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CUTE AND CUDDLY
part 2
Detective Jeff Thompson and Roy had driven into Arizona the previous day. After breakfast they started their day by taking a picture of Johnny to the local police department near the National Forest. The officer had not seen Johnny, but took down his statistics as a missing person.
As they left the police station, Jeff and Roy looked around. It would take most of the day to visit the business establishments. They went from door to door until they went into Dr. Beckman's Veterinarian Hospital. Minutes later, they came out with a positive ID, the knowledge that Johnny had been in the hospital and directions to Ranger Frank Parks' station. Although eager to continue, the growling of their stomachs sidetracked them to a local diner for food.
They found Ranger Parks out back of the station doing inventory of fertilizer stored in a 16 x 16 wooden shed. Introductions were made and Johnny's picture was shown. "Yeah. I know him. Doc and I found him in the forest with a massive infection in his hand and a feral dog guarding him. The dog ran off before we could tranquilize it and we got Okyeha to the hospital. I hired him you know. He's one heck of a survivalist. Just what I needed to blaze more trails."
"Wait a minute. What did you call him?"
Looking at the sandy haired man, the ranger was surprised at the intensity of the man. "Ah. I called him a survivalist."
"No. I mean what name did you call him?"
"Okyeha."
Turning to Jeff, Roy explained. "Sometimes Johnny has a re-occurring dream from his reservation days. He wakes himself up shouting that he's Okyeha. He told me it's an Indian name his father gave him."
"That was what he was muttering when we took him to the hospital," said Ranger Parks.
Quickly turning his head back to the Ranger, Roy asked, "So where is he?"
"I hired him to blaze some new trails. He's out there in the forest somewhere."
"When's he due to come back?"
"He said he would return when he got three trails set up or he ran out of supplies. I doubt if he runs out of supplies. That guy can sure live off the land!"
"Roy?"
"Yeah, Jeff."
"We're going to have to wait. Why don't we go back into town and get a room? I'm sure
Ranger Parks will notify us when Johnny comes back. Won't you, Ranger Parks?"
"Sure I will. Why don't you get a room at the Mountain Inn? They have good food and good rates."
The day was rapidly turning into night as Jeff and Roy began to return to Jeff's car. As they walked beside the ranger station, they heard the noise of a horse walking over rocks. Looking up the trail, they stopped in their tracks. Backlighted by the setting sun was a tall, slender cowboy on a dark horse and leading a pack animal. As the horse walked slowly down into the deepening shadows, a dog ghostly flitted from side to side on the trail, weaving a pattern of caution and mistrust. The dog's hackles were raised and his tail was stiffly held straight out, parallel to the ground. In a crouching stance, the dog stopped and issued a low menacing growl.
One word was spoke sharply from on top of the horse, "Smoke!" The dog slinked over to the side of the trail, laid down and placed his nose between his fore feet.
That one word sent a thrill through Roy. "Johnny?"
Without answering, the horseman rode to them, stopped and dismounted from his perch. Striding over to stand before Roy, he pushed the cowboy hat back from his forehead. Roy stood and read the emotions passing across Johnny's face: disbelief, relief, joy, sadness and fear. Unbeknownst to everyone, Ranger Parks was coming around the side of the building. Smoke caught the scent of the man he remembered with the man with the gun. To protect Johnny, Smoke dashed to launch himself. Hearing the growl Johnny turned, stared at the dog and with a firm voice commanded "No!" The dog gave a look of disgust and stood twitching at Johnny's side. Turning back to face his partner, Johnny said, "Roy, it's good to see you."
"How are you Johnny?"
"Better."
"What happened?"
Looking around at his audience, Johnny became self-conscious. "Ah, Roy. I'll tell you, but not now. I need to finish up with Frank. Can you wait?"
"Yeah." Tapping Johnny's wedding ring, "Someone sent us after you. She needs you. We'll wait."
Fear washed over Johnny's face as he left. Going back to his saddlebags, Johnny pulled out neatly folded maps. "Frank, I have what I promised - three trails blazed and marked. I have them located on these maps. Also I've marked the food drop areas. Some of those are buried, but they are easy to find. Just look for the mounds of rocks." The two men continued talking as they went up the steps into the ranger station. Johnny gave Roy a long glance before he went through the door.
Ten minutes later the Ranger walked out with Johnny, shook his hand and went back to the doorway. Johnny continued down the steps to the packhorse. He unloaded the animal and went through the pack. He pulled out a small duffel bag and tossed it to Roy. Going over to his riding horse he stripped the horse of the saddle and blanket and picked up his saddlebags, shoving a white envelope into them. Whistling for Smoke, he saluted Ranger Parks, looked at Jeff and said, "Let's go."
Opening the back driver's door of the sedan, he stepped aside to allow the dog access to the back seat. Jeff looked quizzical at Roy. Roy rolled his eyes and held his hand up in surrender as he was stuffing the bag into the trunk. Reaching out, he snatched the saddlebags from Johnny as he was sliding into the back seat and put them in the trunk.
Jeff got behind the driver's steering wheel and expertly drove out of town. As they traveled on their way back to LA, Roy turned from the front passenger seat to look back at Johnny. "Okay Junior. What happened?"
Running his left hand through his raven hair, Johnny couldn't meet Roy's blue eyes. The dog looked up into Johnny's brown eyes and whined. An oncoming car's lights flashed across Johnny's face. Roy saw the emotional battle being fought and decided to stop it. "Johnny. I need that answer now."
The tone of voice told Johnny that there was no way Roy would allow him to avoid the issue. Running his hand back through his hair, he brought it down onto Smoke's head and softly stroked the dog's ears.
"I didn't originally plan to come here. It just happened. We had so many bad runs that day. Everyone had died. I was losing trust in my abilities to help others. The last one was a little boy with my name. He was dying in that ambulance when you left for Rampart Hospital. My thoughts had just hit bottom and something hit the squad from behind. I blanked out. I don't know what happen or what I did. My next memory was waking up in a flower painted Volkswagen bus. It was cold, but I had this need to get out and away. My head ached and I went into the forest.
My next memory was of waking up to birds singing. My head wasn't hurting and I was warm from a blanket I had taken from the van. I started thinking of you and all our bad runs and the next thing, I was staring at a fire in a cave and had a wound in my hand. Things faded out after that. I vaguely remember Smoke being there. I woke up in the hospital with Frank Parks in the room. He was calling me Okyeha. He visited me several times over the next several days. When it was obvious I would be getting out of the hospital, Frank offered me a job blazing trails in the forest.
Roy, I took the job because I couldn't think of you, my life with Becky or my job as a firefighter/paramedic. My mind would retreat into darkness when I tried. I grew scared I would grow mad if I kept trying. So I gave up and just lived for the moment. While out there Smoke found me again and stayed. Three days ago I suddenly thought of Becky and then of you. I didn't blank out. All the pain was dull. I knew I wanted to go home, but I needed to finish what I had started. I also needed to know where I was. In either case, I had to see Frank Parks. So I finished up, broke camp and rode in. You know the rest."
While Johnny was talking, Jeff had pulled over into a motel lighted parking lot, parked and had turned to listen to Johnny's tale. When Johnny mentioned thinking of Becky three days before, Jeff and Roy turned their heads and stared at each other.
Catching their look Johnny finished his story and began to be fearful. "Roy? Roy? What's wrong? What happened? Becky. Something's happened to Becky!" His voice rose in volume as he reached out to grab Roy's arm. Smoke let out a low growl and bared his teeth. Johnny automatically reached out to stroke the dog's head, but fear was still on his face.
