"STEVEN, you came!!!" Ginger went running into her son's open arms. She then hugged her daughter-in-law, Jane & her grandchildren, Joey & Stephanie.
"Of course, it is only my parents 40th Anniversary once. Hi, Dad!!"
Jeff hugged his oldest son, with a tear in his eye. "I thought your Mom said the kids had chicken pox?"
"I know, but if you knew we were coming, it wouldn't have been a surprise. Uncle Hank helped me with all the arrangements!"
"Gotcha, baby brother, you should see the look on both of your faces." Steve had always been very close to his Uncle Hank, especially since he never had any kids of his own. Hank never could get passed his beloved Sarah's tragic death. Steve was thankful that his Uncle had met & fallen in love the Judy. Judy had experienced her own losses, her first husband Tom & her second husband Daniel Anderson, owner of the paper. She was very good for Hank.
After greeting the entire family, Steve saw his old friend, Bobby Davis, Abe & Gloria's grandson who now ran Rupert's. "How are your grandparents doing, Bobby? Well, I hope."
"Well Granddad still insists on coming in everyday to taste the cobbler. 90-years-old & he still wants to make sure we are using my grandmother's recipe. Grandmother is well, just as feisty as ever, she usually only gets out on Sunday's to sing in the choir at church."
"That is fantastic. I'd like to stop by & see them before I go back to Chicago."
Jeff looked at Ginger & his son recalling the day that he was born. "Oh, Jeff, isn't he the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?"
Jeff thought to himself, he is a beautiful baby, but his mother is the most beautiful. Everyday that he has spent with Ginger in the 5 years since they have been married, he never stops being amazed by her. "What should we name him, Ginger?"
"I was thinking that maybe we would name him Steven Henry, after both your dad & Hank."
Jeff's eyes started welling up with tears. "Ginger, you are so swell, I love that idea." Jeff ran into the hallway to call home with the news. "Mom, you have a grandson, him & Ginger are doing swell. Oh, yes, we were able to name our son right away," laughed Jeff recalling how it took his mom & Al forever to name Michael.
"That's not funny, Jeff." laughed Anne. "Well don't keep us in suspense, what is my grandson's name?"
"Steven Henry Metcalf"
"Oh, Jeff, your father would be proud as will Hank. You should call him in Chicago."
"I will Mom as soon as I check on Ginger."
"Give her our love." It made Jeff sad to think of his mother. He was convinced she died of a broken heart. Anne wasn't the same after Al passed on. She died 2 months later.