AppleHeart

Chapter Twenty-two

Returning to the dreaded waiting room of the hospital felt more, for a lack of a better term, unnerving than the first time. Farja and Dalmatia held Jack's hands as they sit down in the waiting room. Jack twiddled his thumbs around nervously. The trio waited for about thirty minutes before a doctor called them in.

The trio walked down the hall of rooms where doctors and nurses were walking in and out of. They finally approached the room where Apple resided. Dalmatia slowly reached for the door handle, he opened it and stepped inside. Farja followed behind, lastly, Jack entered. Jack closed his eyes and braced himself. Once he was close enough, he opened one of his red eyes as if to peek at something forbidden.

There, lying in the hospital bed, still unconscious, was Apple Poison. His appearance wasn't as bad as Jack thought; his head was bandaged, making his neatly combed hair messy, the cuts he had were cleaned and patched up. Tears pricked the corners of Jack's eyes as he gently placed his gloved hand on Apple's. "I'm sorry," He pulled Apple's hand to his lips, the hand felt somewhat cold but grew warm as it came in contact with Jack's kiss.

Mr. Dalmatia and Farja stood on the other side of Apple. Dal held his other hand, delicately and allowing his body heat warm up Apple's hand. Farja gripped Dalmatia's shoulder as she watched Jack. She wanted to say something to ease him but the words were caught in her throat, preventing her from speaking. Farja decided to stay quiet and placed her attention back on Apple. Her ears, however, focused on Jack's sad whispers. 

"You were always there for me, Appoi," Jack spoke as he brought Apple's hand to his forehead, "Even when we fought, you were there to keep me out of harm's way." As Jack kissed Apple's hand for the second time, he felt something twitch in his palm. He ignored it thinking it was his imagination. Mr. Dalmatia also felt some movement in his hand but this time, took notice of it. He looked down at the hand he was holding. Dalmatia glanced back at Apple's face, that's when he noticed one of the eyes twitching.

"I wish you were awake," Jack whispered.

"I... am..." Jack heard a weak voice respond. Jack ignored it.

"It's like I can hear you talk."

"Jack... look at... me." Jack slowly raised his head. Then he gasped.

In the hospital bed, is a conscious Apple Poison. Those sapphire eyes visible, his lips smiling weakly. Jack let out a cry before leaping onto Apple to embrace him.

"Ow, ow, ow!" Apple exclaimed. Jack immediately broke the hug.

"I'm so sorry, I forgot you have a broken rib." 

"It's alright," Apple chuckled softly, he outstretched his arms, inviting Jack for another hug, the entertainer embraced him for the second time, but gently. Dalmatia and Farja began crying in pure joy while joining in on the hug fest.

"You're okay, oh Disney, you're okay!" Jack exclaimed. His tears stained Apple's shirt as he buried his face into his shoulder.

"Yeah, I'm relieved you're okay as well," Apple replied. 

"WeweresoworriedaboutyouWedidn'tknowwhenyouweregoingtowakeupwethoughtyouweregoingtodieI'msohappyyou'realive..." Farja said in one breath and proceeded to chattered on until her sobs interrupted her speech.

"Please, don't ever do that again," Dalmatia whimpered. All four of them stayed in their huddle for a few more seconds until they eventually broke the hug.

"It was my fault..." Jack spoke softly.

"No," Apple inserted, "Don't do that." Apple reached for Jack's hand and squeezed it.