| Chapter 16 Diane stood in front of the window watching the sun rise. She had been up most of the night, waiting on Nick to come back from his tests, then watching him sleep. Everyone had stayed the night. They alternated between the waiting room, the hall, and the room. They were all worried about Nick and didn't want to leave until they heard his test results. Even Carter stayed, only leaving an hour ago to go home and change clothes for work. Diane smiled, thinking about how good Carter was at his job, and how caring he seemed to be. "Hey." Diane looked up to see Kevin standing next to her, "Hey." "Why don't you try and get some rest? We'll wake you when he wakes up," Kevin suggested. Diane sighed heavily, looking over at Nick's sleeping form. Jane and Denise sat on each side of his bed, talking quietly. "Come on, you look like you're about to fall out," Kevin urged, taking her by the arm and leading her out of the room into the waiting room that was set up just for them. Diane laughed as they walked in, seeing Howie and A.J. asleep on the same couch. Each one had their feet in the others face. "Where's a camera when you need one?" she asked, smiling. Kevin laughed, "Yeah, that would be a good one." Diane walked over to the unoccupied couch and sat down looking up at Kevin, "You promise you'll come get me when he wakes up?" Kevin nodded, "I promise. Now try and get some sleep." She kicked her shoes off and lay down, falling asleep before Kevin even left the room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The doctor entered the room and looked into several pairs of anxious eyes. "Morning all," he said, "I've got Nick's test results." "What is it?" Bob asked, not liking the look in the doctors eyes. "Well, the damage in the area that is causing his seizures is more severe than we first thought," the doctor said. "So what does that mean?" Jane asked. "It means we won't completely be able to control his seizures, even with the medicine," he answered. "So he's always gonna have them?" Kristin asked. The doctor nodded, "Yes he will, which brings us to a discussion I was hoping not to have to have." "And that is...?" Bob asked. "His care after he leaves here," the doctor answered, "He won't be able to do a lot of the things he used to such as drive, and he'll have to have twenty-four hour care. He won't be able to live by himself any longer." Everyone exchanged glances, knowing how independent Nick was, this wasn't going to set well with him. "So what do you suggest?" Bob asked. "Well, there are several home health agencies in the area he lives in. They can send workers in shifts, or sometimes they can provide a live in," the doctor said. Brian looked over, seeing Nick awake and staring at the doctor. He was trying to get someone's attention. "I don't think he would like that," Kevin said, "He has issues when it comes to letting someone into his personal life." "Yeah, but he doesn't have a choice here," the doctor said, "He has to have someone with him all the time." "Um guys?" Brian said. "Well what if we hired someone to come in?" Jane suggested, "Someone he'd be comfortable with." "Who does he know that's qualified though?" Denise asked. "Yeah doc, what kind of qualifications are we looking at here?" A.J. asked. "Guys?" Brian said. "Well, just a general knowledge of his condition and how to handle his seizures," the doctor answered. Just then a vase sailed through the air and smashed into a thousand pieces against the wall next to the doctor. Everyone turned to see Nick glaring at them, his eyes full of anger and frustration. Nick grabbed his notebook: Don't talk about me like I'm not here! "Aw honey, we didn't mean to, we thought you were still asleep," Jane said. Nick shook his head, staring at the doctor: I can't drive? The doctor sighed, "No Nick, it's to dangerous, to you and others. You could have a seizure at anytime, with or without warning. You don't want to be driving and suddenly go into one, it's to risky." Nick bit his lower lip, trying to keep it from trembling as he wrote: I don't want some stranger in my house. I don't need a babysitter! "Nick, you can't stay by yourself. What if you needed help during one of your seizures? Someone has to be with you," Bob said. Nick was visibly upset, and who wouldn't be? This was turning his life completely upside down. "Nick, it doesn't have to be a stranger," Howie said, "You could have a friend stay with you?" Nick shook his head. "There are agencies that can send someone in," the doctor suggested. Nick shook his head: No strangers! Kevin put his hand on Nick's shoulder, "Who do you want to stay with you?" Diane, Nick wrote, underlining her name. Kevin looked over at Bob and Jane. "Nick, that's a lot to ask of her," Bob said. "She would have to totally uproot her life to do that Nick," Jane said. Nick sighed, looking down at his hands. "It wouldn't hurt to ask her," Brian said. "Yeah, if she says no, then we can figure something else out," A.J. said. Nick looked up at his parents, pleading with his eyes. "Doc, what do you think?" Bob asked. He smiled, "She's more than qualified for the job. She could've been a wonderful nurse, she has that knack about her." Bob and Jane stared at one another for a moment, then looked down at their son. Nick was holding his notebook out: Please ask her. Jane sighed, "Alright, we'll ask Diane." "Ask me what?" Diane asked, walking through the door. