Meet the Howlters

I'll Take What I Can Get

YEAR: 2031

[Dan's POV]

A while has passed since the court case and I have to say, I never get tired of seeing that monthly check from the Lane's.

"Hey, Winnie, we gotta go,"
"Where?" he yawned.
"You have a p.t. appointment at noon,"
"Oh yeah...dad, can you help me get my shoes on?"
"Yeah," Phil mumbled as he got off the couch. "There you go, have fun at your appointment,"
"Yeah, I'll have a blast," he mumbled as he walked out on his crutches.
"I'll see you later," I chuckled as I gave Phil a quick kiss.
"Bye," he waved.

***

"How are you today Winston?" his physical therapist asked.
"Fine," he shrugged.
"Wanna take the brace off?"
"Sure,"
"Alright...there we are. Have you been doing your exercises?"
"Yes,"
"Would you like to try walking?"
"Yeah," he held out his arms so someone could help him up.
"No, Winston, I want you to try getting up without me or your father,"
"Okay," he mumbled. It took a few tries but he eventually was able to stand up and walk with no help.
"On a scale from 1-10, ten being the highest, how much pain are you in?"
"2," he shrugged.
"Do you think you need your crutches anymore?"
"I don't think so..."
"Alright," he smiled. "What we're gonna do is, keep you on your pain killers for another week, you can take the brace home, put it on when you feel you need it, but I don't want you to use your crutches anymore. Okay?"
"Okay,"
"Don't forget to keep doing your leg exercises,"
"I won't," he smiled.
"Alrighty then," he russled his hair, "see you in a month for a follow up, I guess,"
"Bye...and thank you,"
"No problem kiddo. See you guys in a month,"
"Bye," I smiled as I talked Winston back to the car.

***

"Phil, guess what,"
"What?" he mumbled as he scrolled through tumblr.
"I can walk," Winston smiled as he limped in.
"Oh my god!" Phil cheered. "He doesn't need his brace anymore?"
"He can use it when he needs to but he should be fine,"
"That's great...we should celebrate,"
"How so?"
"Well, Winnie, is there anything you wanna do?"
"The aquarium just got some new sharks...I'd love to see those..."
"He has to be yours," I whispered while chuckling.
"Wouldn't doubt it," he shrugged. "Now come on," he cheered. "Delilah! Get ready!"
"Where are we going?"
"Aquarium,"
"Really! I thought we couldn't go cause Winnie would have a hard time getting around,"
"He doesn't need his crutches anymore,"
"Really! That's awesome!" She ran down the stairs and gave her brother a huge hug. "I'm so happy you're better!"
"Well...he's not completely better," I muttered.
"What do you mean?"
"He's gonna be limping...for a while,"
"Oh, well, that's alright," Phil smiled. "Now, come on, let's go,"
"Calm down dad," Winston rolled his eyes. "It's just the aquarium,"
"I know, I'm just excited," he chuckled. "Come on then, everyone in the car,"
"Coming," the mumbled as Phil shoved them out the door.

***

Once we got to the aquarium, a lot of parents recognized us. Some had rather nice things to say, but most did not. We started walking around the aquarium; the kids and Phil seemed to be having a blast. About halfway through Winston started lagging behind us.

"Hey," I whispered, "are you okay?"
"My knee hurts," he pouted.
"Okay, come on," I mumbled as I picked him up.
"Where are you guys going?" Phil asked.
"Winnie's knee hurts, I was gonna take him to sit down for a bit,"
"Alright, take the backpack," Phil said as he placed it in Winston's arms. "If he's too hurt to continue, just text me and we'll leave,"
"Okay,"

I carried Winston around for a few more minutes before I found a bench for him to sit on.

