Disclaimer: not mine

Crash Part 4/4

Having Harriet staying with them was a godsend. Both Mac and Harm had taken time off work and were spending their time between Scripps to see Frank and appointments for their daughters, neither of whom were able to return to school just yet. Harriet spent her time doing the cooking and housework and providing a fresh cup of coffee and a sounding board for whoever happened to be home at any particular time. She was also taking David to and from school but that only happened after a lengthy conversation when Mac agreed and Harm was reluctant. It wasn't that he didn't trust Harriet, he did, implicitly, it was just the thought of someone else driving his child. Eventually, Harriet had taken his hand and suggested he come with them on the first school run, especially as she would be using his car. Conceding he couldn't be at school for David and still be available for everyone else. he went the first morning, kissed his son goodbye then apologised to Harriet for not just agreeing in the first place. Harriet had taken his hand once more and squeezed it.

"Remember the time AJ went missing from the Arcade?" she had said to him and Harm nodded. "Well, after that I wouldn't let AJ out with anybody, not even Bud. I had this nagging feeling that I was lucky to get him back the first time and only I could keep him safe."

Harm had nodded; it was exactly his thinking.

"But you know what?" she asked rhetorically. "It was just one of those things and I had to learn to trust that AJ would be fine and so would I."

With his recovery from surgery being slow, Frank was finding his time in hospital frustrating, so Harm decided to take Ella with him when he visited one afternoon.

"I know you said not to bring anything in, dad," Harm said appearing at the doorway.

"I did," Frank said gruffly.

"But, I thought you might make an exception," he said gesturing towards the corridor.

"Hey, grandpa," Ella said presenting him with a huge bunch of flowers and Harm didn't miss the way Frank's face lit up.

"Ella!" he exclaimed before coughing. "How are you?"

"I'm doing well, grandpa," she said. "My ribs are the sorest..."

"Ribs? You didn't say anything about ribs, Harmon!" Frank said sternly.

"It was only a couple of cracked ribs, grandpa," Ella explained. "And they were doing alright but Aunty Harriet made me laugh."

"Your father only told me about your arm and shoulder," Frank said shaking his head.

"He didn't want to worry you," she said taking his hand. "But we're all doing well and waiting for you to take us for that ice cream you'd promised us."

"That might take a while, honey," he said sadly; not only was there the issue of him waiting to be discharged but there was also the fact that he didn't trust himself to drive his beautiful grandchildren anywhere ever again.

"That's okay, we can wait," she replied brightly. "We're not in any hurry."

Noting that Ella's visit had brightened his father up, Harm made sure the other two children visited over the course of the next two days and despite being upset at seeing their injuries, it comforted Frank to see they were all still happy, moving about and as cheeky as ever.

A week later, in the middle of the night, Harm sat bolt upright breathing rapidly.

"Harm, what is it?" Mac asked, turning on the light before moving to comfort her husband. "What's wrong?"

"I don't...know," he panted, trying to catch his breath.

"Did you have a bad dream?" she asked rubbing his back.

He shook his head – no.

"Okay," she soothed, "Just try and relax, sweetheart."

It took a few minutes before Harm's breathing evened out and he relaxed back into his pillow. Mac propped herself up on her elbow and watched him, lightly rubbing his chest as he concentrated on his breathing.

"Do you know what it was all about?" she asked gently.

"No idea," he said, shaking his head.

Before they could discuss it further, Harm's cell buzzed on the side table and he reached for it, it was his mother.

"What's wrong?" he asked, after all, any call at two in the morning couldn't be good news.

"The hospital called, they said ...they said Frank had taken a turn for the worse...they said I needed to come in...family needed to come in," Trish said her voice shaky as she tried to comprehend what it all meant.

"Get dressed, mom. We'll be there to pick you up as soon as we can," he said climbing out of bed.

Throwing on any clothes he could find, he went out and started the car as Mac woke Harriet and told her of the development. Before long they were on the road to La Jolla, making excellent time in the non-existent traffic. The whole trip, Mac's hand stayed on Harm's thigh, trying to provide him with some comfort as they faced the unknown.

Arriving at his parents' house, Trish flew out the door before he'd even stopped and they were quickly on the road once more.

"What did they actually say, mom?" Harm asked glancing into the rear view mirror.

"Just that Frank's condition has deteriorated and they wanted family to come in," she said, not believing the words she was saying. After all, he'd been doing well when she left him after dinner the night before.

As they walked into the hospital, Trish walked between Harm and Mac, each firmly having a hold on her arm.

"I'm not ready to lose him," she said quietly as they headed to the Cardiac Care Unit. "I'm not."

"Let me see how he's doing?" Harm said, kissing her head before letting go of her and heading to the nurses' station.

