"Sweetheart, you should never ever hide anything from me. I know you want to be home and I want you there, but I need you to be well. If you don't tell me Eddward, I can't help you fix it" Anna put a hand on Double D's head. "Still have a fever, I'm going to go get the doctor and let him know about this. You lie still. Everything is going to be okay" Double D nodded feeling bad having upset his mother again while trying to keep her from worrying. As she turned to leave Double D grabbed her hand causing her to face him. "I'm sorry Mother, I just didn't want-" Anna silenced him. "you've been through quite a lot Baby, it's only natural for you to want to be home and have it all done and over with. Lie quietly now" Anna said as she left the room and headed to the nurse's station.
Double D sighed. 'Does it ever end?" He whispered into the quiet room.
Honestly the pain was not terrible, enough to get his attention here and there but not unbearable, he had felt worse pain in his life. At least he could count on Ed and Eddy's visits, that was of course if they weren't tiring of coming. In a matter of moments Anna and Dr. Stevens had returned to a very annoyed Double D lying in the bed. "Hey Eddward, what's going on, your Mother says you've started to have some tummy trouble, you want to tell me about it?" The Doctor again approached the bed. Before Double D could answer however Anna had already jumped in to explain and point out the affected area.
"it's nothing really, I've felt worse, really." He protested "Can I just take a quick look Eddward and I'll leave you alone for a while Promise." Double D nodded angrily.
"Okay, just lie back and relax so I can get accurate results. I may need to schedule some tests tomorrow. Now, just try to stay relaxed and tell me where it hurts, it could very well be nothing just a bit of... what would you describe it as in your own words?" "A discomfort compared to many of the other things I've been through, can we get on with this please, I'd like to get it over with." Double D took a deep breath to help him relax and laid still. Dr. Stevens began his examination and just as with his mother only moments ago Double D was able to let the doctor know where he felt the small pain.
"Yes Anna I see where you'd be concerned, At this point though if it's not causing too much pain we'll keep watch but if it gets anymore painful I'm going to have no choice but to do some tests and keep an eye on the temperature as you know Anna, if it spikes at all we'll have to make plans for surgery. I will not take chances with something like this, but you don't have to worry Eddward it's a routine operation and as long as no complications are present, you'll be home in no time. Get some rest and try to take some more water. Maybe that will do you some good. I'll be in early tomorrow to check on you. Be sure to let someone know if you have increased pain or any vomiting or nausea." Double D nodded. Once gain it was Double D and his mother alone in the room. The quiet beeping of the machines filled room as the only sound. Double D took advantage of the silence and closed his eyes to rest. It was only then that he realized just how tired he was and began to drift off peacefully, allowing the sleep to take over, but it was not to be.
"Baby?" Anna's voice brought him back to awareness and he groaned softly. "Yes Mother?"
"you know I love you so very much... I'm only trying to protect you. You know that right?" Anna seemed a bit fearful, of what Double D couldn't decide perhaps after all the time they spent apart and then trying to mend the mother and son relationship she feared losing him again but whatever the reason if there was one person in the world Double D couldn't stand to see hurt it was his mother. Guilt took over. "Of course I know that. I'm sorry I haven't exactly been easy to deal with Mother please don't get upset. I just get so tired and well...I -"
"Shh Eddward \, You haven't been feeling well for quite sometime, you have every right to be upset and frustrated, just try to hang in there and look at the bright side. Things will start to look up soon. I really believe that." Anna leaned over and kissed his forehead.
Double D forced himself to smiled despite his mood and found that it would be best to at least try to listen to her, after all it was in the best interest of the sick to stay positive. Double D settled back hoping to get some sleep before the visit. In no time at all he had succeeded in his goal.
When he awoke he felt the twinge of pain in his abdomen slightly less than before and hoped that it was a sign of getting well. He yawned and looked over at his mother asleep in the chair next to him. He felt tempted to sleep again but looking at the clock, found it to be nearing the usual visiting time and remembered inviting Ed and Eddy to see him and so he fought the sleep instead turning on the television. Something he hadn't done in a while. Double D found nothing of interest and so made the decision to ask his mother for a magazine or book when at last she was awake.
He had not waited long before Ed and Eddy arrived "DOUBLE D!"Ed shouted happily and Eddy reminded him of his 'inside voice' "Hello Ed, Eddy." He greeted happy to see them. Anna having heard Ed's shout jumped awake. "w-what's happened?" She asked alarmed.
"nothing Mother Ed and Eddy are here and Ed got a little excited. Anna stretched. "well Love, I'll leave you three alone to visit if you'd like but remember Eddward rest. I don't want you to try to sit up, save your strength." "It's not as if I am in a grave situation anymore Mother, Dr. Stevens doesn't seem concerned." "You heard me Eddward.. Your head is not to leave that pillow, understand?" Double D nodded knowing that to speak was not wise. Anna grabbed kissed his head and with a farewell nod left to get something to eat and give the boys time to visit. Eddy peered after her from the door at Double D's request. "and...she's...gone" He announced turning back to his friends. Double D immediately pushed himself up. "thank goodness. I love my mother but I can't take much more of this stuff... any of it not just her." "ooo look at that Ed Sock head's a rebel." Eddy snickered in his usual taunting fashion.
"Oh please Eddy, it's hardly a rebellion at all. That's just plain silly. For a moment Double D was his old self. It was encouraging to Eddy to see it. Though he was sure it was all for Ed's befit so as to not have him worry or be upset. Double D could imagine how hard it was for Eddy to deal with Ed in certain moods and that seemed to work. Ed smiled and the vacant expression crept onto his face.
"Are things going back to normal Double D seems himself again Eddy." "Yes Ed, I'm quite sure that things will be fairly normal soon. Why I am starting to feel myself again slowly. I will need time to be back to my old self completely but I must admit I am getting there" "I am in my happy place guys!" Ed said grabbing Eddy and pulling him into a group hug with all three Eds. "be gentle Ed, " Double D reminded quietly, Ed loosened his grip slightly. "Much better thank you" "it'll be great to have ya back Double D, good to see it. And thanks" Eddy whispered Double D smiled in response. He had been trying to get some stress off of Eddy. "please sit down and we'll talk or we can skim through the channels and see what's on" Double D invited warmly. The boys sat.
"the kids are askin' about ya Sock head, what would you like us to say?" Eddy asked. "
Tell them, I appreciate their concern and it shouldn't be long now,," there was a pause. "what am I missing?" Double D asked hoping it wasn't much. "No much Double D, we reached a decision about something and if you can believe it we all agree... Double D we're fallin' apart with out ya. The cul-de – sac needs you back and when you do get back... things will be a little different. You'll see." "What do you mean different?" Double D wasn't sure how to react. "You'll see." Eddy repeated. The three boys talked and watched television right up until the nurse chased them out. Surprised that Anna hadn't reappeared. "Alright Double D you'd better lay back before she gets back. Ed and I will see you tomorrow. Get some rest, take it easy. Eddy and Ed left happy knowing things were going to be fine.
Back in the room Double D laid back and felt his eyes begin to close. A wave of pain swept through him and he tried to ignore it. Thinking of how wonderful it would be to see everyone again and wondering what Eddy meant. To keep his mind off the pain he focused on those thoughts before finally falling asleep,