Chapter 20: Let's Play, Let's Party (One More Time)

 It's 3am on a Winter night. Luke Hans is taking a breather and trying to reduce his heart rate, after a pretty hairy job tonight. He miscalculated the trajectory of a sensor beam in the house he was working over and triggered the alarm. It had been a very close call, he heard the police siren in the distance as he made his way carefully away from the scene.

Now, sitting in the darkened house while his family slept, he knew he was getting too old for this nonsense. He decided solemnly that things had to change. Since the whole affair with Leonie almost killing herself and being hospitalised for Severe Yahooing and Repetitive Unremitting Party Syndrome or SYRUPS, Luke realised he needed to step up and take care of his grandchild. Curtis was trying to improve but Luke knew deep down that he lacked the paternal skills and commitment to take proper care of Cree. Luke felt a pang of guilt that he hadn't paid more attention.

Even though the pair of them were getting older, Marjorie was juggling a TV series, two documentaries, a Summer action blockbuster and a couple of Rom-Coms, there was no way she was going to slow down and spend more time with Cree any time soon.

Luke decided it was time to retire. His 65th birthday was coming up very soon

Despite the fact he kept himself in excellent shape and his reflexes were still almost cat like, he knew is was only a matter of time before his aging body let him down and and the price of a mistake would be too much. He did not want to get caught again.

The next night after finishing up some business, Luke went upstairs to check on Cree.
"Hey, want to hang out with your old Grandpa tomorrow?" asked Luke as he sat on the side of Cree's bed.
"Sure" said Cree a little uncertainly.
Luke reached over onto the bookshelf and pulled off a volume, showing it to Cree.
"Did you know your Grandma wrote this?"
Cree's eyes widened as she asked "Really? What's it called Grandpa? Is it a book for kids?"
Luke smiled "Well its for an older age group, but I bet you could understand the story, because you're pretty smart right?"
Cree shrugged." I could try....what's it called?"
"Dreams On The Tablecloth" replied Luke. "How about I read some to you and then you can try for yourself."
Cree did not like the sound of that title but she thought it best to let Luke go ahead, since he seemed keen.

You can tell by that side eye Cree is giving her Grandpa that she's already regretting agreeing to  being read this book, even if her Grandma did write it.

Luke read four chapters. There was something about a far away country, two golden retrievers, some kind of green slime and an old cabin with weird stuff embroidered on a tablecloth.

The next morning Grandpa called Cree down to breakfast. Cree was very please to see he had made pancakes.

"Is it a special day, Grandpa?"
No, dear! Why d'you think that?"
"Well you never make pancakes usually."
"Oh! Well I thought since I'm retiring from my work, that I'd start making them."
"Why are you retiring Grandpa? Is it because you're too old?"
Luke laughed. "No pumpkin. I'm not too old. I just want to spend more time with you.'
"Are you spending time with me because Mum is in the hospital with the falling down in the snow disease?"
"Umm ...sort of sweetie.  And your Mum isn't in a hospital, she's in a SYRUPS rehab retreat."
Cree didn't know what that was, but it sounded scary.
Luke continued, "You shouldn't be left on your own so much and I want to do it. We can have fun together. What would you like to do today?"
Cree thought for a while. "Can you help me build a snowman?"
"Definitely" smiled Luke.

Out in the front yard Luke and Cree spent the morning perfecting their snowman building technique. There were a few disasters due to inadequate packing of the snow and wrong body/torso/head ratio.

Eventually Luke guided Cree in creating the perfect proportions and the art of snowman making was mastered.

Afterwards, Luke lit the fire pit and they toasted marshmallows while they got warmed up.
"Grandpa?" said Cree
"Yes?"
"I had fun."
"Me too"
"No one's ever played in the snow with me before."
"I'm sorry about that Cree."
"Me too"
"Well things are going to be different now."

After dinner Cree decided to paint a picture based on her Grandma's novel and the creepy nightmares it had given her.

