The Terrifying News
"Doctor, how is my daughter?" Charlie asked, clearly worried.
"We had a close call, Mister Chan, but fortunately, your daughter has a pulse again, however, she's still in critical condition. We're not sure if she'll even make it through the night." the doctor answered.
The other nine Chan children were listening in at the door.
"Critical condition?" Scooter asked in a worried whisper.
Charlie walked out of the operating room upon hearing his youngest son's voice, but Scooter quickly ducked behind the wall with his elder siblings. The wise father wasn't fooled, though.
"Scooter? I'm pretty sure that was you. Are the rest of your brothers and sisters here as well?" Charlie asked.
The Chan kids tried to remain silent to trick their father, but while backing up, a nervous Nancy accidentally knocked over a mop, then tripped over a bucket, knocking water all over the hospital floor.
"Now you've done it!" Flip said to Nancy in a whisper.
"That answers my question, come on out, all of you." Charlie ordered.
Determined to remain undercover, Stanley stepped out from behind the wall, dressed as a doctor.
"Sorry, Mister Chan, that was really me." Stanley said in a deep manly voice.
"I'm not fooled, Stanley." Charlie said strictly, his hands were on his hips.
"How'd he know it was me?" Stanley asked, looking up at Henry.
"Ugh! Forget it!" Henry exclaimed, face palming.
The nine children came from behind the wall to face their clearly unhappy father.
"I'm pretty certain I told you all to remain home." Charlie said firmly.
"We heard about our mutual sibling's unfortunate predicament, we wish to oblige in any way we possibly can." Tom agreed.
"I understand your concern for your sister and that you wish to help, but this is a serious crisis, I would rather you not be here in case things take an ugly turn for the worst." Charlie said firmly to Henry, Stanley, Suzie, Alan, Tom, Flip, Nancy, Mimi, and Scooter.
"Pop, if that happens, that's exactly why we should be here, it shouldn't be just you." Alan reasoned.
"Alan's right, Pop, if one Chan's in trouble, we should all pitch in to help out, right, Scooter?" Flip said.
"You said it, Chief!" Scooter agreed with Flip.
"Yeah, I could get Anne some soup or something healthy to eat." Nancy said.
"And Chu Chu and I could get her some extra blankets to keep her warm." Mimi agreed.
"I guess there is nothing I can say to change your minds, is there?" Charlie asked.
"'Fraid not, Pop." Henry answered.
Although Charlie was still upset at his children for disobeying him, he was really proud of them for wanting to be there for their sister.
"Very well," Charlie said with a slight chuckle. "we shall all wait here for Anne."