Chapter 7

Waylon was having so much fun shopping for supplies that he nearly forgot that it was something that he usually hated doing. They were going to do a reset in the hardware store in a few weeks, and there was a need for extra shelving. He was going to have an entire wall filled with things so that construction workers could see what sort of package deals he could do for them. Just as he was looking over the newest in peg boards, his cell phone went off. Answering it with a heavy heart, he wondered why his dad would use a phone rather than just contacting him. The first thing he asked was if everyone was all right.

“Yes, everyone is good. Booth is spending a great deal of time at the hospital, as he should, but other than that, everything is fine. I have a question for you, and I was wondering if you could spare me a few minutes after you get back home.” He told his dad that he would make sure he had time for him forever. “Thank you for that, son. I needed to hear that. I have myself a problem that might need your expertise on remodeling the pantry. Just what sort of things I’d need to consider and what not. I know that sounds so mundane, but I want to expand it for the holidays and when you all come over but I don’t even know where to begin. I won’t be doing the work myself, oh no, I know better than that, but get you to help me find someone other than Amy’s crew to do it. I’m hoping that once we get it done up, you or one of your brothers will move into this big old house, and we move into something smaller.”

“I’m not sure if you realize this or not but we spend more time at your house than we do our own. Having you move into something smaller will only make your new place crowded.” Dad laughed and said that was what his mom had said. “Well, as usual, she’s right. Since the ones of us with mates have a home, you’d be better off having Amy do the work, she is the best there is and then seeing if you can get one of the others to move in. If that’s really what you want to do.”

“It is. Your grandparents have been able to find their own space recently and have decided that the house has too many stairs in it for them. I guess it does. I never really gave it much thought before they mentioned it. After I told your mother, she said she’d been thinking the same thing. And she would love something smaller so that she could have the grandkids over and not have them putting out bread crumbs to find our way to them. I never thought the house was that big but she’s got her heart set on something much smaller and with a nice big pool. We so love watching the kids play in yours this summer.”

“I have, too. It’s been a great deal of fun for all of us.” He didn’t mention that he and Londyn had been enjoying the pool in the dark of the night for making love, but he had a feeling that his dad, a man who usually thought outside the box about sex and talking to them about it, that he figured it out on his own. “We’re having a pool house put in soon. Just to be able to store things in during the colder months. Also, Londyn and I want to get a pontoon boat to travel up and down the river with the kids. You know how much we all love the water.”

“I do. Oh some of the trips that we’ve had over the years. It makes me sometimes sad that you’ve all grown up and moved on.” He told his dad that they’d never move on because they had them to keep them on their toes. “I hope that’s true when you all have families of your own.”

“Dad, we all have families of our own in you and mom and the grandparents. That will never change.” Dad told him he was making himself sobby. “I know what you mean, I’m feeling that way as well right now. Why don’t you and Mom meet Londyn and me in town to have some dinner? I know you guys haven’t been out in a while, and it will be a blast for the four of us to get together.”

“I’d like that. Very much.” He told him that he would as well. “Let me talk to your mother and see if she has any plans. I doubt that she’d let that get in the way of spending time with her boys. But you never know.”

“She’ll have fun too.” They made plans for Dad to get back with him as he finished up his part of the shopping. Londyn was nearby in the building next door, looking for things for her new office. She’d decided that working for the family was the only way that she was going to enjoy herself and was pleased that Dad had given her all his law books. Some of them were fairly old, but they were perfect for her. She’d never had her own books, not that many anyway and was excited to build up her own library. He told her what was going on when they met for lunch.

“This will be awesome. I have found myself a desk at the second hand shop. It looks like something that your dad might well have had in his own offices. But I got such a good deal on it that even if it was ugly, I could put up with it. But it’s not. I love it, and it’s going to be perfect for my new offices. I did get me a new chair however.” He told her that he’d gotten another stool for the shop, too, that had a back on it this time. “I don’t know how you guys stood, not having a back on your chairs there. I would have been unable to move much after getting up from it.” He told her that he rarely sat down, nor did the grandparents and that was probably the reason for it.

