13TRICKY MEASURES
Chapter 13—Serenity
1
Kira woke up first, but she didn't get up right away. She lay thinking about her mother, and was thrilled that she would be coming home later in the day. After a while, the other kids began to wake up slowly. Then they all sat up and joined Kira as she watched their father sleep.
"Kira, is he okay?" Raisa asked.
"Yes. I think he's exhausted from everything. That's why we have to be careful and considerate with both Mama and Papa. This has been hard on us, but I really think it's been harder on them."
"Oh, wow," Raisa said. "Should we wake him up?"
"Maybe, but not right now. What time is it?" Kira said.
Anya slid off the bed at the foot. She went over to the bistro table, and saw the little crystal clock. She reached her hand out to pick it up, but was stopped.
"Anya, please don't touch it," said her father's voice. "Just read the time on it."
"Whoa!" she said, whirling around. Then she turned back to the clock. "It's almost ten-thirty, Papa."
"That sounds good, baby. Mama can't come home before two, so that gives us enough time to clean this house. It's a mess!"
2
Callen got up, and went to the bathroom with an armload of clothing. He took a hasty shower, and came out ready for the day.
"Let's go, guys. Everybody, get up, please."
The kids all scrambled to get off the bed, and they ran into the bathroom. Callen followed them.
"No way, guys. Come out here and line up, please," he said with a smirk. "You're all too old to have people in there with you. Raisa, you go first." He pointed to the wall, and the other three children lined up and leaned against it.
"Papa, can we go with you?" Anya asked.
He shook his head. "I don't think so, baby."
"Why?"
"Anya, baby, you're going to be too excited to sit still in the car, which is why none of you are coming with me," Callen said. "Anya, take your bathroom break. Raisa, you can get your pillow, please, and make your bed."
"Okay, Papa," she replied, running off to get her pillow.
"Nikolai, what should we fix for breakfast?"
"I don't know, Papa," Nikolai responded. "Maybe some pancakes with jelly?"
"Oooh, yes!" Anya squeaked.
"And bacon?" asked Raisa.
"Yah!" said Nikolai.
Kira emerged from the bathroom. "Papa, how about some eggs, too?"
"My gosh!" Callen said. "Sure! Guys, get your pillows and make your beds, okay, please? And clean your rooms if they need it."
"Yes, Papa!" they all cried. Then they all scattered to do their various tasks.
"Hold it, Nikolai!" Callen said. "You need to take your bathroom break!"
"Oh, man!"
3
Callen returned to his own room, and straightened it up. He also changed the sheets on his bed, and then stuffed them into the basket, which he brought downstairs.
He put it by the cellar door, and then went into the kitchen to start breakfast. In no time at all, he had mixed together the pancake batter, and laid out the bacon on cookie pans which he put in the oven.
When Raisa came downstairs first, he asked her to set the table, and she did. Then she frowned.
"Papa, how come you didn't turn on your coffee pot?"
"What?"
"Look!" She pointed to it.
Then he looked at her, slack-jawed. "I guess it's not on because I'm as excited as you are because Mama is coming home!"
Raisa laughed. "Papa, can I watch TV, please?"
"Sure."
4
Anna spurned her breakfast tray. She had no appetite because she was so excited about going home.
The CNA came for her tray, and lifted the lid. "You didn't eat?"
Anna shook her head. "I'm not hungry. I'll be okay."
The CNA shrugged and took the tray.
Anna didn't care. She was too worried about going home and wasn't thinking straight. She stretched luxuriously, and then relaxed, holding her side, which was now tingling.
"Dammit," she growled. She held her breath, willing her side to calm down.
Several minutes later, the doctor arrived. He was a little startled by her growliness.
"Sorry, doc," she said, using one of Callen's phrases.
"What happened?" He signalled for the nurse to unwrap Anna's arm.
"I stretched too far, I think," Anna replied, feeling foolish.
He nodded, and then looked over her arm. "This looks very good. Change the bandages one more time today, and then have your husband do it twice a day, until you come for a check up."
Anna said, "Okay. How soon would that be?"
