Back to School Special: The Circle of Life, Part 1
Written by Jake Collins
Carl came downstairs into the front hallway to find Kevin in the middle of a phone conversation.
'You did, huh?' Kevin was saying. 'It was what? No way! How could you possibly tell? Well, yeah, there's no reason it shouldn't have been her, but still...'
Carl sidled past Kevin and peered at the eclectic collection of small objects that was sitting on the telephone table; Kevin frowned slightly and pressed himself right up against the side of the stairs to make more room.
'Oh yeah, that's an excellent idea!' he told the person on the other end of the phone. 'How many were you thinking? Wow, just... just all of us, huh?'
Carl opened the small drawer underneath the tabletop and began to rummage around in it.
'Okay, you'd better get going, then,' said Kevin. 'Yeah, you too. Ciao for now.'
'Was that Eduardo?' Carl asked, his fingers still busy in the drawer. 'Are they coming home?'
'Yes, it was, and no, not just yet,' said Kevin. 'What're you looking for, Dad?'
'Car keys.'
'They were on top of the fridge the last time I saw them.'
Carl led the way into the kitchen, saw the keys at once, tutted to himself and then picked them up.
'Thanks, son,' he said. 'Eduardo and Kylie better not stay away too much longer if they're gonna be here to welcome their second grandchild into the world.'
'They'll be back in time for that,' said Kevin. 'Chita's not due for almost five weeks, and Eduardo said they'll be home a week from Sunday. He also said we should all go to Cozumel next summer – the whole family, as many as we can get to come!'
'That could be quite some crowd,' said Carl. 'Newark won't know what's hit it. Still, you're right – it is an excellent idea.'
Kevin smiled and said, 'I'm glad you think so, Dad.'
'What was he saying that you didn't believe him about?' Carl asked. 'Oh, unless that's none of my business. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, son.'
'He was telling me they saw Donatella laying some eggs on the turtle beach.'
'You mean that sea turtle you rescued all those years ago?'
'Yeah.'
'There's no way they could've known it was the same one!'
'Apparently she had a scar on her fin,' said Kevin.
'Even if she did,' said Carl, 'anything could've caused it!'
'I guess so,' said Kevin, 'but sometimes we can know things in our hearts without being able to reason them out in our heads. Now, here's a question that's probably none of my business: where are you going in the car?'
'Your mom and I just need to shoot out for a while,' said Carl. 'We have an appointment to... do something important.'
'Oh,' said Kevin. 'So you're not gonna be here when everyone turns up.'
'We'll be back in time to join the fun,' said Carl. 'It's only a half-hour appointment.'
Kevin led the way back into the hall, where Beth was in the latter stages of coming down the stairs. Carl jingled the keys at her; she smiled.
'Oh good, you found them,' she said. 'We'd better get going, then. Hi, Kevin. We'll fill you in about all this later, I promise.'
'That's okay, Mom,' said Kevin. 'I understand if it's none of my business.'
'But it is your business,' said Beth, 'and I really do want to talk to you about it, but... well, we just need to see where we stand and get things straightened out first.'
With that, Beth opened the front door and left the house. As Carl hurried after her, Kevin allowed himself a few moments to stare after them with a puzzled look on his face. He then pulled himself together and went upstairs.
'You did, huh?' Kevin was saying. 'It was what? No way! How could you possibly tell? Well, yeah, there's no reason it shouldn't have been her, but still...'
Carl sidled past Kevin and peered at the eclectic collection of small objects that was sitting on the telephone table; Kevin frowned slightly and pressed himself right up against the side of the stairs to make more room.
'Oh yeah, that's an excellent idea!' he told the person on the other end of the phone. 'How many were you thinking? Wow, just... just all of us, huh?'
Carl opened the small drawer underneath the tabletop and began to rummage around in it.
'Okay, you'd better get going, then,' said Kevin. 'Yeah, you too. Ciao for now.'
'Was that Eduardo?' Carl asked, his fingers still busy in the drawer. 'Are they coming home?'
'Yes, it was, and no, not just yet,' said Kevin. 'What're you looking for, Dad?'
'Car keys.'
'They were on top of the fridge the last time I saw them.'
Carl led the way into the kitchen, saw the keys at once, tutted to himself and then picked them up.
'Thanks, son,' he said. 'Eduardo and Kylie better not stay away too much longer if they're gonna be here to welcome their second grandchild into the world.'
'They'll be back in time for that,' said Kevin. 'Chita's not due for almost five weeks, and Eduardo said they'll be home a week from Sunday. He also said we should all go to Cozumel next summer – the whole family, as many as we can get to come!'
'That could be quite some crowd,' said Carl. 'Newark won't know what's hit it. Still, you're right – it is an excellent idea.'
Kevin smiled and said, 'I'm glad you think so, Dad.'
'What was he saying that you didn't believe him about?' Carl asked. 'Oh, unless that's none of my business. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, son.'
'He was telling me they saw Donatella laying some eggs on the turtle beach.'
'You mean that sea turtle you rescued all those years ago?'
'Yeah.'
'There's no way they could've known it was the same one!'
'Apparently she had a scar on her fin,' said Kevin.
'Even if she did,' said Carl, 'anything could've caused it!'
'I guess so,' said Kevin, 'but sometimes we can know things in our hearts without being able to reason them out in our heads. Now, here's a question that's probably none of my business: where are you going in the car?'
'Your mom and I just need to shoot out for a while,' said Carl. 'We have an appointment to... do something important.'
'Oh,' said Kevin. 'So you're not gonna be here when everyone turns up.'
'We'll be back in time to join the fun,' said Carl. 'It's only a half-hour appointment.'
Kevin led the way back into the hall, where Beth was in the latter stages of coming down the stairs. Carl jingled the keys at her; she smiled.
'Oh good, you found them,' she said. 'We'd better get going, then. Hi, Kevin. We'll fill you in about all this later, I promise.'
'That's okay, Mom,' said Kevin. 'I understand if it's none of my business.'
