"Dad? Please open your eyes and look at me."

Nicholas breathed in the oxygen supplied by the mask on his face, his eyes opening to see Steve leaning over his hospital bed. "I'm fine, Son. Just a little chest pain. You should go back home with Liv."

Steve ignored the suggestion, perching on the edge of the mattress as he spared a glance at the heart monitor with its vibrant green line, then took Nicholas' hand. "The doctor says it looks like you had a heart attack, and they gave you some medicine to help. How are you feeling now? And please tell me the truth."

"I'm pretty tired, but nothing really hurts anymore. I'm honestly feeling all right, and you're leaving tomorrow, so-"

"Are you kidding me, Dad? I will not be leaving tomorrow. I can't go anywhere until you're completely recovered."

"But it's your honeymoon, Son. I don't want you and Olivia to miss out on that because of me."

"Our trip can be postponed. I need to be here with you. I could never go six hundred miles away when you're going through something like this. I would just be scared and worried the whole time anyway. It's not your fault either, so don't even start going there. Life happens, and I want to take care of you, just like you've done for me."

Nicholas put a hand to his chest as he felt a sharp pain that almost immediately began to radiate into his left shoulder.

"Dad? What's wrong? Are you hurting again?"

"Yes. But it's okay. Probably just after-effects."

Steve watched as Nicholas squeezed his eyes shut, the pain's severity visible on his face. "No. I'm getting help. You hang tight, okay?"

Nicholas felt Steve's hand leave his own, his son running out of the room just as another pain ripped through his chest, this one intense enough to make him reel with fear that death would ultimately not allow his life to be spared.

"Hey, Stevie, I'm here. Mallory too. Did they take your dad into surgery yet?"

Steve looked up as Soda was coming toward him, the other man dropping into the chair beside his in the waiting room right outside the cardiac surgery unit. "Yeah. About twenty minutes ago. Audrey called Samuel, then Liv took her down to the cafeteria. I just feel better staying right here for now though."

Soda took a moment to stare at the double doors he realized Nicholas must be behind, his gaze only moving up when he felt Mallory's hands on his shoulders. "You should go see how Audrey is. I've got him."

Mallory nodded, leaning down to kiss Soda's cheek before she whispered in his ear. "Okay. Looks like you need some time anyway. See you in a little bit."

Soda turned back to Steve as Mallory headed out of the room, his best friend's eyes staring off into a space that would let him try to escape this new reality. "It's all right if you don't want to say anything else right now. But I'd hate for you to fall too deep inside your head, so I'll talk even if you don't."

Steve struggled to keep from crying as he spoke, his voice making it clear how much emotion was brewing within him. "It's surgery, Soda. On his heart. My dad's life is in their hands. This went from being the best day of my life to the worst, and I'm so scared. I don't know what I'll do if- if he doesn't make it."

Soda put his arms around Steve just as the dam broke, his best friend crying into his shoulder. "Shh. They're helpin' him, Stevie. So you don't even have to think about it. They're takin' care of him, and you know he's in there fightin' like hell too. And whatever you need from me, all you've gotta do is say the word."

Steve's fingers clenched the back of Soda's shirt as he felt the joy which had filled his day fully dissipate, replaced by a sadness that ran as deep as the relationship he shared with Nicholas. "I-I'm not even sure. Just know I want you here for as long as you can be."

"You got it, buddy. The shop's closed tomorrow, so I'm all yours for tonight." Soda pulled away from their hug, his eyes going to Steve's face, where he could see the distress that no form of comfort would be able to erase. "Is there anything I can get for you? A drink or somethin' to eat?"

"No. I can't even think about myself right now. The only thing I need is something you can't give me. I wish I could be near my dad, Soda. I wish I could stay at his side."

"I know. I'm so sorry this is happening, Stevie. Did the doctor tell ya'll how long the surgery might take?"

"Yeah. He said at least three or four hours. So it could be after midnight before it's done. Even later before he wakes up."

"Okay. That's a lot of time, but I'm going to help you fill it, all right? Maybe, in a little while, we could go for a walk or-"

"No. I'm staying right here. I'm not leaving this room. I can't. My dad needs me."

"He does, but you've gotta take care of yourself too. It won't help him if you don't."

Steve bowed his head, a sense of defeat coming over him, even though the worst hadn't happened, and he had every reason to believe it wouldn't. "Does it even matter what I do tonight? I said he needs me, but why? I can't do a damn thing for him right now. Except for the doctors, he's helpless. And so am I."

