I hope you all are enjoying the journey... Thank you again for all of your review and fav additions.

Flashback in italics...

Crash

"What happened"? Annabelle questioned her voice now way above the whisper it was at the beginning of the conversation.

"The nurse said he had a heart attack. They are keeping him for a couple of days to keep and eye on him and run tests" Simone replied, trying her best not to let her emotions flow through the phone, just staying matter of fact.

"When does your flight leave"? Annabelle continued as she began to make her way to find Jason not knowing if he knew what was happening.

"6 am is the first flight. I hate that he is so far away. I just want to be there now" Simone stated while she was throwing a few things in her suitcase.

Annabelle's mind was swimming. So much has happened in the last few weeks. So many ups and downs emotionally. She was doing great in her career, but what did that all mean with only half a heart. The other half was resting in Simone's hands. She had to put that aside for now, the time called for her to focus her emotions and give Simone the support she needs. Whatever that ended up being, whatever Simone would allow her to give. She locked eyes with the younger Bradley sibling and just handed him the phone and stepped away.

"Please place all of your seats back into the upright position and also place your tray tables back up into the locked position for our descent into Rome" The voice from the intercom firmly stated as the last of the trash was being passed down each row completing the final stages of the long flight that could not have gone by any slower.

Simone had been sleeping on and off during the flight. Thoughts mixed with her father and what state she would find him in, not ready to see her father "getting old" when he had always had energy and seemed to be in good health his entire life. She ran through one scenario after another as to his condition. Would he be sitting up and talkative? Would he be sleeping peacefully, allowing his body to recover from what ever damage that had just occurred? Would he be arguing with the doctor saying he was fine and wanting to go home? Her thoughts also ran to the last few encounters with the keeper of her heart. Even though her heart has finally begun to heal after the last couple of years, it was still tender to the touch, not quite running at full strength. She had closed her eyes one last time before the plane was scheduled to touch down. The last few minutes in the air took her back to a moment in the recent past.

Her heart was racing. More than she ever knew that it could. That dull ache that had taken up residence in her heart was starting to smooth itself out. Annabelle's skin was warm to the touch that now her own skin was absorbing the warmth being radiated within the little bubble they had found themselves in. Simone had released a tear, that had been pent up, waiting for the right moment. She knew she felt the slight watershed also coming from Annabelle's eyes when without thinking, Simone, without breaking contact, brought her hand up to absorb each tear until she couldn't feel the droplets anymore. She felt Annabelle begin to relax a bit after the contact between the two of them had been more than they had experienced in so long. Simone took in a quick breath, moved her hands to the sides of Annabelle's face and placed a soft kiss on her slightly parted lips. Annabelle soon felt the absence of warmth as Simone, unsure about her actions just a few seconds before, began to pull away. She didn't get very far when Annabelle quickly shifted to a more comfortable position and placed her lips back onto Simone's. It was so familiar, so soft, so warm, so needed. There was no struggle, no force greater than the other, just a perfect connection. Neither had thoughts of the past at this moment, only the immediate sensation of fingertips caressing skin,lips moving easily with each other and gentle sounds and sighs filling the night air as the fire had diminished to the point where only the outline of their bodies were visible to anyone passing by. The cool night air had no effect on their bodies that were now becoming closer as each moment passed.

"Hi, I am here to see Charles Bradley. I am his daughter Simone" Simone stated as she was fidgeting for her identification when she heard the nurse say, "He has been expecting you, just go down the hall and to the right, 2nd door on the right side".

"Thank you" Simone replied with a small smile as she took a deep breath and let it out only after she had turned the corner.

She found the room she was looking for. She just blinked a few times and thought that she hoped what she saw on the other side of that door would set her mind at ease after this long journey,

She slowly pushed the door open, and just peeked her head through just enough to see her father resting peacefully with all the machines quietly keeping track of his vital signs as well as his fluid balance. She crept the rest of the way into the room, stepping silently as to not disturb his resting form.

She was intrigued by the chart at the end of his bed, she looked up to notice what nurse was on shift and what time he was due his medications. She took it all in, the mass amount of information above her father's head at the moment wondering when he opens his eyes, will he still have that same glint or will the effects of time and his current state dull those vibrant blues.

She continued to look around the room and noticed the lack of color in this sterile environment.

She figured her father would be sleeping for awhile longer so she decided to head downstairs to get some flowers to liven up the room a bit.

On her ride down, she checked her phone again, for what had to be the hundredth time hoping for anything from the blue-eyed beauty. She had sent her a couple of texts when she had landed but she hadn't heard anything back. She knew Jason was on his way. She wasn't sure how he would react to the news, knowing his relationship had been hot and cold over the years. He seemed calm on the phone, but didn't hesitate to say he would take the next available flight and meet up with her there. She was so glad that he just understood the situation and for now let bygones be bygones.

