The Ten of Them – Chapter 12

Karen and Matt have been dating since the wedding. He was one of the few decent unattached young men. Now he seems attached to Karen, and I’m happy for her and hope Matt makes her happy.

I’ll get Kathryn to talk to Kara, maybe there’s a guy she’s interested in. I love my sisters and would do anything to ensure their happiness. As long as it doesn’t involve me being a lover, I really dislike them flirting with me. I hope it was just as a joke after all Kathryn and I were easy targets.

I talk to my father and mother in law, I tell them I want to do something special for Kara’s birthday and ask if they would remove the limit on gifts since I’m now her brother-in-law. I’ll make sure I do something equally nice for all my in-laws. Kara will be the first birthday after our wedding. Then Maria’s, followed by Michael’s and Michelle’s birthdays then Christmas this year, I would really like to be able to do more for my family.

The coach points out the things I already do, “JJ you take them on a shopping trip once a year giving them five thousand dollars to spend any way they wish, and you spend another five thousand dollars on every birthday gift and Christmas gift. That’s fifteen thousand dollars a year on each of your in-laws. You cover their tuition and buy them a new automobile before they leave for college.”

Helen asks, “How much more were you thinking about doing?”

I say, “I was thinking about going ahead and getting her a car. Last year she rode with me to school, if she had a car her own she could drive herself and Karen to school.”

Michael says, “That’s a pretty good idea. I don’t want her making me late like she did several times when she was in junior high.”

Helen says, “The reason we put a limit on it, it’s only other kids didn’t feel too terrible about getting a gift that didn’t cost that much.”

I point out something to Helen, “Helen you limiting me to five thousand dollars is like limiting them to five dollars apiece. I know it doesn’t sound right, and I don’t want to sound like I’m bragging but I make so much more a year and have so much more money. I realized doesn’t seem fair than I can buy so much better of a gift, but when I get a five dollar gift from one of the girls or boys I realize it’s much more of all their money than my five thousand dollars. I appreciated like that. I know how much harder it is for you or they to even come up with a little bit to spend on me.”

Helen giggles and says, “You know the kids are saving a little that gift card. That way they can use it to buy Christmas presents with. In a way you are buying your own Christmas present from them.”

I smile and say, “You raise a smart family. You know I’d give anything to you or them. When I give them five thousand dollars it’s theirs to do with whatever they want.”

The coach has an idea, “What if we went together and got the car. I know the one she wants it isn’t that expensive. You and Kathryn combine your birthday present along with us and that will cover the car.”

We agree on that, and the car Kara wants is only about twenty-one thousand dollars fully loaded but they insisted the ten thousand dollars is all Kathryn and I get to give.

The coach and I go to the dealership the next day. the car is ordered and will have it here in just enough time for Kara’s birthday. We arrange a surprise birthday party for her, at our house. Alyssa loves the idea and is already planning out the menu with Helen and Mom. Mom Helen and Alyssa plan also for Marshall and Misty’s wedding.

Marshall’s wedding will be on Friday, will have the reception here at the boat house. Misty’s father still refuses to even talk to Misty. He will not allow anyone else in the family to have any contact with her also.

That breaks Misty’s heart. She was hoping her father would at least soften now that she’s getting married. But his pride is getting in his way, now instead of having a son in Marshall he is lost his daughter.

Marshall and I try to see the man. Hopefully we get him to see reason. It’s even worse than I thought as soon as Marshall’s face is seen by him he pulled a shotgun and threatens us until we leave his property. He may come around eventually, but I seriously doubt by Friday his attitude will change.

Our trading is secondary to Misty’s wedding and the preparations, Mom and Helen have taken over what Misty’s Mom should be doing. They say they just couldn’t let her not have a good wedding being part of the family and all. For some reason I think a Princess of a daughter had something to do with that.

First thing Monday morning Marshall and Misty went to the courthouse for the marriage license. After that I run Marshall over to where I got my tuxedo. We spent the rest of the morning getting him a tux too. Fortunately for us they had one that would fit Marshall with only minor adjustments to get it perfectly sized to him.

At the same time Helen, Mom, Alyssa, Kathryn, MC, and Joan take Misty off for a wedding dress. Helen is arranging for a church, she calls the wedding that Friday. Of the six in town only one is available, and just happens to be the same church her father attends. The Rev. agreed to speak with Misty’s family on her behalf.

Tuesday their wedding announcement is in the paper.

