I am terribly sorry it's been so long since I've updated! I promise I haven't deserted the story, I'm truly having a great time writing this! Holidays have just had me busy! I'm hoping to try and have more frequent updates after the new year, but until then here is an update for you! Thanks to all who continue to read, review, favorite and follow!

TOM

It had been two days and Jane was still struggling. Her blood pressure had gone from too low, to too high.

They had said that they believe she had Hypertension due to the stress her body went through with the transplant and that caused a form of shock. Now however, they weren't sure why it was high.

Jane was rather out of it, still in quite a large amount of pain, she was very nauseous and had begun to throw up violently.

You felt horrible that there was nothing you could do for her, she just seemed so miserable. Ben and Sophie had yet to come and visit, wanting to give her more time to rest and heal before visitors. The fact that Jane hadn't requested to see them showed how truly awful she felt.

You were beside her reading and having a snack when she reached out and grabbed your hand. You turned to see her little face, twisted in pain.

"What is it, love?" You ask her quietly, concern for her filling ever fiber of your being.

"My chest hurts, Tom." She rasps. Her voice scratchy from lack of use.

You run your hand through her tangled hair. "I know, darling. They said it was going to hurt for awhile yet. Once they can take the staples out it should be less painful. You're already maxed out on pain medication though... I'm not sure there's anything left they can do for it." You say, wishing more than anything you could trade places with her. Take her pain away.

She shook her head weakly, pausing to catch her breath before talking again. You thought that seemed strange, she'd been taken off oxygen. You look to the monitor and it says her oxygen levels were down, quite a bit. "Jane?"

"It's not the same pain, Tom. It's inside. Something's wrong." She says quietly.

You stand and hurry your way out the door and to the nurses station where you find Dr. S. You rush over to him and he turns to greet you with a smile. "Tom I was just about to make my way in to see you both. How's she holding up, today?"

"She's having chest pains and she say's it's different and inside, she's having trouble catching her breath and her o2 has dropped."

Without another word he rushes past you and you follow behind him quickly along with Jane's nurse, Diane.

Jane still laying in bed with that same look of pain, taking short and gasping breaths. You make your way to her side and take her hand in yours.

"Jane? What's going on?" Dr. S asks while looking her over, Diane beside him hooking Jane back up to the nasal cannula.

"My chest hurts. I don't know how to describe it, but it's different. Pressure maybe?" She manages, trying to take deep breaths now that she's attached to oxygen.

Dr. S looks at the monitors, then get's his stethoscope to listen to Jane. "Take her blood pressure again please, Diane."

The nurse nods and does as she's told, while Dr. S listens to Jane.

He looks back up at the monitor, the numbers the highest yet. You look down to Jane and she's still struggling, getting weary.

"What is it?" you ask somewhat desperately.

"Looks like she has fluid build up and it's putting pressure on her lungs and heart. This happens sometimes with transplant, usually not this late though. We have to take her into surgery to drain it and then possibly place an extra drain or two. Diane, call down to the OR and then the transplant team. We've gotta get her in there right away." He says while looking at Jane's pumps and adjusting her oxygen.

"Is she going to be ok?" The terror in your voice evident.

"Yes, Tom. It's just a bump, this won't do anything to her recovery long term so long as we get it taken care of right now." He says sincerely.

You nod, looking down at Jane. She was starting to lose consciousness. Diane reappears and says the transplant team is getting ready in the OR now. Dr. S says he wants Jane prepped and sent down as soon as possible and then he rushed down to ready himself.

Diane began doing what was necessary to prep Jane for surgery. You sit beside her on the bed, her little hand in yours. "I'll be right here when you wake up my penguin."

She gives a little smile, her eyes only half open. "Thank you..I love you my hot giraffe."

You give a little chuckle and give her a kiss. "I love you, too."

A team from the OR arrive quickly and wheel Jane down to the operating floor. You follow beside, holding her hand the whole way down.

She was mostly unconscious by the time she was wheeled into the OR.

Once again you were left in a waiting room while your wife fought for her life.

You decided it was time to call to inform everyone of what was happening. You call Ben and Sophie first, who of course offered to come down. You declined the offer, you could handle it and waiting rooms are no place a new born baby needs to be. You called Chris after that and he told you how sorry he was, that she was a fighter, that this would be her last and only road bump, and to keep him updated when you could.

You fall into, the all too familiar, uncomfortable waiting room chairs and begin the long wait.

"Tom?" Dr. S calls, it wasn't until then that you realized you'd fallen asleep. The stress and sleepless nights finally catching up to you.

You immediately stand, straightening yourself out. "How is she?" Your voice still heavy with sleep.

