Family Day - September 26th 2020

"Hey Pops. You ready?" Mike called out, as he pushed open the door and came into the living room.

Hutch looked up from the book he was reading and smiled at his oldest grandson. "Ready for what?"

"I'm picking you up to meet up with Uncle Dave, remember?"

"Oh yeah, is it that time already?" Hutch stood up slowly and reached for his stick. "I wanted to wait a week until I could be rid of this thing but Starsky insisted we had to meet today. Don't know what's so special it couldn't wait another week," he grumbled.

"Well, if Uncle Dave wants you to do something, you just have to do it," Mike observed. "It's not worth arguing."

Hutch rolled his eyes. "A truer word was never spoken. He's always been able to charm or badger anyone into doing anything he wants, especially me."

Mike didn't comment. He just handed Hutch his jacket and then offered him a hand, to help him negotiate the deep front door step, but it was refused. Hutch locked the front door and walked with his grandson along the path to the sidewalk. He pretended not to notice that his grandson had slowed his stride to allow his grandfather to keep up. It was sweet of him and Hutch would soon be back to walking normally so he decided to try not to be a grouch about his slow pace. He was lucky he was still here to be walking anywhere.

As they settled in Mike's truck and Hutch put on his seat belt, he said, "Thanks for driving me. I'm sure you've got better things to be doing than driving your creaky old grandfather around."

Mike snorted. "You're still fitter than me, Pops, and I'm sure after next week you'll be back to doing your long walks even if you can't jog like you used to."

"Hopefully," Hutch said. "I am feeling a lot better this week."

"That's good."

They drove along a little way in companionable silence. Hutch was enjoying being out and, at first, didn't notice that they hadn't turned in the direction of Starsky's house. After a few minutes, he looked at Mike in surprise.

"Where are we headed? I thought Starsky wanted me to have lunch with him."

"Change of plan, Pops. We're meeting him at the park. You're having an al fresco lunch."

"Oh."

Hutch looked out of the window as they neared the park. Mike drove round to the car park nearest the end of the lake and found a parking spot.

"There's a lot of people out today," Hutch observed. "Nice day for a picnic although I'm not sure I can sit on the ground. I hope Starsky's managed to grab a picnic bench."

Mike held the heavy truck door for Hutch but knew better than to offer to help him out. Hutch managed to descend from the vehicle without too much effort.

"What time are you coming back for me?"

"Oh, I'll just walk down with you to see Uncle Dave," Mike said. "We'll sort out times later." Mike started leading Hutch down a gently sloping path to the right.

Hutch paused for a moment to gaze across the lake and think about all the times he'd been here with Starsky over the years then he followed Mike down the tree lined path for a few hundred yards and around a corner. Here the trees thinned out and there was a flat circular section of grass ahead before the path continued down to the lake. Hutch could see a large family group had set up with picnic blankets, fold away tables and chairs. He was about to ask Mike how much further they were going when he realised that he was looking at his own family: his daughter, son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren of all ages, and first great-grandchild. Not only that but Starsky's youngest grandkids were running around with his youngest grandkids.

There in the midst of all the noise and excitement was Starsky, looking very pleased with himself. When he saw Hutch, his face broke out into a huge grin and he hurried over, calling Hutch's name.

Two of Hutch's youngest grandchildren broke away from the others and came running over to give him a hug. Hutch looked over their heads at Mike. "You knew all about this!"

"Of course, Pops."

Starsky had arrived at his side. "Buddy, I'm so happy to see ya. How are ya doing?"

Hutch smiled at his best friend. "I'm doing great. Was this your idea? Getting all the family together?"

"Yep, planned it a couple of weeks ago. Everybody was sworn to secrecy. I'm amazed we managed to keep it from ya for so long."

"It's a great surprise."

"Well, come and sit down and we'll start the festivities," Starsky said, as he ushered Hutch over to the central table and pulled a chair out for him.