"At the end of next week. Let me see your side now."
She nodded, and turned onto her other side so the nurse had easy access to the wound. She uncovered it, and the doctor peered at it.
"This looks very good, Ms. Kolcheck," he said. "It's healing well. How many times per day was this being treated?"
"Three."
"Okay. I think we can try twice a day with it, but it has to remain covered also. Your husband can handle that?"
Anna smirked. "Yes, sir. We've both had far worse injuries."
The doctor looked at her skeptically, but decided against asking her how. "I'll check it when you come in next week. You'll have to call my office for an appointment."
"Not a problem," she replied. "I'll call on Monday."
"Sounds good," he answered. "I'll see you next week."
5
"Papa! Stop!" cried Kira. "You're making us all crazy! Please sit down with us."
Callen had cleaned and vacuumed and dusted the entire house. He had mopped all the floors that needed mopping as well.
"Enough!" Raisa shouted, taking the mop away from him and propping it against the wall. She took Callen by his arm and brought him to the couch. "Enough cleaning, Papa. Mama will be happy with it, okay?" She gently pushed him into it. "Sit down, please, Papa." Then she sat beside him.
Nikolai knelt on his father, and hugged him. "Papa, Mama will be home soon. Okay?" He stayed put.
Kira smirked, and sat on the other side of her father. She leaned into him, and he put his arm around her.
Anya looked at her family, and laughed. Her father was nailed to the couch, and couldn't move. It was as if his children were cats. She found the remote, and turned on the TV. Then she scrolled through the channels and programming until she found something her father might like. With a click of the button, she chose the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Then she squished onto the couch next to Raisa.
"Turtles?!" her surprised father asked. "I haven't seen these since I was a kid! This is awesome, Anya!"
She twisted around so she could give him a kiss. "You're welcome, Papa."
6
Anna's stomach growled loudly. She grimaced and hid her face. Then she leaned over and opened her bedside drawer and pulled out a couple of packs of crackers, and ate them. She felt better afterward, and wondered what lunch would be. Two o'clock couldn't come soon enough.
7
Kira roused out of her lethargy. "Hey, Nikolai! Where are you?"
"I'm over here! I had to get some juice!" he yelled from inside the fridge.
"What?" she asked, getting off the couch. She went toward the kitchen. "Are you in the kitchen?"
"Yah. I need some juice!" He pulled the straw off the box, and poked it into its disguised hole, and took a long drink. Then he held the box up to her. "Do you want some?"
"Sure!" She drank a small amount of his juice. "Thank you, Nikolai. Will you help me fix lunch for everyone?" She pulled a juice box out and opened it, nearly finishing it in one swig.
"Yah. I help you."
"Thank you."
They finished their juice boxes, and threw them into the garbage. Then Kira dragged a chair over, and asked him to climb up.
"What am I doing?"
She handed him a plastic knife. "You have to put the mayonnaise on the breads." She counted out enough bread for everyone, and two more slices so their father could have two sandwiches.
He was daunted by the amount of bread. "This hard, Kira."
She chuckled. "I know, baby. I'll help you in a minute." She found two cans of soup that she liked and put them on the counter. Then she took out the cold cuts and laid the packs on the counter. Last, she took a knife for herself, and helped her little brother put the mayonnaise on the bread.
"Gosh!" Kira said. "That was a lot!" She had his back.
"Yah. Can I do the bologna?"
"Sure." She handed him the pack, and showed him how to peel off a slice and put it on the bread. While he did that, she put the cheese on the matching slice, so they did not get mixed up. "Do you think we should use the paper plates?"
"No, Kira. The soup is too hot."
"Good point, Nikolai!" she gasped. Then she opened the cans of loaded beef burger soup, and poured them into the pot. She set the flame on low, and hoped it wouldn't boil over. "Let's set—"
"How? We don't gots the food on them yet," Nikolai said.
She looked at him, shocked. "You're right!" She pulled five plates down from the cupboard, and laid them out. After she cut the sandwiches according her brother's instructions, she let him place the pieces on the plates. Then they carried them into the dining room.
