Still recovering from her gunshot wound in the leg, Cali struggled to her feet from her recliner when she heard a knock at the door.
A young curly haired blond woman with a dark haired preschooler at her side were standing on the porch.
"Is Hank here?" she asked as the boy eagerly looked up at Cali. Cali was momentarily taken aback—he was a spitting image of Hank at that age based on the photos she'd seen in the scrapbook Camille had lovingly assembled years ago.
Oh my god, she thought as her mind raced. Was this Hank's son from some unspoken affair before her?
Cali gave herself a mental shake and grinned at the youngster before addressing his mother.
"No, I'm sorry. He's at work. Can I help you with something?" she politely asked.
The boy tugged at his mother's hand and motioned for her to bend down. She complied, giving Cali an apologetic smile.
"Are we gonna get to see Gwanpaw Hank today?" he loudly whispered, half eyeing Cali.
It was with that statement it clicked in her brain who the woman and her child were.
"I'm not sure, buddy," his mother said as she straightened and looked at Cali.
"I'm sorry. I should have introduced myself," she said. "I'm Olive Voight, Hank's daughter-in-law, and this is …"
"You must be Daniel," Cali finished for her, squatting down at Daniel's level as best she could with her leg. She silently thanked her physical therapist for putting her through hell to strengthen her muscles after the shooting.
"My name is Cali," she told him, sticking her hand out for him to shake. He took it and gave it as firm of a shake as a 4-year-old could.
"I'm pretty sure your grandpa would be happy to come home special to see you," she said to Daniel, then glancing at Olive as she stood and opened the door wide so they could enter.
"Let me just call my husband and tell him you're here," Cali said as she escorted them into the living room.
Hank arrived home in 10 minutes flat, making Cali wonder if he had sped with lights and sirens. He hadn't seen his grandson in more than three years so to say he was ecstatic was an understatement.
The five of them (Aunt Erin joined them rather than scampering off with Jay) had finished dinner and drifted into the living room when Olive shared her reason for appearing after all this time.
Daniel gave a big yawn, crawled into Hank's lap, and sleepily rested his head on his shoulder. Cali saw her husband hold back a tear or two as he tenderly laid his hand on Daniel's back.
"Hank, I'm getting remarried," Olive said as she cradled a coffee mug in her hands. "I met Erik not long after I moved to Arizona. We started dating a couple years ago and he's been like a father to Danny. We're getting married next month."
"I'm happy for you and for Daniel," Hank said, smiling at her. Olive gave him a sad smile.
"Erik wants to adopt Danny," Olive added. "I want your blessing before I say yes. You'll always be part of his life and I won't let him forget about Justin, but …"
Hank was silent for a minute, trying to process the fact that Daniel wouldn't grow up a Voight, as he stared into Olive's watery eyes before glancing at Cali and Erin.
Cali squeezed his thigh in encouragement, and Erin swallowed and nodded at him.
"You have it," Hank reassured her despite the fact his heart was being torn in two and mourned the loss of his son and now the virtual loss of his only grandchild, whom he held just a little tighter. "Just don't lose touch. You will always be family. You, Daniel, your future children—all are welcome to come and stay at any time."
Olive nodded and swiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
"Thank you," she whispered.
After they got Olive and Daniel settled for the night and Erin disappeared into her room, Hank and Cali retired to their bedroom.
Hank didn't speak much as he turned off the lights and crawled into bed.
"I think I love you even more today than I have before," Cali murmured to Hank as she snuggled up to his side. "That by far was the bravest thing I've ever seen you do."
Hank pulled her close, and for the first time in their marriage, she heard him cry.
"Do you get to see the sun where you live?" Erin asked Daniel in the front yard as his mom loaded their suitcases into the back of the taxi.
"Evweone does, Aunt Ewin!" Daniel said, his hands on his hips. Erin laughed.
"Silly me! Of course you get to see the sun. How about the moon?" she asked, thoughtfully tapping her chin.
"Yes!" he shouted.
"And the stars too?" Erin asked. Daniel enthusiastically nodded.
"Then when you look at the sun, moon, or stars, remember that we can see them here in Chicago too. We're going to miss you, Danny, but we will always love you and be here for you, okay?" Erin told him as she hugged him.
Hank and Cali stood on curb and said their goodbyes to Olive.
"We're here for you anytime you need us," Hank told Olive with one final hug.
"Thank you. For everything," Olive replied as she returned his hug.
Hank then scooped up Daniel and carried him to the taxi.
"You gonna come back and visit me sometime?" Hank asked Daniel. For a split second, he thought he was looking into Justin's eyes. The boy somberly nodded.
"I love you, Daniel. Don't forget that," he said. The boy wrapped his little arms around Hank's neck and squeezed with all his might.
"I won't, Gwanpaw Hank," Daniel replied. Cali had to fight to hold back her own tears.