Work Text:
The time was 6:30 pm and Robby was nearing the end of his shift. He knew Jack was on his way to relieve him. It was your typically Friday shift, some kids with stomach bugs, the frequent flyers he saw almost everyday, and a few broken bones curtesy of a combination of the recent warmer weather and little kids’ love for recess. He knew that a slowish day shift meant that Jack was probably in for a rough night. All he had to do was get through the last half hour and then he would be with his kids cheering Beau and the rest of his hockey team on during their playoff game. He knew Jack was mad he wouldn’t be there, he had asked everyone he could think of to cover for him, but no one was free.
Since there was a current lull between patients, he decided to head to the hub to get some of his notes done. Once he got there, he saw Dana, Princess, and Perlah gossiping about who knows what. He just smiled to himself imagining all of the possiblities for what the nurses were making bets on and took a seat. Once he got through 2 patient notes, his phone dinged with a text.
Jack: Hey! On my way to relieve you, stopping to get some much needed caffeine and snacks to get me through the night. Do you want anything? Coffee? Energy drink? A sandwich? I know you probably haven’t gotten a chance to eat and your acid reflex plus concessions food isn’t the best combo. You’re just asking for heartburn.
Robby: Aww how sweet of you to think of me! A coffee would be great, I’m just going to swing by a drive-thru on the way to the game, once I pick the kids up.
Jack: Mike, I wish you wouldn’t feed the kids fast food, but I guess it will have to suffice tonight. One large black coffee with sugar coming right up.
Robby: 🙄, junk food one time won’t kill them. I’m a doctor you know
Jack: One of the best ones I know. I’m headed into the store. See you in a bit, Love you! ❤️
Robby: Love you too
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Jack walked in with his backpack slung over one shoulder and made his way to his locker. On his way to the lounge he noticed that Robby was in a bay putting a pink cast on a little girl’s arm. He couldn’t help but smile, Robby has always been really good with the peds patients. Once he was unpacked and felt ready for the shift he headed to get sign-out from Robby.
“Hey, Mike! How was your shift?”
“Hey, it was relatively uneventful. Nothing crazy. The little girl in 7 is about to be discharged and the patients in 8 and 10 are just waiting to be moved up to pre-op.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
“How are the kids?”
“Beau was on his way to the team bus when I left. Ellie and the twins should be ready to go as soon as you get home. I know you will be cutting it close. Puck drop is at 8:30. God, I wish I could be there!”
“I know babe, but the Pitt needs you. I’ll be sure to send you updates!”
“Thanks! See you in the morning”
Robby and Jack gave each other a quick kiss, before Robby headed out and Jack went to meet the ambo that just pulled up.
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Once he was out of the parking lot and on the road back home, Robby shot Ellie a quick text.
Robby: Hey pumpkin! On my way, eta is in 10 minutes. Can you please make sure you and the twins are ready to go? We need to leave as soon as I pull into the driveway.
*Ellie liked the message*
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Robby pulled into the driveway and honked the horn. Not even a minute later, Emery and Scottie came sprinting out to the car with Ellie following behind after locking the front door. The twins hopped in the back and buckled themselves in. Ellie got into the passenger seat.
“Hi abba!” Scottie squealed as soon as she was ready to go
“How was work? Did you save a lot of lives?” Emery added in
“Hey guys! Shift was good, I fixed a couple broken bones today.”
“Cool”
Robby looked at Ellie out of the corner of his eye. “What’s up with you?”
“Nothing just tired, sorry!”
“No worries! Hook your phone and play some music please. I need something to keep me awake”
“On it!”
“Alright, hooligans do you guys want McDonald’s or Wendy’s for dinner?”
“MCDONALDS!!!” The twins yelled
“Alright, alright! Let me guess, a double cheeseburger happy meal with extra fries and a sprite for Emery. A 6 piece chicken nugget happy meal with extra fries and a fruit punch for Scottie. Finally, a 10 piece chicken nugget meal with a large Diet Coke for Ellie. Am I right?”