'But it is your business,' said Beth, 'and I really do want to talk to you about it, but... well, we just need to see where we stand and get things straightened out first.'
With that, Beth opened the front door and left the house. As Carl hurried after her, Kevin allowed himself a few moments to stare after them with a puzzled look on his face. He then pulled himself together and went upstairs.
When he reached the landing above, Kevin was greeted by the sight of Michaela stumbling down the last few steps from the top storey with a giant plush unicorn, a regular-sized plush dog, a pair of roller skates and a soccer wall chart crammed into her arms.
'Hi, Papi,' she smiled, peering around the unicorn's horn to meet Kevin's slightly worried gaze. 'You're just in time – after this last bunch of stuff I'll be all moved in.'
'That's great, Ela,' said Kevin. 'Do you need any help with it?'
'No thanks,' said Michaela, 'I'm good.'
She proceeded to force her awkward load through the open door of a nearby bedroom and then dump it unceremoniously on the floor. Kevin came into the room after Michaela and smiled to see Oscar taking great pains to hang a corkboard on the wall above a child-sized desk, making quite sure there was absolutely no trace of a slant.
'I think you got it now, Dad,' Michaela said to him.
'Yeah, I think so too,' said Oscar, turning round with a grin on his face. 'There you go, then, sweetheart – you're all moved in.'
'Wonderful,' said Michaela, treating Oscar and Kevin in turn to a very sweet smile. 'How long are Uncle James's boxes going to be there?'
'I'm pretty sure we can make them disappear by the time you go to bed tonight,' Kevin said mysteriously.
'I found some more of James's stuff just now,' said Oscar. 'I managed to squeeze it in with the rest.'
'Thanks,' said Kevin, flashing him a warm and grateful smile. 'Okay, so I guess that leaves us with nothing special to do until –'
The sound of the front doorbell suddenly reverberated throughout the house.
'Ooh,' Michaela squeaked in delight, 'she's here already!'
'Wow,' said Oscar. 'Talk about perfect timing, huh?'
'Hi, Papi,' she smiled, peering around the unicorn's horn to meet Kevin's slightly worried gaze. 'You're just in time – after this last bunch of stuff I'll be all moved in.'
'That's great, Ela,' said Kevin. 'Do you need any help with it?'
'No thanks,' said Michaela, 'I'm good.'
She proceeded to force her awkward load through the open door of a nearby bedroom and then dump it unceremoniously on the floor. Kevin came into the room after Michaela and smiled to see Oscar taking great pains to hang a corkboard on the wall above a child-sized desk, making quite sure there was absolutely no trace of a slant.
'I think you got it now, Dad,' Michaela said to him.
'Yeah, I think so too,' said Oscar, turning round with a grin on his face. 'There you go, then, sweetheart – you're all moved in.'
'Wonderful,' said Michaela, treating Oscar and Kevin in turn to a very sweet smile. 'How long are Uncle James's boxes going to be there?'
'I'm pretty sure we can make them disappear by the time you go to bed tonight,' Kevin said mysteriously.
'I found some more of James's stuff just now,' said Oscar. 'I managed to squeeze it in with the rest.'
'Thanks,' said Kevin, flashing him a warm and grateful smile. 'Okay, so I guess that leaves us with nothing special to do until –'
The sound of the front doorbell suddenly reverberated throughout the house.
'Ooh,' Michaela squeaked in delight, 'she's here already!'
'Wow,' said Oscar. 'Talk about perfect timing, huh?'
Kevin opened the front door to reveal a small girl and a teenage boy standing hand in hand.
'Hi, Papi,' said the girl, beaming at Kevin.
'Hi, Libby,' said Kevin, smiling back at her. 'Hi, Dom. Thanks for bringing her over.'
'Hi, Kevin,' said Dominic. 'No problem.'
'Lib!' Michaela exclaimed excitedly as she ducked under Kevin's arm. 'You just have to come upstairs with me and see your new room! Well, actually it's our old room so you know it pretty well already, but it's been redecorated and filled with a load of cool new stuff and it's all yours!'
Libby's face lit up. She cast aside Dominic's hand and took Michaela's instead, then the two of them ran towards the staircase.
'Bye, Lib!' Dominic called. 'See you soon!'
'Bye, Dom!' Libby shouted over her shoulder as she disappeared upstairs.
'Looks like I've outlived my usefulness,' Dominic laughed, 'at least for now. Man, I can't believe she'll have started kindergarten the next time she's with us. They grow up so fast.'
'Speaking of which, it looks like you got your licence,' said Kevin, nodding towards the car that was parked against the kerb at the bottom of the front steps. 'At least I sure hope you did!'
'Yeah, I passed my test last week,' said Dominic. 'My moms said to tell you they're sorry they both had to work today and they're looking forward to seeing you and Oscar in three weeks.'
'You can tell them the feeling's mutual,' said Kevin. 'Do you want to come in for a soda or something?'
'No thanks,' said Dominic. 'I'm gonna go pick up my girlfriend and take her for a ride. She's totally stoked that I can now!'
'Oh, I see,' Kevin chuckled. 'Well, have fun and be safe.'
'We will, though not necessarily in that order,' Dominic grinned. 'See ya, Kevin.'
'See ya, Dom.'
Kevin winced as the car pulled away from the kerb with a slight lurch, but he saw no further reason to doubt Dominic's driving abilities as the vehicle disappeared down the street. When he was on the verge of closing the front door, Kevin stayed his hand as another car came into view and drew to a halt outside the house. A figure in a police uniform jumped out of the driving seat and threw him a cheerful smile.
'Hey, Jimmy,' Kevin called. 'Did you bring him?'
'Yeah, he's in the back,' James replied as he came up the front steps. 'Is Libby here yet?'
'She literally just arrived,' said Kevin. 'I wasn't expecting you to turn up in full uniform, bro. You're not planning to arrest anyone, are you?'
