Final Chapter

The trio went to the zoo to try to keep the baby occupied. Irene couldn't help but notice how preoccupied Mike looked once he was back at the car. As they walked through the zoo pointing out the different animals for the baby, all seemed to have a good time. Irene though wasn't fooled; Mike looked a bit glum and she finally broached the subject that's on her mind.

"Mike, what happened at the hospital? You've been glum since you came back to the car. You're hiding it well for the baby but I'm not fooled. Has Steve taken a turn for the worse?"

"Jeannie told me when she stayed with him he seemed calm. A nurse woke her this morning so she could go grab a shower. While Jeannie was gone, Steve became very unsettled and they thought he wasn't going to make it. His vitals dropped dangerously. A nurse was sent to get Jeannie, when she came back and spoke to him he finally calmed. His vitals started stabilizing. It scared me though. I hope this little boy has the chance to see his daddy again."

"He will, Mike. With Jeannie there Steve's going to make it. I truly do believe love conquers all, even more than medicine. Steve has no doubt Jeannie's with him. I have faith he's going to wake up from this."

"You're right he's got to, Steve's a fighter. How about us taking the boy to the sea lion show? Let's see if it will start soon."

They went to the show but the baby had become too fussy. They finally gave up and took him home for a nap. Mike put the teething ointment on his gums as Jeannie had told him. After Mike made sure a fresh diaper was on the baby, the baby slept.

Early the next morning at the hospital, Jeannie had stayed by Steve's side. She felt tired and laid her head on the bed as she dozed off. Not long after she dropped off, she dreamed she heard Steve. Something finally got through to her as she heard it again.

"Jeannie, sweetheart wake up. What's happened? Where's our son?"

Jeannie's head jerked up then and saw Steve was indeed awake. Tears ran down her face as she kissed him, both very happy to see each other.

"Thank God you're back. I've been so frightened. Do you remember what happened?"

"You and Irene had the baby. They wanted Nick and Marie Tannenger free. Is he safe?"

"Yes, Mike and Irene have him. You're safe now, too."

Just then Nurse Eileen opened the door to do a vitals check. She saw Steve awake and alerted the doctor. As Steve was being checked by the doctor, his eyes never left Jeannie. After the check the doctor spoke with both of them of his findings. They sat holding hands as he spoke.

"Are there any questions either of you have?"

"I'll be able to go back to work, won't I? I mean once the physical therapy is completed."

"Yes, as long as your wife and the department doesn't object. You could return to work before physical therapy is complete. There would be restrictions though, as we don't want to cause further damage to your arm."

"Thank you for everything you've done for both of us. I am eternally grateful to have him back."

"Jeannie, I honestly think most of the credit for that goes to you and the man upstairs. I'll check on you again later. "

After the doctor had gone, Jeannie and Steve talked a little bit. Soon though she could tell Steve looked tired and suggested he try to rest a bit more. He was reluctant but finally couldn't help but give in. Just as he dropped off Nurse Eileen came in. She saw Steve's eyes closed.

"Jeannie, why don't you run to the cafeteria here and get a bite to eat? I'm sure he won't wake before you return. He's safe now. The doctor said he's very stable; you need to take care of yourself as well."

"I really don't want to leave him."

"I promise, I'll peek in every few minutes. You have hardly had anything to eat. You won't do him or yourself any good if your health suffers."

"Okay thanks. Please if he wakes and starts asking for me, tell him I've just gone to the cafeteria for a bite. I won't be long I promise. Also my dad might be coming with our little boy at some time."

"I promise if your dad comes, I'll let him know where you're at as well. I assure you Steve will be fine."

Jeannie headed to eat something, hoping Steve would sleep until she returned. At Mike's house, the baby was very cranky and kept calling for his mother and father. Nothing Mike or Irene tried would soothe him, not even food or drink. Mike finally decided the boy needed to see his mom to be reassured. He bathed him and dressed him in clean diaper and playsuit, then they were off. Jeannie had just returned to Steve's room after her meal when Mike and Irene showed up.

They headed right to Steve's room where Jeannie was. She was happy to see her little boy again. After hugging and kissing on him she told Mike and Irene the good news.

"Steve woke up a while ago from the coma. The doctor said he's going to be just fine. He'll need physical therapy for his arm but he's okay. I was so relieved."

Mike and Irene both were excited to hear the news and exchanged hugs with Jeannie. The baby kept looking at Steve as he slept and was reaching out for him.

"Dada"

"Yes, little man that's your daddy."

Steve woke from the sleep, saw Mike and Irene and gave them a grin and a wink. Mike returned both very relieved to have Steve back among the living once again. The baby having seen Steve awake now, reached for him even more.

"Come to daddy, big boy."

"Wait a second, Steve. We'll raise the bed a bit," Mike suggested

Mike raised the bed at a slight slant. Jeannie placed the baby in Steve's uninjured arm but stood close to help support the baby. Steve cuddled his son and felt lucky to be alive and back in the company of the people who mattered most to him. Jeannie looked at father and son and at Steve's adopted dad and thought once again I'm the luckiest woman in the world.

"Thank you Mike and Irene for taking care of him for us. Just for everything."

"Jeannie, you think it'd be alright for Bill and Lee and some others to visit Steve a little bit?"

"I think it'd be alright. I know they have kept a steady vigil."

"Perhaps we'd better check with the nurse or the doctor, Mike."

"Yes, Irene, you have a point."

After they checked with the nurse who in turn checked with the doctor. Steve was allowed two more visitors at a time for a few minutes. All who visited were very relieved to find he looked better than the last time they saw him.

After another week, Steve would be free to leave the hospital with a few restrictions; he was warned to not overdo it for the next month at work. He was to keep up with his physical therapy until he was deemed able to discontinue it.

Everything was back to normal in the Keller residence, at least until the next crisis or cause of excitement in their lives. For Jeannie knew when you were in a family of cops, you just never could guarantee what might happen in your life. She was just grateful for now all of them were back together.