Hospital Bed

A week. It had been a week since Gerard had seen Frank in the hospital. He was either at work making up hours, or at home spending some time with his brother. It wasn’t that he didn’t wanted to see him, he just decided that he would only see him once a week so he wouldn’t get stressed out again. He was trying to take care of himself. Besides, he argued with himself, he’d be seeing Frank tomorrow.

“Hey, Gerard, what do you wanna do tomorrow?” Mikey asked him as they settled into bed that night.

“I’m going to visit Frank. You’re more than welcome to tag along,” he offered. Mikey laughed softly.

“And watch you undress him with your eyes? No, thanks. But have fun,” he teased his older brother. This caused him to chuckle and pull Mikey closer to his body. “

I love you, Mikey,” Gerard laughed, leaning over and kissing his cheek before returning to his normal position and letting himself drift off to sleep.

“I love you, too, Gee,” he heard Mikey respond just before he was gone. That night he dreamt of Frank. He found himself sitting in their café together just as they used to. They were older in the dream, yet still smiling and happy. He found himself yearning more and more for when that day came. Once again, it was up to his fiancé and he just hoped he didn’t take another five years this time. He awoke fifteen minutes before his alarm was set to go off, six-thirty in the morning, and dragged himself out of bed. He felt oddly ecstatic today and even though he wondered why, he wasn’t going to complain. He jumped into the shower and quickly washed his hair and body before getting out to get ready. He gave Mikey a kiss on the jaw before leaving the apartment and practically skipping to his car. Faster than he could even blink, he found himself greeting Ray and stepping into Frank’s room.

“Hey, there, Frankie Baby. Did you miss me?” He paused as if Frank were going to answer, but then continued. “I missed you, too, but I had to make up some hours at work and be a big bro to Mikey.” He approached his bed and sat down in the chair next to it, taking ahold of his hand. He let out a deep sigh.

“Mr. Way?” A voice spoke. He turned his head in the direction of the door, where the voice was coming from. It was Nurse Jamia. His heart rate quickened. “Oh, hello,” he greeted, trying to sound normal. She gave him a smile.

“Hi. I haven’t seen you here all week. Been too busy for Frank here?” She asked sweetly, but a dark tone to her voice stated otherwise. He glared at her ever so slightly.

“I was working and spending time with Mikey,” he said, giving her his reason. She nodded at him once more before smiling over at Frank’s comatose figure.

“It’s a shame, really,” she began. Gerard raised his brow at her, waiting for her to elaborate on her meaning. “You’re here all the time and you’re working so hard to keep him well taken care of. I can’t help but think that you deserve better,” she cooed at Gerard, turning her full attention on him. Her words made him slightly shiver.

“Is that so?” He said blankly. He watched as she nodded her head. “Nurse Jamia, look, I’m flattered at your words and everything, but Frank is my one and only. Don’t think I haven’t noticed your peculiar behavior towards me. I just wanted to give you a chance to stop before I report your manners to Ray and have him remove you from this wing,” he warned, giving her a sharp look, almost daring her to go against him. She gave him a small giggle, and Gerard suddenly found himself as the leading role in a horror movie.

“Gerard, if I may call you that, I don’t plan on being removed. I’ve only stated that you deserve someone who will live in the present with you. Someone who isn’t as much of a burden as Frank is. Aren’t you exhausted, dear? Working endlessly and into the ground only for Frank to have not woken up for yet another day?” Gerard’s glare hardened.

“I don’t know where you get off on saying all of this to me, but I’ll politely ask you to stop. Sure, I’m tired, but so what? I love him more than I’ve ever loved anyone, and if you can’t see that then maybe you’re just blind to that emotion,” he scorned. “Please, take your leave and don’t return.”

“Have a good day, Gerard.” Then she turned and left, not at all fazed with his words. He sighed, putting his face in his hands to recompose himself. Soon after, he returned his hand to Frank and squeezed it softly.

