Holly went back to the room and sat by Gail. She had her ring and the cross in hands and she played with them. She still couldn't believe she wanted to propose. Gail wanted to marry her. Gail was ready to be wife and with her. She leaned and kissed Gail's forehead and cheeks.
''Wake up! Survive this! Don't be a cat… You promised you will always come home to me in one piece. Don't you dare break that promise to me Peck! You owe me Peck….''
Steve got her to eat something and have some coffee. He found her fiend Rachel in the hospital and he got her to be with Holly. He knew that sometimes it helped them as police officers to exchange strategies and ideas how to solve the crime when they are waiting for something to happen. He knew that talking to another doctor might help Holly to feel better or at least say what she feels. Rachel also sheared Holly's pain for seeing so many tragedies and pain. She could relate to these things. She got into Gail's room and found Holly curled up in the chair. She was watching Gail like hawk checking every machine, reacting to every beep.
''Hey, how is she?''
Holly couldn't believe her eyes. Rachel was there asking about Gail.
''Same… What are you doing here?''
''Her brother thinks you need someone to be here for you.''
''I do… Thank you…''
Rachel took the chart and looked at it. Her face didn't seem optimistic.
''This is bad Holly.''
''I know… I just can't believe this is happening. We could have had different night than this. Why was I so foolish? We could have been in bed having crazy sex and not here…''
''O.K. Lover… She still might make it. Her chances are slim, but you said your girl is a fighter…''
Holly smiled for the first time…
''She is… That night…when we were at Penny…She had a ring ready to propose to me.''
Rachel was surprised. She didn't see that coming that soon. She had new respect for Gail now. She was serious about Holly. Yes, she was much different from them. She was not a doctor, she was not in the same circles they were, but she was good to Holly and for her and Rachel knew to appreciate it. She noticed very sad look Holly had. Holly got the chain out of her pocket and showed it to Rachel.
''It's amazing… wow…. She really gave it some thought…''
''Why do you say that?''
''It's a wedding band… You wouldn't get the engagement ring so it doesn't tear the gloves. She knew you wouldn't take it off, so she did this…''
''That's Gail. She tends to surprise you with such a small details you don't even notice about yourself. That's what I love about her. She surprises me all the time. She keeps me wandering what is next and how far are we going…''
''I'm so sorry honey…''
''I know… Nothing can change the fact we missed it…''
''Holly, there is still hope…''
''Ethan is not that optimistic.''
''He is Lisa's brother, of course he is not…''
Holly smiled at the joke.
''You are right… There is still some hope…''
''Yes, there is… She is fighting, I can feel it…''
''I just want her back.''
''I know…''
Rachel took Holly's hand and led her to the door.
''Where are we going?''
''To eat. I must eat and so do you.''
''But, I can't leave her…''
''Yes, you can. She has her brother and friends here. I bet they also want some time with her. She is not only yours love… Let's go!''
They were sitting in the cafeteria and eating. Holly all the sudden looked at Rachel and said something that surprised both of them.
''I had major crush on you at med school.''
''What?''
''Yes, I did…''
''Oh… Why Holly?''
''You were hot, smart and sporty…''
''I do sound like perfect woman…''
''I know…You were perfect until I learned you were straight.''
''Yes, it seems you have a type…''
''Type?''
''Straight and crazy…''
''I do, don't I?''
''You do…''
''I don't think I ever thanked you for being there for me for all the crap.''
''Holly, we survived me and Richard, all the rest was piece of cake…''
''Until now…''
''Until now…''
There was long silence. Both women were lost in their thoughts and Rachel broke the silence.
''Can I ask you something?''
''Sure..''
''If that night went different, would you have said yes? Let's pretend she is fine and not hooked to million things. Would you be ready to marry her after two months of dating and six months of knowing her all together?''
Without thinking Holly gave her answer…
''Yes, I would have rambled about how it was too soon. How I'm the first woman she had been with and how I have no right to make her settle that soon….But in the end somewhere there I would have said yes…''
Holly finally convicted Rachel to get back to Gail. Rachel knew how hard it was for Holly, but she also knew Holly needed some time away from all that.
''Fine, let's see how is your girl..''
They got into the room and Steve stood by the bed with his hands up and face full of panic. Machines started beeping. Nurses and doctor run into the room and started working on Gail. She flat lined again and they lost her. Doctor decided to give up on the reanimation.
''Time of death, 11:30 AM.''
He turned to Holly and Steve.
''I'm sorry for your loss…''
Nurses started removing her from the machines. They got her IV out, her breathing tube all was out. Holly asked them just for the few minutes before they take her away. Since doctor knew her, he granted her to be with the body. Now there were no tubes and anything keeping her away from Gail. She kissed her lips and whispered how much she loves her. Holly closed her eyes in order to suppress the tears. She was so tired of this. She was tired of tragedies, death and pain she was facing every day. Steve, Andy and Nick got into the room. They were so sad for Holly and Gail. They felt so bad that they were missing their chance because they were too stubborn. Steve took Holly into his arms and held her tight. Holly kept holding Gail's hand not being able to let go. She felt so empty and lost. They were all crying and trying to be there for Steve and Holly.
''You promised you would be home to greet me and you were not… Why should I keep the promise?''
Holly lifted her head from Steve's shoulder and looked at Gail…. She was looking at them with her eyes opened and her voice was very weak. Holly wiped her tears away and approached the bed. Andy ran out to find doctor and nurses.
''You owe me Peck…''
''What?''
''I had to lie to the nurses and the stuff….''
''Lie about what?''
She got the chain out of her pocket…
''This…''
''Oh….You found it…''
''Yes, nurse gave us your things and I found it… I also know what it says in your chart…''
''The wife thing?''
''Yes, the wife thing…''
''I'm sorry you had to lie…''
''That's good…''
Gail made pretty sad face….
''Because I never want to lie about being married to you Gail. That is why you are going to get better and propose to me in the right way… I'm going to say yes and we are going to have a lot of sex .Then we will get married and live a nice life together… We are going to get a house, a dog and have two or three children. You will be off the streets in couple of years as a real heir to the Peck throne. You will kick Steve's ass in the race for your mom's spot. Hell, you will be even highly ranked than her. You will be my super white shirt wife and I will brag about my amazing wife…. Do you hear me?''
Gail's eyes were full of tears and even their friends were crying.
''Yes I do…''
''Good. I'm glad you do because I don't know how I would make it without you Gail.''
Doctor came to the room and he was in shock. She died few minutes ago and now she was back, she was alive. He examined her and she was back on the machines. He looked at Holly and he was glad she was getting her wife back.
''Your vitals are getting better, I think that tomorrow we could think about getting rid of some of the tubes and machines…''
They all felt relived she was back… Rachel stood and looked at two women and she knew what Holly meant when she talked about how Gail makes her dream big. Holly Stewart Rachel knew never dreamed about children and anything that was not work related. Rachel knew Holly had this side, but she never saw it until this day. …And she was proud of her friend.