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Date Posted: 17:57:44 07/12/13 Fri
Author: Nettie
Subject: Life Goes On (Lily Series) Chapter 29

AN: All the usual

Life Goes on - Moving On 1/5

“Tell me why we’re trying for another one,” grumbled Mattie as she climbed out of bed yet again to see to her one-year-old son who had decided sleeping through the night was a thing of the past.
“I’ll go,” Colin said, making a half-hearted attempted to push away the covers.
“Don’t bother,” she said with a sigh. “I’m already up.”

A few minutes later, she appeared with Kenzie and climbed back into bed. Having already been woken by him three times and with a busy day coming up, Mattie needed the precious few hours left in the night to sleep.
“What do you think is his problem?” Colin asked, rolling onto his side and caressing his son’s head.
“I don’t know,” she said with a yawn. “Let’s hope this does the trick.”

The only one who fell asleep was Mattie as Kenzie wriggled about and settled against his daddy’s chest.
“Come on, little man,” he whispered, kissing Kenzie’s head. “We need sleep...there’s lots to do tomorrow.”
Kenzie giggled and brushed his hand along his daddy’s five o’clock shadow.
“You’re a big boy now,” Colin said. “You’re not a baby anymore.”

Whatever the reason, Kenzie wasn’t in the mood for sleeping and, so his wife wasn’t disturbed again, Colin got up and took the child with him.
“Let’s get a drink,” he said quietly, only turning on one kitchen light.
Kenzie agreed happily putting his hands out.
“Milk,” Colin said, opening the fridge with one hand while holding Kenzie on his hip with the other.

Soon both had some warm milk and Colin settled them in the armchair with a throw rug spread over them. He then picked up a book bought for the child by his grandparents called ‘Guess How Much I Love You’. It was a book he’d already read a dozen times and so his mind wandered back to the child’s birthday.

It was over the summer vacation and fell between the vacationers returning home and the rush to start the Burnett’s home and the start of the school year. It was a family gathering, which now thanks to the fact nearly everyone in their family already lived there, was easy to organise. Colin’s parents had flown in for it and Kenzie had been very, very spoilt.

There was lots of laughter and love around and Colin’s parents were overwhelmed seeing Jessie once more, knowing all she had endured since they first met her at the younger couple’s wedding. Kathy Bates had tried to do everything for Jessie until Colin finally took his mother aside and explained that while Jessie needed help at times, they were trying to make her as independent as possible and not to fuss.

After that, Kathy had tried extra hard to let the girl do for herself, it was hard but she realised sympathy wasn’t going to get young Jessie anywhere in life. Meanwhile Bill had made himself at home around the farm getting Aidan to work with him where possible; it soon became apparent that while the young man was eager, it was obvious he wasn’t born on a farm.

Come the day of Kenzie’s birthday, there was food, fun and laughter all around. The birthday boy had taken it all in his stride, not comprehending that this celebration was for him; he was just happy having candy and cake. As the proud parents had helped the child blow out his candles, Mattie made her own wish; that they would soon discover Kenzie would have a sibling.

While the rest of the family had been away on vacation, Mac had insisted her grandson spend many nights with them. While she told Harm it was so Mattie and Colin could have some alone time, he knew it was mainly to keep herself busy as she was missing her children very much. Whatever the motive, the younger couple made good use of their time. There were a few nights out, something they hadn’t really done since they lived in New York and a few romantic nights at home enjoying the luxury of an otherwise empty home to be more vocal about their feelings when it came to bedroom activities. While they loved Kenzie and Aidan, having two boys in the house did often put restrictions on their lovemaking.

They had spoken at length on previous occasions about another baby, both thinking that 18 months between the two would be a good gap. Close enough for them to have a good bond growing up, not too close that it would feel like having two babies. From the time Kenzie had been nine months old, they had stopped using protection and while Mattie hadn’t expected to get pregnant straight away, she had been disappointed each time her period had made its appearance.
The nearly three weeks the others had been away suited her perfectly but when her September period arrived she was more disappointed than she had expected. Still, she had reconciled, it wasn’t wasted time. Her husband was utterly gorgeous, fully fit and a very, very generous and fulfilling lover – a girl could do worse!

