Part 8

"Any news?" Carol asked, as she stepped back into the waiting room after going to get herself and Cash some coffee.

Cash just shook her head without taking her eyes off the double swinging doors that kept her from seeing what was going on with Houston.

"She's strong." Carol handed Cash her white styrofoam cup.

Cash turned her head slowly and looked deep into Carol's eyes. "Is she strong enough to survive that kind of wound?"

"I believe she is. Plus, with the kind of future she has with you and the kids how could she leave?" Carol smiled over at her friend. "Which reminds me, I called the house and Trent and Tara are fine. They know what happened and send their love and prayers for Houston."

"I feel guilty for not being there with them, but I can't leave." She started to cry for the hundredth time that day. "I just can't, until I know she's going to be okay."

"They know that and they understand." Carol wrapped her arms around the trembling woman.

Suddenly the double doors swung open and out stepped a tired looking doctor. He glanced around until he spotted Carol and Cash huddled together.

"Excuse me, are you here for Houston McKinney?"

"Yes!" Cash jumped up and suddenly felt light-headed. Her hand went out to Carol for her help.

The Doctor moved over to help steady the tilting woman. "Are you okay?"

Cash nodded her head and closed her eyes. "Sorry, I stood up too fast."

"How about you come on back and we get you checked out." The Doctor wrapped an arm around Cash's waist and with Carol's help they headed towards the double doors.

"I need to know about Houston." Cash tried to fight-off the arms wrapped around her body. "Please tell me."

"Let's get you seated on a gurney first, then I'll explain everything that's happening with your friend." He waited until Cash was seated and steady before he started. "First, my name is Dr. Brawn and..." Before he could go any further Cash stopped him.

"She is not 'just' my friend, she is my life." Cash blinked back the tears.

"Okay, good to know." He smiled. "Houston has been sent up to surgery. The bullet entered her chest cavity and nicked one of the main arteries to her heart. That's why there was so much blood." He grabbed the blood pressure cuff off the table next to the bed and handed it to a nurse. "The graze was small enough that she didn't bleed out too fast. But it was large enough, that it's caused her body to go into shock."

"What are her chances of surviving?" Carol asked with concern, as she watched the nurse take Cash's blood pressure.

"At this point, I would say she has a fifty-fifty chance." Dr. Brawn stated in a professional tone. "But she's young and was in excellent health before receiving her injury. So, that's going to work in her favor, during her recovery."

"How long will the surgery last?" Cash questioned as she felt the cuff attached to her arm tighten snugly.

"That would be anyone's guess, but I will say over two hours." Dr. Brawn answered honestly. He looked at the nurse, who nodded her head that Cash's blood pressure was okay. "When was the last time you ate?"

"Umm, I wasn't too hungry this morning, so I only ate a few bites of cereal." Cash confessed as she watched the nurse hang the blood pressure cuff up on its holder.

"I'm betting if you eat something that it'll help you feel a bit better." The doctor looked at Cash with sympathy in his eyes. " How about I take you up to a room, where you can wait without being disturbed and maybe get something to eat."

"That would be great. I started to notice some reporters running around." Carol smiled at the generosity the doctor had for their well being. "Thank you."

Just as Carol finished speaking several reporters rushed in through the double doors and headed straight for them, firing rapid questions at Cash.

"Ms. Dunn can you tell us what happened?"

"Who was hurt?"

"What about your Father?"

"What will happen to all those people your Father cheated out of their money? Will you step up and make things right?"

Cash pushed away the microphones that were shoved in her face. "Do you mind? I don't have any answers to your questions." She leaned back on the gurney. "Just leave me alone."

Carol quickly shoved her way in between Cash and the small group of reporters. "Step back people." She grabbed one microphone that came close to hitting her in the face. "You have no right to be back here."

The doctor and nurse stepped in front of Cash and blocked the camera's view.

"If you don't leave this area now, I'll have security remove you from the premises." Dr. Brawn called out as he motioned for an orderly to help out.

"You can't do that." One reporter stated as he tried to get closer. "We have a right to be here. The public has a right to know."

"No, you don't." The nurse replied glaring at the man.