Nikolai pulled open the silverware drawer. He looked for, and found, the big soup spoons. He knew he needed five spoons, and he counted them out carefully. Then he put one on each plate.
"Good job, baby!" Kira praised. She saw that the soup was very hot, so she turned off the flame. Then she pulled down five bowls from the cupboard, and laid them out in a line before she ladled the soup into them. "Nikolai, I want Papa to carry them. Is that okay?"
"Yah. We kids and Papa is a grown-up, and kids can't carry hot things. That's what Ms. 'Ronika says."
"I see," she answered. "Ms. Veronika is very wise."
Together they dragged the chair into the dining room. Then they woke up the rest of their family.
"Lunch time!" they hollered.
"Yikes!" reacted their father who sat up straight. He gently shook Raisa and Anya. "Guys, get up. It's lunch time."
8
Anna fidgeted over the lunch menu. At long last, she called the kitchen and ordered a ham and cheese sandwich, but on pumpernickel bread. She also ordered some loaded chicken soup. When it arrived, it was very tasty, but she wished she could share it with Callen. In the end, she finished every morsel, and enjoyed all of it. Shortly afterward, she settled down to take a nap.
9
Kira and Nikolai cleaned up the kitchen after everyone finished. She even let him wash the pot, and he was very excited to do so.
"Papa! I washed the dishes!" he shrieked.
Callen glanced at Kira, who picked up the pot. Callen nodded. "Good job, Nikolai!" He hugged the little boy.
"Papa, I think you should start getting ready to visit Mama," Anya said. "It's almost twelve-thirty."
He laughed. "Baby, that's too soon. I don't have to leave here until after one thirty."
"Oh. What are you going to do until it's time?" she persisted.
"Baby, don't worry. We are all going to keep watching movies until I need to get ready. Okay?"
"Sure, Papa," she said. "Hey, guys! Papa didn't get a turn to choose a movie!"
"Please, Papa!" begged Raisa as she steered him toward the couch.
10
Graciously, Callen sat down, and his children immediately clustered him. Anya made sure he had the remote before she settled down in a niche right next to him. He took his time poring through the huge list of shows and movies. Just as the children were becoming impatient, he made his choice: Walt Disney's Jungle Book, which was to be followed by Cinderella and Snow White. He had programmed the TV, but did not tell the children. He did not want any fighting or arguing while he was out.
He really did keep his eye on the time, and when the Jungle Book ended, he went upstairs to get ready. He washed his face and shaved, and then splashed on some of his Creed's Irish Tweed. He chose a summery outfit consisting of a pale pink shirt, white slacks, and a blue blazer, which was finished off by his black loafers. Then he fussed over an outfit for Anna. He wanted her to match. In the end, he reversed his outfit, choosing a white lacy blouse, her pink linen pants, and her blue blazer. He found her black suede booties, and packed them in his bag, too.
He made sure he had everything he needed, and then, on a whim, he snatched a scrunchie from her trinket box, and stuffed it into his pocket. He put her hairbrush in his other pocket. Then grinned like a Cheshire Cat. Happiness poured out of him.
Callen made his way downstairs, and got the children's attention just as a movie was beginning.
"Guys, I am leaving now. Mama will be here soon, okay?"
"Yes, Papa!" they chorused.
"Papa, are you coming home fast or slow?"
"Raisa, what kind of a question is that?" Callen asked her. "Baby, we will get here when we get here. I am not rushing or going slow. We'll get home when we should. Okay?"
"Okay, Papa," Kira replied. "I get it."
Nikolai said, "Papa, make sure you hug and kiss Mama, okay?"
He smiled at his little boy. "I will, baby."
"Bye, Papa!" squeaked Anya and Raisa.
11
Callen arrived at the hospital, and hopped onto the elevator. He practically skipped down the hall to her room. When he got to Room 215, he stopped short.
Anna was lying on her side, and her back was to the door. She did not realize that he had arrived, so he opened the door as slowly as he could. He crossed to her bed, and gently placed a kiss on her cheek.
