I'll Fight Hell to Hold You

How Long Am I In For?

Gene and Eric were face timing with Paul, Tommy and the 8 kids when the nurse came in. "Hey, Paul, I'll get back with you in a bit. The nurse is here." said Gene.

"Alright. Let me know what's going on."

"Bye dada! Bye mama!" chorused the kids.

"Bye guys. We love you." said Gene and Eric together.

The nurse didn't want to tell either one the news but she had to. "You're not going to be able to go home until the babies are born. I'm so sorry." "You're on strict bed rest for the next seven months."

Eric's eyes grew big. "You mean I have to stay here?" "I want to be at home. I can rest there." "Gene! I'm not staying in a hospital!"

Gene's jaw dropped. "Why must he stay here? Is he or the twins in danger?"

The nurse replied it was doctor's orders. "All I know is what's in the chart. I'm sorry. If you like I can get the doctor to come in."

"Yes! I want to see him!" snapped Eric.

The nurse left quickly and Gene turned to Eric. "Er-"

"NO! IF YOU ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN I WILL GET UP AND LEAVE! YOU WILL NEVER FIND ME!" yelled Eric. "Get out and go find a lawyer! Now!" Eric's face was red.

Gene left to see if he could get answers. He hoped Eric calmed down soon.

Back in the room, Eric was angrily ripping out the I.V. line. He slapped a bandage on his arm, tied his shoes and quickly headed to the elevator. He was going to walk home and pack his things. Unfortunately he was weak and nearly passed out in the hall. His vision went black and he felt himself falling down.

Gene was in the lobby when all the alarms went off. "ERIC!" he yelled, running down the hall towards the room. He was held back by the staff. "Mr. Simmons, no. It's bad." 

"Eric! My twins! Let me through, please!" 

Gene was allowed through---but wished he hadn't been. Blood was everywhere. Eric was on a stretcher being rushed to the operating room. The hallway looked like a murder scene. Gene stood there in shock. "Is he---my babies? Are they---?" he trailed off.

Someone from the hospital had called Paul who was now rushing to the hospital. Tommy said he'd be there when Bruce came to the house to watch the kids.

Paul ran in, down the hall and nearly fell in all the blood. "Gene?!" "What happened?"

The nurse told Paul since Gene was still in shock. "Mr. Mensinger-Simmons pulled the I.V. line and was trying to leave. His actions nicked a vein and he started bleeding. As he grew weaker, he passed out and fell which caused him to bleed harder. All of them are in danger of-----"

"Dying?" whispered Paul. "Oh my God!" 

Gene was openly crying at this point. "Paul, I can't lose my family."

All Paul could do was wrap his arms around Gene.