Sons and Brothers in Seattle

SONS and BROTHERS in SEATTLE

#1 Best Seller at SMASHWORDS, Young Adult Fiction, March 2010

SONS and BROTHERS in SEATTLE

WILSON JAMES

Cameron Connors is a young father trying to deal with a mother who likes the idea of children but otherwise appears not to like her own. Cameron has managed to get his own two young sons away from his mother, but now needs to rescue Brendan, his younger brother.

As Cameron has learned over the years, his mother can be quite two-faced, and heaven help anyone who crosses Mrs. Rachael Connors. Cameron and his mother are currently in a state of cease-fire, but that could change dramatically based on what Cameron has planned for the next few weeks in order to challenge his parents for custody of Brendan.

Will Cameron succeed in creating a new family of four, or will he lose? The stakes are high, and Cameron stands to lose custody of own two sons if he is not careful. Follow the saga of Cameron as he struggles to do what he knows he must do, and what is right.

This is a story for anyone who wants to cheer on an unlikely hero. This is a story for sailors and anyone else who wants to read about adventure, personal courage, determination, and what a good family can be all about.

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SONS and BROTHERS in SEATTLE

Second Smashwords Edition

© Wilson James 2010

This special second Smashwords Edition includes bonus chapters from the next book in this series: SONS and BROTHERS Sail Into DANGER

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. For details of the print edition of this book (ISBN 978-0-557-07436-5) please see author’s webpage at Smashwords.com.

Cover Photo Credit: Wilson James

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, public or private places, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

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DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to those who can only dream of a good family and to those who have the good fortune to be part of one.

CHAPTER

1

Yes, Mom, I repeated into the phone. The boys are fine, so don't worry. And just for the record, they're both looking forward to having their uncle here for the summer. In fact, they're quite excited about it.

I had to get in that dig about Brendan coming to stay with me. I'd tried to be more diplomatic earlier in the conversation, but she kept on and on about my boys. I was losing my patience with her.

My mother was, as usual, being quite self-centered. I suppose it came from having a lot of money throughout her life. She could not understand why she could not have my sons with her more than the one day a week that she'd agreed to just under a year ago, and even more upset that the normal once a week visit schedule would be adjusted during the summer.

I heard her whiny voice over the phone. Well, maybe if you hadn't told the boys that your brother was coming, they'd want to spend more time with me.

I was really struggling to keep my anger under control, and it was not easy. I was quite upset by the fact that my parents, especially my mother, made no secret of their antipathy towards Brendan, my younger brother.

After I moved out of their house with my own sons the previous August, they sent my brother off to a boarding school in eastern Canada. I was shocked at the time, but I'd just had my own battle with them to take my sons and move out on my own, and so I'd had little to fight them with.

Struggling to keep my voice even, I replied, Well, Mother, Brendan is arriving tomorrow, so I figured that I should tell them.

I paused. That is, if you are still okay for them to spend the day with you tomorrow while I drive out up to the airport in Vancouver to pick him up. As you know, I normally tell them where I'll be when I drop them off at your place.

I knew she'd stop, at least for now. She'd have her precious little boys for another day.

Ah, yes. She had dialed back the hate-filled voice and turned on just a little bit of charm.

Of course, Cameron. You know I just love to have them here.

I thought about how she could be so two-faced, a real bitch one minute and a charming lady the next minute. Heaven help anyone who crossed Mrs. Rachael Connors, I thought.

With what I planned to do over the next few weeks, a real battle could start between us, depending on her reactions.

However, at least she and I were in a state of cease-fire, for the moment. I doubted we'd ever achieve real peace between us.

Okay, then, Mom. I'll drop them off around nine tomorrow morning.

Now her voice was all sweetness. That's just fine, dear. I'll see you all in the morning.

Okay. Good bye, Mom. I hung up the phone.

I sat for a moment, making sure I was calm before I went to see what my boys were doing. Some times my mother made me so mad, and I knew that I had to keep my sons from seeing too much of that. I was sure they'd seen and heard a bit over the years, but there was no need to make it any worse than it was.

After a moment of sitting, I decided that I needed a break, and I didn't feel like making lunch. I headed into the family room, and found my boys sitting on their matching chairs playing their game system.

Anyone up for a pizza lunch today? I asked.

I watched as two identical blond-haired heads swiveled towards me so fast I thought they were going to spin right off.

Oh, yeah, Daddy, said Dylan, the boy closest to me, remembering to hit the pause button.

That would be great, agreed Liam, his four-year-old twin. As usual, they were finishing each other's sentences.

Okay, then, you two. We'll leave in about 30 minutes. Take a look at the time now, I directed, So you know when it will be time to leave. Before we go, you have to wash up, comb your hair, and put on the clothes I put out for you, okay?

Liam answered for both of them. Sure, Daddy.

I smiled at them. Good. I'll give you a five minute warning, like I usually do.

