…and found part 1

 

The next morning Tom brings up a tray to the room. "Good Morning."

 

"Thank you. This is certainly a nice way to start the day," Abby smiles at him.

 

"I took the chance, after all I didn't want to be perceived of treating you like a child."

 

"Why do you always have to ruin a nice gesture by trying to start a fight?"

 

Tom sighs. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that."

 

"I haven't been very reasonable these past few days, have I? I'm sorry--it's just that, well..."

 

"Well what?" he asks gently.

 

Abby shrugs. "You said you wanted to talk to me about something today," she reminds him, changing the topic.

 

"It's nothing really. I am just being foolish."

 

"What?"

 

"Well do you...do you think I am a good husband and father?"

 

"What? Of course you are, Tom. OK, so you and I argue, but we're still getting used to each other. And the kids think you're hopelessly old fashioned, but that's what kids are supposed to think about their dad."

 

Tom shakes his head. "I do try, you know? I knew I shouldn't have listened to Channing."

 

"He said you weren't? You must have misunderstood him."

 

"Abby, I did not misunderstand him. You can believe whatever you want but I know what he told me."

 

"Why on earth would he tell you something like that?"

 

Tom shrugs. "You'll have to ask him."

 

"Maybe I will."

 

"Speaking of asking, I better call your folks." He says as he dials the number.

 

"Good luck," Abby whispers.

 

"Thanks." he says. As he waits for someone to answer. "Oh another thing he told me was, that you stayed with me just because you loved the kids."

 

"I do love the kids, but you know that I stay with you because I love you, Tom, don't you?"

 

"Of course I do, but I just wanted you to be aware of what he is saying."

"I'll talk to him. I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding. He wouldn't say things like that to you."

 

Tom waits for someone to answer at the Mitchells.

"Like I said before, I know what he said. ~And let him hang himself if he lies to Abby.~ Tom says with proof.

 

"Hello," Katherine answers.

 

"Katherine? It's Tom."

 

"Hi Tom is everything all right?"

 

"Abby is fine but well....I don't know how to say this gently without just staying it but we lost the baby."

 

"Oh no, put Sandra Sue on the phone." Katherine says.

 

"Sure." Tom says hurt that she didn't ask how he was. He hands the phone to Abby. "Your mother wants to talk to you."

 

Abby nods and takes the phone. "Hi, Mom."

 

"Hi honey, how are you feeling? Do you want me to come there?" Katherine asks.

 

"I'm fine now, and there's no reason for you to rush up here--it's over and done with."

 

"Are you sure?" She asks not convinced.

 

"Yeah. Sure I'm sure."

 

"Ok, I love you and I'm so sorry."

 

"I know. I love you too, Mom."

 

"If you need anything, you call me I don't care what time it is."

 

"I will, Mom. I'm just sorry I got you all excited over nothing."

 

"It's not your fault, these things happen."

 

"I know. That's what I've been told."

 

"Believe it because it's true."

 

"OK."

 

"How's Tom holding up?"

 

"He seems to be OK. Want to talk to him?"

 

"Yes."

Abby hands Tom the phone.

"Hi Tom, how are you?"

 

"I am all-right." he lies.

 

"Are you sure?"

 

"Sure, just trying to keep things together."

 

"And how is Abby really?"

"You know Abby, always the Trouper."

 

"And the kids?"

 

"They are OK...Oh that reminds me, We need some legal advice from Harry. Is he available?"

 

~Does he want the legal advice before or after Harry is told that Sandra Sue lost the baby?~

 

"Maybe you could have him call?"

 

"Of course."

 

"Thanks Katherine and I am sorry."

 

"For what?" She asks wondering if Tom somehow heard her thoughts.

 

"Well I know how you two were looking forward to a grandbaby."

 

"Yes we were, but I'm more worried about all of you."

 

"We will be OK."

 

"Ok."

 

"I'll be waiting for Harry."

 

Ok, you two take care of yourselves."

 

Downstairs:

 

Nancy is still trying to wake up over her cup of coffee while her siblings are starting to enter.

"What's for breakfast?" Mary asks.

"Auntie V went to a bagel shop she'll be back soon." Nancy tells her.

"Are Dad and Abby still asleep?"

"I don't know, do any of you know?"

Elizabeth and Tommy shrug.

"Joannie?"

"No one tells me anything around this place."

"Never ever?"

"Well, almost never."

 

"What do you want to know?"

 

"Well, where Dad and Abby are would be a good start."

 

"Probably still upstairs."

