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Destiny

 

Chapter

7.

 

 Destiny went up stairs after lunch and lay on her bed. It had been almost three weeks since Jake had left and she was starting to wonder if he was ever going to return. Vickie seemed not to be worried too much; she had been prancing around for the last two weeks showing off wedding dresses to everyone. Destiny hated that woman more than she believed was possible to hate anyone.

 Lisa and Brain where getting the guests packed up and was taking them to town to go home. It was wonderful while they were here they provided an escape for her. While she was entertaining them she didn’t have a lot of time to think about Jake. Now all but one was leaving and she didn’t have to worry about entertaining her.

 Kent had asked Andi to stay for a while longer and she agreed. They had been getting closer and closer these past few weeks. Destiny was happy for Kent, it seemed he had finely found his one true love.

   Destiny was brought out of her musing by a load knock on her door. Damn, who could that be? She asked herself. Than got up and went to the door. When she opened it Vickie was standing in the doorframe smiling at her. “What do you want?”

 “I want to show you something.” With out even waiting for an answer she turned and walked to her room.

 Destiny rolled her eyes and followed Vickie down the hall and to her room. ‘What could be the harm in amusing her?’ She thought. She entered the room and saw Vickie standing there in her wedding dress. Destiny smiled at her.

 “It looks beautiful.”

 “I know. Do you think Jake will like it?”

 “Sure!” Destiny turned to go.

 “Don’t go. I need your help. Can you zip me up?” She turned her back towards Destiny and looked of her shoulder at her.

 “Vickie I don’t think Jakes coming back.” Destiny turned and looked at her.

 “Of course he is. He has to marry me by August.” She turned to face Destiny. She wanted to see the full reaction of what she was going to say next. It would destroy the child. But paybacks were a bitch.

 “Why does he have to marry you by August?”

 “Because I’m carrying his child silly.”

 Destiny was sure she heard wrong. Vickie carrying his child, it couldn't be true. Jake loved her; he wanted to be with her. Suddenly everything made since, Jake having obligations he couldn’t tell her about. The way he had forgiven Vickie no matter what she did. Why didn’t he tell her? Tears filled her eyes as she looked at Vickie.

 “Why didn’t he tell me?”

 “Maybe he was just wanting a quick lay, and if he told you, you would have refused him.” Vickie got the reaction she was looking for. She could see the utter devastation in her eyes. This was better than what she had hoped for.

 “You’re an evil woman.” Destiny turned and glanced at Vickie’s dresser. Laying on the surface by a mirror was her ring. She reached out and grabbed it than turned towards Vickie. “This is my ring.”

 “It’s mine you should have never gotten it.” Vickie held out her hand.

 “He gave it to me. You went in my room and stole it,”

 “Give it back Destiny.” Vickie started towards her.

 “No!” Destiny turned and ran out of the room.

   Vickie ran after her grabbing at Destiny. She almost had her just a few more inches. She watched Destiny turn to go down the stairs, she lunged at her, her fingers touching Destiny’s back but not grabbing anything. Vickie watched in horror as Destiny pitched forward loosing her balance and tumbled down the stairs headfirst.

 Destiny let out a cry as her body lunged forward. She tried to grab at the railing but her fingers grazed the wood, she was unable to grab it. She felt her caller bone crack as it hit one of the stairs pain shot up her neck. Her legs were over her head now. Pain shot up her leg as it hit the railing. She finely came to a stop at the bottom, the pain subsided as blackness fell over her.

 “Destiny!” Vickie yelled as she ran as quickly as she could down the stairs.

 Vickie reached the broken form at the bottom. Destiny’s leg lay at an odd angle, her collarbone sticking out of a gapping hole above her shoulder. Blood was flowing from her mouth.

 “Destiny don’t die.” Vickie looked around the hallway. “Some body help us. Some body.”

 Kent came running from the living room Andi following behind him. He skidded to a stop and looked down at the little broken body. He heard Andi gasp than run back into the living room. He heard her holler for Nana, than talk to someone about the accident. Kent assumed it was a 911 operator on the phone.

