Chapter 122

Grace came down Christmas Eve morning pretty early. She was hoping to have her a cup of coffee before the babies woke up. She wanted to spend a little bit of time with them before the whole family would gather later. She knew she had to share them with everyone, but she wanted this quite time with just them. Halfway down the stairs, she laughed at the sight on the couch. Rip was laying on the floor underneath her grandbabies. The two little ones were laying on pillows holding hands. There was a pillow beside Beth that kept her from the edge of the couch. Elizabeth had her head on Jack's shoulder. She was snoring, but not very loud. Since she gave birth, her snoring has gone back to normal. She was cuddled up to Jack, but she had a protective hand laying on her babies' legs. Jack's head was laid back against the back of the couch. He had his arm resting on Elizabeth's thigh. The TV was on, and a Hallmark movie was playing. She went back to her bedroom to grab her cell phone. She wanted a picture to remember the moment.

Once in the kitchen, she began the coffee pot and quietly began to make breakfast. She worked as quietly as she could. Breakfast was going to be simple, eggs, toast, and sausage. The lunch later was going to be a big meal. She was startled when she turned around and saw her daughter standing there. Her hair was all over the place and she had a sleepy look on her face.

"Goodness Elizabeth, you're quiet."

"I'm a mom." She stated with a grin. Her mother would always say that when Elizabeth pointed out that she was quiet as a child.

"Would you like a cup of coffee?"

"No, thank you. I would prefer tea."

"Have you changed to a tea drinker now?"

"I have."

"Have a seat. I'll get it for you."

"In the top drawer, there are K-cup pods for the Kerug. It's faster and easier."

Grace nodded and walked toward the drawer. "I'll text you the picture I took this morning."

"You took a picture?"

"Of your family on the couch, yes, I did. It was priceless. How did you all end up like that?"

Elizabeth smiled at the memory. She told her mother the whole story as she drank her cup of tea and her mother made breakfast. She tried to lower her laugh as she explained in great detail about catching Jack and the babies watching the Hallmark Channel.

"I find it so hard to believe Jack loves the Hallmark Channel so much."

"I know, but I have caught him watching it several times even though he denies it."

Elizabeth jumped when she felt two hands on her shoulders. "So, you're up early on this Christmas Eve morning telling my secrets." Jack stated as he leaned to kiss her cheek.

"Jack Thorton! You scared me to death!" Elizabeth stated trying to catch her breath.

"You shouldn't tell secrets and you wouldn't feel guilty." Jack stated as he walked toward Grace. He gave her a kiss on the cheek and took the mug she offered him. "Good morning, mom. Did you rest well?"

"I did. You?"

"Yes, but I think I'm getting too old to sleep on the couch in that position." He moaned as he began to rub the back of his neck.

"I'll text you the picture I took too. It's perfect."

"By the way…there is nothing wrong with liking the Hallmark Channel."

Elizabeth and Grace laughed. "If that's the case, I'll make sure I tell others." Teased Elizabeth.

"You better not!" Jack stated pointing his finger at his wife. "Or I will tell…"

"You better not!" She exclaimed pointing her finger at her husband.

"Alright children. Here is breakfast. Eat up before the babies wake up." Grace couldn't contain her laughter at the kids' banter.

Just before noon, the doorbell sounded. The family wasn't supposed to show up until one. A late lunch was planned for two o'clock. Jack opened the door to a group of twelve teenage boys. "Well, good afternoon." He stated with surprise in his voice and a growing smile.

"Good afternoon chief." All the boys stated at the same time. Once Rip heard their voices, he ran to the door to accept all the rubs he could get. The boys always made an effort to play with Rip when they would visit.

"So, what are you all up to this afternoon?" Asked Jack.

"Well, we wanted to give Mrs. Thorton and Mrs. Thatcher their Christmas gifts."

Grace walked up behind Jack when she heard her boys' voices. "You didn't have to get anything for us."

