Seth and Leah arrived the next morning at 7:30, and Sue and Charlie were having a cup of coffee in the kitchen. Both were fully dressed, Charlie in his police uniform. The kids came in with their hands in the air, and Charlie grinned. "That never gets old, Leah," he assured her.
"I beg to differ," Sue piped up. "Leah, it's time to let him off the hook. It was an accident, and you need to forgive and forget."
"Oh, okay, Mom. Sorry Charlie," Leah agreed reluctantly. "Did we miss breakfast?"
"Of course not," Sue smiled. I cooked a pile of sausage, and I'll make your pancakes fresh. Blueberries?" Both kids nodded. Charlie stared at the large bowl of batter. "Are we expecting company?" he asked incredulously.
Sue flashed him a bright smile. "You'll get used to me feeding these wolf children," she laughed. "They need huge amounts of food to keep up their strength. Besides, you never know when another one or two will be passing by within sniffing distance."
Right on cue, Jacob came sauntering in the back door. "I was on my way to the shop and smelled breakfast," he smirked. Sue laughed and motioned him in. Leah quickly set another place and got the milk and orange juice from the fridge. "Morning, Mr. Swan, Mrs. Swan."
Charlie stood up, chuckling at the greeting. "I guess I'd better get to work so I can bring home the bacon," he quipped. He kissed Sue good-bye and blushed as Jake cleared his throat, Seth whistled, and Leah went over to Jake's chair and planted a noisy kiss on his upturned face.
"Are you guys having fun? Because I am," Sue winked at Charlie and blew him a kiss as he walked out the door, then went back to making pancakes.
After each of them had put away a tall stack of pancakes, Jake offered, "Seth, if you're ready for school I'll drop you off on my way to work." Seth jumped at the chance for a ride in Jacob's truck, and he ran to get his books.
Leah grinned at Jacob and asked "Ready for dessert?" Leah was almost six feet tall, but she still stood on her toes to kiss him. She ran her hands up under his shirt, because she loved his warmth and his lean, muscular body. "Sue, she's getting fresh!" he pretended to complain, with a smirk. Sue turned away from the sink and glanced at the two of them.
"Oh, for heaven's sake, Jacob, she's not getting past first base! You can handle it!" Sue winked at Leah.
They were interrupted by Seth, who came bouncing into the kitchen, ready for his ride to school. As soon as they were outside, he started badgering Jake. "You gonna let me drive, Jake? Please? You know I'm a good driver, cause you taught me!"
Jake grinned at Seth. "Okay, but just from here to the school, and keep it within the speed limit. I don't need you getting caught driving without a license!"
They were no more than a quarter mile from Sue's when Seth saw the blinking lights behind them. He pulled over, both boys praying that the police cruiser just wanted them out of the way, but of course it pulled over behind them. And, to add insult to injury, it was Charlie who got out of the police car. As he approached the open window, he didn't bother asking Seth for his license. He knew he didn't have one.
"Seth, do you realize that if this was anyone else you'd be in big trouble?" Charlie began, and Seth breathed a momentary sigh of relief at the implication, though it ended with Charlie's next sentence. "Just because I'm married to your mother, that doesn't mean that you get to break the law. And I'm disappointed in you too, Jacob. Billy doesn't need this kind of aggravation either."
"We're really sorry, Charlie, and we don't want to cause them any anxiety either," Seth pleaded.
Charlie thought about it for a couple of minutes while Seth squirmed. "I think I have an idea that will solve both our problems," he finally said. If you went before a judge, you'd probably be sentenced to some community service and a fine, which your parents really can't afford. So how about if I assign you some community service? How many hours do you think would be appropriate?"
Seth hesitated, then said softly "Fifty?" Charlie laughed as Jake stretched his long leg across the truck and kicked Seth. "Ow, Jake!"
"I was thinking more like twenty," Charlie said with a smile. And we'll make it something subtle so it can stay just among the three of us, okay? Jake, would you agree to do some work on the police vehicles on your own time? We'll pay for the parts, of course. And Seth, how about helping your mom around the house? Just volunteer with some extra help, and I'll trust you to keep track of the hours. Do we have a deal?" Both boys agreed, and when they had switched drivers Charlie sent them on their way.
After dinner that night, Sue was a little surprised (but still delighted) when Seth offered to clean up the kitchen and do the dishes. Leah was thrilled, since it was her turn, but she wisely decided not to bring that up since Jacob had spilled the whole story to her.