Heidi listened to Robert talk to his brother on the phone. She didn’t want to interrupt. When he saw her, he waved her to him and put his arm around her.

“Say hi, to Mack.”

“Hi, Mack.” She called out so he could hear her.

“He said hi back.” He kissed the edge of her adorable forehead. “Okay Mack, I’ll take care of my end. See you in a couple of weeks.” Robert hung up. He wrapped his arms around Heidi and whispered in her ear, “I love you.”

“I love you, too. What do you have to take care of?” She put her arms around him.

“Mack has talked to the authorities about the kids. They have given him and Peg the go ahead to be foster parents until the adoption is finalized. He asked if I would go to their home in Sacramento and pack up their stuff. I also have to meet with a lawyer to finalize all their legal affairs.”

She looked up at him. “Do you need me to go with you?”

“I would love to take you with me, but you have to stay and take care of the children. I can’t take the kids back there, it would be too hard for them. We promised not to burden Jackie, remember. I won’t be away long.”

“I’ll miss you.” She hugged him tighter.

“You won’t run away or try to follow me?”

“No, I’m okay now. I will be here waiting for you to come home. When do you plan to go?”

“I’ll leave tomorrow morning. I’d better make some calls and make some arrangements.”

She gave him a long, loving and passionate kiss. “You take care of business. I’ll watch the children and see what I can fix for lunch.”

Robert watched her walk out of the room. He still couldn’t believe she was his.

Heidi checked on the kids. They were watching an animated movie.

“Elyse, where did you get that movie?”

“It was in the motorhome. Uncle Charlie went and got it for us. We have a couple more, he brought in all our stuff.”

“Where is Uncle Charlie, now?” Elyse shrugged her shoulders. Just then, she heard noise coming from the kitchen. “Okay. I’ll have lunch ready for you when the movie is over.”

“Do you need any help?” Elyse asked.

“No. I don’t need any help in the kitchen, but you can help by watching the boys. Make sure they stay quiet. Aunt Jackie is resting.” Elyse nodded and sat down with the twins. Heidi headed for the kitchen. She wanted to talk to Charles.

Heidi found Charles sitting at the kitchen table.

“Charles.” He looked up at her. “I wanted to apologize for what I said. It was wrong of me to say what I did.”

“No, you were right. I never realized it meant so much. After Robert told me about Jackie being unhappy, I watched her. He was right, you were both right. She is unhappy. How am I going to fix this?”

“I could be wrong, but asking her to marry you, might help.” Heidi felt bad for Charles. “Do you have a ring?” Charles shook his head.

“No, Robert gave you our mother’s engagement ring. We agreed a long time ago that the first one to propose would use it.”

“Anything that will go around her finger would work. You could always get her something fancy, later. You need to ask her, Charles. Don’t wait. Did your mother wear a wedding band? That would work for now.”

Charles thought about it. “You know, I think she did, but I have no idea where it might be. Maybe Robert knows where it is.”

“Do you want me to ask him?”

“No, I’ll go. Heidi, I need to do something special. Can you help me?”

“Of course, I’ll help. Go talk to Robert while I fix the kids something to eat. We’ll talk about it after lunch.”

“Thank you.” Charles gave her a kiss on the cheek and went to find Robert.

 

                                                       *****

Charles found Robert in the den. He had finally finished making plans for his trip.

“Are you going somewhere?”

“Mack asked me to go to Sacramento to take care of business on behalf of the children. I’m going to pack up their belongings and send them to Mack and Peg. Then I’ll meet with the family’s lawyer. Mack and Peg have been approved as foster parents until the adoption is final.”

“So, they’ve decided already to adopt.”

“It appears so.” Robert answered. “I couldn’t be happier for those kids. I’m so glad they’re going ahead with it. If those kids can’t have their own parents, Mack and Peg are going to be the next best thing.”

“Yeah, I agree. When are you leaving?”

“Tomorrow morning. Heidi promised to stay here and make sure the kids don’t bother Jackie.”

“That reminds me.” Charles hummed and hawed. “Ahhh, do you know if we still have mom’s wedding band? I’d like to give it to Jackie as an engagement ring until I can get something better.”

Robert jumped at Charles and gave him a bear hug. “I’m so glad. She’s going to be so happy. When are you going to ask her?”

“I don’t know. First, I need to know where the wedding band is?”

“Stay here, I’ll be right back.”

Robert ran upstairs to his room. He was back five minutes later. He handed Charles an odd, looking box. When Charles opened it, he got a huge surprise. It was a double ring box and inside was both his mother’s and his father’s wedding bands.

“I think you and Jackie should wear those. You’re the oldest Charlie, you deserve to have them. By the way, what made you change your mind?”

Charles looked at Robert with tears in his eyes. “Earlier, when you told me Jackie was unhappy, you called me Charles. You never call me Charles.”

Robert laughed and embraced his brother. “I love you, Charlie.”

Charles laughed and wiped his eyes “Wow, now I have bands, what am I going to do for an engagement ring?

“Uncle Charles?” Elyse called timidly from behind them.

“What can I do for you, sweetheart?” Charles asked.

“You can use this,” Elyse walked up to Charles and carefully placed something in his hand. “I found it in mom’s stuff. I’d like you to have it.”

Charles opened his hand to find a beautiful ring. He went down on one knee to be at her level. “I can’t take this sweetheart. This belonged to your mother and one day you’ll wear it.”

“No, one day, when I fall in love, I hope he will give me one that belonged to his mother.”

Charles was speechless. All he could do was give her a hug. He found it hard to believe she was only six years old. She had the wisdom of someone much older. “Thank you,” he whispered and kissed her cheek.

Elyse gave him a hug. “Your welcome, uncle Charles.” She kissed his cheek in return.

“I’ll make you a deal. When you have a daughter, if you would like her to have it, I’ll return it to you.”

“Deal.” Elyse gave him a big smile.

 “If I’m not mistaken, I believe Heidi has lunch ready. Shall we go see?” Charles asked and she gave him a nod. “Good, let’s go.” Charles took her by the hand and they walked together to the kitchen. Robert watched his brother and his heart swelled with pride. He had the best big brother in the world.