Post by Shanna on Oct 4, 2015 14:47:25 GMT -5
They were sitting on the couch silent after he’d made the call to Josh. “Good morning ‘my Sarah’” his grin was like his old self.
“Good morning love.” She returned in answer when he leaned in to kiss her. After their kiss he laid his head in her lap as she began to gently play with his hair. “Do you remember when I first invited you to one of my soccer games while we were dating?” She nodded.
“Yeah, Josh, & your family was there to watch.” She replied. “Josh was helping you follow the game & I looked over & I could see you were having a good time, you waved at me, I remembered I signaled something I think.” He remarked thinking of the memory.
“You blew me a kiss.” She stated. “That’s right.”
“I was eating the hot dog Jack had just brought over for me.” Sarah started to say but Nick continued, as he started laughing, “Yeah, I had just scored a goal and looked over to find you. You were so excited you pitched the hot dog in the air! You were waiting for it to fall but it never did ---.” He stopped to catch his breath & realized Sarah was laughing just as much. “You’d thrown it in the air in your excitement at seeing me score a goal and didn’t see, when you did, a bird had flown over and stealing it; flying away with it.”
“All of us standing there were trying to figure out what happen to it.” She remarked fanning her face. “I know, I could see confusion, annoyance, & exasperation play across your face as you looked for it, then I yelled for you all to look up to see & everybody lost it.”
“We had some fun times, didn’t we baby.” He reached to touch her face. “We still can Nick.” She caressed his arm.
“I have to go to the station to tell Chief Parker, Josh will meet me there.” He sat up & carefully stood. “I’ll pick up the boys in about an hour, than we can go from there.” He nodded and went to shower and dress.
At the station, Josh was in the parking lot waiting when he got there. “Hey partner. How are you holding up?”
“Honest?” Josh nodded. “I’m still processing, I have my down days then there are moments where Sarah and I can laugh about the fun stuff we did but it’s a coping mechanism while we both process what’s happening to me. We have to tell the boys when I get back home.” “Oh man.” Josh whispered.
Inside, Nick stood still for minute taking in the loud hustle & bustle of the station. Josh waited patiently watching his partner. “Okay let’s get this over with.” Making his way through the bullpen several officers called to Nick & he waved or made a sarcastic comment that made the officer laugh.
Knocking on the Chief’s door, they went in. “Chief Parker, I need to talk with you.” Nick requested. “Sure Nick what’s up?” he asked as Josh sat in the other chair. “First, let me say Josh knows what I’m about to tell you, he’s here for support.” The Chief saw something change in his officer, “What’s happening with you Nick, is it Sarah? The boys?” He shook his head, “No they’re all fine…. It’s me sir.”
“How do I say this... starting a few weeks ago I started having some problems I’d have tingling sensation in my feet, my thighs, or my lower back or shoulders began to hurt. After several weeks of this, it got to a point, sir, that I cut myself accidently & didn’t feel it.” The Chief frowned but didn’t say anything. When I cut myself I went to the hospital.” Chief Parker nodded and listened while Nick told of his seeing the Dr. and diagnosis.
“Chief, he told us that I have something called Guillian-Barre Syndrome, which means I will lose the ability to walk over time… and my sense of touch, will come & go. I’m going to fight to get better but I’m not sure how long it could take.” Nick finished. The chief was silent. “What can I do to help, Nick?”
“Well sir, I’d like to work as long as I’m able even though it’ll be desk duty but I’m not sure how long that will be. I was wondering… how is the department going to handle this?”
“Well we can put you on desk duty for a couple of weeks, to let your Long-Term Disability Insurance take effect, then you will go on Medical Disability Leave until you let me know one way or the other. This couple of weeks you’re here will also give you and Josh the opportunity to bring another officer up to speed.” Chief Parker stated.
“But sir…” Josh interjected. “Josh you know I state there must be a team of two detectives paired at all times, you’re going to be without your partner; you know the drill.” He nodded in understanding.
Nick looked at the chief in stunned silence, “I’m not off the force permanently?”
