Hey guys! Chapter 42 is finally here.

Ok, wow, what can I say? I know I've said it before but you guys are really just the best. I enjoy reading what you guys write to me and they really are the fuel of my inspiration. Writing isn't easy but with readers like you this itty-bitty story went from 7 to 42 chapters. 42! Yeah, it's still mind blowing to me.

You guy's really touched my heart and I can't thank you enough for your kind, inspiring, and thoughtful words. I hope my story can bring you guys the kind of wide smiles I get when I read your guy's reviews.

Ok enough of my maple sap. On to the story!

Enjoy!


Eddy fidgeted in his seat, his butt going numb from having sat on the uncomfortable piece of furniture for over an hour. Bernice was currently asleep, IV's hooked into her bandaged arms. In them dripped a saline solution and some sleeping aid the doctor had prescribed.

The scam artist extraordinaire didn't feel as extraordinary as his title perceived him to be. He was antsy, his feet bouncing up and down as he watched the sleeping woman in front of him.

This wasn't right. Bernice shouldn't be back at the hospital so sooner after her 'incident'. The doctors insisted she have a friend or family member nearby for when she woke, offering yet another psychiatric evaluation to determine she hadn't thrown herself off the steps on purpose. Eddy didn't believe for a second Bernice was capable of doing something insane like that, besides it was only a two foot drop from the door to the ground and he couldn't imagine someone getting that torn up from a fall; but she had proven him wrong once before and quite frankly he wasn't equipped to be taking any kind of chances with her. Not after she went and sliced her wrists open like an idiot.

As the only one present at the hospital Eddy had agreed to most of the doctor's suggestions, stepping in as Bernice's son for the time being. He played it off well in order to get her the help she needed without the pain of doctors taking over all the decisions. As it was, Bernice was in no condition to be making decisions for herself and knowing her as well as he did, Eddy knew doctors getting involved any further than this would just make matters worse.

The scam artist sighed, rubbing his hands across his face. Where the fuck was Edwin?

That bastard should have been here hours ago. Better yet, he shouldn't have allowed this to happen in the first place. Edwin was supposed to in charge of looking after Bernice while she recovered. What kind of bastard left an unstable woman by herself? Just what the hell was so damn important he couldn't bother to come to the hospital the moment he called about Bernice's condition?

Eddy kicked the dresser next to him. If it weren't for the fact Edwin was his best friend's boyfriend he would have falcon punched the cocky ass-munch in the face as thousand times over. Speaking of which, the scammer missed Edd like crazy. What he wouldn't give to see his best friend again. He didn't want to think about how much had passed since the last time they spoke.

One minute they were talking, enjoying the catch up game as they spoke of their individual adventures in their grown up lives, and the next he was just gone. No phone calls, not a single email, not even a damn post card. It worried Eddy to no end.

Out of the blue his cellphone rang and Eddy nearly dropped the phone in answering the call. The generic ring tone he had set for Edwin was now blaring in his ear and it took all his will power not to snarl at the ID picture that glared at him on the screen.

"Yo. Eddy here."

"Is she awake?"

The scammer rolled his eyes. Fucking Edwin. "No. She's out cold. Doctor's put her out so they could scan her."

He heard Edwin sigh. "Good. Perhaps it is best this way."

Eddy cocked an incredulous brow. Well, that was an interesting thing to say.

"Where you at?"

"The front desk. We shall be there shortly." And with that Edwin cut the call short.

Eddy stared at his phone in confusion. Edwin was a bastard, there was no denying that, but even he knew when the man was curt that something was up.

"What? What do you mean we?"

It wasn't long before the hospital doors opened. The white sterile light from the hall flooded into the room like spilled paint, stretching out across the room and lighting up sections of the wall. The sound of a beeping machine was the only other sound that filled the room besides Bernice's soft breathing, causing Eddy to shiver when the sound of sneakers squeaking across the shiny waxed floors reached his ears. Neither Edwin nor Eddy said a word as the squeaky shoes drew near, quiet tears falling like rain drops to the ground in the process.

