DISCLAIMER: THEY BELONG TO OTHERS.
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NOTES:
Early update. This is a short chapter as I decided to split the last parts up.
Really hope you enjoy.
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Chapter 52: Preparations.
"Oh, thank you," Jeff exhaled with relief when Gerry uttered those beautiful words, 'Virgil's going home!'
"I knew that would make you happy," Doctor Sylvia, responded, "however, there are conditions. Nothing too serious, I've already gone through them with Brains, and I'd like to go through them with you too."
"Yes, of course," Jeff replied.
"Dad," Virgil mumbled, from the wheelchair as he began to wake from his nap.
Jeff bent down and held his son's hands. "Hey, are you okay?"
Virgil shook his head and yawned. "Pain and sleepy."
"Don't worry we'll get that sorted for you." Gerry said, leaving to get some help.
Jeff stayed by Virgil's side while the nurses and Doctor Sylvia helped him back into the bed and gave him some medication. When he was happy that Virgil had once more fallen asleep, he turned to Gerry and whispered. "Can we speak somewhere quieter, so we don't disturb him?"
"Of course, come into my office and we can have a coffee and chat."
… …
"So, the conditions," Gerry began, when they were both settled and drinking coffee, "Virgil will need to continue having regular scans on both his back and legs. Brains told me that you have the equipment for this, and I've asked him to send the results to me. If any unexpected complications do arise, Virgil will need to be brought back here immediately!"
"Absolutely!" Jeff confirmed.
"Also, as I've mentioned before we really don't want Virgil putting any weight on his legs yet, which means he will need to be restricted to his bed, a sofa or a chair. Any other times he will need to use a wheelchair to get around your home. Brains said that he will be making the home wheelchair friendly, and we have plenty here you can choose from."
"That all sounds fine with me, the only problem will be making sure Virgil sticks to these rules and accepts that he'll need help to get around!"
Gerry smiled. "Well tell him if he doesn't he'll have to come back here, and it may cause him to be out of action a lot longer."
"That should do it," Jeff chuckled, "anything else?"
"You will need to bring him back in to see me as an outpatient when it's time to remove the casts," Gerry informed him. "Other than that, then he's good to go!"
"Great, then when can we leave?" Jeff asked, smiling broadly.
"Well, I would like to run some final tests tomorrow, so I'm thinking the day after that."
Jeff nodded. "That should give Brains plenty of time to make the adjustments that are needed, and the rest of the family a chance to prepare everything else."
"Good," Gerry said, placing his now empty cup on the desk, "I bet you're looking forward to telling Virgil this news?"
"Actually," Jeff grinned, "I would like to keep the news a secret, I'm thinking that it would make a wonderful surprise for him."
"Well, I'm sure when you do tell him, he'll be over the moon!"
… …
Two days later:
Jeff felt like he was bouncing down the corridor as he made his way to collect Virgil from the ward room. Thankfully the days had passed by quickly since he had received the news from Doctor Sylvia, and it was now time to let Virgil know that he was finally going home, and that it would be today! It had been extremely difficult to keep it from him, but Jeff knew the surprise and look on his boy's face would make it worthwhile. Thankfully, he had been able to share the information with his family, and to say they were happy would have been an understatement, they were ecstatic! Gordon and Alan had taken it upon themselves to help organise the welcome home party with their grandma's help, John immediately offered to help Brains with any adjustments to their island home, while Scott went over plans with his father to fly them home.
Now standing outside his son's private room, Jeff exhaled with relief thankful that Virgil wouldn't have to see this room again. He could now return home and recuperate in the comfort of his own room, surrounded by the things that made him happy, and with the company of people who loved him very dearly. Pushing the door to the private ward room open, Jeff beamed at Virgil who was propped up in the chair next to his bed. "Good morning son, how are you feeling on this fine day?"
"I'm okay, pains not to bad." Virgil replied smiling at his father.
"That's fantastic!"
Virgil watched as his dad literally skipped into the room, he was far too energetic for 9am on a Wednesday morning, thinking about it he'd never seen his father this lively. "What's going on?"
"Nothing," Jeff answered, trying to look innocent.
"Okay, something is definitely going on. You've got that same look in your eyes that Gordon gets when he's concocting an elaborate prank!"
"No," Jeff protested, "I don't get that look."
"Err, yes you do," Virgil said matter-of-factly, "come on admit it, you're up to something, what is it?"
Jeff grinned back at Virgil. "Okay, okay… I've got something planned, but you will have to wait until Doctor Sylvia arrives, then I will tell you."
"I knew you were up to something," Virgil retorted. "At least now I know who Gordon inherited that look from!"
Jeff released a hearty laugh. "I always thought he got it from your mother."
Virgil raised his eyebrow at his father and eyed him suspiciously. "No, definitely from you!"
A few minutes later Doctor Gerry Sylvia entered the room with a small computer pad in his hands. "Good morning."
"Morning," Both Virgil and Jeff responded.
Gerry acknowledged Virgil. "I've got something I need you to sign."
"Does this explain why my father is being very weird?" Virgil questioned.
"It will," Gerry chuckled, handing him the computer pad.
Virgil took the pad and began reading the short statement on it, his eyes widening as he did. "Are you serious?"
"Yes," Gerry stated.
"I'm going home?" Virgil asked, not quite believing his eyes.
"If you press the yes button on that discharge form, then I'll be taking you home today!" Jeff informed him.
"Today?" Virgil questioned, this time not believing his ears.
"Yes!" Jeff answered. "Now hurry up and click yes, so we can go!"
Virgil grinned from ear to ear and pressed the acceptance button on the pad. "Okay dad, I'm ready to go home!"
"Great," Jeff responded, "because we've got a plane to catch."
"Are we going home in Tracy 1?"
"No," Jeff replied, shaking his head, "Scott and I have organised something a bit more special than that."
"Thunderbird 2?" Virgil questioned hopefully.
"Yes," Jeff nodded, "your green lady is on her way!"