"We know, but we love you all. We don't have a lot of money, but we wanted to do something for you two."

Grace wiped a small tear away from her cheek. "Come on in before you all get a chill. It's cold outside." Grace stated in a grandmother's tone. The boys all smiled at her. They felt loved when she would speak like that.

"Let me get Elizabeth. She's in the bedroom with the babies."

"We're coming." Elizabeth stated walking out of the bedroom with both babies in her arms. She heard her boys. She had a huge smile on her face at the surprise of her boys.

Johnathan reached for one of the babies. He quickly fell in love with the babies. Reid reached for the other one. A few of the boys sighed.

"Don't worry, you will all have a chance to hold them." Elizabeth stated. This caused the boys to smile.

"Mrs. Thorton and Mrs. Thatcher, we have something for you."

William came downstairs and was sitting at the kitchen island. He was intrigued with these boys. These twelve teenage boys, who could have been anywhere else on their Christmas break, wanted to see his wife and his daughter. He knew how much his wife loved those boys. He could easily see how much they loved his wife. William was beginning to understand this unique relationship.

Kyle gave Mrs. Thatcher a large gift bag and Mason gave Mrs. Thorton a matching gift bag. "This is from all of us." Mason stated.

"Come in boys. Let's get comfortable." Jack stated.

Grace and Elizabeth walked toward the couch and sat. The boys sat in chairs, and some sat on the floor in front of the couch. Jack stood behind the boys and William remained at the kitchen island. He had a good view from his location.

"You go first mother." Elizabeth stated.

Grace slowly pulled the colored tissues from the top of the bag. She pulled out a photo album that was sitting on top. She gasped as she read the front of the album. There was a picture of her and the boys in their uniforms after a game. Everyone had a huge smile on their faces. On the bottom in fancy print, read "Grandma". Grace sat and stared at the front of the album. She ran her finger gently over the photo and then the print at the bottom. The boys were getting a little nervous by her silence. They thought they may have overstepped with the grandma title.

Finally, Reid spoke up. "We hope you like it?" He asked cautiously and with a little fear in his voice. "We think of you as our grandma. Many of us don't have one and we just adopted you as our grandma. Is…is that ok?" He asked very slowly.

Grace looked up at Reid. Then she made eye contact with each of her boys before speaking. "I would greatly love that."

You could hear the exhale of relief from the football players.

"There is something else in the bag." Kyle stated.

"Come here boys. I would like to look through this album with you before I finish opening the gift."

All of the boys gathered around Grace as she sat on the couch. She opened the album and slowly walked down memory lane at all of the Friday nights she spent at the game and with her boys. Most of the pictures were photos of her and one or more of the boys together after a game. Some were at the house for ice cream after the game. A few had Elizabeth in them, but mostly were of Grace and her boys. She laughed and cried each time she turned the page. They all laughed and reminisced at the photos.

When Grace was finished with the album, she turned her attention to the bag. She reached in and pulled out a clear, plastic case that had a football in it.

"That is a game ball the coach let us have. We all signed it."

"I will cherish this forever. I know a perfect place on the mantle for it." She smiled. "Thank you, boys." She stood to give each young man a hug.

"Thank you, grandma." She heard in twelve different voices. Her smile grew at the sound of her new title.

The attention turned toward Elizabeth. She was sitting in an armchair.

"Jack…"

Jack handed her a box of Kleenex before she even finished the statement.

"If you boys make me cry again…" She shook her finger at her boys.

Johnathan handed her the bag and stepped back. "I'm sorry." He sassed.

She stared at him and then she smiled.

She opened the bag and after pulling out the tissue, she found a similar photo album. The picture on front was of her and her boys. On the bottom of the album was written "Momma". She took a tissue and wiped away a few tears.

"Is that ok, momma?" Asked Johnathan.

"It's perfect." She exclaimed between tears.

