Author: Jessica
Author�s Notes: Thank you to everyone that gave me some feedback. Also, I didn�t really proofread, so I hope it isn�t too bad!
Disclaimer: I don�t own the characters, I did make an ER reference in here tho, and I sadly don�t own any of those characters (*coughs Shane West coughs*). Also, the title is the name of a Ben Harper song. (Waiting on an Angel.) I highly suggest listening to it if you
ever get the chance.
Recap: Jessica is a single mother and her daughter has leukemia. Nick is Jessica�s daughter�s doctor, and they are experiencing some flying sparks. Abbey is Jessica�s daughter.
Dedication: I dedicate this story to my Kim�s brother Nathan, who just passed away on Thursday. He always made everyone laugh and I�m going to miss him very much.
*****
Jessica couldn�t believe what she saw: her beautiful angel starring back at her. She began to feel weak and reached back to grab Nick�s arm for support. He reached around her and grabbed her other arm to steady her.
�Maybe you should sit down, Jessica.�
Jessica nodded and let Nick lead her to the armchair. She looked at CaCee.
�When did she wake up?�
�A few minutes ago.�
�Has she said anything?� CaCee shook her head.
�Let me take her pulse,� Nick said.
Jessica smiled as she watched Abbey�s eyes wander around the room. She
reached over and brushed the hair back from her forehead. �Hey there, baby.�
Nick smiled. �Her pulse has almost returned to normal. Jessica, can I
speak to you outside for a minute?�
�Sure.� Jessica slowly stood up and followed Nick out of the room. When
they got outside she asked, �What�s up?�
�I just� I just don�t want you to get your hopes up. I know that it�s
fabulous that she woke up from the coma, but the coma was a warning sign. I just want you to remember that.�
Jessica nodded. �I know, I understand that. I�m just so happy she�s awake. It would have been worse if she was in the coma longer, right?�
�Yes, but like I said, something caused her to fall into the coma. And we need to figure out what that is.�
�Nick I think we both know what caused the coma, but right now I�d really just like to be with my daughter. Can�t we just talk about this later and go back in? Are the tubes ready to come out?�
�Of course. Let�s go back in.� He waited for Jessica and followed her into the room. He walked over next to the bed and smiled at Abbey. �Abbey, honey, I�m going to take the tube in your throat out now, okay?� He waited for her to nod and then continued. �I need you to take a really deep breath and as you let it out, I�m going to remove the tube. Do you understand?� She nodded again. �Jessica, maybe you should take her hand?�
Jessica nodded her understanding and took Abbey�s hand. �I�m right here, honey.� Jessica let Abbey squeeze her hand as the tube was removed. The nurse handed Abbey a glass of water and excused herself from the room.
�Now, Abbey, don�t try to talk yet, sweetheart,� Nick told her. �CaCee,
would you mind going to ask the nurse to get Abbey a Popsicle?�
�Not at all.� CaCee quickly left the room.
Nick put his hand on Jessica�s shoulder and gently squeezed, letting her know that for now the worst was over. Jessica reached up and rested her hand over his. Right before CaCee walked back in she let go of his hand, she didn�t want CaCee to be making jokes about it for the rest of the week.
Nick took the Popsicle from CaCee and handed it to Abbey. �Here you go,
Abbey. Try to eat it slow. Don�t rush yourself, okay, sweetheart?�
Abbey nodded and continued to eat the Popsicle.
Jessica looked over her shoulder and asked Nick, �When will she be able to come home?�
�Well, let�s just see how everything goes today and how she�s feeling
later.�
Nodding, Jessica turned back to Abbey and touched her cheek with her finger.
�Okay, well I�m going to leave you guys alone now. Abbey, make sure you
finish that Popsicle. And if you feel like talking, only do it until it hurts and your voice gets scratchy. I�ll have the nurse bring in some Gatorade too, so keep drinking that.�
Abbey nodded and Nick started to walk out. �Thank you so much for
everything, Nick.�
He turned around and smiled at Jessica. �You�re welcome.� After smiling
again, he turned and left the room.
�Wow, what a sweet guy,� CaCee said.
