Debra sat on the front porch early the next morning holding her coffee mug in her hands. Edward came out and draped a jacket around her shoulders and sat down next to her. "The mornings are getting chilly." He said.
"I didn't notice."
"Did you have another nightmare?"
"No. I just couldn't sleep."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I was just enjoying the morning and doing some thinking."
"What were you thinking about?"
"About Marcus, Jason and Edith." Debra said as she leaned against Edward. "I thought about inviting them all to the picnic."
"All of them?"
"Yes. Just so they can see he's not a bad person."
Edward chuckled. "Are you looking for a fight?"
"I'm tired of the fighting and stress. I don't want to worry about it anymore." Debra said. "We can make sure they don't have any weapons. Do you have a better idea?"
"No. All right. I'll invite them."
"No, I'll do it."
"Ok. How's the babies?"
"They're fine. I'm about ready for them to come out."
"You still have almost three months to go."
"Don't remind me. I'm just ready. I feel like I swallowed a bowling ball." Debra said. "I ordered what we talked about the other night." She said. "I'll let you know when the stuff is coming in when I find out."
"Ok. Did you order anything else?"
"I ordered a couple other things, but not too much. I didn't want to go overboard. Some time I want us to go into town."
"We will soon since I have more time." Edward said. "Do you want a refill?"
"Sure. I think I'm going to need a little extra today." She said as she handed Edward her cup.
"I'll be right back." He said as he got up and went into the house.
Edward came out a few minutes later with two cups of coffee. He sat down next to Debra and handed her the cup. "Do you have everything done for the picnic?"
"There's a few things left to make, but it won't take too long."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"No offense dear, but you're not good in the kitchen. Just make sure everything gets set up outside."
"I'm on that, but you should really think about getting some help around here. Before too long, you won't be able to cook because your belly will be in the way."
"Oh, thanks, dear." Debra said as then elbowed him in the ribs. "And I already asked the sheriff to check into any parolees in need to help out."
"Really? I thought you said you didn't need any help."
"Well, I thought about it and thought I would check into it." He said he would look into people for me. I'm not sold on the idea yet."
"Are you worried about having a parolee around the babies?"
"Yes. I know that what this ranch is about, but it concerns me."
"I know, but we will work it out." Edward said as he put his arm around her. "I'll help any way I can. Of course, you'll have to teach me about babies."
"I'm sure with the boys know more about changing a diaper than I do?"
"No. I always handed them off for that."
"Ok. I'll teach you. After I learn of course."
"And I will teach you how to ride when you are cleared."
"I'm looking forward to that." Debra said. "I guess I should start to make breakfast."
"They can make their own breakfast."
"Oh, ok." Debra said as she put her head on his shoulder. "I love you, Edward."
"I love you."
Ace came out a while later. "What are you two sitting out here for?"
"We were just enjoying the morning." Edward said. "You can make your own breakfast. I'm giving Debra the day off."
"That's not a problem. I'll even make you two some of my famous pancakes."
"Thanks Ace."
"You're welcome." Ace said then closed the door.
"Here I thought I was just being lazy." Debra said. "Or taking it off myself. I didn't know the boss man was giving me off." She laughed.
"You're not lazy by any means, darling. And you can take off any time you want. I was just saving that. Don't take offense."
Debra lifted her head up and looked at Edward. "I didn't take offense. I was just messing with you." She said then kissed him. "But I should go in and make sure Ace doesn't burn down the house."
"He can cook. He makes good pancakes. Just sit here with me for a little while longer."
"All right." Debra said then laid her head back on his shoulder. "I like sitting here with you before our day takes us away from each other. It's like our special time."
"Yes, it is. I just wish we could stay in bed and enjoy the morning together instead of you sneaking out of bed."
"I don't want to wake you up. Usually I have to go to the bathroom. I just get up and stay up."
"Pretty soon will be too cold to sit out here."
"I guess then we will have to stay warm up in bed."
"I like that idea." Edward said and pulled her close.
A few minutes later, Debra shifted her position. "I need to move, but I don't know if I can get up."
"I'll help you, darling." Edward said as he got up. He stepped in front of her and helped her up."
"Thank you. Pretty soon you'll have to get me a forklift."
"You're not that heavy." Edward said.
