Chapter 25
The flight home was perfect and when Sam had finished looking at everything, even the galleys and toilets, after his adventures he settled in when the hostess laid his seat down to make him a comfortable big bed, he went to sleep almost immediately with a slight smile on his face. My man had a smile on his face too and nodded his head towards the small bathroom, I laughed and made up my bed then crawled under the blanket, he moaned about it but I won in the end as I went to sleep. There was no way I was going to cheapen myself by getting screwed in a very tight bathroom, no way, and all I would see after would be the smirks on everyone's faces when we came out, no way not going to happen.
There was no one to meet us at the airport because I hadn't told anyone when we were getting in. We had no trouble at customs and we sailed through the airport to the taxi rank, we caught a cab home it was convenient for us as we didn't want a big mob waiting at the airport. We will slowly introduce Sammy to our family and friends, in a gentle way so as not to scare him. Kasey and I had discussed how we would do that, and first on the list would be Billy, he can show him the ropes. I was to ring mum and see if we could borrow him for a few nights when we got in. The little eyes were everywhere as we neared the city, he moved from my lap to Kasey's to try and see everything he could. The buildings were enormous to this kid who has never seen so many wonders. When we got into our building he held on tight to Kase's legs as the lift went up and down three times, his giggling started us off and as I put the key into the front door I said to him.
"Welcome home son."
"Welcome home!" Everyone shouted, our apartment was full of family and friends, Billy was the first to hug Sam and Mum and Trish hugged me, Kasey's sister and mum hugged him as dad saluted then shook his hand saying.
"Well done son."
"Everyone this is Samir, Sam or Sammy our son, don't overcrowd him he's still very shy and very cautious," Kasey said.
"Come on Sammy, I show you your room," Billy shouted and they both scooted off to look at the bedroom next to ours.
"I think I have you to blame for this my potential husband," I whispered in Kase's ear. He grinned and answered.
"I just made a few phone calls while I was out the other day."
"Thank you, you don't think it will be too much for him?"
"Not at all, he was surrounded by people where he was held captive."
The girls and boys dragged me out onto the balcony where a big welcome home cake was sitting on the table. They all wanted to know how we liked Italy especially Venice, I wanted to know what was happening with the salons.
Mum was with us and she was waiting with bated breath to hear my stories so what can a man do, I grabbed a champagne and sat and talked my head off.
"Poppa, Poppy, come look come quick, look room," Sammy shouted as he and Billy ran out to the balcony.
He grabbed my hand and started to drag me inside, Kasey got the same off Billy.
"We will be back in a minute folks."
When we got to his room it was awesome, whoever did this for us is a lifesaver I didn't want Sam to have an empty bedroom and that was the first thing on our list of things to do. A double bunk bed with animal print covers. The walls had been painted a very pale green and someone has drawn Noah's Ark and the animals all over it, on the other wall were Dinosaurs and unicorns. There was a small desk, a TV and chairs and heaps of books on a bookshelf.
"How the hell did you manage this?" I looked at Kasey.
"I didn't, but I wish I had of thought about it maybe Trish knows. I'm sleeping in here from now on."
"Of course you are." I smiled seductively at him.
"Maybe I won't then." He grinned.
There were boxes of toys, Lego by the bucket load, and fluffy toys covered the lower bunk bed. Sammy was beside himself, I guess he's never seen such wonders and Billy handed him a box with a big truck in it.
"Open it my umm, brother."
He didn't know where Sammy slotted in and I will word him up later.
"How?"
"Show him Bill," Kasey said.
So he did and I grabbed my son and hugged him and said.
"Do you like your room?" He nodded at a hundred miles an hour I got my answer.
"Good, poppa and poppy have to go talk to our guests will you be okay playing in here."
"Oh yes, Poppa this wonderfully." I think I saw a tear in his eye but I wasn't sure.
I took my man out to the balcony again my dad collared him and the girls collared me, now where was I?
