Katherine asked Jenny and Carrie.
"Sure. We'll be glad to help you both." They answered. So those 4 women went into the kitchen, leaving the 4 girls watching cartoons on TV. The ladies decided to make vegetable soup and cornbread. As they cooked, they talked, joked and each was laughing way too hard. Finally it was all made, so they let it cook, as Jenny and Carrie put the cornbread into the oven, so their whole meal would be ready together. Those 4 went back into the den and sat and watched TV. With Jenny and Carrie occasionally were and kept check on their meal.
Claude came home at 5:30, and entered the den and said hello to all the females. Then he hugged and kissed Leslie and his daughters. Leslie went into their room with him, while he got freshened up for dinner. Then they both re-entered the den and sat down and joined in on the conversation.
"Where's Ross at?" He asked Katherine.
"He's working late tonight. They finally7 got the Macklin building fixed from all the damage after the earthquake, and finished on repairing all the footing and foundation. Now they are back working on the restoration."
Soon, Jenny and Carrie called everyone into eat. Then after they all had eaten, both ladies took care of the kitchen cleanup, and put the leftovers in the fridge, then they washed the dishes, swept and mopped the floor. Then re-entered the den and plopped down on their loveseat, with big sighs of relief. This made both Katherine and Leslie laugh at them.
"It wasn't that bad was it ladies?" Katherine joked, but she knew it was a very big job. And she and Leslie would have done the very same thing Jenny and Carrie had just done.
"It was. But, we both have cleaned up the kitchen before but, you really don't pay attention to just how many people are here until you have a chance to cook or clean up for everyone." Jenny said between laughs.
"But sis and I can handle it. It's just more good experience for the both of us, for when we have families of our own." Carrie added.
"You ladies are getting very mature for your ages. Both of you are very reliable, responsible, and you both have good heads on your shoulders. Don't let anything change that."
"Mom you don't have to worry about that, we won't. Look, we have been thinking and talking about extending our education. WE both have decided to go to college." Jenny told the 3 adults.
"That's very wise my ladies. Have you decided on which college you ladies would like to attend? Or given any thought as to majors you'd want to pursue?" Katherine asked Jenny and Carrie.
"So far the most we've gotten was where we'd both want to go. But, haven't had the time yet to discuss majors. We both decided on San Francisco State just like you both did." Carrie answered.
"Nice choice ladies. SFS is a great college. I'll talk this over with your dad, and then we'll get you both registered for the fall semester. "Katherine said and smiled at Jenny and Carrie.
"Great! Well it's getting late, so we both need to hit the bed and get rested up for our diving practice. We will both get ourselves back to where we were before this tragic experience happened. And do it no matter what it takes or how long. This is our lives; we both know that this may well be our last competition in diving. And that golf is most likely our career choices."
"Sis, not most likely, it is and will be our careers. We both just want to learn a good trade so; we both will have the training just in case we ever need to fall back upon it." Carrie corrected Jenny. To this all 3 adults smiles at them. The ladies got up and hugged and kissed those 3 and went up to bed with their sisters.
"Those 2 ladies are so unbelievable! The way both talk, think, and do whatever they do. And both are very serious all the way." Leslie commented after Jenny and Carrie left the room.
"I hear you there. I have to tell you, I'm very proud of them. Both Jenny and Carrie have really grown up in the past few years. And I for one love seeing it happen. Sis, if you want to know, they both remind me of both of us." Katherine said.
"Sis dear that is very true I have noticed that too, and it makes me happy also." Leslie agreed. "And I will be really proud if some of this wears off on our 4 little girls."
"It no doubt has to, seeing how all 4 are always with Jenny and Carrie. Those 4 have no choice but to pick up things from the ladies."
"Well dear Katherine, I guess we both will see you in the morning" Claude said as he and Leslie got up and hugged him and headed for bed.
At 1:45 in the morning, Ross finally made it home, to find Katherine lying on the couch watching TV and waiting for him to come home. She got up and they embraced, and sat down. She asked how his day went, back on the Macklin building. So, he happily explained how the first day back went and the progress they had made.
"That's great hun."
"How did your day go? And how are Jenny and Carrie doing?"
"Today went happily along. Jenny and Carrie both seem to be making progress towards their regular lives. They both have diving practice tomorrow, because Ann
told them that Mr. Jensen still has their spots saved for each on the USJT team. So, both of our ladies are planning to push themselves as hard and long as they can to get back in sync for their competition. They both said that they knew this was more than likely their last competition in diving, and each knew that golf was their careers. Then tonight both told me, Less, and Claude that they had decided to go to college. They wanted to learn another trade just in case; they needed it to fall back on. The ladies have decided to attend San Francisco State, but as of yet, haven't thought about majors." Katherine explained.
"I swear those two have really gotten very smart. Both are very serious about everything they do, or all they decided to try. Lately, I have noticed that about 95% of everything they do, has a very well thought out reason for it." Ross said. "Look hun, I've decided we could give the ladies cars this year for their birthdays. And It doesn't matter which kind they want either."
"I love that idea honey. And I know the ladies will love it too." Katherine said with a yawn.
"Well let's go to bed hun. I can tell you're as tired as I am." Ross said as he got up and helped Katherine up.
"Well, I can see Liz and Jess are sleeping with Jenny and Carrie." He announced as they entered their room. "It would appear that both you and Leslie have been replaced as their mothers."
"Yes dear. I'll agree that it does appear that way. But really neither of us mined that the girls are always with Jenny and Carrie. Because it does help Les and I out a great deal. Besides, Liz and Jess are not the only ones up there tonight. Carole and Sheryl are up there too." Katherine said happily.
At 6 Tuesday morning, the family all were up and in the kitchen eating.
"Well what does everyone have planned for the day?" Ross asked.
"We both have baseball practice, and then decided to head for the club to swim." Both boys said.