Jack

Dave had just got off the phone when he went into the living room. He smiled a little watching his sixteen year old nephew playing with his five year old cousin. Over the years they'd got even closer and they were now as thick as thieves.

He suddenly felt her arm wrap itself around his waist and he turned to his wife hugging her close.

"Sweetheart, what is it? Who was on the phone?" Jessica asked seeing the concern in his eyes mixed with guilt and a little relief.

"Emily..." She looked up at him with hope rising inside of her. "They've found him. They've found Aaron."

"Oh my god! Where is he?" she asked concerned with a little bit of excitement. They hadn't seen head or tail of him for seven years and now they'd actually found him.

"They've taken him to hospital. They found him with blood on his head and arm and glass in his shirt but the main thins is he's alive. He's alive, Jess, he's alive."

"We have to tell him," she answered pointing to Jack with her head.

"I know," he sighed. "It's just not going to be easy. He was nine the last time he saw him. He's changed so much I don't want to distress him."

"He still needs him, Dave. He'll always be his father and Jack will always need him even though he has a super Uncle who stepped in but now he needs to step back and let Aaron be a father again. Aaron needs him too. He needs all of us to recover."

He nodded. "I know. Just how do I tell him."

"Just tell him."

Jack looked up and noticed them looking concerned so got up leaving Ellie to play with her tea set. "What is it, Uncle Dave?" he asked stroking his goatee. He'd been growing it ever since his sixteenth birthday and he'd started going out with Madison.

"They've found your father. He's at the hospital," he answered.

"How is he?" he asked nervously. He hoped to God he was still alive. Even though Uncle Dave had been a great father figure to him especially through puberty, after all he'd been the one to teach him about the birds and the bees and how to shave, he'd also held onto the hope his father was out there somewhere alive.

"They're having to deal with a little bit of damage but he's alive and we know he'll make it. He's fought this long."

He nodded. "I want to go see him."

They nodded and got both children into the car then drove off to the hospital. Ellie not understanding but knowing something was up cuddled as close to her cousin as she could without restricting the seatbelt. Jack cuddled close to her and stroked her arm kissing her hair taking comfort from his young cousin.

Once they got to the hospital and joined the team in the waiting room Morgan got up and enveloped the young man into a hug. Jack hugged him close taking as much comfort as he could from him.

Dave asked, "Has there been any news?"

"Not yet," Emily answered shaking her head.

Suddenly they heard footsteps and looked up to see a doctor join them holding a chart. They all got up hoping to receive news on Aaron's physical state. They all knew his mental state would take longer to heal but they were all here for him.