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Johnny flew through the crumbling building, two kids secured in his arms as they burst threw an opening into daylight again. They kids were screaming, as one would expect, but soon enough they would realise that Johnny had just saved their lives and now they were save. He gently brought them back down to the ground where they immediately rushed off to join the rest of their friends who had been in the library when the earthquake had hit. Most of the New York buildings were able to withstand the tremor but the library’s ancient building structures stood no chance and the building ultimately started to collapse.
The fantastic four had arrived with only minutes to spare as they rushed to help people escape. Reed and Johnny were helping rescue people while Ben and Sue did their best to stabilise the building from the ground.
“That’s everyone, do mind going back in. Sue and Ben are on the ground floor.”
“No problem, make sure everyone here gets some medical attention.” Reed nodded, a proud smile on his face as he realised how much Johnny had matured. Johnny ran back into the building dodging all the rubble and books on the floor. Sue was in the centre, a force field holding up the roof while Ben was supporting one of the walls.
“Everyone’s out.” Johnny called.
“Ben you head in first, I can hold it.” Sue said, he voice straining slightly.
“You sure Suse.”
“I’m sure.” Ben nodded as he carefully released his hold on the wall and made his way back through the library. “Johnny, you go in now, I’ll be close behind.”
“No, I’m not gonna leave you. As soon as you let go of your force field the buildings gonna go. I can get us out faster.” Sue huffed but deep down she knew her brother was right.
“Alright, come here then.” Johnny entered her force field and wrapped his arm around Sue’s waist, ready to rocket out of the building as soon as possible. “Ready?”
“Yep.”
“Okay. 3. 2-“ before Sue could finish another tremor rumbled through the ground. Sue and Johnny stumbled away from each other as more of the building started to crumble around them. The force field fell and immediately rocks and dust rained down on the storm siblings. “Johnny!” Sue called as she tried to get to her feet. In the short span of time since the tremor had started all the dust had clouded her vision and now her brother had disappeared. She set up another force field, hoping it would be protecting her brother. The earthquake continued on for far too long in Sue’s opinion. As the walls and ceiling crumbled even more all Sue could do was hope that her brother was okay.
The shaking finally stopped, the interior was much darker now that fallen rubble had blocked most of the opening. As the dust started to settle Sue let her force field collapse around her. “Johnny!” She called out, hoping he hadn’t drifted too far away. “Johnny! Where are you?” She tried again when she didn’t get a reply. She managed to find a path through the rubble, in the direction she believed to be towards the street, hoping that her brother had magically escaped during the earthquake.
Her hopes quickly diminished as she caught a glimpse of baby blue in the distance. As Sue approached she noticed a small flourish of red on the abdomen of Johnny’s suit. She crouched by him and carefully rolled him from his side onto his back. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the small metal rod that was poking out of Johnny’s stomach.
“Ugh.” Johnny groaned as he started to come to.
“Johnny?” Sue asked softly as she squeezed his shoulder.
“Sue. What happened?” He mumbled as Sue gently sat him upright against a piece of rubble.
“There was another earthquake, we got separated.” She said as she tilted his head up and away from the wound in his stomach.
“I-, what.” He mumbled, Sue made a mental note that he was most likely concussed as well. He coughed from all the dust hanging in the air, his hand going to his stomach at the unusual pain.His gaze slipped down and to Sue’s dismay Johnny quickly realised the injury that was plaguing him. In the split second that Johnny had touched his stomach the entire palm of his hand became covered in blood.
“Oh fuck. Oh fuck, its inside of me. Sue it’s in my stomach!”
“Okay, okay, just relax Johnny, we can figure this out-“
“Relax! How am I meant to relax when a piece of building is sticking out of me?!”
“Okay Johnny screaming is not going to help. Look at me.” Sue planted her hands on Johnny’s shoulders to try and prevent from hyperventilating as he shakily looked into her eyes. “It’s gonna be okay, I’m gonna make sure that you’re okay. I just need you to stay calm for me.”
“Can you get it out?” He asked hopefully.
“No Johnny, I need to leave it in at least until Reed and Ben can find us, otherwise you’ll bleed.” Johnny sobbed softly as he let his head rest against the piece of crumbled cement he was leaning on.
“It hurts Sue.” He whimpered.
“I know it does Johnny. I’m gonna do my best, I just need you to stay calm for me while we wait for Reed and Ben.” Sue pressed a kiss to his forehead before standing up as much as she could and trying to survey their surroundings.
