Decisions

Chapter 8

I sat in my room and sighed. It was Christmas Eve and instead of spending it will my gorgeous girlfriend and wonderful family, I am stuck in here at this rehab place. This is fucking stupid. I am such an idiot. Why would I do this to myself? A knock sounded at the door breaking me out of my self- destructive thoughts and my head snapped up. "Jonas? You have a visitor." One of the nurses told me. My eyebrows knit together in confusion who was here? Immediately, I stood and followed her out to the visitor area. It was a large room with a bunch of tables everywhere and restrooms and vending machines off to the side. Sitting at the large table was Janey, my mom and two of my brothers all with large smiles on their faces. A smile immediately took over my features. I missed them. They came to visit me on Christmas Eve! My mom and Janey stood up at the same time to give me a hug. I hugged each of them tightly. Then were my brothers. I was happy to see them. "What's up guys? Where are Frankie and dad?" I asked once everyone was seated again. "Just wanted to see you sweetie. They're at home. Your father didn't think it would be appropriate to bring a child here" My mom said. "Nobody deserves to be alone on Christmas." Nick said. I smiled at them and let the fact that my father and my youngest brother weren't here. "I'm not alone though." I said being my usual smartass self. Nick and Kevin rolled their eyes at me. It was then that I notice Janey hadn't said anything. "Hey baby, what's up?" I asked. She shook her head but the huge smile remained on her face. Something was up. I shrugged my shoulders. Just then one of the nurses walked up to me. "Dr. Jenkins would like to speak to you for a minute." She said. I looked at her. "I'm visiting my family. Can't it wait?" She shook her head. "Sorry, but they can wait here. He said it won't take long." I sighed and shot them all an apologetic look while standing up. "Be right back guys." I told them while walking in the direction of the doctor's office. Once I reached the office the door was closed so I knocked and walked in. "Ah, Joseph. Sorry to take you away from your family but this couldn't wait." He said. "What is it?" I was beginning to get an uneasy feeling. "Well it's Christmas Eve and I am going to give you your present now." My face held a confused and slightly angry look. He called me down here away from my family just to give me a Christmas present? What the fuck? Just then he pushed some papers towards me. "What's this?" I asked. "Read them and find out." He said simply.

I, Dr. Richard Jenkins, hereby declare Joseph Adam Jonas mentally fit and stable to survive on the outside world without constant supervision. Joseph is required to visit me twice a month in my Los Angeles office.

My jaw dropped. I was going home?! Tears began to flood my eyes. This was amazing. I looked up at Dr. Jenkins. "Thank you! Thank you, so much!" I said. He smiled and told me to sign the papers. So I did. "Thank you doc. Thank you so much!" He chuckled. "It was nice to meet you Joseph. If you ever need anything my cell phone number is at the bottom of the page and if you don't then I will see you twice a month. Now if you don't have any questions you're free to go." I shook my head and smiled. "Thank you. I will see you in a couple weeks." I told him as I walked out of the office. I went to my room quickly and gathered the few personal belongings I had. I headed out to the lobby and to my great surprise my family was standing there. I cheered and hugged each of them again. "I'll be home for Christmas." I sang sweetly and softly into the ear of Janine as I hugged her. She giggled. "Is this why you weren't talking?" I asked her. She smiled wide and nodded. "Yeah, I didn't want to ruin the surprise." My eyebrows shot up. "Wait you all knew about this?" Everyone nodded with guilty smiles on their faces. "Is that why Frankie and dad didn't come?" I asked. Everyone nodded again. "Alright, well let's head home guys." My mom said. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and pulled her into my side and did the same with Janey as my brothers walked ahead of us. I am so happy. The car ride was filled with excited chatter as we made our way to the house. As soon as the car pulled up in the driveway of Nick's house, Frankie came barreling out the door. He launched himself at me. "Hey buddy." I said while chuckling. "I missed you so much." He said. "I missed you too." I told him. We started walking up to the house and there stood my father. "Hi dad." I said. He pulled me into a hug. "Hey son, I missed you." He told me. "How are you feeling?" He asked. "I missed you too. And I feel great. I will be home with my family on Christmas Eve." I told them. We all went inside and there were a bunch of presents underneath the tree. I pulled Janey into the kitchen with me. "Why did you drag me in here Joe?" She asked curiously. I didn't answer, instead I crashed my lips to here in a passionate kiss. Once breathing became an issue we pulled apart. "I missed you." I breathed while resting my forehead on hers. "I missed you, too." She said. "Alright, let's go back in there." With that we went back into the living room. I couldn't wipe the smile off of my face. I was home for Christmas.