Chapter Fifty-Six

Clarissa wrung her hands in her lap, checking the clock for the fifth time in the past three minutes. "I hope it's all going well." She sighed, watching Amelia play with one of the dolls that John had bought her before the trial.

The door to the prep rooms opened, letting the brunette nurse walk through. She walked over to Clarissa and Thomas, leaning down to whisper something to them. "Is Johnathan allergic to any kind of medications that he failed to tell us about?" She asked, taking in the terror on their faces. "See, it's nothing serious, we're just having a little trouble bringing him out of the anesthesia."

Clarissa gasped, turning her wide eyes on Thomas. "Tommy…"

He held her close to his chest, hoping to hide her tears from the family. "Do you think you can pull him out of it?"

The nurse gave them an unsure look. "It depends on him for the most part. If his body is strong enough he'll pull out of it, but if not…"

Dominic stood, shaking Vernon's hand off of his arm. "I want to see him." He stated, his mind instantly going to the memories of John's attempted overdoses. "I'm his cousin, I can pull him out of it." The nurse pressed he hands to his chest, trying to keep him away from the door. "Let me in there!" He shouted, forcing Vernon and the other parents away from him as he fought to get to his cousin. "John!"

Ryan opened the door, taking in the scene before him, he placed his hands on Dominic's shoulders, hoping to calm the crazed boy. "Hey, hey, John's okay. He just started to come out of it. He's doing fine."

Claire and her mother sighed, standing to walk over to their friend. "Can we see him now?" Clarissa asked, knowing that she'd promised him they would be there when he woke up.

Ryan nodded, leading Clarissa into the recovery room. "He's still pretty out of it, and we put an oxygen mask on him to help him wake up a little better." He pushed the door to John's room open, letting Clarissa inside. "He's gonna be feeling kinda crappy for a couple days, but he should be better by the time school starts."

Clarissa nodded, brushing John's hair behind his ear running her fingers over the ridges of his cartilage. "Hey Baby," she smiled, watching as his eyes moved behind his lids, "time to wake up, now." She watched as his breath fogged up the mask, gently kissing his forehead. "Johnny, wake up Pumpkin."

John gave a little moan, slowly moving his head, in his half-asleep state. "Mom…" He groaned, feeling something being placed on top of him that was warm and fuzzy. He cracked his eyes open, taking in the blurry image of Clarissa.

She grinned, sitting back as Ryan pulled the oxygen mask off of his face. "Good morning Pumpkin." She chuckled, noticing how his eyes scanned over the room like he was trying to remember where he was. "We're in the recovery room, you had surgery for the allergic reaction to your stitches."

John reached a hand toward her, wincing as the movement caused pain in his side. "Hurts…"

She nodded, squeezing his hand in hers as he struggled to stay awake. "I know, Baby." She sighed, lifting his head and replacing the hospital pillow with the one they'd brought from Claire's room. "It'll be better when we get you home."

John closed his eyes, his long lashes fanning over his cheeks like dark feathers. "I want Dad and Claire." He mumbled, burying his nose into the pillow, happy that he was laying on his side.

Clarissa smiled, brushing her fingers over his cheek. "Just sleep for a little bit, then I'll go get them when you're a little more awake."

He gave a little nod, seeming to accept this answer. "Love you…" He whispered, just as sleep claimed him for the next hour.

She shook her head, tracing her fingers over the lightening circles under his eyes, happy to see that he was looking heathier. "I love you too, Honey." She kissed his head, picking up the book she'd brought to read while she waited for him to finish waking up.