Whispers chapter three

Disclaimer: I don't own anything just ask anyone that knows me they'll tell you. In other words I make no money from this, as sad as it seems, I do this just for kicks. Please don't sue.

Note: Sorry it took so long for an update. Christmas and everything and then work, well you know how it is, and I have been working really hard on my other story Angle of Glass, which should be updated by tomorrow so if you haven't checked it out you should, but it is rated R.

Four days, four long agonizing days. That is how long Andy Brown stood helplessly by and watched as fever ravaged his son's frail body. The cause of the fever, bronchitis. The illness easily treated, the fever it caused turned out to be the more treacherous of the two.

Ephram Brown's body temperature reached nearly 106* and it stayed there for nearly two days, despite his doctors attempts to lower it. Why his fever got that high from a simple case of bronchitis no one can really say for sure, but one thing they do know is that he came extremely close to dying on more than one occasion. A fever that high can cause death, brain damage, hearing loss, loss of eyesight and many other assorted long term disabilities. Andy Brown prayed that his son would live, but he knew that if he did make it, that Ephram would be permanently changed in some way , he just wanted his son back.

"Hey Andy."

" Herald?"

"I just came to see, how he was doing… and how you were doing."

Andy despite himself had to smile, Herald Abbott still couldn't quite admit that he didn't hate him. Reality quickly came back to Andy with the sound of his son's heart monitor.

"His fever is down to 102.3*, he should be waking up soon."

"Well he seems to be getting better then, what about you? How are you, Andy?"

"In the last four days I seen my son have a horrendous asthma attack, he stopped breathing in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, his fever rose to 105.8* and he had 13 seizures, some mild, some intense over the course of two days. I watched him sleep on a cooling blanket and battle chills, so bad they looked like convulsions. In other words, I've been better. You?"

"Not great but nothing compared to what you have been going through?"

"Want to tell me about it?"

"No, I wouldn't want to bother you with my problems when your son is still unconscious with fever."

"Well, actually it would take my mind off of Ephram, so please I'd like to hear what's wrong."

Herald sighed and rubbed his temples.

"Well, you'll hear about it soon enough anyway, the whole town will."

"What is it?"

"Amy is…. Oh god I can't even say it out loud!"

"Come on Herald let it out." Andy smiled at his behavior. Herald Abbott has always been tightly wound.

"My little Amy is preg…. with child."

"What?!"

"Please don't make me say it again."

"Colin must have recovered faster than I thought he would."

"Oh God don't say that!"

"Well it's the truth. I know this is not what you had planned, but I think Amy and Colin will be great parents, true they are young, but only on the outside. What those two kids went through together aged them considerably on the inside. I don't think that no matter what the circumstances a baby is ever a mistake."

"You're right, thank you Andy."

Ephram began to stir in his bed, and both doctors took notice. Suddenly Ephram began pulling on his IVs and the feeding tube inserted into his nose. Andy and Herald immediately tried to restrain him and calm him at the same time.

"Ephram, it's ok buddy, but you have to leave the tubes alone they are helping you."

"Da…"

"Don't try to talk Ephram, you are very weak."

Ephram spoke again in a hoarse voice.

"Dad uncover my eyes."

Andy looked at Herald in desperation. Herald didn't know what to do.

"Dad…please. I don't like things covering my eyes."

"Ephram…..your eyes aren't covered."

Ephram still in a haze from the fever didn't understand what Andy was trying to say.

"I don't like my eyes covered."

Herald called the nurse. Andy took out a penlight and shined it into his son's eyes. They didn't respond at all.

"Dad… Why can't I see anything?