Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to the show. And yes, my heart is breaking while I write this crucial piece of information down.

A/N: I know, I know, I know… I'm horrible! It's been so long since my last update and this one is really short but this chapter was kinda hard to write and it needed to be on its own to really work. Now that I'm finally done with it, I can move on with the story and I think the updates will be more frequent. Life, school, family, other fics… were the reason keeping me away but I'm back and I will make an effort I promise. Now, enough of me. Enjoy this (very short) chapter and tell me what you think, please.

Chapter sixteen: Wake up call

A few hours later, Nina was awakened by ushered voices, male voices, and the feel of a hand holding hers lightly. She slowly opened her eyes to find Andy and Ephram listening to Dr Carlington. The Brown men were smiling with relief at what seemed good news. Nina felt her still very tired and sleepy eyes tear up and before she could understand or stop them, the tears were falling freely on her cheeks. She was not even seating straight on her chair yet but that did not stop her from crying like she had not in years. After the last twelve hours, she wondered how she could even have tears left in her. But she had to smile at the thought that this time they were tears of relief and happiness. Andy was awake, talking and even smiling.

At the sound of her sniffs, the three men turned to look at her unsurely. They all had that uncomfortable look men bear when they were confronted with a crying woman. Embarrassed, she quickly sat straight and tried to dry her cheeks. She managed to give Andy a small smile and wanted to greet him but her voice refused to obey her.

"Hey." Andy said smiling that warm smile of his. At the sound of his cracked voice, tears gathered in the corner of her eyes again and despite her effort, she was unable to keep them at bay. Soon, they were accompanied by violent sobs and shakes. Andy wanted to kiss her fear away and was about to get up to comfort her but he found it very difficult to move. Dr Carlington ordered him gently to stay still.

"Uh… I'm gonna go call Del' and Amy. They're waiting for updates." Ephram said with a small smile. "I'll be right back." He assured his father with a soft pat on his shoulder. The younger man really seemed a lot better than he did this morning.

"I will leave you too, I have patient to go check up on." Dr Carlington said with a small smile and a nod.

"Thank you Doctor." Andy said with a grateful look.

"Sure." The cardiologist replied before leaving.

"I'll check on Sam and Andrea as well." Ephram said to Nina with a smile.

"Thank you." She whispered hoarsely. Her sobs had finally calmed down but the stream of tears was harder to control. Andy felt his tired heart reach out for her; he squeezed her hand reassuringly and mentally cursed himself for making her go through all this turmoil. Ephram quickly exited the room, the door clicking softly behind him.

Nina tried desperately to stop the tears from falling but it was useless. All they could do was wait for them to stop by themselves. Andy held her hand and whispered soothing and comforting words. He was ok. Everything was going to be fine. They will get through this. She did not need to worry anymore. In spite of his effort, she kept on shaking her head. He did not get why she was so upset.

"I know." was all she kept repeating.

Eventually, after a long while, her tears subsided. She took deep and raspy breaths, her throat hitching with each exhalation. She dried her puff cheeks and red eyes with the palm of her free hand.

"Don't ever, under any circumstances, do that to us… to me again! Ever!" she exclaimed her voice still shaking a little. He chuckled and smiled at her angry pout. "I'm serious!" she said glaring at him.

"Ok, I promise." He vowed, his voice still coming out uneasily. Her eyes softened and she smiled slightly. Silence fell upon them, both lost in their own thoughts. He witnessed as her eyes became hazy and troubled with guilt. He brought his free hand to her cheek and softly made her look at him. "I told you, I will be alright. I just need to make more exercise and some diet. I have to rest but other than that I will be ok, I promise." He said caressing her cheekbone with his thumb.

"I know." She whispered, inwardly leaning to his touch.

"Then what's wrong?" he asked concern lacing his voice.

"Please, tell me we're ok. Tell me you don't… you don't hate me." She pleaded her lower lip quivering a little.

"I could never hate you Nina." He said tenderly.

"I didn't mean it. I was being stupid, I'm so sorry." She said, her eyes tearing up again. "God, if I don't stop there won't be any tears left." She said chuckling nervously and she averted her eyes.

He closed his eyes and let her previous statement sink in. He felt his throat getting drier and drier. He tried to reach for the water on the table but she stopped him.

"I got it." She said softly, getting to her feet and poured some water in a drinking cup. He lifted his head a little, slightly frustrated to be dependant on someone for something so usually ordinary. She carefully placed her hand on the back of his hand to help him support his weight and suddenly he did not care that much about being dependant of someone, especially if that someone was her. She leaned close to help him drink and did not pull back when he was done, not even she put the cup back on the table. They looked at each other intently and he could still see the pain and the guilt in her beautiful blue eyes. He remembered how they used to make him smile. He remembered how their softness helped him go through the roughest times of his life. He remembered how miserable and pathetic he used to feel without her. He needed to make the pain go away. He needed to bring back some warmth in those eyes.

"It wasn't your fault." He whispered and before he could register what was happening, she was leaning closer and softly brushed her lips with his. It was not earth shattering but he would not trade it for any other kiss. It was warm and tender, full of promises and hope. Before he had the time to respond, she was pulling away. She stayed close enough and looked back at him, all kind of emotion dancing in her eyes and he was indescribably happy to see that she was smiling.

"I'm sorry." She whispered and he understood what she meant. She was not talking about the kiss but for taking so long to realise what she wanted. He smiled genuinely at her and she slowly sat back on her chair, beside the bed. She reclaimed his hand with hers and intertwined their fingers together, enjoying the warmth of the touch. She closed her eyes briefly and sighed, truly happy for the first time in a while.

'Some wake up call.' She thought bitterly but did not let her emotions being disturbed by the thought. Now was all that mattered. Now and all the nows that were ahead of them. He run his thumb over her palm and she felt a wave of calmness wash over her.

"Everything is going to be ok." He voiced her thoughts. She nodded confidently and squeezed his hand affectionately.

A/N: Voilà! A Nindy chapter for all you Everwood lovers out there. I hope you liked it. Again, I'm tremendously sorry for the shortness and the time it took for this chapter to pop out correctly out of my head. I really hope you enjoyed it. Please let me know. I'll try to come back as soon as possible. Thanks for reading.