Chapter 57

Just as I was about to fall asleep the flight attendant announced that we would be landing soon.

"Getting sleepy?" Kevin questioned.

"Yeah," I said as I sat up.

"Well wake up," Kevin said as he kissed me.

I smiled and held his hand.

The plane soon landed and we got off.

We walked out and Jerald and Madison were waiting for us.

"Over here!" Madison yelled as she waved at Kevin.

We smiled and made our way over to them.

"Hey Jerald!" I said as I hugged him.

"Hi Janel. How are you?" he asked.

"Good. You?" I asked.

"Wonderful," he said.

Kevin bent down and picked up Madison.

"Hey sweetie!" he said as he hugged her.

"Hi Uncle Kevin," she said brightly.

Then he turned to us.

"You remember, Janel, don't you?" he questioned.

Madison shook her head yes.

"She's going to be my wife," Kevin said as he took my hand.

"Can I call you Auntie?" she asked.

I smiled as I replied, "I'd love it if you called me Auntie."

She smiled and then reached out her arms. I gave her a hug and then she wanted me to carry her. I took her from Kevin and then we went to go pick up our luggage.

Kevin and Jerald grabbed our luggage while I continued to hold Madison. Then we walked out to his truck. He drove us to Ann's house and dropped us off.

"Bye!" we said while waving as Jerald left.

Ann came running out and she wrapped her arms around Kevin.

"Hi my baby!" she said happily.

"Hi Mom," he said as he hugged her.

She let go of him and looked at me.

"Now there's my son's beautiful fiancee," she said.

"Hi Mama Ann," I said as I walked over to her and gave her a hug.

"Come on in," she said as we picked up our luggage.

We walked in and my mom was sitting on the couch.

"Mom!" I exclaimed as I dropped my bag and ran over to her.

She stood up and I hugged her tightly.

"Hi my baby girl!" she said as she hugged me.

We sat down and Ann and Kevin joined us.

"How was your guys' flight?" my mom asked.

"Good," I said. "How are you?"

"Um. . .good. Just tired," she said.

I just looked at her.

"Really, I'm fine," she said. She leaned forward and hugged me. "I'm okay, God's protecting me."

I shook my head yes.

"I bet you two are hungry. How about I make the four of us dinner?" Ann suggested.

"Oh, how good does that sound," Kevin said.

"All right, I'm glad my son wants to eat," she said.

"Thanks Ann," my mom said.

"You're welcome," Ann said as she got up.

"Mama Ann, we'll be in the front," I said as I stood up.

"Okay sweetie," she said.

My mom and I walked outside in the front and sat down on the swing.

Kevin went into the kitchen to be with his mom.

We sat down and rocked on the swing. We were silent as the swing slowly rocked back and forth. Then my mom began to take her necklace off.

"What are you doing?" I asked puzzled.

"I want you to have this," she said as she held the cross on the necklace.

"What?" I asked.

"Ssh," she said. "Now listen. Ann gave this to me the day after you left. I've worn it everyday since you've been away. It's always reminded me that you're near my heart. And now I want you to have it. So that way when I'm gone you'll have me near your heart."

"No, Mom I can't," I said as tears began to fill my eyes. "You can't leave me."

"Ssh," she said. "Turn around."

I turned around and she placed the necklace on me.

"I'll never leave you my daughter," she said as I hugged her. "I'll always be here," she said as she placed her hand over my heart. "In your heart."

"Always," I said as I continued to cry.

My mom took her hand and wiped away my tears.

"Don't cry no more. Everything will be fine," she said. "You've got a wonderful man in there who's going to be your husband. You have your whole life to look forward to."

"Yeah, I know," I said as I wiped away my tears.

"Let's go inside," she said. "I can smell that food cooking and I'm starving."

I smiled. "You still have your appetite."

"Oh yeah," she said as we stood up.

We walked into the kitchen where Ann was cooking. I sat down next to Kevin and kissed him. Soon Ann served us and we began to eat.

Over the next week or so Kevin and I enjoyed our time in Kentucky. We spent our days horseback riding and eating lunch at the park. We went to the movies with Ann, ate out at restaurants, and played in the park. Today we were spending the day with Kevin's brothers. They asked us if we would baby sit and Kevin and I gladly agreed.

I was in the kitchen popping popcorn when Madison came running.

"Auntie! Auntie! Help me!" she yelled as she came running to me.

I scooped her up into my arms.

"What's the matter? I asked.

"They're going to tickle me!" she said as she pointed to Kevin, Matthew, and Eric.

"Oh no!" I cried. Then we took off running.

"Ha! Ha! You guys can't catch me!" Madison yelled while I ran with her in my arms.

"Yes we can!" the boys yelled.

"No, you can't!" she said as she stuck her tongue out at them.

Kevin grabbed Matthew and Eric, while I continued to run.

"You two, go this way and I'll go around," he whispered to them.

They smiled and did what they were told.

Madison and I quietly crept around.

Kevin ran up from behind Janel and grabbed her by the waist.

