Sally Loves Tommy

Sally and Tommy were all aglow when they got home late the next Sunday. No one had heard from them except for the "Wish You Were Here" post cards they all had gotten on Saturday. Instead of using the extra money they had been given as wedding presents and such for being extravagant, they had used it to shop and get wonderful souvenirs for their families, friends AND themselves and the baby. They had flown home, so they bought the biggest set of luggage they could find and packed it onto the plane. Thomas thought the bags would never stop coming!! He was glad he had brought the truck. :-)

"Anything new going on?", Tommy asked. "You will find out anything new tomorrow!", Pops answered. "We will get a good night's sleep and then meet up with everyone for a welcome home brunch at the diner. They pulled the truck into the garage and only unloaded what wasn't presents for everyone. Sally had gone to take a shower, so father and son had a little alone time. They discussed the trip and that Tommy had even more exciting news that he & Sally would share with everyone tomorrow too. And then they each turned in for the night.

Bright and early Monday morning, Pops woke up too early and too chipper! :-) He was ready to get this day and Tommy and Sally's future started on the most positive note possible! He started playing loud, but soothing music to wake the love birds. Then the second song started and broke that mood completely! The sounds of "Reveille" played loud and proud!

Tommy and Sally snapped to attention outside their bedroom door. Pops laughed so hard at them and saluted their effort. He turned on "Don't Worry, Be Happy" and they all 3 danced around the house getting ready for their long, happy day. Then loaded into the truck and headed to the diner. They were greeted by so many, that they hoped they had brought enough souvenirs. :-)

"We wanted to start with a Welcome Home announcement". Bert started. "And we will finish the festivities in a couple hours with a mind blowing announcement, so nobody leave and miss it!" "Thomas...I mean Pops and I have made friends again after far too long because of this beautiful, loving couple! I am still so astounded with myself, having been so harshly judgemental in the beginning. But that is water under the bridge! May it never cross our way again!" The crowd cheered and Sally, Tommy, Pops and Bert had a group hug! The first of many to be had that day! :-)

"Thank you so much, Mr. Rollins and family and friends", Tommy started "Call me dad, son. We are family now....no formalities!", Bert shouted. "OK, dad! Sally and I couldn't be happier with your welcome home, your love and support and your continued connection with us into our future! We have brought you all gifts...I hope we have enough", he laughed. "Sally and I came to a couple of conclusions about our near future. We have decided that since Sally is pregnant, it will be easier to finish her education, now and then get a job in whatever field she desires. She is deciding the major now and should be finished shortly after the baby comes. We actually even called the dean while on vacation and set up all the arrangements for her to take 6 weeks from the day the baby in born, and then she will complete her final few hours. And if possible, she will walk the stage with her classmates, even before done." The gathering clapped and congratulated them both.

Pops spoke up, "What about your education, son?" "Oh, as soon as Sally gets her higher paying career, I will finish school and should get to walk the stage with the following class. We want to buy a home and give us time to get it ready for the baby and I don't want Sally working while pregnant, at least. So I will find a job and we will be looking for our place while we save up for down payment, closing costs and all of that.", answered Tommy. "Ah ok then!" Pops dropped the subject without argument, which really confused Tommy and Sally a bit. Pops began bringing in luggage and opening the first bag said, "Do family get theirs first?" :-)

The gathering laughed and clapped. Tommy pushed his father to the side and said, "I got this, Pops. Sit down, please." He looked at Bert and asked, "You don't mind if I take care of this grumpy, old guy first, do ya, Dad?" Bert hugged Tommy and said, "Not at all!" and went and sat next to Sally. Tommy opened the biggest piece of luggage, saying "Actually this bag has both Pops and Dad's gifts, but I will present Pops' first and then my beautiful wife will present Dad's to him." He pulled out a large piece of driftwood, which had a beautiful plaque with wood burning that said, POPS DINER est. 1999 and had a perfect caricature of Thomas. He walked over and handed it to his father. "I love you and I thank you for getting me this far in life, with all of my heart!" Pops began to cry saying, "I love you too son and you are the best one a man could ever ask for!"

