That will be our last act as educators, the transfer of the team and the playbook. Michael senior, coach Edwards was only six years short of reaching his thirty-year retirement with the school system. He said to me he would not miss some of the aspects of dealing with the Board of Education, and he really does not need the difference the six years will make in his retirement. What he will miss is working with the players, more than a few of his players have gone off to college, and at least six on into the pros.
I am thinking of all this, as the time I spend with Kathryn has to be the best part of my day. I realized one thing I have hated about being an educator is the time I spend away from Kathryn, and my girls. At least I will never have to do that again, I still can help with the charities, and the other activities around town.
Today is a Saturday, and Misty’s Doctor must be a little overworked having to work Saturdays, but her appointment could be the last for today. I guess it is common for a doctor to work half days on Saturday. That is why they usually take Wednesday or Thursday and Sundays off.
Only five weeks left for the school year from this Monday, a week long later than usual we had to make up for the snow days. That would take us into the end of June, I know attendance will be down during that last week June is a busy time for the few farmers in the area. Some vacations start during June, more than a few families will be away trying to enjoy time together.
Watching my three girls grow I can really understand, Sam and Crystal changed, more than just the physical in the time they have spent with us. I know they are stronger physically and emotionally they are more secure now. Both girls have not had a nightmare and quite a while. They have gotten into the habit of sleeping with Kathryn and I, it is not for the need for security now. They just enjoy being near us, and us being near them. I hear the girls running up the stairs. They dive over the couch and into our arms. For a pair of four-year-old girls they can be rough.
Actually, Sam will point out that she has four and three quarters, followed quickly by Crystal saying I am four and a half. At those ages, the fractions seem to be very important. My daughters do seem to change by the month, a little taller physically in a little more mature.
Cindy help support Kara as she catches up. Kara says, “I tried to tell them that you needed a couple more hours together but they insisted on coming almost as soon as they woke up.”
Kathryn petting on our girls, “You knew I was missing you, didn’t you my princesses?”
They bury their faces into Kathryn’s embrace and we hear a muffled Sam and Crystal say, “Yes Mommy. We missed you too.”
Kara giggles saying, “I half expected you two to be nude and entangled.”
Cindy giggles, “Like you and Daddy were last night?”
Kathryn giggles and Kara blushes heavily and says, “I guess I will have to make sure the bedroom door is locked from now on.” The three girls giggle followed by their mothers.
Sam says, “We know you guys love making funny noises. It is just something adults do. We really do not care, when we need to be with you.”
Kara and Kathryn both have shocked expressions, chuckling I ask, “You mean you would just lay down in bed and let us keep making those funny noises.”
Cindy, Sam and Crystal step away to whisper to each other, they giggle and whisper a little more. Then Sam asks, “Mommy, there is not anything wrong with you and Daddy making funny noises? If it is not wrong, why can’t we watch?”
Kara and Kathryn both nearly faint, I do not think it is a question they were ready for especially from a child not five years old yet. As I have always asserted Sam is a little more than her years. While my wife and sister recover, I do my best to explain. “First Sam is perfectly acceptable for a married couple to make love, funny noises when they are alone. Someone your age is not supposed to watch, it does happen occasionally that children see their parents making love. However, it is not something the parents normally allow. Most people would say is wrong for a parent to allow a child to watch them make love. Some people would be highly upset, and want to take you away if we let you watch.”
The three girls whisper back and forth although this time very seriously, Sam asks, “Nobody is going to take us away because we saw you and Mommy?”
I shake my head no and say, “We did not let you watch, it was an accident that you saw. That makes it different. Therefore, no one is going to take you away from us my Princess.”
With a giggle, Kara says, “Do not go around telling the entire world what you saw, some people still might not understand.”
Cindy says, “Yes Mommy.” Sam and Crystal shake their head yes without saying a word.
To ease the girls’ worries, I say, “We will not let anybody take you from our family. We love you too much to let that happen.”
The three girls hug me tightly and I get a course of I love you from them. Kathryn and Kara both have tears of joy at seeing how deeply I care for my girls. We go back to cuddling on the couch, Kathryn, Sam and Crystal cuddle to me, while Kara cuddles with Kathryn and Cindy. The feeling of joy pervades the room and that seems to draw family members like moths to a flame.
