Chapter 21

Sunday afternoon

It was about 1:00 in the afternoon Brian tried to eat what he was brought for lunch, he couldn't eat it and he knew his mom would be in with food soon anyway so he just pushed the tray away. "Yuk" he said to Bridget, "I can't eat this"

She looked at it, "Yeah it doesn't look to appealing does it"

The nurse came in and took they tray, Then a new staff member came in, She was a physical therapist, She explained she was there to evaluate his level of movement in the left shoulder and then to do some Range of motion exercises (ROM). She made him sit back on the bed She took his immobilizer off and proceeded with her evaluation, When she was done she put the immobilizer back on him and instructed him not to do the exercises on his own yet only with a professional.

She helped him to sit back on the chair. At around 2:00 pm a crowd of people arrived to visit, but most importantly, his mom came in with the food. "Mom you are amazing. When did you have the time to make this?"

She had all the fixings like it was Thanksgiving. "Well I didn't do it all by myself, Mary and Sarah started on this last night, we always have a big Sunday meal. It's no big deal."

Brian looked around the room, his sister Nicole was there and she had Bella with her. "Hey Nic bring that little cutie to me." She brought her to Brian. "Come to Uncle Brian." He said.

Nic sat Bella in his lap, He held her with his good arm. The room was full of family more chairs had to be brought in; He got to finally meet his brother-in-law Carlos. He had a good afternoon with his family, he noticed Matt and Sarah were not there, but he figured he needed some time alone with his family.

But it really bothered him that his friends still weren't there to visit. "Hey Nic, where is everyone?"

She knew what he meant she was surprised that his friends weren't here too. "Well I know that Adam has been spending every minute he isn't working with Marjorie." Nicole told him, and I talked to Ivy yesterday and the four of them were going golfing and that's the last I heard from them, I am so sorry Brian."

He replied, "It doesn't really surprise me I am sorry to say."

Dr. Fitzpatrick came in to do just a quick check on Brian. He asked everyone to leave the room. After he finished his exam he told Brian. "You are doing phenomenally well. I don't think you will be in here as long as we originally thought. If all goes well we may let you go home Monday or Tuesday as long as we feel you have the in home support you need to help you with your activities of daily living. Oh and by the way no driving for a few weeks too. You will have some neurological tests we will schedule you for before you are discharged as a follow up in a few weeks to determine long term prognosis and if it is safe for you to drive."

"Thanks Doc I appreciate everything you have done for me." Brian told him

"No problem I will see you tomorrow."

"Hey doc before you leave can you hand me my cell phone and wait a minute."

He gave Brian his cell. Brian called Matt and he picked up almost immediately "Hey Brian how are you doing?"

"I am doing great" He told him what the doctor told him. "But that's not why I am calling, are you coming by today?"

"Yes Sarah and the boys are getting in the car to come see you now, why?"

"I have a favor to ask you. I know you have the key to my apartment, would you mind going there 1st and picking up something for me? It's something I have had in my top sock drawer in my bedroom for a couple of weeks but I was undecided on whether I should give it to Bridget or not. I have decided I am going to."

"Ok what is it I am getting?" Matt asked.

Brian told him "It is in one of my red socks it's a small black box you will see it. Oh be discreet, don't show it to Sarah and when you give it to me do it covertly please."

"Ok I will get it for you, see you soon." Matt told him. He hung up and Brian told the doctor he could go and then let his family come back in. Everyone came in, all the kids played on the floor. He had his Dad turn the TV to face the kids and he put some kid show on for them, so the adults could talk.

"Well I got some good news from the Doctor," Brian said He doesn't think I will have to stay as long as they thought I would, I may get out of here as early as tomorrow."

"Oh that's great honey." Bridget said and gave him a kiss. The only issue I may have is well I am still kind of incapacitated and well I can't drive for a while, but the doctor figured with all the family I have I should have enough people around to pitch in where I need help. And when I eventually start at KC Gaming I am sure Dave is so desperate to get me in there he will drive me back and forth until I get the all clear to drive." Brian laughed as he said the last part.

