JC slept peacefully for the next few days. He couldn't remember a time he was ever so tired. Emma kept watch to just make sure he didn't slip into a coma again.

        Emma saw JC walking down the hall with his IV at his side just one week after regaining consciousness.

        They hadn’t talked much because he’d been so tired and was usually sleeping whenever she came in to check on him.

        “Morning doc,” he said walking slowly over to her.

        “Morning patient.” She glanced at his pajama’s. They were blue and had clouds and bears on them.

        “Mom made a trip to the clothing store,” JC explained. He didn’t look one bit embarrassed about them.

        Emma thought he looked adorable. “Aw I see. Having fun on you're stroll?”

        He smiled. “Yeah, but it would be more fun if my doctor would walk with me maybe down to the cafeteria for something to eat.” He hadn’t eaten since yesterday, and he had to say that he did not like the hospital food one bit.

        She moved closer to him. “Well, my shift doesn't start for another ten minutes, so I suppose I could.” Emma linked her arm in JC's, then they walked along the halls heading to the cafeteria.

        “I'm just so happy that you're okay,” Emma said tearfully as she took a sip of her tea.

        “So am I,” JC said smiling, placing his hand on top of hers. “Was there ever any doubt?”

        “Yes,” she said sadly. “You scared the heck out of me. I was never so scared in my life.”

        “I'm sorry,” he said looking into her eyes. “I didn't mean to scare you like I can tell I did.”

        “It's not your fault, JC. I mean we should have worked things out. But second of all, you shouldn't have gotten drunk.”

        He took a sip of his hot chocolate. But it was still too hot, so he blew on the hot liquid instead. “The things you do to me,” he said, to try and lighten the mood.

        “I'm sorry for being cold that day. I was just so upset about what happened.”

        JC wiped the tears that were in her eyes. “I know and you had every right to be. What I did was the biggest mistake of my life. I'm so sorry for what I put you through these past few months.”

        “Past few months?” she said. He had only cheated on her a month ago.

        He saw the confusion in her expressions. “I was in Europe, remember? I wanted to be with you so badly, but they wouldn't let me.”

        “I can understand why, I mean it's your job,” Emma said taking a bite of her doughnut. “Sometimes, I guess, I wish you didn't have to work so much.”

        “I know, me too,” he said. “But I always carry your love with me. So I know everything will be all right.”       

        She smiled. “I carry yours with me too. Even when you were in the coma, I felt you in my soul.” Emma glanced at her watch then got up. “I'm sorry, I got to get to my patients.”

        “Will you be dropping in to see me today?” JC got up slowly, grasping his IV in one hand.

        She threw her and JC’s garbage away. “Sometime around noon probably.”       
        “The guys will be dropping in today too. They really want to thank you for saving my life. I don't know how I can ever repay you.”

        Emma touched his shoulder. “Get better for me.” She couldn’t ask for anymore than that.

        “I will.” He was going to make sure of that, no matter what he had to do. “I love you, Emma.”

        She gave him a short hug. “I love you, too. With all my heart.”

        JC crossed his heart with his hands. “With all my heart.”

        Emma paused at the doorway of the cafeteria. She turned around. “JC?”

        He bit his bottom lip. “Yeah?”

        “I’m sorry for all those things I said to you before the accident. If I could take back that day…”

        “Don’t be sorry,” JC said. “I’m the one that hurt you. I deserved every word.”

        “But I still regret saying those things. I never even let you explain.”

        “We’ll talk about it later, okay baby?” He was tired and needed some rest. And she needed to get to her patients. Besides, now they had the rest of their lives to talk.

        “Okay.” She glanced at him once more, then left down the hall.

        JC watched her leave. He got another hot chocolate and took it back with him to his room. But the moment he got back in bed, his eyes closed shut.

        He slept peacefully now knowing that Emma had forgiven him. There was nothing more reassuring than knowing that she would be there when he woke up. And there was nothing more amazing than knowing the strength of her love.

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