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I do not own 'Once Upon a Time.'

Chapter 14

Nick's surgery went without any major complications, aside from the fact that it did end up taking a bit longer than they anticipated. Once the surgery began, the surgeon discovered that not only was the pin stripped, but the plate in his ankle was loose. Both were replaced and Nick's ankle was put in a cast. Nick slept for quite some time after his surgery. He awoke a few times and was in quite a bit of pain and discomfort, so he was being kept on some fairly strong painkillers. The doctor opted to admit him for the night, and said that they would determine if he could be sent home the next day after twenty four hours of observation. Belle remained at his side from the moment he came out of surgery. She dozed off and on, still very tired from her lack of sleep after the gala, and she was very restless with worry the night before Nick's surgery and didn't sleep well at all. Bae and Ruby were both there for a bit after his surgery as well, but he was far too groggy and incoherent to interact much with any of them.

Late in the afternoon, Nick started to awaken, with Belle sitting at his side. "Hey, sleepyhead." Belle said, brushing the hair out of his face a bit. "They're going to keep you here for the night, love. Alright?"

"Mmmmm." Nick mumbled, struggling to focus.

"You're much more agreeable when you're all doped up, you know that?"

"Don't get used to it." Nick mumbled. "I'm thirsty, my throat hurts."

"Here, you can have some ice chips." Belle said, and she picked up a cup from the nightstand and spoon-fed him the ice chips.

"What time is it?" Nick asked, and he moved to sit up a bit.

"It's three thirty. Ruby is coming back in a couple of hours, Olivia wants to come with her, I told her I'd text her and let her know if you're up for that." Belle said as she helped him into a sitting position.

"How do I look? I don't want to scare her." Nick said.

"You look alright – I'll comb your hair a bit, that's all. She's been texting me all day, she's just nervous. I think she'll feel much better if she sees for herself that you're alright." Belle said.

"No more painkillers till she leaves then, I don't want her seeing me like that, you know how badly Ruby handled it when she saw me all those years ago and she was barely a couple years older." Nick said.

"You are nowhere near as bad off as you were back then, Olivia will be fine." Belle said. "And you're not avoiding the painkillers if you need them, it'd be worse if she saw you in pain."

"Can I have something to eat yet? I'm starving." Nick said.

"Is your stomach settled? You were feeling pretty sick when you came out of surgery." Belle said.

"Yeah, its fine, whatever they gave me must have worked." Nick told her.

"I can have Ruby stop by the deli and get you some of that chicken soup that you like, how does that sound?" Belle asked.

"Fantastic. Some of their bread, too. And an iced tea, no sweetener." Nick said.

"I know how you take your tea." Belle said, and she kissed him on the forehead. "How is the pain?"

"Not bad." Nick said. "Everything went alright then?"

"It was a little more complicated than they initially thought. I tried to tell you about it earlier but I don't think you remember much of that." Belle said.

"Not a thing." Nick said. "Probably won't remember much of this either, you'll just have to tell me again."

"Well, your sentences are actually coherent now, you may remember some things." Belle said. "The plate in your ankle was loosening as well, so they replaced that too, and the fibula was cracked a bit higher than the initial break on it. You um – they said they had to extend your scar by about an inch."

"Lovely." Nick said.

"On the bright side, they've had lots of improvements in the hardware they use now. The doctor said that if you follow the recovery protocol to the letter, this might actually improve your balance. He said you might not even need the cane all the time." Belle said.

"Are you serious?" Nick asked.

"Yeah. He said that your ankle injury is really the one that made the cane a necessity, and it all hinges on you, and how cooperative you are with the recovery and physical therapy, but – it is possible." Belle told him.

"Well, fuck, if I had known that I'd have had them do this years ago." Nick said. "I might actually be free of that bloody cane, Belle."

"Well, I don't want to get your hopes up, he said its possible but not a guarantee. But it is something to work toward. He said you'll still need a brace, once you get the cast off you'll be fitted for a new one. We'll see what happens." Belle said.

"You know what? I am going to make this happen, Belle. That cane is a constant reminder of the man I used to be, and if I can get rid of that – I'm gonna take you out dancing." Nick said.

"You hate dancing." Belle said. "And I'm not holding you to any promises you make while you're hopped up on drugs."

"Are you still mad at me?" Nick asked.

"Nick, we agreed that we're not talking about this right now, let's wait until we get you home." Belle said.

"So that's a 'yes' then." Nick said. Belle sighed.

