2020-05-30 - Seeds of Plenty - The Reinhardts and Guests

Slaine watched Owen drive the last nail in the last board.  He had helped little Liam hold the nail and they had done it together.  That part, and the subsequent cheering had nearly brought her to tears.  Now she watched as the final part of the planter building continued, as that had begun when one side of the planter was complete ... dirt dumping.  It was a beautiful day and she was just enjoying being out in it with her new family.  She was wearing a denim overall dress that she found in one of the thrift shops.  It was far too big for her now, but she knew … with triplets coming … she might outgrow it before the babies were born.  But her feet were bare … barefoot and pregnant .. she suppressed her giggle.

Seamus hefts a large bag of dirt over his bare shoulder.  Only two more bags, really …  maybe three … either way there would be some left for Slaine in her pots all around.  He loved the work.  It was like a workout at The Gym but productive to more than his body.  Straightening he felt his sweat shorts slide, but not enough to be a potential problem.

Colleen stood with Slaine and watched the project end.  Dressed in jeans and a multicolored top .. every color except for ‘scrub blue’, she’d come prepared with a small bag of medical supplies, but no one had cut, smashed, jammed, dislocated or broken anything.  As a result, she got to sit back and relax.  She especially enjoyed John in a wife beater.  He was and would always be her eye candy.

Father Liam stood straight and rolled his shoulder.  Today he was in well worn blue jeans and a tank top shirt.  He had insisted on helping and was amused that there was not more protest.  So many thought priests were soft handed men who could do no hard work.  Liam did not believe in that, so he had offered to help.

Vincent was glad that he had started working out years ago.  His body wasn’t like Seamus’s or Michael’s but he was in good enough shape to do the kind of physical labor required of him today.  He was still in his trainers and oldest torn jeans, at least.  Outdoorsy work was far from his favorite and he would probably take two showers at least once he got home, but he wanted to help his best friend and his new family with this project.  Plus he had a secret thrill ‘showing off’ for Fiona all bare chested and a little sweaty.  He wore work gloves however.  His hands would be protected no matter what.

Kaitlin enters the side gate walking slowly and carrying two very large Thermos and dressed in old worn work clothes, even though she knew this was ‘mens work’ to her mind.   She smiled and took in her growing family.  Michael and Logan had to work, and Jude was in the woods being Jude, but this was enough for her.  She held up the thermoses.  “Coffee and lemonade!”  she announced.  Yuki was behind her someplace with paper cups, she knew as she set the containers down and looked around, beaming especially brightly at the newest members; Slaine and Liam.

Owen squatted down with Liam letting him play a bit in the freshly poured dirt. After all when you’re a kid, dirt is just awesome. He remembered. He was in a grey t-shirt that had a T-Rex riding a skateboard on it and a pair of old camo cargo shorts and his usual trashed high top trainers. He looked for a safe place for his hammer and bucket of nails as he stood up to greet his Gran and Yuki “Oh hey thanks...hi.” He walked to hug his Gran after setting the tool stuff on some leftover lumber piled up.

John poured soil in from another bag now in another area of the planter and then looked up as he heard his mother’s voice and Owen greeting her. He gave a little tired wave and then saw Colleen checking him out and winked at her with an unintentionally sexy half grin. He had on an old undershirt, white like all his were, and a pair of Dickies work pants with his now retired to yardwork work boots. The bald spot on the top of his head was getting a little sunburnt and he was now sweaty with a layer of dirt on his arms that had kicked back from the soil dumping.

Fiona wasn’t a stand back and watch gal. She was right in beside Vincent, enjoying the view of his body as he moved with the work. She was wearing a brown tank top and short cut off jeans shorts that showed pretty much the whole length of her long pale legs ending in short trainers. She didn’t care though. It was hot out today. She was sweating with the boys just like when she and her brothers did yard work all the years. Fiona was a detail checker and walked around with another hammer, making sure all the nails were in enough so as not to catch on fingers as they began to plant. Her hair was in a messy bun and damp around the edges from sweat. She wore simple black sunglasses. She saw her parents making eyes at one another and groaned “Oh get a room!” And then watched as Owen moved to hug their Gran and waved to Yuki.

