Epilogue: SiblingsYears passed, and it certainly had been a challenge to raise two young children who only had a year in age difference.Elizabeth and James were demanding in their own ways, but as they grew, things eased up. Instead of competing for their mother’s attention, they would team up to play tricks on the adults or have fun in the big backyard.Samantha and Eric loved seeing their grandchildren run and laugh throughout the garden, fully enjoying the play area, the treehouse, the pool, and the greenhouses.One of the siblings' favorite places was the treehouse with a slide that their dad built for them when they turned six and five years old. They also loved playing in Grandma Alexandra’s greenhouse because of the atmosphere in that place.They enjoyed visits from their Aunt Caroline, who would bring their cousin Edward along. Being in a group of three meant having even more fun together.It was a peaceful and perfect life for these siblings. But that happiness wavered
“Grandpa!” the siblings ran over to where George was sitting, welcoming his guests.“Ho ho, hello,” George greeted them with a big smile, receiving a big hug and a kiss on the cheek from the little blonde girl.“What a nice welcome,” said a blonde woman with curly hair, holding a three-year-old baby.“Aunt Erika!” James and Elizabeth greeted.“Good evening,” Jayden greeted.“Happy birthday,” Deborah said, handing George a gift box.“Thank you very much,” he said, taking the box.“Where’s Elliot?” Jayden asked, approaching Erika to take the baby.“He’s at the entrance talking to someone; he’ll be here soon,” the woman said, taking the chance to stretch her arms, as the baby was starting to get heavy.“Hi, Howie,” Elizabeth said, taking the baby’s little hand.“Howard has less hair,” James said with a smile.“That’s because we cut it recently so he wouldn’t feel too hot,” Erika explained.“Erika, dear, could you help me?” George asked, handing her the box.“Of course, George
“They’re not answering,” Deborah said worriedly, seeing that neither of her kids was picking up the phone.“Wait, love. Instead of calling, activate the phone tracker. I always leave that app on for them… I mean, that’s why I pay for this family plan,” Jayden said, pulling out his phone to activate the GPS and get their children’s current location.Thanks to that, they managed to see where their kids were: they had taken refuge in a park two blocks from the party hall.They ran to the park as fast as they could.“James! Elizabeth!” Deborah and James began shouting as they arrived, shining their phone flashlights around.“James, it’s Mom and Dad,” said Elizabeth, recognizing their voices.“You mean your parents,” James said sadly, hugging his knees.“James, they’re our parents.”“No, they’re not! I’m the son of that man who doesn’t want me…”“There they are!” They heard their father’s voice from their right, who was smiling as he climbed up the play structure where they were hi
Extra: ResponsibilitiesWhat had happened was a wake-up call for Deborah and Jayden. They had hoped they would never have to tell James the truth, but it was obvious they would have to have that conversation with him eventually.Now that they agreed they should tell him the truth, they asked someone to investigate Roger a bit to find out what he was up to.A week later, they received the results of that investigation. They were informed that Roger had gotten married a year ago. What was interesting was that this woman was divorced… but the problem George had with it was that she had a six-year-old son, whom Roger had adopted and treated and loved as if he were his own child.In fact, Roger loved and cared for that boy so much that he even dared to take him to a meeting with George and asked him to acknowledge the boy as his grandson… Obviously, this infuriated both George and Elliot, as Roger was acknowledging and loving a child who had no connection to them while neglecting his ow
Deborah and James gave them permission and waited at the entrance.A few minutes later, the kids came back, each carrying a pet: a Labrador puppy and a kitten.“Daddy, can we?” Ellie asked, showing the black Labrador puppy she had in her arms.“Yeah, can we?” James added, showing the small orange kitten he was holding.“Hey… wasn’t this supposed to be one pet for both of you?” Deborah asked, though she seemed amused because she had already imagined this scenario, where they would end up with two pets.“But…” The kids looked at each other and then pouted, trying to convince their parents to let them adopt both.“Hm… I don’t know. What do you think, love?” Deborah asked, looking at her husband.“Well… we have a big house, and if they’re going to be responsible…” he began, seeing how the kids’ eyes lit up.“We will!” Ellie said.“Yes, I promise,” James declared.The two adults exchanged a look before smiling.“If you’re going to be responsible, then I think we can adopt both,”
Extra 2: Before the StormThe months went by, and James and Elizabeth watched in amazement as their siblings grew inside their mommy’s belly.At the same time, they discovered something even better than becoming older siblings: their mom was now always at home because she got tired from walking around.They loved this because she was always there to welcome them when they got home.Despite staying at home, Deborah still supported the office through video calls, so she would set up in the living room because she liked watching everyone come and go. Chip and Felix would stay beside her, sleeping while their owners were at school.“Yes, Dad, and remember we need to keep an eye on their movements in the coming days because I think those companies I showed you are about to lose value since their owners are acting strange,” she said, sending him the list.“I think so too, sweetie because the idea of them selling to increase their stock value is a bit odd,” Nicholas said as he read thro
“Mommy?” Deborah turned to her right.“Hi, James,” Deborah said, opening her arms for James to hug her and sit next to her.“What are you doing?” he asked, looking around.“I’m talking to your grandma.”“Oh,” he said, smiling.“Mommy, can you help us?” Elizabeth asked, showing her a notebook.“Of course, let’s see what you need,” Deborah said, adjusting her seat to help her kids with their homework.When the clock struck five in the afternoon, Jayden came home, looking tired but trying to put on a smile for his family.As he entered the house, he noticed it was quiet, which was very unusual… it was usually noisy in the afternoons with the kids playing in the living room with their pets.“Um… Cassie, where are my wife and kids?” he asked the girl cleaning the living room.“Good afternoon, sir. Um… aren’t they in their rooms?”“Right, I’ll go check,” he said, heading to the bedrooms.“Sir,” the butler called to him, “they’re in Ms. Alexandra’s greenhouse.”“Thanks,” Jayden s
Extra 3: SupportApparently, things weren’t going very well at the construction company. A new competitor had come to town and was challenging the Coopers because, since its opening, it had entered the market with lower prices than what Jayden and his company offered.This new company provided cheaper and more economical materials and labor while delivering the same results in their final work… so, of course, many clients were attracted by this offer.Given the situation, Jayden and his father sat down to talk with the company accountant to figure out how to solve their problem.They began analyzing how they could win back those clients by offering some discount on their current prices… but the truth was, they were already offering a fair price for the quality of work and top-notch materials they used. If they made a big discount, they would end up losing money and not making a profit from the work done or the products sold.Still, some clients were on their side because they pref