"Ok JC, I want you to take and deep breath in and then blow out really hard," the doctor instructed as he pulled out the breathing tube. It had been only an hour since JC woke up and during that time he had shown signs of being able to breath on his own. JC coughed weakly as the tube was pulled out. Amanda held a cup of water to him and he took a small sip from the bent straw. "Now, your throat may be sore the next couple days and you'll probably sound like you have laryngitis, but there should be no other side effects."
"I'll still be able to sing," JC asked, his raspy voice filled with concern.
"All studies have shown that the majority of people report any residual side effects subsiding after ten to fourteen days. So yes, in two weeks, at the most, I suspect you'll be back to singing at full force," the doctor said as he watched JC's oxygen saturation levels for any signs his lungs were not oxygenating his blood fully. "Everything is looking good. We're going to keep you here in ICU for the night and move you to a private room in the morning."
"When will I be released," JC asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Day after tomorrow or next." JC let out a small but audible groan. "Don't worry, the way your fiancee has been talking care of you, the time will fly." Dr. Peterson was making notes on JC's chart and didn't notice the confused look he threw Amanda.
"I'll explain later," she mouthed as Dr. Peterson finished his notes and then left.
"Amanda," JC started to question just as his family gathered around his bed.
"Josh, don't scare us like that," Karen said as she bent over and kissed her son's cheek. Heather and Tyler rapidly fired several questions at their older brother while Roy stood aside and watched the scene, obvious happiness showing on his face at having his family together and well.
Amanda let go of JC's hand as she stood up and grabbed her crutches. "Where are you going," JC asked. She could see the disappointment and confusion in his eyes.
"I'm going to let you have some alone time with your family. They've been through a lot to be here. I mean Tyler had to ride in a car all the way down here with Chris… driving," she joked with a smile. "Besides, my butt hurts and I need a shower and a good night's sleep, so I'll be back tomorrow," she finished as she leaned over and gave him a quick kiss.
"I love you," JC said softly, confusion still evident in his eyes.
"I love you too," she replied with another quick kiss. "I'll see you tomorrow," she said as she turned and hobbled away.
Karen caught up with her quickly. "You don't have to leave on account of us, you're family now, too."
Karen reached out and gave the young woman a hug. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Amanda made a brief stop in the waiting room on the way out. She gave everyone an update on JC's condition. "And y'all are welcome to see him after his family."
"Do you need a ride," Chris asked.
"From you Keebler? Not a chance," she replied with a smile and yawn. "Todd should be around here somewhere, I'll just get him to drive me so you don't miss any time with JC. I have a feeling they're gong to re-impose those visitors' hours in short order now that he's awake." As she said "awake", an uncontrollable grin spread across her mouth. The group of friends smiled along with her.
Amanda left five minutes later when Todd came into the waiting room.
It was a quick drive to the hotel and Todd walked her to her room, just as a precaution in case any of the media staking out the hotel figured out her identity. As she entered her room, she couldn't help but smile. From the light from the hallway, she could see Lance lying diagonally across the far bed, still completely dressed, including shoes, sound asleep and snoring lightly.
"Do you want me to wake him," Todd asked as she surveyed the sight.
"Nah, I'll try to wake him enough to let him know about JC and maybe to get his shoes off. But I'll be surprised if that even happens," she replied. "Can you close the door once I get the bathroom light on?" Todd nodded and did as asked when Amanda got to the bathroom.
Much as she tired over the next minute or two, Amanda could not rouse Lance and settled for getting his shoes off. She took the extra blanket out of the closet and laid it over him. Grabbing her bedclothes, Amanda slipped into the bathroom and took a long hot bath. When she crawled into bed a half-hour later, it was only moments before she fell into a deep restful sleep.
Amanda woke at six o'clock the next morning. She rolled over and looked at the other bed. Lance was practically in the same position as the night before. Rolling back into a more comfortable position for her knee, Amanda attempted to go back to sleep. Half an hour later, still wide awake, she decided to make an early morning of it. She quickly showered and changed into a black Adidas warm-up suit with a lavender tank top, pulled her wet hair into a clip and applied a light application of blush and lip gloss. She had a doctor's appointment that afternoon and they had told her she might be sent to physical therapy.
