Chapter 17

Half an hour later, once Jacob and Amie had been nursed, changed and settled in their cribs, Aaron and Jemma joined everyone, including Lottie, Clancey, Duncan, and Holly in the kitchen as Candy finished pouring fresh coffee while everyone settled themselves around the table. Glancing at the faces surrounding her, including her husband's as she took a sip of lemonade, Jemma's face took on a look of perplexity as she found her patience at an end;

"Alright, would someone like to tell me what is going on? Earlier, we were all enjoying ourselves and celebrating my birthday and mine and Aaron's anniversary, as well as the new contract, and now, you all seem like you're waiting for lightning to strike. Now, what is going on?"

Deciding to open the line of communication on the subject, Jason began;

"Pixie we have some business that we'd like to discuss. The contract that Aaron and I went to Tacoma to negotiate has turned out to be a bit more lucrative then what we first thought it would be."

Offering a slight shrug and soft laugh, she pointed out in amusement;

"Well, isn't that good, Jason? I mean, isn't discovering that you've negotiated a better deal then what you first anticipated a bonus?"

Nodding, Jeremy offered;

"Yes, Pixie and it looks as if this is going to mean a great deal to all of us; the logging operation and the sawmill, not to mention to our family and the town in general."

Seeing the beginning of her frustration rising, Aaron took the lead as he took her hand in his;

"Sweetheart, it turns out that this contract is going to open up several opportunities for the business and the town. You see, it turns out that this contract isn't just for one job, it's for several jobs. Mr. Thorndyke's business interests are very diversified; he has construction, shipping, real estate, and even a furniture business, just to name a few, he wants us to supply the wood for ALL of his businesses, something that's going to bring in a lot of revenue for our partnership, not to mention open up more jobs, not just here but in San Francisco too."

Trying to fathom why she had such an ominous feeling when what her brothers and husband were telling her seemed like such positive news, Jemma huffed in frustration as she demanded;

"Given how you went over that contract with a fine-tooth comb, I know that if there was something negative then you would have made sure we were all aware of it. Now, just what is it that you are so reluctant to tell me?"

Leaning forward, Josh braced his arms on the table before taking his sister's hand in his as he explained;

"See, Pixie, with the amount of lumber that we're now going to be shipping to San Francisco we're going to need someone there to keep up with the supply and demand aspect of things and to keep up with the inventory and make certain that the amount of lumber required for Mr. Thorndyke's needs is on hand."

Furrowing her brow slightly in consideration, Jemma turned to her husband;

"Aaron, honey, wouldn't that mean that we'd need to see about a warehouse or, at the very least, a place to store the lumber until it's needed?"

Nodding, Aaron explained;

"That's already taken care of, love. You see, we own a warehouse in San Francisco, it was property that our father left to me and Julie, and, up until a few weeks ago, it was a rental property to a gentleman who had an import and shipping business, but the man passed and his wife sold his contracts so the business is no more, which means the warehouse is sitting there empty."

Despite her foreknowledge of the fact that her husband was a highly intelligent man, especially in business matters, Jemma couldn't help but be impressed with just how quickly everything seemed to be lining up to allow them to take advantage of the deal they had been offered. Giving voice to her opinion, Jemma ventured;

"Well, it seems that everything needed to move forward has been put into place, except for someone to manage things in San Francisco, but with all the business contacts that you and Jason know, darling, I'm sure that it won't be difficult to find someone suitable."
Seeking to try and gloss over the news in the hopes she would accept it in stride, Jason leaned his elbow on the table before resting his chin in his hand as he advised;

"We've already found someone, Pixie. As a matter of fact, he comes highly recommended and we know that he's completely trustworthy, not to mention he sees this as a wonderful opportunity. We just need a family vote to make it official."

Tilting her head to the side Jemma demanded;

"Then what's the problem? I mean, by your own admission, you have the contract in place, there's a warehouse just waiting to be filled and you have the perfect manager lined up, so why haven't we already had a family vote?"

As if synchronized, everyone, save Jemma, Lottie, Clancey, Duncan, and Holly turned to look at Josh, something that found the realization of just what the action meant dawning on Jemma as Josh squeezed her hand before offering her a slightly embarrassed smile;

"It's me, Pixie. This is a wonderful opportunity and it just makes perfect sense; I know the business and I know what we can produce here so I know how to adjust inventory accordingly to make certain that we have what's needed on hand."

Jemma felt as if the bottom of her stomach had just been dropped from a cliff at the idea of her brother leaving Seattle, however, that was nothing compared to the shock that began to set in as it dawned on her that she had been left in the dark regarding the latest decision that would so profoundly affect the Bolt-Stempel family and their businesses. Seeing the green sparks of anger and frustration igniting in her eyes, Lottie found her own eyes widening as she muttered;

"I have the feeling that the evening is about to end with fireworks, considering that I think a fuse was just lit."

Seeing the look in his sister's eyes and knowing from experience just what that look meant, Jason sought to sidetrack her temper as he stood and announced abruptly;

"I think this calls for a family vote; all those in favor of Josh managing our business interests in San Francisco."

Extending his hand in Bolt family tradition, Jason issued;

"I vote yes!"

Lottie watched as Julie, Jeremy, Candy, Josh, and even Aaron followed Jason's example, however, when it came Jemma's turn, she wasn't shocked when the girl rose slowly and purposefully from her chair to cross her arms stubbornly across her middle before looking at each of her family members in turn, something that found each shivering slightly at the icy emerald glare that they received. Despite sympathizing with Jemma's reason for her anger, Lottie couldn't help but feel sorry for Aaron as his wife glared at him, the temperature of the ice in her eyes easily dropping to arctic level as she spoke in a deceptively calm voice;

"I do not doubt that you knew about this from the beginning, there's simply no way that you couldn't have. However, would you mind telling me the reason why you didn't feel I should be included in this little family matter? Not to mention, I'd LOVE to hear the logic that you used when you decided to keep me in the dark about all of this, especially considering a certain promise you made me a year ago."

Allowing her eyes to roam disdainfully over the circle of hands waiting for her to make it unanimous, Jemma shook her head as she mumbled;

"I guess some things will NEVER change."

Her eyes making contact with each family member in turn, she issued;

"I think you've all already made your decision and since you didn't feel the need to include me in the information beforehand then there's obviously no need for my approval, or to include me in a family vote now."

Hearing one of her children fussing upstairs, Jemma turned abruptly and left the table;

"If you'll excuse me, my children need my attention, that is of course unless all of you think that, since I'm not competent enough to be included in a basic piece of information, I might not be competent enough to care for my children."

Everyone stared in embarrassed shock at her statement as she made her way to the kitchen door where she stopped to turn;

"Oh and by the way, I'd like to thank you all for such a wonderful birthday present. Not to mention my darling husband for such a memorable anniversary."

Looking from her husband to her brother before turning to her brothers and sister in law, Julie held her head down shamefully as she turned to her husband;

"Jason, she's really upset."

Bracing his elbows on the table, Aaron held his head in his hands as he lamented;

"This is all my fault, I should have told her that I had the idea, to begin with."

Shaking his head, Jason put his hand on his brother in law's shoulder;

"No, Aaron, you didn't say anything to anyone until you were certain and that wasn't until a couple of days ago,"

Facing his brother in law, Josh sought to ease Aaron's guilt;

"No, Aaron, I made you swear not to say anything because it's my life, and ultimately my decision, if anyone is to blame it's me. I should have come and talked to her myself beforehand, just maybe I could have avoided ruining her birthday AND your anniversary."

Aaron stood as he ventured;

"I had better go talk to her and see if I..."

Before he could finish, Lottie shook her head before pointing to his chair as she ordered;

"No, Aaron, sit down."

Seeing the disbelief in his eyes, she challenged;

"That is of course unless you'd like to push her further away from you."

The look of fear that he wore was unmistakable as Aaron shook his head furiously;

"For God's sake, Lottie, you know that would be the last thing that I would want to do."

Nodding sympathetically, Lottie acknowledged;

"I know, Aaron, but you need to give her a little bit of time, besides, you're not the one who needs to go talk to her right now."

Pinning the group gathered with her pointed stare, Lottie decided to voice her opinion;

"I've tried to hold my piece because I thought I should at the time, but I think that I've done so for long enough."

