Family Life Part 81
\nJim\u2019s Secret Life
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 3286<\/p>\n
Summary: When Jim is alone he likes to sing and dance to old musicals. Someone is going to find out his secret.
\nNotes: I\u2019m sending a big thank you to Helena, who came up with this wonderful idea and I needed this after the last sad one I wrote. I hope you all enjoy it, if you do, you can thank her. <\/p>\n
Musicals:
\nSeven Brides for Seven Brothers:
\n\u2018Bless Your Beautiful Hide\u2019
\n\u2018When You\u2019re in Love\u2019
\n\u2018Goin\u2019 Cour\u2019tin\u2019<\/p>\n
The Sound of Music:
\n\u2018My Favorite Things\u2019
\n\u2018Climb Every Mountain\u2019<\/p>\n
State Fair:
\n\u2018It Might as Well Be Spring\u2019
\n\u2018That\u2019s for Me\u2019
\n\u2018More Then Just a Friend\u2019<\/p>\n
Jesus Christ Superstar:
\n\u2018I Don\u2019t Know How to Love Him\u2019
\n\u2018Superstar\u2019<\/p>\n
The Music Man:
\n\u2018Till There was You\u2019.
\n\u2018Seventy-six Trombones\u2019<\/p>\n
Jim loved Wednesday mornings after Blair and the kids left because he had the house to himself. He had some of his favorite musical music on his IPod and would clean the house while he sang and danced his way through all of his work. By the time Blair got home at lunch time, he was done with the house and got the singing out of the way. That way no one would know about it and no one would tease him about loving musicals. <\/p>\n
His Favorites were The Music Man, State Fair, The Sound of Music, Jesus Christ Superstar and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. This was a secret that only he knew and no one else had a clue as to Jim\u2019s secret life. No one even knew that he could sing. When he was in school he was in Glee Club. He always loved it, but had to quit it when he started football, because no one would have ever let him live it down that he was singing in a musical for no reason. <\/p>\n
He loved all musicals, and would gladly watch anything on television that had musicals in them, but alas, Blair didn\u2019t get into musicals. So Jim was left to do this on his own. It was his own little private moment that meant the world to him. He felt bad sometimes for not sharing with Blair but after all, some things weren\u2019t meant to be talked about. And Jim just knew that Blair would tease him at work, then everyone else would tease him at work and his secret would be ruined. It was safer and easier this way. <\/p>\n
Jim put his shorts on, had no shirt on and had his IPod attached to his jean shorts. Jim went upstairs to the boys\u2019 room first and starting dusting, vacuuming and cleaning like mad. That didn\u2019t take too long. After all, he had taught those boys well. He wanted to wash the stairs going down and polish them, so he was on his knees, singing, \u2018I Don\u2019t Know How to Love Him\u2019, when Blair walked in the door. To say Blair was shocked, would not have been a good enough description. Jim could really sing. He was hitting all of the high notes, just like the woman did in \u2018Jesus Christ Superstar\u2019. Then as he worked his way down the stairs, he started singing, \u2018Superstar\u2019 and Blair got tears in his eyes. He knew that Jim had his senses turned down, so that he could hear only the music. So he was safe for the time being. Blair moved into the kitchen and got down on the floor and listened to what was next. <\/p>\n
Then Jim switched gears totally and went to \u2018Seven Brides for Seven Brothers\u2019 and began to sing \u2018Bless Your Beautiful Hide\u2019. As he sang it he was swinging his body around and Blair got up just long enough to see Jim display wonderful dancing techniques. Next came \u2018When You\u2019re in Love\u2019 and ended up with \u2018Goin\u2019 Courtin\u2019.<\/p>\n
Blair was shocked. Jim was this person he didn\u2019t even know. This bothered Blair to no end. How long had Jim been doing this? Did anyone know his secret? Why wouldn\u2019t Jim share this with him? Blair felt terrible and somewhat hurt over all of this. <\/p>\n
He sat on the floor and listened to the rest of Jim\u2019s singing. Jim walked into the bathroom and began to sing, \u2018My Favorite Things\u2019 from \u2018Sound of Music\u2019. It was followed by \u2018Climb Every Mountain\u2019. <\/p>\n
When Jim got to Samantha\u2019s room, he was singing music from \u2018The Music Man\u2019. Blair almost laughed as he sang \u2018Seventy-six Trombones\u2019 and was really getting into it. Blair could just imagine how much joy this was bringing Jim. It saddened Blair but at the same time, Blair knew this was something that Jim needed for his own little secret. So Blair did what he had to do. He walked out of the kitchen and went to the front door, opened it and walked out without saying a word to Jim. Jim was never the wiser. He had no idea that his secret was no longer a secret. <\/p>\n
Blair went down to his SUV and sat there thinking. He wished he could hear the rest of the songs that Jim had planned on singing. His voice was beautiful. How could he have hid this from all of them? Didn\u2019t they all deserve to know? Blair sighed and leaned back against the headrest and thought about what he would do if Jim found out something he was doing on the sly. First of all, he had no secrets. There was nothing that Jim didn\u2019t know. So he couldn\u2019t compare anything to it. <\/p>\n
Blair had gotten off early that day because everyone passed their exams and the Captain had given everyone at the academy the day off. Did Jim do this every Wednesday? How did no one know about this? Blair was surprised that the neighbors didn\u2019t complain about the loud singing and clomping around. No, he thought more about it and realized, he would never turn anyone in that sounded that good. Jim was a joy to listen to. <\/p>\n
Blair knew he couldn\u2019t say anything to Jim, but he didn\u2019t think that it could go to the side either. So Blair was going to bring some movies home for them to watch. They would be musicals and Blair was going to watch Jim\u2019s face and see if he loved watching them as much as he loved singing them. Blair took off and went to the DVD store to pick out \u2018The Music Man\u2019 and \u2018Jesus Christ Superstar\u2019. No, he couldn\u2019t do that, because Jim would know. He would have to pick out some new musicals to bring home. The person at the shop could help him. Blair wasn\u2019t that into musicals, so he did need help. <\/p>\n
When he arrived, he walked in like a man on a mission. Because after all, he was determined to have Jim share his secret with him. It wasn\u2019t fair that Blair had none and Jim had this huge one hanging over their heads. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Jim finished up in Sam\u2019s room and started the living room. He finished that in no time and walked into the kitchen. He stopped dead in his tracks and knew that Blair had been there. He turned up his senses and was certain. He could smell anxiety on Blair and now Blair wasn\u2019t home anymore. Jim knew he had screwed up big time. That\u2019s what he got for having a secret. Blair probably thought he had a ton of secrets. Why didn\u2019t Blair stay and talk to him? Was he so unnerved at seeing and hearing Jim sing that he couldn\u2019t even talk to his lover? Jim\u2019s heart was pounding. He tore the IPod ear buds out of his ears and threw them in the trash. He might have just ruined him and Blair\u2019s relationship all because he loved a stupid thing like musicals. Jim cleaned the kitchen while he was waiting for Blair to get home and finished with time to spare. <\/p>\n
Jim was pacing the balcony when Blair came home. He smiled up at Jim and waved. Jim was confused at this. Was Blair not angry? How could he not be angry to find out that Jim had a secret life? But yet he smiled and waved. What did he have in his hand? Jim was dying to see by the time Blair walked in. <\/p>\n
\u201cWow, the house looks great, Jim. Sorry I\u2019m late. Are we still on for lunch?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
Jim was never really quick at trying to figure out what Blair was up to, so he just came right out and said it. \u201cBlair, I know you were here. I know you heard me, might have even seen me dancing and I\u2019m sure you have questions.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay\u2026 Since you brought it up, where in the hell did that voice come from? Jim, you sing better then people that do it for a living. Why in the world would you be hiding it from me and the kids?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, I just didn\u2019t want anyone to know. Now it\u2019s ruined.\u201d Jim started to walk into the kitchen and started polishing the refrigerator. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo tell me what\u2019s going on here. Now it\u2019s ruined? I get no lunch and never get to hear you sing like that again? Is that what you\u2019re telling me?\u201d Blair shouted. \u201cAnd stop polishing the fridge. It\u2019s already so shiny that you can see yourself in it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim stopped polishing and said, \u201cWhy would I sing now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I like to be sung to. You could serenade me whenever you liked. You could still do what you do all month, but you could save special times for just me and you. I would love to have you sing \u2018Bless Your Beautiful Hide to me\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, you have never ever brought home a musical DVD, so why would I think you would be interested in musicals?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cToo tell you the truth, the answer might hurt your feelings a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? What\u2019s the truth, Chief?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI figured a football player, army man, turned cop wouldn\u2019t like to watch musicals with his nerdy boyfriend. That\u2019s what I thought,\u201d Blair confessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou like musicals?\u201d Jim asked happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy yes, I love musicals. I went to all of the ones in high school and college. I never sang, because I can\u2019t sing, but I loved watching and dreaming of some day having someone serenading me. Honestly, it\u2019s always been a dream of mine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what\u2019s in the bag, babe?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI bought some musicals to add to our DVD collection. I got quite a few. If you don\u2019t like some of them, then we\u2019ll take them back and buy some that are your favorites. \u201c<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you get \u2018Singing in the Rain\u2019?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs a matter of fact, I did. One of my favorites. I got some great ones Jim and I want you to sing to me now and then. When we\u2019re outside and alone there is nothing stopping you from singing and dancing just for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim hugged Blair so hard that Blair couldn\u2019t breathe for a moment. \u201cHey big man, what\u2019s that about? You act like you were upset about something. Talk to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought you would leave when you found my secret life out. I should have told you. I never should have kept it a secret from you. The kids, maybe, but never you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWait a minute. You thought I would leave you because you can sing?\u201d Blair burst out laughing and then Jim threw back his head and laughed along with Blair. It did seem stupid now that Blair said it aloud. <\/p>\n
Jim looked through the bag and saw all of the wonderful musicals that Blair picked out and Jim said, \u201cWe can watch one every Wednesday when you get home from the academy. This is going to be great. Now how about lunch?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere are we going?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201c\u2019Wonderburger\u2019. You owe me for not staying and telling me you liked my singing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, this once,\u201d Blair teased as they walked out the door, holding hands all the way down the stairs. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for understanding, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re most welcome. Everyone has a secret now and then,\u201d Blair admitted. <\/p>\n
\u201cI know that yours is that you don\u2019t like musicals, but you like my singing, so you asked someone at the store to help you pick out the best musicals made. You don\u2019t have to pretend to like them, Chief. Really.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair laughed and said, \u201cMan, I was hoping to have a deep dark secret from you. I can\u2019t lie to my Sentinel, can I?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNope, and you shouldn\u2019t have to. Again, I\u2019m sorry for not telling you about me and my music.\u201d Jim was driving down the road and just smiled like crazy. <\/p>\n
\u201cSpeaking of singing, did you ever sing in front of Carolyn?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs a matter of fact, I did in the shower and she told me not to sing in the shower at the station because the guys would think I was gay. She told me to knock it off.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHoly shit. Really?\u201d Blair asked, astonished. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, guys don\u2019t usually sing, Chief. And she was correct about me being gay, so she wasn\u2019t wrong,\u201d Jim teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cStill, I think that\u2019s a crummy thing to say.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m with you and not with her,\u201d Jim said as he kissed Blair at the stop light. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, I\u2019ve never seen any of those musicals that I bought today, so you\u2019re going to be showing me the ropes. What are we going to start with?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think \u2018Sound of Music\u2019. It\u2019s such a nice love story and the music is gorgeous. I think you\u2019ll like it. Then next Wednesday we\u2019ll watch \u2018Seven Brides for Seven Brothers\u2019. That is a good one too. Actually Chief, there isn\u2019t a bad one among the ones you brought home. They rock. Chances are the guy who helped you was in glee club or something like that,\u201d Jim guessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe was. He told me he was. Good guess, Jim. No wonder you\u2019re the lead detective,\u201d Blair joked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is going to be fun. Wednesday\u2019s are going to be something special for me. Thank you for trying this. If you don\u2019t like musicals, that\u2019s fine too. But here\u2019s hoping you love them as much as I do.\u201d<\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
They got home and popped popcorn and watched \u2018Sound of Music\u2019 before the kids got home. Blair teared up quite a few times and was very moved by the entire story. But what was really gorgeous was the singing. The music was non-stop beauty. Blair was hooked and he wasn\u2019t lying about it. <\/p>\n
Jim could tell that Blair really loved the movie. He knew he wasn\u2019t pretending just to be nice. \u201cI knew you would love it. It\u2019s an oldie, but a goodie.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, I want you to sing one of the songs from the movie that you love the most and I\u2019ll just sit back and be wooed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim thought a moment and then without missing a beat, broke into song, singing Climb Every Mountain. He sang the entire thing and knew all of the words. Somehow Blair wasn\u2019t surprised about that. But it did make Blair get tears in his eyes a couple of times. Jim was that fucking good. When he finished, Blair kissed him so hard that it took Jim\u2019s breath away. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou are the most romantic person I have ever met. Thank you for singing to me. It means the world to me. But I also want you to sing around the house when you\u2019re alone. Just like you did before. You should be able to do that and feel joyful, because when you sing, it brought joy to my heart, so it probably does yours too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim kissed Blair and said, \u201cI\u2019m going to show you exactly how much I love you tonight in bed. We don\u2019t have time now. The kids will be home soon. Let\u2019s put these movies away so they don\u2019t ask questions, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSounds good to me,\u201d Blair helped him open all of the movies and put them in the DVD cabinet. They had just finished and the kids walked in the door. <\/p>\n
\u201cWow, dad, the house looks great as usual, but it smells like popcorn,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, you\u2019re pop bought me a movie today and we watched it and ate popcorn,\u201d Jim admitted. <\/p>\n
Drew said, \u201cSo what movie did you get him, pop?\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair didn\u2019t know what to say. He just stood there with his mouth hanging open. Jim said, \u201cYou\u2019ve probably never heard of it. It\u2019s really old. I like old movies and it\u2019s called \u2018The Sound of Music\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh yeah, that\u2019s a good one. We have that one now?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, it\u2019s in the cabinet along with some other musicals. I like a musical now and then,\u201d Jim confessed further. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe like them too. Is Grease in there? Maybe we could watch that tonight. I love that movie,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Grease is in there. Both one and two. As long as homework is done in time, we can watch that tonight. Samantha I think you\u2019ll be watching a movie in your dvd player. It\u2019s for teens, not for little ones,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
Samantha started crying and said, \u201cI hate being a little kid. I always miss the good stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim held her on his lap and explained that sometimes you had to wait until you were older to see certain movies.<\/p>\n
Max and Drew looked through the movie cabinet and Drew said, \u201cHow about \u2018The Music Man\u2019? There\u2019s nothing wrong with that one? Sam can watch that one. We can watch Grease some day upstairs, if that\u2019s okay with you and dad.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a wonderful idea. \u2018The Music Man\u2019 is a perfect movie for Sam. She\u2019ll like it. It\u2019s fun. Have you boys seen it?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYup, we\u2019ve seen all of the movies you have in here. We always liked our gramma\u2019s musicals while we were growing up. Then when we went to different foster homes, they would have us watch musicals too. So we\u2019re used to them. What brought this on?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI like musicals, but I didn\u2019t want to make you kids watch them if you hated them. So now that we know, we can watch a musical now and then. Pop has seen none of them but \u2018Sound of Music\u2019, so far.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh pop, you\u2019re in for the time of your life. Musicals are great. My gramma used to say they made your heart feel good,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
Jim smiled and said, \u201cDrew, you\u2019re gramma was a very wise woman. I would have liked meeting her because she expressed my feelings about musicals, exactly. I bet you both miss her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, we do. But now we have grampa Ellison and gramma Naomi to dote on us, so it\u2019s not that bad at all. We love our life. We\u2019re fine. What\u2019s for dinner?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
Everyone laughed as they fell into the daily routine and were back to the normalcy of the Sandburg-Ellison household. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
As they were doing the dishes a song came on the radio from \u2018Seven Brides for Seven Brothers\u2019. Jim started dancing with Blair, as he sang \u2018When You\u2019re in Love\u2019, along with the song on the radio. The kids all stood in the doorway and watched the two of them and smiled. No one laughed and no one thought it odd that Jim could sing that well. <\/p>\n
Blair lit up like a light bulb at Jim sharing this with the kids. This meant the world to all of them. Jim no longer had secrets. <\/p>\n
\u2018It Might as Well Be Spring\u2019. <\/p>\n
The end<\/p>\n
Family Life Part 82
\nBirthday for Drew
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 4,059<\/p>\n
Summary: It\u2019s Drew\u2019s 14th birthday and he doesn\u2019t really think that it\u2019ll be anything special. Jim and Blair go out of their way to make it perfect. <\/p>\n
Notes: I used my grand-parents names in this story and they were a lot like these people are. I hope you enjoy them. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Jim was sitting at his desk in the bullpen daydreaming. Blair smiled because Jim didn\u2019t do that too often, but today he had caught him doing it three times. <\/p>\n
Blair whispered, \u201cSo what\u2019s on your mind?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim smiled. Blair always knew when something was bothering him. \u201cI want to give Drew the best 14th birthday party he could ever hope to have. Sam and Max both got great ones and I\u2019m trying to think of something special for Drew.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll think of something perfect, don\u2019t you worry. We have to figure out what he loves the most and then come up with something on those lines,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut Blair, he loves cooking the most. It\u2019s not like we can give him a chef for his party,\u201d Jim teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy couldn\u2019t we? Why couldn\u2019t we try the best place in town and see if he\u2019ll make a special dinner up for Drew and then when he\u2019s done eating it, Drew could help him make something in the kitchen? If we paid a chef enough money, he would do just about anything, don\u2019t you think?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cChief, we\u2019re probably talking a few thousand dollars. We can\u2019t spend that much on him for his birthday.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, you got Max a car for his birthday and insurance. So what do you plan on giving Drew anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim thought for a moment and said, \u201cOkay, your idea is sounding better and better. But for his actual birthday gift, couldn\u2019t we sign him up for those expensive cooking classes that he talks about non-stop?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to find a perfect restaurant and then find the perfect chef. He has to be good enough for our Drew. Drew isn\u2019t your ordinary teen. He needs to be really impressed. So I think I\u2019ll start looking soon. Want to take me out for dinner tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim laughed. \u201cOnly you would make this fun for us too. Of course, I\u2019ll take you out to dinner. We need to find the perfect chef. We need some of his time and that won\u2019t come cheap.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim looked in the phone book trying to figure out a perfect restaurant. \u201cI know the place. Why am I looking? How about Saccony\u2019s? I took you there for our first date and you said it was the best Italian food you had ever had. Unless you lied, what about starting there?\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair practically bounced in his seat. \u201cOh man, we haven\u2019t been there in years. I loved Saccony\u2019s. It was one of the best dinners I\u2019ve ever had. I wasn\u2019t lying, Jim. It really was the best Italian food, ever. And we know how much Drew loves making Italian food. He also loves eating it. When could we talk to the chef?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLet me call for an appointment and see when we can get in,\u201d Jim suggested. He picked up the phone and talked to someone and was put on hold for some time. Blair thought he might hang up on them, he could tell Jim was getting pissed off. Finally the woman came back on and said something to Jim. \u201cThat\u2019s the only time he can see us today?\u201d<\/p>\n
