***A/N warning for violence and discussion of child abuse***
"I want you-to be-good for Grandma-and grand-pa okay Den?" a week later and we're headed to the airport and a nice three day jaunt into the lush Oregon wilderness. It's near the ski resorts so there'll be plenty of snow for Denny to play in, he's never seen it before and he's excited. If all goes well and Connor's feeling up to it we might be able to take him up for Christmas, that way we can have some lovely snow for the holidays. It's a festive idea and Stevie's all for it, even though she normally hides under layers and layers of coats and shawls when the temperature drops by a single degree.
"We're all ready to go Denny, say bye to Dad" Denny bites his lip sadly "He'll be here when we get back?" I feel a part of my heart breaking at that. So much instability in his young life even after these last few months of having consistency he still expects things to be pulled away from him. Connor covers his son's hands with his bigger ones, still weak but steady "I-I'm not going anywhere-Den" he says the words aloud then signs them pulling his son to his chest for a bear hug. Denny hugs him back tightly laughing when Connor blows a raspberry on his neck.
Stevie's hand runs up my back as she returns from the car, my heat tugs as I watch the scene in front of me with no small amount of sadness. It's the unsaid inevitablility facing Stevie and I as grandparents. Connor's alive and getting better by the day, he may never walk again but he's certainly capable of caring for Denny with time and therapy. What then? Will he move back to University Heights? Unlikely, I won't let either of them live in that horrid cesspool again. But, he'll move away somewhere and he'll want to take Denny with him.
We might see him a few times a year after that, just like "normal" grandparents. Stevie of course will write to him constantly, filling pages and pages with poems and little drawings as resolutely as she scribbles away in her journal. But that'll be it, he'll be gone. Connor might remarry and have more children and continue building a family of his own. Stevie's hand comes to rest on my hip her head leaning against my shoulder as if she can sense where my thoughts are going.
"Enjoy what we have now Linds, nothing is written in stone" in a sense I know she's right, Connor still has a long recovery ahead of him. He won't be able to live on his own for some time, and until then he and Denny will have a place at home with us. Part of me is jealous that Connor has such a close relationship with his own son, the relationship I wish I had with mine. But it's touching to see how much they both care for each other regardless.
"You-have-funn-kiddo, and take-pictures for-me" smiling Denny pulls a small disposable camera from his pocket. Stevie bought him one at the pharmacy and he's been chomping at the bit to open the package and take pictures. The nurse walks in to fiddle with some more tubes and wires and Connor grabs her arm "Take-picture, my -family" smiling he waves at me and Stevie patting the bed beside him so we can sit down. Stevie fiddles with his wild hair, taming it so that it lays flat on his head. We both wrap an arm around his shoulders while Denny sits in his father's lap.
"Say cheese!" me Stevie and Connor do just that and the small click of the camera captures the moment for all eternity. When we finish the nurse hands the camera back to Denny and Stevie and I gather his things so we can leave for the airport. Bending low Stevie leaves a big kiss on Connors cheek squeezing him as tightly as she can "We'll be back soon okay?" he nods smiling up at her, his deep blue eyes twinkling "Okay-momma" I bend down to hug him next patting his back heartily "Focus on getting better okay buddy?" Connor squeezes my bicep nodding when I step back.
He looks around my shoulder at Stevie and Denny "Mom-can talk to dad-for a minute?" gathering Denny in her arms Stevie smiles gently "Okay, we'll be in the car Linds. Wave by to daddy" Denny waves watching as he and Stevie disappear down the hall, he signs "I love you" to Connor and he signs it back. I shuffle near the bed holding my jacket under my arm "Den-Denny loves you---and mom-lot" our eyes meet and I take a seat at the edge of the bed "He's wonderful, you should be proud" smiling Connor signs "I am" then speaks the words aloud.
