Author's note: Well I owe you all an explination. The lullaby is called Godspeed (Sweet Dreams) and it's sung by the Dixie Chicks on their Home CD or the Top Of The World live tour. Gotta admit I don't really like them that much but as soon as I heard the song I hadda use it.
I've been really nervous about how to write Sara's side of the family and hopefully I do her and the country family justice here. Thanks for all your reviews and plz keep them up. School's started and I made the Freshman Volleyball team, boo ya. On top of that I have JROTC stuff and lotsa homework. Might be awhile before I update again. Next chapter will be a lot better than this one. I'm not quite sur if I like the way this turned out, but I didn't want ot leave you all hanging.
Airforceintrianing.
Break
On the Coast of Somewhere Beautiful
Chapter Eleven
The next morning everyone was awake besides Nick, Sara, and the kids, which was explainable since they were catching up on sleep from the numerous flights in the past week.
Two other sisters of Nick's arrived, Amber and Stephanie, leaving one more to come that day. The two were told of the engagement and children so that the couple wouldn't have to put up with any more interrogations.
When breakfast was about ready Jillian turned to her kids, "Amber would you go wake up your brother for breakfast."
"They're sleeping mom," Amber said.
"And they should get up since it's 10," Jillian replied. "They have about 20 minutes till breakfast is ready so go tell them that."
Amber sighed getting up and going upstairs to her brother's bedroom. She knocked and got no reply so she gently opened the door. She smiled big at the sight of her baby brother with his arm around Melinda while Sara had her's around Kenny and Them all sleeping in the bed.
Amber chuckled and then walked over to Nick and whispered in his ear, "Mom says you have 20 to get ready for breakfast and I told her to let you sleep, but ya know mom."
Nick opened his eyes and blinked a few times before turning to Amber, "Thanks."
"They're cute Nicky," Amber smiled.
"I know," Nick smiled back.
"I'll let you all get ready," Amber said then closed the door behind her.
"Sara, Time to get up," Nick said and Sara sighed opening her eyes.
"I feel like I got 5 minutes of sleep," Sara groaned and Kenny started to wake up.
"Same here honey," Nick said kissing Sara lightly and then when Kenny gave him a look, Nick kissed Kenny on the forehead. "There cowboy so you're not left out. Mellie wake up sweetie."
The little girl just pulled the blankets over her head making Sara smile.
"I'll get her. You take Kenny here and you two get ready first," Sara said an Nick nodded picking up his son.
Nick opened his suitcase which had Kenny's clothes along with his own, "Wuddya want to wear today little man?"
Sara pulled the blankets off Melinda's head, "Mel if you don't wake up I'll wake you up sweetie."
"No," She pouted keeping her eyes closed.
Sara smirked and started tickling the little girl who started laughing. Kenny turned and grinned as he put his cowboy hat on.
"I'll save you Mellie! Yee haw!" Kenny announced still in his PJs as he dropped out of Nick's arms and jumped on the bed lightly tackling his mom.
"Tag team," Nick smirked getting on the bed and grabbing Kenny off of Sara and laying him on the end of the bed where he started tickling him making Kenny laugh.
"You awake now?" Sara smirked to the laughing Melinda.
"Yeah," She laughed and Sara stopped.
"Good now come on we need to get dressed," Sara said with a smile and Melinda nodded.
"Same to you little man," Nick said and he stopped tickling Kenny once the little cowboy nodded.
"Nick, can you grab Kenny's meds and we'll have him take them downstairs with a drink," Sara said and Nick nodded grabbing the medication bottles and taking one from each.
"Hey mommy if I keep taking these you think I'll be able to play soccer and stuff?" Kenny asked.
"I hope so little man," Sara replied and Kenny grinned.
"Cool," he smiled.
While the two got dressed, Nick pulled Sara close and kissed her.
"He'll be fine," Nick whispered. "He's like us, a fighter."
"I hope so," Sara sighed and Nick held her close. "We just gotta keep an eye on him while he's here."
Nick nodded, "Make sure he doesn't play those sports or anything with my nieces and nephews."
"He's pretty good about that," Sara whispered. "Mel will hang out with him."
Nick sighed looking at their two kids who were now dressed and sitting on the floor coloring, waiting for the two adults to get ready.
"That she will," Nick nodded and the two got ready then.
15 minutes later the 4 entered the kitchen where the rest of the family was gathered as the food was just finishing cooking. Nick grabbed a small glass of water and put it in front of Kenny and set the three meds in front of Kenny who took them just as he should.
Nick then went to the 'adult table' and sat next to Sara.
"When's Kassie get in?" Toby asked as they all sat around.
"Right now," Kassandra grinned from the doorway as she dropped a backpack.
Sara got a smirk on her face that only Nick noticed and he raised an eyebrow at her, but Sara shook her head. Kassandra turned to the kids table and grinned.
