Authors note: Thank you damaged item for the follow and favorites!

TOM

It seemed as though, for a moment, time stopped, and then everything happened all at once.

One minute Jane was asleep with little Christopher in her arms, and then we heard a beeping and she woke.

It took a moment to realize that it was coming from her pager, and once that realization sunk in, it all happened so quickly.

Jane was looking at me with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face. Sophie took Christopher and I walked over to Jane as she fumbled with shaky hands to find the beeping pager in her pocket.

Once in her grasp the tears fell from her eyes and all three of us enveloped her in a large hug. No words were spoken. Just comfort. Sophie was crying when we pulled back, I grabbed the pager from Jane's hands and gave her a kiss. "I'm going to call" I said as I stood to call the transplant team. Ben took my spot and was rubbing calming circles on her back.

Someone answered on the first ring. "Hello, transplant center, how can I help you?"

"Hi! Yes um my wife is on the list for a double lung transplant and her pager just went off. I was told to call this number."

"Can I have the patients name, please?"

"Jane Hiddleston."

After just a moment, the woman spoke again and I could hear a smile in her voice. "Yes it's right here, they have a pair of lungs for her. You need to start making your way here as soon as possible. There's a lot that still needs to be done."

You felt as if your heart was going to burst from your chest. This was it. It was happening. Jane was going to get a lung transplant.

"O-o-k.. we'll be there shortly! Thank you so much!" And you hang up and rush to Jane, lifting her into your arms easily. She wraps her arms around you tightly and she sobs into your neck, mumbling a few words inbetween gasps. "This isn't a dream, Tom. My second chance is happening."

"Darling, I have such a wonderful feeling, but please remember what they told us about dry runs."

You set her down and she nods, wiping her eyes. "I know. I just have this feeling that this is it."

You squeeze her hand and look back to Ben and Sophie who were watching with wide smiles on their faces. Ben speaks up first, excitement in his voice. "What can we do? Do you need help packing? Do you need us to drive you?"

You look towards him. "Actually, we have a to go bag. And I think I'll manage to drive. There are many many tests to run before we'll even know anything. Why don't you two take Christopher home and rest and we will call you once we know more and when it get's closer to surgery?"

Jane looks to them and nods. "Yeah, that sounds like a good plan. Right now we need to just get this show on the road!"

Ben and Sophie rush over to give hugs and kisses before leaving, Jane and I weren't far behind. I switched her over to her portable oxygen tank, loaded up the wheelchair and grabbed the to go bag and we were off.

The ride was quiet, I was concentrating hard on not speeding the whole way there and Jane was trying to remain calm. I looked over and could see she was already exhausted, unfortunately there wouldn't be much time for her to rest.

We made it there and I got her in her chair and rushed inside. Checking in the front desk and going to a different floor than we were used to. Jane was told to change into a hospital gown, which her exhaustion caused her to need my help doing so. From that it was a constant stream of nurses and specialists and doctors. Getting her port accessed, x-rays, getting fluids started, many blood draws, etc.

Jane was taking this all so well, listening intently to everyone who spoke, asking questions I wouldn't have even thought of, signing all the papers they put in front of her, I was amazed at how she was keeping herself together.

Finally, after hours of tests and questions and information, it was a short waiting game while a few final tests on the donor lungs were done to make sure they were suitable for transplant. I messaged Ben and Sophie and suggested that they should start getting ready to head over, as once the lungs were given the okay she would be taken to surgery.

Jane was able to get some much needed rest, her little body giving in to her physical and emotional exhaustion. I crawled into bed beside her and pulled her tiny frame to mine, holding her in my arms.

Though this surgery was a huge blessing, and gave us so much hope for the future, gave Jane a future, it was still a major surgery with many risks. I wanted to spend what little time I had left holding her while I could. Just in case something should go wrong.

You weren't sure how long you'd been laying like that, you'd managed to doze slightly. Just as you were waking up a familiar face walks in, Dr. S.

"Hello there, how are we doing?" He says with a large grin on his face.

You gently shake Jane awake while answering his question. "We're doing great. Just waiting for word on whether the lungs are good. Jane dear wake up, someones here to see you."

She stirs in your arms before opening her eyes, looking into yours with exhaustion still etched in her features, yet a smile comes across her face. She turns from you and see's Dr. S and she sits up and grins even wider. "Hi!"

He gives a chuckle and goes over to give her a warm hug. "Hello, Jane. How are you? Excited?"

