I have been writing this story from Alex's POV the last part is done differently. To set up the next chapter….Read and Enjoy….

Chapter Eleven

Change of A Lifetime

Frances breaks away from the huddle and starts to go into the room. Patrick grabs her and pulls her back. "Frances, no. You can't go in." She tries to push him back but he is too strong. She starts to cry and buries her head in his chest.

As Patrick and Eileen are trying to control Frances, "What's the matter with everyone?" Tommy says.

Patrick is trying to talk to his grandson while Frances is crying and Eileen is trying to calm Frances down.

Chris steps back, "You see I told you he was an ass." Before anyone can react, Chris runs down the hall and through the doors to the stairs. Tommy asks again a little louder, "What is the matter? Will someone please tell me?"

Patrick calls after him. "Chris!"

"Patrick I'll go," Alex says, acting very much the cop.

"Alex, are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

She slowly walks down the hallway and as she puts her hand on the doorknob, the reality of the situation hits her.

"Oh my God, this can't be happening."

She backs away from the door, and leans up against the wall. She starts to cry.

I have to get out of here.

No I can't leave, I don't want to leave.

Think positive, he's going to be alright, please God.

She starts to calm down and then remembers why she walked down the hall.

Chris.

She wipes her eyes and opens the door. She finds him sitting on the stairs. He hears the door open, he looks up, and quickly stands as if he is going to run again but he doesn't move.

He looks away from here, "After I came through the door I realized I had no where to go." Alex slowly walks down the stairs. "I'm not going back up there. You can't make me." He sits back down.

Alex takes another step. "Can I sit down next to you, Chris?"

"Sure." He moves away from her as she sits down. "I don't want to hear those words again." Alex puts her arm around his shoulder and pulls him closer.

He looks up at her, "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course you can."

"Isn't there someplace else you'd rather be? I know I do."

She smiles and nudges him, "Definitely."

"Then why are you here?"

"Like I told your grandfather," She looks away from him. "I want to be."

He snuggles in under her arm. "I'm glad you're here, I really am."

"Thanks Chris that's nice to hear." They both start to tear. Chris wipes his eyes and sits up straight. "This isn't fair." He says raising his voice that echoes in the stairwell.

She squeezes him lightly, "I know that. I wish I could predict the future and tell you everything is going to be alright, but I'm sorry I can't."

"Thanks." He says as he looks up at her.

"Thanks for what?"

"For being honest with me, I know I acted like a baby by running away but I'm scared."

"So am I."

They sit in silence for a moment and then Chris sits up and looks back as they hear the door open. As Patrick, descends the stairs Chris stands up and takes a step down. Alex grabs a hold of his arm.

"Chris." Patrick is now in front of his grandson and he puts his hands on his shoulders. "Chris the doctor said that he is alright." Patrick stands up straight. "I can't promise anything more."

"I know that. I'm sorry for running away."

"It's ok, believe me I understand." Chris wraps his arms around his grandfather and starts to cry. Patrick reaches out his hand and Alex takes hold. "Come on you two let's go back upstairs."

As they walk back toward his room. Frances, Eileen and Tommy are all sitting on the couch. Everyone has calmed down. Patrick and Alex sit down on the couch practically at the same time. Patrick says very softly so only Alex can hear. "I need a drink." They start to laugh.

Alex answers him. "That's a damn good idea."

The doctor walks out of Bobby's room. "He's awake. How alert he is? I'll be honest with you, I'm not sure. He's not responding to me."

Patrick stands up quickly and walks over to the doctor, "What do you mean?"

"I'm asking him questions and he is either not understanding me or ignoring me I don't know."

"May we see him? Please."

"Yes, I will allow you in to see him. Please make it short and then I want all of you to do me a favor."

They all look up at him. "Go home and get some sleep. We will take good care of him."

Frances is the first one in the room. Eileen, Patrick and the boys are close behind. Alex stands in the doorway. Tommy runs into the room wanting to jump on the bed. His grandfather manages to catch him.

Bobby looks at his family. He is not able to speak or even smile. Nevertheless, they are aware that he is as happy to see them, as they are to see him.

Patrick says, "Bobby I know that you don't want to be here, but you are and you have to stop being so stubborn."

Bobby gives him a look of disgust. "They are here to help you."

He raises his eyebrows. "That wasn't their fault," Patrick says.

Patrick can feel the doctor staring at him. He looks at over at him. "I have known him since he was fourteen years old. I know exactly what he's thinking."

"Fourteen? I thought he was your son?"

"No he's my son-in-law. And don't worry about him not being alert, he's fine." Patrick says looking at Bobby. "He is also a very stubborn and opinionated man, who is going to cooperate with you right?"

Bobby nods his head in agreement he then looks past them. He sees Alex standing in the doorway. She looks at him and smiles as she walks further into the room. They have not known each other long but already she feels so close to him and his family.

