Chapter 8
Kate walked off the elevator on the seventh floor of the hospital a little after seven-thirty the next morning. One of the detectives guarding Frank's room pushed the door open for her. "Good morning Doctor," he smiled. "The door is open."
"Good morning Detective and thank you," Kate answered back with a smile. She walked into the room and heard Frank softly snoring in bed. She softly chuckled, putting the bag she and Erin had prepared the night before of Frank's clothes to wear home on the coffee table. She put her handbag in the recliner, pulled out her traveler mug of coffee and took off her coat, putting it over the top of the recliner. She let Beans loose from the guide harness and followed Frank's snoring to the bed.
When she reached it, Kate put her coffee mug on the tray table and then put her right hand on Frank's chest, moving it up to find his chin. She softly placed a kiss on his lips. Frank stirred a bit. Kate smiled and let him sleep, rubbing his chest with her left hand while taking a drink of her coffee.
A few minutes later, an aide brought in Frank's breakfast. Kate shook him awake. "Hi," he smiled at Kate and deeply yawned.
Kate kissed him. "Hi you. Breakfast time," she nodded.
Frank looked at the aide. "Maria no disrespect to you…"
Maria smiled. "I only deliver it."
Frank looked at Kate. "It's crap. I'm looking forward to you cooking for me."
"You need it Frank," Kate said. "Be a big boy and get through it." She smiled with a wink at the aide. "Thank you Maria."
Maria looked at her. "The rumors are true around here about you Doc Mac," she grinned.
"Have a good day Maria," Kate smiled.
"Thank you Maria," Frank added as she headed out the door.
Frank pointed at Kate's coffee mug. "Is that coffee mug yours?"
"Yes," Kate said. "But you know how I like my coffee."
"I don't care," Frank said. "I need something better than that swill," he pointed at his tray.
Kate shook her head, handing Frank her mug. "Eat your breakfast."
Frank looked at her. "You going to be that tough on me when I get home?"
Kate looked at him. "Mike will be in here within two hours with your release papers. I will follow them to the letter."
"Oh shit," Frank said.
Kate rubbed his chest. "You're catching on," she smiled.
After Frank finished his sparse breakfast, an orderly came in. "I'm Jonas. I'm here to help you get dressed, including shaved."
Kate looked at the orderly following his voice. "Jonas," Kate smiled, "my skills at shaving are not the best."
"I got that Doc Mac," Jonas smiled.
"The getting dressed part I can handle," she winked at him.
"Understood Doc Mac," Jonas smiled.
After Jonas finished shaving Frank, he looked at Kate. "I can stick around to help.'
'Thank you for the excellent shave,' Frank said.
Kate smiled at Jonas, setting the bag on Frank's bed. 'Thank you Jonas." He left.
"Let's start with these," Kate said, pulling out a pair of Frank's boxers. Frank stood up and pulled down one side of the pair Kate has brought him yesterday with her helping him."Now sit down please." Frank did. They did the opposite to get the new pair on.
Kate looked at Frank. "Can you find the nurse buzzer?"
"Yes," he said.
"Please push it. You need your dressing changed before we do the rest."
"Kate, not in my boxers," Frank growled. Kate pulled out a pair of jeans.
"I'll get you in these before they get here," Kate smiled.
Frank was sitting on the side of the bed in his jeans when one of Mike's interns came in the door and introduced himself. When the intern finished, he looked at Kate. "We'll send home a seven day supply for you. That will get you to when the stitches come out."
"Thank you Doctor Hakeem," Kate said.
"Pleasure to finally meet you Dr. McInerney," Hakeem said. "I've heard many wonderful things about you."
"Thank you Doctor," Kate smiled. "But you haven't heard rule one."
"She's Doc Mac, the superstar," Frank deadpanned.
Kate roared with laughter. "My apologies for stepping on your cape Superman."
"It was an honor to take care of you Commissioner. Take care of yourself."
"Why I have the superstar Doctor," Frank smiled.
Hakeem looked at Kate. "Would you like some help with the t-shirt?"
"Two sets of hands would make it easier," Kate said.
"Really?" Frank asked. When Kate and Hakeem finished, Frank shook his head. "Really. I get it."
"Thank you Doctor" Kate smiled at Hakeem.
"I wish you continued success with your recovery Commissioner. Dr. Fitzgerald should be in shortly."
'Thank you Doctor," Frank smiled. Hakeem left.
Kate helped Frank get into a dress shirt, getting the buttons done and then helping him get the shirt tucked in his jeans. "Now it's the tough part."
