SERENITY: A Path Home (Beauty 0f Life Book 6)

by Laura Acton

  Quietly shuffling into Scott’s house, so as to not wake Lily who needed her rest being pregnant, the guys headed for the basement. Dan needed some sleep too. Correction more sleep. Can’t believe I catnapped on the plane. He yawned and opened the door. Scott told him he would set a place for him down there since Lily was redecorating the other rooms for the coming twins.

  Adam and Zach held back sharing a glance letting Dan take point going downstairs. They had a surprise of their own for Dan. Zach stood holding Dan’s bags, waiting, and looking like the proverbial cat with the bird still struggling in his mouth.

  Dan stopped at the top step and whispered over his shoulder, “Scott must’ve gone to bed too. Lights are off down there.”

  Zach hid his excitement faking a yawn. “No matter. We’ve gotta be up early in the morning anyway. I’ll drop your luggage off and head out.”

  “Light switch is on the left.” Adam came up behind Dan.

  Flipping lights on, Dan blinked as the room flooded with colorful lights. His eyes adjusting to the brightness, Dan descended three steps before he stopped and gaped at the scene in front of him. All his cousins, Tiffany, Pamela, Scott, Ashley, Vicky, Jeff, Amelia, Kyle, and his sister Becca began singing ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas.’

  Adam patted Dan’s back and guided him down the staircase as he joined in the singing.

  When Dan halted at the bottom, Becca rushed forward, embracing him tightly. Becca exclaimed loudly, “Surprise! Missed you, Danny. Welcome home, big brother!”

  The others swamped Dan, and he was passed from hug to hug as everyone enthusiastically welcomed him.

  Stunned, Dan grinned like an adopted pound puppy going home. After everyone greeted him, Dan paused and studied their cheerful faces as he shrugged out of his jacket—toasty warm inside and out, mostly from being surrounded by cherished family. “Wow, this is some surprise!”

  Scott’s smile matched Dan’s in brightness. Too many years without my twin cousin. “We couldn’t resist.”

  Becca grabbed Dan’s jacket and tossed it on top of his bags as she also grasped his right hand, pulling him to a couch and said, “Come sit down.”

  Wincing briefly as she took his injured hand, Dan went with Becca and lowered his stiff and achy body down on the couch, trying not to let it show.

  Bouncing with a child-like abandon reminiscent of an earlier Christmas, Becca sat next to her brother. “What’s this surprise Zach keeps whining about which Adam refuses to reveal to anyone?”

  Vicky realized Becca was in her own world again and didn’t recognize Dan’s condition or notice him flinch. She lowered herself on the opposite side without jarring Dan. Her tone soft and full of concern, Vicky queried. “Are you okay, Dan? That’s quite a bruise, and your hand’s bandaged.”

  Danny’s state dawning on her, Becca bit her lower lip and her eyes widened. “Oh, my! Did I hurt your hand? I’m so sorry. I’m just so excited you’re here.”

  Dan sought to reassure Becca. “No, you didn’t hurt me.” Shifting his gaze to Vicky, he replied, “I’m good. Only a few rough days at work.”

  Scott moved forward and crouched down in front of Dan giving him an assessing once over. “Doppelganger, come clean. Remember our bargain?”

  Chuckling at Scott’s formidable stare, Dan bobbed his head. “I was only five, but yeah, I recall. I’m alright according to Dr. Fraser. Earlier today he examined me thoroughly and declared my muscles are healing well.”

  “You required to take any medication?” Scott eyed Dan, unsure if he told the truth or chose to deflect because the girls were around.

  “Antibiotics in my jacket pocket. And pain meds if I need them.”

  Jeff fished out the plastic bottles and read the details. “These are heavy-duty meds.” He tossed the containers to Scott to review.

  After scanning the labels, Scott scrutinized Dan again. “When’s the last time you took these?”

  “Haven’t taken any of those yet. Swallowed what Nurse Clare gave me at the ER sometime after eleven. I’m due for the antibiotic soon, but I don’t need any painkillers. No one allowed me to do anything strenuous since I held on as the roof collapsed under me this morning.”

  Becca gasped. “You were on a roof that collapsed?”

  “Yeah, we served a warrant on the Grinch Brigade.”

  Kyle laughed. “Grinch Brigade. Sound interesting. Can you tell us?”

