Choices by Gageslady51 After several late night searches, letters exchanged, several phone calls, one face to face meeting, it now came down to this moment. John Gage stood in his living room, going from window to window. Searching for any signs that a car was coming up his driveway. Roy and JoAnne DeSoto stood back and watched Johnny going from window to window. Each smiled at each other seeing their friend so child like. "Johnny, running from window to window isn't going to make her get here any faster," JoAnne scolded as she smiled. "Huh, oh yeah." Johnny took a small step back from the window. "It's just that--" Suddenly his eyes went wide. A sound was heard. A car was coming up the drive. "SHE'S HERE!," Johnny announced. "Do I look all right?" Johnny looked down at himself and with his hands patted off his clothes. Roy and JoAnne had to laugh at their good friend. "Fine, Johnny, you look fine. Now introduce us to this lady we've been waiting to meet for the past thirty years." Roy slapped Johnny on the back and they headed towards the front door. ********** 30 years earlier. Johnny entered Station 51 and walked to the locker room. Thankfully he was running late and anticipated the need to change into his uniform at home. He noticed a letter taped to his locker's door. He sighed, removed the letter and slowly sat down to read it. Recognizing the return address, Johnny ripped it open immediately. He eagerly read the letter anticipating the news it would bring. Moisture formed in his eyes as he read the letter. But his eyes couldn't hold the liquid and tears ran down his face. Johnny cried. This was the first time in untold years that Johnny cried. Thankfully he was alone for the moment. Johnny's hands were shaking as he folded the letter and placed it in the breast pocket of his uniform shirt. He stood and opened his locker. Then his body shuddered. His hands shook slightly as he wiped at his eyes. A moment later Roy DeSoto , his partner, entered the locker room. Johnny coughed and wiped at his nose hoping to gain back some semblance of control. "Hey, you getting a cold Johnny?" Roy asked, stepping over the bench and opening his locker. Johnny hoped his voice wouldn't crack when he answered. "Yeah, maybe. Uh, listen I'm going to check our supplies." Johnny slammed his locker and headed out of the room too fast for Roy to respond. Roy shrugged his shoulders and went about changing for work. If there was one thing Roy learned about his young partner during the last eighteen months was that Johnny could be as closed mouthed as much as he could run off at the mouth. But as the shift wore on, Roy realized that Johnny wasn't just quiet, but seemed extremely run down. As though something had drained him all his enthusiasm, his natural boundless energy, his vigor that could energize all around him. Captain Hank Stanley hadn't been in command of this fire station long but the youngest member of his team seemed to be definitely in trouble. Since coming on shift this morning the normally overly animated John Gage seemed to hardly be able to move. The Captain stepped up to the young man who was just staring out the back door of the day room. "Gage, you okay pal?" Hank placed a hand on the young paramedic's shoulder. Johnny looked over his shoulder and slowly said, "Yeah Cap, I'm okay." "If you're not feeling well...." "No, I'm fine. Just...well..being quiet today..that's all." The Captain narrowed his eyes at the young man, then nodded and walked away. The other shift mates had quietly observed the interaction. Chet and Marco kept glancing at Johnny as he continued to just stare out the back door. Chet then motioned for Marco to follow him out into the bay. Marco and Chet were standing between the engine and the squad talking quietly when Mike, the engineer, joined them. "Talking about Johnny?" "Yeah, what the hell is with him today?" Chet asked. He wasn't always the nicest guy to Gage, but he'd never wish him any real harm. "I've never seen him so.....down. It's not natural for him." Marco shook his head, "I mean we've seen him after bad runs and he's been better than today." "I have a feeling this conversation is about my partner," Roy said, stepping around the front of the engine. "Ah Roy we didn't...." The men sputtered out. Roy put his hand up to stop any further comments. "I understand. Just let him alone okay. Knowing Johnny I'm sure this mood is temporary." It wasn't. Never once did Johnny not do his best on a call, but once it was over he again became almost reclusive. Johnny spent the time between runs in the dorm or working on the log book. Any chore that normally would have annoyed or bored him, now seemed to be the ones he ask for. Several times upon arriving at the hospital after Johnny had ridden in with patients, Roy couldn't locate his partner in the ER. Dixie McCall, head nurse and close friend, cornered Roy about her concerns about Johnny. "Okay, what is going on with John Gage?" "I don't know," Roy said, with a sullen quality to his voice. Then he shook his head. "It's really beginning to worry me." "It's been days since I've seen him do anything but walk by and head to the elevators." Dixie's tone matched Roy's. "Dix, do you know where he goes? I mean he's just not talking." Dix sighed, "I'm not sure where he goes. I even tried to get his attention by introducing him to the new class of student nurses." Dix shook her head. "He nodded and kept going for the elevator." "I think I better find out what's going on." At that moment, Johnny exited the elevator and headed towards Roy. "Everything okay, partner?" Johnny shrugged, "Let's go." Johnny didn't even slow down to say bye to Dixie. He simply glanced at her and gave her a slight nod. Dixie touched Roy's arm, "Get him to talk Roy. He's not doing well." "I will." Things remain tense and stressed the rest of the shift. 515151515151 As the days wore on, Johnny continued to isolate himself. Roy decided he needed to be more assertive. So, the day after their last shift. Roy was going to corner his partner and make him talk. "So, you're going over to Johnny's?" A very pregnant JoAnne asked her husband the next morning at breakfast. "Yeah." Roy didn't look up he just used his fork to move his food around his plate. "Are you taking Chris? He does love visiting Johnny." "Not this time. I don't think a four year old is going to have any fun at Johnny's today." JoAnne placed her hand on Roy's shoulder. "He's still not talking." Roy saw how worried his wife was. "It's beyond that now, Jo, I'm really worried he seems so depressed and exhausted. It even looks like he might have even dropped some weight." "Well, you go and check on him. Bring him back for lunch or dinner. Okay?" Then JoAnne added, "You know over the last week or so he hasn't even talked with me when I called the station. I mean ever since we told him about the baby he's been ....so happy for us." Roy nodded and kissed his wife. 51515151 The music blaring from behind Johnny's door would make it impossible for him to hear Roy knocking. Roy looked around, being a weekday, and people working, no one had probably complained about the noise. Roy's knocks went