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Honey, I know this is a lot to ask, and it's perfectly OK if you say no," Jane said. Diane was in shock, staring down at the floor. The doctor explained the results of Nick's tests to her, and then Bob and Jane had asked her to come live with Nick. She could feel everyone's eyes on her, waiting for an answer. "Di, you said yourself you were out of a job," Kevin reminded her. "Yeah, and you had to leave your apartment," Howie added. "This could be the perfect opportunity for you get back on your feet," Kevin said. "I couldn't do this for money," she said. "Diane, you will be paid a salary, and I don't wanna hear no about this," Bob said, smiling at her. Diane looked over at Nick, seeing the hopeful look in his eyes. She bit her lip, thinking. She knew she loved Nick with all her heart, but this was a huge step. Moving in with him, being with him twenty four hours a day, seven days a week? She wasn't sure she could do it. What if they got to his house and resumed �normal' life and they found out they couldn't stand each other? What then? What if he had little annoying habits that drove her insane? What if she did this and fell even more for him, and he didn't feel the same way? She was trembling as all her fears and the �what if's' bombarded her thoughts. "You don't have to make a decision right now," Jane said. Diane looked up at everyone, "Could I talk to Nick alone?" "Sure sweetie," Bob said, as everyone filed out, "We'll be right outside." Diane walked over and sat down on the edge of Nick's bed, "You really want this?" He nodded, smiling at her. "You're sure? You know we really don't know that much about each other. What if I snore and keep you up at night?" she asked. Nick laughed, shaking his head. He flipped the page on his notebook: I wouldn't mind. "Oh, you say that now, but what about when it's two in the morning and ......" she started. Nick reached up and placed his finger over her mouth slowly shaking his head. I trust you. I know this is a lot to ask, but please consider it. I don't want anyone else to do this, he wrote. Diane sighed, closing her eyes as a tear escaped and trailed down her cheek. Nick brushed it away with his thumb, lifting her chin, causing her to open her eyes and look at him. The emotion in his eyes caused her heart to skip a beat. He looked at her with so much love it scared her. Slowly Nick leaned in and softly kissed her lips. It was a chaste kiss, but it held so much fire behind the innocence, it took her breath away. "Nick, I ...." she started. Please do this for me? he wrote. Diane sighed, staring into his eyes and nodded, "OK Nick, I'll come stay with you." Nick smiled, pulling her into a hug. He wanted to thank her so much for everything she'd done for him, and for what she was doing, but all he could do was hold her. He wrapped his arms tighter around her, pulling her closer. Diane nestled her head in the crook of his neck, playing with the soft hairs at the back of his neck. She sighed, not knowing the last time she was so happy and so scared at the same time. Finally Nick pulled back, looking into her hazel eyes. Diane's heart skipped another beat when she saw the tears in his eyes. "Oh Nick, don't cry," she said, feeling her own tears surface. Nick shook his head: Not sad tears, happy ones. Thank you. Diane smiled, "You're welcome. Now I guess I better get the others before they start wondering what's going on in here." Nick grabbed her hand, pulling her to him. He caressed her cheek with his hand, and leaned in, kissing her again. This kiss was more passionate, full of gratitude and love. It ignited a fire deep within them both, one that hadn't been stirred in a long time. "Ah hem. Excuse me," Brian said, smiling when they both looked at him and blushed. "You forgot I was here didn't you?" he asked. They both nodded, blushing even more. Brian grinned, laughing, "It's so fun being the fly on the wall." They all laughed. "Did you need something Brian?" Diane asked. He nodded, "I hated to interrupt but could someone scratch my left foot? I'm dying here." Nick laughed as Diane went to the door, "I think I'll let your other half do that for you," she smiled. "Thanks, and Diane?" Brian said. "Yeah?" "Thanks for doing this for him," Brian said. Diane looked at Nick, smiling at the love in his eyes, knowing she made the right decision. She smiled at Brian, opening the door and letting everyone in. "Well?" A.J. asked, never one to be patient. Diane walked back over to Nick's side, taking his hand in hers, "I guess Nick has a new roommate," she said with a smile. Chapter 17 |