  Dan launched into details of the no-knock warrant. Their questions led him to recount all the events of his first two weeks back with his TRF team. While he shared, a huge roast beef sandwich and chips ended up in front of him, along with an iced coffee, and his dose of antibiotics.

  He swallowed his pills and enjoyed the meal as he related the critical calls. Those gathered listened and laughed at the funny things which happened to the team, especially the part about Dan getting high with the Lieutenant Governor. They all agreed they would have loved to witness that. Dan finished saying, “Loki created a song, the Twelve Days of TRF Christmas.”

  Ashley begged him to sing it. “From what you told us, Loki sounds like he has a wonderful sense of humor. I bet his lyrics are bizarre. Please, for us.”

  Dan’s voice was a tad ragged from reading and talking so much, but he took a sip of coffee then began singing the last verse. “On the twelfth day of Christmas, Alpha Team gave to me, twelve brothers believing, eleven bagpipers caterwauling, ten leopards a leaping, nine ladies flirting, eight maids a gun-running, seven swans a sinking, six geese attacking, five onion rings, four falling birds, three mother hens, two lovey-dovies, and a frozen sniper in a pear tree.”

  They were all laughing again as Dan glanced at the clock and stifled a yawn as he noted it was eleven fifty-nine. Best Christmas Eve I’ve had in a long time. The next yawn he couldn’t halt. Shifting on the couch, he winced as his muscles revolted. I shouldn’t ache this much. Doc professed I didn’t reinjure anything and I only needed some rest. So why am I so dammed sore? He surreptitiously eyed his meds. Don’t want to put a damper on the mood, though, might be practical to take a couple. Shouldn’t be long before they all leave—I can manage until bedtime.

  Noting Dan’s slow movements, searching his face and glimpsing growing furrows denoting pain, Scott acknowledged Jeff was correct. Dr. Fraser wouldn’t prescribe strong pain medication unless Dan required them. Time to break up the party and give him some quiet. Time to send everyone packing except Adam and Jeff. Now would be the best time to deliver our gift to Dan.

  Scott cleared his throat to gain everyone’s attention. “I think we all should grab a few hours of sleep. We all need to be up and over to Uncle Will’s by zero five hundred.”

  Reluctantly all but Scott, Jeff, and Adam left after saying goodnight and expressing their excitement for Christmas morning.

  When only the four remained, Scott tossed Dan the vial of painkillers. “You’re aching, I can tell. Take your meds, Doppelganger.”

  Dan twisted open the child-resistant top and shook out two pills without complaint. He downed both with the last of his coffee. “This was fun. Thanks.”

  Adam nodded and said, “It was, but we have something for you that we wanted to give you without the others around.”

  His gaze went between his three cousins, wondering what it might be. Scott handed him a small package wrapped in blue paper covered in yellow princess tiaras. He chuckled. “Really? Princess wrapping paper?”

  Jeff’s face split into a broad grin. “Not just any princess paper.”

  Dan ceased chuckling and focused on the gift wrapping. His lower lip quivered until he trapped it with his teeth. His eyes teared up staring at the tiaras, and his finger traced one as memories assaulted him. Oh God, Sara. His voice came out scarcely above a whisper, “I remember. How?”

  Adam wiped a tear from one leaky eye. “We looked at the pictures of Sara’s last birthday and searched until we found the exact paper. It’s important.”

  Scott’s voice choked up with emotion, “Open it
.”

  Dan carefully undid the tape, not ripping the paper. When he uncovered a small box, Dan froze and took an unsteady breath as his hand hovered over the top. When he removed the lid, tears sprouted in his eyes. His lungs constricting Dan struggled to suck air in as he stared at the ornament. Hand shaking noticeably, he reached in and lifted the delicate item with reverent care. Tears dripped unrestrained as he clutched the precious gift to his heart.

  Each man’s eyes filled with tears as they witnessed Dan’s reaction.

  In a gravelly emotion-laden voice, Dan finally said, “I’ll cherish this always.”

  Scott draped an arm over Dan’s shoulders and pulled him close for a side hug. “Perhaps this will be a little like having Sara with you for Christmas.”

