Chapter 4: Penny Loafers Don't Make You A Man

"I don't understand why we have to celebrate Thanksgiving," said Christian standing in front of the body length mirror in Hannah's bedroom. He looked disgusted at what he saw and then began to pull on the hideous sweater that he was being forced to wear. The sweater was a dark orange color with purple pompoms on it. "First of all we are not living in the United States, hence I don't give a flying crap about the pilgrims and Indians. Second, I don't give a crap about Christopher Columbus."

"Christopher Columbus has nothing to do with Thanksgiving, Chris," said Hannah miserably as she sat on the edge of her bed, her legs crossed with her arm resting on her leg. She was also wearing a sweater…dark blue with a unicorn on it.

"I don't care," said Christian angrily, "I don't give a bloody damn. I mean…Aunt Lorraine is really cool and all…but the sweaters have got to stop."

"I agree," said Matthew who was sitting at Hannah's desk. His sweater was bright yellow with a red letters across it reading "Auntie's Favorite". "She is very nice and gives us loads of crap…but the sweaters…I think she watches too much T.V. and now thinks this is how Great Aunts are supposed to act."

"When is she supposed to be here?" asked Boone lying across the floor. His sweater was by far the most hideous and obnoxious. It was an actually a Christmas sweater. It was dark red with purple sleeves; there were embroidered Christmas lights that actually had light bulbs that blinked. Nothing brought Christian more happiness to press the button on Boone's sweater that made all the lights blink.

"Soon," said Hannah checking the clock that was next to her bed. "We are the only ones that are going to be at dinner right?"

"If you mean that the Marshall's won't be over…. then yes we will be the only ones there," said Matthew.

"Thank god," said Boone sitting up, "Imagine what Laura would think of me in this sweater."

"I don't think she would see you any differently," laughed Christian pushing the button causing dozens of light to blink across Boone's chest.

The doorbell rang from the lower floor and all the kids rose at once. They all exchanged exasperated looks and then walked out of Hannah's bedroom. They were on top stair and could already here Aunt Lorraine's voice.

"It's just great to be here!"

The kids exchanged looks again and walked down the stairs. Jack and Kate were standing next to each other, Jack's arm around his wife. Both of them were in their normal clothing…not a scary hand-made sweater in sight.

"THERE ARE MY BABIES!" exclaimed Aunt Lorraine pushing Kate and Jack out of the way and rushing towards the kids forcing them into a huge bone-breaking hug.

"Aunt Lorraine," said the kids breathlessly as she let go of them. They all walked into the living room where Aunt Lorraine put her giant bag on the coffee table. All the kids sat around here…this was the best part of Aunt Lorraine's visits…the presents. Last Thanksgiving she had given them each a flat-screen television that could hang on the wall in their bedrooms. Kate and Jack asked Lorraine not to spoil the kids, but she always argued. She did not have any children or grandchildren of her own so she found it necessary to spend all her money on the four Shepard kids.

"For my darling twins," said Aunt Lorraine reaching inside of her bag. She dug for a moment and then smiled. "A pair of four-wheelers that you can drive down the beach."

Boone and Christian jumped up and took the keys from Aunt Lorraine. Jack and Kate stood back from the kids, but that didn't stop Kate from shooting Jack a quick look of disapproval. Jack shrugged and turned back to Lorraine.

"For Matthew," said Aunt Lorraine, "Tomorrow a package will be delivered here and inside is a new telescope just approved by NASA. It has all the latest technology and stuff."

Matthew, who was sitting next to Aunt Lorraine, gave her a tight hug. It was the perfect present for a science geek.

"And finally Hannah," said Aunt Lorraine she reached inside the bag and took out a single key, "This is a key to a candy apple red Mustang Convertible that is at the dealership. All you have to do is pick it up, it's all paid for and I will cover the insurance."

Hannah jumped up and lunged herself forward into Aunt Lorraine's arms.

"Thank you Thank You Thank You!" exclaimed Hannah happily.

"No," said Kate suddenly killing the mood. Everyone turned around and looked at her. "Lorraine this gifts are great, but I can't let you spend all your money spoiling the kids. Kids give her back the keys."

"Kate," said Lorraine standing up, "This is what I want to do with my money. I want to spoil these kids. You, Jack, and them are the only family I have now."