unanswered. Roy put his hand on the doorknob and turned it. It wasn't locked. Entering the apartment Roy had to put his hands over his ears so he could think. Not seeing Johnny he went to the stereo and shut it off. The smell assaulted his nose, making his stomach flip - Whiskey and beer. Roy began his search for his partner in earnest. Roy found Johnny sitting on the floor at the foot of his bed, slumped to the left. A bottle of Jack Daniel's in one hand and a sheet of paper in the other. Scattered on the floor were pictures of Johnny with a woman. Roy carefully took the bottle and paper from Johnny's hands and placed them on the dresser. With that done, Roy gave his full attention to Johnny. "Now, it's your turn, partner." Roy got a towel from the bathroom and soaked it with cool water. Returning to Johnny he began wiping Johnny's face and arms. "Come on John let's wake up now." Roy continued talking and wiping 'til at last Johnny's eyes opened. "Hey-ya Roy-yo." Roy almost gagged at the breath. "Hey to you too. Can you stand? You could really use some time in the shower." "Who cares? I aint nothing to nobody." Roy was appalled at what Johnny had said and wanted to question Johnny, but now wasn't the time. "Shower, then some coffee and then we will talk." "Oh man," Johnny groaned as Roy grabbed him under the arms and lifted the man to his feet. "All right, dammit, I can take care of it myself. Don't need your dam help." Roy ignored the rudeness and steadied Johnny as he walked to the bathroom. "Uh no, stay out here," John ordered when they got to the bathroom. Johnny entered the bathroom and slammed the door. Roy waited until he heard the shower and the grunting as Johnny tried to peel off his clothing. Then Roy went to the kitchen put on some coffee and made toast with very little butter for his partner. Ten minutes later Johnny staggered out of the bedroom. Each piece of furniture became an object to insure his walking ability. Finally, Johnny collapsed into a chair by the table in the kitchen. His head hung in his hands. "My head is killing me!" "Here, coffee with a Bayer chaser," Roy said, placing a hot cup of coffee down in front of Johnny and two Bayer aspirin. Johnny popped the aspirin and took a sip of coffee. He grimaced as he drank the extra strong coffee. Johnny then stared into the mug. He watched the black liquid swirling in the cup. Roy sat down next to his partner. He noticed Johnny was suddenly mesmerized by the coffee. Roy touched Johnny's arm, "Now will you talk to me? What is eating you up?" Roy stared at Johnny's face waiting for a reply. Finally, after a minute or so, Roy saw his partner's dark eyes turn toward him. Johnny raised his eyes to look at Roy. Roy could see the anguish written there. "John, what the hell is it?" "Am I a bad person?" Johnny whispered. "WHAT? No, God no." Roy said forcibly "Why are you asking me that?" "I got a letter. She didn't even tell me herself. I thought it would work out. Hell, I thought once her head was straight we'd get.......but to do this." Johnny crossed his arms on the table and lowered his head. Roy watched not knowing what Johnny was referring to. "Johnny who are you talking about?" "Dolores Mazon" Roy was confused, he was sure Johnny and Dolores broke up months ago. "Dolores, the girl you dated through the paramedic training?" Johnny lifted his head. "Yeah," Johnny fingered the coffee cup. "Man, Roy I really loved her. But ....I guess it wasn't mutual." "Wanna fill me in?" Johnny looked up at him, "Remember the birthday party Dix threw for me right before the paramedic bill passed." Johnny bit his lip slightly, "You know when I mouthed off to Brackett?" Johnny watched as Roy nodded. "Well, that was the last night I saw her." 515151515151 August 28, 1972 Dolores opened the door to the apartment she shared with her friend Jane Bellows. Johnny followed his girlfriend of 7 months into the apartment. Suddenly, his cheek was burning. Dolores had slapped him. "How could you talk to Brackett like that? Dammit, Johnny, he's my boss. Dixie is really close to him and I've got to work with her every shift." Dolores stormed further into the apartment. "You are the most immature person I know. When will you grow up?" Johnny was following her and getting angry. "I just spoke the truth. He's been fighting the program every step of the way. That Doctor speaks to us like he's God's gift to medicine. I'm just sick and tired of having to bow to the mighty Dr. Brackett." "Well, you're the one who joined the program. If you hadn't joined then you wouldn't be dealing with Brackett." "Oh, we're back to that. You never wanted me to join in the first place did you?" "Yeah, you know what you're right, I didn't. Between the extra time at the hospital and studying you all but forgot about me. We hardly had anytime together for all those months. Now, all I hear from you is Roy this or the program that. I'm so sick of it." "This is important to me. Can't you see that. You were the one who encouraged me to find out more about the program." "You were so angry after Brackett gave you hell over the man who got electrocuted I figured ......Well, what the hell. I didn't think you'd toss me aside." Johnny pulled Dolores into his arms. "I didn't toss you aside. If I remember right, we celebrated my signing up for the program by making love for the first time." "Don't remind me." "WHAT?" Johnny was shocked. He released Dolores from his hold. Dolores walked to the door and whipped it open. "Just get the hell out and leave me alone." "Fine, when you come to your senses call me." Johnny stormed out of the apartment. Jane Bellows had listened from her bedroom. Hearing the door slam she poked her head out. "Dolores?" "What?" Dolores snapped. "I couldn't help but hear." Jane came out of the bedroom. "What's going on?" "Nothing to do with you so just go away," Dolores walked into her bedroom and closed the door. The next morning Jane noticed Dolores' bedroom door open. Drawers of the dresser stood open and empty. A small piece of paper was taped to the mirror. "Jane, I need to get away. I don't know when I'll get back. Here's two months of my share of the rent. Rent my room if you have to, just box my stuff and hold it for me. PS If Johnny calls--tell him to go to hell. Dolores "Oh boy," Jane said leaning against the dresser. Jane was suddenly very happy she worked at Harbor General instead of Rampart. At least she wouldn't have to face Johnny. 515151 Roy let loose with a long whistle then, "And so you never heard another thing from Dolores?" Johnny shook his head. "I called about a three days later when I didn't see Dolores at the hospital. Dix had told me she quit. Jane was very tactful in telling me Dolores was gone." "Johnny, I wish you'd told me sooner. But if this happened months ago..." Roy didn't want to seem uncaring so he spoke quietly, "...why are you so upset now?" Johnny snorted, "Yeah, should be over her right?" Roy made a face that implied he agreed with Johnny. Johnny deciding he couldn't talk about it anymore. "Roy why don't you head home? Jo's in no condition to be chasing Chris. Go be with your family Roy. Enjoy every minute of it!" Johnny rose and went to his bedroom and shut the door. Roy sat for a minute. He knew there was still more to the story of Dolores and Johnny. But Johnny had just shut down again and was not divulging any more. Roy went home to his family. 