"OK, OK.... Enough of all this mushy stuff you big, strong men!" Sally laughed and took her dad by the hand and said, "I don't mean to be a copycat, but I love you and thank you for getting me this far in life, with all of my heart! So, I guess I was a copycat." Everyone laughed. She walked him over to the case and her father gasped. It was an exquisite cross made from driftwood to put on the front of his pulpit and it had a perfect picture of Jesus burned on it's plaque. He carefully lifted it from the case to show everyone. He said, "This will bring a beautiful, new element to my church! I want you all to join me next Sunday to have it installed." Everyone cheered :-)

The other cases were opened and names called and gifts given, while everyone milled around talking about the couple's wedding and vacation. Sally had put a few albums of photos together of both events, for all to browse at their leisure. They began to open the last case, "Is there anyone we forgot?" Sally asked. Her step brother and sister raised their hands. She called them up and gave each of them a Tshirt. They each unfolded them. They were airbrushed with world's greatest Aunt and world's greatest Uncle on them, with caricature of each holding a baby in an awkward position. They laughed. :-) Then they got to pick first out of the rest of the small gifts in the bag. Something with Panama City Beach on it. Sally said, "before anyone leaves. please come pick your own souvenir out of the many we bought."

Thomas and Gilbert stood up and called for everyone's attention. Pops says, "One last surprise for the newlywed couple. before anyone gets away too! Bert..." "Well, I didn't get you anything for the wedding on such short notice, so Thomas and I got our heads together and searched and found your first home. I paid the down payment and we split the closing costs and all. All you 2 will have to pay is mortgage and it is less than you would pay to rent." Sally and Tommy looked at each other with disbelief. Pops says, "It's true! Say something!" "WE WANT TO SEE IT!" they blurted out together. :-)

They wrapped the party up as quickly as possible. A few stuck around to go see who would be Sally and Tommy's neighbors. They loaded into 3 cars and Gilbert took the lead car. They drove just a few blocks and pulled up to the cutest little blue house. "OH, Tommy, look! Doesn't it look like home?" squealed Sally. "It most certainly does!" He agreed. They all went in and took their own tours of the house. "We took donations at the diner and the churches for the two of you and there is a very nice account set up for you to go tomorrow and get some furniture for yourselves", said Pops as he handed Tommy a debit card for the account. "But for tonight, we need to get over to my house and move you out, bed and all!" Sally along with her step mother, step brother and her sister stayed at the house to do a little cleaning, while the men went to bring the few belongings that Sally and Tommy would start their lives with.

Pops pulled Tommy to the side and said, "Now you don't have to wait to complete your education. You can make enough at the diner part time to pay the mortgage. If not, Bert and I can chip in to help until you both graduate. And then you're on your own!" They both laughed and hugged, because Tommy knew that Pops would never leave him "on his own"....especially with a grandchild on the way! And Pops knew it too!

Sally's step mother told her to come by their home the next day and they could get some basic dishes and cooking needs together to get them started. She also handed her a $100 grocery card and $20 cash to have a pizza delivered after everyone was gone that evening. Sally hugged her and said, "I thank you so much for everything you have done for my father and our family. I know I was really mean to you at times and I am sorry for that." She answered with, "There are no need for apologies. That is part of being a family. I wasn't always the nicest to you either." And they went to cleaning. When the men got back they helped them get everything they brought with them settled in. They had also thought to bring a small card table and chairs, so they wouldn't have to stay in bed all the time. The thought made Sally blush. As soon as the men got the bed put back together, they said their goodbyes.

"Can you believe this is our house?" Sally hugged Tommy tight and kissed him deep. Tommy looked into Sally's eyes, winked and said, "Where do we start?" And they started right there!

Afterwards, they were starving! "I got money for pizza!" Sally said waving the $20. Let's have our first pizza delivered to our new home! Um, what's our address?" While Sally looked up the nearest Dominos on google, Tommy went outside to find the street name and house number. :-) He walks in with the biggest smile and says, "You won't believe it when I tell you!" Sally looks puzzled. Tommy says, "Get ready to write this down so you will always remember. 420 Valentine Circle!" They laughed until they could no longer breath! Sally called for pizza and had a hard time giving them an address without giggling. They were HOME!