Turning towards Aaron she began;

"I know that everything with this happened rather fast and that Josh made this particular call, something that, unfortunately, has backfired on you and at the worst possible time. That's why I think Josh needs to talk to her because she needs to understand that this is his decision as was the choice to keep her in the dark."

Standing to brace her hands on the tabletop, Lottie advised, before addressing all gathered;

"Now, I am going to go upstairs and see if I can calm her down, once I, hopefully, do that, I suggest that you, Joshua, have a talk with your sister. As for the rest of you, especially you Jason Bolt, I STRONGLY suggest that you remember that, just because she may be your baby sister, that does not mean that she is still a baby. She is a grown woman and you need to start treating her as such."

Once Lottie had left the room, Candy turned to her husband;

"Jeremy, sweetheart, we were wrong, we should never have kept this from her. If anyone should have been kept in the dark it's me and Julie, not Jemma; as your sister, not to mention part owner in the logging operation and mill she should have been let in on this from the beginning, even if it wasn't anything but a possibility at the time, at least she would have been able to adjust to the idea."

Heaving a heavy sigh, Aaron shook his head;

"That means its still my fault. I didn't want to say anything until I knew exactly what I was dealing with and when I found out I thought that it just made sense to discuss it with Jason first to make sure we wanted to pursue this deal and then to Josh since it's his life and his decision. I should have told her when I had the idea, to begin with."

His mouth pursed in frustration, Jason offered;

"No, Aaron, you can't shoulder this one alone. The only two who shouldn't be held accountable for this are Julie and Candy because I made Julie swear she wouldn't say anything and Jeremy did the same with Candy."

Placing his hand over his wife's, Jason offered;

"Don't worry, darling, I know she won't hold it against you and Candy, especially considering that she would do the same thing if Aaron were to ask."

Staring at the spot on the table where his hands were clasped together prayerfully, but not really noticing them, Aaron ventured;

"I seriously doubt that she'll do anything I ask again, Jason; at least not anytime in the foreseeable future."

His face reflecting his own worry, Jeremy glanced upwards before taking a deep breath;

"I wonder if Lottie's making any headway?"

Glancing about the table, Clancey voiced his own thoughts;

"I hope for yer sake's, especially you, Mr. Stempel, that Lottie can make some headway with the little darlin, but ya'd all do good to remember that, in the future, just how miserable ya feels now so ya don't go makin the same mistakes again."

Noticing their uncle's look of disapproval, Jason stated, rather than asked;

"Judging by the look on your face, Uncle, I'm guessing that you agree with Clancey and Lottie."

His chest rising and falling sharply, Duncan gave a curt nod as he issued;

"Aye, lad, that I do."

Glancing about the table, he clarified his position;

"Julie, Candy, I don't blame you two lasses, given that ya were only doing as yer husbands asked ya to. And Aaron, ya might well have run the idea past yer wife, even if ya weren't sure it would actually come to fruition, just so she could get used to the possibility. However, lad, I understand yer logic, ya deal in facts and certainties so ya's were waitin till ya knew for certain, and when she calms down she'll realize that too."

Casting his eyes towards Josh, he shook his head;

"I understand the reason, Joshua, but ya should never ave decided to hold the information from yer sister, she has as much right to know as anyone. Actually, given how close the two of ya's are she should have been told after ya made yer decision. All ya's can do now is to do yer best to make it up to her and remember Captain Clancey's advice."

Lifting his own eyes towards the second floor of his home, Aaron shook his head before challenging;

"I know what Lottie said, but, dammit, I can't let someone else fix my mistake."

Turning to Josh, Aaron issued;

"I'm sorry, Josh, you'll have to talk to her after I do, her feelings and our marriage are much too important for me to just sit here and hope for the best; I'm going to go talk to my wife."

Before anyone at the table could offer an argument to dissuade his course of action, Aaron was out the kitchen door. Seeing the concern on her face as she began to rise from her chair, Jason gave a slight shake of his head as he took his wife's hand;

"No, Julie sweet, we all have our own amends to make where Pixie is concerned and we have to do that in the way that we think best; that means Aaron too. Let him handle this how he thinks best."

Lottie stood just outside the nursery, unnoticed, as Jemma sat in the rocker nursing her son. Although she was silent at the moment, Lottie wasn't surprised when she asked her children;

"Oh, angels, I wish that you could tell me how it is that Mommy can love Daddy so much and yet be so mad at him, all at the same time."

Deciding to make her presence known, Lottie entered the room quietly, surprising her adopted daughter as she ventured;

"It's because you DO love him so much, sweetie that makes you so mad at him."

Stopping to lift Amie, who was offering her best, lopsided, grin from her crib, Lottie placed a kiss on the child's forehead as she greeted;

"How's Gammy Lottie's sweet girl?"

Laughing softly as the infant waved her fists excitedly, Lottie turned to Jemma to venture knowingly;

"Let's face it, hun, you're not just mad but you're hurt too."

Sighing, Jemma met Lottie's knowing look with a sad one of her own as she asked softly;

"Did you know about any of this?"

Tilting her head and shrugging in the way only Lottie had, she shook her head;

"No, not really, but I've been having a feeling, especially since Jason and Julie got married, that Josh was looking for some type of change."

Seeing that she had finished with Jacob she offered;

"Here, you take your little princess while I burp Jacob."

Exchanging the infants, the two women were silent for a few minutes until Jemma offered;

"Lottie, I know that Josh has to find his own way and that, even if I don't like the idea, that way may well not be in Seattle, I may not like the idea of my brother leaving, but I'm a big girl and know that change is a part of life."

Patting Jacob's back gently, Lottie's eyes widened as she heard a loud burp from the child. The look on her face almost comical, Lottie ventured;

"If I didn't know any better I'd swear that your son has been taking lessons from Clancey in the belching department."

Finding a slight bit of humor in the statement, Jemma shrugged slightly;

"Considering that he seems to have inherited his father's appetite, I'm not that surprised.

"The look in her eyes changing from slight amusement to frustrated sadness, Jemma confided;

"Oh, Lottie, I know that Josh is a grown man and I want him to be happy, whether it 's here in Seattle with the rest of us or San Francisco, I know that he has to find his own life and on his own terms."

Cuddling the child she considered a grandson, Lottie speculated;

"It's not the idea of Josh going to San Francisco that has you so upset then; is it?"

Shaking her head, Jemma admitted softly;

"No, it's not."

Lottie could tell by the look on her face that Jemma was trying to figure out just how to put her feelings into words, something that found Lottie waiting patiently as she began changing Jacob's diaper. She soon found her patience rewarded;

"Lottie, do you realize that everyone, Jason, Jeremy, and Aaron knew what was going on? Even Candy and Julie knew; so why was I not told anything."

Her frustration rising to the top, she vented;

"I know that, for Jason, it's a habit, he's made my decisions, well most of my decisions, since I was two years old and, grant you, he's gotten considerably better since Aaron and I were married, but, Lottie, he still tries to do it sometimes. I know he doesn't think I'm incompetent if he did he never would have left me in charge of the logging operation when they went to New Bedford. With Jeremy, he never kept things from me before, even if Jason said he should, he never did."

Having finished with changing Jacob's diaper, Lottie cuddled him close as her eyes met Jemma's to state knowingly;

"But those aren't the two that you're the most disappointed in; are they?"

Lottie wasn't surprised by the sadness she saw in the girl's green eyes as she lamented softly;

"Lottie, Josh and I always shared with each other, we talked about things that we didn't even share with Jeremy or Jason. Outside of you, Josh was the first to figure out what was happening between me and Aaron, I don't understand why he wouldn't tell me about this."

Seeing that Jacob was on the verge of falling asleep, Lottie laid him gently in his crib as Jemma finished burping Amie before cuddling her in her arms as she rose to see about changing her daughter. Focusing her attention on the task at hand, Jemma fell silent for a few moments until Lottie stepped up behind her to place her hand gently on her shoulder before asking softly;

"And Aaron?"

Lottie knew before she spoke just how painful Jemma found her husband's part in what had taken place, especially given how her shoulders seemed to slump somewhat as well as how she lowered her head before shaking her it;

"Lottie, of all the things that I've doubted in my life, Aaron's love for me has never been one of them."

Tilting her head to the side slightly, Lottie ventured;

"But?"

Taking a deep breath Jemma's voice conveyed her sadness and frustration as she admitted;

"I know that he didn't do this with the intention of hurting me if anything it was probably more a case of worrying how much the idea of Josh leaving would bother or hurt me."

