Adam
Chapter 78
Maxieplus
Jimmy's night was both awesome and sad, a sort of calming air came over the house. Although it was a celebration it was also a sort of freedom feeling for him and us. He was finally going on an adventure and leaving all his memories behind for us to hold. I talked to him and he reassured me he was only going for a short time, and if it got too much for him he would be on the first flight back. He also said he and Dieter will be touring around the south of France for a few weeks, then down to the Greek islands. He had never been there and was looking forward to it, so I deemed he would be away for about six months, maybe a bit more. The train set was amazing, Nat had done a good job with the three villages and the boys screamed watching that train stop at five stations. So much to do so little time, Chloe and Georgio arrived and the swimming lessons commenced while Jimmy signed contracts and such with Kasey at the back table.
Nat had made up some salads and fresh garlic bread and we ordered up on the pizzas. She complained that she could have done them but we wanted her to have a few hours with us without working, the salads were enough.
"So what does Cindy do for a job Nat?" She gave me an answer I wasn't expecting.
"She does nails."
"Really? Awesome job, is it her own business?"
"Yes she started it a year after she left university, all that knowledge and study and she ended up doing nails."
"It's a good profession Nat."
"Don't get me wrong Adam, she started out working for a corporation as a consultant, but she wasn't happy and she was over it within six months. She had her nails done once a fortnight and the salon that did them was up for sale, so she bought it, did some more courses, and is now opening her third salon, she does quite well."
"I see, so she's applying her business degree to her salons."
"Yes, all that work to become a nail technician, it does tickle my funny bone Adam."
"Well, as long as she is happy that's the main thing."
"Believe me, she is, and your right the money is good. I am going to talk to Kasey about putting a manicure shop in the new build."
"Is he having shops?" She laughed.
"Of course he is, a mall of some sort I think fourteen shops at the moment."
"I had better talk to my husband more, something else he is hiding from me."
"Don't worry Adam, I only found out by looking at his plans while he wasn't here. He left them on this table so I had a sneaky peek"
"I had better do some snooping while he's out then."
"I can show you how to do it Adam. I'm a good snooper." She cracked me up and we both laughed so loud mum wanted in on the conversation.
We worded her up and she sat with a satisfied look on her face.
"Okay spill the beans mum."
"I have looked at them, your father had them spread out in the kitchen one day. It's going to be huge and may I say just lovely."
"Right that's it, Nat how do I snoop."
"I would think you wouldn't have to Adam they have been laying all over the place for a few weeks now, you know Kasey he likes to spread things out." Mum laughed and once again I had to play catch up.
Chloe had been helping Georgio with the lessons but all I could hear was the kids screaming. I did think once again he wasn't getting much done in the way of safety.
Dinner was delivered and we all sat around the table to eat from the boxes, I sat with Kasey and whispered to him.
"I will have a look at those plans before I go to bed."
"There's no need to Adam, all's good."
"Is there room for my salon in there somewhere?"
"Yes, already reserved at a good price."
"You will need to reserve a space for Cindy's nail salon also."
"And Cody's new shop, Adam I told you I had this, stop trying to influence me."
"I'm not doing that, it's just that everyone here has looked at them and I haven't."
"There's no need baby."
"Excuse me, but I am a major investor in that build and I should be able to see the plans at least." He started laughing, and so did the others.
"Snooping Adam, we spoke about it, after dinner I will show you how to do it." Nat once again giggled.
"Thank you Nat, you are a true friend."
"They are awesome Adam," Trish said.
I glared at her, she went down a notch in my eyes and I will never speak to her again. I sniffed and then ate my dinner, it was delicious.
A fun-filled family night was had by all and more than a few tears arrived when we had to say goodbye to Jimmy, the kids got caught up in the moment and hung on tightly to him. After a few whispers in their ear they brightened up and let go of him. Chloe and Georgio were next and the same thing happened they thought he was going for good. They were put to bed, most of their sadness was caused by lack of sleep and they were dead tired.
