Chapter 8
So thats my dad huh? That’s all he could say as he stared at the tall bald headed black man as he followed the chief into his mom’s hospital room. Vic tried to be diplomatic about it but it was like looking into the future, Justin could see what he’d look like in twenty years time. He’d known his mother had suffered memory loss and knew his dad could be out there, somewhere or at least he’d hoped he was. His mother was smart, intelligent and beautiful but for all he knew she hadn’t always been that way. She had no idea how long she’d been in hospital, no memory of a life before , there was nothing she could tell him about her past or his father. Eventually after a lot of internal fighting he learned to accept that he’d never know the man who helped create him. He consoled himself with the fact that at least he didnt know he was a dead beat dad. He didn’t know anything.
“Our son? My son. My son. My…son.” No matter how many times he said the words they didn’t feel right. He kept repeating it hoping eventually it would grow into acceptance but it still felt like he was trying to say the word pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis. Just impossible. As he paced back and forth trying to get his head around what had happened, his phone started ringing in his pocket. Shit he was supposed to be at work. He pulled out his phone and swallowed hard. It was Andy. He glanced over to Claire who’s hopeful beautiful brown eyes he’d missed looking in to for so long, watched him. He smiled and then glanced back at the phone, debating whether he should answer.
“Sullivan!”
“Hi..er…Captain.” Andy began uncertainly. He frowned impatiently.
“Herrera what is it I’m in the middle of something.”
“Yes sir. Umm we got a call that you wouldn’t be in for shift, so I was just checking you were okay.”
He shouldn’t feel guilty but for some reason, he did. He glanced back at Claire and gave her what he hoped was a smile but was more likely a grimace. He’d finally considered moving on after more than 15 years of being a widow,Or so he thought, and technically nothing had happened between him and Herrera so why did he feel so bad?
“Yes, I’ve had to deal with a personal matter so won’t be in for a few days probably. I’m sure three lieutenants are capable of running the shift without me.”
“Robert, I-“
“I have to go.” He quickly hung up not wanting to get into a deeper conversation that he didn’t understand himself right now and most certainly couldn’t explain to someone else.
He smiled again and walked over to the bed and sat in the nearby chair. She held her hand out to him and he took it giving it a warm squeeze.
“Claire” He said still in disbelief. He could feel his eyes tearing up. “I don’t know if I’m dreaming or this is real.” She pulled him over to her and cupped his face with her hands and then let her lips gently brush his.
“Does that feel like a dream, baby?” She whispered.
A lone tear slid down his cheek and he closed his eyes to stop more from falling. When he opened them again he could see her eyes welling up too as she looked at him expectantly, waiting on his answer.
“Yes.” He nodded in a whisper. Her expression changed, her smile dropping. She went to pull away but he put his finger under her chin and turned her face back to look at him. “It feels like my dream has come true!” She smiled and let out a sob at the same time as their lips met again in a more passionate embrace.
“Well, I bet you didn’t think when you woke up yesterday for your physical that you’d be meeting your ex best friend’s dead wife again” Vic smiled reaching for Lucas’s hand. He chuckled shaking his head. “No, I was thinking maybe high cholesterol at the most.” He smiled looking into her eyes. She held his stare and it made him want to kiss her but he was aware they were in a hospital and he didn’t need it getting around that the chief of the Seattle fire department was seen making out in the hospital corridors. He squeezed her hand before looking over to Justin who sat flicking through a magazine that he clearly wasn’t reading. He decided to go and talk to the young man to see how he was coping. As he walked over he saw the door open to Claire’s room and Sullivan came out. Lucas took a deep breath and put his hand on Justin’s shoulder who looked up. He followed Lucas’ gaze over and saw his father approaching. He stood up expectantly, swallowing hard.
Sullivan looked at Lucas, nodding before turning to Justin. He held out his hand which Justin took tentatively. He took a deep breath so big his chest looked like it doubled in size before he let it out and spoke.
“I…I’m your father… Robert Sullivan. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to see you grow up or see you play little league or help you with your homework but it sounds like your mom did a pretty damn good job raising you and I want to thank you for looking after her until she was able to bring you both back home.”
Justin didn’t speak. He couldn’t. He just kept holding Robert’s hand until Robert pulled him over into a tight embrace. He tried to be a strong like he always felt he had to be for his mom but feeling like he finally had a father and an explanation for the missing parts of his life broke him and he began to cry. After a few minutes he stopped and pulled away, wiping furiously at his eyes, feeling embarrassed.
“Can’t believe I meet my Dad for the first time and cry like a baby.” He chuckled.
Sullivan nodded. “Well you’re my kid and I’ve got years of crying and tantrums and hugs to catch up on right?”
Justin smiled at him and nodded. “Right.”
“Let’s go see your mum.” Justin nodded again. Sullivan turned to Lucas. “Thanks Man for being there…again.”
Lucas nodded getting the meaning behind Sully’s words. Even though Sully never forgiven him for Claire’s death, he recognised that he’d been there for him and was again to bring the couple back together again.
“Always.” He nodded. He pulled him over for a one arm hug patting him on the back before letting go. “We’re gonna head off. Call me if you need anything. I’ll get cover for you at station 19.”
“Thanks Luke.”
Lucas smiled and walked back over to Vic who was wiping tears from under her eyes, trying to hide how affected she was. He smiled at her kissing her on the cheek.
“I-I’m fine. Fine. This is great, good. Better then great.” She sniffed and he pulled her into a hug kissing the top of her head.
“Let’s get out of here and leave them too it. Sully can call me if he needs anything.” Vic nodded and they headed for the elevator. She pressed the button and they waited silently. The doors opened and Lucas’ eyes widened upon seeing Dr Pierce inside.
“You missed your appointment.” She said accusingly, stepping out of the elevator.
Lucas briefly looked embarrassed as he was a stickler for protocol and never missed meetings or appointments without calling to cancel, followed by an apology and explanation of why he cancelled. He’d done neither this time.
“I apologise Dr Pierce. I’ve had a hectic few days finding out my best fr…. I… I found out a patient I knew was bought in and had to see to things.” Dr Pierce nodded understandably.
“Well I have a free slot now if you’re available? I was just going to check on a patient to give me something to do but if you’re free and Vic doesn’t mind waiting again I can see you now.”
Vic smirked and stifled a giggle feeling Lucas stiffen next to her. For some reason Lucas was scared of the only two African American Doctors at Sloan Grey memorial. He’d previously confessed that Miranda Bailey, who had been known as the Nazi before becoming chief of surgery, scared the bejesus out of him and more recently he’d confessed that Dr Pierce, who was young but brilliant was clearly following in the Nazi’s footsteps.
He glared at Vic willing her to be quiet before turning to the younger Doctor. “Yes I’m free now. Thank you for being so accommodating.” He gave her his most charming smile making Vic snigger even more.
“Good. My office is this way.” She said ignoring Vic. She started to walk but Vic interrupted
“Not me. I will see you at home, mister. It’s my day off and I’ve seen enough of hospitals for today.” She reached up kissing him on the cheek and turned back to press the elevator button which opened almost immediately. She walked in and turned and blew Lucas, who stood staring at her, a kiss. His face morphed from surprised as a wide goofy grin spread across his face as the elevator doors closed.
“I’m actually seeing where the heart eyes emoji came from. Come on Lover Boy.” Dr Pierce said rolling her eyes.