Disclaimer: I own nothing... nada.

"George Tucker?" the woman on the other end of the line questioned.

"Yes?"

"This is Maureen Linden at Mobile General Hospital. You're listed on the form for a Mrs." there was a pause as the woman read something, "Lemon Breeland-Tucker."

Forgetting his prior anger at the blonde, he was quick to ask. "What happened to her?"

"Her doctor asked that we call and tell you that the surgeons have successfully operated on her ulcer, but they're not sure if there will be complications yet, so she has to stay for observation."

George squeezed his eyes shut. Was it so unfair that he couldn't just be mad at Lemon and nothing happen? Why'd she have to get an ulcer to top that, to make him feel guilty about leaving? After all, she was the one who had cheated, not him.

"Thank you," he heard himself mutter, "Have a nice day."

When Zoe woke up, it wasn't in the hospital chair she had fallen asleep in, but rather a bed in what looked like the spare bedroom of somebody's house. She frowned, looking up and around. There was little personalization to the room, other than a large, strange looking painting on the wall. Without so much as a knock, the door opened and her handsome husband, two works that made her blush despite only thinking them, walked in.

"Hey," she whispered softly, still trying to work out where they were.

"So Sleeping Beauty awakens," a second voice came from behind him with just a hint of sarcastic.

"Paul? This is your house?" her nose crinkled up in what Wade thought was the most adorable way. "It seems so unlike your wife to leave a room this empty."

"I heard that," Clara said in a sing-song-y voice as she walked in the room, caring a tray with a single waffle, milk, syrup, and fruit.

"Well, it's just in New York, your apartment wasn't exactly going for minimalistic themes." The male doctor shrugged at his friend's remark. "So how'd I end up here?"

"You were exhausted. You need to sleep more, Zoe," her doctor chastised her, "It's not healthy for you or the baby." She looked down embarrassed. "Wade called. That kid you brought with you to my office that day, his nephew, had introduced us at your wedding."

The female doctor she nodded. She snuggled into Wade as he moved onto the bed beside her. He smiled down at her and she gave a small smile back. Taking the hint, Clara set down the tray and together, she and her husband left the other couple alone.

"What's wrong, George?"

The lawyer jumped, turning back to face Eliza. "My wife is in the hospital. I don't know if I want to go back though."

She cocked her head at him, looking at him with curious eyes. "Why not?"

"I didn't exactly leave on the best of terms," he glanced back out the window, down the road. "She cheated on me with a friend of mine."

"Oh."

"Yeah. I don't know what to do yet." Eliza placed a hand on his shoulder.

"If leaving was the right thing, you'd feel better about it. Do you feel better?"

George paused for a minute, really thinking and self-reflecting on everything that had happened since he got to Georgia. "At times yes, but when I really stop to think about it, no."

"Then go back. She needs you there. You need to talk things out with her and then, if you feel like leaving is the right thing, then you leave." She paused and there was quietness in the room for a short while. Finally, she spoke again. "If you don't go back, you'll always wonder what would have happened if you did."

He nodded. "I'll be catching the first flight out of here." George walked to the stairs and began to climb them before he paused. "Thank you so much for you and your sister's hospitality."

"It's not a problem. You're welcome here anytime. Will you need a ride to the airport?"

"Yes, thank you." And with that, he went upstairs to pack.

"We should do something fun once this is all over," Zoe declared as she and Wade sat on the bed in her friend's house.

"Like what?" her husband asked amused.

"I don't know. Something... exciting." She jumped up suddenly, warm brown eyes glowing, her cheeks flushed, and her hair sticking up from where she had been laying on it funny. "Let's go to Disney World."

"Disney World?" he asked slowly, making sure he'd heard her correctly.

"Well, getting through this will be like winning the Olympics or something," she laughed at her own private joke.

"Let's work small and work our way up to going to Disney World?"

"Like what?" she all but shouted.

Wade grinned so large that his teeth were showing. "Ever been to Atlanta?"

Darkness. Utter and absolute darkness. Mind numbing, pitch black darkness. Quiet and darkness. Was this Hell? It sure felt that way. She was all alone in this place, whatever it was... wherever it was. Then there were noises for a short while, a loud beeping, what was that beeping? Lemon wondered as she tried to figure out why it was so dark.

She wanted to open her eyes, but couldn't. Why couldn't she? Every second, something was pushing her back, even as she tried to fight it. It was like she was trapped within herself, but she desperately wanted out. She needed out. She was a Breeland, a Bluebell Belle, she would get her way. She was a survivor.

He watched her stir restlessly for a few minutes, her heart rate spiked, and a nurse came inside the room, putting more painkillers in the IV. He watched the nurse leave and glance sadly at him in the hall before leaving him alone. Magnolia was fast asleep in the waiting room, in a chair across from Lavon. The Mayor had volunteered to stay and watch his younger daughter while he checked on his elder one. Lavon was waiting for news on Lemon, for Zoe and Wade to return to the hospital. Dr. Hart had all but collapsed earlier and had been asleep by the time Wade and that other doctor, Dr. Altman, had gotten her in the car.

Lemon was asleep too. No, he corrected himself as he stared at the woman with her blonde hair on the pillow beside her, Lemon was in a medically induce coma, but Brick wanted to pretend she was just sleeping. After all, she was just his little girl. He didn't want anything bad happening to her. She had been in enough pain to last a lifetime.

Sure she had brought some of it on herself, but she hadn't meant to. Lemon was stronger than this. She would beat this and she'd survive. He knew it. He just knew it. She was a Breeland after all.

"Hello Brick." No, he hadn't heard that voice in years, well over a decade.

"Alice."

Ok, I'm sorry I haven't posted this quicker. I'll be posting quicker again when my brain starts working straight. I feel like I'm going fifty million different directions lately.

And it doesn't help that I can't concentrate because I keep singing the Declaration of Independence, of all things. Now I know most of you think it can't be sung, but it can. If you don't believe me, look up The Fifth Dimension the Declaration of Independence on Youtube or Yahoo or wherever. It's a great way to learn it if you need to remember it for school or just to impress your friends with random knowledge (or drive your roommate crazy as you sing it around the house! :D)

My favorite part: "That when any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolished it, and to institute new governmeeeeeennttttt, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing it powers in such form, that to them shall seem most likelyyy to protect their safety and happineeeessss!"

And now you know why three of my five roommates are annoyed at me! Lol. Sorry guys, just showing my patriotism... especially with all these great USA wins in the Olympics... Michael Phelps- 22 medals ever!... Missy Franklin in swimming... Gabrielle Douglas in gymnastics... wow!

To everyone who has reviewed on this story, thank you so much!

Review goal for this chapter: 170 reviews.