Of Insects and Illness Ch. 4
Disclaimer: See chapter one
Author's Note: I do not have any medical knowledge whatsoever, so please forgive any glaring errors.
Previously: "As soon as they get Alan settled, we can go up and be with him." Jeff answered as he palmed the nape of Scott's neck to feel him slightly trembling. He hoped that seeing the youngest would help to put some of Scott's fears at ease. He didn't need his oldest worrying himself sick and ending up in the hospital too.
Thirty minutes later, found the Tracy Family following a nurse to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit where the youngest of their family now resided. Exiting the elevator, even the colorful murals painted on the wall weren't able to brighten the mood of the oldest members of the family as they walked down the hall to Alan's room.
Stopping in front of the door of room 116, Jeff took a deep breath to prepare himself before pushing it open. He couldn't help but feel awash with anxiety as he saw his baby boy laying there in the bed looking so pale and small, an oxygen mask covering his nose and mouth. Hearing a gasp from his right side, he turned to see Scott pale considerably as he placed a palm to his mouth, his eyes firmly fixed on Alan's small form.
"Scotty, he's going to be okay, he has to be." Jeff stated softly as he palmed the nape of his oldest son's neck to calm him down. He hated seeing the fear in the saddened cobalt blue eyes of his eldest child, especially since Scott rarely showed fear of anything.
"Sure he will Dad, he's a Tracy isn't he." Scott answered as he steeled himself suddenly remembering that his younger brothers were there watching him and that he needed to exude confidence to keep them from becoming concerned, even if he didn't feel it.
"Yes he is, and that makes him a fighter just like the rest of you boys." Jeff answered as he walked over to Alan's bedside, his children following behind him. Sitting down in the chair next to Alan' bed, he grasped the small boy's hand in his own, giving it a light and gentle squeeze. "We're all here for you Sprout. You just need to wake up and let us see those wonderful sky blue eyes of yours. We miss you son"
"Daddy, why won't Allie wake up?" Gordon inquired after a few moments of watching as he plopped himself in Jeff's lap, not caring that it made him seem younger than his actual age of nine. He was worried about his baby brother and needed the comfort of his father.
"Dr. Singer had to give him some medicine earlier that made him sleepy Gordy. Alan will wake up when he's ready to." Jeff soothed as he rubbed his hand up and down the young boys back in comfort. It was unusual for Gordon to be so clingy since he asserted his independence quite often.
Watching as the other boys gathered around Alan's bedside, Jeff noticed the tension in each of their faces as the gazed at their baby brother. He knew he would have to make some plans soon for them to stay in the hotel close to the hospital. It wouldn't do his children any good to be stuck in the somber environment around the clock, even though he personally wanted to be there every single second of every single hour until Alan was released.
"Hey Dad, did they give Allie something for his fever?" Virgil inquired as he noticed the readout on the monitor that was hooked up to Alan indicating a fever of over one hundred and one.
"Yes Virgil, Robert gave him a fever reducer while we were in the treatment room earlier so his fever is actually coming down." Jeff informed his eleven year old. He knew of his son's interest in medicine and was certain that he would grow up to be a doctor or medic of some sort, maybe even for the rescue team he was in the beginning stages of planning. It would take a few years to develop his idea and get it launched, but it would be worth all the headaches it was causing and would hopefully save lots of lives, sparing other families what he and his sons went through when his beloved wife Lucy died. He was soon drawn out of his musings at the sound of a soft whimper emitted in the room.
Allie, you're awake." John gasped with a smile as he watched his baby brother's eyes open and look around to find his family at his bedside.
When his eyes finally lit on his oldest brother, Alan held his arms out towards the teen. "Scotty, hold me." He pleaded, his voice sounding muffled by the oxygen mask as his eyes implored Scott to pick him up from the bed.
"How about I crawl into the bed with you instead." Scott offered knowing that Alan needed to stay connected to the machines that were presently monitoring his vital signs. Climbing into the bed, he pulled Alan close and felt the youngster snuggle into his side which finally allowed him to relax a little having the tyke so close. It didn't take long for Scott's tension to ease and for both boys to fall asleep since it was deep into the night.
Knowing that Alan would be watched over, Jeff whispered, "Time for us to go get a room so you boys can get some sleep yourselves. He didn't want to leave Alan, but he had his other three sons to consider also.
"But what about Scotty daddy, isn't he coming too?" Gordon questioned with a pout at having to leave so soon.
