Page 117 of Johnathan

They sat silently together as her mind wandered through all the possible outcomes for her brother.

“Maybe you should go home,” Abby whispered.

“Not happening.”

“But I’m acting like a lunatic. I’m falling apart. I don’t want you to see me like this.”

“Tough shit.”

Her head popped off his chest. “Excuse me?”

“You heard what I said. Tough shit. I’m not going anywhere. You think what just happened was bad? That you were being crazy?” She nodded while he shook his head. “Abby, that was nothing. I’d stand by a million of those scenes every goddamn day if I had to. You were just releasing all the stress from the day. And all the stuff you’ve been holding inside, all the things you haven’t been able to work through yet, they just sort of bubbled out, too. You think I can’t handle that?”

“You shouldn’t have to.”

“Alright, baby. Look, I’m not making any decisions today, and neither should you. You’re forgetting that you’re my person. Done and dusted. I’m hooked. Addicted to you if you will. I’ve been bitten by the love snake and you’re the only antidote.”

“Please stop,” she laughed through her tears.

“Oh, but I had a really good one about where I needed you to suck the venom from…”

“John!”

He nuzzled his face into her neck. “Feeling better?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Now close your eyes and just breathe for a couple of minutes, okay?”

She nodded in agreement as she allowed her body to relax into his.

Thirty-Four

“Samuel Cooper, you are NOT allowed to die on us like that.” Daisy marched into Sam’s room and threw herself onto him for a hug. Abby couldn’t hold back her smile. She’d always loved Daisy’s fierce friendship with her brother.

It was the fourth day in his general hospital room after his week-long stay in the ICU. He was a miracle. That’s all there was to it. All the doctors were shocked when test after test kept coming back clear. Even so, the team of cardiologists looking after Sam had recommended he have an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator placed to monitor and automatically deliver a shock if another cardiac event happened. He’d been against it but finally agreed. That had been two days ago, and the small incision on his chest was healing. Abby finally felt like she could breathe, especially with his tests and scans continuing to come back clean and the doctors saying he could be discharged after a few more days of monitoring.

She’d been able to get a week off of work, using all her allowed sick time and vacation, but it was worth it. When she wasn’t able to be there, John had made sure he was by Sam’s side.

Sam groaned and Daisy’s face squished with fear. “Oh god, did I hurt you?”

“Nah. Just still a little sore from John breaking my ribs and getting my implant.”

“Y-you really died, didn’t you?”

“So they tell me.”

“Sam.” Daisy’s eyes filled with tears and Abby could tell she wasn’t going to hold them back. “Don’t you ever pull something like that again. Not until we’re all old and gray and sitting in a nursing home trying to stop Emma from drinking all the wine before bingo.”

“I’m sorry, Daisy. I promise I’ll try not to do it again.”

“Good,” she said, swiping at her eyes and giving a soggy laugh. “Because Sunny needs her godfather to be around for a long time. Who else is going to bail her out of trouble when she’s older and scared to death of her father and me?”

“Her godfather?” Sam’s voice hitched and Abby felt a lump form in her own throat. She knew how much Sam wanted to be a dad. And even though she teased him about it, she knew how it bothered him deep down that he hadn’t found his person yet.

“Yeah. Hank and I slacked on asking everyone, but now that you’ve been such a drama queen and almost died on me, I figured I better get to it.”

“I’d love to be there for her. I-I don’t really even know what to say other than thank you.”

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