By the time school had gone back, Mattie wasn’t pregnant and with Kenzie’s sleep disturbed, Colin had to wonder if it would happen anytime soon.
“Come on, little man,” Colin whispered, kissing the still awake child. “It’s 4:45 AM...or 0445 hours as your gigi and pappy would say...” At the mention of his beloved grandparents, Kenzie’s face lit up, something Colin found adorably cute but not what he wanted.
“Pap - py!” he said with a giggle and Colin shook his head.

In the middle of the night his year old son had uttered his first word and it wasn’t the traditional momma or dada, it was pappy, he knew Harm would be so proud.
“Well, go to sleep,” he whispered, “And we’ll see pappy in the morning.”
To Colin’s surprise and bemusement, Kenzie quickly drifted off to sleep and all that was left for him to do was to settle the child in his bed and return to his own.

“He asleep?” Mattie muttered rolling into her husband as he settled under the covers.
“Sleeping like a baby,” he said, kissing his wife’s head and pulling her a little closer.
“Wake me up early,” she mumbled, running a hand under his tee and resting it on his chest.
“Why?” he asked, Mattie normally wanted every last minute of sleep she could get.
“Wanna work on another baby,” she whispered before drifting off to sleep.
Colin grinned; that was definitely something worth waking up early for.

Half an hour before they were due to get up, Colin stirred and slowly repositioned himself so he could kiss his wife awake. It didn’t take long for Mattie to reciprocate and to start stripping him off, something Colin didn’t resist in the least.
“What inspired this?” Mattie asked as she shed her panties and top.
“You did,” he said, kissing along her collarbone. “Said you wanted to work on another baby before we get up this morning.”
“Don’t remember that,” she said. “But sounds like a damned good idea to me.”

Divested of all clothes, Mattie climbed on top of her husband. “Did I suggest anything else?” she asked before kissing him deeply.
“Nope,” he finally managed breathlessly, his hands roaming around her body.
“’kay,” she said before kissing him again and rolling backwards bringing him on top of her.
“Wanna try something different?” he asked, cradling her head to him.
“Right now, just want you in me...” she said, arching up into him. “All the fancy stuff can wait for tonight.”

Not one for arguing with his wife, Colin was soon nestled deep inside her, his slow, deep movements causing an array of emotions to course through her.
“Can you go faster?” she mumbled, anchoring her hands on his butt, trying to encourage him to pick up speed.
“Not this time,” he said, this time it was going to be slow and sensual and loving and, hopefully, very orgasmic. After all, he had read in a magazine that conception was more likely with orgasm, and whilst he knew he satisfied his wife each and every time, he was taking no chances.

Knowing her husband could be stubborn when it came to such things, Mattie took a deep breath and allowed him to set the pace, gazing lovingly at him as he worked above her.
“God, you’re beautiful,” she finally said as she felt the wave of ecstasy rising within.

Colin just kissed her deeply before sending her over the edge and using his mouth to smother her cries of passion.
“Good morning, Matilda,” he said, still breathless as he rolled off her.
“Good morning, babe,” she replied, settling herself against him, knowing they only had a few precious minutes before it was time to get up. “You think it worked?” she asked, drawing on his chest with a lazy finger.
“Maybe,” he said, kissing her head. “But if not, at least we get to try some more.”
Mattie gave half a chuckle before looking up at him. “Am I getting obsessive?” she asked slowly.
“No,” he replied, kissing her head. “You’re eager to have my baby, a sibling for Kenzie, that’s all...not obsessive.”
“You’ll tell me if I get obsessive, won’t you?” she asked, pushing herself up on one elbow.
“I will,” he promised, kissing her nose. “But I think if we both relax a bit, it will just happen for us...like it did the first time.”
“Okay,” she said as she reached across him to turn off the about-to-ring alarm.