__ ~ __

Soon it was Cree's birthday. Some of the family came over to help celebrate. Her Great Uncle bought her a brand new party dress. She loved her Great Uncle Jethro, he had always been kind to her whenever they were together.
"You look pretty as a picture!" he grinned when he saw Cree wearing the dress.
"As pretty as my picture I painted?" asked Cree showing Jethro her artistic rendering of "Dream on the Tablecloth."
"Ohhh...errr goodness!" blurted Jethro when he saw the painting. "That is an....intense picture. No...you're much prettier than that." he exclaimed hurriedly.

The old lady in the rocking chair is her Great Aunt Chloe, her Grandma's sister. All Cree knows about her is that she's a "selfish old witch" according to Marjorie and she "Stole the house out from under" her Grandma. Cree is good at being very quiet and hearing what the adults talk about.

Her Grandma, in between hitting the hot tub and the bar, has cooked a special birthday dinner. Spaghetti with veggie sauce and a pumpkin pie. Her Dad tells her there will be a surprise coming soon. Cree wonders what it might be. She would love a bike or a pair of skates. Cree notices Jethro has picked up her Grandma's novel that she left on the table.
"It's a good book eh Uncle? My Grandma wrote it"
Jethro laughs, "I'm loving it! Hey Marj? What kind of herbs were you cultivating in the backyard when you wrote this one?"

Then it was time to blow out the candles on the cake. Cree loved doing this part, she felt important for the first time in her life.

Yes - that is Tara in her default position about to dance on the counter tops.

Suddenly her Dad shouted "Surprise!!!"  and when Cree looked up she saw it was her mother standing there, cheering and blowing one of those really annoying kazoo things.
"It's Mummy!! Are you really surprised Cree? Isn't it the best birthday present ever?" cheered her Dad.
Cree sighed. So much for a bike then.
Her Grandma notice her subdued reaction and commented caustically "The child barely knows her own mother. She's obviously not that bothered Curtis."

It turned out that Leonie was only allowed out for her daughter's birthday and had to go back to the rehab facility that night.

__ ~ __

Soon after Tara and Curtis decided to throw a big surprise party at The Grind, a local club, to celebrate their father's retirement. They asked their mother to somehow get their Dad there without him knowing what was going on.

 That morning Marjorie reminded Luke, "Don't forget honey, we're having dinner with the Bedlington's at 8pm. They've invited us to some fancy restaurant so we have to be there on time." Marjorie smirked to herself as Luke grumbled his agreement.

At the club Tara and Curtis decorated the venue and organised the food.
"I think it's still too drab." said Curtis
"Do you think?" Tara asked.
"We need more lights. More flashing and pulsating lights." 
"Oh God, it's too late now. The stores will be closed." moaned Tara.

Just then Jethro wandered along. "You'll give someone a seizure if there's anything else pulsating and flashing, I swear. Most of the guests will be old. They're more likely to want a cup of cocoa and a snuggy."

Tara and Curtis looked at each other and silently wondered if they should really cater for cocoa and snuggies.

Then they all burst out laughing.

At that moment the guest of honour arrived.

Luke hans was speechless when he walked into the club and saw all his family and friends waiting there to celebrate with him.

Then he noticed he was wearing the same dinner jacket as Jethro. Cree laughed and said "Grandpa you guys are twins!!"

Luke hooted and said "Don't tell me, 25% off at Freedom Suits until stocks last?"
"You always had great taste!" said Jethro.

The night was a raging success. There were amazing cocktails, dancing and chatting with old friends, everyone had great fun.

Leonie's friend Jazlyn kept Curtis from missing his wife too much. Salome Mayer hovered around him too, hoping for an opportunity to cut in.

When they finally got home in the wee small hours, Luke embraced Marjorie and gave her a long, romantic kiss.
"Thank you my dearest," he said, with feeling, "for giving me the best life I could have ever wished for....you are truly amazing."