To Watch Over You
Chapter 14
Megan got Charlie and Don home. Don sent his brother up to get a shower and some sleep. Megan and Don sat in silence until they heard Charlie exit the shower. "My turn I guess," Don gave Megan a tired smile and headed up.
Don looked in on his brother when he went up. As he entered Charlie's room he noticed him sitting on the edge of his bed. Don sat next to him, "Charlie?"
Charlie's damp curls obscured his face. He put his hand on Charlie's back, "Charlie?" Charlie looked up through those curls and Don flashed back to a time when Charlie was ten and Don was fifteen. Charlie had had a run in with one of the bullies who thought it was a good idea to pick on his little brother, only to painfully discover the very overprotective older brother. "We almost lost him Donnie." Charlie's voice was shaky. "But we didn't and soon he'll be back here complaining about his lack of grandchildren," Don tried to make Charlie feel better. "But…."
"No buts' Charlie. Dad's gonna be okay and we'll help him get better. I'll stay over as long as you guys need me too. I've got some time saved up that I am going to take, everything is going to work out." Don hugged his brother to him, "I know your scared, I'm scared too, but we're a tough and stubborn crew and no one is tougher or more stubborn then dad, right?" He felt Charlie chuckle and nodded in agreement. "You get some rest. I'm gonna get a shower and crash for a couple hours, before you know it we'll be back at dad's side." Don felt Charlie take in a deep breath. He then stood and pulled his covers back. Don watched as his little brother settled in and quickly fell asleep.
Don took the hottest shower his body would allow. He still felt shaky himself from everything that had happened the past few day. He finished and went into his old bedroom, though he still used it quiet a bit. He nearly collapsed onto the bed and was asleep himself before he hit the pillow.
"You work to hard sweetheart," A gentle touch brought Don awake. He blinked a couple of times then saw his mother sitting next to him on his bed. "Yes, sweetie, it's me." He sat up in the bed and looked at her. She was as beautiful as she had been in the picture.
"Charlie said……"
"I was there, I was telling your father that those people were there to help him and I was asking him to hold on for you boys. I heard you brother whisper out to me. I didn't mean to frighten him." She looked at Don.
"My God Mom, this has been nearly unbearable. With you it was bad enough, but we had time. With Dad……" Don choked on his words.
"I know sweetie, I know. It was hard for me watching your father like that and seeing you boys so worried and frightened."
"You saw us too?"
"Donnie, I was with you all at the moment it happened." She saw something click in his eyes. "The music Charlie heard, that was you?" "Yes, I wanted his thought toward his family at that moment, he thought it was you playing."
"Yeah, he told me," Don's eyes went wide, "The picture on my desk, Did you?"
"It's so hard to get your attention sometime," she smiled at him. "You work to hard, but that picture falling stopped you, at that moment you needed that. Oh and make sure you tell that nice girl Megan, it was a smart move to convince you to call it a day. You have a great group of people you work with. I've been watching them too. They were as worried about you and your brother as they were about your father."
"I know they're good, the best." Don looked into his mother's eyes, "We miss you, Mom."
"I know baby, I miss you too, but I'm never to far away." She touched his cheek, "you need to rest some more."
"Will you stay until I fall asleep?"
"Of course I will my son, of course I will." With that she kissed Don's forehead as he drifted off to sleep, "I Love You Mom," he whispered. "I Love You too baby, I Love You too."