A few words were exchanged before Harm planted his hands firmly on the counter as he came to terms with the news, they were too late.

"What is it?" Trish asked bravely as she and Mac approached him.

"Um, well..." he started, looking from his wife to his mother.

"Harmon?" Trish questioned, she had a feeling she knew what was coming next, the look on her son's face was unmistakeable, but she needed to hear the actual words.

"Um, the nurse is just calling Dr Markeson, so he can explain things," Harm said slowly.

"Okay," said Mac just as slowly. "But how is your dad?"

Harm's eyes locked with his wife's and she knew the answer. Her heart sunk and eyes filled with tears. "He...um...he..."

"Trish, Harm..." Dr Markeson said from behind them and quickly they turned around. "Why are you here so late?"

"Because the hospital called us," Harm said, "And then just gave me some news," he added, not elaborating.

"They shouldn't have done that," he said shaking his head. "Just give me a minute."

The doctor disappeared into the room behind the nurses' station, the nurse Harm had just spoken to following closely behind. Although he couldn't hear what was being said there came the unmistakable sound of raised voices.

The doctor soon reappeared and ushered the family into a nearby staff lounge.

"I am so sorry, Trish" he said, taking a seat next to her.

"We had a patient deteriorate tonight and subsequently pass away, but it wasn't Frank," he said taking her hand. "The patient's name was Frank Barnett," he explained and while it broke privacy laws he wanted her to understand how the simple mistake had been made.

"So, my Frank's alright?" she asked, the tiniest element of hope in her voice.

"Sleeping peacefully," he said with a smile. "He is still on course for discharge the day after next. I think the visits from his grandchildren have done him the world of good."

"So, he's really alright?" Trish repeated, struggling to take it in.

"He certainly is," the doctor said with a grin. "And, if you promise to be as quiet as possible, I'll take you in so you can see for yourself."

Trish was out of her seat and at the door before the doctor stood.

"Sorry I can't let you all visit," he said. "It's very late and there's another patient in with him"

"Oh, we understand," Harm said standing. "Just take mom."

As Trish and the doctor departed, Mac wrapped her arms around her husband and held him close.

"That was your second big fright for the night, wasn't it?" she said, pressing up on tiptoes to kiss him.

"Certainly was," he said, dropping his head and holding her just as tightly. "I figured that the sudden wake up must have been a premonition and then when the nurse said we were too late...Well..." he said tearfully.

"Oh, sweetheart," Mac said pulling him closer. "Shh," she whispered as she felt his tears on her neck. "It's all okay," she said, rubbing his back. "Come on..."

Meanwhile, Trish had almost run into Frank's room, such was her desire to see him. Dr Markeson smiled as he held the door open for her.

"Now, his last set of obs were good," the doctor said quietly. "And, as you can see, he's resting comfortably."

Trish made her way to her husband's bedside and kissed his forehead, causing him to stir but not wake, which she conceded was probably for the best. He didn't need to know about the scare he'd given them, albeit unintentionally.

Kissing him once more, she left him and went to find her son and daughter-in-law and found them in their tearful embrace.

"He's fine, Harm," she said rubbing his back. "He really is fine."

"Glad to hear it, mom," he said pulling away from his face and wiping his eyes.

"Oh, sweetheart," she said, caressing his face. "Are you okay?" He nodded, words not really coming without tears. "Okay," she continued. "Let's get you home to bed."

Harm could only shake his head and marvel at the resilience of his mother.

By the time Harm had woken the next day, it had already gone noon and he found a note on Mac's pillow to say she and Harriet had taken the kids to the early movie session and would follow it by having lunch and then a visit to Frank. She had also added that he was to call her at any time for anything if he needed her.

Deciding to head for the hospital, Harm dressed and headed out, taking the time to text Mac and tell her his plans. He was rewarded by her instantly phoning him.

"Did you sleep well?" she asked, as they sat around a booth at a diner near the hospital.

"Like a log," he said with a new sense of wellbeing. "Best I've slept since this all started."

"Which is why we left early," Mac said. "Didn't want to disturb you."

"Where are you now?" he asked, opening his car.

"Ruby's favourite diner," she said, ruffling her daughter's hair. "The one on Genesee Avenue."

"Have you eaten?" he asked, starting the ignition.

"Nope, just about to order," she replied, seeing the waitress approach for the second time.

"Well, if there's room for one more, I wouldn't mind joining you," he said with a smile.

"There is always room for you, sweetheart," she said perusing the menu for something he'd like. "Would you like the Straight Up Veggie with sweet potato fries?" she asked, recalling what he had ordered last time.

"You read my mind," he said. "Should be there in about 20."

Arriving at the diner, Harm found his family and Harriet munching away and Harm's lunch was brought out only minutes later.

