I'll Fight Hell to Hold You

Tommy's Rough Day

Tommy slept fitfully for about two hours before he woke up sweating. "Paul? I don't feel good at all." He was pale and covered in sweat. "Paul?" 

Paul had stepped out to get a soda and had just come back in when he heard Tommy calling for him. "Sh, baby." "I'm right here." He looked over and saw the sweat pouring off Tommy. "Paul, I feel awful."

The nurse came in and re-started Tommy's I.V. "Mr. Thayer, try to take some deep breaths and I'll bring you some ginger tea." She heard Tommy trying to draw in some air. Soon his breathing evened out as he was able to relax.

Paul was worried to death that Tommy was going to go into early labor. He gripped his hand tightly and talked soothingly to him. "Baby, close your eyes." He brushed the hair out of Tommy's eyes and told him to lean on his shoulder. "I'm here." Taking all of Tommy's jewelry off, Paul placed it in his pocket and started getting ready to bed bathe his husband. "I can allow Mr. Thayer to shower if you'll stay with him." said the nurse. She extended the tubing on the I.V.

Tommy nodded weakly. "Paul, my ring's gone!"

"It's in my pocket. I'm going to get you showered and cleaned up before I put it back on." Paul picked up Tommy and carried him to the bathroom. Depositing him on the chair, he started the tub and began to undress Tommy. After gathering clean clothes and getting Tommy into the tub, Paul knelt down on the floor and started bathing his husband. The whole time he was doing it, Paul took mental notes of all the scars especially the fresher ones on the wrists and arms. Holding up the glass of ginger tea, Paul had Tommy sip it.

About an hour after the bath, Tommy fell asleep, his arms wrapped around Paul's black t-shirt and his jewelry freshly cleaned and back on. Paul had asked the others if they could take turns staying with Tommy until he was released. 

The schedule was as follows: Midnight-Six A.M. Bruce

Six A.M -Noon Pat

Noon- Six P.M. Gene 

Six - Midnight Eric 

Paul would come and go since he was taking care of the triplets and to relieve the others periodically. This went on for three days.