"Look I don't know what happened." Eddy stressed. "One minute I'm out on my lawn getting the mail and the next I-"

Eddy turned, ready to lay it in good and hard into Edwin for what an idiot he was to leave Bernice alone when he stopped dead in his tracks. His angry words were but forgotten in an instant.

Eddy's eyes widened, disbelief shinning in their big brown depths.

"D-Double D?"

Sure enough there standing before him was no other than the very friend he had been missing not a minute before; blue eyes misty and black hair falling out from beneath his signature black and white hat. The scammer hopped to his feet in shock, grabbing Edd by the shoulders and giving him a wild shake. He felt numb and sensitive all at once, almost not believing what he was seeing.

"Double D! Oh my god, where have you been?!"

Eddward said nothing as he let his friend shake him, his head bobbling forwards and back. The shortest Ed in their trio stopped shaking him, taking to wrapping his arms around him in a lung crushing hug. It didn't particularly matter if his slicked back haired got tousled in the process. He was holding his best friend again.

"I thought I'd never see you again."

Eddy shoved Edd out at arm's length to inspect him, eyes narrowing in anger. "Are you hurt? Do you need a doctor? Who do I have to beat up?!"

Edd brushed Eddy's hands form his person, his facing aching to smile but he willed himself not to.

"Don't fret. I am fine Eddy."

The scammer couldn't believe it. He just couldn't believe it. Well actually yes he could believe it. Edd in the flesh and bone was standing here with him. Only, now, the scammer was pissed. Eddy turned to look at Edwin who merely shook his head in a manner that said ask later.

You're damn right Eddy was going to ask later. His best fucking friend drops off the face of the earth with just an email and practically no warning, and suddenly pops back up like some broken whack amole no one has seen for ages?

"Eddy."

Edd spoke so softly he almost went unheard. Eddy turned his head, flashing Edwin a look of begrudging gratitude in the process. So this was what was so important. Well played asshole. Well played.

Eddy cleared his throat, pursing his lips. He didn't like that tone Edd had taken on but given the circumstances he very well couldn't blame him.

"Yeah buddy?"

"How is m-" He almost couldn't say it. "My mother? What is her condition?"

Mother. The title sat like bile on his tongue but he willed himself once more not to physically react.

Eddy held his breath, swallowing the forming lump at the back of his throat. He turned towards the woman in bed and crossed his arms in his usual stubborn manner. Eddward found himself staring at Eddy, never having thought he would miss such ungentlemanly mannerisms.

"Doc says she's fine. A couple of bruises but no fractures or anything like that."

Eddy dragged the stool over and offered Edd a seat who took it with a soft thank you.

"They also had her out so they could give her an MRI."

Edd's head snapped up.

"Whatever for?"

"To see if she may have had some trauma to her head when she fell. Doc saw her vitals were a little out of whack so, you know, maybe she got dizzy and-OUCH! What the hell was that for?!" Eddy exclaimed, rubbing his now sore arm where Edwin had sucker punched him.

The blued eyes man sniffed down at him, crossing his long limber arms. "That is more than enough information to share for now."

The scammer flipped Edwin off and rubbed his arm. Much to his chagrin he did think better about what he almost said. It would serve no purpose for anyone but aggravate an already appalling situation. In the end he begrudgingly decided that Edwin was right. Enough had been said. Eddward didn't need any kind of information over load, not while he looked on the verge of passing out. Panic was written all over him and Eddy's heart ached for his buddy. Anyone with eyes could see it etched deeply in the sockhead's face.

Edd on the other hand resisted the urge to turn and yell at Edwin to allow Eddy to speak. He wanted to know everything. This was his mother for goodness sake. He might not like her but… still. While Edwin still seemed as over protective and secretive as ever, Eddward was no wall flower. He could handle this. Just because he was close to the situation didn't mean he needed to be coddled. Yet, neither seemed willing to speak any further on the matter.