"Hey Kenny, Hey Mel," Kassandra greeted the duo.
"Hey Kaci," They replied as they ate.
"Wait a minute," Rachel started but Kassandra sat across from Sara.
"So Austin I see my brother finally got some reality smacked into him. How'd he drag you here?" Kassandra grinned.
Sara lifted her left hand and Kassandra's jaw dropped at the ring.
"Trenton is gonna kill you dead Austin," Kaci -its simpler to type- said.
"I know," Sara replied. "But he doesn't know yet so don't tell."
"How do you two know each other?" Bill asked confused.
"Roomates in college," Sara explained.
"Then after we graduated we went to Austin's ranch where I met her friend Evan," Kaci dded.
"And I can't belive you married him," Sara told Kaci.
"I resent that Austin," Evan said entering the room and taking a seat. "Hello all."
Everyone was kind of in shock.
"Well this is interesting," Emily chuckled.
"How were you roomates if Kassie is 2 years older than you and Nick?" Toby asked.
"I graduated high school early," Sara explained.
"Well then, anything else we don't know Kassandra?" Jillian asked her youngest daughter of the bunch.
"Nope," Kaci shrugged.
Later that day, Nick went with his brothers and sisters riding on horses, but Kaci stayed behind to hang out with Sara. The two were in the kitchen while their mom was making lunch for everyone.
"So what do you think of our clan here that you'll be calling Family after the wedding?" Kaci smirked to Sara.
"Not as bad as mine," Sara replied and Kaci laughed.
"I don't think anyone can be as bad as yours is Austin," Kaci grinned. "Only thing on your side that's gonna change about this arrangement is that we actually will be sisters, even though we've acted like such since college."
"And Jericho will be going to hell," Sara smirked and Kaci nodded.
"Trenton's going to freak when you show up with my brother Austin," Kaci said.
"He would freak even if I told him a head of time," Sara replied with a sigh. "Trent's just like that. He's..."
"Overprotective," Kaci tried.
"That's an understatement," Sara said rolling her eyes.
"Why's that?" Jillian asked sitting down by the girls while the food cooked.
"Little bit of everything ma," Kaci explained for Sara.
"I'm the baby sister and the only one left in our family besides Trenton so since he's older he's way overprotective," Sara added.
"Then you add in the step siblings," Kaci grinned. "And the rest of the bunch like me and Sammy and you got a crazy family."
"So Trenton's your brother?" Jillian asked Sara who nodded.
"You met him at my wedding," Kaci told her mom. "Austin here didn't make it."
"Oh shut it Kaci," Sara said with a grin. "I honestly tried, but there was other stuff going on I couldn't miss."
"Sure sure," Kaci grinned back jokingly.
Kenny then walked in and went over to Sara lifting his arms up. Sara smiled and picked up her son putting him on her lap.
"Why aren't ya playing cowboy?" Sara asked.
"They play soccer and can't play that so I wannas be with you," He shrugged and Jillian chuckled.
"And where's Mel at?" Sara asked.
"Mellie wanted to come butst I tolds her to plays," Kenny replied and Sara chuckled.
"Why can't he play sports like that?" Jillian asked and Kenny turned to her.
"My heart goes boom-boom-boom really fast and it hurts so I don't do-s that," Kenny answered. "Sides, I like sitting with mommy."
"He was in the hospital his first year practically," Kaci explained to her mom.
"Didn't start walking till 5 months ago," Sara added. "But where he can't run as well, he makes up by how well he can talk."
"Yup," Kenny grinned.
Then Melinda walked in.
"Kenny, wanna color?" She asked.
"Go on cowboy," Sara said setting down Kenny who nodded and went with Melinda into the living room.
"They're good for each other," Kaci said to Sara who nodded.
Break
Thanksgiving dinner was fabulous and the next day Sara, Nick, and the kids would be leaving. After they said their goodbyes, they hopped on another plane to Memphis, Tennessee where Sara's step-brother would be waiting to pick them up and drive to Jericho.
All was silent as the kids slept and Sara looked out the window of the plane. Nick put his hand in Sara's making her turn to him.
"Nervous?" Nick asked amused.
"Very much so," Sara replied. "Trent's crazy."
"It'll be fine," Nick smiled. "So why don't you tell me about your family. I mean there's Trenton and you, what are all your step-siblings names?"
Sara grinned, "Triplets Jared, Jesse, and James; Adrian; Ryan; Alexander; the girls are Allison; Jennifer; Deana; and Ashley. Xander's going to be the one Picking us up."
"And the ranch?' Nick asked.
"Huge ranch," Sara smiled. "There's a lake on the property even. We got stables and I have three horses of my own: Blaze, Guardián, and Truenos. Three houses next to each other, and I got my own little mansion so we won't have to put up with the siblings who are visiting. Small town 10 minutes away, where If I walk into town everyone knows each other and always stop to ask you how's your day."