"You will write wont you?" I said to Jimmy as I straightened his hair with my fingers.
"I will try and write every day but sometimes the internet doesn't work, especially on the remote islands."
"I don't expect one every day, once a week is fine with me." I smoothed out the wrinkle in his tshirt.
"Adam my wonderful friend, I will write as often as I can, and thank you for everything, this wouldn't have been possible if you hadn't come into Adeles and my lives." He hugged me tightly and kissed both of my cheeks then he left in a cab.
"Now," Nat said.
The men had retired to the train room and she grabbed my hand and marched me into Kasey's office.
It was amazing, what Kasey had done was out of this world, his imagination had gone wild and there wasn't anything I could see that was out of line. He had used his military precision to cover every inch of land with something different. I saw everything including the big penthouse that he had a post-it note stuck to, 'Adam and Sams river home.' It was fabulous and I almost shed a tear for my wonderful hero.
I checked Sam and Billy, they were snuggled up in Sam's bed, they had insisted because it was Friday it was a sleepover night. They were fine and so I went to the basement to have a go at the train set. Mum was right, dad wasn't in a sharing mood tonight and Joe was complaining. Trish had grabbed a stool and sat watching them. I sniffed at her again and took another stool at the end of the second table. During the fifth lap of the train had she worked her way around next to me then she whispered in my ear.
"I didn't see them Adam. I was just going with the flow."
"I know," I whispered back, I didn't know but I'm not telling her.
We played with it until it was midnight then Nat had to go home after several phone calls from Cindy. Dad had given up the controls to Joe and now it's Kasey's turn. I kissed him and said good night, and I smiled at Trish. I know exactly where this is heading, like the billiards table in my apartment everyone will lose interest quickly. As magnificent as the train set was, there is only so much you can do with it and it is a little isolated where it was. I showered and crept into bed, and in no time I was asleep. There was no Kasey in the morning so I checked the boys, they were playing horsies again so I went to find him. Sprawled out on the sofa in the movie room he was dead to the world. Serve yourself right Mr, Kasey I hope your joints don't ache today.
I told the kids I would be downstairs then I sat outside with my coffee, I was thinking we should put in a stair lift for my comfort, but I decided that getting the kids off it would be a big operation.
Mum arrived and it looked like all the men were having a sleep-in.
"Are Billy and Sam up?"
"Yes, mum playing horsies." She kissed me and then went to find them.
Only a little bit of screaming today as they ran past me into dad's place, they will jump on his bed until he takes them for a swim, this won't take long.
She made coffee and we talked about last night, she said Kasey was the last man standing according to dad, he didn't quite get why, but it was late.
"It's Steff's visit today mum, I don't think Kasey is looking forward to it."
"Why, I thought it was all sorted out."
"Mum, Steff's family are asking too much for their investment and they were holding up the plans at the council deliberately to stall the project until they signed contracts. It's the way they do business, Kasey threatened to sue the local council, and the plans were released. He doesn't want to do business with them and he's dreading telling Steff it's a no show."
"It sounds like that family isn't what they profess to be."
"Well Kase is disappointed that they would even try to manipulate things, and they would have invested but their goal was to get ahold of the dock that came with the land."
"That big one?"
"Yes luckily Kase had bought it privately so it's apart from the build. They can't touch it but they thought they could."
"Kasey's thorough son, he would have a plan."
"Sometimes I think he does too much mum, and as he says it's a family business and he has plans for that dock."
"What's he going to do with it?"
"Extend it to hold the mega ships maybe develop the old warehouses on that parcel of land I don't quite know yet."
"Your father let it slip that one of those warehouses will be turned into a drop-in centre for the ex-military guys that are homeless."
"Yeah Kasey said much the same but I didn't know it was that property."
"It is much needed here."