“Grandda called me too. He told me that he’s been really good at not giving away too much stuff today. I swear that if they worked more than a couple of days a month there each, I’d be in the poor house. They do love to help other people. But they keep good records of things, too. Making sure not to give too much away to one family. Then they’ll expect it, and that won’t be good for anyone.” She asked him if they did that a lot, gave away things. “Not really. I did have herbs in the spring and when they were finished up with them, they paid some kid around to plant them around the building. It’s been nice, but looking over the receipts, I can see where they were giving one away for every one they sold.”

“My goodness.” They both laughed, and he leaned back in his chair to stare at his mate. “You’re looking like a bird who is surveying his prey. Do I have to remind you that we’re in public?”

“No. I wasn’t…well, I was thinking about sex, but not at that moment. I was thinking about something my dad said about having our own families. I did remind him that he was still a part of the family, with all of us finding our mates. Did you hear that Booth found his mate in a friend of Cullen’s?”

“I did hear that. I’m so happy for the two of them. I only hope that he’ll be able to heal her when the time is right. I can’t imagine what she must be going through right now.” Waylon told his own mate that he wasn’t sure that she knew that she was paralyzed. “That’s more than likely for the best. I mean, she is going through a great deal right now. I’d want to know right away, but I’d also not want to know. Does that make sense?”

“It does. You’d want to know but would be afraid of knowing. Cullen has a connection with her, and I’m not sure what she might know or not now that I think about it. I can see him talking to her and letting her know what the doctors are saying. I would as her friend.” She asked him how long they’d known one another. “Years, I guess. I think they were going on a date and figured out that it wasn’t for them. I can see that as well. They’re good friends that are just that. Very good friends.”

“I’ve never had a friend like that. I wish I did. Someone that I could have spoken to about anything.” He pointed out that he was her friend. “Yes, you are, but it’s not the same. They’ll be able to talk about other people and how much they get on their nerves. You can’t be that honest and open when talking about family with family.” He still didn’t understand but changed the subject.

“I’ve only a few more things that I need to get. Mostly, it’s a new cash register. No one is going to like the change, but they’ll get used to it. Or I’ll end up with a lot of cash on the counter with slips of paper on what was sold. It’s supposed to help with inventory and will have a special key for when my granddas give things away I can still take it out of inventory. The other day, I read a note from my grandda Sherman that just said paint stuff. That’s not very helpful, if you can imagine.” They both laughed. “He tried very hard, but there are times when I want to beg him not to come to work. I think they’d be sad if they couldn’t be there on their days. They honestly think that they’re helping me and I would hate to not have them around to talk to.”

“I bet they’re a hoot to work with, too. Or do they work alone?” He told her how he had about a dozen high school kids who worked with them so they’d not have to do any heavy lifting. Also, they were able to keep track of the things that went out the door when they were working. “That’s good. I can’t imagine trying to tell them no, that they can’t give things away anymore. I think it would break their hearts.”

“It would, I think. Especially when they figure out it’s for a good cause. A couple of years ago, while at work, Grandda Sheppard contacted a friend of his to plow up Mr. Martin’s ground so he could put in a garden. Then he gave them all the plants and seeds he’d need. Didn’t a day go by that Mr. Martin wasn’t bringing in something that he’d picked for us. They still talk about how he died that fall after getting everything brought in and saved up. But then it’s always a good cause when they’re busy giving things away.” Again, they both laughed, and he had to stand up they’d been laughing so hard. “We should get finished up if we want to be on time with having dinner with my mom and dad. Dad contacted me a little while ago and told me that Mom was very excited. She wants to go to the garden show nearby and find herself some roses to plant in the garden. My mom has been in garden shows for years and usually comes home with one or two ribbons.”

