A/N: I know I say I'll keep posting if there's reviews, but then when I think again... Nope, I don't need reviews THAT BAD to keep posting! And maybe the 1st chapter is just too short? Well... just tell me about it, review is greatly appreciated!
Chapter 2: Waking Up
Kim never feels more peace than now. She feels as if she's walking on a cloud. Suddenly she hears her parents' voice calling for her.
"Kim.."
"Mother! Father! I missed you!" She ran towards them and hugs them.
"We missed you too, Kim.." Said her mother.
"We watched you from here, always." Said her father, patting her head.
"About Thuy.. I beg for your forgiveness.. I just couldn't be with him.. I.. I love Chris!"
"No Kim, we understand.. you don't have to feel guilty dear." Said her mother, calming her.
"We felt sad when we saw your struggles.. We should have been there for you.." Her father said while shook his head.
"Kim, you should be there for Tam.. You should be on your son's side.."
"But mother.. if I live, Chris and Ellen will leave Tam.. This is the only way for me to give Tam the best life!" Cried Kim.
"No Kim, I believe Chris won't leave your son.. I understand this completely."
"Father, he doesn't even love me anymore, how would he love a child he barely knew?"
"That may be what you believe Kim.. but we can see completely that he still loves you.. and he love your child.." Her mother said, reassuring her.
"What about his wife? He got married already.. It won't do justice for her.."
"We know more than you know now, Kim.. But we can only tell you, being with Chris and your son is the only way for you.." Her father says wisely.
"But.." Kim lose her words.
"Kim, turn your back… See it.. and you'll understand what we say.." Her mother said, while walking away from her.
"Just remember that we love you Kim.. and we'll protect you from afar.." Her father said, getting farther and farther.
When Kim turn back, she saw her son, Tam, in the arms of his father, Chris. Chris was whispering to Tam, "Tam, my son.. You might not understand everything… You might not know why we are here.. You might hate me for hurting your mother so many times, for leaving both of you.. But always know that I love both of you.. you are everything for me.. I'm just hoping for your mother to wake up.. And I promise, I'll find a way for three of us to be happy, together.."
Kim cried when she heard this.
"But how is it going to happen, Chris? How? Now that you've got your wife?"
Then, Kim heard Chris's voice, saying, "Kim, I'm sorry… I would never want things to end like this.. Please, wake up.. Don't leave us.. Please.. Remember Tam.. Come back for our son.. Tam needs you.. I need you, Kim.."
After contemplating for her choice, Kim makes up her mind.
--
Chris never leaves Kim's side. He keeps waiting for Kim to wake up. He's scared that if he left Kim, Kim will pass away as well. Even though John and Ellen beg him, he wouldn't move. Ellen takes care of Tam. Tam never leaves the hospital as well. Chris demands Tam to stay there, so when Kim wakes up, Tam will be there as well.
And it's been two days. Two days, full of anxiety and worry for Chris.
It was the sunrise of the third day, when Chris heard Kim stirred. He rushed to call the doctors and went immediately to Kim's side.
"Kim, Kim! Can you hear me? It's me, Chris!"
"Sir, can you step aside please? We need to check her." The doctor asked.
"Kim! Please look at me!" Begged Chris, ignoring the doctor.
Amazingly, Kim opened her eyes.
"Chris.."
Chris, being overjoyed that Kim survived, hugs her. John, who came to check him, pulls him back so that the doctor can check Kim.
"Chris, patience! The doctor needs to make sure she's alright!"
"John, she's alive! She's alive!" Chris cried with joy.
"How is she, doctor?" Asked Chris.
"She is a great fighter. She managed to survive, but she's still weak.. I suggest getting her out of the country to heal her health."
"Yes! Thank you doctor! I'll manage that as soon as we can!" Said Chris.
"Tam.. Where is Tam?" Kim asked weakly.
"Here, he's with us. Tam, your mother survives!" Chris, overjoyed that Kim survived, hugs his son tight. He brings Tam and lay him down beside Kim.
John, knowing that Chris needed time alone with Kim and Tam, leave the room after saying that he is going out for some fresh air.
Chris kissed Kim's forehead and touched her cheeks. Kim flinched at these gestures. Chris, feeling Kim's reactions, frowned and pulled his hands back.
"What's the matter?"
Kim doesn't say anything.
"Kim, what's wrong?"
"…. You've got a wife, Chris. You shouldn't do these things to me."
"But.."
"You don't have to feel sorry and guilty for me. I understand completely."
"Understand? Understand about…?"Chris asked, confused.
"I understand completely that you have a new life.. A much better life. I understand I'm not a part of your life anymore, but please… please take Tam with you. He needs a life.. He deserve a better future. He's your son." Kim begged.
"Kim, I.."
"I will give my life for my son. I'll be alright, living without him, knowing that he lives a good life, with you. He deserves it."
"I know, you proved that to me. Don't worry, I'll take him to the States."
"Thank you." Kim interrupted, turning her face away so that Chris can't see the sorrow in her eyes, knowing she would part with her only possession, her only reminder of Chris.
"But I won't separate him from you."
"No! Chris, please, take him!" Begged Kim.
"What?" Chris became confused of Kim's reaction. Then something downed on him. 'No! She thinks that I'm going to leave them here!'
"No Kim, I'm taking you both! I won't leave either of you here!" Chris frantically reassures her.
"…. What? No! What about your wife?" Asked Kim.
Ellen unexpectedly appears from the door and says, "It's alright Kim, I want you to be with us in the States."
"But.." Kim lost her words, confused on Ellen's statement.
"Kim, the doctor told us you need to get more improved treatment, you need to go with us! Please!" Chris begged desperately.
Seeing this, Ellen step forward and ask Chris, "Chris, why don't you join John? I'll explain this to Kim."
Chris, unsure if he should leave Kim with Ellen, turn to look at Ellen's face, reassuring that there won't be any hurt resulted from leaving them by themselves. Ellen seems to understand this, nodded at Chris. Chris turn to glance at Kim, who simultaneously nodded.
"Kim.." Ellen started, unsure how to start the conversation.
"Mrs…" Kim said, but Ellen interrupted, "Call me Ellen, please."
"Ellen.. You don't have to worry about me. Just please, take good care of my son. Just leave me here, I'll be alright, as long as Tam is alright."
"No, no, no! Kim, you need to go with us! You're not going to be fully healed if you stay here. The doctors told us.. you need more improved medical treatment."
"Ellen, please.. I can't go with you. I don't want to hurt your feelings."
"Kim.. I'm alright. You're here, mostly because of me." Ellen stated, guiltily.
"No, it's fully my choice to end my life. I'll give my life for Tam. He's the only one I have."
"Then… why don't you go with us, Kim? Tam needs you! Tam needs his real mother.."
"But Ellen.."
"Kim, please.. I beg you, go with us. Tam would want you to stay beside him forever. Having your health taken care would be the greatest gift for him."
Kim stays silent, unsure of what to say.
Ellen, remembering John's story of Kim, try once more to assure her to go to States with them.
"Kim.. I know that you are an orphan. You may ask how I know this. When you are still unconscious, John told me everything about you. How you met Chris, how you struggles for Tam.. You missed your parents, didn't you? Why won't you spare that painful feelings from Tam? Please, come with us.." Begged Ellen. She take Kim's hand and hold it gently.
"Please."
Kim turns to watch Tam, who is still laying peacefully beside her. Watching her son's innocent face, she felt her heart melt. She made up her decision.
"Okay, I'll go with you."
Ellen, relieved that Kim agreed to go, says, "Thank you, Kim. You don't know how much this means to me."
A/N: Once again, review is greatly appreciated!! :)