Chapter 50

After discussing all of the things that had happened over the last few months and talking about the impending divorce, David and Brie emerged from Jordan's bedroom with heavy hearts. "That poor child", Brie said with a sigh.

David nodded. "I know. Some much to deal with, so little time to process it all before she has to deal with it all". He shook his head and wrapped an arm around her waist. "We'll just support her and help her where we can. It's all we can do".

She nodded as they made their way down the stairs. "I know, David."

When they walked into the kitchen, Maddie looked up at them expectantly. "How is she?" she asked.

"She'll be fine. She's just shaken from all of the things that have happened the past few months. She's gonna try to get a little more rest before coming down for dinner. Do her a favor and don't ask her any question about what she did last night. If you have any questions ask us", David said. "We have a pretty good grasp of what happened."

Marc asked the question that was on everyone's mind. "What happened?"

"Long story short, she tortured and killed man", Brie answered. "The details get pretty gory."

"Care to share one?" James asked.

"She emptied a 20 round nine millimeter clip into his face, essentially turning his face into bloody red ruin. This was after she worked him over with a baseball bat".

All of the eyes in the room grew wide. "Are you serious?!" Makayla said.

James looked at their parents. "You know, this is what you two get for leaving the country", he said.

"How do you figure, Matthew?" David asked.

"You two move to Israel and shit hits the fan. This is what happens when the Voice and his wife retire."

David lifted a brow at the comment. "Somehow I doubt that."

"Whether we stayed or not, shit would have gone to hell. There's nothing that we can do about it. It's time for someone else to take over and keep the Utopians from turning the country to shit", Brie said.

"Geez, you two", James said.  "Can't either of you take a joke?"

"We can, but you have to realize that none of this is a laughing matter". She gave her son a stern look. "Now, as I'm sure you all realize, your father and I aren't as young as we used to be and we're going to need as much help as you all can offer with Levi and Jasmine. Jake is out at the cottage right now with Reece. It's not solely Jake's responsibility to help us out."

Meagan raised her hand. David acknowledged her. "Yes Mae?"

"Why isn't Jordan helping you with her kids? I don't mean to sound like I don't care, but they are her kids."

"There are a couple of reasons that Jordan doesn't help out. First, she's in no place right now to have to deal with that stress. And second, there is a clause in her pre-nup that states that neither she nor Davina are allowed contact with the kids until they reconcile or custody is decided by a judge. Any other questions?"

"Do you want to set up a schedule for us to go out there and help you out and all that?" Maddie asked.

"Do we really need to resort to a chore chart again?" Brie asked with a look of skepticism. "Are you all still that juvenile?"

Maddie cracked a smile. "No, but it might help us all stay organized. Delilah, Jona, Damien and I do have a business to run. Jake is trying to run a practice from home. We all have lives now."

"Make time", David said. "Your sister needs you right now. I understand that you're all trying to live your lives right now, but this is one of those times where we need to come together as a family and support each other. And should I hear one single word of protest out of any of you, you will feel my wrath. Do I make myself understood ?"

All of the children in the room responded with a resounding, “Yes sir".

"That's what I thought. Now, we're going to go out to the cottage to get a little rest before dinner. We will be in to eat with the family. Jake is going to have to unass my seat at the head of the table. We look forward to dinner tonight and hope that you girls create something spectacular. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon". He looked at Maddie. "You and Delilah have your work cut out for you". And with that they headed out the backdoor. "How did I do?" he asked with a laugh as they mounted the ATV.

"You handled it like a pro, like you always do. We have bitchy children, though. I don't understand it."

"I know. I hope that I put an end to that bull shit though. That's fucking ridiculous."

"No kidding. Maybe we need to break them of that shit again."

"For their sakes, I hope not. They won't like it if we have to."

---------------

When they walked into the cottage, Reece and Jake were sitting in the living room.  Levi and Jasmine were both asleep, napping from the whirlwind travelling they’d just finished doing.  “They’ve been out for about fifteen minutes now”, Jake said.

“Good for them”, Brie said.  “Those poor kids haven’t gotten to do much sleeping in the past 16 hours.  They need their rest.”

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to stay out here with them during dinner, if they’re still asleep”, Reece asked.

