Hi all, this was originally suppose to be the court hearing chapter but I wanted that to be the last chapter of this story and I had another idea up my sleeve. Hope it's okay!
Court hearing is the next chapter, scouts honour!
Two days after Ethan was released from hospital, it felt so good waking up in his own bed, in his own home. He got out of bed gently and made his way into the living room to see Christian once again in his school uniform. Cal was making breakfast.
"Good morning Nibbles. How'd you sleep?" Cal asked brightly.
"Pretty good. I don't feel so sore anymore." Ethan replied positively. Ethan went to sit on the edge of the sofa arm, facing his brother and nephew.
"That's good. Want some breakfast? Making some omelettes." Cal asked as he held a pan
"Sounds good." Ethan responded then read Christian's face, he looked completely out of it with his head resting on his hand, leaning on the table.
"You okay Christian?" Ethan looked with a worry a little.
"I don't feel well." Christian moaned slightly. Ethan got up and placed a hand on his young nephews forehead.
"You are a little warm. Cal should he have the day off?" Ethan asked. Cal turned around from the hob.
"At least let him go in and see how he gets on." Cal smiled then turned back too the omelettes.
"You're the father." Ethan smiled.
The three boys sat at the table eating their omelettes except for Christian. Ethan was getting more worried.
"Come on Christian, you need to eat something. That could be why you are feeling unwell." Ethan nudged Christian slightly.
"I don't want it." Christian pushed his plate away.
"Would you like a glass of water?" Ethan asked. Christian nodded, Ethan went to get up.
"I'll get it Ethan." Cal got up from the table and went into the kitchen area.
"Are you trying to miss school?" Ethan asked. Christian looked at Ethan funnily. "Are you being bullied and you're trying to avoid it maybe?"
"No everyone in my class is lovely." Christian replied.
"Okay well do what your dad said, go into school and see how you get on." Ethan advised. Christian nodded, Cal came back with a glass of water. Christian downed it quite quickly. Ethan looked at him, starting to think.
"Come on you, let's get you too school." Cal tapped Christian's shoulder, he got down from the table and grabbed his backpack.
"Cal, I might visit the ED later on." Ethan spoke as he looked at his brother and nephew standing by the door.
"Haven't you had enough of that place?" Cal joked.
"Yes but I would like to see everyone." Ethan smiled, Cal thought about it.
"Did Honey text you saying she is working today?" Cal cheekily grinned. Ethan couldn't help but go red a little. "Okay Nibbles, I'll walk Christian to school then we will go to work together."
"Of course, I'll go get ready." Ethan left the room to get dressed.
Cal came back from dropping Christian off at school, picked up his brother and they both got in the car and drove to the ED. Once entering the department Ethan was welcomed by Robyn.
"Ethan! I didn't know you were coming back to work." Robyn hugged Ethan.
"Oh I'm not sadly, just a flying visit." Ethan smiled.
"Well I'm glad you're here." Robyn tapped Ethan's arm. Connie walked through reception also noticing Ethan.
"Ethan, I thought you would of been planning a holiday to get away from here." Connie giggled.
"You know me, all work no play." Ethan grinned.
"You better not be starting work today." Connie jokingly demanded.
"Oh no. As much as I would love too. No." Ethan smiled.
"Okay, let me know when you feel fit too come back."
"Thank you, Mrs Beauchamp."
It was two hours into the shift, Ethan was just pottering round the ED, spending some time in cubicles and mostly in Honey's shop. Cal watched his brother and Honey laughing from a distance, his staring was disturbed when his phone started vibrating. He took it out of his pocket and looked at the unrecognised number, he answered it.
"Hello? Yes speaking...what?" Ethan looked up from Honey and saw Cal's worried face. "Oh my god." Ethan walked over to Cal. "Yes I'll come straight away." Cal hung up, Ethan looked at him worriedly. "That was Christian's school, he's collapsed in PE."
"Oh God, do you want me to go get him?" Ethan offered.
"Could you? I'm sorry Ethan, I would do it but..." Cal said but Ethan finished his sentence.
"I know, you're in the middle of a shift. I'll go get him and bring him here." Ethan went to leave the ED.
"You better drive, just in case." Cal got the keys out of his pocket. Ethan showed fear in his face.
"I...well...I can't..." Ethan stammered.
"Come on Ethan, you'll be fine. You won't have another accident. I promise." Cal threw Ethan the keys, nervously got in the car and headed straight for Christian's school. He walked into reception.
"Hi there, I'm Christian Fields uncle. His father told me he was poorly in PE?" Ethan asked as he stood in front of the desk.
