Disclaimer: I don't own the Power Rangers, or the settings where they have taken place. They are owned by Saban. I don't wish to get sued.
Authors Note: This is a really long chapter, because I had a lot of stuff saved up from a while ago. I apologize for this not being updated in a few months.
A/N: Woo hoo! Let's get the T/K Back into action!
PLEASE R/R I really enjoy feedback about what you want you like/what you want to see. Without reviews it makes it a bit hard to update! Please keep them coming! You all are amazing!
Kimberly was thrilled to finally be back in Angel Grove. The girls were busy decorating their house. The guys were in the process of looking for a building to buy so they can get their studio ready. They were looking for a big enough dojo to hold four or five classes simultaneously, and a place on the top floor for Kimberly's gym as well as Kat's dance studio. The building was going to cost them a small fortune but with their good credit they were able to get a decent loan to pay for what ever they need.
Kimberly and Aisha were out looking for more furniture for their house. Out of the four girls sharing the house, they had the best taste.
"Kim, what about this coffee table for the family room? It's big enough to look ok with our couch and chairs."
"Maybe… but I think something mahogany would look a bit better." She smiles, "I love it, if it comes in something darker."
Aisha reads the side panel of the table, "It comes in cherry, oak, and mahogany."
"Then I'm all for getting it!" Kimberly laughs, "I wonder if the guys found a studio yet."
"I think they are going to make that huge building into one. I heard Rocky and Tommy talking about that building downtown pretty intently."
"They were heading there this afternoon."
"I can't wait to teach Karate again." Aisha grins, "My 3rd degree belt is going to waist, as are your skills."
"I'd coach in a second." She smiles, "It'd be awesome having my own groupies."
"I tell you what though, the boys will be so busy working to fix that place up that we will probably be put on the back burner."
Kimberly smiles as they walk around the store picking out other things to go in the house,
"We'll be busy too. We have a LOT to order."
"No YOU have a lot to order. I'll just be sitting back and waiting for the guys to get what I need for the studio. I'm just getting what ever the guys get."
"Speaking of the guys." Kim says as her cell phone begins to ring. She looks at the caller ID and smiles, "Hey honey."
"Hey beautiful, what are you up to?"
"Shopping for furniture with Aisha, you?"
"Signing the lease on our building. Everything went through, and it's ours. I wanted to know if you wanted to come down and check it out!"
"Sure! Where is it at?" She asks, as he gives her brief directions.
"It's about twenty minutes away from your place."
"Alright." She says, as they hang up with a final 'I love you'. "Well, we got to go and check out the building we now own."
"They bought it?!"
"Yeah. I'm sooo totally excited to see it." Kimberly says as they head to the check out line and schedule a delivery time. Kimberly and Aisha drive over to the building and park.
"Wow, it's kind of a fixer-upper." Aisha says.
"Yeah, you can say that again." Kimberly replies.
"Well?! What do you think?" Rocky asks the girls.
"It needs work Rocko." Kim says, "But it definitely has potential."
"You bet it does." Tommy says, kissing his fiancée on the cheek.
"So what are we calling the studio?" Aisha asks.
"I don't know, but we need a cool name." Jason smiles
Adam says, "What about something along the lines of our former powers or lifestyles?"
"Kim, what did you suggest before in Florida?" Tommy asks.
"I don't remember…" She says, looking at him confused.
"No, you have to… it was something to do with… shit, down in Florida when we were eating dinner."
"Oh that! I sad Secret Ninja Studios." She laughs.
"I like it." Rocky smiles, "Each of our gyms can represent our colors."
"We could have our power animals hanging." Kim smiles.
"Yeah good idea Kim, since I have a power animal." Jason jests.
"I'll send you to Phados." Tommy smiles, "It's a blast, let me tell you."
"Hmm… he was the gold ranger, so you would probably be the eagle." Billy says.
"And me being black, the frog was a logical choice?" Adam grins.
"No, Dulcea just thought highly of you." Billy grins.
"The eagle, I like it." Jason smiles.
"Secret Ninja Studios works though… I like it." Rocky smiles, "Good thinking
Kimberly."
"Don't you think it's a bit much though?" Aisha asks. "I mean don't you think people will put two and two together?"
"They haven't yet." Rocky smiles.
"Nah, we'll be ok." Jason says.
"On the front we can have the window sporting the animals, I mean Jason's will totally throw it off, and we'll throw in one for Kat too." Tommy says.
"Awesome." Aisha smiles.
"Come on Kim, you and Kat are on the top floor." Tommy says. "Kat has the studio to the right and yours is to the left."
They walk to the massive space on the top floor, "Wow! This is totally awesome! I can fit two floors, runways, ramps, beams, bars, well, EVERYTHING!" She smiles.
"This is a BIG reason we picked this place. It was use before as a training complex for gymnastics."
"It's amazing." She smiles, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"I thought you'd like it. I mean, we have a ton of work to get done, but it's gonna be awesome. We want to get it opened up ASAP. It will probably take a year thought."
"After the wedding I hope?"
"I hope before." He shrugs.
"It's only a year and a half away."
"I want to get it up and running in no more than a year."
"Well then, we better get cracking."
"We're gonna sit down and order everything at once." Tommy explains. "You'll have to tell us what you need."
"Well I'll have to call Coach Schmidt and see where I should go to get the things. He'll know how to set this gym up and all."
"What color you making it?"
"Hmm…" Kim smiles, "Probably a pink wall behind the crane, and the other walls a mixture of color."
"Cool."
"What are you going with?"
"Green and White. I was never totally connected with Red."
"I like green and white. You always have been my white knight." She smiles, as he kisses her on the side of her head.
"So, are you ready to teach in a few weeks?"
"Yeah, I think so." She says, "I love second grade, and it will definitely be quite an adventure."
"Oh, my mother wants to come with us when we look at the reception hall."
"No problem. You need to pick your best man still."
"I did. It's Jason. Now it's your turn."
"Ugh." She sighs.
"You'll figure it out, and we'll talk about it more tonight." Tommy smiles, "Are you coming over?"
"Yeah. I'll stay at your place tonight." She smiles.
"Good. We'll do dinner and a movie or something."
"Sounds like a plan." She says, smiling.
August 18, 2000
Dear Diary,
I have to make probably one of the hardest decisions of my life… at this moment. I know that I have used that term a few times when looking back, but it's going to be tough. I have to pick my maid of honor. It's crazy because I have Kaitlyn, Trini, and Aisha to pick from. I mean, all three of them are like my sisters. This would be so much easier if Mackenzie was old enough to be my maid of honor. She's excited to be a flower girl though.
So, Tommy and I weighed my options last night. Kaitlyn and I have been friends since we were kids. We did almost everything together till I moved, and didn't see her much. She was like a sister to me when we were little and having her back makes her feel more like a sister now.
Trini, she was my first best girlfriend in Angel Grove… but she moved to Switzerland, and while we didn't grow apart, we didn't continue to grow up together.
Then there's Aisha, she's been a true sister to me, hell, I lived with her. She was always there for me, like the others, but she is on the same page as me. We think the same way.
I just can't forget what all three of them mean to me. Tommy has it so easy, he knew it would be Jason from the get-go. They are best friends. I guess I have to choose. I just don't know who yet.
