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Diana’s eyes filled with tears just knowing what her poor little grandson and daughters had seen and survived.

Ben took his grandma’s hand and squeezed it.

“Don’t worry, Grandma. We’re alive because Aunt Lori saved Mommy and me. She was so strong because she loves Mommy and me so much that all her love kept us safe.”

“That’s right, big guy, and I do love you a whole bunch,” Lori added as she took the last piece of bacon out of the pan.

“You bet ya I do, and Mommy loves me and Grandma loves me and Grandpa, too.”

“You’re right about that. Now let’s make you something for lunch. You’ll have to tell me what all of your favorite things to eat are, so I can make them for you.” Diana rose from the chair then leaned down and gave Ben a kiss on the cheek.

“How about a grilled cheese sandwich? I could sure go for one of those with some bacon and tomato,” Lou added as he took a seat at the kitchen table.

“Sounds yummy, Grandpa, I’ll have one, too.”

“Make it three.”

“Four.”

“I guess we’ll all have grilled cheese sandwiches with bacon and tomato,” Diana said as she went to the refrigerator to retrieve the ingredients.

Chapter 2

Maggie and her parents sat on the front porch while Ben lay sleeping in his new bedroom. Diana and Lou brought him a new twin-size bed and a Power Ranger comforter set. Lori had told her parents that the Power Rangers were his favorite toys and dinosaurs were his second favorite. They had picked up a few dinosaur toss pillows and some dinosaur toys at a store in town.

Lori was upstairs taking a shower, annoyed at how much of an inconvenience a broken wrist was, especially trying to keep the plaster cast dry. She was having some sharp pains protruding up her forearm and into her elbow. The doctor she saw told her to check in with a local physician as soon as she was settled in her new home. Maggie was concerned.

“How’s Lori doing with that cast?” Lou asked Maggie.

“She’s pissed off as anything about it.”

“What did the doctor say at the hospital she went to?” Diana asked.

“That she had to keep it on for at least eight weeks but she needed to see someone locally to check it. She’s been having some pain in her arm and elbow,” Maggie told her parents and Diana showed concern immediately.

“I’ll call Dr. Henley. He’s a local physician in town and your father and I know his parents and family. They’re our neighbors actually. Well your neighbors, too, now,” Diana added with a smile.

“I’d talk to Lori about that first. You know she’s pretty stubborn and sometimes overly self-sufficient. She likes to handle things on her own and believe me she’s great at it. She should be the older sister, not me.” Maggie smiled at her parents.

“We’re so glad you’re here now and she’ll have to push that self-sufficient stuff aside for me and your father. We have five years to make up and we’re gonna.”

“I don’t doubt that, Mom, and thank you for the toys and Ben’s bedroom. He loves it all. Especially that swing set, he’ll live on that thing.”

“I hope he loves it and I hope he’ll like fishing with his grandpa because I plan on taking him real soon,” Lou said and Maggie smiled.

* * * *

Diana couldn’t help but worry about Lori, too. She was awfully quiet and really took care of Ben and Maggie.

Just then Lori entered the porch wearing a light T-shirt and a pair of cotton shorts. Her parents watched her as she sat on the rocking chair, crossed her legs and sat up perfectly straight. She was gorgeous with her long blonde hair, green eyes, and perfect body. It was obvious she kept in shape and enjoyed her daily jog. She was already twenty-one years old, young, and vibrant looking yet mature, a true respectable lady.

Diana had so many questions for her daughters but knew to take her time asking. They were forced to grow up so quickly she didn’t want to rush anything. She just wanted everything to go nice and slow.

“So what are you building above the barn house over there, Dad?” Lori asked as she slowly rocked the chair.

“Well, I’m turning it into a loft, kind of like an apartment separate from the house.”

“Really? That’s too cool. Who’s going to stay there?” Lori asked excitedly.