I would thank everyone who has taken the time to read my story. I am also grateful for all the reviews. Now, to see how Liam is doing and find out exactly what happened to him.

Weight(s)of the World part II

Jay wanted to question his son about Bauer Metcalf, but the boy was sleeping and as Will had said, he needed his rest. But Jay was jittery and hard time staying still. He read a chapter of Charlotte's Web, but paused so often as his thoughts raced, that he was sure Liam, even in his sleeping state was frustrated with the breaks.

Will came in later to say goodnight. He offered to stay, but Jay sent him home. "You need to get some rest, so you're ready to save lives tomorrow."

"Okay. I'll bring you some breakfast. He'll probably continue to sleep tonight. Read to him, talk to him. Hold his hand. Do you want this bed thing?" Will asked speaking of the fold out bench thing. "It's kind of hard, but it is flat.

Jay went over and sat down on it. "Nah, I'll stick with the recliner, this thing is like sleeping on concrete." He said making a face as he stood up.

"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow little brother. Goodnight Liam, I'll see you tomorrow too." Will waved at his sleeping nephew as he lugged the sleeping bench back into the hallway for housekeeping to take care of later.

Later that night Jay's eyes fluttered open, and for a moment he forgot where he was. In the truck on stakeout? At a date's house? But then he saw the glow of the light near Liam's bed, his son in the hospital bed, awake and crying out.

"Hey buddy, it's okay, I'm right here, Daddy's here," he said as he sat up, throwing aside the blanket that a nurse must have covered him with. He lowered the bed rail and leaned over and took the boys' hand. Liam's chest was heaving with his breath tried to catch up with his emotions.

"Did you have a bad dream?"

"I want to sit up," Liam stated not answering his father's question.

"Okay, let's figure out which button does that," Jay said standing up looking over the bed. "So many buttons, are you sure you're not on a rocketship?"

"Pretty sure," Liam said coughing.

"Try this one," Jay pointed. Liam pushed it and the back part of the bed raised up, pushing Liam into a sitting position.

"There he is," Jay said sitting on the edge of the bed. "Do you want a drink?"

Liam shook his head no and began to cough, Jay wincing with each one. He hated to admit it, but he really wanted to ask about Bauer Metcalf, even in the middle of his son's crisis. Finally, Liam began to calm down and quieted. "I have to spit," he said, his voice muffled.

"Oh, okay," Jay said looking around. He saw a plastic cup next to a pitcher of water on the tray on the other side of the bed. "Here you go," he said handing to Liam who spit a big glob of colorful phlegm. "Wow, are you sure that came from you?"

Liam peered into the cup and wrinkled his nose. "Gross," he whispered.

"Well this is where the party is," the nurse said as she came into the room. "Hi guys, I'm Brenda and I'm your night nurse." She walked over and turned on the light over Liam's bed and fiddled with the settings on the box that fed into the IV bags. "I'm going to check a few things okay?" Liam nodded and followed her instructions as she asked him to breathe and took his temperature and blood pressure.

"He spit this up," Jay said holding up the cup with the recent deposit.

"Oh my. Good for you," she said. "I'm going to go get another cup for you and when you have to spit, I want you to do it in there okay?" Liam nodded and leaned back into the bed.

"I'm going to go to the bathroom, I'll be right back." Jay said.

"No Daddy, don't leave me." Liam pleaded, his eyes opened wide and scared.

"The bathroom is just right there," he said pointing to the corner of the room.

"No, I don't want to be alone." He said, his eyes tearing up.

"Okay, kiddo, I'll stay right here."

"How about this," Brenda began, "I'll sit with you while your dad goes to the bathroom then I'll go get your new cup. Will that work for you?"

"Okay," Liam said sadly.

Jay didn't hesitate, his bladder grateful for the opportunity that it was just afforded. He finished and washed his hands and came to find Liam looking his direction, clearly waiting for his return.

"Okay, I'll be right back guys. Dad, can I get you anything?" Brenda asked.

"No thanks," Jay said as he watched her leave.

"What was that about? I wasn't going to be far."

"Nothing. I'm tired." Liam said fiddling with his nasal cannula.

"Okay," Jay said as Liam pushed the button to go backwards a bit. "Leave that alone," He said speaking of the cannula.

The nurse came back in the with cup and smiled at them. "If you have to spit, do in in here okay?"

"How come?" Liam asked, dropping his hands from the nasal accessory.

"Because they will want to see exactly what your coughing up."

"Gross," he said.