Mom is the first to arrive. She was simply hiding in her room while Kathryn and I had our fun. Her hands caresses our shoulders one on Kathryn’s and the other on my shoulder. Kathryn turned she gives her a warm smile welcoming and appreciating her presence. Karen, Helen and Michael senior arrive followed by Michelle, MC with Rosy, Joan, Johnny along with Janet wearing some of Joan’s clothing.
The elevator doors open, Alyssa is kissing George passionately, Anna and Allen giggle as they hold their noses. The children cannot escape fast enough from the elevator, but their parents reluctantly leave. I whisper to Kathryn, “We had better clean up that elevator or the family is going to be quite a bit larger shortly.” Kara giggles, overhearing.
A flushed Alyssa comments, “You two must have broken in the elevator last night.”
Kathryn and I burst out laughing, quickly followed by the rest of the family. Mom finally says, “JJ you had better get a mop before it causes something to happen.”
Alyssa bites her lip and says, “Come on George I think it is a little too late I cannot wait. Can you guys watch the kids?”
We end up sending the kids out to the playhouse, as we started Saturday brunch. Alyssa and George are in her old room, reliving their first encounter together. Janet bites her lip seductively as she looks at Johnny she asked, “Is everyone around here so liberal about sex?” There is more than a few giggles from the women.
I chuckle along for a moment and say, “To a point we are. We understand that a couple making love is a very normal and healthy part of their relationship. It helps couples become closer. To enjoy the comfort you find in your spouse’s arms is a true paradise. Anyone, who would deny that, really does not know love at all.”
Janet giggles and says, “I think I would like to look onto paradise.”
Uncle George and Alyssa had just returned Alyssa is running a brush through her hair; both have that afterglow you can only get from making love to one you truly love. Johnny lifts Janet from the floor carrying her back to the bedroom his parents just left. Janet is giggling merrily. Alyssa warns, “Johnny the sheets…”
Johnny cutting her off saying “are getting messier.” As they step around the corner and disappear from view.
There is more than a few laughs at Johnny’s comment. Mom points out saying, “I hope that young lady’s on birth control or the family just got larger by two.”
Alyssa’s eyes go wide hearing that. She gets the expression that Helen had eleven months ago. Joan asked, “Not ready to be a grandmother yet Mom?”
Not really thinking it through Alyssa says, “I am not done being a mother yet, I am not sure if I am ready to have a grandchild only two months younger than my own child.”
Joan understanding what her mother just said is slightly shocked before she wraps her mother into a hug giggling. George has a dumbfounded look stutters, “I am,, I am,,, I am going to be a dad! Again!”
Alyssa shakes her head yes, and George rushes to them hugging both Alyssa and Joan, he kisses Alyssa until Joan kisses him on the cheek. After Joan has his attention, he allows her to step back. He steps back in holding his wife tight to him. Alyssa says, “I was going to wait until I could tell the entire family, after I told you George. I was not feeling so good so I went to the doctor. I did not think I could still get pregnant but I am.”
George picks up Alyssa, spends her around a couple times and crashes into the couch landing in it as they both giggle. Alyssa still in George’s lap snuggles into her husband, and I think the two would start making love right there if it was not for the rest of us in the room and they had just finished less than ten minutes earlier.
We can hear Janet screaming, all the way from the bedroom Alyssa used to use when she still lived here. George chuckles, “It sounds like he is doing a great job for Janet. I had better watch out, or I will have to get the justice of peace out here to marry them. Since I adopted Johnny and Joan, I cannot marry them it is a conflict of interest.”
Joan throws her arms around George, looking into his face she says, “I love you Daddy.”
George says happily, “That made it worth everything.”
Carl and Sarah show up, just as MJ awakes, I hand him to Sarah who has a brilliant smile and then sticks her tongue out at her husband. Sarah says, “I am going to hold MJ all afternoon just like you do.”
Carl chuckles and playfully says, “It is about time you pay some attention to our grandson.”
Sarah looking at her husband coldly, but is just an act, says, “I finally get to hold him, just doing what you do. I swear JJ is the first to hand me the baby, I have been waiting almost two months to hold him.”
Sarah seeing her husband’s expression, bumps him with her hip says, “You know I was just playing, but I do not get to hold my grandson as much as I like. I know you always wanted a son. So the next best thing is a grandson.”
Leave a Reply