Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Robby has watched Dennis have a shit ass day and there's just no fixing it sometimes. And unbeknownst to both of them, it's about to get worse for the R1 turned junior attending turned boyfriend.

Dennis has been ran ragged. Had been since the moment he hit the floor. He's on a fourteen day streak of no bodily fluids and just before the morning rush it's promptly ruined by a car crash victim who threw up on him. He wasn't drunk, but the fear and anxiety of his ordeal made him upchuck.

Scrub change number 1.

Dennis and Robby are pulled in all directions all morning, not really seeing each other until about 11am when a little girl comes in with burns. Dennis is holding her, trying to soothe her when he suddenly feels something wet on his legs. Dennis continues to hold her and coo praise and assurance in her ear until someone from CPS can be with her.

Scrub change number 2.

At twelve-thirty Robby is about to send Dennis to lunch. Robby's helping McKay and Mohan and they've got it under control, so he steps out, about to send Dennis to eat when he hears an odd interaction.

"Ma'am you can't just walk in through the ambulance bay!" Langdon scolds, sounding irritated.

"Please!" A woman begs, breaths coming short and ragged as she speaks. "I just left Presby because they said nothing is wrong. But I know I'm having a heart attack!"

Robby pokes his head out and sees Kim helping a short woman into a wheelchair. Or, try to anyway.

"Let me walk while I still can." She insisted. Langdon takes her hand as they walk past central when she stops so suddenly it nearly makes the much taller man trip.

"Ma'am? Ma'am are you okay?" Langdon asked, checking her pulse. "What's wrong?"

Robby can't see her face, is about to step out of the room and offer assistance when she speaks, softly, trembling.

"Dennis?" Huh?

Robby looks at Dennis, who is across the way, looking like he saw a ghost.

"Huckleberry? You good?" Trinity asked, sitting at a computer inside the nurses station, only seeing his face, not having heard or seen what's happening.

"Dennis Whitaker?" The woman speaks again, sounding hopeful for some reason.

"... Katherine?" Dennis says with a tremble in his voice. Robby grows more concerned, and even at this distance he can see tears forming. (Robby only sees that in the privacy of home or Dennis's truck.) The concern doubles, and Robby decides he's going to step in-

"That's not what you call me." She says, batting away Langdon's hand now.

"Whitaker, what's going on?" Langdon asked, looking as confused as Robby felt.

Suddenly Dennis is smiling, small, sad, and Robby wished they weren't so busy so he could hold him-

"Aunt Kate." Dennis sighs, and suddenly he's moving and this woman has broke free of Langdon, meeting Dennis in the middle for the strongest hug Robby has ever seen. It finally clicks for Robby, who this is, and he feels foolish for not realizing it sooner. The dark golden blonde hair, the smile lines, the same funny laugh-

His aunt. The one who raised him. She's here-

Dennis has his face burried in her neck, leaning down a little to do so, because this woman can't be any taller than five foot three. She clearly has children if the way she holds him is any indication; it's soft, tender, her hand smoothing through the curls at his nape as she tips her head to the side-

She's sweating, losing color.

"What are you doing here?" Dennis asked, managing to get her in the wheelchair when he pulls away.

"In Pittsburgh? Teaching a class at America's Beauty Show." Katherine says through strained breaths. "I'm a Matrix educator now. In this ER? Having a heart attack."

"She said Presby told her nothing was wrong." Langdon says, following Dennis to a trauma room.

"Let's get some leads on you." Dennis says, pausing only a second. "I'll step out while you change."

Robby is standing at the door to the trauma room when she chuckles breathlessly with pain. "Oh come on now, if you've seen one set of boobs you've seen em all."

"I would like to not see yours." Dennis says, about to step out when he finally notices Robby. "Aunt Kate this is our chief attending, Doctor Robinavitch."

"Call me Doctor Robby." Robby swaps Dennis, letting him go out to the hall while she changes. "Educator huh? What's Matrix?"

"Matrix is a pro beauty line. Color, product, perms." Katherine says as she removes the blouse of her suit and her bra followed by her skirt, careless of the two men and a nurse. Her outfit looks familiar, pink blazer with gold buttons and a matching skirt. "Been in the industry twenty-five years, an educator for the last ten."

"Impressive." Robby says as he helps Langdon attach leads, monitors immediately blaring. Robby is quick to put a cover on her and it's a good thing he had because Dennis immediately rushes in.

"What's happening?" Dennis asked, looking at the monitor and his aunt. "Oh my god you were right."

"Can I sue that other hospital?" Katherine joked, but she's growing paler, broke out in a heavy sweat and breathing harder. Dennis gets her on oxygen, pushing her bangs off her face.

"I'll help you." Dennis assured, looking like the world is ending. Robby can't help but think he looked more composed at PittFest than he does in this moment. "We're gonna do a heart cath to see how blocked you are, and then we'll go from there."

"We, being Doctor Langdon and myself." Robby says, trying not to sound too forceful. "You know hospital policy-"

"Don't send me away." Dennis pleaded, holding Katherine's hand, eyes shimmering with tears barely held at bay. "Michael. Please. Don't make me leave her."

Oh. Oh shit. Robby thought to himself, taken aback by the look on his junior attendings face. No. Dennis called him *Michael*. Oh no. This could break us. If she dies on me this is it for us-

"Talk me through it baby." Katherine says, looking at Dennis with exhausted eyes. "This is a teaching hospital right? Dumb down the procedures for me."

"I can do that." Dennis assures, holding her right hand as the cath cart is set up. "Have you ever had a heart cath?"

"No." Katherine says. "My last surgery was my c-section with Parker; had them go ahead and do a hysterectomy while I was already flayed open."

"A heart cath is to check for blockages." Dennis says as Robby and Langdon move around the room. "They're going in through your left arm and will inject a dye for contrast. Then they'll do the cath and that'll tell us how to proceed depending on how blocked you are."

"Excellent explain Doctor Whitaker." Robby says, injecting the dye. "Since this is your family, history is important. Katherine, can you tell us more?"

"Kate, please." Katherine insisted.

"Kate. Tell us your history." Robby says, machines rolling in and more bodies occupying the room.

"Myself? Two births, one natural and one c-section. My hysterectomy. Ugh, carpel tunnel surgery eight years ago. Get shots in my left foot once a year for plantarfaciatis. Had my tonsils out at 12." Kate paused, to think and to breathe. "Asthma, I take an albutorol inhaler and singular. Topiramate for migraines."

"Heart disease runs on both sides of her parents family." Dennis jumped in. "Pops had a heart attack back in '86, granny developed Afib back around '15 before she passed. At least one of granny and pops siblings and parents died from a heart attack."

"I was so worried about diabetes I forgot about heart disease." Kate groaned.

"Are you diabetic?" Langdon asked as he got the tube ready for the cath.

"No, and I worked hard to keep it that way." Kate says, growing more fatigued. "Both of my parents were. Two of my siblings. At least one grandparent on each side."

"You're lucky so far in that aspect." Robby says, taking in the way sweat rolls off the woman.

"Last A1C was 6.2." Kate says with pride, or as much as she can given her condition. "Needles freaked me out as a kid. Daddy's tummy was always bruised. Scared the hell outta me so I vowed to take care of myself."

"We're ready." Kim says, set up for the cath.

"Wait!" Kate sits up suddenly, making everyone panic.

"What?" Dennis asked, in her space-

Scrub change number 3.

Robby was prepared for a pout, maybe even a curse. The laugh Dennis let out as vomit covered his pants was the last thing he expected.

"Is that revenge for all the times I puked on you as a kid?"

"Sure." Kate says as she slumps back. "Okay. Hit me."

"You heard the woman." Robby says, pulling Kate's left arm out to begin. "You're going to feel all of this, and I'm very sorry. Do your best to be still okay?"

"Talk, Dennis." Kate says, letting her eyes fall shut.

"What do you wanna know?" Dennis asked, standing there in his soiled scrubs and holding her hand.

"Anything. Everything." Kate pleaded, her hazel eyes looking at him for a moment before screwing shut as the lead is inserted.

"Uhhh. I finished my theology major before starting med school." Dennis says like he's trying to power point the last however many years its been since he's seen this woman.

"Ew I can feel it!" Kate squealed, kicking a foot.

"Whitaker!" Robby warns, a flash of panic cutting through. "Gotta do better than that."

"I! Uh! Shit okay! I live with my coworker, Doctor Santos, she's basically my best friend." Dennis says, Kate relaxing as the lead is inserted more. "She took me in when I was between places and we get along well. She reminds me of Aunt Kenzie."

"Kenzie was always my favorite sister." Kate says with strained breaths.

"Well Santos isn't quite as perverted as Aunt Kenzie." Dennis says with a huff of a laugh. "Santos has helped me kinda figure out who I wanna be."

"Who are you then?" It sounded almost teasing. "Are you still my baby?"

"I'll always be your baby." Dennis assured. "I am who I am because of you. In spite of my parents."

"You were my baby." Kate says and it sounds warm and heartfelt. "I was 15 when Diane had you. You were my everything."

"Whitaker." Langdon says, looking at the monitor. "She is in the middle of a heart attack. CABG."

"No!" Dennis whipped his head up, eyes wild as he looked. "No! There's - She's completely blocked in four arteries."

"A stent isn't gonna cut it-"

"She's gonna need artery graphs." Dennis speaks, barely a whisper.

