Let Your Heart Hold Fast

Chapter 42

Peter was finally discharged from the hospital a week later and was extremely anxious to go home. He was tired of hospital food, hospital noises, and hospital gowns. He was looking forward to sitting in his own chair, wearing his own comfortable clothes, sleeping in his own bed, and eating his wife's delicious cooking.

Peter was surprised at the sense of homesickness that had completely consumed him while he was in the hospital. He realized how much of his life he had taken for granted for so long and made a promise to himself that he would, from that day forward, look at each breath he took as a gift. He and Elizabeth had built a beautiful life together and he would appreciate and cherish every aspect of it for as long as he could.

Elizabeth had noticed a sense of peace settle over her husband on the drive home from the hospital. She had a feeling that Peter had finally realized how close he came to dying from the recent events- a realization that had permeated her every thought since the attack. Without knowing it, her thoughts were mirroring Peter's the entire ride home. They were so very fortunate to get another chance and she vowed to always be grateful for everything in her life.

Neal was just happy to have his Daddy back. Since sneaking into his room that day, Neal had stayed by Peter's side as much as he could. Richard Burke had to physically remove Neal from his son's bedside on numerous occasions, which always caused quite a commotion. The worst part, though, was that Neal had refused to eat or drink anything unless he was sitting next to Peter in the hospital bed.

Now that they were finally on their way home, Neal sat in his booster seat in the back, his eyes never leaving Peter. The little boy had become extremely clingy, which didn't really surprise any of them, although it did make things a little harder for Peter. Once they entered the house, Elizabeth made sure that Peter was comfortable in his favorite recliner before heading upstairs to freshen up a bit. Neal had tried to climb in next to Peter, but Elizabeth told him that Peter would be more comfortable if he didn't. Instead, he sat on the sofa with a serious pout on his face.

By the time Elizabeth came back downstairs, Neal had wormed his way up into the chair next to Peter and they were both sound asleep. Elizabeth thought about moving him so Peter could rest more comfortably, but after seeing the look of contentment on both of their faces, she decided to just leave him there. Instead, she grabbed her phone and took several pictures of father and son.

Peter's recovery was slow, but steady. After three weeks of taking it relatively easy, he was finally able to go back to work. Of course, he had to promise Elizabeth that he would only be sitting behind his desk doing paperwork.

Neal didn't take Peter's return to work very well at all. He had become accustomed to having Peter at home every day and really didn't want that to change.

"Daddy, I don't want you to go back to work," he said for the twentieth time.

"I have to, Neal. I'm all better now, so it's time to go back."

"But, I don't want you to," Neal whined.

"I know, little man, but I don't have a choice. I have to pay the bills, remember?"

"We don't need bills, then, Daddy. "

Peter laughed at that. If only it were that easy.

"Neal, we have to have money to live, bud. If I don't go to work, I don't get any money, and I need money to buy food and clothes and the stuff that we need."

Neal looked thoughtfully at Peter before running out of the room.

Later on that evening, Peter and Elizabeth were surprised to hear a knock on the door. They were even more surprised to find Richard, Nancy, Robert, and Tina standing on their porch.

"Mom? Dad? What are you all doing here?" Elizabeth asked in surprise.

The four adults exchanged nervous looks before walking into the living room.

"We just came to check on Peter," Nancy Burke answered. "How is everything going?"

"Everything's fine," Elizabeth said suspiciously. "The doctor cleared Peter to go back to work in the morning, actually."

"That's great, son," Richard said. "Are you sure you're up to it?"

"I'm fine, dad. In fact, I think it will be good to get back into the swing of things."

Richard, Nancy, Robert, and Tina exchanged looks again, making Peter and Elizabeth realize that something was going on. Before either of them could ask, Tina spoke up.

"It's awfully quiet around here. Where's Neal?"

"He's upstairs in his room. The last time I checked on him, he was drawing," Elizabeth answered. "I'll go get him."

"Just a minute, Elizabeth," her father interrupted. "We'd like to talk to you and Peter first."

This time it was Peter and Elizabeth that were exchanging nervous looks. "What's going on, Dad?" Elizabeth asked. "Did something happen?"

Robert cleared his throat before answering. "Liz, you know you can come to us with any problems, right? Your mom and I will always help you in any way we can and I know that Richard and Nancy feel the same way."

"We know that, Dad,' Elizabeth answered.

"You don't have to be embarrassed to ask for help, either," Tina added. "We're all family here."

"What in the world is going on?" Elizabeth asked.

"Honey, we know that recent events haven't been easy on any of you. That's why we've all been staying close by. We all wanted to be here for you if you ever needed anything."

"And we really appreciate that, mom. You guys have all been so helpful, especially with Neal."

"That's what grandparents are for," Nancy Burke answered.

"We can also help with other things," Richard said. After a pause, he continued. "Like helping with your finances, if need be."

Peter and Elizabeth shared a confused look. "What makes you think we need help financially?" Peter asked.

"It's nothing to be embarrassed about, son," Richard answered. "We all know that you and Elizabeth are extremely hard working, but recent events were unforeseeable. There's no shame in asking for help."

