The first place they stopped on the whistlestop tour was the office. On entering they found LaSalle sat with his feet up on his desk reading something that looked very much like a sports magazine.
"Hey King, what you doing back? Is everything okay with Brody?" LaSalle asked as there was no reason to see his boss here
"She's getting released later today. I have agreed to stop and look after her till she's back up and about. I just need a few things from here to take to hers" as he disappeared into the kitchen.
Now LaSalle was beat, what could he need from the kitchen. His question was answered when he came out carrying a big box. LaSalle could see pan handles sticking out the top.
"So is this a cooking thing? You need your own pans to make a decent meal" as LaSalle started to laugh.
"Do not knock the wisdom of cooking Christopher. A good chef needs his own pans to cook a meal right as well as his own spices" as he carried the box out the office to the car.
Laurel sat at Brody's desk and waited for her dad to decided what else he needed.
"Is he serious about the pans and stuff?" LaSalle ask Laurel as he came and sat on Brody's desk.
"Chris you know my dad and cooking. He told Merri her kitchen was only suitable to boil eggs in and then he told her she could burn water. He wants to cook for her and spoil her when she comes home. I have to admit I have seen a completely different side to my dad these past few days. Don't get me wrong him and mom were happy most of the time but now it's different. It's like he suddenly became a new man and suddenly wants to share and have a bonding session and wow is he soppy when he wants to be" Laurel told LaSalle as she laughed.
"I have noticed a changed in your dad since Brody arrived. On saying that we have both changed for the better both personally and professionally. She has been good for us both since she landed. We cleaned up and we haven't hit anyone since she arrived" LaSalle laughed at the memory of Pride thumping a suspect.
"We don't have to hit anyone now Christopher, she does it for us remember" as Pride came and stood at Brody's desk with the others after he had got a bag of his stuff from upstairs.
LaSalle had to laugh as it was true as his first interview conducted with Brody proved. They sat for a few minutes laughing at the memory's of the many times Brody had brought down suspects with sheer brute force. The problem was the last memory which brought them to the present day. It was brute force bringing down a suspect that had got them where they were. Laurel saw the change in her dad as he thought of what happened.
"You got everything you need dad?" She asked as she stood up and came to stand next to her dad.
"Everything's in the car ready, let's go grocery shopping" as he picked up the bag of his clothes and headed out the door with Laurel behind him.
"Tell Brody I'll pop in tomorrow if you swap with me and you do some work in here for a change" LaSalle shouted after his boss as he disappeared out the door.
"Will do Christopher" as Pride walked to the car and got in.
Laurel got into passenger seat again and watched as her dad got in.
"So you got any idea what Merri likes to eat or you just going to do a mass cooking session and hope" Laurel asked her dad as the pulled up at Grocery store.
"Merri likes food, all food and any food. She eats everything from what I have seen so I don't think it matters what I cook" Pride laughed as he thought of the times she had stopped back for dinner during cases and just for the fact he had cooked again.
"Well that's helpful, so just buy food, cook it and she will eat it then" Laurel commented as they got a shopping cart and made their way around the store.
After spending nearly an hour buying food that was both to Laurels liking and her dads they were finally done.
"I have no idea why you need so much junk food Laurel. There will plenty good food to eat when I am done" as they stood at the car and loaded the bags in.
"Dad it doesn't matter how much healthy food you feed me or Merri we girls need junk for that has the main things in, like sugar" Laurel told her dad.
Pride just shook his head as he got in the car and waited for Laurel to do her seat belt up. Driving back to Merri's house Laurel was given a rundown of all the things her dad was going to cook. When they got back to the house they each carried some bags in and dumped the whole lot in the kitchen. Of course Laurel was not allowed to carry the box of kitchen utensils so that was the last thing to be brought in by the chef himself.
As Laurel put the food shopping away Pride set about turning Merri's kitchen into his kitchen. He had to have a good look around first before he put things away so he knew things went in the right place and so he knew the things he needed were together. Laurel forgot what a perfectionist he was when it came to his kitchen and his utensils. Since it didn't take long for Laurel to put the food away she set about trying to make coffee in between dodging her dad trying to put things away. Finally after trying for nearly ten minutes she managed to make coffee and sit down out the way.
"Right we still have maybe and hour so I can make a start on a few dishes before we head back in" as he set about gathering up various ingredients from the cupboards.