"Yes, sorry Dr Hardy before you go see him. You need to have a password to prove you are here for him? It's just safety for the children." The receptionist smiled.
"Yes of course, it's Debbie Fields." Ethan replied confidentially.
"Very good, he's in the nurses office, I'll show you." The receptionist led Ethan to the nurses office. She knocked on the nurses door.
"Come in." A kind voice spoke.
"Hi there, Christian's uncle is here to collect him." The receptionist told the nurse.
"Okay." The nurse smiled.
Ethan gave thanks to the receptionist and went into the nurses office and crouched down in front of Christian.
"Hey buddy, what happened?" Ethan placed a hand on Christian's cheek.
"We were running and I felt funny." Christian whimpered.
"Did he faint?" Ethan asked as he looked up at the nurse.
"Looking at his blood pressure, I wouldn't be surprised. It's quite low." The nurse kindly spoke.
"Do you mind if I take him to my hospital? Just to check him over?" Ethan asked.
"Yes of course, I'll let the headmistress know." The nurse smiled then left her office.
"Thank you. Right you let's get you looked at." Ethan turned his attention to Christian.
Ethan managed to get Christian in the car and drove back to the ED. He carried Christian who had his arms round Ethan's neck and his head resting on Ethan's shoulder, through reception. Cal was first to meet his son and brother. Cal took Christian off of Ethan and walked to a cubicle.
"Did the school say what happen?" Cal asked, placing a weak Christian on the trolley.
"They said his blood pressure was low." Ethan sighed.
"Cal, you know you can't treat him." Zoe walked in.
"He's my son!" Cal exclaimed.
"Exactly, you know the drill. I'll look after him I promise." Zoe smiled. Cal nodded and he and Ethan left Zoe to do tests.
"Thank you for going to get him." Cal looked at Ethan. Ethan was completely staring into space. "Ethan?"
"What? Oh yeah it's no problem." Ethan's mind trailed.
"You okay?" Cal asked concerned.
"Cal I can't help but think." Ethan sighed.
"About?" Cal was sounding worried,
"What if Christian has diabetes? You know because I have it? And dad had it?" Ethan whimpered.
"What gives you that idea?" Cal tried to shrug it off.
"He fainted from low blood pressure." Ethan groaned.
"Because he missed his breakfast." Cal tried to correct Ethan.
"He also downed a glass of water and went to the bathroom three times before he left this morning. You know the symptoms." Ethan frowned.
"Let's not jump too conclusions till we know more okay?" Cal placed a hand on Ethan's shoulder. Ethan sighed and nodded. Within twenty minutes Zoe found the brothers with Christian's results. She led the boys into the staffroom for privacy.
"Right Christian is fine."
"Really?" Ethan asked with relief.
"Yes but Cal, Ethan. Tests are showing that Christian has got non-diabetic hypoglycaemia." Zoe diagnosed.
"How?" Ethan was confused. Even though he should know this. His mind was blank.
"Well it can't be number of things but malnutrition is the most common cause." Zoe still smiled,
"But hypoglycaemia is where you feel faint from hunger, Christian wasn't hungry this morning and refused food." Cal responded.
"Maybe he hasn't eaten in so long, he felt too ill too eat anything." Zoe suggested.
"Can I take him home?" Cal stood up off the chair.
"Of course as long as you have someone to look after him." Zoe smiled.
"I'll do it." Ethan offered,
"Really?" Cal sighed in relief.
"Of course, he's my nephew." Ethan smiled.
"Thanks bro, thank you so much." Cal grabbed Ethan's hand
"Is that a good idea Ethan? Remember you're still recovering yourself." Zoe frowned a little.
"I managed to pick him up didn't I?" Ethan smiled,
"You picked him up?! I was wondering how he got here without Cal leaving the building. Okay if you are suitable to look after him." Zoe showed a shocked smile.
"Of course I am." Ethan answered honestly.
Ethan took Christian home.
"Right you, how about some fresh orange juice? You'll feel much better afterwards." Ethan suggested.
"Yes please." Christian politely accepted. Ethan was in the kitchen area pouring a glass of orange juice for him and Christian. Christian spotted a flashing number on the phone machine. Ethan walked to the living room area. "Uncle Ethan, you've got a message."
Ethan looked at the machine and pressed play.
"You have one new message. Message one, Monday 9:15am: "Hi Cal and or Ethan, it's Carol the social worker. Hope you guys are well and Ethan is recovering. Great news! We have a court date for the 12th of October. Give me a call and we can discuss things further. Bye!"
Ethan stood there, half of him happy the other half absolutely dead scared.
Bit of a pointless chapter, but I kept having this feeling that I needed to add this.