Bare Fisted-Ch 10
Derek smiled as he heard a his day say, "it's me son, it's me", Derek threw his arms around his dad and held on tight, Derek said, "am I dead dad"?, Hank said, "no son". Derek said, "what's happening to me"?, Hank said, "right now you're having an out of body experience", Derek swallowed hard and said, "am I gonna die"?, Hank shook his head and said, "it's not your time Derek".
Hank smiled as he looked at Fran and said, "your mom is something else isn't she"?, Derek said, "she sure is dad, after you died she was mom and dad to us three kids". He turned his head to the side and said, "she gets more beautiful each day and I'm so glad that she's found happiness again with Dave".
Derek said, "he's not you dad", Hank said, "no, no he's not but he loves your mother as much as I do and as long as she's happy that's all that matters, right"?, Derek nodded his head and said, "true dad, very true". Hank then looked at Penelope and said, "you've got yourself quite an amazing woman there son".
Derek laughed and said, "I sure do, she never gave up hope on me dad and she's done such a great job raising our son", his father smiled and said, "I want you to know that I'm honored that she named him after me". Derek sighed and said, "I never knew about him dad, not until Penelope told me today or yesterday, whenever it was".
Hank said, "son right now you need to fight, you need to fight to come back to your mother, sisters, future wife and that handsome grandson of mine, not leaving out that amazing team of yours". Derek smiled and said, "I'm truly blessed dad, I have everything that a man could ask for".
He nodded his head and said, "that you do", Derek said, "dad am I going to be alright"?, Hank said, "I can't tell you to much but just know this, you, Penelope and your family are going to be fine". Derek said, "I love and miss you so much", Hank hugged his son and said, "I love and miss you to son, everyday but it's not your time, you need to stay here with the people that love you".
Derek smiled as his dad said, "son you've got a long and happy life ahead of you", he said, "you said my future wife earlier"?, Hank winked at him and said, "that I did, she's a spitfire and your match in every way". Derek looked at Penelope and said, "that she is, I've been in love with her for so long but things never worked out, not until a few months ago".
Hank said, "but things worked out for you that's the important thing", he then said, "son I have to go now", Derek said, "can't you stay just a little bit longer"?, he said, "I can't son, it's time for me to go but I'll always be with you, always". Derek watched as his father disappeared right in front of him.
He then felt himself being pulled back into his body, back to the pains of his injuries but back to the people that love him, a place that he wants to be for the rest of his life.