"Kim call Shamsi." Robby says. "Tell her this is priority."

"Yes Doctor." Kim is already moving before Robby is done talking, practically running out the door.

"Does that mean you're gonna crack me open?" Kate asked, looking at Dennis for confirmation.

"Yes, they will." It comes out small, broken.

"And probably take from my leg?" Kate asked, surprising Robby with her knowledge.

"Yes." Dennis says again, smaller somehow.

The laugh is a shock.

Kate laughs, light, breathless as she continues to breathe raggedly. Everyone aside from Dennis looking at her like she's crazy.

"I don't understand." Mel says from beside Frank. "What's funny?"

Dennis sighs, almost a groan as Kate calms from her laughing fit.

"I am Joseph Hart's daughter. Through and through." Kate says with a sigh that sounds almost delighted, proud. "If you can, take veins from the left leg. It bothers me as it is and having leg problems in both will send me over the edge."

"They'll take the best veins they can." Robby says, still confused.

"You're insane." Dennis groaned. "Having a matching scar with pops isn't cool."

Kate chuckled a moment before seeming to sober up abruptly. "Oh my god, my dad! Holy shit I'm going to have a major procedure and I don't have dad or Beau!"

Dennis too seems to change mood abruptly, looking frightened once more.

"And daddy can't fucking see!" Kate seemed hysterical now. "I'm eight goddamn hours from home and my daddy-!" A sob breaks through.

"I'll call him." Dennis says softly, pushing Kate's bangs back again. "Is... is his number the same still?"

"Yes." Kate says with tears in her eyes. "My purse, grab my wallet and take the black and green card. Help him book a flight. Out of Indy, Evansville, or St. Louis."

"What about Uncle B?" Dennis asked, hand still pushing her hair back.

"Daddy lives with me now so Beau will be there." Kate leans into the touch slightly. "And Juniper and Parker."

Shamsi strolls in then, taking one look at the monitors and immediately starts barking orders to get Kate prepped for the OR. Dennis doesn't move until they're heading towards the patient elevator.

"Call my daddy." Kate says as they wait, squeezing Dennis's hand.

"I will." Dennis assures, holding her phone and her credit card in hand.

Kate looks Dennis over one more time. "Are you who I raised you to be?"

"Yes ma'am." Dennis replied instantly, voice raspy, fighting tears again. "Everything I am is because of you."

Kate nods, squeezing tight three time to the hand holding hers. Robby wondered if it was a signal of sorts, watching Dennis repeat it back.

"I love you." Dennis whispers, like he's worried to say it too loud, like it'll ruin something.

"I love you too." Kate says back, tugging on the hand holding hers. Dennis follows until he's close enough for her to land a kiss to wild curls. "I'll see you when I'm done." The elevator doors open and Kate is in, waving with a forlorn look on her face.

✨️

Dennis is spiraling. He doesn't care about the puke on his pants as he stares blankly at the scrub dispensary. He doesn't care about the sad eyes all around watching him. He has to act like he doesn't care that the one person in his corner growing up might die.

It's like a carrot is being dangled in front of him. Just there, yet out of reach. He sees her for the first time in ten years and she's basically on deaths door.

"Dennis." Frank says, surprising him. "You okay?"

Yeah, fine. It was on the tip of his tongue, right there, ready to be uttered.

Why won't it come out?

Langdon hooks his elbow with Dennis's and practically drags him out to the ambulance bay, off to the side in the shade so fast Dennis doesn't see the look Robby gives him and his former golden boy.

Frank sits first, back against the side of the building and he looks at Dennis expectantly.

Oh. I'm supposed to join him. Dennis realizes, sitting shoulder to shoulder with Frank.

"Wanna talk about it?" Frank offered, voice steady and sure.

No, he doesn't.

"She was my person growing up." Dennis says, looking away in the distance. "She was more of a mom to me than my own ever was."

Dennis doesn't elaborate further. He doesn't mention the abuse from his dad when they moved home or how his mom was essentially hands off his entire life. There's too much to unpack that he hasn't told his own boyfriend yet so he definitely isn't telling Frank.

"I can stay. Until you call your grandpa." Frank offers after a moment of silence.

"Oh shit." Dennis groans, head thumping back against the building. "I haven't talked to pops since granny died."

"He'll be happy to hear from you." Frank assured. "Katherine seems nice, so I bet he's the same."

Dennis doesn't tell Frank the reason he hasn't spoke to them in ten years is because his parents found out he was queer and tossed him out, he figured they had turned the entire family on him. At least they'd been nice enough to get all his records when he left, like his social security card and his birth certificate and the title to his truck. That's way more than what most queer kids get.

Dennis had promised to call him. He has to call him. Kate doesn't have a pass code on her phone so it opens right up and he sits there, holding the Samsung thats two years old and just stares. He can't waste much more time though, so he digs through her recent calls and sees that Kate had called pops early that morning.

He dials the number before he can stop himself.

It rings twice.

"Is that my baby girl?" A gruff voice asked in a sing songy way, and it made Dennis's heart seize up.

"Uh, no. This - this is your g-grandson." Dennis was shaking, sweating. "Dennis. Whitaker."

The line goes silent for almost thirty full seconds. Dennis feels like hes gonna puke, adding to the mess on his pants.

"Denny?" Joe asked, strained, gritty. "Silly boy is that really you?"

A weird sound left Dennis's throat, a mix of a laugh and a sob. "Hi pops. It's me."

"Oh baby boy i have missed you." Pops sounded like he was crying, words broken up by sobs. "Where are you? Where's my baby?"

Dennis took in a deep breath, feeling it shudder in his chest.

"Kate is in the hospital. Here. In-in Pittsburgh." Dennis says, and he's thankful for Frank, sitting there and wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "At Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. She came in presenting signs of a heart attack. They have her in surgery now."

It's quiet again and Dennis wonders if the call was dropped until a loud almost wail of a sob cut through.

"How bad?" Pops asked, and Dennis felt his chest tighten.

"A quad." Dennis doesn't elaborate. He knows his grandfather knows what he means. "She told me to help you book a flight and get here."

"Evansville. Find me something." Dennis is pulling up the browser, and luckily Kate is logged in to her travel apps so Dennis navigates with ease. There's noise in the background, Pops talking with Uncle B, shouting, moving.

"There's a flight in two hours with a layover in Columbus." Dennis says. "Its an hour layover, then you'll be in Pittsburgh."

"Book four tickets." Pops says with a clipped tone. "Send Beau the bording information. I can't read well these days grandson."

Dennis recalled a passing comment from Kate earlier but Dennis puts it on the back burner for now. "Can do. I'll set you up with a ride to PTMC from the airport so call me when you land. Come in the main entrance and at registration tell them I'm your grandson."

"Will do." Pops promised. "I love you silly boy. We'll see you soon."

Tears threaten to fall but he blinks them back.

"See you soon pops." Dennis promised, throat tight as he fought to get the words out. "I love you too."

✨️

Robby watched with irritation as Langdon sat on the ground with Dennis, fury creeping in when a long lanky arm is thrown around his shoulders. He watches the entire thing with a pit of anger in his gut.

"What's got you in a mood all of a sudden?" Dana asked, looking at Robby from over her glasses.

"Nothing." Robby says too quickly, still looking out the glass of the bay windows where he can see Dennis's mouth moving as he talks into the speaker of the phone.

Dana follows his gaze and shakes her head with a smile. "There's nothing there big guy."

"How do you know?" Robby challenged, anger mounting.

"Whitaker helped Langdon a lot while you were on your trip." Dana says conversationally. "Divorce was finalized while you were gone. Kid helped him through a lot."

Huh. Robby didn't know either of those things. Not like he pays Langdon much mind these days.

"So this is like... repaying the favor." Robby concludes, ire easing slightly.

"Not everything is transactional." Dana sighs in annoyance. "Come on, go check on the others. Nothings happening out there."

Robby hopes she right as he finally peels himself away.

✨️

"What was that? With that lady?" Trinity asked the moment Dennis was back inside. "You hugged her like she was your husband who just returned from over seas."

"Don't start Trin." Dennis pleaded as he made his way to the scrub dispensary. Dennis began to strip, careless of the eyes on him as he changed again.

"You don't hug random people like that." She persisted, leaning against the machine as he changed. Dennis sighed, it's easier to tell her than it is to avoid her.

"She's my aunt." Dennis says as he pulls on clean pants. "She was teaching at the hair show and came in because Presby missed it."

"Missed what?" Santos asked immediately.

"That she was having a heart attack." Dennis pulled the top on, tucking it into his pants and tying the string. "Look, Trin I - I'm not okay right now, I can't handle whatever you're wanting to dish out or read too into-"

"I'm just trying to check on you." Trinity says defensively.

Dennis deflated, still looking at the floor. He's so used to being strong, keeping feelings to himself and shouldering other people's burdens. Trin had caught Dennis vulnerable when she found him upstairs and took him in. There's days he kicks himself for his weakness.

But then there's moments like this. The rare part of Trinity no one gets to see.

"I... I'm not doing well Trin." Dennis say again, softly but she hears him anyway.

"What do you need?" Trinity asked sincerely.

The question felt loaded even though it absolutely wasn't. But it lands heavy in Dennis's chest, making his throat seize up and his eyes burn. He can't ask for a hug in the middle of the floor and she would be unlikely to comply so he pivots to the next best thing.

