Tim checked his phone again, still nothing from Caroline. He knew she would be busy but the uneasy feeling he had was still there. They were still three hours away from the hotel, he knew he couldn't wait that long before checking on her, he needed to hear her voice now.

"Hey guys, here's my portion of the bill. I'm going to make a quick call and meet you at the car" he informed Jeff and Jonathon as he placed his money on the table and headed outside. They both waved him off.

Caroline's phone rang several times before she finally grabbed it from the bedside table. The pain in her head had dulled some but her vision was still off and she couldn't read the caller ID clearly.

"Hello" she answered half asleep.

"Darlin, it's me, did I wake you?" Tim asked, concerned that she was sleeping in the afternoon.

"Hey, I ...umm...guess I dozed off" she replied, trying to concentrate on the conversation.

"Baby, are you ok? You sound like you're still asleep" he asked.

"Yeah, I've been busy today....I was..ummm....getting ready, reading too much...and just fell asleep" she told him trying to fight the medication that was making her sleep.

Tim didn't like the way she was talking, not totally making sense and then all he heard was her breathing on the other end. "Darlin" he said, "baby are you awake". With no response, and his heart racing, he finally raised his voice "Caroline, are you alright?"

Startling her, she woke up "What? Yes, I'm fine, why are you yelling?" she questioned.

"Because you're scaring the shit out of me, that's why. You're barely talking and when you do you're not making any sense" he replied fearfully.

"I'm sorry. Please don't worry, I'm fine. I just dozed off, guess I was more tired after last night than I thought I was" she tried to reassure him.

Tim took a deep breath as he brushed his hair back. "I'm sorry I yelled. I've just had this uneasy feeling most of the day, I needed to hear your voice to be sure you were ok".

"I am fine" she lied, feeling guilty she added " I miss you and love you so much" .

"I miss you too and hate being away from you. I'll never get used to it" he told her.

She hated it too but she would never ask him to give up his dream. He never tried to keep her from hers, she chose not to pursue her initial dream of being an artist. She had truly changed to wanting to teach instead. And now with the unknown she was dealing with it was more evident she made the right choice.

They talked a bit longer, Caroline still fighting the medication to hopefully convince Tim she was alright. Jeff and Jonathon finally came out to the car, getting in and motioning to Tim they needed to get back on the road.

"I guess I have to go, the guys are in the car now making gestures for me to hurry up. But I don't want to hang up" Tim told her.

"I know, baby but you can't miss your ride. I'm alright. I love you with all my heart, Timothy. I will call you later, before you go to bed, I promise" she said softly.

"Promise" he asked.

"Promise" she answered.

"I love you Darlin, please be careful." Tim said before hanging up the phone.

Caroline set the alarm on the bedside table to be sure to wake up by 11 pm. She knew the medication would make her sleep for several more hours, she didn't want to break her promise to call. She rolled over and hugged the pillow, crying herself back to sleep.