Between the four of them, they managed to get the group of reporters back behind the double doors as they continued to shout out question after question.

Cash listened without opening her eyes. She didn't have the answers they were asking for and she wasn't sure she would at this point. Right now her mind was in a whirlwind and the only solid thought was making sure Houston was going to be okay. Everything else would fall into its place, when she decided to deal with it.

"You okay?" Carol asked when she walked up to her friend.

Cash opened her eyes and looked up at the ceiling. "Not really." She answered honestly as tears started to fall.

Carol leaned down and placed a kiss on Cash's forehead and whispered. "Everything is going to be okay."

Dr. Brawn stood at the foot of the gurney not wanting to interrupt, but knowing that the sooner they got her into the privacy of a room, the better it would be. "Are you two, ready to head up?"

"Yes." Cash pushed herself up in a seated position with Carol's help. As she swung her feet over the side to stand up she looked at the doctor. "What is the news on my Father."

"Sorry, but he didn't survive." The gray haired man said softly.
Cash raised her hand to stop the doctor from saying any more. "Don't be sorry that man is dead. He is in hell, where he belongs." She stood up on shaky legs and followed Dr. Brawn with Carol at her side.

******************************

A calm filled the room, as Carol and Cash sat in silence. When the door opened they both jumped up, but Cash sat back down when she saw it was Gale and Neil.

"Any news yet?" Gale asked as she hugged her daughter.
Carol shook her head. "No, nothing yet Mom." She turned to her Dad. "Hi Dad."

"Hi Pumpkin. We thought we'd come down and see if we could get you two anything?" Neil hugged his daughter to him as soon as his wife stepped over to sit next to Cash.

"Cash, do you want anything?" Carol turned in her Dad's arms. "After all, you haven't eaten anything, since this morning."

"I'm fine." Cash replied looking up at the two, who remained standing. She knew the doctor wouldn't be happy with her, but her stomach was in knots. She was afraid that if she were to put anything in there being jumpy as she was it wouldn't stay down. So, she opted for a change of subject. She knew the couple that were neighbors of Houston's had stopped by the house and checked on the children before coming to see her.

She smiled to herself as she remembered the day they'd spent at their house playing in the pool. Tara and Trent had done what most kids would do. They were extremely sweet and playful, winning over another set of hearts. Gale and Neil would be great stand-in grandparents for her children.

It saddened Cash to think that Houston's parents would never except Tara and Trent as their grandchildren just because of who Houston chose to love. "Maybe one day they'll come around." She thought to the one time she'd met the couple and shook her head. "It's a nice thought, but doubtful with all the harsh words that were said that day."

Cash's thoughts went to her Father. Her feelings were torn between feeling real freedom for the first time and the loss of a man she had once cherished and loved. "He ruined that love though."

She sighed at that thought and before she could get upset again she asked. "How are Tara and Trent?"

"They were quiet." Neil moved to sit down next to his wife. "Karen was trying to get them to eat some supper."

"How about we give them a call. Maybe you could get them to eat and then maybe you'll have something too?" Carol suggested with a small smile.

Cash tilted her head at her friend and after a second, nodded in agreement. She picked up the courtesy phone on the small table next to her chair and dialed the number for Houston's house.

The three other people in the room listened to the one-sided conversation as Cash first talked with Karen, then her children. Each one smiled as the Mom in Cash came out, when she told Tara and then Trent to at least eat something, so they wouldn't fall asleep hungry.

"Okay, now that you've made sure Trent and Tara were taken care of, you need to see to your own needs. Let's go down to the cafeteria and get something for you to eat." Gale said while standing up and offering her hand to Cash.

Cash just looked at the hand and shook her head. "They should be in here any time now to give us the news about Houston. I don't want to leave and maybe miss them coming in."

"Okay, how about we go get you something and bring it back to you." Neil suggested as he stood up next to Gale. "That way you can eat something while you wait. And if they do come back while we're gone, you won't miss them."

"Thank you." Cash smiled up at the couple. "I would appreciate something to eat." She'd said this, although her stomach turned at the thought of food.

Carol gave her Mom and Dad a loving smile as they walked out the door. She moved back over, so she was sitting next to the sullen woman. "I'm glad you decided to eat something."