She told him something else and Jim said, \u201cWe\u2019ll be there. We\u2019ll see Samuel Antonio Saccony at 3:00. Thank you for making the time,\u201d Jim said before he hung up the phone. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh my god, we\u2019re meeting with him now?\u201d Blair said looking at his watch. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a very busy man and was impressed with our story and wants to see us at 3:00. So of course, I said yes. What was I going to say, no?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, Jim we don\u2019t want to rush into this do we?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, but at the same time, we only have three weeks to plan this. It\u2019s got to be perfect. We want Drew to feel as loved and blessed as the other two. It\u2019s hard being the middle child, I\u2019ve heard. Drew puts up with a lot of crap from both Max and Sam. We\u2019re going to be inviting my dad and his family and your mom. So we need to prepare for it,\u201d Jim ranted. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, who is telling Simon that we\u2019re taking off at 3:00 to see a chef?\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cI will, he\u2019ll agree with me when I tell him why.\u201d Jim got up and walked to the office and knocked on the door. <\/p>\n
Blair was glad he didn\u2019t have Sentinel hearing so that he didn\u2019t have to hear Simon whining about them taking off early to see something as goofy as a chef. They seemed to be doing all right, Jim wasn\u2019t getting pissed off and leaving Simon\u2019s office, so things were looking good. <\/p>\n
Jim came walking out of Simon\u2019s office and said, \u201cWe\u2019re off. It\u2019s going to take 30 minutes to get there. We can\u2019t be late. Time is money, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair couldn\u2019t believe how easily it was for Jim to talk Simon into this. \u201cWow, I\u2019m impressed. I thought we would have to sign over our first grandchild or something.\u201d<\/p>\n
They walked down the stairs to the garage and Jim laughed as they walked. \u201cNo, I just had to promise to work two Saturday\u2019s for him. He\u2019s got plans on two of them and asked if we could make a deal. As long as it wasn\u2019t the date of Drew\u2019s birthday, I didn\u2019t care. I knew you wouldn\u2019t care either.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right, this is more important then two Saturdays work. Thank you, babe. Drew will be pleased when he finds out why you\u2019re working both of the days,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
They drove downtown to Saccony\u2019s and parked in the empty parking lot and got out. The front door was locked, so Jim knocked on the door and waited patiently. They were ten minutes early, so they knew they weren\u2019t going to be pissing anyone off that day. <\/p>\n
A lovely looking woman opened the door and said, \u201cDetective Ellison?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, ma\u2019am. Are you the lady I talked to today on the phone?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cI am. Samuel is my husband and he thinks it\u2019s fantastic that you\u2019re willing to spend so much time, effort and money on your child\u2019s birthday, all because he wants to be a chef. So follow me and we\u2019ll meet Samuel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair pinched Jim for not introducing him and Jim said, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, this is my partner Blair Sandburg, this is our son we\u2019re talking about.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy name is Rosa and it\u2019s very nice to meet both of you. Now follow me.\u201d She locked the front door again and they followed her into the main dining room. It looked much different empty. It was huge. She said, \u201cSit down here and I\u2019ll let Samuel know you are here to see him. He\u2019ll be so pleased that you\u2019re on time. He despises those that don\u2019t think his time is as valuable as theirs. Sit, sit. I will bring some wine?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, ma\u2019am. We\u2019re driving. So we\u2019ll just talk to him. A glass of water for both of us would be great,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI will be right back, relax, you both look so nervous. My Samuel is very easy to talk to. You\u2019re going to like him a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim and Blair smiled as she walked into the kitchen and they heard pots and pans clanging and just wonderful kitchen noises that you love to hear when you\u2019re not the cook. <\/p>\n
A large man came out of the kitchen wearing a huge smile on his handsome face. He walked up to the table and held his hand out and said, \u201cYou must be Jim and you must be Blair. I\u2019m Samuel and I hear you want to do something special for your son. You have come to the right place. I have a proposition for you if you are willing to put your son in my hands for the evening.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim smiled. \u201cI think I would trust you with all three of our children.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood, good. Trust is indeed a good thing. Now Blair, how do you feel about it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean in your hands?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI thought it would be good if I came to the table and introduced myself and asked Drew if he would like to go in the kitchen with me and work the evening shift. It would be very difficult. I am not an easy man to be around. I am very choosy about who is in my kitchen, so I need to see a picture of him first. I will be able to tell by looking at him, if this will work. Some children have a look about them that puts me off right away. <\/p>\n
Blair pulled his billfold out and showed him the picture of Drew. Samuel patted Blair\u2019s cheek and said, \u201cYou must be very proud of him. He walks a hard road in life. Chefs are not that popular growing up. But he seems to look like a happy and healthy boy. I will do this, if you agree that he will be under my wing for the four hours he is here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFour hours?\u201d Jim asked, somewhat shocked. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt will take us four hours to prepare all of the meals for the evening. Then I will teach him to display the food so that it looks perfect. It will be four hours. And for this, I ask that your party be at least six people and they are willing to stay for four hours and we suggest you bring no one under the age of 12. It\u2019s important that it happens this way. What do you think about this?\u201d Samuel asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe has a little sister who is five. He wouldn\u2019t feel right about celebrating without her there to help. I guess it wasn\u2019t meant to be,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cYoung man, do you give up this easily for everything in life? I did not think so. Now bring the five year old, but also bring something for her to do. She will be bored. You won\u2019t be because I will be bringing food to your table the entire night. It will be served to you by myself and Drew. He will be Mr. Drew for the evening.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair sat back and smiled at this man that had such a way with him that Blair was in love with the second man in his life. Okay, not really but Blair did love the man. Not in love. <\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cNow could we talk about the money part of it? I need to know how much to take out of savings.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, you do not listen well do you? I said, what I ask if a party of six to sit here for four hours while he works in the kitchen. That is what I ask. My meals are very expensive, as you must know already. So a party of six will be quite high. There will be wine served, so I suggest you do not drive. Take a cab for once. Now when do we want to do this? I am going to keep my reservation list down to the minimum on that night. I do not want to overwork him and make him give up. But I also want him to see that it is a busy, hard, hectic and challenging life. I also want him to see the love that one feels for the clients and the food itself. He is going to be in good hands. Now what night will we do this?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim stopped him and said, \u201cI refuse to let you do this for that price alone. We either talk a set amount, or we won\u2019t do it. Your time, your effort and your kindness must be paid for.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow does $500.00 sound for the evening?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim smiled and said, \u201cThat is fantastic. I can\u2019t thank you enough for seeing us today and agreeing to do this. You have no idea what this will mean to him. He loves the idea of being a chef. Now he\u2019ll actually get the true feeling of being one. This will be the best birthday he\u2019s ever had.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are adopted, no?\u201d Samuel asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, they started out being our foster children and they realized they didn\u2019t mind us being gay. We knew right then that they would have to be ours,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou are good men, both of you. Stubborn, but good. Now are we going to choose a date or not?\u201d Samuel teased. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair got their date books out and so did Samuel. They worked it out so that it would be on the night of his birthday, which was a Saturday night. Jim gave him his card if he needed to get a hold of him and Samuel said, \u201cI do not need to get a hold of someone that cares this much about their child. You will be here and so will I. This will be the best birthday he will ever have. I will give him the clothing to wear that night. So it doesn\u2019t matter what he wears to come here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair got up and shook his hand and said, \u201cThank you for your kindness.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for giving this boy such a wonderful home. He is lucky and so are you both.\u201d Samuel smiled as he shook hands with Jim next and walked them to the door. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh Jim, I ask one more thing. When you come, you could bring a dozen roses for my wife. She would love to have them for the table you see as you come in the restaurant. We will see you soon,\u201d Samuel said as he pushed them out the door and locked it behind them. <\/p>\n
\u201cWow, was that the most wonderful thing that has ever happened in our life?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019ve met anyone like him, ever.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI loved his accent. It was so charming, wasn\u2019t it?\u201d Blair smiled as they got into the SUV. <\/p>\n
\u201cI loved everything about him. I mean it. I loved him,\u201d Jim admitted to Blair and Blair laughed. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere was one moment in the room when I thought, I love him. He was warm and kind, but yet you could tell he meant business. He\u2019s going to be good to Drew. I can tell,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cNow we have to set it up so that we can have six people at the table. Let\u2019s see, there will be dad, Sarah, Mark, Mike, Mary, Naomi, Max, Sam, you and me. I think that\u2019s enough. I\u2019ll call dad as soon as we get home from upstairs in the office. You can call your mom from up there too. It\u2019s not a surprise, we\u2019ll tell him that he\u2019s going there and that it was our first date restaurant and it means a lot to us. He\u2019ll never know what hit him,\u201d Jim said smiling. <\/p>\n
\u201cShould we invite Seth, Sam and Denise Barrow\u2019s too?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, that\u2019s a good idea. We need to count these people up and call Samuel and tell him how many there will be. He needs to plan ahead. God, this is going to be so good,\u201d Jim said happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, and no one will tease him about being the chef for a night, right? I mean, Seth and Sam understand how much it means to him, right?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cBabe, I\u2019m not sure. Let\u2019s leave them out. Instead we\u2019ll just have the eleven of us. Ten once Drew goes into the kitchen. I think we need to get him a gift to open at home, so he won\u2019t have a clue,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t believe he\u2019s been with us a year now. This has been a good year. Thank you for helping me give him the best day he\u2019ll ever have,\u201d Blair said sweetly. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut what about a gift? Do you think we could give him the cooking class for his birthday present?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh, good idea. He would love that. Do you think we should ask Samuel about the classes? Ask him if they are the best ones or not?\u201d Blair wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a very good idea. Call him when we get home and ask him. Maybe he\u2019ll have time to talk for a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
When they arrived at home, Blair couldn\u2019t believe how many things they needed to do. And cooking dinner wasn\u2019t one of them. <\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cDrew, your dad and I have to make some plans for your birthday dinner, so could you and Max start dinner tonight. I have stir fry out.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, where are we going for my birthday dinner?\u201d Drew asked happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cOnly the best Italian restaurant in town. It\u2019s called, Saccony\u2019s and it\u2019s everything you would ever dream of in a fancy restaurant. I hope you don\u2019t mind that we chose it for you. Your dad and I went on our first date there, so it has a special meaning for us too,\u201d Blair explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve heard how good it is. Some of the kids at school have been there. They told me it rocks. So yes, that\u2019s fine with me. Thank you, pop.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd thank you for making dinner while we make the arrangements,\u201d Blair said as he started into the bedroom to check on Sam first. <\/p>\n
\u201cHi pumpkin, how are you doing?\u201d Blair asked as he sat down on her bed. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m good. I\u2019m doing homework, so I can\u2019t talk. Max said that if I do all of my homework, I can play Wii with him tonight,\u201d Sam said happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cGood enough. I\u2019ll be upstairs if you need me, Sam.\u201d Blair walked out and started up the stairs to join Jim in the quest for the perfect party. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Blair had called Samuel and Samuel told him a place that had cooking classes on weekends alone that was twice the school that the other one was. He explained that it was twice as expensive, but Blair hadn\u2019t cared about that. So Blair called and got the dates of the starting classes and paid with his Visa. That part of the party was finished. They sent him a special delivery card at work to give to Drew on his birthday. Blair already had it filled out and everything. Jim just needed to sign it. Then that part of the gift was done. <\/p>\n
Blair reminded Jim that he needed to send a dozen roses to Rosa for doing this and get the extra money out of savings for the gift and the dinner for everyone. Jim planned on paying for the entire thing. Everything was set. Now they just needed the day to get there and the birthday boy. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
On the night of his birthday everyone was there. Naomi gave him a savings bond for his college years and he was thrilled. It was his first one. Then William gave him $500.00 just like he had Max and Drew was very impressed. Then Sam gave him two Wii games that he had asked for and he was very pleased with those. He hugged everyone and thought that was it. Jim said, \u201cWhat? You don\u2019t think we got you anything?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cDad, I figured you and pop were paying enough for this restaurant. I heard at school that it\u2019s very fancy and expensive. So no, I wasn\u2019t expecting anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair handed him the envelope and he opened and didn\u2019t say anything at first. Then he teared up and gave Jim and Blair both a hug. \u201cI wanted this class so bad, but I knew we couldn\u2019t afford it. So I didn\u2019t even bother telling you all about it. Thank you, thank you, thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drew then showed everyone his admittance form to one of the best cooking school in Cascade. They were all happy for him. Everyone knew how much Drew loved cooking. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
They arrived at the restaurant just at the right time and came by cab as promised, so they could have wine. When they walked in, Rosa hugged Jim and Blair and thanked them for the roses. Drew and Max just looked a little lost over why their dad would be sending roses to this woman. Then they were seated and didn\u2019t think about it anymore. <\/p>\n
\u201cWow, this place is huge and nice. I can\u2019t believe we\u2019re here,\u201d Drew confessed. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair just smiled because the best was yet to come. Samuel came walking up to the table and said, \u201cIs there a Drew Sandburg-Ellison here tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n
Drew raised his hand and said, \u201cI\u2019m Drew.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCome with me, please,\u201d Samuel said. <\/p>\n
Drew looked at Jim and Blair and Jim said, \u201cGo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drew followed the man into the kitchen and Jim and Blair explained to everyone at the table what was going on. Naomi said, \u201cWhat a wonderful gift. I bet Blair helped think of it, didn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair smiled and said, \u201cBelieve me it took both of us to come with this plan. We hope it works out and that Samuel isn\u2019t too tough on him. The waiter came up to the table and took their orders and that included the wine orders. Jim wanted this to be perfect, so he ordered the best wine of the house. <\/p>\n
When the waiter came back, he brought all of their drinks and poured wine for everyone that was old enough. <\/p>\n
The next thing that came to the table was salad\u2019s and they were brought out by Samuel and Drew. Drew had on a white chef uniform and looked the part. He even had the hat on his head. All of his hair was up in the hat, so he looked quite different to everyone. Drew asked if they wanted fresh parmesan or mozzarella on their salads. Drew was so grown up, he did everything just as a waiter would. Then he bowed when he left the table and walked back into the kitchen. <\/p>\n
Samuel whispered, \u201cYou have a chef on your hands. He\u2019s perfection already.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim and Blair beamed with happiness and so did the grandparents. <\/p>\n
The night flew by for being four hours long. The entertainment was very nice. They came and played the violin and viola at each table during the evening. Even Sam got into that. So did Mary. <\/p>\n
When Samuel brought Drew back out to them in his normal clothing, Drew looked disappointed. <\/p>\n
\u201cI wondered if you would allow Drew to come here once a month and train with me? Samuel asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cOf course we would. This is an excellent idea.\u201d Blair was thrilled. <\/p>\n
Samuel said, \u201cIt will go against his hours he needs to earn for schooling. He\u2019s going to be so far ahead of everyone else, it will not be believable. He is a fantastic cook and a very quick learner. Like I said, you have a chef on your hands.\u201d Samuel hugged Drew and walked off. <\/p>\n
\u201cDad and pop, this was the best birthday I\u2019ve ever had in my life. I never want one that will top it. This will be my favorite, forever. Thank you and I love you both.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim and Blair got up and hugged him and told him how proud they were of him. Then everyone called for the cabs and waited outside while Jim paid the bill. William actually let him do it. Jim was shocked and pleased. <\/p>\n
When Jim saw the bill he about died. But it was worth it. He put it on his visa card and then he gave a $500. tip to the waiter and to Samuel. Rosa kissed his cheek when he left and told him not to be a stranger. Jim had a feeling they would be coming here more and more. <\/p>\n
Everyone said goodbye to each other when the cabs arrived. Then Jim, Blair, Drew, Max and Sam all got in one and went home. <\/p>\n
Drew leaned against Jim and fell asleep ten minutes into the ride. Jim and Blair both smiled and knew they had done well. <\/p>\n
Happy Birthday, Drew. <\/p>\n
The end <\/p>\n
Family Life Part 83
\nSilly Love Songs
\nBy Patt and \u2018Paul McCartney\u2019 <\/p>\n
Word Count: 2,214 not including the recipes and song lyrics. <\/p>\n
Summary: Blair over hears Jim singing a silly love song and is a goner. Jim knows how to woo Blair even when he\u2019s not trying. <\/p>\n
Note: I couldn\u2019t help but put Paul McCartney\u2019s name on this story. I adore him and his music. I sing his songs all the time. I figure Jim does too. So here goes. \uf04a <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Blair was in the hallway digging his key out of his pocket and could hear the music blaring and Jim singing as he stood there. No wonder Jim wasn\u2019t opening the door for him, he was probably on his way to being deaf. Then Blair decided to listen to Jim. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou’d think that people would have had enough of silly love songs.
\nBut I look around me and I see it isn’t so.
\nSome people wanna fill the world with silly love songs.
\nAnd what’s wrong with that?
\nI’d like to know, ’cause here I go again\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair smiled as he listened because only Jim would be singing a Beatles tune announcing to the world that he loved Blair. <\/p>\n
\u201cI love you
\nI love you
\nI love you
\nI love you\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. He never got tired of hearing his lover sing. His voice was so wonderful. But he was going to have to tease him about singing this particular song. It just didn\u2019t remind Blair of Jim at all. But Blair realized he didn\u2019t know everything he wanted to know about Jim. He was a closet Beatle fan? Who knew?<\/p>\n
\u201cI can’t explain the feeling’s plain to me, now can’t you see?
\n(I love you)
\nAh, she gave me more, she gave it all to me, now can’t you see,
\n(I love you)
\nWhat’s wrong with that?
