A/N:Sorry the last chapter was so short. Hope this makes up for it. Happy Reading!
I still don't own the characters or the show.
"Girls, where are we going?"
Camille and Kelly only giggled at Christina's question as they rolled her to the elevator and pressed the up button. Christina on the other hand was not laughing as Camille pushed her into the elevator.
Since Tom had left her room a few hours ago for surgery Christina had been alone most of the day. Her fever was down and she was very thankful for that. The only visitors she had were Candi and Ray and although they were great company and taking good care of her she still wished that Tom and Camille had been with her.
When Camille had come through the door she was so happy to see her daughter. That was until her daughter told her it was time for her to go for a short trip.
Every time Christina would ask Camille or Kelly what was going on all they would do was giggle and say "You are so going to love where you're going."
Christina was starting to get sick of that answer. How was she going to love anything when she didn't even know where she going?
Her mood soured even more when she remembered what she was wearing. She was in her fluffy pink robe that Camille had brought her from home and under that she was still in her hospital gown. On her feet, she was wearing her favorite pink bunny slippers. Luckily, Camille had enough foresight to not bring the ones that had the ears.
Christina looked down at her bunny slippers. The smiles on their little furry faces usually brought one to hers but now it more like they were mocking her because they too knew where she was going and were not going to say. She stuck her tongue at them and hoped that Camille or Kelly didn't see her childish behavior.
Christina's only saving grace was her face and her hair. Kelly had put Christina's hair in a french roll and Camille had done Christina's make up for her.
Finally the elevator came to a stop on the 6th floor and Camille rolled Christina out.
"Why are we on the 6th floor? There is nothing up here except storage areas."
"You'll see." Kelly said as they continued their journey down the long quiet hallway.
The 6th floor was a place where most employees of the hospital avoided because you always felt like you were going to get lost. Most of the rooms were used for old records and medical supply storage. Except for one. The old conference room. That room was the only room on the floor that wasn't filled with anything.
Christina had only been in the room a few times while at James River and each visit left an impression on her but she couldn't remember why.
Arriving at the conference room door Camille told her mother to close her eyes. At first Christina protested saying she was not a child but relented when she saw Camille and Kelly's face.
When Camille and Kelly were sure that Christina's eyes were closed they open the door and rolled Christina in then told her to open her eyes.
"Oh my god!"
That was all Christina could get out.
What was once an old stuffy conference room was now turned into a room filled with stars.
The stars were hanging from the ceiling by all kinds of different color string. Some stars were paper and colored in crayon while others were cardboard with aluminum foil on them.
"Do you want to see more mom?"
"Yeah."
Camille pushed Christina further into the room so she could take everything in. The first thing she noticed after the stars was the dry erase boards. On them were drawings of a city landscape at night.
Next to the dry erase board was a small decorated table for two. On the table were two plastic flutes,a bouquet of flowers, and one of those Febreze flame less candles in the center. It was Christina's favorite scent, Yumberry Sangria.
Christina smiled at the table but then a thought entered her head. Where was the big conference room table at? And why was there a park bench in the middle of the room?
She then saw the conference room table when Camille turned her wheelchair. It was towards the back of the room. On top of the table where two large silver covers like the ones they use in fancy restaurants. Next to the covers was a bottle chilling in one the hospital's ice buckets.
"Wow, when you two said you were going to help out I never imagined this."
Camille turned Christina around to see Tom standing in the doorway dressed in a white t shirt and jeans with a pair of sneakers carrying two boxes.
"God, that man is fine." Christina thought.
Christina fought the urge to let her eyes take a nice long look at Tom. Her daughter was in the room after all and the last thing she needed to see was Christina drooling over how good Tom looked. So she switched her focus to the room.
"You put them up to this?" Christina asked.
Tom shrugged his shoulders and smiled.
"We all were just following Doctor's orders."
"Doctor's orders? Who ordered all this?" Christina asked.
Tom walked over to Christina and pulled out the note from his pocket and handed it to a very skeptical Christina.
She took the note from Tom and read it for herself.
Tom,
I'm placing my patient under your care for the remainder of the night. Please make sure that my orders are followed to the letter.
If patient's fever is low: Then she can leave her room for a short time
If patients leaves the room: Then she is to be taken somewhere special
If patient is taken somewhere special: Then she is to have her favorite food
If patients has left her room, been taken somewhere special, and given her favorite food then:
She may be not leave said area until she has a smile on her face.
I will expect a full report in the morning.
Dr. Tanner.
"See. Told ya."
"Yeah. I see." Christina said.
When she was better she would have to find a way to thank Dr. Tanner for all he's done for her.
"I just can't believe you both got this all done by yourselves." Christina said.
"Oh, it wasn't just a us." Camille said.
"It was a huge team effort. Camille did all the drawings on the dry erase board. Which are beautiful by the way." Kelly said turning to Camille.
"Thank you Kelly."
"Oh you're so welcome. Now where was I? I remember now. The maintenance guys helped us out next by moving the conference room table. At first they were like "We need a work order to move this." (Kelly said in a deep voice) but once I told them this was all for you they were like "For Christina we'd do anything." Then the cafeteria staff pitched in and supplied the food, the covers, and the table for two which maintenance helped us out with again and brought it up for us."
