Oops (General Hospital)

Puff the Magic Dragon

Yes, that's Abel Teller from SOA...

The Next Morning

     Julian paces in front of the NICU, trying not to look in. Kim comes up behind him, placing her chin on his shoulder. "You have to go see him. He's all alone in there and he knows it. If you think you're scared, how do you think he feels?"
     "You're right, I'm being selfish. I'm gonna go see him." He says, finally turning and looking. "Are you coming in with me?"
     "No, this is time for you and him. I'll go home and take care of the boys. Leo will need someone to tell him everything's going to be okay. I love you." She says, kissing his cheek. "I'm a phone call away."
     "I know." He goes to the door, pushing it open. As he gets to the incubator, he drops to his knees. Eventually he stands and goes into the bathroom, scrubbing his hands. He makes his way back out and works his hand through the port.
     His finger touches his son's chest, making them both flinch. They work into a rhythm, Julian going from the base of his neck to right above his belly button, not a long distance at all.
     "Hi, baby boy. I'm, I'm your daddy. I know, it's so scary. But Daddy's here now. I love you so very much and I'm gonna make sure nothing bad happens to you ever again. Starting with that bitch who did this to you. I'll wait until you fall asleep to leave, don't worry, you won't even know I'm gone."

A Few Hours Later

     Julian opens the door and walks right in, cracking his knuckles. Allison sits up, fresh tears running down her makeup stained face. "I'm so, so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt the baby."
     "Cocaine. You did cocaine when you were twenty five weeks pregnant with a baby you don't even have custody of. You didn't think cocaine would hurt an unborn baby? How fucking stupid are you?"
     "I wasn't thinking."
     "Clearly! You've been extorting money from me since you found out and have threatening an abortion since minute one. A judge will know that. I'll get my money back, and then some, and you'll go to prison for attempted murder and whatever drug charges they see fit. And if you get out, you'll never see our baby, assuming they survive."
     "I didn't mean to."
     "I don't give a shit what you meant to do. My baby is in an incubator with tubes down their throat." He growls, pressing his fist down on her stomach, making her yelp in pain. He pulls it away.
     "W-what is it? Is it a boy or a girl?"
     "None of your fucking business. You need to understand something, I want to kill you and if I decide to do it," He wraps his fingers around her neck, pressing just enough to make her gasp, "it's really fucking easy."
     She swallows, her lip quivering. He pushes her into the pillow before taking a step back. "When you get out of prison, if even for one second you considering coming to see my child, you will die in the cruelest way I can imagine."
     The door opens just as he finishes, an older blonde woman walking in. "Who are you?" She demands, putting herself between Julian and Allison.
     "I'm the father of the kid she almost killed." He spits, turning and going to leave. She follows him and grabs his arm.
     "Where is my grandchild?"
     "None of you are ever getting anywhere near him."
     "Him? Ally, it's a boy!-"
     As soon as the words leave her mouth, Julian has her pressed to the wall, his arm against her throat. "Google Julian Jerome before you fuck with me again. If I see either of you or anyone for either of you near my son's room, I won't hesitate to kill you." He states, slamming the door behind him.
     He gets to the baby's room and keeps walking, doing another lap around the hall. He couldn't go in as angry as he was.
     As he makes his way back, for good this time, he gets a glimpse of someone in his room. His blood boils as he opens the door. Liz turns around, giving him a weak smile. "Hi, Julian. How are you holding up?"
     He takes a breath and drops into the chair. "It's hard. He's so weak and just watching him, it's hard."
     "He's putting up one Hell of a fight." Liz tells him, sitting on the arm of the rocking chair. "I brought some books, so you can read to him. Hearing your voice will be good for him."
     "That's very kind of you. I hate to ask this of you, but could you give us some privacy?"
     "Don't be silly, of course. Kim called me and said what happened, I had a box of books out for Audrey, then I was gonna give them to you at the baby shower, but I figured since this little man is already here, I'd speed up the delivery. You're a great dad, Julian." She says, touching his shoulder as she leaves. Julian reaches down into the bag and takes out a book, flipping it over.
     He pulls the rocking chair closer to the incubator, washes his hands, and puts his hand in, rubbing his son's stomach. "I'm gonna read you a story. Auntie Liz thinks it'll help. I sure hope it does. I remember this song, I was little when it came out. My nanny used to sing it to me. I didn't really have a hands on dad. Let's see if I remember how it goes."
     He clears his throat, reading the first page and smiling. "Puff, the magic dragon, lived by the sea and frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honahlee. Little Jackie paper loved that rascal puff, and brought him strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff."
     He keeps going, starting to her choked up. "A dragon lives forever but not so little boys. Painted wings and giant rings make way for other toys. One grey night it happened, Jackie Paper came no more. And puff that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar. That's so depressing, I guess it was the sixties. Look, the book has a happy ending."

