Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters except Noah and Nate Camden..
4th July 2012
*Kinkirk Houshold*
It was 7:00am on the Fourth of July and Mary snuggled into the blankets shivering a little as she moved closer to her husband, "Hmm, babe.. I'm cold", she whispered softly, her eyes still closed. Ben who had felt her moving around and shivering chuckled and kissed her forehead, pulling the blankets off him as he sat up, swiveling around till his feet touched the ground. He stood up and padded over to the air conditioner controls and turned it off and then padded back over to the bed and got back in, pulling the blankets back over him as he snuggled into Mary, cuddling her from behind, kissing her neck softly. "Mmm, Good morning baby", he said moving his lips from her neck to her shoulder.
"Good morning honey", she said as she turned around and slowly opened her eyes, smiling as she took in the handsome face in front of her. "How are you feeling today sweetie?". She stayed still for a moment thinking and then smiled softly, "I feel fine actually". He moved closer and rubbed her stomach, kissing her lips, "That's good babe, Want me to get you anything to eat?". She nodded and giggled as she felt her stomach growl with hunger, "I think that's a yes", he said as he stood up again and Mary also got up, smiling, "'You can stay in bed if you like babe" She shook her head as she put on her silk dressing gown, "No.. I was in bed most if yesterday and I feel fine today.. We also have to be at Mom and Dad's by eleven, so we need to get things ready".
She stood up on her tiptoes and pulled him closer to her by his robe and brushed her lips against his, "I love you Ben", she said softly gazing into his eyes. He smiled and kissed her lips back gently, his eyes searching hers, ""I love you Mary, I always have and always will". He chuckled softly as he picked her up in his arms and carried her downstairs and settled her at the table. He started to make some breakfast for them both and set down a cup of hot chocolate for her. "Thanks babe", she said as she took a sip of her drink and grabbed her iPad off charge and began to look at the list of things she needed to do before they left for her parents. Once he finished cooking breakfast, he came down and set her plate down and then sat at the table opposite her while they are in happy silence.
Once Mary finished her food, and drank the rest of her hot chocolate, she stood up and took hers and Ben's dishes over to the sink and rinsed them out before placing them in the dishwasher, "I would have done that Mare", Ben said as he stood up to walk over to her and wrap his arms around her. "I know Ben, but even though I am pregnant, I can still do all these normal things babe.. ", she had reassuring him as she pulled away and kissed his cheek. "I gotta make some a cake, some cupcakes and mars bar slice and then have a shower and get ready", she said as she giggled at his attempts to kiss her neck. "Mm, Okay babe.. I will go down to the market and grab anything else we will need for the day.. We also need to think how we are gonna tell everyone", he said winking as he walked away to head upstairs to get dressed.
Mary looked at her watch and noticed it was now almost 8:00am and she got all the thing she needed to make her desert foods out and began baking, pre heating the oven. She was feeling relaxed and happy today, and while she baked, she thought about how she was going to tell everyone and smiled wide as she thought that perhaps she could write it onto the cake. Ben came downstairs once he was dressed and poked his head into the kitchen, "Anything you need babe?". She smiled and stopped to grab her list from her bag, "Just what is on this list.. I also think I know how to tell everyone", she said as she handed him the note. "How Mare?", he asked looking curious. Mary smiled again as she told Ben her idea.. "I was thinking of writing it in icing on the cake". He nodded in approval, ""That sounds perfect actually babe".
"I'll see you soon babe", he said giving her a quick kiss as he grabbed his wallet and keys and headed out to the car, Mary waving, "Drive safe hon", she called out hearing the door close. Once he was out in the car, Mary turned her attention to her baking, stirring everything in, then putting the cake mix into the baking tray, and then placing it into the oven, sighing contently as she moved around the kitchen, opening the fridge and getting some more ingredients out to make the cupcakes and mars bar slice. As she was making the cupcakes, she smiled as she thought back to the first time that she taught Ben how to make some cupcakes for Savannah's school bake sale.
