A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
"Clarissa went to her therapy appointment yesterday.", Grace says as she and I walk in the park with the kids. "She said she feels better now that she's talked about the robbery. I just wish the police would find the person responsible."
"Still no leads?" I stop pushing the boys' stroller as she stops the girls'.
"Out.", Georgia pouts. I nod and help Grace get the girls out so they can play.
"The detective in charge thought he had a lead, but he said it ended up being nothing. The case is still open. Has Christian's men been able to find anything?"
"Nope. Barney was able to get access to the street camera across from the bookstore. The video showed the guy running out of the store and then out of view. It might take a while, but we'll find out who did it." I cross my arms and watch the girls become fixated by a man and young boy with remote control cars. "You girls see those cars going fast?"
"Vroom, vroom.", Raygan replies as Grace gets a text message. She glances at the screen and grins before putting the phone away.
"Clarissa texted to let me know she's going to Water World with Sam and his little sister. Today's his sister's thirteenth birthday, and she wanted to spend the day with both Sam and Clarissa."
"That's sweet.", I say.
"Just as Sam's become part of our family, Clarissa's become part of his. Megan, his sister, adores Clarissa and views her like her own sister. Of course Clarissa thinks highly of Megan as well."
"Besides working, has Clarissa said what how she's planning on spending her summer?"
"Resting before college.", Grace smiles. "Even though she's going to be going to school here in Seattle, she's going to be staying in the dorms which I'm ok with." I cock my head in disbelief. "Shocking, right? We've gotten so used to having her in the house with us, but living in the dorms is part of the whole college experience. While we won't get to see her as much, she'll still come and visit. She told Haley she wants to continue working at the bookstore when her schedule allows it."
"Clarissa Grey.", I say.
"Carrick and I both felt terrible about not adopting Clarissa sooner. Although we knew she loved us and our family, we weren't sure if she wanted to take such a big step especially since she's now eighteen. The adoption of adults isn't common. A few weeks ago, I suggested that we once and for all ask her opinion on the matter. We were delighted when she said she wanted to be adopted by us. We've been her parents for a while, yet having the Grey last name kind of solidifies it."
"Look. Butterfly.", Georgia says as she points to a butterfly fluttering not far from us. "Pretty."
"It sure is."
"Cow goes moo.", Raygan says before turning the handle on the see and say. A moo comes from the toy and makes both girls giggle. Glancing over at Aidan and Teddy's bouncy seats, it looks as if they're giggling as well. I stretch my feet out from my position on the floor and observe Raygan handing the see and say to Georgia.
"Me want duck.", Georgia announces. She turns the handle and grins when she hears quack quack.
"Isn't this fun?", I ask them. "Your mommy had one of these when she was little." Both girls give me an "are you kidding me" look. They've been around for a long time, and I'm not that old." I hear the front door open and then close. Turning, I see Christian rushing towards the stairs, only halting when he sees me and the girls staring at him.
"Hey guys. Uh..I have to go.", he stammer as he rushes upstairs. I see a laughing Taylor standing by the front door.
"Is there a reason why he was in such a hurry?"
"He had to do number two. It was kind of an emergency.", Taylor replies with his laughter fading. I move to my feet and stand in wait for Christian who comes downstairs about ten minutes later. "Are you ok sir?"
"I'm fine.", Christian mutters. Taylor nods and heads towards the kitchen. "I suppose he filled you in on the reason for my rush to upstairs."
"Only that you had to do number two which by the way I never thought I'd hear Jason Taylor say.", I giggle.
"Dada do number two.", Georgia says.
"I believe we've established that I did in fact do number two. I had an chicken and cheese enchilada for lunch. Despite it being delicious during lunch, it's only given me trouble afterwards. I've had heartburn and an uneasy stomach. I thought I was feeling somewhat better until we started home. I came very close to having Taylor stop at a service station, but I was determined to make it home." He walks over and kisses each of the kids and then me. "I'm sorry for not properly saying hi before."
"It's ok. We understand." I grab the front of his shirt and pull him towards me, going in for one more kiss. In the corner of my eye, I see the girls cover the eyes. "How about I get you some Pepto."
"I'll get some in a minute. How was the park?", he asks, sitting down in the recliner. I settle on the sofa and lean back.
"It was nice. We walked around the track, and then the girls played a while. When we got home, they wanted to get in their swimming pool so I filled it up with water and let them play in it."
"It sounds like a great day. I was having a mediocre one until Grandpa called to talk. Grandmother was working at the fabric store, and he was home alone. He and I talked for close to twenty minutes. He told me once that he felt guilty for taking up my time, and I assured him he wasn't. I was working on some papers and talking to him at the same time."
"What all did you talk about?", I ask.
"Various things. He and Grandmother are leaving the week after next for a one week trip to Tennessee where they're going to visit with Haley's Grandmother Elizabeth. They're then going to head towards Myrtle Beach for a weeks stay."
"They're going to be busy but definitely having some much needed fun."
"I'm excited for them.", Christian says. "Mom and Dad are going to keep an eye on the house some, and I said we would as well." He stops talking at the sound of footsteps coming out of the security room. Sawyer's standing before us.
"I've completed and given Taylor my daily reports.", Sawyer tells us. "I was wondering if I can go ahead and leave for the day."
"I don't have a problem with it.", I reply.
"Me either.", Christian says. "You can go."
"Thank you so much.", Sawyer replies enthusiastically. "I'll see you all tomorrow." He races to the front door but stops just before opening it. Slowly, he turns around. "You all are like family to me, and it's only right that I explain the reason why I'm in such a hurry to leave. I'm going to propose to Zoe tonight. Let me rephrase that. I'm going to attempt to propose to Zoe tonight. We've been dating a while and have been getting closer by the day. I've known from practically the very beginning that she's the one I want to spend the rest of my life with, and now I'm prepared to ask her to do just that. I'm planning to give her my grandmother's ring. That's if she says yes."
"Sawyer, of course she's going to say yes. The two of you are perfect together.", I tell him.
"If only my nerves will allow me to ask her. I almost asked her last night but backed out. This morning I woke up determined to follow through with the proposal, yet now I'm once again feeling nauseus."
"There's not a thing wrong with being nervous. Just take a deep breath and go for it. Like Ana, I'm certain Zoe's going to say yes.", Christian adds.
"Ok. I'm going to go. The reason I want to go ahead and leave is so I can get home before her. I'm going to set candles around the house and cook her favorite food, chicken alfredo."
"You better get going then."
"No more.", Georgia murmurs while pushing away her oatmeal. "Done."
"You almost ate the whole bowl.", I tell her, noticing that Raygan's bowl is empty. "Your sister cleaned her bowl." Raygan picks up the empty bowl and starts to put her on her head, but Christian is quick to stop her.
"The bowl isn't a hat."
"Me wear it.", Raygan counters.
"No. You're not going to wear it. Food goes in the bowl. Hats go on your head." She studies the bowl before touching her head. "That's where a hat goes."
"No bowl."
"Right. No bowl." Christian takes both Georgia and Raygan's bowls over to the sink and sits back down as Sawyer pads into the kitchen. "Hey."
"Hi.", Sawyer mumbles with gloom washing over his face. Oh no.
"How did last night go?", I ask. Sawyer closes his eyes as if in pain. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be." He opens his eyes and shrugs. "Because I'm not." I'm about to ask for clarification when he grins. "She said yes." Zoe glides into the room and holds up her hand, showing off a pear shaped diamond ring.
"I said yes.", she giggles.
"Pretty.", Georgia says while pointing at Zoe's ring.
"It's a pretty ring for an even prettier girl.", Sawyer smiles.
