Chapter 33 -- the final chapter!

At six the next morning, they loaded their belongings into the rental car and drove to Newark Airport. As they passed the White Castle, Charlie said, "We are not stopping. Don't even think about it."

"Aw, darn," Amita said, "I was looking forward to slyders for breakfast."

"You're an evil woman," Charlie chuckled. He sighed melodramatically. "One day I'll be able to enjoy White Castle again, but it's still too soon."

"I don't know, Charles," Larry said from the back seat. "I can't imagine that seven in the morning would ever be a good time to eat White Castles."

As they sat in the terminal waiting to board their flight, Charlie checked his watch. "I guess it's still too early to call Don and remind him to pick us up."

Amita laughed. "Yeah, Charlie, I think if you called him at five in the morning, he would probably make us walk home."

"Well, we'll just have to hope somebody remembers," Charlie said nervously.

Someone did remember. Several someones. When Charlie, Amita and Larry walked down the concourse in LAX toward the baggage claim, they heard a series of loud cheers. Charlie looked around and said, "There must have been some celebrity on our flight."

"I don't think so. Look," Amita said, pointing to the rowdy group. "There's Don, your dad, Megan, Colby, and David."

"Well, Charles," Larry said, "it looks as if we won't have to walk home." He broke into a run and threw his arms around Megan.

Amita slipped her arm around Charlie's waist and said, "Aww. What a sweet couple."

Charlie gave Amita a squeeze. "We are, aren't we."

Alan rushed to meet them. "Charlie! How are you feeling, Son?"

"Fine, Dad. Wonderful, in fact," Charlie said, releasing his hold on Amita and embracing him father. "Thanks for coming to meet us."

"You're sure you're okay?" Alan pressed his palm to Charlie's forehead.

"Dad," Charlie said, playfully swatting the hand away, "I'm fine. Really."

David and Colby greeted the travelers enthusiastically. Colby gave Charlie a hug. "Hey, Whiz Kid, welcome home."

"Colby, thanks. And thanks for everything you guys did. You and Megan," Charlie said, nodding toward Megan, who was still engaged in welcoming Larry home, "Don told me about the work you did to figure out the whole anthrax thing."

"Hey, no problem," David said. "We needed you back here. You should see the stack of cases we've saved up for you."

"Amita," Alan said as they continued on the way to baggage claim, "how was the rest of the conference? And did you enjoy Princeton?"

"The conference was great. There was a cancellation, so Charlie got to give his presentation after all. And I loved Princeton," she wrapped her arm around Charlie's waist again, "I had a wonderful tour guide. Maybe I'll see if they have any openings..."

"What? No!" Charlie said, pulling away and scowling at Amita.

"I'm kidding, silly. Now that I'm on the tenure track here, I'd be an idiot to leave."

"And unlike some people," Alan said with pointed looks at his two sons, "you are not an idiot."

"Aw, now, Dad, that's unfair," Charlie protested, "I mean, Amita, you're no idiot, but Dad, neither are Don and I."

"Well," Alan said, "generally speaking, you're not idiots, but you do have your moments."

Don chuckled. "Come on, Dad. Chuck's had a bad week. Give him a break."

"Oh, all right," Alan said. "Does that mean I shouldn't tell him about the leak in the attic?"

The End

Author's note: Thank you all for your kind reviews.