Family Life Part 71
\nRumors
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 2214<\/p>\n
Summary: Jim overhears something that he shouldn\u2019t have and gets very upset with Blair over it. <\/p>\n
Notes: I can\u2019t blame this on anyone but myself. I saw a picture of Cassie Welles and I went crazy. What could I do? I had to write a story about it. <\/p>\n
Jim was heading to the break room for some much needed sludge when he heard two voices, he didn\u2019t really know one of them and the other was Brown. He waited for them to stop talking before he walked in and interrupted them. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou aren\u2019t going to believe who I saw in Seattle this last weekend?\u201d The first voice said. <\/p>\n
Brown sounded uninterested as he said, \u201cDo I care?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was Cassie Welles. You know THE Cassie Welles? And she wasn\u2019t alone, she had a child with her about four or five years old. Someone asked about the child and she said, \u2018his father is an anthropologist in Washington, but it didn\u2019t work out. So I moved here and settled in with Blair.\u2019 Honest to God, that\u2019s what she said.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim dropped his coffee cup on the tile floor and it broke into a million pieces. The man stuck his head out the door and Jim recognized him as Brandon Dole from traffic. What was he doing up there? <\/p>\n
\u201cHey Ellison, you okay? You look like you\u2019ve seen a ghost. You didn\u2019t cut yourself when you broke that did you?\u201d Brandon asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fine, I wasn\u2019t watching what I was doing,\u201d Jim replied as he went to get the broom and dust pan in the hallway closet. <\/p>\n
Jim heard Dole say, \u201cYou don\u2019t think he heard us talking do you?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, he\u2019s probably just having a bad day,\u201d Brown answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe better get out of here while the going\u2019s good.\u201d As Dole walked out the door, Jim said, \u201cDole, what are you doing in our break room?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was up seeing my friend and getting a cup of coffee. Our machine just died downstairs, so I didn\u2019t think anyone would mind,\u201d Dole explained. <\/p>\n
Jim frowned. \u201cWell, we do mind. We pay for that coffee that you\u2019re drinking, you don\u2019t. So stay out of our break room from now on.\u201d Jim continued to clean up the mess as Dole walked by. <\/p>\n
\u201cSorry\u2026\u201d Dole said very sarcastically. <\/p>\n
Brown walked out and said, \u201cJim, I have an extra cup in the cupboard if you need to borrow one.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo thanks, I\u2019ll use a Styrofoam cup. Brown, we all pay for that coffee, why didn\u2019t you say anything to him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGeeze, Jim, I didn\u2019t think it was that big of a deal. Sorry, it won\u2019t happen again. He\u2019s a good guy. Cut him some slack,\u201d Brown said as he walked by. <\/p>\n
\u201cFuck you and your friend,\u201d Jim mumbled under his breath. <\/p>\n
Brown walked back and said, \u201cYou got something to say to me, Ellison?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I was just yelling at myself for breaking this cup. Blair gave it to me for Christmas.\u201d Jim didn\u2019t want to let on that he had heard anything in the break room, so he needed to recover and fast. <\/p>\n
\u201cGood, while you\u2019re yelling at yourself, remember to tell yourself to have a sense of humor too,\u201d Brown teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cSorry, Henri. I\u2019m just in a mood today.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBe cool, dude,\u201d Brown said as he walked away. <\/p>\n
Jim didn\u2019t feel cool as he threw all the glass in the trash. He made sure he got it all up and then went in to get a cup of coffee as planned. What the hell was this bullshit about? Blair and Cassie? No way. Jim couldn\u2019t believe Blair had done anything with her. She drove him nuts. Okay, she drove Jim nuts, but he would have known if Blair had slept with her. And besides, Blair was always careful when he had sex, wasn\u2019t he? What if there was a little Blair out there somewhere? Jim got his coffee and headed to his desk. <\/p>\n
Blair frowned when he saw his partner. \u201cJim, do you know how bad those cups are for the environment? I can\u2019t believe you\u2019re using one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCalm down Chief, I had to use it. I broke my cup in the hallway.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean you broke your cup? What happened?\u201d Blair wanted to know. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was just clumsy. Now can I get back to what I was doing?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
Blair leaned in close and said, \u201cDid you zone?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFuck, I was clumsy and dropped my cup. Are you going to make a big fucking deal out of it?\u201d Jim barked. <\/p>\n
Everyone in the bullpen looked their way. Jim had the decency to blush. \u201cSorry, Chief. I\u2019m in a bad mood.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brown walked by Blair and said, \u201cHe was in a bad mood after he broke that cup. He said it was because you had given it to him. I didn\u2019t realize he was so sentimental about his coffee cup, did you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Henri, I did not. I\u2019ll have to remember that when I buy him the next one,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n
Henri walked away and Blair said, \u201cI\u2019ll get you a new one you big fat liar.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe cup was one from your dad. He gave it to you in your stocking at his house last year for Christmas. So what\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat difference does it make? I was just embarrassed that I was fumbling my cup and dropped it. Can we drop this now?\u201d Jim started typing before he waited for the answer. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not done with this yet, Jim. There is more to be explained.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever,\u201d Jim huffed and began to ignore Blair completely. <\/p>\n
Blair knew he missed something, he just didn\u2019t know what. Jim must have overheard something he shouldn\u2019t have been listening to and now Blair was going to be the one to suffer for it. No, this conversation was far from over. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
While they were driving home, Blair said, \u201cDo you want to explain to me what happened with the coffee cup?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone said something about us being gay and they weren\u2019t happy about it. I just got pissed off and dropped my cup,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cWho said this?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSome guy from Traffic and I was sure to tell him that we pay for the coffee and he had no right drinking it,\u201d Jim added. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t seem that upset about him saying something about us. Are you sure that\u2019s what happened?\u201d Blair wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you calling me, a liar?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo man, I\u2019m just confused. This entire conversation is confusing.\u201d Blair sat back and tried to relax and found it impossible to do. <\/p>\n
\u201cChief, do you ever think about people we used to work with?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure I do. Did you have someone in mind, or am I supposed to guess?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
Jim laughed, hoping that would calm Blair down. It seemed to do the trick. Blair smiled back at him. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was thinking about Cassie Welles this morning. I haven\u2019t thought about her in years,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy would you be thinking about her at all?\u201d Blair inquired honestly. <\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t you ever wonder what happened to her?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, I know she lives in Seattle and works for the FBI. Rafe told me. So what is this about?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s nothing, I was just thinking about her and wondered if I was the only one that did. I didn\u2019t realize that Rafe and Cassie were friendly,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think they are friends. He saw her there about six months ago and told me what she had said. She asked about us. I forgot to tell you because honestly, she doesn\u2019t really matter that much to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you were never ever tempted to date her while she worked at the station?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, did you drink something bad today? You\u2019re being really weird. No, I never ever was tempted to date her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou never thought about her sexually?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, maybe sexually. I didn\u2019t want to date her though,\u201d Blair said laughing. Then he noticed Jim wasn\u2019t laughing. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe had a major thing for you, when she worked here,\u201d Jim pointed out. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, she just wanted to be one of the guys. And I think she had a major thing for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo are you going to sit there and tell me you never fucked her?\u201d Jim asked heatedly. <\/p>\n
Blair\u2019s mouth just fell open and he said, \u201cI can\u2019t believe you just asked that. No, I never fucked her as you put it so nicely. We never slept together. You\u2019ve succeeded in pissing me off though, was that the game plan, Jim?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course it wasn\u2019t the game plan. But sometimes I get jealous. I would understand if you did sleep with her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, I didn\u2019t sleep with her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, think back, are you absolutely sure?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cAll right, now I\u2019m really pissed off. Don\u2019t talk to me anymore. Fuck you, Ellison.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim didn\u2019t know what to think about all of this. Blair seemed honestly upset about Jim asking him and he seemed very honest when he answered. Maybe that stupid jerk got the story wrong or maybe there was no little Blair at all and it was all a rumor. But Jim did know one thing for sure and that was he was getting no sex for awhile. Blair was plenty pissed off. <\/p>\n
Jim drove the rest of the way home in silence, because he didn\u2019t know what to say. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
After Jim parked the SUV in the parking lot he turned to Blair and said, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTell me, what exactly are you sorry about?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFor bringing up Cassie Welles. She was always a thorn in our sides, and continues to be all the way from Seattle. Anyhow, I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, there is something going on with you today. You have lied to me over and over again. Now I take it you heard a rumor that I slept with Cassie, am I right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSort of,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo I have to get ugly and drag this out of you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe said that Cassie lives in Seattle and had a child whose father was an Anthropologist in Washington. So I put two and two together and came up with that,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, first of all, I never slept with her. I never wanted to and I\u2019m shocked that you didn\u2019t believe me the first time I told you. I don\u2019t lie to you, Jim. I lie to other people about things but not to you. Especially if it was important. This was important to you, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s more.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat more could there be? Jim, I didn\u2019t sleep with her. Now let\u2019s drop it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d Jim said still somewhat confused about everything. <\/p>\n
\u201cWait a minute, what do you mean there\u2019s more? What more could I have done besides sleep with her?\u201d Blair shouted and hurt Jim\u2019s ears. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have to yell, Chief. We\u2019re in the same vehicle.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTell me what this moron said and let\u2019s get it out of the way. Then, I want you to know that I\u2019m really pissed off with you. In fact, I\u2019m thinking of never sleeping with you again in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJesus, I was just asking questions. Blair, don\u2019t be angry with me, please?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust tell me what else was said. Did I father a child or something?\u201d Blair asked laughing. Then he looked over and saw the look on Jim\u2019s face and said, \u201cYou\u2019re joking? Someone said that I fathered a child with her?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what was said. Guess what the little boys name is?\u201d Jim asked quietly. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh fuck me. She named her kid Blair?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, that\u2019s his name. What was I to think? And I didn\u2019t know how to tell you about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you would have asked, I could have saved you all this worrying, Jim. She was married to an Anthropologist for three years and then they got a divorce. I didn\u2019t know what the child\u2019s name was, but knew that he had curly hair and was very cute. Rafe told me how cute he was. But he didn\u2019t say a word about him being named Blair. Jim, I\u2019m suddenly not so mad. If I would have heard this about you and the child\u2019s name was Jim, I would have freaked out too. I wish you would have just told me the truth. I hate rumors. They suck.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI hate rumors too, Chief. Now are you still mad enough at me where you\u2019re never going to sleep with me again?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHell, I\u2019m going to fuck your brains out tonight, because it won\u2019t take long,\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cNot nice to tease the Sentinel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNext time, talk to me about it. Understood?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUnderstood. Thank you for letting me back in bed again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou honestly thought I was going to give up sex with you? You\u2019re a bigger idiot then I thought,\u201d Blair said as he got out of the SUV and started running for the front door. <\/p>\n
Jim smiled and let Blair get a head start, then he rushed into the building after him whispering to himself, \u201cYou\u2019ve gotta love this man.\u201d<\/p>\n
And he did. <\/p>\n
The end <\/p>\n
Family Life Part 72
\nMaking Up
\nBy Patt Darrow<\/p>\n
Word Count: 3296<\/p>\n
Summary: Quarrelling isn\u2019t so bad because of the making up. Nothing beats Jim kissing ass. \uf04a <\/p>\n
Notes: Again, no one to blame for this but me. LOL I had to throw some other things into this story, because they called out to me. I\u2019ve always thought that Blair would like to go on one more dig. Maybe I\u2019m right. Jim woke up sore as hell, but happy too. God, he loved when Blair went \u2018primal\u2019 with him. Jim had no say in anything the night before, it was all Blair\u2019s doing and he did it quite well. Jim was going to be feeling this for days. <\/p>\n He rolled over and kissed the back of Blair\u2019s neck and Blair said, \u201cDid I say you could do that, Mr. Ellison?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo sir, Mr. Sandburg, you didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow lie back like a good boy and let me do the driving,\u201d Blair said as he shoved Jim onto his back. Blair saw the pained look on Jim\u2019s face and stopped fooling around. \u201cJim, did I hurt you last night?\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just a little sore, babe but it\u2019s nothing to worry about. I like when you go all primal on me. It shows me how much you love me and want me.\u201d<\/p>\n Blair curled into Jim\u2019s body and petted his chest. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, man. I didn\u2019t mean to get so \u2018primal\u2019 last night. I just couldn\u2019t believe that you believed a wild story like that without asking me first. I was angry but I shouldn\u2019t have taken it out on your ass.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim pulled Blair\u2019s face up to his and said, \u201cI love you more then anything in the world. I would do anything for you. That includes having a sore ass now and then. I don\u2019t mind. Stop worrying so much. Understood?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGod, I love you, Jim. You kiss ass better then anyone I know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, I think,\u201d Jim replied. <\/p>\n \u201cI just want you to know that you\u2019re going to have to continue kissing ass all week long. You are grounded Mr. Ellison.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI love when you call me Mr. Ellison.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Ellison, how would you like to make love to me this morning before everyone gets up in the house?\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cWhy Mr. Sandburg, I can\u2019t believe you\u2019re giving me a chance to do something I\u2019ve wanted to do all morning long.\u201d Jim started kissing Blair\u2019s body. As he moved down he heard Blair\u2019s heart start to race a little and his dick was lengthening very quickly. Jim loved when he had this effect on Blair. He started to suck on Blair\u2019s cock and Blair was really getting into it when they heard noise from downstairs. Jim pulled away from Blair\u2019s cock and said, \u201cMr. Sandburg, it\u2019s your call? Do you want to go down and make breakfast for the little people or do you want me to blow you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou owe me big time, man. God, I hate when you\u2019re logical. Give me a few minutes to calm down and I\u2019ll be down. Little people, I liked that.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim got out of bed with his cock standing proudly away from his body and Blair burst out laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cWay to make a guy feel really good about his equipment,\u201d Jim kidded. <\/p>\n \u201cI just realized neither of us is ready to go downstairs just yet. And I love your equipment, so never worry about that. What do you suggest?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n \u201cThese are the times I wish we had a shower up here. That would be so nice. I could take a cold shower and calm down. Right now my motor is still running because I\u2019m looking at you,\u201d Jim confessed. <\/p>\n Blair smiled evilly. \u201cCome here, big boy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh no you don\u2019t. I\u2019ll never calm down if I come down there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJim, we\u2019ll be really quiet. I want you to fuck me and fuck me fast,\u201d Blair pleaded. <\/p>\n Jim tore off his boxer briefs and jumped back in the bed and began to kiss Blair. As soon as they were both into it, the phone rang.<\/p>\n \u201cFuck,\u201d Jim said as he rolled off of Blair. <\/p>\n \u201cPop, are you up? It\u2019s your mom,\u201d Max called up the stairs. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll get it up here, Max. Thank you,\u201d Blair grabbed the phone and growled at it. This made Jim smile and be somewhat less frustrated. <\/p>\n Blair said, \u201cHi mom.\u201d<\/p>\n He started talking to her and Jim saw him losing his hard on, so he took Blair\u2019s cock into his mouth and started to suck like crazy. Blair got hard instantly and he was swatting Jim away from him, but it wasn\u2019t working. Blair was having a hard time concentrating on what his mom was saying. Finally he said, \u201cMom, call me in an hour.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid I interrupt something, sweetie?\u201d Naomi teased. <\/p>\n \u201cYou could say that, Naomi.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy aren\u2019t you taking care of your children? Why are you still in bed?\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cMom, call me back in an hour,\u201d Blair ordered. <\/p>\n \u201cHoney, I\u2019m in the building now. You and Jim had better get dressed.\u201d She closed her cell and Blair started cussing. <\/p>\n \u201cGoddamn it, my mother is in the building.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim stopped what he was doing and said, \u201cLet me finish you off really quick,\u201d Jim suggested. <\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you nuts? My mother is here. I don\u2019t want to fuck,\u201d Blair pulled away from Jim and got out of bed. \u201cBy the way, you\u2019re still grounded.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim smiled and realized Blair wasn\u2019t upset with him, he just didn\u2019t know why Naomi would be there and it bugged him. Blair didn\u2019t like surprises. Nope, he didn\u2019t like them one little bit. <\/p>\n Both men came down the stairs with robes on and no sign of hard-on\u2019s to be seen by anyone. <\/p>\n \u201cYour grandmother is here. She\u2019ll be at the door in a moment,\u201d Blair told Max and Drew. <\/p>\n \u201cSo much for your quiet time, huh, dad?\u201d Max teased. <\/p>\n Jim blushed and said, \u201cOkay, we are putting walls on our bedroom just like your room. I don\u2019t want it open anymore. We have no privacy.