they will be home soon".
The phone rang, so Rachel leaned over and answered it.
"Hello?"
"Rachel, it's Jonathan. Is Jennifer there?"
"Jonathan! Where the hell are you and Jack?"
"It's a long story, but we are going to be arriving at Los Angeles General Hospital in an hour. Get Jennifer, and we will meet you two in the emergency room".
"You got it".
She hung up and looked at Aunt Marnie.
"Jonathan and Jack are coming home. I have to go get Jennifer and meet them at the hospital. Are you ok staying with Jagger? I might be gone till tomorrow".
"I'm fine, sweetie. Go".
Rachel went upstairs and quickly threw a bag together for Jonathan, and gathered her things and then headed to the hospital.
***Jennifer***
Jennifer was in her room, holding Jessalynn, when Rachel came in.
"Hi, what are you doing here?"
"I was at the house and the phone rang. It was Jonathan. He wouldn't tell me the details, only that he and Jack are being brought to the emergency room and he wants us to meet them there".
"Oh my gosh…"
Just then, the buddy from the day before appeared.
"Hi, can I sit with the baby and offer you a break, perhaps?"
"Yes, I think she would like that. You can pick her up now, but just be very gentle. She likes to sit in the bed, and she loves to be read to and sung to. Here are some books you can read to her, if you want".
"Great".
After they got her settled, Jennifer gave Jessalynn tons of kisses.
Rachel leaned down to tell her goodbye also.
"Aunt Mushy loves you, punkin."
"Hi, I'm Rachel".
"Hi, I'm Misty".
"Thank you for sitting with her".
"Happy to do it".
Jennifer and Rachel left and headed to the ER.
***Emergency Room***
"Where are they? They should be here by now".
"Any minute, Squishy. Let's be patient".
Jennifer paced back and forth, wringing her hands.
Finally, the doors opened, and a stretcher with Jonathan came rolling through first.
"Darling! What happened to you?!"
He reached for her and kissed her fingers several times.
"It's a long story, I'll fill you in, I promise".
She walked by his stroller as they took him to a triage room.
Rachel ran to Jack's side.
He was awake, on an oxygen mask.
"Gosh, I've missed you".
"I love you, I was so worried".
"I love you too".
They ended up being put in a room together.
The doctor examined both of them, and took them for x-rays and then brought them back.
"Ok, so final diagnosis. Jack, you have a concussion, and two broken toes, and a broken thumb. We will cast your thumb, tape your toes, and admit you to keep an eye on the concussion. Jonathan, you have a broken shoulder blade, so you will be in a brace for about 4 weeks. You also have a torn rotator cuff, so we are going to let your shoulder blade heal and then we will do surgery on your rotator cuff in a few weeks. You are also having some short-term memory loss, but hopefully it will correct itself. We'll observe it, just in case".
"Doctor, our daughter is upstairs in a room, being treated for the flu and RSV. Can he bunk in with us?"
"I'll allow it."
"Thank you".
Rachel was glued to Jack's side, and making sure he was comfortable.
"Jack, we'll get you a room here at the palace as well."
"Thank you, doctor".
"Ok, the orderlies will be here to move you two to your rooms within the hour".
***Jennifer's room***
Misty was holding Jessalynn and singing to her.
"How did I get so lucky to have a sweet girl like you?"
She sang "You are My Sunshine" to her a few times, and then Jessalynn started to get sleepy, so she put her back in her crib.
"One day, I'll be able to take you away from all of this and give you everything you ever dream of. And you'll finally be my daughter, forever and for always".
***Willow Pond***
Marnie was sitting in the living room, holding Jagger.
"Ride little horsey, down to town…"
He was laughing and loving every second of it.
The shadowy figure was watching them through the living room window.
As the figure backed away and tried to retreat back to where they had been hiding, they accidentally knocked into the table.
Marnie heard the commotion and got up to look, as the figure stealthily moved out of sight.
"Darn wind again. Hopefully, that will stop soon".