I'll Fight Hell to Hold You

Are You Improving?

Gene had been in the hospital with Eric for three weeks now. Other than Eric opening his eyes briefly and closing them again, Gene had seen no improvement. His birthday had come and gone with the 8  kids, Paul, Tommy, and Bruce bringing him dinner and a cake to celebrate with. Gene had barely eaten a bite. 

"Gene, you will not make Eric get any better by getting sick yourself!" said Bruce firmly. "Now eat!"

Looking shocked at the harsh words from Bruce, Gene ate his dinner and some of the cake. He was thankful he had such great friends. "I truly appreciate everything you're doing." 

Bruce offered to stay the night so Gene could go home to get clean clothes and spend time with his kids. "Just let me go get my duffle bag and I'll be right back." "Gene, I will call you if anything changes. Now go!"

Gene gathered all his and Eric's things and left. Paul and Tommy helped get the kids settled into their car seats and told Gene to meet them at the pizza place for dinner. "The kids can play and we can hang out. you still owe us stories." said Paul.

"Alright , I'll be there at five." sighed Gene. "Thank again guys."

While Bruce read at Eric's bedside, he could hear Eric trying to wake up. "Easy Eric. You're in the hospital. Don't try and sit up too quick." Bruce looked up to see Eric staring at him. "Hey, you scared everyone half to death." Bruce filled him in on what had happened.

"Baby? Is it okay?" asked Eric weakly. 

"I think so." "Your blood pressure's too high so you've been touch and go for awhile."

Eric stayed awake for awhile. He was slowly taking in the fact he was hooked up to machines and an I.V. "Call for food. Starving." 

Bruce went to the cafeteria instead. He got soup, yogurt, applesauce and juice. Lots of crackers, peanut butter and a banana. As he passed the freezer he picked up ice cream too.

Going back into the room, he set everything down by the bed. "I'll feed you since you're still weak."

Eric managed to keep down soup and crackers. He devoured the juice and ate a few bites of applesauce. "Yuck. I can't see how Draco loves this stuff."

"I like applesauce." said Bruce. "I'll finish it."

The peanut butter and banana were left for later. Eric wanted the ice cream so Bruce fed it to him. "Feel a bit better?"

Eric called Gene and talked to him and the kids. Gene promised he'd be back later that night.