"You all have to go to Italy it's such a beautiful place I know you will love it, who did Sammy's room?" I changed subjects mid-sentence.
No one was forthcoming with any information.
"Trish?" I stared at her because she has the keys to this apartment.
"Umm, we all did Adam. I told everyone in the salon about Sammy and they insisted they help put together a special bedroom for him, we had a working bee yesterday even the customers chipped in Adam." She smiled I looked at the others and they were beaming, they did very well.
"You all did that for us?"
"No we organized an interior decorator to come in of course we did, after the walls were painted we all went out bought something we thought he would like, the bed, clothes and the desk are a gift from Dan and Cody Mitchell." I hugged her and asked her to tell me how the salons were going I didn't know how to thank them all for their generosity but I know I will give them a big bonus in their next paycheques.
"Same as usual Adam nothing's changed except Nona Zena missed you to the point she rang three times a day for any updates, plus she sent Luca by with some money to contribute to Sam's room." She giggled.
"NO! it's not happening dear father in law, never will it ever happen."
"But Major, you have no choice you must accept it. I have direct orders from the top."
"No!" Kasey was having some trouble with my father.
"What's up now?" I looked at him.
"Medal's baby, it isn't going to happen."
"Major, you saved those men from certain death not to mention the kids, you deserve them."
"Put them in a box and keep them for yourself."
"But the Prime Minister insists he pins them on."
"Then tell him to wear them."
I rolled my eyes, they can't help themselves. The party wasn't wild and the commander and Tim were the first to leave I think they had something better to do. Then Kasey's mum and sister left, my staff left after getting all the information they could out of me, mum and dad had a problem with Billy he wanted to stay and play.
"Looks like you're staying the night." I smiled at mum.
"Maybe we should John, Sammy might get scared all on his own." Mum was concerned for the little fella.
"Sure but we have to be on the road by eight in the morning. I got to get you home and then return for work."
"Stay here we will drive mum and Billy home, I would like to start getting our son familiar with the area anyway."
"Private Bill, front and center in the kitchen," Dad called. Billy ran out and saluted dad.
"What are my orders daddy, sir?"
"Get ready for bed, we are staying the night."
"Yes sir no sir um six bags full sir." He saluted again then ran off to find some sleepwear. I think that meant everything was okay and there were six people in the house but just to confirm it Sam ran by singing out "Six bags full."
I am sure the gang will have some pj's stashed in Sammy's drawers I did see a load of clothes hanging in the wardrobe, Cody did very well they were his and Rory's brand. Billy was sent off to get ready for bed but was promised he didn't have to go right now he could have some more playtime.
That left Trish myself and mum sitting at the kitchen table with Kasey, dad had gone off to supervise the boys.
Kasey opened his laptop and started reading his emails. I asked Trish where Evans was, she said he was in Canberra for some important meetings, so she wasn't in a hurry to get home.
She told me when she was talking to Cody about Sammy, he immediately took over and insisted he does something as a welcome present he wouldn't take no for an answer. She also said they were going to put a new kitchen in her place, and it will match the décor.
Tim and Marko were working on a contract from the Museum, they were resetting forty wigs that are used for displaying tiaras and hats from the early century more big dollars for their pockets, and Janice and Trev have set the date for their wedding.
"Her family is moving back to Melbourne, and Janice is thinking of going with them. Trev doesn't mind he has family there already, and he would follow her to the end of the earth anyway."
"No, we can't let that happen Trish we will never see them again."
"Umm, you're not thinking straight Adam all this daddy thing is muddling your brain."
"What?"
"Melbourne, aren't you going to open a salon there?"
"Brilliant idea Trish, perfect they both can be the managers and interview new staff."
"Good, they don't know about it yet but I'm sure when you tell them they will be very pleased. Anyway, I must go, he's adorable Adam and Kasey and I can't wait to be his full-time aunty."
"He is, and he will be needing loads of aunty hugs too." She yawned.
