*Dahlia*
"We need someone to take a look at your forehead". Zac says, looking at me. "You are bleeding a tiny bit there".

My hand fly up to my forehead. "Something hit me when the stairs collapsed. It is probably nothing".

"Maybe not, but I still want you to get it looked over by a professional okay ?" He says softly, looking me in the eyes and I nod.

As we don't know where to look for the others, we make our way down to where the emergency service has been set up. Treating small injuries and sending those on that needs to go to the hospital. Hoping to find the others there.

I spot Maddie and Tom almost. Tom is sitting on a chair getting a cut on his foot cleaned out. Maddie is standing beside him, and when she sees Anele she squats and opens her arms. Anele all but jumps into her arms.

I hurry over, hugging both of them as best I can. "Oh I am so happy to see the both of you".

"And I am so happy to see all of you". Maddie hugs Anele again and Tom has grabbed the little girl's hand, smiling up at her with pure fatherly love.

"Mom, the Earth was shaking... like elephants running, many elephants". Anele says. "Aunt Dahlia protected me".

Maddie smiles first at me, then at her little girl. "Yeah the Earth was shaking, a lot. I am happy Aunt Dahlia was there to make sure you are okay".

"What about everyone else ? Have you seen some of them ?" Zac asks, clearly worried.

  "Miranda got a small palm tree on top of her. Luckily Jerome and Jensen showed up and got her out free. But she has been taken to the hospital to have x-rays. I think most others have gone back home. As far as I know no one is badly hurt". Tom says, mentioning some of the people from our group.

"What happened to your foot Tom ?" Zac looks at him and Maddie starts giggling.

Tom rolls his eyes. "I stepped on something and cut it... it's nothing serious".

"You can say he lost a fight with the great state of Texas". Maddie gets a deadly glare from Tom. And both me and Zac are looking pretty confused. "Tom stepped on a keychain in the shape of Texas, right on the pointy end, it was literally stuck, the doctor had to pull it out with force".

I have to admit that I might be giggling and Zac is definitely snickering a bit. Tom looks rather offended. "It was lodged all the way into the bone, not really funny".

"Poor daddy". Anele says. "You can have one of my band-aids, the ones with the puppies, those helps".

"Sorry Tom, that actually sounds pretty painful". I tell him, ruffling up his hair. "But you both got through the quake okay ?"

"Tom was a real hero". Maddie sighs, looking at him with such admiration. "He saved my life, we were in the wave pool and I would have drowned if he hadn't been there. And after he went back in and saved several others too".

Tom actually looks uncomfortable, focussing on his foot that is getting bandaged. "It was nothing special, just do what every decent person would do... and you are my wife, I would give my life for yours in a heartbeat".

"Yeah decent person, not many of those around. You heard Miranda, a lot of people just ran past her". Maddie says, shaking her head. "When bad things happen a lot of people focus on themselves".

Tom looks at Zac, his chest is now adorned in different blue shades. "What the hell happened to you ?"

  Ian explains about them being on the slide and what Zac did and I step in. "He will probably end up with a medal or the keys to the city. The kid turned out to be the mayor's son".

"Wow, that is incredible Zac. But you better get a check up, you could have internal bleedings or something". Tom gets up from the chair. "That bruise looks pretty bad".

But Zac takes my hand, sitting me down. "I will, but please take care of Dahlia's cut here first... I can wait till after''.

"Zac you are much worse, they should check you first". I say, trying to get up. But Zac gently pushes me back in the chair and I sigh giving up, I know he won't give in.

"Thank you babe, to me you are by far the most important". He says softly.

Luckily it is just a shallow cut and it is quickly cleaned and covered with a band aid, the doctor promising me there will be no scar.

I get up, making Zac sit down, so the doctor can take a look at him. I explain about Zac's one handed catch too. He looks him over, shaking his head. "Incredible, you should be happy about being in the shape you are. Had you had less muscle mass protecting bones and joints you would definitely have a couple of broken ribs and a dislocated shoulder. You can say your muscles protected you. Take it easy for a couple of days and expect some bruising, but there is no real damage. Take some painkillers if you get too uncomfortable".

"I am even more happy about your muscles now". I tell him, gently rubbing my hand over his strong shoulder.

Tom chuckles. "So going around looking like the hulk actually has some real upside, beside making the women go all gooey eyed".

"Jealous much Tom ?" Ian asks, looking at him with one eyebrow raised. "You shouldn't be, you got a great woman all head over heels for you right there".

Tom looks at Maddie, and pure love paints his smile. "I need to impress no one else but her, ever".

"So I guess we are ready to head home and check out the damage there ?" Zac asks.

"Yeah, Maddie called Vera by the way... the dogs got really scared, but they are okay". Tom says.

Zac looks like a stone has dropped from his heart. "Oh thank God... my poor babies".

I can't help wondering how an earthquake this violent could hit Texas.