Gus and Jenny woke at the same moment; they sat up in their beds and turned to each other saying good morning at the same time, making them giggle.
Rubbing their eyes, they both noticed the beautifully wrapped parcels at the end of their beds.
Squealing in delight brother & sister both scrambled to the end of their beds taking the packages in their hands.
Gus looked at his present, reading the label that was on it, 'To Gus, lots of love Great-Nana and Grandad xxx'.
Jenny looked at hers seeing the same message on it with her name. She felt so happy to be able to call them that.
The kids didn't know that their Great-Grandparents had given their dads and uncles the parcels to be placed on the their beds as they slept. They wanted them to see them as soon as they woke up.
Opening his parcel Gus found two items inside, one was a beautiful sculpture of a Shire Horse and the other was a cuddly toy Donkey with the name he had chosen on its collar.
Hugging both gifts close to his chest he whispered, "Thank you Great-Nana and Grandad".
Jenny looked over and ahhed, "They are so pretty Gus."
Nodding over at her, "They sure are, what did you get Jenny?"
Jenny had waited to open her package because she wanted to see her brothers reaction to whatever he got. It was something they always did because it made them smile to see their sibling happy.
She opened hers to also find two items inside. She got a sculpture of Friesian horse, with long blond hair and a golden body. The other item was the same as Gus's, a cuddly toy donkey with the name she had picked on its collar.
Cuddling it tight she looked over at her brother. "We are so lucky, I love them."
Justin was dreaming that Brian was kissing his neck just how he liked it making him moan in appreciation.
Brian was awake watching Justin dreaming, he smiled knowing that the blond was dreaming of him. Seeing that the neck he loved to kiss was so open and there for the taking, so he couldn't help himself.
Leaning over Brian began peppering kisses up the neck he loved. Moving higher towards the jawline before tugging gently on an earlobe, bringing Justin out of his dream with a kiss on the lips which, a now fully awake, Justin eagerly returned.
A few minutes later they broke for breath gazing into each other's eyes just like the kids had done they said their good morning in unison.
Justin beamed a smile as he chuckled that was one heck of a way to wake up.
Snuggling into Brian's side Justin sighed in contentment.
"I'm really loving it here, except for the kids having to go back to Mel and Lindsay and our jobs . I don't think that I'd ever want us to leave here."
Holding Justin closer Brian rested his head on Justin's.
"I know, what you mean. The air is much fresher up here and your grandparents are great."
Smiling Justin nodded.
"They are and they seem so much happier up here. I remember when they lived in Pittsburgh. They only had a tiny amount of land but they still took in some horses and other rescue animals. They had to buy land further away from home to open stables and house the rescues.
Then they started getting hassle from the township and people living near their stables. They got abuse sent their way, it was awful. Then they became friends with this guy called Jax; he was from Texas. He actually owned this land at that time. He found out about what my grandparents were going through so he offered to help their efforts by suggesting an exchange sale to them."
Brian gave Justin a puzzled look. "What's kind of exchange sale?"
Justin explained. "The land in Pittsburgh for this land and the buildings here."
"Wow, that is some deal your grandparents got."
Nodding Justin continued.
"Yeah, they were pretty shocked and asked him why he would offer them such an amazing deal. Jax told them that he knew that they were doing lots of good with rescuing the animals and that was why he wanted to help them. The rest as they say is history."
Kissing Justin's temple Brian spoke softly.
"I can see why Jax was so generous to them, they are such great people."
Gus and Jenny sat on their beds chatting and enjoying their new "animals".
Jenny smiled.
"I'm having so much fun. I love it up here, great- nana and grandad are so nice."
Nodding Gus replied.
"Yeah and all the horses and kittens are so cute."
Sighing Jenny went on.
"I don't want to go home. I want everyone to move here."
Gus agreed. "That would be so cool if they did!"
Then Gus suggested
"How about we make my dad and daddy ,your uncles, breakfast in bed?"
Biting her lip Jenny nervously asked.
"Are we allowed? Is it dangerous?"
Shaking his head, Gus replied.
"No, dad showed me how to make it safely."
Holding hands Gus and Jenny made their way downstairs to do just that.
After preparing the breakfast, tasting some of the food as they worked. Gus and Jenny placed everything on two trays. Gus took the heavier one and Jenny took the lighter one as they made their way back upstairs to Brian and Justin.
Using his foot Gus knocked on the bedroom door.
Brian and Justin were lying entwined together on their bed. When they heard the knock at their door, Brian lifted his head calling out, in a sleepy voice, "Come in".
Managing somehow Gus got the door open while holding his tray of food. He and Jenny entered with the breakfast that they had prepared.
Jenny excitedly told her uncles. "We made breakfast in bed for you."
Justin and Brian sat up smiling. Justin thanked them.
"Wow, thank you guys that was so kind of you."
Placing the trays on their laps Gus blushed at the praise.
"It's Ok, we hope that you like it."
Reaching over Brian ruffled Gus and Jenny's hair making them laugh. He told the two smiling children.
"We will love it."
Gus held Jenny's hand in his.
"We will go have our breakfast. We love you."
Brian and Justin had to swallow a lump in their throat at that and in unison they replied.
"Love you too."
As soon as Gus and Jenny left the room Brian and Justin looked down at their breakfast trays. On Brian's plate were eggs with the yoke cut out and put onto Justin's plate. Justin had eggs as well. They both had toast and fruit cups, orange juice and coffee. They couldn't believe that the kids had done all of this for them.
Shaking his head Justin spoke.
"This looks really good." After tasting it he continued. "And it tastes really good too, eat up before it gets cold".