“Reed! Ben!” She called out at the top of her lungs. They hadn’t been far from the entrance of the building so she was praying that the rubble separating them from the others wasn’t deep. In the distance she could hear a faint rumbling as little beams of light suddenly shone through the rock wall.
“Sue!”
“Yeah! We’re in here.”
“Just hold on Susie we’re gonna get to you as fast as we can.” Reed yelled back, trying his best to reassure his wife.
“Where’s Johnny?” Ben called out this time.
“He’s here with me, he’s hurt though.” She called back as she looked down at her brother he was obviously in pain and starting to pale as he lost more and more blood.
“Just hang tight, we’ll be there soon.” Sue crouched by Johnny again and gently stroked his blond hair off his dirty forehead.
“Hear that Johnny, they’re on their way, we’re gonna get you some help soon.” Johnny nodded and did his best to try and put on a brave face but Sue could tell he was scared and in a lot of pain.
More rumbling was heard and slowly more light started to stream in. After 10 minutes a rock was cleared and Sue could finally catch sight of her husband. His expression visibly lightened when he saw Sue who wasn’t injured except for a few scrapes and bruises. It was in the light that they both realised that a large piece of cement still separated them.
“The block is too large we aren’t gonna be able to move it. You and Johnny are gonna have to crawl through the gap.” Sue nodded as she crouched by Johnny again.
“Johnny, we need to go through that gap to get out, you’re gonna have to get up, Reed can help pull you through.” Johnny stubbornly shook his head.
“No Sue, I can’t, it’s gonna hurt too much.”
“Johnny, it’s the only way, I just, I need you to try.” She didn’t give him time to argue before she looped his arm around her shoulders and hoisted him to his feet. The gut wrenching cry of agony he let our made Sue wince as she brought him over to the gap in the rubble.
“Sue, I can’t.” He puffed. The opening was all the way at his shoulders and it was so narrow the only way to escape would be by shimmying through on your stomach which was impossible for Johnny considering he had metal still sticking out of his abdomen.
“Johnny, we have to try.” She insisted as she tried to heave him up. Johnny cried out again, roaring in pain before collapsing to his knees. Sue immediately sat with him, his head instinctively resting on her shoulder as he tried to breath through the brain.
“I can’t fit through there Sue, just go without me.”
“No, Johnny-“
“Sue. Please, you have to.”
“No, no, we can figure this out, I’m not just leaving you behind Johnny.”
“You said there was no other way.”
“We can find another way.” Sue was starting to tear up as she desperately tried to think of ways to save herself and her baby brother.
“Suse! What’s going on!?” Reed yelled from outside. Sue straightened up again so she could look her husband in the air.
“We can’t fit through.” She said, watching as Reed and Ben’s faces dropped.
“Yes, yes you can Sue, look.” Reed extended his arm out through the gap. “Just take my hand and I can help pull you through.” Sue looked down at her brother, slumped against the wall, loosing blood and delirious with pain.
“Johnny won’t be able to get through.” Reed immediately retracted his arm, knowing there was no way in hell Sue was going to abandon her baby brother. “Okay, then we’ll find another way. We’re getting you guys out of there, I promise.”
“What if all three of us use our powers. Suse you push and me and Reed will pull.” Everyone nodded in agreement and braced to use the powers to their full extent. Simultaneously the three of them begun to use their powers. Sue gritted her teeth as she used every ounce of power in her to try and move the cement even just the tiniest bit. But even with Ben’s strength the rubble couldn’t be budged. Sue’s powers eventually gave way and she collapsed to her knees in exhaustion.
“Sue!”
“I’m okay! I’m okay.” She reassured as she got back to her feet. “What’s plan C?” Their train of thought was interrupted by Johnny violently coughing. Sue crouched by him again, rubbing his back as he coughed some more. He pulled his elbow away from his mouth and shuddered when he noticed a few drops of blood now staining the area.
“Sue-“
“It’s okay. Hey, look at me, you’re gonna be okay. We’re gonna get out in now time and when we get back to the Baxter building Reed will be able to patch you up.” Johnny nodded hesitantly as Sue pressed a long kiss to his temple.
“Sue?” Sue faced the gap again to see Reed and Ben sharing a worried look.
“How is he?” Ben asked.
“Let’s just think of a way to get us out of here, and quickly.” That was enough to tell Reed and Ben that Johnny wasn’t doing good and that they needed to act fast.
“We can use an explosive, we have some at the Baxter building. They’re only small so they shouldn’t cause any damage to the surrounding structures. You can create a force field around you and Johnny to keep you safe.”
