Adult story: The Ten of Them – Chapter 21
by Hard93
For whatever reason, Sam hadn’t experienced a Christmas in her life. Most parents love the excuse to spoil their kids that Christmas gives them. After Sam’s visit to her grandmother’s home I think I understand why Sam hasn’t had a Christmas. Her grandmother appeared to barely make ends meet and had for a very long time judging from the poor condition the home was in.
During the last chapter Ron and Reese return and both separated from the military. George and Alyssa return from their vacation with giving the family just enough time to finish their cottage. Alyssa loves her cottage, every weekend and several times during the week you can find them there. George really loves it and the boat dock; he even bought a new bass boat for his new dock. The family seems to have moved Saturday morning breakfast to Alyssa’s larger dining area. We catch back up with the family as they sit down to Saturday morning breakfast.
Ron looks around at the cottage before he asks Reese, “Would you like a place like this may be with a couple more bedrooms?”
Reese says, “I think it would be marvelous if we can have place like this. I really don’t need thirty-two rooms, and indoor pool, although those are nice. Without them it would give us an excuse to come and visit JJ and Kathryn.”
Sam setting beside Reese says, “Reese, don’t forget about me too.”
Reese says, “Sam you would be a reason to come and visit even without all the bonuses.”
Daniel says, “You know this is my design, I should be able to add two more bedrooms to it easily do you want them with the master or split.”
Ron thinks for a moment and his hesitation gives time for Reese to reply, “Add the second two bedrooms as split, and leave the one near the master as a nursery with access from the master only. I want to have a guest suite off the bonus room.”
Daniel says, “That will be easy enough, I should even have enough room left for a larger utility room.”
Ron chuckles before he says, “I knew Reese would say what she really wanted if I hesitated long enough.”
There’s a clank from underneath the table and Reese yelps “Ouch.”
Ron chuckles, “Sweetheart you kicked the wrong leg.” Reese just sticks her tongue out at Ron. The entire table cracks up as Ron kisses Reese.
Today I have a special treat, scrambled toast I’m used cinnamon bread, dipped in an egg better with just a slight touch of French vanilla, with no cinnamon on the outside it looks like someone forgot it. I do serve it with powdered sugar or syrup. Sam and Kara like powdered sugar with a sprinkling of cinnamon on theirs. It’s something I learned from Bobby’s and Mary’s restaurant, being a silent partner does have the benefits of getting some recipes. Because the cinnamon is in the bread it has a totally different taste than normal French toast.
I’m disappointed not getting any. It disappeared from the table before I had a chance to set down. Although I did get the best complement I’ve ever had on my cooking. Alyssa, Helen and Misty actually want the recipe, Kathryn gives them a wink, when I say it’s a closely guarded family secret. The three actually point out that their family. To which I say, “I didn’t say I wasn’t going to give it to you, I just don’t want you sharing it with everyone.”
Kathryn giggles, “I just emailed it to you. It’s actually Bobby and Mary’s recipe.” I stick my tongue out at Kathryn, who only giggles at me. Kathryn giggles stop abruptly and she gets a strange look on her face. Her hand drops to her stomach with her eyes wide she says, “I think the baby really likes that scrambled toast, she’s jumping around.”
My hand goes to Kathryn’s belly and I can feel the baby push has Kathryn says, “Oh that’s a strong little kick you got there Amanda.” Helen is at Kathryn side, and Kathryn takes her mother’s hand so she can feel the baby kick. Eventually everyone in the family gets the feel the baby move or kick. Sam gets the biggest smile as she feels Amanda kick at her hand. Amanda settles down after a while as Kathryn relaxes on the sofa. I have been caressing Kathryn’s belly and not too long after Amanda settles down Kathryn falls asleep against me.
Helen smiles as she quietly says, “JJ, I’m so happy for the two of you. It’s all that I want for my girls, if they can find someone like you, someone who would love them above everything else.”
Daniel whispers into Kara’s ear causing her to smile. The two of them are comfortable in each other’s embrace, and I reflect back almost a month ago he had asked permission from the Coach to ask Kara to marry him. Kara isn’t wearing that ring so I assume he’s trying to wait for the perfect moment or to create one.
When I gave Kathryn her ring it was only a half a surprise to her she knew I was planning on something but had no clue as to what. Kathryn told me later she believed I was going to try to seduce her long before she did, as she felt that was what was going on when I gave her ring to her and asked if she would marry me.
Helen looks at Daniel and Kara and she smiles before she says, “I think I got two down, and three to go.”
