Forever my Marine

Chapter #12

Chapter 12
Louri’s POV
Seeing how excited the kids were with the fort reminded me of my childhood with Chris and Shanna. We would always build forts together, make up silly stories and act out different parts. We were always laughing with each other and having a good time. That’s what I want for our kids, to have imagination, to create their own stories. Not be sucked into technology so easily and be brainwashed. That’s why Scarlett and I have done our best to make sure that Devon is in any extracurricular activities after school that he is interested in joining. We know the twins are too young but we still set up playdates for them as well.
Luckily after about 15 minutes the power came back on. The kids wanted to stay inside the fort though, playing games with their Uncle and Aunts. I had to get out to stretch and use the bathroom. Once I finished in the bathroom I walked out and was met by a smiling Scarlett. “What’s got you all smiley?” I ask. “Just how amazing you are with the kids and making sure I was safe from work and making sure the girls were safe from work as well” she tells me. I smile, wrapping my arms around her pulling her into a hug. “I will always want to make sure you and the kids are safe and I know the girls at the Outset are like family to you so it was a no brainer to me to make sure they were safe as well.” I say to her. She smiles up at me and gives me a kiss. “Thank you” she says and I kiss her back and say “you’re welcome”. We head back and walk into the kitchen to look at what we want to make for dinner. “What if we have Mac and cheese?” Scarlett asks. “Can’t go wrong with Mac n cheese” I say, making her nod as she grabs the ingredients from the fridge and cabinets knowing she’s going to make it from scratch, which is the best because it comes out so creamy and delicious. Makes my mouth water just thinking about it. While Scarlett starts prepping I look out the back door to the backyard and notice a tree had gotten knocked down. “Looks like a tree got knocked down from the storm” I say to Scarlett, making her glance outside. “Oh wow, luckily it didn’t land on the house or anything” she says. “Yeah I agree, Chris and I will probably go out tomorrow and work on cutting it up and moving it to the side of the fence so that it’s not in the way” I tell her. “That’s a good idea” says. I walk into the living room to check on the kids and the adult kids I chuckle to myself. I crawl back into the fort and am met with Louisa jumping into my arms. “Mama I missed you” she says. “I missed you too sweet pea. I just went to the bathroom and talked to your mommy about what to make for dinner, we’re having Mac n cheese,” I tell her. “Yes! My favorite,” Devon exclaims making me laugh. “Oh Chris, a tree got knocked down from the storm, so tomorrow I’m going to need your help cutting it up and getting it out of the way from the yard.” I tell him. “Sounds good,” he says.

Scarlett’s POV
As I’m making the rue for the Mac n Cheese I get a text from Kate saying that their power went out and they don’t have a backup generator. I replied asking if she and her husband and kids would like to come over to our place since we have the room and I can’t in good conscious let them be in the dark the whole time. She replies back saying she doesn’t want to impose since she knows we have Shanna, Bri and Chris staying with us but I tell her nonsense and that they are more than welcome to come over and stay as long as they needed. I also let her know that I’m making Mac and Cheese for dinner which I know is her kids favorite to eat. She thanks me and lets me know that they’ll pack some clothes to stay over and that they will head over shortly. I put my phone down and called out to Louri. She comes into the kitchen holding Louisa in her arms. “What’s up babe?” She asks. “I got a text from Kate saying their power went out and they don’t have a backup generator. I offered for them to come over and stay with us till their power is restored” I tell her. “Of course. They are more than welcome to stay. We have the room.” She says making me smile at just how welcoming she is. “Great, they should be here soon,” I tell her. “Sounds good I will let the others know” she says making her way back into the living room. I continue with making the mac n cheese, it’s a good thing that I am making a big batch, which I usually do because I know Chris likes to eat a lot. I let the pot simmer as I look in the fridge to see what else to make since we are having more people over. I decided to make quick ham and cheese roll ups in croissant dough, they’re easy to make and I can just pop them in the oven.

Louri’s POV
I walk into the living room and let everyone know that Kate and her husband and two children will be coming over shortly and will be staying with us because their power is out. Devon is really excited because he gets on well with her kids. Kate is so great and I’m so happy that Scarlett had connected with her through mutual friends and they hit it off well right at the beginning and now they’re building this great skincare empire just by using plant based ingredients that are not so harsh on your skin. I’m so proud to see how far they’ve come with this and they continue to expand on ideas. I’m happily one of their Guinea pigs to try out their products as they test out different things. I know that I had horrible acne growing up and it also didn’t help being in the military with the sun beating down on you on a daily basis. But with the Outset’s easy 3 step routine my skin has never been so smooth and refreshed in my entire life. I hear the doorbell ring and let Scarlett know that I got it. I walk over to the front door and open it and am greeted by Kate and her family. “Hey guys, welcome in” I say moving to the side as they walk in. “Thank you so much for having us over. We really hope we are not imposing” Kate says. “Nonsense, you guys are always welcome here”‘I tell her as I grab their bags. “Scarlett is in the kitchen making dinner that should be ready soon. I can show you the rooms” I tell them. “Yes please” they say. I smile and walk upstairs with them and show them the two spare bedrooms we have that aren’t occupied at the moment. “Kate you and your husband can have this room because it has a queen size bed and in the room next door we have bunk beds, if the kids feel comfortable enough to sleep there” I say. “We love bunk beds!” The kids exclaim, walking into the room. “Well perfect that’s settled then”
I say as I put their backpacks down on the desk and walk into the other room placing their suitcase on the bed. “Please make yourselves at home and then come down when you’re ready.” I tell them. “Thanks again Louri” they say, making me smile and heading downstairs. I walk into the kitchen and let Scarlett know that they’re settling in and will be down shortly. I grab plates and glasses and cutlery to set the dining room table. Scarlett pulls out the croissant roll ups from the oven and places them on a tray and hands them to me to put on the middle of the table with tongs. She then brings over 2 large bowls of the Mac n cheese with some still left in the pot on the stove. “This looks and smells amazing babe” I tell her. “Thank you” she says smiling. “I’ll gather everyone up” I say as I make my way back to the living room. “Dinner is ready everybody” I say and just in time, Kate and the others walk downstairs and head into the dining room. “Wow Scarlett this all looks amazing,”
Kate says. “Thank you, now everyone please dig in” Scarlett says. I grab the pitcher of sweet tea and Brita water pitchers from the fridge and set them down at the table and take my spot next to Scarlett. We dig into our food and have small conversations here and there.

A/N: Hey everyone Chris here. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. See you all in the next one.