January 19th-March 10th, 2003
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Michael sat in the passenger side of George's black jeep, quietly listening to music. George glanced at Michael and sighed. The boy never said anything to him unless he was spoken to first. George loved Michael so much that it hurt his heart to think about how much Michael hated him. George wished there was something he could do. He focused back on the road and pulled up to a stop sign. He looked both ways and seeing that everything was clear, he pulled out.
Just as the jeep pulled out, George noticed a quick flash coming towards his direction. He turned quickly just as a fairly good sized pick-up truck raced towards them. George swerved, trying to get out of the way as Michael screamed, but George wasn't quick enough and the white truck smashed into their side, sending them skidding as glass broke and Michael's seat belt went rigid and held him in the seat. Meanwhile, George, whose seat belt had been the last thing on his mind that morning, was seat beltless. He rammed forward into the steering wheel, jamming it into his chest just as the airbag popped open, pushing him back with great speed.
The jeep slid to a stop. George glanced over and thanked God that Michael's airbag hadn't come open, which would probably have hurt him.
"Are you okay?" George asked quickly. Michael nodded, wide-eyed and frightened. "Are you hurt?" Michael shook his head solemnly as he stared at George who had a trickle of blood running down the side of his head from where the shattered glass had cut him. "Don't move, okay?" George asked.
"Daddy?" Michael said softly, not realizing it had been the first time he had ever called George by that name. George's heart swelled as he noted it, but he was worried about more things. Like his son, for instance.
"I'm okay, Michael, it's going to be just fine. Don't move." George said and rested his head back on the seat. He was getting so tired.
"You're bleeding, Daddy." Michael whispered just as George lost consciousness. "Daddy?" Michael asked and his voice hitched. "Daddy, wake up." Michael said, scared to death that George had died. Tears began to stream down his face. "Daddy, please, Daddy. I'll be good! Come back, Daddy!!" Michael begged. The man from the white truck ran to their car and looked in on George's side. He saw George passed out and Michael panicking.
"Don't worry, kid, everything's going to be just fine." The man said nervously and fumbled for his cell phone.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Michael watched the paramedics wheel his father into a trauma room and they took him to the room beside it. Michael continued to cry, trying to watch George. He was so scared that his father had left him too.
"It's okay, sweetheart, everything will be just fine." A kind hearted nurse murmured to Michael. He looked up at her.
"Is he dead?"
"No, baby, he's not dead. Now can you tell me where it hurts?" Michael shook his head.
"Nowhere."
"Are you sure?" She asked.
"Just my tummy, but only a little. I want my Daddy. I want Julianna."
"What's wrong with your tummy?" She asked as one of the doctors lifted his shirt gently. He had some slight bruising from his seat belt, but it wasn't bad and didn't look to be extensive.
"Get an ultrasound." The doctor said. The nurse nodded and found one in the next room. When she came back, the doctor began to use it on Michael as she took his hand.
"Who is Julianna?" She asked.
"Daddy's friend, Jules. I want Jules." He said, tears streaming down his face.
"Does Julianna work with your daddy?" The nurse asked. He nodded.
"She comes to the trailer. I want Jules."
"Okay, it's okay, I'll find her. What's your name, sweetheart?"
"Michael."
"Okay, Michael, I'm going to call your grandparents and then I'll find Julianna, okay?" He nodded. The nurse looked at the doctor and he nodded.
"Everything checks out. No internal bruising or bleeding. Nothing's broken."
"Alright then, I'm going to go call the family." The doctor nodded. The nurse scurried to the admit desk in the middle of the emergency room and managed to locate George's family's number. She quickly dialed the number and pressed the phone to her ear. After two rings a woman's voice answered.
"Mrs. Clooney?"
"Yes?" Nina Clooney replied.
"My name is Mary Johnson from LA Memorial Hospital."
"Oh God, what happened?" Nina asked, beginning to worry.
"Your son and grandson were in a car accident."
"Are they alright?" Nina asked quickly.
"The child, Michael, is fine. He just has some bruising from his seatbelt but nothing internal or of real damage."
"Thank God." Nina said. "George?"
"He's still being worked on, but it looks good. He was unconscious when we brought him in, but his injuries don't seem to be serious. He has a cut on his head and possibly a broken rib or two from slamming into the steering wheel and the air bag." Mary said. "But he seems fine, though he hasn't woken yet."
"Oh, thank God." Nina said.
"But Michael is really frightened. He kept telling me he wanted Jules. I'm assuming that would be Julianna Margulies, because Michael said she worked with George." Mary said, glad for once that a television show had helped her out. Even if she thought it was a slightly cheesy medical drama, it was still her favorite show, probably because of her own job as an ER nurse.
