Once in a Lifetime

Waking Up

Karen's POV

The blackness that enveloped me began to melt away and I could hear sounds all around me, especially an annoying beeping. My eyes fluttered open and I looked around me. The way it was set up I realized that I must be in the hospital.

"You're finally awake!" a voice exclaimed from my left side. I glanced over to see a very disheveled Jimmy Fallon sitting next to me. He had a white bandage on his forehead, right above his right eye.

My mouth was so dry, but I was able to ask, "What happened to you?"

Jimmy moved his chair closer and took my left hand into his. "It's a long story, and I'll explain it later, but let's just say you saved not only my life, but the lives of everyone in the studio yesterday."

I know I looked as confused as I felt. "Really?"

He leaned over, smoothing back my hair from my forehead before kissing me lightly. "Yup. But everything is good now. Well, you'll need to get better, then everything will be good."

I looked into his warm brown eyes, seeing a mixture of concern, relief and an emotion I just wasn't used to seeing in eyes that were on me; love. I still couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that James Thomas Fallon, the host of the Tonight Show, loved me.

My eyes started to droop, exhaustion taking over. I held his had tighter, not wanting to let go. I was fighting sleep when I felt him kiss my forehead again. "It's okay, you can sleep. We'll talk later."

I nodded, smiling slightly as I drifted off into a restful slumber.

Jimmy's POV

I watched as Karen drifted off to sleep. I knew she had been fighting it, which wasn't good. She needed the sleep so she could heal and leave the hospital faster.

When she woke up, I have to admit I was so relieved! She had been unconscious for over 24 hours. I stayed overnight with Miles, but didn't get much sleep, since the nurses came in like every hour to make sure I woke up easily. Poor Miles didn't get too much sleep either. But he was upstairs sleeping since they released me earlier.

The doctor wanted me to go home, the rest of the crew wanted me to go home and rest. But I couldn't go; I couldn't leave my girl. I didn't want her to wake up and not know where she was or what was going on. I especially didn't want someone to tell her what happened as soon as she woke up.

I watched her sleep for a while when the door opened, revealing Higgins. The poor man had been at the hospital for most of the last 24 hours, making sure Miles, Karen and myself were okay. He was most definitely my best friend.

"Hey Jimmy. I figured you were down here. I was just upstairs checking on Miles and the nurse said you had been released." He sat down next to me.

I smiled, glancing over at Higgins. "Yeah, I couldn't leave her."

He clapped a hand on my shoulder, saying, "I know man, I know. I can tell she means a lot to you."

I smiled, my eyes tearing up, my Irish mush side coming to the fore. "She means everything to me. I just met her two days ago, but I feel like I've known her forever." The tears fell unbidden to the sheets on Karen's bed as I continued to hold her hand.

"She's been through so much Higgins, so much. I want to make her happy. I want her to feel loved. I want her to love me."

Higgins clapped his hand on my shoulder again, giving me his silent support. I turned to him, tears still streaming down my face. "Is that crazy? Is it crazy for me to want her to love me?"

He smiled, handing me a tissue. "No, I don't think that's crazy at all Jimmy. You and Nancy had a good thing when you were together, especially bringing Winnie into this world. But she wasn't your true love. She was your first love. Most people don't know this but before I married Ellen, I was married."

I was stunned. "What?!"

"Yeah, I was married to a great girl named Vanessa. She was very beautiful and was a great person, like Nancy. But we started to grow apart after just a year after we were married. We ended up getting a divorce, but we have stayed friends for all these years. I met Ellen like a week after Vanessa and I's divorce was finalized. When I met her, I just knew she was the one."

I smiled, wiping the tears from my eyes, all the while keeping my grip on Karen's hand. "I didn't know that. Does Ellen know about Vanessa?"

Higgins smiled. "Yup. In fact, they're good friends. She got married again to a really nice guy from Atlanta. She lives there now. But anytime she and Adam come to town, they call and we go to dinner. But Ellen is my true love. That's what I'm getting at Jimmy. I just knew that she was the one almost the minute I met her. It doesn't matter if you met her five minutes ago or have known her all your lives. When it's your soul mate, you just know."

I turned to look down at the woman who had truly stolen my heart. "I met her just two days ago. But she is the only one, besides Winnie of course, that I think about all the time. I want to be with her."

"Then it will work out Jimmy. Believe me, it will work out. Just don't let her get away, she's a keeper."

I looked back at my best friend, holding my hand out to him. He took it, shaking it. "Thanks man. I appreciate all you have done for me the last 24 hours. You have been a great help."

"Anything for you man. You are the best guy I know and you deserve the best. But I think you need to go home and get some sleep before you crash. I can run you home, then I'll come back and sit with Karen. Ellen is in the cafeteria getting some coffee. She can stay with Karen until I get back."

I thought about it for a moment, before realizing that I was really exhausted. "Your right. That sounds good to me. As soon as I get some sleep and a shower, I'll come back."

"Okay, let me go get Ellen and I'll be back for you," Higgins replied, standing and leaving the room.

I turned back to the incredible woman in front of me. "I have to go home for a little while sweetie. But I'll be back after I get some sleep and a shower. I don't want to get sick and then not be allowed back to see you. But I love you, Karen from Michigan. I can't wait to tell you again when you wake up. Thank you for coming into my life." I kissed her hand, releasing it from my hand and laid it back on the bed.

I left the room to wait outside, my heart lighter and the concern washing away from my heart, replaced with intense love for the woman laying inside the room.

Steve and Ellen walked up, each carrying a coffee, Steve carrying an extra one. He handed it me before they stopped at the door. Ellen gave me a hug. "I'm so glad your feeling better Jimmy. I'll take good care of your girl, don't worry. I'll be here when you guys come back."

I looked at her confused. "Steve's coming back after he drops me off."

She shook her head. "Nope, he's staying with you to make sure you sleep and get something to eat." I started to protest, but she gave me another hug. "It'll be alright Jimmy. I want to make sure you're taken care of too." She started shooing with her hands. "Now go and Steve honey, don't bring him back until he's had enough sleep, a shower, changes his clothes and has a hot meal."

Higgins smiled and gave his wife a mock salute. "Yes ma'am!"

I waited until Ellen entered the room before I started walking to the elevator. It didn't take long for us to get to Higgins car. I must have dozed off because the next thing I knew, Steve was nudging my shoulder. "Hey man, we're here."

I nodded before allowing Steve to help me upstairs. As soon as we entered my house, I made a beeline for my room. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I fell asleep.

A/N - I am sooooo sorry this update has not happened sooner!!!!! I was out of town and had not had a chance to finish this chapter. So I sat down and finished it for you, my dear readers!!!!!! Thank you to you all for reading my story!!!!!