Even now Kathryn was diversifying, she had put a large amount of money into solid assets, silver, gold, platinum, even some diamonds and other precious gems. The rest of the family had followed suit.
The joint trust purchased a large piece of land out in the countryside of the upper Midwest. I see where they are paying Daniel to design a large home capable of housing the entire family including my adoptive members. Actually, it looks like Daniel is designing a small community, complete with underground connecting passageways to each of the homes with storerooms and safe rooms. From the blue prints on the computer, it appears as half of the living space is underground, with a large central complex housing a theater, kitchen and several large community rooms.
I wonder if we going to spend the winter there sometime. I know Coach Edwards talks about retiring, and Kathryn will not admit it, but she does not want to be anywhere her Dad and Mom is not nearby. I know the kids will probably love the snow, and from the weather reports, the area gets quite a lot. Perhaps that is the reason for all the underground facilities, because they would allow us to be together in bad weather.
I look at a satellite overview of the land, is quite isolated a small two-lane road only goes to the edge of the property, a large lake borders one side of the property and it does not look like anyone is developing the area around it. The area that Daniel is developing on the land resides fairly near the road and overlooks the lake. I noticed Daniel’s plans using solar and wind generators to power the facilities. Perhaps that is why the land is undeveloped; there is no power lines near it.
When I bought our property, I was not particularly looking for privacy, but now that I am a multibillionaire, I can see where that could be nice. If we develop the land without anyone knowing whom or why, it could be a safe refuge for the family.
Locally I am well known and liked, I hope. That could be an issue. When someone told Lester that, a billionaire was getting married at his home he decided to come and see if he could rob the place. His downfall happened when he decided to make some extra money by prostituting out Nicole.
Given Nicole’s behavior, I am sure we still could have adopted Sam if Nicole had lived. I mean I would never allow Lester to control Sam for a moment if I could. However, rewriting time is not something I am capable of no matter how much money I have. Therefore, I could never change the circumstances that brought Sam into our lives. Sam coming into our life was in soon enough to prevent Lester’s abuse. That is what I would really change if the opportunity were presented.
Over the past months, it has become evident that the only reason Lester and Nicole wanted Sam was from the combined life insurance her parents and grandmother left to Sam. We had recovered ninety percent of that money for Sam. We added it to her trust, and when she turns eighteen, she will gain control of her trust. In the meantime, I will probably get anything Sam desires after all I do love spoiling my girls.
Speaking of spoiling my girls, I am making them lunch with tomato soup and grilled cheese, and cooked apples for dessert. The grilled cheese sandwiches has two different types of cheese that melt well together, they give a rich flavor that the girls love. Unfortunately, Misty did not make the tomato soup. I had to substitute canned soup. After a quick phone call to Daniel asking if, he and Kara could join us for lunch as well. Daniel had requested the apples, which I did not have any problem adding to lunch, especially since he volunteered to bring the ice cream. The apples I will serve hot with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on top.
I expect more for lunch than just Kathryn, Sam, and Crystal. Mom rubs me on the shoulder seeing the stack of grilled cheese sandwiches I am making. She giggles and says, “By the look of that stack of grilled cheese sandwiches you are expecting the entire family for lunch?
I chuckle as I reply, “Well the biggest part of the family. Can you stay, please?”
Mom gets my chin a caress and says, “Wild horses could not pull me away.”
I smile because I knew she was going to stay. I am starting the apples, six sticks of butter with about twelve pounds of apples cored and sliced, nutmeg and cinnamon with a dash of salt. You can add brown sugar when using tart apples, but I am using sweet apples so I leave it out. When the butter melts, I add the apples and spices stir to coat with the butter then cover with a lid. Cooked apples are simple as pie, will you can use them for pie filling too. If there would be any leftover, I might consider that. Once their warm soft and slightly sticky you simply dish them out to a small bowl and then top with the ice cream. The dish is Apple pie à la mode without the crust, which is easier than pie.
Sam comes in running and I turned to catch her just in time. I give Sam a squeeze after I have her in my arms. She calls over her shoulder after catching her breath, “Told you Uncle Marshall. Daddy has lunch ready.”
Marshall chuckles then says, “You are right Sam, JJ did make lunch for us.”
Johnny says, “I am glad Sam was right, Marshall was grumbling all the way back.”
Crystal smiles and says, “I knew Daddy was going to have lunch ready too.”
