Chapter 21: The Greatest Gift

Rated: PG

Kyle continued to have small movements for the next twenty days but nothing indicated any further improvement. Oliver had hoped that Kyle would have woken up by now.

Oliver woke up on the morning of October 30th, his wedding anniversary, alone because Kyle was still in a coma. He didn't get much sleep but that's not unusual anymore. He really hasn't slept well since Kyle's accident. He dragged himself out of bed, put on some workout clothes and headed in to start the coffee. As he waited for the "elixir of life" to finish, he ate a protein bar to help him maintain his strength during his morning workout.

It's Saturday morning. Oliver decided that he would watch the kids today and then have Nancy watch them tonight, so he could spend the evening with Kyle.

He worked out a little harder this morning to burn off some aggravation he had and then came in and showered. He started on the kid's breakfast, which consisted of an omelet with tomatoes, onions, bacon, ham, mushrooms and green peppers, toast, some mixed fruit and orange juice.

Oliver cleaned up the kitchen while the kids took their showers. Oliver sat down on the couch to read the paper. As the kids finished their showers, they came and sat with Oliver. He just loved it when the kids needed some family time. They are growing up too fast for Oliver's liking.

"Daddy, can you play with us in the back yard?" asked Sierra hopefully.

"Sure sweetie but not for too long because I'll need to make lunch for all of us." said Oliver, looking at the time.

They all four went out in the backyard to play. Oliver didn't know that his friends had gotten together to throw a party for him. They knew it was going to be a hard day for him. As Oliver and the kids were in the back yard playing, everyone was pulling up out front, going into the house and was setting up for a party.

"Daddy, we're hungry, can we go eat now." said Danny.

"Sure." said Oliver as they all started walking towards the house.

Oliver got inside the house before he noticed the people and the decorations. He was happy to see his friends support him but he was just so sad at the same time. He has never missed Kyle more than today.

"Thank you all for coming. It means a lot that you are throwing an anniversary party for us. Today should rank up there with happiest days of my life but it's actually been close to the bottom of the list. I've been married to a wonderful man for a year now." Oliver said while tears started flowing down his face. "But he's not here with us now..." Oliver was unable to finish. He ran out of the room heading towards his bedroom.

Roxy started to follow him when Marty stopped her and said she would go.

Oliver was lying on his bed, crying, while snuggling Kyle's pillow. Marty walked into the room, sat on the edge of the bed and started rubbing his back, telling him it was ok. She just allowed him to cry until he just couldn't cry anymore.

"I'm just not sure how much more I can take." said Oliver still crying. "He's there lying in a hospital bed, in a coma but yet it's not him. It's like he's dead but he's not and we have to live in this god damn limbo day after day. I'm just not sure how much longer I can do it." as he continued to cry.

Marty just let him cry until he was done.

The twins started crying.

"What's wrong?" asked Roxy.

"Daddy is really sad that Pop isn't here for their anniversary. He's missing Pop." replied Danny.

"Aunt Marty is helping him." said Donny.

"We don't like it when Daddy cries." said the Twins.

Roxy, John and Nancy each pulled a kid into a hug as they cried softly for their bereaving father.

"Remember me telling you a coma is like a death, to the people dealing with it? It's true. Kyle is there but he's not." said Marty. "You just have to remember that he will come back to you and the kids."

"Is he?" said Oliver in frustration. "I just don't know anymore."

"He is showing signs that he's beginning to wake up." Marty said positively. "Sure, there is no way to tell when he will wake up but isn't that a positive start?"

"Yes and you were right. Having to deal with Kyle in a coma is just as hard as coming out." said Oliver.

After about 30 minutes. Oliver and Marty came out of the bedroom.

"I'm sorry everyone." said Oliver slightly embarrassed. "It's just been an emotional day for me."

"That's ok, Fish. We understand and we would feel the same way if we were in your place." said John "But we are hungry, can we eat now?"

Oliver laughed, "Sure, go ahead."

Sierra and the Twins ran up to Oliver and pulled him into a hug for a few minutes.

"Daddy, can you get us some food, we're hungry?" asked Sierra.

"Sure honey, let me get it for you." laughed Oliver.

The party was just what Oliver needed. He felt better because he released a lot of his grief but he also felt better because he had great friends who supported him and his family. He decided that the gifts they got could wait to be opened till Kyle was awake and after everyone was gone, he sat on the couch with the kids. The tv was off and they were just enjoying each other's hugs and love.