\u201d Jim stormed into the bathroom and slammed the door. <\/p>\n \u201cGeeze, I didn\u2019t mean to piss him off. Oops, I mean, I didn\u2019t mean to make him mad,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s embarrassed, Max, he\u2019ll get over it. Now we just need to figure out what your gramma is doing in town,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n There was a knock on the door and Blair opened it to Naomi and a man. \u201cHi honey, we\u2019re going to be in town for two days and wondered if we could take you all out for dinner tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho is this, Mom?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I\u2019m sorry, honey. I keep forgetting that you haven\u2019t met Bob. He\u2019s from one of my latest trips and he\u2019s so nice, I wanted you to meet him. Bob this is my son Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n Blair shook hands with the man and realized he was still in his robe. \u201cMom, did you ever think about telling me someone was coming with you? We\u2019re not even dressed yet. We\u2019re all running around in robes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh Bob doesn\u2019t care. The last place we spent two weeks in was a nudist colony. Very nice place by the way and we had a blast didn\u2019t we Bob?\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cCome in both of you. I\u2019m sorry, I\u2019m a little off my game today.\u201d Blair stood back as they both entered the loft. Bob looked around and whistled. \u201cNaomi, you were right, this place is gorgeous. Very, very nice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI told you that my son had great taste. Bob is thinking about getting a place in town to be closer to some of his family and I told him that you would help him decorate,\u201d Naomi said. <\/p>\n \u201cMom, I teach and work all day. I don\u2019t have time to decorate someone\u2019s home. You should have asked first before you volunteered me. I don\u2019t have time to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh Blair honey, give up those classes. They\u2019re not meaningful anyhow. There are a million things you could be doing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMom, mind your own fucking business,\u201d Blair blurted out before he even knew what happened. <\/p>\n \u201cDid you hear how he talked in front of his kids?\u201d Bob asked. <\/p>\n \u201cHe doesn\u2019t usually. Usually he\u2019s perfect in every way. It\u2019s Jim that makes the mistakes. Not Blair. Blair is perfect,\u201d Naomi assured Bob. <\/p>\n Max and Drew disappeared into the kitchen and were hiding so they didn\u2019t get called in on this. They didn\u2019t want any part of it. Their gramma was nuts. \u201cWhat did she mean, he\u2019s perfect?\u201d Drew whispered. <\/p>\n Jim came walking out the door and said, \u201cNaomi, I would appreciate if you took Bob and went somewhere for breakfast and we could meet somewhere tonight. You\u2019re irritating Blair. Now leave.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo this is the bossy one he lives with, I take it?\u201d Bob asked. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll show you fucking bossy,\u201d Jim walked over to the front door and said, \u201cOut.\u201d<\/p>\n Naomi said, \u201cI\u2019ll call you later, dear.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhatever, mom. Just go away right now,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n Bob and Naomi walked out the door and Naomi slammed it shut behind her just to irritate Jim. She knew that Jim didn\u2019t like slamming of anything. Unless he was doing the slamming. <\/p>\n \u201cOkay, what\u2019s going on with her?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n \u201cWho knows? They met at a nudist colony and they want to take us all out to eat tonight. As long as she doesn\u2019t say I\u2019m fucking perfect again, I guess it would be all right.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, parents like to believe that their children are perfect. Look at us. We think our kids are,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s true. Okay, I\u2019ll try and not be so short tempered with her tonight. Bob looks weird, did he look weird to you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you must know, he was checking you and me out. The man was setting off my gaydar. I wonder if your mother knows?\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cI wonder if she knows how old he is. He looks to be in his 30s doesn\u2019t he?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, he looks younger then me, that\u2019s for sure,\u201d Jim admitted. <\/p>\n \u201cWhat is he doing with my mom?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n \u201cYou have to ask her that. Max and Drew, you can come out of the kitchen now. \u201cJim, before I forget, you\u2019re still grounded.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim smiled and walked into the kitchen to start breakfast. Samantha walked out of her room and said, \u201cWhat is all of this noise?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour gramma was here. You\u2019ll see her tonight at dinner,\u201d Blair informed her. <\/p>\n \u201cOh yay, I love gramma.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood, I\u2019m glad you do, Sam. Now let\u2019s get ready for school. Daddy is making breakfast,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n Blair got Sam ready, Jim made breakfast and everyone ate and got ready to go. Jim jumped in the shower and got ready for work first, followed by Blair. When they were all done, the kids left together and Jim and Blair left together. <\/p>\n They got down to the parking lot and Naomi was there waiting. \u201cWe\u2019d like to take you all out for dinner tonight. Blair did I tell you what Bob does for a living?\u201d<\/p>\n Blair thought to himself, here it comes.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, you didn\u2019t tell us anything about him other then he belongs to a nudist colony,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s an Anthropologist. Do you believe it and he\u2019s getting ready to go on a dig and he wanted to know if you were interested in going along,\u201d Naomi said. <\/p>\n Blair just stood there in shock. \u201cNaomi, I\u2019m a cop. I\u2019m not going on a dig, I have a family. What were you thinking?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was thinking that it was time that Jim takes care of things for a while so you could do something you love. He\u2019s doing things he loves every day, but not you. It\u2019s your turn, sweetheart.\u201d<\/p>\n Bob stood by Naomi and said, \u201cBlair, it\u2019s a fantastic dig in Peru. The jungles are gorgeous if you\u2019ve never seen them. You would love it. It would only be for about three weeks. What do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think you\u2019re all insane. I have a family. I can\u2019t just leave them. Jim wouldn\u2019t do that to us, and I sure as hell wouldn\u2019t do it to him. No thank you, Bob. I would like to have dinner with you tonight so I could hear about the dig, but I\u2019m not interested in going on the dig itself,\u201d Blair explained. <\/p>\n \u201cOkay, I know when to take no for an answer. I\u2019ll talk to your mother about it today while you\u2019re at work. Is dinner at 7:00 all right with all of you?\u201d Bob asked. <\/p>\n \u201cNo, we need it earlier because of the kids. Could we make it at 6:00?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n \u201cSure, we\u2019ll change the plans and the reservations for 6:00. We\u2019ll see you at Claim Jumper at 6:00 tonight. It was very nice meeting both of you,\u201d Bob said as he got into the car. <\/p>\n Naomi just stared at Blair and said, \u201cI can\u2019t believe this? I found someone funding his own dig, that offered to take you with him and you\u2019re turning him down?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Mom, I\u2019m turning him down. I love my life. I love Jim. I love my family and I don\u2019t want to leave for anything. Now we\u2019ll see you tonight. We have to get to work,\u201d Blair said as he kissed his mom\u2019s cheek and got into the SUV to ride to work. <\/p>\n Naomi got into the car with Bob and they drove off. Jim got into the SUV and started it and said, \u201cI think you should think about it today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s there to think about, Jim? I\u2019m not leaving you guys for anything.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t be leaving us, you would just be taking a quick break. If Simon asked you to go to a Police convention in Seattle, you know you would go.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I\u2019m interested in that. I don\u2019t want to go on a dig. Jim, this is my life. I like my life.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust think on it, Blair. I could handle the caseload at work. I could handle the kids. Everything would still be here when you got back and you could have been on a dig of a lifetime. Promise you\u2019ll think about it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll right, I\u2019ll think about it. And before I forget, you\u2019re still grounded. I want to have lunch at the house today so we can take care of some business,\u201d Blair said wiggling his eyebrows. <\/p>\n Jim drove and smiled at his lover. \u201cYou\u2019re never going to let me forget about this Cassie thing are you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNope. I\u2019m going to milk it for all it\u2019s worth. And that\u2019s going to be a lot of sex in the next week or two.\u201d<\/p>\n They talked about cases at work and before they knew it there were there. <\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n Jim stopped typing for a moment and looked at Blair. He was off in dreamland and Jim was certain that he knew what he was dreaming about. Jim got up and walked over to Simon\u2019s office and knocked on the door. <\/p>\n \u201cCome on in, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey Simon, what would Blair have to do to take a three week leave of absence?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSandburg is going somewhere for three weeks?\u201d Simon asked. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s been offered a chance to go on a dig and he\u2019s considering it. It\u2019s a once in a life time offer. He\u2019d never get the chance again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt wouldn\u2019t be a problem. I would team you with Joel for three weeks and that would be that. He\u2019s got time coming, he could do it. Mind you, he won\u2019t be paid for it unless he takes it as his vacation. And you could teach his classes at the academy and come in a little late three times a week.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, we would want to take it as a leave of absence. He says he doesn\u2019t want to leave us, but I want him to go. I really do and I\u2019m even willing to teach his classes for three weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSend him in and I\u2019ll talk to him,\u201d Simon ordered. <\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Simon.\u201d Jim walked out and told Blair Simon wanted to see him. <\/p>\n Jim watched Blair try to argue with Simon and then finally he sat down and Jim knew that Blair realized he really did want to go on this dig. Jim was thrilled that he was going to go along with it. Well, he didn\u2019t know that for sure yet, because he wasn\u2019t listening, even though he had wanted to. He was being a good boy. Boys that are grounded have to be good boys. Jim smiled and sat back waiting for Blair to come out. <\/p>\n Jim was somewhat confused when he saw Blair\u2019s face. He looked sad. Jim didn\u2019t want Blair to be sad. What in the hell was going on?<\/p>\n Blair said, \u201cSimon said we can take lunch now. I told him we needed a couple of hours.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim got up and followed Blair to the elevator. Once they were downstairs and in the SUV, Blair finally said, \u201cYou win. I\u2019m going to go on this dig. Even though I think it\u2019s irresponsible on my part as a father to leave you with the kids and the house. I just think I\u2019m doing this for a selfish reason.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat selfish reason is that, Blair?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I want to.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI knew it. I could tell by your body language this morning that it sounded good to you. I\u2019m glad. This is going to be great. I love you so much and I\u2019m willing to take care of things for three weeks while you\u2019re gone, I\u2019m even going to teach your classes.\u201d<\/p>\n Blair smiled at him and said, \u201cThank you, Jim for thinking of me. This makes us even on the Cassie thing. I should have talked to you about it instead of keeping it inside. I\u2019m glad you can read my mind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wish I could read your mind. I\u2019d like to know what you plan on doing to me for two hours at the house.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to be having make-up sex, that\u2019s what we\u2019re going to be doing. We need to have a lot of make-up sex before I leave. We\u2019re making up for everything we\u2019ve ever done to each other in our marriage. So are you up for it?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m up for it, Blair. Everything is going to be fine. The kids will be fine and they\u2019ll take it well once I explain how much it means to you. They\u2019ll understand and the three weeks will fly by. I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n Blair looked at his lover with such love in his eyes that Jim\u2019s eyes had tears in them. Blair said, \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just realized how much I\u2019m going to miss you. But I love you so much and I want this for both of us. It\u2019s going to be great, Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n Blair said, \u201cI\u2019m counting on you to keep everything the way it is now. I don\u2019t want my family changing in any way, shape or form.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo one is going to change. Stop worrying. Start thinking about what you\u2019d like to do to me when we get home,\u201d Jim advised. <\/p>\n \u201cI want you to do me. That\u2019s what I\u2019m dying for right now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI could do that, Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n And Jim did just that. <\/p>\n They both knew that the kids wouldn\u2019t take the separation well, but they would once they understood how much it meant to their pop. And maybe, just maybe Naomi would learn something from this. Jim was a good man, a kind man, a gentle man and one that only wanted to make Blair happy. Maybe she would cut him some slack. Then again, we\u2019re talking about Naomi. <\/p>\n The end <\/p>\n PattRose1@aol.com<\/p>\n Family Life Part 73 Word Count: 2877<\/p>\n Summary: Blair has been gone for three long weeks. Did he have a good time? What do you think?<\/p>\n Notes: This will be the last Family Life story for 16 days. I\u2019m going to see my parents and I won\u2019t be back until the 18th. So I just wanted to let you know that I\u2019ve not deserted you, I\u2019m just seeing my folks. <\/p>\n Jim made sure that the house was spotless. The kids had helped him clean before Blair got home from the dig. Then he looked the kids over to be sure they looked well taken care of and they did. Jim found himself very nervous about picking Blair up. He had been worried all day long about Blair having too much fun on this dig and not wanting to come home again. <\/p>\n Then there was also the thought of Blair being away from him for three weeks with another man that was positively gay. Bob Daniels set Jim\u2019s gaydar off big time and Jim didn\u2019t know what to do with that. He trusted Blair on one hand and worried on the other. Jim was a mess. <\/p>\n \u201cDaddy, when are we picking poppy up from the airport?\u201d Samantha asked sweetly. <\/p>\n \u201cIn about two hours. So we have to get all of your home work done before we leave. Okay?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n \u201cI already finished it with Drew. I went to his room and he helped me while you were shining all of the stuff in the kitchen. You were really busy. Max told me to ask Drew to help me, so I did.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Drew. And I\u2019m sorry, Sam, I didn\u2019t mean to ignore you. I\u2019m just a little nervous about your poppy coming home. It\u2019s been a long three weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n Max smiled. \u201cDon\u2019t be nervous, dad. He\u2019s still pop to us.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim thought, \u2018I sure hope so.\u2019<\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n Jim, Drew, Max and Sam all waited downstairs by the carrousel for baggage pickup. Blair\u2019s plane had been on time, so Jim didn\u2019t know what was taking him so long. Jim was sitting on the sofa waiting, in the waiting room while the kids were just pacing away. Jim looked up at the monitor and saw Blair. He smiled instantly and then he saw Bob kiss Blair goodbye. Blair didn\u2019t seem too upset about it either. \u2018Oh shit\u2019. <\/p>\n Blair came down the escalator and Blair saw the kids first. He hugged each of them like he hadn\u2019t seen them in a year instead of three weeks. Then he saw Jim and Jim didn\u2019t look happy. Blair glanced up and saw the monitor and knew that Jim had seen the kiss. \u2018Oh shit\u2019.<\/p>\n Blair went over and hugged Jim and said, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t what it looked like, so get over it and fast.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim finally hugged Blair back and let him know how much he had missed him with that hug. \u201cCome on, let\u2019s get your luggage.\u201d<\/p>\n They walked over to the carrousel and waited as the cases came by one at a time. Blair was talking non-stop to Max, Drew and Sam. He was so happy to see them. He knew that Jim was pissed; no he knew that Jim was upset, but he would explain it later. <\/p>\n Jim pulled Blair\u2019s two bags off the belt and said, \u201cIs there any more?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, this one is filled with presents for all of you,\u201d Blair said as he pulled a good sized bag off of the belt. <\/p>\n They all began their walk to the SUV and Blair said, \u201cSo how did things go.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim said, \u201cFine. The kids were great, the house is still standing and everything went smoothly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou should have seen dad cleaning before we came. He acted like you were going to care about that,\u201d Max teased. <\/p>\n Jim smiled at Max, but ignored Blair. <\/p>\n Blair sighed and said, \u201cDo I get to tell you about Peru now?\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha said, \u201cYes, poppy, we can\u2019t wait to hear about it.\u201d<\/p>\n Blair began telling them all about the dig, the finds and the wonderful relationship he formed with all of the other anthropologists. He told them in great detail about each and every thing they had found and what they were going to do with them. <\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re going to have them on display in Cascade in about a week. It\u2019s going to take that long to get everything cleaned up and ready for the show. Wait until you see these pieces we found,\u201d Blair said happily. <\/p>\n By the time they drove home, it was already bedtime for the kids. Max said, \u201cDad already gave Sam her bath, so she just needs to get her pj\u2019s on and go to bed. I\u2019ll help her get ready.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Max. That\u2019s really sweet of you. I did want to talk to your dad alone, so this works out well. Drew, why don\u2019t you start getting ready for bed too? It\u2019s almost ten o\u2019clock.\u201d<\/p>\n Within 20 minutes, the loft was all quiet and empty. The kids were all in bed and Jim could hear that they were fast asleep. <\/p>\n \u201cJim, let me explain about the kiss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s there to explain?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone kissed everyone on this dig. I\u2019m not kidding. If we got excited about another find, we all kissed each other. If we figured out what we found, we kissed each other. It was just a really friendly dig. It meant nothing. It was between friends. Bob Daniels became a good friend and I hope you\u2019ll allow me to see him from time to time so that we can discuss Anthropology issues. He\u2019s a very interesting man.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBlair, do you think it makes me feel better to know that you kissed everyone on the dig? Do you think that it makes me feel less insecure then I do right now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, maybe they were a little too close for my taste. I got a little tired of the kissing all the time, let me tell you. And besides I was too busy missing you and the kids to notice the kisses.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to get ready for bed,\u201d Jim said as he walked to the bathroom door. Blair followed him in and shut the door. <\/p>\n \u201cJim, kiss me like you mean it. The kiss I got at the airport was like the ones I\u2019ve been getting this entire time. Kiss me and show me you still love me.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim pulled Blair into his arms and kissed him with as much passion as he could muster up. When he finished the kiss, he pushed Blair away and said, \u201cMeet me upstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou got it big guy,\u201d Blair said smiling like crazy. <\/p>\n Jim seemed to have gotten over everything, or so it seemed to Blair. <\/p>\n When Jim came up he took his robe off and said, \u201cI\u2019m going to fuck you raw.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh goody.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim made love to Blair like he had never done before. He was more attentive, more frantic and more dangerous. Blair loved it, which made Jim fuck him all the harder. Blair knew that Jim needed this to feel like he marked his territory. Blair didn\u2019t need anything marked. Jim was his life, but he knew that Jim wouldn\u2019t be happy until he showed Blair who was the boss. <\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n Jim woke up at 3:00 in the morning and rolled over into Blair\u2019s back and Blair started to wake up instantly when he felt the hard member pressing into his butt cheeks. <\/p>\n \u201cAren\u2019t you tired?