"Since you can't cook you get peeling and chopping duty as that's normally Merri's job" as he nodded at the vegetables on the counter and held a knife out to Laurel.
Laurel got up and came to stand beside her dad as they set about preparing at least three different meals that she could she. Every now again he would stop Laurel from massacring as he called it whatever it was she was peeling or chopping.
"Dad either stop with the help or do it yourself. How the hell did mom or Merri put up with you?" She asked as she glared at him.
"Your mom left me alone in the kitchen all the time and Merri is only learning. We haven't spent that much time cooking together" he laughed as he saw the look Laurel was giving him.
"Poor Merri, I may have to give her some advice about you, kitchens and cooking" as Laurel finished the last of the vegetables.
"Right they go in there" as he pointed at the onions, peppers and celery and the back pan which as far as she could tell contained Crawfish Étouffée.
"They" pointing to more peppers and the cut garlic "go in there" as he pointed at the pan of Gumbo.
"Lastly they go in there" as he pointed at the last few peppers,onion and celery and the pan of red beans.
"Right now we just need rice which I did buy and we are all done" as he took it in turns to slowly stir each pan.
After getting a pan out and the bag or rice he had bought he set them on the counter and after finishing the cup of coffee Laurel had made he set about making fresh coffee. Laurel stood up and headed upstairs to make sure her dad had made the bed and upstairs was clean which she was surprise to see was. Coming back down see found a cup of coffee on the table and all the pans had been turned off and lids put on them.
"All done, just got to finish cooking them when we get back and cook the rice" as he took a drink of his coffee.
"You sure you cooked enough? I am sure you could have cooked something else to fill the stove up" Laurel commented seeing the dirty look she received.
"Drink your coffee and we can go pick Merri up. Then we or should I say I can start returning things to normal for all of us" as he drained the last of his coffee and put the cup down.
"Dad you do realise if you get a case then she will be itching to join you. Even if she just sits at her desk and does checks or whatever she will plague you till you give in" as Laurel finished her coffee and stood to put the cup in the sink taking her dads as she passed.
"I have a plan for when that happens. Hopefully with your help I can keep her here longer then when her bugging becomes too much I can pacifier her with coming in and sitting in the chairs near the cabinets or she can stay home. I will fight her on this one after the past few days" standing from the table and going to check the stove was off and all the lids were on right.
"You ready to go now?" He asked Laurel as they both headed for the door and the car.
"Come on let's go get Merri and bring her home" as Laurel got in the passenger seat and looked across at the huge smile on her dads face.
Arriving at the hospital they took the ride up in the lift and entered the room to find Merri sat on the edge of the bed with her feet on the floor and a pile of clothes next to her.
"Thank god you're both here. I have no idea how the hell I am going to get them on without help" as Merri nodded to the pile of clothes.
"I am sure I can help with that even though I prefer taking them off then putting them on" as he stepped up to the bed with a mischievous grin on his face.
"Dad that was way too much information that I did not want to know" which caused everyone to laugh.
"Maybe I should have kept that thought to myself. Right lets see about getting these clothes on. Have they said when you can actually go or you still waiting?" He asked her as he looked over at the pile of clothes deciding where to start.
"I have to wait for my meds to be dropped off then as far as I know I can after that" as she watched him reach up and start to draw the curtain round the bed.
"Let's start at your feet then we can work are way up if that's okay with you" as he took the socks of the bed and knelt down.
Placing the sock on one of her feet he ran his fingers along herfoot as he pulled it up causing her to jerk her foot away and laugh a little.
"Ohhh someone has tickly feet" as he ran a finger along the underside of her foot causing her to jerk her foot away again laughing.
"Dwayne stop, yes I have tickly feet to name a few other places. You are not helping me get ready" as she levelled him with her death glare that he was pleased to see returning.
"Fine, I will wait and find the rest of them tickly places at a later date" as he put the other sock on.
Next he took her sweatpants and panties and he made very quick work of putting them on just so he didn't get very distracted by the underwear. Pulling them to her knees he stood back up and offered out his hands for her to take as she gingerly stood up. As she stood up she locked eyes with him as he watched her trying to gain her footing again after so long lying down.
"Don't let go yet" as she held tight to the hands holding hers.
"I won't I Got you. When you're ready we can move" as he just stood and watched her.
