A/N Christmas is spent in the hospital as Jason is stuck there this Christmas after suffering a stroke a couple of months before.
"Knock, knock," Sophie said as she entered the room. She smiled when she saw her dad lying in bed. "Merry Christmas Daddy," She said as she walked up to him and gave him a hug. "How are you feeling today?"
The corner of Jason's face quirked up; he raised an arm to give Sophie a hug. "I'm feeling a little better," He said slurring his words slightly.
Sophie took a deep breath and sat in a chair beside his bed. Picking up Jackie and placing her on her own lap.
"Hey Jaqueline," Jason said raising his right hand. "How are you?"
"I'm ok," Jackie said her eyes once so full of laughter and happiness now serious.
"Tell Grandpa about what uncle Jamie and you did yesterday."
"We watched Frozen," Jackie said. "And then we sang Let it Go."
Jason smiled. "Do you like that movie?" He asked.
Jackie nodded emphatically. "Elsa is like me."
Jason could tell Sophie tensed at what Jackie said but instead of questioning her about it he simply smiled. "What was your favourite part?"
"Let it Go," Jackie said. "I like that song."
Sophie chuckled a little and raked her fingers through her daughter's hair. "She and Jamie sang it all day," Sophie said.
Jackie shook her head. "Not all day," Jackie said. "Uncle Jamie was on the phone talking to Miss Isabelle."
Sophie smiled.
"Isabelle?" Jason asked.
Sophie paused. "Jamie's girlfriend Dad," Sophie said kindly.
Jason closed his eyes. "Oh right! Jamie talked about her a couple of weeks ago when we spoke on the phone."
Sophie nodded.
"Hello." Sophie and Jackie turn around to see Sally walk in. "How are you doing Sweetie?" Sally asked she stepped forward and gave her husband a kiss on the cheek.
"I'm doing better," Jason said.
Sally smiled and sat on the edge of the bed. "Has Jamie been up to visit?" Sally asked.
"He came by last night," Jason said holding Sally's hand.
"Hmm," Sally said. Sophie winced a bit and stood, pulling out her cellphone, she bent down and whispered in Jackie's ear. "Momma has to go outside and make a phone call," Sophie said. "Why don't you tell Granny and Grampa more about what you and Jamie did yesterday.
A year ago, leaving Jackie alone in the same room as her parents would have been unbelievable, but Sophie and Jamie had worked hard, instilling in Jackie a sense that she needed to have emotional control. They taught her many different techniques in order to help her control her emotions.
It didn't always work, and unfortunately, it had also resulted in Sophie's happy baby girl to become a bit reclusive, a fact that Sophie felt guilty about, guilt that would likely stay with her for the rest of her life. Still, Jackie's lessons on emotional control had at the very least give her enough emotional control to stay in the same room as her grandparents alone for a few minutes.
Sophie took a deep breath, stood placed Jackie on the bed before she stepped out of the room. She took a deep breath and dialled the all to familiar number.
"Hello."
"Where the hell are you?" Sophie asked.
"Sophie…"
"Don't you 'Sophie' me." Sophie hissed into her cellphone. "You're supposed to be here."
"I know that Soph." Jamie started, "I also know, that he has guests coming in because they all think…"
"I know what they think." Sophie cut him off, unable to process the end of that sentence.
"I can't pretend everything's fine," Jamie said. "Cause you and I both know it's not."
"We don't know anything," Sophie said. "He said he was feeling better today."
"People feel better right before they get sick again all the time." Jamie reasoned.
"All the more reason to come," Sophie said. "You don't know what will happen tomorrow."
"I can't," Jamie said. "I can't watch him die. Can you promise me he won't?"
Sophie went quiet and leaned against the wall watching nurses and doctors walk past her. "No," Sophie said. "But this isn't about us," Sophie said. "If this is going to be his final Christmas… shouldn't we try to make it as good as possible?"
Jamie didn't say anything, but Sophie got the feeling he was starting to get angry at her. Sophie took a deep breath and sighed. Their dad would want Jamie to visit his on free will not because Jamie was guilted into it. "I love you, Jamie, you know, that right?"