\nI need to know, ’cause here I go again\u201d<\/p>\n
Okay, Blair knew he had to go in and see his lover singing this song to his face. He opened the door and walked quietly in and locked up. He was hoping to get lucky before the kids got home. <\/p>\n
Jim turned around and saw Blair, blushed and stopped singing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you doing? I loved how you were singing this song to me. I want to see your face while you do it,\u201d Blair ordered. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not singing it now, I was just singing while I was doing the dishes. I was thinking about you and this morning and it got me in the mood for Paul McCartney. I take it it\u2019s not your cup of tea,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I\u2019m not a huge Paul McCartney fan, but if you sang me all of the songs, I might become one. I never realized how heartfelt that song is until I just heard you singing it for me. It made you think about this morning, huh?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cI was thinking about this morning, ten minutes afterwards. You\u2019re very good at what you do, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy thank you. I do my best,\u201d Blair joked. <\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t joke around Chief. You were doing your best and it was \u2018the best\u2019 I\u2019ve ever had. You just keep getting better at things and sometimes I feel like I\u2019m going to be left behind. Don\u2019t look at me like that. I\u2019m not nuts, I really do think that I\u2019m sometimes a little too vanilla for you. You try anything and everything and I just go along for the ride. I wish that I was more like you,\u201d Jim confessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cWow, that\u2019s quite a mouthful, Mr. Ellison. I do love your vanilla butt so much, it\u2019s not even funny. Well, of course it\u2019s not funny. But you keep up with me just fine. Have I ever mentioned how much I love the way you suck cock? I think you\u2019re the best in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim threw his head back and laughed. \u201cAnd you\u2019re comparing it to whom?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cAnyone. I would put you up against anyone in the world and I bet they would all agree with me that you\u2019re the best. I think it has something to do with your senses. You know exactly what to do and when to do it. Haven\u2019t you ever noticed how fast I come when you blow me?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, but I thought I come just as fast, don\u2019t I?\u201d <\/p>\n
It was Blair\u2019s turn to throw back his head and laugh. \u201cI couldn\u2019t compete. Let\u2019s just say that and drop it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim was very pleased to be ahead in sex in any way. This made him feel like the king of the world. He glanced at Blair and said, \u201cWe\u2019ve got time, how would you like me to blow you right now?\u201d Jim wiggled his eyebrows and smiled. <\/p>\n
\u201cOnly if you\u2019ll promise me one thing,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cI want you to finish singing that song to me. Just to me, to my face. Would you do that?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim shoved Blair up the stairs and said, \u201cGet naked, I\u2019m putting the music on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair rushed upstairs and took his clothing off and heard the CD player change and then change back again. He heard Jim clicking some buttons and then he heard Jim coming up the stairs. <\/p>\n
The song started, Jim started singing all of the words with the music, but he was also doing a strip tease to it too. He looked good enough to eat. Blair licked his lips and lay back to enjoy the show. <\/p>\n
Jim stripped very slowly so that he would have time to sing the entire song. Every time he got to the \u2018I love you part\u2019, he would point to himself and then Blair and back again. Blair thought it was the sexiest thing he had ever seen Jim do in his life. <\/p>\n
Before long the song was done and Jim was standing there totally naked and ready for action. <\/p>\n
Blair smiled and said, \u201cBlow me, big boy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim went between Blair\u2019s legs and began his job. It was a dirty job, but Jim knew he had to do it. He almost laughed but decided this wouldn\u2019t be a good time to laugh at anything. <\/p>\n
He sucked, licked, bit and chewed Blair for about five minutes and Blair howled Jim\u2019s name for everyone to hear as he shot his warm come down Jim\u2019s inviting throat. <\/p>\n
Jim got up and licked his lips and said, \u201cJust the way I like it. Fast and mighty.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNow fuck me, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim couldn\u2019t turn his lover down for anything. He was actually so glad that Blair wanted him all the time that he jumped on any chance to fuck him. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
When Jim woke up an hour later, he could hear Max, Drew and Samantha talking to Blair downstairs. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s dad doing?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s sleeping,\u201d Blair answered truthfully. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo you want me to go and wake daddy up?\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I don\u2019t want you to go and wake him up. He\u2019ll get up on his own and come down stairs. Don\u2019t worry about him, okay?\u201d Blair said softly. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay\u2026 Can you help me with homework? I have a lot tonight.\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cBoys, do you have a lot of homework too?\u201d Blair wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, we don\u2019t have any. How about we start dinner tonight?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cDrew that would be wonderful. There is beef in the fridge and you can make a nice beef stew or something,\u201d Blair suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got all the makings for something new. I\u2019ll surprise you. Max, you go ahead and help Sam with her homework. Pop, you go get dad up before he sleeps too long and can\u2019t sleep tonight. I\u2019m going to be busy in the kitchen,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re going to be a perfect chef, you\u2019ve bossy already,\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n
They all laughed, because it was the truth. Even Drew knew that. <\/p>\n
Max sat down at the dining room table with Sam and they began to start her homework. Blair walked up the stairs to see his lover already dressed and getting ready to go downstairs. <\/p>\n
Blair went over and kissed his man and said, \u201cNever tell me you\u2019re vanilla again. Do you understand? You are so good at fucking me, that I sometimes forget whose name to call out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim laughed. \u201cYou always know what to say to me to make me feel like a million bucks.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell I have to do it with words, because I sure can\u2019t sing it like you do. Let\u2019s go downstairs and I\u2019ll see if Drew needs any help.\u201d <\/p>\n
The two men walked down the stairs holding hands and Sam laughed. \u201cLook at daddy and poppy, they\u2019re holding hands. They\u2019re so cute.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, they are,\u201d Max agreed. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to see if Drew needs any help,\u201d Blair said as he started into the kitchen. <\/p>\n
He was met by Drew in the doorway and said, \u201cNope, I don\u2019t need any help. I just need three hours to prepare it. Dinner will be ready at 6:30. I\u2019m making a dessert too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cMaybe we\u2019ll do something wild and crazy like watch the news or something.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim smiled. \u201cThat sounds good to me. Max, are you sure you have this?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGee, dad, I think I can handle a kindergartner\u2019s homework,\u201d Max said laughing. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I was just checking to see if you wanted one of us to take over,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cNope, I have nothing better to do and when she\u2019s all done, we\u2019re going to play some Guitar Hero upstairs, aren\u2019t we Sam?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Max told me if I did a good job, we could play upstairs. I\u2019m doing a very good job,\u201d Sam said with smile on her face. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair sat down in the living room and turned on the news. They realized that CNN was about the only news on at that time. That was until Max yelled out, \u201cTry the Fox network, they have news all day long.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim looked on the guide and sure enough, there was a Fox News Network. So they settled in for watching some of the world news and listening to the kids talk and cook. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Jim looked around, Max was gone and so was Sam, so he figured it was safe to make out with his hubby on the sofa. He leaned in and started to kiss him. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh no you don\u2019t. We can\u2019t take care of any business after that, so just stop right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim looked totally bummed and put his arms across his chest and pouted. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, you can pout all you want. We\u2019re not making out right now. There is a time and place for everything and right now isn\u2019t one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, right now, I\u2019m too busy to pout because I just got a wiff of something Drew is baking in the over for dessert. It smells wonderful. Can we at least ask him what it is?\u201d Jim wondered. <\/p>\n
Blair called out, \u201cDrew, what are you baking in the oven?\u201d<\/p>\n
He came to the dining room and said, \u201cIt\u2019s a Caramel German Chocolate Cake. I made it at school the other day and I got the ingredients the last time we were at the store so I could make it for you guys. It\u2019s really good.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt smells really good, \u201cJim said licking his lips. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not getting any until after dinner,\u201d Drew teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are we having for dinner, anyhow?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, if you must know, it\u2019s German Goulash Soup. We also made this in class the other day and it was really good. I figured you would all like it. We have oyster crackers to use with it and everything. So we\u2019re set. Are you getting hungry already?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cYour pop doesn\u2019t let me eat during the day, so I\u2019m starving,\u201d Jim answered with a laugh as Blair tickled him. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe knows better then that. He ate something at 1:00, so he\u2019ll be all set for dinner. Don\u2019t you worry, Drew, we\u2019re going to love it.\u201d Blair went back to watching the news and Drew went back into the kitchen. <\/p>\n
Jim watched his son with pride. He was such a good kid. He never crossed them. Okay, so he went crazy once and drank just because and almost got into some trouble, but other then that, he was a perfect kid. Jim loved his baking and cooking skills and knew that Blair did too. <\/p>\n
Blair looked at Jim and said, \u201cAre you thinking what good kids we have?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a matter of fact I was.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re really lucky, Jim. Not everyone is as blessed as we are. I can\u2019t believe that someday these kids will be gone. That makes me sad.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWant me to sing a silly love song to you?\u201d Jim said hoping to bring the smile back to Blair\u2019s face. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, you nut. That would just get my motor running. Don\u2019t you know that by now?\u201d Blair joked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI love you, Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I love you, Jim. Thank you for giving me a great life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBack at ya, buddy. I would be alone without your help,\u201d Jim confessed. <\/p>\n
They snuggled on the sofa and watched mind numbing commercials and smiled through it all as they listened to Max and Sam playing Guitar Hero and smelling the wonderful smells from the kitchen from Drew. <\/p>\n
Life was most excellent. <\/p>\n
The end<\/p>\n
GERMAN GOULASH SOUP<\/p>\n
2 lbs. beef, cut in 1\/2 inch cubes
\n2 cloves garlic
\n1 green bell pepper, chopped
\n3 oz. tomato paste
\n1 tbsp. caraway seed
\nBeef bouillon
\nSalt and pepper (to taste)
\n1\/4 to 1\/2 c. sour cream
\n2 med. onions, chopped
\n1 red bell pepper, chopped
\n3 lg. potatoes, chopped
\n3 tbsp. paprika
\n3 cans beef broth (may need more)
\n1\/4 c. flour<\/p>\n
Brown onion until transparent. Add beef and brown on all sides. Add garlic, tomato paste and spices. Add broth and simmer 1 to 2 hours. Add peppers and potatoes and simmer 1 more hour. Add sour cream. <\/p>\n
Make a paste of flour and broth from soup and dilute slowly to prevent lumps. Add back to soup. Simmer to thicken and let the flavors blend, about 15 to 30 minutes. Makes 6 to 7 quarts.<\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
CARAMEL GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE DESSERT<\/p>\n
German chocolate cake mix
\n30 Kraft Caramels
\n1 stick butter
\n1 tbsp. milk
\n3\/4 c. chocolate chips
\n1 c. nuts<\/p>\n
Mix cake mix as directed. Put 1\/2 batter in 9″x13″ pan and bake 20 minutes or until done at 350 degrees. Melt caramels with butter and milk. Pour over baked mixture with chocolate chips and nuts. Pour rest of batter over and bake 20 more minutes or until done. Serve with whipped cream.<\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Silly Love Songs
\nBy Paul McCartney<\/p>\n
You’d think that people would have had enough of silly love songs.
\nBut I look around me and I see it isn’t so.
\nSome people wanna fill the world with silly love songs.
\nAnd what’s wrong with that?
\nI’d like to know, ’cause here I go again<\/p>\n
I love you
\nI love you
\nI love you
\nI love you<\/p>\n
I can’t explain the feeling’s plain to me, now can’t you see?
\n(I love you)
\nAh, she gave me more, she gave it all to me, now can’t you see,
\n(I love you)
\nWhat’s wrong with that?
\nI need to know, ’cause here I go again<\/p>\n
I love you
\nI love you<\/p>\n
Love doesn’t come in a minute,
\nSometimes it doesn’t come at all
\nI only know that when I’m in it
\nIt isn’t silly, love isn’t silly, love isn’t silly at all.<\/p>\n
How can I tell you about my loved one?
\nHow can I tell you about my loved one?<\/p>\n
How can I tell you about my loved one?
\n(I love you)
\nHow can I tell you about my loved one?
\n(I love you)<\/p>\n
I love you
\nI love you
\nI love you<\/p>\n
You’d think that people would have had enough of silly love songs.
\nBut I look around me and I see it isn’t so. Oh, no
\nSome people wanna fill the world with silly love songs.
\nAnd what’s wrong with that?<\/p>\n
Family Life Part 84
\nA Precious Jewel
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 2,926<\/p>\n
Summary: Someone is about to have her baby and life will never be the same. <\/p>\n
Notes: One of my best readers pointed out the fact that Connor still hasn\u2019t had her baby yet. DUH. I forgot. Thank you, Kittykat. So without further ado, here you go. \uf04a <\/p>\n
Jim was at work, the kids were all at school and Blair had just gotten home from teaching his classes. Jim was going to be joining him at noon. Blair was looking forward to just reading a good book he had picked up on anthropology and wanted to just relax. <\/p>\n
He hadn\u2019t sat there but ten minutes and there was a pounding on the door. Blair flung the door open to a sobbing Connor. <\/p>\n
\u201cMegan, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d Blair asked as he pulled her into the loft. <\/p>\n
\u201cI fell down a flight of stairs and my labor just started. It\u2019s too soon. I\u2019m only 7 \u00bd months. I need to be farther along,\u201d she sobbed out. <\/p>\n
\u201cHave you called the doctor?\u201d Blair asked frantically. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe said to get up to the hospital right away. But I didn\u2019t want to drive myself. Mason is working and I can\u2019t get a hold of him,\u201d Megan was beginning to calm a little bit. <\/p>\n
\u201cCome on, I\u2019ll drive you. I want you to call Jim and ask him to find Mason for you. Okay? Just do that right now while I drive,\u201d Blair ordered. <\/p>\n
So while Blair drove Megan to the hospital, she called Jim. <\/p>\n
\u201cEllison.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, it\u2019s me, Megan. I fell down a flight of stairs and my labor has started. It\u2019s too soon for the baby, but the doctor said for me and Mason to get to the hospital. I can\u2019t get a hold of him and I need him right now. Blair is driving me to Cascade General. But I need Mason.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Megan, I\u2019ll find Mason right away. You just stay calm and breathe like they taught you in those classes,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, thank you, Jim. I\u2019m going to go now so I don\u2019t cry in your ear,\u201d Megan said before she closed her cell. <\/p>\n
For the rest of the drive to the hospital, Blair just gave a soothing talk to Megan so that she could begin to relax. He was actually helping her until they got to the actual hospital. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Jim told Simon where he was going and like that he was gone to the fourth floor to look for Mason. <\/p>\n
Jim walked in and said, \u201cCould you tell me where to find Mason Miller?\u201d<\/p>\n
The idiot behind the first desk said, \u201cYou can\u2019t just barge into Vice and tell us what you want or need. You don\u2019t belong here, Ellison.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI need to find Mason Miller, it\u2019s a matter of life and death,\u201d Jim pleaded with the jerk. <\/p>\n
The man listened for a change and said, \u201cHe\u2019s in Captain Norris\u2019s office. Down the hall and first door to the left.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you,\u201d Jim said before he hurried down the hall to find Mason. <\/p>\n
Jim knocked on the door and Captain Norris opened it and said, \u201cWhat do you want, Ellison.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim found it amazing how they all knew who he was. But why did everyone hate him that much? \u201cSir, I was looking for Mason Miller. His wife fell down the stairs at home and she started labor and he needs to go to the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, it\u2019s just going to have to wait. He\u2019s got an undercover assignment that he was just assigned to. So if you don\u2019t mind,\u201d Captain Norris looked like he was going to shut the door on Jim\u2019s face when the door flew open and Mason said, \u201cCan you drive?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMiller, you can\u2019t leave. You have an assignment,\u201d Norris yelled after him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWatch me,\u201d Mason said as he hurried down the hall to the elevator with Jim. <\/p>\n
They got onto the elevator and Jim said, \u201cShe\u2019s fine, Mason, don\u2019t be freaking out on me. She\u2019s in labor, so they\u2019ll probably get that stopped and everything will be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat if the baby comes today? Can it make it at this age?\u201d Mason asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cMy brother was born just before the eight month and he\u2019s all right as you well know. So I would say not to worry. Keep Megan calm and things will be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
They got into Jim\u2019s SUV and drove to the hospital. Mason didn\u2019t say a word, he was praying. Jim could hear him now and then and thought it was one of the sweetest things he had ever heard. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Megan was in a bed wearing one of those beautiful hospital gowns when Blair was escorted back into the room. <\/p>\n
\u201cHow are things going?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m dilated, so we\u2019re having her today,\u201d Megan said sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cI just talked to Jim and he found Mason. They\u2019re on their way down now. So hold tight, he\u2019ll be here in a moment,\u201d Blair assured her. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so grateful that I have good friends like you and Jim. You just drop everything and help me. Thank you,\u201d Megan said almost crying. <\/p>\n
\u201cHey, you haven\u2019t said anything about a name yet. Do you have one chosen?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, it\u2019s going to be Jade Ellen. Both of our mother\u2019s names are Ellen, so that\u2019s why the Ellen for the middle name. Do you like it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI love the name Jade. She\u2019ll be our own little precious jewel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Megan smiled as another pain took over her body. At that moment, Mason walked in and went right to her side. He started rubbing her belly and talking soft soothing words to her and she was calming as Jim and Blair watched. <\/p>\n
The pain finally stopped and Jim said, \u201cWe\u2019re going to wait in the waiting room.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mason said, \u201cYou\u2019re more then welcome to stay if you\u2019d like to see a baby being born.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim smiled. \u201cWe\u2019ve both delivered babies in the line of duty, so we\u2019ve gotten enough of that, thanks anyhow.\u201d<\/p>\n
They walked out and went to the nearest waiting room. Jim listened and he could still hear Megan and the heartbeats, so he was content being right there. He told Blair he could hear them and Blair was instantly calmer. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
About an hour later, Jim looked over at Blair and said, \u201cThey\u2019re taking them into the delivery room. Everything seems to be going as planned. The baby\u2019s heart rate is good. The doctor doesn\u2019t seem upset or worried or anything. So I think they\u2019ll be just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t wait for this baby. Do you realize this will be a baby for all of us to help bring up? We can babysit and love her and be uncles. I love this idea,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did you say her name was again?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cJade Ellen. I like that name. Not only a cool first name, but the middle name is after both mom\u2019s. What more could you ask for, right?\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cI love the name Jade. That\u2019s a very nice name. I\u2019m sure it will fit the little terror that she will be,\u201d Jim teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cHow are they doing?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
Jim listened for a while and said, \u201cShe was just born. She\u2019s doing fine. Breathing well and screaming like crazy. They\u2019re weighing her now and she\u2019s 6 pounds even. The doctor said he would hate to think how large she would have been at full term. She\u2019s still crying and so is Megan. Megan\u2019s are happiness tears, but baby Jade is not happy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThese Sentinel senses are so cool. I would have missed out on all of that, until later on. Have I ever told you how much I admire you and your senses?\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
Jim hugged Blair because the entire room was empty now and he said, \u201cI love you too, you goofball.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBabies make me so emotional. I don\u2019t know why,\u201d Blair confessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re a new start. We get to watch her grow from the beginning. This is something we weren\u2019t able to do with our three. It\u2019ll be nice having a baby around. We\u2019ll get a portable crib for our room for when she\u2019s over and needs a nap.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair smiled at Jim. Somehow he knew that Jim would be onboard about this. He just wasn\u2019t surprised at Jim\u2019s attitude at all. Jim loved babies. Who would have thought?<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is going to be fun, right?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh yeah, and Samantha is going to feel like a big sister, so she\u2019ll love her too,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t take bets on how Sam feels just yet. She might be jealous of her, you just never know,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll watch and see how it goes and help her overcome jealousy if she has some. There is no reason to become jealous, it isn\u2019t like Jade is going to be ours,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut to a five year old, that probably won\u2019t matter. I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if the boys aren\u2019t a little jealous too. We\u2019ll have to wait and see,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy in the world would the boys be jealous of a newborn baby?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe they\u2019ll think we wish we had them from birth too. You never know how kids are going to act,\u201d Blair explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll play it by ear,\u201d Jim assured him. <\/p>\n
