MISSION 6: Cold War
Another day has come, and the daily routine of either cycling or jogging is upon the father-daughter duo. Jack got out of bed early, like always, to get breakfast ready for the both of them. That day called for the good ol' American classic: bacon, eggs, toast, and OJ. He made sure that Hana's bacon was extra crispy and the yolks on her eggs runny, just how she likes it.
Jack recently started feeling something about getting up and making breakfast that he never felt before; not before Hana came into his life. He had always cooked for and eaten breakfast alone. It was something he needed to do but it felt so dull and empty. Now, it felt good to cook because it was not just for himself, but for someone he cares about too.
"Hana! Breakfast is ready! Come on down." Jack called out as he was setting up the table, pouring orange juice into their glasses and getting the utensils ready. "Hana?" He called out again. "That's odd. She usually comes down running right about now."
Hana finally emerged from the staircase. She had a serious case of bed hair, and her eyes were only half open. "Morning dad.." She called, her voice weak and her nose runny. Jack walked over to her and knelt down to her. "Honey? Are you okay?" He asked, to which Hana shook her head in response.
"I don't feel so good, dad.." She cried out as she raised both her arms, wanting to be carried by her father. Jack took her in his arms and held her close to him, taking a good look at her. "Looks like you caught the cold. Let's get you back in bed honey. Take it easy for today." he said to her as he carried her up back to her room and placed her down gently on her bed, draping her blanket over her. "I'll be right back Hana."
Jack came back into the kitchen and prepared some hot chocolate to take the place of the OJ in Hana's breakfast and brought it all back up to her room. He set all of the food aside on the table next to Hana's bed and pulled out a chair for him to sit on. "Let's get you something to eat so that you'll feel better quicker, okay?" He helped her sit up and lean against a stack of pillows to make it easier for her to eat.
"Extra crispy?" She asked weakly.
"Yep. And runny eggs. Just like how you like 'em." He replied. He broke up a strip of the crispy bacon in two and held it to Hana's mouth. She then chomped down on the morsel of food, chewing it slowly before swallowing. "It's really good dad.. I think I can eat on my own."
"Are you sure, Hana? Don't go acting tough now, honey. I can feed you."
"I'm sure dad. Eating this breakfast.. even when I'm sick.. shouldn't be a problem for a hero like me!"
Jack laugh softly and rustles Hana's hair gently before getting up. "I'll go get you some water, honey. I'll be right back, okay?"
"Okay dad." She replied before digging back into her breakfast.
Jack took out his phone and began searching through his contact list, which didn't have a lot of names, to be frank. "Where's her number.. ah, here." The phone started to ring once he pressed the call button on that contact.
"Hello? Jack?" The voice from the other line called out.
"Hey, Angela." He replied to her.
"Fancy getting a call from you today. What's up?"
"Well, you see.. Hana's got a cold. And I never really caught the cold before so I don't know much on what I should be doing. All I know is to feed her something warm. I'm kind stumped on what to do next."
"I see.. Well that's a good start already. Here are few more things that can help so list them down."
"Just a minute, doc." Jack said as he looked for some paper and something to write with before getting back to her. "Alright, hit me with it."
"Alrighty then. Just make sure she's resting well. Gargling warm salted water around 4 times a day can bring some relief for her throat. Also, make sure she takes warm and steamy showers. Make her sit on a chair under a warm shower and give her a sponge bath. And lastly, make her blow her nose often. If all goes well and if it's not a bacterial infection, she should be alright in a day or two."
As Jack listened to Angela's medical advice, he did his best to write everything down and made sure he had everything he needed. "Got it. Thank you, Angela. I wasn't entirely sure on what to do so I wanted your input on this situation. You really are a life saver."
"No need to thank me, Jack. It's what I do."
There was a short moment of silence between the two, both staring off into space, not sure on what to say next.
Angela played with her hair.
Jack scratched the back of his head.
"I-I am a little worried about Hana and how I'm gonna treat her though!" Jack said, finally breaking silence. "So uh.. Would it be alright if you came over to come check on her? If you're free, that is.."
"O-of course! That sounds l-like a good idea! I can even bring Lena over to visit. I'm sure that would make Hana really happy."
"That's a great idea! I'll make sure to keep quiet about it so it'll be a surprise."
Angela laughed softly before replying, "Sounds like a plan. We'll bring get-well gifts too, if that's okay with you."
"Yes of course. That would really make her day, I'm sure. Now, here's my address.."