“Oh, Frankie, please wake up. It’s your birthday soon. Six months, sweetheart,” he whispered softly. Six months seemed like such a short time, because it’s always passed by in a breeze. He sighed softly. The warmth of the sun emitting from the open window in Frank’s room lulled him to sleep. Just before he was about to succumb to a perfect world, he felt a slight pressure engulf his hand. He quickly bolted upright, looking at Frank to see his eyes struggling to open.

“Frank? Frank!” He nearly cheered, getting to his feet. Once again, those beautiful hazel eyes came into his view and he felt his eyes well up with tears of happiness.

“Gerard?” His voice croaked out.

“I’m here, sweetie. I’m right here,” Gerard assure, stroking his cheek lovingly. Frank’s eyes focused on him and he gave Gerard a soft smile before frowning.

“It’s been five years. Why are you still here, Gee?” He asked, his voice finding its strength along the way. Gerard gave a small laugh, glad that he took the information better than he originally had.

“Frank, I’d never leave you. From day one, I knew I was going to love you and you only. These past five years have not changed that. No amount of time could ever.”

“I have a lot of things to catch up on, don’t I?” He asked, slowly finding the will to sit up, with the help of Gerard, of course, who nodded.

“We’ll do it together.” Frank smiled. “So what’s new in your life, Gee? Aside from the best friend doctor, the new brother, and a crazy nurse,” he laughed. Gerard gave a slight frown at the mention of the nurse.

“How did you know about that?” Gerard asked. Frank scratched his head, seeming to be in thought before shrugging.

“I heard bits and pieces of things you’ve been telling me for the past few years, and she was just in here. Like, I was awake, but I couldn’t move my body yet. She was right, though, Gerard. You do deserve better.” Gerard gave him a scolding look and took ahold of his hand, gripping it tightly.

“Did you only listen to what she said or did you hear my words, too? Frank, you’re my life. And if these five years haven’t proved that to you, then I’ll have to think of something else,” he explained. Frank smiled and pulled Gerard’s hand up to his mouth and kissed it. Gerard blushed at his fiancé’s affections.

“Hey, Gee?”

“Yeah?”

“Aren’t you going to kiss me?” Frank asked, raising his brow. Gerard giggled and leaned down, pressing his lips against Frank’s.

“All right, baby, I’ve gotta call Ray and have him do a checkup, make sure everything’s okay. I’ll be right back,” he said as he kissed his forehead and gave him a smile before leaving the room in search of his doctor. On the way to his office, Gerard pulled out his phone and called Mikey.

“Hello?” He answered groggily on the fifth ring.

“Frank’s woken up. He’s aware of the time and he seems to be taking it well. I just wanted to let you know,” Gerard explained. He felt so happy, he just wanted to bounce off of the walls and sing Don’t You Forget About Me at the top of his lungs.

“Go back to sleep and maybe stop by later if you’re up to it.” Mikey grumbled something he couldn’t make sense of before hanging up the phone. He chuckled and pocketed his phone before knocking on Ray’s office door.

“Come in,” he said. Gerard opened the door and beamed at Frank.

“What’s up, Gerard?”

“Frank’s awake,” he said, his smiled growing wider if that were even possible.

“I’ll go have a look then. You seem so calm,” he noticed. Gerard shrugged.

“He knows it’s been five years and is coping better with it this time. I’m hoping after his rehabilitation, he’ll be able to walk out of here soon and we’ll be able to leave his hospital behind and move on. I’m more content.” Ray nodded along, smiling at how relaxed Gerard seemed. Something he’d never seen come from him. Even when Frank woke up for the first time, he was constantly on edge about Frank asking him about the date. He’d never seen Gerard quite calm before and, so far, he hoped it continued. They made it back to Frank’s room quicker than it’d taken Gerard to get to Ray’s office. Ray all but laughed as he witnessed Gerard skipping into the room, back to the love of his life.

“Hey, Frank. How are you feeling?” Ray asked as he checked his heartbeat, his breathing, his temperature, and blood pressure.

“Like I wanna go home and cuddle with Gerard,” he answered, causing Gerard’s face to heat up. Ray laughed.

