Getting To Know You [Marcus]

[Jackson Poe]

19th May 2009

It was now just going into the next day, but Jackson only knew that when he looked down at his watch. It was dimly light in the family room, but they would be the only ones in the room. Jackson turned on the light, and looked around the room. There was a coffee machine, and all the essentials around it. In one corner there was a couple of lounge chairs and a tv, and then there were four beds in the other corner. They did look very inviting, but Jackson couldn't sleep.

So Jackson headed over to the coffee machine, made himself up a cup, and headed over to sit in the chairs. Just sitting in these okay feeling chairs, Jackson felt his body relax. He knew that he had been feeling tense when Emma was getting operated on, and Jackson had been quite upset over that time. So it seemed to be catching up on him, and this time now felt like he was finally slowing down.

Jackson turned on the tv, and began to flick through channels, but nothing caught his eye. Turning it off, he began to speak with Marcus. "I am so happy that Emma woke up. I am not sure what I would have done if ... she had not survived. I feel that she is a part of my life, and a part of me now, and it would have felt like I had lost a body part." Jackson knew that probably sounded corny, but that is how he felt.

[marcus]

Marcus sat in one of the chairs in the family room, with his head in his hands. It had been a long few hours and he was beginning to feel it. The good thing was Emma was going to be okay and Marcus felt like he could finally begin to relax, a little. He wouldn't be completely relaxed until Emma was out of the hospital. The next thing on Marcus' agenda would be to get to know his birth parents and his other brother.

Eventually, after rubbing at his temples and his eyes, he leaned back in the chair, and put his head to the side, trying to sleep, but even though he felt physically exhausted at the same time, he just had too much adrenaline pumping through him to actually settle. He sat forward again, cracking his knuckles before he put his hands behind his head. He watched as Jackson mad himself a coffee so Marcus decided to do the same thing.

After he sat back down, he took a few sips before he heard Jackson speak to him. Marcus thought he knew exactly what Jackson was trying to say. After all, she had been a longer part of his life than her own brother's life sad as that seemed. "I know I don't really know Emma enough yet, but I feel ye Jackson. When my parents died, well that is to say my aunt and uncle whom I knew as my parents, it tore me apart. So, I can only imagine what losing Emma would have done to ye. Just as well she's a fighter eh?" Marcus said, as he took another sip of his coffee. It wasn't the best, but it would do given the circumstances. He took in a deep breath and decided that since Emma was in no fit state to hear his story right now, he'd tell it to Jackson instead.

"Had no idea they were just my aunt and uncle, until I was going through their personal effects ye know? Found a letter which was written by me mam, Emma's mam, saying that my dad, uncle was to tell me the truth when I turned sixteen, thirty two I am now Jackson, and only just found out when they died." Marcus said feeling upset at their deaths and anger at them keeping the truth from him.

[Jackson Poe]

Jackson listened to what Marcus said, in regards to Emma. When he spoke about his so-called parents, Jackson nodded. He personally had never been in that predicament. His parents were still alive, and he didn't know how he would handle it if they died. "Hey man, I don't know much about losing someone, but what you went through must of been hard." He had to be truthful, Jackson would not have known how to handle it if Emma had died on that operationg table.

Jackson was glad that Marcus was open enough with him to speak about his own past with him. Though he had sensed that Marcus might do this as Emma was not around to hear about it all. Jackson thought that maybe these pieces of Macus' past might put her backwards in regards to recovery, knowing what Marcus had been through. "That is way harsh Marcus. I think I would be angry to with it if I found out that my parents weren't who they said that were. Knowing me I would have up and left."

Jackson thought that since Marcus was sharing, that he might as well share something as well. One thing was probably enough at a time. "I want to tell you something. But you have to promise not to tell Emma. She knows that I had a girlfriend 2 years ago or so, but there is something else." Jackson paused and then continued. "I got another phone call off my ex 2 days ago, and I then agreed to meet her. That was yesterday around the middle of the day. She told me that the child she was carrying, that I didn't want at the time, she kept. It's a little girl, and I went and saw her."

Jackson waited for a response off Marcus. He knew that Marcus still had to get to know Emma a bit more, but he knew that if he didn't like what he heard, Jackson was not sure of what Marcus was capable of. "Emma knows about Kristy, about the pregnancy, but does not know about this meeting. I am waiting for a good time to tell her. I don't want her to go backwards in her recovery. But I don't want her to resent me for not telling her straight away."