-Flash Back-
Sunday 7th November 2010
"Do I really have to do this babe?", Ben asked pouting playfully. Baking wasn't exactly his forte and being the macho tough firefighter that he was, he didn't know if baking was something he wanted to learn how to do. He didn't see it as a necessary skill to have for himself. Mary gave him her puppy dog eyes and pouted back at him, "But ppleaaasee baby.. ", she said looking at him, "Besides it's for your niece's school, do I have to get her on the phone to plead as well". She teased, giggling at him. He smiled and leant in to kiss her nose. "Hmmm.. Ohhh okay baby", he said sighing a little, knowing that he would do anything for both Mary and for his little niece Savannah. "Let's do this then baby".
She giggled again and smiled as she led him from the living room towards the kitchen and then led go of his hand as she looked around the kitchen and got the ingredients out of the fridge and cupboard, putting them on the counter and then got the mixer and the mixing bowl out. "Okay baby, come close so I can show you what we need to do babe". She waited till he walked closer and then she continued, "First we preheat the oven to 350 degrees". She walked over to the oven and preheated it, "Then we line the cupcake tray with the cupcake liners". She handed him the liners and got him to line them. "Now.. we gotta break the eggs", she said as she broke an egg on the side of the bowl and dropped the egg in and then handed one to Ben. "What you want me to do that babe?", he asked looking at her.
She nodded and smiled and he copied her actions and broke the egg into the bowl like a pro. She added the third egg and then she then read the directions, "Okay, we need to add the butter, vanilla extract, sugar, and buttermilk", she said as she measured each ingredient out and let Ben put the butter and vanilla extract in and she added the sugar and buttermilk. "Wonderful honey", She said kissing his cheek, feeling proud of him. "We then mix everything together", she said smiling as she put her hand mixer on and mixed them together well. "Is that all babe?", he asked as he rested his back onto the counter. She laughed softly and shook her head, "No, not yet.. We need something to hold the mix together", she said as she measured the dry ingredients out which consisted of flour, salt, cocoa powder, and baking powder.
As Mary got another bowl to put her next ingredients in, Ben smiled as he put his finger in the baking powder and then ran his fingers down each side of her cheeks, Mary giggling as she tried to wipe it off while Ben put some more on her forehead, "Bennn", she said trying to act serious while she was giggling. "Not fair babe".
He chuckled and smiled as he ran his finger along her nose, "You know you love me though". She leant in and kissed him giggling more, "Yes I do, now let's concentrate". She continued to add and mix all the ingredients together and then then poured the mix into the cupcake trays, and then taking it over and putting them into the oven for thirty minutes. "I'll clean up baby", he said as he kissed her lips and headed over to the sink. "I actually didn't mind that at all, it was kinda fun", he said as he washed the dishes. "I'm glad you think so babe".
Once they were cooked, Mary got out them out of the oven and sat them down to cool. It took about fifteen minutes for them to cool down and while she was waiting, she sat down at the table kitchen table where her laptop was and read through her news feed on Facebook smiling wide and shaking her head as she noticed a photo Ben put up of them baking the cupcakes. "When did you take this photo babe?", she asked curiously as he walked back into the kitchen, "I had it set up on my tripod to take photos of us". She shook her head in amusement and stood up, "Wanna decorate them, they should be cool now". He nodded and stood her up, pulling her over to the bench to start working on decorating the cupcakes.
Mary was falling even more for Ben knowing that even though he didn't want to do girly things like baking, he would do it simply for her and for their niece and it showed her that he was dedicated to her and to his family. As they decorated the cupcakes, he stood behind her and watched as she decorated each one lovingly, his lips kissing her neck and his hands closing on hers as he began to help her. "Thanks baby, for helping me.. I know it's not usually your thing", she said as she tiled her neck as little and let out a soft little moan, "Mm you are welcome sweetheart.. I would do anything for you", he said smiling as she finished decorating and put them into a container and turned around, she realized at that moment that she never wanted them to lose each other, "I love you", she whispered as she stood up on tiptoes to kiss him.