"Kate?" Frank asked.
"The part you'll fight me on," she said, pulling his sling off the tray table.
Frank shook his head with a soft smile. "No you won't. The past few minutes, sitting here without the support, has driven that point home. My shoulder is hurting."
Kate kissed him. "We may survive this after all," she smiled, getting him into the sling. "Let's move you to the recliner so I can get your socks and shoes on."
"If I can get away from this damn bed, I'll walk on glass to do it."
"I'll hang on to you to support you," Kate said.
"OK," Frank replied.
Kate looked at Frank after she finished. "Erin added one of your sweaters. Do you want it?"
"Please," he said.
Kate held out her hand to help Frank stand, which he took. She held out the sweater and Frank put in his right arm. Kate got the sweater across his left shoulder and pulled it around him, buttoning it together in the front.
Frank sat down in the recliner. 'How did that go last night?"
"Frank?"
"You and Erin and packing together?"
Kate smiled. "Erin finally has some female back-up in that home. And we've always got along."
Frank smiled. "Give Danny some time. He'll come around."
Kate grinned. "He's Danny. I've known how to handle Danny for years. And for the record, he's been very supportive with me being a part of all this."
"Good," Frank yawned.
"Take a nap Frank until Mike gets here," Kate said, rubbing his chest. Frank did.
Dr. Fitzgerald came in the room fifteen minutes later. He looked at Kate. "You do have this correct?"
"Yes Michaleen," Kate grinned. "I've got this."
"What's your plan when you get home Kate?"
"I know he'll want a bath. Then I'll let him conk out for the rest of the day with a small interruption for a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup. He sleeps, I make dinner for the all the family tonight. Please just tell me you've got his med bottles marked in Braille for me."
"You've still got it Doc Mac," Mike smiled, gently shaking Frank awake. "As for the meds, it's his usual daily meds of an HBP pill and Lipitor. I've added an iron supplement to help his red cell blood count for a week. Have Linda help you. The Lipitor bottle is only at night. The iron supplement is twice a day. The HBP is morning only."
"Conspiring already?" Frank yawned.
Mike shook his head. "Commissioner, I wish all of my patients going out the door had the back-up you do."
"I get it," Frank smiled. "When do you bust me out of here?" Mike handed Frank a metal, medical tablet, getting Frank to sign the paper forms in all the right places.
Just then, Jimmy, the head of Frank's security detail, came in the door along with Garrett Moore. "What are you doing here?" Frank asked, looking at Moore.
"You told me you want your leaving as private as possible. That's my job," Garrett responded.
"Frank is Garrett in a suit or dressed down?" Kate snarked.
"Dressed down," Frank responded.
"He gets it," Kate smiled. "Humor him."
Garrett looked at Kate. "Since when am I the enemy?"
Kate grinned. "Slim," Kate said. Frank grinned. "God bless you for losing eighty pounds. I highly approve and commend you for it. That said, you being smaller doesn't mean you are out of my target range. You get this done."
"Why I'm here Kate," Garrett smiled.
"Boss," Jimmy said. "Javy, Kate's driver has been doing a recon of the streets since he dropped off Doc Mac. He hasn't seen a sign of any reporters. We're getting you and the doc into the SUV in the parking garage with Javy as back up. We should get away quietly."
"After you are on the road home, I hold a press conference with Dr. Fitzgerald, telling the public you've been released." Garret looked at Fitzgerald.
"And me announcing you will be sidelined for a month from your duties," Mike said.
"A month?" Frank challenged.
"Who do you want to argue with first Frank?" Kate asked. "Me or Mike?"
"Kate?" Frank asked.
Kate looked at him. "You had major trauma to your upper torso with a significant blood loss. You need time to recuperate from that. Then we'll talk about the PT needed to get your shoulder back to one hundred percent."
"Commissioner, for the record," Mike said. "I initially said six weeks. Guess who went to bat for you?"
"You snore in my ear tonight your ass is grass," Kate growled. Jimmy, Garrett and Mike all snickered.
"Love you," Frank smiled at Kate.
"I love you too," Kate smiled. She smiled at Mike. "He still doesn't get who brings the PT sessions home."
Mike looked at Garrett. "I'm gonna get an orderly in here with a wheelchair," he winked, leaving the room.
Forty minutes later, Jimmy got the couple into Kate's home. He rubbed Kate's arm. "We've got this."
"I know Jimmy," Kate deeply smiled. "You know we both trust all of you. Thank you."
"Thanks Jimmy," Frank smiled.