"Just rock this shift." Dennis says, hoping, praying nothing else happens. "I'm gonna try and step back, focus on the load I have and be done for the day."

"I always rock." Trinity boasted, but it doesn't land quite right. "Find me if you need me okay?" She ruffled his fringe, and it's as close to a declaration of affection as he will get from her in the middle of their work day.

Dennis locks in, focusing on his patients and kindly offering advice when asked but staying strictly hands off. He gets most of his patients discharged when appropriate and the others transferred to other departments when beds finally become available.

It's been three hours. Pops should be somewhere between Columbus and Pittsburgh now. Dennis charts slowly, his body feels like a bow string, taut with stress and strain and fear.

How is pops gonna treat him? Will Beau say anything? Will Juniper and Parker be happy to see him? They used to adore Dennis, how will they feel now after a decade of silence?

The knot in Dennis's stomach grows as he trudges through charting.

✨️

Robby had darted up to the registration desk to see how the waiting room looked. Luckily it was down to what looked like manageable cases when a group of four people came in. Robby groaned internally, hovering around to listen in. They had bags with them, two men and two teenagers - a boy and a girl - and made a bee line to check in.

"Hi there, how can I help you?" Lupe asked, and Robby could tell by the set of her shoulders she's tired too.

"I was told to check in here? About my daughter." The older of the two men says, making his way to the front of fray slowly. "My grandson told me to give you his name."

"I'll do the best I can to help." Lupe assured. "Who are you looking for?"

"My grandson, for now." The man says, sounding emotional. "Dennis Whitaker."

"Hello sir." Robby steps up behind Lupe, nearly knocking into her. "Come through these doors here please."

The man nods, gives Lupe thanks and is nearly bowled over by the teenagers.

Robby feels hot with anxiety. He knows so little about Dennis's family asside from the abuse he suffered from his parents and that's just barely. What kind of man is his grandfather? His uncle? What kind of people are these kids who are probably cousins?

There were too many questions, all inappropriate to ask. He's Dennis's boss right now, not his boyfriend.

"Where is she?" The girl asked, and god these must be strong ass genetics because all Robby can see is Katherine and by extension Dennis. "Where's my momma?"

"Junebug." The older man lumbers along slowly, like each step hurt. "Slow down. He doesn't even know who we are."

"I'm Beau." The younger adult introduced himself. "Kate's husband. This is her dad, Joe."

"I'm Doctor Robinavitch, you can call me Robby." Robby shakes Beau's hand, his grip firm.

"Nice to meet you." Joe says when he shakes Robby's hand next. This man has to be in his 70s, but his grip is as strong as Beau's. "Where's my daughter? And what is my grandson doing here?"

"You're daughter is still in surgery." Robby says and he's kicking himself for not getting an update. "As for your grandson, Doctor Whitaker is a first year resident and my Junior Attending."

"Resident?" It comes out choked, and Robby sees that this must be where Dennis gets his eyes, because they're such a dark blue they look nearly black. "My grandson is a doctor?"

"An incredible one at that." Robby assures. "That is why he is my second in command."

A watery laugh escaped the mans lips, tears falling without trying to wipe them away, getting caught in his beard that is so white the man looked like Santa.

"What can you tell us about my wife?" Beau asked, his hand resting between Joe's shoulders.

"Katherine admitted herself after another hospital failed to diagnose her." Robby says carefully. "Walked in on her own, we caught her in the middle of the heart attack and had her rushed upstairs for a quadruple bypass."

Joe laughed, not mean, but it wasn't joyful either. "I did too well. That girl is just like me."

"She made a very similar comment when told she would be having surgery." Robby smiled, thinking back. "I believe her exact words were I'm Joseph Hart's daughter through and through."

Joe laughed again and it sounded lighter. "That's my baby girl."

Robby looked at his watch. It was 6:30, the beginnings of shift change happening. Dennis has been hands off from new cases, assisting minimally since his aunt was taken into surgery. He glances around, Dennis seemingly nowhere in sight.

"Let me take you to the family room until we can find Doctor Whitaker." Robby offers. He walks slowly so as not to rush the elderly man. He looks like he should be using a cane or a walker, but he powers on, sighing deeply with relief once he's seated. "If there's anything any of you need in the meantime, the nurses at the station will be happy to help you."

"We'll be fine." Joe promised, taking off his teal blue ball cap and laying it on the table. His hair is cut short, what hair he has, and is bald on top. He's wearing a grey shirt that looks like Under Armour and teal shorts to match his hat and grey shoes. Robby wracks his brain, trying to remember what side of Dennis's family these people are. They aren't dressed like farmers, except maybe Beau, but he's wearing a Lexus shirt with his name embroidered on it. Maybe a factory?

"I'll be back." Robby promised, backing away from the group.

"Hopefully with news or our cousin." The girl says.

"Juniper." Beau scolds. "Mind your mouth."

The boy giggled while the girl glared at her father. Robby made his retreat, scanning the floor.

Where the hell is Dennis?

✨️

Where the hell is pops?

Pops was supposed to call when they landed so Dennis could order the Uber. But here it is, nearly an hour after their flight was supposed to land and shift change was coming on and Dennis is hiding in the ambulance bay-

He's spiraling. Again. He should have grabbed Mel or Javadi. They're nice, they'd keep Dennis from freaking out-

"There you are."

"Oh! Doctor Robby!" Dennis stood from his spot, the spot where he sat when Frank had pulled him out earlier and kept him company while he talked to pops and got the flight plans. "I - sorry, I know my relief isn't here-"

"Dennis." Robby speaks softly, and there's that assurance, the comfort Dennis has ached for all day.

"Michael." Dennis wraps his arm around Michael, face in his neck while his right hand comes to rest over Michael's heart, the left wrapping around his back under his open jacket, gripping his scrub top with an iron hold.

"They're here." Michael says, kissing Dennis's curls as one arm wraps around broad shoulders, the other coming to cover Dennis's hand. "In the family room. When you're ready."

Dennis gripped the shirt tighter. "How long?"

Michael hummed. "Maybe five minutes. Had a hard time finding you. This isn't your usual haunt."

He's right. Dennis normally hides in the chapel when things get hard. Heavy. Suffocating.

"Needed fresh air." Its spring now but the sun sets early still and when the sun goes down it still get cold. Dennis likes the chill, it's refreshing.

"I get it." Dennis knows he does. "Are you ready?"

No. "Yeah. You - you'll be with me right?"

"For as long as you want me." Michael assured, cupping Dennis's jaw now to tip their lips together in a sweet kiss.

They stand outside only a minute more before Dennis finally untanged them, walking ahead of Robby and past central. But he stops short of the family room almost like he ran into a wall.

What am I walking into? Are they gonna be mad at me for being queer or cutting them out? I did it to protect myself. I did it to preserve my memories-

"They seemed anxious to see you, if that's any help." Robby offered. "I'd verge on saying happy even."

"Yeah?" Dennis felt like he was choking, voice cracking worse than when he went into puberty.

"Mhm." Robby says. "But you'll never find out standing here."

Dennis moved.

It wasn't as tense as Dennis thought it would be once he got in there, all of them staring at each other, hardly daring to breathe until Robby spoke.

"Found him. Hanging around the ambulance bay like a lost puppy." Robby teased, and something in the room broke.

Juniper nearly knocked Dennis on his ass in her haste to hug him, Parker finishing it and sending the trio to the floor in a heap. Juniper had her arms around around his neck and Parker had his arms around his middle. Dennis threw an arm around each kid, hugging as tight as he possibly could, fingers digging into their shoulders.

Juniper squeezed tighter, nearly cutting off Dennis's air supply before letting go.

And promptly whacking him upside the head.

"Ow! What's that for!?" Dennis asked, rubbing the tender spot. That fucking hurt.

"You left us." Juniper said it like it was an accusation.

"I didn't leave you I got kicked out." Dennis explained. "I had my truck and less than five grand to my name. I couldn't even take my cell phone with me."

"You could have come home." Juniper argued. "Momma wanted you, waited for you. Made up the spare room and everything and you never came."

Dennis felt guilt claw its way up and make itself at home in his chest.

"You can't be mad at me for being scared." Dennis says, and he knows it comes out wonky, shakey. "I - my mom - I figured she told you."

"She did." Juniper confirmed.

"That's why mom cut her off." Parker supplies.

"Huh?" Dennis asked, brows pinched together.

"We did." Beau says, and he's standing now, pulling his kids off the floor and helping Dennis to his feet so he could drag him into a hug. "We cut Diane off as soon as she told us what happened."

Dennis didn't know how to feel. He's sad at the center of it all, because now his mom has no one. But something warm settled over him too, at the fact that they wanted him when no one else did.

"You were her kid." Beau says about Kate, smiling fondly. "She's the mom she is now because she had you."

"She's pretty great." Parker agreed.

Dennis is about to speak when he hears a chair scrape across the floor and prompting everyone to turn. Pops had stood up, shaking as he took a hobbling step forward. Dennis rushed to meet him, to steady him, but was snatched up in a hug.

"I thought-" Pops voice broke, sounding gritty and strained as he fights for words. "I thought you were dead."

There's times I almost was. Dennis thinks to himself, but those are inside thoughts.

"I made it alright." Dennis says instead, nice and vague.

