Chapter Twenty One: Subtle Push
"Nicky." Jean gasped as she saw him stood in her doorway. She pulled the door open wider and ushered him inside, immediately noticing the purplish bruise beside his eye. "He hit you?" Jean looked around him to see AJ stood beside Mark round the back of his car. "That f... hit you?" She tried to stop herself from cussing in front of the good old fashioned Texas boy. "Well, it's good you came back."
"Is Greg awake?"
"Um... Connie's up the hospital with him now. She said she'd call when he wakes up. Do you want me to look after..."
"Yes please." He nodded, knowing what she was going to say before she finished.
"Don't you want something to eat?" She asked, stopping him from rushing out the door. "You look exhausted sweetheart. Why don't you come in and..."
"I really wonna see Greg." He insisted, looking very anxious.
"Just one second. Mark!" She suddenly shouted over to him. "Can you watch AJ for five minutes?" Mark nodded to her then watched his mother ushering Nick into the house.
Mark lifted AJ up in one arm and Nick's bags in the other, carrying them both off into the house. "Stay right there, two seconds okay?" He warned her.
"Two seconds?" She queried, tilting her head to the side as she looked up at him.
"No, not exactly. Just stay right there and I'll be back in two seconds." He looked at her a moment then took a few steps away from her, making sure she was standing still. Mark quickly stepped off out the door, closed up the rental car then rushed back into the house to see AJ still stood by the bags. He sighed in relief then closed up the front door, turning back to an empty hall. "Damn." He whispered, walking off down the hall to look for her. "AJ!"
"Mark, why are shouting her name?" Jean shouted from the kitchen.
"Um... coz, we're playing a game." Mark shouted back to her then saw the living room door creaking shut. "Don't worry about anything." He shouted then rushed off into the living room, sweeping AJ up into his arms as she ducked behind the couch. "You're gonna make me look bad in front of your daddy." He smirked as he carried her off into the lobby.
"Here you go Nicky." Jean set down a hot cup of coffee in front of Nick beside the freshly made sandwich she had just prepared for him then grabbed for her purse, pulling out her makeup to cover up the bruise to his eye. "Finish that coffee and your sandwich then I'll drive you up to the hospital." She insisted as she snapped her makeup kit shut.
Nick gave her a half smile. "Thank you Mrs Sanders, I mean Jean." He corrected himself when he saw the look on her face. "Greg, Mark, Betty and Connie are all so lucky to have you and Daniel as parents."
Jean smiled widely at him then gently pecked a kiss to his cheek. "And your father doesn't know how lucky he is to have such a warm hearted son like you sweetheart. It's not your loss, it's his." She assured him. "To lose a son like you is a sin."
"Jillian! Jillian!" He shouted after her, chasing her off down the staircase towards the front door. "Jillian, you can't go." The Judge forced the front door shut as she tried to pull it open with her suitcase in hand. "Where will you go? No one's goin' to take you in after they hear about this."
"After they hear about what?" She snapped at him. "That you kicked my little boy out of the house..."
"He's not your..." The Judge started, but stopped himself before he finished the sentence. "You can't go because of this. If you do then Nicholas is responsible for tearin' our family apart... again!"
"It's not his fault. It's never been his fault." She shouted on the verge of tears. "You're always blamin' him, for everythin'! Did you ever stop and think to blame your daughter?" Jillian pushed him aside then pulled open the front door. "It's never been Nicky's fault. He was just a baby." She gave him a shove out the way then stormed off down the drive towards her car with her suitcase in hand. She threw it into the back, giving her husband one last look before she climbed in the car and drove off towards her daughter's house.
Gently brushing his fingertips through Greg's soft hair, he pressed a delicate kiss to his forehead, gently awaking him from his deep slumber as he could smell the presence of his lover. Greg blinked his eyes open a few times in disbelief then smiled as he saw Nick stood over him. "Nicky?" He croaked.
