Chapter 47

Feeling happy and contented Meg dropped her coat on the table and sat down at the computer, while John got their cups of tea ready. Today had been good and they had just come back from a drive up to their favourite beauty spot, having watched the sun throw up a deep glow of yellow and red as it disappeared behind the snow capped mountains as it set.

She gently rubbed her back as she checked for mail ... and smiled as she started to read it.

Hi Sis

I cannot believe we are in March already … and its speeding onwards.

Thanks for all the news. Glad you liked the picture of Dad and his jumper. Still can't stop laughing at it. … Poor Dad will never live it down … Nope not going to let him! … Mind you the other photos of their holiday were good and it looks a lovely spot. Great accommodation too. It's on my list to visit once the kids are big enough to travel or be left behind, which ever is soonest.

Added bonus is of course a very happy Mum and Dad, yep still living on the memories of the holiday – wish you were here to enjoy it. But I know you could tell from the phone call you both … nope all three had, glad you were paying the bill. Needless to say they stayed longer than usual after that call, chatting about everything and dealing with the twins.

Great news!

Casey has had a reply to his application - not the one in Seattle … we decided against it to bigger a city! Or the one in ... come to think of it I didn't tell you about that way too many states away. - The one I sent you some info about and YES he has an interview, but in April so we've a few weeks to get ready and think things through.

I suspect that's why there is a gap, so we can pull out if we get cold feet. (Some hope!) You should have seen his expression as he read the letter etc … kid in a candy or toy shop comes to mind. He has to tell AJ tomorrow … we know there will be no problem work wise … that sounds as though they don't think he's any good at his job. That is not what I meant, because I do know AJ thinks very highly of him and his work, and of course Bette loves us all. Hey that sounds a bit pompous, but you know what I mean… sunk which every way I try to say it … who cares I love him!

Just thought what if he gets it … I mean how do we get all our stuff and Mum and Dad's stuff moved! … It will sink the plane before it takes off …Oh stop giggling … you'd understand if you saw the apartment … never thought babies needed so much stuff…. Umm okay so we've got a few more bits as well. I suppose Mum and Dad will be old hands at the game having moved from the farm to SB … Umm bet they've bought extras too.

Having had that moan … Casey needs the change and I think I'm ready for it especially if we might be able to see you, with or without John. That's not a hint either. But to be honest it's not been the same since you left … no one to nag! … AND don't let Casey tell you any differently. … I don't nag him … just remind him when he forgets things. Also no one to have those sisterly laughs with we were beginning to have again ... okay and the squabbles.

Talking of my beautiful husband, he's already seen if he can get the babies some flying broomsticks for the journey. … Might give us a quieter ride if they are on the outside of the plane and we're inside enjoying the comforts. I wonder if they sell magic carpets as well … Umm perhaps not, things would fall off the sides and give people headaches as they land below. Okay Jumbo jet it is!

Just a reminder, there will be no pushing on our side about seeing you or John ... these are just my thoughts said out loud as we agreed.

As you can see … added information re job via the attachment … enjoy reading … just as well Casey decided to fit a scanner and I learnt how to use it. From the extra details it looks a fantastic job and I know the draw back is he will be away from home for short periods, but Mum and Dad love the kids soo much they are willing to help look after them. And the info says family can travel on longer trips … hope that means Mum and Dad as well, or is that pushing it a bit I wonder.

Note to Casey … check at interview if possible. … Guess there is going to be a long list of things … I reckon we (as in Mum Dad and myself) will find extra interests as well, that's another to add to that list … Well must give him something to do as he looks around the town at time of interview.

That's the first test for us, him being away for that interview. Ah … They've given him plane tickets. Two lots as the final airport does not take the big planes, only small and medium ones. … He arrives the evening before the interview, it's scheduled for sometime in the morning with what they call more information time, and possibly free afternoon depending on time of flight out. They are bound to have lots of interviews so could go into the afternoon. Or I suppose you might know whether you've got it or not and therefore have time before the flight home.

Hopefully the 'not getting it' will not be the case, and they will still be pondering or he will know he's got it. Anyway, if there is time he'll scout round the town and pick up ideas along with housing possibilities. There is an offer of a house converted into flats, nice idea and he's going to check that one out first, make sure it's not a dump being off loaded on the newbie. (What a wicked girl I am for having such a thought …Hey! Dad and Casey had it as well; Mum said they would not be that daft.)

He'll be back at Sunset late evening/night depends what you call 11 pm, Dad said he will collect him from the airport … guess he wants to find out as quickly as possible. Yep Mum said she would stay with me while Dad collects Casey. (If I'm in the bathroom when he returns I could be the last to know! Memo to self be on the doorstep!) Of course he might phone up before hand.

