Chapter 20

Sunday Morning

Bridget woke up before Brian. She had her overnight bag with her. She went into the bathroom and got herself all showered and dressed before he woke up. She went to the nurses' station to let them know she was running to the cafeteria to get breakfast in case Brian should wake up and be looking for her. She was back up with food for the two of them before he even woke up. It was now about 8:30 am

"I am surprised he isn't awake yet he must have been tired," she thought to herself

She put the food down and went to wake him. She kissed him, and said. "Hey sleepy head are you going to wake up?"

"He groggily responded "HMM oh good morning." grabbed her and kissed her back.

"Are you hungry sleepy head? I went and got us food, but I will probably let you eat most of it, I don't think I can eat more than just the toast." She said

"Yeah actually I am hungry, but your stomach is still bothering you. I am starting to get worried Bridget, this has been going on for over a week,"

I will be fine and it's you I am concerned about, so you worry about just you for now ok" She said then

he said "Did you have trouble sleeping? How long have you been up?" Brian asked her.

"A while well long enough to shower, dress and go get food anyway and I slept ok I just had to go to the bathroom that's what woke me up." She responded

"I think I must have tired everyone out, they are usually here by now,"

"Think about it they probably won't be in until this afternoon, today is Sunday. Your dad and sister Lucy both are ministers remember and the rest of them all go to church."

"Oh yeah I forgot what day it was." They then started to eat as they continued to talk. "You know Bridget, I was never brought up to be religious or anything and maybe that's been my whole problem. Without it do you see how my adoptive family is? Then look at my biological family in comparison. Maybe there is something to that stuff."

"You could be right. I didn't grow up with it either." she replied, "and you know how crappy my family is."

"I have been thinking Bridget, I have to ask you, because I don't want to assume this because maybe I am wrong because I was out of it half the time but since my accident has any of my friends other than Dave been to see me or called and speaking of Dave was it just me or was he overly self-involved yesterday, I know I am a guy and this stuff isn't supposed to bother me but I am well hurt that he didn't seem to even ask about how I am doing. Did he ask at all?"

"Well to answer your question Deena has called Nicole quite a bit, she was here the first day with Dave and the kids and so were a lot of your other friends Adam, Ivy and Jimmy to name a few, But since then no not that I know of. I also hate to say tell you Dave didn't seem to overly concerned about you either yesterday. He was more concerned with how you could help him.

On the bright side you family is amazing Simon, Carlos and Lucy were fixing up the apartment building doing all the stuff Jay wanted you to do. Oh did you know that Lucy is well sort of a Handyman or whatever you would call her. She has done a lot of volunteering for Habit for Humanity. Plus you mom spent time there too working on stuff she is a pretty good handyman too. And the rest of the family well, is picking up the slack at the Camden's doing the stuff that your parents normally would do to keep everything running smoothly including stuff at the church, so your parents and Matt could be here. You are so lucky to be part of that family now."

Brian then added, "Dad and Nicole mentioned that they tried to get in touch with Adam and Jimmy at their office and left messages but as far as I know they hadn't heard back from them. Nicole said she tried to get in touch with Marjorie too and no luck."

He looked at Bridget; she had a look on her face like she wanted to say something but was holding something back. He looked at her and said "Ok come on you want to say something, out with it."

"Oh Brian, we have talked about this before and we get into a fight every time we do. I don't want to get into this again."

"I kind of know what you are thinking Bridget, so just please tell me anyway." Brian pleaded.

"Well ok but don't get mad, It just seems that they all want you around when you can be the party boy or errand boy, But when you need something it's a different story, I won't put Deena in that category she isn't so much like that. At least I don't think she is. Look at last weekend when we went to the house up at Big Bear Lake. Dave just jumped in and said let's all go he really didn't even ask you he just assumed Plus who was it that brought all the food and supplies and fishing gear 80% of it was you.