Ugh, this is tough.
Gotta go, Tommy and I are heading to the reception hall to see if we like it or not!
Love,
Kimberly
Tommy sits on the bed next to Kimberly as they watch a movie on the television, "What about Trini?" Tommy asks, as he tries to get her to decide on her maid of honor.
"For the same reason as why not Aisha or Kaitlyn." Kim sighs.
"You've known Trini longer."
"No, I've known Kaitlyn longer…"
Tommy sighs, "You aren't making this decision any easier Kimberly."
"I know." She says, "I mean, I have Kat too, but she and I had a rough time, kind of… but I did give her my powers."
"No." Tommy says, "We aren't backtracking. It's a no for Katherine. What about Kaitlyn? You aren't as close to her as Aisha are you?"
Kimberly groans and flops backwards onto Tommy's pillows, "Trini's out."
"Really?" Tommy asks a bit shocked at her decision.
"I am not as close to her as I was in high school. I guess we grew a bit apart. Plus, she's still on the east coast a lot more than here."
"Ok, Trini's out." He says.
"Don't say it like that! She's still one of my best friends!"
Tommy doesn't even bother to argue that it was her that said it first so he moved on, "Kate and Aisha are left."
"Kaitlyn and I are like sisters…"
"Aisha and you lived together."
Kimberly thinks for a minute, "Aisha."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, and I am the closest with her…"
Tommy smiles, lying down next to her, "There, was that so hard?"
"No, it was TORTURE." She says over exaggerating her answer.
"Now we pair them."
Kimberly thinks for ten seconds, "Aisha and Jase, Rocky and Kaitlyn, Adam and Trini, Billy and Kat, Zack and Tanya." She writes the names in the notebook she has been keeping, "Not in that order though…"
Tommy laughs, "Sounds good."
"Yeah, that's the easy part." She says yawning, "I need to get some sleep."
"It's only…"
"One in the morning." Kim groans, "I'm planned out today anyway."
"Alright." He says as she puts the note book down on the nightstand. "We have to be at the reception place by ten."
"I'll have to be up by eight then." She says.
"I'll set the alarm."
She lies next to her fiancé, "I am so tired."
"So, go to sleep." He says, wrapping his arms around her, kissing her cheek."
"I am. You keep talking." She smiles as he retaliates by tickling her sides. She laughs and squeals as he playfully tortures her.
Rocky bangs on the door, "Do you mind keeping it down a bit? I don't wanna be kept up with your "sexual antics." He teases as he opens the door.
"Yeah, keep that in mind when Kate stays over." Tommy laughs.
"Thanks." He laughs, opening the door, "Night."
"Night Rocko." Kim smiles
"Night Rock." Tommy says. Rocky closes the door smiling to himself, "You know, I really need to get a door that locks."
"Why?" Kim asks.
"To keep out Apes." He laughs.
Kim smiles, and rolls her eyes at a poor attempt at a joke, "Night handsome." She says, kissing him.
"Night Beautiful."
The next day they head to the banquet hall and sign the papers. Kimberly heads home after they sign the papers to rent out the hall that night. She has to tell Aisha that she wants her as the maid of honor.
"How was the banquet hall?" Aisha asks.
"Awesome. We have it."
"That's great!"
"Hey, I have a question for you."
"Shoot." Aisha smiles.
"Will you be my maid of honor?"
"Yeah! I'd love to, but only on one condition…"
"Shoot." Kim grins.
"You'll be mine."
"Of course I will!"
"Well that's finished." Aisha laughs. "Can you believe that in a year and a half you'll be married, and right after that I will be?"
"It's scary isn't it?"
"It really is. We are all only living in our house for two years tops."
"Did Jason and Kat pick a date?"
"Yeah, they are November of '02."
"That's cool."
"Yeah."
"One question…"
"What's that?"
"You aren't going to make me wear pink are you?"
Kimberly laughs, "No, you'll wear yellow, or another color if you wanna."
"Yellow works." Aisha laughs, "Just making sure though, because if you were making me wear pink, I'd have to hurt you."
"I was thinking a possible blue color, but who knows."
"Blue works… We can pass up our trademark colors for one day." Aisha giggles.
"Like every day since the powers left us?"
"That too." Aisha smiles.
October 19, 2000
Dear Diary,
This school year has been amazing and busy at the same time. They guys are barely around, working their asses off to finish the studio's, which I have to say is coming around nicely. The painters were in doing Kat and my studio and they did an awesome job! My studio is looking amazing! I have a huge pink wall in the back of the studio where the crane will be hanging. The rest of my studio is sponge painted blue, purple, green, and pink. It's a bit girly, but hey, it's a gymnastics training complex. There is enough testosterone on the first floor. Kat and my studio is meant to be pretty.
Well, anyway, I am lucky if I see my fiancée more than two times a week. He is busy working at the High School, I am busy working at the Elementary School. Report cards are coming up very soon. I have a great group of second graders. They are amazingly smart! They are a great group of kids. I've got 13 girls and 10 boys. It's nice having more girls than boys because they are a lot easier to handle.
"Kim! Tommy's here!" She hears Katherine call to her.
"I'll be right down." She calls back.
Anyway, I better head down and see him. I haven't seen him in a few days.
Love,
Kimberly
"Hey stranger, long time no see." Kimberly teases Tommy.
"Yeah, that's why I stopped over." He says, kissing her.
"I was beginning to think that you didn't love me anymore."
"Nah, haven't you heard distance makes the heart grow fonder?"
"Not this hart." She grins.
"No pun intended." He smiles, "Are you busy?"
"Just working on report cards."
"Yeah, I have to do that too soon."
"Mine are a bit more in-depth."
"Can you stop to grab something to eat?"
"Yeah." Kimberly smiles, "Let me just grab my bag."
"You got it." He smiles as she disappears for a bit.
"Alright. Let's go."
"Mom wants us to stop over there sometime tonight so they can finalize a bit more of the wedding."
"Good." Kim smiles, "We really need to do that."
"Did you decide on brides maid dresses?"
"Yeah. I have a few picked out. It just matters what looks the best on the girls. Mackenzie is on her own. I told Larissa what color I wanted and she said she'll find a dress for her, and get my final ok."
"Great." Tommy smiles, "What color? The blue one still?"
"Yeah it's called Caribbean. I like it."
"Mom says we need to find flowers to match."
"I figured the girls could get yellow and pink. I just have to make sure it looks good. I may do all purple instead. That may be better."
Tommy smiles, "It's still over a year away."
"Hey, Kat and Jason have theirs totally planned, and they are not till November 02. We are next May. Give me a break."
"It seems so far away."
"It will be here before we know it." She says, as they drive to the restaurant. "How's the studio going?"
"Top floor looks amazing."
"Thank you." She smiles, "Kat and I know how to get it done right, the first time."
"Yeah, pay someone to do it."
"You'll learn." Kimberly giggles.
Tommy groans, "I'm actually beginning to think that we better start hiring someone to do the painting. Its gonna take forever."
"I'll have my guy call you." She smiles.
"Just have them come and finish the job."
"That too." She says, kissing his cheek.
"We really need to spend more time together you know."
"Tell my fiancée that." Kim teases
"Why don't you stay over tonight?"