"Hey there gorgeous," The Texan's voice rasped against his ear, beaming a wide smile down at him as he looked into those big beautiful eyes of his. "You know if you wanted me to come back that bad G, you coulda had somethin' slightly less serious."
Greg smiled up at him, enjoying Nick's fingers weaving through his hair. "You didn't have to come all the way back here for me Nicky."
"Yes I did, because I love you. And I didn't want you to wake up in a hospital bed alone." Nick whispered softly to him, touching his lips to his forehead again. "How do you feel baby?" He rasped against his ear as he leant on his elbow beside his head.
"Better... now that your here." He sleeping smiled, inhaling Nick's deep scents that smelt so much nicer than the stench of hospital cleaning products. "Where's AJ?" Greg asked curiously as he looked around the room to see if he could see her.
"She's with your parents at the house." Nick smiled as Greg gave out a yawn. "You should go back to sleep baby."
"You won't go away?" Nick shook his head, touching his lips to his cheek. "What's that?" Greg queried as he saw something on his bedside table.
"Oh, that's a little somethin' for you." Nick pushed back the curtain beside Greg's bed so he could see it better. "They're white camellias, for you." Greg smiled widely as the sentimental cowboy had actually bought him flowers. "And I'm sure you know what they mean bein' the genius that you are, but the flower girl in the gift shop said you give them to someone who you think is adorable and perfect."
A sweet smile spread across Greg's lips as he stared into the eyes of his lover. "You're adorable Nicky."
"Hey, it wasn't supposed to make you cry." Nick gently brushed his thumb beneath Greg's eye, catching his tear. "I never want to make you cry."
"If it's any comfort it's a happy tear." Greg pressed a kiss to his Texan's thumb, tasting the salty tear on his lips. "I just can't believe that you really love me. My Nana Olaf used to say everything happened for a reason. I believe that's true. Look at everything we've been through that's brought us together. After everything I've been through, I wouldn't ever wonna take any of it back. Without it, I wouldn't have you."
"That's adorable G. You know what," Brushing his fingertip across the younger mans cheek; he gave him a wide smile. "I wouldn't take any of it back either."
"Not even the ants... or the coffin... or the crazy stalker?" Greg smiled up at him.
"Okay, I might... but nah, I'm stickin' to my first statement." He assured him. "Besides, you're worth it." He winked at him. Nick reached for Greg's hand, weaving their fingers together as he watched his chest slowly rising and falling with each deep breath. "I told my Mama all about you Greg. It's the first time I've ever been able to brag about my gorgeous boyfriend." Greg looked up at him surprised. "She called you a sweetheart. And she doesn't care that you're a guy."
"Really?"
Nick nodded to him as he brushed his fingers through his soft hair. "My dad went completely the other way though. I almost cried at some of the things he said to me."
Greg tightened his grip on Nick's hand, looking him deep in the eye. "I'm sorry Nicky."
"You have nothin' to be sorry about." Nick trailed his fingertip down his jaw line then leant over him to passionately kiss his soft pouting lips. Greg was grateful for the intimate touch. He could feel warm tingles swirling in the pit of his stomach that replaced the slight pain he could feel from his surgery.
"I missed you." Greg whispered. Nick smiled softly then gently hugged him, being careful of the tubes and wires on his lover's fragile body. "Nicky." Greg whispered, gently feathering his fingertip down the side of his head. "Are you wearing makeup?"
"No." He badly lied.
"Really?" Greg brushed his palm across the different coloured patch of skin on Nick's head, looking at the bruise beside his eye once the makeup was gone. "Now I know for a fact that you don't know the first thing about blush, foundation or any of that girly stuff... so who did you ask to cover it up?" Nick nervously bit his lip as he looked down into his eyes. "You told your dad your gay, didn't you?"
Nick tilted his head to the side, looking Greg in the eye curiously. "How do you always know?"
"Because I'm the only person you can't lie to. Even if you try," Greg looked deep into his lover's eyes, feeling as though he could read his soul by looking into those brown beauties. "Your eyes always give you away Nicky."
