Where Did the Time Go? : Part XXI
It was just after sundown when Ron pulled into the driveway, noting the only car in the drive was Monique's hatchback. The garage door was open, so it was clear both of Kim's parents were away. He chuckled slightly when he realized how ironic it would be if her parents were out for the evening when the two of them had other obligations and couldn't stay in and enjoy the privacy. Then again Kim was always a little more reserved in her own home than she was in his. Here it was almost always cuddling and snuggling while in his house it was mostly making out when they didn't have to spend a lot of time studying.
It didn't matter to him, it was all time spent alone with Kim.
Assuming that in fact her parents weren't home, he let himself in. Ever since they started dating, if he was just coming over to hang out he would come right in as usual, but if they were going out he would play the proper gentleman and ring the doorbell. It was one of those traits that kept endearing him to her father. It also gave them a chance to share what plans they had, just in case.
Monique was just coming down the main staircase as he shut the door. She stopped and looked at him from head to toe, then stepped around him, finally coming to a stop, nodding as if she approved. "Not bad. Not exactly what I'd suggest for a hot date, but perfect for dinner with the 'rents."
"Thanks. That top looks really nice, Monique."
She raised and eyebrow, though she started grinning as well. "If you add 'on your grandmother' I'm going to go Steel-Toe on you."
"Would I say something like that?" He added a mock pained expression to the rhetorical question.
Monique walked around back of him again. "Very nice." She cooed.
"Hey!" He twisted sideways, trying to get the object of her compliment out of view. If Monique was talking a little dirty with him, he wondered exactly what she had been talking to Kim about.
"Whatever Kim has you doing in those workouts of hers, it's sure working on you."
"Monique, come on. It's bad enough I have my Mom talking to Kim about my butt."
"Just sayin', Ron." She lightly drew her fingers across the middle of his back.
"Take your hands off my boyfriend." Kim laughed as she walked down the stairs.
"Make me." Monique giggled as she wrapped both arms around Ron from behind. She let go suddenly and backed up. "Dayum! When did you get muscles?"
"Cut it out, Mon." Kim reached out and took Ron's hand. "You're making him turn redder than my hair."
"Wow, KP, you look fantastic." He leaned in to give her a quick kiss.
She turned aside and let him kiss her on the cheek. "Lipstick." She warned.
"I'll see you two tomorrow." Monique said as she scooped up her purse.
Ron turned around and opened the door for her. "Why thank you." She trilled as she left.
"You ready?" He asked. "Cause I think Monique's going to be waiting on us since I've got her blocked in the driveway."
"Let's not keep her waiting." Kim grinned softly as he held the door for her as well. Her grin got even larger when he held he car door for her, something he'd been slipping on of late.
"I mean it, Kim, you're looking extra badical tonight." He said as they pulled out into the street in the big Pontiac
She blushed ever so slightly. "Ron, this is the same dress I wore to church Sunday."
"I know, it's just the boots, your hair, the fixins." He reached out and touched the little gold heart at her neck. Kim tried to touch his hand, but it was still encased in a cast. Her smile dipped just slightly as she was reminded he wouldn't be able to go on missions with her for a couple more weeks at least.
Kim ran her hands over the fake velvet upholstery on the bench seat. "I miss riding in this car. I know bucket seats are more comfortable for a long ride, but it wasn't the long trips I liked best." To prove her point, she scooted as close to him as the seatbelt would allow and wrapped her arms around his right one, something she absolutely could not do in his car.
They hadn't gone a block when Ron pulled over to the curb.
"Ron, come on, it's a little early for parking and I don't want to mess up my makeup."
"Sorry, KP. That's not what I had in mind. You know, there's a reason I bought you that particular necklace."
"Oh?" She smiled sweetly, realizing exactly what he was talking about.
He gently picked up the heart and unfolded the clasp behind the locket. Then he held his right hand up and pulled his ring off with his left, careful not to pull to hard on his mending wrist. Delicately he hooked it into the special clasp.