'Not right now, Kev,' James laughed. 'I just wanted to show you my stripes.'
Kevin's eyes widened as James swivelled his left shoulder to provide a better view of the three blue chevrons that adorned his shirt sleeve.
'Oh my God,' Kevin grinned, 'that's wonderful, Jimmy! Does that mean your transfer came through?'
'Yup,' said James. 'I start next week.'
'Cool,' said Kevin. 'My little brother, the sheriff of Central Park!'
'If anyone's the sheriff, it's the captain,' James laughed. 'I'm just a senior deputy.'
Kevin smiled, James smiled back, then they stepped into each other's arms and embraced closely.
'Dad is gonna be so proud,' said Kevin. 'He and Mom have gone off somewhere in the car but they reckon they won't be too long.'
'I'll stick around 'til they come back,' said James. 'Oh, if that's okay with you, Kev. Sorry, I keep forgetting I don't live here anymore.'
'That doesn't mean you need to ask permission to be here,' Kevin laughed. 'And on that note, why are we hanging around on the doorstep? How about I go get the girls, you go get the surprise, and we'll all meet up in the living room shortly thereafter?'
'Excellent idea, bro,' said James.
'Hi, Papi,' said the girl, beaming at Kevin.
'Hi, Libby,' said Kevin, smiling back at her. 'Hi, Dom. Thanks for bringing her over.'
'Hi, Kevin,' said Dominic. 'No problem.'
'Lib!' Michaela exclaimed excitedly as she ducked under Kevin's arm. 'You just have to come upstairs with me and see your new room! Well, actually it's our old room so you know it pretty well already, but it's been redecorated and filled with a load of cool new stuff and it's all yours!'
Libby's face lit up. She cast aside Dominic's hand and took Michaela's instead, then the two of them ran towards the staircase.
'Bye, Lib!' Dominic called. 'See you soon!'
'Bye, Dom!' Libby shouted over her shoulder as she disappeared upstairs.
'Looks like I've outlived my usefulness,' Dominic laughed, 'at least for now. Man, I can't believe she'll have started kindergarten the next time she's with us. They grow up so fast.'
'Speaking of which, it looks like you got your licence,' said Kevin, nodding towards the car that was parked against the kerb at the bottom of the front steps. 'At least I sure hope you did!'
'Yeah, I passed my test last week,' said Dominic. 'My moms said to tell you they're sorry they both had to work today and they're looking forward to seeing you and Oscar in three weeks.'
'You can tell them the feeling's mutual,' said Kevin. 'Do you want to come in for a soda or something?'
'No thanks,' said Dominic. 'I'm gonna go pick up my girlfriend and take her for a ride. She's totally stoked that I can now!'
'Oh, I see,' Kevin chuckled. 'Well, have fun and be safe.'
'We will, though not necessarily in that order,' Dominic grinned. 'See ya, Kevin.'
'See ya, Dom.'
Kevin winced as the car pulled away from the kerb with a slight lurch, but he saw no further reason to doubt Dominic's driving abilities as the vehicle disappeared down the street. When he was on the verge of closing the front door, Kevin stayed his hand as another car came into view and drew to a halt outside the house. A figure in a police uniform jumped out of the driving seat and threw him a cheerful smile.
'Hey, Jimmy,' Kevin called. 'Did you bring him?'
'Yeah, he's in the back,' James replied as he came up the front steps. 'Is Libby here yet?'
'She literally just arrived,' said Kevin. 'I wasn't expecting you to turn up in full uniform, bro. You're not planning to arrest anyone, are you?'
'Not right now, Kev,' James laughed. 'I just wanted to show you my stripes.'
Kevin's eyes widened as James swivelled his left shoulder to provide a better view of the three blue chevrons that adorned his shirt sleeve.
'Oh my God,' Kevin grinned, 'that's wonderful, Jimmy! Does that mean your transfer came through?'
'Yup,' said James. 'I start next week.'
'Cool,' said Kevin. 'My little brother, the sheriff of Central Park!'
'If anyone's the sheriff, it's the captain,' James laughed. 'I'm just a senior deputy.'
Kevin smiled, James smiled back, then they stepped into each other's arms and embraced closely.
'Dad is gonna be so proud,' said Kevin. 'He and Mom have gone off somewhere in the car but they reckon they won't be too long.'
'I'll stick around 'til they come back,' said James. 'Oh, if that's okay with you, Kev. Sorry, I keep forgetting I don't live here anymore.'
'That doesn't mean you need to ask permission to be here,' Kevin laughed. 'And on that note, why are we hanging around on the doorstep? How about I go get the girls, you go get the surprise, and we'll all meet up in the living room shortly thereafter?'
'Excellent idea, bro,' said James.
Kevin entered the living room followed by Michaela, Libby and Oscar. James was standing beside an armchair, onto the seat of which he had placed a fairly large animal carrier.
'Hi, Uncle James,' said Michaela. 'What've you got in there?'
'He can't tell us, Ela,' said Libby. 'Papi said it's supposed to be a surprise.'
'You can probably guess what it is now that you've seen the carrier,' James grinned, 'but still, surprise!'
With that, he opened the door and released a half-grown Alsatian into the room. Michaela and Libby both screamed in delight. After taking in its surroundings at a glance, the dog ran straight for Michaela and started licking her face. She laughed and threw her arms around the excited animal, then they both collapsed onto the couch. Libby eyed the scene with interest but made no immediate move to join in.
'He'll like it if you pet him too, Libby,' said James. 'He's very friendly.'
Libby gave James a grateful smile, then she hauled herself onto the couch and joined Michaela in her enthusiastic efforts to get closely acquainted with the Alsatian. Kevin and Oscar watched the scene with enormous smiles on their faces.
'His name's Zak,' said James. 'Someone decided he didn't quite have what it takes to be a police dog, but I'd say he has exactly what it takes to be a Rivera-Venkman-Sloane!'