They turned back to their game as I left the room. I was pretty pleased with them. Since we'd been on our own, I'd spent a lot of time teaching them stuff. I'd taught them their letters, and some simple words. We'd spent some time on numbers, and they'd learned to tell time quite well. They knew exactly how to figure out 30 minutes, and five minutes, and seldom missed when I asked them what time it was.

They also knew phone numbers and how to use the phone to reach me. I'd done that first, somewhat out of protection for myself and them, just in case my parents ever got the idea that they didn't want to return the kids after having them for a day.

I went upstairs and laid out some clothes for them, and then had a quick shower.

By the time I got out of the shower and started getting dressed, I heard the boys upstairs in their room getting ready. I wandered down the hall and stuck my head in the door.

Liam was helping Dylan put his shirt over his head. I always enjoyed seeing them help each other. It was not something that I had any personal experience with, as Brendan was much younger than me.

Okay, boys, I announced, This is your ten-minute warning.

Liam answered for them. Yes, Daddy. We know. They looked pretty proud of themselves. We've been watching the time.

Good job, you two, I said.

At almost exactly the planned time, my twins planted themselves at the front door, ready to go. They'd done a good job, too. Their normally unruly hair was neatly combed, and they looked pretty good in their shorts and shirts.

I gave each of them a kiss on the forehead, and then we were out the door.

The boys had a favorite pizza place that had a kids playroom. I liked it, as well, for the very reason they did. They had a chance to play, and I had a chance to just sit and relax. That's exactly what we did on that day.

Sometimes, when I was in a public place with the twins, I was certain that a casual observer would take me for an older brother instead of their father. The twins shared my light hair color and facial features and I looked pretty young myself. I stood only 5'9" and was a lightweight with a fresh face.

However, having been a young father, I was used to the strange looks I got when the boys started addressing me as 'Daddy.'

After lunch, I took them over to the sailing club where I kept my boat, and we went out for a sail for a little over an hour. It was a nice afternoon for sailing; sunny with a wind of less then ten knots.

My boat was a 20-foot long 'Yngling' and just perfect for an adult and two kids, as long as the wind was not too strong. My sailing club was on a large lake, and it was a perfect place to sail.

When I was younger, I'd raced on the lake, but now with my boys, I sailed for pleasure. I had hopes that in a few years, we might do some racing, but for now, it was just a nice way to spend time with my boys.

When we came in from sailing, we went over to the sailing club's swimming pool, and spent an hour in the water, something that I knew the boys enjoyed. I'd taught their uncle how to swim when he was the same age, and I'd now started with them. They were getting really good, too.

As usual, the boys enjoyed being out with me, and had a good time.

When we got home, I let the boys go back to their video game while I prepared supper. By the time we were done eating, I could tell that they were pretty tired. It had been a long day for them, with plenty of exercise and fresh air.

I had them bathed and in bed before eight o'clock. I headed downstairs to have some time for myself. Normally, I did some work on the computer for my company, and tonight was no exception. When I checked my emails, there was one from Brendan. He confirmed receiving my email of earlier in the day, letting him know that I'd be waiting for him in the domestic arrivals area of the Vancouver airport.

By ten o'clock, I was pretty tired myself, so I got to bed. I liked my life, and I was pretty happy about things, overall. The only thing that needed some work, or changing, was the attitude of my mother, but for now I'd just have to live with what I could not change.

I slowly awoke around 6:30 to the sounds of light snoring, in stereo. I had a little boy on each side of me, in my bed. It was not the first time that the boys had found their way into my bed during the night, and I was sure it was not going to be the last.

I remembered them doing it at my parents' place, starting when they first got their 'big boys' bed before age two. I had thought it was kind of funny, the first time, and I didn't really mind.

After figuring out how much time we'd need to get ready, I let my sons sleep a bit longer. I lay there, thinking about how lucky I was to have these two wonderful boys in my life. They looked so angelic in their slumber.

Finally, after a while, my bladder won out over my desire to remain snuggled in bed. I slid up and out of bed, and headed for the bathroom. Once there, I slid the razor over the small part of my face that needed attention, and then jumped in the shower.

By the time I finished up in the shower, my two little ones had arrived in the bathroom to go pee themselves.

Daddy, Dylan said, as I stepped out of the shower. When can we start having a shower in the morning like you do, instead of a bath at night?

I looked at him and then at his brother. They were growing up so fast.

Good question, Dylan. Let's put that idea near the top of our list of things to figure out, okay?

Thanks, Daddy, said Dylan, happily.

We all headed downstairs. I got the kids their breakfast, had something myself.

After we were done, we headed back up stairs and got ourselves all ready to go. For the boys, that meant teeth brushed, hair combed, nice shirts and shorts, and a spare change of clothes in a bag. For me, that meant nice pants and an ironed shirt along with combed hair and brushed teeth.

We headed outside to my van parked in the driveway. The kids got themselves into their booster seats and I helped buckle them in. I thought about how my mother always did it all herself, as if the boys were still babies and incapable.