"We have a lot to talk about, okay? Just – now isn't the time or place for that. I can be mad at you and still love you." Belle told him. "I think – we need to work on our communication. I mean – we talk all the time, but – the other night made me realize that there are many things we just don't talk about at all, and that needs to change. We will deal with what happened and we'll work through it, but right now our priority has to be your recovery. Okay?"

"Okay." Nick agreed. "Have you been sleeping at all?"

"On and off, why?" Belle asked.

"You look tired." Nick said.

"The last couple of nights haven't been very restful. I was too wired the night before the gala, then the night of we – well, you know. And last night I couldn't get into a good sleep – too worried about your surgery. I'm sure I'll rest well tonight now that you're recovering just fine." Belle said.

"You gonna stay here tonight?" Nick asked.

"Where else would I go? Our house isn't home without you there." Belle told him. Nick smiled at her and she moved in to kiss him.

When Bae entered the apartment, Henry and Neal were sitting on the sofa in the living room quietly working on what he presumed was homework. They both looked up at him.

"Is Grandpa okay?" Henry asked, a tone of worry in his voice.

"Yeah, buddy, he's doing fine. He was sleeping when I left, but that's good, he needs to rest right now." Bae replied. Emma entered the room from the kitchen.

"How's Nick?" she asked, and she sat down in a chair. Bae sat down between the boys on the sofa.

"He's good. Surgery went fine, no complications. There was a little more damage in his ankle than they first thought but they got it all fixed up. The next few days will probably be a bit rough for him, but – he'll get through it." Bae said.

"Can we go see him?" Neal asked.

"Maybe tomorrow, I don't think he'll be up for too many visitors today. I'm gonna be going back there tonight, I'll tell him that you're thinking about him." Bae said. "So you guys get your homework done?"

"Mine's done. I'm just working on a project that's due in a few weeks." Henry said.

"How about you?" Bae asked Neal.

"I'm still finishing my math." Neal told him.

"Hey, why don't you guys go in the kitchen and have a snack, whatever you want, I need to talk to your dad." Emma said.

"But we're having dinner in an hour, you never let us have a snack before dinner." Henry said suspiciously.

"Well, I'm making an exception today, go on." Emma said, and both boys got up and darted into the kitchen. Emma moved over to Bae and sat down next to him. "I got a new phone. Did an upgrade."

"Okay." Bae replied.

"So Nick's doing alright then?" Emma asked.

"Yeah. He's on a lot of pain meds right now. I hope he handles the recovery okay, he's not really good at – doing what he's told. Last time he had to do rehab I had to be on his case non-stop to do his exercises, it was a constant argument. Belle is gonna have her hands full." Bae said.

"I think Belle will handle that just fine." Emma said. "So, um – when are we gonna tell the boys what's going on with us?"

"Well, I guess that's up to you, isn't it?" Bae asked.

"I thought it would be something we could do together." Emma said.

"And what, make it sound like this is something we both want? I'm not lying to my sons." Bae said. "You know, I've been thinking about this all morning – why don't we give this a couple weeks and just – think all of this through. I'm probably gonna be spending a decent amount of time helping out with my dad, so I'll be busy with that and then once things settle down with him – we can go from there."

"Bae, do you seriously think I haven't thought this through? There isn't anywhere to GO from there, Bae. It's over. I want to figure out a way to move forward and make this as easy on the boys as possible. I know you've got everything to deal with now with Nick and I get that, so we can hold off for a few days but – this is happening. It's been coming for a long time, and I think you've known that."

"Emma, I love you. And I'm sorry, okay? Please don't do this." Bae begged, fighting back tears. "I fucked up. But we can work this out, we've done it before. We'll set up another weekend away, do it right this time."

"Bae, we could spend a weekend in a fancy hotel in New York, or LA, or fucking Paris, it wouldn't matter." Emma said. "I can't keep fighting for something that I'm not even sure is there anymore."

"You're saying you don't love me anymore?" Bae asked. Emma hesitated for a moment.

"It's not always enough." Emma said. "I need to get dinner ready – I'll talk to you tomorrow about maybe having the boys go visit Nick. Once things settle down with him and you find a place we'll figure out how to work out time with the boys."

"Find a place? You're kicking me out?" Bae asked.

"Bae, it'll be easier on everyone if you just – go." Emma said. Bae stood up.

"I'm not giving up on us, Emma. I'm gonna fight for you." Bae said, and he walked to the door and left.

Ruby and Olivia entered Nick's room. Olivia was carrying a bag in one hand and a drink in the other. Belle was sitting on the bed with Nick, who was in an upright position on the bed and resting his head on Belle's shoulder, his eyes closed.

