A few days had passed since the karaoke night but it was still a highlight topic between them all; as they had such a great time. Brian woke up early and slipped out of bed; placing a kiss on Justin's shoulder before tucking him in once more. Deciding to make some coffee he got dressed quickly and made his way downstairs to the kitchen.
Jenny woke and rubbed her eyes, looking over she saw that her brother was still sound asleep curled up under the blankets. Hearing a noise from downstairs she crept out of her bed taking her long eared bunny, that her Uncle Brian had brought her, along as company. She made her way down the stairs. Once she reached the bottom step she saw her Uncle Brian in the kitchen.
"Uncle Brian are you okay?"
Turning at the sound of her voice he smiled.
"Jenny, what are you doing out of bed so early is everything okay ?".
"Yeah everything is okay, I just woke up. I heard noises so I came downstairs to see who was down here."
The sounds of the birds outside drew Jenny to the window. Brian joined her as they looked at the birds flying about and a flock of Canada geese landing in the lake.
Jenny spoke with awe in her voice.
"They are so pretty aren't they uncle Brian?".
"They sure are, hey I tell you what. Why don't we go on a secret walk around some of the lake while the sleepyheads are still in bed. Would you like to do that, just you and me?"
Jenny's eyes grew wide with delight.
"I'd love that, I have clothes down here that I can put on. This will be lots of fun."
As Jenny got dressed in the downstairs toilet she shook with excitement. She was going on a secret trek with her Uncle Brian, just the two of them. She hoped he would bring his phone so he could take photos of their adventure.
When she came out she saw that Brian was waiting for her. After slipping on her coat that Brian held up for her they made their way out the door.
Once outside Brian let Jenny know he was prepared.
"I brought my phone with me so we can take some pictures of our adventure."
A delighted Jenny performed a little happy dance; before motioning for her Uncle to bend down. Flinging her arms around his neck in a hug she told him.
"Thank you Uncle Brian, I was hoping you would."
Taking her tiny hand in his they started their walk around the lake. The sounds of the crickets and the frogs croaking made her chuckle as Brian joked that they must be talking about the strange humans walking around so early in the morning.
Spotting some duck who landed on the lake Brian asked her.
"Do you know the song 'There Once Was An Ugly Duckling '?"
"No Uncle Brian, is it a good song?"
Smiling he nodded.
"Sure is and there are even some Quacks in it."
Brian added some quacks then started wagging like a duck singing the song,
"There once was an ugly duckling
With feathers all stubby and brown
And the other birds said in so many words
Quack Quack, Get out of town
Quack, Quack
Get out, Quack, Quack
get out, Quack, Quack
get out of town
And he went with a quack and a waddle and a quack
In a flurry of eiderdown."
Jenny giggled as she joined in with the Quacks. Cheering as the song continued especially when the duck turned into a swan.
'That poor little ugly duckling
Went wandering far and near
But at every place they said to his face
Now get out, get out, get out of here
And he went with a quack and a waddle and a quack
And a very unhappy tear
All through the wintertime he hid himself away
Ashamed to show his face, afraid of what others might say
All through the winter in his lonely clump of wheat
Till a flock of swans spied him there and very soon agreed
You're a very fine swan indeed!
A swan? Me a swan? Ah, go on!
And he said yes, you're a swan
Take a look at yourself in the lake and you'll see
And he looked, and he saw, and he said
I am a swan! Whee!
I'm not such an ugly duckling
No feathers all stubby and brown
For in fact these birds in so many words said
The best in town, the best, the best
The best in town
Not a quack, not a quack, not a waddle or a quack
But a glide and a whistle and a snowy white back
And a head so noble and high
Say who's an ugly duckling?
Not I!
Not I!"
(Songwriters: Frank Loesser
The Ugly Duckling lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.)
Hugging her uncle after he finished Jenny told him.
"That is a wonderful song and so much fun thank you."
Sweeping Jenny up in his arms and twirling her around Brian placed a kiss on her cheek.
"You are very welcome sweetheart."
They continued walking around the lake with Brian taking lots of photos. Just as they made it back near the cabin two swans landed in the lake. Jenny gasped.
"Look Uncle Brian two beautiful swans from your song."
Brian smiled at Jenny's excitement and thought this was a great ending to their adventure.
"They sure are."
