See Me Through Chapter 7
Note: Well, I'm still alive. Yeah, I know I've sorta dropped off the face of the earth for a while. Sorry. I hope this chapter makes up for it. Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed the last chapters and to Dina for getting on my butt to post this. Thanks as always, CCA. Thanks for the encouragement.
Oh, keep in mind I have absolutely no medical background, so the little bit of medical stuff I used, I'm guessing would be right. I dunno.
Feedback: Always appreciated :)
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He heard voices in his head. The cloudiness was no longer lingering. His body screamed in pain causing him to think about actually opening his eyes and joining the world of the living. It was a struggle though. If he stayed how he was the pain wouldn't be so bad. Then again, there were people counting on him to wake up.
"I'm just going to sit until you feel better. Just like you do for me when the boogey man won't leave me alone. I'll keep him away from you daddy. I promise," a little voice said.
Bosco felt a tightness on his hand. There was movement at his side. The hand that enclosed his own moved causing his hand to raise. Finally, he managed to open his eyes.
"You can't jump on him. The moment he is better, I promise we'll use that method. For now, why don't we just sit with him." Faith looked into Bosco's now open eyes. "Bosco? Oh, god. You're awake."
"Daddy?" Noah snapped his head in the direction of his father. "I thought you left me."
Unable to speak because of the tube down his throat, Bosco could only shake his head no. He held tightly on to Noah's hand and looked between him and Faith. Finally, Faith was able to move. She said she was going to get the doctor. When the doctor came in Bosco was forced to let go of Noah's hand.
The doctor took out the tube that was helping him breath. He couldn't wait for the doctor to get done checking him out. He was barely listening to the things his doctor was saying. All he wanted to do was hold Noah and see Faith. He also wanted to see for himself that Kim and Alex were fine.
"I'll go get your partner and son," the doctor said as he left.
"Daddy!" Noah cried as he crawled up on the chair. "I love you." He wrapped his arms around Bosco's neck.
"I love you too." Bosco felt a tear escape but didn't bother to wipe it away. "I'm sorry I didn't say it often enough."
"S'ok." He shrugged his shoulders. "I knew it." Noah got down quickly. "That mean lady can't try to take me away now."
"What?" Bosco tried to get up.
"Stay put. It's fine now. Social Services tried to take Noah so Alex lied and said you two were engaged. The woman left." Faith turned to Noah. "Can you go tell everyone that your daddy is awake now?"
"Yeah. Ok." Noah beamed as he rushed off.
"They can't take him, Faith. My lawyer . . .," Bosco trailed off as he struggled to get up.
"Calm down. Sully and Tatiana told me. Tatiana went to get him . . . the papers. I'm not sure, but they'll have to go through me to get him."
"Thank you." Bosco smiled weakly. "I'm sorry if I scared you. How is Noah holding up?"
"He's been worried about you leaving him. Me too. He thought we were going to leave like his mom." Faith took his hand. "You're mom is on her way here."
"She's going to want to take care of Noah. She knows she can't really. I love my mom to death and her watching him while I'm working is one thing, but not while I'm in here. She can't handle it. She knows it."
"That's why he stays with me," Faith said. She turned around when there was a knock at the door. Fred, Charlie and Noah stood in the doorway.
"Hey, Charlie," Bosco said. "Fred."
"Bosco." Fred nudged Charlie and Noah into the room while he stayed put.
"We came to get Noah and he was saying you were better. Dad said it would be fine to see you. I'm glad you're better. Noah was real worried. Mom too," Charlie rambled.
"Nothing can keep me down for long." Bosco grinned.
"I told Noah you'd be fine. Dad did too. We are going to watch movies tonight because Em is at a friend's house tonight. It's a guy thing, dad said. Too bad you can't come."
"You guys will have fun." Bosco looked to Fred. "Thanks."
"Yeah, well . . . Noah's a good kid." Fred inched in. "We should go soon."
"That's a good idea. You boys don't need to hang out in a hospital. Have fun." Bosco took a deep breath when Noah hugged him. "I'll see you soon. Be good."
"I will."
"Sure." Bosco smiled as Noah hugged Faith then left with Fred and Charlie.
"Fred may have his issues with you, but he won't be mean to Noah."
"I know."
"Mikey stopped by."
"Really? Wow. What did he want?" Bosco reached for a cup of water his doctor had set out for him.
"To see if you were going to be ok. He looked scared." Faith looked down. "I'm glad you finally decided to wake up."
"Me too. I don't remember much between being locked in the bathroom and the ambulance. I remember enough to thank you for keeping us from getting burned. I was useless." He turned his head from her.
"Because you know, it's not like you were stabbed and shot. Oh, and about that gunshot. You lied."
