Chapter 48
"Hey buddy, are you alright?" asked Leonard as they walked on the pathway towards Nana Juliet's house.
"I'm fine dad." said William as Buster ran in front of them, excited in being out in the open again.
"At least Buster's excited to be running free again?" said Leonard.
"Yeah, but he's not as young as he used to be, otherwise we wouldn't be seeing him now." said Penny as Leonard took Sarah from her.
"I guess Buster was your first baby huh?" said William, making his parents laugh.
"I guess you could say that." said Penny. "When your dad and I first started living together, I'd always take him walking at the beach every morning after your dad left for work. He loved it because every time we would pass by this sandwich stand, the owner would give him some leftover meats and bread." she added.
"Yeah, Buster always loved free food just like your mother." said Leonard making William laugh while earning a death stare from his wife.
"If you weren't carrying that young lady I would have punched you in the face right now." said Penny.
"You're in trouble now dad." William said, laughing at his parents.
"Don't worry buddy." he said to his son before turning to his wife. "I love you so much honey!" he said making Penny roll her eyes.
Leonard smiled and leaned over to kiss his wife when Sarah suddenly screamed, grabbing his face to push away from her mother. "Hey! What was that! ?" he said, surprised by his daughter's reaction.
Penny laughed and took Sarah from him. "Good job princess! You just made mommy so happy!" she said. "Come on sweetheart, let's leave your jackass father behind." she added as William ran up to walk beside his mother.
Leonard sighed as he called Buster to come back. "Buster come back here!" he yelled as the dog ran towards him. "At least you're not grouchy at me." he said as the dog barked and wagged his tail at him.
The young family climbed up the steps of the porch as Penny knocked on the door. After a minute or two, her cousin Josie opened it, excited in seeing her again.
"Penny! Leonard! Ugh, it's so nice to see you again!" said Josie while hugging them tight. "And you must be William huh? I'm your aunt Josie! Your grandma has shown me lots of pictures of you!" she said while shaking William's hand.
"Hi...aunt Josie." William said.
Josie slowly pulled William to hug him. "Ugh, you're so handsome! Tell me, are you doing good in school?" she asked.
William nodded. "A little bit I guess. My teacher put me in a class with all the kids older than me." he said.
"Really? Wow, you must be too smart for your age huh?" said Josie before standing up to greet the baby. "And you look just like your mommy!" she said, tickling Sarah's side making her giggle and laugh. "You are so adorable! Oh my god!" she added, smitten at how cute Penny's daughter was while taking her from Leonard. "Come on in you guys! Nana is waiting for you inside." Josie said while leading William inside as Leonard and Penny followed close.
"Nana, Penny and Leonard are here!" said Josie as Juliet looked up, seeing Penny with her husband and two kids.
"Nana!" Penny said, hugging her grandma tight.
"Ugh sweetie! I missed you so much!" said Juliet. "I'm lucky that I'm still alive." she added.
"Sorry if it took so long for me and Leonard to come back." said Penny. "You remember Leonard right?" she added as Leonard walked up and hugged Juliet.
"Of course I remember Leonard!" said Juliet.
"It's nice to see you again Nana!" said Leonard while hugging the old lady.
Penny pulled William to meet his great grandma. "Nana, this is my son William, and that's our little princess, Sarah." she said as Josie moved closer so Juliet could see them up close.
"Ugh, come here sweetheart! I'm your grandma Juliet!" said Juliet. "Aren't you a handsome boy!? And you got your mother's nose and eyes huh?" she added while pulling William close.
"Hi grandma Juliet." said William, a little shy in meeting her the first time.
"Don't be shy sweetheart, and call me Nana, alright?" said Juliet as Leonard, Penny and Josie looks on, happy for the young man.
William nodded. "Okay Nana."
Juliet hugged him again, kissing his cheek. "Aww, you're such a sweet boy." she said before releasing him and facing Sarah. "And you, young lady. Come to grandma!" she said while Josie handed Sarah over to Juliet.
Sarah suddenly became quiet while looking at Juliet, unfamiliar with the old person holding her.
"Hi princess, I'm your grandma Juliet." said Juliet as Sarah stared at her. "Are you hungry?" she asked suddenly making Sarah smile to the relief of everyone.
"You just said the magic word grandma." said William.
"I did huh? She's just like your mom when she was little." she said making William laugh. "You're so pretty huh?" she said, hugging the young girl while making baby noises.
"Grandma, did mommy look like Sarah when she was a baby?" asked William.
"She did sweetheart. Your mom was like an angel when she was born." said Juliet making Penny a little emotional. "But then she grew up and wreaked havoc all around the farm. I remember when your grandma Susan got so mad at her for running around the pig sty, trying to ride the pig. I think she was six or seven at that time." she added.
