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"Gee, did you buy out the whole store?" she said grinning.
"Yes, we did" Jacob said.
Then he and Jack got out and walked to the boot of the wagon and opened it up. Sam took her slippers off and put on her flip-flops and went to give them a hand with the groceries. Twenty minutes later they were all sitting down for a late lunch.
Jack and Jacob had bought some fresh rolls and sliced meat from the deil for lunch. Sam boiled some eggs while they were putting everything away. Jacob made the devilled eggs while Jack and Sam finished putting everything away. When they were finished Sam made them hot chocolate with marshmallows. They sat at the breakfast bar to have their lunch while talking. An hour later Sam and Jack left, taking both wagons to the airport to pick up Mark and his family. They were ten minutes early, so they sat down and talked while waiting for the flight to pull into the gate.
"Are you looking forward to Christmas Sam?"
"Yes; you?"
"Yep; I am looking forward to all those goodies" he said, trying to sound like a five year old who was looking forward to opening up his presents and this made Sam smile.
"What did you and dad talk about while shopping?"
"Oh, this and that?"
"Jack?"
"He told me what he got you and I told him what I got you."
"Ah, so what did he get me?"
"You will have to wait until Christmas," he said grinning. Then they heard over the PA system that Mark's plane had just landed.
They got up and walked over to the gate to wait with other people waiting for family and friends. Jack held on to Sam's hand so he wouldn't lose her in the crowd. Jack and Sam kept a look out for Mark and his family as people came out of the gangway and were greeted by their loved ones. Sam then spotted Laura,
"Laura" Sam yelled out and Laura looked around and saw Sam waving to her and she waved back. Jack and Sam slowly made their way over to her. When they were close enough they could see Mark and the kids. When they reached them there were hugs all around.
"Come on, let's get your bags and head on home" Jack said.
"Sam, where's Dad" Sam tried to look sad.
"Come on, let's go," she said.
They walked through the terminal to the baggage area with a smile on her face. Jacob and Jack thought a surprise would be good for them.
"Jack, where is Dad?"
"Not here; come on, let's go."
The kids were sad; they had been looking forward to seeing their grandfather again. Once they got their bags, they headed to the parking lot and put their bags in the boot of Sam's SUV. Brian and Mark rode with Jack while Laura, Karen and Joan went with Sam. Twenty minutes later they were home.
"You all have the same rooms from the last time you were here" Sam said as they walked upstairs to put their bags away.
"Where's Dad?" Jack asked and then Jacob walked into the room.
"Where are they?" he whispered to them and Jack pointed upstairs.
"Family room" they smiled and nodded and then he walked down to the family room.
"Jack, you and Dad planned this didn't you?"
"Guilty as charged."
"I can't wait to see their faces when they see him."
"Same here" he pulled her into his arms and gave her a kiss.
Then they heard the family coming downstairs.
"Would you like to see the Christmas tree?" Sam asked.
"It won't be the same without grand dad here," Karen said sadly.
"Come on, you are going to love it trust me."
They went down to the family room, Jack and Sam walking behind them and then they heard,
"Grand dad!!" and when they walked into the room Jacob was hugging the kids. Mark turned around and looked at Sam.
"You lied to us Sam." he was angry.
"No Mark, Sam did say where he wasn't when you asked. I said he wasn't here, which was true; he wasn't at the airport" Mark thought about what Jack said and then laughed.
"Sorry Sam but the look on your face, well you are good" he waved his finger at her and then gave her a hug.
"Well I've had a great teacher." she said when they pulled apart.
"Yes you have" then he turned to look at his father and walked over to him and gave him a hug.
"If anyone is to blame, it is me. Just seeing your reaction when you walked in here was worth it." he said grinning.
"Dad, you are always full of surprises."
"Wow, this tree is huge" Brian said, looking at the tree and that got the rest of the family's attention.
"You like it?" Jack asked.
"Yeah."
"Uncle Jack, whose is whose?" Joan asked, looking at the stockings.
"You will have to wait until Christmas day."
"Ok"
"Hot chocolate any one?" Sam asked.
"Yes, please" the kids said.
"Why don't you go into the game room and I'll bring in the drinks. There are other games for you to play, big kids included." Sam said walking out of the room with a smile.
The others walked into the game room and played some games while Jack went to give Sam a hand with the drinks and chocolate chip cookies. She was putting the cocoa into the mugs when she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist and a warm body press against her back.
"Need any help?" he said and then started kissing her neck. He put his head on her shoulder,
"Yes, can you get the marshmallows and cookies out of the pantry please?"
"Anything for you Sam" he kissed her neck before moving to the pantry to get them.
By that time the water had boiled and she mixed the hot water into the mugs with some milk and sugar. Once finished Jack passed her the cookies and marshmallows and he carried the tray down to the game room. They all had a great afternoon, playing games and talking.