5151515151 The following shift Johnny wasn't as distant, but he still was not himself. Roy was helping Johnny prepare lunch. The two worked silently. He {Roy}was adapting to the quieter Johnny, but it wasn't something he liked. Chet and Marco came in from hanging hose. Chet snatched a carrot as Johnny reached for it. "Hey Gage, Marco and I are going bowling tomorrow night. Wanna come? Marco's cousins are going to be there. Should be a good time." Chet waited with a smile on his face. Johnny half smiled. "Not this time Chet. But thanks." "Gage, you gotta snap out of it man. No chick is worth this." Johnny shot Roy a look. Roy felt the anger. Chet saw raw anger in the look Johnny was giving Roy. "Gage I didn't' need Roy to tell me it's some chick that's got you nuts." Johnny slammed down the knife he was using. "It's not 'some chick'. So just shut up and stay the hell away from me." With that Johnny stormed out of the room. Chet swallowed hard. "Oh dam. Roy I didn't realize he was still so bugged." Chet started cutting the carrots Johnny had left. "Roy there's more to all this isn't there?" "Chet, he's not telling. So, just stay away from him right now." "I agree with Roy, Chet." Marco added from where he sat at the table. Then the tones sounded. <<<<<Squad 51--woman in labor----one three eight High Street---time out eleven thirty-eight>>>>>> Captain Stanley acknowledged the call and handed the slip to Roy who passed it to Johnny. The Captain watched the squad pull out. When he turned to head to the day room, he was startled to see Chet and Marco also watching the squad leaving. "Maybe this will pull Johnny out of his misery." "What's that suppose to mean, Kelly?" The Captain asked. Marco was the one who answered, "A baby. A healthy baby is always a great run." "If anything is going to work on Johnny, a baby would," Mike Stoker said, stepping away from the engine he'd been polishing. "Gentlemen let's get the work done. And now that they are on a call, Chet, Marco finish getting lunch ready. 51515151 "Great job, Roy", Dr. Brackett slapped Roy on the back as he stood at Dixie's desk. "Mother and baby are doing just fine." "Thanks, Doc." Roy smiled. "Kel, Roy was just telling me that JoAnne's Doctor said it could be anytime now." "Oh come on Dix. Roy here is an old pro at delivering babies." Kel Brackett crossed his arms across his chest. "Aren't you?" Roy squirmed under the doctor's gaze. "I suppose I should be. But I know I'm going to become just another crazed Dad when the time comes." Dixie and Kel laughed. "Roy, I really doubt you'll be a 'crazed Dad'. " Brackett said walking off. Dixie, then looked around, "Roy, where's Johnny? I thought for sure I'd see him bounding in here all happy about the baby too." "You know he's been so so ...." "Distant," Dixie said quietly. Roy thought for a moment, "Yeah, distant. Even with delivering the baby he seemed to be acting on remote control. None of the usual banter he does to keep the mother calm." Roy stopped and thought more about the run. "Then when I handed him the baby....." <<<<Squad 51 are you available?>>>> Roy was about to answer the HT when he heard Johnny's voice over the HT. <<<<Squad 51 available from Rampart>>>> <<<<Stand by 51>>>> Roy grabbed the HT, "He musta just pulled in. Gotta go Dix." Roy quickly headed out of the ER. Sure enough there was the squad, parked at the hospital entrance, Johnny in the drivers seat. <<<<<Squad 51 child injured in a fall at the playground at Highland Avenue and Washington Ave->>>>> The child was not seriously hurt and the mother was going to take the child to her own pediatrician. So, Roy and Johnny began loading their equipment back into the squad. Johnny slammed the compartment door so hard the squad shook. "Whoa there, Johnny! You're going to break the door." "Where the hell was the mother? I mean to walk away to buy a soda and leave a 4 year old kid hanging on the monkey bars. That kid could've been killed." "Johnny, calm down. The boy is fine." The two men went about getting into the squad. "That boy is fine because he was lucky. Doesn't she know how dam lucky she is to have that little boy. She should be taking care of him first and put her needs second." Roy was going to start the squad but instead turned in his seat to face his partner. "Johnny, I'm sure it was just a ....." "Roy, drop it. I just want to get back to the station and have lunch." Johnny turned and stared out the window. Quietly he added, "How could she just abandon a child?" Roy heard the words, but chose to keep his concerns to himself for the moment. Once back at the station they sat down and had their lunch. Well, Roy ate, Johnny just picked. The next morning, as they changed before heading home, Roy asked, "Johnny can you come over to the house today? JoAnne and I would really like to talk to you about something." Johnny didn't look over, he just kept buttoning his shirt. "I'm not good company right now Roy. I'm sorry." Johnny shut his locker. His hand lingered on the door. "I'm sorry." Then he left the room. Roy slammed his locker. 5151515151 "Roy, I thought Johnny would be with you?" JoAnne stated as she hugged her husband who had just come home. Roy loved the feel of her body close to his when she was pregnant. "I couldn't talk him into it. Whatever his problem is--I can't seem to get through to him." "Well, come on in and eat your breakfast and tell me what happened?" Arms wrapped around each other they walked into their home. JoAnne listened to Roy as he discussed the events of the last twenty-four hours. She set his breakfast down then sat down herself. "Roy?" JoAnne said gently rubbing her belly. "All these times that Johnny has gotten angry, it's involved kids hasn't it?" Roy put another bite of his breakfast then stopped in mid chew and swallowed, "Yeah, it has." "Roy didn't he say he just couldn't be around me right now too." "Jo I'm sure he didn't mean..." Roy didn't want his wife to feel badly. "Honey, I know Johnny didn't mean anything bad." JoAnne put her hand on her belly and looked at it. She began to think she might know what was troubling Johnny "Maybe it's not me, but my condition?" Jo looked at Roy and raised an eyebrow. Roy's mouthed dropped open, and he relized what Jo was implying. "Oh God, maybe she was pregnant." "And maybe she....." JoAnne breathed deeply. "And maybe she's not anymore." Jo didn't want to say the word. "You mean she had a -an abortion? And Johnny found out?" Roy leaned back in his chair. "Johnny would be devastated. Hell, that is just how I'd explain what he's been like." "Oh Johnny," JoAnne said closing her eyes momentarily. "He's so good with kids and would be such a great Dad. I can't imagine anything hurting him more than this." At that moment little Christopher walked into the kitchen, "Hi Daddy." Then Chris climbed onto his father's lap. Roy hugged the boy tightly. JoAnne breathed deeply trying to stop her tears. Meanwhile, down at the beach, Johnny sat alone staring at the waves. The sounds of children playing only deepening his sense of loss. Johnny lowered his head and cried. 