Chapter 50 - Honest, I don't know where John having memory problems came from, it just happened!
Sam tried to help his big brother prepare for Dad's homecoming, but at the moment he was about one smart-ass comment from knocking Dean out. It was a good thing Liza started getting fussy to distract Dean from his single-minded obsession.
"What's wrong, Lizzie?" Dean asked as he scooped her off of the floor.
"Maybe she misses all of her toys," Sam suggested. The floor had been cleaned within an inch of its life and was devoid of all toys. Poor kid was probably in shock or withdrawal or something.
Dean gave him a worried look. "Really? You think so?"
"And it's past her lunchtime," Sam pointed out.
"Da-da-da-da-da-da-da," Liza babbled in his arms, looking to Sam like she was trying to order a meal.
"Hungry, huh?" Dean asked with a smile. "Well, let's see what we have in the kitchen."
Sam's phone went off as Dean left the den. He pulled it out of his pocket, shocked to see his caller id listed 'Frank'. Sam took a step back, towards his bedroom, to answer.
"Hello?"
"How insane is it there, Sam?" Frank asked. "Is Dean driving you up the wall?"
Sam had to chuckle at just how well Frank seemed to know his big brother. "Yeah, pretty much," he admitted. "If this house were any cleaner, you'd be able to eat off the floor."
"Well, Liza does that anyway, so maybe it's a good thing," Frank replied.
"Funny," Sam replied.
"I'm about to go pick up your dad. Want me to grab some lunch, too?" Frank asked. "I can order it from Serene and I'm sure she'll bring it out to the car for us."
"That would be great," Sam told him. "I don't think either one of us has eaten today. Are you sure you don't want me with you when you pick up Dad?"
"Nope," Frank stated flatly. "The man has barely looked at me when I've gone to see him in the hospital. I want to be sure he hadn't forgotten me."
Sam sighed, glancing guiltily at the kitchen where he could hear Dean talking Liza through her lunch. "And if he has?" he asked softly, his voice pitched to be heard by only Frank.
"Then we're past due for a nice long talk," Frank said in a sure voice. "Don't worry, Sam. It'll be fine. And if I have any problems, I'll just play the Dean card."
"The what?" Sam asked, startled.
"The Dean card," Frank repeated. "You know, accept me or risk alienating the son who has never even talked back." He chuckled. "Actually, I'm kind of hoping to be able to use it. I'd pay good money to see the expression on John's face."
"You must like living dangerously," Sam commented, imagining how Dad might react to something like that hitting him right out of the blue.
"You know it," Frank said lightly. "I am married to your brother."
"Good point," Sam conceded. "Call if you have any problems."
"Sure thing," Frank assured him. "But I won't. I should be there in about an hour."
"Good luck," Sam said, "you're going to need it."
Frank snorted into the phone. "Thanks a lot. Some brother-in-law you are. Later, Sam."
"Bye, Frank," Sam chuckled, hanging up his cell.
"Frank?" Dean asked. Sam spun around to find his brother staring at him with a puzzled expression. "Why were you talking to Frank?"
"Uh..." Sam's mind raced. "Just wanted to be sure he hadn't changed his mind about one of us going with him, that's all."
"And?" Dean demanded.
Sam shrugged at his brother. "He's determined to pick up Dad by himself."
Dean's shoulders relaxed a little as he nodded. "Yeah, I know. I've been trying to talk him out of it. Dad doesn't seem to recognize him at all."
"I don't get it," Sam told his brother. "It wasn't like Dad was hit in the head."
Dean shook his head as he turned back to the kitchen. Liza was in her high chair, happily pounding a spoon covered with orange goop all over her tray.
"They found all kinds of internal bruising, Sam," Dean said in a tight voice. "Who knows what the demon might have done to his brain."
"Damn," Sam breathed as the statement sunk in. "I didn't think of that."
Dean sighed as he sat at the table. "Yeah, well..." Dean's head shook as he opened another jar of baby food. "Welcome to the real world, Mary Poppins."
"Dean..." Sam muttered as he joined his brother at the table. "I haven't been living in a fantasy, and you know it."