Dad and the kids ran out, he had his shorts on and jumped into to pool, and the kids followed. I spied Nat in the kitchen I suppose she is getting ready for today's onslaught, Kasey was talking to her so he's up and about. He came out and kissed me and mum then made coffee.
"Did you sleep well, Kasey?" Mum asked.
"Yes mum, but I got a sore neck must have slept wrong.
"Couches will do that sometimes." I had to go and say.
"Is there anything you need us to do today Kasey, or are you fine with it all?"
"No mum all's good to go. I have thought it all out and am convinced the Bartoli family won't get within an inch of investing with the company."
"You look disappointed son."
"Yes I am, I was led to believe they were honest people, but in the end the rest of the money will come from us. It just means my plans for the dock will be put on hold for now." Now we have the answer for his lateness last night, it would be disappointing for him to put the dock on hold, but even more for the drop in centre.
"Can't we all just put in some more money to at least get the drop in centre up and running?"
"We can but we will also need cooks, some sort of security, and many volunteers."
"Surely amongst the vets there are some good cooks, and security is their game, well for some of them."
"Leave it with me, I have options and the military is on board with it. I envisaged it to be a chill-out place with a resident psych if they want to talk and maybe some overnight accommodation. I would like the guys to almost run it themselves and maybe let us know what they need."
"There's your answer then Kasey, start asking questions around town."
"Let me get the build started first then I will have the time to think about helping the guys."
"Or you can set up a small committee and they can nut out what they want. When will the fed building offices be ready?" I was trying to help.
"A few weeks Adam, the offices are already there and the workers are mainly electricians and tech people."
"Okay, then we reserve a conference room for the guys to discuss the drop in centre."
Kasey was still tired, so I suggested he go get a couple of hours sleep while we set up the back table and organise the food. Joe and Trish arrived and she made coffee and toast for the both of them.
"Big day today Adam, I hope it doesn't turn into a shit show."
"It won't Trish, Kasey won't alow it."
"Joe wants to be his bodyguard today." I laughed because even though Joey is Spiderman, to some people, he doesn't have the skills Kasey has.
He did have an hour's sleep and now he's sitting in his office, again. I guess praying he has all his documents in order.
The arrival was a non-event. Steff was a very charming man. I hadn't met him before but I could see he loved his family very much. The bubs was sleeping and we all had to have a look while the little one ran for the pool. Luckily Sam and Billy headed him off and distracted him. Susan looked amazing, she hadn't overdressed and wore no makeup, and her skin was perfect.
I introduced them around and mum made drinks for us all.
"This place is beautiful Adam, you had better show me around at some stage. How the hell do you keep it clean?"
"Cleaning company they come in once a month, the rest we manage ourselves." I smiled.
"Well I know you haven't been here that long, was it Adele's place?"
"Yes, she and Fred built it."
"Great, it suits you. Stefano get some photos."
"In a minute my sweet." He had grabbed his boy and was trying to get him to calm down.
"Chloe and Georgio will be here soon he can take him in the water."
"I can do that Adam, I wore my bikinis just for you today don't you want to see them?" I blushed and needed to scream, YESS!!
"Take no notice of him, he doesn't own a pair." Susan giggled.
Kasey was hovering in the background and Trish was still talking to the sleeping bubs, mum and dad were smiling at the boys antics, they were playing horsies.
"Kasey, will you sit down please, I am not here on behalf of my family, just me," Steff said laughing.
"So you're not here to try and take my business off me?" Kase smiled. I guess he didn't expect Steff to be so forward.
"Of course not, that business at the council was their idea, not mine. So I told them I won't be having anything to do with it if they continue."
"So they do want to invest?"
"Not now, they only wanted your dock, but you already know that."
"Well I figured that out, and they wanted three seats on the board."
"They won't get them, because they aren't the ones investing. Sometimes my family goes a bit overboard, it comes from their mafia days, they offer big dollars and expect the world. Sometimes it works, many times it fails. I am the one that wants to invest because I need to break away from them. For too many years they have tried to control me and failed. Kasey I want to invest and I want one seat on the board."