"Yeah, it is, but kinda cool too. I mean look at it, it's like an alien life form."

Liam laughed a little but it caused another coughing fit. Jay, who had been sitting on the edge of the bed grabbed the cup and handed it to Liam who began a new collection of bodily fluids. He then leaned over and tousled his son's hair.

"Sleep tight guys," Brenda said turning the light off over Liam's bed.

"Think you can go back to sleep?" Jay asked.

"Maybe."

"I'm right here. Can you tell me what is making you so upset?"

"Nothing. I just don't feel good," Liam said, but Jay knew it was more than that. He was hesitant to ask directly about Bauer, so he tried a different tack.

"What was your dream about?"

"Nothing."

"About Jeff?"

"No, why would it be about him?"

"How about that other guy, Jeff's friend."

"Bauer?" Liam asked and even in the near darkness, Jay could tell he was upset.

"Yeah, him. Can you tell me what happened at Jeff's apartment? Please tell me Liam."

"I want to—" he began before he drifted off.

"Did he tell you not to say anything?"

"Yeah."

"I'm right here. I will protect you." Jay said climbing up into the bed and laying next to his son.

"But you can't always be with me. You have to go back to work soon."

"Maybe. But you have me, Uncle Will, Ellie, the whole team to keep an eye on you and protect you. Believe me this Bauer guy is no match for all of us. Can you tell me?"

"Okay," Liam sighed and coughed a little bit more. "I was laying down on the couch. I had just been watching TV because I didn't feel good. Jeff got a text and had to go get a book or something from down the street. He asked Bauer if he could hang out so I didn't have to get up and go with him."

"Jeff knew you didn't feel good huh?"

"Yeah, he made me peppermint tea and let me watch whatever I wanted on TV."

"So what happened when he left?"

"Bauer told me he had come over to work out, because Jeff has weights and stuff. He walked over by the weights and asked me if I worked out, if I was a tough guy. I told him yes, because I just wanted him to be quiet. But then he told me to come over by him so I did. He pointed to the weights and said I needed to start lifting them because I was puny. I didn't even know what that word meant, but I didn't think it was nice."

"The weights were flat on the floor?"

"Most of them. They were just laying there, not on the bar yet. He backed away and I turned to watch him and my back was to all the weights. Then he said he'd see if I was tough and pushed me. I didn't expect it and fell backwards on them. It really hurt and I couldn't help it and I cried a little. I didn't feel good and it hurt extra," Liam explained.

"Then what happened," Jay encouraged.

"I couldn't get up so he reached down for me. I thought he was going to be nice and help me up and say he was sorry, but he called me a baby and jerked me up. I said I was going to tell Jeff what he did and that's when he grabbed my arms and kinda shook me. He squeezed really hard and said I better not tell anyone about what happened and if I did, it meant I really was a baby and that he would get me. He said that snitches get stitches and I don't want stitches Dad." Liam cried.

Jay took a deep breath and tried not convey the anger he was feeling. But clearly he was unsuccessful.

"I'm sorry Dad." Liam said, his voice sad.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. He had no right to treat you like that."

"Don't go beat him up," Liam said.

"I won't and you are brave and very nice to not want me to hurt him like he hurt you."

"Don't arrest him either."

"How come?"

"Because he'll find me and be really mad."

"Look at me," Jay ordered. Liam slowly turned his head. "He will not get you, he will not find you. All those people I mentioned before and Jeff, will not let him hurt you. I promise you."

"Okay. But will happen to him?"

"We'll see, but it won't come back on you. Now close your eyes and dream about good stuff."

"Okay," Liam said snuggling into his father.

Jay felt pressure on his arm and opened his eyes to see Will standing there. "Hey, how was your night?"

"Hmmm," he said sitting up. "He woke up a few times. He doesn't want to be alone, I could barely use the bathroom. Oh and he's spitting that up," Jay said pointing to the cup as he slid out of the bed.

"Actually a good thing. It's starting to break up. It'll be a process, but this is a positive sign.

"Here's some breakfast," Will said handing his brother a breakfast sandwich and coffee. "Do you think he's scared that Bauer kid will be back?"

"I can tell you with confidence that he is," Jay said. "Can you stay with him a second. I need to make a phone call."

"Don't call Jeff or the caseworker, it'll just complicate things." Will warned.

"I'm not calling either one of them. I'm not stupid Will. I'll be right back." Jay said, clearly aggravated with everything.