Just like her mother, she sat and looked through the album with her boys and then pulled out an identical football with her boys' signature on it. The boys stayed a little while longer but left before everyone began to show up for the late lunch.

Jack leaned in to hug his wife after they closed the door. "Are you ok?"

"I'm perfect. I can't believe those boys did that."

"They love you and Grace. It wasn't that surprising."

"I guess. I feel bad that we didn't get them bigger gifts."

"Don't. They loved what we got them."

"Yes. They did."

"Are you ok with them calling you momma?"

"I am. The ones who have their mothers at home call me their football momma. The ones who don't have a mother called me momma." She stated and wiped a tear.

"Come on softy, we have a lunch to work on."

"Take my babies and change them please. Mother and I will begin on lunch. Some things are already done."

"Our babies." He reminded her.

Jack walked to the couch where the babies were laying. "Let's go you two. It's time to get changed and maybe we can get you something to eat." He smiled at his babies looking at him.

Elizabeth, Grace, and Charlette were busy in the kitchen preparing for lunch. Adam had Beth and was trying to get her to laugh. Jack was carrying his son around trying to do the same. Jack groaned when his cell phone buzzed. He knew it was Emma.

"Mr. Thatcher, would you mind to take this little one while I answer the phone?"

"Sure Jack. Let me have my grandson."

Jack handed over the little one and pulled his phone out of his pocket. "Hey Boss Lady. What do you have for me?" He answered as he walked toward the bedroom for a little privacy. He smiled and then blew a kiss towards his wife.

"How are they doing?" Asked Charlette nodding toward William.

Grace and Elizabeth sighed. Grace spoke first.

"There in the same room together and will have short conversations, but there is a distinct distance between them. William has been better, but he hasn't made full amends. It's been more about Elizabeth than Jack."

"Yes." Elizabeth chimed in. "He is missing out on so much. I actually feel sorry for him."

"Is Jack doing his part?" Asked a very motherly Charlette.

"I believe he is doing more than he should." Elizabeth stated.

"Honestly, more than I would." Stated a thoughtful Grace. "Jack has done more than William ever did with my father. I just don't understand him. He complained so much about my father, but he is doing exactly what my father did."

"I don't understand it." Stated Charlette.

"Neither do I." Both Elizabeth and Grace stated at the same time.

"Julie, are you ready?"

"Yes." She stated as she walked back into the bedroom.

"Why is it that we have the exact same conversation every time we prepare to leave?"

"Hush you…I'm pregnant." Smirked Julie.

"Yes, but you haven't been pregnant for months. Is this going to be your go to excuse?"

Her smile gave him her answer. "Now, if you haven't stopped me to question me, I would have been ready to leave." She sassed as she continued into the bedroom.

"I seriously doubt it."

"Hey, I heard that!"

"Let's go woman." Tom yelled trying not to laugh.

"See, I'm coming."

As they sat in the car, Julie spoke up. "Viola and I have been texting all morning. We decided we wanted to share our news together at the lunch. We're not telling anyone except family until our doctor visits."

"Perfect. I'll follow your lead."

"Tom, are you ok with this?"

Tom immediately stopped the car in the driveway. "Why in the world would you ask me that question? We have talked about this. You know I'm excited about having a baby that's just like you."

"If the baby is just like me, we are in trouble!"

"Your red hair and mischievous smile…I can't wait for all that is coming our way." He sighed with a growing smile.

"Me too. Tom…I'm excited."

Willaim sat down with Adam and Beth on the couch. Adam was still trying to get Beth to smile, but she was just too young. However, that didn't stop him from having fun with his granddaughter.

"William…how is our grandson?"

"He's good. Want to trade?"

"Sure, maybe I can get baby Jack to smile."

When Adam took baby Jack, he held him over his head and slowly lowered him to his face to give little Jack a kiss on the cheek. Baby Jack opened his mouth and latched on to Adam's chin. Grace and Elizabeth laughed at the sight. Charlette stared and fell in love with her husband all over again.

