Family Life Part 31
\nSacrifices
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 3,851<\/p>\n
Jim and Blair were going to see a lawyer and it was on the sly. They left Naomi home with the boys to see a movie or a museum of choice while they got some errands taken care of. No one knew what they were up to. Jim and Blair didn\u2019t want the boys to get excited about anything ahead of time. This way, if there was nothing they could do, nothing would be lost. They boys wouldn\u2019t even know that Jim and Blair were trying to get legal custody. <\/p>\n
The lawyer\u2019s name was Thomas Bateman, or as Jim\u2019s dad called him, \u2018good old Tom\u2019. They filled out all of the paperwork and then gave the secretary a check for the meeting that day. They sat down and waited in the waiting room for about fifteen minutes and then a tall, good looking man opened up his office door and said, \u201cJim and Blair, would you like to come in now?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim and Blair walked into the office and shook hands with him after they introduced themselves to Tom. He said he wanted to be called Tom. So Tom it would be. Jim and Blair liked him at once. He was very open minded and seemed to know a lot about family law. <\/p>\n
Jim told Tom, \u201cBarb Chase told us to get a lawyer if we wanted to look into adopting the foster children that we have. Both of their parents are in prison and will be for quite some time. Their father won\u2019t be out for at least 15 years and he signed away his rights already. But their mother will be out in four years and that would make Drew 17, and she still might want to be in his life. We were wondering what you thought our chances would be of winning this thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tom looked at Jim and Blair and said, \u201cOkay, his mother is not an upstanding citizen, so I think we could talk her into signing the papers for a monetary amount. Maybe she would like a monthly check to go to the prison to make her life a little easier. She might go for an account that would be waiting for her to get out again. You just never know what will provoke them to sign or not to sign. But I think you should meet with her and talk with her. You should bring a photo album that she can keep and you have to be open with her. Tell her about you and Blair from the start.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cShe already knows about us. She met us at the case workers office. She was supposed to start up weekend visits but instead got caught dealing and doing drugs, so she had to go back to prison. But yeah, she already knows about us being gay. It didn\u2019t seem to bother her in the least.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn that case, I\u2019m going to say, we don\u2019t have you deal with her at all. It\u2019ll be me. I\u2019ll take her the photo album and draw up papers for either of the two ways she can be paid. Is that all right with you two?\u201d Tom asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cDoes it seem wrong that we\u2019re offering her money for the boys?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo more wrong then what she has done to them. This might be what she needs to get her on her feet. I see here she still has eight years in prison. I thought you said, four,\u201d Tom pointed out. <\/p>\n
\u201cI thought it was four,\u201d Jim said sounding happier. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat means, you would have to pay something monthly to a person you don\u2019t even like for eight long years. I think you should think about that. Why don\u2019t you just stick with being the foster parents? I see here that the father has already signed away his rights, so we\u2019re clear on that part. But I think she might give you a run for your money. Do you have a set amount you can offer her? Either in monthly or one lump sum for her to get when she gets out,\u201d Tom asked. <\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cWould ten thousand be too little?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, I think ten thousand is a very nice amount. I\u2019ll break it down for her to let her know how much she would get monthly or how much she\u2019ll get when she gets out. Do you want to do this?\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair and Jim both answered, \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, let me point out the problems I see that you\u2019re going to have to face. First of all, if she agrees to it, no judge in his right mind is going to want to change the boys\u2019 last name, this late in life. How do you feel about that?\u201d Tom asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, it would be something of a problem anyway, because Jim and I would both want them to have our names and do we really want to strap Sandburg-Ellison on two teens?\u201d Blair pointed out. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo you would be fine, keeping their names, Miller. But if the boys wanted to change their names, they could ask the judge and he might see clear to letting them do it. It\u2019s totally up to you both. What do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it would be nice to have two Sandburg-Ellison\u2019s running around town, don\u2019t you, Chief?\u201d Jim inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf they felt good about it, I would consider it. I\u2019m open to how they feel. Besides we\u2019re getting ahead of ourselves, aren\u2019t we?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
Tom smiled at the men and said, \u201cBlair is right. I have a lot of work ahead of me. I need that photo album as soon as possible. I\u2019ll draw up the paperwork for both sets of money, and let her make a choice if that\u2019s the way she wants to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you think our chances are?\u201d Blair asked outright. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think you have a decent chance. She\u2019s going to be in there for some time. The boys will be grown by the time she get\u2019s out, so she might not care as much. That sounds bad, but it\u2019s the truth,\u201d Tom assured them both. <\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cIs there anything else we could do to help?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, just the photo album and the check for the savings account. It would all come out of our account, under your name, so we have proper records,\u201d Tom said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll get that together as soon as we can,\u201d Blair replied. <\/p>\n
Tom stood up and shook hands with both men and said, \u201cI wish us all a lot of luck. We\u2019re going to need it. We\u2019ll just hope that she\u2019s not too selfish to consider it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for all of your time and trouble, Tom. My dad was right, you are quite easy to talk to,\u201d Jim remarked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was glad to do it. And before I forget, I have a question to ask. Have you considered taking in one more child by any chance?\u201d Tom asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy do you ask, Tom?\u201d Blair wondered aloud. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I\u2019m trying to get a five year old girl into a healthy home. She is completely without any family. The foster homes have been dreadful and I just wondered if there was room in your home or your heart for a five year old. She\u2019s very sweet. I would recommend you to the judge for adoption. No one wants a five year old. They want babies or teens. Never a five year old,\u201d Tom advised them. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe would have to think about that one. We only have our office and I don\u2019t know how any of us feel about taking in another child at this point in our life,\u201d Jim said quickly. <\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cDo you have a picture of her?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI sure do, here she is. She\u2019s a cutie, that\u2019s for sure,\u201d Tom admitted easily. <\/p>\n
[[[sam.jpg]]]<\/p>\n
Jim and Blair looked at the picture and smiled. She was a cutie pie. <\/p>\n
Jim was the first one to speak. \u201cTom, I don\u2019t know how I feel about a younger child because she won\u2019t understand the whole gay thing. A teen does and they would choose us. Do you understand what I\u2019m saying?\u201d <\/p>\n
Blair on the other hand fell in love at first sight. \u201cMan, we could so make the office into a killer little girl\u2019s room and I think the boys would love the chance to be older brothers. We could at least talk to them, right?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll talk to them when we get home today,\u201d Jim said in a agreement. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for considering her, Jim and Blair. Rarely do I come into something like this that would be so perfect for you. Let me know within a couple of days because she\u2019s miserable where she is.\u201d Tom said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll see you in the next few days and we\u2019ll let you know about the little girl. What is her name, anyway?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSamantha Rose is her name and she just turned five,\u201d Tom filled them in. <\/p>\n
\u201cSamantha is a nice name,\u201d Jim said smiling. <\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone calls her Sam,\u201d Tom said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat would be a cute name along with Drew and Max. I can\u2019t wait to talk to the boys about her,\u201d Blair said happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t get ahead of yourself, Chief,\u201d Jim reminded him. <\/p>\n
\u201cI know, I\u2019ll try and be good,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
They left Tom\u2019s office with a new spring in their step. One reason was Tom made them feel like they had a chance with the boys and the other was Sam. She was so darn cute. She would fit into their family perfectly. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
When Jim and Blair arrived home, Naomi was meditating and Max and Drew came down and Max said, \u201cWe thought you left town or something.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cWe need to discuss something with you. Sit down at the table so we can tell you about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both boys went right to the table and sat down. Naomi walked into the room and said, \u201cDo I get to sit down too?\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cSure, Naomi, sit.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPop and me went to see a lawyer today about legally adopting you boys. Are you sure you still want to go that route?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh man, that\u2019s great. Yes, we want to go that route,\u201d Max answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think it would be terrific,\u201d Drew said happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, that\u2019s going to take some time to find out the results, but while we were there today, our lawyer asked us to think about something that would affect your lives, big time. Now before you say anything, I want you to think about how much your life would change. You need to think about all of the pros and cons before you make up your mind,\u201d Jim advised. <\/p>\n
\u201cGeeze, it sounds horrible, doesn\u2019t it, Naomi?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, they have my attention, that\u2019s for sure,\u201d Naomi answered. <\/p>\n
Blair pulled the picture of Sam out and said, \u201cThis is Sam. She just turned five years old and she\u2019s in a foster home that is horrible right now. She has no family and our lawyer wanted us to think about giving her a home. So that\u2019s what we\u2019re here to discuss.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max and Drew both looked at the picture and then passed it on to Naomi. \u201cOh my gosh, she is darling, isn\u2019t she boys?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, she is cute,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
Jim noticed them stalling and said, \u201cThere is no pressure whatsoever. If you don\u2019t want a little sister, that\u2019s fine by us too. We\u2019re a happy family, and we don\u2019t need another child to complete us. She would change our way of life. We wouldn\u2019t be able to do all of the things we do now, because having a five year old changes things. She would probably pester you until you wanted to hang her upside down or something. It would be like starting our family all over again and that\u2019s something to think about. So you boys think and we\u2019ll leave you alone with your thoughts.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair wasn\u2019t happy with the way that Jim left it so he added, \u201cDon\u2019t forget that she\u2019s in a horrible foster home right now. She has no one. No brother\u2019s to look out for her, no one. She\u2019s just going to be starting school, so think all we could teach her. I think that you boys have so much love inside of you that you would make excellent brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cHere is the photo. Look at it a couple of times and then think about it. Come down and talk to us when you\u2019re ready. They want to know as soon as possible. So go think.\u201d<\/p>\n
The two boys got up and walked upstairs. Blair frowned and said, \u201cI think they\u2019re going to say no. They\u2019re used to having us to themselves and they might not want to share.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think they\u2019ll come around. You guys pointed out some good things to think about, so give them a little while and see what they say. If you asked me, I would tell you to go get her today. She\u2019s darling and I would love to have her as a grandchild. But it\u2019s not up to me. Let the boys think all they need to today,\u201d Naomi said very thoughtfully for a change. <\/p>\n
Jim smiled and hugged Naomi. \u201cBlair really wants her. He fell in love as soon as he saw her picture.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo if you did get her, I would lose my room, right?\u201d Naomi asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, that was another drawback. There would no longer be an office,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut hotels are cheap enough around here. I wouldn\u2019t mind giving up my room for a grand-daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cI don\u2019t think the boys are ready for that yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t give up already, Blair. We have time to think about it. They might have more questions too,\u201d Jim reminded Blair. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
So what do you think about sharing the house with a five year old? I mean, would we have to babysit all the time?\u201d Max asked Drew. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know, let\u2019s write it down to ask them,\u201d Drew said as he took notes on a tablet. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat would happen if she didn\u2019t like us?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI have no idea, Max. I just know how we felt in a horrible foster home and we had nowhere to go. We lucked out with Jim and Blair. Maybe this is a sign that we should think about it,\u201d Drew said thoughtfully. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe is cute. And Mike and Mark have a little sister and she\u2019s cute too. She doesn\u2019t seem to bother them that much,\u201d Max pointed out. <\/p>\n
\u201cI like the idea of being a big brother to someone. With you, I would never have that, since I\u2019m the youngest. I think maybe we should give Sam a try,\u201d Drew said smiling. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, let\u2019s go down and put them out of their misery,\u201d Max joked. <\/p>\n
They walked down the stairs smiling and Blair and Jim both lit up like rockets on the fourth of July. They knew the answer already. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe thought it over and decided that Sam needed some help like we did. We should help her,\u201d Max said sounding all grown up. <\/p>\n
\u201cAre you absolutely sure? This is a major step in our lives. None of us are used to having a five year old around us, so maybe you should think a little while longer,\u201d Jim said giving them an out. <\/p>\n
Drew snickered and said, \u201cNah, we decided that if Mark and Mike could do it, so could we.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have a little sister?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes and she\u2019s cute too. She\u2019s five also. So Sam would have a built in playmate,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
Naomi walked around and hugged the boys and said, \u201cCongratulations, you\u2019re big brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWoo Hoo,\u201d Max hollered. <\/p>\n
\u201cI second that,\u201d Drew agreed. <\/p>\n
Blair looked so happy that he might cry and Jim knew that would embarrass him, so he said, \u201cChief, why don\u2019t you call Tom and tell him the news.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, I\u2019ll go in the office. Oh my god, we\u2019ll have to do up the little girl room in the next few days. Can we do it that fast?\u201d Blair asked no one in particular. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe computer and desk will fit in our room upstairs, and that\u2019ll be nice. The boys already have one in their room. We\u2019ll get one for Sam once she starts working on a computer like other kids. We\u2019ll move the Murphy bed into the basement and sell it. Or we\u2019ll see if Daryl would like to have it,\u201d Jim said planning in his head. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut what about the room itself? Can we get it done in time?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
Naomi laughed and said, \u201cI\u2019m going shopping for her bedroom furniture now. You just need to paint. I\u2019ll do the rest.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair went in and called Tom and told him the news. Tom was thrilled of course and said, \u201cYou\u2019ll have your daughter within three days.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be ready,\u201d Blair answered and got off the phone. Blair knew they were going to be super busy getting this ready. He also knew that they would be sending someone out to inspect the room and see the house before she could be placed. Blair felt confident on the house part, but her room might not be done. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
The next morning when Blair left for teaching his class at the academy, Jim left early for work and Max and Drew woke Naomi up and asked her if she would take them to the prison to see their mom. <\/p>\n
Naomi and the boys took a cab to the car rental place and got a car for the day. It took about an hour to get to the prison, but they got right in. They filled out all of the forms and had their ids with them, so they were set. <\/p>\n
The man in charge told Naomi and the boys to wait and their names would be called as soon as she was brought into the room. <\/p>\n
Naomi looked at the boys and saw how nervous they were and felt bad for them. She wished she could take care of it herself. But alas, she knew the boys would probably have more luck. <\/p>\n
They called their names and they walked into a room and found Martha sitting there at the table. She had no idea who the boys were. That\u2019s how long it had been since she had seen them. <\/p>\n
\u201cMom, we came to ask you a favor,\u201d Max began. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh my God, it\u2019s Max and Drew? It\u2019s so good to see you. Are you going to start coming to see me every week?\u201d Martha asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, mom, we came to ask a favor. We have a great home right now and they want to adopt us and you have to sign papers for it. We were hoping that you could do that for us. Do you think you could?\u201d Max inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cDid you know that those good people offered me money to sell my children to them?\u201d Martha said hatefully. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s because they love us, mom and they want us to be happy. You never cared. Please do this for us,\u201d Max begged. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re really nice, mom. You would like them both,\u201d Drew said kindly. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure I would, but they offered me money to sell my children. That\u2019s not right,\u201d Martha said, sticking to her guns. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen are you supposed to get out, mom?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf everything goes well, maybe in six years,\u201d she answered. <\/p>\n
Drew said, \u201cIn six years, I\u2019ll be 19. I won\u2019t have a thing to do with you when you get out. I never want to see you again. I thought you might love us enough to do what\u2019s best for us, but I can see we were wrong. Don\u2019t expect to ever see me again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max hugged his little brother, because he knew he was upset. \u201cWhy not take the money? You\u2019re not going to ever see us again, anyhow. So you\u2019d be getting something out of it too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMax, you just don\u2019t understand. There is still a chance when I get out to make things right,\u201d Martha said stupidly. <\/p>\n
Max glared at her and said, \u201cI\u2019m with Drew on this. I\u2019m never seeing you again. Don\u2019t look us up or we\u2019ll make trouble for you. We never want to see you again.\u201d<\/p>\n
They both stood up and left the room. Naomi was standing there and she said, \u201cI\u2019m the gramma. These are wonderful boys. You had to have done something right to have them come out so great. You\u2019ll never see them again, but if you did the right thing, they would always remember your sacrifice and would love you for it. Think on that for awhile.\u201d Naomi left the room too and took the boys and led them out to the car. <\/p>\n
As soon as they left, Martha called Tom Bateman and said, \u201cI\u2019ll take the deal. Bring the papers and I\u2019ll sign the boys over to Jim Ellison and Blair Sandburg. I want the ten thousand in a savings account for when I get out.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll bring the papers in about an hour,\u201d Tom said before he hung up. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair were going to be shocked. To find out you\u2019re going to adopt one child is something but to adopt three is something else. It couldn\u2019t have happened to a better family. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
When Jim and Blair got home that night, they moved everything out of the office and put things in storage until they sold it or gave it to Daryl. <\/p>\n
Two days later, Jim and Blair found out that they were going to be signing papers on the boys and Samantha. They couldn\u2019t wait for Monday to get there. And Naomi was in Sam\u2019s room non-stop and wouldn\u2019t let anyone in except for Max and Drew. She wanted the room to be a surprise for Jim and Blair. <\/p>\n
Naomi walked out and said, \u201cWe had all of the furniture delivered today and we have all of the bedding washed, dried and put on the bed and the window seat. So do you guys want to see the room or what?\u201d<\/p>\n
[[[samsbedroom.jpg]]]<\/p>\n
Jim and Blair walked in and were shocked. The room was absolutely gorgeous. Naomi had done a splendid job picking everything out to match. It was beautiful. Jim hugged her really hard and didn\u2019t let go for awhile. Then Blair had his turn to hug her. Jim in turn went and hugged Max and Drew both and told all three of them, \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair was in shock. He couldn\u2019t have imagined a room this darling. Sam was going to love it, that was for sure, <\/p>\n
Everyone seemed to be making sacrifices, and they were all working out in the end. Everyone was going to be happy. Blair couldn\u2019t wait to have his family complete and then he would be content. <\/p>\n
Jim just smiled at him and knew exactly what he was thinking. Jim couldn\u2019t have agreed more. <\/p>\n
The end. <\/p>\n
Family Life Part 32
\nBirthday Wishes
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 3,071<\/p>\n
The following Monday morning, Jim, Blair, Naomi, Drew and Max all went to the lawyer\u2019s office. Tom laughed when he saw the entire family there. <\/p>\n
\u201cCome on in, everyone,\u201d Tom said sounding every bit as happy as he was. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe judge is going to see us at ten o\u2019clock, so the state is bringing Samantha over to my office first and we can take her to the courthouse. I thought that would give you a little while to talk to her before the judge does. But the judge is also going to sign off on the papers for Max and Drew. Now, boys, are you sure you\u2019re okay with the name Sandburg-Ellison for your last name?\u201d Tom asked. <\/p>\n
Max was the first to reply. \u201cOh yeah, I love having their names on mine. Now we feel like we\u2019re really a family. This is going to be perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t agree more,\u201d Drew said happily. \u201cNow we just need to meet our little sister.\u201d<\/p>\n
The judge will probably ask you all questions about the newest addition. You\u2019ve been a family as you were for the last ten months, so he might wonder why you\u2019re opting to change everything.\u201d Tom said casually. <\/p>\n
Jim looked at him oddly and said, \u201cDo you think he\u2019ll see it as a problem?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, he has asked me why the change? Then again, he might see the five of you and decide that everything will be just ducky,\u201d Tom joked. <\/p>\n
Jim smiled and said, \u201cIs that fancy lawyer talk, Tom?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou betcha. Sit down everyone and we\u2019ll wait for Samantha to arrive. She\u2019s very outgoing I\u2019m told. I sure hope you guys will like her. I mean, what if you didn\u2019t?\u201d Tom asked. <\/p>\n
Everyone sat down on a sofa or a chair and looked to Tom to talk again. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I have some complaints from the last home she was in. She has an attention span disorder, she\u2019s very loud and interrupts all the time. They didn\u2019t like her at all, so I\u2019m just warning you,\u201d Tom explained. <\/p>\n
Max said, \u201cSounds like little Mary, Mark and Mike\u2019s sister. She does that same stuff and it\u2019s not the end of the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s right, it isn\u2019t. And maybe these people just don\u2019t really like kids that much,\u201d Blair suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cTom, the boys are going to be ours from this day on, right? But Samantha will be on a six month trial adoption, am I correct?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, you\u2019ve had the boys long enough to get them today but Samantha might be a different story, so they plan accordingly. Then in six months if you still want her, you have to sign the final papers,\u201d Tom answered. <\/p>\n