"Take care," Jimmy smiled, heading out the door.
Kate got Frank sat down at the kitchen island. "I know; coffee first."
"Good coffee first," Frank corrected.
Kate sat a mug down in front of him. "You enjoy. I'm going to make things a bit easier around here for both of us. Call your dad and let him know you're home."
Frank was ending the call with his dad when Kate came back into the kitchen and put some clothes on the island countertop. "Kate?" Frank asked.
Kate held up a pair of cotton lounge pants. "You don't think these would be more comfortable than the jeans?"
"Got it," Frank smiled.
"But first things first," Kate smiled, dropping Frank's slides on the floor.
"Good call," Frank said, sliding out of his shoes. Kate helped Frank get out of his jeans and into the lounge pants. "What's next?"
"The dress shirt," Kate replied. "I've got a long-sleeved t-shirt for you."
"Or how 'bout we just stay with the t-shirt and the sweater?" Frank suggested.
"If you're good with that, so am I," Kate smiled.
Kate sat down next to Frank when they finished. "Now talk to me. I know you want a bath. I'm fine with that."
"But a nap before that just might work," Frank replied.
Kate kissed him. "You get settled in the recliner. I'll get a fire going."
Kate's oldest son Jay and his wife Traci dropped in an hour later to deliver the groceries Kate had ordered. "Kate," Traci said, "I can stay and help you get your dinner prepped," she offered.
"Thank you Traci," Kate smiled. "I'm cooking easy delicious and my conked out patient will give me plenty of time to get it all done."
"Easy delicious is always your best Kate," Traci smiled.
"I've got the wood box stocked up mom," Jay said. "Holler when you need a refill."
"Thanks Jay," Kate said, rubbing his arm. "There will be two Reagan teenage boys around this weekend. I have no doubt they'll love the distraction."
Jay smiled. "Anything else mom?"
Kate smiled. "Yes," handing Jay her cellphone. "A little video proof for Frank's kids."
Jay smiled, hitting the send button with the picture attached to his mother's "Other Kids" list on her cell. "You sure you don't need anything mom?"
"I'm fine. Unless you want to help with his bath?" Kate devilishly smiled.
Jay kissed his mother's forehead. "That's all you lover," he kidded back. He hugged Kate. "We're all a phone call away."
Kate hugged him back. "I know. Thank you." She hugged Traci as well. "Thank you both. I love you."
"We love you Kate," Traci smiled as she and Jay headed out the door.
Just then, Erin, Danny, Linda and Jamie's cells pinged with a text from Kate. The Reagan children smiled at the picture of Frank in the recliner by the fireplace, covered in a light blanket, soundly sleeping, with Beans sleeping between his legs on top of the blanket.
-0000-
It was nearly three hours later when Kate, finishing her dinner prep in the kitchen, heard Frank chase Beans off the recliner. "Sorry my friend, I have to whiz," he said. Bean softly barked at him.
Beans made a beeline to the kitchen as Frank headed for Kate's bathroom. Kate let Beans out to do her thing. Frank came into the kitchen a few minutes later. "What smells so good?"
Kate smiled. "Dinner for us and your family tonight."
"Kate, you don't have to cook for…"
"Guess again," Kate retorted. "How do you feel?"
"In need of some cold water," Frank responded, sitting down at the island.
Kate poured him a glass from the fridge door and put it in front of Frank. "You did do a wonderful job of snoring in synch with the Rachmaninoff I was listening to earlier. If the gig dries up at One PP, you might have some potential."
Frank pulled Kate to him. "Why do you like to toy with me?"
Kate softly laughed. "Because you are so easy," she smiled, kissing him. She sat down in the chair next to him, rubbing his leg. "Bath first, then lunch?"
Frank shook his head. "Other way around. I need some food and then crash after my bath."
"Good thinking," Kate said, kissing his cheek. "Homemade chicken noodle soup work for you?"
Frank smiled. "It sounds wonderful."
Kate rubbed his shoulder. "You let Beans in, I'll get our soup heated up."
After lunch, they moved to Kate's bathroom. Kate helped Frank get undressed, including getting the dressing off his shoulder. "Now how the hell do I get into this thing?" Frank asked, looking at Kate's large Jacuzzi tub.
"Sit down there," Kate pointed. Frank did. "Swing your legs over one at a time into the tub."
Frank did. "That water feels good," he smiled. Kate put a small towel over Frank's stitches, covering his shoulder and chest.
"Slide in, using the handle to your right."