“Yep”
“Yes”
“Mhmm, does dad know you are giving us McDonald’s? I would bet $5 he wasn’t thrilled, we all know how he feels about clean eating”
“Yes, Ellizabeth he does. I will not be taking you up on that bet, I’m not as gullible as your brother. That one seems like you would for sure make some money” Robby says with a slight smirk
“Chicken, you’re no fun!” Ellie joked back
Robby pulled into the drive-thru, ordered all the food, paid, and they were back on the road with the kids happy and content eating. He got himself a cheeseburger, which he would definitely pay for later, but that’s what tums are for, right?
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The rest of the drive went smoothly. They listened to music, the kids talked about their day at school, and Robby was just happy to finally have some time with his kids. He loves watching Beau play hockey. His son was the star center for the team and a captain. He was looking to play in college, selfishly Robby wanted him to stay close to home for school, but Jack and him weren’t pushing, they just wanted Beau to be happy and knew he would make the best decision for himself.
Robby parked the car and everyone hustled into the rink and found a spot in the stands.
“Hey abba, can I go sit with my friends?” Ellie asked. It seemed like the whole high school had come to watch the game.
“Yes, but please answer when I text you.”
“Thanks!” Ellie replied over her shoulder as she jogged away to catch up with her friends.
“Alright, Emery and Scottie, let’s sit down, the game is about to start.
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The game was going well. The current score was 3-3, with 2 minutes left in the 3rd period. Beau had 2 goals and an assist for the third. It had been a physical game up until this point, but with time running out, the other team started to get a little more aggressive. Punches had started to be thrown, sticks were being ricocheted off shins when the refs weren’t looking. Robby was all for a little physicality, but it was starting to worry him a little. He didn’t want any of these kids to get hurt over some game.
With one minute left in the game, Beau’s line had taken the ice. They were making one last attempt at ending this game in regulation. Beau skated up to the center circle for the face-off and won the draw passing it to his right wing, Zander. Beau got around his defender and broke free. Zander passed it to him and now Beau was on a breakaway. Time was moving in slow-motion as Robby watched Beau approach the net, stick handling and getting ready to release a shot. All of a sudden, time stopped as a defender came up behind Beau picking his stick up and shoving it into the back of Beau’s neck. Robby watched in horror as Beau dropped to the ice and went as limp as a sack of potatoes.
Beau laid motionless on the ice as the crowed gasped. The ref called a penalty, making the benches clear, Robby didn’t care about anything, but his son. He was frozen in his spot as the coaches forced the players back to their respective sides and the player who hit Beau was escorted off the ice.
“Abba, is Beau okay??” Scottie asked pulling Robby out of his thought
“Yeah, peanut. Don’t worry, he’ll be okay.”
Ellie came running over to Robby and the twins.
“Ellie, please stay here and sit with the twins. I am going to go down there and help.”
“Yeah, abba, of course. Go help Beau. Should I text dad?”
“Not yet, I’ll let him know as soon as I know if Beau is okay.”
Robby saw Emery crying and couldn’t help, but feel his heart break. “Hey, tiger, it’s going to be okay. You stay here with your sisters and make sure they are okay. I need you to be my big strong boy and protect your sisters. I’m going to go make sure Beau is okay.”
“O oooo okay” Emery said sniffling. Robby gave him a quick hug and sprinted down the bleachers and onto the ice.
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“Sir, you can’t be down here.” The ref said as Robby ran on to the ice and over to Beau
“The hell I can’t. I’m a doctor and this is my kid.”
“Oh. Sorry”
“Do you know if he lost consciousness?”
“Uuuuuh” the ref stumbled “yes, he was definitely out of it for a least 2 minutes”
“Okay, thank you!” Robby got down on one knee and put his face close to Beau who had his coach next to him. Beau was groaning and starting to try to get up.
“Hey, dude, it’s abba. I need you to stay as still as possible. I’m worried about your head.”
Beau just groaned trying to tell Robby he was okay.
“Beau Griffin Abbot, I swear if you try to move right now.” With that Beau just laid back as Robby put his hands on either side of his head to try to stabilize his C-spine. Robby couldn’t help but be worried about possible neck and spine injuries, he’s a doctor. His mind always goes to worst case scenario.
Robby looked up at Beau’s coach and said “Stanley, can you please call 911 and tell them that Dr. Michael Robinavitch from PTMC says we have a possible case of spinal injury and loss of consciousness. Definite concussion?”
“Absolutely” With that the coach got up to give the father and son some space and make the call.
