Chapter 7

Tommy was waiting on them. Kimberly was exhausted, though it was first class all the way, Trisha was being a spoiled pain. The twins crying a while, which Kim knew ignored the other passengers. Tommy was waiting in front as the doors opened. Trisha saw her dad and started running toward him. He picked her up and kissed her. Kim was carrying a sleeping Mackenzie as Madison was walking slowly, holding her leg. Tommy lifted Madison and kissed her. He kissed Kim finally.

"How was the flight?"

"Don't ask."

"That bad."

"Worst."

"Let's get your bags and the dogs, I got a great surprise for you." He kissed Kim again and again. Tommy groaned at the heavy bags, he put them into the rented car. Already with babyseats. They got to his place. Tommy called his parents on the drive.

"Oh, my god! It's huge!" Tommy laughed. He put the carriers down then went and got the rest of the bags. Trisha was working on releasing the dogs.

"You like it!"

"WOW!"

"Well, master bedroom and the girls' room upstairs, oh I made a place for the puppies just like home. The dogs were released running around. Kimberly put the twins to the ground. "Come, I'll give you a tour." He took her hand. "Trisha watch the girls and be good for 5 minutes." He pulled Kimberly to him and they kissed their way up the stairs.

"Show me the bedroom." Tommy groaned. He picked her up and closed the door behind. "What about the girls?" Kim said as Tommy had her jacket and shirt off.

"They'll be fine. They won't get into anything."

"But."

"I only need 5 minutes."

"That's comforting."

"You know what I mean." He kissed her neck. After a quickie, they came downstairs. Trisha was trying to work the tv remote. Madison and Mackenzie were running around with the dogs.

"So I got all the food for Thanksgiving again. And I was thinking about have friends over with our family."

"Okay." Tommy caught one of the girls. He lifted Mackenzie up, tickling her.

"No tv, you all need a nap."

"NO NAP!"

"Let's go."

"MOMMY!" Trisha whined. "Daddy?"

"I was thinking about taking them down to the dig."

"It's so late and the girls barely slept on the plane."

"You go sleep. I'll take care of them."

"Fine." Kim picked up Jack and went upstairs.

Kimberly didn't wake up until nightfall. Tommy had the girls in the tub and was washing them with the puppies.

"Daddy can I sleep with Ducky tonight?"

"Sure." Kim stood in the doorway smiling. Tommy dried the puppies first and let them run around before finishing up bathing the girls. He put them in their cute little nightgowns. He lifted Trisha to the top bunk first, before putting Madison and Mackenzie in the bottom bunk. He handed Ducky to Mackenzie. Trisha whined as the twins got the beagles.

"DADDY! I wanted Ducky!"

"Sorry, princess. Here, take Jack."

"I don't want Jack!"

"He's all alone." Tommy held the pup up to her. Trisha took him and hugged him. "Thank you. Now, get some rest." He gave all the girls one last kiss. He turned off the lamp. "Hey, you're up."

"Yea."

"Hungry, we still got pizza." She shook her head.

"I know what I want." Tommy smiled. "Come here handsome." She tugged his shirt. They kissed. "You are soo sexy."

"What did I do?"

"The way you are with the girls...everything. I love you."

"I love you too." They kissed. Tommy lifted her up and carried her to the bedroom. Making love into the morning, before Tommy went to sleep. Kimberly stayed awake rubbing Tommy's head and back. She kept the tv on low.

Tommy stood making breakfast with Trisha, while Madison and Mackenzie were in their high chairs eating fruit. Kim closed her robe and walked downstairs. She picked up Ducky as he was running around.

"I thought you would sleep in?"

"I got enough sleep." Tommy feed her a strawberry after a long kiss.

"Daddy made pancakes."

"I see." Tommy placed a Mickey Mouse pancake for Trisha first, then tiny ones for the twins. Kim poured some coffee. Tommy put sugar and cream in it for her just the way she liked it.

"I was thinking of tours of Sydney."

"Okay."

"Maybe a flight up to see that crazy Crocodile Hunter." She nodded and feed Madison a piece of her pancakes. Tommy cut Trisha's sausage.

