Just a little Fruity

These good fellows don't belong to me but I promise when I'd done to pick um up, dust um off and with a kiss on the cheek return them safely home.

"Love believed all things, hopes all things." 1t Corinthians

Chapter 23

"Don't know if I want to leave here, you've spoiled me big sister," Johnny said as he sat on the front porch swing with Kanda.

"You can't pull one over on me. I know you can't wait to get back to the station," she said.

He stretched his arms out, "Have to admit I'm ready. Two weeks is long enough of a break for me."

"I haven't been too boring have I?" She asked with a smile.

"Boring? You've kept me so busy time has flown by."

She stood up, "I'm going to get started in the kitchen. They'll be here soon and I want everything to be perfect."

Johnny chuckled, "It's just the guy's sis."

She put her hands on her hips, "Just the guys, and the wives and the girl friends. It's the first time they've been out here and I just want it to go well."

He stood up, "You worry too much. It'll go great. I know these guys, feed um and they're happy."

Johnny leaned against the railing of the front porch and reflected on how so much had happened to them in the last month. This would be the first time the guys had been together since they waited while Mike was in surgery. He looked up to see the first car come down the driveway and wasn't surprised they were early. Parking under the big tree it had barely come to a stop when Jenny and Chris came bounding out of the car and up the steps. He was greeted with his usual giant leaping hug by his little princess with Chris acting a tad bit cooler about it.

"How's my Jenny bear today?" He asked, holding her.

"Good!" She exclaimed.

"I'm so glad. And how's Mr. Christopher?" He asked in a more serious tone.

"Good Uncle Johnny. Do you think I could go check on Smokey?"

Johnny laughed, "Go ahead, Paul's in the barn waiting on ya."

Chris about bowled over Roy as he headed up the stairs, "Slow down mister." But it was too late; Chris was gone in a flash.

Roy passed Johnny a large bag from the grocery store, "Here ya go partner. I think I got everything you wanted."

They walked into the kitchen and Johnny put the bag on the counter. Kanda turned around and smiled to see Roy had arrived. She found herself with butterflies in her stomach. "Thanks for picking those up Roy. Running by the grocery store isn't a quick task out here."

"No problem, it was on the way." He stood by the back door. "Wow, it looks great out there. You out did yourself." He looked out onto the huge backyard. There were several large old oak trees providing shade from the warm sun. Chairs were now scattered throughout the yard with an area set up for the grill and tables for food. A large banner spread across the tables said "Welcome Back Johnny and Mike."

It had been Kanda's idea to throw this party and barbeque for the whole crew and it meant a lot to Johnny that she cared about his friends so much. She had been right by his side through all of this and had never faltered in her love and care of not only him but those he cared about.

Hank and his wife Emily and their two daughters were the first to arrive. "Kanda this place is beautiful!" Emily said as they went through her 1800's renovated farmhouse.

"Thank you," she said shyly. "We're gathering in the back tonight," she said as they moved through the kitchen. As soon as they went out the door Hanks girls were heading straight for Roy's two who had already found the swings. Between the sandbox, the tire swing and the huge wooden play set there was plenty to keep them entertained.

Knowing Kanda didn't have any children Hank was impressed with the play things. She could read the question on his face, "Believe it or not it was here when we bought the place. The previous family had six kids. My husband and I just left it all here hoping someday to have our own family."

"Well it's an incredible place you have and thanks for inviting us all out here," Hank said as he looked up to see Marco, Mike and Chet come through the door next. Chet brought his newest girl, Kate with him and with her big smile she blended right into the group. Everyone rushed over to Mike's side sharing warm wishes and eager to see if he needed anything. Roy guided him to his seat of honor for the night knowing that he had only been out of the hospital for a couple of days.

"Plant here for the evening," he told him with a pat on his shoulder. Mike didn't resist at all. He loved the attention by everyone even though he would never admit it. "Are you surviving Chet's care pally?"

Mike looked up with a forced smile, "Only been a couple of days, ask me in another week."

Roy laughed. That might be an interesting story.

Marco's mom brought a huge pot of homemade chili over to the table and gave big mama hugs to all the men of the station and Kanda could tell that no matter how much they protested they loved every minute of it. Next were Brackett and Dixie to join the festivities as they strolled around the side of the house with Joe and Mike Morton right behind them. By then the music was playing, the ribs were grilling and the laughter resounded throughout the festivities.