"Yeah," Jaime said and Sophie could hear the smile in his voice. "I know."
"I should be home later tonight," Sophie said.
"You should be getting a lot of guests coming in and out to say Merry Christmas," Jamie said. "Our Grandparents, Our Aunts and Uncles and Cousins… etc."
"I know," Sophie said she looked up and saw Aunt Lissa along with her husband coming down the hall. With bags of gifts in their hands. "Speaking, of Aunt Lissa's here." She said. "Gotta go."
She ended the call and smiled at the family. "Hey," She said walking up to them.
To her surprise, Jennifer gave her a hug. "Oh uh, hey Jen," Sophie said.
"How are you doing?" Jennifer said.
"I'm doing fine," Sophie said. "Dad said he was feeling better."
"Did he." Aunt Lissa said. While her husband turned and entered the room. Sophie didn't blame him if her brother was lying in a hospital from a stroke, she would not be bothering with pleasantries either, and Uncle Geoffrey had not been much of a talker in the first place. He did flash her a quick 'hey' before quickly entering the room.
Lissa sighed. "I'm sorry about that," Lissa said. "He's been eager to see Jason this Christmas."
Sophie nodded, Jennifer released her and Jessica took her turn to hug Sophie while Joanna hung back her phone out in front of her.
"Joanna," Lissa said. "Have some respect, for where we are."
Joanna looked up from her phone typed one last thing on her phone before she put it away. She gave a small awkward smile and gave Sophie a hug too.
"You don't have too," Sophie whispered as she returned the hug. "If it bothers you."
Joanna let go and shrugged. "It's fine," Joanna said.
Lissa gave Sophie a hug too as well as a kiss on the cheek. "How's Jackie doing?"
"She's fine," Sophie said. "A little morose lately, but fine. She's here if you want to see her."
Lissa looked through the door, she turned to her daughters. "Why don't the three of you head inside and say hi to your uncle."
"Yeah, I should head back inside myself," Sophie said
Jessica, Joanna, and Jennifer nodded and stepped around Sophie; Jessica gave Sophie another hug before they entered the room. Sophie following in after them.
"Momma!" Jackie said running toward Sophie. Sophie bent down and picked her up. "Hey Little Winter Sprite," Sophie said.
"Where's Jamie?" Lissa's husband, John, asked.
"He's at home," Sally said.
Lissa clicked her tongue but evidently decided not to say anything.
"Joanna, I heard you considering studying History?" Jason said Joanna looked up and shrugged. "Yeah."
"Any specific time-period?" Sophie asked.
Joanna shrugged. "Ancient Rome is interesting."
"Before or after it became a republic?" Sophie asked. Joanna blinked and stared at Sophie. Sophie smiled a little. "I minor in Classical History at the local community college."
"Actually, I'm more interested in that moment where Rome went from a Republic to an Empire." Joanna said."
Sophie bounced Jackie on her knee. "Oh yeah?"
Joanna nodded, "Julius Caesar, Caesar Augustus, and Tiberius, are more interesting, Caesars Assassination is especially interesting.
"Ugh, you're so weird," Jennifer muttered.
Sophie turned to glare at Jennifer, but Joanna had already clammed up. "I was interested," Sophie said.
Joanna nodded her hands slammed into her pocket. Sophie sighed and stood. "Hey, Jackie do you want to get something to eat?"
"Donuts!" Jackie said.
"Anyone else wants anything?" Sophie asked.
"Oh yeah, get me a toasted buttered bagel," Jason said.
"Bacon Turkey Sub," Jessica said.
"Salad" Jennifer called out.
"I could do with a cup of coffee, four milks and four sugars." Aunt Lissa said.
"Joanna, want to come along?" Sophie said. "I'm going to need help carrying the food back."
Joanna stared up at Sophie, looked around the room before staring out the door. Then she nodded and stood.
Sophie smiled and together the three of them walked out of the room.
"Do you want anything?" Sophie asked.
