Two updates inside a month. Must be a record of some kind.

Chapter 15

The explosion was not unexpected. "Can't see?" he shouted. "My daughter is not blind."

"I didn't say she was blind," Penelope said, trying to stay calm.

"We've been living together for over a month," he said. "I would know if she had a problem like that."

"Sir, if you'd let me explain," she said, trying to calm him down.

"I think you'd better," he glared, "and fast."

"Sir, do you realize how bad my eyesight is?" she asked.

"Wha...?" he asked, confused. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Without these babies and my others," she said, pulling off her glasses, "I can't see anything but blobs and blurs. I can't see to read, hell, I can't see the words on a page." She put her glasses back on. "I think Skylar has the same problem." She took a deep breath. "I wouldn't say something like this if I didn't think there was a problem." She reached across the table and took his hand. "I know I can be overly dramatic sometimes but not with something like this. You're my friend and Skylar is a wonderful girl. I wouldn't do that to either of you."

"What's your proof?" he asked.

"We were at Wal-Mart. She had trouble distinguishing some of the characters on the clothes we were looking at," she said. "At first, I thought she just didn't know some of the characters. There were several other times but it came to head in the toy section. We were looking at the coloring books. She picked up a couple of coloring books. I suggested she get one that looked like Mudgie and other dogs." She took a deep breath. "She picked out one that had a cat on the front."

Dave leaned back and took a deep breath then let it out slowly. "How could I miss something like that?" he asked. "I've seen her color before. She pointed out a dog to me." He lowered his head. "It was a book about a boy and his dog. I remember the cover," he said. "I guess I need to add an ophthalmologist to that list of doctors."

Just then, Skylar walked into the room and over to the table. "Penelope said you got a coloring book with Mudgie on it," he said and she nodded. "Why don't you show it to me?" She scampered out of the room. She returned a minute later with book and laid it on the table. There was indeed a cat on the front. "Do you have a marker?" he asked Penelope. She dug in her purse and handed him a pink one. Opening the coloring book to the last page, he turned it sideways. He printed out 'SKYLAR ROSSI' across the top half of the page. "Can you copy what I just wrote for me?" he asked, turning the page towards the little girl and handing her the marker.

There was no movement or sound in the kitchen for what seemed like hours. Finally, Dave turned Skylar to look at him. "Sweetheart, can you see what's on the page?" he asked. She wouldn't look at him as she shook her head. He pulled the little girl to him and hugged her. "It's alright," he said. "We'll get it taken care of, I promise. You'll be able to see in no time."

Mrs. Nichols walked into the kitchen. "The prodigals have returned," she smiled. "Skylar, do you want to help me with dinner?" The little girl nodded slightly. The housekeeper could tell something was wrong and she looked at her employer. He shook his head.

"Penelope, would you care to stay for dinner?" Dave asked.

"No, thanks," Penelope said. "I think I'll head home and put my feet up."

"Don't tell me you're tired," he said, mock shocked.

"Very funny," she smiled. "I actually have plans for this evening that involve movies and junk food and no males."

"So who just ended their relationship?" he smiled.

"No one," she said. "We're doing a dateless Saturday together."

"Say hello to Emily and JJ for me," he said.

"You got it."

Monday at the Rossi household was just a little chaotic. Dave spent most of the morning on the phone setting up appointments for Skylar. There was the pediatrician and the eye doctor and the therapist and the school official and the tutor. There was also a conversation with Maggie Cantrell about what was happening with his custody case.

They had barely finished lunch when the furniture arrived. It was placed in one of the downstairs bedrooms. It would be set up after the suite had been painted. Dave planned on asking the team over to help paint and decorate and would provide the food when they were finished.

Monday evening, Dave sat down in his den to make a phone call that was more important than any of the others he had made that day. He decided he'd rather do it in person. With a sigh, he picked up the phone and dialed a number.

"Hello," a woman's voice said.

"Hi, Mom," he said.

"Who is this?" she asked, her accent as thick as when she immigrated from Italy. "This could not possibly be my son, the one who never calls his momma."

"Very funny, Mom," he smiled. "How are you?"

"I'll live," she said.

"Listen, I was wondering if you'd like to come down on Wednesday for a short visit," he said. He began playing with a paper clip on his desk. "You could fly home on Sunday."

"You are on vacation?" she asked.

"Something like that." he said.

"David, there is something you are not telling me," she said. "Is there something wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, I promise," he assured her. "I do have something to tell you but I would rather do it in person."

"You are getting married again," she said, skeptical.

"No, I am not getting married again," he said.

"Should I bring the rest of the family?

"Under no circumstances are you to bring them," he told her. "It's been hectic enough around here without adding them to the mix."

"Alright," she said. "I will come visit."

"I'll send you the flight info," he said. "Love you, Momma."

"I love you, too."

His second call that evening was to Hotch. "What's going on, Dave?" he asked.

"If you don't catch a case, I was wondering if you and the rest of the mob would like to come over on Saturday for a little paint party," Dave said.

"You're going to have to bribe them," Hotch said.

"I promise to include food and copious amounts of alcohol," Dave added.

"That should do it," Hotch said. "I will ask them and let you know."

"Bring Jack with you and tell JJ to bring Will and Henry."

"Will do."

Dave was having a little trouble the next morning at the pediatrician's office. He was filling out the medical forms for Skylar and he kept having to check her file from the institute he'd brought with him but even that didn't have all the answers he needed. He did the best he could then turned it back in. After about fifteen minutes, they were called back. Skylar's weight and height were taken then they were placed in a room.

"Hello," the woman who called them said with a very large smile. "I'm Janelle and I'm your nurse today." She pulled a gown from one of the drawers and set it on the exam table. "If you'll go ahead and put this on, you can leave your underwear on, and I'll be back in a few minutes to get your vital signs." She gave them a smile then left the room.

"That is an example of entirely too happy," Dave said. Skylar nodded and began to undress. Once she was done, Dave lifted her up and set her on the table.

Janelle walked back into the room. "Alright," she said. "I'm going to take your blood pressure, temperature, pulse and respiration. After that, I'm going to take some blood. That's going to hurt a little but I'll make it as quick as I can, okay?" Skylar grimaced at that.

Ten minutes later, Janelle was through and left the room. "You okay?" Dave asked. Skylar gave him a 'Duh' look and showed him the bandage on her arm. "Sorry about that," he said. "Hopefully, that's as bad as it gets."

The door opened and another woman walked in. "I'm Dr. Harris," she said, giving them a smile. "How are you two today?"

"We are hoping that the blood letting was as bad as it gets," Dave said.

"Well, as long as the vaccinations are up to date, we should bed able to avoid the needles," the doctor said.

The exam was very thorough. Thirty minutes later, the doctor was finished. She pronounced Skylar very healthy and there was no need for any more needles. Dr. Harris told Dave barring any illness, she wouldn't need to see the little girl for another year. That made everyone happy.

The afternoon eye appointment wouldn't go as well.

TBC...

FTR, the eye diagnosis is a true one. It's part mine and part the internet except my doctor won't let me have contacts because I'm a diabetic.

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