"What makes you think that we need help?" Peter asked. "We're doing fine. Elizabeth's business is doing great and I've been receiving short-term disability while recuperating."

Now, it was the four grandparents that shared a confused look.

"What is going on?" Elizabeth asked again. "What made you all think that we needed financial help?"

"Well," Tina started. "We got a call early this afternoon from Neal. He told us that Peter told him that you needed money to pay the bills and to get food. We didn't realize that you were having money trouble."

"We received the same call," Nancy said. "We had no idea that you were financially stressed, either."

"We're not financially stressed!" Peter exclaimed. "In fact, the only stress I feel is when a certain little five year old, who's too smart for his own good, decides to take matters into his own hands."

Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh at what was going on. "What in the world did you say to him to make him think that we needed money, Peter?"

"He was upset that I have to go back to work tomorrow. I told him that I had to work because we needed money to pay the bills and to buy what we needed to live. That's all. I never said anything about not having enough money to support this family."

"Thank God!" Nancy exclaimed. "I was so worried about you all."

Peter slowly stood up, but was stopped by his wife.

"Where are you going, Peter?"

"I'm going upstairs to have a word with our meddlesome little boy," Peter stated.

"Oh, no you're not, Peter. He was only trying to help," Elizabeth answered.

Peter growled as he slowly sat back down. "How did he know how to call you anyway?" he asked.

"I showed him how to speed dial our numbers while you were in the hospital, Peter," Nancy explained. "I thought that he should know how to call us in case of an emergency."

"Apparently, he doesn't know what constitutes an emergency," Peter growled.

This statement seemed to make Nancy Burke angry, much to Peter's chagrin. "Now, you listen here, young man! Neal might have misunderstood what you said to him, but I think it was rather smart of him to figure out a solution to the perceived problem. I'll not have you being mad at him for trying to help."

Peter blushed at his mother's scolding. He was always amazed that his parents could still make him feel like a disobedient child and he half expected his mother to drag him to the corner by the ear.

After talking over a few more things, Elizabeth finally went upstairs to retrieve Neal. Walking down the stairs, Neal was overcome with excitement at the sight of his grandparents. He jumped into Richard Burke's lap first, smothering him in hugs and kisses before making his way to the other grandparents. Once he had greeted them all, he snuggled in between his two grandmothers.

"Daddy? You don't have to go to work now, right? You can stay with me every day now."

The grown-ups couldn't help but smile at the look of pride on Neal's face. Peter still looked a little annoyed, but his annoyance couldn't stand up to Neal's exuberance. Instead, he felt a sadness overcome him at the realization that he would still have to burst Neal's bubble of satisfaction.

"Neal, I still have to work, buddy. It's not right to expect someone else to pay our bills. That's my job. And mommy's."

"But, I want you to stay with me, Daddy," Neal pouted.

"I know you do, buddy, but you're going to have to cowboy up, okay? I have to go to work, but I'll be home with you every night and on weekends." Peter hated to think what would happen when he couldn't be home at night or on weekends because of a case, but he figured he would just cross that bridge when he came to it.

"I don't wanna cowboy up, daddy. And I still hate bills!"

"Me, too, buddy," Peter answered. "Me, too."

Things had finally settled down for the Burke family, but it wasn't long before another issue started. Peter had been back to work for a month and luckily any residual effects of the attack had vanished. Elizabeth had been extremely busy lately with the planning of several different Spring weddings and events, as her business was really doing well.

Neal had settled into his routine again, much to Peter's delight. Unfortunately, that delight was short-lived when Neal began exhibiting signs of increased stubbornness and willfulness. It started one evening when Peter was starting Neal's bath, something he did almost every night. For some reason, this night Neal insisted on doing it all by himself.

"Daddy, I can do it myself!" he exclaimed. "I'm almost six, remember?"

"I know you are, Neal, but this faucet is a little tricky. I want to make sure the water isn't too hot."

Neal didn't look happy about that, but he allowed Peter to adjust the water and fill the tub. Once the tub was filled, Peter turned around to find a still fully clothed Neal staring at him.

"Come on, bud. It's time to get out of those clothes and get in the tub."

"I can't take my clothes off with you here, Daddy," Neal said. "I'm almost six, remember? A man needs his piracy."

Peter couldn't help but laugh. "I think you mean privacy, Neal, not piracy. And you're not quite a man yet, kiddo."

"I'm almost a man," Neal said indignantly.

"Trust me, bud…..Almost doesn't count. Now, come on and get in the tub."

"I don't wanna!" Neal said. "Baths are stupid and I don't wanna take one every day. I didn't even get dirty today, see?" Neal held out both of his hands, but quickly hid his left one in his pocket after seeing a bunch of dirt under his fingernails.

"Neal, I'm not going to argue with you on this. It's time for your bath, little man, so take off your clothes and get in the tub." Peter's frustration was growing with every passing second. He really wanted to get this over with, so he could sit back and relax for a while.

Neal was about to argue some more, but changed his mind when he saw the growing frustration on Peter's face. "Fine," he said. "But, I need you to close your eyes so I can take off my clothes."