"Kids go upstairs," said Jack suddenly and all of the kids left the room without a word. Once they had gone up the stairs Jack and Kate sat across from Lorraine. "Aunt Lorraine, this is great but we can't except the gifts."

"Of course you can!" said Aunt Lorraine, "I know what I am doing. Jack…Margot isn't here so I have to be the spoiler. I have to be the one to give them what you to won't. That is what makes me so cool!"

"That's true," said Jack smiling and looking at Kate.

"I just want the kids to think that they will just be handed everything in life," said Kate softly.

"Okay," said Aunt Lorraine, "How about this is the last time I spoil them. Well…last time for a while at least. I can't promise I won't do it again."

"Alright," said Kate sighing…then smiling.

"Okay then," said Aunt Lorraine slapping her knee, "Then I guess I should tell you about the 50 thousand dollar trust funds that I have made in their names."

"What?" asked Jack and Kate at the same time.

"Oh it's just college money and stuff," said Aunt Lorraine like 50 thousand dollars was just pocket change. "You are in complete control and they can't get the money until you two think that they are mature enough."

"Right," said Jack, "So Hannah will get hers soon…Matthew about a year later…and the twins…when they are fifty?"

All three of them begun to laugh…well the three people who thought they were the only people in the room, sitting on the stairs were the twins…who both had scandalized looks on their face. They stood up silently and walked into Hannah's room. The two new puppies Sasha and Perro were lying on Hannah's bed.

"Do you think we are mature?" asked Boone.

"No," said Hannah simply.

"Why would you even ask that?" asked Matthew spinning around in Hannah's desk chair. "Hence the nicknames 'Double Trouble' and the 'Terrible Two'.

"I feel insulted," said Christian looking at Boone, "This family doesn't take us seriously. "

"And that surprises you?" asked Hannah trying to control her laughter.

"Well yes," said Christian looking at her disgusted, "But it's not like we can look mature when we are wearing the most disgusting sweaters!"

"Please," said Hannah petting Perro between the ears.

"It's the way you two act," said Matthew.

"We can be mature," said Boone his eyes narrowing.

"Yeah," said Christian," just you wait and see."

An hour later the entire family was gathered around the dining room table. Matthew and Kristin had come over for dinner as well. There were two empty chairs at the table. Boone and Christian were mysteriously absent. The table was filled with all the normal Thanksgiving treats; turkey, stuffing, and sweet potatoes just to name a few. Everyone sat in silence waiting for the appetence from the twins. Kate was just going to get up from the table and call the twins again when the floor began to creek signaling the arrival of the twins. The twins appeared in the kitchen a minute later. Everyone turned around to face them. Kate's mouth dropped open, Matthew and Jack almost fell out of their chair with laughter, and Hannah spit out her water all over her plate. The twins were in identical white-collar shirts with sweater vests over them. They had tamed their mess of hair, so it was sleeked back across their heads. And since it was warm in Australia, they each had on a pair of shorts that hit their knees, white socks came up right underneath the knee, and they topped it all off with penny loafers and bow ties.

"Good evening," said Boone sitting down at his seat.

"Greetings," said Christian nodding as he took his seat. The twins sat straight up, with their hands folded in front of them, cheesy smiles on their face.

Jack and Kate exchanged looks and tried to stop themselves from laughing.

"You two look…" began Hannah but she found herself lost for words.

"Mature?" asked Boone raising an eyebrow.

"Umm…" said Hannah in reply.

"You are just the dearest little girl," said Christian, "You are just lovely."

"Simple wonderful," said Boone to Hannah.

"You two are nuts," replied Grandpa Matthew.

"Nutty for Maturity," said Boone happily.

"Yes maturity!" said Christian. "That's what we are Mature."


"Can you believe those two?" asked Jack as he took the plate from Kate's hand and dried it, then put it into the bag that held all their Thanksgiving dishes.

"They are crazy," said Kate rinsing off another plate then handing it to Jack. "I guess they heard about the trust funds."

"Must have," said Jack as he put the last plate away. He and Kate then walked into the living room; everyone was upstairs including Aunt Lorraine, who would be sleeping in the attic. Matthew and Kristin had gone home a half-hour before hand so they could go over to Kristin's sisters house. The attic had been redone and made into an office for Kate. They both sat on the couch; the three dogs followed them into the room. They were all upstairs having a checker tournament. Kate had to pick up Buddy and put him on the couch, the old dog's legs weren't so good. The two puppies jumped up and sat next to Jack. Jack had just turned on the television when the doorbell rang.