"Ronnie, I thought you wanted to wear this for a while before you gave it to me." She blushed again, holding the ring and heart up so she could see it in the dying light of the early evening. Just as Monique had said earlier, his ring was far too large for her to consider wearing it on any of her fingers. It was gold, just like hers, but the stone in it was pale green, much like her emeralds, only lighter.
Ron shrugged. "The more I thought about it, the more I wanted you to wear it instead. Besides, it wasn't all that comfortable with this cast on." He held up his encased right hand, wriggling his fingers.
Kim put her hand behind his neck, rubbing it slightly, then drew him close like she was going to kiss him. Instead she rubbed the tip of her nose on his, still not wanting to get him covered in red lipstick.
"Well, I guess it's official, we're going steady." She laughed as he pulled back out into the road. They both knew it had been official when they kissed each other those many months ago.
"Going steady, huh? So, should I take you to the sock hop or the soda parlor?"
"Did you ever figure out exactly what those were?" Kim laughed.
"Sock hop I haven't got a clue, but I think a soda parlor was out parent's equivalent of Bueno Nacho."
Kim gestured at the windshield. "Well, I think we're going to be late for dinner no matter whether we find those things or not if you don't get going."
"I'm going, I'm going. Oy" Ron said in a mock Yiddish accent. Kim giggled slightly, considering she was the one who actually used that word and Ron didn't actually know any more Yiddish than she did.
"Ron, I'm nervous. What if your parents tell you they are moving away or something. They could very easily have been going to Denver to hunt for a home."
He dropped his shoulders just slightly. "If that's the case I really, really hope your parents would let me move into the guest room, not just to stay here with you, but so I can finish school at Middleton."
"I'm sure Mom and Dad would approve, Honey." She brushed a strand of hair behind his ear.
"Yeah, but what about my Mom and Dad? Even when you finally move out it's going to be a while before your brothers do. Once I'm gone, that's it for my folks. They wouldn't even get the full eighteen years that way."
"I know, Ronnie. You'll just have to do what you think is right."
He gave her a half smile. "I guess we're making a lot of plans for something we don't even know about, aren't we."
"Doesn't hurt. Maybe it'll just be something nice, like your trust fund hitting a hundred thousand or something."
Rons got the most peculiar expression on his face for half a moment, but recovered quickly before Kim could notice it.
Jean Stoppable had the dining room table set, which was extremely unusual especially considering the large, eight seat table was only set for four. The last time it had even been used was the last time Kim had been invited for dinner which was at Passover the year before and then they had eleven people crammed around the table.
She was waiting for Kim in the dining room as Ron went to hang up her jacket. "I thought Ronnie was bringing Kim over, who is this beautiful woman he has with him?" She reached for the younger woman and gave her a warm hug.
Kim chuckled softly. "You look great tonight yourself Mrs…" She checked herself as Ron's mother cocked her head at her. "…Jean." Her amusement came from her wearing an almost identical dress, though a couple shades lighter.
"Go ahead and have a seat, Kim. Gene will be down in a moment. I've got pot-roast…oh, don't you worry, it's not just any pot roast, it's been cooking all day and I used lots of savory vegetables and juices."
"I'm looking forward to it." Kim stood behind one of the chairs. Ron had to learn his cooking skills somewhere and even though her mother's abilities had completely missed her it was likely she was at least as good as her boy. The aroma wafting in from the kitchen was heavenly.
"Where's Rufus?" Kim asked Ron as he came back into the room.
"He's around somewhere. He stayed here while I went to pick you up since I was coming right back."
"Hey yo!" Rufus squeaked as he appeared at the table. There was a small plate set for him with a selection of cheeses and a few chunks of his "Mole Rat Chow," which they normally just referred to as his 'crunchies.' Ron was trying to get him to eat more of those instead of all the human garbage he normally consumed. Rufus was still perfectly healthy, seemingly in his prime, but he was over five years old and that was the average life-span for a mole rat 'in captivity.'
