#Chaptertwenty | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

reesesxxpieces-blog · 8 years ago

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Chapter Twenty : John

Spencer In the first days with John in the intensive care unit, there was no place for Rhys there. A cycle between Spencer, Jade, and Judas to be sure Rhys could be kept at home until the day Spencer called Judas to tell him they were moving John to a regular room. Bags were already prepared for this, as it meant Spencer and Rhys would be rooming in with him almost full time with only short breaks between for Spencer to go home, run a load of laundry for Rhys, and grab a shower. Though it didn’t mean John was out of the woods in the slightest, it at least meant she could be with him, and better than that; Rhys could be with him.

For the next ten days, a routine was developed there. Typically two days were spent there with John before she and Rhys and Jade or Judas would return to the house for a few hours to take care of things. Relying heavily on Judas and Jade for the care of Scrappy in the meantime, Spencer could not be more thankful for either of them, finding her bonds with the two to grow stronger and stronger as she put down the need to push them away.

Returning to the hospital was always when Spencer did both her best and her worst. She’d get a taste of the outside world, though it was tainted with the fact John wasn’t there. The house never quite feeling as though it were her own, yet more of a home base of sorts. Bringing Rhys out of his bed, the woman was showered and feeling somewhat human again as she called down to Jade to let her know she was about ready to go if the load of clothes was done. Once it was folded, the two women and Rhys made their way back to the hospital where Spencer and Rhys took up their space in John’s room. With a bassinet nearby, Rhys laid sleeping as Spence settled in to do the same in the chair she had at John’s bedside, finding it strangely comfortable to sleep with her head to the side of John’s bed.

John/Judas Judas entered the room a moment later where he found his sister-in-law nephew. A telling smile on his lips. A rub of his hands. "Doctors are comin' down to check his vitals." He informed her. Meaning that it may be time for Johnny to come out. Yet, they had heard this before. It was typically the same thing. Checking out his vitals and his wounds, ultra sounds to assure everything was healing over well and he could sustain himself away from the cords and mayhem. Yet, this time, Judas was feeling hopeful as he leaned into steal a kiss from Rhys. "Pucker up, butterball."

Spencer As Judas came in making an announcement she had heard before, she was starting to lose the ability for hope when she heard that phrase. She couldn’t get her hopes up just to have them crash and burn again as she simply couldn’t withstand the aftermath of it much anymore. As she lifted her tired head there from the edge of the bed, sleep there in the corners of her eyes as Judas seemed to make a bee line for Rhys there in the bassinet, she slipped her hand into John’s for a fleeting moment before she’d rise from that chair to stretch her legs from the cramped conditions there at John’s bedside. “Mmm, speaking of butterball,” she whispered, finding those hunger pains speaking to her. “After they check him, what do you think about maybe you, me, and the Rhyster here going to see about some of that cafeteria food?” She asked, having become quite fond of a turkey sandwich, or at least as fond as she could be of something coming from a hospital.

John/Judas "I call your son butterball and you think of food..." pointing out the irony in that, he cocked a brow. Granted, Judas' meals were confined to a few shakes a day. The only thing his warped stomach could take, he never minded accompanying her for some water or coffee. "But yeah, I'm game..." he stated, not-too-secretely hoping it wouldn't happen. Hoping that the last thing on their mind would be food as he stood over Rhys' bassinet. Hearing the footsteps of the doctors. Distinct as always. Making their entrance in their usual casual fashion, stiff pleasantries before swarming the hospital bed. Checking machines. His side, how things were healing, the sounds of his chest. All the usual things leaving them on pins and needles.

Spencer Leaning against the wall near Rhys’ bassinet, doing her best to stay quiet and out of the way, though she almost always had a million questions to ask in these moments. She’d found that her questions and persistence did nothing to aid in their decision, ultimately finding staying out of the way to be best. Listening intently for some sign there, though she already knew she was getting her hopes up more than she could. Anticipation there in her hues as she glanced to Judas, attempting to focus in on that which they had been discussing before as a way of diversion from all going on at John’s bedside. “Mr. James here will probably be game for a milkshake by that point,” she teased, referring to his bottles as milkshakes as she had quite found she hated the sound of the word formula. Glancing back over to the doctor’s before she’d close her eyes entirely, still not quite awake from the hour she had gotten there at John’s bedside, though it would always be the best sleep she got.

John/Judas "Still find it funny that Rhys and I got the same diets." He remarked, both completely stuck on liquid diets for one reason or the next. Tapping his fingers against the bassinet out of sheer nerves, attempting to make sense out of the medical jargon as they continued this way for several moments before the head doctor was listening to John's chest again. The chattering dying down, a distinctive nod of his head before he was pulling back. The older man adjusting his glasses on the bridge of his nose before his eyes were at Spencer. "His vitals are strong and his lungs are taking in at capacity comparable to breathing. I'll have the nurses into serve you the paperwork required to begin shutting off the machines. I must warn you though, it will take him sometime to come out from this once the breathing mask is removed but I have every confidence that he will be able to take his first breath by himself shortly after. It'll be a tense few moments and we all will be present to assure he returns to a normal breathing pattern unassisted. However, we recommend strapping down a patient returning from this length of a coma. Especially with one prone to irritation and with the capability of straining and quickly hurting themselves though a mild sedative may be used to nurse the patient slowly out of the coma. All such things will be discussed in the paperwork."

Spencer As words started coming in her direction, she felt her own chest tighten. Risks. Things that needed to be signed. Things that could go wrong. Instantly it was there that she would truly enact her first true medical power over her husband as she could decline any of that which the doctor’s spoke. Yet the chance that he could return to them was too great to be ignored. Doing all she could not to allow the voices of caution in her mind to grow too loud, she nodded her head in agreement to all the doctor offered, allowing them to suggest this route as she bit her lower lip to hide what would be a smile of hope at her lips. Her hand slipped over to Judas’, tightening in his as she dug her nails against his skin, attempting to hold herself back here as it could all still go terribly wrong. “Okay, yeah...” She offered, side eyeing Judas for interjection if he didn’t agree this should be done. Quite a stretch from the woman who two weeks before would have done what she wanted with no regard to anyone bearing that last name. Not entirely keen on him being tied down, only fearing it would send him into a panic when he did wake up, she knew she and Judas would be there to do what needed to be done to calm him down, only hoping his reaction wouldn’t be that which she was already envisioning. “And if he doesn’t take that first breath… then we go back?” She asked, just clarifying that they weren’t doing further damage by attempting this now, her fears showing a little too clearly there, but a question that had to be asked. Her own desire to have him back there, to see him looking at her, rejoining them after pure hell, she still wasn’t completely sure she could risk it if this had the potential to do any further damage to the man in the process thus setting them back further than they had already been.

John/Judas "The mask goes back on and we wait until his lungs have healed further." The doctor clarified, eyes shifting over towards Spencer as she clawed at his hand. "Those restraint are a good idea. He's going to wake up and start rippin' shit off." He reminded her, not working on his mouth due to the doctors. They knew what they were dealing with. Glancing back towards the doctors and his brother, this could be the last life-risking decision she'd have to make now. Granted, the road was long and hard but for now? Getting him back would be a huge hurdle in itself. Yet, it was her call. The rest of the doctors dismissed themselves leaving just the head doctor there for any further questions who called on a nurse for the necessary paperwork.

Spencer Questioning eyes were turned to Judas as she sought reassurance from him that this was the right thing to do. As he spoke, she knew he was right. John would tear the place apart when he came out of this if he wasn’t restrained, though no part of her liked the idea of seeing her husband strapped to a bed. Nodding her head there to the doctor, she agreed that she held no further questions and that she would be signing that paperwork. Slowly easing her hand from Judas’, the bite at her lower lip stronger than before as she glanced down to the two week old child sleeping in that bassinet. Praying she was making the right decision here for she wouldn’t be answering to Judas, Jade, or any other James’. She’d be answering to her son as this was her choice to make and she was doing so more for him than for anyone else. “Alright,” she managed a long moment later, bringing her eyes back to the doctor as the nurse came in, papers in hand, ready for Spencer’s signatures. Joining the nurse at the small table there in the room, she listened as risks were spoken far more in depth than the doctor’s, feeling her stomach tense as she held the plastic pen in her hand that could either bring her husband back or take him from her indefinitely. Signing her name to the forms, the nurse’s hand came to her back reassuringly, though the only reassurance to be found was in that bed, the moment he came back to them and drew that first breath on his own.