"I'm supposed to be here for you G." He pointed out to him. "Not the other way around."
"The day you don't need me, you let me know cowboy." Greg sweetly smiled up at him. "Does it hurt?" He whispered as his feather light fingertips brushed across the purplish skin. Nick shook his head as he gently brushed his thumb across the stubble on Greg's chin. "Did you punch him back?"
"No... I wanted to. Would you believe that he didn't hit me because I said I was gay? He hit me because I said I wouldn't marry a Christian girl to give AJ a mother, way before he even knew about the gay thing."
Greg raised his eyebrows surprised. "He wants you to marry a Christian girl?"
"He's never been happy over anythin' I do, so why start now right?" Nick pressed his lips to Greg's, hearing the beeping of the heartbeat monitor speeding up. "I missed you too G." He whispered as he returned to hugging him gently.
Greg inhaled a deep breath of the familiar Nick Stokes scent as he gently weaved his fingers through Nick's soft hair, realising he should have never let him go all the way Texas alone. It was a stupid idea to think that his father might actually accept him for who he was after everything he had told him about the man.
"I love you so much Greg." Nick whispered against the younger mans neck as he continued to clutch him tightly.
He pressed a kiss to Greg's temple once he loosened his grip then carefully took a seat on the edge of his bed.
"Now you should go to sleep, I wonna be able to take you home soon."
"I'm fine." Greg assured him, but Nick carefully lifted the oversized t-shirt Greg was wearing to take a look for himself. He looked at the bandage to Greg's side, just above his hip. There wasn't any blood on it as it looked as though it had just been changed, but he was still worried about him. He hated seeing him lying there helpless; his eyes weren't as bright and beautiful either, they were quiet and dazed from the drugs running through his system.
Nick gently feathered his fingertips across Greg's delicate skin before he moved to look at the IV drip in his hand. Nick pressed a kiss to the palm of his hand then gently followed the blue vein in his arm with his fingertip.
Greg felt all his pain suddenly slipping away under Nick's heavenly loving touch. "I love you too Nicky." He whispered to him with a soft smile before he closed his eyes to go back to sleep.
Nick gently slid his fingertip down the side of Greg's face, admiring his beautiful innocent features. He touched his lips to his forehead then held his hand while he peacefully slept beside him.
Mark tapped his fingers on the table, watching AJ doing it exactly the same as him from across the table. She reached for one of the paint brushes in the red cup of paint, drawing a circle on her piece of paper. "Three hours and that's all you're gonna draw?" He asked her as she lifted it from the paper.
"My mommy never let me paint."
"Why not?" He queried, but AJ just dumped the paint brush back in the cup then leant on her elbow to look back up at him.
"I ax-dent-ly colour on her table."
"Accidently." Mark corrected for her. "I used to do that all the time. My mom used to paint with me all the time when I was a kid. She taught me how to colour in the lines by drawing something in pencil on the paper," Mark reached for one of the pencils, grabbing a fresh sheet of paper to draw something. "Then I used to paint inside."
"Why?"
"Because I'm a terrible painter and drawer." Mark turned the sheet of paper to face her.
AJ looked at it confused then looked up at Mark. "What's that?"
"It's a cat." He pointed to the ears and the whiskers. "I told you I can't draw."
"It doesn't look like a cat." AJ leant across the table on her palms, reaching for the pencil in his hands. She drew two oval shaped eyes, a heart shaped nose with whiskers then the face with pointy ears on her sheet of paper.
"See, that's a much better cat then I could ever draw." Mark took the pencil from her hands then slid the paints closer towards her. "Now you can colour the cat in."
"What colour are cats?" She queried as she looked between the different colours in front of her.
"You've never seen a cat?" AJ shook her head. "Um... well you could use the yellow, you can make the cat any colour you want it."
"What's Greg's favourite colour?"
"I don't know what his favourite colour is now. But when he was little, he loved green." Mark moved the green pot closer towards her. "What's your daddy's favourite colour?" He queried as he leant on his elbow again.
