Well, what can I sayI am loving thisyall are just too much.

Kabby, Swiftheart, Indycarrie & MegThank you so muchI will try and keep you from going through withdrawal since you are addicted. And welcome to our ever-growing family.

Darkhorse, are you ready for one of your requests to come true???? I hope you are because we are about to embark on one heck of a journeyand no it doesnt involve Tonya yet (but dont you worrywe will get to her soon).

Katey& Ash what can I sayI am beginning to feel like a drug dealerat least this drug is inspired by someone so wonderful as Erin/Dana is.

Lucy, Margot & SLM, thank you and believe meI was laughing while I wrote itI am just glad that everyone liked the humorYou have to laugh to keep from crying sometimeshehehe

Geauxtigers, thank youlike I said I just hope that Lara comes back next seasonof course WHEN she does, that means I have to start ALL overbut thats okas long as she comes backhehehe.

Soupchef, you know I cant resist your requestI will keep em coming for as long as we can stand it

Souschef, Just wait..more teasing and more Leslie to comeand thanks.


To all of you who I know are out thereand are a big part of our familyI miss youI hope you have enjoyed it so far

Almathanks for everythingBTWWWW.ERIN-DANIELS.COM is wonderful!!!!! You did a great job!!!

And Kyou are an inspiration. You keep me on track when there are bumps in the roadthank you so muchyou know where you stand in my life and heart

Now for those firstimers (do you know how hard it was not to say virgins????)we say these words every timeGRAB WHATEVER & ENJOY!


Chapter 24

As the four turned the corner in the ICU unit, they saw Holli standing, waiting for them. The smile on her face was a welcomed sight and calmed them all down. As they approached her, the grin got bigger.

Someone would like to see you, Holli pointed towards Sharons room.

As they entered, they saw the doctor standing on the other side of the bed and Sharon, her eyes opened. She still had the ventilator hooked up, so she wasnt able to speak.

They cautiously approached the bed, Irwin and Howie on one side, Dana and Lara on the other. Both Irwin and Dana grasped Sharons hands.

Honey?

Mom?

Sharons eyes traveled back and forth in bewilderment. She didnt know what had happened or where she was. She had so many questions. She scanned the room and looked at everyone in there. She thought to herself, Ok, theres Irwin, theres Howard, theres Dana, but who are these other people. Panic began to set in and the doctor stepped in.

Mrs. Fairbanks, Im a doctor here at Cedars. Do you remember what happened to you? Blink once for yes, twice for no.

Two.

Okay, do you know those gentlemen standing over there?

She scanned to her right, one blink.

Good, now do you know these ladies standing over here?

Three.

Three, okay, do you know this young lady? The doctor put his hand on Danas shoulder.

Once.

And what about this one?

Twice. She didnt know Lara.

Ok, the doctor looked away from Sharon for a moment, should she know her?

She is Dana couldnt say it in front of her mother, she hasnt known Lara that long, maybe a couple of weeks.

That may explain it. The doctor wanted to find out what Sharon did know. Has there been anything significant happen in her life recently?

Yes, Irwin interjected she received an award the other week, Woman of the Year.

Mrs. Fairbanks, do you remember that, receiving the award?

Two.

Oh my God Dana felt her heart sink deep into her chest, she doesnt remember what I said. She doesnt remember Lara. She looked to Lara as the tears welled in her eyes.

The look that was returned was one of compassion and understanding. Lara knew what was going on and she couldnt put anyone, especially Dana through any pain.

Im going to go wait out in the waiting room. Laras hand barely touched Danas, so no one would notice, as she gave her a sheepish grin.

Ill go with Danas words were cut off.

No, you stay here. Ill be fine.

As Dana watched the woman she loved walk out of the room, her mother squeezed her hand and her attention was refocused on her. She smiled through the blurriness that was created in her eyes.

What I think we are dealing with here, the doctor began to explain what was going on, is short term memory loss, more than likely caused by the blow to her head.

Is it permanent?

I dont think it will be Mr. Fairbanks. This is not an uncommon occurrence. She should slowly recover most of her memory up to the crash, after that, she may subconsciously suppress the accident itself. The brain and subconscious have a tendency to block out traumatic events such as this.

What about the ventilator?

That will be taken out by the end of the day hopefully. The machine has been breathing for her for the past couple of days, so we want to ween her off of it. We want to make sure her lung doesnt collapse again and that she gets strong enough before we take it out completely.

Dana stood there, taking in what the doctor was saying, but all she could wonder about was if her mother would go through the pain again of remembering about her and Lara.

After the doctor finished his exam and diagnosis to the family, he left them to visit.

Hey mom, you are going to be just fine. You need to get better so you can go to some of the tournaments with me. You know how you love France and London. Dana smiled as she wiped a single tear that had escaped her mothers eye.
She could see the love in her mothers eyes that was there before. Before that day she came out. Before the day she was shutout of her family. All she could was hold back her own tears and heartbreak over the thought of losing that love again.

Ill be back in a while. Im gonna let dad and How visit with you, okay? Dana nodded, trying to make her mother understand.

Once.

