Bette followed the doctor in to Tinas room and walked over to Tinas side to wait to hear what the doctor had to say. Tina reached out her hand towards Bette beckoning her closer so she could hold Bettes hand. Bette realized that Tina was afraid of what the doctor was going to tell her so she squeezed her hand as if to say I am right here for you.

Well first the good news he said. The CAT scan came back normal.

And the bad news Tina said unconsciously squeezing Bettes hand hard.

The blood tests show that your blood sugar is low he said. Ms. Kennard when was the last time you had something to eat?

Last night Tina said. I ate a little bit at dinner time.

Well that certainly can contribute to low blood sugar he said. You should be eating healthy meals on a regular basis.

I guess I havent been taking care of myself. Since the accident I have been dealing with some stress due to the memory loss Tina said choosing to not mention the emotional upheaval she really had been dealing with.

Ms. Kennard stress can affect your health in many ways. It is very hard on the body and it also can cause headaches and migraines he said. The headache and dizziness you are experiencing could be attributed to the low blood sugar or possibly it could be a migraine. However, I must tell you that there is still a possibility that the headache and dizziness could be due to the head trauma. Some patients can have headaches and dizziness for many months after being injured because it takes a while for the brain to heal completely. I am going to prescribe something for the pain for the headache and I suggest that you get something to eat on the way home from the hospital. It also might be a good idea to find a way to get out from under the stress you have been dealing with. If the problems persist I would recommend that you make an appointment to see your regular doctor. Im going to have the nurse bring you some pain medication for the headache and she will also bring you your prescription and some reading material on low blood sugar and on migraines.

After the doctor left the room, Bette stood by Tinas bedside still holding her hand but lost in her own thoughts and feeling guilty. She knew that Tina was hurting because of her actions, her stupidity. This was her fault and she knew that no matter what she said or did she couldnt take away the pain that Tina was feeling and it broke her heart. For the second time that night the fleeting thought, that maybe she had just fucked up things too badly for them to be together, went through her mind. That thought scared the ***** out of her because she couldnt imagine not having Tina in her life. She looked down at their hands joined together and she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she wanted to be able to hold Tinas hand for the rest of her life. She unconsciously stroked her thumb across the back of Tinas hand and when she felt Tina respond to her stroking, by gently squeezing her hand, a feeling of hope flowed in to her heart.

Bette Tina said noticing that Bette had zoned out. Is something wrong?

Im just worried about you Bette said.

You heard the doctor Tina said. I just need to take better care of my self.

If youll let me, I would like to make sure that you do Bette said softly.

Tina was saved from having to respond to Bettes comment by the nurse walking in. The nurse gave Tina something for the pain and handed the prescription and pamphlets to Bette. She reminded her that if her symptoms persisted that she should contact her regular doctor before she left the room. Bette went to get the car while Julie stayed with Tina and soon they were in the car headed for home.

I am going to get you home and settled in to bed and then go and get some food and your prescription Bette said. Is there anything special I can get you?

No. Im really not hungry but I know I need to eat Tina said.

Julie what about you Bette said.

Anything is fine Julie said.

They got home and Bette got Tina settled in to bed in their room. Julie was waiting for her when she came back out.

Is she alright Julie asked.

Yes Bette said. I think the pain medication might be starting to kick in.

I hate seeing her hurt like that Julie said. I think that is one of the hardest things to deal with, to see your child hurting and to not be able to take the pain away. I know she is not a child but she will always be my child.

I hate seeing her hurting too Bette said sadly as tears formed in her eyes. I still feel responsible for all of this. Julie I never meant to hurt her. I love her.

I know that Bette Julie said. Ive seen how you are with her and Ive seen the way you look at her. There just seems to be something special about the two of you being together. Sometimes things happen and people lose sight of what is important in their life. Take me for example, Tina and I havent been close for many years and I regret it. It took this accident to make me wake up and realize that I missed my daughter and I want to be close to her and I want to be a part of her life. I guess what I am trying to say is that life offers second chances and maybe you should concentrate on that instead of dwelling on feeling responsible for the accident.

Thank you Bette said as she went up to hug Julie. You know we really should have gotten to know each other a long time ago.

Yes we should have Julie said her face full of regret. Now go get my baby some food before you make me cry.

Okay Bette said as she smiled. Ill be back in a few minutes.

