"Of course Im here, you idiot. Everyone is here. Chad, Mutt, Mom, Dad. Johnny. He and my dad have been playing cards for hours and talking about the news. Mom has made at least two new afghans. Weve been so worried. "
"Was I good?"
Kate laughed at that even as tears spilled down her cheeks. "That would be your first question. Johnny said you kicked Jessica Savitchs ass. "
"I wonder if 60 Minutes will want to interview me. "
Kate closed the distance between them. "Dont scare me like that again, okay?"
"Ill try not to. "
Before Kate could say anything, the door opened and Chad stood in the doorway, holding a pair of Styrofoam coffee cups. "Shes awake," he said quietly, putting the cups down on the table beside him.
"She just opened her eyes. Of course, shes more interested in her chances of winning an Emmy than in her recovery. " Kate looked down at her friend. "Ill leave you two alone for a minute. "
"You wont leave, though?" Tully said.
"Ill come back later, when everyone else has gone home. "
"Good," Tully said. "Cause I need you. "
As soon as Kate was gone, Chad moved closer. "I thought Id lost you. "
"Im fine," she said impatiently. "Did you see the broadcast? What do you think?"
"I think youre not fine, Tully," he said softly. "Youre farther from fine than anyone I know, but I love you. And all night Ive been thinking about what my life would be without you and I dont like what I see. "
"Why would you lose me? Im right here. "
"Marry me, Tully. "
She almost laughed, thinking it was a joke; then she saw the fear in his eyes. He really was afraid of losing her. "You mean it," she said, frowning.
"I got offered a job at Vanderbilt in Tennessee. I want you to come with me. You love me, Tully, even if you dont know it. And you need me. "
"Of course I need you. Is Tennessee a top forty market?"
His rough face crumpled at that; his smile faded. "I love you," he said again, softly this time and without the kiss to seal the words and give them weight.
The door behind him opened. Mrs. Mularkey stood there, arms akimbo, wearing a cheap jean skirt and a plaid blouse with a Peter Pan collar. She looked like an extra from Footloose. "The nurse said five more minutes with visitors and then theyre throwing us all out. "
Chad bent down and kissed her. It was a beautiful, haunting kiss that somehow managed both to bring them together and highlight how far apart they could be. "I loved you, Tully," he whispered.
Loved? Had he said loved? As in past tense? "Chad—"
He turned away from the bed. "Shes all yours, Margie. "
"Sorry to kick you out," Mrs. Mularkey said.
"Dont worry about it. I think my time was up. Goodbye, Tully. " He walked past her and left the room, letting the door bang shut behind him.
"Hey, little girl," Mrs. Mularkey said.
Tully surprised herself by bursting into tears.
Mrs. Mularkey just stroked her hair and let her cry.
"I guess I was really scared. "