-End Flash-
4th July 2012
It was now just after 9:30am and Mary was decorating the cake and the cupcakes when Ben walked back into the kitchen. He smiled looking at her and then the cakes, "Mmm they look awesome a are". She smiled wide and turned to face him, "Thanks baby.. Almost done now and then I will go have a shower". Ben nodded and swiped his finger in the bowl and licked the frosting off his finger, "Mm do you remember that time when you taught me how to make cupcakes?". She laughed and nodded as she finished the last one and pushed the bowl over to him, "Yes, I do sweetie, it was wonderful". She showed him the cake, "Do you think that sounds good?", he looked at it and nodded, "Wow, that looks really good, I like what it says".
"Good, I hope everyone is excited". He smiled as he swiped his finger over the frosting and licked it off his finger. "I am sure they will be excited about it". She nodded, putting the cupcakes in the container and the walked past him, "I'm gonna go have a quick shower and get dressed". Ben nodded, "I'll get everything into the picnic basket". Mary headed out of the kitchen and walked up the stairs and into their bedroom. She smiled seeing Ben had made the bed and walked into the bathroom and then quickly undressed and got into the shower, washing herself and her hair and feeling really relaxed as she turned the taps off and got out, drying herself off. She wrapped a towel around her and one around her hair and then walked into her walk in wardrobe and found a flowing white dress with pink roses in it. Once she dressed, she took the towel off her head and dried it, straightening it and doing her makeup.
By the time she was ready, it was 10:30am and she was putting the final touches to her makeup. She never used to like wearing much makeup but as she grew older, she could appreciated it more. She still didn't wear a lot of makeup, just enough to bring out her natural beauty. She sat on the bed as she put her shoes on and stood up, grabbed her bag and took her iPhone off charge and walked out if the room and downstairs. Ben was all ready in jean shorts and a shirt, and he had managed to put everything they needed in the picnic basket and leant down to pick it and the cooler up to take out to the car. "Wow.. Mare.. You look amazing". She blushed a little and smiled, "Thank you sweetie, you look wonderful too". He walked out to the car and out everything in, "You ready to go Mary?".
"I'm ready", she said as she grabbed a jacket just in case and the keys, locking the door as she walked out, her heart melting as Ben opened the car door for her. "Awe, thanks honey". She pulled her seatbelt on as Ben did his up and started the car. "Wait.. Did you put the cakes in?", she asked as he began to back up. He nodded and chuckled as he continued to back out, "Of course I did Mare". She breathed a sigh if relief as he put the car into gear and drive off, her stomach getting nervous little butterflies wondering what they would all say when they finally found she was pregnant.
-Meanwhile at the Glasses-
Sarah, Matt and the twins had just finished a lovely brunch with Richard and Rosina, and the boys were running around with their grandfather squealing with joy as Matt and Sarah helped Rosina clean up. "Thanks for staying here for brunch Sarah, Matt.. I know today is a big day at your parents Matt, so we appreciate it". Matt nodded and smiled at his mother in law as he put a plate away. "It's our pleasure Rosina, we love spending time with you and Richard". He chucked as he heard his father in law playing with his kids, "And the kids love spending time with their grandparents". Rosina smiled and wiped the counter over, "As do we.. So does your parents know your plans yet?". Matt shook his head as he put some more plates away, "No, not yet.. We are planning on telling them today actually".
"Well I am sure Annie and Eric will be thrilled that you guys are coming home, we have all missed you". Sarah smiled as she washed the last of the mugs and put one arm around her mother, "We have missed all of you too". She said as her mother hugged her back. Matt put the mugs away and then looked at his watch, "Hey honey, it is twenty to eleven so we will need to get going soon". He said chuckling as his sons almost crash tackled into him giggling. Matt picked them both up set them on his hips and smiled, Sarah leaning in and kissing their foreheads, "You guys all ready to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house", she said her face lighting up with a grin as they squealed in delight and nodded, moving around letting their father know they wanted down. Once he set them down, they ran into the other room and grabbed their bags packing their toys quickly.
