MONDAY
"Shower time is not 'Jesus-time' you know! Callie and I need more hot water than you boys." Mariana was in the middle of soundly reprimanding Jesus for once again exceeding his allotted shower time.
"What?!" Jesus said outraged, "that is so sexist!"
"Don't throw around such big words when you..." she trailed off when she heard the ringing of her mom's iPhone coming from downstairs. Deciding that the caller would no doubt leave a message, she turned to continue berating her brother who had sneakily managed to escape to his room in the two seconds that she had been distracted.
As she made her way into the steamed-up bathroom, she heard the phone ringing again. Oh for goodness sake! She thought, leaving her towel on the door as she made her way downstairs.
"Mama! Your phone's ringing!" she hollered.
Lena, who had been upstairs trying to decide how best to encourage the kids at school today came rushing down the stairs. "Who is it, baba?"
Mariana shook her head, "No idea, it's not a number I recognise."
Taking the phone from her daughter, who all but galloped up the stairs, Lena slid the lock, "Hello, Lena speaking."
"Good morning, Mrs Adams-Foster?"
"That's correct yes, I'm Lena Adams-Foster."
"Good morning, ma'am. My name is Peter Paige. I'm the day resident for the SD General ICU ward." his voice calm and friendly. "I apologise for calling so early."
Lena's heart beat a little faster, anxiety rising within her, "Umm... yes Doctor? Is Jude alright? Has something happened?"
"There has been a change in Jude's condition over-night," the doctor told her before proceeding to give her the news.
"Oh, I... I see." Lena said, not sure how to respond. Stef who had been breaking up the sibling rivalry upstairs came down to stand on the landing a few steps away from Lena.
Lena gasped, covering her mouth as tears welled in her eyes, "Really?" she whispered, not believing what the man was telling her. "Can we see him when... when it's...?"
Seeing her wife's emotional reaction Stef moved closer, resting a reassuring hand on her arm, stroking gently.
Tears falling freely now, Lena nodded, "We... we'll be there."
Callie, who had heard talking and glimpsed the look on Stef and Lena's faces, had rushed to gather her siblings, and urged them downstairs. Even Brandon, who had been about to shower, now stood with a towel around his waist listening to the one end of the conversation his mom was having with the doctor.
Yes... yes, I understand. Thank you so much." She said before disconnecting the call.
Behind them Jesus gripped the banister tightly, his knuckles turning white - Brandon's hand on his shoulder doing nothing to calm him. Mariana turned to Callie, the worry written all over her face.
"It's Jude." She said, turning to Stef, taking her hands and crying softly.
"Lena, honey, what did they say?" she asked trying to push down the fear rising in the pit of her stomach.
Lena took a moment, trying to compose her emotions; she looked to each of them and smiled before whispering, "He's starting to wake up."
"Connor!"
The sandy-haired boy buried his head deeper into the pillows and tried to ignore the summons. Sleep had not come easily to him since the accident, he didn't want to wake up just yet.
A hand shook him lightly by the shoulder. "Come on, Connor. Wake up!"
Relenting he groaned and rolled over, squinting against the light coming in from the open curtains. When his eyes adjusted he saw his father standing over his bed and sat up instantly.
"At last," his father said, "I've been trying to wake you for five minutes. You gotta get ready, we have to go."
"Where to? Is it Jude? Did something go wrong? Is he ok?" he jabbered suddenly frightened.
Adam Stevens shook his head. "No. Jude is still in a coma, we phoned Lena last night, remember?" Connor sighed in relief and nodded, sadness creeping back into his features. He did remember. The boy he had feelings for was lying unconscious in a hospital bed because of him. That was not something one easily forgot.
"Where are we going then?" he asked his father.
"To school, buddy. I told you this last night too."
Connor looked forlorn, "Do I really have to?"
Adam nodded. "I think it's a good idea. Be with your friends, get out of the house – and your room – for a while. Take your mind off worrying about..."
"But what if something happens to Jude?" Connor interrupted.
"If there is any news I'll call the school and come get you right away."
There was no winning this argument, Connor knew, especially not after the events between him and his father on Saturday morning. He did not want to push too far. "Alright," he yawned, getting out of bed and making his way to the shower and getting ready for school.
