Chapter 2

Roger paced the length of hallway outside Tony's room.

They wouldn't allow him in. Family only, as per hospital regulations.

Dr. Bellows only update was that Tony's vitals were stable, and the head injury didn't appear serious.

He was still unconscious, however, concerning all involved.

He had spoken to Jeannie after Dr. Bellows, advising her to come down as quickly as possible. He was clear that there were far to many people around and blinking wasn't safe. She would have to arrive through mortal means.

"Major Healey," He heard her before he saw her, stopping mid step to turn to her. "Oh your arm," She said, moving closer to inspect his sling. "Are you alright?"

"Jeannie. I'm so glad you're here."

Tony was right. She did look tired. Her normally bright eyes seemed duller and her smile softer. He wondered what Haji said.

"Don't worry about me. It's just a dislocated shoulder. Are you alright? What did Haji say?"

She nodded, but looked away. When her eyes met his again there were tears welling, despite the small smile she offered him. "I…well…he…"

"Oh Jeannie," Dr. Bellows voice coming from around the corner interrupted their conversation. "It's good to see you. Has Major Healey updated you?"

Jeannie and Roger shook their heads.

"She just got here, sir," Roger advised. "I thought you could tell us both what's happened and how Tony is."

"How is Anthony?" Jeannie asked, worried.

Dr. Bellows nodded, eyes darting between them. "We have our team working to figure out exactly what happened. So far we have ascertained that there was a small explosion. It was near the end of the simulation and neither Major Nelson nor Major Healey were wearing safety belts. Sending them both crashing into the capsule walls."

Jeannie nodded, but it was Roger who spoke. "Why hasn't he woken up?"

Dr. Bellows shook his head this time, attention on Jeannie. "His vitals are stable. In the normal range. He doesn't appear to have sustained any physical injuries," He told them, confidently. It was the next part he was less sure about. "The head injury doesn't appear serious. However, he should have already regained consciousness. We will run some further tests if he doesn't wake up in the next few hours."

Jeannie nodded, offering Dr. Bellows a soft smile. "May we see him?"

Perhaps if she sat with him. If Major Healey talked to him, if he knew they were with him, it would encourage him to wake sooner.

"Of course you're welcome to spend as much time with him as you like. I believe hospital policy is family only," He offered Roger an apologetic smile.

"Oh but Major Healey is family," Jeannie told him, "Anthony needs his family. Please Dr. Bellows."

This was not how the day was meant to go. This was not at all how she had imagined it, either.

They were to be at home, celebrating. Studying the list that Haji had given her, as they navigated a half-genie, half-mortal pregnancy.

Anthony should be pacing the living room, worried about possibility of their child being a Genie, while simultaneously debating what gender he thought they were having.

Excitement tempered with fear of the unknown. Talk of a boy with Anthony's smile, or a girl with her eyes.

Dr. Bellows was quiet for a few moments, studying Jeannie's far off expression. "I don't know if the hospital will allow Major Healey to visit, but I will see what I can do."

She nodded and started to speak, when the room seemed to spin around her. Her eyes slammed closed and she pushed out a shaky breath.

"Jeannie?" Dr. Bellows asked, concerned.

Roger took a step toward her, but she shook her head, raising a hand to her mouth. "Excuse me."

They watched her hurry away quickly, both concerned.

"Major Healey?" Dr. Bellows directed at him, despite his attention still being fixed on Jeannie who was disappearing around a corner.

She was fine, or maybe not? He supposed it was how you defined morning sickness.

"Tony said she hasn't been feeling well. I'll go check on her, sir."

7pm was his favorite time of the day.

The workday was finished, and Jeannie was waiting for him as soon as he walked in the door.

A tradition he was glad she kept after their marriage. He would never get tired of being greeted by her beautiful smile at the end of a long day.

He paused at the front door, confused.

Their front door was brown when he'd left for work.

And now it was white?

She usually told when she planned to redecorate and their current décor she had chosen, so this change of design seemed out of place.

He shook his head and reached for the door handle, perhaps she was bored and was experimenting with different designs?

"Darling, I'm home," He called out for her, but got no reply.

It wasn't until he closed the door behind him, taken steps inside that he realized this was more than her redesigning the house.

"Tony, darling," He heard from the top of the stairs.

Tony?

She never called him Tony.

He closed his eyes, blinking quickly before reopening them.

This was his house. It was his furniture. They were his photos and his decorative pieces.

From years ago.

Before he'd found her bottle.

It reminded him of…

"Hello darling."

"Melissa." Her name sounded foreign on his lips.

Why was she in his home? Why was she calling him darling?

"How was your day?" She wondered leaning up for a welcome home kiss.

Why was she kissing him?

Where was Jeannie?

He winced slightly when their lips met.

Melissa regarded him curiously. "Tony? Are you alright? You look like you're a million miles away," She smiled at him and shook her head. "Already dreaming of your upcoming trip to the Moon?"

He laughed nervously, hoping she wouldn't catch on to his confusion.

"Keep your feet on the ground at least through the reception tonight and for a few more days. Then we can relax in Bermuda."

She stood in front of him, calm, relaxed. She wasn't a stranger in his home.

This was her home.

"I was thinking," She slid in close, arms around his neck. "You could ask Dr. Bellows for an extra week off and we could go to New York. Or make a quick trip to Paris. How amazing would it be to celebrate our sixth anniversary in the city of love?"

He nodded, but was no longer able to focus on what she was saying. The words all ran together and raced through his brain.

They were married? This was their house?

How was this possible?

TBC