“And what if it does destroy the structure, won’t the whole roof collapse in on us.”
“It’s the only way Sue, it’s a risk we are just gonna have to take.” Sue swallowed nervously. This plan could either work perfectly or end up as a complete disaster. But Reed was right, it was the only way.
“Okay, let’s do it.” Reed nodded and immediately jumped into the fantasticar to speed back to the Baxter building.
“Make sure you have enough strength Sue, who knows what this explosive could blow up.” Sue nodded and sat down next to Johnny to try and conserve her energy.
“Sue?” He asked, his voice barely a whisper.
“What’s up Johnny?” She whispered back.
“I don’t feel good.” He said, his body starting to slump further down the wall until he was leaning on her body, his eyes barely open.
“Just hold on a little longer Johnny, I need you to be strong for a little longer.” She begged her as starting to tear up as she watched the life slowly draining out of her baby brother.
“I don’t think I can.” He muttered before he finally succumbed to unconsciousness.
“Johnny? Johnny can you hear me? Johnny?” Sue started to panic as he brother didn’t respond to her voice.
“Suse? What’s going on?”
“It’s Johnny! He’s- he’s unconscious, I-I”
“Check his pulse.” Sue shakily pressed two fingers to his neck and sobbed with relief when she felt a very faint pulse beneath her finger tips.
“He’s got a pulse, but it’s slow.” She stammered.
“Okay, lie him down Sue. Reeds almost here.” Sue carefully laid him down, trying not to jostle him in case he could still feel pain even when he was passed out. “Is he losing blood?”
“Yeah, there’s a lot of blood.”
“Okay. Apply some pressure to the wound.” Sue shakily pressed her hands against his stomach.
“Johnny? Johnny open your eyes, please. Please Johnny.” She sobbed as she buried her face in her baby brothers neck. “Please Johnny, you have to keep fighting, I can’t lose you too.” She begged as tears rolled down her face.
“I’m back Sue, I’m here.”
“Reed please hurry!” She sobbed. She tried to check Johnny’s pulse again but her hands were shaking so much that she couldn’t tell.
“Is he breathing Sue?!”
“I don’t know just please hurry!”
“Okay, okay. The explosive’s in place. I need you to set up that force field Sue.” Sue sobbed but tried to gather herself. He placed her hands on the ground either side of Johnny’s shoulders and channeled all her energy into creating a protective field around them.
“Okay, lighting the fuse. Get ready Sue.”
Sue only sobbed as she looked down at her brothers lifeless form. She could hear the flicker of a match followed by Reed and Ben retreating to a safe distance. She looked down at Johnny hoping and praying that there was still enough time to save him.
A sudden bang reverberated through them as the explosive detonated. The surrounding rubble crumbled and dust swarmed the force field around the Storm siblings. With the gust and the force of the bomb Sue tried with all her might to not let her force field falter, to protect her little brother. Slowly the dust around them started to settle. The cave seemed later and voices echoed vaguely in the background. She let the field fall just as Reed and Ben came bounding over. Reed wrapped his wife in a tight hug but quickly let go to crouch with Ben next to Johnny. The blood from the wound now covered most of the abodomen of Johnny’s baby blue suit and his skin had paled even more.
“He’s gone into shock, we need to get him home ASAP.” Reed said. Ben immediately scooped Johnny into his arms and lead the way out of the crumbled building.
“You doing okay Sue.” Sue nodded despite feeling a little exhausted after having to hold up such a strong force field for so long.
“Yeah, I just want Johnny to be okay.”
“I’ll do everything I can Sue, I promise.” Reed kissed her temple before looping an arm around her waist and slingshotting them free. The fantasticar was waiting at the entrance with Ben already in the back seat with Johnny draped over his lap. The fantastic four ignored all the press and witnesses who had gathered around the grumbling library as their main priority switched to getting Johnny help. Reed slinked into the drivers seat and immediately took off back to the Baxter building, ignoring all the press and fans that had gathered after the collapse. Sue reached a hand back and gently took Johnny’s hand in hers.
“We’re almost home Johnny, just hold on for me.” She squeezed his hand tightly hoping for Johnny to return the touch. They pulled into the Baxter building and both Reed and Ben immediately raced towards the infirmary.
“Mummy!” Franklin cheered when he saw the group running through the house.
“Just a moment sweetheart.” Sue followed after them, trying desperately to make sure her brother was going to be okay.
“Put him on the bed.” Reed ordered as he stepped into the infirmary and immediately started fiddling with the machines as H.E.R.B.I.E whirled around beside him.
