Happy Father's Day! Character Blog

Father’s Day in Omaha, Nebraska was a picnic event for the Dorchester‘s and the Palmer’s. It had been a barbecue with whichever dad had been home for as long as anyone could remember there were years that Thomas would be home and Harrison would be gone and years that Harrison was home, and Thomas was gone, but both dads had filled the spot for all five kids, no matter who was home and who was on the road barbecuing happened, but this year was special.

It would be the first year they would not be just dad’s but also grandfather’s a title they were absolutely basking in the glow of together.

”Thomas,?” Harrison asked, "did you think when our wives bonded our lives would be this intertwined all these years later?”

Thomas stopped, “actually, I was just so thankful that Karen had a friend who understood being a lawyer, raising three daughters with a husband holding a business and globally gone at a moments notice, I haven’t given it much thought at the time."

"That was the same for me. I was concerned for Georgia and the boys. I can’t tell you how thankful I have been when I’ve been overseas on assignment and you and your family have been there constantly for them."

"It has been great for both of our families, but you are correct” he said, continuing to do the preparations for the barbecue. "I did not see how intertwined they would become. You were there when we realized Quinton and Kileah had become a thing.”

Harrison laughed, “I wasn’t sure if I felt worse for you or worse for Quinton that day, but you never doubted that he’d live up to his promises.”

”Harrison, like you said, I helped raise your sons and you helped raise my daughters. I know that the self-defense you taught them has literally saved my daughters more than once. I knew who Quinton was, he gave his word and I never doubted it would be kept. Besides, did you see his face when he talked about her?”

”You mean while he was holding that steak on his eye? Yes and I thought then it was decided I’ll accept the shouting between the two of them.” Both men continued preparations and anticipated for the soon to be arriving crowd.

Laughingly Harrison reached into a bag and handed his friend a chef’s apron for barbecuing. “here, I thought we needed these” he said, handing Thomas the apron.

”Thank you,” he said, opening it up and then they both started laughing. Both aprons said “my grandpa is the best” https://amzn.to/4xEOJci

"Harrison, these are great thank you I will wear it with pride."

”I just thought chief, cook and bottle washer was tired! Both men continued laughing as their kids and grandbabies floated into the backyard. Greg and Jennifer’s little boy, Matt and Sabrina, and Quinton and Kileah with their girls, the lovely wives completed the gathering.

Steaks on, salads and sides dishs out , sodas and iced tea were cold and flowing. When Quinton tapped his spoon and said “a toast to the best pair of fathers anywhere! I see they got the memo and appropriate aprons required.” everyone begin laughing as Greg and Jennifer‘s little one let it be known he needed fed everyone went back to filling in their plates.

Both grandmothers were offering extra hands to both sets of parents as Sabrina just watched the loving chaos all around them. In the middle of a bite of steak, she decided it was time. Picking up her tea glass she gently tap the side and filled the backyard with the tinging to gather everyone’s attention.

”We, all of us, are an amazing family! It’s so fun watching Quinton and Kileah’s twins and Greg and Jennifer‘s little one-so Matt,” he looked up stunned, “ next year we will be bringing our own chaos as I am carrying lovely little twins of our own.”

”OMG, why didn’t you say something?” Matt said as he grabbed her and hugged her so tight.

”I wasn’t sure. I thought I had the flu and I just couldn’t get rid of it so I stopped by the doctors office and then they thought they should run an extra check. Once they got the pregnancy notice back they ran an ultrasound, I didn’t really know anything until I got that phone call last night. Since then, I’ve just been processing.”

Matt started waltzing her around the backyard, hugging her, waltzing her, hugging her, “oh my God, we’re gonna be parents. It’s gonna be fabulous!” he said.

Georgia and Karen looked at each other “Best Father’s Day Ever!”

In Loving Memory of M!,

M. G. and Team