So, I have the choice of braving it all on my own till pick up time, some chance knowing friends and family. Or getting things organised so it's not like a blessed train station, some chance of that as well. Soo I think I will try for the organised look and as it falls into chaos, enjoy everyone around me.

Talking of kids … how does baby bashing sound … not good I know, but Mark accidentally knocked Susan with the rattle today … don't think it will turn into a black eyes thank goodness, but it was red and the cries … I really didn't know which one to cuddle first.

So now I (we) have to make sure they don't get too close, which is impossible as they have found out they can roll over, hence the rattle bashing … I think Mark (bless him) somehow managed to keep hold of the rattle as he rolled over, and of course it was the hand in the air not the other one, (if you see what I mean) and Susan just happened to be too close and lying down on her back. Perhaps he was trying to give it to her, or even just trying to find his mouth and lost his way. …

Hey! I only turned away for a moment and it happened. … I worked that lot out as Mark had the rattle in his left hand and it was beside Susan's head when the cries went up, also Mark was on his side facing Susan. … Well, you get down on the floor and work it out! … No I didn't. … Of course Casey, who was in the kitchen out of sight at the time and came to the rescue, then wanted to set up the video camera so we could have a record next time anything happend. Well, they are really getting fascinating, especially as Susan loves mirrors … umm vain at a young age? See video.

Also a clip of swimming on the carpet, even trying to lift their heads up for air, Casey wondered if they were trying to clean it for us! I guess they got Casey's swimming genes, as they are good in the pool as well. Love those baby classes they are such fun.

As for feeding … still at the milk bar via the bottle with an added small portion of solid food … umm … we now have a posh plastic mat, which is never quite big enough or in the right place, it matches the new plastic table cover.

Well, we know one thing, they don't like … baby rice … oh boy it gets everywhere … especially when spat out at a hundred miles an hour! You know I have never seen a little food go such a long way and in so many directions either! Nope nothing is safe. Did wonder about a tent but then I don't think Casey or I would get out clean or get the inside clean afterwards.

We found another thing or two … feed them at the same time and try distraction … we are learning about that one. But they do love chocolate pudding, which they shouldn't and is very very messy, along with Rusk fingers … yep messy round mouths and hands.

Instant clean baby food would be a great idea!

That video will have Robert in stitches and give you a few thoughts about what is to come … I suppose thinking about it they do have to learn to put food in their mouths some when, but fingers are not really very good for the mashed up food they have now … later when it's cakes and things - fine (Oh who am I kidding those fingers will be every where … seen it with other kids at the Shock Wave!).

Having said that, spoons are no better as those lovely little fingers grab everything in sight including that spoon, which is trying very hard to get to his or her mouth … and why oh why do they, (babies, not the spoon in case you are wondering as you giggle) always want to know what the bottom of the spoon looks like before the food is in their mouths?

Of course, they give you that bright-eyed smile as they do it or a little gurgle that let's you know they are going to be evil, but it makes you laugh and go along with them! Especially the gurgle that comes just after they gone bright red and it's always when you are trying so hard to go out! Yep the diaper one and that is so evil of them.

But on with my riveting tale about the spoon, hey eventually we managed to get some in (food and spoon, though the spoon comes out, just in case you are wondering, and you can tell John to stop laughing as well!) And yes there are two dirty parents or in-laws as well as kids by the end. Bath time is fun! … Yep for all of us ... okay a bit of an exaggeration as we are trying a little at a time … but, oh boy can you think of us at a real mealtime as they get that little bit bigger and bigger.

Oh stop giggling.

You just wait!

Might be just one, but still up in the night and everything else. Oh the joys.

I've just thought they will be crawling soon ... Help!

At least they are sleeping through the night – well most nights. – And yes I woke up the other night and thought they needed feeding, and there they were both fast asleep. Guess my mind was working over time – told it off and went back to sleep!

Enough of me and babies … umm not quite as you will see.

Dad is very pleased how Tim took charge of the Shock Wave while they were away, and I saw him (Tim, just so you don't get confused as I know you do) with Abby the other day, she is really a pretty baby though she is no longer a baby but not a toddler yet, but getting close, (that's a tangle but they don't have babtod do they). Apparently she is soo into everything and she's a really fast crawler, (which made me laugh as I think of something crawling as going slow) she stands with support but goes with down a bump if lets go of said support, so I guess walking is round the corner. … Oh help, the twins love to try and stand with our support, you know hands either side of their waists etc. just hope they do crawl no short cuts.

After that panic back to Abby, she has this wonderful giggle/gurgle, sounds full of mischief and it comes even if she is just looking at you. … You know they are good together (Tim and Abby) and Tess. Though I still don't like the woman, there is something about her that just gets under my skin, mind you Casey reminds me I feel a bit like that about Maria as well … guess it's their history.