"Yeah, you have," Dean snapped with a hard glare. "You keep acting like once Dad is released from the hospital everything will be just fine. Hell, just last night he thought you were back in school again."
Sam studied the surface of the table. Dean did have a point there. Damn it.
"I know," he said in a small voice, one finger tracing the woodgrain in the table. "But he remembered later."
Dean's groan brought Sam's attention snapping back to his big brother. One of Dean's hands grasped his shoulder. "I didn't mean it like that, Sammy. Dad's going to be all right." Dean squeezed his shoulder again. "He will."
Sam nodded, desperately trying to believe his big brother.
Frank took a deep breath before walking into John's room. John was dressed and in a wheelchair, ready to go. One of the nurses, Vicky Lynn, stood behind John.
"See?" she said cheerfully. "I told you Frank would be here any minute. Frank, John has already signed all the forms. I have a couple for you, though. Can you wait here for just a minute?"
"Sure, Vicky," he agreed with a nod.
The moment she was out of the room, John glared at Frank. "What are you doing here?"
Frank forced a smile on his face. "Picking you up. What does it look it, John?"
"When did we," John motioned between them, "get on a first name basis?"
Frank decided now was as good a time as any. He leaned right over his father-in-law and attempted to use his size to his advantage. "Right before I married your son, Dean." He stared at John's wide eyes for a moment. "Any other questions?"
"Uh, Frank?" Vicky Lynn's voice came from the doorway. "Everything all right?"
Frank straightened up and turned around smiling. "No problem. Where do I sign?"
She gave him a clipboard with information on John's follow-up visits, a list of Do's and Don'ts, mostly Don'ts, and the numbers for the hospital as well as all of John's doctors. Frank signed the forms stating he had all the information and was taking John. Vicky Lynn gave him all of his copies. Frank stuffed them into his pants pocket.
"Mind if I push him?" Frank asked, knowing Vicky Lynn would do almost anything he asked.
"Sure, Frank. But I'll have to accompany you to the front doors," she warned him.
"Great," Frank replied. "You can wait with my father-in-law while I get the car."
She giggled. "It's so hard to think of you as being married. I mean, I cut the announcement out of the paper. That's a wonderful family portrait, by the way."
"Thanks," Frank said with a nod as he pushed John into the hallway.
"It's just, you were such a party animal. To think of you as settled down, with a family..." she shook her head as she pressed the button for the elevator. "It's strange, you know. I can't wait for your high school reunion. My little sister thinks I'm making it all up."
Frank rolled his eyes. "She would."
"Excuse me," John said in a strong voice. He jabbed a thumb over his shoulder at Frank. "Does he know everybody in this town?"
Vicky Lynn giggled at him. "Well, sure. It's Frank!"
The elevator opened and Vicky Lynn made the other occupants stand aside so Frank could wheel John in. Once they were downstairs, Frank left John in Vicky Lynn's charge while he brought the car around. He had intentionally borrowed the Impala with the argument John would feel more at ease in it. It was actually to impress upon John just how close he was to Dean. Dean had handed over the keys without any hesitation, which had both pleased and surprised Frank.
Even a huge fight with Dean would have been worth the current look of absolute shock on John's face. Frank walked slowly around the car to open the passenger door.
"Can you do it, or do you need help?" he asked pleasantly.
John shot him a dirty look before pushing out of the wheelchair. He was steady on his feet as he walked the few steps to the car. John closed the passenger door himself with a hard look at Frank. Frank gave Vicky Lynn a reassuring smile before heading back to the other side of the car.
"Tell your sister hi for me," he said.
"I will. Bye Frank!" She waved as he sat behind the wheel.
"This is Dean's car," John said in a accusing tone as they pulled out of the parking lot.
"Yes, it is," Frank replied evenly.
"What are you doing with it?" John demanded.
Frank did not take his eyes off the road. "I asked Dean if I could take it to pick you up. I figured you'd be more comfortable in it, since it used to be your car."
He could feel John's eyes boring into him. "You sound like you know an awful lot about my family."