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n \u201cI need you again,\u201d Jim answered and began to make slow, passionate love to Blair this time. He wasn\u2019t as aggressive, so it wasn\u2019t hurting Blair at all. If he would have fucked him hard again, Blair wouldn\u2019t have been able to sit for a week. <\/p>\n Blair curled into Jim\u2019s arms afterwards and said, \u201cI take it you missed me. I missed you too, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t like Bob.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know and I won\u2019t ask you to,\u201d Blair replied. <\/p>\n \u201cThank you for understanding.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course I understand. If you had been kissing some woman, I would have flipped out. Or another man for all that matters,\u201d Blair said smiling. <\/p>\n \u201cBlair, don\u2019t you find it odd that they did that? You\u2019ve been on digs before and did they kiss each other every time you found something?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n \u201cNo, this is the first one that was like that. Actually I found it really odd and uncomfortable. I don\u2019t like kissing people I\u2019m not in love with.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim kissed Blair in the temple and said, \u201cSo are you glad to be home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor the last week, all I could think of was coming home. Then today, all I could think of was you fucking me and us lying in bed together at last. Those three weeks felt like six months during most of the nights. Sometimes I was too tired to think about us, but the other nights, I was lonely and horny.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo no one came on to you?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I had people ask me to sleep with them, but I told them I was saving myself for you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMore then one person asked you this?\u201d Jim found this most odd. <\/p>\n \u201cActually they all asked me to their tents over the three weeks. I\u2019m telling ya, they were weird. But it was a great dig. I\u2019m so glad I went. But you\u2019re right; it was odd for all of the kissing to be taking place.\u201d Blair yawned as he finished the statement. <\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s get some sleep before we have to get up with the little people,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s up with you calling them the little people?\u201d Blair said snickering. <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll their littler then us. Hence the little people.\u201d<\/p>\n They both snuggled in for the rest of the morning and were sound to sleep within moments. <\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n When Blair got up, he let Jim sleep and went downstairs to make a nice big breakfast. He and Jim were both off for the day, so he figured a big breakfast would be nice. He made pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage and fruit salad to top it all off. By the time he was done doing everything the kids were all up and Jim was in the shower. <\/p>\n Before Jim came out the phone rang and Blair answered, \u201cSandburg.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWow, it only took you one night to get back to being like you used to be, eh?\u201d Bob asked. <\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you need Bob, I\u2019m making breakfast for the family.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to know if you wanted to come over and clean and polish the pieces with me for the next week. We could do it after you got off work at night,\u201d Bob suggested. <\/p>\n \u201cBob, Jim saw you kiss me and he\u2019s not happy. I\u2019m not either, so let\u2019s just forget about being friends.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBlair, you did all the work on these pieces, you mean to tell me that you\u2019re just going to let them go?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019m telling you. No matter how important it felt to me, I don\u2019t want to upset Jim. He\u2019s more important to me than anyone or anything,\u201d Blair said firmly. <\/p>\n \u201cI guess I\u2019ll talk to you some year then,\u201d Bob said sadly. <\/p>\n \u201cIt was a nice dig, Bob. Thank you for letting me go.\u201d<\/p>\n Blair hung up the phone and started to set the table for everyone when Jim walked in. \u201cBob, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, he\u2019s a little slow on the uptake.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBlair, I know what I said last night, but I want you to work on the pieces this week. It\u2019s important. But I want you to tell him that if he goes near those lips again, I\u2019m going to punch him out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean it? You wouldn\u2019t mind?\u201d Blair asked excitedly. <\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t mind. It\u2019s only one more week. The kids and I can do this, babe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSpeaking of kids, will you tell everyone to come in for breakfast? Blair asked. <\/p>\n So during breakfast Jim told them all that they would be minus Blair for one more week. Sam was the first one to whine. <\/p>\n \u201cBut poppy, you just got home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know that, Sam and I\u2019m sorry. But it\u2019s important that we catalog each item and get them cleaned and ready for the show. Wait until you see everything. It\u2019s going to be worth it. I swear,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n \u201cWe can make it another week, pop.\u201d Max liked to think he was all grown up. But he wasn\u2019t really happy about it at all. They had all missed this man and it was the pits that he wouldn\u2019t be here for another week. <\/p>\n Drew said, \u201cWell, I may not like it, but I understand it. So have fun.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, kids. This means the world to me.\u201d<\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n The week flew by. Blair had told Jim that he told Bob first off that he had better stay clear of him, or his husband was going to beat him up. Jim liked that Blair was calling him his husband. He didn\u2019t say it often and it made Jim feel like a million bucks. <\/p>\n On the night of the opening they all got dressed up to go to the show. Jim was so proud of Blair, it wasn\u2019t even funny. The kids were too. Everyone from Major Crimes was there to show their support and friendship. Blair felt like he was walking on air. <\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n In the back of the display room, Blair was getting the rest of the pieces ready to go out and Bob walked up and put his arms around Blair from the back and kissed his neck. <\/p>\n \u201cWhat the fuck do you think you\u2019re doing?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n \u201cI was trying to thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen next time, say thank you and stop touching me. I want you to know that Jim will pound the shit out of you if I tell him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen don\u2019t tell him,\u201d Bob said evilly. <\/p>\n Blair stormed out of the room and into the viewing area. He found Jim with the kids and all of Major Crimes. He pulled Jim aside and said, \u201cI need you to do me a favor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cGo pound the shit out of Bob. He just touched me and kissed the back of my neck. I\u2019m grossed out and I was handling it well but he doesn\u2019t take me seriously. So it\u2019s your turn.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim stalked off quickly and Simon asked, \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe guy I did the dig with won\u2019t keep his hands off me, so Jim went to straighten him out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh my God, Sandy, he might kill him.\u201d Connor felt like someone should go stop him. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s not going to kill anyone, Connor. He\u2019s just going to put the fear of God into him.\u201d<\/p>\n Blair went on to show them all of the pieces that he had found and everyone was very impressed. <\/p>\n Jim came back out and was smiling. \u201cI don\u2019t think he\u2019ll bother you anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t actually hit him did you?\u201d Blair asked and everyone else waited to hear the answer. <\/p>\n \u201cNope, didn\u2019t need to. I scared him when I told him I would pound the snot of him if he went near you again. I shoved him a few times and I think he got the picture. He called me a caveman. Can you imagine?\u201d Jim kidded. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s probably calling my mom at this very moment whining,\u201d Blair joked back. <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t even want to go there with your mom. I won\u2019t be able to hold my tongue at all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey everyone, would you like to go have pie and coffee at IHOP? Our treat,\u201d Blair invited. <\/p>\n \u201cThat sounds nice,\u201d Mason said, \u201cthank you.\u201d<\/p>\n They all left the building and didn\u2019t look back. Blair was never so happy to get away from anywhere. <\/p>\n The kids enjoyed the pie and hot chocolate. William and Sarah had brought the kids, so the kids were all sitting at one table and being very well behaved. <\/p>\n \u201cSo you ready to come back to work tomorrow, Sandburg?\u201d Simon asked. <\/p>\n \u201cYou know it. I missed all of you. I\u2019ll bring your prezzies when I come in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh goody, we get prezzies,\u201d Rafe said happily and they all knew he actually meant it. <\/p>\n Everyone visited for the next hour and then they all took their leave. The kids had to get home to bed and it was a nice evening, but it was getting late. <\/p>\n When they got home, Jim dressed Sam for bed and read to her. Blair took a shower so Jim wouldn\u2019t be able to smell Bob on him anywhere. Max and Drew got themselves in bed and when Blair walked up the stairs he had a lovely sight in front of him. Jim was lying naked on the bed sound asleep. <\/p>\n Blair pulled the covers up and got into bed beside him and decided not to wake him up. <\/p>\n \u201cCome here,\u201d Jim whispered sleepily. <\/p>\n Blair backed into his arms and Jim held tight. \u201cGoodnight, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGoodnight, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n And that\u2019s what it actually was. A good night. Things were back to normal, Jim had his comfy heating blanket again and the kids were happy to have Blair in their lives again. <\/p>\n Life was good. <\/p>\n The end<\/p>\n PattRose1@aol.com<\/p>\n Family Life Part 74 Word Count: 2535<\/p>\n Summary: Rucker and Andrea Ellison come for a visit. What will they think of Jim and Blair being together?<\/p>\n Notes: Thank you to Bee for the idea about Rucker. \uf04a It was time for opinions about how the family feels about Jim and Blair, I think. Tomorrow\u2019s story will have more about the cousins meeting the cousins. <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll never guess who is coming for a visit?\u201d Jim asked Blair as he read the letter in his hands. <\/p>\n Blair was starting dinner and really didn\u2019t want to have to guess at all. He sighed and said, \u201cNaomi?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Rucker and Andrea,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n \u201cRucker Ellison? We haven\u2019t seen him in years, what brings him to Cascade now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course Rucker Ellison, who else do we know named Rucker?\u201d Jim snapped. <\/p>\n \u201cHey, don\u2019t use that attitude with me, buster. If you don\u2019t like the idea of him coming, then call and tell him that he isn\u2019t welcome. What is your fucking problem, anyhow?\u201d Blair asked. He knew the kids were upstairs playing Guitar Hero with Sam, so they wouldn\u2019t be around to listen to his nasty language. <\/p>\n Jim looked around and made sure none of the kids were in sight and then listened to be sure. \u201cThey just found out about us and Rucker says he\u2019s coming to see what I think I\u2019m doing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey just found out about us? You mean in all the times you\u2019ve written to him, you didn\u2019t mention anything about us?\u201d Blair couldn\u2019t believe it. <\/p>\n \u201cWhy would I bring it up for no reason? I told him we had kids, so I figured that he knew it was us together. I didn\u2019t do it alone for crying out loud.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJim, are you ashamed of us?\u201d Blair almost shouted. <\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2019m not ashamed, but Rucker\u2019s not the type to like a gay lifestyle.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo you are ashamed, you idiot. I can\u2019t believe you didn\u2019t tell him about us. He was probably shocked to his core. You could have told him easier in a letter explaining everything about us. Instead you tell him we adopted kids, but aren\u2019t a couple?\u201d Blair walked back into the kitchen and stirred dinner. Jim knew that he was in big time trouble already. <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re never met Andrea. What do you think she\u2019s like?\u201d Jim asked, hoping to change the subject. <\/p>\n \u201cWho cares? I\u2019m still in shock that you never mentioned anything about us to him. I\u2019ve told all of my relatives. How about your cousin Melanie that you write to every six months? Please tell me she knows about us?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy would I mention it if someone didn\u2019t ask me first?\u201d Jim asked somewhat surprised at Blair\u2019s attitude. <\/p>\n \u201cOh my God, you haven\u2019t told Melanie either. I love Melanie, I was hoping she knew about us. No wonder she doesn\u2019t ever ask about me. She doesn\u2019t think I\u2019m anyone in your life, you big stupid lug,\u201d Blair shouted. <\/p>\n Max called down the stairs, \u201cIs everything all right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEverything is fine, Max. Play your game and keep Sam occupied for a little while longer, please,\u201d Jim called out. <\/p>\n \u201cYou know if you could get away with it, you wouldn\u2019t have told the kids,\u201d Blair shoved Jim out of his way and went back to cooking. <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not fair, Blair. I\u2019m very open about you at work and with friends. What is the problem?\u201d Jim asked, totally shocked. <\/p>\n Blair smiled at him and said, \u201cIt\u2019s okay that you\u2019re such an idiot. You just don\u2019t lose your brain too often.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the third time you\u2019ve called me stupid or an idiot. I\u2019m not a happy camper right now, Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNeither am I, so that makes two of us. Will you set the table for me, please?\u201d Blair asked sounding like the old Blair again. <\/p>\n \u201cWhy are you mad, and not mad at the same time?\u201d Jim really did wonder. <\/p>\n \u201cBecause I\u2019m in love with you, you lug. Only I would be in love with a person that doesn\u2019t tell the two people closest to him in his family that he\u2019s gay and that I\u2019m his lover. No wonder they never ask to talk to me when they call. No wonder I\u2019m not noticed at all. Now I understand.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStop calling me a lug, too. I don\u2019t like it very much. I\u2019m sorry I didn\u2019t tell any of my family about us. It just never crossed my mind. I figured they must know since we adopted kids together. Wouldn\u2019t you think they would know it by that alone?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n \u201cA lot of friends that live together raise adopted children or foster kids. Did you bother to tell them the kids\u2019 last name? They would have known then,\u201d Blair pointed out. <\/p>\n \u201cBlair, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s that big of a deal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen why did you make the face that you made while reading the letter from Rucker?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe said that he\u2019s going to find out what I think I\u2019m up to. That means he\u2019ll come and say something crappy and I\u2019ll get pissed off and we\u2019ll never talk again. And you wondered why I didn\u2019t tell him, eh?\u201d Jim asked sadly. <\/p>\n \u201cJim, stop getting ahead of yourself. You have no idea what he\u2019s going to say. Let\u2019s wait until he and Andrea get here and then we\u2019ll talk to them. I wonder if they liked the wedding present we sent to them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBlair, snap out of it. Who cares if they liked the present we sent to them? For all I care, they should have known we were gay giving a gift to them together.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, that\u2019s true. I would know that someone was gay if they sent us a gift signed from the two of them. Okay, so I\u2019m going to cut you a little slack for all of this,\u201d Blair said wearing a big smile. <\/p>\n \u201cAgain, I ask, how can you be mad at me and not be mad at me?\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cBecause I love you. Simple as that. We\u2019ll see what Rucker has to say and we\u2019ll go from there. I have a feeling he\u2019ll be fine with us. He might have been teasing you,\u201d Blair suggested. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m dying to meet Andy. I wanted to go to their wedding but we had all of the things with the boys going on, so we couldn\u2019t leave just then. I hope they understood.\u201d<\/p>\n Blair smiled at his lover and said, \u201cI want to meet Andy too and I\u2019m sure they understood. Jim, I think they knew all along. I bet Rucker is just pulling your leg.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGod, I hope so, because I\u2019d hate to lose my best cousin and friend in one fail swoop. Besides, I\u2019d like to have some babies running around for us to go see in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n Blair couldn\u2019t believe how cute Jim was, even if he was a twit. Blair pulled him into a kiss and got Jim\u2019s motor running very quickly. <\/p>\n Jim pulled him up close so he could feel his hard on and Blair backed away just as fast and said, \u201cThe kids are hungry. They could be coming down any time now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen why were you teasing me?\u201d<\/p>\n Blair laughed and said, \u201cGet the kids down here for dinner. Count to ten and take deep breaths, it works for me.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim laughed and called the kids down. As soon as he had yelled for them, his hard on was gone. They all came flying down the stairs with Sam yelling, \u201cI beat Max on Guitar Hero. Isn\u2019t that awesome?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat is awesome,\u201d Jim replied. <\/p>\n \u201cMax said that I\u2019m better then any five year old he\u2019s ever played against. So I must be good. I\u2019m sure he\u2019s played with a lot of five year olds before me,\u201d Sam said and Max and Drew started laughing their butts off. <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s so funny?\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n Blair said, \u201cYour daddy, he was making funny faces.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh let me see one, daddy. I missed it,\u201d Sam whined. <\/p>\n Jim made a good and goofy face for her and she laughed out loud. \u201cHe is funny, Max and Drew.\u201d<\/p>\n They all smiled as they sat down to eat dinner. Blair waited until they were done and said, \u201cDo you all remember dad talking about Rucker Ellison?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I remember,\u201d Max answered. <\/p>\n \u201cDoesn\u2019t he live on an island or something?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n \u201cYes, that\u2019s the Rucker we\u2019re talking about. Well it seems that they\u2019re going to be in town tomorrow, so we asking you kids to act like good kids for a few days,\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n They all started laughing and Sam wasn\u2019t even sure what she was laughing at, but loved laughter. <\/p>\n Max said, \u201cIt\u2019ll be nice meeting more of the family. You like Rucker, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Jim thought a moment and answered, \u201cOf course I like him. He\u2019s my favorite cousin. And now he\u2019s married to a nice girl named Andy. She\u2019s very pretty in the pictures, so now you\u2019ll get to see her in person. We\u2019ve never met her either.\u201d<\/p>\n Drew smiled and said, \u201cThis is going to be great. I love meeting new family. They might take awhile to get used to us, but we\u2019ll win them over.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim was concerned that they were worried about winning anyone over. \u201cYou kids don\u2019t have to impress anyone. Well, except maybe me and pop. But other than that, you guys are all great. You don\u2019t have to be nice for no reason. Understood?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUnderstood,\u201d Max and Drew answered at the same time. <\/p>\n \u201cSo I don\u2019t have to be good anymore?\u201d Sam asked sweetly. <\/p>\n \u201cNo, you have to be good, but if someone is mean to you for any reason, you tell me and poppy and we\u2019ll take care of things. Okay?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n \u201cOkay, daddy. Nobody is mean to us, though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood, let\u2019s get this table cleared off and do the dishes,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n They all helped and then Jim finished loading the dishwasher and Blair helped Sam with the rest of her homework. <\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n Two days later, Jim and Blair were at the loft on their day off when the doorbell rang. Jim was polishing the tile in the bathroom so he didn\u2019t hear anyone at the door. <\/p>\n Blair opened it to a beautiful auburn haired woman looking lost. \u201cCan I help you?