 “What did you do?” Kent turned to Vickie.

 “I didn’t, she just fell.” Vickie scooted back and sat on the bottom step.

 “Don’t move her.” Andi came around the corner holding the phone. Nana followed behind her.

 “What happened?” Nana asked. She knelt down next to Destiny.

 “I don’t know.” He said angrily as he stared at Vickie. He had promised to look after Destiny and now hear she was lying on the floor broken and bruised. ‘Take care of her, she’s my heart.’ His brother’s words echoed in his head. He had failed his brother, Jake was going to loose the only thing he had ever loved.

 “Is she breathing?” Andi asked.

 Kent put his hand in front of her nose. Than looked up at Andi. “Yes!”

 She repeated the answer in the phone. Than added something about bleeding.

 “We need to put something over her wound to stop the bleeding.” Andi pointed to Destiny’s shoulder. Her color bone stuck out of her skin the edge jagged. She was bleeding heavily from the wound.

 Kent took off his shirt and wadded it up than placed it on her shoulder. Andi nodded at the receiver and said ‘Okay!’ than she hung up the phone. She turned towards Kent and got on her knees next to Destiny.

 “There sending life flight, it’s about thirty minutes out. She said not to move her under any circumstances and if she wakes up not to let her move. If the bleeding gets worse or she stops breathing call her back.”

 Kent, Nana and Andi sat next to Destiny. Kent and Andi holding her hands and waited for the sounds of helicopter blades. Nana had gotten up and tried to call Jake in California but there was no answer. Instead she sat down and began to write something down on a piece of paper.

 “What are you doing Nana?” Kent looked at the old woman.

 “I’m writing a letter for Lisa and Brian when they get back from the airport.”

 They heard the familiar thump, thumps of helicopter blades as they landed in front of the house. Nana opened the door and ran out side she soon returned with two paramedics. They pushed Kent and Andi out of the way than started asking questions as they put a neck brace around Destiny’s neck than gently straightened her out placing her on a long board. They picked her up and walked briskly to the helicopter loading her inside. One of the paramedic turned towards Kent who had followed them out side along with everyone else.

 “We’re taking her to County general. Do you know were that is?”

 Kent nodded.

 The paramedic jumped inside the helicopter as it took of into the sky, they watched it disappeared over the mountains. Kent ran over to where the other Van was parked. Nana, Andi, and Vickie followed. The engine roared to life as Nana opened the door and turned to Vickie, as she was about to climb in after Andi.

 “I think it would be best if you stayed her and let Brian and Lisa know what hospital we went to.” She did not wait for an answer. Just grabbed the side door closing it. Than getting in the passenger side of the van and closing her own door.

 Vickie watched as the van sped down the driveway. She went in the house running up stairs to her bedroom. Vickie threw her self on the bed and began to sob. She didn’t want Destiny hurt she just wanted her out of the way.

 

 

 Brain and Lisa pulled up to the airport to see Jake and his dad standing by the small office. After they had helped their guests with the luggage from the back of the pick up truck. They hugged everyone goodbye as they loaded up in their plane. They walked over to Jake and his dad.

 “I know someone who’s going to be so happy to see you.” Brian walked up to his friend and hugged him.

 “How’s Dess doing?” Jake smiled at Brian as they released each other.

 “Fine. Although Lees and I keep waiting for her to kill Vickie; every time she brings a wedding dress home to try on for everyone Dess gets this murderous look in her eye.”

 “Well Destiny doesn’t have to worry about that anymore. Vickie and I aren’t getting married.”

 “Finely the boy makes since.” Brian smiled.

 “Sorry about everything Jake.” Lisa looked up at him with pleading eyes. “Destiny’s like a little sister to me. I didn’t want to see her hurt that’s all.”

 “I understand you where just protecting Dessie.” He walked up to her and gave her a hug. “Come on let’s get out of here. I can’t wait to see her.”

