The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 65 - The Anniversary

The thing about adults or teenagers staying up late is that typically, they sleep late the next day. Younger children not so much, but everyone over the age of twelve was far more interested in sleeping in than in getting up early the next day to do something like watching the Rose Parade on TV, even if it was New Year's Day. And so it was when the adults awoke on the morning of January 1st, all three girls were up, seated on the sofa in the family room in their pajamas, watching the parade while the boys had their pillows over their heads, intent on at least a couple hours more of sleep.

"Hi," Susan whispered as she padded across the room in her robe and slippers, turning down the sound on the TV until the commentary on the parade could barely be heard.

"Hi Mama," Jessie said with a yawn, coming over to snuggle against Susan when she sat down.

"How are you girls this morning?" Susan asked their guests.

"Fine, Aunt Susan," Amber told her. "The boys snore."

"Yeah, they do," Lisa agreed.

Susan listened to the soft sounds of slumber coming from the five sleeping boys. Two of them sounded like buzz saws with sound dampeners attached. It wasn't overwhelming, but she could easily see how it could be disturbing to the girls while trying to sleep.

"I think Aaron may have a slight cold," Susan told her softly, deliberately speaking in quiet tones. "Zack too, from the sounds of it. How's the parade?"

"Pretty good," Jessie told her. "Are those floats really covered by flowers?"

"Yes, they are," Susan told her. "I saw them once after the parade when I was a little girl. They're really beautiful in person."

"Mom took us to see them one year," Lisa said.

And the four of them continued to talk softly about the parade and the floats and the flowers while the boys slept.

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Greg opened his eyes later than he usually did, expecting to see Susan still sleeping beside him, but to his surprise she was already gone from their bed, and presumably up. Curious, Greg climbed out of bed, donned his robe and went in search of his wife. He found her with the girls snuggled up against her, on the sofa in the family room, with all of them watching the Rose Parade. The boys were scattered around their feet on the floor, still sleeping soundly in their sleeping bags. Of the three girls, Jessie and more hesitantly Lisa had their hands on Susan's stomach apparently hoping to feel the baby kick.

"Did you feel that?" Susan asked in a soft tone.

"I did," Lisa said.

Jessie only frowned. "I didn't, Mama. Why can't I feel the baby kick?"

"Because she kicked towards Lisa this time. Just wait. You'll feel it in your direction soon," Susan said. She poked her belly gently and sure enough, Jessie's face brightened.

"I felt her!" Jessie exclaimed. "What did you do, Mama?"

"I tickled her. Like this," Susan reached over to tickle Jessie's ribs. Jessie squealed in delight until Susan added "Shhh, remember the boys are still sleeping."

Jessie nodded still giggling slightly.

"That made you squirm, didn't it?" Susan asked.

Jessie nodded.

"I poked her in the ribs and it made her want to move," Susan explained.

"Do it again, Mama," Jessie requested.

"Do you want me to do it to you again?" Susan asked.

Jessie shook her head.

"Then I don't think Melody would like it either," Susan told her.