TOM

Despite arguments, they wouldn't let you in the room with Jane. They said they had to get her stabilized before I could see her. Only moments after she was taken back you saw Dr. S run back to where they had taken her.

You pace and Ben calls Sophie to inform her of the situation.

"No dear please just stay there. All we are doing is waiting right now. Try and relax a bit, the stress isn't good for the baby. I will call you when we hear anything. I love you."

He hangs up and then walks over and places his hand on your shoulder.

"Tom? Why don't you sit? You're white as a ghost. I'll go across the street and get us a cup of coffee. Be right back."

You nod and walk towards the waiting room chairs to have a seat. Placing your head in your hands, you just think of Jane.

What happened? What were they doing to help her? When will you be able to see her? Why wouldn't they just let you stay with her and hold her hand?

You don't know how long you were thinking these thoughts, but suddenly Ben was back with a cup of hot coffee.

He takes the seat beside you and hands you your coffee.

"Thanks."

"She's going to be ok, Tom."

You just nod. Not sure what else to do. You both just sit in silence. Waiting. Ben receives a few texts from a worried Sophie, which he replies the same things each time. Telling her to rest, stay put, and he will tell her when we have word.

"Maybe you should go be with her. I know all this worrying can't be good for her or the baby."

"Oh no mate, there's not a chance I am leaving you here. Not until we've heard something. I think she's calming down now. She doesn't seem as frantic."

You shoot him a weak smile and then turn to see Dr. S coming your way.

You stand up and practically run towards him.

"How is she?"

"She is stable right now."

You feel like you can breathe again.

"It looks as tho she has caught a virus that moved straight to the lungs causing a very serious infection. Now, there are no signs of pneumonia or a collapsed lung, but she is still in somewhat critical condition. The cannula wasn't providing her with enough oxygen, but I did not want to intubate unless absolutely necessary. So I tried putting her on a bi-pap and that seems to be working. She will have to wear that for awhile until this virus begins to clear up. Her fever was also very high so we had to give her some cooling blankets which are bringing it down nicely. Her body was on overdrive. That fall had tipped her over and caused her body to stress and then things just spiraled out of control from there. She is under some light sedation now in order to giver her body the proper rest it needs and to keep her from struggling with the bi-pap machine. She will be in the ICU until she is able to come off bi-pap. She gave us quite a scare, but your wife is quite the little fighter."

You were listening carefully to everything he was saying, but all you could think about was seeing her.

"What does all of this mean in regards to transplant?"

"Once she is on her way towards recovery we will discuss it more, but I want to get the process going as soon as possible."

You nod.

"When can I see her?"

He gives you a small smile.

"You can see her now. Unfortunately in ICU we limit it to one person at bedside at a time." He looks to Ben.

"Not a problem. I am going to go and get Sophie. You go see her. Is there anything I can bring you?"

"No thank you, Ben."

He smiles and turns to leave and you eagerly follow Dr. S to Jane's room in the ICU.

You've never been in an ICU, and it's always been somewhere you hoped you'd never be. The doors were glass and there were nurses and doctors at every corner. The rooms seemed bigger as well, probably for larger equipment.

Jane's room as at the end of the first hallway. Dr. S turns to you and squeezes your shoulder. "I'll be at the nurses station."

You nod and take a deep breath before entering her room.

What you saw will haunt you forever.

Jane was pale, under a cooling blanket and also a cool wash cloth was laid across her forehead. There was a large mask that was strapped to her face with a long and large tube coming from it and into a larger machine next to her bed. It was louder as it was using more effort to force air into her lungs.

There were machines you hadn't seen before, monitors she's never been attached to, she was hooked up to her mediport and multiple IV's. Many pumps and bags and syringes full of medications and fluids you couldn't even begin to fathom what they all could be. She was also hooked up to her gtube.

It was almost hard to find her amongst it all. But there she was. So little and pale. You walked toward her slowly and pulled a chair up beside her, taking her hand in yours carefully so you didn't disrupt any of the tubes or wires.

You weren't sure how long you had sat like that. Just watching her chest move up and down as the bi-pap hummed beside you.

Nurses came in often to check all the monitors and pumps. They removed the rag over her head once they were happy with her temperature.

Dr. S came in awhile later. You didn't hear him come in until he walked beside you to check on the bi-pap machine.

"Your friends have been back awhile now. They're waiting down the hall. Maybe you should take a break and go grab something to eat and let one of them have a moment?"

You nod and stand, your legs felt stiff. How long have you been sitting there? You lean over to kiss her gently on the forehead and whisper. "I'll be back soon, love."

You follow Dr. S to where Sophie and Ben were sat.

Sophie rushes over to give you a hug, tears in her eyes. Ben stands to join her.

"How is she, Tom? Can I go see her?" Sophie asks with urgency in her tone.

"She is going to be watched very closely for a bit, but is stable. You can go see her. It's hard to look at tho. I am going to get something from the cafeteria."

Sophie heads towards Jane's room and Ben follows you to the cafe. "You ok?"

You shrug. "I'm worried sick. I've never seen her like this. It's heartbreaking to see her this way. So pale and still, it's hard to find her amongst all of the machines and tubes and wires. I just hope things clear up quickly so I can get her out of there."

Ben nods and the rest of the walk to the cafeteria was silent.

BEN

Sophie and I each had a short visit with Jane before leaving the hospital. The stress was becoming too much for Sophie and Tom and I were concerned for her and the baby. He told us that he would call if anything changes or if he needs something, but otherwise we should stay home and rest.

As much as I wanted to be there for my friend, I agreed for Sophie's sake.

I was worried sick about Jane, but held it all in. I was to be the rock for Tom and Sophie. The three of us being in a tizzy would do Jane no good.

Once we arrived home, Sophie went to take a relaxing bath and I called Tom.

"Hello?"

"Hi, we just got home. Sophie is going to relax in the tub for a bit. Things still about the same?"

"Yeah things are still the same. Her fever has stayed down, so that is good. I just got some blankets and pillows for my chair. Not enough room for a cot in here."

"Is there anything you need?"

"No no no, I'm all set. Thank you though, Ben."

"Of course. Is there anyone you want me to call? Any errands you need run or work to be done?"

"No I've already called my family, Luke, and Chris. I'll let a few more know tomorrow. And no I don't believe there's anything that needs to be done. Unless you and Sophie need things?"

"No we have everything we need. Please let me know if you think of something or if you need me to bring you anything."

"I will. And I'll call with any changes. Right now you need to worry about your wife and the baby."

"Yes I know, I'm gonna keep her mind off of things as much as possible. Maybe tomorrow we'll start looking around for a doctor for her and places to stay."

"That sounds like a good idea. Well, I'm rather worn out so I am going to try and get some sleep. It won't be much, nurses and doctors are in and out constantly, so I want to get what little rest I can. Thank you for everything and give Sophie my love."

"Alright I will. Call if anything changes or if you need me."

After we hung up, I went and changed into pajamas. Once I heard Sophie out of the bath, I went and made her an ice cream sundae and put in her favorite rom-com.

When she came into the bedroom and saw what I'd done, she smiled wide and crawled into bed kissing me sweetly on the cheek.