After lunch, they went their separate ways. She was finished up with shopping for her office but she wanted to look for things to put in the spare rooms that had been done up for guests. He didn’t know who they’d have staying with them as their family was right there with them, but she was having fun, and he loved watching her enjoy herself all the time.

By the time they were both about shopped out, it was time to meet his parents at the restaurant. He knew that they’d arrived earlier than planned but was able to meet them when it came time for his mom to find her flowers. They’d be delivered next spring and planted in the gardens that she’d had laid out for them. His mom loved a beautiful garden, and he was glad that she was able to get some great deals on them, too. He’d made arrangements to have an herb garden for their cook, and both he and Londyn were thrilled about that.

Dinner was great and he was delighted that his parents enjoyed the place they’d picked out. Having a salad bar in the place, something that he’d not seen in some time, he was happy with just having a go at it. However, he did eat some chicken and loved the lemony sauce that had been seared onto it. None of them drank alcohol, but it was great tea, and they were very happy with that. For dessert he had a nice bowl of ice cream while Londyn had a lovely piece of lemon meringue pie. He was able to have a taste of it and envied that she’d gotten the last piece. After dinner, they were walking around the outside mall and enjoying the evening’s slightly cooling weather.

“Won’t be long, and it’ll be the holidays again. I can’t believe that.” Londyn told his mom that she had already seen a lot of Christmas décor out in the shops, and it was sad to her. “By the time the holidays are here, I’m about as burnt out on them as I am when summer is over and we’re getting ready for fall. I want them to be ready for one season and holiday at a time, but I doubt that they’re going to listen to me, some grouchy old ape that has seen better times.”

“I don’t know that you’re grouchy nor old, but I understand what it is you’re talking about. Don’t get me started on black Friday. It used to be such a wonderful way to get out and get into the spirit of things, but now they start it well before Halloween, and all the charm of getting up at four in the morning is all gone. Not to mention getting better deals on the internet when they call it cyber weeks. What happened to cyber Monday?”

“You two are sounding a little disgruntled. How about if we agree to disagree with the way things have gone and make the best of the seasons. I know for a fact that I’m not going to be bored nor overwhelmed by the seasons if I can help it.” Dad snorted and said that once the children came along if they were to have any, then they’d see how things really were for the holidays.

They all did end up at the Christmas shop that was along the main street. It was beautiful the way that they had it all decorated, and with all the trees set up, he couldn’t help but to be ready to rush home and put up his own tree. However, the moment that he stepped outside in the warm evening, he had a dose of reality that made him second guess his decisions about tree decorating and lights around the house.

They were getting home around ten when he remembered that he had to unload his car. With them working together, the two of them were in bed at about eleven o’clock and asleep not too long after. It had been a long day and evening, and he, for one, was thrilled to be able to not just get into their bed but to put their feet up as well.

Their hot tub was being delivered and set up tomorrow. One more day and he figured that he could get himself relaxed enough that he’d not toss and turn so much. What with the new things coming in and the things going on with the newest addition to the family, he was about as beat as he’d ever been before. He was thrilled to no end that he had a place to unwind and relax like he did in his new home that wasn’t overwhelmed with family all the time. He loved them but they were a bit much when you were stressing out.

He had to get up twice in the middle of the night. Having all that good tea was something that he was paying for. Getting back into his bed the second time, he was happy to snuggle up to Londyn. Having her as his mate and friend was making him see things that he’d not before. Like how much his parents really and truly loved one another. And they did.

As they walked in front of them tonight, looking at the displays in the windows about sales coming up, they held each other’s hands. It wasn’t new to him to see them catching a kiss or two. He’d been amazed at his parents all his life and how much they loved to show how much they loved one another like they did. Even at football games, they were affectionate and loving. It used to embarrass him, but now all he could think about was that he’d love to have a love like they did. Where other people’s opinions mattered to them and they loved each other like they did with everything they did. They loved each other like they did and damn the consequences of anyone else opinion about them.

