Guns N Roses: A Second Chance

Chapter Twelve: Sweet Child O Mine Axi Rose

Axl scribbled in a legal pad. The scribbles turned into words. The words became lyrics. Seated next to him was Izzy. Sitting in Izzy's lap, asleep, was Izzy Jr. Now that Axl had completely forgotten about his anger towards Izzy he was glad his friend got his son back. Seated on the other side of Axl was Erin. Her hand rested on Axl's arm. Mainly to keep him calm.

Footsteps. Axl didn't raise his head. He didn't want anybody see his face. Read his pained eyes and the stupidity in his head. He heard Slash grunt.

"Is Axl ok?" He heard Steven ask.

"Of course he is. It's Axi we gotta worry about," Duff said. Wasn't it Duff who had brought along the legal pad? Or was it Slash? Maybe even Steven? Axl didn't remember. He had been sitting in that chair for a couple hours. He felt a twinge of pain when he stretched out his legs for he hadn't moved them in a long time but he didn't care. He felt so fucking stupid on so many levels.

The scene from earlier kept flashing into his head: Hearing Duff or Izzy calling his name and turning in time to see Axi stumble down the stairs. The toddler hadn't fallen very far, only down like three or four steps before Axl had grabbed him. Still, the boy had been out cold and Axl had a total meltdown. He didn't remember anything after seeing Axi's startled, blank eyes and hearing Izzy and Duff shout.

Now, here in the hospital, Axl tried to remember. Which Gunner drove him here? Did any of them even do it? Did Erin call an ambulance? Did any of this even matter?!

"Mister Rose?" Axl's head snapped up. He suddenly felt like a teenager again, in trouble for God-Knows-What-But-Boy-Was-He-Going-to-Get-a-Beating-For-It. Except he wasn't getting a beating. Axi couldn't hurt him, Izzy wouldn't, and Erin was too sweet. He half-expected the nurse to correct herself and say "Mister Bailey". But she didn't of course.

"I'm pleased to tell you that your son is ok," Relief flooded through Axl. He grinned and ignored the tears this time. They were tears of relief. He let out a laugh and jumped up, wrapping his arms around the nurse. The nurse laughed.

"Thank you so much," he whispered.

"Thank the doctor Mister Rose. But....be prepared for a lecture," She started to warn. Axl didn't hear her. Like an excited child on Christmas day he bolted out of the waiting room, not waiting for any of the Gunners. He ran straight into the E.R. And nearly ran into Angel.

"You!" The two growled, glaring at each other.

"What are you doing here?"

"That's something I can ask you you whore!"

"I fucking work here you stupid shit!"

"...Really? This is the special hospital?" Angel hesitated and Axl smirked.

"Gotcha."

"Ok ok so this isn't my hospital. I was having an ultra sound." For a moment Axl forgot. Then he remembered.

"Oh....right. You still won't let me see my child when it's born will you?"

"No."

"Please! I at least wanna know if the baby will be a boy or girl!"

"No way in Hell Axl," Angel said darkly. Her eyes fell on something behind him and her expression changed from anger to fear. Axl looked back. All he saw were the other Gunners with Mini GN'R and Erin. When Axl looked to Angel she was gone. He stared for a moment at where she was then shook his head.

"Was that...?"

"Yeah, it was Slash," Slash shook his head of long curls. Slash Jr giggled and tugged on Slash's hair.