Typical of them, he inwardly seethed. Where was an on duty doctor when you needed one?

While Edd's bravado bubbled to the surface of his mind, it didn't change the fact Double D's eyes had hazed over; lips pursed and eyes narrowed as he stared down at the face of the woman he called mother. Edd couldn't decide if this numbness he was feeling had any connection to the actual attempt at suicide or the fact he was here, beside her, staring down at her vacant face as if she were one of the dead.

The ticking clock above their heads was muted, time slowing to an unbearable crawl. It last only for a moment before heavy footsteps sounded down the hall. The door swung open exuberantly.

Edd turned just in time to see two pairs of arms reaching for him, knocking the slender boy from his stool to the ground. Happy sobs filled his ears and yet Edd couldn't hear a single syllable. Not even as the stench of cheese hit him like an anvil.

"Ed missed Double D!" The last of their trio, Ed, sobbed.

Edd's hand came over the tall boy's shoulder, patting him gently as Ed squeezed Edd tight. He was a wreck, sobbing with fat tears trailing over his narrow cheeks.

"Why did you go away?"

Ed continued to cry, swinging Eddward side to side until Eddy came up behind him and clocked him on the head, forcing Ed to let Edd go.

"Back off dude. Can't you see he's upset enough as it is?"

Ed backed off reluctantly, his bottom lip bouncing up and down as he gave Eddy the worst case of puppy eyes.

"But-but Eddy…"

The scammer groaned, raking back his tousled hair. "Alright, alright. But keep it down or else the nurse will kick you out again."

Ed nodded his head reverently, squeezing Eddward to his chest. Even as the young man in his arms fidgeted he didn't let go. He simply couldn't.

Eddward's chest heaved. Ed and Eddy. Oh how he had missed them dearly. He sunk into Ed's outstretched arms, finding it easy to ignore just how dingy and foul his friend smelt. He hugged Ed as if his life depended on it. He also wasted no time in grabbing a hold of Eddy's wrist, pulling him down to the ground with him so the three of them could embrace. It was akin to when they were kids, dog piling and rough housing like boys do. Nostalgia flooded him and Edd finally broke down.

He tried with poor ability to contain his flooded emotions but it was just too much. He shook within the confines of his friend's arms, rough hands caressing his back in gentle rubs and soft whispers of encouragement filtering through his ears.

"Welcome home buddy."

"We missed you!"

Eddy grunted and bopped Ed on the head again. "Will you shut your trap already?!"

Eddward hiccupped, sad tears turning happy at the familiarity of the scene the two Ed's were making. He hugged them even tighter. He didn't think it was possible but it felt good to be home. He wasn't sure how much of that he actually believed but he meant it just the same. It felt like a wave of emotions had hit him; guilt, happiness. The sights, the sounds, the smells; it was all so overwhelming.

Meanwhile Edwin stood beside Bernice's bed checking her IV, keeping himself busy and out of the trio's way. It filled his heart to see his lover home, even more so to have been connected with his friends again. Edd's smile was like the wicker of a candle, the biggest and brightest filling every heart in the room with light. It had been far too long since Edwin last seen it. Contentment filled him.

Finally Eddward spoke, the first of the three to collect himself as usual. Already it seemed life was falling back into place as it once had been.

"Eddy I am surprised. I thought you-"

"I'm on vacation for the season." Eddy explained, standing to dust himself off. "I heard what happened and raced over here as soon as I could."

Edd nodded solemnly and turned to Ed. The goofy boy always knew how to put a smile on his face, even if it were something wacky that often got the three of them into more trouble than they were worth.

"It's lovely to see you again Ed." He meant it whole heartedly.

The tallest of the three smiled, patting Edd on the head like he would a puppy.

"Now all the little ducks are in a row."

