General Hospital Rewrite Part One

November 25th 2016

10:21 a.m.
     Julian rubs his ring and taps his foot. Alexis looks over and holds his hand, leaning against him. He relaxes and puts his arms around her. "I'm sure everything is fine." she assures him. The familiarity of the situation makes him feel nauseated. The last time they'd been in this spot, they'd found out about their miscarried baby. He moves his hands to her stomach and rubs slow circles. "You're thinking the same thing I am." she tells him, putting her hands on his. "They might've been born by now." he says. "I think about that all the time. What could have been."
     She sighs and picks his hand up. "How are you feeling?" she asks. "Fine." he answers. "How's your side?" she corrects. "A little sore." he admits. "Are you breathing alright?" she worries. "Hey, hey, just a little sore. We're just here so Dr. Monroe can give me the all clear and you don't have to worry." he says. "I'm still gonna worry." she tells him. Griffin walks in. "I was hoping you'd take better care of yourself." he says. "Well hello to you too." Julian sits up. "What happened?" he asks. "I dropped a box on myself."
     Griffin looks at Alexis. "Wrap him in bubble wrap." he tells her. "Trust me, I've been thinking about it these last few months." she says. Griffin looks back over at Julian. "Does it hurt to walk, breathe, lift your arms, and or turn to the side?" he questions. "No, not really, no, only slight." he answers. "When did this happen?" he asks. "A few days ago, maybe it was more like a week." he says. "Okay, take your shirt off and get on the exam table." he instructs. Julian stands and unbuttons his shirt, sitting on the edge of the exam table.
     Griffin looks him over and presses a hand directly against his side, making him wince. "Well, there's no swelling and if it did happen when you say it did, it's healing at the rate we'd expect. As far as I can tell, everything is fine." he says. Alexis sighs with relief. "So I'm all clear?" he asks. "Yes, as long as this doesn't happen again." he warns. "It won't." he says. "Damn right it won't." Alexis pitches in. "Mrs. Jerome, would you mind if I had a moment alone with your husband?" he asks. Alexis looks between them and eventually grabs her purse and walks out.
     "Am I in trouble?" he asks. "Not physically." Griffin starts. Julian starts buttoning his shirt. "Do you realize what you're doing to her?" he demands. "She was terrified for you. Not her, not your baby, you. Man, she's carrying your kid and you put your health at risk, why? Cause you were too proud to admit you needed help?" he asks. "I didn't want to worry her over nothing." he says. "Well she is worried. Now maybe telling her would've upset her little, but you know what else is upsetting? Waking up and finding your husband died in his sleep cause he had internal bleeding."
     "Well you said I'm fine so that wasn't gonna happen." Julian retorts. "It could've. You need to be more careful. Not just for you anymore, for your wife and unborn baby." he tells him. "I will." he says. "Don't promise me. Promise her by being more careful now." he says. Julian gets off the exam table and picks up his coat. "If we're done here, I'd like to go home now." he says. "Don't take yourself away from her and your little miracle." Griffin says. "Thank you Dr. Monroe." he walks out and closes the door. "What'd you talk about?" Alexis asks.
     "He just wanted to ask how Jo's doing." he lies. "Oh, okay. I'm gonna go to the bathroom real quick. Hold my stuff?" she asks. He takes her coat and purse from her and kisses her cheek. Julian catches a glimpse of Brad, followed by Lucas. Brad heads one way and Lucas heads towards him. He stops in front for him, blocking his path. "Hey Dad." he greets. "Thought you said Brad was sick." he says. Lucas looks down. "Did you think I wouldn't figure it out? How long have you two been fighting?" he asks. "A couple weeks."
     "Well knock it off. I noticed how Jackson was acting yesterday, I knew something was up. Stop," he puts his hand up when Lucas goes to speak, "I'm not stupid. I don't want any bull response or excuses. Just stop. For Jackson. That boy lost his mother and seeing his fathers fight isn't good for him. He is a good kid, I mean a really good kid. Don't mess him up because you and your husband aren't always in agreement." he states. "Dad, Brad's been an asshole these last few weeks. He's-"
     "Don't put the blame on him because you think I'll take your side." he warns. "So you're taking Brad's side?" he asks. "No, I'm taking Jack's. He's the one with everything to lose. As long as there's no abuse of any kind, I don't care why you're fighting, just fix it." he tells him. Lucas lowers his eyes. "Hey, you know I love you, but I love Jack too. I know you're hurting, but Jack is hurting too." he says. Lucas nods. "We'll work on it." he promises. "If you ever need, our home is always open. To Jackson and you." he adds. "Thanks Dad."
     "I'll see you Lucas." he goes to turn away. "Dad, why you in the hospital?" he asks. "Nothing important." he says. "Baby's okay?" he asks. "The baby is perfect." he assures him. "Okay that's good." he takes a second. "I shouldn't be telling you this, but a patient was injured in the riot at Pentonville. They won't treat him there cause he's got AIDs, Hunter Turner. Don't do anything you'll regret." he warns. "Thanks for telling me." Julian looks away. "I didn't tell you so you could do anything to him. Just thought you should know."
     "I'm not gonna do anything." he promises. Alexis walks over. "Hey Lucas, long time no see." she jokes. "Hi Alexis, you look wonderful. I gotta go." he grabs a folder and walks off. "He seem off to you?" she asks. Julian shakes his head. "Nope." he lies.