"Well," Frank tried to keep his voice light and even, "I have been a part of it for a while, so I suppose I do know a lot." He glanced over. "And that includes the family business, by the way."
"You're a hunter?" John asked slowly.
Frank laughed. "No way. I sell household appliances." The next glance showed him John was confused. "You know," Frank prompted, "like dishwashers, washing machines, toasters. We cover the whole range. If it's used in the home and can be plugged in, we carry it." He snorted, suddenly remembering Dean's reaction to that statement. "Except vibrators."
John chuckled too. "Sounds like you've had this conversation with Dean."
Frank nodded. "With you, too, John." He pulled into a parking space at Serene's diner. Frank turned to face his father-in-law. "You may be having a hard time with this, but I'd like you to believe me. You and I do get along. We've known each other for over five years, since you brought Dean to recover from a concussion and busted ribs at my house."
John frowned at him. "Why would I do that?"
"Well, apparently you thought I was his girlfriend. And you and Bobby were after a demon, didn't want Dean along hurt." Frank offered John a smile. "But you didn't leave for a couple of days."
John stared at him long and hard. "I must've liked you to leave him there at all," he said slowly.
"So does this mean you'll cut me a little slack?" Frank asked. "All these nasty glares are starting to chip away at my self-esteem."
John snorted, leaning back into the seat. "Somehow, I doubt that's possible."
"Here we are!" Serene said in a cheerful voice as she approached the car with a large white bag. "Four cheeseburgers with the works, a-n-d..." She paused dramatically, so Frank had a pretty good idea what was coming. "One whole peach pie."
John stared at her for a moment. "Great pie, right?"
Frank smiled at him. "The best." He waited while Serene put the food in the backseat.
"Don't you put a scratch on Dean's car now, Frank," Serene teased. "I was hoping to turn in early tonight."
"How about if I go home and use Sam's laptop?" Frank replied with a grin.
Serene shuddered. "Oh, god, don't even joke about it. See you this evening, John!" She waved before going back in to work.
"And how many people do I know around here?" John asked when they were alone again.
"A few," Frank replied evasively, backing out of his parking space. "Your sons are afraid to ask, but how much do you remember?"
John sighed and rubbed a hand down his face, a familiar gesture Frank has seen Dean perform numerous times. "I don't know," he muttered. "My brain feels like somebody took it out and played a couple of games of soccer with it before stuffing it back in." John ran a hand through his hair. "Married, huh?"
Frank nodded seriously. "I'm sure you're anxious to see your granddaughter, Liza."
He could feel John tense in the seat beside him. "Granddaughter? You don't mean... Is she Sam's?"
Frank shook his head. "Mine and Dean's."
John's heavy sigh filled the Impala. "Clearly you know, then. About Dean." He cleared his throat nervously. "Doesn't mean he can't hunt, you know. He's a damn good hunter. One of the best."
"Yeah, I've gathered," Frank replied. "But I have the feeling he's an even better dad."
"Probably," John said softly. "It wouldn't surprise me."
Frank stopped up the street from the house. He wanted to be sure he had John's attention. "Her name is Liza. You call her Little Lizzie. John, both your sons will be very relieved if you can remember this."
"You got a pen?" he asked after a pause.
Frank pulled a pen from his shirt pocket. "Sure." He handed it over.
John held it poised over his palm. "Gimme that name again. What I call my, uh, granddaughter."
"Little Lizzie," Frank repeated, watching John write it on his skin.
John gave him a searching look when he returned the pen. "I like you?"
Frank smiled. "Most of the time."
John nodded, turning to face forward again. "Yeah, I thought so." He cleared his throat as Frank put the car back in drive. "I kind of have the feeling it's almost all the time."
Frank felt a rush of relief. "Uh, don't be surprised if Dean won't let you hold her unless you're sitting down," Frank warned.
John chuckled. "Overprotective bastard, is he?"
"Yep," Frank replied cheerfully.
"Good," John said with a nod. "He should be."
Frank walked close to his father-in-law as they approached the house. John paused at the door. "I wish I could remember more," he whispered. "They're going to know."
Frank used his free hand to give John's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "It's okay. They love you. They'll deal with it," he promised. "It's going to be fine."