"Who did the stars?" Tom asked as he walked over to the conference room table and placed down the boxes.
"My families on 2 East. All the kids and parents in Peds that you've helped out each made a star. That's why there are so many. The maintenance guys helped us with this too. They took the time to help us hang them all up. They soo rock. And if you look close enough each star has a special message written just for you."
Christina looked up at the stars again and saw that there were words written on them. They went from "Get Well Soon" to "We Miss You".
"You guys, I'm just blown away by this." Christina said.
"So, you really like it mom?"
"Are you kidding? This is way more than I could ever ask for. Thank you all so much."
"Well, if we are going to follow the doctor's orders then how about we get this beautiful lady fed." Tom said
"I agree." Camille said as she started to wheel her mother towards the table for two.
Once Christina and Tom were seated, Camille and Kelly grabbed the plates with the silver covers off the conference room table and carried it over to them.
Christina couldn't wait to see what was under them and frankly neither could her stomach.
When the cover was pulled off Christina beamed at what was under it.
"Awww...Camille. You remembered."
Camille beamed at how happy her mother was at what was on her plate.
Sitting in front of Christina was a family favorite and was a tradition that ever member of the family ate when they were sick. A grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup.
"Of course I remembered mom but I did I had the chef put a a little twist on it. There are three cheeses instead of one and the bread is sourdough."
"Mmmmm. That sounds so good. What do you have Tom?"
Kelly pulled off Tom's cover and he couldn't help but smile at what he was looking at.
"I, have my all time favorite and the Thursday special. Eggplant Parmesan."
"That's the same thing the lunch lady said. You better watch out Dr. Wakefield. I think you have a stalker." Kelly said.
"It's ok Kelly. Rose and I have an understanding. She knows I only have eyes for one person." Tom said looking at Christina.
"Well, I think our work is done. You two enjoy your meals and we'll see you both later." Camille said.
"Before you both go, I want a hug." Christina said.
Camille and Kelly both bent down and each gave Christina a hug.
"Thank you girls again for all of this. I will be paying back a lot of people for their kindness to me when this is all said and done. It's much more than I deserve."
"Nonsense. You have done so much for all of us Christina, this was the least we could do to show how much we all love you. It was our pleasure. Not to mention fun." Kelly said.
"You're welcome mom and Kelly's right. It was fun and you deserve all of this and more. Now, eat your food before it gets cold."
"Yes ma'am."
"Ladies, thank you again for all your help." Tom said.
"No problem." Kelly said.
"You kids have fun." Camille said.
Kelly and Camille were walking out the door when Christina called out to them.
"Hey, what's the park bench for?"
Camille and Kelly looked at each other and laughed.
"It's for sitting underneath the stars." Camille said like it was the silliest question in the world.
"Oh. I get it now." Christina said. "Nice touch ladies."
"See ya mom. And if you need me I'll be at Gram's."
"Alright. Love you."
"Love you too mom. Bye, Tom.
"See you later Camille and take care Kelly."
Camille and Kelly both waived their goodbyes then closed the door to the conference room leaving Tom and Christina alone.
"How about after we finish this fine meal, you and I go sit underneath the stars?" Tom asked.
"I think that's a wonderful idea." Christina said with a smile.
Finishing their food didn't take long. Tom and Christina were both starving. They both hadn't had much to eat all day so they were both grateful for the wonder tasting food in front of them. There wasn't much talking between them just a lot of mmm's and oh this is so good. The lack of conversation didn't bother either one since just being in each others presence was enough for them.
One they were both done and their stomachs full, they sat there taking in their surroundings.
Christina smiled and chuckled out loud when a thought popped in her head.
Tom loved how bright Christina's face got when she smiled. Her laughter was music to ears and he was so glad to hear it after coming so close to possible never hearing it again.
"What's so funny?" he asked.
Now realizing she was laughing out loud Christina tried to wave it off and said it was nothing but Tom wouldn't let it go so she fessed up.
"I was just thinking...does this count as our first date?"
The question caught Tom off guard, because if he really thought about it, they never really had a first date. Every date they ever tried to go on was either called off for one reason or another. Always some crisis that required both of them. So, it was more than a little ironic to him that it took a crisis to bring them to where they were are now.
"Yeah, I guess this is our first date. I'm sorry that it had to be here and under these circumstances. "
"Don't be. I'm not. Our lives revolve around where we work so it seems fitting that this be the one place where we finally manage to make this date happen."
"Hold that thought." Tom said as he got up from his chair.
Tom walked over to the table where the silver covers were and grabbed the bottle chilling in the hospital ice bucket. He walked back over to the table and popped the bottle open then poured the contents in the glasses.
Christina looked at her glass and the clear sparkling liquid inside of it.
"This isn't what I think it is?"
"If you mean sparkling apple cider, then yes, that's exactly what it is. How about a toast?" Tom said raising his glass.
"Sounds good. What shall we toast to?" Christina said picking up her glass.
"To seconds chances."
Christina smiled. "To second chances."