Soda put his hand over Steve's as he scooted closer to the edge of his chair. "You said your dad needs you 'cause you know that when he wakes up from surgery, seein' you will be real important. Even before he wakes up, he'll need to feel you there next to him. It matters what you do tonight because you need strength. I know you don't have the energy to care too much about yourself at the moment, but I do. I love your dad a lot, so you're my main concern while he's in surgery. I can't make him better either, but I can help you get through these next few hours as best you can."

Steve was silent for a couple of minutes, his hand squeezing Soda's as the tears that had abated earlier began to burn his eyes once more. "I think I do need to sit here a while though. And just be, you know? Because it's all still sinking in."

Soda pulled Steve into another hug, not able to deny the fact that he needed it as well. "Yeah, and that's fine, Stevie. I was just wantin' you to see that anything you need is okay. There's nothin' you have to do right now, besides wait. And there's more than one way to go about that."

Steve felt his breath catch, his arms tightening around Soda as he thought of every tool he'd used to calm himself over the years, many of which he'd passed on to his clients. "Soda, I need some air. Or I'm going to panic."

"Okay. Let's go outside then." Soda partially released Steve, keeping one arm around his shoulders as the two vacated the waiting room chairs and ventured down the hall toward the nearest 'EXIT' sign.

Once Steve had stepped through the sliding doors that led outside, he breathed as deeply as he could, the fresh air making its way into his lungs and helping his body find some equilibrium. He still felt Soda's presence beside him as he sat down on one of the benches near the hospital building, the change of scenery only a momentary distraction. "He knows how much I love him, right? I mean, I did just tell him before the wedding, but still. I don't want him to ever feel otherwise, especially not now."

"He couldn't, buddy. Your dad knows you love him. He always knows that. How ya'll feel about each other is a given all the time. Even when you don't say the words, it doesn't fade."

Steve slumped down on the bench, laying his head on the back of it as he looked up at a sky that was showing the first signs of an impending night. "I guess I just needed to hear that. I keep picturing him in there, and it really hurts. I want to be as close as I can, but it's suffocating too. And it's not like I can sit here and pretend I couldn't lose my dad either. I lost my mom, so I can never live in that kind of denial. I can't protect myself from the possibility that he could die."

"That's why I'm here, Stevie. To wait with you and try to keep you in the moment. I almost feel like lookin' at me must be cold comfort for you though since both of my parents died. I hope I ain't a reminder of how bad things can actually be."

Steve sat up straighter, his gaze now moving to Soda as his focus shifted to a place other than his own heartache. "No. You're not that, Soda. I could never look at you and feel anything other than the kind of comfort I need right now."

Soda saw Steve take another deep breath, then laid a hand on his best friend's back. "So are you feelin' calmer than you were?"

"Yeah. Comparatively speaking anyway. I don't think I'll fully relax till my dad gets out of surgery."

"I sure feel you on that one. Honestly, if I didn't have you to be focusin' on, I'd go off my rocker tonight too."

Steve felt himself smile for the first time since he'd gotten the call from Audrey, able to find a little bit of light within the darkness. "Off your rocker, huh?"

Soda grinned back as he wrapped his arm around Steve's shoulders yet again, set on keeping him close until the waves of uncertainty that characterized the evening had time to pass. "Yep. I'd be like an old man about to lose my mind. But, since I've gotta look out for you, I can hang on and be the sort of stability you need for the hours ahead."

"Here, Steve. I brought you a cappuccino. Just the kind you like."

Steve took the cup from Olivia as she sat down with him, his wife also holding her own cup of coffee. "Thanks. This should help. I'm really starting to feel how long of a day it's been."

Olivia touched Steve's face, her thumb brushing the skin underneath his eye. "You've been crying."

"Yeah. I definitely needed it too." Steve took a full glance around the waiting area, seeing Soda with Mallory and Audrey with Samuel, all four reasonably out of earshot. "I'm so sorry, Liv."

"Sorry? Why?"

"Because this is our wedding night, and we're spending it at a hospital. I'm sorry it's turning out that way, and I swear I'll do everything to make it up to you as soon as I can."

"Steve, I'm not upset about being here, and it's certainly not something you should apologize for. It isn't your fault your dad is sick, and I'd never ask you to be away from him during such a serious illness."

Steve lifted a hand to take Olivia's, pressing it to his cheek. "I know you wouldn't. I'm just so stressed right now, and my head doesn't feel straight at all. He has to come out of this okay, Liv. I'll lose my mind if he doesn't."

