Cheaper by the dozen plus one - Book 1 & 2 (COMPLETED)

Chapter 3

Later in the day, the veranda step was covered in Christmas decorations and everyone dressed in Christmas clothes.

"You know the drill, on three you give me a big cheese" Tom said as he prepared the camera to take their Christmas card picture. But none of the kids had on a smile knowing that they would be moving.

"Jake do you have to wear black?" Kate asked him once he joined them outside on the steps. "Black works mom. Jesus like had his funeral on Christmas" Loraine said not caring, "he died on Easter, barbie" Henry corrected her.

"Whatever" Loraine said rolling her eyes, "he was resurrected on Easter moron" Jessica snapped back. Henry hit her in the back of her head, "be quiet" he told her, "don't touch me!" She snapped back again this cause all the kids to begin to argue.

"Hey! Hey! What's with the fighting?" Tom asked confused by their behavior. "And when did you actually plan on telling us about moving?" Sarah asked curiously.

"Am not moving!" All the kids started shouting even the dog began to bark, so they decided to take the conversation inside the living room. "Am not moving" Charlie said immediately, "Charlie, Evanston is only four hours away, Beth can come and visit" Kate tells him.

"This isn't just about Beth mom, my whole life is here is Midland" Charlie argued. Then the phone rang, "hi mom", "hola madre!" Nora and Skylar greeted on a two way call when they decided to call the family.

"Hey Nora! Sky! Your on speaker with everyone" Kate tells them. "Hi everybody!" They greeted, "Hank says hi too" Nora tells them.

"So you guys are think about moving up here?" Nora asked, "yeah, you got any room in that new apartment for your big family?" Tom asked curiously.

"Just big enough for two dad" Nora answered not really wanting to talk about that. "How's your book coming mom?" Skylar asked changing the subject, "I actually just send it to a friend who is in publishing, so we'll see", Kate answered.

"Can we stay on subject please?" Kim asked, "Bean's mother is buried here am not separating them up, their family" Mark said.

"We can build a fancy new memorial in our new yard" Tom tells him. "Yeah, like we can afford that" Loraine said rolling her eyes, "actually we can, I'll be making enough money to do that and get you out of hand me downs, get Jake those new skates, and get that new car we've been saving for" Tom tells them making Loraine brighten up.

"I have friends here!" Sarah said still upset, "well honey, you'll keep in touch and you'll make new friends" Kate tells her. This caused all the kids to begin talking all at once about not wanting to make new friends, Tom got up and grab the megaphone.

"QUITE! now look, I know you're all scared, moving is a big deal. We are very comfortable here, and I get that and that is why I turned down a lot of coaching offers through the years. But this is a job I wanted since I left Chicago and in fact it's more than a job to me, this is my, um, my team. And it is my colors and it's um, the stallions and they are finally calling my number and I want you to take this risk with me because I promise you we'll be a happier and stronger family" Tom said giving a speech.

"You promise?" Mark asked curiously, "I promise" Tom told him, "I'll feel happier and stronger if we vote on it" Sarah said, "yeah, definitely" Charlie said agreeing with her causing all off the kids present to do so all so.

"All right we can vote, but in the end your mother and I will do what's best for the family" Tom tells them. "What's the point of even voting?" Jessica asked upset, "am out" Sarah said causing all the kids to leave the room.

Tom held on to his wife hand and left the room as well, "Hello, we're still here" Sky said when she didn't hear anything.
___________________________________________________

Skylar POV:

"So your family is moving closer?" My boyfriend Calvin asked curiously, I signed, "yeah, they'll be an hour away, meaning they'll want me to visit more" I told him cuddling into his chest.

"Why is that such a problem?" Calvin asked me curiously, "because they'll be all in my business and they'll find out about you" I told him pouting.

"You do realize that I've met them before right?" He asked me raising his eyebrow at me.

"Yeah, but not as my boyfriend. My dad will have fit when he finds out, you remember how your dad reacted?" I asked him making my point.

"He's ok with us dating" he said, "yeah now! he faked a heart attack so you would break up with me. My dad would set my sister, Sarah on you and you would never want to be with me" I told him.

"I love you, nothing will break us apart", he said then kissed my lips, "I'll hold you too that, let go get some coffee" I told him as we got out of bed.
___________________________________________________

No one's POV:

The next few days passed like blur, on moving day, Henry and his bandmates sat outside on the steps playing a funeral song.

Mark was making his frog Beans say goodbye to his mother's grave, Loraine was hugging her friends goodbye.

Charlie was kissing Beth goodbye and Tom was trying to get the dog into the car but he wouldn't move.

"Hey Charlie!" Tom called out when he saw Charlie picking up his bag, "do me a favor and drive the cutlass" he told him and threw him the car keys.

"Thanks for ruining my life" Charlie told him and walked away towards the car.

"I don't wanna move!" Nigel and Kyle yelled as Kate tried to strap them into their carseats. But eventually they were all packed up and on the road towards their new lives.