The next day Tony met with the fire captain, insurance adjuster and NIS at the house to see what was ruined and what could be done. Looking at the house Tony's stomach clenched thinking of everything they lost. Arthur, Jackson and Charlie were there with him and Jackson hugs him.
"Just be thankful you guys weren't here Tony. This could be much worse and everything in there can be replaced." Tony takes a deep breath.
"Shannon's things, dad's things … even stuff from Nonie and Poppy that were mine and Mama's were in there." The fire captain came over and starts talking to Jackson.
"As you can see Mr. Gibbs the house is almost a complete loss. After the initial fire yesterday another started and was put out quickly but destroyed what wasn't damaged by the first fire."
"Why are you telling me this? Tony's the one you should be talking to." The fire captain looks at Tony and then turns back to Jackson.
"I'm not allowed to speak with the occupants but the home owner sir. Now if you want to..."
"Tony is the homeowner. Him and his sister and daughter were visiting me out of town when this happened. I came back with them to see if there was anything I could do but he's the homeowner." The fire captain looks at Tony and rolls his eyes.
"This isn't the time for jokes. He's not old enough to even get a loan, there's no way he can own a home. If you don't want to take responsibility you're just going to make things harder." He was raising his voice and Agent Franks and the insurance adjuster Patrick Ebbs come over.
"Is there a problem here?"
"I'm trying to have a serious talk with Mr. Gibbs here and he keeps trying to pass me off on his grandson." Tony joins them.
"Agent Franks, Mr. Ebbs who does this house belong to?"
"Technically you since your dad was killed. Why?"
"He refuses to tell me what's going on with the house because I'm young. He's been ignoring me and refuses to talk to me about what happened."
"Fine but I know that's a lie. I have an Anthony Gibbs listed as … oh you said his name was Tony."
"Yes, that's my name and I have my drivers license if you need to check." Later they went through the house finding almost everything destroyed but a few things like Tony's money box, documents box that held all his important paperwork, the foot lockers with Shannon's things and another one with Gibbs' stuff. Jackson found Tony sitting on top of them with his head in his hands.
"Tony, are you okay?"
"Yeah … everything here it doesn't matter. None of this stuff matters except for these."
"What's in them?"
"This one Kelly and dad put together of Shannon's things. Some of her clothes, her jewelry box, things she was saving for Kelly … it was in a wood chest but then they moved it over. Kelly would be devastated if she lost it."
"And this other one?"
"Stuff I put away of dad's. I knew we would have to clean out his stuff eventually but there were things I didn't want taken or moved. His Marine's shirts, this flask Shannon made him, his wedding rings, that watch he wore he forgot it the last time he left."
"She'll appreciate it. Are they in good condition?"
"The insides weren't even wet. We have no where to stay but..."
"We'll find you a place to live Tony. The main thing is you guys are okay and no one was hurt. We're finding little things and some clothes were saved by closed closets."
"So we just get to do a million loads of laundry."
"Like you said didn't you want to start buying Kelly brand new clothes instead of used? They'll reimburse you for some of the clothes. Probably what you paid for them but she could use the fresh start."
"Yeah I know but we lost so much. All of Nellie's things, the furniture, the rocking chair … dad fixed that up for us."
"It's not ruined it just needs some cleaning and new paint."
"I don't think the motel will appreciate that Grandpa." Arthur joins them.
"What about a motel?"
"Grandpa said I can clean the rocking chair up and give it fresh paint. We have to move into a motel so I don't think it'll work."
"Why don't you move into the cottage? It's there, there's plenty of room and you'll be close to us. It's got the two rooms, it's set up for a family and it's better than a motel."
"What will Aunt Camille think?"
"We talked about it and even fixed it up while waiting for you guys to come home yesterday. We just didn't want to say anything until we saw the condition of the house. You can fix it up anyway you want and of course fix up anything you want there too."
"Are you sure? Kelly and Jimmy have been bugging us for a pet and I was thinking maybe of getting a small cat for Kelly. She's been so down and..."
"Jimmy was telling us but we said we had to check with you first." After getting the few things that could be saved including most of the clothes in closets Agent Franks took them to wash and be delivered.
"How bad was it?"
"The house is destroyed. Another fire started after the first one … some stuff was saved but not everything."
"I'm sorry is there anything we can do?"
"Uncle Arthur said we could stay in the cottage. I hate to ask but I don't want Kelly and Nellie in a motel. The insurance can't do anything until after the first of the year."
"I know and we've been working on it. It's dusted and the beds are fresh. We opened the windows so you can get fresh air. All you need to do is fill it with your things. I spoke to Ruth who is coming down tomorrow but I'm to get anything you guys need for now and they'll pay us back."
"Thank you but I think we'll be okay for now."
"They plan to buy it all tomorrow anyway. She said to replace everything destroyed."
"The insurance..."