Thinking about it all now, Jackson wondered if it was a good idea that he saw his daughter for the first time. But deep down, he knew that he needed to. She was part of him as well.

[marcus]

Marcus still wasn't sure why he spouted off his history to Jackson, he was always very much a mysterious person keeping his past close to his chest, but he figured since he was close to Emma it would do no harm to tell him it all. After all, it was only what he would be telling Emma herself over time. "Yeah it was hard alright Jackson me man, but to be honest with ye, it's more confusing than anything else." What he meant by that was the whole parent issue.

"Damn right it was harsh Jackson, but ye know what could I do about it man? They were already dead. Finding out by a letter I was meant to find out when I turned sixteen, it made me so bitter and twisted, the fact I felt I couldn't grieve for them properly because they had lied to me for so many years." He ran his hands through his hair again and sighed.

He really did have a pretty shitty life, so far, and then he caused the accident of his sister. Yeah, life was pretty damned shitty alright. Jackson then said he wanted to tell him something but he had to promise not to tell Emma. Marcus gave him a weak smile, "I'll try to promise, depends what it is me man, but ye know I don't know either of ye that well yet, so what right would I have to stick me nose into your business for anyway?" Marcus replied, and then listened to what Jackson had to say.

As he had predicted, it really wasn't any of his business anyway, so he'd certainly not say anything, it wouldn't be in his place. Although it sounded like Emma already knew about Jackson's past, just not that he had seen his ex. Well if Emma was anything like he was, and they shared the same blood after all, she wouldn't let it get to her, because the past was in the past, and right now they were living their present and future.

"To be honest I think it's good ye saw yer daughter, getting that connection ye should have had from the beginning." Marcus said softly, knowing how he was feeling about not having the connection with Emma all those years he should have had it for. What right did he have to tell Jackson he shouldn't be keeping his meeting with his ex from Emma.

"Well, Emma and I share the same blood Jackson, and I wouldn't resent ye for keeping it from me. I dare say Emma wouldn't resent ye either. If she was happy enough about your past in the first place, I can't honestly see this making much of a difference to her ye know?" Marcus said as honestly as he could. Sure maybe it was strange for him to have seen his ex without telling his current girlfriend, but as long as you did eventually Marcus couldn't really see the harm.

[Jackson Poe]

Jackson was glad that Marcus was able to listen to what he had been up to. He hated being secretive with Emma, but he felt he had to do it. At the time she was probably going over her routine for the last time before the competition, and he didn't want her to be thinking about him meeting his ex. She needed to concentrate on what she was aiming for, which she got.

When Marcus commented about Jackson seeing his daughter, he smiled. "I know. And I am glad that I did it, you know? Just seeing her for the first time just made me complete for some reason. I felt mad that I didn't stick around when Kristy was pregnant, but at the time it wasn't for me." Jackson had been honest about that part with Emma in a previous conversation, and she also knew of his intentions now.

"Emma and I have already had this conversation, and we both know what we want now out of this current relationship we share. We have become so close over the last ... well it will be 2 months tomorrow actually that we have been together." Jackson couldn't believe how time went so fast. Just thinking about the chance meeting they had that first night, it brought back a lot of memories. "So much has happened from that first chance meeting through to know. I hope that we will be together for some time yet."

When Marcus commented about Emma not resenting him for what he did, Jackson deep down hoped so. "Emma will definately know as soon as I feel she is well enough to handle it. At this point in time I think she should rest and then see what today brings." Jackson didn't want to push the emotions on her if that is what will happen when he mentions the little reunion.

Looking at his watch, Jackson saw the time, but felt he still couldn't sleep. "So can I ask you a question?" Jackson thought for a second, and then thought about what he wanted to say. "So how did you end up tracking down Emma and her family?" Jackson remembered that he still hadn't met any of her family, but it was still early days yet. There was plenty of time for that, and even Emma meeting his family.

[marcus]

"I understand Jackson, there are many things in life which don't seem right at a particular time and become so right at another time." Marcus said, understanding exactly what Jackson was saying about being glad he had met his daughter now, but at the time it hadn't been right. "At least ye haven't left it too long, ye can still be a part of her life and get to know her yeah?" Which was exactly why Marcus was now in the States, to get to know Emma and become a part of her life.

Marcus listened as Jackson went on in further explanation of how Emma already knew about his past and how close he and Emma had become and how he hoped they would stay together for some time yet. "Well Jackson, from what I can see, a love like Emma and ye have obviously got, so quick, it's bound to stay strong." Not that Marcus had any proof of mainstay romances, he hasn't exactly had his share in his life time, but somehow, he could just tell that Emma and Jackson were for the long stay.