At that moment, Mason came walking into the waiting room and had a huge smile on his face. \u201cJade is 6 pounds and she\u2019s beautiful. Wait until you see her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim hugged Mason and then Blair did. Mason hung on to both of them for a little longer then usual. He was very moved by the birth of his first child. \u201cShe\u2019s so gorgeous, wait until the kids see her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow long is Megan going to have to stay here?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
Mason smiled. \u201cWe get to take Megan and Jade home tomorrow. We can\u2019t wait. Her little room is all done, we\u2019ve kept it a huge secret, but now we can show it off. Megan worked hard on making it look beautiful. It\u2019s perfect for our perfect baby.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim and Blair both smiled at Mason, knowing he was one proud daddy. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo how long before we can bring the kids over to see Megan, you and Jade?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cTomorrow is Saturday, so the kids are home. Bring them over in the morning. It\u2019s not like they\u2019re going to expect Megan to wait on them,\u201d Mason said with a huge smile, still planted on his face. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ll be dying to see Jade, that\u2019s for sure,\u201d Blair replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cI better get back to my wife and baby girl. See you tomorrow. Thanks for everything,\u201d Mason yelled over his shoulder as he was leaving. <\/p>\n
Blair thought of something and said, \u201cHey Mason?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mason turned and said, \u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you need us to call anyone for you?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cNope, she has a list made up. I\u2019m going to go pick it up at the house and we\u2019ll make all of the calls tonight. Thanks anyhow. See you tomorrow,\u201d Mason said as he went through the doors. <\/p>\n
Jim looked at his watch and saw that the kids would be home. \u201cLet\u2019s get home so we can tell the kiddo\u2019s about Jade.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood idea, babe. I can\u2019t wait to see her tomorrow. I\u2019d stay longer and see her through the glass, but I want to hold her when I see her,\u201d Blair admitted. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, me too,\u201d Jim agreed. <\/p>\n
They left the hospital in their separate cars and drove home. Jim called Mason once on the way and asked if he needed the SUV to get home. Mason laughed and said, \u201cOh shit, that\u2019s right, I have no car. Yeah, if I could use yours that would be perfect. I can pick ours up tomorrow afternoon or something.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim called Blair and said, \u201cCome back to the hospital, I have to leave my SUV for Mason. I drove him today.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh duh. Poor thing would have had to call us tonight. I\u2019ll be right behind ya,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n
Jim took his keys up to Connor and Mason and kissed Connor on the cheek and told her congratulations. Then he had to leave because Blair was outside waiting on him. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought today was pop and dad\u2019s day off?\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt is, something must have come up,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
\u201cCan I have a snack, Max?\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSure, let\u2019s see what we can find in the kitchen,\u201d Max said as he lead her into the pantry to pick something out. <\/p>\n
The door opened and Jim and Blair walked into the loft. \u201cHi, daddy. Hi, poppy, we were wondering where you were,\u201d Sam called out. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a surprise to tell you. Come in a sit around the table and we\u2019ll tell you the good news,\u201d Jim said happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, you don\u2019t look angry, so I guess we\u2019re safe, \u201cDrew admitted. <\/p>\n
They all sat down at the table and Blair said, \u201cGuess who had their baby this afternoon?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh my gosh, Megan had her baby,\u201d Max said joyfully. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did she have? She wouldn\u2019t tell us what she was having,\u201d Drew whined. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe had a baby girl, named Jade Ellen and she weighed six pounds. She\u2019s very small, but supposedly very beautiful. We get to go and see them all tomorrow morning after they get home from the hospital,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
Sam jumped up on Jim\u2019s lap and said, \u201cI\u2019m still going to be your baby though, right?\u201d <\/p>\n
Drew and Max both laughed, making Sam angry. \u201cWell, I am their baby. They tell me that all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim smiled. \u201cYou\u2019ll always be our baby, just like Max and Drew will be our baby boys. You\u2019re our children. Jade is Mason and Megan\u2019s baby girl. Not ours. We just get to hold her, feed her and play with her. The rest is up to Megan and Mason.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, good. I just wanted to be sure,\u201d Samantha said as she kissed her daddy\u2019s cheek. <\/p>\n
\u201cHow do you feel about the new baby, boys?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s cool. It\u2019ll be the first baby in the family, you know? We\u2019ve never been around anyone smaller then Sam. So this might be a lot of fun. Maybe they\u2019ll let me babysit sometimes,\u201d Max said thinking ahead. <\/p>\n
\u201cMax, you would have to change diapers,\u201d Drew told him. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo? It\u2019s not the end of the world, you know? I can\u2019t wait to meet her. Tomorrow is going to take forever to get here,\u201d Max said anxiously. <\/p>\n
Blair smiled at both of their sons. \u201cWhat do you say we all go shopping tonight for presents for Jade and Megan and Mason? They all deserve presents after the day they\u2019ve had.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYay, I love to go shopping,\u201d Sam shouted as she jumped off Jim\u2019s lap. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe can eat dinner out and then come back to the loft after shopping. Is that all right with you, Jim?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWorks for me, Blair. I\u2019d like to get some nice gifts for both of the parents. They had an extremely hard day, so they need something nice.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy did they have a hard day?\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n
Blair explained how Megan fell down the stairs and started her labor too soon. The baby was born prematurely but she was healthy and had good lungs. There was nothing to worry about and he made sure and made them all feel good about this birth. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
After dinner they went to Babies R Us and bought out the store. They got so many presents it wasn\u2019t even funny. Each of the boys picked out about ten gifts. Samantha picked out about 20. So Jim and Blair still had to pick out something special from just them. When they were done, they had spent 830 bucks. Jim\u2019s mouth fell open at the register. Blair pushed it shut and said, \u201cThis is a special day, Jim. It could have been so much worse.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim nodded, paid the bill and they walked out and put everything in the back of the SUV. They had bought gift bags, wrapping paper, scotch tape and everything they would need to make these presents shine. <\/p>\n
Blair got into the SUV and said, \u201cNow we\u2019re going to Victoria\u2019s Secret, because they have beautiful robes and gowns for Megan to wear. We\u2019ll see if there are some lounging things for Mason at the same time. But I think we\u2019re going to have to go to a man\u2019s store for that.\u201d<\/p>\n
So shopping they did. They found four robes and gown sets from all of them for Megan. Then they found a nice robe, slippers and lounging pants and shirt for Mason. Jim thought that was enough for Mason. After all, he didn\u2019t do the hard part. Blair laughed about that. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
When they got home they wrapped and bagged everything until the table was full of presents. Jim looked it over and realized they may have overdone it a little bit. But he didn\u2019t care. They were good friends and they deserved special treatment. <\/p>\n
Once they were done, everyone got ready for bed so they could get up and go and see Jade first thing when Megan got home. <\/p>\n
The kids were very excited and had a hard time settling down. Jim and Blair relaxed about how they were going to handle the baby, because they were all thrilled. Things would work out just fine. <\/p>\n
Now poor Megan and Mason just had to find room for all of this baby stuff. <\/p>\n
The end<\/p>\n
Family Life Part 85
\nProud Mummy
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 3,747<\/p>\n
Summary: How happy will Megan and Mason be to show off their precious jewel, Jade? Really happy, I would guess. But there are some problems ahead. <\/p>\n
Notes: I wanted to pick up where I left off with Captain Norris being a shit-head to Mason when he needed to be with Megan at the hospital. Captain Norris is going to make some problems for Mason, but Simon will help out as usual and come to the rescue. That man needs a cape. \uf04a <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Mason helped Megan get inside the loft with great care. She was pretty sore. Mason was carrying Jade in her car seat and once they were inside, Mason felt like he could breathe right again. He was so glad to get out of the hospital, it wasn\u2019t even funny. His wife looked gorgeous for just giving birth to their baby girl. And speaking of the little girl, she was precious. He walked into the nursery and smiled at all of the hard work that Megan had done to make the room perfect. He had went last night to Kinko\u2019s and got a picture of Jade blown up for the wall. They had a pink frame and he put the picture inside it and put it up before he went to pick them up that morning. The room was darling. <\/p>\n
[[[jadesroom.jpg]]]<\/p>\n
Mason put the car seat in the crib and just left Jade in it for the time being. She looked very comfortable and didn\u2019t want to upset her by moving her. Besides he thought that Megan could use a little nap. <\/p>\n
He walked out into the living room and said, \u201cCome on, you\u2019re going to have a quick nap before everyone starts coming over to see you and Jade. Come on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Megan followed her husband, because honestly she was exhausted. She had to wake up and feed Jade about six times during the night. The doctor said she wasn\u2019t breast feeding well and that they might have to pump her breasts and use a bottle. Megan was very depressed over that. She had looked so forward to breastfeeding, because everyone said how you connect with your child. It\u2019s the ultimate bonding experience. Now she was going to miss out on that. She got the breast pump out and began to pump her breast. That helped quite a bit. She had tons of milk. She filled up two bottles and Mason put them in the fridge. <\/p>\n
Mason helped her lie down on the bed and said, \u201cYou just take it easy, if Jade wakes up, can I feed her?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy not, I can\u2019t breast feed,\u201d Megan sounded totally defeated. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo you think I\u2019ll be less bonded with her because I don\u2019t have breasts?\u201d Mason asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cOf course not, you\u2019re her daddy. She\u2019ll always know that,\u201d Megan answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd she\u2019ll always know that you\u2019re her mummy. Stop worrying about the breast feeding and worry about how spoiled this darling is going to be when everyone starts coming over,\u201d Mason teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh don\u2019t you know it? I know that Jim and Blair have probably already went shopping. They\u2019re such over achievers,\u201d Megan joked back. <\/p>\n
\u201cNow rest up young lady. You have a lot to look forward to today,\u201d Mason ordered as he pulled the blanket up over Megan. She was asleep within minutes. Mason just smiled as he walked out of the room. <\/p>\n
Mason got downstairs and picked up the house so that everything looked in order in case someone came earlier then they had asked them to come. Then he went in to stare at his little angel. She was so beautiful. Mason was so pleased, he could hardly stand it. His parents were flying in to see her in two weeks and Mason was really looking forward to it. His mom was so pleased that they had used Ellen as the middle name. Everyone seemed to like the name they chose, so far. Mason was very happy and content. <\/p>\n
He walked into the kitchen to get a drink and his cell phone went off. He answered it hurriedly so it didn\u2019t wake Megan up and said, \u201cMiller.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDetective Miller, I expect you to be in my office first thing this morning. So get your ass in here,\u201d Captain Norris shouted over the phone line. <\/p>\n
\u201cSir, we just had a baby last night and I\u2019m not going anywhere. My wife needs me right now and I\u2019ll be in on Monday if she\u2019s doing all right,\u201d Mason countered. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t tell me when you\u2019re coming in, Miller. You\u2019ll be here this morning, or you won\u2019t have a job any longer,\u201d Captain Norris continued to shout. <\/p>\n
Mason did something he had only dreamed about doing and he closed his cell phone, disconnecting Captain Norris and himself. He felt like a weight was lifted. What an asshole. <\/p>\n
Mason dialed Simon\u2019s number and waited for him to answer, \u201cBanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSimon, this is Mason, I was wondering if you know of any job openings at the station. Anything would be better then Vice. I just got fired for not coming to work today. I can\u2019t leave Megan, she\u2019s too weak yet. That fall yesterday did her in and having a baby didn\u2019t help much. Captain Norris said I either show up this morning or I have no job anymore. So I need to find something and fast. I have a baby to take care of too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLet me put out the word and we\u2019ll see who calls me back. I\u2019ll call you later if I have news before we come to see Miss Jade.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Simon. You\u2019re the best,\u201d Mason said happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll see you later, son.\u201d Simon got off the phone and began making his phone calls as promised. <\/p>\n
Mason walked back into the baby\u2019s room and watched her sleep some more. He found he could do that for a long while if he needed to. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Simon called Joel and said, \u201cJoel, do you need any help in your department? Mason Miller just got fired for taking a day off for having a baby.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, I could use someone to work with me. He could be my lead detective in our department. Not that I\u2019d be his main boss, you would, but that sounds good to me. I was just telling everyone the other day that I needed some help with the cases I have,\u201d Joel admitted. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s hired. We\u2019ll tell him this afternoon when we go visit them to see little Jade,\u201d Simon said. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, we\u2019re going about 4:00. What time are you going?\u201d Joel asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was thinking about taking them lunch at noon. I would call and tell them first so they didn\u2019t eat before we got there. But Rafe and I can pick up sandwiches and drinks. I thought that would help Connor out a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood idea, boss. Then you can tell him that he can start on Monday if that\u2019s good for him,\u201d Joel said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWorks for me, Joel. Talk to you later,\u201d Simon said before he hung up the phone. He was glad that was all taken care of. Then he realized that Mason was probably worried about not having a job, so he called his cell phone number and heard Mason at once, \u201cMiller.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey Mason, just wanted to let you know that you need to be in Joel\u2019s office on Monday to fill out paperwork and we\u2019ll get you all squared away. You\u2019re going to be his new partner. You can have the same days off as Connor or you can take different ones to share baby duty when she comes back,\u201d Simon suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou have no idea how great this makes me feel. Thank you, Simon. You know all you need is a cape and you could be superman,\u201d Mason teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, yeah, yeah. The next thing you know, you\u2019d want me wearing tights to work. Not happening,\u201d Simon kidded back. \u201cOh before I forget, Rafe and I are bringing lunch at noon. So don\u2019t feed her, she can wait until we get there with sandwiches. Is that all right with you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat would be fine with me, Simon. Thank you so much for being so thoughtful.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSee you at noon. Tell Miss Jade I can\u2019t wait to meet her,\u201d Simon hung up his phone and smiled. <\/p>\n
Simon could remember how excited he was when Daryl was born. No one could have ruined that day for him. He was glad that he could help Mason out so that his day wasn\u2019t ruined. Simon decided he would go down to the station and put in for a transfer for Mason, first thing. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to wait until 2:00 to see Jade?\u201d Samantha asked unhappily. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Megan needs to rest a little while. She just had that baby, so she needs to sleep some and so does the baby,\u201d Blair explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cHow did they get that baby out?\u201d Sam wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll discuss that later. Not today,\u201d Jim said very quickly. Max and Drew both laughed out loud. <\/p>\n
\u201cKeep it up funny boys and I\u2019ll make you tell her where that baby came out of,\u201d Jim whispered to the boys. <\/p>\n
They both stopped laughing immediately. Five year olds were such a pain sometimes. <\/p>\n
They all had their presents sitting by the front door and ready to go. No one was excited at the Sandburg-Ellison household. <\/p>\n
Jim was in the kitchen when his cell went off. He answered, \u201cEllison.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, this is Mason. I wanted to tell you that I got fired today from Norris, but Simon got me a job with Joel. I\u2019m going to be Joel\u2019s new partner. Isn\u2019t that great? So I don\u2019t have to go to another station house. I was super excited and needed to tell someone. Megan\u2019s still sleeping and you can only tell so much to a sleeping baby.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim smiled. \u201cI\u2019m glad that it all worked out. Norris is an asshole. You\u2019ll be much happier in our department, I promise. Is Megan feeling all right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s tired as she should be. That was hard work getting that baby out in one piece. Plus it didn\u2019t help her falling down the flight of stairs yesterday. She\u2019s really sore from that. You should see how black and blue she is,\u201d Mason stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, we got her some lounging things to wear, should I bring them up now so she can wear them when everyone comes to visit?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat would be great. She would be so happy to have something in a smaller size. Her belly is already down quite a bit. So she\u2019ll be excited to wear something new. Bring it up,\u201d Mason said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be there in a moment,\u201d Jim said before he closed his cell phone. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhere will you be in a moment?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cConnor doesn\u2019t have anything new to wear for all of us, so I\u2019m taking her presents up now. That way she can shower and change into something nice before everyone gets there.\u201d Jim smiled, hoping that would make his case. <\/p>\n
\u201cGo ahead, but do it quietly, because if Sam finds out that you saw the baby before her, she\u2019s going to be upset,\u201d Blair reminded him. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, I\u2019ll be right back. Bye,\u201d Jim said softly before he walked out the front door carrying all of the packages for Megan and Mason. <\/p>\n
Sam came walking out and said, \u201cWhere\u2019s daddy?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cHe went for a small walk. He\u2019ll be back by two for when we\u2019re leaving,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, maybe I wanted to walk with him too?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSam, you don\u2019t always get what you want. So let\u2019s go in your room and play a game until he comes back,\u201d Blair suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh goody. Can we play Chutes and Ladders?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure,\u201d Blair answered not so happily. He hated this game. He thought it was stupid, but Sam loved it. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Jim knocked on the door quietly and Mason opened it just as quietly. \u201cYou know, I don\u2019t think we have to tip toe around, but I\u2019m trying to let her sleep some before the baby wakes up. She\u2019s been sleeping for over two hours now, so she might be rested. You want me to wake her up?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you, nuts? Let her sleep until she wants to get up. Now here are all the packages for you and Megan. Open them at your leisure, but I wanted her to have something new to wear. Blair picked out this gorgeous red lounge set and he said she would look hot in it,\u201d Jim said with a smile on his face. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think she cares about looking hot right now. That\u2019s the last thing on her mind. Do you want to see Jade?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI would love to, but I would never hear the end of it from Sam. She\u2019s dying to get here at two o\u2019clock. That\u2019s all she\u2019s talked about all day long. She\u2019s driving us nuts,\u201d Jim confessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh look, it just gives me something to look forward to,\u201d Mason teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cTalk to you at two. Take care of Megan and Jade for us,\u201d Jim said as he walked out the door. <\/p>\n
Megan walked down the stairs and said, \u201cWas that Jimbo?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe hates when you call him Jimbo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know, but I know he can still hear me, so I was trying to make his day,\u201d Megan teased. \u201cOh prezzies, who are they for?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me and you. From the Sandburg-Ellison\u2019s. They thought you might like this new red outfit to wear today when everyone comes over,\u201d Mason said. <\/p>\n
She started tearing into the packages and found the red one right off. \u201cOh I love it. I\u2019m going to wear it today. Let me jump in the shower, if Jade wakes up just keep her busy until I get out. Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mason was shocked at how much better she looked after that nap. She had been exhausted and needed that rest. \u201cDon\u2019t worry about Jade. I\u2019m keeping her busy. I\u2019m telling her stories about me and you and how we met.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh Mason, don\u2019t tell her those stories, she\u2019s know I\u2019m a slut,\u201d Megan said laughing. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut you are my slut, my dear,\u201d Mason said as he pulled her in for a kiss. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou do know that there is no sex for awhile, right?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, why? Why are you asking that? I can\u2019t hug my wife if I want to?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHug away, big man. I love you so much. Thank you for this lovely baby. She\u2019s so precious. Wait until she sleeps better. Then she\u2019ll really be cute,\u201d Megan said. <\/p>\n
\u201cGo and take your shower and put that red outfit on. I can\u2019t wait to see how you look in it,\u201d Mason admitted. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m still fat. The doctor said that will come off slowly, but in time,\u201d Megan said disgustedly. <\/p>\n
