It was early when Alice, Dana, Shane and Julie made their way up to the ICU. They all hoped that today would be a turning point for Tina.

Julie if you dont mind Id like to go in first. Alice said. I am going to drag Bette out of Tinas room and take her down and make her eat some breakfast.

Thats fine. Julie said. I want to check with the nurses to see what time they are going to take her down for the CAT scan anyway.

When Alice walked into Tinas room she found Bette sitting in a chair, which had been pulled up next to Tinas bed, sound asleep. Her head was lying on Tinas uninjured arm.
Alice walked up and reached out to gently tap Bette on the shoulder. She didnt want to startle Bette only to wake her up.

Bette Alice said.

Bette opened her eyes and lifted her head off of the bed and looked at Alice.

Hey. I guess I fell asleep. Bette said. What time is it?

Its still early, around 8:00 a.m. Alice said. I came to take you down to breakfast and I dont want an argument. You have to eat or you are going to make yourself sick and what good will that do Tina.

Okay. I am hungry and I need to stretch my legs. Bette said.

She reached down and gently kissed Tinas cheek.

Ill be back soon baby. I love you. Bette said.

Alice and Bette walked out of the ICU together and went to find Dana, Shane and Julie. Bette wasnt sure what to expect from Shane because they really hadnt clear the air last night.

Julie what did you find out from the nurses? Alice asked.

They said they were going to take her down between 9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Julie said. Bette you are going down to get something to eat arent you?

Yes. Alice insisted and I know I need to eat. Bette replied. We will be back before they come to take her for the CAT scan.

Good. Julie said. Oh and Bette, thank you for staying with Tina last night and for what its worth, I believe you love my daughter.

Bette started to tear up and she went up and hugged Julie.

Thank you. Bette said.

Julie went into sit with Tina, Alice and Bette went downstairs to the cafeteria while Shane and Dana were sitting in the ICU waiting room.

Shane, do you really think things are going to be okay? Dana asked.

Are you talking about Tina? Shane asked.

No. I mean everything. Dana said. If, when Tina wakes up how is she going to react to Bette being here?

I honestly dont know. Shane said. I still cant believe that Bette actually cheated on her.

Yeah I know. It is going to be tough on us if they dont find a way back to each other. Dana said. They are our family and I dont want to have to choose sides. I hate what Bette did, but that doesnt mean I dont love her.

Dane, I think we are just going to have to take one step at a time through this minefield. Shane said.

They came and took Tina down for the CAT scan around 9:30 a.m. The nurses told them that after the test that Tina was going to be moved to a room on their intermediate care floor so they should wait up there for the doctor. The five of them sat quietly waiting for the doctor to come and talk to them. They were each lost in their own thoughts when the doctor approached them.

They should be bringing Tina back up soon the doctor said. The CAT scan looked good. They are taking the respirator off of her now and we have stopped the sedative we were giving her to keep her unconscious. Hopefully in a few hours she will regain consciousness and we can re-evaluate the damage.

Thank you. Bette said.

The doctor left and they all just sat there for moment glad that things were looking up.
Bette shifted in her chair so that she was leaning forward and she had her head in her hands. She was so happy that Tina was doing better but she was worried about when Tina woke up. She was worried that Tina would open her eyes and tell her to get the ***** out of her life. Alice sensed Bettes anxiety so she moved so that she was sitting next to Bette and she put her arm around her.

Talk to me Bette Alice said.

I am so happy that Tina is getting better but I am worried about what her reaction is going to be when she wakes up and finds me here. Bette said.

I think that she will understand you being here Alice said. It might be better though, if you were standing back in the room rather than beside her bed when she wakes up.

I want her to know I love her Alice. Bette said.

I know you do Bette, but you have to do what is best for Tina. Alice said.

They brought Tina up to her new room and after the nurses got her settled they told them that they could sit with her but they were going to be monitoring her closely. Julie and Dana went in and sat with Tina while Bette, Alice and Shane sat outside in the waiting area. Bette got up and walked down the hall.

Whats her problem? Shane asked Alice.

Shes worried about how Tina is going to react when she wakes up. Alice said.

Well she should be Shane said.

I told her she should hang back in the room and not be standing beside Tinas bed when she wakes up Alice said.

Is she going to do that? Shane asked.

Yes. I think she really is only concerned about what is best for Tina. Alice said. Too bad she couldnt have done that before she decided to ***** Candace.

This it just too messed up Al Shane said. I dont understand how she could do it.

I honestly dont think that Bette understands it either from what little we have talked about it. Alice said. I think that losing the baby and not grieving together may have played a major part in it though. You know how Bette thinks she always has to be in control and she couldnt control Tina losing the baby.

I guess I really didnt stop and think about that Shane said. I just reacted to the situation.

Bette returned to the waiting area and sat down beside Alice.

Bette, I wanted to apologize for yelling at you last night Shane said.

Why? I deserved it. Bette said.

I shouldnt have yelled though. I dont agree with what you did and I dont understand it, but you are my friend and I should not have yelled at you. Shane said.

Tina and I are lucky to have such good friends or maybe I should say such a good family. Bette said.

Bette got up and went to hug Shane and Alice got up and joined the hug.

The five of them spent the afternoon taking turns sitting in Tinas room. Every time Bette entered Tinas room she would go up and touch her hand or her cheek but she never sat close to her bed. It was around 4:00 p.m. and Julie and Dana were once again together in Tinas room when Tina started to stir. Julie walked out to let the others know that Tina was moving around a little.

I think that Tina may be coming out from under the sedative. Julie said. She moved around a little. I am going to advise the nurse so she can let the doctor know.

Over the next hour or so Tina moved around a little in the bed but her eyes never opened. Bette, Alice, Dana, Shane and Julie had tried to alternate taking turns being in the room, but the later it got in the afternoon and the more that Tina moved, they finally all wound up in the room with her. The nurses had been really nice about not getting on to them about breaking the rules about the number of visitors allowed but they told them they had to stay out of the way when the doctor came in. Tina was gradually waking up and finally her eyes began to flutter. The nurses called the doctor and advised him that Tina was waking up. The doctor arrived to examine Tina and was surprised to find five visitors in the room. He started to say something about too many people being in the room, but he took one look at their anxious faces and decided he would let it go. He quickly started his examination and he tried to wake Tina up.

Ms. Kennard the doctor said. Can you wake up for me?

Tinas eyes began to flutter but they did not open completely.

Ms. Kennard can you open your eyes and look at me? the doctor asked.

Once again Tinas eyes fluttered and she tried to open them but the light in the room blinded her.

Its okay Ms. Kennard let your eyes adjust to the light and then open them the doctor said.

Tina lay there for a few minutes trying to open her eyes and eventually she did.

Ms. Kennard it is good to see you awake the doctor said. Can you talk to me?

Where am I? Tina croaked because her throat was dry and sore from the tube that had been down her throat.

You are in a hospital the doctor said. Do you remember what happened to you?

No. What happened? Tina asked.

You were in a car accident and were brought to the hospital in an ambulance. the doctor said.

Tina looked around the room trying to get her bearings to figure out exactly where she was.

I dont remember being in an accident. Tina said. Can you tell me who all these people are?

TBC