Elaine Hammond (![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} elaine_hammond) wrote in ![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} omega_reality,@ 2013-04-12 14:38:00 |
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RP: Coming Home
Who: The Hammonds, Margaret, Claudia, Robert, Sean, Savannah, Marty, Travis
Where: the trailer park
When: Friday, April 12, 2013
Summary: They return home
Elaine had told her mother to get some sleep. She knew it would take some time before they could drive there and back, and there was no reason why they should all stay awake. Not that she could have slept.
Knowing that Sheldon was injured and they were likely to park close to his house, they invited Doug to stay with them. It was nerve wracking to sit there and talk like nothing was happening, but then it wasn't the first time that they had done it. If anything, two close calls with death prepared you for hours of chit chat, waiting to see if your son was going to live or die. At least this time, they were reassured that TJ was doing well.
The moment they saw the headlights of the truck, she went to her mother’s room and woke her and Claudia. She wasn't sure Claudia cared enough, but they had to keep up appearances. After that, they walked outside to where the truck was parking and waited for them to get out.
On a normal day it took an hour to get from the safe house to the trailer park they called home. With aftershocks and rocks down at various points in the road, it was after five before they finally got back and TJ really didn't want anything more than to crawl into bed and curl up -- painfully -- with Travis to sleep for days. But, the sight of his family coming to meet them as they pulled up told him sleep would have to wait a little bit longer.
Getting out of the truck was slow. His shoulder was the only true injury, but he had bruises starting to blossom in places he hadn't known could get bruises until he was thrown around like a rag doll in a rock slide. Both feet on the ground, he was flashing back to the last time he'd done this and feeling like a sheepish twelve year old when he came home from the hospital. How many more times was he going to do this to them?
Running a hand through his hair, he approached his mother slowly. He wanted to go to Doug first, but that wasn't the way they did things in his family. "Hey, Mama."
Yes, definitely a sheepish twelve year old.
"Hello, Sweetheart." Elaine looked at TJ for a moment, before moving closer. "Are you all right? Are you hurt?" She would never get used to this, to her son being hurt. It never got easier, but she couldn't show it, not when this was very different from the last few times. Instead, she smiled and opened her arms.
"I'm okay." Closing the distance, he hugged her gently, if a little awkwardly because of his shoulder. He pulled back after a moment. "Mild sprain in my shoulder that Maura tells me shouldn't keep me on limited activity past the end of next week, a collection of bumps and bruises. But, I'm okay."
Turning to his brother, he smirked a little. "Unless you count the fact your wife has gotten to know me far too well over the last month and included 'energetic sex' in her list of forbidden activities that could involve carrying, lifting, pulling, pushing, or shooting. But, hey, I don't have to wear a sling."
Doug smiled a little, before going to TJ. He didn't ask which shoulder, because he knew his brother too well not to figure that one out, but instead put an arm around TJ's left side and pressed their foreheads together. "You need to stop doing this to me," he said softly, almost a whisper and a prayer. "I'm glad you're all right, but if you do it again, I will kill you myself. They are teaching me how to do it."
TJ gave a short huff of laughter. "I never thought you needed teaching for that," he teased. But, he wasn't having any of this one-armed hugging. He'd been just as worried about Doug, not knowing what was happening here until Brian showed up. Against doctor's orders, he used his right hand to pull his brother into a proper hug, whispering in his ear. "I'm sorry, little brother. I've stopped trying to leave you. I promise."
Doug couldn't help himself. He hugged TJ tight. "You'd better keep this promise." He pulled back and looked at his brother. "For what it's worth, I believe you. Your time to dream, remember?" TJ might not agree, might want both of them to dream, but Doug was happy enough if one of them could. He'd done it long enough, and now it was TJ's turn. "Finish this reunion and then we can go home and get some sleep."
Claudia gently touched TJ's shoulder when she had the chance. "I'm glad that you are all right." The touch might have been for appearances, but the sentiment was genuine.
TJ shared a look with his twin over her head. They hadn't had the last conversation about dreams, but Claudia's approach also reminded TJ they were on stage, still. Story of their lives. Like the good elder brother he was trying to be for real to his twin, TJ gave her a little smile and put an arm around Claudia's shoulder. "You can't get rid of me that easily, little sister."
“That’s good to hear,” Claudia said.
