1980's Oneshots

Car Accident (2)-Family Ties

   "I'm here," Alex said as he walked into the hospital. His family jumped up from the waiting room and ran to hug him. They sat down and made attempts at small talk. Mallory and Nick sat holding each other's hands, Andy was placed on Steven's lap, and Alex was laying with his mom, his arm around her.

   "Keatons?" A doctor asked. They all stood up at rapid speeds, worry evident in their postures and movements. "Jennifer is out of surgery. She has multiple bruised and cracked ribs, which will heal over time. We are more worried about head trauma."

   "Head trauma?" Alex asked, taking his mom's hand in his. The doctor nodded sympathetically.

   "In the crash, her head suffered a far more severe concussion then could happen anywhere else. Shes asleep right now, and there's no telling when she may wake up, and when she does... you need to be prepared for possible memory loss or brain damage," he said. Mallory sobbed intensely into Nick's shoulder as he tried to comfort her. Failing miserably, he picked her up bridal style and walked her over to a couch, setting her on his lap and tucking her head into his chest, soothing her and whispering sweet words. Alex led his mom to the couch and started wiping the tears from her face, even though he knew new ones would keep returning.

   "I'm so scared," she said, Alex nodded and hugged her tightly, kissing her hair.

   "I am too mom. Jennifer is tough. She'll pull through," he said, but he was starting to wonder if he believed it himself.

Time passed slowly in the hospital. Not being allowed to see their daughter/sister, the family was slowly getting more and more worried. They took turns trying to distract Andy from the news that his sister could be in worse shape then he believed, but Alex had been Andy's mentor. He knew what was happening. It was times like these that Alex wished he hadn't taught Andy so much. When Nick went to the restroom and left Mallory alone on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, Alex walked over to his sister. He hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead.

"I've got you Mallory. It's okay," he said. She continued to cry as he comforted her.

"Alex what if something goes wrong. She's my little sister. I can't loose her," she said before bursting into hysterics. Alex held her tighter, tears escaping his own eyes at a much faster rate then earlier. He was starting to lose his resolve to stay strong for the family. Who was he kidding? He just wanted to run into his sister's hospital room and hold onto her and never let go. Alex took his sister's face in his hands.

"Our little sister is stronger then any of us give her credit for. She won't leave us. We have to believe that she is going to be okay," he said. Mallory sniffled and Alex grabbed something tissues from the nearby stand. He handed them to her and she thanked him. Soon, Nick returned and took Alex's seat. Alex couldn't remember why they had always given Nick so much grief. He treated Mallory the way all girls wanted to be treated, and he was always kind to their family. He made a mental note to be kinder to Nick.

"Elyse?" Steven asked his wife. She nodded, to let him know that she was listening. "I just want our little girl to be alright."

"Me too Steven. Me too," she said. They continued to wait and wait for news they didn't know if they would want to hear.