The next morning Joe rolled over on his side as Vanessa was shaking him.

"Come on sleepy head," said Vanessa.

"It can't be morning already," wined Joe with his eyes still closed.

"Oh, but it is, my love. Everyone is awake. Your Dad has gone to the office and your Mom, Callie, and I cooked a huge breakfast of pancakes and bacon for everyone,"

Vanessa smiled as she said this, predicting the effect it would have.

Joe opened his eyes and sat up immediately, a grin on his face. "Now that is something to get up for."

"Joseph Hardy, you mean you prefer food over me?"

"Well, that is a tough choice... ouch," said Joe as Vanessa playfully punched Joe in the shoulder. She started tickling him, being careful of her wrist. He kept rolling trying to avoid her fingers of torture, but ended up rolling off the bed!

"Ok, ok, you win," said Joe laughing. "I'm up. Just going to take a quick shower and I'll be downstairs in five minutes."

"Good choice. Because my next idea is to bring a bucket of ice."

With that Joe jumped up, kissed Vanessa and ran into the bathroom. Vanessa only headed back down after she heard the shower start.

When Joe came bounding down the stairs he found his brother in a recliner with his feet up in the air, a bag of chips near his hand, the remotes to the entertainment center at his other, and a huge smile on his face. Joe smiling shook his head, thinking about all the times he had been in that same position.

He started laughing when he saw Callie bringing Frank a drink.

"What are you laughing about?" asked Frank.

"Just memories," answered Joe, smiling softly to himself.

"Your mom has breakfast ready for you," said Callie, as she placed the drink down beside her injured husband.

"Great," said Joe. "I am ready for a very hearty meal."

Feigning shock, Frank said, "You're hungry? Surely not!"

Joe stuck his tongue out at his brother and went into the kitchen. He found his mother mixing pancake batter and went over to give her a kiss on the cheek.

"Good morning, sweetie," said Laura, smiling at her sons good humor. "How are you feeling?"

"Great," said Joe. He turned around to see his fiancée and sister-in-law come back in to the kitchen.

"How are you two this morning?" he asked them whilst filling up his plate and sitting down to eat.

"Good, but sore," said Callie.

"So am I. I feel as if my body is aching all over," said Vanessa.

"Poor little girls," said Joe with a mouthful, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

" Well, since Joe seems to be the only one, not hurt, I say he should wait on us hand and foot," said Callie looking at Vanessa mischievously.

"I agree," said Vanessa. "I really need a back massage."

Frank hobbled in to the kitchen on his crutches to see what all the arguing was about. He found his brother getting a list of duties from Vanessa and Callie, the grin on Joe's face rapidly disappearing as the list got longer.

His mother was watching them and laughing at Joe's attempt to escape the list of chores that the girls were giving him.

"So, can anyone get in on this list?" asked Frank.

Callie looked and saw her husband. She got him a chair for him to sit in and filled him in on their plan to make Joe their slave for the day, because of their injuries.

"I like that," said Frank, enjoying his brothers torture. "I remember a few times, when we were his slaves."

"Mom," yelled Joe. "Make them quit picking on your baby."

Laura smiled. She was so happy to see their smiling faces. She remembered all the times that her sons, Callie and Vanessa lives were in deadly danger.

She thought she would never get Joe back, especially after the torture and pain that Rashman and his brother had caused him. But he was back.

Laura Hardy realized she was a very lucky woman to have such great sons and a husband and two daughters. Even though Joe and Vanessa were not married yet, she felt as if Vanessa was already part of the family.

"I think you better put on a good pair of shoes and get to work," said Laura, laughingly at her son's shocked expression.

The phone ranged and Laura went to answer it. She came back into the kitchen to tell Joe that it was for him.

He ran to the phone and came back a few minutes later a smile on his face.

"I guess I can't stay around after all" said Joe, feigning disappointment. "Dad needs me at the office. So I guess I will just have to leave you."

"That's not fair," said Frank. "Why can't I go?"

"Honey," said Callie. "You have two sprained ankles."

"And the doctor said for you to stay off your feet," chipped in Laura. "So, go back into the living room and sit in the recliner."

As Joe happily left the invalids and the list of work waiting for him, Frank made his way back to the recliner, grumbling about little brothers who always manage to wrangle their way out of hard work!