When Connor got out of his father's SUV, his heart was beating faster in his chest, a slight tremor of nerves making him feel queasy. They all know now, I'm sure. He thought.
Taking a deep breath and dispelling any doubts- Jude wouldn't be afraid – he turned to close the car door.
"Hey Con," his father said tentatively.
"Yea, Dad?"
Adam looked at him, an unreadable combination of emotions playing across his face, "Have... have a good day, buddy." And then, as if realising the gravity of this day he added, "It will work out. You'll see."
"Uh-huh, thanks Dad." Connor said closing the door and walking up the bath to the academic building. Anchor Beach was always buzzing early in the morning, students excited at being on the beachfront early before classes.
As Connor made his way to his first period Biology class, he avoided the glances and whispers from students in the corridors. He had only one real priority to settle today, and he was determined to see it through.
The class passed uneventfully. The teachers had clearly been informed of the incident because Michelle, the biology teacher, had looked at him sympathetically and not called on him during the lesson.
When he got to English, Timothy had not yet arrived. Connor took his usual seat and noted the one next to him, meant for Taylor was empty. Perhaps she couldn't face up to being here today. He thought to himself before attempting to read some more of the weekend homework he had not completed.
"Wow, I did not expect to find you here today," a familiar voice said, slipping into the seat beside him. Taylor.
He looked up and smiled, relieved, "Yea, my dad thought it would be a distraction, you know, get my mind off Jude."
"Poor man has no clue," Taylor said, shaking her head.
"What's that mean?"
Raising an eye-brow she teased, "Your mind hasn't been off of Jude since the day he arrived at Anchor Beach has it?"
"No, I... I guess not." Connor admitted, blushing slightly.
"Are you going to do it today?" she questioned, "Tell Daria, that is."
Connor nodded, "I have to. It's the right thing to do."
Before the girl could answer, Timothy came into the class and every one took their seats. "Right, morning everyone, let's dive straight back into our exploration of the themes in The Hunger Games."
"As I explained on the phone, Jude's blood pressure and heart rate have stabilised over the weekend and are very near to normal." Doctor Peter Paige explained to Stef, Lena and Callie as they stood at the foot of Jude's hospital bed. The twins and Brandon in a nearby reception lounge.
Stef sighed, rubbing Lena's forearm. "Is he going to be alright, will there be any pain?"
"He is definitely on his way out of the woods, this is a good sign. And we have already stopped the medication keeping him in the coma. For the next 12 to 24 hours he will be in and out of consciousness, he most likely won't remember much and there will be some discomfort." As he spoke, Jude shifted slightly under the blankets, his brow creasing and an audible exhale escaping his lips.
Callie wiped at a few stray tears, looking at her brother's small frame and seeing the equipment around him broke her heart. She had been unable to sleep or stop thinking about all the things that could have gone wrong with Jude all weekend. "And when he is awake?" she asked.
"When he is awake – properly awake – we will assess and treat any complications that may come up." Seeing Lena's eye-brows raise, he quickly allayed any fears, "But, neither myself nor Doctor Bredeweg expect anything more than to adjust his pain medication and perhaps a course of antibiotics."
Callie reached out and shook the doctor's hand - looking at him directly she said gratefully, "Thank you so much, doctor." Before stepping away and taking a seat at Jude's side. Brushing back his hair, she took his limp hand and held it in her own, stroking lightly against his pale skin.
"Yes," Lena added, "we truly appreciate what you are doing for our son."
Smiling the surgeon accepted their thanks, "I'll let the nurses know to allow you and your children access to Jude outside of visiting hours. I'm sure you would like to be here as he wakes." He said before quietly leaving the room.
Lena stood behind Callie, resting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It will be alright, baba. Jude's gonna be back with us in no time."
"Can you imagine," Stef said, breaking the tension, "We're going to need to go grocery shopping – big time!" Lena and Callie laughed, Stef's positive outlook cheering their moods.
