Chapter Eleven

Will was placed in a private room a week later as I walked down the hallway and placed my hand on the door. I half open the door when I saw Treena reading while sitting on the chair next to the bed and Thomas was sitting on the bed next to Will. Will was still hooked up to the heart monitor, but had oxygen prongs were up his nose and an intravenous needle was taped to the back of his left hand by surgical tape.

"Will, you're not laughing," Thomas said, looking up at him. Thomas' head was against Will's shoulder as they watched cartoons and Will glanced down at him.

"I don't feel like it," Will said and my heart sank. He seemed to have slipped into a depression and nothing, not even the doctor telling him his lungs and heart were fine, seemed to cheer him up.

"But it's funny."

"Sorry."

"Thumper's not laughing either."

"How can you tell?"

"The lights aren't going faster," Thomas said, pointing to the heart monitor. "Mommy said Thumper goes faster when you laugh."

"Really?" Will asked while looking at her.

"Yeah, that's because he's happy," Thomas said. "But Thumper's not happy. He's sad."

"Why do you think he's sad?"

"He's sad because you're sad."

"Oh."

"Wanna know why he's sad?"

"Why?"

"He's sad because you don't wanna marry Auntie Lou."

"I still want to marry her."

"But if you are sad, you can't."

"Says who?" Will asked and Thomas lightly poked him in his chest over his heart. I wasn't sure, but I thought Will had looked me as a small smile moved across his lip and he glanced down at Thomas. "How can I cheer him up?"

"You watch cartoons and laugh at the funny parts," he said. They watched cartoons and Will did laugh. Thomas looked at the heart monitor then at Will and Will glanced at it. "See? Thumper's happy now."

"You're right," Will said. "So does that mean I can marry her?"

"Yeah," Thomas said then gave him a serious look. "Is it ok if I call you "Uncle Will" now?"

"If you want."

"I love you, Uncle Will."

"I love you, too," he said while glancing at me. Treena saw me when she placed the book she was reading in her purse, got up and walked to the bed.

"Ok, Tommo, we've got to go," she said and Thomas frowned.

"But I wanna stay with Uncle Will so he and Thumper won't get sad again," Thomas said, looking up at Will.

"I think Auntie Lou will make sure they won't," she said as I came into the room and walked to the bed.

"What are you doing here? I thought you had class," I said.

"I had to take Tommy in for his check up," she said.

"Auntie Lou, you need to watch cartoons with Uncle Will and make sure he laughs at the funny parts or he and Thumper might get sad again," Thomas said.

"I will," I said as he carefully got off the bed. We watched them leave when I sat on the bed next to Will and he glanced at me then looked back at the cartoons.

"I take it you heard our little talk," Will said.

"Yes," I said as I pressed my lips into a thin line. "Have you…? Have you been thinking about not marrying me?"

"Do you want me to be honest?" he asked and I nodded. "I have been thinking about it."

"Oh."

"Clark, get on the bed with me," he said and I carefully went to snuggle next to him. My hand rested on his chest as he looked at the cartoons and his jaw muscles twitched. "Do you want to know something?

"Sure."

"When I get sick, I can hear what people are saying. I hear the doctors talking and that's how I learn just how bad things are. I may not like what I hear, but I accept it," he said then paused and I saw a small smile appear on his face. "And I heard everything you said."

"I wondered if you heard me," I said. We watched cartoons for a while and I felt his chest vibrate a little bit when he quietly laughed.

"Do you still want to marry me?" he asked, glancing at me.

"Yes. Do you want to still marry me?"

"Yes," he said. The room became quiet while we watched the cartoons and I reached over to place his hand on top of mine.

I finished shaving Will as he smiled at me and I kissed his lips. The oxygen prongs were gone and I wiped his face with the towel.

"Thank you, Clark," he said when the door opened and Ami, Kari, Marcy, Karen and Merida came in the room.