"Blue."
Mark watched her painting, thinking about all the years he lost doing this sort of thing with his own daughter. "Do you know who your daddy is AJ?" He queried as his own daughter still called him Mark. AJ nodded as she leant up on her knees to reach for another paint pot. "Do you know why you never met him before?"
"Mommy never told him I was born."
Mark grabbed one of the paint pots before AJ knocked it over with her elbow. "What about Greg? Do you mind your daddy being with him?" AJ shook her head at him as she reached for the yellow paint, getting a line of blue across her dress sleeve as she brushed against it. "You don't mind that you don't have a mommy?"
"Let it go Mark." Betty slapped him round the head as she took a seat beside him with the baby monitor in her hands. "She's six; she's not ready to understand this yet."
Mark rolled his eyes at her. "You look like death." He commented.
"You try looking after three screaming infants and feeding them with only two..." Betty looked AJ before she finished her sentence. "Nothing, so what are you guys doing?"
"AJ drew a green cat." Mark pointed.
Betty looked at the cat drawing in front of AJ then at the other one in the middle of the table. "Did you draw that one?" She snickered as she pulled it towards her to take a closer look. "That doesn't even look like a cat."
"Yeah, I know." He ripped it up then moved it away from her. "Where's mom?"
"Hospital with Nick and Greg. Connie's upstairs with dad, and no you can't go out. You have to stay here with AJ in case I have to rush upstairs for the babies." She grinned at him. "You know it wouldn't kill you to spend some time with a child. You've gotta get some practice in because your custody case is definitely leaning towards you."
"That's what mom's are for; they give you all the help you need."
Betty rolled her eyes at him. "Has life taught you nothing? Mom won't always be here to clean up your messes."
"Same with you sis. Mom's not gonna be here forever to help you out with the triplets." He retorted, flinching back as she tickled him furiously. "Hey!"
"Serves you right punk." She snickered, ruffling her hand through his hair, messing it all up. "Hey that's a nice cat AJ."
"It's for Greg." AJ put her green paint brush down then grabbed the blue paint pot, pulling the lid off and putting her hand inside. She pressed her blue covered hand to the paper then smiled up at Betty and Mark.
"Is that the babies I hear crying?" Betty suddenly announced, skipping away so Mark had to clean up the mess.
"Betty!" He complained as she ran away. He groaned heavily then lifted AJ from the table, carrying her towards the kitchen to wash the paint from her hand. "Your dad's gonna kill me if this stains." He noticed the blue drips of paint down her dress. Mark desperately tried to scrub the paint from white fabric.
"Lesson number one." A voice suddenly called from behind him. Mark whirled around to see his mother stood behind him. "White clothes never stay white on children." She smiled as she made her way over to him to help him out.
"You're supposed to be at the hospital."
"I know. Nicky's there and Greg's fine." Jean took over from him, gently scrubbing the paint from AJ's hand before she started on the dress.
"When can I see Greg?" AJ asked her curiously.
"Not for a while yet sweetie, he needs his rest." Jean told her, not noticing the look of disappointment on her little face. "Connie, there you are. Have you given your father his..."
"Yes mom, I did it." She nodded as she came off the stairs. "How's Greg?"
"He's fine. He was awake for a few minutes. He's not in any pain and the doctors say he's recovering nicely." Jean turned to look round at the clock. "Well it's almost bedtime for you little lady." She smiled as she turned to look at AJ.
"I wonna see Nicky." AJ complained, making Jean look round at her.
"You can't see him right now sweetheart, he's with Greg and it's time for bed." Jean lifted her down from the counter then cleaned the paint from the sink. "Maybe even a bath first, we've gotta get this paint scrubbed off."
"I can drive her to see Nick." Mark suggested.
Jean shook her head round at him. "I don't think the hospital is a place for a child Mark."
"Mom if she wants to see her dad though." He tried to reason with her. "I don't mind going over there."
"Hospitals are full of germs and diseases though Marky." She started to worry.