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m looking for Blair Sandburg or Jim Ellison. We seem to have lost our bearings and lost the number to the unit they live in,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n \u201cYou must be Andy?\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cAnd you must be Blair. I knew it when you opened the door. I just felt a connection. Let me yell at Rucker he\u2019s on the second floor looking for Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n She went to the stairwell and hollered, \u201cRucker it\u2019s 307. You\u2019re on the wrong floor.\u201d<\/p>\n She walked back to Blair and gave him a huge hug. \u201cI feel like I know you already. Rucker talks about you and Jim all the time. I was thrilled when he said we were making a trip here to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m so glad to finally meet you. We wanted to come for the wedding, but things came up with the boys and we couldn\u2019t leave. Wait until you meet our family,\u201d Blair said proudly. <\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t wait. Samantha sounds precious and those boys sound so grown up already. They take such good care of their little sister. Thankfully Jim kept us posted about the family for the last year and a half, so it\u2019s been nice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJim got the impression that Rucker was mad about something,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s just mad that Jim didn\u2019t tell him that you and he were married. I mean, I knew from the way Jim worded things. I could tell you were together. Rucker on the other hand has to be hit with a two-by-four.\u201d<\/p>\n Blair smiled and said, \u201cMust be an Ellison trait.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim walked out of the bathroom wearing rubber gloves and said, \u201cWho is this Chief?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh my God, Jim, you even say it cute. In the letters, you called him Chief and we would smile about that. But that Rucker never understood that he was your husband. I understood right away. Ellison\u2019s must be on the slow side,\u201d Andy teased. <\/p>\n \u201cYou must be Andy,\u201d Jim said as he ripped the gloves off and went to shake her hand. <\/p>\n \u201cOh for crying out loud, I don\u2019t get a hug?\u201d Andy whined. <\/p>\n Jim laughed and hugged her quickly and then stepped back. \u201cWhere is Rucker?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRucker is right here. She left me on the second floor to find you guys and didn\u2019t bother telling me that she found you,\u201d Rucker said and hugged Jim and then Blair. \u201cWhere are the kids?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see how important \u2018we\u2019 are,\u201d Blair kidded. <\/p>\n \u201cWell, I can see that both of you are fine, I want to see the little cousins,\u201d Rucker said. <\/p>\n \u201cThey won\u2019t be home until 3:00 today. They go to this funny place called school, Rucker,\u201d Jim joked. <\/p>\n \u201cSpeaking of funny, the strangest thing happened the other day. I was talking to my dad and he said something about you guys getting married. I don\u2019t remember being invited. What\u2019s up with you, Jim?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry, I just figured you would know we were married by my letters,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n \u201cI knew you were married about six months before you actually got married,\u201d Andy teased. <\/p>\n \u201cShe did say that. I never understood how we were both reading the same letters. She got a lot more out of them then I did.\u201d Rucker said. <\/p>\n \u201cSo you\u2019re not mad about us being gay?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n \u201cJim, I had a feeling about you two back when you came to the island. Never worry about that. I was just pissed off that we weren\u2019t invited to any of the kids birthdays or things like that. We\u2019re family, man.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim hugged Rucker with love and relief. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, I\u2019ll give you their birthdays before you leave and we\u2019ll celebrate all of their birthdays this weekend. How long are you staying?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re staying down the road a piece and it\u2019s for five days. You\u2019re going to be so sick of us by the time we leave, it won\u2019t be funny,\u201d Rucker said. <\/p>\n \u201cRucker, I can guarantee that we will never be sick of you. I love my cousins. If Melanie was here it would be perfect,\u201d Jim admitted. <\/p>\n Andy smiled and said, \u201cFunny you should mention that. She found out we were coming and she said she was going to meet us tomorrow at the hotel we\u2019re staying at. She\u2019s going to be here too.\u201d<\/p>\n Blair said, \u201cDoes she know we\u2019re married too?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh yeah, she figured that out just as fast as I did. Rucker\u2019s the only slow one,\u201d Andy said laughing. <\/p>\n \u201cWho would like to go for lunch?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n Everyone raised their hand and Jim laughed as he pushed everyone out the door. <\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t wait to meet the kids,\u201d Rucker said. <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll meet them soon enough. I\u2019m just so glad that they\u2019ll get to see both of you and then tomorrow get to meet Melanie. I\u2019m so excited about this.\u201d<\/p>\n Blair hugged Jim and said, \u201cDid I tell you that everything would be okay or what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, you did.\u201d<\/p>\n And it was. <\/p>\n TBC<\/p>\n PattRose1@aol.com<\/p>\n Family Life Part 75 Word Count: 2870 <\/p>\n Summary: The kids meet Rucker, Andrea and Melanie for the first time. Will they like them? But of course. \uf04a <\/p>\n When the kids arrived home from school they could hear loud talking beyond the door. Max said, \u201cWho do you think is here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t we walk in and find out,\u201d Drew said as he opened the door. Sam followed right behind him. <\/p>\n They walked in and saw the strangers sitting there with their pop and dad and wondered if this was a good visit or a bad visit. <\/p>\n \u201cKids, come on in, I\u2019d like you to meet some cousins of mine. This is Andrea Ellison and this is Rucker Ellison. They just got married a year ago. Andy and Rucker this is Samantha Rose, Drew Sandburg-Ellison and Max Sandburg-Ellison,\u201d Jim introduced. <\/p>\n \u201cI love cousins. I pretend that Mary is my cousin since she lives with my grampa all the time. I pretend that Mark and Mike are my cousins too. Now I have new cousins. I\u2019m glad,\u201d Sam said happily. <\/p>\n \u201cSam, you are the cutest little girl I\u2019ve seen in a long, long while,\u201d Andy said. <\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t get out much? There are a lot of cute little girls in my class at school.\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n They all burst out laughing and Sam found herself wondering why they were laughing at her again. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s really nice meeting you, Andy and Rucker. Dad talks about you both all the time. I would love to come to your place some time for a trip,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n Andy beamed with happiness and said, \u201cMax, you and Drew and Sam are all welcome to come to our little island anytime you want to. It\u2019s a great place to be and beautiful too.\u201d<\/p>\n Rucker just smiled as Andy bonded with the kids. He knew that it was important that she do that. <\/p>\n Jim looked at Rucker and said, \u201cWhy don\u2019t we go and pick up some dinner while they all talk and get to know each other?\u201d<\/p>\n Rucker stood up to go and said, \u201cSounds good to me. Food always sounds good to me, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n Andy laughed and kissed him goodbye before he left. Jim did the same with Blair. <\/p>\n As they drove down the street, Jim asked, \u201cIs there something wrong with Andy? You\u2019ve been acting sort of odd when she\u2019s around the kids.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe just found out that we can\u2019t have children and she\u2019s always wanted a large family, so this has been really hard on her. Don\u2019t tell her that I told you about it, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRucker, have you considered adopting? Look how lucky we\u2019ve been with the kids? Any kid in their right mind would love to be on that island with you and Andy. Think about it. You can get numerous children in all sorts of age groups. You could get your entire family in one shot.\u201d<\/p>\n Rucker smiled and said, \u201cI\u2019m going to talk to her tonight at the hotel. I think she\u2019d make such a good mom and I know she could love anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou would too, though, right?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n \u201cOh yeah, I love kids. I was thinking about taking yours for the next six weeks and seeing if we like them or not,\u201d Rucker teased. <\/p>\n \u201cActually, it might not be a bad idea for about two weeks. If you\u2019re game, I think it would be good for the kids. They go to year round school which means they just get off at different times of the year. They have three weeks coming up next week. What do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJim, you would trust us with your kids?\u201d Rucker asked somewhat shocked. <\/p>\n \u201cI would trust you with my life Rucker and I know you would care for the kids like they were your own. Why don\u2019t you ask Andy what she thinks and then get back to me,\u201d Jim suggested. <\/p>\n \u201cThank you for the offer, Jim. It means the world to us. I can\u2019t wait to tell Andy about it. She\u2019ll either be thrilled or depressed. She\u2019s been so down since we found out about her not being able to carry a child. This might be just what she needs. Especially little Samantha. She has always wanted a little girl.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell talk to her and see what she says. You know where I\u2019ll be.\u201d<\/p>\n They picked up chicken for dinner with all of the fixings and headed back to the loft. <\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n Once Rucker got back to the hotel with Andy he told her what Jim had said. He watched her face go from a little sad, to very happy. <\/p>\n \u201cHe would trust us with the kids? Did he ask Blair?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo sweetheart, he hasn\u2019t talked to Blair yet, but I don\u2019t see a problem. What do you think?\u201d Rucker asked. <\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s a fabulous idea and I can\u2019t wait to get the kids up to the guest house that we built. The boys will be thrilled to have their own place to stay and Sam can stay at the house with us. This will be wonderful. I\u2019m so thrilled, Rucker.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood, now come to bed and show me how happy you are,\u201d Rucker teased and was hit with one wild woman full force. They both kissed and laughed and then made love. Rucker knew this was just what Andy needed. <\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n While lying in bed, Jim kissed Blair\u2019s cheek and said, \u201cI might have done something really stupid today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow could you tell?\u201d Blair kidded. <\/p>\n \u201cVery funny. I offered the kids to Rucker and Andy for two weeks on the island. They just found out that Andy can\u2019t have children and I thought if they could see how great ours were they might consider adoption. What do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think you should have asked me first, but yes, I agree it might be a great trip for the three of them. Where would everyone sleep?\u201d Blair wondered. <\/p>\n \u201cRucker built a guest house that the boys can stay in and the second bedroom can be for Samantha in the main house. The boys would love it. They can take some things to make life a little more fun, but they can also just relax and enjoy life like it should be enjoyed. Rucker was thrilled and said he was going to talk to Andy tonight,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n The phone rang and Jim picked it up, \u201cEllison.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey Jim, I had to call and ask if Blair okayed this trip. Andy wants to do it really badly. She\u2019s hoping that Blair will agree to it, but wanted me to ask first,\u201d Rucker said. <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, we just got done talking about it and we have to see the judge about Samantha leaving for two weeks, but it\u2019s not a big deal. We\u2019ll take care of that tomorrow and then you can try our children out for size,\u201d Jim said happily. <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you think we should ask the kids first?\u201d Rucker answered. <\/p>\n \u201cOf course we\u2019ll ask the kids, but they are usually game for anything that involves getting out of the house. Samantha might miss us the first couple of nights, but I think she\u2019ll be fine after that,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n \u201cWell, we have the entire week to get to know them better and see if they really want to go with us. It\u2019s going to be great, Jim. Thank you so much for the offer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNight, Rucker,\u201d Jim said before he hung up the phone. <\/p>\n \u201cExcited, are they?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, you could say that,\u201d Jim replied. <\/p>\n \u201cWhat time is Melanie coming tomorrow?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019ll be here at about 9:00 in the morning, so we\u2019ll see her before we go to work.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll see her, I won\u2019t. I have to teach class tomorrow, did you forget?\u201d Blair joked. <\/p>\n \u201cShit, I did. Why don\u2019t we try and take some time off while they are here? Do you think you could get away from the academy?\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, Jim. But if we could take off from the station, that would still be so nice. Then I would only have to teach three days while they are here. It\u2019s early, so no one would miss me,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n \u201cI always miss you, babe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome here and let me show you what you love the most about me,\u201d Blair said as he began to give Jim a blow job of all blow jobs. <\/p>\n This was one night Jim wasn\u2019t going to forget easily. Blair made it hard to forget any night. <\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n Blair got up and left for teaching very early and Jim called Simon to ask about some time off. Simon gave them the rest of the week off and two days of the next week. Jim was thrilled to say the least. He knew Blair would be too. <\/p>\n When the kids came down for breakfast, Jim said, \u201cI need to talk to all three of you about something very important.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it daddy? We always listen if it\u2019s important,\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n \u201cWell, my cousin Rucker and his wife Andy would like to take you on a two week trip to their island. It\u2019s totally up to you, but I\u2019m telling you, it\u2019s beautiful there and there are tons of things to do and see. You would never get bored. Rucker would teach you both how to drive a motor boat and Andy could teach Samantha how to cook and do other things. What do you think of this idea?\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha looked shocked and answered, \u201cDaddy, I don\u2019t want to leave you and poppy alone for two weeks, what would you ever do?\u201d<\/p>\n Max and Drew burst out laughing and Jim glared at them. He was kidding, but he still glared to show them who was in charge. <\/p>\n \u201cWhy poppy and I would catch up on a ton of things at work while you were gone. Uncle Simon said we might have to work a lot of hours then anyhow, so we wouldn\u2019t be home for too long. So you see, you could go with them and have a good time, hiking, swimming, boating and fishing. It\u2019s a wonderful place to be for two weeks. What do you think about that, Sam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think I might like it. I like Andy. She\u2019s very nice,\u201d Sam replied. <\/p>\n \u201cThey like you too, honey. So they would be thrilled to have all three of you on their island. The lighthouse is awesome,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve always loved lighthouses,\u201d Drew said quickly and happily. <\/p>\n \u201cI think it would be fun. You guys could have some down time. Would we be able to call you now and then?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n \u201cYou know you can call us as often as you need to. We\u2019re going to miss you all, but it\u2019ll be worth the trip. I\u2019m going to get you all digital cameras to take on this trip and then when you get home, we can make up photo albums for each of you. We\u2019ll have all of the pictures printed and make a book for everyone. It\u2019s going to be great. And today you get to meet my other cousin, Melanie. She\u2019s coming today at 9:00. She\u2019s really nice too,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n They all talked while they ate breakfast and at 7:30 Rucker and Andy were at the door all smiles. <\/p>\n Sam jumped into Andy\u2019s lap and said, \u201cWe get to go to your house for two weeks and have fun. My daddy and poppy have to work a lot, so it\u2019ll be more fun for us there.\u201d<\/p>\n Andy glowed with joy. \u201cI\u2019m so happy, Sam. We\u2019re going to have a fantastic time. We\u2019ll do all sorts of fun things while you\u2019re there. Then if you have a good time, you can come and visit us every summer if you\u2019d like to.\u201d<\/p>\n Max smiled and said, \u201cThat sounds really cool. I love islands and would love to see yours.\u201d<\/p>\n Drew stood by waiting and said, \u201cCan I take lots of pictures of the lighthouse? I love them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoney, you can do almost anything within reason at our place. We\u2019ll have rules set down once you get there. But nothing bad and this week is going to be great fun. We get to see you and then see you again,\u201d Andy said smiling. <\/p>\n Max, Drew and Sam all left for school leaving Jim to talk with Rucker and Andy before Melanie arrived. <\/p>\n \u201cJim, I want to thank you for trusting us with your most prized possessions. I would never let anything happen to any of them. Don\u2019t you worry about a thing,\u201d Rucker said. <\/p>\n Jim hugged his cousin, quickly and said, \u201cI\u2019m so thrilled that you like all of the kids, that\u2019s it\u2019s wonderful for us too.\u201d<\/p>\n Andy hugged Jim and said, \u201cIf this goes well and the kids like us, we\u2019re going to think about adoption. It seems to have worked out well for you. Did Rucker tell you we can\u2019t have a family?\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cYes, but we couldn\u2019t either and look at us now,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n The three of them talked like crazy about what they would do with the kids for two weeks while waiting for Melanie. <\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n At 9:00, Melanie arrived like clockwork and knocked on Jim\u2019s loft door. <\/p>\n He opened it up and hugged her to him quickly. \u201cYou look wonderful Melanie.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh Jim, you are the sweetest cousin a woman could ever ask for,\u201d Mel replied. <\/p>\n \u201cWait a minute, what about me?\u201d Rucker asked as he hugged her too. <\/p>\n \u201cI adore both of you. It was so good having you both in my life, I feel honored to be in the family sometimes,\u201d Mel answered. <\/p>\n Melanie then hugged Andy and said, \u201cYou look absolutely wonderful. Have you met Jim and Blair\u2019s kids yet?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh my god, they are only the greatest kids in the world,\u201d Andy said. <\/p>\n \u201cBut of course, would you expect anything less from Jim or Blair?\u201d Melanie asked. <\/p>\n They talked for about another two hours and then Blair came walking into the loft. He hugged Melanie and told her how great she looked. <\/p>\n \u201cI swear, the two of you are the kindest men I\u2019ve ever met. You don\u2019t even mention that I\u2019ve put on about 20 pounds since you last saw me,\u201d Melanie said laughing. <\/p>\n Rucker laughed too and said, \u201cHell if they noticed weight gain, they would have noticed it on me.\u201d<\/p>\n The four of them went to lunch and talked like crazy people during the meal. Rucker told Mel how they were going to get the kids for two weeks next week and Mel got a look of sadness on her face. \u201cSo I can\u2019t have them at all?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re welcome to have them too, Mel,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n \u201cI was hoping for Thanksgiving or something like that,\u201d Mel said. <\/p>\n \u201cNope, they stay home on holidays. We always spend holidays together. That\u2019s a family rule. But you could come here, Mel. We\u2019d love to have you for a week in November,\u201d Jim offered. <\/p>\n \u201cOh that sounds good too. I\u2019m going to take you up on it. I could stay in the same hotel I\u2019m in right now. It\u2019s plenty big for keeping a certain niece over night with me. I\u2019m sure the boys would find me most boring. But Samantha is going to love my shopping skills.\u201d They all laughed and spent the rest of the day talking, laughing and just enjoying each other. <\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n That night, they all met at Claim Jumper for dinner with William, Sarah, Mark, Mike and Mary. Rucker, Andy and Melanie could hardly wait to meet the new woman in William\u2019s life. The kids all got to sit at a table by themselves while the adults all sat and chatted across from them. William was thrilled to have everyone meet his new love and the kids too. William was quite proud of all of them. <\/p>\n The night ended nicely and everyone went their separate ways. Jim and Blair knew they were indeed blessed with great family. <\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n The following week, the kids went anywhere and everywhere with Melanie, Andy and Rucker after they got out of school and on the weekend. Andy and Rucker helped Samantha pack her bag for the trip to the island and then they helped Max and Drew do the same. It was quite a bit colder there, so they needed warmer clothes. <\/p>\n Melanie left and made plans to come again in November. The kids were sad to see her leave. <\/p>\n When the time came for the kids to leave, Jim and Blair kissed their children 20 times each and hugged them over and over again knowing they would miss them like crazy. Jim even got a little misty eyed over them leaving. Once they were gone, Jim and Blair plopped down on the sofa and Blair said, \u201cWhat in the world are we going to do with ourselves for two weeks?