Todd knocked on her door a few minutes later. She picked up her backpack and put it on, grabbed her left sneaker and her crutches and hobbled to the door. When she opened the door she looked pitifully at the large man on the other side. "Help," she said with a pout and held out the sneaker. The man chuckled lightly and bent down to help Amanda into her shoe.
Patting her foot after he double knotted the laces, he stood up, "You know, that's not exactly in my job description," he said playfully.
"I know, but someone told me about your foot fetish…," she replied with a wink.
Todd feigned anger, "Which one was it? Fro-boy or Chuckles?"
"Neither, Keebler," she answered with a smile.
"Is he still asleep," Todd asked pointing back towards the room.
"Yeah, Space Cadet is still out like a light. I tried to wake him, but didn't work so I left a note."
Todd paused. "What's your nickname for JC," he asked as they headed out to the waiting SUV.
"Well," Amanda thought. "Up until last night, it was Coma Boy," she answered with a straight face as Todd helped her into the back seat of the SUV. Todd looked at her as if she had gone mad and a smile quickly erupted on her face. "Let's make a run for breakfast on our way, shall we?"
"You're the boss."
* * * * *
"How did he do last night," Amanda asked JC's nurse as she entered the ICU.
"All in all, fine, just didn't sleep well because of everyone else's machines." Amanda nodded. She looked over to his cubical and looked panicked. "They just moved him to his private room. He's in 5163 and should just about be ready to have breakfast."
"Any dietary restrictions?"
"None."
"Good," Amanda said as she turned towards the door, and stopped suddenly. "I almost forgot. There is breakfast in the lounge for everyone, coffee and muffins from Starbucks, Krispy Kreme Donuts, and Einstein Brother's Bagels with an assortment of toppings. I didn't know what everyone liked so I got almost everything," she said as she took Susan's hand. "Thank you for taking care of him," she finished and turned back towards the doors before Susan could say anything.
Amanda and Todd made their way to the east wing of the fifth floor. She found his room and knocked gently. JC opened his eyes when she entered his room. "Hi," he said with a smile. While still raspy, Amanda could hear a definite improvement in his voice. She smiled at how well he looked. Most of his color had returned and his eyes were brighter than the day before. They had also removed his NG tube but his central line and heart monitor leads were still in place.
"Hi," she said as she leaned over and gave him a kiss. "This place is pretty snazzy," she commented as she waved a hand around the room. It looked more like the presidential suite at a hotel than a hospital room. The décor was very warm and inviting with rich colors, hardwood floors and plush furniture. The bed was larger than a normal hospital bed and swathed in high-quality cotton sheets and matching duvet cover. "I brought you something," she said as Todd handed her a beverage tray from Starbucks and left the room.
"I smell coffee," he said with a smile.
"Yeah, a Mocha Valencia Frappuccino, especially made for you because I'm sure hot coffee won't do your throat any good," she said as she handed over his cup. He took a sip and a look of sheer delight washed over his face.
"This is so good, thank you," he said as he took her hand. "What did you get," he asked as he watched her take a sip from another cup. He knew she didn't like coffee.
"I'm not being adventurous today, a Coke," she answered as she let go of his hand and pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down.
They sat in silence for several minutes. Finally, JC spoke. "What did the doctor mean when he said 'your fiancee' last night?"
Amanda blushed, "Oh, that," she said before taking another sip of her drink. "Remember While You Were Sleeping with Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman?" JC nodded. "Well, remember how they wouldn't give out any info on Peter Gallagher's character unless it was family and Sandra's character said she was his fiancee? Hi, I'm Sandra. It's nice to meet you Peter," she said with a laugh as she held out her hand. JC playfully shook her hand.
"Nice to meet you too, Sandra." He paused to take a sip of his drink. "So it doesn't mean you've accepted my proposal…" He looked sad as he said the sentence.
"Now I didn't say that."
"So you will marry me."
"Not exactly that either."
"Ok, now I’m really confused."
"Let's just say that when the time is right and after you've met my parents, I probably will accept your unique, romantic and surprising proposal."
"Man speak, please."