"Can't. I have to be up early for an AM meeting. Tomorrow?"
"Can't, the next day is my meeting."
"Ugh. I never thought we'd have to schedule time in to see each other." Kim groans.
"It will stop, as soon as the studio is finished. Your equipment should be in by next month."
"Good cause Coach Schmidt is coming to help me use the best of my space."
"That's good. I'm sure it will look great no matter what." Tommy smiles at her.
"I hope so." She grins.
April 3, 2001
Dear Diary
Well, our wedding is just another year away, but at least we have everything planned. It's a good thing because Tommy is right now driving me up a wall. So, get this, the past week all the guys have had this nasty stomach flu. The girls and I have done our best to stay clear of the "hot house" so to speak. It started with Zack, then Adam, Rocky, Jason, and Tommy got it. Zack has so nicely called it the plague. The girls and I have been lucky not to get it. The reason for that is probably because we barely see them.
Yesterday, I wasn't feeling too well. I thought I was getting their flu, but it ended up basically being a bad case of indigestion… at least that's what it felt like. I'm better today, I just can't really eat… oh well, hopefully I'll be feeling better soon.
I have had several dates with Tommy that have been broken because they are too busy with the studio. I don't get why they don't just hire someone. Kat and my top floor is completely finished, all items are in there! It looks great! It's been finished for like two months almost, but the guys insist on doing it themselves, causing them to ignore us and work hours in the studio. They want it opened by August, but I can basically say, good luck. They still aren't finished painting yet! They don't' even have all their "pictures" up, or their floors in… or their equipment.
Anyway, I gotta head to the studio to see if Tommy and I are still on for tonight… good luck to me!
Love,
Kimberly
Kimberly makes the twenty minute drive over to the studio, one she knows all too well. She pulls into the parking lot and seeks out her fiancée. They have had to reschedule their date seven times in two weeks. Kimberly was beginning to lose her patience with him.
"Hey honey. Are we still on for tonight?" Kim asks him when she finds him.
Tommy was busy on his hands and knees painting the lower part of his studio. He barely acknowledges her as she comes into the room, speaking to him, "Not tonight." He says in a flat tone, "I have to finish this coat of paint."
"You know what Tommy, that's fine." She says in a sarcastic tone, "Why don't we call off the wedding too? I mean, you are obviously too busy for a wife too!"
"Stop it Kimberly." He says firmly, not looking up from his painting.
"No. Don't you tell ME to stop it! I have every right to be upset! I barely see you anymore!" Kimberly was fuming as Tommy continues to ignore her anger.
"Well yesterday and the day before YOU were sick. If you forgot, YOU broke that date."
"I still feel like hell, but I am trying to spend time with you! Dammit Tommy, I see you MAYBE once a week, and that is ONLY when I come to the studio! If I want to hear from you I need to call! I am so sick and tired of being second to a STUDIO! I shouldn't have to beg you to spend time with me! You should WANT to!"
"You know when we bought this how much work it would be!"
"Not as much as YOU are making it! Rocky, Jason, Adam, they ALL spend more time with their girlfriends then you spend with me! I am sick of being second in your life! I AM SICK OF IT!"
"You know something Kimberly…" He says, losing her patients, "The world doesn't revolve around you."
"You… YOU!" Kimberly says raising her voice.
"I am NOT finished." He says looking at her, "I am doing this and you'll just have to deal with it, or don't. I'm not stopping from fixing this up because YOU need to see me."
"You just don't understand!"
"No, YOU don't." He says standing up from his painting, throwing his brush down looking her in the eyes, "I have to get this done! I see you all the time! I am doing this for US! It's opening in less than a year!"
"Fine Tommy, all the time. I see you all the time right? It's been two weeks since I've seen you away from this FUCKING studio! It's been one week since I have seen you more than an hour! And it has been five days since I have seen you at all! I don't care anymore, you don't get it! I'm done Tommy, I'm done."
"So am I." He growls at her, "Call me when you stop clinging so much." He says turning back to his painting. Kimberly storms out of the studio and jumps into her car.
Kimberly went home furious at her fiancée. She had a dull pain running through her stomach. "Great, the flu is just what I need tonight." She groans as the nausea persists. Within the hour she was sick as a dog. All afternoon she was throwing up. Nothing would stay in her. The pain gradually got stronger as the night went on. Around 6:30 she stopped her heaving and she lies on the couch. She was feeling rotten and could barely move. 8:00 Aisha comes home and sees her laying on the couch, "Are you still sick?"
"Yes."
"Maybe you should go to the doctors Kim."
"I will Aisha, if this doesn't stop in a few days. I think it's just the flu the guys had."
"I'm not sure… but just keep a check on it. If you need me just shout."
"Will do." Kim says.
By 9:00 the pain starts to move into her right side and shoot into her back. It was beginning to hurt when she walked and she started to get sick again. By 11:00 Jason and Katherine come home. Jason checks on Kimberly who was laying on the couch and heads upstairs. By midnight the pain was horrible. Kimberly was curled up in a ball on the couch. Aisha comes down to check on her before going to bed, "You look awful."
"I think I need to go to the hospital." Kimberly says, beads of sweat pooling on her forehead.
"What's wrong?"
"My side… it really hurts, and my stomach, my god Aisha I can't stop getting sick." She replies, tears filling her eyes.
"Can you walk?"
"I can't even move with out it hurting."
"I'll get Jason." Aisha says calmly, not to frighten her friend. She quickly makes her way upstairs and into Kat's room. Jason runs downstairs.
"You ok?" He asks, leaning down next to her, feeling her forehead. She was burning up.
"No, I don't think I am." She says as she grimaces in pain.
"Can you walk?"
"It hurts too much Jase."
"Alright sis." He says, gently picking her up, "Let's get you to the hospital."
Kat and Aisha go with Jason and Kimberly. Aisha sits in the back with her friend as she watches the pain on her face increase. Kimberly couldn't stop throwing up and during the fifteen minute ride she let out a yelp and continued to get sicker. Aisha silently wishes Jason would go as fast as he could to get her to the hospital, and after what seems like an eternity they arrive. Jason parks the car and picks Kimberly up, "How are you?" He asks, seeing how gray her complexion looks. She did not speak to him, instead she shook in his arms. Jason walks quickly into the emergency room. As soon as they walk through the door a nurse calls for a stretcher, "What happened?"
"My friends been complaining of her stomach hurting and feeling sick. She has been sick for several days. She thought it was the flu. Apparently she was throwing up a lot tonight, then she told her housemate her side hurt." He says gesturing to Aisha.
"Has she ever had her appendix out?"
"No." He replies. "She was sick the whole way here, and then stopped talking to us. She has been shaking a lot."
The doctor checks Kimberly out quickly and tries to get her to talk to him with no luck. As Kimberly was once again sick, he says, "We're going to do an MRI and take some blood to see what's going on with her. I am going to say that it is most likely appendicitis, but we need to be sure."
"She was in a lot of pain in the car, and shouted out a bit." Aisha tells the doctor.
"We'll let you know what's going on after the blood work and MRI."
"Thanks." Jason says, leaning down to Kimberly, "I'll see you soon sis." He says, kissing her forehead.
"Do you know her well enough to fill out information on her?"