Over breakfast, Colin told Mattie and Aidan about Kenzie’s first word. Mattie wanted to wake the child there and then and try to get him to say it again but quickly realised her day was busy enough without adding a grumpy tot to the mix.
“Dad’s going to be so happy,” Mattie said, sipping her coffee. “Maybe we’ll record him saying it and then show him.”
“Sounds good,” Aidan said. “What do you think Auntie Mac will say?”
“I think there’ll be some banter between them, but she’ll love the fact Kenzie loves his pappy and dad will love the fact someone’s using the word pappy once more,” Mattie said.
Aidan nodded as he played with his toast.
“Something wrong with it?” Colin asked, gesturing to the lad’s plate.
“Oh, no, it’s fine,” Aidan said quickly. “Just thinking...”
“About?” he prompted when Aidan said nothing else.
“Doesn’t matter,” Aidan said getting to his feet. “I’m going to be late,” he said taking his plate to the sink before heading to his bedroom to collect his books.
“What do you think that’s about?” Mattie asked quietly as Aidan disappeared down the hall. Colin shrugged. “Oh well, we’ll talk to him tonight.”

For all Mattie and Colin’s efforts, they couldn’t get Kenzie to repeat his performance of ‘pappy’ for them, so as they walked to the farmhouse as Aidan departed for school they decided not to say anything to Harm. Kenzie had other ideas and the moment he spied his grandfather he shot out his chubby little arms.
“Pappy! Pappy!” he squealed before giggling.

Harm’s eyes widened and his mouth opened as Kenzie wriggled in Colin’s arms trying to get to him.
“Did he just say what I think he said?” Harm asked taking his grandson while looking at the child’s parents.
“He did,” Mattie said proudly.
“He said it for the first time at some ungodly hour this morning,” Colin said, beaming, ruffling the boy’s hair. “It’s his first word.”
“You love your pappy, don’t you?” Mattie said, rubbing Kenzie’s back.
“Pappy!” he squealed again and was rewarded by a dozen kisses and a great big hug from Harm.
“Well, someone’s popular,” Mac said as she kissed Kenzie’s cheek. “Good morning, Kenzie,” she said, putting her arms out for the child. He quickly shifted into her arms as while he loved his pappy, gigi was the one who gave him chocolate and candy. “Can you say ‘gigi’?” she asked. “Gigi.”
“Pappy!” he replied, hugging Mac tightly.
“You’re pappy’s little man aren’t you?” Mac said kissing the child.

While Pappy was the word of the day, much to Harm’s delight, within the next few weeks, Kenzie was making good attempts at lots of words, namely those of the people he loved most. As he continued to blossom, Mattie and Colin continued their quest to give him a sibling, enjoying each encounter and trying hard not to obsess about the outcome.

Meanwhile, Aidan was settling into school and while he often became quiet and withdrawn at times, it was something that he wouldn’t talk about and something Colin and Mattie couldn’t quite pinpoint.

Come the day of parent teacher conferences, it was left to Mac alone due to it coinciding with plans Harm already had with Mattie in Charlesville with their small business advisor. When he offered to reschedule it, Mac said no. After all, there may have been five children ranging from first grade to ninth grade, split across elementary, middle school and high school but, thanks to effectively having two sets of twins and the schools sharing the one campus, it was only three teachers she had to see in one venue.

The reports were good all around and Mac was pleased relaying the information to all gathered around the dinner table that night. The twins had settled in well and had made friends with other children, Lily was excelling and, except for a few incidents of talking too much in class, was behaving herself. Jessie had made great gains in her schooling, particularly in her handwriting, her injections and physical therapy paying off all around. And, as for Aidan, his efforts and achievements couldn’t be faulted. However, his Social Studies teacher had referred him to the school counsellor after becoming concerned that he seemed to be withdrawn.

After finishing with the teacher, Mac had made her way to the counsellor’s office and hoped that Mark Fraser would be able to spare her a few minutes. Luck was on her side and while Mark made it clear that he couldn’t divulge the content of his conversations with boy he did allude to the fact Aidan was having issues related to family matters.

