Been a while since I updated this story. I apologize. I was busy writing my other fic. But here's one finally and I hope you guys like it. Forgive me for my errors. Happy reading!
Disclaimer : All characters belong to Shonda, I'm simply playing with them.
"Like I said Dr. Robbins, not a problem. Those kids were a pleasure" Major Lennox smiled as he walked out onto the porch. "And I wouldn't be surprised if they pestered you to bring them here more often from now on" He took the final few steps down the porch and then turned back to us as we stood in the doorway.
I laughed. "I see. So they've been allowed to run wild today, huh?" But the question is more for my father than for the young Major.
"Wild?" my father scoffs. "They were just troopers having a field day" he replies grinning. My kids have softened the hard-core military man, I used to know.
Major Lennox laughs politely at that before standing up straighter and pulling back his shoulders "Colonel" he says addressing my father "if there isn't anything more, shall I take leave Sir?"
My father nods his head as he slowly leans forward in his chair and extends his hand out. The young Major quickly climbs up a step or two and takes his proffered hand. "Thank you, Lennox." He adds. The Major beams. "Always a pleasure Colonel." So saying he lightly bends his head first towards my father then towards me, then smartly turns on his heels and walks towards his car parked on the drive-way.
"Good Night Major!" two yells ring out from the upper-storey window facing the drive-way. "Thank You, Sir" in Sofia's sing-song voice follows a second later. Major Lennox looks up and waves up to the children on the window. "Be good troopers. And sleep well" he gives them a little salute.
"Sir, Yes Sir!" rings out before their giggling is heard.
As the car pulls out of the drive-way I call up to them "Sof, Tim, 2 minutes. Quickly clean yourselves up and come down for dinner. Granma's made your favourite." We can hear Timmy's squeals before the pattering of feet across the floor. My father and I share a laugh as I wheel him back into the house.
"I can do it myself Arizona" he says in a clipped tone and I retrace my hands and bite my lips. His pushes the buttons on the handle and expertly manoeuvres his wheelchair around and turns it in the direction of the dining room. "A marine never gives up! Never gives up!" he chants more to himself than to me.
I know that he's capable of doing it all by himself, but would it hurt him to let us help him sometimes? I don't really ask that out loud. I've never really questioned my father, never ever. And there are times when I'm infuriated by his strong-headedness but I never tell him that. And in all honesty, I like to see him strong, or at least act strong anyway. Watching him wheelchair bound, is as difficult for me to watch as difficult it is for him to live it.
So as always I say nothing and he wheels himself to the dining table as my mother and Callie set the table. "It smells wonderful" I comment as I walk into the room myself. My mother smiles "I cooked the fish today the way Callie taught me." She shares a look with her daughter-in-law. "It's turned out brilliantly" she says as she carries a bowl of salad in one hand and freshly baked bread in another.
"Ah, Barbara I know it's turned out brilliantly because of the little tweak you made to it in the end" Callie replies graciously. "I don't know why I didn't think of trying it earlier." She adds as she settles down in the chair on the opposite end as my father.
"We have no idea what you girls are talking about, but we are definitely looking forward to enjoying our meal" my dad winks lightly at me before picking up his napkin and adjusting it around his neck. Because of the lack of co-ordination in his fingers, he fumbles and immediately my mum comes over to help him out with it. When he begins to mumble his irritation about it she cuts him off "Oh Daniel, you were fumbling with your napkins and ties even before your illness, and you needed me then as much as you need me now. So stop being a child and just sit and enjoy your dinner."
I share a look of mirth with Callie. She covers up her chuckle with her hand. My mum is the only person in the world who can scold The Colonel and shut him up.
"So did the kids tire you out, Colonel?" Callie asks changing the topic to one he likes to talk about. And she gets the desired effect. Dad forgets all about his earlier rush of complaints and gives up his irritation in order to talk about his coveted grandchildren.
"Tire me out?" he questions, raising his eyebrows. "Not even three wars could tire me out." He adds, his chest involuntarily broadening. "But they ran around so much today, I won't be surprised if they fall asleep the minute they hit their bunks." He chuckles.
"Beds." My mum corrects him as she settles down. "Where are they anyway? Aren't they done yet?"
"Troopers" my dad bellows from his seat. "March in for your dinner"
And almost in answer to his call we hear the great commotion on the stairs as the two race down.
"No running" Callie calls out. And they immediately stop but excitedly half-march half-skip into the room and quickly scamper up into their seats- Sofia beside me, and Timmy on the opposite side beside my mother.
"Did you clean your hands nicely?" my mother questions and both wiggle their hands for her to show her that they are clean.
"After dinner, a quick hot bath and then off to bed ok?" Callie tells them as she starts serving out food.
"Yes Mami" they both quickly assent. But Timmy adds after pausing for a heartbeat "But that's after the cake right?" and he looks innocently from his mami to me.
"Stupid, you spoilt the surprise!" Sofia admonishes him and all I can do is chuckle. My mother smiles as she runs a loving hand through his hair as he sits there pouting, realizing his slip "It's ok honey"
"Oh is it my birthday cake?" my dad perks up from his end of the table. "Is that why I was kept out of the house all day?" His eyes are twinkling with mirth as he looks around the table.
"It's your b'day today dad, who else would the cake be for?" I tell him as I put food on his plate. "And you were out of the house because you love to, no one deliberately kept you out" I roll my eyes.
"Yes Daniel, you had more fun playing Drill Sergeant than the kids themselves" my mum added.
