Chapter 4

The time away would seem irrelevant now. Carrie and Lu Ann had our daughters while I awaited the birth of those twins that had been pronounced by Carrie and Lu Ann for their sister. In many ways, I hoped they were twins, boy twins. That would make my family, any man's family complete.

There seemed to be so many things I needed to get done before I left.

I wished that Joey were here now to take the girls and me shopping. I was not a real help last time I thought, only my credit card.

Was I well enough? I must be, otherwise the Agency would not be sending me out, right?

Jamie Lynn and Becky Sue looked so cute cuddled with their mothers I elected not to wake them up. I looked at Sue Ann, then back at my other wives. It looked like they had been crying!

I quietly went out of the nursery, in Pink of course, and went the picture window overlooking our valley. It was so beautiful. I was a lucky man I thought, very fortunate. I finally had what I had been searching for my entire life. I had a family, wives who loved me as I loved them and children that would live on after I was gone. I imagined that if Sue Ann did have twins I would need more than a couple more bedrooms by the time we had grandkids.

I looked out at the valley again. It was so peaceful and serene. 'A deck' I thought. I would build a huge deck, and cook pits, and swings and anything else that might bring joy to me family.

I was so tired suddenly that I could hardly keep my eyes open.

Perhaps I could lie down and rest. I would need all my energy for the job. I closed my eyes, just for a bit.

"Damn' I thought, 'where is that noise coming from? A train might make less of a commotion!'

I moved my head and neck, or tried to, nothing seemed to work. I tried to open my eyes. Nada! What was going on?

I seemed to be looking down now. I saw Joey! My head was in her lap. She was holding me. We were back in that airport. On the floor. I was bleeding all over her. She was crying.

Had nothing changed?

What had ... as everything then went grey. I thought I could see our Valley just ahead.