We're still moving Back and forth so please watch the signs. Again I have to thank my wonderful Beta LeCoeurCorrompu for doing such a great job with this chapter. It was a lot of work and she managed to get it done in record time without the use of her regular computer so hats off and thanks from the bottom of my heart. Now go enjoy and tell me what you think of course.
Justin’s POV: Present Day ---------------- I wake up again and I find I’m still in the same room. I look around and see Jonathan standing by the window. “Hey,” I say with that same scratchy voice, but he doesn’t seem to mind ‘cause he whirls around to face me with a surprised look upon his face. I just smile at him and that’s when his smile comes out as well. “Oh god JT, I have missed you so much, you have no idea,” he says rushing to my side and taking me into his arms. My body is still very weak but I do manage to put my arms around him and squeeze a bit. When I hear him crying, I pull back. “It’s ok, I’m fine now. The accident wasn’t that bad,” I lie but I figure it’ll make him feel better. However, I guess that my assumption is wrong by the sour look on his face. “Ok, so I’m extremely sore but I’m sure it’ll get better.” “Mmhmm,” is all he says. But he’s got a funny look on his face before he smiles again. “I’m just glad you’re awake and back with us.” “Me too,” I say and then he hugs me again. When he finally pulls back I ask him, “Where’s Brian?” “Um, I think he’s out talking with the doctor.” “Do you think you could go get him? I’d really like to see him.” I just want him here with me. “Sure, give me just a minute.” He lays me back on the bed slowly and softly so as not to hurt me, I’m sure. “Thank you.” “You know I’d do anything for you JT,” he says sweetly. “I know, I love you.” “I love you too,” he says leaning over and giving me a kiss on my lips; I kiss him back. I think we’ve managed to get past the awkwardness of our failed relationship, and back to being best friends. “I’ll be right back.” “Mmkay,” I say as I watch him leave. He looked so relieved, I think. I may have scared the shit out of him with this whole thing. I feel so bad that I put them all through this, but sometimes in life things happen that you have no control over. If I had a choice in the matter I can guarantee that I wouldn’t have gotten into that accident. Speaking of which, I wonder what the doctors and Brian are talking about? I wonder just how bad the damage is ‘cause I hurt all over. “God this sucks,” I mutter. I wonder if I could get some pain medication? Maybe I could get Brian to get a nurse to give me something. KCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKC Brian’s POV: While I am listening to the therapist talk about the things we should be looking out for with Justin, Jonathan comes into the room and waves for me to follow him back into the hall. I get up immediately, and before I even close the door behind me I’m asking him. “Is Justin ok?” “Oh yes, he seems…” He’s got such a smile on his face and I can’t help but return it. I know how he feels. “He seems like the same old Justin.” “So he’s awake again?” “Yeah, and asking for you.” “Ok,” I say and move to go to his room, but he stops me from moving any further with a hand on my arm. “Hmm?” “Are you going to tell him about the coma?” he asks seriously, but I can tell he is sad that Justin has to find out. “The therapist and doctors think it would be best.” I watch him nod, then he lets go of my arm. “Ok,” is all he says and I turn and make my way to Justin’s room. When I get to his door I take a deep breath, then walk in. They have lifted the bed so he is slightly sitting up and when he sees me walk into the room he gives me a huge sunshine smile. “How I have missed that smile,” I say quietly. It’s true; it’s all I have wanted to see for so long. “C’mere,” he says with such a scratchy voice that I know his throat must really hurt. I make my way to give him a kiss on the forehead, then I take a good long look into those bright blue eyes. “You want some more water?” “Yeah.” I get him a glass of water and put it up to his mouth, watching as he takes tiny sips. When he finally turns away from the water I set it back on the side table. I sit down in my chair, and take a hold of his hand. “How bad was the accident?” he asks me and I look at him, and take a deep breath. “It was pretty bad,” I say but I hope that he won’t make me say more. “Please tell me.” I glance at him and try to ask him with my eyes to take back the question that I know I have to answer but when I see the look in his eyes I know he needs to know. “You had a collapsed lung, some internal bleeding, a rod that went through your left shoulder.” I can see the surprise on his face as he touches his shoulder. He won’t find anything there though. “I don’t understand,” he says, confused, as he pulls the gown away from his body. He will no doubt see the scar that’s there, but it isn’t so bad. The doctors did a great job sewing it up. “Let me finish,” I tell him squeezing his hand to get his attention back on me. “You also had complications in surgery