Okay, folks. Here comes the next chapter. Hope you're still with me…

Chapter 4

Later that day Eric's car pulled into the driveway of the Speedle residence. He got out and helped Tim into house where they were greeted by the two youngest family members - the 12 year old Ashley and the 8 year old Lucy. Ashley made her way outside, saying that she was about to meet with her girlfriend Cindy.

Over the years Tim had learned to accept the help from his friends, but it was still hard for him. The first weeks after the accident he was practically angry about everything and anyone and it was heartbreaking for his friends to see him struggle with himself. It was Alexx who was able to break his walls down at least. She stayed by his side at the hospital for hours each day, talked some sense into him and encouraged him to go to the rehabilitation training. And she was the one who finally made sure that he asked Linda out for dinner. From that night on Tim Speedle was back – and totally in love with Linda.

"Alright, old man. See you tomorrow", Eric said after he had opened the front door.

"I'm not old!" scowled Tim. "By the way, tell the Mayor that I'm not gonna change the budget like he asked for. He has to find another way to save his money – there's no way I'm cutting down the budget for the lab."

"You should tell him that in person. No wait – bad idea. The last time you told him something in person he kicked you out of the office", Eric laughed. "No need to worry, Speed. Everything will work out just fine. He likes me" Eric replied confidently.

"Sure as hell", Tim said while he walked into the living room.

"Hey! That was not nice, Daddy!" Lucy peered around the corner with a stern look at her face.

"Uh uh, you're busted!" Eric walked past him to hug the youngest Speedle sibling. "Hi pumpkin. How are you?"

"Uncle Eric! I'm fine, but I miss Mommy", she answered.

"Yeah, well. She'll be back in no time, sweetie."
"Nice to see you too, my beloved daughter", Tim said and sounded insulted.

Lucy turned around and looked at her father. "Mommy is mad about you – you forgot to take me to the ballet lesson. I'm mad about you, too", she said close to tears while stomping with her foot.

It was now that Tim noticed that she wore her ballet dress. He sighed and sat down carefully to reach her eye-level. He was truly sorry about forgetting her appointment. "Oh honey, I'm really, really sorry. It wasn't my intention to forget your ballet lesson…there's actually no excuse for it", he said quietly, then frowned: "How does Mommy know about this anyway?"

"I've tried to call you, but…but…", she answered crying.

"Oh, come on, sweetheart", he replied and opened his arms to let her embrace him.

"You didn't pick up the phone…so I called Mommy."

"Busted again", Eric said, clapping Tim's shoulder.

"Thank you very much. Remind me again why I'm calling you my best friend?" he asked while hugging Lucy.

"Because you can't live without me?" Eric joked lightly, then turned to Lucy. "How about you coming with me this evening? Chloe's got a new game. Wanna play it with her?"

Without hesitation Lucy let go of her father and grabbed Eric's hand. Lucy and his 10 year old daughter Chloe did get along very well and this way Tim wouldn't have to deal with two angry Speedle women this evening.

"You're a lifesaver. Thanks", he replied, still sitting on the floor.

"No problem. Mary has the day off tomorrow, so Lucy can stay overnight, if you don't mind."
"Sure. Could you please talk with my wife, too?" he asked.

"I'm not helping you with this one. Someday you have to act like a grown man, Speed. Sorry about that."
Josh stepped into the living room. "Uncle Eric! Hey, what's up?" he smiled brightly.

"Why I'm getting the feeling that I'm out of place?" Tim asked while getting on his knees slowly in order to stand up. He reached for the crutches.

"Oh, sorry. Didn't see you there. You were hidden behind the couch", Josh replied and rounded the sofa.

"Could you please get Lucy's stuff? She's staying with Eric and Mary tonight". Tim finally got up and winced as he tried to straighten his back.

"Yeah. C'mon, Lucy-Lou." He took her hand and they both vanished to the second story.

"It's only Monday and I lost control already", Tim explained and let out a sigh.

"Sometimes it's like you are the fifth Speedle kid. Honestly, I think you should take a vacation, Speed", Eric sounded serious.

