Hi Mum it's Sammy (clone 59 - part 12)

Charlie woke up in a bit of a mood. Teenage hormones kicking in, I fear. He was stomping around, slamming doors and grumbling a lot.

Finally to the relief of everyone else, Charlie decided to use the water slide for awhile.  I had an idea for an even better way to distract him from his mood.

"Hey Charlie."

"Yeah, Dad?" The lack of enthusiasm in his voice was very perceptible.

"How would you like a driving lesson?"

Charlie's eyes lit up instantly. "Nice one Dad, that sounds great. And then I can borrow the car, right?" Now there was the enthusiasm I was hoping for.

"Maybe Charlie, first you have to learn to handle it."

"It's a piece of cake."

"Wait till you've tried it, boy."

Donna seems to spend a lot of time talking to herself. She's been telling me about her new imaginary friend and all the fun they have.

It's a bit of a worry. I hope she makes real friends at school.

"Now Charlie, today we're just going to drive around the block a few times."

"Dad!"

"Seriously Charlie. You have to stay on quiet streets until you get the hang of the pedals and steering. Now start applying pressure to the accelerator." The tires squealed in protest as the engine revved.

"Slowly Charlie!"

"Sorry Dad."

"Now brake." The car came to a screaming halt and we both bounced against the seat belts. "Don't stomp on the pedals, Charlie. Firm pressure but not hard."

This was going to be a long lesson.

While I was busy with Charlie, Sunny was tending to Merry. Two of the prettiest girls in town. Of course, all three pretty girls live in my house, it's just that Donna was outside.

Hard to believe how fast Merry is growing.

We had to stop the driving lesson after an hour. It was stressing Charlie out and I had a ceremony to attend.

I had been invited to city hall to celebrate my career as a Fire Fighter. A presentation by the mayor and everything.

I'd actually forgotten about the ceremony. With everything that's been happening lately, it had been completely pushed out of my mind. I received a text message that the ceremony was due to start in 10 minutes that reminded me.

Fortunately I wasn't far from city hall when the message came, so I made it with a few minutes to spare.

There was even a small group waiting for the ceremony. A few of them were people I had rescued in the past. Others were interested bystanders and a coworker.

One of them even made a sign for the occasion. That's was pretty thoughtful of them. Or it shows that there simply isn't enough to do in this town.

"Sam Grant, would you please step forward?" The mayor had arrived and it was time.

"First, on behalf of the people of Barnacle Bay, I'd like to award you with this Medal of Valor." The mayor made a small down gesture. I bowed and he placed a ribbon around my neck.

"Sam Grant, in honour of all the services you have given to this fine city; for saving the lives of citizens, for the protection of property, both personal and commercial. You have seen us through earthquakes and near catastrophes with two important civic buildings." An assistant handed the mayor a box and stepped aside.

"In recognition of all that you have done, I am pleased to present you with this Key to the City."

"Thank you Mr Mayor. It's gratifying to know that the fire fighters work is appreciated."

"Make sure you smile for the camera," the mayor quietly commented to me. "This will be in the paper tomorrow."

He grabbed my hand in a firm shake as we both smiled for the camera. 

The ceremony was over, so I turned my attention to the people who came to watch.

"Mr Grant?"

"Yes Ms?"

"I'm Macy Monroe. I wanted to say how much I appreciated what you did for us."

Memory failed me, I don't remember any fires at a Monroe house. "Umm, when?"

"Sorry, I forgot that you don't know me. I work at the Science Lab. I wasn't there the day you were called in but I heard all about it for weeks after."

"How did Moe's samples hold up? I remember he was in a state about them."

"Everything was fine. You had it under control before any serious damage happened."

I'm still worried about Donna and that imaginary friend she talks about. Now she says her friend can do favours, like bring her food or clean stuff.

I'm really hoping that she grows out of this phase soon.

Charlie spent some time hanging in the sand pit thinking.

