Faith Hope Love Repeat pt.18
Hello, everyone. I have started a poll to see where you want my next story to start. A lot of you have liked the pre-series glimpses and I decided to write a story about it, but I want to know where to start it. If you're a member, you can go to my profile page and at the top, you will see the poll. Click it and vote. You only have till Thursday.
Soon, it was late and the four knew that it was time to go home. First, they dropped off Molly and then Sam. Brian and Crane went home and went to sleep.
A couple of weeks later, Molly and Crane were walking around town after church.
"Daniel and Dakota have to go shopping for fixtures and colors of the walls. The house is going up fast." Crane said.
"Too bad they can't start on ours." Molly answered.
"They could if we were married and able to."
"What's stopping us? We've been together for four years and we've changed but it's only brought us closer."
"True. Will you marry me?"
"You know I will."
"When do you want to get married?"
"Maybe in two Saturdays?"
"Sounds good to me. We can have the wedding and the reception at the ranch."
"We should go tell everyone and plan."
"Ok."
They went home and told everyone the news. Crane and Molly planned their wedding and their honeymoon.
"Saturday we can go get clothes for the wedding." Hannah said.
"Ok." Molly answered.
Saturday came and everyone went to town to get clothes for the wedding. The men took one vehicle and the women took another.
"What about this dress?" Molly asked as she held up a slightly more frilly dress.
"It's nice, but not you." Hannah answered.
"Agreed."
They searched for dresses and bought dresses.
They arrived home and saw that the men were home working. Holly and RIley ran out of the car and ran up to Adam.
"They do not like car rides." Hannah chuckled.
"I don't blame them." Molly answered. "Where should we put the dresses?"
"Let's put them in Sally and Evan's house. They have more space."
They took care of the dresses and then went inside to start on supper. Adam walked in with Holly and RIley on his back.
"Ok, you two need to get off. You're getting too big." Adam said. He helped them down and then he crashed on the couch. Briana and Luke were on the floor playing with the kitties and puppies. Luke crawled over to Adam and used Adam's legs to stand up. "Hey." Adam picked Luke up and started playing with him. Briana crawled over and slapped Adam's leg. Adam picked her up and he played with the two.
The next Friday came and they decorated for the wedding.
"Thanks for helping with the decorations, Dakota." Molly said as Dakota brought out the decorations.
"Your welcome. I enjoy it." Dakota answered. Holly ran over to Dakota and watched as Dakota sat down. Then she placed her head on Dakota's stomach and Dakota sighed. "What is it that you like about doing this?"
"The babies." Holly whispered. Hannah, Sally, and Jane walked over and smiled.
"Holly, come help me with these flowers." Jane said. Holly kissed Dakota's stomach and then ran over to Jane. Riley came outside with Luke in her arms. She sat down on the porch and played with him.
Daniel arrived home and saw the guys setting up for the wedding while the girls were on the porch getting the decorations ready. He walked up and saw Holly resting her head on Dakota's stomach.
"Holly, what are you doing?" Daniel asked as he picked Holly up and kissed her cheek.
"Feel the babies." Holly answered.
"You like feeling the babies inside Dakota?"
"Yeah."
Adam came out and Daniel handed Holly to him.
"Hey, are you gonna help me feed the cats?" Adam asked.
"Um... ok." Holly answered.
"Ok."
They went to take care of the cats and Daniel wrapped his arms around Dakota.
"How are you feeling?" Daniel whispered.
"Ok. How was your day?" Dakota answered.
"Better than yesterday. I'm gonna go take a shower."
"OK."
Daniel and Dakota kissed and then Daniel went to take a shower.
The next day, they finished setting up and then got ready for the wedding. The men were in the house while the women were in Evan and Sally's house.
"Just one more pin. I promise." Hannah chuckled as she put up Molly's hair.
"Thanks for the help." Molly answered.
"There."
Sally and Sam walked over with RIley and Holly.
"My uncle should be here in a moment." Molly sighed.
"I think it's great that you got your uncle to walk you down the aisle." Hannah answered.
"Mom and dad are both gone and he's the only family member I have left. It made sense."
At the house, Crane was trying to fix his tie.
"Let me." Adam said as he fixed Crane's tie.
"Thanks." Crane sighed.
"You'll be fine."
"Were you this nervous about marrying Hannah?"
"Yeah. I guess that's part of why we eloped. Just relax before you make yourself sick."
Soon, the ceremony started and Molly and Crane were married. Afterward, everyone talked and ate at the reception. When it was all over, everyone changed their clothes and cleaned up.
"When will you and Molly be leaving?" Brian asked.
"In the morning." Crane sighed. "Evan said that we can use their upstairs till our house is built. We'll stay there tonight and then leave in the morning. We want to hike and sightsee as much as we can. When we get back, we'll move into the guest room at Evan and Sally's house."
"Just don't stay at my place for too long. You may be my brother, but you are annoying." Evan teased.
"Says the one who's head is full of nothing but hot air."
Evan scowled and the brothers laughed.
That night, Hannah was almost asleep when she felt Adam get up again. She sat up and watched him leave the room. When Adam returned, she could tell he wasn't feeling good.