Needless to say, he made short work of his 'dinner' long before anyone else sat down at the table and started eyeing he bread basket and their salads. Kim suspected his monstrous appetite and consumption of mass quantities of foods that would kill a human by twenty might have something to do with his amazing vitality.
Ron held the seat first for his mother, then for Kim, who had waited patiently behind her seat even though her hostess had already invited her to sit. The Stoppables had never stood much on tradition or form, but it all seemed natural and right tonight considering everyone had dressed nicely.
Once they were all seated, Kim noticed everyone had wine glasses. That was interesting, considering everyone had been served that awful Concord grape wine at Passover. She didn't have much experience with wine in general but that stuff was a textbook definition of gorchy.
This time there was a bottle of what appeared to be a much higher quality wine on the table. Gene pulled the cork and served a small amount to both of the teens and himself. Jean simply opened a can of grape pop and poured it into her glass.
Ron's father bowed his head and everyone joined hands around the table. He said the blessing first in Hebrew, then repeated it in English for Kim's benefit. "God, bless this house and bless this table. Bless this family…all of it." He gave Kim's hand a slight squeeze. "Amen" they all said together.
Before Jean started serving the roast, Gene held up his glass. "Two great things have happened to me in my life. The first was when I met Jean. Well, three things since she amazing actually agreed to marry me. The second was the greatest joy of our life together, and that is my son" He held the glass up toward Ron. "To Ron." He said.
They all clinked their glasses together. Kim took a tiny sip of the dark red liquid. She certainly didn't know what made a wine good, but it certainly tasted better than the last time she had some. This tasted more like what she had during communion at church. It was very slightly sweet, though she still didn't understand what the fuss was. Her notion of an 'adult drink' was hot tea or a cup of black coffee. Considering the face Ron made when he sipped his, he apparently was of a like mind.
Gene held his glass up again. "Ron has had the good fortune to have something wonderful happen in his life as well. At his age, most people are fortunate to meet somebody they really care for but from what I have seen, he has found something much greater than that. Kim, you are literally the best thing that has happened to our son. I hope you would do me the honor of letting us think of you like a daughter."
"Of course, Mister Stoppable." She said quietly, holding her glass.
"Gene, Kim. I know it's a little confusing here in this house, but please, call me Gene…for now." He held his glass a little higher. "To Kim and true love."
This time he polished off his glass. Kim was blushing slightly as she tentatively followed suit. The last time she had alcohol was far from a pleasant experience, but that time she wasn't even aware she was drinking it and this was a very small amount anyway. Thankfully there was also a glass of iced tea and it was likely this was all they were going to have.
She looked across the table at Ron, wondering if this was some sort of ceremony formally accepting her into the family. That thought made her both happy and just a little scared. Even though most people liked to tell them they were 'old marrieds' they were still just seventeen. Her plan to marry Ron if he couldn't go to school with her was really nothing more than a notion in her head, not something she had seriously thought about going through with, yet it seemed both families had already made the assumption the two of them were destined to walk down the aisle, sooner than later.
"Well now, I'm starving and this all smells wonderful." Gene finally announced. "Let's eat."
Calling the beef dish she was served pot roast was really an insult to it. It was likely one of the best things she had ever eaten. It was so tender you could eat it with just a fork and the juicy flavors just about exploded in her mouth. Her mother made a good pot-roast, but it was much more traditional, a 'hearty' type of meal where this was something she would have considered proper fare for a gourmet restaurant.
"This is wonderful Mrs…I mean Jean."
Jean smiled at her. "Don't compliment me, I just ran the oven." She nodded toward her son, confirming what Kim already suspected. "He put this together before school this morning. If I'd have done this by myself, you'd probably need a chainsaw to cut it."
"Mom, don't sell yourself short. I like your pot roast." Ron said between bites. Rufus was sitting beside his plate, easily keeping pace with his human. Kim had long ago gotten used to the two of them racing to eat so the other wouldn't get everything.