Pops breaths heavy, shuddering as he holds Dennis tighter-

He's crying, Dennis realizes.

Dennis has held it together all day but this does it, this is what breaks him. He wraps his arms around his grandfathers middle and squeezes, burying his face in the older mans neck - his beard is like sandpaper, coarse and rough and it makes Dennis's skin burn in an unpleasant way but he doesn't care because he's here.

Dennis has no idea how long they're like that, not until there's a knock at the door. Pops leans heavily on Dennis and his heart fucking breaks because he wasted ten years out of an assumption-

"Doctor Whitaker," Shamsi speaks, and Dennis holds Pops tighter, "is this Ms Hart's family?"

"Yes." Dennis says. He's scarred, terrified, almost doesn't want to hear what she has to say.

"Ms Hart's surgery was very successful." Shamsi says, and Dennis finally feels like he can take a proper breath. "We were able to find a match from a doner so we didn't have to take veins from her leg."

"Thank god." Pops says, and he lets go of Dennis, walking sure, tall, towards Shamsi and takes the woman into a hug. "Thank you for saving my baby."

Shamsi is visibly taken aback, but returns the hug with an expression Dennis can't quite name.

"She's strong." Shamsi says once Pops lets go. "The damage was quite extensive, and in my medical opinion, Presby turning her away worsened her condition. You may have a strong case on your hands."

"We can help you get a lawyer if you want." Robby offered. "Especially since you're from out of state, insurances are different. All this paired together is quite optimistic."

"You bet your ass i wanna sue." Pops says and Dennis suddenly remembers him younger, more hair, less gray, in a dark navy uniform with badges and a gun holster and keys. Dennis sees the lieutenant in his grandfather. The officer who worked a maximum security prison and remembers that this man is not as soft as he looks.

"We can get you resources." Shamsi assured. "Would you like to go upstairs? She's still coming out of the anesthesia, but the waiting room is far more comfortable."

"Lead the way." Pops says, and Dennis is already grabbing the familiar green leather duffle with worn out brown straps. Its the same bag he had lived out of in the hospital when granny was dying.

Dennis doesn't want to think about it.

Dennis looks at Robby, hanging back a moment.

"Don't keep them waiting long." Robby says once they're alone, and Dennis can tell his lover wants to hold him, kiss him, promise everything is okay.

"I love you." Dennis say, squeezing Robby's hand three times.

"I love you too." Robby says, his smile making the corner of his eyes crinkle. "Okay if I come up when I'm done?"

"Yes." Dennis says, finally letting go and rushing out the door to catch up.

✨️

Robby is certain the hand squeezing was a code. He's wracking his brain trying to remember if Dennis has done that in the past as he leaves the family room to do hand offs.

Luckily nothing significant had happened. Abbot is off tonight, so Robby hands off with Ellis and Shen and is about to leave when Santos swoops in.

"Where is he?" Santos asked, knowing Robby needs no clarification.

"Med surg." Robby says, passing his chart to Ellis. "With his family. His aunt is out of surgery."

"She okay?" Santos asked.

"Are you talking about Katherine?" Langdon asked, sliding up on the other side of the nurses station. "She's okay right?"

"Her procedure was a success." Robby assured, and their shoulders dropped in unison in relief. "Her family made it in about an hour ago and he's upstairs waiting for Kate to come out of anesthesia."

"I'm gonna go check on him before I head out." Santos says, heading for the locker room. Langdon hangs back, trying to look disinterested but failing.

Robby takes the opportunity to ask about earlier out in the ambulance bay.

"So, saw you and Whitaker earlier." Robby tries to not sound accusing and fails spectacularly.

Langdon looks confused for only a moment when realization dawned on him.

"He was scared." Langdon says, looking defensive. "All I did was sit with him while he called his grandpa. It was less than five minutes."

Robby felt anger burn inside him. Dennis is his and he'll be damned if Langdon tried to swoop in and take the blonde from him.

"Look." Langdon lowered his voice. "Whit is a good guy, and I think he brings out better things in you. I'm not trying to do the kinda shit you think i am." Langdon took a deep breath. "Okay, Whit was a good friend to me while you were gone. He helped me a lot when my divorce got finalized."

Robby raised his brows. He knows Dana mentioned it earlier, still shocked to know Abby divorced Langdon.

"I..." Langdon looked away and Robby waited. "He caught me. I was about to walk in front of a truck."

Oh fuck me.

"Kids strong." Langdon continues, still not looking Robby in the face. "Tore the back of my shirt when he pulled me back. I was the one about to be turned into a pancake and he was the one crying. Made me feel like shit."

As you fucking should. Robby cursed in his mind.

"Said my life wouldn't be the only one to end." Langdon finally looked up. "That driver would live every day knowing he killed me. My kids would live the rest of their lives mouring me. And Mel..." Langdon paused here, looking at the blonde wearing glasses across the way. "She's... very fond of me. Me dying - fuck. It might fucking kill her."

Robby saw tears form in Frank's eyes and for the first time since finding the benzos he felt something softer than anger. He didn't know what to call it.

"If you lose him, it's going to be from something more powerful than me." Langdon assured, knocking on the desk before pushing off. "Goodnight captain."

✨️

Dennis doesn't know what to do.

How is he supposed to fit in with the family now? He has no idea where he stands. Dennis sits by pops, who listens to Juniper and Parker bicker back and forth about school drama. It feels familiar in a way Dennis doesn't know how to name. June and Park don't fight like Dennis did with his siblings; those were basically knock down drag outs. Instead these two just insult each other. Lovingly.

"Huckleberry, you okay?"

"Oh, hey Santos." Dennis says, surprised to see her. "I'm okay. Is something wrong?"

"No." Trinity says, coming into the waiting room fully. "Just wanted to check on you. You coming home tonight?"

Trinity ask this question daily, and it's a 50/50 shot if he's going to or not. Between the apartment and Robby's house Dennis has choices.

"Maybe." Dennis says. He's been driving himself more often now that he's gotten new plates on the truck. "Pops, this is my roommate Doctor Trinity Santos." Dennis introduced. "They haven't called us back yet, so I haven't seen Nate."

"Nate?"

Ah fuck.

Pops laughed. "She'll be tickled to hear you say that. I'm Joe, by the way. You can call me that or pops or anything really as long as you don't call me late for supper."

"It's nice to meet you. I thought her name was Katherine?" Trinity asked with a laugh, stepping away from the door to flop on the empty couch across from them.

"When I was little I had a speech impediment. That I grew out of." Dennis pressed his lips together in a thin line for a moment. "I couldn't say k sounds very well so I called her Nate."

"It was adorable." Pops said with a smiled, putting his arm around Dennis's shoulders and pulling him in to tuck against his side. "Our silly boy."

"This just keeps getting better." Trinity says with a satisfied smirk.

"That one's not exciting either." Dennis rolled his eyes as he snuggled in. He missed this, the way his grandpa cuddled him close. He forgot how strong he was. "I would do something and look at Kate and say 'Isn't that so silly?' and that's it."

"And you'd laaaaugh." Pops says with a smile, hand squeezing his bicep. "You were such a happy baby. Never cried, never pitched a fit. Just a good little boy."

Dennis didn't say anything, tears burning the backs of his eyes.

"Oh, Doctor Whitaker?" Walsh came into the waiting room. "What are you doing up here?"

"Hi Doctor Walsh." Dennis greeted, sitting upright. "I'm waiting on Katherine Hart. My aunt."

"Well that's what I'm here for." Walsh says. "She's awake now, if you can be calm I can take all of you to her room."

"I'll see you later Huck." Trinity says, poking his ribs when she meets him at the door. "It was nice to meet all of you."

"Bye Trin." Dennis says, watching as the rounds the corner to get to the elevator.

"She seems nice." Juniper says, standing and gathering her bags.

"She's pretty amazing." Dennis agreed, carrying pops bag. "Ready when you are Doctor Walsh."

Kate is in a room right beside the nurses station. She has a good view of the city from her window, and the monitors beeping are steady and even. She looks small, smaller than Dennis ever remembered her being. She has always been loud and boisterous and colorful-

"Hey there babies." Katherine says, holding a hand up. Parker nearly trips as he dumps his bag to take her hand. Juniper stands to Parker's right, closer to Kate's head so she can comb her hand through sandy hair.

"Hi mommy." Parker says and Dennis can tell he's crying.

"Hi momma." Juniper echos with a sniffle.

"My brave babies." Kate praises, letting go of Parker's hand to cup his cheek, then the same to Juniper, likely wiping away tears. "Momma is so sorry. I'm sorry I scared you."

Parker said something but it came out garbled as Beau finally moved. He walked around the foot of the bed to lean over the rail on the other side and press a kiss to Kate's lips. It was soft and paired with tears from them both and it made Dennis's heart lurch violently in his chest.

"Where's my daddy?" Kate asked with a trembling voice.

"I'm here BG." Pops said, and Dennis risked a glance at him. He was crying again, face red as he moved.

Alarms blared.

"What's that?" Parker asked on a sob.

"What's going on in here!?" Walsh demands as she came back in.

Kate had sat up, making the sensor in her bed go off.

"My daddy." Kate sobbed, swinging her legs over the bed.

"You need to stay in this bed!" Walsh scolded but Kate batted her away.

