Chapter 73

Jake sat on the plane and read as he waited for everyone that was going to show up and read the headlines.  It was just as he predicted.  It was a media fiasco.  There wasn’t a magazine that had been regularly read in their household that hadn’t gotten a hold of the news.  When everyone gets to Jerusalem, I’m imposing a gag on everyone so that we can have time to mourn.  This is bull shit.  I will not stand for my parents’ deaths to be made into a fucking media circus.  He shook his head.  “Fuck it”, he said under his breath, making a conference call to everyone.  When they were all there, he spoke.  “As of this moment, no one is to speak to the media unless I’ve asked them too.  The only person I want speaking to the media about this is Maddie and it will be only what needs to be said.  After it’s all said and done, every camera that’s pointed in your face is to get a ‘no comment’.  We clear?”  They all gave him the affirmative and he spoke again.  “I want us to go as underground as possible after this.  For some of us it will be easier than others, but I want us to really have a chance to mourn and process this.”  They all agreed.  “Good.  Now, I’m still waiting on a few faces.  Jordan, is Levi flying out with us?”

“Reece is bringing him to the airport”, she replied.  “Jasmine, Ronnie, and I will follow tomorrow.”

“Good.  Marc is meeting us there, as are James and Hunter.  They’re all coming out together.  Ok.  We need to get ready to get off of the ground here because once he’s here, and Malachai gets here with Isaiah, Eli, and B, we need to take off and get there.  I’ve still got to coordinate with other funeral home.”

“They should all be pulling up soon.  Reece drove Malachai and the boys over as well.”

“Good.  Now, I’m going to let everyone go so that we can take off.  I’ll see everyone in a couple of days.”  They all hung up and Jake settled into his seat, reading the article in Rolling Stone that had been released that day.

“THE VOICE DIES AT 85

“David Draiman, front man for legendary rock band Disturbed and Kennedy Center Award recipient, passed away today at the age of 85 with his wife Brie, known to most of the world as The Rock Star of Massage for her strides in methods to reduce old scar tissue, at his side.  Mrs. Draiman was 82.

“Sources say that the Draiman’s have been rather ill the last several months, though no one will confirm.  After having been retired for ten years Mr. and Mrs. Draiman fell off the map, having retired to Israel immediately after Disturbed retired in 2044 after 41 years in the music business.  Mrs. Draiman had retired two years previous.

“No one really knows how their ten children and countless grandchildren are taking the sudden blow.  A spokesperson for the family has said that they all plan to take the necessary time to mourn the loss of their matriarch and patriarch.

“No autopsy is being performed, sources say.  They are being transported from the family home in Colorado Springs, CO to their family plot in Jerusalem, Israel.

“Brie was also the only living blood survivor- aside from her children with Draiman- of Master Gunnery Sergeant Matthew J. Cartwright, a hero from the Utopian Occupation as well as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan before the Occupation took over.  She was also the niece of Transitional President Gail Cartwright- Richardson, who was later elected to two full terms as the President of the United States.

“There will be a memorial held in Chicago for all four members of Disturbed and their wives.  The people holding this memorial have no relationship with the band or their families.  They were lifelong fans that only want to pay their respects.  No word yet on whether or not there will be a memorial held for the band jointly by their children.

“We at Rolling Stone would like to express out condolences to the Draiman family in their time of loss.”

Jake shook his head as he pulled up a book to read during the flight.  When they landed on Jerusalem, they would have a little more than two days to get their parents to their final resting place.  It was going to be a disaster, he was sure.

He would need time before he sat down with everyone to plan any sort of memorial for Disturbed.  He knew that it would be a necessity to hold one so that the fans would have an opportunity to say their own goodbyes to the band as a whole.

He knew that if they did one, he would be the one to speak for their father.  He was the new patriarch after all.  It was his job.  Not only that, but he had so many things he wanted to say to his parents to tell them that he loved them and that he was grateful for them and their undying support of him.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he thought about it and he didn’t bother trying to stop them.  He needed to cry.  He’d just lost his parents.  It was only natural, wasn’t it, for a person- male or female- to cry just a little when their loved ones died?  He glanced up and looked around the cabin as the door shit.  Everyone was sitting around and comforting each other. B was holding Eli as he sobbed over the death of his grandparents.  Jax was holding Miri as she cried.  Ira sat with Levi and they talked and cried.  Isaiah and his girlfriend sat off in a corner so that no one could see Isaiah cry but Jake knew what was going on.  With as much testosterone as there was on that flight, there wasn’t a die eye in the cabin.

Jake looked over at his wife, who was staring at him,  “You’re not as ok as you want everyone to believe, are you?” she asked.  He just shook his head as he laid it on her shoulder and sobbed.  She held him as he silently let out his liquid pain and finally took a little time to start mourning the loss of his mother and father.

---------------

While they were in the air, Jake got a message from Marc that he was with James and Hunter, and they were one their way.  He had everyone he needed to unload the caskets from the plane.  If they were needed for the funeral itself as well, it would happen.  He, Malachai, James, Jeremiah, Marc, Damien, Isaiah, Elijah, Hunter, Ira, Anthony, and Levi would carry the ornate wooden boxes that held the bodies of the matriarch and patriarch of the Draiman family to their eternal rest.

He thought long and hard about what was going to happen after the funeral.  He knew that there were countless Synagogues throughout the US and Israel sitting Shiva out of respect for his mother and father.  He knew that there was a military memorial being planned for them both because they were both staunch supporters of Democracy and vocal about the resistance against the Utopian government.  His father had even earned the moniker “The Voice of the Resistance”.  They would receive military honors including a 21 Guns Salute and the flags would be delivered by an officer in the United States Marine Corps.  There were candles being lit and burned everywhere that his father had traveled to during his life, not just for him but for the fact that the last surviving member of Disturbed has passed on.  The world would move on after all of the memorials were held and the last notes of the last prayer at the funeral finished ringing through air.  But how would they, as a family, get through this tragedy?  It was a hard thing to consider.

Delilah touched his hand gently.  “What are you thinking about?” she whispered.

“How we’re all going to get through this after it’s all said and done”, he said solemnly.  “I mean, there are countless memorials and things like that being held, and even now we’re on our way to finally bury them, but what comes after that?  Malachai and Jordan have their music that they can throw themselves into, but what about the rest of us?  I’m a doctor.  I can’t spend all of my time at the office.  Jeremiah can’t spend all of his time at the college.  You, Maddie, Jona, and Damien can’t spend all of your time at the clinic.  Marc’s got the movie he’s shooting that he can devote himself to, but at some point we all have to come back to reality for a while and the reality of the world is that Mom and Dad are dead.  What should I do?”

“I think it might be best if we all kind of disappear for a while.  Those of us that can, should all need to stay as low profile as possible.  Malachai and Jordan can write, but no recording until we’ve all had enough time to really mourn and grieve.  Marc can’t really go underground because of the movie, but he can control the number of pictures are taken on set.  Makayla can cut back on the number of jobs she takes.  Those of us that have businesses outside of the house can cut back on the number of hours we work.  Even Jeremiah can cut back on the number of classes he teaches.  We’ll still all get together for the holidays and you will do what you’ve been doing every Hanukkah and sing those beautiful prayers as we light the candles at sunset and when you do we’ll all think of your parents when it’s that time of year.  When birthdays roll around, we’ll think of them and miss them.  We’ll take our time, but we’ll get on with our lives.”

He took her hand and sighed.  “When will it be the right time to end our period of mourning and have a memorial for them?  When should we get back to real life after we’ve sequestered ourselves in our bereavement?”

“You’ll know.  And when it’s time, I’ll be right here to help you push on and do what I have to so that we can have a normal life again.  Your parents wouldn’t want us all to mourn forever.”

“I miss them so much, Delilah.  They’re bodies are lying in the cargo hold beneath us and it’s only been a few hours, but I miss them already.”

