Chapter 2
After four days in GWU Hospital, Pops had been released with strict instructions not to skip any more doses of his Coumadin. Not for any reason. Whatsoever. He'd also been given a set of exercises from the Physical Therapist to restore his balance, vigor and endurance for walking. Booth and Brennan picked him up and brought him home with them to spend the night. They planned to drive him back to his retirement home on the coming Sunday morning. Rebecca had switched Parker's visitation weekend so he could spend Saturday with his great-grandfather. Christine babbled excitedly from her high chair, trying to imitate the exaggerated faces Hank was making to entertain her as he fed her oatmeal.
Scooping the last spoonful into her little mouth, the old man grinned at his great-granddaughter. 'You are quite a little honey! I wish Margaret was here to see you! You'd steal her heart for sure!" he chuckled.
"Pops, I need to get the lawn mowed. You feel like doing your exercises while Chrissy plays in her play yard? Parker's going to help me rake some leaves. If you get your therapy done, we can take Christine outside to swing, if you've got the energy."
"Shrimp, I'm not done for yet! Of course, you go get the yardwork done, and then we can grill some burgers for lunch! You have some of those veggie kind Temperance likes, don't you? She should be back from her lab by then, don't you think?"
"Good call, Pops!" said Parker. "See you out back in a bit."
When Brennan returned and followed her nose out to the back porch, she found the three generations of Booth men tending the charcoal grill, and her daughter chortling from her swing. "The veggie burgers smell great! I'm famished, let's eat out here."
She brought out paper plates, sliced tomatoes and onions, whole wheat buns, Sun Chips, cutlery, condiments and plastic tumblers filled with ice. "Parker, would you please carry out that jug of lemonade in the fridge?"
The family ate their fill of smoky burgers. "Bones, I never thought I'd like whole wheat chips, but those are great! I'm gonna ask Mom to buy some. Do they come in other flavors?" Parker asked her.
"Yes, several, Parker. I like the garlic onion the best. Your dad prefers the original."
Bbbbbbbbbbbbbb
The next morning Booth dressed Christine and brought her downstairs. Parker and Hank were dressed as well, and drinking orange juice in the kitchen. "Bones, we should be back from church by 10:00. Do you want to eat with us, or work on your book?"
"I can finish the two chapters I've planned if you eat after Mass and then come back here. That way I can go with you to drive Hank back to Willow River."
A few hours later, the Booths stowed Hank's overnight bag in the cargo area, piled into the SUV and headed for the retirement home. "Pops, please mind your meds schedule, so you don't have a relapse," Booth cautioned his grandfather as he hugged him tightly in his room, after unpacking his bag.
"GrandPops, it was good to see you, and play ball awhile yesterday. I said a prayer for you in church. Please-take care." Parker said.
Hank grinned at his great-grandson. "Parker, that's just what I need, you keep doing that for me every night, will you? You'll soon be taller than me, boy. You be good and study hard for your mom. Tell her I said hi, okay? Here, gimme a big hug."
"Hank, please do what the doctor and therapist told you," Brennan said quietly with tears in her eyes. "Christine needs plenty of time to get to know you better."
"No worries, honey. I'll be fine," Hank assured her with a kiss on her cheek. "You take care of that little sweetie for me, til next time, Okay?"
And with one more hug for everyone, Hank waved them off at the door and returned to the day room for a game of chess with his buddy Fred before doing his therapy exercises. "You know, Fred, I've got a lot to live for, those kids mean the world to me."