William, Leonard and Josie laughed, amused by Juliet's story. "Is it true mommy?" asked William.
Penny sighed. "Yes sweetheart, but I learned my lesson after that." she said.
Juliet held Sarah close while the baby continued to make baby noises. "Ugh, your daughter is such an angel Penny! And how about you young man, are you doing good in school?" she asked William while cuddling Sarah on her lap.
"Well, my dad said it's not nice to brag but all my test scores are perfect grandma." William said.
Juliet was surprised. "Oh my god, really?" she said.
"Uh huh, and the school even put me in the class with kids older than me." said the young man.
"Ugh, that is amazing sweetheart! You just made me very proud!" Juliet said. "And why do you think it's bragging when you're just telling the truth?" she asked.
"Nothing grandma, My dad just said it's not nice to always talk about those things." said William.
Leonard sat beside his son. "Buddy, it's okay to say those things if people ask you about it. What's not nice is going out of your way and telling everyone when no one is asking you to." he said.
"So, does that mean I have to be humble about it?" said the child making Penny smile, proud of how smart her son was.
"That's exactly right buddy. People would like you more if you're humble and down to earth." said Leonard.
"Your father is right." said Juliet. "But you have to always do your best in everything you do, do you understand?" she said.
William nodded. "Yes grandma, I understand."
"That's my boy!" Juliet said. "I hope you guys are hungry, Josie cooked her famous beef stew and potatoes for lunch." she said.
"I'm not that hungry grandma but you won't have a problem with my sister when it comes to food." he said.
"And why is that?" asked Juliet.
"Well, ever since she started eating solid food like three months ago, she would always call out for more. It's like she never runs out of space in her tummy grandma." said William making them all laugh.
Sarah saw them laughing and decided to laugh along with them, giggling and squealing to the delight of Juliet and Josie.
"Aww, you're so adorable!" Juliet said while nibbling on the baby's neck, tickling her while making baby noises. "Can you say 'Nana'?" she said as Sarah paid close attention to her grandma.
"Say 'Nana'!" Juliet said again, only making the baby laugh.
"I guess she's not ready to talk huh?" said Josie.
"Well, give her time. I'm sure she'll surprise us one day." said Juliet before facing the couple. "Leonard, Penny, thank you for bringing your kids here. You don't know how happy you made me just now." she added.
"Oh Nana, don't mention it." said Penny. "We kinda owe it to you for not visiting more often."
"It's alright Penny, I know your life is back there." said Juliet. "Josie, why don't you and Penny prepare the table for lunch, this young lady may be getting hungry." she added.
Penny stood up. "Sweetheart, you wanna help me and your aunt Josie in the kitchen?" Penny asked her son.
"Mom, is it okay if I stay here with grandma and dad?" said William.
"No problem sweetie." Penny said, following Josie to the kitchen.
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"So, William told me this young lady would have her birthday here in Nebraska?" asked Juliet as they were eating lunch.
"Yes Nana, and we're expecting you to be there." said Penny.
"Of course I'll be there. I wouldn't want to miss my granddaughter's first birthday." said Juliet.
"But Nana, are you gonna have a hard time coming to the house?" asked William as he gave pieces of food to Buster who was waiting underneath the table.
"Don't worry William, I'm gonna bring Nana there in my car." said Josie.
William then turned to his mother. "Mom, are we gonna hire a magician or something?"
"I don't know, maybe." Penny said. "Why?"
"Nothing. I just think it would be cool to have a magician or something for the kids." said the young man.
"You know what buddy, sure, we'll ask your mom's cousins if they know someone, okay?" Leonard said.
"Okay dad." said William.
"Don't worry sweetie, we'll throw your sister a kick-ass birthday party, complete with balloons, cake, candies and ice cream...alright?" said Penny.
"Okay mom." said William. "I hope grandma makes the apple pie she made the other day. That was really delicious."
"I'm the one who taught her that recipe!" said Juliet, laughing a little. "Don't worry sweetie, I'm gonna make you an apple pie and bring it on your sister's birthday party, okay?"
"Thank you grandma." William said as they continued eating lunch while making sure Buster was fed underneath the table.
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After a few days, the couple along with William, Wyatt, Susan and their relatives celebrated Sarah's birthday party complete with balloons, birthday cake, ice cream and an assortment of food and drinks for everyone invited at the party. Penny and Susan made sure to invite most of their neighbors over as well as all their cousins and their children, welcoming them to the barn which Wyatt and Leonard cleaned up to serve as the venue for the party. One of Penny's cousins was able to get a hold of a local magician that performs at kid's birthday parties, to the delight of the kids at the party including William who was happy in experiencing what having a big family was like.