"We had enough to worry about, I couldn't let him know I was hurt," Bosco said. "I'm sorry I worried you."
"I always worry. Like now. I'm worried that doctor of yours is gonna kick me out. I should let you rest."
"I'll try to if you stay with me. You know, to keep me company."
"I'm not going anywhere." Faith held onto his hand and watched as Bosco closed his eyes.
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Faith had fallen asleep by her partner's side. It had taken him awhile to fall asleep but he soon did. She awoke to the sound rustling. Tatiana stood above her holding papers.
"I find them. The lawyer didn't remember, but he," Tatiana pointed to Bosco. "Bosco had copies at his place. It's all here." Tatiana handed Faith the papers. "He look so small. Child like, really."
"I know. It's hard to see him like that."
"He a good guy. John say lots no like him, but I don't see why."
"Could be my winning personality," Bosco's voice cut in.
"Jeez, Bosco. You nearly gave me a heart attack." Faith moved closer to him.
"Hey, Tatiana."
"Bosco. It's good to see you. I worried." She moved by his side.
"Yeah, you and Faith. What time is it?"
"Oh, around 8 pm. You slept the afternoon and evening away," Faith explained.
Faith and Tatiana sat with Bosco talking. They were laughing about Noah's latest scheme. Yesterday Noah had convinced Fred that Bosco let him eat pizza and soda for breakfast. So then Charlie wanted it as well. Bosco couldn't help but laugh at his son. Sure, pizza and soda would be his choice breakfast, but not for a five year old.
"Fred seriously thought I let him eat that for breakfast?" Bosco laughed.
"Yeah. Don't worry. Noah learned his lesson. He had a little tummy ache for a while." Faith jerked her head to the door when she heard two voices approaching.
"Yeah, well lady. I wouldn't care if you were the freaking Pope. You are not taking my grandson away," Angela Boscorelli hissed. "Would you stop following me? I'm going to check on my son. You are not wanted."
"I have the papers right here. I am taking Noah and placing him in protective custody," the second voice said.
"Maurice!" Angela called as she entered her room. "I just got in. I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner." Angela walked to her son then turned to see Miss Heinken behind her. "What did I tell you!"
"Officer Boscorelli. It's good to see you are awake." Miss Heinken entered the room.
"Yeah? This mean you gonna stop trying to take my son?"
"You have to realize that I'm only looking out for Noah's well being. You can't take care of him now. You're mother can't. So, he has no family to take him in. It's not permanent. Just until you can get back on your feet."
"Yeah, well I have already covered that. I have legal documents that say Faith Yokas is to be Noah's guardian if anything should happen to me. So, until I can get out of here, he stays with her." Bosco glared at the woman.
"Here," Tatiana said as she threw the papers at the woman. "You are a horrible woman."
"I'm just doing my job." Miss Heinken looked through the papers.
"Ever think of getting a new one?" Angela hissed.
The room fell silent with the exception of paper rattling. Angela held onto Bosco's hand. Bosco had not one, but three protective mother types guarding over him. Page Heinken didn't stand a chance. Faith couldn't believe her. She must be new to her job. Her attitude was harsh and unkind.
"Where is Noah now?"
"At home with my husband and son where he is being well cared for."
"So, I can safely assume Miss Taylor is not your fiance?" Miss Heinken dropped the papers on a chair.
"No. Just a good friend."
"Fine. I will be checking in." She turned on her heals then left.
"Don't let the door hit you on the way out!" Angela called out.
"Ma!"
"What a miserable person," Faith said.
"Ya think?" Bosco chuckled.
"It's not funny."
"No. It's not." Bosco looked up to his mom. "I'm glad you are here."
"Where else would I be?"
"You know what? Tatiana and I are just going to give you two some time," Faith said as she and Tatiana walked out.
Faith watched from the window as Angela sat down next to Bosco. She smiled at the sight. Bosco was like a little boy around his mother. She almost wished she could hear what they were saying.
"I'm fine, Ma."
"Liar. You got stabbed. Mikey said you looked bad, but this . . . I don't know what I would have done if I lost you."
"You won't have to find out," he paused. "I'm surprised Mikey came."
"Don't be. He always looked up to you." Angela smiled. "Where's Noah?"
"At Faith's with Charlie."
"I can keep him if you need. I'm sure I could figure how to get the time."
"Thanks, Ma. Faith's got him. There's also Sully and Tatiana. Don't worry."
"I'd just screw him up, huh?"
"What? No." Bosco touched her cheek. "You are great with him. You just . . . you are trying to so hard to be someone better. You're cutting back on the drinking and that's great. It would just be too hard with a five year old."
"I just want to be there for you."
"You are."
"I should go so you can get some rest." Angela stood up.
"Could you stay? Just for a little while?" He pulled on her arm.
