Shadow
Spencer, Lily and Jack came to pick Aaron up the day he was dismissed. The kids waited outside while Danny took off Aaron's bandages. He was relieved the skin looked healthier than when he first came in but he was worried about the scars on his brother's scalp.
"Danny?" Aaron asked quietly when he'd seen the extent of the scarring in the mirror.
"Yes Aaron," he answered gently.
"Tell me the truth; is there a chance my hair will grow back?"
"It's very rare but I have seen hair grow back over burns." He nodded in response. "Believe me, I hope you're one of the rare ones but with or without your hair it won't change our love for you."
"You'll always be beautiful to me," Spencer assured kissing his scalp.
"Thanks Spence. So will you," he replied.
"I love you."
"I love you, too."
"You ready for the kids to come in?"
He nodded and he signaled Jack to come in with his little sister. When Lily saw her dad's burns she hid behind her brother. Aaron tried to muster up his confidence as he called for his daughter.
"Yes daddy," she answered looking back up.
"I may look a little scary but I'm still your dad. Just because I've been burned doesn't mean I've changed."
She nodded and hugged him. "Sorry daddy."
"It's alright, I understand I look a little scary."
"Daddy not scary. Daddy hero."
He smiled back at her with tears in his eyes and placed her on the bed beside him. His brother was more than happy to see the family reunited and hoped he'd still be able to come and visit as often as he had when his brother was away. He and Emily along with Jessica had tried to help Spencer raise the kids in Aaron's absence.
"I'm ready to go home." Aaron said.
Everyone nodded and Danny opened up the wheelchair placing the brakes on. He then helped Spencer place him in the wheelchair and Jack placed the blanker over his lap. Danny took the brakes off while Spencer handed Aaron a fleecy hat he'd got him to keep him warm.
"It's December. Please wear it," he said looking down knowing Aaron didn't really wear hats.
Aaron took it and placed it on his head answering, "Thanks darling."
Spencer wheeled him out of the hospital while Jack and Danny followed with his niece in his arms. When they got to the car Danny put Lily down and the kids got in the car while Danny and Spencer helped Aaron into the car and put the wheelchair in the trunk.
Spencer got in the front and Danny said, "I'll come visit soon."
"We know," Spencer smiled. "Thanks for everything."
"You're family. Aaron's my brother."
He smiled back then drove his family home. When they got home Jack got out his sister then Spencer helped out his husband. Once he was back in the wheelchair he wheeled him up their pathway then opened the door.
The kids ran in and Spencer helped Aaron inside and placed him on the sofa while Aaron sunk back into it more than glad to finally be home again. He hadn't been home since Halloween. He looked around smiling that nothing had changed.
"Glad to be home," Spencer smiled.
"More than glad," he smiled back.
Soon he heard a barking and looked around confused. When he'd been kidnapped they hadn't had a dog. When did they get a dog? Suddenly a black Labrador puppy came running in and jumped on the sofa next to him and licked his face. He smiled bemused and rubbed him behind the ears.
"Hello boy, what's your name? When did we get you? I'm Aaron. I believe I'm one of your masters," he smiled.
"Danny gave us Shadow while you were away. He thought it would cheer up the kids which it did. The kids adore him. I hope you don't mind," Spencer replied.
"No, I love dogs. Grew up for one just like him and always wanted Jack to have one. We just lived in an apartment for ages."
"Well now we have one."
"As I see," Aaron smiled back. "Welcome to the family, Shadow."
Shadow barked back and licked his face. Aaron hugged him back and Spencer was delighted to see the first real smile from Aaron in over a month. It was clear Shadow would be helping Aaron recover and he was well on the mend. All that he needed now was for his strength and hair to come back.
