Chapter Nine
Fire Chief Officer Steele was waiting at the station for them to arrive. He had the results of their evaluation in his hand. "Team One you were able to work together in the beginning of the exam but it was not a wise decision for you to split off. In the future, I expect you guys to stay close to one another." He looked at the girls next. "Team Two did extremely well during the exam. Though I think one thing we all have to work on in this group is communication. There really wasn't much chatter on the radio tonight." Sam nodded. "I'll be sure to do more drills with them in the future." Steele bid the entire team farewell before leaving the office. Sam sighed softly. "Elvis and Ellie, you have night shift with me tonight. Arnold, Penny, and James good night." James walked out of the fire station. Penny caught up with him. "I didn't think you guys did too badly." James looked down at his feet. "I have a feeling we disappointed Sam a bit." Penny put her hand on his shoulder. "don't worry about the exam too much James. I have to ask, how is your brother?" James scratched behind his head. "he's responding slowly to the treatment. My mom is with him right now." She nodded. "do you want me to go home with you tonight?" James blushed. "if ya want." She smiled kindly. She took his hand in hers. Winter was cooking in the kitchen. He had his back to them as they entered. "hey Winter, is mom home?" he asked. Winter shook his head. "no. I'm starting to worry." He turned around to face them. James frowned. "I'll give her a call real quick."
Bronwyn was sleeping in a chair next to Hoshi's bed. Hoshi woke up hearing his mother's phone going off. "mom." He murmured. He pushed her hand off his bed making her wake up. She quickly picked up her phone.
Bronwyn: hello?
James: hey mom. Are you with Hoshi still?
Bronwyn: yes. I kind of fell asleep next to him. Is something the matter dear?
James: no. Nothing is wrong. I just wanted to check on you. Did you want me to bring dinner to you?
Bronwyn: if you want to James. I wouldn't mind hearing about your day when you do so.
James: alright. I'll have Winter cook something up then
Bronwyn: okay honey. I'll see you soon.
He smiled as he hung up. "hey Winter, can you put dinner into some Tupperware dishes please? I'm going to take it up to the hospital." Winter nodded. "but of course." James turned to Penny. "would you like to come with me?" He asked. She nodded. "sure." Winter finished cooking them dinner. "me and Sarah can fend for ourselves. Have fun." James put the Tupperware dishes into his bag carefully. He grabbed the keys to his brother's jeep. Penny climbed into the jeep on the passenger side. James tucked their dinner into a compartment in the back. He then climbed in on the drivers' side. He started the jeep up.
Hoshi heard his brother walk into his room. "hey James." He greeted. "hello Hoshi. How are you feeling?" Hoshi flexed. "I'm feeling a tad bit better. I just hope the doctor lets me out of this prison soon. I can't bare to be away from work." James shook his head at him. "Hoshi, you need to be taking care of yourself more. If you keep going the route your going now, you'll end up doing more damage to yourself." Hoshi looked down shamefully. "I appreciate you guys being worried about me. I really do. I promise I'll take better care of myself." He glanced back up at his brother. "I heard mom say that you brought food with you. I hope Winter fixed us something good. I can't stand the taste of hospital food." James looked inside of the bag he had. "yep he did." Hoshi put a hand on his stomach. "maybe the nurse will let me eat the cafeteria with you guys." James shrugged at him. "it wouldn't hurt to ask." Hoshi pressed the call light on his remote. Hoshi's nurse walked into the room. "do you need something, Mr. Gekko?" she asked kindly. "I was wondering if you would be cool with me sitting with my family in the cafeteria. I haven't had a chance to have a family meal with them in a while." She nodded. "you aren't hooked up to anything anymore so you are free to walk around the hospital." Hoshi smiled. "thanks." Hoshi got out of the bed with his mother's help. He went with his family to the cafeteria. He was happy to be hanging out with them again even if the current situation was him being in the hospital.
Hoshi clasped his brother's shoulder. "So tell me the story of how you and Penny became a thing." Penny blushed looking away. James shifted uncomfortably. Hoshi let go of his brother. "I'm sorry I'm putting you on the spot aren't I? My bad." He smiled mischievously. "I just asked her out on a date." Replied James shyly. "actually no, our relationship started when I was in the hospital being treated for shock." Countered Penny. Hoshi nodded. He leaned in closer. "have you two ya know? Done the "dance" yet?" His questioned earned him a slap across the back of the neck from Bronwyn. Penny laughed uncomfortably and took a sip of her tea. James coughed into his hand. "Hoshi, we don't ask those kinds of questions in this family." Scolded Bronwyn. Hoshi laughed. "I was only curious." He took a bite of his fish. "not like I care if they've done it or not." He added. Penny shook her head. "no, we haven't gotten that far yet." She looked at James. "we've decided not to cross that line just yet." James smiled at her. Hoshi took another bite. "bummer. I was hoping for more action than that." He ducked as Bronwyn took another swing at him. James felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He looked down to see a text message from Sarah.
Sarah: hey I heard your having dinner with Mom and Hoshi. Sorry I didn't get home fast enough
James: it's fine. I know your busy. Hey if you have a bit of time why don't you come down?
Sarah: alright. I'll be down there soon.
Hoshi muttered something in Russian. "I heard that Hoshi!" snapped Bronwyn. Hoshi stuck his tongue out at her replying with: "oy? Oy? Oy? V samom dele? Na samon dele seychas?" She flicked him behind his ear gently. James chuckled. "I'm glad nothing has changed in this household." Bronwyn eyed Hoshi sternly. Sarah soon showed up. "hey sorry I'm late." She sat down next to her brother, James. "nah your fine. Besides you just missed mom and Hoshi having a cussing match in Russian." Hoshi giggled and winked at their mother. Bronwyn just shook her head.
James was happy that his family was all together again. He was glad to see that Hoshi's wicked sense of humor had not changed. His sister talked about her travels and the latest story she was covering. "it turns out that American politics are rather interesting. Especially now since they have a rich person as their president." James rolled his eyes. "we all knew that was going to happen." Sarah took a sip of her tea. "I've been very busy running news stories." Bronwyn tapped Sarah's hand. "just be careful dear. You know how rough a career like journalism is." Sarah nodded. " I know, mum. I'll be careful I promise." Sarah looked at her brother. "and I see someone has been busy." She smirked. James blushed a bright red. "pretty soon they'll have their first child." Added Sarah with a giggle. Penny moved a strand of hair behind her ear. "I don't think so, Sarah. Not at my age." Sarah laughed. "I know. I was only teasing." She smiled seeing how uncomfortable her brother was. "oh look my little brother is all embarrassed." James coughed. "Cut it out, Sarah." Bronwyn sighed. "that's enough. You and Hoshi, honestly." Yep, nothing in this family had really changed. Not one bit.