"Calm down Johnny. She's going to be okay. Joanne's with her. But she needs to have her husband back."
"What happened Roy?"
"Before we go into it, why don't we get a room for the night? I'm beat from driving and you've had some rough days, Roy. Johnny looks like he could use a shower and a shave before we bring him home to his wife."
"Thanks Jeff. I think you're right. Here, let me help on the cost." Roy reached for his wallet and was stopped by Jeff's hand on his arm.
"Don't bother Roy. The police department will take care of this. Johnny is still officially listed as kidnapped, so we're still on police business."
"Kidnapped?"
"Yeah, Junior. Let's get a room and I'll explain that too."
It took several hours before Johnny knew everything, from little Johnny's status, to his kidnapping to Becky's miscarriage of the babies. All three men were exhausted by the end of the narration. Roy and Jeff urged Johnny to get a shower and to go to bed. They would be back in LA the next day.
It was difficult for Johnny to go to sleep. He was beating himself up over not being there when Becky needed him. Roy knew Johnny well. "Let it rest, Johnny and go to sleep."
"Roy, I'm scared she won't want me back after what I did, not being there for her."
"Even if you had been there, it still would have happened. She wants you back Johnny. She urged me to find you. Just tell her what you told me. She will understand. Don't forget. I know Becky well also."
With those reassuring words, Johnny was able to relax before sleeping. "Sure, I will have to work hard to regain all I have lost, but I will get my life back just as it had been before." As the dog shifted on the floor by his bed, Johnny thought, "Well, not quite the same. I have a constant shadow now."
********************
It was several years later.
Becky was pregnant again and scared. After losing her first two children she was willing to do anything to keep this one. She was difficult to live with. Johnny was a frequent target for her barb remarks.
Talking with her doctor, Johnny found that there was no reason that Becky couldn't take a vacation with him as long as they did it soon. He hoped that it would allow her to calm down and reconnect to him. At the same time he also needed to face his fears. He went back to the ranch to talk to her and convince her to schedule a vacation. Finding her car gone he went down to the barn to bring in the horses for the night. His constant shadow when he was on the ranch, Smoke, followed quietly behind.
Smoke was three-fourths German Shepherd and one-fourth wolf. He allowed no one to own him but he was very protective of Johnny and Becky. Johnny was the only man that could touch the dog. Smoke laid down guarding at the door as Johnny went about his chores. Working with his horses was relaxing to Johnny. As he brushed the horses, the heady aroma they gave off brought back memories of the mountain trails he traveled while in Arizona.
Lost in thought, he didn't hear Becky's car pull into the driveway, but Smoke did. He came over, grabbed Johnny's pants leg and pulled toward the door. Dropping the horse brush into the box hanging off the stall, Johnny chuckled and followed the dog to the door. As he walked toward the house and his wife, Johnny could feel the tension rising up his back and settling between his shoulder blades. He knew he would have to tread carefully with Becky to get her to agree to a vacation.
"Hi Becky."
"Hi John. You hungry?"
"Always."
"I'll get started with our meal in a moment. I had to go grocery shopping. The
cabinets were getting bare." She started unloading her car trunk of paper bags.
"Let me get those for you, my Cesse. Why don't you go in and relax for a few minutes?"
"I'm fine John. Stop patronizing me, but you can help. With both of us getting the bags in, we can eat faster. And stop calling me by your pet name."
"Okay Hon, but let me get the heavy bags."
It didn't take long working together for them to prepare their meal. Later Johnny found the opportunity to talk to Becky about a vacation. He had started a fire in the fireplace, lit candles around the room, and had her favorite music playing on the record player. He talked her into lying down on the plush rug in front of the flickering fire. He was sitting up and had her lean back against his chest. With his arms around her, he could feel the tension in her body. As he stroked and kneaded her arms and shoulders, he plunged into his campaign.
"Becky, when was the last time you got a vacation?"
"I don't know John."
"Do you think you can take some time off after you finish the designing job you're working on now?"
"John, I've got two more lined up after that."
"Can you postpone just one?"
"Only if necessary."
"Hon, we need to talk. You've learned too well from me. Something is bothering you and you are withdrawing from me, just as I did with you years ago. Becky, I don't want to lose you and I've walked that road you're traveling. It's not pleasant or easy. Talk to me, please."
Turning in his arms and looking into his brown eyes, she could read his concern. Like Roy, his partner, she could interpret every expression on his face. She had learned early in their relationship that Johnny could lie with his words, but his face was always truthful. At this time, even his words registered truth and love. With a sigh she decided to level with him.
"John, I'm scared. I lost our first two babies. I don't want to lose this one. It hurt so much last time. I'm finding I'm distancing myself away from this pregnancy in case I miscarry again. I guess I'm doing the same to you."
"Becky, I have full intentions to be here for you. I'm still sorry about what happened the last time. You have been showing irritation. I thought it was hormone imbalance from the pregnancy. I also can feel the tension you have. That can't be good for you or the baby. Have you talked to your doctor about it?"
"He thinks I need to slow down, given my history."
"What I'm suggesting is that you and I coordinate some time off and take a vacation to Eureka Springs, Arkansas."
"Fly?"
"No, we'll take enough time so we can drive and take some breaks on the trip."
"What about the animals?"
"I'll hire our neighbor's son to come over and take care of the horses."
"What about Smoke? He won't let anyone near him except us."
"I've thought about that. What if we invited Roy and his family to stay a week with us? It's time Smoke extends his family to others."
"It would be nice to have Joanne nearby for a week, the kids too. I'm willing. This job ends in two weeks. Is that enough time to prepare?"
"Yeah. Plan on being away a month. I'll talk to Roy and Cap tomorrow when shift begins."
Roy was initially resistant to the idea but then, after talking to Joanne, he was worn down. Joanne wanted to have some time with Becky and with school freshly out, it was an opportunity for the children.
Johnny had timed it right. The men were scheduled to have three days off before their next shift. It would be a confusing time for Smoke. All the adults worked with the dog. After receiving orders from one of them, the dog would cast his eyes to Johnny. Knowing the dog had to learn to respond to other members of this family, Johnny would keep quiet. He also knew he wanted Smoke to feel protective of Roy's family. He wasn't sure if that would happen until Roy heard the dog barking and growling behind the barn. Checking on the situation, he came around the corner to find the dog had backed Jennifer up against the barn wall. Smoke was in the process of slinking toward a rattlesnake.
"Smoke, back!" As the dog backed toward the barn, Roy issued his next command. "Jennifer, I want you to come to me sweetheart. Walk slowly and keep your eyes on me." The child followed instructions. The snake gave a warning with his rattles but stayed where it was. Smoke gave a growl and tensed his muscles. Again Roy spoke to the dog, "Smoke, stay!" Once the child had her arms wrapped around his leg, Roy issued his last command, "Smoke, come." The dog gave one last growl at the snake, walked over to Roy and gave Jennifer's face a thorough tongue washing. Picking up the giggling girl and turning to go to the house, Roy was startled to find Johnny standing in his way.
"While you hold her, let me check her out. Jenny Bean, did the snake bite you?" Johnny was checking her arms and legs as he asked the question.
"No, Uncle Johnny. Smoke pushed me away. I was scared to move."
"She looks okay Roy." Turning to his dog, Johnny called him over. He checked the dog over carefully and found no fang marks. "He's okay also."