Simone stepped off the elevator and headed straight for the gift shop. She thought about eating, but she just didn't think anything sounded appetizing at the moment. She was pleased at the bright hues around the shop, taking in all the different arrangements, finally deciding on the simple sunflower vase. She had traveled to so many places over the years. She automatically focused on her surroundings, more than just a beach or a specific building's architecture. She noticed everything. She noticed the difference in the color of the sky depending on what time of day it was. She noticed how the water ran off the cobblestone during a rainstorm. She noticed the lone flower in a field of many different species. She had come to love the sunflower with its majestic stalk and bloom. She would fixate on those over any other. Her photographs would attest to that fact.

She began her way back to the room, hoping that her father would be awake, just so she could put her mind at ease, that he is just taking time to recover and his body is healing. She made it to the floor that her father was on, and as she passed the nurse, she noticed her look up and gave Simone a small smile, a gesture that was much appreciated at this point in time, looking at it as a kind of a reassuring expression. She flashed a small grin back toward the nurse and then let out a small sigh. She turned the corner and to her surprise, she heard voices coming from the room.

"Are you sure that you just didn't want a vacation from work" Jason quipped as his father moved to a more upright position in his bed.

"Well son, I could think of a better way to spend a vacation than in a hospital hooked up to a bunch of tubes" Charles replied with a slight chuckle, not wanting to disturb any of the mechanisms whirring away around the room.

"Dad, I'm just glad that, Jason stopped mid sentence as he noticed his father's face light up while looking over his shoulder toward the door.

Simone set the vase down on the nightstand, moved toward Jason and quickly gave him a hug.

"I am so glad you are here. I know dad is more than happy to see you" Simone stated quietly as she gave her younger brother one last squeeze before letting go.

Simone moved toward her father's bed and just took in his features for a quick second. She noticed his normal complexion was a little on the pale side. His eyes were a little dimmer than she remembered. She made note of his gaunt features, but after mentally registering everything, Simone smiled through her worried state and greeted her father with a warm hug.

"How are you feeling" Simone asked as she pulled a seat next to her father's bed.

"I have been better. However, I feel much better than I did a couple of days ago" Charles breathed out, noticing Simone's own defeated features, thinking there was more to them than just worry for him.

"What has the doctor told you and please do not sugar coat anything" Simone said in a firm tone, not wanting to hear anything else but the truth about her father's health and prognosis.

"He said that I had a little bit more than a mild heart attack. He said that I had had a previous heart attack, but that it was so mild that I probably just thought it was heartburn. He said that he wanted me to stay here for a few days to make sure everything is back to normal. Of course my chances for another heart attack are greater now, but that the medications and a few other changes should help prevent another one. So. Here I am, resting, doctor's orders" The eldest Bradley stated matter of factly thinking his tone will help ease worry from his children.

Jason and Simone just looked at each other, both with the same thought. Our father is getting old and has aged significantly in the last year.

"Dad, I am just glad that you are here and getting the rest and care you need. I won't lie and say I wasn't worried and going crazy that you are here by yourself when all this is happening" Simone stated as she leaned in closer to her father's bed.

"Honey, this wasn't that serious. I understand that you are worried, but I am fine and I can take care of myself" Charles replied in a more firm tone, frustrated that he was even in this situation at all.

"Dad, we both are just worried about you. We love you and don't want you to be injured or ill so far away from home" Jason chimed in hoping to take some of the pressure of his older sister

"Jas, this is my home" The eldest Bradley said quietly as he let out a deep sigh.

The room was achingly silent at the moment. Each Bradley in their own thoughts as to the situation at hand. Simone, always feeling the need to take care of everything, was already mulling over how she could fit helping her father back to health into her schedule. She was already trying to plan her work assignments around this part of the world so she could keep an eye on her father. She wasn't even thinking of what her father would want at this point.

Jason was thinking that maybe he could take some time off from the studio to stay a couple of weeks until his father felt better. He had room in his schedule, he knew his father wasn't getting any younger and wanted really put everything behind them now, and just let the past go and do what he should do right now, no matter what his past feelings were.

Charles just wanted to go back to his work. His travels, his life. He didn't have time for this he thought. He didn't want to have to change his lifestyle, take medications regularly, and cut back on his work. He didn't want to be in this bed, with all of these tubes sticking out every which way. He didn't want to be a burden on anyone.

As silent as the room was at this point, each of their minds were buzzing loudly with the sound of their own voices, completely distracted to the point that they hadn't heard the knock on the door, or someone clearing their throat.

After the second time, everyone turned around at the sound of someone clearing their throat and as the words "hi" filled the silent room, each Bradley had a different expression to give the current intruder.

Jason didn't move and just let a huge smirk wash across his face. Charles features regained a little color as well as a slight twinkle could be seen in his eyes as he was smiling widely now.

Simone froze in her spot for a moment, not really believing what she was seeing. She was rendered speechless and emotionless for a brief second, but then soon began to melt away her icy exterior at the sight of the blue-eyed beauty in front of her.

Annabelle moved further into the room and made her way over to Charles, pausing for just a second to give Simone's hand that was occupying the armrest, a quick comforting squeeze. She leaned over and embraced the elder Bradley, gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and said, "I'm glad to see you are in good hands, now when are we breaking you out of here"?

Crash is by Cavo.. This song came on and helped to somewhat inspire this chapter... :)

Have a great weekend all!

Peace...