"Five minutes, I'll take her to see Nick and Greg then bring her right back so she can go to bed." He suggested, making AJ get all excited.
"You better keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't touch anything."
"I know the drill." He smiled at her then reached his hand out for AJ. "I'll drive really slowly, never leave her anywhere alone and hold her hand when we cross the street, just like you used to make me do with Greg." He assured her.
Jean gave him a smile then watched him walking off towards the door to grab AJ her coat.
Mark lifted AJ into her car seat, carefully buckling her in. "AJ, did you have a daddy before Nicky?" AJ nodded slightly. "Did you spend as much time with him as you did Nicky?"
AJ shook her head, looking up at Greg's brother curiously. "Nicky's my real daddy."
"I know he is." Mark smiled at her then sat on the seat beside her a moment. "I have a daughter AJ. Her names Meghan and she's nine years old, but she doesn't know a lot about me."
"Why not?"
"Because her mommy never told her about me, and she won't let me see her." He explained to her then looked her in the eye. "You're lucky to be able to see your daddy AJ; you should let him know how lucky he is." AJ nodded to him, giving him a smile as Mark winked at her.
"I'll go get your picture for Greg, stay right there okay?"
"Okay." She nodded, watching him rushing back into the house.
"Nicky." Greg croaked, turning his head to the side. "You've been staring at the heart monitor for hours now."
"Sorry. I thought you were asleep." Nick inched his chair closer, holding Greg's hand tightly in his own. "How do you feel?"
"Sleepy." Greg brushed his fingers through his hair then looked up into Nick's sleepy eyes. "You look like you need to sleep too."
"No, I'm fine." Nick shook his head.
"Mr Stokes, still here I see." Doctor Freeman smiled at him as he made his way into the room. "You drinking plenty of water Greg?"
"Yep." Greg pointed to the empty glass set on his tray.
The Doctor smiled then watched as the nurse grabbed it for him to refill it. "We should be able to release you the day after tomorrow. There's no infection or complications to worry about..."
"Another two whole days." He interrupted him in a whiny voice. "I don't wonna stay here another two whole days."
"You have to rest G." Nick climbed to his feet to look him in the eye. "I'm not lettin' you leave here until the doctors say." He sternly warned him.
"I'd listen to him Greg." Doctor Freeman smiled at him as he checked the charts and monitors beside Greg's bed. "When you get home you're going to need a lot of rest and keep all activity to a minimal. You're going to need to support your abdomen for coughing, laughing or any movement it's still going to be a little sore." The Doctor warned him. "If you experience any more pain that's not getting better with the medication we prescribe for you, inform your doctor. And no work for at least two to four weeks." He advised him, catching Greg grouchily moaning to that news. "And, last but not least... get plenty of sleep. Listen to your body Greg."
"I'd kill for a cheese sandwich." He muttered under his breath.
"Oh, that's the other thing. Eat healthy. Drink ample quantities of water. And take your medication." He warned him again. Greg gave him a nod then flinched as the doctors cold hands moved to check his stitching. "Looks good, there shouldn't be too much of a scar. You might see some bruising for a few days, but it's to be expected."
"Okay." Greg nodded then gave Nick a slight smile beside him as he was looking under the bandaging curiously.
"I'll come check on you in a bit. And I'll get the nurses to bring you some food, both of you." The Doctor smiled at them both then head off out the door back towards the front desk to grab another patients file.
Nick smiled down at Greg once he was gone, pressing a delicate kiss to his lips. "See, I told yah you were gonna be okay."
"Says the worrier who's been watching the heart monitor the past few hours," He teased him. "You should go home and get some sleep. AJ needs her daddy."
"I don't wonna leave you alone though baby." He whispered as he brushed his fingers through his hair. "I know you hate hospitals but it's even worse to be in a hospital alone."
"Like my mom would let me be alone." Greg giggled softly. "Go on, you need to go."
"One more hour." Nick dropped back into his seat, looking up at the clock. "One more hour then I'll go, okay?"