After that, there was a change in Smoke. He still wouldn't let them touch him, but he took the commands of Roy's family and was a shadow to the children when they were outside.
The stage was set for Johnny and Becky's vacation. Her doctor was consulted for last minute instructions, Johnny hired his neighbor's son and Roy agreed to drop by and feed Smoke. Johnny had planned this vacation for some time. Of course, Becky's pregnancy demanded some adjustments, driving for instance. It was imperative that Becky got opportunities to walk daily. She still enjoyed hiking and Johnny was counting on that activity. He loaded up the back of the Land Rover and was careful to put a mattress with covering in the back. Looking over his packing, he was pleased that he had everything in the vehicle except one important person - Becky.
"Hon, are you ready?"
"Yes. I can't believe we are really doing this."
"Well we are, so stand still while I lock the door." He secured the house, turned and scooped up his wife into his arms causing peals of laughter from her. He carefully carried her down the steps to the vehicle and installed her in the passenger seat. He backed out of the drive and headed east. He had surprises in store for her.
He wanted to slowly ease her into this nomad life, so the first night he stopped for a motel room in Needles, California and took her out to eat. He warned her to enjoy it because they would be camping out the next night. Early the next day they were on the road. He made sure that they stopped for walking times. As the speed limit slowed them down through the town of Williams, Arizona, Johnny saw the signs announcing the turnoff to the Grand Canyon. With a gleam in his eyes and a crooked grin on his face he looked over at Becky and got a nod of affirmation from her. It was a pretty ride as they did a slow climb through the pine trees to the south rim.
Getting out, they held hands as they strolled around the walkway overlooking the canyon.
Rounding a corner, they came upon a family of four. The father and older son were standing with identical smirks and crinkled eyes as they smiled at the other members of their family. The mother was looking down upon her tow-headed son as he alternately whined and begged. "Mother, please. Pretty please! Just once. I got to see. I won't fall. Mother, please. Just hold onto my ankles. I'll be very careful as I look over. I'll even take a picture for you."
"Land sakes son. No, I will not allow you that close to the edge of the canyon. You stay right here and hold my hand! Give me that camera!" As she got the camera she looked around and spotted Johnny and Becky. "Excuse me. Would you take our picture?"
"Sure."
"Come on, son. Let's get over here by your father and brother." She pulled the young boy over and arranged him in front of her as the father and brother stood beside her. Johnny captured identical smirks on all the males surrounding the mother. Giving the camera back, he turned around to Becky, grabbed her hand and walked away.
He heard the mother's thanks as he grinned at Becky. "Wait until she sees the picture. She may not thank me then."
As the afternoon lengthened, Becky grew tired. Johnny's goal was to get them to the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest. He wanted to show Becky a special trail he had blazed years before. He knew it would be another night before they could arrive so he found camping grounds outside of the park and pulled over. They joined their sleeping bag zippers together and slept on the mattress in the back of the Land Rover for the night.
Their next event was to visit Meteor Crater at Winslow. Becky was not impressed. The Grand Canyon was much more interesting. She could sense Johnny's excitement over moving on. She knew he had a surprise for her. The Land Rover pulled up to the Ranger Station late that afternoon. Johnny was yelling before he got out. "Ranger Parks! Where are you?"
Ranger Parks stepped out of the shed, took a look at his visitor and yelled back. "Okyeha! It's good to see you again. You look so much better than the last time I saw you."
"Frank, is everything ready?"
"Sure it is. The horses are out back already saddled. The small gray will be perfect for your wife."
"Oh. I forgot my manners. Ranger Frank Parks, this is my wife, Becky Gage."
"It's good to meet you." Turning toward Johnny, but talking to Becky, Parks replied, "It's now very obvious why Okyeha was so eager to leave here so many years ago."
"Frank, look and enjoy the view, but remember - she's my wife."
That got a chuckle out of Frank. "Don't worry Okyeha. I not only have one of my own but a papoose also. Do you want to see my pictures?"
The two men exchanged teases as Johnny got their packs out of the Land Rover. The Ranger went to fetch the horses. Johnny tied the packs onto the packhorse, helped Becky upon the gray horse and climbed onto his black horse. Saluting Frank, he slowly rode off down the trail leading the horses.
He took her to the second trail he had blazed. As they got closer to the end, he turned off the trail and led her horse and pack animal into a break in a rocky outcropping. This led down into a valley surrounded by cliffs. It was a green oasis surrounded by dry land. Johnny stopped beside the pond and helped Becky down. He unpacked his Igloo tent and set it up for their night. Gathering wood and stones he soon had a fire going. Becky took their backpacks and bedrolls into the tent and arranged everything to her liking. That night after their meal, Johnny had Becky walk with him around the side of the pond to a rocky platform. Climbing up on it, he had her lay back against his chest as he sat overlooking the land. Leaning back on his elbows he told her to look up.
"Oh! John, they look so sharp and so close!"
"Do you see the flashing star over near those three together?" He pointed to the east.
"Yes."
"I was here watching that star when you lost the children. It was the first time I was able to think of you without blanking out. It was then that I knew I could and needed to go back to you. I told you I wouldn't leave again. I wanted to make that promise to you under these same stars. I love you Becky and I want this child you're carrying."
With his urgings, Becky was finally able to share with him how she felt so many years before. She told of her fear of losing a second husband, the uncertainty of how to finance the ranch, the grief of losing the twins and how to go on with her life. She acknowledged her present fears of losing the baby she was carrying. She started crying and with sobs and hiccups she cried herself to sleep in his arms.
For a long time he watched the sky and the stars. Johnny said a prayer to the Great Spirit and blew the prayer into the breeze. Gently kissing his wife, he urged her to wake up long enough to return to their camp.
After breakfast the next morning, Becky was eager to continue on their journey. It was as if her soul had gotten a fresh washing with gentle warm rain. Johnny's actions were puzzling. After he dismantled their Igloo tent and stowed it away, he went over the site and smoothed out the dirt where the poles had been. He gathered up twigs and leaves and spread them over the area. He went over to the fire ashes and, using water from the pond, he drowned the embers. Utilizing a collapsible shovel, he buried the ashes and the rocks. Once again he gathered twigs and leaves to spread over the fresh earth. He did the same at their latrine area. He took a plastic baggie from his pack and picked up every piece of trash that they had dropped. Looking around, he nodded his head in satisfaction.
"Ready to go, my Cesse?"
"Yes John. Why did you take time to make it look like we were never here?"
"Training from my grandfather and uncle. When camping where no man has been, to be part of nature and to respect it, you must leave no trace of your passage. I always leave a campsite as I found it, just as I have been taught.
He helped her onto her horse and they left to journey back to the Ranger Station. Within a few hours, they had taken leave of Ranger Parks and were traveling toward New Mexico. Johnny had heard of White Sands National Monument and was eager to see it. As they pulled into the parking lot of the visitor's center, he had to slam on his brakes to keep from hitting a fast roadrunner cutting across his path. They spent the rest of the day driving over the sand dunes and making giant eights in the sand around the picnic tables scattered throughout the park.
After spending the night in a motel, they continued on to Roswell, a town consumed by UFO delusions. They had lunch with replicated aliens sitting in the next booth and starring at them with big black eyes. As they left, Becky compared his thin shape to the shape of the aliens pictured throughout the town. That got a snort and the beginnings of a long rant that lasted into Texas.
