Anywhere But Here - (open)

[Rachel Murphy]

Rachel nodded and grinned toward Phoebe, she looked like she was still quite excited over her meeting Nastia. It was good to be active and she herself loved her martial arts, there was something about it that gave her a freedom and a control at the same time. Life could be falling apart and yet the arts stayed the same for her no matter what although her life had been pretty stable recently which she was more than thankful for. Rachel enjoyed going down to Murphy’s Gym and teaching a few kids now and again who were in the CPD programmes there, even if they could smile for a few hours a day it was worth the time.

“You are one very lucky girl.” Rachel said, “So Jason any more plans for a family sports programme because I think it could start to get very competitive in the family.” She said joking a little though she could see with Connor and Phoebe that they would maybe start to do sports competitively which was fun when it wasn’t too far. “Then again I think Phoebe and Connor might be beating their dad and his running with Ice soon.” She said smirking.

[Deleted]

Phoebe smiled wide when Rachel said that to her. "I have a few things in mind." Jason said in kind as he replied to his sister. Shani shook her head a bit when Jason said that to Rachel. One of the things that attracted Shani to Jason was how close he was with his family and how active they were. Being Jewish, Shani did dote on Connor a little more then she did Phoebe, but she wasn't like the rich women that lived not to far away. Jason was thankful for that as he held Shani's hand, knowing that she had a more level head then most women he knew.

A while later, the meal was ready and Ms. McGuire called everyone to the table. Jason lead Shani over, pulling the chair out for her once there. Phoebe noticed it and smiled as she stood there. "Awwwww" she said. Shani looked over and smiled back. "Your father is a gentleman....look for that in a man when your older Phoebe." she said. Phoebe nodded in reply as Jason told Connor that he should treat his girlfriend, and all women, the same way when he was old enough.

[Rachel Murphy]

Rachel raised her brow as Jason said he had a few things in mind, a man with a plan because honestly Rachel had no idea what to do with Savannah. She could only hope that her daughter enjoyed sports because if she didn’t there was always that worry that they would have nothing in common. Rachel couldnt stop herself from laughing as she sat down at the table, Phoebe had said it though really Rachel didn’t want to discourage her from that. Jason was an absolute gentleman but it still was funny to see at times.

“You dad is one of the best men I know, other than grandpa but your mum is right.” She said knowing that if Phoebe ever managed in a family of cops and doctors to get anywhere near a bad guy of any kind, she would know about it. Rachel knew she was lucky to have a brother like Jason and she was grateful but she would annoy him every chance she got just because she could. It was strange to think that it would only be a short while before she was sure Jason would be tearing his hair out with boys, dates and girlfriends but the truly terrifying thought was that she wouldn’t be too many years behind with that.

[Deleted]

After Jason and Rachel's father said the prayer, the meal was served. Jason filled Shani's plate for her before getting his. His mother helped the kids before she started to eat. Jason looked over to them as he sat next to Shani. It wasn't lost on him that they were growing up fast. They would be in high school and dating before he knew it. Shani thought the same thing as she looked over to their children. She was thankful to have given Jason a son and a daughter. While she grew up in Israel, served in the IDF as an army medic and now worked as an EMT for the city fire department, Shani was still a traditional woman. When she wasn't on duty, Shani was something of a housewife. It was something that surprised many of those she worked with.

Unlike those she worked with, Jason understood that Shani wasn't like how Israeli women were portrayed in the movies and on TV. As they ate, Phoebe told Jason and Rachel's parents about meeting Nastia Liukin. It was clear she was still beside herself about it, something that wasn't lost on Jason and Shani. They were just as surprised as she was that Nastia came by the gymnastics class Phoebe was in.

[Rachel Murphy]

Rachel served her a dad a plate before getting her own; it was nice to have a family meal. It was what she missed about being at home, her brother and sister and parents until Jason left for the military and things just were not the same. Now however it was like things were getting back to normal with family dinners and even though there were more kids at the table it was still nice to sit and eat as a family. So she was being a little nostalgic but then again when she moved out and married her husband she missed her family.