John/Judas Caught somewhere between his nephew and the nurse explaining the risks of this all, he looked down towards Rhys. Having faith in this. Ironic considering he didn't have faith in much but his brother was a fighter. The strongest man he had ever met. Pulling back from Rhys, he sat down beside his bed. Looking down towards the broad and moving ribcage that would hopefully take on his own. Still feeling the man radiating within his flesh ready to be unleashed on the world. Knowing he'd either return with a fresh lease on life or a taste for vengeance in the time that had been stolen from him. Either was equally believable.

Spencer Before the ink was dry on the forms, the nurse was taking them into her possession, giving a firm nod to the doctor to let him know she had agreed to all that had been advised. The words offered to her as the risks had been harsh, weighing heavily on the woman as she took a step back, releasing a held breath as it fell on her shoulders alone that which would take place from this moment forward, only hoping she had made the best decision for him in this moment as she had never before been faced with such a decision herself. She had watched her mother in that very position years before, ironically so considering it was her father that put John in this place. A man that was now being held on attempted murder charges that would easily be escalated to murder should John’s fate take a turn for the worse. Not returning to Judas and Rhys, instead going to John’s bedside before the doctors could begin isolating the machines one at a time to attempt bringing him forth. Pressing a kiss to his forehead, her hand tightly in his, praying a silent prayer there as she held that kiss a moment longer before she’d withdraw, yet not entirely. Keeping her hand in his for as long as she could, lifting her head, she met the doctor’s eyes as she nodded her head that she was ready when he was, willing to step back should she need to, but remaining there until told otherwise.

John/Judas Watching Spencer, his hand finding her mid back. Comforting her gently before she was stepping back. Stealing a kiss of the man's forehead once again as the paper work was taken and filed away. A few of the doctors re-entering the room as gloves were applied and the door was closed. It all growing gravely serious as the process began. The intense sedative coursing through him shut off at the tap from the IV. A check up on the recently bandaged wounds on his chest that had previously been allowed to breathe including the port of the tube that had been fed into his lungs. The tube gone with the introduction of the breathing mask as each machine was shut down one by one with the exception of what kept track of his heart rate, blood pressure and breathing pattern and a few IVs assuring he stayed hydrated and out of pain.

Spencer Silence was throughout the room as no one dared speak a word as the doctors isolated each machine, killing them in a specific order. Each one causing Spencer to hold her breath that the heart rate, blood oxygen level, and blood pressure machines would stay even. A spike or drop in any one of them could alter the course of this altogether, potentially doing further harm and creating additional problems than what there had been previously. Closing her eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to watch any longer, tightening her hand there in John’s. Feeling her own heart beating in time with those machines, echoing through her ears. She had done her best previously not to get her hopes up for this, yet now that it was upon them, she was holding her own breath. Finally opening her eyes as she glanced up over her shoulder at Judas, having felt that hand to her back, thanking him with no words exchanged, only a glance she wasn’t sure he’d understand as it was typical language for she and John, but she still didn’t dare to speak. Soft coos of an infant in a bassinet not three feet away interrupted the silence as if he knew they needed that encouragement. He was the reason for all of this. The best reason for them to try this. The best reason for John to come back to them.

John/Judas Pausing the machinery shut down, a nurse arrived with four sets of strap hook ups to the bottom of the bed. Attaching one side to a set up to the bottom of the hospital bed before his wrists were applied tightly into the straps and held down. One by one. His arms and feet before a larger strap was brought for his waist which would take more work all together but ultimately achieving it as the doctors paused as they watched his vitals stabilizing.

Spencer Possibly harder than knowing those machines were being turned off was the nurse coming into the room, carrying those straps. The moment she saw them, she was shaking her head as this was the part she was most disheartened by. As the nurse came to the side of the bed she stood on, Spencer took that reluctant step back, releasing John’s hand as she drew a sharp breath. Hating seeing him like this as much as she had hated seeing him with the tubes and wires, she knew he was going to hate it the second he came to, if he came to at all. She knew he would feel tied down, because he was. Turning away, the tiny woman’s face found Judas’ chest as she attempted to hold in the tears threatening her. Knowing she’d need to get this out of her system before John was with them, for he couldn’t see her upset. He needed her to be strong, but in that moment, she’d allow herself to fall apart if only for a minute. Hearing as the straps were attached, confirmed by a nurse assuring the doctor they were all set, Spencer closed her eyes there in the man’s chest, listening to the sounds of her son in one corner while listening to the beeping of the monitors in the other. Needing to come to terms with that vision of her husband strapped to a bed, and rather quickly at that, she lifted her head from Judas’ chest, drawing in a slow breath before she’d turn around to find him completely pinned to the bed by various straps. “God,” she whispered, finding the visual of this to be so much worse than she had imagined it to be. “Are they all really necessary?” she asked softly where perhaps only Judas would hear her uncertainty.

John/Judas Feeling her feel to his chest, the touch between the two was paternal. Something like siblings as he gently rubbed her back. Knowing it was hard to watch and hard to imagine that this all was in John's best interest. Yet, there they were. Hearing her question. He sighed low. "I guess we'll see..." he returned, doctors recording vitals before the attention was turned towards his breathing mask as it was happening whether she was watching or not.

Spencer Two weeks prior, such a contact would probably not have been possible, yet something happened in that time John had been under. The woman who was closed off to outside interaction and outside support found that Jade and Judas were anything but outside. She learned valuable lessons there in that time span that even though her own family had disappointed her in every way possible, literally abandoning her in the one time she’d ever truly need them, she found a new family in two people putting their lives on hold to help her and Rhys through the most trying of times. As she turned back around, she heard his return to her question as her eyes fell on the doctor with that mask. Drawing in a full breath, instantly recalling the words the doctor had given before any of this started; that it would be a few tense moments. It was the understatement of the year as Spencer slipped back forward to the bedside, disregarding that restraint at his wrist, taking his hand in hers as she laced her fingers through his own. An exchanged glance between she and the doctor as she drew in a breath, willing the man to literally do the same as it would be the first test of bringing him back to the lot of them. Continual cooing of Rhys in the corner bassinet, seeming more than a part of all of this, even if all eyes were diverted to John, she was torn there, only hoping the child would remain in those happier sounds, willing his father to do the same as they all wanted to see there. Spencer’s eyes glued to John’s chest, she drug her lower lip between her teeth as the threat was there at her eyes, not giving in to it as she returned to the strong wife after that weak moment with Judas a minute before.

John/Judas Watching her will herself to John's bedside. He was fine with being her foundation when she crumbled in these brief moments. Patching her up and sending her on her way before he was beside the bassinet. Hand against Rhys' chest over his blanket. Rubbing gently as the mask was pulled off of his face and from him all together. It was now on all him. The doctors watching intensely as there was a silence in the room. Several moments passing. Nothing. No breath of his own. Another moment. Still. Silence. Doctors exchanging glances, just ready to reseal the mask before reflex took over. Ribs moving on his own as he willed himself a deep breath all by his own. Clearly not as deep as what he once had been allowed but drawing in as his heartbeat momentarily dipped before returning.

Spencer As the mask was removed, Spencer held her breath, determining she would not take another breath until John did. Almost as though she needed to feel it as well. As her own need for air hit, yet he had still not taken one, her eyes shot momentarily to the doctor’s. Feeling her own need growing there, it had taken too long. Bringing her eyes back to John’s chest, feeling her own reflex there taking over, she drew in a breath a moment before the rise of his own chest would occur. Literally a half second more and she would have screamed out, yet there, she saw it with her own eyes. Tightening her hand there in his, the tears that had previously threatened her now seeped down her cheeks, though her cry was a silent one. A slow smile spread her lips despite the quiver that resided against them. Leaning down, she pressed her lips to the back of his hand, holding that kiss there for several moments before she’d glance back to Judas, quite literally the first flash of utter joy he would see in her over the last two weeks. Not knowing what to expect beyond this, her anticipation mounted as she found a way to forget about those straps, truly celebrating that first sign of John doing this on his own. Knowing all the while he was a fighter, even if she had seemed to forget from time to time, it was in this moment she lost all fear, knowing whole heartedly the man was coming back to them all. Salty tears falling against the man’s hand as she pressed another kiss to his hand, her own hand trembling in his as she felt the life returning within herself as she watched it before her own eyes.

