Chapter 34
"Ye've outdone yerself, August," Bog compliments as he gazes around in amazement. "I don't know how ye and yer workers got it done so quick but I am grateful. Thanks, cousin."
"It's perfect, August," Marianne murmurs, spellbound by the new house.
"Your welcome and I'm glad you like it. Cora and her team will move everything in that you bought for the house tomorrow now that the snowstorm is stopping," August comments. "I actually called in a few associates to help out with their crews to make sure we could get done by Christmas at least."
"Well, you made it with three days to spare," Griselda distractedly remarks.
"I figured that with today being what it is that you would be happy to see the house even without it being furnished yet and Cora didn't put up too much of an argument," August chuckles. "What do you think of your new home, little guy?"
"No, no, no, no," BB squirms in his father's arms, demanding to be let down.
"It's alright for him to be down. We cleaned everything up," August reassures. "Besides, how can he know if he likes it if he doesn't explore?"
Chuckling at his demanding son, Bog puts the toddler on his feet. With an instant, the giggling one-year-old races as fast as his long-chubby legs can carry him into the empty living room before heading to the next room.
"Wait for Granny, BB," Griselda laughs out, jogging to catch up to him. "I want to explore my new room too."
"Thanks again, August. It really is awesome and ye did a great job incorporating the old house's design into it. It almost seems like the old one with just a bit of renovation," Bog remarks, wrapping his arms around his wife. "I know ye took this job while ye already had one."
"It's fine, cousin. I didn't have any setbacks with my first contract and even got it finished two weeks ahead of schedule. My workers didn't mind the double shifts, especially with the pay bonus and the next two months off," August quips. "Besides, I kind of owe you. If it wasn't for helping you and Bron renovate the old house then I might never have realized that I liked construction work and then I wouldn't have worked for Cousin Neil. Which if that didn't happen, then no one in the family would have been able to take over when he passed unexpectedly and the business would have been sold since Colin was too young to inherit. So, if you didn't goad me into working that summer then everything would have been different, wouldn't it?"
"Everything happens for a reason," Marianne murmurs, smiling as her husband absently rubs her stomach. "That wall mural is magnificent, August."
"That is actually Bog's work," August points out, biting his lip to keep from laughing at the woman's questioning glare to her husband.
"I wanted it to be a surprise," Bog admits sheepishly, shuddering as his wife's look turn into a full glare. "I obeyed the doctor's orders and didn't do any work. I painted a smaller version of it then sent it to a company that makes mural wallpaper and August put it up. I wanted to do something for our house."
Marianne turns her attention back to the long wall separating the living room from the foyer. The scene of a fairytale Coille Dorcha enchants the spacious room with its lifelike appearance. The family motto emblazoned across a banner on the top adds a personal meaning and the fairies sitting on top of it add a bit a whimsy.
"As long as you were careful," Marianne finally concedes, leaning up to kiss Bog's jaw. "I know that it's been bugging you about not being able to work on the house but making sure your shoulder heals properly is more important. It's a perfect surprise. What did you do with the original painting?"
"I have it framed and waiting in the garage. I figured about placing it in our bedroom," Bog comments, smiling at her agreeing nod. "Well, we better finish the rest of the tour or we'll keep standing here in awe and I'll be late for work."
"I'll let you guys get to it then," August chuckles. "I still have a few more things to do before the party. I'll see you later."
Bidding their farewells, Bog and Marianne move to follow their exploring family. BB's chattering leads them from the living room past Griselda's new room, though they did peek inside of it, and through the hall.
"I'm so glad you agreed about not putting a door on the kitchen," Marianne murmurs, shivering at the reminder.
"Are ye okay," Bog asks, stopping the inspection to look her over? "It's not bothering ye about the house being so similar, is it?"
"I'm fine, Bog, it's just hormones," she reassures the anxious man. "I love the house, even the old one, and it doesn't bother me. I just don't want anything that might cause the same problems if, God forbid, anything like that ever happens again."
"I understand, tough girl," Bog relents his search and shows her the new den and office. "Why do ye think I changed a few things in the design? Like the more open staircases and made sure August used the best fire-resistant materials. There you two are!"
"BB headed to the kitchen but there isn't anything here yet," Griselda comments, trying not to chuckle at the frustrated toddler's scowl.
"Mrs Cora is going to decorate the house tomorrow and then we can move in," Marianne consoles her son as he heads over to her. "We'll head over to Grandpa's to eat lunch after we look at the rest of the house."
BB's scowl disappears as he takes his mother's hand and slowly walks up the back staircase with her. Griselda chuckles silently, old memories being born anew as she watches her son's attentive behavior. 'Just like his father and grandfather,' she muses, following him up the stairs.
Soon the small family trudges through the snow to the next-door house. BB, securely in his father's arms and bundled for the weather, squeals as Donald opens the door for them.
"I'm happy to see you too, BB," Donald chuckles, picking up his grandson to allow Bog to remove his heavy police jacket. "Happy Birthday, Bog. Yes, yes, you little rascal. Happy Birthday to you too, BB."
"Thanks," Bog replies, helping Donald to get BB to let go of his beard. "Even after all these months, it is still kind of hard to believe everything that has happened this year. Some good, some bad, and some magical."