"Yes." Jason says taking the forms. He fills out all the information needed and hands it back, "I'm not sure of her health insurance. She's employed at Reefside Elementary."
"We'll look into it." The nurse says.
"Thank you." Jason says, turning his attention back to his fiancée and friend, "Did you try Tommy?"
"He didn't pick up." Aisha replies.
"He probably thinks we're trying to make the two of them talk again." He groans, knowing all about their recent fight, "I'll try him in five minutes or so."
About thirty minutes later, the Doctor comes back out, "We're taking her immediately up to surgery. Her appendix has ruptured.'
"How severe is it?"
"Quite. We don't know how long ago it ruptured. We have to get her cleaned up. It's going to be a bit of a long surgery and recovery. Most ruptures are. She has quite a bad infection…."
"How can you tell?" Kat asks.
"When she was ill, she was vomiting a darker color. I'll come talk to you after she is out of surgery. It will be approximately three hours."
"Thank you." Kat says, with a sour face as the doctor turns to leave, "I'm sorry I asked."
Jason during the two hours he sat kept calling Tommy. Finally he picks up his phone, "Are you going to stop calling? It's two AM. Can't we talk about this later?" Tommy groans.
Jason could tell by his voice that he wasn't really sleeping, "Tommy, listen…"
"No, I am so sick of her always telling me that I care more about the studio than about her. Then everyone calls me to say spend more time with her. What am I suppose to do Jason huh? You're our best friend, what… should I stop the studio? Should I spend every waking minute with her? Should I…"
Jason cuts him off, "Dammit Tommy! LISTEN TO ME! Kimberly's in the hospital. Her appendix burst. She's really sick!"
"Shit… I'll be right there." He says hanging up his cell phone as he grabs his car keys, pulling on jeans and a shirt. His phone rings again, "What?" He asks as he recognizes the phone number.
"Swing by the girls place on your way and grab her medical card."
"Ok."
"Aisha says her bag is either in the kitchen or in her room."
"Fine. Ill see you when I get there." He says as he sticks his head in Adam's room, "Kim's in the hospital."
"Is she ok?" Adam asks, looking up from his text book.
"Her appendix ruptured."
"I'll go with you." Adam offers.
"I gotta go to the girls house first, let Rocky and Kaitlyn know and get her medical card. Aisha, Kat, and Jase are all over at the hospital…"
Adam could sense that he was not in the mood to have anyone drive with him, "Alright, I'll be there tomorrow then."
"Fine." He says, "See you tomorrow."
"Keep me informed."
"Alright." He says and shuts Adam's door, practically running out of the house. He drives the short distance to the girls house and heads inside, grabbing Kimberly's purse.
"Tommy?" Kaitlyn asks, as he flies past her door.
"Yeah."
"What's wrong?"
"Kim's got appendicitis. Her appendix ruptured. I need to grab a few things for her."
"Is she ok?"
"I don't know!" He says, as Kaitlyn goes into Kimberly's vacant room grabbing her stretchy, loose clothes. She gives her a few changes of clothes in a bag and sends Tommy out the door with a final, "Call us when you hear something."
"I will."
"We'll be in tomorrow."
"Alright." He says as he grabs her pocketbook and heads out the door.
Tommy gets to the hospital and finds his friends in the waiting room. "Here are her cards, who do I give them to?"
"The nurse around the corner." Jason says.
"I'll be back." Tommy says taking the cards out of her wallet and handing the purse and bags over to Aisha. He then heads over to the nurses station and says, "Hi, I have all of Kimberly Hart's insurance information." He hands over the cards asking, "Do you need anything else?"
"No, thank you. I'll make a copy of this and return it."
"Do you have any information on her?"
"No, she is still in surgery."
"Alright." He sighs.
"As soon as I hear something, I'll come find you… and your relationship to the patient?"
"I'm her fiancée." He says.
"Alright." She says with a kind smile.
"Any news on her?" Jason asks as Katherine was leaning against him with her eyes closed.
"Not yet." He says, sitting besides Aisha, "What happened?"
"She was sick, the flu or something and kept on getting sicker." Aisha says, yawning, "We got her here and now it is three thirty in the morning almost and we're waiting on news."
Tommy sighs, as Aisha leans against his shoulder, "God I should have known something was wrong. I should have cared. What the hell was I thinking?"
"We all had the stomach flu, you didn't think anything of it. Tommy, you've been busy with the studio, we all have. It's a stressful time. I can't see Kat as much as I want to either."
"I haven't even thought about seeing Kim. It's just like when she went to Florida all over again. I'm taking our relationship for granted. I keep thinking that it will always be there, and keep doing my own thing. God, I haven't seen her in a whole week and that's how I treat her."
"Don't go blaming yourself Tommy. It's not your fault that she is in the hospital. It would have ruptured no matter what happened."
"I should have seen that she was more sick than she thought."
"She'll be fine." Jason says, running his hands over Katherine's hair, "This happens all the time. Hell, her sister had this a few years back. The doctors say that it is fairly common between the ages of 16 and 30 years old. She'll be in the hospital for about five days and be released."
"God, I hope she'll speak to me after." He says, shifting slightly to accommodate Aisha in a bit more comfortable position for the two of them. "How long has she been sleeping?"
"Since about two." Jason says, "You sleeping Aisha?" Getting no reply from her, "I don't blame them. I'm staying up by sheer will power. I have to know what is going on with her and how she is."
"Thanks for taking her Jase."
"Hey, she was my best friend way before you came into the picture bro. You know I'd do anything for her."
"More than I would do for her in the past few weeks. Dinner, that's all she asked for was dinner, a night with just the two of us… I couldn't even find time for a few hours to see her. Wait, what about her class tomorrow?"
"Dude, tomorrow's Sunday."
"Well that's good… but Monday, Tuesday…"
"And all the other days of the week, she can handle it." Jason smiles, "Let's just get her out of surgery and we'll take it from there."
It was another thirty minutes before the doctor came out to talk to Jason, Tommy, and the girls. "Hi, I'm Dr. Jacobs, and I was the one operating on Kimberly."
"How is she?" Tommy asks.
"Her appendix did rupture. It took us a while to clean her out, and she may need more surgery tomorrow, but we'll cross that bridge when it comes. She is still coming around in her recovery room. She has a pick line as well as a drain to get the rest of the infection out of her. She'll be fine, but for the next few days she'll be in quite a bit of pain an battling a fever off and on. It's just her body's way of ridding it of infection."
"Can I see her?" Tommy asks.
"Yes." The doctor says, "One at a time though."
"Go ahead Tommy. We'll see her when we can."
Tommy gently stands up and Aisha wakes up, "She's awake Aisha, I'm gonna go see her."
Aisha yawns, "Good." She says, and leans over closer to Jason, laying against him.
"I think the three of us are actually gonna head home. We'll get some rest and come back when it's light." Jason says.
"Alright." Tommy says, "Thanks for bringing her bro."
"Just tell her I was here."
"I will. Night."
"Night." He says, "Aisha, you ready to head home?"
"Yeah, we'll see her tomorrow."
Jason shakes Kat awake, "She's out of surgery, but the Doctors say only one person at a time. What do you say we head home till tomorrow?"
"She ok?"
"She'll be fine."
