Chapter 205: Take Him Home and Call Me in the Morning

"A faithful friend is the medicine of life." – Apocrypha

"Friendship needs no words..." – Dag Hammarskjold

They had just finished lunch when Tom came in the door, smiling at the two, "The food service lady is really glad you're going home," he said nodding.

Both Sydney and Vaughn chuckled.

Tom started again, "Ready for your last check-up?"

"Yeah, if it means I can get out of here."

Tom smiled, "Let's check you over," he looked to Sydney, "Then you can take him home and call me in the morning," he said with a wink before he went through the motions, checking Vaughn's shoulder and ribs, the incision and his breathing.

When he was done, he stepped back and put his stethoscope back around his neck, "Well…you ready to go home?" he asked.

Vaughn smiled widely, "Hell yeah."

Tom laughed, "Ok…I'll get the ambulance ready and then we'll getcha home."

Vaughn looked over at Sydney as Tom went out the door and she moved closer, sitting on the bed again, "You should just listen to me…" she said with a wink.

He smiled, "I know…"

They didn't have much time to wait, Tom reemerging with EMTs and a stretcher to take him home. They lifted Vaughn onto the gurney and took a few minutes to get him situated comfortably before they started wheeling him down the hall, Sydney in tow right by his side, Tom on the other.

They loaded him in the ambulance and started their drive to Sydney's house. Sydney was happy that on this return trip, there were no sirens and no ambulance speeding. Tom kept Vaughn occupied for the larger part of the trip, talking about sports and reminiscing about college parties. Sydney was also relived that this ride was pleasantly uneventful and they arrived at her house in no time, unloading him with skill and easing him back into bed after they maneuvered through the house.

Will and Francie and Amélie followed the medical entourage into the bedroom, watching and listening intently.

The EMTs then went out, leaving Tom for last minute instructions. "Ok Sydney, he has only that one "new" incision – which can be cared for just like all the other ones and we removed a bunch of the other bandages on his back because they were healing well and can continue to heal now without being covered. Most of them have scabs now; they aren't open wounds. There are still a fair number of them that need to be checked and have the dressings changed, but the number has lessened at least, and every one counts right?"

Vaughn smiled and Sydney nodded, "Right."

"Ok, so – monitor those and everything like you've been doing. The shoulder HAS to stay in the sling for at least ONE WEEK. You hear me?" he said looking between both of them.

They both nodded guiltily.

"ONE WEEK…and then I'll come back and evaluate if it still needs to be in the sling. The more you use it now – the more you'll screw it up later. You can keep doing the finger exercises with the stress balls – that will help the muscles to heal. The oxygen you can continue to taper until you don't need it. Other than that – just rest for at least today, and most of tomorrow, not a lot of moving around…ok?"

"Yeah, ok Tom," Vaughn said.

"I'll make sure he takes it easy," Sydney said with a smile.

Tom looked at her, "That's what I thought…"

Sydney smiled, "Well…he's on bed rest for now…"

Vaughn grinned, "Yup…lots of bed rest…"

"That means napping, you two realize…" Tom said looking again between the pair. He looked over at Francie and Will and Amélie, "Well – someone make sure he rests for awhile."

Will chuckled, "Don't look at me – Syd can kick my ass…"

Amélie smiled, "I'll try to do my best – but even mothers can only do so much."

Tom chuckled as well, "No baths until tomorrow either…doctors orders…"

Vaughn nodded.

"Got it," Sydney said.

"Ok, then I'll leave you to it. If you need refills on pain meds or anything, just give me a call."

"We'll do that Tom…thanks," Sydney said hugging him.

He hugged her back and then went over to Vaughn and hugged him gently, "See ya buddy."

"Bye Tom."

He looked at Sydney again as he was about to walk out, "Give me a call tomorrow morning, just let me know how he's doing. He'll probably sleep a lot today."

"Ok, I'll call tomorrow."

"Bye guys," Tom called as he walked out of the bedroom. They heard the front door close a few moments later.

Sydney sat down on the bed with Vaughn as Amélie came closer, "How are you feeling?" she asked her son.

He smiled, "I'm a little tired…little sore…but I'm ok."

Amélie smiled slightly, "You should rest…"

Vaughn yawned and Sydney agreed, "Yeah, baby…you take a nap…ok?"

Vaughn nodded, "You gonna stay till I fall asleep?" he asked.

Sydney smiled, "Don't I always?"

Vaughn smiled at her and Amélie leaned over to kiss her son's head, "You have a nice nap…"

"Thanks mom."

Amélie followed Will and Francie out of the room. Will's head popped back in, "See ya in a while Mike."

"Yeah ok Will."

Sydney got up and shut the door and then returned to the bed. "You wanna lay down more? You're sort of…elevated…"

Vaughn chuckled, "No, I think it's more comfortable this way actually, I'll be fine."

"Ok…" Sydney said as she sat down on the bed next to him, snuggling close and resting her head on his good shoulder for a minute.

They just laid for a while, as Vaughn started to doze, Sydney moved her head and repositioned him so he could at least lay his head back.

He grunted while she moved him, but then settled back comfortably in the bed. "Night Syd…" he mumbled as he fell asleep.

She waited as she always did, waiting to hear his breath deepen, his body calm and then she got off the bed and padded out of the room quietly, shutting the door gently.

She walked out into the kitchen and picked up the phone.

"Bristow."

"Hi dad."

"Hello sweetheart. Are you on your way home?" Jack asked.

"No, we're here already, but Vaughn's napping for awhile. Why don't you come over for dinner…he should be up by then."

"That sounds wonderful. Should I bring anything?"

"Nope, we got that covered."

"Ok, what time sweetheart?"

"Six?"

"Sure, six it is…I'll see you then."

"Ok, bye dad."

"Goodbye Sydney, I love you."

"I love you too dad," Sydney said, smiling like the little girl who wanted her father's approval so much.

She hung up and dialed quickly again.

"Weiss."

"Hi Eric."

"Hey Syd…you home?"

"Yeah, we just got here, but Vaughn's sleeping…you wanna come over for dinner?"

"Sure! What time?"

"Six?"

"I'll be there."

"Ok, see you then Eric."

"Bye Syd."

Sydney hung up once again and then walked to the living room where Amélie and Will and Francie were all talking quietly.

"Francie, I just pretty much invited everyone over for dinner…you think you'll have time to whip something up? Or should we go out and get something."

"I can fix something," Francie said, "What time are we eating?" She asked with a smile.

"I told them six," Sydney said wincing, "I hope that's ok."

"It's fine…I could make three meals in that time," Francie said, "I don't even have to start for an hour or so."

"Cool," Sydney said smiling, "Thanks."

"Anytime."

Amélie looked at Sydney, "Is he really ok?" she asked quietly.

Sydney smiled, "Yeah I think so."

"You said you were going to tell me why this hospital trip was different for Michael."