☀︎︎ 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚢 𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚎 ☀︎︎

                                    

                                          

•an hour later•
                          
 The same nurse that took Zach came into the waiting room, smiling at the two exhausted boys. She walked over to them, seeing as there was nobody else in the waiting room and they were both almost falling asleep. 
                          
 "Hi guys. Zach's okay, he was really dehydrated and his body was fighting so hard to fight the sickness that he went into temporary paralysis. We gave him pain meds and an IV. He's getting back to normal but he's still a bit drowsy. But he asked for Jack, and I'm assuming it's one of you," the nurse explained. 
                          
 "That's me," Jack replied. 
                          
 "Okay, follow me." Jack stood up and began following the nurse until they reached a small room. The nurse opened the door for him then told him where her pager button was if they needed anything. Jack thanked her before she walked out of the room, closing the door behind her. 
                          
 "Jacky," Zach cried out. Jack walked over to the boy and pulled him into a tight hug. 
                          
 "Hi my love," Jack said softly. He pulled away from the hug and wiped Zach's tears. "Why are you crying, angel?"
                          
 "I missed you, they took me away from you," Zach sniffled. Jack just smiled sadly at him. 
                          
 "We had to be separated so they could do their job bub, they had to make you feel better," Jack said softly. He ran his hand through Zach's hair to help calm him. 
                          
 "I know, but I missed you," Zach pouted. 
                          
 "I missed you too baby," Jack replied. "They said your temperature has gone down, so you can come back home soon."
                          
 "Cuddles?" Zach asked with a pout. Jack just let out a soft laugh before climbing into the bed and holding his boy in his arms. Zach snuggled into Jack's chest and sighed contently from the warmth. 
                          
 "Do you feel better baby?" Jack asked softly.
                          
 "A little. I feel less achy overall," Zach answered. 
                          
 "That's good."
                          
 "Can I go home now?" Zach asked with a yawn. 
                          
 "Not yet baby, we need to wait until the doctor says we can go."
                          
 "But I'm tired," Zach whined. Jack checked his phone and realized it was almost 3 in the morning. 
                          
 "I know bubba, I know," Jack replied. "Can I text Jonah your room number so he can come?"
                          
 "Yeah."
                          
 Jack pulled out his phone and sent a text to Jonah. 
                          
 Only a few minutes later, Jonah arrived in the hospital room looking exhausted. He sat down on a chair and wiped his eyes. 
                          
 "I'm sorry for dragging you out here at such an early time," Zach said shyly. 
                          
 "It's okay, you guys know I'd do anything for you. I'll be okay," Jonah replied, a tired smile on his face. 
                          
 "Thank you Jo," Zach said softly. 
                          
 Zach and Jonah ended up falling asleep, Jack was far too worried about Zach to take his eyes off of him. Every few minutes Jack checked Zach's breathing pattern and pulse, just to make sure he was okay. 
                          
 It was about 2 hours later, at five in the morning, when the doctor walked into the room. 
                          
 "Hello," she said quietly. 
                          
 "Hi," Jack replied. 
                          
 "Zach should be okay to go home. Just make sure he drinks lots of water and eats at least something small everyday," she instructed.