William watched Adam with baby Jack for a few minutes. Leaning closer to Adam, William asked. "Adam, may I ask you a question?"

"Sure William. What's up?"

"Can I fix this problem with Jack?"

Adam stopped and repositioned little Jack in his arms. He looked deep into William's eyes and then glanced into the kitchen to see the three women looking in his direction. They were trying to be discreet and listen but was failing miserably.

"Let's go for a walk." He stated. Then he stood up and walked toward the kitchen. He didn't give William a choice.

"Alright mommy, I believe my little Jack here is ready for some food." He stated as he began to give Elizabeth her son. They locked eyes. Adam gave her a smile and kissed little Jack on the cheek and then Elizabeth. "It's ok." He reassured her.

Elizabeth trusted Adam. She thought of him as her children's grandfather. She loved Adam and respected him. He was a good man and loved her and her babies as if they were his own. Adam turned toward his wife. He kissed her lightly on the lips.

"We're going for a small walk." When their eyes met, she saw all the things she needed to hear. She raised her hand to his cheek and left it there for a moment. "You are a good man, Adam. I love you."

He gave her a small smile as William walked in to give Beth to his wife. As they walked out of the kitchen toward the front door, Charlette yelled. "Don't forget your gloves and hat. It's cold outside."

"You know I'm not a child…right?" He continued walking but turned his head and spoke over his shoulder.

"You are younger than me, young man."

"Yes Cougar." He sassed.

This made Elizabeth and Grace laugh. Charlette just shook her head. "That man!"

Jack was sitting on the edge of his bed speaking with Emma. He wasn't happy with the conversation.

"Chief, I understand, but you need to do this, or the media will not calm down. You need to answer their questions so they will have their story."

"No, Emma. It's been over three weeks, there is other news out there they could write about."

"Chief, they are fixated on this story. If you don't hold a press conference, it only feeds their desire to know. If you answer their questions just once, they have their story. Then it will die off and they will move on."

Jack rubbed the back of his neck. Emma was making sense, but he didn't like it.

"Boss Lady…"

"Jack, you know I'm right. Just pull the band aid off and get it over with. The longer you let them come up with their own story, the bigger it becomes."

"Fine. Set it up after Christmas and before New Year's Day. Make sure Lee is present and see if you can get a State Trooper there too."

"It will be you and Lee."

"Emma…!"

"Chief. It will be you and Lee. I'll let you and Lee know when."

"Fine. May I go and enjoy my family now?" Jack huffed.

"Breath Jack, you will survive this. This is part of the job. It was a major arrest and it's news worthy."

"Fine."

"Are you done with the little temper tantrum?"

Jack sighed. "Yes. I'm sorry."

"It's fine. Now, I have one more thing and you're done for the day."

Adam and William walked for a few minutes around the neighborhood. Both men tightened up their jackets, it was pretty cold.

"You should have brought your gloves." Laughed William.

"Yes, but please don't tell Charlie. She'll be impossible to live with if she knew she was right."

"Adam…" William hesitantly started. "How can I fix this with Jack? He is nice enough to me, but there is still a big distance between us."

Adam walked a few more feet before turning to stand in front of William. "Before I answer your question, you have to know that I don't beat around the bush. I will be honest. I won't be mean, but I don't cushion the truth."

William nodded his head. He had a feeling that he wasn't going to like Adam's answer.

"William, you threw your daughter, her two babies, and Jack off a cliff. And you have only went after your daughter and the babies. From where I stand, you have made no to little effort with Jack. You have only tried to repair your relationship with Elizabeth."

William gasped. "I did not throw them off the cliff."

"William." Adam stated in a tone that left no doubt in his belief. "Because of your stubborn pride, you caused your daughter's blood pressure to sky rocket to the point that she could have easily lost the babies. You caused her enough pain that she passed out on your back deck. The babies were having trouble because of it. When Jack walked up on the porch, all he saw was his wife unconscious on the floor with her head in her mother's lap. He had no idea what happened and what was going to happen."