There wasn't much of clink from the plastic flutes but it didn't matter because even though the glasses weren't real, the feelings and wishes of the toast were.
"You know what goes good with sparkling apple cider?" Tom asked.
"What?"
"Stars. Would you care to join me?"
"You read my mind."
Tom got up from his seat and started to head for Christina to wheel her over when she stopped him.
"I know what you are about to do and I thank you but I wanna get my ass out of this chair. So, how about you lend a girl a hand and help me up. I'd like to walk with you over to the bench."
"You sure? I don't want you to over do it."
"No. I'm fine. Besides, I'm supposed to be moving around a little each day. Look, I promise to tell you the moment I start to feel bad, ok."
"Ok."
Tom stood in front of Christina as she started to stand. She was a little shaky and he had to fight every impulse in him to grab her each time he thought she started to stumble. Finally she was up and ready to walk.
"You know, I'd would feel better if you held on to me while we walk." Tom said
Christina playfully rolled her eyes at Tom.
"Tom, it's only a few feet away."
"Humor me."
"Fine."
Christina put her arm around Tom's waist and he put his arm around hers to help keep her steady as they walked to the bench.
"Admit it. You just wanted me close to you."
"Guilty as charged. Ok, we're here. Just take it easy sitting down."
Once Christina was seated Tom took his place right beside her. He reached for Christina and she slowly snuggled up against him. Not liking that she couldn't feel Tom's warmth, Christina removed her robe and was immediately in heaven at the feel of Tom's body heat through his cool t-shirt.
"Comfy?"
"Yes."Christina said.
Tom finished his drink then placed his glass on the floor. When he noticed Christina was done he took her glass and placed next to his.
Tom felt Christina trying to get more comfortable and just when she found the right spot he moved causing her to make a face and pout. He chuckled at the look she was giving him.
"I'm sorry but I have a good reason for making you lose the spot you found."
"You better because I found a really nice one."
"It's worth it. I promise."
"Ok."
Tom got up from his seat and walked back over to the conference room table and picked up the boxes he had placed on it. He then walked back towards Christina carrying two medium sized white boxes. Tom sat back down then placed the boxes in Christina lap.
Christina couldn't help but wonder what was in them and just like a kid on Christmas morning she shook one of the boxes trying to guess what was in it. Tom laughed.
"It's not socks if that's what you're checking for."
"What is it?"
"Open it."
Christina opened the box and removed the tissue paper from inside of it. At the bottom she found a small set of speakers and a ipod. She took them both of the box and gave Tom a questioning look.
"Look inside the play list."
Christina did as she was told and scanned the play list in the ipod. It didn't take her long to find what she was looking for. The play list was called "My Answer."
Tom took the speakers and ipod out of her hands and plugged the speakers into the ipod. He then got up and placed the speakers on the floor just a few feet from where they sat.
Before pressing play he turned to Christina.
"There is a story I want to tell you about how I first came to hear this song and what it meant to me then and what it means to me now." Tom said then pressed play.
As the intro to the song started he sat back down next to Christina who smiled and took Tom's hand in her's as the voices of Lauren Hill and D'angelo filled the room.
Now the skies could fall
Not even if my boss should call
The world it seems so very small
'Cause nothing even matters at all
Nothing even matters
Nothing even matters at all
Nothing even matters
Nothing even matters at all
Christina reached up and gently touched Tom's face. He leaned into her touch then kissed her hand as D'angelo's soulful voice began.
See I don't need no alcohol
Your love makes me feel ten feet tall
Without it I'd go through withdrawal
'Cause nothing even matters at all
Those words were so right. Christina was like a drug to Tom and he was hooked. If there was rehab for her he didn't want to know because he was determined to be hooked on her for life.
Nothing even matters
Nothing even matters at all
Nothing even matters
Nothing even matters at all
These buildings could drift out to sea
Some natural catastrophe
Still there's no place I'd rather be
'Cause nothing even matters to me
Christina thought about the words "No place I'd rather be."and where that place was for her. She was glad that that place was really close. Before Tom knew what was going on he felt Christina move from her spot next to him to right into his lap. He slipped his arms around her and Christina sighed. This was her place. Right in his arms.
Nothing even matters
Nothing even matters to me
Nothing even matters
Nothing even matters to me
You're part of my identity
I sometimes have the tendency
To look at you religiously
'Cause nothing even matters to me
Tom held Christina in his arms and felt her sigh against his neck. Her warm breathe against his skin sent a shiver down his spine. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the feel of her so close to him.
Nothing even matters
Nothing even matters to me
Nothing even matters
Nothing even matters to me
Now you won't find me at no store
I have no time for manicures
With you it's never either or
'Cause nothing even matters no more
Nothing even matters
Nothing it don't matter
Nothing even matters
Nothing even matters no more
Now my team could score
And make it to the Final Four
Just repossess my 4x4
'Cause nothing even matters no more
Nothing even matters
Nothing even matters no more
Nothing even matters
Nothing even matters no more
To me( till fade out)
The song ended with no one really noticing. A spell was cast over them and neither Tom or Christina wanted to break the mood they were in by talking. The story he wanted to tell could wait a little longer. Right now the only thing that mattered was that they were in this moment...together.