Daria sat alone at their regular lunch table underneath the tree and a short walk away from the beach. Connor had no lunch tray, he wouldn't have been able to eat anything even if had tried. He did his best to steel his nerves, but inside he was afraid. Not of what he needed to tell the girl, but for how she might react. He didn't want to hurt her, but that is what the truth sometimes did to people – it hurt.
Making his way through the tables, dodging students looking for their cliques, he saw Taylor at another picnic table pretending – very badly he thought – to read a book. She smiled and gave him thumbs up.
"Hey," Daria said, looking up as he stepped up to the table, "did you get any of my texts? Did your dad take your phone?"
Connor shook his head, "Umm no, I got them but... I needed time to... to.."
"It's okay," she said oblivious, "at least you are here now. Come, sit with me. How's Jude?"
"Jude is alright. He is in a coma." Connor said, stalling, "A medical one, the doctor's gave him special medicine."
"That sounds bad, I hope it isn't for too long, he will miss the rest of the year."
Connor couldn't delay, or he would lose his nerve, "Daria, we need to talk. Do you wanna take a walk with me. You know, so we can talk privately."
"You sound so serious," she said standing up and following Cnnor toward the beachfront, "what is it about?"
"It's about Jude."
The girl raised an eye-brow and looked at him, standing beside and outcropping of rocks, "You said he was going to be okay."
"He is. He will be, I mean." Connor stated. "But this is about Jude and me."
"You and Jude?" she asked confused, "I don't get it. Are you in trouble for what happened?"
Connor brushed a hand through his hair, there really was no easy way around this, he had to just say it. "I like him."
Daria nodded, "We all to, Connor. And what happened is terrible..."
"No, Daria." He interrupted, "It's not that. I like him."
Eyes widening she looked at him, "Connor, are you..."
"Yes," he nodded, "I'm gay, and I want to be with Jude."
"Oh wow," tears glistened, "and... how, how long have you known this?"
Connor looked down at the sand and admitted quietly, "Since before you and I started going out." He had barely finished speaking when he was hit by a stinging slap. I deserve that. He reminded himself.
He lifted his gaze to meet a quietly crying Daria, "I'm really sorry, I had no idea what to do. My dad was on my case and I was afraid. It was very..."
"It's not nice to lead people on, Connor Stevens."
All he could do was nod. "It's okay for you to hate me, I used you and I am really, truly sorry."
Daria giggled sadly, "I don't hate you. I don't like you very much right now, but I can't hate you for being who you are."
Connor looked at her incredulously, "Thank you. I wasn't expecting this sort of reaction."
Again, she giggled, "You thought I was going to scream and yell huh?" The by nodded. "Don't worry, I'm not an airhead. We don't choose these things. And Jude is a super-nice guy."
Connor was no longer afraid inside. He and Daria spoke more as they walked slowly back toward the school. It would take time, she thought, but they could try and be friends again one day. He had no right to ask for anything more.
As they parted ways, Connor headed for his locker. PING. He pulled his phone out and read the message.
TAYLOR : I saw you heading back to your locker. Daria already texted me. But that doesn't mean you are getting out of it.
CONNOR : She did? Jeepers that was quick. What did she say?
TAYLOR : Never mind what she said. You owe me details.
Connor chuckled and shook his head, it was impossible to put Taylor off her quirky mood for long.
CONNOR : Okay, scout's honour. But not today. I've gotta go to fill a police report with my dad.
TAYLOR : Tommorow it is then, a date. ;-) ssshhh, don't tell Jude.
Putting his phone back into his pocket, Connor smiled, grateful to Taylor for cheering him up.
Jesus didn't like this room very much. As hospital rooms go, it was not bad, comfortable and modern. But the equipment around Jude's bed was a stark reminder that they were not in a real bedroom.
"This place gives me the creeps." He said, "It's worse than being in the dentist's office."
Shaking her head, Mariana looked at him, "Really? That's the first thing you choose to say when we finally get to see Jude?"
"What?" he shrugged, "It's true. If Jude were awake, he would agree."
"Sometimes I wonder how we could be twins." Mariana snarked playfully.
Brandon looked at his siblings, "Sometimes I wonder how you guys haven't killed each other yet." Callie, seated beside him stifled a laugh.
"Too soon!" Mariana chided here older brother.
