It's a bird, no it's a plane, no it's Santa, no it's - AN UPDATE.
Yes, finally an update. It's not long, but I hope you'll enjoy it anyway. Thank you for reading and commenting. It means a lot.
Chapter 29
It was early evening by the time Sydney, Nadia, Vaughn, Eric, Dixon, and Marshall came home to L.A. They were picked up by agents at the airstrip and brought back to the safe house, where everyone was still staying. It would be everyone’s last night at the safe house, since everyone, but Jack, Irina, and the triplets, was home now and since there hadn’t been any danger to worry about. Though, they would still keep a watchful eye out for any possible danger when they went home to their homes, since Sloane was still free.
Everyone was still up and as soon as they walked in Isabelle and Sarah ran towards Sydney and Vaughn, Becky ran towards Nadia and Eric, Mitchell, Matthew, Chloe, and Gracie ran towards Marshall, and Stephen and Robin walked towards Dixon.
“We’ve missed you.” Sydney gave Isabelle another kiss.
“We’ve missed you too.”
“How’s grandpa?”
“He’s getting better and better each day.”
“So we’ll be able to talk to him soon?”
“Yes, any day now. He just needs to get a little better before you can do that.”
“How are grandma, Ethan, Maddie, and Caitie?”
“They’re just fine.”
“When are they all coming home?”
“It’ll be a little while longer. Grandpa needs to get a lot better before he can be moved.”
“Okay.”
The kids all got more hugs and kisses. Katya then walked over to Sydney and Vaughn and put Nicholas in Sydney’s arms. Kendall walked over to Nadia and Eric and handed David to Nadia while Carrie walked over to Marshall and hugged and kissed him, and Chase walked over to Dixon and hugged him.
Katya, Kendall, Sergei, Carrie, Will, and Rachel then hugged Sydney, Nadia, Vaughn, Eric, Marshall, and Dixon. Sydney smiled when she hugged Will.
“Thank you for still being here.” He smiled back.
“Don’t mention it.”
“When are you going home?”
“We’ll be staying for a few more days.”
“I’m glad.”
“Let’s go into the living room. We’ve made some sandwiches and lemonade. I’m sure you can use that.”
“That sounds wonderful Katya.”
They all went into the living room where they had the food and drinks and they talked until it was time for the kids to go to bed.
Sydney, Nadia, Vaughn, Eric, Marshall, and Carrie took their time tugging in their kids and returned to the living room after they had fallen asleep. Nicholas, David, and T.J. had fallen asleep awhile before the others and had been tugged in at that time, and Stephen and Robin stayed up for a while longer.
When they came back down they all talked some more and then played some board games until Stephen and Robin went to bed. While they went to bed everyone, who had returned from India, unpacked to make sure that Stephen and Robin were hopefully asleep by the time they were done unpacking. The mission would be talked about more in detail and Stephen and Robin didn’t need to hear about that.
They returned to the living room a while later after having checked on all the kids.
“Did you check on the kids?”
“Yes. They’re all asleep.”
“Good.”
Everyone sat down and sighed a little.
“How are you?”
“We’re fine, but it was a hectic time with the rescue mission and thinking dad would die.”
“Yes, we can imagine. But now that we know Jack will live, we can all relax.”
“How are the triplets? I know we’ve talked to them and they seem fine, but are there any signs that they’re not fine?”
“No, they seem quite fine. I think just being around mom and dad, are enough for them to get passed the trauma they’ve been through. And luckily they weren’t put through any real torture like mom and dad, and they were also given food and water.”
“But no doubt mom and dad will have a talk with them when dad gets a bit better.”
“Yes, I think that will do them good. They need to talk about what happened, so that they won’t have any problems in the future. But they’re also strong, which is due to their genes. All of Jack and Irina’s children have strong minds and willpower.” Sydney and Nadia smiled at their aunt.
“Thanks Katya.”
“So how are Jack and Irina? Well of course Jack still has a long way to go until he’s fully recovered, and Irina has started to take care of herself. But other than that, how are they?”
“They seem fine. But like the triplets need to talk about what happened, I think mom and dad need to do that too.”
“Especially with all the torture they were put through and the DVDs they had to watch. And who knows how many they had to watch of those.”
“DVDs? What DVDs?”
Katya, Kendall, Carrie, Will, and Rachel hadn’t been told about the DVD that was playing in the basement. Not even Chase had been told. Dixon noticed that neither Sydney nor Nadia seemed like they felt like telling what they had seen, so he decided to tell everyone as to not make Sydney and Nadia go through the pain of telling everyone.
