Parents.. with different treatment

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Colby stood by the hospital room door, staring at his son Xander, who lay still in the bed, a mess of wires and tubes surrounding him. Xander looked so small, frail, and vulnerable—a stark contrast to the lively, energetic boy who usually bounded around, his wild energy barely contained. It was hard to see Xander like this, hooked up to machines helping him breathe, heart monitors tracking every fragile beat.

Valerie had told Colby he should come to the hospital, that maybe he could use the time to bond with Xander. Part of him didn't want to be there; he felt a distance from his oldest son that he couldn't always explain. But as he watched Xander now, his thoughts shifted. Seeing his son like this, struggling with the weight of something so painful, touched a place in him he rarely felt.

He took a deep breath and slowly walked into the room, easing himself down on the chair beside the bed. Xander's face was pale, and there was a tightness around his eyes even in sleep. Colby reached over hesitantly, placing a hand on Xander's small hand, noticing how fragile and cold it felt.

"Hey, buddy," he whispered, his voice softer than it had been in a long time.

There was no answer, just the rhythmic beeping of the machines. Colby felt a strange pang in his chest—a mix of guilt, regret, and a deeper protective instinct he hadn't tapped into before.

Hours passed, and still, Colby stayed. Every so often, Xander would stir, his eyes fluttering open briefly, confusion and pain clouding them. Each time, Colby would lean in, brushing Xander's hair back gently.

"You're gonna be okay, Xander. I know you are," he murmured quietly, feeling the weight of those words. They were meant to comfort Xander, but they held something deeper for Colby. He hadn't always been patient with his son, hadn't always tried to understand the things that made him different. But as he sat there, he wondered what he had been so harsh about in the past.

At one point, Xander woke up fully, his eyes focusing on Colby. There was fear in his gaze, but also a flicker of surprise to see his father there. Colby took a deep breath, swallowing the knot in his throat.

"How are you feeling, buddy?" Colby asked, his voice soft.

Xander's voice was faint, but he managed a small reply. "It hurts, Dad."

"I know," Colby said, his voice catching. "I wish I could take it all away for you."

Xander looked up at his dad, searching his face, as if he couldn't quite believe the gentleness he was hearing. After a moment, he whispered, "Are you... mad at me?"

The question hit Colby like a punch. How could he explain that he was realizing how wrong he'd been, how much he'd let his frustrations with Xander's struggles shape their relationship? Taking a deep breath, he leaned closer, placing his hand gently on Xander's shoulder.

"No, Xander. I'm not mad at you. I've... I've been wrong about a lot of things," he admitted, his voice barely audible. "I want you to get better, and I want to be better for you, too."

Xander didn't respond, but his eyes softened, and he closed them again, drifting back into sleep. Colby stayed by his side, stroking his hand gently, thinking about all the moments he'd let slip by and all the times he could have been a better father.

Over the next few days, Colby kept coming back to the hospital, often staying for hours, sometimes even through the night. He was there for every test, every doctor's visit, and every restless night Xander had. He'd even taken to reading Xander's favorite stories aloud, though he hadn't done it in years.

Xander still had his seizures, still struggled with his heart and lungs, but he seemed to find a little peace with Colby by his side. Sometimes, when he was lucid, he'd open his eyes and give his dad a small, tentative smile. And each time, Colby felt his own heart lift, realizing how much he wanted to hold onto these moments, to be the dad Xander deserved.

One night, Xander looked up at him, his voice weak but steady. "Will you stay, Dad?"

Colby leaned closer, squeezing his hand. "I'll be here, Xander. I promise. For as long as you need me."

In that quiet moment, Colby realized he meant it.