Wednesday instead of trading we meet with an architect Michael wants us to work with. He’s a former student, a fellow quarterback he did attend college under scholarship but during his senior year suffered a career ending injury and now walks with a knee brace.

Daniel graduated this June, and was looking for work when he contacted Michael on Monday just to say hi to his former coach. After catching up the coach asked him if you’d be willing to do some home floor plants for us. He quickly agreed needing the work badly. It would give him a chance to be back in his hometown a little longer.

Daniel is a bright young man. He listens intently to what the four wanted in their homes. I had Joan sat with Alyssa and discuss what Daniel Joan’s new home. A surveyor is already hard at work setting up house seats on Marshall’s and George’s property. They decided that 30 acres would be the right size for each home, that way they’re close enough that we’re all within walking distance, without being too close.

Joan loves Kathryn’s and mine master bedroom suite, and three bedrooms will be similar on her home Joan doesn’t want as many smaller bedrooms in her home that I have. And all her home will be slightly smaller and she doesn’t want the pool, she nudged me and asked, “You mind if I come in use yours if I ever feel like a swim?”

Kathryn said, “Don’t forget you’re coming here every Saturday morning for the family breakfast and you’re going to start helping with that too sister.”

Joan giggles hugs Kathryn. “Okay sister.”

Kara, Karen and Joan have started hanging around each other quite a lot. Considering that Joan will be in the same school next year they will help Joan a lot to incorporate in her new home. Joan had already decided she didn’t want to return to California to finish high school. Johnny will be a freshman and the coach is already talking him into joining the football team.

Johnny is doing laps in the morning usually after breakfast, when the rest of us are trading.

Marshall and Misty have only a few different things they want changed but they also like our master bedroom plan, although Marshall is getting a library added, and the detached garage to their home. Misty suggests that they make an apartment above the garage just in case Marshall gets kicked out into the doghouse. Then Misty kisses Marshall and says, “It’s for when we have to do like JJ did, and keep a friend off the street.”

With a chuckle Marshall agrees saying, “We’ll never know when we have to pay that back.”

MC is been dreaming about her new home for a long time and she has many suggestions for Daniel at a few examples of what she wants.

Marshall and Misty gets the lot closest to the road, Joan’s lot is overlooking the River and next to Marshall’s and Misty’s. MC’s got a lot just up the River from Joan’s. They will share a driveway using the existing road once upgraded a little.

Thursday is also very busy with things for the wedding. Mom has gotten the girls together with some of their friends from high school to decorate the church. Helen is taking Misty to the final fitting of her wedding dress. We have to get the Coach a tuxedo he will be given Misty away. MC has made some calls, and the photographers and video photographers will be on hand to record Marshall’s and Misty’s wedding. She goes to the airport to meet them. She has a hotel room arranged for them in town and rental cars.

Alyssa’s handling the catering and the preparations at the boat house. They’re using the same caterer from our wedding. Given Marshall’s and Misty’s popularity we are looking at a large crowd. It’s too late for invitations so we simply put the announcement in the paper and invite anyone to come.

Thursday night, Marshall is sleeping downstairs in one of our bedrooms. Kathryn and her sisters, Joan and MC are with Misty most of the night. They do walk Kathryn home a little before midnight, to my relief.

The wedding is at noon on Friday. Alyssa gets us up around eight for breakfast, she has a lot to do today and leaves grandma in charge breakfast for us. Marshall almost can’t eat he is so nervous. I finally have to ask him, “Why are you so nervous Marshall?”

Marshall shrugs his shoulders and says, “I don’t know, maybe I’m afraid she’ll change her mind. I love her so much I think it would kill me.”

Sam comes to my rescue and says, “Don’t be silly Uncle Marshall. Aunt Misty loves you just as much.”

Now visibly more relaxed Marshall lifts Sam into his arms and gives her a kiss which causes her to giggle. He asks, “Sam how you get so smart anyway?”

Sam giggles and says, “I was born smart just like Daddy and Mommy and Aunt Misty and you.”

Marshall and I chuckle as he lets Sam down she goes to get dressed for her part in the wedding, she’s going to be the flower girl and spread rose petals down the aisle for her aunt Misty. It’s time for Marshall and me to get ready as well. Marshall goes the room he used last night and I returned to my bedroom I barely dressed when Sam brings me her necklace to put on her. She’s wearing a white dress, not unlike a wedding dress herself. I get a flash of a beautiful fourteen-year-old just wrapped in a towel as she exits the surf in France. Sam sees my expression and asks, “What is it Daddy?”