"I think he'll be all right. He got here quickly and got into surgery soon. I'll call the airline and the hotel in the morning and tell them there's been a family emergency. We'll reschedule our trip once things are better."

"My dad actually thought we'd still go. When I went in to see him, he said I should go back home with you because we were leaving for our honeymoon tomorrow. He tried to convince me he was okay and then his chest started hurting again. It honestly makes me wonder."

Olivia let her hand rest on Steve's thigh as she watched her husband's face take on the faraway gaze she'd seen before whenever he was remembering or contemplating something. "About what?"

"When my dad's symptoms actually started. I wonder if he was having problems even during the wedding and didn't say anything. I mean, if he can lie there in a hospital bed and try to pretend he's fine, he could do that anywhere."

"Sounds like something to talk with him about when he's better."

"Yeah. I think I'll have to bring it up. I don't want him putting anything before his health. Especially now when this is something that won't completely go away. He's going to have to be really on top of taking care of himself. Just realizing that is making me anxious as hell."

"Then try focusing on the present for the moment, sweetie. I know it's hard, but it's worse to think too far into the future."

"Don't I know it. But at least I'm thinking about his life, not deciding that this means we'll have to plan his funeral." Steve set his cappuccino down, then put both arms around Olivia's waist, breathing in the scent of her perfume and shampoo. "Because I'm sure I don't even have to tell you how losing him would definitely be more than I can take."

"Family of Nicholas Randle?"

Six pairs of eyes either opened or looked up when Dr. Floyd's voice broke the silence that had fallen over the waiting room as everyone attempted to rest. Audrey was the first to respond, on her feet and in front of the doctor almost instantly. "Yes, I'm his wife." She then gestured toward Steve, who had been right on her heels. "And this is his son. How is he?"

Dr. Floyd nodded in acknowledgment, then got to the point, as he recognized the familiar anxiety in the two people who stood before him while it also radiated throughout the room. "Mr. Randle is out of surgery. The bypass went as well as I hoped it would. Recovery will take some time, but his chances are much better now as far as preventing another cardiac event."

Steve tried to listen as the doctor continued, but his mind felt frozen, medical terms swimming on the outside of it as relief filled him with hope. He heard various words that described Nicholas' condition and the surgery he'd just had: artery, blockage, blood flow, coronary disease.

"He's still sleeping off the anesthesia, so he also has a breathing tube for the time being. But you may go back and see him. Only one at a time though, please."

"Is it okay with you if I go first, Steve?"

Steve broke out of his near-trance to see Audrey looking at him as he took some time to absorb the moment unfolding around him. "Huh? Oh. Yes, it's okay with me. I'll just, uh, be here... waiting."

Audrey gave Steve a quick hug before she followed Dr. Floyd, the two going through the double doors that would take them to the recovery area.

Steve stared down at his feet, which felt rooted to the floor, his body giving a slight jolt when a hand touched his shoulder.

"It's just me, Steve. I haven't talked to you very much tonight, so I wanted to now."

Steve's eyes moved up to see Samuel, the preacher's familiar face helping him snap back to a place of reality. "Hey. I- I'm not sure what I'm feeling right now. Maybe I'm just too tired for much to sink in. But I'm so glad he made it through. I'm so glad he's got a chance."

Samuel gripped Steve's shoulder a little tighter, easily able to put himself in the younger man's shoes. "You're probably tired and overwhelmed. Getting good news after waiting a long time can be just as draining as anything else."

"But shouldn't I be happier? Not so stressed? And... numb? He's all right, but I can't really feel it yet. What's wrong with me?"

"Nothing. Nothing is wrong with you at all. It's been a tough night, and you're human. You've been scared for hours, so it's going to take time to recover from that."

"I know. You're right. I'd tell anybody else the exact same thing too. This is just such a weird place to be. I'm not scared out of my mind anymore, but I can't relax either. It's like a spot in between, and I don't know how to cope with it. All I do know is I have to pull myself together because my dad needs me. There's never been a time like this one, and I can't let him down."

"You won't let him down, Steve. That's not even a possibility."

"No. It's a certainty." Steve's gaze shifted from Samuel to the doors he'd watched Audrey follow Dr. Floyd through, picturing his dad with a fresh incision in his chest and a tube down his throat as the effects of the anesthesia wore off. "Because, no matter what I try to tell myself, I already did."