Laurel was sat watching her dad and Merri and decided it was time for coffee so she slipped out the room and left them to get through this very odd start to their personal relationship. She would be surprised if they even noticed she was gone.
After a few minutes her grip loosened and she let her hands fall to her side. They both nodded as he kept his hands out she bent slightly to pull her clothes up. He wanted to do it for her but he knew she wanted to test the waters and see how rough she actually felt. Slowly and surely she bent and took hold of the clothes pulling them as she went to stand back up. When she was stood back to full height again she was surprised how little pain she was in. She thought she would be in agony again, more so after her surgery but she seems to be pain free for the most part.
"Half way" she exclaimed as she stood looking at him.
"Ready for the rest now?" As he reached across for her bra.
She brought her hands up to her neck and undid the ties holding the gown in place. As the ties loosened the gown slid forward and he caught it up before it fell to the floor. He wanted to not look, to not see how bad she looked but that part of him again let his eyes drift to her chest and stomach. The bruises were not as bright now and had started to fade round the edges but they had gone from the deep black and blue to purples,yellow and green coloured as they went through the fading process. Then of course there was the dressing from her surgery which was worse than the bruises. The bruises he knew couldn't kill but the reason for the dressing could.
She watched him as he took in the site yet again of her injuries. She saw his eyes take in the changing bruises and see how they were at least starting to heal. It was when his eyes settled on the dressing that she saw the change in him. The realisation that the dressing hid something that could have been a lot more serious resulting in her not now standing there. She had no idea what to say as she watched the emotions playing over his face at what could have been.
"Dwayne" was the only word she spoke as she reached over and cupped his face bringing his gaze from her chest to her face.
"I know what's going round in that head of your as the same thing is going round mine. I survived another round with death, he didn't win again. I now have a reason to make sure he doesn't win next time. Don't pull that face Dwayne, we both know this will not be the last time I dice with death as I know you will have a few close shaves as well. We will leave here soon I hope and in a few weeks stand side by side again facing down the bad guys. We will fight for the cause as we always have down and we come out the other side still standing together. As long as have you and even LaSalle at my side when I go out there I know you will always have some to watch my 6 as you and LaSalle have proved to me and I have proved to you both. We are all in this together, the only difference between LaSalle and you is when we finish kicking ass I won't do this to LaSalle" as she brought his head down to meet hers and kissed him.
The kiss was a short gently kiss, enough to show him she was still there and fighting. He brushed her lips with his as she kissed him. Glad to feel the warmth of her hands still on either side of his face.
"Let's get you ready before you freeze again, ohh wait isn't that how this started" he chuckled as he helped her fasten her bra after she slid it on and tucked herself in.
Laurel and came back and slipped in the the room unnoticed by her dad and Merri. She heard the conversation between them or more so the speech Merri had given her dad and it brought it home how much trust they had in each other, how well they already knew each and how far they had come in such a short time. It was now she realised they did fit well together and they shared a lot in common. They would make this work for them in the unique way only they could. She sat down and took a drink of her coffee as she waited for the curtain to be pulled back which a minute later it was revealing a fully dressed Merri and her dad.
"Coffee on the table for you both" as Laurel inclined her head to the table and the cups.
"Thanks, when did you get them?" Merri's asked as she hadn't heard her leave or enter the room.
"Just got back, you were both having a moment so I decided it wasn't something I needed to hear so left" as she smiled at Merri and her dad.
"Where you going to sit before I sit down?" As he looked between the bed and the chair.
"Chair, I got a feeling I will be spending a lot of time lying down either in bed or on the couch so might as well enjoy sitting up for a bit" as she made her way to sit down.
When she was sat down he passed her her coffee and then pulled the spare chair up and sat next to her. Watching her out the corner of his eye he wanted to make sure she was okay but not out and out stare at her.
"Dwayne stop now. I am fine and I want to drink my coffee without you watching me" as she looked straight at him and saw him smile.
"Well you're definitely getting better, that death glare is nearly full force again. You do know it will never work on me though" as he gave her one of them smiles that made her death glare crumble and a smile appear.
"See" as a smug grin replaced the smile.
He still kept watching her but he made sure he made conversation as they sat to distract her from the fact he was indeed watching her. The three of them sat and had a conversation about the meals that had been prepared and Laurel sat and gave Merri a crash course in responses to give her dad if he asked something.