Bud waited his turn before approaching his sons, not wanting to get in the way of others and wanting to give Elaine time with them. “I’m glad you are alright, boys.” When he uttered the words he felt a huge amount of worry and stress leave his body. “You’ve looked better, T.J.,” he said with a sly smile and gave his son a hug. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
"Yeah, amenities and accommodations on a mountainside suck. I'll complain to management about it later." TJ wasn't sure what to make of his dad. The sarcastic reply came more naturally than the return hug. But, even though he winced with the movement to his shoulder, that hug was what he needed.
Even if neither of them was ever going to admit it.
"Thanks, Dad. But, I'm good. Maura's given me something for the pain -- not addictive -- and I've got an excuse to be lazy for a few days. A shower and a lot of sleep. I'll be fine." He almost said he had Travis and Doug to look after him. But, for once, he had no interest in provoking his father. The night had taken most of the fight out of him. "I'm just glad you guys are okay."
“Good, that sounds like a recipe for recovery if I’ve ever heard one,” he took a step back and looked over his son. He simply smiled. Largely. He wouldn’t say it to anyone, but he had been afraid they had lost him. And he muttered the words, thank god. After a moment, he continued, “Well, if you want a break from one of your nursemaids,” he said with a snicker in reference to Doug and Travis, “you can beat your old man at a game of cards. Or try.”
Doug could just imagine how well that would go with TJ in this state. "We're not his nursemaids," he answered, 'but my wife will kill us all if we let him do things he's not supposed to, and since you've taught me never to piss off my wife, we'll just make sure that he gets some rest." His father had never taught him any of that. If anything, he'd taught him that screwing around was okay, but that wasn't something he wanted to point out "We should probably go."
Bud thought about saying something smart, but he decided not to, instead he smiled at Doug and TJ and said, “See you soon, Doug, T.J.”
Savannah jumped out of the truck, before reaching for her son. She really hated the last months of pregnancy, when jumping, running, moving with grace, pretty much anything and everything, became hard to do. It felt good to just jump out, but before she could do more, she had Robert standing right there.
"Are you all right?" Robert asked.
Savannah smiled and nodded. "Perfect, just like this little boy. Uncle Robert, meet Jamie Ray."
Robert raised an eyebrow at the name. "You couldn't find anything less... redneck?"
Savannah snorted. "You can call him 'Jamie' or JR, whatever doesn't offend your sensibilities. Do you know what I love about you, Robert? All other concerns disappear when you find something below your class," she said, laughing.
"You're being a sarcastic wrench. You're all right." Still, he leaned over and kissed her forehead. "And I know you're stronger than any of us." He turned to Deeks. "Congratulation, man. You might start balancing out things in your family. All these women are going to take over otherwise."
Marty laughed. "Thanks, man. I think we're done, though. I've learned not to doubt this woman when she has a plan. She said three, so Jamie Ray's just going to have to live being the spoiled youngest son."
"Nothing wrong with being the spoiled baby brother," Sean said, coming up to join them. "Troy's with the girls back at our house. Now, if you gentlemen will pardon me, Marty, take my newest nephew so I can give his mom a proper hug."
"I think I can do that."
Savannah handed Jamie to Marty and then hugged Sean. It never failed to surprise her just how much like Sam he felt and yet completely different at the same time. One thing that was very similar was the fact that she didn't restrain herself, holding him tight. "Hi, Uncle Sean," she teased.
"Hi, yourself." Sean huffed softly, holding on to her tightly. He wasn't letting go quickly, either. If he hadn't had the kids with him, he'd have probably driven Troy nuts with the pacing and worrying. "You're not allowed to leave me, too," he breathed. If anyone had asked him two years ago, he'd have told them he'd be just fine without Savannah in his life.
Now?
Losing her would be just as bad as losing Dad and Jen.
Savannah looked up at Sean, still holding him. "I'm not leaving you, Sean. It doesn't matter what happens or where I am, I'm coming back. I have plenty of forms to use to get me back." She would make her way back if she had to turn into oxygen and slowly make her way to her family. Yes, she'd been spending a lot of time thinking of ways to use her powers to get home. She just wished G were around. He'd have more ideas, spot the problems in hers.
"Now, if you really want to do something nice for me, you can take the girls back in the afternoon and let us nap," she asked with a grin. "But we'll take them off your hands now so you can sleep. Or maybe we should hand all of them to Dom."
"Gonna hold you to that." Kissing her forehead, Sean let go and took a step back. Not that he was going to stop worrying. Despite how capable she was, Dad and Jen had been capable, too.