“Yeah, that seems about right. Okay, I want to do a quick test. But only if you have the energy to do it. If not, then we can wait a few days.”

“What test?” Gerard and Frank asked in unison.

“I want to take him to the rehabilitation center to see where he stands with walking. Only then can I give an estimate on his time of discharge. Like I said, only if you have enough energy to do so.” Frank nodded eagerly and tossed his blankets off of him. Ray wheeled up the wheelchair kept in the corner of the room up to his bedside and waited as Gerard picked Frank up and sat him in the chair. All three men made their way to the rehabilitation center, Frank holding Gerard’s hand as they walked. The scene was touching to Ray, who’d never seen the men truly happy. He’d seen them angry, distracted, unsettled, and hurt, but they were content with their life right now. Ray knew that Gerard understood that he would have to return to work tomorrow and Frank would eventually let himself fall asleep for the day. But that didn’t matter, because, to them, Frank would be walking soon and maybe Gerard would take him away for a vacation. They made it to the rehabilitation center in silence.

“Okay, Frank, remember: if you can’t do it today, there’s always tomorrow,” Ray reassured the nervous looking man, who only have him a nod in return. Gerard helped Frank stand. He stood wobbly, but held onto Gerard for the support to stay upright. They walked over to one of the balance beams and Ray stood beside Frank on his left side while Gerard on his right.

“One step at a time, baby. You can do this,” Gerard rooted for him. Frank willed his body to push his left leg forward, and after much concentration, it did. He did the same with his right leg. He could only take five steps before he was panting and drenched in sweat.

“That’s enough for today, Frank. I’ll schedule your sessions with Gerard later this evening,” Ray smiled at him. Frank raised his brow.

“Why can’t I schedule them?” He asked, slightly offended that Ray assumed Gerard to be in his control. Ray’s smile faltered and he took a deep breath. “

No offense, Frank, but he’s been doing a very good job at taking care of you these past five years. I assumed-” Gerard interrupted him.

“Ray, it’s okay. Let Frank do it. He wants to be independent, he always has been. I’m just here to support him.” Frank smiled at his fiancé and kissed his cheek. Ray chuckled at the couple and nodded his head.

“All right. I trust Frank to you from now. I’ve got to go make my rounds. I’ll be back later today, okay, Frank?” Frank nodded and the two watched as he walked out of the center. Gerard picked up Frank and sat him in his wheelchair.

“Are you feeling tired, Frankie?” he asked as he wheeled him out of the center.

“Not really.” Gerard glanced at his watch. It was nine in the morning. He had enough time to spend with him before work.

“Would you like me to take you outside to walk around?” He asked Frank.

“Yes! I wanna see if anything’s changed!” Frank exclaimed excitedly. Gerard smiled at Frank’s normal behavior and started wheeling him in the direction of the door that leads out into the courtyard. “Babe, do you have work today?” Frank asked.

“Yeah. I have work at four. I’m closing tonight, but if I can find someone to take my closing shift, then I’ll be back here by eleven.”

“What’s your job? Tell me all about it.” Gerard’s smile widened in excitement.

“It’s amazing! I started working there a few months after you were admitted and, since then, I’ve become a manager. Even though we’re not really supposed to work a movie, Brian, my manager, lets me. I owe him a lot. Around almost a year there, I met Mikey and taught him how to wait a theater. A few months after that, I discovered he was my brother. I cannot tell you how glad I am to have found him. I felt like I was losing myself a bit, but he helped me. He lives with me now because our piece of shit father kicked him out when I went over to the house one day,” Gerard explained as they walked along the sidewalk made for residents in wheelchairs.

“You met your real dad?” Frank asked softly. Gerard was shocked, because he knew he’d told Frank about that the first night we first woke up. It seems, he thought, that he doesn’t remember everything.

“Yeah. We looked a lot alike and I couldn’t help but feel so disgusted with my own face,” he answered.

“Tell me more about Mikey.”