I give Sam a peck on the cheek then set her down to take Crystal into my arms and give her a hug as well. I give Crystal a peck on the cheek then set her down to continue cooking. Misty shows up with MJ, Carl and Sarah. Carl has MJ in his arms and from the look on Sarah’s face; I doubt she has gotten to hold MJ yet.
Sam and Crystal has gone to the bathroom wash their hands and return. They begin setting the table. I hear Cindy’s voice ask, “Sam do you need any help?”
Sam suggests, “Can you put some napkins out?”
The three girls work together as Kara gives me a hug. She says, “Daniel will be here in a couple minutes.”
I return her hug and then say, “I am glad I made enough.”
Kara giggles and says, “You think you did, remember I am eating for three.”
Kathryn giggles as she steals her sister, pulls her to the table to sit beside her. Kathryn caresses Kara’s belly and asks, “Have you found out yet what the babies’ sex are?”
Kara as she places her hand on top of her sisters she says, “Mom and Dad are coming over, soon Maria and Michelle will be here too. When everybody is here that can get here today I will tell everyone.”
Does not take long for the family to arrive and I was correct everyone is there except for Uncle George. Alyssa will take lunch to him, after she learns the news Kara has.
I bring a couple large platters of sandwiches, Mom starts dishing out the soup, the girls had put crackers out, along with a couple of the items the family like adding to the soup. Alyssa begins helping Mom before long the table is set and lunch is ready. I give apples a final stir and remove them from the heat. I will leave them in the kettle to retain their heat while we eat lunch.
Taking my place beside Kathryn I can feel her impatience waiting for the news Kara promised to share, Daniel finally makes his way to the table and sits down beside his wife. From the expression on his face, he also wants to know what Kara has to say.
Kara taking a sandwich dips it into her soup and begins eating before she looks up and sees the entire table waiting for her news. She is surprised and stops chewing for a moment. She quickly eats the bite she has in her mouth. Feeling a little uncomfortable at all the stairs from the family, Kathryn comes to her sister’s rescue by saying, “Let the poor pregnant woman have her lunch. The boys need all the food they can get.”
Now giggling Kara shakes her head no to let her sister know her guess was incorrect. Now over her shyness Kara looks at Daniel and says, “I know you want a son…”
Daniel quickly says, “I do not care as long as the babies and you are healthy.”
Kara giggles again before she says, “The doctor says we are doing fine.”
Daniel puts his hand on Kara’s belly and looks into her face with a smile he says, “I am glad my daughters are healthy.”
When Kara shakes her head no Daniel’s eyes almost water, his emotions are running so strong. Kara quickly comes to his relief. Kara says, “Kathryn and you are only half right. I am having a boy and a girl.”
Daniel quickly throws his wife in a hug gently pulling her out of her chair and into his lap. The two kiss passionately to laughter from the family. Kathryn simply slides Kara’s plate closer to Daniel, after the kiss he still holds her on his lap, he feeds her to the occasional giggle from Cindy, Sam and Crystal.
At the end of lunch, I get a large bowl placing the apples with three scoops of ice cream I put it in front of Kara. Her eyes go big as she says, “Thanks JJ, how did you know what I was craving.”
With a chuckle I say, “I did not, when I called Daniel to tell him about lunch he asked if I could make apples. He brought the ice cream too.”
Daniel chuckles at Kara surprise. In a happy voice he says, “JJ explained to me how he felt when he was getting Kathryn’s cravings. I noticed I was having the same reaction so I asked JJ to make the apples.”
Kara again kisses Daniel to laughter from the family. Kathryn and I hold hands as we get an odd sensation from Amanda, Mom has placed Amanda with MJ in the crib together the two babies awoken to laughter now stare into each other’s eyes. It is not as if Amanda is afraid she seems more curious.
I lift Amanda out of the crib, once she is away from MJ she begins to cry and he does too. Kathryn lifts MJ when the babies can see each other they instantly stop crying. The two are resting in our arms as we sit side-by-side. As long as the two babies can see each other, they remain calm, but as soon as Kathryn or I turn and the babies are out of sight of each other, they seem to cry for the other.
It takes a few more minutes before the two babies fall back to sleep. We lay them back into the crib, and rejoin the rest of the adults. I enjoy some apples and ice cream, but Kathryn waves hers away rubbing her belly saying, “I need to get into that prom dress.”
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