William nodded his head.

"All of that because you didn't get your way." Adam shook his head.

"That wasn't the whole story." William began.

"William…I have taught high school for decades. I know when I am being told a lie and half truths. It's a gift you acquire over time."

William couldn't escape Adam's stare.

"In the whole process, how much effort have you given in developing your relationship with Jack?"

"Not much."

"Yeah, and you wonder why there is still a distance between you two? You are doing the very thing your father-in-law did to you. Only this time it's worse."

"How?"

"Because Jack has tried. You never did."

William looked down.

"William, you are a very successful businessman. You started a company, and it has grown to an unbelievable size. You put your heart into it. You gave everything you had to it. If you only worked at it the same effort you put into your relationship with Jack, how would your business have done?"

Willam looked down. He didn't answer the question.

"Yeah…that's your answer. You only want a relationship with Elizabeth and the babies. You have that to some degree, but she also sees how you are acting toward Jack. It has created a distance with you two." Adam turned to walk back to the house. After a few steps, he turned back around. "If you would have done that to my wife and my children, I would have laid you out the first time I saw you." Adam nodded his head and unclenched his fist. He turned and began his walk back to the house. William stood where he was steaming in his thoughts.

"She's not your family!" Insisted William.

Adam turned around and quickly made up the ground between them. Before William knew what had happened, Adam knocked him on his back side.

"She is my family! She is my daughter-in-law! Better yet, she is my daughter!" Adam huffed standing over him. "She has never made me feel like I married into this family. I love that child of yours like she is mine. I respect her and she respects me. I have spoken to her on numerous occasions concerning you. William, for a very intelligent man, you are a complete idiot!"

Adam stood over William for a moment shaking his fist. "You're the first person I have punched in decades. I can't believe you made me stoop down to this." Adam paused to capture his emotions. "William, you have lost a good portion of your family. You better change who you are before you completely alter or lose everything that is important in this life."

Adam extended his hand. "Now, get up and dust yourself off. We will never speak of this again and certainly don't say anything to our wives or Elizabeth."

When Adam walked into the house, he took off his jacket. Everyone was already there. Tom and Julie, James and Viola, Frank and Abagail, Henry and Emily, and Beth. Beth was holding one of the babies and Henry and Emily was playing with the other baby laying on the floor. The baby was kicking its legs while Henry and Emily were talking to it. Adam smiled at the sight.

Charlette walked up and gave Adam a kiss. When he placed his hand on her cheek to express his love, she shivered.

"Young man, why didn't you wear your gloves like I told you?"

"If you are worrying about my hands while I am kissing you, I must not be kissing you well enough." He flirted. "Maybe I need to work on that later." He wiggled his eyebrows.

"Silly man. How did the talk go?"

"Exactly like Jack has explained it to me weeks ago. That old man is very frustrating." Adam shook his head.

"Yeah…" When Charlette reached for his hand, she noticed a distinct red spot on his knuckles. "What's this?"

"That…oh, I did that yesterday when I was restacking the wood in the shop." He avoided eye contact with his wife.

"You know I can tell when I'm being told a lie, can't you?"

Adam grinned and made eye contact with her. She shivered again when Adam placed his hand on her neck and pulled her closer for a kiss.

"Yeah…working on that kissing thing later tonight." He gave her that silly grin that stopped her heart.

...

The late lunch was perfect. Everyone sat around the large table. Everyone was passing the babies around. People were wanting their time with them. Henry and Emily sat on the couch watching a movie while they ate. Rip was hanging around them hoping for something to fall off the plate. Henry and or Emily would sneak him a couple of bites of food when no one was watching.

