The Trap

Chapter 42

During the next three weeks, the family kept busy. Simon and Paula started planning their wedding. Paula finally met everyone in Simon's family. Just like Simon thought, his family was starting to love Paula and her girls just as much as he does. Even though Holly and Lily were having a blast in England, they truly missed their American family so much.

In preparation of leaving England, Simon purchased headphones and Paula picked out CDs that she knew Lily would enjoy. Neither one wanted a repeat of what happened on the plane coming here.

Just a few days later, the family left England. It was hard to say 'goodbye' but they'll see each other in just a few short months for the wedding in the States. As soon as they got on the plane, each family member was occupied. Lily was enjoying the music from her headphones so much that she was dancing in her seat. Holly was reading to Rochelle as Dylan slept. And the happy couple were quietly talking so that their kids couldn't hear them and ruin the surprises.

"So what parts should they play in the ceremony?" Paula asked, whispering in his ear. She was careful to not mention any names in the case that they were listening.

"Well the girls should be bridesmaids and he can be a groomsman," Simon relied in a low voice. He too was trying not to use their kids' names.

"Do you want to adopt them?" she asked while looking into his eyes. She was secretly talking about Holly and Lily.

"Yes," he said without thinking about it. He loved those girls as if they were his own.

"I always thought that you would. But I was just checking to make sure it was okay with you."

He nodded at what she just said. They couldn't wait to be one family and two families living under one roof. About eight hours after they drifted off to sleep, the pilot woke the whole family up with an alarming message. The upshot was the engine wasn't functioning properly and needed to get out of the air for everyone's safety. The demeanor of the pilot made the family calm and no one freaked out about what was going on.

The plane landed ten minutes at Denver International Airport. After picking up their luggage, Simon stood in line to get tickets for another flight home. He was able to get six seats in first class.

As the family settled into seats in the waiting area by the gate, Paula pulled out her cell phone and called Beth Baker. Paula told her friend all about what their day had been like and the new flight number so that they could be picked up.

As she hung up, she spotted someone who looked like her sister's twin.

"Wendy?"

Wendy turned around after she heard a familiar voice calling her name. She is very shocked and surprised to see them. So she rushes over to the group and embraces her sister. Wendy was there to pick up her sons who were visiting their father who lives in Boston.

"So how was England?"

"It was wonderful! We had such an amazing time with his family! I really enjoyed our time there!"

The group all visited with each other until it was time for the family to board the flight. On the plane, the kids just talked amongst themselves while their parents watched a suspenseful movie so that they could cuddle.

About two hours later, the plane landed on the runway and the family was finally home! They all cheered and sighed in relief. Simon located all the family's bags, before trying to find the Baker's. It took just a few minutes to locate them because their posters were so big and bright. And it did help that Mason was calling out to them too. He had the loudest voice out of the clan. The kids ran as fast as they could over to their second family. Even though Dylan and Rochelle hadn't known this family long, both got treated as if they were apart of this family too, just like Holly and Lily. Everyone hugged before they left through the automatic doors that lead to the parking lot.