"I totally agree with ye man, Emma for sure needs her rest, there's plenty of time to tell her and I know she'll be right over it, just ye wait and see." Marcus said softly, giving Jackson a what he hoped was a reassuring smile. Sure he didn't know Emma well enough, but as he said before, they shared the same blood, and alright they might not have been raised together, but blood was blood, and he knew how he would react, Emma would be no different, of that Marcus was sure.

"Sure ye can Jackson." Marcus replied and smiled before Jackson then asked the question he wanted an answer to. He smiled again, "Ah, well ye see, after me folks, supposed folks that is, died in an airplane crash which everybody died in apart from meself, I was more or less hunted down because I was seen as a focking miracle, ye know?" Marcus began explaining and then sighed a little. "So, with the letter in me head about me real mam and dad, and the fact I grew up as an only child, I wanted to get to know me siblings, so that's what made me track them down." Marcus said and then took in a breath before rubbing at his temples and eyes again.

"Ye see, that airplane crash was when I realised I was different, and no doubt Emma is different too aye? I haven't met me parents yet though, Emma was the first one I managed to track down, and look what happened? See man, I got such a focking shitty life." Marcus finished explaining, as he put his head in his hands once more.

So Emma was going to be alright, but it was just another bit of drama to add to his already horrible life to date.

[Jackson Poe]

Jackson listened to how Marcus went from having no parents, to be lied to about his so called parents, to realising that he was different, and then tracking down his true family. He had no idea what Marcus had been through, and was quite amazed at how strong a guy he was. If Emma is anything like Marcus, she will pull through this terrible time.

All Jackson could say was, "Wow." He felt that his mouth was hanging open, and closed it quickly. "What a story. Well I hope that you get to meet your real parents soon. Actually has anyone actually tried to ring her parents?" This was the first time that thought crossed his mind. Jackson didn't have their number at all, let alone knew where they lived. All this time he never asked Emma for any of those details. "Now I know I am a bad boyfriend when I don't even contact them."

Jackson got up, and walked out the room to check with the nurses. When one came up to him, he smiled. "Hi. I was wondering whether anyone had contacted Emma's parents at all. I don't have their number." The nurse checked on the computer, and then turned to Jackson. "We had to go through Emma's belongings she had with her, and found their details. Though we haven't had much luck with contacting them."

"Could I get their number and address off you. I will try a bit later to contact them." When the nurse read out the details, Jackson thanked her, and went back to Marcus. "I got their number and address off the nurse. Though they haven't been home, or they are just not answering their phone." He hoped that he could get in contact with them somehow.

[marcus]

Marcus felt a little drained after telling his story to Jackson about his past life and why he was now in the States tracking down his sister and family. He saw that his story had obviously affected Jackson as he only said 'wow' at first and he saw his jaw drop slightly. Then he obviously composed himself and then spoke saying he hoped he would meet his parents soon enough, which then brought Jackson to ask if anybody had contacted Emma's parents.

"Thats a good point Jackson ye know, I know nothing about them other than they're me folks, have no contact number for them, nor did I have one for Emma, I just was lucky to find out about her skating competition." Marcus explained to Jackson with a weak smile.

If they were able to contact Emma's parents, which would be his folks too, he'd get to meet them. Marcus realised what that would mean, and it really would be something. "You're not a bad boyfriend man, if ye hadn't met them and didn't know their number, how could ye have contacted them?" Marcus said in a reassuring voice, as he once again rubbed at his eyes and temples. This had certainly been one long night and he was beginning to feel it.

Marcus then watched as Jackson went out and disappeared for a few moments before coming back into the room again. "That's cool ye got their number and address Jackson, my good man." Marcus replied, and then gave a sad smile as Jackson then went on to say that the nurses had been unable to contact them. "I'd suggest phoning them meself, do ye reckon they'd be cool with that?" Marcus couldn't help but ask the question, he just thought it would be quite the ice breaker. "Hey mam and dad, it's Marcus, the son ye let your brother raise." Yeah that would probably go down quite well. He laughed at the irony of how it sounded.

"Or maybe I should just let ye phone yourself." He said as he sighed, and sat back in the seat again.

[Jackson Poe]

Jackson knew he wasn't a bad boyfriend, but it was good to hear from someone else that fact. He did know that if he had that sort of information, they would have been the first people he would have rung. If Jackson had been injured, he hoped that someone had been contacted in regards to what had happened. Lucky for Emma, Marcus was there as part of the family.