Kurt was loving the work day. He had done lots of outside work back home both for his own family and for Hilda Reinhardt, his neighbour and great aunt to his love. He had that annoying ability to get a tan after half an hour’s outdoor labour and so he was already lightly browning, shirtless with a pair of blue and grey printed swim trunks on. Kurt loved swimming and planned to cool off by heading for a jump in the ocean after. He wore sandals on his feet. After evening out some of the poured in soil with a shovel he moved towards Slaine and Colleen to stand with them. “It’s so beautiful…” He said looking at the garden “You’re going to have so much good food for that baby…” He sweetly teased Slaine and smiled at Colleen. When he saw the exchange between Fiona and John he waved her off “Oh let them have their love…”

Stephanie was on a lawn chair in the shade watching the show and quipping at the workers. She was not dressed for garden work at all. She grew a few flowers at home but the more complex things she would happily convince Micheal and Tristan to take care of. She was clean, not sweaty and in a comfortable green sundress and sandals with a hat and big sunglasses. She would call out things like “Hey that one got more dirt…” As a joke, or when Seamus’s shorts slipped “Dude, say no to crack.” Even though he wasn’t quite at the plumber crack stage yet. She waved as Kaitlin and Yuki walked up and kept relaxing, happy to be part of it, but not knee deep.

Yuki was tucked in right behind Kaitlin balancing sleeves of cups and a picnic basket in his other hand. He smiled at those he could catch in view but kept hold of his offerings.

As Owen walked away from him, Liam took his chance and climbed right into the new dirt, squishing his sweaty little legs in and getting as dirty as he physically could in the lower half of his body. He giggled and giggled at his moment of freedom and looked way up at the big Liam as he did so.

Slaine  smiles at Kurt's words and places her hands at her belly.  In the dress the pregnancy didn't really show at all but she knew they were there.  "I can hardly wait.  I've never had a garden.  I hope it doesn't fail on me."  and she giggled at Fiona and her parents.  Liam climbed into the dirt as soon as he could.  "My little plant!"  she exclaimed, not even a little upset at how dirty he would get.  Noticing Yuki, she motioned to the picnic table.  “Just put it there, please.”  she was amazed how comfortable she felt around these people.

Colleen grinned back at John all dirty, but so happy.  Fiona had to open her mouth and she looked at her.  "We will .. the question now is whose room with all but Seamus moved out on us."  but she gave Seamus a look that told him he better not dare move out yet.  She laughed at Liam in the dirt, remembering all of her children at his age.

Seamus watched the banter between his sister and mother, then began to pour more dirt.  "No worries, Mom."  he assured her.  "I'm NEVER going to move out.  Ever." it's not true, but he's in no hurry to start paying all his own bills.  Now that he was working, he helped .. practice for adulting.  Stephanie commens and he drops the bag and melodramatically huffs "Fine" and pulls the shorts nearly up to his pecs like the stereotypical old man.  "Better?"  he looked at Liam.  "That's the spirit, Liam!"  he cheered the kid on.

Father O'Keeffe stood back and dusted his hands, watching the family interact.  "Thank you so much, Kaitlin."  he'd met the Reinhardt matricharch during the week and she had immediately insisted on confessing.  Not having a church on the island, they had sat at a table on her patio.  Her sins had not been as great as she'd thought and he gave her an absolution befitting the sins.  But he was delighted with the older woman and her entire family.  It reminded him in some ways of his own large family, but less tragic.  He laughs as his shared namesake plays in the dirt.  "You'll grow into a big tall boy, I bet, Little Liam."  he bends at his knees and covers a bit of child sneaker, patting the dirt down.  "That's better.  No exposed roods now."  he looks over at Yuki and smiles softly.

Vincent snuck a look at Fiona as she bent to pound a last nail flush and grinned.  The reactions of Fiona, followed by Colleen and Seamus made him laugh.  He's loving Stephanie's quips and every bit of family banter.  Seeing Yuki, he waves at him and Kaitlin and waits a little to see Kaitlin react to dirty Liam.

Kaitlin hugged Owen back.  "You are so welcome."  she told him.  "Oh it looks so neat and lovely."  she proclaimed.  Her garden has her large back porch, on which were containers of all sizes growing all things, plus a decent sized potato garden along the side of her house.  She watches Little Liam in the drt and smiles even through her sigh.  "You'll have to hose him down, Slaine." and she laughs.  "Father Liam."  she almost, but doesn't quite chide the priest for encouraging he child.  She wished she had had such laid back priests when she was young.

Liam squeals with delight at being called a little plant and then being partially buried in soil by the big Liam. Now he was a plant. He shrunk down and put his little hands pointed together on his head like he was just beginning to grow. This was a great game.

Owen steps back from his Gran and nods, pushing some of his sweaty hair back from his face. Today he was super thankful he’d gotten that haircut. This was way cooler on a hot day then having long hair. He chuckled about hosing down Liam and looked towards Slaine “He’d probably love that. I used to. Hey we should get a sprinkler for him….and maybe a bit for me.”

