Iero's Family!

When Gerard finally emerged from the bathroom, Frank was sat on the third step of the stairs, waiting for him. He stood up and crossed the hallway quickly, taking Gerard in his arms.

"Come sit down baby."

He led his shaky husband through to the kitchen, where Mikey was busy making coffee. Mikey looked up with concern, but remained silent. Frank sat down, pulling Gerard into his lap.

"I'm taking you to see Doc Brown."

Gerard shook his head.

"I don't need a doctor. It's probably just a stomach bug. Didn't Maggie say something about one going around town?"

Frank frowned, but nodded.

"You're right, but if this hasn't stopped by Thursday, I'm takin' you. No arguments."

Gerard sighed, resignedly. He hated the doctor's. They often stuck him with needles, and he'd had a fear of those since he was a child.

"Alright. But I'm sure it's nothing."

Mikey handed a mug of coffee to Frank, and held out a glass of water toward Gerard.

"Water?.. Really Mikes?"

Gerard raised an eyebrow, incredulously at his brother.
Mikey rolled his eyes, knowing his brother's coffee addiction was even stronger than his own.

"You just puked Gee.. You need to hydrate.. 'sides, coffee could make you sick again if your stomach's upset."

Gerard would have argued, but Frank cleared his throat and gently squeezed Gerard's side with the hand wrapped securely around his waist.

"Fine."

Gerard groaned, accepting the water.

"But I want ice cream later."

Mikey laughed.

"Ok.. Cos ice cream is a viable alternative to coffee."

He said, sarcastically, as Frank chuckled and sipped his drink.

They spent the rest of the morning together, talking about random stuff and laughing over photos Mikey had on his phone.
Shortly after they'd eaten a light lunch, Gerard barely touching his, he started yawning, and rested his head against Frank's shoulder. He'd tried to move onto his own chair before lunch, but Frank held onto him, and refused to let him go, no matter how much he squirmed. Eventually, he'd given in and relaxed against Frank's chest with a sigh.

"Tired sweetheart."

It wasn't a question. Gerard was about to shake his head, when another big yawn broke from his lips. Frank smiled.

"Time to go home, I think."

Frank stood up, lifting Gerard up in his arms.

"I can walk, you know."

Gerard whined, but made no attempt to get down, as another yawn hit.

"I know you can."

Frank stated, heading toward the back door. He turned around when he got there.

"Bye Michael. Thank you for lunch."

Mikey waved the thanks away.

"Any time."

He looked at Gerard, who appeared to be falling asleep on Frank's shoulder.

"You feel better bro.. And call me if you have to go to the doctor, ok?"

Gerard nodded, sleepily.

"Ok Mikes."

They all said their goodbyes, then Frank carried Gerard out to his truck and carefully placed him in the passenger seat, leaning across him to clip in his seatbelt.
Half way from the house to the foot of the mountain, Gerard was asleep.

~

~

~

As it happened, Gerard was still being sick when Thursday rolled around, and Frank insisted on taking him to the doctor's.
Gerard couldn't keep much more than water down, and Frank worried that he was losing weight, and he didn't have that much to lose in the first place.

"You ready?"

He asked, grabbing his keys. Gerard pouted, but nodded and trailed Frank to the door.

"Lets go."

Heading outside, he waved goodbye to Lucas as he rode up on his snow white stallion.

"See you later. Call me if there's any problems."

"Sure dad."

Lucas said back, bringing the horse to a halt and patting his neck, gently.

"You'll be ok Gee."

He grinned down at his still huffy stepfather, gaining only a shrug in response.

"See you when you get back."

Frank helped Gerard up into the truck, then shut his door, and went around to the driver's door. Before opening it, he turned back to Lucas.

"If that guy from the other day shows up, don't let him in.. Call me and lock all the doors.. Ok?"

Lucas frowned.

"I'm 16 dad, I'm not a kid any more."

"I know that.. But he's not to be trusted. Do you understand?"

"Not really, cos you won't tell me who he is."

Frank sighed deeply, glancing into the truck, and seeing that Gerard had fallen asleep.

"You don't need to know who he is, just that he's dangerous, and I don't want either of you speaking to him. Do I make myself clear?"

Lucas knew that he'd never get his dad to talk if he didn't want to, so he guessed that he'd just have to wait until Frank was ready to talk.

"Ok dad.. I won't speak to him. Don't worry."

"It's my job to worry about you, son."

Frank smiled at him as he opened the truck's door.

"See you later."

He climbed in and started the engine.

Doctor Brown was the only doctor in town currently, so unless you wanted to travel 28 miles to Fort Peck, he was your only option.
His surgery was located at the very edge of the small town, in what used to be a bakery. It was a small building, with small rooms, and a small-minded receptionist.
Gwen Howard was in her early sixties, and very much stuck in her ways. She spoke her mind, and wasn't shy about letting people know when she didn't like them.
She didn't like Frank and Gerard.