Frank looked. There was a small railing on top of the tub to the right of where he was sitting. He grabbed the rail and gently eased himself into the water. Kate smiled, hitting a button to get the Jacuzzi going, doing its gentle bubbling. "This feels like heaven," Frank sighed, putting his head back.
"Hang on a second," Kate said. She grabbed a towel. "Lift up your head a bit." Frank did. Kate put the rolled-up towel behind his neck. "Good enough for a long soak?"
"And then some," Frank purred.
"Good," Kate said. "My cake will be out of the oven in fifteen minutes. I'll come back in and give you your bath then."
"Works for me," Frank smiled.
When Kate returned, she smiled at Frank who was softly snoring and shook his right shoulder to wake him. "You can't do that," Frank mumbled. "I'm in heaven."
"You need a bath before St. Peter will let you in heaven," Kate retorted.
Frank noticed Kate swishing around a washrag in the water. "You're not coming in?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"We both know what happens when the two of us are in a tub, naked together."
"I remember quite fondly," Frank smiled. Kate took the soapy rag and gently slapped it on his face.
After she got Frank's face, neck and chest washed, avoiding his stitches there, Kate put her left arm around Frank's left arm that was lying on his chest, holding his arm there. "Lean forward so I can wash your back."
Frank did. Kate gently washed his back. "Is this a warm-up for my back rub later?"
"You play your cards right," Kate smiled, gently washing his shoulder near the wound area. Frank flinched a bit. "Does that hurt?"
"No, it itches," Frank answered.
"That's a good sign," Kate relied. "I'll take care of that when I get your new dressing on." She handed the rag to Frank. "You get to do your privates."
When he finished, he looked at Kate. "What about my hair?"
"I'm going to do that at the kitchen sink. It'll be easier."
"OK, then help me get out of here."
"Put it in reverse Frank and get out."
"That works," he said, using the handle to help him sit on the top of the tub. He swung his legs to the floor with Kate putting a large towel around him as he got up. "Where do you want me.?"
"The toilet works," Kate answered.
Frank moved to sit down. "Those heat lamps in the ceiling really help," he stated as Kate got him dried off.
"Why I had them put in," Kate smiled back, helping him get dressed below the waist. He sat back down on the toilet. "Frank, if you swing your legs towards the wall a bit, it will take me no time to put on your new dressings." He moved. Kate gently probed the wounds with her fingers and then got the dressings ready. "They feel really good," she said, rubbing something onto the smaller set of stitches on his chest.
"What's that?" Frank asked.
"It's Aquafor," Kate answered. "Like I promised. It helps keep your skin moisturized and is a natural product. It helps the skin around the stitches stay soft, promoting more healing."
"So no itching."
Kate grinned. "You're catching on." She added some Aquafor to the outer stitches of the biggest wound on his back shoulder and then bandaged the wounds. She helped him get his t-shirt on and back into the sling. "You find your shampoo bottle, I've got your towel and your sweater."
"I know where the kitchen is," Frank said, "but I need a small time out," lifting the toilet lid.
Kate had the water warmed when Frank walked into the kitchen. She got Frank situated on one of the island stools in front of the sink. Standing on his right side, she used the elevated spout of the sink and the long sprayer hose from the spout to get Frank's hair wet. Just then, Henry walked in the door as Kate put shampoo in Frank's hair. Frank reached up to get some shampoo and washed his mustache. "How's it going?" Henry asked.
"Great," Kate smiled at him. "Can you make yourself at home Henry?"
"Sure thing Kate," he smiled, hanging up his coat. Five minutes later, Frank was sitting on a stool at the island next to his dad with Kate finishing towel drying his hair. "How do you feel son?"
Frank smiled. "Clean is the understatement Pop." Henry grinned. "But if you don't mind, a nap with Beans would really help right now."
"I get it son," Henry said. "You go with Kate and do what you need. I'll add a log or two to the fire."
"Thanks dad," Frank said. Ten minutes later, Frank and Beans were conked out.
Henry and Kate were enjoying a chat at the island when the patio door opened. "I've got it," Henry said, getting up from his stool, putting his hand on Kate's shoulder. He looked to see Erin and Nicky coming in the door. "It's OK Kate," Henry reported, naming the guests. "Hang your coats up you two," he smiled.
"Hey," Erin smiled, walking in. "I remembered the back alley way up here. Thanks Pop for leaving me the security code at the house."
"Erin, I'm sorry," Kate said.
"Don't be Kate," Erin retorted. "I get it. I'm glad the boys are keeping you safe. How's dad?"