Kasey sat back and took my hand.
"You were right."
"Do I win a lollypop?"
"More than that Adam, I might even buy you a grandpa couch tomorrow."
"Okay let's get this out of the way first, do you have an office?"
After they left Susan was giggling and I stared at her.
"The look on all your faces, as if my husband would try to stiff you all, it's absurd."
"Well, we thought...." Joe blushed.
"You thought wrong. I wanted this meeting today so he can be himself. He is a nice person Joe, there's no hidden agendas."
"Good because we are totally honest people here."
"I know, that's why we are here, and Steff will be a big asset to the company."
Nat came out with Chloe and Georgio they had nibbles in hand and the kids dived in to eat something after collecting aunty Chloe's kisses.
Kasey and Steff were only gone twenty minutes, and a deal had been struck. Big investment and one seat, he had a round cylinder in his hands which were the plans for the build, he wanted to look at. Kasey was grinning from ear to ear, he winked at me so I knew it was all full steam ahead.
"We have to talk about your docks too Kasey, I mean the smaller four, they need to be developed."
"Maybe some tour boats in the future. I haven't got that far yet."
"I can help you with that, I know people." He winked.
Little Tick (his nickname) was still jumping up and down.
"I will take you in a minute Tikky, calm down."
He carried on and the kids didn't make it any better when they jumped in the pool with Georgio.
"It's now or never," Steff said. He stood up and dropped his shorts, yes I screamed along with Susan, those pale blue micro speedos looked awesome on him. He stared at Kasey and said.
"I thought I might have needed a sweetener." Then he winked at my husband who was all smiles. he did the same and both men wiggled their asses and headed with little Tick to the pool.
"I thought you said he didn't own any."
"He didn't, but I do know he will be wearing them constantly around the house from now on."
Chloe was all eyes and so was mum and Trish. I watched dad, he looked a little nervous when he dropped his shorts and yes the same speedos.
"This okay mother?"
"More than okay, I hope they don't shrink." He laughed as he walked towards the pool, my dad is awesome and I can see he is starting to relax a bit.
"If you drop your shorts Joey there will be trouble." Trish laughed, he did and yes our Joey was well and truly in the running to be my future lover.
"So Chloe, what are you working on now."
"The jewellery Susan, nearly finished then I think there will be another one so Kasey said. A movie too but that's not until next year."
"Good and no plans to move overseas?"
"Absolutely no way, I have my family here I would miss them."
"I believe he's very much in love with you."
"Who?"
"Georgio." Chloe blushed and smiled, then said.
"And how do you know that Miss Susan?"
"He rings his cousin Gianni in Melbourne a lot, all he talks about is you."
"Do tell," I said.
"Gianni is a distant cousin of Georgios and mine, so we are almost family Adam."
"The mafia telegraph, can't get away from it Chloe."
"Well I hope he does love me, I sure do love him."
"That's what I needed to know, I will ring Gianni tonight." She laughed.
Nat was bringing out the food, and I went to help her with mum while Trish and Susan talked, the men were all hanging onto the side of the pool talking and one little tyke was having a ball with his dad.
The luncheon was awesome and when we all finished, I took Susan to our bedroom so she could feed bubby, the kids took Tick to their room to have a horse ride.
"Why tick?"
"He was like a little tick in my tummy when I was having him, it stuck, but we have to change it, no kid wants a nickname like that." She smiled.
"He's adorable and so is this little one, I'll leave you to it and go watch the boys."
"Thank you Adam, I know you would have had our back."
"My pleasure Susan, the family thing was a bit of a shock, but it's all sorted now."
"He needs to do his own thing Adam, his family are all mad Italians but they have made a heap of money in the process. I want Steff to be independent and hopefully, it will pass to our boys, maybe this is the start of something big between our families."