 Lisa and Brian walked towards the truck. Jake and his dad went to the van that Lisa had relinquished the keys to and they followed each other to the ranch. Jake was so excited to see Destiny that his dad kept having to yell at him to slow down.

 About two hours later they pulled in to the driveway and noticed that the other van was gone. No one worried about it, assuming Kent had taken his new girlfriend to dinner in town or something. Jake walked straight up stairs as soon as he reached the front door of the house. Lisa, Brian, and Jake Sr. went in the house searching for Nana.

 Jake looked in Destiny’s room and didn’t see her. He was about to go back down stairs when he heard commotion coming from next door, Vickie’s room. Well knows as good time as any. He turned and walked to the door it was standing open and Vickie was packing her stuff in her suitcase. He walked in.

 “What are you doing?”

 “Jake!” Vickie turned and saw him standing in the door jam.

 “What are you doing?” He repeated. Jake could swear he could see shock and something else in her eyes. Fear?

 “Look Jake I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and I don’t think we should get married.” She turned back towards the suitcase and finished throwing the last bit of stuff in it.

 “Fine, but what about the baby?”

 Vickie breathed in deeply before exhaling, than latched her suitcase and turned to face him. She was holding the suitcase in front of her like a shield. She looked up at him as fresh tears rolled down her face.

 “Jake there’s no baby, there never was.”

 “What?” He looked at her confused. “How could you lie to me like that?”

 “I didn’t want to loose you like all the others, the only way I could keep you was to tell you I was pregnant.”

 “I can’t believe this. I almost lost everything because I believed you.” Anger was welding up inside of him. “I almost gave up Destiny.”

 “Jake there’s more.”

 He was afraid to open his mouth he just stared at her waiting for what ever she had to say.

 Vickie held out her hand, he saw Destiny’s ring in the center he reached out and she placed it in his palm, She watched as he stuck it on his pinky. Vickie backed up a few steps than took a deep breath. “Jake I didn’t mean to, but when Destiny came in here and found her ring that I took from her room, she got really mad and so did I. I was running after her and she fell down the stairs.” She looked up at Jake and saw him coming towards her.

 “What did you do?” He had lost all his reserve and was beyond control. He walked up to Vickie and grabbed her by the arms making her drop her suitcase. He heard her cry out but he couldn’t stop from shaking her. “What did you do?”

 “Jake you’re hurting me.” She cried.

 Jake felt him self being ripped away from her. His dad and Brian were pulling him away and pushing him up against the wall. His dad was suddenly in front of him yelling at him. He turned and looked at him a tear falling from his eye.

 “Jake stop.” Jake Sr. yelled as he stepped in front of his son. Lisa was standing by Vickie trying to calm her. It had taken both Brian and him to pull Jake away from her. They had found the note and were heading up here to get Jake when they heard Vickie cry out.

 “She did something to Destiny Dad.” His voice quivered as he talked. “Destiny’s hurt that’s why the vans gone. Something’s wrong with Destiny.”

 “I know son,” Jake Sr.’ pulled his son in his arms and held him tight.

 “What hospital did they take her to?” Brian asked Vickie.

 “County General.” Vickie sobbed.

 “Well what are we waiting for?” Brain walked out the door followed by Jake and his dad and Lisa.

 “I’m sorry Jake.” Vickie called after them.

 

 

 After about an hour and a half of driving Jake Sr. pulled into the parking lot at County General Hospital. He had let the kids out at the emergency entrance and than parked the car. He walked in to see Brian, Jake, and Lisa in the elevator. They held it for him as he ran and got in. Lisa turned to him as Brian and Jake stared at the numbers that changed after each floor.

 “She’s in intensive care, she got out of surgery about an hour ago. They wouldn’t tell us anymore any more then that.”