"To be honest, I'm not sure I can eat anything. But if I don't eat, then I'll probably get sick." The dark haired woman confessed softly. "Plus I need to be strong for Houston as she recovers."

"Good thinking." Carol rubbed Cash's tense back.
******************************

Max quietly made his way down the hospital's sterile, white hallway. He was looking from one room to another in hopes of catching a glimpse of Cash. His heart was breaking that he couldn't get to the courthouse in time to make sure, they knew about Dunn and the possibility of a gun.

"Why didn't I just call the police?" He mumbled as he held his hat in his hands twisting the end in his fists. "I could've prevented all of this."

He watched as a couple walked out of a room, but before the door closed, he caught site of long black hair. "Please be her." He made his way to the now closed door and knocked softly.

Carol stood up and opened the door. She looked the man over curiously, not knowing who he was. "Yes?"

"Can I speak with Cash Dunn?" Max asked as he looked back down the hallway, then back to the woman in the doorway.

Cash looked past Carol to see Max standing there with a worried look on his face. "Max?" She stood up and opened the door all the way. "Come on in."

Carol moved out of the way to let the man enter as she looked up at Cash.

Cash smiled as she hugged the nervous looking man before she stepped back and introduced the two. "Carol, I'd like you to meet, Maxwell. He's worked for my family for years. Max, this is Carol. She's a friend of Houston's and mine."

"Hello Miss." Max nodded as he shook Carol's hand.

Carol smiled at the well-mannered man. "Hello. It's nice to meet you."

Cash reached up over and guided Maxwell to take a seat. "How are you?"

"I should be the one asking that." Max turned, so he could face Cash and hold her hand. "I tried to warn you."

"Warn me about what?" Cash asked holding onto the cold hand.
Max closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly before he spoke. "I called and left a message where Houston works. But I guess, I should've called the police, or whoever was in charge at the courthouse." He opened his eyes. "If I had tried harder, maybe I could've stopped all of this."

"I don't understand?" Carol said moving to sit on the other side of Cash. "What did you know? And how could you have stopped this?"

Max glanced over to Carol. "Last night, I interrupted Mr. Dunn in his office. He was acting really strange. Before he sent me out of the room, I thought I saw a gun, but I wasn't sure." He shook his head. "I guess, I was right."

"Max?" Cash cupped his unshaven face, realizing that this is the first time she'd ever seen him looking so ragged. "Under the circumstances, you did what you could. No one thought my Father would flip out like he did." She leaned over and hugged the man.

Max rested his head against Cash's shoulder. "What's going to happen? What do you need me to do? What about your Father?" He didn't really want to ask the last question, since he was the reason for all the pain Cash was now feeling.

"Father is dead." Cash tightened her hold on his hand. "He was shot. While Houston and he were struggling for control of the gun."

"How's Houston?" Max looked over and saw Carol's expression fall.

Cash started to cry. "We're not sure yet. She's still in surgery." Now she held onto Max for support.

Max wrapped his arm around Cash and held her as she cried. "I only met her once and she seemed like the kind of person that won't be taken away from you without a fight."

Carol rubbed small circles on the crying woman's back. "You got that right. She's stubborn as hell."

Cash couldn't help it, but that statement hit her as being funny and she started to laugh. "That is so true."

After several moments of soft laughing and silence Max stood up and straightened his clothes. "Is there anything I can do for you? What about the children?"

"Tara and Trent are okay. They're being well cared for." She went to stand, but Max waved her to sit back down.

"What should I do if anyone calls the house, or anything like that?" Max asked looking from one woman to the other.

"Just for now don't worry about it. When things calm down, I'll make sure everything at the house is taken care of. And that you and Mrs. Baker are well taken care of, since you two had to put up with my Father all this time." Cash stated with conviction. "Then I'll deal with making sure, that everyone who was swindled out of their money, will get it all back. Plus, a little extra for the trouble my Father caused them."

Max nodded his head, knowing that all would be set right by the woman before him. "Miss. Don't worry about Mrs. Baker and myself." He rested his hands on Cash's shoulders. "You just worry about yourself and those babies of yours." He tilted his head and grinned. "Along with that woman of yours. Because I have a feeling that she's a hand full."

