Sorry it took me so long I swore I would never end a story early but right now I've been so distracted that I might just post the couple chapters I have pre written and call it quits for a couple months so I can regroup. I'm sorry, but as always tell me what you think and of course I own nothing.
It wasn't soon after we were interrupted as the rest of the gang trudged in from the snow. "Boots off in the hallway please." I called, while Jane started a fire.
"Bring all your wet snow gear in here by the fire place to dry and put on some dry clothes dinner should be ready soon."
"Teresa! Patrick! You need to see our snowman!" The girls ran in while the boys followed steps behind. William ending in Patrick's arm.
"Well I'm sure Patrick and I will see it in the morning but right now lets go get you dried off."
"Fine but you have to promise to see it in the morning."
"We promise." I assured taking William from Patrick, while Alyssa and Emily led Ben up to the loft to find some pajamas. When we came back down Patrick and the guys were having a beer in the kitchen while Grace was braiding Annie's hair, and oddly enough Annie seemed happy about this 'girly' behavior. "So when's dinner?"
"Tables set and we're waiting on you." Patrick smiled leading us into a massive dinning room. Before I could even sit down Grace pulled Patrick and I aside.
"Sorry about you know, I didn't realize you were in there."
"Not a problem Grace we live with four children it's not the first time we've been interrupted."
"I know but Boss I feel bad."
"Grace for the hundredth time we're on vacation you don't need to call me boss."
"Right well sorry."
"Grace stop apologizing and enjoy dinner." Patrick laughed, pulling a seat out for her. Patrick poured all of the adults a glass of some crazy expensive wine to eat with our spaghetti.
"So what's the game plan for tomorrow?"
"The game plan?" Patrick smirked, "get up around seven or eight drive over to the ski resort and enjoy the day."
"That's it, what about the kids?"
"Teresa, we already went over this weeks ago, the twins are signed up for a two day ski class. While William, Ben, and Cass will be in the daycare program. Relax, we're on vacation."
"So who wants to make a bet on who will fall the most tomorrow." Rigsby decided on a new topic.
"No way you guys all have a gambling problem." I answered before anyone else could. "Can you go a whole week without making a bet with each other?"
"Of course I can." Rigsby frowned.
"If it's any consolation Boss I'm sure no one would have bet on you." Cho assured.
"I know I wouldn't have." Patrick nodded.
"Such a consolation." All I could do was roll my eyes.
"Do we get to ski with you?" Emily questioned between bites of spaghetti and homemade garlic bread.
"Not the first day, but by the end of the week definitely." Patrick assured.
"Why not the beginning?" Alyssa wiped away her milk mustache.
"Well we can't teach you how to ski, we want professionals to do that." I explained.
"Me to!" William smiled.
"Not this year buddy, next year though." Patrick helped him with his forkful.
"Not fair! I'm almost four."
"Yes you are, your birthday is just a week and a half away." I nodded. "So when was the last time any of you have skied?"
"Two weeks ago with a group of friends back home in Chicago." Annie grinned, "Don't want to embarrass myself."
"Brat." I shook my head.
"Did I do something wrong?" She feigned confusion.
"College." Grace answered.
"Same." Rigsby agreed and Cho nodded in agreement.
"Me to." I sighed, "Patrick?"
"This time last year."
"So except for Annie and Patrick it's been at least ten years for all of us. A little bit more for me." I groaned, "At least we're all in the same boat."
"Except for the one who likes to show off." Cho set his wine glass down and nodded at Patrick.
"Who me?"
"Yeah you." Cho showed his usual lack of emotion.
"I don't know what you're talking about?"
"Right you never show off, what about this dinner?"
"What about it, it's the first meal I made when we brought the kids back to Teresa's apartment it's nothing special, just spaghetti."
"The wine, the house?"
"I'm offended you think I'm just trying to show off." Patrick feigned offense.
"I'm not saying that's all your doing but that's part of it."
"You hear that Teresa, Kimball is calling me a show off, I'm hurt."
"Of course you are, finish your dinner."
"Oh yes ma'am." He chuckled, "What kind of example am I setting." When dinner was over we tucked the kids into bed and sat in the living room enjoying the fire and another beer. Making small talk, we were all close but we had never taken the time to talk about to much other than work this might take a little bit of getting used to. Annie just sat there laughing at us and continuously reminding us we had no life outside of work.
In the end we called it quits early acknowledging that tomorrow would require all or our energy. We each went off to our own rooms. Patrick and I were lying in the master bedroom when I finally thought to ask him.
"Patrick what did you guys talk about on the car ride up?"
"Not a lot. Nothing near as exciting as you ladies conversation."
"You had to talk about something."
"I had my life threatened, you have a very loyal team."
"What'd they say?"
"The usual, 'you hurt her we hurt you.' All very scary, I was shaking."
"What'd you tell them?"
"That it would be very much impossible for me to just get up and leave such a wonderful women now that I have her to myself."