Perfect
The next morning at breakfast…
"Nic, do you want a brother or sister?" Kat asks.
"I already have a sister, so I guess a brother. You probably want a sister?"
"No way. I hope we have a brother."
"You have a brother…are you trying to replace me too?"
"Nicolai! I told you last night, no one is trying to replace you," Linka says from where she's preparing pancakes.
"I think Katerina's wanting a brother has less to do with wanting to replace the one she has and more to do with not wanting to share her 'Princess' title," Wheeler adds as he pours orange juice for everyone.
"Maybe I want a brother because I like the one I already have, and I want another?" Kat suggests.
"Yeah, ok…whatever you say, Princess," Wheeler says as he sets the drinks on the table and kisses the top of her head.
"Also, if we have a brother, I won't have to share my room. Nic will."
"What?! No! Never mind. I want a sister."
"Relax. No one will have to share a room. The baby will stay in our room in a bassinet for a while, just as you two did. My office will be turned into their room," Linka reassures them.
"Where will you work?" Kat asks.
"I can work from anywhere I can take my laptop. Having my own space was just to give me some quiet time to concentrate," Linka explains.
"So we'll have to do our part to give your mom some peace and quiet when she's trying to write her programs and take phone calls. Think we can do that?"
"Yes. We will be in school during the day, so it will be easy. Summertime we will just have to be outside," Nic says.
"We can help Pap with the horses or play with Gram and Mindy in the garden," Kat says, loving any excuse to spend time in the stables or with their grandparents and their dog.
"I think those are great ideas. I also think we should go out for ice cream," Wheeler suggests.
"YES!" Both kids agree enthusiastically.
"What about me?!" Linka asks. "I do not have to work every day. I just released a program last year. I will only need to do minor maintenance."
"You'll have to stay home with the baby then," Wheeler says.
"Why can't we come with you?!"
"Babies don't eat ice cream, Mamma," Nicolai says.
"We can start today…ice cream for lunch!" Wheeler proclaims. "You can come along too, Babe…this time."
"Gee, thanks."
"As long as it's ok with the kids," he adds with a wink.
"I will just stay home and think of ways to punish you," Linka threatens.
"So do you want one scoop or two?" He quickly tries to dig himself out of the hole he's put himself in.
"Are you trying to make me fat?"
"You are already fat, Mamma," little Nicolai innocently comments.
Linka's eyes widen and Wheeler's jaw drops.
"Ooooh, Buddy…noooooooo. No no no. Don't ever say that to a pregnant woman," Wheeler warns.
"Or ANY woman," Linka adds.
"I did not mean it in a mean way," the young boy says, his eyes starting to well up with tears.
"I know, Baby…it is just not polite to comment on people's physical appearance unless it is something positive," Linka explains.
"Especially a pregnant woman. Their feelings are extra sensitive, so even things like, 'wow, you're ready to pop!' can be bad. And right now, Mom's just got a small bump. Wait a few more months."
"Is that why you always tell Mamma she's beautiful and glowing?" Kat asks.
"No, I always say that because it's true," Wheeler says as he walks up behind Linka and wraps his arms around her, resting his hands on her swell before kissing her cheek.
"Nice save, Pappa."
"Thanks, Princess. Have a seat, Babe. I'll finish these pancakes."
"I'm sorry, Mamma. I did not mean to call you fat," Nicolai says as he gets out of his seat to hug his mom.
"I know, moy Dorogoy," she reassures him, returning his hug and kissing his forehead. "It is ok. Eat your breakfast. We have decisions to make as a family."
"Oh? What kinda decisions?" Wheeler asks as he brings the pan over and start flipping pancakes into everyone's plates.
"When you and Kat were talking last night about what to call the baby, I realized we have not talked about names yet. Maybe the twins could help."
"Are you sure about that? We let these two pick, we might end up calling our kid She-Ra or Optimus Prime."
"That's pretty cool, actually," Kat says.
"I prefer Bumble Bee," Nic adds.
"See!" Wheeler exclaims.
The twins start to giggle, knowing they got their dad worried.
"We will think about it and come up with good names," Kat says.
"Yes, we have to make sure our brother or sister has the perfect name," Nic adds.
"Alright. You two put your thinking caps on and find that perfect name."
Later that afternoon, Wheeler keeps his promise and takes the kids out for ice cream. Linka and his parents came with them as well, so it was a whole big family trip to the park.