"Ok." Kat says, standing up.
"I'll just take you two to our place, it's a bit closer." He says, wrapping his arms around both girls. They get home in a matter of minutes, and split off. Aisha heads into Zack's room and talks to him for a few minutes before falling asleep.
Tommy heads into Kimberly's room and hears the faint beeping of the monitors. She was laying on her back and looking quite pale. Tommy sighs and sits next to her, taking her hand into his. He sits quietly so he doesn't wake her up, but within an hour her eyes open slightly. Tommy was dozing by her side, "Tommy?"
"Hey you." He says, sitting up and turning the light on so he could see her, "How are you feeling beautiful?"
"Not too good." She says.
"At least you aren't lying this time saying you are fine."
"You manage to always catch me in a lie."
"I was so worried about you…"
Kimberly shakes her head, "I am so sorry."
"You couldn't help it…"
"No, about yesterday night. I feel awful for blaming you for not having any time to spend with me. I know how much the studio means to you and I know it won't be forever, but I really missed you. I hate not seeing you every day…"
"Kimberly, shh." He says, not wanting her to get worked up, "It was my fault. I wasn't thinking about what my being occupied with the studio all day and night was doing to you. I almost blew the second chance with you, because I just feel that the relationship will always be there. I'm sorry. I am going to start spending a lot more time with you."
"I don't need a lot… I just need twice a week to see you, even if it's for just an hour outside the studio." Kimberly explains.
"You will." He says as he watches her eyes start to droop again, "You should get some sleep."
"Please don't leave me." She says to him, as he takes her hand.
"I'm not. I'll stay until they kick me out." He smiles, kissing the side of her head, "Get some rest. I'll be right here. We can talk more tomorrow."
She nods and closes her eyes. Tommy sighs and continues to sit with her. She was in pain and a bit delirious through half the night. Her fever kept shooting up and down. Tommy felt helpless sitting next to her. The nurses came in and left every half an hour. Sometimes they brought medicine, sometimes it was to change dressings or sometimes just to take her vitals.
The next morning Jason and Katherine come in first. Jason couldn't stay away and Katherine couldn't sleep with him tossing and turning all night.
"How was your night?" Jason asks Tommy as he came into the room.
"Long." He sighs, "She barely got any sleep, and of course I didn't. She's slept a full hour almost and that's the longest she's slept all night." He says looking at the clock and sees it says 9:45am, "How was your night?"
"I couldn't sleep." Jason says, shrugging.
"Yeah, and when he can't sleep neither can I." Katherine yawns, "I got more sleep at the hospital than with him at home. He wouldn't stop tossing and turning. I was ready to get up and go into Adam's room and sleep."
"Was he there? I didn't see him." Jason asks, standing behind Katherine who was sitting on the chair. He gently rubs her shoulders.
"Yeah, I saw him for a few minutes in the morning. He said he will be over later this afternoon." Kat says yawning.
"How has she been?" Jason asks his best friend.
"Sick… she's had a fever all night, and it shot up to 104 this morning. She's been in a bit of pain, but apparently the doctors told me she has an extremely high tolerance to pain because she hasn't been asking for much pain medicine, and she would have been in pain a few days ago, before the appendix ruptured."
"Do you want to go home and we'll stay with her? Just so you can get some sleep?"
"No. I promised I'd stay with her till the Doctors kicked me out which will probably be tonight."
"You should Tommy." Kat says.
"I can't leave her." He sighs.
"You don't have to." Jason says, "But let's go grab some coffee."
Tommy agrees to that, and looks at Kat. "I'll stay with her." Kat says, smiling at the guys.
"Tell her we'll be right back if she wakes up."
"I will."
Kimberly wakes up about fifteen minutes after the boys left. Kat gives her a smile, "Hey girl, how you feeling?"
"Hi Kat." She says, "Not so good."
Kat smiles kindly at her, "You'll start to feel better soon."
Kim nods, "When did you get here?"
"Not quite an hour ago. Tommy and Jason went to get some coffee. Tommy looked wiped."
"You didn't go?"
"No, I didn't want you to wake up alone. Jason's bringing me back some."
"God, I hurt so bad…"
"Do you want me to get you medicine?"
"Would you mind?"
"No, I'll go find the nurse."
Kat grabs a nurse and heads back into the hospital room, "Good morning Kimberly, how are you? Any better?"
"Actually I feel worse." She says honestly.
The nurse smiles kindly, "You still have a lot of infection going on in your body, so you're not going to feel much relief for a few days. Are you in a lot of pain?"
"Quite a bit." Kim says as the nurse takes her blood and checks her vitals.
"I'll give you something. We'll have to get you up and moving around a bit today."
"Alright." She says as the nurse hands her a pill. She quickly takes it and lies back down.
"I'll be back in an hour unless you need me before."
"Thanks." Kim says.
Within a few minutes, Tommy and Jason come back with three cups of coffee. Jason hands one to Kat, "Thanks." She says, as Tommy sits next to the bed again.
"You doing any better Kim?" Tommy asks.
"Not really." She says, shifting a bit on the bed, wincing in pain as she turns the wrong way, "I'm really getting sick of being in the hospital."
"You were only in here once before, and that was for a one night stay." Tommy says, smiling.
"No true." Jason says, remembering ninth grade, "The year before you moved here, she had an awful case of pneumonia and spent around two weeks in the hospital. It was bad. She passed out in school, and it was right around the time her parents were getting divorced, so she didn't take care of herself." He scolded her playfully.
"That was a long time ago." Kim sighs.
"I agree though, no more hospital stays for a while ok Kim?"
Kimberly smiles a bit, "Not a problem Jase."
"So how are they going to get you to walk with that pump in your stomach?" Jason asks.
"Didn't think about that." Kim sighs, "I guess they'll take it out or something. It all depends if the infection is gone or not." She shrugs.
"Do you feel any better?" Kat asks her.
"Not so much."
The doctor comes into the room, and picks up Kim's chart, "How are you feeling Kimberly?"
"Not so good." She says.
"You're lucky you got here when you did. I'm going to check the drain as well as the wound." He says turning to her friends.
"We'll wait outside." Tommy says, kissing her forehead.
"We'll just be a few minutes." The Doctor says. The nurse closes the door, "So are you in much pain?"
"Um, nothing that I can't take. I feel more like I have the flu then pain."
The doctor nods, "You should start feeling better in a day or so." He looks over the pump and drain, "I think we have gotten almost all of the infection out. By tonight, I should be able to take this out and stitch you up."
"Another surgery?"
"No. We'll just numb you a bit, pull the tube out and stitch you up. It won't take that long."
Kim nods, "Alright."
"We're going to up the antibiotics tonight for the last time. Hopefully you'll be able to go home in about three days."
"Great." Kim smiles.
"Alright Kimberly, I'll check on you a little while later."
"Ok."
"Bye." He says, smiling at her and walking out.
"Well what did he say?" Tommy asks her as he walks back in the room.
"That I may be out in three days, and they are taking the drain and pump out of me tonight."
"That's good."
"Yeah, another pain…"
"You'll get through it." Jason say.
"I know I will." Kim sighs.
That night, after they take the tube out of her, she was forced to walk. Tommy took a walk with her around the hospital floor. She was very slow and wincing a lot, "Does it hurt?"