"Flatterer," Marianne smirks as Bog purrs the last word to her. "Did you pick up the strawberries, Dad?"
"Yes, I did. You called just as I was leaving the dinner, so I swung by the store to grab them," Donald answers, letting the squirming toddler down. "I think someone is hungry."
"He is. He went to the kitchen in the house but they haven't furnished it yet thanks to that snowstorm. He got so upset that there wasn't any food," Griselda chuckles.
"That looks delicious," Marianne remarks, sitting down at the kitchen table and breathing a sigh of relief. "It feels so nice to sit for a while."
"Marianne, are you," Donald starts worriedly?
"I'm fine," she interrupts with a reassuring smile. "Everything is fine, Dad. We're all healthy. Just the normal aches and swollen joints."
Donald chuckles as his daughter stuffs one of the strawberries in her mouth with a delighted moan. 'Couldn't ask for a better man for my little girl,' he thinks proudly as Bog returns from the living room with one of the footstools to place under Marianne's feet. Slightly embarrassed at their open affection, Donald turns his attention to feeding BB but grins at the sight of Bog's strawberry-stained lips.
Lunch fills with remarks about each one's day, the holiday season, and the house. The excitement bringing life to the grey day. All too soon their lunch break draws to an end.
"So, how soon will you be able to move in," Donald asks putting on his own heavy coat?
"We should be able to move in the day before Christmas Eve," Marianne murmurs happily, wiping away the falling tears with one hand and rubbing her stomach with the other. "Ugh, these hormones are ridiculous!"
Bog chuckles before kneeling in front of his wife. Softly rubbing her swollen stomach, he smiles at the answering kick and kisses the covered belly.
"Are ye wee lasses giving Mam trouble," he questions to the fluttering movements?
"Mam," BB squeals, running over to kiss his mother's stomach too! "No, no, no!"
The watching adults chuckle as the toddler scolds his unborn sisters at their kick to his mouth before kissing Marianne's stomach again, this time without punishment. Bog helps Marianne shrug her coat on but pauses in concern when a loud yawn escapes her.
"Maybe I should drive ye back," he suggests as she rubs her eyes. "I'll put yer car in the garage and tell Chief Jack that I'll be a little late. Alright?"
"That is a good idea, dear," Griselda comments. "You know I don't like driving in this weather and the doctor's tests ran a little longer then they expected. I can understand why they are worried but that was too long of a wait for someone carrying twins with an energetic toddler."
"Who is ready for his own nap," Marianne adds fondly, looking at the yawning boy that is now hugging her legs.
It takes Bog only a few minutes to finish his tasks before gratefully entering his warmed up car. Getting ready to pull out of the driveway, he snickers at the sight of the sleeping BB in his car seat.
"So much energy one minute and the next he's out like a light," he murmurs, pulling onto the road. "How are ye feeling, Marianne? Truly?"
"Tired," Marianne sighs out, leaning back into the seat. "I do wish they would have rescheduled the appointment when they had that emergency instead of having us wait. Even Dr Boyd was surprised that we were still there and he actually yelled at the nurses for not rescheduling me for tomorrow. Then he called Dr Willa and she was quite angry but by that time the technician was ready for my tests. We are never scheduling BB's appointments the same day as mine ever again."
"Don't worry, sweetpea, the nurses will never do that again. Those two will make sure of it," Griselda cackles darkly from the back seat. "Especially now that they know who you are. I still love the look on Boyd's face when he saw me with you when they called him in to check BB after the fire. I wish I had my camera with me."
"Don't forget my reaction, even I admit that was funny. Out of all the pediatrician's in the city for me to choose for BB and I inadvertently chose his real dad's cousin. More surprising was finding out that my OB-GYN is also a relative," Marianne snickers. "I thought nothing could faze Dr Willa but at least Chief Jack got a kick out of his sister's shock."
"Let's not forget my birthday present last year that I didn't even know about," Bog points out. "Finding out that BB is my son was enough of a delight but to find out that he was born on my birthday, a day I actually share with my own Da, now that was exciting. Everything happens for a reason even when it doesn't make sense at the time and our lives are perfect examples of that."
"Speaking of which, have you given any more thought about Jack's offer," Griselda questions nonchalantly?
"I should have known that he'd pull that trick," Bog mutters. "When did he tell ye?"
"Before he talked to you," Marianne answers, ignoring her husband's mumbles. "He said he wanted back-up and to make sure you give it a full thought."
"I know this promotion is just the start and I know what he wants. But just because Da and Grandda had what it took to be the chief of police, it doesn't mean I do," Bog sighs heavily as he pulls into Coille Dorcha's road.
"Don't you? Your record of service is excellent. Your conduct in May and in the months that followed proved to the people that you'll sacrifice your comfort for justice," Griselda counters. "Everyone on the police force respects you and not because of your father or your grandfather but because you are a man of integrity and a born leader. Your experience as a sheriff is more a credit to you in proof of that because you did what was necessary for justice even at your own expense. Give yourself credit, my son, and take the promotion."
"That is the gist of what he said as well," Bog comments, parking on the castle's residential side. "He even admitted to giving me workloads that were higher than my position and I was so caught up in my duties that I didn't realize it. Of course, he had the mayor sitting in the office to back him up."
"And you really thought he wouldn't use us, the most effective weapons against you," Griselda cackles?