Pain. All I could feel was pain. And my throat was so dry. I tried to open my eyes, but the light was too bright, so I blinked a few times and looked around. I was in a hospital, but why? What the hell was going on? I felt weight in my right hand, and looked over and saw Brian with his head laying on the bed next to my body. “Brian” I said hoarsely, causing him to immediately lift his head. “Oh baby, you’re awake. Thank god.” he said, tears filling his eyes. “Brian, it’s okay, don’t get upset. What happened?” I asked confused. What had happened that he was so upset about? “You were in a really bad accident. Babe, we lost you. You died, for like 45 seconds, then your heart just started beating again. I was so scared Brook, I can’t lose you.” he said with a shaky voice. “Oh my god. Brian, the kids, where are the kids?” I said, starting to freak out. “Ssh ssh it’s okay baby, they’re fine. Your mom is at home with them. She flew out as soon as I called her and let her know what happened. They were at daycare when you were hit.” “Oh my god, this is insane. How long have I been out? I’m really thirsty.” I said, rubbing my throat. “Oh shit, I was supposed to page the nurse. I’ll have her bring you water.” he said, pushing the button to call the nurse. “You were out for a little over 20 hours, the doctor said your body was resting itself, and you would wake up when you were ready. I thought it was going to be days. I was so worried.” he said as a voice said “can I help you?” over the speaker. “Yes mam, she’s awake, and is asking for water.” Brian said politely. “Okay, I’ll send the doctor in and bring her a cup.” came her reply. “Thank you.” I croaked. I looked down at my body and realized that my left arm was in a cast, and my left leg was in a brace. “Okay baby,” I sighed, “What’s the damage?” the doctor came in before he could reply “Hello Miss Jones, I’m Dr. Cress. I’ve been treating you since you were brought to the ER yesterday. I’m just going to get some vitals really quick and I’ll talk to you about your injuries.” he explained, pulling his stethoscope off his neck. While he was checking my heart rate, blood pressure, and all the other crap, the nurse brought my water in. “Thank you so so so much.” I gushed, taking the cup from her and drinking as much water as I could before breathing “Slow down babe.” Brian laughed, “the cup isn’t going anywhere.” “Sorry,” I said, slightly embarrassed, “I was really thirsty.” “That’s okay Miss Jones. I’m sure you were.” Dr. Cress said. “Okay, so, your injuries. You had a concussion and a big cut on your head, going from the arch of your left eyebrow and a little into your hairline. Luckily we didn’t have to shave any of your hair to stitch you up, which was about 18 stitches by the way. Your left forearm snapped in half, so you’re going to be wearing that cast for at least six weeks. You have severely bruised ribs, and your left knee is sprained, which explains the brace. Your right side has some bumps and bruises, but because the truck hit the driver’s side, most of your injuries are on the left. You’re very lucky to have made it with the injuries you have Miss Jones.” “Thank you doctor, I feel very fortunate. When can I go home?” I asked with a smile, causing him to chuckle. “Well, since you’re alert and you have no memory loss, I don’t see why you can’t go home tonight, in the next few hours.” he said, writing something in my chart, “Are you hungry? Hurting? Do you need anything?” he asked with a hint of concern. “Well, I’m in a little bit of pain, but I’m starved. Could I have something to eat?” I asked. “Of course sweetheart. I’ll have the nurses bring you a tray, since it’s lunchtime, and I’ll also have them bring your pain medication. Once you eat and take your meds we can discharge you.” He explained. “Thanks so much Dr. Cress. I really appreciate you taking care of me.” I smiled. “Yes, thank you doctor.” Brian said, shaking his hand. “You’re very welcome. I’ll see you in a few hours.” he said before he walked out the door. I sighed and leaned back against the bed. “How am I going to take care of my baby?” I said sadly, holding up my left hand. “I can’t do anything with my right hand, I’m going to be so helpless. I hate this already.” “It’s okay, I’ll be there to help you. We’re taking about a week off from the studio, so I can be home to help you out and stuff. You also have the girls to help you.” Brian said, sitting next to me on the bed, I moved over to give him more room so I could cuddle against him. “I know Bri, but I can’t do anything. I can’t pick her up, change her diaper. I can’t give her a bath. I can’t do anything with my kids now.” I pouted. “It’s only temporary Brook. The important thing is that you’re alive and you’re able to even be around to take care of them. From what the officer told me right before I came in your room last night you’re extremely lucky. They didn’t expect you to make it.” he said, kissing the side of my head. “You’re right baby. I’m sorry for whining. I’m lucky. Thank you for staying with me.” “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be, I love you B.” “I love you too Bri.” I replied, kissing him for the first time in 21 hours.

