The next morning Jon woke up later than the others. He went to the kitchen and saw that someone had started coffee. He looked outside and saw Bo in the side yard barefoot and shirtless, practicing some Taekwondo moves while Luke watched. Jon watched intrigued by what Bo was doing as Martha walked into the kitchen with Joey and Adam behind her.
"They're out there every morning at this time, even in the rain." Martha told Jon as she poured a cup of milk for Joey and Adam.
"Here you go."
"Thank you." They both said as they took the cups and started to drink. "You two want to see what Bo is doing?" Both boys nodded their heads.
"Go to him when you're done. He's next to the house with Luke." Adam was the first to finish and he placed his cup in the sink and ran outside. He ran to Bo and gave him a hug. Bo picked him up and swung him around several times, before he set him down. Adam than hugged Luke and sat down on his lap to watch Bo. It took Joey a couple of minutes to finish his milk. Martha held out her hand and he gave her his cup.
"Thank you." She told Joey. He smiled and went outside. "Bo-Bo!" He yelled as he opened the screen door and went running to him. Jon watched Bo turn around and pick up Joey. He swung him around just like he did to Adam and he set him down. Joey asked Bo something and Bo walked with Joey and Adam to the tire swing.
"What's the story with those two?"
"Didn't Ez tell you?" Martha spoke as she gathered the eggs and saugage to cook.
"Only that Bo was a sniper in Vietnam. Several medals for saving his unit."
"Not much more than that. Luke was there as well, but only for 2 weeks. Should never have been sent over. There was miscommunication between the units. Some didn't get the word that the US was pulling out until the final week." Martha replied as she put the sausage in the frying pan.
"Why don't they use guns?"
"Bo hasn't picked up a gun since he came home, not since..." Martha didn't finish her sentance, instead she started to scramble eggs in two different frying pans.
"Would you like to help me with breakfest?" Confused at the sudden change in the subject, Jon just simply answered the question.
"Sure."
"Plates are in the top cabinet, cups are next to them and the silverware is in that drawer." Jon got the plates down as Ezra walked into the kitchen.
"Morning, mom."
"Morning, Ez. You just wake up?"
"Yeah. Not use to waking up so early. How's Luke doing?"
"Doc said he'll be fine as long as he doesn't tear his stitches. Could you chop some wood today?" She asked as she continued to scramble the eggs in the frying pan.
"Yeah."
"I'll ask Jake to help you after school. He can stack the wood for you."
"What happened that Bo won't use a gun?" Jon asked Martha as he set the table.
"Almost killed Luke." Martha calmly stated as she started to load the serving plate up with eggs. "They went hunting one morning a couple weeks after they got home. Luke shot at a deer, that triggered a flashback for Bo. That's all they told us." As she finished, Luke walked into the kitchen from outside.
"Morning, hon." She told Luke as she continued making breakfast.
"Morning, ma."
"Breakfast is almost done." Luke walked to the sink to wash his hands as the two older boys ran into the house headed for the bathroom to wash their hands. The screen door slamming behind them.
"Jake! Vincent! No running in my house!" Martha scolded.
"Sorry, ma." They both replied as they headed to the bathroom.
"Hold up, boys." Jake and Vincent stopped in the hallway and turned towards Luke. "You got the eggs and milk?" Luke asked as he noticed that their hands were empty. The two boys looked at each other as Daisy and Isaac walked into the house with a bucket of milk and a basket of eggs.
"Here, Luke." Luke walked up to Daisy and Isaac as the older boys just stood there.
"Thanks, Daisy." Luke washed the eggs as Daisy put the milk in a container.
"Go wash your hands, now." Martha told them as Bo walked in with Joey and Adam.
"Yes, ma'am." They went to wash their hands as Bo helped Joey and Adam wash their hands in the kitchen sink.
"Here, Bo." Martha handed Bo a clean shirt to wear when he got done helping the boys.
"Thanks." Bo put on his shirt as the two youngest boys sat at the table. Several minutes later they all sat down for breakfast as Jesse walked in from a night out 'cooking'.
"Morning." Jesse said to everyone as he walked up to Martha and gave her a kiss.
"How ya doin' sweetheart?"
"The babies sure are kickin' this morning." Jesse placed his hand on her belly and smiled.
"Twins?" Jon asked.
"Yep, twin boys." Jesse proudly answered.
"How long can ya stay Ez?" Jesse asked his oldest.
"As long as I want. I got a job in Sweet Water as a duputy."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, sir. I was wondering if I could rent one of your old cabins. One that has electricity?"
"No, you may not." Jesse grinned when he saw the look on Ezra's face.
"You can live there rent free, Ez. As long as you pay the expenses."
"Thanks." Jesse nodded at that.
"When do you start?" Asked Martha.
"Next week."
"That's great news."
"Need any help moving?" Bo asked.
"No, I got my stuff in the Jeep already." They chatted as they all ate. After they got done eating, Jesse looked at the time.
"Best get a move-on. Bo, can you walk them to the bus stop?" Jesse asked.
"Yes, sir."
"I'll go with ya." Luke added.
"Bo-Bo, me too?" Bo turned and smiled at Joey.
"You too. Bring Simon." Joey ran to his room and came back with a stuffed tiger and waited by a chair for Bo. Bo gathered the younger sibling's shoes and lined them up on the porch. Bo opened the screen door, holding it open by standing in front of it. He yelled for the boys; who had gone to their rooms to change into their school clothes.
"Come on boys!" That got him a glare from Martha.
"Bo. Please lower your voice in the house."
"Sorry, ma." She walked up to him and placed her hand on his cheek.
"Thanks for helping out." Bo nodded his responce.
"You boys going fishing this morning?" She asked as the kids started to put on their shoes.
"Thinkin' about it. You want us to take Joey?" Bo asked as he helped Adam with his shoes.
"If you don't mind."
"It's no problem." Luke replied as he put the breakfast items away.
"There ya go. You got everything?"
"Yeah, Bo." Adam replied.
"Meet us outside." Adam nodded and went out the door as Bo knelt down again to help Joey.
"Joey, you mind Bo. No runnin' off." Joey nodded as Bo was tying his shoes.
When Bo got done tying Joey's shoes, he stood up. "Bo-Bo." Joey held out his hand and Bo took it. All the while Jon was watching from the living room. All the kids left for the bus with Bo and Luke walking behind them with Joey.