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll race you upstairs,\u201d Jim said laughing as he ran for the stairs with Blair knocking him out of the way, on his way up. Yes, both men knew exactly what they would be doing for two weeks. They would miss their children like crazy, but they would also find themselves more in love then they were before. <\/p>\n Hot damn!<\/p>\n The end<\/p>\n PattRose1@aol.com<\/p>\n Family Life Part 76 Word Count: 2885<\/p>\n Summary: Just how much do Jim and Blair miss their kids while visiting Rucker and Andy\u2019s island?<\/p>\n \u201cThey haven\u2019t called in three days. Do you think I\u2019m being too much of a pest if I call and talk to them?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n \u201cJim, we just talked to them three days ago. They\u2019re fine, they\u2019re doing well. You know how much fun their having with Rucker and Andy. You just know it. So what\u2019s the problem?\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cBlair, don\u2019t you think they should be missing us more? They\u2019ve only spoken with us twice in ten days. Why don\u2019t they miss us as much as we miss them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause they\u2019re kids, Jim. They\u2019re having a wonderful time on the island and they want to be away from us. It\u2019s good for them, but when they get home, they\u2019re not going anywhere for a long, long while,\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n \u201cSo you miss them as much as I do?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n \u201cDuh\u2026 Of course I miss them. I would like for Rucker and Andy to call and say that they need to bring them home early, but I know they\u2019re having a great time. And it\u2019s important that they spend time with Rucker and Andy. Don\u2019t you think?\u201d Blair inquired. <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, you\u2019re right. God, I never thought I would miss Sam\u2019s talking non-stop the way she does. But I\u2019m missing her something fierce. We still have four days to go before they come home. Jesus, are we that pathetic?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re pathetic. Me on the other hand, I\u2019m thinking of going upstairs and doing something fun without our kids, if you catch my drift,\u201d Blair kidded. <\/p>\n \u201cI have liked all of the wild sex we\u2019ve been having. That part is good. But sex isn\u2019t everything, you know, Chief?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh my god, I just know you didn\u2019t just say that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s true. I love having wild sex with you with no audience, but I miss our babies,\u201d Jim whined. <\/p>\n \u201cDo you want to fool around before we have to go to work or not? And what do you mean without an audience? We\u2019ve never had an audience,\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n \u201cI was thinking we could call the kids this morning and see how they\u2019re doing,\u201d Jim suggested. \u201cI don\u2019t mean anyone watched us, but I was always afraid that the kids could hear us. That\u2019s what I meant by the audience.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cJim, I promised Andy that we wouldn\u2019t call all the time. That would make them more homesick. She wanted them to feel more at home at their house then they would if we called every ten minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe haven\u2019t called every ten minutes, Chief. Geeze, I think you\u2019re over-exaggerating. We\u2019ve only talked to them twice in ten days. Which isn\u2019t enough as far as I\u2019m concerned.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh for Christ sake, just call them and get it over with,\u201d Blair ordered. <\/p>\n Jim picked up the phone happily and dialed Rucker\u2019s number that he now knew from calling it in his mind so much. <\/p>\n Rucker answered the phone, \u201cHello?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHi Rucker, this is Jim. How are the kids doing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGee Jim, they\u2019re doing dreadfully. I just didn\u2019t think to call and tell you how terribly they were doing. They\u2019ll probably never get over the pain and the agony of being separated from you for two weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVery funny, Rucker. I can\u2019t help missing my kids. Can I talk to them please?\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cWell, you called at a bad time. They\u2019re all up at the light house. Drew wanted to get pictures and wanted them at this time of day, so they\u2019re up there walking, talking and having fun. Jim, stop worrying. They\u2019re doing great. They miss you, but they know they\u2019re going to see you in four more days. It\u2019s not like I\u2019m keeping them forever. Although, Andy and I have decided that they are the best kids and we might just take them off your hands,\u201d Rucker said laughing. <\/p>\n \u201cWell, you can\u2019t have them. We miss them like crazy. Okay, Blair is making a face at me. He misses them, but not as much as I do. I don\u2019t know what\u2019s wrong with me,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re a dad, Jim. That\u2019s what\u2019s wrong. Blair misses them as much as you do, I bet if you don\u2019t say anything about them in the next two days, he\u2019ll bring it up to call and see how they are. He\u2019s a big worrier too. It\u2019s not just you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m glad they\u2019re having a good time, Rucker. We\u2019re also glad that you like our kids.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe love your kids. We\u2019ve decided that we want to adopt four. We think two teenagers would be great and then two younger children. Andy would like a girl in there somewhere, but we\u2019d be happy with any sex. We just hope to get as lucky as you guys did. We\u2019ve already put in the call to a lawyer and he\u2019s looking into it for us right now. So with any luck, these kids will have more cousins to hang around with soon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ll be damn lucky to get you and Andy as parents. I can\u2019t wait to hear some good news from you as soon as you hear something. Now I\u2019ll let you get back to whatever you were doing. Talk to you soon,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n \u201cBye Jim,\u201d Rucker said with a smile as he hung up the phone. He adored his cousin and was glad that Jim and Blair had found such happiness and did so well with the kids. Now he better get back to work, or Andy would get angry. One of them actually had to work while the other one took the kids places. <\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n Simon called Jim into his office. Jim was trying to figure out what he had done when he walked in the room. \u201cWhat\u2019s up, Simon?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJim, are you going to continue to mope around the station as long as the kids are gone? It\u2019s sad, you know? You\u2019re supposed to be enjoying your time away from them for a change. Instead, you\u2019re moping. And now you\u2019re pouting.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSir, I can\u2019t help it. I miss them. I adore Blair, but our lives are so much more with the kids in it. Don\u2019t you miss Daryl?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSir? What\u2019s up with calling me sir?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll right, Simon, don\u2019t you miss Daryl?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I miss him like crazy, but he\u2019s happy, so I\u2019m happy for him. He has a new girlfriend he wants us to meet this weekend and I\u2019m looking forward to it. But I sometimes don\u2019t talk to him but twice a week on the phone. Not all of us are as good at parenting as you are, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo you really think I\u2019m a good dad?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJim, Blair is the only one that might have you beat. I think Blair is a little disappointed in you though. He wanted a little more togetherness while the kids were gone. He told Rafe that he\u2019s missing you more then when the kids were there. Your mind must not be in it.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim looked out the window of Simon\u2019s office and saw a sad looking Blair and said, \u201cCan I have the next four days off? We\u2019ve got all of that time coming. We could just hang out at the house and live it up. He would like that. Hell, even I would like that. I adore him. I can\u2019t believe I didn\u2019t see what I was doing,\u201d Jim said softly. <\/p>\n \u201cSure, take off for lunch now and I\u2019ll see you after the kids get home. Take good care of your partner,\u201d Simon said patting Jim on the back as he walked out of the office. <\/p>\n Jim said, \u201cLunch, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere are we going?\u201d Blair asked as he grabbed his jacket. <\/p>\n \u201cHow does Red Lobster sound for lunch and then Claim Jumper for dinner?\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n \u201cWow, what\u2019s the occasion?\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cLiving large is all. I want to hang out with my best friend and lover. So let\u2019s get this show on the road,\u201d Jim said as he grabbed his jacket. <\/p>\n The two men walked down the stairs and got into the SUV and drove to Red Lobster. Blair turned to him and said, \u201cWe don\u2019t have to go back to work do we?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was saving that as a surprise, but no we don\u2019t have to go back to work until after the kids get home. It\u2019s just you and me Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat brought this on?\u201d Blair wondered. <\/p>\n Jim smiled. \u201cI knew I was ignoring you and thought it was what all parents do. But I was being selfish. I want you to be happy. I want us to be happy. We should be having the time of our life, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight. Did Simon say something?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe wondered if I was ignoring you because you seemed sad. It knocked me right upside the head and I\u2019m sorry, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay, Jim. It\u2019s the first time we\u2019ve been away from the kids.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, for the next four days, I\u2019m yours. Whatever you want to do, I\u2019m game,\u201d Jim said wiggling his eyebrows up and down. <\/p>\n \u201cWould you go to an art gallery with me tonight?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n \u201cSure, who is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKaren Manson. She\u2019s the one that does the beautiful nudes. It\u2019s not something we could have taken the kids to, so this will be nice for just the two of us. Karen would be so pleased if we came. She hasn\u2019t seen us in ages.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cChief, I don\u2019t mean to sound stupid, but who in the hell is Karen Manson?\u201d<\/p>\n Blair burst out laughing and said, \u201cYou met her about six months ago. She\u2019s very easy on the eyes, you even mentioned it to me after we left her gallery. She\u2019s got a new show opening tonight. It should be good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll take your word for it, Chief. Now how about eating lunch? I\u2019m starving.\u201d<\/p>\n They got seated for lunch and ate like pigs. They were having a very good time. They talked about some cases that they were working on, but mostly about each other. Jim was paying very close attention to Blair and Blair loved it. <\/p>\n They finished eating and left the restaurant. Jim said, \u201cShit, I don\u2019t know that I\u2019ll be able to eat a steak tonight at Claim Jumper. Maybe something small tonight like a salad and then tomorrow we can go to Claim Jumper. Would that work for you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat would be perfect Jim. I would like to lie in bed with you for about four hours. I\u2019m not talking sex, I\u2019m talking just talking, holding and loving each other. But then of course, if you wanted sex, that would be all right too.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim opened the SUV door for Blair and Blair kissed him for doing it. \u201cYou haven\u2019t opened the door for me in ages. I really thought maybe we were past that in our relationship. Thank you for doing it again.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim smiled all the way around to his side of the SUV. This was working out well. Blair was responding to everything Jim was suggesting. And Jim also found out that he was fine with not talking about the kids all day. It didn\u2019t mean that they didn\u2019t love them. It just meant that they didn\u2019t need them to be around them all the time. <\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n Jim was holding Blair in the bed at about 7:00 that night. It was the third time Jim had fucked him. Blair couldn\u2019t seem to get enough, but Jim was getting tired. He was too old for that much fucking. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay Jim, I see the look on your face and I know we\u2019ve been fooling around too much today. You look tired. I\u2019ll go make the salads and you have a little nap.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy aren\u2019t you tired? God, am I that old?\u201d Jim whined. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m ten years younger then you, Jim. And I just needed you today, that\u2019s all. Thank you for everything.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim pulled Blair back into his arms and they began kissing again. \u201cI\u2019d really like you to fuck me, this time,\u201d Jim suggested. <\/p>\n \u201cI could do that. Are you hungry, big boy?\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I am. But I can wait,\u201d Jim admitted. <\/p>\n \u201cNo, let\u2019s go downstairs, have some salad and then we\u2019ll go to bed for the night.\u201d Blair pulled Jim out of the bed and they walked down the stairs naked. <\/p>\n \u201cYou know, there are good things about being without kids for awhile. I love walking around naked with you,\u201d Jim confessed. <\/p>\n \u201cI love it too. Now let\u2019s eat so we can go back upstairs,\u201d Blair said as he started making up the salads. <\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n The next morning, Jim and Blair both slept until ten o\u2019clock. This was a record for them. Blair smiled at Jim and said, \u201cWe never got out to the gallery.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Chief, I forgot all about it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay, but you\u2019re not getting out of it tonight. Okay?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s fine with me. I\u2019m looking forward to seeing her since I said she was so easy on the eyes,\u201d Jim teased. <\/p>\n \u201cAs long as you don\u2019t stare at her for too long,\u201d Blair warned. <\/p>\n Jim cuddled up next to Blair and just lay there quietly. The phone rang and both men groaned. <\/p>\n Blair reached over and answered it. \u201cSandburg.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPoppy, it\u2019s Sam. Do you remember me?\u201d<\/p>\n Blair sat right up and said, \u201cOf course I remember you, Sam. You\u2019re my little angel, it\u2019s not like I could ever forget you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoes daddy still remember me too?\u201d Sam asked tearfully.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, daddy still remembers you too and he misses you and the boys like crazy. So do I. What\u2019s wrong, pumpkin?\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cI want to come home. The boys can stay, but I want to come home. Uncle Rucker said that I could if you said it was okay.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoney, you can come home whenever you want. But we\u2019ll have the boys come home too. Okay?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n \u201cThat would be good, because they miss you and daddy too. They told Auntie Andy this morning that they couldn\u2019t wait to get home and see you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSweetie, let me talk to Uncle Rucker,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n Sam screamed into the phone, \u201cUncle Rucker, poppy wants to talk to you.\u201d<\/p>\n Blair was now deaf, but he was very happy at the thought of having his family back together. <\/p>\n Rucker came to the phone and said, \u201cBlair? Did she tell you that she wants to come home?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe mentioned it. What brought that on?\u201d Blair wondered. <\/p>\n \u201cShe was talking about the two of you at breakfast and just started to cry. Blair smiled. \u201cOf course that works for us. We\u2019re dying to get our children back home. We\u2019ve been trying not to drive you nuts with phone calls, but we\u2019re missing them like crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll be there about 6:00 tonight. See you then,\u201d Rucker said before he hung up the phone. <\/p>\n Blair looked at Jim and said, \u201cFuck the art show. We get our kids back. Hot damn.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim pulled him into his arms again and they slept for two more hours. Both men were exhausted.<\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n When Rucker and Andy showed up with the kids, Jim and Blair were about nuts. They had missed those kids so much. Jim and Blair couldn\u2019t imagine not being in their lives all the time. <\/p>\n Max was the first one in the door and went right into Jim\u2019s arms for a huge hug. Then he hugged Blair. \u201cMan, did I miss you guys. It was a great time, but we missed our dads.\u201d<\/p>\n Drew was next and hugged both men and said much of the same thing. Then Rucker and Andy came in carrying a sobbing Samantha. <\/p>\n Jim took her into his arms and said, \u201cNext time we\u2019ll go with you, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat would be nice, daddy. I missed you and poppy too much. And you never called me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoney, we told you to call us if you were missing us. Why didn\u2019t you call us?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n She started crying again and said, \u201cI didn\u2019t want to be a baby. I missed you and daddy too much, poppy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll never let you go anywhere for that long again, okay? We\u2019re glad to have you home. Were you good for Uncle and Auntie?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n \u201cOh yes, we were very good. They said they wanted to keep us. Max said they were teasing, but I wasn\u2019t sure,\u201d Sam said sadly. <\/p>\n Jim smiled and hugged her tight. \u201cThat\u2019s because everyone wishes they had our little Sam and her two darling brothers\u2019, Max and Drew. We\u2019re so glad to have you home.\u201d<\/p>\n Rucker and Andy talked into the night and then they all got the kids into bed. Andy and Rucker had to go back to the island, so they were on their way very late at night, but it didn\u2019t matter. They were happy. They loved being able to share in Jim and Blair\u2019s wonderful life. <\/p>\n Life was good. <\/p>\n Family was even better. <\/p>\n The end <\/p>\n Family Life Part 77 Word Count: 1980<\/p>\n Summary: Jim and Blair wake up to something wonderful. <\/p>\n \u201cPssst\u2026 Poppy are you awake?\u201d Sam called out quietly in the dark. <\/p>\n \u201cI am now sweetie, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d Blair said almost sitting up to try and wake up. He looked at the clock and it said 5:00, this wasn\u2019t good. Blair and Jim got to sleep in today, but Sam must not have received the memo.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing is wrong, I came up to show you and daddy what I can make.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? What can you make, Sam?\u201d Blair whispered, knowing full well that Jim was already awake. <\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t you see? You and daddy both need to look.\u201d<\/p>\n Blair sat up and Jim sat up next to him and said, \u201cTurn the lamp on, you have to see this. It\u2019s darling.\u201d<\/p>\n Blair turned the lamp on and tried not to have the light hurt his eyes, but it was too late. He was blinking like mad. <\/p>\n \u201cPoppy, you have to see it, my hand is getting tired. Auntie Andy taught me how to make this heart with my hands so that I could show both of you how much I love you,\u201d Sam ordered. <\/p>\n Blair rubbed his eyeballs and looked at Sam holding up her hands together in the shape of a heart. It was darling. <\/p>\n \u201cI heart you both,\u201d Sam said sweetly. <\/p>\n Jim pulled her up onto the bed and squeezed her and kissed her until she was giggling. <\/p>\n \u201cHow long did it take you to learn that, Sam?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n \u201cWell, I had to start in front of the mirror so I can see what it looked like. Then once I got the hang of it, I could move away from the mirror. I practiced on Max and Drew. They said I made a good heart.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou do make a good heart, Sam. We heart you too,\u201d Blair said pulling her into his arms. <\/p>\n \u201cAre we going to have breakfast now?\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n \u201cDid you get up this early every day at Andy and Rucker\u2019s house?\u201d Jim wondered if this was a new thing or what. <\/p>\n \u201cThis is when they get up. So then I got up. Now I\u2019m used to it. They always get up in the dark.