"Well, hello," Will said as the girls smiled and Kari, Marcy, Karen and Merida walked to the bed.

"How are you feeling?" Karen asked.

"I'm feeling much better," Will said.

"Will you do us a favor and warn us the next time you get ill? You scared the crap out of us," Marcy said and he softly laughed. That was when he noticed Ami was standing near the door and frowned.

"Ami, are you alright?" he asked.

"Yes," Ami said with a nod.

"Then why are you all the way over there?"

"I...," she said then turned her face away.

"Oh, don't cry," he said. "Come here."

Ami slowly walked to the bed when I made the head of the bed go up and the look in his eyes told me when to stop. She hugged him as he leaned his head against hers and she lightly kissed his cheek.

"Do you know when you're going home?" Merida asked.

"I would love to go home now," Will said.

"His doctor said he can go home at the end of the week," I said.

"That's great!" Kari said.

"Anyway, I would like to thank you for helping Louisa keep on top of her studies," Will said.

"Well, we couldn't let her fall behind," Karen said.

"Yeah, she can't get married and go on her honeymoon if she has to do make up classes," Merida said.

"Speaking of the wedding," Kari said. "Have you decided on the bridesmaids' dresses?"

"I narrowed it down to two," I said as I went to get the bridal magazine I had been looking through and walked to the bed. I wasn't sure if I should show Will, but he seemed interested and I flipped through the pages until I found the two I liked. I noticed the look in Will's eyes as he looked at the page and he blinked.

"I like that one," he said.

"So do I," Ami said and the girls nodded in agreement.

"Then that's the one we'll use," I said and folded the page down while the nurse walked in the room.

"I'm sorry, but I have to examine Mr. Traynor," she said.

"Then we better go," Karen said and they took turns hugging Will. He gave them a wink as they left the room and I noticed how happy he looked. The nurse left the room a few minutes later when I sat next to Will and opened the bridal magazine to the folded page.

"This was what the bridesmaids in your dream wore, isn't it?" I asked and he looked at the photo.

"Yes, it is," he said.

"Then I am glad we all agreed on it," I said then flipped the page and showed him my second choice. "This is the other one."

"Clark, if you had picked that dress, I would have boycotted the wedding," he said, giving me a warning look and I lightly ruffled his hair as he laughed.

I was feeding Will some clear broth when the door opened and Mrs. Traynor and my parents came in the room.

"Oh, You Poor Love," Mom said as she walked closer and hugged Will. He made a little grunt then she let go and he smiled at her. "Look at the state of you."

"Mom, he looks fine," I said, placing the bowl on the small table near the bed.

"His hair too long," she said, brushing the hair out of his eyes and shook her head,

"Josie, stop fussing over him," Dad said and I could see Dad was slightly embarrassed.

"I did ask the nurse to cut his hair," Mrs. Traynor said.

"Oh, yes, that would have been fun," Will grumbled as he rolled his eyes when the door opened and Georgina came in carrying a large koala teddy bear. Will's eyes widened as she placed it on the chair by the door and walked to the bed. "Where did you get that?!"

"I brought it with me," Georgina said then leaned over to kiss his cheek.

"They allowed you to bring that on a plane?"

"Well, I had to buy him a seat," Georgina said. I noticed the grin on Will's face as he breathed hard through his nose and Georgina frowned. "Are you ok, Will?"

"Calm down," I said as I made soft hushing sounds while stroking his hair and noticed he felt a little embarrassed.

"What happened?" Mom asked.

"He has trouble when he laughs. He can laugh, but not too hard."

"I'm fine now," Will said, sounding a little breathless and Georgina sat on the edge of the bed. "I'm amazed Robbie let you come."

"He told me I could take all the time I needed and hoped you'd be alright," she said and he gave her a concerned look. "Oh, don't worry. I still have a job."

"Is he coming to the wedding?" I asked.