 

"Maybe someone should take breakfast up to them?"

 

"I'll do it as soon as Auntie V gets back with breakfast."

 

"OK."

 

"Will you help me bring it to them?"

 

"It's not going to be that heavy."

 

"Ok." Nancy says. A little while later V returns and Nancy brings breakfast upstairs and knocks on Tom and Abby's door.

 

"Come on in," Abby says.

 

Nancy enters with breakfast. "Auntie V picked up some bagels and doughnuts."

 

"Thanks," Abby says.

 

"You're welcome." She sets the tray down.

 

"And tell your aunt thank you, too, please."

 

"I will." She says before leaving the room.

 

A few days later at David's apartment.

"What brings you by?" He asks a guy from work.

"Oh you know why I'm here you backstabbing jerk." He says very angry.

"Hey Rick was lying all right, I didn't sleep with your girlfriend. I don't do things like that to my friends." David says.

"Yeah right." He takes a swing at him. David tries to block it to prevent a fight but fails and soon the fight is in full swing.

Meanwhile Nancy is about to knock on his door to borrow some money when the fighting men come through the door. She's about to move out of the way when the guy shoves David causing Nancy to fall against the railing. The railing gives way and she winds up falling. Jim grabs
David before he can fall also. David pushes Jim away from him and rushes down to Nancy.

Jim goes inside and calls 9-1-1.

David kneels down next to Nancy and checks for signs of life. He sighs in relief when he finds them. Her eyes flicker open.

"I can't breathe." She says in a barely audible tone.

"Shh you're going to be ok, just stay still." He tells her.

She coughs up blood and loses consciousness again. David tries to keep from panicking and tries to stop the bleeding. Jim returns.

"The ambulance is on it's way. Here we have to keep her warm." He hands David a blanket he got from the apartment and David covers her with it. "David I'm sorry, I'm angry at you but I never wanted anything like this."

"Don't ok it was an accident." David says and continues to tend to his sister.

Later at the hospital. Tom and Abby arrive.

"Hi Dad, Abby." David says with a tinge of guilt in his tone.

"Hi, David," Abby says and hugs him.

 

David returns the hug not knowing how to tell them why it happened. "She's still being looked over."

 

"Hi Son, you OK?" Tom asks.

 

"I'm fine, I'm not the one who fell." He says.

 

"How's Nancy?"

 

"I don't know yet, she was having a lot of trouble breathing."

 

Tom shakes his head. "Terrific, Is Dr. Max here?"

"Yes, he's with Nancy."

 

"What happened?" Abby asks.

 

David takes a deep breath and tells them about the fight, about Nancy showing up at the wrong time, and the railing giving way. "I'm sorry." He says.

 

Abby puts an arm around him.

 

"Please don't be nice to me I don't deserve it right now." He says.

 

"Of course you do, David. It wasn't your fault."

 

"Yes it was." He says knowing he really did sleep with that guys girlfriend.

 

"Did you push Nancy?"

 

"No, but...."

 

"Did your friend push her to hurt you?"

 

"He didn't push her, he pushed me into her it was an accident. And he's not my friend, just a guy who had good reason to be upset."

 

"But you didn't do it, and it wasn't done because of you. It was an accident, David. An accident."

 

"Yes it was an accident, but the fight was my fault

 

"It's not your fault." Tom says.

 

"Nancy will need your help, not your guilt."

 

David nods but can't shake the guilt.

Meanwhile in the examining room. Nancy has an oxygen mask to help with her breathing but it still sounds labored. Dr. Max enters. "How is she?" He whispers to the attending ER doctor.

"The good thing is she's conscious, the bad thing is she might not be for long and we don't know for sure we have to wait for the xray results but there might be something piercing her left lung and possibly her heart."

"Any concussion?" Greg asks while trying to digest what he's already been told.

"No, her head escaped injury, must have been the angle she hit the ground at."

The xrays come back showing three fractured ribs and one of the fractured ribs piercing her lung and heart.

"We have to operate right away." The cardiologist says. "She'll bleed to death if we don't or if it goes further into her heart."

Greg glances at Nancy to see if she heard him but can see that she's half out of it and doesn't really know what's going on. "Let's go tell her family first and we need consent."

The Cardiologist nods. "They'll have to know that there's a chance she won't pull through the surgery."

"I know." Greg sighs not liking the percentages of survival that they're looking at. A moment later in the waiting room. "Tom, Abby can we speak to you privately."