"Goodnight Mrs. Sutton, Adam Kasey, I will pop in to see the boys before I go and I will see you all in the morning."
She went into the bedroom then she left shortly after I looked at mum and was about to say something but she got in first.
"Don't ask Adam, I was flying blind too. But I can say just love him and make sure he's safe, clean, and in good hands. Don't leave him with strangers and I don't know what he's been taught but respect and manners are a good thing also."
"He doesn't know much mum, he's been watching what we do and trying to do the same. But everything that happens around him is all-new, thank god for Kasey that's all I can say" I smiled at him.
"I had to teach him all about the toilets and eating with a spoon, he picked it up pretty quickly because I think he was trying to please me," Kase said.
"He loves you." I smiled.
"You too, you don't see it yet but he watches you all the time out of the corner of his eyes."
"Really?"
"Yes Adam, I notice these things." He smiled and took my hand, but quickly let go when another mail came through.
He will contact his professor and University mate's tomorrow, I suppose they will have loads of questions. Dad came out and said they wanted us to say goodnight, so with mum in tow we went to kiss them good night, they were both in the bottom bunk there seemed to be plenty of room.
"I might hit the sack to boys, got a big day tomorrow are you sure you can get mum and Bill home safety?" "Probably not dad, I just remembered we only have one car seat."
"Okay leave it to me son." He took his phone out and called someone.
"Is anyone still hungry?" I thought I would ask.
"Yes Adam, is there any more of that cake left?" Kasey asked
"More cake coming up."
We weren't at all surprised to have two little boys in bed with us in the morning, Billy said he got scared and Sammy followed him into our room.
Mum poked her head in and smiled.
"I thought they might do that sometime during the night anyone for coffee?"
"Yes please." Kasey moaned under the blankets, that was the beginning for two little kids to play haystacks on Kasey. They both jumped on him and tried to find his head but he held that blanket tight, I think he was naked but I wasn't so certain because we didn't make love last night.
Breakfast was noisy and the TV was showing the big red dog cartoon which Sammy got right into while Billy explained who the characters were to him.
Kasey had told me that he used to sit outside the hut where the other army guys were being held and they were teaching him English for something to do, he used to sneak them some food and water and because he was unseen by everyone. He usually sat there when he wasn't needed to do his jobs which could take him hours at a time. He also said he would walk two miles with a bucket to get water every morning and night it was all he knew until the guys were captured.
Anyway, dad showered and readied himself for the day and he was moving Kasey along because I think he wanted to walk him to work. He had words with mum and Billy then he sat on the sofa and had some soft words with Sammy who was blushing and grinning. He was quietly welcoming him to the family, something he didn't have time for last night. I noticed Sammy saluted him before he got up then he went back to his cartoons. I pulled my man into the bedroom and kissed him for days, his large package got larger as I rubbed myself against him.
"No time baby."
"See you at lunchtime then." I grinned as he kissed me once more and then he left with dad. The boys had to go with them because they wanted a ride, I watched that lift go up and down five times before they landed at our floor all giggly and happy.
I wasn't at all concerned when a big van arrived to pick us all up.
Dad and Kasey had gone off to the office, Sammy was a little quiet when he left but I told him we were going for a ride then we can go see him at work. The van was medium size with big windows and they both had their noses to the glass. I think Sam was trying to work out what all the new things were like bus shelters, freeways, and supermarkets, the trip was full of fun and when we said our goodbyes to Mum and Billy he promised he would come and stay with us next weekend and he will bring some of his toys too. After a quick coffee and a tour of Billy's bedroom, we said our goodbyes because the driver was waiting.