"We're ready", they both said in unison, grinning from ear to ear. They hadn't seen their grandparents and Aunts, Uncles and cousins in a while and were very excited to spend some time with them. The adults all laughed softly at their excitement and Sarah ruffled their hair smiling, "Okay, We better get going.. We are here for a few more days and then got to get back to work for our last two weeks there before coming home for good", she said speaking to her mother and father who nodded at her. "Okay sweetie, come see us before you go though, Rosina said as she knelt down to hug the twins and then picked them up so they could kiss Richard goodbye. "Of course we will Mom", Sarah said as she took Nate and Matt took Noah.
"Have you put all our bags in the car Matt?", she asked, turning to look at him, who nodded at her, "Yeah, as soon as we all got dressed I took them out to the car". She began walking to the front door, Her parents and Matt following her as they walked outside, "Okay.. We will talk later, have fun at the winery", Sarah said as she kissed her mother and father goodbye, and then helping the boys into their seats. Sarah and Matt got in the front and waved goodbye, Matt reversing and driving off. It was a short drive to Annie and Eric's and the boys grinned and squealed as Matt pulled up on the side of the road and announcing, "We are here guys" . As soon as he stopped the car, the boys were unbuckling their belts and tumbling out of the doors, yelling happily, "Grandma, Grandpa"!
-At the Camden's-
Annie and Eric heard their grandsons calling their names and walked out the front to see them both running across the grass and held their arms out laughing happily as the twins ran straight into their open arms. They picked a twin up each, Eric had Nate and Annie picked up Noah and they gave their grandsons a kiss and a big hug, smiling brightly. "Hey there guys", Annie said as she walked over to the car, "Hi Matt, Sarah.. We missed you all", she said as she opened her free arm and let her son and daughter in law give her a hug, Eric doing the same. The boys both smiled, and giggled, "We missed you too Grandma". Eric put Nate down and looked at his son, "You need any help?". Matt nodded grateful for the help, "That would be good, thanks Dad", he said as he handed him a couple of bags. Annie put Noah down and helped Sarah with the kids bags and together they walked inside.
"So.. ", Annie began once they were all in the foyer, "We put Matt's old bed upstairs in the attic for you two and then we put the two single beds into your old room Matt for Noah and Nate". Sarah smiled and looked at Annie, "Awe thanks Annie, you didn't have to go to so much trouble though". Annie reached around and rested her arm around her daughter in laws shoulder, "It's no trouble at all Sarah", she said giving her cheek a kiss. Matt smiled and spoke to the kids, "Okay kids, lets to and put your things away in your room and then we can go out to the backyard". The boys grabbed their bags and rushed upstairs, Sarah calling after them, "Be careful guys". She smiled and shook her head in amusement as she grabbed the other bags and tapped Matt's shoulder, "Lets take these up and make sure the boys are staying out of trouble". She said starting towards the staircase, Matt nodding as he followed after her.
Just as Matt and Sarah walked upstairs, the door opened and Simon and Cecilia walked in, "Simon", Annie exclaimed as she walked over and hugged her son, and then turned to other daughter in law, "Cecilia", she smiled as she hugged her as will and then let her, a big grin on her face. "It's good to see you both", she said as she took their hands and led them to the living room. "It's good to see you too Mom". Annie was so happy that Simon and Cecilia had reconnected with each other, although she got to like Rose, she never really loved her as much as she loved Cecilia. Cecilia was always more willing and happy to partake in family activities then Rose.. "So, how is everything going?", she asked looking at them as they sat on the couch. She knew that they were having problems conceiving and how hard it was on them.
"Well, we are planning on going to see about IVF, we just can't seem to conceive at all, but we both really want to have a baby", Cecilia answered as Simon took his wife's hand in his and squeezed softly supporting her the best he could. "Well, if you need anything at all, Your father and I are here for you both", she said smiling softly at them. She was so glad to see Simon in a loving marriage. She was worried he would be the one never to marry and find someone, but he found his way back to Cecilia and they were a beautiful couple together. "So who else is here Mom?", Simon asked looking around, "Uhh, Your Dad, Sam and David of course, Ruthie is getting ready in the garage apartment and other then that, just Matt, Sarah and the kids, but the others should be here soon". She said at the same moment that the younger twins came downstairs hearing Simons voice.