"So what did you guys do today?" Callie asked as she sipped her wine and that was enough impetus for our 12 year old and 9 year old to start chattering through the entire dinner, telling us all about their day. From visiting the museum, to talking to soldiers and war veterans and watching them play pool and cards, to getting a helicopter ride before watching the soldiers complete the obstacle courses. There was no dearth for talk on the dinner table. And it was surprising, that unlike the olden days, my father not only did he not scold us for talking while eating; he actively participated in giving his own version of the events.
"Tim completed his obstacle course like a pro. All those young boys there were mighty surprised. But I wasn't. Uhun, me, I knew he my grandson could do it." He beamed at Tim proudly.
Tim grinned with spinach stuck between his teeth "I beat Sofia." He proudly proclaimed.
Sofia huffed "That's only because I didn't want to get all dirty rolling in the mud" She stuck out her tongue. I ran a hand down her back. I knew how highly competitive Sofia was and exactly how upset she got when she didn't win on the first go itself.
"But Sofia knew all the answers during the history quiz at the museum earlier, didn't she?" my dad said, looking equally proud of his grand-daughter.
"Sofia is so smart" My mother beamed. "I heard you got an A+ on that science project you submitted. What was it on?"
Sofia accepted the compliment "The human body." She tossed her hair back in typical Callie-fashion. Then she chuckled at her own silliness "With all the doctors around it was only natural" she shrugged her shoulders.
"But you did work hard on it" Callie reminds her.
"Yep" she nods her head and her ponytail bounces up and down. "And next time I'll beat you at the obstacle course." She challenges Timmy.
Timmy snickers "Ok Geek. Its game on!" and he holds out his fork like a sword, Sofia clashes hers against his.
"That's like my troopers" my father proclaims.
"You think I'd make a good soldier Grandpa? Can I get all the medals like you did?" Timmy asks excitedly between mouthfuls of food and almost instantly an eerie chill befalls the table.
I see an older version of my Timmy sitting on the dinner table, on a similar evening and announcing how he had been recruited into the marines, and I can still vividly recall my dad enveloping him in a hug. The only time he's hugged my brother Timothy. And Timothy asking him with a boyish grin on his face "Do you think I'll be as good as you dad?" And dad looking at him with pride filled tears glistening in his eyes "No. You'll be better."
Tim had gone on to become a decorated marine. And now, he was gone. Truly irrevocably gone. And there was no way in Hell, I would lose another Tim, my baby, to the glories of war.
My "No" rang out sharper than I expected.
"Arizona" Callie said softly, waiting for me to look into her eyes. Even though she looked a shade paler than usual, she shook her head and offered me a little smile. She didn't want me spoiling this happy occasion. But this was my baby who wanted to go to war. I looked at the blond, who sat there with a confused expression on his face. Sofia too was looking at me curiously.
It was my father who spoke out "You already are a soldier, Timmy boy." He smiled, although his eyes were as wet as mine. "Come here" Timmy dropped his fork on his plate and slowly made his way over to his grandpa who held him close to himself.
"A Robbins is a born soldier. We are good men in the storm. We don't have to be fighting a war to prove that we are good soldiers. We fight our daily battles with our head held high. We fight for the causes we believe in, for the people we love and for justice. You learn to do that and you will become a soldier." Timmy was looking at him rapt with attention. "Just like your mothers. They are soldiers. Every day they strive to do the right thing and save lives, give happiness to so many people." Here he briefly paused to look at Callie and me. "A soldier, Timmy, is one who gives himself up for others." He ruffles his hair lightly and kisses him on his forehead. "Sofia," he calls out my daughter. Sofia rises from her seat and walks over to her grandpa, who envelops her in a hug with his other hand. "You and Tim, I want you guys to be soldiers, to be good men in the storm. Promise me, you will do that." He looks from Sofia to Tim. As Sofia whispers a "Promise" and hugs her grandpa Timmy takes the cue and does the same.
I wipe away the tears that are threatening to fall from my eyes and look at Callie. She extends her hand and takes mine in hers. She wipes the edges of her eyes as well.
"There there. I think it's time to bring out the cake" my mother says, standing up abruptly and turning away before we can catch her crying. "I'll help." Callie says standing up and following my mother to the kitchen.
I look down when my dad reaches out his hand to me. I entangle his fingers in mine and give him a sad smile. I know how much he misses Timmy, I do too. I hear shuffling in the kitchen and it's is only later in the night that Callie reveals to me that she held my mum as she cried.
Minutes elapsed before the two finally emerged from the kitchen holding an assiduously baked chocolate cake with brightly lit candles and placed it on the table in front of my dad. With his grandchildren standing on either side of him and surrounded by the rest of us, my father takes a moment before blowing out the candles.
"Callie" he begins in a sincere voice, "Thank you for giving me these lovely gems and for taking care of my little girl" he says as he looks at her. Callie is initially surprised but she squeezes his shoulder "Always Colonel"
He then turns towards me "Arizona, thank you, for being the good man in the storm and letting me believe that I could be a hero" I wasn't prepared for his emotional speech today so all I can do is utter "dad." He was, is and will always be my hero-wheelchair bound or not. I place a wet kiss on his forehead.
"And finally Barbara, for loving me enough and accepting me" he looks up at my mum who is now openly letting her tears fall and extends his hand. "Oh Daniel, You were always such a romantic!" she lets out a small laugh. She takes his proffered hand and he draws it to himself and kisses it lightly.
Sofia giggles and Timmy squirms, and that draws my father's attention back to the cake "And troopers, I'll need your help to blow out the candle. You ready?" He asks, his voice charged with emotion. The children excitedly nod their head. "So on the count of 3" he says as he draws them closer to himself and all three bend their heads forward.
"1..2..3!"
How was the new installment? You know I love listening from you :) Thanks for Reading, love-G
P.S- I have the plots for the next chapter already in place. Keep checking out this space for new chapters to be (hopefully) added soon! :D