Edd gave a crooked smile, half wondering what in the world he meant and the other half just happy to hear his silly banter. He turned to look at Edwin who in turn smiled. It was just the slightest quirk in the corner of his mouth, often times being mistaken for a smart-aleck smirk, but Edd knew better. Eyes cast downward he broke free of Edwin's overwhelming gaze.

"Come little one." Edwin said, circling around the bed.

He took Edd's out stretched hand and lifted the boy to his feet, the move so quick Edd almost had to stop himself from losing his balance. He forgot how strong Edwin was and nearly toppled right into him.

"You need sustenance."

Eddward frowned turning back to the bed. How could he think of food at a time like this?

"I am ok."

"Do not fight with me on this." Edwin spoke in a warning tone. "We have had a long trip. You haven't eaten since we've left. Now come."

The sockhead turned, eyes narrowed and upset but Edwin would have none of his obstinate behavior.

"Cafeteria. Now."

Edd bit hard into his lip, almost wishing he were brave enough to bite harder so he could taste his own blood in his mouth. It would remind him he didn't deserve to be bossed around, but Edd also knew there was no need for any of that at the moment. Now that his mother was slumbering there wasn't much else to do but wait; and without a full belly to aid a sound mind he knew he wouldn't be of much use.

Reluctantly, he left his mother's side.

Eddy and Ed went with him, picking through the buffet style of food, grunting and making silly noises about the hospital's poor selection in grub. They didn't say much else however. They stuck to Edd's side like glue, as if he would somehow disappear on them again. He almost voiced how ridiculous they were being but stopped. He wanted their company, no matter how suffocating they could be. It was just the right amount of love he needed to get through the night.

Their plane had landed on the outskirts of Peach Creek just over an hour ago. The scent of nature that permeated their quaint little town used to remind him of summer foods and blooming spring flowers. Now it tasted of crisp clean winter. Snow blanketed everything, painting the green trees white and rooftops a crystalline blue as icicles hung off the shingles. It was a complete contrast to the musty metallic smell of New York City.

The air here still tasted of citrus and he was happy to see the orange trees planted some years ago on the highway had sprouted fruit some time through the spring and fall season. Fallen oranges now lay in frozen heaps on the ground, some split open and others still perfectly round. He remembered when he was a child the time those trees had been planted. They ran along the border of Lemon Brook and Peach Creek. It was a promising spot for growing it seemed.

He remembered how all kinds of kids would come along to pick the fruit off their branches. Ed, Eddy and he used to get into all kinds of trouble coming up with inventive ways to get the most fruit. When he got caught, which was practically every time, his mother would scold him for getting dirty and send him to his room. She was none the wiser however, for every time he went up to his room to live out his punishment he would sneak out the orange he hid under his hat and revel in its citrusy goodness.

The oranges on the border of Lemon Brook were perfect and were quite often worth the groundings he got for it. Not so much when Edwin got involved but he digressed.

While playing with the macaroni on his plate he wondered if he would get the chance to see his mother wake or if he would have to wait until tomorrow to confront her. He suspected the later. Either way he didn't look forward to the reunion.

Edd and his mother never got a long, so to speak; and to see her after ditching her the way he had, well, he suspected more than a handful of colorful words to be shared between the two of them. They never saw eye to eye on anything and he certainly wasn't inclined to believe otherwise any time soon.

Eddy and Ed hadn't said a word to him since entering the cafeteria. He thought that odd but mentioned nothing as they took a seat towards the back corner. Half way through their silent meal Edwin made his entrance, combat boots clicking against the polished tile floors and filling the awkwardly silent room with noise.

He didn't much care for leaving Eddward's side, even to look for an available nurse who could watch Bernice in the unlikely case she woke while they were gone. Visiting hours would be over soon and before Edwin would even think to let that boy back into that room he had some questions that demanded answers. He knew damn well Eddy and Ed were thinking along the same lines. At first he was unsure if calling them both to the hospital had been a wise decision on his part, but nevertheless they were here and would immediately jump on him the moment they got Edd alone.