Yuki smiles at Slaine “Thank you.” And sets down the picnic basket and begins to unpack it. It’s a spread of cut fruit, a big tupperware full of sandwiches in a few assortments - tuna salad, ham and cheese, and cream cheese and cucumber. There’s another container with some cut veggies. He lays out the cups and takes the thermos and lemonade container from Kaitlin and sets them beside. There’s some paper plates and napkins he leaves in the basket so they don’t blow away or fall on the ground but they’re obvious and easy to find and a bottle of hand sanitizer and some paper towels.. “Dig in hungry gardeners.” He offers and steps back after stealing a carrot stick and returns the very tall stranger’s smile “Hello I’m not sure we’ve met. I’m Yuki. Kai has told me so much about you.” He walks close to engage in conversation looking like a dwarf beside Father Liam.

John snorts at Fiona and then grins fully at Colleen “We could make the whole room a shrine to every time the kid’s made a crack at us flirting or denied us getting busy by puking in the night...like a cheeky little museum. And then when we have a nice crop of teenage grandchildren…” He looks at Owen and Slaine and then intentionally at Vincent, Fiona and Seamus too “We can tell them the tales of their parents as teenagers complete with plaques and models.”

Fiona takes off her sunglasses so her parents can fully see her rolling her eyes “You had Irish triplets...how much denial do you expect us to believe Dad?” She laughs, looking between her brothers and then at Vincent. “Crop of grandchildren. Guess that’s a hint.”

Stephanie saunters over to the picnic table and takes a paper plate “Look at you Yuki and Kaitlin…” She gives Seamus a smarmy look “You’re probably too young to know who Urkel is but you’re just missing the suspenders.”

Kurt can’t resist the game of planting little Liam so he walks to fill a watering can and sprinkles him a bit “Now your garden will grow Slaine…..come on little plant Liam….grow nice and tall…” Liam giggles and giggles and stretches his arms up. “Should we water your mummy’s tummy so your brother or sister can grow too?” He teases and pretends to reach the watering can towards Slaine.

Now Liam jumps up and pats a dirty hand on his mother’s belly “Yes three times for all three babies!”

Slaine giggles.  "Well, that's one plant in the dirt.'' She looks around at Owen and claps her hands in approval of the sprinkler idea and laughs in delight when Kurt sprinkles him.  Then Liam tells Kurt to sprinkle her three times for three babies and she blinks.  They had very carefully planned how to announce it all .... and of course ... this is what they got for their careful planning.

Colleen laughs at mother and child.  Slaine would fit in very well with their family.  She hears John's plans for vacated bedrooms and applauds her approval.  She watches Liam.  "Starting with that one, right there."  and then Liam speaks again, breaking the news and she moves to him, picking him up and hugging him.  "You are just PRECIOUS!"  she tells him with a laugh, but not surprised because she already knew.

Seamus snorts as his parents start plotting but it was Fiona's comment that made him laugh.  "Yea ... exactly .. that ...'' he retorts.  He looks at Stephanie.  "Urkel?"  he isn't sure who that is, but he puts the waistband of his shorts back at his waist, his ego thinking that's better.  The whole idea of suspenders makes him shudder.  Then Liam mentions three babies and freezes, staring between Liam, Slaine and Owen.  "Say ... what now?"

Vincent moves to Fiona when her parents start plotting.  He snorts at Fiona's comment.  "I don't think I am THAT Catholic I want a whole crop."  he protests.  "Maybe one of each?"  he offers.  And thien Liam lets three cats out of one bag and stares at Owen.  "Triplets?"  he snorts.  "That lets US off the hook for a while, Fi."  and he starts laughing, just trying to imagine it.

Kaitlin giggles at the family banter and looks at the youngsters.  All of them.  "Heinrich wanted like a dozen kids.  He got two."  she huffs.  Then she smiles.  "But I don't mind one bit being a great-grandmother.  Bring it on kids!"  and then Liam speaks and her eyes grow large.  "Three ....  at .... once?"  she makes her way to the table and sits, looking a bit shocked ... but absolutely delighted.  She looks at Colleen. “You knew?  Oh my God I could never hold on to that secret!”

Father O'Keeffe looks absolutely delighted ith all he is observing.  He looks down at Yuki hen he approaches.  "Ah yes.  It is a pleasure to meet you at last.  Giovanni told me about you .. ho you and he created such wonderfully creative dishes in that shack of his.  Ho you made him enjoy eating fish again."  he chuckles and looks at Vincent and the rest.  "A large family is a mixed blessing."  he tells them all.  "I am the oldest of ten.  I'd know."   Liam makes his little announcement and he holds up a single finger.  "One at a time ... and only two sets of Irish twins."  he nods.  "Congratulations ... three times.  A true blessing on your family."