She walks toward the bed and grabs his hand. He squeezes it lightly. Still with her hand in his, Alex turns to face his family. "You know, we should take advantage of the fact that he can't talk."

They all laugh. He would if he could.

That Night

Alex's Apartment

Alex is just getting out of the shower when her phone rings.

"Hello."

"Oh good you're home I was getting tired of leaving messages and your cell hasn't been on all day."

"I just got home from the hospital about an hour ago."

"How is he Bobby doing?"

"When I left he was resting comfortably like the doctors always say and he was awake and alert after what had happened this afternoon."

"What happened?"

"He went into cardiac arrest."

"Oh my God."

"Oh my God is right. When it happened the first thing I wanted to do was take off. I stood there and pretended it was no big deal. Then it hit me like a brick. I felt my heart sink all the way to my toes, I kept thinking run away but I knew I couldn't, I'm not related to these people I haven't even know him or them that long but I feel that I have to be there for him and his family."

"Gee big Sis I think they call that love."

"I know, I know, it hurts and it feels good."

Silence, "Laurie are you still there?"

"Yes I'm here, I'm just smiling and thinking how wonderful for you?"

"It is, isn't it?"

Saturday Afternoon

"Wow it's gone, no more respirator."

"Yeah thank God I don't have to listen to that damn thing anymore and I can talk now, that wasn't funny."

"Yes it was."

He smiles. She missed that smile, "Alright, maybe just a little."

"Have you been out of bed yet?"

"Yes I did. I managed to walk all the way to the bathroom, me and my new friend." He points to the oxygen tank. "I must say it was an experience."

"Sorry I didn't visit yesterday the case we're on is a real pain in the ass, every time we think we have the answer something else pops up."

"You don't have to apologize. I understand."

Wednesday Afternoon

Alex sees Bobby walking down the hall as she nears his room. He gets back into the bed as she enters.

"Hey Bobby, I'd ask how you're feeling but from the look on your face I can already tell."

"Hey Alex, oh man." He grunts as he sits down on the bed.

"Well at least you're mobile."

"You call that mobile. Any way I walked a little further than I did yesterday but I feel like I'm a hundred years old."

"Well now that you mention it………………."

He holds his stomach. "Please don't make me laugh." He starts to laugh but it feels good, pain and pleasure at the same time.

"I feel like I just ran a marathon. A short walk and I'm tired."

"You had to get out of bed sooner or later."

"Don't get me wrong I'm not complaining about getting out of bed. It's just that something so simple and it was hard."

"What?" she says.

"Huh."

"You have that look on your face. You want to say something to me?"

"It's just that I look forward to your visits and………if you'd rather not..….I would understand."

"I'll be honest." She sits down in the chair next to the bed. "I had plenty of opportunities to skip out but I realized that I wanted to be here. Why is that so hard for this family to understand, first Patrick and then Chris and now you, I don't enjoy hospitals if that's what you people think but I like your company."

He smiles. "I feel the same. Chris told me yesterday afternoon about your talks, and how nice you were to him. I really appreciate that. He needed someone to talk to and you were there for him." He grunts as he tries to position himself for comfort. "When you're in here you don't realize exactly what's going on with everyone out there. I'm sure you were all overwhelmed, thanks."

"I'm glad I was able to help, he's a good kid, and so is Tommy."

"Alright enough about me and my family lets talk about you. What have you been doing?"

"Nothing interesting," she says.

"Nothing interesting, how is that possible?"

Alex shrugs her shoulders, "Oh just the same ole thing."

"How about we talk about your job, I think that's interesting. Tell me about you're latest case."

Alex tells him about her recent case. She notices that he keeps shaking his head as if he is trying very hard not to sleep. She grabs his hand. "Bobby if you want to go to sleep, please go ahead believe me I won't be insulted."

"Thanks." He says. "See you later?"

"Of course," she says.

Before she turns to leave, he grabs her hand and pulls her close. "I love you Alex, there I've said it."

She smiles as she leans down and kisses him on the lips. "I love you too Bobby." She caresses his face. "You need a shave."

"Why? I'm not going anywhere."

She smiles. "You'll be out of here sooner than you think. And when you see the nurse, tell her to give you a shave."

"Ok, ok."

"Have a good sleep I'll see you later."

Sunday Afternoon

Bobby's House

Eileen and the boys are at the house packing up some clothes when the doorbell rings. Eileen answers the door.

"Good afternoon," Says the petite woman at the door.

Eileen responds with, "Hello. May I help you?"

"I hope so. I was looking for Robert Goren, he use to live here."

"He still does. However, he is recuperating in the hospital from an accidentl. May I ask who you are?"

"Just an old friend, I'll stop by another time. Bye now."

"Goodbye."

Eileen closes the door.

Must be an old girlfriend, she seems so sophisticated and sweet.

TBC