Thankfully the cafeteria was void of other people, giving all four Ed's a chance at some privacy.

Eddward was busy stirring his macaroni about his plate when Edwin sat cross from him, his brow quirking at the older man. He didn't like the way Edwin was starting at him, blue eyes wild and lit with unspoken fury; as if there was something hanging at the forefront of his mind. He felt scrutinized under that focused gaze, swallowing back the forming lump in his throat as he sat up and steeled himself to face his ex.

Without moving a single limb Edwin said only one word.

"Why?"

Edd's eye fell shut. Blasted. He should have seen this coming.

Edwin folded his hands, speaking slow and formally. "Eddward why did you leave?"

Edd sat his fork down. Ed and Eddy were staring at Edd, spoons poised over their food and mouths comically agape.

"You already know."

Edwin's eyes hardened, his words short and to the point. "That is not a valid answer. Tell us why."

Edd couldn't bring himself to look Edwin, or Ed and Eddy for that matter. It was enough to have to face the people he thought he left behind but to answer these questions so soon was torture. It was an uphill battle he wasn't yet ready to climb.

After a poignant pause Eddy finally spoke.

"Dude, you left in the middle of the night." His eyes narrowed thoughtfully on his plate, his voice dropping ab octave in the process. "You just… up and split." He closed his eyes. "You didn't tell nobody."

Edd snapped his head up to look at him, looking betrayed. Oh Eddy not you too.

"Ed wants to know why too." The oaf said under his breath, poking at his Jell-O-ton and watching it jiggle from side to side. "There is no basket without the weave."

Eddward scoffed in a childish and indignant matter, pushing his plate away with a rather violent shove and knocking his utensil to the ground. The fork fell with a clatter, earning him a look of disbelief from Eddy, shock from Ed, and a glare of disapproval from Edwin. He buried his face into his hands. Why did this have to happen so soon? He thought they would just be happy with him home but he supposed even the miffed would want answers. He wasn't ready to face them like this.

A pale hand grabbed his. Bony fingers laced through his own even when he didn't want them to, feeling the heat of a palm radiate through his hand and up his arm.

Edwin guided Edd's hand towards his face, pressing a soft kiss to the retreating boy's knuckles.

"Eddward, my love."

Edd's face turned bright red, his eyes averting the taller boy's heated gaze. He tried not to think about how soft those thin lips felt on his skin. It might as well have been eons since he last heard such loving words fall from those particular lips.

"Please do not fret. You are home. You are safe." His eyes pierced through Edd like a hot knife through butter and the dork instantly melted, even if he didn't want to. "I merely wish to know the truth."

Damn him for having that kind of power over him.

Edwin turned Edd's palm upwards to press a series of kisses on the boy's hand and wrist, massaging the tension out of that forming fist. Edd was trying very hard not to show he was affected but Edwin knew him as well as the day knew the night. He pried the clasping fingers apart and kissed each digit. Adoration flashed in his eyes and every kiss sent a spark of that feel-good feeling from Edd's head down to his toes. Eddy and Ed were far too used to this type of affectionate display to be bothered by it.

"Enough of that. We are in public."

The sockhead took back his hand but Edwin was grinning, relishing the taste of his lover's skin. Goodness it has been too long. He still tasted of sugar coated heaven and not even Edd's own snippiness could ruin his happy mood. Eddward was here. He was home. He couldn't wait until they got back to the house.

"Always the volatile one." He said, but he let the action slide.

Eddward grumbled, leaning back and crossing his arms.

Edwin frowned.

"Excuse me?"

Edd turned his heated gaze on Edwin and glared, hard, at him. He didn't intend for Edwin to hear what he said. It was only a snippy comment, but he was feeling confident and angry. The words escaped his mouth before he could stop them.

"Perhaps you shouldn't have tried smothering me. Then maybe I wouldn't be the way that I am now."