"If he can," she said with a sigh. "Speaking of the wedding. I need to know where I fit in. I figure you already had bridesmaids, but who is the Head Bridesmaid and the Maid of Honor?"

"Would you hate me if I asked you to be the Head Bridesmaid?" I asked, feeling the butterflies soaring around in my stomach and she gave me a startled look.

"Of course I wouldn't hate you. I understand you have a sister and it's only right if you pick her for the Maid of Honor position."

"She's have a fit," Dad said out of the corner of his mouth and Mom hushed him.

"Do you know what we'll be wearing?" Georgina asked and I went to get the bridal magazine. I showed her the dress and what my sister would be wearing and she smiled. "I love it!"

"I'm so glad. I have seen bridal shows where the bride picks the most bizarre dresses!"

"Yes, I cringe at some of the dresses they pick."

"Remember that pink dress you wore to Janice's wedding?" Will asked.

"Don't remind me," Georgina sighed. "You should have seen it, Louisa. I was covered in so many bows that you couldn't see the dress!"

"Oh," I said and covered my mouth to stifle a laugh when the nurse came in.

"I'm sorry, but…," she said then looked at the koala. "Where did that come from?"

"I brought it," Georgina said.

"Well, I'm sorry, but the doctor needs to run some tests," she said.

"We'll come back later then," Mom said as she kissed Will's cheek then tutted, moving her fingers through his hair. "It looks like a rat's nest."

"Josie!" Dad said and they left the room.

"Can I go with him this time?" I asked the nurse and she nodded. A few minutes later I was walking next to the portal bed as we went down the hallway and Will smiled while I held his hand.

Will was sleeping when the door opened and I looked up from the paper I was writing. Mr. Traynor stood in front of the door as he looked at Will and I noticed he looked so much older. He walked to the bed when he looked down at Will and reached for his hand. He changed his mind when he placed his hands behind his back then looked at me.

"Oh, Miss Clark, I didn't see you," he said as I got up and walked to the other side of the bed.

"I was wondering if you'd come to see him," I said, looking at Will.

"I wasn't sure if I'd be allowed to," he said then looked down. "Not with what happened at Christmas."

"About that…," I said, but he held up his hand to silence me and shook his head.

"No, I take full responsibility for what happened," he said then swallowed the lump in his throat. "I have been contemplating what sort of father would want his son to die just so he could go on with his life. I knew Will was suffering, but all I wanted was for it to be over. Not just for his sake, but for mine. How selfish is that?!"

"It's very selfish," Will said with a groggy voice as he opened his eyes and looked up at him.

"I thought you were asleep," I said, brushing the hair out of his eyes.

"I was."

"Will, I know you will never forgive me for what I've done, but…," Mr. Traynor said and I noticed the look on Will's face.

"Louisa, will you please raise the bed?" Will asked and I pushed the button until he was sitting nearly upright.

"Do you want me to leave?" I asked.

"Yes," Will said and I headed for the door. I left the room as I stood against the wall and Mr. Traynor came out an hour and a half later.

"He's asking for you," he said as I watched him walk down the hallway then went back in the room. Will looked upset as I stood by the bed and wrapped our fingers together after taking his hand.

"I need you to do three things," he finally said as he glanced at me. "I need you to get on the bed with me, turn on some cartoons and hold me."

I did what he asked as I snuggled next to him and the only sound in the room came from the television.

Will came home a week later.

"Where're Nathan?" he asked as I lightly adjusted the pillows behind him. He was sitting up in bed in the new pajamas I had bought him and I finally was able to give him a haircut.

"He getting his assistant ready," I said and he gave me a puzzled look.

"Since when does he need an assistant?'

"You'll see." I said as I looked at the doorway and smiled. "Just promise not to laugh."

Will looked confused when Nathan walked in and Thomas was right behind him. Thomas was wearing a child's doctor coat and scrubs and a toy doctor's bag was in his hands.

