Build And Break novel Chapter 49

The bodies held onto each other until they were both dozed off.

When Angela stirred and opened her eyes to peer at Daniel, she gasped. Beside her son's bed, she saw the person she last expected to see. Her father.

"How long have you been here?" Angela managed in a whisper.

"A while."

He must have seen her cuddling with Steven then.

Steven wriggled underneath her arms, waking up. Angela looked at him, questioning her father's presence. He shrugged innocently. Obviously he had called him.

Jack checked his watch. "Actually I've been here too long now. I got to go." He walked to Angela. "I brought this for the boy." He handed over the paper bag in his hand to Angela before he began his walk to the door. He stopped with his hand on the knob to look back at Angela. "You have a beautiful son, Angela." And he left.

For the long seconds Angela had remained looking at the closed door, she figured that had been the kindest thing her father ever said to her.

Angela untangled from Steven, feeling the air cold were it had been touching with Steven to reach into the bag her father left her. She pulled out a soccer shirt of Daniel's favorite team autographed by the team players. Leave it to her father for an extravagant gift like that. At least, she game him credit for learning his favorite team.

"Hey." Steven's soft voice stole her attention back to him. "You know what I'm thinking?"

Angela shook her head. She was completely and utterly unable to read his face or the smile that was widening on his face by the second.

"Today, it feels like we're a family again." He pulled her back into him. "We're one complex, extended family, Angela. As much as we deny it, we are."

Admitting it or not, yes, they were all a family. Her and Steven and Daniel, Grace and Jimmy, his mother, her father.

They were one single family.

"Mommy."

Daniel's agonized cries woke Angela and Steven from their sleep. The arm that Angela had draped over Steven's torso was instantly pulled away as they sat up to look at the boy standing at door, sniffling through his tears.

"Come here." Angela spoke in her hoarse sleepy voice.

The boy ran onto the bed, between Angela and Steven. "I feel too cold."

"We'll keep you warm then." Steven tucked the bed sheets around the boy. He scooted closer to Daniel, as did Angela as they both snuggled to him.

"Dr. Gibbs. We're very sorry for interrupting your night."

"No apologies required. This is my job."

When Angela had called Dr. Gibbs earlier, she had woken him from his own sleep and he had returned to the hospital to assist Daniel personally.

"What is the diagnosis, Doc?" Angela inquired.

"As expected after a bone marrow transplant, his blood count is low. At the moment, his body is sort of like a baby's, like brand new. He's weak and very susceptible for infections. Considering his current symptoms, I suggest to keep him here under observation."

"For how long?" Angela hated leaving there without her son and even more so, leaving him there for more than a day.

"A few days. Maybe weeks. Until his body starts to get stronger."

Weeks? "Can't we take care of him? I hate leaving him here."

"It is your choice but I do suggest letting him stay here. He can get better here in a cleaner environment and we'll be able to assist him instantly if the need be. I know this isn't your ideal situation but it is for Daniel's best. It is still your choice though."