"I know it is but don't ask for a discount you won't get it." I laughed as I went to find the kids.
Steff was sitting there supervising, and Tick was now all giggling as he was pushed gently back and forth by Georgio.
"Thank you Adam."
"For what?"
"For my wife's look, she is awesome."
"Any other fantasies?"
"Plenty, but I like her as she is, I fell in love with her look then you changed it to something better so I am contented. Susan is an adventurist and I love her deeply for that."
"So we leave it."
"Of course whatever makes her happy makes me the same, she is a beautiful woman inside and out. She pushed me to invest Adam, and I know I can bring some great ideas to the table so don't be worried, I am looking forward to a long relationship with you and Kasey."
"You will be wearing those speedos around the house for some time Steff."
"I had better install a pool then."
"Or you can borrow ours."
"Pervert." He laughed.
"Okay boys, train time," Kasey said. He grabbed Tick and they all went downstairs.
Nat had more nibbles and she had made some nice cocktails for us all as we sat around in the sunshine. We have to go to the cabin again and get Trish married otherwise I will work on that threesome with Joey.
"I guess we will have to discuss moving the salon to the new build or opening a new one."
"Neither Adam, we don't move it and we don't open another one. The north side salon does excellent business, it would be suicide to shift it away from the factory area, and even worse open another within three miles of it."
"So I get Kasey to scrap the shop?"
"Definitely yes."
"What we don't have time for is a wedding, when are you going to set a date?"
"Soon Adam and I'm not going to worry about my family it will be open for my new family only, and it will be held here."
"I suppose you wouldn't consider me new family Trish?" Susan asked.
"You are already on my guest list along with Nona Zena and Aunty Mary, most of our clients will be here."
"And the cabin?" She stared at me.
"Anytime. I think we are going there next weekend. We have to catch up with Eva and Wilson."
"Good, I feel fully included now."
"You always were Susan this corporation thing just solidifies it."
"Do you have room?"
"We will make room, and Ticks going to love the play gully." I smiled.
"The zoo, is it nice?"
"Very nice, my husband planned it out, don't stress he will be amazed. You can have Jimmy's old room the kids can have sleepovers in the family room, they like to do that, so all you will have is bubs in the room with you."
"What do I bring?"
"Personal items, it will be pizza Friday and Saturday night."
"Sounds like a party."
"I'll send you the address Sue, we usually get there before lunch but Mum and I will have that covered."
"I am not wrangling my way into family invites, I am doing this for Steff he needs to break away and to relax a bit. He also has to get to know Kasey and you better."
"Deal done, and he is well and truly accepted like you and the kids."
"Susan, is there something you are not telling us?"
"No, not really it's just that he's sick to death of being ordered around. I have been working on him to start something new for himself. He has the money his aunty saw to that, but he's afraid his grandfather and parents will disown him if he leaves the family. He is also worried that I am going to be blamed for it."
"I see, well they may think they are the mafia but we have the full support of the military behind us, so any funny business you talk to Kasey."
"It's the mooring dock they want, that's a goldmine for them."
"They won't get it."
"Promise?"
"Promise, if Kasey ever leases it out Steff will get the first offer."
"See mum's right, it's the women that do the business, not the men." Trish laughed, and mum sat up straight.
"What's that about?" Susan asked.
"Mum said at corporate meetings when the men talk business the women who are the biggest influence, agree to the deals or disagree while they sip cocktails in a separate room."
"That's true, Steff's mum has a lot of clout with his dad and I believe the grandmother ruled the roost before she passed."
"So we are all in agreement then, we don't sell the dock to anyone but if Kasey decides to lease it, Steff gets the first option."
"Agreed." They all put their hands up.
"Well, I have had a very informative day and I thank you all, but we had better be going. Thank you all for what you have done."
She kissed everyone and then went to find her family.
"She's dying to get Steff back into those speedos," I said.
"I heard that, perverts," Susan shouted from the kitchen.