“He’s such a smart kid, Frankie. He’s so supportive and sweet. He takes really good care of his friends and everyone he loves. He’s a hard worker and lover of movies just as much as I am. That’s what our bonding time usually consists of,” Gerard chuckles. Frank smiled at Gerard pride over how well his brother turned out after growing up with his father.

“Hey, you used to do comics. What ever happened to those?” Frank asked. Gerard squealed in excitement.

“They’re being published by Dark Horse comics! The first time you woke up, I got a call that same morning and was told the good news. Later that day, Mikey and I were to their main office and I sat down with the director. The published them in book form a few weeks ago!” Gerard informed the younger man.

“Baby, that’s amazing!” Frank beamed, proud of his fiancé. Suddenly, a small part of him felt sad. He missed so many new things that happened to Gerard that he felt like almost a new person, but he shook the feeling away and looked out at the city before them. A few buildings that hadn’t been there before were suddenly towered in the sky, the streets looked more filled with more vehicles than it used to be and the streets crowded with more pedestrians.

“It hasn’t really changed much, but it’s become a lot more crowded.” Frank didn’t responded, and only kept staring out into the city he grew up in.

“So tell me more about work?” Frank said.

“All of my co-workers are amazing and really care about me. At my other job-”

“Other job?” Frank interrupted.

“Yeah. I have two. It’s a restaurant. Like a regular diner, not like the theater.” Gerard continued pushing Frank along the trailer.

“Why do you have two?”

“Well, in the beginning, I struggled a lot with making the payments on the hospital room and other bills. Now, I don’t really need it, but I would hate to leave them behind.” Frank sighed, letting his head hang lowly.

“Why didn’t you just leave me behind?” He asked, tears filling up his eyes. Gerard slowly came to a stop in the middle of the trail and they stayed in silence for a little while. Gerard walked around and kneeled in front of the love of his life. He lifted Frank’s head up by his chin.

“Do you really have to ask me that?” Gerard stated. Frank let the tears fall and sobbed into the other man’s shoulder after launching himself into his arms.

“I love you, Gerard. I love you so fucking much, and I’m so happy you didn’t abandon me. I just want to get better and we can leave this place. We can start over and have our wedding and start our lives together,” he cried. Gerard’s eyes filled with tears, too. “We can get a couple of dogs, and then maybe adopt our own children. Gerard, I promise you that we will be happy. You won’t have to push yourself so hard anymore. I can take some of the weight off of your shoulders so you can rest,” Frank sobbed. Gerard found himself sighing in relief. These past five years, that’s all he wanted. Rest.

“Frankie, after you’re better, let’s move away from here. Let’s go find another home and settle there. We can leave all the bad memories of this place behind,” Gerard suggested. He’d been thinking about this for a while. For the past year and a half, he’d been setting aside a little money to move away once Frank woke up. Soon, he could afford a home in a small town just a couple of hours away that he and Mikey passed on the way to Dark Horses’ main office.

“I thought you loved your jobs and the people here?” Frank asked, wiping the tear from Gerard’s cheeks as Gerard did the same to him.

“I do. I love all that I’ve come to know. But compared to you, they mean nothing.”

“What about Mikey?” Gerard froze at the mention of his brother. He hadn’t really thought about that.

“He can come with us and stay until he finds something he wants to do and somewhere he wants to go,” Gerard said.

“Then okay. Let’s do it, Gerard. Let’s get out of here when I’m better. I love you so much,” Frank smiled, kissing the other man deeply. They kissed passionately for a few moments before separating. Gerard smiled, feeling happier than he’d felt in so long. He’d mention his plan to Mikey some time later. As they were walking back toward the building, they ran into Nurse Jamia.

“Oh, Frank, you’re awake! How lovely to meet you,” she said, giving him a tight smile and holding her hand out for him to shake it. Frank returned the smile and shook her hand.

“Nice to meet you, too. You’re the nurse that likes Gerard, right?” He asked her bluntly. She seemed surprised and opened her mouth to answer, but nothing came out. Gerard said nothing, still feeling awkward in her presence.