There was a knock on the door and in walked a grouchy looking woman pulling a five year old behind her. She looked scared to death. The woman handed Tom the papers and said to Samantha, \u201cYou stay with them now.\u201d And like that she walked out the door. <\/p>\n
Blair walked up to her and said, \u201cSamantha, my name is Blair Sandburg and if you\u2019d like to, you\u2019re welcome at our house. This is my spouse, Jim Ellison and our sons, Max and Drew. Don\u2019t be scared, no one here is going to hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you the family that said I might be able to stay with if I behave?\u201d Samantha asked. <\/p>\n
Jim looked shocked and said, \u201cWe\u2019re the family you might be able to stay with no matter what. We\u2019re willing to give it a good try, Samantha.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max and Drew walked up to her and each gave her a hug and Max said, \u201cWelcome to the family. These two guys have prepared a room for you like you wouldn\u2019t believe. You\u2019ll have your own room. Have you ever had your own room before?\u201d<\/p>\n
She looked happily at Max and said, \u201cI slept on the sofa in the living room. I guess that was my own room.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe heard you just had a birthday,\u201d Blair said changing the subject. <\/p>\n
\u201cDid I?\u201d Samantha asked. <\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cWell you\u2019re going to have a birthday party at our house when you get home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWith presents and everything? They had one for one of the kids at the foster home, but I didn\u2019t get to go to it. But I heard it was fun,\u201d Samantha said. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair were beginning to hate this foster home more by the moment. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, with presents and cake and ice cream. This will be your Gramma, Naomi. She likes to be called Naomi,\u201d Blair said introducing Naomi. <\/p>\n
\u201cHi Naomi, my name is Samantha. But people call me Sam,\u201d the little girl said happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo you like being called Sam?\u201d Naomi asked next. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I like the name Sam. It\u2019s nice,\u201d Sam answered quickly. <\/p>\n
\u201cThen we\u2019ll all call you Sam. It\u2019s a lovely name for a lovely little girl,\u201d Naomi said. <\/p>\n
Sam snickered and said, \u201cYou\u2019re really nice, Naomi.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tom stood up and said, \u201cIt\u2019s time to go over to the court house. Jim and Blair, why don\u2019t you just follow me? I\u2019ll take Max and Drew with me so you have enough room in your car.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have plenty of room. It seats eight people easily. So we\u2019ll all go together. I have Sam\u2019s booster seat already in the car. Are you ready to go sign some papers, Sam?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know what kind of papers that I have to sign,\u201d she answered so sweetly that they all just melted. <\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cIts papers we have to sign to get permission to take you to your new home. Would you mind going with us, Sam?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Farrell said that I don\u2019t have any where else to go, so I better go with you or I\u2019ll end up at one of those terrible homes that they told me about,\u201d she said sadly. <\/p>\n
Jim picked her up and hugged her and said, \u201cBelieve me, you\u2019re going to a good home. You\u2019ll have your own cool room and everything. You\u2019ll have two big brothers to watch out for you every day, so no one is ever mean to you. Could you live in a place like that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh yes,\u201d Sam said cheerfully and hugged Jim back. <\/p>\n
Tom said, \u201cLet\u2019s go get those papers signed before the judge gets mad at us.\u201d<\/p>\n
They went in their separate cars and got to the court house in plenty of time. So they didn\u2019t have to rush. <\/p>\n
Max said, \u201cWould you like a horsey back ride up to the court room, Sam?\u201d <\/p>\n
Sam smiled and said, \u201cOh yes, I would like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max lifted her up and switched her to his back with ease and said to Jim and Blair, \u201cWe need to feed her something. She\u2019s too small.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair laughed and said, \u201cShe looks like a normal sized five year old to me. You\u2019re just used to lugging your brother around and there is a big difference.\u201d<\/p>\n
They all laughed all the way up to the court room. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, I liked your car,\u201d Sam said. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlair has one almost like it too. We like to have plenty of room for kids,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cI liked my new booster seat with the lights on the side. That was cool. Max showed me how I can read in the car when it\u2019s dark. But I can\u2019t read yet,\u201d Sam admitted. <\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cWe\u2019ll have you reading in no time, Sam. Don\u2019t you worry about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
They all followed Tom into the court room and the judge was already there. He was surprised to see the happy family in front of him. He thought he might see a crying five year old and two distressed teens. Instead, he saw a teen carrying a little five year old on his shoulders and laughing while the younger teen laughed following them in. Judge Harrison began to feel better about this case already. The door opened again and William Ellison walked in and hugged Naomi, Jim, Blair, Max and Drew. Then he introduced himself to Sam. Sam hugged her new grampa like they had known each other for ages. <\/p>\n
\u201cIs everyone here, Mr. Bateman?\u201d Judge Harrison asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, sir, they are.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen I would like to talk to Max and Drew Miller alone in my chambers, if everyone would be so kind as to sit down while we\u2019re doing that, it would make things go easier for all,\u201d Harrison said. <\/p>\n
Jim took Sam off of Max\u2019s back and Sam started to cry. \u201cHe\u2019s taking them away from us?\u201d She cried out. <\/p>\n
Judge Harrison said, \u201cNo, young lady, I\u2019m just going to talk to them. Then we\u2019re coming back in and I get to talk to you for a little while. Will that be all right with you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess,\u201d Sam supposed. <\/p>\n
Jim almost laughed, but didn\u2019t. Blair wanted to laugh, but didn\u2019t catch himself in time and did snicker a little bit. Naomi jabbed him in the side and said, \u201cStop it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Judge Harrison felt like he had lost control already. \u201cMax and Drew if you\u2019ll follow me, we\u2019ll talk.\u201d<\/p>\n
The two boys followed the judge into his chambers and Jim and Blair looked nervously at each other. <\/p>\n
Tom saw them getting nervous and said, \u201cThe judge just has to make sure that the boys are making a good sound decision. Especially about changing their names. That\u2019s a big step, don\u2019t you know?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to change my name. Could I be Jim, too?\u201d Sam asked grampa. <\/p>\n
They all started to laugh and said, \u201cSam, what is your last name?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy name is Sam Jones,\u201d Sam replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell Sam Jones, the boys are named Max and Drew Miller. They want to change the Miller part to our names. They want to have mine and Blair\u2019s name at the end of their names. So they want to be Max Sandburg-Ellison and Drew Sandburg-Ellison. Do you understand?\u201d Jim inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cWow, that\u2019s a big name. So I can change my name today too? We could all have the same name?\u201d Sam asked hopefully. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think we have to wait for six months for your name change, honey. So you just have to be patient, okay?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll try. People are always telling me that,\u201d Sam said as she frowned and stomped her foot a little bit. <\/p>\n
William started to laugh, he couldn\u2019t help it. \u201cJim, you used to do the very same thing. This is \u2018like\u2019 so weird.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBlair did too. Maybe they all do, and we just didn\u2019t notice anyone else\u2019s kids,\u201d Naomi decided. <\/p>\n
The door opened from the judge\u2019s chamber and out came a smiling Max and Drew. They both walked up to Jim and Blair and hugged them. Then Max picked up Sam and held her until the judge needed to talk to her. <\/p>\n
Judge Harrison sat down at his bench and said, \u201cI see no reason to question a five year old when she seems so happy. These boys are the most well adapted children I have ever come across. They told me that you have them volunteer at a homeless shelter once a month and at an old age home once a month. Do you know how rare it is, to have parents that want you to have values? I\u2019m very impressed with both of them and I think they\u2019re making the right decision about their name change. They want to be totally yours and they shall be. As for Samantha Jones, I need six months probation. You\u2019ll have someone drop by at least once during this time, if not twice and check and see how she is doing in the home life. Other then that, we\u2019re ready to sign papers. Jim Ellison and Blair Sandburg are you ready to become legal parents of Max and Drew Miller?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim was the first to answer, \u201cYes, sir. We\u2019ve been ready forever it seems.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood, now come up here and sign where I tell you to. We\u2019ll get the boys out of the way first and then concentrate on signing everything for Samantha,\u201d Judge Harrison stated. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair did everything the judge told them to and signed when he said sign. Jim felt overwhelmed a couple of times and almost had to blow his nose, but he looked at Blair and Blair kept him strong. Once they were done, they hugged the boys and Blair said, \u201cWelcome to the family again, sons.\u201d<\/p>\n
They then signed all of the paperwork needed for Samantha to be legal for them to take home and before long they were all done. <\/p>\n
The judge wished them all well and shook hands with everyone, including Sam. She was very pleased with herself about that. <\/p>\n
Max said, \u201cYou know what time it is, Sam?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I don\u2019t know how to tell time yet,\u201d Sam answered truthfully, cracking Max and Drew up. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s time to go home for your birthday party,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWith presents and everything?\u201d Sam asked her little eyes open as far as they could be. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, there are a lot of presents. You have all new clothes, new shoes and jackets and toys. So let\u2019s get home and get this party started,\u201d Max said happily. He was as excited as Sam was. <\/p>\n
The boys each grabbed a hand of Sam\u2019s and Max said, \u201cCome on little sister, let\u2019s get into the SUV and go home.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cCould we run?\u201d Sam asked sweetly. <\/p>\n
\u201cHey dad and pop, she wants to run. Come on,\u201d Drew yelled as they started to run towards the SUV. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou call Jim and Blair, dad and pop?\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, we call Blair pop and Jim, dad. You can to if you want to,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think I will. I don\u2019t remember having a dad or a pop. So this will be fun, right?\u201d Sam asked a little bit nervous. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be great fun. You just wait and see,\u201d Drew assured her. <\/p>\n
They all climbed into the SUV, William went to his car and Tom left for his office. The drive home was filled with chatter from Sam. She was quite the chatterbox. When they arrived at the loft, Max said, \u201cCome on, Sam, let\u2019s go see your new room.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCan we hold hands again?\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n
Max and Drew thought she was the cutest thing in the world. <\/p>\n
They all walked upstairs with the boys holding Sam\u2019s hands. <\/p>\n
When they walked into the loft, Sam said, \u201cWow, this is a nice house. Who lives here?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou do, silly girl,\u201d Drew said laughing. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is our house?\u201d Sam asked again. <\/p>\n
Max said, \u201cCome see your room really fast and then we\u2019ll come out and have your birthday party.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the boys took her into her room, Naomi, Jim and Blair got the cake out, the presents out and the big balloon out and tied it to a chair for Samantha. <\/p>\n
Then Blair and Jim decided they wanted to see how their daughter liked her bedroom. <\/p>\n
\u201cIsn\u2019t this a cool room?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never had a room. This is the coolest room, ever,\u201d Sam admitted. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo you like your bed and your window seat?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cIs it called a window seat because you can sit there and look out the window?\u201d Sam wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cExactly why,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
She crawled up on her bed and said, \u201cI have to sleep all alone though, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho else would sleep with you?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cAt the last house, I had two other kids that came down during the night and made me get into things in the kitchen for them. I never got to sleep all night. Ever.\u201d Sam said quite dramatically. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, no one is going to wake you up here. Dad and pop sleep right upstairs over your room. They could hear if anyone came near your room. So you\u2019ll always be safe,\u201d Max reassured Sam. <\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cWho is ready for their birthday party?\u201d <\/p>\n
Sam raised her hand and said, \u201cMe. Pick me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drew smiled and whispered to Max, \u201cShe sounds a lot like pop doesn\u2019t she?\u201d<\/p>\n
They both laughed and so did Jim when he heard them. <\/p>\n
They walked out and the gramma and grampa moved away from the table and she saw her cake and her presents and her balloon. She was all smiles. <\/p>\n
[[[sam1.jpg]]]<\/p>\n
They ate the cake and ice cream first, then they let her open her presents, she had tons of them and then they took tons of pictures for the photo albums for the grandparents. <\/p>\n
All in all, it was a grand day. All of her clothes fit beautifully, her shoes fit, her jackets fit and gramma was taking her the next day to have her hair trimmed. She couldn\u2019t believe how lucky she was. <\/p>\n
She hugged Blair\u2019s leg and said, \u201cI\u2019m glad you picked me, pop.\u201d Blair lit up with joy when he heard it come out of her little mouth. <\/p>\n
Then she hugged Jim\u2019s leg and said, \u201cDad, I think I want to go to bed pretty soon. I\u2019m tired.\u201d<\/p>\n
All of them went in her bedroom, picked out her pajama\u2019s, kissed her goodnight and left the room. Jim was the only one left. \u201cSam, let\u2019s get ready for bed and I\u2019ll read you some of these books on your shelf.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI love books, daddy. Could poppy come in too?\u201d Blair stuck his head in and said, \u201cI\u2019m right here. We\u2019re always going to be close by, Sam.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for picking me,\u201d Sam said as she crawled into her new bed. Jim read one book and Blair read the other and she was fast asleep when they left the room at 8:00 that night. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s so cute, Blair,\u201d Naomi said hugging her son. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo cuter then those big brothers she has. They were wonderful today. Thank you, Drew and Max.\u201d Blair was thrilled with everyone. <\/p>\n
William helped Jim clean up the kitchen while Blair and Naomi cleaned up the dining room. Before long, the house looked like it usually did and William took his leave. He offered to drive Naomi to the hotel, but she said she wanted to sleep on the sofa in case Sam needed her during the night. <\/p>\n
When Jim and Blair got upstairs that night, it was ten. Jim felt like it was ten the next morning. This had been a long, long day. <\/p>\n
But it was worth it. <\/p>\n
The end. <\/p>\n
Family Life Part 33
\nHappiness Is\u2026
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 2,389<\/p>\n
I wanted to thank all of the people who have been writing to me about the series. I\u2019m so glad that you\u2019re all still reading it. So hopefully I\u2019ll come up with some story ideas soon. You know, anyone can send me story ideas. Hint, hint, hint. <\/p>\n
\u201cLife with a Kindergartner?\u201d Jim said as he read the title of the book Blair was reading. <\/p>\n
\u201cI got it at the book store yesterday, because I want her first year in school to be as pain free as it can be. If we\u2019re all ready, it can be,\u201d Blair said defensively. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis says it\u2019s for home schooling,\u201d Jim pointed out. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut it had many ideas for both. I figured it wouldn\u2019t hurt for us to be prepared,\u201d Blair confessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, she seems quite bright, I don\u2019t think we have to worry about her,\u201d Jim assured him. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou never know what problems could arise, Jim. I want to be ready,\u201d Blair said stubbornly. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, I\u2019ll let you handle the reading the book part, leave me with handling the school bullies,\u201d Jim teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim we have to take this seriously,\u201d Blair snapped. <\/p>\n
\u201cI am serious. I think you\u2019re too serious,\u201d Jim said as he got up to leave the living room. <\/p>\n
Blair followed him and said, \u201cDid you know that she was tested and she is a Visual-Spatial Learner?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, I don\u2019t even know what that is. Tell me about it. You have my attention now,\u201d Jim said sounding a lot more focused on Blair, making Blair happy about it. <\/p>\n
Blair smiled and said, \u201cThey are visual, not auditory. They remember what they see and forget what they hear. Making them appear to not be listening when it isn\u2019t that they\u2019re not listening, they don\u2019t hear it. They see it. It\u2019s going to take us awhile to get used to her and her actions. We have to remember that scolding her for not doing something isn\u2019t going to help her in the long run. Do you get it, Jim? They tend to focus on ideas, not the format, so her work isn\u2019t going to look as nice as say, Drew\u2019s or Max\u2019s. They focus on ideas. She can only focus on one. They seek out patterns, they love patterns in things, clothing, toys, bedspread anything as long as it\u2019s got a pattern, it makes them very happy. They are sensitive and very intense, so we always have to keep that in mind too. They have wild and crazy imaginations, they can visualize in all senses and make a movie while reading. Their radar is always on, scanning, scanning, scanning. They are original, natural thinking out of the box. Intensely emotional, their feelings and thinking are intertwined. So as long as we\u2019re all aware of this, I think we can handle it. No one told us this, I read it in her file.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, I think it\u2019s horrible that they didn\u2019t tell us something is wrong with her,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
Blair jumped up and said, \u201cThere is nothing wrong with her that understanding won\u2019t help. She\u2019s different, she\u2019s not broken, she\u2019s just a little different.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, I didn\u2019t mean to make her sound broken. I just don\u2019t understand it yet. Should we get some books on it?\u201d Jim wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cI picked some up at the book store. I think we\u2019re going to have our hands full at school. A lot of teachers don\u2019t want to take the time out to reach these children. So we\u2019re going to have to work with her a lot and the boys too. Everyone can make learning fun for her and she\u2019ll be able to get through her first year,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe seems so normal,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, she is normal. Wait until you read all of the books, then you\u2019ll get the just of it. It\u2019s going to be fine. Don\u2019t worry so much.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo do we tell the boys about her?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, it\u2019s not a secret. We can talk about it with her in the room. First of all, she doesn\u2019t pay attention too much to what we say. But she watches us like hawks. It all makes sense now. But it\u2019s good for her to understand that we understand her problems. Yes, they are problems, but only until we learn to deal with them,\u201d Blair assured Jim. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, this might be a little harder then what we signed on for,\u201d Jim admitted. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo you want to toss her back to foster homes, where she got no help whatsoever?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I just wonder if we know what we\u2019re getting in to,\u201d Jim said again. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, are you happy right now?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean am I happy right now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you happy with the five year old laying on her bed in her room, putting puzzles together? Does she make you happy to watch her? Does it make you feel good to know she has a home and a family to live with? Do you like her?\u201d Blair inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I adore her. She\u2019s so damn cute. I\u2019ll get used to this in time. You\u2019re going to have to help me through it. The boys, will need help too. Speaking of the boys, where are they?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh Sentinel man, why don\u2019t you listen and see,\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cI see. They\u2019re in doing puzzles with Sam. They seem to like her a lot. They don\u2019t seem to be upset about us having taken in another child. They\u2019re good guys,\u201d Jim said happily. <\/p>\n
Sam came walking out and said, \u201cPoppy and daddy can you come and see the puzzle I just made?\u201d <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair followed her into her room which was quite the mess. You put this big puzzle together?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Drew and Max helped me though. It was hard, but I liked it. I had a lot of fun,\u201d Sam admitted. <\/p>\n
\u201cSam, your room is quite messy, why don\u2019t you pick it up before we start something else?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
Sam looked at Max and Drew and said, \u201cDo we have any more puzzles?\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair decided to tell Max and Drew about Sam with Sam still in the room. She didn\u2019t seem worried about it one bit. She actually didn\u2019t seem to be listening at all. Instead she was building another puzzle. <\/p>\n
Max said, \u201cSam, let\u2019s have a game shall we? The one that picks up the most toys is the winner. You not only have to pick them up, but put them in the right place again. Ready, set, go\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Sam was right with them, picking things up and putting them where they belonged. Jim was amazed at how quickly she was adapting to what Max had suggested. Jim thought this might just work. Oh hell, he would have been lost without her if it didn\u2019t work, so he was going to be sure it worked. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Every day got a little easier for Sam and everyone else in the house. Sometimes things were a challenge, but other times they were simple and easy. They all just took them in stride. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
\u201cPoppy, can Mary come over and play today?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cAre Mike and Mark coming over?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes and their mom said Mary can come if it\u2019s okay with you and daddy,\u201d Sam said. <\/p>\n
\u201cSure, as long as you know that you\u2019re going to help clean up the mess when you\u2019re done,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n
When the three of them got there, Blair served drinks and snacks at the table. Blair noticed that Sam was a little on the bossy side, but the kids didn\u2019t seem to mind. Blair did. He didn\u2019t want her bossing people around. He would have to talk to her about that too. Once they were done with their snacks, they all went in separate directions and began to do their own things. <\/p>\n
Jim got home from court and said, \u201cGod, that was a long day. Please tell me you had a good one.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI did and I am. Mark and Mike are here with their little sister Mary. Will you listen and tell me what the girls are doing right now?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
Jim cocked his head and listened in and said, \u201cShe\u2019s telling her what to say and what to do. When Mary says something else, Sam corrects her and tells her what to do and say again. That won\u2019t do, Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, it won\u2019t. This is all going to take work, Jim. I told you it was going to be work. She\u2019s come a long way already, but we\u2019ll need to stay on top of things to keep her doing well,\u201d Blair reminded Jim. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, are you happy?\u201d Blair asked quietly. <\/p>\n