It felt like an eternity before the ambulance and paramedics got there. In reality it was probably only 5 minutes.
The next 20 minutes were a blur. The paramedics got Beau on the stretcher, leaving his helmet on, but securing a collar around his neck. They tried to minimize as much jostling as possible, but being on slippery ice wasn’t helping.
“Sir, are you riding with us?
“Yes. We are going to PTMC, no arguments please. I’m a doctor there and know everyone.”
“Of course sir.”
“I need to go get my other kids, but I will meet you at the ambo ASAP.”
“No more than 5 minutes please, we need to get him to the hospital.”
“Of course, I’ll be quick”
Robby gave Beau’s hand a quick squeeze. “I’ll be right back buddy, I promise.”
With that Robby sprinted off the ice as fast as he could to meet up with his other kids. The three of them had come out of the stands and were standing at the ice doors waiting.
“Hey, guys! We are going to ride in a cool ambulance and take Beau to the hospital”
One of the other dads on Beau’s team came jogging over. “Hey, Dr. Robinavitch!”
Robby recognized him as an internal medicine attending at PTMC.
“Hey Don, what do you need? I really have to go back to Beau and get to the Pitt.”
“Yeah, of course man. Do you want me to drive Ellie and the twins there? I know how hectic and crammed the back of an ambo can get.”
“Actually, that would be amazing. Thank you! I owe you big time.” Robby pulled his car keys out of his pocket and handed them to the man.
“NO ABBA I WANT TO GO WITH YOU” Emery screamed.
“Tiger, it’s going to be okay! I promise. Dr. Fuller here is really nice, he also fixes people. He is going to drive you to the hospital and I will meet you there. We can see dad and I bet Aunt Dana will make sure you get some ice cream. Okay?? I need you to listen to me please”
Emery just nodded and Robby turned to head back to the stretcher that his son was on.
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Once Beau was safely loaded up into the back of the ambo and they were on there way to the hospital, Robby decided now was as good of a time to let Jack know their son was about to come through the doors of the Pitt and be a patient.
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Jack was just going about his shift as normal. He was making fun of Shen for his coffee addiction, he doesn’t remember the last time he saw that man not holding a Dunkin’ cup. His attention was pulled away from the conversation about whether night shift or day shift was better when he felt a buzzing in his pocket. He doesn’t usually get calls during the shift, especially when Robby was off doing something with the kids. When he pulled the phone from his pocket and saw Robby’s name flashing on the screen, his heart started to race. Robby would never call if it wasn’t an emergency. He knows that Jack prefers to be present in the moment at work and would send a text if what he needed could wait. Jack excused himself and walked as quickly as his prosthetic would allow to a quieter part of the Pitt accepting the call.
“Hey, Mike is everything okay?”
Robby didn’t immediately answer which caused Jack to worry more. He could hear the shaking in Robby’s voice when he said “Jack, it’s Beau. He was crossed checked from behind while on a breakaway. He was out for at least two minutes. It’s bad. We’re on our way to you now.”
“Shit, shit. Okay, uhmmm does he have a concussion, suspected brain bleed, is he moving all 4 extremities? what about the other kids?”
“Jack, take a breath. I’m pretty confident he has a concussion, he has been in and out, so I am not sure about movement in his arms and legs. Don Fuller is driving my car and meeting us there at the hospital with Emery and the girls.”
“Okay, okay. I will get a bay ready. How far out are you?”
“We are about 10 minutes out. Can you please text Dana and see if she can come grab the kids or at least sit with them. I promised Emery ice cream, before I got in the ambo with Beau. He was freaking out and I needed something to offer to hopefully calm him down a little.”
“Yeah, yeah of course. I will text her now. I love you, just breathe, it’s going to be okay Mikey. See you when you get here”
“You and I both know you can’t promise anything. I will see you in a few minutes.”
“No promises, right.”
With that Jack hung the phone up and shot a quick text to Dana. His hands shaking as he typed out the message
Jack: Hey, I know it’s late and I’m really sorry to bother you and pull you from sleep, but I need you to come to the Pitt now. Beau got hurt at his game, and Robby says it’s bad. The kids are freaking out and we really need you to sit with them or take them home, so we can focus on Beau. You can give them all the ice cream they want. I promise we will make it up to you!!”
