Goodbye and Hello

These good fellows don't belong to me but I promise when I'm done to pick um up, dust um off and with a kiss on the cheek return them safely home.

"A happy family is but an early heaven." John Bowring.

Chapter 14

Roy was reeling from what Joanne was asking from him when angry, stomping footsteps came down the stairs. They both looked up to see the tear stained face of Chris.

Joanne was closest and moved towards him, "Chris."

But Chris was mad, "How can you say that? How can you tell him to not be a fireman anymore?!"

Roy was devastated for his son to overhear what was going on. He reached him in two long strides, "Chris, son"

Chris pushed Joanne away and ran to his father's arms, "Don't dad, don't do it. You're a fireman and I don't want you to be anything else. I love you dad. I want to grow up to be just like you."

Roy looked to Joanne as he held his son close, trying to comfort him, "Chris, calm down son. It's okay. Your mom and I are just talking right now okay? Nothing has been decided." He pulled him back to wipe the tears from his face. "Don't you want me to come home?"

Chris looked back to his mom with infuriated eyes, "You lied to us. You told us that dad had to work a special job and couldn't see us for a while, that he would join us later at our new house." He turned back to Roy. "Dad, please tell me what happened. Please don't lie to me."

Roy stood up and pulled him to the couch, then pulled him right up to his knees. He didn't even look at Joanne. "Chris a couple of months ago I was hurt in a fire. Johnny saved my life and got me out but I had to spend some time in the hospital. Your mom was very upset at seeing me hurt and didn't want you guys to be upset too so she let me get healed up before coming back to see me. I'm all well now okay. It's all in the past but right now me and your mom have to decide what is best for us and you and Jenn next."

Chris continued to cry, "She can't ask that of you. It's not fair. Please dad, I don't want to go back to that other house. I want to stay at home. Please dad, don't make me go back."

Roy was now torn. A huge part of him felt that it was his job to do whatever it took to keep his family together.

"Chris, look at me." He pulled him closer by the shoulders and spoke in a firm voice.

"Yes sir," Chris heaved those deep breaths as he tried to stop crying.

"Your mom and I will decide what to do and it will be what we think is best for you and Jenny okay?"

Chris just nodded.

"I don't know what that will be right at this minute but you will do what you're told, do you understand that?" Roy knew that Chris would respond to his authority.

"Yes sir," he said quietly.

Roy pulled him close and gave him a big hug, "Now run upstairs and check on Jenny. I don't want her upset over any of this alright? She's too young and it wouldn't be fair to her."

"I will dad," Chris said as he went upstairs, refusing to look at his mother.

When Roy was sure he was out of earshot he turned to Joanne and spoke in a low voice, "Do you know what you're asking me to do?"

"Yes, I do. But it's the only way I can remained married to you and I can see that this doesn't need to be discussed with them in the house anymore. You know where I stand Roy. I am going to see my friend Maggie and will leave the kids with you. I'll be back before dinner to head back home with them."

Not waiting for an answer she spun on her heels and headed out the door.

Roy made a quick phone call then headed upstairs and found them both in Jenny's room playing.

"Hey guys, get your shoes on. I have a surprise for you."

Chris knew where they were going almost right away. He knew the path to Johnny's place but the look on his dad's face told him to keep it a secret for Jenny as long as possible. When they pulled up she saw the white Rover and knew right away where they were.

She made a big exaggerated gasp, "Daddy! Do we get to see Unkle Johnny?"

He just smile, "Yes Mame."

Jenny just giggled as she jumped out of the car and ran up the stairs to his door.

Roy sat back and watched Johnny trying to juggle both kids that were vying for his attention full force. He laughed when Jenny decided to climb up his back for a piggy back ride. "Need some help there Junior?"

Johnny just laughed, "Did you feed them sugar the whole way?"

Chris was now climbing on the other side of him trying to pull Jenny off so he would have a turn. Johnny was just thrilled to see the big smile on his friends face. Having these two around again brought back that twinkle in his eyes, a sign of the old Roy coming back.

"Okay you two, go get a drink and a snack. You know where they are," Johnny told them. He was DYING to ask Roy about Joanne but wouldn't while the kids were nearby. "Well?"

Roy knew that after what had happened he couldn't discuss any of it here. He just shook his head quickly, "Not here."

Johnny was disappointed but understood. Jenny came out and turned on the TV for some cartoons to settle down by while Chris sat in the chair next to them. Johnny watched him watching his dad. It was an intent stare that Johnny didn't know how to interpret.

"So what do you guys want to do today?" Johnny asked them.

They both turned around, Jenny spoke first. "Unkle Johnny can we go to the beach today?"

Johnny turned to Roy and shrugged, "What do you think daddy?"

"Sure why not. We can run by the house and get ready then have a couple of hours at the beach," Roy said. He wanted to savor every moment he had with them, not knowing what would come next for his family.

Jenny played in the shallow surf with Roy holding her hand. She loved the ocean but wasn't very brave in it. He glanced back to see Johnny and Chris making a sand castle together. The weather was perfect and Roy just couldn't ask for a better day with his kids.

"Chris, use that can. It will make a great turret," Johnny said.

He looked up to see Chris watching his dad again.