John/Judas Smiling softly back, now able to breathe himself. Not realizing he had been breathing with the outtake and intake of that mask. The head doctor was quick to listen to his chest, shallow breaths at first before attempting to filter more air. Hearing the resistance within before he was looking at Spencer. "It'll take him time to adjust to his new lung capacity. We are going to put him on oxygen to help but don't be scared if you hear him race or slow or stop unless it is for an extended period." He explained as the man drew in another shaky breath. A nurse drawing oxygen tubing over his ears and into his nostrils to assist where his breathing stabilized dramatically without the need to draw it all in.

Spencer With a nod of her head, she’d acknowledge that which the doctor spoke, though her idea of an extended period may be vastly different than the doctor’s. Watching as the oxygen tube was added there to his nose, wrapped behind his ears, finding it far more aesthetically pleasing than the sea of tubes he wore previously. Her hand remained there in John’s as she released a slow breath of her own, the question burning at her tongue before finally she could hold it in no longer. “How long until he should wake up?” She asked, knowing she wanted to be there at his side, with Judas to the other, already anticipating him to be rather erratic over being tied down, anticipating it to take Judas’ strength with her voice in combination to calm the man down should he come nearly as unglued as she expected. The nerves trembling in the pit of her stomach as her eyes returned to John, her thumb softly stroking his. Not wanting too much too soon for the man there, but desperate to see his eyes once again looking into her own. Never truly feeling she had taken him for granted previously, but holding an entirely new appreciation for that which was their life and how fragile it truly all was.

John/Judas "It will not be like waking up in the morning. It may take anywhere from a half hour to several of them before you notice any movement depending on his system. The most violent responses typically come not long after a patient has opened their eyes and have realized where they are. A nurse will stay in the room and monitor him. When he seems to be closer to coming back, I will return." He answered simply, Judas looking over towards the nurse that would be their companion in this as her eyes remained steadfast on the screen. "Yet, with any hope, he'll slowly and calmly wake up without too much trouble." The doctor added with a hopeful edge yet Judas seemed to know better.

Spencer Nothing about John was slow and calm. The man didn’t much know peace, not that Spencer had witnessed at least. There were flashes of times such as that, but only in the most intimate of situations or situations revolving around the arrival of their son. As for the rest, she could only shake her head, on board with Judas on this one as she braced herself for anything but slow and calm. An exchange of glances there between Spencer and John’s nurse, none too reassuring in her own eyes. “Alright,” she whispered, vowing herself to that bedside for the duration, not willing to let that man wake up to a cold white ceiling and alone. Not willing to let him wake to his sister or his brother only. She’d be there, holding his hand just as she was now. Settling in for the long haul as she had already done so many times between the start of this and now. Her devotion to him unwavering as it would always be. “Thank you,” she offered as the doctor stated his intent to return, though everything in her said John would not be coming forth in any slow fashion. She could already imagine him coming forth like a raging lion, racing back to the life he had been taken from, more than likely with a vengeance. Drawing a slow, deep breath, she found the chair she had been using for the last nine days, dragging it with her ankle there to his bedside once more, taking seat there upon the edge. “Can he hear us?” She asked, a question she had asked many times over, being told it was possible previously, though now she wondered if perhaps it was something a bit more solid.

John/Judas "Many who have been in these comas report having heard everything around them when they come out. As for now, I guess you'll have to ask him later." The nurse smiled softly before Judas broke into an impromptu laugh. One leading to another. A laughing fit. Attempting to calm himself. Looking insane. But it was a tension break. "We shoulda not told him. 'Oh yeah, Johnny's a peace lovin' guy. He ain't gonna be mad that he's wearin' a dress at all."

Spencer Comforted by the idea that John might be able to hear the things that were said there around him, she could only hope he had heard two weeks’ worth of his baby there in that room, soft exchanges between herself and Rhys, even conversation between herself and both Judas and Jade. Just as she was about to speak, her lips parting, she heard Judas burst into hysterics. Shooting a glance to him over her shoulder, though he was too far gone at that point. “Judas!” She called out while he was still mid-laugh, hearing a moment later as the source of his laughter was revealed. She had to snicker as it was true. “Then someone best be getting his cut in here, quickly. He wakes up with the dress, maybe it’ll be smoothed over by the only thing I think he loves more than he loves me.” She teased back, a true smile finding her lips as her moment of scolding Judas’ choice outburst had quickly shifted in some sort of comic relief in the middle of something she couldn’t imagine finding such a thing in. The man was a gem in his own right, one that she may not have always been able to truly appreciate, but somehow she had found his value in moments such as this.

Judas Snorting as he attempt to stop, pinching at the bridge of his nose. Wiping his eyes as he had found that entirely too funny. "Ah, man...call the doctor back in. He's a fuckin' teddy bear." Snorting back another fit of laughter, he couldn't help himself. Only able to imagine how that would go down for the poor doctor getting decked the fuck out as he managed to find his center. Proof as to his lack of sleep though thinking he would have found that hilarious regardless. "He's going to fuck me up first for that comment. Watch. I'm getting punched first. Youse can fight for second." He added, eyes exchanged to the nurse.

Spencer As Judas carried on, seemingly entertaining himself there, she looked up to the nurse almost apologetically, shaking her head softly as she slipped back in her chair a bit. Her hand still there in John’s, thumb stroking against his as she leaned her head back down against the bed. “If nothing else wakes him up, it’ll be your loud ass, and how about easy on that language, eh?” she mumbled against her arm as she attempted to resume the place she had been before Judas came into the room, letting off a long yawn as she glanced in his direction. Truly not going to be an absolute stickler over language, as the child would have to be exposed to it at some point in time, but hearing it used as a comma was certainly not anything she deemed appropriate. Flashing him a half smile, showing no harm done, she considered teasing the man to apologize to the boy for dropping it twice in a one-minute time span, but instead she’d just smile to herself at the idea of watching him apologize to the infant. In the bassinet a little one seemed entirely too amused at his uncle, eyes bright and wide as he looked up towards him from where he lay on his back in the bassinet.

Judas "Fuck outta here. I got time." He reminded her, an instant rebuttal before meeting her smile before he saw if she was kidding or not. Looking down at Rhys who was bright eyed and bushy tailed where he met his eyes. John's eyes. "Hi, buddy." He stated softly, instantly melting from the tough guy facade as he reached down to pull him into his arms. "Did I wake you up, butterball? Either that or its time for some boob juice. 'What's the hold up, mommy?'" Truly showing how little of a filter he had, he took a step from his bassinet with Rhys in hand as he stepped to the side of John's bed.

Spencer The third instance of the word would get a sterner cut of her eyes to the man as now he was just plain pushing it. She might be in a different world now, but there would still be her own southern values that would be applied here. Though for now, she’d be playful about it. As Judas withdrew Rhys from the bassinet, hearing his little comment, she shook her head. “Think you forgot about ya’ll’s shared diet there…” she reminded him, as it was milkshakes, not of her own creation. Watching as he approached John’s bedside with Rhys, smiling up to him as she lifted her tired head. “Uncle Judas is being plain filthy now that he thinks your daddy can hear him. See that? Ain’t talked like that in two whole weeks and now all of a sudden, he’s got an audience better than us,” she teased, her free hand reaching up to slip into the grip of the little one.

John "Uncle Judas has always been filthy. He's just filthier now since Aunt Jade forgot to get his meds at the pharmacy." He informed Rhys as his ADHD was in full form, watching her with the baby's hand. Pressing his lips to his cheek. Smirking softly at the sight of him before he glanced down towards John. Spotting a twitch or two of his hand, fingers. Not sure whether it was voluntary or not as his eyes glanced to the nurse.

Spencer “Excuses,” she whispered, head still shaking there almost continually at this point, at least thankful he dropped the expletives /while/ holding the baby. Her eyes on Rhys, one hand in John’s, the other in Rhys’, she felt those tiny movements of John’s hand in hers, immediately turning her eyes on John as Judas eyed the nurse. Feeling as though her heart just stopped, she tightened her hand around his, fingers laced through his. “John?” she asked, leaning down to press her lips to the back of his hand as she had at least a half dozen times that morning already. Completely disregarding the nurse at this point as she put all attention on the man there before her with no way anyone could convince her that it wasn’t completely intentional as part of his battling back to them.

John "Could that be voluntarily?" He asked curiously, the nurse didn't have much in the way of answers. "Could be, might not be." She volunteered, utterly useless as he looked back towards John. A gentle squeeze of her hand she could miss if she wasn't paying attention. Knowing there was no way that could be involuntary. Judas looked over towards Rhys. "Is that daddy?" He asked, meeting his eyes as if he knew what that meant.