Crossing her arms over her chest, Lottie, already knowing the answer, challenged;

"Most women would be very flattered that their husband is that protective of their feelings; you know that don't you?"

Meeting Lottie's questioning gaze with a pleading one of her own;

"Lottie, I love him for wanting to protect me, I truly do, but I am not a little girl anymore. I'm sorry, but, dammit, if I'm grown enough and mature enough to be his wife and the mother of his children, not to mention, take to his bed, then I'm grown enough and mature enough to just tell me what is going on and let me deal with it for myself; good or bad."

Lottie's heart went out to her adopted daughter as she touched her arm;

"Sweetie, you have to understand something; sometimes, when you love someone as much as we all, especially Aaron, loves you, well, sometimes when you're trying to protect them, you hurt them, but it's never intentional."

Already knowing that, even though she had told him not to, it wouldn't be very long before Aaron sought out his wife to try and make amends, to that end Lottie wasn't surprised when she heard the slight creaking on the stair steps. Lottie, searching
Jemma's eyes, couldn't help but remember the baby that she had helped bring into the world, or the little girl that she had helped to raise as she looked into the face of the woman that Jemma had become. Sighing in the hopes that her instincts were right, Lottie cleared her throat as she called softly;

"Isn't that right, Aaron?"

Noticing how she closed her eyes for a moment as if chagrined over her earlier statement, Jemma whispered for Lottie's benefit;

"That was not fair, Lottie."

Shrugging slightly as Aaron entered the room, Lottie replied pertly;

"It wasn't intended to be unfair, sweetie, but it was necessary."

Aaron knew that, despite her admission and the sadness he saw in her eyes, her anger was also just under the surface, waiting to erupt, something he desperately hoped to avoid as he begged;

"Sweetheart, can we talk; please?"

Trying to stall for a bit more time to formulate her thoughts and feelings, Jemma motioned to their daughter;

"I have to change, Amie and get her settled..."

Before she could finish her statement, Lottie placed her hands on her shoulders to turn her to face Aaron before giving her a slight push as she ordered;

"Oh no, you don't! I can take care of little miss Amie, you go and talk to your husband, Jemma Elysia."

Waving his hand towards the hallway, Aaron suggested;

"Why don't we go to our bedroom, that way we can have some privacy."

Leading the way she entered their bedroom and placed distance between herself and her husband as she settled herself in the rocking chair before resting her elbows on the arms of the chair as she clasped her hands together in her lap before placing a stubborn look, that Aaron recognized all too well, on her face before pointing out;

"Alright, I'm listening."

Unable to bear the look he saw on his wife's face, Aaron begged;

"I know that you're listening, darlin, but could you please not look as if you'd like to wring my neck while you're doing it?"

Although he didn't like seeing her upset, Aaron couldn't deny the small sense of relief that he felt as her face reflected her distaste at just the mere thought of such an idea as she defended softly;

"No matter how angry or frustrated I might be with you, I'd never want to see any harm come to you let alone at my hands, surely you must know that."

Breathing a sigh of relief as he sat on the edge of their bed, Aaron nodded;

"I'd certainly like to think so."

Leaning forward to rest his crossed arms on his knees, Aaron met his wife's gaze of sadness and frustration with one of his own that conveyed his regret and sorrow as he began;

"The first thing that I want to say is that I am VERY sorry for what happened earlier; you know that the last thing in the world I would ever want to do would be to intentionally hurt you, love."

Lowering her eyes as if she were intently studying her hands, Jemma nodded slowly before muttering softly;

"I know that you'd never do anything with the intentions of hurting me, I've never had any doubts about that."

Glad to have found a common ground to build upon in the matter, Aaron offered;

"Jemma, there's something that I want you to understand; I did not intentionally keep this from you. I suspected that this contract was going to mean more to us then what we first thought, but, to be honest, the day we signed it, it was the day that Amie became so sick and once I got that telegram the last thing on my mind was that contract. The day that you and Josh had your discussion I was going over it and the proposal that Thorndyke had made regarding supplying his other business interests I realized just what this opportunity could mean to all of us. But, I also knew we would need someone in San Francisco to look out for our interests if we were to move forward with this; I knew we had the warehouse so that part of the puzzle was solved. When I overheard your and Josh's discussion that day, it hit me just what might be going on with Josh."

Seeing that she was processing his explanation so far, Aaron continued;

"I thought that, if our taking on what was being proposed was feasible, I'd suggest the idea of Josh handling our interests in San Francisco, that way he would have a chance to do things on his own terms and find a way that was right for him. I wasn't trying to hide it from you, love, I just wanted to see if it was even feasible before I came to you with it. Then, the day before yesterday, everything just seemed to fall into place, I intended to discuss it with Josh to see if he even wanted to pursue it, but, before I knew it, he had accepted and made me swear that I wouldn't say anything because he wanted to talk to you about it himself."

Tentatively, he reached out to place his hand over hers as he shook his head;

"I should have never agreed to Josh's request and I should have told you, even when it was just a theory, but..."

Unclasping her hands, Jemma placed one on top of his as she sighed before shaking her head as she offered a slight chuckle of resigned amusement;

"I know, in your mind, you were just verifying that this was even possible."

Thankful for her understanding, he nodded;

"Yes, but I am so very sorry, sweetheart. I should have made them tell you much sooner and I'm sorry that you were upset, tonight of all nights."

As if on cue, they heard the clock downstairs strike midnight. Anxiously, Aaron engulfed her hands in his as he begged;

"Am I forgiven, Jemma darlin?"

The green depths of her eyes reflecting her feelings on the matter, at least as far as her husband was concerned, as she searched the dark depths of his, Aaron could see, much to his relief, that she would hold no grudge against him. A fact that was confirmed as she pulled her hand from his to cup his cheek as she offered, a slight smile curling the edges of her lips;

"You know you are, I'm sorry that I said what I said downstairs, at least to you. You weren't trying to intentionally hide anything from me."

Seeing the determined look in her eyes, he wasn't surprised when she ventured;

"My brothers, however, are another story."

Rising from the chair, she made her way to the bedroom door as she issued;

"And I think that I will be taking care of THAT matter right now."

Opening the door she glanced over her shoulder;

"Are you coming, darling; I have the feeling you've been waiting for quite some time to see what's about to take place."

Despite the knowledge of just how well deserved what his brothers in law were about to receive truly was, Aaron still couldn't help but feel sorry for them as he joined her at the door;

"Lead the way, love."

Pouring herself a small drink from the whiskey decanter that Jason had brought from the living room cabinet, Lottie ventured;

"Well, the roof hasn't blown off the house yet, so that's a good sign."

Before anyone could speculate further, Jemma glided into the kitchen, followed closely by Aaron, a determined look gracing her features as she launched in;

"Alright, Aaron and I have discussed things, and I've had my say with my husband and we've resolved any issues we may have had, so,"

All who had been involved earlier couldn't help but shiver slightly as they felt the emerald chill as she pinned each in turn with her eyes;

"now, my darling brothers and sisters in law, it's your turn."

Letting her eyes glide from Julie to Candy, she could see the deep sense of guilt they felt as they lowered their eyes to stare at the tabletop. However, she also knew that, just as she would have honored such a request from her husband, they too were just as honor-bound, that being the case she knew she couldn't blame them for their silence. Her face reflecting her thoughts, she shook her head as she alleviated her sisters in law's and best friends' fears;

"I can't be angry with you, Candy, or you either, Julie. I know that Jeremy and Jason make you promise not to say anything, and considering that I would do the very same thing if Aaron were to ask me, I can't fault either of you."

Offering both a smile that conveyed her sincerity, she was glad to see their fears relieved as they breathed a sigh of relief, although they couldn't

help but feel concern for their husbands as her warm smile turned almost as chilly as her eyes as she turned to face her brothers, beginning with Jason;

"Now, I do believe that brings us to you, big brother."

Folding her arms across her chest, she ordered sharply;

"Jason, I want you to take a look at me, a good long look, and tell me just what it is you see."

Somewhat puzzled, Jason did as she requested before offering a smile full of pride before stating confidently;

"I see my beautiful baby sister, Pixie; what should I see?"

Jemma gave a slight shake of her head as she sighed in frustration;

"That's what I thought and I imagine that's about the same thing that you, Jeremy, and you, Joshua see as well; or am I wrong?"

