Erin bounded into the kitchen as B.J. was helping Hawkeye with the dishes. Hawk washed, suds nearly up to his elbows, while B.J. dried. "Daddy!" Erin said excitedly, barely able to stand still. "Can I go over to Mary Ann's house so we can ride her sled, please? Pop-pop says he'll take me over there and watch us."
B.J. placed a clean, dry plate into the kitchen cabinet. "Your Pop-pop is much too good to you, catering to your every whim," he said.
She blinked at him as if he'd spoken French. "So can I go?"
B.J. exchanged smiles with Hawkeye and then gave her a nod. "Yes, you may. But you be sure and thank your Pop-pop, all right?"
She squealed and ran out of the room, calling to Daniel, "I'm allowed to go, Pop-pop! Daddy says I should say thank you!"
Hawkeye and B.J. let out matching chuckles. "He's really spoiling her, Hawk," B.J. repeated. "Honestly, he doesn't have to do everything she asks him to—"
"Beej, he adores your daughter, and he's loving every minute of being with her. Before you guys came out here, he had no idea what to do with himself. I really think he hated his retirement. But now… well, Erin's giving him a purpose." He handed another wet plate to B.J. for drying. "Don't worry, if he ever does get tired of being her constant companion, he'll say so."
B.J. dried the plate, a wistful expression on his face. "This has been good, Hawk," he said softly, not quite able to make eye contact. "The way you've welcomed us in, how great you've both been… Erin and I are very lucky."
"Well… Dad and I feel lucky, too. When it was just the two of us, we were pretty damn sick of each other," Hawkeye quipped.
The levity prompted B.J. to look him in the eyes, and they shared a laugh. Subject closed, Hawkeye silently handed the last dripping wet plate to his friend for drying and proceeded to let the soapy water out of the sink.