Peter quickly closed his eyes and didn't open them again until he heard Neal get into the tub. Once he was settled in the water, Peter started throwing some of his favorite toys in the tub. He was completely surprised when Neal stopped him.

"I don't want those, Daddy. I'm too old for toys now. I'm almost six, remember?"

Peter rubbed a hand over his face in frustration. He said a quick prayer that Neal would quickly outgrow this stage that he was in.

Unfortunately, it continued on into the evening, culminating into a big blow-up at bedtime. Neal continued to refuse to let Peter help him with anything. He washed his own hair, dried himself off, and picked out his own pajamas, after he refused to wear the Superman ones that Elizabeth had set out for him.

When it was time for bed, Neal immediately refused to go. "It's only eight o'clock, Mommy," he argued.

"Yes, it is," Elizabeth answered. "And that's your bedtime, remember?

"I'm almost six, Mommy, and that's almost growed- up. I don't wanna go to bed at eight."

"I'm sorry, sweetie, but that's your bedtime."

"Well, that's stupid and I hate it," Neal shouted.

"Neal George Caffrey-Burke, I'll not have you yelling at me, young man. Now, you can either go to bed or you can sit in the time-out chair. Your choice…."

"I don't like the time-out chair," Neal answered a little more quietly. "It's for babies!"

"No, it's not," Elizabeth said. "It's for naughty little boys who are getting a little too big for their britches."

Neal looked up at Elizabeth with a confused look on his face. "What are bitches, Mommy?"

Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh at Neal's misunderstanding and the adorable expression on his face. "Britches, sweetie" she corrected. After explaining to him what britches were, she led him upstairs to his room, still chuckling to herself.

Once he was in bed, Neal looked thoughtfully up at Elizabeth. "Mommy, don't you think that if I'm too big for my britches I should get to stay up longer? That must mean I'm all growed up now."

"That's not what it means at all, sweetie, but nice try. Now, scoot over so daddy can read you a story when he gets here."

Neal looked worriedly up at Elizabeth again. "Mommy? Being too big for my britches doesn't mean I'm too growed up for a story, does it?"

"Absolutely not, sweetie. I don't think you'll ever be too grown up for a story, do you?"

"I hope not," Neal answered. "I don't think Daddy would like that at all."

Peter climbed into bed next to his wife, utterly exhausted after reading Neal his story. Neal had decided that he was too old for any of the books on his shelf and insisted that Peter read to him from one of his FBI manuals. This, of course, resulted in Neal being completely bored during story time, which led to nonstop wriggling and numerous interruptions. Finally, Peter put the manual down and told Neal to go to sleep. Neal argued that he wasn't tired, even though every other sentence was punctuated by a yawn. Eventually, after being threatened with corner time and an even earlier bedtime the next day, Neal gave in and burrowed into his bed. Within a minute, his gentle breathing told Peter that he was sound asleep.

"What do you think is going on in that little head?" Peter asked his wife.

"I think he's just testing his boundaries, hon. We just need to be patient and consistent with him."

"I think he's going to drive me crazy, El. All of this talk about being all grown up. Where did he come up with that?"

"I have no idea, hon. But, it's adorable, isn't it?" Elizabeth asked with a smile.

"I think I could find a better term for it, El."

The struggle continued the next morning when Neal decided he was too "growed-up" to carry his Iron Man backpack. Fortunately, Elizabeth had a small backpack that she used whenever she went hiking, so she quickly cleaned it out and helped Neal to transfer his stuff into it.

Once they were at the school, Neal told Peter that he could walk himself into the classroom. After everything that had happened, Peter felt better accompanying the boy into the school, making sure that he arrived in his classroom safe and sound, but he knew that dropping Neal off at the door was really safe enough. There were teachers and parents everywhere.

Peter opened Neal's door and waited for him to unbuckle himself and climb out of the car. "Behave yourself, buddy, okay? And have a good day."

Peter bent down to give Neal a hug, but Neal stiffened. After looking around, Neal quickly gave Peter a hug and pulled away just as quickly. "Bye, Daddy," he whispered.

Peter watched sadly as Neal walked into the school. He looked so small compared to most of the other students and Peter couldn't help but think about everything they had all been through. He had a sudden urge to grab Neal and take him home with him, but quickly squashed that urge. Neal was growing up and Peter knew that he was going to have to come to terms with that, whether he wanted to or not.

Peter and Elizabeth had just sat down for lunch when both of their phones vibrated. Peter dug his out of his pocket and Elizabeth grabbed hers out of her purse. Within seconds, they both had read the text message they had received and then stared at each other in complete horror.

Author's note: I know, I know….My update schedule has completely sucked lately, and I'm really sorry. Even though I'm off work for two months, I'm finding it hard to write, maybe due to my elbow still hurting quite a bit.

I'm pretty sure the next chapter will be the last for this story, so I thought I'd leave you with one more evil cliffhanger. I should apologize, but I won't because I love cliffhangers, lol. I know there are some out there that don't, so I ask that you just bear with me one more time.

As always, I would love to hear your thoughts on this chapter and on the story as a whole. I've received some really nice reviews lately and I just want you to know that I appreciate them all so much. Take care, y'all.