The ten of them chapter 18

Kathryn and Sam are still sleeping as I think over the conversation about Daniel, there’s no way I want to see Kara hurt. That is a situation we must approach very delicately. If we stay out of it, who knows it may turn out well, then again. With matters of the heart sometimes it’s best to be an observer, and support your love once in their choices. Sometimes no matter what, heartache is going to find them and all you can do at that point is helped them pick up the pieces and start over. I wouldn’t want to see Kara used by someone who didn’t care for her. I also don’t want to destroy any chance she has to true happiness with Daniel by interfering. Perhaps just a casual talk with Daniel would not interfere too much, but provide enough information to ease my mind and that of her father.

I’m lying there with Sam still sleep on my chest Kathryn cuddled in close to us with her head on my shoulder. My right hand gently strokes Sam’s back as she sleeps. My left hand gently strokes Kathryn’s back as she sleeps. For some reason I think Sam has not slept so well, she’s sleeping longer than her usual nap.

Mom and Reese are there, they notice that I am awake and Mom whispers, “Dinner will be ready in half an hour JJ.”

I don’t say anything because that will wake Sam immediately. I raise my hand from Sam’s back and give a thumbs up signal to let Mom know I heard. I go back to caressing Sam’s back as Mom and Reese leave, both giggling as they go. Ten minutes later I gently increase the speed at which I rub Sam’s back not so much as shake her awake, but to gently bring her back to consciousness. Kathryn seems to wake up as soon as I make the decision to wake Sam.

Kathryn moves forward giving Sam a kiss, the instant Kathryn breaks the kiss Sam comes awake with a giggle. When she sets up on my stomach is the first time I notice how full my bladder really is. Sam giggles at my expression saying, “Daddy you’re making a funny face.”

Kathryn giggles jumps up and runs to the bathroom before I can roll Sam off me. Giving Sam a kiss I tell her Daddy and Mommy has to go to the bathroom. I can tell Kathryn is relieving herself at that instant it’s all I can do to hold myself. Apparently our bond has a few more drawbacks then we realized.

Although I seem to know exactly what Kathryn is craving for, this makes it a lot easier to find. I have to admit that sometimes her description is very lacking. At 1 o’clock in the morning she shook me awake to tell me she wanted something to eat. I stumbled into the kitchen and got her a glass of milk and some gingersnaps. Returning she asked, “How did you know that’s what I wanted?”

Smiling I say, “Because that’s what I wanted too.” I thought I brought enough for the two of us, but apparently not and I had to make a run to refill the glass of milk and bring more gingersnaps. Eating a couple in the kitchen I had all I wanted, and when I return to Kathryn she was already contented and going back to sleep. I just snuggled in against her and we were both asleep in an instant.

Kathryn moves out of the way as soon as she is finished and I take her spot to relieve myself. Kathryn returns with Sam as I’m washing my hands. I tell them dinner will be ready very soon as I leave the bathroom. Kathryn Sam washes their hands, and brushes their hair before they reappear. Sam comes into my arms and asked before we start downstairs, “Daddy can I sleep with you and Mommy tonight?”

Caressing Sam’s back which I do a lot I answer, “I guess it’s okay, Reese used to sleep with her Daddy too.”

Sam grins and kisses me on the cheek before she says, “When I don’t get to sleep with you, it’s hard for me to sleep.”

Concerned Kathryn ask, “Why is that Sam, do you have bad dream still?”

With a giggle Sam says, “No, not normally. I wake up because I’m cold and I’m lonely. Even if I pull the covers up over me I can’t fall back to sleep.”

Hugging her I say, “It’s a good thing I don’t mind you sleeping on my chest then.”

Sam giggles, “I like being close to you and Mommy.”

Kathryn giggles, “I love being near you too Sam.”

Jokingly I say, “What’s not to love, sleeping with the two most beautiful girls I know.” Both Sam and Kathryn blush and giggle at my comment.

We arrive downstairs to a very full table it seems the whole family has shown up for dinner tonight. Like always only two chairs are for Kathryn, Sam and I. We will spoil Sam tonight, feeding her as she sets in one of our laps. Sam’s stomach grumbles at seeing the table she must’ve been hungrier than she had let on. Then again she seems to be growing again probably will put another inch on before Christmas.

