The next few days flew by while everyone prepared for the trip to California. Robert, Heidi and the kids went to town to do some Christmas shopping. Heidi had to get a gift for Robert’s brother and mate, a wedding gift for Bill and Mary, a baby gift for Andrea, and gifts for Elyse, Simon and Colin. She had no idea what she would get Robert for Christmas.

Robert had been working on Heidi’s gift for some time. If all went well, everything would be ready for their bonding ceremony.

 

                                                    *****

 Jackie was at ease traveling in the big, comfortable seat next to Charles while he drove the motorhome. After her recent scare, she was following doctor’s orders. The kids quietly played games while Robert and Heidi sat together and watched the countryside go by.

“Charlie, let me know if you want to take a break?” Robert announced.

“You know, I think I’ll pull into the next rest stop and let you take over.”

Robert was shocked. Charles always did all the driving. “You feeling okay?”

“I’m fine,” he chuckled, “I know I always do all the driving, but this time I want to be awake when we get there. Now that I have Jackie, I don’t want to waste a whole day sleeping. I’ll take a nap for a while and relieve you when you want a break.”

“That’s great, Charlie. I think this motorhome is going be just the ticket for us.” Charles pulled into the next rest stop. Ironically, it was where Charles first met and rescued Jackie. Charles and Robert switched places and continued on.

“Jackie and I are going to take a nap, let me know when you get tired.”

“I will, Charlie.” He watched them retire to the bedroom at the back of the motorhome. Heidi checked the kids, they also had settled down and were napping. Heidi got comfortable in the seat next to Robert.

“This is nice. I couldn’t imagine all of us traveling in a car.” Heidi remarked.

“No kidding. Charlie and I make this drive every Christmas and it’s not easy sitting in one place for hours on end. At least, now you can move around and Charlie and I can switch and let the other rest. I’m looking forward to our nap time.” He gave her a big smile.

“Aunt Heidi, can I sit with you for a little while?” a sleepy-eyed Colin looked up at her. Heidi gave a nod and he climbed onto her lap. She moved over, giving him more room on the seat. It wasn’t long before he was curled up in her arms, sound asleep.

Robert watched Heidi as she cuddled Colin. She was going to be a wonderful mother someday. He wanted to ask her if she wanted to have children, but decided to wait and ask her when they were alone together.

In what seemed like no time at all, they pulled in to Mack’s driveway. Heidi made sure the kids were presentable, they were about to meet their new parents. Mack and Peg waited patiently for them to come out of the motorhome. Charles came out first and helped Jackie down the steps. Charles grinned from ear to ear.

“I’d like you to meet Jackie Todd. Jackie, this is my brother Mack and his beautiful wife Peg.”

“It’s wonderful to finally meet you.” Mack gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Peg gave her a hug, trying to avoid her pregnant belly and welcomed her to the family.

“Goodness, are you sure you’re not due for another month? You’re as big as Andrea and she’s due in a couple of days.”

“The way I feel, I wish I was due sooner.” Jackie told her.

Next to come out was Robert and Heidi. Peg took one look at her and smiled. “You are even more beautiful in person. I’ve never seen Robert look happier.” She gave Heidi and Robert each a hug. The anticipation of finally seeing the children was driving her crazy. She looked around Robert looking for the children. “Where are they?”

“Where are who?” Robert replied and gave Mack a wink.

“The children, Robert. Where are they?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Charlie, were we supposed to bring some children with us?”

“I thought you were supposed to bring them.” Just then, Colin peeked out the door and Peg dashed around Robert to get to him. She put her arms out to Colin and he practically jumped into her arms.

“Mrs. Mack, it’s me, Colin.” The other two weren’t far behind. Peg gathered all three in a huge hug.

“It is so good to see you.” She gave each one a kiss and a hug. “Everyone, come inside, I have lunch ready, you can unpack later.” Everyone followed Peg and the children into the house. After lunch, Peg and Heidi took care of the children and got them settled. Simon and Colin had a room together and Elyse had her own room. Robert had arranged to have all their clothes and toys shipped to Mack and everything was in their rooms. Peg had new bedroom furniture for all of them.