********************
Roy was counting his blessings. So far during Johnny's vacation Roy had not been stuck with Craig Brice as his partner. He promised himself that Johnny would pay if that event happened. He was tired and wanted to go home and sleep, but Joanne had called and was being mysterious. The kids were spending the day with Joanne's sister. She wanted to meet him at Johnny's ranch while she fed Smoke. Pulling up in the driveway he was greeted by Smoke. The dog stood and glared at Roy as he got out of the vehicle. "Smoke, come."
The dog obediently followed Roy but as he climbed the steps to the deck, Joanne came out of the front door. Smoke rounded Roy and parked himself between Roy and Joanne. Smoke bared his teeth and gave a low growl. "Smoke! What has gotten into you? Get in!" Joanne opened the door and ushered the dog into the house. Shutting the door she reached for her husband. "I'm so glad you came. I needed to see you this morning and I was afraid you would be asleep by the time I got home."
"You're right. I'm that dead. What's got into that dog?"
"I don't know. He hasn't acted that way before. Let me finish feeding him and we can sit down out here. You want something to drink?"
"Just some milk."
In minutes she came back and sat down beside him on the porch swing. "Roy, I got a call from my doctor yesterday."
"Are you okay?"
"I would say more than that."
"Hon, I'm a little foggy here. You want to clue me in?"
She giggled as she snuggled up to his chest with his arm around her. "There's going to be a lot more of me to hold pretty soon. I'm pregnant."
"Huh?"
"Yes. I'm pregnant and due a month after Becky."
"How could this happen?"
"Well, I could tell you, but a demonstration is much more fun. Seriously dear, you know how irregular my cycles have been. I just thought my cycle was off again. It was time for my annual checkup and the doctor was running blood work and discovered it. You and I have talked about having another child."
"Looks like Johnny and I have reasons now to take the Captain's exam."
"Are you okay with this?"
"Yeah. I am. We'll make it. I may have to pull some overtime shifts."
"You look like you've already done that. Let me check on Smoke and we can go home."
Over the next few days Roy checked on the dog but the puzzling behavior did not repeat.
********************
Johnny thought he would never get through west Texas to find central north Texas. He knew this would be the only time he would visit an old friend from his youth. He didn't intend to pass up the opportunity. Once they passed Greenville he asked Becky to help him look for the turnoff to Paris. It would be their stopping point for the night. It may not be the most direct route, but he wanted to make a short stop the next day in a sleepy little Oklahoma town called Ft. Towson. They pulled into a gas station as they came into Ft. Towson and Johnny went in to ask for directions. They turned around and went up the side road toward a series of shotgun houses. The road curved and in the distance they could see a rock wall on the right. Johnny slowed down and turned into the cemetery.
"John? Why here?"
"I had a friend during my youth who helped me a lot. He was teaching me to be a truck driver, but there was a wreck and I just couldn't do it anymore. Shane married the boss's daughter and he eventually retired back here in Oklahoma. I heard that he died and was buried here. I couldn't come to the funeral because I was in the hospital. It won't take long Becky. I just want to spend a few minutes at his grave. I think they said he was buried on the east side."
"Okay. I need to walk, so I'll wander around while you're busy."
They both walked off, one on a search, and one to relieve the stiffness of sitting. They both were destined to have discoveries.
Johnny found Shane's grave in the northeast corner area. What he didn't know was that Shane's wife, Eileen, had died a year later. Johnny paid his respects and wandered north. He came upon the grave of Col. David Folsom. There was writing engraved on the stone covering the grave. As he was reading, Becky came up to him.
"John?"
"Becky, I never knew that the Choctaw Nation had a Colonel back then. I wonder which war he fought in?"
"John. I need to show you something."
"Okay. Where?"
"Come with me." She took hold of his arm and urged him toward the center of the cemetery. He walked up to the family plot of ten graves, two adults and eight babies; the eldest had lived five years. Most of the babies were stillborn. He turned and gave a quizzical look at Becky.
"John, I've been standing here and thinking. She was only forty-one years old and she kept on trying and he stuck with her even after death. I've only lost two babies and you're staying with me. I have the advantage of good medical doctors and hospitals. If she could keep trying with the support of his love, why can't we do the same?"
"We can, Becky. But the difference is, this baby will live."
"How do you know?"
"Because of your faith in your God and mine in the Great Spirit. This baby will be a warrior."
"What if it's a girl?"
"In this day and age, some of them are warriors also. There are female cops, soldiers, and in some areas, female firefighters. Trust me. This baby will be a warrior!"
They walked back to the Rover as Johnny continued his lecture on the future of his future child.
They drove into Arkansas and late that afternoon, they came into Eureka Springs. Johnny pulled a sheet of paper out of his wallet, glanced at the directions on it and soon pulled into the driveway leading to The Bunny House Bed and Breakfast.
"Welcome to our home for the next three days."
"John, why here? Why not a campsite?"
"Turn around and look who's coming down the steps."
Becky did and saw her friend Karan Jasper and her husband Alvin running toward her. Karan's delightful laughter could put anyone at ease and her magic was not lost on Johnny and Becky. The girls chattered all the way into the house as the guys retrieved the backpacks from the Land Rover.
Karan and Alvin had other guests at their Bed and Breakfast, but Becky took advantage of her friendship by helping Karan with the evening meal. It gave them more time to talk. Becky was amazed that Johnny had tracked down Karan. Karan told her that Johnny had contacted some of her casting agent friends and got Karan's number. He had arranged this vacation as a surprise for Becky. The ladies used the time planning a few activities while the Gages were in town. Knowing that Johnny had a bottomless pit for a stomach, Karan made sure there was plenty to eat that night. After the meal the friends sat on the deck and talked of the past.
"Karan, Karan, dear. Isn't this grand seeing these guys again?"
"Yes, Alvin. It brings back fun memories. Do you remember when…?" That simple question started a nighttime of memories, conversations, and fellowship among the friends.
The next day Karan wanted to go shopping. Becky was tired and voted to spend the afternoon sitting on the front deck. Johnny was appointed to be Karan's helper and the two challenged each other on who would drive - first one to the vehicle got the keys. With his long legs, it was no contest for Johnny. Karan barely cleared five feet to Johnny's six foot one inch height. He waved as he drove down the long driveway. Karan's laughter lingered in the air as the two friends made a right turn onto the street.
Hearing the screen door slam, Becky turned to see Alvin backing his way through the screen door holding two steaming cups. He came over to the porch swing she was occupying and handed her coffee. He found a rocking chair across from her and lowered his amply girth down slowly while balancing his coffee in one hand. In comfortable silence they gazed at the surroundings as they sipped their drinks.
"Alvin, how do you do it?"
"Huh?"
"How do you keep up with Karan? She has so much energy and love of life, like John."
"Becky, Becky. I don't. I try to be her anchor. I give her love and trust. I tell her I will be there for her and then I let her go."
"Isn't that scary?"
"Life, life itself is scary, but Karan requires experiences. Without the adventures and challenges, she fades. Without her, I fade."
"How has it been since you've retired?"
"Retired, retired? You call this retirement? I'm busier now than I was when I was in the casting business. We've just traded one type of challenge for another type."
"You don't seem to argue as much now."
"Becky, Becky. Those were play fights. They added spice to our life and reaffirmed our individualities. They were fun, but the true fun was the making up afterward."
"How did you meet?"
"I pushed her into a swimming pool fully clothed at a Hollywood party."
"Alvin!"
"Well, well. I was drinking and stumbled into her and knocked her in. Oh what a picture she presented when she was dragged out of the water. She was so beautiful and steaming mad. She tore into me good that night and I fell in love with her immediately. She was half my size and twice as tough. Worse than a prickly pear and with a vocabulary that she never repeated. What a woman!"
