A Leppard's Kiss of Fate: A Def Leppard/Kiss Romance

Chapter 24: Recovery (Joe Elliot)

My husband lies in the hospital bed, in an uneasy sleep....my heart breaks, I am sitting up in a cot I'd just woken up from a nightmare, about Tommy. I dreamed about what would've happened if i hadn't've been there or if Jamie had succeeded in his plans to kill both my husband and unborn child....it scares me, it SCARED me period. I feel myself shake, tears slipping down my cheeks.... the nightmare is over as far as Jamie always hovering or hiding round' but recovering...both Tommy and I need that. I am damn proud of him though, for standing up to the one who'd caused him so much pain, so much loss and nearly caused him to lose his life.... I'd meant too what I'd said that I'd die for him, I WOULD.

I get up from my cot and sit in a chair next to Tommy, who shifts in his sleep...crying now it seems...my eyes widen in alarm.... No..No...Tommy, our flower...our violet...of my love, both of us need one another, especially with what we've been thru....

Tommy starts mumbling in his sleep, whimpering.... acting quickly, I take him in my arms as best I can...

"Tommy, Tommy...shh ladybug...I-I...I am here.... wake-up love, wake up..." I beg him as he wakes up with a scream.

"I-It was...terrible.... you...died...blood...I died...oh god...Oh GOD...Violet! Is she ok?" Tommy is headed for a terrible panic attack and despite my own panic, I work to calm him down...

"Shh, she's ok....and Jamie can't hurt you or anyone you love and care for EVER again." I take Tommy's hands, placing them along with mine on his swollen stomach and it seems our daughter has woken, but is moving calmly, and starts kicking gently as if she knows how much of a mess her parents are, she already loves us so much...I KNOW. The feel of her kicking and moving quickly calms my husband and I both, though both of us still cry.

"Violet is ok!" Tommy sounds relived and more importantly much calmer...but then he looks at me as his eyes widen with realization his tone quiet and husky, "Wait...did you have a nightmare...you did, did you not?"

"Yes...I dreamed about what would've happened if I hadn't've been there...if I'd lost you and Violet...Tommy, I...I, I NEVER want to lose you or our daughter...but love, I am SO damn proud of you for standing up to that bastard, for defending me and our daughter." Tommy moves his hands from mine to cup my face in his hands.

"You did the same for ME and our daughter...never forget that and how much I love you."

"Never my love...I don't know what I'd do with out you and still I am spoiling you when we get home, I think honestly, we both need that." I tell my husband honestly, as we kiss and the world around us disappears.... after a while, I get him settled back in bed, get him and violet back to sleep before I join them....

At last, we head home, Tommy looking like he needs sleep still but despite his and mine exhaustion he looks at me like only he can, making my heart flutter and me weak in the knees. On the drive home, Tommy gets hit with cravings for chips with malt vinegar and a pastry...of course I get both and he looks at me great fully before attacking his cravings.... how I love him so and taking care of both him and my daughter truly does make me feel better....

Upon arrival home, I suggest that Tommy go upstairs and laydown for a nap and he protests....

"Joe.... i don't want a nap.... but tell you what, I'll take one if you join me. You need rest too."

"You need one ladybug, and of course I'll join you." I smile gently, Tommy's orbs shinning as I then help him upstairs, where I help him shower, us showering together...I massage him and have him dressed in his favorite maternity t-shirt and sleep pants and am now massaging his swollen belly housing our daughter, feeling her move and gently kick at my hands.

"She's just the calmest, happiest baby...it's like Violet knows somehow what we are going thru and it's like I think her way of hugging us, making us feel better...like she moves and kicks it seems when we really need her most...does that make sense?" Tommy says quietly, reverently looking softly at me.

"It does indeed make sense ladybug; I couldn't agree with you more." I say in the same tone.

Tommy yawns, "So sleepy...."

"Here I got you." I gently kiss his lips feeling him smile into it and then gently kiss his swollen belly. "Hello little flower, mommy and I love you so much and you're already the greatest joy in our lives, our little angel.... you already seem to know when your mother and I need you most.... Now, mommy needs rest and so do you my Violet...I am here to take care of you and mommy always." I whisper, feeling her calm down and I look up to see Tommy has already fallen asleep. "Sleep well my love, whatever happens we have one another to lean upon and I'd have it no other way." I whisper as very carefully I slip under the covers and join my beloved...my little family in sleep...

I wake up hours later to find that Tommy is not in bed, but I smell.... hmm, seems he is baking, and he's left a note, which I read, and it both makes me smile and brings tears to my eyes:

My dearest Angel,

I woke up and felt like baking, lemon, and lavender scones with the blueberry clotted cream. I am seriously craving those, or I suppose our daughter is, you were right...she is a little gourmet in the making. Joe.... i just...just wanted to tell you, that darling I'd do what I did repeatedly, protect you, our daughter...our love and our family. and you once again, saved my life. You don't know how much that means to me, that you risked your life to save mine, more than once. You've been by my side, thru my darkest moments and especially now given what's happened. And too, love...I am here always to do the same for you.

All my love...your husband,

Tommy

P.S. I can't believe you let Sav, and Eric have a key...I saw the note they left, that was really fucking sweet of them to get our groceries...and it seems Eric helped himself to some chocolate so much so that Sav had to go back and get extra. And it seems they have news for us.... Eric is pregnant, 6 weeks and I know how badly he's wanted to start a family with Sav, so Liza will have a play mate! How exciting!

The tears fall, so much joy along with the sadness...the bitter-sweet...but how wonderful that our extended family is growing...

I pad downstairs, to find Tommy at the oven taking out the scones to cool and it seems there is also a pot of tea warming.... i take in the seen and Tommy has never looked more beautiful, how bloody lucky am I? Tommy turns and notes that I am standing there, his eyes soft but then his look is concerned.

"Joe? Are you ok? Look like you've been crying..." Tommy carefully walks to me, as I take him in my arms.

"I got your note...it was very moving...and God do I love you."

"And I love YOU. Violet and I both do." Tommy's eyes shine and our lips meet in the sweetest of dances, and after I help Tommy finish up with the scones and clotted cream and our us both cups of tea, which I sigh with satisfaction.

"Damn good tea Tom, and...I seem to recall that you said Eric is pregnant?" I ask my husband.

"Mmm, yep. I called them too while you were still sleeping. Eric is like insanely happy, so is Sav...but God, does he have his hands full with Eric." Tommy's tone is fond.

I laugh, "He does indeed.... ate all our chocolate and had to get more."

Tommy rolls his eyes, "eric would do such even if he weren't pregnant to be honest." This time he and I both laugh. We need these moments, he, and I...especially now to rest and recover....

"And how is our little flower loving the scones?" I state leaning over to rub Tommy's belly, where it seems Violet is kicking in delight. "Ah never mind ladybug, I can feel she loves them."

"She does and so do I...and as I say...we love YOU." Tommy smiles gently, my heart so full.... i am beyond thankful that he is here with me, alive and well and that too our daughter is already a strong, happy, and loving little girl.

A/N: Recovery and our downtime for Tommy and Joe, and too it seems another couple is expecting! More to come soon!