Tim eyed him suspiciously. "Are Calleigh and you trying to get my position or what? She told me the same today."
"Because it's true. And beware of Alexx – if she gets to know those latest developments, then you're in really big trouble", he told Tim.

"That's what scares me the most", he started but was interrupted by his cell phone. "Speedle."

"Timothy Patrick Speedle! How could you forget Lucy's ballet lesson!", a very pissed Linda asked without hesitation.

Tim closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Well, first of all – I love you too, darling'" he said, hoping that she would at least cool down a little bit.

"That's not working. I'm still waiting for your answer."
"Well, believe it or not – I simply forgot that appointment. I already got a reprimand from Lucy and I'm truly sorry."
Linda had to smile. She could imagine him right now – totally lost, running a hand through his salt and pepper hair with the gray temples she loved so much and showing a puppy face while he worked on trying to find explanation. She wasn't really mad at him because she was well aware that he had a lot of stress lately. But he refused to reduce his workload. So she tried getting him a bad conscience – maybe this way he could see that he needed to something about this. "She's still mad at you?" she wanted to know.

"I don't know. Eric's offered her to take her overnight, which she happily accepted without asking me – so I guess she's still fuming", he told her.

"And? How's everybody? Josh okay?"

"We're fine. I've got it under control", he lied and shot a glance to Eric to make sure he stayed silent in the background.

Eric just rolled with his eyes and smiled.

"Good. How are you?"

"Me? I'm alright, no need to worry. I miss you."
"Me, too" she sighed. She missed her family deeply and she missed her husband by heart. She hated being separated from them, but she couldn't afford to cancel this important meeting in NYC. Not as a senior partner from the chancery anyway. Good thing about it was that she could stay at her parents-in-law. It has been a long time since their last reunion last year in June to celebrate Tim's 50. birthday. She liked Susan and Arthur very much – both in their 80's and still full of pride and love for Tim's and his brothers' family who also had two kids. And most important to her, she could visit Patrick who moved to his Uncle Andrew's family near his Grandparents almost two years ago to study at the Columbia University. "Grandma and Grandpa say hello to you all. Listen, I gotta go. I'll call again later. I love you."

"I love you, too."

They ended their conversation.

Josh and Lucy entered the room with a big duffel bag.

Tim looked stunned. "Sweetie, you just stay overnight! There's no need to bring all these things along. Unless you'd like to move out."

"But I need it all", was her simple statement.

'Women' Tim thought but stayed silent. "It's your decision. Be good to Mary and Eric, okay?" He kissed her and then watched as the two went.

"C'mon Dad. Let's eat something", Josh said and tapped his shoulder.

"Alright. Oh, I almost forgot. Grandma and Grandpa say hello to you."
Josh smiled. "Thanks."

Both of them went into the kitchen. Josh turned around: "Dad, why don't you sit down and try to relax a bit?" he suggested. "You do know the meaning of the word 'relax', don't you?" With that he earned a dark glance from Tim, who stood in front of the oven.

"Of course I do! Something about…mmmh, must have slipped my mind…", he laughed, but stopped abruptly. "Jeez!" he said and looked around. "Where's Ashley!"

"I thought you had it under control?" Josh replied and couldn't help but smile. Sometimes his Dad was really absent-minded. "Didn't she tell you that she went over to Cindy? Said that she would be back at 8?", he asked.

"Oh."

After Josh had prepared the dinner, they both sat in silence while they ate. After finishing the dishes they went to the living room in order to watch TV.

True to her word, Ashley got home at 8. She greeted them and went to her room, after telling her Dad, that she had to prepare for a test tomorrow.

"Why can't you be like her?" Tim asked. It was clear that she was totally Daddys' girl.

"Somebody has to be the rebel of the family", Josh remarked Speedle-like.

"This reminds me that you better behave tomorrow in school."
"I promise to behave as much as I can."
"No. You don't get it! If you get into trouble again, you'll get suspended from school finally. And I don't want to see that happen. Understand that?" he said sternly and pointed his index finger towards Josh.

"You're the one who doesn't get it!" He stood up, threw his hands in the air and stormed out of the room.

"Josh!" Tim yelled. But he got no response. He sighed and hid his face in his hands.

tbc…