Chapter Two
Steve told the children about their new sisters and then took James aside. "You know, Buddy, this means we're completely surrounded and outnumbered, four to two. You know what that means, don't you?"
"I have to be nice to the girls," James guessed.
Steve patted his son's back. "Well, that too. But it means we'd better find a darn good hiding place, 'cause four angry females...we're goners, son."
There was great discussion among the children, especially James and Lauren, about what would be good names for the new twins. "I like 'Rose' and 'Lily'," Lauren insisted, for about the fifth time.
James made gagging noises in his throat. "They're our sisters, not flowers, Dummy!"
Steve corrected him without needing to turn around. "James - you cannot call your sister a dummy. Tell her you're sorry."
"Lauren," James began humbly, "I'm really sorry."
"Thank you, Buddy," Steve told him.
James grinned wickedly. "I'm sorry you're a dummy," he concluded.
"Dad!"
Steve decided distraction mught be the best thing for everyone. "What names did you have in mind, James?"
"I dunno. They're girls; who cares what you call 'em? But not flowers - eew!"
"I like 'Annie'," Hannah offered shyly.
"That's a pretty name," Steve said. "Got another one?"
"Two 'Annies'!" Hannah said happily.
Steve sighed inwardly. This would apparently be a decision better left to Mom and Dad.
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Steve and Jaime brought Jenna and Crystal home a week later. They stood in the driveway, waiting for their other children to join them, as had become something of a tradition, so they could all enter the house together for the first time as a family of seven. Seven was how they planned to remain. The pregnancy had proven a serious danger to Jaime's health, and later to the babies as well. The doctors had very strongly advised that there be no more children.
Jenna and Crystal were alert and lively, even as infants. The older twins each chose a new twin to 'adopt' and help take care of. James chose Jenna and Lauren took Crystal. Each was able to give 'their' twin a bottle, keep them entertained and even change diapers, although that was something they both tried to not have to do, giving the babies back to Mom or Dad when they sensed a change was about to be necessary. 'Uncle Oscar' brought two more life-sized bears, these two a shocking hot pink, for Jenna and Crystal, along with gifts for the other three, for being such good helpers. The children adored him, still talking about the time when he'd brought James and Lauren real medals for saving their mother, along with a smaller, plastic one for Hannah. All three of them had hung the medals around their bears' necks. Presents or not, there were always hugs all around when 'Uncle Oscar' came to visit.
That was why they were so bewildered when Oscar Goldman arrived in his big black car, when the new twins were barely four months old. Why weren't Mom and Dad happy to see him? Why did they seem so angry? And why did they have to go outside and play, instead of visiting and playing with their adopted uncle?
It had been a long time since Oscar Goldman had made an appearance. Neither Jaime or Steve was officially retired, but Oscar had tried to give the family as much space and time to themselves as he could possibly pull off for them. He'd expected the hostility, known it was coming, but Oscar had a job to do.
"I have an assignment for both of you," Oscar told them as the three adults sat down together in the den.
Jaime was instantly on her feet. "Uh-uh - you promised it would always be one or the other! You can't do this. No way are we -"
"You haven't heard what it is yet," Oscar said softly. He took a steadying breath. She wouldn't like it, but this 'job' was nothing like what Jaime was anticipating. "I want the two of you to take the kids - all of them - and go on an extended vacation. You've definitely earned one, and I have just the place. It's quiet, private, and has some of the most beautiful -"
"What's really going on, Oscar?" Jaime demanded. She hadn't missed the meaningful look he'd exchanged with her husband, and she was not going to be shut out! "You're sending us into hiding, and I wanna know why."
Oscar looked at Steve, and both men shrugged slightly. "Jaime, the group that tried to kidnap you last year has reared its head one more time. They want revenge for when Steve originally took down their leaders, and they also want bionics. They'll do anything they have to do to get them."
"Even hurt our kids..." Jaime whispered in horror.
"It won't come to that," Oscar assured her.
"What good will running away do?" Jaime ranted. "It won't eliminate the threat. Are you planning to keep us there permanently? Or better yet, move us every month or two so we stay outta sight? No. That's not gonna work, and you both know it. Steve, you take the kids on vacation and I'll stick around to get them to come out of their little hidey-holes so we can nab 'em and get every damn one of 'em out of circulation for good."
"No way!" Steve asserted. "If anyone stays behind, it'll be me. Those kids need their mother."
"They need their father, too, and they need to be able to live safely in their own home, and not have to run away into hiding."
"Jaime -" Steve looked to Oscar for help, since they both knew how stubborn Jaime could be when she'd made up her mind about something. Oscar shrugged. Steve's wife, Steve's problem, he figured. Oscar could help look after the family, but Steve could deal with this. "Jaime," Steve said again, "there is no way -"
"I want to do it. I am going to do it, Steve! I'm the one they grabbed last time, and now they know I'm bionic, same as you. It's personal for me - I want revenge! Followed by peace, quiet and, most of all - safety."
Steve shook his head emphatically and continued to argue, but the next morning he was loading suitcases and children into the car as Jaime waved goodbye from the big front window.
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