She nodded, trying not to fall apart again.  “I miss them too, Jakey.  I really do miss them.  They were like my parents.  I loved them every bit as much as you did.”

He nodded.  “I know, Lilah.  We knew this was coming.  We all knew.  We just didn’t have any idea when.  I wish it hadn’t been now.  I was hoping that they’d make it to next year, but between the two of us, I knew that wouldn’t make it to Thanksgiving.  I hate this damn gift.  It’s no gift.  All I see anymore is tragedy.  The only messages I get are sad ones.  I don’t have the strength for anymore of this, Delilah.  I just don’t have it.”

“That’s what I’m here for, Jake.  I’ll do what you need me to do and I’ll hold you up when you feel like you’re going to fall.  That’s my job as your wife.”

He nodded.  “Should we do a large memorial for Disturbed?”

“Not immediately.  Give it some time.  You’ll know when the time is right.”

---------------

Once they were on the ground they were met by Jessi. They all huddled together and hugged after her brothers were off the plane. They all held each other as Jessi cried. "Jacob, you have no idea how freaked I was when you called", she cried. "Abby had told me earlier that she had a dream where a younger version of Grampa sat down on the bed and talked to her. He told her not to be scared or sad, but that he and Gramma had to move on. She told me that he told her that they would look in on her from time to time, that they were proud of the young woman she was becoming, and that they loved her. I told her that she had to be mistaken; that Gramma and Grampa were fine. Then you called and fucked my world all up. I had to apologize to Abby when I told her what happened. Do we know how they died?"

"They just stopped breathing", Jake said. "The coroner only did an external examination because I told him that autopsies would take too long and that they wanted to be buried according to Jewish law. Based on what he could tell, it was peaceful."

"How sick were they?"

"We don't really know. I know they were keeping things from me about how bad they really were the last few months. They found a doctor there and they were seeing him regularly, but they wouldn't tell me what happened when they got back."

She nodded. "At least they're in pain anymore, I guess."

"Where are Dave and Abby?"

"At home. She was too upset to meet up here."

They all nodded. "We're all upset", Malachai said.

"When are you guys bringing the caskets off of the plane?"

"Once James, Marc, and Hunter are here. Anthony flew out as soon as Meagan was told that Mom and Dad had died. He's on the plane with Levi and Ira", Jake said. "As soon as everyone is here and dressed properly we'll have the pilot open the cargo hold and we'll bring the caskets off. I've requested a private viewing for tomorrow before the rest of Mom and Dad's wishes are carried out so that everyone can have a little closure."

"That sounds good to me. I think it will help everyone to see them", Malachai said. "I know it will do me some good. Is the funeral the next day?" Jake simply nodded. "Ok. I hope I hear from Miranda soon then. Callan's trying to get emergency leave for the funeral."

"It will be good to see them", Jessi said. "I never got to really hold the baby."

A car pulled up carrying Marc, James, and Hunter. They all got out of the car and went to join the four other siblings that were already present. "Hey everyone", Marc said solemnly. "How are we all holding up?"

"We all have moments", Jeremiah said.

"Who all is here?" James asked.

"The five of us boys, mine and Jeremiah's families, the Masons and the six oldest grandsons. Everyone else will be here this evening local time", Jake said. "The plane is going back as soon as everyone is off and we've retrieved the caskets." He nodded toward the two hearses. "Dad goes in the one on the left; Mom goes in the one on the right. I hope everyone has a suit handy. We all need to get dressed and get our parents off of that plane." From that moment on they were all business. Those that needed to change did so after those that didn't. The cargo hold on the plane dropped open as Jake told everyone which of their parents they would be unloading. It sounded so nonchalant in his head but it was what they were doing. They were just another step closer to laying their parents to rest for eternity. In the back of his head he wondered what it was like on the other side. Were they happy? We're they with the rest of the family? What kind of trouble were Dad and Uncle Matt getting into? Was Uncle Ira involved too? Was Mom in the kitchen alongside Grandmamma making dinner for all of those hungry men? He knew he had a while before he joined his folks on the other side, but he couldn't help but wonder as he gripped his father's casket and hoisted it onto his shoulders in a synchronized movement with his brothers, one son, and two nephews, leading the way with Marc down the ramp out of the parking lot and into the back of the hearse that was waiting across the parking lot.

---------------

The path they walked down lead them to a place that looked very familiar to her. The field was emerald green as the wind blew the salt filled air into their nostrils.

The house in the distance, however, was familiar to the both of them. It was the same house she had grown up in. It was the same house they had visited over 40 years before and he had gotten the semi-third degree from her father.

They looked at each other with huge smiles on their face. "So is this what you saw in your dreams when your family would visit you?" he asked.

"This is it." She took a deep breath in, breathing in the briny air that carried just a slightest hint that it was soon to rain. "Do you smell that, David?"

He smiled. "I do. Question is, do we keep them waiting a little longer and play in the rain, or do we let them know we're here then come back?"

She laughed out, wrapping her arms around his neck. "They're expecting us. And as fun as it would be to stay out here and play in the rain with you we should go say hi to everyone.  But, we can race to the door after the rain gets good and started.”

“You’re certain that the rain is going to start?” he asked as his arms slid around her waist.

“It always rains for some reason, but it’s not that cold stuff that we used to get.  It’s warm.”

Thunder rumbled over head as the rain moved across the ocean and onto the cliff where the field lay.  

She smiled.  “You ready to run?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“You could try to convince me to stay here so that we can have a little fun in the rain.”  Her lips were inches from his.

He laughed as the first droplets fell on them sporadically.  As the rain got a little heavier he kissed her, tasting the salty rain on her lips.  “I hope you’re ready to run to the door.  As soon as the rain picks up, we’re counting off.”

She laughed and released her hold on him.  “I’m ready if you are.  I haven’t felt this good in years.”

He let go of her waist and they got ready to run.  As soon as the rain got heavy, plastering the curls to her head, she counted them off and they took off running.  They laughed as they ran through the storm, playfully trying to knock the other off balance so that they could win.  When they reached the door they were both drenched and laughing jovially.  “Haven’t had that much fun since we had to stop traveling as much as we used to”, he laughed.  He brushed her wet hair out of her face and kissed her softly.  “I love you”, he whispered.

She smiled and kissed him again.  “I love you too.  Now, shall we announce our arrival?”

He knocked on the door.  Moments later it opened to her oldest brother.  “David.  Brie.  It’s about time”, Matt said.  “Come on.  I’ll show you to your room then we’ll introduce David to Ira.”

Brie looked at her brother.  “Matthew.  This is the house we grew up in.  I think I know where my room is.”

“Ok.  Thought I’d be nice.”  He stepped out of the way after giving his baby sister a hug.  “Oh, it’s good to finally have you both here.  I knew it wouldn’t be long.”

“It’s good to finally be here”, she said with a bright smile.  After he released her to greet David, she moved on to her parents and finally to the brother she had never known.  After hugging him in greeting, she introduced him and her husband.  “David, this is my brother Ira.  Ira, meet David Draiman.”

“David”, Ira said, extending his hand.  “It’s nice to meet you finally.”

David nodded.  “Same here.  I’ve heard great things, I have to say.”  He laughed.

“Well, I’ve seen great things from you.  You… what possessed you to have ten, dude?”

David shrugged.  “I have no idea.  I figured I couldn’t go wrong with two more after eight.”

“Well, I admire you.  They all love and respect you a great deal.”

“I worked hard to teach that.  We both did.”

“Well, you should see Jake.  As he instructed everyone on who was going where, he thought that telling them which of you they were ‘unloading’ was nonchalant and disrespectful.”

Brie laughed.  “Why does that sound like something Jake would think?” she asked, looking at her husband.

“Because he’s our son and he worries about everything.  I think he fears one of us haunting him or something.”

