“I’m scared Dane.” Alice whispered a few minutes later.

Dana kissed Alice’s head and heard Alice sniff lightly.  It was then she realised Alice was crying.

“I know babe.  Tomorrow the doctor will meet with you and explain what lies ahead.  As far as I understand we just need to wait and see how well your spine recovers once the swelling has gone down.”

“What if I can’t walk ever again? What will I do?”

“Same thing you do if you can.  Be yourself and grow old with me.” Dana was trying hard to keep Alice positive.

“I won’t be a burden to you Dana. And who says you are going to be here to grow old with?” Alice got slightly edgy and cried a little harder.

“Al, I know better than most how shit it feels to be a burden but I know you love me and that makes it ok, I can deal with it ok? I’m going to be ok because I have to be. Because I need you just as much as you need me irrelevant if I’m sick or you can’t walk.”

Alice knew she was being irrational but couldn’t stop her mind and the thoughts it was producing.

“But I have a massive scar across my head and have no hair and wheelchairs really aren’t sexy Dane.”

“Alice do you love me?” Dana asked gently, hoping her tactic wouldn’t backfire.

“Of course I do, how could you not know that? I love you but I don’t want you to be repulsed by me.”

Dana smiled.

“Alice you’ve been unconscious for 5 days and I prayed every second that you’d wake up and know who I was. Now you have and you do I don’t care what physical scars this accident leaves you with as long as you are still here and still mine.”

Alice realised she was being stupid.

“I’m sorry my head is just being really weird. I can’t quite seem to readjust rationally.”

“It isn’t going to happen overnight Al, your body has been through quite a lot this week, just relax and know it will all sort itself out. Don’t let your mind run wild, just chill.”

Alice relaxed and exhaled heavily.

“That’s it” Dana whispered as she felt Alice relax in her arms.

Just before Alice dropped off Dana whispered “Oh and by the way Al, apparently bald is beautiful. Believe me coz I’d know.” 

Alice smiled at Dana’s reference to her own words she’d told Dana a few weeks before.

Half an hour later Jane came into Alice’s room on Sharon’s request to make sure they were both ok. They were both met with a peaceful sight, Alice sleeping soundly in Dana’s arms.  Both having the best sleep they’d had in a long time.  The older women smiled to each other.

“Think you are safe to back to Dana’s now” Jane said softly as Sharon gathered up her book and belongings from the waiting area.

They exchanged smiles as the elder Fairbanks made her way to her daughter’s home for an equally peaceful rest.