Joanna shrugged. "Apple Juice?" She asked.
Sophie nodded and turned to her daughter. "I'm going to put you down," Sophie said.
"Ok, Momma," Jackie said.
Sophie smiled and put her down.
Joanna eyed the two of them but looked away when Sophie caught her staring. Sophie held Jackie's hand.
/
"Hi, yes, I would like two chocolate donuts, two chocolate milks, one Apple Juice, a four by four coffee, a Plain toasted buttered bagel, a regular salad, and a Bacon and Turkey Sub," Sophie said as Joanna wondered to the nearest table and sat down. She already had her hand out and was scrolling through it.
Sophie was a bit disappointed but the talk with her brother did change her perspective a bit. Joanna seemed uncomfortable being there, and Sophie knew from experience that Joanna did not like crowds or confrontations. While they waited for her order she went to sit by Joanna and waited.
"Do you think he's going to die?"
Sophie paused and stared at Joanna. Joanna seemed to shrink into her chair but she never lost eye contact.
"I'm sorry?"
"Today," Joanna said. "Do you think he's going to die today?"
A lump formed in Sophie's throat at the unexpected question. "Why are you…"
"Mom and Dad got angry at me when I asked at home, saying that I shouldn't be asking such questions," Joanna said. Then she turned her attention to Jackie "I shouldn't have brought this up in front of Jacqueline shouldn't have I?" She said. She shook her head "Never mind."
"You didn't want to risk watching him go," Sophie said matter-of-factly.
Joanna looked away. "I'm not ready." She said her voice small and tiny.
"I don't believe he'll die today," Sophie said. "And to me, he's actually doing pretty well."
"Then why isn't Jamie…"
Sophie sighed and stared back at Jackie. "He thinks that dad might get sicker later and he doesn't want to watch that happen."
"But you don't believe that."
"I'm holding onto hope that it won't," Sophie said. "Not today, not on Christmas," Sophie said.
"But in the future?"
Sophie nodded. "Sometime in the future, he will go," Sophie said.
Joanna looked like she had tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be crying." Joanna said wiping at her eyes. "But…"
"Why are you crying?" Jackie asked. "Did Momma make you sad?"
Joanna chuckled a little. "No, your momma and I are just having a sad conversation."
"About grandpa going away?" Jackie asked. "Where is he going?" Jackie said.
Sophie sighed wondering how to bring up the conversation and unable to decide how to explain it in a way that wouldn't harm her psyche but also in a way that she would understand.
Sophie held Jackie. "I don't know if grandpa is going anywhere," Sophie said. Finally resolving to explain to Jackie later if and when it actually became an issue. Yes, she was a coward, no she did not take criticism.
They heard the server call their order and Sophie stood to go retrieve it.
When Sophie came back with the order. "If you want, I can tell Aunt Lissa that you're not feeling well," Sophie said. "And walk you over to my house."
Joanna looked like she was seriously considering the offer, her eyes wide and scared, Sophie could see the signs of an oncoming panic attack.
Sophie sat down beside her and waited quietly. "I'll be honest," Sophie said. "I would rather stay," Sophie said. "But I won't force it. If you want to leave, I'll walk you to my house and you and Jamie can hang out. We'll have to get your mom's permission of course… but I'll back you up."
Joanna nodded. "Ok. I should at least say goodbye to Uncle Jason first."
"That I agree with," Sophie said standing. "Come on, let's go."
Joanna wiped the tears off her eyes and stood. "Thanks, Sophie."
Sophie nodded and stood up. "We're going to take a quick walk back home and then come back," Sophie said. "Ok?"
"OK, Momma."
"You don't have too," Joanna said. "I know my way to the house."
"I know but if your sick you shouldn't be walking home in the cold by yourself," Sophie said.
"Hey, Aunt Lissa," Sophie said. "Joanna isn't feeling so well," Sophie said. "I thought I could take her to my house for a bit."
"No," Sally said. "I'll take her, you deserve to stay with your dad, if that's ok with you, Lissa."