Tom sees the look on Max's face and knows it isn't good news. "Max..h h how is she?" he says.

The Cardiologist glances over at David. "Mr. and Mrs. Bradford we really should discuss this with you privately."

Tom nods.

 

Max motions for Tom and Abby to join them in another room.

 

When they do go to the other room. Max and the other doctor explain what's going on.

 

Tom collapses in the nearest chair pale.

 

Abby sits down next to him, takes his hand and waits for Max to say "April fools."

 

Max sits on the other side of Tom. "Tom I will be in there while he's operating, we're going to do everything we can for her."

 

Tom nods.

 

"She's going to be OK, right Max?"

 

"We just need you to sign the consent form." The Cardiologist says.

 

Tom hands start to shake as he signs the paper.

 

"How long until we know?" Tom asks.

 

"It's going to be five hours at the least."

 

"Five hours?!"

 

The Cardiologist nods and then tells them what all he needs to do.

 

"Do a good job ok?"

 

"We will Tom." Max says.

 

After the papers are signed, Max and the other doc go and get Nancy prepped for surgery. And some time later surgery begins.

 

Mary comes home from school not knowing about what has happened and finds her Auntie V in the kitchen. V tells her what's happened.

"Is she all right?" Mary asks stunned.

"I don't know I'm still waiting for your father or Abby to call me." V says.

At that point Joannie walks in. She's still in her clown garb.

 

~Oh no we have to tell her while she's still in her clown garb.~ Mary thinks. "Hey Joannie."

 

"Hi. Isn't it a great day?" Joannie pinches her clown nose and a horn honks.

 

"Um Joannie." Mary begins.

"Honey why don't you sit down." V says

 

"Why, are my pants falling down? They're supposed to, you know."

 

"I wish it was that simple." V says. "There's been an accident." She fills her in.

 

"Oh, no. I'm going to the hospital. Who's coming with me?"

 

"I'll go, Auntie V?" Mary asks.

"I need to be here when your sisters and brothers get home, but will you two call me as soon as you know something." V asks

"OK." Joannie grabs her purse and starts out towards the front door.

 

Mary goes after her. "Um Joannie, do you want to change first?"

 

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I guess I should. Be right back!" Joannie says as she rushes upstairs.

 

Mary goes outside to warm up the car and wait for her and wonders what could have happened to cause Nancy's fall.

 

Joannie hurries out. "Let's go."

 

After Joannie is safely in the car Mary drives to the hospital. They find David in the waiting room when they get there.

"David how is she?"

"I don't know." He says. "Dad and Abby are talking to Dr. Max and another doctor right now."

"You look terrible," Joannie says to him.

 

He shrugs.

"David how did it happen?" Mary asks.

He glances at both of them and considers not telling them but knows they'll keep asking. "Jim found out about me and his girlfriend." He tells them the rest.

"That's terrible!"

"I'm sorry." He says.

"David I warned you about getting involved with that woman." Mary says.

"Mary, it's not David's fault. It's that jerk Jim."

Mary sighs, "I know."

"Jim was just angry, he didn't want this to happen." David says.

"Like that helps Nancy."

"She's going to be all right." David tries to assure them and convince himself.

 

"Of course she is. I'll bet what's taking so long is that she's upset the doctors ruined her favorite blouse."

 

Mary laughs, "that has to be it, those poor doctors."

 

"Yep, I wouldn't want to be in their shoes," Joannie tries to keep things light.

 

"Neither would I." David says finally managing a smile.

 

"I'm going for coffee if anyone else wants any." Mary offers.

 

"I'll take some," Joannie says.

 

Mary nods and waits to see if the others want any. David shakes his head.

 

Abby stops her pacing long enough to say 'No, thanks."

 

"Dad?" Mary asks.

 

"What?" Tom asks lost in his own thoughts.

 

"Do you want any coffee?"

 

"No, thanks."

 

She gives him a kiss and then goes to get coffee for her and Joannie. "Here you go." She says to her sister.

 

"thanks." Joannie takes a sip and makes a face. "Now I know why this place is full."

 

"You're welcome." Mary says and the says. "Huh?"

 

Joannie holds up her cup of coffee. "They probably have to admit half the people who eat at the cafeteria."

 

"Yeah probably." Mary says but her mind is elsewhere.

 

Joannie finishes her coffee.

 

V waits for someone to call her from the hospital with word on her Niece and also waits for the other kids to get home. Susan had taken Tommy, Elizabeth, and Nicholas out for a day of fun since their schools had a teacher workday. ~It seems all I've been doing lately is being the
bearer of bad tidings.~ She thinks sadly.