Dana: Aww fuck Abbot, what the hell happened????? There is absolutely no need to make it up to me. You need to be only focused on Beau right now. I am on my way now, be there in 3!!!
Jack: I’ll have Robby explain it more when he gets here. I really appreciate you!!
___________________________
Jack sprinted back to the hub telling the night shift what was going on. He prepped North 7 and paged neurology for a stat consult. As soon as he got out of the bay, he saw Robby running in with the paramedics wheeling Beau through the doors.
“Beau Griffin Abbot. 17 year old male. Blunt force trauma to the head. LOC reported at the scene for at least 2 minutes, with intermittent bouts during transport. GCS of 5. Heart rate is tacky at 140. B/P is 150/85. Where are we headed?”
Shen yelled back “North 7 is prepped and ready”. Robby and Jack tried to follow the team into the bay, but Shen stopped them with an outstretched arm. “You guys know the rules. You can’t be in there.”
“John, I swear to god. That’s my kid in there, let me help.” Jack bit back
“We’ll stay out of the way. I promise” Robby added
“Sorry, guys! No can do. We can’t have you in there. I promise to take the best possible care of him and update you as soon as I know anything. He’s in good hands. You both trained every doctor in there.”
Both men just sighed as Shen finished entering the room and closed the sliding door behind him. All Robby and Jack could do was watch through the window as their coworkers worked to get Beau stable and assess his injuries.
“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there!” Jack mumbled.
“Jack, you had work. It’s okay” Robby responded pulling the man in for a side hug.
Jack and Robby were pulled from staring at Beau laying motionless on the gurney, when they heard their other kids come in.
Emery sprinted to Jack and jumped in his arms crying. “Dad, is Beau going to die?? Why aren’t you in there saving him??”
“Tiger, Beau has a lot of people helping him” was all Jack could muster up while rubbing small circles on the boy’s back.
Ellie and Scottie were by Robby. Robby picked up Scottie with one arm and gave Ellie a hug with the other one.
“Hey girls.” Robby said barely above a whisper.
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Dana came sprinting in out of breath. She could see her favorite little family just standing outside the doors of North 7. Both Robby and Jack had one of the twins in their arms, trying to shield them from looking into the room. Ellie just stood between the two men with the widest eyes Dana had ever seen.
“Cap. I think it would be for the best if you and Jack take the kids and go sit in the lounge. It is doing no one any good having you hover outside the room staring.”
“Dana, please. We can’t leave Beau. Can you just take the kids, and Jack and I will stay right here.”
“That wasn’t a suggestion, it was an order. Now get moving Abbot and Robinavitch. I will get an update and come meet you there.”
“Brother, maybe she is right. The kids don’t need to see this.” Jack said to Robby
“Fine” Robby said with a sigh. The two men took their kids and got comfortable on the staff lounge couches. The twins both fell asleep, so Robby and Jack tucked them into the on-call bed. Ellie just sat in silence staring at her phone.
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“Alright, I have an update for you! Dana said as she came through the doors of the lounge.
The two men sprung to their feet.
“Beau has a pretty bad concussion. A small skull fracture with a little bit of swelling and blood around the brain. Two of his cervical vertebra are fractured, along with one of his lumbar vertebra. He is still experiencing some paralysis. The doctors don’t know if it is permanent or will go away after they relief the pressure on his spinal nerves.”
“Holy shit, well, can we go see him?” Jack said starting to try to get around the women and back into the Pitt.
“Jack, he has been taken up to surgery. Just wait here and someone will grab you when it’s done.”
“No, no. I want to see him before he goes under. That’s my kid. He’s hurted and I want to see him before surgery” Jack said getting more and more agitated.
“Babe” Robby said gently as he put his hand on Jack’s shoulder
“Don’t babe me. Beau’s hurt and I wasn’t there to see it happen. I need to be there for him now.” Jack sobbed as Robby pulled him into his shoulder.
Robby looked over Jack’s head and said “Dana, can you please take the kids home. They need to sleep in their own bed.”
“Abba, please don’t make me leave” Ellie whined
“Pumpkin, it’s going to be okay. Please just go with Aunt Dana. I’m sure she will bring you back when she comes in for shift tomorrow.”
Dana nodded and grabbed Ellie’s hand.
