Life Choices, Challenges and Changes

Part 2a June 22, 2017, Later That Morning.

June 22, 2017 Later that morning

Rory finished her shower and was getting dressed when she saw her little girl begin to stir. Pulling her hair back into a messy bun, she picked up Lyn and brought her to her room and changed her. She put her in the little-ruffled rose fitted romper and the bib that said: A Star Is Born that her mother had bought her the day she was born. She carried her out to the kitchen where Amanda and Finn were busy making breakfast and the two boys were dressed and cleaned up.

"Good morning everyone," she greeted her family and handed the infant to her father in law.

"So I see we have another Star in our family," he teased as he read her bib.

Rory went up behind her husband and wrapped her arms around him.

"Chocolate Chip pancakes will be ready shortly."

"You are the best husband in the world," she told him and he turned and kissed her head. "Go and sit, the boys have eaten they are just entertaining Da."

She grabbed her mug and filled it with coffee again and let out a groan. Finn got out the good coffee, "Lukes" blend that Luke has made special now. He began a coffee roasting business. He and Liam went to Central America and found the best coffee beans and had them roasted to his specifications. He has a dark roast, a breakfast roast and even flavored coffees. His coffee is now served both at all the Morgan hotels and the Dragonfly.

With Liam's encouragement, Luke has franchised his business and now many of the Morgan Hotels have a Luke's in them, a diner-style restaurant that offers the travelers home-style food and the best coffee around, something that the American travelers really enjoy. Her mother also has benefited from her union with the Morgan's, she now owns four Inn's including the Dragonfly, the Annex, The Calico Cat in New Hampshire and an Inn, near Sag Harbor.

The boys had left the table, when Lucas asked Liam if he wanted to play with the Thomas the Train set. The two boys ran out of the room and into the playroom where the train table was set up. The adults sat in the kitchen enjoying their breakfast. They were expecting her mother and Luke to come later that morning. They had planned the christening for Sunday, but when they left the city to move to Southampton they bought a large home with nine bedrooms, so they could always have family stay with them. Finn and his parents both have penthouses available for whenever they are in the city.

Finn took Ashlyn with them and he and his father left the kitchen dining room area to check on the boys to see if they wanted to go outdoors.

It was a sunny morning, Finn who preferred to be outside, felt the kids could use some fresh air. He asked Rory where Lyn's sweater was and finding it with her diaper bag that they kept in the hall closet, he put it on her. Liam Sr. was helping the boys put on their shoes and sweatshirts. Finn left his daughter with his father and then took both boys to the bathroom and had Luke show Liam how to use the stool, so he could reach the potty. After successfully using the potty again, Liam went running to the kitchen for his M&M's. Amanda lifted him up and gave him a kiss and handed him his treat. Rory stood there smiling, then little Liam grabbed his favorite Thomas the train toy and ran back to his Da and G-pa to go for a walk outside. Finn then put Lyn in the baby carrier and put it on.

"Liam is doing well with his potty-training," Amanda said as she watched the two men take the three children outside.

"He is, and I'm surprised. I thought for sure he would be harder than Lucas. Do you remember Finn training Lucas?"

"I do, and did you know he called his brother for advice. That should have been a hint that something was going to go wrong."

"That and taking Colin with him to Target to buy the paper targets for the toilet," Rory laughed.

The two women laughed and confident that the kitchen was clean, they walked outside on her patio to enjoy the morning. Before she walked outside her phone rang. She went back to the kitchen and took it off the charger.

"Hi mom," Rory said as she walked out to the patio.

"Just letting you know we are at New London waiting for the 10:30 ferry. Jack and your Grandmother will come out on Saturday. They should be there by noon."

"That's great, mom Amanda and Liam are here. Angus, Mia and the twins will be arriving on Friday too. Do you have the cake?"

"No, Sookie, Jackson and the kids will be bringing it themselves on Sunday."

"Thanks mom see you soon," she said as she ended the call.

"That was your mum?" Amanda asked her.

"Yes they are in New London waiting for the next ferry. Apparently my grandmother is not with them."

"Things still strained between you two?"

"Yes, she's seeing someone now. It has only been two years that Grandpa died,"

"Luv, she's lonely. If your mom can accept it, then you should at least try."

Just then Finn returned with a restless baby along with Liam carrying their beach treasures and shoes. He was barefoot. She helped him take their daughter out of the Boba. Liam came up to her and hugged her legs.

"Look, me got fedder,"

"Yes you do. Finn where's Lucas?" she asked him.

"Over there, Da is telling him stories about the ocean and sharks, so they were walking slower."

Amanda laughed, "He used to do that with you, Finn. Always encouraging your imagination. Jake and Jasper won't sit still for his stories like your two do."

"Well books and tall tales are in their blood," Rory replied with a smile. She placed Lyn in her arms and noticed that she was damp.

"I'm going to change her and then feed her, Liam are you going to stay with Da and G-ma or are you going to lay down. Maybe G-ma can read you a story."

"No me want bikkie," he said using the Australian word for a cookie or biscuit.

"Come on, G-ma will get you a bikkie," taking Liam's hand Amanda led him to the kitchen where she had brought some of her homemade biscuits. Finn walked into the nursery where Rory has just finished changing their daughter.

Walking over to her he kissed her cheek.

"You should have seen Liam today on the walk. As soon as he got near the sand he sat on the ground and took off his shoes. He was happy to put his feet in the sand Rory. I can't wait till we get back to Australia and he goes in the water. Da says he is just like I was."

"Finn how often have I told you that Liam is your Mini-Me," she laughed.

"I know and that has me worried. Crickey I was such a handful! No wonder my parents sent me away to boarding school. Promise me though, we won't do that to Liam."

"I promise, I think we can keep him occupied, maybe you will be able to anticipate his next move."

"Ha!" he responded and then winked at her.

They walked into their bedroom and the two of them sat on their bed leaning against the headboard the way they were in the morning when she was nursing Lyn. He put his arm around her and leaned his head on hers as she nursed their daughter.

"To think that I almost lost all this to Logan," he said remembering the events in October when Logan tried to win back Rory's affections.