Owen bites his lip and looks at Slaine and then Liam. Well there is was, out in the world for the family now. And then he just looks around and repeats what he said in reaction to the news “Three babies….yep.” He laughs a bit and acknowledges the congratulations coming in “Thanks?” He laughs some more.

Liam jumps up and down now showering mud in all directions “Three babies...three babies three babies!!” He cheers.

Fiona Looks between her brother and Slaine and Liam and then with a wide eyed laugh at Vincent “Holy shit yeah….”

Stephanie lowers her sunglasses and just stares at Owen and Slaine and then starts to laugh “Oh my god….three babies. You kids are in for a hell of a shitstorm. Congrats on that though.”

John’s eyes go wide “Did you say triplets?” He then swivels his head to Colleen and Liam “and you KNEW and didn’t squawk?” Now he laughs “Jesus you guys...congrats…”

Yuki nods at Father Liam and then does a double take at the news of triplets before smiling hugely “Oh my goodness. That’s a lot...but wonderful news!”

Kurt looks like he’s going to just implode at the news of the triplets and sets down the watering can and starts making his rounds to hug everyone, beginning with Slaine “Triple Mama!” He exclaims as he tries to hug. When he makes it to Owen he does more addition “You’re going to have 4 kids…” And he hugs gleefully before moving to Colleen to try and hug her, followed by John, Fiona, Seamus and Vincent. Then he’ll try to hug the great grandparents, Stephanie, who will humour him and finally litle Liam “Big Brother extraordinaire!” Liam won’t understand the last word but thinks it sounds cool and hugs back. Then Kurt will stand on his tippy toes and try to hug Father Liam “It’s like a miracle. Hi I’m Kurt…” He’ll offer as an afterthought.

Slaine sighs, but then Liam starts cheering.  He is infectious and she can't help but laugh.  Then she is power hugged by Kurt and laughs even after it is over.

Colleen  nods and shrugs.  "I was there .. at first they thought the doppler was broken but .. it was picking up three heartbeats.  Confirmed by an ultrasound." after she gets the stuffing hugged out of her, she pulls out her copy and begins to pass it around, starting with Seamus.

Seamus stares at Oen.  "How .. I mean I know HOW but ... how ...."  he shakes his head.  "Better you than me, man."  he points at Stephanie .. his favorite aunt.  "What she said."  h e looks at the ultrasound, shrugs and walks it to Vicent and Fiona.  "That's a really bad picture."

Vincent looks at the picture, still a little stunned at the news.  "See Shay ... head .. head .. head .. the big white blurry balls.  Those are the ... masses ...."  he tightens his jaw and passes the pic on.

Kaitlin stares at the picture when it comes to her.  "They're beautiful..."  she begins while hugging Kurt to cry softly.  "Absolutely beautiful."  she sniffs.

Father O'Keeffe watches the family and hugs Kurt enthuastically.  "I'l Father Liam O'Keeffe."  he wonders how he could possibly have missed Kurt.  "I think you can all call me Father Liam, because Liam likes that we have the same name."

Fiona snorts at Vincent as they look at the picture and then looks up at Seamus making a comment worthy of him in younger years “Vincent just called our nephews or nieces..or both... balls….I don’t think we can see those yet.” She keeps her voice low enough not to let little ears overhear.

Stephanie butts in over Fiona’s shoulder, looking “Oh yeah three heads….wowsa.” She gives Seamus a little nod.

Fiona quips back quietly “Maybe it’s a three headed baby…” She doesn’t want to stamp on the joy. She’s just Fiona.

John hugs Colleen after Kurt moves on “Well I guess we’re gonna fill that spare room with two sets of bunk beds so the grandchildren can sleep over….”

Kurt looks up at Father Liam as he lets him go “Oh that’s funny.” He looks down at little Liam “It’s fun to have a friend with the same name.” Little Liam nods and just makes big eyes at big Liam as he squishes the mud between his fingers and into Colleen’s kneecap if he can still reach her nearby.

Yuki just looks delighted by it all. He pours out lemonade and gives a glass each to Owen and Slaine. They’ll need more than lemonade from everyone to meet this beautiful challenge but lemonade was all he had to offer. He walks over to Kaitlin just catching a quick glance at the photo before it passes on and puts an arm around her, seeing her so happily overcome “How’re you doing there Great Grandma?” He asks sweetly.

Slaine sits on the newly built planter and rests.  Keeping the little secret had been more draining than she imagined it would be.

Colleen chuckles at the low talk.  “Yes!  As long as they go HOME after.”  she jokes, then looks down when Liam squishes mud into her kneecap.  "Are you trying to plant me, too little bean?"  she demands and picks him up.  "I could eat you up!"  she tickles him on her lap.

