Chapter 8 – Son and Brother

Mary was cooking a huge breakfast for everyone, it was the usual Garrison chaos as the children ran round, creating havoc. The phone in the General's office rang, George answered it and walked back in. "Got to go to London, evidently there's a war on." He looked at Mary. "Don't start without me. I'll phone to let you know I'm on my way."

Mary nodded. "Go get 'em General!"

George laughed as he hugged her. "I'll be back as soon as I can," he put a finger under her chin, tilted her head up and kissed her.

Craig looked at his father as he left to go to London. "What's he mean, don't start without me?"

Mary smiled at him. "George doesn't want to miss dinner Craig, that's all. You know he loves venison."

Craig had spent too much time around Actor not to smell a con, he opened his mouth only to be quelled by a glare from his mother. He backed down.

Mary looked at the remaining three men. "Why don't you take the kids outside? There's soccer balls out there and other things to do. Just don't go near the river!"

Craig sat on a low wall, stretched out his leg and placed the cane next to him, he picked up a soccer ball, threw it high in the air and watched as the children chased after it. Rainey outpaced them, kicked the ball to Paul and watched as the children ran after it, he looked at Craig sitting on the wall, walked over and sat next to him. "You ok Craig?"

Craig smiled and nodded his head. "I'm fine Rainey, really. I'm just fed up with this bum leg of mine, the cast makes it itch, it hurts all the time and nothing seems to help. I couldn't help you rescue the kids yesterday and I can't run around with them today."

Rainey put his hand on Craig's shoulder. "I can help with the pain if you want, my grandfather taught me how to control it, I can teach you what to do."

"Does it work?" asked Craig with some disbelief in his voice.

Rainey looked Craig in the eyes. "It got me through those beatin's in prison 'n it got me through Caen, yeah it works."

Craig felt embarrassed. "Sorry Rainey, tell me what do do."

Craig listened as Rainey told him to close his eyes, his soft voice was almost hypnotic as he took him through the steps needed to tame and ride the spirit horse... "How you feelin' now?"

The question broke Craig out of his trance, he took a moment to sense what his body was telling him. "Damn, the pain's almost gone." He stood up, took a couple of steps before sitting back on the wall, he looked at Rainey with wonder in his eyes. "Why didn't you tell me about this before?"

Rainey smiled "You gotta ask for help to get it. One day I'll show you how to find the place deep down where you can go when the pain's too much."

Craig looked intently into Rainey's eyes. "Is that where you went Rainey? After you left me that message in Caen, was the pain too much?"

Rainey nodded. "Uh huh. Then I heard you callin' me 'n I knew I had to come back."

Craig felt humbled by his friend's loyalty. "I'm glad you did. Thank you Rainey."

They sat on the wall and quietly watched the children play.

GG-GG-GG

The three women were watching through the kitchen window. Sandy turned to her sister with a conspiratorial grin. "Well sis, what do you think of Rainey? Didn't I tell you you'd love him?"

Trish kept her eyes on the young man sitting next to her brother, they seemed deep in conversation. "He's different to anyone I've met before, I like him a lot."

Sandy and Mary exchanged glances, this was an unexpected admission from the independent young woman. Sandy put an arm round her little sister and gave her a hug. "So, after last night is there anything going on between you and Rainey?"

Trish blushed and smiled. "Not yet, but I'm working on it."

Sandy held her a little tighter. "Work fast babe they've only got a few days left before they go back."

Mary looked at her youngest daughter. "I know I've told you about Rainey and what he's done for Craig but you've only just met him, are you sure?

Trish looked at her mother and nodded. "He's worth it Ma. Rainey's had it tough growing up but he's a good man. I can feel it. I just don't know what to do next."

Mary nodded, she understood how her daughter felt, she'd gone through exactly the same emotions when she met George all those years ago. He'd been a cocky tearaway, always getting in trouble but she'd seen through the facade to find the good, kind-hearted and responsible man he'd become.

Sandy turned her sister round to face her. "Just tell him how you feel little sis. I can tell he's smitten by you too. If things are going to go the way I think I'll give you a supply of 'Trojans', I doubt either of you thought to bring any." Sandy smiled as her sister blushed.

GG-GG-GG

George Garrison arrived back at the house at six, he looked at his wife. "Everything ready Honey?"

She nodded. "Yes, I've just told the kids what's happening, they're excited too."