Everyone mingled and visited, laughed and relaxed. Then just as the sun set behind the hills thousands of twinkling white lights came on in the trees and along the back of the house. The soft ahh went through the crowd as the music played.

Chet and Kate along with Hank and Emily, Dixie and Joe had already found the informal dance area under one of the big trees. Kanda stood with Johnny, Marco, and Kel by the big fire pit warming their hands in the night air. They had moved Mike's chair close to them and talked about everything except the last two weeks.

Johnny watched the kids running all over the place as he scanned the area for Roy. He found him leaning against one of the large trees talking to Dixie.

"You're quiet tonight Roy," she probed.

"Just relaxed I guess."

"This place will do that to ya. I could get used to coming home here every day after work," she looked around to the huge red barn, the beautiful house, rolling pastures lined with white fences and horses grazing lazily in the night.

"I could to," he whispered.

Dixie smiled as she watched him gaze at the crowd gathered around the fire. "Something tells me that you'd be more welcomed at the door than me."

Roy shot a look back at her. "What is that suppose to mean?"

"You know exactly what it means I just can't figure out what you're waiting on," she said with a concerned smile.

He turned back to his gaze, "I don't know if I'm ready Dix. I mean I've never been with anyone except Joanne. We were together since elementary school."

She put her arm around him, "It's alright to feel love again Roy."

He remained silent, "Maybe I feel too old to start all over again. I've already lived one lifetime it seems."

She propped her hands on her hips, "You have to be kidding me Roy DeSoto. Old?"

He remained silent.

"Okay, so don't worry about love. No need to rush it but what about a dance? Dancing can't hurt can it?"

He looked back at her, "You're not going to give up are ya Dix."

She smiled, "You know me I can be a little bit stubborn."

Roy threw her a wink, took a deep breath and walked toward the fire pit. The group smiled to as he approached and he could sense the peace and friendship that radiated from them. But he focused on one face in particular. His heart was pounding and he realized he felt like an awkward teenage again. He didn't want to count the number of years it had been since he asked a pretty woman to dance for the first time.

Johnny watched him approach the group and was about to say hello but realized that Roy was a man on a mission. He followed his gaze to Kanda and saw her eyes light up to see Roy walking up to her.

He extended his hand to the one that made him feel weak in the knees, "May I have this dance?"

She nodded and moved away from the now silent crowd as Roy led her to the grass covered dance floor. She was oblivious to the change in the crowd and he just chose to ignore them. He knew he'd hear all about it next shift. She kicked off her shoes as she passed the tree and loved the feel of the earth under her feet. For a second they just stood and looked at each other then he smiled at her. But as soon as he put his arm around her waist the rest of the world disappeared for them. He was nervous until he felt her lean into him as she rested her head on his shoulder. As they got closer they began moving with the music. Their bodies were like one in the moonlight, under the twinkling lights of the trees. He nestled his head against her and closed his eyes, breathing in the light strawberry smell of her hair. The only movement was their feet, shifting in small steps in the cool grass. Neither one had any idea what song was playing.

Dixie moved beside Johnny as they watched them dance, "So?"

Johnny smiled, "So what Ms. McCall?"

"Make a nice couple don't they?"

Emily leaned in seeing Johnny's hesitation, "Yes Dixie, they do make a great couple."

Johnny made no comment but only sighed with commitment at the friends around him and the two most important people in his life dancing under the stars.

Roy was disappointed when the song ended and she pulled away from him. He ached to keep her in his arms just a little longer. Looking into her beautiful dark brown eyes he realized the subtle change in color to her tanned cheeks.

"Thanks," she said softly as she blushed. It was the first time she had really been in the arms of someone else since her husband had died. Then looking up he realized they were the only ones left in the dance area and the crowd around the fire that was trying their best to not look like they were looking at them.

"We seem to be the center of attention," he said with a smirk.

She smiled, "I don't care. I just don't want to let go."

Squeezing her hand in his, "No one said you have too."

THE END

AN: Thank you to all the wonderful folks who took the time to share their thoughts with me along the way.