"Yeah." Kim says, her hand on her side, trying to push the idea of pain away from her mind. She slowly breaths in and out as she walks down the long hallway, "Oh god…"
"What?" He asks, taking her hand gently.
"Tomorrow starts the beginning of the school week. What am I going to do? I don't have a substitute, I don't have lesson plans, I don't have anything for the kids on Monday."
Tommy smiles, "Kimberly, I'm sure they can figure it out. Susan knows where you are doesn't she?"
"They kids are suppose to be taking a huge test on Tuesday. She doesn't know that… and I told them that we can play a review game, that she doesn't know how to play. I can't just leave them!"
"I really don't think you have much of a choice Beautiful."
I have to get my lesson plans done for tomorrow, I have to. Everything is at my house!"
"Kim, calm down." He says, kissing her head, "I'll call Rocky and he can bring all of your stuff here ok? Then you can call Susan, and I'll drop all the stuff off on my way to school ok?"
"You don't mind?"
"Of course not." He says, "Boy, looks like you are feeling better."
"Momentarily." Kimberly sighs wincing again as her adrenaline slows down.
"Come on, looks like you've had enough walking for the night." He says noticing her pale complexion.
"Yeah I definitely have."
When he gets back into her room, he calls Rocky who grabs everything she needs and brings it to the hospital within the hour. Kimberly does all she can before becoming too exhausted and sends it out with Tommy.
"I'll see you tomorrow after school ok?"
"Kay." She says, as he leans into kiss her, "Thanks Tommy."
"No problem. Feel better ok?"
"Ok."
"I love you."
"Love you too." She replies smiling as he walks out of the room. She was glad to have a bit of time by herself, but she would miss him something terrible. She hated when he was away, but she needed time to relax and rest, which she wasn't getting too much with everyone in and out of the hospital. She sighs and turns on the TV, before falling asleep for the night.
April 10, 2001
Dear Diary,
Well, it's yet again the first day that I am home from the hospital. This time was really fun let me tell you… my appendix ruptured. Tommy and I made up though, and everything is all good. I think he feels guilty about yelling at a person with appendicitis, because he spends almost all his free time with me. It's nice actually. He's been taking good care of me.
I get to head back to school next Monday. I'm glad, because I really miss the kids. They made me get well cards with the substitute. My only problem is I am not sure who is in my class, nor what they are or aren't doing. It's nerve-racking. I've worked with them so much to get them almost ready for the third grade next year, and I can only hope that they aren't backtracking. I'm sure they are fine, and Sue would tell me either way… oh well.
Oh well, only a few more days….
Love,
Kimberly
Kimberly hears the phone ringing as she watches TV in her room, she then hears Kaitlyn say, "Hold on, let me see if she's awake." And the door opens, "Kim, you up?"
"Yeah." She says.
"Your sister is on the phone."
Kimberly groans a bit, "Ok." It wasn't that she didn't want to talk to her sister, she was just exhausted, "Hey Mackenzie" she says as she picks up the phone.
"Hi Kim! How are you feeling?"
"I'm ok honey, thank you."
"It only hurts for a little bit Kimberly."
Kim smiles and laughs a little bit, "Oh really?"
"Yeah, when my appendix had to come out it hurt but then it gets better! You should be better soon!"
"Well thank you Dr. Hart." She grins, "I'm so lucky to have a sister taking care of me over the phone."
"When are you coming to see me?"
"Not for a bit Mackenzie. I was going to come for Easter, but I can't now."
"Ok." She sighs. Kimberly can hear her pouting and sulking over the phone.
"Don't give me the guilt trip Mackenzie Lynn." Kimberly says, "I'll be out when I can."
"Ok… I just miss you."
"I miss you too."
"Really?"
"Of course, how many sisters do you think I've got?"
"Just me."
"Yup and I wish I could be out there with you."
"Soon then."
Kimberly laughs, "Soon. Sometime this summer Tommy and I will come out ok?"
"Ok." Mackenzie smiles, "I gotta go!"
"Homework?"
"Yeah, dad's making me do it."
"Alright kid, I'll talk to you soon."
"Love you Kimberly! Feel Better! Bye."
"Thanks Mac, love you too. Bye." And she hangs up the phone.
Kimberly decides she better get up and walk around the house a bit. She stepped on the scale and found that during her week in the hospital she had lost ten pounds, "Ugh." She says watching the scale drop to 100 pounds, "I guess I should try and eat."
She slowly walks down stairs and sees Rocky eating lunch, "Hey Rocko." Kim smiles.
"Hey Kimberly, how ya feeling?"
"Still in a bit of pain, but I'll live."
Rocky smiles and nods, "You want anything to eat?"
"I probably should, I'm almost into the ninety pound weight zone."
"Jeeze." He says, standing up, "Sit, what do you want?"
"What do we have?"
"Lunchmeat?"
"Surprise me then, unless its' what ever you have on your sandwich." Kim says making a face.
Rocky smiles, "There's nothing wrong with ham, salami, turkey, provolone cheese, and mustard."
"Ew." Kim says, in disgust.
"Turkey?"
"Sounds fine."
"So when are you going back to work Kimmy?"
"Monday, if the pain is almost totally gone. I told the school that if I can't handle it I'll be there just a half day."
"Be careful, because they will run right into you."
"Who?"
"The second graders. I'm sure they miss you a lot, and that means excitement when they come into the classroom."
"I'll just sit behind my desk." Kim smiles, "They can't get to me there. I miss them a lot though."
"I bet you do." Rocky smiles.
"How's the studio going?"
"Well, Jason was working on Tommy's side while you were in the hospital and it is actually coming along very nicely. I think we will be shooting for September as an opening. We are going to send out letters to our students from before and tell them about the new studio."
"Cool."
"And Kat and your upper floor looks awesome. The gymnastic equipment is all set up. It's ready to go!"
"Did they put it in the right place?"
"Tommy and Jason had a diagram you drew."
"Ok." She smiles, "Thanks Rocky." She says as he hands her a sandwich.
"Are we going camping again this year?"
"I'd like to, but that is all up to you guys and if you want to leave the studio or not."
"Well, we won't be going till the end of the summer, the last week of August or something, and I hope the studio will be completely done by that time."
"I'm all for camping, and the others will be too."
"Well have to talk about that sooner or later." Rocky smiles.
"Sounds good." She smiles.
Monday Kimberly drives into Reefside Elementary School and arrives an hour before the kids came in. She knew she would have a lot to do before they came in. She read the not about the kids every day and saw that as the days went on they got more "chatty." Kimberly smiled at that.
"I thought you were back!" Sue smiles as she walks into Kimberly's room.
"Yeah, I couldn't stay away anymore." She smiles, standing up as Sue hugs her.
"How are you feeling?"
"Pretty good. Still a bit of pain, but that'll last a while. How was my class?"
"They did pretty well." She smiles, "Marissa didn't talk at all when you were gone."
"Figured that. I really have to work on getting her to talk to other adults."
"Good luck. Her first grade teacher is shocked that she has taken so well to you."
"I work with her." Kim shrugs, "There's nothing else to it."
Susan smiles, "Well, I'm glad you're back."
"Was the sub ok?"
"She was fine. Almost everything got done… almost."