Jack listed down the address to his home and the landmarks near it, so that it'll be easier to find.
"Got it. We'll be there in around.. 20 minutes."
"Roger that."
"Hey there Mr. 76!" A hyper Lena Oxton cheered, waving to the old soldier.
"Hello there, Lena. Glad to see you." He replied to the little girl before facing her adoptive mother. "And you too Angela. Thanks for coming over to check up on her. I appreciate it."
"I-It's no problem, really! I am worried about little Hana too after all." Angela said, her hands clasped together to ease and calm herself. "N-now where is our little patient for today?"
"She's upstairs, sleeping. Been out for a couple of hours now. Wanna go see her, Lena?" Jack turned to ask the little one.
"Yep! I'm gonna give her this get-well card so she can get well faster!"
Jack smiled at Lena softly and patted her head gently, "You're such a good girl. I'm sure that will make her very happy, Lena."
"They look as good as father and daughter...Wait, what am I saying!?" Angela thought to herself, which made her blush quite brightly. "L-Let's go see her then! Gotta make sure it's nothing to serious, right?"
"Right. Let's get going then. Her room is this way." The old soldier replied as he lead the way to Hana's room. Upon entering the room, they were met with little Hana, snuggling against the pink stuffed bunny she got from Satya for her birthday, fast asleep. The three had medical masks on so as to not catch the cold.
Jack approached the sleeping Hana quietly, reaching over to check if she has a fever or not; and thankfully there wasn't. He placed his hand on her shoulder and rocked her gently. "Hana, honey? Wake up. Someone's here to see you." He whispered to her.
Hana then got up slowly, rubbing her eyes and yawning, her other arm still wrapped around the stuffed bunny. After rubbing her eyes and blinking a couple of times to refocus her vision, she was immediately met with..
"Lena! Miss Angela! You came to visit?"
"Mhm. I heard from your father that you were sick so I came to check up on you, dear." Angela replied as she walked over to Hana's bad and sat on the edge. "Lena also wanted to see you."
"Hana!" Lena cheered on as she jumped onto the bed with Hana. "Get well soon okay? I made you this card so you'll feel better faster!" She handed the card, which was really just a piece of paper with drawings done in crayon, to Hana.
"Thanks, Lena. And thanks for coming to check up on me, Miss Angela." Hana said, her voice still weak and raspy, as she opened up the card to see what was inside.
There were the words "GET WELL SOON HANA" written in different colors of crayon. Underneath the words were four figures, hand in hand, also drawn in crayon. All four people in the room took a look at the card, and both the adults were blushing quite furiously.
"Wow, Lena! Is this supposed to be us four?" Hana asked, her eyes still fixated on the card.
"Yep! Cause it's like we're a cool, super hero team, right?"
"Ooh! I get it. That's super cool!"
Jack and Angela both looked at each other, both blushing, and smiled at each other. "That definitely looks like a pretty strong team of heroes. Right, Angela?" Jack asked.
"R-right! I mean, with us four, I'm sure we'd be unstoppable." Angela replied, trying her best to keep a straight face. "Why do you have to be such a tease..?"
"Yeah! With you, me, mum and Mr. 76, no bad guy can stand a chance!" Lena said, raising her fist in the air. "So get well soon, okay? So we can start being heroes faster! We're a team after all."
Hana smiled at Lena's words and gave her a tight squeeze. "I'll get better soon, I promise! And we're gonna be the best hero team there is!"
Seeing the two children chat away, the adults thought it be best to let them spend their time together, while they catch up on things.
"Wanna help me get lunch ready?" Jack asked Angela.
"Jack, I'm a doctor but you've always known I wasn't a good cook." She replied, laughing softly.
"Don't worry. I'll be there to help you all the way. Besides, it's nothing too hard to make."
"Oh fine, Jack.. So long as we have wine later?"
"That sounds delightful."
After a long day of catching up with Angela, and taking care of Hana, everything finally settled down, and it was time to go to bed. Jack pulled up a blanket to cover Hana and tucked her into bed, kissing her forehead before leaving the room. As he was leaving, he stumbled upon the card Hana got from Lena. A soft smile formed on his face. He then decided to tape the card on Hana's wall, for everyone who may enter to see.
Did the card depict a super hero team? Or.. a family in the making, perhaps?
A/N: This was longer than the last one lmao. A sneak peek of what's to come maybe? ;) Leave a review and tell me what you think!