“You know all the doctors here are scared of your dad and abba. They won’t let anything happen to your brother or there will be hell to pay.” Dana said chuckling.
“Alright.”
Ellie walked over to the twins and gently woke them up. They both just groaned.
“Hey guys, Aunt Dana is going to take us home.”
“No, I want to stay” Scottie cried as she suddenly shot up from sleep.
“Cookie, I will give you lots of chocolate ice cream when we get to your house. Just don’t tell your dad.” Dana whispered side eyeing Jack.
“Okay.” Scottie giggled
“I want ice cream too!” Emery said
“You can have all the superman ice cream in the world, but we have to head out now.”
Emery smiled.
The kids gathered their stuff and gave Robby and Jack hugs.
“Be good for Aunt Dana.” Jack said to the kids
“Cap. Let me know when you find anything out!”
“Of course Dana. Thank you again! We owe you”
“No, you don’t. Just promise you two will take care of yourselves. Abbot is looking a little worse for wear. ”
Robby nodded and Jack rolled his eyes. Dana hugged Robby and kissed Jack’s cheek.
“Stay strong, solider!” Dana said to Jack
“Thanks Dana! Let us know if the kids are too much.”
“They are never too much, your kids are perfect angels.”
Robby and Jack just laughed and Dana left with the kids. The two men headed back to the couch and sat down next to each other holding hands. Robby put his head on Jack’s shoulder and they sat on pins and needles as they waited to hear about Beau’s surgery.
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8 hours passed and Shen came into the lounge to give an update. He quietly knocked, waking the men from their broken sleep.
“Hey John! What’s wrong????” Jack said jumping to his feet.
Robby slowly stood, his back not cooperating after sleeping on the couch. There was no denying that he wasn’t 20 any more.
“Nothing, Abbot. Beau is out of surgery and in recovery. You both can head up there to sit with him. Usually you would have to wait, but there are perks to being a hot shot ER attending and the chief of the ER.”
Jack finally released the breath he had been holding for the last 9 hours. His chest finally felt like it didn’t have an elephant on it.
“Alright, well was it successful? Is the paralysis permanent?” Robby asked
“Brain bleed has been resolved. There is still swelling that will take some time to resolve. The skull fracture was plated. All of his vertebral fractures have also been set. He’s going to be in a back brace and neck brace for some time. We won’t know about the paralysis until he wakes up and we can test his function, but he is definitely going to have a long road to recovery. Lots of physical and occupational therapy is going to be needed. He is also going to need to work with a concussion specialist. He’s alive though.”
“Alright thanks man!” Jack said and with that Robby and Jack headed up to the SICU to see their boy.
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Beau looked so tiny in that bed. His 6” 6’ frame which he got from Robby, looked like it had been reduced to a little kid. Robby and Jack held in tears as they watched their son lay motionless in the bed covered in tubes, IV lines, and braces. He still had the ventilator in.
It took 4 more hours for Beau to wake up and start to fight the tube down his throat. When he started to gag, Jack jumped up to calm Beau down as Robby worked to remove the tube.
“Beau. I need you to calm down. Abba is taking the tube out, but you need to be still.”
“Alright, buddy. Can you give me a big cough?”
Beau coughed and Robby removed the tube.
“Whatttt happennnnned?” Beau slurred
“You got hurt at your game? What do you remember?” Robby asked
“Nothingggggg. Did we w w w wiiiiiin? My throat is dryyyyyyyy”
“Here take a sip of water” Jack said holding the straw out to Beau’s mouth
“AHHHHHHHH” Beau screamed as he tried to move.
“Beau, you need to lay down. You were hurt pretty bad.”
“I’m going to give him some more pain meds and let the doctors know that he is waking up.” Robby said as he pushed some morphine through Beau’s IV and went to grab a doctor from the hall.
Jack stayed at Beau’s bed side, holding his hand as he slipped back into sleep from the meds.
Once Beau was asleep again, Jack pulled out his phone to text Dana. She took the shift off and had Princess cover so she could stay with the kids. The kids had been asking to come see Beau all night, but Robby and him felt it was best that they wait until his breathing tube was removed. They didn’t want their kids to be scarred by seeing their brother like that.