"Yes, that would probably be who he wants. He's gotten attached to her." Nina said.
"Okay, well could you give her a call and see if it would be possible if she could come. Or at least give me a number which I could contact her with." Mary said.
"I'll contact her right now." Nina said. "And then we will be on our way out to LA."
"Alright. Thank you, ma'am." Mary said.
"Thank you." Nina replied and the women hung up their phones.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Despite the fact that Julianna was living with George and Michael, she had taken a separate car to work and had expected George and Michael to arrive soon after. When they hadn't she had began to worry and kept her cell phone beside her at all times. When it rang she immediately answered it, hoping it was George.
"Hello? George?"
"Julianna, this is Nina Clooney."
"Oh God." Julianna said.
"George and Michael are at LA Memorial."
"What happened?" Julianna asked.
"They were in a car wreck. Michael is fine. He's really scared and asking for you. The nurse I spoke to said George would be fine, but he is unconscious and probably has some broken ribs. But could you please go to the hospital and see that Michael is okay. I can't get there fast enough." Nina said.
"Of course I will. I'll go right now." She said.
"Thank you, Julianna. Call me if there is anything new."
"Of course."
"Bye." Nina said and they hung up. Julianna quickly informed all of the staff where she was going before she hurried to the hospital to rescue Michael.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Nearly fifteen minutes later Julianna dashed into the ER and went quickly to the administration desk.
"I'm here to see Michael Clooney." She said quickly. A small, slightly overweight nurse looked up. She smiled.
"Hello. My name is Mary and I took care of Michael."
"Could I see him?" Julianna asked.
"Of course. He was asking for you." She said. Mary walked quickly beside Julianna, admiring the woman for coming and for being so worried. And on top of that, Julianna was one of Mary's favorite actresses. "He's in there. You can go on in. He's a little bruised up and a lot scared, but he should be fine."
"Thank you." Julianna said and smiled genuinely at Mary before pushing into the room. Michael looked up, his eyes wide and his cheeks tear stained.
"Jules!" He exclaimed. She rushed to him and took his face into her hands, surveying him.
"Are you okay?" She asked. He nodded.
"Is Daddy dead?" He asked, his eyes wide. Julianna shook her head.
"No, baby, he's not dead. He's going to be just fine." She hugged him as tight as she dared and squeezed her eyes closed, hoping she was right. She pulled away. "I'm going to get that really nice nurse lady to come back and tell us what's going on, okay?" Michael nodded, but wouldn't let her go. "Let go for just a second, sweetheart. I'll be right back." He released her reluctantly but did not take his eyes off her the whole time as she stepped out the door, searching for the nurse. Moments later she spotted her and motioned her over. Julianna glanced in on Michael and he stared back at her. She turned to the nurse.
"Could you give me the run down?" She asked.
"A man in a truck hit Mr. Clooney's jeep. The driver called an ambulance and they brought Mr. Clooney and Michael here. They are no longer working on Mr. Clooney, but they are watching him. He's hooked up to monitors, but he hasn't woken yet. There doesn't seem to be a concussion, but you can't really tell until he wakes up to see how lucid he is. He has two broken ribs, but no other internal damage. The cut on his head required five stitches, but he looks to be doing fine. We're just waiting for him to wake up, now." Mary said. Julianna nodded.
"So it's nothing serious." She asked. Mary shook her head. "Thank God." She paused. "Thank you for getting ahold of me."
"No problem. Michael asked for you, and so I called his grandparents and they knew who to call." Mary said. Julianna nodded.
"Thank you for taking care of him. Um, I was wondering, would I be allowed to see George?"
"I will need to check on that." Mary said.
"Okay, could you let me know?" Julianna asked. Mary nodded. "Okay, thank you. I better get back in there." Mary nodded.
"If Michael needs anything, just let me know." Mary said. Julianna nodded.
"Thank you." She said and pushed her way back into the exam room where Michael lay.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
A few minutes later Mary walked into the exam room where Michael was staying. Julianna was sitting on the bed beside him and he was leaning his head against her shoulder as they chatted quietly. Julianna looked up when Mary came in.
"The doctor said you could see him now." She said. Julianna nodded and turned to Michael.
"Michael, I'm going to go see your daddy now."
"Can I come?" Michael asked immediately, not giving Julianna the chance to continue. She shook her head.
"No, baby, I'm afraid you can't. You have to stay here. For now." She said. His eyes filled with tears.
"Please let me come." He begged. A tear slid down his cheek.