"Yes?"

She said, icily, as they approached her desk. She peered at them over the top of her glasses.

"Good morning Miss Howard."

Frank said, politely. No need to be rude, even if she was.

"I booked an appointment with doctor Brown. It's for Gerard."

Gwen huffed, and looked down at her appointment book.. She was too long in the tooth to learn how to use one of those computer thingies.. She saw Gerard's name, written in blue ink, in the doctor's messy handwriting. She scowled.

"Sit down. I'll tell him you're here."

Frank nodded once, then led Gerard to the chairs that lined the reception area's walls. There was no one else waiting, so Frank presumed that Gerard would be called in next. He turned to look at the younger man, and noticed, not for the first time, how thin and pale he appeared. He wrapped his arm around Gerard's shoulders and pulled him into his side.

"How you feeling sweetheart?"

He felt the smaller male shudder against him.

"Do you feel sick?"

"It's not that."

Gerard murmured, quietly.

"I'm.. Im scared."

Frank turned himself to face his husband, forcing their eyes to meet.

"What are you afraid of?"

Gerard looked down at his hands, twisting together in his lap.

"N..needles."

He met Frank's eyes.

"What if he wants to take.. blood?"

If possible, Gerard turned even paler, just at the thought.
Frank grabbed the younger man, and pulled him onto his lap, ignoring the muttered insult from the direction of the reception desk, and wrapped both arms firmly around him.

"I'll be right there with you. And if he does want to take blood.. I'll hold your hand the whole time.. You'll be alright."

Gerard snuggled against Frank's strong chest, sighing softly.

"I'm also scared of the results."

His voice was small and weak, and Frank would do whatever it took to take his fear away.

"You're going to be ok.. I'm sure it's just a stomach flu, or something.. I really just wanted to bring you cos I'm worried that you could get sicker from not eating.. I bet Doc Brown just says to drink lots of water and rest up."

He kissed the top of Gerard's head.

"You'll see. Nothing to worry about."

"Gerard?"

Came the doctor's deep voice from the doorway of his treatment room. Gerard and Frank looked up.

"Would you like to come through?"

Gerard thought for a split second about saying no, but reluctantly climbed off of Frank's lap, accepted his hand, and followed the doctor inside, once again ignoring Miss Howard's sour stare.

"Take a seat."

The doctor indicated the two chairs in front of his desk, as he went to sit behind it.

"So, what can I do for you today?"

Gerard swallowed and glanced toward Frank, who nodded softly at him. He sighed, then turned back to the doctor.

"I've been sick every day for the last week.. I can't keep anything down."

"I'm worried, cos Gerard doesn't weigh that much to begin with. He can't afford to lose weight because of this."

Frank said, his arm snaking around Gerard's tiny waist and squeezing him, gently.
The doctor nodded in understanding, then clicked a couple of keys on his laptop. He studied the screen for a moment then looked up with a smile.

"Ok. So let's start with the basics. Would you step on the scales please?"

Gerard looked at the device in the corner. Scales had been his enemy all through Highschool, but they held no fear for him now. Nodding, he stood and joined the doctor at the scales.

"Should I take off my boots?"

Gerard looked down at his DMs.

"Please."

The doctor replied.
Gerard bent down to untie his laces, ignoring the mild wave of dizziness that drifted over him.
Once he'd removed his boots, he stepped up onto the scale. He didn't look at the dial, the doctor did that.

"Ok. You can get down now."

The doctor headed back to his desk and typed in the results, then looked up as Gerard returned to his seat, having put his boots back on.

"Gerard.. When you came to town, and joined my surgery here, we did all of these tests as standard. Do you remember?"

Gerard nodded.

"Your weight then, was 105.5 lbs, and I told you that it was a rather low for a man of your height."

Again, Gerard nodded.

"But your weight today Gerard."

The doctor frowned slightly, shaking his head.

"Gerard.. You weigh 96 lbs now."

"I knew it!"

Frank growled out, turning toward Gerard.

"This is all since you got sick. I can practically see the weight falling off you."

He screwed his eyes shut for a moment.

"I should've insisted you come a week ago."

"No Frank."

Gerard placed his small hand on Frank's larger, clenched fist. He felt the tension leave him.

"I refused to come!.. It's not your fault I'm stubborn."

He smiled as Frank looked in his eyes, and softened, smiling back. Gerard turned back to the doctor.

"Sorry doc. So, what's next?"

The doctor took his temperature, announcing that it was normal. His blood pressure, which was a bit low, but considering he hadn't been eating, that was to be expected, and then held up a pot.