We said a proper goodbye to our friends and little Tick was promised he would be going to Sam's Zoo on the weekend, he was so excited.
"He's got a great ass Adam," Susan whispered to me.
"I can see that."
"No, I mean Kasey." She laughed her head off as she slid into the car.
I sat out the back with Trish again and we discussed the wedding with Mum, it has to be settled once and for all. With notepad in hand mum chaired the meeting.
"Bridesmaids?"
"I want to keep it simple, one just Adam."
"Is that what you really want?" I asked.
"Yes and Joe wants Kasey as his groomsman."
"Sounds like its going to be a bit empty up there Trish I think three bridesmaids and three groomsmen." Mum offered.
"No mum, how can I include Adam, Eva, Gloria, Anne, Lynnie into the wedding party, I have thought about this a lot. I wanted to include all my friends including you, but how do I choose? Joe agrees with me, keep it simple and choose no one. Of course Billy and Sam can be ring bearers they will love that, and dad can marry us, but the conventional wedding party is out, everyone that will be there are my special friends."
"I see, and I agree now that you have explained it. No regrets?" She asked.
"None, Adam is my best friend if he doesn't want to do the job then I will ask Eva, and mum I need someone to walk me up the aisle and I couldn't do it without Adam by my side. I want him to be my offsider not a maid of honour or bridesmaid. I am doing away with convention."
"So Joey just wants Kasey?"
"Yes he is in the same boat, he doesn't want to insult any of his friends, we did discuss Chloe being his second but that put the focus on her."
Mum sniffed and started deleting people off her list, then she made another one.
"Food?"
"Leave it up to Natalie she can get the caterers in, but I want her to do the menu."
"Can I help you dress then?"
"Of course you can, if you want you can even be my maid of honour, but I thought you might like to be the master of ceremonies."
I thought I saw a slight turn of the lips and now mum has been included I think she is happier.
"You can do the serviettes too mum." I offered. She slapped my arm.
"Marko will do my hair, Gloria will do my makeup, Eva will hold my hand and Lynnie and Anne will pour the champagne. I want Tim, Ethan and James involved, so Joe said they can help the men dress and do their hair, so they are all included."
"Well done Trish, is there anything we have forgotten?"
"Not really mum, Joe and I will stay here and maybe go to the cabin for a few days on our own, but we don't want a big honeymoon we both have work."
"I guess that's all then." She put the pad down.
"Simple, keep it simple." Trish had another wine.
"You are so deserving of a much bigger wedding Trish, please reconsider or you may regret it in the years to come."
"Not going to happen Adam. I'm marrying Joe that's the main thing, the glitz and pomp isn't me and it's certainly not Joeys idea of getting married."
"He didn't want a big wedding?"
"If he had his way he would have gone to the council chambers weeks ago."
I understood, under all that beauty Trish was a simple country girl, and I wont interfere with their plans, but I will be talking to Joey.
Two weeks and the wedding will be here, we had better get onto hiring chairs and tables, I doubt whether our big table will seat everyone.
I had the opportunity to talk to Joe later on in the night, the train had been abandoned and Kasey and I went for a swim with Joey.
I went to open my mouth to talk to him and maybe have a grope at the same time when his finger touched my lips and he said.
"I love Trish, what she wants is fine with me. I want to marry her and only her, its a done deal Adam and it will be a great day, be happy for us."
"I am, but.." His finger lifted again. "It's what we both want."
I relented and said.
"Okay, a simple wedding it is then."
"It wont be simple Adam, in rags or tuxedos we will get married and that's the main focus."
"I can see you don't need my help. maybe Sam has some better ideas. Hes a good wedding planner."
"We asked him, all he said was keep it simple, pizza and games."
Kaseys arms went around my waist and he pulled me back into him.
"Get it sorted?"
"Yes I think so."
"He did, and we are grateful he tried but it's what we want." Joe smiled.
Donations are gratefully accepted at Nifty