“Sue, let’s let Reed do his thing.”
“No, I wanna stay, I wanna make sure he’s okay.”
“Sue. It’s been a long day. You’re exhausted. Go have a shower and take a nap, I’ll get some food ready and take care of Franklin. Reed will be able to help Johnny, I promise. What you need to do now is take care of yourself.” Sue hesitantly looked between Ben and her brother before giving in and trudging out of the room.
“Mummy?” Franklin mumbled.
“Hi honey.” Sue crouched and gently hugged her son close to her chest.
“What’s wrong mummy?” Sue pulled away from her son and pressed a long kiss to his forehead.
“I’m just worried baby, uncle Johnny got a bit hurt today.”
“Is he okay?” Sue stammered, not knowing whether to lie to her son or to tell him the truth.
“Franklin, buddy how about we let mummy have a shower and get changed and we can do some crafts.” Ben said as he hoisted his nephew into the air. “You can make uncle Johnny a gift to help him feel better.”
“Okay.” Sue mouthed a silent thank you as Ben carried Franklin into the living room to distract him long enough for Sue to gather her thoughts.
She closed and locked her bedroom door behind her so she could shower without interruption. As she undressed she caught sight of the blood that stained her gloves. Johnny’s blood. The blood that she’d barely tried to stop because she was panicking for his life. The warm water hit her back and Sue immediately broke down in sobs on the shower floor. She’d almost witnessed her own brother’s death that day, and who knew if he was going to make it. She’d already lost her mother and now it felt as if she was losing the last real family she had left. Her baby brother.
She didn’t know how long she’d spent curled up on the shower floor sobbing as warm water cascaded over her. But not one moment passed where she wasn’t thinking about her brother. If only she’d held him a little tighter, maybe she would’ve been able to protect him from the second tremor. She finally dragged herself to her feet and dried herself off before dressing in her sweats. Her eyes were red from how much she’d been crying and once all the dust had been cleaned off all the little cuts in her face became more visible.
She laid down in bed, hoping to nap but her mind was racing with thoughts about Johnny. It had been nearly an hour and there was no word from Reed. She could faintly hear Johnny giggling in the living room. In that moment Sue was grateful that Ben had managed to make it out unscathed. After a while Sue eventually composed herself enough to go outside of her room.
Sue took a grounding breath before opening the bedroom door and entering the living room. Ben was sat with Franklin on the ground cutting up paper shapes and H.E.R.B.I.E was busy making dinner in the kitchen. Ben had changed but still looked a little dusty as he gave Sue a sad smile.
“Hi mummy.” Franklin mumbled before getting back to messily gluing down things.
“Hi sweetheart, what are you making?” She asked, trying to hide the slight rasp in her voice.
“A card for uncle Johnny.” He struggled onto his feet before sliding onto Sue’s lap to show her his creation. “I even drew a drawing, look.” Franklin pointed a chubby finger at the stick figure that had a small squiggle on its hand that Sue assumed was meant to be a flame.
“It’s beautiful baby, uncle Johnny is going to love it.” Sue pressed a kiss to his temple. “Franklin, why don’t you go read your book, mummy needs to have a grown up talk with uncle Ben.”
“No dinner?”
“I’ll come get you when dinners ready baby.” After that Franklin happily slid off her lap and shuffled towards his bedroom.
“Has Reed come out yet?” Sue asked solemnly as Ben looked up from where he had been playing with Franklin.
“Not yet.”
“Why isn’t H.E.R.B.I.E in there?”
“He said Reeds good on his own.” Sue sighed sadly as she nervously picked at her fingernails. “Suse you have to try not to worry too much, he’ll be alright.”
“You don’t know that.”
“No, but Johnny is so stubborn I don’t think he would even let a library be the death of him. He’s strong, his body just needs time to recover.” Sue huffed again, knowing Ben was probably right but not wanting to get her hopes up in case he went downhill. “Dinner will be ready soon.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You need to eat Sue. It was a big day and you drained a lot of energy making that force field.”
“I’m fine Ben.”
“Sue, just eat something, please. We’re already down one storm sibling if emergency strikes tomorrow I don’t want to be down another.” Sue sighed, she knew Ben was right. Ben was always right it seemed.
“I should’ve held onto him tighter, I could’ve protected him, I could’ve prevented this.”
“I don’t want to hear that Sue. This isn’t your fault, it’s no one’s fault. We don’t even need to think about what happened, we just need to be there for Johnny while he recovers. Come here.” Ben held his arms out from here he was still sat on the floor. Sue sighed but flopped into Ben’s rocky arms.