Jack sat at one end of the table and Elizabeth sat at the other end. Neither was happy about being so far away from each other. They were instructed by their parents that at formal family gatherings that is how it is done. During the lunch, they made the decision that this would never happen again. Elizabeth made a mental note to share that thought with Jack later. They would steal glances at each other and smile. Their eyes communicated their love for each other and the joy of having so many family members at their table. Beth was enjoying holding the little girl while Abagail had the little boy. Jack tapped his heart slightly and the non-verbal communication told his wife that he loved her. They were loving their first Christmas together and they were loving their new house.

Meanwhile, Viola and Julie were anxiously waiting their turn. They previously decided to wait until lunch was finished and just before dessert was served to share their news. Unfortunately for both of them, their excitement was getting too much to handle. After making eye contact, both ladies decided now was the right time.

Julie and Viola stood at the same time. Viola cleared her throat to capture everyone's attention. Once everyone was looking at them, Viola and Julie took each other's hand. Instead of going into a long speech, both ladies blurted out in a loud voice. "We're having a baby!"

The room immediately went quiet. After a few moments, a voice was heard that made everyone laugh. "Which one?" Asked Henry.

When the laughter finally faded, both ladies smiled at the young man. "We both are pregnant."

"Cool." Henry stated as a matter of fact.

"We're pregnant!" Exclaimed an excited Tom.

His loud voice made baby Jack jump in Abagail's arms. He began to cry.

"Sorry." Stated a somber Tom. He felt bad for scaring the baby.

"It's ok, Tom. Evidently, baby Jack is just like his father." Smirked Elizabeth. She stood and walked over to Abagail to pick up her crying baby. Once in his mother's arms, baby Jack settled quickly. She looked up and saw a smirking Jack looking at her from the other end of the table. "We'll…am I wrong?" Challenged Elizabeth with a smile. Jack wagged his finger at her but couldn't keep his smile from his lips.

After everyone congratulated Viola and James, and Julie and Tom, the lunch continued with the excitement of the news of two new babies.

"So, what's the chances of either of you will have twins?" Henry asked in a deadpanned voice.

The question immediately caught Julie and Viola's attention. Julie looked at Tom. "Seriously, what's the chances?"

"I don't know. I don't have twins in my family, except for these two little ones."

James thought for a moment, "I don't either."

"Well." Grace stated. "We don't either."

"So, there isn't a chance?" Julie asked slowly.

"I had them." Elizabeth smirked.

Viola and Julie sat quietly lost in their thoughts of how to handle twins. They looked around the room and noticed how everyone was present. The babies were exchanged between arms that completely loved the little ones. If they did have twins, they knew they wouldn't be alone.

"I guess Jack and Elizabeth will be about a year older than yours. They would be growing up with their cousins."

Julie smiled at her sister. "It was nice growing up with you. The more people to play with, the better."

"It is." Smiled Elizabeth. "They can have play dates all the time."

"That sounds nice." Smiled Viola.

Just before six, everyone left and made their way to their own homes. Grace and William made their way to their bedroom upstairs. Grace wanted Jack and Elizabeth to have some time with their babies and to rest. The day had to be stimulating for the babies and they needed the quiet. The fireplace was going strong. The babies were on the couch surrounded by pillows. Jack was sitting on the end of the couch with Elizabeth sitting next to him. She was leaning against him with her head resting on his shoulder. Her hand was on his thigh and she was slowly rubbing his leg with her index finger. His arm was around her. He pulled her closer.

Is it ok to turn the TV on?"

"Sure. Are we watching another Hallmark movie?" She sassed.

"No. It's customary to watch A Christmas Story. We always watched it at Christmas with my father. He would always joke that it wasn't truly Christmas unless we watched that movie. I think it was his favorite."

"That sounds like a great tradition."

"I've always watched it at Christmas except for the first Christmas after his death. I just couldn't bring myself to watch it."

Elizabeth settled a little closer to her husband. She peeked to make sure the babies were still asleep. "Are there any Christmas traditions you would like to start for our family?"

"I think I would like to continue watching this movie. When the babies get a little older, I would like to read Luke chapter two on Christmas Eve. Dad always did that too."