  Adam knelt in front of Dan and laid his hands on Dan’s knees as he locked gazes with him—two pairs of sapphire eyes which comprehended what it was to bear an immeasurable loss of someone they loved. “Happy holidays, Dan. It’s been too long without you. I’m glad you found your way home to us. Thank you for guiding me home too.”

  Unsure what Adam meant, but too choked up to ask, Dan only placed one hand over Adam’s and gave him a faint smile.

  Jeff cautiously put his arm around Dan’s right side, cognizant that was the side he landed on when he dropped from the roof. “I feared our gift would be wrong. I’m pleased you like it, Runt. May the love of family and the joy of the season heal all old wounds.”

  Dan moved his hand to gaze at the yellow ceramic star with a photo of him and Sara sitting at her tea table. Both with toy teacups in hand, Sara radiated pure joy, while Dan scowled with abject misery, none too pleased with having his picture taken. He recalled the day he allowed Sara to dress him up for a Queen’s Tea with a tiara and all the accouterments befitting a princess.

  My Danny, World’s Best Brother, was written below the picture in blue childlike script. Dan wiped the happy tears away and mimicked the scowl before breaking into a lopsided grin. “Merry Christmas!” His hand closed around the star and held Sara close again.

  Operation Merry Surprise

  60

  December 25

  General Broderick’s Home – 5:00 a.m.

  Rubbing his cold hands in the freezing morning as snow fell heavily, Dan couldn’t stop grinning. He, Scott, and Lily arrived at his parent’s home last since Lily and Scott decided to gang up on him, insisting he eat something and take his pain medication. In his excitement to get Operation Merry Surprise underway, he relented and chose a bagel with cream cheese which he wolfed down in the car on the way over. Approaching the house, in somewhat of a stealth mode, he waved to a past and now current partner-in-crime.

  Mike Galloway smiled along with the entire family when they spotted their ringleader. Mike patted Dan’s shoulder and said, “Long overdue. Welcome home. Have fun today.” He punched in the code to turn off the alarm system and unlocked the door.

  “Thanks, Mike. I will.” Dan stepped inside first then everyone started filing into the house. As prearranged, they all carried kids, presents, or bags containing enough food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

  Last night, Santa’s elves, the husbands of Tiffany, Pamela, Ashley, and Vicky, dropped off Santa’s special deliveries for their children to Mike. Early this morning, while the general and his family slept, Mike moved the vibrantly decorated packages under the tree so the magic of the season would be preserved for the Santa Claus believers.

  Dan mused as he scanned the activities of each group participating in his black op, well dawn is still a few hours away, and it’s kinda dark outside, was set into motion. Dan’s aunts, Kimberly, Ann, and Connie, took charge of the kitchen with the food. His female cousins herded all their kids into the family room and kept them quiet. The men, his uncles, male cousins, and cousins-in-law, carried all the wrapped gifts in and set them out. It took them almost thirty minutes to get everything organized.

  Once set, Dan headed for Becca’s bedroom upstairs to wake his co-conspirator. He strode up the main staircase and reaching the top Dan stopped and glanced down at the tenth step. His hand unconsciously rubbed Brody’s tag. As dawn follows the night, so did Dan’s life journey. The darkness his brothers shepherded him through and safeguarded him from, gradually receded as the reemergence of his family’s love illuminated his path.

  Memories of what Jeff, Scott, Adam, Zach, and Kyle did for him flooded in. His whole family embraced him and helped him achieve his goal to return to TRF. Having family who loved and cared for him soothed his soul, giving him the serenity to follow the path laid out before him in his search to find the beauty of life.

  General Broderick’s Home – Becca’s Room – 5:30 a.m.

  Dan opened the door and padded stealthily into the bedroom. He stood and watched her sleep for a moment. A small bittersweet thought entered his head. Becca was so young when Sara died. She never really got to know the beautiful person their sister was. Her only recollections of Sara were ones that others shared with her.

  The death of their sister impacted both their lives profoundly. Dan could see the entire family was affected but decided not to examine that too closely because if he did, he might start blaming himself again. Not for her death, but for all that happened afterward because he was so traumatized by the emotional and physical loss of his little sister that he couldn’t cope with living here.