"Thought you'd be hungry," Mac said, moving along so he could sit beside her.

"Starving," he replied, stealing one of her fries.

"Daddy," Ruby said, "The movie was so cool. We saw Beauty and the Beast and it was great."

"That's good," Harm said, as Ella reached across her mother to grab one of Harm's fries.

"Mom said we could go see grandpa," David said before slurping away on his milkshake.

"He'll be happy to see you all together," Harm said picking up a half of his sandwich.

"Aunty Harriet said we could do some baking tomorrow for him and make some welcome home banners and take them to his house so they'll be there when he gets home Monday," Ruby rambled.

"Sounds like a great idea," Harm said, happy they were celebrating his homecoming and not planning his funeral; not that he'd ever tell his children of the midnight scare.

"And Aunty Harriet says we can make grandma's favourite mint slice too," David offered with a grin. They happened to be his favourite too.

"We are so very lucky Aunty Harriet is here with us," Harm said, offering her a thankful smile.

An hour later the family had assembled in the waiting area of the Cardiac Care Unit and Harm wasn't surprised that his mother had been there a couple of hours already.

"Son, good to see you," Frank said as Harm went in alone.

"Good to see you too, dad," he said, a lump in his throat. "You're looking well."

"Starting to feel it too," he said. "Especially after I found out about the midnight scare I put you through – well, not feeling good that you went through it but I realised how lucky I was and how well I was doing."

"I understand," he said, taking the older man's hand.

"Well, if you're going to visit," Trish said, standing up. "I might head down to the cafeteria and have something for lunch. Would that be alright?"

"Certainly," Frank said, "I keep telling you to look after yourself."

"If you want some company..." Harm began but Trish shook her head.

"You've only just got here and ..." she started and Harm just smiled.

"No, not me," he said. "But you'll have your choice of people when you go out into the corridor."

"Who's here with you?" asked Frank eagerly. He was keen to see his grandchildren, any one of them would do.

"Actually, everyone is here," Harm said with a smile. "Mac, Harriet and all three kids."

"Oh, wonderful," Frank said, the day was definitely improving.

It was Harriet who accompanied Trish downstairs as Mac ushered the three children into the room, glad Frank's roommate had been discharged that morning. All three had been cautioned about not overexciting their grandfather and keeping quiet. After the initial hellos, hugs and kisses things became very quiet.

"What's going on?" he asked looking at his grandchildren.

"Mommy said we had to keep quiet so we're not talking," David offered and Mac laughed.

"I didn't mean you couldn't talk," she said. "I meant no loud voices."

"Oh," he said. "In that case, grandpa, let me tell you about the movie..."

The next thirty minutes were spent talking with the children monopolising the conversation, not that anyone really minded. After Frank yawned a couple of times, Ella stood up.

"Grandpa, you're tired," she said. "We should go."

"I was just about to say the same thing," Harm said, as the door opened and Trish and Harriet came in.

Frank nodded, feeling the need to rest. It was the most stimulation he'd had since the accident. "Before you go though," he said, his voice a little shaky. "I just want to say how much I love you all and how sorry I am to put you all through so much pain and trouble."

"Don't be silly, grandpa," Ella said, approaching his bed and taking his hand. "You couldn't help it."

"I know," he said sadly. "But I still feel badly."

"It's alright, grandpa," said David, climbing onto the bed. "I felt badly for running over your foot that day when I was riding my bike and the chain broke. I know it hurt you but all you said was that it couldn't be helped. The accident was the same thing...it couldn't be helped," he explained, wise beyond his years.

"Thank you, David," Frank he said tearfully, hugging the boy the best could given his recent surgery.

"Hug me too, grandpa!" said Ruby putting her good arm up. With her daddy's help, Ruby was able to have her hug and when they all departed a few minutes later, Frank was a little more comfortable about everything that had happened.

Midafternoon on Monday, Harm was home with Harriet and Ella who was still having a few issues when Trish called to say Frank was officially at home, loved the decorations and the baking they had done the day before. It was then that Harm sat down in his armchair and allowed himself to breathe. It had taken 12 days, a lot of tears, pain and heartache but finally his family were all home where they belonged. He knew the road to recovery for Frank would be tougher than for the girls but he was prepared to do anything that was needed to see the man regain his health and confidence.

Once, he had only seen the man as an intrusion in his life, then as someone to be despised or ignored. Later, he had begun to realise Frank was an important part of his life. When the children had come along and he saw how good Frank was with them, he realised how much he'd missed out on by being as stubborn as he had been as a teen. Now, even though he was in his 50's and Frank was in his 80's, he had finally learnt that the man was his father and he was so very grateful the crash hadn't taken any of his family from him.