Eddy's brows hit the top of his head. Ed shrunk back a little, his bottom lip poking out, and Edwin… well if looks could kill Edd would be so far underground he would have made it to the center of the earth by now. The fury radiating in Edwin's eyes made Edd feel uncomfortable, scrutinized under his intense stare. His heart leaped in his chest, his stomach squeezing uncomfortably. He had nearly forgotten how intense Edwin could be, melting the ice that he was and turning him into a quivering submissive mess.

"Amant, c'est assez." (Lover, that is enough.)

Edd did his best not to show how affected he really was but god he wanted to collapse his inhibitions in obedience. This was how he remembered life being, the torch Edwin adored and the bug he could control. Consent was never questioned, Edd always gave it willingly to him. Edd trusted him. Now, he knew, all is as it was before. It was like nothing and no one, but him, had changed since his leaving Peach Creek. He felt almost thrown back in time because of that fact.

Eddward swallowed the growing lump in his throat. Edwin's gaze never once strayed. Edd could hardly stand it. When Edwin went French on someone it usually meant something really good or really bad. It didn't take a genius to guess which one he was referring to at that moment.

"Double D what are you talking about?"

Eddy was confused, flabbergasted by what his friend had said. Who said anything about him being smothered?

"You all have kept me under lock and key for so long I needed to get away. I left because I can't stand you. I can't stand any of you!" Eddward exclaimed, unable to stop himself from shouting.

Edd quickly stood, pacing back and forth.

He hadn't meant to say that. He didn't mean any of it. His chest started heaving and fat tears swelled in Ed's eyes as he watched his friend suddenly unravel before him.

"Double D what the hell?"

Eddy stood but Edwin threw out his arm, stopping the scammer from going anywhere near Edd. A quick visual scan told him the boy was panicking.

"I couldn't stand it here!"

Edd continued on, raking his fingers through his hair beneath his hat. His face had turned a ghostly shade of white.

"I needed a life that was my own. Is that what you wanted to hear? I couldn't stay here. Not with you. Not with that woman!" He cried, grabbing his tray and throwing it off the table.

Edwin stood then, his long legs carrying him quickly to Edd. "Assez, être tranquille." (Enough, be quiet.)

"NO!" Edd screamed, throwing his fists at Edwind's chest but they were quickly caught. "I will not be quiet! Je ne serai pas tranquille!" (I will not be quiet!)

Eddy and Ed flashed each other looks of grave concern, one running to grab napkins and the other to collect the fallen tray. Edwin spun Eddward around, crossing his arms over Edd's chest and locking the boy to him. Edd struggled at first, tears of frustration staining his face as he kicked out and screamed to be let go. His chest rose and fell in quick secessions. The air he breathed burned his shaking lungs and no matter how wide he opened his mouth he couldn't inhale enough oxygen into his body. He choked, feeling his throat close up on him.

Edwin unlatched one arm, digging into his pocket to reveal an inhaler. He pressed the plastic tube to Eddward's mouth, gingerly pressing past the boy's lips with soft whispers of encouragement. Edd at first refused, clamping his lips shut, thinking the device would steal what was left as his breath. The plastic tasted cool on his tongue and as he struggled the tube found its way past his tightly pressed mouth; the taste of medication suddenly coating the inside of his mouth.

The medication traveled through his system with lightning speed, easing his lungs from their tightly coiled position. His throat no longer felt tight and suddenly Edd could breathe again. He inhaled the stale hospital air as deeply as he could, feeling the tears on his face dry as he waited and waited for Edwin to let him go.

Edwin released a long and heavy sigh but refused to let his boyfriend go. Edd wasn't panicking anymore but Edwin needed to hold him. It was his own measure of reassurance, that Edd being home was not just one of the many hopeless dreams he had.

"Soyez toujours. Je t'ai." (Be still, I have you.) He whispered soft and sweetly. "Tout va bien." (All is well.)


So there you have it. What did you guys think? Like always, I really want to know.

I decided to add the translation bits in there to see if I like them like that. You guys let me know if you like it like that.

So until next time, ciao!