Will checked Liam's chart as well as the IV's. He picked up the cup and studied the mucus. He sat down and brushed the boy's bangs across his forehead. He could understand his brother's anger and frustration with what had happened while in the sitters care, but he as afraid that disgruntlement might turn into something more—something that wasn't going to end well.

"Did he wake up?" Jay asked as he came back into the room.

"No, still sleeping. They'll probably try to get him to eat a little bit later today. You need to eat," he said nodding at the bag."

"Yeah, smells good," Jay said unwrapping the sandwich and taking a big bite. "Thanks man," he mumbled with an open mouth. "And sorry about what I said a minute ago."

"Already forgotten. But dude, close your mouth when you chew. Do you remember when we used to chew our food and then show each other at the dinner table?"

"Yeah, Dad would get so aggravated," Jay chuckled.

"If you don't want to eat that food then just leave it on your plate," Will mimicked their father's reaction.

"You know, Liam did that to me a couple of weeks ago. Chewed forever then showed it all to me. In fact it was right after you had him for the day."

"Purely coincidence," Will assured, but they both laughed knowing Will had shared their childhood fun with Liam.

"Let me know if the caseworker's catch up to Bauer Metcalf."

"Yeah, they said they'd prioritize it today. Thanks for the breakfast man."

"No sweat. I'll check on you later."

Liam woke up just as Jay finished his breakfast and the nurse came in with a bowl of oatmeal and some orange juice. She checked his vitals and encouraged him to eat, but Liam didn't look very enthused. Jay, begged, cajoled and even threatened to use the old airplane scenario from infancy if he didn't at least try. So, Liam managed three bites and drank his orange juice.

"You have to eat," Jay said as climbed into bed again with Liam who had moved over to allow enough room.

"I'll do better at lunch," Liam promised.

After reading for a while, they watched the Lego Movie and as the credits began to roll, Liam fell asleep.

"You look comfortable," Will said as he came in. "Hey," he began whispering when he noticed his sleeping nephew, "I'll take the lunch shift if you want to go home to shower and change."

Jay smelled his armpits. "Am I that bad?"

"No," Will chuckled softly. "I figured you'd want to stretch your legs. "I can take over, so someone will be here when he wakes up."

"You sure?" Jay asked, he actually was dying for some fresh air or for what passed as fresh air in Chicago. He hated to leave Liam, but knew his brother would keep an eye on him and he really did need a change of scenery. "Okay, I'll be back in a couple of hours."

Will saluted him and sat down with a pile of charts in his lap and began to make notes as he conferred with his tablet, looking over at Liam every few minutes.

"Uncle Will," Liam said thirty minutes later, his voice raspy.

"Hey kiddo. How are you feeling?" Liam shrugged his shoulders. "Better I think. I want to go home."

"I'm sure you do."

"Where's my dad?"

"He went home to take a shower and change his clothes. He'll be back soon. Are you ready for lunch?" Will asked as a tray with some broth and jello was brought in.

"I'm not hungry. It doesn't taste right."

"Well, a few things have to happen if you want to go home."

"What are they?"

"You have to start eating. I'm not saying that you have to clean your plate, but you have to eat at every meal."

"I'll try."

"And you have to get up and walk around a little bit. And use that plastic thing with the balls in it that the respiratory therapist brought in this morning and showed you how to use."

"I hate that thing, it makes me cough." He said speaking of the gadget that had a hose attached to a clear plastic container that had balls inside that would go up as the user blew into it.

"You have to exercise your lungs to get the gunk out."

"Can I get up instead?" Liam asked with hope in his eyes. "I want to get up."

"Sure, but there is one thing that has to be done first though."

"What?"

"We have to take your catheter out."

"What's that?"

"You know how you haven't been out of bed, and have all that liquid dripping into you, but haven't had to pee?" Liam nodded. "Well, it's because you have a tube that is in your bladder and draining into a bag. We have to take that out first."

Liam held the blankets up and looked underneath, moving his gown out of the way. Will could tell he found what he was looking for when he gasped. "Take it out, take it out!"

"Do you want me to do it or do you want me to get you a nurse?"

"Is it going to be a lady nurse?"

"Probably. We can wait until I find a male nurse."

"No, you do it," Liam demanded.

"You sure?" The boy nodded emphatically. "Okay," Will said as he grabbed some gloves from a box on the wall and then pulled the covers back. "Look at me or a spot on the wall. This won't hurt, it'll just be a slight tug. I want you to take a practice breath to see if you cough, just inhale a little and blow out like this," he showed pursing his lips. "Do it slowly and gently."