'This is the most wonderful surprise of my entire life!' Michaela beamed. 'Thank you, thank you, thank you, Papi and Daddy, and thank you for bringing him, Uncle James!'
'You like him, then?' Oscar grinned.
'I love him!' Michaela declared.
'So do I,' said Libby.
'We hoped you would,' said Kevin. 'We, er... we don't have to call him Zak, of course, if there's another name you'd prefer. That's just what the police trainers named him.'
'Oh no, Papi, we can't change his name,' said Libby. 'He's Zak and that's all there is to it!'
'He looks like a Zak anyway,' said Michaela.
'He knows his name,' said James, 'so he'll be grateful not to have to learn a new one.'
'Rose and Laura have got to come down and see him later,' said Michaela. 'And we just have to invite Danny over to meet him. And Tom and Robbie.'
'And Daisy,' said Libby.
'Of course, and Daisy,' said Michaela. 'And I'll bet Tom and Jon would like to come play with him when they're back from Hong Kong, even though they think they're so grown-up now they're teenagers!'
'Teenagers like dogs,' Libby stated. 'I can't wait to show him to Dominic.'
'Can we take him into the backyard now?' Michaela asked. 'I want to throw a ball for him.'
'I don't see why not,' said Kevin. 'He won't try to jump the fence, will he, Jimmy?'
'I shouldn't think so,' said James. 'Maybe the carrier should come outside too, though, just in case he needs to be hastily shoved into it.'
'I'll supervise that little excursion if you want to take James up to deal with those boxes,' Oscar said to Kevin.
'Good idea,' said Kevin. 'Once you've taken them, bro, you'll be one hundred percent moved out.'
'I knew you wanted to get rid of me,' James laughed.
'I want to get rid of those boxes, so I like that plan,' said Michaela. 'I'm gonna go find a tennis ball.'
'Hi, Uncle James,' said Michaela. 'What've you got in there?'
'He can't tell us, Ela,' said Libby. 'Papi said it's supposed to be a surprise.'
'You can probably guess what it is now that you've seen the carrier,' James grinned, 'but still, surprise!'
With that, he opened the door and released a half-grown Alsatian into the room. Michaela and Libby both screamed in delight. After taking in its surroundings at a glance, the dog ran straight for Michaela and started licking her face. She laughed and threw her arms around the excited animal, then they both collapsed onto the couch. Libby eyed the scene with interest but made no immediate move to join in.
'He'll like it if you pet him too, Libby,' said James. 'He's very friendly.'
Libby gave James a grateful smile, then she hauled herself onto the couch and joined Michaela in her enthusiastic efforts to get closely acquainted with the Alsatian. Kevin and Oscar watched the scene with enormous smiles on their faces.
'His name's Zak,' said James. 'Someone decided he didn't quite have what it takes to be a police dog, but I'd say he has exactly what it takes to be a Rivera-Venkman-Sloane!'
'This is the most wonderful surprise of my entire life!' Michaela beamed. 'Thank you, thank you, thank you, Papi and Daddy, and thank you for bringing him, Uncle James!'
'You like him, then?' Oscar grinned.
'I love him!' Michaela declared.
'So do I,' said Libby.
'We hoped you would,' said Kevin. 'We, er... we don't have to call him Zak, of course, if there's another name you'd prefer. That's just what the police trainers named him.'
'Oh no, Papi, we can't change his name,' said Libby. 'He's Zak and that's all there is to it!'
'He looks like a Zak anyway,' said Michaela.
'He knows his name,' said James, 'so he'll be grateful not to have to learn a new one.'
'Rose and Laura have got to come down and see him later,' said Michaela. 'And we just have to invite Danny over to meet him. And Tom and Robbie.'
'And Daisy,' said Libby.
'Of course, and Daisy,' said Michaela. 'And I'll bet Tom and Jon would like to come play with him when they're back from Hong Kong, even though they think they're so grown-up now they're teenagers!'
'Teenagers like dogs,' Libby stated. 'I can't wait to show him to Dominic.'
'Can we take him into the backyard now?' Michaela asked. 'I want to throw a ball for him.'
'I don't see why not,' said Kevin. 'He won't try to jump the fence, will he, Jimmy?'
'I shouldn't think so,' said James. 'Maybe the carrier should come outside too, though, just in case he needs to be hastily shoved into it.'
'I'll supervise that little excursion if you want to take James up to deal with those boxes,' Oscar said to Kevin.
'Good idea,' said Kevin. 'Once you've taken them, bro, you'll be one hundred percent moved out.'
'I knew you wanted to get rid of me,' James laughed.
'I want to get rid of those boxes, so I like that plan,' said Michaela. 'I'm gonna go find a tennis ball.'
Beth and Carl returned home to find everyone in the back garden. Michaela, Libby and Zak were running around with various toys, all enjoying themselves enormously, while Kevin, Oscar and James watched the spectacle with smiles on their faces.
'The dog went over pretty well, then,' Carl remarked.
'It's the best idea you've ever had, Dad,' said Kevin.
'Yeah, well, it just seemed to make sense to me,' said Carl. 'Michaela was talking about how much she liked them and I remembered how the canine unit always had a few no-hopers they needed to find homes for, so... Jamie, what's that on your arm?'
'Exactly what it looks like, Dad,' James grinned. 'And I can assure you, it's totally genuine. You're looking at Central Park Precinct's newest recruit, Sergeant James Rivera!'
Carl's face split into a huge smile and he ran to give his younger son a hug.
'That's wonderful, Jamie,' said Beth, through a smile almost as big as Carl's.
'Thanks, Mom,' said James, as he exchanged claps on the back with his father.
'I've been struck by a sudden urge to make everyone some coffee,' Beth announced. 'Kevin, could you give me a hand?'
'Sure thing, Mom,' said Kevin. 'I'll organise some Sunny D for the girls as well.'
'I'd prefer Sunny D,' said James.
'You got it, bro,' said Kevin.
Beth led the way into the kitchen, then she switched on the kettle and started spooning instant coffee into four mugs.