Before Jackson had gone to get the information from the nurses, he noticed Marcus rubbing his eyes and temples. Looking at his watch, Jackson saw what the times was, and knew that they did need to get some rest, in order to see Emma later, but not soo much later. Jackson hated being away from Emma, and just knowing what she had been through made it worse. Jackson made a mental note to get some sleep soon.

When Jackson came back with the numbers, and told Marcus what the situation had been with getting into contact with them, he kept thinking about how to go about telling them. Jacskon has to laugh a little at Marcus being funny, imagining what he would say if he told them about Emma. Then Marcus said that Jackson should call them instead. "Maybe I will, but looking at the time, I might leave it till a bit later in the morning, but before we see Emma."

Jackson turned to look at the beds, which were already made up in the room. They looked rather inviting right now. Turning back to Marcus, Jackson decided to do what his body was telling him to do. "I think I will turn in for a short time, and then set my alarm on my phone for a good time to contact Emma's... I mean your parents. If I rang now they might freak out a bit." Jackson got up, and made his way to the nearest bed. Here he sat down, opened his phone to set the alarm, and then layed down, placing the phone on the floor. "Night Marcus."

*** 5 Hours Later ***

Jackson's woke to the sound of a guitar riff sound. Slowly opening his eyes, he soon realised that it was his alarm going off. Jackson moved his hand along the floor, until his fingers hit his phone. Picking it up, he hit a button to stop the alarm. Jackson layed there for about 2 minutes, trying to wake himself up. When he felt that he was right, he got up, and sat on the edge of the bed. Jackson pulled out the piece of paper out of his side pocket, and began to dial the number the nurse had given him.

[marcus]

Marcus was glad to see or hear Jackson laugh a little at his slight joke over telling his real parents about their daughter being in the hospital. Really as much as he would have loved to contact them, he knew it would be better coming from Jackson. But at least he might actually get to meet his parents, and the prospect of that was making him feel quite good.

However, the lateness was getting to Marcus, his eyes were beginning to nip and he was getting a headache, he would really have to think about getting some sleep soon, and yet at the same time he felt he might not be able to, the adrenaline was still running through him at quite a pace. He rubbed at his eyes and temples again and then looked at his watch and realised he really would have to try and sleep.

"Aye, sounds like a good plan Jackson me man. Though tell ye what, be sure good to see them finally." Marcus replied, almost smiling, the idea of finally meeting his family, his real family just felt so good and actually was beginning to have a calming effect on Marcus.

Just as Marcus was about to tell Jackson he wanted to lay down for a while, Jackson got in and said the same thing to Marcus. He couldn't help but chuckle slightly at that. "Aye Jackson, was just about to say the same thing meself. I'll let your alarm wake me up." He said as he went over and made himself comfortable on the bed. Jackson then said night to him. "Aye, night Jackson." With that, Marcus drifted off into a deep sleep, quicker than he thought possible.

~*~Five Hours Later~*~

There was a muffled sound going off in the distance, and Marcus began to grumble under his breath, forgetting where he was, and thinking the people in the room next to his hotel room were playing music loud. "Ah, jeez, focks sakes can ye no turn it down." Then Marcus realised where he was and sat bolt up right in the bed and rubbed his eyes and temples, to waken himself, as he sat and watched Jackson tap out the number on his cell phone.

"Sorry about that me man, forget where I was for a second like." Marcus said, referring to his little outburst seconds before. He hoped Jackson would be able to get in contact with Emma's parents, their parents, he wanted to meet them at last.

[Jackson Poe]

Jackson almost fell off his bed and pressed the wrong numbers, when Marcus started calling out when he woke. He looked at Marcus, almost about to remind him that it was his alarm going off, when Marcus sat up and then apologised. "Sorry, I didn't mean to have it so loud. I hope it didn't make too much of a noise out the door." Jackson looked at the door, seeing that it was still shut.

As Jackson heard his phone connect, and then began to ring the other number, he looked at his watch. It was 7:15am, and hoped that someone would be home now to answer. After what seemed like a lifetime, someone answered on the other end.