At that point the kids arrive home.

 

Susan walks in the house and says loudly "We're back."

 

"In here!!" V says.

 

Susan comes in the room where V's at. "Why the long face?"

"Honey there's been an accident." She tells her what happened knowing it's a mute point to ask people to sit down by now.

 

"Is she going to be alright?"

 

"I don't know yet, no one has called me with word."

 

"I hope they will call soon and let us know how she is."

 

"Believe me honey so do I." V gives her a hug. "Are Tommy, Elizabeth, and Nicholas on the way in?"

 

"They should be. Unless they got side tracked outside."

 

At that point the phone rings. V quickly answers it. "Hello."

 

"Hi, V," Abby says. "I just wanted to let you know what's going on. Nancy's in surgery, but I'm sure she'll be fine."

 

"Hi Abby," V says. "Surgery, for what?"

 

Abby tells V what Max told them.

 

V is too stunned to speak for a moment but finally regains her composure. "You're right, she's going to be fine."

 

"Of course. We Bradfords are a tough bunch."

 

"That we are." V keeps up the positive chatter.

 

"Look, I'll call you when I know more, OK?"

 

"Ok." V says.

 

"I'd better get back to Tom."

 

"What should I tell the kids?"

 

"The truth, I guess. I mean, they'll find out sooner or later. Those poor kids--it's really been a rough few weeks, hasn't it."

 

"Yes it has, but they're not the only ones I'm worried about."

 

"I know. I'm worried about Tom, too."

 

"I'm worried about both of you."

 

"I'll be OK, as soon as I know Nancy is."

 

~So will I.~ "I know, well I'd better let you get back to Tom."

 

"I'll call you when I know more," Abby reminds her before hanging up.

 

V hangs up and tells Susan what's going on.

 

"I hope she pulls through. I don't know how much more she or this family can take."

 

"She'll pull through." V hugs her.

Joannie starts to pace.

 

Mary rises and stops her. "Why don't we go outside and walk around?"

 

Joannie shoots a look over at Tom and Abby. "Should we?" she asks Mary.

 

"It's going to be awhile." Mary says.

 

"Should we leave them alone?" Joannie whispers.

 

Mary looks over at them also. Their Dad looks completely lost and Abby looks like the pacing is the only thing keeping her from snapping. "No we shouldn't." Mary whispers back.

 

"I didn't think so," Joannie says, and goes back to her pacing.

 

Mary shrugs and starts pacing also. A few hours later Dr. Max enters the waiting room.

 

Abby stops pacing abruptly and waits for word.

 

"Dr. Max?" Mary asks hoping the news isn't bad.

"She's out of immediate danger but we have to watch her closely for the next twelve hours." He tells them.

 

"And after that she'll be all right?" Abby asks.

 

"She'll have to stay here a week and once she gets home another week in bed but yes she'll be all right." He smiles.

David sighs in relief as does Mary.

 

Abby sits down next to Tom and takes his hand. "We'll make sure she stays in bed."

 

"With what, Handcuffs and shackles?" Tom deadpans.

 

"I thought we weren't going to tell the kids about those," Abby whispers to him, hoping to make him smile.

 

~Was that supposed to be funny?~ David thinks to himself rather than voice it aloud.

 

Max nods, "She's in recovery right now, I'll let you know when you can see her."

 

"Thank you."

 

"Anytime Tom." Max says. He returns to the recovery room.

 

Joannie returns to her pacing.

 

A little while later he returns. "You can see her now but be calm around her."

 

"All of us?" Abby asks.

 

"Let's make it three at a time."

 

"David, maybe you should go in," Abby suggests.

 

"You and Dad should go first." He says.

"She means go in with them." Mary says to her brother.

"You coming?" Abby asks.

 

David nods and then the three of them follow Max to Nancy's hospital room.

"She can't talk very much right now." One of the nurses tells them.

David bends down to kiss his sister. "Hey sweetheart, it's good to see you."

"Hey." She says in a strained tone.

 

"Hi Nancy." Tom says.

 

"Hi Dad, hi Abby." She says.

 

"How are you feeling?" Tom asks ~Now that is a dumb question.~

 

"Awful," she says and tries to say more but can't. "Can't talk much."

 

"Try and get some rest, we'll be right here."

 

"Ok," she says. "What happened?"

 

"You don't remember?'

 

"I remember falling."

 

Tom nods. "but you are going to be fine."