Then he went into our bathroom for a few minutes. We didn't really notice at the time.

Merry can't decide if the toy xylophone is for playing or for munching.

Poor Sunny still freaks out a little if she notices the baby eating toys. But Charlie and Donna both did it and survived the experience, I'm sure that Merry will too.

Charlie found out that the school prom is the middle of next week. He decided he better get acquainted with someone he can take to the prom.

He meet with Tulip Tomasi. I hope that's not over reaching himself. While Thomas and Marta are good people, they are rich and their children have had every possible advantage in life. Tulip could be a rich stuck up brat. She could be a really nice girl.

I know, that's not really my problem. It's Charlie's problem.

Donna's been practicing at the toy oven. It seems far safer than the chemistry set. She hasn't blown anything up yet.

"Merry."

"Merry."

"I'm sorry sweety but it's time to go inside. Can't have you getting chills."

"No mama. No wanna. No."

"Sweety, you have to go in."

Sunny has an advantage with this argument. She just picked Merry up and took her in. Merry stayed sulky for a few minutes but she got over it quickly enough.

Donna finished her first painting. I think it's quite good, but I would have to say that, wouldn't I?



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Bonus pics

Girls, walking in someone else's shoes is not meant to be so literal.

Poor Charlie - he was in the middle of having a teen party because the 'rents had a holiday. The game froze and on the second time, no holiday offered to them yet. So no teen party for the boy.

Hi Mum it's Sammy (clone 59 - part 11)

My personal fire alarm and fire engine. It's an odd thing to have around the house, to say the least. But at least I can stay home unless there is an emergency. Sunny will be able to go back to work and I'll be to care for the kids more.

Assuming we don't suffer more earthquakes. That caused so much damage across town it wasn't funny.

Poor Sunny still ended up being the one getting up for Merry when the baby started crying far too early in the morning. I have yet to catch up on sleep.

Babies need so much time and attention. It's a good thing it's nearly Merry's birthday already. Of course, toddler need attention to but at least they can play and keep themselves occupied.

Sunny went back for some more sleep after feeding Merry. Poor Charlie, he had to get his own meal.

Mind you, his favourite is spaghetti and he loves being outdoors. So eating his favourite outside suits our son to a tee. If we let him, he'd happily stay outside all the time.

As for me, Saturday is a good day for a nice leisurely bath. Something relaxing after one simofabitch week.

"Sunny, are you ok in there?"

"Just making the bed."

"But didn't you start that ten minutes ago?"

"Sammy, you have to do it just so. The maid never gets it right."

Life with a perfectionist is a bit of a trial. I don't see the point of making the bed in the first place. Spending 10 minutes doing it is just...weird.

I think I really needed a bit of me time. No emergencies, no one needed my time.

Big party later today, Merry and Charlie are both having birthdays. I know it will be good but our boy will be a teen? I really don't know where the time has all gone.

Oh wait, I was at the station for a lot of it. There are times when I wish I could just walk away from the job and just be a writer or something. Though every profession probably has pitfalls.

"Why, oh why can't we get a decent maid? I thought someone else would be making the bed now."

"Sunny?"

"No matter how many times I tell them how to do it, it's never ever done right."

"Dear, about how many times would that be?"

"Five or six."

"Since they were hired?"

"Yesterday."

"Ok, dear, I'll sort something out." Hmm, but what? The current maid is probably a complete write off as far as being cooperative. Sunny can be, intense, about such things. I better have a chat to the agency, get them to send their most meticulous maid. That's going to cost a pretty penny, I'm sure.

After breakfast, Sunny and Merry went for a stroll around the block.

"Hey Dad."

"Yes Donna?"

"Can I go over to school?"

"Kiddo, it's Saturday. I'd think your biggest ambition would be to stay as far as possible from school."

"They have a painting class today. Can I go?"

"What time? The party starts at 4 for your brother and sister."