"Gram, Pap wants to know if you wanted a bowl or a cone?" Nic asks.
"I told him, a small cone…My goodness, I hope Jason is a better listener than his father!" Kathy Wheeler says to Linka.
Before Linka can answer, Kat comes bounding over to them.
"Mamma, Pappa can't remember if you said chocolate or vanilla."
"I said chocolate vanilla twist," Linka says, rolling her eyes. When Kat runs back towards where her father and grandfather are placing their order, Linka calls out, "In a bowl…with sprinkles."
"Okay!" Kat yells back.
"Guess their selective hearing is genetic," Kathy jokes.
"I will be sure to warn Nicolai's future girlfriends," Linka laughs.
"Oh no, I don't even want to think about the kids dating yet! I want them to say this young and adorable and not be bratty teenagers."
"Me too!"
The men and children soon arrive with the ice cream and sit at the picnic table that Linka and Kathy had saved for them.
"Thank you for the invite," Joseph Wheeler says. "It's a perfect day for ice cream in the park."
"We have an announcement," Kat informs them.
"Yes, and we wanted everyone in the family to be here…well, everyone who lives close. Uncle Mishka and Aunt Sveta can hear about it later," Nic adds.
"That sounds exciting. What's the big news?" Kathy asks, looking to Wheeler and Linka.
"Don't look at me, I have no clue what their big announcement is about."
"Yes you do, Pappa. It is about the baby's name."
"You picked a name?" Joe asks.
"Nyet, we told the kids to come up with some ideas…but we have not heard them yet."
Linka give Wheeler a weary look, uncertain what the twins are about to reveal.
"Oh no…get ready to meet Michelangelo Raphael Wheeler!" Joe jokes.
"Oooh no, but that's a good one, Pap!"
"We have not come up with names yet, but we have an idea…whether or not we get the perfect names depends on what the answers to our questions are," Kat says.
"Okay…so what are your questions?" Wheeler asks.
The twins look at Linka.
"What was your grandfather's name? The one who helped raise you?"
"Alexander."
"Since Katarina is named after both of our grandmothers and her middle name is after your Babushka, what about naming the baby after her husband if it is a boy?"
"And Pappa, what are your grandfathers' names?"
"My mom's dad is Dominic, but it was Americanized to Donald. My dad's dad was Alistair…please don't suggest we name our kid that!"
"That is actually Scottish for Alexander," Joe says.
"Alexander Dominic?" Kat tries.
"I like it," Nic says.
"Me too," Linka agrees.
"I've kinda always thought the name Xander was cool," Wheeler says.
"I like that too," Kat agrees.
"So if it is a boy, we will name him Alexander Dominic and call him Xander?" Nicolai asks, looking for agreement.
His parents nod their approval.
"Nice job, kiddos," Joe says. "Now what about a girl's name?"
"I am named after one great-grandma, so if we have a sister, she should also be named after other great grandmas."
"Hmm, no offense to your mom, Ma, but I'm not really sold on naming a kid 'Betty.'"
"What about her middle name? Rose," Kathy offers.
"That's pretty. What about your mom, Pap?" Kat asks.
"Her name was Isabella."
"Isabella Rose," Nic says.
Wheeler and Linka look at each other, seeking a hint of what the other thinks.
"I think we have a winner," Wheeler declares.
"I think it's perfect," Joe adds and addresses his grandkids. "Your mother's engagement ring belonged to my mother, Bella, given by my father, Alistair. Having your mother wear that ring means my parents' memory will always be part of the family. Having a child born from this union and having that child named in their honor…that's special."
"You did very good at coming up with ideas, Little Bugs," Linka says, giving them both a hug.
"Can we go play now?" Nic asks, pointing at the playground.
"Da, but be careful."
As they watch the kids taking turns on the slide, the silence is interrupted when Kathy chuckles, drawing everyone's attention to her.
"What's up, Ma?"
"I was thinking back to when you were showing us your house for the first time. During the tour, you pointed out the rooms for two future children and when we got to Linka's office, she joked that it could also serve as an additional bedroom for the 'Oops' baby…So have you decided on a theme for the new nursery yet?" She laughs.
"No. Haven't even started moving all her equipment out yet."
"Do you need help?" Joe offers.
