Bedside Conversations

Later- Hospital

I am sitting with Dad now and I sigh, looking at him. Still no change, but he is stabilized, which is good news. It is around lunch time and I offered to stay with Dad while my brothers, Laura and Parvati got lunch. I wasn't really hungry and I insisted they should all go. We've been at the hospital since this morning and I could tell they all needed some time away, so I insisted they go out to a restaurant instead of just the cafeteria in the hospital. That leaves me with Dad. It is odd to not see him moving at all. Scary almost.

"I bet you didn't expect for me to be the one here," I comment aloud. "I have to say, sir, we aren't really close. But, when I got the phone call, it really got to me. I know you are proud of the others. Brian, Shawn and Laura. I'm not really sure why I am not like them. More than must my abilities. I don't know how I got those either. I didn't have a choice, but I am glad I have them. I know I am not using them like you wanted, but I am happy with my life. I have a decent job, my own place to live and I have a wonderful girlfriend. Yes, still Parvati."

I am surprised that I am talking to Dad like this, but I never would have been able to say even half of this if he had been able to talk or leave the room.

Sighing, I run my hand over my face and through my hair. "I know I'm a disappointment to you. I was your last chance to have someone follow in your footsteps. I know you wanted me to be more like my siblings, but I am not them. I didn't really want to leave, though now I am glad I did. Shania cheated on me...I don't know if you knew that. And you didn't accept what I wanted to do. Like I said before, things are going well now. I belong in England now. I am going to try the filmmaking thing. I know you don't agree, but I wanted you to know, I am going to do it. It will take me some time, but it is what I want. I might fail and if I do, fine, but I am not going to spend my life wondering what could have been. And I am going to stay with Parvati. She's not Shania, I know. She's so much better. She's smart, funny, thoughtful, beautiful too."

I tap my fingers on the bar by the bed before continuing. "I am just saying all this because I want to put these fights behind us. I am sorry that we used to fight. I know I didn't always help. We don't have to be best friends but we could at least be civil. Not just for us but for Mom especially."

There is still no change in him, not that I expected it. "We fight, Dad, I know that. But you are still my father. I know I said I didn't care, but I did want you proud of me. I know it's past that now, since I'm an adult. You're still my dad and I want to see if we can at least fix some things between us."

I am staring at a spot on the bed and then frown when I think I see movement. I frown and look closer. No, can it be? I reach over and take Dad's hand in mine. "Dad...can you hear me? Squeeze my hand if you can."

There is a brief pause and then I feel him squeeze my hand. I grin at this. This means he's waking up. I need to get a nurse or a doctor. I also need to tell the others when they get back, which should be anytime.

I reach over and push the button to call Dad's nurse and a few minutes later, the nurse arrives. "Yes?"

"He's waking up, I think," I answer and she comes closer, seeing that his fingers are moving.

She nods and tells me to wait outside while she checks him over and I leave, hearing her say, "It's good to see you're waking up, Mr. Sullivan..."

Then, I am outside and wait. I won't call the others, but I know Mum will be happy to hear this.

About five minutes later, they come back and when they see me outside, they all seem to pick up their pace. Mom gets to me first and there are tears in her tired eyes. "Connor, did something happen?"

I nod and smile to show it is good. "He squeezed my hand."

They all start to ask questions and then the nurse steps outside. She says one at a time and without discussing it, Mom goes inside. The nurse explains he opened his eyes and is slowly waking up and that is a good sign. Then, there will be tests to see how he is doing, but that, from her initial examination, he should be able to make a full recovery.

There's a bit of excitement, muted a little though, from the family as it seems Connor's dad is getting better. From the gist of the conversation he started showing signs of it while Connor was visiting with him.

I stayed out in the hall, Deanna keeping me company for the most part, while the family spoke with the doctors and such. From the sounds of it all, Connor's dad is going to be fine in time.

Connor, who was talking to a doctor, glances over at me as the doctor leaves. Then, he walks over. "Hey."

"Something good happen I take it?" I ask carefully.

"Yeah. Dad's waking up. I was talking to him and his fingers started to move."

I grin. "That's good."

"Yeah, it is. I think he'll be alright."

I can see that he's relieved at that. Despite the fact that there's been quite a bit of distance between them, I know Connor loves his dad. And it would have hurt him terribly if he had died. I just hope that these two can mend their rift.. and if they can't, at least try to get over the past.