Spencer With her lips there to his hand still, her fingers woven through his, there was absolutely no denying the light squeeze there to her own hand in his. Even if the nurse had said it was involuntary now, she’d have called her a liar. This was her husband coming back to her and everything inside the woman spoke to it. A moment so seemingly small that would mean the entire world to her as she felt her eyes welling up, taking it purely as a response to her hand in his, his name on her lips, even if it was her version of his name. Hearing Judas there behind her, speaking to Rhys saying words she herself had said holding Rhys to see John over and over again, yet now those words meant so much more. Only hoping his awakening not to be too violent so those straps could be removed and he could actually hold his son again. A part of her fearing what his response would be as he woke, being strapped down as he was, only thinking perhaps if he could hear her, there might be some way to calm him before he realized what was going on there. “John, nice and easy okay? Everything is okay. I’m here, and Judas is here, and Rhys is here.” Her tone only matched by a couple of other times in their entire relationship, the one standing out in her mind to be the one where he was literally inspecting her body as she tried to reassure him she was fine after being strapped to a bomb. Hoping that tone would trigger something else for him entirely, though it was her crisis tone unintentionally so. Pressing her lips to his hand again, turning her head to rest her cheek there, attempting that contact in hopes he would realize how close she was and not freak out as he came to. “Judas, you might want to bring that bassinet over here and put Rhys down,” she warned, only thinking that nurse was never going to be able to calm John in the manner she and Judas could should the worst come to pass here.

John Hearing her speak, he nodded. Thinking the man wasn't coming up that quickly but he'd work with her. Taking up his bassinet that he dragged towards the foot of the bed. "Sorry, bud." Another stolen kiss, he laid him down. Knowing he'd quickly get a complex from how much he was held. He walked to the opposite side of the bed from Spence as he drew in a seat. Watching her before back at John. Somewhere within, the blanket of darkness was just beginning to peak at the corners. Life surging slowly through him from extremities yet it would take time to wake from that fully submerged fatigue. Still, he was trying. Bit by bit.

Spencer Knowing a few hand movements weren’t necessarily speaking to his full presence, nor to the speed at which he would come to life there, though in her mind all she could imagine in this husband of hers was that once he had a small taste for that he had missed out on, he’d come forth all at once, potentially plagued with agitation and anger should he remember his last moments, should he realize those restraints. Now more than ever concerned for the system being used there as she brought her eyes up to the nurse. With Rhys a good distance away, she’d plead her case to the nurse. “Is there any way we could maybe take the restraints on his arms away? I understand the others, but just the hands? Give him some control here?” Knowing her husband did not do well when he didn’t have control, she just couldn’t imagine this going well in her mind, only wanting to make this easier on the man, yet if he were to feel caged from that first moment, it was a sight she truly feared. Wanting what the doctor said, easy and peaceful, calmly reentering the world, yet none of that seemed to fit the bill here. Prepared for that rejection, only hoping with both she and Judas at his opposing sides, with the infant out of harm’s way, that perhaps the nurse would have sympathy on them and trust that Spencer knew the man well enough to ask for such a thing to be done.

John "We'll see how he does as he wakes up further." The woman stated, not rejecting it entirely but feeling the need to keep a careful eye in attempt to predict the unpredictable. Judas could only see what would come next. He'd hope those restraints were titanium reinforced. He could only imagine what he would come back to. A slight hitch in the man's breath. Fingers twitching within her grasp. Knowing that Spencer would more than likely be able to calm him in ways Judas could not solely because of what she was to him.

Spencer With her request disregarded enough, it wasn’t about seeing how he did once he started to come to, it was about avoiding making a situation out of something that wasn’t one merely by allowing the man to feel shackled. Spencer’s eyes returned to John’s closed lids, watching as she felt those movements between her fingers. A slow smile there at her lips as there had been points she thought she’d never feel anything reciprocated from the man again. Knowing they had a better chance of securing him to the bed with her there over top of him than they did with the straps that would only stand the potential of sending him into an outrage. A little boy at the foot of the bed, talking away at the ceiling he stared at, tearing at her heart strings as she truly wanted to bring him closer, out of that bassinet, holding him there for John the instant his eyes were open, yet she knew it just wasn’t safe to do. Bringing her foot to the very edge of the bassinet, finding her toes against it to give it a soft shake as they sat, finding a rhythm there she had become quite accustomed to.

John Time stilled as did progress after that. Minutes turning to a half hour of just finger twitching and a hitched breath. It all touch and go as the proof of the doctors words became evident. Vitals steady. Judas sitting back in his chair. Nodding off. Chin to his chest as the fatigue was getting to him and the steady machine rate was nearly soothing. A half hour turning into another 45 minutes before any progress was met before his heart rate was climbing all at once. Steady before it was escalated as was his breathing. The nurse making a note before calmly reaching out to call for back up. Adrenaline.

Spencer In that time, Rhys had enough of the bassinet, letting it be known in a cry Spencer had come to known clearly. Reluctantly, she released John’s hand, slipping to the end of the bed where she’d tend to Rhys, feeding him, changing his diaper, all the while glancing to John as his hand twitched in her absence. It seemed to go on forever as the room had fallen silent aside from Rhys. The child soothed there in the moments of his bottle, but as the machines indicated the increased heart rate, the beeping increasing, Rhys let out a loud scream, thus forcing Spencer’s attention to be split between the two more so than it had been. How Judas could sleep through was beyond her as she brought Rhys up to her shoulder, one hand at his bottom, the other smoothing against his back as she whispered against his cheek. Soft words though he was not having it. Altering the plan there entirely as Spence initially intended to keep Rhys back from this, she couldn’t do it any longer with the sounding of those machines, the rate of his breathing. Coming to sit in the low backed chair, she rested Rhys there at her shoulder, allowing one hand to span his back as she leaned into him, her free hand finding John’s as she attempted to sooth the both of them, only finding herself to be failing miserably. Another nurse coming in, offering to take the baby out of the room, to which Spencer promptly rejected as she could only imagine the sounds of that child being the one thing that might save them all from John breaking those restraints and taking the entire room apart.

John Waking up at the sounds of the machine and the sight of the nurse calling for back-up, the heart rate only accelerating as he reached for his hand. Watching her bring the baby closer to the man as he gave John's hand a firm squeeze. Feeling it return. "It's okay, John. You're safe...no one can hurt you. There is no one to go after. You are safe..." Judas's words found him as the edges were lifting slowly. The smell of his son as distinct as it came as his senses found some power. Looking over towards Spence, Judas spoke. "You want me take him? He needs you more than me."

Spencer Hearing Judas’ offer, she wasn’t quite sure what to do. She had words and tone that John would potentially respond to, while Judas had strength. Only wondering if maybe Judas agreed with the nurse, that the baby should be taken from the room, yet she couldn’t put down the feeling that the baby there would be good for John to ground him, to remind him of that which he had waiting for him. Torn between her husband and her son, yet again, she shook her head no, determining she’d balance both for as long as she could, knowing Judas was there should she want him to take Rhys. “Thank you,” she offered, her voice slightly stressed as she kindly declined his offer, pairing it with a weak smile. Easing Rhys from her shoulder, seating him against her lap, drawn back into her chest as her hand came up against his chest, just under his chin to support his unstable head, she found a way to allow Rhys to be present, and seemingly happy again as she lightly bounced her legs beneath him. Rhys’ eyes now to take in both his uncle and his father in one shot, the softer sounds of a happy child took over. Linking her fingers through John’s again, that new wedding band prominently against her finger, pressed into his own, she tightened her grip in his. “You called him John,” she realized, eyes darting to Judas’ as she had to smirk to herself at her wearing off on him over the last two weeks. “John… Judas here thinks he can call you John now,” she teased, attempting to lure the man out from under that deep sleep he had been in.

John Glancing over towards his sister in law, he cocked a brow. "name on his birth certificate." He reminded her idly, as it would hardly be the first time he called him that. Shaking his head at her as his heart steadily raced. Giving her hand a squeeze as Judas glanced back to him. Taking up his other hand. "Just call him John William and see how fast he pops up this table."