Jessica nodded. �I know. I�m so glad that he�s Abbey�s doctor.� Jessica
watched as CaCee yawned and smiled at her. �You know, you can go back home and back to bed now. I�m sure we�ll be okay.�
�No, babe, I couldn�t do that to you.�
�No, I demand you go home. The two of us will be just fine.�
�Jess, are you sure?�
Nodding, she stood up and grabbed CaCee�s bad from beside the bed. Looking sternly into her eyes, she said, �Go.�
CaCee nodded, understanding that Jessica really would be okay and maybe just wanted some alone time with her daughter. Walking over to Abbey, she gently kissed her forehead and gave her a big smile. �I�ll see you soon, okay hon? You just get better, alright?�
Abbey nodded. CaCee walked over to Jessica and pulled her into a big hug.
�I�ll see you soon, too, okay? Make sure you get some sleep and maybe some more time with Dr. Lachey.�
Jessica laughed. �I knew that had to come out sometime. We just had a few nice talks, that�s all.�
CaCee laughed, �That doesn�t mean it won�t turn into something more.�
�Okay, CaCee, now you really have to go.� Jessica friendly pushed her
towards the door and handed her her bag. �I�ll call you tonight and let you know what�s going on.�
�Sounds good.� After giving her one last hug, CaCee turned and walked
towards the elevator.
Jessica walked over to the bed and sat down next to Abbey. �How are you
feeling, baby?�
�Okay,� Abbey barely got out with her horse voice.
Jessica smiled. �You don�t have to talk if it hurts. Are you tired?�
Abbey nodded.
�Do you want me to lie down and cuddle with you?�
Abbey nodded again and Jessica snuggled up next to her daughter. It wasn�t long before they both fell into a very deep, relaxed sleep. At least for now, their worries were over.
*****
For the rest of the afternoon, Nick tried to work normally, but he couldn�t get his mind off Jessica and Abbey. Well, mostly Jessica. It was really scaring him how much he was getting attached to this case. Just focus on your work, he told himself.
After about an hour, though, it became unbearable. Nick decided the only way he could get on with his day was to go up and check on them both. He let Lucy the receptionist know where he was going to be and then headed upstairs. The door was wide open when he got there, so he quietly knocked on the wall and walked in. Both Jessica and Abbey were on the bed sleeping. They looked so peaceful and Nick decided it would be rude to wake them.
He walked over to Abbey and did his best to take her pulse without waking her. Abbey also had a cuff on her arm that took her blood pressure every so often, and he looked at the machine and read the two numbers. Both her pulse and her blood pressure were doing well, so he decided there wasn�t anything else he needed to check. He turned to leave, but was stopped by a voice.
�Hey,� Jessica sleepily said.
Nick turned around and smiled. �Hey, you guys looked so peaceful and I
didn�t want to wake you.�
Jessica smiled. �How is she doing? Can you tell?�
�She seems to be doing better. I just took her pulse and it�s strong.
Listen, do you want to take a walk?�
Jessica nodded and climbed out of the bed. She followed Nick out the door and they started walking around the children�s ward. �So what�s up?� she asked him.
�I just wanted to let you know that I�ve been doing everything I can to get Abbey to the top of the list.�
Jessica smiled. �I appreciate that.�
�I also want to know how long you want Abbey to stay here. Ultimately, it�s your choice.�
Jessica nodded. �Her other doctors told me that this would happen, that a coma could be the beginning of the end. I don�t want to keep her here. If the end is near, I want her to be at home.�
�Hey, the end could be far off. It depends on how hard she�s willing to
fight. All I�m saying is that she would have doctors and nurses here, and she would always have someone checking on her. But if you decide to bring her home, I�d be glad to do house calls as often as you�d like. I just want you to be comfortable with whatever choice you make.�
Jessica smiled. �I think I would be more comfortable with having her at
home.�
�Okay, that�s all I wanted to know. She�ll probably be able to go home
tomorrow then. Does that sound good?�
�Yeah, and I probably will want you to do house calls, but it probably won�t be for awhile. Do you think she is going to need any medication?�
�I�ll probably prescribe some pain medication that she�ll only need to take if she�s actually feeling pain. She�ll have her good days and her bad days. On her good days she might run around and play like normal. On her bad days she�ll probably be weak and tired. The only thing I can suggest is let her decide how she feels and what she wants to do. Other than that, there�s not much else I can think of right now. Do you have any questions?�
�Not that I can think of. I should probably get back though. If she wakes up from her nap and I�m not there she might get scared.�
�Of course. If you think of any questions, feel free to have them page me. Otherwise, I�ll just stop by a little later tonight to check on you both.�
�Thanks.� Jessica turned and walked towards Abbey�s room. Abbey was still sleeping when she got there, so Jessica sat down by the window.