“You all know what Cuvee put Irina through when she was a prisoner there.” Everyone nodded slowly and started to look a little horrified. “Well, he taped what he did to her, and apparently he made Jack and Irina, watch the footage of that.” Everyone gaped.
“He didn’t.”
“Unfortunately, yes. One of the DVDs was playing when we reached the basement.”
“That bastard.”
“We didn’t ask them how much they saw, but we assume they’ve seen quite a large amount of DVDs. We found a whole bunch just before we destroyed the place.”
“If Cuvee wasn’t already dead, I’d cut off his balls and dick and make him eat them. Then I’d kill him.” Everyone stared a little wide eyed at Katya, but after a few seconds they all nodded agreeing with her. Kendall looked between Sydney and Nadia.
“That couldn’t have been easy for Irina to watch. Or Jack for that matter.”
“No, we don’t imagine that it was. Though, we didn’t ask her about it. We didn’t ask dad either, but we didn’t have that much of a chance to do that.”
“We didn’t think mom needed to be reminded about it with everything that was going on, and we didn’t feel like asking her either. But maybe we should have.” Katya shook her head.
“No, you did the right thing. If Irina should talk to anyone about it, it should be Jack. I know that she doesn’t want to talk about it, but since Jack saw the DVDs too, I think he’s the right person she should talk to. And although it would be hard to talk about, I definitely think they need to talk about it.”
“Yeah, I think you’re right.”
Everyone stayed silent for a couple of minutes before they resumed talking, and a few hours later everyone went to bed.
A couple of hours after everyone had gone to bed Kendall got up and went to the kitchen to get something to drink. When he got there, Katya was sitting by the table having a glass of orange juice.
“Hi. Anymore juice left?”
“Yes, plenty.”
He got a glass from the cupboard and sat down across from her and poured himself a glass.
“It’s nice to have everyone home again. Well, almost everyone. It certainly will be a lot better once Jack, Irina, and the triplets are back home too.”
“Yes, it most definitely will.”
“It’ll do them good to come home to their usual surroundings so that they can get Kashmir off their minds. It’ll certainly be good for Jack and Irina to get those DVDs off their minds.” He shook his head. “I still can’t believe Sloane and Cuvee made them watch them.”
“I can’t believe it either. Irina has done her best to try to forget about her time in Kashmir, and had it been up to her no one would’ve ever found out what happened to her. But of course when she got back together with Jack, she couldn’t hide the truth from him, or from Sydney and Nadia.”
“I’m sure with the help of Jack she can put it behind her once again. Or at least put it behind her to the best of her abilities.”
“Irina’s certainly strong, and only a strong person can do that. Someone who’s weak won’t be able to get passed it. The only way a weak person seems to be able to get passed it, is by bottling up the feelings deep inside, and then goes on with his or her life like nothing happened.” She finished her juice and poured some more. “But luckily Irina has Jack by her side.” He nodded and smiled a little.
“They’re certainly lucky to have each other and to share the love they do.”
“Yes, some people are lucky like that.”
“Yes, some are.”
They looked at each other and smiled a little. After a few seconds of silence Kendall raised his glass.
“To love.” Katya rolled her eyes.
“Why on earth would I want to toast to love?” He looked at her a little confused.
“Wait, didn’t we just agree that Jack and Irina are lucky to share the love they do, and that they’re lucky to have each other?”
“Yes, we did.”
“You are happy that Jack and Irina are together, right?”
“Don’t be an idiot. Of course I’m happy that they’re together.”
“Then why not toast to love?”
“Because, we’re toasting to love in general, and I have no desire to do that.”
“Then how about toasting to Jack and Irina?” She rolled her eyes.
“Why stop there. Why not toast to Sydney and Vaughn, Nadia and Eric, and every other couple we know, who are in love.” He let out a frustrated grunt, and got a little annoyed with her.
“There’s no reason to make fun of my suggestion.”
“It was a ridiculous suggestion, and therefore I’m making fun of it.”
“Fine. We won’t toast to anything then.” He finished his glass and got up from his chair. He shook his head “And just when we were having one of our extremely rare and pleasant conversations.”
“Yes, well don’t let one of our extremely rare and pleasant conversations go to…”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. Don’t let one of our extremely rare and pleasant conversations go to that big, bald head of mine.” He shook his head again. “I’m going to bed. Are you done with the juice?”
“Yes.”
He took the juice and put it back in the fridge and put his glass in the sink. Then he left the kitchen without saying goodnight or looking back at Katya. She stayed in the kitchen for a few more minutes finishing her juice before going back to bed.