I did see Deena brought some food too so I will give her credit I also heard Ivy complain that I didn't supply anything, who did they think went with you and did the shopping we are a couple we did it together. I am sorry I don't mean to go off like this that's why I didn't want to say anything I was afraid I would. I don't want to alienate you from your friends. I just want you to see what I, and now you family see, they walk all over you and I hate it, Your mom came close to flipping out on Dave yesterday, that's why she and then Matt followed her out of the lounge and came back to your room yesterday, she was livid. I am sorry honey I am going to stop this now. I probably said too much because I see you are sitting there so quiet. Please don't be mad at me"

"No I am not mad at all I actually see your point. My accident made me wake up and see some things for what they really are my eyes are really opened, and you know what it really hurts." Brian is choked up when he finishes the sentence, and then he continues. "It's just that well you know I never knew what it was to have a normal family that cared I always had to try and please everyone to be accepted that must have transferred to my friendships to its all I ever knew Nicole is the only one that every accepted me how I was and never wanted anything from me but she has her issues too coming from my dysfunctional family and other than Nicole and now you Bridget, it's all I knew. That's why I couldn't see it before. God I sound like an amateur psychologist" He shook his head. "I guess seeing how a functional family like the Camden's operated woke me up."

He kissed her and continued "You know I LOVE YOU Bridget. Thank you for being here for me. I know you had gotten that new job but you have been here for me instead. You have no Idea what that means to me. Come over here" He pulled her on the bed next to him and just held her. I don't think I am ever going to let you go." He wasn't just speaking literally; he knew he had found the one.

The Camden's

Eric had been up half the night writing his sermon. He knew the subject matter for this week's sermon was going to incorporate Brian he just hadn't had a hard time putting it in writing. He also knew when Brian was better if he was willing; he wanted to introduce him to the congregation. The sermon would incorporate everything from the consequences of teen sex. To knowing God's forgiveness when you make poor choices. To the value of family, and how God works and also the true meaning of family. That is a lot to cover.

He was happy that whole family well everyone except for Brian, would be there today. He was very nervous about giving this sermon; he went over it with Annie because this decision to tell the congregation about Brian was hers to make too she thought it was wonderful. He got in front of the church and led everyone in prayer.

He started to preach about his and Annie's life. "You all know in the past I and my daughter Lucy have always promoted the idea of abstinence outside of marriage. It is a very integral part of our faith. But there is a very personal reason I and my wife feel this way. It's because we didn't wait and we felt the consequences very heavily at a young age." He went on to confess what happened when they were teenagers. He went on to tell of everything that had happened that week in finding Brian and how they almost lost him because of his injury, but through a lot of prayer and God's grace, Brian was going to be ok, He asked for prayers for Brian for a speedy and complete recovery.

He again led them in prayer and closed with a hymn. After the service so many parishioners said it was a brave thing that he came forward with this and a few of them shared that they had the same experience as teenagers too. And all those he talked to couldn't wait to meet Brian.

On the way out of the church Annie hugged Eric "I am so proud of you, I know it was hard standing up there and telling everyone I mean it involved me but I wasn't the one standing in the spotlight so to speak telling everyone."

Annie turned around and that's when she saw that Nicole was there with her daughter Bella. "That was a great sermon Rev Camden. I have never really been to one before" Nicole said.

Annie then said. "Were you here the whole time we didn't see you. You should have joined us up front with the family, Oh my gosh, this must be Bella she is adorable. Can I hold her?"

Nicole passed Bella to Annie. Then Annie said "Hey why don't you come back to the house for lunch then maybe we will go see Brian." "Thanks I would like that." Nicole replied. They all headed back to the Camden's.

Back at the Hospital

They had actually lay there for over an hour he was awake and enjoying watching Bridget who had fallen asleep, He hated to wake her but he needed to get up.

He gently nudged her. "Honey can you wake up?" She looked up at him and smiled. "Hi" was all she said.

"I hate to make you move but I have to get up and I need your help." She looked at him with a puzzled look. "He just plainly said "Bathroom"

"Oh ok come on let's get you up." Before she had a chance to get him up a nurse came in to give him some medicine and take his vitals she also wanted to do a bandage change.