 The elevator came to a stop on the fifth floor. The door opened and they rushed out and ran to the nurse’s desk around the corner. Jake stood there tapping his fingers waiting for one of the nurses to come back from where ever they were. Jake heard a voice coming from his right he turned and saw Kent walking down the hall.

 “Jake were did you come from?” He embraced his brother when he had reached him. Than turned to his dad. “Dad?”

 Jake Sr. nodded acknowledgement to his son.

 “Where’s Destiny?” Jake asked.

 “They’re not letting anyone in to see her right know. We’re kind of all hanging out in the waiting room. I’m sorry Jake, I failed. I didn’t keep my eye on her good enough.”

 Jake reached out and pulled his brother in his arms. “ It wasn’t your fault. I know you did the best you could.”

 Kent hugged his brother back than pulled away from him. “ Come on you can wait with us, the doctor should be coming any moment.”

 Kent led the group in the waiting room were Nana and Andi sat holding each other’s hands. When Nana saw Jake walk in the room she stood up and walked over to him embracing him in a hug. Telling him everything was going to be okay. She led him to a seat by hers, and he was introduced to Andi.

 Lisa had picked up the phone and called Destiny’s parents. After telling them there had been an accident she handed the receiver to Jake’s dad who told them what he new thus far than set up arrangements to fly them to Montana. He said goodbye to his sons, Destiny’s friends, Kent’s girlfriend and his mother than left to go get Destiny’s parents.

 The doctor had come in shortly afterward telling them that he had just gotten off the phone with Destiny’s parents and they given permission for him to talk to them. He grabbed a chair and pulled it in front of all of them. Than sat down and began to explain to them what was going on?

 “When Destiny had fell she broke her collar bone which we were able to fix. She also had a compound fracture of her left femur. We had to put pins in the bone to stabilize the fracture. She’ll be in traction for at least two to three months. We had to put a shunt in her head to drain the excess fluid that was building up between the skull and the brain; unfortunately we had to shave her head. There’s one more thing.” He paused and looked around at the room pausing at Jake who was the only young man in the room not with a younger female.

 “While we were doing are examinations we noticed her Uterus was slightly enlarged.” He saw the young man sit up in his chair. “We wanted to make sure it was nothing caused by the accident and did a pelvic exam. We are pretty sure she is pregnant.”

 “Oh my god!” He heard the pretty brunette say.

 “How’s the baby?” The young man sitting next to the old woman asked.

 “Well we don’t now if the fetus will abort. Sometimes during traumas like these the baby will abort due to the stresses of the trauma or the surgery. Now don’t jump to conclusions yet. The mucus plug, the thing that closes the uterus is still intact and the baby isn’t that far along yet so it my just survive. Right now we have to get the mother to wake up than we’ll worry more about the baby.”

 “Why hasn’t she woken up yet she’s been out of surgery for an hour?” Lisa asked.

 “When she fell she hit her head. There was no damage to the brain that we could see however the fluid that was building up in her head indicates a bruise, by releasing that fluid we’re hoping it will eliminate pressure on the brain allowing it to fix it’s self. It could take days or months until we know weather she will ever wake up.”

 “Can I see her?” Jake let go of nana’s hand and looked at the doctor, trying to gage if there was anything he was still holding back.

 “Not yet. We are still getting her set up in her room and we would like to monitor her for another half hour.”

 Jake nodded. Than buried his face in his hands.

 “I’ll keep you up dated. As soon as she’s more stabile I can let you guys in one at a time in fifteen minute intervals.” He turned and walked out the door.

    Jake stood up and walked over to the giant window and placed his forehead on the cool glass and looked out side. This time he could loose Destiny, or the baby, or them both. What had he ever done to deserve this? Just when he found his destiny the fates threatened to rip it away from him again. This half hour was going to be the longest half hour in his life.

 

 

 

 A little over a half hour passed when the doctor came back into the room. He led Jake out and down the hallway to a door. He smiled at Jake and opened the door so he could walk in. Jake looked in side and saw a nurse sitting by the bed. She stood and walked past him out the door.

