CH 32
The next day Pete call the ones who left messages on the answer phone as well send thank you cards to the ones who send flowers and cards to them.
The next morning Pete, Nikki and Victor showed up at Vicky lawyers office for the reading of the will. When they were in the guy office. Nikki held onto Pete hand soon as they sat down.
"Peter where is your sisters Karen and Lisa"
"Most probably suffering hang overs" He look at Pete then to Nikki
"they didn't know that Vicky died, I've been trying to call them since she pass away, even left messages on there phones and text messages to call home. They didn't get them. But Lisa did call the day of the funeral, she and Karen was planing on visiting this weekend and ask if they could stay for the weekend"
"did you tell Lisa then"
"no it was left on the answering machine at eleven forty. She was at some drinking strip poker party, we heard Karen voice in the back round. They were having a great time. It up set Pete a lot from that message, like they don't care"
"I've been trying to call them since Vicky was rush into hospital. That was a month ago" victor said.
Nikki reach over and held onto his hand as well. "Ok, shall we, But before I open the envelope Vicky had her will change over a month ago"
"Change, what reason?" Peter asked
"the baby for one and a surprise added, shall I start"
Pete nodded
He open the sealed envelope and pulled out the folded letter. He unfolded it and he read out what is says. Victor, Pete and Nikki listen to what the lawyer says when he read out the will.
Pete knew what he was getting from his mum. But what shock him, Nikki and victor was her life insurance and shares that she had for years that was cashed in and lotto ticket that Pete send to her with flowers for her birthday three months ago. When he finish reading out the last of the will he look at there red eyes shock faces.
"I didn't know mum had shares" Pete said
"neither did i" Victor said
"would you like to know how much there was" the lawyer asked Pete turn to Nikki
"It up to you Pete" He turn to the lawyer and gave a small nod.
The lawyer pick up a sheet of paper and look at it then to Pete "life insurance is total of one million dollars" he saw the shock looks on there faces
"the shares total of eigtht hundred thousand and eighty two dollars" He look up to there shock faces. "the last surprise is the money from lotto ticket you sent to her on her birthday"
"when I spoke to mum after the lotto draw to wish her a happy birthday. She sounded happy I didn't know why...did you uncle?" Pete asked
"No but her friend Jan who was taking her into town the next day for a belated lunch with some of her friend. She could of cash it in then" Victor said Pete turn to the lawyer.
"Mum won some money from lotto?"
"Yes she did. Peter, you are wealthy guy. The lotto first prize from the power ball draw was thirty million dollar, Your mum was the only winner. She leaving you the whole thirty million dollars" Victor, Nikki and Pete was shock with the news
"I'm shock" Pete said
"Same here" victor and Nikki said at the same time
"there one more request from Vicky"
"one" Pete asked
"Yes" he pulled out a folded sheet from the envelope and open it
"It got here, that Vicky Tomaszewski requests that twenty five percent of the insurance money and money cash in from the shares goes strait in to your pension plan that you got set up when you join the navy"
"Wow. Ok, I'm just shock by this that all"
"I bet you are. Do you need any thing"
"no, thank you"
"Ok here are papers for you till fill out"
He pass Pete a folder and a pen. Pete open it and read what it is. It was transferred papers for the inheritances. He filled out the papers and sign them. Then he pass it back to the lawyer who look it over then look at Pete.
"It will take about a week to go through"
"i under stand" They stood up and shook hands and the lawyer pass Pete his card.
"If you need me for any thing else give me a call"
"I will thank you"
"Mr Young can we have a copy of the will please" Nikki asked Pete turn to her
"Why"
"Lisa and Karen. Since they not here we can send them a copy of it"
"that a good idea" then he turn to the lawyer
"Sir can I have a copy of my mother will" Mr Young smile as he pass Pete a envelope
"Your mother was perpeared"
"that she is, thank you"
They walk out of the lawyers office and walk down to a cafe to have a drink. Pete and Victor had coffee while Nikki had a milk shake.
"Pete are you ok you been quiet since we left the lawyers office"
"I know, shock that all" Nikki put her hand in to his.