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, see, we don\u2019t, Sam. So we\u2019re going to go back to sleep for about another hour or more, okay?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n \u201cAre you angry with me, poppy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo honey, I just don\u2019t like waking up in the dark. Let\u2019s all go back to sleep for a little while, okay?\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n \u201cWill you tuck me back in bed, poppy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI sure will. Anything to get a little more sleep.\u201d Blair walked her down the stairs and noticed that Jim was already asleep. Blair was going to make him pay for that when he got back upstairs. <\/p>\n When Blair got back upstairs Jim was now in the middle of the bed taking up the entire space for him. Then he realized that Jim was probably kidding around. Blair slid on top of him and said, \u201cWant to talk about the first thing that comes up?\u201d<\/p>\n But there was no answer except for a little snore. Blair couldn\u2019t believe he fell asleep that quickly. Blair slid off Jim and rolled over to one side and barely had enough room to lie on his side. He just got comfy with the sheet when Jim attacked him. Blair couldn\u2019t help it, he giggled like a little girl. Jim kissed his mouth to keep him from making all of that noise. They didn\u2019t want to wake Sam up, that was for sure. <\/p>\n Jim made quiet but passionate love to Blair and both of them were happy as hell with the outcome of this morning\u2019s I heart you incident. Blair got them all cleaned up and Jim whispered , \u201cI heart you, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI heart you, too,\u201d Blair replied. <\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n They found themselves sleeping until 8:00 and still no sound from Sam\u2019s room. Jim got up to check on her. He listened and she was still sawing logs. There was nothing to be worried about. <\/p>\n Jim and Blair made a great breakfast and couldn\u2019t believe that all of the kids were sleeping so late. They made it sound like they had been up early every day while at Rucker\u2019s house. Maybe they needed to catch up. <\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you get the kids up, Chief? We need to eat this stuff before it gets rubbery and cold.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be Bach.\u201d Blair went running for the staircase and saw Max and Drew coming down. \u201cJust in time for breakfast, you lazy bums, you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe were trying to catch up on sleep. Uncle Rucker and Aunt Andy had us doing things at the crack of dawn every day. It was nice to just sleep in,\u201d Max said walking beside Blair as they descended the stairs. <\/p>\n \u201cSam woke me and your dad up this morning showing us the I heart you sign and we thought it was the cutest thing in the world,\u201d Blair admitted. <\/p>\n \u201cIt is cute and she worked so hard on getting it right, too. She practiced every single day in front of the mirror and then finally tried it on us a few times before she came home. She missed you both so much that it was all she thought about,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n Blair walked in with the boys following. Both Jim and Blair were busy for a moment and they turned around and saw Max and Drew doing the sign for I heart you to them too. Jim and Blair both hugged the boys and Blair said, \u201cWill you get your little sister up, please. Tell here there are waffles.\u201d<\/p>\n A few minutes later, Sam came walking in doing the sign again and Jim and Blair did the sign back to her. She loved that. \u201cDid Auntie Andy teach you too?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, honey, Drew and Max taught us this morning. Aren\u2019t we good for learning it so quick?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n \u201cDid you do it a lot of times in front of the mirror?\u201d Sam asked making everyone smile. <\/p>\n \u201cWe sure did, Sam. That\u2019s how we knew we were doing it right. Thank you Drew and Max for teaching us how to do that,\u201d Blair said sweetly. <\/p>\n They all sat down to breakfast and got finished and then everyone helped clean up the kitchen afterwards. When they were all done, Jim got the camera out so he could take some pictures of Sam doing her sign of love to them and snapped some off. He wanted to put one on their desks. Then he took two of the boys, because they needed some newer ones of them too. It was funny how quickly they were growing. Jim found it sad sometimes, but other times found himself proud that they were doing a good job raising them all. So far, so good. <\/p>\n Jim went upstairs and printed the new pictures up for the office desks and brought them down to show Blair. <\/p>\n \u201cOh my god, Sam is so cute, but we should have combed her hair first, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBlair, it looks more real this way. I loved it. It\u2019s going on our desk at work,\u201d Jim announced proudly. \u201cAnd look at these new pictures I took of the boys. They are changing so much, I figured we needed a new one of each of them for our desks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey are growing up so fast, Jim, I wonder if that\u2019s good or bad.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was thinking the same thing, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n They all took their showers, got ready to go somewhere and Jim told them they were going to the movies.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are we going to see, daddy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, dad, what are we going to see?\u201d Drew asked bouncing in place. <\/p>\n \u201cLet me look at the movies and I\u2019ll guess which one their taking us to,\u201d Max said grabbing the newspaper and looking up the listings for the movies. \u201cOkay, I know exactly what we\u2019re going to see and Sam is going to love it. It\u2019s called Legend of the Guardians. It\u2019s a cartoon about owls, Sam. It\u2019s going to be great. I saw some previews and they were really good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you guy\u2019s mind going and seeing it too?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n \u201cI want to see it, bad, dad. I\u2019m game,\u201d Drew answered. <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I want to see it too. The graphics are really nice for this movie. Want to see a preview before we go?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n \u201cBoys, I think if we\u2019re going to see the movie, we don\u2019t need to see a preview ahead of time,\u201d Blair kidded. <\/p>\n They all laughed as they got ready to go. Jim loved their family times and he knew that Blair did too. <\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n \u201cHow did you like the movie, Sam?\u201d Max inquired. <\/p>\n \u201cI loved it. I can\u2019t wait to get it on DVD. It\u2019s going in my collection, right daddy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf we can afford it,\u201d Jim teased. <\/p>\n \u201cI could clean Auntie Megan\u2019s house for extra money, daddy. Then we could buy it,\u201d Sam said sweetly. <\/p>\n \u201cHoney, I was kidding. We\u2019ll have enough money. Daddy just loves to tease his little girl.\u201d<\/p>\n She laughed and hugged his leg as they walked. <\/p>\n \u201cSo what did you boys think of it?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n Drew said, \u201cI think it\u2019s something that Mark and Mike and Mary would love. So maybe we can all go with them tomorrow and see it again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSounds like a good idea. I\u2019m glad you liked it so much. It\u2019s nice that teens like a kid\u2019s film every now and then,\u201d Jim remarked. <\/p>\n Max said, \u201cSam do you want to see Tangled when it comes out?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that the preview that we saw today where the pretty girl lets down her hair?\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n Max smiled. \u201cYup, that\u2019s the one, Sam. It looked fun didn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt looked very fun, Max. Will you go with me and see it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019ll probably do one of these family days again when it comes out. I think it doesn\u2019t come out for a month or so. So we have to be patient and wait for a while,\u201d Max explained. <\/p>\n \u201cOh I can wait. I love family days. Where are we going now, daddy and poppy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to go for an early dinner, then back home to catch up on some laundry and things,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n That night after they got everyone to bed and settled Jim and Blair went upstairs to bed. <\/p>\n \u201cDid you notice I only checked the lock on the front door once tonight?\u201d Jim asked proudly. <\/p>\n \u201cJim, that\u2019s because you had me check it twice before you followed up. You are still OCD, so just live with it,\u201d Blair teased as he got into bed. <\/p>\n \u201cYou know, these days are going to be gone before we know it. The kids will be grown and we\u2019ll be all alone again,\u201d Jim said sadly. <\/p>\n \u201cFirst of all, there will be grandchildren some day, the kids will still come and visit and lastly there is nothing wrong with us being alone again. I can\u2019t believe you\u2019re the one I had to talk into fostering the boys. Remember you really didn\u2019t want to do it?\u201d<\/p>\n Jim sighed and said, \u201cYou\u2019re never going to let me forget that are you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2019m not. It just proves that a person can change and grow with age. I\u2019m glad you have done that. You\u2019re a great dad, Jim Ellison.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you are a great pop, Blair Sandburg. Thank you for making my life so much more. I love you,\u201d Jim said as he kissed Blair deeply. <\/p>\n Blair went with this kiss because he knew where it was going to take them and he for one wasn\u2019t going to complain. He was so glad that Jim hearted him. <\/p>\n Life was good. <\/p>\n The end<\/p>\n PattRose1@aol.com<\/p>\n Family Life Part 78 Word Count: 2958<\/p>\n Summary: Blair gets invited by an old friend to a dude ranch and it\u2019s for the kids too. Jim is jealous. Raise your hand if you\u2019re surprised. LOL \uf04a Actually Jim did really well this time. <\/p>\n The phone rang and Jim answered it, \u201cEllison.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, is there a Blair Sandburg there?\u201d a man\u2019s voice asked nicely. <\/p>\n Jim was immediately interested in who it was. \u201cYes, just a moment, please.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim handed the phone to Blair and Blair looked at him somewhat surprised. \u201cWho is it?\u201d<\/p>\n Jim covered the phone and answered, \u201cDon\u2019t have a clue. This is someone new.\u201d<\/p>\n Blair took the phone and said, \u201cHello?\u201d He figured it was Rafe or Brown goofing around, but no, it wasn\u2019t. Instead he found out it was someone he really loved hearing from. <\/p>\n \u201cHey Blair, this is Dave. I haven\u2019t seen you in five years and I was just thinking about you. What have you been up to?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDave? Dave Dawson?\u201d Blair asked smiling. <\/p>\n \u201cOf course Dave Dawson. What other Dave do you know?\u201d The man teased. <\/p>\n \u201cFrom college, about six or seven. So just shut up. What have you been up to?\u201d Blair asked happily. <\/p>\n Jim watched from the kitchen as Blair walked happily from the dining room to the living room. The smile never left his face. Jim hated this man. He wasn\u2019t going to even spend any time wondering about him. He was going to hate him right away. He didn\u2019t want to waste any time on anything. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve work with my dad at his horse ranch and was wondering if you\u2019d like to come up for a weekend to ride horses and just hang out at the ranch?\u201d Dave asked sweetly. <\/p>\n \u201cOh that\u2019s really nice, but I\u2019m with someone and we have a family. Since I\u2019ve met you, we have adopted three kids. So as you can see, I won\u2019t be coming out to spend a weekend at your ranch,\u201d Blair replied. <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got a bunkhouse for families, if you\u2019d like to come for this weekend. It\u2019s open. You can bring your SO and your children and ride horses all weekend. I\u2019m sure the kids would love it,\u201d Dave decided. <\/p>\n \u201cOh the kids would love it. But I don\u2019t know if I can take off work on Sunday. I have Saturday off, but I had promised someone I would work for him on Sunday. So maybe next time the bunkhouse is open for a family weekend we can come,\u201d Blair said sadly. <\/p>\n Jim walked up to him and said, \u201cTell him to hang on for a moment.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHang on a moment, Dave, Jim needs to talk to me really fast,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n Jim said softly, \u201cIf you want to take the kids that would be nice for them and for you. I could work for Joel on Sunday. I\u2019ve rode horses many, many times, so it wouldn\u2019t be that big of a thrill for me. Go, it\u2019ll be fun. Tell him to count on you and the kids being there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJim, are you certain?\u201d Blair kissed him when Jim shook his head yes. He wanted to shake it no, but that wouldn\u2019t have been fair. He could still hate the man from afar. <\/p>\n \u201cJim just told me to take the kids for the weekend and he\u2019d work for me on Sunday. So I just need the address and what time we need to come. Oh, and what type of clothing should we bring?\u201d Blair was bouncing and Jim knew he had done the right thing. <\/p>\n Jim went into the kitchen and slapped himself on the back of the head. There was no one else to do it, so what the hell. <\/p>\n Dave was very excited and said, \u201cJeans, jeans and more jeans. They are what is most comfortable riding horses. It\u2019s been fairly cool, so make sure and bring long sleeve shirts and jackets for them too. Well, you too. We can\u2019t have you getting cold now can we?\u201d <\/p>\n Blair had the first twinge of anxiety about doing this. Dave used to be crazy about Blair and Blair wasn\u2019t crazy about Dave. He liked him as a friend but that\u2019s as far as it ever went. So Dave had just dropped out of Blair\u2019s life. It looked like he was back in it. <\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure this is okay with your dad?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n \u201cBlair, my dad lives next door and I run the ranch. I\u2019ve done it for the last five years. So the only person that has to okay it is me. And I\u2019ve got the room set aside for all of you. Who are you bringing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMax is sixteen, Drew is 14 and Samantha is 5. They\u2019re going to be thrilled about riding horses all weekend. This is so nice of you, Dave. I can\u2019t thank you enough. I just wish Jim could have been with us. You would really like Jim, Dave. He\u2019s a nice guy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, maybe he can come next time,\u201d Dave suggested. <\/p>\n \u201cGood thinking. Give me the address and tell me what time to be there on Saturday morning,\u201d Blair ordered with a smile on his face. <\/p>\n \u201cBossy as ever, I see.\u201d Dave gave him the address and told him he\u2019d see them all at 7:00 on Saturday morning. <\/p>\n Blair got off the phone and went in and looked at Jim closely. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing is wrong, Chief. Why would something be wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, you just look funny,\u201d Blair replied. <\/p>\n \u201cGee thanks, that makes me feel ten times better.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry. I just wondered if you were already regretting us going without you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course I regret it, but I didn\u2019t want you all to miss out on it. I\u2019ll catch up with him next time we go. How does that sound?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what Dave said. Were you listening to my call?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course I was listening to your call. How do you think I knew what was going on?\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cOh yeah. It must be hell being a Sentinel sometimes,\u201d Blair decided. <\/p>\n \u201cSometimes it is. But other times if I get to see you as happy as you are now, it\u2019s worth it,\u201d Jim said as he went in for a slow, sensual kiss. <\/p>\n Sam walked in and said, \u201cStop all that kissing, daddy and poppy. What are we having for dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell missy, I guess you don\u2019t want to hear the news about where we\u2019re going this weekend do you?\u201d Blair taunted her. <\/p>\n \u201cWhere are we going, tell me poppy? Please?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGo get your brothers and tell them I have news about the weekend and they might be interested in hearing about it,\u201d Blair suggested. <\/p>\n Samantha went running up the stairs and the boys came following down the stairs almost as quickly as Sam did. <\/p>\n \u201cSo what\u2019s going on this weekend?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n \u201cI sort of had plans,\u201d Drew said quietly. <\/p>\n \u201cWell, we\u2019ve been invited to a horse ranch for a weekend. We\u2019ll have our own bunkhouse and you kids will get to learn how to ride horses all weekend long. Does that sound like fun?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n Drew was the first one that answered, \u201cYeah, that sounds way more fun then hanging with Mark all weekend. This is going to be so fun, pop. Dad, are you excited too?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, see that\u2019s the bad part. Dad can\u2019t come with us because he\u2019s going to work on Sunday so that I can go with you kids and have fun. What do you think?\u201d Blair wondered if it would make a difference without Jim being there. <\/p>\n Max said, \u201cDad, I\u2019m sorry you can\u2019t come, but I\u2019ll bring you a postcard.\u201d He walked up to Jim and gave him a hug laughing the entire time. <\/p>\n \u201cDaddy isn\u2019t coming?\u201d Sam asked tearfully. <\/p>\n Jim got down on his knee to talk to Sam and said, \u201cI\u2019ll go the next time we all go, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I want you to go, daddy,\u201d Sam whined. <\/p>\n \u201cWell, we don\u2019t always get exactly what we want,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n Blair looked at him oddly and said, \u201cJim, did you really want to go? Because you can go and I can work.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPoppy, I want you to go too,\u201d Sam continued to whine. <\/p>\n \u201cBlair, I want you all to go this weekend. I was just being an asshole. I\u2019m sorry. Now, it\u2019s settled. I\u2019m working, you\u2019re going and having fun. You\u2019ll take lots of pictures for me so that I don\u2019t feel like I missed the entire thing.\u201d<\/p>\n Max smiled. \u201cI\u2019ll take lots, dad. Never fear.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHave I told you how much I love horses?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n \u201cNo, you haven\u2019t. You could tell us while you help me make dinner,\u201d Blair said as he walked into the kitchen and the kids all swarmed around him and they talked about their weekend away. Jim felt very left out, but also knew that it was something they would all love and they would be happy for ages. <\/p>\n Jim went in and decided to do laundry while they were all busy in the kitchen. It took Blair about an hour to realize that Jim wasn\u2019t with them anymore. He felt horrible about that. He heard the washer going and knew that Jim had found something to do away from them. Blair never wanted to push Jim away from him and the kids. <\/p>\n \u201cHey Jim, come and tell everyone how good you are at riding horses,\u201d Blair called out. <\/p>\n Jim walked in and said, \u201cI used to ride a little.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSomehow I think there were awards or something,\u201d Max teased. <\/p>\n \u201cOnly two, Max, only two.\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone laughed but Sam. She never seemed to get the jokes and she was tired of it. <\/p>\n \u201cOnly two what, daddy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI won two awards for horse riding. I was quite good at it. I loved horses and my dad made sure that I had the best teachers to keep me on top of it. It was fun. You kids are going to love this weekend. Probably more then you\u2019ve loved anything in your life.\u201d Jim smiled at all of them and just leaned on the bar. <\/p>\n \u201cNah, I think the best thing we\u2019ve ever done is go camping together as a family,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n \u201cNo, I think the best time was in California with Disneyland, don\u2019t you think, Sam?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n \u201cOh yes, I loved Disneyland. I love being with all of you. I had a good time at Uncle Rucker and Auntie Andy\u2019s house too, but I missed poppy and daddy too much.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe all did, Sam,\u201d Drew agreed. <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve done a lot of fun things since you\u2019ve come into our lives haven\u2019t we?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n Blair looked at Jim and said, \u201cDuh.\u201d<\/p>\n They all laughed, including Sam this time. <\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n Jim helped Blair pack the kids up and get them in the car at 5:30 in the morning. Blair kept kissing him and telling him how much he\u2019d miss him. Jim knew that Blair was suffering guilt, but also wanted to have fun. Jim let him down easily. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to help Simon build an addition to his patio this weekend when we\u2019re not working at the station. Doesn\u2019t that sound fun?\u201d<\/p>\n Sam looked up at her dad and said, \u201cNot really daddy.