with the anesthesia. It seemed that you were allergic to one of the medications and went into anaphylactic shock.” He seems stunned right now. “Your heart stopped for a few minutes but they were able to get it going again., but they couldn’t stop the surgery because of the extent of the internal bleeding and the fact that they had to fix your lung.” This is the part I don’t want to say. I look down at our hands linked together. I admire, not for the first time, at how beautifully we contrast each other. “Bri?” he prompts, squeezing my hand. When I look back up at him he gives me a slight smile of encouragement. “It’s ok, I’m ok.” He leans up and gives me a peck on the mouth, and I continue. “You slipped into a coma, Justin.” I see a tear fall down his cheek and I wipe it away. “How long?” he asks, looking away from me. “Five years,” I say and he whips his head around, and I know he regrets it ‘cause he lays back immediately and closes his eyes. “Hey, you ok?” I ask running my hand down his cheek. “Yeah.. no…I don’t know,” he says so sadly that it’s breaking my heart and I take him into my arms. “It’s alright, everything is going to be okay now,” I whisper into his ear. “God Brian, five years?” “Yeah I know, I’m sorry.” He’s crying now, and all I can do is rub circles around the small of his back. When I hear him stop crying I pull back a bit; I see him starting to fall asleep once again but I know that this is going to happen a lot for a while. “Go to sleep Justin. I’m not going anywhere,” I say and kiss his hand. “Mmkay,” he mumbles and closes his eyes. “I love you.” It comes out barely above a whisper but I hear it. “I love you too,” I say and let the tears once again fall. KCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKC Justin’s POV: I open up my phone and delete the message I had in it, and start to record a new one. “Leave a message after the beep and if this is Brian, I love you and I miss you.” ‘Beep.’ I already miss him. I can’t wait to get back to him tonight. ERR.....SCREECH.......CRUNCH!! “Shit!” I scream and suddenly I am in the arms of... Trudy? “It’s okay, baby. It was just a dream,” she says calmly running her hands over the back of my head. I find my breathing is extremely shallow and I try my hardest to get it back to normal. It takes me a few minutes but with Trudy holding onto me I manage to get myself back together. When I pull away I give her a small but grateful smile. “Thank you.” “You want to talk about it?” she questions. “I was just dreaming about the accident, that’s all.” “They said that that might happen.” “For how long?” I don’t want to keep having these dreams. “I don’t think anyone can answer that question, sweetie,” she says sadly. “But just know that you have a lot of people who love you and will help you through this.” “I know Trudy, I know.” Just then I hear the door creak a bit and I look to see Jarred peeking in. “Is it alright if I come in?” “Of course it is,” I reply happily with a smile. “Hey kiddo,” he says giving me a kiss on the forehead. “Hey.” “How are you doing?” he asks sitting down beside my bed, and giving Trudy a kiss on the lips. I have to smile at that. They have been married for so long and they still love being together. I am hoping that it will be that way with Brian and I. Oh, what am I saying I know I have found the one man in the world to love me, just that way. “A bit better. Although… every muscle in my body feels like lead and aches.” “Well why didn’t you say so? I’ll get a nurse to give you something,” he says while quickly getting up and leaving before I can say another word. “He’s missed you very much. We all have.” She has that warm motherly smile that I just can’t help but bask in. “I’m sorry,” I say feeling extremely bad for putting them all through this. “Justin, there is absolutely nothing for you to be sorry for,” she says seriously. “This was not your fault, do you hear me?” I nod my head and fight to hold back the tears burning my eyes. “All that matters is that you made it back to us.” She takes me back into her arms, and even though my muscles are screaming at me to stop all movement, I ignore them and wrap my arms around her. “I hear you are in some pain, Mr. Taylor?” a nurse says coming to my bed side with a syringe. Trudy then pulls away from me and I watch her wipe at her eyes a bit. “Yes, my muscles are really aching.” “Well that is completely normal, and is to be expected for a while until you get your muscles stronger. They aren’t used to the movement after five years,” she says sticking the needle into the IV. “Now this might make you sleepy so don’t try and fight it. You need your rest to get back in tip-top shape to be released.” She seems so peppy, but nice at the same time. I find that I’m not too good with peppy people. “Ok. Thank you,” I tell her as she gives me a bright smile, then turns and leaves. “Where’s Brian?” I ask. “He went home to grab a shower and a change of clothes. He should be back soon though.” “Ok, I’m starting to get tired again.” “That’s ok, baby, you go ahead and go to sleep,” Trudy says rubbing my arm. “Yeah, we’ll