"She's not that way now."
"Changes, changes. Time has a way of changing you. She had recently lost her first husband and she was mad at the world. I stumbled into her life and became the object of her ire. It took a while, but I wore her resistance down and she came to love me. I can't do without her now. I even put up with her bunny house and her vast collection of bunny items."
Johnny and Karan were having a similar conversation as they shopped. "How did I meet Alvin? The bumbling fool shoved me into a pool at a party. Boy, did I give him a piece of my mind. After that we kept bumping into each other, well, rather he kept bumping into me. I started watching him and decided this guy needed a keeper. He sure couldn't take care of himself. I did some research on him and found he ran the finest casting agency in town. I got a job with him and got him to go to a doctor who got him on the right medication. I wound up marrying him. End of story."
"Not quite. You didn't live together, yet you were married. How come?"
"Oh Johnny. His mother was the classic mother-in-law. She hated me and she needed him in her last years. He moved back home to take care of her. It only lasted two years. We sure did enjoy those hotel rendezvous! I guess he grew on me. I can't do without the big lummox now. To tell you how much he loves me, I once commented on how cute this little bunny was in a pet window. After that, every anniversary, birthday, holiday or just for-the-heck-of-it day, he gave me bunny items. It wasn't until we set up the Bed and Breakfast and called it The Bunny House that I found out that he hates rabbits. So I keep all bunny items out of our bedroom and out of his garage. Johnny, your question has me curious. How did you meet Becky? I knew her before you did."
"Do you remember when Detective Thompson contacted you on the kidnapping of my partner, Roy DeSoto?"
"Yes. Nothing came of it. I was only interviewed once."
"Well, Becky found him wandering and nursed him back to health. When I was looking for Roy, I met Becky and was in a car wreck with her. She's not the physical type that I had been dating, but there was something about her that intrigued me. I kept going back to her, pestering her until she gave in and dated me. I was pretty bad off back then. I don't know why she allowed me to stay. I finally got her to marry me. We've had our ups and downs. That's part of the reason for this trip. She's pregnant again and she doesn't want to lose this baby like the first two babies. She's been angry, depressed and scared. I was hoping this trip would make things better for her."
"Well then let's make sure your stay with us will be special to her. Come on tall, dark and handsome. Let's go do what I do best - shop!"
********************
Chet was having withdrawal symptoms. Johnny had been gone two weeks and the Phantom was itching to pull a prank. He had been sniffing around Mark Collins, the probie paramedic that had been working with Roy for the last two shifts. It wouldn't be the same as messing with Johnny, but hey, any port in a storm would do. Chet waited patiently until Cap called lights out for the evening. Everyone was in bed and he heard the soft breathing and the low snoring of the men. Chet had watched carefully and knew the new guy was a health nut and believed in staying hydrated. Chet helped at the last meal by refilling Mark's water glass as often as he could. Chet figured Mark would have a bathroom trip around one o'clock in the morning. Quietly and with stealth, he crepted out of his bed and went into the latrine. It took only a few minutes to set up the prank and then he was crawling back into his bunk. He listened as Roy stirred in his sleep and moaned. Roy had suffered a ceiling collapse the night before and sported black and blue bruises on his left shoulder. Chet hoped that Roy would stay asleep and he soon got his wish. Slowly Chet's eyes grew heavy and he slipped into dreamland.
"Chester B. Kelly! Front and center NOW!"
Blinking his eyes furiously, Chet's heart raced as he woke up to his Captain's angry yell. He automatically jumped into his boots and pulled his turnout pants up over his boxer shorts stamped with green frogs and brown turtles. He stumbled toward his supervisor's loud voice.
"Pal, the next time you decide to Saran Wrap the commode and sink in the middle of the night, I'm going to hang you up with a ten-penny nail and duct tape you to the wall all night. You made the mess. You clean it up!" Captain Hank Stanley didn't care about his dignity as he stomped into the locker room in search of a dry change of underwear.
Roy laid his head back on his pillow, poked his right arm behind his head and grinned. Johnny will love this story when he calls next. Permanent latrine duty for the Phantom, what a joy!"
********************
When it came time to leave The Bunny House Bed and Breakfast, Becky was both happy and sad. She had enjoyed her visit and was eager to continue the vacation, but she was sad to leave her friend. Johnny was a good packer and it didn't take him long to have the Land Rover ready for travel. He had one more surprise for his wife before they returned home and he was eager to be on his way.
Karan came up, hugged Johnny and then went over to Becky and hugged her. Pushing away, Karan looked Becky up and down. "Are you sure you're only caring one puppy? Friend, as far along as you say you are, you look like you're carrying a litter. I plan to come see you after they come out."
"I don't know, Karan. I'm due for my doctor's appointment when I get back. I'll ask and call you."
The conversation made Johnny look at Becky closely. His medical training switched him into paramedic mode. She did look larger than her gestation time. His eyes traveled down to look at her ankles. They were still trim with no swelling. He made a promise to himself to watch her carefully during this trip. If she were carrying multiples, he would be delighted but worried. "Come on Becky, we need to travel."
"Bye, Karan and Alvin. I'll look forward to seeing you again." Becky and Johnny drove off on their way back through Oklahoma. He figured it would take about four hours for them to arrive at their next stop. He was glad he had made a phone call during the morning while Becky and Karan were in another room. His next surprise was being set up. He just had to get there.
They went over to Tulsa and continued through Okmulgee. On the outskirts of Seminole, Johnny turned off and went down a gravel road until he came to a dirt road on his right. Pulling in, he got out, swung open the gate and then guided the Rover through. Closing the gate, he drove the vehicle down the winding road, through the grove of trees and onto the farm house property. He tapped his horn twice and watched Becky's face. His tribe of nieces, nephews and second cousins came flooding out of the front door. Johnny got out and was immediately pounced on by the munchkins.
"Hey, you little Indians. Give this warrior room to bring out his squaw," Johnny yelled as he made his way around to the passenger door.
Becky looked out the window at her husband dragging one leg with two toddlers attached. "Squaw?"
With an embarrassed grin Johnny explained, "It's what their fathers call their wives. The kids hear the term all the time. Don't worry. I won't get used to it. Come on. I want you to meet my sister. She's up on the porch waiting."
Becky got out and turned to see a striking bronzed woman with a black braid hanging off her shoulder. She sported Johnny's crooked grin. By the time they made their way to the porch, one child had seen a butterfly flutter by and detached herself from Johnny. The flying insect was more attractive.
Johnny's sister bent down and pried the male toddler from Johnny's leg. "Okay little Wotko. It's time to eat. Go wash your face and those messy hands." She put the little boy down and with a gentle shove to the backside, had him headed in the right direction.
"Sis, this is my wife, Becky Gage."
"Becky, this is my sister, Sarah Wind Spirit."
The ladies greeted each other amongst the laughter as the female half of the toddlers came up and re-attached herself to Johnny's leg. He picked her up and told the child, "Okay little Wotko, I'll take you in and wash your hands and face myself."
The rest of the day and evening was a whirlwind of activities and unfamiliar faces swimming in front of Becky. During the evening one of the elderly women cornered Johnny in the kitchen.
"Okyeha, your wife is with child. Could it be she has more than one?"
"Aunt Mae, it hasn't been diagnosed. Her friend this morning was the first to ask that question."
"From the looks of her and her due date, I think you need to share some family history with your wife. Would you like for me to examine her?"
