When I Woke Up That Morning (Revised)

[LuLu Rogers]

Months passed and the leaves turned as Fall aproached. The three friends were busy decorating for the Halloween party they planned to have. Jack was running around the kitchen making yummy treats while Lauren and Janet hung decorations and confirmed the guest list. Jack emerged from the kitchen and gave each of the girls a fresh popcorn ball. "Mmm! Thanks sweetie!" Lauren said as she ate greatfully. Janet nodded in agreement and Jack laughed as the two girls stuffed their faces. He grabbed Lauren by the waist and grinned wildly. "I am a vampire and I want to suck your blood!" He shouted as he began to nibble on her neck. She squealed and Janet giggled as she watched the two of them carry on. Lauren took off into the kitchen with Jack close at her heels. She grabbed a clove of garlic and waved it around in front of him. "Back! Back I say!" She warned, laughing hysterically. "Ahh!" He screamed, feigning terror. The three of them were rolling on the floor with laughter. Jack finally decided to break the hysteria.

"Who wants to go pick out pumpkins for the party?" He asked with a grin. "I do! I do!" Lauren beamed like a little girl. She had always loved going with her family to the pumpkin patch when she was little, especially when they got to go on a hayride. The three of them were headed out the door when they heard a soft meow. They turned to see Frisky looking up at them with curious eyes. "Sorry Frisky, you can't go." Lauren said softly as she gave the kitten a pat. "We'll be back soon." Jack promised and Frisky curled up on the couch, as if to say she would be waiting for them.

They piled into Jack's car and went to the farm. When they got there, Lauren decided to put her friends to the test. "Anyone up for horseback riding?" She smiled and looked at her friends. "Sure!" Jack agreed as he took her hand. "No thanks." Janet put up her hand and made a sour face. "Horses scare me, besides, they're really smelly." She wrinkled her nose as Jack laughed and Lauren rolled her eyes playfully.

Lauren picked the biggest horse in the barn to ride. His name was Braveheart and she knew that even though he was big, he wouldn't harm a flee. Jack was intimidated by Braveheart, so he chose as smaller horse named Dakota. When the two of them had mounted their horses, the started out across the trail. They talked warmly about life and their future together. Lauren was having a great time, but her adventureous nature was getting the best of her.

"Let's race!" She challenged him. "You're on!" He beamed. With one fluid motion, Lauren and Braveheart were a mear streak across the horizon. Jack and Dakota fought hard to keep up, but Dakota was no match for Braveheart. Lauren turned Braveheart deeper into the woods as Jack and Dakota trailed behind. Suddenly, Braveheart saw a snake on the path and he slid to a stop, rearing up on his hind legs in fear and throwing Lauren to the ground.

[LuLu Rogers]

The sounds of the hospital echoed in Jack's ears as he and Janet sat in the waiting room. Lauren had been brought to the hospital in an ambulance an hour early and her friends were waiting anxiously to hear the news. The Ropers had shown up, and Janet had phoned Lauren's family, but hadn't been able to reach them.

A little while later, a doctor came into the waiting room and approached them. "Are you Jack Tripper and Janet Wood?" He asked. He looked tired and solomn, a look that sent a chill up Jack's spine. "We are." Jack answered. "I'm Dr. Hamilton. Lauren is in critical condition at this point." "What does that mean?" Janet asked, her voice filled with worry. "Well Ms. Wood, Lauren is in a coma." Jack's heart hit the floor and Janet gasped in horror. "She has suffered severe trama to the head and neck, which may cause her to be paralyzed for the rest of her life. We won't know for sure until she wakes up."
Tears fell from Jack's eyes and he held Janet's hand tightly in his. "Can we see her?" He asked. "You can, but she probably won't even know you're there." Dr. Hamilton answered gravely.

Jack and Janet slipped into the small room. When they saw Lauren, their mouths dropped open. She was covered with tubes and wires, their were bruises on her face and neck, and she looked as if she were sleeping. Jack grabbed her hand and stroked it softly. "I love you." He managed to whisper as he rested his cheek against hers. Janet put her hands on his shoulders and the two of them prayed silently that God would protect their friend.

Lauren felt like she was falling into a dark pit. Everything was black and she could hear her friends, but couldn't answer them. She tried desperately to reach out to them, to get them to help her, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't move. Exaustion overcame her and she fell into a restless sleep.

Jack held Lauren's hand protectively in his. He hadn't left her side in three days. Janet had tried to get him to go home and get some rest, but he refused to leave Lauren's side. He prayed for hours, begging God to spare the woman he loved. He leaned in close to her, brushing the hair from her face as he sang to her. He layed his head on Lauren's chest and fell asleep, tears streaming down his face. Suddenly, her hand lifted and she began to massage his neck softly as he slept.