Jim kissed Blair quickly and said, \u201cYes, I\u2019m happy. I\u2019m really pooped from the stupid hearing at the court house and have to go back tomorrow. But other then that, I\u2019m doing well. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI want you to be happy. I don\u2019t want you to go along with things because you think you have to,\u201d Blair replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never been happier. I love the kids, Blair. Even with problems now and then with Sam, I still adore her. The boys like her too. I know you do, so happiness is\u2026our family.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair went into Jim\u2019s arms and kissed him hard. \u201cI\u2019m so glad to hear you say that. I love you so much, big guy. I\u2019ll show you later.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNow that would be pure happiness,\u201d Jim teased as he went to get a beer. <\/p>\n
Sam came running out of the room and said, \u201cCan we have another snack?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you come in here and eat it,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut I have a table and chairs in my room. We could eat everything in there. Okay?\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, there is a rule about food in the bedrooms. No food in the bedrooms. It\u2019s as simple as that,\u201d Blair said not backing down one bit. <\/p>\n
\u201cForget it then,\u201d Sam shouted and rushed into her room. <\/p>\n
Jim looked at Blair to see how he was taking it and Blair said, \u201cShe\u2019ll be out in a little while for snacks. You wait and see.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sure enough about ten minutes later, Sam walked out with Mary and said, \u201cPoppy can we have some of the fruit salad for our snack?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cSure, sit down and I\u2019ll get it for you,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cHello Sam, did you notice I was home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a friend here, daddy,\u201d Sam answered as if that explained it all. <\/p>\n
\u201cHello Mary, it\u2019s good to see you again,\u201d Jim said nicely. <\/p>\n
\u201cHello, Jim. I\u2019m having fun with Sam. We\u2019re playing bank teller. She\u2019s the bank teller and I\u2019m the customer. So I get to keep giving her money over and over again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim smiled and said, \u201cSam, couldn\u2019t Mary be the bank teller once or twice?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cBut daddy, I\u2019m the bank teller. She can be another customer if she wants,\u201d Sam said. <\/p>\n
Jim looked over at Blair and Blair just shrugged his shoulders. <\/p>\n
\u201cSam, she\u2019s not going to want to come and play anymore if you don\u2019t let her be a bank teller,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cMary, do you want to be the bank teller?\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat might be fun,\u201d Mary answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, maybe next week you can, okay?\u201d Sam asked and Jim just shook his head. <\/p>\n
They ate their snack and giggled and talked during that time and everything seemed to be all right again. <\/p>\n
The girls went back into the bedroom to play and about an hour later, Sam was crying. Max and Drew came running down the stairs and said, \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim walked into the bedroom and Sam was lying on the bed crying. She wouldn\u2019t look at Jim at all. Jim said, \u201cMary, what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe pushed me, so I pushed her back,\u201d Mary replied. <\/p>\n
Max sat on the bed and said, \u201cYou have to play nice with Mary or she won\u2019t want to come again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Mary,\u201d Sam cried. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Sam. Let\u2019s go back to playing again,\u201d Mary said and Sam wiped her nose on a kleenex and it was like nothing happened. <\/p>\n
Max and Drew walked out of her room and Max said, \u201cWe call her the little bipolar child. One minute she\u2019s up and the next minute she\u2019s down and crying like a baby. She does this almost every day. Do you think anyone could be bipolar if they are a child?\u201d <\/p>\n
Blair answered, \u201cYes, it\u2019s on my list of things to ask the doctor when we go for her check up the next time. I think she might be. The mood swings are actually quite bad and she might need to be medicated.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim\u2019s jaw just dropped. \u201cYou\u2019re saying medicated?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI did some checking and there are no healthy alternatives for it, so we might have to wait until she\u2019s older to try something from a health food store. In the mean time, all of you note when she does something. We need to tell the doctor how often and what she does,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor being such a little thing, she sure has a lot of problems,\u201d Drew teased. <\/p>\n
Blair walked into the kitchen and didn\u2019t reply. Jim followed him in and said, \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was hoping that it was just me. I really didn\u2019t want her to be bipolar. That\u2019s such a huge thing for a child to be labeled with. But I think I was right all along. I thought she was from week one on. Jim, will it make you less happy?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, I wouldn\u2019t be happy if she is, but I wouldn\u2019t be happy if Max or Drew were either. That doesn\u2019t mean I wouldn\u2019t understand it. Life goes on, buddy. So don\u2019t let it get you down,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted things to be perfect,\u201d Blair explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cThings are perfect. We have a lovely family and I\u2019m surely not complaining. Stop worrying about us. Concentrate on Sam. She needs the most help right now,\u201d Jim said hugging Blair to his body. <\/p>\n
Blair smiled as he was being held and realized that things weren\u2019t always happy, but that didn\u2019t mean they still couldn\u2019t have happiness in their lives. <\/p>\n
After all, happiness is\u2026a family.<\/p>\n
The end<\/p>\n
Family Life Part 34
\nRed, Hot and Blue
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 3,493<\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Thanks to Helena for the wonderful story idea. She thought the boys celebrating the Fourth of July with the kids for the first time, would be a nice thing to do. So do I. So here we go. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, did you hear that they\u2019re going to be doing the fireworks show, right across the road from our balcony? We don\u2019t have to be down there where the noise will kill your ears. We just have to watch from the balcony. The kids will have such fun. We could have a barbecue with hot dogs and hamburgers and work our way into the fireworks show. How does that sound to you?\u201d Blair asked without taking a breath. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt sounds great. We could invite Denise, Sam and Seth Barrow\u2019s too. That would be fun for all of them. They live down low enough that they won\u2019t be able to see the fireworks from across the road. So up here would be much better. Do you mind having them over too?\u201d Jim inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cBabe, I think that\u2019s a wonderful idea. We could invite Simon and Daryl too, if you wanted to and make it super, duper nice for the kids,\u201d Blair suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou know how Drew loves to make things on his art program, why don\u2019t we have him make the invitations up and we can hand them out to our friends that we want to invite,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cGood thinking. Let\u2019s ask him now. He\u2019s in the kitchen,\u201d Blair said as he headed into the kitchen. <\/p>\n
\u201cHi pop, what are you up to?\u201d Drew asked when he saw Blair enter the kitchen. Then he saw Jim walk in and said, \u201cOn man, what did I do?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou didn\u2019t do anything, Drew. Stop worrying. We\u2019d like you to make a Fourth of July invitation for some of our friends in the building and maybe from our work. We wondered if you would mind making them,\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh cool, I would love to do a Fourth of July Invite. Just let me know what you want on it and I\u2019ll have it done and printed up by tonight. Thanks for asking me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks for agreeing to do it for us on such short notice. It\u2019s the Fourth in five days, doesn\u2019t really give you too much time to work with does it?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cDad, really it\u2019s plenty of time. Let me get busy making the invites and we\u2019ll hand them out tonight or tomorrow. I\u2019m going to start now. Write down what you want, pop and I\u2019ll do it word for word,\u201d Drew said happily. <\/p>\n
Blair wrote down what he wanted on it and Drew went off like a cannon. He was up the stairs telling Max about it first thing. <\/p>\n
\u201cI hope that Max doesn\u2019t feel left out because we asked Drew,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
Blair thought about it for a second and said, \u201cMax doesn\u2019t know how to do the program, you know he always asked Drew to do his for him. So I don\u2019t think you\u2019re hurting his feelings. Besides we didn\u2019t ask Sam either.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s true. We need to find something she can do. How about she picks out the dessert for the party? And Max can pick out all of the chips and dips. That way they\u2019ll both feel useful and we won\u2019t have to do everything,\u201d Jim suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cSee if we can lean her towards vanilla ice cream cups and syrup to put over the top with lots of sprinkles like the fireworks. Do you suppose she has seen fireworks yet?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
Sam walked into the kitchen at that moment and said, \u201cWhat are fireworks?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, that answers our question doesn\u2019t it?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are fireworks, poppy?\u201d she asked sweetly. <\/p>\n
Blair went on to explain what fireworks were and he showed her pictures on the internet so she could see what they looked like. <\/p>\n
\u201cI get to see something this pretty today?\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Sam, in five days. So let\u2019s circle the calendar and you can see each day that we X out when it\u2019s passed. Then you\u2019ll be able to see how long before the party,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re having a party? I love parties. Well, I think I do. I loved my birthday party a lot. Is it like that?\u201d Sam asked sounding so precious. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a lot like a birthday party, except there are no presents for anyone. Everyone will just come and eat and then we\u2019ll stand out on the balcony and watch the fireworks show when it\u2019s dark,\u201d Blair explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis sounds like fun. I can\u2019t wait. What can I do to help?\u201d Sam asked first thing. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou get to help daddy pick out the dessert for the party. We might have a lot of people coming, so we need to shop soon,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cDaddy, we could do it now. We\u2019re not doing anything, are we?\u201d Sam suggested. <\/p>\n
Jim laughed and said, \u201cI guess we could. Poppy, how many people should we plan on feeding dessert to?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShop for around 30 just in case and we\u2019ll have plenty of room in our big freezer, so if there is too much, it\u2019ll keep. Remember what I said, Jim,\u201d Blair pointed out. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, yeah, yeah,\u201d Jim teased as he got his shoes on to leave for the store. Sam ran in and got hers on and said, \u201cCan the boys come too?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDrew is busy right now, but Max could go too. Let me go ask him if he\u2019d like to go with you two,\u201d Blair said as he walked up the stairs to the boys\u2019 room. <\/p>\n
Max opened the door and said, \u201cIt\u2019s a secret, you can\u2019t see the invites yet. What did you need, pop?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDad and Sam are going to the store and wanted to know if you\u2019d like to shop with them. Sam is picking out dessert. You\u2019re going to be picking out chips and dips. Do you feel like going right now?\u201d Blair wondered. <\/p>\n
Max grabbed his shoes and said, \u201cI\u2019m so out of here, Drew. You finish your art piece and stop bugging me about it.\u201d Max put his shoes on as he sat on the top of the staircase. <\/p>\n
Blair walked down smiling and said, \u201cMax is going to pick out the chips and dips. So help him in any way you can.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou two ready to go?\u201d Jim asked as he opened the front door. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re ready,\u201d Sam shouted and about killed Jim\u2019s hearing. She was very loud and they had to really work on that, but Jim didn\u2019t want to upset her right now. She was excited about the party. Jim would let this one slide. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
When they got to the store, Max said, \u201cI\u2019m going to pick out the chips and dips, while you guys go to the dessert aisle. I\u2019ll meet you in desserts.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, try and shop for about 30 people, pop said. I think there won\u2019t be that many, but we may as well be prepared,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
Jim picked Sam up and sat her in the front of the cart closest to where he pushed and said, \u201cOkay, this is what I was thinking, Sam. Everyone loves little cups of ice cream and then you buy the chocolate, strawberry, caramel and butterscotch topping for all of them. What do you think of that idea? And then of course you have to remember the sprinkles we would put on each of them to make everyone think about the fireworks.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat sounds good, daddy. I like vanilla ice cream the most. Do you?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cI do, it\u2019s my favorite too,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
They went down the aisle for desserts and picked out the cups of vanilla ice cream and got the toppings and the sprinkles and beat Max. They were over in the chips staring at him looking at all of the chips in the aisle. <\/p>\n
\u201cNeed help, Max?\u201d Jim asked almost laughing. <\/p>\n
\u201cI never knew there were so many types of chips. Pop always buys the stuff for us, so I don\u2019t go shopping,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
\u201cGet four bags of Fritos and four big cans of bean dip to go with it. Get six types of chips and we\u2019ll go over to the dairy section and get the dips picked out,\u201d Jim suggested. <\/p>\n
Max finished and said, \u201cOkay, dip and then we\u2019re done, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWith this much, yes. Thank you both for helping us. This is going to be our first party with you kids. This will be our first Fourth of July too.\u201d Jim stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is Fourth of July?\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n
Max told her all about what Fourth of July was while they walked over to the dairy section where they would find the dips. Jim and Max picked out six kinds of dips and put them in his cart. <\/p>\n
They all walked up to the front to pay and before long were on the road to get home with ice cream. Jim tried not to speed, but kept thinking about all of that ice cream in the back. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Blair worked on a guest list while they were gone. Drew came down smiling and said, \u201cWhere is dad?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll be back in a moment. Why?\u201d Blair questioned. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a finished product and I can\u2019t wait to show it to the two of you. I think it turned out really nice. But if you hate it, I want you to tell me that you hate it,\u201d Drew pleaded. <\/p>\n
\u201cDrew we could never hate anything you do for us. We love you, so therefore, chances are we\u2019re going to love the invite too,\u201d Blair remarked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI sure hope so. I not only made it for you guys, but for Sam too. This will be her first Fourth of July with us. Heck it\u2019s going to be our first Fourth of July with you guys. I\u2019m very excited about everything,\u201d Drew rambled on. <\/p>\n
Jim, Max and Sam came walking through the front door carrying green bags and bags and bags of groceries. Blair smiled and said, \u201cI\u2019m so proud of you. You used the bags I bought for groceries. Thank you, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t thank me, Max ran out to the SUV and got them while I was paying. He told the sacker he would be bringing in the good bags.\u201d Jim smiled at Blair. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Max. That was really nice of you to remember them. Dad doesn\u2019t for anything,\u201d Blair complained. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut he paid for everything without complaining about how expensive it was. And it was, too,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
Jim put all of the ice cream in the big freezer and got all of the dips in the regular fridge. \u201cMax, these bean dips don\u2019t have to be put in the fridge, you just keep them in the pantry until we need them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max put them away in the pantry and before long everything was off the counters. <\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cGuess what Drew has done?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGee, maybe the invitations?\u201d Jim teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet me run up and get them. I printed up 30 of them, just in case you needed that many,\u201d Drew said as he took off for his room. <\/p>\n
Blair turned to everyone and said, \u201cWe\u2019ll all going to love these. He said he made them special for Sam. I don\u2019t know what that means, but at any rate, we\u2019re all going to love them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGotcha, pop,\u201d Max replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cI gotcha too,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
Sam was looking in the pantry and not even paying attention to what Blair had said. She was so taken with the sprinkles for the ice cream that she wanted to try them out then. <\/p>\n
Drew walked down with the invites and handed one to each of them and Sam said, \u201cOh pretty. I love this. What does it say?\u201d<\/p>\n
[[[invite.jpg]]]<\/p>\n
Drew read it to her quickly and said, \u201cSo dad and pop, what do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s perfect, son. You did a wonderful job,\u201d Jim said seriously. <\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t agree with dad more. I knew I asked the right person. You put a lot of thought into it. Thank you, Drew,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cDrew, they\u2019re awesome. Everyone is going to love them,\u201d Max stated. <\/p>\n
Drew was bouncing just like Blair did when he was excited and that cracked Jim and Max up. <\/p>\n
\u201cCan we invite Mark and Mike over that night? And maybe they could spend the night?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a good idea. That way they can spend time with you guys and with Seth and Sam,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWith me?\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, honey, the other Sam downstairs,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh that one. He\u2019s cute,\u201d Sam said walking into her room. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
That night in bed, Jim whispered, \u201cPink? Did they have to be pink? We are never going to live this one down, babe.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh shut up and go to sleep,\u201d Blair said snickering. He loved the pink for Sam and thought it was just so thoughtful of Drew to do that. He was the kindest and most gentle person Blair had ever met in his life. <\/p>\n
Before long, Jim and Blair had no more thoughts and were sound asleep. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
For the next four days, they did nothing but shop, plan and clean the house. They had ended up inviting a lot more people then that had planned, so it was going to be a tight fit on the balcony to watch the fireworks. But Jim and Blair also had the window in their bedroom that faced the street too and the older kids could watch from up there if they wanted to. <\/p>\n
Simon and Daryl were coming, which pleased Max and Drew to no end. Daryl was such a good kid, he always hung out with the younger kids and never complained about it. Megan Conner was coming with Joel Taggart, Henri Brown and his wife, Sarah were coming, Mike and Mark were coming and so were Denise and the twins. So it was going to be a full house, which was fine by all. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Jim started the two grills on the balcony at 5:00, so that he could start dinner by 5:30. Simon came early so he could help Jim cook the meat and visit with him on the balcony. Blair was glad of that, because he was busy in the house getting things ready and set up. They had moved all of the furniture in the living room to one side and put up portable tables and chairs where the furniture used to be. Everyone was going to have a place to sit down. <\/p>\n
Blair got the potato salad out and started putting it in serving bowls. Max and Drew were helping. Sam was helping a little bit, but she was more interested in Sponge Bob. Blair finally told her she could watch Sponge Bob until the company started arriving. Then she had to pay attention to the people at the party. She happily went into the living room and turned on the tv. <\/p>\n
At 5:30 everyone started arriving and Jim was glad because he was almost done cooking the meat. He put it all on platters and took it into the house for everyone to pick from. <\/p>\n
Jim and Simon said hello to everyone that had come in while they were outside and they began to fix their own plates. <\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cJim could you do one for Sam, please?\u201d<\/p>\n
Sam from down stairs said, \u201cI can do my own, Jim, thanks anyway.\u201d Then every one laughed but little Sam. She didn\u2019t get the humor yet. <\/p>\n
Before long everyone was sitting at the portable tables and chairs and they were eating happily when Samantha said, \u201cIs it just about time for dessert?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always time for dessert, Samantha,\u201d Simon said picking her up and tickling her. She giggled and said, \u201cUncle Simon do you want to help me put the sparkles on the ice cream?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI would love to be your helper. But I think we should wash up first,\u201d Simon said helpfully. <\/p>\n
Jim got the ice creams out and took the little lids off of each of them and said, \u201cI need to know what people want on their ice cream. Here is what we have.\u201d He pointed out all of the different syrups and nuts and sparkles to put on it. <\/p>\n
Denise said, \u201cI think it\u2019s a given that all of us will be having sparkles on our ice cream.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair laughed and said, \u201cThank you all for understanding five year olds.\u201d<\/p>\n
Conner helped Blair and Jim in the kitchen doing the ice cream for everyone and Simon and Sam did all of the sparkles. She was having the best of times. <\/p>\n
Before long, everyone was done with dessert and Jim took folding chairs up to their bedroom and said, \u201cMax, you and all of your friends can watch from up there if you\u2019d like to. It would be quieter and more private. Samantha is going to be jumping around like mad. I thought you might like it better.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMax hugged his dad and said, \u201cThanks, dad. We\u2019ll sit up there, but if Sam needs to join us, then that\u2019s okay too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Max, it isn\u2019t okay. You don\u2019t have to give up your life in order to please Samantha. So don\u2019t worry about her. I\u2019m going to be holding her while she watches the light show. She\u2019s going to be in heaven. Pop is going to take a video of it and get her facial expressions because this is her first one.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks again, dad.\u201d Max went to find the guys so he could tell them they were going upstairs to watch the show. Before long they headed up to Jim and Blair\u2019s room. Sam saw them and started after them, but Jim caught her just in time. <\/p>\n
\u201cCome on, Sam, the show starts in ten minutes. We need to get out here in case it starts early,\u201d Jim said carrying her out onto the balcony. <\/p>\n
Everyone watched from there for the balcony doorway and before long the show started. Blair did as promised, he took a video of Samantha seeing her first Fourth of July Show and she was in total awe. Blair whispered, \u201cJim, do you have your senses down?\u201d<\/p>\n
He smiled at Blair and shook his head yes. Jim was no fool, he knew this was going to get louder as the night went on. <\/p>\n
Jim could hear the older kids upstairs, including Daryl saying how awesome the show was. Jim was never so happy in his life. This was a perfect day. It was a perfect night. They had wonderful friends and a fantastic family. Jim couldn\u2019t be more pleased or proud. <\/p>\n
Before long, Sam was falling asleep on his shoulder and his shoulder was going to sleep. He snuck into Sam\u2019s bedroom and put her in bed and tucked her in for the night. Then he walked out and watched the rest of the show with his friends. <\/p>\n
Simon, Conner and Joel stayed long into the night and helped Jim and Blair clean up the place. Jim went upstairs once to see how the boys were doing and found them all asleep on their bed. All seven of them were sound asleep. He walked downstairs and said, \u201cWe\u2019re going to be sleeping in Max and Drew\u2019s room tonight. We have seven young men sleeping in our bed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair burst out laughing and said, \u201cI think the party was a success. We were so hoping that it would go over well. I think it did.\u201d<\/p>\n
Simon said, \u201cI\u2019ll wake Daryl up and we\u2019ll go downstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t be silly. They\u2019re sleeping. I\u2019m going to throw blankets over them in a minute and we\u2019ll sleep in the other bedroom. Not to worry, Simon. Why don\u2019t you sleep over at Daryl\u2019s tonight?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI planned on it. This has been a great night, Jim and Blair. Thank you for inviting us and showing us how fun the Fourth of July is,\u201d Simon stated. <\/p>\n
Once they got everyone on their way, they locked up the house, went upstairs and put blankets on all of the boys and left a night light on and then went down and got ready for bed. Jim was exhausted and he knew that Blair had worked hard too. So it was all right that they were in separate beds. There would be no fireworks for them tonight. <\/p>\n