 

The rest of it comes back to her. "David are you all right?" She asks worried that the guy he was fighting might have hurt him.

~Now that I'm not going to lose you.~ "Yeah I'm ok." He smiles not wanting to let her know yet how close she came to dying.

She sighs in relief but then winces in pain. "What's broken?" She asks.

 

"You have Three broken ribs."

 

She's about to say something else but groans instead.

"Ok, that's enough talking for now." The nurse says and administers pain meds.

"But haven't talked with Abby yet." She protests then groans in pain again.

 

"You just lie back and be quiet," Abby says, "and I'll sit with you."

 

"Ok," she concedes

 

"Why don't the two of you go tell the girls they can come in?" Abby says to the men.

 

"Ok," David says.

Tom nods. "I'm going for a walk, I'll be back later."

 

"Want me to come with you?" Abby offers, though she'd promised to stay with Nancy.

 

"No, that's Ok." he says and leaves.

Soon Mary and Joannie enter. Mary gives her a kiss. "How are you feeling?"

Nancy makes a face in reply.

"She's not supposed to talk much yet," Abby explains.

 

"Oh, sorry about that." Mary says.

 

"So we'll just have to do the talking instead," Joannie says.

 

"That we will." Mary agrees. "Are we allowed to make her laugh?"

 

"I don't know. Nancy, can you handle laughing?"

 

"I don't know yet."

 

"We could try. But if it hurts, you let us know. And no more talking--just make a face, OK?"

 

She nods.

"OK, Mary, give it your best shot."

 

Mary wonders if she should tell Nancy about Joannie almost going to the hospital in her clown outfit but doesn't want to embarrass Joannie so she tells a different funny story.

Nancy laughs lightly so she doesn't aggravate the pain.

 

Joannie, not knowing that Mary didn't tell the clown suit story on purpose, tells the clown suit story.

 

Nancy laughs a little less lightly this time but not enough to aggravate the pain.

 

"Can you handle some more?" Joannie asks.

 

She nods.

 

Joannie tells her some more funny stories.

 

Nancy laughs at all of them and wishes she can tell her own funny stories to them.

 

The nurse comes in to chase everyone out.

 

"Already?" Mary asks the nurse. "Just a few more minutes, please."

 

"She needs her rest. Now out."

 

Mary sighs. "Ok, I love you Nancy." She says and gives her a kiss before leaving the room.

 

"Ok." Nancy says.

 

Currently in the waiting room.

"Dad I really am sorry about all of this." David says.

 

"Let's talk about this later son. OK? I need some air."

 

"Ok, want some company?"

 

Tom shakes his head No. "I'll be back in a little while." Tom gets out of there before he breaks down in front of David. Tom gets in the car and drives, Next thing he knows he is at the cemetery. He sits there for awhile and then walks to Joan's grave.

"I don't know how much more I can take Joan. First losing you; now the baby and coming close to losing Nancy. Not to mention trying to keep Elizabeth safe...them all safe, I'm the one who's supposed be strong and keep it together for everyone but I'm not doing a very good job at it." Tom sighs. "Watch over Abby and the kids, please?" Tom starts to cry. After awhile he gets in his car and drives back to the hospital.

 

David is still there in the waiting room when he gets back.

 

Tom walks over to David. "You want to talk?"

 

He nods, "but first are you all right?"

 

"Yeah, I just hate hospitals." Tom lies. "Look David, no one is blaming you. Am I happy you had an affair with this guys girl? No. But like I once told Joannie, what one person does somehow or someway affects everyone."

 

"I guess I never truly realized how much." David says.

 

Tom hugs him.

 

David hugs him back.

 

"Have you seen Max?"

 

"He's right behind you."

 

Tom looks up. "Oh Max..."

 

"Hi Tom, you wanted to speak to me?"

 

"Can you go for a drink?"

 

"Not tonight I still have to keep an eye on your daughter. How bout we go for coffee in the cafeteria."

 

Tom nods. "You want anything David?"

 

"No I'm fine, you two go ahead." David says.

 

"When Abby, comes out. Let her know where I am at."

 

He nods and then Max and Tom go to the cafeteria. While they're having their coffee.

"What's on your mind Tom?"

 

"Tell me straight Max, how close did we come to losing Nancy?"

 

Max sighs and considers not giving it to him straight but decides his best friend won't accept anything less than the truth. "It was pretty close, the odds weren't in her favor."

 

"That's what I was afraid of." Tom sighs.

 

"Hey, she's still here Tom."