For some reason her thoughts turned to Nick and no matter how hard she
tried not to, she couldn�t stop thinking about him. What has got you so hooked on him, she asked herself. Maybe it�s because he�s perfect, her other half answered.
Jessica mentally slapped herself. Stop thinking about a guy, you idiot.
Nothing else matters right now, but Abbey. Nothing else.
*****
The next day
Jessica could have slept all day, but at around 10 a.m. she was awoken by the sound of giggling and laughing. Rolling over, she immediately noticed Nick�s presence in the room and she quickly ran her fingers through her hair. She sat up and smiled when she realized that Nick and Abbey were piecing together a Sleeping Beauty puzzle.
Nick glanced over and noticed she was awake. �Good morning, sleepy head.�
�Hey.� She walked over and after kissing Abbey on the head, she sat down next to her on the bed. �What are you two up to?�
�Dr. Lachey brought me some puzzles.�
�I see that.� Jessica smiled at Nick. �Do you ever get any sleep?�
�Uh, yeah actually. I feel bad because I didn�t check back in last night, but I went home and I slept till this morning.�
�Good, otherwise I would feel really bad. Thanks for bringing her some
puzzles.�
�No problem, I have a five year old niece and I always have stuff for her to do around my apartment. Oh, and I picked up some bagels on the way back too. They�re over there on the table.�
A huge smile spread across Jessica�s face. �Oh, real food! You�re a
saint!�
Nick laughed. �It�s only plain bagels and plain cream cheese.�
�Not to worry, that�s my favorite breakfast! Abbey, honey, did you eat
anything?�
�I didn�t want to, but Dr. Lachey told me if I ate half a bagel then he
would come visit and take me to the park.�
Jessica couldn�t help but smile. �Well, I�m glad that you at least ate
something. How are you feeling this morning?�
�Better Mommy, especially because Dr. Lachey came to visit. He told me
that I can go home soon.�
�Well, that�s good news. Do you feel well enough to come home?�
�Yeah, I like my bed better.�
Jessica and Nick laughed. �I don�t blame you, angel. I can�t wait to
sleep in my bed either, or have a home cooked meal.�
�Mommy, can Dr. Lachey come over for dinner someday?�
Jessica looked over at Nick. �Uh, I guess if he wants to.�
Nick smiled at Abbey. He was so glad that she had said that, it meant that he could possibly be seeing Jessica real soon. �Yeah, I�d love that Abbey, thanks for inviting me. You know, I make killer garlic bread.�
�Well, then how about we make some spaghetti next week?� Jessica asked
Abbey.
�OH! My favorite!�
Nick stood up. �Well, that sounds delicious.� He looked at Jessica.
�Just give me a call here when you want me to come over. I�ll be here all day the next two days.�
Jessica nodded. �That sounds good.�
�Uh, I�m going to go get Abbey�s release papers. I�ll be back in a few
minutes.�
Abbey smiled at her mom. �I think he likes you, Mommy.�
�Abbey!� Jessica laughed and grabbed her daughter and pulled her into a
hug.
That was the problem though, because Jessica liked him too.
*****
One week later
As Jessica ran around the little apartment trying to make it as clean as possible, she remembered exactly why she hated having guests. Before the guests arrived she cleaned like crazy, while the guests were there she cleaned like crazy, and after the guests were gone she cleaned like crazy. If there was one thing Jessica hated to do, it was clean.