Taken aback, Mac sat and clasped her hands; she thought they were doing well as a blended family but as Aidan seemed to be having difficulties at school as well as home, then perhaps what she was hearing was the truth.

In her telling of the teachers’ reports she only hit the highlights; informing the adults of Aidan’s issues once all children were tucked up in bed.
“I was thinking it was something along those lines,” Mattie said with a sigh. “When I think back it started around the time Kenz started talking. I don’t know what has upset him but he won’t open up.”
“Who is the best person to talk to him?” Colin asked, knowing it had to be a one-on-one. “I’m more than happy to do it but I want to make sure...”
“I’d like to do it,” said Frank, putting down his cup. “We developed a closer bond in La Jolla...and I’m a little more removed from ‘family’ than the rest of you.”
The others couldn’t find a flaw with Frank’s reasoning and he was duly the nominated person. He promised to update them after he had the opportunity to talk to the boy; wanting the encounter to occur naturally and not be forced.

It was the following Sunday before the two had their chat and it was in the hangar as Aidan washed Sarah and Frank tended to some donations for M.O.M.
“I’m surprised the kids aren’t down here,” Aidan observed as Frank folded some sweaters.
“Well, the girls wanted to come but I distracted them by suggesting Trish needed their help in the kitchen,” Frank replied with a guilty smile. “Don’t get me wrong, I love them very much, but I needed a bit of a time out.”
“I know that feeling,” he said rinsing out his cloth. “That’s why I offered to do this.”
“Maybe we should have a secret signal when we want to get away from the noise for a bit,” he suggested, his focus still on his task. “I’m sure between us we could come up with a job or an errand we need to take care of.”
“Sounds good to me,” Aidan said. “I don’t want to sound ungrateful but all that noise and all those kids can be a bit much.”
“Don’t I know it,” Frank replied with a laugh. “Especially now Kenzie’s talking...” he added, knowing Mattie had said that’s when Aidan’s behaviour first seemed to change.

There was silence for a while before Aidan put away his cleaning equipment and headed over to Frank.
“Anything I can help with?” he offered, gesturing to the boxes of donations still to be sorted.
“Definitely,” Frank replied. “Pick a box and go for it. You know where everything goes.”

For a while there was just idle chatter as the two worked away before Aidan figured it was the perfect opportunity to discuss what had been on his mind.
“Grandpa,” he said slowly and Frank took a deep breath.
“Yes,” he replied just as slowly glancing up from the cutlery he was sorting.
“No, it’s okay,” he said quickly shaking his head.
“What’s wrong, Aidan?” he said, going for the direct approach. “I know you’ve got something on your mind.”
“It’s going to come out all wrong,” he said, absently balling up the towel in his hands.