Charles and Jackie relaxed in the living room with Mack and Robert. Peg had the whole house decorated for Christmas and a giant tree. This was Mack and Pegs second Christmas together.

“Wow, Charles, you’re going to be a dad. Is it a boy or a girl?” Mack asked.

“We don’t know.” Charles gave him a big smile, he knew, they found out when Jackie had an ultrasound, but he wasn’t going to tell them yet. They hadn’t even told Robert and Heidi.

“What, you don’t know?”

“It has something to do Jackie being a cat, she doesn’t give off a scent like a bear.” He looked at Jackie and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Boy or girl, it doesn’t matter. I’ll love them both. This is so rare, we might not get another chance.”

Peg, Heidi and the kids finally joined them. “All settled?” Mack asked.

“Yes sir.” Simon replied. “Thank you for letting us come to live with you.”

“You are very welcome. We hope you and your brother and sister will be happy here.”

“Yes sir,” was all he said. Simon sat quietly and stared at the Christmas tree. He suddenly missed his parents. His eyes filled with tears that threatened to spill. He looked at Mack. “Sir, is it okay if I go to my room?” he said in a shaky voice.

“Is everything alright?”

“Yes, sir. May I go now?”

“Sure, go ahead.” Simon bolted for his new room.

“Oh dear, maybe I should see if he’s alright.” Heidi started to get up. Mack waved her to sit down.

“That’s my job, now.” Mack got up to follow Simon, “Have any of them grieved at all for their parents?”

“Simon has taken his role as the head of the family very seriously. He doesn’t want to show any weakness,” remarked Robert.

“He cried the night I found them, but that was the only time,” Heidi told him, “when everyone else was asleep.”

“Mr. Mack,” Elyse spoke up, “he thinks it’s his fault.”

Two things made Mack freeze; first was because Elyse called him Mr. Mack. He decided he needed to address that right away. “Elyse, I don’t know if you’ll ever call me dad, and I can never replace your father, but we can’t have you calling me, Mr. Mack. How about you call me, Papa. Would that be okay with you?”

Elyse went to him and gave him a big hug. “I think I like that, thank you, Papa. What should we call Mrs. Mack?”

 “How about Nanna,” he looked at Peg to see if she liked the idea. She gave an approving nod. Mack picked up Elyse and gave her a hug and a big smile. “Now, tell me, why does Simon think what happened to your parents is his fault.”

“It was our nap time, but Simon wanted to play in the snow. Mom and dad decided to take us all for a walk instead, to tire out Simon and Colin so they would settle down.” By then, Colin had joined them and had his arms wrapped around Mack’s leg.

“Hold on, let me sit down.” He set Elyse on his knee and Colin sat beside him. “So, Simon thinks it’s his fault because you all went for a walk because of him.” Elyse and Colin both nodded.

“We used to play together and now he’s all serious and stuff.” Colin told him. “Papa, do you think it was his fault?”

“No Colin, and it wasn’t his fault. I’ll go talk to him. This Christmas is going to be very hard on all of you and we understand that. You come to Nanna or me if you want to talk about it, we’re here for you, okay”

“Thank you, Papa.” Elyse put her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. It almost had Mack in tears.

“Okay, I better go have a man to man talk with Simon.” Mack went to find Simon.  Colin and Elyse watched him go.

“Will he be alright, aunt Heidi?” Elyse said as she sat next to Peg and Colin climbed onto Heidi’s lap.

“I think so, sweetheart. It will take a little while, but the hurt will fade in time. Papa and Nanna love you very much and they want you to be happy.” Heidi hugged them both. “How would you two like to go with me to get the presents out of the motorhome and we’ll put them under Nanna Pegs beautiful tree.” They both agreed.

“Do you want some help?” Robert asked.

“I think we can handle it, you can relax and visit. If we need help, we’ll call you.” Heidi and the kids headed outside.