She startled, and then smiled. Wanting to keep the upper hand, Anna stayed put, waiting to see what he was going to do.
He kissed her cheek again, and then went around her bed, and touched her face.
Anna snatched his wrist. "You silly man!"
"Hey!" Retrieving his wrist, he pulled the clunky chair over to the bed.
She smiled. "Hay is for horses!"
"So it is," Callen replied. He leaned over and kissed her. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine, my love. I want to go home!" She rolled onto her back and held her arms up. Callen went right to her, and she hugged him within an inch of his life.
He took her arms down. "Sit up, baby," he suggested.
Anna nodded. "Okay, but help me." And he did. He pulled on her good arm, and she sat right up.
Callen took her face in his hands. Then he kissed her softly. "You are the best."
"I love you, Grisha Callen," she said. Then she hugged him, and leaned on him. He rubbed her back.
"Do you need a bathroom break?" he asked, sitting back on the chair. He fished in his pocket for the scrunchie, and took her hairbrush from his other pocket.
Her quick glance saw the hair accouterments, so she slid off the bed fairly quickly, and made her way to the bathroom.
Callen snickered when she griped about the cold floor, so he got up and went to wait for her.
"I thought you were supposed to have a girl with you."
She shrugged and smirked at him.
"You're still a brat, aren't you?"
"I am," she agreed as she wiped herself. She stood up carefully and flushed. Then she washed her hands, and let Callen escort her back to the room.
He sat on the chair, and asked her to sit on his lap. She did, and he began to brush out her hair. The more he brushed, the more she purred like a happy cat. She loved when he brushed her hair, and today was no different. After about a half hour, he divided it into three sections, and brushed out each section. Then he began to braid it. He pulled the scrunchie from his wrist and bound the end.
"Let me see," he said, smiling.
Anna slid off his lap, and stood up, turning her back on him.
"Looking good, baby," he said. "Let's get you dressed, okay?"
"Okay!"
Callen pulled the curtain around her bed, and took pains to make sure there were no gaps. He slipped her gown off over her head, and then admired her for several moments. Then he began to dress her, and she enjoyed every minute. She was thrilled to see that they were dressed alike.
"You ready, baby?"
"Yes." She hugged him for a few minutes. "Callen, I want to go home, and I want to see my children."
He clasped her to him, and hugged her as hard as he dared. "I know you do, baby. In a few minutes, okay?"
12
"Baby, you know you can't go downstairs without a wheelchair," he reminded her.
"I don't want one!" she whined.
"Anna, I don't write the protocol here. Please hang on a minute, okay?" Callen looked out into the hallway, hoping to catch the eye of a helper. He saw a man advance toward him. "Are you coming for her?"
"Yes, I am," the orderly replied.
"Thank you," Callen said. "Baby, don't be difficult."
She flashed him a prize-winning smile. "I won't." She sat down gracefully.
The orderly wheeled her to the front door, and Callen held her hand for the entire ride. He thanked the man profusely.
Anna stood up carefully, and then took Callen's hand. He had parked as close as he could, but he also knew that Anna would not want to wait while he got the car. She walked slowly and carefully to the car, and Callen was proud of her for not being foolish. He opened the door and buckled her in, and then got in on the driver's side. Then he smiled his lopsided smile at her.
She tingled all the way through from her scalp to her soles. "Come on, my love! I am ready!"
13
"Callen, I want to sit up for a while before you tuck me in," Anna said.
"Not a problem, baby," he said. He turned off the car and got out. He went around to her door, and handed her out. All kinds of happy feelings and emotions were coursing through his body. "We got this!"
Anna laced her fingers through his, and followed him into the house.
Sharp-eared Anya heard the door open. "They're here!" she screamed. She got up and raced over to her mother. "Mama! Mama!" She hugged Anna until Callen told her to let go.
One by one, the other children followed Anya over to their mother. Each child hugged her until their father cautioned them to let go. Then both parents laughed. They both had known that Anna would barely get in the door before they came to greet her.
"Guys, go back to the couch," Callen said.