Jack: Hey. Beau woke up briefly and we were able to remove the tube. You guys are good to come visit whenever. He is about to be moved to a bigger room, where we can all fit comfortably.
Dana: Jack, I’m glad to hear that. I will get the kids fed and then head your way. Give Beau a kiss from me. Do you and Robby need anything?
Jack: Coffee would be great. Can you also bring us some clothes?
Dana: Of course! See you in an hour
*Jack liked the message*
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Beau had been moved to a bigger room. Jack and Robby were still sitting at his bedside holding hands. Beau had been in and out periodically, each time he woke up Jack or Robby had to remind him where he was, perks of having a brain injury.
Dana showed up with the kids and relieved Jack and Robby who were reluctant to head downstairs to the staff lounge to shower. She promised to call them if anything went south. They showered and changed as quickly as possible and returned upstairs.
“Thanks for the coffee and clothes.” Robby said as he walked into the room.
“Of course, anything for you guys!”
“Dana, we know you are probably busy. You don’t have to stay.”
“Abbot, I’m not going anywhere.”
Jack smiled at her, hopefully she could see his appreciation. Robby and her were closer, but he had extreme respect for the woman.
“Hey dad, why is Beau not moving? He has a lot of scary stuff on him” Scottie asked as she crawled into Jack’s lap.
“He’s sleeping peanut. He needs all those wires to help him get better.”
Ellie sat at Beau’s side talking to him when he woke up. Robby just smiled at their two older kids. They may fight all the time, but they were super close and as an only child, he loved seeing how much the siblings loved each other.
“You scared me, you jerk.”
“Don’t be dramatic Ellie. You don’t even like me.” Beau joked back
“Whatever.” She said with an eyeroll
“Did we win?”
“Yeah, Zander took the penalty shot for you and scored.”
“Good” Beau said sleepily
Time passed as everyone just chatted and watched TV. After about an hour Beau’s eyes shot open and he screamed “What happened to my helmet?”
“Dude, they cut it off your head for surgery?” Jack said
“NOOOOO!! That was my lucky helmet.”
“Seriously, Beau. We’ll get you a new helmet.” Robby said with a chuckle.
Beau just groaned and laid back. After about another 20 minutes, Beau’s doctors came in to test his function now that he was a little more alert.
“Alright Beau, we are going to see if you have any loss of function. Just follow our commands.” The team of doctor at the foot of the bed said
“Emery, Scottie, let’s go get some food to bring back to your dad and abba.” Dana said, feeling it might be for the best to get the younger kids out of the room while the tests were performed.
“Alright”
“Okay”
The twins said hopping off of Robby’s and Jack’s laps. Robby mouthed a thank you to Dana over the twins’ head and she just nodded back.
“Can you grab me a sandwich?” Ellie asked
“Of course, El” Dana said
Dana left with the twins to go get some food.
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The doctors performed their tests and learned that Beau was not fully paralyzed but did have some deficits. He would need some pretty intense therapies.
“Why me?” Beau whispered.
“Beau, buddy, I know it sucks, but it could have been worse. We will get you set up with the best therapists and you’ll be back on the ice in no time. Once everything is healed and not a second sooner, but at some point you will be back.” Robby said
“Whatever. I can’t believe I am going to miss the rest of the season.”
Jack just rubbed Beau’s forearm to try to provide some comfort.
“I think we need to put him in therapy. He gets his emotional regulation techniques from you” Jack whispered to Robby
“Rude, but I agree” Robby said back.
Dana retuned with the twins. She handed Ellie a turkey sandwich, a caesar salad to Jack, and a piece of cheese pizza to Robby.
“Do you two have ice cream?” Jack asked looking at Emery and Scottie.
“Yeah, Aunt Dana said it was okay”
“I bet she did” Jack said looking at Dana
“Save it Abbot, let the kids enjoy it.”
Beau fell back asleep and the rest of the crowd ate, talked, watch tv and spent time together. They were in for a long road ahead, but knew that they could handle anything as a family. Dana left, giving everyone hugs and kisses. She had to be back for shift in the morning
Once all the kids were asleep, Robby turned to Jack, squeezed his hand and said “We’ve got this! Together, we can handle anything”
Jack just smiled and gave Robby a kiss. He knew that him and Robby had survived worse and needed to be strong for their kids.