Un-betaed

All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

The JOVAN Saga – A Collection of One-Shots

(11/20/20 – Hope everyone is well and staying safe. Thnx for continuing to read my stories. I really appreciate your support. Enjoy!)

Chapter 23 Not Again!

Like hail pellets beating down on a tin roof the tap, tap, tap sound crescendos to a deafening pitch. One would think that he is dressed in a knight's metal armor or is the substitute for the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz movie. But no, if only that were the case it would be better than the truth.

Once again he finds himself confined to a hospital bed. As if nearly being burned alive years earlier wasn't enough here he is again helpless with tubes running everywhere and the beeping of the heart monitor the cause of the incessant tap, tap noise or is it the magnified sound of the IV drip that's providing medication and nutrients to his badly damaged body?

He doesn't even know he got here. The last thing that he remembers is leaving the conference and heading home. He was so looking forward to returning home to his family. This was the first time that he has been away so long but it couldn't be avoided. With proposed budget cuts he had lobbied for months for additional funding and a personal appearance at the called meeting was essential. It took days of haggling and concessions but with determination and a charming persuasive approach he managed to receive the majority of his requests. Although he didn't get everything that he wanted it was better than the original scenario.

But all that runs through his mind as a way to avoid thinking about what really is making his stomach churn. No it's not the medicine or even being in the hospital. It's the thought of what his family is going through now. They can't seem to catch a break. Things have not always been easy for them and that's an understatement but one thing remains constant and that is their love for each other. Their relationship has taken many twists and turns and has had many starts and stops. They even broke up one time but they never stopped loving each other.

Then like a fog lifting from the valley he feels a change in the room. The air feels lighter, the sounds are now muted and his heart is no longer pounding in his chest. Even with his eyes closed he knows the reason for these changes. The touch on his hand and the kiss on his forehead lets him know that everything will work out now. He knows it won't be easy but with her by his side he can make it through anything. He squeezes her hand in response and opens his eyes to see her beautiful face and her eyes shimmering with unspent tears. His mouth is dry and trying to talk proves difficult be as if reading his mind she says, "We will make it. You rest and all will be well." She kisses his lips and all worry leaves him. She is his balm.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

The timer signals that the popcorn is ready. John doesn't even look at her because he knows that tears are flowing down her cheeks. Evangeline cries at movies and he has seen enough of them with her to know and this one is a real 'tearjerker' as they say. It was sad that the hero of the movie was in the hospital and his wife had to see him like that but he wasn't one for 'sappy' movies. Give him some action and adventure or better yet isn't there a baseball game airing somewhere? But tonight was her turn to choose a movie and how could he deny her? They'd both had busy weeks and they needed this quiet time together. With the children tucked away in bed they had a few hours to unwind before they too went to bed.

"Thanks for watching that with me John. I know that you're not a fan of movies like that," she says.

"That's okay. So are you finished crying? Can I watch a game before it's too late?" he responds while searching through the tv lineup looking for a game, any game, to watch.

"Sure, who's playing?" she replies while getting more popcorn and drinks for them.

And so the McBains spend the rest of the evening eating popcorn and watching a baseball game. Their team won.

The End.

A/N: You probably thought that John was the one in the hospital but he's had enough time in the hospital don't you think? Anyway just a little something to see the two of them sharing a quiet evening.

1/13/21 - Now we come to end of this story and my writing adventure. Thnx to all of you for reading my stories and your continued support. Take care.