New Fic "Building On the Promise"

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

This one is starting out kind of slow.  I’m hoping for improvement in the next section.  Let me know what you think, and what I can do to help it along.  It is a follow-up on the events of “Ten Mistakes”.

 

“Building On the Promise”

 

Nick/Greg

Part One

 

It was humiliating.  It was boring.  It grated on his nerves until he wanted to shout.  And the itching!  Oh, the itching!  Greg was ready to get rid of his casts.  Two days after he was injured, the hospital had changed the heavy plaster ones for lighter and way-cool lime green fiberglass ones.  Cool or not, he wanted them off.  He fidgeted between his parents and prayed for miraculous healing.

 

His parents had been with him since the day he’d called from the hospital.  What they’d done to get there so quickly, and stay so long, Greg didn’t know.  He loved them, and he was grateful for the help they’d been, but he longed for privacy.  He wanted them to go home.  The likely hood of that happening while he still wore casts was slim to none.  None of the people from the lab or any of his friends had the courage to face his folks.  One “he needs his rest and you are hindering his recovery” speech was all it took for them all to decide they would see him when his folks went home.  Which brought him back to the need to get the casts off…now. 

 

Greg looked up when the office door opened, and was amazed to see Nick.  Nick dressed to impress.  Greg was very impressed.  His parents? Not so much.  His mom frowned.

 

“Mr. Stokes?  What are you doing here?”  She sounded like an irate school principle facing a delinquent.  Greg sighed.  At this rate, Nick would decide he was too high maintenance and go find someone else to charm.

 

“Mom, play nice.  Please.”  He sighed again.  They’d had this conversation a half dozen times already.  His mother would tear up and say how sorry she was, and then how she only wanted the best for Greg.  It was familiar ground, and got them nowhere.

 

“I only want you to get well, Greg.  You’ve been through a traumatic experience.  You need rest.”   Yeah, he knew that was coming.  But, what came next was a surprise.

 

“I want him to get better too, Mrs. Sanders.  It isn’t my intention to tire Greg.  I miss him, and want to see how the appointment goes.”  Nick was beginning to get prickly.  Not a good sign. 

 

Greg wanted to sit by Nick.  He wanted to kiss Nick.  He also knew that wasn’t going to happen.  So wrapped in the misery of that thought, he missed Nick stepping near and bending over him.  When he looked up, Nick gently pressed his lips against Greg’s forehead. 

 

“You look good.  I really do miss you,” he whispered. He had that look, the one where his eyes went soft and kind of dreamy.  It was a really good look.

 

“Wait, I wasn’t ready.  Do that again!”  Greg smiled up at Nick.

 

“Okay.”  This time Nick kissed Greg squarely on the lips, running his thumb over Greg’s cheek bone.  Remembering where they were, and who they were with, Nick pulled back with a blush.

 

“I’ll just sit over…” he stammered out, before Mr. Sanders rose from his chair.

 

“Sit here, son.  Greg’s getting a little tired.”  He winked at Greg, and moved to sit across from his wife.  “It’s nice to see that he’s got someone.  We worry.”  Now it was Greg’s turn to blush.

 

“Dad, please.  Can we save all the embarrassing conversations for home?”  He knew he was crimson.  It only made the other three smile wider.

 

“Sure, son.  What ever you say.”

 

“Mr. Sanders, the doctor is ready for you now.”  Saved!  Of course, the fact that he could barely rise without assistance was further humiliation, but maybe he would be more mobile in a few minutes.  Please, let that be true!

 

“I can go in by myself.  You can wait here.”  He meant that to sound authoritative, but it just sounded petulant. 

 

“If that’s what you want, Greg.  We’ll be right here if you need anything.”  His mom already looked hurt.  He sighed.

 

“I’ll be fine, mom.  It won’t take long.”  With that, he followed the nurse out of the waiting room.

 

After an ex-ray, an examination and a really long wait, Greg found himself sitting across from his doctor. 

 

“I’m seeing definite improvement, Greg.  Significant improvement.  How is your stamina?”

 

“Not great.  I seem to tire just from thinking about doing anything.  I haven’t actually tried any activity yet.”  He was embarrassed to admit that.  Greg felt that three weeks should be long enough for him to be back to normal.

 

“That’s to be expected.  Extreme hypothermia taxes the body, it will take time to recover.  Your vitals are all back to normal.  Try to increase your calorie intake, and keep up the fluids.  A few more days of rest and you should be feeling much better.”  Here, the doctor paused.  That was never a good sign.

 

“As for the breaks in your forearms, I’d like the full casts to stay on for a while longer.”  Noting the near panic on his young patients face, he hurried to continue.

 

“There is significant improvement, as I said.  But with the smaller casts will come an increase of activity that the bone just isn’t ready to handle.  I know, I know,” he soothed. 

“You think you’ll be careful enough…everyone does.  The fact is you’re going crazy with the need to do something, anything.  That means you won’t be careful enough.  Another week, maybe two.  We’ll check next Tuesday.”  After making a note, the doctor gave Greg a regretful pat on the knee and rose to help him to his feet.

 

“It’s only been three weeks.  Less than two at home.  Don’t expect so much from yourself.”  Greg made his discouraged way back to the waiting room and his little entourage.

 

The three looked up expectantly.

 

“I come back next week.  Maybe I’ll get half casts then.”  Greg tried for bravado, but just sounded dispirited and tired.

 

“Mr. Stokes, would you be so kind as to take Greg home?  Clearly he’s had enough for now, and I promised my wife lunch.” 

 

Greg knew that no such promise had been made.  He knew his mother would love to tell his father so but wouldn’t in front of Nick.  He loved his dad.  Loved him.

 

Nick smiled at Greg.  A smile full of promise and love.

 

“I’d be glad to.”

 

 

 

 

Comments

More!!!!

[(Anonymous)]

hey good start definitely think you should keep going and Gregs Dad is great lol

Re: More!!!!

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

Thanks for reading. I appreciate any and all input. This is planned for three parts, so be watching for the next section.

[discardeddebris.livejournal.com]

I didn't comment on the last installments on the story (*spanks own fingers* I really should have), but I just wanted to let you know that I'm enjoying this! Hope you keep on with it :D

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

So you were the one! I wondered about that!

Seriously, I do appreciate it when people read my stuff. Feel free to critique, I'm tough. It will help me improve.

[fuqmeharry.livejournal.com]

Yes definetly keep writing this. I love it!

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

Your wish is my command. You can expect part two in a day or so. Thanks for reading, and for commenting.

[kennedy-unknown.livejournal.com]

Hey, just popping in to ask if you can include info before your cut, such as Title, Rating, Summary, Warnings etc. A lot of people don't click on cuts if they don't include that info, so you could be missing out on readers if they don't know what's in it!

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

Cetainly. I'm not clear on the concept most of the time, so I apologize for any inconvenience.

[kennedy-unknown.livejournal.com]

Hey, no inconvenience whatsoever.

[wojo62.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you are continuing this, I loved the firsat parts. Yes more...

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

Thanks :)

[r-sambora-luvr.livejournal.com]

wonder ful start i am offto read the second installment now

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

I would appreciate that!

[just1tearforme.livejournal.com]

Look at you writing a sequel! Fabulous!

I'm glad to see more of your work. I can't wait to read what comes next, and I like your characterization of Greg's mum especially after what Greg had shared about her in "Fannysmackin'".

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

Who knew? I ertainly never thought I'd write more period, much less a sequel. I am grateful that you are still reading my fics and reviewing. I hope you enjoy the rest.