“Something tells me the boy has nothing to worry about”, Mitchell, Brie’s father, said.

“He’s going to do a great job keeping everyone together”, Bekah, Brie’s mother said.  “He had two great mentors in the two of you.”

“Not that talking about my nieces and nephews isn’t fun, and I love all ten of them dearly, but I think 

David and Brie need to dry off and the three of us guys should go find some way to get into trouble.”

Brie laughed.  “What did I tell you, David?  Never a dull moment.”

“Just wait until Skyler joins us”, David laughed.  “You think it’s going to be bad with just Matt, Ira, and me?  Skyler’s my partner in crime.”

She looked at her parents and shook her head.  “You have no idea what you’re in for when the Masons join us on this side of the veil.”

“Oh, I have an idea”, her father said.  “And I welcome it.  I can’t wait to meet Skyler and Kaylian Mason.  They seem like they will fit in here just fine.”

Chapter 72

Jake sat at the kitchen table and sipped at his coffee as he tried to get one of his parents to answer their phones. "This doesn't make any sense", he said. It had been exactly what he was thinking.

Delilah, who didn't have any clients until that afternoon, looked at him from across the table. "What's wrong, Jakey?"

He smiled slightly at her pet and for him. "Neither of them are answering their phones. Dad usually answers just to tell me to bugger off. He and Mom are sleeping and don't want to be bothered."

"Maybe we should send one of the older kids out to check on them?" she mentioned with a shrug as she sipped at her morning cup of green tea.

He shook his head. "Nah. I'll go out there in just a few. I'm sure it's nothing but I've got a strange feeling and I don't want Ira or Miri happening upon something unpleasant if something is going on."

She nodded. "If that's what you feel is best love." She stood and made plates when the two older children in question walked into the room. "Where are Gramma and Grampa?" Ira asked.

"Still out at the cottage", Jake said with a sigh. "I can't seem to get either of them to answer their phones."

"They probably turned them off Daddy", Miri laughed. "Isn't Grampa famous for that?"

Jake nodded. "This is true and thus the cause of my worry. Both of their phones are ringing through then going to voicemail. It's not sitting well with me."

"Then let me go check on them", Ira said with a shrug. "Jax and I can go out and see if everything is on the up and up."

Jax spoke up. "It's very possible that they have their ringers off so that they can't hear their phones. I know my folks do that when they want a little alone time."

Jake nodded. "That is very possible and thus why I'm not going out there just yet. My parents are rather infamous for their hunger for each other. I'm not about to get cussed if they are out there making love."

"Surely their sex life isn't that active. I mean, they're in their 80's."

His future wife and in laws all gave him a dirty look. "Apparently you don't know my grandparents very well", Miri said.

"Dude there have been times that I've gone out to pick them up alone and I had to turn around because I could hear them from half way out. This was just after their doctor made them stop traveling so much", Ira said. "I have to tell you, bro, the sound of my grandmother reaching her climax is a sound I will never forget", he chuckled.

"One thing no one could ever accuse my parents of was not being in love", Jake said with a grin. "They've always been so passionate about their relationship. They would actually use sex as a form of negotiation."

"I'll never forget when you had your meeting with the Director of Veteran Veterans' Affairs and your Mom decided to 'convince' Dad to pay for my Body-Mind training", Delilah laughed.  "That was too funny.  I was shoo'd off so that she could do what she had to do."

"I don't remember that", Miri said.

"You weren't even a thought at that time", Jake said. "Your Mom and I had just gotten engaged about a week before."

"Ah. That makes sense. No wonder I didn't know that story. Guess you learn something every day."

---------------

After finishing his coffee and breakfast, Jake finally got around to heading out to the cottage to check on his parents and see if they were ready to come in for the day. If they weren't coming in, that was fine. There wasn't really a lot that the two of them would be able to do in the house anyway. With their health and the lack of activity in the house, they would probably be better off staying in the cottage.

As the golf cart approached the cottage, he noticed that there was a distinct lack of activity going on in the small house that had once been a tactical base ten years before. He pulled the golf cart to the door and got out, knocking on the door to let them know that he was there. "Mom, Dad, it's Jake. You two ok in there?" Silence. He knocked again. "Mom. Dad. You up?" Still no answer. The. He remembered something that his father had said a little over a year before. If they were both still asleep... Oh God. He checked the front door. Locked. He pulled the key out of his pocket as he spun himself down into the mindset that he needed to assess emergency situations.

As the key slid into the lock he went from being their son to being an ER doctor that was about to check DOA's.

There was no noise in the small house but the central air conditioner that cooled the house. It was an eerie feeling. The bedroom door stood open and he had a clear shot of how his parents were laying from the knees down. They were laying spooned together, his mother's back pressed to his father's chest and his arm wrapped around her waist. They looked like they hadn't moved all night. He steeled himself for what he was about to find, forcing his legs to move with purpose into the bedroom.

He went to his mother's side of the bed, grabbing her wrist to check her pulse but being careful not to move her too much. She was cold as ice and there was no pulse. He took a deep breath and checked his father, using the same care. Nothing. His pulse caught in his throat. They really were dead. They slipped away in the middle of the night. His hands started to shake as he made his way out of the cottage and into the August morning. As he pulled the door closed, he grabbed his phone from his pocket and called Jeremiah. "Bro, you home?" he asked as his voice trembled.

"Yeah. Why is your voice trembling, Jake?"

"Call the coroner. Mom and Dad are gone. Let Delilah and Jona know to start making travel arrangements. When I get back up there we'll start calling our brothers and sisters then we'll start pulling the kids from their activities and let them know to start packing."

"Yeah, we'll do that. I'll talk to the girls while you head back this way", Jeremiah said, his voice void of emotion. He'd gone numb. "See you when you get back up here."

"I'll be there shortly." Jake hung up and got back in the golf cart. The drive back to the house was one of urgency because of the laws of their heritage and the time constraints he was under. He had three days to orchestrate the transportation of his parents' bodies as well as the ceremony to have them buried. Talk about an impossible task.

When he came in the back door he was met by his wife, who threw her arms around his neck. She sobbed silently into his shirt as he held her tightly and tears leaked out of his eyes. "I can't believe they're gone already", she said softly.

He took a shaking breath. "Neither can I", he said softly. "Have you told Miri and Ira?"

She shook her head. "Not yet. I figured that we should tell as many people at once as we can. Jeremiah's calling everyone that's local and having her come over so that we can tell everyone all at once. The coroner's office is on the way. He called us all at the office and Jona and I booked it home. Maddie went home to get her family and they're coming straight here. I sent Miri after Sammi and Ira after Seth seeing as Sammi's at the school and Seth's at the library.  Jeremiah and Jona are calling Malachai and Jordan, as well as the Masons so that we can tell everyone at once.  The only people that know are the four of us.  I didn’t even tell Miri and Ira.”

He nodded.  “Good.  I need to head up to my office and get into the wall safe.  I put Mom and Dad’s Living Will and Last Will and Testament in there.  I need the living will so that I know what to get to the funeral home in Israel for them to be buried in as well as what funeral home they want to be taken to.  Come get me when the coroner gets here and I’ll talk to him.”

She nodded.  “After you deal with the coroner and the family is making their arrangements, we’ll start packing and see about getting them overseas.”

He nodded.  “Alright.  I’ll be right back, baby.”

She kissed his cheek.  “Ok.  Be strong, baby.  As soon as we’re on the tarmac, you and I will have a good cry or something like that over this.”

“We can do that.”

---------------

After dealing with the coroner and waiting for the family to gather, Jake stood in front of them all with a heavy heart.  “I have some very bad news, everyone.  Mom and Dad passed sometime in the night last night.”

“WHAT?!” was the general response.  They were all in shock.  “Does everyone else know yet?” Maddie asked.