Still she smiled as she listened to Phoebe talk about Nastia, she was one very lucky kid. Rachel turned to Jason and Shani, “Thank you both.” She said, she had a lot to thank them for really but right now she would start with dinner she thought. “So have either of you had any strange cases recently?” She asked curiously. Even though Rachel worked in the CPD with her brother it wasn’t as if they always kept up to date with each other and she was sure that Shani would have a few stories from being a paramedic.

[Deleted]

Shani looked over when Rachel asked that and smiled a little. "Well, I did have a call involving two women who had too much to drink and were walking down the street without their shirts on." she said off the cuff. Jason looked over when she said that, "Seriously?" he asked. Shani nodded in reply, "Yep" she replied honestly. Jason shook his head a bit in reply, picturing that scene. Shani noticed and playfully hit his leg. Jason looked over when she did that and smiled a bit before getting back to the meal.

He was thankful that Connor and Phoebe didn't hear what Shani had told Rachel. Jason could spend all day talking about odd stories from his patrols, but many of them couldn't be repeated at the dinner table when Connor and Phoebe were around. He continued to listen to Shani as she told another oddball story of her's from the firehouse.

[Rachel Murphy]

Rachel tried to keep a straight face at what Shani was saying but she dramatically failed as she started to laugh. Well she could see how that would make anyones day a little more interesting though when Jason spoke she grinned. “It’s not just guys that do that you know.” She said trying to compose herself to a better level, “Bet you really had an interesting day with those two.” Rachel was mindful to keep her reply a lower tone than usual for the more delicate ears that were at the table. She really was starting to sound like her mother she thought.

Shani’s stories were always interesting, sometimes the medics got a scene before the police which made for an interesting time. It wasn’t that they were slow but not every call immediately needed police assistance so sometimes the paramedics were the ones who got their eyes opened to what people did or in some strange cases didn’t do.

[Deleted]

"I did" Shani replied in kind as Jason looked at Rachel with an "I know" look on his face in reply to her comment. At the same time he was thankful that Connor and Phoebe didn't hear them, knowing how awkward it would be if they did. While he ate, Jason listened to his and Rachel's dad go on about the additions they made to their house and of the cruse they had recently taken. Shani looked over when she heard the cruse part. She had always wanted to do something like that, but given the nature of her and Jason's work it was rather difficult to find the time.

Jason knew that Shani had wanted to do something like that and had been working to save up enough money for them and the kids to do so. "What was it like being on a steamboat?" Shani asked. "It was something else." Jason and Rachel's mom replied, smiling a little. "True it was expensive, but it was worth it." she added, clearly having enjoyed the time they had while on the boat.

[Rachel Murphy]

Rachel listened intently as their parents discussed the boat with Shani. She knew that Jason was saving for his family to go and Rachel had made her own savings over the years as she glanced toward her brother. Well Savannah was too young to travel anywhere and really of late Rachel had no grand idea’s of where she wanted to go. She was happy in Chicago and had everything she needed there, maybe when Savannah was older but it would be a few years yet she knew that much
.
It wasn’t usual that Rachel would take her phone out of her pocket in the middle of a family meal but for discussion among everyone she wanted to run it past Jason first. She owed her brother a lot and sure she could be a pain but at the end of the day he was family. Under the table she messaged him before glancing his way hoping that he had his phone on him in case work called.

“An early anniversary present for Shani, you and the kids, I’ll pay for your steamboat trip for you all?” She offered, she had no use for the money she had saved and so it was about time she dusted the cobwebs from it and put it to some good use. If he refused then there would be a mysterious purchase of tickets regardless but still she thought she would try the easy way first.

[Deleted]

Jason and Shani looked at Rachel when she said that to them. "You sure about that?" Shani asked while sitting there. "She is, don't try to turn it down." Jason said to his wife, knowing how stubborn Rachel can be. Connor and Phoebe both looked over when they heard that. "Were going on a steamboat?" Phoebe said, causing Jason to look over to her. "Well, it hasn't been made final, but...yes." he replied, causing Phoebe to smile wide. Connor wasn't sure, but smiled a bit anyway. Jason watched them, then looked back to his sister. "Well, cats out of the bag." he said off the cuff, causing Shani to giggle a little when he said that.

Jason looked over to her and shook his head a bit. "Sorry sweetie" Shani said to him. "No worries" Jason replied while holding her hand in his. Phoebe watched them at the same time, smiling a little as she watched them interact with each other.