“Of course not.” “Thank you sir.” He nodded. Nick stood and wobbled; Josh grabbed his shoulders and steadied him. Turning, he started out when the chief called him again, “Yes Chief?” He turned “You let me know if there is anything we can do for you or your family.” Nick thanked him and left the office with Josh; then they both left so Nick could head home.
Getting back, he let himself in; “Hey Beautiful” Nick called. Hearing him, she came down the stairs, “Hey honey, how’d it go?
“Surprising well, the Chief explained what I’d have to do, I’ll do desk duty for a few weeks while we're waiting on department stuff to kick in then I’ll be on Medical Disability Leave until…” he didn’t say anything else. He couldn’t, either he’d beat the GBS or it’d take him out. Sarah saw what he was thinking in his eyes. “You’ll be back to work when this is all over honey.”
“Where are the boys? He wondered. “Upstairs?
“Boys, daddy’s home? He yelled, crossing to the couch as he heard the running feet on the stairs as they came down. “Daddy!” they whooped crowding on the couch to snuggle with him and talk.
A little later, Sarah was now on the couch with them, Nick looked over the boys’ heads at her and nodded, she agreed silently. “Guys we need to tell you something.” he said.
“What?” Billy asked looking at his dad. “Well do you remember when mommy took me to the hospital the other day?” Billy nodded along with Jason. “You stayed there over night so the doctors could make you better.”
“Yeah I stayed there so the doctors could look at me but I’m not better, little man.” Nick answered even as a lump gathered in his throat; how was he supposed to tell these boys that daddy was sick and was going to have a long fight to get better?
“Daddy is still sick, little man.” He told Billy. “No,” the little boy replied as he crawled into Nick’s lap. “This illness won’t be easy for me so I’m going to need you guys to help me at times okay?”
“How Daddy?” Jason asked.
“Well, daddy will have to fight to get better and there will be days were I won’t be able to walk very well so I’ll need you guys to help me with things because I may hurt or can’t move very well … there will also be times where this will be hard for mommy so you and your brother will need to help her when I can’t.”
“Daddy’s right guys.” Sarah stated. “You can keep him company or help him.”
“We’ll help you daddy.” Billy said. “I know you will.” Nick replied looking at both his boys, “I need you guys to listen to me really good. On the days that are really bad for me, I want you both to remember that I love you very much and always will no matter what happens. “Now you guys will have to help me and mommy when we need it. We are a family and we’ll all get through this and when we do we’ll all be stronger for it. Just because I’m sick doesn’t mean we can’t do things, we can, and we’ll just do them a little differently. Do you guys understand?” When they nodded they each hugged him and then ran upstairs.
“That hurt like crazy to tell them daddy was sick.” Nick replied. “I know.” Sarah said softly.
Behind them on the stairs Billy stood staring at Nick with tears in his eyes. He knew when they had gone to the hospital that something was wrong. Running upstairs, Jason looked at him when he came in their room.
“Billy?” “Leave me alone!” He replied fighting tears but with no use. With a nod Jason went downstairs.
“Daddy?” Jason called when he reached the family room. “Yeah buddy?” he said when the little boy reached both he and Sarah. “Billy’s crying in our room.” Nick leaned his head back and let out a breath. “Let me go honey.” Sarah asked. “No, I’d better go.” Nick said softly in her ear, “you help Jason.” He answered when he saw tears in Jason’s eyes as well.
Standing, he stroked Jason’s cheek lightly then went upstairs.
Reaching the boys room, he leaned on the doorjamb and just watched Billy for a minute when he saw his shoulders shaking slightly. Going in, he sat gently on the bed beside him.
Billy felt a hand on his back as he continued to cry. He knew it was his dad but he didn’t want to look at him.
“Billy, look at me please.” Nick asked softly as he rubbed the little boy’s back.
He refused shaking his head. Nick gently rolled him over and wiped his tears away, “Come here.” He replied, holding his arms open. The little boy sat up quickly and hugged him tight.