"I see you've acquired some new jewelry." Gene remarked, pointing his fork toward Kim.
She held up her right hand so they could see her class ring. "I know the ruby doesn't go with the rest of my jewelry, but it's tradition."
"Actually I meant the other one." He pointed at the large ring hanging from her necklace.
"It's official." Jean broke in. "They're going steady."
Kim laughed softly since that's precisely what she had said earlier.
"So how soon can we expect grandkids." Ron's father asked, digging back into his beef.
Kim turned beet red and shrunk down in her seat a little. "I, uh…maybe by our mid-twenties."
"Don't be in too big a hurry, Kim." Jean patted her hand lightly.
Gene put his fork down. "But don't wait too long. We were married eight years before Ron came along. We were getting to the point we thought we were going to grow old without children."
"Gene, dear, I was only thirty-one when Ron was born."
Ron's father sighed heavily and pushed back from the table a little. "Kim, Ron, I'm sure the both of you know we have been driving to Denver regularly on Tuesdays for a while now."
"Yes sir." Kim put her own utensils down, intent on what he had to say.
"Jean and I both come from large families. I've got four brothers and two sisters and she's got a brother and two sisters of her own. I think you saw some of them at Reuben's wedding last year."
Kim nodded as he went on.
"When we got married, we weren't exactly planning to follow that tradition. It was the early eighties and we were going to be a modern couple and have just two kids after a couple years, even though my mother was pestering me from the day we said our vows.
"Then it took us a lot longer than we expected to have Ron and once he was two years old, we started trying again…yet here we are, fifteen years later and there are only three Stoppables sitting at this table."
Kim glanced again at Jean's now-empty wine glass and the can of pop sitting beside it. Ron was looking at the same thing, his brown eyes getting huge.
"Are you…Dad, is Mom?"
Gene went on, ignoring Ron for the moment. "Last year, we thought it might have finally happened, but we were wrong then a friend of mine told me about a doctor in Denver who worked wonders. That's what we've been doing all this time. We were going to see a specialist and, I'm happy to say, it worked."
Ron turned to his mother. "Mom?"
She put her hand on his. "Yes, dear. In seven and a half months you're going to have a little sister."
Kim could have sworn she heard the thud as Ron's jaw hit the table. Then again, it could have been hers.
"We were to the point we would just have to settle on waiting until the two of you got married and stared having kids." Jean said. She leaned closer to Kim. "I hope your baby-sitting skills are still up to snuff."
"A sis…sis…buh…er." Ron blubbered, his mouth still hanging open.
"That's wonderful." Kim finally said as she started getting her mind around the concept of Ron actually having a sister. A little relief that they weren't going to be quickly looking for her to carry on the family name settling in. There was no doubt in her mind she would one day have children with Ron, but that was something in the far future, probably a decade away as her mother had said.
Getting up, she went to Jean and gave her a big hug. "You better believe I'm going to want to baby-sit for you."
"That's great. It'll be good practice for you." She said, making Kim blush again.
Things were much quieter at the table as they finished their meal, but the tension they had been feeling up to that point vanished.
Jean started gathering the plates and Kim got up to help her, following her into the kitchen. "Is it too soon for you to have thought of a name?"
Ron's mother took the stack of plates from the younger woman. "A little. Maybe something like Catherine Jean, after both our mothers."
"Oh, I didn't know you were named after your mother."
"I'm not. I'm named after my grandmother. It just happens to be the same name." She put the dishes in the sink and turned around. "Kim, I need to ask you something."
"What's that?"
"Gene and I are not young. He's five years older than me and he's not the healthiest person in the world. I know you're still very young, but if something were to happen, God forbid, to us…"
"You want Ron and I to take care of her?"
Jean nodded. "I know I've got a big family and there wouldn't be any question there would be somebody around to raise her, but of anyone I've ever met, I think I trust you the most."