It made him want to be like them. And he decided that from now on he was going to show his love and support for all his family, not just his mate. Life was too unexpected and there was no point in his life to think that he should have done things differently when he had all the time in the world to love and to be loved. And Waylon did love his family with all that he was.

~*~

Londyn was thrilled with the way that her office was looking. She had an office in the downtown area, a place where she could have an office front in the event she was needed for the family, but having this lovely office at home was making her happy that she wasn’t going to be stuck in an office all day but to be able to deal with things as they came up and still be at home in the event Waylon or one of their children needed her when they came along.

Putting the little finishing touches around the room, photographs that she took with her phone of Waylon and his family in pretty frames. Pieces of things that she picked up while out with him too. A ticket stub here, some pretty stones from the beach that they’d gone to for an afternoon of boating. Little things that would mean very little to anyone else, but to her, they meant the world.

“Do you have time to—good heavens, Londyn, this is beautiful. I’m jealous that I didn’t have you do my office once I decided to have one at home.” She told Sherman, Waylon’s dad, that she was pleased with how it turned out as well. “My goodness, I love all the little touches. And the flowers are just the perfect touch to make the room seem less office like and more like a meeting place for anyone that comes in.”

“Thank you. I figured that if I was going to have an office at home, I make it something that I’d not avoid.” He said he thought he’d done that as well. “What is it that you wanted me to look over.”

“Oh, yes. It’s the testimony of the man who sued Waylon about the house he wanted to have built. I know that there isn’t going to be a trial anytime soon, if ever, but he says some things in it that make me wonder if this isn’t the way that he does things. Makes a few comments to people and then sues them when things don’t go his way.” She earmarked the things that he said that he wanted her to look over in favor of talking to Sherman. He was a brilliant man, she had discovered, and he loved history and the law.

“We took your advice and had our license filed about us being married. It was much easier than I thought it would be, and now it’s all done. Amy said that she’s having a large wedding in a few months for her and Jayden to tie the knot and that her brother is insisting that it be in the White House. I couldn’t handle all that going on.” He told her that he wasn’t sure that he could either. “I guess when your sister of the president, there isn’t much you can do to make your life quiet.”

He told her how she had tried to stay out of the limelight when she’d been living at her own home, but it didn’t work out all that well for them. Now that it was out and about, it also served to hide away the relationship that Jamie had with his mother. Or the one that she thought that they’d have together.

“Yes, that was a mess from the start. The poor woman had her own terror of living at her childhood home, and that is what made her like she was.” She told him that she’d heard about it from Hazel. At least some of it. “I’m sure that she glossed over a great deal of it. Keeping it out of the paper had been the hardest on Jamie. Poor man. He and Carol or finally getting their life on track with their two little ones.”

They talked about different things for the next half hour. When he left her, she got to work on the paperwork that he’d brought her and made notes on the things that he’d pointed out to her. Once she had the notes, she turned them over to the man who was running the show when it came to suing Waylon about his home. She thought that it was a done deal that he was going to jail but she hadn’t kept up on things while she’d been hanging around her mate.

After she had finished up for the day, going to the kitchen to find out what plans had been made for dinner, she was told that they were going to cook out salmon and was happy about that. That was one of the things that she loved more than salads was grilled salmon and rice.

Going out to the pool, she dead headed some of the flowers that had lost their blooms and sat around the lovely area in favor of being in the house. Since meeting and falling in love with Waylon, she found that she loved the outdoors more than before, and her meals had changed as well. She enjoyed a nice green salad over having much in the way of meat and desserts. Even though she had one, it wasn’t much of a hardship to give up, either.

Heading home, the four of them hugged tightly before getting into their cars. It was an evening that she’d not soon forget, and was glad that they had made the time to join them. She was going to make sure that she and Waylon did this more often, just meeting up with his parents for a night out. It made the days seem so much better when you had something so wonderful to look forward to and to remember.