"I'd like a sample please."

He pointed to the bathroom that was connected to his office.
Gerard blushed pink, but took the pot, and disappeared into the other room. A minute or two later, he reemerged, and handed the pot to the doctor.

"If you'll wait here please?"

The doctor stood, and left the room with the sample.

"What can he tell from my wee?"

Gerard muttered, gaining a chuckle from Frank. Gerard turned to him and raised his eyebrows.

"What?"

Frank grinned, putting his arm around the younger man and pulling him against his chest.

"You're adorable."

He laughed, kissing Gerard softly.
Gerard blushed and rolled his eyes, but cuddled up in Frank's arms as they waited for the doctor to return.

The doctor was gone a lot longer than they expected, and they started to think he may have forgotten about them. After nearly half an hour, he returned, with a confused look about him.

"So doc.."

Gerard asked, lightly.

"Am I going to live?"

He meant it as a joke, but when the doctor didn't immediately answer him, his smile dropped, and his hand grasped hard onto Frank's, his breath hitching in the silence.
Frank squeezed his hand reassuringly, and gave the doctor a hard look.

"Dr. Brown?!"

The doctor seemed to snap out of whatever trance he'd fallen into, and blinked at them for a moment before speaking.

"There was a..a problem, with the test."

He looked uncomfortable.

"I'm going to need to run some blood work."

"Oh God."

Gerard was suddenly the colour of paper.
Frank grabbed him, and pulled him into his lap, wrapping his arms around him and pressing his lips against Gerard's ear.

"Close your eyes sweetheart.. Just listen to my voice."

He murmured.

"It's just you and me.. No one else in the world."

As the doctor quietly prepared the syringe, Gerard relaxed against his husband, listening to his calming words.

"You are safe, and warm.. And I am right here with you.. Nothing can hurt you.. I won't let anyone hurt you."

Frank nodded slightly to the doctor, as he continued to coo and whisper soft words into Gerard's ear.

The doctor had seen many patients during his 35 years as a GP, who suffered from Trypanophobia, and he knew that fast was best. He could see the veins in Gerard's arm quite clearly, and so he quickly slid the needle in, hearing only a tiny hitch of breath from Gerard, withdrew the blood, then removed the needle, placing it in a dish behind him, and pressed a piece of cotton wool over the site, securing it down with tape.

"All done."

He stated.

"Would you just press here please?"

Gerard lifted his abnormally pale face up out of the crook of Frank's neck.

"I.. I barely felt it."

He pressed his finger down on the tape, as Frank gently stroked his back.

"I'm going to send these over to Billings pathology lab straight away.. We should have the results by this time tomorrow.. I'm sorry I can't tell you what you want to hear right now, but please, try not to worry. It's probably just a stomach flu, so just treat it as such until we know for sure."

He smiled apologetically at Gerard.

"Until then.."

He typed something quickly into his laptop, and a printer in the corner whirred into life, making Gerard startle slightly. The doctor crossed to the machine and removed a piece of paper.

"This is a prescription for an anti-sickness medication. It should help. Otherwise, plenty of rest, and drink lots of water. As soon as I have the results, I'll call you, ok?"

Gerard nodded.

"Thank you doctor."

His voice sounded fragile and small, and Frank really just wanted to hold him close, and never let him go.

"Dr. Brown.."

Frank began, the doctor nodded once.

"Is there anything Gerard can take, like a vitamin supplement, or something?"

The doctor nodded.

"Yes, there is. When you go to the pharmacy to fill your prescription, ask Jolene for Ensure Clear. It's a clear liquid drink, they do several flavours, and your body should handle them like it does water, and it will help with nutrition, and hydration."

Frank shook the older man's hand.

"Thank you doctor. We'll be waiting for your call."

"Of course."

Dr. Brown smiled, then turned to address Gerard, only to find that he'd fallen asleep on Frank's shoulder.

"Well. It looks like you should get him home."

He chuckled.
Frank grinned and scooped Gerard carefully up in his arms, nodded to the doctor, then left, yet again ignoring the receptionists evil eye. Once he'd placed Gerard in the truck, he thought of going to the pharmacy now, but he didn't like the idea of leaving Gerard alone in the car, especially since he knew that Wolf was still in town, and he didn't want to wake Gerard either.
He decided to take Gerard home, and get Lucas to stay with him, while he returned to town and collected the medicines.
Heading back up the mountain, he couldn't help but worry what those results would say.

Notes

Hi there chipmunks.. You all well?..

So that receptionist is based on my ex-mother-in-law!.. A complete bitch!

Hope you're enjoying this, cos I'm loving writing it!

Anyway.. Please comment, stay safe, and peace out babies!
<3