"I'll do anything I can, but let's not talk like that now."
"Of course." She leaned over toward Kim, smiling slightly. "It's just that I don't want them raising another Shawn, if you know what I mean."
Kim shuddered slightly, remembering feeling he was the one child on Earth she would actually call evil. She knew in the back of her mind she might one day have to actually face him, perhaps with his giant mechanical iguana monster.
Back in the dining room, Ron finally worked up the courage to speak to his father again. "Dad, I've been meaning to ask you something."
"You looked at your bank balance, didn't you."
"Yes sir."
Gene nodded. "Going to treat Kim to a…bon-diggity Valentines?"
"Well, yes, but that's what I was planning to do anyway." He stopped and swallowed. "I was thinking, though. Much as I'd like to get some things I think I need…I think it's best I just keep what I need for Kim and maybe just a little more for safety's sake…and put the rest back in the fund."
The older man looked at his son for a few moments. "Okay. Write me a check for what you want to put back and I'll take care of it."
"Am I doing the right thing, Dad?"
"Son, that's something you are going to have to figure out for yourself. When I put that money back, it's going to stay there. If you have some things you need money for later, then you're going to have to find another way. I'm not pulling money out and putting it back in every time something comes up. Do you still want to put the money back?"
Ron thought about it for a few minutes, glancing toward the kitchen where the two women were softly talking. "Yes. If I keep it, even if I put it in a savings account I'm just going to keep finding ways to spend it, even if it's just a few dollars here and a few dollars there. I'm afraid I'm going to look at my account one day and suddenly I'm right back where I am today. I think I've still got a long way to go to learn to handle it."
"Then that's what we'll do. Give me that check in the morning. Oh, by the way, considering where the fund has gotten, I think a slight up-tick in your allowance is warranted."
"Dad, how much is actually in the fund?"
"Heh. You're still remembering that first check you got, aren't you? It's nothing like that, that's for certain. That Drakken made a really big mess of the company's finances and even though they really did owe you a lot more, if I'd pressed the matter in court there's the chance they would have gone belly up and then there wouldn't be anything coming in."
"You're not exactly telling me how much." Ron's face got a little more serious.
"Okay. Cash in the bank, so to speak, is right around four hundred thousand. With other investments in your portfolio, it's estimated you're worth about one and a half million dollars."
For the second time that evening Ron's jaw hit the table.
"I'm a muh, muh, muh…"
"Millionaire? Not exactly. Not until you turn twenty five."
"Twenty five? How am I going to pay for college? How am I going to marry Kim?"
Gene put his hand on his son's shoulder. "College is taken care of. That's all part of the trust. As for Kim, you don't need that kind of money to have a good life with her. I do have some good news, though."
"Dad, please don't tell me you saved money on your car insurance."
That got a hearty laugh. "No. The good news is, if you marry Kim before you turn twenty five and we think you've become responsible with the money, it will be turned over to you. Now, that doesn't mean go running out and elope the moment you turn eighteen. You still won't get it until we're satisfied, and then not until you turn twenty one."
Ron sat back in his seat, processing what his father had just told him. Twenty five, more than seven and a half years. Sooner if he got married before then. Until then, since he was giving the lion's share of the money back, he was still a relatively broke, unemployed high-school student.
The ladies came back in from the kitchen. Jean put her hands on her son's shoulders. "Somebody just told me that she really would like some ice cream and unfortunately, I'm all out."
"I think my boy can handle that, don't you son?"
"Uh, sure, Dad." He looked at Kim, who was positively beaming. It struck him all over again how beautiful she was and that she loved him even if he wasn't a potential millionaire.
"Want to take the Camry?" Gene asked, reaching into his pocket for his keys.
Ron's eyes met Kim's. "No, I think we'll take the Pontiac." He said, getting up to get Kim's coat.
"I thought as much." He shoved the keys back in his pocket, smiling at the immense pride he was feeling in his son at that moment.
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