Picking up where we left off from the end of "Next?" (which can be found in the BRANCH listings at the top of this page)
"I've got a long road ahead of me," realized Monica Yuletide, laying in her hospital bed, staring at those around her.
"But it's one we'll travel and get through together," promised her fiance Joanne Howard, holding what she could of her future wife's hand not covered in a cast.
"What about you two?" Monica asked, staring at her only daughter Karen and her fiance Peter Talbot.
"We should get back to Moon Lake and college," realized Karen. "Even if we make arrangements to do so, not every class on our schedules is available online."
"Unfortunate, but true," agreed Peter. "But rest assured Mrs. Yuletide that I do love your daughter with all my heart and soul."
"I can see that from the way you two look at each other in the short time you've been here with me, and it's Monica," replied the older Yuletide.
"Until Karen and I are married, I meant it only as a sign of respect," replied Peter.
"He's quite the charmer, isn't he?" mother asked daughter.
Karen just smiled in response but only Doctor Moria Alexander, standing nearby checking the monitoring equipment attached to her patient, saw the look of concern briefly cross Joanne's face.
"I don't want either of your grades slipping because of me," Monica warned them.
"I shall be graduating next Spring, barring anything unforeseen," said Peter.
"Oh? What field?"
"Accounting. I already handle the books for my father's business, Talbot Restorations."
"Talbot. Talbot..." Monica said, thinking it over. "I think I had a client once brag about them. He does auto restorations, right?"
"Of classic vehicles, yes. As well as items of historical significance when possible. Art is outside his area of expertise, but anything with an engine of some type he will consider," explained Peter.
"My client wanted a big garage for his vintage vehicle collection. Said Talbot Restorations saved a couple of them from the scrap heap and being forgotten."
"I shall have to tell my father when I speak to him next," promised Peter. "Speaking of which, I have promised him to tell you that since we will be eventually be related, anything within his power he can do to help out in your situation, all you have to do is ask."
"Why, thank you and thank him for me. Will you?" asked Monica.
"Consider it done."
"Isn't that nice of the Talbots?" Monica asked Joanne.
"Yes," Joanne said, looking more closely at Peter but not sensing any malice coming from her, he ignored the gesture.
"Maybe once you're back on your feet, we can have a double wedding," suggested Karen.
"Really baby? You two wouldn't mind sharing the spotlight on your big day with us?" her mother asked.
"I don't see why not. Right Peter?"
Peter agreed. "The logistics would have to be worked out, especially the location, but I don't see why it can't—"
But his sentence was interrupted by a loud grumbling noise.
Karen reached down and held her stomach while saying "OOPS! Sorry," her cheeks blushing a bit in embarrassment.
"When was the last time you ate dear?" her mother asked.
"Err... yesterday... around..." Karen said, trying to remember the last meal she had.
"Okay you three," Doctor Alexander said, addressing her patient's guests. "Time for you to eat. The commissary downstairs is open. Go. Doctor's orders!"
"Peter?" said Karen, looking at him.
He held out his hand and said, "My treat. Joanne?" he asked.
"You two go ahead. I'd like a couple of minutes alone with my lady," was her response.
"We'll save you a seat," promised Karen. "And when we get back from eating mom, we'll decide once and for all how much longer Peter and I can stay right now. But we WILL be back for Thanksgiving weekend as we originally planned."
"I look forward to it darling," said her mother with a smile.
"I've got some paperwork to do, but don't keep her too long. Despite the improvement in her vital signs, Monica still needs to rest and recover," Dr. Alexander advised Joanne before leaving the room after Peter and Karen.
Joanne waited until she saw the doctor stop at the Intensive Care Unit's central nurses station.
With no one else in the room or nearby, Joanne looked lovingly at her fiance and asked, "Monica dear. What do you know about this Moon Lake and the college?"
"Why?"
"Just curious. I've never been there. Have you?" asked her fiance.
"No. Karen kept applying for any available art scholarship she could during her senior year of high school. While others sent replies, Moon Lake was the only school who offered a full ride. She hated leaving San Diego, let alone me, but couldn't resist continuing her education in her desire to become an animation producer. Why?"
"Just curious. For better or worse I never met either of them before this weekend but considering how close we are, I've come to think of Karen as the daughter I've never had and just wanted to make sure she was all right."
"I was a bit worried too. Even cried and moped for days after Karen left, but she seems to be doing all right for herself. All her grade reports online have been excellent, and although I didn't know about him until now, Peter Talbot seems like a nice man," said Monica.
"You don't think Karen might be a bit young to be married?" wondered Joanne.
"She'll be older than I was when they tie the knot." Then Monica looked at her fiance the best she could despite the various casts and neck brace she was wearing. "Is there something you know that I don't?"
"What? No," Joanne quickly said to reassure her, knowing Monica was in no position to deal with any additional stress right now. "Like I said, while not by blood, just experiencing a mother's concern for my future daughter in law."
"Okay. But you better go get something to eat too. You're starting to look a little pale," Monica pointed out to her.
"Well, I haven't been sunbathing since the last time we went to the beach and—"
"Oh, you!" Monica said with a smile. "Now go feed your tummy, because you've already filled my heart."
"Yes dear," Joanne replied, giving her fiance a quick peck on the lips the best she could before leaving the hospital room.
Joanne Howard didn't think twice about Dr. Moria Alexander still standing there at the Nurses' Station with her back to the woman as she walked to the elevator, for the physician was still looking at her tablet.
But what Joanne didn't know was that, like Peter Talbot, Alexander was also a were.
A weretigress in this case, who had overheard the entire conversation between the two women despite the distance involved.
She's suspicious of something, but I'm not sure what. I better keep an eye on Joanne, just in case.
TO BE CONTINUED...