"My daddy." Kate repeats, shifting like she's about to stand. "I wanna hug my dad."

"If you want to get up you need to hit your call light." Dennis says but he's crying too.

Walsh groans but helps Kate to her feet. Dennis holds onto pops, and together the pair of doctors meet in the middle.

Kate clings to her father as she sobs and Joe is no better, holding her as tight as he dares and lets the tears drip from his beard to the shoulder of her gown.

"I was so scared." Kate sobbed. "I was so scared I was gonna die."

"I don't know what I'd do if I lost you." Pops says and Dennis feels his heart break.

"I was meant to be here." Kate says, looking Dennis in the eye over her dad's shoulder. "I found him daddy. I found my baby."

Dennis didn't mean to let a sound out. He's embarrassed to be seen by Walsh like this, he's nearly thirty and he's blubbering like a baby for God's sake. The sob hurt, like it clawed it's way up from his diaphragm and destroyed everything in it's wake.

Walsh pinned him with a look that he could only call judgemental.

"You saved my life baby." Kate says holding a hand out. She's hooked to wires and tubes so he has to step forward for her to place a hand on his cheek. He leaned into the touch. "I almost got in the truck and drove home but my gut told me to go to another hospital. And you were here."

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Dennis says through hiccuped sobs. He couldn't help it, it's hard to not think in verses sometimes.

"That theology major is showing."

✨️

Robby had gone unnoticed in the doorway of the med surg room for quite some time. He had been right behind Walsh when the alarm went off, watched her and Dennis help Joe and Kate embrace in the middle of the room. He watched Walsh give Dennis a dirty look, watched Kate becon Dennis to her with a simple hand and Robby has to wonder if she trained him to do that, because the young doctor went to her without word, leaning into her touch as easily as he does with Robby.

Dennis pulled away and smiled when he saw Robby in jeans, having changed to his street clothes.

"Doctor Robby?" Walsh asked, looking confused and irritated. "The hell are you doing up here?"

"Was worried about Whitaker." Robby says, and that much is true. Walsh doesn't need to know more than that. "Doin' okay kid?"

" 'm fine." Dennis shot him a smile. His face was splotchy with tears, eyes deeply bloodshot and Robby considers swinging back through the Pitt to grab a banana bag for home to get him hydrated up.

"I'm done." Kate says suddenly. "Over did it. Back to bed." She does a good job of getting there, Walsh only assisting with swinging her legs back in.

"Use your call button Ms Hart." Walsh scolded.

"Kate, please." Kate insisted.

"Ms Kate, please use your button." Walsh said with a sigh.

"Yes ma'am." Kate agreed with a smile as she sat back, eyes fluttering shut. Walsh leaves the room, closing the door behind her as she gives Robby a look that lets him know she's suspicious of him.

"It's nice to meet your boyfriend." Kate says with closed eyes and a devious smile as soon as the room is perfectly quiet.

Robby felt his heart fall into his gut. Dennis looked terrified.

"You called him Michael." Kate says, eyes still closed. "I saw the way you looked at him. I saw how he looked back at you. Just because i was dying doesn't mean i didn't see it."

Robby is about to speak when the daughter squealed with delight.

"I knew I wasn't crazy!" Juniper bounced in place before getting in Dennis's space. "He called you puppy! He teased you! He basically has hearts in his eyes when he looks at you!"

Dennis went from looking fearful to looking concerned.

"You... you don't hate me?" He asked, looking at Joe who looks ready to fall over. Dennis helps him to the couch under the window.

"Is that why Aunt Dino kicked you out?" Parker asked. Huh. That must be the aunt name Dennis's mother got. "Because you like guys?"

"It is." Dennis confirmed as he sat Joe down.

"Don't know why when she's the fucking whore." Joe says with such distane it shocked everyone in the room.

"Daddy!"

"You know you're parents were swingers right? It's important to me that you know that." Joe says as he gets comfortable. "Key parties, whoever snagged your car keys you traded partners. Your mom always went for the other wives."

"Holy shit." Dennis looked like he was about to puke. Robby glanced around for a pan to give him. "Wait, wait a second, does that mean my dad-"

"Adam really should not be casting judgement." Pops says like it was confirming the statement that went unfinished.

The room is quiet except for the monitors until the teenagers started gawking loudly.

"You know what? No." Dennis throws his hands up. "If I'm dead to them, they're dead to me. I'm tired of thinking about all the nothing I did wrong when they're the ones who fucked up perfectly good kids."

"Good for you." Beau says. "I cut my parents off. Best decision of my life. That's why I took the Hart name."

"What?" Robby asked.

"When we got married I took Kate's name." Beau explained with pride. "In Vegas. Ten outta ten. When you get hitched that's what I recommend."

Robby felt his face go red.

"You plan on marrying my grandson?"

"Pops!"

"Daddy!"

Robby felt like his face was on fire.

"It's a valid question!" Joe defends with a smile. "Are you happy Dennis?"

"Yes." He says instantly. "Very."

"Whenever he's ready, the answer is yes." Joe says like the matter is decided. "That is if we haven't scared him off."

Robby is gobsmacked, looking around he wonders how this divulged, how it derailed so quickly.

"Hold on." Robby pinches the bridge of his nose. This feels like a fever dream. "You're aware I'm twenty years older than him right? I could be his father."

Kate snickers and Beau joins, the pair sharing a look.

"My grandpa was twenty years older than my grandma." Joe says with a shrug. "It's not a big deal."

Kate continues to snicker. It sounds almost maniacal. Robby is simply struck speechless.

"Man those pain meds are hittin'." Juniper says with her arms crossed. How are they moving on so quickly?

"I'll have what she's having." Joe says as he pulls his bag off Dennis's shoulder. "I'm gonna take my night meds. You kids find a hotel to stay in."

"We can't stay here?" Parker asked, and his eyes look like Dennis's, big and soulful like a dog.

"This couch will barley sleep one." Joe says as he retrieved his pill box and a bottled water from his bag. "Bb, I'll give you my card to book a room."

"I have money for a room pops." Beau argued.

"There's a nice hotel a few blocks from the park." Dennis offered.

"What if we stay with Dennis?" Juniper asked.

"Hope we all fit in a full." Dennis joked. "And that Santos doesn't kill me."

"You're not living with your boyfriend?" Kate asked.

"I - um - I flow back and forth." Dennis says with a look that came off as guilty.

"Just book us a couple a rooms Bb." Joe says after he swallowed his medication. "And it's not polite to invite yourself to people's homes June."

"What's the name of that hotel?" Beau asked as he pulled out his phone-

"Stop!" Robby says, making everyone turn to look at him like he had a third head. "I have space. You can uber there and stay."

Michael Robinavitch what the fuck are you doing!?

"No." Beau says sternly. "We have money, we can get a room."

"She could be here up to five days and it's St Patrick's Day weekend." Robby argued. "I have three unused rooms."

"You're insane." Parker says with a funny look on his face.

"Right? You hardly know us." Juniper agreed.

"But I know Dennis." Why was he so insistent on this?

Dennis smiled like he won something, smug and satisfied. "What happened to patient boundaries?"

"Well they're in med surge now." Robby argued, hands crammed in his jacket pockets. "And they're your family."

The smug smile softened to something almost sweet. "You dont have to-"

"I want to." And he meant that. "Come on. Grab your things. Visiting hours are long over."

"I'll see you in the morning." Joe says, settling more into the couch. "It's time for the night shift."

"You're not coming?" Robby asked.

"I worked nights for 30 years." Joe says. "I spent six months at my wife's side until she died. I'm gonna stay here and take care of my baby."

Robby knew he wouldn't win that fight.

"Tomorrow morning you can uber me home." Joe says.

"I drove here." Kate says. "Trucks in the lot."

Beau takes the keys from her purse. "I'll be here at shift change." He assured, kissing her soundly.

"Better be." She sighs, eyes fighting to stay open. "Good night babies."

The kids leaned over the rail as they said their goodbyes and kissing Kate's cheeks, grabbing their bags and standing at the door.

"I can stay pops-" Dennis tried to offer but it was waved away.

"Good night silly boy." Joe says with finality. "See ya at shift change."

✨️

"You sure you wanna do this?" Dennis asked while they waited for Beau to pull up with Kate's truck. They were sitting in Dennis's beat up S10 that's almost as old as Robby, with the engine running to keep the spring chill out in the staff lot. "They're strangers to you - hell they might as well be strangers to me! It's been ten years! And-"

"And they're your family." Robby says again with a warmth that soothes Dennis's frantic spiral. "I like to think I'm a decent judge of character. None of your family seems like they're thevies or murderers."

"I just-" Dennis paused, fighting to find an eloquent way to phrase his thoughts. "- you're not doing this just because of me right? Like, I dunno - you know I didn't like, expect this of you right?"

"Of course not." Robby says, seeming to understand what Dennis can't get out, can't put words to. "Are you upset? Because I can tell them-"

"No! Not mad! Just - surprised? I think?" Dennis was having a hard time naming his emotions. "I appreciate you. A lot. I just. I don't want you to feel obligated. And I'm so embarrassed!" The marriage comments suddenly returned to Dennis's mind at full force with ample mortification. "Oh my god! Pops! Im so sorry about him! I'm glad they all accepted me and that they like you but-! Oh man you probably think they're all crazy."

Robby laughed heartily. "What? Would marrying me be so terrible?"