The three elder Bolt siblings turned to each other as Jeremy offered a slight shrug;

"But, Pixie you ARE our baby sister."

Aaron could understand from the earlier conversation that he had overheard between her and Lottie, how his wife felt. Normally, when it came to issues between Jemma and her brothers, he tried not to interfere, however, he couldn't hold his tongue any longer as he shook his head before addressing his youngest brother in law;

"She may well be your baby sister, Jeremy, but she's not a baby, not anymore, she's a grown woman."

Seeing they were about to offer an argument, Jemma faced her eldest brother;

"Jason, when you three went to New Bedford, why did you leave me in charge of the camp?"

Jason could only stare at her in disbelief as he admonished;

"You know good and well why, Jemma Elysia, we knew that you'd make sure everything ran just as smoothly while we were away as things did with us here."

Jason's heart lurched at the pleading look he found in his sister's eyes as she sat in the chair in front of him to place her hand on his arm as she begged;

"If you can trust me enough to have left me in charge of our family's livelihood, after having just turned eighteen, then why, three years later after becoming a wife and a mother, can't you trust to include me in making decisions that affect, not just me, but my family as well?"

Knowing how sensitive her youngest brother had always been, when it came to the idea of hurting someone's feelings, especially someone he cared about, Jemma wasn't shocked as he rushed to assure her;

"Pixie, we never meant to hurt your feelings it's just that we know how close you and Josh are, and..."

Holding up her hand to stall him, she turned her head to lock eyes with Jeremy;

"I know that you never mean to hurt me, Jeremy and that it's done with the intentions of protecting me, more often than not, but don't you all understand; rather than protecting me, you're actually hurting me?"

Turning from Jason to Jeremy, she finally settled her gaze on Joshua before pointing out;

"The three of you make me feel as if you don't trust me when you do things like this; it's just a question of whether or not it's a general trust or trust that I have enough intelligence to deal with the matter at hand, or even trust that I can handle my own emotions, I'm just not sure which one is the case."

Reaching out to take her hand in reassurance, Josh shook his head furiously;

"We have full trust in you, Pixie, you know that."

Shaking her head sadly, Jemma denied her brother's statement;

"No, Josh, I really don't, not when you leave me out of things like this."

Josh found his heart sinking at the pain he saw in her eyes as she ventured softly;

"What hurts, even more, is the idea that you wouldn't think I would want what will make you happy, Josh. Do I want you to leave? No, I don't, but I want you happy and if that means you going to San Francisco and doing what will make you happy, then that's what I want for you. I'm not going to deny that I'll be sad about your leaving, but I also know that when you come home for visits that will give me something to look forward to and an appreciation for the time we spend together."

Noticing how Jason and Jeremy matched Josh's sentiments as all three lowered their head in embarrassed shame, Aaron placed his hands on his wife's shoulders as he cleared his throat;

"And there's something that I want to be understood between all of us, Jason, Josh, Jeremy."

Meeting their looks of curiosity with a level determined one of his own, Aaron decreed;

"I know what part of the fault lies with me for this and I accept that and accept my responsibility for it. But, I don't care the reason behind it, I'm not going to keep anything from Jemma EVER again, and I won't agree to make a promise to that effect either."

Shaking his head in frustration, Josh chastised himself as he offered;

"Aaron, Pixie, I'm sorry, it was wrong of me to make Aaron promise to keep ANYTHING from you. I was just so afraid of how upset you might be over this that I didn't think it all the way through when I decided to wait to tell you. I tried telling myself that, given tonight was supposed to be a celebration, and that since I felt like this was good news, you'd see if that way. But I guess what I was really thinking was that you'd be in such a good mood and so happy, that the idea of me leaving and going to San Francisco would be one that we could just gloss over. I'm sorry Pixie doll, I guess I marred what should have been your and Aaron's night."

Taking the hand he had placed on her arm in both of hers, Jemma sought to reassure him;

"It's alright, Josh."

Casting a wry look to her other two brothers she clarified;

"As long as we all understand each other. Although, I believe I have a solution to help ensure that we don't have any more of these types of 'misunderstandings'."

Finding his curiosity piqued at his sister's statement, Jason questioned;

"And just what 'solution' would that be, Pixie? Not that we won't try harder in the future, but what did you have in mind?"

Glancing up into her husband's dark eyes as she took his hand in hers to squeeze it affectionately, Jemma ventured;

"I've decided that since you all consult each other quite regularly now as it is, that what makes the most sense is if Aaron oversees my interests in the logging operation I know that he'll discuss everything with me since he generally does now anyway. But, this way, you're not worrying yourselves over trying to make sure I'm included, but my voice is still heard. Given how the interests of, both, the camp and the mill are about to expand and how fast decisions may have to be made I'm sure that will be for the best anyway. Speaking of which, when will this with San Francisco take place?"

Seeing the looks of question on his brothers in law's faces, Aaron offered;

"Well, our contact begins in February, I thought that, after the New Year, we would ship the first load of lumber and Josh would leave then. That way he can organize the warehouse the way he thinks best and get settled. I figured that he could just live in our house there and if he finds something later then so be it but he's perfectly welcome to call that home as long as he wants."

Aaron found himself relieved to see that she was taking the information in stride, something even more evident as she turned to Jason;

"Big brother, I believe you said something about a family vote earlier?"

Glancing from Josh to Jeremy, Jason was gratified to see that both wore smiles of relief to match his as he nodded;

"Alright, on the matter of Joshua going to San Francisco to represent our family's business interests, I vote yes."

Jason extended his arm to the middle of the table before turning to Julie;

"Darling?"

Nodding, she placed her hand on top of her husband's;

"I vote yes."

Motioning towards Josh, he offered;

"Joshua?"

Laying his hand on top of his sister in law's, Josh ventured;

"I vote yes."

Casting a questioning glance to Jeremy, Josh asked;

"Jeremy?"

Grinning, happy that the issue had been resolved, Jeremy offered his hand to the group;

"I vote yes too"

Turning to his wife, Jeremy questioned;

"Candy?"

Giving a slight nod of her head as she offered her brother in law a warm smile, Candy placed her hand over her husband's;

"Me too."

Jason looked up at their brother in law before demanding;

"Aaron?"

Meeting his wife's gaze and knowing that everything would be fine, Aaron shifted his position to place his arm around her shoulders as he stood closer to the table before extending his hand;

"I vote yes."

Jason couldn't help but feel pride in the fact that he had helped raise such a remarkable woman as he offered;

"Pixie, how do you vote?"

Glancing to Josh, Jemma offered her brother a smile filled with love and adoration as she nodded before placing her hand over her husband's;

"For Josh's happiness? I vote yes."

Breathing a sigh of relief that things were now settled with his family, Duncan motioned towards his watch as he suggested;

"Well then, now that things are settled betwixt ya's, and unless there's no other business to be discussed, don't ya's think that it might be time to call it a night? Mind ya, it's after midnight now."

Shaking his head, as he reached into his hip pocket, Aaron corrected;

"Actually, Duncan, there is one other piece of business that I need to deal with."

Seeing the shock in his wife's eyes as she spun in her chair to look up at him, ignoring everyone present, Aaron caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers as he reminded;

"As your uncle said, love, it's after midnight which means that, as of today, we've been married one year. Jemma darlin, I've had more happiness and love then I thought it ever possible to have in my life and it's all thanks to you and our children."

Shaking his head, he confessed;

"After Ellen, I didn't think it was possible that I'd ever care about another woman, at least not until that day about five years ago now when I took you in my arms for the first time. I owe you a huge debt, sweetheart, because what I thought love was supposed to be is nothing compared to what I found it to truly be with you, darlin."

Unable to contain his smile, Aaron requested;

"Do me a favor, love, close your eyes for me."

Seeing the puzzlement written on her face as she began to speak, Aaron placed his finger against her lips before shaking his head;

"No questions, darlin, just humor me, please."

Taking her slight nod as her agreement Aaron waited until her eyes were closed before encircling her slender neck with both arms to fasten the clasp of the silver chain he was holding amid the wide-eyed and shocked stares of their family and friends. Satisfied that the necklace was secure, Aaron offered softly;

"Open your eyes, Jemma love."