"Can we still hug Mama?" Raisa wanted to know.
"Yes, but you can't get crazy," Anna said. "I still have my staples."
"Ewww," said both Kira and Anya.
"Mama, can we see the staples?" Raisa asked.
"Yes, but not right now, please. Let me sit down." Anna sank gratefully onto the couch. The children crowded around her.
"Space! Give her some space!" Callen cried. "Guys, you need to relax and be careful of Mama. I have to be careful, too." He shooed the kids away from Anna, and then sat down beside her himself. She leaned on him.
"Papa, I kiss Mama?"
Callen laughed. "Sure, Nikolai. You go right ahead and kiss Mama."
He climbed up onto her lap and hugged her around her neck. Then he kissed her repeatedly on the cheek.
Anna hugged her little boy tightly. She had missed him so much that she burst into tears.
"Oh, God, baby!" Callen exclaimed. "What's wrong?"
She shook her head at him. "Nothing. I missed him so much!" She kissed Nikolai, and then lifted him off her. "Baby, get down, please."
"Okay, Mama." He kissed her again, then climbed off her, and sat at the other end of the couch. Nikolai had a happy smile on his face.
14
Anna nipped Callen's neck slightly. "I want to see my oldest baby next, please."
"Owww!" He held his neck. "Kira."
The teenager looked at him with a smirk on her face. "I guess Mama is feeling okay?"
"Kira, don't be fresh!" Callen objected with a laugh. "But, yes. Mama feels okay."
Kira sat on Anna's other side, and put her arms around her. "I'm glad you're home, Mama. I really missed you."
Anna kissed her daughter's head. "I missed you, too, baby. And I'm very proud of you for taking care of things."
"Thank you, Mama. It was kinda hard."
Anna smiled. "I bet it was." She hugged Kira tightly. "I missed you, too. And I love you sooo much!" She held onto her daughter for as long as she could.
Callen tapped Kira. "You need to get down now, baby."'
"Okay, Papa." Kira got up and went to sit by Nikolai.
15
Anya straddled her mother, and tucked her arms in, laying her head on her mother's shoulder. She began to cry.
Anna alternately rubbed her back and hugged her. "What's wrong, baby?"
"Mama, the kids at school kept saying nasty things about you and said you were really dead and not in the hospital and I finally got mad enough to fight them but Mr. Cohn wouldn't let me and then Papa came and took me home and their nasty things made me very upset and they made fun of me if I cried and I hate them—"
"No, baby. Don't hate them. They just don't know any better, Anya. You're okay, baby. I love you, no matter what," Anna said. "I know you'll feel better later on." She laid her head on Anya's. "Don't cry, baby. I got you." Anna hugged her hard and tried not to cry.
Callen saw what was happening, so he picked up Anya and put her on his shoulder, where she continued to cry. The little girl clung to her father, burying her face in his neck.
Raisa tapped his leg, and he nodded. She climbed up onto Anna's lap and straddled her, sitting up straight.
"Are you okay, Mama?" she asked.
"I'm fine, baby," Anna said. "Raisa, are you okay? Papa told me you upchucked at school, so I know you were very upset."
"I'm okay, Mama. I did fight the kids, but I didn't get in trouble this time. I didn't like it when they were mean to you, and it made me mad."
Anna nodded. "I understand, baby. I am very glad that you didn't get in trouble for fighting this time."
Raisa shook her head, and smiled. "Nope. The other kids did. And Ms. Horvath wrote another note!"
"She did?" asked Callen.
"Yah. I heard her say it when I had to go to the Nurse's Office."
"Oh, boy," he said. "Raisa, please give Mama a hug and kiss if you're going to. The doctor said she has to stay in her bed for a week or more."
"Oh, man, Papa!" Raisa said. But, she did give Anna a big hug and kiss. Then she wrapped her arms around her mother's neck. "I really missed you, Mama!"
Anna patted her back. "I know you did, baby. I missed you, too!" She kissed her youngest daughter several times. "No more now."
"Okay, Mama," Raisa replied, sliding off her mother. She sat on the arm of the couch.