Amanda sighed. "Ok dimwit, yes I want to marry you, and yes I will accept your proposal, but I refuse to accept a past proposal lightly in a hospital room by someone who has yet to meet my parents, much less asked my father for my hand in marriage."
"Ok, that's all I wanted to hear," JC replied with a smile.
Amanda sighed in aggravation and then smiled, "Man, you can be so aggravating."
"Yeah, but you know you love me," he said as he scooted over to one side of his bed patted the extra room.
"Is that such a good idea, I don't want to tire you out or anything," Amanda said with concern.
"It's not like we're going to do anything strenuous, I just want to be close to you," he replied with a pout.
Amanda thought for a moment, she did want to be close to him too. "Alright, but if the nurse gets upset, I'm blaming it all on you," she said with a grin as she hopped over to the bed and sat down.
"Deal," he said as she settled next to him.
"Now what," she said with a yawn.
"Sounds like nap time for you," he replied with a yawn as well.
"It's only like eight in the morning, we can't take a nap."
"Oh yes we can," JC responded as he lowered the head of the bed and put an arm around her shoulder pulling her closer. Amanda gave no resistance and rested her head at the base of his shoulder.
She sighed softly. "I've missed this," she said quietly.
"I have too," he replied equally quiet.
* * * * *
Amanda stretched and took a deep breath. She unwrapped JC's arm from her shoulder and sat up. "Good morning sweetheart," a voice to her right said sweetly.
Startled, Amanda let out a small yelp. "Keebler, don't do that to me," she said angrily. The room erupted in laughter. Amanda looked around, the whole gang was there, all smiling at her and JC. She covered her face in embarrassment. "How long have y'all been here," she asked quietly.
"Oh, several hours now. You and JC looked so comfortable we didn't have the heart to wake you up," Karen replied.
"Even if there was drooling involved," Joey added.
Amanda looked at JC and sure enough, there was a small damp spot on his hospital top. She covered her face again. "I think I'll go jump off a bridge now. Please excuse me," she replied.
"You can't be bungee jumping with your knee," a sleepy JC responded.
"Ooo, sleeping beauty awakens," Justin said.
"I wouldn't call him a beauty," Chris replied.
"Hey, now, don't talk about my man that way," Amanda replied defensively. The whole room laughed. "Ok, make that an extra high bridge…"
"What time is it," JC asked as he put the head of the bed up.
"About half past noon," Roy replied as he looked at his watch.
"Wow, we slept a long time," JC commented.
"Well, you are still recovering, and missy over there barely slept in forty-eight hours, so it's to be expected," Karen pointed out.
"Yeah, well, I hate to cut this short, but I have a doctor's appointment in thirty minutes that's on the other side of the hospital, so I need to skedaddle if I'm going to make it in time," Amanda said as she climbed out of the bed.
"Do you have to," JC whined.
"Yes, I do. We've gotten you all fixed, now it's time to get me fixed."
"But if you two get fixed, how will you ever have any children," Chris said innocently. The whole room looked at him. "I'm just saying…" The room groaned and looked away.
"Well, with that, I'm outie…"
"I thought you were an innie," JC pondered.
"Yeah, and they feel you need more observation why? Oh yea, that's right, you're taking on Chris' personality."
"And that's such a bad thing why," Chris asked.
"Like the world needs two of you, Keebler. The world's got enough problems and more of you would cause it to self-destruct or something."
"Are you saying all the world's problems are because of me?"
Amanda put her finger to the side of her face and thought. "Yep," she quickly said.
Chris pointed his finger at her, "Mom," he looked at Karen, "Did you hear what she said, make her be nice."
"Well, now that she mentions is," Karen started, "I can see her point."
"Haha, my boyfriend's mom sided with me and not you," said in a sing-song voice and stuck out her tongue.
"Did you see that," Chris cried incredulously.
Half the room responded by looking away or whistling while the other responded in by saying something along the ways of "see what?".
Amanda chuckled lightly. "Face it Keebler, you're no longer the center of attention."
"But," Chris fumed. "Hey JC."
"Yes?"
"Stop breathing so I can give you mouth to mouth."
"Eww, mouth to mouth from you? Not a chance!"
