Chapter Ten

Alan awoke a little after seven. He was surprised he'd slept so long. After all that had happened he'd fully expected to have been sitting up next to Don's bed the whole night. He stood and stretched, joints popping, and walked over to his son's bedside. As bruised and beaten as he was at least he was sleeping soundly. Alan leant forward and adjusted the sheet over Don . He knew there was no reason other than his privilege as a father to fuss. Charlie was asleep in a very awkward position on the chair, Alan walked round and gently roused him.

"Charlie?"

"Hey Dad, you ok? Is Don ok?"

Charlie was wide awake in a second, Alan placed a comforting hand on his shoulder .

"He's fine, still sleeping. You should sleep on the cot for a while, it'll be more comfortable"

"Nah I'm good" Charlie said around a yawn.

Alan guessed he should be thankful that Charlie had slept at all so he didn't argue the point. He turned and smoothed Don's hair, he seemed to keep needing to reassure himself that Don was really there. That he was warm and breathing and safe within his families reach.

"Dad? You ok?"

"I just want him home, you both home, all of us together, neither of you ever leaving the house again. Ever."

"Oh we'd find a way father"

Alan smiled down at his youngest.

"I'm sure you would"

"Good morning, is it ok if I come in?" Sandy stood in the doorway with three large cups of coffee on a tray . Alan moved to hold the door for her.

"Morning Sandy, you're here early"

"My shift starts in forty minutes so I thought I'd pop in and see how you're all doing"

Sandy handed a cup to Charlie who accepted the warm beverage gratefully. She placed the other two cups on the table next to Don's bed.

"You came to just see how we are? Thank you"

"That's ok Charlie, I'm really only nosey you know."

"Well, nosey or not we really appreciate the gesture" Alan picked up his cup and took a long sip of the coffee. He watched as Sandy read through Don's chart. It seemed so right to have her here, checking up on them. The kindness she had shown his family had touched Alan deeply. They had gotten through their first night thanks to this nurse. He'd have to find a way to thank her properly. Alan wondered what her favourite flowers were. He was about to ask when he heard a moan from the bed.

"Donnie?" Alan sat next to Don's right hip and gently rubbed his chest. Don moaned again and Alan looked worryingly toward Sandy.

"It's ok , just keep talking to him and he'll come round. The first morning is always the worst after an operation. Keep talking to him Alan, you'll coax him awake"

Don's head was moving back and forth slowly, his brow furrowed and he seemed to be trying to speak . Suddenly Don's moans became words.

"Mmmm, no , no , stop it. Stop it! No more screaming, can't , can't help you. Sorry, I'm so sorry"

Don's eyes opened slightly then closed again. His right arm began to move toward his face. Don attempted to remove the nasal cunnula with his broken right hand, Alan intercepted his arm and tried to coax him further awake while Sandy removed the cannula.

"Is he ok? What's going on?"

"It's ok Charlie, he's just having trouble waking, just give him a moment"

Charlie stood from the chair and looked down on Don. His faced was scrunched into a frown and even with his eyes closed he seemed to be neither asleep nor awake. Caught in-between, reliving what Charlie could only imagine was a horrific experience.

Alan leaned over Don, his right hand next to Don's left hip. He continued to gently rub Don's chest with his left hand, all the while talking to him.

"Come on Donnie, time to wake up son. Come on, we need to see you open your eyes."

"Wake up bro, please."

Slowly Don peeled his eyes open to mere slits. The voices were so comforting, yet his mind refused to hold a thought. He felt hung over but he didn't remember drinking. He focused as hard as he could on the voices. Dad , Charlie. They were here, where was here? The screams of a child echoed inside his mind , as he opened his eyes further the memories began to flood in.

"Come on Donnie, that's it my boy. Hey , welcome back."

"Dad?"

Alan ran his left hand through Don's hair and cupped his cheek.

"Yes Donnie, you're safe now. It's over."

"Charl?"

"Hey bro" Charlie leaned further forward and squeezed Don's left hand.

Don smiled at Charlie, a tired , sad smile but Charlie savoured it none the less.

"Alan, I'm going to let the Doctor know Don's awake" Sandy left the room and went to find Dr McLeary.

Don blinked his eyes and looked up at his father. Alan watched as Don started to come fully round. He was taking in his surroundings, taking in his family. He squeezed Charlie's hand weekly and smiled again at him. Looking at his father, Don felt comforted by his presence. Alan was so close to his son that Don felt protected. His nightmare slowly fading.

"Did you have a nightmare Donnie?"

Don looked away and shook his head.

"Are you in any pain Donnie?"

Don again shook his head, he was avoiding his fathers eyes and staring at his broken hand.

"Charlie, will you get Don a glass of water please?"

Charlie knew he was being asked to leave so Alan could talk to Don, but he resented the fact anyway. He knew his brother was more likely to open up to his father, but still, he wanted to be there for him, he wanted to support him. Reluctantly he stood.