Lissa stared at Joanna for a moment. "Are you really feeling ill?"
Joanna swallowed. "I feel nauseous." She said and considering how anxiety could be at times. Sophie had no doubt that Joanna did feel nauseous.
Lissa sighed. "I'm sorry to do you mind?" She said.
Sally shook her head. "It's fine." She stood and smiled at Joanna. "We'll take the car."
Sophie pulled out her cellphone and sent a quick text explaining that he would be asked (told) to watch their middle cousin.
She looked around the room and realized that it had a bit more people.
"Mike! Ike!" Sophie said stepping forward and giving the two of them a hug, Jackie following behind her. "How are you two?"
"We're doing good, little Sophia." Mike bent down and ruffled Jackie's hair. "And How are you doing today?" he asked little Jackie.
"I'm doing good," Jackie said softly.
Ike and Mike ruffled Jackie's hair again.
Then the grandparents came. Both sets the parents of Sally and Jason both arrived within minutes of each other that Sophie wondered if it had been planned that way.
"Oh, my baby boy." Grandma Mary Bennett said. Hurrying forward and holding her child. "How are you feeling today?"
Grampa Joseph Bennett held back and put a hand on Jason's knee.
"Ma' you don't have to worry I feel fine," Jason said with a laugh.
"Jason Isaac Bennet don't you tell your mother how to feel, you had a stroke two months ago and your still not out of the hospital, I will feel what I please concerning my own baby boy."
Sophie bit her lip to stop laughing.
"Where is Sally, and Jamie?"
"My Joanna felt ill," Lissa cut in. "So, Sally offered to take her to her house."
"And Jamie."
"At home." Sophie covered. "He wasn't feeling all too well," Sophie said.
"Hmm," Grandma said.
Sally's parents, Grandma Penny and Grandpa Alistair on the other just gave Sophie and Jackie giant hugs. And tried to speak with everyone. They asked Sophie about the school, and Jackie how she was doing and if she was excited about getting her gifts.
Jackie responded that she was ok and was very excited about the gifts she would receive.
A few minutes Sally returned this time with her own gifts that had been left in the car, and Grandma Penny and Grandpa Alistair hurried over and gave Sally a hug. Sally let herself be hugged for a moment, and Sophie could have a sword that for half a minute, while she was enveloped in her parent's arm, that her mother was crying.
Sophie looked away.
"Alright now that we're all here, and you've all brought gifts, let's open gifts!"
Open gifts they did, most of the newest generation got envelopes of money including Jackie who touched it before Sally put the money back into the envelope with the idea that it would go straight into Jackie's bank account when she got home. Though Jackie being the youngest also got a fair deal of toys and gifts too.
Sophie Bennett's as can be imagined didn't have enough money to buy gifts that year, having to save all they could to go towards Jason's hospital expenses, so everyone had resolved that the only one who would get gifts that year was Jackie (Jason had insisted that any money that would go toward his own Christmas gift would go to Jackie)
Sophie had told Jackie the truth by this point about how Santa did exist, but for whatever reason Santa skipped over Jackie's house. Sophie hadn't meant to have this talk with Jackie so young but Jackie had walked in on her signing Santa's name and had questioned her about it.
Sophie had taken her aside and explained that Santa did exist, that everything Sophie had told her was true, but for some reason, Santa skipped over their house every year.
It had taken a while but Jackie did eventually let it go. But Sophie still managed to scrounge up a bit of money to get Jackie a gift from 'Santa' anyway.
Jackie got a great number of gifts, a charm bracelet that had once belonged to her great grandmother. A colouring book with a box of crayons, some new clothes, and a necklace that had once belonged to Sally.
Sophie got money (which didn't bother her, she quite literally told every member of her family that would listen that she needed money, She would be happy for whatever she got, but she would prefer to have money in her pocket.) And Everyone from the extended family seemed to get her money.
Jason himself got a few gifts from the extended family Lissa and John got him so wine to enjoy when he got out of the hospital, his parents and his in-laws offered to pay some of his hospital bills Sally nearly broke down crying when she heard that, while Jason had tried to dissuade them ("It's too much!") He complained. (Neither set of parents decided to listen.)