"It would be for any family"
"True. I'm not sure what to do now"
"We are here for you Peter, what ever you decided on what to do" Victor said
"Yeah" Pete said
Pete thought about what he wanted to do. When they finish there drinks they return back to the house. Pete look around the house while thinking on what he want to do.
By the next morning he decided on what to do. "Pete you look tired" Victor said when Pete walk into the kitchen
"Been thinking and I've decided on what to do"
"what ever it is I'm behind you" Nikki said as she sip her orange juice.
"Same here" Victor said.
"I've decided to donated all of mum clothing and furniture to chatty"
"Every thing" Nikki asked
"No not every thing, I'm keeping the two china cabinets and every thing in them and family heirlooms"
"what about sheets, towels" Victor asked
"donate. As Nichole read from mum Eulogy, that mum help other people in need for years. That is what I want to do and I know mum would agree to it"
Nikki step ford in front of Pete wrap her arms around Pete waist and kiss him
"I'm prod of you Pete and I know your mum will be also"
"thanks Nikki"
"Any time. What can I do to help"
"No heave lifting"
"that is why I asked" she said smiling
"Can you... take care of mum clothes"
"Sure, do you want them in a box"
"Ah yeah, I need boxes" Nikki grin
"Well how about having breakfast first then go into town to get some boxes" Nikki said
"good idea and I need to make some phone calls as well"
"I can make the calls" victor said
"thanks, so my loving wife what for breakfast"
victor laugh as Nikki give Pete a look then shook her head then walk around the kitchen island and open the oven door, she pick up a oven mitt and put it on the she bend over and pick up a dish and pull it out of the oven then closing the door and turning the oven off then she walk over to where Pete is since there a wooden board, she put the tray onto the board then remove the tin foil.
"wow that some breakfast" Pete said
"Well you did ask" Nikki said smiling.
She got plates, knifes and forks out and put them on the bench "Help your selves" then she went and made Pete a drink then went to join them for breakfast.
After breakfast and dishes were done. Pete made some calls then he and victor left to get the boxes while Nikki walk into Vicky room and started taking clothes from the closet and started folding them up and put them on the bed. Then she started on the draws sorting them out as well till Pete and Victor return. Pete walk into the bedroom carrying three boxes.
"Here" he put them on the bed. Nikki turn to him
"Are you ok" she step forward and put her hand onto his arm
"I will be"
"It will take time"
"I know" Then he turn and walk out of the room.
Nikki pack all of the clothes into the three boxes. Then she went and got another box and news paper and bubble wrap so she could wrap up the jewelery boxes and picture frames then put them into a box till it was full then she use felt tip pen and wrote what on it then carry on packing.
Pete and Victor started packing the sheets and towels then victor went and started on the china Cabinet. By the end of the day they got a lot done. The next day people showed up to pick up the boxes of things that Pete was donating to charity and moving truck showed up to take the two china cabinets and number of boxes to Cairns.
That another truck showed up to take all the furniture from the house. When done and the cleaners been in to give the house a good clean and left. Pete Nikki and Victor were left standing in the living room looking around the place.
Then Pete broke down then his legs gave way so he collapsed on to the floor. Nikki crouch down and held him in her arms
"Let it all out Pete, that it"
"she really gone"
"i know, but she still in our mind, in our hearts Pete" Nikki said.
She held on to him till he ready to pull away. When he did he look around the room. "I don't know what to do about the house"
"you said to me that you love this place, that you and your sisters grew up here"
"Yes, a lot of memories" he said.
"don't sell it" He turn to her
"what, why, we live in cairns"
"One day we might get transferred to here."
"that true but what can I do"
"I've been thinking about that my self. How about renting it out to a family"
"Family"
"Yes...navy family. I can ask mum and dad if they can check on the place from time to time and the money can go on to insurances, rates finish doing the place up like what you mum wanted to do"
"That is a great idea" victor said.
"Question is who can we talk to about having a family in here and how much would we change for rent?"
"I know of a family who been transferred to here, they been trying to find a house for there family since the husband been transferred to here a month ago, and the family is in Perth while he staying with family" Pete thought about it and turn to Nikki
"your brother and sister in law"
"Yes" Pete thought about it
"will they move into here" Nikki smile
"Yes they would. Tim been looking for a place for a month, since the navy family homes are full" Pete then stood up and help Nikki to her feet.
