The Ten of Them – Chapter 10

Misty pulls Marshall over to the stairwell and whispers, “Behave, you weren’t much better when I first told you I liked you. I want to see the baby for a second.”

Michael takes Judge Thurgood downstairs to play some pool. Mom, Helen and the rest of his children tagalong downstairs. MC also goes along she is talking to Helen and Mom. Misty and Kathryn quietly walk upstairs.

I walk over to Marshall and asked a few questions. “Marshall you don’t feel bad about your Dad being interested in Alyssa? It’s been a very long time for him right?”

Marshall looks down and says, “My Mom died in childbirth, so yeah it’s been a very long time. It just funny I have never seen him interested in anyone before. I know he was joking but the way he looked at her after she said he could ask her out. I know he’s going to.”

Joan still listening turns and asks, “Marshall, you don’t have a problem with your Dad dating my Mom?”

Marshall just looks at her funny and says, “Why should I have a problem, your Mom is gorgeous, a great cook, and judging from you a great mother.” Joan smiles and turns back to the dishes.

Johnny asks, “You know because she’s…“

Marshall cut him off, “from LA, no, not in the least. JJ came from there and he’s cool.”

Johnny shakes his head and says, “No, I mean she’s Hispanic.”

Marshall says, “I’m an American mutt, my ancestors got here so long ago it wasn’t even North Carolina then. We are probably as much Native American as anyone else living around here, along with English, French, German, Dutch, Scots, Irish and every other group that come across the Atlantic and I wouldn’t exclude Spain from that list either.”

Johnny laughs, “It doesn’t matter to you?”

Marshall says, “Dad has been alone so long it would be nice to see him go out once in a while with someone he got along with. If something more develops from it, good. It probably would be good for your Mom too, to have a friend to be with once in a while.”

Joan giggles and says, “That is the first time I ever seen Mom tease anyone. I think it made her night.”

Grandma giggles and says, “I think the two of them would be good for each other.” Marshall shaking his head yes to that, Johnny shrugs his shoulders and Joan is also shaking her head yes.

I say, “I’m not much of a matchmaker. I normally leave that up to Kathryn. But even if they just stay friends it can’t hurt them to be with each other once in a while. We can arrange that, and if they get together and make each other happy that will be good.”

Johnny looks a serious face and says, “I never knew how bad my parents’ marriage is, until I seen JJ and Kathryn together, and you Marshall and Misty together are nearly the same. I want someone that will treat my Mom like that.”

Marshall smiles and says, “I’d like the same for my Dad. He is a good man with a good heart.”

Kathryn and Misty are coming downstairs quietly, they have a questioning look. Grandma says, “This little group here is going to metal in the Judge and Alyssa’s love life.”

I chuckle and say, “All we’re going to do is make sure the two of them have contact. Then step back and let it happen.”

Misty walks to Marshall and says, “Guess that could be the best way, if they’re interested in each other they will work it out.”

Kathryn as she walks by Misty gently pushes her into Marshall’s arms and says, “Occasionally we may have to do a little push to help things along. If they’re interested in each other maybe all we need to do is let them know that. Some couples have a tough time realizing that.”

Marshall chuckles saying, “We were like that.”

Kathryn walks into my arms and I gratefully hold her as we kiss. When we break Kathryn says, “Sam is such a little Angel. She rolled over onto your pillow she took a deep breath, and said daddy. She is sound asleep. I think she’s dreaming about you.”

I asked her, “You sure she’s asleep, we could always go be with her. She probably needs the security of us being with her.”

Misty giggles and says, “Told you he would say that. JJ is going to be as protective of his daughters as he is of you Kathryn.”

Kathryn looking at me with love showing in her brilliantly green eyes says, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

I so much wanted to throw Kathryn down on our bed and make love to her until she howled, but I realize we would wake up our daughter. I didn’t want to expose Sam to such behavior from her new parents. I realize something also, I thought of Sam as my daughter, our daughter. Not as a beautiful child that belonged to someone else, but ours, Kathryn and I.

With a chuckle I say, “I love being a parent already, but I can understand why some parents are so grumpy.”

Kathryn giggles, “If we could just be quiet.”

Joan and Grandma laughs, Johnny has a questioning look not realizing it was us making all the noise the other two nights.

Misty giggles and says, “You two are going to have problems until you get Sam to sleep in another room.”

I say, “Or teacher her to swim in a few aunts spend some time with her while Kathryn and I have some quality time together. Tomorrow we need to go get some clothing for Sam. Hopefully we’ll have time to buy a new bedroom suit for her too. We will do that right after we finish trading. I guess the question will be who wants to go with us shopping. ”

Misty says quickly, “Girl got to have her Aunt with her.”