Spencer How this had become a game, she wasn’t sure. Hearing Judas’ idea on how to get him to wake up, her mind went somewhere else entirely. A place it had no business going and yet, it was there and there was nothing she could do about it. She had a better phrase than that which Judas offered. Something of a recent discovery. A hum found her lips, quiet and soft, her own heart seeming to race at the idea of it. Pressing a kiss to Rhys’ head there on her lap by way of distraction, attempting to take her mind away from where it had been, though it wasn’t seeming to work. Instead, she fell silent there, feeling a stronger squeeze to her hand from his, only finding her smile to brighten as she glanced to his face once more. A late noise there from Rhys as though he had found his uncle’s joke entertaining, Spencer shook her head. “Don’t encourage him, Rhyster.” A loud squeal coming from the child, one that could never be mistaken for anything aside from pure delight. “Yeah, you tell ‘em. Say daddy, wake up!” She prompted, as though to translate Rhys’ thoughts for him.

John The woman was visibly transported there for a moment, for reasons he'd never understand and he wasn't sure he'd ask. Hearing Rhys coo, Judas had to smirk. "Vocal lil' guy." He remarked, his eyes forcibly shown down to Johnny's as a hand jerk turned into a sharp lift of his wrist resulting in the tug of restraints. Going lax as his breathing accelerated in time for the head doctor to arrive to the room.

Spencer “Mhm, quite—“ she began, interrupted by the jerk of John’s wrist upward against the restraint, sending her own heart to race as she prepared herself for the worst of it. Knowing finding that restraint there would potentially send the man into a shock and outrage, only hoping it wouldn’t, she eased her hand from John’s grip slowly. Bringing her now freed hand to the infant there as she rose to her feet, eyeing Judas as she waged the options. Deciding she’d try to lay him down, to see if he’d occupy himself as he typically seemed to be quite an easy baby, and if not she’d take Judas up on his offer to hold Rhys, but that jolt of John’s wrist had incited fear in the woman of having Rhys too close should something happen. Feeling as though they needed to get those restraints off, she had already made her plea to the nurse, not quite feeling as if she could do so again. Not now anyways. Laying Rhys down in the bassinet as the doctor entered the room, only to wonder if a plea to him might go further.

John The doctor spotting the jolt approached, eyeing the heart monitor before he stood over John. Fingers finding each eyelid, opening his eyes to check his dilating pupils one by one. The man visibly recoiling as he tightly closed his eyes. Seeing the light in through the darkness. "This is adrenaline. It's pumping it all out of his system faster. It's not uncommon for people to return to the moment that landed them in the coma so Mister James may be picking up where he left off." The man remarked, another sharp tug of his wrists to the restraints.

Spencer As she lowered Rhys into the bassinet there near the end of John’s bed, she heard the doctor’s explanation, proving to her there was no use in asking him to remove the restraints. This information sent a sharp jolt of pain through her own heart as there was no way she wanted John to face this. Glancing down at Rhys as he seemed content enough, soft noises there in the bassinet as Spencer slipped back over to John’s side, attempting to stay out of the doctor’s way, yet not overly caring at the same time. Her hand finding John’s again as she slipped tiny fingers through his. “Hey John… John, listen to me. It’s over. Nothing is happening to you. Nothing. You need to just breathe and relax. There’s no one here to fight.” She stated, all in that calming voice she’d used several times in their marriage when things took an intense edge. Leaning down, she pressed her lips to his hand, holding that kiss there as she attempted to still him, hoping he wouldn’t jolt with her face so close, knowing he’d never hurt her intentionally and now attempting to use that to her own advantage there as she put herself in the line of fire.

John Fist curling, seeming aware of those around him yet there was something in him that said to settle the score. To tighten his hand around the man's neck and snap him in half. Consequences be damned. Another sharp breath as both hands tightened and he was regaining control of his facial features. The feeling of his body returning from numbness leaving blood rushing. Pins and needles as his nostrils flared. Eyelids fluttering like he might open his eyes.

Spencer Feeling his hand tightening in her own, nearly to the point of pain, she was watching everything she feared come true there. The man was a fighter, there was no denying it, and he was returning to the very fight that had her father in jail on attempted murder charges. “John. John.” Stating his name repeatedly there, her eyes to his as his lids moved rapidly. Torn between pure joy to see the man there looking back at her and pure fear of just what it was she might see in his eyes; pain, anger, death. Biting to her lower lip, she brought her free hand to wrap around his and hers joined, giving him a firm squeeze there as she felt her eyes welling up once again. “John please, c’mon. It’s over and done with. There’s no one here to fight you. Go easy. You wouldn’t want Rhys to see that…” she reminded him, knowing full well he could hear her now, attempting to get him to settle at least a bit as the grip on her hand seemed to only grow tighter.

John His eyes slowly opened, barely peaking as he looked up to the ceiling. Attempting to make sense of the violent white that was bleeding into his senses. Feeling the oxygen to the inside of his nostrils. Attempting to yank it out. A lift of his wrists. They were too heavy making him try again as his eyes closed briefly. Opening again as he attempted to make sense of the words he was hearing as it all returned to him. The knife. The blood. The man smiling in his face. He could see it painted on his heavy eyelids as he attempted to move. Feet pressed down as well. Too heavy. A sitting duck. Re-opening his eyes. Glancing down to his side.

Spencer It was all happening too quickly. First his hands jolting, then his feet. He was going to feel just as strapped down as he was. “Doctor, please unfasten something here. He doesn’t like to be tied down!” Her voice broke through, no longer that soft and soothing nature she had taken about her previously in attempting to speak to him. Instead, it was demanding, as though she knew better than this doctor, which she would fully believe she did in this matter. Her eyes darted to Judas, begging for some back up there before they would return to John’s. Finding his hues there just a moment after his eyes were opened. “Hey… John… Don’t fight it and we’ll get them to take them off, but you just have to calm down, please.” Not meaning to let it seep through, the woman sounded scared. The tears that had welled in her eyes passed against her cheeks as she pleaded with both John and the doctor in very different tones, yet they were all rooted in that same place. Fear for what John was going through as being completely unnecessary. Her eyes connected with his as the smile broke through her tears, her free hand slipping up to the side of his face, softly brushing her thumb against his cheek. “Yeah?” She asked, seemingly as though she were asking for his agreement, but in all actuality she was not at all; instead directing him to something altogether different as those tears fell softly.

John Watching the woman smile, unable to quite make sense of this action. Her tears. Her touch. Yet, something in him was still fighting. Her words were words. Unable to make sense of them. Knit brows suggesting confusion. To his side, Judas was at his wrist. Noticing the irritation the strap was causing to his skin. Hand at his fist. Pushing it down. Attempting to keep him from irritating the condition further as he filled his fingers with his. Locking his arm down. A firm grip. His free hand at the man's shoulder, giving him a gentle squeeze as Spence talked him down. "Mister James, you are in the hospital. You had an accident but you are safe. You've been restrained for your own safety." The doctor informed him, another check of his vitals as he let nature run its course. Yet, all at once, he was roughly pushing at Judas' push. Locking his arm. "Johnny, it's cool, man. Ain't gonna let nothin' happen to you." Judas preached, standing up where he pressed his forehead to the side of the man's temple. "It's done. It's over. It's okay. I know you ain't worried about bein' safe. Your kids are safe, your wife is safe. Your house is all ready for you. Your baby is here. He can't fuck it all up." Realizing that his own safety was less and less important here as the man's drive to protect is selfless. "He ain't gonna' touch you no more. I'll kill him first." A promise, a threat that they all knew he'd stand up to.

Spencer For two weeks, Spencer imagined what it would be like when John woke up. How his eyes would meet hers. The way she’d place her hand to the side of his face and offer that word up to him, to which he would respond to, watching as the life filled his light hues there beyond a word that seemed so simple, yet meant the world to them. She’d imagined him saying her name, asking for their son, a million different variations of it, but none of them included this. Not one. The smile faded from her lips as she bit against a quivering lower lip. Tears that had been of fear and joy all mixed into one were now of a different composition entirely. Watching as Judas restrained him, getting into his ear to speak to him in an attempt to reach him, she was at a loss entirely as she had hoped she’d have done just that with /their/ word. Instead, she got a look of confusion and more hostility there, almost as if he didn’t know her at all. Doing all in her power to keep her hand there within his, she brought her other hand back from his face, feeling that connection she’d once been so proud of fail, only hoping in time it would return. For now, she’d bring both hands back to his once again, taking a slow step towards the end of the bed as she gave the doctor more room, finding she was no better for John than the doctor was, but hoped if she couldn’t get to him, maybe Judas could.

