chapter5

Callie called out, "What do you mean I was wrong?"

Iola said, "Work it out Callie."

Walking to the backyard she called out, "Chester Monton where are you?"

Chet paled, "Uhoh I gotta go guys I promised mom to help with cleaning out Attic."

Spying her brother saying, "Chet, mom's waiting."

"Ok, I'm coming." Standing up saying, "Thanks for the wonderful breakfast and Frank call me with the details. I'm sure my folks will let me go."

Frank nodded saying, "Ok I'll call later. Hello Iola when did you get in?"

"Early this morning." Iola told them, "Mrs Hardy I'd like to thank you for all the help you gave me and advice as well."

Chet headed into the house and picked up the pup that he had claimed and headed back outside again saying, "Sis did you see Joe on the way in?"

"On the front pouch with Lucky and another pup."

Chet said, "I'll go and say bye to him and then I'll head home."

Iola smiled saying, "Chet mom waiting and if you want whatever it is you what I'd head home or mom gonna be on the warpath."

Frank said, "We'll tell him you said bye if you like."

"No I want to talk to him."

Iola told her brother, "I wouldn't Chet."

Frank asked, "Why not Iola?"

"I just meant that it's best left to you and your family, I ran into Callie and she told me her version of what happened." Iola explained.

Chet looked worried and said, "Ok I'll leave him for now."

Iola smiled saying, "You're a good friend to him Chet, now take that pup home and help mom with the attic, I'll be home this afternoon to help."

Iola looked over at her mates and seeing a girl she didn't know but from what she had been told she was Joe's new girlfriend, "You're Vanessa right?"

Vanessa had moved to Bayport after Iola moved to New York nodded,

"You're Iola I've heard a lot about you, it's nice to finally met the famous Iola."

"I hope it was all true."

Frank told her, "It came from Chet."

"Ahh then it's true." With a laugh, looking at her watch she said, "Well I have to get going I have a shoot in an hour, great seeing you all and nice meeting you Vanessa."

Walked her and Chet to their cars. Once they left, he walked over to Joe. Without saying a word, he gave him a hug and held him till he was ready to talk. Joe didn't cry often and when he did it was only in front of family. Both of the boys were like that mainly with their mother.

Just then Joe said, "Frank, I'm sorry that you broke up with Callie."

Smoothing Joe's hair he said, "It was coming and it's not your fault."

Joe said, "But it....."

Frank stopped him before he finished saying, "If anyone's to blame it's her. I let her get

away with putting you down for way to long and it's not or has it ever been funny."

"Joe I know what you're gonna say and if she ever did love me as must as she claimed she did she wouldn't have done it. She would have accepted the fact that no matter what happens, you will be apart of my life, and there nothing she can do about changing it."

Joe sat up straighter and said, "Thanks."

"Anytime little brother." Ruffling his hair he asked, "Are you ready to face the family."

"In a little bit. You know it was weird see Iola after all this time." Joe told him.

"I know you haven't spoken or seen her since the breakup, mom told me she making a name for herself in New York."

"I'm glad. I'm happy for her that she going for it."

Frank nodded, he knew that Joe didn't hate Iola, he may never forgive her for what she to him, but he didn't hate her, "You know Joe I'm proud of you."

Looking over at his brother he asked, "Why?"

"Because many people would hold a grudge against her for what she did, but you don't." Frank explained

"Aw shucks." Joe smiled saying, "Ok lets go and let them know I'm fine."

As Joe stood Frank grabbed his arm saying, "Joe you know that what Callie said wasn't true? Mom and dad love you."

With a smile Joe said, "Yeah I know." Helping Frank up from the steps he picked up Nikko saying, "Race ya." With that Joe darted off with Lucky and Frank on his heels.

Later that day at the doctors office Frank and his dad waited in the waiting room while Joe and Laura was in the office.

Joe sat on the bed as Dr. Bates their family doctor unwrap the bandage from his arm grasping, "Young man this should be healing, it looks like it's been knocked about and have you got it wet?"

Looking at him Joe said, "I got knocked into the pool last night and hit it on the side of the pool."

"Mmm that explains why these stitches have busted, I have to stitch it again."

His mom moved closer and held his uninjured hand in hers, Joe like his dad hated Hospitals and such, she knew if Joe or his dad could they wouldn't go to the doctors.

Joe smiled at her saying, "So doc how are things going?"

"You know Joe if you and the rest of your family stopped get hurt I'd be out of a job."

"Hey mom did you hear that?" Joe exclaimed.

Laura patted his hand saying, "Joe you know that you end up here more than Frank or your father put together."

Laura was deeply worried about Joe's need to protect people. Throwing himself in the face of danger when he didn't need to. She knew that in the last case, Frank would have been hurt and glad that this time, Joe deflected the knife to save Frank, but she knew that one day it just might cost her baby his life and not be there to see his little sister or brother.

Sensing her worry he leant over saying, "Mom, I'll be more careful."

"Joe it's not you I don't trust it's all the madmen out there gunning for you and Frank and your father."

"I'll watch out for them."

"That's what I'm worried about."

Dr. Bates smiled saying, "Joe I have to agree with you mother, you have a death wish a mile long and one day it's going to win."

"Not as long as Frank backs me up." v

"One day he may not be there."

From the doorway a voice said, "I'll always be there."

Joe grinned saying, "And I'll always be there for you."

Fenton walked in saying, "Well doc?"

"He'll live this time." Looking over at Frank and Joe he said, "Boys can you leave?"

Before they could move Laura said, "They can stay this affects them as well."

With a nod he walked to his desk pulling out his chair he waited for them to settle and saying, "Well Laura your tests have come back and I'm glad to say that you're be parents again in eight months of twins."

Fenton chutched the arms of his chair saying, "Can you repeat that?" Joe and Frank whooped, "Yes!"

Frank said, "Hey Joe didn't you say something about returning one if mom had twins?"

Joe thought for a minute saying, "I believe I did."

At the grasp from Dr. Bates, "Joe Hardy."

"Yup I did, but I don't think I will."

Hoping off the bed, he gave both of his parents hugs.

"Would you like to know the sex of them?" He asked.