\u201cOnce you\u2019re up to it, we\u2019ll walk every night with the baby and everything will be fine, babe. Now go and enjoy your shower,\u201d Mason ordered. <\/p>\n
She glanced into the bedroom to see Jade first and saw the blown up picture on the wall in the frame and got tears in her eyes. \u201cMy god, when did you do this?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLast night in the middle of the night. Kinko\u2019s is open all night long on 22nd street. So I got it done and got the frame out that we had chosen already. It looks good doesn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n
She kissed him and walked into the bathroom. Mason knew she was very moved by it and had to go have a little cry by herself. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Rafe and Simon picked up lunch stuff and showed up at exactly noon. Simon knocked on the door and Megan answered in her new red lounging set. Simon was speechless. \u201cWow, you look terrific. You\u2019ve already lost a bunch of weight haven\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are such a nice man, Simon. Thank you. I have so much to lose it isn\u2019t even funny. But I don\u2019t mind because she\u2019s worth it. She\u2019s so cute. Come and see her,\u201d Megan led the way. Simon dropped all of the lunch stuff on the kitchen bar and walked into the nursery with everyone else. Mason was holding Jade and rocking her. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe just ate, so I was burping her and rocking her at the same time. She\u2019s quite the little eater, isn\u2019t she mummy\u201d?<\/p>\n
\u201cMummy?\u201d Simon asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what I called my mum, so that\u2019s what Jade is going to call me too. I hope people don\u2019t think it\u2019s too weird,\u201d Megan said. <\/p>\n
\u201cToo bad if they do,\u201d Rafe answered. <\/p>\n
Megan liked that answer. She smiled and lifted Jade up and gave her to Uncle Simon first. Simon held her for about ten minutes while they talked about Mason\u2019s new job and then it was Rafe\u2019s turn. He held her so sweetly that Megan was surprised. He never seemed like a baby person, but he was. Finally Mason said, \u201cHow about we lay her down in her crib so we can have some lunch?\u201d<\/p>\n
So Rafe lowered her into the crib and made sure she was on her side. \u201cThis is the way she should be laying, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think so. They keep changing their minds, because they don\u2019t know what causes crib death, so they try everything. We\u2019ll keep her like that and she\u2019ll be just fine, Rafe. Don\u2019t worry so much,\u201d Megan said as she led everyone out of the room. <\/p>\n
They all sat down at the table and Mason got everyone something to drink. Megan was starving, and ate like she hadn\u2019t seen food in a week. <\/p>\n
They knew it wouldn\u2019t be long and everyone else would be there to see little Jade. Simon and Rafe helped clean up the dining area and the kitchen and got the house ready for more guests. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s two, daddy, we get to go now,\u201d Sam shouted. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe aren\u2019t going to shout over at Auntie Megan\u2019s are we?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh no, I wouldn\u2019t want to scare baby Jade. She would cry and cry for her mummy,\u201d Sam replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cHer mummy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Auntie Megan said that Jade will call her mummy instead of mommy, because that\u2019s what they do in Australia. She wants her to call her mummy. Sort of like I call poppy, poppy.\u201d<\/p>\n
They all smiled as they grabbed the gifts and walked over to Megan and Mason\u2019s loft. They were so excited about seeing baby Jade, they could hardly stand it. And it wasn\u2019t just Sam. <\/p>\n
Blair whispered, \u201cSo is she darling?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t seen her yet, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou waited for us to see her too? You are the sweetest man I know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sam knocked on the door when they arrived and Megan opened it up and said, \u201cWhy if it isn\u2019t the Sandburg-Ellison\u2019s. Come on in.\u201d<\/p>\n
They all walked in trying to hold the presents in both hands at the same time. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh please, tell me these aren\u2019t all presents for Jade?\u201d Mason said rolling his eyes. <\/p>\n
There was a big pile of gifts on the sofa and Jim said, \u201cSomeone was already here?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, Rafe and Simon. They just left. They didn\u2019t want to tire Jade or Megan out. They brought lunch and left. It was a nice visit,\u201d Mason answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cI thought they had brought a lot of gifts, now I see that there are more from all of you,\u201d Megan said smiling. \u201cThank you, all of you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCan we see the baby now?\u201d Sam asked outright. \u201cI washed my hands before I came over so I could touch her cheek.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh that\u2019s nice, Sam. Thank you,\u201d Megan answered. <\/p>\n
Mason went into the bedroom and got Jade and brought her out. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh my gosh, look how tiny she is,\u201d Max said walking over and making faces at the baby who was now awake. <\/p>\n
\u201cCan we hold her?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
Mason said, \u201cSit down on the love seat and I\u2019ll let you both have a turn. How does that sound?\u201d<\/p>\n
Both of the boys went over and sat down. Mason handed Jade to Max first and Max loved on her for about five minutes and then Mason gave her to Drew. Sam watched and said, \u201cIt\u2019s no fair that I can\u2019t hold her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSam, you can hold her another time when she\u2019s older. She has to let her neck get stronger before you can hold her. The boys are older, so they know how to hold her and everything. It won\u2019t be that long and you\u2019ll be able to hold her too,\u201d Megan assured her. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, then.\u201d Sam was satisfied with that answer which pleased Jim and Blair to no end. <\/p>\n
Mason gave Jade to Jim and said, \u201cSam, come with me really quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n
She rushed into the office with Mason and said, \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got a picture of Jade all ready to print out, but wouldn\u2019t it be nice if she could have her big cousin in the picture too?\u201d Mason asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cHow can you do that?\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to take a picture of you and then put it on top of the one I have of Jade and I\u2019ll print them out for all of us. How does that sound?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat sounds like fun, Uncle Mason. Thank you,\u201d Sam replied. <\/p>\n
Mason took a few shots, but Sam was trying too hard, so he finally settled on one and made up the picture like he wanted it and said, \u201cHere it is. See how cute this is?\u201d<\/p>\n
Sam looked on the computer and saw the picture and said, \u201cI love it. I love baby Jade.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s lucky to have a big cousin like you, Max and Drew so that she\u2019ll always have someone looking out for her,\u201d Mason remarked. <\/p>\n
Mason printed out some of the pictures and Sam went rushing into the living room to show everyone the picture. <\/p>\n
[[[samjade.jpg]]]<\/p>\n
Blair and Jim looked at the picture and smiled. It was so thoughtful of Mason to do that for her. She wasn\u2019t feeling left out at all. She felt like a true cousin. They couldn\u2019t have been more proud of their friends.<\/p>\n
Megan yawned and so did baby Jade, so Jim said, \u201cOkay, we can come look at Jade some more tomorrow. Let\u2019s let mummy have some rest and baby too.\u201d<\/p>\n
They all left giving hugs and kisses to Megan and Mason. Mason felt so good having them as friends. They truly were family. <\/p>\n
The end<\/p>\n
Family Life Part 86
\nWe Give Thanks
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 3443<\/p>\n
Summary: William is having the Thanksgiving get-together this year and Jim and Blair are glad. Too many people for the loft. There will be singing and Jim\u2019s secret will come out. \uf04a <\/p>\n
William called Jim\u2019s house to speak with either Jim or Blair. Jim answered, \u201cEllison.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHi Jim, its dad. I wondered if we could do Thanksgiving at our condo this year. We have double the square footage. Sarah wants to invite all of you of course, Simon, Rafe and Daryl and Megan, Mason and Jade. What do you think?\u201d William asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think it would be great, because you have a dining room and a kitchen with a table, we don\u2019t. So we don\u2019t really have enough room for all of the kids and the parents too. This would be great. But I don\u2019t know if Simon already has plans or if Mason and Megan have plans. You would have to call them. Plus we would like to invite Joel and Marie and also Henri Brown, if that\u2019s alright with you,\u201d Jim suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cCan I get all of their numbers from you? I want to get them invited before anyone else has a chance. I figure three weeks notice is pretty good.\u201d William waited patiently as Jim looked up the numbers. <\/p>\n
\u201cHere you go, dad. Got a pencil handy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was born ready, Jim. Now shoot,\u201d William said and started writing down all of the numbers as soon as Jim started rattling them off. When Jim was done, William said, \u201cTalk to you later, son. I have work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBye, dad.\u201d Jim hung up the phone and smiled. He couldn\u2019t believe this man was his dad. He had changed so much since he found out about Blair and Jim being together. Then he just kept getting nicer when the kids came along and now that he had Sarah and her children, he was like a new man. Jim liked to think that his dad looked at it as his second chance. And as far as Jim was concerned, everyone deserved a second chance. <\/p>\n
Jim found Blair upstairs putting clothes away and he said, \u201cGuess what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re pregnant?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cVery funny, smart ass. Now I\u2019m not going to tell you my secret.\u201d Jim said kiddingly. <\/p>\n
\u201cAll right, I overheard you talking to your dad, so I already knew the answer. But I wanted to say that you were pregnant instead.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are weird, Sandburg.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, but that\u2019s part of the reason you love me, am I right?\u201d Blair stood on his tip toes and kissed Jim with longing. <\/p>\n
\u201cHey, we got little ones around here somewhere. Don\u2019t start something you can\u2019t finish,\u201d Jim ordered. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll take care of that,\u201d Blair said as he walked down the stairs, followed by Jim. <\/p>\n
\u201cMax, Drew and Samantha, will you come out here please?\u201d Blair called out. <\/p>\n
Max and Drew came right down as soon as they had heard their names. Sam was a little slower. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s up, pop?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cFirst of all, I wanted to let you all know that we\u2019re having Thanksgiving dinner over at grampa Ellison\u2019s house. So we\u2019re each going to think of something that we can bring to help out. So start thinking about what you like to make the most. Secondly, I wanted to know if you boys would like to take Sam to see Alpha and Omega at the theater? It\u2019s almost time for it to leave, so I wanted her to see it before the time was gone. What do you think?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSure, we\u2019ll take the little kidlet to the theater. We wouldn\u2019t mind seeing it ourselves. And then we might see previews for Tangled. I thought it would be nice if Mark, Mike and Mary went on Thanksgiving day to see it with us. That way you\u2019ll have a little adult time to yourself. The critics are saying Tangled is really good. And you know who is doing the voice, don\u2019t you? It\u2019s the guy that play\u2019s Chuck on tv,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t know that the new movie would be out on Thnaksgiving and I think that\u2019s a good idea, Max. What do you think, Jim?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think we better wait and see what Sarah and grampa have planned for the day. We don\u2019t want to take away from their family time. So let\u2019s talk to grampa about it this week,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
Drew said, \u201cWhy don\u2019t you two go to a movie while we go?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know it doesn\u2019t sound too exciting, but I need to finish laundry and your dad has to finish some paperwork. No rest for the wicked,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet me go up and see what time the movie starts. Do you want us to ask Mark, Mike and Mary to go along, Sam?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I just want to go with you and Max. Is that alright?\u201d Sam asked hopefully. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s more then alright, Sam. We love spending Sam time with you,\u201d Max said as he hugged her tight. <\/p>\n
She smiled and said, \u201cWe have some theater candy in the pantry. Maybe we could take that with us,\u201d Sam suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s go see what\u2019s in there, little missy,\u201d Max said as they walked into the kitchen. <\/p>\n
Jim looked over at Blair and said, \u201cMan, you are good.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, you\u2019re supposed to wait until we do something to say that,\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n
Jim kissed him and whispered, \u201cDon\u2019t worry, I\u2019m sure I\u2019ll be saying it plenty.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drew came down and said, \u201cThe movie starts in about 30 minutes, so we better go. Where are they?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the pantry. Go see what sort of candy you want to take,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
At that moment, Max and Sam walked out carrying all sorts of candy. <\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cThey won\u2019t let you in like that, kids.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that, dad. We put it inside our jackets. They charge way too much money for these things at the theater. I would gladly buy it from them, if they were more reasonable,\u201d Max explained. <\/p>\n
Jim just rolled his eyes and tried to pretend his kids weren\u2019t cheaters. <\/p>\n
They got their jackets, Jim gave them money and they were out the door.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair barely waited from them to pull out of the parking lot when he turned and rushed into Jim\u2019s arms. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think we should wait a little while in case something would happen and they come home early,\u201d Jim advised. <\/p>\n
\u201cGet your ass upstairs. Now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim smiled. He could do nothing but follow orders sometimes. He walked up the stairs as quickly as he could with a yapping Blair behind him. Sometimes Jim felt like Blair was a yapping dog. These were one of the times.<\/p>\n
Blair put music on and started stripped in time to the music. Jim was totally on board by this time and was stripped and naked on the bed waiting for Blair. <\/p>\n
Blair attacked him quickly and briskly. Blair didn\u2019t usually like to hurry things when it came to sex, but he loved fucking Jim and he knew there might be a chance of the kids coming back home. So he was going to get his baby\u2019s ass, one way or the other. <\/p>\n
&&&&&&&&&&<\/p>\n
When the kids got home, the laundry was all done and Jim was working on some paperwork. The boys looked at each and just smiled. They knew that their dad\u2019s were up to no good. <\/p>\n
&&&&&&&&&&<\/p>\n
On Thanksgiving day, Samantha was trying to figure out what to wear when Blair finally came in and said, \u201cWhy don\u2019t you call Mary and see what she\u2019s wearing and that way you\u2019ll know what to wear yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh good idea, poppy. I\u2019m going to call her now.\u201d Sam went to the phone and called and found out exactly what she needed to and ran back into the bedroom. Blair knocked on the door and she said, \u201cI\u2019m getting dressed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair and Jim had noticed that she had become modest lately and they found that so endearing. \u201cJust tell me when I can come in.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can come in now poppy, I\u2019m just putting my shoes on,\u201d Sam said smiling. <\/p>\n
Blair looked at her clothing and smiled. She had on, jeans and a tee shirt. Good, that meant things were going to be laid back and relaxed at Williams house. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s almost time to go, sweetie,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cGoody, I can\u2019t wait to get there. Grampa said we get to go to the movie, and the boys don\u2019t mind taking us. Me and Mary want to see it bad. But he also said there is a Karaoke machine there for music and singing. So we have to decide.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s good, I\u2019m glad you\u2019re going to have a good time. But remember that it\u2019s a day to be thankful for good friends, good family and good food. So we have to keep that in mind too. Understood?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand, poppy. I am thankful for all of you. I love you and daddy and Max and Drew and grampa and gramma sarah and Mark and Mike and Mary and anyone else that comes over today,\u201d she rambled happily. <\/p>\n
Blair just hugged her and said, \u201cI love you, princess.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you more, poppy.\u201d<\/p>\n
They walked out and the boys were all ready to go. Jim was upstairs so Blair went up to see if he could help get him moving. <\/p>\n
Jim was sitting at the end of the bed with his face in his hands. Blair walked over and sat down next to him and said, \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter, Jim?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so happy that I feel like crying sometimes. I know it sounds weird, but we have the best family and friends anyone could have. I\u2019m just so damned happy,\u201d Jim rattled on. <\/p>\n
Blair hugged him and said, \u201cI love you, too, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you all ready to go?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re just waiting on you, slowpoke,\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n
They walked down the stairs, joined the kids and then left the loft and all got into the SUV and drove over to William\u2019s house. <\/p>\n
&&&&&&&&&&<\/p>\n
At William\u2019s house everyone was arriving at the same time. When Jim and Blair drove up, Simon, Rafe and Daryl were getting out of the car. Across the street, Megan, Mason and baby Jade were arriving. Jim had that overwhelming feeling again, but this time he just rode with it. <\/p>\n
They got inside the house and everyone was talking and laughing and there was so much noise that Jim felt a little overwhelmed with his senses. Max came up to him and said, \u201cDad, why not come with us for a few minutes. It\u2019ll give you time to adjust to the sounds and sights around here. We\u2019re going to sing karaoke in the den. I thought you would be perfect for starting it off. Please?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, why not?\u201d Jim followed all of the kids into the den and they were all sitting down. Jim picked out a song and stood there with the microphone and readied himself to sing to all of the kids. Little did he know that in the doorway, was Simon, Rafe, Megan, Mason and William. He just wasn\u2019t paying attention to anything but the kids. <\/p>\n
He chose Sweet Dreams by Annie Lennox and started singing as soon as it told him to. He was hitting all of the notes exactly as he should have been and the kids were clapping and cheering like mad. When he was done, they all said, \u201cMore.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cOne more, and then I have to go out and fight the crowd.\u201d He smiled as he looked through the book and found a perfect song. He could hear that Blair was nearby, so he would be able to hear it. Jim picked \u2018Imagine\u2019 by John Lennon because it was one of Blair\u2019s favorite songs. <\/p>\n
When the music started and it told him to sing, he did. He gave it his all and the kids were so taken in with that song that they didn\u2019t\u2019 even cheer or clap this time. A couple of them had tears in their eyes. Jim understood that because it was a very moving song. When he was done, he turned and Blair was there to take him in his arms. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, babe.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are most welcome. I knew you would hear it,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cBabe, I don\u2019t know how to tell you this, but everyone heard it. They have a system set out in the living room so whoever is singing can be heard by the entire house. Everyone knows you can sing now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, it was bound to happen. It\u2019s not like I have the plague or something,\u201d Jim teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cCome on, let the kids do this and let\u2019s go help your dad and Sarah.\u201d<\/p>\n
They walked out of the den and the kids cheered for Jim and said, \u201cCome back after dinner. We want more.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim just blushed and walked out of the room. Blair turned to them and said, \u201cHe\u2019ll be back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim walked up to Megan and grabbed Jade first thing. Jade was getting so big. He couldn\u2019t believe how much she had grown for only being three weeks old. \u201cHow is my little Jadey?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJimbo, don\u2019t call her Jadey,\u201d Megan said and then laughed when she realized how stupid it sounded. \u201cNevermind.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair walked up and took her from Jim and said, \u201cOh my gosh, she\u2019s huge.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mason had an odd look on his face and said, \u201cYou think she\u2019s overly big for three weeks?\u201d<\/p>\n
Megan smacked Mason and said, \u201cIt\u2019s just a saying. He means she\u2019s grown. That\u2019s all. She isn\u2019t going to be a giant or anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh thank God for that,\u201d Mason said leaning down to kiss his little girl. He then picked up Sam as she walked by and said, \u201cHow is our Sam today?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m singing, I can\u2019t be out here,\u201d Sam said as she squirmed out of his arms. They all laughed as she took off running for the den. <\/p>\n
\u201cSpeaking of singing, Jim, that was one hell of a rendition of \u2018Imagine\u2019 you sang,\u201d Megan said. <\/p>\n
Simon walked up to them and said, \u201cYou\u2019re going to be our winning star next year for the talent contest. I don\u2019t want to hear a word about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rafe said, \u201cWe could do a duet, Jim. I love to sing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou do?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh yeah, I sing in the shower every chance I get. But never in front of anyone because they might tease me. I\u2019m not quite as brave as you,\u201d Rafe said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was for the kids and I can never say no to kids,\u201d Jim admitted. <\/p>\n
William said, \u201cWe could use some help with setting the table and getting things ready for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n
They all rushed into the kitchen to help. Megan laid Jade in her little crib they brought with them and she went right to sleep. So Megan even got to help with things. Sarah seemed a little stressed but once everyone started helping her, she did much better. <\/p>\n
They had three tables set up. The huge dining room table and two tables for the kids in the kitchen. Jim, Blair and Mason were in charge of putting everything on those tables that needed to be there. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, could you help me for a moment?\u201d William asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSure, dad, what do you need?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cMy back is acting up a little. Could you take the turkeys out of the oven\u2019s? I need to start carving them don\u2019t you think?\u201d William asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s wait until we have everyone at the tables and then say grace and then we can carve. You carve one and I\u2019ll carve the other. Or better yet, Steven can carve yours. You just sit and relax.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim called Steven into the kitchen and the two of them got the turkey\u2019s out and put them on the table. Jim went and got all of the kids and told them they needed to wash up for dinner. It was like a stampede. Jim feared for his life. <\/p>\n