He shook his head.  “I was hoping that you would all help me out with that.  Jeremiah and I have a lot going on here.  We’ve got to get our families ready to fly out to Israel for the funeral.  We’ve got to get them to a funeral home here so that we can get them there.  I’ve got the figure out how I’m going to get them from here to there.”

Reece spoke up.  “Jake.  Let me make a phone call and I’ll see if I can get you a private plane to get them from here to there.”

Jake nodded.  “Thanks Reece.  That would take a LOT of the burden off of me and solve my problem of how I’m get to get Mom and Dad from here to there in three days’ time so that they can be buried according to Jewish law.”

“Like I said bro, let me make a call and I’ll get you a private flight.”

He nodded then started handing out assignments.  “Maddie, I need you to do PR for me please.”

“You want me to handle the obituary and the millions of magazines that are going to be calling once this hits the presses?”

He nodded.  “Yeah.  I’m sure that someone in the coroner’s office is going to open their mouth and Rolling Stone or someone and this shit is going to spin out of control.”

She nodded.  “I’m on it.  I can do that for you.  Is there anyone you want me to call?”

“Meagan.  Give her a call and tell her to dust off her passport.”

“Got it.”

Jake looked at Malachai.  “Call James and let him know what’s going on.”

He nodded.  “Got it.  I’ve got to call Miranda while I’m at it.”

“Do that.”

“On it.”

To Jordan he said, “Can you give Makayla a call for me and tell her what’s going on?”

“No problem, Jake.  Consider it done.”

“I’ll call Marc while we pack to leave”, Jeremiah said.

Jake nodded.  “And I’ll give Jessi a call.  She’s got most of Mom and Dad’s clothes.  I need to go out to the cottage to see if they have the clothes that they want to be buried in out there or not.  If not, I’m going to get Jessi on looking for it so that it can all be taken to the funeral home and waiting on them when they arrive.”  He took a deep breath.  “Before everyone leaves, I need some volunteers for pallbearers.  I’ll need six per casket to unload them from the plane.  Those twelve will have to either fly out with us or soon after.”

“We’ll do it Dad”, Ira and Seth said.

“You don’t even have to ask”, Isaiah and Eli said.

“I’m in”, Colt said.

“Me too, Uncle Jake”, Asher said.

Jake nodded.  “I need four more.  I know Marc will want to do it, as will Josh.  So I need three.”

“Save a spot for Zeke”, Maddie said.  “He’ll want to do it.”

“As will Hunter and James”, Jordan said.

“And if you and Uncle Miah want to sit out, I’m sure that Tony and I can take your spots, Uncle Jake”, Levi said.  “Tony will want to be a part of it if he can.”

“I’ll give it some thought, Levi and let you know.  If you want to fly out with us, we’ll be leaving tonight I hope.  I have three days from an hour ago to have the funeral from what they outlined in their Living Will.  Oh, and Mom wanted me to make it perfectly clear that if any of you touch her wedding band she will haunt you and she was SERIOUS.  I can’t even begin to tell you how serious she was.”

“We’ll leave the wedding bands alone”, Jordan said.  “I don’t think any of us want Mom pissed off at us for Eternity.”

“Or Dad for that matter”, Malachai added.  “Their wedding bands are safe.”

“Great”, Jake said.  “Why don’t we all go our separate ways and get packed and ready to go?  I’ll do some thinking and get back to everyone on the pallbearer situation.”

Everyone left to make their phone calls and get ready to go to Israel.  They all knew that at some point they’d have to bury their parents/grandparents so everyone had a passport.  He looked at everyone that lived there or on the property.  “We all need to pack and be ready.  I also need to call the funeral home that they’ve been taken to and let them know what Mom and Dad’s wishes are.”

Skyler got Jake’s attention.  “I’d also like to volunteer…”

He and Jeremiah both cut him off.  “No Skyler”, they said.  “It’s not that we don’t think that you can do it, but you’re in your 60’s and you really shouldn’t be carrying a casket”, Jeremiah continued.  “If Damien wants to offer that’s one thing and it would be more than welcome.  We’re not babying you and we have no doubts that you could do it.  But it’s a respect thing.  You’re out elder.  Let us younger guys do it.”

“Anyway”, Jake said, “it’s not what Dad would want.  You were a brother to him and if he wouldn’t have even wanted Uncle Ben to do it, then he wouldn’t want you to either.  I’d still like for you to ride with us out to Israel when we leave.  Mom and Dad would want the two of you there.”

“Damien will be at our place soon.  He was in an appointment when Jona, Maddie, and Delilah left.  He doesn’t know yet.  We’ll tell him and ask if he wants to participate.”

“If he does, I have a plan.  I know how I want to do if he’s willing to help out.”

Skyler nodded.  “Ok.  We’ll let him know.”

---------------

Reece was able to get Jake and Jeremiah a private flight out to take the bodies back to Jerusalem so that they could be laid to rest.  After taking care of all of the arrangements that needed to be made Jake went out to the cottage to see if the clothes that were needed for the burial were out there.  The mortician that had their bodies wanted to get them ready so that they could be ready by the time they arrived.  It was a nice gesture.  Jake found the requested outfits and delivered them to the funeral home, going home with the promise that his parents would be ready to go by the time the flight took off.  They were a rush job.

Packing for the trip was hard for them all.  They’d all attended different funerals over the years, but this one is the one that hit home the hardest.  It was Mom and Dad for some of them, but it was Gramma and Grampa for most. 

When Jeremiah told Marc, Marc was at home with his family.  They’d had to call a day of shooting because of weather so everyone was present to get the bad news.  The moment Jeremiah said that David and Brie had passed, Connie started wailing.  She knew her grandparents were going to pass, but it still hit hard.  Now all she had was Abuelo.  It sucked.

Zeke didn’t take it any better when Jordan called Makayla.  He had been Gramma Brie’s special boy, her birthday boy.  For a tough little boy, he cried over his Gramma and Grampa.

When Malachai called Miranda and Callan they were just getting up for the day.  Callan had the day off and they were going to take a drive in the country side to see some of the cherry trees before the leaves fell off for the winter.  There was also a geisha museum that Miranda wanted to see so that they could see authentic kimonos.  She was feeding Miranda her breakfast when the call came in.  After pinning the phone between her ear and her shoulder, she finally spoke.  “Hey Daddy.  What’s going on?”

“Miranda, are you sitting down?”

“I’m feeding your granddaughter right now, Dad.  Is something wrong?”

“Yeah.  Is there any way you and Cal can be in Israel in about two or three days?”

“I don’t know.  Why?”

“Gramma and Grampa passed away last night.”

“Ha-ha, Dad.  Not funny.  Seriously, what’s wrong?”

“Miranda, I’m not playing or joking around.  Your grandparents are dead.  They passed away in their sleep last night.”

Her hand started trembling as she tried to feed Gracie her fruity oatmeal.  “Callan, can you take over here please?  I’m going to drop the spoon and the bowl.”  Once Callan took the feeding implements out of her hands, she stood and put the phone on speaker.  “Gramma and Grampa passed away?  Seriously?”

“Yes Miranda.”

Callan was shocked.  “I’ll… I’ll call my company commander and see if there is any way to push through some emergency leave.  It shouldn’t be hard if I name drop”, he said.  “I know that it will mean a lot to Miranda to be able to say her final ‘goodbyes’.”

She smiled as tears flooded her eyes.  “Thank you, baby.  I really appreciate this.”

“It’s nothing.  I’m your husband Miranda.  I’m always going to do what I can for you, not matter what the situation.”

“When are you leaving for Israel, Dad?” she asked.

“I’m heading out with Jake and ‘Miah.  The five sons, Damien, and the oldest six grandsons are serving as pallbearers to unload the caskets from the private plane that Reece managed to procure for us.”