John's eyes bored into him. "I'm keeping my eye on you. I want to figure out what Dean sees in you."
Frank shrugged as he opened the door. "We're home!" he called out. He inclined his head, indicating John should go inside first.
"Dad!" Sam appeared in the den. "How was the ride home?"
"Uh, fine, Sam." John appeared a little nervous. "Where's your brother?"
Sam motioned to the bedroom. "Diaper duty." He grinned. "Better him than me."
Frank handed their food off to Sam. "I'll go check in," he said and Sam nodded.
In the bedroom, Frank found Dean holding Liza down on the changing table with a disgusted look on his face and Liza laughing and clapping her hands.
"Oh, awesome timing there, Pop. Get over here," Dean ordered. Frank moved closer. There was – something – splattered up Dean's sleeve and all over one hand. "Last damn time I let her have all the mushy broccoli she wants."
"Ew!" Frank took a step back.
"Where the hell are you going?" Dean demanded. "I'm out of wipes. There are some in the bathroom under the sink."
There was a noise, like an explosive fart, and Liza laughed again. Frank hurried to fetch the wipes from the bathroom.
"Yeah, laugh it up," Dean said. "We'll see how funny this is when you're sixteen and I'm telling your date all about it."
Frank chuckled as he opened the fresh box and set it within easy reach. "You wouldn't really do that, would you?"
Dean snorted as he pulled out a handful of wipes. "Dude, if that's the worst thing I do, she'll be damned lucky."
Frank waited while Dean cleaned up Liza and put her in a fresh diaper. There were now three dirty ones waiting beside the changing table and her outfit.
"Do me a favor and put some clean clothes on her. I still need to clean up," Dean said, making a face at his sleeve.
"Sure, Babe," Frank told him as he took the baby. He turned away to open one of the drawers holding Liza's clothes.
"Did Dad behave?" Dean asked in what sounded like a casual voice, but Frank knew better.
"Of course," Frank replied. "I am his favorite son-in-law, you know."
Dean sighed as he tossed the dirty clothes in a pile. "I know. But does he know that?" Dean looked right at him. "I've seen the way he glares at you."
"That's why I wanted to pick him up," Frank admitted as he pulled a fresh outfit on Liza. "I think we're good now."
Dean did not reply as he headed into the bathroom. Frank heard the water running and assumed he was washing up.
"Serene sent a whole peach pie," he called out when the water stopped.
"Awesome," Dean muttered when he returned to the bedroom, shirtless. He took out a clean shirt to put on.
"You don't have to do that," Frank told him with a grin.
Dean smiled back. "Yeah I do. Or you'll have a little problem while we're eating."
Frank grinned wider. "Little problem? I don't think you've ever called it little before."
Dean put his shirt on and chuckled. "Well, if it's a big problem, I can pretty much promise you it won't go over well with Dad."
"Uh, Dean?" Frank said teasingly. "You better put that shirt on."
Dean held out his hands for Liza after his shirt was buttoned.
"Nope," Frank told him. "You've had her all day. It's my turn. I want to see if she'll eat french fries."
Dean frowned at him. "You're kidding."
Frank shook his head. "Nah, my sister did it with both of her kids. She'd break the end off, so they could only eat on the mushy part. Lisa claims she never had a hot meal until her kids discovered fries."
Dean's face smoothed as he shrugged. "Okay. I'm game."
Frank held open his free arm. Dean leaned against him, allowing him to hug his spouse tightly. "Your dad loves it here," Frank reminded him. "This is going to work out great."
Dean pulled away with a stern face. "You are so getting a blood pressure test tonight."
Frank grinned. "I love you too, Babe."
Dean motioned impatiently to the bedroom door. "Go on, you big idiot."
But Frank could see how pleased Dean seemed when they left the room. The worry lines in his forehead were gone and the light Frank loved seeing in his eyes sparkled. He made popping sounds to amuse Liza as they headed out to join the others for lunch. It was kind of strange how he went from being a single, lonely party animal to a family man with a houseful of relations, but Frank wasn't complaining. He was living in the moment and enjoying every second of it.
