�Hi�� she said softly as she pulled his head down to hers. He rested his forehead on hers.

�Hey.� He paused. �You�re awake, you feeling ok?� he asked as he pulled away from her. He took her hand in his and their fingers intertwined together. She glanced down at their hands and smiled.

�I heard you.� She said still looking down at their hands.

�You heard what?� he asked with a puzzled look on his face.

�I heard what you said. I heard you talking to me.� She pulled his head down to her again and kissed him.

�I�ve missed you too.�

�But I�weren�t you�� he began to stutter.

�I don�t know. All I know is that I saw total darkness...that is until you held my hand.�

There was an awkward silence between them. Britney looked around the room and noticed everybody starting to file in.

�Hey Brit.� JC said and stared between her and Justin with a clenched jaw, which she only noticed.

�What�s up you guys? Why are ya�ll here?� she asked as she continued to hug the rest of the guys.

�Well that�s a stupid question. We�re here because of you.� Chris said. She smiled. She looked at Justin and saw two familiar people standing besides him.

�Hey sweetie. I�m guess you know he is now.� She said to Mark.

�Actually mom, I�ve always been with dad. Mike��

�And I was with you.� Mike finished.

She looked towards Mike.

�So I had you here with me this whole time.� She smiled. �Come here.� She said and he walked over to her and gave her a hug.

�You too, give me a kiss.� Britney said to Mark. Mark walked up to her and leaned down to kiss her cheek.

�Dad�s great.� He whispered in her ear.

�I know.� She said softly looking up towards Justin. JC noticed and spoke up.

�You know what, who�s hungry? Let�s all go eat out, come on.� He said and started to leave the room. Britney noticed his sudden change of attitude.

�JC��

He stopped as he stepped his foot out of the room. �I�ll talk to you later Brit.�

She bit her lip as he left the room. Just as he did, her doctor walked in.

�Hey Britney, how are you feeling?�

�I�m doing better now.�

�That�s good.� He said as he looked over her chart. �From what I can see, you are free to leave in two days. We just want to make sure that everything is perfectly ok with you.�

She nodded. �Thanks doctor.� He smiled and walked out. Once the doctor left, Justin turned to Britney.

�Brit, there�s something I need to tell you.� He said as he sat down next to her.

�What is it?� she asked but before he could answer, someone walked into the room.

�Honey aren�t you going to lunch with us?�


Chapter 13