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim kissed her and buckled her up in the car seat for her ride to the ranch. He looked at Blair and said, \u201cYou did leave the number and all of that right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course I did, you nut. Like I would leave without telling where we\u2019d be. Have fun with Simon. I\u2019ll see you Sunday night,\u201d Blair said as he pulled Jim down for the last kiss he\u2019d have for the weekend. Blair made sure it was a good one. <\/p>\n Jim pulled away and said, \u201cI hate you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou do not.\u201d Blair smiled as he got in and got behind the wheel. <\/p>\n Jim hugged both of the boys and told them to have fun and then slammed all of the doors shut. Blair drove off with a carload of happy children. <\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n When they arrived Max said, \u201cWow, this is some ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, it\u2019s much bigger then I thought it was going to be too,\u201d Blair added. <\/p>\n Sam said, \u201cOh poppy, look at the horses. They\u2019re over there. They\u2019re beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n They all looked and saw what she was talking about. There were tons of horses. Blair didn\u2019t even know if he could count quickly enough to know how many there were. He pulled up to one of the large bunk houses and out walked Dave grinning. <\/p>\n Blair and the kids got out of the SUV and walked over towards Dave. <\/p>\n \u201cBlair, it\u2019s good to see you.\u201d Dave grabbed Blair and hugged him like crazy. Max and Drew were on alert right away. It was more hug then friends would have given. So they were going to watch this man. Pop was just happy to be there and he liked everyone, but Max and Drew knew how things were sometimes. They looked at each other and just knew. <\/p>\n Blair introduced the children to Dave and Max and Drew weren\u2019t all that friendly but Dave didn\u2019t seem to care. Blair wondered what he had missed. <\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n As the day wore on, the boys and Sam all got riding lessons and they were doing exceptionally well. Dave was very pleased with all of them. He said, \u201cMax, you want to go riding with me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo thank you.\u201d Max offered no explanation or anything. <\/p>\n \u201cMax, you\u2019re being rude,\u201d Blair stated. <\/p>\n \u201cBlair, it\u2019s all right. Not everyone likes me. As long as you like me, I don\u2019t care.\u201d<\/p>\n Blair looked at Max and Drew and was pissed. \u201cYou boys will go riding with Dave and I\u2019ll stay and ride here with Samantha. Now you go and have a good time.\u201d<\/p>\n About four hours later, they came into the bunkhouse pissed off and slammed the door. Blair looked at both of them and said, \u201cAll right, what\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe wants you. I can\u2019t believe you don\u2019t see it. He told us to stay out of his way. He\u2019ll just say he didn\u2019t say it, but he did. He wants you and not with us kids,\u201d Max explained. <\/p>\n Blair stormed out the door and found Dave and said, \u201cWhat did you expect to happen this weekend?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was hoping that we would have a little time to ourselves, but not with those shitting kids looking out for you all the time. Blair, they\u2019re like watch dogs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me did you just call my children, shitting kids? Fuck you, Dave and the horse you rode in on,\u201d Blair shouted as he went to collect his children. <\/p>\n \u201cCome on kids, it\u2019s time to go,\u201d Blair ordered. <\/p>\n They all helped pack and didn\u2019t ask any questions. Then they left without even saying goodbye, shit on you or fuck you. They had all wanted to say these things, but they just left. <\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n \u201cSo, Jim, you\u2019re miserable, I take it?\u201d Simon asked as they were sawing some wood for the patio cover. <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, that guy has a thing for Blair, but I knew if I made a big thing about it, he\u2019d throw a fit. So I let him go. Now my imagination is running wild,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n \u201cSo why don\u2019t you call him?\u201d Simon wondered. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll think I was checking on him. It\u2019s time I trust him and just stop being such a shit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat would you do if he was here right now?\u201d Simon asked smiling. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d want to fuck him like crazy to show him who he belonged to. But can\u2019t do that with kids,\u201d Jim replied. <\/p>\n \u201cWell, he just drove up. Maybe the kids would like to stay and help me work on this,\u201d Simon suggested. <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be silly, I\u2019ll stay and so will Blair. Max can drive everyone else home. Why do you suppose they\u2019re here?\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n \u201cI guess you could do something weird like ask him.\u201d Simon shoved Jim to the front door and Jim opened it and hugged Blair fiercely. <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s going on, Chief?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJim, he was such an ass. The kids even knew it before I did. So we left. We had a good time for a little while, but he was such a jerk, I knew I couldn\u2019t stay and he didn\u2019t want the kids without me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI knew he wanted you, but I had to trust you and trust you I did. And see, it worked out. Did you sock him in the mouth?\u201d Jim asked smiling. <\/p>\n \u201cNo, there was no violence. I just told him off and left. He was such a jerk. He was just as stupid as when we were younger. God, I had forgotten how much I disliked him in college,\u201d Blair said this as he laughed, because until that moment he didn\u2019t realize that he hated him that much. <\/p>\n \u201cWould you like to help me work on Simon\u2019s patio?\u201d Jim asked hopefully. <\/p>\n \u201cI would love nothing more. Max, do you want to take everyone home and I\u2019ll ride with dad?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n \u201cSure, pop. We\u2019ll unpack and everything. Thanks for believing in us, pop.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlways, Max, you\u2019re my family.\u201d<\/p>\n The kids left and Blair and Jim helped Simon finish his patio cover and it looked terrific. When they were done, Jim said, \u201cI need to go home and take a shower. Would you like to join me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh for crying out loud,\u201d Simon said sounding disgusted, but he was laughing. <\/p>\n Blair and Jim drove home and Jim kept holding Blair\u2019s hand the entire way. Jim was very glad that he had decided to trust Blair for a change. It worked out well and Jim felt like he was going to get very lucky in the shower. <\/p>\n The end<\/p>\n Family Life Part 79 Word Count: 1,792<\/p>\n Summary: Sam is going to be seeing Disney on Ice for the first time and the boys will find out its fun for any age. <\/p>\n Notes: Thank you to Helena for the idea. I was lost for something uplifting and fun. This ought to do the trick. Thank you, sweetie. \uf04a <\/p>\n PattRose1@aol.com<\/p>\n Blair came walking into the loft bouncing with excitement and got Jim\u2019s attention right away. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on, Chief?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere are the kids?\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re upstairs playing Wii. Do you want them down here?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n \u201cYes, could you have them come down stairs, I have something important to share with all of you,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n Jim went upstairs to get the kids and they all came running down the stairs before Jim. <\/p>\n \u201cHey, pop,\u201d Drew said happily. <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, how are you doing, pop?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n \u201cHi poppy. Daddy said you have good news for us. What\u2019s the good news? I love good news,\u201d Sam assured everyone. <\/p>\n \u201cSit down everyone, I have some news for you,\u201d Blair began. <\/p>\n Everyone hurried and sat down and waited anxiously for the news. <\/p>\n \u201cI just got done standing in line at Ticket Masters for two hours for the hard to get and very expensive Disney on Ice tickets. It\u2019s going to be at Cascade Arena in three days. I got excellent seats for all of us and it\u2019s going to be a blast. You wait and see.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor Sam, right?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n \u201cNo, for all of us. I picked them up for William and his family too. We\u2019re all going. It\u2019s going to be fun. I promise,\u201d Blair assured them all. <\/p>\n Jim didn\u2019t look too thrilled either. \u201cChief, have you ever been to a Disney on Ice show?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, but I\u2019ve always wanted to. And I wanted it to be a huge family affair. This is just what we need to do this weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n Max said, \u201cPop, do we have to go?\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cYes, we all have to go. It\u2019s a family thing, if we don\u2019t all go, it\u2019s no longer a family thing anymore. Buck up little campers, this is going to be a great time for all.\u201d<\/p>\n Max and Drew walked away and started up the stairs to their room. Jim stopped them and said, \u201cBoys, do you have anything to say to your pop for getting these tickets?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh gee, thanks, pop. We\u2019ll be thrilled to death to go,\u201d Drew said very sarcastically. <\/p>\n \u201cWe are going, so just tune down the attitudes. Remember that Sam wants to actually go,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n \u201cPoppy, what is Disney on Ice?\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cSam it\u2019s all sorts of Disney characters all wearing ice skates and they skate to music to make us feel good. It\u2019s a lot of fun, I\u2019ve heard,\u201d Blair said happily. <\/p>\n \u201cIt sounds like fun to me. I can\u2019t wait. How many days, poppy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust three, Samantha. So go ahead and finish playing Wii with your brothers if you\u2019d like. I\u2019m going to start dinner,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n \u201cOkay, see you later, alligator,\u201d Sam called out as she raced for the stairs. <\/p>\n \u201cAfter a while, Crocodile,\u201d Jim called out. <\/p>\n Sam stopped on the stairs and said, \u201cOh daddy that\u2019s very cute. Did you just learn it?\u201d<\/p>\n Jim and Blair started laughing and Jim said, \u201cYes, I just learned it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t wait until I tell Drew and Max.\u201d Sam raced up the stairs happy to tell her brothers what daddy had just learned. <\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n Blair was cooking dinner and Jim walked in and said, \u201cIs it safe to ask a question without you biting my head off?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJim, I could have used a little back up tonight. You acted like them. You don\u2019t care if you go or not. It just bothered me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBlair, I\u2019ve never been to one, so I guess it didn\u2019t sound that fun to me. But I\u2019m with you on this. This is family time and family outing. We\u2019re going to do this and enjoy the hell out of it, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Blair kissed Jim and said, \u201cThank you. Now if you could just convince the boys we\u2019d have it made.\u201d<\/p>\n They finished preparing dinner and called the kids down to join them. <\/p>\n During dinner Jim brought up the Disney on Ice three times and made it sound like a lot of fun. Then he realized he hadn\u2019t tried one thing. \u201cBoys, have you went to Google and looked up pictures for Disney on Ice yet? You\u2019ll be able to see all of the pretty young women in the skimpy skating costumes that you\u2019ll get to stare at all night long. Did you think of that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCould we be excused?\u201d Max said quickly. <\/p>\n Blair almost laughed as he said, \u201cSure, have fun.\u201d<\/p>\n The boys took off to see the costumes with a Samantha following close behind. She didn\u2019t want to get left out of the excitement. <\/p>\n Jim helped Blair clean up the kitchen and said, \u201cThe boys are calling Mike and Mark right now and giving them the url to look up the pictures. Just thank me now.\u201d<\/p>\n Blair laughed and kissed Jim sweetly. \u201cYou\u2019re the best. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n Saturday came very quickly and Jim and Blair had Samantha dolled up for the affair. The boys wore casual jeans and tees, but Jim and Blair wore dockers and polo shirts. They all took their jackets of course, because it was an ice skating rink and would be cold. <\/p>\n Willliam, Sarah and the kids met them at the front door and Blair gave them their tickets. <\/p>\n \u201cCan us guys sit all by ourselves?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n \u201cAs long as it\u2019s in the same area where we can see you. Like two rows below us would be good. Or two rows above us would be good. Take your pick, you\u2019re not sitting wherever you want to,\u201d Jim stated. <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll take the two rows above, thanks, dad.\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n They all walked in and were instantly transported into Disneyland. It was so bright, cheerful and fun. Sam and Mary were having a blast just looking at things. All of the kids asked for souvenirs and they got them before they went to their seats. <\/p>\n Jim, Blair and Sam picked a row and William, Sarah and Mary joined them in that same row. The boys chose a row right above them, three rows up. Jim looked to be sure that he could see them and then he walked up and gave all of them money for goodies when the vendors came around during the show. <\/p>\n They sat there for all of ten minutes and the show started. The lighting was beautiful. It made the ice look like it was in different colors. Jim and Blair were already having a good time. <\/p>\n The first group of skaters came out and there was Peter Pan, Tinkerbelle, different fairies and a bunch of colorful characters from Peter Pan. Sam and Mary were sitting on laps so they could see better. Blair had Mary and Jim had Sam. Blair looked up to see if the boys were even paying attention and they were. They were clapping just like everyone else was. Blair was thrilled. <\/p>\n [[[disney.jpg]]]<\/p>\n They saw Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Bambi, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, the Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, Goofy, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and a bunch of other characters. The show seemed to go on forever and ever. They even had a few breaks to clean the ice up and then they would start again. Jim kept looking up and saw the boys smiling and talking amongst themselves and new that Blair had made a wise choice. <\/p>\n Every time the vendors went up above them, they were called to where the boys were. Jim figured he wasn\u2019t getting any money back from this. <\/p>\n Jim and Blair visited with Sarah and William during the breaks and the girls just had a ball with their souvenirs. All in all, it was turning out to be a wonderful time for everyone. Even William loved it. <\/p>\n Blair noticed that the person that seemed to enjoy it the most was Jim. He smiled during the entire thing. Blair knew that he had made a good choice, but now he\u2019d be able to rub it into Jim\u2019s face. Oh yes, this was going to be a good time. Blair just smiled and smiled and smiled. <\/p>\n The show ended up being four hours long, so when they left the girls were ready for bed. Jim knew that Sam and Mary would be asleep in their car seats in nothing flat. <\/p>\n As they walked out Sam started to get upset. She said, \u201cDaddy, can\u2019t we stay longer and see them all again?\u201d<\/p>\n Blair just beamed with joy. He was so thrilled that she liked it. Jim smiled at her and said, \u201cNext year we\u2019ll come again, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, but I don\u2019t like that we can\u2019t come next week instead,\u201d Sam ranted. <\/p>\n William started laughing and then Mary started to complain about it. They ended up laughing like fools at the girls. <\/p>\n They all got into the car and began their drive home. It wasn\u2019t five minutes and Sam was sleeping like a log in her seat. <\/p>\n Blair smiled at all of them. \u201cSo did you end up having an okay time, boys?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHeck yes, some of those girls were really pretty. And the little outfits they wore were cute. Didn\u2019t you guy think?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n \u201cOh yeah, I thought all of the young girls looked really cute,\u201d Jim replied almost laughing. <\/p>\n \u201cWhat did you think, Drew?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n \u201cIt could have been a little longer, I think. We had a blast. Thank you for letting us sit where we did. There were some other older kids up there too and we were talking with them. But mostly we were checking out the cute girls on ice,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n \u201cIf it would have been any longer, I would have been bankrupt. I gave you guys a lot of money and you spent it all,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n \u201cBut we had fun, does that help dad?\u201d Max answered. <\/p>\n \u201cYes, it does help. It just goes to prove that sometimes you can go to something and think it will be boring and find out its fun. I\u2019m glad you boys gave it a chance,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n \u201cThanks for getting the tickets, pop. We did have a good time. So did Mark and Mike,\u201d Drew confessed. <\/p>\n The rest of the drive home was pretty quiet. The boys talked in the back seat about which girl looked the cutest in their costume and Jim and Blair just snickered from time to time. <\/p>\n It had been an excellent night. Family nights really were fun. <\/p>\n The end<\/p>\n Family Life Part 80 Word Count: 3959<\/p>\n Summary: What happens with Jim and Blair after spending two days on an Amber Alert? <\/p>\n Notes: Thank you to Bee for this idea. <\/p>\n Jim and Blair got back to the station after finding a criminal that they had been looking for. They had searched for two weeks and finally got their man. Jim was thrilled, Blair was happy too, but he knew he would be doing most of the paperwork and that didn\u2019t thrill him at all. <\/p>\n They were both sitting at their desk when the phone call came in. An Amber Alert. None of the detectives liked any child missing, but this meant one was. They were on alert too. Jim called his dad first thing and asked if the kids could stay with them until they were off the Amber Alert. They would be working non-stop trying to find this child. Of course William understood and told them not to worry. <\/p>\n Jim and Blair went into Simon\u2019s office and asked where they were needed. \u201cJim, I want you at their house to see if you can find anything out of the ordinary. We need to find this five year old fast. The mother said she was in her room and then she wasn\u2019t. We need to find out what happened. You and Sandburg will be staying at the house for the time being, checking everything out. Here is the address, their names are Melissa and Stuart Bale. The little five year old is Taylor Bale. Let\u2019s find her,\u201d Simon ordered. <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re on it sir,\u201d Jim took the paper with the address and he and Blair walked out of the office. <\/p>\n They went downstairs to get into their SUV and head over to the house when Rafe came up to them and said, \u201cDid you know that this little girl goes to the same school as Samantha?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I didn\u2019t recognize the address. I was going to put it in my GPS. She must live close to us then. That scares the fuck out of me,\u201d Jim confessed. <\/p>\n Blair said, \u201cLet\u2019s see what\u2019s going on first before we have this child abducted or worse. We\u2019ll see you later, Rafe. Are you going to the Bale house?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, we\u2019re going to be searching the area around the school and the mall. We\u2019ll see you later. Call if you need any help,\u201d Rafe said as he walked away. <\/p>\n The men got into the SUV and Jim drove off. Blair programmed the GPS so that they would know exactly where that house was. It was about five blocks east of their home. This didn\u2019t make either of the men feel any better. <\/p>\n They drove up to the Bale home and got out. Jim rang the doorbell and saw the wild eyed woman that answered and knew this was Mrs. Bale. \u201cHello, I\u2019m Detective Jim Ellison and this is my partner Blair Sandburg. We\u2019re going to be staying at your house, looking for clues and asking questions of you and your family members. Where would you like us to set up shop?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDetective, I\u2019d rather have you out looking for her, then staying here. Can\u2019t you do that for me?\u201d Melissa Bale pleaded. <\/p>\n Blair said, \u201cThere are many officers out looking for her, ma\u2019am. We need to do this right now while everything is fresh in everyone\u2019s mind. Is your husband home?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, he came home an hour ago. I called him when Taylor was missing. Come in and you can set up shop in the dining room if you need to. I still don\u2019t see what you\u2019ll be doing here,\u201d Melissa said. <\/p>\n \u201cWe have to question everyone that lives in this house and we need to look at all of the evidence or lack of evidence in the home. It\u2019s important that we get it done soon,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n \u201cWell, there is just my husband and myself. Taylor is our only child. We have no family to speak of, so there aren\u2019t many people to ask questions of,\u201d Melissa said. <\/p>\n \u201cWe need to see her room first thing,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n They noticed that the FBI was already there setting up shop for ransom calls. Jim hoped it was something as simple as that, but this family didn\u2019t seem to have a lot of money, so he was less then hopeful. <\/p>\n Melissa took them to Taylor\u2019s room and opened the door. Jim said, \u201cWe need to be in the room alone for a while to check everything out. Has someone already fingerprinted the room?