This is a continuation of Mirror, Mirror on the Wall. It takes place four years after Jennifer Tompkins' return.
Buck finished loading the wagon with all the makings for the family picnic he and Jen had planned for today when several children came to a dusty halt beside him. They were out of breath but all trying to speak at once. Seven year old Ethan was the leader followed by his four year old cousin Jimmy and Ethan's twin two and a half year old brothers Isaac, don't call him Ike, and Noah. Buck looked for the last of the children and saw Kid and Lou's youngest son Jed toddling along as fast as his little legs would carry him. "Hold it, slow down I can only hear one voice at a time, remember?" Buck tried not to laugh, it sounded funny but it worked every time.
"Papa, I want to bring Patches on our picnic and Momma said I had to ask you but Jimmy wants to bring Peanut and Aunt Lou said that was ok if you said it was ok but those two…" Ethan pointed a finger at the twins; Jimmy nodded and did the same. "They want to bring Smoky and Momma said no, so did Aunt Lou and Uncle Kid said to talk to you."
Thanks Kid Buck thought. "Well since Patches and Peanut can run along beside us, so, I think its ok if they come but Smoky just had kittens and she really needs to stay here and take care of them." Buck knelt down to be face to face with his disappointed twins. "How about we bring Mr. Ears and Mr. Bear? They can't go swimming but I think they'd like to go on a picnic….Jed are you going to bring Blankie?" the little boy held up a well loved blanket he clutched tightly in his hands and nodded. "Good, when you all go swimming Mr. Ears and Mr. Bear can snuggle up all safe with Blankie, does that work for everyone?" Five small heads nodded. "OK! Now go get what you're bringing with you, including the dogs, and let everyone else know the wagon is ready.
As the kids ran toward the house someone started clapping behind him. Buck turned to see his wife, the former Jennifer Tompkins, leaning against the side of the wagon with a big grin on her face. "That was amazing; I think you should take over raising the kids, all of them! Lou and I won't mind!" She laughed rubbing her gently rounded stomach. "I'll muck stalls, break horses, and load hay any day you want to take over for me. How about the day I start birthin' this one?" Jennifer had walked up to Buck and he'd put his arms around her enjoying a rare private moment.
"Hmmm, I think I'll leave that to you, but I'll gladly take the kids any day you want me to. Just don't complain like last time when Ethan and Isaac had a manure fight…." Buck kissed her, sighed and kissed her deeply until they heard the pounding of little feet and a dog barking. "I can't wait until they go to bed!" He whispered into her neck. Jennifer giggled and nodded.
Lou and Kid walked over to the wagon with their picnic basket and blanket. Kid loaded their things into the wagon and they helped Jennifer and Lou into the seat. Ethan and Jimmy both rode with their fathers while the twins rode in the back of the wagon and Jed road between the two women; Blankie clutched to his cheek, thumb in mouth.
The day was perfect, warm but not too hot and the water was just cool enough to be refreshing. The meal the women had packed was eaten and enjoyed by everyone. Buck and Kid took the children in the water both before and after the meal for a swim and a splash fest that had everyone laughing. Finally the younger children fell asleep and Ethan and Jimmy decided to fish for dinner. The adults sat back enjoyed the relative peace of the late afternoon.
"Whatcha' thinkin' Kid?" Lou asked running a finger down his bare chest.
Buck smiled watching his friends. "I know what I'm thinkin' hmmmm…." He mumbled to Jen and nibbled playfully on her neck.
"I wonder what that could be!" Jen mused as she ran her fingers through her husband's hair.
"I think Buck and me are thinkin' the same thing, more or less." Kid laughed as he nibbled on Lou's ear.
Buck's hand strayed a little on Jen's neck and his fingers disappeared into her shirt. "Uh huh" he mumbled as he kissed Jen deeply.
"I GOT ONE! PAPA COME QUICK!" Ethan yelled and both dogs started barking.
Buck jumped up as if he'd been shot and the other adults moved apart as if they'd been caught doing something wrong. "I can tell you what I'm thinking right now" Jen said watching Buck and her son. "Remember when we were all here that day and Ethan slept the whole afternoon?"
Jed woke up without Blankie in his hand and let out a wail. "So did Jimmy, isn't that?..." The twins woke up. "How they arrived?" Lou asked laughing as she picked up her son. Kid had gone to help Buck with the older boys.
"Yup, Buck was still trying to convince my father to let him marry me. I thought he was going to kill Buck when he found out I was pregnant." Jen laughed.
"You didn't tell your father you were already married? Jen what if he kept saying no?" Lou was rocking Jed in her lap now; Blankie was back were it belonged, in Jed's hands.
"I really didn't care. The only one that counted was Buck, he was willing to marry me and raise Black Wolf's son as his own and, well, he's damn good!" Jen winked at Lou and both women giggled. "If you know what I mean!"
"I sure do! I've seen him in action and you two were not exactly quiet until after you woke up Ethan that time….How did you explain what you were doing to him anyway?" Lou asked as the four fishermen returned with the catch.
"Bad dream" Jen said as she tried to stifle a laugh. The fish was a small four inch sunfish. "Ethan that's great that's the first fish you've caught all by yourself." Jenny hugged her son. "It's getting late, why don't we call it a day. I have this little itch that I just can't seem to scratch here." Jen winked at Buck and smiled when she noticed a little movement in his trousers.
"I can scratch it Momma!" Ethan said. Buck, Kid and Lou all burst out laughing. Ethan looked at them, stuck out his lower lip and said with a pout, "but I can."
"I'm sure you can sweetie, here right in the middle of my back, that's it…..Hmmm….thank you!" Jen hugged her son once again and winked at Buck. He groaned.
Later that night