Pulling him into his lap, Nick just held him, not saying anything. Billy didn’t seem to need words at this minute just reassurance that he wasn’t leaving them. Nick didn’t realize that at the same time downstairs, Sarah was doing the exact same with Jason.
“You’re not leaving Daddy?” Billy said softly as he buried himself closer into Nick.
“No, little man, I’m not. I love my family. Fighting this illness will be a big job but I love mommy, you, and Jason too much to leave you. So I’m not going anywhere.”
“Why don’t you lie back down and try and take a nap for a little while okay?” Nick wondered. Before he could continue Sarah came in carrying Jason. When Jason saw him he held his arms out.
Holding him tight Nick glanced at Sarah, “I was going to lay him down for a nap but he wouldn’t until he saw you.” She replied. Looking at Jason he smiled, “I’m here buddy its okay.” He said as he kissed his cheek. Sarah took him and laid him down and covered him with a blanket. Both brothers looked at each other and Nick and Sarah saw the look that passed between the boys but couldn’t read it. As they stood Billy’s voice stopped them.
“Mommy, Daddy… don’t go yet.” He whispered.
Knowing they needed reassurance now Sarah ran out of their room and a minute later was back carrying two pillows and a blanket. “Right now is a good time for a nap; you agree Daddy?” she asked looking at Nick. He nodded. He kicked off his shoes and while the boys watched Sarah gently helped Nick sit on the floor between the boys’ beds and then sat down beside him. After getting comfortable with the pillows, they lay down and covered up.
“Okay boys why don’t we all take a nap for a bit and then later we can play. They nodded as they blew kisses to both of them.
Later while Sarah was fixing dinner, the phone rang and by the third ring Nick could grab it, "Hello?"
"Nick? it's Alyssa, Daniel's with me too, we just wanted to call and check on you? the family? and everyone else? Are you doing okay?" She asked.
Nick rubbed a hand over his face as he listened, "Hey sis!, I'm hanging in there, I have my good days- my bad days. The boys are good they are really good at helping me or Sarah."
"That's great." Alyssa replied. Nick then filled her in on the rest of the family as they talked a little longer.
“Good morning love.” She returned in answer when he leaned in to kiss her. After their kiss he laid his head in her lap as she began to gently play with his hair. “Do you remember when I first invited you to one of my soccer games while we were dating?” She nodded.
“Yeah, Josh, & your family was there to watch.” She replied. “Josh was helping you follow the game & I looked over & I could see you were having a good time, you waved at me, I remembered I signaled something I think.” He remarked thinking of the memory.
“You blew me a kiss.” She stated. “That’s right.”
“I was eating the hot dog Jack had just brought over for me.” Sarah started to say but Nick continued, as he started laughing, “Yeah, I had just scored a goal and looked over to find you. You were so excited you pitched the hot dog in the air! You were waiting for it to fall but it never did ---.” He stopped to catch his breath & realized Sarah was laughing just as much. “You’d thrown it in the air in your excitement at seeing me score a goal and didn’t see, when you did, a bird had flown over and stealing it; flying away with it.”
“All of us standing there were trying to figure out what happen to it.” She remarked fanning her face. “I know, I could see confusion, annoyance, & exasperation play across your face as you looked for it, then I yelled for you all to look up to see & everybody lost it.”
“We had some fun times, didn’t we baby.” He reached to touch her face. “We still can Nick.” She caressed his arm.
“I have to go to the station to tell Chief Parker, Josh will meet me there.” He sat up & carefully stood. “I’ll pick up the boys in about an hour, than we can go from there.” He nodded and went to shower and dress.
At the station, Josh was in the parking lot waiting when he got there. “Hey partner. How are you holding up?”
“Honest?” Josh nodded. “I’m still processing, I have my down days then there are moments where Sarah and I can laugh about the fun stuff we did but it’s a coping mechanism while we both process what’s happening to me. We have to tell the boys when I get back home.” “Oh man.” Josh whispered.
