Should've Been Us

He Still Calls Me 'Baby'

Josie let a small gasp escaped her lips.  "Antonio."

Josie was in shock.  She hadn't been imagining things.  Antonio Dawson had been there.  She had heard his voice and he had held her hand.

Antonio took a couple steps into the room.  "Hey... Jo."

Josie could feel tears building up in the corner of her eyes.  "Antonio."

Dixie knew her daughter needed time to process everything.  "I'm going to go get some food from the cafeteria... Kids, come with me."

"But..."  Zoë looked around.

"Come on Zo..."  Xavier took her hand.  "Mama's fine and Mimi needs company... so you guys can tell me all about Paris."

Xavier and Zoë kissed their mother's cheek.  "We'll be back in a bit."

Josie nodded.  "Je t'aimes."

Antonio hugged the twins and nodded to Dixie.  He waited for them to leave and closed the door behind them.  He walked over and sat on the chair next to Josie's bed.  "Josie."

"Antonio..."  She sniffled.  "How?"

"There's a lot to talk about... how are you feeling?"

"Sore... tired... even though I've been out of it for a little over a week."

"Being in a coma and sleeping... are two very different things, Jo."

"How did... did you find me?"  Josie whispered.

Antonio gently took her hand, and was thankful that she didn't pull away.  "Jules called me... she told me to run to the house next door... that someone was in danger...  I was at my parents' picking... picking up my kids."  The last part had barely been a whisper.

"It's okay, Antonio..."  Josie sighed.  "I know."

"Josie... When I saw you there... I almost died... I couldn't believe it when Xavier told me... who you really were."

"I don't know where to begin."

"I can start... I... I'm sorry."  He said.

"For what?"  Josie was perplexed.