Chapter Ninety-One

John slowly opened his eyes as the therapist began taking the needles out, listening as she opened a bottle of lotion and rubbed it over his skin. He rubbed his eyes, looking at his family as the Zero Sleep began to fade. He smiled as the woman rubbed his back, feeling her fingers press on the sore muscles he hadn't realized where there.

Claire yawned, running her fingers through John's hair as she watched the pleasure of what was happening wash over him. She kissed his head, happy that he was feeling better with the new treatment. "How was it?" She asked, handing him a paper to let him tell her.

He slowly wrote a few words, still waking from his relaxed state. "It was good." He gave a tired smile as Clarissa handed him his shirt, slowly pulling it on as he sat up. He looked up at the therapist, taking the paper from Claire and writing a thank you on it. "Thank you very much."

She smiled, handing John a little tea bag. "This should help you as well. Just drink it before you go to bed."

John nodded, giving Claire a peck on the lips as he stood.

Claire rubbed his arm, feeling the ropes of scar tissue on his skin. "I'm glad you like it."

He pulled her closer, running his fingers over her hips.

Amelia ran over to John as he walked through the door, throwing her arms around his hips. "Did it hurt?" She asked, looking up at him as he yawned and shook his head.

Claire smiled, cocking an ear as she heard Asher's voice in the kitchen. "He barely felt it." She led John to the kitchen, letting him sit at the counter as she looked for something for him to eat. "Are you hungry?" She asked, looking up at him as she poured a glass of milk for him.

He shrugged, still not feeling like he was as hungry as he should have been.

Asher placed something on the counter, opening it to let the scent of fresh-baked cookies float through the kitchen. "How about some cookies?" He chuckled, watching as John grabbed one of the chocolate chip ones and dunked it in his milk.

Ryan shook his head, happy to see that John was eating. "Don't eat too many. I don't want you getting too much sugar."

John nodded, slowing down as he devoured the cookie so he could savor it.

Asher looked up at the doctor, wondering why John couldn't have a lot of sugar. "Is he diabetic?"

Ryan shook his head, pushing a plate of mac and cheese toward the boy. "He's borderline." He led Asher away for a moment, hoping to find out any other health issues that might run in the family. "Are there any health issues in the family that John and Dominic might not know of?"

Asher nodded, remembering his father's battle with cancer. "My father died from brain cancer a few years ago, and I'm sure the boys told you about the hypoglycemia if you've tested them for diabetes." He tried to remember anything that the boys could have on their mothers' sides. "I can't remember much from their moms' sides, but I know that addiction runs on both sides." He remembered his brush with alcohol after he'd gotten the fake letter about his nephews dying. "I had my own struggle with it after Jacob told me they were dead." He fished a wooden chip out of his pocket, showing it to the doctor. "Been sober for ten years."

Ryan smiled, hope flickering in his chest for the boys' sobriety. "If you can do it, I'll bet those two can too."

Asher jumped as a ruckus rose in the kitchen, looking into the room to see John was trying to get out of the headlock Andy had him in. "Is this a normal occurrence?" He asked, motioning to the boys.

Ryan nodded. "More normal than it should be." He raised his voice, shouting at Andy to dial it back. "Andrew! Let John relax for a while, we're not sure how that acupuncture works yet."

Andy let John go, patting his back as the older teen smirked and tried to not laugh. "Yes, Sir."