With Agony Comes...Peace

Just then Dr. Peterson came in. "Sorry to interupt you both but I need to check up on Miss Cooper. If you wouldn't mind stepping outside for a short while Mr. Atwood?" Ryan began to get up when Marissa grabbed his hand. "I want Ryan to be here" Dr Peterson gave Marissa a look. "Please" She added. "Well if you're sure you're okay with it?" "Yes. His my boyfriend. I need him" Ryan looked up and smiled. So did Marissa when she realised what she had said. They were both thinking the exact same thing. Boyfriend... It sounds so right...so perfect. "Okay well first I will check all the basics" Dr Peterson took her blood pressure, read what the machines for her heart rate and other such information and then checked her reflexes and nervous system. "Well you're heart rate and blood pressure are normal. Your reflexes and nerves all seem to be working fine. Everything seems to look good. However there is on test I would like to try now. Now you've been lying down for 3 years so it's going to be really difficult and tiring but I just want to check if you can walk okay. Do you think you're up to it?" Marissa was scared and gave a worried look to her doctor. "First we'll see if you can stand then if you want to try walking Ryan and I will support you. But you don't have to if your not ready!?" Ryan saw how scared she looked and grabbed her hand and squeezed it tight. Somehow just that simple gesture eased her worries and gave her strength. "No...I'll...I'll try" "I'm gone be here holding you the whole time Riss. Just take it easy okay!?" Ryan softly told her as he got up and moved to her side of the bed and got ready to support her. He put his arm under hers and Marissa draped her left arm around his neck for support. Slowly she moved closer to the edge of the bed. Dr Peterson grabbed her other arm and Marissa slowly put her feet to the floor. It was so cold on her feet. She thought her feet would fall off at first. They were so numb. Slowly the blood rushed from them and the numbness faded. "You okay?" Ryan asked "Yeah. Just my feet felt numb but I'm okay now" Ryan and Dr Peterson slowly helped Marissa to stand up fully. "How are you feeling Marissa?" Dr Peterson asked. "A little dizzy but fine" "That's normal. It's just the blood rushing from your head to other parts of your body. Do you want to lay back down?" "No. Should I try walking?" She asked nervously. "If you're sure you want to then yes but I think we'll just wait a little bit to let your body get used to standing first and til the dizziness eases up" They stood there in silence for a short while. Ryan gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead. After a few more minutes, Marissa had had enough of the silence and just standing there. Secretely, it made her feel like a retard just standing there. So she put one foot in front of the other. They both realised what she was starting to do so they tightened their grip on her and supported her again. Then she put the other foot in front of that one. "Good, good. You're doing well" Dr Peterson encouraged. She kept going putting each foot in front of the other. "Alright now do you think you can turn around and walk back to the bed?" I'm not a stupid idiot. I was only in a coma. I think I know how to turn and..."Ahhhh" Marissa screamed out as her legs gave way and Ryan caught her. She let a few tears escape and then stood back up, releasing all of her weight that Ryan had just caught. "You okay?" "That fucking hurt" Marissa yelped out but held back from crying. "Usually turning is quite easy but when you've been in the same position for a while, like you have, its best to walk out corners like so" Dr Peterson replied as he walked taking babysteps to walk out and around until he had turned 180. Marissa watched and then tried. It still hurt a little but she put it at the back of her mind, eager to get back on track as soon as possible. Then she slowly walked back to the bed with Ryan's help. She slowly and gently turned and sat on the bed. Ryan held her hands as she moved back against the pillows. He sat in the chair next to her and held her hand, tangling her fingers into his. " You did great baby" Ryan told her enthusiastically and lent in to kiss her forehead sweetly. Marissa returned it with a small smile. A smile half filled with a thank-you and half with disappointment in herself for not being able to just walk normally and crying out in pain at just turning her leg wrongly. She thought she was so pathetic and so stupid. Ryan sensed it and went over to the otherside of the bed to lay with her and bring her into a tight cuddle. He knew it always made her feel better. This time he knew for sure it did when she relaxed into him after a moment and turned to give him a brighter smile.

"Okay that was good Miss Cooper. Most patient usually can't even manage the standing" "I know why. It kills sooo much" Marissa said only just managing to hol back the tears from the agony she was in.
Yes it can be awefully painful and hard to overcome...BUT" Dr Peterson added happily "...I think with a little therapy we can strengthen those muscles so there as good as new. And then you'll have no trouble walking and running around" He smiled happily at the couple in front of him "I'm very proud of the progress you have already made. Keep it up." Dr Petersons smiled and then went back to his more serious face. "Now, there are a few more tests we would like to do. After the traumor to your abdomen and stomach." Marissa looked down. She knew what that traumor had done and it killed her. "We'd like to take an ultrasound just to make sure everything is okay and there are no problems with your uterus and abdominal area. We'd also like to take a catscan and x-rays of all your fractures and injuries, just to make sure that everything has healed okay. I'll arrange them for this afternoon so we can get them all out of the way...If that's okay with you of course?" "Yes. Getting them done and out of the way as soon as possible would be great thanks" "Okay well we'll see you sometime this afternoon. See you later" "Thank-you. Bye" Ryan and Marissa both replied.