51515151 Johnny wasn't sure how he'd ever feel like himself again. He resolved himself to the idea that telling Roy might be his only way of getting through his anger and loss. So, when he walked into the locker room to start his next shift he felt maybe he'd have some piece of mind by the end of the shift. "BRICE? Why the hell are you here?" Johnny blurted out. "DeSoto called Captain Stanley about a thirty minutes ago. Mrs. DeSoto is in labor and he is with her at the hospital." Johnny nodded. "Oh," Johnny's voice sounded almost remorseful. Brice watched Johnny closely. He noted the absence of a positive response to the news. "When we head over to Rampart for supplies I would imagine you would want to check on Mrs. DeSoto?" Johnny never looked at Brice. "If the time allows, yeah, maybe." Now Brice was confused. "I just thought since you and DeSoto are so close..." "And it is none of your business." "Understood." Brice finished dressing and left Johnny alone. Alone, Johnny sank to the bench. He wanted to be happy for Roy and JoAnne. But he wasn't ready yet to stand around and coo at a baby. 51515151 A few hours later Roy was walking around the hospital room with his new baby daughter in his arms when Dixie knocked on the door and poked her head in. "Is it okay if I visit now?" JoAnne carefully sat up a little straighter in her bed. Waving her hand she said, "Of coarse, come on in Dix." Dix smiled broadly and walked to Roy as he was coming towards her. "Let me see that baby." Roy tilted his bundle of joy so Dixie could get a better look. "Oh Roy, JoAnne she's beautiful." "Would like to hold her?" Jo asked. "I don't know if Roy will part with her?" Dixie said as she winked at Roy. "For a minute," Roy said started to carefully hand the baby to Dix. "But only for a minute." Dix sat down in the chair next to Jo's bed. "You didn't take too long to get here. Did you..?" Dixie looks to Jo "Does she have a name yet?" "Jennifer Lynn DeSoto," JoAnne said raidiantly. "Well Jennifer Lynn, I'm glad you didn't cause Mommy too much trouble." JoAnne sighed deeply, "So's Mommy." "Ah Dix, has Johnny been in yet?" Roy haltingly asked. "Yes," Dixie watched Roy slightly bow his head. She quickly added, "But they were dispatched right back out." "We're you able to tell him..I mean about the baby?" Dix knew Roy was disappointed not to have heard from Johnny yet. "I told him. But Roy as soon as I got the words out they were dispatched to a fire. I'm sorry." "Yeah, well, I'll call him at the station if he doesn't come by later today." Roy intently stared at the baby in Dixie's arms. Jo and Dix looked at each other then to Roy. The room was very quiet. 515151515151 This was the fourth time Johnny had been to Rampart since the baby was born and each time he'd managed to avoid going up to visit with Roy and JoAnne. Dix had just received her third call from Roy asking if Johnny had been back to the hospital. So, when she saw Johnny entering the ER with the latest patient she set her mind to resolving the situation. "John Gage, I want to talk to you," Dixie grabbed Johnny's arm after he left the treatment room where he'd just dropped off a patient. "I really need to wash up, Dix." Johnny pulled free of Dixie's grip and darted into the washroom. When he emerged a few minutes later he again felt the strong grip on his arm. "I was wondering if you fell in. Now, we are going to see Roy and Jo's baby. " Johnny found himself hoping to see Brice so he'd have a reason to leave. "What if Brice..." "He'll know where to find you." With a shove Johnny found himself on the elevator. Dixie leaned in and hit the button for the maternity floor. "And I will call up to make sure you visit them." The doors to the elevator shut. Johnny rammed his hands into his pockets. Dixie was right. He needed to congratulate his friends. *I can do this. I can do this. Ten minutes tops.* The door to the elevator opened. Taking a deep breath he stepped out. This floor was the happiest in the hospital. Clowns, balloons, and happy pictures of babies decorated the walls. Laughing and happy voices emanated from each room. Johnny walked down the hall. When he got to the nursery window, he stopped and looked in. The babies were safely wrapped in their pink or blue blankets. Some babies were sleeping others crying - All so precious. Johnny felt the constriction in his chest. He had to get out of here. "Oh, Johnny, you came." Johnny turned around to see Jo and Roy standing there. Roy saw the furrowed brow but decided to ignore it. "Jennifer is the second one in on the right." Roy said softly as he pointed the baby out to Johnny. Jo moved over to the other side of Johnny. They all looked into the nursery. "Sh-she--she's beautiful." "Here - let me get the nurse to bring her out so you can hold her," Roy stepped up to the door of the nursery. "NO--," Johnny blurted out. "I mean she's sleeping. Let her sleep." Johnny looked around, "I got to go anyway. Brice is probably looking for me." "Johnny, Brice can wait. Roy and I really want to talk to you about something." JoAnne's eyes locked on Johnny's. "Please?" Suddenly, Roy was there with his daughter in his arms. Johnny stood transfixed. He couldn't pull his gaze from the baby. JoAnne noticed the shaking first. "John, are you all right?" "Johnny?" Roy then noticed how Johnny was shaking. Johnny started backing away from his friends. "I can't...I can't." John turned and sped toward the stairs. "Oh God Roy, He's hurting so much." JoAnne stood next to her husband and laid her head on his shoulder. "Mr. DeSoto?" Roy looked at the young nurse, "Yes?" "I hope your friend is going to be okay." "I hope so too." "I've seen him up here so many times." Roy was shocked, "Up here? By the nursery?" "Yes. At first I was going to call security but then he came up once in uniform. After that I just figured he just liked seeing the babies." "How often?" JoAnne asked. "At least once every shift I've worked." The nurse played with her hair. "Sometimes he just looks so sad." Roy and Jo wanted to ask more but she was need in the nursery. With JoAnne holding his arm, Roy started walking her back to her room. Roy looked at the baby sleeping in his arms. "Jo, do you think we should still ask him?" Jo squeezed his arm. "Even more so now Roy." Quietly the couple entered JoAnne's room. 5151515151 Later that night, Johnny just couldn't get to sleep. He felt awful about the way he behaved to Roy and JoAnne. This was an exciting time for them and he had done nothing for them. Johnny got up and pulled on his bunker pants then headed to the day room. As soon as the next shirt arrived, Johnny headed out to visit JoAnne and make amends. Finally, three hours later he took a deep breath and got off the elevator on the maternity floor. When he got to JoAnne's room he knocked lightly. "Come in." Johnny pushed the door open and poked his head in. He saw JoAnne sitting in a chair holding the baby, but no Roy. "Oh Johnny, come on in." JoAnne waved him in. Johnny stepped into the room