"At least to keep you guys until that comes through." Tony nods,
"We need clothes and things for Kelly and Nellie. I can live in tee shirts and jeans but I lost everything but the rocking chair for Nellie." Kelly let out a deep sigh and Tony smiles. "The footlockers made it though and everything in them."
"Mommy and daddy's?" Tony nods and Kelly hugs him as Tony smiles at Camille watches them. "We put the important stuff in metal footlockers since wood my burn or be destroyed. Kelly has her mom's in one and we packed things we really wanted of dad away. Most of the clothes in the closets were okay so Agent Franks and another agent from dad's team went to wash them."
"That's good and let's go shopping. Kelly can get what she needs and then you can get stuff for Nellie."
"I can do that Aunt Camille, we don't need..."
"I'm not going to say anything about what you get. I don't know what you need." Jackson intervenes.
"Why don't Tony and Charlie go shopping for Christmas and whatever Tony needs. Camille you and Kelly get her stuff and replace some of Nellie's stuff. Clothes, blankets and things like that."
"That sounds good. Is there anything special you need?"
"A crib please and just some bedding for it. Kelly can pick it out but I don't want to use the portable crib for too long."
"That's good and are you taking Nellie or should we?"
"I'll take her, you guys concentrate of what Kelly needs and the crib." Tony and Charlie went shopping for things they lost in the fire and extras to give them a few things.
"Have you talked to Maddie? She lost stuff in the fire too."
"Kelly called her and they're furious. Her dad's demanding I pay him back the money he gave me for her things."
"Did he pay you for keeping her?"
"Nope, just two checks for $100 each that barely covered clothes and school things. That's fine I'm not going to take care of her and I said I would give him a check when they come back."
"You did a lot more for her then that."
"I know but I know now I should've just left her to deal with social services but what can I do?" They bought clothes, books, toys and a few other things before stopping at the pet store just to look.
"Hi, can I interest you in a cat?"
"Sure, we mainly just came to look but cats were on our mind."
"Great, we have an animal rescue event and it seems like everyone wants puppies for Christmas."
"My sister's been wanting a kitten. Its been a hard couple of months but I would like to see her smile again."
"Very well do you have anything in mind? Or is there anything specific you're looking for?"
"Well not too young because we'll be in school all day but something not too old because I have an infant at home. I want something young enough to be playful but won't react if Nellie pulls on her."
"I actually have two that are young but they don't mind my grandkids yanking on them. I've been fostering them but they are at the end of the line. If they're not adopted today they're going to be put down." The lady shows them two cats who were small but playful trying to climb over each other.
"They're cute enough. Which one do you think Kelly would like?" Charlie picks up the gray cat and the other starts crying. "What do you want attention too?" Tony picks up the orange cat who tries to get to Charlie.
"Sorry I didn't think they would do that anymore. One of the reasons they're so hard to adopt out is they whine when separated." Charlie chuckles handing Tony the gray kitten.
"Looks like you're on double duty now."
"Yeah thanks." Tony chuckles at the cats start purring and trying to lick him. "Do they have names?"
"The orange one is Tick and the other is Tock. My granddaughter named them."
"Tick and Tock the kids will get a kick out of that. What do I need to get for them?" When they got back Jackson and Arthur were assembling a crib in the master bedroom, there was a Christmas tree up and Kelly and Jimmy were playing with Nellie. "Hey guys, we have a surprise for you."
"Is it chocolate?"
"Chocolate? No, you can't eat this."
"Is it for Christmas?"
"Yes it is." Kelly grins,
"We can wait for Christmas then." Tony nods knowing the cats wouldn't stay in his jacket for long.
"Okay," Charlie brings in some of the gifts. "They want to wait until Christmas for their surprise." Charlie laughs putting the gifts in Tony's room. Suddenly the cats wanted out and started meowing loudly.
"What was that?"
"What was what?" Jimmy looks outside.
"It sounds like a kitty was fighting. Can we look for it?"
"The cats not outside Jimmy."
"But we don't have a kitty and I heard them." Jimmy turns to Tony to protest when Tick sticks his head out of Tony's jacket. "Where did you get the kitty?" Kelly turns to Tony who opens his jacket revealing both of them.
"This is Tick and Tock they're brother and sister. I went to get one but they're gentle with babies as long as they're kept together."
"Why?"
"I don't know but they cry and try to get to each other if you take them apart." The cats explored the apartment and Nellie who just watched them. "Remember we have to watch where we step."
"I wanted a kitty." Tony hugs Jimmy.
"I know but they cried when I took one and Charlie took the other. That's why no one wanted them they didn't want two." Kelly nods,
"We can share them right? They can stay here or at the big house as long as they're together."
"Yes, that's a good idea. You can always come visit them too Jimmy." By the time everyone was settled for the night the cats were with Kelly on her bed, Nellie was in her new crib and Jackson and Tony stayed up talking. Tony was exhausted wishing this was just some weird dream but with two days left until Christmas he knew he had to keep going for Kelly and Jimmy's sake.