“Cool of him”, she said, on the brink of tears.  “Daddy, I’ve got to go.  I can’t do this right now.  I’ll give you a call if we can make it out.  We’ve got a lot of planning to do if we’re even going to attempt it.”

“Do what you have to do, baby, and I’ll await your call.  I love you, sweetheart.”

“I love you too, Daddy.  Go get ready for your trip.  Bye.”  When they hung up, Callan set the bowl on the table and wrapped his wife as she broke down.  “My grandparents are gone, Callan.  My Gramma and Grampa are dead”, she cried.

He rubbed her back and held her.  “I know baby.  Just let it out.”

She buried her face in his chest and sobbed.  She was devastated.  Her grandparents were gone, having barely gotten to know their great- granddaughter.  She had made such a lasting impression on their oldest granddaughter that she was determined to pass that on to her daughter.

After thirty minutes of her sobbing, she calmed down and pulled away.  “If we’re going to attempt to get to this funeral then I need to go make some phone calls to make and you should probably start packing just in case we can go.  If I let them know that it’s The Voice and the Master Guns’ sister, we’ll be there.”

Miranda nodded.  “Ok.  You go make the phone calls and I’ll finish up with Gracie before I go start packing.  Will you want to wear you uniform?”

“Not my dress blues.  My working tans will be just fine.  I should be in uniform because your grandfather was such a public figure.”

She nodded.  “Ok.  Go make phone calls.  I’m going to finish with Grace and go pack.”

Chapter 71

Things settled down over the next couple of months and the children started getting ready to go back to school in the fall.  Samantha and Jasmine was going to the school daily in preparation for cheer camp in Canon City.  It was the new squad’s first competition of the season.  They would spend the rest of the fall season training and practicing, as well as preparing for football games.  As long as they were still living, David and Brie promised they would be at as many games as they could so that they could watch Jasmine and Sammi cheer.

Jake was busy with trying to find a doctor to take over in his stead when he retired at the end of the year.  He was tired.  It was time for to settle down for a while and enjoy some time with his wife.  She was planning on spending less time at the clinic so that the two of them could spend more time together as a couple as well as being parents to their last remaining children at home. 

Jeremiah didn’t teach over the summer.  Instead, he spent time with his own family, taking care of the kids while Jona worked at the clinic with Delilah, Maddie, and Damien.  He took Rina to her riding lessons while teaching Matt to drive so that he could get his license before school started.  He, Seth, and Sammi would carpool, each taking turns to drive home unless more than one of them had to stay after school.  If all three had to stay, then they waited around until the other two were done.  Jake and Jeremiah had discussed it when it came up that the three kids wanted to learn to drive so that they could go to and from school without having to rely on anyone else to take them.

David and Brie were spending less and less time in the house and more time alone together in the cottage.  Jake would call out and make sure that they were ok, but he didn’t push them to come in.  He knew that the two of them still being in the US was a miracle, frankly, and the fact that they were staying in the cottage more than in the main house was a sign that they only wanted a little privacy together.  There was nothing wrong with that.

On one of the few nights that they went into the main house to enjoy dinner with their sons’ families, Jake made sure that he sat down with them and discussed something that was a touchy subject for everyone.  “Mom, Dad, I know you probably don’t want to discuss this, but I need to know if you have arraignments made for when you finally pass.  Have you purchased the caskets?  What do you want to be buried in?” he asked while there was no one in the house but the three of them.

David looked at Jake.  “Son, all of that is outlined in the Living Will we gave you last year.”

“I want it known to everyone though that my wedding band is buried with me”, Brie said sternly.  “I know that there are many rings in my jewelry box that can be passed on so my wedding band is to be left on my hand or so help me I will be haunting whichever of your sisters that removes it from my corpse.  There are rings that my family has left that were passed on to me as well as a great many that your father had given to me over the years.  The division of my rings is outlined in our will, as with the rest of my jewels.  But, I will take me wedding band to the grave with me.”

Jake chuckled.  “Yes ma’am.  I will be sure that it happens.”  He took a deep breath.  “How are you two feeling today?”

“Tired”, they said in unison.  “We’re only in here to have dinner with your family, Jeremiah’s family, and the Masons.  If it weren’t for that, we’d be out in the cottage watching a movie”, David continued, standing carefully as he finished.  He knees went snap, crackle, pop as he did so, but he needed to stretch.  He had been sitting for too long and needed to move around.

Jake winced when he heard his father’s knees crunch.  “What do you need Dad?  I’d be more than happy to get it for you.”

David shook his head and the pain that was radiating throughout his lower body.  “No Jake.  I need to move around.  Just because my knees are protesting doesn’t mean I’m helpless.  I’m going to stretch and go get a drink from the kitchen.  I’m fine.  Back off.”

Jake threw his hands up and let his father move on.  “If you say so, Dad.”  Once his father had walked off, he turned his attention to his mother.  “How are you Mom?  Honestly.”

She shook her head.  “To be frank, I’m in near constant pain.  Not severe but it still hurts.  My hands are only getting worse and there’s only so much that can be done without getting shots in my hands.  Lord knows I’m not about to stick a damn needle in my hands to lubricate the joints so that they’ll work.  I’ll just fight through it.”

He chuckled.  “That’s a very you thing to say, Mom.  Is there anything I can get you?”

She shook her head.  “I’m fine for now, Jake.  To sound like your Grandmamma would have, don’t you fret none.  I’ll be fine.  When God’s ready for me, he’ll call me home.  Until then I’ll just keep doing what I have to.”

He took his mother hand and kissed the back of it gently.  “I know Mom.  It’s just what you do, you and Dad both.”  A single tear bit at the back of his eye.  He’d be damned if he cried in front of his mother.  “If you need anything, Mama, just let me know.  Now, if you’ll excuse me I need to go make a business call.”

She nodded once.  “Go on, Jacob.”

He walked away and stopped at the bottom of the stairs.  “I love you, Mom.”

She smiled.  “I love you too, Jake.  Go take care of your business.  I’ll be fine.  If I need something you’ll know.”

Jake walked away and headed up to his office.  Once the door was closed and locked, he swallowed a huge lump that had formed in his throat.  She’ll be ok, Jake, he heard in the back of his mind.  Soon they’ll both be done suffering sooner than you think.  You won’t have to watch their pain much longer.

---------------

When she came in from cheer practice, Sammi flopped down in one of the large fluffy armchairs that had been in the house longer than she had been alive.  “OH MY GOD!” she said.  “I love cheer but I am SOOO tired.”

Brie laughed.  “Aren’t you the one that insisted on tumbling and dance lessons?”

“I did, Gramma.  And I’m glad that I took them, but with all of the tumbling and dance lessons I’ve taken and still take I’m still not prepared to be the one of the flyers.”

“So you’re one of the girls that gets tossed in the air during stunts?” David chuckled.

“Yeah.  And let me tell you now, it’s just a little scary.  I’m not used to putting that kind of trust in a person, letting them toss me in the air and praying that they’ll catch me.  But, I’m one of the smallest girls on the squad as well as one of the lightest so I have to put that trust in the bases.”

“Are there any big strapping boys on the squad?” Brie teased.

Sammi blushed.  “A couple and I may or may not be seeing one of them”, she smiled and giggled.

“Samantha Cheyenne, does your father know?”

She shook her head slowly.  “Nope.  We haven’t officially been on a date.  When that happens I’ll bring him over so that he can meet Mom and Dad and all that fun stuff.  Right now, it’s just eating lunch together, holding hands, all that fun stuff.  And the fun this is that he’s doesn’t do anything but cheer during the fall.  Spring however will be the beast.  He’s in basketball and track.  Then again, I run track too so it will be fun.”

“Maybe you’ll be like your Uncle James and you two will be high school sweethearts.”

“Aunt Kenna was Uncle Jay’s high school sweetheart?”

