Journey
An ambulance and paramedics soon arrived as did Jessica. Spencer knew they'd probably called Jessica as she was on their emergency contact list. He was relieved as she could look after the children while he went with Spencer.
After a quick survey of their injuries, while Spencer and Jessica tried to assure Jack everything would be fine while they looked at his injuries, they put all of them in the ambulance except Lily Rose who only had bumps and bruises. Spencer looked at them worried while he climbed in the ambulance with Aaron and Jack who were both on stretchers.
They'd decided Spencer only had a minor head injury but were going to keep an eye on him as well as father and son.
"Don't worry, I'll take her and join up with you in the hospital," Jessica said gently holding Lily Rose.
He nodded and the doors of the ambulance closed while she begun to cry. He closed his eyes briefly trying to escape the noise when he felt a hand on his. He opened his eyes to see Jack looking up at him trying to mask the pain of his ribs and ankle.
"Daddy Spencer, it will be alright. Auntie Jessica will take good care of her and dad's a fighter. I'll fight too and try to be strong," he said gently while one paramedic tended to the cut on Spencer's head and stitching it up.
"Oh buddy, it should be me comforting you. You don't have to be strong. You're only eight and hurt," he replied.
"I want to be a fighter just like dad."
"Buddy, believe me you already are and I'm proud you protected and comforted your sister like that."
"She was still crying."
"Only because she was hurt and scared but like you said Auntie Jessica will take good care of her. If you hadn't shielded her like you did she'd have been more hurt. You prevented that by protecting her."
He nodded and whispered, "I love her."
"I know you do and you're a great brother."
Spencer then looked over to his husband and saw his eyes were still closed but suddenly his heart sped up and the machines went haywire. Spencer's heart leapt into his mouth and he felt Jack's grasp tighten on his hand.
"Jack, it's going to be fine," he assured while Jack looked up with tears in his eyes. He then turned back to Aaron and added, "Come on, Aaron. You can pull through. We need you. You're scaring us. Come on, I know you can pull through. Don't do this to Jack and Lily. He's only eight and she's just one. You're terrifying him. Come on Aaron, you can make it."
His heart rate went back to normal and the machines went steady but he still wouldn't open his eyes. Spencer looked up worried but tried to mask it so that he wouldn't upset his stepson.
"His heart rate's back to normal but he's in a coma," the paramedic assured.
"What does that mean?" Jack asked quivering his lip.
"Dad's going to be ok but he's going to sleep for a while," Spencer answered.
"When will he wake up?"
"We don't know but he will He will wake up. We'll make sure of that, won't we?"
He nodded looking frightened and Spencer just wanted to hug him but he couldn't because of Jack's ribs so he stroked his arm instead and squeezed his hand gently. Jack smiled slightly up at him but he could still see the fear and worry in the young boy's eyes.
"It's going to be alright, Jack. It's all going to be alright," he soothed.