“Yeah. I'm lucky Kripke got me on this rotation,I guess. I don't want to go back.”
“Hey, none of that. You have buddies back therewho are counting on you,” Phillip said softly. “You can tell themthat I'm awake and doing better. It will make all thedifference.”
Ryan nodded. He laid his head on the bed lookingup at his lover. “I...” He stopped when Phillip's fingers touchedhis lips.
“Not yet,” the older man whispered.
Ryan nodded and closed his eyes. It was enoughto be with Phillip; to hear his voice; to feel his touch.
Phillip tugged on the younger man's hair untilRyan was inches from him. They kissed softly, pouring every ounceof feeling into their gentle kiss.
***
25 Nov 2006
Phil,
I'm back. Everyone says hello. They miss you.Well not really. You were kind of a dick but they know you did itso they could all make it home but I do miss you. A lot.
Alexander said I'm being bitchy but I figuresince you’re not here someone has to do it. LOL.
I talked to your mom. She said they are takingthe cast off soon. The doctors are surprised at how well you'rehealing. But they don't know you. Not like we do.
Well I need to go. I just wanted you to know I'mback.
Freckles
***
27 Nov 2006
Freckles,
Come on admit it. They love me. It's my charmingpersonality isn't it?
I'm glad you're back safely. I kinda get whyMark is always so cranky when Patrick is deployed. The news sucksand most of the time they give just enough details to make a persongo crazy.
Yeah, they're gonna take the cast off and Istart therapy soon. I was told I couldn't deploy any more. Thatseriously sucks. I can't let my guys go and not be there. Bastards.But I would probably be more of a problem than a solution,especially if you're with me. You're a big enough girl to putyourself at risk for me.
I'm counting the days till you come home. Whenyou do...we have to talk.
Phil
PS I knew you loved being called ‘Freckles’.It's adorable just like you are. Yes you are!
***
The months went by quickly for Phillip. He wasfinally discharged after six months. His parents wanted him to comehome with them but he went back to Hood. He had to get back on thejob. His father knew why. They had an understanding. He wouldn'tpush himself and they wouldn't baby him.
Physical therapy sucked. Phillip hated it. Healways felt so weak but it was paying off. He could walk a fewsteps with the aid of hand rails. But mostly he was stuck in thewheel chair. He made it his personal goal to be standing when Ryancame home.
He also had several projects he wanted to finishbefore his boyfriend came home - namely moving all of Ryan's shitinto his house. Kenneth, Sandy and Mark helped him with that. Itwas going to be a surprise to Ryan but Phillip didn't think hewould mind.
His latest project was to make Ryan's parentsopen their eyes to whom and what their son was. He got the phonenumber from Mac and stared at the phone.
He knew that it hurt Ryan. Ryan had always beenclose to his parents. When he had ‘come out’ his parents ripped hisheart out and Phillip wanted nothing more than to kick their assesand make them see what sort of man their son was.
He dialed the number with purpose.