***************

Gale watched the others in the room as she leaned back in the uncomfortable plastic chair. She crossed her ankles while she stretched out her arms over her head. "Man this waiting is really taking its toll on Cash. I'm glad she's at least eating the sandwich we brought her." Taking a look over at her daughter who was leaning against her father taking in the silent support and strength. Yet she could tell that her little girl was being torn apart.
Silently she moved from her seat to sit next to Carol. "Hey honey. How are you doing?"

"I'm okay, Mom." Carol didn't move from Neil's embrace.

Gale rubbed her daughter's arm. "No you're not. Talk to me."

"I was to far away to do anything. I should have stuck next to them like glue." Carol answered with tears in her eyes. "Maybe I could've stopped it somehow."
"Oh Baby." Gale grabbed a hold of the trembling arm. "You did enough. You got to Houston as fast as you could."

"But..." Carol started to say, when her Father stopped her.

"No buts." Neil hugged her closer. "You can't go back and change anything. Just be thankful that Houston is still with us and Cash is safe." He kissed the top of her head. "And you're safe."

Cash watched quietly, as the interaction of their friend's family went on across from her. "I wish I had that. To have a family that not matter what was always there for you. Total and unwavering love. " She watched for a few more seconds. "Unconditional love."

Carol used the back of her hand to wipe the tears off her face, when she noticed Cash's forlorn look and nudged her Mom that she should go over and sit with Cash.

"How's your sandwich?" Gale asked, when she was seated by the tall brunette.

"It's okay." Cash replied taking another bite not really tasting the meat, or cheese that made up the snack.

"She's a strong woman and has everything to live for." The older woman reached over and grabbed her water that was sitting on a table.

Cash nodded taking a drink of her own water, not really sure she could comment without losing it totally. The waiting and waiting was horrendous and killing her slowly.

Just as Cash took the last bite of her sandwich, the door opened and Dr. Brawn and another man in a white coat walked in.

"Ms. Dunn, this is the surgeon who operated on Houston, Dr. Epstein. " Dr. Brawn introduced the other doctor and moved out of the way, so he could inform the small group about their patient.

"Hello doctor. How is Houston?" Cash immediately stood up and shook the man's hand.
Taking a deep breath the man started talking about what had happened during the surgery. He kept running his hands through his hair and down his face shaking his head.

Tears started to fall down Cash's face as she listened. She didn't even notice the soft sobs from Carol, when she'd started crying, as she was being held by her Dad.

Gale didn't try to stop her own tears as she wrapped a supporting arm around Cash's trembling body. She knew that she had to be strong for her and help her in any way that she could.

Cash buried her face in the palms of her hands as loud sobs racked her body.

Dr. Epstein knelt down on the floor and rested a hand on Cash's knee. "Would you like to see her?"

Cash looked up with a tear streaked face. "Yes."

"Okay. Give me about thirty-minutes to make sure she is settled in recovery and I'll send a nurse for you." The doctor stood up and shook Neil's hand.

"Thank you for what you did." Neil stated with relief.

The doctor smiled. "I just did my job. Houston, is the star of the day."

"God was watching over her, that's for sure." Gale whispered against Cash's shoulder as she held the still crying woman.

"Amen." Carol and Cash said at the same time.

For some reason they seemed to find that funny and the two woman started to laugh, which got the others in the room laughing as well. They all laughed so hard that fresh tears of relief and joy fell down their faces.

******************************

With a supporting hand on her elbow, Cash was led into the sterile environment of the recovery room. She looked back and forth from one open door to another wondering which one held her lover.
"This way, Ms. Dunn." The nurse pointed towards the furthest door.
"Remember that all the machines there are to help her and that the doctor has said that she has a great chance of pulling through this."

Cash nodded her head as she stopped at the threshold of the room. She could hear the beeping of the heart monitor and the swishing sound of the respirator that was helping Houston breathe.

"Go on. She is still pretty sedated, but she may hear you and wake up for a small amount of time." The nurse smiled patting the tall woman's back. "If you need anything, I'll be at the nurses desk."

"Thanks." Cash answered without taking her eyes off the still figure on the small bed.