Everyone was having a great time, especially Penny's cousins who were impressed at how smart William was, testing his math skills by giving him random numbers to add or multiply which he answers correctly every time making them cheer for him. Leonard and Penny looked at their son and felt proud at how well he gets along with their cousins and relatives, thankful that he doesn't shy away from expressing himself at them.
They then looked at Sarah who's being carried around by Wyatt and felt happy at how she lights up the room, charming her way with everyone with her cheerful and bubbly personality. Almost all of Penny's cousins and friends wanted to hold her daughter even if for a while, tickling and playing with the baby to make her laugh and giggle to the delight of everyone.
"Look at our kids honey, they're so happy." said Penny.
"I know, and look at our princess, she's really the life of the party huh?" said Leonard.
"Well, this is her special day." said Penny as she clinked her bottle of beer with her husband.
A few minutes later, Juliet arrived being supported by Josie and one of her brothers while being welcomed by everyone.
"Nana, I'm so glad you came!" Penny said, hugging her grandmother while Leonard did the same, helping Juliet to sit down.
"Are you kidding me? I wouldn't miss my granddaughter's birthday party." said Juliet. "Where is the young princess anyways?"
Susan came forward carrying Sarah and handing her over to Juliet. Sarah screamed and laughed, seeing the old lady again.
"Aww, come here darling. Did you miss me?" Juliet asked as she cuddled Sarah on her lap as the baby giggled, happy in seeing her old grandma.
"She really does take well to you mom." Susan said.
"Well, it just goes to show how good I am with children!" said Juliet. "Where is William anyway?"
William stepped forward and went to sit beside Juliet. "I'm so glad you're here Nana." he said.
"Of course sweetheart. By the way, I brought a few apple pies that I made this morning." said Juliet.
"Thank you grandma." said William, hugging her grandma.
"Do you think this little princess would like some apple pie?" Juliet asked.
"Oh you don't have to worry about that grandma. She'll eat just about anything you put in front of her." said William, making them all laugh.
"Really? Maybe we should give it a try." said Juliet. "Josie, can you be a dear and give us a slice of the apple pie we brought with us."
"Okay Nana." Josie said as she went tot he kitchen. Josie came back to the living room with a slice of the apple pie, handing it to Juliet while Sarah became excited at the sweet smell of the pastry. Juliet forked a small portion and fed it to the baby. Sarah chewed for a while and screamed with delight, jumping and laughing after tasting the appetizing treat.
"See? I told you she'd love it." William said as they all laugh.
Sarah saw them laughing and grunted at Juliet, asking for more food. "Wow, she really is Penny's daughter huh?" she said as she forked another portion to feed the young lady. "Aww, it's alright honey, you can eat as much as you want!" she told her granddaughter.
Without warning, Sarah spoke. "Nana!"
Everyone was shocked and surprised as they heard Sarah repeat her first words. "Nana. Nana!" Sarah said as Penny looked at Leonard who can't contain their happiness at hearing their daughter's first word.
"Awww, come here little princess! Nana loves you so much!" said Juliet while hugging and kissing the birthday girl.
"Nana! Nana!" Sarah said as Penny went over to cuddle her daughter.
"You're so wonderful sweetheart! Mommy and daddy loves you so much!" said Penny, lifting her daughter up in the air, making Sarah laugh.
"Mama!" Sarah spoke, surprising Penny and Leonard.
"Leonard, oh my god! Did you hear that?" Penny said to her husband.
Leonard came over and kissed his wife and daughter. "You are so amazing!" he said as Sarah giggled and laugh while continuing to speak her first words.
"Nana! Mama! Nana! Mama!" said the baby to the delight of everyone.
The party continued on with the guests singing 'Happy Birthday!' to Sarah while Leonard held up the birthday cake for Sarah to blow the candles. Penny asked her son to help in blowing the candles while the crowd counted down from three. Sarah suddenly jumped and grabbed the cake, quickly putting her hand to her mouth to taste the sweet frosting while everyone laughed, happy in seeing how energetic Penny's daughter was. William blew off the candle while Penny moved Sarah away from the cake as the baby happily chewed on her prize.
The party ended after a few hours with every guest wishing the young lady a happy birthday while thanking the couple for the invitation. Sarah was asleep by then, resting her head on Wyatt's shoulder while William sat beside Juliet, sharing some stories with his grandma.
After all the guests have left, the couple along with Penny's cousins began cleaning up around the barn and in the living room, putting all the trash in a garbage bag while putting the things that can be reused in a cardboard box.
"It's a nice party huh?" Penny said to Leonard.
"Yeah." he said. "More special now that Sarah can talk."
"It is! I'm so proud of our kids honey." said Penny before leaning over and kissing her husband.
"Me too." he said as they continued cleaning up around the barn.