First of all: I would like to thank you for your reviews, favorites and suggestions considering the story.
You have no idea what that means to me.
Furthermore, I'm really glad that you liked the idea that Natalie isn't involved. I already thought some of you would throw virtual tomatoes at me for killing her off in the fanfic.
Feel free to let me know if you liked the new chapter and if there is anything I should change.
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Rhodes was right. About one hour after the operation Owen woke up in a bad condition.
Connor held his hand, when the grade-schooler opened his eyes and started crying, like he already did when he fell asleep in the OR.
He looked around disorientated, completely scared and distracted by the pain.
"Shhh…It's alright, buddy. It's okay. Your appendix had been removed. But I'm with you. And there is April. See? And Uncle Daniel and Aunt Maggie are waiting outside for you." Rhodes tried to calm him down, by talking in a soothing voice, reassuringly stroking his forehead.
When Owen started to touch the needles in his arm and tried to remove the oxygen tube in his nose Connor gentely squeezed his hand.
"I don't want this." The little boy sobbed, when he realized there was no way to get it out.
"I know. But it has to keep that way, okay?"
"Noooo." Owen complained, tears streaming down his face. Connor changed meaningful glances with April. It would be a hard fight to indicate why he needed the tubes. The grade-schooler who never had to stay in a hospital before seemed really anxious regarding the whole procedure.
"Alright, listen, big guy. I know it hurts and it's an uncomfortable feeling. But April has to put the medicine in there, to make you feel better, alright?"
Owen shook his head and wept desperately. He stretched his hands, like he did when he was younger to beg Will, Connor or Maggie to take him on his arms.
Rhodes shared helpless glances with April, who nodded, like she already suspected what he thought.
"Okay, come here." Connor took his shoes off and climbed to Owen, took him in his arms, so he could lie down next to him.
"Can you roll his IV on the other side?"
"Sure thing", Sexton answered.
The little boy still cried a little bit, but already got calmer when his head rested in the crook of Connors arm.
Rhodes took his hand.
Listening to the beat of his foster parents heart, Owens sniffles turned into hiccups.
April smiled weakly, puting her thump up, like she wanted to tell Connor that it was a good idea.
"I want Patrick", the 7 year old sniffled, begging for his stuffed animal so Connor looked at him in confusion.
"Where did you put him?"
" I don't know."
"I'm gonna search for him, as soon as I get home okay?"
"Okay." Owen whispered.
He tiredly snuggled on Connors shoulder. The feeling of security and proximity provided a positive atmosphere to him.
"Are you in pain?", Rhodes asked his foster child and watched April putting the meds into his veins.
Owen shook his head.
"Can I have a spiderman band-aid?"
Rhodes couldn't help but smiled.
"I'm sure we can get you one later."
"And I have another question."
"Name it, buddy. We're listening."
"Can you tell me one of your stories? Like the one with the little boy who protected his sister in the forest?"
"Of course." Connor put his phone on the nightstand and shut it off, before he started speaking…
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"He fell asleep", Connor looked at the little boy in his arms. He was still lying in bed, talking to Daniel Charles, who entered the room a couple of minutes before.
"Hopefully it keeps that way." He added, crawling out of his patients bed, watching Owen, who wept recognizing that Connor was gone , but then turned around and fell back to sleep within minutes.
Rhodes ruffled through his own hair, put his shoes on and yawned deeply.
"How long have you been up?", Daniel questioned.
Connor raised and lowered his shoulders.
"20 hours straight. If you add the time of looking out for Sam, it's gonna be 24. She had trouble sleeping. Since we hit the sixth month, little munchkin keeps us awake pretty often.
Charles sighed.
"Sounds nasty. How went the ultrasound? Any news on the little lady?" He made allusions to the growing life in Zanettis belly.
Connors eyes flickered in excitement.
"Steady heartbeats. She keeps growing and kicking. No abnormalities."
"Glad to hear." Dr. Charles smiled, his glance changing between Owen and Rhodes.
"Well, regarding the other little Monster here, I talked to Halstead. He told me what happened. Still feels guilty. "
Connor looked at him with a sceptical expression.
"See, I understand your concern. And he totally messed it up. But to be honest: I don't think he did it willfully. He regretted his mistake, underestimated the situation."
"I know. But it nearly killed him ."
Connor sent meaningful glances to Daniel, before he left the room to continue working.
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It was nearly 2 a.m. The ward seemed quiet and empty.
Connor hesitated, but finally walked to Halstead, who just left the OR.
"You have a minute?", he asked his colleague.
Will looked at him in surprise but agreed.
"Listen, I know I came hard on you. But what I said about Natalie. I'm sorry okay?"
Confused about those words, Will shook his head.
"No. It was right. I messed it up. If he would have died, it was all my fault. "
"We can't change what happened, okay? I hope you've learned your lesson. Next time, listen to him."
Halstead nodded.