 “Fifteen minutes.” The doctor reminded him. Than walked away.

 The door closed behind him as he walked into the room. He saw Destiny in the bed she looked like she was just sleeping. A white bandage was around her head; she still looked beautiful even without any hair. She had IV’s sticking out of her wrists and wires coming from her gown to machines on the side of the bed. Jake could tell that one was a heart monitor. He went and sat next to the bed taking Destiny’s hand in his. He brought it to his lips and kissed it softly.

 Jake took his other hand and placed it on her head than sat there staring at her. Destiny’s hand was to his lips. Jake didn’t know what to do; he had never felt so hopeless in his life. He looked down at her belly. ‘If we loose the baby we’ll just try again.’ He looked up at Destiny and spoke out load. “Baby you’ve got to wake up. I’ve come back for you, please wake up.” Jake turned as he heard the door open and looked in that direction.

 “It’s been fifteen.” Brian walked in and looked at her. “Oh god!”

 “She’s beautiful isn’t she?" Jake looked at him sternly. “She can hear everything you say.”

 “Yes Jake she looks very beautiful.” Brian looked at his friend concern filling him.

 “I’m going to leave you with Brian now but I’ll be back.” He bent down and kissed her on the cheek than went to her belly and kissed her there to. “I’ll never leave you again, I promise.”

 Jake walked out of the room and back to the waiting room where he stayed until it was his turn to see her again. Andi asked him if he wanted to play go fish with her and Lisa. They had found a deck of cards under a table marked toys. The hospital had put it there for any small children that had to be in this place. He nodded at the girls and sat down on the floor around a small coffee table. Maybe this game could help pass the time. 

   Brain strolled in and looked at Lisa, shaking his head. Destiny looked bad her eyes black and blue, her leg wrapped to the very top of her thigh to her shin, in a cast. Her head wrapped in several layers of gauze. She had looked like an angel that fallen from the sky, fragile and innocent. She reminded him of his baby sister right before she had said goodbye and had left him and their parents.

 Lisa sprang to her feet and hugged Brian; she saw the tears rising to his eyes as he looked at her. That’s when she knew it was pretty bad. She sobbed in his shoulder as she held on to his neck; he wrapped his arms around her waist.

 “Stop it!” Jake got up and yelled at them. They both turned to face him. “She’s going to be okay, the two of you are acting like she’s dieing. She’s going to make it and we’re going to be married.”

 “Jake-“ Lisa spoke softly.

 “No, she’s going to be fine.” His voice shook as he fought back tears. “We’re going to be together.” Jake stormed past them and out the door.

 “I’ll get him.” Kent got up and walked over to the couple placing a hand on Brian’s shoulder. “That bad?”

 “She doesn’t look good.”

 Kent nodded than walked out the door. He looked down the hallway and found Jake sitting by Destiny’s door, his knees to his chest, his arms resting on them and his head leaning back against the wall, his eyes shut. Kent walked over to him and sat by his side.

“Are you okay?”

 “No!” He turned his head to look at his brother.

 “She’s probably going to be fine. But she might not, and I think you should prepare your self for the chance that she might not wake up.” He turned to look at his brother.

 “I can’t, Kent. I love her.”

 “I know!” He reached out and took his brother’s hand. “Why don’t you go in and take Nana’s and my turn. I know nana won’t mind.”

 Jake squeezed his brother’s hand than stood up and turned and went inside the door. He walked over to the side of the bed and sat down in the chair, laying his head on the mattress and looking up at Destiny’s beautiful face, willing her eyes to open. He took her hand in his stroking the top of it with his thumb. “I love you, baby.” Than he closed his eyes.

 

 

 

 

 Kent walked back to the waiting room and saw everyone’s attention turn to him. He sat down next to Andi her hand holding his. He looked at Brian and Lisa. “He will die if anything happens to her. Maybe not physically, but mentally, he will die.”

 “You should have seen your dad and me pull him off Vickie, it took everything we had to get him away from her.” Brian said.