"I feel like I weigh a ton."
"You don't though." He put his arm around her and walked with her into the house. He walked her to the bathroom.
Edward walked into the kitchen with Ace. He poured himself another cup of coffee. "Looks good, brother."
"Well, breakfast was always my thing when Julie and I were together." Ace said as he flipped the pancakes. "Is Debra all right? She got up of awfully early."
"She has a lot on her mind." Edward said. "You don't have to work today, do you?"
"No."
"Good. I have a feeling we might need you. Debra wants to invite Marcus, Edith and Jason. She wants them to try to be a family."
"It's going to backfire."
"We have to try. We need to make sure none of them are armed."
"If they even show up. They were pissed yesterday."
"Debra said she was going to invite them so maybe they will come."
"I don't think it is such a good idea."
"I know, but it's what Debra wants."
"Ok." Ace said then placed some pancakes on a plate.
"Hopefully it will work out for the best. I just want it over with for Debra's sake. She can't handle too much more."
"I know. How did dinner go last night?"
"It was fun. It was shaky at first, but in the end, we had a good time."
"That's good to hear."
"I hope you're planning on cleaning up my kitchen when you're done." Debra said as she came into the kitchen.
"Of course, sis." Ace said as he flipped the pancakes. "How are you feeling?"
"Starving." She said as she sat down.
"Then you came to the right place." Ace said then set a plate of pancakes in front of her. "Enjoy."
Debra cautiously put a piece in her mouth and ate slowly. "These are pretty good."
"Thanks. Yours are better though."
"Thanks. I have a couple secret ingredients I use."
"Oh."
"Did Edward tell you who I want to invite to the picnic?"
"Yes, and you're nuts."
"Maybe I am. Maybe it's the hormones. Or maybe I am tired of the crap. I am giving Edith and Jason one last chance to be my parents. If they can't then they will be banned from this house." Debra said. "I know they aren't my parents, but they can still be part of my family along with Marcus. If they don't want to be, then I don't want to see them anymore." Debra said then ate more pancakes.
"It's your choice, sis. I'll back you and help to keep an eye on things." Ace finally said.
"Thanks."
"And if things go bad, I'll throw them off the property."
"Hopefully they will come around, but they are stubborn people."
"They may surprise you." Edward said.
"So, Julie emailed me. She said she's bringing Justin out and staying for the picnic."
"Yes, I know. We've been texting each other."
"That's good."
"I guess." Ace said as he handed Edward a plate of pancakes. "She says she wants to talk to me about something important."
"Well, at least you're talking." Edward said.
"Yeah." Ace said. "I couldn't tell if was good or bad, but we've been texting."
"Everything will work out, Ace." Debra said.
"I know." Ace said.
"Looks like the weather is going hold off for now. We should be prepared in case we have to pack up in a hurry."
"I have anything on covered containers so they will be easy to transport inside."
"Good. When are you going to invite the special guests?"
"I'll call them after breakfast, but I may have to go see them in person if they don't answer."
"Knowing how tempers can flare, take someone with you. Maybe Jared will be willing to go."
"Let me try to call first." Debra said. "Don't worry, I am calm now. I am done stressing and if they start anything, I will just walk away. I promise."
"And leave your gun at home." Ace said.
"I will, but hopefully they will just answer the phone." Debra said as she got up and took her plate to the sink. "Thanks for the breakfast, Ace. I'm going to shower and get dressed." She walked around to Edward, bent down and gave him a kiss. "I love you."
"I love you." Edward said then put his hand on her belly. "I love them, too."
"I know." Debra said then walked out of the kitchen.
"You are going to be a great dad." Ace said.
"Thanks."
"Do you want any more?"
"No thanks. They were good, though."
"Thanks." Ace said. "We need to talk, Eddie." Ace said as he walked around with his plate. He sat down next to Edward.
"It sounds serious."
"I talked to Jared last night. I know that building a home here would be nice, but with working in town, I'm thinking about getting a place there. It's a long drive out here all the time and with winter coming, it makes more sense."
"Yes. I suppose it does make sense."
"If I have any time off, I can always stay in the bunk house." Ace said.
"We aren't going to need you room now, Ace. You can stay as long as you want."