David cleared his throat.  “No dear.  Your Uncle Jay’s high school sweetheart died their senior year.  Her name was Brittan.  She was a very sweet girl.  When she died she was pregnant.  But, if she hadn’t died then none of your cousins would be here.”

She nodded slowly.  “Interesting.  Well, I’m happy that I have the cousins I do but it sucks that he had to go through that.  I hope I don’t have to deal with that.  That would really suck.”

“It took him a little time to little time to get over it, but by the time we were all sitting at her funeral, he had finally let her go.”

“That’s good.  I really hope something like that doesn’t happen with me and my boyfriend.”

“It’s unlikely, Samantha”, Brie said.  “Now, what is your boyfriend’s name?”

“Caleb Mathers.  He’s a sweet guy.”

“Well, we hope that things go well for the both of you.  Everything is awesome so far.  We’re just getting started on the dating thing.  We’ll just have to see where it goes.  I’ll keep you as informed as possible.”

They both laughed.  “Sammi, why don’t you go up to your room and get a shower.  You kinda stink”, her grandmother said, waving a hand in front of her face as if to wave away the smell.

Sammi laughed.  “Ok Gramma, I’m gone.  I’ll be back at dinner.  I have a lot of stuff to do in order to get ready for camp in a couple of weeks.”

“Go.  We’ll see you in a little while.  Have fun packing and if we don’t say it before you leave, good luck and have fun at Cheer Camp.”  She smiled and walked away.  Once she was gone, they laughed.  “Remember the days of sending a child off to cheer camp?” Brie laughed.

“All too well.  All Makayla wanted to do was fly but she was too tall.  She hated it”, David chuckled.  “And now Makayla is a Grammy and Oscar winning choreographer.”

“All because we sent her to dance and tumbling classes when she asked to do them, then sent her to cheer camp when she made the cheer squad.”  She took a deep breath and sighed.  “Do you think we did a good job with our kids?”

He thought about it for a moment, taking the question seriously.  “Yeah, I do.  Look at all of the things our children have accomplished.  Jessi is an authority on Middle Eastern language.  Marc is an Academy award winner for his computer knowledge that is branching out and directing a movie.  Meagan and Jeremiah are both PhD- Jeremiah’s a professor and Meagan works for NASA.  We’ve already talked about Makayla.  James is a top notch record executive now that he and Justin are running Intoxication and have been for 15 years.  Maddie is following you and breaking down barriers in massage.  Jake is a Nobel Prize winner.  And Reckless Disregard is being inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame.  Need I do on about Jordan and Malachai?  We did a damn good job.  With my being gone as much as I was taking care of business and touring, they could have rebelled and all be on different paths than they are now but they didn’t.  We did a damn good job.”

She smiled.  “I’m glad that I never have to wonder ‘what if we had done things differently?’ because they went down the wrong road.  Our kids turned out rather well.”

“And all because we made really good decisions while they were young.  Yeah, the first eight grew up in a time when they had no idea what things like trick or treating, or school were except for Malachai.  Growing up during the Occupation made them all the people they are now.  They had to learn how to make good decisions from watching us have to make certain decisions for their well-being.  Now, they’re off doing amazing things.  We really got lucky, I say.”

She laughed and kissed him softly.  “I completely agree.”

---------------

At dinner that night, Matt proudly showed off his new drivers’ license.  “I’m gonna drive Mom to work in the morning”, he said proudly.

Jona fought off a shiver.  “I’m really nervous about it”, she laughed, her nerves raw.

“Jona, love, don’t worry”, Jeremiah said.  “Matthew is a good driver.  He’s safe and cautious.”

“But it was just yesterday that he was a little baby in my arms.  Now he’s driving.  I didn’t give him permission to grow up.”

Her parents and in laws all laughed.  “Nor did I you, Jona Eavan”, Skyler laughed.

“I don’t recall giving my shy little ‘Miah permission to grow up, either”, Brie said.  “The fact of the matter is that it’s part of the cycle of life.”  She shrugged.  “Just wait until he’s coming to you and saying that he’s found his soul mate and he’s going to ask her father for her hand in marriage.”

“Or until Rina brings a boy home, saying that she’s fallen in love with him and he’s asking the two of you permission to marry your little girl”, David said.

It was Jeremiah’s turn to fight off a shiver.  “I’m dreading that day, just to let you know.  I can’t imagine going through that as many times as you have, Dad”, he said, shaking his head.

“You’d actually be surprised at how easy it is when the guy’s cool”, Jake laughed.  “Look at Miri and Jax.  Delilah and I are now planning a wedding because, well, Jackson Tompkins is actually a decent guy.”

Jeremiah laughed.  “If you say so Jake.  I think I’ll just thank my lucky stars that Rina says, and I quote, ‘Boys are gross’.  I hope she thinks that for a very long time.”

“And if she turns out to be a lesbian?” Kaylian asked.

Jeremiah shrugged.  “To each their own.  At least she and I will have something to talk about.  I can help her with girl trouble.  The first boy to break her heart I’ll want to kill.”

“How many times have I felt that way?” David and Skyler both asked their wives at the same time.

“Too many to count”, the women said in unison, causing everyone at the table to erupt in laughter.

As the meal progressed, David and Brie had a feeling of completion overcome them.  There was something remarkable about seeing everyone that lived close by eating together and laughing that made them feel whole.  It wasn’t hard for them to look around the table and see all of their blessings, though most of their enormous family wasn’t there.  They just glanced at each other out of the corner of their eyes and smiled.  It was a beautiful sight to see indeed.

---------------

“What a wonderful dinner”, Brie said as she and David climbed in bed that night.

“It was.  Having Skyler and Kaylian there was nice too”, David replied.  Once they were both settled into bed, he sighed in content.  “What’s on the agenda for tomorrow?”

“I have no idea.  I really wasn’t paying attention when Delilah was outlining it all for us after dinner.  I was too tired.”

He laughed.  “Same here.  I hope she isn’t angry that we don’t know what they all have going tomorrow.  I mean, we are in our 80’s.  We’re allowed to forget.”

She laughed.  “David, it’s a lame excuse and we both know it.”

“Stop raining on my parade, Brie.  I was finally admitting that I’m an old man.  James and Marc would be celebrating were they here”, he laughed.

“Holy cow!” she laughed out.  “Is the world coming to an end?  David Draiman has admitted that he’s old.  Stop the presses, ladies and gentleman.  This is a brand new headline!”

“It’s not that big a deal.  I’m 85.  For crying out loud, I’m old.”

She laughed harder.  “Holy shit, he’s said it twice.”

“What about you, Hannah Brielle?  I have yet to hear you admit you’re old.”

“If my physical well-being hasn’t been a testament to this, then let me say it aloud.  I am old.  I’m 82, my back doesn’t work the way it should, my hands don’t work the way they should, my eyes are going as are my ears.  I am old.  I freely admit it and have for a while.”

He chuckled.  “As I’ve said a million times, you’ve aged like fine wine.”

She shook her head.  “No I haven’t.  If I were like fine wine, everything would still be working the way it should.  Wine only gets better with time.  I’ve only seemed to go downhill.”

“You’re not the only one.  I’ve beaten up my knees so badly that I can barely walk.  There are many other problems that we haven’t even told our children about for both of us.”

She sighed and nodded.  “I know.  It’s kinda depressing.  You think we ought to sit them down in the morning, all of them that we can, and tell them everything?”

He thought for a moment, and quickly shook his head.  “No.  There are some things that our wonderful children don’t necessarily need to know.”

She nodded.  “True.”  She snuggled in closer to his side.  “Let’s change the subject to something a little less depressing please.  I really don’t want to think about our health issues.”

“What did you think of Matt and his brand new, shiny drivers’ license?”

“I was very proud of him.  Poor Jona though.  She seemed so afraid of the thought of him driving her to work in the morning.  She really has nothing to be scared of.  He’s always been careful when he picks us up and brings up back out here.  He’s a very careful driver.”