  As a result, Becca never experienced a bona fide unfettered Broderick Christmas—they all paled in comparison after Sara’s death. Sadly, Dan knew what they all lost. Fortunately, Becca was never cognizant of what she’d missed out on, though she was never bereft of family. Moving forward, Dan hoped to create a truly magical Christmas for her. Kneeling beside Becca, he spoke with a soft yet excitement-filled voice, “Merry Christmas. Time to wake up.”

  Her eyes flickered open feeling as if she only just closed them. “Already?”

  “Yeah. You know what to do, right?”

  After pushing up to sit, Becca yawned and stretched. “Yes. Dress then wake Mom and Dad and insist we do an early morning gift exchange. Make sure I head down before they do so I can join everyone else.”

  “Yep, you got it! I’ll see you in a bit. Oh, and it snowed a lot overnight, at least another foot of snow added. The kids are gonna enjoy making snowmen and snow angels.”

  Becca’s smile grew. “Sounds like fun,” She stood and hugged Dan, “Merry Christmas, Danny. I’m so happy you’re home.”

  “You said that last night.”

  “I’ll keep repeating it because it’s true. You almost died this summer. As awful as that was, part of me is … I don’t know … kinda glad … cause, well, we got to spend time together and get to know each other better. I love you, Danny.”

  Dan beamed and embraced Becca. “Love ya too!” Then he slipped out the door heading for his OMS destination making nary a sound.

  General Broderick’s Home – William’s and Yvonne’s Room – 5:45 a.m.

  Becca knocked on the door, opened it, and went in. She plastered on a bright smile which typically netted her anything she desired. “Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad.”

  William and Yvonne woke and blinked at Becca.

  Yvonne said, “Becca, it’s so early. I thought we agreed to rise at eight. You had a late night at your girlfriend’s party last night.”

  Becca grinned knowing her little white lie was necessary. She couldn’t let on she was over at Scott’s. They would wonder why. “I couldn’t sleep. Can we do presents early? Danny doesn’t start work until seven. We could even call him together. I’m sure he won’t mind us interrupting his workout.”

  Personally, Becca could not understand why Dan would work out for two hours before his twelve-hour shifts started. She would rather sleep in until she absolutely must wake, but Danny was way more responsible than her.

  A quick glance at the clock, William opened his mouth to tell Becca to go back to bed, but the tilt of her head, her puppy dog eyes, and smile halted him. “We’ll be down i
n about ten to fifteen minutes.”

  Becca jumped and squealed a little, being overly dramatic on purpose, well sort of, she keenly awaited this Christmas, much more than any previous one. For the first time in years, they would be a whole family, both her dad and brother would be home. Her enthusiasm surged as she played her part.

  She hurried to their bed and hugged Dad. “Merry Christmas. Thank you, Daddy. I’ll be in the library, and I’ll already have your coffee waiting. No need to detour to the kitchen to grab some.”

  When their door closed, Yvonne peered at William and shook her head. “You might be called Badass, but you’re a big softy. She flashes that smile and those eyes at you, and you can’t deny her.”

  William chuckled. “Well, it is Christmas. I haven’t ever seen her this happy for Christmas. And she is right; we can call Daniel before work.”

  Yvonne nodded and smiled though she didn’t feel all that happy. Dan was so close yet still too far away. This would be the tenth Christmas in a row without Dan. A full decade. As she dressed, Yvonne thought about all the long mother-son talks she and Dan shared over the summer.

  Call it intuition, but her son wanted to be here. She almost called Walter and requested him to order Dan to take the day off. Though, she comprehended Dan would never shirk his obligation, causing someone else to work in his stead. Danny is like William in that way. His sense of duty is too ingrained and I, as his mother, will never force Danny to choose.

  Pausing, Yvonne’s smile fading as she explored the real reason behind the inner turmoil. This isn’t only due to Dan’s absence, but one of our recent heart-to-heart chats. She recalled how that talk unleashed her waterworks and released years of repressed emotional anguish when Dan revealed his memories of his ninth Christmas. William never told her Dan didn’t play with the toys he received. At the time, William’s intentions were noble, to shield her from more suffering than she could assuage, but his desire only delayed the inevitable.

  When they discovered Dan’s gifts missing, William left at midnight and didn’t return until four, as he backtracked her travel route all the way to the Vancouver airport. Once he reached the terminal, he demanded they search for the carry-all, and despite multiple attempts, the bag remained lost. Driving back to the hotel, he attempted to find someplace open, all to no avail.