 “Ya the look on Vickie’s face was one of sheer terror.” Lisa added.

 “Do you know what happened?” Kent asked. “Andi and I ran in to cries for help, Destiny was on the floor and Vickie was leaning over her.”

 “From what we could understand from Jake, which was hard the poor boy kept repeating himself, was that Vickie had taken Destiny’s ring and Destiny had found it in her room. Destiny took off out the door with Vickie following and Vickie had accidentally pushed her down the stairs. Jake also said something about Vickie not being pregnant after all and now he was going to loose everything because of Vickie.”

 Kent nodded.

 “That’s what she had on him.” Nana spoke up.

 “What are you talking about?” Kent turned towards his grandmother.

 “Your father and I suspected that girl was holding something over your brothers head, but we couldn’t put our finger on it. It must have been that she was pregnant, or rather told him she was pregnant.”

 “I was wondering why he was so easy to forgive her.” Brian added.

 “I’m going to go check on Jake, I’ll be back.” Lisa smiled than walked out the door. Lisa went down the hallway and opened the door to Destiny’s room, she walked in and saw the nurse standing at the end of the bed she had her finger to her lips.

 “He’s sleeping.” She whispered. “The doctor said to go ahead and let him stay. Maybe it would help the young lady to wake up if she felt his presence.”

 Lisa nodded and looked at her friend. She was as bad as Brian had said. She looked like a broken China doll all taped together. Lisa walked over to Destiny’s head and bent down to whisper in her ear. “Dessie honey, you got your wish. Jake’s here and he loves you, you just have to wake up. You hear me sweetheart, you have to wake up, I don’t think Jake can live with out you.” She kissed her on the forehead than left the room.

 

 

 

 

 Jake was sitting by Destiny’s bed. He held her hand and had laid his head down beside her on the mattress. He must have fallen asleep again because his back was sore when he sat up. Destiny’s parents had arrived two days ago in the afternoon. He was worried they would not be pleased with him especially after finding out their little girl was pregnant. But they had surprised him. They both went to him and hugged him tightly reassuring him that they had faith in god and they new their little girl was going to be okay.

 They had kept a visual with him at Destiny’s side, her mother refusing to leave innless she had to go to the bathroom. Her father would often accompany Jakes dad to the cafeteria but he never left the hospital either. Jake wished Destiny would wake up. He wanted to tell her about the baby.

 The doctors were keeping an eye on the pregnancy and so far it seemed like everything was right on schedule. They reminded Jake that they would not be out of the woods until they were at least past the three-month mark. They also told him that if Destiny didn’t wake up soon the chances of hitting the three-month mark would slip away.

 Jake stretched his arms over his head, arching his back and yawning. Destiny’s mother walked over to Jake and rubbed his shoulders. Jake relaxed at the kneading action of her hands. ‘So this is where Destiny learned her back rubs.’ He told himself.

 “Sweaty I think you should go with your dad and Jim to the Cafeteria the next time they go. It will do you good to get out of here.”

 “No, I wont leave her. What if she wakes up?” He turned and looked at the woman.

 “Than I’ll tell her you’re in the cafeteria.”

 “No Charlotte, I’m not going to leave her again, ever.”

 “Okay!” She sighed heavily than kissed him on the top of the head. Jake’s dad had told her and her husband the whole story about the young lady that had lied to Jake about a pregnancy and how Jake had come to California seeking his advise only to return a few weeks later to find Destiny in the hospital. She knew the hell this young man had gone through for her little girl, they both knew. Just like they knew he would never leave their little girl as long as she was breathing and doubted he would leave if she weren’t.

 Jake heard voices come from the other side of the door. He recognized two as Jim and his father but the other one he couldn’t recognize. Brian and Lisa weren’t do up here until this evening. He stood up and touched Charlotte on the shoulder as he went to the door. It had opened at that moment and Jim stuck his head in.

 “Jake can you grab Charlotte and come out here please?”

