ANs in part one but a few extra ones:

Thanks to Sammy who had a lot of fun with John and Carrie's quizzes and Ilna for filling in so many blanks in this series. :) They both contributed to this one immensely.

Also, as we enter 2019 we thank you all for your support and love of the REAL World.

Sammy & Ilna I look forward to another year of sharing your incredible friendship. I love you both more than I can say.


All About Us 4

As the family sat around the deck enjoying barbecue and a beach day before everyone headed off for their various New Year's Eve plans, Kaitlyn happily reported she'd gotten more quizzes back.

"Aunt Cath helped me do mine," Joan announced from her seat on the lounge chair she was sharing with Catherine.

"And you had very good answers." Catherine bent to kiss her head.

"So what did you learn?" Grace asked Kaitlyn, who was blowing bubbles for a squealing Angie as Cammie helped her pop them.

"I'm going to email everyone all the answers so you can see," she said with a smile. "Uncle Steve?"

"What, sweetheart?" he answered as he passed a plate of hot dogs to Cody, who was manning the grill.

"You got picked the most for a survival game partner."

"I'd take a shot at teaming with John to kick your butt," Carrie announced while toasting with her iced tea.

"Bring it, Stagler." He smirked. "Cath and I are unbeatable."

"People picked Aunt Catherine, too, but Uncle Steve got the most." Kaitlyn confirmed.

"Of course he did," Danny snorted. "Because he's a maniac with an unparalleled competitive drive."

"Ahem." Catherine raised her brow at him and Danny shook his head.

"Sorry, unparallelled except for you. Although you use common sense unlike mister leap-then-look."

"You're just jealous 'cause I'd win," Steve busted as he lifted Angie and sat her on his lap. "Here, baby girl, take a bite." He offered her a piece of burger.

"Win? I wouldn't be crazy enough to trek through a jungle for fun, so I'd say that's a win …" his best friend teased even as he passed a napkin over for his goddaughter.

"Cody, a lot of us picked you, too," Kaitlyn said as the partners stopped bantering to eat. "And us kids all said you're our hero."

"I…" A wash of emotion showed on the young man's face as his siblings nodded and smiled their agreement. "Thanks, you guys."

"Everyone picked a family member for their hero," Kaitlyn said. "I really liked that. Uncle Steve got chosen lots of times. Grace picked Uncle Danny and Uncle Steve. Uncle Danny and Aunt Catherine both picked their dads."

Joseph smiled at his daughter's look of pride. The same one that never dimmed from when she was not much older than Angie.

"Aunt Catherine?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

"Uncle Joseph picked you and Aunt Elizabeth."

"Awww, Dad." Catherine reached across to where Joseph sat next to her and Joan on a second lounge and took his hand, squeezing it gently.

"I answered with the truth." Joseph smiled at his daughter and wife.

"So did I." Ang nodded at her granddaughter and Catherine shifted Joan a bit so she could cross the deck and wrap her grandma in a hug.

"I love you, Gram."

"And I'm very, very proud of you." She kissed Catherine's cheek. "I love my girl so much."

"Ohh," Grace said. "That's … you guys are so adorable."

"Nonna picked you, Uncle Danny," Kaitlyn continued with a grin, which earned his grandmother a heartfelt hug as well. "And all of us would ask where our family was after being frozen, and Grandma Ang could do headstands back in the day."

"Scout's honor." Ang raised her hand at Jacob's impressed look.

Joseph smiled at his mother in law. "I'd never doubt that for a second."

Joan hopped off the lounge chair and moved to her mother's lap. "Mama and Daddy's my heros," she announced and Mary kissed the blonde halo of hair reflecting the afternoon sun.

Grace took a bite of hot dog and chewed thoughtfully. "Know what? Auntie Cath, you should save them all for Angie. I bet she'd love to read them."

"That's a great idea," Catherine agreed, moving to sit next to Steve and their daughter. "What do you think, baby girl?" She clapped and Angie held out a piece of fruit before putting it into her mouth. "Someday you'll be asked who you're gonna team up with for survivor."

"Know what I think?" Joseph said as he looked at his smiling granddaughter who was clad in black leggings and a tiny camo top that read, The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday. "I think I'll beat the rush. I choose Angie right now."

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