Not Expecting to Collide (COMPLETE) - ABP Fanfiction

Chapter 83 - Dilemma

Christmas was a week away and Bam refused to allow the most recent let-down affect the joyous occasion. His permit paperwork had been delayed temporarily, keeping him and October in Browntown until at least January. August and Robert promptly agreed to travel to Alaska so they could all be together at Christmas.
The entire family did their best to keep Rainy's spirits up but Bam saw the sadness in her demeanour and the sag in her shoulders whenever Rainy  thought no one was looking.
The baby inside October was growing bigger and bigger everyday. Bam tried to get October to agree to return to her home with August and Robert after Christmas whether he could accompany them or not. October flat out refused, stating that her home was where he was and if she had to give birth in the trapper shack, then she would. He sincerely hoped that it wouldn't come to that. First of all, he was determined to grant her wish of having the baby in Alberta. Secondly, he knew that if it did come to that, and October went into labour in the bush, August would slice him to ribbons and he would never get to see the baby grow up. He secretly hoped that August could talk some sense into the stubborn woman when he came the next week.
He was glad that August and Robert agreed to come for Christmas. For October's sake as she had never spent Christmas without her brother. For Birdie's sake as she would travel back to Alberta when the two men returned home. And for Rainy's sake as he thought maybe having some new faces around Browntown might break up the monotony and cheer her a little.

~*~

Bam had a dilemma. Another one. This one was not nearly as big as the other ones but it was a dilemma just the same. He had no idea what to get October for Christmas.
In the grand scheme of things, it was a pleasant problem to have. But it was still a problem.
When he actually did ask her what she wanted for Christmas she smiled, ran her palm across her abdomen and told him that he had already given her everything she wanted. That response didn't help him worth a hill of beans.
He had hopes that perhaps Amber could help him out with a few ideas.
The main cabin was unusually quiet when Bam pushed open the door. The only person in the kitchen was Matt. "Hey." He greeted Bam as he stirred sugar into his coffee.
"Hey." Bam returned and helped himself to a cup of coffee as well.
"Where's Amber?" He asked just before bringing the cup to his mouth for a drink.
Matt cocked his head to the side and grinned. "You know, if I didn't know how crazy you are about your woman, I might think you were after mine."
Bam swallowed his coffee to laugh loud and long. "Matt, one thing that we have never had in common is taste in women. Trust me, Amber is all yours." Matt looked down into his coffee cup and smiled to himself. "Good, because I'm thinking about asking her to be my Mrs. Brown."

Bam's smile grew ever wider. "Really?" Matt nodded, a faint blush tinting his cheeks. "Good for you, man!" Bam clapped him on the back.

Matt shrugged him off. "Just hold your congratulations until she says yes."

Bam leaned his hip against the counter. "So where is she? I need to talk to her about October's Christmas present."
Matt combed his fingers roughly through his hair and gave an exhausted sigh. "She was up, sick, half the night. I thought I would let her sleep in for a while."

Bam nodded. "Everything all right?"

Matt set his coffee cup down on the counter. "Nothing we can't handle."

"You want to talk about it?" Bam offered.

"She- We- I-." Matt shook his head. "No." He grimaced. "Maybe later."

Bam set his coffee cup down and turned serious. "Well, if you need to, my door is always open." Bam raised one eyebrow in curiosity but let it go. It was none of his business.

Matt refilled his coffee and cracked his trademark smile. "Thanks, man."

~*~

August and Robert arrived in Alaska on December twenty-second, much to October's delight. Sometimes he could forget that October and August were just as close, if not more so, than he and his siblings. As the two men walked towards them in the Juneau Airport, Bam couldn't help but grin as his wife flew towards them and nearly bowled her brother over with a great hug. "Auggie! I missed you so much!" Her smile was wide.
August returned her embrace then held both her hands in his as he looked her over from head to toe. "Baby is growing so big!" He exclaimed. Robert rolled his eyes and jabbed August with his elbow. "What he means to say is you look absolutely beautiful. Marriage seems to agree with you." Robert held his arms wide for a welcoming hug of his own. "Where is that handsome husband of yours?" He asked when October finally wriggled free of his embrace.
"I'm right here." Bam's deep voice came from behind October. Bam greeted both men warmly as they shook hands. "Do you have checked luggage to pick up?"
Robert nodded vigorously. "My darling August packed three suitcases full of presents." October giggled.
"Whatever happened to travelling light?" Bam asked.
August grinned. "I plan to spoil the princesses at Christmas." He replied. "And my future niece or nephew." Bam rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Speaking of the princesses, did you think you were could whisk Birdie away right out from under my nose and drag her off to the big city?"
August gave Bam a sheepish smile. "I'm doing no such thing. Birdie contacted me after she found the job posting. But go ahead and say it. You know you want to."
"Say what?" Bam asked.
August picked up his bag and turned toward the baggage carousel. "I didn't give Birdie any help that she didn't ask for."
Bam caught up to him in three quick strides. "But, dude, that's my sister!"
October and Robert giggled together as they followed them through the airport.