His whole family agreed they would help him. Annie then told him we will discuss as a family a schedule to put together to make sure you are never alone at least for the next few weeks, and Bridget, I know you want to be there with him but you can't put off starting the new real estate job they will only hold it for so long."

Then Brian said. "Honey mom's right, I am doing much better you can leave me during the day, and if it makes you feel better if you want in between clients come by and check on me."

"Ok as long as you are ok with it. I will call them in the morning. Hey I had a thought I know Matt and Sarah are going to be looking at houses right I can help them with that. It's the least I can do after everything he has done hey speaking of Matt, where is he today?" Bridget asked,

"Oh I talked to Matt a while ago Brian replied; he, Sarah and the kids are going to be in here in a little while too. I bet he was glad to get away from here for a while, I bet his family missed him too."

Brian was so happy to have his family there they stayed for a while. After an hour or more went by all the kids were getting tired of being there so Mary and Carlos and their 3 kids, Kevin and Lucy and Savannah, Nicole and Bella felt it was time to go, Simon and Ruthie also told mom and dad that they would take Sam and David home too.

They all said their goodbyes and told them they would either see him or check on him tomorrow

So it was just Bridget and his parents left," Eric had talked to Annie on the ride over and they discussed telling Brian about his sermon and how the congregation reacted and they decided to tell him. "Uhm Brian there is something I want to discuss with you." Eric said "It's about my sermon today"

"Ok dad, go ahead." Eric told him about the topic of the sermon and what was discussed and how well received it was.

"That's great dad that your church was so understanding and accepting."

"Everyone wants to meet you." Eric said. "I was hoping when you were up to it, you and Bridget would come; you know Nicole and Bella were there today."

"Nicole was at church, WOW how did that happen?" Brian laughed "Oh and Bridget and I would love to come to your church."

Matt and Sarah arrived at Brian's apartment. "What's this place Matt?" Sarah asked

"Oh that's right you have never been here, this is Brian's apartment building, he asked me to grab a few things for him before we went to the hospital, and I will be right out. He went upstairs to the apartment, he went to use the key and found the door opened he heard the TV. He walked in and Dave was there doing some work but mostly playing video games, it didn't look like the game he and Brian were talking about yesterday so it must have not been work related.

"Hi Dave," Matt said. "What are you doing here? Oh I remember, Brian said you had been staying here for a while."

"Oh hi Matt how are you what are you doing here?" "Brian called me and asked me to grab some things for him." Before I went back to the Hospital"

Matt looked at the living room, and in the kitchen they were a mess and just yesterday and Friday his family had been making this place spotless. He looked in the fridge and still saw no food. Matt thought to himself, "What's with this guy can't he buy groceries or pick up after himself.

He went to Brian's room at least Dave didn't go in there and mess it up. He grabbed a bag from the corner and threw some loose clothes and underwear and stuff to make it look like he was there for something other than what he was sent for. He had a pretty good idea what was going to be in the black box Brian asked him to get, He shut the bedroom door then he went into the top sock drawer he grabbed some socks and threw then in the bag and then looked for the red pair he found them they were he guessed Christmas socks and they did have something in them. He pulled out a black ring box. He opened the box, it contained a beautiful Diamond engagement ring it looked like a 1 1/2 carat solitaire he put it back in the red socks and put it in his pocket he didn't want that to get lost.

He went back out to the living room Dave was still playing some game. "Hey Dave"

"Ya" Dave replied without taking his eyes of the game.

Matt shook his head in disgust. Brian is getting discharged Monday or Tuesday you might want to pick this place up and get some food for the house before he comes home; My family already cleaned it up once, Brian won't be able to do any of it and he certainly can't go shopping"

Dave was barely listening. Matt stood in front of the TV to get his attention. "Did you hear me?" Matt said in exasperation.

"Yeah clean the house and buy food I got it oh tell Brian I said hi and I will tell the boss he is helping me with the Berry town project."

Matt thought to himself "I really don't like this guy, and he said Brian is helping him with the project what a joke. Brian did all the work yesterday. Then he said "Ok well see you later Dave" and he took the bag and went back to the car and told Sarah about Dave and what transpired.