Kate pointed with a smile. "Doing what he needs to do."
Erin grinned. "He does look pretty comfortable."
"He's getting stronger every time he naps," Kate added.
"I understand," Erin smiled.
"The pool area looks the same," Nicky smiled, walking into the kitchen.
Kate smiled at her. "It's just warmer. Please tell me you got a text from Traci."
Nicky beamed, hugging Kate. "I brought my swimsuit and can't wait to use it in March."
Kate deeply hugged her. "You were my first Reagan."
"To Jack's and my regret," Erin smiled.
Kate looked at Erin. "Tough shit mom." Nicky and Henry roared with laughter. "And for the record, I was trying to use that to help you and Jack get back together."
Erin shook her head with a sad smile. "We were way past gone then. But thank you Kate."
Nicky squeezed Kate again. "So can I?"
Kate smiled at her. "I know you're graduating from high school later this spring. And you were a fish." Nicky giggled. "That said, I don't care how old you are or how well you swim. My number one rule still applies."
"Never swim alone," Nicky said.
Kate nudged Nicky, putting her right arm around Nicky's shoulder. "I need your mom's help with my dessert. If you go out to the garage," Kate pointed, "and get your Pop a beer," Kate said, winking at Nicky, "how well can you play that only great-granddaughter card?"
"Like a hole ace," Henry grumbled with a big smile. "She learned from the best." Erin grinned. Nicky put her swimsuit bag on a stool and headed for the garage. When she came back in, handing the beer bottle to Henry, Kate said, "Nicky, go change in my bathroom." She pointed. "It's down the hall, last door on the right before the two double doors."
"Got it," Nicky smiled, grabbing her bag.
"What are you two up to?" Henry asked.
Kate smiled at him. "I need Erin to help me get my homemade chocolate frosting evenly on my chocolate cake."
Erin shook her head. "You still make that?"
"Of course," Kate smiled.
Erin looked around the kitchen. "Kate, you did not need to make dinner for all of us tonight."
"Erin, I made my usual, as my kids call it, easy delicious dinner without mom breaking a sweat. Just help me with my frosting."
"I'm in," Erin smiled.
"I'm doing my part," Henry smiled, heading to the pool area.
Erin and Kate walked onto the patio, each holding a beer, as Jamie, Danny, Linda and the boys were entering. "I hope you don't mind if we brought some chips and dip to munch on," Linda said as Danny and Jamie sat down a small cooler.
"Perfect," Kate smiled. Erin pointed at the patio doors. Everyone smiled at Frank napping with Beans.
"How is he doing Kate?" Jamie asked.
"Exactly how I thought," Kate said. "He napped after he got here. We had some lunch, he got a bath, his hair washed, and he's doing the best thing now his body needs. Checks all my medical boxes."
Erin looked at her siblings. "Kate cooked dinner for us tonight."
"What?" Danny and Linda said.
"Time out," Kate said. "Jack and Sean, did you bring your swimsuits?"
"Nicky texted me," Jack smiled.
"Then please take your coats inside and hang them up." She pointed. "The changing room is still in the same spot."
"Thanks Kate," the boys smiled, quickly walking past her.
Kate smiled at them. "As to the rest of you, Jay and Traci picked up the groceries I ordered this morning. I needed to use the scissors to open the package of chicken breasts so I could put them in a casserole and bake them for seventy minutes. I might have broken out a sweat using my hand mixer to shred said chicken breasts in my slow cooker and adding two cans of cream of celery soup and two cans of cheddar cheese soup and stirring that up." Jack and Sean blew past her. "It took me a whole fifteen minutes to get my Asian Cole Slaw together. Traci put the small veggie and dip tray I ordered in the fridge and Jay put the two gallons of milk in the fridge in the garage. I knew you Reagans would cover the potatoes."
"She made her homemade chocolate cake," Erin added.
"Yesss," Jamie grinned with a fist pump.
"And tried to keep up with your dad snoring on the couch for forty minutes," Kate defended.
Jamie handed Danny and Linda each a beer. "To put the flames out," he smiled.
"Jamie," Henry smiled. "I'll take another please."
"You got it Pop," Jamie smiled. The boys ran out of the changing room and jumped into the pool.
Jamie was in the pool with the kids. Kate, Erin, Danny, Linda and Henry were sitting around the pool. Linda's cell pinged with a text. She brushed it off and then smiled. "Tomorrow is St. Patty's Day, it's currently ten degrees outside and we're all sitting here like this."
"It is tough to take," Danny smiled. Just then, Kate heard the patio door open.