"Call him" Nikki got her phone out of her pocket and called Tim. She spoke to him for a minute then hung up.
"He on his way"
"Well Peter it one way to keep this house in the family" victor said
"Yes it is" then he turn and pull Nikki into a hug and kiss her.
They talk about different thing while sitting down on window box seat till Tim arrived. Nikki went to great her brother then she showed him around the house while talking to him.
Then they walk into the lounge last "So Tim what do you think"
"It reminds me of home" Nikki smile
"Yes it dose, so"
"How much for the rent" Nikki turn to Pete.
"Seven hundred"
"Seven hundred a week" Tim said in shock
"Yep Nikki and I talk about it and check out other rented homes. I place like this can easy go for eleven hundred a week easy" Pete said
"Hang on" then he got his cell phone out of his pocket and called his wife.
They heard him talk to his wife and smile as he telling her about the house and the rent for it. When he hung up the phone he look at them
"she tells me to sign the papers" Nikki laugh
"so you take it"
"Yes we will" Nikki step forward and gave him a hug. Then Pete stood up and walk over and gave Tim a hug
"We need to get a rental agreement papers" Pete Said.
Nikki walk over to her bag where she pulled out a pen and some papers then she walk over and pass them to Tim
"Here you go" Pete turn to Nikki
"What, how?"
"When we were in town yesterday"
"You knew"
"Yes I do know you Pete, I know what you are like and you told me you wouldn't give up this place"
"thank you" they hug and kiss.
Tim filled out the paper work then Pete check it over then sign it. Then he gives Tim a copy of it.
"Here the keys to the house" Pete said as he pass Tim the keys.
"Thanks Pete, Nikki"
"your welcome now you can have you family move in here" Pete said
"Yes I can" they all walk out side after Nikki close and lock the windows then Pete close and lock the front door.
Nikki and Tim hug before Tim got into his car and drove back to his parents place while Victor, Nikki and Pete went to couriers place where Pete sorted out package and posted it then the three of them went to the hotel to check in and to relax.
They got together for dinner that night while they talk for couple of hours before returning back to there rooms for an early night since they were up early in the morning.
The next morning the three of them flew up to Cairns since Victor wanted to spend a week with them and Nick before flying back home. When they arrived home by taxi they walk in side and walk towards the bedrooms. Nikki showed victor his bedroom and bathroom. He notice that his bed was made. He turn to Nikki
"Heidi came over yesterday to air the house out and clean it for us and she made the beds this morning"
"that is good of her"
"Yes it was, we help each other out in so many different ways"
"Ok"
"I'll go and check on Pete then I'll head into town to get some food for here"
"I hope you will get some rest"
"i will" Nikki walk out of the bedroom and down to hers and Pete room. She walk in to see Pete put clothes away.
"Every thing ok" Pete asked
"Yes, I'm off in to town"
"what for" Nikki smile as she step ford and kiss him
"food Pete"
"Oh"
"I'll be back in an hour"
"Ok" they kiss once more before Nikki walk out of the bedroom.
Over an hour later Nikki return from shopping. Pete, Victor and Nick walk out and into the garage where Nikki park the car and got out
"Got every thing" Pete asked
"Yes, traffic it crazy in town"
"Well it is Friday" Victor said
"True"
they got bags out from the boot of the car and took them in side while Nikki close and lock the car up and close the shed door before walking in side and into the kitchen. To help put things away.
"what are we having for dinner tonight?" Pete asked
"Lasagna and salad"
"sounds good" victor said
Once every thing was away, Nikki start making her lasagna for dinner while Nick, Pete and victor left her to make it. When dinner was ready they all sat around the table helping them selves while talking.
"Mmm this is a great lasagna Nikki"
"thanks Victor" Nikki watch them enjoy dinner, they all even went back for seconds.
After dinner Nick took care of the dishes since they got a dishwasher in the kitchen. While Nikki, victor and Pete went int the living room to watch some TV.