A tractor trailer had switched lanes and, due to its length, the driver had not seen their car. Jamie had a split second within which to react to prevent a full on collision on the passenger side, the force of which could have seriously injured Dakota. He shouted for Dakota to awaken whilst performing a high speed maneuver that sent the car skidding, then literally flying, out of the path of the trailer and off the main road. The car landed onto the median with such force that the sound was explosive. So was the loud crushing that activated the air bags and blew out all of the windows.

"Are you okay?" Jamie asked, unbuckling his seatbelt and reaching out to feel Dakota's head, neck, abdomen, and all her limbs. Having found no obvious injury, he had a sigh of relief before using his thumb to wipe off her tears. "What is it Dakota," he asked emotionally.

"Sleeping doesn't seem to have helped my migraine! What happened," she asked, holding her splitting head in her hands.

"That tractor trailer," he said pointing to the huge trailer in the middle of the road, "was coming right for us. I had to swerve to avoid a collision that would have hit our car on the passenger side," he replied. "Did you hit your head? Are you seeing double?"

"No," she answered. "I think when the car came to a sudden stop I was pushed forward, then back, at high speeds, and then the air bag deployed when the car landed. It feels just like when you gave me whiplash on the film set. Am I safe with you, Mr. Dornan," she joked, wincing at the memory.

"Yeah, sorry about that again," he apologized for the hundred thousandth time. She hadn't meant to make him feel guilty but it was the only thing she had to compare this awful feeling in her neck to.

"I've told you- you're forgiven. Are you alright? I heard you scream..." The worried look on Dakota's face was endearing.

"I shouted for you to watch out before the impact. I'm fine, baby," he reassured her as he reached in the backseat for a blanket to safely brush off glass fragments from Dakota.

"My very own stunt driver," she teased and Jamie couldn't help caressing her face affectionately whilst thinking, "Dakota is safe...if she's safe, so is our baby."

At that moment, they heard multiple sirens from an ambulance, fire engine and state trooper vehicle that proceeded to cordon off the accident incident site.  Firemen brought equipment to cut them out of the mangled wreck of the car.  They were then assisted by the paramedics and state trooper.

The officer checked to make sure they were alright and asked what happened. He then gave them a moment while he went to check on the truck driver and take eye witness statements from others that saw what happened.

"Well," Dakota said, looking at the mangled pieces of metal in front of her, "I don't think we're going to be driving that car again."

Jamie nodded in agreement. "Yeah, the car's a wreck, but things can be replaced. All that matters to me is that you're okay..." He pulled her into an embrace and squeezed her tightly to him. "I can't imagine anything bad happening to you. I love you so much."

"I love you too," she murmured against his chest.

"Hi guys, sorry about that," the driver of the truck started as he came up and interrupted their moment. "With the color of the car blending in with the road, I hadn't noticed you coming up beside me. Is everyone alright?"

"Other than some minor cuts, bruises, and whiplash, I think we're okay," Jamie replied.

"Minor?" Dakota screeched, "Speak for yourself! This feels major the opposite of minor."

"I'm sorry, baby," he kissed her head, laughing at her reference to musical scores. "Are you okay?" Jamie asked the concerned man standing before them.

"Yes, thank you for asking," he replied.

"I think we need to exchange insurance information." Jamie got out his international driver's license and insurance documents that both parties exchanged.

Dakota was relieved she didn't have to worry about practicalities when Jamie was in charge and looking out for her. She had never felt more loved.

"Miss Johnson, why don't you come over and let us evaluate you," one of the paramedics suggested to Dakota, obviously recognizing her.

"I'm fine," she replied politely.

"Please go let them look at you," Jamie urged. He was concerned about her neck and wondered about the migraine. "She may be pregnant," he said to the paramedic.

"Are you feeling any pain in your abdomen," the paramedic asked her.

"No," she answered, shaking her head. "I believe I just got whiplash and had a migraine from before the accident," she admitted.

The middle aged female paramedic nodded. "Do you usually have migraines," she asked, inspecting her head for signs of impact but found none.

"I do get migraines just before my monthly period."

"I am one of the few women that had monthly periods throughout my pregnancy. Very confusing, let me tell you!" she joked. "Your doctor will have to do pregnancy tests to be sure but, for now, let's check you over to be sure of the extent of injuries." She took Dakota's hand and led her to the back of the ambulance.

Jamie finished exchanging insurance information with the other driver while the officer wrote up the report. Fire fighters began cleaning up the scene of metal and glass.

"OK, Miss Johnson, your injuries appear superficial although you will need to wear this skin colored neck brace for the whiplash. Please see your local doctor as soon as you return to New York to be certain but it is possible you're not pregnant..."

The paramedic kept going but Dakota drowned out the rest. All she could focus on was that last line. They didn't think she was carrying Jamie's baby.

Just then, Jamie was by her side, having been given a clean bill of health by the male paramedic. "Hey, love. You okay?" He noticed the melancholy look on her face. She hadn't realized that the female paramedic had finished rambling.

"Fine," she simply stated.

"The tow truck driver is going to give us a lift. I've called your mum. She's just going to meet us here and get another rental to take home. She's frantic. Could you ring her as soon as you feel up to it," Jamie asked, still clearly concerned about Dakota.

"I will," she replied. "Where are we going?"

"He's going to take us to the closest car rental place where we'll wait for your mum. If you want, we can find a quiet hotel for you to rest some more and ask a doctor to see you privately in our suite. You seen really shaken up. If you rest up, your mum won't worry," Jamie answered.

"No, I'm fine. When we get to the hotel, can we order room service? I need some caffeine...I mean decaffeinated hot tea," Dakota said, yawning.

"Yes, but I want you to take that paramedic's advice and make an appointment for a pregnancy test as soon as we return to New York," Jamie stated. It wasn't a request and Dakota was too deflated at the news that she might not be pregnant that she wanted to cry some more. The privacy of a hotel suit was just what she needed after the accident.

A few hours later, Melanie called and asked Dakota how she was and where they were. She pulled into the guest parking lot of the hotel. Jamie was reading the paper and Dakota was resting on comfortable pillows and sipping on her drink.

"Honey!" Melanie yelled, running to embrace her daughter in her arms. Dakota stood up and returned her mother's hug. "How are you? My poor baby...Are you okay?" She looked her up and down.

"I'm fine, Mama," Dakota replied. "We're both fine. The car was totaled though so you're going to need to rent another one."

"That's the least of my worries," Melanie replied. "I'm just so happy no one was seriously hurt."

Jamie smirked. Had he made the same statement, Dakota would have argued about the rather cute neck brace she was wearing. She kept quiet around her mother though. "Yes, all is well," Jamie spoke up. "Mrs. Griffith would you like to join us for a meal before we head back," Jamie politely invited Dakota's mother.

"I'd love to," she beamed. "And please, it's Melanie." She smiled at Jamie. Obviously Dakota had told her how serious they were getting. It made Jamie's heart melt.

Author's Note:

Written in collaboration with my friend @AthenaShakespeare. Thank you so much for your help!