Chapter 2- Cleaning up the House.
Harold got to his feet slowly, his hand on his back. Peter was by the sink, fixing the plumbing. "How's the floor coming, Harold?" Peter asked in a pant as he banged awasy at the faucet, trying to knock some of the rust out.
"You know, Peter, Alicia is your wife. Why did you rope me into helping you clean the house? I have a science experiment waiting for me back at my lab," Harold asked in exasperation.
"Because Al and Brandilyn is coming home tomorrow from the hospital and I promised Al a clean house," Peter said patiently as if Harold was five years old again.
"Hey, why don't I hire my cleaning service and we can go out to eat?" Harold suggested. A skeptical look entered his brother's eyes.
"I don't know, Harold. No one knows we are brothers, except Alicia, and the baby when she gets older," Peter said.
"You know, Peter. I'm not eight years old any more. Maybe we should tell people who we really are," Harold suggested.
"No! In the eyes of the law I kidnapped you. They don't care that I only did it to keep our family together after Mom and Dad died," Peter said.
"Peter, I'll tell them what happened. But I don't think you want Brandilyn or Alicia finding out that their last names aren't really "Finch," Harold said. Peter grinned slightly.
"You are very wise, little brother," Peter said. Harold grinned.
"So, do you want my cleaning service or not?" Harold asked.
"Okay, go ahead and call them. I wasn't exactly looking forward to cleaning the bathroom. And I was going nowhere with these pipes," Peter said, putting down his tools.
The next day Peter opened the door for Alicia, who was holding the baby. Harold stood by the fireplace, holding a large bouquet of tulips, Alicia's favorite flower. "Harold!" Alicia exclaimed with a smile.
"Hello, Alicia," Harold said with a smile as he handed her the tulips and she gave him the baby.
"Oh, Harold, they're beautiful! Thank you!" Alicia said with a bright smile.
"You're welcome. How's my favorite niece?" Harold said, holding the baby tightly in his arms.
"A very fussy baby. You got her at a calm moment, Uncle Harold," Alicia said with a wry smile.
"Lucky me," Harold said, sitting down and watching the baby in fascination.
"What do you think of the house, Al?" Peter asked.
"I think it looks good. You and Harold definitely outdid yourselves," Alicia said, looking around.
"Oh, believe me, we had help. I could never have cleaned that bathroom by myself and I'm sure Harold didn't want to either," Peter said, casting a wry grin at Harold.
"Well, it's the thought that counts. Now, guys, can we please eat? I am starving!" Alicia exclaimed, her Brooklyn accent stronger when she talked like this.
"Sure. I ordered Chinese," Harold said as Alicia put Brandilyn in a small bassinette and they went to the kitchen.