"That would be up to Becky, but I will ask."
Johnny went up to his sister, talked to her, and went wandering throughout the house. In a few minutes he was back in front of the sofa where Becky sat. His hands were full of pictures. "Becky, you remember the conversation you had with Karan this morning about your pregnancy? I want to show you some pictures that might show you the possibilities."
She cocked her head at him and frowned. He sat down and started passing pictures to her. He started with the eldest and went down to the youngest. By the time he was finished she knew that both fraternal and identical twins ran on both sides of his family line. He took the pictures from her lap and handed them to his sister. The open laps were invitations for the male and female toddlers to climb up into their arms. Looking down to the black unruly locks of the male he had, Johnny revealed, "Even these two are twins and Becky, I was a twin."
She looked up at him with a questioning look on her face, "John?"
Seeing the look of sadness on Johnny's face, Sarah took over the conversation. "We lived on the reservation. Both James and John were typical four-year-old boys, underfoot, into everything and never listening to what you told them to do. I know Mom and Dad tried, but I was only two years older and even I was a handful. The boys had been out in the front playing and they wandered out into the brushy area where some old dead cars were stored. They had been told to not go back there, but I guess the fascination was too much. We heard John screaming and Mom ran out and found a rattlesnake had bitten James. She could see the snake slithering off.
Dad was sleeping off a hangover and I was in the house. She came busting into the house carrying James and dragging John. She got Dad up and moving and took us to the pickup. It was a ride from hell. Dad was weaving all over the road. He had a killer headache. We were stuffed in like sardines and James was getting sicker. There was no medical help nearby. The nearest hospital was in Tulsa and the roads were two lanes. Dad wanted to go to a tribal medicine woman, but Mom wasn't Indian and had very little experience with tribal ways. By the time we got to Tulsa, James was unconscious and his blood pressure was dropping fast. They took him in, but weren't able to save him. If we had only had a clinic on the reservation."
"There's a clinic on it now and Aunt Mae is the medical doctor that runs it. It's named after my brother - James Gage Medical Center. Becky, Aunt Mae thinks you may be carrying more than one baby. Would you be willing to let her examine you?"
"John, this has been too much information in too short of time. I need to digest this."
"Let me walk you outside to a quiet spot I know." He lifted each child into the waiting arms of a relative, reached down and gathered Becky into his arms. They went outside and walked down the road to the pasture. Stopping by the fence, she saw by moonlight the mares with their foals nearby.
"John, I always wondered how I got pregnant the first time with twins. I thought it must have been from my mother's side of the family. She was orphaned young and we didn't know much about my grandparents. I never dreamed it could come from your side. Your folks breed in litters like rabbits!"
He chuckled at the image and acknowledged the truth in her words.
"John, the longer I stay married to you, the more surprises I get. When will it end?"
"I hope this is it, my Cesse. I can't think of anymore that you don't know."
"I can. You just shot a load of relatives my way from the man without any. I'm sure even Roy doesn't know of your sister."
Gazing at the horses Johnny agreed that Roy wasn't aware. "I've always been closed mouth about my personal life. I guess after Mom and Dad died and I got shipped off to my aunt and uncle in California, I was bitter toward my relatives. I just didn't want to acknowledge them. When Sarah sent me pictures of the kids, I would put them into an album. I had taken enough from Chet about my Indian heritage. I could just imagine what he would say over all the twins in my family."
"Well John, that was when you were younger. We will have to face what others think and we will do it together. It appears I stand a good chance of having twins. I think I'm ready to be examined by your Aunt Mae. Curiosity will kill me if I don't know before we get back home."
The next day before they left to go home, Johnny and Becky went to the clinic and met with his Aunt Mae. Johnny was pleased to see the modernization in the clinic. He was escorted into the examination room after Becky had changed into a gown. The technician set things up for an ultrasound but then Aunt Mae took over. Becky couldn't tell anything by watching the monitor. She could see movement but wasn't able to see any outline of a baby. Aunt Mae finished up with the scan and wiped the gel off of Becky. She pulled out her stethoscope and quietly touched various parts of Becky's stomach. "John, have you and Becky discussed how many children you want?"
Cocking a grin at Becky, he replied, "A litter."
"Your wish may come true."
"What? Twins?"
"Definitely twins. It could be triplets."
Becky got in on the conversation. "What do you mean?"
"Well, two babies show up on the ultrasound. It's too early to determine the sex. When I listened for heartbeats, I thought I heard a third, but I couldn't find it again. How long are you going to be on this vacation?"
Johnny replied, "We were going to head for home today."
"When do you have to be there?"
"Another week."
"Good. I suggest you take it slow going back. Stop every three hours and walk. Other than that, be sure to eat and keep her hydrated. If she shows any unusual side effects, such as swelling or excessive thirst, stop at the nearest hospital and get her checked out. Becky, I will need the name and telephone number of your OB doctor. I'm going to call and discuss what I found and send your records to him. You can give the information to the nurse when she comes back in here. Do you have any questions?"
"Aunt Mae," Becky said shyly, "I hope I can call you that also."
"You may."
"Four years ago I miscarried twins. It was early in the pregnancy, too early to even determine what gender the babies were. I'm scared that I may lose these."
"Becky, if there's a genetic reason for a miscarriage, it usually happens in the first trimester. As for the rest of the pregnancy, you do the best you can to get plenty of sleep, watch your activities, stay hydrated and leave the pregnancy up to the Great Spirit. Women have been having babies for years and, in John's lines, multiply. Use his relatives and me as a support system. Believe me, we will know what you are going through, both during the pregnancy and afterward."
"You also?"
"I have two sets of fraternal twins."
********************
It took the full week for Johnny to drive home. After they got into the house and they were greeted by Smoke, Johnny made two phone calls. The first was to the station to talk to Roy. The second call was to Rampart Hospital to talk to Becky's OB doctor. Johnny went looking for Becky and found her in their bed sound asleep with Smoke lying on the floor beside her. Johnny quietly closed the door and went to find something to eat.
The next week at Becky's OB appointment, the doctor gave a stethoscope to Johnny so he could hear his children's heartbeats. He heard three.
Their life fell into a routine of Johnny pulling shifts and Becky working on interior designing jobs. She rapidly reached the point where she was restricted from driving and gave up working. Joanne wasn't under constraints in her pregnancy, so she would come out and take Becky shopping or just spend the day with her.
********************
The shift had been a light one with very few runs. The fire station crew was getting bored and was wishing for some action. Their wish was going to come true.
Johnny pulled out a deck of cards from his locker and headed to the day room. Alvin had taught him a couple of card tricks and he wanted to pull them on Chet. Just as he walked into the room, the klaxon sounded. Listening, he heard the station tone and went running along with his station mates to their vehicles. Within seconds, the engine and squad were exiting onto the street. The deck of cards had been tossed onto the table, but had landed on the edge. The thump of the bay doors coming up was all that was needed to bring them sliding to the floor.
The squad led the engine on the quest to find the fire. Johnny navigated for Roy using the county maps provided by the Fire Department. His eyes were down looking at the map when he heard Roy's gasp. Looking up he saw flames shooting out of several buildings before them. An onlooker was standing too close to the window and had been caught by the fire. As the man ran, fanning his burning clothes, Roy braked, killed the engine, jumped out and intercepted the man in a flying tackle. Johnny hurried to grab a blanket from the compartments on the side of the squad. He rushed over and helped Roy douse the fire with the blanket. Roy took over the care of the man while Johnny unloaded the equipment needed.