Unless it was a long drive and the kids fell asleep, we always talked when we drove, and this day was no exception. I talked about where I was going to pick up their uncle, and what time I'd be back at their grandparents to pick them up.

They were pretty happy when I dropped them off. I gave them a hug and kiss each. Then my mother gave them hugs and kisses, as she usually did. For all her faults, she was pretty good with them.

Okay if I feed them supper? She quietly asked me, after the kids had scooted into the house.

Well, Mom, I answered, I'll tell you what. How about if you plan on them, plus me, and Brandon, for supper.

I knew that was going to stop her short, so I said a little more.

After all, you haven't seen him in ten months. I know that you have no desire to see him, and while I don't know why that is so, the fact is that you should at least entertain him for supper the night he comes home. After that, he'll be with me so you don't have to bother.

I looked her right in the eye. With my look, I was challenging her to say no, and admit that she didn't even want to see her son.

As bad as my parents' treated Brandon, he was their son. I knew from his emails, IM's, and phone calls to me that he really wanted to love them and have them love him. They owed him at least the semblance of a civilized reception.

After two or three long minutes looking into my eyes, she finally spoke.

Okay, she said, with some resignation. Dinner for all four of you boys tonight. We'll do this once as a special occasion.

Now I was gracious. That's great, Mom. I'm sure it will be terrific. I smiled. Thanks.

She returned the smile, just a bit. Okay, Cameron. Just be careful driving today.

She leaned forward to give me a kiss on the cheek. Then she ran her hand over my clean and pressed shirt.

Nice clothes, she murmured.

I'd almost known that she might say something, and I knew she would notice. I was not about to let my mother think that I wasn't presenting myself properly as an adult.

Alright, Mom. See you later. Bye.

I climbed back into my van and left.

Less than five minutes later, I was nearing the entrance to I-90. I had a short run down to 405, and then north in the direction of Canada.

As I saw the first freeway overhead sign for 'Vancouver, B.C.' I reflected that the nice clothes that had impressed my mother would also be helpful during the day ahead. I had a border to pass, solo northbound, and with my brother on the return trip.

To help me at the border, I had the letter of authorization that my lawyer had drafted and got my parents to sign a few weeks before my 18th birthday. The letter said that my brother was allowed to travel with me, and that I was authorized to act in all respects as his guardian.

That had been part of a package that my lawyer had created. There was some other documentation about my boys that included notarized birth certificates that I was their father and other papers showing that I had sole custody.

I thought my early fight to convince my parents that I should have the primary role in raising my boys, starting right after they were born when I was still only 14. I recalled how I'd gone out with their mother for a few months before finally completing the ultimate act just once. She was 16 at the time, and I had just turned 14.

Two months later, she informed me that she was pregnant and that she'd told her parents. I knew right away that I had to tell my parents.

From the first, my mother was determined that she wanted my child, even if the girl and her parents did not. I found out later that she used money, a lot of it, to persuade them that the teenage mother should have the child and give it to me and my parents to raise.

My brother was eight at the time. In retrospect, I think that my mother wanted another baby to replace Brandon, who had outgrown the little kid years.

We were all surprised when my new child turned out to be twins. We'd found that out about six months into the pregnancy.

My mother was even more surprised when I insisted that the boys were mine, and while I appreciated her assistance, they were my children and not hers.

I am certain that she never expected me to be so assertive.

CHAPTER

2

At the same time that I got myself involved in caring for my twins, I also started trying to be a better big brother to Brendan. I knew that he was not being treated very well, and was not getting a lot of affection from my mother or father, so I tried to make up for that as much as I could.

My mother had hired a helper, or nanny, to be with the boys during the day. When I got home from school, I'd get my homework done right away so that I could take over the little ones when the nanny left for the day at six o'clock. Of course, it was easier to handle twins with someone to help. I almost always got Brendan involved to help, and he really took to it.

I know that my mother was quite put out that I didn't really need her help that much. I had no guilt about looking after the boys myself in the evenings and on weekends. I figured that if my mother wanted to spend time with them, she could do it on weekdays when I was at school. For all I know, she did just that.

There was a lot of room in my parents' big old house, so I managed to get them to set up a bedroom for the little ones, a playroom for them, a bedroom for me, another for Brendan and a mini-kitchen all on the top floor. That way, I could prepare nighttime bottles when they were little as well as snacks for me and Brendan.

After the boys went to bed each night, I'd work on my computer company, something I’d started before they were born.

Back when I was eight, just after Brendan was born, my parents had set up a part of the upstairs of the house as the boys’ wing, complete with a room for the nanny for Brendan.

As part of the new setup for our bedrooms, I convinced them that I needed a new computer for my schoolwork. I’d already convinced the building contractor to arrange for cable outlets for the TV and I just got the cable company to install a hi-speed internet modem as well. I was all set to go online. Rather typically, my parents didn’t even think of supervising me, thinking that the nanny would provide direction to me. As a result, I was pretty much on my own when it came to using the computer, as I was increasingly with most everything else in