Authors note: Thank you to my new followers- CrazzieLizzie, Akima NL, cheryl72 !
TOM
You were now in the waiting room at the hospital. Eager to meet Ben and Sophie's little baby.
Jane was still not feeling well, though was pushing it aside until the little one was finally born. She sat beside you in her wheelchair, reading a magazine, a slight wheeze in her breath.
"Jane, please don't be mad at me dear, but I can hear you struggling to breath. Maybe after things are settled here, we should call Dr. S?"
She gives a little sigh before turning to you. "I know, Tom. I just don't want to miss any of this. I want to try and give it the weekend, and then call if things aren't better." She stares back at you with a sadness in her eyes. Eyes that hoped not to miss any more moments being trapped inside those four hospital walls. Eyes that knew that wasn't going to happen. Not yet.
"That sounds like a good idea." Before you could say anything else, out walks Ben with a smile like you'd never seen.
Jane sits up in her chair, grinning ear to ear, waiting for Ben to reach you both.
"It's a boy!" He announces giving hugs to each of you.
"Congrats, Ben!" You say with such joy. Beyond happy for your best friend. "Can we see him?!" Jane pipes up from her chair.
"Of course! He can't wait to meet his auntie Jane and uncle Tom!" He says as he turns down the hall towards Sophie's room. You push Jane close behind.
You round the corner and see Sophie cradling her son in her arms.
You wheel Jane next to Sophie's bed and stand beside her, marveling at the baby boy in her arms. Sophie looks towards Jane and then you, smiling and absolutely glowing with pride. "Jane and Tom, meet Christopher." She says softly. Ben sits beside her on the bed, grinning at his boy.
"He's just darling." Jane says, her voice cracking slightly.
"Would you like to hold him?" Sophie asks. "Of course!" Jane squeals. Ben takes Christopher from her arms and walks to the other side of the bed to pass him over to Jane.
Once in her arms, you crouch beside her to better look at him. He honestly is one of the most beautiful things you've seen. And while you're exploding with joy for your friends, you can't help but be a little sad that this moment may never happen for you and your wife. Looking into Jane's eyes, you can see that she is feeling the same.
Jane turns to me, breaking me from my thoughts. "Do you want to hold him now?" You nod and carefully move him from her arms to yours. You weren't sure how long you were holding him, it wasn't until Jane started coughing that you stopped looking at the babe in your arms.
"Are you alright?"
She gasps slightly to catch her breath. "Yeah, but I'm sure these guys are absolutely exhausted. Why don't we go and let them rest?"
"And get some yourself." Sophie says with some worry.
Ben comes over to take little Christopher back and return him to his mothers arms. You give hugs and congratulations and then make your way back out to the car.
"Are you sure you're feeling ok, Jane?" You ask as you help her into her seat.
"Yes I'm fine. Just tired and a little achey. Nothing horrible."
You just nod and make your way around to your side of the car. The ride home was silent. You each were avoiding talking about the complicated feelings of seeing and holding little Christopher.
Once home you help Jane inside and hook her to the concentrator. You decide to make you each a snack and watch a movie to unwind and relax.
"How about 21 and 22 Jump Street? I'm in the mood for a comedy." Jane says as she sits on the floor beside the DVD collection.
"That sounds like a good idea. I'll make the popcorn."
Once the snack is done you go and sit beside Jane and her many blankets and pull her in close. "I love you, Jane." She squeezes you around the waste. "I love you too, Tom." And that was all that was said, and all that needed to be said. You started the movie and cuddled and laughed. Both of your previous sorrows momentarily forgotten.
JANE
Today was the day that Ben and Sophie got to bring Christopher home. Despite feeling utterly terrible, you and Tom woke up early to go to the party store to decorate the house and surprise them with.
"Are you sure you're up for this? You know their feelings won't be hurt if they don't come home to a banner and blue balloons." Tom says from the drivers seat on your way to the store.
"Tom, I'm doing this. I am not going to let this rule my life. I don't feel well, but it's ok. I will call Dr. S tomorrow and go in for antibiotics. I appreciate you're concern, but I will be fine one more day. I want to do something nice for our friends who have helped us so much."