"The class is this morning but I was hoping to go over to the museum after."

"Ok sweetheart but keep an eye on the time. The museum is a long bicycle ride from here."

Donna actually made it home a few hours before the party. She put her toy in the middle of the lawn and left it there while she went off to start her first painting.

Note to self, toy must be returned to owner by the end of the day. Donna will never remember it on her own. I don't want it to get damaged from being outside for days.

Charlie still loves nothing better than that sandbox.  I predict that fascination will end the moment he starts noticing the girls in his classes.

Donna's doing quite well for a first painting. She may have found her calling in life already.

People finally starting arriving for the big party.

"Hey guys, sorry to be so early but I've got a game later. I'll have to split."

"Travis, what's this I hear about me being an aunt?"

"It's true, Aunt Amelia." Travis said with a chuckle. "You have a niece named Ruby."

"So, are you going to marry Sophie, now that you two have a baby together?"

"We haven't decided. It never comes up in conversation."

Moe, Sophie and Sunny's boss AJ arrived soon after Travis.

The kids were playing in the yard still. Donna was looking worried about the party. I'm not sure why, it's Charlie's birthday and not hers.

First up, it was Charlie. It took him an age and a half to finally make a wish before blowing out the candles.

Then it was over, our boy was officially a teenager.

I have a feeling it is not going to take long at all for him to find out about girls now. They are going to be after him in flocks.

"Sam?"

"Yes, Tom?"

"Do you mind if I do the honours?"

"What?"

"I'd love to take the baby to the cake."

"Does it mean that much to you?"

"Our youngest is a teen and the oldest hasn't made us into grandparents yet so Marta and I don't get to be around babies as much as we'd like." Thomas already had Merry cradled in his arms. Merry was all smiles for him.

"Where is your lovely wife?"

"Unfortunately, she had a prior engagement. Otherwise she would have come, she hates missing a good party."

"Thomas, if you would be so kind as to take the baby to the cake."

Our little Merry. She's not looking terribly merry at the moment though. I'm sure it's only having so many people she doesn't know in the house. Little ones rarely love being around people they don't know.

I went to look for Donna's toy, she must have picked it up during the party. I couldn't find it.

Donna did seem very excited about something. I wasn't sure what it was, something came alive for her? No clue what she was on about.

The end of a very long day, time to put Merry in a crib.

"Sleep well little angel. You and I are going to have a big day tomorrow."

---

Charlie, there is a lot of Kane in his genetics. Certainly not a Sammy clone, even when I give him the right hair colour.

Charlie's if is doomed to permanent toydom. I failed to know what to do for that one and he now has no association with it. That's ok. We have one, possibly two ifs in this family without his.

Hi Mum it's Sammy (clone 59 - part 10)

“Sammy, the baby is kicking so much.”

“Did I ever tell you how lovely you are pregnant?”

“Do you really think so?”

“I do, Sunny. You are gorgeous.”

“Oh Sammy, I don’t think you are serious.”

“I am, sweetheart. Very serious. You are the love of my life, and you look particularly lovely when you happen to be pregnant.”

“Are you already angling for another baby Mister? Cause I can tell you…”

“No, no, three seems like plenty for me.”

“That’s a good thing because I’m so over feeling like a hippo.”

Is there a safe thing to say after that? Well, I failed to think of one so I kissed Sunny instead.

Charlie’s school mates arrived by 8. Charlie was pretty even about the invitations. He asked two boys and two girls to the slumber party.

Hi Mum, it's Sammy (clone 59 - part 9)

Well Mum, take a look at my three fellow firefighters. Maxius, Sophie and Ryan. A more worthless set of coworkers would be hard to find.

They work out frequently and hang out a lot but have yet to stir a finger when it comes to an actual emergency. Oh no, emergencies are left for me.

I was working on the alarm system when two things happened. First the ground was shaking under my feet. An earthquake? That can't be good.