Chapter 16
In the morning, they all slowly wake after kissing all around, but before things can really get rolling, Alice needs to get up and head for her bathroom. She sits on the toilet but feels something is wrong. Before she knows it, there is a small amount of blood and a small plop into the bowl. She looks in the bowl and sees the little glob of flesh and umbilical cord, and she knows what just happened. Knowing it's probably for the best at this time, but it still hurts to know she was that close to a magical moment. She begins to cry, unable to stay quiet, and before long, both kids are there comforting her when they see what has happened.
Adam takes Alice in his arms, saying, "It's Okay, Alice. We will try again when the time is right. I am sorry you had to go through this, but it does thrill me that we were this close to another life joining us. At least it proves it can still happen." He gently pulls her face up to look at him. "I'll get you knocked up before you know it, Alice." He smiles, trying to get her to realize he isn't disappointed. He just loves her and is sorry for her pain. She gives him a wan smile back. Alice appreciates what Adam says and feels a little like she let him down but really knows now is not the time.
Allie helps her mother pull herself together while Adam heads to the kitchen to start the coffee and look for breakfast. He decides to do the cooking today and knows just what to make. He pulls all the ingredients from the fridge and starts fixing the meals. When Allie and Alice finally come out, Alice is almost back to normal, with a bit of sadness in her eyes. Upon seeing Adam, he kisses her again, and she knows everything will be okay. He hands her a fresh cup of coffee and kisses her again, a little peck on the cheek. He returns to grab Allie a cup and kisses her also.
Then he returns to his cooking: "Today, ladies, I'm making breakfast for you, and you aren't allowed to help. Just sit and watch the master work." He looks back and grins. Both women can't help but giggle; it breaks the pall over the morning.
As he finishes cooking, Adam hands the finished products to his ladies, Alice first. On the plate is an omelet filled with ham, sausage, cheese, and sauteed onion with Red and Green peppers. Each one covers the plate, and Adam has placed a slice of toast lightly buttered on the side. To say the women are shocked is a mild understatement.
Adam just grins and takes his seat. "It's the only thing I treated myself with every Sunday during school. Everything is inexpensive and, when put together, is wonderful and filling. Wait until you taste it. Please." Adam motions for them to do just that.
Alice and Allie grab forks and dig in, then each moan at the flavor as advertised. Wonderful. "My God, Adam, this is perfect! I usually don't eat this much, watching my figure, but I won't leave a bite behind." Alice gushes.
Allie keeps forking the tasty meal bite after bite, grinning briefly at Adam between each one. Adam just chuckles and digs into his, grinning like a fool at being able to bring his ladies this much joy with a simple effort of making breakfast.
When all the food is gone, both women are full and loving it because Adam made it, which was great. They all take their coffees and head to the patio for fresh morning air.
The morning was clear as a bell, and the birds were flitting around, singing and doing bird things. Other small animals scurried about in the bushes and trees, chipmunks and squirrels, and mice in the grass. It was all so normal and beautiful. Seeing all these little things made the day brighter.
Adam suggested, "How about another walk in the park, ladies?"
Allie agreed, but Alice had a counterproposal. "How about a trip to Makeout Park instead?" She said with a little smile at them.
Both of them smiled broadly, but Adam asked, "But it's daylight. Won't it be a problem? Folks usually go there in the evening."
"That's why it will be empty now. It's pleasantly isolated, and we should have the place to ourselves." Everyone grins, approving the logic. They all slug down whatever coffee they have left and move back inside to get ready for this excursion.
Adam takes the wheel and drives them to Makeout Park, and as Alice predicted, it is empty and beautiful. They leave the car, take the blanket with them again, and return to the same spot as before. They look out over the town and marvel at the place they will soon be leaving for another place two hours away. They all get a little nostalgic, but then the excitement hits for the next part of their adventure. When they look at each other, Adam pulls both women in and begins kissing them both like before.
The love is flowing, and the feeling is magical. Just like the first time, Adam kisses one for a minute and then switches to the other, splitting his time as equally as possible. Everyone loves the time they share, then head back home. They spend the rest of the day hanging out together and enjoying each other. They kiss the evening away while watching TV. Both kids tuck Alice into bed and then slip out to make love before they, too, surrender to sleep.
The next day, everyone dug into finishing packing everything that could be. Including getting clothes into suitcases and an extra one for the weekend trip to Vegas that Alice arranged. The next day, the movers arrived and moved the family into their new home. Before leaving, cousin Millie met them at the house to accept the keys and say goodbye to her aunt and cousins. The family looked at the house that had been their home for most of the kids' lives. There were plenty of good memories, but the worst ones made them less enjoyable. They were moving on to a new chapter in their lives, happy in the knowledge they were together.
A couple of hours later, they were looking at their new home--a beautiful 6-story apartment building in white stucco and black trim. There is a 1st-floor garage, with space for one tenant vehicle, of course, given to Alice. Adam and Allie would park outside, Allie in the parking lot, and Adam on the street. Their apartment is on the 4th floor, listed as #6, on the right from the front of the building.
Amenities include a small pool in the back with associated patio and BBQ. There is an elevator in the back of the garage, big enough for moving in and out, but not quite a freight elevator. To the left of that is an old-fashioned idea, a dumbwaiter, usually meant for groceries and the like. On the right is a set of stairs up to all the floors. Each apartment has a fully appointed kitchen with all the conveniences: dishwasher, big double door fridge, an oversized stove-oven combo, and a large central island with lots of countertop space, including a butcher block section and a lovely dining area nearby.
The living room is to the right in their apartment, with the kitchen on the left from the door. Beyond these are the bedrooms and bathroom. A pocket door directly connects the master bedroom to the bath, and an outside door to the short hall for the other two bedrooms. The Master bedroom will go to Adam and Allie as the 'newlyweds,' and Alice will take the second bedroom towards the back for privacy. The near-side bedroom will be the study for all of them, predominantly Adam and Allie, to do their studying.
They beat the movers there by several minutes, having passed them on the highway. The luggage and delicate electronics are left in the vehicles for now. When the movers arrive, everything is brought in and found a place. If there isn't a specific one yet, it went into the third bedroom. The beds are set up. Alice gave up her king-size to the happy couple and took Allies' old queen-size. Adam's bed was sold to an old neighbor. Alice puts the kitchen together and finds places for everything, similar to the old house but still different. The limited groceries go into the fridge, and then she makes up a shopping list to fill it back up the next day or so.