Male Voice: Hello?
Jackson: Hi. Sorry to call so early, but I was wondering if I could speak with either Mr or Mrs Woods please.
Male Voice: This is David Woods speaking.
Jackson: Hi. My name is Jackson Poe, and I am Emma's boyfriend. I am not sure whether you are aware or not, but yesterday Emma was in an accident, and I believe the hospital has been trying to contact you a few times.
David: [in the background] Emily, Emma has been in an accident.
David: Is she okay? What happened? Where is she now?
Jackson: Mr Woods, I could tell you over the phone the long story, but if you wanted to come down to the General Hospital, then we can talk more, and you can speak with the doctor. They might tell you more than I can.
David: Um, yes. I ... we will be right there.
Jackson: I can meet you in the main foyer if you like at the entrance, and then I can show you where Emma is. We can speak on the way there.
David: Thank you so much. I know that we were going to give her a surprise party today, in light of her competition yesterday. But that will have to wait. Thanks again Jackson, and we will see you soon.
Jackson: Okay, and you are welcome. Cya.

Jackson closed his phone, and looked at Marcus. "Well I was waiting for chaos on the other end. David, her dad I presume, did seem quite concerned, and they are coming now. You heard my end of the conversation, so you know that I told them that the doctors would be able to tell them more than I would be. Most of last night is kind of a blur, but some of it remember."

Jackson then wondered something. "I wonder what time we can go and see Emma." He knew that he had slept on and off during the last few hours, wondering if anyone had come in and had tried to wake them to tell them any news. But obviously no one had, or Jackson would have been right there awake to here.

[marcus]

Marcus felt terrible for yelling out the way he had, he really hadn't meant to, he had just completely forgot where he was. He actually felt his face blush, shaking his head as he heard Jackson apologise about his alarm being too loud. "You're alright me man, it wasn't that loud, I was expecting if after all, just ye know, getting into a good sleep when ye get woken up. I'm alright now, and I think if it were loud enough outside, somebody would have been in telling us off by now, do ye no think?" Marcus said, hoping that Jackson would understand his Irish speech and accent, he had been trying to make it more clear around him, but early in the morning when not thinking properly it was often stronger.

Marcus then moved from the bed and sat on the chair again, sitting back quietly as Jackson spoke to Mr Woods, Emma's father, his father, their father. It was still a lot for Marcus to take in and comprehend, this belonging to another family he knew nothing about. The end result of the phone call from what Marcus could tell was that his parents were on their way to the hospital. Now he started to get a little nervous.

"Yeah Jackson, everything's a bit of a blur to me too, so am sure the doctor will fill them in on what's going on. And yeah, David is her dad, me dad too. Man, still trying to get used to that ye know?" Marcus said, but he said it with a smile on his face. His parents were coming, he couldn't wait to see them, he just hoped they would welcome him back into their family.

"Don't know Jackson me man, but they usually have weird visiting hours, but I think for something like what Emma's been through we might be allowed to see her soon enough aye?" Marcus said, and with that there was a knock on the door.

Marcus looked at Jackson and then said "Aye, come on in." The door was opened and it was the doctor. He looked toward Jackson first. "Did you manage to get in touch with Emma's parents?" Waiting for a few seconds for a reply, he then continued.

"Emma's done very well through the past few hours, and her recovery looks good. She will have to be in a wheelchair for a while I imagine, but that will be until physiotherapy helps her to get on her feet properly again." The doctor said, and smiled as he stopped for a short breath. "You can come through and see her now, she's awake and been asking for you, for both of you." The doctor said giving them a brighter smile and then he left the room to allow Jackson and Marcus to leave at their own leisure.

{ooc: Not sure if you want me to bring Emma into this - or start another after their parents arrive - but if you want to have Jackson get to the foyer in your next post, I can npc the parents }

[Jackson Poe]

Jackson felt reassured when Marcus said that it was alright about his alarm going off. He also knew deep down that it wouldn't have made too much of a noise, but you never know in hospitals. They never really like phones being on, but Jackson had to make an exception in this case. Jackson didn't know if anyone would call about Emma, but really only his own brother knew, unless his parents had been told by Lance.

Jackson had sort of seen Marcus move to the chair, but he was concentrating on talking to Emma's dad. David sounded really nice, but also concerned, due to the accident that Jackson spoke of. He hoped that he could tell them about it, without scaring them too much with the details. After talking to Marcus about the phone call, Jackson moved to the lounge, and sat down a short distance away, so he could talk to Marcus.

Jackson listened to what Marcus said about him being right about David being their day, and how he was still getting used to thinking of them as his parents. "You know Marcus. You are handling this well on the outside. I don't know how I would react, what with meeting my true parents for the first time." He was glad that his parents were his own, and couldn't think of how he would truly react if he found out so late that they were only temporary ones. Even though Jackson had been so patient around people, he knew that he would totally lose it.