Meanwhile back in the cabin Justin got up to see a note saying where they had gone. Justin woke up Gu and told him about Brian and Jenny's morning adventure. They got dressed and Brian and Jenny were in sight when Henry came running toward them. Thankfully they were all ready because the horse Henry that had told them was expecting twin foals, which was a historic moment, was now in labor and he didn't want them to miss a moment of it.
Gus and Jenny chatted excitedly as they made their way to see the Abaco Barb babies come into the world. Gus's face shone with glee.
"This is so exciting I can't wait to get there. Jenny, did you have fun going out this morning with your Uncle?"
Jenny nodded as she clung to her brother's hand in excitement as to what they were going to see.
"Yeah we had so much fun, we heard the crickets and the frogs making noises" laughing she continued, "Uncle Brian said that they were talking about the two silly humans walking around so early and then we saw ducks and Uncle Brian sang a song about an ugly duckling with Quacks in the song it was funny but the ugly duckling turned into a beautiful swan. Isn't that great. Uncle Brian is so great and funny. I love him so much".
"That does sound like fun, he loves you so much as well Jenny just like I do and your Uncle Justin."
Hugging her brother tight. "Love you too Gus."
Justin saw Brian mist up at her words and took his hand in his leaning close he placed a kiss on his cheek. "Love you."
Glancing at Justin and smiling Brian leaned in placing a kiss on his lips.
"Love you too Sunshine."
Henry's heart soared at the conversation around him and just before he could speak they all shouted in unison.
"Love you great grandad, granddad".
Gus and Jenny giggled at using two different granddad sayings.
A short time later they arrived at the stable where the mare was in labour.
Mary was there with the vet and the stable manger Aaron.
Gus and Jenny hugged Mary. "Hi great-Nana."
Justin hugged her. "Hi Nana you doing okay?"
Brian placed a kiss on her cheek in greeting her and she returned the kiss;. while still holding on to the kids in a hug.
Henry spoke to the vet and Aaron while Mary caught them up.
"We have no clue how long Hattie has been in labour. Aaron was doing his regular checks when he found her. Her partner Danny is looking on, close enough that he can touch her with his nose. This is keeping them both calm. Thankfully Hattie is handling this very well so far."
Crouching down to the kids and taking Brian's hand in hers Mary spoke.
"Okay Gus, Jenny and Brian I know none of you have seen anything like this before so if it becomes too much you can go back to the house or go visit with Lottie who is two rows down and talk to her until the foals are born okay. You don't have to look; you can turn your back as well. If you have any questions don't be afraid to ask them."
Jenny thought for a moment. "Will the babies be big babies and will there be blood."
Brian paled he hasn't even thought of blood but he felt Mary's hand squeeze his in reassurance.
"The babies will be small, bigger than human babies of course, and there might only be a tiny amount of blood nothing to worry about".
Justin came whispered into Brian's ear.
"Will you be ok? Remember what Nana said okay. We can wait outside if it's too much."
Shaking his head while leaning on the fence Brian replied.
"I'll be okay, look at the kids; they are so excited and not an ounce of fear. Besides I do want to witness this historic moment. Your grandparents have really made me feel a part of this family and this will be something we can remember and talk about for years to come."
The vet announced that baby number one was about to make its appearance and they all saw the proud mother deliver her first baby. The beautiful foal sat there for a moment looking around before Hattie stated to clean her baby up.
While Gus and Jenny ahhed; Brian wanted to puke.
Soon the foal got up and wobbly started to walk around. Gus snapped pictures capturing the moment as the daddy horse nosed his girlfriend to show he was proud of her.
It wasn't long before foal number two arrived slightly smaller than the first but just as healthy and happy.
Justin shed happy tears watching as his family looked on at the historic event and he felt so proud that he got to share this with them. He felt so lucky to have such amazing grandparents.
While the vet cleaned up after making sure mommy and babies were okay; Aaron restocked the food and water.
Mary clapped her hands.
"How about we all go back to our house and have a celebration breakfast and Aaron that means you too and you, Jake, don't think you are getting away with packing up that vet bag and getting away without getting fed."
Laughing both Aaron and Jake accepted the invite as they all made their way back to the house.
Gus and Jenny helped cook, Jenny shared her story of her morning walk with Brian which made Mary laugh with the funny bits.
Brian overheard and prayed that he wouldn't be made to sing the song in front of everyone.
Sitting around the table eating the big breakfast, the happiness could be felt as they all talked about their favorite moments and how much they were all enjoying their holiday.
When breakfast was over Justin, Brian and the kids left to get freshened up for whatever the day had in store for them. Little did they know what was planned for them.