"Sure"

Alan watched as Charlie left the room and then he turned his full attention back to Don.

"Donnie? Look at me son"

Don slowly shook his head. It had been such an ordeal, and now he was finally back with his family, all he wanted to do was hold them and cry but something inside wouldn't let him. Something inside tried to hold back the tears.

"Donnie, were you having a nightmare?"

Don shook his head ,Alan cupped Don's face with his hands and forced him to look up. His eyes were full of unshed tears and as soon as he locked eyes with his father one made an escape and began to fall.

"Oh Donnie, it's ok. You're safe now, I've got you"

"I just want to go home"

Don tried to bury his face in his hands but his injuries prevented him. Alan leant forward and wrapped an arm around Don's neck, the other held onto his uninjured left hand . Don buried his face in his fathers neck but he couldn't let go of his emotions completely. He squeezed his fathers hand and pushed his face further into Alan . He didn't want his father to see him this way, didn't want Charlie to see him this way. Alan gently sat back and wiped Don's few tears away with his thumb.

"It's ok to cry Donnie"

"I'm ok Dad"

"Talk to me son. We nearly lost you, it's ok to talk to me"

"I'll talk later Dad, not yet though ok? I just want to go home. When can I go home?"

There was a pleading quality to Don's voice that broke Alan's heart.

"Soon, we'll see what the Doctor says. Are you sure you're not in any pain?"

"I'm ok Dad, just tired, that's all"

Charlie came back in with Dr McLeary and Sandy. Alan moved away from the bed so that his son could be checked over. After a few minutes Dr McLeary finished her check up and noted down her findings on Don's chart.

"You seem to be doing very well Don. You're going to be pretty sore for quite a while though. Are you in any pain right now?"

"Not much"

"The painkillers we're giving you should manage the pain but if you find they're not working make sure you say. It can sometimes take a few goes to get the dosage right"

Dr McLeary turned to leave, smiling at Alan as she did so.

"Your son's doing well Mr Eppes."

"Thank you Doctor"

"I've got to get downstairs Alan, my shift starts soon."

"Thank you for stopping by Sandy" Alan smiled warmly at the nurse.

"If you're still here at lunch time then come and find me. You'll be needing a break by then" The last part Sandy said with authority. Alan raised his eye brows and gave her a smile as she left the room.

"You like her Dad?"

Alan saw Don was making an attempt at normality, he decided to go along for now.

"She's looked after you well Donnie"

Don looked at Charlie who was giving his father a knowing smirk.

"So I guess it'll be just Don and I for lunch then?"

"Seeing as neither of you know much about dating, relationships, or members of the opposite sex, I'm going to ignore you both and get some breakfast."

"Via the ER father?"

Alan ignored Charlie, gave Don a once over with his eyes and left the room.

Charlie poured some water into a plastic cup and with his hand behind his neck, helped Don raise his head to take a few sips. He unconsciously raised his right hand but stopped when he saw Charlie frowning at him. After a few more sips Charlie put the cup down and sat on the edge of the bed staring at his hands in his lap.

"Thanks, you ok buddy?"

"Shouldn't I be asking that question?" Laughed Charlie.

"Glad you're here, missed you both"

"Not half as much as we missed you" Charlie risked a quick glimpse at his brother. Don was looking down at the cast on his hand again.

"I just want to be home"

"You will be bro"

"When?"

Charlie locked eyes with Don, was he strong enough for this? He thought he was but holding eye contact with his brother, seeing the loss and the pain coupled with the exhaustion he found it hard to not look away. If you can't see it then it's not there. Only this wasn't going to go away. No amount of numbers, equations or problems were going to help him with this one. Summoning his strength Charlie held Don's gaze and rubbed his arm.

"Gonna have you home in a few days Don, you'll be the VIP guest at the Charles Eppes home for the battered and bruised."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, and the service is pretty good too, we have quite the chef. Chef Dad. He makes one hell of a breakfast."

"What about room service?" Don let his head fall further into the pillow, Charlie stood and pulled the covers up over his shoulders.

"Room service is only provided on the proviso that the guest stays in bed until told otherwise. You cold bro?"

Don nodded, his eyes growing heavy. Charlie laid his blanket over the top of his brother and sat back down in his seat, knees pulled up to his chest, coffee in hand. Don watched him with drowsy eyes.

"And do you know the best thing about the Charles Eppes home for the battered and bruised?"

"What's that?" Don's voice was but a whisper.

"For every action you make, I'll have an equation to show you the mechanics. There'll be no escape"

"I'm looking forward to it"

Don let his eyes fall closed. He felt so safe with his brother so near. The emotion which had threatened to erupt earlier fell away ,for now. His damn of sorrow, rarely purged, had threatened to overflow. Don hoped it would stay away, but he feared the screams which had awakened him from his sleep would be back. Would he be able to control them? Silence them? He knew he had to try.