Hutch looked around for his wife. "Where's Laura?"

Starsky glanced up the hill and pointed. "Just arriving, buddy. She went to collect the cake for me."

Hutch turned to see his wife walking down the hill towards him. It didn't matter that they'd been married for nearly forty years, he still loved looking at her and his heart always skipped a beat when she smiled; just like she was right now. She set the cake box down on a table and came over to give him a kiss.

"Hey, sweetheart."

"Hey. You've been keeping secrets from me," Hutch teased.

"Only for a worthy cause," Laura said with a smile.

Starsky called everyone over to collect plates of food and settle at the tables and blankets. There was quite a hubbub for a few minutes as all the kids and then the adults collected plates and choose food items from the bring-and-share picnic.

After a few minutes, Starsky and his granddaughter, Amy, walked around the groups with trays of champagne and juice for everybody. When everybody had a drink in their hands, Starsky called everyone to attention.

"I just want to say a few words. I don't suppose any of you know but today, twenty-sixth September, has been made into National Family Day. Now, before Hutch says anything, I know that it's a made up holiday and we got no need or reason to celebrate a fake day. Some of us have trouble celebrating Christmas, we ain't gonna start celebrating fake days!"

There was a ripple of laughter and Hutch waved acknowledgement of the chuckles directed his way.

Starsky grinned in Hutch's direction before he carried on: "But I like the idea and this year, and every year from now on, I would like us all to get together to celebrate our two families. Well, we ain't two families really, we're one big family and that's because of that big lug over there."

Starsky looked at Hutch and said, "Hutch, you were my partner for years and you've been my friend for even longer. Without you, I probably wouldn't even be standing here, today, and you've seen me through the best of times and the worst of times…You gave us all a scare a little while ago, buddy. I know we're all real glad that you're still here so we can say we love ya. I want to say thank you for being my friend, my brother, my family. To you, Hutch."

"To Hutch, Pops, Dad, Uncle Ken." Everyone toasted Hutch using their own names for him.

Hutch blushed and found Laura was handing him a tissue so he could wipe his eyes. He smiled at her.

Hutch struggled to his feet and said, "Starsk, come here."

Starsky walked over to his friend's side and was pulled into a bear hug. Hutch whispered in his ear, "I love you too, Buddy. I wouldn't have got through Laura's cancer scare, if you hadn't been by my side. I owe you so much. Thanks doesn't seem enough to say."

Starsky pulled back from him but put his hands on Hutch's shoulders. "'S more than enough, babe."

Hutch turned sideways and, with one arm round Starsky's shoulders, he raised his glass and said, "To my best friend, Starsk, and to our family."

"To Starsky, Uncle Dave, Dad, Pop."

Laura got up and went over to the cake box, which she carefully undid to reveal the cake inside. She invited her husband and Starsky to come and cut it. When they got closer, Starsky grinned and said, "Laura, that's just perfect. Thank you."

The cake was decorated with the words, 'Celebrating Our First Family Day', and had red and white stripes around the sides and green ivy leaves falling off the corners in a cascade.

Hutch handed Starsky the knife and whispered, "You cut it, partner. I don't want to let go of the table in case my damn knee gives out."

Starsky nodded and cut the first slice then he handed the knife over to Laura. "Grandma Laura's gonna take over. She's better at cutting cakes than me. Up you come, kids, get your slices first."

During the rush of youngsters to the table, Starsky walked Hutch back to his chair - a gentle hand propping him up under his elbow. He sat down next to him and they looked out over the family scene.

"Thanks, Starsk. This was a great idea…and I'm happy to celebrate this day every year for as long as we can."

Starsky grinned at him. "Knew you'd love it," he said. He handed Hutch his glass of juice and raised a glass of champagne to knock against Hutch's drink. "Here's to me and thee."

"To me and thee," Hutch echoed, and the two of them nodded at each other then settled back to smile with happiness at the sight of their two families spending time together, in the way they always had and hopefully always would.