"Are you ok, honey?" Hannah wondered.
"Stomach cramps again." Adam mumbled as he sat down in bed and rested his hand on his forehead.
"DO you have a fever?"
"Not right now. I'm just tired and sore."
"How long have you had this?"
"Uh... all day."
"I'd ask why you didn't say anything, but I think I know the answer."
Adam laid down and then sat back up and groaned.
"I'll be right back." Adam groaned as he walked out of the bedroom. When he came back, he carefully laid down and sighed when he was able to relax.
"Better?" Hannah wondered as she ran her fingers through Adam's hair.
"A little."
"I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault."
Adam sighed and tried to get comfortable. Hannah could tell that he was thinking about something and she sighed.
"What are you thinking about?" Hannah wondered.
"The kids. What we're going to be doing for school in a few years." Adam answered.
"What do you mean?"
"I just... I've been thinking a lot recently about the kids and their education. Have you noticed how Holly and Riley are learning to recognize letters and numbers?"
"Yeah."
"I was reading to Holly a couple of nights ago and I noticed something about her. She can read small words, but... she reads right to left. Riley is the same way."
"They'll grow out of that."
"When? When they no longer have self-esteem? When they've been verbally abused to the point of no return?"
"SO what do we do?"
"I've read a lot about homeschooling and I have a friend who lives in Sacramento. He was a teacher and he now teaches his kids. I gave him a call and he's willing to help us out. I'm worried about our kids' mental health. Briana is acting more and more like me and I know that when she reaches that age, she will endure the same hell that I endured. Holly, RIley, and Luke will endure hell for being adopted. I just worry that school isn't the best place for them to be at. I know this is 2 years away, but if we go down this route, we need to figure it out now."
"They'll endure a lot of grieve if we do this."
"But we'll be able to ensure their education. Mom and dad would have schooled me at home if they had the choice."
"My dad would have too. I'm not against the idea, Adam. I agree with you. It's just... there's a lot to think about."
"I know."
"You know, we can't keep them safe forever." Hannah warned.
"I know that. I just want to keep them safe as long as I can." Adam replied.
"Me too."
The next day, Crane and Molly went on their honeymoon. Adam wasn't feeling any better and it showed.
"Adam, maybe we should stay home from school." Hannah suggested.
"I'm fine." Adam lied.
"Adam, are you still having the cramps?"
"Yeah. I feel pretty awful."
Briana crawled in giggling and laughing with RIley and Luke behind her.
"Mommy, Holly won't get dressed." Riley said.
"I know. I'll go deal with her." Hannah sighed. Hannah and Adam kissed and Hannah went upstairs. Daniel and Dakota walked in and Daniel picked up Briana.
"Are you alright?" Dakota questioned.
"Yeah. It's just cramps. I think something disagreed with me." Adam answered.
"You look a little green, man. You really should stay home and get some rest." Daniel realized.
"I'll be fine."
They went to church and Adam was starting to feel worse. Hannah squeezed Adam's hand gently and looked up at him. She saw that he was uncomfortable but trying to endure.
"Do you need to leave?" Hannah whispered. Adam shook his head.
After church, Adam and Hannah took the kids home and Adam sat down in a chair and tried to take a nap.
"Here, put this on." Dakota said as she handed Adam a very warm sock full of rice. "It's not as effective as a modern heat pad, but it should help a little." Adam placed it on his gut and tried to relax.
A little while later, Brian walked in and patted Adam's leg causing Adam to look up at him. Brian sat down in the other chair and handed Adam a cup of tea.
"Grandma wants you to drink all of that whether you like it or not." Brian said.
"I will when it cools down a little." Adam mumbled.
"How are you feeling?"
"The heat pad is helping a little."
"Good. Hopeful the tea will help even more."
"The cramps aren't the problem now. It's fatigue. I didn't sleep well last night and no amount of coffee is keeping me awake."
"I can tell. I noticed earlier that you're a little thinner."
"I think I might have lost a couple of pounds."
Holly ran over to Dakota who sat on the couch resting. She laid down on the couch with her head on Dakota's stomach. Anne walked over and barked at Holly.
"Anne, no. It is alright." Dakota stated. Anne stopped barking and went to play with Belle.
"Holly, want to come sit with uncle Brian?" Brian asked. Holly shook her head. "Why not?"
"I like the babies." Holly mumbled.
"What?"
"She likes hearing and feeling the babies inside Dakota." Adam explained. "It keeps her calm."
"Oh." Brian sighed.
That evening, Crane and Molly were settled into their cabin.
"It's beautiful up here." Molly sighed as she looked outside. Crane wrapped his arms around Molly and kissed her neck.
"It's why I wanted to bring you up here." Crane answered. "Let's get something to eat."
"Ok."
Over the next couple of days, they hiked and enjoyed the mountains. One evening, they were at the top of a mountain overlooking the whole area.
"The sunset is beautiful up here. I just never want to leave." Molly admired.
"The sunrise is just as beautiful, but we have to go to bed early in order to wake up and watch it." Crane answered.
"I know."
When the sun had set, they laid down on their sleeping bag and looked up at the stars.
"There's the big dipper." Crane said as he pointed at a constellation.