“I’d like to take this opportunity, since this is the last time we will ever be seeing you, to tell you to kindly fuck off. Gerard is going to be my husband, so go on. Shoo,” Frank said, smiling and waving her off with his hands. The nurse gave him a glare.

"Well, I never,” she hissed. Frank laughed.

“Well, now you have,” he turned to look at Gerard who had a smirk on his face, “let’s go, Gee. I’m getting sleepy. We can take a nap on my bed.” Gerard nodded and they pushed past the nurse, walking inside.

“She has creepy eyes, babe. How the hell did you put up with that for so long?” Frank asked as they made their way down the hall to his room. Gerard shrugged.

“I tried not to look. I’ll tell Ray about everything and he’ll do something about it.”

“That’s good. Because you’re mine. I have five years to make up, so expect me to tape myself to you,” Frank said. Gerard chuckled and shook his head at Frank’s words. He certainly missed everything about his fiancé and he was glad everything was okay now.

Three Months Later

“Ready to go home, Frankie?” Frank turned and looked at Gerard, a huge smile on his face.

“Fuck yes. I was getting really tired of being stuck in here! Let’s go!” Frank said excitedly, walking over to Gerard with a slight limp and taking his hand. After three months and many hours a day at the rehabilitation center, Frank could walk almost perfectly again. Because of the accident, though, irreversible damage was done to his hip and he would have that limp for the rest of his life. Neither men could honestly care less, because he was alive and that was all that mattered.

“I’m taking all of us out for dinner. I’ll tell Mikey about us moving away soon. He’s been home less and less these days, but he never tells me why,” Gerard pouted.

“Baby, he’s, like, twenty. He doesn’t have to tell you if he doesn’t want to,” Frank said as they walked out of his hospital room.

“I know. I know, but still, I worry.” And it was true. As they walked away from Frank’s hospital room, Gerard was glad that he was walking away from this place for the last time. After five years, they were finally leaving. Both of them together, not just him. He couldn’t help the smile that made its way onto his face or the giggle that came out afterwards.

“What’s so funny?” Frank asked, smiling at his devotee’s behavior.

“I’m just so happy to be getting out of there, too, Frankie.” Frank let his smile falter a little.

"You’ve really been through a lot haven’t you?” He asked, squeezing Gerard’s hand tighter. He hadn’t asked him this question during the time he’s been awake because he was too afraid to hear the answer.

“I would do it all over again and for the rest of my life for you, dear,” Gerard smiled over at him.

“How hard was it, Gerard?” Gerard opened his mouth to answer, but was interrupted by a pair of arms wrapping around both of the men.

"I’m really going to miss you guys. You have to come back and visit sometime!” Ray said, tears filling his eyes. He’d always been an emotional doctor.

"No offense, man, but we don’t really wanna come back,” Frank laughed, punching the taller male on his shoulder lightly. Gerard let go of Frank’s hand and took the other man into his arms, hugging him tightly.

“Thank you so much for everything, Ray. You’ve done so much, and you are, by far, the world’s best doctor,” Gerard whispered softly in his ear. His words warmed the doctor’s heart, and he remembered why it was that he even became a doctor in the first place. For moments like this. The two men separated and wiped their eyes.

“See you,” Ray said softly. The two men waved and Ray watched as the two men walked out of the door hand in hand before turning away and making his rounds. He knew, undoubtedly, that they would do anything for one another. Gerard has proven that for almost six years now, and after getting to know Frank and seeing the way he looks at Gerard, he was positive that Frank would have done the same thing for him.

“So are you going to show me pictures of the home you’ve rented for us?” Frank asked impatiently, bouncing in his spot from the passenger’s seat. Gerard opened the glove compartment and pulled out an envelope, handing it to Frank before starting the car. Frank slowly opened it and took the pictures out. It was a small cabin looking home in a forest. The trees were tall and provided plenty of shade over their home. Its porch seemed to wrap around the entire house and Frank smiled because he told Gerard many years ago that he always wanted that.