"Can I smile?" Will asked without moving his lips and I nodded. Thomas walked to the bed when he placed the toy doctor's bag on the bed and Will gave him a small grin. "Hello, Doctor Clark."

"Hello," Thomas said.

"Am I your first patient of the day?"

"You're my only patient," he said, lifting his hands up.

"Where did you get all this?"

"From your mommy," Thomas said. "She said it was a late birthday present."

"Ah," Will said and I tried hard not to laugh.

"Up you go, Mate," Nathan said while lifting Thomas to sit on the bed next to Will's left side and Will's dimples dented his cheeks as he smiled.

"So," Will said. "What are you going to do first?"

"Uh…," Thomas said and Nathan handed him the ear thermometer. "We have to use this."

"Do you know how it works?" I asked.

"Nan has one at home for Great Granddad," Thomas said and Nathan showed him how to use it. Thomas moved a little closer to Will as he carefully placed the earpiece in Will's left ear then took it out after the beep. "Is that right?"

"Yes, that's normal," Nathan said, looking at the screen and wrote on the paper in Will's medical folder.

"Now what?" Will asked.

"I need to check your pulse."

"What's that?" Thomas asked.

"Here," Nathan said when he was about to placed two of Thomas' fingers against Will's left wrist, but the sleeve of Will's pajamas top slid up and Thomas looked at the scar on Will's wrist.

"What did you do?" Thomas asked.

"He saw the scar on your wrist," I whispered and Will frowned.

"I cut my wrist on a nail," Will said and Thomas lightly touched the scar.

"Anyway," Nathan said and placed two of Thomas' fingers against Will's wrist. "Do you feel something bumping against your fingers?"

"Yeah," Thomas said and looked at Will's wrist.

"That's his pulse," Nathan said as he removed Thomas' fingers and used Will's right wrist to take his pulse.

"Is it ok?"

"Yeah, it's fine," Nathan said and wrote on the paper. "Now I'm going to have to do this part."

"Ok."

We watched Nathan check Will's blood pressure and I noticed the content look on Will's face.

"Is that good?" Thomas asked while Nathan looked at the numbers.

"That's very good," Nathan said, writing on the paper. "Now it's time for me to listen to Will's back. Lou, will you help me move Will forward?"

"Sure," I said. Thomas watched Nathan listen to Will's back then we leaned Will back against the pillows and Will puckered his lips. Blushing, I kissed his lips and Thomas giggled.

"You have to listen to his chest now, right?" Thomas asked.

"Right," Nathan said and listened to Will's breathing and his heartbeat. "Want to listen?"

"Yeah!" Thomas said. Nathan switched the earbuds to child size earbuds when he placed the earbuds in Thomas' ears and Will was enjoying the look of wonder on Thomas' face while he listened to Will's heart beating.

"Well, Doctor Clark, am I alright?" Will asked after Nathan removed the earbuds from Thomas' ears.

"Yes, you're good," Thomas said with a nod.

"Then I can get out of bed?

"Will, your doctor…," I said and he arched his eyebrows.

"My doctor is right here, Clark," he said and I softly laughed.

"You can go watch cartoons, but just for a little bit. You still need to take a nap," Thomas said, wagging a finger at him.

"Yes, Doctor," Will said. After getting Will in his dressing gown and slippers, we headed into the living room and I parked the wheelchair near the couch. "Can you please go get us a cartoon to watch?"

"I'll get it!" Thomas said, walking to the where the DVDs were and Will glanced at him.

"The cartoons are in the second cabinet," Will said and Thomas opened the cabinet. Will didn't seem to mind Thomas pulling out the DVD cases until he found the one he wanted to watch and walked to the wheelchair. "Oh. That's my favorite."

"Mine, too!" Thomas said and I carefully placed him on Will's lap. I walked to the telly when I placed the DVD into the player and turned the telly on. I walked back to the couch to sit next to Nathan on the couch when Will smiled at me and I pushed the button on the remote to start the DVD.