Chapter 20

Lizzie and William waited outside at the hospital. Lizzie got up and paced, and William couldn't help but think of the irony. Usually he was the one that was pacing. Finally, he stood and stopped her by gently taking hold of her shoulders.

"She'll be fine. Its just her appendix." He pulled her close and rubbed a hand up and down between her shoulder blades.

"That's not what worries me." She held on tighter to Will.

"Then what is it?" He gently pushed her away.

"I can't reach Charlotte. I've left messages, called, texted. Nothing. Not one word." She sighed and buried her face back in William's chest.

"Everything will work out." He held her. "Look." He motioned over her shoulder. "Heres Mary." Lizzie spun around and looked Mary in the eyes. She appeared calm.

"How is she?" Lizzie grabbed her arm.

"She's fine. Shes sleeping now." Mary took Lizzie's hand. "Really, Lizzie. She will be okay."

Lizzie relaxed. "Where is she?"

"Come on. I'll show you."

They were led to a plain room, much like Lizzie's when she was at this hospital. She was sleeping in the middle of the bed, head gently tilted onto her right shoulder. She looked at peace. Lizzie's phone vibrated in her hand and she looked.

"Charlotte!" She sighed.

"Lizzie. What's wrong! I'm going to the airport." Se sounded frantic.

"Jane needed her appendix taken out. She's sleeping right now." Lizzie moved out of the room.

"Is she alright?"

"They say she's fine. Will and I are staying with her. She won't be alone for a second." Lizzie reassured.

"Thank you for being there, Lizzie." Charlotte sounded a little calmer.

"Its not a problem. As long as she's alright."

"I'll call you when I'm about to board, and when I land." It sounded like she was getting out of a car.

"Okay. I'm going to get back to Jane. See you soon."

AT THE SAME TIME

As Lizzie left the room, William heard a small groan from Jane.

"Janie?" He moved closer to the bed. "How do you feel."

She moaned. "Don't leave."

"I would never." He sat on the edge of the bed and took her hand. She moaned again. "Come here." He gently helped her settle her head onto his chest as he sat back. He rubbed her back and did his best to soothe her. He felt her breathing change and he looked to see she had fallen back asleep.

Lizzie walked into the room and couldn't help but smile. Jane was sleeping in William's arms. William in turn was sleeping with his cheek resting on the top of her head. A hand rested on her shoulder and Lizzie turned to see Mary.

"Hes a very good man." Mary pulled her into a light hug while Lizzie returned to looking at Will and Jane.

"That he is." She bit her lip.

They stood in silence for a while. Lizzie watched Jane's head rise and fall on William's chest. Lizzie could only imagine how he would act when their child was born. She swayed lightly on her feet.

"Lizzie, you need to get some rest." Mary led her to a chair and helped her sit. "My shift is over. Do you need any help?"

"Charlie needs to be taken out. I need to look at some of the papers for the center. I was made a partner you know. I need to call my mother back. I really don't want to do that, that can wait." She rubbed her temples with her thumbs and moaned.

"I can take care of Charlie. And when did that partnership happen?" She took a spot next to LIzzie.

"Right before I left. I've been working from home. I can't stay idle for long. Always need something to do." She tilted her head back and sighed. "Am I cruel?"

"For what?" Mary was shocked.

"For not wanting to talk to my mother." She sighed again. She was beginning to realize how tired she really was.

"I wouldn't want to talk to her. Why do you need to call?"

"She wants my kid sisters to visit next weekend." She moaned. "I don't know if I can handle that right now."

"Well, I can't help you there. But I can take care of Charlie for you." She patted her on the shoulder. "Is he in the car?"

Lizzie nodded and fished her car keys out of her pocket and handed them to Mary. "Can you bring him in for me?"

"Sure thing. You need sleep. Its not healthy for you to stay up like this. Trust me. I'm a nurse." Mary laughed lightly and left the room.

Lizzie leaned her cheek in her palm and began nodding off. She couldn't sleep though. Every time her eyes closed and her head bobbed, she darted awake again. She stood up and stretched. She had to move, and get coffee. She walked out of Jane's room to the coffee machine and her gaze shifted to the candy bars. Sugar, thats what she needed. She returned to the room and fished some loose dollars out of her bag. Returning to the vending machine, she fed the money in and got as many boxes of Reese's and Junior Mints that her money would buy. She brought the boxes back to Jane's room and sat back down in her chair. One of the boxes slipped out of her hands and crashed on the floor. She heard a rustle and looked up to see Will stretching his legs.

"Hey." She sat and retrieved the box with some effort.

"Hello." His voice was still filled with sleep. He stretched his back.

"Sleep well?" They both laughed lightly.

"I guess I was more worn out than I thought." He maneuvered himself out of Jane's arms and moved to occupy Mary's chair. He noticed her breakfast and shook his head. "Breakfast of champions?"

She laughed. "Cravings aren't stopping. I'm just glad I'm not bloating." She blushed and looked away. She felt his hand engulf hers.

"No matter what happens," he squeezed her hand, "I will always love you." She turned farther away from him. "Lizzie, look at me." He released her hand and pulled her chin to face him. "Lizzie, you will always be the most radiant, lovely, perfect, wonderful person I have ever had the pleasure to meet. I have never loved anyone as much as I love you." She smiled weakly. "Now what is this all about?"

"Nothing. Its just that, this comes so naturally to you." She smiled at his confusion. "And I'm worried." She blushed.

"What?"

"You being with Jane. Its like you don't even need to try." She shoveled a mix of the candies into her mouth.

"Believe me. It is not natural at all. Every time she comes to me, I have no idea what to do. But you want to know how I figure it out? I ask myself what did I used to do with Lizzie? And I always remember what I would say to you and fit it to that situation. And why on earth would you be worried?" He moved to kneel as close to her knees as possible and rubbed his hands up and down her arms.

"I'm just worried that I won't be a good parent." She sighed and laughed. "But with you around, I know I'll be okay." He kissed her forehead and moved back to the chair. "Will, I have something to tell you." She bit her lip. "I know."

"What?"

She smiled. "I know where the room is."

"And where would that be?" He asked incredulously.

"The lever is hidden behind Romeo and Juliet." She stated triumphantly.

"Have you been in it?"

"No. I wanted to share it with you."

"I would like nothing better." He kissed her temple and she yawned widely. "Go to sleep." He kissed her hair and the two of them drifted off.