Unable to keep herself away any longer, Cash made her way to the bed. Her hand softly touching a covered foot, then making it's way up the leg to a hand that laid still on top of the covers. With a delicate touch she picked up the cold hand and held it in between her warm hands.

"Hi Baby." Cash had to clear her throat to keep her voice from cracking. "You look so much better than the last time I saw you." She let go of Houston with one of her hands and let her fingers brush a few blonde strands off of the sleeping woman's forehead. She made sure that she didn't bump the tube that was taped in Houston's mouth.

Seeing a stark white bandage peeking out from under the covers, Cash couldn't keep the tears at bay any longer. She felt responsible for what had happened. "You were trying to protect me and look where it got you. Hurt once again because of me and this time you could have really lost your life."

The heart monitor beeped faster as the hand Cash held squeezed gently.

"Houston?" Cash sighed as she looked down at the still closed eyes. "Can you hear me?"

When nothing happened the tired woman rested her head against the bare shoulder below her. Within minutes, she was sleeping knowing that if anything went wrong, she would be right where she was most needed.
******************************
Not sure how long she had been asleep, Cash lifted her head and looked around the room. She eyed all the machines once again and tried to understand the readouts that ran across them. She turned her head when she heard someone enter the room. "Hi."

"Hi." The nurse from before smiled. "Have a nice nap?"

"Yeah." Cash ran her hands through her hair. "How long was I asleep?"

"A little over an hour." The nurse replied double checking the machines. "They will be moving her to her own room in a little while. Why don't you go find your friends and tell them how she's doing."
"Crap." Cash stood up suddenly. "They must be going nuts."

"Calm down. I went and talked with them and told them that you'd fallen asleep." The nurse caressed Cash's arm. "That seemed to have settled them down some."

"Yeah." Cash grinned. "Do you know which room she will be in?"

The nurse looked down at the chart in her hand. "Room 211."

"Thank you." Cash leaned down and placed a kiss on Houston's cheek. "I'll be right back." She said and left the room quietly.

******************************

Carol leaned against the snack machine as she waited for Karen to pick out what she wanted from the soda machine.

"Damn, I'm tired." Carol yawned as she looked at her watch. "Shit. It's only seven o'clock. Feels like, it should be three in the morning."

"Been a long day all-around." Karen pushed the button and waited for her soda to fall to the bottom.

"Hi guys." Cash said, waving as she made her way down the hallway. "Got an extra one of those?" She pointed to the soda in Karen's hand.
Karen handed her the fresh soda without thought. "Here you can have it."

"Thanks." Cash opened it and drank half of it down. "Where's Gale and Neil?"

"They went to Houston's to stay with the kids for the night." Karen replied as she got herself a new drink. "I'll head back there in the morning."

"You guys don't have to stay all night." Cash stretched her arms over her head.

The two women just gave her a look.

"Okay, okay I get it." Cash wrapped her two friends in a hug. "No one could ask for better friends."

"You don't know us that well yet." Karen spoke as she stepped back with a funny smirk on her face. "Just wait, until we start the practical jokes."

"Can't wait." Cash hugged her arms around her body.

Carol watched the dark haired woman and began to rub her back. "What's the news on Houston?"

Taking in a deep breath Cash closed her eyes. "She will be moved into her own room shortly." She opened her eyes and glanced from one woman to the other. "She looked so small laying there. Not moving and all the machines surrounding her monitoring her body. It was scary."

"I bet so." Karen brushed a hand over Cash's shoulder to rub her back. "But she's going to be alright."

"Yeah and I plan on making it up to her." Cash cried as she laid her head on Karen chest.

"Make up for what?" Carol asked softly moving forward to embrace the two women.

Cash mumbled, but neither of the two women could understand what she had said.

Karen moved back and cupped the crying woman's face. "We didn't catch that."

"I've caused her so much pain. First I break her heart and then my Father shoots her, almost killing her." Cash tried to step away, but four strong hands held her in place. "How can you two even stand to be near me?"

"I'm only going to say this once." Karen titled Cash's head, so she could look her straight in the eyes. "Let the past go. It can only do more harm than good. Think of the future you have with Houston and the kids."