Jim got upstairs and Blair climbed into the bed with him and said, \u201cWe\u2019re both fitting on this bed, damn it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d Jim answered and cuddled with his man. <\/p>\n
Yes, this had been one red, hot and blue holiday. Jim was happy he had a family to enjoy it with. He knew Blair would have agreed if he wasn\u2019t already asleep. So much for the hot part. <\/p>\n
The end. <\/p>\n
Family Life Part 35
\nNot So Rough
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 4,264<\/p>\n
This was named by Lisa, Duncan\u2019s Twin and it the story idea was given to me by Helena. She\u2019s so good about giving me ideas. Blame her from now on. \ud83d\ude42 <\/p>\n
Simon called Jim into his office, \u201cEllison.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim walked in and stood in front of Simon\u2019s desk like he\u2019d done something wrong. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a big problem and we need to take care of it soon,\u201d Simon stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? What\u2019s wrong?\u201d Jim inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone in this room has way too much sick time and vacation time, so he is going to be forced to take a vacation whether he wants to or not. Guess who that someone is?\u201d Simon snickered as he spoke. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut I would have to take it without Blair. What fun is vacation without your spouse?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, it just so happens that Sandburg has enough sick time to be sick for a week while you\u2019re on vacation. No one will be the wiser,\u201d Simon pointed out. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat would be great, Simon. We talked about taking the kids on a camping trip and this would be a perfect time for it. They all just got out of school. I can start making plans right away, couldn\u2019t I?\u201d Jim questioned. <\/p>\n
\u201cGo, make plans. You\u2019re off as of Friday,\u201d Simon barked and then shoved Jim out of his office and sat back down at his desk, chewing on his unlit cigar. <\/p>\n
Jim was thrilled. Blair was in court all day long, so he could start making plans for a camping trip. He could plan it all and surprise Blair. He knew that Blair would love it, because camping was one of his favorite things. <\/p>\n
Jim finished his paperwork he had to get done and then started calling around for cabin\u2019s. Normally they would just stay in a tent with the boys, but with Sam, he didn\u2019t really want to explain to a five year old about peeing in the woods and using a leaf to wipe with. Jim smiled at the thought of it. There were disadvantages to having younger kids that was for sure. At least with the boys, they understood all about camping. Oh well, this was going to be fun no matter what. He found a great cabin that had three bedrooms that slept six people, great kitchen, three bathrooms and a hot tub on the back porch. It also came with a motor boat, Jet Ski\u2019s and life vests. So Jim figured this was the place. He asked how much for a week, the guy told him and he almost fell out of his chair, but then remembered that this was important. They would all remember this week for the rest of their lives. He hoped, anyway. Jim read him off his charge card and got it all taken care of. Jim looked before he called to be sure that Blair had no court dates on the days they were going to be gone. Jim didn\u2019t either. It was turning out well, and Jim wondered what was going to happen to ruin it. Bob, the man who was renting out the cabin to them told him he would have to forfeit half of the amount if cancelled. Jim knew that wasn\u2019t going to happen, so it was no big deal to him. <\/p>\n
Blair came walking into the bullpen very grumpy at 4:00 and Jim thought he would wait to tell him about their vacation. He didn\u2019t look in the right frame of mind that was for sure. <\/p>\n
Blair sat down at his desk and started flinging things around and said, \u201cI need a fucking vacation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim figured there was no time like the present. \u201cWell, today is your lucky day then. Guess who is on vacation for a week as of Friday?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s so mean to tease the person who doesn\u2019t have enough vacation time built up. You\u2019re a cruel, cruel, man,\u201d Blair said snickering. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I\u2019m serious. You\u2019re going to be sick all next week, because you have too much sick time built up and I have too much vacation time built up. We\u2019re leaving Friday morning for a week at a cabin,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t need a cabin, Jim. We\u2019ll take tents and rough it,\u201d Blair said smiling. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe can still rough it in the cabin. I don\u2019t want our daughter to have to pee in the woods,\u201d Jim stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh man, I didn\u2019t even think about that. Okay, so we\u2019ll just sleep in sleeping bags on the floor of a little cabin and it\u2019ll be great. I take it that it does have a bathroom,\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, it\u2019s got a bathroom. I have the directions to the place and I think we\u2019re all going to love it. There is a gorgeous lake on the property, fishing, camping, boating and swimming. Does this sound like a fun vacation or what?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m excited. The boys will be thrilled and Samantha will be happy that we\u2019re going anywhere other then to day care. She gets a little tired of that, I think,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI thought maybe you\u2019d be angry that I made all of the plans,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, quite the opposite. I think you\u2019re great for doing it. It shows you care about all of us,\u201d Blair said as he leaned in to Jim and whispered, \u201cYou might get lucky later, big guy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood, if you\u2019re happy, then I\u2019m happy. Only two days to get ready for the trip. So we\u2019ll start shopping tonight for food and paper items. Things like that. It has furniture, silverware, dishes, cups, glasses and a coffee pot, so we don\u2019t have to worry about any of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair looked at Jim, for a moment and thought something was out of whack. \u201cJim, just how rough is this cabin?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, it\u2019s not rough. It\u2019s not so rough at all. I\u2019m sorry. I fell in love with the place when I was looking for it and I just jumped at it,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cIs it too late to get your money back?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy would we get our money back? It\u2019s a great place to go. It\u2019s only two hours from our house and has room for all of us. It\u2019s a super nice place,\u201d Jim exclaimed. <\/p>\n
\u201cWait a minute. Now it\u2019s a super nice place. How much did this cost, Jim?\u201d Blair asked quietly. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt cost a lot, okay? But I think it\u2019s going to be worth it. I\u2019ll tell you all about it later,\u201d Jim said pretending he was doing paperwork. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll tell me now,\u201d Blair ordered. <\/p>\n
Jim knew that something would go wrong. He already knew that Blair wouldn\u2019t like the place that he chose. He knew it. He was going to lose his fucking money on the cabin and that\u2019s all there was to it. \u201cIt\u2019s got three bedrooms, three baths, a full kitchen, a living room with a fireplace, a hot tub on the back porch, swings on the front porch, a power boat, Jet Ski\u2019s and life vests. Do you want to know anything else?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJesus, Jim. This won\u2019t be camping it\u2019ll just be vacationing at a nice condo. The kids won\u2019t have fun at all,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
Jim looked heartbroken and said, \u201cIf I cancel, I lose half of what I paid for the place. I don\u2019t even want to tell you how much it was.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t have to give it up, but it won\u2019t be camping. It just won\u2019t be the same. I know you tried Jim, but I wanted to rough it,\u201d Blair explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou want to take a five year old girl, with all of us guys on a rough it, tough it camping trip? I don\u2019t think so, Blair. Think, man.\u201d Jim almost shouted. <\/p>\n
Blair could tell Jim was angry and he didn\u2019t mean to make him angry, he just didn\u2019t like his idea of a vacation. \u201cWhatever, Jim.\u201d Blair pulled out his work and started typing. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou know what Blair? You make the plans, I\u2019ll cancel these. You handle it, since you know what you want. Go for it,\u201d Jim said and stormed out of the bullpen and into the break room. <\/p>\n
Jim got himself a cup of coffee and sat down at the table blowing off a little steam. And not off of the coffee. <\/p>\n
Blair walked in and sat across from him and said, \u201cJim, I don\u2019t want to fight. The kids get upset and it\u2019s not good for any of us. So whatever you decide on, is fine by me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, just make the plans. I\u2019m going to cancel the ones I made and don\u2019t worry about it,\u201d Jim stood up and started to leave. <\/p>\n
Blair grabbed his hand and held on tight. \u201cPlease don\u2019t be pissed off at me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, just change the plans, okay? We\u2019ve only got two days to plan it, so start now,\u201d Jim pulled his hand away and walked out of the break room. Blair knew he had hurt Jim\u2019s feelings and he was going to have to make up for that later. But for now, he had to decide what to do about the plans. His feelings were a little hurt too and Jim didn\u2019t seem to mind that. <\/p>\n
Conner walked in and said, \u201cTrouble in paradise?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cConner, you\u2019re a girl, would you go camping with all guys, roughing it when you were five years old?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI used to go camping when I was three, I heard. But there is one difference, I grew up around it. Samantha hasn\u2019t grown up around any type of camping. I think I would start out with a cabin with a bathroom first,\u201d Megan suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what Jim thought too, and I thought he wasn\u2019t giving Sam enough credit. Maybe it\u2019s me that\u2019s wrong,\u201d Blair wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cIs Jim happy with the plans he made?\u201d Conner asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, but he\u2019s mad at me now and told me to make my own plans and he would cancel his,\u201d Blair explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cGet out there before he cancels. I think you should go with Jim\u2019s idea this time. Listen to Jim for a change. It will make him happy, Sandy,\u201d Conner shoved him out of the door of the break room. <\/p>\n
\u201cPushy damn broad.\u201d Blair smiled all the way into the bullpen. Jim was on the phone and didn\u2019t look happy at all. Blair got closer and heard him telling the man that something came up and he had to cancel.<\/p>\n
Blair sat down and whispered, \u201cI was wrong. You\u2019re right. Let\u2019s go there. It\u2019ll be fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cJust a minute, Bob, my partner just informed me that the something that came up is no longer a problem. Could we still have the place as planned?\u201d <\/p>\n
Bob answered, \u201cSure, I\u2019ll drop the key off to you tonight as planned. See you then, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim hung up the phone and said, \u201cAre you serious about this?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m as serious as a heart attack. I want us to be a family and have fun. We can still cook outside, we can still go fishing and clean the fish, and it\u2019ll be great. And the nice bedrooms will probably be a god-send at the end of a long day,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWant to see the kitchen?\u201d Jim asked hopefully. <\/p>\n
\u201cI would love to see the kitchen. Bring it up so I can see it,\u201d Blair said moving closer to Jim\u2019s computer. <\/p>\n
Jim pulled up the page on the screen and Blair just sat there with his mouth agape. \u201cThat\u2019s the kitchen? Holy shit, Jim, that\u2019s nicer then ours at home. And we have a nice kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n
[[[kitchen.jpg]]]<\/p>\n
\u201cIsn\u2019t it nice? I figured we can do a lot of cooking in that nice kitchen, but we can grill outdoors too and cook on a homemade fire, too. We can do all of them. This is going to work, babe. You wait and see.\u201d Jim got up and went to tell Simon that they were leaving. <\/p>\n
Blair looked at the kitchen again and thought, maybe it wouldn\u2019t be so bad. <\/p>\n
Jim came over and closed down his computer. \u201cI told Simon we were leaving for the night and he said to take the next two days off for packing and shopping. He knew we would have to do both. Come on, Chief, let\u2019s get out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim was so happy and looked thrilled to be alive. Blair was glad that he went along with Jim, because Jim really was trying hard to make it a perfect vacation. Too bad, Blair hadn\u2019t had the chance first. He truly believed that they could have had more fun in tents, but now it was too late. <\/p>\n
On the drive home, Jim noticed that Blair wasn\u2019t as happy as he was. \u201cOh for crying out loud, you really don\u2019t want to go there do you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll get used to it as time goes on. Stop worrying,\u201d Blair assured him. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t fool a Sentinel. I know you\u2019re lying. I know you wanted to take tents, but I disagree. When she\u2019s older, yes, but not now. I had to make a judgment call and I think I made the right one.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, you made the plans, so stop worrying about them. The kids will probably think they\u2019re cool plans. Wait and see what they say,\u201d Blair said coldly. <\/p>\n
Jim knew right then he wasn\u2019t getting any sex that night. That was too bad too because Jim was horny. God damn my stupid ideas. <\/p>\n
They stopped by the day care and Blair walked in and got Samantha. She was very happy to see her poppy and daddy. <\/p>\n
The drive home was really quiet. <\/p>\n
They parked in the parking lot at the loft and Blair jumped out, grabbed Samantha and started walking away from Jim before Jim even got out of the truck. Oh yeah, Blair was pissed off all right. <\/p>\n
Jim got into the loft and Drew said, \u201cWhat happened? Pop looked upset when he came through. He said he was fine, but he didn\u2019t look fine. And Samantha looked upset.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGet Max and your sister and we\u2019ll have a talk,\u201d Jim said seriously. <\/p>\n
Drew was upset right away. He rushed upstairs and got Max and told him to hurry down. They he went into Sam\u2019s room and got her for the talk. <\/p>\n
They all sat at the table and Jim called Blair down from the loft bedroom. \u201cChief, we\u2019re going to have a family discussion; it would be nice if the entire family was here for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair walked down and sat down at the table and said, \u201cSo tell them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cKids, I did something really stupid today, I made plans for a vacation without asking anyone else what they would like to do. I got us a cabin for a camping trip and pop wanted to go with tents and no bathrooms. He wanted to rough it and I thought because of Sam, we should have a bathroom, at least. But I should have asked Sam and you boys. I\u2019m sorry, that I didn\u2019t think of anyone else before I paid for the week.\u201d Jim said sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhere are we going? What\u2019s wrong with a cabin, pop?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted us to rough it, cook, eat, sleep and live out of tents. I just thought it would be more fun that way,\u201d Blair said simply. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, if you\u2019re asking my opinion, I would vote for the cabin. I like having a bathroom. I\u2019m not big on roughing it at all. So I\u2019m with dad on this,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
Max said, \u201cSee, it doesn\u2019t\u2019 matter to me. As long as we all go and have fun, that\u2019s what\u2019s most important. I think a cabin sounds great, pop. Maybe dad did an okay job.\u201d<\/p>\n
Samantha said, \u201cI have to pee outside?\u201d She looked horrified. <\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cOkay, I now see why dad made this call. Okay, we\u2019re going to a cabin, Sam. So there are bathrooms. There are three of them to be exact. Each of us will have our own rooms and it\u2019s got a great kitchen. Makes ours seem like nothing. Your dad did a good job choosing it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim looked over at Blair and said, \u201cIt\u2019s not too late for a change, Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would be for Samantha. She would be traumatized. We don\u2019t want to do that to her do we? You made the right call. Now who wants to help me with dinner?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
Drew said, \u201cI\u2019ll help, but I still want to hear about the trip. Like when are we going and where and stuff like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair pulled him into the kitchen and said, \u201cI\u2019ll tell you all about it while we cook.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max said, \u201cAre you going to tell us about it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI sure am,\u201d Jim said. He proceeded to tell Max and Sam all about the boat, the Jet Ski\u2019s, the cabin, the kitchen, the lake, the hot tub and how much fun it was going to be. <\/p>\n
Max hugged Jim\u2019s shoulders while he was still sitting down and said, \u201cSounds great to me, dad.\u201d Max walked into the kitchen and said, \u201cDid pop tell you about the Jet Ski\u2019s and the hot tub?\u201d<\/p>\n
The boys started talking like crazy in the kitchen and Sam looked at Jim and said, \u201cMaybe he needs a kiss.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cPoppy, who else?\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cDid he look like he needed a kiss to you, Sam?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou looked like you needed to kiss him,\u201d Sam answered and walked back into her room. <\/p>\n
Jim shook his head and wondered about her sometimes. She seemed so wise most of the time. <\/p>\n
Jim walked into the kitchen and said, \u201cI need a kiss.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair smiled at him and leaned into Jim for a much needed kiss. But Jim could tell the passion wasn\u2019t there. He wasn\u2019t forgiven yet. It might take some time.<\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
That night, Blair didn\u2019t talk to Jim at all and Jim let him think about it. Jim didn\u2019t want to push Blair into loving him during these times and he sure didn\u2019t want to make him pretend he was happy when he wasn\u2019t. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
For the next two days, Jim, Blair and the kids did all of the grocery shopping and for anything else they would need for camping. While they were at the camping store, Jim asked Samantha if she knew how to swim. <\/p>\n
\u201cNope, I never learned to swim,\u201d she answered. <\/p>\n
Jim picked up a special vest for swimming and put it in the cart. Blair said, \u201cI can teach her while we\u2019re there. \u201c<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we don\u2019t need this at all?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I can teach her how to swim. We won\u2019t leave her alone near the edge until she\u2019s good at it. It might take the entire week,\u201d Blair explained. <\/p>\n
Jim put the vest back and smiled at Blair. Okay, you\u2019re the boss of teaching her to swim, because I sure don\u2019t know where to start.\u201d<\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
That night, Blair at least slept in Jim\u2019s sleeping area. So Jim felt like he was getting somewhere. But he still didn\u2019t push Blair at all. Jim was horny and lonely, but knew that Blair had to come first. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
On Friday morning, they all got ready to go and loaded up the SUV and were out of the loft by 7:30 in the morning. Blair had made a quick breakfast for everyone and they even got it all cleaned up before they left. <\/p>\n
The drive to the cabin was only going to take two hours, so Jim hoped Blair would talk to him on the way. He wasn\u2019t that lucky. Blair just looked out the window and seemed lost in thought. <\/p>\n
\u201cHave I mentioned lately, how much I love all of you?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
Blair turned his head and smiled at Jim. It wasn\u2019t a perfect smile, but it was the beginning of one. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou tell us all the time,\u201d Max answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cGood, I\u2019m glad because I do love all of you,\u201d Jim said again. <\/p>\n
\u201cDaddy are we there yet?\u201d Sam asked and they all burst out laughing. Even Blair. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s so funny?\u201d Sam asked turned to each of her brothers for an answer. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re funny, cutie pie,\u201d Max said happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cDid you hear that, poppy? I\u2019m funny and Max\u2019s cutie pie,\u201d Sam said cheerfully. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I did hear it. You\u2019re going to have such fun with the boys. You just wait and see,\u201d Blair said as he continued to look out the window. <\/p>\n
Jim grabbed Blair\u2019s hand and held it tightly in his hand. He wanted Blair to know how much he meant to him without saying a word. Max saw Jim grab Blair\u2019s hand and jabbed Drew on the side and said, \u201cHe\u2019s trying to make up with pop.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim glanced around at the boys and said, \u201cDid you forget you were in a SUV with someone that can hear really well?\u201d<\/p>\n
The boys laughed and so did Blair. He didn\u2019t pull his hand away from Jim which was a good sign, Jim guessed. <\/p>\n
As they drove into the driveway of the cabin, they all stared in awe at how beautiful it was. Not the cabin, but the woods and the lake. It was just gorgeous. <\/p>\n
Now they just had to unpack everything. That was always the hard part. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Sam asked Blair, \u201cCould we go swimming now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess we could. Come on, we\u2019ll head on down there and they guys can meet us there when they\u2019re done putting everything away,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
Blair got his swim trunks on and they walked out of the cabin and down to the lake. The edge of the lake was very shallow, so that would make it nice for swimming lessons. Blair started teaching her right away. She was a very quick learner. Before long she was floating and this was the first two hours of swimming. Blair had a feeling that she had learned to swim somewhere, and she just didn\u2019t remember. <\/p>\n
Jim, Max and Drew walked down and saw her floating and as soon as she stood up they all clapped. She loved the attention. \u201cPoppy taught me this right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are really good, poppy,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think she might have had lessons at some time in her life and doesn\u2019t\u2019 remember. She\u2019s catching on really quickly. She\u2019s already swimming a breast stroke.\u201d Blair was proud of her. <\/p>\n
They all went swimming and Jim and Blair stayed with Sam so that she was safe. <\/p>\n
At about noon, Max said, \u201cCould we get out and get something to eat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood idea, Max,\u201d Blair said as he grabbed the towels for he and Samantha to dry off with. <\/p>\n
Jim missed Blair. He still was avoiding his eyes and Jim just missed him. He leaned into Blair and said, \u201cI miss you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair didn\u2019t answer and walked with Sam back up to the cabin. Drew said, \u201cHe\u2019ll forgive you, dad. He always does.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs he mad at me a lot?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t say a lot, but you guys do need to stop arguing about everything. You each are set in your ways and don\u2019t want to give in. Someone has to give in,\u201d Max explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll give in today. I promise,\u201d Jim said sadly. He never wanted their lives to be filled with strife. <\/p>\n
\u201cDad, we\u2019re fine. Stop worrying about us. We know you two will work things out and everything will be fine. You love each other, that\u2019s what counts,\u201d Drew said sounding much older then he was. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, boys for pointing out my problems. I\u2019m going to take care of it today. I don\u2019t even know why I\u2019m apologizing, but someone has to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max and Drew started walking back to the house with a big smile on their faces. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Sam needed a nap, so she lay down for about an hour. Max and Drew went into the hot tub and lounged there. Jim knew this was his moment. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, are you going to forgive me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you asking to be forgiven for?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor being an ass. I should have talked to you first. We might have still come here after talking to the kids, but I didn\u2019t give you a chance to have a say in it. I\u2019m sorry,\u201d Jim said sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for admitting you might be wrong. I was just hurt. I get my feelings hurt just like anyone else, Jim. Sometimes you act like I\u2019m some super person or something. I\u2019m not. I forgive you, if you can forgive me for being so moody.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you, back,\u201d Jim replied and then they were making out on the sofa. <\/p>\n