Jemma knew as she felt her husband's hands against her neck that he had given her a piece of jewelry, but nothing could have prepared her for what she found as she opened her eyes to glance down and stare in wide-eyed amazement at just how extravagant he had truly been. Lowering himself to sit on his heels to put him on eye level with his wife, Aaron held the elegantly curved silver cross in his hand as he explained;

"I know what you're about to say; I shouldn't have done this, but this isn't something that I bought for you in a jewelry store, love; this cross belonged to my mother."

Her eyes reflecting how touched she was by the gesture, Jemma ventured softly;

"Your mother? Honey, isn't this something that..."

Shaking his head furiously, Jemma found herself even more touched as he explained;

"I know what you're going to say, sweetheart and the answer is; no. You see, just before she died, my mother gave me this and made me promise that one day, I would give this to the girl I wanted to share my life with, however, she made me promise that I wouldn't give it to her until our first wedding anniversary, which, as of midnight, is today. I did, however, want to add to it and I believe that Mother would have approved."

Pointing to each in turn, he explained the different stones that had been set into the cross;

"I had these stones added for specific reasons; the sapphire in the center is because we were married in September, the emerald at the top is for my birthday in May and the green stone at the bottom is called a Peridot, that's for you because your birthday is in August."

Understanding dawning on her, Jemma motioned towards the twin pearls; one set at each end of the crossbar before speculating;

"And the pearls are because the twins were born in June; aren't they?"

Nodding, he placed his hand against her cheek;

"I wanted you to have that, not just because of the promise I made to my mother, but because I wanted you to have something that shows just how much you and our children mean to me, that's why I had those birthstones added to it, sweetheart."

Her face lighting with realization, Holly piped up;

"Yer promise to yer ma, that's why you waited till after midnight to give it to her, ain't it? So it'd be officially yer first anniversary."

His eyes never leaving his wife's, Aaron nodded;

"Yes, Holly, that's why."

Placing her hand over his as he held the cross in his palm, Jemma laced her fingers through his as she swallowed hard, touched beyond words at just how much thoughtfulness and meaning he had put behind the gift. Before she could say anything more, Lottie cleared her throat discreetly as she rose from the table to suggest;

"Well, since it is after midnight, I think it's time that we leave these two alone and get home to find our own rest."

Candy, seconding the motion, nudged her husband as she rose to add;

"Oh my yes, I'm sure that Grandpa has Molly and Christopher all tucked in but they were so excited you just never know."

Each offering their own excuses to leave in turn, as well as their farewells and congratulations on the couple's anniversary, Jemma wasn't surprised when Josh hugged her close as he asked softly;

"Did you really mean it, Pixie, what you said about me being happy?"

Pulling away slightly, Jemma offered her brother a slight smile of sincerity as she nodded;

"Yes, Jubber, I really did mean it, just as you meant it a year ago. If this is what you want then I want it for you."

Placing a kiss on his sister's cheek as he embraced her tightly, Josh issued a quiet;

"Thank you, Pixie."

before hurrying out the door. Waiting a moment after their brother left, Jason stood for a moment studying his sister before reaching out to take the cross in his hand before turning to his brother in law to offer;

"Aaron, there's something I think I owe you; a big thank you."

Shocked, Aaron demanded;

"For what, Jason?"

Placing his hand on his sister's cheek, Jason bent to place a kiss on her forehead before answering;

"For making my baby, I mean my LITTLE sister a very happy woman and for taking such excellent care of her."

Looking into his sister's eyes, Jason vowed;

"I can't promise that I won't still want to try and protect you from time to time, Pixie, but I CAN promise you that I will try to remember that you're a grown woman with a family of your own and not a baby who needs someone to make her decisions. Fair enough?"

Jemma gave a short laugh as she hugged her brother before nodding;

"That's more than fair enough, big brother."

Finally, once the door was closed and secured, Jemma began gathering the cups from the table to place in the sink as Aaron helped set their kitchen to rights again. Jemma had just picked up the dishtowel to begin drying the, now, clean cups when, without a word, Aaron closed the distance between them to pluck the towel from her hands before shaking his head as he tossed the cloth on the counter before bending to sweep her up in his arms;

"I don't think so, not tonight, love."

They were halfway to the staircase before Jemma could offer;

"But, Aaron, honey, I never leave..."

Holding her closer against his chest, he hurried up the staircase as he stated in no uncertain terms;

"Tonight, you do, Jemma love."

Once they reached their bedroom, Aaron slowly lowered her to stand in front of him as their eyes met and they found themselves lost in each other's gaze. Seeing the combination of love and adoration shining in his wife's eyes, Aaron couldn't help but compare them to brilliantly bright emeralds as his hand seemed to move of its own volition to her cheek; something that found his chest rising and falling heavily as she closed her eyes as if savoring the feel of his caress against her cheek. Giving in to his urge, Aaron's hands quickly found the pins and combs that held her hair in place and make quick work of removing them; pulling the last pin free from her hair, he watched, transfixed as, reflexively, she gave a shake of her head to send the glorious, curling mass to fall free down her back to just above her waist as, slowly, he circled to stand behind her as he reached out to drop the pins and combs he held into the small dish on her dressing table before wrapping his arm around the front of her waist to, gently, pull her back against him before letting his fingers slide through the silken strands as he pushed her hair to the side as his mouth sought the sensitive skin at the side of her slender neck.

Jemma couldn't help the shiver of pleasure that ran through her as she felt her husband's warm breath flowing over her skin as his mouth caressed the side of her neck, leaving her pliant in his arms. Lifting her hand to begin removing her jewelry, she found it soon stayed as Aaron placed his over top of hers;

"No, Jemma love, let me."

With that, he slowly and methodically began by gently removing her earrings before claiming the tender and sensitive flesh of the lobes of her shell-like ears between his lips as he gently tugged, letting his teeth gently graze the soft skin, a sensation that found Jemma growing weak with desire, a fact not lost on Aaron as he felt her leaning against his chest and into his embrace. Placing a gentle, lingering kiss on the graceful curve of her neck, Aaron offered;

"It's like history repeating itself, isn't it, love? Would you like me to help you with your gown?"

Sighing in contentment, Jemma simply nodded as Aaron brushed his lips against her cheek before turning her to face him as he wrapped his arm around her waist as his hand began slipping the hooks free that held the bodice of her gown together, exposing the pale skin of her chest. Freeing the last hook, Aaron slid the flat of his hand inside her bodice to slide his palm upwards from the flat of her stomach towards her breasts, lingering momentarily in a loving caress before continuing on its path before finally pushing the gown from her shoulders to collapse at her feet. Jemma couldn't help but comply as she felt the slight gentle pressure of her husband's arm at her back as Aaron gently pulled her closer to him as his fingers slid in a gentle caress to trace the path of a journey that, no matter how many times traveled, seemed just as new and wondrous every time it was taken.

Giving herself up to the swelling flood of desire rising from the center of her being, Jemma gave free rein to her instincts as they dictated how she responded to her husband, something not lost on Aaron as he felt the touch of her delicate fingers spreading over the top of his shoulder as her other hand went to work freeing the buttons of his shirt until he felt the soft whisper of her fingers against the solid flesh of his chest as she pushed the fabric down his arms and away from his body. Lifting her eyes to meet his, Jemma could see that he was just as overcome by the desire and passion that he felt by the brilliant glow in his dark eyes, which reminded Jemma of smoldering embers of coal. Curving her arm about his neck as she enjoyed the feel of the warm skin of his chest beneath her palm, Jemma wet her lips before reminding her husband;

"You told me on our wedding night to always follow my instincts and just act naturally when I responded to you."

Giving a slight shake of her head as the thought curved her lips in a seductive smile, she confessed;

"I can't imagine responding to you in any other way, my love. You asked me once if I had any idea what I do to you; the question should really be, do you have any idea of what you do to me, my darling heart?"

Although the power that came from their love, desire, and passion for each other was something held mutually between them, Aaron still couldn't help but feel in awe of her admission regarding the effect he had over her. Although his logical mind knew that it was somewhat arrogant, he couldn't help the sense of pleasure that it gave him to realize the power the feel of his touch had over his wife as his fingers glided over the soft skin of her brow before tracing the curve of her cheek to the line of her mouth. Spreading his fingers across her cheek he watched, fascinated, as her eyes, glowing brilliantly from the passion he had roused in her, closed in ecstasy as he gently swept the pad of his thumb back and forth across her soft lips. Aaron found himself hard put to control the heavy rise and fall of his chest at the sight of his wife, so enraptured by the passion and want that he was arousing within her, as she stretched her body in ecstasy, brushing against his before arching in pleasure as she sighed in delight, her warm breath rushing from between her slightly parted lips, something that reminded Aaron of a breathy caress as she moaned in pleasure;

"Oh, Aaron, my darling, you have no idea just what it is that you do to me."

