There was nothing funny about what Matthew said, nothing to laugh at, yet a choked off laugh bubbled it's way out of his mouth, earning a smirk from Matthew.
"Yeah, it’s great," Cailen mumbled, taking a shaky breath and letting it out in a rush as he looked to the ceiling above, the lights making him squint.
"You're mom wanted me to tell you to call her when she can come see Ash," Matthew said nonchalantly as if Cailen weren't still taking deep breaths in order to keep himself calm.
"And she's always available if you need her to watch Zeke," Matthew added.
Cailen nodded, he knew that already, she had sent him several text messages and he did reply so he didn't know why she felt the need to ask Matthew to tell him.
"So, Papa, huh?" Matthew started, grinning at Cailen.
It was obvious what he was doing, trying to search for a topic that would take Cailen's mind from
"Is he awake yet?" Noahasked, rushing into the room and stopping mid-step when he looked to the bed and saw that Asherwas not awake yet.The doctor had finished operating on Asherabout an hour ago and had returned Asherto his bed but had told Cailenhe was still heavily drugged and would be in and out of consciousness for a while.Asherhadn't woken up at all since the doctor returned him but at least now,he really was just sleeping, not knocked out.He was still on a breathing machine but instead of the full face mask he had before,it was only two little tubes that went into his nostrils.There were still other wires connected to him-a heart monitor just in case and a morphine drip because he would still be in a lot of pain but there weren't as many as before."No, hasn't woken up since the doctor brought him back," Williamexplained from where he sat on the other side of the s
Cailenwiped at Asher's chin without being bothered by it at all.With how long he's been a nurse,he's had to clean more than his fair share of vomit.Cailenmay not have been able to help operate on Asher, but he was allowed to take care of him like this and he had offered to do so, so they wouldn't have to send someone else in here.He was certain Asherwould be more comfortable with Cailentaking care of him rather than a random person.Cailenreached behind him for the glass of water that was always given to the patients and turned back around, holding it infront of Asher's face."Ash, can you swish this around in your mouth, love?" Cailenasked, placing the cup at Asher's lips.Asherwasn't really all here, Cailencould tell, but he did comply with Cailen'sinstructions and swished a bit of water around in his mouth."Okay, now spit," Caileninstructed and watc
Ashereventually fell asleep again so Cailenlowered him down onto the bed gently, kissing his forehead and making sure he was tucked in so he wouldn't get cold.Cailenleft the room after that since Asherwas sleeping and made his way to the front desk.Madelinehad gone home already but Cailenstill had to report what he found out when Asherwoke up.Instead of Madelinebehind the desk,there was a young man with a dark head of hair and blue eyes that Cailen'snever seen before.It wasn't surprising because he hasn't worked a night shift in a long time and wouldn't be now that he had Ezekielto take care of.Cailenstill approached the desk, ready to introduce himself and report what he found."Hi, if you'd fill this out,we'll be with-" the man said, obviously not knowing who Cailenwas either."Uh, that's okay, um, I work here actually," Cailen&nbs
The man beside her wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close as he smiled at Asherwho remained still, his eyes still locked on the little girl.Cailenwas a bit shocked to hear this. He kind of forgot about why this had all happened in the first place.He looked to the little girl who had a small scratch on her left arm but was otherwise fine.She stepped forward, away from her parents and up beside Asher, her eyes locked on himwith a look of wonder in them.Cailencould relate, he knew he often looked at Asherlike that but it was different seeing it on her face.It was different seeing it on the face of a little girl who Asherhad saved because it made Cailenrealize just how truly amazing Asherwas.He's never met anyone Asherhas saved before. Sure, he's heard stories and of course believed them one hundred percent but it was something to hear about it, and something
Cailenhad to leave to go get Ezekielfrom school, make him dinner and make sure he did his homework before Noahcame over to watch him while Cailencame back to the hospital so it was sort of convenient that Asherhad fallen asleep.He was avoiding bringing Ezekieldown to the hospital because Ashertruly wasn't very sociable and he didn't want Ashergetting upset at Ezekielover anything because the boy might take it to heart.Even the guy’s visits have been sparse because Ashercouldn't handle socializing with so many people right now-his head still hurt, he was still feeling a bit nauseous sometimes, and it all made him very irritable.That family coming to visit was proof enough that Asherwasn't ready.The only person Asherwould allow for any length of time was Cailen, and he was certain that was only because Cailendidn't really give him an option.As
"Zeke!" Cailencalled out into the flat from the kitchen."When you're donewithyour homework, come and eat!" Cailenset the plate of food he had made down on the kitchen table, wiping his hands off on the towel and looking around the kitchen for that glass of juice he had poured.He was a bit scatter brained at the moment because he was supposed to leave in five minutes or he'd be late and Noahwasn't here yet.He resisted the urge to text him, the guywas doing a favor for him after all, and busied himself with cleaning up the kitchen.He didn't want to be late because he knew he was already asking a lot of the hospital to split his shifts like this. He had to go talk to them and work out a shift that had him starting later in the day so he could drop Ezekieloff at school, then he was off early in order to pick him up and back to work a couple hours later to finish his shift.It was a bit exhaust
Asherwent through a few different moods lately.Either he was extremely grumpy and annoyed, so hopped up on drugs that he couldn't wipe the goofy smile from his face, or just very apologetic about everything he did.Cailenthought he was the most clear-headed when he was apologetic and was kind of thankful he got to talk to Asherlike this tonight."There's nothing to be sorry for, Ash," Cailentold him, stroking his thumb along Asher's knuckles."Yes there is," Ashersaid, his voice sounding a bit off, a little shaky. "I- I shouldn't have gone. The..." Ashersaid, trailing off, and his brow furrowing in concentration.Cailenwaited patiently, wanting to tell him that it was okay now that he was pausing but he knew if he did, it'd only upset Ashermore because he hadn't meant to pause.He was trying to think of a word so Cailendidn't interrupt."Chief. The chief asked me to
"Okay, before we go in there, I want to talk to you," Cailentold Ezekiel, pulling on the boy's hand to get him to come to a stop.Ezekielturned and blinked up at him curiously, if not a little impatiently."Ash- Dad, is still a bit tired, love. He can get a bit... grumpy, okay? I don't want you to think it has anything to do with you. It's all the medication he's taking. He might be sleeping, or he might randomly fall asleep, but I don't want you to think it had anything to do with you. He asked to see you, alright? He wants to see you, no matter how grumpy or tired he may seem," Cailenexplained softly, running his fingers through Ezekiel's now short hair.Cailenmissed the longer hair and how it was easier to play with but the shorter hair did look better on him, not so messy."Okay, should I still give him my picture?" Ezekielasked, sounding a bit worried that the picture might upset him."Of course, he'