Hey guys! School is almost out, one more week thank goodness! Also, Happy Memorial Day! Thank you to all of our soldiers and veterans who served our country and laid down their lives.
Anyway... Here is the next chapter, it's short and sweet because this story is getting close to ending, but there will be a few more things planned. And, REVIEWS!
Highflyer: Thanks, I like Callie too. There will definitely be more of her soon ;)
ErinJordan: Yep! Thanks!
Candylou: Everybody's safe that the most important thing.
Rita: *wink* That date may happen you never know! ;)
Alrighty guys, enjoy!
Frank, Callie and the rest of the family, chatted quietly for a little while when a knock on the door interrupted him. A nurse popped her head in through the door and addressed the family.
"Mr. Hardy? Joe's ready to move down here, if you could all move out of the way for a moment, we are bringing him right down." Instantly, the Hardy's and Callie moved along the side wall, waiting for the youngest boy to come in.
Minutes later, two nurses opened the door and a bed rolled through the doorway and the nurses put it to a stop next to Frank's bed. Joe was laying peacefully, eyes shut, sleeping under the influence of medical drugs.
The nurses finished setting up the equipment and left them to the room. Laura cried and ran over to her other son's bed, grabbing his hand and kissing it. She was so happy he was safe, emotion just overwhelmed her.
Laura told herself every time, it was their job. Her husband and her sons had a dangerous job, and it came with its risks. She knew that. It never made it easy.
Fenton came up behind her and rubbed her shoulders, just as relieved as she was to see their youngest son safe and sound. The nurse had pulled Fenton aside and said Joe was on heavy pain medication, but he should wake up soon. So just like always, it was their job to wait.
Frank looked at his younger brother and was relieved, thanking God that he was safe and sound. The doctor had said the surgery had gone well, and his arm was bandaged and in a sling. But Frank couldn't stop staring at the bruise covering Joe's face and body from the beatings.
It made him so angry, it felt like he was going to explode. But Callie was there, and he couldn't explode in front of her.
So the normal conversation ensued, Callie, telling Frank what had been going on in their hometown, Fenton and Laura talked about other plans they had for when it was all over.
They all talked for about twenty minutes when a groan came from Joe and his eyelids fluttered. Everyone froze and turned towards him, where he was slowly waking up.
His eye opened fully, but his vision was all fuzzy. It took him a minute for him to fully recognize his surroundings. When he saw his family, he smiled.
"-up guys?" He asked, slurred words cutting off the beginning of the sentence.
"Back at you bro," Frank called, wanting to hope out of his bed and hug his brother, but he was hooked up to his own machines. But he settled for reaching his free hand out through the bars on the bed. Joe's own hand snaked through the bars, IV still attached and locked around Frank's.
Callie smiled and bent down to kiss Frank on the forehead, and Laura did the same to Joe. Their family was back together again.
Joe looked around and saw Callie and turned to his own parents. "Is Van here?" Laura smiled and nodded.
"Yes, she is out of state but she is on the plane ride this morning to come back here. She should visit tonight."
Joe smiled as he thought of his girlfriend, excited to see her. He had a rough time with girlfriends, the first love of his life got blown up in a car bomb meant for their father, so he was constantly hurting about Iola. But then Vanessa showed up, and Joe knew how to love again. He loved Vanessa inside and out, and she knew about Iola, and some days he would be distant. But she loved him for that too.
"Ok, next question. How long till I'm outta here?" Joe joked and everybody laughed.