"Is he sleeping?" Ruby asked.

"He's been dozing on and off. He's just tired from all the medicine, they gave him another dose about an hour ago. He didn't want any more until after you left but he was in so much pain, I didn't want him to suffer." Belle said, and she touched Nick's cheek softly. "Sweetheart? Olivia and Ruby are here. Do you want to see them?" Nick moaned and opened his eyes a bit.

"Hi Daddy." Olivia said quietly, and she sat down on the edge of the bed. "I brought you some soup."

"Hey, sweetheart." Nick whispered, his words a bit slurred. "That sounds good, can you and your mum help me sit up?"

"You are sitting up, Daddy." Olivia said. Nick looked around the room, a bit dazed.

"Oh, I suppose I am." Nick said. "Are we going home now?"

"You're staying here tonight, sweetheart, remember?" Belle said.

"Is it still tonight?" Nick asked, his eyes a bit glazed over.

"What's wrong with him?" Olivia asked, trying not to cry.

"The medicine makes him a little confused, he's fine, love. He's in a lot of pain and he needs the medicine to help with that, but it makes him really tired, I told you he's been really sleepy today, and he probably will be for a few days until the pain dies down." Belle said. "Nick?" Belle touched his face gently. "You do need to have something to eat, you want to try some of that soup that Olivia brought you?"

"Okay." Nick whispered, rubbing his eyes a bit. Ruby went to his other side and sat down next to him. She reached for the food tray and set it in front of him.

"Here, how is this?" Ruby said. Nick turned and looked at her.

"Ruby. Hi. Did you bring me some bread, too?" Nick asked.

"Everything's in the bag, and we have your iced tea, you want a sip?" Ruby asked. Nick nodded his head, and Ruby offered him the drink. He took a long sip.

"That's good. Thank you." Nick said.

"Olivia, open up the soup bowl for him, please." Belle said, and Olivia opened up the container and set it on the counter. "Can you manage love, or do you want help?"

"Help. I'm afraid I'll spill it." Nick admitted.

"It's okay." Belle said, and she offered him a spoonful of soup. "Open up – careful, it's very hot." Belle said, and Nick took a taste of the soup. "Good?" Belle asked, and Nick nodded his head.

"More." Nick said, and Belle fed him several more spoons of soup.

"Daddy, do you want your bread?" Olivia asked. "I brought strawberry jelly for it, too."

"That'd be nice, love. Can you put it on for me?" Nick asked.

"Okay." Olivia said, and she took out the roll she had brought, sliced it in half, and spread the jelly on it.

"Thank you, sweetheart." Nick said as Olivia handed him the bread and he took a bite.

"Here, have some more tea." Ruby said, and she offered him a sip of tea.

"What the hell is this?" Bae asked as he entered the room. "I would have broken my ankle years ago if I'd have known it would get me a harem of pretty girls coddling me and catering to me."

"Well, I can't help it – I just have that effect on women." Nick joked.

"Right. That's it." Bae said, and walked over to Ruby and stood next to her. "Feeling better then? I mean – how could you not with all of this going on?"

"My wife and my daughters are just trying to make me comfortable, I don't see anything wrong with that." Nick said.

"Yeah, and you're not playing into that at all, are you?" Bae said. "Wait'll he gets home and doesn't have all the good drugs being pumped into him. Then we'll see how much you coddle him."

"Oh, stop picking on daddy, he's miserable and in pain." Ruby said.

"Yeah, he doesn't look like he's either of those things right now." Bae said. "I'm glad you're feeling better, Dad."

"Thank you, Bae." Nick said.

"Daddy, can I see your cast?" Olivia asked.

"Yeah, go ahead and have a look. I haven't even seen it myself." Nick said. Olivia moved to the other side and pulled back the covers to his leg.

"Be careful Olivia, don't touch it." Belle said.

"How does it look?" Nick asked.

"It's all bandaged up. You can't even see the cast." Olivia said.

"It's underneath." Bae said. "In a few weeks they'll take that one off and put a fiberglass cast on so that dad can walk around a little bit. That one will look more like a cast."

"Are you going to get one that's a different color, like mom did when she broke her wrist?" Olivia asked.

"Well, I don't know. Do you think I should?" Nick asked.

"I think you should get a purple one. Mom always says you look nice in purple." Olivia suggested.

"Well, she has a point, that is definitely one of your best colors." Belle joked.

"Well, if they come in purple, I'll certainly think about it." Nick said.

"Does it hurt?" Olivia asked.

"Nah. Barely hurts at all." Nick said. "They gave me some medicine that stops it from hurting so much. Makes me really tired though."