Liam followed the directions and managed not to cough. "Okay. I didn't cough. I'm ready to do it for real this time."

"It's already out," Will said winking and stowing the paraphernalia under the bed for now.

"You tricked me. You're a good doctor Uncle Will."

"Thank you. You're a brave patient."

"What about this?" Liam asked about his IV. "I don't want to get stuck with a needle again."

"No problem," Will said, clamping the IV line and separating it from the needle. "See, no sweat. We'll hook you back up when you're done. You can take the thing out of your nose too, but we'll have to hook you all back up when you return. Let me help you," he said as Liam swung his legs off the bed.

"I can do it," Liam proclaimed.

"You haven't been on your feet, or upright for a few days and if anything happens to you, your dad will kill me."

Liam tried to sigh, but it led to a coughing fit. Will hung on tightly as Liam nearly bounced off the bed. When he finished Will grabbed the cup so Liam could spit. "Get it all out buddy."

"I'm trying," Liam said, the frustration evident in his voice.

"Hey, I brought you these, so you can get out of that silly gown," Will said steering the boy over to his pile of charts where a small set of scrubs sat.

"They have airplanes on them." Liam stated as he looked over at them.

"They do. You can go over the the bathroom and change." He said holding Liam's arm.

"Am I doing good?" Liam asked, with hope in his eyes.

"You're doing great. Do you think you can change on your own?"

"Yes," he said with certainty.

"There's a stool in there you can sit on. Don't try to put the pants on standing up."

"Okay."

"Promise me," Will said looking his nephew in the eye.

"I promise."

"Okay, I'm right here if you need me. Don't lock the door."

"I won't," Liam said and he even left it open a crack which made Will feel better.

When he came out Will stepped over to assist but didn't touch him. "Look at you," he said beaming. "Let me roll the pants up. I swear these things don't fit anyone," he said as he folded up the cuffs of the pants so Liam didn't step on them.

"Hey, I heard someone was sick, but you don't look very sick," Kevin said as he and Kim walked into the room.

"Kevin," Liam cried out, causing another coughing fit. Will latched onto him and kept him steady. When he was finished he looked over at his surrogate uncle and aunt. "I got out of bed and walked," he said proudly.

"That's fantastic," Kevin said.

"Hey guys," Will greeted. "Do you want to sit in the recliner for a few minutes, Liam?"

"Yes please," Liam said as he made his way over to the chair.

He managed to climb up and seemed pretty satisfied with his new perch. "My dad went home to take a shower," he announced. "He's been here nearly the whole time," Liam said proudly as Will hooked the IV back up, but left the nasal cannula where it lay in the bed.

"I bet he has," Kim said handing over a book. "This has a bunch of puzzles for you. Word searches, dot to dot, mazes."

"Awesome," Liam said taking it and flipping through the pages. "Thanks."

"These are from Hailey," she said giving him a box of five matchbox cars.

"And this has some kind of cut-out things where you can make a whole city," Kevin said handing his offering over.

"Thank you so much. I've been sleeping a lot, but this morning me and dad watched the Lego Movie and I didn't fall asleep once."

"Well, it sounds like your getting better fast." Kevin said.

"I have to eat, but I can pee by myself again," he stated.

"You sure can," Will said smiling.

"That's great," Kim said with her eyes wide and somewhat confused at Liam's news.

"We're going to take off, but we'll try and check on you again," Kevin said as Kim waved goodbye.

"Here's some lunch," a volunteer said bringing in a tray that held, a juice box with apple juice, some broth and jello on it passing the officers as she made her way into the room.

Will slid the tray over to the chair and took the top off the bowl of broth. "Eat up," he encouraged.

Liam tasted it and frowned. "It's salty."

"You need the salt."

"Why?"

"You know when you sweat and it tastes salty or when you cry?" Liam nodded. "Your body needs it, and yours is running a little low so slurp up."

"Like this?" Liam asked slurping as loudly as he could.

"Just like that," Will said, not the least bit concerned about table manners as long as the kid was eating.

After eating or sucking up about half the soup he looked over at the jello, but pushed the jiggling square aside.

"No jello?"

"Do you know what's in jello?"

"Sorta," Will replied.

"No thanks."

"How about I get you some pudding later then?"

"Okay. Chocolate please."

"I'll see what I can do. How about getting back in bed. You need to rest again."

"Can I have my books and cars?"

