Finding You Again

Chapter Seventeen

"How long have I be waiting to be with you again? Gonna tell you that I love you in the best way that I can. I can't take a day without you here. You're the light that makes my darkness disappear."

When You Look Me in the Eyes by The Jonas Brothers (Hollywood Records) from S.O.S.

Vanessa was worrying about Joline when the phone rang. "Hello?" she answered breathlessly, hoping beyond hope that it was news—good news—about her daughter.

"Van, it's Frank."

"Any news?"

"The kids are fine, Van." Vanessa let out a breath that had seemed like she'd been holding since Joline and Darren disappeared. "But can you meet us at Bayport General?"

Despite his request to meet them at the hospital, Frank sounded happier than he had since Joe had died. Still, the meeting place seemed to be an ominous sign. "Are they okay?"

"I just said, they're fine. I'm here with someone else. He's going into surgery in a few minutes, but before he conks out completely, I think you'd like to see him."

Vanessa rolled her eyes. "Frank, now I understand what Joe meant when he used to complain about how obnoxious you are when you keep secrets. But okay, I'll be there."

Joe gripped the metal edges of the hospital bed tightly. "Frank, I don't think I'll be able to do this."

"What, face Vanessa again after all these years or hold off the implant until we can get it removed?" Frank wanted to know.

Joe swallowed. "Both."

Frank took his brother's hand. "I'll be here with you, Joe. I'm telling you, you can do this. I'll be with you. Just think about everything you have to look forward to."

"But what if Jo was wrong? What if Van doesn't love me anymore?"

"Joe?" Vanessa stood in the doorway, her face ghostly pale. She stared at her husband, her knees weak and stomach fluttering. Tears filled her lovely grey eyes.

"Vanessa...?" Joe said hesitantly.

Without another word, Vanessa flew across the room and into her husband's waiting arms.

Frank smiled. "I guess you have your answer, Little Brother."

Twenty-four hours later, the entire family was at Fenton and Laura's house, celebrating Joe's miraculous return. Everything had gone well after Vanessa had shown up. Inspired with a new-found confidence, Joe had warded off the electrical circuits for two whole minutes while the surgeons had removed the implant. He was safe. The Assassins Superior held nothing above him anymore.

Callie and Frank sat in the love seat, holding hands. Fenton was in his favorite chair, a comfy recliner. Laura sat in the floor, playing Uno with Darren and Joey. Joe sat in between Vanessa and Joline. Little Jessi Marie was on his lap. "So you're my Uncle Joe?" she said, crinkling her little nose. She grinned. "You look a lot older than I thought you would."

Joe gasped, feigned anger and shock, and said, "Are you calling me...old?"

"NO! Noooo..." Jessi Marie shrieked as Joe tickled her. She was giggling madly.

Fenton sat up. "Joe?"

Joe looked up at his father, his eyes bright. "Yeah?"

"I talked to Arthur Gray a few minutes ago. Thanks to what you've told us about the Assassins Superior, the leader, along with several other assassins, were caught. But not all. Joe, you could still be in danger. The ones that escaped will probably come after you for revenge."

Joe grinned that lopsided grin and stroked Jessi Marie's silky curls. He then pulled Joline close and kissed his wife on the cheek. "Let'em come," he said cheerfully. "I think I've got more than enough to keep me safe right here."

The End

Next Story in The Next Generation of Hardys...

"Resurrecting Relationships"

~Emachinescat ^..^