As Jessica stirred the spaghetti sauce, she heard the doorbell ring. It had to be him. �Abbey, angel, can you get the door?� She smiled as she heard Abbey jump off the couch and run to the front door. Abbey had been very tired and run down the past week, but as soon as she woke up this morning she was full of energy. It was almost as if she had been saving it all for today. Jessica gave the sauce one last stir and then started boiling the water for the noodles. She took a deep breath and then walked out into the family room. Her jaw almost dropped when she saw him, but luckily she was able to control herself. He was wearing jeans and a baby blue collared t-shirt. He looked even better than he
did in the scrubs at the hospital.
Nick looked up as Jessica entered the room and was completely speechless. She was wearing jeans that looked like they were made for her and a sexy v-neck t-shirt. Finally he was able to at least say, �Uh, hi. How�s it going?�
Jessica smiled, she was glad she wasn�t the only nervous one. �Good, I�m doing good. Abbey, do you want to show Nick around?�
�Sure Mommy!� Abbey grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the bedrooms.
�Oh, Jessica, I brought this. It�s garlic bread.� He said, handing it to her.
�Thanks, I�ll go put this in the oven,� Jessica smiled and watched as Abbey dragged him off to show him her bedroom.
When Abbey was done she brought Nick back to the kitchen, where Jessica was adding the noodles to the water. �Mommy, when�s dinner going to be ready?�
�In about fifteen minutes. Do you want to go watch TV and I�ll call you
when it�s ready?�
Abbey nodded and ran out of the kitchen.
�She looks like she�s doing really well.�
�Well, actually it�s kind of funny because this past week she�s been really tired, but today she was full of energy. I think she really likes you.�
�She�s a great kid.�
�Yeah, she is. So, what did you think of the apartment?�
�It�s nice, how long have you two been living here?�
�Since Jack left.�
�Oh, I�m sorry.�
�No, it�s okay. We used to live in this beautiful red brick house in the suburbs, but when Jack left I couldn�t swing it alone. So we haven�t been here too long, but I think we both adjusted okay. Sometimes, though, I really miss the house.�
�I bet. I really miss the house I grew up in. Even though it wasn�t that big, it was bigger and more homey than my apartment.�
�Do your parents still live there?�
�Just my dad, my mom passed away when I was young.�
�Oh, I�m sorry. What happened?�
Nick took a deep breath, he didn�t want to tell her. �Uh� cancer.�
�Oh.� Jessica swallowed and walked over to the stove to stir the sauce
again.
�I�m sorry, I shouldn�t have told you.�
Jessica turned around and forced a smile. �No, it�s okay.� Jessica looked into his eyes and she couldn�t look away. There was so much compassion in them and Jessica could tell that he felt really bad for telling her that.
She was starring at him and Nick didn�t know what to say. He felt so bad for telling her how his mother had died. Just as he was about to ask her if she was really okay, the timer rang and Jessica blinked and looked away. She walked over to the stove and took the cover off of the boiling water.
Without looking at him she said, �Uh, Nick, can you get the noodle strainer out of the cabinet next to the fridge and put it in the sink?�
�Yeah, of course.� Nick knelt down in front of the cabinet and pulled the strainer out. He walked over to the sink and placed it down over the drain. �Strainer�s all set.�
�Thanks. Do you mind telling Abbey that dinner�s ready?�
�Not at all.� Nick walked out into the family room where Abbey was
watching The Rugrats. �Hey Abbey, dinner�s ready.�
Abbey jumped up off the couch and ran past Nick and into the kitchen.
Nick laughed and followed her back into the kitchen. Jessica was placing a casserole dish full of spaghetti in the middle of the table. Nick walked over to the oven and pulled out the garlic bread. �Jessica, do you want me to put this on a plate of anything?�
�No, you can just put it on the table.�
Nick walked over to the table and set the bread down. �Where should I
sit?�
�Next to me!� Abbey shouted. Jessica laughed and sat down across the table from Nick.
