Chapter 4 is upon us already! I know it's a little bit shorter than normal but the next chapter should make up for that. I hope you are all still with me and always leave me comments or suggestions!

Chapter 4

A full week passed before Shane finally awoke. The fear that Shane would not wake up at all had built up to almost a fever pitch inside of Vince when he finally heard his son's voice. Vince had fallen asleep keeping vigil over Shane. It was 5am and a very soft, very croaky voice spoke, almost drowned out by the sound of the ventilator. "Dad?"

It took Vince a moment to register that he'd been spoken to. He had made it his personal mission to never leave Shane's bedside. Despite the efforts of Linda and the hospital staff alike, Vince wouldn't budge to do more than use the restroom or to stretch his legs. He felt responsible for Shane's accident and he would be damned if there was a single minute that Shane was alone. He wanted Shane to know that his family loved him. Vince opened his eyes finally and locked eyes with the confused brown eyes of his son.

"Shane-O..." The relief was palpable in Vince's tone and his eyes stung for a brief moment before he blinked the sensation away.

"Dad... where am I?" Shane looked around the unfamiliar surroundings; he realized by the sterile smell and the sound of machinery around him that he had to be in the hospital. The fear in Shane rose as he couldn't remember anything about how he got here. Why was he in the hospital?

Vince sensed the anxiety in Shane even before the sound of the heart monitor reflected the change in his son. "Shane... shhh, its okay." Vince soothed. "You're in the hospital. There was an accident and you were banged up pretty good. But you're okay... you'll be just fine." Vince squeezed Shane's hand reassuringly and Shane calmed down, the monitor's sound going back to a normal pace.

"What kind of accident, dad? Where's mom? Where's Steph? Are they okay?"

Vince nodded. "Yes, son, your mother and sister are fine. They spent the night at home and should be back in a couple of hours."

Shane nodded his understanding, resting his head back against the pillows. He was still not clear on what had happened. Why was he here? His eyes threatened to close again but he forced them back open. He spoke up again, his voice softer, his need for rest evident. "Dad... why am I here? What kind of accident was I in?"

Vince shook his head; his son needed his rest. "Shane, you need to sleep, son. I'll explain everything to you later. Right now, rest. Please." Vince was gently stroking Shane's hair, something he knew that would settle Shane down when he was upset or scared as a boy. It worked like a charm. Before Shane could utter another word his eyes drooped closed and he was asleep.

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Three days later Shane was being wheeled out to the SUV his mother and sister had brought to pick up Vince and Shane from the hospital. Shane inhaled the fresh air, albeit not as deeply as normal with his healing ribs. Shane carefully stood from the wheelchair and accepted some help from his father to get into the vehicle and get buckled in. Shane still knew little about what happened but he refused to question it. This change in his father... this... nurturing side of him... it was nice.

When Vince had Shane settled into the back of the SUV, he climbed into the front seat to drive them back home. The ride was quiet, with the exception of Stephanie chattering away at her brother; she was more than excited to have him coming home again. Much to Shane's surprise, he was happy to have his sometimes irritating sister's voice fill in the silence. Stephanie had not been nearly as bratty as normal, either. This, though, he was willing to question. "Okay, what gives?"

Stephanie looked at him, confused. "What are you talking about?"

Shane gave Stephanie a pointed gaze. "Usually you're not this nice... its kinda creepy. What's the deal, Steph?"

Stephanie looked down at her hands in her lap, her voice soft when she replied, "I missed you." Her big blue, now watery eyes gazed up at the brown eyes of her brother. "I'm sorry..."

Shane frowned a little, reaching up to run his fingers through his hair. "What are you sorry for, Stephanie?"

Stephanie sniffled, rubbing her eyes, not wanting to cry in front of her brother. "For being so mean... I don't hate you Shane."

"Oh, Steph..." Shane reached over, gently making Stephanie look up at him again, as her eyes were cast downward again. "Hey... it's okay. I know you don't hate me." Shane gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't cry."

Stephanie smiled a little, wiping her eyes yet again. "That's better. That's the little sister I know."

The exchange between brother and sister made both Linda and Vince smile. Linda reached across the center console and squeezed Vince's hand. At this moment in time, it looked like their family would be okay.