Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Passions or NBC. I am not making money off this story.

Beloved Father and Husband Part 3

(8 hours into the surgery)

Jessica decided to come back to the hospital. How could she sleep? Knowing her father was in major surgery and he might not live, how could she sleep? She left a note for everyone else and went back to the hospital.

When she got there she went up to the OR waiting room and at once spotted her mom, Theresa, and Ethan. "Mom!" she yelled, running to hug her.

"Jessica!" she hugged her back. "Honey, what are you doing here?"

"I couldn't sleep."

"Where's Kay and Charity?"

"They're at home. They're asleep. Miguel's with them. I left a note so they'll know where I am when they wake up."

"Good."

"How's he doing?"

"He's stable. Basically. Things are looking good."

"Thank God."

"Amen to that," Ethan suddenly said. Jessica looked up at him, feeling a little nervous being around him, and vice-versa. But they smiled at each other anyway.

Grace and Theresa sensed the tension between them. "Hey, why don't you both go down to the cafeteria and get some coffees. If we're all going to be up all night we might as well have some energy," Grace suggested.

They both didn't say anything for a second. "Do you want us to bring you both back some?" Jessica asked, breaking the silence.

"Sure," Theresa replied.

"Okay." She turned around and walked out of the room with Ethan.

They both walked down to the cafeteria not saying anything until they were near there. "Luis told us that Gwen shot at you but Dad pushed you out of the way and that's how he got shot," Jessica said, finally saying something. However, it was in a tone that meant "How could you have ever hated him?"

Ethan looked down. "Yea. I owe him my life. He's a great person."

Jessica lessened her tone a little. "You know, on prom night after we got home I said some nasty things about you because you were blaming Dad for what happened and threatened his job."

"I know. I hate myself for that."

Jessica was surprised by what he just said. "What do you feel about him now? I mean, is he more than just a 'great person' to you?" she finally asked.

He sighed. "He saved my life. I love him for that. He's my father."

Jessica stopped in her tracks. "You do?"

"Yea. I do."

"Wow. That's not the Ethan Crane I remember." She walked up to the vending machines and inserted a dollar for coffee. The cafeteria was closed but the vending machines were working.

"I'm not Ethan Crane anymore," he replied, walking over to the other vending machine that dispensed hot drinks and inserted a dollar too. "I'm Ethan Bennett. Chief Bennett's son." He watched the coffee being dispensed. "Your half-brother." Jessica didn't say anything, taking the coffee out of the machine and inserted another dollar. Ethan looked at her nervously. "Are you okay with that?"

Jessica looked up at him. She didn't say anything for a few seconds. Then she smiled. "Yea." Ethan sighed out of relief and smiled back at her. "Bro," she added.

"Sis." They gave each other a small hug.

She went back and retrieved the other coffee as Ethan took out his first coffee and inserted a dollar for the second. "You know, I'd like it if you were a bridesmaid at my wedding. You, Kay, and Charity."

"Really? Cool, thanks."

"Yea, I mean, I haven't gotten to know Kay yet, but she's my half-sister too and I know I'm going to get to know her anyway. Same with Charity, I mean, she's my step-cousin." They both had a strange look on their faces. "If there is such a thing," he added, which made them both laugh. "C'mon, lets get back upstairs." They both walked upstairs, each with two coffees. (One each for Theresa and Grace).

They came back to the waiting room talking friendly like brother and sister and Grace and Theresa were relieved to see them get along.