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.

initial reaction had been anger-she thought he was

limbs wouldn't

that day, too, taking care of

lifted a patient's spirits, and this was a chance

son.

a quiet moment, Vince slipped away to visit Henry's room.

a few times before; to him, the boy had always just been a

Henry was his blood-his

of nurses talking. "Poor kid-so father's in surgery. Two of

already, and now

what had happened. The nurse, busy helping with Naylor

a time to

immediately saw Herbert beside Jessica in the lounge. Jessica

hurried over and crouched in front of her,

Jessica saw Vince, the tears she'd held back for

else, but never with Vince. He always managed to

"Big brother..."

know why Jessica was