Faith Hope Love Repeat pt.24
Adam sighed and looked at his ever-growing family.
"What happens when they get older and need their own space?" Adam wondered.
"Well, now that Daniel and Dakota have moved out, we could turn that bedroom into the girl's room and when the boys move out, we can turn it into another bedroom," Hannah answered.
"We could, but two kids per room is bad enough. Trust me. Besides, our dining room is getting too small. We need another bathroom."
"We need to renovate this house. The electric is a mess and you know it. The only room with good anything is the nursery."
"Yeah. I don't know. Maybe this is a project for next spring."
"Adam, I think we should do it now. You heard Henry, we are his only business. We have the money. Besides, Henry has the men to do it and we can help."
"True. The problem is, where will we live and where do we put all of our stuff?"
"We'd have time to figure that out."
"We could talk with Evan and Sally. They might be able to help. Crane and Molly are upstairs in their house, but we could use the other two rooms."
"We could, but where does that leave Brian, FOrd, and Guthrie?"
"True."
Adam looked up and sighed.
"I think dad said that when this house was built, it was built with the intent of closing off the second floor. Dad was gonna add 2 more bedrooms and over past the guest room upstairs, he was gonna had another bathroom. This was when there were 6 of us boys and we fought over who took a shower when and all that stuff. I think he had plans for this whole house." Adam realized.
"Now, we just have to find them." Hannah answered.
"Yeah. I think they're in the cabinet with the rest of his stuff."
Adam walked over to the office area and opened the filing cabinet. He found a folder and held it up.
"Found it." Adam said.
"Found what?" Brian wondered as he walked in.
"Dad's plans for the house."
"Why do you want those?"
"We need more space in this house."
"More space wouldn't hurt. What was dad planning to do with the house?"
They went back to the living room and Adam laid out the plans on the table.
"Wow, I knew dad was good at drawing out plans, but I didn't realize he was this good. He has everything down to the last centimeter." Adam realized.
"It looks like he was gonna enclose the upstairs and the balcony was gonna be a hallway. Then he was gonna expanded the dining room and the kitchen by adding eight feet to it." Brian sighed.
"That would take it out to where the porch railing is. And he was gonna take the porch area out the back and square off this corner and behind that kitchen wall, he was gonna put another bathroom. Then he was gonna build a wrap-around porch around that."
"Let's take these plans to Henry."
They took the plans to Henry who looked over them and looked at the house.
"Yeah, we could do this. Once we get the house all framed and the walls up, most of my men can start on this instead of sitting on their butts all day doing nothing." Henry said.
"Ok." Adam answered.
That evening, Daniel, Dakota, Evan, and Sally sat out on the porch watching the animals play. Adam and Hannah walked out and sat down on the steps looking up at the others.
"In a few weeks, we're gonna have to find someplace else to do this." Adam said.
"Why?" Daniel wondered.
"Hannah and I have decided to renovate and extend the house. Dad had plans for it years ago, but obviously never had the money to do so. Well, now we have the money and the house is in need of repairs and we want to get it all done. The problem is, we'll have to move out of the house for a couple of months. The only room they won't be touching is the nursery because it's already done. We'll be able to store some of our stuff in there, but we need a place to put the rest of our stuff and a place to live."
"You could live with us." Dakota suggested. "I just wanted peace and quiet from all the in and out."
"Well, we can make sure the girls are good about it and Evan and Sally have opened their kitchen to us to use. Brian and Gutrhie could live with Evan and Sally." Adam answered.
"Yeah, they could." Evan replied. "What about Ford?"
"He's staying with Cleo and her mom for a couple more weeks and then he's coming home. He says it's not too bad. The men step in and help, he just has to do paperwork and meet with people and that's not hard for him."
A few days later, someone driving a mustang drove up.
"WHo's that?" Dakota wondered.
"I think I know who." Hannah sighed. They walked up to the car and Hannah smiled when she saw who it was. "Tally, it's good to see you."
Tally and Hannah hugged.
"It's good to see you too." Tally answered. "I was wondering if Daniel was here."
"No, he's at work. He should be home soon though." Dakota replied.
"And you are?"
"I am Dakota. I am Daniel's wife."
"Oh, he never said anything about being married. Although, I haven't heard from him in a few months."
"It's been a busy time."
"Oh."
"Let's go have coffee." Hannah suggested. They went inside and Tally saw that Adam and Hannah's house was a little messy. "Sorry, about the mess. We're renovating the house soon and we're trying to move stuff out so it's not in the way."
The three sat down and had coffee.
"So, what brings you home?" Hannah wondered.