After I ate the nurse returned with medication and discharge papers. “Okay, the doctor said you are to stay in bed or on the couch as much as possible for the first two days. You cannot shower without assistance and put a plastic bag over your cast so you don’t get it wet.” she rambled, while I looked over at Brian with raised eyebrows. “He wrote you a prescription for pain killers, and wants to see you sometime next week. That’s pretty much it. Once you sign here you’re free to go.” she said, and I looked at Brian sadly. “Um, I’m left handed.” I said quietly, holding my cast up. “Oh honey, that’s okay. Your husband can sign for you.” she said, turning toward Brian. I was about to correct her when he picked up the pen and signed the forms. “Thank you mam.” he said with a smile as she handed him a copy of the papers. “Okay baby, let’s get you dressed.” he said, coming to help me into my sweats and tshirt. “Bri, you didn’t have to do that.” I said, placing my hand on his shoulder to balance myself. “It’s okay. I wanted to.” was his short reply. After I was dressed and ready to go he helped me hobble to my wheelchair and he wheeled me out to the car and helped me in the passenger seat. “Aw man.” I groaned “I just realized I don’t have a car.” Brian chuckled and squeezed my hand. “It’s okay baby, we’ll get you a new one. It was time for a new one anyway.” he kissed my cheek and put the car in drive. I leaned back against the head rest and sighed, the pain medicine was kicking in and all I wanted to do was sleep.

I woke up when we got to our house. Brian helped me out of the car and I hobbled up to the front door. “Okay baby, straight to bed.” he said, helping me climb up the stairs. “But I want to see the kids.” I whined, slowly climbing each stair. “I’ll bring them up, you need to rest Brook.” he said, helping me out of my sweats and into a pair of shorts and a tank top. “Oh, it’s naptime. Can they nap with me?” I pleaded, using my puppy dog eyes. “Oh come on baby, you know I can’t resist those. Okay, they can nap with you.” he relented, helping me into bed. “I think I’ll take a nap too, so we can all lay down together.” he said. “Good thing the bed is big enough.” I smiled, reaching up to give him a kiss. He walked out of the room and I heard him talking to someone, who I assumed was my mom. He came back in the room holding Madi. “Your mom said she’ll come see you once you wake up, she knows you’re exhausted.” he said, laying Madi down next to me. “No,” I pouted, “I want her on my chest.” “Baby is that a good idea with your ribs?” “Probably not, but if I start to hurt I can just roll over and she’ll be lying next to me.” He sighed and laid Madelyn on my chest, and I automatically wrapped my arms around her and kissed her head. “Oh my baby, I missed you.” I whispered into her hair. Cameron came bounding into the room, climbing on the bed and getting close to me. “Mama are you okay? You have a boo boo.” he said, touching the cut on my head. “I’m fine baby,” I chuckled, “give me a kiss and then lay down.” I said, and he did as he was told, quickly kissing me on my cheek and snuggling down into the covers. Brian laid down next to Cam, and wrapped his arm around all of us. “Okay Cam, time to settle down and nap.” he said, kissing his head. “But I don’t want to nap, I want to see mama.” he whined. I rolled over, noticing the pain in my ribs, causing me to hiss slightly. “Cam, go to sleep baby. We’re all going to take a nap.” I said sternly. “Fine. You promise you aren’t going to leave while I’m sleeping?” he asked “I promise, now go to sleep baby.” I kissed his head and sighed “Go to sleep baby, I can take care of them.” Brian said, gently squeezing my arm. I smiled him and closed my eyes, exhaustion taking over.