Kellie Moonlight

Kelly. you Need

Chapter 26 – Apologies and Jellybeans

"Liam! Oh, thank goodness, Liam! Are you okay?" Kayley ran to her son as soon as she saw him walking toward the waiting area.

"I'm okay. I am so sorry, Mom. I, I really behaved like a jerk. I don't know what happened to me. It was like, I just couldn't control it, but I know I should have anyway. I am really, really sorry."

Kayley pulled her oldest into her arms and whispered, "No, no, Honey. Shhhh. It's okay. It really is okay. I understand. Everyone understands."

Liam nodded stiffly, quite embarrassed by his actions and not entirely anxious to see everyone, yet he knew he had to. "I um, I need to talk to Katie."

"That's probably a good idea, Lee. She is with your grandfather."

"Any word on Dad yet?"

"Nothing yet, Lee."

Solemnly, Liam headed back over towards the others. The room had been cleaned up and to his surprise, he was met not with the anger that he felt he deserved, but by warm smiles all the way around. "I, I apologise for acting like a total idiot, everyone. I know everyone is worried and it doesn't help anything for me to go off all crazy like that. I'm sorry, everyone." Liam was met with nods and smiles. Laura and Callie both got up to give the young man a hug.

Liam turned to face Fenton to see his little sister snuggled on his lap. She looked at him warily. I can't believe I yelled at her like that! She is so little! I really am a jerk! Crouching down in front of Katie but not feeling like he deserved the right to reach out and touch her, much as he wanted to, Liam began to softly talk to his sister. "Hey Kate. I am so sorry I yelled at you like that, Jellybean." Katie blinked at the use of her big brother's favourite nickname for her. "I behaved really badly, Katie. I should never ever speak to you like that and I promise I never will again. Can you ever forgive me, Jellybean?"

With adoring eyes she reserved only for Liam and a small smile of her own, Katie wiggled down off of her grandfather's lap and wrapped her arms around her big brother's neck. Liam felt a tightness in his throat as the little girl nodded against his neck. "I forgive you, Peanut Butter Brain!" Liam chuckled and pulled her in close. He rubbed his hand through her hair before he held her back a little and kissed her forehead.

"Thanks, Jellybean."

"Peanut Butter Brain and Jellybean!" Katie giggled as she repeated their official "team name" and nodded in agreement. She then gave Liam a determined look and took his hand as she turned back toward Fenton. "We have a really nice grandpa and grandma, now, Lee! Isn't that wonderful!"

Liam smiled down at his sister's excitement and nodded before he turned his gaze up toward Fenton. "Yes, it is, Katie, yes it is."

"I'm proud of you, son. You are a brave young man and I am proud to call you my grandson." Fenton stood as he said this and placed his hand on Liam's shoulder.

"Thank you, sir. I am afraid I didn't act in a way to make you proud a little while ago."

"Nonsense! It has been a rough time for all of us – you and Sammy most of all. We all understand that and we are just grateful to have you back safely. You let your emotions get the best of you, that's true, but you apologised like a man and we forgive you."

"Thank you again, sir."

"What's this 'sir' stuff, son? Call me Grandpa!"

"Yes, si, uh, Grandpa!" Liam smiled a genuine smile then and for just the barest of seconds felt so happy he forgot how scary the situation still was.

An approaching man in surgical scrubs jolted him quickly out of his revelry. "Joseph Hardy?" the man asked.