Asher eventually fell asleep again so Cailen lowered him down onto the bed gently, kissing his forehead and making sure he was tucked in so he wouldn't get cold.
Cailen left the room after that since Asher was sleeping and made his way to the front desk.
Madeline had gone home already but Cailen still had to report what he found out when Asher woke up.
Instead of Madeline behind the desk, there was a young man with a dark head of hair and blue eyes that Cailen's never 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 Ezekiel to take care of.
Cailen still 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 Cailen was 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'
The next few weeks sort of dragged on.It was the same routine nearly everyday-drop Ezekieloff at school, go to work, and visit Asher.Then Cailenwould pick Ezekielup from school, bring him home to eat and finish his homework and then they'd go to the hospital together and visit Asher.Cailenoften had to work the second half of his shift so either Noahor Williamwould come by the hospital and sit in Asher's room with Ezekieljust in case Asherfell asleep or got cranky.He was actually doing better with that, learning to just shut up when he got irritated, but he was getting more easily irritated everyday.Cailenassumed it had to do with Physio and how it wasn't going as fast as Asherhad liked it to-it never did.Cailendidn't know why patients never listened when they told them that Physio was not magic, that it would take a lot of time and hard work bef
"Come on, get up," Caileninstructed as he walked into Asher's room, seeing that he was awake and staring at the ceiling.Cailenwalked over to his bed and threw back the covers, not having to worry about any wires because Asherdidn't need any of those anymore, thankfully.His lungs were, although not the greatest, good enough to manage on their own as long as he didn't decide to go for a jog... or even a brisk walk, and he was taken off morphine and put on pills to kill the pain in his hip and arm."What are you doing?" Asherasked, obviously confused.He wasn't supposed to go anywhere unsupervised but Cailenfigured since he was a nurse, he technically had supervision.That's what he told himself anyway."We're going out," Cailensaid, holding out his hand to his husband. "We are getting you out of here for a little bit, you're paler than pale," Cailenteased and reached for his right arm w
"Why are you here?" Aireneasked curiously, stepping away from her mother with a curious expression on her face.Cailenwas a little lost as to how the two children knew each other, it's not like they were old enough to have personal lives outside of their parents.Thankfully, he wasn't the only one that looked a little lost.Luciaand Ivanlooked a bit confused as they regarded their daughter, and Asherwas giving Cailena questioning look as if to ask if he knew anything.Cailenonly shook his head as subtly as he could as Ezekielshrugged his shoulder, looking to his feet shyly."Mom, he’s in my class," Airenesaid, glancing back at her mother, but immediately turning back to Ezekiel."Oh, what a small world," Luciacommented politely, smiling at Cailen. "Airene, sweetie, I'm assuming these are Ezekiel’s parents," Luciaexplained softly since Ezekiel&nb