Ethan had been asleep for a few hours after Honey left. Cal had entered Ethan's room with Christian and a bag.
"Okay Christian, Uncle Ethan is sleeping right now so how about you go and visit Honey's shop and get something sweet for us all. Sounds good?" Cal whispered to his son.
Christian nodded as Cal gave him some money and Christian left Ethan's room and ran to see Honey. Cal turned back towards Ethan and sat down, he spotted a book on Ethan's bed table. It was Ethan's FCEM book. Cal looked through it and he noticed a little note written in the contents page.
"Ethan, get well soon. You will be the best consultant ever one day. Lily : )"
Cal scoffed and he chucked the book back on the table.
"What did the book ever do to you?" Ethan whispered. Cal looked as he saw his brother open his eyes, smiling.
"Do you ever bloody sleep?" Cal grinned.
"Now that would be telling, dear Caleb." Ethan coughed a little. Cal laughed.
"Seriously though, you okay?" Cal scanned his brothers chest.
"Never better. No Christian?" Ethan looked behind Cal.
"Oh I sent him to Honey's shop, thought you would be asleep a little while longer so I didn't want him to get bored." Cal smiled.
"Fair enough. How was his first day?"
"I'm sure he'll tell you all about it-" Cal was cut off by Christian running into the room with some chocolate.
"Uncle Ethan!" Christian almost screamed.
"-now." Cal finished his sentence. Ethan chuckled lightly. Christian climbed onto the bed. "Careful Christian, Uncle Ethan is quite sore." Cal spoke a little worryingly.
"It's okay Cal. Here Christian, sit on this side, it doesn't hurt that much here. What's in the bag?" Ethan pointed too the left side of the bed. Cal almost forgot.
"Oh this is just some clothes for you. Just wearing bandages can't be warm enough. I brought your blue pyjamas, you know, go back in time a little" Cal chuckled.
"Ha ha, hilarious." Ethan laughed sarcastically.
"Uncle Ethan, do you want me to tell you about my first day?!" Christian bounced a little on the bed.
"I've been waiting all day to hear." Ethan tried to sound excited as much as he could but he was tired.
Christian explained how he made loads of new friends, what he did in Maths, English, at break time and what games he played. Ethan listened to every word but Cal noticed he was struggling to stay awake. He didn't want to interrupt Christian because he was really looking forward to telling Ethan.
"-and then daddy came and picked me up, I was worried when he said you were poorly, Uncle Ethan." Christian finished talking about his day.
"I'm fine Christian, just a little tired. Should be home with you two in a couple of days." Ethan assured Christian and Cal.
"Daddy said Honey is your girlfriend now. Is that true?!" Christian sounded so excited. He loved Honey, Ethan looked at Christians excited face. Then looked at Cal.
"Did he now?" Ethan smirked. Cal shrugged his shoulders jokingly
"Yeah, is it true?" Christian had a big grin.
"Yes Christian, it's true." Ethan chuckled also sounding a little excited. Christian bounced happily on the bed a little harder. Cal could see Ethan grabbing his side.
"Christian, calm down. Remember: Uncle Ethan is quite sore." Cal quickly told Christian. Christian stopped bouncing then looked at Ethan.
"Sorry Uncle Ethan! Can I go see Honey?" Christian asked his father.
"Of course, but don't say anything okay?" Cal winked.
"Mum's the word." Christian replied. Christian once again left Ethan's room. Cal couldn't help but laugh.
"I am so sorry Ethan." Cal still laughed.
"Yes your apologetic face says it all." Ethan smiled and Cal continued to chuckle but then stopped suddenly.
"Are you sure Christian isn't your son?" Cal kept a straight face. Ethan's smile went.
"What do you mean?" Ethan tilted his head slightly.
"Oh come on Ethan, he looks like you, he acts like you. He's neat as a pin, just like you."
"Cal you know he's your son, the test results are there in black and white." Ethan sighed. Cal sat on Ethan's bed.
"Yeah but why does he look and act like you?" Cal also sighed.
"I don't know Cal, genes are a funny thing. If you want to take another paternity test?" Ethan shrugged.
"No I don't want to confuse the poor mite." Cal looked down.
"Okay, if you're sure?" Ethan yawned. Cal looked at Ethan, struggling to keep his eyes open. He knew that was Cal's cue to leave.
"Right, shall I go get Christian to come and say goodbye? You need your sleep and he's got school tomorrow." Cal got off the bed.
"Can do, I'll see you tomorrow for your shift anyway." Ethan smiled.
"You'll see Honey as well." Cal winked. Ethan threw a empty sick bowl at Cal. "That better not have been used..." Cal laughed as he pointed at the bowl that was now on the floor. Ethan chuckled then winced. 'That's what I thought, smart guy."
Ethan and Cal smiled at each other, Cal left to go get Christian. Ethan closed his eyes, promising himself to not go back to sleep and wait to say goodbye to Christian but it was so hard, he was so tired. Eventually Christian came in and cuddled Ethan gently.
"Bye Uncle Ethan. I love you."
"Love you too little buddy, I'll see you soon."
"Goodnight bro, actually go to sleep this time okay? No more eavesdropping." Cal chuckled.
Ethan nodded and Cal left with Christian. Ethan closed his eyes, he felt comfortable considering it was a hospital bed, guess he was too tired to care. He would sleep anywhere. Ethan blocked out the sound of beeping from monitors and the sound of his work colleagues chatting whilst walking past his room and he fell into a deep, long sleep.
Bit of a calming, family, humour kind of chapter since my last ones have been very dramatic hehe, hope it was good!