Seamus shrugs.  "Yea ... don't get mad at me cause its a bad picture of them."

Liam screams with laughter but recovers.  "Yea ... Shay's right .. it's all blurry and you can hardly see them in there."  he looks up at Colleen.  "Can you make the picture better?  Please?"

Colleen smiles at the little boy.  "Maybe in a few months when they get bigger, okay?"  and while addressing him, she also addresses the adults.  "But remember, your Mommy has to rest as much as she can now.  Not too much stress and no picking up."  she starts tickling him again.  "Heavy beans."

Vincent surugs, but keeps his voice low.  "I know they're young but ... that's what they look like to me.  Balls or ... " he stops and corrects himself.  "Balls.  What do I know?  The only ultrasound I ever saw was my mothers and I wasn't supposed to see that."  This may clue Fiona in to what the mass looks like to him, knowing how his mother died.

Kaitlin  smiles at her family, so soaked in love she can hardly stand it.  She leans into Yuki, her eyes still leaking overflowing happiness.  "I've never been happier, Yuki."  and she begins to cry into his shoulder.  Naturally.

Father O'Keeffe makes big eyes right back at Liam.  Then he looks over at Kaitlin crying on Yuki's shoulder and grins.  He walks over to the picnic basket and moves a large container of baby wipes into prominent position.  "Before the triplets come, let us use these baby wipes to clean our hands so that we may eat.  In Jesus's name. Amen."  it is both a blessing .. and a joke.

Owen enjoys the sight of his mother connecting with little Liam but then notices Slaine sit down and looks worried as he walks over to her and sits down beside her, rubbing her back “You ok?” He asks gently and quietly. Everyone else seemed happily distracted with their own conversations. He even noticed Fiona, Seamus and Vincent whispering in a  huddle with Steph peeking over. He almost didn’t want to know the creepy jokes his sister would make but from the look on her face, he suspected.

Yuki wraps his arms around Kaitlin and lightly kisses her “I think this is the joy we’ve been waiting for through the fog….and Covid..” He chuckles.

Fiona was about to make another joke but picked up on what Vincent was saying and impulsively kissed him, not caring that Steph and Shay were practically still touching them.

Steph backed off from the little herd “Uh oh…..you guys are going for quadruplets aren’t you?” She joked and went back to the fruit plate just as Father Liam blessed the baby wipes “Amen Father. Hi I’m Steph….Michael’s wife.”

Liam adored the attention from Colleen and when she said Heavy Bean he tried to spread his body out across her lap and get as heavy as he could “I am the biggest bean you’ve ever seen…” he half sings and rolls this way and that.

Now John engages with little Liam “You know what they say about too many beans?”

Liam knew...he knew the rhyme well but he pretended not to because he wanted to see if Owen’s dad would say it “What?”

“Beans beans the musical fruit...the more you eat the more you…”

And he was cut off by Liam now “Tooot!!!” Followed by a series of well done farting noises that John did right back to him.

Kurt laughed at both the baby wipes blessing and now the farting jokes “God I love this family.”

Slaine leans into Owen.  "I'm just glad everyone knows now."  she tells him.  "I mean not the whole TOWN ... that's bound to take until Monday, easy right?"  she jokes and nuzzles his dirty shoulder.  "I love you, Owen."  she sighs happily.  "Can I have a sandwich?  I would have sworn I saw cucumber...."

Colleen is only half watching her family, being busy with the newest member.  John shares poetry with the boy and for a moment she is more glad than not that Michael had to work.  God knew what the two of them would teach this little boy … and any more that Slaine was cooking up.  Then she selfishly slumps.  "Oh you ARE heavy...."  she begins to sink to the ground.  "SO heavy."  and finally she sits on the ground with him.  "What kinds of food do you want to grow in this garden?"  she asks him.

Seamus rolls his eyes at his sister.  "Gross.  At least when it's you."  he stalks off towards the basket, getting a cream cheese and cucumber sandwich.  He looks at his father and Liam.  “Beans, beans, good for your heart!  The more you eat, the more you…”

Liam chimes in “Fart!”

Seamus toasts Liam with his sandwich.  “Welcome to the family, nephew.”

Vincent kisses her back, knowing she understood.  He breaks it eventually and looks at Steph.  "No .. we're celebrating not having to have any babies for years yet."  he proclaims.  "Thanks Owen."

Kaitlin nods and returns the kiss.  "Yes ... through it all ... and even longer.  Look how happy everyone is..."  she sighs, her tears drying up a bit.