After everyone had served themselves, Abbey with a little help from Jessica, Nick was the first to break the silence. �So Abbey, how have you been feeling this week?�
�Pretty tired. I�m really glad you came to visit, though. I still have
some of the puzzles left to do, do you want to help me with them after dinner?�
�Sure, that sounds wonderful.�
�Mommy, do you want to help us?�
�Of course, angel, after I do the dishes.�
After everyone was finished, Jessica started clearing the table while Abbey went to get the puzzles. Nick began to help Jessica load the dishes into the dishwasher, but Jessica stopped him. �You�re our guest. You go ahead and start the puzzles with her or she�ll go crazy. I�ll be there in a few minutes.�
�Are you sure?�
�I won�t take no for an answer.�
�Okay.� Nick headed towards the family room, but right before leaving the kitchen he turned and said, �Dinner was really great. I�m really glad you invited me.�
Jessica smiled. �Me too.� She finished loading the dishes into the
dishwasher and then cleaned the table. When she was all done, she turned the kitchen lights off and walked to the family room. Nick and Abbey were sitting on the floor putting together a puzzle. Jessica sat down next to Abbey and kissed her on the top of her head. �Wow, you two are doing a good job.�
�Thanks, Mommy, do you want to help?�
�Of course I do.�
After finishing the puzzle Abbey asked to watch Spy Kids and Jessica looked to Nick. �You don�t have to stay if you don�t want to. I won�t make you sit through it.�
�No, it�s okay. I want to stay.�
�Are you sure? It�s only nine o�clock, you would still be able to go out.�
�Jessica, I want to.�
Jessica smiled and got up to put the DVD in. After grabbing the remote
control, she walked over and sat down on the end of the couch. Abbey had climbed up to the middle and Nick was sitting on the other end.
Jessica couldn�t believe he was actually staying. Jack would never watch anything but sports, and Jessica and Abbey had always ended up watching movies in the master bedroom. Jessica had spent so much time alone or with Jack that she had forgotten how real men acted. And Nick was the real thing. He was sweet, offered to help with the dishes, and actually wanted to spend time with her and Abbey. Maybe it was because the last few months of her marriage had been so horrible, but Jessica had given up all hope of finding a perfect man. But Nick was perfect, in every way. He was different from every guy she had ever met. And Jessica had always hoped that her perfect match would come along,
ever since she was a child. When Jack had asked her to marry him she had said yes because she figured she could make him her perfect match. But after a few months of marriage, she knew she would have to work their whole life to make him perfect, and she was doubtful it would ever happen. But she didn�t want to think about the past now because that�s just what it was, the past. She needed to focus on the present, and in the present she was happy and spending the evening with her daughter and a perfect man.
Nick couldn�t believe how beautiful she was. The TV was casting different colored lights across her face and it made her glow like an angel. At first he had been worried about getting involved with her because she was a patient�s mother. And he had seen that episode of ER, it didn�t do Luka�s career too much good, or his reputation. But now that he was sitting on the opposite end of her couch, in her house, it was taking a lot of self-control to not just go over to her and kiss her. He had wanted to do it since they had met, but then again he
also knew it wasn�t what she needed. She already had enough on her plate with Abbey, she didn�t need any more emotional baggage. And she was probably still hoping that her husband would come back and apologize for being a cowardly bastard. And that just left Nick screwed again. All of his relationships went nowhere and he had to accept that. But then again something about Jessica just kept drawing him back to her. So for now he�d just have to enjoy spending whatever time he could with her, with the most perfect woman in the whole world.
About halfway through the movie Jessica looked down at Abbey, who had fallen asleep in her lap. �Well, it looks like we don�t have to watch the whole movie,� Jessica quietly said to Nick. �I�m going to bring her to bed.�
Nick stood up, �Here, let me.� He bent over and gently scooped Abbey up
from Jessica�s lap. Jessica followed him to Abbey�s room and tucked her in after he had gently laid her down. She kissed her forehead and before leaving the room, she switched on the night-light. When she got back to the family room, Nick had already stopped the movie and was looking at the pictures Jessica had all over the room. Jessica loved having pictures all over, it really gave the home a somewhat happier feeling.
When Nick realized she was back in the room, he turned around and smiled.
