More Than A Vow

Chapter 85 The Long Haul

It's ok said, Sharon. I'm here now. She was still holding Crystal and Cassie had joined her. Once the girls had regained their composure they told Sharon what had happened, and how Mariah had deteriorated once she had left for Crimson Lights. Where have you been? asked Crystal And don't say Crimson because when mom was going downhill I went to find you. Err first of all how's your mom? She has a fever and she's very weak! Oh god! said Sharon. "Grandma" Where did you go? asked Crystal with tears still streaming down her face.  I just needed a drive said Sharon she didn't want to get the girl's hopes up and tell them anything about seeing Tessa yet! Even though Tessa said she was on her way. The girls and Sharon were shown into the family room and told that a doctor would be out to see them soon. Sharon took the girls in and then said I need the bathroom, while she was outside the room she told the staff that Mariah's wife was on her way, and could they show her to the room when she arrives. Tessa meanwhile was driving close to the speed limit as she could get away with it without getting arrested! She was panicking that this was the end and that she wouldn't get there in time! Sharon got back to the room and was holding the girls on the sofa when a familiar face looked through the little window in the door. 

The door opened and the girls looked up and rushed to their mommy. It's going to be ok cried Tessa. The girls had so many questions they wanted to be answered., but Tessa stopped them in their tracks and just said let's make sure mom will be ok first, and then I can answer one of them said, Sharon. The girls turned around. I went to see your mommy, to bring her home. smiled Sharon. Thank you! Thank you! said the girls in unison. Where are Jo and Sophie? Oh, when we brought mom here they stayed behind just in case grandma showed up! Well, why don't you tell them to come, so you both have somebody to hold on to? Ok, mommy! I'll get on it said, Cassie. Just as she was about to phone them the doctors came into the room. Hi everyone said, Dr.Grey. How is she? asked Tessa. Pretty poorly I'm afraid to say. Oh god ! said Tessa sitting down before she fell. Dr. Grey came and sat next to her. "Tessa" We've found out she's anemic which is why she's been feeling so tired lately, but she also picked up a chill from somewhere, it's quite easily done when you have a very low immune system.  The only problem is that it's now turned into pneumonia. Is that dangerous for her? Yeah! A little bit! It's affecting her lungs so she's struggling to breathe properly. So we're going to have to put her into an induced coma, I know that sounds scary, but it's so that we can control everything better for her. Can we see her before you do that? asked Sharon. Sure I don't see why not said, Dr. Grey. I'll give you twenty minutes and then we have to get her sorted ok? Fine said, Tessa.

Tessa looked at the girls, I want you to go in first, and don't tell mom I'm here! I don't want to make her agitated. "Mommy" She knows it's her fault you left. I don't think she'll get agitated, I think she'll be glad you are here with us. said Crystal But I promise we won't say anything. But you will go in and see her won't you ? said Cassie Of course I will said, Tessa. After you see her, I want you to drive home and I'll meet you all back there later. Ok, the girls smiled and nodded their heads. Sharon went in after the girls had left, she was crying when she came out. Tessa kissed her cheek, took a deep breath, and went into the room. Mariah's eye's lit up as soon as she saw her. Tessa stopped her from talking with a kiss on her lips. Don't said Tessa holding her hand. Mariah did the ok sign at her. She told Mariah what was going to happen, Mariah gripped Tessa's hand and started to cry. It's ok my love. Tessa cradled her. They have to do it this way for your body to be able to recover, so you can get through your last radiotherapy treatment. I love you so much said Tessa crying. I'm sorry said Mariah in a grave voice. If I would have listened to you! We're not having that talk now ok? Ok! I love you too. They both kissed as they did that Dr. Grey came into the room. Ok, Tessa times up.

Mariah grabbed Tessa's hand and looked so frightened. It's ok I'm here. Dr. Grey, I need to stay said Tessa. Ok well, you stay there and get some robes on for theater. We'll go and prep and see you in a minute. Once they were ready, porters came and wheeled Mariah down. Just before they put her to sleep they both said I love you and Tessa lent down for one final kiss before they put the mask on her face and Mariah fell asleep. Tessa waited until she came back out with the tube in Mariah's throat and connected up to the machine that will keep her alive until she could overcome the pneumonia. Once in the room, they connected everything up to Mariah and everything started beeping. Tessa gave her a final kiss goodbye and then left. She got to her car and balled her eye's out. Back at the house the girls and Sharon were in a bit of an anxious mess. Tessa opened the door and they all flooded to her, it put their minds at rest knowing Tessa was there holding her hand and that everything had gone as well as can be expected. And now it was up to Mariah's body to fight the pneumonia. 