and put on a smile. "Hi Jo." Johnny crossed the room. JoAnne watched the false smile on Johnny's face. "Get over here mister." She reached out her hand. Johnny took it. "I was hoping you'd stop by." "I'm sorry I ran out yesterday. It's just...I've been going through some stuff." "You're here now." JoAnne watched him carefully. "Would you like to hold her Johnny?" She had to wait a minute for the answer. "Yeah," Johnny whispered. JoAnne handed the baby to Johnny. Taking the child Johnny sat in the chair across from JoAnne. "Man, she's beautiful. You guys named her Jennifer?" Johnny ran his finger over her little face. "Yes, after my grandmother." JoAnne smiled as Johnny traced the facial features of the babe. "Well, look at this." Roy said coming through the door. "You already softening him up so he'll baby sit?" Roy walked over and kissed JoAnne. "Hi Johnny." "Oh I don't know Roy. Johnny probably has too many dates lines up to baby sit." Jo teased. Johnny kept staring at the baby. "You need a sitter. Call me first." "Okay you heard him," JoAnne said grabbing Roy's hand. JoAnne then nodded to Roy and mouthed, "Ask him." Roy sat on the armrest of Jo's chair. "Johnny there is something we want to ask you." Johnny looked up, "What?" "We've thought a lot about this. We'd be honored if you be her Godfather." "You want me?" Johnny gasped out, then he looked down at the baby. "We think we couldn't ask for a better person. There so much you've brought to our lives and we want that for Jennifer too." When Johnny sighed Roy saw his chin quiver. "Shouldn't you ask a family member? I mean isn't that how it works." "We did ask a family member--you.," JoAnne stated firmly. Johnny got out of the chair and walked to the window still holding the baby. Jo and Roy closely watched Johnny. He seemed to be talking quietly to the baby. After a few more moments, Johnny finally turned around. "Yes, I'd be honored to be this little girl's Godfather. Thank you." "Great," Roy and Jo said together. "Johnny, I'm sorry about Dolores. I hope our little Jennifer can ease your heart." "Nothing is going to ease my heart over what she did," Johnny said handing the baby back to JoAnne. "Looking at this little one. Just makes it harder." Johnny stopped speaking when he realized what he said. "Sorry." "Someday, you'll meet the right woman and have a mess of kids yourself." Roy said. "Yeah, maybe. But .." Johnny turned around to look out the window. "But there's a child of mine I'm never going to know." Jo and Roy looked at each other. They'd been right Dolores had been pregnant. Roy walked over and placed a hand on Johnny's shoulder. "Yes that's true. But someday you'll be a great Dad." "I just can't....It's so hard...I don't even know....if she's alright...or " Johnny knew if he kept speaking he'd loose the control he worked so hard on maintaining so he could visit with Roy, Jo and the baby. Roy turned Johnny to face him, then placed a hand on each shoulder, "Johnny? What do you mean...if she's all right? We thought, the way you made it sound......Didn't Dolores have an...." Johnny realized what Roy was about to say, "No, no not an abortion." Johnny sighed then cleared his throat, "Dolores gave the baby up for adoption." Johnny's head fell forward and his shoulders began to shake. Roy pulled him close. "Oh dear God." JoAnne squeezed her eyes and held her child closer. "Why Roy? Why? I am that bad of a person. If she'd told me, even if she didn't want me. I would've taken the baby. But to just take off and give it away." Johnny let Roy hold him. "Johnny, I don't know what she was thinking. But the problem wasn't with you." Roy hesitated, "Johnny is there any chance..." John stepped back and away from Roy, "That I could find my baby?" Johnny shook his head, "I've talked to a lawyer. I have no rights. Adoptions are sealed. Hell, I don't even know where she gave up the baby." "Oh Johnny I wish you'd told us sooner. You didn't need to go through this alone," JoAnne admonished. "How did you even find out about the baby if Dolores hasn't gotten in contact with you?" Johnny took out his wallet and removed the letter then held it up. "Dolores' roommate sent me this at the station." Johnny fingered the letter. "Jane hated the way Dolores was acting towards me. So, when Dolores showed up on her doorstep to take the few things she left behind and told her about the baby she felt I should know." Johnny looked at the letter, "If Jane hadn't sent me this....I probably would never had known that there was a little piece of me somewhere out there." Johnny sighed, "I'm not so sure whether its a good thing or bad thing that I know." "It's a good thing Johnny. Maybe someday...." JoAnne had to stop her emotions were getting to close to the surface. "Eighteen years," Johnny said quietly. "What?" Both DeSoto's said. "Adoption records are sealed for eighteen years. My lawyer said when she's eighteen she can ask to see them. But then only if she knows she's adopted or is even interested. Until or if she's interested in finding me I just get to spend every day wondering if I'm ever gonna..." Johnny stopped speaking and swallowed hard. He squeezed his eyes shut. Johnny let out a shaky breath. "So, if I spoil my Godchild, I hope you don't mind." "Of course we won't mind. But I've got to say, if your little girl has the same overwhelming curiosity that her father has...she'll come looking for you." Johnny smile , gently folded the letter back up then placed it back in his wallet. "Until then." 51515151 Roy and JoAnne were the only ones who knew what was going on. Johnny was emphatic that no one else should know. As time went on things returned to normal. Roy and JoAnne knew when Jenny took her first step the sad look on Johnny's face meant if he was thinking about missing that milestone in his own child's life. Or when he heard Jenny call Roy Daddy, that his little girl was calling someone else Daddy. Little moments, things other parents didn't even think about would wear on Johnny's mind. When Jennifer was learning to ride a bike she fell and cut her knee. Johnny watched JoAnne hold and comfort the child wondering to himself, *Is someone comforting my little girl when she's hurt?