�I love these pictures, they�re adorable. You did a really great job
decorating.�
�Thanks. We haven�t been here too long, but I tried really hard to make it look nice right away. I mean, the separation and leaving the house was enough for Abbey. I didn�t want her living in a house with empty walls.�
�Well, you did a really good job.�
�Thanks. Do you want me to pour us some wine?�
�Yeah, that sounds great.�
�Okay. If you want you can find something to watch on TV. Just make
yourself at home.� Jessica went to the kitchen and poured two glasses of wine into her best wine glasses. Except for the wine, she couldn�t help but feel like she was in high school again. Meeting a boy and being nervous around him, not knowing what to say. She didn�t know if it was Nick that was making her nervous or the fact that she hadn�t dated in a long time and she didn�t know if she was quite ready to get back into it. She did her best to push the feelings away as she walked back to the family room. Nick had sat down on the floor, and was leaning against the couch on the floor watching Blind Date. Jessica
laughed. �I love this show,� she said as she handed him his wine and sat down next to him.
�Really? So do I. It makes me laugh, some of these people are so stupid.�
�I know. It�s kinda like what will you do to get your fifteen minutes of fame?�
�I don�t know, but man can I sympathize with some of these people. I�ve had some pretty bad blind dates in the past.�
For the next hour the two of them continued to talk. They shared everything with each other and Jessica found it weird how comfortable she felt sharing things with him. Normally CaCee was the only one that Jessica talked to. Jack had never wanted to talk. When he got home from work all he wanted was food and TV. Looking back, Jessica still couldn�t believe they had actually been married for more than six years. Sometimes she had been ready to look him in the eyes and say, are you seriously this detached? But she had bit her tongue so her
daughter would at least have a male in her life. And look how that had worked out.
Her train of thought was broken as Nick�s pager went off. �I�m sorry,� he said as he unclipped it from its holder. �I should have left this at home.�
�I�m sure the hospital would have killed you then. Do you need to use the phone?�
�Do you mind?�
�Not at all.� Jessica handed him the cordless phone.
�Thanks.� He dialed the number, hoping they wouldn�t ask him to come in. He was having such a good time. But he knew the hospital only paged him if they wanted him to come in. At least it didn�t say 911, that meant he�d at least get to say a proper good-bye and not have to rush off.
Lucy picked up the phone and Nick asked her what was happening. �There
better be a really big emergency, Luce.�
�There is. Five-car pile up coming in and Dr. Thomas called in sick. How soon can you get here?�
�I guess ten minutes.�
�Good, there are three kids in critical condition.�
Nick hung up the phone and turned to Jessica. �I�m sorry, but I have to go in.�
�No, it�s okay. It was getting late anyway.� Jessica stood and followed
him to the front door. �We�ll have to do this again next week. Maybe for lunch, Abbey really wants to take you to the park.�
�That sounds great. Uh, I�ll call you a little later when I�ve got my
schedule figured out. I might have to take a day off.�
�Oh, don�t take a day off for us.� Jessica couldn�t believe he had offered to take a day off. Jack would never have offered to take a day off to spend with them.
�No, it�s no big deal. I�d rather take a day off and spend it with the two of you then work all day.�
Jessica smiled. �Well, if it�s okay with you then I won�t fight.�
Nick loved the way her face lit up when she smiled. It was as if for a
moment, she was truly happy and didn�t have any pain in her heart. �Well, Jessica I had a really great time tonight and I can�t wait to see you again next week.�
�The same here,� she said, flashing that amazing smile again.
Nick couldn�t take it anymore. He walked one step towards her and taking her face in his hands, he pulled her lips towards his.
Jessica couldn�t think as soon as his lips touched hers. And then something in the back of her head told her this was wrong. Reaching up, she gently pushed him away with her hands on his chest. �I�m sorry,� she said, trying to hold back tears. �I�m just not ready.�
Nick brushed a strand of hair behind her ears. �It�s okay, I understand.� He put a finger under her chin and forcer her to look into his eyes. �I�ll wait for you, Jessica Simpson. As long as you need.� He couldn�t help but kiss her forehead before turning and closing the door behind him.
Jessica had started to cry now. She walked over to the couch and sat down. Why was she afraid to let someone in? But she didn�t have to think long to figure out the answer.
Jack left. Abbey�s dying.
And she was tired of losing the people she let into her heart.
*****