Not long after Kurt left her room did the nurse come in and take Mel's vitals, set up a new IV drip and give her a muscle relaxer to help with the pain. She awoke to voices in her room sometime later. She was groggy but felt better than she did before she went to sleep. Maybe it was the pain killers or the fact that she had finally conveyed most of her feeling to Kurt.
"Hi sleepyhead." Torrie almost whispered as she smiled down at her friend. "I was so worried about you. I'm so sorry this happened to you."
"It's ok Torrie. I'm just really ready to put this all behind me and move on."
Torrie pulled a picture from her purse and held it in her hands. "I understand. I have a little something for you that may help occupy your mind and definitely your time." She giggled and handed Mel the picture. "Chloe had puppies so Billy and I picked out this little fur ball for you."
"Oh Torrie! She's beautiful!"
"Who's beautiful?" Kurt asked as he came into the room carrying bags of take out and drinks.
"The newest addition to my family." Mel passed the picture to a confused Kurt.
"My Chloe had babies." Torrie explained as she grabbed a cup of ice tea from the cup holder Kurt had brought in and took a seat in a plush chair in the corner.
"Well congratulations... I guess." Kurt smiled as he busied himself setting up Mel's bedside table and fixing her a plate with enough food to feed a small army. "I've got some good news."
"Really? Better than a puppy?" Mel teased.
"Well, I don't know about that but if you feel strong enough tomorrow Dr. Zanro is going to let you go home if you have someone that can stay with you for the next two weeks or until you are able to fully get around."
"I've already made plans to stay with Mel." Torrie offered but quickly stopped from elaborating on her plans when she noticed the death glare Kurt was sending her. "Although, I think I would be stretching myself thin since we are already one diva short on the roster and I have those interviews and... well, maybe you could help out Kurt."
Mel picked at her food as she carefully watched the exchange taking place between Torrie and Kurt. Neither of them could add being subtle to their resumes. "I'm banged up but not exactly blind here. I really appreciate both of your offers to baby sit me but I'll be fine by myself."
"This is not up for debate. I've already talked to Vince and I have the next three weeks off. So either I move in for the next couple of weeks and help you get stronger or you can just stay right here in the hospital."
Torrie almost laughed out loud at the way Kurt was trying to use his conniving ways to get Mel to give in but the look in Mel's eyes as she tried to put on a mad face for Kurt didn't fool Torrie. Mel was in love and so was Kurt. "It's about damn time." She mumbled.
"When you put it like that, I guess I don't have a choice. There's no way I'm staying here for two more weeks and since my best friend sold me out…"
"Hey!" Torrie interrupted. "It's for your own good."
Mel rolled her eyes.
"It's settled then." Kurt sat down and began shoving bites of food in his mouth.
"Since I'm no longer needed here, I'm going to go over to Mel's house and pick up her mail, stock the fridge and run some errands. Any requests?"
"Milk." Kurt mumbled with a mouthful of food.
"Diet Coke."
"Steak."
"Meat?" Mel turned her nose up.
"I forgot you're a vegetarian. I guess I can eat outside with the dog or something."
Melony resisted the urge to laugh for not wanting to aggravate her pain. "As long as I don't have to cook it, it'll be fine."
"I plan on doing all the cooking." Kurt offered with an air of cockiness.
Torrie and Mel exchanged looks, both trying not to explode with laughter.
"I'll get you plenty of fruits, veggies and frozen dinners." Torrie offered sympathetically.
A knock on the door brought a lull to their conversation as they waited for the person to enter. "Mark!" Torrie stood as he entered the room with a stern look on his face. Mark only nodded his head in a greeting to the blonde as he walked toward the hospital bed. Torrie gave a glance at Mel and shrugged her shoulders before leaving.
Mark extended his hand to Kurt, who stood and shook his hand. Mel overheard a simple thank you from Kurt and couldn't help but feel warm all over. Kurt gave her a kiss on the forehead and left the room.
--
"Is this where you say I told you so?" Mel smiled up into the dark eyes of Mark, who looked as if he hadn't slept in days.
"No, this is the part where I say if you ever scare me like that again I don't know what I'll do."
"You'll find a way to hurt someone, lecture me and become a hero, just like this time. So I think I'll be just fine all thanks to you and Kurt."
Mark shook his head regretfully. "I'm sorry I wasn't there. I had no idea Bubba was that crazy and that he would really go that far to hurt you."
"None of us did. If it hadn't been for Kurt, well, I guess I wouldn't be here now." Mel reached for his hand. "Mark, you have always been there for me so don't go blaming yourself. None of us could have ever suspecting that Bubba was capable of doing anything like this."
Mark uneasily leaned back in his chair and raked a hand across his face. "For about what, four years now, you've asked me -why you? And each time I told you one day you'll know." He paused to spit his tobacco into an empty cup. "I remember the very day you showed up at the training camp. I'd already been warned to expect the female equivalent of Steve Austin and I laughed. But when you walked in with a beer in hand, I knew there was something different about you. You had me all figured out and there was no breaking you. When I took you to the mat and worked your ass off in that ring, you never once argued with me or complained. I knew you were gold." He paused momentarily as if reflecting on that day. "I took you under my wing because I knew you held more respect for this business than anyone I've ever met. Your love, desire and passion to take on anything and anyone just to be in my yard shined through. In my entire career I've never laid eyes on a man that wanted this more than you do. Some days I think you may want this life more than me. And by God you've got the balls to rule the yard, my yard, just look at you."
Tears slid down her face. It was all she could do not to sob. No one knew her better than mark and of course he gave her more credit than she deserved. "Mark if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be half the person I am today. I owe my entire career to you, past, present and future."
He stood up and smiled. "All you owe me is to take care of yourself and make a name for yourself in this business. There's no one else I'd rather have follow in my foot steps and take over after I'm gone."
Mel felt just like she did the first day she actually met the great Undertaker, completely in awe and dumbstruck. "Thank you Mark. I don't know what to say other than I am truly honored."
He leaned over and kissed her on the head. "Just say you'll go home and follow the doctor's orders, get plenty of rest and come back kickin' ass and taking names."
"You got it." She couldn't help but feel like the luckiest woman in the world despite her current situation as she watched Mark walk out the door. It was truly a blessing that she was surrounded by genuine people that cared about her.