Jim pulled away and said, \u201cLater, gator. The boys are on the way back in.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGator? God, you\u2019ve been spending way too much time with Sam, that\u2019s for certain,\u201d Blair said happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy don\u2019t the two of you go out to the hot tub while Sam is sleeping and we\u2019ll watch out for her? Have some time alone,\u201d Max suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Max, I believe we will take you up on that,\u201d Blair said and walked out the back door. Jim followed. They both still had their trunks on, so they were all ready to get in. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re making up,\u201d Max said to Drew. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank goodness for that,\u201d Drew answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is going to be the best vacation ever,\u201d Max exclaimed. <\/p>\n
And it was. <\/p>\n
The end<\/p>\n
Family Life Part 36
\nFor Better or For Worse
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 4.653<\/p>\n
Here is another story idea from Helena. I thought this one might be fun. We\u2019ll see if the boys can get along long enough to do this. I always have to throw angst in these darn things. \ud83d\ude42 <\/p>\n
The camping trip turned out to be a big success story and both Jim and Blair were pleased about that, because it had started out rather badly. The kids were tan and happy once they arrived home and the guys couldn\u2019t have been more thrilled about any of it. <\/p>\n
Blair decided to go to the grocery store with Samantha. While they were gone, Jim was upstairs putting away some of the wash they had done when Max and Drew walked up the stairs. They seldom came upstairs, so Jim listened to see if they were upset about something, but their heart rates were normal. They weren\u2019t upset, thankfully so.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs it okay if we come up?\u201d Max called out. <\/p>\n
\u201cCome on up, you two. You know you\u2019re always welcome up here,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a good idea and thought you might want to do it. Do you want to hear our idea?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSure, what\u2019s your idea?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSit down first,\u201d Max advised. <\/p>\n
Jim wasn\u2019t sure this sounded like a good idea any more. He sat on the bed and said, \u201cHit me with your best shot.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou really love pop, right?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
Jim tried to figure out where this was going. \u201cOf course I really love pop. Now what\u2019s up?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cWe think you should take him out for dinner tonight and ask him to marry you. We could have the wedding here at the house. Drew and I would make the wedding cake since we\u2019ve been practicing making and decorating cakes. We\u2019re getting good at it. We sell them at school. Its part of the class we\u2019re taking. We could order some food from a company and all that leaves is flowers and the rings. What do you think of the idea?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat brought this on, boys?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe think pop would love it and we both know you like to make pop happy. So what do you think?\u201d Drew answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s a great idea. I\u2019ll do it. Will you watch Sam tonight while I take pop to dinner?\u201d Jim inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe would love to. We can start making plans while you\u2019re gone. You just have a good time and ask him to marry you,\u201d Max bossed. <\/p>\n
\u201cCome here you two,\u201d Jim said opening his arms wide. Both boys walked into his big arms and let Jim hug on them for awhile. Then they all walked downstairs to wait for Blair and Sam to get home. <\/p>\n
Max said, \u201cWe already have the cake idea for the reception. We can\u2019t wait to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t believe you\u2019re willing to do all of this. It\u2019s so nice of both of you to care. Thank you. Pop is home, so let\u2019s go down and help with groceries.\u201d Jim suggested. <\/p>\n
They all walked down and Blair said, \u201cGee, fancy meeting you all down here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sam\u2019s face lit up when she saw her brothers and said, \u201cHi Max, hi Drew. I got to pick us out some special ice cream at the store. Poppy let me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure it\u2019s good ice cream, Sam. I can\u2019t wait to taste it,\u201d Drew said as he grabbed two bags and walked up the stairs. <\/p>\n
Max grabbed two bags and turned and walked away. Sam carried one and Jim and Blair carried two each. Blair loved having Jim hearing him when he drove up so he didn\u2019t have to make extra trips down to the car for groceries. <\/p>\n
Once they got upstairs, they unloaded all of the bags, everyone helped. Max put the special ice cream away in the freezer so it wouldn\u2019t melt. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, I asked the boys if they would watch Sam tonight so I could take you out for dinner. I have some things to discuss with you,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cSure, that would be nice, Jim. Thank you for asking,\u201d Blair stretched up and kissed Jim on his lips. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re always kissing,\u201d Sam said giggling her little girl giggles. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat means they\u2019re happy, Sam, so it\u2019s good when they kiss,\u201d Max explained to Sam. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair got ready to go and Blair said, \u201cAre you sure you don\u2019t want to come along?\u201d <\/p>\n
Max and Drew looked horrified. Max answered, \u201cNo, we\u2019re going to watch The Tooth Fairy with Sam tonight. So you guys have fun and take your time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair hugged all three of the kids before he walked out the door. Jim did the same and made sure and reminded them to lock up after they left. Jim was paranoid all of the time. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
They got into the SUV and Blair said, \u201cSo who\u2019s idea was this?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou think I can\u2019t ask you out to dinner on my own?\u201d Jim asked, he sighed when he knew Blair could tell and said, “It was Drew and Max’s idea, but I really liked the idea, does that count?” <\/p>\n
Blair laughed and said, “So where are we going?”<\/p>\n
“Claim Jumper and tonight is really, really special,” Jim replied. <\/p>\n
“All right, what’s going on?” Blair asked, not being able to wait for the explanation. <\/p>\n
“Just wait until we’re at dinner, its super special,” Jim answered. <\/p>\n
Blair looked over at Jim and sighed. He hated surprises. He couldn’t stand the suspense, but if it was this important to Jim, then so be it. <\/p>\n
They talked about getting back to work the next day and got to the restaurant in record time. Jim gave his name when they walked in and were seated right away. Jim was glad of that. He found himself getting a little nervous. The idea of being married again scared him a little bit. After all, he didn\u2019t do marriage the first time that well. <\/p>\n
They ordered their drinks and Blair waited hopefully and still Jim didn\u2019t say anything special. Then they ordered the meal and it came to the table and they were eating and Blair couldn\u2019t take it any longer. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh for God\u2019s sake, ask me already,\u201d Blair whispered. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou already know what I\u2019m going to ask, don\u2019t you?\u201d Jim inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cAsk me,\u201d Blair ordered sweetly. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, I love you more then anything in the world, would you do me the honor of marrying me and making me a very happy man?\u201d Jim spat it out as quickly as he could and was getting nauseated as he asked. He was sure his face was turning green, he felt so sick. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou know Jim you could have asked me a little bit differently. You don\u2019t act like you really mean it. What\u2019s up, man?\u201d Blair wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m nervous, all right? Geeze, you\u2019re going to pick on me about the way I ask?\u201d Jim replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, okay. I get that you\u2019re nervous, so I\u2019ll answer quickly. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Does that answer your question?\u201d Blair said happily. He leaned across the table and kissed Jim right there in the middle of Claim Jumper. <\/p>\n
Jim kissed him back with as much passion as a person could have trying not to throw up. \u201cThank you, Chief. You made it actually quite easy to ask. I\u2019m just paranoid, you know me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI do know you, are you worried about a failed marriage?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cRight again. If I couldn\u2019t make her happy, what makes me think I can make you happy?\u201d Jim looked totally disgusted with himself. <\/p>\n
Blair almost laughed as he answered, \u201cFirst of all, we\u2019ve been together for five years and I\u2019m happy as can be. Sure we argue, but that\u2019s good for a relationship. How long were you with Carolyn?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo years, total,\u201d Jim replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cSee, we\u2019re way ahead of the game already. So try not to worry so much. I think it\u2019s so great that the boys wanted us to get married. How cute is that, Jim?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know, we couldn\u2019t have asked for better kids. Drew and Max are doing the wedding cake. They said they\u2019ve been learning to decorate and things like that at school. So they\u2019re in charge of our cake. Drew said he already has it designed. Max is going to help him and then he\u2019s going to help me get a caterer for the wedding and anything else that comes up. Now who are we going to get to perform the ceremony?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI say we ask Brother Jeremy and Brother Marcus to come and witness it. It\u2019s not like its legal or anything so why couldn\u2019t they be the ones that pronounce us husband and husband?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI never thought of asking them that would be wonderful. We haven\u2019t seen them in such a long while. You\u2019ll call them tomorrow?\u201d Jim questioned. <\/p>\n
\u201cFirst of all, when is our big day going to happen?\u201d Blair remarked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI would guess in two or three weeks? Drew is going to make up the invitations and I think we can get it all done in three weeks,\u201d Jim guessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, I mean, what is going to be our date of our anniversary from here on in?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I see what you mean. Well, why don\u2019t we go for July 25th? That\u2019s a Sunday and Sunday is a good day for a wedding, I think. Don\u2019t you?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cJuly 25th sounds fantastic, lover. Thank you for asking me. Are we going to ask Conner to stay with the kids while we go to a hotel for our honeymoon?\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, that\u2019s not a bad idea. I bet she\u2019d love to stay. We\u2019ll put fresh sheets on the bed and she can stay in our room and we wouldn\u2019t have to worry about anything with her in the house. Good thinking, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was kidding, but if you like the idea, we need to put in for that following day off with Simon,\u201d Blair reminded him. <\/p>\n
Jim took out a notebook from his jacket and Blair started to laugh. \u201cJim, we have plenty of time for notes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to write it down, while it\u2019s still fresh in my mind. As old as I\u2019m getting, it doesn\u2019t stay fresh long,\u201d Jim joked. <\/p>\n
Blair leaned across the table and kissed Jim again. Blair never did that in public places, so Jim knew Blair was totally happy. Jim was glad he could make Blair that content. Maybe things would be fine. God, I hope so. <\/p>\n
When they were all done with dinner, they left the restaurant acting like two guys that had just fallen in love, instead of being two old timers. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you think of this design for the invitations?\u201d Drew asked Max and Sam. <\/p>\n
Sam said, \u201cOh I like this, it\u2019s very pretty, but it could be more colorful.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drew sighed and started looking for a better background. Max patted him on the back and said, \u201cWhy don\u2019t you show that to dad and pop when they come home?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI want it to be perfect for what we need. This one has room at the top for Jim and Blair and at the bottom for mine and your cell phone numbers. It\u2019s perfect for that, but I\u2019m not sure they\u2019ll like the colors,\u201d Drew fussed. <\/p>\n
Max looked at the printed up piece one again and said, \u201cI love it. I think they should use this date and everything. It looks perfect the way it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
[[[weddinginvite.jpg]]]<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re way too easy on me, Max. You have to help me make it perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, Drew, I think it\u2019s perfect now. It\u2019s going to have green in it and so is the cake. It\u2019s going to match. We\u2019ll do the paper goods in a light green or a bright green if that\u2019s all right with you,\u201d Max suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh I never thought of just changing the colors for the party itself. That\u2019s perfect. Now we need to go to Party City online and figure out how many things we need. Or do we want them printed with Jim and Blair on them?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think that\u2019s for a huge fancy wedding, Drew. For this small one at the house, I think just napkins, plates, bowls, silverware and cups for punch will be fine. We can get dad\u2019s credit card number and get everything ordered this week. That way that will all be done. It\u2019ll take a little bit of work to get all of the things we need for the cake, but it\u2019s going to be worth it when they see it. I think we should ask Daryl if we can make it at his house, so dad and pop won\u2019t see it ahead of time,\u201d Max commented. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh good thinking. We\u2019ll talk to Daryl tomorrow. This isn\u2019t going to be too hard, I don\u2019t think. How many people are we going to invite anyhow?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to have to ask dad and pop about that. I have no idea. Grampa might want to invite some people and same with Naomi. So we\u2019d better get a hold of them too,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m writing all of this down so we won\u2019t forget anything. We\u2019ll get it all taken care of so the only thing dad will have to do is pick up some flowers for the house if he wants to. Max, do we need to wear tuxes or can we just wear our new suits?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur suits are fine. It\u2019s not a fancy wedding, so this is cool,\u201d Max answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m getting excited, are you?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I\u2019m anxious to hear how it went at dinner,\u201d Max said as he looked at the picture that Sam was drawing for the wedding. \u201cNice picture, Sam. That\u2019s great.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you Max,\u201d Sam replied and smiled. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair walked into the loft and Jim said, \u201cWe\u2019re home.\u201d<\/p>\n
All three of the kids came running down from the bedroom at the same time. It cracked Blair up. He knew they all knew about it before he did. <\/p>\n
\u201cI said yes,\u201d Blair shouted out. <\/p>\n
Drew, Max and Sam all hugged him and said, \u201cCongratulations you two.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max said, \u201cDrew has some invitations he finished tonight and he\u2019s having a nervous breakdown about them, so he wanted to show you and see if you hated them or not.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMax, I can show them tomorrow,\u201d Drew whined. <\/p>\n
\u201cDrew you\u2019ll never go to sleep tonight. Just run up and get it and bring it down so they can see it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cRun and get it and we\u2019ll have a look see. Then we\u2019ll tell you when the big day is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drew flew like the wind up the stairs and back again and showed them the printed version on card stock paper. It looked very nice. Max didn\u2019t know why Drew was so nervous about it. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh Drew, I love this. I love the green color, green is one of my favorites and guess what? You chose the same day on your pretend invitation as what is really going to be our date. We\u2019re going to get married on the 25th. You even put the correct times that we wanted to put on there. So you did a good job, Drew. Thank you very much. How many do we need, Jim?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t want to invite too many people, because we\u2019re having it here. So let\u2019s keep it small. Maybe ten people from work any friends the kids want to have and the grandparents of course. So maybe 30 in all? Jim answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll do 40 up, just in case,\u201d Drew countered. <\/p>\n
\u201cDad, could we have a credit card for all of the paper goods? We\u2019re ordering from Party City. Nothing fancy, just plain light green or bright green plates and accessories. We would never use it for anything else,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
\u201cSure, here\u2019s my visa card. Just give it to me tomorrow. And be sure and print out a receipt so I know how much we\u2019re spending all month. Thank you so much boys for doing all of this work,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell we can\u2019t do the caterer, because we don\u2019t know how to do that. But we are doing the cake and we\u2019ll get the ice cream. This is going to be a blast. I thought some oldies music would be good for the CD player,\u201d Max suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll take care of the caterer, pop will take care of the minister for the ceremony and all that leaves is the cake. I don\u2019t think we need a ton of flowers, do you, Blair?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I don\u2019t want any flowers, it would be too someone else, not us. So I think we\u2019re just about done,\u201d Blair said happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cTomorrow is our day off and we\u2019re going to look at rings, so don\u2019t make any plans, okay?\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh like I would do something else instead of getting rings. You nut. Sounds good to me,\u201d Blair admitted and went into the kitchen for a bottle of water and grabbed one for Jim while he was there. <\/p>\n
He came back out, handed the water to Jim and Jim smiled brightly. \u201cIs there anything, anyone else can think of?\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to make some of that wonderful sherbet punch, do you know the one I\u2019m talking about?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, what are you talking about?\u201d Jim replied. <\/p>\n
Max smiled and said, \u201cIt\u2019s so good. You take two half-gallon cartons of strawberry sherbet, or whatever kind of sherbet you want to use and throw it in a punch bowl and add two bottles of Sprite or Seven-up and it\u2019s done. It makes the best punch you\u2019ve ever tasted. I\u2019ll swear to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drew said, \u201cIt is good. The best I\u2019ve ever had too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cThen we\u2019ll get plenty of sherbet and Sprite and you two can be in charge of the punch bowls. See if they have them at Party City and buy at least two, if not three.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh I bet they do have them, pop. We\u2019ll see to it that it\u2019s all taken care of,\u201d Drew said happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou boys are certainly taking this whole wedding thing well, \u201cJim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe love the idea of you guys being together forever. To us, that means a marriage, so things are going to be great, you wait and see. Not everyone stays together, but we can tell you two will. Now we\u2019re going to go upstairs and order some items from Party City. We\u2019ll see you all in the morning,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
Jim hugged both of them goodnight and so did Sam. Then Blair followed suit. Jim and Blair got Sam all ready for bed and read her a book. She was out like a light within minutes. Jim was glad because he wanted to cuddle with Blair. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Jim came upstairs after getting ready for bed and locking everything up downstairs and found a naked Blair waiting in bed for him. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh my, something looks like it needs some attention,\u201d Jim said as he went between Blair\u2019s legs and started sucking his Guide\u2019s cock.<\/p>\n
Blair lay back and let Jim do his duty and he did it well. It wasn\u2019t long and Blair was moaning into his pillow. They tried not to be too loud in their lovemaking, because they didn\u2019t want to upset the kiddo\u2019s. <\/p>\n
Jim jumped up from the bed, stripped his clothes off and stood beside the bed standing proudly, waiting for Blair to come and do his thing. <\/p>\n
\u201cFuck me, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh the things you make me do,\u201d Jim whined with a smile on his face and he did just that. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Upstairs on the other side of the loft, Max and Drew had ordered plenty of paper plates, cups, silverware, napkins and table covers. Then they found exactly what they were looking for in a punch bowl and ordered three of them. When they finished picking everything out, they paid for it and hit send. They felt good about helping with the planning of the wedding. <\/p>\n
Drew then printed up all of the invitations; they folded them in half and put them in the large envelopes. They stacked all of them up nicely to give to Jim and Blair the next day. <\/p>\n
\u201cWho are we going to invite?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cMark and Mike, Seth, Sam and Denise, Daryl and I think that\u2019s about it for us. What do you think?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was thinking maybe we should invite our old case worker. She would like to see how happy we all are,\u201d Max supposed. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, remember dad said let\u2019s keep it small. Just friends and family for us and that will be enough,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe won\u2019t start the cake until the day before, because we want it to be fresh, right?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh yeah, I wasn\u2019t even thinking. It\u2019s not like Daryl has enough room for the cake once it\u2019s put together. It\u2019s going to be so nice. Are you excited about making it?\u201d Drew wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cHeck yes. I think it\u2019s going to be one of the nicest cakes ever made. It\u2019ll mean a lot to them anyway because we did it. They\u2019re funny about home made things,\u201d Max assured him. <\/p>\n
\u201cI forgot to ask, Max, are you going to invite Misty to the wedding?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cYup, I planned on it. You don\u2019t think they\u2019ll mind do you?\u201d Max wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, they like Misty a lot. So they\u2019ll be glad to see her with you. I wish I had a girlfriend,\u201d Drew said wistfully. <\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t get one until this year, Drew. It takes time. Give yourself a break,\u201d Max teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know about you, but I\u2019m tired,\u201d Drew said as he stretched and yawned. <\/p>\n
Max smiled at his little brother and said, \u201cYou go ahead first and I\u2019ll go last to the bathroom.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before long everyone in the house was asleep and Jim listened a few times to noises he thought he heard, but it was just all of the different heart beats he had in his home. They lulled him back to sleep in no time. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Blair had called Brother Jeremy and Marcus and they both said they would come. Brother Jeremy said he would preside over the service for them since it wasn\u2019t legal, it didn\u2019t really matter. This made Blair a little sad from time to time, but he realized that some day in the future they might be able to do it for real. <\/p>\n
Things were going along smoothly. Blair noticed that Party City delivered four big boxes to Drew and Max. He hoped they didn\u2019t over order. He hated wasting paper. <\/p>\n
Jim had called a caterer and had set that up, so it wasn\u2019t too expensive since it was a small affair. Jim chose finger food instead of a meal and hoped he chose right. Blair seemed to agree with him and things were getting right down to the wire. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
The day of the wedding, Jim and Blair had seen Drew and Max for only about ten minutes. They were putting the finishing touches on the cake and didn\u2019t want to screw anything up. Jim and Blair had their suits on for the wedding and they got Samantha dressed in a darling dress. Since it was an all male wedding, the Bridesmaid and Maid of Honor were both going to be males. The two best men were Drew and Max. Jim and Blair had decided that they would let Sam be the ring bearer. She was going to be in charge of carrying the pillow with the matching rings on it. Simon was the Maid of Honor which made everyone laugh, but Simon was proud to do it. Joel was the Bridesmaid and that rounded out about everyone. Henri Brown was going to play keyboard music and sing after the service. Everything was going to be perfect. <\/p>\n
Jim turned to Blair and said, \u201cI hope the cake is turning out all right.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, it doesn\u2019t matter about the cake. It\u2019s the fact that the boys made it for us that counts. So don\u2019t be surprised if it\u2019s not what we\u2019re expecting. We\u2019ll still love it.\u201d<\/p>\n
At that moment, Drew opened the door and in walked Daryl and Max carrying the cake. Each layer was bigger then the one above it. There were six layers and they were done in Gay Pride colors. On each layer it said, \u201cJim and Blair forever.\u201d It was beautiful. On top, there were two male figures standing looking happy. Jim and Blair were stunned. <\/p>\n
