LINK: Patrick was starting to see that it was time to stop worrying about the things in his life he couldn't change, to start making changes with the things he could.

LINK: Ironic how every single expletive and swear word sticks in your mind when your brain fails at about everything else.

"Children make you want to start life over."

LINK: Watching the love of his life unconscious beside him, Patrick told himself that if he managed to escape this ordeal and regain the use of his legs once again, that maybe having a family of his own really was meant to be...

28.2.1. A problem shared is a problem halved

Co-written with cameronpreston
[Follows THIS, THIS and THIS]

Cameron was sitting as close to his twin's hospital bed as he could get. He had lost track of how long he had been sitting there for now, but he knew he would stay there as long as it took. He had no idea what had happened, but it really didn't matter. He just wanted Pat to be okay when he woke up. He had been medicated for some time now. There was one thing having people tell you to relax and it would all be okay, but it was entirely another to manage to do it. He was waking now, though, so Cameron wrapped his hands around one of Pat's, squeezing it softly. "Patto, it's Cam. Listen to me, buddy. It's going to be okay. Aiden's going to be okay..." he told him, trying to stay calm. He wanted Pat to have the information he needed straight away, even if he had to repeat it a hundred times. Pat was awake, his eyes were opening, but Cameron had no idea how he would react or if he was cognitive enough to comprehend the words. It could go either way. But when all Pat did was start to cry, Cameron wished to God it didn't have to be that reaction, because it felt like his heart was crushing and that helpless, aching feeling started to set in with a vengeance.

( He tried to shift closer, but being stuck in a wheelchair with a fucked knee, it was impossible... )


Word Count | 1,647

28.5.3. A moment of heightened emotions

Co-written with mrpublicity
[Follows a few weeks after THIS]

Pat flexed and unflexed his hands around the steering wheel of his car and sighed as he he pulled up for the red light at a busy intersection. He wet his lips and glanced at Aiden sitting in the passenger's seat. "Are you serious? You want to do this now?" he asked calmly. "Right now? It can't wait until we get home?" He fought the urge to light up a cigarette, even if that was what his first reaction was. He did know sooner or later they would reach this point, but it was just something he wasn't sure he was ready to face yet.

( “Home?” Aiden returned with a small snort and shake of his head... )


Word Count | 1,246

LINK: As guilty as it made him feel, sometimes, on the bad days when the tremors were so bad he couldn't hold a cup of coffee, he wished he was someone else.

Hey guys :)

I'm back in one piece are my wedding. It was all smashing, and the only down side was managing to pick up an interesting case of food poisoning on the drive back from France for our honeymoon. Luckily it was at the tail end, so it was all good.

It took me a little longer than I thought to get back on my feet and back to RP, but alas, I made it! Sorry for keeping plots hanging longer than anticipated. Promise to make it all up to you.

Much love!

4.20. "I don't want your help, I want you safe."
Up

Co-written with drcampbell | A week after THIS

Lachlan felt a tiny bit of the weight lift from his shoulders that morning when his baby son was moved from the Paediatrics ICU to the standard Paeds Ward. Riley was out of the woods, with his blood sugar still a little unstable, but his breathing and heart rate back to where they should be. He had been in a really bad way when he was brought in, and Lachlan could hardly maintain his composure when he was told what had happened. Riley's blood sugar had dropped when he missed a meal with Tara unable to get to him. He was also dehydrated from having no access to a drink to satiate the thirst that came from the falling BSL. From there, it was just a rapid descent with his health. He had already been running a minor fever, likely from the fact he was teething again. Once the wee boy realised there was no one there to help him when he cried, he inevitably panicked and became rapidly distressed, spiking a fever. By the time Aiden had actually got to him, it was probably hours since Tara placed him in the buggy. His nappy was so soiled and wet, he had a painful rash all over his bottom and genitals, spanning down to the tops of his legs. The panic had him hyperventilating and the crying meant his little nose was blocked and throat was sore, making it difficult to breathe. He had also scratched at his face because he was so distressed, drawing blood even though Tara had always kept his nails trimmed to prevent him accidentally scratching himself.

( When Lachlan had seen his son in the ER, he hadn't been able to do anything but sob... )

All muses referenced with permission and are from the princeton2nyc universe


Word Count | 2,185

Do you think it might be possible for you to come to Princeton at some point? I need to talk to you about some things. If you can let me know in advance when you can come, I'll make sure Cameron isn't here.

Thanks, love.

1.10. "There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort."
Jane Austen

Co-written with doctortara

[Follows THIS, THIS, THIS and THIS]

Tara sat on the side of Pat’s hospital bed, one hand gently wrapped around his and her other resting on the handle of the baby buggy parked beside the bed. Her baby son was nestled inside, shooting her bright smiles and tiny giggles when she waved her fingers at him. He had still been a little off-colour when he woke that morning, so they decided to make an appointment with his doctor for a bit of a check over. He was happy enough but he definitely didn’t have the energy he usually did as a curious seven month old. They had an appointment in an hour, so Tara offered to sit with Pat while Lachlan joined Aiden and Cameron outside for a coffee and a bit of fresh air. Tara wasn’t surprised when both men had tried to protest, and she knew more than anyone how it felt to be in their shoes. But she did also know that some fresh air could help clear the head just a little and that was better than the oppressive weight of sitting at a hospital bedside crushing you more and more with each tick of the clock.

( She also knew this whole this was a strain on her husband too... )

All muses referenced with permission


Word Count | 816