Aaron let the hand against her cheek glide lightly down the delicate skin of her neck before the back of his fingers grazed lightly over the skin of her left shoulder to brush the lace strap of her chemise down the pale skin of her arm before lowering his arm to wrap around her waist as he slid the palm of his right hand over her waist to begin its journey upwards until it reached the pale smoothness of her right shoulder to slide under the strap of her chemise before dragging it down her arm, sending the garment to float softly before landing on top of gown, exposing her body to his gaze. Pulling her closer Aaron brushed his cheek against hers before brushing a whisper-soft kiss near her ear as he slid the palm of his hand over the soft flesh of her breast before commanding softly;

"Tell me, sweet Jemma, tell me what it is I do to you, my little love."

Her breathing rushed, Jemma savored the feel of the muscle and flesh she felt beneath her hands as she caressed her husband's back and shoulders while enjoying the flame of sensations that he was igniting in her as his hands played masterfully over her body. Turning her head slightly to look into his eyes as she placed her hand against his cheek, breathless, Jemma confessed;

"You make me melt, that's what you do to me. All it takes is the feel of your touch, your hands on my body, the feel of your mouth on mine, the way you look at me, just even the sound of your voice when you say my name, let alone when you take me in your arms, and that's all it takes. I want to give everything I have to you and even when I don't think it's possible, I want to find a way to give you more THAT'S what you do to me, Aaron love."

Aaron wrapped his arm around her shoulders as he wrapped his other arm about her waist to cradle her against his chest. Lowering his head, his voice rough with the desire and passion he felt for the woman in his arms, Aaron offered;

"That's why we're so perfect for each other, Jemma love because we can't get enough of each other, we both want to give as much as we take and neither of us can ever get our fill of the other."

Covering her mouth with his, Aaron demonstrated his theory of their need as he drank his fill from her eager lips, both giving as much as they took from the other. His breathing labored with the efforts to contain his passion, Aaron slid his lips from hers as he caressed her cheek with his; his control almost spent, he found himself infinitely relieved as he felt the touch of his wife's soft lips against his ear as she begged;

"Aaron, darling, please."

Needing no further encouragement, Aaron swept her up into his arms as he crossed the space between where they stood and their bed in quick strides to lay her gently in the middle before he quickly removed the last of his clothing before stretching out next to her as they came together, both eager to lose themselves in the other's embrace. In the afterglow of their lovemaking, Jemma laid contentedly in her husband's arms, grazing her fingers lightly back and forth over the smooth, tanned skin beneath her hand as her head lay on his broad chest. Hearing the soft sound of her sighs, Aaron let his fingers play over the pale softness of the skin of her shoulder and arm as he chuckled slightly, something that drew his wife's attention as she felt the slight shake and heard the deep rumble of his chest. Shifting slightly, Jemma crossed her arms over his chest to rest her head upon them as she looked up at her husband;

"And just what's so amusing, my love?"

Pushing her hair over her shoulder, Aaron let his hand linger near her cheek as he studied the picture she made; laying on his chest, her eyes filled with love and contentment, a lazy smile curling the corners of her soft full lips. Giving in to the temptation she presented, Aaron ran the tip of his finger lightly against her lips;

"What I find amusing, my sweet angel is that, when you sigh with contentment and satisfaction that way, you remind me of a purring kitten."

Enjoying the intimacy they shared, Jemma closed her eyes as she confessed;

"I have to admit, love that happens to be what I feel like at this moment."

Letting his fingers brush through her hair, Aaron used the arm across her back to push her up slightly as he raised his head to meet her soft lips with his in a lingering kiss before lifting his head to notice the wide-eyed look of concern in her eyes as she lamented;

"Oh, Aaron, I'm so sorry, honey, I didn't get you anything for our anniversary."

Disbelief showing in his eyes, Aaron demanded;

"Jemma sweetheart, are you serious?"

Cupping her face with his hands, he reminded;

"Darlin, aside from that copy of Great Expectations that you gave me for my birthday, do you happen to remember the little boy and girl sleeping in the next room that you gave birth to about three weeks later? As far as our anniversary, what you just 'gave' me was something that many men would count themselves lucky to have just once in their lifetime, I'm blessed to be able to spend the rest of my life receiving that 'gift' from you. I meant what I said earlier, Jemma love; the day you gave me your heart and married me, you gave me a 'gift' that nothing else could compare to."

Sliding his hand under the chain of her necklace to lay the cross pendant in his palm, Aaron's tone softened;

"And as if that weren't enough, you gave me the opportunity to keep the promise that I made to my mother by being the type of woman that you are; one who I have no doubts deserves to wear this. Not to mention, five years ago I dreamed of the day that I could fasten this around that beautiful neck of yours; so you, my sweet love, have given me a gift that I waited a long time for."

Brushing his lips across her brow, he offered;

"So thank you, my sweet, darling wife."

Capturing his hand, Jemma brought it to her lips before holding it against her cheek as she offered softly;

"Oh, Aaron, you treat me like I'm a queen, but you act as if the smallest thing that I do is the greatest gift that you've ever received."

Squeezing her fingers before easing his hand from their grasp, Aaron stroked her hair from her face as he offered, his voice full of love and adoration;

"Jemma, angel, you may not be a queen, but let me assure you that you are most definitely MY queen. Why do you think I call Amie 'my princess'?"

Touching the tip of her nose with his finger, he chuckled in amusement;

"And don't you ever forget it either."

Aaron could see the love and tenderness in his wife's eyes at his declaration, he could also see the fatigue of the day showing, something that prompted;

"And now, my little love, I think that you and I have had a full day, you especially, and I know that I could use some rest and if I could then I know you can too."

Shifting her so that she was curled against his side, Aaron dimmed the lamp and quickly realized the truth of his observation as he soon noticed the change in her breathing and realized that she had fallen asleep. Aaron laid awake considering just how thankful he was; thankful that Jemma was fine with what was taking place in the family's business, thankful that she was glad for the opportunities that Josh was able to seize thanks to those business opportunities, and most especially, thankful for the woman sleeping securely in his arms. Studying her face, relaxed in sleep with a slight smile gracing her lovely face, Aaron found the corners of his own mouth turning up as he leaned over to place a soft kiss on her cheek as he whispered in a tone of full of adoration, tinged with amusement;

"Good night, my queen."

Holding her closer, Aaron shifted slightly before closing his eyes to follow his wife to find his rest for the night.

EPILOGUE

Candy watched in amusement as Christopher called excitedly;

"NO, JACOB! GIVE ME THAT!"

just before hurrying to catch up as the infant quickly crawled across the floor, something that his parents and all the adults in his and his sister's life

still found astounding given that they had begun doing so just short of six months old. Looking up from the box of ornaments that she was sorting, Jemma couldn't help but smile with amused pride as she laughed;

"What's the matter, Christopher, is he getting faster?"

Christopher huffed slightly as Jacob stopped to roll over to plop on his bottom as he looked up at the boy, obviously amused given the cackle of amusement he offered as he held his hand out to offer him the string of popcorn garland that he had tried to abscond with. Unable to remain irritated with the infant, Christopher shook his head;

"Aunt Jemma, do all babies move as fast as Jacob?"

Bracing her elbow on the arm of the chair that she was sitting in, Jemma rested her chin in her hand and looked as if she were giving the matter some thought before offering;

"I'm not really sure, Christopher. I think that every baby grows and learns in their own time and in their own way."

Setting a cup of cocoa on the table next to her, Lottie ventured;

"Well, given who his mother and father are, is it any wonder that he's in such a hurry?"

Stopping near the stairs where Jacob had chosen to sit, Lottie bent to take the child in her arms before cuddling him closely, something that found Jacob giggling as he waved his arms in excitement at receiving attention from one of his favorite people. Lottie couldn't help but laugh with him as she predicted;

"Considering how eager he is to get from one place to the next, not to mention determined, I'm willing to bet that he's going to be just like his father."

