Growing Love

10

Freddy

"Babe, are you happy here?" I was playing with Izzy's red hair. I like her hair, because it's so bright and colorful, just like her.

"Of coarse. Why?" She turned to look at me, causing the braid I was doing to break apart. She held my hand, and I stared into her bright blue eyes.

"We've only been dating a few months, and I already asked you to move in with me. I just want to make sure you're not feeling pressured." She kissed me, and I felt a warmth inside me. She's not my first kiss, but she is the first to make me feel this way. Happy in love.

"Freddy I love it here, and I love that you look out for me. I don't feel pressured, I feel loved. Don't worry so much." We laid down, with her in my arms, and her head on my chest. It was a nice moment. When my phone rang and ruined it. "Who is calling at three in the morning?" I grabbed my phone off the nightstand and answered it.

"Hello?" I didn't check the caller I.D

"Mr. McClain? My name is Riley, I'm a nurse at Stanford hospital." That made me sit up fast, causing Izzy to sit up too. She was looking worried now. I don't think the look on my face was helping that either.

"What happened? Is my brother okay?!" My heart was beating like crazy. But then I heard the smile on her voice, and it was like god himself was calming me down.

"Mr. McClain, I called to let you know that Michael is staring to responding properly. He asked for you the second he could say a proper word." I almost dropped the phone, tears were streaming down my cheeks, hitting the covers on my bed. I couldn't speak, but I needed to answer her. So I took a shaky deep breath, and wiped the tears the best I could.

"Thank you. I'll be right there." She said okay, and hung up. I shot out of bed, and started screaming to wake everyone up. "Everyone wake up! Get up! Come on!" I could hear Nick Crying upstairs. In a matter of seconds, everyone was downstairs.

"Son, I love you. But what in the hell are you doing waking us up?" They all looked half dead. But one look at my tear stained face woke them right the hell up. "What happened?" Dad was instantly at my side with a hand on my shoulder, I smiled at the parental love me and Mickey never got. But that was gonna chance soon.

"The hospital called, Mickey talked! He's responding now!" We watched as James ran out the door like he was on fire, he didn't even grab any shoes. We laughed and followed behind him, Jenny grabbing a pair of slippers from one of the closest. We got into separate cars, and headed for the hospital. The nurses recognized us at this point and just smiled as we headed for his room. There, with bright blue eyes with specks of green, was my little brother. His shy and timid smile on his tear stained face as he looked at me. I didn't even know I was crying until I felt Izzy wipe my tears away.

"B-b-big b-b-b-brother." He still has his stutter, but it sounds cute with his soft voice. I smiled as the tears ran down my face. I sat next to him, and ran my fingers through his hair like I used to do when we were kids. He closed his eyes and smiled. I looked to the others and saw the smiles and tears in their eyes. But I saw more in James' eyes. I know that emotion well, and I know he is scared to say or do anything just in case it isn't how he hopes. In case Mickey doesn't respond the same way to him now.

"Mickey, you have no idea how much I missed you." I held his hand, and gripped it enough for him to know I am here with him. That he is awake, and that we are together again.

"I m-m-missed y-y-you t-too." He looked to the others, and I could tell he was nerves. He has always been scared around new people. I stuck my hand out to pull Izzy next to me. Mickey looked at Izzy in silent confusion, but tried to smile at her.

"Michael." The use of his actual name made him know what I was about to tell him was important. I never used our birth-names unless it was important. "There are some people that I want you to meet. A lot has changed while you have been asleep, and I am happy to say it is for the better." He nodded his head, letting me know to continue. I smiled and kissed Izzy's hand, her smile making me smile right back at her. "This red haired beauty is my amazing girlfriend Isabella." I saw his eyes grow big with amazement. I think at the fact that I actually got a girlfriend.

"Call me Izzy. I am so happy to finally meet you Michael." He smiled at her, and I saw how happy it made Izzy to know that he was okay with her. I then looked to Charles, and nodded my head. He walked towards us, and I gave him my seat. He looked to Mickey and I saw him lean further into the pillows. Something he did when he was a kid was lean back when he was scared. I guess not much has changed while he was in his coma. I held his hand, and gave him a reassuring smile.

"Mickey, this is a man that I am beyond thankful for." I saw Charles give me a grateful smile, and look back to Mickey. He tried to relax, and stopped leaning into his pillow so much.

"Hello Michael. I am so happy to finally get the chance to speak with you. I know that this may be a lot to take in now that you have woken up. But I want to be the one to let you know, so you are not so confused later on." I haven't see Charles this nerves. It makes me feel happy to know he cares so much about Mickey already, and how this might make him feel. "Michael. I am, your adopted father."

"W-w-what?" He looked to me for answers. I know now look too well. He thought we were going to be separated again. I smiled and ran my fingers through his hair, calming him down.

"Don't worry Mickey, he's my dad too. We actually have a new adopted brother too. Unfortunately we can't get a hold of him right now, so I think he is still working. But don't worry. He is a real cool and nice guy, a real family man. His husband is here with their son." One by one, we introduced each one to him. He liked Ethan, and he even held Nick. Nick took and instant liking to him. Jenny shocked him by how hyper and loud she was. He laughed when Marcus covered her mouth. He found it interesting when Marcus told him he was once a girl. He wanted to know more, and Marcus promised to tell him more later. He liked Alastor, and he thought Val was an angel. Can't really blame him, she is a stunning woman. The last person to introduce themselves was James. We all stood back and watched them interact. James took the seat next to him, and smiled at him. Almost instantly, I noticed the blush form on my little brother's face. I don't even think he realized he was practically mesmerized by James. I guess I won't have to worry about these two after all. They talked, and it was like they have known each other for years. Before we could let the happy mood fully sink in, a bomb was dropped on our happiness. Again.

"Excuse me?" We all looked towards the door where a petit woman in hospital scrubs was standing. She looked at all of us with a worried expression. I recognized her as the nurse that usually greets us as we come in. "I'm sorry to interrupt. But you are all family of Carter McClain-Kingman right?" Ethan instantly stepped up with Nick in his arms, and Charles at his side. I took his other side, while Izzy held my hand.

"Yes. What happened?" I could tell he was starting to panic. Ethan has been a little on edge lately, and this may only make it worse. The last thing we need is something sending him over the edge again.

"Mr. McClain-Kingman was just brought in. A janitor from his job found him unconscious on his office floor. He is in examination right now, but he will be moved to a room right next door. I just wanted to let you know. I recognized him as soon as he was brought in." We thanked the nurse, and just looked at each other in worry and confusion. So many questions were running through our heads. The main ones were what the hell happened? And how much more shit is this family gonna be put through?!