Inside, Nick stood still for minute taking in the loud hustle & bustle of the station. Josh waited patiently watching his partner. “Okay let’s get this over with.” Making his way through the bullpen several officers called to Nick & he waved or made a sarcastic comment that made the officer laugh.
Knocking on the Chief’s door, they went in. “Chief Parker, I need to talk with you.” Nick requested. “Sure Nick what’s up?” he asked as Josh sat in the other chair. “First, let me say Josh knows what I’m about to tell you, he’s here for support.” The Chief saw something change in his officer, “What’s happening with you Nick, is it Sarah? The boys?” He shook his head, “No they’re all fine…. It’s me sir.”
“How do I say this... starting a few weeks ago I started having some problems I’d have tingling sensation in my feet, my thighs, or my lower back or shoulders began to hurt. After several weeks of this, it got to a point, sir, that I cut myself accidently & didn’t feel it.” The Chief frowned but didn’t say anything. When I cut myself I went to the hospital.” Chief Parker nodded and listened while Nick told of his seeing the Dr. and diagnosis.
“Chief, he told us that I have something called Guillian-Barre Syndrome, which means I will lose the ability to walk over time… and my sense of touch, will come & go. I’m going to fight to get better but I’m not sure how long it could take.” Nick finished. The chief was silent. “What can I do to help, Nick?”
“Well sir, I’d like to work as long as I’m able even though it’ll be desk duty but I’m not sure how long that will be. I was wondering… how is the department going to handle this?”
“Well we can put you on desk duty for a couple of weeks, to let your Long-Term Disability Insurance take effect, then you will go on Medical Disability Leave until you let me know one way or the other. This couple of weeks you’re here will also give you and Josh the opportunity to bring another officer up to speed.” Chief Parker stated.
“But sir…” Josh interjected. “Josh you know I state there must be a team of two detectives paired at all times, you’re going to be without your partner; you know the drill.” He nodded in understanding.
Nick looked at the chief in stunned silence, “I’m not off the force permanently?”
“Of course not.” “Thank you sir.” He nodded. Nick stood and wobbled; Josh grabbed his shoulders and steadied him. Turning, he started out when the chief called him again, “Yes Chief?” He turned “You let me know if there is anything we can do for you or your family.” Nick thanked him and left the office with Josh; then they both left so Nick could head home.
Getting back, he let himself in; “Hey Beautiful” Nick called. Hearing him, she came down the stairs, “Hey honey, how’d it go?
“Surprising well, the Chief explained what I’d have to do, I’ll do desk duty for a few weeks while we're waiting on department stuff to kick in then I’ll be on Medical Disability Leave until…” he didn’t say anything else. He couldn’t, either he’d beat the GBS or it’d take him out. Sarah saw what he was thinking in his eyes. “You’ll be back to work when this is all over honey.”
“Where are the boys? He wondered. “Upstairs?
“Boys, daddy’s home? He yelled, crossing to the couch as he heard the running feet on the stairs as they came down. “Daddy!” they whooped crowding on the couch to snuggle with him and talk.
A little later, Sarah was now on the couch with them, Nick looked over the boys’ heads at her and nodded, she agreed silently. “Guys we need to tell you something.” he said.
“What?” Billy asked looking at his dad. “Well do you remember when mommy took me to the hospital the other day?” Billy nodded along with Jason. “You stayed there over night so the doctors could make you better.”
“Yeah I stayed there so the doctors could look at me but I’m not better, little man.” Nick answered even as a lump gathered in his throat; how was he supposed to tell these boys that daddy was sick and was going to have a long fight to get better?
“Daddy is still sick, little man.” He told Billy. “No,” the little boy replied as he crawled into Nick’s lap. “This illness won’t be easy for me so I’m going to need you guys to help me at times okay?”
“How Daddy?” Jason asked.
“Well, daddy will have to fight to get better and there will be days were I won’t be able to walk very well so I’ll need you guys to help me with things because I may hurt or can’t move very well … there will also be times where this will be hard for mommy so you and your brother will need to help her when I can’t.”