Setting the box of ornaments on the table before taking up her cup of cocoa, Jemma couldn't help but smile proudly;

"I hope so, Lottie, I certainly hope so."

Securing the garland to the fireplace mantel, Molly stood back to admire her work before asking proudly;

"Does this look alright, Candy?"

Looking up from the stocking that she was sewing, Candy nodded eagerly;

"It looks beautiful, Molly. Thank you."

Noticing the distant look in her sister in law's eyes, Jemma couldn't help but ask;

"Candy, are you alright, you seem sort of faraway lately;

Dismissively waving her hand, Candy simply shook her head;

"Oh it's nothing, I was just thinking about Jeremy's Christmas present, Jemma, that's all."

Before Jemma could give the matter any further thought they heard Julie's excited voice call from the dining room table, where she was securing the candles into their tree holders;

"Amie, no, sweetie! I don't think Mommy would appreciate it if I let you eat a candle, even if you do have your first tooth."

Jemma found herself laughing as she rose from her chair to approach her daughter, who, as soon as she saw her mother, dropped the small stick of wax before lifting her arms in expectation as her small fists opened and closed eagerly. Retrieving the candle as she took her daughter in her arms, Jemma shook her head in amusement as she laughed;

"Now look, baby girl, I know that you're curious about a lot of things, but how a candle tastes shouldn't be one of them. Besides, I saw Daddy sneaking you and your brother a bite of his eggs this morning when he didn't think that I was looking. You'll have everyone thinking that I don't feed you properly."

Placing a kiss on her daughter's cheek, Jemma laughed as Amie tried to mimic her mother's actions by placing her mouth against her cheek before opening and closing her lips in an attempt to return the kiss. Finding joy in her daughter's latest achievement, Jemma laughed as she turned to her sister in law;

"What about you, Julie, have you gotten Jason's gift yet?"

Her eyes lowered as she focused on the task at hand, Julie nodded;

"Yes, I just hope he'll be happy when I give it to him."

Lifting her head, Julie reached up to take her niece's small fingers in hers to smile happily as she tilted her head in curiosity before asking;

"What about you? Have you gotten Aaron's Christmas gift?"

Focusing her attention on entertaining her daughter, Jemma simply offered;

"Yes, I'm just not sure if he'll like it or not."

Noticing Amie's yawn Jemma glanced to where Lottie sat holding Jacob, who was fast asleep, to realize that her theory regarding her children's need for a nap was accurate. However, before she could move towards the staircase, Molly offered;

"Aunt Jemma would you like me to take Amie upstairs for her nap?"

Rising from her chair, Lottie offered;

"I'll take Jacob for you, he's sound asleep."

Handing Amie to Molly, Jemma agreed;

"Yes, Molly, thank you that would be very nice."

Glancing about, Jemma offered her gratitude;

"By the way, thank you both for suggesting that we celebrate Christmas here, not to mention, helping me decorate the house and all the cooking."

Tying off a knot on the last stocking, Candy reminded;

"Oh, Jemma, it's nothing. Besides, it's only right that we celebrate Jacob and Amie's first Christmas in their home."

Hearing the conversation as she came down the staircase, Lottie quipped;

"IF their father, uncles, and Clancey get a tree, that is."

Jemma couldn't help but laugh as she remarked;

"Lottie, considering that we sent three loggers, a lumber mill owner, and Clancey out to find one, how on earth could they not come back with a tree? I mean, what could possibly go wrong?"

Waving her hands in a carefree gesture, she ventured;

"Well, considering that Clancey took a full bottle of whiskey with him, they may decide to get the tree drunk and wait for it to fall over on its own."

Jemma, Candy, and Julie met each other's looks of amusement and realized that they were all trying desperately hard to contain their laughter. However, they soon found their battle lost when Christopher demanded in disbelief;

"Candy, Jeremy, Uncle Jason, Uncle Aaron, Uncle Josh, and Uncle Clancey wouldn't REALLY get the tree drunk; would they? I mean how would we make it stands straight?"

Turning to look at the boy before turning to face each other, the three women found they could no longer contain their laughter as they imagined their husband, brothers, brothers in law, and Clancey in the woods, trying to share a bottle of whiskey with an unsuspecting tree. Gaining control of her laughter, Candy observed;

"Jemma, I have to admit the meal you planned is going to be fantastic."

Sighing in resignation, having made her peace sometime before with her brother's quickly approaching departure, Jemma nodded;

"Well, I wanted to make certain I fixed all of Josh's favorites."

Placing her hand on the girl's shoulder, Lottie asked sympathetically;

"So you're REALLY okay about this?"

Turning to take her adopted mother's hand in hers, Jemma offered her a genuine smile as she nodded;

"I am REALLY okay with this. I want Josh to be happy and if San Francisco is what will help make him happy then that's what I want for him. Besides, it's not really THAT far away and a certain husband of mine owes me a honeymoon."

Hearing the sound of the buckboard outside, Candy observed brightly;

"They're back! I wonder how big the tree is?"

Jemma couldn't help but offer a slight laugh;

"Well, if I know Aaron, considering it's our babies' first Christmas, we'll be lucky if the top doesn't touch the top of the roof."

Hurrying to the door, Jemma opened it as the men, having unloaded the tree, hurried inside to set it upright before Josh demanded;

"Alright, Pixie just where would you ladies like us to put the tree?"

After the placement of the tree had been decided, the ladies left the men to the task of setting up the tree as they made their way to the kitchen to see to the refreshments that they had planned for everyone's enjoyment as they decorated. Once the tree was decorated and after the evening meal had been finished, Benjamin, who, along with Duncan and Holly, had joined the festivities, turned to Candy to venture;

"You know, Poppet, I don't think I can remember a happier Christmas since the last Christmas you, me, Hoppy, and Moppet were all together. Of course, now, we have more family to celebrate with and a lot to be very thankful for."

Glancing about the room, Jeremy couldn't deny the truth of his grandfather in law's statement. Jeremy couldn't help but feel blessed as he watched Josh entertain Molly and Christopher; glad that his brother was finally getting the opportunity to spread his wings that he had always seemed to want. Turning to where his eldest brother sat with his wife, Jeremy was grateful that Jason had found Julie and for the love and happiness that they shared between them, something that he knew Jason had always dreamed of but never thought he would find. Jeremy found his attention drawn to the floor, where his sister and brother in law sat on a quilt, playing with their children, as Amie cooed and giggled as Aaron swung his daughter in the air before cuddling her close to his chest as he laughed;

"I'm guessing you think that's fun; huh, Princess?"

Jemma couldn't help but laugh lovingly at her husband and daughter's play, especially when Jacob began giggling as he held his mother's fingers tightly in his small fists before looking from his father to his mother as he bounced up and down on his bottom as if trying to propel himself to a standing position. Studying the scene in front of him and grateful that his sister had found such happiness, Jeremy, thinking on Benjamin's statement, found himself venturing;

"We definitely have more to be thankful for than most, that's for sure, especially since it's mine and Candy's, and Jason and Julie's first Christmas, married. Plus, it's Jacob and Amie's first Christmas."

Unable to help himself, Jeremy sighed longingly as he took Candy's hand in his before venturing;

"Of course what will make it even more perfect is when we're celebrating our own baby's first Christmas."

Noticing her silence, Jeremy furrowed his brow in contemplation as he asked quietly;

"Candy, honey, why aren't you saying anything?"

Leaning forward in his chair, Benjamin reached across to cup his granddaughter's chin in his hand as he studied her face before questioning;

"Poppet?"

Looking from her husband to her grandfather and then back to her husband, Candy blushed delicately as she ventured quietly;

"Well, then I guess that next Christmas will be a perfect Christmas for us."

Jeremy could only stare at his wife, his mouth hanging open in shock as he stammered;

"You mean that ya you're, gonna, gonna, we're gonna have..."

Candy couldn't help but laugh lightly;

"Yes, we're going to have a baby. Merry Christmas, sweetheart."

Taking her in his arms and, oblivious to everyone else's presence, Jeremy kissed his wife before holding her close to him as he vowed;

"Oh, Candy, other than your agreeing to marry me, THIS is the BEST present I could have ever hoped for. I love you!"

Jason couldn't help but feel his heart swell with happiness for his youngest brother as he offered;

"Candy, Jeremy, congratulations. I'm happy for you both, it's a truly fortunate man who can say he's about to become a father."