“She’s just a nervous Mama.  She’ll relax once she sees that he is.  She’s just being Jona.”

“Very true.”  She sighed.  “Is there anything on TV?  Not that I don’t enjoy our bedtime talks, but I kinda miss the background noise.”

He reached over and grabbed the remote, finding a show that they could both agree on.  “Is that better, dear?”

She smiled.  “Much.  Now, have you spoken to Malachai or Mandy recently?  How are Miranda, Callan, and Grace in Japan?

“He says they’re doing well.  I have to admit, I kinda miss having Gracie around, being able to play with her and all that stuff.  She was such a joy to have around.”

“Our first great- grandchild.  Where has the time gone?  We just got home from the hospital with Jessi and Marc yesterday”, she laughed.

He laughed.  “But didn’t we just admit that we were old?”

She buried her face in his chest as she laughed.  “That we did.  Like I said, where has the time gone?”

He took a deep breath and yawned.  “I have no idea”, he said before shaking off the yawn.  “Why don’t we try to get some sleep?  I’m sure that I’ll be up in a few hours anyway, watching the news and you while you sleep.”

She chuckled softly.  “You know?  Why don’t we do just that?  Go on to sleep and deal with yet another day?”  She rolled over onto her other side and settled in against her pillow as he turned over and wrapped his arm around her waist.  She turned her upper body enough so that she could see his face to kiss him good night.  “Good night, my love.  I’ll see you when the sun rises.”

He kissed her again, and returned her sentiment.  “Good night, my dear.  I’ll see you when you wake in the morning.”

And with that they close their eyes for what would be the very last time.  They were both asleep and wouldn’t be waking in the morning.

Chapter 70

That evening Zeke and Miri let their grandparents pick the restaurant that they would eat at that night.  “What about that steakhouse over by your dad’s office?” David suggested.

“Is everything about a steakhouse with you, Grampa?” Zeke asked with a chuckle.

“I’m a carnivore.  I like red meat.  I’m sure they have a great selection there for those who have objections to red meat.  Anyway, I thought it was our choice on where we eat tonight?”

“There are no objections to red meat and it is your choice.  Is Gramma in agreement?” Miri asked.

“I really don’t care.  I let Grampa choose these things when and if we eat out”, Brie said with a shrug.  “It’s unimportant in my opinion.  I just go with whatever Grampa’s in the mood for.”

Miri and Jax exchanged a look.  “Ok then.  Let’s go to Gordon’s Steakhouse”, Miri laughed.  She and Jax intertwined their fingers and walked out to her car hand in hand with her grandparents and cousin behind her.  Rather than taking her small car they took her mom’s SVU.  There were five people going to dinner and they needed the room. 

Once everyone was loaded up Jax- who was driving- started the vehicle and they took off.  It was about a thirty minute drive to town from the house so they took the time to talk.  “Miri, I noticed that lovely pendant around your neck earlier.  Was that a birthday gift?” Brie asked once she was settled in next to her husband’s side.

“It was.  Jax bought it for me.  He said that there were others but I haven’t gotten them yet.  I’m trying to wait patiently but it’s not easy”, she laughed.  “What did you get from Grampa for today?”

She unconsciously played with the newest addition to the fingers of her right hand.  “He got me a very pretty ring.  I prefer not to wear anything on my left hand other than my wedding band, so I’m wearing it on my right hand.”

“Hasn’t Grampa bought you a great deal of rings and other jewelry over the years?” Zeke asked.

“He has.  This is a special birthday ring that he saw and though I’d like.  He had certain stones set in it for each of our ten children as well as himself.”

Zeke looked at his grandfather after peeking over the back of the seat they were sitting in to take a look at the ring.  “Wow Grampa.  That’s really nice.  You’ve got a good eye.  Maybe you could teach my Dad how to buy jewelry for my mom.”

David chuckled.  “I’ve had a lot of practice buying jewelry for your Gramma.  She’s not very picky and she doesn’t like a lot of flashiness.”

“So should I advise my father that buying jewelry for my mother means getting to know her likes and dislikes?”

David nodded slowly.  “That would be a good start.”

“Is there a limit on how many gifts you two get each other every year?” Jax asked.

“Not really”, David asked.  “It’s become an unspoken rule that we only really get one another one or two things for our birthdays because we really tend to spoil each other over Hanukkah.”

“There are no rules when Hanukkah rolls around, are there?”

“Only that it’s one gift for every night of the festival.  Other than that, no.  I’ve bought her everything from clothes, to jewels, to shoes, to a hydraulic massage table because she was tired of breaking her back to adjust the legs on her portable table, to tickets for a trips to some random country she’d mentioned that she wanted to visit over the many years we’ve been together and that itself is pushing 50 years.”

“Wow.  It’s going to be quite a feat to beat the two of you, won’t it?”

David shook his head.  “Not really.  My wife and I didn’t find each other until I was almost 40.  All of our children that are married have found their significant other’s while they were young.  The only two that had issues with that are Jordan and James.”

“I know about Jordan’s divorce.  That was international news.  What happened with your son James?”

“The woman that bore the twins and Hunter was a complete psycho”, Brie said bluntly.

David just nodded.  “Yeah.  That.  You should ask James about it sometime.  Now that he and Kenna have been together for as long as they have been, he has no issues talking about it.”

Jax nodded.  “I’ll have to keep that in mind.  It will be interesting to learn more about my future in laws.”

“Well, there are all kinds of interesting stories in this family”, Miri said.  “Including one about the day I was born, from what I understand.”

“Really?”

“We should really leave it to Jacob to tell it”, Brie said, “though it was a rather painful day for everyone in the family.”

“What happened?”

“As I said, we should really let Jake tell that story, but let’s just say that Miri had a bit of a rough start in life.”

“Ah.  No wonder Jacob is so protective of her.  I think I understand.”

“All of our sons have their reasons as to why one or two of their little girls is their little princess.  Hell, I’ll be the first to admit that I had one of my own amongst our girls”, David said.  “You’re going to be over protective of any girls the two of you may have, but try not to smother them or spoil them.  I made that mistake and it took a great many years to correct it.  Thankfully, Maddie’s a balanced adult and is teaching her children right from wrong.”

Jax chuckled again.  “Seeing as girls are certain in my bloodline, I’ll have to keep that in mind.”

David laughed.  “If I had known all of the things I’m telling you beforehand, I probably would have done things little differently.  But, I’m the oldest of two boys.  I had no sisters.  Then out of nowhere I have five girls.  I wish I knew how that happened, but at the same time even if I did I wouldn’t change a thing.  All of our children are the world to me, as are our grandchildren- and now our great- grandchild.”

Jax nodded.  “I’ll keep all of these things in mind, Mr. Draiman, sir.  It’s all good advice to keep in mind when we have children.”

“Well, before you two start talking babies, you should at least be talking about wedding plans”, Brie said plainly.

“Well, he has permission to ask from Dad”, Miri said.  “Now it’s just a question of when he’s going to pop the question.”  Miri had no idea that he would be asking her sooner than she knew.

---------------

Once they were all settled at the table, the conversation continued.  The focused on how Zeke was doing in school and with his dance classes, as well as Miri’s progress in the veterinary program at Loyola.  She was about to start her internship at the Chicago SPCA- which is where all of the vet students did their internships.  “I’m taking Summer I off for the express purpose of being here for tonight, as well as trying to spend some time with my parents.  I’m always gone and never see them anymore and while we were out for spring break, Dad finally told us that he’s planning to retire at the end of the year”, Miri said.

“He mentioned that to us about that time too.  How do you feel about it?” David asked his granddaughter.