* When Jennifer joined the Girl Scouts, Johnny loved helping the troop with there camping and hiking. But every year when the Daddy and Me dance came around his stomach would tighten. Someone else, hopefully, was dancing with his little girl. Making her feel like a princess just like he would. Johnny took every February 21st off from that year on. Jane had included the child's birth date in her letter. Johnny spent that day alone, never even telling Roy what he did on that day. Time past. Promotions were accomplished. Johnny never married. Roy wondered if part of the reason was being so badly hurt by Dolores so many years before. Roy was shocked when in 1991 a very anti tech Johnny purchased a home computer. Johnny shrugged off the jokes and just said, "You're just jealous." The Internet was new. But Johnny had heard about sites where adoptees could post dates and information about their births in order to search out "birth parents". All other means of finding his daughter had failed so this might be his only way. Now in his fifties, Johnny had still not given up. She'd be thirty. Was she married? Was she happy? Maybe he was a grandfather? These questions seemed to invade his sleep nightly. So, the glow of the computer lit up the den during the early morning hours of the ranch he'd bought years earlier.The lists and sites of "birth parents" and adoptees looking to reunite had grown by leaps and bounds since he started searching years earlier. This quest was his and his alone. He'd let Roy and Jo think he'd moved on with his life. One more click of the mouse and the next page appeared. He started scrolling down. Birth date--Feb 21--1973--CA-- Johnny stopped. He'd seen the date listed before, but nothing had come of it. He sighed and clicked on it. "Adopted through Catholic Family Services. Mother's occupation was listed as nurse. Father --fireman. That's all I've got. I was raised in Northern CA. S. D. M." Johnny leaned back in his chair. He could feel his heart thumping harder than it had on any rescue. He clicked on reply. Johnny quickly typed in his response: "I'm a fireman who's daughter was given up for adoption. Her birth date is the same as yours. Her birth mother was a nurse. I'm in Los Angeles, CA. How do you want to handle this?" He clicked send. Now Johnny just had to wait, again. At first Johnny wanted to call Roy. He had even picked up the phone. But what if it wasn't her. Slowly, he hung up the phone. Alone he'd wait to hear back from her. 5151515151 Roy sat at his desk weeding through the latest stack of memos and reports sent from the Chief when someone knocked on his door. "Come in." "Cap, can I talk to you for a minute?" "Sure Johnson, come on in. Anything to get me away from paperwork for a minute," Captain DeSoto said gleefully. "Uh, this has to do with Captain Gage sir," Johnson spoke slowly. "A friend of mine is part of his crew. I know you two are good friends and well I thought maybe..." Roy's curiosity was peeked. He hadn't spoke to Johnny in a couple of weeks. He had tried to call but never got any answer. "And?." "Well, Captain Gage has really been on edge. Snapping at his crew and stuff. I know it's not my place and all but my friend, hell the whole crew, is worried about him." Roy sat back in his chair. "Okay, I'll check into it." Johnson rose to leave the office, "Johnson thanks for letting me know. Johnny is a good friend. I'm glad his crew is looking out for him." Johnson nodded and left the office. The next morning, before leaving the station Roy called Johnny at his station. When Johnny answered Roy tried to sound as upbeat as possible. "Hey Junior, I haven't seen you in a few weeks--How's about us ole' Captains go out for breakfast." Johnny didn't want to. He wanted to get home and check his e-mail. Sitting around waiting for a response was what he had been living for these past two weeks. Johnny didn't want to check from work because would show up on the department's system. "Ah, not today. Okay. I'll call you when I can. Just got alot going on. Bye." Roy looked at the phone in his hand. "Like hell Junior." Roy put the phone down. "I will be seeing you today." As was Johnny's new routine when he came home, he threw his gear onto the sofa then immediately went and turned on the computer. It seemed to take longer and longer for it to boot up. "Ping, you've got mail." Johnny clicked on the mail icon. Johnny scrolled down. "Damn spam." Then he saw her e-mail address. He clicked on it. "Since I have so little info concerning my birth parents I want to be very careful. You should understand. I've enclosed my lawyer's address and phone number. Any further contact should be made through him. I hope this is acceptable to you. You do understand medical testing is going to be a requirement before any more information is passed along. I've had the basic tests done--so if you agree to testing it shouldn't take too long to compare results. S.D.M. Oh, Good luck to both of us." Johnny grabbed the phone and dialed the lawyer's office. Then he called the blood lab to arrange a time for the blood work and where to send the results afterward. Johnny was in a state of controlled euphoria. He thought his heart was going to pound there his chest. He had to tell Roy. But he didn't want to. Roy would be the voice of reason and he wanted to keep his hopes alive that this was it. Then the doorbell rang. Johnny practically ran to it. As he whipped open the door he loudly said, "What?" There was Roy. "Roy?" "Yeah, what you don't recognize me?" "No, it's just I was thinking about calling you?" "Really, good cause frankly you've got some people worried and I.." Johnny reached out, grabbed Roy's arm and pulled him inside. "Whoa, hey I like my arm attached to my body." "I think I found her." Johnny began just walking around and around the living room, his hand repeatedly running through his hair as he spoke. "I mean the date is right, Dolores was a nurse, I'm a fireman. She was given up in California. Man, this could be it. This afternoon I go for the blood work. They said they'd be able to send the results out in a few days. Maybe as early as next week I'll know if it's her. God bless the Internet." Roy had to close his eyes. Watching Johnny circling the room was making him dizzy. "STOP, FREEZE." Johnny did. "What the hell are you talking about?" Again Johnny was pulling him by his arm - this time to the den. Johnny pushed Roy into the computer chair then spun him around to face the computer. Leaning over Roy he clicked on "mail" and went right to the first message from S.D.M. Roy read the messages as Johnny clicked to each one. He was shocked. Johnny had stopped talking about finding her, so he'd thought Johnny had dropped the subject. "I ....you've...." Roy stopped. Then taking a moment, "Johnny, I hope this is all you want it to be." "But?" "No buts. It's already been way too long." "Where are the words of caution? Or how I shouldn't get my hopes up-that this is a long shot? Or maybe when we meet we won't get along?" Roy put his hand up, "Hold it. I suppose those are some of the possibilities you've let your mind go nuts over for thirty years. But let me just say, I can't wait to share some of our adventures with your daughter." Johnny's face broke out into a huge grin. "I won't care what stories you tell her. It's been a long time coming." "I think I'll start with the girdle in the face. Yeah, that always makes you blush--." Johnny sat down on the couch next to the computer. "Man, this might really happen." Roy got up and then sat next to Johnny. "I wish you'd told me you were still looking for her. Coulda saved us some time?" "Huh, what?" "A couple years back, when we got our own computer, Jo showed me some sites she found about looking for adoptees. We've been known to stay up and go looking for your little girl ourselves." Johnny ran his hand over his face. "I just didn't want to get my hopes up. Or be questioned about searching, so I didn't say anything." Roy shook his head, "We didn't say anything because didn't want to get your hopes up." "God Roy, I know I'm setting myself up for a serious hurt here. But I really need this to be her. I can't keep...." Johnny rose and went to the bookshelf on the other side of the room. He took down a shoe box. He ran his hand over the top and sides. Roy watched, then got up and went to his friend. "John, what's in the box?" "Thirty birthdays, thirty Christmases...hopes, dreams." Johnny looked at his friend and saw the confusion. "Every year on her birthday I'd write a letter to her or I'd go and get her a card or some little gift." Johnny didn't know if he could share the rest, but he wanted too. "I'd go buy a balloon. Then I'd put my birthday wish for her in it. I'd get it filled with helium, then I'd go somewhere quiet and let it go." Roy could see Johnny's chin quiver slightly. Roy was not sure what to say, but he didn't want his friend to have to be alone. "Come on. Let's go over to my house and fill JoAnne in. Then I'll go with you for the blood work. After that--well I think a drink will be called for." And that's exactly how the day played out. Thanks to his conversation with Roy, Johnny had calmed down considerably. 