Hardly. If anything you'd be the one settling.

"You're wonderful." Dennis says, fighting the urge to be self deprecating.

Hooonk!

"Ope! There's Beau!" Dennis threw the truck in reverse, catching a glimpse of the massive white truck. "Damn Kate, enough truck for ya?"

"Surprised she manages to get in it." Robby joked when he turned to look. "That thing looks like a tank!"

"Looks like a Cummins." Dennis says as they pull out of the lot. "Loud as shit too. Bet it's grandpa's old diesel."

"A diesel in this economy?" Robby asked with a raised brow.

"It's for towing." Dennis replies. "Granny loved camping. The last trailer I remember them having was huge and pops had to upgrade from his Silverado to haul it."

"Did you get to go with any?" Robby asked.

"As often as I could." Dennis confirmed. "Pretty fancy set up too. Their camper was nicer than most people's homes." Dennis chuckled. "I used to just live outside. Playing in the dirt, barefoot and filthy."

"Sounds like you were happy."

"I was." Dennis remembers one particular trip to a campground somewhere in Indiana. "I remember one time going camping and pitching a fit because I couldn't go kayaking with the others. I was too little according to everyone." Dennis couldn't hide his chuckle. "Granny made me stay back with her and take a nap. Woke up to the loudest laughter you've ever heard. Apparently my great-grandpa Raleigh tipped his kayak because he thought he saw a snake."

Robby laughed, seeming entertained.

"And he had the ugliest outfit on!" Dennis continues through his own laughter. "Brightest red shorts you've ever seen with legs so white! Like, neon white! And a green and blue striped shirt. Granny just cackled at him, and i cried because I thought they went swimming without me and I was mad."

"I had been in the boy scouts." Robby offered up. "Just one year. Cried during our camp out because being away from bubbie scared me."

"I don't blame you." Dennis says. He would be terrified, if he had been a city kid out in the woods. "How little were you?"

"Seven. Maybe younger." Robby says, brows pinched together in thought.

"That's way too young!" Dennis was surprised. "No wonder you cried. I imagine you were scared to death."

"You could say that." Robby agrees as they continue towards his home. "Bet you would have been fine."

"I would have been happy not being at home." Dennis says with a scoff. But then he realized how heartless it sounded. "Sorry. I did everything I could not to be in that house. Checking cattle lines, mucking stalls, working on machinery or riding Artemis down to the Moore family farm so Alyssa could teach me tumbling. Home was... awful, once momma moved us back."

"So you've said." Robby reaches across the gap to massage the back of Dennis's neck lightly. "You doing okay? I guess I actually should have asked you before inviting them over."

Am I okay? Maybe. They don't hate me which is way more than I could have asked for. I wonder if there's more to momma getting cut off besides her and dad tossing me out. I wonder what that comment about Pops eyes was about-

"Quit over thinking." Robby tugged on a curl, making heat flow through Dennis's veins.

"I will be." Dennis decided. "I'm really relieved that they don't hate me. I thought I'd go my entire life not knowing, or thinking the worst. But I'm not gonna sit and wonder about every 'what if' because it won't change how I lived the last decade."

"Do you wanna talk about that in between?" Robby offered. Dennis has moments where he does but this isn't one. He may talk to Kiara about it but that's something for another day.

"No. Not yet at least." Dennis doesn't know if he ever wants Robby to know about his bought of homelessness. Or rather, his intermittent homelessness. Him and this shitbox truck have been through a lot.

Robby hums noncommitally as they pull into the driveway, the loud ass diesel rumbling as it idles out front before shutting off. The neighbors are gonna love that at 6:15 when Beau follows them in tomorrow.

"Pretty sweet pad, doc." Beau says as he drops down from the lifted truck. "You sure you want us here? I have no problem getting a hotel."

"I promise if there were any issues I wouldn't have offered." Robby assured. "Grab your stuff and so you can get settled. I'll order pizza."

"I'll pay." Beau argued as he took his bag from Parker.

"No no you're a guest." Robby insisted. Dennis could already tell this will be an argument as he grabbed the mail from the box.

They bicker back and forth as shoes are taken off and Dennis leaves the mail and his backpack in the foyer. Juniper and Parker snicker as they follow his lead and head into the living room, grabbing pillows from couch to sit around the coffee table. Dennis remembers doing the same thing when he lived with Pops. There was never enough furniture so younger kids had pillows and cushions to sit on the floor.

It's nice, knowing some things never change. He joins his cousins on the floor as they look over a menue for Fiori's. It's a Friday night so it may take a while for pizza to get here.

"What will you guys eat?" Dennis asked, sitting between the pair. "We usually get a sausage and pepperoni. Sometimes we add olive and onions."

"That sounds soooo good." Juniper groaned.

"That Italian salad looks good." Parker says. "It has all the stuff you like Juney."

"Mmm." Juniper sounded enticed. "If we could get the dressing on the side I'm so down."

"Wanna try the house dress? It's good." Dennis offered because it absolutely is.

"When in Rome." Juniper smiled. "As long as it's on the side. I want to control the amount of dressing."

"Deal." Dennis agreed.

Beau and Robby were still quietly arguing so Dennis took it upon himself to place the order. He went ahead and paid over the phone and got up from the floor.

"While the old men argue over food that has already been ordered, want to see my favorite spot?"

Juniper giggled but it was anything but innocent. "I don't think your man wants us to see his room!"

"Okay? Wanna see my second favorite spot then?" Dennis rolled his eyes. He's not taking the bait.

"Sure!" Parker agreed, already standing.

Dennis took them out back where Dennis had put together a glider bench and a brick fire pit a few weeks ago on a particularly nice day. He throws some kindling in and gets it going before squishing between the brother and sister once more.

"This is a beautiful back yard." Juniper says, drawing her legs up so her knees were pressed to her chest.

"Thanks. It was nice when we started dating but I've added my touch." Dennis says, pulling his legs up to sit criss-crossed. "I want to put a pergola back by the fence line. Would be really pretty with some viney plants."

"How long have you guys been dating?" Parker asked, sitting caddywompas with his back against Dennis's side and his legs tossed over the arm of the glider. Dennis pulls his arms out to run along the back of the glider so they don't go numb.

Dennis debates on how honest he should be. They started hooking up early October when Robby got back from his trip, but they didn't disclose to HR until after Thanksgiving and at that point they still hadn't labeled what they were and in that entire time Dennis was working as a junior attending. Neither one had even told the other I love you until the week of Christmas, bundled up on the porch swing with coffee as the snow fell.

Okay. So the back patio is Dennis's third favorite place in the house.

"We started dating last fall." Dennis finally settled on. "After I formally took my position as a junior attending. So I'm basically the second in command."

"How hot is it dating your boss?" Juniper asked. The question made Parker laugh so hard he began wheezing.

"We are very professional thank you very much!" Dennis knew his face was pink. He was glad it was dark and the fire played with his coloring, casting shadows. "What you saw in the family room and upstairs was in no way shape OR form an indication of how our work days go. Today was... hard for me. And he allowed me to do what I had to, to survive until you guys got here."

"Okay but how good is it dating your boss?" Juniper asked again with a shit eating grin. "You've got good taste. He's hot."

"I will fight you." Dennis threatened.

"Answer. The. Question." Juniper counters.

"It's great okay!" Dennis groaned, head tipped back to hide his smile. "I'm obsessed with him, he's so hot and when he - uhg - okay, let me tell you about my first day, because it was basically love at first sight. At least for me."

Dennis had just finished telling them about PittFest when an annoyed Robby opened the French doors, hands on his hips as he stared Dennis down.

"Why did Fiori's say they already had an order for this house, and that it was not only on its way, but also paid for?" Robby asked, looking miffed.

Dennis laughed, his face hurt from smiling as he talked to his cousins, his throat beginning to go dry from his story.

"Because you guys took too long and these poor kids would have withered away." Dennis pats Parker's head who leans into the touch just to add to the theatrics. "How much longer, did they say?"

Robby sighed. "The guy had just pulled it from the oven. It'll be here in twenty."

"That gives you time to show Uncle B his room so you both can shower while I visit with these two more." Juniper drove the point home by making herself more comfortable, and Dennis had to say she looked mischievous. Again.

Robby sighed and tried to look annoyed when he just looked endeared. "Okay. Listen for the bell okay?"

"Leave the door open." Dennis says and Robby does so as he heads back inside.

Dennis finished his story about PittFest (minus some of the really gorey details) just in time for the pizza. He laid the food out on the kitchen counter and pulled paper plates from the cabinet so they could go back out to the patio. Dennis filled one of his massive tumbler cups with sweet tea and the trio returned to their previous seating arrangement, sharing the drink as they caught up. (Gossiping, in other words.)

"- and then Lillian and Hadley told us that their mom put in for a transfer and plans to leave the state." Parker finished up as Beau came out in Cardinals baseball pajama pants. "Said the new administration at the nursing home pissed her off so bad that she almost quit on the spot all because they gave a new hire got the job she was meant to get. She's just so pissed that leaving Illinois is an idea she's actively entertaining."

"Can ya blame 'er?" Beau asked as he pulled up a rocking chair, setting his drink on the ground beside him.

"Nope." Parker said with a pout. "But I hate that the girls are gonna move when Amie gets a new job."