He gives a smile before answering. "Well, we didn't have to place any additional drains, so she will be very pleased about that. We removed a liter of fluid off her lungs and around 900cc's of fluid off her heart. It's a good thing we found this when we did. She should be more comfortable and stable now. It will be another day before she's able to start moving again though. She's resting, I'll take you back to her."

You release a breath you hadn't noticed you were holding. "Thank you so much." You say sincerely and follow behind him towards recovery, relieved it all went well and anxious to see her.

Once you reach her room, Dr. S gives you a pat on the back and promises to come by once she is back up in her regular room.

Jane was laying under the blankets, still on oxygen and unconscious. You resume your place beside her, taking her hand in yours.

JANE
It had been two days since your little scare with fluid build up. You were still in alot of pain, but it wasn't unbearable.

Tom had yet to leave your side even once you were stable. He was so clearly exhausted, and you wanted to encourage him to go home and rest, but then thought of him being away from you right now would stop you from mentioning it. Besides, you knew he would refuse and you were still too exhausted to argue.

Today you were cleared to move out of bed again. Starting slow and moving from the bed to the chair. Tom and two nurses had to help you get there, the pain intensifying each second you were standing. It eased up only slightly once you were sat down. You managed to sit up for twenty minutes before you couldn't stand it anymore and asked to go back to bed.

After that it was a struggle getting your pain back under control, causing you to take an extra dose of pain medicine, which caused you to throw up rather violently, which caused more pain. It was a vicious cycle.

Tom say beside you while holding back your hair and rubbing soothing circles on your back.

Once you were done being sick, your nurse brought you water and mouth wash and had you spit it into the trash before she took it away. Changing the bag and returning it to your bedside in case you needed it again. Once she left to take care of another patient, you broke.

Tom went to get off the bed and help you lay back when you reached out to grab his arm, hand trembling. He looked back to your tear filled eyes and understood immediately.

He gently pulled you to his chest and slowly leaned back in bed, you curled comfortably against him, finally letting the tears fall.

No one spoke a word, he simply comforted you as you softly cried into his chest.

After awhile, you cried yourself out, exhausted but content to just remain curled up against him. Something you haven't been able to do since your transplant.

Tom held you close, running his hand through your messy hair. "You ok, love?"

You nod into his chest, stifling a yawn.

"I know things are hard now, but I hope you know how proud I am and how truly strong you are. I could never go what you've gone through." He says, you can tell he means it and isn't just trying to cheer you up.

"Thank you, Tom. If I didn't have you beside me I wouldn't be able to do it." Your voice heavy.

"I have an idea. Why don't we list the things we're most looking forward to after you get to go home? All the things you're looking forward to doing with those new lungs." He says with a smile.

You're falling asleep, but it sounds like a good idea to keep your mind off the pain. "Going home and getting rid of all the things I won't need anymore. Oxygen tubes and tanks and Loki the concentrator. My breathing machines and nebulizers." You smiled as you said it, the thought bringing you joy, a light at the end of this seemingly never ending tunnel.

Tom kisses the top of your head before speaking. "Now that is what I'm talking about! That's something to look forward to!"

You give a weak chuckle at his enthusiasm, your lids getting heavier and heavier. "Ok mister," you pause to yawn, "now it's your turn. What are you looking forward to?"

"Hmmm...well, I suppose adventures with you of course. Little or big things, whether it's traveling abroad or just going for a hike and a picnic. Exploring with you when you're able to truly enjoy it is what I'm looking forward to."

The idea brings a smile to your face. You've always wanted to travel. But even just a simple nature hike sounded lovely. The fresh air, the trees, you missed it so.

"Tom?" You ask, mostly asleep.

"Yes, darling?" His voice quiet, he knows you're fighting to stay awake.

"Can we get a puppy?" You sound like a child, all tired and quiet like.

"A puppy?" He questions at the sudden random question.

"Yes. I've never had anything other than a goldfish or a hamster. I've always been to sick to help care for it or had no way to care for it when I had to go into the hospital. I've always wanted one." Your eyes a closed now, your voice slightly slurred.

"I've always loved dogs, I think a puppy would be a lovely addition to our little family." He quietly states before kissing you on the lips. "Sweet dreams my love." He whispers, laying his head on yours.

With a weak little smile, you mumble, "Love you," and drift off to sleep. The first sleep since transplant that you've felt content. Tom beside you, your head laying on his chest listening to his steady heart beat, his strong arms wrapped around you gently making you feel warm and secure. You fell asleep dreaming of the times that you and him would share after recovery.

Time spent away from the hospital.

Time spent with Tom.

Time spent living.