“Daddy’s right guys.” Sarah stated. “You can keep him company or help him.”
“We’ll help you daddy.” Billy said. “I know you will.” Nick replied looking at both his boys, “I need you guys to listen to me really good. On the days that are really bad for me, I want you both to remember that I love you very much and always will no matter what happens. “Now you guys will have to help me and mommy when we need it. We are a family and we’ll all get through this and when we do we’ll all be stronger for it. Just because I’m sick doesn’t mean we can’t do things, we can, and we’ll just do them a little differently. Do you guys understand?” When they nodded they each hugged him and then ran upstairs.
“That hurt like crazy to tell them daddy was sick.” Nick replied. “I know.” Sarah said softly.
Behind them on the stairs Billy stood staring at Nick with tears in his eyes. He knew when they had gone to the hospital that something was wrong. Running upstairs, Jason looked at him when he came in their room.
“Billy?” “Leave me alone!” He replied fighting tears but with no use. With a nod Jason went downstairs.
“Daddy?” Jason called when he reached the family room. “Yeah buddy?” he said when the little boy reached both he and Sarah. “Billy’s crying in our room.” Nick leaned his head back and let out a breath. “Let me go honey.” Sarah asked. “No, I’d better go.” Nick said softly in her ear, “you help Jason.” He answered when he saw tears in Jason’s eyes as well.
Standing, he stroked Jason’s cheek lightly then went upstairs.
Reaching the boys room, he leaned on the doorjamb and just watched Billy for a minute when he saw his shoulders shaking slightly. Going in, he sat gently on the bed beside him.
Billy felt a hand on his back as he continued to cry. He knew it was his dad but he didn’t want to look at him.
“Billy, look at me please.” Nick asked softly as he rubbed the little boy’s back.
He refused shaking his head. Nick gently rolled him over and wiped his tears away, “Come here.” He replied, holding his arms open. The little boy sat up quickly and hugged him tight.
Pulling him into his lap, Nick just held him, not saying anything. Billy didn’t seem to need words at this minute just reassurance that he wasn’t leaving them. Nick didn’t realize that at the same time downstairs, Sarah was doing the exact same with Jason.
“You’re not leaving Daddy?” Billy said softly as he buried himself closer into Nick.
“No, little man, I’m not. I love my family. Fighting this illness will be a big job but I love mommy, you, and Jason too much to leave you. So I’m not going anywhere.”
“Why don’t you lie back down and try and take a nap for a little while okay?” Nick wondered. Before he could continue Sarah came in carrying Jason. When Jason saw him he held his arms out.
Holding him tight Nick glanced at Sarah, “I was going to lay him down for a nap but he wouldn’t until he saw you.” She replied. Looking at Jason he smiled, “I’m here buddy its okay.” He said as he kissed his cheek. Sarah took him and laid him down and covered him with a blanket. Both brothers looked at each other and Nick and Sarah saw the look that passed between the boys but couldn’t read it. As they stood Billy’s voice stopped them.
“Mommy, Daddy… don’t go yet.” He whispered.
Knowing they needed reassurance now Sarah ran out of their room and a minute later was back carrying two pillows and a blanket. “Right now is a good time for a nap; you agree Daddy?” she asked looking at Nick. He nodded. He kicked off his shoes and while the boys watched Sarah gently helped Nick sit on the floor between the boys’ beds and then sat down beside him. After getting comfortable with the pillows, they lay down and covered up.
“Okay boys why don’t we all take a nap for a bit and then later we can play. They nodded as they blew kisses to both of them.
Later while Sarah was fixing dinner, the phone rang and by the third ring Nick could grab it, "Hello?"
"Nick? it's Alyssa, Daniel's with me too, we just wanted to call and check on you? the family? and everyone else? Are you doing okay?" She asked.
Nick rubbed a hand over his face as he listened, "Hey sis!, I'm hanging in there, I have my good days- my bad days. The boys are good they are really good at helping me or Sarah."
"That's great." Alyssa replied. Nick then filled her in on the rest of the family as they talked a little longer.