"I'm trying not to get too excited, I want to wait and hear if they're good or not. But yes, I'm very excited for this possibility." She grins.

"Well, that's actually while I'm here. The tests came back great. They are prepping the OR now so it won't be long before someone comes to take you to surgery. Congratulations!"

You felt tears well up in your eyes and you look to Jane, hand covering her mouth and tears streaming down her face. You pull her to your chest and you both cry for a moment. This was truly happening now. Jane was going to know what it was like to breathe, to run, to sing, to live life. She was going to get a second chance.

Dr. S waited a moment before speaking again. "Now, while I'm not a part of the transplant team, I am still your doctor so I will still be a part of your recovery. So I'll see you when you're done, okay? Good luck in there, Jane. You're one of the strongest women I know, you can do this no problem."

He gives her another hug and shakes your hand before leaving with a smile. You and Jane still hold each other. Her little voice speaks up from her place in your arms. "This is it, Tom." You smile and kiss the top of her head. "This is it." You say back.

Moments later Ben and Sophie walk in, Christopher in his carrier, taking in the scene before them. Jane turns from your arms and grins wide. "I'm gonna get new lungs!"

They rush over embracing you both in tight hugs and tears of joy. You stay like that for awhile before a nurse and members from the transplant team come in.

"Alright, the OR is all ready for you."

Jane nods and Sophie and Ben embrace her even tighter. "I love you both so much. I'll see you when I'm out, okay? Give Christopher a hug and a kiss from his auntie." Sophie nods her head, cheeks red and tears running down her face. "I will. See you soon. I love you, Jane." "We will be here for you when you wake. Now go kick some transplant ass! Love you, darling." Ben says with a few tears in his eyes, but enthusiasm on his face. Jane giggles at his words and smiles at him wide before turning to you.

They each step back and let you and Jane have a moment. You sit beside her on the bed and look into her eyes, not a hint of fear in them. Just excitement and hope. She places her cold little hand on your cheek and pulls you in for a deep and passionate kiss. You take her face in your hands, bumping the nasal cannula that would soon be a thing of the past. You break away and hold her one last time, she rubs her hands up and down your back. "You are the love of my life, Tom. I'm so excited to start this new life with you." You suck in a breath, hoping your voice doesn't come out as broken and scared as you feel. "I will be here when you wake, my love."

You each pull away and look in each others eyes another moment. You stand from the bed, giving her hand one last squeeze. "I love you." You both say quietly.

"Are we ready?" The nurse asks her.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Jane says and then her bed is pushed out of the room, her hand falling from yours. You follow into the hallway and watch as she gets pushed through large silver doors. She turns one last time and blows a kiss before the doors close and she's gone.

You turn away from them after a moment and breakdown into Ben and Sophie's arms as they lead you to the waiting room.

Jane would either come out with a new life, or that would be the last time you'll ever have seen her.

JANE

You could tell Tom was afraid. It was plain in his features, but he tried his best to put on a brave face for you. It wasn't until the large doors shut behind you and you couldn't see him anymore that you felt nervous. Not even necessarily nervous for you, but for Tom. He was going to be a wreck during the whole surgery, which could be anywhere from 9 to 16 hours. The poor thing would be exhausted. Not to mention, what if something should happen? He will be alone.

You try to push these thoughts from your mind and focus on all the good things that will come from this. You and him could travel, he would be able to continue his acting, you could return to your writing and journalism, and maybe even look into adoption.

You were pulled from your thoughts when you were pushed through another large set of doors into the operating room. It was filled with the faces of your transplant team and you smile nervously and wave at them. "Hi" You manage to squeak, and they return with a few "Hello's" and then begin setting up.

A nurse comes over and helps you onto the operating table. Once there you are being attached to familiar monitors. You were laying down while the surgeons, doctors, nurses and anesthesiologists bustled about you getting the final things set up before the surgery would begin.

You just stared at the bright ceiling and tried to take deep calming breaths, the ache you felt after each breath would soon be over. The feeling of sandpaper scraping with each inhale would be nothing but a memory. You smiled at this. Suddenly a man appeared in your field of vision. "Jane, I'm going to start the drugs that will start putting you to sleep, alright?" You nod and feel the cool liquid rush through your veins and your body starts to feel heavy.

The man reappears and removes your cannula and replaces it with the familiar oxygen mask. "We're going to take good care of you. Be sure to have good dreams, alright?"

You nod weakly as your eyelids droop, a smile on your face as a faint whisper leaves your lips. "I love you, Tom."

And then everything goes black.