At the urgency in her voice, they ran quickly and found her sitting at the side of their father's bunk. As they got closer they saw his head turn toward them, and recognition in the wide-open eyes.
"Hello, fellows!" His voice was weak but happy.
"Father!"
"Oh, Pop, you're awake at last!"
The two almost fought to be closest to him, but their mother moved a little and both sank to their haunches beside the bunk, each with one of their father's somewhat emaciated hands in theirs.
"Your mother tells me I've been sick quite a long time, and that you chaps have been carrying on. I'm grateful, and proud."
"You should see the way Mom has caught on to doing things," Jon said quickly. "She does almost all our photographing now."
"And Jon has developed into a real astrogator," Jak said.
"Yes, Pop, but you wouldn't be as well as you are today if it hadn't been for Owl knowing how to set your leg and make a cast for it, and giving you the proper medicines and intravenous feedings." Jon turned to smile at his brother, who grew red in the face and tried to stop the compliments, but the younger boy rushed on. "He's really a whiz as a doctor. Knew exactly what to do for you. How's your leg feel?"
"Fine, thanks to you, Jak."