Frank put down the forks he was polishing and walked around the table. “Come and sit and we’ll talk,” he said, heading over to one of the donated sofas. “Now, just say what’s on your mind...however it comes.”
“I’ve been living here 10 months, me and Jessie,” he said hesitantly. “And getting older...”
“Aha,” Frank said, waiting for the actual issue to be raised.
“And I feel like part of the family, most of the time,” he added, qualifying his thoughts.
“You are a part of the family,” Frank confirmed for him when Aidan said nothing else. “When do you not feel like a part of it?”
“It’s gonna sound stupid,” he said shaking his head. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“If it’s troubling you then it’s not stupid and you should talk about it,” he said, patting his arm.
“When we first came, when mom was in hospital,” he started nervously. “Harm and Mac said they’d look after us for as long as needed. Then when she died, I heard them talking to you guys about seeing about adopting us...”
“Go on,” said Frank, his hand still resting on the boy’s arm.
“But eight months since then and nobody has said anything,” Aidan continued, shaking his head. “And I don’t mind for myself, really, because I know it takes time and if it doesn’t start soon I’ll be too old, but I think it would be good for Jessie. She’s going to need parents for a lot longer than me and I know Children’s Services have given Harm and Mac legal custody but it’s not really the same thing.”
“Why haven’t you said something before, son?” he questioned. “It’s obviously been playing on your mind.”
“Because I don’t want them thinking I’m ungrateful or want more from them than I already have,” he said quickly, looking at Frank for the first time. “I just wanted...well, I just felt that...”
“You wanted some security?” he offered when the boy seemed to struggle. “Something a bit more official?”
“Aha,” he replied tearfully. “I thought I’d be okay, after all, Mattie was never officially adopted and she’s a big part of the family.”
“What changed?” Frank asked, watching as the boy stood up and started pacing.
“Kenzie’s first word was ‘pappy’, did you know that?” he asked and Frank nodded. “The kid’s not even two and he knows who’s who. He knows his pappy and his gigi and mommy and daddy...and you and grandma...”
“He’s a clever kid,” Frank said with a smile.
“I’m 15 and Harm and Mac are my parents but yet I call them Aunt and Uncle, I live with Mattie and Colin but I think of them as my older brother and sister. I’m the oldest of six, seven if you count Kenz but I only live with Kenzie who is more like my nephew than a brother. You and grandma are my grandparents because you’re Uncle Harm’s parents but my own grandparents haven’t contacted me since I moved here...everything just seems convoluted.”
“Well, when you say it like that then it’s definitely convoluted,” he agreed standing up.
“And I’m not ungrateful,” he said, desperate for the older man to realise this. “I just ... I need to know my place in this family...in the world. I don’t want to go back to my grandparents and I don’t think they’d ever take me back but I’d feel better knowing it can never happen.”
“Would you like to call Harm and Mac dad and mom?” he questioned gently, wondering what response he’d get.
“I think so...or at least to be able to refer to them as that when I’m talking to other people. I don’t mind living with Mats and Colin but friends can get confused about things when I’m living with one set of people, calling others aunt and uncle who live next door and talk about all these little kids as siblings when only Jessie is my biological sister.”
“My suggestion would be to talk to Harm and Mac,” Frank suggested and Aidan nodded.
“I’ve wanted to,” he said dropping his head. “I’ve even tried a couple of times. I just don’t know what to say...or even whether I should...”
“If it will help, I could be there with you,” he offered and the boy’s face lit up.
“Really?” he asked wanting to check.
“Of course,” Frank replied with a chuckle. “I could even speak to them first, if you wanted me to, to let them know what you’ve been thinking about...”

Aidan considered this for a moment before nodding. “I’ve been thinking about it for a couple of months so I guess it’s fair that they have time to think about things too. Can you let them know that if they don’t want to do the adoption or even have us call them mom and dad that it will be alright?”
Nodding, Frank smiled. He didn’t think there would be any issue in either matter.