Father O'Keeffe  steps back a bit to let people get food when Steph comes up to him.  "Michael is .. the big redhead at the police station, right?  Not the slimmer one at the firehouse."  he chuckles.  "You know, seven of my brothers are cops.  A noble profession."  he smiles over at the word Toot and then at Kurt.  "This family is especially blessed.  Can't deny it."

Steph blinks at Father Liam “Seven cops? And a priest…..what did the other two do?” She’s desperately curious “Yeah the big hunky redhead is my man.” She says after with a sly grin.

Fiona beams “But we can be the aunt and uncle who buy all the loud toys and games. When you’re not all farting through your faces.” She chides hearing the goofiness going on.

Owen grins at Slaine “At least noon on Monday. I love you too...you can have many sandwiches.” He kisses her cheek and gets up to go get her some food. At the table he passes Father Liam and Steph talking about his family and nods at them as he loads up a few cucumber sandwiches and some fruit and veggies. He takes a little plate for Little Liam too thinking they’re all probably hungry as his stomach grumbles.

At this point Kurt appears beside him on the other side and sees Owen doing 2 plates “I thought Slaine was eating for two….four...my goodness give her both of those!”

Owen snorts “This is hers and this is Liam’s...little Liam’s” he qualifies. “I’ll do mine after.”

Kurt offers to take Slaine’s to her with a gesture “You’re going to need more hands. May i?” And when Owen nods he takes the plate to Slaine and offers it before he and sits down by her while Owen loads up for Liam and himself.

John snorts as Seamus joins in and keeps going for a while with Liam before sighing “I missed those days.” He addresses Liam directly now “I’m glad we’ve got some more kids in our family again. The other ones are getting too big….not too big to fart though.” He jokes.

Liam looks between John and Colleen with the most serious face now “Everybody farts.” He says like he’s giving them sage advice. He gives Seamus a curious look after he called him nephew. He’s never been a nephew before. He knew the word but not in context.

Yuki nods, agreeing with Kaitlin. “They really are. We are.” He confirms.

Father O'Keeffe grins and nods at Steph.  "Yup.  Seven.  The other two .. Michael and Kean ... Michael became a prosecutor and Shane .. well .. he became a criminal.  Ironic considering they hated each other."  he speaks in the past tense with these two brothers.  He sees her grin and chuckles.

Slaine giggles about the town grapevine and beams as he promises many sandwiches.  Owen and Kurt pause and talk and then Kurt delivers her yummy goodness.  "Thank you Kurt."  she says and pauses.  He's another Reinhardt in law.  "This seems like a nice family to be a part of."  she says as she starts in on cukes and cream cheese.

Colleen stops tickling Liam .. for now ... and agrees with her husband.  When Liam pipes in she looks amazed.  "Everyone?  Really?  I did not know that."

Seamus snorts.  "I hardly EVER farted."  he lies outright.  "That was Owen .. he blamed them ALL on me."  he sniffs and looks like he might cry.  "You be a GOOD big brother Liam ... don't set your little brother up to be a fart monster."  he grabs a handful of veggies and begins to graze.

Vincent looks at Fiona as if she's just come up with the cure for all the world's ills.  "Perfect!  Let's do that!"

Kaitlin sighs happily again and reaches for the tuna sandwiches.

Owen hears Seamus and points at him “You…..we coulda powered the house off your toots man.” He laughs and walks to little Liam on his mom’s lap with his little plate and the sees the state of his hands “Oh hang on Liam let’s clean you up.” He goes back to the table and grabs some wipes.

Steph is still tuned into Father Liam’s family explanation “Did the cp brothers arrest the criminal? I can’t even imagine...I mean my brother’s a cop too and I married one….” She catches the past tense and carefully inquires “Are your siblings all...still living?” She knows what it’s like to lose a brother.

John acknowledges little Liam “You’re right. They do...oh food time..” He sees Owen bringing a plate and then talking about dirty hands and going back for wipes. He has to chuckle a bit before he also tunes into Father Liam’s tales.

Little Liam gets cleaned up and begins to eat very methodically, leaving his crusts amd slowly eating all his little veggies but the carrots.

Yuki walks over and takes a ham and cheese sandwich and refills his lemonade, listening to the conversations around.

Fiona elbows Vincent “We better snack before it’s all gobbled up.” and she slides her sunglasses to the top of her head and makes her way to the food now too.

Kurt leans both his elbows on his knees and looks sideways and Slaine, nodding “It really really is. I love them all. Hey I heard they’re opening the ferry on June 1st. I’ve been texting a bit with Dan. He’s thinking of popping over for a visit, socially distant as needed of course. Did you tell him about the triplets?”

