Parents.. with different treatment

Continued

It had been nearly two weeks since Xander was admitted to the hospital, and each day felt like a small battle. The oxygen mask and IV had become familiar companions, and Xander had grown used to the steady rhythm of the machines around him. Though his mom and Uncle Sam visited daily, there was one face he hadn't seen since he'd arrived—his dad, Colby.

One afternoon, as Xander lay quietly in bed, he heard a familiar voice at the door. He looked up, and his heart leapt as he saw Colby standing there, a hesitant look in his eyes.

"Dad?" Xander's voice was barely a whisper, but his eyes sparkled with a happiness he hadn't felt in weeks.

Colby stepped into the room, his hands in his pockets as he approached Xander's bed. Valerie and Sam exchanged wary glances, but they stayed quiet, letting father and son have their moment. Colby took a seat beside Xander, his gaze softening as he took in his son's pale face, the oxygen mask, and the IV line taped to his small arm.

"Hey, buddy," Colby said softly, a small, uncertain smile on his face. "How are you feeling?"

Xander's face lit up with a joy that was rare to see these days. "I'm... I'm okay," he whispered through the mask, his hand reaching out slightly. "I missed you, Dad."

Colby seemed taken aback, his eyes flickering with something that looked like regret. He gently took Xander's hand, his thumb tracing small circles over his son's delicate fingers. "I missed you too, Xander," he said, his voice barely above a murmur.

The room fell into a comfortable silence as they simply held hands, Xander's eyes never leaving his dad's face, as if trying to savor every second. For once, there was no tension, no fear—just a quiet moment between father and son. Valerie watched with cautious hope, praying that this visit might mark the beginning of something better for Xander, a small glimmer of change in Colby.

After a few minutes, Xander spoke again, his voice soft but hopeful. "Will you come see me again, Dad? I... I like it when you're here."

Colby hesitated, a flicker of something complicated crossing his face, but he nodded, his voice steady. "Yeah, Xander. I'll come back. I promise."

Xander's face broke into a smile, his eyes bright despite the strain in them. For the first time in a long time, he felt a little bit of peace, holding onto the hope that his dad's promise might actually be real. And as Colby sat with him, Valerie and Sam could only hope that this small step might lead to a better future for Xander, one where he could finally feel safe, loved, and truly seen by his father.