Chapter 36: The Family Business

The playroom was loud, as he sat in the corner looking over his youngest nephew as he laid curled up on the floor napping. The other six kids were playing. He noted as the occasional loud noise would come from that side of the room.

Huck smiled and put his feet up on something. Being a Dad was a big deal to him, and whenever he could he would spend time with his children. Even days like today he would be in the room and watched after them. Every so often one of the kids would come over, talk to him or ask a question.

He looked up and saw Kelly walk into the playroom. Huck noticed her cheeks and her nose was still red from the cold.

"Are you in a rush?" Huck asked.

"A little, but I have time," Kelly said, and started to slip her coat off, "It's cold out."

Huck nodded, "Have a seat, Rian is still napping," Huck said.

Kelly nodded, "Funny I walk in the room and my own kids don't notice me," she said, taking a seat near Huck.

"They're playing, let's just talk and then they'll notice," Huck said.

"That's how it usually happens," Kelly said.

"Yup," Huck said, "So, how were the South Tenants?"

"Good, I got to speak to most of the leaseholders, except…" Kelly said.

"Except Holden Kilpatrick," Huck said.

"Yeah, except Holden Kilpatrick," Kelly said.

"You talk to Marie?" Huck asked.

"Also spoke to Wendy and Connie," Kelly said, "Cindy was there too, but again, no Holden."

"Let me guess, he just left," Huck said.

Kelly nodded, "How did you know?" she asked.

"When we were young, I went up there a few times with Dad, and Keavy Kilpatrick use to say the same thing," Huck said.

"Interesting," Kelly said.

Huck looked at his watch, "Hang out a little while, you'll get to see your oldest niece," he said.

"It's your week for Brett?" Kelly asked.

Huck nodded, "Yup," he said.

"I can never keep track," Kelly said.

Huck chuckled, "Neither can I, Chase does it for me," he said.

"She keeps you straight, doesn't she?' Kelly asked, "Isn't that all ending soon?"

Huck nodded, "Brett's eighteenth birthday, and as long as she maintains her scholarship I don't have to pay for college," he said, "Doesn't mean she won't get some money from me every week when she's at Notre Dame."

"Why did you agree to all this? Ashlyn didn't ask for anything and allowed you to see Brett whenever you wanted," Kelly said.

"It was my idea, we never had anything on paper, and Chase and I agreed we needed something official. I also wanted to make sure I took care of Brett," Huck said.

Kelly nodded, "That makes some sense," she said, her brother had always been a stand-up type of guy. But also, Chase had money, and they had just built Tree Hill Hall and she probably wanted that protected.

"Yeah," Huck said.

"So, tomorrow I have to check out the North Tenants," Kelly said.

"Makes sense," Huck said.

"Could you do me a favor?" Kelly asked.

"Could, yes, would, you haven't asked me yet," Huck said.

"Would you do me a favor?" Kelly asked, rolling her eyes, "As the Game Warden."

"What can I do for you?" Huck asked.

"Tomorrow could you check on the deer herds in the south tenant area?" Kelly asked.

"Let me guess while I'm out there you would like me to swing up early to the Kilpatrick's, make sure Holden knows I need to talk to him," Huck said.

Kelly nodded, "Yes, that would be nice, as well," she said.

"Still getting offers for the fields?" Huck asked.

Kelly nodded, "Yes, most of them a fallow, and I can rent them out, just for farming, but…" she said.

"But, the lease for the Kilpatrick's includes those fields," Huck said.

"I know they make money other ways, just seems a waste letting those fields go unused," Kelly said.

"They're good fields because they've been unused," Huck said.

Kelly laughed, "I never quite got the hang of understanding farming," she said.

"Not everyone is a polymath," Huck said.

"Shut up big brother," Kelly said.

"Does it have to be tomorrow morning? Can I do it the day after?" Huck asked.

"I really need to get this done, Huckleberry," Kelly said, "But as long as you get up there."

Huck nodded, "Sure, I'll see what I can arrange for coverage for the Rugrats," he said.

Kell nodded, "Thanks, Huckleberry," she said.

"Welcome," Huck said.

There was a pause. The silence was only broken by the kids playing, that was when the whole house shook. It was followed by a loud voice.

"Dad!" Brett yelled.

Huck smiled when he heard the voice of his eldest daughter. The kids paused when they heard the voice and all their heads popped up.

"Dad!" Brett yelled again and walked into the playroom. The kids saw Brett and all smiled.

"Brett!" cried in a chorus. Brett smiled and turned to see Huck and Kelly sitting on the sideline. Brett nodded, "Dad, Aunt Kelly," she said.

"Hello," Huck said.

"Brett," Kelly said.

Brett toed through the kids playing and came over to where her Dad and Aunt were sitting

"How have you been Aunt Kelly?" Brett asked.

"Been good," Kelly said, "I see you've been doing good yourself."

"I can't complain," Brett said.

"I bet you can't wait for Norte Dame," Kelly said.

"Yeah, but I just want to get through the rest of the year," Brett said.

"One day at a time?" Kelly asked.

"Pretty much," Brett said.

Kelly stood up, "Well I got to get my gaggle home, and fed," she said.

"You only have three, that's not a gaggle," Huck said.

"Not all of us are overachievers," Kelly said, "Okay, start cleaning up, time to go."

"Do we have too?" Liv asked.

"Yes, Liv now get cleaning," Kelly said.

Brett took a seat where Kelly had been sitting.

"You don't have to show up this early," Huck said.

"Trying to get rid of me already, Dad?" Brett asked.

"I just remember when I was the same age as you are now, I was hardly home," Huck said.

"You were also dating Mama Chase," Brett said.

"Good point," Huck said.

"Anyway, I like being here," Brett said.

"I would figure you'd rather be with your Mama, fewer siblings," Huck said.

"It's better here," Brett said, "Dad, I'm going to put my stuff in my room."

"Go ahead," Huck said, "Okay, my imps, how do Y'all feel about pizza tonight?"

"Pizza!" The Kids said. Brett smiled, got up and headed out to get her bags and put them away in her room.