"Aww, honey." She said and pulled him close. He buried his face in her breasts. She leaned her cheek against his head. "You can't come right now. But I promise that I'll come right back and tell you how he is, okay?" Michael shook his head, wanting to come. She sighed and kissed his hair quickly before pulling away. He stared at her, silent tears running down his face. She turned back to Mary, and the nurse could see the painful look on Julianna's face.
"I'll see when he can go see his father." Mary said softly. Julianna nodded.
"Thank you. I really appreciate all this." Mary smiled.
"It's my job."
"It's more than that." Julianna said as she walked beside Mary down the hall.
"He's in here." Mary said a few moments later. Julianna looked in. George was lying still and he looked asleep. She hesitated. Mary pushed open the door. Julianna walked into the room slowly, heading towards the bed. The door closed behind her. She glanced back quickly, saw she was alone, and then picked up George's hand in her own. She stood beside his bed.
"Uhh...George, it's Jules." She said quietly, scooting closer. "I just left Michael and he's okay. A little bruised up, but nothing serious. You're worse than he is. He's just scared to death and worried about you." She squeezed his hand. "You need to wake up soon, George, because he needs you. He really loves you." Julianna said. She looked across the room and saw a stool, so she set George's hand back by his side and walked to the stool. She pulled it around the bed and sat down, taking his hand again. She rubbed her cheek against it, letting her guard down.
"I need you to wake up." She said softly. She closed her eyes and held his hand against her cheek. Then she felt his finger move against her face and she moved back in surprise. He was blinking his eyes open, looking up at her. She stood, leaning over him.
"Hey." She said.
"Hi." He said groggily. "Michael?" He asked.
"He's fine. He's okay, George." She said. He nodded, closing his eyes again for a moment. "The nurse said you have two broken ribs.
"Ah, that explains it." He said.
"What?"
"The pressure in my chest." He said. She nodded.
"She also said there doesn't appear to be a concussion, but you did have to get five stitches in your head." George nodded.
"Anything with Michael?"
"Just some bruises. No bleeding or broken anything." She said. He nodded.
"Thank God."
"He wanted to come with me to see you, but he has to stay in his bed. For now." Julianna said. George nodded.
"Thank you for coming."
"It's no problem. Michael asked for me and so the nurse called you parents and your mom called me."
"Well I appreciate it. You didn't have to come." Julianna nodded and then looked over her shoulder. She didn't see anyone in sight so she leaned over him. She pressed her forehead to his gently, avoiding his stitches. Their noses touched.
"You scared me to death." She said, closing her eyes. He sighed.
"I'm sorry." He said and ran a hand through her hair weakly. She kissed him gently, not caring that they hadn't really discussed that yet, and not caring if anybody saw them. She needed it for herself. She pulled back, straightening.
"I'm going to go tell somebody that you're awake, okay?" He nodded. "And then I'm going to go back with Michael and let him know you're okay." She started to leave, but his voice stopped her.
"Jules?" He asked. She turned.
"Yes?"
"Stay with him, okay? He needs somebody right now and I don't want him to be alone and scared. I can handle myself, okay?" George asked. Julianna nodded.
"Alright." She said and smiled. "But I'll be back later." She said and turned, leaving him.
"Okay." He said and closed his eyes, trying to ignore the pain.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Later that night they released Michael from the hospital. As soon as he was released Julianna took him back to see George. Michael walked into the room slowly, gripping Julianna's hand, because in his childlike mind he still expected George to be dead even though the person he trusted most told him otherwise. George was sitting up on the bed stiffly because his ribs were still causing him some discomfort even though the doctor had given him some pain medication. When George saw them coming he smiled.
"Hey." He said.
"Daddy!" Michael ran to the bed. Julianna's voice stopped him.
"Be careful, Michael." George wished he could reach for his son. Julianna saw the need in his eyes and smiled. She bent at the waist, hoisting Michael up a ways. She placed him gently on the bed and Michael crawled carefully to George's upper body.
"Can I hug you?" Michael whispered. George nodded. He would sacrifice and take the pain if he could feel Michael's little arms willingly wrap around him. Michael edged closer, wrapping his tiny arms around George's neck. George held him as tightly as he could and buried his nose in the boy's shoulder. Julianna stood back and tears filled her eyes. When George lifted his head and met her gaze she saw the tears in his eyes. She quickly wiped away the tear that fell from her eye and smiled. George smiled at her.
"Thank you." He mouthed and she understood.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
The next night George was released also. Julianna drove him home and Michael sat in the backseat, still a little nervous about riding in the car. By the time they reached home, though, Michael was asleep. Julianna smiled.
"I'll get him." She said.
"You shouldn't carry him." George said.