The nurse told him "I know you won't be happy but I have to take your hat off to change your Bandage and look at the wound. Bridget gently removed Brian's hat for the nurse, she said to Brian "Hey you have some growth on top of your head. Looks like the hair on your head grows as fast as your face if it keeps this up you won't need the hat too long"

The Nurse proceeded to uncover the wound and cleanse it and put a topical antibiotic on it an recover it. "Ok all done if you get washed up don't get your head wet, oh, I found a better shower cap I saw the flowered one and it's cute and all but I don't think it's quite your color." She handed him a plain blue one and laughed.

She left some supplies so he could get washed up and changed. "While you are in the bathroom I will change your bedding." The nurse told him.

Brian thought to himself "With no IV to be in my way I had a bit more freedom except for the immobilizer, I know I am stuck with that for a while."

"Ok now let's get you up." She started to bring over the wheelchair,

"No way" he said "Ok ok, but you have to lean on me if you fall and get hurt your family especially Matt will kill me."

They walked slowly to the bathroom; He did his business on the toilet then he brushed his teeth. She got the water running in the shower. He had her put that hat back on him then put the blue shower cap on over it. She teased him and held up the flowered one, "You sure you don't want this one?"

"Very funny" he said. She helped him get the immobilizer off and undressed him again sat him on the shower chair and let the water hit him. "Oh this feels so good I could stay in here all day. Hey since Matt isn't here this time you want to take a shower with me. You can put the flower shower cap on to keep your hair dry he laughed.

"That's not a bad idea she said.

"I was being fresh, I didn't think you would take me serious," She put the flowered shower cap on her head and took everything else off. But before she got in she washed him really well, paying particular attention to certain sensitive parts of his anatomy.

"You are really bad you know that Bridget"

"Yup I know it's because I love you." She got in the shower and they took a very loooooooooooong and sloooooow shower, she couldn't believe how good it felt or how sensitive and tender her breasts had become they had to make sure not to make much noise they didn't know if the nurse was still in the room or not.

When they were done she got out first and let him sit in the warm shower while she dried off and got dressed. She then shut the water off. And dried him off she opened the door a crack to let some of the steam out.

"Do want to get dressed in here or in your room the nurse is gone and she closed the door."

"How 'bout I just stay naked" he laughed as he said it.

"Well I don't mind but you may want to have clothes on for when your family comes here."

"Well wrap me up in that bath blanket thing and I will get dressed in there. It's too hot in here"

"Well I need to put the slipper socks on you with the tread on the bottom so you won't slip."

With that done they walked slowly to the bed and he sat on the edge of it.

"Oh I when I brought my bag I put some other of your stuff in it too, that's why it's the big bag unless you like the Johnnie with the open back. I have your pajamas and some underwear you want that."

"You mean you had that stuff all along and you made me wear the Johnnie and go without pants."

"Hey I forgot I had it I only found it when I pulled my stuff out earlier to change and if you want the truth" she winked at him "I kind of like you without your pants."

She helped him get dressed and gently put the button up night shirt on him then helped him with the immobilizer. I feel like sitting up in the chair and they will be bringing in well what they call lunch, hey I have an idea will you call my mom and see if she will bring in food. If not maybe we can order out he laughed."

"No I will call your parents; you know it's amazing how comfortable we both are calling them your parents. She dialed the Camden's one of the little kids answered. "Camden residence" "Hi who is this you sound so cute."" It's Noah who's this" "Oh hi sweetie, its Bridget, your Uncle Brian's girlfriend, is Grandma there?"

"Yes" He yelled "grandma"; she came towards him he said "the phone is for you"

"Hello?" Annie said

"Oh hi, what nice manners he has, oh by the way it's me Bridget"

"Is everything ok there? Is he ok? Annie asked,

"Oh yeah he is fine he just misses you guys and well, Hold on," she said softly to Brian" here you ask her"

he took the phone, "Hi mom"

"Hi honey what's up" "I have a favor I hate to ask, I am gagging on this hospital food. We both are I think it's because you have me spoiled already with good food"

"You want me to bring you both food?"

"Oh yes please anything you bring will be fine I am sure." "OK sweetie, see you soon." They hung up and he told Bridget "Yay she will be here with food"