[[[weddingcake.jpg]]]<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t like it?\u201d Drew asked, scared to death. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh God, we love it. It\u2019s beautiful. We weren\u2019t expecting anything this nice. What kind of cake is it?\u201d Blair asked as he hugged each of the boys. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, we know you like yellow, so we made every other yellow and the opposite is chocolate. The frosting is all whipped cream, so we have to keep it cool or it\u2019ll be ruined,\u201d Max said happily. <\/p>\n
Naomi and William walked in the front door and Naomi said, \u201cWhere did you get the cake made, its perfect?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s hand made by Drew and Max, with help from Daryl. Isn\u2019t it incredible?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
William hugged both of the boys and said, \u201cYou did your fathers proud.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cWell, everyone should be here in a moment. I just want to take this free time to tell you all how much you mean to us. Without you, we never would have had this day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cI couldn\u2019t agree with Blair more. It\u2019s been an honor working with our children and friends getting everything ready. <\/p>\n
The doorbell sounded and people began to come in and everyone loved the cake. Blair took video of it and pictures, because he wanted to be able to remember it all when they looked back years from now. <\/p>\n
William took over the video camera and Naomi took over the digital camera so the boys could get ready for the ceremony. <\/p>\n
Brother Jeremy and Marcus stood on the balcony and held a paper with words that Jim and Blair had written for them to say. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair stood before them with Samantha in between holding the pillow with rings like her life depended on it. On one side of them they were flanked by Joel and Simon and the other side Drew and Max. Conner took over the picture taking because Naomi was overwrought and Henri was playing a pretty love theme song softly in the background. <\/p>\n
All in all, the wedding was wonderful. Everything went as planned. The food was delectable, the punch was the best Jim and Blair had ever tasted and the cake was delicious also. There had been no wine or champagne in the ceremony because Jim and Blair didn\u2019t really drink it and felt it was a silly tradition when you don\u2019t like the stuff. <\/p>\n
Conner was going to stay all night with the kids, so Jim and Blair already had a bag packed and put in the SUV waiting for them downstairs. They were spending the night alone. They could be as loud as they wanted to be if they felt like it. Jim definitely felt like it. So did Blair. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair took turns dancing with Samantha and finally Simon took over for her dancing partner. Simon said, \u201cYou guys need to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim and Blair said their goodbyes to everyone and walked out the door. They practically rushed down the stairs to get to the SUV so they could start their honeymoon. <\/p>\n
Everything had turned out beautifully and they couldn\u2019t have been happier. Jim realized that he was happy. Blair was happy. This was a good thing. <\/p>\n
And it was. <\/p>\n
The end. <\/p>\n
Family Life Part 37
\nForgiveness
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 3,263<\/p>\n
Helena wanted Simon and Rafe to get together in the end, so this is my take on how it might have happened. <\/p>\n
About two months after the wedding, Jim and Blair were getting ready for the poker game when there was a knock on the door. It was way too soon for anyone to be showing up for poker, so Blair wondered who it was. Jim sniffed the air and said, \u201cIt\u2019s Simon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair went and answered the door and said, \u201cHey Simon, how\u2019s it going?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything is fine. I was wondering if I could talk to Jim alone for a little while,\u201d Simon asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cIs everything all right with Daryl?\u201d Blair asked worriedly. <\/p>\n
\u201cCalm down, Blair, everyone is fine. This is personal between me and Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRelax,\u201d Blair said smiling, \u201csit down on the sofa and I\u2019ll have him grab you a beer.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cThanks,\u201d Simon went and sat down on the sofa but looked anything but relaxed. <\/p>\n
Jim came walking out of the kitchen with two beers and smiled at Blair. \u201cThis shouldn\u2019t take too long, Chief and then I\u2019ll finish helping you get everything ready for poker.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim walked in and said, \u201cHi Simon, here is a beer.\u201d <\/p>\n
Simon took the beer gratefully and said, \u201cI don\u2019t know that I should open it yet. I don\u2019t know that you\u2019ll want to have anything to do with me anymore when you find out who I\u2019m seeing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim tensed up, because he couldn\u2019t figure out who Simon would be seeing that would upset him at all. In fact, he couldn\u2019t think of one person that would upset him. Even if it were Carolyn, he would wish them luck and hope he had better luck then Jim had. <\/p>\n
\u201cOpen your beer and relax,\u201d Jim said, \u201cjust tell me what\u2019s going on.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been seeing someone for three weeks now and I know you won\u2019t approve, so I wanted to tell you before you found out from someone else. It wasn\u2019t like it was planned,\u201d Simon stated. <\/p>\n
Jim took a long drink from his beer and said, \u201cCarolyn?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh Jim, I would never date your ex-wife. You thought I meant Carolyn?\u201d Simon inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell in that case, I guess it doesn\u2019t matter to me. No one else would bother me that I know of. Just talk to me, Simon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been seeing a man for about three weeks and I really wanted to tell you about it,\u201d Simon started. <\/p>\n
\u201cGeeze Simon, I think you know we would understand the whole gay thing, although, I\u2019m somewhat surprised. I didn\u2019t know you swung that way,\u201d Jim confessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cI did in college and a few times after the divorce from Joan, but mostly I tried to stay away from everyone that involved emotions. But now I find myself in love and don\u2019t know what to do with it,\u201d Simon explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy are you worried, we\u2019ll be thrilled for you,\u201d Jim said honestly. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou might not be too thrilled when you find out with who,\u201d Simon admitted and hoped Jim would guess without him having to say another word. <\/p>\n
\u201cSimon, you should be able to be in love with whoever you want to be in love with. Why should it matter about what I think? Unless you\u2019re dating someone I used to date before Blair, I don\u2019t see a problem,\u201d Jim remarked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI really thought you would figure out who it was before now,\u201d Simon commented. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor crying out loud, Simon, just tell me who it is and we\u2019ll move on with the evening,\u201d Jim said sounding less happy about it suddenly. <\/p>\n
Simon got up and began to pace the living room and said, \u201cI didn\u2019t mean for it to happen. We met, had dinner and things just went from there. And before we knew what was really happening we were in love.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim went over and sniffed Simon and stood back abruptly. He now knew who it was. Simon was right, it didn\u2019t make Jim happy. He could smell Brian Rafe all over Simon\u2019s clothes. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right, I\u2019m not happy, but I don\u2019t have to be. I\u2019m not dating him, you are,\u201d Jim replied. <\/p>\n
Simon felt the need to justify his decision and said, \u201cJim, it started with dinner. He told me a few things about how he felt about you and Blair and we talked all night long. We had dinner again after that and I knew that we were both attracted to each other. We couldn\u2019t help it. I was hoping you would understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now Jim stood up and got into Simon\u2019s space and said, \u201cWhy does it matter what I think? I don\u2019t want to know about you and Rafe. Now you\u2019ve told me, so you don\u2019t have to worry about me finding out from anyone else. My opinion doesn\u2019t count anyway. When it comes to Rafe, I have none.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, I\u2019m with him now. He moved into my house and we\u2019re trying this whole living together thing. It looks like I won\u2019t be coming to poker night anymore because I can\u2019t come over here and leave him home alone. That would just be shitty. Do you understand what I mean?\u201d Simon was pleading for some type of forgiveness, but Jim wasn\u2019t buying into it at all. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo because you have bad judgment, you\u2019re never coming to our house again? What? Is he down in your car now waiting? I don\u2019t fucking believe you just want me to forget about what he did to me. I\u2019m not going to. You do what you want. Leave me out of it,\u201d Jim said and left the room and walked upstairs. <\/p>\n
Blair came walking out of the kitchen and saw Simon standing there alone and said, \u201cWhere is Jim?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s angry with me right now and is upstairs. I better leave,\u201d Simon said as he started for the door. <\/p>\n
\u201cWait a moment, what is going on?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll cut to the chase. I\u2019ve been seeing Rafe for the last three weeks and he moved into my house this last weekend. I didn\u2019t want Jim to find out from someone else. So I felt the need to tell him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis made him go upstairs? We don\u2019t care who you date, that\u2019s not our business,\u201d Blair replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell Jim cared and he wasn\u2019t happy when I told him I couldn\u2019t come to poker night anymore,\u201d Simon explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re never coming to poker night again?\u201d Blair asked shocked to his very core. <\/p>\n
\u201cSandburg, it\u2019s not like I can just leave him at home while I come and have a good time without him,\u201d Simon exclaimed. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, you\u2019re right, but it probably hurt Jim\u2019s feelings. It\u2019s going to take him a while to get over this. That much I can promise you,\u201d Blair confessed. <\/p>\n
Simon handed his beer to Blair and said, \u201cI need to get downstairs. Rafe is waiting in the car for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair took the beer and stood there looking shocked and somewhat pissed. He followed Simon to the front door and then closed and locked it after Simon left. <\/p>\n
Blair dumped the beer down the sink and looked upstairs to see if he could see Jim milling around or anything, but he saw nothing. Blair didn\u2019t even know what to say to Jim. How do you forgive your boss for falling in love? I mean it wasn\u2019t like he went looking for it. It just happened. Surely Jim understood that part, right? <\/p>\n
Jim came walking down the stairs and said, \u201cI\u2019ll help you get things ready if anyone is still coming.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy wouldn\u2019t everyone be coming, except for Simon?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, it\u2019s going to make problems. I don\u2019t think this will work,\u201d Jim said sadly as he filled the vegetable tray and put it on the bar. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, he can\u2019t help who he fell in love with. It\u2019s not like he did it to hurt you,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI know that, don\u2019t you think I know that? I\u2019m not ready to accept Rafe into my life again. I don\u2019t have a place for him there. Maybe someday, but not right now,\u201d Jim declared. <\/p>\n
\u201cThen by all means, don\u2019t worry about it. Let\u2019s have fun with Megan, Joel and Henri tonight. They all said they were coming. No one has called and cancelled, so I think we\u2019ve got them all coming,\u201d Blair promised. <\/p>\n
Jim leaned down and kissed Blair quickly and went back to helping him get things ready. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, things will work out well, you just wait and see,\u201d Blair reassured his lover. <\/p>\n
\u201cI hope you\u2019re right,\u201d Jim answered and finished up getting things set up. <\/p>\n
Before long it was time for everyone to get there and Jim said, \u201cSimon is downstairs telling everyone about he and Rafe. He didn\u2019t want any secrets anymore and decided to tell them all. He also wanted to explain why he wouldn\u2019t be coming any longer to poker.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOne less thing we\u2019ll have to tell them. It\u2019s okay with me. Say it\u2019s all right with you, Jim?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all right with me. You\u2019re right, you can\u2019t help who you fall in love with, can you?\u201d Jim asked again waiting for everyone to get upstairs. <\/p>\n
The doorbell rang and Jim opened it to Conner who was one pissed off Aussie. She wasn\u2019t a happy camper at all. \u201cDo you believe this shit? He acts like we\u2019re all going to just forgive and forget Rafe for what he did. He had the nerve to ask me what my problem was before I left them standing there. Wanker.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t want everyone pissed off at Simon,\u201d Jim said calmly. <\/p>\n
\u201cToo late,\u201d Conner said as she took off her jacket and hung it in the closet. <\/p>\n
The doorbell rang again and Megan opened it to Henri and Joel. \u201cWow, what a shock, huh?\u201d Joel asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cMan, you could have knocked me over with a feather when I heard the news. I never knew that Simon swung that way. I knew that Rafe did, but not Simon,\u201d Henri stated. <\/p>\n
Joel came in and hugged both Jim and Blair and said, \u201cThis must be a shock to both of you. How are you handling it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim is upset, which is understandable. But he\u2019s taking it in stride. Jim\u2019s a tough cookie,\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cYou all know where the beer and soda is, so help yourself. All of the food is out on the bar. Then we can start playing some cards. I\u2019m feeling lucky tonight.\u201d Jim smiled, but it didn\u2019t actually reach his eyes. And everyone could see that. <\/p>\n
They all sat down with food and drink at the table and started dealing the cards. \u201cWhere are the kids?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re all up in Max and Drew\u2019s room playing Wii. They said they wanted to keep Samantha out of our hair. They\u2019ll bring her down when she is sleeping,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone ready to lose all their money to me?\u201d Jim asked hopefully, but knowing he was dreaming. <\/p>\n
They all laughed and the game started. No one talked about Simon missing the game or his involvement with Rafe. Jim was glad of that. He didn\u2019t want to think about it any more that night. <\/p>\n
The night went by very quickly. Everyone stopped long enough to talk to Max and Drew when they brought down a sleeping Samantha. Jim and Blair tucked her in bed while the boys entertained their friends. When they came out, Max and Drew both went back upstairs to kick each other\u2019s butts on the game they were playing. <\/p>\n
Max called from the top of the stairs, \u201cHey dad, could you come here for a moment?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim walked up the stairs and walked into their bedroom and said, \u201cWhat do you need, Max?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere is Uncle Simon? The game just isn\u2019t the same without his complaining and stuff like that. Is everything all right with him?\u201d Max asked nicely. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a disagreement earlier and he said that he can\u2019t make the poker games any longer. He\u2019s with someone I don\u2019t approve of, so it\u2019s not like I could invite him too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drew said, \u201cThat\u2019s too bad. He was your best man at your wedding. Couldn\u2019t you forgive him for whatever he did? Daryl will be really upset. He loves that you\u2019re all friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDaryl will still be your friend, so don\u2019t you worry about it,\u201d Jim said as he turned to leave. <\/p>\n
\u201cDad, did Simon do something so horrible that you could never forgive him?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, he didn\u2019t. I just don\u2019t like the person he\u2019s with,\u201d Jim tried to explain. <\/p>\n
Drew looked sadly on and said, \u201cI think you could forgive the person he\u2019s with. Think about it, dad. Sam will be lost without her visits from Uncle Simon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know. I\u2019ll think about it tonight. Now you boys just relax and have a good time,\u201d Jim said before he left their room. <\/p>\n
When Jim got back to the table Conner looked at him and said, \u201cOh, no you don\u2019t. You\u2019re not forgiving Rafe that easily.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut in the long run, I could forgive him? Jim asked. <\/p>\n
Joel said, \u201cJim, I think it might be time to move on, but only if you want to. We\u2019ll continue to come here for cards every other weekend, but it\u2019s not going to be the same without Simon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTell me about it,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, if you wanted to forgive Rafe that\u2019s your business,\u201d Blair remarked. <\/p>\n
Jim looked over at Blair and said, \u201cI think it\u2019s time. He was always a good friend, I think he lost his way when the rumors started. When he came and talked to me about the references I knew he needed friends as badly as anyone else and he had none. He lost a lot in this too. He lost his job, his pension and his self respect.\u201d<\/p>\n
Conner said, \u201cHe lost them for a reason, Jim. Now you need to think on this long and hard. Did the boys say something upstairs to you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cConner, I need to think about it. If I invited Simon and Rafe would you all learn to accept him once again?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think I could after some time passed,\u201d Blair replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cI could, just because I hated how it all went down and everyone had to take sides. It made me uncomfortable,\u201d Henri answered. <\/p>\n
Joel said, \u201cJim, I would go along with anything you said and so would Conner. She\u2019s just mad at Rafe. We all are. Even you. But thinking about forgiveness is a good thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, if you decide to go that way, I\u2019ll stand beside you, but know that I\u2019m behind you if you don\u2019t too,\u201d Conner stated. <\/p>\n
They played cards all night long and at 3:00 in the morning, everyone left. Conner was that weeks designated driver. Jim was exhausted. His nerves were on edge, making him more tired then he cared to be. <\/p>\n
Jim helped Blair clean up the loft and got everything put away. Jim turned to Blair and said, \u201cDo you think I\u2019m a wuss for forgiving him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, quite the opposite. It takes a strong man to understand people and their weaknesses. You\u2019re doing that and accepting him at the same time. I\u2019m proud of you, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo do we invite them over and talk to them or what?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think we should meet somewhere. For breakfast, that would be good,\u201d Blair suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cThen that\u2019s what we\u2019ll do,\u201d Jim admitted. <\/p>\n
\u201cCall him and invite them to IHOP for breakfast tomorrow,\u201d Blair bossed. <\/p>\n
\u201cChief, it\u2019s three in the morning. I\u2019m not calling and waking him up,\u201d Jim said stubbornly. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re probably up anyway, call,\u201d Blair said handing Jim the phone. Blair wasn\u2019t sure about this entire thing, but he felt like it was something Jim felt strongly about and he needed to take care of it. <\/p>\n
Jim dialed the number and heard Simon say, \u201cHello.\u201d He sounded wide awake. <\/p>\n
\u201cI take it I didn\u2019t wake you up,\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, we couldn\u2019t sleep. We had a lot on our minds,\u201d Simon explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to know if you two want to meet us for breakfast at IHOP this morning at 10:00. I\u2019d like to talk to you both,\u201d Jim stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll see you at 10:00, Jim. Thank you for giving it some thought.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGoodnight, Simon,\u201d Jim said softly before he hung up the phone. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair got ready for bed and went to sleep immediately. Both of them knew they had a big day ahead of them. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Simon and Rafe sat in IHOP at almost ten and Rafe finally said \u201cI hope they didn\u2019t have second thoughts.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, if they said they\u2019re coming, they\u2019re coming,\u201d Simon assured him. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair drove up that moment and got out of the SUV. Simon turned to Rafe and said, \u201cI told you so.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope he\u2019s not going to kick my ass,\u201d Rafe confessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo one is going to kick anyone\u2019s ass, now calm down,\u201d Simon ordered. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair walked in and slid in the booth opposite Simon and Rafe. <\/p>\n
\u201cGood morning,\u201d Rafe said first. <\/p>\n
\u201cGood morning, Rafe,\u201d Blair said rather coldly and Rafe knew that this wasn\u2019t as good as he had thought it would be. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf you guys don\u2019t want to forgive me, then why are you here?\u201d Rafe asked. <\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cYou fucked his life up and it\u2019s going to take some time to get over that. Don\u2019t act like you don\u2019t have some of this coming.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cIt\u2019s going to take a while, Rafe, but I do want to forgive you. I\u2019m tired of carrying around all of that resentment and sometimes even hate. It was hurting my heart and my soul. Is there anything you wanted to say?\u201d<\/p>\n
Rafe sat there quietly for a few minutes and finally said, \u201cI can\u2019t take back what I did, but I can promise you that I would be a good friend from here on in. I know what it\u2019s like to lose everyone now and I don\u2019t want to do that again. I\u2019m truly sorry and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. Even if Sandburg never will.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am going to forgive you, Rafe because I believe we all deserve a second chance. But if you ever fuck with me or Sandburg again, it will be the last time I let you into our life. The next poker game is in two weeks and the two of you are invited. But let me warn you that Blair isn\u2019t the only one that thinks I might be letting you off easy. Conner is a pit bull when it comes to all of this. She doesn\u2019t want to let go of it. You\u2019re going to have to win her over. You\u2019ll have your work cut out for you,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Jim. I promise I won\u2019t fuck up again. We\u2019ll be at the poker game in two weeks and I\u2019ll win both Sandburg and Conner over, I swear,\u201d Rafe exclaimed. <\/p>\n
\u201cI hope you know how lucky you are. He\u2019s a good man and let you off really easy,\u201d Blair confessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cI know he is and I\u2019ll make sure that for the rest of our lives, he won\u2019t be sorry,\u201d Rafe said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you think about ordering breakfast?\u201d Jim asked stomach growling loudly. <\/p>\n
Everyone smiled and they did just that. <\/p>\n
Things would work out or not. Time would tell. But at least Jim\u2019s heart was less heavy now. <\/p>\n
The end. <\/p>\n
Family Life Part 38
\nMaking up is Hard to Do
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 2,811<\/p>\n
It was Jim and Blair\u2019s day off and Blair had taken the three kids to the library. Jim however was stuck at home putting new brake pads on his SUV. It wasn\u2019t as simple as his old pick up used to be. These were a pain in the ass. <\/p>\n
Jim was underneath the SUV, lying on cardboard, when he heard a car drive up next to him and shut the engine off. Jim figured it was someone that lived there and really paid them no mind. He was concentrating on getting the old brake pad out, so he could put the new one in. It shouldn\u2019t have been this difficult. He then jammed his thumb up between two pieces of pipe underneath the SUV. He hoped there was no one around, especially kids. \u201cFucker. God-dammit. Son-of-a-bitch.\u201d<\/p>\n
He looked over and saw Rafe looking under the SUV. \u201cWhat are you doing here, Rafe?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSimon called me this morning and said you were replacing the same pads that I replaced a month ago, so he figured I could come over and help you out. They\u2019re a bitch to get in. But there is a way to do it a little bit simpler if you\u2019d let me help you,\u201d Rafe said helpfully. <\/p>\n
\u201cDoes Simon think we\u2019re going to be the best of friends if you help me do this?\u201d Jim asked sarcastically. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, he just thought since I had cussed and complained about it, I might be able to guide you through some of the rough spots. Just let me get under there and help you. You\u2019ll see how much easier it is,\u201d Rafe explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cFine, help me. I could use all of the help I could get. I can\u2019t get the damn thing out, to replace it with the new one. It was never this hard in the old truck. Why do they have to make new vehicles so difficult to work on?\u201d Jim wondered aloud. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, if they made them easy, no one would bring them into the shops like they do now. Rafe took his shirt off and put a piece of cardboard down and slid under the SUV. He showed Jim how to get the old pads out with ease and then they worked on putting the new ones in and then helped him check the fluid in the master cylinder. Before long the two of them were completely done and Rafe said jokingly, \u201cDo I get a beer?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHell, you can have a six pack for helping. God, I was ready to take it in and have it done, which would have pissed me off big time. Come on upstairs, you can get cleaned up and have a beer with me,\u201d Jim declared. <\/p>\n