"I'm just worried is all. I understand though, so let's give them a nice surprise then shall we?" He smiles.
Tom pushes you through the store with a shopping basket sat in your lap. You get the classic 'It's A Boy!' banner, some baby blue balloons, and check out quickly. Then making your way to the bakery to pick up some cup cakes with baby blue frosting.
Once at the house Tom hangs the banner and starts blowing up balloons and you tie them and then scatter them about along with placing a few gifts you bought for them in the living room. Once done with that Tom helps you in the kitchen to set up the cupcakes and plates. You feel a headache start and look at your phone, they should be home anytime now.
Tom looks down at you with concern. "Do you need something, love? You look a tad bit pale." You nod your head. "Some tylenol please? I have quite the headache."
He reaches into a cupboard and grabs you tylenol and pours a glass of water. "Dr. S says that headaches are often a sign of lack of oxygen. Do you feel lightheaded or dizzy? Any harder to breathe than usual?"
You take the tylenol before answering. "No I don't think so. I'm probably just tired. It shouldn't be long now, I'll be fine. Thank you though."
Before anything else can be said, you see their car pull into the drive. Tom quickly wheels you to your spot underneath the banner and stands beside you. Excitement takes your mind of the headache. Once the door opens you and Tom speak gently, "Welcome home, Christopher!"
Ben and Sophie's faces lit up, Sophie carrying the baby and Ben with the carrier and overnight bag. "Oh you guys, I love it. This is wonderful. Thank you so so much!" Sophie says as she makes her way towards you each for a hug. You kiss little Christopher on top of his head.
"How are you feeling?" You ask, looking up to her clearly exhausted features. "Oh we're ok. Rather tired, but happy to be home with him finally. How about you? Still feeling a bit off?" She asks, Ben returning to her side after putting a few things away.
"I'm going to call Dr. S tomorrow about an admission. But today isn't about me, it's about you guys. Let's have some cake and open presents, yeah?" You say with a weak smile. Trying to take your mind off the headache that continued to grow.
Once everyone has their cake Ben and Sophie start opening some gifts. Christopher asleep in his carrier between them. You felt nauseous at the site of your cupcake and set it on the table beside you. Tom watching your every move notices, but says nothing.
Christopher begins crying and that's when it feels like your head is going to explode. Tom looks to you and knows you need to leave. "Well, I think it's about time we leave, I know how exhausted you both are." Tom says, you're grateful he doesn't say it's due to your health.
Ben stands and Tom follows. "We are, and I'm sure you two could use some rest after getting this set up. Thank you both so much." He gives you each a hug, Sophie smiles from the couch, a crying Christopher still in her arms. "Yes thank you both! Get some rest now. Love you!"
You just smile and wave, not sure if you would be able to open your mouth without screaming in pain. Tom helps you into the car and then get's in himself, turning to you immediately. "Jane what's wrong? Your headache?"
You just nod.
"Do you want me to go home? To the hospital? How bad is it?"
"Hospital." You mumble. Giving in to the pain, tears start to fall, leaving you a bit lightheaded. Tom wastes no time and heads in the direction of the hospital. You close your eyes, hoping it will help with the dizziness. It wasn't long before you were there and Tom was lifting you from your car seat to your wheelchair, practically jogging inside.
You felt almost weightless, the pain in your head still strong, but the dizzy and foggy feeling almost more of a distraction now. With eyes still shut, you hear Tom at the counter checking in. "Hello my name is Tom and this is my wife Jane. She has Cystic Fibrosis and is a patient of Dr. Smolders and is on the lung transplant list. She's been having a very rough week and today experienced a horrifying headache." He sounds rushed and worried, but determined.
"Are there any other symptoms?" The nurse asks. You open your eyes to find Tom and tell him of the new strange feelings. He kneels in front of you quickly. "Jane, do you feel anything else besides the headache?" You nod weakly and mumble, you're voice sounding far away. "Lightheaded..."
The last thing you remember before everything going dark is Tom holding your face and saying your name.