Fuller House: The Arrow Chapter 2 (Original Version)

 

Chapter 2: Family Reunion

Five days, five long days later and DJ Hale and Rocki Harmon stood outside of a hospital room that was currently occupied by the resurrected Jackson Fuller. Jackson Fuller is standing in the room, staring out of the window looking at the buildings of the city where he was born, where he grew up. The buildings, particularly the office sky scrappers had not changed physically, but based on various logos there had been ownership changes. He could clearly see the office building where he had worked for five years before he lost five years of his life on an island in the North China Sea.

“What's his prognosis CJ?” DJ asked her friend.

Doctor Connie Jane Harbenberger, CJ as her friends and family calls her sighed. “He tested clean, absolutely nothing contagious. However, I wanted to prepare you for the physical damages he apparently suffered while he was declared dead.”

“What damages?” Rocki asked, very concerned by this statement.

“He has scars from various injuries covering twenty percent of his body. He's sustained second degree burns on his back and X-Rays reveal that he has suffered twelve fractures that never prorperly healed.” CJ reported.

“Has he said how they happened?” Rocki inquired.

“No, he hasn't said much of anything really.” CJ replied. “I just want you to be prepared... the Jackson Fuller that is here, may not be the Jackson Fuller that you lost five years ago.”

“Can we go in now?” DJ Hale asked her friend.

“Of course. I'll be right outside in case you need me.” CJ says.

Rocki Fuller hesitantly reaches forward and turns the door handle and pulls the door back. She and her mother-in-law slowly enter the room, both nervous about their reunion and terrified this is just some cruel dream. That they will both wake up and Jackson will still be gone. “Jackson...” Rocki calls out in a low voice.

Her husband of nine years turns about slowly. CJ had arranged for him to get a haircut on sight, and Jackson had been provided an electric razor to shave with.

His eyes fall on the two most important women in his entire life. “Hi honey... hi mom.” Jackson says unmoving.

The two women close the distance and wrap their arms around Jackson Fuller. The tears that have been falling since his initial phone call return and Jackson himself is overcome with emotion for the fist time in quite some time.

“We thought you were dead... my heart broke when they told me all hands were lost at sea on your company's ship.” Rocki told Jackson, her grip on his neck tightening as she held him against her.

“I was lucky... I'll tell you more later. After five days of being poked, prodded, and questioned I'm just ready to go home and reconnect with my loved ones.” Jackson told his wife and mother.

“How did you manage to get home sweetie?” DJ Haled asked her son as they began the process of checking out of the hospital.

“Military transport, a C-130 cargo plane that was bound for San Francisco. I was lucky, another day and it would have taken me a week longer to get home. Not having any money severely limits your travel options.” Jackson stated to his wife and mother.

Rocki watched as a large orderly came into the room and removed a large wooden footlocker from the hospital room closet. “Personal effects.” Jackson told his wife.

Jackson, Rocki and DJ walked out of the hospital automatic doors, tailed by the orderly, to the Uber that DJ had hired for the trip. Normally DJ or Rocki would have driven themselves in one of their vehicles but both wanted to sit with Jackson and chat. The orderly placed the locker in the back of the maroon van that DJ had selected, thanked the young man and the trio climbed in and began their journey home.

It was several short minutes before Jackson finally asked the one question no one had given him any information on thus far. “So I guess I'll address one of the elephants in the room... Did you carry the baby to term?” Jackson asked. “I can only imagine how stressful my “death” must have been, I prayed every single day that you were ok and that the baby was fine.”

“It was touch and go for the last trimester, I was at the doctor almost every week... but I carried to term.” Rocki stated.

“So, boy or girl.” Jackson asked.

“Both.” DJ gleefully announced. “Sorry Rocki, I was too excited.”

“Twins?” Jackson asked rhetorically.

“Alexander Matthew Fuller was the first born twin, we call him Xander. Oliva Constance Fuller was born ten minutes later. Your mom and mine were the coaches, they were a great help getting me through the delivery.” Rocki said as she rested her head on Jackson's shoulder. His left arm was wrapped tightly around her waist, and he held her like he was afraid he would lose her if he let go, a sentiment she understood all too well.

“I hope you will understand but, we didn't tell them you were alive yet. We thought it would be better for you to be here for the introduction. They will know who you are though, we always showed them pictures and videos of you as they were growing up. But in case something went wrong during your travel or at the hospital we thought it best to wait.” Rocki explained.

“I absolutely understand. I can only guess how hard its been with me not there.” Jackson stated. “Not that they haven't been loved, I know how our family is.” Jackson said leaning over to give his mom a kiss on the cheek. The Fuller/Gibbler/Tanner/Hale/Harmon/Guerrero extended family were many things, but emotionally closed off was not one of them.

~*~

Xander and Oliva (Liv as she was called) Fuller did not know why their entire family was currently crammed into their family home but they were told it was a special day. In their short four years of life they had come to realize how Grandma DJ was prone to sprining parties at the drop of a hat (with special banners for every occasion). Rarely did every single member of their immediate family show up for parties but today seemed to be the exception. Uncle Max was holding Xander while their cousin Danielle held his twin sister Liv up. The two twins noticed Grandma Gia and Grandpa Matt whispering to everyone after their phones chirped. Their Uncle Tommy and Ramona were moving family members in a semi-circle as the twins saw two sihilohettes through the glass pane on the front door. The door opened and Grandma DJ came in followed by their mother.