“Thank you for taking care of Franklin.” She mumbled into his shoulder.
“No problem Susie. Let’s get some food into you and get you to bed.”
Sue helped Ben prepare the last of dinner before she went to fetch Franklin from his room. The three of them ate dinner together while H.E.R.B.I.E scuttled back to the infirmary to help Reed. By the time dinner was finished Sue was exhausted but still worried for Johnny. There hadn’t been any word from Reed since they got home. Shed laid down on the couch after putting Franklin to bed. The tv was humming away in the background and eventually drifted off.
“Suse.” Sue woke up with a start to see Reed looking down on her with tired eyes.
“Johnny-“
“He’s alright, he’s gonna be alright.” Sue sighed in relief and sat up to wrap her arms around Reed.
“Thank you.” She whispered into his neck as he squeezed her tightly.
“You should get to bed Sue, it’s been a long day.”
“I want to see him first.”
“He’s resting-“
“Please Reed, just for a minute.” Reed sighed but knew Sue would be mad at him if he denied her.
“Alright, but he’s not looking his best at the moment just so you know.”
“I’ll be alright Reed.” Sue pressed a reassuring kiss to his cheek as they made their way to their private infirmary. Reed opened the door and immediately Sue Rushed to Johnny’s side. Reed had draped a blanket over him but Sue could still see the wires and tubes that were poking out. A bit of colour had returned to his face but once the dust had been cleaned off she could see small bruises blossoming over his jawline and cheekbones. She pursued her fingers through his hair that was still littered with some dust and dirt.
“You gave me a real fright you know Johnny, I thought I had lost you for a second.” Sue admitted with a sad chuckle. “But you’re gonna be okay now. I know you are.” Sue grabbed one of his hands from underneath the blanket and pressed a kiss to his grazed knuckles. She gently placed his hand down on the bed again and made sure his whole body was covered by the blanket. “I’m gonna let you rest now, I love you so much Johnny.” Sue pressed a long kiss to his forehead before walking back over to Reed who was waiting just outside the door.
“You alright?” Sue nodded but silently wrapped her arms around Reed seeking the comfort of her husband.
“I just don’t like him being alone at night. What if he wakes up?”
“H.E.R.B.I.E is there monitoring him, if anything happens he’ll alert me and I’ll come straight here. I promise you, he’s well taken care of.”
“I know he is. But it just kills me to leave him all alone in there when he’s hurt.” Reed pressed a kiss to her hair as he gently rubbed her back. He wanted to let his wife stay with Johnny, he really did. But he knew that if Sue slept overnight in the infirmary it wouldn’t be good for, physically and mentally.
“Come on, let’s get you to bed. You can see him in the morning.” Sue reluctantly followed Reed into their bedroom. The moment her head hit the pillow and her eyes fluttered close she immediately fell into a deep sleep. That was until she was waken in the early hours of the morning by a small beeping from Reed’s side of the bed. She immediately felt a cool breeze as Reed slid out of bed and left their bedroom.
Sue was paralysed under the covers. She wanted to follow after Reed to check up on Johnny but she was too scared that the alert would mean something bad had happened. She didn’t know how much time had passed before Reed returned to their room, jumping when he realised Sue was awake.
“Sue, I was just coming to wake you up.”
“Is he okay?”
“Yeah, yeah he’s doing a lot better. He’s awake if you want to come and see him now.” Sue immediately jumped out of bed and ran straight past Reed towards the infirmary. She halted at the door when she saw Johnny gently stirring under the blanket. She immediately dragged over a chair and reached for his hand.
“Johnny?” She asked softly, just in case he was trying to rest. To her delight he turned his head towards her and blinked his eyes open with a small smile.
“Hey Suse.” He croaked out, his voice hoarse and rough. Sue couldn’t help but let a few tears of joy escape as she pressed a kiss to his forehead.
“I’m so glad you’re okay Johnny, you scared me today.” Johnny smiled sadly.
“Sorry.”
“It’s not you fault Johnny, you didn’t do anything wrong. We just need to focus on your recovery now.” Johnny nodded as Sue took his head and gave it a gentle squeeze. Moments later Reed and Ben entered the infirmary, everyone still dressed in their pyjamas and rubbing the sleep out of their eyes. Ben stood opposite Sue and gently ruffled Johnny’s hair.
“Hey matchstick, how are you feeling?”