Reminds me to start planning what to give Sam for Christmas, I know the coach is buying a pony for Sam. Helen will buy the saddle and tact for it. Maybe I have Daniel sketch out a stable that we can add to the property. That will not work very well is not something you can put under a tree that a four-year-old would appreciate.

I know she enjoys reading, maybe I’ll get her one of her favorite Arthur’s first edition books. That would be something she can keep for a long time. Maybe I’ll just have Sam help me buy Christmas presents for toys for tots, that would give me a good idea what she would like. She has a few stuffed animals the family has gotten her, and I have caught her reading aloud to them from her e-book. It was just so cute to watch her doing that. I think she was rehearsing reading to her baby sisters. Sam really is going to enjoy being a big sister.

Alyssa has made Sam’s and mine favorite dish tonight, the three layer meatloaf, Spanish-rice, sweet peas and carrots, broccoli with cheese, and mashed potatoes round out the menu. Like always Alyssa dishes out the food and hands plates out to each person. My plate gets some extra to share with Sam and from the way her stomach is growling she may eat all of it.

Alyssa finishes handing out the food. I began to feed Sam which causes Ron chuckle seeing Sam acting similar to a little bird. As soon as her mouth is empty it is open and ready for another bite. Sam like always eats quickly, getting three bytes to my one.

The plate is nearly empty when Sam is full and she snuggles against me and closes her eyes. Giggling Alyssa takes my plate adds a little more food on it. She says, “It looks like Sam’s going to have a growth spurt the way she is eating.” I shake my head yes as Alyssa gives me back my plate.

I give Sam a kiss on the four head before I begin to eat. It doesn’t take long for me to finish and I enjoy the company at the table as Sam sleeps on my lap. Ron asks, “Does Sam do that a lot?”

I ask a question to clarify his, “You mean sleep on my lap, or eat from my lap?”

Ron chuckles before he says, “Now that you mention it, yes. Sam sleeps on your lap all the time? How often you feed her like that?”

With a chuckle I say, “Sam only eats in my lap when the family is all here, and sometimes Sam sets in Kathryn’s lap too. She seems a little tired today because she doesn’t sleep often on my lap, but she does enjoy sleeping on my chest at least two or three times a week. Apparently last night she woke up and couldn’t fall back to sleep. We didn’t know how you would act or feel about Sam doing that. So I asked her to stay in her room unless she had a nightmare. Normally when she wakes up at night she will come and crawl in bed with us. She climbs onto my chest and gives Kathryn a kiss before going back to sleep.”

Ron shaking his head after wiping a tear away he says, “Nancy said she always missed that being deployed. She said Sam would do that, climb on her Daddy’s chest and give her a kiss before going to sleep.”

I can’t help but notice Reese is openly crying over the loss of her friends, and more than one member of the family moves to comfort her. Ron moves faster than anyone else and he pulls her into his arms and she moves into his embrace. He holds her as other family members begin to caress her back and shoulders. No one says that’s not how a soldier should act or any stereotypical psychobabble, we simply allow her to cry and not suppress the emotions that need released.

Ron kisses Reese and it’s a lot more than friends normally share, it answers a lot of questions I have in the back of my mind. It must be one reason there leaving the military, with their difference in ranks they cannot have an open relationship other than their professional one.

The look of surprise on both their faces it must be something they have kept from each other as well. Maybe it was always in the back of their mind something they could explore finally once they left the restrictions of the military behind.

Reese looking at Ron says, “I’m sorry Ron I just miss Nancy. Here I go and let our secret out.”

Ron says, “I think we’re among friends. We can share our secret with them.”

Ron and Reese move apart slightly and they scan around the room seeing expressions of concern and caring from each and every member of the family. Sam is awake and she says, “Don’t worry no one will tell on you. We know you love each other and it is okay.”

Ron says, “I do love Reese, but her being a noncommissioned officer in my unit the relationship isn’t allowed by the military. If it gets back to our unit we’ll be in trouble. So please no one say anything it doesn’t matter what both leaving the military shortly, mainly to be together.”

Reese smiles and says, “You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting to say this openly. I love you Ron.” There are more than a few chuckles and giggles around the room as the feeling of happiness spreads outward from them. It is like the two of them have had a weight lifted from their shoulders, no longer face the burden of concealing their love the two kiss openly.

