CHAPTER EIGHT

Holly's pov

Things had been going smoothly for the past three months for Gail, although she isn't due to return to work for another three weeks or so. She has been really pushing herself, she joins Holly on her morning jogs, Holly hadn't been doing her usual ten kilometers instead they do three maybe four but for the past week Gail's been outdoing herself and doing five but it's taking a toll on her. This morning she stopped short of their usual rest stop, a diner they found a month ago. Holly didn't realize because she arrived first but when she didn't see Gail behind her, turning back was the only option. Finding her leaning up against a big old oak tree, Holly didn't rush to her side only because she assumed Gail was catching her breath.

It was only when she slid down the tree and fell to her feet. That action made Holly run towards her, well maybe you could say fly towards her. She didn't try helping her to stand she just knelt beside her. Holly used her hand to rub in small but gentle circular patterns on Gail's back and whisper comforting words in her ear. After about 15 minutes she looked up, her usually pale complexion now resembled one of snow. Gail is cold, freezing cold and her breaths are shallow unlike when she was grasping for air moments earlier. Holly's mind goes into overdrive, what could be wrong? There hasn't been any infection for months or complications with her, well at least what Holly had been informed of. She was in charge of all her medical choices and being her power of attorney so if anything is wrong she should know about it.

Holly takes her inside of the diner slowly thanking god that it is only about 15 yards in front of them, they walk slowly. Once inside she takes her to sit in the nearest booth and immediately asks for some room temperature water and she offers it to Gail but she's clearly still not strong enough to drink it. Gail doesn't even seem aware of her surroundings. As not to spook her Holly gives her a few minutes to take in her environment before she sits beside her making her take small sips of water.

Holly sees colour gradually return to her face and she is so relieved that she lets out a breath she didn't even know she was holding in. Thirty minutes later she see some more colour return to her face and take this time to inspect her closely; her skin isn't as cold, her breathing has returned to normal so Holly starts to talk to her.

"Baby how are you feeling?" She didn't want to barrage her with too many questions but she doesn't answer her at all, she just looks at Holly like a lost pup. She moves in a little closer still trying not to crowd her, then attempts to get her attention again. Raising her hand to Gail's cheek breaks her trance. She looks into Holly's eyes and she feels like she wants to cry, there is so much pain is behind her crystal blue eyes. Repeating once again but this time softly and she sees her open her mouth to answer but a faint whisper escapes, barely audible, if Holly wasn't sitting so close to her she wouldn't have heard it at all.

"Holly, it hurts to breath, it all hurts and I don't know much more of this I can take."

Holly's first instinct is to hug her and let her know she is right here next to her but then logic trumps emotions. She hears herself asking "Where does it hurt? How long have it been hurting?" she gets no reply. "Gail, sweetheart talk to me."

Gail tries to answer but she can only mumble something before she passes out. Immediately Holly starts to panic, she pull out her cell phone and dials 911 and relays to them what's going on from a medical prospective not as the significant other. Dispatch informs her there they will send an available unit and she informs them that she's a cop in hopes that help will come faster. As soon as the call ends her phone rings, it's Traci. Holly answers frantically:

Traci: "Hello how is my favourite couple doing?"

Holly: "Not good where are you? I need help asap its Gail."

Traci: "What happened? What's wrong with Gail?"

Holly: "We were running and everything was fine but then she started acting weird so I brought her inside the diner. I thought everything was alright only for her to complain of pain then she passed out. I called the ambulance but that could take a while, I would drive her but I need to keep a check on her vitals and I can't do that and drive. So can you come to diner off route 31?"

Traci: "I'm about five minutes away, keep her stable I'll be there soon. And we'll use my car with the siren blaring."

The line goes dead and Holly is constantly checking the pulse of the younger woman while asking the waiters to help her get her fiancée into the car when their friend reaches. In less than three minutes Traci is there with Steve. He flies out the car over to Gail and he along with the waiters they quickly but carefully get Gail into the back seat of a black unmarked SUV. Holly is hot on their heels, she climbs in and sits with Gail's head resting in her lap. Traci jumps in and they speed off to the hospital siren blaring, they call ahead and inform the hospital they are on their way.

Gail is stabilized but something is wrong by the way the doctor takes his time in coming to inform them. He says that Gail is responding nicely to the meds but she has an infection. It can be treated but the blonde must stay overnight for observation. Holly is of course sad the younger woman has to stay overnight but is glad that it isn't too serious because God knows she couldn't handle any more bad news. She is informed that she can go see her but offers up the first visit to Steve and Traci first. They accept and go in to spend time with her while Holly gathers herself. She would really die if something life threatening did ever happened to Gail again and it makes her realize that anything could happen to Gail. She wants to treasure every moment they have together and this wedding is the perfect way to do this. Her thoughts are interrupted when Traci comes over to her, telling her Gail is awake and looks good and that she is calling for Holly.

Holly enters the room slowly with flashbacks to when she saw the younger woman in a hospital bed a couple of months ago but this time is different. There are no cuts and bruises no multiple wires attached to her and the best part she is conscious.

"Holly, you're here and you look so beautiful. I am sorry I keep putting you through this…"

The older woman interrupts, "Honey, you have nothing to be worried about I will be here no matter what because that's what a marriage is supposed to be about. I know what I just said, I want us to get married soon I can't stand not being able to call you my own. Can we get married this month…maybe on the 26th? I honestly would do it tomorrow but I think we need a little more time. I want you to get your special day no matter what."

"The 26th is our anniversary, three years babe. Yes yes yes! We can do it, we have most of the stuff ready. Just image in three weeks' time I'll be Mrs. Stewart" Holly leans forward ever so gently and kisses her wife-to-be…

Sorry it took so long to update been finding time was hard but I gave two chapters in hope too make up but one small issue the wedding scene. i have no idea how too approach...like do they wear dresses, vows (traditional, no traditional)

My next update will come but slow but ideas are welcomed

Thanks again for betaing: raggingscooter

Please review, PM, comment.

Tell next time...