"Chris is everything okay?" He asked, not trying to pry but obviously something was bothering the boy.

"Uncle Johnny do you think dad would do it?"

Johnny tried to not sound lost in the conversation, "Do what Chris?"

"Stop being a fireman." Chris looked at him for an answer.

"What makes you think he would stop?"

"My mom. I heard her tell him that the only way he could stay with us and her was if he stopped working at the fire station."

Johnny's heart fell to his knees. That's what she wanted all along and now she was going to get her way. He looked out into the surf and watched Roy beam with joy as he lifted Jenny up high and the lowered her to splash in the waves. He laughed at every giggle she made. Roy loved his kids. He loved them that much. Johnny knew then what his decision would be. A part of him wanted to argue and make him stay. To stay doing what he loved with all his heart. But another part of him knew it was still just a job and he was just a friend. They were a part of him. He should make them his priority no matter how much it hurt his own heart. He would never ask Roy to choose him over his family.

Suddenly being at the beach seemed like such a bad idea and he wanted to go home but he couldn't find it in himself to interrupt his time with Jenny. They were just having too much fun.

The ride home was full of laughing and bouncing for the kids and Roy but Johnny sat quietly and Roy noticed the change in mood immediately.

"You okay Junior?"

Johnny smiled, "Sure, just tired." He laughed, "Those wild children of yours wore me out."

Jenny leaned forward in the seat, "Unkle Johnny need a nap?"

Roy laughed out loud, "I think so Jenny."

Roy pulled up to the house first because he knew that they were running late and Joanne would be waiting. There was also a part of him that wanted Johnny to be around, like a second defense wall of security for him.

She was waiting on the porch, looking none too happy. Jenny and Chris climbed out of the car and ran up to her inundating her with ….mom can't we stay a little longer, mom…do we have to go now, …mom can we spend the night.

She shook her head to them all, "You two have school tomorrow and we have to get back home."

Chris looked at her, "This is my home."

Roy walked up to him, "Remember what we talked about Chris? It will be okay, I will see you again soon."

They both went inside to get changed, no longer giddy and excited but quiet and solemn. Johnny had climbed out of the car but felt awkward.

"Johnny and I took them to the beach. Sorry we're running late."

Joanne looked over to Johnny and felt at a loss for words. She did feel bad about what had happened that night but a greater feeling of identity followed him. He was linked to Roy through the fire department and she knew that he would use all his power to talk Roy into staying. "Johnny," she said coldly.

That night came rushing back to him full force. How horrible he felt physically and mentally, her pushing him then walking off. What was he suppose to say to Roy? Hello and welcome back or goodbye my friend?

For now he chose to not answer her and Roy realized that the tension between them was palpable. It took him by surprise thinking how they had always treated Johnny as family, including Joanne. What happened between them ran deep and Roy was just beginning to realize how hard his decision would be. He only hoped she knew that leaving the station did not mean leaving his friends behind.

He stepped between them, "Jo, I think you owe Johnny an apology."

She looked at him like he had lost his mind, "What for? For trying to make a decision that was best for my family?"

Johnny was mad now, "How can asking him to make that kind of decision be the best for his family?"

She took a defensive pose, "This doesn't involve you Johnny. Keep out of it."

Roy had had enough now, "Johnny is part of this family even if you seemed to have forgotten about that so I expect you to apologize to him for that night." Roy's voice boomed with rising anger that almost startled Joanne and Johnny both.

"I didn't handle it right Johnny. I was upset and I am sorry for what I did to you," she said with annoyance in her tone.

"I don't care about an apology Joanne. That night is done and over with. A lot has happened since then that you chose to not be around for."

Roy could see things getting out of hand rapidly, "Johnny wait for me in the car." He turned to him and his eyes softened, "Please."

Johnny turned on his heels and went back to the car. He would keep his mouth shut, for now.

Roy turned on Joanne with swift and mighty fury, "If I ever hear you talk to him that way again you will regret ever coming back down here. Johnny is just as much my family as anyone else. It was him that saved me from that building and him that helped me get well enough to even make it back to work. What I decide will never leave him or my other friends behind."

Joanne took a couple of steps back, "I'm sorry Roy. I didn't mean to hurt him anymore. I just think if you choose to put this job behind you then you will need to put everything associated with it behind you too."

He glared at her, "That will never happen. No matter what I decide."

They both stopped talking as the kids came running out the door grabbing Roy and hugging him closely.

"Bye daddy," Jenny cried.

"It's okay honey. I will see you again soon. I promise." He picked her up and hugged her tightly. Putting her down he reached out for Chris and pulled him close in a hug. Chris took the opportunity to whisper in his ear, "Please don't do it dad."

Roy stood back and rustled his hand through Chris's thick dark hair, "It'll be okay son."

Without further words she climbed into the car while Roy rejoined Johnny in his car. He looked over to the depressed looking man.

"I'm sorry Johnny that you had to find out this way," Roy said.

Johnny looked at him, "its okay Roy. I understand why you would leave."

Roy just smiled, "That anxious for me to leave are ya?"

"Of course not, but it's the only way to keep the kids close to you," Johnny said back.

"Don't count me out yet Junior. I haven't made a decision just yet."