Once in a Lifetime

Coming Home

Jimmy's POV

After Karen laid down, I took Winnie into the living room to play. I chased her for a bit before we sat in the floor and played with her blocks. I noticed Winnie starting to rub her eyes and yawn.

I decided that she needed a nap too, so I started to carry her to my bedroom, where Ellen and Steve had put her crib. We were passing Karen's room when Winnie started struggling to get out of my arms.

I set her down on the floor and she crawled to the closed door. I debated for a moment before I opened it, curious as to what my little girl was up to.

Karen was fast asleep and oblivious to what Winnie and I were doing. I watched as Winnie crawled to the opposite side of the bed and stood up, trying to get up in bed with Karen.

I smiled, picking my daughter up and placing her on the bed. She crawled over and laid down right next to Karen, snuggling under her good arm. I was so glad my little Winnie loved Karen. I pulled a blanket up over the two of them as Winnie's eyes closed.

I leaned in, kissing Winnie first before walking around the bed to kiss Karen on the forehead. Thankfully neither of them stirred.

I went to the door and stopped. I pulled out my phone and snapped a picture of Karen and Winnie snuggling. It was just too darn cute!

I decided to shower while the two were asleep. I stepped in, turning the water to the hottest setting I could handle. I was washing off, thinking of Karen. The look of fright and uncertainty on her face when the paparazzi closed in on us at the hospital shook me.

I knew she wasn't used to being in front of the camera. But just because she was injured at my show, in my studio, that catapulted her into the limelight, whether we were ready for it or not.

I rinsed out my hair and turned the water off, stepping out of the shower and into the steam-filled room. I wiped the mirror off, looking at myself. Am I really worthy of this woman's love? I thought to myself as I shaved my face.

I knew in my heart that I loved Karen and would never do anything to hurt her, and Winnie loved her to boot. I knew that I could be her Prince Charming in a suit and tie.

I put on a pair of shorts and one of my plaid shirts, throwing my towel into the hamper before ruffling my hair a bit. I slipped on a pair of shoes and headed down the hallway.

I opened the door to Karen's room smiling when I saw that my two girls were still asleep. I shut the door back and went into the living room, getting Winnie's stroller ready along with snacks and anything else I thought we would need for our walk. I decided that the three of us were going to have a nice dinner together wherever Karen wanted to go.

After making sure everything was ready, I sat on the couch and watched a movie, waiting for my girls to wake up.

Karen's POV

I woke up refreshed for the first time in over a week. The medicine must have knocked me out and helped me sleep well. I looked around the room, realizing that something warm was laying next to me on my left side.

I looked down, smiling when I saw Winnie snuggled next to me. She was still asleep, looking so darn cute. I stealthily got out of the bed, hoping I wouldn't wake her up. Thankfully she didn't.

I decided that going with Jimmy and Winnie on a walk might do me some good, so I decided to change clothes, I found a nice white skirt, an green and white shirt and cute pair of shoes that I knew were comfortable. I stared at the clothes for a minute before realizing that I was going to need some help.

I quietly left the room, in search for Jimmy. He was in the living room watching a movie. He looked up and grinned when he saw me. "Hey! You're awake! How are you feeling?"

"Surprisingly I feel pretty good. So good that I decided to go on that walk with you and Winnie. Thanks for the snuggle bunny, by the way! She is so cute! Anyway, could you help me change shirts? I can't do it on my own."

Jimmy stood up, walking with me back to my room. "Of course! I'm so glad you're going to go with us. I was thinking dinner out tonight. Winnie will love it," he said as we walked into the room. I lead him into the bathroom, taking my shirt with me.

He helped me out of my sling, then began by pulling the shirt off my good arm first. He then pulled it up and over my head before carefully pulling it over my broken arm.

I was a really self conscious, standing in front of him in a pair of shorts and my bra. I hated looking at myself, let alone letting anyone see me half undressed.

But he wasn't looking at me per se. Jimmy was looking to the bandage and other injuries to my stomach. I could see tears forming in his eyes. I had bruises from where Kyle had kicked me, plus the damage from the bullet.

I couldn't bear to see him cry again, so I grabbed the shirt I wanted to put on and threw it in his face. He grinned, catching it. "Okay, okay, let's get you dressed Barbie."

I gave him a mock exasperated look. "I am not and have never been a Barbie. Just help me here Fallon," I said, punching him lightly in the arm. He laughed as he slid my bad arm through the sleeve, then pulling the shirt over my head before I put my good arm into the other sleeve. Jimmy then put the sling back over my head and helped me put my broken arm back in comfortably.

"Thank you! Now you can leave so I can finish getting ready," I said shooing him out of the bathroom. I saw that Winnie was awake and sitting up on the bed. She was grinning at us, holding her little chubby arms above her head, wanting one of us to pick her up.

"No problem. I need to take care of this little lady now anyway," he said, grinning. He picked Winnie up and left the room.

I finished putting my skirt on, put a little make up on and worked with my hair as best as I could with one hand. Realizing that it was the best I was going to get, I put my dirty clothes in the hamper in the bathroom, grabbed my phone and left the room.

Jimmy and Winnie were waiting for me in the living room. Jimmy had changed her outfit and had her stroller packed. I was impressed!

"You're a man of many talents!" I exclaimed, seeing that he had put my purse in the bottom of the stroller with Winnie's diaper bag.

He sat Winnie down in the seat and strapped her in, then handed her a toy. "Yeah wait until bedtime though. I have to put on a three ring circus for her just to get her to sleep."

I smiled, excited that I was so privileged to see another side of Jimmy. You could just tell in his face he loved being a dad. His eyes lit up anytime he was around his daughter.

He grabbed his keys, opening then holding the door for me, then pushed Winnie through before pulling the door shut, locking it behind him. "Alright ladies! Let's go!" Jimmy said, heading for the elevator.