"Here," I sat down and placed his leg on top of me.
"Bear!" he gasped.
"Sorry...what kind of pain is it?"
"Stinging,"
"Do you want your meds?"
"Yes please,"
"Okay." I popped open the pill bottle and handed him a pain killer along with a bottle of water.
"Thanks," he sighed as he took the pill. "Ew," he coughed. "I hate taking pills,"
"I know," I sighed and rubbed his back. "So is your knee locking or is it just stinging?"
"Locking..."
"Ankle?"
"Stinging..."
"Do you wanna go?"
"Can we see the sharks first?" he whispered.
"Of course," I took out my phone and started texting Phil. "Wait, do you want dad to get your brace out of the car? Y'know, so we could stay longer?"
"No bear...I just wanna see the sharks..."
"Okay."

Dan: Meet us by the shark tanks
Phil: Is Winnie alright?
Dan: He wants to go after he sees the sharks
Phil: I can go grab his brace, it's no big deal
Dan: I don't think he wants you to
Phil: That boy is as stubborn as a mule
Dan: Like father like son
Phil: Funny. I'll see you guys in a minute

"Come on Winnie," I mumbled as he hopped onto my back.

I began walking Winston to the shark tanks; it wasn't as crowded as I thought it would be. Since he was on my back, he was able to see everything. As we waited for Phil and Delilah, a few of my fans saw me.

"Oh my god, Dan!"
"Hi," I mumbled, not wanting to turn so Winston can look at the sharks.
"Can we get a picture?" they asked.
"Um, I'm sorry guys, I just wanted to spend the day with my family. I didn't really wanna-"
"It's okay bear...you can talk to them,"
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah..."
"Okay," I mumbled as I set him down. "Does it hurt to stand?"
"I'll be fine,"
"If it starts to hurt, tell me,"
"Okay," he shrugged and turned back to the tank.
"Is that your son?" one girl asked.
"Yeah,"
"What's his name?"
"Winston,"
"How old is he?"
"He's eight,"
"He's a cute little thing...why was he on your back?"
"You're new to the phandom...aren't you?"
"Yeah," she blushed.
"He got hurt a while ago, wasn't able to walk for a while. His doctor just cleared him to stop using his brace, but I think he's gonna need it for a little while," I smiled.
"Hey," Phil mumbled as he walked up to me. "I grabbed Winnie's brace out of the car,"
"Wait...how?"
"I have all the spare keys, remember?" he chuckled.
"Oh yeah,"
"Winnie, come here," Phil called. "Dil, go with bear,"
"Hey sweetheart," I smiled.
"I see you and Phil are still hanging out," the girl observed.
"Excuse me?"
"You're here with Phil,"
"Yeah...why wouldn't I be?"
"I don't know...you're clearly married," she gestured to my finger.
"I am..."
"Are you both here with your families?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You and Phil. Are you guys here with your families?"
"Oh honey no..." I chuckled.
"Bear, what is she talking about?"
"She thinks Phil is my friend,"
"Well...isn't he your friend?"
"Well yes, but he's more than that,"
"I know that!" she rolled her eyes.
"Dan, what is she talking about?"
"What are you talking about?" Delilah spat back.
"Isn't Phil your dad's friend?"
"Phil is bears husband,"
"Who's bear?"
"Me," I smirked.
"Wait...wait...phan is real?"
"You really are new, holy-"
"Dan!" Phil cut me off.
"What? You don't know what I was gonna say,"
"I had a good idea,"
"I hate this," Winston pouted.
"I know," I sighed. "I'm sorry, didn't you want a picture or something?"
"Yes, I did,"
"Alright. Come here Phil,"
"No," she whispered.
"I'm sorry?"
"I just want a picture with you..."
"Why not one with Phil?"
"I don'treallylikePhil," she mumbled.
"I'm sorry? I can't hear you," I gritted my teeth.
"I-I-"
"Don't really like Phil? Well guess what bitch, I don't really like you,"
"Dan! Stop it!"
"Let's go," I picked Delilah up and started walked out.
"I'm sorry about him," Phil apologized.
"No, I'm sorry...you're a really nice guy...sorry..."
"It's quite alright,"
"I hope you feel better Winston,"
"Thanks..."