\u201cThanks that would be nice,\u201d Rafe said as he slid out and got his shirt and picked up the cardboard. <\/p>\n
Jim pulled his cardboard out and said, \u201cI guess we both learned from someone that used old moving boxes as working on car boxes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rafe stuck his in the back of his SUV, that was exactly like Jim\u2019s and Jim put his in the back of his SUV too. \u201cYou never know when you\u2019ll need those darn things,\u201d Rafe exclaimed. <\/p>\n
Jim smiled and led the way upstairs. They each went into a bathroom and washed up and came out feeling much, much better. Jim said, \u201cSit down at the table and I\u2019ll get you a beer. Would you like a sandwich to go with that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, it\u2019s 9:30 in the morning,\u201d Rafe answered smiling. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I\u2019m hungry and I\u2019m going to fix me one and thought maybe you might like one and I\u2019m sure it\u2019s 6:00 pm somewhere, so it\u2019s late enough for a beer,\u201d Jim said simply. <\/p>\n
\u201cIn that case, yeah, whatever you have, I\u2019ll take one,\u201d Rafe replied. <\/p>\n
Rafe sat at the bar and watched Jim making the sandwiches and decided he would start the \u2018talk\u2019. \u201cJim, I know what it took to let me back into your lives, so believe me when I say I won\u2019t fuck it up a second time. I want everything to work out between us and I\u2019d like to have Sandburg be able to look at me without hating me some day. So whatever it takes, I\u2019m willing to do. Today was just an example. I can be a decent friend. One that all you\u2019d have to do is call if you needed help. I hope that some day I\u2019ll be that type of friend to you again,\u201d Rafe remarked. <\/p>\n
\u201cRafe, I think you\u2019re doing a fine job of trying. It\u2019s going to take a little while for Blair to totally forgive you. You fucked with his man and he\u2019s not happy about it, but at the same time, he wants me to be able to move on. He\u2019s big on forgiveness and moving on. Here\u2019s your sandwich and your beer. Let\u2019s sit at the table. Thank you so much for helping me put those brake shoes in. They would have gotten the best of me, let me tell ya,\u201d Jim admitted. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was more then happy to help. Maybe next time, you could remember that we did a good job together and call for help. I\u2019d like us to be able to do that again,\u201d Rafe suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t see why we can\u2019t be friends, Rafe. I like you just fine. I didn\u2019t appreciate what happened at the station, but I\u2019m over that now. I know that you moved on too. How do you like your new job?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI love it, not as much as I loved being a cop, but with mistakes, come changes. My boss is really good to me and has put me in charge of a lot of property for security. It\u2019s going well. Simon is really proud of what I\u2019ve accomplished, but then again, he\u2019s in love with me. He would say that if I worked at Taco Bell,\u201d Rafe commented. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo you moved in with Simon?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I thought it was too soon, but he said he was tired of being alone. Daryl approved, so he asked me. I thought we should take it slower and see what you thought of it, but Simon is strong willed and wanted to do things his own way and then ask your approval. I would have done it the other way around. I would have told you about us first and then asked if you minded. He really didn\u2019t give you an out did he? It must have been hard for you to decide what to do. I know it was hard for me to let Simon come and talk with you,\u201d Rafe exclaimed. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo you like living with Simon?\u201d Jim inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I love living with Simon. I still get to hear about all of you guys on a daily basis and I\u2019m falling more in love with him every day. He\u2019s a good man, not that I have to tell you that. You already know that about him. I love Daryl, he\u2019s such a good kid and someday I hope to be able to become closer to your children. I hear you adopted the boys. I was glad to hear that. They fit in well with you and Sandburg. I\u2019m glad that you all found happiness. I\u2019m also glad you got married. That must have meant the world to Sandburg. What about you? Did you mind getting married?\u201d Rafe asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI loved getting married. Blair is one of the best people I\u2019ve ever met. He\u2019s good for me and good at keeping me in place. So we belong together, whether it\u2019s legal or not. It was the boys\u2019 idea and we ran with it. They did much of the work. Would you like to see the pictures from the wedding?\u201d Jim offered. <\/p>\n
\u201cI would love to see them. I heard you also got a little girl for your family and I would love to see her pictures from the wedding. Simon said she was precious with the rings for you and Sandburg,\u201d Rafe stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy don\u2019t you call him Blair? You call me Jim, but you don\u2019t call him Blair. Why?\u201d Jim wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cI would have to see how he took to being around me first. When the time comes, then he can decide if I call him Sandburg or Blair. It\u2019ll be his call.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim got up and got the pictures from the wedding. He showed Rafe each picture and told him about each part of the ceremony. Jim found himself relaxing a bit and enjoying the company of Rafe instead of dreading it. Two weeks ago he couldn\u2019t have done this, but now he was ready. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s very cute. But I bet she\u2019s going to be a handful,\u201d Rafe said about Sam. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe is a handful, but nothing we can\u2019t handle. Do you like kids, Rafe?\u201d Jim questioned. <\/p>\n
Rafe smiled and said, \u201cI adore kids. I have nieces and nephews, but they live in different states. I miss them terribly. So at least I have Daryl here and feel like I\u2019m in a child\u2019s life. Although, Daryl wouldn\u2019t like being called a child.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTell me about it. Drew and Max are going on 30 these days and they won\u2019t hear of being their age,\u201d Jim joked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe pictures of the cake are wonderful. Who made the cake?\u201d Rafe asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cMax and Drew made the cake. It not only looked wonderful but tasted as good as it looked. They both love to cook and bake, so they get into helping with things all the time,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou all looked so happy. I\u2019m happy for you, Jim. Congratulations on getting Sandburg exactly where you wanted him,\u201d Rafe teased. <\/p>\n
They finished their sandwiches and drank their beer. Rafe said, \u201cWell, I guess I should go for now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWould you like to see the video in the recorder?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou have video of the wedding too? I would love to see that. Thanks for asking,\u201d Rafe answered. <\/p>\n
Jim brought out the wedding video and for the next 30 minutes, Rafe watched the entire thing. He had tears in his eyes when he was finished watching it. \u201cThese are the things I miss the most, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you and Simon coming to poker on Saturday night?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI would like to, but I don\u2019t want to pressure anyone into liking me. Or allowing me into their lives when they don\u2019t want me to be,\u201d Rafe said. <\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry about anyone else. I\u2019m the one you have to worry about and I think we\u2019re doing all right. I thought making up would be really hard to do, but it turns out that when both of us are working on it, it\u2019s not as hard as it seemed,\u201d Jim summed it up. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, it\u2019s been hard. So making up is hard to do. Why do I want to break into song?\u201d Rafe joked. <\/p>\n
Jim laughed along with him and said, \u201cSay you\u2019ll come on Saturday. The only one you have to worry about is Conner and I already told her that I forgave you. She knows she\u2019s got to butt out now. It\u2019s between me and you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, I\u2019ll come with Simon on Saturday. I\u2019ve really missed all of you. I hope it doesn\u2019t ruin the night for Conner and Sandburg,\u201d Rafe said. <\/p>\n
\u201cConner has nothing to do with it. I\u2019m going to tell her to shut her mouth and she\u2019ll be good. She\u2019s very protective of me and Blair. But I don\u2019t need it right now. What I need are my friends back as my friends,\u201d Jim assured Rafe. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Jim for forgiving me and for letting me into your life. It means the world to me. Maybe we could bring Daryl with us that night so that Max and Drew will see us as a family too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cListen, Blair is going to be back soon, so let\u2019s get you back in your SUV. I need to tell him about all of this myself and in private. He\u2019ll be okay with everything, but I need to know that he is. We\u2019ll see you on Saturday,\u201d Jim said nicely. <\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t wait. Thanks again, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for keeping me from killing my SUV. We\u2019ll see you on Saturday,\u201d Jim said again. <\/p>\n
Rafe walked out the door and into Blair. Blair said, \u201cRafe, what are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim could see that Blair was curious, but not angry. He was glad of that. Rafe said, \u201cI helped Jim change the brake pads on the SUV. I did mine two weeks ago and Simon thought it would be good to help him. They were a bitch to get done.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was nice of you. Do you want to stay for lunch?\u201d Blair offered, very nicely. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Jim wants to talk to you and then hopefully I\u2019ll see you on Saturday. Bye guys.\u201d Rafe walked down the stairs and said hello to the kids as they came up the stairs carrying their books. <\/p>\n
Blair saw the wedding video sitting on the table and said, \u201cYou showed him our video?\u201d\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cI showed him the wedding photo\u2019s too. He\u2019s in love with Sam, he thinks she\u2019s one of the cutest little things around.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, you look really happy,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI am happy. It was almost like it used to be. I liked it. Is that all right with you?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fine with me, I\u2019m just glad to see you moving on,\u201d Blair replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, would you think it was weird if I asked if Rafe could come back to the bullpen?\u201d Jim asked softly. <\/p>\n
The kids walked into the loft and started showing Jim the books they got. Jim was getting excited over all of their books. It was so great that they all loved to read. Well, the boys anyhow. Samantha was just learning. The kids all went to their rooms and Jim was left with Blair again. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou think the city would let Rafe back on?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think if I suggested it, they might think about it. I could talk to Simon about it, right?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, you could call Simon and discuss it with him,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut how would you feel about having Rafe back in the bullpen. I want the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTruthfully, I believe that we might all be able to have closure again. I was very angry for a long while, but I\u2019ve seen you get over it and I know that I was holding you back a little. I don\u2019t want to hold you back, ever,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to go upstairs and call Simon and ask him about how he feels about that and we\u2019ll go from there. Are you sure you\u2019re all right with it?\u201d Jim asked once again. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, I adore you, but I want you to be happy and healthy more then anything in the world. This will make you happy and healthy. So go for it and Conner will have to calm her act down. She\u2019s been way too protective of you for too long. She\u2019s not your mom, she\u2019s our friend. We need to tell her that too,\u201d Blair stated. <\/p>\n
Jim kissed Blair and grabbed his cell phone and walked up stairs to call Simon. <\/p>\n
Blair smiled as he put away the wedding photos and the wedding video. He found it so great that Jim was showing it off. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Jim found Blair in Sam\u2019s room about an hour later reading to her and helping her learn some new words in the books. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, that\u2019s all for now, Sam. I have to talk to daddy about some things. You can play in your room or you can watch television. You haven\u2019t watched any television in two days, so I think you deserve some,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cSpongebob?\u201d Sam asked happily. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair both cringed. They hated the show, but Sam loved it. As long as she didn\u2019t want to watch it every day, they supposed it would be all right. <\/p>\n
Blair got her set up in the living room with Spongebob and went and joined Jim in the kitchen. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did Simon think of your idea?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe thought it was a fantastic idea. He said that Rafe hasn\u2019t been happy since he left and he\u2019s going to run it by the big wigs this week. So he might have his old job back sooner then we think. I feel good about it, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood, I\u2019m glad to hear it. Now let\u2019s start something for lunch and call the kids down to join us,\u201d Blair suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cSounds like a plan, Stan,\u201d Jim teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo not sing that song to me,\u201d Blair kidded back. <\/p>\n
Jim kissed him instead. <\/p>\n
Life was good. <\/p>\n
The end. <\/p>\n
Family Life Part 39
\nTrying to Change
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 3,100<\/p>\n
Simon had said nothing more about Rafe coming back to the station or not. So Jim figured that it wasn\u2019t a go. He had tried at least, and he knew he felt good about forgiving Rafe for everything he had done or not done. <\/p>\n
He was busy doing paperwork when his line rang and he answered, \u201cEllison.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDetective Ellison, this is Matt Sawyer in IA, we need to see you right away. Could you please make it up here in the next ten minutes or so?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I\u2019ll be there in ten minutes,\u201d Jim answered before he hung up the phone. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhere are you going in ten minutes?\u201d Blair asked being nosey as usual. <\/p>\n
\u201cIA wants to see me, probably about Rafe. So I need to tell Simon that I\u2019m going upstairs to see them. I\u2019ll see you when I get back,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cGood luck with it all, Jim. If you need any help with anything, you know my number,\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I have it in my speed dial too,\u201d Jim said as he got up to go and tell Simon. <\/p>\n
Jim told Simon where he was going and he went off to do his thing. Conner saw him get on the elevator and asked Blair, \u201cWhere is Jimbo going all by his lonesome?\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair laughed and said, \u201cHe does go places without me, Conner.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, he does, but he went upstairs, there is only vice and IA, so I\u2019m guessing IA. Is he sure about letting Rafe come back? He told me to stick my nose out of it and I\u2019m trying, but I don\u2019t want him to be hurt in any way,\u201d Conner was rambling. <\/p>\n
\u201cConner, calm down. Everything will be fine. The bullpen is going to be back to normal. Jim wants that more then anything. So you support his decisions no matter what. Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSandy, I\u2019m not saying another word. Do you want to go to lunch with me?\u201d Conner asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d like to see if Jim comes down soon and go with him. He might need to talk. So tomorrow, maybe?\u201d Blair asked nicely. <\/p>\n
\u201cTomorrow it is,\u201d Conner answered and walked back to her desk. <\/p>\n
Brown walked up and said, \u201cDid I hear you say that the bullpen might be getting back to the old bullpen?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Henri, Jim is up talking to IA right now. But I don\u2019t know what they\u2019re going to do,\u201d Blair explained again. <\/p>\n
\u201cI wish him good luck and safe passage back down here,\u201d Henri teased as he walked to his desk and sat down. <\/p>\n
Blair laughed over the safe passage remark and then started working. He had to do something so he wouldn\u2019t worry. He could see Simon in his office chewing on his cigar. That was so disgusting, but it meant that Simon was nervous. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Jim arrived upstairs and asked to see Matt Sawyer. They directed him to Matt\u2019s office and Jim knocked on the door and walked in when Sawyer said, \u201cCome in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Matt stood up and shook hands with Jim. \u201cIt\u2019s good to see you not holding grudges, Ellison. We were quite surprised with your desire to have the Major Crimes back to the way it used to be. In fact, we were more then surprised. You didn\u2019t seem too upset when we fired Brian Rafe however many months ago. Why the change of heart?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve seen him quite a few times and we\u2019ve talked, we\u2019ve discussed what happened, he\u2019s apologized and I have forgiven him. I just want things to be like they used to be. I never thought he would be fired. I thought maybe a suspension would be in order, but not firing him. So I\u2019m hoping that you\u2019re going to see your way clear to letting him back on the force. What do you think about it?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cActually, we have talked, taking a vote and have decided that if you\u2019re big enough to let him come back, then we should let him come back. He will start all over again with vacation time, sick leave and his pension will still be there from the firing. We couldn\u2019t take his pension away, the lawyers wouldn\u2019t let us,\u201d Sawyer said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was under the impression that you did take it away. I figured I would have to do a song and dance to try and get that back, but I guess I don\u2019t, do I?\u201d Jim wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, you sure don\u2019t. But he\u2019s going to be on probation for six months. If you have any troubles at all, you bring them to us, not to Captain Banks,\u201d Sawyer said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy wouldn\u2019t I report him to my superior?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s part of his probation. He has to show up to our office once a week and give us a report on how things are going. If they don\u2019t match up with what you say, then he\u2019ll be out,\u201d Sawyer explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo for the next six months, I have to come up here too?\u201d Jim asked, sounding a little irritated. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, you\u2019ll be sent a form to fill out once a week with comments about how you feel about his actions and anything else you need to report. You don\u2019t have to come up here at all, unless something goes wrong. Then you have to file a report with us and we\u2019ll take it from there,\u201d Sawyer stated. <\/p>\n
Jim stood up and said, \u201cWhen does he get to come back?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to call him tonight and tell him what he had to do on probation and he can decide when he comes back. He\u2019ll probably want to give notice to his other job, I\u2019m sure. Ellison, we\u2019re glad that you two worked things out without a lawsuit being used.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was good meeting, you, I better get back to my job or I won\u2019t have one too long,\u201d Jim joked. <\/p>\n
\u201cGood luck with everything, Ellison. Oh shit, I almost forgot to have you sign the paper. Without the paper we can\u2019t do anything,\u201d Sawyer said laughing. <\/p>\n
Jim looked over the paper and looked up at Sawyer in shock. \u201cBarnes is coming back?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t let one of them back on duty without the other one. It wouldn\u2019t be right. He will get the same terms as Rafe. Is there a problem with that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t forgive Barnes. I haven\u2019t seen him, I haven\u2019t talked to him and I shouldn\u2019t have to see him or talk to him. I might have to think this over. In fact, I\u2019m going to call my dad\u2019s lawyer for this. I\u2019ll just take this paper with me and I\u2019ll get back to you tomorrow or the next day.\u201d Jim grabbed the paper and started out the door. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t have just one, Ellison, you must have realized that,\u201d Sawyer commented sounding quite angry. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll call you after I speak to the lawyer,\u201d Jim said as he rushed out the door. He didn\u2019t want to lose that paper for anything. He folded it quickly and put it in his pocket and went for the elevators. Jim saw three IA detectives coming towards him when the elevator opened. He got on it and pushed the button to shut the door quickly. He went right down to the parking lot and got into his vehicle. <\/p>\n
He called Blair first,\u201d Sandburg.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, I have to take some papers to my dad\u2019s attorney and IA is going to be looking for me. Don\u2019t you tell them where the lawyer is,\u201d Jim warned Blair. <\/p>\n
\u201cIs something wrong? What happened? Oh shit, here they come, gotta go,\u201d Blair said before he put the phone down. <\/p>\n
Matt Sawyer walked up to Blair and said, \u201cWhere is your partner? He left with our property and he can\u2019t do that. So we need to find him right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair actually scratched the top of his head and tried to appear surprised. \u201cI have no idea where he is. I thought he went up to your office to see you? Wasn\u2019t that just an hour ago or so?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSandburg, no one thinks you\u2019re funny. Where in the fuck did he go?\u201d Sawyer shouted. <\/p>\n
Simon walked out of his office and said, \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEllison took IA property and fled the building,\u201d Sawyer announced. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean he took your property, what type of property? He doesn\u2019t usually take people\u2019s stuff,\u201d Simon yelled back. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe was supposed to sign some papers and he took them and said he was taking them to a lawyer instead of signing them,\u201d Sawyer exclaimed. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo maybe he needed a second opinion. If his name was on it, he\u2019s legally allowed to show it to his lawyer. Get the fuck out of my bullpen and don\u2019t harass my cops again,\u201d Simon ordered. <\/p>\n
Sawyer leaned into Simon and said, \u201cWe know about you and Rafe, so you might want to get Ellison back here as soon as you can, or your job will on the line.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid everyone just hear him threaten me? I want you all to file a report and put it on my desk. I\u2019m getting a lawyer,\u201d Simon stated as he turned and walked away. <\/p>\n
Sawyer looked at Sandburg once more and said, \u201cThis is your last chance to call him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCall him what?\u201d Blair asked. Brown and Conner burst out laughing, they couldn\u2019t help it. Joel stood in the doorway of his office and smiled broadly at Blair\u2019s retort. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll have him served with papers before you know it. You\u2019re going to be sorry you messed with us, believe me,\u201d Sawyer said. <\/p>\n
\u201cAre you still here? Didn\u2019t Captain Banks order you out of the bullpen? I think so. Let me go and ask him,\u201d Blair stood up to head into Simon\u2019s office and Sawyer grabbed Blair\u2019s arm and yanked it back behind his back and everyone heard the crack. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou fucker, you just broke my arm,\u201d Blair shouted. <\/p>\n
Simon came out and said, \u201cHe broke your arm?\u201d Simon shoved Sawyer away from Blair and Simon looked him over and said, \u201cYup, looks broke to me too. Someone cuff this son-of-a-bitch.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joel was the first one at Sawyers side. He put cuffs on him and read him his rights. <\/p>\n
\u201cJoel, I need you to take over for me and get the reports from everything having to deal with this. That includes, Sawyer and his unnamed partners that are standing over there. Get their names, Id\u2019s and their reports files while I take Sandburg to the hospital. No one calls Jim about it. I\u2019ll tell him later,\u201d Simon ordered and led Blair to the elevator touching his shoulder very gently. <\/p>\n
\u201cGot it taken care of, Simon. Take care, Blair,\u201d Joel called out softly. \u201cGet your asses over here before I arrest all of you. Sawyer, you are under arrest and you aren\u2019t going to get out of this easily.\u201d<\/p>\n
Simon could see that Joel had it all under control and focused on Blair. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Jim got to his dad\u2019s lawyer, Tom Bateman, who was always a lawyer for Jim and Blair and said, \u201cI need you to look this over for me and tell me I don\u2019t have to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said, \u201cSit down and let me read it.\u201d<\/p>\n
