Chapter 37

“Oh Katie, honey…” Nick cried as he enveloped his daughter in his arms.  “Thank God.”

Liz stood there, tears in her eyes.  She knew that things were going to be alright, not perfect, but at least alright.  She felt horrible inside, knowing that she truly didn’t want to leave Katie and Nick, but in her heart, she knew it was only sane thing she could do.  If she stayed, it would kill her every time Nick asked about Heather.  It would make it harder and harder each day to know that she could never have Nick the way she wanted.

She immediately joined Nick’s side and hugged Katie tightly.  “Oh, Little Bits, we are so glad to see you awake.  You had me and daddy pretty scared.” Liz said, trying to hide her tears.

“Lizzie, why you cwying?” Katie asked softly.

“Because I didn’t think you would wake up.  You got hurt and went to sleep, and we didn’t know if you would wake up for us.” She answered, trying not to scare Katie.

Katie looked thoughtfully at the two of them.  She was a bright girl, and nothing could get past her.  “Dadda was cwying too.  Why?”

Nick turned away, afraid to tell Katie the truth.  “Daddy is just glad to see you awake, honey.” He said, turning back to face her.

“You can’t go, Liz, you just can’t go.  Please, I am begging you.” Nick whispered.  “Oh God, please…”

Liz was heartbroken, but her mind was set on going.  It was not her place anymore to take care of Nick.  He didn’t need her, and she knew it wouldn’t be long before the tension got out of hand between them.  “Honey, I have to.  I will be leaving tomorrow to go back to Orlando.  I will get my stuff, and then catch a late flight.”

Nick was devastated.  He not only was losing his best friend, but someone he cared so much for.  ‘Elizabeth, I love you.  Please don’t forget that.” He said as he hugged her.

“I won’t.” she replied softly as she wiped her eyes.  “I’m going back to the hotel.  If you need anything, call me on the cell phone.” She said, as she left the room quickly.

Nick stood there, tears in his eyes…

*** *** ***

“Hey girl, what’s going on?” Kat asked as she saw Liz walking down the hallway of the hospital.

“Umm, Katie is awake now…” she said softly and continued walking.

“What?!  Katie is awake!!” Kat cheered, oblivious to Liz’ attitude.  She went running down the hallway to Katie’s room, and burst in.  “Oh, Nick!  Thank God!” she said, and then she noticed the tears in his eyes.

“Honey, what’s wrong?” she asked, now very concerned.

“She left.”

“Who, Liz?  Isn’t she just going to call everyone?” Kat asked quizzically.

“No, she left…to go home.” He answered.

“Home?  Isn’t she waiting for you and Katie?” Kat asked, now very confused.

“No, she is going home, packing up her stuff, and heading back to New York.  She left me.” He said, his face falling.

Kat was stunned.  She didn’t know what to say, but knew that Nick needed a shoulder.  “Oh Nick, honey, I am so sorry.  You don’t have to explain now.” She said as she went over to pick up Katie.

“Dadda, don’t cwy.  Is okay.” Katie said as she clung to her father.

*** *** ***

All the guys had been called, and were excited about the outcome.  Nick had talked with most of them at length for the better part of the day, filling them in on Katie and letting them know about Liz.  It was killing him inside, but he wasn’t going to breakdown, at least not right now.

“Yeah, the doctors don’t think she will have any lasting effects from the accident, but, they asked that I take her home, and keep an eye on her for a few weeks.  They said that I can release Katie as soon as I need to.  They have been watching her all day, and she seems to be her usual self.  So, I am going back to Orlando, and taking time off for a few weeks.” Nick said into the phone to Brian.

“Yeah, management decided to cancel the last week of the promotions, so, we are heading back home too.  We need some time to just relax and be alone.  Leighanne is trying to decide how to break the news to everyone about the baby, and I think Howie has gotten things straightened out with the adoption service” Brian replied.   “And, umm, what about Liz?”

“She is on her way back to Orlando right now, and she said she was gonna pack her stuff up.  I am gonna meet her there tomorrow, and that will be it.” Nick said, his voice cracking.

Brian sat on the other end of the phone, wishing he could be with his friend.  “I know that God has his reasons Nick.  It will all be okay, you just have to have faith.”

Nick said his goodbyes to Brian, and prepared Katie for release.  He had promised that once he got back to Orlando, he would keep a close eye on her, and report to her pediatrician right away.   Although she was doing remarkably well after the accident, the doctors weren’t sure if she had damage to the brain that would cause her problems.

Nick packed the last of Katie’s things into the diaper bag, and then picked her up. “Are you ready to go home, sweetie?” she asked Katie.

“Yeah!  Get to see unkie Bwian, and Lizzie, and unkie Howie, and unkie A-yea, and unkie Kevy…and…and…and…” she stammered.

Nick has to smile.   She sure was an amazing little girl.   As he carried her down the hall to the nurses station, he was greeted by Kat.  “You ready to go, Nick?”

“Yup, I sure am.  I just wanna get home, and get some much needed rest.  Where’s Leighanne and Dee?” He answered as he signed all the paperwork for Katie’s release.

“They caught the earlier flight.  There weren’t many seats left, so they went on ahead of us.  Now, let’s get outta here.  The flight leaves in about an hour and a half.” Kat  said as she as they walked out a back service entrance to a waiting car.   The ride to the airport was a smooth one.  There were only a handful of fans waiting at the airport, but security had done a great job in keeping things quiet.

With that, they boarded the plane and were on their way back to Orlando, where everyone was about to have some much needed rest and relaxation.
 
 

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