Three weeks later
Parker sat at her desk when Jarod entered.
"Are you ready?"
"Yeah." She stood and grabbed her brief case from the floor.
Jarod took the case from her as she hit the lights off. They walked into the hall.
"Where are you two heading this early in the afternoon?" Nicholas meet them.
"Hospital." Jarod answered.
"Faith is coming home today." Parker smiled.
"That is good news. I know you have been waiting to bring her home."
"I can't wait. The family will be back together again." Jarod commented.
"Do you know when Simone and Broots will be back?"
"Tonight, I think." Parker answered. "Hey, come by later if you want." They headed down the stairs and toward the front door.
"Maybe. I wanted to give you some time with her before everyone barges in on you."
"Not a problem. Stop by." Jarod turned back to see Nicholas as he held the door open for his wife.
******
Later in the evening
Parker held her daughter while she sat down on the couch.
"I missed you so much." She told the infant as she gave her a kiss.
"I think she knows that." Jarod sat down next to her with the boys.
The door bell rang out.
"I'll get it." Parker sprung up. "Simone. Broots." She looked surprised to see them standing there.
"I'm sorry to drop by like this but we had something to tell you." Broots said.
"Come in." Parker took her seat back on the couch. "How was your trip?"
"That is what we wanted to tell you." Broots let Simone have the chair.
"We got married!" Simone was excited.
"You got what?" Parker's jaw dropped.
"Married." Broots answered.
"I heard you but..."
"Wait. Don't get mad."
"Mad, why would we be mad?" Jarod asked.
"Cause I know we were planning on having a ceremony here but then we knew you were busy the babies and...." Simone went on to explain.
"I can't believe you two." Parker stood with the baby in her arms. "Congratulations." She gave them a hug. "Why didn't you tell me about this?"
"Well, actually we hadn't planned on it."
"Yeah, we went away for some rest. When we spotted this chapel and decided 'why not' so we did." Broots finished the explanation.
"Then I guess I we should have a after party. What do you say?" Parker cocked her head sideways and smiled.
"Should." They agreed.
******
Three months later
Parker came down the stairs.
"Jarod?"
"I'm in here."
She followed his voice into the kitchen.
"I can't believe it's Christmas."
Jarod looked at the mess in the kitchen. "I can't believe the family is going to be here in an hour."
"Relax."
"Relax? Look at this mess."
"We will get it cleaned up. Where are the kids?" Parker asked as she began to pick up dirty dishes and put them in the dishwasher.
"Outside."
Parker went to the french doors that over looked the back yard. "Where?"
"I think." Jarod added after she got there.
"What do you mean, 'you think'?"
"They where out there a few minutes ago."
The doorbell rang. "I'll get it. Now remember not a word." She pointed to her husband who was about to lose control.
"I won't. Just don't let them in the kitchen until I had a chance to clean it up a bit."
Parker opened the door for Charles and Margaret who brought in two dishes of food.
"You can put them in the kitchen." Parker told them as she shut the door.
"I told you..." Jarod stood in the doorway.
"Jarod, move. Your mother has a hot dish in her hands."
Jarod took it from her. "Hi mom." He kissed her cheek.
"Hi, honey. Where is everybody?"
"There not here yet." Parker answered.
"Where are my beautiful grandkids?" Charles asked as he looked up the stairs.
"You will have to ask Jarod. He can't remember where they went." Parker smiled as Jarod came up behind her.
"Somewhere." He replied.
Michelle, Sam, and Ben came in a few minutes later.
"Nick and Emily aren't here yet?" Michelle asked she headed toward the kitchen.
"No. You are looking at everyone here so far." Charles commented as they all found seats.
After everyone came and they all ate They gathered in the living room.
"Before we all get started I would like to make an announcement." Broots said as took his wife's hand.
All the head turned to them.
"I just wanted to say that I'm glad you could all be here as a family and tell you that my family will be growing."
"I'm pregnant." Simone said with excitement.
"Congratulations." Everyone replied with cheer.
"Well...since everyone is sharing their good news I have some too." Nicholas took Emily's hand. "I asked Emily to marry me...."
"And I said yes." Emily shouted.
"Oh!" Michelle and Margaret became really happy over the news.
Parker looked over at Debbie and Jay who was standing in the corner. "Does anyone else have something to say?"
"No." They answered.
Parker gave them one of her famous looks. "Okay, then I guess we can start with the presents."
"Wait." Debbie said. Everyone turned to stare at them. "Jay and I got married."
"You what?" Broots and Charles' face were turning a nice shade of red.
"When?" Broots asked.
"Three weeks ago." Jay answered.
"And you didn't tell anyone." Margaret commented. "Why?"
"We couldn't find the time." Jay said as he smiled.
"Wait a minute. You have been staying at the house with us and Debbie has been with Melissa and Jarod." Charles turned to his oldest son.
"Yeah." Jay answered.
"So, you two knew about this." Broots stood. He stared at Parker and Jarod.
"Would someone like coffee?" Parker was hoping to change the subject.
"No!" Charles and Broots said in unison.
"Congratulations, little brother." Emily gave him a hug.
"Thanks." He declared as she hugged Debbie too.
"Can we talk about this later?" Jarod asked.
"Sure." Everyone settled back down.
Jarod and Melissa watched the kids as they tore into their presents. Everyone talked and had a good time it was like they all forgot about Jay and Debbie. Then everyone left but Broots, Simone, Charles, and Margaret.