Just Hit 'Send' By Grasshopper

Just Hit 'Send' - The Happy Years by Grasshopper Ch. 15

Jordan heard JD say, "Are you my Grandpa?" He leaned his forehead against the cool wall just inside the kitchen door and thought, "Yeah, answer that one for me too, Dad."

**

Claire grabbed Bug up and whirled him around in the air. "How's my little Bug doing? Your grandma is here to spoil all of you rotten." She plopped down in Markie's rocker and disappeared from view with hugs from Bug and Nikki and JD.

Griffin shook David's hand and told him how good it was to see him again.

David walked awkwardly into the living room and stood by the sofa. Danny had given a lot of thought to how he should act. He knew how important this was to Jordy and he wasn't gonna hold onto all the old grudges. This man has single-handedly tried to destroy all that Danny held precious in his life, but he was Jordy's father.

He knew that, at this moment, Jordy was feeling about 15 years old again, waiting for his father's judgments. When would it ever stop? He would do everything he could to make this as peaceable as possible. Maybe Jordy could get past it this time. Maybe his father could let go of some very old, very wrong concepts. Danny knew that Mr. Lawrence loved his son. Would that be enough? He struggled to his feet, using one brace as a cane and held out his hand.

"Hello, Mr. Lawrence. It's good to have you in our home."

David took the hand offered and answered, "Um, yes. Beautiful time of the year," his eyes gazing out the window over Danny's shoulder.

Jordan watched from the kitchen doorway. He knew what Dan was doing. He watched the two most important men in his life, one trying to make Jordan's world happier and the other, stubborn as ever, avoiding. 'Typical', he thought. Pulling himself away from the wall, he headed for his mother, pulling her up into a huge hug.

"I'm so glad you're here," he sighed into her hair. "I miss you so much."

Claire pulled back and looked into her son's eyes. Resting her hands on his cheeks, she smiled and said softly, "I love to come here. This house is so full of love and hope." She kissed him softly and whispered, "Let it go, Jordan." She rubbed the small of his back like she had always done when he was little to let him know that she was aware of how tense he was holding himself.

He turned and faced his father. "Hey, Dad, glad you could make it this trip." He awkwardly held out his hand, and then decided, 'fuck that' and put his arms around his father's neck. He felt his father freeze and then he hugged Jordan back. Not a full out hug, but enough for now.

The kids were all trying to be good since Markie had fussed and told them no asking if Grandma brought them anything and then Claire pulled a big sling bag from the back of the SUV and said, "Grandma bought presents for her little angels."

"Wheee," JD shrieked. "Told you, Mommy. Told you Grandma always brings us something super duper!"

"Super duper! Super duper!" Nikki crowed, dancing on the tips of her toes.

Bug waved his arms around and spun in circles, his happy eyes dancing.

Claire had brought them all new swimsuits, DisneyWorld t-shirts, new swim fins and snorkels and the latest in sand castle building equipment. The shrieking continued until they were all outfitted and were pulling Grandma towards the screen door.

Markie touched Claire's arm. "Watch Bug, Claire. He's......"

"He's special. I know," Claire said, her voice soft and gentle. "I won't take my eyes off of them. They're all my babies too." She kissed Markie's cheek and shooed her charges out the door. "Grandma, Grandma, look at Fiddle," JD said urgently, tugging her hand. Claire looked over at the big black dog lying on the porch, her chin resting on her front paws. "Wow!" Claire smiled, "I didn't know you were expecting puppies." Fiddle was wider than she was tall and had the most contented smile in her big brown eyes.