“Mom,” Dana rushed to her mother’s side, “Are you ok?”

“Yes, I am fine.”  Sharon heard both women breath a sigh of relief.  “Oh, I’m sorry.  I knocked the tray over and my medicine rolled under the night stand.  I am just trying to get it.”

“Mom, why didn’t you just call us, we would have gotten it for you.”  Dana help helped her mother to her feet and back to her bed.

“I thought you both were asleep and I didn’t want to bother you.  I know that you are tired.”  Sharon shifted on the bed to get more comfortable.

Lara finally reached the pill bottle and handed it to Sharon, along with a glass of water.  “Well, since everyone is up, I will go down and start breakfast.”

“That sounds wonderful.  Do you think we could have some of your exquisite French toast?”  Sharon‘s eyes were lit with a child’s bewilderment.

“Of course.  Anything for my favorite patient.”  Lara smiled as she turned to walk out the door. 

“Wait, I thought I was your favorite.”  Dana did her best imitation of a disappointed child, pouty lip and all.

Lara turned and couldn’t help but smile.  “I said patient, you are my favorite person.”  Lara smiled back to Dana.  “Compared to your mother.”

Sharon and Lara both laughed as Dana threw a pillow towards the door, missing Lara by an inch or two. 

“Come on Mom, I’ll help you get ready.”  Dana now smiling, turned to see her mother just starring at her.  “What?”

“You just look so happy.  And that is all I have ever wished for both of my children.” 

“I am happy mom, and grateful.”  Dana sat next to her mother on the bed.  “I am happy that I have Lara in my life and I am grateful that you and daddy have let me back into yours.”  Dana’s hand covered her mother’s as she continued, “I know that it is hard for you to understand, but I am glad that you have decided to try and accept the way I feel about women.”

“Well, like I told you, you have a wonderful woman in Lara.  While you were gone, she visited me everyday to update me on how you were doing and to bring me some real food instead of that stuff they tried to pass off as food in the hospital.”  Sharon now covered both hers and Dana’s hand with her other.  “We got to know each other a bit better and I have grown quite fond of her.”