They strolled into the dining room, the meal was on the table and everyone was standing round talking, they were all dressed smartly. Rainey had brought a jacket, shirt, trousers and shoes with him but they were what he wore to go to The Doves, he fidgeted and wondered why the request for smart dress had been made, even the children were dressed in their best clothes, he looked at Craig and saw he was just as bewildered by the request as he was.

Trish wafted over in a cloud of fragrant perfume that made Rainey's head spin, she looked amazing in a sleeveless cream dress and high heels, her light brown hair hung loosely down to her shoulders. Rainey gave her an admiring look. "You look beautiful."

Trish smiled up at him. "You clean up pretty good yourself Uncle Rainey."

Craig leaned forward. "You should see Rainey in a tux sis, he's a real lady-killer, broke hearts left, right and centre in Brussels."

Trish turned and raised an elegant eyebrow. "Lady-killer eh? I can believe that." She grabbed Rainey by his jacket and pulled him close. "Next time wear the tux," she whispered.

George held up his hand. "Right everyone, Mary has an announcement she wants to make. Come over here."

They all walked to the centre of the room. George acquiesced to his wife. "Honey?"

Mary smiled and held out a hand, keeping her other hand behind her back. "Rainey please come here." He stepped forward unsure of what was happening. Mary took his hand and squeezed it gently. "You've done so much for this family, you've become a part of our lives, we want to be a part of yours." She revealed her other hand, it contained a small, simple white box which she passed to her granddaughter. "Katie please give this to your Uncle Rainey."

Katie took the box, opened it, took out a gold chain with a medallion, looked up at Rainey and gave him a huge grin. "I can't reach, kneel down Uncle Rainey."

Rainey knelt down and bent his head as Katie put the chain over his neck. A camera light flashed.

Katie smiled happily. "This is for you, I love you Uncle Rainey."

Rainey gave her a quick hug. "I love you too Yázhí." He looked at the medallion, it was a heavy, gold St. Christopher, he turned it over, there was an inscription engraved on the back.

Rainey Garrison
 Son and brother

He looked up, not understanding what was happening. Mary smiled. "You're already part of the Garrison clan by blood Rainey, now we want to make it in name. I've talked to solicitors in Southampton, if you're willing George and I want to adopt you into our family, that alright with you?"

Rainey rose slowly to his feet and looked over at Craig's face to see he was as equally surprised as himself. Craig turned to his parents. "You didn't tell me you were going to do that. I thought you could only adopt kids."

Mary smiled. "I looked into it and there's no age limit, you can adopt your father and take him off my hands if you want to!"

George harrumphed. "Your mother and sisters want to do this Craig. You know what these Garrison women are like once they've made up their minds. I agree with them. I'll tell your brothers later."

Rainey gave Craig a worried look. "You didn't know this was gonna happen. It'll cause you problems, I can't do it," he looked at Mary and reached up to remove the chain. "I'm sorry, I can't accept this."

Craig stepped forward and stopped Rainey from taking off the medallion, he smiled and put his hand on his shoulder. "It's fine with me Atsilí, I already think of you as my brother, this'll only make it official." He looked at his parents. "Let's get this done so we can celebrate!"

Mary took a sheaf of papers and a pen out from a drawer, put them on the sideboard and beckoned. "Rainey, if you would like to adopt us please sign here."

Rainey looked round at the expectant faces smiling at him, Craig nodded and gestured for him to sign, he picked up the pen, his hand was shaking. Mary put her hand gently on his forearm to steady him and pointed to the dotted line. "Sign here, you don't know your real surname so use ours, it'll be the first time you sign a document as Rainey Garrison."

Rainey felt embarrassed. "Not very good at writin'." The camera flashed as he slowly and carefully wrote out his new name, he looked at it, the ink was still wet and glistened on the paper, his eyes traced the curves of the letters letting the shape of them sink into his brain.

Mary put a gentle hand on his shoulder and turned him towards her. "Welcome to the family Rainey Garrison, I'm proud to have you as my son." She kissed him on the cheek.

Rainey looked into her hazel/green eyes. "Thank you ..." he hesitated, "Shimá."

Mary gave her new son a quizzical look. "Shimá?"

Rainey blushed slightly. "It's Diné for mother, that's what you'll always be to me now."

She gave him a delighted smile. "Shimá, I love it. I told you you'd be calling me by my name by the time you went back and that's my new name! How do I say 'son'?"

Rainey took both her hands, raised them to his lips and kissed them. "Biyeʼ."

"Biyeʼ." Mary gathered up the papers and put them in a large envelope. "I'll post these in the morning."

