In next few days, Gail was in and out. She was asleep for most of the time because of her pain meds. Her lungs and heart were healing very slowly, but she was getting better. Holly had to go back to work, so she would usually spend night in the hospital. During the day, Gail would wonder if Holly was really there and if all that conversation about marriage and kids really happened. She never dared to ask anyone because she didn't want pity. She believed that if Holly was never there and she asked for her, some of her friends and family would make sure she comes to the hospital and Gail believed she would do it out of pity. Tracy, Andy and Oliver were with her during the day, Steve would come after his shift and she was not sure about who was there at night.
One night Lisa came to see her. Holly was curled up in the chair by the bed and in silence holding Gail's hand. She just looked at her , like she was guarding her sleep. Lisa came in and she looked surprised.
''My brother told me what happened. I couldn't believe it.''
''That she got shot?''
''No, that you married her. After all the things we said, you go and marry her.''
Holly gave her a look that Gail would be proud of.
''So, you have no trouble with the fact she was shot, you have an issue with the marriage to her?''
''Yes, you can do much better that this. You were amazing doctor, and first you went into pathology and then to dating….and marrying her…'''
''Holly, she is just dead beat cop. You come from the nice family, you come from money, you finished medicine and your residency in best hospitals….Best doctors ever wanted to work with you and you said no and went into pathology. Yes, you made name in the field, but even when you got the chance for some huge project, you said no, because of her. You could have been in LA for next five years, doing something you love, but nooo… you choose to stay here for the cop. She is just a cop.''
''Are you done?''
''Yes..''
''Now, leave…''
''Holly…''
''NOW! Or I shall call security and ask them to escort you out of my….Gail's room…''
''That is not Holly I know…''
''No, this is the person I always was. I never cared about my family's money. I was always very simple and modest person. I loved Gail because she is the same. Her family is big police family and they are connected almost as much as my family is, but she didn't care about it. She loves being a ''beat up cop'' as you refer to her.''
Lisa laughed to her face.
''Give me a break. You fell for that crap?! No one with connections would work the streets.''
''She wants to work the streets. She doesn't want to be the office mouse. She loves what it brings. As much as I love my job. I know you could never understand how someone with my money and connection could pick pathology, but I loved it from the first moment.''
''Holly, you could have been whatever you wanted to be, but you picked something that is not productive. You earn in a year what I earn in less than five months.''
''Maybe, but I love my job Lisa and I'm not in it for the money.''
''Working with dead is so much fun?''
''It can be. It is amazing feeling to give some families closure, to solve a murder, to solve the puzzle of human life. It is big Lisa.''
''You are an idiot Holly! You could have had millions…''
''But I have dignity and a soul.''
''And I don't?''
''Not for a long time…''
''What are you saying?''
''You broke up with me the moment I told you I took residency in pathology. I was not the person who could measure up to your spending criteria. I told you I will not ask my parents for money. I told you I wanted to live from my earning.''
''Why would you? Your parents swim in money…''
''It's their money. It's not mine. I didn't want that. I wanted my own money.''
''You never loved me enough Holly to change…''
''And you? Did you love me enough to be with me for me, not money?''
Their conversation was interrupted by Gail.
''Am I in hell?''
''No, why?''
''Because I think I hear Dr. Boobjob…''
''She is just on her way out….''
Lisa left and finally Gail was alone with Holly. She opened her eyes and found her sitting in the chair beside the bed.
''You are here….''
''I am.''
''It's nice to see you Holly…''
''It's nice to see you too….''
''I was so scared when I heard what happened…''
''I'm fine Holly. Soon I will leave this place and enjoy recovering.''
''Do you need anything?''
''Can you be there when I wake up?''
''Sure Gail…''
And she remained true to her word. She was there when Gail woke up.
''I thought I was dreaming last night.''
''No, I'm here… I've been here for days Gail…''
''You were?''
''Yes… I was there when you died and came back…''
Gail heard she crashed at the surgery and in the room. She couldn't believe it.
''Wow, that is intense….''
''I know.''
Nurse came and helped Gail out of bed.
''Ms. Peck, it's time to try to walk.''
Gail and nurse walked a bit and she got her back to her room. She sat on her bed and said to the nurse that she would love to take a shower.
''I must see with a doctor.''
''O.K. I'll let you know.''
She left the room and left them alone. Holly was thinking about good conversation starters, but it was not working. Nurse came and told Gail she could take a shower. She got off the bed and started walking to the bathroom. It was hard for her to walk alone. Holly followed her and found her sitting on the floor. Her head was in her hands and she seemed so said and helpless.
''I can't stand… I can't stand by myself…And I feel so dirty. I need to take a shower…I can't stand being this weak and useless...''
Gail was crying on the floor. Holly locked the room and came back to the bathroom. She opened the shower curtain and adjusted the water. She helped Gail off the floor and started stripping her. She also took off her things and they were naked again in front of each other after almost a month.
''What are you doing?''
''Helping you take a shower. You can't stand, but I can hold you…''
''You don't have to do it…''
''I know. I just want to….''
''Really?''
''Yes…''
And she did. She held her during entire shower. It was weird to be naked with Holly like that. There was nothing sexual about that shower, but it was very intimate. She wiped and dressed Gail and got her back to bed. Then she returned to the bathroom to get dressed herself. Gail was very grateful to Holly. Holly unlocked the room and got back to the chair by the bed. Suddenly Gail remembered something.
''My chain is missing.''
Holly opened her bag and got the chain out of she purse.
''Here it is…''
''You have it?''
''Yes, they have it to me since you listed me as your spouse…''
''Oh…''
''Yes…. I had the same reaction…''
Gail blushed.
''I'm sorry for that night Gail. If I knew… I would have sent the world to hell….and I would have said yes…''
''You would…?''
''Yes, I would…''
Gail was not expecting that. She didn't expect even for Holly to be there. She screwed up a lot for Holly to let her get away with it. She knew she hurt her a lot.
''Why would you want to marry me? I'm not worthy…I am not a good person.''
''You are amazing person and I would be honored to be your wife. ''
Gail smiled at her.
''So, are we engaged now?''
''I don't know… Are we?''
''I would love us to be…''
Gail took Holly's hand and pulled her up to the bed with her.
''I love you Holly. I'm sorry for what I've done.''
''It's my fault too.''
''I really screwed up.''
Holly kissed her and all felt so much better. Gail broke the kiss and took the chain. She put it around Holly's neck.
''Keep it around your neck till the moment for the real proposal comes or it's time to make it official.''
Holly put the finger on Gail's mouth. She took the ring and put it on her finger.
''I don't need anything else but you. Some fancy place will not make us less in love and wiling to work on this. I want to be your wife Gail and I want you to believe in us. I love you so much.''
''I love you too.''
Holly couldn't believe Gail was back in her life and that they were engaged. Gail wanted to marry her and she felt so honored and proud.
''I love you so much. I don't want to go thrugh that hell again Gail. I was so afraid.''
''I know. I'm so sorry.''
They kissed again and that kiss was interrupted by Steve who brought some food.
''Hello… It seems you are back on?''
''Yes, we are and we are engaged…''
''YES! Finally, little sis…''
''We were only dating for three months.''
''I know but you seem to be working pretty well. Sometimes you just know from the very start.''
Gail smiled at Holly.
''Yes, you do…''