Chapter 116: Burke Family
Thursday, January 5th, Evening
The kitchen door opened letting in a gust of cold air. The weather hadn't broken yet and the cold temperature got worse as the sun went down. The tall man that came through the door quickly closed it behind him, and he stamped his feet up and down before removing his watch cap and tucking it into his coat pocket.
"How was the day at the office," a brunette woman asked.
He shook his head, unzipped his coat, and started to slip off. "As you are during most days, slow," he said and hung his coat up. He started to work out his left shoulder.
"Yeah, most people are staying in to be out of the cold," she said, then turned to look at him, "Is your shoulder bothering you?"
He sort of shrugged with his right shoulder and head, "Tight, a little sore, it's been worse," he said.
"It's been better," she said.
"Especially before I tore it," he said.
"Yeah, well you saved that kids life," she said.
"And all it got me was a bad shoulder and a medal," he said.
"Also, a family that is forever grateful for what you did, and gush about you," she said, "Come on you big lug nut, I'll put some Icy Hot on it before I go to work."
He smiled and nodded, "Thanks," he said, looking towards the table, he paused, and counted the place settings. Next, he counted them by pointing at each one, then he took up both hands and silently named off names.
"You're welcome," she said.
"Chase, honey," Huck Burke said.
"Yes, dear?" Chase responded, confused.
"Why are there only six place settings, we're a seven-person household this week?" Huck asked.
"Oh that. It's no big deal," Chase said.
"It kind of is," Huck said, "Who's not getting fed tonight?"
"Oh, who are we not feeding tonight is what you want to know," Chase said.
"I figured that it was implied," Huck replied.
Chase smiled walked up to her husband and patted his cheek, "Don't worry you Lug Nut, I'm feeding you," she said.
"Oh good, I thought I was in trouble, again," Huck said.
"Not yet," Chase said, "Brett is working and afterward she's going out with Garvan."
"He's a good kid," Huck said.
"Better than her Dad," Chase snapped back.
"What's that supposed to mean? I was a good guy," Huck said.
"Says the man with a daughter sixteen years younger than himself," Chase said, with a smile.
Huck shrugged, "For that, I have no defense," he said.
Chase smiled wider, "I thought so, but you don't have to defend Brett," she said, and kissed Huck, "Now, wash up, dinner is almost ready, and then call the horde."
"Yes Ma'am," Huck said, and went to the local powder room and washed up. Once done he walked over to the playroom door. He watched his four younger kids as they played. Well most of them. Key was sitting at one of the tables reading.
"Alright Y'all, get washed up, dinner is almost ready," Huck said.
PJ looked up and nodded, "Yes Dad," she said.
Key looked up from her book, "Dad, do I have to?" she asked.
Cole and BB charged, slamming into the tree trunk-like legs of Huck. "Daddy!" they both cried.
"Key, yes you have to," Huck said.
"Why?" Key asked.
"Because Momma wants us at the table," Huck said.
Key nodded and closed her book. Huck got down to hug his two youngest. After letting them go, he watched as they filed off towards the local bathroom to wash up. As they came out, Huck had to check to make sure each washed up. They had a few incidents where one of the children didn't wash up.
Once each one had finished and checked their hands, they were herded to the kitchen. Huck once was asked what it was like with an eleven, ten, eight, and six-year-old with three being girls, he replied once that he'd rather herd cats.
The kids took their spots at the table with Huck on one end and Chase at the other. The older girls sat next to each other on one side of the table.
"Momma?" PJ asked.
"Yes PJ?" Chase replied.
"Where's Brett?" PJ asked.
"She's working then going out with Garvan tonight," Chase said.
"Okay," PJ said.
"Why?" BB asked.
"Because that's what teenagers do," Chase said.
"Why?" BB asked.
"They just do," Chase said.
"Did you and Daddy do it?" BB asked.
Huck held his breath, trying not to laugh at his eight-year old's innocent question. His mind went right to the wrong place like he was fourteen, or Beavis and Butthead. Chase saw him and rolled her eyes.
"Yes BB, your Daddy and I dated when we were younger," Chase said.
"Oh," BB said.
"Momma," PJ said.
"Yes PJ?" Chase asked.
"How did you and Daddy meet?" PJ asked.
Chase laughed, "We never told you that story?" she asked.
PJ and Key shook their heads, "No," PJ finally said.
"It was in the middle of the road. Your Daddy was the first person I met when I moved to Tree Hill," Chase said.
"Really?" PJ asked.
"Really. Grandma Brooke's car caught fire and your Daddy was the first person to come and help up," Chase said.
"Was Daddy a fireman then?" BB asked.
"No, he was still in school then," Chase said.
"Okay," PJ said.
The Burke family finished dinner, and the kids were off to do their after-dinner chores. Chase and Huck retreated to the master bedroom. Huck removed his shirt and Chase took a tube of Icey Hot and started to rub it into his surgically repaired shoulder. Chase looked at the surgical scar and remembered the rough rehab Huck went through as he waited for his shoulder to heal.
"Why did I come back from that?" Huck asked.
"Cause you wanted to," Chase said.
"It's hard," Huck said.
"James Longstreet, be lucky with the injury you have. It could be worse, you could've been Kay Scott," Chase said.
"Don't remind me of that night," Huck said and lowered his head.
"Hey!" Chase said, "Hey!" she said, and gave him a slight push, "You know something you Lug Nut?"
"What?" Huck asked.
"I love you," Chase said, and kissed him. She broke off and looked at him, "You were my knight on a red pick-up that night we met, and now you're my knight in a sweaty uniform."
Huck smiled, "I love you," he said, softly.
"Now, I got to get ready to go to work, again, so better haul your ass downstairs, and get the horde on their homework," Chase said.
"Yes Ma'am," Huck said, got up, put his shirt back on and went downstairs. Chase looked at the door and smiled, yes she did love that big Lug Nut.