Linka and Wheeler showed his parents around the house. Wheeler was quiet and pretty much seeing the place for the first time also. Other than the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and living room, he hadn't seen much of the house. There was a game room in the basement with hardly anything in it. There was a bar and a wine rack with a few bottles in it, but other than that, nothing. Wheeler immediately envisioned a big screen TV on the wall with a theater surround-sound system and the latest video game system. And of course, a big comfy couch to watch movies or sit and play video games on. Then of course, there would be a pool table. It's not a game room without games!
On the middle level was the kitchen, dining room, a powder room, and living room. It looked like that was where Linka spent most of her time because that's where all the magazines, books, stereo, and TV were. She even had a baby grand piano which she promised to play for Kathy and Joe before they left. They followed her upstairs to check out the loft, which overlooked the dining room. There were skylights in the ceiling so plenty of light can come in. Having the direct sunlight come into the house helped to keep the house warmer in the winter. Linka had the loft set up as her music station. There was a keyboard, guitar, and some equipment that looked like it was used for recording. Down the hallway, there were two bedrooms, which Linka used for guests. Eventually though, they would be used for children's bedrooms. "But only two right? We're only having two kids, remember?" Wheeler insisted.
"Da, I remember! Bozhe moy Wheeler, we were just kids when you said that…and not even together! Maybe you will change your mind. Maybe you will only want one kid, or maybe you will love kids so much, you will want more!"
"Nope. I'm cool with just one too. I mean, I'm an only child and look how great I turned out!"
"Oh da, always having to be the center of attention…that is not annoying at all," Linka said sarcastically.
Wheeler stuck his tongue out at her as they continued down the hall. At the end was a room that Linka had set up as the computer room/office where she did all her work. "It can also be turned into a third bedroom for the 'oops' kid," she teased Wheeler. Kathy and Joe laughed hysterically. Wheeler didn't find it as amusing.
The next room was the master bathroom. There was a door leading from the bathroom into the master bedroom. Once they exited the bedroom and were back in the hallway, they followed Linka down the steps where she suggested they grab their coats and check out the backyard. They trailed behind her through the backdoor to the covered patio, then down the sidewalk leading to the new construction. It was nearly finished. The inside just needed flooring and painted and the outside needed siding.
"What's this dear?" Kathy asked.
"I bet it's more rooms for more kids," Joe joked. "Or maybe a place for Jason to crash when Linka gets tired of putting up with him!"
"No, but that is a good idea!" Linka said as she put her arm around Wheeler's waist and pulled him close to let him know she was only kidding. "Actually it is a guest house. I wanted it so that if my brother and his family came to visit, they could stay there, or if anyone else was coming for an extended period of time, they could stay there so they could have more privacy…and so I could have my privacy too! Plus, once we have kids, there will be no more guest rooms."
"That's a good idea. It's nice that you can do all these things," commented Joe.
"If I had known I was going to be called back to the Planeteers, I would not have built it. Especially since I was going to sell the house."
"You are? That's too bad. This place is beautiful," Kathy said.
"Linka and I talked about it this morning and decided to keep it. It will be nice to have a place to get away to when we want to get away from the Island for a while," Wheeler explained.
"It's nice that you'll have a place of your own," Kathy replied.
"I would like your opinion though. What do you think I should do about the siding?" Linka inquired.
"I think you should keep it similar to the house. Use the same brick or at least a similar color, that way everything matches and looks like it belongs together," Joe suggested.
"Sounds like a great plan. Perhaps you can come up with some ideas for the interior as well?" Linka asked.
"Of course dear. We'd love to help. You just let us know when you're ready to start," Kathy offered.
"We should start as soon as possible, because the sooner we start, the sooner you can move in!"
"WHAT?!" Joe and Kathy exclaimed.
"SURPRISE!" Wheeler and Linka shouted back.
Wheeler stood between his parents and put is arms around them, "Linka suggested that since we were keeping the house, you two should move into the guest house. That way, someone would be around to keep an eye on the place and eventually, you'll be closer to your grandkids. Plus, I think it's time you get out of Brooklyn. You deserve so much more than what you have. These are your golden years; you should be living in style!"
"That is such a nice offer, but we can't accept. There's no way we'd be able to pay rent on a nice place like this," Joe said.
"You're right. There's no way you'd be able to pay rent, because WE WOULDN'T ACCEPT IT!" Wheeler proclaimed.
"Da, we WANT you to live here. You would be doing us a favor."
"This is an incredible offer. I don't want you doing this because you feel you have to. Are you sure?" Kathy asked.
"Yeah Ma, we're sure. This was Linka's idea. She really wants you to accept. Like she said, you'd be doing us a favor. We'd feel much better knowing that someone was here to keep an eye on things when we're gone."
"There is one condition though." Linka walked up to Joe and pointed her finger at him. "You have to take care of yourself so that you are able to play with your grandkids someday. This means, you are getting yourself on a donor list! Do you accept this?"
"I don't have a choice do I? You sound like you mean business."
"Da, I do. We both do. We want you to be around for a very long time."
"Ok then. Kathy, are you ready to move to the country?" Joe asked.
"I absolutely am!" She grabbed Wheeler and Linka and embraced them tightly. "Thank you both so much. This is the nicest, sweetest thing anyone has ever done for us. Linka, you are truly a Godsend and a very special person. We've just met and you have treated us so well. I'm just so touched, and blessed that my son has you in his life and now we do too."
Kathy was on the verge of tears and seeing her get so emotional was causing Linka to tear up as well. "When I decided to have the guest house built, my intentions were for it to be for my family. You two are part of my family now. This house is yours."
Joe joined Kathy in hugging his son and future daughter in law.
Last chapter, coming soon.