"What kind of future can we have if I only bring pain?" Cash fought the hands on her body and broke free. "Look where we're at and why."

"You need to chill a bit babe." Carol tried to move closer, but each step she took, Cash took two back. "You aren't the reason, Houston is in here. Your Father is and only your Father."

"That's just it. MY Father is the reason. My Father brought a gun. My Father went nuts and thought he could take everyone down." Cash jabbed her own chest with her finger as she spoke every word. "MY FATHER!" She yelled out.

"That's right. Your Father did it." Karen moved next to Carol. "Not you. You can't take responsibility for someone else's actions."

"Listen to her Cash." Carol took a tentative step towards her friend. "It's part of life to own up to what you have done. Not to take on anyone else's mistakes." She walked closer. "Just your own."

Karen pointed a finger at Cash and gave her a glare. "Don't you even bring up what happened all those years ago. That's in the past and forgiven."

Cash's shoulders slumped as the wind was knocked out of her argument. Lowering her head against her chest, she sighed deeply.

Carol and Karen took that as a good sign and once again engulfed their friend in a hug.

"How about we head up to Houston's room?" Carol whispered next to Cash's ear.

Cash only nodded and allowed the two to guide her back down the hall and to an elevator.

******************************

The three women waited for what seemed like hours, but it was in fact, only less than twenty-minutes. Two orderlies and a nurse, entered the room pushing Houston's still form on a gurney. One of the orderlies was using one of those handheld apparatuses that helped Houston breathe, while the other guided the bed closer to the one already in the room.

"If you three can please wait outside while we put her into bed." The nurse smiled as she held the door open. "It should only take a few minutes."

"Sure not a problem." Carol grinned back at the nurse and walked out with Karen following close behind.

Cash stood there for a few more seconds looking at Houston's peacefully quiet form.

"Ma'am?" The nurse gestured to the hallway with her head.

Cash nodded, looking up at the woman and then back down to Houston. "Sorry."

"It's okay." The nurse replied as she waited for Cash to leave before she closed the door.

As soon as Cash stepped out of the room, Carol was by her side. "She doesn't look as bad as I had imagined."

"She does look a little better than she did a little while ago." Cash admitted turning around not taking her eyes off the closed door.

Karen leaned against the off-white hallway walls. ""How about after they get her settled. Carol and I go and get some real food? Not what they say is food in the cafeteria."

Carol turned around with a hand still on Cash's back. "That's a great idea. It will give you some time alone with Houston and something healthy in your stomach."

"It seems like everyone is trying to feed me today." Cash laughed out.

"See that's our job now, until all things are back to normal." Carol winked.

"Yep, so deal with it." Karen was about to say more, when the door opened and the two orderlies moved out and down the hallway.

"I guess we can go in now." Cash grabbed the door handle and stepped into the room. "How is she?" She asked the nurse when she stepped up to the end of the bed.

"Not too bad." The nurse answered as she wrote on Houston's chart. "The doctor should be taking her off the respirator tomorrow." She glanced up at Cash. "Hopefully, she will be waking up soon."

"I hope so." Cash whispered as she made her way around the bed, so she could take the small woman's hand. "I've never wished for something so hard in my life."

The nurse patted Cash's shoulder. "Try talking to her."

"I will thanks." Cash didn't know when the nurse left, or Carol and Karen. Her only thoughts were on the person in the bed.

*****************************

After eating some of the take-out Carol and Karen had brought, Cash made them head over to Houston's house to get some rest and check on the kids for her. She'd called home before it had gotten too late and talked to each of her kids.

Tara had wanted to make sure her Mom told Houston that she was loved and that she should hurry up and come home. Trent basically said the same thing, but added that they had an appointment to keep at the dog pound to find a pet for the newly formed family.

"I tell you that boy of ours has a one-track mind." Cash said as she fidgeted with the blanket that covered Houston. "He won't let up until we get him that dog."

She was quiet for a few minutes, just watching Houston's sleep before sitting back down in the chair, that she'd grabbed earlier from across the room.

"I hope you know that I love you and I hope this doesn't stop you from wanting me and the kids in your life. You know how they worship the ground you walk on, don't you?" Cash wiped a tear that had fallen down her cheek. "Hell, I worship the ground you walk on."

