"I'm scared, Josiah," Vin said quietly as the two hung back from the rest of the group walking down the hallway of the hospital. Vin, backed by Josiah, had talked the others into taking the babies to meet their father. It was not a hard sale, everyone was excited, but also had an inner unease no one could name accompany them.
Josiah patted Vin on the shoulder. "I know. You've been uneasy ever since I told you I was concerned JD was holding on to make sure the babies were okay before he slipped away from us. That's one scenario. The other is they will help lead him back to us."
"What will we do if he does slip away?" Vin bit his lip.
Josiah sighed. "Then we'll all do what is best for the babies." Some of the nurses frowned at such a big entourage, but none were immune from the charm of the little ones as they cooed.
With deep breaths, the men stepped into the room while the ladies held the babies and waited outside. All were used to the machines and tubes and had learned to talk to JD as if he were able to answer them.
"Hey, JD," Chris started. "All your big brothers are here. We love you, Kid, and we miss you. We think it's time you came back to us – our lives are incomplete without you." Chris stopped for a moment, feeling deeply how true that was. "We all know what a hero you are, Kid, and we know why you turned the car so you took the brute of the accident and spared Casey the best you could."
"Then, ignoring your own serious injuries, walked up the hill to the road, doing you best to get Casey help," Vin continued.
"And putting all the blankets as well as your own coat over Casey," Buck added, giving the dark hair a toss. "So like you – always thinking of others. Freezing cold, Kid, and you were so determined to save Casey and the babies . . ." Buck choked up and wiped his eyes.
"The paramedics said you didn't collapse until you knew Casey was in the ambulance," Nathan added soberly. "You had not acted like you were seriously injured until after you kissed Casey and the ambulance door shut. Then you just let go and fell in the snow."
Josiah and Ezra moved to opposite sides. "Your mother would be so proud of you, JD," Josiah said softly. "She knew from the beginning what a wonderful young man you would grow into."
"Unique. JD, I am honored to have made your acquaintance and – Buck is not the only one who can claim this – I consider you to be my little brother as well. And I could not ask for a better one." Ezra's voice was soft and he reached out to brush back JD's bangs.
"So, JD, you know how much we all love you and want you back. And we have three new people who want to make your acquaintance as well." Josiah finished and stepped back, leaving Buck and Vin at different sides of the bed while Chris took little Adam from Mary and came forward, while Ezra filmed from the camcorder Josiah gave him.
Chris stopped for a moment, looking down at the baby boy in his arms. "JD, I am so honored to have your son named for Adam and myself – JD, here is your son, Adam Christopher." And he placed the beautiful boy on JD's chest.
Tears were flowing freely now as the others were overcome with emotion.
Chris watched carefully for a minute, then lifted baby Adam up, tears in his eyes.
Nathan now stepped forward with baby Casey. "JD, you have a beautiful daughter named for Casey – Cassandra Annette. She looks so much like her mother, JD. And with those eyes – she will have as much spirit."
JD's baby daughter also rested on his chest, her little arms and legs moving.
Ezra was having a hard time holding the camcorder steady as he sniffed and his eyes watered.
Lastly, Buck moved forward, after taking the smallest baby from Inez. "Hey little brother. You just done gone and outdone anyone else, right? Had to give your all your big brothers heart attacks. You have three gorgeous babies, JD. This wee lad is John Daniel Bucklin." Buck laid the tiniest of the babies on his father's chest and choked up. "Oh, Kid, this baby is the spittin' image of you. He needs you, Kid. They all do, Adam, Casey, and John. And we need you, JD. Please come back to us."
All three babies were put in the bed with their father while Ezra kept the camcorder recording. The men and women gathered around the bed, and then Josiah switched so Ezra could be in the recording. Ezra waited for a couple of minutes and then picked up little John.
"Hey," Buck called.
Ezra frowned. "JD, your overbearing big brother Buck thinks he can monopolize little John. I protest the assumption and would like you to tell Buck he is not the only uncle who loves this tiny lad."
Josiah had to smile as Buck and Ezra, though keeping their voices down and their actions gentle, squabbled over baby John. Vin was vying with Nathan for Casey; and even Chris and Mary were both trying to lay claim to little Adam.
"Hope you get to see this video soon, Son," Josiah whispered.
TBC