"Incoming Kate," Frank said.
"Got her. Thank you," Kate said, getting up from the pool couch. She pointed at Beans. "Outside," Kate commanded. Beans barked at her. "You go outside before you get in the pool. Now!" Kate growled back, heading Beans to the patio door.
"Kate, you need help?" Danny asked.
"No thank you," Kate said, chasing Beans out the door. "Just a beer when I get back."
Henry nodded at Danny to the fridge in the pool area. "In there."
"Got it pop," Danny said.
A minute later, Beans barked at the door. Kate let her in. "Sit," she commanded. Beans did. Kate grabbed a towel, getting the snow and mud off Beans' paws. "Now," Kate smiled. Beans walked to her bucket and pulled out a tennis ball. She turned back to Kate and nudged Kate's hand with her mouth holding the ball. Kate took the ball. "Clear the landing zone," Kate said, throwing the ball into the pool. Jamie and the kids moved to the side of the pool. Beans made a beeline to the pool jumping in to retrieve the ball.
"Guide dog by day. True lab when off duty," Linda smiled, rubbing Danny's shoulder.
"Your dad had the best lab for duck hunting," Danny smiled back at her. "I really enjoyed that with him."
Frank came onto the porch through Kate's bedroom as she made her way back to the family. "Need some help there?" Frank smiled. Kate stopped. Frank walked to her, pulled her into a hug and kissed her cheek. "How many beers am I behind?"
"Talk to you sons," Kate smiled, putting her arm around Frank. He got her to the pool couch. They sat down together.
"Here're your beers," Danny smiled. Frank took Kate's, holding it out for her to grab and then took his, taking a sip.
"How do you feel dad?" Danny asked.
"Right now, like a million bucks. Two hours from now, all bets are off."
"Really dad?" Erin asked.
"Really," Frank answered. "Lying around in a hospital room is one thing. Being home is another. After they pulled the catheter, every time I tried to get out of bed to pee on my own, an alarm went off. I had two nurses in the door within seconds, standing outside the bathroom, with the door open." Erin and Danny shared a look of laughter. "To make sure I didn't fall. Now I'm on my own."
"Just as long as you put the lid back down," Kate snarked.
"You knew Mary how many years?" Frank retorted back. Kate softly smiled. "If I did…" he gently smiled. The kids and Henry smiled at each other.
"…she'd chew you a new one in your dreams," Kate grinned.
"And then some," Frank smiled.
Kate raised her beer bottle to Frank. "To Mary."
"To Mary," Frank smiled, clinking his beer bottle on Kate's.
"To mom," Erin, Jamie and Danny smiled at each other, raising their beer bottles to each other.
"God bless her," Henry said, raising his beer bottle as well.
A couple minutes later, Sean and Jack swam to the pool apron near where the rest of the family was sitting. "Wait for it," Henry grinned.
"They're not the only ones," Kate said.
"You've got grandpa's backing guys," Frank smiled at Jack and Sean. "I'm getting hungry as well."
Erin got out of her chair and looked at Linda. "I even get it," she smiled.
"Welcome to my world," Linda snarked back as they moved to go into the house.
Kate stood up and looked at the four in the pool. "Welcome to paybacks. You get Beans rinsed out. I give you two pieces of advice. A lady does not like her fur coat full of water. That said, advice piece two. Carefully select what you are wearing."
"Got it," Jamie smiled.
"Jamie," Frank said. "That is one smart dog," he pointed.
"Got that dad," Jamie said.
"No son, she knows the drill and will even step on the water plate to get it running to get warm water. That said, heed the fur coat warning."
"Thanks for the heads-up Grandpa," Sean smiled. "We got it."
Fifteen minutes later, all of them were gathered in Kate's kitchen with Kate's buffet spread out on the counters. Jack nudged Jamie's arm. "What's in there?" he whispered, pointing at the covered nine by thirteen pan.
"The best chocolate cake you'll ever eat," Jamie whispered back.
"Please be quiet," Frank growled. Jack and Jamie shared a look with a smile. "We are families of faith," Frank said. "And guests in Kate's home. As her guests, we pray first, Kate will follow with her prayer. We return thanks together. Jack please."
Jack said the Catholic prayer. Kate added her prayer. Kate, Frank and Henry joined in the prayer of thanksgiving.
Danny eyed his grandfather. "You know that part?"
Henry smiled. "I might have crashed a grandkid's sleepover a couple weeks ago."
Erin looked at her dad and Kate. "He did," they smiled together.
XXX