A small squeeze on her hand made her look up and her breath was taken away by the love she saw in the sleepy green eyes. "Oh baby, you're awake." She stood up and brushed the hair off Houston's forehead. "Don't try to move or talk. You have a respirator helping you breathe, but the doctors said you should be just fine."

Green eyes closed for a second before opening up again.

"I'm rambling." Cash smiled as more tears of joy ran down her face when she noticed the small smile Houston gave her. "I love you so very much."
Houston squeezed her hand again only this time a little harder.

"I know. You love me too." Cash leaned over and placed a kiss on Houston's cheek. "Go back to sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."
Houston waited for a few seconds until she couldn't fight the pull of sleep any longer. Before sleep took her totally, she moved their hands over her heart.

"All will be just fine." Cash whispered as she placed one more kiss on the cheek next to her lips before she sat back down and waited for the new day to begin.

***************

"How are you doing?" Gale asked as she sat on the lounge chair next to the quiet woman.

Houston turned her attention away from her family to the older woman who had been nothing, but a pillar of strength over the last few weeks. "I'm good." A squeal of laughter caught her attention and she looked back to the two children who were playing with their newest family members. "That's not true. I've never been this happy in all my life."

"I'm so happy for you and your new family." Gale smiled as she watched the scene along with Houston. "You sure do have your hands full."

"Yes, she does." Cash walked up with a glass of iced-tea in each hand. "Why she had to get them each, a dog is beyond me."

"I couldn't leave the last one there to be all alone." Houston reached for her drink and gave her lover a grin. "Besides, they get along great with the kids and haven't caused too much trouble."

"You are such a liar." Cash laughed as she waved at Houston to bend her legs, so she could sit down on the same lounge chair. "How many shoes have you had to throw away?" She sipped at her cold drink before looking over at Gale. "I won't even mention the time they tried to dig a whole under the bedroom door. Which caused us to have to get whole new carpeting upstairs."

"I was tired of that look anyway." Houston shrugged her shoulders trying to blow off, the ribbing she was getting from the woman next to her.

Gale laughed at the way the two women in front of her were, each one playing off the other. "You two are so good for each other." She stood up and gestured toward the house. "I'd better go see what my husband is up to. He has been eyeing that strawberry pie I have in the refrigerator. I threatened him with great bodily harm, but who knows how long that will work, since he has the biggest sweet tooth in the world."

"Yell if you need any help." Cash said, as she scooted over to sit on the lounge chair that Gale had just emptied.

"I will." Gale replied as she made her way up to the house.

Just as Cash was about to ask Houston how she was feeling, she was stopped by a set of green eyes. "What?"

"I'm fine." Houston stated as she continued to gaze into Cash's eyes. "I'm not in any pain."

Cash lowered her head and sighed. "I just want to make sure you're okay."

Houston carefully swung her legs off the lounge chair. The movement had hurt a tiny bit, but she wasn't about to show it. Since she knew that every time she did, the painful look she would get from Cash, hurt more than the actual wound. "Honey. I'm more than okay. I'm alive and getting better and better every day." She reached over and entwined her fingers with the long slender ones of the woman before her. "How could I not? With your love and care I'll soon be back one-hundred-percent."

Cash looked back up and smiled. "I love you so much."

"I love you too." Houston leaned over and tenderly placed several small kisses against the corner of Cash's lips.

A sound of pure delight interrupted the two women from deepening the kisses. They both looked at Tara and Trent. The two kids had on the biggest smiles and their eyes shined with joy at being chased by their four legged friends until they were both tripped up and landed in a pile of legs and fur.
"Our happy family." Cash whispered as she turned to see Carol and Karen walking out of the house with Neil and Gale following behind.

Houston nodded. "One big happy family." She tugged the hand she still held, so that Cash landed sprawled on top of her. "Thank you." She whispered before she captured the lips above her.

Cash wanted to ask why she was being thanked but all she could do was surrender to the love that surrounded her in Houston's arms.



THE END....

The song used in Torn to Pieces was used without consent. It is by Simple Plan. Untitled.

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� T. Stratton All rights reserved 2006