'You're probably wondering where your father and I went just now,' she said to Kevin.
'Yeah, kinda,' Kevin replied.
'He's never shown quite that much enthusiasm about your achievements, has he?' Beth remarked, nodding through the window to where Carl and James were now deep in conversation.
'No, but that's okay,' said Kevin. 'I get why he's particularly excited about Jimmy's police career and I know he's proud of me too.'
'I'm glad to hear that,' said Beth. 'We went to the lawyer's office, Kevin. We've modified our wills a little.'
'Oh,' said Kevin.
'We had left everything to you and James in equal share, with a certain amount of money kept by to be divided between Michaela and Libby and any other grandchildren either of you might produce. And we still have done that, but we've changed the details a little.'
'I see. To be honest with you, Mom, I really hate thinking about this stuff.'
'I'm sorry, Kevin,' said Beth. 'I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable.'
'It makes me feel more sad than uncomfortable,' said Kevin.
'I do just want to bring you up to speed with the basics, darling. I've been thinking about this house quite a lot recently, ever since Jamie started moving his stuff out. Your dad and I bought it over forty-five years ago as a home to raise you in, then we did it all again with Jamie seventeen years later, and now it's taken on a whole new lease of life as a home for you and your husband and your daughters. And your dog, of course. I really love this house, Kevin – that is, I love what it's meant and it still means to our family – and I think you feel the same way.'
'Of course I do, Mom.'
'So I thought it'd be a good idea to make sure you can live here for as long as you want without any kind of legal complications,' said Beth. 'That being the case, we've left the house to you and Oscar and we've made up the difference by leaving most of our money to James. We've still left you some money, but this property now makes up the bulk of your inheritance.'
'That's... that's really thoughtful of you,' said Kevin. 'I'm sure Jimmy wouldn't have tried to kick us out or sell the place from under us if he'd had a share in it, but yeah, I can see why what you've done makes a lot of practical sense.'
'It really does,' said Beth. 'Kevin, I'm distressed to think I've just made you have a conversation that you really didn't want to take part in.'
'Please don't be distressed, Mom,' said Kevin, shooting her a smile. 'I approve of your idea and I'm glad you've told me all about it. I just don't like thinking about some nondescript time in the future when we'll need to worry about what's in your will because... well, because that's not a time I want to engage with in any way until I absolutely have to.'
'I know what you mean,' said Beth. 'I remember feeling the same way myself. Okay, let's see about those drinks.'
'The dog went over pretty well, then,' Carl remarked.
'It's the best idea you've ever had, Dad,' said Kevin.
'Yeah, well, it just seemed to make sense to me,' said Carl. 'Michaela was talking about how much she liked them and I remembered how the canine unit always had a few no-hopers they needed to find homes for, so... Jamie, what's that on your arm?'
'Exactly what it looks like, Dad,' James grinned. 'And I can assure you, it's totally genuine. You're looking at Central Park Precinct's newest recruit, Sergeant James Rivera!'
Carl's face split into a huge smile and he ran to give his younger son a hug.
'That's wonderful, Jamie,' said Beth, through a smile almost as big as Carl's.
'Thanks, Mom,' said James, as he exchanged claps on the back with his father.
'I've been struck by a sudden urge to make everyone some coffee,' Beth announced. 'Kevin, could you give me a hand?'
'Sure thing, Mom,' said Kevin. 'I'll organise some Sunny D for the girls as well.'
'I'd prefer Sunny D,' said James.
'You got it, bro,' said Kevin.
Beth led the way into the kitchen, then she switched on the kettle and started spooning instant coffee into four mugs.
'You're probably wondering where your father and I went just now,' she said to Kevin.
'Yeah, kinda,' Kevin replied.
'He's never shown quite that much enthusiasm about your achievements, has he?' Beth remarked, nodding through the window to where Carl and James were now deep in conversation.
'No, but that's okay,' said Kevin. 'I get why he's particularly excited about Jimmy's police career and I know he's proud of me too.'
'I'm glad to hear that,' said Beth. 'We went to the lawyer's office, Kevin. We've modified our wills a little.'
'Oh,' said Kevin.
'We had left everything to you and James in equal share, with a certain amount of money kept by to be divided between Michaela and Libby and any other grandchildren either of you might produce. And we still have done that, but we've changed the details a little.'
'I see. To be honest with you, Mom, I really hate thinking about this stuff.'
'I'm sorry, Kevin,' said Beth. 'I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable.'
'It makes me feel more sad than uncomfortable,' said Kevin.
'I do just want to bring you up to speed with the basics, darling. I've been thinking about this house quite a lot recently, ever since Jamie started moving his stuff out. Your dad and I bought it over forty-five years ago as a home to raise you in, then we did it all again with Jamie seventeen years later, and now it's taken on a whole new lease of life as a home for you and your husband and your daughters. And your dog, of course. I really love this house, Kevin – that is, I love what it's meant and it still means to our family – and I think you feel the same way.'
'Of course I do, Mom.'
'So I thought it'd be a good idea to make sure you can live here for as long as you want without any kind of legal complications,' said Beth. 'That being the case, we've left the house to you and Oscar and we've made up the difference by leaving most of our money to James. We've still left you some money, but this property now makes up the bulk of your inheritance.'
'That's... that's really thoughtful of you,' said Kevin. 'I'm sure Jimmy wouldn't have tried to kick us out or sell the place from under us if he'd had a share in it, but yeah, I can see why what you've done makes a lot of practical sense.'
'It really does,' said Beth. 'Kevin, I'm distressed to think I've just made you have a conversation that you really didn't want to take part in.'
'Please don't be distressed, Mom,' said Kevin, shooting her a smile. 'I approve of your idea and I'm glad you've told me all about it. I just don't like thinking about some nondescript time in the future when we'll need to worry about what's in your will because... well, because that's not a time I want to engage with in any way until I absolutely have to.'