be here when you wake up,” Jarred says. “No, you two need to go home and get some rest. Brian will be back soon so it’s not like I’ll be alone,” I tell them stifling a yawn, but I see the trepidation in their eyes. “Really, I’ll be fine I promise. Now go home and get some sleep.” “Ok, but we’ll be back as soon as we can,” Trudy says giving me a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t worry about it. I’m not going anywhere,” I reply with a laugh. “We’re going to hold you to that, son,” Jarred says giving me a hug which I try my best to give back. “Now get some sleep and we’ll see you in a bit.” I nod my head and lay back closing my eyes as they close the door. KCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKC Brian’s POV: When I finally get back to the hospital I find Debbie sitting at Justin’s bedside. “Hey Deb,” I softly say to get her attention. She looks up at me with a smile. “Hey kiddo.” She looks back at Justin. “Sorry it took me so long to get down here but I couldn’t get anyone to take over my shift.” “You’re here now,” I say as I walk over and give her a kiss on the cheek. “That’s all that matters.” I sit down in my chair. “How’s he doing?” “He’s doing good so far. The only complaint he’s given is just that his muscles are achy and tired. That’s normal, at least until they get their strength back.” She nods her head. “He also tires really easily. But the doctors say that it’s normal, too, and it’ll happen for a while as well.” “So all of the tests you said they were running came back normal?” she asks, concerned. “Yeah, thank God. They say he should make a full recovery now.” “That’s the best news I‘ve heard in a while,” she says with a huge smile. “What about you, honey? How are you doing?” “I’m so happy he’s awake. I’m just so incredibly relieved.” “Brian?” we hear Justin ask for me and I stand to look over him. “Hey Jus,” I say kissing his forehead. “Hey,” he says as his eyes flutter open. Instantly a smile is on my face and I am completely mesmerized by him. He always does that to me. “How are you feeling?” I ask him. “Better.” “Good.” “Ahem,” I hear Debbie announce her presence. “Look who’s here to see you,” I say moving from his line of sight. “Debbie!” His voice is still scratchy but they say it’ll be that way for a bit longer. “Hey sweetie, we sure did miss you,” she says giving him a hug, and I know it’s stupid but I still feel a bit worried that she may hurt him. I hold myself back; I’m sure if she hurts him he’ll say something. “Sorry ‘bout that,” he says with a shy smile. God, he’s gorgeous. I missed him so much. Every time he does something it seems to go through my head again just how much I missed that look or that smile; the sparkle in his eyes or the sound of his voice, even if it is all scratchy right now. “Yeah? Well just don’t let it happen again,” she says in all seriousness. Justin just chuckles with a huge smile on his face. “I’m gonna try my best,” he says. “You better,” I say and he turns to me with that special smile he seems to only have for me and takes my hand into his. “I promise,” he whispers and I bring his hand up to my lips and place a soft kiss against it. “Alright you two,” Deb says trying her best to sound annoyed but when I look over to her she has a huge smile on her face. “I came to talk to my Sunshine.” “Yes, alright. Talk away. Tell me everything you’ve been up to,” Justin says settling in for a long session with a very excited Debbie. Trust me when I say a long session ‘cause once she starts to talk it’s hard to get her to stop, so I sit back in my seat and get comfortable as well. I’ll just play with Justin’s hand while they get caught up. KCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKC Justin’s POV: “Ok, so first things first, I still work at the diner.” “Of course you do. I don’t think you’ll ever be able to leave that place,” I tell her with a laugh. “You’re probably right.” She’s got that huge Debbie smile that always makes me feel so loved. Plus, she just looks so incredibly happy all the time. I love that about her. “I did try to retire, though.” “My God,” I say completely surprised. “Yeah, when Carl moved in with me he wanted us to be able to spend more time together, but after about two weeks I was just at the end of my rope with boredom so I decided to go back. I did cut way back on my hours, though, so it was more of a compromise.” “He actually got you to cut back though, that’s surprising.” “Yeah he’s pretty amazing,” she says softly. “So have you two crazy kids gotten married yet?” “Yes, two years ago last month,” she says showing me the nice not-so-little rock on her finger. “Congratulations. I’m so happy for you both,” I say giving her a quick hug. “We did it the day after Michael and Ben’s wedding.” “Do you mean they actually legalized gay marriages?” “Almost two and a half years ago!” She’s so excited. “I really was beginning to wonder if they ever would,” I say with a smile. “I know, believe me, I know, but they did and you should have seen the huge crowds going to get married and the mass weddings they were having all