Yeah and Annie as well I know … but she's not so bad now, especially as she is dealing with the shop part of the gallery on her own - she sent a couple of people over to Sunset Sisters who wanted something 'different' to sketch, I gave them a couple of catalogues to browse and they ordered - saw Annie later and mentioned it. She promised to send others over … explained it was a sort of thanks for my help earlier. Guess people can change or I'm getting soft!

She is still with Jude as you know. Strange knowing her track record I would have thought she would have married him by now. But it looks as though they are taking it slow or he's got way more sense than we thought, having said that his track record on the police front since he got here is good. Of course, you've been keeping track on the Gregory Richards being arrested again saga, they always say it's the little things that trip you up - I can say that Jude and Ricardo are really bucked over it. Let's hope they keep him inside this time. Heard a whisper they are working with UK police on new evidence so things could get really interesting.

I know Gabi is going to send you a long mail later so back to Tim, who asked after you not in the old pushy way either … I think you would like him now he has matured … Oh, that sounds as though I'm talking about cheese. (Giggles Sorry, will control myself) I told him you were well and still needed privacy, he said fine just needed to know you were okay.

You know you said about John and his business meetings, well you should see Dad behind the cash till at Sunset Sisters … Yep I know he's been at the Shock Wave, but this is different and boy does he gossip! (Males and Females all ages, just as well Mum's not the jealous type … I suppose we do it as well but it just seems odd seeing him doing it.)

Hey it pulls in the customers, the others have noticed a lot more come in when he's around, if the wife is there then they get bored (the wife that is) looks around and buys something, possibly as a way to get their (hubby's) attention. Hubby has to pay of course and they still chat as Dad deals with wrapping and change. Strange, if the wife is being talked to by Dad she usually finds the goods as she chats, or sends hubby off to get them. Of course if she's browsing they just chat at the counter come paying up time. Anyway it's good for business so can't complain, and he's very good for unloading boxes and dealing with things on the high shelves so we give him coffee.

Mum comes in for a change from selling food and what with their help with the twins for my short visits there and book keeping mainly at home, it is working out very well. No I'm not forgetting Casey either, he's always around when I need him knew you knew that. (Dare I say we are organised … nope that will send it all up in smoke!).

But guess what...Yep! I found I was talking about babies to a new mum! As I was at the till I fined myself a couple of dollars. Talking of twins, have left them at the crèche for a short while the other day as a test, nope not ready for that yet, but good in an emergency.

Well must go, tea (food not drink) is calling and so is Mum. See managed this in one sitting so things are looking up. Hey, tell John thanks for last lot of advice, Dad will think on it especially as the other was so good.

Love and as usual wet kisses from the twins, will send pics as soon as poss. Yep one of the boys asleep on the rocking chairs again. Will they never learn!

Sara

Meg could not help laughing at the picture in her mind of the twins feeding or the men in the rocking chairs. She had felt John beside her and turned to him with a smile as he said gently. "So now you know."

She giggled at his tone, not quite sure whether he meant the fact their plans were working out or the fun they would have after their baby was born.

Again as if reading her thoughts he said with a gentle tease, "Both, of course we've got Shep to clear up the mess and bring our baby back." She could not stop her giggles as he carried on seriously, though his eyes were bright and sparkling. "Teas on the counter."

She took a breath and smiled, feeling the kick of her love for him go through her, and nodded, then she pressed the reply and typed in Give Casey congrats and wishes, then turned her mind to a short reply.

Hi Sis

Good grief that was long but good.

Great news about the interview, wish Casey luck from both of us, will read info later.

This will be just a very quick one as we've just got back from a ride out to our favourite place. The road was quiet, though there's snow on the mountain tops and the evening warm for this time of year, you would find it cold.

You know there is a road system for furniture and things … might have trouble finding lorries big enough though … sorry could not resist … or you could find a furnished place and just pack the cases, leave the rest for the next people. But it is a scary thought having to sort out and pack things up, glad I only had lots of suitcases and did it in bits.

Looking forward to pics especially the boys (men) and babies … have you thought about framing and hanging them on the wall! The pictures not the men or babies. Umm might not be a good idea.

Must admit I laughed about feeding time and I know I have that to come. Like you say wait till full meals. … Yep still laughing and will learn from your video as I follow in your tiny footsteps … Oh Great sister of mine. (Bows at the machine in deepest reverence.) When it comes of course, and yes Robert will love watching it.

Okay, deep breath to stop giggles and get concentration. (Yep John giggled as well)

Talking about meals, going out to celebrate Mandy's birthday, will let you know more another time. My drink is getting cold and I need feeding … again!

Love to everyone and yes I'm fine and enjoying life in the slowing down lane, will be back later for a gossip after I've read details.

Meg.