-1Wow, sorry it took ages to update this. I am so caught up in school, band, and two plays, that I don't have time for anything anymore. Ok, so here goes chapter 9. Again, sorry for the long wait.
Stay Here
Ryan looked up from his daze and peered around. He saw Nick asleep in the other chair. John and Jenna were curled up on either side of Greg. He hadn't woken up yet. Frowning, Ryan looked at his weak form on the bed. There were too many tubes for him to count. He looked at Nick as he woke up.
Nick stretched and yawned. Looking at Greg, he frowned and turned to Ryan. "He hasn't woken up yet?"
Ryan shook his head. "He must be really worn out. I know he hasn't slept much since Sara died. Plus the painkillers are probably making him tired."
Nick nodded and slumped back in his chair. "He didn't deserve any of this. He was only trying to protect his kids." He looked up quickly when Greg stirred. "Greg? Buddy, are you awake?"
Greg moaned and slowly opened his eyes. "Nick?" he asked. "That…you?"
Nick grinned as Greg looked up. "Thought you weren't coming back," he said softly as Ryan joined him.
Greg nodded slowly then suddenly panicked. "My kids!" he choked out, sitting up quickly.
"Buddy, be careful," Nick said, wincing when Greg moaned in pain. "They're right here." He indicated towards John and Jenna next to him.
Greg sighed with relief as he slowly sank back into the pillows. Smiling, he wrapped his arms around his sleeping children. "Thank you," he whispered to Ryan.
Ryan looked at him, confused. "For what?"
"Taking care of my kids," Greg said, smiling slightly. "If I was gone, you'd be a great dad to them."
Ryan smiled slightly before frowning. "But you are here, and they need you."
Greg smiled as Jenna fidgeted slightly. "Sweetie, wake up."
Jenna opened her eyes and focused them on Greg. "Daddy?" She beamed and wrapped her arms tightly around him. "Daddy! I'm so glad you're ok!" she cried.
Greg wiped away her tears and held her tighter. "Me too, sweetie." He looked up at Ryan. "What happened to the guy who had us?"
"We got him," Ryan answered. "His name is Tyler McFee, and he'll be in prison for a long time. He's on charges of murder, attempted murder, and kidnapping. You're all safe now."
Greg nodded and looked down to Jenna, who had fallen asleep again in his arms. "Just as long as my kids are safe, I'm happy." He looked up as a doctor entered the room.
"Ah, Mr. Sanders, glad to see you awake," the doctor said. "Due to your intense surgery, we'll have to keep you here for about a week so you can recover. Then I suggest you not work or do anything strenuous for about two weeks until you are fully recovered."
Greg nodded as the doctor left. He frowned and looked to Ryan and Nick. "They're burying Sara here."
Nick looked back, confused. "Why?"
"When we got married, we had our honeymoon here. She loved it so much, she said this is where she wanted to spend her life after retirement." Greg smiled slightly at the memory. "She said it was her paradise."
Ryan nodded for a second before speaking. "Greg, why don't you stay here?"
Greg looked at Ryan, slightly confused. "What do you mean stay here?"
"Here, in Miami," Ryan answered. "You can be near Sara, the kids can be around each other, and we could always use another member of the team. I know this is sudden, but just think about it."
Greg nodded slowly before gazing at his sleeping children. "I think you're right."
Nick's jaw dropped as he stared at Greg. "Greg, what about the lab? What about us?"
Greg frowned slightly. "Nick, Ryan's right. There's so much more for me here. Besides, there are too many bad memories in Vegas."
Nick frowned and nodded slowly. He squeezed Greg's shoulder and turned to leave. "I'll let the others know."
Greg smiled slightly as Nick left. "Thank you."
TBC
Ok, so the next chapter as you can probably guess is Sara's funeral. There's a little more to it, though. Greg stuff. Only three more chapters. R&R! Luv y'all!