In the days that followed Eddy continued to visit Double D and see that he was getting stronger and back to himself.

"Okay Ed, remember what I told ya, no loud voices, and be careful with that box Ed, You can't drop it. Ready to go?"

"Ready Eddy!" Ed said picking up the large box gently. They made their way through the hospital hallway and to Double D's room. Eddy was surprised to see Anna was not there. Double D was sitting up this time which made Eddy feel more at ease. He turned back to Ed.

"Inside voice Ed. Wait here a minute." Eddy walked over to the bed.

"Brought ya somethin' sock head. I know you're really gonna love this. " Before Double D could say anything Eddy went back into the hall leaving Double D puzzled.

"Okay Ed real quiet now. I want you to know that he's still really pale but it doesn't mean he's different. That's still our Double D in there understand ?" Ed nodded he was understandably nervous.

Slowly Ed walked into the room. Double D smiled, it seemed to have been a while since the three Eds were in the same room and able to communicate.

"Hello Ed. How are you?" Ed's eyes lit up and in that moment Eddy saw the old Ed.

"Double D, You are back!" Ed remembered his inside voice this time as he rushed over to his friend and gave him a hug.

"Gently Ed" Double D only had to remind Ed once.

"We are three once more Eddy!" Ed said happily. Double D was glad for the return of the normal Ed after hearing from Eddy what he had been like. Eddy chuckled.

"That's right Ed. That's how it always should be, the three Eds. Let's get the box though Lumpy we gotta open it. Then we can spend some time with Double D.

Ed ran to the box and put it on the floor next to where Double D sat. Noticing the holes Double D gave Eddy a semi frightened look.

"it's not gonna bite ya, if that's what you're worried about." Double D pulled the string slightly and heard an all too familiar giggling. "Eddy!" Double D said not sure how to feel about it. As the box opened Jimmy jumped out happily. He grabbed on to Double D who returned the hug.

"Oh my, what a nice surprise!" It was then that he noticed Jimmy wasn't the only thing packed in the box.

The contents also included several envelopes and pictures that Double D could only assume came from Jimmy and Sarah.

"Gee Double D it's great to see you, Eddy said you like Mr. Fluff. I'm so glad he's got a nice person to take care of him." Jimmy said still holding on to the older boy. Finally Jimmy let go and and went to gather the envelopes and pictures to give to his friend. After placing them on the bed Jimmy sat down and waited quietly watching Double D pick them up.

"What do ya think Double D, You like your presents?" Eddy asked as Ed hugged him perhaps a little too tight.

"Yes Eddy, Thank you. I've always wanted a little brother." Double D said affectionately,

"Yeah, we figured you would. We-"

"I'm in my happy place guys!" Ed's joyful reaction seemed to be just what everyone needed.

"That's wonderful Ed. I'm happy to hear it."

"Sarah sends her love too." Jimmy said happily.

"Eddy was nice enough to bring me with him but we couldn't find anything to bring us both. So she stayed home to look after Dolly. I'll tell her you said Hi." Another hug. Almost as if everyone was terrified to let him go. He realized it would be this way for a while.

The time seemed to fly as the children visited and laughed. Ed told Double D about the new monster movie that he had seen on television and that he couldn't wait for the three of them to watch it together,

Eddy mentioned that Kevin's beloved bike was no long with him as he had tried to do some tricks and crashed it. How he had spent days trying to fix it and how Nazz had gotten upset that all Kevin was thinking about was his bike. They nearly broke up.

"Oh dear, it sounds like everyone is having a tough time also." Before they knew it, it was late and they had to get Jimmy home. Jimmy and Ed were sad to leave.

"I don't want you to go away Double D. Jimmy cried wrapping his arms around him once more.

"I'm not going anywhere Jimmy. Home eventually but nowhere else. I can't. I've got Eddy to keep out of trouble and Ed to well make sure he's Ed... and a little brother to look after. I couldn't possibly go anywhere." This seemed to help the child. Promising to see him soon Ed and Eddy took Jimmy home and hoped it wouldn't be long before Double D joined them.

Vince and Anna came back to see him and Vince examined him once more.

"Doing really well Eddward, getting stronger, pneumonia is getting better, hardly any pain you said. Would you like to go home tomorrow afternoon?" Double D couldn't have been happier.

"Yes I really would. "

"Now you're still not strong enough to do a lot of the usual things so you'll be back on bed rest for maybe a week or two but you'll be in your own bed. " Vince was glad to have been the one to tell him.

The following afternoon found Double D in his room resting more comfortably.

Ed and Eddy continued to keep their word and take care of both Double D and his mother.

Eddy and told Double D that things in the neighborhood were about to change and he was right. From that moment on, things had changed for the better and as Double D healed and slowly stepped back into being around the other kids Double D got the biggest shock of all. Eddy had promised to give anything for his fellow Ed to get well and come home and true to his word although from time to time the ideas still came to him, Eddy, the man with the plan, stopped scamming,for a while at least.

I hope you have enjoyed this story. To those of you that have stuck with the sick as an dd series thank you for your support in this project.