'I know what you mean,' said Beth. 'I remember feeling the same way myself. Okay, let's see about those drinks.'
Several hours later, Kevin stepped onto the middle storey landing to find Michaela crossing from the bathroom to her new bedroom.
'Goodnight, Papi,' she beamed at him.
'Goodnight, sweetheart,' Kevin smiled back.
'Thanks again for the bedroom and the dog,' said Michaela.
'Seeing you so happy to have them both makes me happier than I can put into words,' said Kevin. 'I'm actually a very selfish person, Ela.'
'No, you're not,' Michaela giggled. 'See you in the morning.'
Kevin smiled and nodded, then Michaela ran over and threw her arms around him. They exchanged kisses on the cheek before Michaela finally completed her journey to her bedroom, pushing the door halfway shut behind her.
'She's got him in there, you know,' Carl's voice suddenly came from the doorway of the master bedroom. 'The dog, I mean.'
'Oh,' said Kevin.
'That's okay, is it?' Carl persisted.
'Of course it is,' said Kevin. 'A dog is a perfectly reasonable thing for a person to take to bed with them. If she had a horse in there, I'd definitely have something to say about it. But if she wants to sleep with Zak, that's fine by me.'
'I see,' said Carl, then he smiled in amusement. 'I wonder if you'll be quite so happy to repeat that sentiment in a few years when you're having to say “Daniel” instead of “Zak”.'
Kevin frowned slightly and said, 'Goodnight, Dad.'
'Goodnight, son,' said Carl, managing to look suitably repentant about his previous remark.
Kevin continued his journey up to the top storey, where he eased the door of Libby's room open and peered inside. He smiled to see her sleeping soundly, then he silently pulled the door shut and went into the bathroom.
'Goodnight, Papi,' she beamed at him.
'Goodnight, sweetheart,' Kevin smiled back.
'Thanks again for the bedroom and the dog,' said Michaela.
'Seeing you so happy to have them both makes me happier than I can put into words,' said Kevin. 'I'm actually a very selfish person, Ela.'
'No, you're not,' Michaela giggled. 'See you in the morning.'
Kevin smiled and nodded, then Michaela ran over and threw her arms around him. They exchanged kisses on the cheek before Michaela finally completed her journey to her bedroom, pushing the door halfway shut behind her.
'She's got him in there, you know,' Carl's voice suddenly came from the doorway of the master bedroom. 'The dog, I mean.'
'Oh,' said Kevin.
'That's okay, is it?' Carl persisted.
'Of course it is,' said Kevin. 'A dog is a perfectly reasonable thing for a person to take to bed with them. If she had a horse in there, I'd definitely have something to say about it. But if she wants to sleep with Zak, that's fine by me.'
'I see,' said Carl, then he smiled in amusement. 'I wonder if you'll be quite so happy to repeat that sentiment in a few years when you're having to say “Daniel” instead of “Zak”.'
Kevin frowned slightly and said, 'Goodnight, Dad.'
'Goodnight, son,' said Carl, managing to look suitably repentant about his previous remark.
Kevin continued his journey up to the top storey, where he eased the door of Libby's room open and peered inside. He smiled to see her sleeping soundly, then he silently pulled the door shut and went into the bathroom.
Michaela's eyes snapped open. Zak was moving around restlessly on the bed beside her. When she put out a hand to stroke him, he snuggled against her hip and let out a distressed whine.
'What is it, sweetie?' Michaela whispered. 'Is something wrong?'
As her eyes adjusted to the moonlit room, Michaela realised that a shimmering figure was standing at the foot of her bed. As she watched with wide eyes, the outline became more starkly defined and the features of the mysterious visitor began to fade into view. Zak growled deep in his throat, then he jumped onto the floor in a sudden flurry of movement.
'Where are you off to, darling?' Michaela called after him. 'Everything's okay... or at least I hope it is. Still, I wouldn't mind your staying on the bed with me if it's all the same to you.'
Zak had already thought better of his excursion. As Michaela pulled herself into a sitting position, he jumped up onto her lap. They then both watched intently as the figure finished materialising.
'What is it, sweetie?' Michaela whispered. 'Is something wrong?'
As her eyes adjusted to the moonlit room, Michaela realised that a shimmering figure was standing at the foot of her bed. As she watched with wide eyes, the outline became more starkly defined and the features of the mysterious visitor began to fade into view. Zak growled deep in his throat, then he jumped onto the floor in a sudden flurry of movement.
'Where are you off to, darling?' Michaela called after him. 'Everything's okay... or at least I hope it is. Still, I wouldn't mind your staying on the bed with me if it's all the same to you.'
Zak had already thought better of his excursion. As Michaela pulled herself into a sitting position, he jumped up onto her lap. They then both watched intently as the figure finished materialising.
The door of Kevin and Oscar's bedroom burst open; Michaela was silhouetted in the frame. She switched on the main light and ran over to the bed. Kevin and Oscar were asleep in the spooning position, their bodies pressed as closely together as humanly possible and their fingers intertwined on top of the quilt. Michaela quickly pulled this down a little way and then started to shake Kevin violently.
'Papi, you have to get up!' she yelled into his ear. 'You have to come downstairs with me right now!'
'Huh?' Kevin mumbled, peeling himself away from Oscar's back and peering up in confusion at the unexpected visitor. 'Ela, what on earth is going on?'
'I don't know,' said Michaela, 'but you have to come down and check on Grandpa!'
'Check on Grandpa?' Kevin repeated, obviously still half asleep. 'What's wrong with him?'
'I don't know that either, Papi!' said Michaela. 'All I know is, there was a ghost in my room and he told me to tell you to go check on Grandpa right now. So let's go!'
'Oh my God,' Kevin breathed, hurling himself out of bed and grabbing a crumpled pair of sweatpants from the floor nearby. 'Did the ghost say anything else?'
'Just some stuff about how I shouldn't be afraid of him and I needed to listen very carefully,' said Michaela. 'Then he told me what I just told you. Hurry, Papi, you have to get down there!'