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"You sure you're okay? I mean it seems a lot to do and take in at the moment" "I dunno Ryan. I mean it's just so much and I'm trying to take it all in but it's just so tiring..."Marissa sighed. "Do you want me to tell Dr Peterson to schedule all of that for tomorrow and get rid of everyone so you can just sleep" "No. I've been away too long and I miss everyone. I don't want to ruin everyone's good mood. I can only guess how upset and miserable everyone was while I was asleep...and I'm guessing tha was really miserable. And I want to get those other things out the way...coz as soon as I do the sooner I can get out of here and be with you...and everyone else!" She added as an after thought. Ryan smiled at this amazing girl..no woman in front of him. She was being so strong and pushing through the pain. She was being so strong and eager. And he couldn't wait til he could take her home and have her sleeping next to him again. He bent down and kissed her on the top of her forehead. "What was that for?" Marissa smiled. "For being so beautiful and strong... and coz I've missed you and love you" Ryan responded back. "I love you too" Marissa replied as she eased back into his side and fell into another peaceful slumber.

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It had been half an hour since Marissa had fallen to sleep and Ryan had been laying there softly stroking her hair and thinking of everything they had been through and how much he still loved her despite it all. He knew as soon as she was out of the hospital and was feeling better that he had to do something special for her. Ryan was watching her sleep and was amazed at how beautiful she was. He was mezmorised and as he continued to run his fingers across her hair he had softly drifted off to sleep as well. However he was woken shortly after as everyone returned from their lunch...

"Oh sorry honey. We didn't know you were asleep. But now that you're up did you want something to eat?" Kirsten said breaking the awkward silence that surrounded the room. Ryan gently moved Marissa to lay her down against the pillows, careful not to wake her. "Ahh yea that would be great" Ryan replied getting up and moving to one of the chairs not far from Marissa's bed. " We just got you some dumplings and some noodles. Hope thats okay" Kirsten said handing over the food. "That's perfect thanks. I'm starving" He laughed and began digging into his food.

After a short moment Marissa had felt the warmth of Ryan's body disappear. She layed her hand where he was laying before. Nothing. Where'd Ryan go?He was here a minute ago. Then she heard them all laughing and talking. Ryan must have moved when they came in...I guess it is weird him laying with me so soon. They don't even now were dating. Yea...that must be why he moved. Marissa thought as she slowly opened her eyes to the bright sunshine coming through the window. She squinted them closed again and slowly let them adjust to the light.

"Oh did we wake you honey? We're sorry...Did you want us to leave so you can get some more rest? Where just so happy that your awake! We couldn't bear to stay away" Julie laughed as she tried to hide the tear that had wept from her eye. She had noticed Marissa woke up and felt a little guilty. She knew she needed her sleep. "Ahh no. No, it's fine" Marissa replied still a little disorientated. "Ryan..." Marissa began trying to look for Ryan in the room. She hated to admit it but she felt alone when he wasn't near her. "Hey. How you doin?" He asked with his mouth full of a dumpling he had just gone to devourer. Ryan swallowed the dumpling and added "Sorry. Hungry" They all laughed. Ryan could see the look in Marissa's eyes...the look that said I need you. He had attacked most of the food and was satisfied anyway so he went back to sit next to Marissa on the bed. "Thanks" She whispered in his ear. He gave her won of his knowing smiles and wrapped an arm around her. Everyone went back to their discussions. Seth rambling on about god knows what and Summer arguing with him. Kirsten and Sandy were doing there best to talk to Julie and Neil about work things and such like while trying to respond to a very disruptive Sophie. Every now and then someone in the room would start a story and tell Marissa and everyone went quiet and listened, adding their veiw on it as the story went along. Their was laughs and arguements and many stories.

After an hour or so Ryan could see Sophie getting restless in Kirsten arms and he could see the frustration on Kirstens face. "Hey Soph. Come here...I got something for ya" Ryan interupted. At first the whole room went quiet but then they realised what he was up to and went back to there discussions or arguments. "What?" Sophie screeched waddling over to the side of the bed. Ryan picked her up and sat her in the middle of the bed. Ryan had grabbed two of the small teddies that Marissa had received and placed them in front of her. Sophie's eyes light up. "But there's are Marissa's so you can play with them but they need to stay here to keep Marissa company when no-one's here okayyyyy!?" Ryan added. "I'll look after them Mawissa. I pwomise" Sophie looked up at her. Marissa was so touched. All she could do was smile back at her. Sophie was being so gentle with them. She didn't want to wreck anything of Marissa's. Ryan was also playing with her. Sophie had asked him to be the blue teddy " Coz blues a boyyyys colowr" She told him. Marissa played along with them as well for a short while but soon the pain overcame her and she had to lie back down again. She watched Ryan with Sophie playing, pretending the teddies where on a picnic. Every now and then he'd turn around and glance at her for a moment and then return to playing with little Sophie. God he's gonna be such a good dad.Marissa thought. She smiled when she thought about it. Ryan being a father...to her!!! Her smile turned into the biggest grin. Just as it broke out Ryan turned around. He sat up again and whispered into her ear "What's made you grin so big?" "Wouldn't you like to know" She flirted back with him. It can so naturally to be cheeky and flirt with Ryan. "Yeah I would" He replied huskily. Marissa smiled. He sounded so sexy when he talked like that. Marissa smiled back at him, "No. It's nothing" "Okay if you say so" Ryan laughed back at her. She was glad he didn't push her on it. She wasn't sure she was ready to admit those feelings to him just yet!

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A/N: Hey hope you's guys are enjoying my story. More dramas coming later but for now...love is being rebuilt. haha. reveiws wanted please. And if any of you's want something to happen drop me a line on my email or in a reveiw and if i like it I'll see if i can add it in somewhere along in my story. Happy reading oD