"Hey, it could be worse, it could be Joey," Chris and Amanda said at the same time. They got a surprised look on their faces and both cried "Jinx," at the same time.
"I called it first," they both said.
"No you didn't, I did."
"Stop copying me," they both cried out as the whole room erupted into laughter.
"And that light moment was brought to you by the Chris and Amanda show," Chris said.
"No, the Amanda and Chris show."
"Hey, you're on Jinx, you can't talk," Chris pointed out.
"Well the way I see it, we're both on Jinx since we both said it at the same time."
"Did not."
"So you agree I said it first, good, I win, be quiet," she said triumphantly.
"But you said my name, that lifts Jinx, not to mention, I said it first."
"Well, even if you did say it first, you also said my name, so I can speak now too," she pointed out coolly.
"But, wait, that's not how it's supposed to work."
"But nothing, that's the way the cookie crumbles."
"Cookies? Who's got cookies," Joey said from across the room. Amanda and Chris turned in his direction. "Finally, they stopped talking. Can you imagine the headache we're going to have when she comes on tour with us?" Justin, JC and Lance pondered the thought.
"You mean y'all don't already have a perpetual headache with his incessant babbling?"
The five band members looked at each other and then to her with a "huh" look.
Amanda sighed. "You mean y'all don't already have a constant headache with Chris' continuous jibber jabbering?" The room got noticeably brighter as the light bulb of understanding came on above all five members' heads. "Ok…"
"Hey, just because you went to college doesn't mean you can use those big words on us," Joey exclaimed.
"Hey, I went to college," Chris said defensively.
"Yeah, you went to a community college and got an associates degree in psychology. She went to an actual university and got a bachelor's. That's way harder," Justin pointed out.
"What's your degree in," Chris asked.
Amanda blushed. "Parks and Recreation," she said quietly.
"See, that's not much better than Psychology."
"But," Amanda interrupted, "I did change my major from Chemistry, a much harder discipline than psychology."
"Then you must have quit because it was too hard if you changed to such a puff degree as Parks and Rec," countered Chris.
"If I was having such a hard time, then I wouldn't have had a three-point-five gpa, now would I…"
"Well… Well…," Chris stammered.
"Wow, she did it, she actually made Chris speechless. All hale Queen Amanda," Justin said as he bowed in Amanda's direction.
Amanda feigned shock and tears. "I'm so honored, first I'd like to thank the academy…" she said before a smile broke. Looking at her watch she said, "Now I'm going to be late if I don't get going. See y'all later," she said with a smile and a wave to the room. They waved back.
"I like her," Chris said after he knew she was out of hearing distance.
"I do too," JC replied with a small smile. Then he remembered, "When are they getting here," he asked as he looked at his mom.
Karen looked at her watch. "Probably in the next two hours," she replied. JC nodded.
* * * * *
"Well, Amanda, do you want the good news or the bad news," Dr. Packland said as he entered the examining room. It had been three hours since her appointment began and she had been put through a full battery of tests, including a complete x-ray work-up and an MRI.
"I guess the bad news," she answered pensively.
"Well, you've got a long road of recovery ahead of you. For the next two weeks, unless you're in physical therapy, which will be four times a week, you are to stay off your leg completely. After that, as your doctor and your physical therapist decide, you will slowly start putting more and more weight on it for longer periods of time."
"Ok, if that's the bad news, what's the good news?"
"All indications by the tests show that it's only a partial tear, therefore, as long as you continue to show improvement week to week, you will not have to have surgery."
Amanda sighed. "That is good news. How long do you think the recovery will be?"
"With an injury as severe as yours, I would estimate three months at the earliest. I've seen it take as long as six and as short as two. It all depends on each individual body and will power. Now, here's the name of the best group of physical therapists in Orlando, as well as the best orthopedist, besides myself of course, up there as well. They work with the Orlando Magic and the sports program at UCF. You'll be in good hands," the physician said as he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Thank you," Amanda replied as she gathered up her belongings and hobbled out the door.
* * * * *
She hobbled down the hall with a smile on her face. It was going to be a long road, but she was going to be ok. "Hey all, I'm finally back," she said as she entered the room, and stopped. "What are you doing here," she cried out with a grin.