Cleaning her throat, Julie glanced up at her husband to venture;

"Then I guess that you're a truly fortunate man, darling,"

Everyone present stopped short of what they were doing, although Julie's statement seemed to be lost on her husband, a fact made even more evident as he questioned;

"What was that, Julie sweet?"

Her announcement was not lost on the rest of the family, even Christopher and Molly seemed aware of the implication of Julie's words as Molly quietly asked;

"Uncle Josh, does Aunt Julie mean what I think she does?"

Glancing towards her, Josh ventured quietly;

"If you think that she means she's having a baby, Molly, I'm not exactly sure myself, sweetie."

Turning to face her husband, Julie took his hand in hers as she clarified;

"You said that any man that is about to become a father is a fortunate man; I said that you are a fortunate man."

His eyes widening in shock, Jason sat, as if frozen, for a moment before his face broke out in a broad smile;

"Julie, are you saying that...?"

Unable to contain her smile of happiness and joy, Julie wrapped her arms around her husband's neck as she looked into his eyes;

"Jeremy and Candy won't be the only ones celebrating their baby's first Christmas next year since it will be our baby's first Christmas too."

Happy for his sister's news, Aaron rose from his place on the floor with Amie in his arms to place a kiss on her cheek as he offered;

"Congratulations, Julie, Jason."

Turning to face his youngest brother in law and his wife, Aaron offered;

"To you too, Jeremy and Candy."

Noticing their children's crankiness, Jemma suggested;

"Aaron, honey I think these two are ready to call it a night."

Before she could rise, Duncan motioned to Holly before offering;

"Why don't ya give the wee ones to me and Holly, Jemma lass and we'll be more than happy to settle em down for the night for ya's."

Accepting the offer, Aaron nodded;

"Thank you, Duncan, that would be nice of you and Holly."

Turning his attention to his daughter, Aaron hugged her close;

"Good night, princess, Mommy and Daddy will be up in a bit to finish tucking you in."

Once they had gotten their hugs and kisses from their parents, aunts, and uncles, as well as Molly, Christopher, Lottie, and Clancey, Duncan and Holly took them upstairs to settle them for the night. Noticing the strange look that Lottie wore, Clancey touched her hand;

"Lottie darlin, are ya alright?"

Patting his hand fondly, she nodded;

"Of course, Fish Face, I was just thinking about how exciting it's going to be with so many babies. Not to mention the thought of Jason AND Jeremy becoming fathers simply boggles the mind."

Nodding his understanding, Clancey rubbed his hands together in glee as he suggested;

"I think given the joyful nature of the two lovely Mrs. Bolts' news that it only proper for us to celebrate with a drink."

Shaking his head in amusement at Clancey's logic, Aaron made his way to the liquor cabinet, he wasn't surprised when he found himself joined by his wife to help pour drinks for everyone to celebrate Candy and Julie's news. Once the drinks had been handed out, Lottie offered;

"Alright, I propose a toast; to Candy and Julie and the future additions to the Bolt-Stempel family."

Taking a sip from his glass, Aaron found himself laughing, something that found Jemma asking;

"Aaron, honey, why are you laughing?"

Shaking his head in amusement, Aaron explained;

"I'm sorry love, but I was just thinking about all the jokes that your brothers made at my expense when we were expecting Jacob and Amie. You know, about how nervous I was, how overprotective they thought I was. Well, now they're in that club and it's my turn to crack the jokes."

Seeing the look on her face, Aaron rushed to assure her;

"Don't worry, Jemma love, I promise I won't give them too hard of a time."

Aaron couldn't help but wonder at the strange, secretive look on his wife's face; he couldn't help but find himself wondering even more as she sighed forlornly, something that found him concerned as he put his arm around her shoulders before demanding worriedly;

"Jemma, love, what's the matter? If the idea of me giving your brothers a hard time about their impending fatherhood bothers you so much then I won't do it; I'm sorry if I upset you."

Jemma drew closer to her husband's side to place her hand against his chest as she lifted her eyes to meet his;

"Oh, it's not that I'm upset at the idea of you finding amusement at Jeremy and Jason's impending fatherhood, especially given that they did the same with you before our babies were born, but I just don't see you wanting to do so when you're in that same situation yourself."

Amused, Aaron chuckled as he began to lift his glass to his lips as his wife stood, waiting for the implication of what she had just said to sink in. Sure enough, his brow furrowed in puzzlement as he took a sip before lowering the glass to cast a questioning glance at his wife;

"Jemma, sweetheart, don't you mean 'a situation that I WAS in'?"

Searching her eyes, the hope and shock brimming in his own, Aaron placed his glass on a nearby table as everyone turned to focus their attention on the couple as Aaron placed his hands on his wife's shoulders to turn her to face him as he prompted;

"Jemma?"

Aaron found his heart swell with love and happiness, something he didn't think possible given just how much of both he knew he already had inside of him where his wife and children were concerned, as he watched the smile filled with love, happiness, and joy grace her beautiful features and the delicate shade of pink that brought a natural blush to her cheeks as she placed her hands against his chest;

"No, my darling husband, I mean a situation that you are currently in, along with your brothers in law."

His eyes widening, Aaron cupped her face before clarifying;

"Jemma darlin, are you saying that we're going...?"

Giving a slight nod, she placed her hands over his;

"We're going to have another baby, Merry Christmas, love."

Ignoring everyone else's presence, Aaron lowered his head to claim his wife's mouth in a kiss filled with love, adoration, and appreciation before lifting his head to gaze into her eyes;

"Jemma love, do you have any idea how much I love you?"

Although she wasn't surprised by her husband's reaction, Jemma couldn't help but ask;

"Aaron, love, I didn't doubt that you would be happy, but you do realize that this means we will have three children; don't you?"

Hugging her close to him, Aaron laughed as he nodded eagerly;

"Yes, my sweet Jemma, I'm fully aware that we will have three blessings and I'm very happy about it, my little love."

Candy and Julie glanced at each other, their eyes wide in surprise at their sister in law's news. Realizing just what the announcement meant, Candy began waving her hands excitedly;

"Do you all realize what this means?"

As if the realization suddenly struck all three, Jeremy, Jason, and Aaron turned to each other as Jason, still in shock, ventured;

"It means that by this time next year there will be three new members of our family"

His eyes resting on the photograph of Amie and Jacob on the fireplace mantel, his eyes widened as he turned to his wife;

"Maybe more."

Unable to hide his amusement, Josh laughed;

"I can only imagine just how interesting things are about to become in Seattle with all three of you expecting at the same time."

Shaking his head, Josh, still laughing turned to Clancey and Lottie;

"Clancey, you're going to have to make sure to get all the latest gossip from Lottie between trips so that you can I can keep up with just how interesting things get."

Lottie sat silent, a look of quiet contemplation on her face as she watched her family celebrating the happy news of, not just one but, the three new lives they were going to be blessed with. Noticing the thoughtful look she wore, Clancey leaned closer to inquire;

"I sees that ya got somethin on yer mind, Lottie me dear; just what might that be, ifin I might ask?"

Waving towards the group in front of her, she offered thoughtfully;

"I was just remembering, Clancey; I was remembering a seventeen-year-old young man with a very heavy load on his shoulders, although to look at him now you would never have thought it possible that Jason Bolt was ever a scared young man. Or course it's also hard to believe that Josh was a skinny little boy who kept up with his baby brother and sister. Looking at Jeremy now I can hardly believe that he was ever such a shy withdrawn little boy, we have Candy to thank for that."

Placing his arm around her shoulders, Clancey nodded towards Jemma;

"And our little darlin there?"

It wasn't hard to see the pride she felt as Lottie smiled lovingly at her adopted daughter;

"I can hardly believe that the tiny baby I held all those years ago grew up to be the girl who ended up becoming Aaron Stempel's wife, not to mention the mother of his children, but she did."

Leaning closer, Clancey ventured;

"I'll tell ya's the part that I can hardly believe, Lottie me love, that those three little darlin's are ALL expectin a baby at the same time."

Giggling as she thought of Josh's earlier observation, Lottie couldn't help but speculate;

"I think Josh was right, Clancey, things are about to get very interesting in Seattle."

Nodding as he clinked his glass against hers, Clancey chuckled;

"Aye, that they are, Lottie me darlin, that they are."