John "Spence..." eyeing her moving, it was no time to be disrupting this. Judas' eyes spoke to this as his arms were pushing up at the restraints again. Catching Judas by surprise as nothing was seeming to reach him. Just needing to run his course as Judas straightened. Watching him pushing his head forward. Attempting to sit up, lean up. Finding the waist restraints, another tug of his arms. Head forced back down roughly to the bed as a low growl found the back of his throat. Finding his voice or attempting to. Something inaudible that Judas couldn't quite make out.

Spencer “It’s okay,” she managed through her tears as she shook her head to Judas. She’d not hold this against John, knowing he was not himself there before her, though it wouldn’t stop that nagging pain within her. Drawing an irregular breath of her own as the tears came forth without the ability to stop them, feeling the second nurse there to her back, a supportive hand of a stranger that she’d jolt from. “It’s fine,” she stated quickly as she brought one hand up to wipe away her tears, even if they were instantly replaced with more. The words of the nurse lost on her as she tried to comfort the woman, reminding her this was a process and it would be alright. “I said it’s fucking fine,” she quickly recoiled, apparently forgetting she was attempting not to use such language around their son. Keeping her hand there in John’s, tightening her hold as she lost the ability to speak to him, feeling as though anything she said wouldn’t be helpful, running out of things to say for a moment before she was back in there, fighting for him the way she knew he was fighting for his life. Her hip pressed against the doctor’s, making no attempt to stay out of his way as she pulled her hand free of his, both of her hands coming to either side of John’s face as she brought her knee to the edge of that bed. The nurse’s hands grasping Spencer by the waist, attempting to pull her back to no avail as she drew her own face in close to John’s. “Please, John. Please stop. Please. Just fucking look at me. You are fine. I am fine. Rhys is fine. Everything is fucking fine, just please stop so they will stop and everything can just stop.” The strength of the nurse seeming to double there as the doctor brought his arm around Spencer’s shoulders, crossing in front of her to bring her back from the man, neither of them accounting for just how strong the tiny detective was in her own right.

John As she slipped in front of him, his distance obstructed. Eyesight weak for the time being. Unable to really see who was at his sides when they had been there. Yet, he had made out his brother when he stood directly in front of him and then Spence. Perhaps that being what was upsetting him so greatly as his vision was slowly clearing. Eyes meeting hers as she was pulled back like he'd hurt her but as the woman was forced to give, his head lifted. Pressing his forehead gently back to hers. The only thing he could move freely as the resistance of his arms gave. Falling flat as his fingers curled into the bed.

Spencer When his eyes found her own, it was there she’d find him. The real him. The him she knew and loved and knew that he loved her. It was there that she would find his forehead meetings hers, as her fingertips spanned to the back of his neck, drawing in closer even as the nurse and doctor attempted pulling her back. “Hey, you,” she whispered, her tears passing from her face to his as that smile found her lips once more. “God, I’ve missed you,” she added, her voice breaking through her tears as the doctor’s grasp on the woman eased up, he and the nurse coming to realize what was happening there. With one knee still to the edge of the bed to allow her to span the space to get closer to him, she’d try no further as she’d not dare to put any pressure on his body at his point in time. “Hi.” Her voice finding a joy there in it that had been missing previously as she pressed a quick kiss of her lips to his before withdrawing, not wanting to steal his ability to breathe, but knowing he now knew her, saw her, and was connecting with her. “You’re okay,” she reassured, her forehead there to his as she quite literally blocked out anything and anyone else in that room as she shared that initial moment with him when the fighting stopped. “I’m gonna move back and ask them to take these things off your hands again, but you gotta stay calm, okay?”

John Hearing her speak, his eyes flickering over hers. Showing that he was having a bit of difficulty making out shapes and faces until they were right in front of him. The familiarity of that tone. Brows briefly knitting as she seemed to tap in. Judas exhaling slowly as he knew if the woman focused, she could get through to him. Hearing her say she missed him, he wanted to know how long she had missed him. How long it had been. Yet, his voice seemed lost. Swallowing hard. Hearing her question about moving back, that was all he heard. He shook his head. He didn't want her moving anywhere as he pressed further into her.

Spencer As he shook his head to her, not wanting her to move, she felt him lifting there to her again. “Okay, okay, I’m not going anywhere,” she offered, though she wasn’t entirely sure the doctor and nurses were going to permit this to continue. Careful not to move that knee as she did her best to maintain that which she had held for this long. Turning her head to the side, catching Judas’ eye momentarily. “How about we try him out of those arm restraints. He’s fine.” She stated her case as she was proving he was calm right there, as long as she stayed right there. Bringing her eyes back to John’s, her fingertips passing softly against his jawline. “You’re alright and you don’t have to talk, just you being here is enough,” she assured, her teeth stealing her lower lip momentarily as she found pure happiness in those words. He was there. After living the last two weeks wondering if she’d be facing a life without him, they were about the best words she could hope to say in this situation. “Maybe once we get those things off, you’d like to see your son … We kept him little just for you,” she promised, as if they had any control over it, though knowing the half a pound he had grown by since his birth would speak to the fact that not much had changed aside from his eye color taking on a true hue of John’s. “You want to see Rhys?” She asked, finding if she stuck to yes and no’s that perhaps they could find some communication there.

John Hearing her mention his son, his eyes found the base of the bed. Unable to make out the container but for whatever reason nearly able to sense him. To smell him. Hearing her joke, he was plagued with more confusion. Having no idea how long he had been gone for. The idea of missing his infancy scared him half to death at his jaw tightened. Attempting to speak again, his voice was lodged. He wanted to see his son. To smell him up close. To feel him. To know him. He felt the nurse beginning to unclasp his non-dominant right hand. Pulling at the limb that still felt heavy and unfamiliar. Blood chaffing at his wrist from the strength of his resistance to the leather.

Spencer Without a firm yes or no nod there, she could feel it. As the nurse unstrapped his arm, her smile only widened through those tears. This was already better, she thought. “Easy,” she whispered as she felt him lifting that arm, not sure what his control might be like in those first moments. Pressing her lips to the side of his cheek as she eased back from him, slipping from the bed if only to collect the infant there at the foot of his bed. Exchanging a thankful glance with Judas in the meantime as he would truly be the only one that understood all she was feeling as he had been witness to the highs and lows of it all. Coming around to the side of the bed where his hand was freed, the doctor giving way to her this time as she took a seat there beside him, barely on the bed, but enough to be as close as she could as the nurse moved to the other side to unstrap him further. “He had his two week check up yesterday. The doctor’s say he is in perfect health and doing great,” she informed, one hand to the back of the infant’s neck, the other just below his bottom as she eased him there against John’s chest, propped upwards so his face could be seen as the most perfect individual to ever breathe air in her eyes. “He lost almost a pound after birth, but they said that is normal. He’s almost back up to his birth weight now, so you didn’t miss much.” Pressing another kiss to the side of the man’s face, not attempting to move his hands as she wanted him to have all of the control there, willing to take her time with this since the worst seemed to have passed, giving her the opportunity to feel she could bring Rhys to him at all.

John With both arms freed, they were unfamiliar and heavy. Curling both inwards. Finding himself chained thick with IVs and the bandages where others had been. Hearing her speak about his 2 week check out, he tried to speak again. Nervous from how unfamiliar he felt yet the smell of Rhys and feel of him assured him that it was his boy. That this all was real. Arms lifting slowly as an arm barred just under Rhys' bottom, the other hand to his back. Glancing down at the small face that had already changed so much. Pressing his forehead to his as his eyes closed. Allowing himself to simply breathe him in as the head doctor quietly slipped away.

Spencer Her hands remained close by, barely touching Rhys as a form of support as John found his way there. Hoping he would understand it wasn’t for lack of trust as she’d trust this man in a hospital bed with the ultimate protection of their son over anyone else, even in his condition, but just to be there should she be needed. As his forehead met his sons, tiny hands came to either side of John’s face, the strength in those tiny arms something Spencer had witnessed first hand as Rhys was quite fond of pulling on her hair in similar positions. She opened her mouth to speak, but there truly were just no more words as she allowed this quiet moment between a child and his father, watching through teary eyes as the two were rightfully rejoined. Tearing her eyes away only for a moment as she turned her eyes to the side, wiping her face against the shoulder of her shirt, catching a glimpse of a teary nurse there as well. Slowly easing her hands back, finding John to be quite capable there, she couldn’t resist the urge to withdraw his phone from her pocket, drawing it up to snap an image there since there were no images in their first moments together two weeks prior. Easing the phone there to the bedside table, she drew in closer, resting her own head to the side of John’s shoulder, catching that view as a little boy took in his father fully there before him, the tears a constant at this point, though purely based in her own extreme happiness for the reunion of their family.

