After All (A Jordan Knight/Joe McIntyre Fanfiction)

19

When Amber arrives at the hospital she and Andi go to the floor her mom told them her dad is on. "Mom, how's Dad? Can I see him?"

Susan, her face tear streaked and sad, grabs Amber. She hugs her daughter  tight, "Baby girl, your dad's in surgery right now. He had a massive heart attack. He's having a triple bypass. Your dad's unhealthy eating habits finally caught up with the old coot. You can see him after the surgery." A sad, weak laugh escapes her lips. It was no secret around their house that James Carson loved food. Especially red meat and loads of carbs. Susan had tried to get him to eat healthier as he got older. She was always reminding him that he wasn't twenty-one anymore. Now it was definitely all catching up with him. Blocked arteries, high blood pressure from working too hard. Amber hugs her mother tighter, trying to hold her together with her arms. She knew her dad was her mom's whole world. Amber wanted to fall apart, but knew she had to be strong for her mom. She needed her more than ever now.

Two hours later a doctor finally comes out to give them some news. "Mrs. Carson, your husband is out of surgery. The bypass went well, but...." the doctor paused and their world stopped. "But? But what?" Amber hates the word "but", that one word can turn good news bad in an instant. It feels like forever before the doctor continues. "But there were some other complications. Mrs. Carson your husband had a stroke while on the table. Unfortunately that can happen when a patient is under anesthesia for a long period of time. He's alive, but it could be a while before he wakes up. We want to keep him sleeping until we can find out how much, if any, damage was done by the stroke. He's being moved into recovery where he'll be observed and then we'll move him to ICU where you'll be able to see him."

Amber's heart sinks, a stroke and a massive heart attack. But he's alive, that's what matters. He's alive, focus on that, he's alive. "Mom that's good, he's alive. Daddy's the strongest man I know. He'll come back to us. We're his girls, his life force as he's always said. He won't leave us yet. He knows we need him. We just have to be there for him mom." Susan is, as always, amazed by her daughter. "I'm so happy you're here sweetheart, but what about your tour? Your dad is so proud of all you've accomplished. He wouldn't want you to give that up."

"Momma, the tour's over. Last night was the last show. The next leg of the tour is overseas and that wasn't part of my contract. So dad waited for the right time to do this. He's always had perfect timing." They both smile, knowing just how right that statement is.

Days go by, Amber and Susan take turns sitting with James. Susan reads to him, his favorite books by James Patterson. She reads the newspaper and his mail. Amber talks to him about the tour and Joe and Jordan. She tells him everything that happened and how Joe broke her heart. She also sings to him a lot. Her dad always told her how beautifully she sang, he loved her voice.
His condition has relatively stayed the same. His vitals have gotten stronger though. The doctors say that if his vitals continue to get stronger they can wake him up sooner than expected. Amber is ready for her dad to wake up, she misses his eyes, he has the kindest eyes she's ever seen. She misses his voice and his smile. She just really misses her dad. She needs him. The thought of never seeing his eyes or hearing his voice again scares her. She can't even imagine her life without her dad.

A week after his surgery James finally opens his eyes. His vitals are strong and he's breathing over his tube, which is removed the next day. With the tube out they are able to get a better idea of how his stroke affected him. His speech is a bit slurred but he's understandable. His right side is weak but still works. The doctors say with a little rehab he should get back to full working order. This is the best news, Amber had expected so much worse. After the doctors answer all their questions James looks at his daughter. "Why aren't you on tour?" Amber laughs, her dad just had a heart attack, heart surgery and a stroke and his biggest concern is why she isn't on tour. "Daddy, my part of the tour is over. My last show was the night you had your heart attack."

"You said there was a chance of a European tour also."

"Well, yes we had discussed me continuing on with them to Europe. But no contracts were ever signed and you needed me. So I came home." She looks down at her hand in her dad's. There was really no where else she wanted to be right now. "Okay baby girl, as long as you didn't leave your tour because of me."

"I promise Daddy I didn't. I finished my set of my last show and got the call when I got off stage. I did kind of leave without saying goodbye. But I sent a message to them once I got home. I'm sure they understand and everything's fine. I'm where I'm supposed to be now." She leans down and kisses her dad's cheek. "Mom's waiting to see you. Only one visitor at a time while you're still in ICU. Love you so much Daddy."

"Love you too baby girl."

When Amber walks into the waiting room to get her mom she can't believe her eyes. Joe's sitting with her mom, her heart leaps into her throat, then suddenly drops into her stomach. She's not sure she can handle this right now. Even though all she wants is to feel his arms around her. "Joe? What are you doing here?" He's on his feet as soon as he hears her voice. Susan looks up at Amber, "Sweetie, he came by to check on us. Wasn't that nice of him? Joe thank you so much for stopping by. You'll have to excuse me now, its my turn with the old man." Susan leans down and whispers to Joe, "Could you get her out of here for a little while? She'll never admit it, but she needs a break." She winks at Joe as she touches his cheek. Susan kisses Amber as she walks by her. "Be nice to him sweetheart. He's a good one and he loves you. Give him a chance to explain. I love you baby girl."

Amber turns to Joe as soon as her mother is gone. "What are you doing here? How did you know where I was?" Before answering her he wraps his arms around and pulls her against him. "I'll tell you over dinner. Let me take you out for a real meal."