Still, he laughed softly. "I think I could do that. Hopefully Troy won't mind too much. Come on up to the house, though. We can ask him and get your girls back to you at the same time. Might even let Robert get some sleep, too."
Savannah looked over at the Hammonds and she could see that they were getting ready to leave. "Excuse me one moment," she told her family, before collecting Jamie and walking to where the other family was. "Hey, y'all," she said with a smile. "I won't keep you long. You're probably tired and want to get some sleep. At least someone can. My daughters will certainly wake us up soon enough, but anyway, I just wanted to thank Thomas again for everything." She stretched up on her toes and kissed his cheek. "Jamie wanted to say thank you, too. Well, he mostly bubbles, but he'd say it if he knew what you did."
She turned to Elaine and Bud. "You don't know how amazing Thomas was out there. I don't know what I'd have done without his help, but of course, you know; silly me. He's your son; you must know how capable he is."
Elaine looked at her for a moment, the 'very political' smile faltered for only a moment. "Of course we do."
Doug didn't bother smiling. "Jamie? What?"
Savannah wasn't faced. "For your brother, of course. As I said, I don't know what I would have done without him."
Bud beamed proudly and gave T.J. a small nod that was meant to imply something like good job. “Thanks, Savannah.”
She thought Thomas was strange, but they were all very weird. Elaine reacted like she didn't believe her. Douglas sounded like she'd lost her mind, which wasn't such an unusual reaction without knowing what had happened out there. Bud sounded like it was all about him, even the baby's name.
Suddenly, she felt very protective of Thomas, and yes she knew he'd hate it, but it's not like she let little things like that stop her. "You're welcome, but Marty and I didn't do it to thank anyone. We wanted a name that meant something, the name of a person our son could look up to, someone like Thomas," she said calmly, with none of the smiles and perkiness.
She did turn and smile at Thomas for a moment, before focusing on his family again. "As the senior agent out there, I was lucky to have a person who knew what he was doing out there, willing to do what needed to be done, despite his own injuries or discomfort. As a mother, I was even luckier and now I have a very healthy son thanks to Thomas' help.That's why the name. We don't need any thanks for that."
TJ was stuck just looking from one to the other of them. He'd contemplated just telling his family about the baby himself, get it done. But, he was too surprised at getting hugged by his father and then Savannah was there, thanking him and sharing and TJ had never been so embarrassed in his life.
"I didn't do anything..." he began.
"I'm sure you don't think so, Sugar." Margaret had let her daughter and grandson get first crack at welcoming TJ home. Even Bud, but she hadn't gotten her own hug in yet, even if the poor boy looked ready to drop. Moving toward him, she cupped his face in her hands. "But, your grandmama is going to say 'I told you so' because I always have known you and your brother both have greatness in you."
"Nana..."
"Hush. You did well, TJ. And now you need to let Dougie and that handsome cop of yours take care of you." Smiling, she patted his cheek, then turned to Savannah. "Now, do I get to be introduced to my grandson's namesake?"
Savannah turned to Margaret with a genuine smile. "Of course you do." She turned to Thomas with a wicked smile. "After all, after Uncle Travis and Uncle Thomas, how can he not meet the rest of the family? Margaret, meet Jamie Ray. He's very happy to meet you, I'm sure. He'll tell you in a few months."
TJ raised an eyebrow while his grandmother fussed over the baby. The only kids he was ever answering to 'uncle' for were going to call Doug 'daddy'. "You're impossible," he told Savannah. "Anyone ever tell you that?"
"You should be used to impossible women by now, honey. You were raised by two of them." Margaret brushed her fingertip over little Jamie's cheek briefly. "Hello, sweetie. Don't you listen to TJ. He's a good boy and you will be, too, if you're anything like him."
"Nana!"
Savannah ignored the 'impossible' comment. G might have mentioned once or twice, but he was joking and didn't count. In fact, she was sure that this didn't count either. Instead she grinned at Margaret. "I don't know about good, more like a handful, still, I wouldn't mind, and if Thomas won't be around to teach him a few things, I'll know who to speak to. You wouldn't want to upset your grandmother, would you, Thomas?"
Travis had stayed back, because he tended to interfere only when TJ's family became too much, and now? Definitely too much after the day he had. "TJ can play the devoted uncle another time. It's time for him to lay down, before the pain gets worse and the meds lose all effect. Come on, babe, time to go home."
Savannah nodded. "Sure. Good night, y'all. Night, Thomas, and thank you again."