Two on a Train- chapter 12
"What did you say?" shouted Angela, needing to hear the words again to make sure she heard them correctly. She wouldn't put it past her to have imagine the words she has so desperately wanted to hear over the past week.
"Grandma's awake! The doctors just called! They said we can come back now even though visiting hours are over. C'mon let's go!" shouted Jonathan. No one even thought twice as they hurried out the door. They could barely contain their excitement as Tony pushed the legal speed limit on the way back to the city. They managed to get a parking spot and get Angela situated before heading into the hospital. Once they got up to the floor, they were greeted by Mona's doctor.
"Is… is it true? She's awake?" asked Tony, feeling on edge, like this was too good to be true. He held such a tight grip on Angela's wheelchair, his knuckles were turning white.
"Yes she is! Boy, she is a fighter! We are still going to be running more tests to see what if any cognitive damage was done, but so far the damage seems to be minimal if any. She's already hit on me three times, which from the family history seems on par with her personality!" he said with a laugh.
"Yes that's her!" they all said in unison, causing more laughter. The doctor stepped aside and let them go in to see her for a few minutes but instructed them to keep the visit short.
"Mother!" Angela tried to keep her voice down, but her joy and excitement was just too much to contain.
"Angela… thank goodness you are alright. What… what happened?" said Mona as she looked at Angela's injuries.
"Mother we were both in a train crash…" she started before Mona interrupted her.
"I know that Angela, I'm not dumb… I meant what are your injuries? Are you alright?" asked Mona.
"I'm fine Mother! I broke my leg and sprained my wrist so I can't use crutches. Tony and the kids have gone above and beyond for me. I couldn't do this without them" she said as she reached up for Tony's hand.
"I see… I bet he has been a lot of… help" she said smiling weakly.
"Hey Mona, why don't you and Angela spend some time together. We will head to the cafeteria. Can I get you anything?" asked Tony.
"The number of that doctor. He's playing hard to get but I think I can wear him down…" said Mona.
"One hot doctor's number coming up! It's so good to hear your voice Mona…" he said as he pushed back the tears in his eyes. They filed out of the room and left Angela and Mona to talk.
"Oh Mother! I've just been so worried and so… guilty about our last fight before… I am so sorry I yelled at you! I shouldn't have done that and I am truly sorry. I didn't want to admit you were right, as usual. I hope you can forgive me…" she said as she held onto Mona's hand.
"So I take it while I've been out, there's been some changes around here… there's normally enough electricity between the two of you to light up a small city, but now it seems like all of New York could be powered by the two of you alone…" said Mona.
"Umm… yes you could say that…" said Angela as she felt her face turn a bright shade of red.
"So… are you going to leave your poor mother who's been in a coma for weeks hanging here?" asked Mona sarcastically.
"Well after the accident, Tony never left our side. He spent all day and night at the hospital and we got… close. It was as if everything between us that has been holding us back in the past- our insecurities, our fears, our social status- no longer mattered. It was as if everything became clearer and the only thing that mattered was our love for each other. We are in love Mother and it's everything I imagined and more…" she said with a smile.
"Well… it's about time you two woke up and realized what the rest of us have known for years. I'm so happy for you both. I'm assuming you each sent what's his face and what's her face packing! I would have loved to have seen those two in the rear view mirror. Angela, you don't need to apologize. Let's just consider that old news, okay?" asked Mona as she squeezed Angela's hand. Angela could tell Mona was getting tired and suggested she rest up. For once in her life, Mona didn't fight Angela's advice and rested. Tony and the kids came back to the room and wheeled Angela out to have some food they brought back. They decided to let Mona rest for the night and would come back first thing tomorrow morning. They all said their goodbyes and headed out of the hospital, having a renewed sense of hope they had been too afraid to feel for the past few days.
The next morning, they headed back to the hospital after eating breakfast. They were all excited to see Mona again and hoped she would continue improving. Tony dropped Angela, Samantha and Jonathan off at the hospital entrance and went to park the car. He had gone earlier that morning to the bank and taken out the remainder of the money for Angela's ring. He had called the jeweler a few days before with Angela's ring size and was told it would be ready today. He headed over to the jewelry store before heading back to the hospital.