“We were actually going to ask you to do that whether they were still asleep or not”, David said.  “I’ll have Morbus stay nearby in case you need him.”

“Why can’t they be in the main house?” Jake asked.

“The clause in Jordan’s pre- nup.”

“The one that gives you and Mom custody?”

“The same one.  It states that neither of them can have contact with the kids until they reconcile or until a judge decides custody.”

“That’s why I’m the only of their parents that can see them”, Reece said to Jake.  He looked at David.  “How is Jordan doing?”

“She’s ok for now.  She’s trying to get a little rest before dinner.”

“Dad, do you mind if I ask what is it that she did?” Jake asked.

“I mind if you ask her.  I don’t mind if you’re asking me.”

“That’s what I meant, Dad.”

“She tortured and killed a man.”

“I hate to ask, but care to elaborate?”

Brie, who had busied herself in the kitchen making a snack, turned and looked at Jacob.  “She turned Grissom’s face in to bloody ruin after working him over with a baseball bat and putting kerosene soaked bamboo needles in his joints and lighting the on fire.  Your brothers and sisters don’t know that detail.”

“The needle detail?”

“Yeah, that one”, David said.  “Keep that to yourself.  And, tell your wife that you mother needs to talk to her.”

“May I ask what about?”

“Jordan”, Brie said as she took a seat in the living room in one of the arm chairs to eat.  She nibbled on the pita chips and queso dip that she’d made herself to keep her sugar from bottoming out.  They needed to be strong for Jordan.  They did not, however, need her to go to the hospital with the beginnings of a diabetic coma.  “She’s having nightmares about what she did and the time that Grissom had her hostage and beat her.  I wanted to see if Delilah might now of some techniques to help her with that.”

Jake reached over to grab a chip and dip it in the cheese.  “Ok.  I’ll let her know to talk to you.  You’re going to have Jordan present, right?”

She nodded as she chewed.  “Of course.  She asked me to talk to Delilah for her.  You know how your twin is.”  David reached down and grabbed a chip only to get his hand smacked.  “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“Eating some of your chips and dip”, he said as he grabbed a chip, dipped it in the cheese and ate it.  As he chewed he stuck out his tongue.

“Oh, I’m so going to make you pay for that.”

“You and what army?”

She just looked at him, then rolled her eyes as she went back to eating her pita chips.  “Any way, boys, you both know how Jordan is.  She hates to ask for help of any kind.”  She took another chip off of the plate as she spoke.  “Which reminds me; Jake, do you know of a good cognitive therapist that can be trusted that Jordan could go to so that she can deal with these issues?”

“No, but I know a good hypnotherapist who might know someone.”

“Do you mind making some phone calls to check?”

“Not at all.  Anything to help Jordan out.  Is there anything else you need from me?”

“Yes”, David said.  “Kick your brothers and sisters in the ass and convince them that you’re not the only one responsible for helping Jordan out.  Jessi’s trying to get some time off of work to come out and help Jordan out as well.  She’ll be bringing Abby with her.”

“I’ll see what I can do, Dad.  It’s bull shit that they’re being like this.  Jordan needs us right now and they’re being cantankerous?  Oh no, it doesn’t work that way.”

“Thank you, Jacob.  By the way, you’re unassing my seat tonight at the table.”

“Gladly.  Do you want me on your right or left?”

“Left.  Your mother sits on my right.”

“Yes sir.  I’ll be there with bells on.”

“Thank you, Jacob.”

“I’m just keeping my responsibilities.  I may act as the head of the family while you’re gone, but when you’re here, I’m just another flunky.”  Jake couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Jacob, you’ve never been a flunky.  You’re one of my lieutenant.  You hold down the fort while I’m away.  You’re doing a very good job of it, by the way.”

Jake cracked a smile.  “Thanks Dad.  That means a lot coming from you.”

“You know me, Jake.  I don’t say anything I don’t mean.”

---------------

At dinner Jordan looked shaken. It wasn't easy for her to sit at the dinner table and pretend that nothing had happened the night before. She still felt like a truck had run her over. Though she had to admit that she was grateful to her parents for being there when she woke up. Had it been anyone other than her Daddy sitting at the foot of her bed, she may have accused them of being nosy pricks.