We relocated to the front seat and now he can see straight ahead, his little hand was holding mine and he never let it go, the driver took us the scenic route on the beach road. I had to stop the driver on the way Sam was nearly wetting himself to go have a look at the big blue water, he had never seen or heard of it before. When his feet touched the sand he amused himself for a good ten minutes before he wanted to go for a splash. I stripped him to his underwear and he screamed his head off I saw tears rolling down his face. The driver was fixated and he was asking me all sorts of questions which I answered truthfully, no he's never seen the surf or sand, he's only paddled in a stream. After our half-hour stop we found a towel in the bus and dried him off, the driver was more talkative and he told me he had three kids and the beach is their favorite playground. I told Sam that we will come back with poppy Kasey very soon he should ask him when he sees him. The bus pulled up outside the Fed building and we both thanked the driver for the amazing tour, after collecting a big hug from Sam he drove off smiling and Sammy stood back and gasped at the size of the building. Another ride in a lift and he giggled because it bounced as it stopped, his hand still never leaving mine.
I knocked on Kase's office door but no answer, so I knocked on dads, they were all in there, Sammy ran to Kasey's side and started babbling on in Arabic, he got halfway through then he screamed with laughter.
"Sorry poppy can we go big water?"
"What water?"
"Big water."
"He means the beach we stopped by on the way back."
"Oh the beach, yes we can go, when do you want to visit again?"
"Now poppy."
"Not now I have work, but what about tomorrow baby."
"Okay, but you forget."
"I won't we will have to buy you some swimmers on the way."
"I can get them on the way home Kase, is your meeting finished?"
"Yes for now, I need to get some lunch."
"I'm going into the salon, can you get me a ham salad roll, and Sam some pasta maybe and don't forget the cheese?"
"Sure, see you in a half-hour." He grabbed our boy and introduced him to the others in the room.
"I can see why you want to adopt him Major, let's hope this paperwork goes through quickly." The lawyer said.
"It will, did your mother get home okay son?" Dad said.
"Yes dad and it looks like Billies going to have a sleepover on the weekend."
"We might all come and then we can take both the kids to the beach." The other guys had said their goodbyes as they were leaving.
"We just had a meeting about the adoption son leave it all to daddy." He grinned.
"Are you sure he can stay with us dad?"
"Yes son, these papers go straight to the Prime Ministers secretary he will get them stamped and Sam's Australian passport will be issued."
I looked at Kasey and he was beaming talking to Sam, it looks like I had better check out some private schools then.
We walked out with Kasey, he went across the road to get some lunch and Sam and I walked up to the salon, he was a bit slow because he wanted to see everything. A group of army guys appeared and were walking towards us and he hid behind me his little fingers dug into my legs.
"Hi Adam, good to see you back in one piece." One of the familiar guys said as they walked past. I knelt to have a word or two with my new son.
"Sammy, you don't have to worry about them anymore, they are the good guys and if you are ever in any trouble you are to go to them and ask them to find your Poppy they all know him and me."
He didn't believe me, but when Kasey caught up he was watching some of the guys salute him, and he deemed it okay.
"You didn't get far."
"No, Sam was a little worried about the guys in uniform he was trying to hide behind me."
"We will fix this now son." Sam nodded. Kasey handed the lunch bag to me then picked him up and took him over to the few guys that had stopped to have a smoke and chat.
"This is my son Sam guys, if you ever see him in the street you have to salute him and help him if he needs it, is that clear." He winked at them.
"Yes sir, we got this." They saluted Sam and Kasey then stood there for him to salute back. He giggled when Kase tickled him then we walked the three doors into the salon.
"Sammy, Eva yelled."
"Aunty Eva's." He ran to her and she hugged him.
"Everyone this is Sammy my new nephew."
I heard some hellos and good to meet you James and Marko grabbed him and took him into the tea room they entertained him for the next ten minutes while they had their lunch. Marko was especially good with him maybe because he has younger brothers he has experience. Kasey was smiling lovingly and when I finally stopped looking at his antics I realized I had been smiling too.
"So the Prime Minister is taking over Sam's case then." "No his secretary is, well he has been told to get it done."
"Good and the outcome will be?"
"We get him and he gets Australian citizenship."
I opened the bag and took our lunches out then passed Kasey's to him. Sammy was still talking to Marko and James I think they were talking about cartoons but I did hear the big water mentioned a few times.