Sarah said "that guy is a J.E.R.K." she was thankful the boys couldn't spell yet. "Hey when we get to the hospital can you pull mom and dad and Bridget out of the room and tell them what I told you about Dave and how the apartment was?"

"Sure Matt I will." They then headed back towards Cedar Sinai Hospital it was getting close to dinner so they wanted to feed the boys before they went.

"Hey dial Brian for me honey" Matt asked It rang and Brian picked up "hi Matt did you go to my apartment yet?" Matt replied "I did, I grabbed a bag and put some clothes in it. I even brought you your funky looking Christmas socks I thought that would be soooo cute."

"Ok thanks" Brian said he knew then that he got the ring. "Hey listen it is close to dinner. I know mom brought you and Bridget a feast for lunch, but I know you already scoffed that down. Do you want us to stop and get something on the way in?" Matt asked,

"Hold on let me ask" Brian asked his parents said they would grab something at the cafeteria, Bridget said well maybe something we could eat later, Where are they stopping for food?" She asked.

Brian asked Matt and he replied. "The kids want burgers but next door to this place is a seafood restaurant. So take your pick" Bridget said "Do you feel like seafood?"

"Yeah why not." Brian said and told Matt seafood, "Just get fish and chips for both of us thanks"

"Ok see you in a bit" and he hung up Sarah took the boys to get the burgers and ordered Matt something. Matt went next door and out Brian and Bridget's order in and told them he would be back for it.

He went back to the burger place and ate with Sarah and the boys when they were done he went to the seafood place to get the food he ordered he checked his pocket again to make sure he still had the ring he didn't want to lose that or Brian would kill him.

A little while later Matt and Sarah arrived at the hospital the boys were excited they wanted to see Uncle Brian again, Matt carried the food Sarah had the Bag of Brian's and each boy had a backpack on that had some snacks and some toys so they were all set to go got in the elevator and up to the 6th floor.

Sarah told the boys."Remember not to be too noisy this is a hospital just like where daddy and I used to work and like the one we will be working again at, also you have to be careful with Uncle Brian he has a boo boo on his shoulder"

"Ok" they both said.

They got off the elevator and went into Brian's room; the boys were excited they exclaimed, "Uncle Brian."

They went to hug him. Noah said "Mama said we have to be careful because you have a boo boo" they hugged him very carefully. Sarah put Brian's bag in the closet and Matt asked "Hey where do you want the food"

"Uhm put it on the side table thanks," Bridget said and then she went to pay him.

"Put it away" Matt said.

The boys pulled their toys out and were playing on the floor. Just as Matt asked her to do earlier,

Sarah said. "Hey mom, dad, Bridget, do want to come for a walk with me I want to talk to you about something." They got up and went with her to the lounge.

"What was that all about?" Brian asked. "Well we do need to talk about something. Normally I would have just talked about it with you and everyone here, but I asked Sarah to take them into the lounge to tell them what I am going to tell you in a minute, I just figured you wanted them out of the room when I gave you this," He took the red socks with the ring box out of his pocket, "I hope you don't mind I peaked, it's beautiful," He handed it to Brian,

He took the box out and opened it. The ring was still as beautiful as he remembered, "Do you think she will like it? I took a VERY LONG time to pick it out." Brian said

"Oh she will love it Bri." Matt said.

He closed the box had Matt put it back in the sock and tucked it far into the arm sling part of the immobilizer where he could feel it press against him so he wouldn't lose it.

"Ok so what is Sarah telling them and what do you need to tell me?"

Matt told him about when he went to the apartment how he found it and his conversation with Dave. "I hated to tell you but I thought you should know. I mean I know he is staying at you place but really he is an adult not a teenager. How long is he staying with you again?"

"Until he and Deena work things out I guess, I feel very taken advantage of right now, it's kind of how it has always been though with everyone. Even the women I dated before Bridget I well had to take care of or fix their problems too."

