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The house was a bustle. This was not their typical Sunday morning. It was vacation day. Typically Sunday's were lazy days. Once Stephen was born they had even began to go to church, just one more normal thing that they didn't want their child to miss out on like they did. What they had started for their son had ended up enriching their lives as well. After so many years, seeing nothing but the worst that humanity had to offer it was so nice to see the other side. The congregation welcomed them so warmly and had become yet another family to them.
Today though was decidedly not lazy. The bags were packed but the kids being so young needed so much stuff that they were always remembering something else they needed to pack. It looked like they were moving, not going on a two week vacation.
"Yummies, Momma. Yummies." Stephen said.
"Gee whiz little fellow how much you gonna eat?" Asked Sarah.
"More, More."
"Alright, here you go how about some more cereal."
His reply was simple to dig in.
"Great" she said "looks like we're gonna have to squeeze in time for another bath before we go". She said watching her little man get milk all over himself while attempting to feed himself. He was so independent and wanted to do it all by himself. She knew he came by that independence honestly but it sure could be a challenge at times.
"Don't worry about it hun, I've got in under control. You just get yourself ready." Chuck said.
"Thanks, babe, I need a shower myself." She gave her three favorite fellows a kiss and disappeared down the hall.
Chuck was holding John and his phone rang he had to shift him a little to get to the phone.
"Hey, Morgan"
"Hey, Buddy. You guys about ready?" They were all going to take the jet to Chicago together. "Not yet. You in a hurry or something?"
"Just excited I guess. Can't wait to get behind the wheel of a big RV. Do you think the others will mind if I do the driving."
"Not at all. You're welcome to it." "Alex as excited as you?"
"No. She's worried she'll be too much of a burden. She's tired a lot anymore."
"That's crazy, it won't be a problem at all. If she's tired, there is a bed in the rv. "
"That's what I tell her too."
"Well, anyways we'll meet you at the airport in about an hour or hour and a half. Will that be alright?"
"See Ya there bud."
"See Ya".
Chuck brought his attention back to his boys. Three month old John in his arms and in his high chair 19 month old Stephen. Stephen had his eyes and hair but everything else about him was Sarah. Including his personality. Little John was still too young to tell about his eyes or hair but he seemed to look more like Chuck's dad then anyone. He was so far the total opposite of his older brother. While Stephen was content to play on the floor or lay in his swing as a baby, John loved being held every minute. Poor Sarah she loved holding her little man but it made easy every day tasks much harder. She couldn't do laundry without hearing the screams of her youngest. Just yesterday, while doing laundry she heard the usual screams begin and looked down at her youngest on the floor and then came Stephen and he sat down beside his brother and patted him on the back over and over and kept saying baby, baby, love. If that wouldn't melt a heart, Sarah had no idea what would.
They couldn't have fortold the sleepless nights or the constant worry over a little thing like the sniffles but the rewards far surpassed either of their wildest dreams. Even though their children were still so young it seemed almost impossible to remember life before them.
Chuck looked over at Stephen, he was now finished eating and fully involved with playing in his leftovers. Chuck laid the now sleeping John in his crib and went to give Stephen a bath.
"Come on little man". Chuck said picking up his son. "Bath time".
"Squeaky". Stephen said with a big smile. He didn't quite have the Chuck smile but it was close.
"Yes squeaky".
They splashed and played in the water till Sarah came in.
"Hey boys, do you want to play in the tub or go on vacation, we need to get going."
Chuck got Stephen dressed and they were ready to leave in 10 minutes.
"All set?" Chuck said looking to Sarah in the passenger seat.
"All set".
"Then here we go".
5 hours later they were in Chicago sitting down to eat with the Woodcombs. They hadn't seen each other since they flew out for a day when John was born to see him. It was good to be together again.
"How's Chicago Sis?" Chuck asked.
"Still cold in the winter. I don't know if I'll ever get used to the cold. California spoiled me. Other than that great."
"Yeah," Awesome said "It gets cold but we love it here."
"Sarah," Ellie said "I can't believe you had a baby three months ago. You sure don't look like it."
"Thanks Ellie, but I know I'll never be what I once was, ever again."
"Hey, I love what I see" said Chuck grabbing Sarah's hand.
Alex punched Morgan's shoulder. "Why can't you say nice things like that?"
"Huh, what?" "I say nice things all the time. Just today I told you that that shirt didn't make you look fat, just pregnant."
"Really Bro, you told her that? You're hopeless." Awesome said.
"Wanna trade?" Alex asked Sarah.
"No, I think I'll keep Chuck. The kids have become sort of attached to him."
"Speaking of kids, look how Clara is being a little mommy to John." Ellie said.
"It's adorable." Alex said.
"Won't be long and she'll have another playmate." Alex said patting her belly.
"You picked out a name yet?"
"Not yet. Morgan keeps suggesting names from sci fi movies and I want something more traditional."
"Well, hate to break up the party" Chuck said "but we should get a move on, we have to get the rv by 3."
At the rental place everyone piled in the rv and Morgan got into his luggage and pulled out a captains hat and sat in the driver's seat.
"Seriously?" Ellie said
"Sure why not?" Morgan said.
Just then Chuck came up from the back. "Nice hat Morgan."
"Thanks buddy."
Alex and Sarah looked at each other. "How did we end up with such nerds?" Sarah laughed.
"I have no idea. Maybe they hypnotized us." Alex said.
"Hey!" Chuck and Morgan said in unison.
"Yea, Sarah, you know I used a love potion."
Sarah leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek. "It was potent stuff too".
"Yellowstone here we come" yelled Morgan as he put the rv in drive.