Tonight we hear Ron and Reese from Ron’s bedroom, Sam giggles saying, “Ron and Reese like making funny noises too.”

With a chuckle I say, “Most adults who are in love, love to make those funny noises.”

Kathryn raises an eyebrow but remain silent. I realize Sam will never forget what I just said. I wonder how I’m going to explain the difference in loving someone and being in love with someone. The English language only has one word for love. I know other languages use more than one to describe the type of love, from the love of a parent to the lust filled desire of lovers. The love you have for a friend is quite different than the love you have for family, the love you have for a wife is quite different than the love you have for your child. I really wish English had several words to describe that, it simply uses love and lots of adverbs. The trick is choosing the correct adverb or adjective to make your meaning clear, although sometimes it just sounds like babbling when you do.

Picking Sam up I say, “Sam you do know there’s differences in how people love each other, I love my Mom but I don’t want to make funny noises with her. I love Kathryn and I love making those funny noises with her.” Sam giggles merrily. I hope she knows what I mean, but I’m hesitant to explain more. Sam is a little precocious as it is, and I feel her time with Lester wasn’t good for a four-year-old, I’m sure he exposed her to many things a child Sam’s age should never been exposed to.

Kathryn is holding her hand over her mouth trying to keep from laughing out loud. I look around the room many of the family are doing the same. After a moment or two Sam stretches gives me a kiss on my cheek and laser head on my shoulder sleepily she asks, “Daddy can you take me to bed now?”

Several of the family breaks out in to open laughter, although what Sam said was totally innocent. I ask, “My big girl getting tired?

Sam sleepily replies, “Yes Daddy, I’m tired and want to go to sleep.”

Chuckling I say, “I guess Kathryn and I could go to sleep now.” I give Kathryn a look says please don’t leave me alone, and she gets the message coming with me to put Sam the bed.

After we get into our pajamas and doing our nightly routines the three of us slide in the bed together and Sam falls asleep immediately. I’ve gotten into the habit of caressing Sam and Kathryn. Kathryn whispers, “I love sleeping with Sam, but she will get older eventually will not be able to do this anymore.”

Whispering back hoping not to disturb Sam, “We’re going to have a lot of daughters and they will all love to sleep on my chest too. Sam may have to share with Amanda when she gets a little older. It wouldn’t surprise me that the bed is full of our children more nights than not.”

Sam mumbles in her sleep, “That’s right Daddy, all us daughters love to sleep on your chest.”

Kathryn is doing her best not to crack up and wake Sam, eventually she does calm herself. She slides up gives me a kiss on the cheek and whispers, “You’re a good Daddy to Sam.” I can feel Sam shake her head in agreement even though she is sound asleep.

It only takes a few more minutes for Kathryn to drift off, and sometimes I do worry what the future holds in store for us. We’ve changed so many things from our premonition and I hope for the better. I smile as I too drift off to sleep still caressing my two loves.

Early morning and I awake to Sam straddling my lower chest and she giggles she is straightening up from giving her Mommy a kiss. I realize where she’s at she probably leaned forward to give me a kiss too. When she sees that we are awake she asks in her sweet little voice, “Daddy can we had pancakes? Please get up I’m hungry.”

We take a quick shower, well Sam and Kathryn take a shower then I take one. We dress and then head down to the kitchen to make Sam’s Pancakes. Sam having gone to bed early has gotten us up before anyone else in the house, and I start the coffee before mixing the pancake batter. I’ve actually gotten pretty good at making bunny shaped pancakes that always brings a smile to Sam and Kathryn. That makes it well worth the effort to make them.

Ron and Reese are the next two awake, probably because of the early mornings they always have. They look a little more relaxed and satisfied as they headed for the coffee. Reese has her head in the refrigerator looking for creamer when Ron notices that I’m making bunny shaped pancakes.

After they set the table Sam and Kathryn await their morning treat. I use a griddle and I have both Sam’s and Kathryn’s pancakes ready. Placing their food on plates and then in front of my girls they both giggle and start spreading butter on their bunnies. Ron shakes his head seeing how the two act alike. I started another and a short stack ordinary pancakes for Ron. Reese is looking at Ron smiling and hasn’t really paid any attention to the food so far. When I slide her plate in front of her she acts just like Sam and Kathryn had.