 Jake didn’t have to say a word. He turned and saw Destiny’s mother get up and walk towards him. They had gone outside the room and were met by two doctors in white coats. They let the door shut behind them as the first doctor spoke.

 “This is doctor Elizabeth Moony, she is an OBGYN. She’s been watching the baby and she has a few concerns, as do I.” He turned towards his companion. “Dr. Moony.”

 “Well everything seems to be doing okay, the baby’s heart rate is normal and the placenta seems to be intact, however the baby is not growing as fast as we like. I’m afraid if Destiny doesn’t wake up soon she could loose the baby. It’s just not getting the proper nutrition that it needs. I’m sorry.”

 Jake looked around him as he heard Charlotte let out a sob. Jim taking her in his arms and holding her to him. Jake felt his dad touch his back between the shoulder blades. Jake didn’t know what to do, that feeling of hopelessness coming over him again. He looked at the doctors who had touched Charlotte on the arm telling her their not giving up yet and they would continue to do what ever they could. Well that was fine with Jake but he was going to do what he could too. He touched his dad on the arm.

 “I need you to come with me dad, I need your help with something.”

 “What are you up to Jake?”

 “Please just come with me?”

 “Okay, son.”

 They turned towards everyone and smiled. Jake leaned forward and kissed Charlotte on the cheek and winked at her. “Don’t worry, I have an idea. I only wish I had thought of it before. I’ll be back.” Jake turned and his dad and him headed to the elevator and out of the hospital.

 

 

 A couple of hours later Jake returned with his dad. Brian and Lisa were there and so was Nana, Kent, and Andi. Jake had a pretty good idea Andi was going to be come a permanent fixture in this family. He walked over to Destiny and sat at her side on the bed. He pulled out a little velvet black box and opened it than placed a beautifully cut diamond ring on her finger.

 “Destiny I need you to wake up. I want to ask you to marry me, please wake up.” He leaned forward and touched her lips with his.

 Jake felt charlotte put her hands on his back.

 “I’m sure she would love to marry you.”

 “No she has to answer for her self.” His frustration and lack of sleep showing in his eyes.

 “Destiny honey, please wake up and answer me. I want to marry you.” He sat there watching her and when there was no response he laid his head on her chest and began to weep. He felt a hand on the back of his neck as another one rose to his back. He heard a soft cooing as the hand stroke his hair; he lifted his head and saw a pair of beautiful gray eyes looking at him. She still had the bandage wrapped around her head and he had never seen anything more beautiful in his life. She brought her hand down and touched his cheek, catching a tear with her thumb.

 “Why are you crying?” Her voice was soft and barely audible but still elegant.

 “Because I’m so happy to see you.” Jake smiled at her. Than leaned forward and kissed her softly.

 Everyone in the room was laughing or crying at the wonderful miracle before them. Kent had gone out side and grabbed a doctor. The doctor pushed Jake aside gently and looked at the young woman. She smiled up at him and told him she was hungry. He hurried out of the room. A little while later he returned with Dr. Moony and Dr. Cartwright. They inspected the young woman than turned to everyone smiling. “I don’t know how you did it but it seems our sleeping beauty woke up, and with out any lasting effects that we can see so far. Of course we’ll want to do some tests, but we can wait a while.” Dr. Cartwright addressed everyone.

 “Well young lady we’re going to have to get some food in you so your baby can start growing.” Dr. Moony smiled at Destiny than walked out the door.

 “What baby?” Destiny turned to Jake.

 “We’re going to have a baby sweetheart.” He touched her cheek and smiled at her. “I want you to marry me.”

 “You don’t have to marry me because I’m pregnant, Jake.”

 “I’m not. I’m marrying you because I love you.” Jake saw all her worries leave her.

 “I love you too.”

 “So will you marry me?” He picked up her left hand and showed her the ring on her finger.

 “Yes!” She lifted her hand that felt like it was made of lead and pulled Jake down to her. Than kissed him softly.