"If you and Debra get someone to help Debra with the babies, I figured it would be better if they would have my room to be here."
"I don't know if that is going to happen." Edward said. "It's your decision and I will back you any way I can."
"Thanks, Eddie." Ace said.
"Debra isn't comfortable with an ex-con with the babies yet. It's different with horses and chores."
"She might come around, but I can understand."
"Yeah, so can I."
"I also need to see what Julie wants to talk about."
"Whatever you decide, Ace." Edward said as he got up and took his plate to the sink. "I need to get some work done." Edward said then walked away.
Debra walked out to the barn, said hello to Misty in her stall then walked back to the office. She peeked in the door. "Hey, what are you up to?" She asked Edward who sat at the desk.
"Just some paperwork. How are you feeling?"
"I'm good. Jared is going to take me out to Marcus's hotel."
"Is he not answering?"
"I talked to Marcus. He says he will be here. Edith and Jason aren't answering, but they are watching the hotel."
"Oh, ok. Keep calm, darling."
"I will." Debra said. "Are you all right?"
"Yes. I'm fine. Just some things on my mind. We can talk about it later."
"Ok. I'll find you when I get back."
"Ok. I love you."
"I love you, too." Debra said then walked out of the barn.
Debra walked out to the barn later that morning to find Edward still in the office. She went inside and closed the door. "Hey, are you still working?"
"Not really. How did it go?"
"They agreed to come. I told them I didn't want any guns because of the children around. They said they would leave them at the hotel."
"Were there any tempers flaring?"
"I stayed calm, but Jared was getting mad."
"And I thought he would be the calmer one."
"I know." Debra walked around and leaned against the desk facing him. "What's on your mind?"
"Well, I'm worried this day will be too stressful on you."
"If anything happens, I will walk away. I'm not planning on doing anything stupid. I will walk away and then I will let you know what to do."
"Ok. I had Joe gas up the quad in case you need to get farther away."
"Thanks. I can't run as fast as I use to."
"That's for sure. Just check in if you do take off, though."
"I will." Debra said. "What else is on your mind?"
"Ace told me that he's thinking of getting a place in town."
"Really? Why?"
"He says he wants to be closer to work especially for the winter."
"I've never experienced a winter here. Does it get bad?"
"It can." Edward said. "It does make sense, but it feels like he's leaving because he feels like he's in the way."
"He's probably just wanting his own space."
"Yeah. I know. I'm probably thinking too much about it."
"That's my job." Debra said. "Carrie finished up the food. Everything on my end is covered. I saw the guys setting up the tables."
"Yes, they were." Edward reached over and took her hand. "Are you sure you are up for this?"
"Yes. I was thinking this morning that even though there aren't any threat, Edith and Jason came to a warn me. It seems like they do care about me. Maybe I am just hoping, but I need to give them another chance."
"I know. I respect that, darling, but if nothing changes, is this family going to be enough for you?"
"Yes. Is that on your mind, too? I love this family I have, but I don't want to give up on the family I had all my life. It might not have been the best, but it was what I had."
"I guess I understand that?" Edward said then stood up. "I love you, darling. You have such a big heart."
"But this time, I'm prepared for the worst. If they don't want a family with me, I mean us, then I won't try anymore."
"Ok. I will give them one more chance from you. I am only doing it for you. They lost all chances from me when they handcuffed me on my own land."
"I know I shouldn't, but I believe in second chances."
"I think they are actually up to the fifth or so."
"Thank you." Debra said. Edward bent down and kissed her.
"Boss, the tables are set up. Should we fire up the grills?" Josh said over the radio.
Edward pulled back and picked up the radio. "Not yet Josh. Is the stage set up?"
"Yes. We also put the canopy up just in case."
"We'll be there shortly."
"Ten four, boss."
Edward put down the radio. "I guess the bosses need to do their duties."
"Yes, we should go. I still need to change."
"You look fine the way you are."
"You know I like to dress up for the occasion." Debra said.
"I think you just like to tease me." Edward said then kissed her again.
Debra pushed herself off the desk. "Yes. I like to tease you in more ways than one." She smiled as she moved around the desk. She hurried to the door and opened it. "Come on, dear. We have duties to do."
Edward caught up to her and put his arm around her waist. They walked towards the house.