I hug Connor briefly, and smile as he hugs me as well.

"I also had a long conversation with him, though I don't know if he heard any of it."

"He may have. Sometimes people hear better when they're not expected to listen," I say quietly.

Connor shrugs. "I just told him everything I ever wanted to tell him. I guess we'll find out in time if he heard me."

"All you can do," I look past him and see the others congregated, talking amongst themselves. "So what's next?"

"We wait, again," he answers. "To see how he progresses now. Then we will go from there."

I nod. "Understand that, I just mean for now. We stay here, go back to the house? Decide to stay here longer then what was set up?"

"We'll stay a few minutes, then I think me, you, Laura, Deanna, Brian and Shawn might go back to the house. Though one of us might stay here with mom. We'll work that out."

So far I've been keeping the antsy feelings of being in a hospital at bay, because I'm here for Connor. I just squeeze his hand. "Okay."

Soon enough, we are heading back to the house. Brian, Deanna and Shawn are in one while me, Parvati and Laura are in the other. I can tell everyone is exhausted after the day, since it is nearly silent most of the car ride back.

Parvati stretches one of her legs out a little, and lays her head on my shoulder. We both sat in the back while Laura decided to drive.

When we get back to the house, we park and everyone admits to being tired.

"I think I might try to take a nap too," I admit to Parvati.

"Wouldn't mind company in that department would you?" She asks with a tired smile.

"Not at all," I assure her, arm going around her waist as we walk up the stairs. I hear Laura make a teasing remark, which I just smile at, glad to smile, even just a little. We get into the bedroom, and lay down.

Laying on the bed, I toe off my shoes, letting them drop on the floor. Parvati takes off her shoes, and then lays down next to me. I wrap my arm around her and she lays her head on my shoulder. Though exhausted, it takes me some time, but I finally fall asleep.

Later

The veil of sleepiness falls and I feel myself start to wake. I open my eyes, then close them, repeating until I get my eyes adjusted. The room's a bit dark, and a glance at the clock on the nightstand says Connor and I have been asleep for most of the day.

Five pm.

Not surprised we slept this much... neither of us got a lot of sleep the past couple days. I look over at Connor, still sleeping and I decide not to wake him. I'm not sure if the others are up, but I am feeling a bit hungry... just a snack. I slip my shoes on, and brush back my hair, making it look like I haven't been asleep for a bit and quietly walk out of the bedroom.

I walk down the hall and then down the stairs, about to go into the kitchen when I hear what sounds like the television from the living room. I change directions and I see Brian sitting on the couch, and on the screen...

"Want some company?" I ask.

Brian glances over at me, and I see a bowl of popcorn by him. He nods, moving the bowl out of the way and I sit down on the couch next to him.

Half hour later

"One of my favorite scenes," Brian comments with a half smirk as we watch the movie.

I nod, watching Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn in this scene, talking about the statue. We're watching Roman Holiday. Connor's still asleep, and I ended up waking up about an hour ago... It's still quiet around the house and I wasn't quite sure what to do until Brian spotted me looking at some of the movies. He suggested one of the old ones I saw in there, and now we're here.

Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. Two of my favorites, next to Rita Hayworth.

I feel myself tense at this upcoming scene, as Gregory Peck is about to put his hand in the statue.. I know what's going to happen, I've seen it so many times.

Brian and I both jump at the spot when Gregory Peck's character "loses" his hand, making Princess Anne, the character of Audrey, be in near tears, and then he reveals his hand as just fine.

"Every time," Brian mutters.

"I still get tense when Dorothy's house is in the tornado," I admit.

He gives me a look. "Seriously?"

I nod. "Seriously. And I jump when the Wicked Witch appears the first time in Munhkinland."

"So do I," he admits. "It sucks that the actress got burned pretty badly when she disappeared at the end of the scene."

"Really?" I ask curiously.

He nods. "Something went wrong, an accident. Lots of stuff happened on that set..." He trails off and we hear footsteps. Both of us twist a little to see the stairs, and then Connor coming down them.

"Good morning...or evening," he greets us.

"Evening," I say with a smile, noticing his rumpled hair. "Nearly six."

"Yeah, I know. Middle of the night back home," he adds.

"Want to watch the rest of Roman Holiday?" I ask. "Not sure what else is going on." I glance at Brian to see if he knows.

Connor nods. "We should go back to the hospital after this."

Brian agrees, then I grab Connor's hand to pull him down on the couch. For now, we can finish watching the movie, then go see his father.

