Adult story: The Ten of Them – Chapter 23
by Hard93
In our last chapter, JJ and Kathryn found Crystal a missing piece to their family, they immediately began the process of adopting her. Although unable to adopt Cindy, JJ and Kathryn will take care of her by acting as her foster parents
In the morning Crystal is the first to stir, and she awakes Sam asking, “Where’s the bathroom?”
Her movement awakes Kathryn and I, Kathryn stays with me as the girls go to the bathroom. Kathryn kisses me and says, “I never thought my life could be so great. I have a great husband, two great kids. I’m expecting a beautiful baby girl, all before I turn fifteen.”
With a smile I say, “The day I met you, was one of the best days in my life. Your Dad even told me you were getting a crush on me. I think my heart skipped a beat. At first I thought it was because I was afraid I might hurt you, I already knew I did not ever want to do that. I now know it was because I was already falling in love with you. The premonition was our hearts way of telling us where they wanted to go, that we should be together.”
Kathryn and I kiss lovingly when we break it is to giggles from the girls. Sam beside crystal says, “Mommy and Daddy are very much in love. Sister if you hear them making funny noises its best just to leave them alone. They’re really not hurting each other.” Sam laughs at her statement.
Laughing along with Sam, I help Kathryn to her feet and we go to the bathroom as the girls talk. I ask over my shoulder, “Would you like pancakes for breakfast?”
Crystal only shrugs her shoulders, but Sam shouts, “Yes! Bunny pancakes for breakfast.”
Giggling Crystal asks, “What are Bunny pancakes?”
Sam is explaining to Crystal in great detail what Bunny pancakes are, and how they look. Kathryn pulls me into the bathroom because I stopped in the doorway to watch the two sisters. Inside she says, “JJ my love you’re going to spoil our daughters.”
With a chuckle I say, “I’m going to show them, that I love them.”
Kathryn says, “That’s exactly what I’m saying. You love those girls, I can feel it in your heart and you have not known Crystal twenty-four hours yet. Don’t forget you’re not the only one, I get to spoil them too.”
With a smile I reply, “Of course my Love.”
After relieving ourselves, I am shaving and Kathryn sets on the wide countertop watching me. There are giggles from the doorway from our two daughters. Sam has done this before, but it is good to see that Crystal shares Sam’s viewpoint. The three of them watch as I finish shaving and as soon as I finish Sam begins tugging on me as she says, “Hurry up Daddy I’m getting very hungry for my bunny.”
I scoop Sam and Crystal up into my arms and get a reward of two beautiful young girls kissing my cheeks. Kathryn leads as we go downstairs to make breakfast. On my way down I ask, “Crystal do you like cooked apples?”
Crystal says, “I like apples, but I never had them cooked before, unless you count pie.”
Giggling Sam says, “You’ll love them. Daddy is my fourth favorite cook, but he does a really great job on breakfast.”
Kathryn giggles at Sam’s remark; she knows that Sam loves her and her Aunt Alyssa’s cooking over mine, and I chuckle along with her. Although I am uncertain who is first, second and third in line Sam’s estimate of our chef skills. I know the competition I am up against in Sam’s eyes, and me being forth is not a very bad rating considering that.
I do Crystal and Sam’s pancake at the same time and have them ready just as the apples are ready. Bring the two plates to the table and setting them in front of the girls Sam does not hesitate before adding syrup and cutting in to her pancake. Crystal is looking at the pancake before she says to me, “Daddy it’s almost too pretty to eat.”
That brings a smile to my face and I tell Crystal, “Thank you Princess, but it’s made to be eaten.”
Sam passes the syrup to Crystal who copies Sam adding a lavish amount of syrup to her pancake. I would love to watch the two eat, but Kathryn clearing her throat reminds me I have not fed her yet. I turn back to the stove and begin making two more bunny pancakes for Kathryn. As I set the plate with the two bunny pancakes before Kathryn who has an expression that says it is about time, I cannot help but chuckle. My stomach growls bringing giggles from my girls, now reminded to feed myself I return to cooking.
After finishing my short stack of pancakes, I come to the table surprised that I will be the only one still there. Crystal comes to my lap cuddles into me, with a very happy and contented smile she looks into my face. Crystal says, “Daddy so far you’re my favorite cook.”
Kathryn comes and lifts Crystal from my lap saying, “We need to go and find you some clothes to wear so we can go shopping.”
Crystal brightens saying, “I like shopping.”
I cannot help but chuckle remembering Sam has said the same thing. Getting a look from the two I explain, “Crystal your Mommy loves to shop, and Sam likes to shop too.”
I am just finishing my breakfast as the doorbell rings, answering I find Miss Clark there with Cindy. Ms. Clark begins by saying, “I got my supervisor’s approval this morning, and here is that shopping list of the needed items for the children.”