"Sounds great, Tommy. I know the girls and I will love it." Kim feed Mackenzie some eggs. Kimberly dressed the twins, Tommy was taking Trisha and the dogs on a little walk after he dressed Trisha and himself. Kimberly carried the dressed girls downstairs when Tommy and Trisha came back. She placed them in the pen. "Trisha, watch the girls." Kimberly went back upstairs. Tommy came in to find her pulling out outfits. She held up a dress to her.

"You're wearing a dress?"

"Maybe. Why, can I not?"

"No, it's just, touring, we're going to be walking and it's hot."

"Then I should make sure it's a short one." Tommy smiled and pulled her to him.

"God, I've missed you." They kissed. Kimberly did end up putting on a dress. Green/white stripped strapless dress with mint ankle sandals. Tommy put her cropped white hoodie on her.

After a long day, Tommy carried the twins inside, both sleeping as Kim carried Trisha. They got home late around 10 pm. Kim's parents would be arriving on the same day as Tommy's parents to spend Thanksgiving with them. They would be staying from Wednesday until Sunday.

"What time is your parents' flight?"

"Around 2 pm." Tommy was changing Mackenzie's diaper first, then Madison's diaper, as Kimberly changed Trisha.

"I can't believe your parents are back together."

"Me too." Kim zipped up Trisha' gown, laid her down and covered her up. She put Gizmo beside her and kissed her forehead. Kim's mother lost Pierre to cancer, a devastating lost. Kim's father become her friend again, not to the liking of his current wife. Kim's father's new wife divorced him and Kim's parents go remarried back in August. Much to the surprise of Kimberly.

"Aww..my feet," Kim said taking off her shoes. She held Tommy's arm.

"I told you sneakers."

"Whatever." She rubbed her soles. Tommy smiled. He picked her up and carried her. "What are you doing?"

"Carrying my wife." Tommy kicked his bedroom door closed with his foot. Just as Tommy had his shirt and pants open, Kim's dress around her waist, a cry on the monitor caused them to stop.

"That's Mackenzie." Kimberly pushed him up. Tommy sighed and rolled of her. She picked up her dress and went to the door. "Later." Tommy smiled and laid on his back.

Kimberly stood waiting on her parents' flight. The twins running around with Trisha. Tommy brought back 2 cups of coffee and muffins.
"Trisha, slow down!" Madison came over between Kim's lap. Kim fed a piece of her muffin to Madison. Trisha ran to the window. "Trisha!"

"She's fine."

"She's almost 5 and terrible, Tommy. She can't do this next fall in a real school."

"Oh, she'll be fine." Mackenzie took a bite of Kim's muffin as well. The flight finally landed.

"Grandma! Grandpa!" Trisha ran to them.

"My baby!" Kim's mother picked Trisha up. Madison and Mackenzie ran over to them as well. "Kimberly, dear, you are two skinny."

"Well, hello to you too, Mom. Hi, Daddy." She kissed her father on the cheek.

"Hello, babygirl," he said before picking up Madison.

"Tommy, feed my daughter." Kim hugged and kissed her mother.

"I do, Mrs. Hart. The only time I get her to gain weight is when she's pregnant."

"Ha ha ha. Come on, Tommy's parents flight is at gate 96."

"What time is their arrival?"

"Uh, now," Tommy said looking at his watch. Lucky they were at gate 78. Tommy's parents were waiting as the girls came running down with Tommy chasing behind them. They got their luggage, Tommy's parents rented a car. Both grandparents were staying in the same motel just a few blocks away.

"So I was thinking about this Thanksgiving dinner. Kimberly, you know I don't mind cooking."

"Mom, Tommy and I are cooking. You are at our place, we should cook."

"Dear, your cooking skills aren't exactly..."

"Gee thanks, Mom. What can I get for you to drink?"

"Tea." Kimberly nodded.

"Me too, babygirl," Kim's dad said holding Madison on his lap. Mackenzie was in Tommy's dad's lap. Trisha in Tommy's mother's lap.