Later- At Hospital

"Connor? He's asking for you," Laura speaks up as she exits the room.

We are all at the hospital and after Mum stepped out, Brian went to talk to him, then Shawn and now Laura. Now it appears he wants to talk to me. This is a bit of a surprise and I hope we won't start fighting again. I take a deep breath and then let it out. I feel Parvati give my arm a small squeeze and I offer her a small smile before stepping inside

When I see him, at first I think nothing has changed. He isn't moving and his eyes are closed. However, as I approach, he seems to realize I am there and he opens his eyes. "Connor," he greets me.

"Sir," I nod and then take the seat next to his bed. A few seconds pass of silence except for the monitors attached to him. "You asked to speak to me?"

"Yes," he answers. "You were in here earlier. I heard everything you said."

I can't help wincing. I was being honest, but now I am feeling nervous talking about it.

"I won't admit that I agree with your decisions. You know that." I feel my small bit of hope fade/

"Yes, Sir."

"You are right though. You are an adult and you make your own decisions. And I heard some news about Shania. You are wise to not be with her anymore," he says. This really does surprise me. "And...in a way, places were reversed. Your mother's father didn't want her to marry me, a military man. Said I could get killed anytime, that there would never be a stable home. I still did it. I suppose you're like me in that way."

Now I am really shocked and I can't help wondering if this is my father talking or the medication he is on.

"You won't think about doing something else for a job?" he asks and I know it has to be my father speaking.

"I am helping people. Just in a different way than what you would think," I remind him about my job for Lisa.

He sighs, then winces, clearly in pain.

"Do you want me to get the doctor?" I ask.

He shakes his head. "No." I wait a few seconds and then pain seems to subside. "You were right what you said though. We shouldn't fight. It upsets your mother. And you're still my son, even if I don't really understand you."

"I can live with that," I give a small smile. "Can you?"

"I suppose. For now," he answers. It isn't as much as I would have wanted, but it is more than I could have hoped for.

Dad is fighting to keep awake and I can tell he is tired. Instead of staying, I get to my feet then pat his hand. "I'll see you soon, Sir."

He nods and as I step away, I see his eyes start to shut. With one last glance back at him, I join the rest of my family and Parvati in the hall.

I emerge from the room I was allowed to use my cell phone in and go back down the hall where Connor's father room is. I had talked with Padma for a little bit, mainly to find out how she was doing and see how everything was going. There were a couple new developments with the Dieb-Bertrugers, and the investigators found enough against them that they don't really need us to testify. Their actions, and the Healer's interviews on the state of how we were are enough. Plus the copy of the documents I made that proved what they were planning on doing.

Padma was told the official trial would be in early November, closed to the public. Only we were supposed to appear.

She's also got some things straightened out, fixed, as others who were cut out of the business due to the Dieb-Bertruger's stealing it, were quite willing to come back and help us out. And apparently Dressinger's is quite willing to go over a new contract with us.

Everything is going back the way it is. Plus Padma's getting more involved with her dancing. And I'll start getting into what I want even more.

I make sure to check my cell phone is off as I'm in the main part of the hospital and I appear near the hospital room as Connor comes out.

"Everything go okay?" I ask.

"Yes," he nods. "It was a surprising talk."

"What did he say?" I ask curiously, interest gaining. It sounded like there was no fighting involved.

"He said I was a little like him. And we agreed to not fight anymore. I hope it wasn't just the medicine talking," he admits.

"You'll find out sooner or later on that," I say dryly. Unfortunately, since I've only met the man twice, I'm not sure where I see the similarities. "So will he be released soon?"

"A few days as long as there are no relapses," he nods. "And the part about being like him...I guess Mom's Dad didn't like him much, but he still dated then married my mom."

"Determined," I say softly. "So what's next?"

Connor glances over at his family. "I think we'll probably be going home again."

"Trial is in early November," I say quietly. "I was talking to Padma earlier."

He becomes serious and nods. "Are you going to be okay?"

I blink, then shrug not feeling comfortable with the question at the moment. "I guess. As far as I understand it's just a formality... I think Padma and I will be fine." We have to be.

"Do you want me to come with you?" he offers.

"If you want to.. I can see if you can. It's closed to public, but I think it won't be a problem if you come with Pad and I."

He gives me a small smile. "It'll be okay."

"I know," I say quietly. We'll make sure it will be.