"I'm not worried about that." She smiles.
"The kids are going to FLIP when they see you back."
Kimberly smiles, "I can't wait till eight thirty."
"Alright, well you get back to work, and I'll see you in a bit. Glad you're back Kimberly."
"Thanks Susan."
Kimberly waits for the kids to file in, and Julia was the first one in, "MISS HART!" She says, running over to Kimberly at her desk.
"Hi Julia, I miss you guys."
"We missed you too! Are you feeling better?"
Kimberly smiles, "I still hurt, but I'm better."
"Good." She says.
Kimberly gets the same reaction from all her students as they walk through the door. She hugs them all gently and they sit down at their desks. Kimberly sits down on the desk in the front, "Now, I need all of your help for the next week. I still am very sore from my hospital stay ok? I need all of you to be on your best behavior and watch out for my side. I have a cut on it that really hasn't healed yet."
"Do you need a band-aid?" Josh asks her.
Kim smiles, "I have one, thank you. I just need you to be careful around me and be on your BEST behavior. Got it?"
"Yup!" They agree.
May 17, 2001
Dear Diary,
Well today was my first day back to class and I was so glad. The kids were a bit off the wall when they came into the room, but as soon as they saw me, they calmed down. I got a pretty good letter from the substitute. I was in quite a bit of pain by the end of the day, but nothing compared to what I was before.
I have a lot to catch up on though, so I better get grading!
Love,
Kimberly
June 23, 2001
Dear Diary,
Well, we are all planned and booked for our camping expedition. We'll be leaving on August 28 and staying till Labor Day. School for Tommy and I doesn't start till the week after so we've got plenty of time.
I got on the beam for the first time in years today. My students are all signed up for class starting in September. They studio is almost ready, to all of us girls relief. We'll have our fiancée's back in a matter of months. Today Mrs. Oliver and I are heading to finalize the meals for our wedding in April. Gosh, I can't believe it's happening so soon. Tommy left this detail up to us. Rocky insisted on what food's he would like served there, and strangely I took it into consideration. He has excellent taste for food. I seriously thought he'd eat anything, but when it comes to eloquent food, he's good. Kaitlyn says that it was the one thing he was assigned to for their wedding.
Anyway, we are doing this whole huge appetizer almost buffet before the dinner, then during dinner it will be chicken, fish, or meat, and of course a vegetarian platter, though that is barely ever used.
The girls and I are choosing the final dresses in September. We are going with a blue color, and then the flowers will honor our original colors haha. I had to throw them in there, even though we don't really wear them all the time anymore. The girls don't know that little hint yet. Kaitlyn won't get it, but the other's will. The guys are each getting a boutonnière of their color. That was Tommy's doing.
I'm getting a bit excited. The last thing we have to do is pick the photographer and choose our honeymoon… and go house hunting…. And pay for everything leftover. Ugh there is so much to do still. I also have to get the bridal party gifts… Thank god I have another 10 months.
Anyway, gotta meet Mrs. Oliver!
Love,
Kimberly
"Where are you off to Kim?" Aisha asks.
"I gotta meet Tommy's mom and finalize the reception dinner. My mom is paying, but Mrs. O is coming to finalize the entrees."
"That's nice of her."
"She has no choice." Kimberly smiles, "She only has one son, no daughters, and I'm without a mom to help plan so she's stuck. My mom is doing all she can over in France, and they have been conversing a couple times a week."
"Gosh, I can't believe you're getting married so soon…"
"Hey, ten months and yours is only about 13 months away."
"Yeah, but I still have time." Aisha smiles.
Kim laughs, "I'll see you later."
"Have fun."
"Thanks." She smiles.
Kimberly drives the thirty minutes over to the Oliver's house, so she could pick up her soon to be mother-in-law. She was so happy to have her during the planning, but knows her mother wishes she was there too. She parks in the driveway and walks into the door, "Hello?"
"Hi Kimberly." Mr. Oliver calls to her, wiping his hands on a towel in the kitchen.
"Hi Mr. Oliver." She smiles, hugging him.
"How are you honey?"
"Good, you?"
"Good. Jan will be down in a bit."
"Great. No rush." Kim smiles.
"So what are you two doing today?"
"Finalizing the menu's at the reception hall. They asked that we come in and choose everything."
"My son isn't doing that?"
"Not this part. He is too busy today at the studio to come down with me. I'm ok with it though, because his choice of food was 'What ever you want Kimberly' so I intend to making him happy with that."
"Just no tuna." Mr. Oliver smiles.
Kimberly laughs, "No, he'd kill me. We aren't even allowed to order it when Jason and Tommy are around."
"I don't blame them. They got sicker than hell of it that one time and never recovered."
"I told him that it smelled funny.. so did Kat. They just chose not to listen."
"Hopefully they'll listen to you now."
"Yeah, hopefully, but probably not. You guys never listen to us." Kim teases.
"And with good reason." He says back to her, smiling.
"So what are you up to today? Do you want to come with us?"
"No honey, but thank you. I've got some odd jobs to do around the house. Besides, I never stand in the way of women and planning a wedding. I learned that from mine."
Kim giggles, "Just figured I'd ask."
"Hi Kim."
"Hi Mrs. Oliver." Kimberly says, hugging her.
"You all ready?"
"Yeah." She smiles.
"Alright, let's go. Jim, we'll see you in a few hours ok?"
"Yup. Enjoy!"
"Thanks." Kim smiles, "See you later."
"Bye girls."
"Do you want me to drive Kimberly?"
"No, I'll drive this time." She says, as they hop into her red convertible.
They drive the thirty minutes over to the banquet hall, "I'm gonna definitely do meat, fish, and chicken." Kim says, "I'll throw in a vegetarian platter as well."
"Sounds good. DO you know any vegetarians?"
"Not personally, but that doesn't mean that there aren't any there. I don't know EVERYONE who is going." Kim laughs, "Guests of the people especially."
"That's the fun of weddings, figuring out how in the hell you know the people you are getting money and gifts from."
Kim smiles, "It's crazy."
"How can I help you?" A man in a black and white suit asks.
"Hi, I'm Kimberly Hart." She says with a smile, "I'm just here to finalize the details of my wedding."
"Ah yes, Miss Hart, we spoke on the phone several times. I'm Mason Jacobs."
"Hi." She says, shaking the mans extended hand.
"And are you Mrs. Hart?"
"No, I'm just the mother-in-law." Mrs. Oliver smiles.
"Glad to have you here as well." He smiles, "Now, we have several different ways to go, as you know. Appetizers usually occur when you and the rest of the bridal party are taking pictures."
"Alright. We were definitely thinking about doing the appetizer's but what comes with it? Is it just the usual fruit and vegetable platters?"
"That and then you can choose from Seafood, Italian, Chinese, Mexican, and Thai. Most people choose three out of the five appetizers."
"Nah, I don't think we need three of them, as long as the fruit and vegetable platter is there." Kimberly says, flipping through the brochure. "What do you think?" She asks Mrs. Oliver.
"I'd say we should have Italian and Chinese. It seems like there are more choices with the two of them."
"You are having about 150 people correct?"
"Yes." Kimberly replies, "There won't be any more then that."
"Then I would suggest getting the Chinese, Italian, and the vegetable and fruit platter."