“I’m okay with it.  I don’t remember when he worked for the VA, but I remember when he worked for the two different hospitals and that was harsh.  It was hard on all of us.  We never saw him and he was always so worn out.  He’s been running his own practice for that last 12 years.  I think he deserves to retire before he’s 60.  And with Mom supportive of it, it’s all good.  The only ones that seemed to complain were Seth and Sammi.”

“They’re just going to have to get over it.  They’re 16 now.  It’s time to grow up”, Brie said as she took a sip of her water.  They were still waiting on the waiter to bring out the tea.”

“I agree.  They’ll be graduating soon.  Scary thought that one.”

“Do I need to state the obvious?” Brie laughed.

“I know, Gramma.  I’m sure that turning 82 today is frightening.”

“Very much so”, she said quietly.

The waiter came up and gave them their drinks and the focus switched to Ezekiel.  “So, when did your mom start letting you dance in the videos she choreographs?”

“End of last year.  She’s been the one taking me to my dance class and asked me if I wanted to do one of the videos.  I tend to pick up choreography pretty quickly and they needed a kid my age for the video.  I said, ‘Why not?’ and went to the rehearsal with her the next day.  It was for some rapper.  I don’t even remember the name, but I’d been watching her try to figure out the steps for a few weeks.  I’d get in there and work with her so I was credited with choreographing the video as well.  I’m, apparently, an awesome hip hop dancer.  Some of my friends sat school want to put together a dance crew.  I told them I’d think about it.  I’m already being paid to dance.  Why would I want to do something thankless like be in a crew when I’m already being paid as an assistant choreographer and a dancer?”

“Sounds like you’ve already made up your mind”, David said.  “Have you told your friends?”

Zeke shook his head.  “Not yet.  I’m enjoying the little bit of a vacation I’m getting away from them because I’m always getting badgered for an answer.  I hate it when they nag.”

“Then just tell them no”, Miri said.

“I’m going to.  I’m letting them sit and wonder for a little while longer.  I told them not to bother me while I’m out of town.  I’ll let them know when they can call or text me because that will mean I’m back and ready to answer.”

“You just want to torture them”, Jax chuckled.

Zeke nodded.  “Something like that.  I’m just looking to torture them.”

Jax nodded.  “Get ‘em, mate.  If your mates are as annoying as you say they are, then they certainly deserve it.  I mean, crikey.  I certainly don’t see how you’re doing, mate.  I really don’t.”

Zeke laughed.  “I like you.  You’re awesome.  Using words like, ‘crikey’, and ‘mate’; and making me laugh me ass off.  When are you going to be a part of the family?”

“Soon enough.”

“I actually wonder if it’s ever going to happen”, Miri joked.  “I mean, he’s had permission to ask me to marry him since Miranda had Grace.  I’m still waiting.”

Jax just rolled his eyes and shook his head.  “Like I said, Zeke, soon enough.  I’ll be a member of the family soon enough.”

---------------

They placed their meal ordered and talked some more.  Jax told stories about growing up in Austraila with his parents.  He talked about watching his mom deal with a bunch of different managers to get different acts into Sydney and the surrounding area.  “It was funny.  She’d walk around the house with a Bluetooth in her ear.  One minute she’d be dealing with us kids and the next she’s be one the phone debating whether or not a certain band would be suited for certain venues and whether or not she asses in the seats.  Growing up in my house was never dull.”

“I bet not”, Brie said.  She looked at David.  “Have you ever dealt with Lorelei Tompkins?”

He shook his head.  “No, but Jeff and Lauren have told horror stories.  From what I understand the woman drives a hard bargain.”

“My mum did not take ‘no’ for an answer.  Still doesn’t.  You do it or you do it. ‘No’ is not part of her vocabulary.”  As they ate they drifted from subject to subject, laughing and joking.  Miri told the story of her grandparents try to teach her how to use chopsticks eleven years before.  They all got a good laugh out of it.  Finally, Jax reached over and took Miri’s hand.  “Miri, I have a question for you.  Hypothetical.”

She nodded.  “Ok.  What’s the question?”

“If there was a really handsome Aussie that was in love with a beautiful green-eyed American girl and he wanted desperately to spend the rest of his life with her, what would you suggest to her?”

She lifted an eyebrow.  “If that hypothetical green eyes American girl was a part of a really big family and had an over protective father, I’d suggest that she have him talk to her Dad before anything else.”

“Say he’s already talked to her Dad and everything’s ok?”

“Then if he treats her well, I’d tell her she’s stupid if she said ‘no’.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, dark blue, velvet box.  “Miri, I love you.  I love you more than the air I breathe; more than life itself.  Will you marry me and make me the happiest man on two continents?”  He opened the tiny box to reveal a modest diamond ring.

Her hand flew up to her mouth which hung open in shock.  “Jax?  Are you serious?”

He slid out of the chair he was sitting in and onto one knee.  “I’m dead serious.  Marry me, Miriam Rebekah Draiman.”

She was in shock.  She could barely think.  “Yes Jackson.  Yes.  Of course, I’ll marry you.”

The entire dining room burst into applause as he slid the ring into its place and they kissed.  Even David and Brie applauded quietly with huge smiles on their faces.  “How lucky are we that we’ve gotten to witness this?” David whispered to Brie.

“Luckier than we know.  This is the best birthday present I’ve gotten since Zeke was born.”

---------------

When they got home, David and Brie went straight for the couch to sit and watch a little TV while they enjoyed a little time with their family that was present.  Miri ran for the kitchen squealing.  “MAMA!  DADDY!  HE FINALLY POPPED THE QUESTION!”

David laughed.  “You can’t tell she’s excited.”

Brie shook her head.  “Nope.  Not at all.  There is no way on Earth that girl is excited.”

Jax strolled in after chatting with Ira for a moment, who was washing his car.  Ira was a little OCD about things like that.  “Where’s Miri?” he asked.

“Follow the squeals of joy and excitement”, Brie laughed.  “I’m sure you’ll find her at the end of them.  Knowing Miri, she’s showing off the rock.”

Jax laughed as he sat down in one of the arm chairs.  “I think I’ll her do just that.  I’ll sit here and watch TV with you for a few moments and join them when I’m paged.”

They both shrugged.  “If that’s what you think is best”, David said.  He put on a movie that seemed like it might be somewhat interesting and settled into the couch next to his wife.  Once he was comfortable, she snuggled into his side and laid her had against his shoulder.  Her eyes were half closed as she was hardly interesting in the movie.  She was more interested in the movie behind her eyelids.

“JAX!” they heard Jake call from the kitchen. 

Brie jumped, startled.  “What the hell?”

“That’s my cue”, Jax said as he stood from his chair.  “I’ll be sure to let my father in law know that he startled you, ma’am.”

She shook her head.  “Don’t bother.  He’ll hear about it later.  Just go see what he wants.”

Jax walked away.  Once he entered the kitchen, he was greeted by a hug from his future mother in law that caught him by surprise.  “It’s about damn time”, Delilah laughed.  “I’ve been wondering if you were ever going to ask.”

“I wanted to ask the right moment.  I figured that dinner with her grandparents and cousin for their birthday wouldn’t be any more right than anything else.  The moment couldn’t have gotten better.”

“Well, the ring certainly is beautiful”, Jake said with a grin.  “Not too big, not too small.”

“I figured her for a simple kind of girl when I bought it.”

“And when was that?”

“Before we came out for the wedding.  I bought it in anticipation that you would ok the relationship”, he chuckled.  “I mean, I’ve been told I’m pretty loveable.  I hoped you would approve of me and give me permission so I bought the ring just in case.  It was waiting for the perfect moment that was the chore.  She is impatient.”

“I know what I want and when I want it.  Your schedule just didn’t measure up to mine.  I was thinking you’d get down on your knee when we went back to Chicago in April.  Instead, you waited until June, and I’m glad you did.  My grandparents got to see it.  That was awesome and meant a great deal to me.”

Jax nodded.  “I thought it would and that’s why I waited.”