"I just finished a tour with the band and we decided to come back and perform at the bar." Tally answered. "I figured I'd come by and visit Daniel."
"You will stay for supper?"
"Yeah, sure."
Tally looked at Dakota who was working on a project. Dakota groaned and placed her hand on her stomach.
"You're pregnant." Tally realized.
"Yes." Dakota answered.
The door opened and Daniel walked in. He walked over and kissed Dakota.
"How was your day?" Daniel wondered.
"Ok." Dakota sighed. "You have a visitor."
Daniel looked and saw Tally. He sat down next to Dakota and smiled.
"Hi, Tally." Daniel greeted.
"Hey." Tally answered.
"I guess I have a lot of explaining to do."
Tally shared her story and Daniel did the same. When they were done, Daniel looked at Dakota and saw that she was sleepy.
"Let's get you home. You need a nap." Daniel suggested.
"No, Tally came out here to see you. I'll be fine." Dakota answered.
"I can at least walk you home. We can show Tally the house."
"Ok."
Daniel helped Dakota up and Tally followed them to their house. They showed Tally around and Dakota yawned.
"I'm gonna go take my nap." Dakota whispered as she squeezed Daniel's hand.
"Ok." Daniel answered. They kissed and Dakota went to bed.
Tally and Daniel went outside and sat on the porch.
"I have to say, Daniel, I never thought I'd see the day where you actually settled down here. What happened to your music career?" Tally wondered.
"I'm going to college to work on it, but right now, it's kind of on the backburner." Daniel answered.
"You don't regret going on the road with your music? You did have a lot of skills."
"NO, I don't regret it. I'm happy where I'm at. I'm married and I'm gonna be a father in a couple of months. I have a good job. I'm content with my life."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"But think about what you're missing out on. It's a lot of fun being young and single."
"Maybe, but it's fun being young and married. We have the rest of our lives together. We can have a lot of kids. We can have fun together without worrying about being older. Besides, I still write music. They just don't have words to them."
"Why?"
"Because words don't seem to be enough. Before I met Dakota, I thought that a song had to have words in order for it to have any meaning. But when I met Dakota, I realized that melodies could be enough. You just had to listen to them."
"But it doesn't give you the same feeling."
"Does it have to?"
"I guess it doesn't."
Daniel rolled his eyes and went inside and grabbed his guitar and then sat back down on the porch. He played part of Dakota's Song and Tally listened. When he was done, he smiled.
"What did you feel?" Daniel wondered.
"I don't know. It's pretty, but it felt empty." Tally answered.
"Only because you didn't actually listen to it. You didn't feel it either."
Tally sighed and shook her head.
"Daniel, this isn't going to get you anywhere in life. You'll never get to succeed with your music like this." Tally said.
"Maybe I don't want to. I've changed since you left, Tally. I've met someone who's made me grateful for what I have. I've learned a lot about life and I want to keep learning. I have everything I want. I couldn't ask for more." Daniel answered.
"Have you even tried?"
"Maybe not as hard as I could have, but I don't regret that. I would regret abandoning Dakota. She's the most important person in my life and I love her with all I have. I just hope someday you'll understand that."
That night, Dakota could feel Daniel moving around beside her. She opened her eyes and wrapped her arms around his body.
"What's wrong?" Dakota wondered.
"Nothing. I'm just thinking about Tally. 4 years ago, I was ready to jump up and go with her and the others, but that didn't happen. Now, here I am and she's had all these adventures and I'm still here. I don't regret it. I'm glad I stayed. If I didn't, I wouldn't have met you and we wouldn't have all of this. I just wish Tally would calm down a little. She's so used to city life and traveling from place to place that she doesn't stop to listen when she's here." Daniel answered.
"But you were like that?"
"Yeah, but then I met someone who taught me that it's ok to slow down."
"You have chosen your path and soon, she will have to choose hers. Do not let her try and persuade you from what you know is right for you."
"I won't."
They kissed and went to sleep.
The next morning, RIley and Holly woke up and went to their parents' room. They climbed up onto the bed and saw that Hannah and Adam were still asleep.
"Mommy, daddy. Time to wake up." Holly whispered. They shook their parents and Adam moaned.
"Girls, go back to bed. It's still early." Adam whispered. Adam rolled onto his side and went back to sleep.
"We need help." RIley mumbled. They went back to their room and saw that Briana and Luke were awake. Luke stood up and looked at his sisters.
"Uh oh." Luke yelled.
"Shh."
"Shh."