"Who is that?" asked Kate surprised.

"Three guess," said Jack. "But the first two don't count."

Kate looked at Jack and then smiled.

"Hurley," she said standing up. She walked over to the door and opened it. Hurley and Diana walked in the house, followed by Gabriella and Isabella. They girls said hello to Jack and Kate and then headed up the stairs. Behind them Luke walked in. He was twenty-three now and had begun law school.

"Luke!" exclaimed Kate, "It's so great to see you!"

Luke gave Kate a hug and then everyone went into the living room for some left over pumpkin pie. Everyone was seated around the table when the doorbell rang again. Kate looked over at Jack and this time he did not seem surprised. He just smiled as Kate stood up to answer the door; she looked at him like she knew something was up. Kate left the kitchen and opened the front door. Charlie, Claire, and the whole family were standing outside the door. Kate let out a scream as she hugged her best friend. Claire and her hadn't seen each other in three months. They began to jump up and down as everyone came out of the kitchen. Jack walked forward and hugged Charlie, as did Hurley. All the kids walked into the room as well. Emma looked identical to Claire, her long blonde hair reached the bottom of her back, and she had Claire's fair skin and blue eyes. Liam looked nothing like Claire, but everything like Charlie from his rock star days. Aaron was there also, he was very tall, 6'5", he had chestnut brown hair that was cut short, and his eyes were a deep emerald. Behind them the kids had come down the stairs to see who had come now. Hannah and Emma squealed at the same exact time and rushed towards each other and hugged. Liam walked towards the boys and 'man-hugged.' Luke walked out of the kitchen and saw his best friend Aaron standing in the doorway. They walked towards each other and shook hands and then hugged. Growing up Aaron and Luke had been inseparable, even with the age difference they were as close as brothers. Everyone finally settled down ten minutes later. All the kids went outside to the basketball net and patio. The adults went down into the basement where there was a television, pool table, and bar.

"Where is Shannon and Sawyer?" asked Claire as Kate handed her a strawberry daiquiri. Claire had aged naturally, her long hair had been cut short, but she still looked youthful.

"They went north," said Kate, "Shannon has been keeping in touch with Boone's mom, they went to visit her."

"Oh," said Claire. "That's great."

Across the room all the men were standing together laughing and chatting. Diana had just come down stairs and went over to Hurley had pulled him aside.

"We need to talk," she said softly.

"Okay," said Hurley, "Let's talk."

"Not here," said Diana looking around, "privately."

"I have no secrets from these people," said Hurley.

"Oh I bet you do," said Diana.

"Oh just tell me," said Hurley smiling.

"Fine," said Diana, "You want me to tell you here in front of all these people."

"Yup," said Hurley nodding.

"I'm pregnant," said Diana loudly.

THUMP

"Hurley!"

Everyone became silent at once. Diana was bent over Hurley, who had passed out of the floor of the basement.

"What happened?" asked Jack walking over to Hurley.

"I told him something," said Diana blushing slightly.

"What could you have possible told him?" asked Charlie.

"That I am---um…pregnant," said Diana.


"I can't believe Di is pregnant," said Kate crawling into her bed some five hours later. Charlie and Claire were staying at the hotel and would be visiting for a few days. Hurley had eventually awoken and was absolutely ecstatic. After 16 years of marriage Diana had finally gotten pregnant.

"Me neither," said Jack next to her. "It would be so crazy having another kid when your youngest is 16."

"So you would totally freak if I got pregnant," teased Kate.

"Absolutely, "said Jack, "I would have another heart attack."

"Good thing I'm not," laughed Kate as she kissed Jack. She laid down and covered herself with the blanket. She tried to move her feet and quickly realized that she wasn't the only one in the bed, apart from Jack she was now sharing a bed with three dogs.

"I wouldn't be upset you know," said Jack into the darkness, "If we had another kid."

"Me neither," said Kate, "but I love our family just the way it is."

"Me too," said Jack reaching out into the darkness for Kate's hand. Kate slipped her hand in his and closed her eyes to fall asleep. "But you know what I am most of all?"

"What?" asked Kate softly.

"Thankful."

To be continued…