"I haven't stargazed in years." Molly answered.
"Neither have I. It's been about 5 years. Before Adam got married, we would sleep outside a lot. We could have after Hannah came into the family, but we never did."
"This has been the best time of my life."
"Mine's too and we still have a few days to go."
"ANd then forever."
"Yeah."
They kissed and went to sleep.
The Sunday, they arrived home and moved into Sally and Evan's place.
"Hannah and Adam looked like they're going to burst. We need to help." Molly said.
"I know. Maybe we can suggest a parents' night." Crane answered.
"Yeah. I don't know about you, but having even a few hours away from all stress can help. Especially overnight."
They brought the idea up at Adma and Hannah and they jumped at the idea. The next evening, Adam and Hannah were on their night out while Molly and Crane watched the kids.
"Holly, eat the chicken." Molly said.
"She won't. It makes her sick." Riley answered.
"I think Adam and Hannah usually let it slide." Crane sighed. "Give it to me."
"Ok." Molly replied.
"What are the plans for tonight?"
"I was thinking if the girls behave themselves and take their baths and clean up that they can sleep down here in the living room and watch a movie. We could even build a blanket fort."
"A blanket fort?" Riley gasped.
"Yeah, but you have to finish eating, clean up your room and take your baths." Molly ordered.
"Ok. Can we have popcorn?"
"Ok."
Riley and Holly quickly finished eating and did as they were told. Molly looked at Luke who was making a mess with his food. Then she looked at Briana who was being fed by Guthrie.
"Briana!" Guthrie exclaimed as Briana refused to eat.
"She is just like her father." James chuckled. "The first food he ate was a sweet potato."
"We can have sweet potatoes tomorrow." Jane answered. "And see if she's anything like her father."
After supper, the girls cleaned the house and took their baths.
"Now, we'll need some blankets and pillows." Molly said. Holly tore her bed apart and dragged the blankets downstairs.
They took the pillows and blankets downstairs and made a blanket fort. Then they watched a movie and ate some popcorn. When it was over, Molly smiled at the two sleeping girls. She covered them up and checked on the babies before going to bed with Crane.
The next day, she woke up to little feet running around the room. She could hear giggles and she sat up and saw Riley and Holly playing. She looked and saw that Crane was missing. She got up and went to the nursery and saw Crane holding Luke. She smiled and watched her husband calm the fussy baby.
They cleaned up the house and had breakfast before Adam and Hannah arrived home.
That evening, they were eating dinner. Adam fed Briana some sweet potatoes and she ate it and wanted more.
"She is just like her father." James chuckled.
"What does that mean?" Adam asked.
"She wouldn't eat anything yesterday and I commented on how you only ate sweet potatoes. Your grandmother made cooked up sweet potatoes tonight so we could see if she'd eat it."
"I would eat carrots and strawberries. So does Briana."
Adam looked at Briana who was playing in her food and he sighed.
One morning, Hannah was making breakfast when Adam and a shirtless Brian walked in.
"Breakfast smells good." Brian said. Adam chucked a shirt at Brian.
"Put a shirt on." Adam stated. Brian put the shirt on and poured himself some coffee. Adam poured himself a cup and sat down at the table. Riley and Holly ran in and Holly grumpily sat on Adam's lap. She grabbed Adam's cup and drank some coffee before Adam could say or do a thing. "What's wrong with you?" Adam grabbed his coffee and watched as Holly continued to pout. She yawned again and tried to grab Adam's cup.
"No coffee for you. You're too young for this stuff." Adam ordered. "Go get some orange juice and turn off that attitude."
Holly did as she was told. Adam and Brian looked at each other and chuckled.
"What's gotten into her?" Brian wondered.
"I have no idea." Adam sighed.
"I do not snore." Daniel exclaimed.
"Yes, you do. Or at least you when you've eaten a couple of hours before bed." Dakota answered.
"I'm sorry. I was hungry and I wanted some more of that cake."
"Well next time just wait it out. You can't always listen to your stomach. That's how you get fat."
"Don't worry Dakota. Daniel burns off his food minutes after eating it." Brian said.
"He won't be like that forever." Dakota warned.
"That's right." Adam agreed. "You'll have to learn control now so that you don't have to when you're older."
"Yeah well, I can think of someone who could use a few pounds." Daniel stated.
"I'm not underweight."
"You're getting close." Hannah warned.
"What are we doing Saturday?" Adam wondered.
"Saturday is the 4-H dance. Why?"
"I was just wondering."
Saturday came and Adam woke up with a bad headache.
"Are you ok?" Hannah wondered.
"No." Adam groaned. "I feel pretty sick."
"Maybe we should stay home."
"Nah. The girls want to go."
"The others can watch them."
"You promised Marie that you would help with refreshments."
"Oh yeah. I don't like the idea of leaving you home alone, Adam."
"Hoops and Mike have to pick up the wood for their house. They'll make sure I'm ok before leaving."
"Ok."
That afternoon, Adam watched as everyone drove away. He went to the barn and cleaned up the workbench. He could feel his headache continue to get worse and he groaned. Little did he know, he was in for the fight of his life.
TBC