"Not to mention Zachary leaving." Juniper chimed in. "He's a third year med student, he's looking for places to do his residency."

"Wait! Wait wait wait." Dennis tossed his paper plate in the fire, comfortably full but not over stuffed. He heard the door again and figured it was Robby checking on them but he's looking at Juniper. "You're telling me that Zachary, Aunt Kenzie's son, is a med student?"

"What? Jealous you're not the only doctor?" Juniper teased. "You two are the same age you know."

"I've just missed so much." Dennis felt an ache of remorse radiate from his chest. "I just. It makes me sad, ya know? I've missed so many milestones and moments and just - I feel bad."

"Don't." Parker says, his tone soft. "You didn't know. And maybe, if you hadn't been here, my momma would be dead. Things happen for a reason sometimes."

"Also, Amie said whatever city Zach matched with is the city she's gonna try to move to." Beau says around a mouthful full of pizza. "You know those three kids can't be apart. They all have separation anxiety."

"Will Hadley and Lillian try to get hired on at the same hospital as Zach?" Juniper asked. "Surely a hospital wouldn't hire three people all from the same family."

"You never know." Dennis shrugged. "Hospitals are desperate, and as long as there's no personal issues I don't see why they wouldn't."

Robby had by this point pulled up the second rocking chair, copying Beau. "Who are we talking about?"

"Some of my other cousins." Dennis explained. "It's been a long time, I'm getting caught up on the gossip."

"Anything good?" Robby asked as he took a bite of pizza.

"Oh! I didn't tell you about Loren at Pawpaw Raleigh's funeral!" Juniper said, scarfing her last bite in her mouth so she can toss her plate in the fire. "Okay, so, back story: Aunt Kenzi used to clean for Pawpaw, okay? Well! Loren called momma one day wanting a recommendation for a lawyer because she fuuuucked up! Well momma didn't have it coz that man changed phone number more than he changed his drawers, so momma always had him call her because she's had the same phone number since dinosaurs roamed the earth. So, she told Loren to just go over to his house to ask for help or to ask her own daddy for the number, and Pawpaw being his dumbass self left his checkbook out with signed checks and she made them out to Archer Construction and had her Uncle Bill cash them so she could have the money! All together they were over four grand! So then she had all her other stuff to fight plus fraud for stealing from an old man!"

"Oh my fucking god." Dennis was absolutely flabbergasted. "So what happened at the funeral?"

"Well, one of momma's friends, her husband is related the Loren's dad down the line, and she heard Loren was talking smack from some of his family, saying and I quote, 'My name is in the obituary, so I'll be at that funeral wheather they want me or not. And when Fran told momma that I couldn't keep my mouth shut, so I said 'She ain't fucking special, all the grandkids were named in the obit!' But then at the funeral she was right as rain. Perfectly behaved."

"Maybe Uncle Anthony sat her down and had a talk with her." Dennis suggested, but he was loving this for two reason: one being catching up on family lore, and the other being Juniper's country bumpkin accent getting more and more prominent.

"I don't give a fuck if Loren is as old as your momma, I woulda whooped her ass if she started shit." Juniper says with a firey passion. "We're good friends with the funeral home owners, momma went and gave Pawpaw his last haircut before the funeral and Veronica kept her company. If there was gonna be a fight in that building, I was gonna finish it outside the building."

Robby laughed and Dennis couldn't fight his grin. Juniper was loud and abrasive, but to Dennis it always came off as passionate and outspoken. That's probably part of the reason he loves Trinity so much. He hopes the two of them can get along while Kate's in recovery.

"You're pretty punchy." Robby chuckled. "She reminds me of Dana."

"She reminds me of a bitch." Parker joked.

"Parker Ray!" Beau scolded and Dennis just laughed harder. "I'll whoop you right now you little shit."

"Try it old man-" Parker challenged with a laugh.

"I'll whoop both of yall!" Dennis jumped in, prodding Parker in his ribs and making him squeal with laughter. "Quit being a dick to your sister!"

"If you like 'er so much you can have 'er!" Parker says.

Dennis wraps his arms around Juniper's shoulders and turns his head away from Parker dramatically. "Gladly! You never appreciated her anyway!"

Beau and Parker laughed heartily, and Robby laughed too but something in his face was gentle, his features softened by the glow of the fire pit, eyes like melted chocolate as he watched Dennis interacting with his cousins where they were crammed together on the glider.

Dennis is about to say something when his phone pings.

"Shit! I didn't tell Santos I wasn't coming home!" Dennis let go of Juniper and scrambled to pull his phone out.

Trinity 💫
9:21pm
Fuckleberry where r u?
Tell me ur not @ the hospital rn
I'll call ur old man on u

Dennis knew he made a face of irritation as he read through the messages.

To Trinity 💫
9:22pm
Hag.
No im not at work. M invited
my family to stay at his place. It
would be weird for them to stay here
without me. I'll probably be here all
week.

Dennis didn't even get a chance to put his phone in his pocket again, because Trinity responded immediately.

Trinity 💫
9:22pm
Uhg r we gonna have movie night
there tomorrow?
Parker was gonna come.
Guess we could make it a double
date nite in unless gramps cant hang

To Trinity 💫
9:22pm
Don't call him thay when my actual
grandfather is in town. And it won't
be much of a date night with my
uncle and cousins here.

Trinity 💫
9:23pm
Uhg ur killing me Huck.
I don't wanna babysit. How old r they
like 12? Too annoying.

To Trinity 💫
9:23pm
Theyre 18 and 15! And missing one
movie night won't kill us.
You blew me off for Garcia all the time
so what's the big deal now?

Trinity 💫
9:23pm
The deal is mind ur own business
u little shit. Tell Robby we'll be over at
8 tomorrow and to make that
tortellini soup i like.

To Trinity 💫
9:23pm
I make that soup Trin

Trinity 💫
9:23pm
Perfect. See u at 8.

To Trinity 💫
9:24pm
Hag.
See u tomorrow

"Hope you like movies." Dennis sighs as he finally puts his phone away. "Santos is bringing Ellis over for movie night tomorrow."

Robby laughed a he finished his food and tossed his plate as the others have. "I suppose I can make myself scarce."

"No way. I'm gonna give her a taste of her own medicine." Dennis knows he probably shouldn't, the kids will be there, so will Uncle Beau. But every weekend Trinity always had Garcia (now Ellis since they're dating. Not that Dennis didnt like Garcia but good riddance) over and sometimes he had wanted it to just be the two of them.

"Oooo what are we doing?" Juniper asked and it reminded Dennis of Princess for a second.

"She always has her partner over for movie night and is all over them-"

"She a lesbian?" Juniper asked with a deadpan face and tone.

"Juniper Mae!" Beau scolded.

"What? He was being vague!"

"Santos does prefer women." Dennis confirmed. "Anyway, whoever she's dating always crashed and they'd be all over each other and sometime i wish it would be just us. I liked Garcia and I like Ellis, but-"

"You want quality time." Parker finished. "We get it. Sometimes I just want Juney, not River hanging out with us. Ya just gotta tell her. Probably after tomorrow though so her girlfriend doesn't get mad."

"Well said little bro." Juniper praised before she looked at Dennis, and he can see exhaustion creeping in. "I'm getting the shivers, you got stuff for the couch?"

"There's room upstairs." Robby stood, grabbing his drink as he did so. "I'll show you."

"I'll go put supper away." Dennis says as he put the lid over the fire pit. He noticed Parker and Juniper hovering around the living room when he gets inside while Robby and Beau stood at the mouth of the hallway. "What? What's up?"

Juniper looked like she was nearly pouting as she held her arms up, Parker also looking expectantly at him.

Oh. They still want bedtime hugs? Another wave of satisfaction rolled through Dennis as a memory washed over him. Pops would always want a hug from him before Kate would put him to bed with the same song night after night.

Some things truly never change.

Dennis held his arms open, hugging Juniper first and then Parker.

"Good night guys." Dennis said, watching them grab their bags from the foyer before heading upstairs with Robby.

"Good night!" They called out as they went down the hall to the stairs.

"Every night they wait for me and Kate to do that." Beau says once he's sure they're out of ear shot. "I've been blessed to marry into such a loving family."

Dennis hums his agreement, looking at the empty staircase like one of them would run back down here for something.

"You doing okay?" Beau asked, their first conversation without young ears. "Kate, at the hospital, she made a comment that you saved her."

"I'm okay." He was, honestly, in the grand scheme of things. "I just took her seriously. She said she was having a heart attack, and well, she was."

"Did you work on her?" Beau asked, and Dennis is honestly impressed he's held out this long on asking.

"No." Dennis said truthfully. "My other colleagues were in charge of her care. I wasn't in the right headspace to lead that room. I just - I held her hand and explained everything until she was taken to surgery."

Beau looked Dennis up and down, like he was considering something. It was quiet except for the occasional laugh from Robby and the kids.

"You're meant to be here." Beau finally says, and it lands like a punch to the gut with how heavy and tired the man looked. Dennis realized suddenly he's older too, with more grey than Robby in his dark brown hair and five o'clock shadow from a days worth of growth. "You were meant to be here. Today. You and Kate were meant to find each other. We always wished you'd've come home to us and dad, but you... you've built something for yourself here."

Dennis nods and he feels his eyes burning. Again. How much is he gonna cry today?

"I'm proud of you Denny."

Welp. That did it.