Kara giggles, “Maybe if I can just get Daniel to ask.”
Daniel sensing the opportunity slides his hand into his back pocket unnoticed by Kara and Helen. I can see he’s withdrawing the ring, and from the sound of Kathryn’s breathing she’s no longer asleep and is now witnessing what Daniel is doing. She doesn’t give it away, and neither do I.
He brings the ring out as he slides out from under Kara and goes to the floor on one knee. The room is silent as Daniel raises the ring to Kara for her to see. Daniel asks, “Kara my love will you do me the honor of becoming my wife.”
The family collectively holds our breath waiting for Kara’s answer. Fortunately we do not have to hold our breath long as Kara begins to scream, “Yes! Oh yes!”
The coach comes to Helen side as he watched the two embrace and kiss lovingly, he hugs his wife and gives her a kiss on the cheek. I know he shared the fact that Daniel has asked for Kara’s hand, and if I didn’t know better I swear the two have a wedding planned knowing how Helen thinks it’s probably on Christmas.
It doesn’t take long before the entire family is congratulating the happy couple, Kara shows off the ring to oh and ah from the other girls. Kathryn giggles, “I think your diamond is bigger.”
Kara says, “I don’t care if it is or isn’t. I’m just happy I got one.”
Kathryn hugging her sister says, “I’m happy for you too Sis.”
It takes a little while before the happy couple can sneak off together, and once we realize they have the majority of the family chuckles happy for the two of them.
Karen seems a little down and Kathryn I find out that her and Matt had a fight. Helen overhearing comes to her daughter, hugging Karen she says, “Don’t give up hope, a lot of couples have fights too. Sometimes it’s very healthy for the relationship. Very few people are exact matches and get along all the time.”
Kathryn gives what advice she can by saying, “Mom is right Sis. Just because you guys fight once in a while doesn’t mean it’s a bad relationship. It’s just that you’re adjusting to each other.”
Karen says, “Kathryn, I don’t believe you and JJ have ever had a fight.”
Karen is right Kathryn and I have never had anything more than a heated discussion on occasion. That made each of us feel so bad we almost immediately apologize to the other. Kathryn says to her sister, “We really haven’t, we haven’t had more than a heated discussion and that made us feel so bad we apologized immediately. What we do is talk to each other, I know exactly how JJ feels when it comes to any subject, and he knows exactly how I feel. We can agree to disagree without it destroying our relationship. We can shift our opinion or position on a subject to come to an agreement. For us we realize will never forget any argument we have, so we work harder it not having them.”
Take a deep breath before I add, “I think we also realize, it doesn’t pay to try to win in a relationship. When you’re in love the only way to win is to make sure it’s a draw, that way both win. Our relationship is all about being partners. Your sister and I love each other we respect each other and we’ll protect each other.”
Karen gives her sister and me a hug and she says, “Matt is a good guy, but he has some funny beliefs. I wish he would just talk to me like you and Kathryn do.”
Helen says, “Communication begins with you, you have to tell him. Other than Kathryn and JJ I don’t know any couple that can read each other’s minds. So talk to him it is the only way he will know.”
Kathryn giggles, “Mom I can only feel what JJ feels, I can’t really tell you what he’s thinking.”
I shake my head in agreement and say, “When Kathryn is happy or sad her eyes change color, all I do is touch her hand and I can tell that in a dark room. I probably can find her very easily, but as to tell you exactly what’s on her mind I couldn’t tell you. I could tell you how she feels just the way she can for me. I do know what she craves. She gives those to me as well.”
Kathryn giggles merrily and says, “JJ, go find what I’m craving please.”
I come back with two bowls of vanilla ice cream with potato chips on the side. With a chuckle I say, “At least you didn’t want a pickle.”
Helen giggles at the way Kathryn’s eyes light up and says, “JJ that’s not a disadvantage.”
Kathryn giggles, and I have to chuckle before I reply, “It was yesterday, what she was craving for was pretty disgusting.” Thankfully they don’t ask me to describe it.
Sam is with Alyssa, I think Sam is missing Alyssa a lot, on Saturdays Sam is with her as much is possible. I know a few times during the week Alyssa has come out to the house just to visit. I’m at school so I’m not totally aware of everything going on, but I try to keep up on who comes and goes through the day. It is not due to a trust issue, it’s just a way that I can keep an eye on my family to help protect them. I set up my security system to send me a photo on my cell phone of people coming and going.
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