Back in India the day had not been much different from the previous. Irina and the triplets had been to Jack’s room to greet him good morning and then they’d gone to the cafeteria to have breakfast. After breakfast they’d come back to his room and stayed there for a while talking. Late in the morning the doctor came to examine Jack, and Irina told Jack that she and the triplets would go out and walk around for a while and get back some time in the afternoon.
While Irina and the triplets were gone, Jack was bored and thoughts of the time in Kashmir, was on his mind constantly. He tried to think of happier times, and sometimes that helped, but the footage of the DVDs would come crawling back into his mind again eventually. His mood only changed for the better when the triplets came back to his room.
“Hi daddy.”
“Hi sweethearts. Where’s mommy?”
“She went to talk to the doctor.”
“She’ll be back in a little while.”
“Okay. Did you have a nice time out?”
“Do you want us to tell you about it?” He smiled at them.
“Of course.”
They pulled up chairs and sat next to him, and started telling him about everything they’d done and seen. Half an hour later Irina joined them in the room, and after greeting Jack she sat down next to the triplets and let them go on about telling Jack about their day.
Irina and the triplets went back to the cafeteria to have dinner, and then came back to Jack’s room a while later. They stayed in his room until it was time to call home. When they finished with their phone conversation, they went to Jack’s room again to say goodnight to him. The triplets went in there first, and kissed him goodnight before Irina came into the room. The two of them only said a quick goodnight to each other before Irina left the room again.
The next day started out the same as the previous day. A few minutes after Irina and the triplets came back to Jack’s room after having had breakfast in the cafeteria the doctor joined them in his room.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning, doctor.”
“How are you feeling today Mr. Bristow?”
“I feel better every day.”
“That’s good to hear. Your tests show that you’re getting better each day too. And because of that, I think it’s time for you to try to sit up. Are you up for that?”
“Yes, absolutely.”
“Good. I’ll just go and get a few nurses to help me.” He left and the triplets smiled at Jack.
“That’s good news, daddy.
“Yes, it is good news.”
Irina bit her lip, but then smiled a little when Jack looked at her.
“Yes, it is good news, Jack.” He smiled back a little too.
A few minutes later the doctor came back with a couple of nurses. Irina and the triplets stepped away from Jack’s bed to make room for them. Irina bit her bottom lip when the bed had been raised and the doctor and nurses started to help Jack sit up. She couldn’t stand to see anyone touch him when she knew what the doctor had said back when he was first in the hospital. It didn’t make the situation better that Jack grimaced in pain a little.
The doctor looked at Jack.
“Are you okay, Mr. Bristow?” Jack smiled a little once he was settled.
“Yes, I’m fine. No pain, no glory, right?” The doctor smiled.
“Well that’s true in some cases.” He lifted Jack’s hospital gown to check the stitches. “Everything looks just fine. And it’s very normal for you to be in pain when you sit up after lying down for so long. But if the pain gets too unbearable, let me know.”
“I will.”
“Are you in any pain now?”
“No, not at all. My body is still sore, but no more than it was yesterday.”
“That’s perfectly natural. Well, we’ll leave you alone. Here’s the call button in case you need us for anything.” He placed the call button back on the bed next to Jack’s hand.
“Thank you.”
“I’ll be back later to check on you.” Jack nodded and the doctor and the nurses left the room while Irina and the triplets moved closer to the bed again.
“Is it good to sit up again, daddy?” Jack smiled at Maddie.
“Yes, it certainly is.”
“So maybe soon we’ll be able to place a board game on the bed and we’ll all be able to play?” Jack laughed a little.
“Yes, maybe will be able to do that soon. If not a board game then at least we can play cards.”
“How are you feeling, Jack? Are you sure, you’re okay to sit up?”
“Yes, I’m fine. I have to sit up eventually, and since the doctor can tell that it’s time, I think it’s wise to listen to him. He wouldn’t allow me to sit up if he didn’t think I was ready.”
“No, of course not. Just make sure to let the doctor or a nurse know if you feel any discomfort.”
“I will.”
They stayed in Jack’s room until it was time for Jack to have lunch. One of the nurses came into the room with his food.
“Hello Mr. Bristow. Time for lunch and time to try eating by yourself. You think you can do that?”
“Yes, I think I can manage.”
“Good.”
Irina stood up.
“Since you’re having lunch now, we should go and get lunch too.” She looked at the triplets. “What do you say to going out for lunch and then doing a bit of sightseeing after?”
