" I hear you are retiring, will you be ok just being home and hanging out? I know that you are used to staying busy from before the sun rises till late at night. "
steve looks at his nephew and sees that he is in pain.
" I am ready this last mission did me in. You make sure to let Astila check you over tomorrow,and if you start to have a hard time with the pain meds let us know. We are here to help you. Don't hold it in and have something happen later. I know with burns they give you some strong stuff I just don't want you to become dependent. I'm not lecturing you I'm just giving you some advice, I've seen to many good men become bad men after being hurt. I don't want to see that happen to you. " Steve tells Dude worried about him. Steve has heard reports of his drinking and partying from his master Sargent. Steve's biggest worry has been that he would turn out like his father. Dude sees the worry in his uncles eyes and tells him.
"I haven't even gotten the prescription filled yet they released me from the hospital in Germany and I was on the first military transport home. When I got off the plane I came straight here. The Sargent passed out because he was intoxicated and I was in the back seat. I was able to get him out before the vehicle went completely up but not without consequences. I know that you have been worried but I'm ok and I'm not going to be like my dad. I'm not going to blame others for my decisions. They didn't give me any disciplinary action because I was not driving. They did give me three months off to heal, and to think about the direction I want my career to go. For me I'm not ready to get out but it was a wake up call that I need to make some changes. What better place to start than with my family where I can get love and a kick in the butt when I need it. I also get to be here for the twins birth where I normally miss out on most family events. " dude grins at his uncle knowing that he understands what he is talking about.
" hey little man what's wrong?" He looks at her and whispers in her ear.
"I want to ask Crystal to dance but I'm afraid she will say no." Moll smiles not wanting to laugh because she doesn't want him to think she is making fun of him. Moll whispers in his ear and tells him.
"just ask her she is your best friend and I'm sure she won't turn you down." Brayden smiles brightly and runs over to crystal to ask her to dance. Inola comes and puts his arms around his wife and asks her.
"May I have this dance? " she turns in his arms to face him putting her arms around his neck as they begin to swaying.
Audis watches everyone dancing and he whispers to himself. "Norma my love I miss you , if you were here we would be dancing."
Eva seeing her dads face goes over and asks him .
" you are missing Mama right now, you know I'm here and am not going anywhere. So will you give me the honor of dancing with my dad?"
audis looks at his daughter and takes her hand . Audis thinks to himself that he cannot remember the last time he danced with his daughter. Eva looks up at her Dad and tells him.
"You know I think the last time I danced with you was on my wedding day. We haven't really had much opportunity to do many father daughter things. So what do you say can we make up for list time?. I would love to do more with you . How about we take the kids fishing tomorrow? It can be just us and the two dancing so sweetly over there . That way Marshal can take Winona on a date." Audis looks at his daughter and tells her
"It will be my pleasure." The party goes well into the night before the family starts to say their goodbyes. Crystal and Brayden had fallen asleep so Inola and Onacona carried them to their room at their house. Audis tells them he will pick them up in the morning to go fishing. Debra and her family stay the night at Aisling's that way they can spend more time with her brother. When they get to Aisling's Dude asks Astila for a favor.
"Astila can I trouble you for some help ?" Astila looks at him with understanding and asks
"Do you need me to bring my bag or do you have everything?"
" I have everything in the small duffle. The hospital gave me enough supplies till my visit at the Veterans hospital in two weeks. " Dude lets him know the two go into the room he is using and Dude begins to take his shirt off. Astila gasps when he sees that his arms and chest are cimocered in burns. Getting a pair of surgical scissors he cuts the gauze off to see just how bad they are. Astila closes his eyes when he sees how bad they are it looks like he is going to need skin graphs when they heal some. While he cleans the wounds and applies the silver cream he asks Dude.
" are they planning skin graphs when the infection is gone?" Astila sees that a few places have become infected.
Dude winces with pain when he begins to bandage his chest.
" those places are infected because there was glass and metal embedded in the wound from having to break the window to get the Sargent out. They said once it's healed we can look at that option. I'm not sure if I want to go through this pain again. I'm hoping that the scarring will be minimal. We will see what God has in store for me."
Astila can understand how he may not want to have graphs if the scars heal well they could be barely noticeable. When he gets done he tells Dude good night and goes to bed. Aisling is waiting for him pacing when he comes into the room.
"How bad does he look, is he going to be ok?" Looking at him anxiously.
Astila holds aisking close and tells her.
" his arms and chest are cubed in burns, some have become infected from glass ,clothing and metal being embedded in the skin from being burned. He may need skin Graphs but he needs the infections to heal first. You know I didn't ask to many questions but I'm sure he is on some strong pain meds. I don't want you to take any anger he may have to personal. The pain medications that are given for these kind of injuries can make a person have rage issues. I want you to be careful if he looks like he may be ready to lose it. " Astila looks at her with concern Aisling just nods at him trying to hold back the tears. There is a soft knock on the door Astila goes and answrs it . It's Dude he asks if he can come in. once inside he seems nervous.
"Umm Aisling can I ask a favor? They gave me these prescriptions when I left the hospital. I don't want to take them because they are extremely strong. I noticed while in the hospital that I couldn't wait for my medicine time . I had a morphine drip but then they gave me these two as well. I haven't had anything since leaving the hospital and I'm trying not to take them. The last thing I need is to become addicted to these. So my favor is can you make me some of your herbal concoctions to help with the pain ?" Dude looks at the floor wondering what his sister is thinking.
"of course I will , also it might do you good to get some practice in by holding William a lot. Just think of getting better." Aisling kisses her brothers cheek and sends him back to bed. When he leaves Astila looks at her and asks.
"Your hoping that William's healing powers will help him . That if he holds him for short periods of time that William can possibly heal him so he won't need the medicine at all." Aisling give him a look that shows what she is thinking. He hugs his wife and kisses her as they get ready for sleep.