By the time they were home, it was dark enough that they had to use the flashlights on their phones to see the steps. Going inside and locking up, they didn’t even bother to look at the mail but simply went up to bed and fell exhausted into the bed. It was the first time since they’d been sleeping together that they didn’t make love before going to sleep. Exhaustion had a way of making them feel like they needed sleep over sex, she supposed.

The next morning, she was waiting for the things to be delivered when her cell phone rang. It occurred to her that she’d not made a connection with the rest of the family when she spoke to Cullen. He wanted to know if he could meet her for lunch today. All for spending time with him, they arranged to meet at her office and he told her that he’d be there by noon. It was just nine now, and she was excited to be able to help this member of the family out.

He arrived just as her boxes did, and once he got them into the room where they belonged, he sat at her new desk and smiled at her. She wasn’t sure of his smiles yet but was willing to think that it was a good one when he started speaking.

“The government wants me to reenlist. I’m not going to do it but they sent me a contract over that says some gibberish about how I can’t work for any other government agency so long as I live. I’m not sure why they’d think after all the time that I’ve spent with them that I’d go rogue on them, but that’s what I’m getting from the first read-over of the contract. If you could give it a good look, I’d appreciate it.” She asked him if he had it on him. Once the file was in her hands, she realized right off the bat that the wording of the first line was off. “What do you mean by off?”

“They’re saying that not only can you be tried with treason but that they can have you brought for a firing squad if you decided to do anything that the contract here forbids you to do. I’d not sign it simply for that reason. Firing squad? Do they even do that anymore?” He didn’t so much as blink at her. “Thank you for not answering that. But no, I’d not sign this.”

She read over the rest of the contract, and she picked up her phone and called Jamie. She’d been told to do that when she had questions, and she was reasonably sure that he had no idea that they were going to do things like this contract said to Cullen if he were to simply step into another office of the government. He answered her with a laugh, and she had to smile.

After reading to him what was in the first couple of paragraphs, he asked her to fax it to him. She told him that according to the contract, he couldn’t fax it anywhere or he’d be killed.

“I don’t like this. Send it over, and I’ll take care that nothing happens to him. Nor you. Christ, this sounds like something that another country would do to my boy.” She sent it to him, then sat back and waited for him to get it. “I’m going to read this over and—ah yes, it is signed. Good. This won’t take me but a few hours to get to the bottom of. Let me call you both back when I have this straightened out. Arrogant people drive me insane.”

While they waited on the callback, Cullen helped her put her things in the right places. He was extremely helpful in moving her desk to the window, being that he was as strong as…well, an ape. Plus he was able to get the boxes broken down quickly and efficiently without much in the way of mess. She loved that he was a clean as he went person. She might well have been overwhelmed if not for him being there helping. By the time they got the call back from Jamie, they had the office situated and ready for her first job. Second, she supposed, counting Cullen.

“I’ve spoken to the man, General Briggs, and he’s decided to retire as of today.” Jamie laughed, but it wasn’t full of humor like one would expect. “The man thought that he was doing the country a favor by making sure that our best man wasn’t going to the other side. As it is now, he’s lucky that he still has his pension as well as the ability to retire, like I’m allowing him to do. Stupid man.”

“Cullen wants to get out of the service. I believe, too, that he’s done plenty for his country and deserves his pension as well as his retirement. If you have a problem with that, then I’ll have no trouble taking you on either.” Cullen laughed, and she smiled at him. “Are you going to have a problem with that?”

“Not at all. I was going to suggest that you write up a contract that favors him, but I have a feeling that you’ll have him living in the White House with me so that he can keep an eye on me for the time I have left.”

“Damned straight.” They all three laughed and she was glad that it turned out so well that she was going to make this as her first win. Not that she had a great deal to do with it, but it was finished up in Cullen’s favor, and that was a win so far as she was concerned.