“Xander, Oliva, come her please.” Grandma DJ called to the two.

“Uh oh...” The twins said.

“What's wrong?” Rocki asked puzzled.

“Granma called me Oliva... we in trouble?” Liv stated.

“No baby, no one's in trouble. This is just a special occasion.” Their mother corrected the two tykes. “Now, I know this won't make a lot of sense, but we have a special surprise for you, one that I never thought would be possible...” Rocki stated.

The two twins saw another figure in the doorway, he was tall, slender, slightly scruffy but his face was one that they had only seen in pictures and on the tv screen.

“D... daddy?” Liv said in disbelief.

“Dad... daddy.” Xander called out from his uncle's arms. He started squirming in Max's arms so the boy's uncle planted him on the ground and the young boy ran to his now kneeling father who's arms were outstretched. He hugged the young boy so tightly, his eyes were tearing up as he held his son for the first time. “You real. You my daddy?” Xander asked.

“Yes I'm real, yes I'm alive... and I love you my son.” Jackson heaved his son up as he stood holding on to the boy tightly. He walked towards Danielle and Olivia. Jackson could see the hesitation and uncertainty in Olivia's eyes. “You've grown so beautiful Danielle.” Jackson stated to his cousin giving her a peck on the cheek.

“I know this may not make sense to you Liv, but I am your father. I know I haven't been able to be a part of your life until now, but I promise you... I am not going to be away from you, your brother or your mother ever again.” Jackson explains to his daughter.

“You... you really my daddy?” Liv asked, still not quite believing that her father, who she had been told died before she was born.

“I really am honey. I'm here, I'm home and god willing, I will never leave you again.” Jackson told the four year old girl.

Olivia literally leaped from her older cousin to her father who caught her with his free arm and held the two Fuller twins to him.

Tommy and Max where the first to grab the trio and wrap them in a hug. Ramona was next, she was crying tears of joy that her brother had returned after five long years. When the siblings let their big brother go fifteen year old Danielle Tanner was the first to hug him followed by her younger fourteen year old sister Jinny Gibbler. Jackson's Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Jimmy welcomed him home and gave their nephew and his children.

Jackson's rich Aunt Michelle was next to welcome him home. Michelle had never married but had adopted a young girl that she named Ashley. The toddler was just about two years old now and Michelle was just shy of fifty but she had realized with the loss of her father and nephew that time and family were to precious to waste, she adopted the newly born girl when the teen girl's mother gave her up for adoption. “Ashley, this is Jackson, your big cousin. He's Liv and Xander's daddy.” Michelle Tanner explained to her young daughter, “and we're so happy to have him back.” Michelle said crying as she hugged her oldest nephew.

“Thank you for helping my family during their financial hardship Aunt Michelle.” Jackson said giving the youngest Tanner sister a big kiss on her cheek.

“Family watches out for family Jackson.” Michelle reminded her nephew.

Jackson's stepfather Steve, mother-in-law Gia and father-in-law Matt were next to welcome him back with hugs and kind words welcoming him home. Kimmy and Fernando Guerrero were next to welcome Jackson back. “I see we have another new addition to our family.” Jackson Fuller stated as his eyes fell upon a new but very familiar face. “Hello Rose.”

“Welcome home Jackson.” Rose Fuller said kissing her brother-in-law on his left cheek. “And actually... its two new family members.” Rose announced to everyone's surprise.

“Rose?” Max looked on in shock.

“I found out the day Jackson called to let everyone know he was alive. I thought it would make a nice bonus to this special day. I hope you don't mind Jackson.” Rose says to her brother-in-law.

“I don't mind one bit Rose.” Jackson says giving the expecting mother another kiss, as did her niece and nephew. “Did you hear that kids? Your Aunt Rose is going to have a baby.”

Liv held her arms out and climbed into her aunt's arms and hugged her tightly and kissed her aunt over and over again.

“Congratulations... dad.” Jackson says as he hands his son off the his brother so the young man can treat him to the same amount of affection that Olivia gave to his wife.

Five years, five long years to wait for this special moment and Jackson let out a large sigh. He was home, his children were healthy and safe, and his family was hole once again, now that he was home.

To Be Continued

AN: Chapters 3-6 (which are all I have written so far) were never altered like Ch 1 & 2. When I started this story I borrowed heavily from the events of Arrow Episode 1 which while nice I decided to change. I wanted Jackson to get home a different way and I also wanted to use Michelle more than I have in previous stories and the idea of the Chinese Fashion fair (which is a real thing FTR) made that happen. Then I decided to start showcasing Jackson's new skills but in a way that none of his family would be privy to thus far. Michelle bringing him home necessitated a change to Ch 2, which I liked as it was an overall surprise for everyone, not just the twins.

So that is why there are 2 vesions of Chapter's 1 & 2. I leave it to you the fans to decide which Chapter 1 & 2 you like best. Chapter 3 continues from which ever one you prefer.