Hello everyone, here is the next update, I promise the story will pick up soon. Amber
Chapter 5
Three days later Callie was discharged from the hospital. Most of the feeling in her legs was back. They were just wobbly at times. The girls met them at the door. Claire hugged her mother gently. "Mommy we made the sofa up for you to rest until dinner. Nana is making ham, mashed potatoes, and green beans."
Callie hugged Brooke. "Sounds delicious. Are you both finished with your homework?"
They both answered. "Yes ma'am."
Frank walked Callie to the den and sure enough a throw was at the end and two pillows had been brought from the hall closet. Callie sat. Frank squatted down and slipped off her shoes and put on a pair of fuzzy gripper socks. They had been placed on the coffee table along with a nightgown. Frank knew his father and brother were somewhere in the house. He whispered to the girls to go tell them to stay out for a few minutes. He wanted to get Callie comfortable. The girls immediately complied. Frank helped her remove her shirt and bra and slipped her nightgown over her head. Then she stood up and removed her jeans. Next she put on a light housecoat. She kissed him. "Thanks."
Frank touched his forehead to hers. "No problem. I love you."
Callie with Frank's help laid back. She winced. "Oh ouch. But this sofa is so much more comfortable than that hospital bed."
Frank leaned down and kissed her. "I have your pain pills. Do you want one?"
Callie shook her head. "After dinner I will."
Frank went to the kitchen and got her some ice water in a thermal cup with a straw.
His mother was pulling the ham out of the oven. She spoke to him. "Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes."
Frank called. "Girls! Come help your Nana set the table."
Pounding feet were heard seconds later. Claire came in first. "Mmmm! Ham!"
Laura Hardy wagged her finger. "Wait until dinner little lady!"
"Yes ma'am."
Brooke came in. "Sorry I was on the phone."
Claire teased. "With Ben."
Brooke scowled at her sister. "Yes with Ben."
Frank listened to their banter with each other.
"So when are you gonna kiss him?"
"I don't know. That's private brat!"
Frank scolded. "Don't call your sister names Brooke Ellen Hardy."
"I meant that affectionately!" She called.
"Uh huh. I heard your tone madam." He went to the den and put Callie's water on a coaster on the coffee table.
Callie raised an eyebrow. "The usual picking?"
Frank sat in the recliner. "Yeah nothing major. Are you sure you don't want a pain pill?"
"I'm sure."
Joe came in. "Hey there you guys are. Vanessa is starving. She didn't eat lunch today."
Frank looked at his watch. "We have ten minutes til dinner."
Vanessa waddled in. "I'll tell you what I miss being able to see my feet. Are my ankles swollen?"
Joe sat down on the other sofa and pulled Vanessa down beside him. "Let me see."
Vanessa put her feet in Joe's lap. He removed her shoes. Her ankles and feet were definitely swollen. Joe dutifully rubbed one. Vanessa moaned. "When will my feet be normal again?"
Joe kissed her foot. "Soon baby. Our sons have to make an appearance first."
Fenton came into the den. "There you all are." He sat in the last recliner. "Frank the internal investigation of your use of deadly force is complete. You're clear to return to duty Monday."
"Glad to hear that." Frank said.
Callie asked. "So how was your checkup today?"
"Great we are now at 35 weeks. Doctor Hastings is thrilled. She said the boys are completely developed. I can't wait to hold them."
Callie said. "It's a special time."
Joe and Vanessa lived down the street from them. Fenton and Laura lived next door. Sam and Ethel lived across the street. They were currently on a Caribbean cruise.
Joe switched to the other foot and ankle. "Everything is ready. We're counting the days."
Callie laughed. "I remember when my girls were born. It was magical. It really was."
Frank asked. "Have you zeroed in on names?"
Vanessa nodded. "We have. Baby A is Alexander Fenton, and baby B is Allen Franklin. Alexander was my fathers name. Allen is Joe and Joe Ricci's middle name. Fenton and Franklin are family names too."
Callie smiled. "That's sweet. Just remember that Aunt Callie and Uncle Frank will babysit anytime."
Joe chuckled. "We'll hold you to that."
Brooke came into the den. "Nana says dinner is ready."
Joe and Frank both helped their wives to their feet. Vanessa slipped her shoes back on and they headed to the dining room table. Callie sat in the closest chair to the doorway towards the kitchen. Frank would sit on the opposite end. Claire would sit to Frank's left. To Claire's left was Laura then Fenton. Brooke would sit to Callie's left with Joe beside her and Vanessa to Frank's right. They said blessing and the food was passed around. Claire took a bite of ham and moaned. "Yummy. Grandpa will you make ham and eggs tomorrow?"
"You bet kiddo."
Vanessa had a huge plate in front of her. Nobody said a single word. Vanessa said. "How's school for you girls?"
Claire smiled. "Really good. I love playing my flute and my violin."
Brooke rolled her eyes. "She practices all the time. She's first chair in both band and orchestra. She also plays piano and guitar."
Claire blushed. "I was just promoted to first chair in band. I wish I was athletic like you."
Brooke shook her head. "No you don't kiddo. You're who you were meant to be a musical prodigy."
Frank and Callie's eyes met. They really were lucky. The girls bickered and picked on each other from time to time but they loved and respected each other. Fenton said. "Frank go get the boxes."
Frank stood up and went to the secretary in the corner and pulled out four jewelry boxes.
"Callie you already have one." Fenton said. "These are lockets. They're special. Because of the latest threat with this crime family. I want you all to wear these." He handed a blue box to Vanessa, a red box to Laura, a black box to Brooke, and a green box to Claire. He continued. "Each of these lockets has a built in tracker and panic button. If you are in danger you push the clasp inward and hold for five seconds. Under no circumstances are you to tell anyone what these lockets are. When you hit the panic function a recording device will record audio. Basically I can track you within five feet once you engage it."
Brooke opened her locket on one side was a picture of herself, Claire, and her mom and dad on the other side was a picture of Ben. She was pleasantly surprised that her grandfather put that picture in. There was a third picture of her grandparents and lastly of Joe and Vanessa. "It's beautiful grandpa!"
Claire was looking at her locket. "I got our family portraits like you, It's pretty and simple. I like it."
Frank smiled at Callie. "Open yours."
Callie did and found the pictures of Fenton, Laura, Joe and Vanessa, a picture of her mother, and a picture of Rick and Ginny. She was touched. "When did you add these?"
Frank said. "While you were in the hospital."
Callie wanted to kiss him but he wasn't within reach at the moment. They finished their dinner. Frank immediately gave Callie a pain pill and hurried her off to the sofa. Callie after thirty minutes fell asleep.