John He was relieved that she was close by just incase his hands and arms did give put away from the support of his chest. Keeping his eyes closed as his sole focus was breathing him in past the oxygen attached to his nose. Eyes opening slowly as he met his own eyes back in his. Seemingly resolute on staying just like his. "Rhys." He growled lowly, hardly audible or distinguishable from how dry his throat was but it was there. His first words back being that boy's name.

Spencer Tiny fingers to his father’s face, finding that facial hair at his chin. Seeming to find anything of the sort like some sort of magnetism there. As John spoke, the name so quiet there at his lips, she wasn’t entirely sure if he had asked for help or said something else completely. Bringing her hand back there to the infant’s back for support, her eyes seeking out John’s as she sought to help in whatever it was he wanted there. “You want me to take him?” She asked, not sure if he was trying to say he was feeling weak, but offering just the same as the little one found a death grip on John’s facial hair. Her free hand seeking to unclasp that hand as she knew well the jerking motions of the little one who didn’t quite have control over his own extremities yet.

John Shaking his head the best he could as his hands latched into his facial hair. Finding it fine. He had plenty of time and goatee tugging to make up for. "Rhys." He repeated, a bit more clear yet still struggling to be heard. Turning his head where he stole a kiss to that tiny palm. Feeling his brother give his shoulder a gentle squeeze, Judas finally able to take a deep breath as they had dodged a bullet and could now enter the long road to recovery with a somewhat stable family unit built in blood, sweat and tears over two weeks.

Spencer The second time the name passed his lips, her smile only broadened. The first spoken word the man would offer was that of his son. “Rhys,” she repeated, nodding her head to let John know she had gotten what he said that time. Slipping her fingers back as she allowed John to keep the child for as long as he would like to, finding it quite fitting just how happy the boy seemed to have his father, as if he knew all along something was missing. Easing back from where she had been there on John’s side, she made her way around the end of the bed, knowing Judas had the job of back up there just fine as she made her way around the end slowly. Coming there to Judas’ side, leaning her head there against his upper arm as her hand came across her own waist to grip his wrist. “Thank you,” she whispered, knowing the man had been through absolute hell himself having to put up with her throughout those two weeks; time that had its ups and definite downs, but more than pleased they had all come through on the other side of things. A gentle squeeze of his wrist there for a moment before she was stepping back from him, taking up a seat to the end of John’s bed where she just watched the two get reacquainted before questioning eyes turned to the doctor for what was to come next.

John "No reason to thank me. We're family." He reminded her simply, as he had told her before, they didn't have all of their shit worked up but their family was at least there for one another. Feeling her squeeze, the man was just happy that they were closer to what their life needed to look like. He knew he had been filling big shoes and not adding up. He never would. He wasn't his brother and never would be. He could only try to help and now it was time to tag John back in when he was good and healthy. "We will leave you all to your privacy. He's going to continue to wake up and keep groggy." The doctor informed him. "Once he is able to speak more fluently, we'll ask what he can do to make him more comfortable." The doctor added.

Spencer Family. A concept Spencer once thought she had a full grasp on, only to lose it within days of marrying John James. It was in that singular action her own family was severed. For nearly a year after, she felt as though the only family she had was John and the one within her who was now actively tugging at his father’s facial hair. But now, she knew that wasn’t true. She now knew that she had Judas and Jade. Though she had little desire for much of the rest of the James’ at this point, her family had doubled in two weeks’ time, thus giving the tiny detective something to grasp onto a little better than she had before. Though the key elements were there in that bed she sat upon. As the doctor spoke, she nodded her head, understanding and appreciative of all they had done to bring the man back to them, even if she had disagreed with them from time to time. “Can we get the rest of the restraints released before you do that?” She asked, only wanting to assist in John’s comfort as much as she could seeing as it was now clear those restraints were no longer needed. “Security over here will make sure he doesn’t try to get up,” she added, head leaning in Judas’ direction as her hand found John’s leg, resting there against him as she glanced to his direction. “Think as long as he has that guy, he’ll be content to stay where he’s at.” Though vaguely recalling seeing John hold the little guy previously, now that image was permanently burned within her mind as she was fully able to appreciate it now in ways she couldn’t moments after childbirth.

John The doctor nodded as the nurse reached down. Gently finding the restraint of his waist before his ankles. Granted, his legs felt entirely too heavy to move at the moment while concentrating effort on holding the baby but it was nice to have the option. Judas left with security detail. A departure from their usual as John was back to closing his eyes. Feeling those tiny digits in his facial hair. "Looks like someone's gotta shave." He teased, ironic considering his infamous beard had recently been sheathed to a shadow yet he was sure Rhys would have loved to get into that one.

Spencer Watching as John closed his eyes, all too worried about how he was doing as she sat there, hand to his leg, rubbing gently as she watched on. Half tempted to offer to take Rhys again, yet resisting the urge to do so as she had to trust that if he needed the relief of the nearly eight pound boy to be moved, he would gesture to someone to do so. Trying not to be too fussy over the man, though everything in her said to cater to anything he may want or need in that moment, not wanting it to be too much too fast for him, though wanting him to have the chance to make up for that lost time. “Maybe that’s something security could help with?” She asked, eyes darting over to Judas as she was not sure she’d even know where to start on that task. Flashing a smile as she nodded her head, bringing her free hand up to finally dry away the remnant tears that had streaked down her face, seeming to find a calm there of her own as she finally felt as though they had it all back.

John "Nah...a man's gotta shave his own facial hair. It's a rights of passage." He explained honestly, feeling very strong about that one for when he was ready for it and tired of the yanking pull, he'd know what he had to do. Opening his eyes, he was glancing over towards Spence. His vision slowly clearing him allowing him to make out the sight of her wiping away tears. Only able to imagine her opinion on all that had transpired as an apology burned on his lips.

Spencer “I see,” she quickly answered, shaking her head as she didn’t see it that way at all. If Judas wouldn’t help him, she’d do it, though she couldn’t promise he’d come away from such a thing without any cuts in the process. If he could shave her legs while she was pregnant, she could shave his face after all he’d been through. Silently smirking to herself there while keeping John’s bathtub secret from his brother as she caught him looking at her. A slow smile took her lips as she realized he was truly /seeing/ her as he hadn’t previously when she was so far off. Tightening her hand against his leg as that smile took form on her lips. “You doing okay?” She asked, as she could literally feel there was something there in his eyes, at his tongue, but not wanting to push him too much at the same time. “I can get you something to drink, or take the Rhyster there and give you a break?” She offered, rising from where she was seated as she came to his side once more. Easing Rhys to the side, helping John to cradle him in his arms instead. Cutting her eyes back to Judas as she scrunched her nose. “You can close your eyes now,” she whispered, as though it were a secret before she was returning back to complete the transfer of Rhys to the more natural position as her lips lingered close to John’s. “Or I could finally say hello to you properly,” she whispered, pressing her lips there to his for a brief moment as her hand remained underneath the baby in his arms for support. As she pulled back, offering him a soft smile, her nose brushing to the side of his. “Tell me what you want and it’s yours.”

John Hearing her question, he let her help him and relieve the tension in his arms as he looked down towards the little guy. Quite impressed as his mommy had it all worked out. Judas shielded his eyes at her willing and John heard her words to his lips. Liking the sounds of that as he lacked the ability to give her a whole lot back but the effort had to be noted as she spoke. "Water." He returned weakly, in the Philly fashion naturally as he met her eyes.

Spencer A hum at her lips as she heard what he’d prefer there, though she’d steal another kiss before he’d be getting it. “All clear,” she teased in Judas’ direction, as if there had been some grand display there, moving from John to go to the corner of the room where a small pitcher of water waited with a few cups beside. Pouring him a glass, she glanced over, a lift of her chin as she looked to John. “How about you let Uncle Judas take that one so he doesn’t knock this out of your hand,” she offered as she was making her way back over. “I only speak from experience on this one,” she teased as she’d worn one too many cups of her own water in the last couple weeks.

John Hearing her mention Judas, he nodded. Looking up to his brother who reached down. Taking him from his arm and carefully supporting him. The baby making a sound of protest but was soothed quickly by Judas as he glanced back up towards his wife. Only after a moment was he becoming aware of himself. The dress, obviously. But the wires. Dry tongue against a drier bottom lip as he inspected these remaining wires and tubing.