"Of course you can. But we will have to get you back on the oxygen." Will said as he helped Liam climb back into bed. Not long after he got every thing settled on the tray, and the plastic prongs back in his nose, Liam was asleep.

An hour later Jay walked in and found Adam sitting in the recliner, circling words in a puzzle book. "Hey man, Will had a case when I was visiting. I said I'd stay."

"Thanks. I appreciate it."

" He's been asleep, but Will said they took the catheter out and he walked to the bathroom, ate some broth and sat up for a while.

"Voight, will be looking for you. What happened to him—it was hard to calm down after I heard. We were all pretty wound up." Adam said, looking over at Liam.

"I told Liam that you'd all be there to protect him."

"Hell yeah brother." Adam looked past Jay and nodded his head, causing Jay to turn around and see his boss.

Voight waved him into the hallway. "Can we talk for a second?"

"Sure," Jay said as he heard Liam's voice, just as he hit the doorway. His head involuntarily swung to look behind him, following his son's voice.

"I won't keep you long, just need to update you. I happened to bump into this kid Bauer Metcalf at his dorm. He tried to be all tough, but really he is what we already knew—a bully. After a discussion about what happened on Monday—he needed a little encouragement—but it all came out—exactly what Liam had told you. Dude said it was an accident, didn't mean to push him so hard, didn't realize he was so small and weak. Then he panicked when Liam said he'd tell, said Jeff would have had a fit. He was all apologetic, but then he seemed to remember that there was some kind of family emergency back home in Lincoln Nebraska, so he packed up and said he'd take the next train. Probably won't be back anytime soon. Adam is going ensure he gets on the train tonight."

Jay ran his hand over his face in an effort to contain his emotion, but it wasn't working. "He's coming back?"

"Like I said, not anytime soon. I can assure you of that. He's a punk, all bark no bite. In a few years Liam will be able to kick his ass. He's nothing but bravado and bluster and he's not our problem anymore."

Jay nodded, still trying to rein in his emotions. "Thanks Sarge, I thought it was better if I didn't talk to the kid myself. I couldn't trust my actions."

"You were right to call me," Voight said. "You were too close to this."

Jay nodded, knowing what Hank said was correct, even Liam knew Jay would struggle if he confronted the abuser. "Come say hi," he said clearing his throat.

Voight nodded and followed Jay into the room.

"Hey check this out, it's a truck that turns into a dinosaur," Adam said as he picked up the toy that Liam had set on the tray in front of him.

"No it's not," Liam explained, "it's a dinosaur that turns into a truck."

"Oh, I stand corrected. Either way, it's pretty cool. I wish I had awesome toys like that when I was a kid."

"You can have it," Liam offered.

"Yeah? I'll tell you what—you keep an eye on it for me and next time I'm at your place I'll check it out."

"Okay," Liam said. "Daddy!" He yelled, finally noticing his dad. "Sarge!"

"Hey Liam." Voight greeted. "I heard you weren't feeling well."

"I'm getting better. Uncle Will said if I start eating I can go home this weekend."

"Well you better eat then. Hey Adam, probably time to head and find our friend and make sure he gets to where he's going."

"Will do boss," Adam said grabbing his jacket. "I'll see you later," he said looking at Liam. "Eat your dinner so you can go home."

"Okay Uncle Adam," Liam said waving.

"Oh, I was working on one of the word searches in your book. I hope that's okay."

"It's fine," Liam said smiling.

"See you guys," Adam said as he headed out to ensure that Bauer Metcalf did indeed get on the train and leave the city. His welcome in Chicago had been officially worn out.

"I stopped and grabbed this. I figured you would be pretty bored," Hank said placing a small bag down in front of Liam.

Liam gasped. "Dad it's Lego Batmobile." He immediately began to open the box.

"Sarge you didn't have to," Jay said.

"I know I didn't, but he needs to keep busy. You eat like Adam said so you can get out of here and back home."

"Yes sir," Liam said already sorting through Lego bricks. "It even has a Batman," Liam proclaimed.

"Walk me out Jay," Hank said.

"I'll be right back Liam, I'll be right outside the door in the hall," Jay said.

"Okay," Liam said, suddenly quiet, his eyes wary.

Jay stopped and looked at his son. "I'll be in the doorway, nothing and nobody will get by me."

Liam nodded, his face a little more relaxed.

Once they hit the hallway Hank smiled at his subordinate. "I know it's been a rough week, with everything going on. But we're working on a pretty big case, so when you think you can come back—well we need you soon. But I get it—Liam is the priority."