Jake did as he was asked and scooted over a chair. He sat at his father's left hand as he had been told. It was his pleasure to let his father have the seat at the head of the table. Of all of the things Jake didn't like in this world, letting his father take over running things while he was in the country wasn't one of them.

At dinner, David had his children - all nine of them present as well and their spouses if they had one- update him and their mother on the things that had been going on in their absence. There wasn't a lot. Kenna and James were expecting their son at any time. "We're so excited to welcome little Zechariah into the family", James said. "Next month can't arrive fast enough".

David nodded. "How do Hunter and the girls feel about having a new baby brother?" he asked.

"They seem pretty excited. Hunter even wants to be more hands on with his little brother than he was with the twins."

"That's good news" Brie said with a smile.

Jeremiah and Jona had decided that after Rina, they were done having kids. "We don't want it to seem like we're trying to outdo the two of you", Jeremiah said with a laugh.

"We never would have gotten that impression, Alexander", Brie said with a chuckle.

"Just making sure you got it, Mom."

"How could we miss that one, Miah?" David asked sarcastically.

"I don't know, Dad. You and Mom are getting older and you could be slipping a little."

"You kids would delight in your mother and me admitting that our memories are going, wouldn't you?"

The Draiman children all shook their heads in protest, but their parents saw through them. "You can't fool us", Brie said with a shake of her head. "We know that you guys would celebrate if we actually admitted that we were getting old. Hell, a couple of you might even get up and start dancing an Irish jig if we admitted that we were getting old. You can't pull one over on us. We're still too damn sharp for you."

"Mom, did you take your insulin before eating dinner?" Marc asked.

"Boy, I always take my insulin before eating a meal. Worry about your own self, Christopher. I don't need you to worry about me. Your father does that enough for all of you and then some. Mind your own and eat your dinner."

Jordan laughed, but was having difficulty staying in a jovial mood. All her mind kept going to was the fact that she had taken human life and was wondering when she was going to have to face the consequences of doing to. She vaguely remembered a fire after she killed Grissom and his goons but couldn't remember if that was the factory burning or if a forest fire had started. She was messed up because of what she did, but she was trying to enjoy time with her family. The next day it was right back to business to see what her attorney had come up with as far as a court date for the divorce. The sooner she got rid of her ties to Davina the sooner she could have the support of her kids.

Dinner continued this way. Jordan forced a smile and the rest of the family pretended not to notice that Jordan wasn't having an easy go of it. For now, they would all pretend that everything was ok until they were told otherwise by either their parents or Jordan herself. All any of them could do was just be there in case she needed to talk to someone. They were all family after all

---------------

When Levi and Jasmine woke up, Reece made them something to eat that was relatively quick and simple. He'd made sure to get permission from their grandparents to cook their kitchen before taking the liberty. Insulting David or Brie Draiman was the last thing he wanted to do. They were far too kind to take advantage of like that.

As he sat and ate dinner with his kids, he talked to them about their lessons and if their tutor was coming out from Israel to continue teaching them.  “Mr. Liam is on his way tonight from what Grampa said”, Levi said.

“That’s great.  Are you learning from Mr. Liam?” Reece asked his son.

“Oh yeah.  He’s a really good teacher.  And his wife is a really, really sweet lady.  She’s sends pastries over with him every morning.”

“Cool.  But, I’m sure that Gramma can make them too.”

“She only makes them during Hanukkah unless Grampa has a sweet tooth”, Jasmine said sadly.

“What’s the matter, Jazzy?”

“We’re back home as we still can’t see Mama.  I wanna see Mama”, she pouted.

“I know, sweetie.  Soon.  Very soon, baby girl.  Mama’s kinda sick right now.  After Gramma and Grampa come back out, I’m going back in to take care of her.”

“Shouldn’t Uncle Jake take care of her?” Levi asked.  “He’s a doctor.”

“The kind of help that Mama needs, I don’t think Uncle Jake can give, Levi.”

“What kind of help does Mom need?”

“It’s not really anything that you need to worry about, Levi.  I know that you try to take care of Mom, but let me do it now.  Ok?”

Levi sighed and looked at his plate.  “Ok, Dad.  I’ll try.”