I offer my hand to Cindy who seems a little afraid, so I kneel down until I am at eye-level with her. I tried to give a reassuring smile to her. I simply say, “Welcome Cindy, you’re just in time we’re going to go shopping after breakfast. Have you eaten already?”
A little hesitantly, Cindy shakes her head yes in answer to my question. I ask Cindy, “You know where Sam’s bedroom is? She’s there with her Mommy and Crystal they are changing to go shopping.”
Cindy asks, “Do I get to go?”
Still smiling I answer, “We certainly hope you want to come. I’m sure we’ll find something for you too today.”
Cindy has a shocked expression for a few moments. I could not go shopping with Sam and Crystal and not purchase Cindy something as well. When Ms. Clark passes me, her suitcase is far lighter than I imagined it should be. I realize why Cindy was not expecting this. She is in the same pair of blue jeans she wore yesterday, there’s a small stain from the tacos on them.
Ms. Clark seeing my expression explains, “Cindy’s last foster parents were removed from the system for lack of support they gave their charges.”
My smile fades as I face Ms. Clark in a hard voice I say, “That’s not going to happen with me. This young lady’s going to get everything she deserves and more.”
Cindy unsure of my reaction practically hides behind Ms. Clark, realizing I lost my temper and frightened her I quickly bring myself back under control. Again kneeling down with a smile I tell Cindy, “It’s not your fault and I’m not mad at you, I am angry at how you were treated. I promise I will treat you far better, I will explain all the rules about the house. I will never punish you for something you did not know. I will always explain about any punishment you receive. I don’t believe in spanking, the punishments you’ll get will be you do not get to do something for an hour, or a day, at most a week.”
Cindy’s eyes go wide before she asks, “What will my punishments be?”
I say, “If you do something really bad, you may not get to go out to play in the little house for a week, or go swimming in our pool.”
Cindy in a small voice answers, “I promise I’ll be good.”
Smiling at her I say, “I don’t see any bad in you, so if you just be yourself we will get along.” That seems to break the ice between the two of us and she comes around Miss Clark she jumps into my arms and holds onto me tight. I just gently hold her caressing her back as she begins to cry.
After a few minutes Cindy says, “Sam says you are a great Daddy, but I still got one.”
Still holding the little girl I think I may know a solution, many of the children here will call close family friend uncle even though there is not any relationship. Therefore, I tell Cindy, “Since you already have a Daddy and Mommy, I can be your uncle. You can call me Uncle JJ.”
She leans back to look at my face seeing me smile at her. Cindy brightens before she says, “I like that Uncle JJ.”
Ms. Clark smiles and says, “You have a way with children. It really is something special.” I can feel myself blush at the compliment.
I ask Cindy, “Would you like to ride on my shoulders?”
Giggling Cindy shakes her head yes. I take a step back I lift Cindy up, and then give her a quick spin then set her on my shoulders. She wraps her arms around my head and her chin is just above my ear she whispers, “I think I’m going to have a lot of fun here Uncle JJ.”
Miss Clark must have overheard Cindy’s comment because she begins to giggle. Cindy turning to Ms. Clark who explains, “Sam loves it here, everyone that knows her can see how much she is loved. Sam is the happiest child that I know. Yes you’re going to have a lot of fun here.”
Chuckling I say, “That’s the first rule of the house, you got a have fun every day. If not you need to tell me what you need so you can have fun. I’ll make sure you work too, but it will always be balanced.”
Cindy says, “You mean like a bicycle?”
I ask, “Is that something you love to do Cindy?”
I can hear her heart beat faster as she says, “I’ve wanted a bicycle forever, and will you teach me how to ride?” She then adds, “Pretty please Uncle JJ.”
Chuckling because I knew this was coming I say, “I guess it’s time to buy my favorite niece a bicycle, along with my daughters.”
Cindy squeezes me very tightly. Sam hearing what I said gives a squeal. She says, “Mommy another one of my dreams is coming true. Daddy is going to teach us how to ride bicycles!”
I do get a concerned look from Ms. Clark before I say, “I’ll be sure to make them wear all the proper safety equipment before they even get on a bicycle. They are three beautiful girls that don’t need scarred knees.”
Ms. Clark giggles at me then says, “They certainly are. Just be sure they’re supervised as they ride.”
Sam gives Cindy a hug as soon as I set her on the ground. As soon as Sam steps back, Crystal steps in and gives Cindy a hug too. Kathryn smiles as she looks over Cindy, I know she sees the stain on the blue jeans from the night before. Walking to Sam’s bed, I open Cindy’s suitcase, and it is even more discouraging than I thought it could be. Looking through the contents everything seems very old, worn and faded. Either old hand-me-downs or what you would find in a thrift store partially fill the small suitcase. There is not even a second pair of jeans in the suitcase. That explains why Cindy is wearing the jeans she is, it is a cool day and nothing in the case is warmer than what she has on.
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