"Uncle Simon", they yelled as they catapulted themselves into his arms, "Hey guys", he said smiling as both he and Cecilia hugged them and then set them down as their parents walked back into the room, Simons standing up as he held his hand out to Matt, "Hey bro", he said as Matt smiled pulling him into a hug and patted his back, "Hey there yourself little brother". Matt and Simon had always been close, but they did become a little distant when Matt went away to New York and Matt was hoping they would become closer again once he moved back. "Annie, do you need any help with anything?". Sarah asked, looking at her mother in law and then seeing Cecilia sitting there, "Hi Cecilia". Cecilia smiled and nodded, "Hi there and yeah is there anything we can do at all?". Annie chuckled and grinned, "Well, you girls can help with with the salads if you like". They all stood up and heading towards the kitchen, the boys going outside.
While the women were all in the kitchen, Ruthie who had finally finished getting ready headed downstairs and out into the backyard. She spotted the twins first and ran up to them, putting her hands over their eyes, "Guess who guys". They squealed happily as they yelled out, "Ruthie". She smiled and giggled as they turned around and wrapped their arms around her legs, her arms wrapping around them both as she hugged them, "We missed you Aunt Ruthie", Noah said as he pulled away. "I missed you all too", she said as she waved to Matt and Simon who were sitting at the outdoor table, "Hey you two". She called out as she walked over to them. "Hey to you as well Ruthie, How is Martin?" Matt asked her softly, she nodded and spoke a little wistfully, "He is good, I spoke to him again last night and he sounded good".
He nodded and smiled, taking her hand and squeezing it gently, "He will be okay Sis", he pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight, rubbing her back, "I just miss him and worry about him every day". Matt kept hugging her and Simon patted her back gently, speaking up. "We know Ruthie and you are so brave.. He will be home soon", he said reassuringly. As the brothers comforted their youngest sister, Annie, Sarah and Cecilia watched them from the window, "I hope she is okay today, she misses Martin", Annie said as they continued to make the salads, Sarah nodding, "Well hopefully with all her family around, she will be fine". She squeezed Annie's arm gently and smiled as they continued to watch them and finish up with the salads, Meanwhile, Sam and David were out the back playing basketball with their father.
Ben and Mary pulled up in the drive way behind Eric's car and Mary sighed a little, breathing in deep feeling nervous. "They are all gonna be ecstatic and excited baby", he said as he took her hand and kissed it softly. "I know honey", she smiled and took her seatbelt off and got out of the car. "I need to hide the cake with our surprise on it, so no one sees it", she said as she took the container the cake was in. She decided to leave it in the den, and put her jacket over it and would get it later when the deserts were being eaten. As she was doing that, she Lucy, Kevin and Savannah walking in with Ben and smiled, "Hey there"' she said as she held her arms open for Savannah giving her a hug.. Savannah whispered, "We gonna tell everyone today?". Mary smiled and giggled as she gave her teddy Muffy back to her, "We sure are..", she showed Lucy and Savannah the cake and both agreed it was a good idea.
They all walked out into the backyard where the rest of the family were and Annie and Eric beamed with happiness at their family being there with them for the holiday. "So, I'd like to thank you all to coming, your mother and I appreciate it.. Now let's have some fun..", he said smiling wide as Savannah ran into his arms, "Us men are going start organizing the meat and cooking it, so if you ladies excuse us, it won't be too long". He said as he kissed Savannah's cheek and set her down watching her giggling as she ran up to Noah, Nate, Sam and David to play. Eric And Matt got the meat organized inside and then brought it out, Simon, Ben and Kevin joining them while the women all sat down to watch the younger kids play, talking ideally amongst themselves, Sarah, Matt, Mary and Ben all wondering how their families would take their news and wondering just when to bring it up.
I hope you all like this chapter, trying to make sure we start to see the other members of the Camden family and not just Ben and Mary.. Thanks again to WiseGirl10123 for your continued support, I hope you enjoy it.. I think once we have told the family, we might move it along a bit again.