Blaze* This Man Is Crazy

BLAZE*

"Lunch was delightful, thank you, Mrs.Riley," I said.

Nothing beats a good old-fashioned country fried chicken, green beans, and mashed potatoes. I know now where the girls had gotten their cooking skills.

"Mr. Riley, is there any way Jace and I could speak to you for a little while. It's about a building project for the girls," I asked.

Jace ran out to the car and grabbed the building plans, and met us in Richard's office. We talked about everything concerning investments, grants, and permits. The hoops that we would need to go through, but Richard would be helping us get through all of that. Richard and Rebecca have put in for their retirement and will be retiring by January. So they would have loads of free time. Richard and Rebecca would help us get started, and then once they sold their house, they would be hitting the road. They have wanted to travel for years, but their workload has prevented them from doing so, Richard had said.

We needed to find the land and go from there. Richard would look into getting some grants lined up and start working on the red tape that goes into opening a hospital; once we found the land, I would look into getting the permits. It would take a couple of years, most likely before the hospital would be completed, but that's ok; it should be done by the time the girls graduate or shortly after.

"Alright, now that that's over with, let's talk about weddings," Richard said.

"Weddings, sir?" Jace asked with a raised brow.

"Yes, son, weddings. It seems we'll be having two weddings soon," Richard said.

Jace glanced my way with a smile on his face. "You're going to propose to Lyra, aren't you?" Jace asked.

"Yes, on New Year, that triple date needs to be put off, but we'll talk about that later," I said.

"That's all fine, Jace and Blaze, but we need to talk funds here. My wife has been saving up for these girls' weddings since they were born pretty much. Lyra and Vega both have three separate savings accounts. Two of those will be combined into one, but the wedding account has about seventy-five thousand dollars in it," Richard said.

Jace and I both looked at each other surprised. What? Even though the money is for two weddings, who would spend that much money on a wedding? Jace and I just shook our heads no. No way we would spend that amount of money on a wedding.

"This isn't up for negotiation, women tend to go overboard when it comes to weddings, and no one wants to see these women angry, do they?" Richard asked.

"No, sir, of course not. We will let them do whatever they want," Jace said, and I nodded my head in agreement.

"Ok, good. As far as the other accounts. One was for their college funds but hasn't been touched since they both received scholarships and stayed home instead of the dorms. The other is a joint personal savings account. We could combine those and put them into a mutual fund or something to grow interest. We could all continue to put funds in it through the years, and it could be available to all of my grandkids in the future.

I look forward to seeing several of those running around soon. Get on with it; I'm not getting any younger," Richard said.

"Get on with it, sir?" Jace asked.

"Yes, Jace, get on with it. I'm ready for some grandchildren to spoil," Richard said.

"Sir, we haven't even gotten married yet, and the girls are still in school. I don't think they would want that yet," I said.

I think Lyra's dad drank a little too much wine or something. I'm not sure what's going on in that mind of his.

"Yes, I know, get married in September and then start working on making those babies. The girls can go through school and be pregnant. It's not a big deal, and they will finish and make it just fine," Richard said.

Yeah, he drank the Kool-Aid; I don't think Lyra or Vega either one would be down with that. I would want to wait until Lyra and Vega finished up next year's fall and spring semesters before even thinking about trying for a baby. I'm pretty sure Lyra and Vega would side with Jace and me on that. As far as getting married in September, I'm all in for that.

LYRA*

Blaze and Jace have been in there with dad for over two hours, going over the building plans. I'm sure that my dad would go to the ends of the earth to make this dream become a reality for Vega and me. Vega and I have been talking about this rehabilitation hospital for a couple of years now, pretty much since we received our bachelor's degrees. I don't feel like construction would be completed in time, but Vega and I could work from home until it was. If we played our cards right and went to school through the Summer break Vega and I should graduate next spring. I think Vega and I should go in and speak to the college counselor and see what we could do as far as our classes. Maybe we could find a way to get it done sooner. Missing a whole semester of school was not ideal.

"Earth to Lyra, hey, are you listening to me?" Vega asked.

"No, sorry. Repeat what you just said Vega, I'll pay attention, I promise," I said.

Vega, my mom, and I had been looking at wedding venues online for an hour now. Who would have thought there would be so many venues in one city? Vega was about to drive me nuts. So my mind wandered to school, of all things. Hell, when I get married, I'm happy with doing the ceremony in our back yard. I don't see why not. Our backyard is enormous, and it's so beautiful, we even have a gazebo. Why spend ten thousand dollars on a venue? Vega will end up using all of the wedding funds on her wedding alone.

"What do you think about this place here? They do receptions afterward and everything," Vega asked.

"It's nice, Vega, whatever makes you happy. It's so costly though, ten thousand dollars just for the venue, that's not including anything else," I said, and Vega's face fell.

"We have the money, aren't you happy for me? Or are you jealous?" Vega asked.

"Vega, apologize to your sister; that was uncalled for," mom said.

"Fine, I'm sorry that I'm only a day in, and I'm already turning into a bridezilla. I want everything to be perfect, and a venue is one of the most important things," Vega said.

"No, Vega, the most important thing is being surrounded by family and friends when you say I do. It doesn't matter where it happens, and yes, I'm happy for you, and yes, I'm a little bit jealous sorry," I said.

"Lyra, Blaze loves you, I give it a month, and he'll be proposing. Just be patient, and maybe throw in talking to dad for me in the meantime. I can't wait two years to get married," Vega said.

***BLAZE***

We just arrived home from Lyra and Vega's parent's house. Jace and I are armed with some information that will have Lyra and Vega floored. I can't wait to see the looks on their faces.

"So, we have some good news. Vega, your dad is ok with us getting married sooner. He is also going to help us with the hospital," Jace said. Vega and Lyra jumped up in excitement and screamed with joy.

"Yeah, and he wants you two to start popping out babies as soon as you're married," I said. Vega and Lyra looked at me like I had grown a second head.

"What?" Lyra and Vega cried out in unison.

"He said he's not getting any younger and wants to see some grandchildren running around," Jace said.

"Well, that's not going to happen for a while. What's going on with him, Lyra? I wouldn't think that he would want us to have children until after we've graduated," Vega said.

Vega, I don't think it's such a bad idea. I think I understand where he's coming from. Mom and dad are about to turn sixty-seven years old. Hell, I'm all about starting a family; there are tons of girls that make it through school pregnant or who have kids," Lyra said.

"Oh heck no, Lyra. I want kids, just not right now. Mom and dad can wait a couple of years. If you want to start popping out kids, be my guest," Vega said.

"I want tons of kids with you, Lyra, but I would like for us to be married first," I said.

"I'm on your side Vega, and I agree with Blaze. Let's get married, and we will revisit the idea of babies later on," Jace said.

"No, no, no. I'm just saying I understand where dad is coming from. No babies here for at least a year or more," Lyra said.

Lyra and I sat down on the Loveseat, and Jace and Vega collapsed on the couch. The last couple of days had been overloaded with activity. Then today, with Lyra and Vega's dad, it's been a lot to take in. I stood up to start a fire, and Jace went into the kitchen to grab some wine and wine glasses.

We all sat around listening to Christmas music and drinking wine. I can't help but think about having babies with Lyra. Maybe by this time next year, we will revisit the idea. For now, I think it's about that time to take my Angel to bed.