"You can come over and supervise. Kwame and Ma-Ti are coming to help Jason move furniture to the den and Gi and I will go shopping to find furnishings. Would you like to join us at the store, Kathy?"
"Oh yes, that would be fun. Just let me know when and I'll be sure to keep my calendar clear."
"They are planning on coming next weekend. It has been a while since we have all been able to get together, so it will be fun."
Again, the adults are silent for a while when Joe breaks it.
"You know…all this talk about baby names and naming them after family…there's something that's been nagging at me about this 'oops baby' as you called it. I know the plan was only to have two, and accidents happen so Jason and I discussed it…he decided the best option would be to get snipped."
"Seriously, Pop? You gotta bring that up in front of Ma?"
"I know, it's none of my business, but I can't help but wonder why you didn't go through with it? Scared?"
"Joseph! Those procedures do not work 100 percent of the time and sometimes, plans change! Just because they initially only planned for two kids doesn't mean they can't change their minds. I'm thrilled we'll have another grandchild." Kathy is mortified at his forwardness. She turns to a stunned Linka and apologizes. "I am so sorry. Whatever is between you and Jason is your business. You do not owe anyone an explanation."
Linka raises her hand and waves off Kathy's apology.
"Yeah, Dad. Just accept the fact that I screwed up. Don't need to point it out," Wheeler fumes. "And for the record, I did go through with it. I didn't chicken out."
"Jason Wheeler, do not even act like a victim! How about you tell your parents how your initial reaction was to ask me who the real father was?!"
"Well, what was I supposed to think? You go away to some tech conference for a week with that Eric guy, who clearly has a thing for you, and then a month later, find out you're pregnant two months after I have a vasectomy!"
"It should have occurred to you that YOU failed to follow up with the doctor to make sure the procedure worked."
Linka turns to her in-laws to explain.
"Wheeler was scheduled for a follow up appointment, but instead of attending it, he took Nicolai to sign up for pee wee hockey, even though we had discussed it and I asked that we wait a year because I was planning on working on my latest program and would not have time in the mornings to get Nic to practice because God knows his father would not last long when it comes to waking up early to get to practice."
Kathy gives her son a disapproving look.
"I'm not sure what I am more disappointed about…that you showed complete disregard for Linka's wishes or that you were so careless. Thankfully you and Linka have the means to care for an unplanned child and are able to give it a good life and not sacrifice anything for your other children."
"I know, Ma. Having too many kids to take care of is literally my worst nightmare."
"I'm sorry, Linka. You already had to deal with one boneheaded Wheeler man, I shouldn't have added to it by butting in," Joe says.
"It is ok. I am used to dealing with him. I can handle another…I just hope my son does better!"
"He's more like you anyway. He'll be fine," Wheeler says.
"Da, I am more worried about Katerina. She is your clone."
They all laugh and then have their attention drawn to the little girl in question as she calls out from atop the jungle gym.
"LOOK AT ME! I'M QUEEN OF THE PLAYGROUND! KATERINA NADIA KOVALEVA WHEELER. FIRST OF HER NAME AND RULER OF THE IRON JUNGLE GYM. BEND THE KNEE, NICOLAI!"
"Shut up, Kat," he says, from the swings.
"Hey! Don't talk to your sister like that," Wheeler admonishes.
"What an imagination! Where does she come up with this stuff?" Kathy chuckles.
"Something tells me her father has been letting her watch inappropriate shows for her age."
"Noooo, I didn't turn Game of Thrones on until she was asleep on the couch," he says.
"Pretending to be asleep," Linka corrects.
"You used to do that too," Joe points out. "Pretend to be asleep on the couch during the hockey games so you could stay up past your bedtime to watch until the end."
"See, your clone."
"As long as our twins don't end up like the Lannister twins," Wheeler says with a laugh.
"Gross! Change the subject!"
"You don't complain when I'm being the Khal to your Khaleesi," Wheeler winks.
"Shut up, Wheeler," Linka says with an eyeroll and hoping her in-laws don't get the reference.
"That's where your son gets his attitude from."
"I hope this third child is more like its real father," she teases as she rubs her belly.
"Oh shit!" Joe cackles. "She got you big time!"
"Damn, Babe! Low blow."
"You two are going to have your hands full if your kids are half as feisty as you," Kathy chuckles.
The young couple share a look, knowing they wouldn't want it any other way.
To Be Continued...