"I think maybe we should go and let daddy get some rest, okay? We'll see you tomorrow, dad." Ruby said, and she gave Nick a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Bye, Daddy. I hope you feel better." Olivia said.

"Hey – come here, sweetheart." Nick said, and he held out his arms to her. Olivia nervously approached him, then reached out and hugged him. Nick gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I'm okay." he whispered. "I'll be home soon. You be a good girl, alright? Do your homework. Pet those two mongrels for me."

"They've been looking for you all day. Pongo has been sitting by your spinning wheel and crying." Olivia told him. Nick smiled a bit.

"I'll see you tomorrow." Nick said. "Might even be home when you get back from school."

"We'll see. Come here." Belle said, and she reached out her arms to Olivia and hugged her. "I'll call you in the morning before school, alright?" Olivia nodded, and she and Ruby left the room. Nick looked up at Bae.

"What happens if I have to use the bathroom?" he asked.

"Well, I can carry you there." Bae suggested.

"Bullshit, you're not carrying me." Nick asked.

"Nick, you can't put any weight on your ankle, and you're too drugged up right now to be getting out of bed tonight, they want you to use a bedpan." Belle told him.

"What? Bae, please don't make me do this again, I can't go through this again." Nick whimpered, and he started to cry.

"Hey – it's okay. It's just for today, it's just one day, and you probably won't even remember much about it anyway. They'll start weaning you off the really strong stuff tomorrow, probably get you up and moving a bit and get used to using the walker for balance again." Bae said.

"Walker? I'm not using a bloody walker, old men use fucking walkers!" Nick shouted at him.

"Nick, calm down. This is all just temporary, right?" Belle said.

"Belle, take me home. I want to go home." Nick begged, becoming very agitated.

"Dad, look at me, alright? You need to stay here tonight, and we'll see how you're doing tomorrow. You're on a lot of pain medicine right now, and you're getting confused, but everything's okay." Bae said calmly. Nick started to calm down. "You're gonna be alright." Bae helped Nick ease back to lying down, adjusting the bed a bit.

"Belle said I won't need the cane anymore." Nick said groggily. "I'm gonna take her dancing. You should take Emma dancing, she'd like that."

"Yeah, I'll do that, dad. I think you should go to sleep now." Bae said, squeezing his hand.

"Sleep sounds good." Nick mumbled, and he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. Bae touched his forehead gently.

"He gets like this sometimes when he's all drugged up, especially the first few days." Bae said. "He went through hell all those years ago, I was hoping nothing like this would happen again."

"He still has nightmares sometimes." Belle said. "Not much anymore, but once in a while. It happened more when we were first together but over the years they've died down a bit. Dr. Hopper thinks he has PTSD from all of the trauma from the accident. He's also blocked a lot of it out. He's told me quite a bit over the years but he said there are blocks of time during all of it that he has no memory of."

"That's probably for the best. I wouldn't want to remember that shit if I were him." Bae said. "What was he talking about, not needing the cane?"

"The doctor said he might not need it all the time anymore, he came in to talk to me about it after you and Ruby left earlier. It just depends on his recovery and how well he does with therapy." Belle said. "I guess they've really made quite a few strides with the surgery over the years."

"No shit, are you serious?" Bae asked.

"Well, it's not a given, but it is a possibility." Belle said. "Honestly, it doesn't matter to me one way or the other, but for his sake I hope it happens, it would make him so happy."

"I hope it happens too – then he won't have the cane to whack me with when he finds out Emma is filing for divorce." Bae said.

"Have you talked to her today?" Belle asked.

"Briefly. It um – was awkward." Bae admitted. Belle just shook her head sadly. "You want me to stay here tonight? His first night after surgery can get pretty rough. Plus, I um – I really don't have anywhere else to go right now other than my office. And the sofa in here looks a lot more comfortable than my desk chair."

"That's fine." Belle said. "Bae, you have to work this out. I have faith in you."

"Thanks." Bae said. "I'm gonna go get some things out of my car, I'll be right back. Try to keep him calm if he wakes up again." Bae left the room and went out to his car to retrieve one of his bags that he still had from the weekend with Emma that didn't happen. As he walked back into the hospital, he passed the gift shop and stopped to look in the window. There were several stuffed animals on a display there; one of them was a stuffed toy swan. Bae stared at the toy for several minutes. "I'm gonna get you back, Emma." he said to himself. "I'm gonna get you back if it kills me."

Sneak peek for next chapter:

Belle and Bae have a talk

Nick has a visitor