Then the doctor came in. "Hey Doc. What's the news?" When the doctor asked Jackson if he had gotten in touch with Emma's parents, Jackson nodded. "I sure did. I just got off the phone from them only a few moments ago. I spoke with her dad, and they will be on their way now." When the doctor told them, after that, that Emma had done well over the past few hours, Jackson felt some relief lift off his shoulders. He turned to smile at Marcus, and then back to the doctor. "That is great news. But I know that we all can pitch in, and take good care of her, if and when she leaves the hospital." Jackson knew that, if with his career going well, that he would certainly make the time to help Emma out as much as he can. She was is everything right now, and he didn't want to let her down.

Jackson felt his face light up when the doctor said that they could see them, as she was awake, and asking for them. "Thanks. But maybe we should have something to eat first." Jackson thanked the doctor again before he left them alone again. Jackson looked at the clock in the room. "I had better head down to the foyer first though. Maybe then we can let them see her first while we have breakfast?" He felt that this was a good idea, considering that they were her parents. But then he thought. "Or maybe you could go and see Emma, and then I could show them where she is, and then after the big reunion, we could get some breakfast?"

Jackson waited for Marcus' response, with his stomache already replying to what he said. He hoped that Marcus didn't hear, though he had missed dinner last night, and hadn't eaten, due to worrying so much about Emma.

[marcus]

When Jackson was finished on the phone and joined Marcus on the chairs, he mentioned that Marcus was handling it all well on the outside. Maybe he was, but on the inside, he was cracking it. After all it wasn't every day you found out the parents you believed to be your parents, weren't, and the real parents were due to arrive any time soon. He gave Jackson a weak smile, "Aye, it's not the easiest thing I've had to deal with, ye know? To be honest, not sure how I feel Jackson me man. I'm excited at the prospect of meeting them, and nervous as hell at the same time. What if they don't want to know me?" Marcus said, and rubbed his temples again, and sighed as he sat back in the seat.

What was really on his mind however, was how they would feel when they found out he was the one who had inadvertently put their daughter in this situation in the first place. He shook his head, snapping out of those thoughts. Come on man, ye gotta pull yourself together, not your fault, Emma said so, remember?! He told himself.

When Jackson said they would all pitch in to help Emma, Marcus nodded his head, he couldn't agree more. He wanted to get to know his sister more, wanted to help take care of her. He just hoped that the Woods would allow him to do so, he hoped they would welcome him back into the family. If he'd found out about his true parents when he was supposed to, he'd have come and found them so much sooner.

As Jackson made some suggestions Marcus thought about them. It was true, Jackson had to go to the foyer to meet them, and Marcus was wanting to get this reunion over with as soon as possible, even though he knew he was starving, he also knew he wouldn't enjoy eating anything until he had met his true parents.

"I think it might be best if we both go to the foyer first Jackson, and let them see her while we have breakfast, after all, we've been here since it happened man, we need a proper rest, and they deserve some alone time with her, plus, it allows me to meet them, ye know?" Marcus said, and then realised he had hardly taken a breath during all of that, and inhaled and exhaled deeply. He had a pounding headache, for someone who could be physically unharmed, he could have headaches from hell.

[Jackson Poe]

Jackson listened to what Marcus said about what they should do. "Okay Marcus. Well we had better head down now. They will be here any minute or probably there now waiting for us." Jackson hoped that they weren't already there waiting. He was hoping that he or both of them would be there to meet them, when they arrived in the foyer. Jackson got up from the lounge, and went to pick up his bag.

For some reason, Jackson's heart was beginning to beat fast. Maybe it was because he was just about to meet Emma and Marcus' parents for the first time, even though he and Emma had been in a relationship for just 2 months. Though to Jackson it felt longer, what with now making it physical. For all their parents knew, Emma was just seeing Jackson, and not doing other things, like having sex with him.

Jackson held the door open for Marcus, as he made his way out of the family room. They walked another way out of the Intensive Care ward, just in case Emma's door was open to her room. Jackson wanted to keep her parents arriving a bit of a secret, but knew she probably thought that they would come as soon as they had heard about the accident. Jackson got out of the ward, and headed towards the elevator, which led down to the next level of the hospital: the foyer area.

As they waited for the elevator to arrive, Jackson turned to Marcus. "So, are you nervous. I am for some reason. Maybe it is because I have not met them at all since seeing Emma. I kind of thought it might have been under better circumstances. But if this is the way it was meant to be, then let it." The elevator doors then opened, and Jackson walked in, holding the open button down, to let Marcus in.