Callie looked confused, "Too soon for what?"
"Death jokes!" the girl said seriously. "What if Judicorn can hear us?!"
"I'm ju... just J..ude!"
At the sound of the broken whisper all their eyes flew wide open and they turned, quick as lightening toward the hospital bed.
"Oh my god!" Jesus exclaimed seeing the smaller boy struggle to open his eyes.
Callie rushed to the bed taking, Jude's hand in her own. "Jude, Jude, it's me, it's Callie. Can you hear me?"
"Mmmhmm... too lll...loud." the boy murmured feebly. Callie began to cry.
"Don't just stand there!" Mariana smacked Brandon on the shoulder, "Go get moms. NOW!" Fearing the wrath of his sister Brandon raced out the room to call his moms from the cafeteria where they had gone in search of coffee a few minute before.
"Jude, buddy are you okay? Are you in there?" Jesus asked, surprising even himself as he reached gently to hold Jude's other hand.
For a second, Mariana saw Jude's eyes almost flicker open, "Hhhh...ii." was the response to Jesus voice. "We are all here, Judicorn, moms are on the way too, Brandon went to get them." Mariana said fighting back her own tears and pushing the emergency buzzer above the bed.
"Ssss'okay." Callie felt his hand tremble a little in hers, sweat beginning to bead on his brow.
The door flew open silently as Stef and Lena ran into the room, Brandon not far behind.
"Jude, love, it's mom." Stef said, taking Jesus' place at the bedside. "Can you hear me?" He nodded his head meekly, his lips unable to form a proper smile.
Lena let out a breath she did not realise she had been holding. Thank god she thought. "I'm here too, baba, we've missed your voice so much."
They watched as Jude's throat moved, an effort to speak. "Mmm...mama, he..hey."
Brandon had gone around the bed and stood opposite Stef, "Hey buddy," he said kindly, as he gently brushed back Jude's hair. His other hand on Callie's shoulder, reassuring her as she cried quietly – tears of joy.
Before they could say much more, the doors swung open once more. They turned to see Dr Bredeweg and a nurse entering the room. "Excuse me, please." He said politely but firmly, stepping between Stef and Jesus. Knowing what must happen, the women ushered their children away from the bed.
While the nurse set up the blood pressure cuff, Dr Bredeweg took a pen out of his pocket and snapped on a small, sharp torch light. "Jude, can you hear me?" he asked loudly. Noting the movement in the boy's face he added, "Nod if you can. Don't try to speak." A small nod – yes.
The nurse strapped the cuff around Jude's upper arm and punched the button to begin the reading. "Jude, My name is Doctor Bredeweg. I work here at the hospital. It's my job to look after you." Another nod – yes.
"Blood pressure is 131 over 97." The nurse reported. Dr Bredeweg nodded. That was much better than expected.
"Jude, I am going to shine a light into your eyes now. Don't be frightened oaky?" Yes the boy nodded. As he raise an eyelid and shone the light directly in, he observed a slight response. Not too bad he thought.
"That was very good, Jude. You're being very brave. Can you try squeeze my hand?" He felt a very slight pressure and noted sweat beading more on Jude's forehead, matting his fringe. This could not last much longer.
"Jude, squeeze one time for yes and twice for no. Do you understand?" One squeeze.
The nurse returned with a file and began entering information from the machines around Jude. Doctor Bredeweg continued, "Okay Jude, do you feel any pain at all?" One squeeze.
"Is it very bad?" One, two squeezes.
He looked go where Stef, Lena and the children were standing, anxiety plain in their expressions. Dr Bredeweg pointed to his ear and then at where Jude's hand was held in his own indicating to them that they should listen, and watch, closely. "Jude, one more question buddy, are you tired? Do you want to sleep some more?" One squeeze – yes.
Motioning for them all to come a little closer, he encouraged them to each put a hand on Jude's arm. "Those touches are your family Jude. They are right here. We are all taking very good care of you, okay. You can go back to sleep now."
"The doctor is right, love, we're not going anywhere. And he is really smart. Don't be scared." Callie bent down and lightly kissed his forehead.
Lena added, "We love you, bud. Sweet dreams."
