Chapter 27
The Hawkes and Montgomery family continued to live together as the cold winter months and snow socked them in. Cody had back off the romance with Jen. Matt made some good points, but Cody had not had feelings for anyone since Lizzie. Up in the cabin he just wanted to forget about the world around them.
The kids would work on their schoolwork. Cody and Alex would do the chores outside and Jen and Hailey prepared the meals and cleaned inside. Alex, Cody, and Hailey would go fishing. Alex would give Hailey Ski lessons. They had pulled out an old pair of Alex's skis for Hailey to learn on. Cody was giving Hailey and Jen riding lessons. Jen had not ridden a horse in a long time.
Hailey's 11th birthday has come, it was a snowy wintery day, so they stayed inside.
"Momma, tell me the story again when you told daddy I was coming?" Hailey begged.
"It was a beautiful summer morning; your father and I went out on a picnic at a local park. Your father spread the blanket down on the ground. I took out our lunch. I handed your father a gift, he opened it up and it was a little teddy bear that said, and baby makes three in the new year. I never seen anyone so excited. He screened and yelled so the whole world would know. He started to call you his little peanut. He went to every appointment and read every book. After we found out we were having a little girl, he would call you, Hailey Elizabeth. So, when you were born, that is what I named you. For tradition every year on Hailey's birthday we watch the movie the Princess Bride," Jen said.
"Yay!" Hailey jumped up and down cheering.
"Have you guys seen Princess Bride?" Since Cody and Alex don't have a TV and it sounded like a chick flick, they shook their head no. "You guys are in for a real treat," Jen said sarcastically as she knew probably not their type of movie. Cody made some popcorn over the fire and Jen got her laptop out.
"Mamma, mamma do the voice," Hailey laughed.
Jen stands up in front of them all and imitate Count Rugen the priest, "Marriage…. Marriage is what brings us together…today. Marriage... that blessed arrangement… that dream within a dream… then love. true love will follow you … so treasure your love," They all laughed.
The four of them snuggled on the couch and watched Princess Bride. Hailey snuggled up to Cody, she had really bonded with him. Cody and Alex were good sports to watch the movie, but they enjoyed the family time together.
By the time the movie ended, the snow stopped, and the sun came out. Cody and Alex went outside to take care of the horses and moved some firewood closer to the house. Hailey and Jen went outside as well. Jen whispers to Hailey and Hailey giggled.
When Cody and Alex came out of the barn. Hailey and Jen thru snowballs at them.
Cody and Alex start throwing snowballs back. There screaming and laughing. Cody picked up Jen and they both fell over into the snow. Alex and Hailey jumped on them as well. They are all hugging each other. Alex and Hailey got up and started chasing each other. Cody and Jen were still lying on the ground. Cody rolls over on top of Jen. He takes his gloves off and wipes the hair out of her face. He holds Jen's cheek in his hand. He is about to kiss Jen and she is wanting him to kiss her. Then a snowball hits them.
"Bad timing kid," Cody gets up and throws snowball toward Alex and Hailey. Then laid on the ground next to Jen. She then rolled on top of him. The kids run off and she kissed Cody. He wrapped his arms around her, and he kissed her back.
Later that night, they had pizza and cake to celebrate Hailey's birthday. Jen brought out a birthday cake. Cody lit the candles, and they sang happy birthday to Hailey and gave her gifts. They were all genuinely happy.