“That sounds like a good idea, mommy.” Maddie and Caitie nodded too. Irina looked back at Jack.
“We’ll be back some time this afternoon. Enjoy your lunch.”
“You too.” They left as the nurse finished getting Jack’s food ready for him to eat.
“There you go, Mr. Bristow. Enjoy your meal. Call if you need any help.”
“I will. Thank you.”
“I will be back later to collect your tray.”
“Okay.” The nurse left and Jack sighed before eating.
An hour later the nurse returned.
“How did it go?” Jack smiled a little.
“Fine, thank you.”
“And how was the food?”
“Hospital food was never my favorite, but this was better than what I’ve had before.” The nurse laughed and Jack laughed a little too.
“Well, unfortunately hospital food will be hospital food. But I can see you finished everything.”
“Yeah. As I said, it wasn’t that bad.” She nodded and took the tray away and pushed the table back.
“Can I get you anything else or do anything for you?”
“No thank you.”
“Okay. Just call if you need anything.” Jack nodded and the nurse walked towards the door. When she was almost out Jack called out to her.
“Wait.” She came back into the room.
“Yes?”
“I could actually use a shave. I’m not used to having a beard and it’s rather itchy. I don’t have enough strength to shave myself. I don’t think my hands will be steady enough go watch out for the bruises. Would you mind shaving me? My son bought shaving cream and a razor. It should be around here somewhere.”
“Sure, I’ll give you a shave. Let me just put this away and I’ll be back shortly.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
When Irina and the triplets came back, the triplets went into Jack’s room first.
“Hi daddy.”
“You got a shave.”
“Yes, I did. It’s a good thing you bought me that razor and the shaving cream.”
“I knew it would come in handy eventually.” Jack looked at Ethan a little oddly, but then smiled.
“You look very handsome with a new shaven face, daddy.” Maddie gave Jack a kiss on the cheek, and he smiled.
“Thank you, sweetheart.” Caitie then gave him a kiss too.
“It’s nice that you’re not itchy anymore.” Jack laughed and so did the triplets.
“Yeah, I think so too.” Ethan gave his father a kiss to just before Irina walked in. Jack looked up when she came in, and she looked at him surprised.
“You shaved?”
“No, I had one of the nurses give me a shave.”
“Oh.”
She was disappointed that he had gotten one of the nurses to shave him. She had wanted to do that when he had gotten better, just like she had promised him. But she also knew that she wouldn’t have shaved him unless he told her to, and she was also disappointed that he hadn’t asked her to do it.
“It was really starting to bother me, so I thought it was best to get it removed as soon as possible.”
“Of course.” She pushed back her disappointment and focused on something else. “So, how did lunch go? Any problems?”
“No, it went great.”
“That’s good.”
“How did your lunch go, and your time out?”
“It went just fine.” He nodded and looked at the triplets.
“Well, pull up the chairs and tell me all about it.”
They spent the rest of the afternoon talking about their day. When dinnertime came around Irina and the triplets left for the cafeteria while Jack had his dinner in his room. After Irina and the triplets had finished they went for a walk outside before returning to Jack’s room. They continued talking for a while, but they also brought a board game into Jack’s room that they played at the table while Jack watched from his bed with great joy at how happy the triplets were.
Later in the evening Irina and the triplets called home and they then returned to Jack’s room where they stayed for a little while longer until the nurse came in.
“Hi. I think it would be a good idea if Mr. Bristow had his rest now.”
Irina wondered if that was the nurse, who had shaved Jack. But again she pushed the thought away from her mind and nodded.
“Yes, of course. We should get to bed too.” Two nurses entered the room and Irina looked at the triplets. “Why don’t you say goodnight to daddy when the nurses are done, and I’ll go and make our beds ready.”
“Okay, mommy.” She left not wanting to watch Jack being touched and him possibly grimace in pain. The triplets watched as the nurses helped Jack to lie back down.
When the nurses were done and had left the room, the triplets said goodnight to Jack. They stayed until Irina came back, and then they left the room.
“I’d like to talk to everyone at home tomorrow, when you call home. Well since they’re all gone home to their own houses, I’d at least like to talk to the kids and the grandkids.” Irina nodded.
“Okay, if you think you’re up for it, then we’ll do that.”
“I feel better every day, so I don’t see why I shouldn’t be up for it tomorrow.”
“No, of course not.” They stayed silent for a few seconds, and then Irina nodded once. “Well, I should let you get your sleep. Goodnight Jack. See you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, see you tomorrow. Goodnight.”
Irina left the room, and Jack sighed deeply before going to sleep.
TBC