About a Week Later

     Alexis presses the elevator button and leans against the wall, rubbing her stomach. "I get it, little one, you didn't like Mommy's breakfast."
     The elevator stops, she gets out and starts down the hall, her thick jacket and big purse covering her more than obvious baby bump. She makes her way down the hall, stopping when she sees Julian at a coffee machine. She hides around the corner and watches him, he didn't look good.
     His beard had started to grow back and from the state of his clothes, he'd been sleeping over. She takes a deep breath and steps out from behind the corner, walking past him. He doesn't notice her, so she walks past him again. And again, he's too busy watching his coffee to see her. She walks past again, this time bumping into him. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I should've looked where I was go- Julian, hi."
     "Hi, Alexis. It's been a while, how have you been?" He asks, the exhaustion in his voice clear, raising her concern.
     "Good. I've been focusing a lot on myself, and it's helped. I haven't had the urge to drink in months, I feel better than ever."
     "I'm glad." He says, his voice flat. "What brings you to the hospital?"
     "TJ sprained his ankle last night and he left his hat in the waiting room. I had to go to the bathroom but every one I've checked is full." She tells him.
     "I have a private bathroom, you can use it."
     "Why do you have a room?" She asks, giving him a once over to check for injuries.
     "It's for my son."
     "Son? Oh no, are Leo or Lucas okay?" She asks, genuine concern behind her eyes.
     "Not them. It'll be easier to show you." He says, starting to walk. She follows him, careful to keep her bag in front of her. He opens the door, the heat from the room hitting her like a wave. His tee shirt made since now.
     She covers her mouth. "Oh my God. How early was he born?" She asks, going over and touching the incubator.
     "Twenty five weeks. He's doing much better now. He's put on weight, his color looks better, he's reacting to things. He likes when I sing to him."
     "Does he have a name yet?"
     "Officially he's still baby boy Jerome, but I've decided on one. Derek Julian Jerome. I figured, mom's not around so I get to pick whatever I want. And honestly, I've always wanted a kid named after me."
     "Mom's not around? Oh no, did Kim not make it? Oh, Julian, I'm so sorry for your lo-"
     "Kim's not Derek's mom. Kim and Charlie are fine."
     "Charlie?"
     "It's what we've been calling our baby. It's kinda meant to be. Though we still don't know what we're having, so we end up needing a new name." Julian laughs, leaning back in the rocking hair.
     "So you and Kim are happy?" She asks, a disappointed tone following her words.
     "We are. It's been a rough week, but we're doing good. Why do you care?"
     She sits in one of the other chairs, her purse on her lap. "I still care about you. I still want you. I've tried to not, but you're always who I think of when I think about my future." She says, careful to leave out the part about how it's him and their baby.
     He scratches at his scruff. After several seconds of him silently looking at her, he exhales. "I want you to leave. You can use the bathroom if you still need, but I don't wanna talk to you anymore. I'm happy with Kim, and we're expecting a baby together."
     "So are we!" Alexis blurts out, pushing her purse off and standing up, letting him see her bump.
     He leans forward, his words getting caught in his throat. "This conversation isn't over. But I'm not doing this here or now. Not in front of Derek and not before I've had my coffee. I will come over tomorrow and we will discuss custody, the baby's health, why you kept them from me, and everything else. Now get out of my son's room."
     She picks up her purse and nods. "I do, um, still have to go to the bathroom."
     "Make it quick." He says, leaning back again. He looks over at Derek, who's already looking at him. "Don't give me that look, I'm in a tough spot. And I smell like a God damn teenager."