"I just mean, that I bet Jane and I wouldn't mind cooking for everyone."

"Of course. I would love to," Jane said. She picked up Mackenzie. "Trisha, go bring me the green bag."

"Presents!"

"Goo see." Trisha ran. The twins jumped down and followed. Trisha pulled out some toys and handed some things to the twins. They started running around with the dogs.

"Girls, sit!" Both Madison and Mackenzie stopped and immediately sat down. Kimberly took a deep breath and went to the girls.

"Nice trick," Tommy said. He couldn't get the girls to calm down that fast no matter how much he yelled. Kim had that.

"Mom, Mommy, I am cooking. Okay, just sit back and enjoy." Thanksgiving was just 2 days away, and Kimberly was getting testy and worried about pleasing her mother.

"Why don't we give you two tomorrow off and take the girls."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yea, you should start on the dinner, washing the turkey, cutting up the vegetables, pies and cakes."

"Tomorrow?"

"Of course, dear. You don't want to have to get up early to cook it all."

"We will be fine."

"Have you started defrosting the turkey?"

"No."

"How big is it?"

"About 30, 35 pounds," Tommy said. He was helping Trisha with her handheld sega.

"You better take it out now, or it never will be defrosted."

"Mom, Tommy and I have got everything under control. Don't worry."

Thursday morning, Thanksgiving Day. Tommy and Kimberly got into bed pretty early after spending the evening cutting up vegetables and doing some things so tomorrow wouldn't be an all day event. They made love and fell asleep in each other's arms. Kimberly groaned when the 6am alarm went off. She pulled away from Tommy to click off the alarm. She felt a chill and got back in his arms. Tommy tighten his arms and legs around her. He rubbed her stomach and head, before kissing her neck.

"Hmmm...6 o'clock."

"We should get up."

"5 more minutes." Her fingers interlocked with his against her stomach.

"Okay." They fell back asleep. Kimberly woke up to find neon numbers flashing 8:40.

"8:40." Her eyes widen. "8:40! Tommy, wake up!" She shoved him off her. "We are almost 3 hours behind!" Tommy groaned. She threw his boxers at him, hitting him in the face. "Get your ass up!" Tommy sat up and followed her. They threw on some clothes to cook in.

As the couple cooked and got the house ready, the girls were in the living room watching tv, playing with their new toys or watching their parents throw the open window to the kitchen. Tommy could come out the swinging door carrying some trays throughout the morning.

"No, put the turkey in now! Gonna take like 6, 7 hours to cook!"

"Okay, okay. Calm down, Beautiful!"

"Calm down! It's 9 and we haven't started the turkey. We won't be eating until like 4 or 5."

"Baby, we have plenty of time. Our parents aren't coming until 3, we don't have to feel rushed." He kissed her to allow Kim to pause and breath. "See. Breath." Her arms went around him. They kissed again.

"I love you."

"I love you. Now let's cook."

The guests started arriving around 5. Kim and Tommy showering after dressing the girls and leaving them with their grandparents.

"Kimberly, aren't you going to change?" Kim's mother was making her famous punch with help from Jane.

"I am changed?" Kim pulled out some wine glasses. She looked down her lacey top and striped pants.

"Oh, well, I think something else would be appropriate." Kim squeezed Tommy's arm as he took some coats from a few guest.

"Of course, Mom. Come." She dragged him upstairs.

"My arm," Tommy said rubbing it after Kim closed the door.

"How much will I be sentenced for murder?"

"Too long." They kissed.

"Might be worth it. I bet I can get off by pleading insanity." Tommy pulled her top off.

"I told you that dress would be nicer." Tommy pulled out 2 new dresses he just brought Kimberly. He held up the lavender 3-tier layered dress and blue matte jersey lace-up dress. "I like the lavender."

"Blue it is," Kim said smiling. Tommy bent down and kissed her. "Might as well dress up. Everyone else is."

"That's the spirit, Beautiful." He handed her the blue dress. They came downstairs. Kim's mother smiled.

Dr. Mercer arrived last with a crate of specialty wine for dinner and dessert. Kimberly and the mothers help carrying the bowls and trays of food. Tommy brought out the turkey last.

