His Temptation, Her Secret

Three (#ulink_8dbad65b-863c-585f-997c-815a6d487617)

Once again, TJ was struck by how small and pale Eli looked in the stark white hospital bed. But at least this time he was sitting up. He had a comic book in his lap, and he was slowly turning the pages.

He heard them come in, and he looked up.

“Hi, Mom,” he said in a quiet voice.

“Hello, sweetheart.” Sage approached his bed and gave him a kiss on the forehead.

There were three other beds in the room. Two were occupied. One with a young girl whose leg was in traction due to a car accident, another by a boy who TJ had learned had his appendix taken out and was in the process of being discharged.

The hospital was spick-and-span. But it was also showing its age, with noisy heaters, worn linoleum and lights that flickered and buzzed overhead. The privacy curtains were a faded yellow, and the table trays squeaked when they were wheeled to a new position.

“Hi, Eli,” TJ said.

Eli looked past Sage to meet TJ’s eyes. He was clearly puzzled by TJ’s continued presence at his bedside. TJ didn’t blame the kid. It likely didn’t make much sense to Eli for a stranger to show up and keep hanging around while he recovered.

Sage had introduced TJ as an old friend from high school. TJ was dying to tell Eli the truth. But he respected Sage’s request to wait until Eli was stronger.

“Hi,” Eli answered shortly, looking annoyed.

“How are you feeling?” Sage asked, straightening.

Eli shrugged.

“Are you hungry?” Sage asked.

“Not really.” Eli looked back down at the comic book.

“You need to build up your strength.” She smoothed his slightly ragged hair.

“I’ll try,” he said.

“Are you frustrated by the slow progress?” TJ asked.

Sage didn’t take the single seat beside the bed, and he wasn’t about to sit down and let her stand, so the black vinyl chair was just in the way. TJ maneuvered around it.

Eli shifted to watch his progress. “Are you dating my mom?”

“What?” Sage gasped. “What makes you ask that?”

“No,” TJ answered. “I’m not dating your mom. We’re old friends.”

Sage sat down in the chair and put her hand on Eli’s shoulder. “There’s something you should know, honey.”

TJ stopped breathing.

Eli looked at Sage. “What?”

“TJ donated the bone marrow for your transplant.”

TJ let out his breath. He was disappointed, of course. But it had seemed like an abrupt way to tell Eli TJ was his father. It was better that they wait. This was enough.

Eli’s eyes opened a little wider. “Are you serious?”

“Yes.” Sage took his hand and gave it a kiss. “TJ was your donor.”

Eli looked embarrassed. His gaze focused tentatively on TJ’s.

“I was more than happy to help,” TJ assured him.

Eli’s slim shoulders squared, and he seemed to sit up a little straighter. “Thank you, sir.”

TJ’s heart swelled with pride. “I’m just glad you’re getting better.”

Eli’s expression faltered. “Am I?”

“Of course you are,” Sage said, concern clear in her tone.

“I don’t feel better.”

“You’re sitting up.”

Eli glanced around the bed, as if the significance of sitting up hadn’t occurred to him.

“You couldn’t sit up yesterday,” Sage said.

“I couldn’t, could I?”

“You are getting better,” she told him firmly.

“It’s only a matter of time,” TJ said.

Eli gave a ghost of a smile. “I thought they were lying.”

“Who?” Sage asked.

“Dr. Stannis. The nurses. They keep saying these things take time, and I should relax and let my body heal.”

“They’re right.”

“That’s what they said to Joey.” Eli’s eyes went glassy with unshed tears. “They told him that right up to when he died.”

TJ felt like he’d been sucker punched.

A stricken expression on her face, Sage rose and drew Eli into her arms. “Oh, sweetheart.”

“It would be okay,” Eli said. “I mean, I’d deal with it if it happened.”