Mike and Ike got him new mittens and hats.
And they all laughed as they enjoyed spending time with each other.
Back at the Bennett House
"You don't mind me being here bothering you right?" Joanna said sitting on the couch.
Jamie shook his head. "Nah, it was getting lonely here anyway."
Joanna nodded and rubbed her arms. "Sophie said you were avoiding the hospital too."
Jamie looked away. "I wouldn't say I'm avoiding the hospital per se."
Joanna didn't look amused. "It's fine, Sophie was the one who offered me the chance of hanging out here instead of at the hospital." She said.
"Mom said you were feeling nauseous."
"I was, my anxiety often presents itself as nausea, mom knows that but she also wasn't about to risk me falling ill in a place full of sick people who may or may not have compromised immune systems," Joanna said.
"Ahh," Jamie said, sitting on the couch. "How are you feeling now."
Joanna shrugged. "I'm better." She said. "Do you really think your dad is going to die today?" She asked.
Jamie sighed. "No, I actually agree with Sophie that he may survive passed midnight."
Joanna stared at him. "Then why are you here?"
"Because there's always a chance I'm wrong," Jamie said.
Joanna stared up at Jamie. "Your scared."
Jamie didn't answer.
"I didn't want to watch Jason die either, but now that I'm here I wonder how I would feel if that was the last time, I saw him," Joanna said staring back out the window. "Would this be the last Christmas I saw him? And then I wonder, if I'm feeling this way about my uncle, what might you be feeling about your dad?"
Joanna looked down.
Jamie closed his eyes. "You suck."
Joanna's mouth opened and looked mockingly outraged. She nudged her older cousin.
"You think I should go back."
Joanna shrugged. "I don't know."
Jamie took a deep breath and sighed. To be honest ever since Sophie had called, he had been wondering if he had made the right decision staying home. Joanna being here just made him come to the decision much faster.
"Alright," Jamie said. "Will you be ok here by yourself?"
Joanna stood. "Maybe I should come too…?"
Jamie nodded. "Well ok then," Jamie said. "Get your coat I'll be waiting in the car."
Sophie was laughing along to a story Mike had told when the door opened and in walked Jamie and Joanna.
For a minute it was quiet but then Sophie stood and gave her brother a hug.
"Hey, Jamie," Jason said. "Welcome."
Jason waved. "Hey, Dad."
Joanna went to stand by her mom, as Jamie went to stand beside his dad.
"Now that the whole family is here. Let's get a picture, does anyone have a camera?"
Sally took out her cellphone. "I do." She said.
Fortunately, at that point, a nurse came in, and Jason asked her to take a picture. The nurse smiled and everyone crowded around Jason and smiled at the Camera. Sally stood beside her husband while Jason stood on the other side, Jackie was placed on the bed with Jason with Sophie crouched down beside him. And everyone was arranged around him and smiled as the nurse snapped the picture.
After the nurse did some cursory checking to make sure everything was ok, they continued to laugh with each other. Celebrating that Christmas.
Jack watched as Sophie bounced Jackie on her knees and smiled believing for a moment that he was there enjoying it with her.
Unbeknown to Jack or the Bennett family, Jason was being watched by a figure around 19 with a black cape wrapped around her shoulders. Staring at the man sadly.
A/N Anxiety is FUN! The minute you've resolved to do something you're automatically wondering if you chose the right thing. Joanna is doing that. She is an anxious ridden mess (which is something I relate to as Anxiety is such a common occurrence in my life It might as well be my natural state of being.) (BTW,
This is somewhat based on my personal experiences. When my grandmother was in the hospital, I kept putting off visiting her, and the day I had resolved to visit her I found out she died that morning shortly after midnight.
So as much as you might dislike Jamie's reaction to this, it is coming from a VERY real place for me.
The being watching the Bennett family has been seen before. Hope you enjoyed it.
(I may keep posting these past the Christmas season.)