Chapter 21 Matt had fallen asleep holding Josie's hand.  He was awakened by her scratchy voice, "Matt, what are you doing here?"  He smiled as he said, "Where else would I be?"  She grabbed her head as she tried to sit up.  "Just lay back down", he said as he took a seat beside her on the bed.  "Good idea.", she grunted as she tried to get comfortable.  "Do you want me to call the nurse to bring you some pain medicine?", he asked with concern.  "Another good idea.", she said with half a grin.  Matt called the nurse who promptly brought her some little white pills.  "Shouldn't you be at work or something?", she asked as the nurse left the room.  "There's no way I could work until I knew that you were going to be okay.", he said rubbing his thumb across her hand as he held it.  "That's sweet", she said smiling at him.  He stared at their hands as he began to speak, "I know that we said that we weren't going to make this into something that it wasn't.  And I know that we agreed to just keep this a casual, friendly kind of relationship, but..."  "Matt.....what are you trying to say?", she asked still weak from her injuries.  "When Sky called last night and told me that you were hurt, well, everything just hit me.  I thought that I was going to lose you.  And I didn't like the way that felt.  I couldn't imagine not talking to you everyday.  I couldn't imagine not laughing at something funny that you said.  I realized that....what I'm trying to say is, I love you.  And I don't want to be with anyone else."  Josie didn't know what to say.  The silence made him feel uncomfortable.  "I mean, if you don't feel the same way, I understand.  But, that doesn't change how I feel.", he said looking away.  "Matt.", Josie said causing him to turn back and look her in they eyes, "I love you, too."  Matt smiled like a little kid at Christmas who had just opened the one thing that he had wanted more than anything.  He leaned over and gently kissed her, careful not to touch any of her sore places.  They relished the feeling for a moment until she realized that her sister wasn't there.  "Where's Sky?", she asked, "I thought she'd be here."  "She was here all night.  When I got here, she went home to take a shower and change clothes.  She should be back soon.  I'll call her and tell her that you're awake.", he said.  "Thanks.", she said as the pain killers kicked in and she started to relax.  Matt called Sky and told her that Josie was awake. Jeff and Sky walked into the hospital room holding hands.  Matt stood up and let her have the chair next to Josie's bed.  "And to think, all I had to do to get you two together again was to damn near kill myself.  If I had only known.", Josie quipped.  "Yep, she's better.", Sky said laughing, "I'm so glad.  I thought I was going to lose you there for a minute."  The tears were welling up in her eyes.  "What?  And let you have a peaceful life?  Are you kidding?  Somebody has to aggravate you.", she said.  "And you do it so well.", Sky said as she stood up, "I'm going to go see about having you moved to a private room."  She gently kissed her sister on the forehead. "I love you.", she whispered and then turned to leave the room.  The pain killers were bringing out the cockiness in Josie, not that she needed much help.  "Wow, Jeff, do you wanna make it three for three?", she asked amusing herself.  Jeff looked puzzled, then he realized what she had meant. "Sure.  I love ya, Josie.", he said laughing at her.  "Hit a deer and everyone loves ya.", she said laughing which caused her to grimace with pain.  "So, that’s what happened?", Matt asked.  "Yeah.  The poor thing came out of nowhere.  I’m sure I killed it as fast as I was going.", she said.  "Well, it’s just a wonder that you didn’t kill yourself.  Why weren’t you wearing your seat belt?", Matt asked almost scolding her. "I couldn’t get the latch to work.  It wouldn’t fasten for some reason.", she answered trying to remember.  "I guess that just proves that everything happens for a reason.", Matt stated.    She looked at Jeff who was standing quietly against the wall.  "All so you could have….her.", she said smiling as she pointed at Sky who was walking back into the room.  "What?", Sky asked.  "Nothing.  Josie is just enjoying her pain medication.", Jeff answered with a laugh.  She enjoyed it so much that she drifted back off to sleep.  "They’re going to move her to a room in just a little while.", Sky told Matt.  "We’re gonna have to get back to work soon.  We’ve got a show tonight.", Jeff said.  "Let’s wait until she get’s a room.", Matt pleaded.  Jeff shook his head in agreement.  About a half hour later, the doctor came in and checked Josie over one more time.  Then, the orderlies came and took her to her room.  When she was all situated, Matt told her that he had to leave.  He kissed her ‘good bye’ and told her that he loved her.  He promised to call and check on her that night.  "I’m going to walk them out and then I’ll be right back.", Sky told her sister.  It was evident that the medication was still coursing through Josie’s  veins as she looked at the trio and laughed, "That’s too funny."  "What is?", Sky asked puzzled.  "Dr. Black and Dr. White. Black and White.   Just too damn funny.  Is there a Dr. Color too?"  "She’s gonna be just fine.", Jeff said causing them all to laugh.            Last Chapter ..*.. Next Chapter ..*.. Chapter Index ..*.. Home