4?
Gil awoke first the next morning and spent the first few minutes of his day watching his wife sleep. She was so peaceful in her sleep, and his hand reached out to gently touch her bandaged one.
He hated to see her hurt.
Getting up quietly, he watched as she looked confused without him, but continued to sleep. He smiled and put on his slippers before heading down to Max and Jamie's room. When he peered inside, he saw that Jamie had disappeared, but Max was still snoozing.
He surveyed his youngest son for a minute, part of him still in shock over the previous day. His children were very precious to him, and the idea that anything could happen to them had always been one of his greatest fears.
Making his way downstairs, he headed for the kitchen and was astonished to find Lindsey, Matt, Lizzie and Jamie in there, starting to clean it up.
"Guys?"
"Morning Dad," Lindsey said, putting some rubbish in the big garbage bag she was holding. "Sleep well?"
"Uh, fine thank you. What are you guys up to?"
"Cleaning up," Matt replied. "We knew that mom would be pretty worn out, and Max shouldn't be allowed near anything flammable for the next billion years, but we know how much Mom loves her kitchen."
"Yeah, you guys built it together when you first bought the house," Lizzie added.
Gil smiled. "I think you guys are doing a great job. Your mom is going to get such a surprise."
"How is Mom?" Lindsey asked quietly.
"Still asleep," Gil replied. "Her hand bothered her a bit last night."
"Max is still asleep too," Jamie told him.
"What can I do to help?" Gil asked.
"Go and be with Mom," Lindsey said. "I know how she gets all weird when she wakes up and you're not there."
He narrowed his eyes at his eldest daughter and then smiled. "Okay. You guys come get me if you need me."
--
When he lay back down on his bed, Catherine curled up to him, making a satisfied sound.
"You're back."
"I didn't mean to wake you."
"Are the kids okay?"
"They're all fine. Including Max. He's sound asleep."
She snuggled closer, smiling as he put his arm around her. "Good."
Gil kissed her forehead. "How's your hand?"
"It aches a little, but I'll live."
He kissed her softly on the lips. "You need to rest."
"I need to clean up that kitchen. There's a lot to do before your birthday."
"Catherine Grissom, don't you dare even think about it. Otherwise I'll ring the doctor that treated you and…"
"Don't nag."
"Don't be ridiculous. Besides, the kids are doing the kitchen."
Catherine sat bolt upright in the bed and stared at her husband. "They're doing what!"
"They're cleaning the kitchen." Gil cocked his head to one side. "Have I mentioned recently that I love your breasts?"
She blinked at him. "Gil, that's not the point. The point is…"
"It is the point. I'm looking at your breasts and I'm telling you that I love them."
"Gil…why are our children cleaning the kitchen?"
"Because they wanted to surprise you. And I also love your abdomen. Have I mentioned that as well?"
She looked down at him, a bemused smile on her face. "What has gotten into you?"
Gil's hands ran down her body, over her arms and her hips. "I'm turning fifty. And I'm thinking how lucky I am."
"Because you like my breasts and my stomach?"
"Because I love you. And our kids. And I'm happy."
Catherine nestled down so that she lay above him. "I'm glad, Gil. Really glad."
--
"Can I take a picture of you for my website?" Ben asked Max.
"Sure. I wanted to draw in my own eyebrows, but Mom wouldn't let me."
"Bummer."
"Did you upload the video?"
"Yeah. It was pretty cool that your grandma sent you video tape. My grandmother's not technology savvy."
"Grandma's cool like that," Max replied.
"Okay," Ben said. "Everything's all ready to go. Let's make this documentary."
--
Matt heaved his piggy bank upside down and shook, frowning when only a ten-dollar bill came floating out. "That's not a good thing."
Lizzie wandered into his room. "What are you doing?"
"Thinking about dad's present."
"A ten-dollar bill?"
"You're not helping."
"I told you to get Dad a present earlier! Max has got a present, Jamie has one, I have one, Lindsey has one, Mom has one – you have to get Dad something!"
"I know! I know!" Matt started rummaging through drawers and his closet. "I'll think of something."
"You better think quick. Dad turns fifty in one week!"
Matt glared at her. "I know!"
"I could give you a loan."
Her older brother narrowed his eyes. "What kind of terms are we talking."
Lizzie grinned and sat down on the desk chair. "Let's confer."
--