Dennis lets Beau pull him in and suddenly he's four and crying because Kate left him at the house so she could go to work. The memory pops up unprompted, and Beau is just as strong now as he was then and just as gentle.

"You did good son." That pulls a choked gasp from Dennis.

They didn't stay like that long, breaking apart when they heard the creaking of stairs. Beau looks about as Dennis would imagine, red faced and teary eyed, but they share a soft smile and look at Robby as he draws closer.

"Everything okay?" Robby asked, and the simple question makes something sweet and warm take hold.

"Everything's just fine." Beau says, and Dennis nods. "Just letting Denny know how much I love him."

It's like the fire pit embers are glowing in Dennis's chest. "I love you too Uncle B. Good night."

"Goodnight son."

✨️

Robby knew he made the right choice as soon as he saw Dennis crammed on the glider with his cousins by the fire pit, was confirmed further as he heard laughter trickle in from the trio. His shower had been short and he enjoyed listening to Juniper talk about people he has no idea about when he joined them with his own plate of food. Robby couldn't help thinking Dennis looked more his age, laughing, carefree.

"Wow! These are nice looking bunks!" Parker says as he drops his backpack to the desk to pull out clothes and a toiletry bag. "When was this built? The sixties? Did your dad make this? The quality is good-"

"Shut up." Juniper roller her eyes. "Sorry about him, they're making picnic tables and shit in shop class."

"That's fine." Robby smiled, tickled that the kid is pretty spot on. "My grandfather made this when I was a kid. My brother always made me sleep on the top bunk even though I was afraid of heights."

"We both like the top bunk." Parker says, still looking at the set. "I'll take the bottom tonight if I can shower first."

"Deal." Juniper agreed. "I wanna study some anyway, I have a test Monday morning for health occ."

"Oh? What type of class is that?" Robby asked as Parked went to the attached bathroom. It sat between the two rooms, this one and what used to be Jake's. Robby hasn't opened that door since he took his things after PittFest.

"I'm a second year student, its only available to juniors and seniors." Juniper explained. "It's a course offered through the junior collage to get the basics out of the way for people going into healthcare." Juniper said with pride. "In May I go to Bloomington to register for the fall semester, and I'll basically be jumping in as a third year student."

"That's really impressive." Robby was, honestly, very impressed. "You like taking care of people huh?"

"I love it." Robby sees it, the fire in her eyes that reminds him of Dana again. "I'm going for my BSN. Something about the pace speaks to me because i love a fast pace, but I also just love being there for people ya know? Especially people who might not have anyone."

"I know exactly what you mean." Robby assured. "Do you think your parents would let you, maybe, hang out with me and Dennis in the Pitt tomorrow?"

"The Pitt?" Juniper asked, notes in hand.

"The emergency department." Robby clarified. "We call it the Pitt."

"I'll ask daddy in the morning but I imagine they won't mind." Juniper says with a smile. "Any chance I could get in on the action?"

Robby barked a laugh. "Absolutely not."

"I've got my CNA!" Juniper argued.

"For Illinois!" Robby countered, still chuckling.

"It can transfer!"

Roby laughed again. "Find me in a few years when you're done with your program."

"Alright. I will." Juniper stood tall, as tall as she can at five and a half feet tall. "Good night Doctor Robby."

Robby smiled softly. "Goodnight June."

Robby was still smiling as he went back downstairs, finding Dennis and his uncle red face with evidence of tears as they pulled out of a hug.

"Everything okay?" Robby asked, and any concern he had melted away when he sees Dennis absolutely melt. Juniper may have accused Robby of having hearts in his eyes, but Dennis is wearing his love for Robby so openly his next breath nearly catches.

"Everything's just fine." Beau says with a fond smile, but there was pride there too and Dennis nods in agreement. "Just letting Denny know how much I love him."

"I love you too Uncle B. Good night." Dennis said softly, like they were sharing secrets.

"Goodnight son." Beau says, creeping past the pair to go to the spare room across from theirs.

Robby waves him by, but his eyes are on Dennis. He's never seen this level of contentedness on his lovers face.

"Son?" Robby prods with a smile. Dennis blushes deeply as he picks up pillows from the floor. Why were there pillows on the floor?

"I can't help if Beau and Kate feel parental over me." Dennis says in a way that comes off almost sassy as he tosses the pillows where they belong.

"It's good." And it is. Robby wants Dennis to have everything he wants, and it seems in less than twelve hours a void has been filled. "So, how ya feeling?"

"Good." Robby can see it by the set of his shoulders, by the small and satisfied ever present smile he seems to be wearing absent mindedly. "I... Katherine was my everything ya know? Cutting her off had been hard even though in hindsight it was unnecessary. And I don't know that I'd change anything, knowing what I know now, because then I might not have met you or Trin and - what I'm getting at is that being without her, without them, has made my love for them more. Does that make sense? It sounded dumb-"

"I understand." Robby hasn't been in Dennis's shoes in any capacity. He's never been kicked out, never gone through the abuse Dennis endured, but he knows what it means to love so deeply, entirely, that it feels consuming. He feels that love every time he looks at Dennis. "They're good for you, I can already see it. I can already see how happy you all make each other."

Dennis closed the gap between them and Robby can feel the smile, can taste the joy. He kisses back, feeling his heart pound against his ribs as one kiss becomes two, then five, and suddenly Robby is losing count.

"I still have supper to put away." Dennis says, pulling back just enough to say the words. Robby has to bite back a chuckle because it had been 'dinner' over the last six months so the Midwest slip up amused him. Layer after layer is revealed as time goes on and Robby adores every moment.

"Well if you need a hand I'm happy to scrub in." Robby offered.

"Sure, it's always nice to have an extra pair." Dennis smiled as he placed a kiss to Robby's cheek before turning toward the kitchen. Putting away dinner was simple enough, packing their lunches and putting the rest in other containers for the kids to have tomorrow for lunch. Dennis gave the counter a good clean, and Robby couldn't stop himself from crowding the shorter man - arms on either side to bracket him in, pressing their bodies together and sandwiching Dennis between himself and the counter. The squeek it earned him was worth it, every noise Dennis made was worth it, always.

"My uncle is less than a hundred feet away!" Dennis hissed, the hand not holding the rag coming to cover his mouth as Robby trailed kisses across the nape of Dennis's neck.

"I'm just showing my partner how much I adore him." Robby really wasn't trying to start anything, Dennis is just irresistible. And today was a rough one. "And I want to make sure you're okay. Today was so much on you."

"I'm good. Really." Dennis assured, and Robby felt that to be true. He's held Dennis on days that have been far worse than this, so he can tell by how easily the younger man melts into the kisses that he's being truthful. "I... I don't wanna jinx it but I'm happy. Happy to see them, happy you've met them. I..." Dennis paused, fighting to put words together. Robby waited, ceasing his kissing to instead just hold Dennis securely. "... I'm just so used to things going wrong, that nothing has ever gone this right before you know?"

"I do." Robby squeezed tighter, face pressed to sweat stiff curls. "So you should enjoy it while you can."

Dennis hummed in agreement as he dropped the rag in the sink, hands resting over Robby's: one low on his abdomen and the other pressed to his sternum, right over his heart. Dennis breathed deep, making the hands on his chest move with it. Robby watched over his shoulder, obsessed with how their bodies fit together. Robby couldn't help but feel like they were made for each other as Dennis visibly grew more and more relaxed.

"Mmkay. Tappin' out." Dennis mumbled, sounding half asleep.

"Shower." Robby prompts. "I'll keep you company."

Dennis was efficient as he washed himself, movements slow and deliberate as the air grew warm while Robby leaned against the vanity. Dennis hummed to himself something Robby couldn't quite name the tune of as he killed the water and grabbed the towel from the bar to wrap up in. He blinked at Robby slowly, like an owl, as he fought to stay awake.

"I hate hit tired crying makes me." Dennis says as he dries himself off. "Fell like the room is spinning?"

"You having some vertigo?" Robby asked, pushing off the counter.

"No, im tired and about to fall asleep standing up." Dennis says as he drops the towel in the hamper and only grabs his boxers to put on before brushing his teeth.

Robby has only seen this level of exhaustion once and it was the week leading up to his sabbatical. Dennis had worked a full day and John Shen had too many call outs for the night, so Dennis offered to cover. Robby had told him he could cancel, back out if it was too much, but Dennis assured him it wasn't. It was heartbreaking the next morning, seeing Dennis hollowed out from extended consciousness and an incredibly rough night shift. He felt something for Dennis then, wanted to wrap his jacket around him and take him home-

"You're thinking too loud." Dennis says once he's spit into the sink after brushing his teeth. "Bed. Now. Or you're carrying me."

Robby kissed Dennis before opening the door and killing the bathroom light. Dennis crawled into his side of the bed and doesn't even make it under the covers before promptly passing out. Robby nearly doubled over with laughter once the snoring started. In an effort to prevent waking the man, Robby instead gathered up their clothes and tossed them in the hamper to be thrown in tomorrow morning before work. Dennis keeps a set here now so there's no need to stay up and make sure they get done.

Robby comes back to the bed and gets Dennis covered, turning the lamp off before crawling into bed. He reached across and pulled Dennis to him, nosing through damp curls that smell like his own shampoo as sleep finally take him, pulling him in to rest just to turn around and do it all again tomorrow.