Johnny felt a hand on his shoulder and turned at the sound of his Captain's voice. "John, Squad 14 just pulled up. We've been told that there may be people still inside the building. I want you to suit up and go in with them to search. Chet and Marco will back you up." Glancing over at Roy, Johnny saw that Roy had his hands full attending to the burnt man. Roy was on the biophone with Rampart Hospital. Nodding at Captain Stanley, Johnny ran and got into his air tank and put his mask on. Securing his helmet, he ran to the door followed by Chet and Marco with the hose.
The interior was a psychedelic kaleidoscope of colors. It was an artist museum and studio. Johnny started his sweep looking for anyone who may be in there. He took his gloves off to determine if the rooms were hot. He and the other paramedics went from room to room marking each with an X as they left. Finding no one and knowing it was going to flash, he shouted at the other two and Marco and Chet. They made a dash for the exit. Squad 14 made it out, followed closely by Marco and Chet. Johnny did not. He had stumbled as he made the lower level of the stairs and the ceiling collapsed onto him.
After it flashed, Captain Stanley sent Marco and Chet back to fight the fire with more water. Squad 14 followed them with flashlights searching for Johnny. Ceiling tile debris was stacked in piles throughout the large room. As they flashed the lights around, an answering light sparked back at them. They moved toward it and found Johnny. He was buried with only his arm up and his hand grasping tightly the staircase railing. The tiny diamonds in his wedding ring were sparkling in answer to their lights. While one went to uncover him, the other paramedic reported him alive and called for a C collar, backboard, and stokes. After getting Johnny stabilized on the backboard, they were ready to call Rampart on the biophone that had been brought in. Additional explosions were heard in the building and when a paint can went whizzing by their heads, they decided to wrap and run. They loaded Johnny into the stokes and rushed out.
Roy was helping the ambulance attendant in putting his patient into the ambulance when a commotion came from the door of the building. Two paramedics came rushing out carrying a stokes between them. Chet and Marco followed them as an explosion was heard from the building. Roy knew it was his partner and as much as he wanted to take care of Johnny, he knew his first obligation was to the man in the ambulance. Captain Stanley came up to him and with a knowing look, gave him words of sendoff. "Roy, he's in good hands and will be following you soon. Marco will bring in the squad and I'll stand you down until I find a replacement." With those words, Roy nodded his head, got into the ambulance and shot a worried frown toward his partner as the doors closed.
When Johnny's ambulance arrived at Rampart, Roy was waiting. He had made short work of giving his report to Dr. Brackett and hurriedly exited the treatment room. As the ambulance doors opened, Steve, who Roy had worked with while Johnny was missing, came down holding an IV. Rapidly, the two men walked with the gurney into the ER and into the treatment room Dixie had specified.
After the examination by Dr. Early and X-rays, it was determined that Johnny had a deep cut on his forehead and three broken ribs. One of the ribs had pierced the lung on his left side collapsing the lung. Johnny had diminished breath signs on that side. Roy had winced when he had heard the loud pop as Early pushed a large bore needle into Johnny's left side. He was relieved to hear the release of air from his chest cavity. He watched as Johnny's blood pressure stabilized and his breathing eased. Johnny started moaning.
"Roy, why don't you get a cup of coffee and call his wife while we finish waking up sleeping beauty here. He's just about stable enough to secure a room here at Hotel Rampart. I'll let you know when he's going to be moved."
Roy went into the doctor's lounge and called his wife. Joanne agreed to go get Becky and bring her to Rampart. She needed to call her sister to come watch the kids. Roy next called Becky.
"Becky, there's been an accident. Yeah. Johnny's alive. He's at Rampart ER. They'll be moving him to his room soon. Yeah. He got buried in some debris and got a gash on his head and some broken ribs. He's waking up now. No, don't drive. I've got Joanne coming over for you. She should be there within the hour. Don't know. I'm waiting on Marco to bring in the squad and for Cap to find a replacement for Johnny for the rest of the shift. Yeah. Just check with Dixie when you get here. She should know what room Johnny is in. Okay. Bye."
Dr. Brackett was having a cup of coffee with Dixie when Joanne and Becky came into the ER. Both were obviously pregnant, but Becky was having difficulty walking. He fetched a wheelchair for her while Dixie gave her an update on Johnny's condition and his room number. Joanne was told that Roy had gone on a run. After the elevator doors closed, Brackett turned to Dixie. "I think we're going to see her back in the ER within the next few days and it's not going to be to see Johnny."
"I'll check her records, Kel, and make sure we're ready. I'll also check the schedule of the OB team and suggest they may want to cancel any upcoming vacations in the near future."
"I'm going to go check with Dr. Early to clue him in on the plans. We're going to need to be sure Johnny gets on the fast track to recovery for his wife's sake."
Johnny was not awake when Joanne pushed Becky in, but he woke up soon afterward. He had bandages on his head and chest. He was still connected to a chest tube, an IV and a Foley catheter. The latter did not please him, but the nurse in ER had given him no choice. He wasn't feeling any pain since he had recently received morphine through his IV.
"Hi, my Cesse. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine John. It's just such a long walk from ER that Dr. Brackett put me into wheels. How are you doing?" As they talked, Joanne excused herself to go get a cup of coffee. She knew the visit would be limited in time and she wanted to give the couple some time alone.
She came back twenty minutes later to find Johnny asleep and Becky stroking his forehead and holding his hand. "Joanne, can you take me home? John wants me to go home and get some rest. I've talked to his doctor. They're going to keep him sedated for tonight so he'll rest better. I can come back tomorrow, if you can drive me."
"No problem. My sister said she could stay with us for a few days and watch the kids."
Becky got home, fed Smoke and went to bed for the rest of the night. Her sleep was restless. Around three o'clock in the morning she woke up to cramping and a sticky feeling between her legs. Noting that she was bleeding, her heart raced and she could feel panic rising. Grabbing the bedside phone, she called Station 51 and asked Captain Stanley for Roy.
Roy felt a hand shaking his shoulder as he woke up. "Roy, it's Becky Gage for you on the phone."
Bleary eyed, Roy went to the phone and woke up fast as he listened to her. Hanging up he turned toward the bed of his temporary partner, Frank, as he talked to Captain Stanley over his shoulder. "Cap, she's bleeding. Could you call in a silent alarm at Johnny's place? We need to roll." He shook Frank awake and they raced to the squad on their way to the Gage ranch.
They heard the call go out on the squad's radio and knew that an ambulance was being dispatched also. Within ten minutes, Roy was at Johnny's door. He used his key to get in and, with Frank, raced upstairs to Becky's bedroom. He found her in pain and curled up on her side on the bed. Smoke had his front paws on the side of the bed and was whining. At the sight of the two paramedics, the dog jumped back down and planted himself between them and the bed. He bared his teeth and growled.
"Smoke, out," commanded Roy. He was ignored. Frank inched his way toward the far side of the bed. The dog lunged at him and when Frank jumped back, retreated to the bed by Becky.
"Roy, what can we do? He won't let us near her."
"Becky, can you tell Smoke to let us come to you?"
"I'll try Roy," she said between clenched teeth. "Smoke, out!" The dog looked up at her and started to move, until Becky groaned. Smoke quickly returned to his guard duties.