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, the officers that came took fingerprints off of every surface they could find. We\u2019re hoping they don\u2019t find anyone that doesn\u2019t belong,\u201d Melissa added. <\/p>\n Jim and Blair shut the door behind them when they went into the room. \u201cOkay, Jim, I need you to focus hardcore. We need to see if you can pick up a scent of her in the room and then any other scents.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim picked up a stuffed animal on her bed and sniffed it. He had her scent immediately. \u201cShe smells just like a normal clean, healthy five year old.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cNow keep that scent in your mind and see if you can smell any scent that doesn\u2019t belong in the room. I know it\u2019s going to be hard because there were cops here taking fingerprints, so our job is twice as hard.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim sniffed the air and then walked over to the window in the room. He opened it up and sniffed the air there. \u201cThere was someone outside the window that was also inside the room, I can smell him in both places. That wouldn\u2019t have been a cop, I don\u2019t think.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShould we call the dogs?\u201d Blair wondered. <\/p>\n \u201cWe have to have a reason for calling the dogs. Maybe I could say I smelled aftershave in the room and outside the window. Do you think they would buy that?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n \u201cCall the FBI guys in here and see if they\u2019re interested,\u201d Blair suggested. <\/p>\n Jim called them in and told him what he had found and they were very interested. They called for the dogs and the hunt was on. <\/p>\n When the dogs finally got there, Jim gave them a pillow with the man\u2019s scent on it and then they smelled it outside the window. The FBI agent, named Cooper, said, \u201cI guess you were right. The dogs are going crazy out there. Maybe we\u2019ll find her quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim said, \u201cI hope so.\u201d<\/p>\n The officers with the dogs were out looking and before long, Jim and Blair decided that they needed to ask questions from the parents. <\/p>\n They walked into the kitchen, found Mr. and Mrs. Bale and Jim asked, \u201cWould now be all right to ask some questions?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy aren\u2019t you out there looking for my daughter?\u201d Mr. Bale said. <\/p>\n \u201cMr. Bale, we\u2019re doing our job in here right now. We did find something in her room that helped with the dogs, so at least we have a scent to go on. Please stay calm and answer all questions that we need to get done with,\u201d Blair explained. <\/p>\n \u201cMy name is Stuart. Please call me that. What are you names?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy name is Jim Ellison and this is Blair Sandburg. Can we sit down at the table and talk?\u201d <\/p>\n Mrs. Bale said, \u201cCall me Melissa. Ask your questions.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMelissa, have you noticed anyone odd hanging around the neighborhood lately?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n \u201cNo, but I wasn\u2019t looking either. I\u2019m not the most observant person in the world. I\u2019m so sorry, Stuart. I should have watched her closer,\u201d Melissa said as she started to cry. <\/p>\n Stuart held her in his arms and said, \u201cI haven\u2019t noticed anyone odd around the neighborhood. But like my wife, I wasn\u2019t looking, either.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre there any teens that have hung around your house at any time?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n \u201cNo, we have only had one little girl over since we moved in. We\u2019ve only been here six months. She was going to have a little girl named Samantha over as soon as her parents met us. But we hadn\u2019t had time to contact the parents. She seems like such a nice little girl,\u201d Melissa said. <\/p>\n Jim pulled his wallet out and showed them Sam\u2019s picture and said, \u201cIs this the little girl?\u201d<\/p>\n Both of the parents looked and Melissa said, \u201cWhy do you have a picture of Samantha in your wallet?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe is our daughter. I\u2019m sorry we didn\u2019t get a chance to meet,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n \u201cDo you think someone took our daughter against her will?\u201d Stuart asked. <\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t think anything yet. We don\u2019t like to guess, we only like to have hard evidence. Before I forget, Melissa, why was Taylor home from school today?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe had a stomach ache, so I kept her home. She said she felt better after a small lunch, but I didn\u2019t want to chance it. I should have taken her to school. At least she would have been safe there,\u201d Melissa said sadly. <\/p>\n Jim asked if he could have a glass of water and Stuart got it for him. \u201cWere you at work all day, Stuart?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I only came home when Melissa called me to tell me that Taylor was missing. Do you have to ask us that? I would never hurt my child. Neither would Melissa. Isn\u2019t there something else we could be doing?\u201d Stuart asked. <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re doing what\u2019s most important right now and yes, we have to ask these questions, because sometimes the parents know more then they think they do. We\u2019re just doing our jobs,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n \u201cDo you have a lot of family in town,\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n \u201cMy parents live about a mile from here, but Melissa\u2019s parents live in another city. We have no siblings. Neither of us do. Do you need to see my parents?\u201d Stuart asked. <\/p>\n Jim thought a moment and said, \u201cYes, could you call them over to the house. We\u2019d like to talk to them and ask them questions too.\u201d<\/p>\n Stuart pulled out his cell phone and called his folks. He asked them to come to the house and got off the phone. \u201cThey\u2019ll be here in a few moments. Mom was shocked.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t call and tell them?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n \u201cHonestly, I didn\u2019t think to call hardly anyone. Besides we don\u2019t have too much to do with Stuart\u2019s parents,\u201d Melissa answered. <\/p>\n \u201cIs there a reason you don\u2019t have much to do with them?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n \u201cThey don\u2019t like me much, so Stuart doesn\u2019t see them but maybe once every six months. They\u2019ve never paid much attention to Taylor. So I really don\u2019t think they\u2019ll be able to help you at all,\u201d Melissa said. <\/p>\n The officers with the dogs came back very discouraged. They lost the scent and they would have to start over again. They were all out in the front yard when Stuart\u2019s parents arrived. The dogs started going crazy and the cops brought Stuart\u2019s dad into the house to be questioned. The dogs were going crazy around him.<\/p>\n Jim said, \u201cWere you at the house today?\u201d <\/p>\n Mr. Bale said, \u201cNo, I haven\u2019t been here in six months, easily. Why would you be asking me this?\u201d<\/p>\n Jim sighed and said, \u201cSir, the dogs picked up your scent. I smell the aftershave that you\u2019re wearing in Taylor\u2019s room. It wouldn\u2019t have stayed there six months. Why don\u2019t you tell us where she is?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDad, do you know something?\u201d Stuart asked. <\/p>\n \u201cOf course I don\u2019t. This officer needs his head examined. Now I\u2019m going home, I don\u2019t need this crap,\u201d Mr. Bale said hatefully. <\/p>\n \u201cOh my god, you did something to Taylor, didn\u2019t you?\u201d Melissa asked. <\/p>\n \u201cGet a grip, Melissa. I don\u2019t want anymore to do with her then I do with you,\u201d Mr. Bale said as he started for the door. <\/p>\n Blair said, \u201cYou won\u2019t be going anywhere just yet, sir. We need to find out where you were today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d The older Bale answered. <\/p>\n \u201cWe need to get an idea of what you did today,\u201d Blair said calmly. <\/p>\n It was already dark and Jim knew this was a bad sign. They needed to find this little girl soon. <\/p>\n \u201cSo Mr. Bale, do you want to tell us where you were today?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n \u201cI was home all day long, ask my wife,\u201d the angry man replied. <\/p>\n \u201cHoney, I was gone for four hours today, remember. So I don\u2019t know where you were,\u201d Mrs. Bale answered. <\/p>\n \u201cWhere were you?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n \u201cI was playing Pinochle with friends of mine. We meet every week. I\u2019m always gone at that time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo Mr. Bale, you don\u2019t have anyone to say you were home for those four hours?\u201d Blair asked.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is ridiculous. I was home, alone maybe, but still home. I\u2019m Stuart\u2019s father for Christ\u2019s sake. Now if you don\u2019t mind, we\u2019re going to leave now,\u201d Mr. Bale said. <\/p>\n \u201cYou won\u2019t be going anywhere until we find out a few more things,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t force me to stay here. I have rights,\u201d Mr. Bale answered. <\/p>\n \u201cYes, you do, but until we get all of our questions answered you\u2019re in the middle of an ongoing investigation. Take a seat, you\u2019re going to be here for a while,\u201d Jim ordered. <\/p>\n Both of Stuart\u2019s parents sat down and waited for more questions. <\/p>\n Blair asked, \u201cMelissa, did anyone call today?\u201d<\/p>\n Melissa thought and said, \u201cOnly Stuart\u2019s dad. Henry called at noon and asked me why I didn\u2019t have my flag out as I usually do. I told him that Taylor was ill and I hadn\u2019t had a chance. Then once I got things settled in the house, I put the flag up and that was that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDad, do you know where she is?\u201d Stuart asked, horrified. <\/p>\n \u201cOf course I don\u2019t know where she is. I only called because I wondered why she hadn\u2019t put the flag up,\u201d Henry Bale answered. <\/p>\n \u201cHer name is Melissa, dad. She has a fucking name. I know you have something to do with this. I can feel it. Where is she?\u201d Stuart shouted. <\/p>\n \u201cHenry\u2019s wife stood up and said, \u201cStuart don\u2019t be ridiculous, your father doesn\u2019t know where your child is at.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMom, her name is Taylor. He would lie and you would swear to it. Jim, I think he has something to do with it. I just don\u2019t know what,\u201d Stuart said sadly. <\/p>\n Jim turned to Henry and said, \u201cWould you like to take a polygraph test tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI most certainly would not. I know my rights. I\u2019ve answered all of your questions and I\u2019m leaving,\u201d Henry spat out. <\/p>\n \u201cJim?\u201d Stuart pleaded. <\/p>\n \u201cSir, my partner and I are going to take you in for questioning. Your son seems to think you might have something to do with it. I do too. So you\u2019ll go with us and you can call your lawyer from there,\u201d Jim said as calmly as he could. He knew this was the man that took the little girl. He just didn\u2019t know why. <\/p>\n Jim and Blair left the Bale house with Henry Bale in hand. They put him in the back seat of the SUV and the man bitched the entire way to the station. Jim hated this man. His grandchild was missing and he didn\u2019t give a flying fuck. <\/p>\n Once they got to the station, they put Henry Bale in an interrogation room and shut the door. <\/p>\n \u201cJim, what\u2019s the plan?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t have a fucking plan. He\u2019s not going to tell us anything. He knows he has nothing to lose. He knew she was home today. His aftershave was in the house, even though he hadn\u2019t been in the house for six months and his wife didn\u2019t know where he was for four hours. But we can\u2019t build a case on the scent of aftershave. We have to have something more conclusive. Do you have any ideas?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t we find out more about him? We need to know if he has any storage unit\u2019s in town or if he has any rental property and then go from there. We can hold him for 48 hours on suspicion. So let\u2019s get busy and find something we can use,\u201d<\/p>\n Jim looked at his watch and saw it was ten o\u2019clock. He called William really fast and heard, \u201cEllison.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHi dad, is everything all right at our house?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Jimmy, everything is fine. You just find that little girl and don\u2019t worry about the kids. I\u2019m staying at your house until you get home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, dad. That will help us a lot. Talk to you later,\u201d Jim said before he hung up the phone. <\/p>\n Blair got off the phone and said, \u201cHe has a rental house one mile from where they live. I just asked Stuart and he told me. He said he also has a storage unit but Stuart doesn\u2019t know where it\u2019s at. <\/p>\n Jim walked into the interrogation room followed by Blair and they both sat down opposite the man that they both knew had something to do with it. <\/p>\n \u201cWe need to find out where your storage unit is. Do you want to give us this information now or wait until we get our hands on it tomorrow morning? It would help if you just cooperated with us. We\u2019re also going to check out the rental house you have.\u201d Jim watched the man get pale when he talked about the rental house, so Jim knew it had something to do with that. <\/p>\n Jim got up and left the room. Blair said, \u201cAre you sure you don\u2019t want to tell us anything?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m still waiting for my lawyer. Until then, stay away from me,\u201d Henry Bale said hatefully. <\/p>\n Jim got out and sent Rafe and Brown to the address of the rental house and said to call if they found anything out of the ordinary. They took Joel and Connor with them. <\/p>\n \u201cJim, he wouldn\u2019t be stupid enough to keep his grandchild at a rental house would he?\u201d Blair wondered aloud. <\/p>\n \u201cChief, it\u2019s been 9 hours and no one has seen or heard anything. We have to start somewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think you can get anything out of him?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n \u201cNot without beating the shit out of him. I know he has her, I just don\u2019t know why.\u201d<\/p>\n They both sat down at their desks and waited for a call from Brown, Rafe, Joel or Connor. They didn\u2019t have to long to wait. <\/p>\n Jim picked up his phone and barked, \u201cEllison.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJim, we found the little girl. She\u2019s dead. I called Dan to come over and give us a cause of death. But she\u2019s here and someone has to tell those poor parents,\u201d Connor said sadly. <\/p>\n \u201cAre we sure it\u2019s her?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n \u201cWe have the photo, Jim. It\u2019s her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Connor. I\u2019ll contact the FBI and inform them she\u2019s been found. They\u2019ll tell her parents and we can start to wrap this case up,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n Jim got off the phone and looked like he was going to kill someone. Blair grabbed his arm and said, \u201cJim, I won\u2019t raise our children alone because you want to kill him. Keep your head. We need a confession from him and a reason for all of this ugliness.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not going to kill him. I\u2019m letting him go to prison, where the inmates will take care of him,\u201d Jim spat out. <\/p>\n \u201cDid he sexually abuse her?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know. They just called Dan Wolfe. We\u2019ll need to hear what he says first. But in the mean time, we can tell Mr. Henry Bale that he\u2019s not going home when his lawyer gets there.\u201d<\/p>\n Both men started for the room and Simon caught up to them. They filled Simon in on it and he went to the room with Jim and Blair. He wanted to be there to be sure that neither man killed this fucker. <\/p>\n Jim opened the door and all three walked in. Mr. Bale said, \u201cIs my lawyer here yet?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, he\u2019s not, but guess who we found at your unrented, rental property?\u201d Jim shouted. <\/p>\n \u201cWho?\u201d Bale had the nerve to ask. <\/p>\n \u201cYou know who. We found her and she\u2019s being examined as we speak. So pretty soon your goose will be cooked,\u201d Blair said hatefully. <\/p>\n \u201cAnyone could have used my rental property. That means nothing to me,\u201d Bale shouted back at the men. <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll see what the Medical Examiner has to say. He might find evidence to link you to the crime. Either way, you\u2019re going down, Bale. We know you did it, we just don\u2019t know why,\u201d Jim stated. <\/p>\n Bale just sat there looking out the window. \u201cI hated her, you know?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHated who, Bale?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n \u201cMelissa. She was bad for my son. He could never get anywhere with her hanging around his neck. And the only reason they were married at all was because she was pregnant. The child didn\u2019t look anything like our son. We never accepted either of them. Stuart was too nice about all of it. He gave up college and his life dreams for that whore. And the child was beginning to act more like her mother every time we did see them. I wish I could have killed Melissa. Now my son won\u2019t have to stay with the bitch because of a child. He\u2019s going to be free. It was worth it to me,\u201d Mr. Henry Bale said coldly. <\/p>\n \u201cWe have read you your rights, you just made a confession. Do you want to write it down, just as you told us?\u201d Blair asked, in shock. <\/p>\n \u201cWhy not? Any father would have done the same thing,\u201d Bale said hatefully. <\/p>\n They watched him write up his confession, then they booked and processed him for the crime. Neither of the men said anything to the other one. They were both in shock. <\/p>\n Taylor Bale was only five years old and would never see her sixth birthday, all because her grandfather didn\u2019t like her mother. <\/p>\n Blair saw Melissa and Stuart Bale come into the station and they stopped them. \u201cWe need you to stay at home. You can\u2019t be here right now,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n \u201cI need to see my dad,\u201d Stuart said. <\/p>\n \u201cMelissa said, \u201cIt\u2019s important that we see him. We have something to tell him.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim took them back, against his better judgement and opened up the door. <\/p>\n \u201cYou lousy fucker, I can\u2019t believe you took our little girl away just because you didn\u2019t like Melissa and thought my life was over because of her. Well guess what? It didn\u2019t work. We\u2019re having a baby in six months. So we were planning our life. We had many plans. They just didn\u2019t include you. I want you to know that I\u2019m going to sue you for everything you have. May you rot in prison,\u201d Stuart said as he turned and walked out of the room. <\/p>\n Jim caught up to them and said, \u201cI\u2019m so sorry about your daughter. No one should outlive their children. But you\u2019ll make your next child aware of his big sister and that\u2019s what\u2019s important. If you need anything, please call us.\u201d<\/p>\n They left the building and Blair said, \u201cDo we want to stay and finish everything tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMight as well. Dad is staying with the kids. I\u2019d like to be home tomorrow when they get home from school. We need to hug our kids. God, I can\u2019t believe this man killed her,\u201d Jim said on the verge of tears. <\/p>\n \u201cCome on man, let\u2019s get this paperwork finished so we can go home in the morning,\u201d Blair said as he led Jim to his desk. <\/p>\n Everyone in the bullpen was saddened by the news. Jim was very grateful that they still had their children and they were safe and sound. <\/p>\n The end<\/p>\n PattRose1@aol.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Family Life Part 71 Rumors By Patt Word Count: 2214 Summary: Jim overhears something that he shouldn\u2019t have and gets very upset with Blair over it. Notes: I can\u2019t blame this on anyone but myself. I saw a picture of … Continue reading
\nThey\u2019re gone,\u201d Jim called out. <\/p>\n
\nComing Home
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
\nRelatives
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
\nCousins
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
\nAlone Again
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
\nThen Drew and Max both got upset while trying to calm her and they said it might be time to go home. I think they might be right. She needs her daddy and poppy. So do the boys. They\u2019ve been missing you something fierce. I didn\u2019t want to tell you and worry you. But I was watching for signs. I must have missed one, I guess. I\u2019m sorry. But we\u2019re bringing them back tonight. Does that work for the two of you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\nI Heart You
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
\nA Day at a Ranch
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
\nDisney on Ice
\nby Patt<\/p>\n
\nSearching
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n