The kids all came out and stood around the big table and said grace with the adults and then scurried off to the kitchen to get their plates. They came back two at a time to fill their plates. Jim figured it was Daryl\u2019s idea, because the rest of them would have just rushed out and got their plates filled. Two by two, they all got their food and were settled in the kitchen. Jim got their drinks and Blair brought them their biscuits, already buttered. The kids were talking and eating and having a wonderful time. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair joined the other adults in the other room and Jim said, \u201cWhy isn\u2019t Daryl with us? He\u2019s too old to be sitting in with the kids, don\u2019t you think?\u201d <\/p>\n
Simon smiled. \u201cI thought so too, Jim, but he said he wanted to sit with Max and Drew and Mike and Mark. So, I let him.\u201d<\/p>\n
They all passed the food around three or four times and everyone just kept eating. Jim finally pushed back from the table and said, \u201cEnough. Someone has to stop me.\u201d<\/p>\n
William laughed and said, \u201cWhen Jim and Steven were little they would eat until they got sick. I guess nothing has changed with Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
Once dinner was done they all went one by one and told everyone what they liked about Thanksgiving the most. The children got to come out for that part too. Sam said, \u201cI love Thanksgiving because we get to go to grampa\u2019s and make a mess and I don\u2019t have to clean it up. I love the holidays.\u201d<\/p>\n
Everyone laughed and Jim said, \u201cYou have to help clean up here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReally? Bummer,\u201d Sam said as she walked back into the kitchen with everyone laughing. <\/p>\n
They all finished in the kitchen and put their plates on the counter and Max asked Jim, \u201cCan we go and sing more in the den?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, go ahead. I think there are enough adults to clean up the mess that we all made. Make sure that everyone gets to sing, Max.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, dad.\u201d<\/p>\n
&&&&&&&&&&<\/p>\n
After the clean-up, they all sat in the living room and could hear the kids singing and laughing. It was the end to a perfect day. <\/p>\n
William talked and laughed with everyone and Jim could tell his dad was tired. \u201cDad, why don\u2019t you take a nap.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, I don\u2019t need a nap. I just need to be younger again,\u201d William said sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cDad, next year it\u2019s going to be at my house. We\u2019ll take turns.\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cHow about if you do Christmas and we do Thanksgiving?\u201d William asked. Jim looked over at Blair with a question in his eyes and Blair nodded yes. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s good with Blair, dad. Don\u2019t worry about a thing and you know what, I think the kids are wearing out. They aren\u2019t even singing anymore. It\u2019s time for us to go. Little Jade is looking like she\u2019d like to be in her own bed and I know I would like to be,\u201d Jim said smiling. <\/p>\n
Blair smiled and went to gather up the kids. They all came out and made noises about everyone leaving. Jim said, \u201cWhy don\u2019t Mark, Mike and Mary come over to our house to hang out for tomorrow and Saturday? They could go to see that new movie that started today, Tangled or whatever.\u201d <\/p>\n
Sarah smiled and said, \u201cOh that would be so nice, Jim. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The kids were all jumping up and down with happiness. They loved going over to Jim and Blair\u2019s and they loved going to the movies.<\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cRun upstairs and pack a bag for two days. Sleep clothes and knock around clothes. Don\u2019t forget toothbrushes and toothpaste. Do you need help?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGeeze, Jim, we\u2019re not babies,\u201d Mike said grumbling as he headed up the stairs. <\/p>\n
Mary said, \u201cI would let you help me, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, let\u2019s get busy,\u201d Jim said as they walked up the stairs. <\/p>\n
Everyone got ready to go while Jim was upstairs so that when he came down, everyone was standing waiting to say goodbye to him. <\/p>\n
There were hugs and kisses all around and everyone said what a wonderful time they had had. Jim got all of the kids into the SUV and then hugged his dad and Sarah and they readied to go. <\/p>\n
All the way home from William\u2019s the kids asked Jim to sing to them. And he did. It was a wonderful Thanksgiving and Blair was indeed thankful. <\/p>\n
The end. <\/p>\n
Family Life Part 87
\nFairy Life
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 2399<\/p>\n
Summary: Why is Samantha spending so much time by herself these days? Jim will have to listen and find out. <\/p>\n
Notes: I wanted to thank Helena for the idea for last week\u2019s story. I\u2019m so rude, I forgot to thank her. So without further ado, \u2018thank you, Helena, I couldn\u2019t have done it without you\u2019. <\/p>\n
Jim walked in and knew something was wrong, immediately. Blair was standing there waiting for him and Jim just knew it wasn\u2019t going to be good news. <\/p>\n
\u201cI need your help, babe,\u201d Blair started. <\/p>\n
\u201cWith what?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSomething is going on with Sam and she won\u2019t let us in on it. So I need you to listen and tell me what you hear from her room,\u201d Blair explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, she\u2019s five. She\u2019s probably playing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, she doesn\u2019t want to do anything with Max and Drew and I asked her if she\u2019d like to go see a movie tonight and she said no. Something is up and I need to find out what,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
Jim smiled. \u201cCan I at least take my jacket off and my shoes off before you put me to work?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry, man. Here let me hang up your jacket. You get your shoes off.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim took his shoes off and went over to the sofa and sat down. Blair followed him and said, \u201cWhat are you doing? I need you to listen to Sam.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, I can hear her from here. Now if you\u2019ll be quiet, I can tell you exactly what she\u2019s doing in there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair sat down next to Jim and put a hand over his mouth. He was going to be quiet if it killed him. <\/p>\n
Jim listened, smiled and listened some more. He never looked upset once, so
\nBlair was thinking that maybe things weren\u2019t too bad. He turned to Blair after about ten minutes and said, \u201cShe\u2019s having a discussion in her room with someone call Belle. I think it\u2019s short for Tinkerbelle. She asking her how long it will be before she is small enough to fit into the cute little costumes they wear. And then she asked someone named Blue how long before they were going to teach her to fly. Next was someone named Red and Sam asked her how wiggle her wings, she needed to practice. And last but not least, there is someone named Mia that seems to be in charge of a lot of things. She asked Mia how much longer she would be able to live with us before we found out she was a fairy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair burst out laughing and said, \u201cOh my God, is that the cutest thing in the world? Thank you, Jim. I was so worried that it was something horrible. Come to find out, she just wants to become a fairy. Should we talk to her about that or what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we should leave her be until she comes to us about a problem. One of these days she\u2019s going to figure out that she\u2019s not getting smaller, she\u2019s getting bigger. Let\u2019s let her ask the questions, not us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair leaned into Jim and kissed him and said, \u201cI need to tell Max and Drew what\u2019s going on. They\u2019ve been worried about her too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust tell them not to ruin her fun for right now. That will be gone in time and Sam needs to have these memories.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going upstairs to talk to the boys. Why don\u2019t you go check on Sam?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
&&&&&&&&&&<\/p>\n
While Blair went upstairs to talk to the boys, Jim went to Sam\u2019s room and knocked on the door. <\/p>\n
\u201cJust a minute,\u201d Sam called out. Then she whispered, \u201cIt\u2019s probably my daddy coming to say hi to me. You better hide in the closet so he won\u2019t make you leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
She opened the door a crack and said, \u201cHi daddy. Did you have a good day?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCould I come in for a little bit?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cJust for a few minutes. I\u2019m busy reading,\u201d Sam answered. <\/p>\n
Jim walked in and sat on her bed. \u201cSo how was school today, sweetie?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was all right. The teacher yelled at me,\u201d Sam tattled. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe yelled at you?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe said I wasn\u2019t paying attention and I needed to pay attention to her and what we were doing,\u201d Sam explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s right, Sam. You need to leave certain things for the evening. Like if you needed to talk to a friend, you do it after school, not during school.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, daddy. I promise I\u2019ll do that from now on. Was the drive home nice tonight?\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cActually, I kept saying, I wish I could fly. I wish I could fly. It would have been quicker and so much nicer,\u201d Jim said sweetly. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut you\u2019re too big to fly like a fairy aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I\u2019m too big now. But when I was little, I had some fairy friends that visited me at night. It was wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou had some fairy friends? Daddy, I have some fairy friends too. I didn\u2019t think you would understand,\u201d Sam said excitedly. <\/p>\n
\u201cI totally understand. But you also have to remember that they are only friends when you\u2019re little and you can\u2019t become one of them,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what Tinkerbelle said. She said that you have to be little. I told her that I might be shrinking,\u201d Sam said. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, you can\u2019t shrink. You can only hear them for a short time and then they\u2019ll fly on to other children that need to have little friends. You wouldn\u2019t want to keep them all to yourself, would you?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut daddy, I really love them. Mia is so nice. I want to be just like her,\u201d Sam said sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cEnjoy them while you can, Sam. Time goes by pretty fast when you\u2019re a little girl.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim kissed her on top of the head and left the room. He heard her say, \u201cOkay, I believe you now. If daddy says you have to be tiny, I know it\u2019s the truth. He said I have to share you, but not yet, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
There was silence and then Sam said, \u201cYes, another couple of nights would be wonderful. Thank you, Blue.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim smiled as he walked into the kitchen to see what Blair was making for dinner. He kissed his lover on the back of the neck and felt Blair shiver. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo what\u2019s going on?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI told you what was going on. She in there discussing a couple more nights stay with the fairies and then she\u2019ll let them go to the next house to help out the next little boy or girl.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, she is too cute for words.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI agree,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cIsn\u2019t it cute that she thinks little boys believe in fairies too?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s because I told her when I was little I had some fairy friends I talked to, but only in my room, never at school. Her teacher had to fuss at her today about not paying attention.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWay to go with handling that. Did she believe you?\u201d Blair wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cOf course she believed me. I\u2019m her daddy. I don\u2019t lie,\u201d Jim replied. <\/p>\n
Blair started making dinner and Jim was by his side helping him. \u201cWhat did the boys think about it?\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair smiled. \u201cThey think she\u2019s as cute as we do. They were hoping there was an easy explanation out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to set the table while you finish up what you\u2019re doing,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you. I love when you\u2019re on top of things,\u201d Blair smiled. <\/p>\n
\u201cI love being on top of things too,\u201d Jim said laughing. <\/p>\n
Blair swatted him with the towel as he walked by and laughed. \u201cSince when am I a thing?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSince it just popped into my head and I had to share it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair laughed again. <\/p>\n
&&&&&&&&&&<\/p>\n
Jim yelled for Sam to come for dinner and Sam came right out, which was a good sign. Everyone at the table noticed how sad Sam looked. <\/p>\n
\u201cHey little sister, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlue said they had to leave and spend time with other little girls and boys,\u201d Sam replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cWho is Blue?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s my fairy friend. Daddy said it\u2019s all right to have fairy friends, but you can only have them in your room. They can\u2019t go to school with you or in the car with you. There are four of them and they\u2019re so nice. I\u2019m really going to miss them. They said to tell you all goodbye. They liked all of you,\u201d Sam said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I bet we would have liked them too. When we were little, I wonder if we knew any of their families,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI know that I know a couple of fairies,\u201d Blair said and almost laughed. <\/p>\n
Max did laugh and Jim just growled at Blair. This made Drew laugh and Sam said, \u201cDaddy, why are you growling like a doggy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause poppy is being mean,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo you think fairies ever eat?\u201d Sam inquired as she totally changed the subject. <\/p>\n
\u201cOnly when they are alone. They don\u2019t want anyone to know what they eat,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe could guess, couldn\u2019t we?\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs long as you eat while you\u2019re guessing, that would be fine,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
Sam started eating and you could just tell she was thinking like crazy. \u201cI bet they eat something like \u2018Smarties\u2019. They are so cute and remind me of something a fairy would eat.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max laughed and said, \u201cI think they eat carrots, so they can see far.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I bet they do, Max. I\u2019m going to ask Belle when I see her again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you think they eat meat?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think so. I think they only eat \u2018Smarties\u2019 and carrots,\u201d Sam answered. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair couldn\u2019t help it, they burst out laughing. <\/p>\n
\u201cDaddy and poppy, why are you both laughing?\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cThey eat exactly what we do, only on tiny little plates and bowls.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair smiled and said, \u201cAnd don\u2019t forget the tiny little silverware they would use. They would be so small that we couldn\u2019t\u2019 even see them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sam looked at Jim and Blair and said, \u201cWow, you both know a lot about fairies. I\u2019m so glad. They like you. They said you\u2019re the best daddies they\u2019ve ever seen. And they like Drew and Max too. They told me I was lucky to have good brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMake sure and tell them thank you for us, Sam,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI will. I\u2019ll tell them when I go back in the room,\u201d Sam replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cDid you finish your homework for tonight? Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Max helped me with it earlier tonight. Right before you got home, poppy,\u201d Sam said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWould you like to load the dishwasher with us, pumpkin?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I want to read the new book I picked up at the library at school. Blue, Mia, Red and Belle all want to hear how well I can read.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max smiled and tried not to laugh, but a snicker slid out before he could stop it. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s so funny, Max?\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cDaddy and poppy are just funny and they make me and Drew laugh all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey make me laugh too, Max. Daddy and poppy stop making Max laugh,\u201d Sam said sternly. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll try,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
Drew laughed this time and Sam said, \u201cYou\u2019re not trying very hard. You just made Drew laugh.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry, Drew. I\u2019ll have to try harder,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
This time, Max laughed. <\/p>\n
Samantha looked like she was in shock as she said, \u201cDaddy, now you made Max laugh. I think you need a time out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair burst out laughing and said, \u201cI think we\u2019re all in a laughing mood tonight, Sam. No one needs a time out.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, if you\u2019re sure,\u201d she answered. <\/p>\n
All four of the guys started to laugh their heads off and Samantha looked perplexed. \u201cWhy am I not laughing?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSamantha, just think about something funny and laugh your head off,\u201d Blair suggested. <\/p>\n
She thought and thought and finally started laughing, which made all the guys laugh all over again. Before long, they were all wiping tears from their eyes and couldn\u2019t have told you what they were laughing about. <\/p>\n
Everyone helped clear the table and Sam walked into her room happily. Max and Drew went upstairs to do homework and Jim and Blair were left to do the dishes. <\/p>\n
Blair washed and Jim loaded the dishwasher and suddenly Jim started laughing. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s in there telling the fairies why her mommy and daddy are two guys. She\u2019s doing a pretty good job of it too,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s too cute. She\u2019s a keeper, let me tell ya,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh oh, she just found out that the fairies are leaving. They told her they have to move on. Well, I mean that\u2019s what she said anyhow. It\u2019s not like I can hear them,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
They no sooner got done with the kitchen and shut off the light when the walked into the living room and Sam was standing there looking sad.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid they have to leave, Sam?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, they said there were other little kids that needed some fairy help but I had already gotten my help. But I don\u2019t understand. What did they help me with?\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe they helped you discover who you were,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI know who I am, poppy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe they just thought you needed some company,\u201d Jim suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cI have no idea. They should have stayed longer and told me more. That\u2019s what I think. Now I\u2019m going to go and take my bath,\u201d Sam said. \u201cAnd by the way, daddy and poppy, I think I like Hello Kitty more then fairies.\u201d<\/p>\n
[samhellokitty.jpg]<\/p>\n
Jim and Blair both smiled and Jim said, \u201cHow quickly they turn on you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m taking my bath.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, you call us when you\u2019re ready to get tucked into bed,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
They sat down on the sofa and listened to the water running in the bathroom. Blair turned to Jim and said, \u201cThank you again, for agreeing to have these children. They bring nothing but joy and wonder to our lives. I love you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim kissed Blair and whispered, \u201cI love you, back.\u201d<\/p>\n
The end <\/p>\n
Family Life Part 88
\nShe Loves You
\nby Patt and the Beatles<\/p>\n
Word Count: 2809<\/p>\n
Summary: Jim is not the only one that can sing in the family. <\/p>\n
Jim was sitting at his desk doing paperwork, which he hated and Blair came by and said, \u201cGo feign a headache and go home and check on Max. He didn\u2019t look good when we left him today. Plus someone\u2019s going to have to be there to pick the kids up since he\u2019s not feeling well.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood idea, I have a headache,\u201d Jim said as he limped towards Simon\u2019s office. <\/p>\n
Blair called out, \u201cIt\u2019s in your head, not your leg, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh yeah, it\u2019s so bad I was limping,\u201d Jim said as he got to Simon\u2019s door and knocked on it. <\/p>\n
\u201cEnter,\u201d Simon barked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSir, I have a horrible headache and was hoping I could take the day off,\u201d Jim said hoping he looked pained enough. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re worried about Max, right?\u201d Simon asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSort of.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you just say that then? You and Sandburg think I\u2019m stupid don\u2019t you?\u201d Simon barked again. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Simon, we would never think you were stupid. But Blair told me to tell you I had a headache.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI cannot believe you just threw him under the bus like that. What kind of a soul mate are you?\u201d Simon laughed. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo do you mind if I go home and check on Max?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, not at all. Tell the kid I said hello,\u201d Simon said as he physically shoved Jim out of his office and slammed the door. <\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cDid everything go alright?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cI threw you under the bus and Simon pitied me for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair threw back his head laughing and said, \u201cGo check on our son.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim did just that. <\/p>\n
&&&&&&&&&&<\/p>\n
When he got home, the house was pretty quiet except Jim could hear singing from the shower, and not just singing, but good singing. Max was singing. Jim figured he must have been feeling better to be singing and humming. <\/p>\n
He sat down on the sofa and listened to his son sing. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah
\nShe loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah
\nShe loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah<\/p>\n
You think you lost your love,
\nWell, I saw her yesterday.
\nIt’s you she’s thinking of
\nAnd she told me what to say.<\/p>\n
She says she loves you
\nAnd you know that can’t be bad.
\nYes, she loves you
\nAnd you know you should be glad.<\/p>\n
She said you hurt her so
\nShe almost lost her mind.
\nBut now she said she knows
\nYou’re not the hurting kind.<\/p>\n
She says she loves you
\nAnd you know that can’t be bad.
\nYes, she loves you
\nAnd you know you should be glad. Ooh!<\/p>\n
She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah
\nShe loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah
\nAnd with a love like that
\nYou know you should be glad.<\/p>\n
You know it’s up to you,
\nI think it’s only fair,
\nPride can hurt you, too,
\nApologize to her<\/p>\n
Because she loves you
\nAnd you know that can’t be bad.