"I can manage. You will kill yourself if you carry him." She said. George nodded, knowing it would hurt like a bitch if he tried. Julianna hauled the sleeping Michael into her arms. "You go make yourself comfortable in the living room. I'll put Michael to bed, okay?" She asked. He nodded. They trudged into the house.
Minutes later Julianna came back down the stairs and into the living room. She smiled at George.
"Do you need anything? Water or medicine?" She asked. He shook his head.
"The medicine they gave me hasn't worn off yet." He said and patted the cushion beside him on the couch. She smiled a bit and went, sitting beside him. Their shoulders brushed. He reached down and took her hand into his, looking down and studying his skin against hers. They stayed silent for a little bit. Finally Julianna spoke.
"When you were late to work I was getting worried." She said. George turned to her as she continued. "And then your mom called and as soon as I heard her voice, I knew something was wrong." She paused and her eyes filled with tears. "For a split second I thought you were both dead." George squeezed her hand. She scooted towards him a bit.
"Jules, we're okay now." He said. She nodded and a tear spilled out.
"I know. I just...I wondered what I would do, ya know?" She asked. "I just...I.." She didn't know how to explain it. She didn't really understand her own feelings yet. "I thought how could I lose you two already? I haven't even had you for long."
"When we first got hit, I sat there staring at Michael and I knew he was okay. He was awake and talking and upset because I was hurt. I knew he would be fine, but I didn't feel fine. And it scared me so much thinking I might not get to be there for him. But I knew that he would be okay because he has you. I know even though he isn't yours that you would make sure he was okay. You'd take care of him." Julianna nodded and wiped at her tears.
"I would."
"I trust you. He trusts you, Jules." George paused. "I don't want to lose that."
"You won't." She said.
"Maybe not, but you're not always going to be around. One of these days you'll find somewhere new to live and you'll go there and leave us behind."
"But I wouldn't, George. I may not live here, but I wouldn't leave either of you."
"But see, Jules, I don't even want you to move out. I want you to be here with us."
"George.."
"No, listen, Jules." He paused. "I want you to live with us. I want you to be with us." He paused, swallowing hard. "As a family." He managed to get out. She looked at him.
"Oh, George, but don't you see? I'm not your family. Not like that. I can't be his mother."
"Why not?" George asked.
"Because I'm not." She said.
"But can't you give it a try? Can't we try and be a family?" He asked.
"But George, a family means a father and a mother and their child. We're not...together that way and he is not my child."
"We could be together that way, Jules." George said. "I want to be." He said softly. She nodded, closing her eyes.
"I do, too. George, I want us to be a family." She said, emphasizing her words. "But I don't know how that's possible." She said.
"Can't we just try it?" He paused. "You don't have to become his mother. We could try to be together, the two of us. Do you know what I mean?" He asked. She swallowed.
"You mean us dating and being lovers?" She asked. He nodded.
"Yes, that's what I mean. And then if it works out, then if things turn out that way, you could be his mother. Even if he doesn't call you mom, you would still be his mother in every other way." He said.
"George." She said, wishing so hard that it could be the case. Wishing she was Michael's mother.
"Jules, just think about it. Don't you think we could try it? And if things don't work out, then they won't work out but we can at least know we tried. And you can always be there for Michael, even if you aren't like a mother to him. But can't we try it first?"
"George, you don't understand how much I want that. I want that so much it hurts." He cut her off.
"Then let's try it."
"I....I'll give it a try. But I don't want you to get your hopes up and think it will work. I don't want to hurt Michael that way, either. If things don't work out."
"But if they could. And if things don't work out, then we'll get past it. I just don't want to give up on something this big without giving it a try."
"I know." Julianna said. He nodded.
"Okay. So then, we're going to try this."
"Yes."
"Alright. Then there is something I want to tell you." He said. She looked at him. "This isn't just a random thing, something that came about because of Michael. I wanted to be with you a long time ago." Julianna's eyes widened. "You were with Ron and I never tried to sabotage that. That wasn't part of any plans I had. I wanted you for myself, but I would never sacrifice your happiness for that. But I just wanted you to know that I don't want you just for a mother to Michael. I want you for me, too, and I have since I met you."
"Oh, George." She said, her eyes filling. He reached out, compromising his aching chest to touch her. He ran his fingers over her cheek.
"And if things don't work out, then I'll face it. I just can't let something like this pass us by because we fear that things could turn out badly." Julianna nodded, understanding.
"I know." She said. He nodded.
"Okay, good. I just wanted to clear that up." She nodded and leaned forward, resting her forehead against his.
"I'm so glad you're okay." She whispered. He smiled a bit.
"Things are going to be okay, Jules. You'll see." She nodded and leaned forward, kissing him softly.
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