Kevin finished wriggling into his sweatpants and ran downstairs to the middle storey, where he followed Michaela's example of throwing open his parents' bedroom door and switching on the main light. Zak bounded into the room after him; Michaela quickly followed and heaved the agitated animal into her arms.
'You stay with me, sweetie,' she said to him. 'Whatever's going on, we need to leave it to Papi.'
Kevin had reached his father's side by this time and was attempting to wake him up by touching his shoulder and shouting his name. Carl was lying on his back, apparently in a deep sleep. As his eyes slowly began to open, a look of relief crossed Kevin's face, but this quickly changed to one of concern. Carl appeared to be having trouble opening his left eye, which had remained almost completely closed.
'Kevin?' Carl mumbled. 'What's... what's going on?'
'It's all right, Dad,' said Kevin. 'Just try to stay calm, okay? Could you smile for me?'
'Huh?'
'Please, Dad, just try to smile.'
Carl did so, but only the right side of his mouth made any noticeable degree of movement. Kevin's eyes widened in alarm.
'Did you hit your head at any time today?' he asked, making sure to keep his voice as calm as he could.
'No,' said Carl.
'I'm gonna pull the covers off you now,' said Kevin. 'It's okay, Mom; I just need to check something.'
Beth was wide awake by this point, and clearly in a severely troubled state. Michaela and Zak were hanging around anxiously on the landing, while Oscar had found himself some clothes and was now standing in the bedroom doorway.
'Dad, could you try raising your arms?' said Kevin. 'Just lift them straight up in the air, both at the same speed if you can.'
Carl nodded, and attempted to follow Kevin's instructions. His right arm came up without any trouble, but his left barely made it off the bed and then began to skew to the side.
'Oh God...' Kevin muttered.
'What's going on?' Beth squeaked.
'Do you need me to call an ambulance?' Oscar asked.
'Yes!' Kevin exclaimed, looking over at him gratefully. 'Tell them we have a seventy-year-old male suffering a suspected stroke, conscious and responsive with no head trauma.'
'Got it,' said Oscar, then he darted for the nearby phone extension.
'Okay, okay, okay,' Kevin breathed, 'you're doing really great, Dad. I'm gonna get you on your side now. Ready?'
Carl nodded again. Kevin grasped his shoulders and hauled him over onto his right-hand side, then took a few moments to arrange his legs.
'Mom,' said Kevin, 'if I raise his head a little, could you slip an extra pillow under there?'
'Okay,' said Beth.
Kevin lifted Carl's head and Beth moved one of her pillows to support it.
'Is this in case I vomit?' Carl asked.
'That's right, Dad,' said Kevin. 'Are you feeling nauseous at all?'
'No,' said Carl.
'Any numbness or tingling on your left-hand side?'
'Yes. Both, in different places.'
'There doesn't seem to be any loss of bowel or bladder control,' said Kevin. 'Okay, that's good, that's good, that's good. Do you have a headache?'
'No,' said Carl.
'Blurred or dim vision in your left eye?'
'Maybe a little blurred. But that could be 'cause I just woke up.'
Kevin nodded, then he grabbed the crumpled blanket from the foot of the bed and covered Carl's entire body with it, leaving just his head sticking out.
'That's all we can do for now,' said Kevin. 'Although I should probably update the –'
'They're on their way,' Oscar announced, coming back into the bedroom with the phone extension in his hand. 'Do you want to give them any more information?'
Kevin ran over to Oscar, kissed him, then took the phone and began to speak into it.
'Papi, you have to get up!' she yelled into his ear. 'You have to come downstairs with me right now!'
'Huh?' Kevin mumbled, peeling himself away from Oscar's back and peering up in confusion at the unexpected visitor. 'Ela, what on earth is going on?'
'I don't know,' said Michaela, 'but you have to come down and check on Grandpa!'
'Check on Grandpa?' Kevin repeated, obviously still half asleep. 'What's wrong with him?'
'I don't know that either, Papi!' said Michaela. 'All I know is, there was a ghost in my room and he told me to tell you to go check on Grandpa right now. So let's go!'
'Oh my God,' Kevin breathed, hurling himself out of bed and grabbing a crumpled pair of sweatpants from the floor nearby. 'Did the ghost say anything else?'
'Just some stuff about how I shouldn't be afraid of him and I needed to listen very carefully,' said Michaela. 'Then he told me what I just told you. Hurry, Papi, you have to get down there!'
Kevin finished wriggling into his sweatpants and ran downstairs to the middle storey, where he followed Michaela's example of throwing open his parents' bedroom door and switching on the main light. Zak bounded into the room after him; Michaela quickly followed and heaved the agitated animal into her arms.
'You stay with me, sweetie,' she said to him. 'Whatever's going on, we need to leave it to Papi.'
Kevin had reached his father's side by this time and was attempting to wake him up by touching his shoulder and shouting his name. Carl was lying on his back, apparently in a deep sleep. As his eyes slowly began to open, a look of relief crossed Kevin's face, but this quickly changed to one of concern. Carl appeared to be having trouble opening his left eye, which had remained almost completely closed.
'Kevin?' Carl mumbled. 'What's... what's going on?'
'It's all right, Dad,' said Kevin. 'Just try to stay calm, okay? Could you smile for me?'
'Huh?'
'Please, Dad, just try to smile.'
Carl did so, but only the right side of his mouth made any noticeable degree of movement. Kevin's eyes widened in alarm.
'Did you hit your head at any time today?' he asked, making sure to keep his voice as calm as he could.
'No,' said Carl.
'I'm gonna pull the covers off you now,' said Kevin. 'It's okay, Mom; I just need to check something.'
Beth was wide awake by this point, and clearly in a severely troubled state. Michaela and Zak were hanging around anxiously on the landing, while Oscar had found himself some clothes and was now standing in the bedroom doorway.
'Dad, could you try raising your arms?' said Kevin. 'Just lift them straight up in the air, both at the same speed if you can.'