The door bell rang and Donny went to answer it. It was Nancy asking if the kids were ready.

"We've been sitting here since everyone left." said Oliver. "I guess we lost track of time."

"Don't worry about it. I think you all needed it." said Nancy.

"I think your right." said Oliver.

Oliver got everything he needed ready for the kids and then for himself. He was going to spend most of the evening with Kyle at the hospital. When he was done, he kissed his kids goodbye and drove off to the hospital to be with the man that he loves.

Oliver set up the camcorder in Kyle's room, to capture his anniversary night with Kyle. He was still a little sad, even after the party, thinking this was the way he was spending his first anniversary.

"Did you know that Mrs. Smith is a great cook? She's gotten the whole block to make us dinners." Oliver said to Kyle. "On our wedding anniversary, I'm having sliced turkey with stuffing, green beans, sweet potatoes and some cherry pie for dessert and beer. I changed the label with one of Layla's non-alcoholic beers, just in case someone asked. I really wish you were awake for this, it smells so good. I have candles but they those scented battery powered candles because I can't burn real candles in the hospital and a white table cloth over the hospital table."

After Oliver ate, he reached down and cupped his hand around Kyle's face.

"Six years ago today, we were in Angel Square and you were going to marry Nick." said Oliver as tears rolled down his cheeks. "Do you remember what you said to me?"

"I know I said it was over between us, but here I am at a wedding, in a tux, surrounded by all these people, who are just proudly sharing their love with one another and I just keep thinking that I'm standing with the wrong man." said Oliver.

"Do you remember what you said next?" asked Oliver

He stopping to getting a drink of beer but before he could turn back around to continue, he heard a voice.

"Because all I want to do is share my love with you." Kyle said in a soft hoarse voice.

Oliver looked down at Kyle and saw his eyes open and he was smiling at Oliver. Oliver was stunned.

"Oh my god, you're awake, Kyle, your awake." cried Oliver. He put his head down on Kyle's shoulder and cried for a couple of minutes and then gave Kyle a big kiss.

"What happened, Oliver?" Kyle asked in the same small voice.

"You were in a car accident and you were in a coma." replied Oliver. He reached up and hit the emergency button. "You're going to be ok now."

"I love you, Kyle." Oliver said crying. "I've missed you so much."

A couple of nurses came running in the room.

"What's wrong, Fish?" asked Nurse Wong.

"He's awake, he's awake." said Oliver with tears streaming down his face.

She walked up to Kyle and saw that he was awake. "Dr. Fish, do you know who I am?"

"Yes, you're Amy Wong." said Kyle "My throat is really dry."

"Are you having a problem swallowing?" asked Amy.

"No, it's just a sore." replied Kyle.

"Jamey, get Dr. Fish some ice chips and call Dr. Evans." asked Amy. "Don't try to move Dr. Fish. Are you in any pain?"

"No, just groggy and dry throat." said Kyle. "What are my injuries?"

"Dr. Evans will be here shortly. He can tell you that." said Amy. "Your blood pressure and heart rate are normal and your big beautiful brown eyes are clear."

"Hey, stop flirting with my husband, Amy." teased Oliver.

"I wouldn't dream of it." Amy teased back. "I know he is completely happy with a hunk like you."

"Hey, stop flirting with my husband, Amy." teased Kyle. Jamey came back in with some ice chips and Amy gave him a small one. "Be careful. Stick it in your cheek and let it melt there. You don't want to choke."

Greg rushed into the room and looked at Kyle.

"Boy, am I glad to see you awake, Kyle." Greg said with relief.

"What happened? What are my injuries?" asked Kyle in a hoarse voice.

"You have a hairline fracture in both of your femurs, cracked ribs, a broken arm and some head trauma." said Greg as he was accessing Kyle's status. "They are all healing nicely."

"What is the last thing you remember?" asked Greg.

"We were at the park and I got a call from the hospital asking me to come in. I got into my car and drove here." said Kyle.

"Do you remember being in an accident?" asked Greg.

"No." replied Kyle.

"Can you move your toes?" asked Greg. Kyle's toes moved.

"Try to move your legs a little." asked Greg. Kyle's legs moved.

"Move both your arms." asked Greg. Kyle moved both arms.

"Are you in any pain?" asked Greg.

"No." replied Kyle. "A little bit disoriented, I have a headache and I'm stiff all over."

"I'm going to get some x-rays of the fractures and see if they are completely healed. We took x-rays about three weeks ago and they were looking good but not completely healed yet. We need to see if we can get you up. Do not try to get out of bed." said Greg.