51515151 JoAnne was folding laundry while watching AS THE WORLD TURNS when she heard the doorbell. JoAnne was annoyed. "Never fails I get into watching one of these soaps and just when it gets to a good part the door..." JoAnne then opened the door. "Johnny?" "It's her." "Oh my God. Get your butt in here." JoAnne grabbed his arm and yanked him into the house. "ROY--JOHNNY'S HERE--HURRY." Down in the basement Roy couldn't tell whether it was good news or bad by the way JoAnne yelled for him. When he got to the top of the stairs and saw how JoAnne was smiling and hugging Johnny he knew. "It's her." "Yup, I'm found my little girl. Little girl--she's thirty." "Take it from us. They are always your little girl--no matter how old." JoAnne then excitedly asked, "So what happens now?" "Well," Johnny started into the living room with the DeSotos following. "I talked to her lawyer. Before we can meet she wants it in writing that I will not pursue any relationship if she doesn't want any more contact with me." "Ouch," JoAnne said with a pained expression. Johnny smiled and winked at Jo. "Jo, I understand why. What if I was some nut case or tried to make demands? She's only protecting herself. Actually, her lawyer said I should have a similar agreement drawn up by my lawyer. Anyway when that's done we'll meet at her lawyer's office. If everything goes all right it'll be up to us as to when we'd meet again." "Okay, so how long are we talking here?" Jo asked before Roy could. "Maybe another week or so." Roy jumped in before Jo could get off her next question. "Where does she live?" Johnny scratched his head and smiled. "Well, that's kinda funny thing actually. Seems my little girl is from Yreka--or should I say Yreka -I found my little girl." "Oh, that's too funny," JoAnne giggled. "No, sounds about right. This is a Gage we're talking about." 51515151 "So how did it go?" Roy asked taking the luggage from Johnny's hand. "The flight was fine," Johnny said nonchalantly. "You," JoAnne hit his arm. "You know dam well what we're asking about." Johnny put his arm around JoAnne. "It went great. We spent a lot of time together. I met her husband and her folks." "Oh Johnny that's wonderful." "Uh, could we continue this on our way out of the airport?" Roy asked. "Sure, but ..." Johnny pulled a picture from his breast pocket. "I thought you'd want to see my little girl first." Roy stopped and turned to look at the picture. JoAnne leaned over. "This is Samantha Dixon Mitchell. My daughter." It was a picture of Johnny with his daughter. The woman was barely up to his chest. A huge smile graced her face. Dark eyes held the same light as Johnny's. A single long braided ponytail hung down in front of her. "Well, whatcha think?" Johnny asked beaming. "Samantha is lovely. She looks happy to meet you too." Roy said slapping Johnny on the back. "Johnny, she's got your dark eyes. And I think she's got some mischief to those eyes." "Yeah." Johnny looked at the photo. "Let's get out of here. Let's go out to dinner. There's so much to tell you." 5151515151 At dinner Johnny brought out some other pictures. Samantha had given him pictures of herself as a child and her wedding picture. JoAnne and Roy listened intently as Johnny discussed how at first things were very guarded. How Samantha's husband watched him closely and was very protective of his wife. "But he came around. Actually, it was nice to know how much he loved her. Samantha's got wonderful parents too. Her Mom and Dad, well, it was obvious they adored her. When we talked about how I've been looking for so long, her Mom actually hugged me. She told me she could understand how much I musta been hurting 'cause she couldn't imagine not having Samantha in her life." Johnny got quiet. Then he smiled. "Oh, by the way, I'm way ahead of you in one aspect of this parenting thing." "Oh really? And what would that be?" JoAnne asked sarcastically. Johnny beamed with pride and straightened his shoulders, "I'm a grandpa-" Johnny quickly stuck up two fingers, "-twice over." "Wow, and where are their pictures Junior?" Roy stuck out his hand and snaped his fingers teasingly. Johnny made a slight frown. "I don't have any." "Well, what are they like?" Roy inquired. "I don't know." "What? Why not?" JoAnne asked leaning forward on the table. "Samantha wanted to make sure we got along before telling them. Also, they are six and eight. She wanted to explain being adopted and who I was before we met." Johnny had gotten a little sullen but then perked back up. "Samantha said next time she'd be happy to have me meet them." Roy and JoAnne ate. Johnny just kept talking about the time he'd spent with Samantha. Then there was a lull in the conversation. "Johnny, you okay?" JoAnne asked noticing a very comtemplative look on his face. Johnny smiled and nodded, "Just thinking about last night." "What happened last night?" Roy asked leaning back in his chair. "It was really late. Like 3am. There's a knock on my hotel door. It was Samantha. She said needed to talk to me. I tell ya, I thought she'd changed her mind and didn't want me around. I got so....scared. We went for a walk." Johnny waited a moment. "Samantha took me to this spot high up on a near by park. We sat on a rock. She'd gotten really quiet." Johnny saw Roy and JoAnne's faces and new he wouldn't be interrupted. "Samantha wanted to make sure I knew she'd been loved." "Oh, Johnny. What a wonderful thing for her to do for you," JoAnne said taking his hand. "Yeah," Johnny squeezed her hand. "She was so peaceful the way she explained it." ****** That night in the park: "Johnny, I know you must have been so worried about me all these years." Samantha spoke in just above a whisper. She stared at Johnny's face. "I'm a Mom, I know you can worry yourself silly when your child is in the house with you." Johnny nodded and stared at the eyes that were his. "That's why I came here tonight. I can tell what kind of person you are. You need to know I was -am-loved. My parents love me and have never failed me. Not once. Though at times I drove them up the wall. My being adopted had no bearing on how they loved me." Samantha giggled. "As a matter of fact I use to tease my friends with, 'You're parents just did the deed. Mine had to wait three years for me and prove to the world they deserved me.' And they did deserve me." Samantha stood and began pacing. "You know how everybody talks about 'bonding' with a parent. Or how breast feeding helps with the bonding process?" Johnny wondered where she was going with this. But before he could ask she continued. "Well, obviously I couldn't be breast fed by my Mom and certainly not by my Dad. But I don't think I could be more bonded to them." Samantha came and knelt in front of Johnny and took his hand and examined it. "My Dad made me 'Daddy's little girl'. No little girl was ever whirled around or doted over so much. 