In The Beginning.
Prologue.
"Helen, are you sure this is what you want? We need to think about everything involved. This is a huge responsibility to ask of them and we want to make sure our girls have the best possible caretakers," Frank said to his wife of eight years.
"I've already spoken to Mom and Daddy about this, Frank, and really it's for the best. If, God forbid, something should ever happen to us, they agreed to be the guardians to both Valerie and Stephanie. We've already set it up so they will get your army pension, just in case, and everything else we have will be left for them as well. This will just make sure our girls are taken care of. You know how much they adore them and Stephanie loves her Grandpa and Grandma very much, as does Valerie. Just sign the will right below my name, and let's be done with it. Our life insurance goes to them too, that way Daddy won't have to struggle with working so much and can concentrate on being at home with Mother. It's the right thing to do, really, and we need to make sure to provide for our two baby girls." Helen Plum finished her impassioned speech and set her gaze on her adoring husband's eyes.
"Okay honey, you're right and you know I love the girls just as much as you do and only want what's best for them. I also agree that cremation would be the way to go for us. I can't even think about them going and visiting a marker and all that," Frank replied. Holding out his hand for the ink pen, the doting father reflected on his little family. He and Helen absolutely adored each of the girls. The two sisters couldn't be more opposite but they loved the differences and Frank couldn't wait to watch them learn and grow and to see just who they were going to be as they got older.
While Valerie loved her Barbie dolls, Stephanie preferred army action figures. Even the room they shared was in total opposition. Valerie had her side of the room tidy with everything in its place, and Stephanie, his little firecracker, couldn't find a clean sock unless it was handed to her. Frank had taken some silver duct tape and put a line down the middle of the floor, per Valerie's request. Leaving them a spot to play together and their own section to be apart from one another. Mainly it was Valerie's room as Stephanie was usually outside playing with her cousin, Shirley, or her best friend, Mary Lou. The three of them were inseparable.
Signing on the dotted line and dating the paper as well, Frank and Helen stood up from the desk and handed over the will and the rest of the paperwork to their attorney. "How soon will they become effective, Mr. Markowitz?" Frank asked.
"As soon as I have my secretary here stamp them with her notary seal, that would be it," he replied. Just as efficiently as that, Helen and Frank Plum assured themselves of their daughter's futures.
Copies were handed to the couple just before they left the office. The weather was nice, still sunny with a light breeze letting the couple know fall would soon be upon them. "Let's walk and get an ice cream, Helen. We deserve it; after all it's not that often I get my lovely wife out of the house, now is it?" Frank asked.
"Oh Frank, you always were a charmer," Helen laughed and strolled off with her husband, their fingers intertwined as they made their way down the street.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
A/N. Not mine. Thanks for reading along. I plan on posting once a week. Touch of angst in next chapter but this is a FAMILY story.
All folks belong to Janet. Very A/U. Naturally a BABE.
much appreciation for my silent beta. See you Next Tuesday.