\nYes, she loves you
\nAnd you know you should be glad. Ooh!<\/p>\n
She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah
\nShe loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah<\/p>\n
With a love like that
\nYou know you should
\nBe Glad!<\/p>\n
With a love like that
\nYou know you should
\nBe Glad!<\/p>\n
With a love like that
\nYou know you should
\nbe glad!<\/p>\n
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
\nYeah, yeah, yeah Ye-ah.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max came walking out of the bathroom, semi dressed and Jim cleared his throat. Max jumped about a foot off of the floor and said, \u201cDad, when did you get here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn time for the song,\u201d Jim replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cI feel a lot better,\u201d Max admitted. <\/p>\n
\u201cI can see that. Is there anything you want to talk to me about?\u201d <\/p>\n
Max put his tee shirt on and walked over to the sofa and sat next to his dad. \u201cI\u2019ve been thinking about trying out for the glee club. But I haven\u2019t gotten the nerve up yet. But I kept telling myself that if you could sing in front of us, then I could too. But I don\u2019t have as much guts as you do, dad.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen are the tryouts?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey were this morning. I chickened out and knew they wouldn\u2019t think much about it because I was sick.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMax, calling in sick is never the answer. Besides, I tried it with Simon and he knew I was telling a story when I said I didn\u2019t feel good and had to come home. Chances are the glee club teacher knows you chickened out. We didn\u2019t raise you to be a chicken, Max. So you\u2019re going to go tomorrow and ask if you can try out late,\u201d Jim suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut dad, it\u2019s a Beatles song that stuck in my head. Of all songs, did it have to be a Beatles song?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cYou know what you should do? Ask Misty if she\u2019ll go to, and sing the song to her. She\u2019ll think it\u2019s romantic. I guarantee. Now, what are you going to do tomorrow?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll talk to Mr. Singer, yes, that\u2019s his name, and ask if I can try out late. Do I have to tell him that I was playing sick?\u201d Max wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s up to you. If you want to tell, do, if you don\u2019t want to, don\u2019t. But tomorrow is going to be a great day. I wish I could be there for tryouts.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you think that I sing well enough to make it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMax, you sing well enough for anything. You have an excellent voice and I\u2019m quite proud of you for letting me hear it for once. How long have you been singing?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSince I was about ten. But I always did it on the sly. I didn\u2019t want anyone making fun of me,\u201d Max explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cI totally understand, Max. I went through the same thing. I couldn\u2019t give up football, so I had to give up glee club. But you\u2019re not doing football any longer, so that\u2019s not a problem with you. You\u2019re a strong kid. You could take any amount of razzing that anyone gives you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have another song, I wanted to sing too, but didn\u2019t know if it was too much,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m here, we\u2019re alone, you can try it on me,\u201d Jim offered as he pushed Max off the sofa to stand up and sing. <\/p>\n
Max got ready and put a Beatles disc in the player. As soon as the music started Jim smiled. It was one of his favorites too. <\/p>\n
\u201cYesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away
\nNow it looks as though they’re here to stay
\nOh, I believe in yesterday<\/p>\n
Suddenly, I’m not half the man I used to be
\nThere’s a shadow hanging over me.
\nOh, I yesterday came suddenly<\/p>\n
Why she had to go I don’t know she wouldn’t say
\nI said something wrong, now I long for yesterday<\/p>\n
Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play
\nNow I need a place to hide away
\nOh, I believe in yesterday<\/p>\n
Why she had to go I don’t know she wouldn’t say
\nI said something wrong, now I long for yesterday<\/p>\n
Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play
\nNow I need a place to hide away
\nOh, I believe in yesterday
\nMm mm mm mm mm mm mm\u201d<\/p>\n
The music finished playing and Max sat down next to Jim and said, \u201cThose are the only two I practiced. I\u2019m a closet Beatles fan.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can see why, you sang them both beautifully. Max, you have a wonderful voice and I just know that Mr. Singer is going to love hearing it. I can bet money that he\u2019ll sign you right up,\u201d Jim assured Max. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou promise that I\u2019m good enough to try out?\u201d Max begged. <\/p>\n
\u201cI promise. I wouldn\u2019t lie if I didn\u2019t truly believe it. Max, I know that I can sing, so I know good sound when I hear it. You have a lovely voice and everyone should be hearing it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max hugged Jim and said, \u201cYou and pop are the best. You\u2019re both the reason I wanted to try out. I wanted to make you so proud because I know I\u2019ll never be the cook that Drew is. I wanted to do something on my own.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you did, Max. How about if I record you singing both of the songs, so that pop gets to hear it tonight when we\u2019re upstairs? Then he won\u2019t feel like he missed everything because he was at work, where I should have been too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, let\u2019s do that. I\u2019d like to sing something with you sometime,\u201d Max said almost shyly. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe can practice anytime you want to, Max. I\u2019m here for you,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
For the next half hour, they recorded the two songs so that Blair would be able to hear them upstairs that night. <\/p>\n
Max said, \u201cDad, will it be alright to not tell anyone until I find out tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat will be great. You\u2019re going to do just fine, son. Stop worrying, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, again, dad. Do you suppose I can go pick up Drew and Sam?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, and while you\u2019re doing that, I\u2019m going to start dinner. That way we\u2019ll have it all done by the time pop gets home,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
Max left to pick up his siblings and Jim started dinner. He called Blair and told him what had happened when he got home that day. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re shitting me? I have to wait until tomorrow to hear him sing?\u201d Blair ranted. <\/p>\n
\u201cNope, he recorded a CD for you to listen to tonight at your leisure. I thought you would want to hear him, so we thought it was a good idea,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was an excellent idea, Jim. Can I listen to it when I get home?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs long as you use the headphones and you don\u2019t make a big deal about it tonight in front of the other kids. Max doesn\u2019t want anyone to know, in case he fails. Believe me; he\u2019s not going to fail. And guess what else? He\u2019s a closet Beatles fan. He knows all of their songs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair smiled. \u201cJim what are you making for dinner tonight. Maybe we should go out to celebrate.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, tomorrow when he has the news to tell the family. Then we\u2019ll all go out to eat. I figured that Sullivan\u2019s Steakhouse would be a great place to celebrate,\u201d Jim suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cI gotta go, it\u2019s time to come home,\u201d Blair said laughing. <\/p>\n
\u201cSee you soon, babe,\u201d Jim said before he hung up the phone. <\/p>\n
Jim realized he had never told Blair what he was making, but he was making Chicken and dumplings, because that was Sam\u2019s favorite dinner. Jim tried to give them each something they loved once a week. He got busy making all of the dinner and all he had left to do was the dumplings when the kids got home. <\/p>\n
\u201cDaddy, I don\u2019t have any homework tonight,\u201d Sam yelled as she came, flying into the kitchen. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy don\u2019t you have any homework?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDaddy, are you making Chicken and Dumplings?\u201d Sam said scenting the air like Jim did. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy yes, I am making that, now why don\u2019t you have any homework?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnyone that knew how to write their address and phone number didn\u2019t have to do homework tonight. Because that\u2019s what homework was. You need to practice writing your address and phone number. But you and poppy taught me how, so I don\u2019t have to do anything tonight. Isn\u2019t that cool?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim smiled and lifted her up for his afternoon kiss and said, \u201cIt\u2019s very cool. It\u2019s always good to know your name and address and phone number. Did a lot of the kids not know it?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cOnly two and the teacher said they had three days to practice it,\u201d Sam said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s good. They\u2019ll probably know it by then,\u201d Jim agreed. <\/p>\n
\u201cCan I wash up for dinner and set the table, daddy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSam, why don\u2019t you go and hang out with your brothers? I\u2019m sure that would be more fun then setting the table.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, I\u2019ll go see if we can play Wii for a while before poppy gets home,\u201d Sam said as she rushed up the stairs to her brothers\u2019 room. <\/p>\n
&&&&&&&&&&<\/p>\n
When Blair came walking into the loft, he smelled dinner and the house was all neat and tidy and he felt good about being home. <\/p>\n
He walked into the kitchen and kissed Jim. \u201cGo say hello to the kids. Sam wanted to see you when you got home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs something wrong?\u201d Blair asked, sounding concerned. <\/p>\n
\u201cNot at all, she wants to brag because she doesn\u2019t have homework tonight,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh this ought to be good,\u201d Blair said as he walked up the stairs to the boys\u2019 room. <\/p>\n
He knocked and Sam jumped into his arms as soon as he opened the door. \u201cPoppy, poppy, guess what?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim could hear them from the kitchen and smiled at the entire conversation that the boys were no doubt wishing they didn\u2019t have to hear again. Before long, Blair came walking in with Sam by his side. \u201cShe wants to know if we can set the table?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI already did, you nut,\u201d Jim leaned down and gave her a kiss on the top of the head. <\/p>\n
\u201cDaddy, I didn\u2019t even notice. I better start paying more attention if I want to be a policeman when I grow up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both Blair and Jim just smiled. It was the first time they had ever heard this from Sam\u2019s lips and it made them feel good. <\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cSo you want to be a policewoman, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, a policeman.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHoney, you\u2019re a girl, so you have to be a policewoman,\u201d Blair explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cLike Auntie Megan is?\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cExactly like Auntie Megan is,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI want to be just like Auntie Megan when I grow up. I\u2019m going to have a baby Jade too,\u201d Sam said as she walked into her room. <\/p>\n
Jim waited until she was out of earshot and started laughing. Blair joined him and they then kissed once again. <\/p>\n
\u201cDinner is done, if anyone is hungry,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cCould I go and listen to the CD upstairs?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSure, I\u2019ll just put everything on really low,\u201d Jim decided. <\/p>\n
Blair walked upstairs and Jim could hear him hunting for his earphones and heard him say, \u2018ah ha.\u2019 when he found them. He could hear the music even with Blair wearing the earphones. <\/p>\n
Max came downstairs and said, \u201cDid you tell pop already? He looked like he wanted to hug me big time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s upstairs listening to your songs. No, now he\u2019s done listening to your songs. Why don\u2019t you go on up there so he can hug you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Max took off for the stairs as Blair was coming down and Blair said, \u201cOh Max, I\u2019m just speechless.\u201d Then he hugged Max very tight and stayed that way for awhile. <\/p>\n
\u201cBoy, you\u2019re not speechless often, so is that a good thing?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou did a beautiful job with the songs. I think your teacher is going to be pleased.\u201d<\/p>\n
They walked down the stairs as Drew walked down his set of stairs. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you get Sam for dinner, boys?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d Drew said and walked into Sam\u2019s room and said, \u201cTime to eat.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d Sam called out happily. She really did love Chicken and Dumplings. <\/p>\n
They all sat down at the table and ate dinner while talking about their day. Jim could hardly wait to hear the news about tomorrow. <\/p>\n
&&&&&&&&&&<\/p>\n
When Jim and Blair got home the next day from work, Max was standing there proud as a peacock. \u201cI got in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair and Jim both hugged him close and said, \u201cCongratulations,\u201d at the very same time. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe said that I\u2019ve got work to do to catch up with the next show that\u2019s coming up, but he said he had no doubt that I would make it just fine,\u201d Max said cheerfully. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re very proud of you, Max. We knew you could do it, too,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cDid you tell Drew?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI told Drew and Sam on the way home from school. Sam said it was \u2018way cool\u2019 and Drew was happy for me. He said I\u2019ve been singing in the shower for long enough, it was time to move on,\u201d Max rambled. <\/p>\n
Drew came out of the kitchen and said, \u201cI tried out a new recipe for tonight\u2019s dinner. So everyone go wash up and sit down. It\u2019s all set.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim and Blair couldn\u2019t believe how blessed they were. Most people had to come home and cook after a very long day, but not with these kids. They sure helped make life easier. <\/p>\n
The end<\/p>\n
Family Life Part 89
\nChristmas Memories<\/p>\n
Word Count: 3,321<\/p>\n
Summary: Jim and Blair are given many new memories for the holidays. Some of them not so good. <\/p>\n
Megan was going to take Max, Drew and Sam shopping for Christmas. Jim and Blair wanted to take them, but the kids had insisted that it be Megan instead. Jim had given them each 100 dollars to spend and Max was carrying Sam\u2019s for her. Jim figured he and Blair would take each of the kids shopping for something for each other later. <\/p>\n
\u201cDaddy, is Megan here yet?\u201d Sam asked sweetly. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t see her, so my guess would be no,\u201d Jim teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cCan I ask a question?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSweetie, you can always ask questions. I don\u2019t always have the answers, but I\u2019ll try,\u201d Jim remarked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI know that I can\u2019t be a fairy because I\u2019m too tall, but does Santa Claus use faries?\u201d Samantha was ever so serious as she asked this question. <\/p>\n
\u201cPoppy, would you like to help with this question?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSanta Claus doesn\u2019t use fairies, honey, he uses elves,\u201d Blair stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cAm I too tall to be an elf?\u201d<\/p>\n
Both Jim and Blair burst out laughing. Jim said, \u201cWhat do you want to be an elf for?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI would love to live with Santa,\u201d Sam said. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut if you lived with Santa, you couldn\u2019t live here anymore,\u201d Blair pointed out. <\/p>\n
\u201cThen I won\u2019t go and live with Santa, because I love it here. I would miss Max and Drew too much. I would probably cry all of the time,\u201d Sam guessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cGood, I\u2019m glad you\u2019re not leaving us, Sam, because we sort of like having you in the family,\u201d Jim said happily. <\/p>\n
The doorbell rang and Sam said, \u201cI\u2019ll get it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSam, we don\u2019t let you open the front door. It has to be someone that can look out the peep hole,\u201d Blair reminded her. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re standing right there. I thought I would be safe enough,\u201d Sam said with a trembling lip. <\/p>\n
\u201cSam, don\u2019t cry. We\u2019ll answer it together. I\u2019m going to lift you up and you tell me who it is,\u201d Jim said calmly. <\/p>\n
Sam went happily with Jim to answer the door while Blair just laughed and walked into the kitchen. It was probably Megan and she probably wondered why it was taking an hour to answer the door. <\/p>\n
Jim lifted Sam up and Sam shouted, \u201cIts Auntie Megan. She\u2019s here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim set Sam down and opened the door up for Megan. \u201cHi Sam, are you ready to go shopping?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh yes, let me go get Max and Drew. They can\u2019t wait to go either.\u201d She hurried up the stairs and before long they were all downstairs chomping at the bit to get going. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim and Blair, could I ask a favor?\u201d Megan asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSure, what\u2019s up?\u201d Jim wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cCould you guys go and sit with Mason and keep him company? He\u2019s bored out of his mind when Jade isn\u2019t awake. I figured you could maybe play cards?\u201d Megan suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a good idea. We\u2019ll go now,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
Megan and the kids all left at the same time that Jim and Blair did. Jim smiled at the retreating forms and called out, \u201cHave fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI will, Jim,\u201d Megan answered laughing. <\/p>\n
The four of them laughed all the way to the car. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s a good friend, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo doubt about it. She\u2019s the best. She\u2019s so good with the kids and they love her too,\u201d Jim agreed. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s get over to Mason before he paces a hole in the wood floors,\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n
Jim knocked on the door softly as not to wake up baby Jade and Mason opened the door happily. \u201cHey, what are you guys doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe came up to see if you wanted to play 5000 Rummy with us,\u201d Blair suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat would be great, because Jade is down for a nap and that\u2019s usually for about two hours. I was bored already,\u201d Mason explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was really nice of you to let Megan take our kids shopping,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, you get to take Jade shopping for us,\u201d Mason joked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSeriously, we can watch baby Jade anytime you want to go shopping for Connor, if she\u2019s working or whatever,\u201d Jim stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, I might take you up on it. I have no shopping done at all yet. I realize that Jade is too small to understand, but we want it to be special,\u201d Mason said. <\/p>\n
Blair smiled. \u201cYou and Megan go shopping tomorrow and we\u2019ll watch her for you. You can buy all of the fun things you\u2019d like her to have and have time to browse if you don\u2019t have to worry about getting home right away.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Blair. You guys are the best friends we could ever have. Now let me get the cards and start this game. I\u2019m going to do some whooping up on someone,\u201d Mason kidded. <\/p>\n
They all laughed and walked into the kitchen area and sat down. <\/p>\n
&&&&&&&&&&<\/p>\n
\u201cOh Auntie Megan, can I buy them this?\u201d Sam said pointing to a beautiful fairy statue. It was made out of some type of glass, Megan wasn\u2019t sure, but the price was $220.00 for a little statue. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, that is for grown-up women to collect, not for men. They don\u2019t collect fairies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy not, Auntie Megan?\u201d she asked very seriously. Max and Drew were about ready to laugh. <\/p>\n
\u201cBecause men don\u2019t believe in fairies, Sam, so we don\u2019t want to waste our money on something like this when they don\u2019t believe,\u201d Megan explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think so too,\u201d Sam answered quite disgustedly. \u201cBut you believe in fairies, don\u2019t you Megan?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSam, once you get past about 10, you don\u2019t believe in them much anymore,\u201d Megan said cautiously. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo when I\u2019m ten, I won\u2019t believe in them either?\u201d Sam was appalled. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think you\u2019re going to believe in them until you are 80 years old,\u201d Megan said and hugged Sam close to her. Megan just loved this little girl and was so glad that Jim and Blair gave her a chance in their lives. <\/p>\n
\u201cShould we start shopping for the dads?\u201d Megan called out. <\/p>\n
They all started going from store to store trying to figure out what they could get for their money. <\/p>\n
Max was looking at something very closely and Megan said, \u201cYou found something, Max?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think pop would love this for his office area upstairs. It\u2019s so beautiful and I love it, but its 20 bucks more than I have. Could you lend it to me until we get home? I have it saved in my room,\u201d Max asked nicely. <\/p>\n
Megan looked at the wolf statue and knew that Blair would love it. It was so beautiful. So she said, \u201cSure, you know I can. Let\u2019s go pay for it and then you just have to worry about your dad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sam said, \u201cCan I go stand by Drew, he\u2019s right there?\u201d<\/p>\n
Megan said, \u201cHang on a moment, Max. Let me tell Drew that she\u2019s going to be with him while we pay for this and have it wrapped.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Megan,\u201d Max said following her, carrying his treasure. <\/p>\n
Drew was looking at a gorgeous statue for Jim and looked up when he saw them coming and said, \u201cIs something wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Drew, I just want you to know that Sam is going to stand by you while you look at this stuff. Max and I are going to go pay for his gift and have it wrapped. Do you mind keeping an eye on Sam?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHeck no. She\u2019s my sister.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max and Megan walked up the counter and asked if they could get a box for it and if they could get it wrapped. <\/p>\n
Drew was finding tons of stuff that his pop and dad would love and was glad they came in here. He figured he could take care of both of them here. That would be nice to be done with it. He glanced down and said, \u201cSam what do you think of this?\u201d<\/p>\n
There was dead silence. Drew said, \u201cSam, where are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Still dead silence. Drew freaked out and rushed up to Megan at the counter and said, \u201cI lost Sam.\u201d<\/p>\n
Megan took her badge out and asked the man to call in a lost child report and Megan left the boys at the counter while she searched high and low for Sam. She was no where in the store. She walked up to the counter and asked them to keep the gift for now, because they were locking down the mall until she was found. <\/p>\n
\u201cShould we call pop and dad?\u201d Max asked worriedly. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s see if we can find her first. We\u2019ll wait 15 minutes or so,\u201d Megan said, trying to sound brave, when all she could think about was some pervert getting their Sam. <\/p>\n
The cops came walking into the store and Max took out his picture of Sam from his wallet and they made copies right away. \u201cWe need you to stay here, so that if she came back, she\u2019ll be able to find you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExcuse me, I\u2019m a cop, I\u2019m going to go and look for her,\u201d Megan said sounding frantic. <\/p>\n
