Chapter 23

Johnny and Darry

"Pony what am I gonna do?" Johnny was upset again at Darry. He had talked to Darry after the episode with Two-Bit. He had been scared what if he had been at the house when all that had happened. He didn't want to lose his baby. Thankfully he had been out with Pony because Darry hadn't been home so he could see the baby.

"I love him but this baby is my everything I won't give him or her up for anyone." Johnny said.

"I won't stand behind my brother but I do know I love him and know he will relent. He loves you both he just is a little foolish and stubborn. Somehow he thinks that he is going to lose you." Pony said trying to comfort his best friend. They were currently sitting on the couch at Dally's.

"I'm worried he won't come back!" Johnny exclaimed. "Okay, I'm done, thank you for listening but it's not why you're here so what's up?" Johnny asked

"Well I think Soda is sick. He gets really tired easily and then today I got the mail and found a bill for the hospital. I thought we paid everything off so I opened it and it wasn't for me it was for him. I don't want to worry Darry but I feel like I have to tell him. What do I do?" Pony asked worriedly.

"Well with him almost losing you I won't keep this from him. It would be just be even messier when it does come out. Soda hasn't said a word?" Pony shook his head.

"He just keeps saying he is fine and not to worry so much but I can tell he is scared and Curly barely leaves his side anymore." Pony pushed.

"I definitely think you need to tell Darry just sit them all down and provide Soda the chance to tell you guys whats going on." Johnny replied. Pony smiled and nodded.

"I knew you would tell me that I just hoped you won't. This is going to be messy." Pony sighed and got up. "I should go home and help Steve." Johnny stood up and hugged Pony before watching him leave.

Later…

"What's going on Pony, you're not sick again are you?" Soda asked as he Curly, Darry and Steve sat down in the living room.

"No Soda I'm not but you are. I think it's time to let us know what is going on." Pony said. Everyone turned to look at the middle brother.

"I'm not sick, Pony" Soda tried but knew he failed when Pony sat the bill on the table between them all. "Shit! I was hoping to get that before you. I can't believe I have to tell you like this but I have no idea what is wrong with me. I'm not pregnant and the doctor's are stumped"

"Why didn't you tell us something was wrong, Soda?" Darry asked standing up and pacing.

"I didn't want you guys to worry till I knew more. I know how much stress we all have been under with everything going on in the past year." Soda knew he hurt Darry just by the look on his face.

"I can't believe you Soda, I need to walk." Darry picked up his coat and left out the door before anyone could stop him. Another emergency was all Darry could think about. Another brother sick and could die. He knew with everything he had been through in just a year would weigh on anyone no matter who it was but he didn't handle death well and he wasn't about to lose everyone. He couldn't deal with losing a brother.

After everything had happened with their parents the brothers were closer than most. Darry didn't know how to react all he wanted to do was take his brother's pain away and deal with it himself. Soda was too good to have to deal with things like this.

"You can come in ya know." Darry jumped at the voice. He knew it all to well and unfortunately the only time he heard it anymore was when they were screaming at each other. This was another situation he was not happy with himself about. He loved Johnny but he refused to deal with a lot. He was afraid and wasn't scared to say it but when it came to Johnny he was terrified. The baby made him grow up and he was amazed at the other's strength. Darry wanted to be a part of their life but knew it was too late to be. He loved them both but his stubbornness had damaged their relationship and with work he didn't even think he could fix it. He looked up at Johnny and nodded heading up the steps and into the apartment.

"I take it you know?" Darry asked and Johnny only nodded. "Where's Two-Bit and Dally?"

"They are out, sit down please." Darry did and Johnny sat down next to him taking his hands in his.

"It will be okay. We all know Soda is a fighter so don't worry so much everything will work out." Johnny said. Johnny could see the tears in Darry's eyes.

"I don't know what to do I'm scared of losing them." Johnny nodded knowing that Darry was just a scared twenty year old in charge of an entire family.

"You won't lose him. Not everyone who is sick dies dear. Everything will work out for the best there is no way that you are gonna lose him." Johnny said patting his hands.

"I am sorry Johnny I know your probably not happy that I'm here I just kinda ended up here." Darry said looking into his ex's eyes.

"Darry it's fine I kinda hoped you would come to me. I know how you are and It's honestly fine. Remember you're the one that pushed me away not the other way around. I would never stand by and let you destroy yourself over this." Johnny got up and grabbed a beer from the fridge and handed it to Darry.

"Thanks…I'm sorry Johnny. I am so worried about losing everyone that I pushed you away. I was blinded and I should have never said any of those things to you. You are my life and I love you. I can't apologize enough but I need you more than anyone else." Darry's eyes were pleading for forgiveness but Johnny couldn't quite give it yet.

"Darry I'm a package deal it's not one without the other you know that. That's why we fight what has gotten into you?" Johnny asked.

"I know you're a package deal babe and everything going on at home and Two-Bit. I can't live my life happily without you by my side. Everything is so out of control and I hate it but I know one thing I can control. I know it's a long shot and this fight got blown out of proportion. I am a stubborn ass and I will admit it but Johnny you mean everything to me and I can't live without you anymore." Darry was pouring his heart out but Johnny was looking for one statement and Darry still hadn't said it.

"No body ever said you had to just wake up and smell the roses. With me you get OUR child or you don't have me at all." Johnny turned from the man he loved afraid to see the answer in his face or let the other see his tears. He had to be strong no matter what.

"Johnny," Darry turned the man around, " I never not wanted this baby, it may have seemed that way but I love you both. I just didn't want to loose you. That thought scared me more than I can say. I just didn't tell you that very well maybe if I wasn't so stubborn and pull headed we would be back together by now but you weren't listening and then we would start screaming and it was over again and again. I hated it but I thought I was being clear in what I want or that you would read between the lines. It was dumb but I do want you both in my life." Johnny cupped Darry's cheek his smile spreading from ear to ear.

"Are we okay now?" Darry asked tentively.

"We are on the right track." Johnny wasn't ready to be all in again too afraid of getting hurt again.

"Good" Darry said before slamming their lips together. Johnny allowed the toe curling kiss that he missed so much in the past few weeks.

"Will you move back in to the house I don't like you being so far away. I'll even sleep on the couch if it helps but I want to be able to help you since I've been out of your life for so long. I want to be there for both of you." Darry said pulling away from the other man.

"Okay I'll move back in on one condition." Johnny said pulling away from Darry completely.

"What's that?" Darry asked.

"You don't sleep on the couch. I miss sleeping in the same bed as you. I haven't slept well since I left and I mean sleeping only there boy." Johnny said, he added the last part at Darry's shit grin.

"Awwe baby your wound me." Darry said with a smile. Johnny laughed at Darry's antic's. "That's fine baby as long as you're at home with me."

"Okay Darry we will come home." Johnny said rubbing his stomach.

Alright guys next chapter check the other two stories should be up within the next two days! Hope ya liked it and as always read and review!