Fenton came out of his office, shaking his head at Joe’s impatience. "Joe, Frank’s not going anywhere."

"I know. Can’t I be excited?" He was now bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet.

"Yes, you can be excited. Just do it patiently!" Fenton smiled and Joe wrinkled his nose.

"MOTHER!" he called.

Laura came down the stairs with Ruthie. "Patience is a virtue, son. Let’s go."

Joe ran outside to Fenton’s car and was the first one in. It seemed to him that it took forever and a half to get to the hospital. Then another century to park the car. He started to run to Frank’s room, but a stern look from his mother made him slow down.

Frank was sitting on the edge of the bed in his hospital room, just as excited as Joe. He was going home! After the seven longest weeks of his life, he was going home. For good. The chances of his leukemia coming back were now very low.

Frank and Joe had been on cloud nine for the last three days. There were so many things Frank wanted to do when he got home. First on his list was a good night’s sleep in his own bed, which he had sorely missed. Then a Mr. Pizza pizza and a walk on the beach. But one thing had already been crossed off. He’d apologized to Callie the day before.

He’d apologized for taking her for granted, ignoring her at times, and generally being a jerk. She’d accepted his apology, and when she finally left, they were friends again. Frank was truly glad that she was happy, and even happier to know he still had her as a friend, albeit not the kind of friend he still wanted her to be. He’d also told her, "If Quin ever hurts you in any way, he’ll have to answer to me!"

Callie had laughed, and promised to tell him that.

Frank was jolted out of his reverie by the opening of the door. "Finally!" he exclaimed. "I thought you were never going to get here!"

"I thought we were never going to leave!" Joe told him as he sat down on the bed next to Frank.

Fenton and Laura exchanged knowing glances.

Ruthie looked from her parents to her brothers, who were stifling laughs. She then climbed up in Frank’s lat and hugged him. Frank hugged her back. "I missed you!" she whispered.

Frank squeezed her then looked up as Claire came in. "Ready to go?" she inquired.

"Yes!"

An hour later they were home. Frank stepped out of the car and just stood there for a minute, letting the cool breeze caress his face. He could taste the tangy, salt-scented air and it felt so good. He had no idea he could miss being outside as much as he had.

"Are you going to stand out here all day?" Joe asked him, smiling.

"No." Frank followed Joe inside and stretched out on the living room sofa. He was already tired, but had been warned that it would take time to get his strength back. He closed his eyes, glad to be home.

A while later he was awakened by a rough, wet sensation on his face. He opened his eyes to see Piper standing on his chest, washing his face. He smiled and scratched behind her ears. She started to purr, then curled up. He then glanced out the window and saw Joe standing in the Nickerson’s yard, talking to Ned. And Frank had no idea they were talking about him.

"Did you tell him?" Ned asked.

"No. He has no idea it was you," Joe answered. There was a brief, awkward silence before Joe finally said what he came to say. "Thanks."

Ned shrugged. "It’s no big deal."

"Yes it is. You saved his life."

"If you say so," Ned agreed. He then watched Joe return home before going back inside.

After dinner, where Frank crossed the Mr. Pizza pizza off his list, he and Joe went upstairs. Ericson was going to trial after Christmas and Frank was going to testify against him. He wanted to go over everything and start getting it organized in his mind, as it would be upon him before he knew it.

A couple of hours later, Joe stood and stretched. "I’m going to bed."

"Night," Frank said absently.

Joe shook his head and went through the bathroom to his room. Frank kept typing, but looked up when Joe stuck his head in. "Frank, I’m glad you’re OK now."

Frank smiled. "I’ll be around for quite a while, Joe."

"Good." Joe disappeared briefly, then came back and said, "But don’t take it personally. I wouldn’t want your ego to get too big."

Frank threw a pillow at Joe. "Go to bed!" He then turned his attention back to his computer until the words begin swimming on the screen. Only then did he turn it off and go to bed.

He lay there silently for a little while, listening to the old house settle down for the night. He hadn’t realized how important his family was until the last few weeks. He’d battled through a severe depression in the hospital, and his family was the only reason he’d kept going. Especially Joe.

Whenever Frank had been ready to give up, Joe was there for him. When he’d been to weak to even open his eyes, Joe had been there. He’d brought Frank his schoolwork when school started, then took it back to his teachers. He’d snuck in ice cream, and hamburgers and whatever else Frank happened to crave. He’d even brought popcorn in once!

Frank’s illness had brought them even closer together and Frank now knew that their bond as brothers could see them through anything. It was indeed, unbreakable.

The End