Craig shook his head as he watched his mother, he walked over and held out his hand. "You really are a member of the Garrison clan now Atsilí, I knew they were cooking up something between them, but I didn't think it would be something this good. What did I tell you about the women in this family?"

Rainey took his new brother's hand and shook it, he was overcome by what had just happened. "Can't believe it. Don't tell the guys, Casino'll have a field day."

Rainey felt a tug on his trousers, he looked down to see Katie standing at his feet, she looked up and smiled. "Grams told me you're my real Uncle now."

Rainey picked her up, held her high and twirled her around before lowering her down for a tight hug. "Yes I am Yázhí."

George walked over carrying a tray. "Champagne to celebrate the newest Garrison!"

After toasts were made and two rounds of champagne downed Mary clapped her hands. "Ok let's eat."

The meal was more of the venison provided by Rainey and then home-made apple pie, everything was delicious. The plates were cleared away and the table moved over to the side of the room. George got out a record player and music filled the house. The children ran around excitedly, Paul walked round taking photos.

Sandy walked up to her brother, he was watching the activities. "What's up bro?"

Craig frowned and looked at his leg. "It's this damn cast. I'm fed up with not being able to join in. Surely it can come off now?"

Sandy shook her head and smiled. "Come with me Grouchy Pants, I'll see what I can do."

Craig breathed a sigh of relief. "Love you sis."

Fifteen minutes later Craig walked back in the room, he smiled, raised a trouser leg to reveal bare skin and bowed to the cheers that followed. He walked briskly over to his mother, took her hand and twirled her around. "May I have this dance young lady?"

"Of course you may young man, but be careful of my husband, he's the jealous kind." Craig winked at his father as he whirled his mother away.

"Brat," grumbled George, he grabbed Sandy's hand and followed behind his son.

Rainey only had eyes for Trish, she looked amazing as she twirled before him, laughing, her dress swirled out from her waist revealing long, slim legs. He held out a hand and she spun into his arms, raised a hand to his cheek and kissed him. He was vaguely aware of a camera flash.

A couple of hours later Rainey decided to slip out into the garden to cool down and get some fresh air. Trish watched him as he left, she turned to her sister for support, Sandy smiled, tilted her head towards the door and winked. "Go," she mouthed.

Rainey walked down the garden to the low wall where he'd sat and talked with Mary. He reached under his shirt and pulled out the St Christopher that Mary had bought for him, he couldn't believe this remarkable woman had accepted him into her family and made him one of her own. He held the medallion tight, it was too dark to read the inscription but he could still see it when he closed his eyes. 'Son and brother'. He looked up at the clear sky and tried to get his emotions under control but he was still overwhelmed by what had just happened. He had a family! He had parents, brothers, sisters, nephews, a niece he adored and they wanted him, they didn't care about his past, what he'd done or what he was, he closed his eyes and pictured the name on the papers he'd just signed. He suddenly tensed as his senses alerted him to someone approaching, he opened his eyes and whirled round as he heard a soft step behind him, Trish stood there. "Hello Rainey Garrison."

Rainey relaxed and smiled. "Hello little sister."

Trish walked up to him and pulled him close. "I don't want to be your little sister!" She kissed him passionately. "That's what I want Rainey!"

Rainey held her out at arm's length, shaking his head vehemently. "No, we can't, it ain't right, you're Craig's sister. I ain't good enough for you."

Trish gazed deeply into his warm, brown eyes. "I'll be the judge of that. Come here"

Rainey breathed in her perfume, felt the heat of her skin and knew he couldn't fight what he felt, he surrendered to her embrace. "What is it with you Garrison women? Ain't you turned my world upside down enough tonight?" he said huskily.

"We get what we want and I want you Rainey," Trish whispered in his ear. She tilted her head and looked up at the clear night sky. "Can you hear thunder?"

Rainey hugged her closer. "You think there's a big storm comin'?"

Trish pulled his head down for another kiss. "There certainly is, take me to your bed and keep me safe."

Craig saw his sister lead Rainey across the hall and up the stairs, he went to step forward but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. He heard a quiet voice in his ear. "Leave them be Craig. I think your sister's found her soul mate," George whispered.

Craig turned and gave his father an incredulous look. "Chief?" he whispered back.

George shook his head. "No son, Rainey, the man that's Chief's becoming. I recognise the look on his face, your mother had exactly the same effect on me. We were even younger than those two when we met. She saw right through the man I was then to the man I could become and I've done my damnedest ever since to prove her right. Trish is her mother's daughter, she can look past Chief and see Rainey, she's determined to find the real him, poor kid hasn't got a chance!"