"We've known each other for years Max, Am I good husband and father?"

 

"Of course you are, what kind of question is that?"

 

He tell him about Channing. "At first I was angry at him, but now maybe he can see something I can't."

 

"Which is?"

 

"maybe I am not doing a good job.":

 

"Why do you think that?"

 

Tom shrugs.

 

"Tom."

 

"Let's just forget Max, I'm just tired thats all." Tom says. "We should be getting back to Nancy."

 

"Ok," Max says.

 

The women come out of Nancy's room and go back to the waiting room. "Where's Tom?" Abby asks David.

 

"He's in the cafeteria with Dr. Max."

 

"Is something wrong?" Abby worries.

 

"I think so but Dad's not saying anything."

 

"I'll talk to him when he gets back."

 

"How's Nancy doing?"

 

"Much better. She just needs to rest now. How are you doing?"

 

"Better than I was, how bout you?"

 

"Oh, you know me. I'm fine now."

 

"Good."

 

"So--no more of that guilt?"

 

He sighs, "no more guilt." He says. "But if things had gone the other way....."

 

"But they didn't," Abby insists.

"Thankfully." He says.

 

"So no more guilt."

 

"No more guilt."

 

"Good."

 

Tom and Max walk into the waiting room. Max goes to check on Nancy.

 

"How is she?" Tom asks.

 

"Tired, but she seemed fine," Abby says. She leans over and whispers in Tom's ear, "How are you?"

 

Tom shrugs. "I'm Ok...You?"

 

~Oh, two can play that game, huh?~ "Fine, just fine."

 

"We need to talk later."

 

"Whenever you want to."

 

"Would you like to get some air?"

 

"OK."

 

"Are you hungry?"

 

"Not very," Abby starts to say, but then thinks better of it. "But coffee would be good."

 

"Ok, but across the street. If I drink one more cup of this hospital stuff, they'll have to admit me."

 

"We couldn't have that," Abby laughs. "If you need us, just come get us," she tells the kids.

 

"We will." Mary says.

 

"We'll bring back some real food." Tom tells them also.

 

"Take your time, Dad," Joannie replies.

 

"Thanks Joannie."

 

Abby waits for Tom.

 

They walk across the street to the diner. "What a night, huh?"

 

Abby nods. "But she's going to pull through. That's the important part."

 

"Yeah." he says as he orders the coffee. "I have a confession to make."

 

"A confession? Sounds serious."

 

"I don't know if its serious or not, but after I left with you with Nancy. I went to the cemetery."

 

"Oh." Abby plays with her coffee cup, not quite sure what to say. "Are you OK?"

 

"Not really."

 

"Want to talk about it?"

 

"I don't know where to start."

 

Abby thinks for a moment. "Why did you decide to go out there?"

 

"I really didn't plan on it, I just had to get out of here for awhile and the next thing I knew I was there." Tom states. "I fell apart."

 

Abby takes his hand. "You've been through a lot."

 

"We both have, but you seem to be doing better than I am."

 

"I told you the trick--just keep moving on and keep forgetting. What's done is done."

 

"I'm glad it works for you."

 

"What's that supposed to mean?"

 

"Just what I meant, if it works for you. I am happy about it." Tom states. "I just have to find my own way."

 

"I thought you already had."

 

"Now what do you mean?"

 

"I thought that--well, us--our being together, the idea of having a child together, I thought that it meant you'd learned how to move on. Did losing the baby ruin all that?"

 

"No of course not. But almost losing Nancy tonight on top of all thats has happened, it just brought it all back."

 

"And now what?"

 

"I don't want to waste anymore time worrying about things that don't really matter, life is just too short and it can turn on a dime." Tom says as he takes her hand in his.

 

"That's exactly what I've been saying all along."

 

Tom smiles. "It took me long enough."

 

"I was beginning to think I'd lost my knack for teaching."

 

"Well you know what they say about Old Dogs...."

"Sam wouldn't like to hear you talking that way about him

 

"Funny." Tom says. "I guess we better get back."

"You going to be OK?" Abby double checks.

"Sure, Fine." Tom says. "We better get this food back to the kids before it gets cold."

 

"You head back. I'll be right there."

 

"You sure? You OK?"

 

"Yeah, I'm sure. I just--I'm just going to head to the ladies' room for a minute. I'll be right there."

 

"Ok." he says as he pays the tab and walks back to the hospital

 

Abby goes to the bathroom, runs the water, and downs a few pills before heading back to the hospital.

 

…and found part 2