He finished reading it and said, \u201cI take it you want one of the people let off the hook, but not both?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s right and they said that I had to sign it or Rafe couldn\u2019t come back at all,\u201d Jim said nervously. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, I\u2019m really glad you didn\u2019t sign this because it says here that it was your fault and you would be put on suspension. We\u2019re going to get papers in order right away. Why don\u2019t you call Blair and tell him what\u2019s going on so he won\u2019t be worried, \u201cTom said. <\/p>\n
Jim pulled his cell out and called Blair\u2019s cell phone and Conner answered it. \u201cConner, where is Blair?\u201d Jim was instantly nervous. Blair never left his phone sitting around. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not supposed to tell you, but Sawyer came down here and harassed Sandy and then he broke his arm,\u201d Conner said. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe broke Blair\u2019s arm?\u201d Jim shouted, making Tom jump. <\/p>\n
\u201cSimon took him to the hospital, but he said to let you focus on the paperwork first. All of the IA guys that came down to harass us are being arrested. Joel is in charge. It\u2019s going well, so don\u2019t worry about this end. Just worry about Sandy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Conner, I\u2019ll tell my lawyer to draw up papers while I\u2019m here,\u201d Jim said and then turned to Tom and said, \u201cThat fucker broke Blair\u2019s arm. Do you believe it?\u201d <\/p>\n
Jim didn\u2019t even notice that he still had the cell phone open. Tom walked over and shut it and put it in Jim\u2019s jacket pocket. \u201cGo to the hospital and I\u2019ll draw up all of the papers needed for this case. We\u2019re going to sue their asses off.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim hurried out of the office and drove to the hospital. He walked in and saw Simon sitting there and said, \u201cWhy aren\u2019t you with him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe didn\u2019t want me there Jim. He\u2019s just getting x-rays right now. He\u2019ll need you when they set it,\u201d Simon informed him. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat lousy fuck. He tricked me into almost signing papers and they would have suspended me from duty. I took them to my lawyer and he\u2019s drawing up papers for Rafe right now. He\u2019s drawing up papers for anything and everyone in Major Crimes and last but not least, he\u2019s suing their asses off over Blair\u2019s broken arm. God, what is taking them so long?\u201d Jim paced and fretted. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, you just got here ten minutes ago. Come here and sit down. Everything will be all right,\u201d Simon suggested. <\/p>\n
Jim sat down but didn\u2019t like it one bit. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Tom Bateman was fast if nothing else. He drew up papers for all of the members of Major Crime to sue for harassment. He drew up papers for Rafe and then drew them up for Jim and Blair separately. He left no stone unturned. He called Conner and got all of the names of the IA guys and added them to the papers. He especially wanted Sawyer\u2019s full name, so now he was ready to rock and roll. He got his jacket on and went to his car. He was going to Blair and Jim since they couldn\u2019t come to him. He would wait for them at the loft. Plus he had papers for Simon to sign too. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
The doctor came out and asked, \u201cIs there a Jim Ellison here?\u201d<\/p>\n
Both Simon and Jim got up to go with the doctor. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, but only Jim Ellison can go.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a police matter, so I can go too. They\u2019re pressing charges and are having the papers drawn up as we speak. Now let\u2019s get back there and see how our patient is doing. <\/p>\n
Jim walked into the room without being told where Blair was and hugged him close to his body, being super careful of the cast on Blair\u2019s arm. <\/p>\n
\u201cGod, I\u2019m glad you\u2019re here,\u201d Blair whispered. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m glad I\u2019m here too. Babe, I\u2019m so sorry about all of this,\u201d Jim said sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cI only have to keep the cast on for four weeks. So it\u2019s not as bad as it could have been. I have to stay on desk duty for the entire four weeks, Simon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood, it\u2019ll give us a change to get a little caught up with things around the bull pen. I don\u2019t want you or Jim worrying about a damn thing,\u201d Simon ordered. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Blair teased and realized he felt really good. \u201cHey doc, did you give me something?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, we gave you some Lortab\u2019s and you\u2019ll be feeling pretty good as long as you stay on them for the next three days,\u201d Doctor Marshall said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll see to it that he does,\u201d Jim volunteered. <\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cMan, I could use a big kiss. A big sloppy kiss.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim went right over and kissed him, sloppy and all. Jim turned to the doctor and said, \u201cSo when can he go home?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has to stay home for three days and then its desk duty for four weeks. He\u2019s going to try and get out it, I want you all to understand how bad the break was. One more twist for that idiot and we would have had to place pins and a rod in his arm,\u201d Dr. Marshall said. \u201cWe just need you to sign papers and you\u2019re free to go, Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, doc.\u201d<\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Jim got Blair settled in the SUV and they headed for home. He saw Tom waiting for him when they pulled up in the parking lot. <\/p>\n
Jim helped Blair get out of the truck and Tom walked over to them. \u201cI want pictures taken of the cast and everything. Any bruising anywhere?\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair had no shirt on, just Jim\u2019s jacket and he lifted up the jacket and Jim saw the bruising on his upper arm. Jim wanted to kill that son-of-a-bitch. <\/p>\n
\u201cTake pictures of it all, Jim. It\u2019s important. Here are your papers for everyone. Rafe\u2019s are in this folder here. Tell him that I\u2019ll file charges for him too if he\u2019s willing,\u201d Tom stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll call and tell him the news,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cTake your time with filling out the paperwork, there is no rush. I\u2019ll talk to you in the next week. Take care, Blair,\u201d Tom replied. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Everyone filed their reports in the next week. Sawyer was charged with assault and was suspended for a year with no pay. He was also sued by everyone in Major Crimes. <\/p>\n
The city was sued and they settled out of court, because they knew there was going to be problems and they would have to pay anyway. Rafe was getting his job back at the same pay as when they made him leave and everyone else got a small settlement for the stress they had to deal with. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair got a large sum paid to them, but Jim also stipulated that he wanted Sawyer fired from his job. The rest of the goons were going to be put on probation. <\/p>\n
Jim just wanted to try and make a change, but it ended up hurting Blair. This is something Jim wasn\u2019t gong to get over soon. <\/p>\n
Rafe was going to be back in the bull pen in a week, so Jim felt like they had some honest to goodness closure.<\/p>\n
The end. <\/p>\n
Family Life Part 40
\nChanges
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 2,766<\/p>\n
Jim was helping Blair get ready for work five days after the episode with Sawyer in the bullpen. Blair was able to go to work, but he was chained to the desk. Blair hated it, but knew there was nothing he could do about it. Blair\u2019s wardrobe was a riot. All of his shirts had the one sleeve torn off or cut off. <\/p>\n
Today was the day that Rafe was going to be joining them in the bullpen again. Everyone was looking forward to getting back to normal once more especially after the whole mess with Sawyer. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, have you given any more thought as to what we\u2019re going to do with our money?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I mean, we\u2019re going to add more to the kids\u2019 college funds, they\u2019re going to be set when they get to college. Then we could get a large screen tv for the boys for their room. That would be nice for them. Samantha is quite easy, if we got her a color book, she would be thrilled,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
Blair laughed and answered, \u201cI meant would you like to set up a trust fund for each of them. So that when they turn 24 they will get a certain amount of money?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a good idea, Blair. I would do that. Should we make an appointment at the bank today?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNot today, today is going to be busy. We\u2019re going to take Rafe out for lunch,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh we are, are we?\u201d Jim teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I thought we could take Henri and Rafe both. If Conner wants to go, she can too. Hell, I don\u2019t care who goes, I just thought it would be nice to let him see we\u2019re okay with him coming back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHave you noticed how much Conner has come around about the entire Rafe situation?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, it\u2019s because you threatened her. She knows better then to say anything to him now. She\u2019s getting the hang of following orders,\u201d Blair joked. <\/p>\n
\u201cGood because she\u2019s not my mom. She doesn\u2019t need to follow me around and see if everyone is being nice to me,\u201d Jim remarked. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe saw herself as your protector, but she\u2019s backing off and doing a good job of it. She volunteered to make the cake for the welcome back party. She\u2019s going to do well, you wait and see,\u201d Blair assured Jim. <\/p>\n
\u201cI hope so, because I don\u2019t want to have to kick her ass,\u201d Jim joked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI know,\u201d Blair wasn\u2019t joking. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
When they got to the bullpen, Conner grabbed both of them and said, \u201cI need an opinion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim and Blair followed her into the break room and saw a chocolate cake sitting there that said, \u2018Welcome Back, Rafe\u2019 and it was sitting on a big cutting board that was covered with wrapping paper that was very colorful. <\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cNice cake, you made it?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cOf course I made it. But is it drowned out by the paper color below it? It was the only thing I could find to put on the cutting board. It\u2019s wrapping paper and it\u2019s all I had. Do you think it\u2019s horrible?\u201d Conner asked nervously. <\/p>\n
\u201cConner it looks wonderful. It blends with chocolate well. All of the colors will match, you wait and see. Did you get plates and all of that?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, but they\u2019re just white. I\u2019m not very good at this. I should have asked Drew and Max to help me,\u201d Conner replied still sounding like the wreck she was. <\/p>\n
[[[welcomecake.jpg]]]<\/p>\n
\u201cConner, calm down. It\u2019s perfect. Rafe loves chocolate and this looks like its all chocolate, is it?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I remembered that he loves chocolate, so it\u2019s a fudge cake. It\u2019s got chocolate fudge in the middle of it,\u201d Conner said. <\/p>\n
\u201cFuck Rafe, let\u2019s eat it now,\u201d Jim teased. <\/p>\n
Joel came to the doorway of the break room and said, \u201cRafe is on his way up. Great cake, Conner.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Joel,\u201d Conner said with a smile. <\/p>\n
Joel walked away and Jim said, \u201cHow come you\u2019re okay with his compliments?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause everything he says to me seems to warm my form,\u201d Conner said snickering. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh my god, she\u2019s got a thing for Joel. Does he know?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell he will if you keep running your mouth. Let\u2019s get out to the bullpen. Everyone will be waiting,\u201d Conner bossed. <\/p>\n
They walked a little behind Conner and Blair said, \u201cI never would have guessed it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw it about a month ago, but didn\u2019t mention it because she didn\u2019t. I hate to intrude on people\u2019s thoughts or feelings,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
Conner turned around and said, \u201cYou could give him a little push, Jimbo. He\u2019s not taking the hints well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both Jim and Blair started laughing until they got to the bullpen. Then they got ready for the big moment. <\/p>\n
The elevator door opened and Simon and Rafe walked off of it. Everyone yelled, \u201cWelcome back, Rafe,\u201d and threw confetti and blew horns until Jim could hardly stand the noise. He wanted to know whose idea that was. Probably Conner and Blair\u2019s. <\/p>\n
They all shook his hand, including Conner and then Jim and Blair shook his hand. Everything was going well. Conner said, \u201cRafe would you like a cup of coffee?\u201d<\/p>\n
Rafe looked at her oddly and said, \u201cSure that would be great.\u201d<\/p>\n
She turned to Blair and pointed to the break room and Blair got up to help her. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to serve coffee and cake at 8:00 in the morning?\u201d Blair wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cHey, when you make the cake, you can make the rules. That frosting isn\u2019t going to last much longer. It\u2019s made with fudge and whipped cream. We HAVE to eat it soon,\u201d Conner kidded. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, I\u2019m going to take a tray of coffee\u2019s out and you bring the cake,\u201d Blair suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh good thinking, Sandy. I\u2019ll help you pour the coffees and we\u2019ll get this ready in no time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Conner came marching out of the break room carrying the cake and Blair was carrying a tray with coffee cups filled with coffee. Rafe looked pleasantly surprised. Jim had gone in and gotten the plates and silverware so they wouldn\u2019t have to eat it with their hands. <\/p>\n
Conner said, \u201cWelcome back, Rafe. I remembered that you loved chocolate cake, so this one is a chocolate fudge cake. Enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Conner, that was really nice of you,\u201d Rafe said as he took one of the plates and fork that Jim followed them in with. Jim could tell that Rafe was moved beyond words. <\/p>\n
\u201cWho is going to cut the cake?\u201d Simon asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim is,\u201d Conner answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, bunches,\u201d Jim teased. <\/p>\n
So Blair took a picture of Rafe holding the cake up and then Jim began to cut the cake. There were quite a few people in the bullpen, so he had to make the pieces very small. But he kept one big on with the rose on it for Rafe. He handed that one to Rafe and Rafe said, \u201cOh my god, it\u2019s got gooey chocolate inside.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joel said, \u201cWait until you taste it. It\u2019s one of the best cakes I\u2019ve ever had.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rafe bit into it and moaned with happiness. \u201cConner, you outdid yourself. This is the best cake I have ever had.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy thank you, Rafe. It\u2019s an old family recipe,\u201d Conner replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo we can\u2019t have it?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNope, it was my grandmother\u2019s recipe. You\u2019ll just have to invite me over more and ask me to bring cake,\u201d Conner teased. <\/p>\n
They all ate the cake very happily and drank their coffee and then the phones started ringing reminding them that they were working. Henri got a call and he and Rafe had to leave right away. <\/p>\n
Rafe stood up and said, \u201cThank you everyone from the bottom of my heart. I\u2019ll never forget this day.\u201d<\/p>\n
He and Henri left and everyone else started to clean up the bullpen. It had been a nice little party. Jim was impressed with how much Conner was in control and didn\u2019t say anything. Not to mention that delicious cake she brought. All in all, the morning had turned out quite well. Simon was lit up with happiness to have his bullpen back to normal and so was Jim. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Blair was sitting in the bullpen all by himself when Rafe and Henri came walking in. <\/p>\n
\u201cHey guys,\u201d Blair called out. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe got us a murderer, Sandburg,\u201d Henri answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cWow, that was fast,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt sort of fell into our laps,\u201d Rafe replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cHey, Rafe don\u2019t say that. Let them think we worked our asses off to get this guy,\u201d Henri said laughing. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe worked our asses off getting this guy, Sandburg,\u201d Rafe joked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSit down and tell me about it, I\u2019m bored out of my mind,\u201d Blair kidded back. <\/p>\n
So the three men sat and talked for about an hour, until Simon came out and said, \u201cDo you have the paperwork done on the arrest yet?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were just getting to it, sir,\u201d Rafe answered, which made Blair almost smile. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, get to it now. I want it on my desk in the next half hour. Get busy. Sandburg, leave them alone,\u201d Simon shouted. <\/p>\n
\u201cSorry dude, duty calls,\u201d Brown said as he went to his desk and started typing right away. <\/p>\n
Rafe said, \u201cIt\u2019s really weird calling him sir.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI bet, get busy, I don\u2019t want to get yelled at again,\u201d Blair bossed and Rafe laughed all the way to his desk. He and Brown were busy when Jim and Conner came in. <\/p>\n
\u201cDid I miss anything fun?\u201d Blair asked Jim. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf you call chasing a guy for two miles fun, then that\u2019s what you missed. We got our guy, but my ass is dragging,\u201d Jim said plopping down into the chair. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you run for him, Conner?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cHer ankle was bothering her,\u201d Jim grumbled. <\/p>\n
Blair burst out laughing and said, \u201cGood one, Conner.\u201d<\/p>\n
Everyone in the bullpen that had heard laughed. <\/p>\n
Jim liked hearing the laughter once again. Everyone was in place and it all seemed right. Now if he could just get Conner to leave him alone about Joel he\u2019d have it made. <\/p>\n
\u201cChief, I could use a cup of coffee,\u201d Jim said sounding exhausted. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo could I. Would you get me one while you\u2019re up?\u201d Blair replied. <\/p>\n
Jim glared at him and then smiled. He grabbed Blair\u2019s cup and went to get them both a cup of sludge. <\/p>\n
While in the break room, Joel walked in and Jim said, \u201cConner wants you to ask her out.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re kidding. Don\u2019t I seem a little old for her? Don\u2019t I seem a little dark for her?\u201d Joel joked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not kidding, she\u2019s driving me nuts. Ask her out for dinner. The worst thing that could happen is it\u2019s a flop. The best thing would be you have a gorgeous woman that wants to sleep with you,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh my God, I\u2019m so out of shape,\u201d Joel growled. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe doesn\u2019t seem to mind, Joel. Ask her out so she\u2019ll leave me alone, okay?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay Jim, I\u2019ll ask her in a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n
They both walked out of the break room and Jim set Blair\u2019s coffee in front of him. \u201cSo did anything exciting happen while we were gone?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs a matter of fact, it was so fucking boring and no calls were being made so I looked over and your phone moved over to my phone and they began to fuck like bunnies.\u201d Blair joked and laughed. <\/p>\n
Everyone in the room started laughing and Jim knew that this broken arm thing was driving him nuts. \u201cChief, what about you taking a few days off and hang out with the kids? They\u2019re home from school and would love the company.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat joke about the phones wasn\u2019t that bad. You\u2019re going to throw me out of the bullpen?\u201d Blair asked sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cI just thought maybe you would rather be doing something else instead of watching fucking phones,\u201d Jim said smiling. <\/p>\n
\u201cDid you know that they wanted to have a cigarette afterwards, but I sprayed them with the water bottle in my desk,\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n
Even Jim laughed at that one. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fine Jim. Bored, but fine. I like being at work. Besides I got to hear all about Brown and Rafe\u2019s collar. Wow what a great bust,\u201d Blair said sarcastically. <\/p>\n
Jim rolled his eyes and knew it was probably something that fell into their laps. He wasn\u2019t going to fall for it. He started typing out his report. Once he was done, he signed it and took it into Simon\u2019s office and put it on his desk. <\/p>\n
\u201cHave your phones stopped messing around Jim?\u201d Simon asked with a smile on his face. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, they are behaving nicely and hopefully we won\u2019t have trouble with them again. Blair did mention something about they wanted to have a cigarette but he sprayed them with the water bottle he keeps in his drawer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Simon burst out laughing and said, \u201cThat poor man need that cast off and fast. He\u2019s so bored. Earlier he asked if he could chew on one of my cigars.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s nothing we can do about it, he\u2019s got to be off. Maybe we\u2019ll get some good jokes out of it,\u201d Jim guessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s true. It\u2019s been a good day so far. I\u2019m happy that everything is running so smoothly. I spoke too soon. I just saw Conner flirting with Joel in the hallway. What the fuck is she doing?\u201d Simon asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe has a thing for him. It can\u2019t be helped. You know how it is, Simon. If someone floats your boat, you haven\u2019t got much choice in the matter,\u201d Jim said cheerfully. <\/p>\n
\u201cI hope they keep it out of the bullpen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure they will once he asks her out. He thinks he\u2019s too out of shape and too old for her,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh for crying out loud. Tell him to just ask her and get it over with,\u201d Simon ordered. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes sir,\u201d Jim answered and walked out the door laughing. <\/p>\n
He sat back at his desk and Blair sprayed him in the face with the water bottle. \u201cOops, I was aiming for your phone. He was getting frisky again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEnough with the phones, Blair. I just want you to know, if you\u2019re arm wasn\u2019t broken, I would beat your ass.\u201d Jim said sternly. <\/p>\n
Blair laughed as he watched Jim wiping his face down with his Kleenex from his desk. <\/p>\n
\u201cHave you talked to Conner?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, Joel asked her out and they\u2019re going out tonight. Isn\u2019t that great news?\u201d Blair inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, maybe now we can rest without her intruding on us all the time,\u201d Jim said as Conner walked over to his desk. <\/p>\n
\u201cJimbo, can I talk to you for a second?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim sighed and got up and headed into the break room. \u201cWhat do you want, Conner?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you think it would be slutty of me to sleep with him on the first date?\u201d Conner asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think you should fuck him in the car before you get to wherever you\u2019re going. He\u2019s going to be horny and you\u2019re horny so why not do it in the car and take some of the pressure off? Then you can enjoy the rest of the night,\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI knew you would have the answer for me. Thank you,\u201d Conner said flying out of the room. <\/p>\n
Jim had been joking. God help both of them. He shook his head to clear the cobwebs and walked back over to this desk. <\/p>\n
\u201cWere you helpful?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I was a joking idiot and she took me seriously,\u201d Jim answered quietly. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh man, tell me you didn\u2019t tell her to like fuck him or something on the first date,\u201d Blair wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is our work place, let\u2019s get back to work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair smiled at Jim because he knew then that Joel and Conner were going to be fucking on the first date. Jim was such a slut. But Blair was glad to have him as his slut. <\/p>\n
At five o\u2019clock every said goodbye to one another and headed down to the parking garage. It had been a wonderful day. Jim felt like they were definitely back to normal. <\/p>\n
Jim was a happy camper and so was Rafe. That\u2019s all that was important right then. <\/p>\n
Well not everyone was a happy camper. Blair wanted that fucking cast off his arm. He wasn\u2019t happy at all. <\/p>\n
The end. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Family Life Part 31 Sacrifices By Patt Word Count: 3,851 Jim and Blair were going to see a lawyer and it was on the sly. They left Naomi home with the boys to see a movie or a museum of … Continue reading