[LuLu Rogers]

Jack awoke and looked up to see Lauren smiling down at him. "You're awake!" He exclaimed as he embraced her. She cringed in pain. "Ouch! I'm hurt, remember?" She teased as he pulled away sheepishly. "Sorry, I'm just so happy that you're ok." Tears of joy fell from his eyes. She smiled and rubbed his cheek with the pad of her thumb. "I could never leave you." She whispered as she leaned closer to him. He leaned in too, looking deep into her eyes as their lips met in a passionate embrace. She held his face in her hands as they kissed, never wanting to let go. His lips left hers and he kissed her cheek as he whispered in her ear. "I love you." His hot breath made her tingle in excitement. They stayed there for a few moments, their noses touching as they stared deep into each others eyes.

Jack reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, blue box. He handed it to Lauren and she opened it, curiousity in her eyes. Inside the box was a beautiful diamond ring. She gasped and tears fell down her cheeks. He got down on one knee and held her hand. "Lauren Ashley Nelson, I can't imagine my life without you. You are the only woman that I could ever love. Will you make me the happiest man in the world? Will you marry me?" He smiled as he put the ring on her finger. "Yes, yes I will." She said through her tears and he grinned as he leaned in to kiss her.

[LuLu Rogers]

After a few days, Lauren was released from the hospital. She was confined to a wheelchair until she gained her strength back. Jack and Janet came to pick her up and took her back to Apartment 201. Jack carried her up the stairs while Janet followed behind, carrying the wheelchair.

Jack was feeling frisky. He lifted Lauren's shirt and blew on her tummy. She laughed wildly, arms flaling in the air. She leaned down and popped him on the butt, causing him to yelp. "Alright you two." Janet scolded playfully. Lauren sat back in her chair and tried to gain composure. "Look what I found!" Jack announced as he came out of the girl's room with a video tape in his hand. Lauren cringed as she recognized the tape. "Oh no! Where did you find that?!" She groaned. He flashed her an impish grin as he put the tape in the VCR. There on the television screen was Lauren as a baby. She was dancing around the room, grinning from ear to ear.

Lauren hid her face as Jack and Janet laughed at her antics. "You were a cute little Southern Belle." Jack said in baby talk as he kissed her cheek. "Thanks." She mumbled sarcasticaly, a smile crossing her face. She managed to get the remote from him just in time to keep them from seeing her in the bathtub. "No fair! That's the best part!" Jack pouted as she threw a pillow at him. He looked over at her, grinning like a little boy. "Will I ever see you naked?" He mused. She rolled her eyes. "You're marrying me, aren't you?" "Oh right, I can see you naked anytime I want then!" He laughed as he grabbed her and nibbled on her neck. "Yes you can, AFTER we're married." She reminded him with a grin. He smiled at her sheepishly, even though they both knew they had already made love once.

Janet smiled. She loved watching her two best friends together. They were perfect for each other and she couldn't be happier for them. They had insisted that she stay in her room and Lauren would move into Jack's after they were married and she had agreed. She couldn't imagine leaving her best friends, even if they were going to be married. She couldn't wait to help them out and watch their children grow up. Things couldn't get much better for the three of them.

[LuLu Rogers]

Halloween had arrived and the three friends were putting on their costumes, getting ready for the party. Janet dressed as Snow White, her beautiful black hair flowing over her white colar. Jack was dressed as a Knight in shining armor, looking very handsome. Lauren decided to go with a movie she loved, so she came out dressed as a character from the Rocky Horror Picture Show, causing her friends to laugh.

Lauren was able to get around without her wheelchair, which made things easier for her. Even though she was getting better, Jack kept his eye on her, constantly making sure she was alright. She didn't want to admit it, but she loved the way he was fawning over her. The attention was much appreciated.

The trio had a wonderful time with all their friends. They ate Jack's delicious food, danced, and even went bobbing for apples. Lauren and Jack managed to grab the same apple which caused a hilarious fight ending with a tender kiss and Lauren keeping the apple.

After the guest had gone and the aftermath was cleaned up, Jack took Lauren for a walk on the beach. He held her hand tightly in his as they strolled along the shore and talked about their future together. He turned her body to face him, his eyes exploring hers. Their faces met and they shared a kiss filled with passion and longing. She felt his hands make their way underneath her shirt and up her back. "Not here Jack." She whispered. "I'm sorry, I got carried away." He confessed. "I want to be with you so bad." He whispered into her hair. "I know, I want to be with you too." She admitted. "Just not tonight, it's not the right time yet." She kissed his nose. He nodded in agreement, although he was a little disapointed.

They walked back to the apartment. Janet had already gone to bed, so Lauren decided to sleep in Jack's bed with him. They layed down in the bed and Jack started to drift off to sleep when he heard Lauren sobbing softly. "What's wrong baby?" He asked in concern. "I don't know. I guess I just started thinking about all of the heartache I've been through in my life. I don't deserve someone as good as you are." She whimpered softly as the tears fell. He picked her up into his arms and began to rock her slowly, like a little baby. "You do deserve me, and much more." He said lovingly. She snuggled against his chest and fell fast asleep.

[Subspace]

This is pretty good. It's very romantic and pretty well written. Good job!