Holly helped Luke out of the cradle and Luke grabbed onto RIley. Then Holly helped Briana out. Holly and Riley helped the two to Adam and Hannah's room and then helped them climb onto the bed. Briana crawled over to Adam and cooed loudly. She slapped Adam's face and Adam sighed.
"Briana, who got you up?" Adam sighed. He sat up and saw the girls. Then he looked at the clock and groaned. "I can't believe it."
Adam gently shook Hannah who moaned and woke up. They got dressed and took care of the kids. Adam went outside and did his chores. Then he made a few phone calls. Adam walked into the kitchen and hugged Hannah who was making breakfast.
"The trip is set for the 9th through the 16th." Adam said.
"Ok. Where are we going?" Hannah wondered.
"I'm not telling you. Just remember to pack plenty of extra clothes. The kids will need them."
"Ok."
They kissed and Adam helped Hannah with breakfast. Luke crawled in with Briana and Adam picked them up. Adam put the babies in their highchairs and cut up some fruit for them.
RIley and Holly walked in with Belle and sat down at the table. Briana babbled and dropped her food on the floor and Belle licked it up.
"Bria." Holly exclaimed. "Daddy, Bria's dropping food on the floor and Belle's eating it."
"Bria, stop feeding Belle." Adam rebuked as he walked over to Briana. Breakfast was ready and the family sat down and ate.
"In two weeks, we're going on a trip." Adam started. "All 6 of us. When we leave, Henry will start fixing the house and when we get back, we'll live with Daniel and Dakota. Now, we'll need your help moving our stuff to Sally and Evan's house and to Daniel and Dakota's house. When we live with Daniel and Dakota, you will need to be quiet for their sake. You'll be expected to behave yourselves." Adam explained. "Understood?"
"Yes, sir." Holly and Riley mumbled.
"Good. After breakfast, you can help your mommy organize the attic. Guthrie will help."
"Ok."
After breakfast, the girls helped Hannah and Guthrie in the attic.
A week later, the house was mostly cleared out. They moved what they could to Evan and Daniel's houses.
At the garage, Tally walked in and saw Daniel working.
"Walt, do we have any more bolts?" Daniel wondered.
"They should be on the tool bench." Walt answered.
Daniel walked over and saw that there were no bolts.
"We're out of bolts. Again." Daniel sighed.
"I'll go buy more." Walt answered. "Meanwhile, you can help that lady over there."
Daniel walked over and smiled at Tally.
"I came by to ask if your family would like to come Thursday night." Tally said.
"I'll ask, but I think most of us will go." Daniel answered.
"Good."
"Is that all?"
"I need an oil change."
"Ok."
Daniel changed the oil in Tally's car.
"I'm sorry about last week. I wasn't too nice about you and Dakota. I'm glad that you're happy where you're at. I guess I was shocked to see that someone like you could be happy here." Tally explained.
"No harm done. I understand. I just hope that one day, you get to be happy." Daniel answered.
"I am happy."
"No. I hope one day you'll learn just how happy you can be with someone else in your life."
"Maybe."
Tally left the garage and Daniel went back to work.
Brian was at Sam's house helping her rearrange her room.
"I think this will work." Sam sighed when they were done.
"I hope so. I can't move that dresser again." Brian answered.
"Hey, I helped."
"You did. Let's go get lunch."
They walked out of the room and saw Sam's mom.
"Where do you want to go for lunch?" Brian asked Sam.
"My daughter isn't going anywhere. She needs to be with her poor father during his last days. I need her in case he dies." Sam's mom whined.
"Irene, I have time. Let Sam be with Brian. Leave the two of them alone." Jeb stated. Irene huffed and walked away. Jeb walked out and smiled. "I'm sorry. She can be very selfish, but I still love her. Go have fun."
"I'll bring her back after lunch." Brian answered.
"I know you will."
Brian and Sam went to lunch and talked. Brian watched Sam eat and he couldn't stop staring.
"What? DO I have something on my face?" Sam wondered.
"Nope. I was just admiring how beautiful you are." Brian answered. Sam blushed and Brian chuckled. Then she sighed.
"My dad has time left, but I don't know how much. I can't live with my mom when he dies, it'd kill me." Sam confessed.
"I know." Brian replied.
"My dad's said time and time again that he wants to marry me off before he dies and I want him to be at my wedding."
"I know."
"Brian, I want to marry you."
Brian smiled and then sighed.
"I want to marry you. I just wanted you to be the one to ask. I don't have anything holding me back, but I wanted you to be ready." Brian said.
"I'm ready." Sam sighed.
"Ok."
TBC
I am very sorry about how long it's been since I've updated this story. I will try to do better. Enjoy.