DISCLAIMER: Nope still not mine.

SUMMARY: Jason and Kimberly know that Tara's ill. How will they react to the ring?

Jason and Kimberly walked into Tara's room not more than ten minutes after the phone call. Jason sat down beside his sister and took her hand in his. Kimberly stood behind him with her hands on his shoulders.

"Sissy, why didn't you talk to a doctor weeks ago?"

"Jason, do you see what I see on her other hand?" Kimberly asked. Jason stood up and looked at the young woman's left hand. The diamond ring glinted at him

"When did he give it to her?"

"Christmas day. It was the last present unwrapped that day. Both she and I were in tears when he went to one knee in front of her and asked her to marry him. It was the most romantic thing I'd ever seen." Marissa's eyes were tearing up all over again thinking about the day that she would always remember. The day her son had made his decision to get married.

Jason sat beside his sister's bed for almost five minutes before her eyes fluttered open.

"Jase?" she asked sleepily.

"There you are, sissy. What have I told you about watching out for the signs of pneumonia?"

"I didn't want to worry anyone. Especially not you or Tommy."

"And when were you going to show me the ring?" Kimberly asked teasingly.

"How long have I been out?"

"Since yesterday morning."

"I was planning on showing you yesterday. But I guess you were told what happened." Tara shook her head. "I'm not even really sure what happened. I remember heading for the steps and starting to fall."

"Shaun found you at the bottom of the stairs. Apparently, the fall knocked you out and the doctor kept you unconscious for around twenty-four hours," Marissa supplied stepping up next to the bed. "Tommy sat here until this morning when I told him he needed to go home, shower and get something to eat."

"He's not here?"

"I told him to go home and shower. He also hadn't eaten anything since we brought you here. I wanted him to get some air. I told him that I would stay here until he got back." Marissa leaned over. "He didn't want to go, Tara. But he needed to and he knew better than to argue with me."

"How long has he been gone?"

"About fifteen minutes. He should be back before too long. Just relax and let yourself heal, Tara." Marissa was trying hard to keep the girl calm. Stress would only make things worse and might just prolong her stay in the hospital.

Tara lay back against the pillows and tried to relax. She held up her left hand and looked at the ring.

Ten minutes later, Tara had just dozed back off when Tommy walked back through the door. He noticed that Jason and Kim were there and his mom was still in the room. He walked straight to the other side of Tara's bed and kissed her forehead. Her eyes fluttered and opened. She smiled up at the man that she loved. "Hey," she said sleepily.

"Hey, gorgeous. Feeling better?"

"Still a little sleepy. Okay otherwise."

"Good. I was so scared when I saw you laying at the foot of the stairs. I didn't want to leave you for a moment."

"I don't want you getting sick because of me."

"I'm a little tougher than that." He smiled down at her. "You can ask my mom. I've rarely gotten sick as I was growing up."

"It's true. He's always been amazingly healthy growing up. I don't think he ever missed a day of school because of sickness."

"Jase," When her brother took her right hand, she asked her question. "Are you okay with Tommy and I getting married?"

"Sissy, if he makes you happy, then I'm all for it." He lifted Tara's hand for a kiss. "I love you. And I only want what's best for you."

"That would be Tommy." She turned her head to smile at him. "I love you, Tommy."

"I love you too, Tara. Why don't you just go back to sleep now? I'll be right here when you wake back up."

"Promise?"

"Swear." She smiled and closed her eyes. If only her mother could see just what Tommy and Jason saw in this brave young woman.

Tommy settled in to wait for the doctor to come in to check on her.

Tommy held Tara in his arms as he walked up the stairs toward the bedroom they shared.

"Really, Tommy. I can walk," she giggled.

"I want to do this. I NEED to do this. Just relax. We'll be there in no time."

He wasn't wrong. He settled her in the bed and sat down on the edge beside her. "I'm okay, Tommy."

"I want you to rest. The more the better. And not outside where it's been getting a bit chilly lately. In here where you're nice and warm." He pulled the covers up under her chin.

"If you're like this when I'm just sick, what are you going to be like when I get pregnant?" she asked teasingly.

"Worse. Much worse," came his mother's teasing voice from the doorway. "Tommy, come on. You can help me make turkey noodle soup. I think she'll probably want some later. After she's gotten some sleep."

Tommy kissed her forehead and stood up. "I'll be back later. Just rest."

He left the room and Marissa came in for a moment. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"Making my son so happy. I used to think he'd never get over losing Kimberly. But you've made him happy again. Thank you for that. I'm so glad you've come into his life. He needed you. Probably more than you'll ever know."

"I needed him too. I'm sure it balances out in the grand scheme of things." Marissa kissed her forehead and left to join her son for some serious cooking in the kitchen.