"Have something to eat baby."
"Yes poppy, in a minute." I guess he's got a lot to say to the kids.
"We had better do something for Cody and the staff they did a great job with his bedroom." Kase reminded me.
"Do you want to go shopping with me after work we could buy him something nice maybe some jewelry."
"Yep that sounds okay to me we can take bubs maybe he will find something he likes and we have to get him some board shorts for the beach."
"Cody has them in his shop Kase, but perhaps he might find something he likes I feel like I want to buy him the world."
"I hear you Adam and I feel the same, and the staff?" He grinned.
"All fixed, they will all receive a bonus in their pay packets next week that's the very least I can do."
"Do you need me to chip in?"
"No thank you Kase all done and dusted." I smiled because his finger was running up and down my jeans zip, he's a real devil and he knows nothing's going to happen here.
After we ate Kasey had to leave and Sam was being chased all over the salon he eventually was looking a little tired so I made a temporary bed up for him in the storage room, Tim and Marko will keep an eye on him and tomorrow I will buy a small fold away bed because I know he will be with me when I come into work sometimes.
Kasey arrived just after he woke up, Tim had been showing him how to do wigs and like Billy, he loved the smell of hairspray. I am leaning towards the military but he might surprise us by being a hairdresser it's too early to tell.
We closed up after wishing everyone a good night and then with bubs in hand we started down the first alleyway. Poor Sam, he once again stopped and looked at everything in the windows even handbags and shoes. When we got to the jewelry shop we looked in the window first, I know Cody has some serious gems and that little heart he wears around his neck is something special, but I never asked him what the story was with it. We didn't know what to do for Cody but whatever we buy we will give to Sam to give to him as a thank you for helping with his room. A pair of Deco ruby and diamond studs were chosen for him and my man got himself a fabulous silver vintage desk set for his office it was amazing. I didn't see anything I craved for so we left it for later.
Back on the street, Sam took off, he's found something he liked and by the time we caught up to him his nose was hard up against the window.
"Do you like that bubs?" Kasey asked him.
"Yes Poppy, it delights me."
"Come on then let's go try one."
"The brightly colored skimboard in the window had called my son, now maybe he will be a beach bum and surfer, I don't care as long as he's happy"
The skimboard came home with us plus a big parcel of fish and chips. He loved his chips very much and after we all ate he had to ring Billy to say hi and tell him about his present.
"What are you up to Kasey?"
"Working on different stuff for the Military Adam."
"So they are letting you in on some more court cases then."
"Yes, they desperately want me to be up to speed when I graduate, there is a backlog of complaints and petty crimes to get through. They have got me starting with the older ones and working back through, some complaints that were never dealt with properly because of understaffing. As you can guess the Military hasn't got the resources or the men to investigate every little problem."
"I see, so are your school mates helping you?"
"No they can't interfere or know about these things, they are top secret."
I was dying to read through some of them just to see what the Military deems a crime or a misdemeanor. I suppose Kasey's priority would be to cover up some of the unimportant stuff-ups.
Sam had been in his room a while so I went to find him, he was fast asleep on his bed clutching one of his toys, so I undressed him gently then kissed his head and slipped him under the blankets.
"Goodnight son."
"He's asleep, it's a little early but he should last through the night, it's been a big day for him."
"I will go kiss him in a minute, can we strip off now." He didn't look at me he just had that wicked grin on his face again.
I managed to shuffle my appointments around for tomorrow and I will take Sam to the other salon to meet the guys there and I wanted him to give Cody his present. I had rung my accountant and told him to give all my staff a two hundred dollar bonus in this month's pay, which will compensate them for what they laid out for his room with a little thank you extra cash.
When I finished sorting out the appointment book I yawned.
"Don't you dare." "Dare what Kase?"
"Go to sleep, we have unfinished business."
"Yes, and what business would that be?"
"Just give me another five minutes and I'll show you."