"I'll see what I can work out Sarge."

"I know you will," he said as he put his hand on Jay's shoulder and smiled before he turned and walked away.

Jay walked back in to the room to find Liam working on a puzzle in his book. "Uncle Adam started this one. He only got two words though," Liam began. "Do you have to go to work?"

"Not today." Jay replied.

"Tomorrow?"

"Nope."

"Monday?" Liam continued.

"Maybe," Jay admitted.

"When do I have to go back to school?"

"You're home for another week. I stopped by the school and picked up your assignments and books. You have a lot to do. But I can help."

"Okay," Liam said setting his pencil down and picking up his dinosaur truck. He fiddled with it, twisting and turning it.

"What's wrong?"

"Did you go talk to Bauer?"

"No, I haven't."

"What if he comes and finds me."

"I promised you that he won't and it is a promise that will be kept."

"How? How can you promise that?"

"He only goes to school here, he lives in Nebraska."

"Where's that?"

"Far away."

"But he's here in school."

"He had to go home. He won't be coming back anytime soon."

"How do you know if you never talked to him?"

"I didn't but you have a lot of people in your corner and one of them spoke to him."

Liam furrowed his brows as he thought about what his father had just said. "Sarge," he said quietly. "Sarge told him to leave Chicago."

"He touched base with him and Bauer said he had a family emergency back home."

"Okay," Liam said, not believing a word about the family emergency, but content with the answer all the same.

"Show me how that thing works," Jay said looking at the toy, trying to distract Liam.

"Help me with my Batmobile," Liam said looking at the pile of plastic bricks that he had seemingly forgotten about. "This is you," he said, holding up the small Batman figure.

"Nah, that's you. You're the fighter and getting better every day."

Liam smiled. "I love you Daddy."

"I love you more," Jay said putting his hand on Liam's head. "I'm so glad you are feeling better."

"Me too."

"Okay, where does this piece go?" He asked as he picked up the wheels.

Two days later...

"I don't want to ride in the wheelchair," Liam complained.

"It's the rule," Will said as he stood with his fingers curling around the handles. It was Sunday and after several days of antibiotics and rest, Liam was finally well enough to leave the hospital.

"I can walk," Liam tried again, the boy showcasing the Halstead family trait of stubborness.

"Sorry bud. I'll get in trouble if you don't get in the chair.

"Okay," Liam sighed and climbed in.

He looked so small between the armrests. He hadn't been carrying any extra weight when he entered the hospital but after nearly a week of barely eating, he looked gaunt. However, he did have some sparkle coming back into his eyes, and the charm of his smile had returned. Plus his color was returning, the gray was receding as his cheeks turning back into a healthier pink.

"I know what we can do," Jay said as he handed Will, Liam's backpack. He picked Liam up and set him on the floor by the wheelchair and sat down in the chair himself. He then reached out and picked his son back up and settled him in his lap. "That's better."

Liam giggled. "Yeah, that's better," he parroted.

"Oh thanks. Now I have to use my muscles," Will complained as he shoved his brother and nephew into the hallway pretending to grunt and groan under the strain.

Once they made it downstairs, Will pushed them off to the side near the doors. "Okay, kid, you have to take your pills or you will get sick again. I know you feel better, but the battle is still going on and those pills are like bullets and bombs attacking the bacterial bad guys."

"Hand grenades too?" Liam asked.

"Absolutely."

"Dad has to go back to work," he said sadly as he climbed out of Jay's lap and stood up, his head hanging down.

"I know. Do you know who is going to take care of you?" Liam shook his head back and forth. "Me," Will said squatting down as he looked at his nephew.

"You are?" Liam asked excitedly.

"I'm a doctor, who better to keep an eye on you?"

"For how long?"

"All week," Will assured. He had months of vacation built up and no problem getting the time off, especially when he indicated why. What a better way to spend it than caring for his recovering nephew.

"Can you help me with my math?"

"Absolutely," Will said.

"You clearly haven't seen fourth grade math recently," Jay chuckled.

"I'm sure we can help each other," Will said.

"Yep, because we're a family and that's what we do," Liam said brightly. His face glowing more than it had in over a week.

Jay looked over at the waiting area in the ED and swallowed. Just under a week ago, he was so terrified he could barely function. Now, he realized just how important that family was to him. He zipped up Liam's coat, slid the winter hat over his son's head, handed him his gloves and for the first time in a long time, hugged his brother before he picked up his son and walked to the truck, fighting tears, but this time not of fear, but of gratitude.