Carl nodded, and attempted to follow Kevin's instructions. His right arm came up without any trouble, but his left barely made it off the bed and then began to skew to the side.
'Oh God...' Kevin muttered.
'What's going on?' Beth squeaked.
'Do you need me to call an ambulance?' Oscar asked.
'Yes!' Kevin exclaimed, looking over at him gratefully. 'Tell them we have a seventy-year-old male suffering a suspected stroke, conscious and responsive with no head trauma.'
'Got it,' said Oscar, then he darted for the nearby phone extension.
'Okay, okay, okay,' Kevin breathed, 'you're doing really great, Dad. I'm gonna get you on your side now. Ready?'
Carl nodded again. Kevin grasped his shoulders and hauled him over onto his right-hand side, then took a few moments to arrange his legs.
'Mom,' said Kevin, 'if I raise his head a little, could you slip an extra pillow under there?'
'Okay,' said Beth.
Kevin lifted Carl's head and Beth moved one of her pillows to support it.
'Is this in case I vomit?' Carl asked.
'That's right, Dad,' said Kevin. 'Are you feeling nauseous at all?'
'No,' said Carl.
'Any numbness or tingling on your left-hand side?'
'Yes. Both, in different places.'
'There doesn't seem to be any loss of bowel or bladder control,' said Kevin. 'Okay, that's good, that's good, that's good. Do you have a headache?'
'No,' said Carl.
'Blurred or dim vision in your left eye?'
'Maybe a little blurred. But that could be 'cause I just woke up.'
Kevin nodded, then he grabbed the crumpled blanket from the foot of the bed and covered Carl's entire body with it, leaving just his head sticking out.
'That's all we can do for now,' said Kevin. 'Although I should probably update the –'
'They're on their way,' Oscar announced, coming back into the bedroom with the phone extension in his hand. 'Do you want to give them any more information?'
Kevin ran over to Oscar, kissed him, then took the phone and began to speak into it.
A short time later, Carl was being wheeled out of the bedroom on a collapsible trolley by two paramedics. Oscar, Michaela and Beth were watching in stunned silence from an appropriate distance, while Kevin was in the process of stumbling down the stairs from the top storey, now fully dressed.
'Car keys, car keys, car keys,' he muttered. 'Mom, do you know where the car keys ended up after you came back from the lawyer?'
'They're in the telephone table drawer,' said Beth. 'But don't you think you'd better go in the ambulance, Kevin? I can drive myself to the hospital.'
'I need to take a step back and let the paramedics do their job,' said Kevin. 'We're both going in the car, Mom, and I'm driving.'
Libby had made her way down from the top storey by this point. Oscar held out his hand to her, and she quickly ran to grab it.
'Is there anything else you want me to do?' he called to Kevin.
'I don't think so,' said Kevin, pausing at the top of the stairs. 'Oh, yes, there is! Can you call James and let him know what's going on?'
'Of course,' said Oscar.
'Try his cell phone first,' said Kevin, 'then try the landline. Leave a message if no one picks up. Which I guess is pretty likely at this time of night.'
Oscar nodded, then Kevin disappeared down the stairs. There came the sounds of frantic shuffling and car keys being jingled, then the front door slammed shut.
'Daddy, what's wrong with Grandpa Carl?' Libby asked.
'He's not very well, sweetheart,' said Oscar. 'He needs to go to the hospital and get checked over.'
'He's having a stroke, Lib,' said Michaela.
'Does that mean he's going to die?' said Libby.
'I'm sure he's not,' said Oscar. 'For one thing, your papi was in there performing first aid on him before the ambulance came. I've never known your papi perform first aid on someone and them not be okay, and that includes me!'
'I don't think I can go to sleep again, Dad,' said Michaela. 'Not yet, anyway.'
'Me either,' said Libby. 'I want to stay up until Grandpa Carl comes home.'
'He might not be back for a while, Libby,' Oscar said gently. 'Certainly not tonight. But I don't think I can go to sleep either, so let's all go downstairs and I'll make us some cocoa. I just need to call Uncle James first.'
'Car keys, car keys, car keys,' he muttered. 'Mom, do you know where the car keys ended up after you came back from the lawyer?'
'They're in the telephone table drawer,' said Beth. 'But don't you think you'd better go in the ambulance, Kevin? I can drive myself to the hospital.'
'I need to take a step back and let the paramedics do their job,' said Kevin. 'We're both going in the car, Mom, and I'm driving.'
Libby had made her way down from the top storey by this point. Oscar held out his hand to her, and she quickly ran to grab it.
'Is there anything else you want me to do?' he called to Kevin.
'I don't think so,' said Kevin, pausing at the top of the stairs. 'Oh, yes, there is! Can you call James and let him know what's going on?'
'Of course,' said Oscar.
'Try his cell phone first,' said Kevin, 'then try the landline. Leave a message if no one picks up. Which I guess is pretty likely at this time of night.'
Oscar nodded, then Kevin disappeared down the stairs. There came the sounds of frantic shuffling and car keys being jingled, then the front door slammed shut.
'Daddy, what's wrong with Grandpa Carl?' Libby asked.
'He's not very well, sweetheart,' said Oscar. 'He needs to go to the hospital and get checked over.'
'He's having a stroke, Lib,' said Michaela.
'Does that mean he's going to die?' said Libby.
'I'm sure he's not,' said Oscar. 'For one thing, your papi was in there performing first aid on him before the ambulance came. I've never known your papi perform first aid on someone and them not be okay, and that includes me!'
'I don't think I can go to sleep again, Dad,' said Michaela. 'Not yet, anyway.'
'Me either,' said Libby. 'I want to stay up until Grandpa Carl comes home.'
'He might not be back for a while, Libby,' Oscar said gently. 'Certainly not tonight. But I don't think I can go to sleep either, so let's all go downstairs and I'll make us some cocoa. I just need to call Uncle James first.'