'Til this day when he sees me there's this light in his eyes. My Mom tried desperately to tone down my tomboy side while my Dad just indulged me." Samantha got up and sat next to him again, her gaze never leaving his face. "There was never a moment when I thought they wouldn't stand by me--no matter what. They may not like what I did or said. They might get angry. But I also had the knowledge--right here," Samantha pointed to her heart. "That they would love me through hell and high water." Johnny could tell she was finally done. He raised his hand to wipe away the tears on her cheeks. "Thank you. I needed to know that. For thirty years every morning and night I prayed for that for you." This time it was Samantha who ran a gentle hand over Johnny's face to push away the tears. Then she laughed. "But I bet you wished I waited til morning to tell you?" "No this is just fine. Like your Dad. I want you to feel you can come to me anytime, anywhere and tell me anything and know I love you no matter what." "Oh danm, now I'm crying again." Samantha wiped at her face. Samantha waited a moment, "Johnny....I'm leaving my search on the adoptees site. I don't know if Dolores is looking for me or not. But I feel it's important to give her the same opportunity I gave you." Johnny hadn't thought about Samantha looking for Dolores. They had discussed what had happened between himself and Dolores but Samantha had mostly just listened. "Johnny, I know you hated what she did." Samantha then placed her hand on his chin and forced him to look at her. "Dolores had other options. I might not be here at all if she had made one of those other ...choices." Samantha raised an eyebrow. "Or she could have just tried to raise me alone or...." Samantha stopped and sighed. "No matter...Dolores chose an agency that picked adoptive parents carefully. I was given to a wonderful family, found the love a man who will love til my last breath, and now I get a second Dad. Not to shabby in my mind." Samantha smiled. "Now that you know your Mom's name you could look her up or hire.." Johnny stopped when Samantha shook her head. "No, I won't do that. It must be her choice. Just like you had the choice not to look. To have your privacy respected. I will not invade her life. What if she's married and never told her husband? Or she just plain has moved on and doesn't have the desire to find me. NO, I don't have the right to make demands on her." Samantha stopped. "I know waiting and wondering will be difficult." Johnny knew all too well how difficult waiting could be. He reached out and pulled her close. He hugged her tightly till the sun started coming up. "It's a whole new day." He smiled broadly. ******** Roy and JoAnne remained quiet after Johnny finished the story. Johnny was smiling and shaking his head. "She's just so wonderful. Can't wait til I see her again." "So when do you see her again?" Roy asked trying to remain in control of the emotions that had come to the surface while listening to Johnny. "Maybe next month. Samantha said with the kids in school it wouldn't be easy 'til they were off." "Well, I don't envy your phone bill," JoAnne teased but her voice still trembled slightly as she was still thinking about Samantha and Johnny's late night talk. "Nope, but there's always instant messaging. God bless Yahoo and AOL." 515151515151 After several late night searches, letters exchanged, several phone calls, one face to face meeting, it now came down to this moment. John Gage stood in his living room, going from window to window. Searching for any signs that a car was coming up his driveway. Roy and JoAnne DeSoto stood back and watched Johnny going from window to window. Each smiled at each other seeing their friend so child like. "Johnny running from window to window isn't going to make her get here any faster," JoAnne scolded as she smiled. "Huh, oh yeah." Johnny stepped a small step away from the window. "It's just that--" A sound was heard. A car was coming up the drive. "SHE'S HERE," Johnny announced. "Do I look alright?" Roy and JoAnne DeSoto had to laugh at their good friend. "Fine Johnny, you look fine. Now introduce us to this lady we've been waiting to meet for the past thirty years." Roy slapped Johnny on the back and they headed towards the front door. Sure enough, when they opened the front door, a van was coming down the driveway. Johnny quickly descended the stairs waving at the approaching van. Roy and JoAnne followed, but not as fast. As soon as the van stopped Samantha jumped out and went around the front to meet up with Johnny. "Johnny," Samantha called out as she got to him. Johnny picked her up and spun her around, "You're really here." "Yeah, and..." Samantha looked over at her husband who had been standing quietly by the van, and nodded. Samantha's husband opened the sliding door and two small boys came flying out. "Grandpa Johnny, Grandpa Johnny," The two squealing children ran for the man they had only talked to on the phone or through the computer. Roy and JoAnne watched as the two boys dove and grabbed hold of Johnny's legs. "Oh my God you're really here," Johnny squeaked out as he hugged the children. "I thought it was about time you got some hands on experience Johnny." Samantha laughed, watching her children pulling at their new Grandpa. Johnny let go of his grandchildren so he could hug his daughter again. Samantha's husband walked up and stood next to Roy and JoAnne. "Hi, I'm the husband, Jim Mitchell." He shook Roy and Jo's hand. Roy and JoAnne introduced themselves. "Thanks for bringing the kids. You've made Johnny's life complete." Roy watched Johnny hugging each little boy and smiling. "Not quite." Jim leaned over so only Roy and Jo would hear him. "Sam's got one more surprise for him--gonna take a few months to get here though." Jim then winked. "Think he'll be able to keep up with three grand kids?" Roy and JoAnne laughed. "Oh, you don't know Johnny that well at all. It's not whether he can keep up the grand kids. It's whether the grand kids can keep up with Grandpa Johnny." With that they watched Johnny playing with his daughter and grandsons. Author's Note: I would like to thank Kathy P for her humor, attention to detail, and the long life battery on her portable phone. and Anna S for the beta. P.S. We thought about mentioning how much Hal on ATWT looked like Johnny. ;) Feedback for Gageslady51 |