Chapter28- Weary

About an hour later a nurse came to alert the exhausted family that they could stop in for a few minutes to see Joe before they headed home.

"Please, Mom, please, I need to see Dad. Can I go?" The look in Liam's eyes nearly broke Kayley's heart.

"Yes, Lee. You can come with me. Prepare yourself though. Dad is not going to look very good and I am sure they have him connected to all kinds of monitors and machines to help him. He won't be awake. You know that, right, Lee?" Kayley's tone was almost a whisper.

With a slight nod of his head and eyes that stung but refused to let go of their burden, Liam agreed softly. "I know, Mom. It's okay. I just need to see him."

With that, Kayley took Liam's hand and they made the trip to Joe's bedside. At the same moment they paused together just inside the doorway and squeezed their hands a little tighter in each other's for support. Joe really did look awful.

Kayley took a deep breath, used the fingers of her free hand to brush the tears from her face and walked up to the bed. Tenderly she leaned over and kissed the sweet forehead she adored. This man had given up his life for her – for their family. Now he had almost lost that life completely to save their son. Kayley was overwhelmed at the depth of Joe's love for his family.

Liam stepped up and tentatively reached out to touch his father's arm. The burning in his eyes would not be denied now as the tears made their way silently down his cheeks.

Kayley released Liam's hand and wrapped her arm around his shoulders instead. Her words were meant for Liam, but she addressed them to Joe. "Liam and I are both here, Joe. You are going to be just fine. The doctor said everything went very well and you are going to be good as new. Rest now, Sweetheart, and we will be here when you wake up." With that Kayley squeezed Liam's shoulder and led him out of the room.

It was one in the morning now and as Kayley made her way with Liam back to the waiting room she found herself smiling in gratitude at the people gathered there. The children were all fast asleep now in various positions in the chairs around the room, but the four adults remained vigilant. Frank rose as soon as he spotted her. His eyes sought hers. She could tell that the feelings behind those warm brown eyes warred with themselves. They revealed both a man who wanted to offer comfort and strength and a man who wanted reassurance himself. "He, he's okay, Frank. He's going to be fine." Once again Kayley found herself silently encouraging Liam. Well, maybe not just Liam. "Why don't you go in and see him for a few minutes?"

"Actually, I am going to let Mom and Dad go in first. After that they can help you and Callie get the kids home and you can all get some rest. I am going to stay here with Joe."

"Frank…" Kayley began.

"Kayley, I have already talked it over with Callie. You all need rest so you can be at your best for Joe."

"What about you? You have been going non-stop looking for Sam since before we were even involved. You have to be ready to drop."

"And I will. I am sure I will catch a few winks here tonight and I can sleep all day tomorrow while you dote over that baby brother of mine." Frank's smile was small but sincere and it melted Kayley's resolve.

"Okay, okay. Thanks, Frank. You'll call if anything…"

"I'll call if anything." Frank's smile was bigger this time.

After Fenton, Laura, and Callie made brief visits in to see Joe, Frank helped them gather up the children and bring them out to the cars. Kayley agreed to stay at Frank and Callie's house for the night. Drained as she was, Callie still caressed Frank's cheek as she kissed him goodbye. "You'll be okay?"

"I'll be okay. I promise. You are amazing, Love, do you know that?" Frank whispered past the soft blond strands into Callie's ear. "Thank you for being my glue." He took her face in his hands and kissed her once more on the nose before he released her and made his way back into the hospital.