"I thought you'd need Faith more now."
"I think this time I just need my ma."
"That, for once in my life I can do." Angela sat down placed her other hand over her son's.
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It had been three days sense Bosco had been admitted to the hospital. Faith had been taking care of Noah as Bosco had wanted. Earlier in the day the doctor came by and told Bosco he could leave soon. That was the best news he had received in a long while. Then came the realization that even when he did go home he wouldn't be able to take care of Noah alone.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Faith's voice cut in.
"Sorry. I zoned out. How'd you get in here so late?" Bosco looked at the clock that said it was a little after midnight.
"Flashed my badge." Faith sat down. "The night nurse said I could stay as long as I got you to sleep. I called earlier to see how you were and she asked me to talk some sense into you."
"I'm just not tired. The woman thinks all I should do is sleep." Bosco shifted in his bed. "So, how bad was Gusler today?"
"Wouldn't know. They stuck me with Carl Smith today. Talk about the shift from hell. It took all I had not to shoot him."
"Smith? He's not on our watch."
"Picked up some extra hours. Oh, Kim and Alex send their best."
"You know, if one of them isn't stopping in, they're calling. Kim brought me some cookies yesterday and Alex snuck me in some real food, complete with a milkshake. You know, a guy could get used to it," he said. "I just wish they'd stop acting like I was a hero."
"You saved our lives. First mine, by taking that bullet for me. Then by wrestling the guy so they could get out. You did good."
"If I did so good how come I let that bastard touch Alex? And how come I got myself shot?" Bosco looked down at his hands.
"When the chance came to do something that wouldn't get us all killed you took it. You are a hero. In our eyes at least."
"How's Noah?" he asked quickly changing the topic.
"Good."
Bosco noticed she seemed nervous. He didn't know why, but he intended to find out. He watched as she shifted in her set then began to play with her coats zipper as if it were the most interesting thing.
"What's wrong?"
"Huh? Nothing is wrong," she answered a little too quickly.
"Yeah? I don't buy it."
"I talked to your doctor."
"Ok."
"He said when you get out of here, you'll need someone to help you for a while. You won't be 100 percent and you'll need some bed rest for awhile." She looked to Bosco.
"And . . .?"
"I have some time off and I'm sure I can take some personal days. What I'm getting at is I'd like to help you."
"No."
"No? What do you mean no?"
"You have your own life, Faith. You don't need tied down with mine. It isn't fair already that I've asked you to take care of my son."
Don't give me those sad eyes, he thought. He'd give anything not to see that. But, indeed it was there and he put it there. Stupid. He was stupid. He needed her help, wanted it. Why couldn't he accept it, then?
"What? Bosco. Come on. You are my best friend. You are not going to argue with me, ok? Now, when you get out of here I will just be there to keep you and Noah company."
There was a hint of determination in her voice that Bosco knew not to argue with. He couldn't be more thankful that she was in his life. Even if she never knew how he felt about her. To keep her friendship, he would bury his true feelings.
"I checked your messages. Some guy . . . ah . . .Frankie called."
"Frankie? What'd he say?"
"Something about the apartment you were looking at. Oh, and he wants you to get well soon." Faith shrugged her shoulders. "Who's Frankie?"
"He's an old friend. He's also a realtor." Bosco grabbed the phone. "Frankie? Hey, man. It's Bosco. I know it's late. Sorry. Yeah, I'm getting better. Of course I want it. Why don't you stop by my room tomorrow with all the paper work." Bosco laughed loudly. "Yeah well tell Mac and Johnny I can still out run them any day of the week. Ok, man. I'll see you then." Bosco hung up the phone and broke out in a huge grin. Faith looked at him curiously which made him grin wider.
"What was that about?"
"I just got Noah and I a great apartment. Oh, and you one too."
"Excuse me?"
"Frankie struck up a deal with our friend Mac, who owns the building. That's how he found the place. Anyway, there's this two bedroom apartment that I can move into as soon as the paperwork is done."
"And the part about me?"
"There was a couple looking into to renting a three bedroom two floors up. They backed out. The great part about it is Em and Charlie wouldn't have to switch schools." Bosco smiled proudly.
"They want to stay with Fred. I wouldn't force them to move in with me."
"Ok. But you wanted them to have their own rooms right? This place is perfect. Frankie is stopping by tomorrow. Have him show you the place. Just look at it."
"Fine. I'll look." Faith sighed.
Bosco smiled at Faith. He owed Frankie and Mac a lot for helping him out with the apartment and Faith's potential apartment as well. He was surprised they were willing to help after how he treated him back then. Faith was his only real friend after he pushed them away. Maybe he had room in his life for them again. For now though, he just wanted to think about sharing this moment with Faith.