“It’s beautiful, Gerard.”

“Only the best for you, Frankie,” Gerard smiled, careful not to take his eyes off of the road. It was then that Frank realized that they were inside of a car and that the last time he was in one, it didn’t work out too well.

“Ger-Gerard, I’m scared. I can’t do this. Let me out!” Frank practically yelled as his body froze. Gerard quickly pulled over on the side of the highway, putting his emergency lights on. Frank quickly got out of the car and backed away from it. Hearing all of the cars at once and the constant honking, his heart began beating faster and his breathing became heavier.

“Frank! Frank, it’s okay. I promise you that nothing bad is ever going to happen to you again,” Gerard assured him as he wrapped his arms around the hyperventilating man. Gerard couldn’t say anymore because Frank suddenly went limp in his arms. He sighed softly. He should’ve known Frank wasn’t going to be able to adapt so quickly. He was an idiot, he thought. He lifted Frank up and sat him back down in the passenger’s seat. He buckled him in good and closed the door as he made his way back to his side. On the drive back to their old apartment, Gerard drove five miles under the speed limit, extremely careful with Frank in the car with him.

“Mikey, can you open the door? Frank passed out!” He yelled through the door. A few minutes later, the door opened and Mikey stepped aside.

“What happened?” He asked as Gerard laid Frank down on the couch. He closed the door and walked closer to the couple.

“We were in the car and he started freaking out. I was trying to be extra careful while driving, but he started hyperventilating and made me pull over. He passed out on the side of the road. We’ll let him rest. I’ve gotta talk to you, Mikey,” he said as he turned to his brother.

“What is it, Gerard? Is it bad?” He asked nervously. Gerard smiled and shook his head.

“No. Nothing bad. I put in my two weeks at work. I want us to move out of here into a home that I rented a couple of hours away.” Mikey stared at him in shock.

“Gerard, I-I can’t leave,” he whispered. Gerard smile fell.

“Why?”

“I have a girlfriend here, Gerard. We’ve been dating for almost two years next month. We’ve been getting really serious,” he explained, avoiding eye-contact with his older brother.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Gerard asked, his voice low.

“You were so busy at work and then taking care of Frank, and then trying to spend more time with me that I just didn’t want you to worry about it.” They stayed silent for a moment before Mikey began to speak again.

"You and Frank move. Kristin and I were talking about moving in together, but I didn’t know how to bring it up to you. I love you, Gerard. That hasn’t changed,” he said as he hugged Gerard.

"A small part of me will always be in love with you, Gerard,” Mikey whispered into his ear. The two hugged for a while before pulling away. Mikey slowly placed a kiss on Gerard’s lips and smiled happily at him. Gerard almost teared up at how suddenly grown up Mikey looked. He’d been through a lot and Gerard knew that his depression and constant stress didn’t help, but he was proud of his brother for putting his arm around him and helping him walk when he couldn’t do it himself. If this Kristin girl made his brother happy, even if he felt that Mikey was too good for anyone, then he’d let him go. He trusted Mikey to be able to make it on his own, because he was the best person he knew. He stood next to him through the worst time of his life and Gerard was extremely grateful.

“Okay. As long as you’re happy, then so am I. I love you, too, Mikey.” Mikey smiled wider and Gerard returned it before looking over at his fiancé, knowing that he were only sleeping. He would wake up in a few hours and he was happy about that. He didn’t have to worry anymore. He was starting a new life with the person he was always meant to spend it with. Two comas, five years, four jobs, a new brother, and a crazy nurse couldn’t change that.

Notes

So this is the last chapter technically. I still have the epilogue to write and post, but this is the end.

I want thank everyone who subscribed, commented, rated, and viewed this. People reading this and liking it really means a lot to me. Being the very first story I have ever completed, this is a lot for me to take in and I am actually crying tears of joy.

I'm very grateful for everyone and I love you all. I hope this ending was fitting, because I felt it was. Let me know.

Once again, thank you

Much love,
-OAIF <3