"That sounds good. I like this movie. My father would read that scripture too. I like the idea of continuing that tradition."

"Do you have any others?"

"We always opened one present on Christmas Eve. Mother would always pick it out. We were always just excited to open one gift. Then we would open all the others on Christmas morning." Elziabeth smiled at the memories of her youth.

"I like that. That sounds great. You get to pick the presents the babies will open."

"That sounds great. Thanks Jack."

"Sweetheart, you don't have to thank me. We are a family of four. We need our own family traditions."

"A family of four…" She stated slowly. "Jack, how did all this happen so quickly?"

"Well, if my memory serves me correctly." He tapped his chin with a smirk growing on his face. "It began with a sketch of a faceless couple walking down the street, a mean schoolteacher who turned out to be very nice, an impatient woman who forced me to talk to her father about marrying her, and a great honeymoon to Hawaii."

"Thomas Jack Thorton." She huffed. "I remember our first date where you had my engagement ring in your pocket. You showed me the box but not the ring. Do you know how mean that was?"

"Mean?"

"Yes, mean. Showing me the box but not the ring. I never wanted anything more in my life than that ring at that moment. Then you made me wait until you spoke to my father."

Jack let out a laugh. "Yes, I remember somehow you stole my phone and put your father's number in it. I still don't know how you did that. By the way, how did you sign into my phone? You didn't know my password."

"I have skills officer. Am I in some legal trouble?"

"It's chief." He smirked at her. "I think you're forgiven."

Jack laid his head on top of his wife's head. He let out a long, soft sigh.

"I hope that was a good sigh?"

"The best. I try to figure out how to say thank you for everything in my prayers, but I just don't have the words."

"I know. I struggle with that too. I do believe God knows our hearts. He knows."

While The Christmas Story played, it was long forgotten. "Elizabeth, did you ever think we would have this?"

"I knew you were the one. I knew you were my soul mate. I knew we would have something like this, but Jack, this is better than anything I could have imagine."

"I agree. This is perfect, Elizabeth."

They sat for a little while longer just enjoying the moment together as a family. Jack laughed with he heard baby Elizabeth snore a little.

"Don't you dare say it, Jack!" Elizabeth warned as they both looked toward Beth.

"I didn't say anything." He chuckled.

Charlette leaned against her husband while they listened to Christmas music on the radio. "Are you going to tell me the truth about the walk with William?"

"What do you mean?"

"Adam." She warned.

"We walked and talked. He wants a relationship with Jack but on his terms. He is a very stubborn man. I told him he has missed out on a good portion of his family and if he doesn't change his ways soon, he will continue to miss out on what's important in life."

"Did you hit him?" She asked as she picked up Adam's hand. "I was with you yesterday when you restacked the wood. You didn't scuff you knuckles yesterday."

He gave her a smile and gently kissed her on the lips.

"I know what you are doing young man. Tonight will end in one of two ways. First, you tell me the truth and I will make your dreams come true later."

Adam shivered at the meaning behind her statement.

"Or secondly, that last gentle kiss will be the last kiss for the evening because you refuse to tell me the whole truth." She moved closer so they were sharing the same breath, but she didn't touch his lips. "Your call."

"I punched him and fussed at him for making me do it. I haven't hit anyone in over three decades. Then I helped him up and told him we weren't telling our wives about this." Adam spilled his guts like his life depended on it.

Charlette laughed. "Why did you hit him?"

"His attitude. He was questioning why I was acting like Elizabeth was my family since she isn't."

"He didn't?"

"He did. I love that woman like she is my own and I love those babies. I know they are not mine by blood, but they are mine by love and choice."

"She loves you completely."

"I know and I love her completely." He smiled at his wife and scooted closer. "So, I told you everything…I remember something about my dreams coming true?" He wiggled his eyes.

"Was I right about the gloves?"

"Kiss me woman…you're killing me."