Joan quickly corrects Misty saying playfully, “Aunts, Aunt Misty.”

Kathryn giggles, “We’re not going to have room for everybody even if we take two cars.”

Grandma giggles, “Then we will take three.”

I don’t have a problem with that, the more people around Sam that love her and she loves the better for Sam. Not that I don’t think Kathryn and I are totally responsible enough to take care of Sam. I got a feeling Sam already has that with Kathryn and I, but she’s also bonding with the rest of the family. I want him to come to a feeling of security with all the family.

I chuckle and say, “Let’s not spoil her too much, but I know a few people who need to get a few items when we’re there too. Misty and Marshall needs swimwear, probably MC need some too. And it’s about time for our annual shopping trip. Tomorrow can be the warm up for that. We also need to drop by the sporting goods store and pick up a life jacket for Sam. That way she can be in the pool a lot more.”

Kathryn giggles, “Great I get to go shopping for my daughter. Hope you’re feeling strong husband you’re going to be carrying a lot of bags tomorrow.”

I chuckle and point to Marshall, “Marshall my friend, welcome to my life. Tomorrow you’re on bag carrying duty too.” Marshall one look to Misty just shakes his head yes.

Misty seeing Alyssa return from her bedroom, I guess she went to straighten up and check if anything is missing after those two have ransacked her room too. Misty asks Alyssa, “Alyssa, I asked the Judge over for dinner on Saturday. The only problem I have is he accepted. I am not a very good cook can I get you to help me, or just teach me how to make something.”

Alyssa giggles and asks, “You’re just trying to get me and him together?”

Misty looks down and says, “I wish that was all, but Marshall can tell you how bad my cooking is.” Marshall has an expression of pure panic; he doesn’t want to admit he doesn’t like her cooking on fear of hurting her feelings.

I come to Marshall’s aid by saying, “Alyssa’s a better cook than anyone I know so your cooking is going to be hard-pressed to come up to her quality. You’re a smart woman Misty to go to the best for lessons.”

With a giggle Alyssa gives me kiss on the cheek and says, “Thank you for the compliment on my cooking JJ. It’s nice to hear that.” Alyssa turns to Misty who has a pleading look on her face. Alyssa smiles and says, “It’s hard to cook, especially if you’re not sure of yourself. You help me cook lunch tomorrow and I’ll give you some practice. We’ll be shopping at dinner time. But the day after that lunch and dinner you are going to help me prepare.”

Misty now brightly smiles, “Thank you Alyssa I’ll be glad to help you any time just to get to learn a few things.”

Kathryn says, “Be here at eight tomorrow morning, you can help JJ and I fix breakfast.”

The look on Marshall’s face is almost comical, an expression of panic and relief all at once. He seemed to really enjoy Kathryn and me cooking breakfast for them the other day. It makes me wonder just how bad of a cook Misty is. Her cooking couldn’t be worse than my water skiing, even if it is, will both improve with practice.

I want to ask the Judge what he knows about adopting, maybe give us some pointers make the process go faster or smoother was Sam. I turn to Kathryn say, “Let’s go ask the Judge what we need to do to make Sam our daughter permanently.”

Kathryn wraps her arm around me and begins pulling me to the elevator, of course we don’t go alone Marshall, Misty, Joan, Johnny, Grandma and Alyssa all come to hear what the Judge will say to us.

We find the judge in the game room playing pool with Michael senior, Mom and the rest of the girls watching TV in the home theater. I wait until there’s a break in their game before I asked the Judge, “Your Honor, do you have any advice to make the adoption of Sam easier?”

Judge Thurgood laughs, “First of all when I’m in your house, I’m Uncle George. As for the adoption of Sam don’t worry too much about it. You just love her, and Ms. Clark will see that. With her approval it will go through with no problems.”

Kathryn smiled brightly and says, “Okay Uncle George. Loving Sam is not something I could stop now anyway.”

I chuckle and say, “I think I can speak for the whole family on this one, none of us could stop loving Sam, right Uncle George?”

Marshall knowing his Dad says, “I know I couldn’t.”

The Judge says, “Amen to that. I’m sure no one could ever stop loving Samantha.”

Kathryn says, “Come on honey we have a daughter to look after.” I waved goodbye as we had back to the elevator.

We arrive just in time to see Sam shuffle on the bed and raise her head, with little a girl’s voice edged in fear she says, “Mommy? Daddy?”

In a soothing voice I say, “Right here Sam. We are coming to bed, right now.”