Later that evening when everyone under 40 was tucked up in their beds, Frank wandered back to the farmhouse and smiled when he found Harm and Mac curled up on the sofa together looking at some brochures.
“Hey, dad,” Mac said when she spied him coming back in. “Forget something?”
“No,” he said shaking his head. “I needed to speak to the both of you in private and I figured it was best to wait til everyone else was in bed.”
“What’s wrong?” Harm asked as Mac untangled herself from her husband. A serious discussion mandated she needed her own space.
“Aidan and I had our chat today and I figured it was best you knew about it sooner rather than later,” he said before giving them a rundown of the entire conversation.
“Wow!” mumbled Mac when he’d finished. “As far as the names go, he, they, are more than welcome to call us mom and dad, aren’t they?” she asked, turning to Harm and watching him nod. “We talked about it in the early days but didn’t suggest it to the kids because we didn’t want them to think they had to call me mom when they’d not long lost theirs.”
“It seems as though they’re ready to take that step, well, Aidan is at least. Whether Jessie wants to will be her decision,” Frank said looking between the pair.
“And as far as the adoption goes,” Harm continued. “We have looked into the Pennsylvanian laws and it would seem our path is to go for a Special Needs Adoption...”
“Special Needs?” Frank interjected. “I mean I know Jessie has special needs, but Aidan?”
“Aidan’s special needs are that he is older, there aren’t too many almost 16-year-olds who end up being adopted. Most see out their time as minors in the foster system. Siblings who need or want to be adopted together are also considered as having special needs.”
“That makes sense,” he said nodding. “So, what’s the next step?”
“Contacting Children’s Services again, lodging the paperwork, having another Home Study and report completed,” Harm reeled off.
“Um, I think talking to the kids is the next step,” Mac said. “I know Aidan is keen for this to happen but we need to talk to Jessie too, make sure she’s comfortable with it. Not to mention talking to our kids and letting them know what’s happening.” While she never usually referred to just her biological kids when she said ‘our’ she needed to separate them from the two newest members.
“How long do you think it will all take?” Frank asked. “It’s just that Aidan thinks it will take too long and he’ll be 18 by then.”
“All going smoothly, I can’t see it taking more than a couple of months,” Mac said, “It could all be official early in the new year.”
“Can you foresee any problems?” Frank asked, hoping there wouldn’t be.
“No, not really,” Harm replied. “Children’s Services gave us permanent guardianship of them both. Their mother is dead and there is no father listed on either birth certificate. I don’t believe Ronnie’s parents will argue the point, after all, Aidan’s been with us 10 months and except for Cormac Murphy turning up that time when mom hit him, we haven’t seen sight or sound of him.”
“Besides,” Mac continued. “They won’t be notified so they won’t know ...”
“And probably wouldn’t care if they did,” Harm added, shaking his head.
“What about their names? Would you change them?” Frank asked, trying to think through all the legal implications.
“That would be up to the kids,” Mac said. “And it’s something we’ll talk about before we lodge the paperwork as it will have to be done in both names if they want the change.”
“Do you think they will?” he probed, it was something he should have asked Aidan.
Mac shrugged; “I saw a picture Jessie drew over summer and she had written Jessie Rabb on the back, so I’m thinking she may, but as I said, we’ll ask them.”

And as there was little more to say until the children had been consulted, Frank headed off to bed and Harm and Mac did the same. While adopting Aidan and Jessie wouldn’t change anything on a day to day basis, they would officially be the parents of six, honorary parents of one, grandparents of one, in-laws of one and Harm couldn’t help but shake his head and laugh.
“What’s funny?” Mac asked as she pulled off her shirt.
“I was just thinking,” he said with another laugh.
“Well, share,” she said, focusing her attention on him.
“Do you remember the day AJ was born?” he started and she nodded. “And we made the baby deal?” She nodded once more. “We only ever spoke in the singular, even in the early stages of our relationship...now...”
“Now, it’s seven kids and a grandkid...a few more than we anticipated, isn’t it?” she said with a chuckle. “Would you change it?”
“Not at all,” he said, his jeans hitting the floor. “I love them all very much.”
“Me too,” she replied. “Aidan and Jessie are such a part of this family I couldn’t imagine them not living here.”
“Me neither,” Harm said, pulling back the covers and climbing in.
“Do you think they’ll call us mom and dad?” she asked as she finished changing.
“Yeah, I do...” he said before pausing. “Well, Jessie has already called me dad a few times and then when she’s realised it she’s apologised. Given that neither has had a dad, I think it will be easier for them to call me dad than you mom.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” she said climbing in beside him.
“But I think you’ll get mom,” he said pulling the covers around her. “Maybe after Christmas and Ronnie’s anniversary.”

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Replies:

[> This is great, Harm and Mac going from 'singlehood' to 'grandparenthood' is making for a wonderful story, loving it!. -- JoyZ, 18:24:41 07/12/13 Fri [1]


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[> So glad this family is back it is one of my favorites. I love it! Thank-you. -- Shazam, 00:01:05 07/13/13 Sat [1]


[ Edit | View ]
[> Wonderful Nettie loved it. Can't wait for more -- Beth, 08:21:20 07/13/13 Sat [1]


[ Edit | View ]
[> loving this the more i read just wonderful Nettie -- Bev uk, 11:44:30 07/13/13 Sat [1]


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[> Had to chuckle each time all the kids were counted out -- whoever would have thought that H&M would be raising so many. It is wonderful and am anxious to see what comes next. -- carramor, 19:53:33 07/14/13 Sun [1]


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