"It's bigger than me!" Trisha said. Everyone laughed.

"Okay. Usually, it's tradition for everyone to say one thing we are thankful for. I would like to start, but to say I have one thing, I can't. I have so much to be thankful for. Wonderful wife, 3 beautiful girls, loving parents, in-laws. A great job, boss and co-workers. But right now I just want to take a moment and remember this, being surrounded by my family and friends. This is what I am thankful for." Kimberly brought his hand to her lips and kissed his hand. "I love you." She smiled and reached over to kiss him.

"I love you too." They kissed again. After dinner, Kimberly was pouring another glass of wine for Dr. Mercer.

"So has your husband told you about the research being moved to an island?"

"Yea, he's so excited. It will be starting in early January right?"

"Yes, it will be. We finally have a true location to start some serious combination research." Tommy was coming downstairs after putting the girls in bed. Kimberly handed him a glass of wine. Kimberly gave him another small plate of pie.

"Girls asleep?"

"Uh, Mackenzie went out fast, Madison almost there. Trisha is fighting it."

"What else is new."

"How many is that?" Kimberly sipped on her glass of punch.

"Uh, just 4 or 5. Can you get mugs and start the coffee?"

"Sure." He kissed the side of her head after taking a bite of more pie. Kimberly was heading out some coffee as Trisha came downstairs carrying Gizmo.

"Well, look who's up?" Kim's mother picked her up. "I thought Daddy put you to sleep, princess."

"Trisha, bed. Go."

"No! No tired!"

"I don't care. Grown-ups are talking. Bedtime."

"No sleepy!"

"She's fine." Kim's mother gave her some pie.

"Kim, she's okay," Tommy whispered in her ear before handing out some more coffee mugs. Kimberly put the tray on the table and went into the kitchen. She kicked the door closed. Tommy started picking up wine glasses and punch cups. He went into the kitchen. Kimberly was drinking vodka and ice. Tommy loaded the dishwasher. Kim picked up a bottle wine and took a large gulp. Tommy pulled it away.

"You know, she's a grandma, that's what they do."

"She undermines everything I do, say, why do I even try?" Tommy hugged her.

"Trisha can't help to be spoiled with a Mommy like you."

"Whatever." Kim added some more vodka to her glass. Tommy pulled the glass from her lips.

"I'll make it up to you after everyone leave."

"Better." He cupped her face.

"Oh, I will." They kissed. Dr. Mercer opened the door to get more coffee when he found the couple kissing. He cleared his throat.

"Sorry." Tommy and Kimberly pulled away and straighten their clothes. "Any more coffee?"

"Sure." Kimberly took his mug and poured another cup.

Tommy closed the door after Kim's parents and his parents were the last to leave. Trisha was holding his leg, as Madison was on the other side, her pink panther doll in her hand. Mackenzie was on the counter as Kimberly loaded the dishwasher for the second time.

"Mommy, bed?"

"Yes, sweetie." Her blue New Orleans doll in her lap. Kim held her head and kissed her forehead. "Beddy bed for everyone." Mackenzie held her arms out for her Mom. Kim picked her up and hugged her. Trisha held on to Tommy's legs after Tommy picked up Madison and her panther doll. Kim hit the lights and put her arm around Tommy's waist. They climbed the stairs. Tommy put the girls to bed once again. Kimberly came out from the bathroom. Tommy was just pulling off his shirt and pants as Kimberly stood there in her sheer red robe. Tommy dropped his clothes and went over to his naked wife. He rubbed her shoulders before his hands slid to her knot. He slowly undid it and slid the robe off her shoulders. They kissed. Tommy's lips moved down her cheeks and neck. He bent down on one knee and took a rosy hard nipple into his mouth, as his hands rubbed her waist, stomach and hips. Kimberly held his head to her chest. He stood up and smiled at her. She kissed him.

"Make love to me."

"Gladly." He picked up Kim and laid her to the bed. She opened her legs for him as he stood there. His boxers were the next thing lost in a flash as he crawled on top of her. They made love and fell asleep.