"No Gordon, Scott is going to stay with Spout and keep him company while the rest of us get some rest." Jeff informed his copper haired child as he ruffled his hair affectionately. Standing up, he bent over to kiss Alan lightly on the forehead before leaving causing Scott to rouse from sleep.
"Scott, I'm going to take the boys to the hotel across the street so they can get some sleep while you stay here with Alan." Jeff whispered knowing that his oldest needed to spend some time with his baby brother, even if it was in slumber. "We'll see you sometime tomorrow afternoon after they've all had a decent amount of sleep."
"Okay dad, and don't worry, I'll take good care of Alan." Scott replied closing his eyes once again.
"I know you will son, I know you will." Jeff said with a smile even though Scott was already in the throes of sleep once again.
Arriving at the five star hotel just across the street from the prestigious St. John's Hospital, Jeff booked his family into one of the penthouse suites wanting his children close to him. Gathering the three of them together, they entered the elevator and took it up to the top floor of the hotel. Tipping the porter who had carried their bags, Jeff glanced around the palatial suite. The room had a comfortable looking sofa which was placed in front of a large plasma television screen which hung upon the wall. One on side of the screen was an entertainment center loaded with DVD movies and games for the gaming console which rested on a shelf located just under the television screen. His children would most likely make good use of that at some point. Off to the right was a decorative fireplace with a protective screen placed in front and a small well stocked bar area sat in the far corner of the room.
Surveying the area to his left, he noticed a large kitchen available for their use if need be and he had no doubt that the cupboards would be well stocked also, just like the complimentary bar. Beyond that was a small patio or deck area which he would make sure was kept locked. No way was he chancing a energetic Gordon going outside on the patio when they were now residing on the top floor of the hotel. Turning towards the left, he could see three bedrooms, one which was obviously the master bedroom with all of its luxuries and two smaller bedrooms, each with a king sized bed and a small bath.
"Okay boys, time for bed." Jeff called out as he rubbed his weary eyes knowing that his boys needed their sleep. It was deep into the night and his children should have been in bed long ago.
"Aw Dad, can't we play a couple of games first?" Virgil pleaded after having gone through the video games while his dad was checking out the place. He had found a cool space game and wanted to give it a try.
"No son, it's much too late to be playing games. I want you and you brothers in the bed within the next thirty minutes or there will be some consequences to pay, understand?" Jeff stated sternly.
"Yes Sir." All three boys responded chorally not wanting to deal with their dad's wrath. He sure could come up with some creative ways to teach a hard lesson when he wanted to.
"Virgil, you and Gordon can bunk together for the night while John has a bed of his own." Jeff stated as he grabbed their suitcases and placed them into their rooms.
"But Daddy, can't I sleep with you instead." Gordon pleaded as he looked at his dad with his expressive green eyes.
"Sure Gordy, I guess that would be alright. Why don't you go get changed into your pajamas and I'll be there to tuck you in shortly." Jeff answered with a smile knowing that his copper topped child was still angsty over leaving Alan and Scott behind at the hospital. At least with having Gordon in his room, he could make sure that he actually got some sleep. Watching as his fourth born son raced off to do as told, Jeff couldn't help but marvel at his exuberance, even at four in the morning. If only he had the energy that Gordon possessed, the things he could get done would be amazing.
Checking in on both John and Virgil as they climbed into their beds, he walked over and closed the dark drapes to keep the early morning sunlight from streaming into the rooms once the sun rose over the horizon. Hopefully he and the boys would be able to get a good six hours of sleep before having to go back to the hospital.
Walking into the master bedroom, he sighed at the sight of Gordon laying in the bed and waiting to be tucked in. He hoped the prankster would go to sleep relatively quickly without wanting to carry on a conversation since he really needed some sleep himself. Reaching down to pull the comforter over the small boy, he lightly kissed him on the forehead. "Good night Gordy, sweet dreams my little one." He softly whispered before grabbing his own sleep apparel and going into the bathroom to change.
Exiting the room after changing his clothing and brushing his teeth, Jeff closed the dark drapes in his room also, but left the bathroom door slightly opened with the light turned on in case Gordon woke up in the middle of the night. Climbing into the bed, he whispered a prayer for Alan's wellbeing and then rolled over onto his side and snuggled up next to Gordon, wrapping an arm around him. His last thought before going to sleep: "Please watch over our boys at the hospital Lucy, they both need you."
TBC I hope you enjoyed this chapter of family fluff before the angst starts once again in the next chapter.