Bette left and Julie went in to check on Tina and she found her sleeping. She quietly walked back out of the bedroom and went in to the kitchen to wait for Bette to return. Bette returned a few minutes later with food, a bouquet of flowers and Tinas prescription.

Did you check on Tina? Bette asked as she set everything on the table.

Yes Julie said. She was sleeping

Should we wake her up to eat? Bette asked.

Yes Julie said. Why dont you just fix her a plate and take it to her.

Bette grabbed the plate she had fixed for Tina and the bouquet of flowers she had bought and headed towards the bedroom to wake Tina up. Tina was laying on her back sound a sleep when Bette walked up beside the bed. Bette sat the plate and the flowers down on the night stand and reached out to wake Tina up.

Tina honey Bette said softly as she rubbed Tinas shoulder. Baby you need to wake up and eat.

I just want to sleep Tina said as she tried to brush off Bettes hand.

Come on baby Bette said. You have to eat, Dr. Newwriters orders.

Okay Tina said groggily.

Bette helped her to sit up and then she reached over to pick up the plate of food and handed it to Tina. Tina reluctantly ate some of the food and handed the plate back to Bette and lay back down.

Do you need anything else? Bette asked.

No Tina said. Thanks for taking care of me.

It is my pleasure to take care of you Bette said softly her voice full of emotion. T. I wouldnt want to be anywhere else but here taking care of you.

Bette got up, grabbed the plate of food and left the bedroom for fear that her emotions would overwhelm her. Tina watched Bette walk out of the bedroom and thought to her self I want to believe that with all my heart but I dont know what the truth is anymore. Tina rolled over and closed her eyes and let the pain medication take over. Bette came in to check on Tina a while later and she was fast asleep. Tina was still in her clothes and lying on top of the covers so Bette went and got a blanket and covered her up. She bent over and gently kissed Tina on the cheek, whispered I love you and walked out of the bedroom after she turned out the light.

She went to her room and got ready for bed. She grabbed her laptop to try and do some work but after twenty minutes of staring at the computer screen she gave up. She could not stop thinking about Tina and the discussion they had started before she wound up taking Tina to the hospital and also about what the doctor said about Tina needing to reduce the stress she was under. She knew they needed to talk about everything that had happened and why it had happened but Bette worried about what additional stress that would put on Tina. She thought to herself Who am I kidding? Tina is going to be under stress no matter what. She realized that they both were dealing with what she had done during all of their waking hours. Sometimes consciously and sometimes unconsciously but it was always there lurking. Bette knew they needed to finish their talk and she knew it needed to be done soon for both of their sakes. The thought of having the discussion and Tina asking her to leave or Tina leaving scared her. She made up her mind that she would talk to Tina in the morning about where and when she wanted to finish their talk. She hoped that Tina would want to go somewhere to talk because, even though she really liked Julie and didnt mind her being there with them, she didnt want to have a witness to what could be the end of their relationship. She tried to think of somewhere they could go to talk and not be disturbed but she came up empty until an idea popped in to her head. Maybe she could convince Tina to go away with her for a week so they could talk and decide if they had a future together. They would have quality alone time, no interruptions, and no outside pressures. Now if I can convince Tina Bette thought as she started to drift off to sleep.

When Bette woke up the next morning she was disappointed not to find Tina in bed with her. A small part of her had hoped that she would come and crawl in bed with her like she had since she had come back from Denver. She got up and went to check on Tina and to try and convince her to go away with her. Tina was still in bed when she walked in to their room and over to the bed.

Good morning Bette said. How are you feeling?

A little better Tina said.

Glad to hear it Bette said.

Did you bring those? Tina asked as she pointed to the flowers laying on the night stand.

Yes Bette said. I forgot I brought them.

Thank you Tina said. You didnt need to do that.

T I know I didnt need to but I wanted to Bette said.

I dont want you to.. Tina started to say.

Please dont say it Bette pleaded as she placed two fingers on Tinas lips. Please just accept that I wanted to do it.

Okay Tina said. Bette?

What T? Bette said.

We still need to talk Tina said. I am so confused and my emotions are running rampant.

I know we do Bette said. Ive come up with an idea that I would like you to consider.

Whats that? Tina asked.

I want you to come away with me for a week Bette said. Will you go away with me for a week so we can decide what the future holds for us?

TBC