"Well that's all going to change if I have anything to say about it!" Matt said sternly. "You are too nice of a guy Brian to have that done to you. Hey I noticed your friends except for Dave yesterday have not been here to visit and I understand from Nicole, that no one has called well except for Deena and she has kids at home that are sick so she can't come that's why she calls Nic"

" When did you talk to Nic?" Brian asked.

"Oh I talked to her at lunch when she came back to the house after church. She is really mad at the group you are friends with." They continued to talk about this situation.

Meanwhile Sarah had been talking to Matt's parent and Bridget about the incident with Dave.

Annie was furious "I cannot believe, well yes I can after what I saw yesterday. That guy is…. I won't say what he is."

Well mom we will make sure the place is cleaned up again for Brian and for you Bridget." Sarah said,

Then Annie said "and someone will go grocery shopping, I know it has been hard to get it done Bridget you have been here the whole time with Brian so we understand I also that you needed to get your stuff out of the condo that the government too because of the thing with Davis realty. We can help with that, "Oh I already had movers move it to a storage unit." Bridget said "I did it the afternoon of Brian's Birthday so except for what I need as far daily supplies that I need to get out of the unit I am ok with that everything."

"Oh Sarah before I forget I was telling your family, since you and Matt are looking for a house I can help once I start with the new realty job sometime this week."

"Oh that would be great Bridget thanks" Sarah replied

"Well Eric and I are going to grab food at the cafeteria before it closes and then come back up. Annie said "Why don't you two go back to Brian's room." And they all left the lounge. Bridget and Sarah went back to see Brian

They visited for a while Annie and Eric came up after they ate. Around 7:30 everyone but Bridget left.

"Hey why don't I take the food to the Microwave in the staff kitchen and heat it up. I will be right back Bridget said

While she was gone the nurse came in to take his vitals help him walk to the bathroom and back to the chair and gave him his medicine. He had the nurse dim the lights a little as she left the room. He checked to make sure he still had the ring, he took it the box out of the sock and tucked the looked at the ring again closed it and tucked it back in his sling.

He used the remote on the TV to turn on the channel that only played soft music Bridget came back in the room with the food set it up. With something to drink too

"Hey honey, want to shut the door."

She did and noticed the music and the dimmed lights. "Trying to set a romantic mood?" She asked and then kissed him before she sat down.

"Yes something like that he said. He couldn't stop looking at her. "God she was beautiful" he thought to himself" I am so lucky to have her I want her to say yes so badly."

When they were done eating and again she didn't eat all that much she got rid of the stuff. She sat next to him and kissed him they did this for a while.

Brian finally said "Bridget I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. I watched you sleep earlier and I want always to be able to do that. I know this isn't the most romantic place to do this but it will be a while before I would be able to do this the way I wanted to and I don't want to wait that long."

"Do what Brian?" she asked

He managed to get down on one knee but she had to hold on to him because he was a bit off balance, he pulled out the black box from the sling and opened it, "BRIDGET MY LOVE WILL YOU MARRY ME WILL YOU BE MY WIFE?" he said with tears in his eyes.

She put her hand over her mouth in surprise shook her head yes and then and with tears in her eyes she said "YES" and kissed him breathless.

He slid the ring on her finger she was so happy.

"I LOVE YOU TOO BRIAN".

They went and sat on the bed and she undressed him and they celebrated they hoped they wouldn't be interrupted until they were done and were dressed again but neither of them actually cared if they were caught in the act because tonight to the best of his limited ability he was going to show her how much he loved her. They would tell the family tomorrow, tonight they wanted to celebrate alone.

I AM CHANGING THE WAY BRIAN AND BRIDGET'S RELATIONSHIP FROM THIS POINT ON IN THE ORIGINAL SHOW "WHAT ABOUT BRIAN" THEY ENDED UP BREAKING UP BECAUSE SHE WAS JEALOUS OF THE WOMEN DOWNSTAIRS. I AM TAKING THE RELATIONSHIP IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION INT A WAY I WOULD HAVE LIKE TO SEE IT GO FEEL FREE TO REVIEW THIS CHAPTER OR ANY OTHER CHAPTER