"I hear he has asked you to help when he cooks, my advice is finding something way more important to do. I have just been reminded why I never cook or prepare food with him. After being giving the vegetables to prepare he must have stopped me at least twenty times to tell me I was butchering it and was showed how to do it the Dwayne Pride way. You also realise your kitchen is never going to be yours again. You will never be able to make anything without having it either made for you or a running commentary on how to make it the right way" Laurel told Merri as she watched her dad out the corner of her eye.
"I have to say that I can live with the never cook again bit. I can't cook and I hate to cook so that works for me. My kitchen is only good as it has coffee and by coffee not that stuff you drink, this stuff here" as she lifted the cup in the air she had in her hand.
"I don't mind watching your dad cook though and even helping can be good sometimes" as a small smile crept up her face at the last memory of helping and having to stand while she had Dwayne's hand resting on top of hers while he was pressed against her back showing her how to chop something the right way.
Laurel looked between her dad and Merri and saw the same silly smiles on their faces.
"Do I really want to know why you are both sitting with the same soppy grins on your faces? Actually I don't want to know" as she shook her head.
Just then there was a knock on the door and a nurse entered carrying some forms and a bag.
"I have you medication and dressings here as well as some forms that need signing before you leave" as she passed the forms over the bed along with a pen.
Merri looked at the forms and after quickly flicking through them she signed them all and passed them back.
"Is there any questions before you go?" The nurse asked as she checked the forms over.
"No none" Merri answered as she looked at Dwayne who shook his head.
"Well everything is in order so you can go" and with that the nurse turned and left.
"You got everything?" As he looked round the room and picked her bag up off the floor.
Laurel got the bag the nurse had just brought in and put the empty cups in the bin. She reached across and took the bag her dad had just picked up and nodded her head to Merri.
"Let's get you home where you belong" as he stepped up beside Merri and slotted his arm round her waist and gently pulled her to his side as she placed her arm around him and hooked her fingers in his belt loop.
Laurel held the door open as they made their way along the corridor and out the hospital. As she walked behind her dad and Merri she watched the way they held each other and there body language. Her dad's arm was wrapped around Merri's waist and she was sure his fingers were tucked in to either a belt loop or her front pocket. He was walking slow just in case and he had his head resting on hers as they walked. Merri's head fitted perfect against her dads shoulder and her arm was still holding his waist. Now the boots were gone Laurel actually got to see the height difference between her dad and Merri for the first time. Normal Merri stood the same height due to her boots but now they fitted together.
When they made it to the car Laurel jumped in the back so Merri got to sit comfortably in the front. The drive back was quite as they all sat and enjoyed the warm sunshine and the cool breeze that having no roof up caused. As they pulled up at the house Laurel jumped out the car behind her dad who made his way round to open the door for Merri. Standing aside as he opened the door Merri shuffled her way round and took the hands offered to help her stand.
Walking up the front door Merri couldn't help but smile, she was home again and standing next to her was the person she wanted by her side. The past few days had showed her she wanted to let someone in and get close to. She was more than happy to let that person be her boss. At least he got the job and what it involved, he wouldn't bug her about spending too much time there as he would be sat opposite no doubt. She was so carried away being happy she hadn't realised she was back in the house and standing with a dopey grin on her face.
"Welcome home, where do you wanted to sit? You got 3 choices, either bed, the couch or the swing out back?" Watching as her face lit up at the thought of sitting out back.
"Outback, never been out there since I moved in" as she made her way to the back door followed by both members of the Pride family.
"Does anyone want coffee before dinner?" Laurel asked her dad and Merri as they went out the back door.
When they both said yes she disappeared and went to make it, giving them five minutes alone. Sitting down in the swinging seat she made sure to wriggle herself comfortable before he sat down next to her. Shuffling up next to her he slid his arm round her shoulder and she rested her head on his shoulder.
"I could get used to being like this" as he kissed her head.
"So could I" as she rested a hand on his stomach and cuddled up to him.
Laurel came out carrying a tray with 3 coffees on and set them on the table.
"Room for a little one" as she sat on the other side of her dad and mirrored Merri as she lay her head on her dads shoulder and he slid his arm round her shoulder.
As they sat watching the sun slowly set Dwayne Pride couldn't have been happier. He was sat with the two most important people in his life either side of him. This was what memories were made of.
AN- I kept this short as I am hoping to wrap up in the next chapter and it will be all go so wanted to end on a cute bit.