Spencer Bringing that cup to John’s hand, she eased it there into his grasp as she remained close by should he want her to take it back. “Even though you’re back, I’m thinking Uncle Judas is going to have to be by the house at least a few times a week or Rhys might protest,” she stated, glancing towards the two as they had truly bonded quite nicely. In all truth, Spencer was quite impressed with how well Judas had done with Rhys, though she’d make no mention to John of the other things that had transpired there in those earlier days. Seeming to do all the talking, though he should be rather used to that by now, she met John’s eyes with a smile to her own, truly just happy to have him there with them. “You can thank him for showing us the house, and taking Mr. Rhys here to his room for the first time… I barely made it in the front door and would’ve left if Judas hadn’t been there.” She spoke honestly, giving only a brief insight to John of some of the things that had taken place in his slumber. “You did good, John,” she assured, her hand finding his thigh as she sat beside him, turned in his direction. “It’s really everything I could have ever imagined.” Her hand tightening against his upper thigh there as she let him at the cup of water, trying not to fill all of the silence with information, yet feeling as though she could just talk to him forever as she finally had the one person back who she could be completely open with in a manner she couldn’t quite ever achieve with anyone else.

John He never doubted Judas when it came to his instincts in a pinch. His loyalty to John ran deep after all they had been through together. This one would be just another chapter in a long chronicle for the two of them. He'd thank him properly when he had more of a voice to do so with. The thin plastic of the cup felt odd underneath his fingers. Hand shaking slightly as he focused on bringing it to his lips. A strong mouthful. Holding it in his mouth before swallowing down. A world of a difference but only leaving him thirstier. Hearing her wash of information as he brought the cup back to his lips.

Spencer Watching as the man brought the cup to his lips twice over, she resolved to silence herself, as they had plenty of time together to come that she didn’t need to flood him with information so quickly. Just truly overjoyed to be able to tell him anything at all aside from the nights she’d sit in the chair, her head to his leg, speaking to him with no idea if he could hear her or not. As he took another drink from the cup, enough to dampen his mouth twice over, she had her hand there to his thigh once again, seeming to be her common resting place in the past few weeks. Questions burning the tip of her tongue as she thought to inquire about how he was feeling, what else he could need, if he wanted her to shut up, all held within her as she fought the urge to speak further. Glancing instead to Rhys there with Judas, a nervous smile seeming to pass her lips as she suddenly became painfully aware of just how much she had been talking.

John Hearing her go quiet, his eyes glanced up towards her. Not wanting her to go quiet. Wanting her to speak. Just not knowing much what to say back or how to say back as he finished the water in the cup. Swallowing down as he cleared his throat in attempt to find his speaking voice. “Did you…did you like everything in the house?” the man groggily managed as she was close by, wondering if she not only liked the house but the envelope as well.

Spencer “I did,” she quickly offered, more than glad to hear the man speaking to her, only hoping the water was helping him and that he wasn’t feeling discomfort in doing so. “Rhys’ room was… breathtaking,” she offered, a nod of her head as it was all a little too fresh just how she had broken in that room. The attention to detail outdoing anything she could have done herself there. “Although, I will confess Judas has spent more time in there than I have. My time has been in our room when I’m actually there,” she stated honestly. That first time there spending hours that she should have been showering and napping laid on the bed, that band pinched between her fingers as she gave way to the emotion the hung over her. Beyond that, when she went home, it was the only time she would take to herself, and most of that was in that room, repeating most of the same as what she had done that first day. Never really finding that part any easier as sleeping without him simply wasn’t an option, but she’d slip that ring off and stare at it just as she had the moment she took it from the back of the card. “My favorite thing in the house… aside from Rhys’ room, would have to be…” she drug it out, lingering on a few ideas there as she thought of the yard, the kitchen, the master bathroom, finally letting that smile grace her lips. “Gotta be the card,” she stated honestly as it even held more for her than the ring did, though she’d lump the two into the same item for the sake of this mention. “You blew me away, John James of South Philly,” she teased, a light grip there to his thigh as her eyes drifted to the very ring she spoke of. “You did good.”

John Hearing her mention Rhys’ room, he was glad she liked it. Great amounts of attention had been paid to detail. No bike theme, no cop themes, no cars or anything applicable to their life. Simple, something that had the potential for growth through the years yet fitting. Glancing up towards Judas as she mentioned him spending more time there. He had spent tons of time in that room while perfecting it and there with Rhys. He owed his brother a great deal of gratitude. Almost enough to forgive him for that dress joke which he was becoming more and more weary of in his hopes of achieving a sheet to pull over himself as the coldness became evident as well. Hearing her mention the ring, he flashed her a quick smirk speaking of his feelings towards that. It was meant to be more of a surprise but he was ever grateful he had left that envelope there thinking she’d find it when they were both together.

Spencer As he went silent there, she couldn’t help but wonder what his feelings were on her being in the house without him at all. She had been a bundle of nerves in the front entry way, remembering all too clearly how she turned to leave before hearing Judas within. Feeling completely lost without John was something she had never quite known before. Feeling as if she didn’t have a true home or place of belonging as they were in between and those steps were to be made together. Ironically, now she was the one who couldn’t wait to take John to that house, as though he’d never been there before. Finding that smirk to his lips, she’d return it with a smile to her lips, the most she’d smiled in weeks to be honest. “Just do me a favor?” She asked, leaning in close to press a kiss to his cheek, a whisper there to his ear. “Never leave me again,” she offered in a soft, yet serious tone, speaking to how desperately she had missed the man in his absence. A joke all lined up on her lips, though she’d save that one for later as things were entirely too serious for all that in the moment. Drawing back once more, she’d flash him a playful smile just beyond her request. Her hand slipping from his leg to reach for the cup, eyes questioning if he was done with it yet or not before she’d take it entirely.

John Hearing her favor, a brow cocked as he also felt her at his cheek. It would be an easy favor to grant as long as he was done getting stabbed and all. “Never wanted to.” he reminded her honestly, as if it was up to him, he’d been right there at her side. She knew as well as he did that those missed two weeks would haunt his conscience just as his lost time with River did. How many more times could he feel like a fuck up in fatherhood? Not many more, in truth. “But I heard everything.” he stated dryly, still gruff as he handed her his cup, gesturing for more water.

Spencer “I know,” she offered, instantly regretting asking for that favor, waiting until she took the cup and walked over to the pitcher with her back turned to him to silently scold herself for her inability to keep things light, twisting something that was meant to be playful and reassuring into some reminder of what her father had done to make all of this happen, or better yet what she had done that had put it all into motion. Taking an extra moment there at the pitcher longer than necessary, hearing him say he had heard everything. Closing her eyes, it meant he had heard the good, the bad, and the really bad as she had unveiled every dark feeling and fear, every emotional breakdown, and badgering of herself there at his bedside in the late hours when the hospital went quiet and it was just she and John in that room while Rhys slept off to the side in his bassinet. It meant he had a full grasp on the highs and the lows of her mental state during the time he was gone, but not gone all at the same time. Trying to find a lighter path in her head, she returned with the water as she slipped the cup back into his hand. “Hear anything interesting?” She asked, lifting her brows as if to pry just a bit there.

John “Everything.” he emphasized, though he couldn’t recall anything off the bat. It came to him in huge waves. The need to unscramble and detect it prominent yet to do so was more energy than he had. It would take days, weeks, to even make sense of all of this. To speak coherently. To understand. To be back to health both physically and mentally. Yet, all he could think of distinctively was her emotion. What she had been through as he went along with it. An idea that made him further angry for having been the catalyst for which this crime was committed. “Where is he?”

Spencer The bite to her lower lip would speak volumes to the fact that there were some things she might’ve preferred to have kept from him now that she could look back on it. She had enough to carry around with her the last two weeks, he didn’t need to do it too. Only left to wonder if those things had helped or hurt the healing process there as they waited for him to come back to them all. “He?” She asked, eyes to his as she wasn’t entirely following. “He… oh…” It was then she would realize he was surely speaking of her father. A man she did her best not to think of much these days considering she had provided that which the police needed to provide the third step to any crime. Opportunity, means, and most importantly; motive. With her own testimony given, although John’s was not available at the time, it had been more than enough to have the man in a cell for the last twelve days, bail denied. “He was arrested three days after.” She stated, her tone matter of fact as she masked any and all emotion surrounding this subject. Too much guilt there for her to fully process, nor was she ready to break down again as it had been days since her last true break down. “He’ll never get out, John. Ever.”

-June 4, 2016

#bookofjames #chaptertwenty #tildeath #jkhrist #rhyster #2016

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