Not Expecting to Collide (COMPLETE) - ABP Fanfiction

Chapter 98 - Countdown to Browntown

Bam and October spent the latter part of the afternoon at August's place in Banff. Rainy and Birdie made the most of their last few hours together by disappearing into the basement for sisterly conversation. August and October tended to some family business at the kitchen table.

Isabella watched Bam with wide eyes while she drank from the bottle he held for her. She gurgled and pushed the nipple out of her mouth as milk ran down her chin. She let out a loud squawk alerting Bam that she was not finished eating. "Patience, little one." Bam said quietly. The familiar sound of his deep voice rumbling in his chest calmed Isabella. Her bright blue eyes stared up at him in wonder as he continued to soothe her with his voice. "Slow down, baby girl. You don't have to eat so fast!" He smoothed down her silky, almost-white hair with his free hand while cradling her close to his chest. She had Bam's eyes, just as October had said right after she was born, but the rest of her was all October, from the widow's peak at her forehead, to her pert little nose, to the dimple on her chin. She was just as beautiful as her Momma and Bam couldn't have been more proud. When she finished her bottle, Bam turned her over his shoulder and gently patted her back until she burped daintily. Then he checked her diaper and wrapped her in a blanket. Bam sang quietly and smiled at his baby daughter as her eyes began to droop in peaceful slumber. Isabella didn't even stir as he buckled the sleeping babe into the carrier and covered her with a fleece quilt. He gathered her things, packed them back in the diaper bag and set them by the front door.
He went to the basement to talk to Rainy and Birdie. Before he made it half-way down the stairs he could already hear the giggling of the two girls. Birdie and Rainy had been swapping stories of grizzly bears and grade seven boys all weekend. Rainy spied him at the bottom landing and her laughter subsided momentarily. "Aww, do we have to go already?" Bam smiled adoringly at his sisters. "I'm afraid so. I just got Isabella to sleep and we still have a two hour drive ahead of us."
A chorus of good natured whining was offered up before Birdie whispered something in Rainy's ear and the two girls dissolved into giggles again. Bam pressed his lips together to suppress his grin and shook his head. "Ten minutes, okay?" He turned back up the stairs to check in with the Hunt siblings.

After a year and a half, August and October were taking care of the last bit of their grandmother's estate. "Sign here and here." August pointed at the two places on the document before them. October did so, then handed the pen to August to do the same. Bam came into the kitchen and stood behind his wife's chair. He put his hands on her shoulders and gently smoothed her hair through his fingers. October sighed and brought her hand up to run across his palm. Bam leaned close to her ear. "Are you two almost finished?" He asked softly.
"Yes." August answered for her. October leaned back in her chair and let out a deep breath. "I had no idea that an estate took so long to settle."
"Yes, well Grandma had a lot of wealth to disperse and some very specific clauses in her will." October nodded. "But we got it done - finally!" August exclaimed. He held his hands up for October to slap both his palms, then pulled her in for a quick hug. "Now, are you going to stay for dinner and share a celebratory glass of wine?"
"Oh, Auggie, we would love to but we'll have to take a rain cheque for now." She said regretfully.
"Rainy has school in the morning and I'm handing in my notice this week." Bam interjected.
"Ah, the countdown to Browntown is on." August smiled. He stood from his chair and gathered up the rest of the papers on the table. "Have you thought about what you might do with you share of the inheritance?" He said as he handed a thick manilla folder to October.
"Not really. We'll put some away in a college fund for Isabella, of course." October took the folder and put it into her messenger bag. "And Rainy will need money for post-secondary as well." She added as she buckled her bag shut. Bam's head snapped up to look at her curiously. They had never discussed putting money towards Rainy's education before and he certainly didn't expect her to pay for his sister. It wasn't her responsibility in the least. His heart swelled with love for her generosity towards his sister. He shouldn't have been surprised though. That was just the way that October was, proving again just how much the four of them had become their own little family unit.
"How about you?" October turned to August. "Investing in another restaurant?"
August shrugged. "Robert keeps telling me. Buy land - they're not making any more if it!" He laughed. "I've looked into farmland in Saskatchewan that I could rent out and collect revenue from. I haven't made any decisions yet."
Bam took October's bag so she could give August a big hug. "It's so good to see you, Auggie. Thank you so much for keeping Isabella and Rainy this weekend."
"Anytime." August replied. "They were no trouble at all." He shook Bam's hand warmly and squeezed his arm. "Take care of my sister while you are in Alaska. I want her back in one piece." He reminded.
Bam grinned. "Take care of my sister while I am in Alaska or you won't be in one piece."
August made a show of rolling his eyes. Bam, October and Rainy repeated their good-byes to Birdie. Soon the happy little family was on their way back home to Calgary.

~*~

As the snow began to melt and the spring winds started to blow across the prairie, plans to return to Browntown were getting underway.
Rainy was the most reluctant to be leaving the city but only because she had made such good friends while attending school there. Each friend promised to keep in touch and one even had plans for a cruise with her family that would take her right into  Hoonah for a day.
Bam's job was winding down as the need for snow removal dissipated. He left the company on very good terms with his current position waiting for him should he choose to return to the city in the fall.
October readied herself and Isabella for the move as much as she could. It was difficult to plan since it was her first time travelling with Isabella but with Bam and Rainy's help she felt she had remembered to pack the essentials. For whatever else she needed or may have forgotten, she knew there was a whole other family waiting in Browntown who would help out if she needed it.