Soon we'll get to the good part
The boys were very excited to see their father here. They were thinking it could mean 'mommy and daddy are getting back together'.
"Hey kids," Leland said, "I have a surprise for you"
"What is it," they both said at once.
"Want to guess first?"
The boys loved that game. Max went first.
"Jennifer's coming back," he guessed
"Of course she is," Karen replied with a pointed look at Leland that left no room for argument, "probably sooner rather then later"
"Mom's right boys," Leland said, "but that's not the surprise. Jarred, you want to guess?"
"You and mom are getting back together again," Jarred guessed.
"Yes well that's going to happen," Leland replied, "but not until we're ready. If we do it right now we'll just be fighting again and you wouldn't want that right?"
"Right" they both said
"Well here's the surprise," Leland began, "I'm taking you boys to the Olympics"
The boys cheered.
"Is Jennifer coming too," Max asked
GOD I hope so, Leland thought to himself.
"Well that depends," he said, "on if she's back yet"
"I want her to come back"
Leland smiled.
"She will," he said firmly, "It's just a matter of when"
"How about now," Jarred suggested.
"I'd like that too," Leland said, "But we don't get to decide that. If it were up to me Jennifer would never have been taken from us. The sad thing is, it's not up to us. We just have to keep looking.
"Maybe we'll find her at the Olympics," Max suggested
"That would be great," Leland said, "But I hope we find her before then"
"Maybe if we made a video of her someone would see her and bring her back"
Karen grinned widely.
"I think that's a wonderful idea. We can do that tonight."
"Mommy are you coming to the Olympics with us too," Max asked
She kissed his forehead.
"I would love to," she told them, "but I can't. It's a special time for you guys and daddy."
"You can come," Leland said
Karen looked at her ex-husband.
"Honey," she told him, "can I talk with you for just a minute?"
"Sure"
Karen led him into the kitchen.