“I’ve seen better days.” Everyone chuckled sadly as Reed moved to stand with a reassuring hand on Sue’s shoulder.
“We’re all just glad you’re alright Johnny.” They all nodded along.
“Good news is you’re gonna have a pretty wicked scar matchstick.” Ben teased as he gently bumped his shoulder.
“Nice.” Johnny said with a soft chuckle, his eyes slipping further closed with each breath.
“I think we should let you rest a little more.” Reed said making everyone nod in agreement.
“Rest up matchstick.” Ben said as he ruffled his hair one more time before making his way back to his bedroom.
“Sue?”
“Yeah?”
“Can you stay?” He mumbled, his eyes glassy as he gave her his best puppy gaze. The siblings heard Reed sigh in disapproval, knowing clearly he was against Sue staying by Johnny’s side all night. “Just until I fall asleep again.”
“Yeah of course Johnny. I’ll stay as long as you need me to.” Johnny smiled with relief as Sue pressed a kiss to his knuckles.
“Sue-“
“Reed, we’ll be fine.” Sue reassured as she looked at her husband sternly. Reed sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Okay, just make sure you get some sleep.” Sue nodded and let Reed peck her on the lips before he went back to their bedroom.
“Gross.” Johnny mumbled making Sue giggle.
“You won’t think it’s gross when you have a girlfriend one day.” Johnny hummed, resting a hand on his stomach. “I think it’s time you go to sleep hun, let you body rest.” Johnny nodded softly.
“Thanks for looking after me.” He mumbled as he drifted off to sleep.
“I’ll always look after you Johnny.” Sue knew he’d already fallen asleep and he hadn’t heard her but still made the effort to kiss his forehead. After seeing her brother sleeping in the medical bed Sue knew she wouldn’t be able to leave him during the night. She dragged her chair even closer and grabbed a pillow from one of the linen cupboards to lean on. She held his hand softly in hers as she finally drifted off into a peaceful sleep knowing Johnny was getting better.
~~~
It had been a few days since the earthquake. Johnny had been improving without complications and was finally healed enough to move out of the infirmary and back to his room. Ben and Reed flanked him as he slowly shuffled through the corridors towards his room. They helped him settle into bed, leaning on a mountain of pillows with blankets pulled up to his waist.
“Better?” Sue asked as she brushed the hair off his forehead.
“Much better.” He hummed happily.
“Johnny, you have a very special visitor who’d like to see you.” Ben said as he poked his head out from behind his bedroom door.
“Send them in.” Ben stepped back as Franklin shuffled into the room.
“Hi uncle Johnny.” Franklin chirped as Ben followed the toddler into Johnny’s room.
“Hey buddy.” Johnny said as he immediately tried to straighten up and wipe the grimace of pain from his face. Sue smiled as she lifted Franklin onto her lap.
“No mummy, I want to cuddle uncle Johnny.” He said with a pout as he tried to wriggle out of her grip. Sue sighed softly.
“Alright, just be gentle please Franklin, remember uncle Johnny has a sore tummy.” Franklin hummed before crawling off her lap to lie down next to Johnny with his head leaning on his uncles shoulder.
“I made you a special card to make you feel better.” He said as he pulled out his card to show Johnny.
“Aww, thanks buddy. It’s beautiful.” Johnny said as he ruffled Franklins blond hair.
“That’s okay, I’m happy that you’re better uncle Johnny.” Johnny chuckled softly as he kept gently stroking Franklin’s shiny blond hair.
“Thanks Frankie.”
“Mummy and daddy have been worried.” Johnny smiled as he looked at Sue who was holding back tears. “Why are you sad mummy?” Sue giggled.
“I’m just happy baby that uncle Johnny is feeling better.” She said with a soft smile. Franklin quickly moved to cuddle into Johnny’s side, being extremely careful around Johnny’s stomach just like his mum had instructed.
“Should we watch some tv Frankie?” Johnny asked. Franklin’s eyes lit up as he nodded his head eagerly. Sue frowned at them as Johnny picked up the remote and turned on the tv behind Sue.
“Nothing inappropriate Johnny.” Sue said sternly.
“No Baywatch?”
“Johnny-“
“I’m kidding Suse.” Johnny teased as he flicked to a cartoon channel. Johnny may be in his twenties but he was still a child at heart.
“Not too much tv you too.” Sue pressed a kiss to Franklins hair, then to Johnnys forehead before closing his bedroom door as the two of them giggled in synchronisation.
“Everything alright?” Reed asked.
“Everything’s perfect.”