"Good morning sir! How can I help you? Oh wait! You are here for the ring! Of course!" said the owner as he recognized Tony and went back to find the ring. He came back out and opened the ring box, revealing the ring he had bought for Angela. It sparkled under the lights of the shop, putting a smile on his face.
"It's perfect thank you! I can't wait to give this to her and then to finally marry her! She was discharged last week and her mother came out of the coma last week. It's finally seeming like the storm is ending and there's a light at the end of the tunnel!" said Tony, his voice filled with hope and excitement.
"That's wonderful news! I'm so very happy for all of you! I wish you all nothing but a long life of happiness!" said the owner as he wrapped up the ring and finished the transaction.
"Thank you! I appreciate all of your help!" said Tony as he took the bag and headed outside. He took the box out and put it in his jacket pocket, discarding the bag as he headed into the hospital. He made it to Mona's room; his heart was filled with joy as he could see his family laughing as Mona was sitting up more in the bed.
"There he is! You get lost parking the car?" asked Mona.
"Very funny! Parking was a hassle out there! Makes up for all the good parking I got the past couple of weeks!" he chuckled.
"Someone should really call Uncle Archie and Uncle Cornelius! They have come to visit you Mother almost daily and sent us food on more than one occasion. Jonathan, would you mind going to call them? I actually need to use the restroom" said Angela.
"Sure Mom!" said Jonathan as he grabbed money and the phone numbers and headed for the pay phones.
"Sam, would you mind helping Angela?" asked Tony.
"Of course! I think there is one down the hall" said Samantha as she wheeled Angela out of the room.
"So what's on your mind Tony? You look like the cat that ate the canary!" laughed Mona. He looked out the door to make sure no one was coming in before he sat back down and pulled out the ring box.
"I was late coming in today because I stopped to pick up this…" he said as he opened the box to reveal the engagement ring.
"Oh Tony! It's beautiful! So wait… this is an engagement ring… from you… to Angela… from you? Oh happy days are here again!" laughed Mona.
"Keep your voice down! Yes it's for Angela. I don't know when I'm going to propose but it will be sooner rather than later. I love her Mona and I'm tired of holding it in, pretending she's just my boss. We've already talked about getting married so this is the next logical step. I was so scared Mona when I first heard. I kept thinking… what happens if she never knows how I feel about her? How much I love her? And the same for you Mona! You've been like a big sister to me! If something happened to you before I let you know how much you mean to me, how much I love and care about you, I'd never forgive myself…" said Tony.
"Look at you being all mushy and sentimental. Good thing I'm back to whip you back into shape! You're alright kid…" she said as she grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze. They heard Samantha and Mona coming back down the hallway and quickly hid the ring.
"I can't wait until I can have full use of this arm! The nurse thought by this weekend I should be able to start using it more since the sprain wasn't that bad" said Angela. Just then, Jonathan came back in.
"I spoke to Uncle Archie. He was going to call Uncle Cornelius and then they were going to stop by this afternoon" said Jonathan.
"You all are really making too big a deal out of all of this. Don't you have better things to do then being here? Well everyone except Angela- her social calendar is open 24/7…" said Mona.
"Mother!" laughed Angela.
The family continued to talk, catching up Mona to the recent events in their lives. Soon, it was time for Mona to be taken for some tests and then to rest. They got an update from the doctors before they left and we're all happy to hear about how well she was doing. They headed out, promising to come back tomorrow.
The next few days went by quickly as they all got into a routine- school and work followed by a visit to Mona by at least one of the family members. Mona continued to get stronger and stronger each day. By the end of the following week, she was strong enough to be transferred to a regular floor, exactly a month after the accident. Angela was given a clean bill of health for her wrist and could slowly start using crutches but was advised not to overdo it. Her leg was continuing to heal and she was expected to start physical therapy in the next few weeks.
The weekend arrived and both Tony and Angela were exhausted. Tony had midterms that week and Angela was trying to finish up the storyboard for a new client. Working from home had it's advantages but it was still challenging trying to run her business from home. Samantha and Jonathan offered to spend the day with Mona to allow Tony and Angela the chance to rest.