"Sounds good." Kimberly smiles.
"Now for the main entrée. Were you thinking of going with the standard meals?"
"We are going to go with the prime rib as one, then the baked chicken as the second, and salmon for the third." Kim says.
"Alright, and any pasta platter?"
"Yes, please."
"So four choice of entrée?"
"Yes."
"Alright." He says writing down everything, "Open bar?"
"Yes." Mrs. Oliver answers for her, "I'm gonna need it."
Kimberly laughs, "You are? Think about me."
"And your mother will need it too… that's what we get for having our only children marry each other."
"How many hours?" Mason asks.
"For the entire reception."
"Right." He says. "Now, are you going to have a wedding party table?"
"Yes."
"How many people will be sitting there?"
"Oh jeeze…" Kim says, thinking, "Ten… I believe… no, like eleven."
"Alright."
"Shoot.. I've got, Aisha and Jason, Rocky and Kaitlyn, Trini and Adam, Tanya and Zack, Billy and Kat… then Mackenzie…. So thirteen including Tommy and I."
"Alright, I think we are set here." He says as they finalize everything within an hour. "We'll see you for April 2nd!"
"Great thank you for all your help." Kimberly smiles, shaking his hand. With a final goodbye Kimberly and Mrs. Oliver head out to her car, "That wasn't too hard."
"No it wasn't." Mrs. Oliver smiles, "And just think, that's one more thing out of the way. Then you guys are home free for your honeymoon all because of Easter."
"I know, perfect timing eh?"
"Definitely." Mrs. Oliver smiles, "It's gonna come so fast."
"Don't I know it."
They drive back to the Oliver's house and then Kimberly decides to head over to the studio to talk to her fiancé about everything.
"Hey Jason." Kim calls to him as he comes out of the guys massive office.
"Hey Kim, how'd the planning go?"
"Good. How's the studio going?"
"Great. It will be opening up by the last week in September. We are just trying to get our rosters together. We have had a lot of calls for you to coach their kids gymnastics."
"Ugh, I'm gonna need an assistant coach."
"Wasn't Kaitlyn a gymnast?"
"Yeah, but I don't know if she would want to coach, let alone remember most of it."
"Once a gymnast always a gymnast." Jason smiles, "Kind of like us being Rangers."
Kim smiles, "I'll ask her first of course, but if not I'll need two coaches instead of one. Where's my fiancé?"
"Somewhere in the Falcon room. He may still be with the building inspector. He OK'd your studio as well as Kat's. He's just finishing up on ours." He says.
"That's great! Alright, I'll see you in a bit." Kim smiles, heading past the office to the left where Tommy's studio was.
Kimberly pokes her head in and says hi to him briefly.
"Hey Kimberly, I'll talk to you in a bit." He says, giving her a warm smile.
Kim nods and heads up the steps to her room. She was thrilled at how her studio came out. The crane now flies on the wall across from the main doors. Pink streaks make it look like the crane is flying. Kimberly had designed all of their 'spirit animal' backgrounds to make them look more realistic by adding streaks of color behind the background. Kim takes off her sneakers and ties her hair back out of her face. She smiles as she walks around the new mats and gymnastic equipment and takes some time to stretch. It's been months since she has been on an apparatus let alone practiced and she didn't want to get rusty. She also was getting bored waiting for Tommy to finish with the inspector. After properly stretching she mounts on the beam and walks back and forth, getting her balance back, which didn't take long. She went through her old Pan Globals routine twice, and added a bit more to it as she went through the movements.
"I could have won the Olympics with this routine." She sighs.
"I hope my talented fiancé is not second guessing herself about the Olympics." Tommy says, leaning against the door jam.
"How long were you standing there?" She says, starting to get down off the beam.
"Just enough time to see the start of your routine."
"Which time?"
"This last time."
"No, not second guessing myself about it, just thinking about what would have happened if I did go. I mean, I wouldn't have the studio, we probably wouldn't be getting married in April because I'd be finishing school… I definitely wouldn't be teaching. There were just too many con's mixed in with my pros."
"You would have won gold… but I'm glad that you didn't go."
"Why's that?"
"Because I couldn't bear being without you for another couple years while you trained. I put up with Pan Globals and then college, but that's all I could do." He smiles.
"Oh? So you're saying…"
"You'd have me following you around the world while you were training." He smiles.
Kimberly smiles at him and walks over towards the door, "So, did we pass?"
"Yeah, Secret Ninja Studio's will be opening in September."
"Awesome!" Kimberly smiles brightly.
"Did we plan food?"
"Well I did."
"What are we having?"
"Chinese, Italian, Fruit, and Vegetable appetizers. The main coarse is a choice between prime rib, baked chicken, pasta, and Cajun tuna."
"TUNA! Kimberly are you CRAZY! I told you that, that fish is not to be around me…" He says realizing the amused look on her face as she tries and hides the smile from him, "There's not going to be any tuna is there?"
"No." Kim laughs.
"Ugh…"
"You should know me better then that handsome." She smiles, wrapping her arms around his waist as she leans her head against his chest. He wraps his arms around her and holds her tight, "There was no way I was going to be standing around with Kat, watching the two of you throwing up all night again."
"Funny." He says, tickling her sides. She laughs and squirms out of his grip, before he grabs her hand and pulls her over to him again, "So what is the fish?"
"Salmon… similar to Tuna, but not quite."
"Ok then." He smiles.
"What are you worried about? You wont' get the fish anyway."
"I may."
"No you won't you'll end up getting the prime rib, and I'll get the chicken like we always do." She smiles.
"Probably…" He smiles, "What do you say, ready to go out and get something to eat?
"Yeah, let's go."
August 1, 2001
Dear Diary,
Well, it's been a crazy month, but our entire wedding and honeymoon is done! We are going to head out on a cruise to the Caribbean islands the night of the wedding. It's kind of crazy, but we need to get over to Miami, Florida and on the boat by ten am, well even before because that is what time the ship leaves. I can't believe that we only have a few more months until we are married.
This month is going to be a bit crazy because it is one month till the studio opens and Tommy and I are going to be very busy looking for a house. We want to move out around Reefside, which is close to almost everything that we are involved in. Gosh, I really can't wait to start our life together, I mean, we've been together for so long, that this is just the next step. I feel like we are already married haha.
Anyway, the girls and I are heading out at the end of September to get their dresses. I can't wait.
So today I was suppose to head out to the mall with Kat, but she woke up with the stomach flu. She looks absolutely awful. I hope she feels better soon. Aisha says that she is going to be crashing at the guys place until the flu bug is out. She can be such a baby when she is sick haha. I'm not too worried about getting it. If I get it, I get it.
Anyway, I have
to now head out with Kaitlyn to get our camping supplies. Only two
weeks till we go!
I'm off!
Love,
Kimberly
Next chapter: More camping, jobs, problems, and suprises!
Well? What didcha think? I'm going to be taking it all throughout High School, college and adulthood, snip-its of the diary through out the entire story.
Please R&R! I'd really appreciate it. It helps me to know what you all want or don't want to see in the story.
Don't forget about my other story "Are We Over!" Which will be updated very soon. I had a bad case of writers block. The chapter is still only ½ way done!
Thanks!
LUNA