[Rachel Murphy]

Rachel nodded and grinned toward Jason as he spoke and told Shani she was sure. Oh if they tried to turn it down she would find a way to make it happen even if she had to call in every favour she had. Rachel was stubborn because she learned from the best in the family though she smiled as she watched Connor and Phoebe. It was nice to be able to do something good for her brother and at least try and repay everything he had done for her.

Some things could never be repaid but she would try. “Just let me know when and where you want to go and i’ll make it happen for you all.” She said with a grin, “Besides you guys deserve a holiday and I’m glad I can help.” She said before glancing toward Jason, “Dont forget to send photo’s and promise me you wont buy a Hawaiian shirt because photos will be around the precinct if you do.” She stated chuckling a little.

[Deleted]

"I won't forget and I promise not to buy a Hawaiian shirt." Jason said to her in reply while holding Shani's hand in his. Shani giggled when he said that, causing Jason to glance over to her. Connor and Phoebe watched them do that as they finished eating. A little while later, Jason and Shani cleared the table with Jason and Rachel's dad helping them while their mom took the kids into the front room. Ice followed them over and interacted with them, which Jason noticed when he looked over. Shani looked over and smiled at them as she stood next to her husband, speaking softly in Hebrew. Jason looked at her when she did that and spoke to her in kind. Jason and Rachel's dad looked at his son at the same time when he heard them speak.

Jason kissed Shani on the cheek at the end of their little conversation and went back to cleaning the dishes. His dad knew that they loved each other and that Shani was a honorable woman of strong will and unwavering loyalty. Jason loved that about her and the fact that she was strong in her faith. While Shani had grown up in a reform Jewish family, she still attended mass with Jason. At the same time she wanted to join, but didn't want to give up her Jewish identity, something that Jason understood.

[Rachel Murphy]

Rachel grinned as he said he wouldnt by a Hawaiian shirt, maybe it would be a leaving present from her but they were in Chicago she wasn’t even sure that sort of thing existed within the city. It was nice to be with family, it was like things were back to normal for them as a family. Whatever was going on outside didn’t bother what was going on in the house and that was the way she liked things. The ability to come home and not for anything to follow, to simply be happy and spend time with family was all that mattered to her.

Rachel wasn’t too fluent in other languages, she wasn’t what you would call an academic more a sports person. “So when are you all coming around to my place for dinner?” She asked, yes her place was a lot smaller than Jason’s, she only had one child and probably the seating would be a little cosy but she was sure it would be her turned to cook or at least host some sort of a family occasion. Kids were sorted and she was in no hurry for a second, not that she wasn’t a fan but she wanted to at least get back to work for a while.

[Deleted]

"Would next week be too soon?" Shani asked in reply to Rachel's question about coming over to her place. Connor and Phoebe looked at Shani, then back to Rachel. "Please Aunt Rachel?" they both said to her. Jason looked over to them, as did Shani, when they said that. They both knew how much the kids loved interacting with Rachel and tried to get over there when their schedules aloud them to. Jason and Rachel's parents watched them as well, waiting to see Rachel's reaction to her niece and nephew.

At the same time, Ice walked over and sat next to Shani, resting his head on her thigh. Shani looked at him and smiled while scratching him behind the ears, causing Ice to wag his tail. Shani smiled when he did that, then spoke to him in Hebrew, causing Ice to tilt his head to his side. "You didn't get that did you?" Shani said to him softly, to which Ice barked softly in reply.

[Rachel Murphy]

Rachel shook her head, “Next week if fine with me as long as everyone can make it next week.” She said grinning toward Phoebe; it would be nice to have them over to her place for a change. It was smaller but then again she wasn’t going to give up any chance to hang around with family. “So how does a pirate treasure hunt sound but only if you’re really good for your mum and dad?” She asked deciding that she might be able to make something up before they arrived, it was that or hide and seek which given the size of their house wasn’t going to last long.

Rachel smiled when she heard Ice bark, “We can maybe get a pirate dog too.” She suggested not too sure if Jason would be okay with that let alone Ice himself. “Maybe your dad could be Captain Hook for the afternoon?” She added looking toward the children trying to decide if they would agree or not.