Chapter 30– Awake at Last!

"Good morning, everyone! Good to see you all looking a little more refreshed this morning. Well, almost everyone," the gentle doctor chided as he looked over at Frank.

"Did I miss the memo that said it was 'Pick on Frank Day'!" Frank wasn't really annoyed, in fact, a quick read of the doctor's demeanour told him that Joe must be doing pretty well for the man to be joking this way.

"I'm sorry, son! You do look a little worse for the wear though. I understand you stayed the night?" At Frank's affirmative nod the doctor continued "Your brother is doing very well, you need to go home and get some rest yourself."

All four Hardys visibly relaxed and it was Callie who spoke next. "He will, doctor, we just want to hear the update on Joe first."

"Well, I can't begin to tell you how lucky that young man is. If that bullet had been just a centimetre to either direction, we would be discussing a very different outcome here. As it is, although we believe this will not be the case, we need to watch Joseph carefully over the next few days to really be sure there is no evidence of permanent spinal chord injury."

Callie quickly wrapped her arm around a weakening Kayley as the doctor continued. "I stress, I do believe there will be no permanent damage, but that bullet did come close and there is quite a bit of swelling still. He is responding well so far. He is heavily medicated and will be for the next few days as you can imagine, the pain is quite intense. One lung had collapsed, but we corrected that, and he has extensive bruising to his ribs."

"But, Dr. Finch, you said he was doing very well," Kayley spoke through her tears. Liam remained quiet throughout the update, but a steady course of tears made their way down his cheeks as well. Frank stood behind him rubbing his arms and shoulders trying to offer what strength he could.

"Oh, I assure you, Mrs. Knight-Hardy," the soft spoken man continued, "considering the shape he could have been in right now; your husband is doing remarkably well. We are very optimistic for a full recovery and that is nothing short of a miracle. Now, before I forget, who is Liam?"

Liam swiped his hand over his face quickly before raising it.

"Your dad was asking for you." Dr. Finch smiled warmly at the young boy.

A collective gasp and it was Frank who found his voice first "He's awake!"

Liam ignored the doctors and nurses who told him not to run; he only had one goal in mind, seeing his dad. Once he reached the room he walked in quietly, not quite sure what to expect. Joe appeared to be sleeping and Liam bowed his head. "Thank-you isn't enough, I just hope my actions are," Liam whispered as he let a stray tear fall onto his father's arm. "I love you," he choked out

"You don't have to thank me Lee and I love you too, I'd do it all again if I had too" Joe said quietly as he lifted a hand to stroke the tears off Liam's face.

Liam pulled back and looked into his dad's sapphire eyes. It was in that moment he knew that even though his dad had a long road to recovery, everything would be okay. He collapsed his head gently onto Joe's upper chest and felt his father's hand stroke the back of his head. Liam sobbed openly now.

"Don't let the pain consume you, let it out, you'll feel better" Joe said soothingly. "Everything will be okay now, I'm okay. Shhhh." As he finished he saw Kayley, Callie, and Frank pour into the room.