Slaine eats happily and wathes Liam interact with all the grown=ups.  Kurt mentions Dan and she smiles.  "I would love to see him again."  she replies and then shakes her head.  We wanted to tell the family first.  Should we tell him?" she almost teases.

Colleen sees Owen bringing a plate and then going back for wipes and just marvels at her son.  He was doing damn well, all things considered.

Seamus places a hand on his chest and looks at Owen as if accusing him of being a dirty, filthy liar.  He hears about the ferry and looks thoughtful.

Vincent follows Fiona and takes a ham and cheese. He looks around the family and grins, nodding his agreement of Kurt's words.  But he looks pensive at the ferry reopening.

Kaitlin takes some coffee and sips.  She never gets tired of watching her family.  She tenses a bit at the mention of the ferry, but when Kurt talks about someone coming to the island instead of anyone in her family leaving it, she relaxes again.

Father O'Keeffe finishes up his tale in as kid friendly a way as he can.  "Sadly Shane..."  he sees that Liam is not looking in his direction and makes a pistol of his finger, shooting into the forest.  "Michael before."  he puts the finger gun to his temple.  "That was one year ago in January."  he clears his throat and goes for a ham and cheese sandwich.

Stephanie just hangs there in the space where Father Liam’s tale ended and the invisible finger shots made her breath leave her “I’m so sorry…” she said solemnly, not sure if he caught it as he walked to the sandwiches.

John catches Stephanie’s eye and then Colleen’s with a grim and awkward gulp about the end of Father Liam’s story. He blows out a breath and stands up to grab some chow, offering to do the same for Colleen “You want a plate Babe? Since your lap is claimed…” He gives little Liam a little grin.

Owen is sitting right by Liam and realizes he’s claimed his mother’s lap “He can sit with me if you want to stretch Mom?”

Little Liam wiggles into Colleen and holds his chosen person territory “No Colleen…” He’s heard her name a few times and remembers it. He brandishes a carrot at Owen like he’s daring him to try and move him.

Fiona descends upon the snack feast and loads up strategically, taking a bit of everything and then a drink “Yeah the ferry thing is still odd…..” She  encounters the unmoving thoughtful form of Seamus as she’s trying to exit the fray and shoulder bumps him “Move lump boy..” She teases as she has since they were small.

Kurt beams at Slaine “Oh I would love to. I miss Dan. He’s so funny. He would fit right in with this family too…” He looks around as he overhears Fiona call Seamus a lumps and laughs.

Colleen blew out a soft breath, catching the story.  She nods to John.  "Ham and cheese, please."  she tells him and hugs Liam to her when Owen offers to take him.  "What he said."  she chin points to Slaine.  "Gimmie my grandma time.  You enjoy it while I'm feeling generous."  she warns him.

Slaine smiles at Owen, his mother and Liam.  The word 'grandma' makes her swallow hard.  She hopes Liam will come to see them all as their roles in his life.  He needed this family as much as she did.

Seamus snorts as he is shoulder bumped by Fiona.  "Yea yea."  he drawls, lazily, but gets out of the way ... he may be bigger than her no but, truth be told., she still sort of scared him.

Vincent moves behind Fiona and past Seamus with a chuckle.  He just adored this family.

Kaitlin watched Liam on Colleen's lap.  She knew .. she'd get her turn.  After the meal they would plant.

Father O'Keeffe does hear Stephanie and, sandwich in hand, nods his thanks for her condolences to him.

Stephanie makes her way back to her little lawn chair and is about to sit when she gets a text and stops to answer it. She looks frustrated with the exchange and finally just calls the person “Mom...that’s not actually how computers work…...no no it’s in the cloud…...k forget I said that word. Listen stop clicking it...no I can hear you doing it….stop that.” She looks apologetically at the group “Step away from the computer. I’ll swing by. See you shortly.” She clicks off “Sorry everyone I need to go be tech support for my mother. Congratulations Owen, Slaine and Liam…” She leans down to make sure little Liam knows she means him and then looks up at Father Liam “And nice to meet you. Kaitlin and Yuki, thanks for the food even though all I did today was sit on my ass in the shade.” She does a sweeping wave “Reinhardts….adios.” And with that she folds up her chair and starts off.

Owen beams when his mother says Grandma time and then he looks at Slaine’s reaction and gives her a loving look “Alright Grandma, he’s all yours.”

Little Liam has heard the word Grandma twice now. The word is there, somewhere in his mind but also far away. He looks at Colleen and considers it and then just looks up at her with big thoughtful eyes as it starts to sink in somehow.

