The lake house
MICHAEL POV
"Help drag that bbq out Charlie, for goodness sake. If it isn't out by the time Kat's back from the bathroom she'll do it herself!" I shout knowing what my daughter is like.
Don't get me wrong, I'm excited about my upcoming grandchild. I was just shocked is all. I love my daughter (parents shouldn't have favourites, but I do) I just wish Jethro would make an honest woman out of her.
"Is the food ready yet?" Kat asks coming back from the bathroom.
"Kat, relax. Unless you want it cremated it isn't going to be too much longer." Jethro tells her soothingly.
CHARLIE POV
It's a true joy to watch the love and happiness that surrounds my baby sister's aura. To watch them all, interact as a family, is such a blessing. My husband Sam and I, can only hope to be as happy as they are one day.
Sam's slowly getting the backstory off Dad over by the grill. I'll certainly have to put my two cents worth in later. Dad can be a bit biased against Jethro. I have a theory that, it's because deep down Dad's always known that he was the one for Kat. Ever since we became neighbours with the Gibbs Family, Katherine and Jethro have been inseparable.
As twins, Katherine and I have confided in each other our entire lives. I've hoped and prayed many times over the years. Repeatedly. For her happiness.
Secretly, I am super proud of my sister. She wasn't afraid to dream big and damn it, she chased her dreams. When people told her that Jethro would eventually stop co-parenting with her in favour of meeting someone else and settling down with his own family, she has been more determined to prove them wrong. When they said that he prioritised his career over her and the girls, he proved them all wrong. I wish I could have gotten that gene. The one that makes you so sure of yourself all the time. I think the treatment Kat received from our mother and our other siblings has made Kat the person she is today. It makes me truly happy to see her so content with Jethro.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Kat asks sneaking up beside me in stealth mode. Of course, I jump a mile in the air.
"Thinking about you, actually." I reply, kissing her cheek. "Did I ever tell you I'm proud of you?" She nods. "Well I mean it. And you're beautiful. "
"Thanks Charlie, Sam's a lucky man to have a guy like you."
SAM POV
I wish I knew Katherine better. All I really know about her is that she's a paediatrician and a mother to these 2 adorable nieces of ours. Oh, and what the other siblings have told me about her.
Watching the love that her and Jethro have and seeing her in all her pregnancy glow, I get the thought that maybe she's the normal one. Of course, Charlie, has his own eccentricities and I love each and every one of them. Looking over at Katherine and Charlie I can see that, they're more than twins and siblings. They're best friends.
L-J POV
Kat looks simply stunning and so relaxed here by the lake. This place holds some special memories for the both of us, as a family and as individuals. Kat told me I was going to be a father here, we've swam in this lake, played on the shore, danced on the dock, played spin the bottle and shared our first kiss right here on this deck overlooking the lake and partied like there was no tomorrow in this house. For as long as I can remember this house has represented home. Our home away from home. The girls took their first steps on that porch, they learned to ride their bikes by those trees on the left side of the house. Partying as a 14-year-old in this house, I discovered that my best friend was a woman and a beautiful woman at that. I think here is where I first fell in love with Katherine.
A school friend of ours, Matt Preston, his family have owned this house for many years. Today, is the beginning of a new era.
"Lucy, Zoe! It's time!" I call out from the deck where we are all seated. The girls come running, we've had this plan for 3 months now. It's time to put it into action.
"Mummy," Lucy begins. "Daddy has a surprise for you" I look up and everyone has gathered round.
"Mummy" Zoe says her part "Daddy wants us to tell you that he loves you very much."
"Kat, you know I love you. I've loved you since I was fourteen years old and we played spin the bottle in this very spot. You kissed me and my world changed forever." Pulling my Mother's ring out of my pocket, I get down on one knee. "Every time you're with me it changes more, always for the better. Katherine Louise, marry me?"
"Yes!" she shouts and I've never seen her move so fast. She is in my arms and kissing me in a matter of seconds. I shakily slide the ring on.
There's a blur of congratulations and hugs and kisses all round. "But wait, Mummy there's more!" the twins shout. Kat Looks over at me sceptically.
"May I be the first to give my new fiancée our engagement present?" Opening a second ring box ( in the opposite pocket) I reveal a key. "To new beginnings! And our new holiday home by the lake."
"What? The Prestons would never sell. I know, I've offered numerous times." Kat argues.
"Let's just say, I made Matt an offer he couldn't refuse."