Dana bent down and kissed her mothers cheek. As she lifted her head, she looked directly into the scared eyes that looked back at her.

I love you. Was all she said and she left the room to find Lara.

She was right where she said she would bein the waiting room. As Dana approached her, she stood to take the smaller woman in her arms.

I am so sorry Lara. Dana pressed her forehead into Laras neck.

For what baby? Lara was confused, what could Dana possibly have to be sorry for.

For this, for mom not remembering you, for what we are going to have to go through again. The escaped tears made a small wet spot on Laras shoulder.

You have no control over this Dana. She will remember. And we will be ok. You never know, Lara pulled her head back so she could see Danas face, she may come to an even better understanding after facing what she just faced.

I hope so. Dana smiled as she wiped the tears. Oh I got your shirt wet. Now there is another thing I am sorry for.

Lara leaned in so only Dana could hear. You always get me wet, dont you?

Dana couldnt help but get embarrassed and let out a slight chuckle as she fumbled with the collar on Laras shirt. Is this part of my punishment still?

Maybe. You never know. Lara put her index finger under Dana chin and lifted it so she could see her eyes. Baby, dont worry, everything will be ok, I promise. Lara placed a chaste kiss on Danas lips.

As the two embraced, someone placed their hand on Danas shoulder and startled her.

Oh, Im sorry, we just got out of the board meeting and I was wondering how everything was going?

Everything is ok. Mom is awake and the doctor said she has ummmDana struggled for the right words. She cant remember from a few weeks ago til now.

Oh, she has short term memory loss. Leslie knew what Dana was talking about. Is your father in there with her now?

Yeah, I let him and Howie stay in there and visit. I wanted to find Lara.

Ahh yes, your girlfriend. Leslie smiled at the pair. Why dont we sit for a minute. I would love to get to know you and Lara.

Both Lara and Dana were taken aback by such an interest in them. They had to sit down or fall over.

How do you know my mom?

Well, we were best friends when we were teenagers. We went to the same riding stables, we were so inseparable. Leslies eyes became sad.

What happened? I dont remember mom talking about you or seeing you when I was growing up.

There was an incident and I reacted badly to it. Leslies pain over the incident was becoming more evident.

Oh. Dana didnt want to push any further.

So how did you two meet? Leslies eyes began to light back up.

Dana looked at Lara and they both smiled. I saw this beautiful tennis player at the club that I work at and knew I just had to meet her.

Dana laid her head on Laras shoulder remembering. Yeah she is a SOUS chef there. Dana looked at Lara, See, I got it right that time. They both laughed.

Did I miss something? Leslie was enjoying this interaction.

Well, Dana thought that the waiter had called me a soup chef. Leslie joined in the laughter.

Anyway, Lara would send me these special vegetables and sauces, which were totally to die for. The only problem was I never got the courage to approach her myself, so my friends did it for me.

Why didnt you just ask her out?

Dana is a little shy.

You mean to tell me that a child of Sharon Fairbanks is shy? Leslie remembered how bold she always thought Sharon was.

Well, I Danas voice began to break, I umm just came out.

Oh, Im sorry, I didnt know.

Neither did my parents. But actually an ad campaign that I am doing forced me to tell them. The pain reflected in Danas face. And now this happened.

Leslie placed an understanding hand upon Danas knee. Everything happens for a reason and I am sure that everything will work out for the best. Leslie gave Dana a half smile, so, when did you two finally meet?

Well, I had figured out what her friends were trying to do. So, I didnt lead on that I really wanted to go out with her. Lara looked at Dana, And then one night in the locker room, I made sure she knew how I felt. Both Lara and Dana smiled at remembering their first kiss.

And then the next day, I went and asked her out to dinner. Dana intertwined her fingers with Laras.

Now that is just a sweet story. I hope you dont mind me saying this, but I think you two look just wonderful together. In the back of her mind Leslie had always wondered what if.

Thanks. It is nice to find someone besides our friends who can be so accepting.

What, your parents? A confused look came over Leslies face. Do they not accept this?

I dont know. I know they are trying to understand, but it is going to be a slow process. Danas tears returned, And now mom doesnt even remember me telling her.

Shhh, baby, Leslie is right, things happen for a reason, itll be ok. Lara put her arm around Dana and pulled her close.

I just wish I didnt have all these tournaments and appearances coming up.

Tournaments? Leslie seemed very interested.

Yeah, there are tournaments all summer and I have an appearance at the Dinah Shore thing in Palm Springs.

Well, I bet you are excited, I know I would be. Leslie showed more interest.

Danas eyes averted as she saw Irwin walk in the waiting room.

You can go back if you want to.

Thanks. Leslie, would you like to go back with me? I am sure that mom would love to see you.

If you think it would be ok. Leslie looked over to Irwin for his approval and he nodded it.

Ill be back in a minute babe.

Ill be here. Lara gave Dana a quick, but firm hug.

Irwin was uncomfortable. What was he going to talk to Lara about? But he sat down next to her.

As Dana went into the room, Leslie stood behind her, more than a little nervous.

Mom, there is someone here who would like to see you. Dana stepped out of the way and Leslie came in the room.

Sharons eyes filled with tears.