They were also treating the anemia with a drip in Mariah's arm. Ok, that's great said Crystal but now that's out of the way. Tell us everything else! Sharon started by saying she had a text from Tessa telling her where she was, so when I brought your mom back from her treatment I knew when I got the text what I had to do. So after my shift, I drove to where your mommy was, to talk to her and try and persuade her to come back home because your mom did not look well and I was worried sick. Ok well, thank you for doing that grandma. Now it's your turn mommy said to Cassie. If I must said, Tessa. I left because your mom's so pigheaded! She would not listen to me when I said she needed to let Cassie take over for the umpteenth time. I've been bashing my head against a brick wall for the last couple of weeks and now look where we are! Do you think she's going to pull out of this? asked the girls. I do hope so said Tessa because I don't know what I'm going to do without her in my life if things don't go well. What did Dr. Grey say? Err well obviously she's not happy with mom running herself into the ground. Because now she's weak and she has a lot of fighting to do. The iron their putting back into her blood for the anemia should help restore her fatigue a bit more. So they're hoping that will kick her immune system into gear, so it can fight the most deadly part which is the pneumonia. It might be touch and go for the first forty-eight hours, after that they hope to start to see some improvement.

All the girls were sobbing so was Sharon. Tessa then took a coffee and went to her favorite place, the girls went to follow her bat Sharon told them to just let their mommy have some time on her own. We need her to just let it out on her own said Sharon. Let's all sort dinner out, it will give us all something to do. Later Tessa wandered back up the garden path and saw a lovely scene of the girls and Sharon messing about in the kitchen. It made her cry again because the only thing missing was her and Mariah. Tessa woke up the next morning and reached over, only to realize Mariah wasn't there. Oh god, I hope she pulls through she thought because the prospect of waking up to an empty space in the mornings was not something she wanted to contemplate. She went down and put the coffee on. She could hear the girls stirring, and one by one they came down and joined her in the kitchen. Once they all sat down they asked her what her plan was? Err well I'll go to the hospital obviously and see how mom's done overnight. Are you going to stay there all day? I don't know why?  Well, Sophie and I have to figure out if we're getting on a plane day after tomorrow? You have too! said Tessa But mommy! But mommy nothing!  "Crystal" You know as well as I do that leads don't come around every day. You and Sophie have to go and finish the run and see where it takes you both. Your mom will never forgive me if I let you stay here. Look you have nearly forty-eight hours before you have to head to the airport, hopefully, by then your mom should be making some sign of improvement. 

That goes for you too Cassie! What goes for me? You have to go back to New York. But I can work from mom's office here in GC. Maybe you can, but I'm guessing Jo can't? Err no she has to get back to work on a new production, but I can stay here with you, and Jo can be on her own for a while. No! said Tessa Look girls I appreciate the support, but one thing I've learned from being with your mom is that I don't like to be separated from her. So even though your mom's not good at the moment, I have everything crossed for two days' time when hopefully the Doctor will tell me things are going in the right direction. And if their not? We'll cross that bridge if we have too said, Tessa. Right, I'm off. Give mom big kisses from us. Oh, I will she kissed the girls goodbye and left. Arriving at the hospital, she was hoping they would say there had been some improvement already. She kissed Mariah's head at least she's still here she thought. At that moment Dr. Grey walked in, good morning Tessa, morning Dr. Grey, how were things after I left? Well, the Iron is definitely helping, but not much else has improved yet I'm afraid, sorry but it's early days. There is one bit of news! Her fever did break, which is great because she's not having to fight that too. Ok well, I pray for something tomorrow, because the girls have to leave after that. We can only hope Dr. Grey smiled as she left. Tessa bent over Mariah and said in her ear, I hope you can hear me because I need you to fight with everything you have. I'm not prepared to lose you yet. She kissed her forehead again and said that one was from the girls.