John got a good feeling about hanging out with this little guy on Colleen’s lap. He had walked to the table and back with two food plates for he and Colleen. John was very efficient at gathering food. He had dreamed of how they’d be as grandparents and this was matching, even surpassing it. Which was good considering there were 3 more coming. He overheard Stephanie and waved to her “Uh good luck with that. Say hi to Sakura.”

Fiona snickers at Seamus, winces at Steph’s exchange and gives her a little wave and then ends up walking towards Slaine and Kurt who are in their own conversation.

Kurt sees Slaine look somewhat emotional for a  second and offers his standard “Do you need a hug?” He smiles to Fiona as she moves into view and Vincent if he’s in range while waving back at Steph.

Yuki looks concerned at Stephanie’s conversation and then he gives a little wave “Most welcome. Tell Sakura hello please.”

Slaine calls out to Stephanie.  "Thank you ... and good luck!"  and then watches Owen and his mother ... and Liam.  Turning to Kurt, she grins …  “Actually yes, please.”

Colleen can't help but giggle.  "See you Steph.  Love to Michael.”  She's still hugging Liam.  John brings their food and she takes the plate.  “Thank you!”  and is ready to share with Liam, if he wants any,

Seamus snorts.  He knows and likes Sakura, but he admits to himself that Kaitlin is at least savvy enough not to heed help every day.

Vincent Says goodbye to Steph with a wave.  he settles in near Fiona and rests.  That was actually a lot of work.

Kaitlin giggles as she realizes that Sakura has gotten herself into computer trouble again.  She waves to Steph as she leaves.  "Tell your mother I said hello."

Father O'Keeffe waves to Stephanie with a "Nice to meet you too." before she leaves.

Owen can see folks have empty plates now so he makes a little dash up the stairs to grab a garbage bag from the kitchen and comes back, beginning to tidy up a bit, leaving the garbage bag available to others at one end of the picnic table.

John had handed Owen up his own plate when he went past with the garbage bag having scarfed several sandwiches. He was just famished.. “Apparently all you needed to do was become a dad to start doing chores without us bitching.” He joked.

Owen gave his father a look and then laughed “Yeah maybe. Feels different when it’s your own place with….your own family.” He admits. He was understanding his parents more and more by the day.

Kurt gives Slaine a sweet careful hug. He doesn’t squeeze as hard as usual because of her pregnancy. “Aww look at you Slaine, and Liam, surrounded by all this love. I’ve always wanted to see this for you both.” Fiona and Vincent may not know Slaine’s whole story but Kurt adds on “I like almost everyone….but Xavier was an ass. Not to speak ill of the dead….well maybe in his case though…. I’m so glad you found Owen.”

Fiona smiles at first at the sweet back and forth and hug between Slaine and Kurt and then as Kurt goes on she catches Vincent’s eye and exchanges a look with him that reveals she didn’t know how deep this particular rabbit hole went.

Yuki notices Owen gathering up plates and starts helping a bit with the clean up too. He rearranges the dwindling sandwiches a bit and puts the fruit and veggies together in just one open container as he sets the other into the picnic basket and wipes down the picnic table a bit with a baby wipe.

Slaine accepts the hug and blinks hard, trying not to laugh.  "I wanted it too, but I couldn't imagine it would be as wonderful as it turned out.  I'm no princess, but the evil monster is dead.  My son is safe and loved.  And I am, too.  And ..."  her hand drifts to her belly without her realizing it.  "Babies ith a wonderful prince.  I'm still afraid I will wake up."

Colleen is also watching Owen and giggles at his comment.  "Is THAT the trick?  I might not have worried so much if I knew that."  she gives Owen a smile.  "Dad."  she emphasised the word.

Seamus snorts. and rolls his eyes at his parents.  "Nope.  never leaving."  he announces.  "Gonna invest in pre-stained wife beaters when I hit 27."

Vincent follows Fiona's gaze a moment and then catches her look.  He looks towards the back of the building and through the woods and murmurs, hoping only Fiona understands and knowing she may be the only one who understands .. except for Father O'Keeffe.  "Thanks, Giovanni."

Kaitlin watches Owen cleaning and just laughs in delight.  Yuki starts cleaning before she can, so she stands and moves over to Colleen, John and Liam, leaning over a bit.  "You're going to be a wonderful brother, Liam."  she tells the little boy. and then looks at her son.  "And you a wonderful grandfather."  she sniffs a bit, not wanting to cry.  "I do love a big family."

Father O'Keeffe watches the family from his vantage place.  He tries to catch Vincent's eye when he hears Giovanni's name and will wink if he can.  It wasn't just the Reinhardt family that had increased, he knows.  He only prays he can be as suitable a guardian angel as Giovanni had been.