"Okay." Greg smiled at his pouting lover. "You know I shoulda asked the doctor when I can resume sexual activity." He teased, cheekily wiggling his eyebrows over at him.
"I think you'll know when you're ready for sexual activity G." He smiled at him.
"That reminds me, can you call Grissom later and tell him I won't be back?"
"Yep." He nodded, looking at him curiously. "How does sex with me remind you about that anyway?" Greg just laughed in response. "Don't you worry about anythin' Greg."
"Except the fact that you called me baby in a public place." He grinned over at him. "Don't worry your secrets safe with me."
Nick leant forwards with a wide smile on his face, pressing his lips to the younger mans forehead. "Well since you're my adorable boyfriend, I can call you baby wherever I like." He smiled as he brushed his thumb across his chin.
"Greg!" A small voice called from the doorway.
Nick and Greg both looked round surprised to see AJ running into the room. Nick swept her up into his arms as she ran round to him, holding her tightly in his warm embrace. "Hey sweetie, what are you doin' here?"
"I made this for Greg." AJ lifted the picture from her hands, looking at Greg on the bed.
"Wow, thank you sweetie. It's a beautiful green cat." Greg smiled widely as he looked at the green cat, big blue handprint and a large heart with his name in it. "You know greens my favourite colour."
"I know. He told me." AJ pointed towards the door where Mark was stood. "Nana Jean said I had go bed but I want to see you first."
"Thank you very much for my cat AJ." He smiled at her again. "I love it."
AJ looked towards Mark, watching him giving her a wink as he pointed to Nick beside her. AJ nodded to him then leant against Nick's shoulder, waiting for him to finish talking to Greg. "Daddy," She spoke softly, making Nick look at her surprised as she had never said it before. "When can we take Greg home?"
Nick looked down at Greg who was giving him a wide smile. "Well sweetie, we should be able to take him home in two days. We have to wait for him to get better first."
AJ nodded in understanding as she looked down at Greg. "I hope you get better soon Greg."
"Me too sweetie." Greg gently held her hand, giving her a wide smile. "You should go to bed sweetie; you look even more tired than me." He smirked as she yawned.
"I'll take her back with me." Mark suggested from the doorway, smiling at the three people in the room that looked like the perfect family.
"G'night Greg." AJ waved to him.
"Good Night AJ, sleep tight..."
"Don't let beg bugs bite." She finished for him, making him smile widely at her. "Good Night Daddy."
"Good Night sweetie." Nick gave her a warm hug then pecked a kiss to her forehead. "I'll be home soon to tuck you in."
"Okay." AJ smiled at him as he carefully set her down on the ground. She waved to them both then rushed over to Mark, giving him a high five before he reached out for her hand, leading the way off towards the parking lot.
"Check you out Mr Dad." Greg winked up at him.
"What?"
"You're glowing." Greg grinned at him. "I think that little girls stolen your heart Nicky."
"I think you're right." He softly smiled, gently tracing the vein in Greg's arm with his fingertip. "I can't wait for things to get back to normal. Just the three of us, if you want it..."
"Definitely." Greg replied, lacing his hand with Nick's, just as he yawned again.
"Seriously now Greg, you have to go to sleep." Nick pressed a kiss to his forehead, giving him a wide smile. "I'll stay until you fall asleep or until the doctors kick me out, then I'll be back in the mornin'." Greg nodded to him then watched him take a seat beside his bed before he closed his eyes, slowly drifting off to sleep.
Thanks so much for the new readers SilverHowler, Ptitenath92 and StBridget for leaving reviews on the last chapter and I'm really glad you are all still enjoying it.
I always appericate all of your input on my stories!
I really like to write Nick as a parent and I was thinking, after I finished this story to do an M-Preg story between Greg and Nick. I've never written M-Preg before, so I don't know if any of you would like that sort of thing, but that's what I'm going to be working on after this if any of you are interested.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Please Review and have a great weekend guys.
~ Holly