Roy got onto his handy talkie. "LA - HT 51. Patch me through to Rampart Hospital, ER." The connection was made and Roy was relieved to hear Dixie's voice on the line. He quickly outlined his plan. Squad 15 was in the ER from a recent run. One of the paramedics was dispatched to Johnny's room. Dr. Brackett was also called to Johnny's room. Using the HT communication Roy told what needed to be done and Brackett gave Johnny a shot in his IV to counteract the sedative.
"Johnny, wake up. Roy needs you."
"Uh. What?"
"Johnny, Becky's in labor and your dog won't let him near her. Talk to Roy." The HT was passed over to Johnny.
"Squad 51, this is Rampart. How can I help?"
"Johnny, Smoke won't let me near Becky. Can you get him to leave the room?"
"Turn the volume up on your HT and hold it out toward him."
"Done."
"Smoke, go to your bed, now." The dog looked at Becky and then at Roy. "Go!" Johnny commanded again. The dog slunk off and out of the door of the bedroom.
"Rampart, HT 51. Thanks Johnny. We've got her now."
Within minutes, Roy had vitals, started an IV by orders of Rampart and Becky was in the ambulance. By the time they got her to Rampart, Brackett and Dixie had alerted the OR for an emergency C-Section and had called the OB team to be available. A quick examination in treatment room three and Becky was transferred up to an operating room.
Dixie saw Roy at the elevator watching as the door shut on Becky's gurney and patted his shoulder. "Why don't you go wait with Johnny. We'll let you know as soon as we know something."
"She kept moaning that it was too soon to have the babies."
"Maybe. But you know that Kel will do the best he can. She's in good hands."
"Yeah. Okay. Let me call Captain Stanley and I'll go up with Johnny."
Captain Stanley told Roy to be on alert from Rampart and asked that he keep the station up to date on Becky. Frank agreed to go to the cafeteria to wait with the HT, in case they got a run. Roy walked into a room full of agitation. The nurse was trying to keep Johnny in his bed and Johnny was just as determined to leave.
"Whoa, Junior. You need to stay right here." Roy firmly pushed Johnny back down onto his pillows.
"But Roy, I've got to get to Becky."
"She's being taken care of right now. Brackett has her up in OR and they are going to take the babies by C-Section. Dixie promised to let us know when you become a poppa. Becky's in good hands, Johnny. Settle down."
"I can't Roy. My skin feels like it's crawling. My heart has been racing ever since I woke up."
"Sorry about how we had to wake you so suddenly. It's probably the drug still in your system that's affecting you. I'll check with Brackett. I just don't know what got into that dog of yours."
"Yeah. I've noticed the further along Becky got, the more protective he was of her. She's been complaining she couldn't walk without him at her side pushing her to sit down. The dog's a worry wart."
The two men fell into small talk while they waited for word on Becky and for the counter agent drug to leave Johnny's system. Just as Johnny started to yawn a lot, the door opened to Dr. Brackett. Roy stood up and was told to sit back down.
"Congratulations Johnny! You're the father of identical twin girls and a boy. All are doing as well as expected since they are two months early. Due to their prematurity and low weight, we have them in the NICU unit."
"What about Becky?"
"We've got her in recovery. We were able to stop the hemorrhaging and we're giving her two units of blood. Once she's done with that and if she's still looking good, we'll move her to a room."
"With me?"
"Hum. That's not the usual procedure, but I'll see what I can do to arrange it. Let me check you over and see how you are doing before I leave. Roy, can you step outside?"
"If it's okay, I think I'll go up and peek through the window of the NICU unit."
"Thanks Pally," replied Johnny.
"Hey, your turn is coming in three months when Joanne delivers."
"Go on Roy. You're holding up progress here," growled Dr. Brackett.
By the time Roy returned from the NICU unit, Johnny had gone back to sleep and they were moving Becky into the room with him. She looked exhausted, so Roy gave his congratulations and left to find his temporary partner. It was time to return to quarters. All five of the Gages were settling down for the rest of the morning.
Two and a half months later, while Johnny was up with one of his daughters, he got a phone call from Roy at four o'clock in the morning. Joanne had delivered a son and both were doing fine.
********************
When the triplets were four-months-old Johnny and Becky threw a barbecue at their ranch for the A shift team and their families. Captain Stanley and his wife came into the back yard to see Johnny, Becky, Roy and Joanne each holding a baby as Johnny was trying to check the barbecue cooker. Cap gently shoved him away and took over the cooking chores. The parents were shooed over to the lounge chairs with the babies. Mrs. Stanley went and warmed up four bottles of milk for the babies and the parents were kept busy with the babies' needs. As Chet and Marco showed up with their dates, Cap put them busy getting additional meats and buns from the kitchen. Chet put himself in charge of keeping the drinks available.
Smoke had been lying where he could keep watch over Chris and Jennifer as they played. He kept cocking his head at the four babies as well. He gave out a soft growl and padded softly over to the end of the house. Mike Stoker's two sons showed their faces first as they raced to play with the DeSoto children. Mike and Mary Stoker cleared the house and started walking toward Roy and Johnny. Smoke ran over and got between Mike and Mary. He sat down, looked at Mike, bared his teeth and started growling. Mike ignored the dog and tried to go around him to get to his wife. Smoke lunged at Mike and returned to Mary as Mike backed off.
"Gage, you think you can call your dog off? What's with him anyway?"
Everyone was watching the confrontation between man and dog. Roy was puzzled and frowned as he recalled a similar incident he had with Smoke. Looking over at Joanne holding a baby in her arms, it hit him.
"Hey Mike. I think you had better start thinking about baby names and look for baby furniture."
"What!"
"Yeah. That dog is better than a pregnancy test. He's telling us that Mary is pregnant."
"Well, yeah. We were going to announce it to all of you today. So…why is he growling at me?"
"He's just being protective of Mary and he blames you for her condition. Just move away from Mary and he'll settle down. Believe me, I've gone through this before."
Mike did and Smoke, with a last look, went over so he could watch the DeSoto and Stoker kids at play. The couple was called over to sit with the DeSotos and Gages. Mike was careful to sit across from his wife. "Here Mary. Why don't you get some practice in?" Becky handed one of the twins over to Mary's arms.
Johnny had finished feeding his son and went to set the child up. He was greeted with a belch from the child. "Hey little Wotko. That was quite a burp."
Becky became curious. "John, I've heard you and your sister use that term. Why do you call the children that?"
"It's Muskogee-Creek language which most of the Seminole Nation speak."
"So what does it mean?"
"Raccoon."
"Why that?"
"Because of their grasping long fingers."
"What about Okyeha?"
Johnny grinned. "That's a nickname my Dad gave me as a child. I had lots of energy and he said I was flitting around like a mosquito. The name stuck."
"And what about your pet name for me?"
"Cesse?"
"Yes John. What does it mean?"
Roy grinned as he saw the emotions race across Johnny's face as Johnny thought of what he was going to tell his wife. Johnny had told him of the nickname and how he thought of Becky as a mouse. He had clarified it as a small creature that was quick, smart and knew everything, but he had never told Becky the meaning because he wasn't sure how Becky would take it.
Johnny stood up and handed his son over to Mike. He was preparing for flight if it was necessary. "Uh, Mouse."
"What? You mean you've been calling me that all these years and you know how much I hate mice and I think of them as smelly, ugly, horrible creatures?"
Johnny jumped and turned to escape. As he moved away he was hit on the back of the head by the pillow that his wife had thrown at him. Johnny continued running toward the house with Becky hot on his heels yelling, "You rat. Don't run away from me, John Gage. We need to talk!"
They left their guests doubled in laughter.
The End
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