"Sounds nice," Nick smiled.
"It is," Sara nodded.
The plane landed and the four walked to baggage where a cowboy whistled and Sara turned grinning.
"Uncle Xander!" Kenny yelled running over from Sara's side.
Xander picked Kenny up and threw the boy in the air before catching him.
"Hey Kenny," Xander grinned walking over then hugging Sara. "So you gotta be Stokes. Look just like Kaci."
"So I'm told," Nick smirked.
"Let's get your bags and head to the ranch. Jesse's been throwing a fit about something again," Xander said.
The car ride was filled with Casual conversation and then Nick was surprised as they pulled up to the large ranch. They stopped in front of a house.
"Let's get it over with," Sara sighed and the 5 entered the house. "4...3...2...1..."
"Austin!" Someone yelled.
"Oh hell," Sara sighed making Nick grin.
Three cowboys entered then.
"What's this I hear about you and-" Trenton said then trailed off seeing Nick and his face darkened.
"Xander," Sara started with a glare.
"Hey he threatened me," Xander answered pointing to Trenton and Jesse.
"Kenny go show your dad and Mel the kitchen and get some drinks," Sara said and Nick nodded leaving her with the brothers.
After hearing some more yelling he walked in and paused.
"Xander didn't tell you about how he and Jared got busted for starting a bar fight with that Phillips boy even after he was engaged to Deana," Sara shot back.
"Here we go," The third cowboy, Ryan, sighed walking over to Nick. "You sure you want to marry into this family?"
"If it means staying with Sara yeah," Nick nodded.
"Good luck surviving. This is the light arguments," Ryan warned.
"You picked a fight with Micheal," Xander shot back at Sara.
"Everyone knows Micheal deserved to get his ass kicked," Sara defended.
"Austin you should have told us about you and this Stokes guy here getting engaged cos I gotta-" Trenton started.
"Cut the crap. I'll just tell you a heads up anyways that he proposed awhile ago," Sara cut in and jaws dropped. "Xander knew about this whole thing since the beginning too."
"I'm gonna kill you XanderI swear," Trenton said as he and Jesse started after Xander who took off out the door.
"Trenton don't you dare!" Sara said and turned to Nick saying "Sorry, I'll be back" before going after him.
Ryan smirked to Nick, "Might wanna sit around. They'll be at it for awhile more."
"Why would that be now?" Nick asked sitting.
"Because it's not a family get together if we don't have one fight," Ryan grinned. "And Trenton seriously is gonna kill Xander unless Austin can stop him. They're pretty overprotecive, but it's not as bad as it could be since you're related to Kaci."
A crash was heard outside and everyone Nick jumped at the sound.
"3..2..1," Ryan counted down as he opened the newspaper.
"Son of a-" someone started before a splash was heard.
Sara then walked in and sat down.
"The lake?" Ryan asked.
"He was asking for it," Sara replied. "If you had any mind you better watch out too."
"Hey. Either I told or we were all gonna be in the doghouse," Ryan said.
"Which translates to no fun in town," Jared added as he hopped on the kitchen counter looking at the gang. "And speaking of, we headed into town tonight to party at the bar or what?"
"Yeah," the siblings replied.
"Party at a bar?" Nick asked.
"Yeah. Last time we started a riot and I got to punch the sheriff," Sara grinned leaning back in her chair.
"You did what?" Nick asked shocked.
"Decked Tommy a good one. Knocked him out in one straight punch," Jared nodded. "Rest of the cops couldn't stop laughing. So I'll just get this started. I'm Jared, and welcome to the crazy family. They'll warm up later, right now Trenton's just suffering from Male PMS."
Sara chuckled, "When isn't he? Sure you know what you're getting yourself into Nick?"
"I think I can take it," Nick replied.
"We'll see," Sara grinned kissing his cheek. "Alright guys, Nick and I are gonna take the kids to my place. We'll meet up to head into town tonight."
They nodded and about 20 minutes later at Sara's place, Nick and Sara were in the kitchen.
"I thought you were over-stating about your brothers being that overprotective," Nick commented.
"They're worse," Sara smirked. "They're good guys though."
"If my sister can survive them then I can," Nick replied.
Sara laughed, "We'll see about that. You have to survive dinner first?"
"Why do you say that like it's a bad thing?" Nick asked raising an eyebrow.
"Last time we started a food fight that the cops got into it, and last time I was here I had my step-mom come bail me out for trespassing when we all put a cow in the sheriff's office," Sara grinned and then kissed Nick. "Good Luck surviving my family Stokes."
She chuckled and went to go put the kids to bed leaving Nick standing there shocked.
"A cow?" He muttered to himself. "What am I getting myself into?"