CHAPTER 15

It was a bright sunny Saturday, not too hot but warm and breezy. Frank and Joe were out in the backyard getting the grill started.

"Joe, I think that's enough lighter fluid," Frank cautioned.

"Trust me, you can never have enough lighter fluid," replied Joe just before he threw a lighted match in the grill. There was a loud 'whoosh' as flames leapt up in the air.

Both men jumped back and Frank turned to glare at his brother.

"Oops." Joe grinned sheepishly.

"Don't ever change, Joe," chuckled Frank.

The brothers stood silently watching the charcoal burn. Joe shuffled his feet as he tried to think of a way to tell Frank how he felt.

"Frank…I'm sorry."

"Huh? Sorry for what?"

"For not supporting your decision to leave the Justice Department. I could see how much the job was getting to you…how you were starting to hate it. When you finally quit and told me you wanted to go into teaching…I should have never…I was just upset because I didn't want to lose my partner…instead of being there for you I got angry and didn't want hear how you were doing. I know I didn't show it but I was really proud of you when you got your teaching degree. I should have said something then, but my stupid pride got in the way and all I did was cause a rift between us…and I'm sorry for that."

"Joe…I forgave you a long time ago. I knew you were upset about us not working together anymore. I decided to let you cool off and eventually you would come to your senses…I just didn't realize it would take you this long to come to your senses!" Frank grinned, letting Joe know that he was only teasing. "I did forget how hard-headed and stubborn you can be."

"Stubborn as a mule, Aunt Gertrude liked to say." A sad smile crossed Joe's face. "I guess I am…it's the only way to explain how badly I treated you."

"Joe…"

"It's true, Frank! I never took an interest in your new career…"

"Joe, stop it." Frank placed his hand on the back of Joe's neck, giving it a gentle squeeze. He could see that Joe was feeling guilty. "Look at me, Joe."

Joe had been staring at the ground. He slowly lifted his head, turning his attention to Frank. He was prepared to see his older brother angry with him. Instead he saw Frank smiling.

"Do you remember when you broke the ceramic vase I made at camp?"

"It was an accident…I swear, Frank…"

"I know, I know," laughed Frank. "But do you remember what I said when you thought I didn't love you and wouldn't want to be your big brother anymore because I yelled at you?"

"Hey, I was only eight and you were pretty mad…I think you said you could always make another one."

"Yes, but I also said that I am your brother, and will always be your brother, and that I love you and will always love you, no matter what you do. I still do and I always will, Joe…don't you ever forget that."

"No matter what?" asked Joe, his voice choking with unshed tears.

"No matter what."

"I love you too, Frank," whispered Joe, his voice shaking with emotion. His vision starting to blur, Joe hastily wiped his eyes. "Fire's irritating my eyes."

"Yeah, mine too." Frank noticed the coals were now ready. "Are the burgers seasoned yet?"

"Yeah, let me get them for you." Joe took the hamburger patties out of the foil and placed them on the grill.

"Now that we've settled things…I want to hear more about your life in D.C. Dad told me that you worked security during the Inauguration."

"Yep, sure did…dressed like your everyday normal citizen and walked the crowds."

"What was it like being there…seeing history in the making?" Frank's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Cold…it was really, really cold," replied Joe.

"Cold? That's all you have to say about it? Joe, this was a momentous occasion! And all you can say is…it was cold?!"

"Well it was!"

Before Frank could make any more comments the back door opened. Mackenzie and Vanessa walked out, each carrying a large bowl.

"Did you talk things out?" asked Vanessa as she set down the garden salad.

"Yeah…we're okay." Joe smiled at Frank.

Laura and Fenton came outside to join their family. Fenton was carrying paper plates and the utensils; Laura brought a pitcher of lemonade along with paper cups.

"Well Joe, it's too bad you didn't get to enjoy your vacation. I don't suppose Hammond would let you take a few more days off?" asked Fenton.

"Well actually…" Joe glanced at Vanessa. "This isn't my vacation…it's more of a time off."

"Time off…Joe, you weren't injured on your last assignment, were you?" asked a worried Laura.

"No Mom….before Vanessa and I left we both gave our two weeks notice. We're coming back home."

Exclamations of joy erupted. Laura hugged Vanessa, then went to hug Joe. Frank waited till his mother finished hugging and kissing Joe. He shook his head, grinning from ear to ear as he pulled Joe to him. Patting Joe on the back as he hugged him, Frank couldn't stop laughing with happiness.

"I can't believe you kept this a secret for so long."

"You forget…I used to work for the Justice Department…I know how to keep secrets!" grinned Joe.

"So what are your plans once you move back home?" asked Fenton, a flicker of hope fluttering in his heart.

"Well…Vanessa is finally going to make an honest man out of me!" Joe laughed when Vanessa punched his arm. "Mom, I hope you'll help Vanessa and Andrea plan the perfect wedding…don't worry, Mackenzie, we're not leaving you out….we want your input as well!"

"With pleasure!" gushed Mackenzie.

"How are you going to pay for this wedding?" asked Frank.

"I'm glad you asked that, Frank…I was thinking about opening up a detective agency but there's this world-famous detective that operates out of Bayport, and I'm not sure if I could compete with him…I was hoping we could form a partnership?" Joe glanced at Fenton, and when he saw his father's face Joe got his answer.

"What about you, Vanessa?" asked Mackenzie. "Are you going to be a stay-at-home wife?"

"Heck no!" chortled Vanessa. "With my mom's help I'm starting up my own graphic design business. I already have two ready-made clients…they loved my work so much over at D.C. Graphics they let me know that they would follow me if I ever opened up my own business."

"Oh that's wonderful!" exclaimed Laura.

"Hey Frank…I know I said I wanted my burger well done…I didn't mean I wanted it charbroiled!"

"What? Oh the burgers!" Frank went back to the grill, flipping the hamburger patties.

"The cow is already dead, Frank…you don't need to kill it again," teased Joe.

"Do you want to cook?"

"Not really."

Frank pretended to hit Joe, who jumped back, sticking his tongue out at his big brother.

"Are they always like this?" asked Mackenzie, giggling at the brothers' antics.

"Much worse, but…" Vanessa let out sigh. "You gotta love 'em."

"Yes, you do," agreed Mackenzie.

Laura leaned into Fenton, who wrapped his arms around her waist. He rested his chin on the top of her head, smiling happily.

"Our boys are back home, honey. What could be more perfect?"

"Grandchildren," murmured Laura.

The End

Authors Note: Please read the author's profile for this story. The author, copagirl, passed away in 2013. I am posting these stories up with the permission of her family, who want her to be remembered as well. Lola was a long-time member of the Hardy Detective Agency and we miss her soooooo much! Love you Lola!

Thanks to those of you leaving feedback! I know copagirl would love all of it.