\u201cThen you know how important it is, to keep the brothers safe and not worrying. We\u2019ll find her. I\u2019m sure she just wandered off. Now, please stay here with the other two and we\u2019ll get back to you as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCan\u2019t I at least scream for her? If she heard her name, she would know to come to me,\u201d Megan suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re all going to be calling her name. Don\u2019t worry, we\u2019ll find her. This happens a lot this time of year,\u201d the cop said with a smile, but Megan could see through the smile and knew he was nervous. <\/p>\n
She turned back to Max and Drew and saw that Drew was crying. She pulled him into her arms and said, \u201cDon\u2019t worry, they\u2019ll find her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy dad and pop will never let me stay after this,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
\u201cDrew, don\u2019t talk nonsense. They love you and would never make you go somewhere else.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fifteen minutes later, they were still standing there and the cop came walking in and said, \u201cNo sign of her yet. We\u2019re checking everyone that\u2019s leaving the building, so she won\u2019t be getting out of here with anyone else. Don\u2019t worry so much.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is your name?\u201d Megan asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cBill Smith and yours?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMegan Connor. I\u2019m with the 12th precinct.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m with the 8th. Don\u2019t worry so much, Megan, we\u2019ll find her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCould a police officer stay here with the boys and I could help hunt for her?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, we insist that you stay where you are,\u201d Smith said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to call their dads. They are both cops too,\u201d Megan said pulling her phone out. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, it might be good to get them here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Megan dialed Jim\u2019s number and heard, \u201cBored already, Megan?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, I need you to stay very calm and come down to the mall right now. We\u2019re in a store called Visions, and the police are looking for Sam. I\u2019m so sorry, Jim. They won\u2019t let me look for her, they\u2019re making me stay here with the boys and wait in case she came back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cWe\u2019ll be there in about ten minutes, if that.\u201d Jim closed his cell, filled Blair in and the two of them barely said goodbye to Mason as they tore out of the building. <\/p>\n
&&&&&&&&&&<\/p>\n
Jim and Blair rushed into the store, called Visions and saw Drew and Max looking very frightened. Jim and Blair both hugged the boys and then Megan. Jim said, \u201cBlair you stay with the boys, I\u2019m going to go with Megan and see if we can\u2019t find her sooner. You need to stay with them, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGo, just go. Find our little girl,\u201d Blair pleaded. <\/p>\n
Jim and Megan walked out and Megan said, \u201cJim, I\u2019m so, so sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHush, Megan, I\u2019m listening for Sam. I need you to put your hand on my back and that will keep me centered long enough to listen for what I need,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
Megan put her hand on his back and rubbed it softly. She didn\u2019t say a word, she just hoped he would be able to hear something. Jim suddenly smiled and said, \u201cI hear her. She hiding somewhere. A man asked her to go with him and she freaked out. So she\u2019s hiding and telling the fairies that they need to find her daddy and poppy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can hear that with all the noise?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe in this store, right over here. Why would she be there?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe wanted the 200 dollar fairy and I told her it was for adults. She must have wanted another look. <\/p>\n
Jim walked in, listened again and then tilted his head and he was on a mission. He found her in a dressing room and she said, \u201cDaddy, they told me you were coming. They told me not to worry. They also told me not to talk to the bad man.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim held her in his arms and said, \u201cSam, you left Megan, Drew and Max. How many times have we told you, you can\u2019t do that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you really mad, daddy?\u201d Sam said, lip trembling. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I\u2019m very angry. You scared Auntie Megan and your brothers like crazy. Now let\u2019s get out of here and find them. Poppy is worried.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sam was crying when they came out of the dressing room and Megan picked her up and said, \u201cOh honey, I\u2019m so sorry I didn\u2019t take better care of you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI shouldn\u2019t have left you. Daddy said I was bad.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, you were bad and the fairies won\u2019t like it if you\u2019re bad again. So you have to always listen to us from now on,\u201d Megan explained. <\/p>\n
They walked across the way, saw the policeman, explained what had happened and he called off the Amber Alert and told them to keep track of her next time. Jim wanted to pop him one, but realized, he was right. God, Jim hated when other people were right. <\/p>\n
Blair and the boys came out into the mall and hugged and kissed on Sam. She was still crying. Jim said, \u201cSam, stop crying right now. Do you want to go home or shop with Auntie Megan?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI still get to shop?\u201d Sam asked tearfully. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf Auntie Megan isn\u2019t too worn out,\u201d Megan went into Jim\u2019s arms and just hugged him so tight that Jim could hardly breathe. <\/p>\n
\u201cI would be pleased to take the kids and finish. But this time, Sam is going to stay with me the entire time. And she\u2019s going to apologize to Drew for scaring the crap out of him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Drew. I didn\u2019t mean to leave. I wanted to see the fairy again. She\u2019s so beautiful,\u201d Sam said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll see you at home in a couple of hours,\u201d Jim said. Blair looked at him oddly, but didn\u2019t say anything. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, you\u2019ll see us bearing gifts in a couple of hours. Thank you for trusting me again, Jim. That\u2019s so important to me,\u201d Megan said almost crying. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll see you at home, kids. Do what Megan says. No one leaves her side,\u201d Blair said sternly. <\/p>\n
\u201cBye, pop and dad. We\u2019ll see you at home,\u201d Max said happily. He was never so happy in his life that this turned out all right. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair left the mall and got into the SUV. Blair said, \u201cI can\u2019t believe you left her there. I\u2019m telling you, it shocked me to my very core.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim put his head down on the steering wheel and started to cry. Blair didn\u2019t see this often, so he went right into his lovers arms and kissed him over and over again. \u201cShe\u2019s fine, babe. We\u2019re going to be just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim blew his nose and said, \u201cSorry. I was so ready to lose it up there when I thought about all of the horrible things that happen to little kids that get taken from stores. I couldn\u2019t stand the idea of losing our child to some monster. I was so scared, Blair, but so was Megan. She needed to know that we still trusted her. Plus I needed to go with you and have a meltdown.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair kissed him once more and said, \u201cWe\u2019re very lucky, Jim. This could have been so bad.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know. So does Megan. Call Mason, he\u2019ll be as worried as Megan was. Tell him we\u2019ll be back to play cards.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair smiled and dialed the number. Things were back to normal. <\/p>\n
&&&&&&&&&&<\/p>\n
When Megan got home with the kids it was dinner time. Mason was feeding Jade and Jim and Blair were watching him. She hugged Jim and Blair both and said, \u201cThank you for giving me another chance. They\u2019ll never leave my eyesight again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for taking such good care of them, Megan. You\u2019re a good Auntie. And speaking of our children, where are they?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re in the loft, locked in and putting the presents under the tree. Go join them,\u201d Megan suggested. <\/p>\n
Blair and Jim kissed Jade on the forehead and said goodbye to both Mason and Megan and left for the evening. <\/p>\n
They walked into the loft and saw the three kids putting boxes, wrapped beautifully under the tree. \u201cLooks like you found some good things,\u201d Jim said as he walked in. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh daddy, wait until you see the\u2026 Oops, I almost said what I got you. Drew and Max told me I can\u2019t tell, or you can\u2019t have it anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cSounds like a cool rule, but sometimes accidents happen, so we\u2019ll be a little easy going this time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you still mad at me, daddy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I\u2019m not mad at you at all. In fact, I want to take my family out for dinner. Would you like to ask Auntie Megan and Uncle Mason if they want to go along?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
Max said, \u201cClaim Jumper?\u201d He was heading for the phone to dial Megan\u2019s number. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat would be fine. Call and ask if they\u2019d like to go with us and we\u2019ll make it a two family night.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim smiled as he watched Drew putting things under the tree with care and knew they were probably glass or something. Drew looked up at him for a moment and Jim saw the fear there and he said, \u201cCome here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drew walked over to Jim and Jim pulled him into his arms and said, \u201cWe have to be very careful with Sam. We have to be very careful with all of you. You\u2019re the only children we\u2019re ever going to have, so we want you here forever. I\u2019m not mad at you and I know you\u2019ll be more careful from now on. I love you, Drew.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought I would have to move.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDrew, we don\u2019t make you move, if you do something we don\u2019t like. You have to get over that. Okay?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cI love you too, dad. Thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Everyone got ready to go and when Megan, Mason and Jade showed up, they all walked down to their SUVs. <\/p>\n
Jim and Megan smiled at each other and knew that they were fucking lucky this time. Jim knew that Megan would never leave Sam alone again. And Jim knew that he could always trust her. <\/p>\n
They got into the SUV and Sam said, \u201cMerry Christmas, everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMerry Christmas to you, too,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
\u201cAre you excited for the presents?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very excited. I was hoping to get a fairy statue. But the fairies told me that I wasn\u2019t old enough. So maybe next year,\u201d Sam said. <\/p>\n
Jim smiled and said, \u201cYou just never know, Sam, you just never know.\u201d<\/p>\n
The end<\/p>\n
Merry Christmas to all of you. I hope that the New Year brings nothing but happiness and good health. <\/p>\n
Hugs, Patt <\/p>\n
PattRose1@aol.com<\/p>\n
Family Life Part 90
\nWinter Wonderland
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 2,054
\nSummary: Someone has never been in a snowball fight. <\/p>\n
Notes: For Beth for giving me this wonderful story idea. <\/p>\n
Samantha woke up early and looked out her window and saw something she was excited about. It had snowed and she had wished for snow all during the holidays. She put her robe on and walked out of her room to find Drew making cinnamon rolls in the kitchen. \u201cDo you think I can wake daddy and poppy up to tell them there is snow outside?\u201d<\/p>\n
Drew smiled. \u201cI think they can wait until they come downstairs, Sam. But you could go and tell Max. He doesn\u2019t know yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh goody, I\u2019ll tell, Max.\u201d She rushed up the stairs to their room and jumped on Max\u2019s bed and said, \u201cGuess what?\u201d<\/p>\n
It was Max\u2019s turn to smile. \u201cWhat?\u201d He yawned and stretched as he waited for the surprise she was going to tell him. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe got snow. Remember how daddy said we\u2019d have a snowball fight if it snowed? Well, it snowed, so get ready to have a snowball fight.\u201d Sam jumped off his bed and rushed down the stairs, hoping that her dad and pop would be up. <\/p>\n
Drew saw her looking upstairs, trying to decide if she should go up there or not and he said, \u201cCan you help me set the table? We need glasses for orange juice and milk too. Then we need plates for the rolls and knives to butter them with. I could use some help.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can help you.\u201d She washed her hands and got busy helping Drew get everything set on the table. Before long, they were finished and Jim and Blair came walking down the stairs smiling. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is that wonderful smell?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
Sam said, \u201cDrew made cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Guess what?\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair almost laughed because he had seen the snow, plus Jim had heard her downstairs making a fuss trying to wake them up. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt snowed, so we\u2019re going to have a snowball fight. Remember?\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n
Jim picked Sam up and hugged her and said, \u201cWe didn\u2019t forget. We\u2019ll call Uncle Simon over, Daryl and Megan and Mason and see if they want to have some fun too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh goody, everyone will be here. This is going to be great fun. But no snowballs in the face in case there is ice in it, right?\u201d Sam wanted to know. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s right. Aim for down below the face,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut what if we accidentally miss?\u201d Sam asked worriedly.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry about it now, Sam. Let\u2019s have a nice breakfast and then make the phone calls to see if anyone wants to get in on this snowball fight or not,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
Blair walked in and hugged Drew. \u201cI could smell the rolls for the last fifteen minutes and couldn\u2019t wait to get down here to eat them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know how you and dad love the homemade cinnamon rolls, so I figured what the heck.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max came walking down the stairs and said, \u201cOh yum, cinnamon rolls. And then I hear we\u2019re having a snowball fight after breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDaddy and poppy are going to call everyone over to do it with us. It\u2019s going to be fun. We can\u2019t hit baby Jade with a snowball, though,\u201d Sam said seriously. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be very careful around baby Jade,\u201d Jim assured her. <\/p>\n
Jim got on the phone and called Simon, Daryl and Megan and Mason. Everyone was going to be there in an hour. Now they just had to keep Sam busy for an hour. <\/p>\n
They ate their breakfast as slow as they could, so that it would kill some time. But Sam wasn\u2019t having it. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy are you all eating so slow? There are snowballs to be made. We could be downstairs having fun instead of eating.\u201d<\/p>\n
They all laughed and Jim finally said, \u201cYou have to help clean up after breakfast and then we need to find your snowsuit and mitten. You can\u2019t have a snowball fight without mittens or a snowsuit.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDaddy, I already found my snowsuit. Remember how poppy said I would probably never need it? Well, I\u2019m going to need it today. It\u2019s really pretty. I like it, a lot. Pink and purple are my favorite colors.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMax, do you want to help me clean up the mess I made?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cWe\u2019ll all help. Come on Sam, this will help keep us busy until everyone gets here.\u201d<\/p>\n
They all helped in the kitchen and Sam rattled on about the snow the entire time. The guys were all laughing and smiling while they listened to her. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh to be five again,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
Jim burst out laughing. \u201cDrew, you\u2019re only 14. It\u2019s not like you\u2019re sixty.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know, but when you\u2019re five, things are a lot more exciting. Look how thrilled she is,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
Max smiled and said, \u201cI don\u2019t know about you, bro, but I\u2019m as excited as she is. This is going to be great fun. I can\u2019t wait to get started.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMe too, Max,\u201d Sam said excitedly. <\/p>\n
There was a knock on the door and Sam went flying into the living room and stood in front of the door. She didn\u2019t open it, because she knew better then to do that, but she was excited. <\/p>\n
Jim opened up the door and said, \u201cCome on in, Daryl and Simon. Are you guys ready to get pounded with snowballs?\u201d<\/p>\n
Simon said, \u201cI\u2019m going to be on Daryl, Max and Drew\u2019s side. So I probably won\u2019t get pounded that much. You\u2019re going to be the ones getting pounded.\u201d<\/p>\n
There was another knock on the door and Sam about went wild. \u201cThat\u2019s probably Auntie Megan and Uncle Mason. Can we start now?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim opened the door and found Megan, Mason and Jade waiting in the hall. Jade was all bundled up in a snow suit and looked darling. Jim picked her up out of her strolled and kissed her. \u201cHow is our baby, Jade today?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mason said, \u201cShe\u2019s going to sit on the sidelines with mommy so she doesn\u2019t get hit with a snowball. But I\u2019m here to have some fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
The boys rushed upstairs to get their warm clothing on and Jim and Blair did the same. Sam was already done by the time they all got downstairs. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s get this show on the road,\u201d Jim said smiling. <\/p>\n
Sam let out a squeal of delight and they were off. <\/p>\n
@@@@@@@<\/p>\n
Once downstairs, Jim and Blair took Sam over to one side of the open field and Simon, Daryl, Drew and Max went to the other side. Mason went with Jim and Blair. Megan had her camcorder and was ready for action. <\/p>\n
\u201cNow the first thing we have to do, Sam, is make the snowballs. And we have to make enough of them so we can throw a lot of them. So this is how it\u2019s done,\u201d Jim explained as he showed her how to build a snowball. She got all excited and started getting busy building the snowballs and so did Blair and Mason. Before long they had piles and piles of snowballs and had built a little ledge of snow to hide behind. Blair had built that, so that they would be safe from the other team. <\/p>\n
Simon said, \u201cWow, they built a little barrier to hide behind, I guess we better do the same thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
So they got busy and built one too. <\/p>\n
Megan smiled as she recorded these adults having fun with the children. Jim, Blair, Mason and Sam had a huge piles of snowballs and then decided to build some more. They weren\u2019t going to be outdone by Simon. <\/p>\n
Megan smiled as she watched these people she loved dearly build their forts and their snowballs. This was going to be a fight to the finish. Sam was enjoying it so much, that Megan kept recording her, so that the daddies could watch it later. <\/p>\n
Before too long, both sides finished with their ammo and decided to start. Mason said, \u201cSam gets the first toss.\u201d<\/p>\n
No one argued the point. Sam stood up and threw the snowball as hard as she could and it hit Max in the shoulder. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis means, war,\u201d Max shouted as he threw one back at Sam. <\/p>\n
Before long they were all throwing snowballs at each other, sometimes actually hitting their target, but mostly missing them by a mile. <\/p>\n
Megan was having a blast recording this, because all she could hear was laughing and happiness coming from these friends. Even Jade was enjoying it. She was clapping and laughing at her daddy throwing the white things at Uncle Simon.<\/p>\n
They did this for two hours and Megan said, \u201cTime out.\u201d<\/p>\n
They all stopped and looked at Megan like she was a spoilsport and Jim asked, \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes someone want to check Samantha\u2019s hands to see if she\u2019s too cold?\u201d Megan suggested. <\/p>\n
Samantha frowned and said, \u201cI am cold, poppy. My hands are frozen. Could we go inside and have hot chocolate?\u201d<\/p>\n
The boys and the men realized that they would have to give up because Sam was freezing. They forgot that she was a little girl, not an immature man. <\/p>\n
They all cleaned the snow off of them and went upstairs for hot chocolate. At the doorway, everyone took their coats, gloves and boots off. It was a funny thing, each member realized how cold they were once they walked into the warm loft. <\/p>\n
Drew said, \u201cWhat would everyone like with their hot chocolate?\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair hugged Drew and said, \u201cNothing. Just hot chocolate is good. Come on, I\u2019ll help you make it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Everyone went into the living room and Jim said, \u201cI don\u2019t know about anyone else, but that was the most fun I\u2019ve had in years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Simon smiled. \u201cI agree. I haven\u2019t done that since Daryl was little. It just goes to prove that you\u2019re never too old for a snowball fight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max asked, \u201cDid you have fun, Sam?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a good time, but I got too cold.\u201d<\/p>\n
Megan frowned and said, \u201cDo you want to sit with me, I\u2019m warm, honey?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I\u2019m fine. I\u2019m already getting warmer. Once we have our hot chocolate, we\u2019ll all be warm, right?\u201d Sam asked. <\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cYes, we\u2019ll all be warm. I had fun playing in the snow with you, Sam.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, daddy. I had fun playing with everyone in the snow. I never knew what a snowball fight was until today. It was a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair and Drew came carrying trays with hot chocolate for everyone. They even brought a bottle of it out for Jade in case Megan would let her have it. They didn\u2019t have to worry about that, because Jade was sound to sleep. <\/p>\n
They all sat and drank the warm liquid, thanking Drew and Blair for it. Sam said, \u201cDaddy, can I lay on you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy don\u2019t we have you lay down in your room and you can have just a little nap?\u201d Jim suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cDaddy, I\u2019m not a baby,\u201d Sam replied. <\/p>\n
She crawled into Jim\u2019s lap and was asleep within moments. Everyone was snickering over that. Jim carried her into her bedroom and laid her down for a nap, but Jim wouldn\u2019t call it that when she woke up. <\/p>\n
They all watched the video that Megan took and loved every second of it. \u201cI\u2019ll make copies for all of you when I get upstairs,\u201d Megan promised. <\/p>\n
\u201cGood, because this is one of those first times that we don\u2019t want to ever forget. Thank you for recording it, Megan,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know about anyone else, but I need a nap,\u201d Simon said as he stretched and yawned. <\/p>\n
\u201cI could use one myself,\u201d Mason admitted. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think we should all call it a day and we\u2019ll all have naps,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
Max stood up and said, \u201cThanks for the fun time everyone. I had a blast.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drew said, \u201cI\u2019m ready for a short nap myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
After everyone left, Jim and Blair took the cups into the kitchen, rinsed them out and put them in the dishwasher. Then once the house was locked up, they walked upstairs for a nap themselves. <\/p>\n
Blair realized as he was almost asleep that it was a wonderful time of year. It might be cold, but the snow made it all worthwhile. <\/p>\n
The end<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Family Life Part 81 Jim\u2019s Secret Life By Patt Word Count: 3286 Summary: When Jim is alone he likes to sing and dance to old musicals. Someone is going to find out his secret. Notes: I\u2019m sending a big thank … Continue reading