Author's note: This chapter is dedicated to Ghostwriter for submitting the 100th review. This is my first story to do that so I thank all of you who continue to review because it would not have been possible without you. And in case you haven't seen it yet, the Tanya/Adam story from this series has now begun.
Purple Strobe: I remembered that at the end of the Season to Remember episode that Kat called him Tom so I decided to come up with a reason for it in this story. As for the similarities in our stories, I guess great minds think alike. Looking forward to reading more chapters of Wilting.
Destiny45: Yes, there are a lot of babies in the story and there are still more to come. I'm glad you like the family scenes I only hope I do as good of a job with Tanya and Adam's family in their story.
PrettyDiva: I agree that it was time for the other stories in the series to make an appearance. This one will be coming to a close soon so look for others to follow Tanya/Adam.
GinaStar: I thought about having one of their kids become a ranger but I decided not to at least in this story, though their grandson Tommy will eventually become a ranger in this story/
HarryPassionFan: Yeah, I'd like to say that the kids will figure out their parents past eventually. And maybe just maybe there will be a story of little Tommy and how he becomes a ranger.
Ghostwriter: You are forgiven for missing the updates. Thanks for being my 100th review. It seems only right that it would come from you since you were the first reviewer of this story.
"Mom, this was such a great idea," Susan who was now twenty-five said as she and Katherine walked along the beach in Australia. She held her one year old daughter Kate in her arms.
"Yes it was, your father didn't think I could pull it off but I did," Kat said as they continued their walk.
Katherine had some how managed to get their entire family on a vacation to Australia. Her own parents were now getting older and Kat just wanted to make sure they got a chance to see their great-grandchildren so she and Tom had decided to fly their entire family including his parents to Australia.
"Nate honey, don't go too near the water," Susan suddenly yelled as she watched her four year old son running down towards the water and chasing his five year old cousin Tommy.
"Don't worry Sis, we're watching them," Patrick said and Susan watched as her twenty-nine year old brother and thirty-two year old husband Nathan went running after their sons.
"I don't know how you ever did it with two sons, I can hardly keep up with Nate sometimes," Susan remarked.
"Yes, boys are full of energy but he's got his father to watch after him, try not to worry so much," Kat replied.
"That's funny coming from you," Susan told her and they both laughed.
"You know Susie, I'm very proud of you, I know I wasn't too keen on your marrying Nathan at such a young age but you've seemed to manage everything very well, and you're a great mom," Kat said.
"That means a lot coming from you Mom, you're the best example I have of what a good mother should be, I just want you to know how much I've appreciated everything you've done for me, it's one of the reasons I named my daughter after you in the first place," Susan replied. Kate's real name was Katherine but everyone had decided to call her Kate for short.
"I'm just happy I'm still around to see my grandchildren and I'm glad my parents are still around to see them as well," Kat told her.
"That's why this trip was so important to you wasn't it, you're afraid it might be the last time Grandma and Grandpa will be with the entire family," Susan said.
"Yes, it's hard with them being so far away and making the trip to the States has become harder for them," Kat replied.
"Well I'm very happy that we decided to come here, I don't want Nate or Kate to ever forget that Austraila is part of their heritage too," Susan said.
"Come on, let's go join the others," Kat said as they walked over to where the Tom sat with his and Kat's parents along with Lauren, Joshua, Amanda, J.J. and Renee.
"Hey Kate, wanna go look for seashells?" Twenty-two year old Lauren asked her niece as Susan and Kat sat down next to them.
"I think I'll come with you," Renee said as Susan handed Kate to Lauren.
"Have fun," Josh said as he leaned over and gave his girlfriend a kiss on the cheek.
"I can't thank you enough for letting me come on this trip with you," J.J, who was on leave from the Navy,said to Kat.
"It was my pleasure," Kat said with a smile.
"Besides, she knew it was the only way to convince Lauren to take time off from the ballet," Amanda joked.
"So J.J. any plans to marry my sister anytime soon?" Josh asked.
"Not just yet, many in a couple more years," J.J. replied unfazed by the question.
"We could ask the same thing about you and Renee," Amanda told him.
"Please don't put ideas into his head, I just want at least one of our kids to hold off on marriage until their at least 25," Kat commented.
"No worries here Mom, racing keeps me so busy that I wouldn't have time to get married even if I wanted to," Josh told her as he ran off to join Patrick, Nathan and his two nephews. At just twenty years old, Josh was becoming a huge success in the racing world.
"I wish he wouldn't remind me of that, I can't even turn on the television until I know the race is over," Kat said.
"And you were talking to me about worrying?" Susan asked her mother.
"To this day, I've only gotten your mother to go to one of Josh's races and that was his first," Tom said with a laugh.
"Hey Dad, come see what Tommy's learned so far from his martial arts class," Patrick called.
"He's in martial arts classes already?" Susan questioned Amanda.
"Of course, Patrick wanted to put him in the minute he started walking but I made him wait," Amanda replied.
"Well you guys did name him Tommy," Josh replied as he took a seat next to Renee.
"I've already suggested to Nathan that you guys start thinking about doing the same for Nate," Tom told her as he walked away.
"But he's only four," Susan said.
"Oh come on, like you don't secretly hope that Kate will want to study gymnastics someday," Josh told her.
"No, it's going to be ballet all the way for this little one, her name's Katherine remember, it's only right that she follows in her grandmother's footsteps," Lauren remarked as she handed Kate to Katherine.
"I don't think it matters what any of the kids decide to do as long as their happy," Katherine replied.
A few hours later, everyone was back at the Hillard home after an exhausting day at the beach. Susan sat out on the porch with her husband where their daughter had fallen asleep in his arms.
"You haven't told them have you?" Nathan asked.
"Not yet," Susan replied.
"I thought you wanted to announce the news while the whole family was together?" he questioned.
"I do, I just didn't spoil anyone's fun today," she said.
"How could the news of a new baby spoil anything, you know how much your parents love having grandchildren," Nathan replied.
"I know I'm just afraid they'll think it's too soon after Kate," she remarked.
Meanwhile, in the living room Lauren and J.J. were snuggling on the couch.
"I'm really happy you're here," Lauren said.
"Me too, I've missed you," he said.
"I feel a little guilty though I mean I'm sure your parents expected you to spend your leave with them," Lauren told him.
"Maybe but they knew how much I wanted to be with you and besides I'll get leave again during the holidays," J.J. replied.
In the guestroom, Kat and Tom were getting ready for bed.
"So has Susie said anything to you yet?" Tom asked.
"Not yet I think she's a little afraid to say anything," Kat remarked.
"Or maybe your wrong and she's not pregnant after all," Tom replied.
"I'm not wrong, a mother can sense these kinds of things," Kat told him.
"Well, I think it'd be great, I love being a grandfather," Tom said.
"Yes, having so many little ones around keeps me feeling younger," Kat said.
"Oh I can think of another way," Tom said with a smile.
"You haven't changed at bit you know that," Kat said as they kissed.