Chapter 6- Reunion

Frank gave his name and a brief description of his problem. The woman asked him to hold a moment while she transferred him.

Less than twenty seconds later, a male voice sounded on the phone "Frank Hardy? This is Jack Ryder, can you please give me your address?"

"Yes, it's 44 High Street, Bayport, New York" "Thank you, can you tell me what happened?"

"My son, Sam Hardy, was on his way home from his friend's house, but he never made it. It has been three days..." Frank went on to give the man all of the details he had, which wasn't many.

Jack spoke in a calm professional voice, "OK, Frank, I want you to remain calm for me. We will dispatch someone to your house immediately. He should be there in approximately three hours."

Two and a half hours later, Joe Hardy pulled up in front of a two story house with an oak front door. Glancing at the house down the road, he grimaced as he remembered that his old friend Tony Prito had once lived there. Although he tried to remain detached and professional, the memories this neighborhood brought up were just too much for him. He knew it had to be him that answered this call. As soon as he saw the name and read the case, he knew that he had to face his childhood demons and return to Bayport. Frank needed him and there was no way Joe wasn't going to help him.

Joe was startled by the front door opening. A young girl smiled at him. He immediately noticed that this little girl was the mirror of his brother!

"Hello, I'm Jenni Hardy" said Jenni happily.

Joe smiled at Jenni, and thought back to his own kids who had gone out with Kayley for the day. Kayley planned to take them on a little tour of the area so they could see where their parents had grown up and then to get some groceries for the hotel apartment that they had rented.

Joe had the urge to gather this child up in his arms and hug her for all he was worth. She was obviously Frank's daughter! He was a stranger to her though, so of course, he couldn't do that. His own emotions surprised him as he steeled himself and asked "Are your parents at home?"

"Yes, come in!" The little girl grabbed his hand and ushered him into the house. "Are you going to find Sam?"

"I'll do my best" Joe reassured her as he looked around the house to get his Barings.

"Where are your parents?"

"We are right here" a voice answered.

Joe spun around to look at the face that spoke with the voice he knew so well..."Frank" he whispered.

"Oh, my God! Joe!" Callie gasped.

Neither brother said anything. No one moved and a silence held in the room for what seemed like an eternity. "Oh, Joe," Frank whispered hoarsely, the pent up emotions of not only the last three days, but the last thirteen years asserting themselves with full force.

Without another word the brothers stepped toward each other and embraced each other fiercely. Frank sobbed as he clung to Joe, feeling both the lifeline that his brother always was to him and always would be, and the relief that Joe would not fail him in helping to find his son. Joe held onto Frank, both to comfort and to be comforted. He could no longer keep up the facade. He loved and missed his beloved brother way too much and he just couldn't hold it in any longer.

Callie placed her arms around her children who gathered to watch the spectacle in the foyer. Tears rolled unchecked down her cheeks as she watched the brothers. She was anxious to hug Joe also, but knew that this was the moment Frank had waited thirteen years for. She wasn't going to deprive him of a second of it.

Finally, the brothers pulled apart but kept their arms holding onto each other as they looked into each other's faces. "You sure grew up, Kiddo," Frank said softly as he reached out to tousle Joe's hair.

"You did a bit of growing yourself there, Big Brother!" Joe smiled and his eyes twinkled affectionately. God, he missed his brother.

Frank swiped at his face with his sleeve to remove at least some of the moisture that had collected there. He knew he should get a tissue, but he just couldn't let go of his little brother. Was it irrational fear that he would let go and Joe would disappear again? 'I don't care what it is' Frank thought to himself as he cupped Joe's face in his hands and then pulled him back in for another hug. After a while Frank seemed to remember that there were others in the room. "Callie, I..."

"I know, Baby, I know," Callie sniffed away at her own tears as she smiled warmly at her husband. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Joe's neck. "It's good to have you home, Joe."

"Kids," Frank began, "this is your Uncle Joe. Joe, I believe you met Jenni at the door. She is our youngest. This is Sophie, Frank said as he put his hand on the back of his daughter. And this is Natalie, Sam's twin" Frank's voice cracked as he introduced the last child in the room.

"It's okay, Brother, we'll find him" Joe said, his voice full of compassion as he knelt down to greet his nieces. "Hi, Girls. I have some cousins of yours that you are going to love getting to know!"

Sophie and Natalie smiled at Joe politely, but Jenni could not contain herself. She ran and threw her arms around her Uncle Joe and asked excitedly, "When can we meet them?"

Joe laughed as he returned the hug "I am sure they will be excited to meet you as well."

"Biff told us about your children, Joe. They sound beautiful. We can't wait to seem them" Callie said.

"See who?" Laura Hardy's voice rang out as she emerged from the back porch. "Oh, oh, my goodness! It can't be! Joe!" She gasped.