"Boo!" he yelled.

"Aaahhh!!!" Madison and I screamed.

All of the boys began to laugh at us.

Madison and I just glared at them.

"That was not funny!" Madison exclaimed.

"You tell them girlfriend," I said as I looked at the guys.

"Oh, yes it was," Kevin said as he walked closer to me.

He picked me and Madison up and carried us to the couch. He set us down and began tickling us.

"No, stop Uncle Kevin!" little Madison yelled in between laughing.

Then Matthew and Eric came over to help. I grabbed Eric and began tickling him.

Soon all of us were on the ground tickling each other. Finally we called a truce and stopped. Kevin and I were crying because we were laughing so hard.

Kevin helped me up and then I went to check on the popcorn. It was slightly burned.

Kevin was sitting down with the kids getting ready to watch a movie, when I walked in.

"Sorry guys, but the popcorn is slightly burnt," I said as I walked over to them with the bowl in my hands.

"Oh, it's okay. Dad always burns it," Eric said.

"Yeah, it's fine. We'll still eat it," Matthew said.

"All right," I said as I sat next to Kevin.

I set it on the coffee table for the kids to eat. The boys sat on the floor eating the popcorn. Madison got up on the couch and climbed on to my lap.

Once Tarzan was over with I said, "Oh, what a tear jerker."

"That as a cool movie," Matthew said.

"Yeah, I liked when Tantor freed Tarzan," Eric said.

"Now what?" Madison asked brightly.

All three of the kids were wide awake.

"Isn't it almost your guys' bed time?" Kevin asked.

"Oh," the kids moaned.

"Don't be a party pooper Kev," I said.

"Yeah, Uncle Kevin," Eric said.

"Oh all right," he agreed.

"What are we going to do?" Matthew asked.

"How about we play hide and seek?" Kevin suggested.

"Yeah!" the children replied.

"Okay, Kevin and I will hide," I said.

"All right," the kids agreed.

"You guys count to ten and cover your eyes," Kevin said.

"Yeah, and no peeking," I said.

"Come on guys," Matthew said as he had Eric and Madison turn around. The kids placed their hands over their eyes.

"One. . .two. . .," the children began.

Kevin grabbed my hand and we ran upstairs.

"Where are we going?" I whispered.

"In here," Kevin said as we walked into one of Jerald's rooms.

"You hide under there," Kevin said as he pointed to the desk.

"All right," I said.

"Ready or not! Here we come!" yelled the children.

"I'll be in here," Kevin said as he hid in the closet.

The kids split up and searched the entire bottom floor.

Kevin and I were quietly sitting there waiting for the kids to find us.

"Where are you?" they called out.

Then Jerald, Lisa, Tim, and Heather walked in. The kids ran to the front door and into their parents' arms.

"Hi kids. What are you still doing up?" Lisa asked.

"We're playing hide and seek," Madison said happily.

"Really," Lisa said.

"So where's your Uncle Kevin and your Aunt Janel?" Tim asked.

"We don't know," Matthew said.

"Yeah, they're hiding," Eric said.

"Well, let's go find them," Jerald said.

"They're not downstairs," Madison said.

"Okay, we'll go up then," Jerald said.

The kids followed Jerald as he walked upstairs. He walked into the first room he came to. The kids looked all around.

"I found you!" cried Madison as she spotted me under the desk.

I laughed. Then I moved the chair out of the way.

Jerald reached out his hand to help me up.

"Uh, hi Jerald," I said embarrassed.

Kevin immediately opened the closet door and climbed out.

"Hey there Kevin," Jerald said, smiling at us.

"Uh, we were just playing with the kids," Kevin explained.

Jerald just laughed.

"Well we're back so we can relieve you of your baby-sitting duties," he said. "Were they good for you?"

"Yes, they were little angels," I said.

"Oh really. Then these aren't our children," Jerald said jokingly.

"I'm always a little angel," Madison said as I picked her up.

I smiled. Then we walked downstairs where Tim, Heather, and Lisa were.

"Hi guys," I said.

"Hi Janel, Kevin," Lisa said.

"So where'd you find them?" Tim asked.

"Underneath the desk and in the closet," Jerald said smiling.

Tim shook his head. "Good hiding place," he said.

"Shut up!" Kevin said.

"What?" Tim asked as he smiled.

Kevin just looked at him.

"Well it looks like we better get going," I said.

Madison hugged me and then I put her down. I hugged Matthew and Eric as did Kevin.

"Bye guys!" I said.

"Bye Uncle Kevin and Aunt Janel!" they yelled.

"Thanks for baby-sitting," Heather said.

"No problem. We loved to do it for you," Kevin said.

We waved good bye and then left.

On the way home I realized how much I wanted children. I could see it in Kevin's eyes that he also wanted a little one.

While Kevin was driving I placed my hand on his. He turned and smiled at me. We stared into each other's eyes showing how much we loved one another.

As soon as we got home Kevin and I went to bed. Kevin held me tightly in his arms while we fell asleep.