Goodbye, Mr. Regret

All they could do was wait-wait for Timothy to come out.

Herbert, worried Jessica might collapse, scooped her up and carried her over to the lounge, gently settling her on a chair.

Sallie didn't like seeing Jessica so close to someone else, but she gritted her teeth and said nothing.

Half an hour crept by. Once Phelps and Naylor had finally recovered a bit, Naylor helped Phelps to the waiting area outside the operating room as well.

No one spoke.

Everyone's thoughts were fixed on Timothy's injuries.

Time stretched endlessly.

To the Lawson family, Timothy was their hope.

And for Jessica, the thought of Timothy in danger was unbearable.

Divorce was divorce, but she'd never wished pain or suffering on him-let alone death.

Especially not now, when he'd gotten hurt saving her and Herbert.

come barreling toward them on his bike, her initial reaction had been anger-she thought

limbs wouldn't

hospital that day, too,

having family around lifted a patient's spirits, and this was

son.

away to visit Henry's room. After all,

met Henry a few times before; to him, the

now, Henry was his blood-his sister's

his way out, Vince overheard a pair of nurses talking. "Poor kid-so father's in

and now

Naylor and Phelps moments earlier, told

stairs two at a time to

Jessica in the lounge. Jessica was pale, her body shivering now and

over and crouched in front of her,

saw Vince, the tears she'd held back for so long finally

could be strong in front of everyone else, but never with

"Big brother..."

didn't know why Jessica

you about Timothy?" he

called me. I just.....” Jessica sobbed, her voice catching in her throat, unable to go