Brian did just just, closing his eyes savouring his first taste.
"You're right, it tastes really good. Did you teach Gus how to make eggs and toast?"
Nodding, finishing off the bite he was chewing, Justin replied.
"Yeah, we did it that weekend I was looking after him on my own. He picked it up really fast."
Raising his glass of orange juice Bran smiled.
"Here's to a brilliant teacher."
Justin laughed as they continued to enjoy their breakfast.
Gus and Jenny made their own breakfast cleaning up the kitchen before going to their room to get ready for the day ahead.
Everyone was ready by the time Mary and Henry arrived to start their next adventure. Brian had to admit that he was really enjoying the wide open spaces of the Sunshine Ranch.
Henry came into the cabin swooping Jenny up into the air spinning her around,.
"How is my girl this morning?"
Giggling Jenny replied.
"I'm good, we made Uncle Brian and Uncle Justin breakfast in bed this morning."
Looking at her and Gus, Henry gushed.
"Wow, they are so lucky and you two are the best for doing that. We are so proud of you."
Gus and Jenny blushed as they said, "Thank you for saying that and thank you for our gifts. We love them!".
While Henry was entertaining the kids Mary took Justin and Brian aside.
"Henry and I were talking and we were thinking that you might like a night for just the two of you. So we would like to take the children tonight after the karaoke for a sleepover, would you like that?"
Looking at each other Justin smiled at Brian before replying.
"That would be brilliant, thank you. We think that Gus and Jenny will really love it."
Clapping her hands with glee Mary said.
"Wonderful! Ok, so when we get back to freshen up before leaving for the karaoke bar, pack an overnight bag for them. Now I must plan fun activities for us tonight."
Brian and Justin laughed as they watched her tell the kids. Gus and Jenny were excited about spending the night with their great grandparents. They held hands, spinning around, cheering in happiness over the good news.
Still flying high on the news of the sleepover soon they were on their way to see the wild horses and the sanctuary that was created for them.
The weather was perfect, the sky was clear, the temperature was warm and comfortable. Everyone was anxious to see the area where the wild horses lived and they hoped to get a glimpse of them.
Gus and Jenny sat in the jeep during the trip, asking a million and one questions about what they will be doing on their sleepover. "What will we be doing?, Where will we sleep? Are we going to watch a movie? Are we going to make food?".
Justin laughed as the kids ran out of breath.
"Guys take a breath and let your Great-Nana and Grandad answer you."
Giggling Gus replied. "OK."
Mary chuckled before answering.
"Thank you Justin. OK guys, you will be sleeping in the big guestroom. It has a huge TV in there and your own bathroom."
Henry took over for his reply.
"Of course we will watch a movie. There are lots we can pick from so we will choose one later."
Mary added.
"We will make some treats to enjoy while we watch the movie in our PJ's; how does that sound?"
Cheering Gus and Jenny replied together.
"Yeah that sound like fun, thank you."
Smiling sweetly Mary replied.
"You are very welcome."
Brian murmured.
"Now I wish we could go, that does sound like fun."
Patting his shoulder, Mary assured him.
"We will do it again and we can all join in. How does that sound?"
Smiling at her Brian agreed.
"Sounds perfect thank you".
He finished by giving her a peck on the cheek.
Sitting back looking at the beautiful surroundings then at his family's happy faces Brian felt really lucky to have such a loving family who actually cared about him.
Henry announced that they had arrived at the wild horse sanctuary as he parked the jeep.
In front of them was a vast area that had all sorts of surfaces and a forest in the background. Overlooking the land were raised platforms that were built into the trees so they looked like part of them.
Henry explained they were used for observing the horses to make sure that they happy and healthy.
He had already explained that the horses didn't have much human contact so they would not be frightened and would preserve their wildness.
A curious Brian asked.
"Where are the shelters that you were telling us about?"
Taking out binoculars Henry handed them to Brian pointing.
"If you look past the trees just over there to the left, you can just make out an odd shape, that is just some of them. There are lots dotted all over their area."
Looking through the binoculars Brian had to really focus to see the hidden shelters and when he did locate them he was really impressed.
"Wow, they are really good. I can see why they would think that they were natural and not be frightened of them."
Jenny tapped his leg.
"Uncle Brian, can I see them too please?"
Smiling at her Brian replied.
"Of course you can."
Crouching down to help her, Brian showed Jenny how to use the binoculars.
"Now just focus and you will see them, OK?"
Nodding Jenny smiled "OK Uncle Brian."
Focusing Jenny looked really hard and gasped when she saw them.
"I can see them, I really can! Look Gus."
Gus looked with Jennys help making all the adults smile at the pair. Gus was amazed at what he saw.
Justin asked.
"Are the platforms just used to look at the wild horses?"
Mary explained.
"Well apart from just observing them, the vet and the wild animal expert come periodically to check on them to sure the horses are acting healthy."
Brian asked as he looked from the height of the platform.
"How do you get to them if the vet needs to do something?".
Henry explained.
"They use a very mild sedative, just enough to make them stand still, so the vet can get in and out without traumatizing the horse. So far we only had to do that once, when one of them got their hoof stuck between rocks. It was after a really bad storm that we had. The vet was in and out really fast and all was OK."
While they were all standing on top of the platforms, Gus was taking photos, when they heard a thundering sound. They were lucky enough to see the beauty of the wild horses running together in front of them. Gus was very happy to take pictures of them in all their beauty. That moment really topped their visit to the ranch.
Making their way back to the cabin, everyone was flying high on what they saw. They were going to freshen up and hopefully Gus and Jenny would take a nap. They all looked forward to what the rest of the day would bring.