over the United States. It was an amazing sight.” She’s so animated when she talks, her hands flying every which way as she explains... well anything. “So what else do you have for me?” I ask and I think it’s made her really happy at how interested I am in what she’s been up to. “So much has happened, I’m not sure where to start.” I give her a minute as she looks deep in thought. “Vic passed away a few years ago.” “Oh God, Deb, I’m so sorry.” He was good man and he treated me with respect, even in my line of business. He was just such a good man I’m sorry he’s gone. “It’s okay. He lived a full life and he and his partner Rodney were very happy together in the end. And he didn’t suffer, it was quick, but I still miss him,” she says, subdued. I squeeze her hand a bit for support. “He was a good man, Deb.” She smiles and nods her head. “Yes, he was. What else though?... OH!” Damn, she startled me. “The family has grown: I’m a grandma.” “Again,” Brian interjects. “Uh huh. I now have three beautiful grandbabies,” she says digging into her huge purse for pictures. We sat there for a good hour talking about what’s happened in her life and her family’s life. She has a granddaughter now who is beautiful, might I add, and Gus has grown so much it amazes me. Hunter had gone off to college which she is so proud of. Then after that it was just a lot of reminiscing. I loved every minute of it but all to soon I was ready for a nap. “Oh honey, I’m sorry,” she says as I try stifle a yawn without much success. “Here I am just talking your ear off.” “No, it’s ok,” I say shaking my head. “Still, you are just waking up and you need your rest,” she says standing up and giving me a hug. “Now you get some sleep, Sunshine, and,” she stands up grabbing her purse, “I’ll see you soon, ok?” “Ok Deb, and thanks for stopping by.” I start to snuggle a bit further into the bed. “It was my pleasure, sweetie. I’m so happy you’re back with us,” she says with a smile. “Me too.” “I guess you’ll be staying here tonight?” she says looking at Brian. “Of course,” he says with a smile. “Alright but could I talk to you for a minute, Brian?” she says pointing to the door. This is kinda weird. I watch Brian bite his lip and glance at me. “Go ahead,” I say. “Ok. I’ll be right back,” he says kissing my forehead while he gets up. “Alright.” I watch them walk out of the room, Brian throwing me a smile over his shoulder before he closes the door. I can’t help but wonder what they could possibly be talking about that I can’t hear. But I figure I can’t eavesdrop so I’ll just ask Brian when he gets back. I settle into the bed and close my eyes. I can’t believe how tired I am all the time. I mean, you would think that after sleeping for five years I would be wide awake, but instead I get tired in just an hour’s time. It’s ridiculous. When I hear the door open again I open my eyes and see Brian turning down the lights. When he turns towards me again I smile at him; God, he’s beautiful. He gives me a soft sweet smile that gets me every time, and all I can think is, ‘I love this man.’ “Is everything ok?” I ask as he comes closer to the bed. “Yeah, yeah,” he says as his brow furrows. “She just wanted to make sure everything was ok with you, that’s all.” “Oh,” I say holding out my hand and as he puts his hand into mine I give it a tiny tug towards me. “Come ‘ere,” I say tugging once again and he sits down on the side of my bed. “You’re tired,” he says softly, and I nod my head to agree with him. “You should get some sleep,“ he says, swiping the hair from my forehead. “Ok,” I say and as he goes to stand up I tug on his hand again. “Sleep with me.” “I can’t,” he says with a chuckle. “Yes you can. Look,” I use all my power to scoot over so he can climb in with me. “If we lay really closely we’ll fit.” He looks more than a little apprehensive so I use the patented puppy dog-eyed look. “Cheater,” he says while he takes off his shoes. “As long as I win, I don’t care.” He just laughs. “Well in that case, I guess I’ll just have to let it slide.” He continues to take off his other shoe and then he stands up and turns to look down at me a bit strangely. “Hmm?” I ask when he doesn’t say anything or make a move to join me. “Nothing.” He shakes his head. “Are you sure? I don’t want to hurt you.” “You’re not going to hurt me.” I pull back the covers so he can climb in with me. “I want to feel your arms around me; it makes me feel safe,” I tell him truthfully. I really just don’t want to spend another night without him holding me. “Ok,” he says and very slowly and carefully climbs into bed with me. He helps me get comfortable in his arms and when we are finally set he wraps his arms around me and kisses my forehead. “I missed this.” “Mmm, it’s nice,” I say around a yawn. “Get some sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow,” he says and I look up at him with a slight smile, and he leans down and kisses me on the lips. “Love you,” I tell him as I snuggle back into his arms and bury my face in his chest. “I love you too,” he replies into my hair and that’s all I can hear as I fall asleep.