"Healed." asked Kyle. "How long was I in a coma for?"

Greg waved Oliver over. "Oliver, you tell him."

Oliver sat on the edge of the bed and cupped Kyle's face.

"Kyle, you've been in a coma for almost three months." said Oliver.

Kyle was starting to get agitated. "Three months? What do you mean three months?"

"Relax Kyle. It's ok." Oliver said. "Today is our wedding anniversary. You came back to me on our wedding anniversary." Oliver started tearing up again.

"It's our anniversary?" Kyle asked in shock.

"Yes and you have given me the best present I can ask for." said Oliver. "You came back to me, to our family." Olive gave Kyle a big kiss.

"How are the kids?" asked Kyle.

"They are ok. They've missed you so much." said Oliver. "They will be happy that you're awake."

Oliver took out his cell phone and made a call.

"Who are you calling?" asked Kyle.

"Roxy, It's Fish, I have someone who would like to talk to you?" says Oliver. He holds the phone up to Kyle's ear.

"Roxy, it's Kyle." said Kyle. "Roxy... Roxy… are you there Roxy? She's crying." said Kyle.

Oliver took the phone back and tried to get Roxy to say something but he couldn't so he hung up and called Nancy.

"Nancy, it's Fish." said Oliver.

"We already know. It really creeps me out when they do that." said Nancy. "We are on our way."

"Ok, I'll see you soon." said Oliver.

Oliver makes another call.

"Dad, it's Oliver." said Oliver. "Kyle just woke up."

"Thank god. Barbara, get on the extension." said George. After she got on the extension he continued, "How is he?"

"He seems to be fine, so far. There doesn't seem to be any damage to his memory and he can move his arms and legs." said Oliver.

"After everything he's been through, that's amazing." replied George.

"Oliver, that's great. How did it happen?" asked Barbara.

"I was having my anniversary dinner with him and was talking to him about the day of the big gay wedding and he woke up." Oliver said all excited. "I have it all on tape."

"I'd like to see that. Now, go be with Kyle. Tell him we love him." said Barbara.

"I will, talk to you later, Bye." Oliver said and hung up the phone.

"Mom said to tell you that they love you." said Oliver to Kyle. Kyle smiled.

Nancy and the Kids came into the room.

"Daddy, Is Pop awake?" asked Sierra.

"Yes, honey." said Kyle. "Come here and give me a hug."

Oliver lifted Sierra up on the bed and into Kyle's outstretched arm.

"Pop, I missed you so much." Sierra cried into his neck.

"I missed you too baby girl." Kyle cried with her. "You're getting so big."

The Twins were crying and hugging their Dad.

"What have you been doing since I was in a coma?" asked Kyle.

"I've started school." replied Sierra.

"Tell me about it." said Kyle. Sierra was telling him all about her teachers and the kids and what she was learning. Oliver let her talk for about five minutes before he interrupted her.

"Sierra, let's give your brothers a chance to see their pop." said Oliver.

Sierra got down but not without a little fuss. She didn't want to leave her Pop. Danny was the next one to get up.

"Hi Danny, I missed you so much." said Kyle.

"I love you Pop." cried Danny.

"What have you been doing?" asked Kyle.

Danny just shook his head no and just cried.

"It's ok, Danny. I'm awake now." said Kyle with tears in his eyes.

Donny stood by the side of the bed talking to Kyle about they're school, teachers and their new friends.

When Danny had recovered, Donny was next to get a hug from Kyle. Like the other two, he cried with his Pop.

"Momma said you would wake up." said Donny.

"I know. I was with her for about 4 minutes." Kyle said as he looked at Oliver. Oliver knew exactly which four minutes he was talking about.

"How are you sweetie?" said Nancy as she leaned over Donny and gave Kyle a kiss.

"Ok, I guess. A little lost, I think but I think I'll be fine." replied Kyle.

"We are so glad you are awake and feeling better." said Nancy with relief. "It's been a long road."

Oliver noticed Kyle yawning. He didn't want to get Kyle over tired.

"I think it's about time to let Pop get some rest." said Oliver. "We don't want him to get overly tired."

None of the kids liked that idea. The Twins didn't put up too much of a fuss. Oliver was able to pick them up and they hugged and kissed their Pop goodbye. Sierra on the other hand didn't want to go.

"I don't want to leave." cries Sierra. "What if Pop goes back to sleep and doesn't wake up?"

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to any of the characters included. They are the property of ABC television.