Well it wasn't five minutes it was more like another hour but he eventually showed me, he showed me everything that his awesome body had to offer me and some. I was virtually legless when I dropped off to sleep before I did I looked over at Kasey and he had a slight smile on his satisfied face I think I did well tonight.
Sam was in bed with us in the morning, I guess this is going to be the norm around here for a while. When I opened my eyes I came face to face with his big brown ones and a grin from ear to ear.
"Good morning son, did you sleep well?"
"Yes poppa, did you?"
"I did sleep well what time did you crawl in with us?"
"Not long gets lonely in the room that's all"
I turned onto my side so I could have a good look at him he grinned again and I kissed his nose.
"Are you warm enough in your bed?"
"Yes poppa, nice warm thank you."
"Good, now today I want to take you over to aunty Trisha's work and introduce you properly to the others."
He went quiet and didn't answer me so I looked over at Kasey and he was shaking his head.
"What's up?"
"Big B e a c h." He spelled it out.
"Shit I forgot, it is going to be a nice day for it."
"I will take some time off and come with you, I only need to find something to wear."
"We could go to the nude one."
"In your dreams baby, are you making us a coffee?"
"In a minute, I need to talk to our son." I looked again at Sammy and his head was now buried into my armpit.
"How about we don't go to the other shop today and go to the big beach instead?" His head lifted abruptly and his smile was back.
"Really poppa?"
"Really, and you were right, I forgot I promised we would go today."
He sat up and looked at Kasey.
"Yes, I will be coming too because I have to teach you how to skimboard along the sand." He giggled because he didn't know what else to say. I threw my blankets off and went to put the coffee on and to get him a glass of milk. Before I knew it he ran out of the bedroom and into his room, he came back with his board and placed it next to the front door so he won't forget it, then the TV magically burst into life.
Kasey came out and placed his arms around me then began kissing the back of my neck, I could have stayed like that all day but he only lasted a few minutes then he flipped his computer on.
I gave him his coffee and our son some warm milk then went about making toast and some eggs for him. I then rang mum to see if Billy had the day off, I wanted to see if they wanted to meet us halfway. She had things to do today and Bill was jumping up and down to talk to Sam, I passed the phone over to him and I heard them discussing the cartoon that was showing on TV.
"Have you got any bathers Kase?"
"Yes somewhere I bought them ages ago I thought I might take up surfing at some stage, that was long before I met you though." He grinned.
"I have a few pairs if they aren't suitable."
"Thank you, but I am sure they will still fit."
His phone rang and it was the commander wanting to send over some paperwork. Kasey said it was okay but he won't be here after eleven he's taking the afternoon off. It wasn't urgent stuff but he would like Kase to get a head start on it. Sam had finished with his call and I gave him some scrambled eggs on toast to pick at, there wasn't anything wrong with his appetite he was just a little distracted with his very important TV shows.
I ate my toast then made more coffee then I went to his room to try and find him something to wear on the beach. After rummaging through his drawers I found a very nice pair of Rory board shorts and tank top to match, thanks guys, then I went to find my old bathers and to look for Kasey's which I couldn't find so I organized some towels and drinks into a carry bag. I thought I had better take some sunscreen and an umbrella just in case there's no shade.
The doorbell went and I went to answer it, Shannon was standing there with a big grin on his face.
"Hi Adam, the commander sent me over with this for Kasey." He held up some paperwork.
"Come in Shannon he's just finishing up." He came in and followed me to where Kase was they saluted and he handed over the envelope then he started looking around the place. He has seen it before but I got the feeling he was stalling but I didn't offer a coffee because I didn't want to get overly friendly with him. I wanted his relationship with us to be work-related nothing else and I also felt there was something sinister in Shannon's eyes like he has an agenda.
"This must be Sammy, what a cute kid you're so lucky both of you." He smiled.
"Yes that's Sam, we are taking him to the beach today he's become very interested in surfing all of a sudden." I laughed Kasey frowned a little then took over while I went to make sure we had everything.
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