"Hi Mona! How are you feeling?" asked Samantha as she and Jonathan put down a new arrangement of flowers and sat down. She was finally allowed to have flowers now that she was out of the ICU.
"I'm doing alright. I can't wait to get out of here and sleep in my own bed but those know it alls think I need to go to rehab. Can you believe it? First they reject my offers for a date and now this? You'd think they'd want to test out their handiwork with my new hip…" said Mona.
"Ewwww gross Grandma!" shouted Jonathan as Samantha tried to stifle her laughter.
"Oh Mona… boy have we missed you!" said Samantha.
"Well since I'm not going to have a social life anytime soon, can we please talk about the two sticks in the mud aka Tony and Angela? What's really been going on with those two? And when is he going to propose already?" asked Mona.
"Propose? Did Dad show you the ring?" squealed Samantha.
"Of course he did! That was over a week ago! What's he waiting for?" asked Mona.
"Maybe he's waiting for Mom's injury to heal more…" said Jonathan.
"Or for you to be back on your feet a little more…" said Samantha.
"Two poor excuses if you ask me! He needs to get off the dime and ask her! They aren't getting any younger! You two need to light a fire under his butt and soon!" said Mona.
"Us? You think it's our job? Dream on Grandma! This has you written all over it!" laughed Jonathan.
"Yeah Mona! He's not going to listen to us! You've gotta be the one to give him that push! They will be here all day tomorrow- I'm sure you can get them apart for a few moments and then put your Mona charm on!" laughed Samantha.
"Alright, alright… when they come in tomorrow I'll figure out something" said Mona. Just then, Mona got a slight dull pain in her chest. She winced, causing Jonathan and Samantha to grow concerned.
"Grandma what's wrong?" asked Jonathan.
"Oh nothing. Just some aches and pains. I'm fine" said Mona.
"I don't think so Mona. I'm getting the doctor" said Samantha as she left to find a doctor or nurse.
"Are you in pain? Is it bad?" asked Jonathan, no longer holding back the fear and worry in his voice.
"I'm fine Jonathan. You know, I was thinking when I'm finally out of here, you and I should do a day in the city. Take your mother's credit card and make a day of it! Just the two of us… what do you say?" asked Mona.
"That sounds great Grandma… just as soon as you are feeling better. Any more pain?" asked Jonathan.
"I'm fine really I am" said Mona. Just then, Samantha came back in with a nurse and doctor. They asked them to step out while they examined Mona. After about fifteen minutes, the doctor and nurse left, allowing Samantha and Jonathan back in the room.
"What did they say? Are you okay Mona?" asked Samantha.
"What did I say? I'm fine! They're going to send me for some more tests just to be sure. I think I'm finally starting to make some headway with that doctor…" said Mona.
"Jonathan I think you need to call home and let them know" said Samantha.
"Don't be silly, I'm fine and maybe with the two of them finally alone, they are doing something for once I would do!" laughed Mona.
"Jonathan go call them. Now…" said Samantha in a stern voice as she handed him coins for the pay phone. He left the room to call home.
"Since when did you become Tony? Or worse, Angela?" said Mona lightheartedly.
"Since we almost lost you Mona! I was here when… when your heart stopped! I couldn't do anything! I felt so useless, so scared! It was like I was losing my mom all over again! I feel like the last month has been one rollercoaster ride and all I want to do is get off it!" cried Samantha as the tears she had been holding finally fell down her face.
"Oh Samantha… I had no idea… I'm… come here…" she motioned to Samantha. Reluctantly at first until Mona insisted, Samantha finally came to sit on the edge of the bed next to Mona.
"I'm so sorry you went through that… I can only imagine how scary that was for you…" said Mona.
"I love you Mona… the thought of losing you scares me so much! I was so scared seeing Angela that first day and then you. I never want to go through that again…" said Samantha as she wiped away the tears from her eyes. Just then Jonathan came back in.
"They are on their way. They should be here in about an hour or so" said Jonathan as he sat back down.
"Well at least this will give me some time to try and knock some sense into Tony" said Mona. She tried to lighten the mood as best she could but the two faces in front of her remained worried, any hope or excitement that was present earlier had all but disappeared as they waited for Tony and Angela to arrive.