The MacKenzie Legacy

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In our last chapter young Alec MacKenzie was feeling the pull of young love. 

 “Mom!” Alec called from the kitchen. “I have invited Trista over ok?  Can you make that Autumn Salad she likes?” he asked.

“Sure Alec, I should show you how to make it too if she likes it so much!” Jamie teased.

Liam smiled thinking about his eldest son and the way they started dating.  Alec basically did not give up.  He would hang around when Trista was at their house watching the girls, he would call her frequently and when they talked she didn’t immediately get off the phone either as Liam half expected she would have.  Finally Alec had gotten up the courage to try the kiss again.  This time something had changed in Trista’s demeanor.  She was much more receptive and even leaned in for the kiss. 

That’s really all it took.  Alec confessed his attraction to Trista.  She told him all about her desire for a close and loving family.  Family orientated is what his Da called it.  He knew that a big family wouldn’t be a problem for Trista.  Alec asked her to go steady and she accepted.  It seemed she had finally gotten over the age difference between them.

 “That’s my boy,” Liam had silently congratulated his son.  Liam and Jamie were both quite fond of Trista.  She was great with the girls and was always very polite.  Jamie thought Trista may be a bit of a slob though because there were always crumbs on the table and either juice or milk spattered on the counter depending on what snacks the girls wanted, but Liam knew that something small like that wouldn’t get in the way of a healthy relationship.

Not long after Alec and Trista started dating, Brian and Breannan grew into teenagers.  Seemed that Breannan was quite the hopeless romantic.  He would constantly hang around when Trista was around and catch glimpses of the kissing that went on between his older brother and girlfriend. 

Liam celebrated a birthday not too long into the following year.  He had matured into an elder and felt his newly gray hair added an air of distinction.  He was very satisfied with his life.  He knew his life time desire was very close to being fulfilled. 

What Liam wanted most was to see all of his children (really only five hee hee) grown up into teenagers.  The triplets were already close to celebrating another birthday and were such an apple to his eye.  He wanted good strong sons to carry on the family name, but he also absolutely adored his girls and couldn’t be more pleased with the people they turned out to be.

One early morning, Brian was caught outside of curfew hours by Liam’s partner Hank.  Hank brought Brian back in the squad car and Liam met them at the curb.

Brian turned and faced his father his face beet red, “I cannot believe you!” Brian accused.  “Why didn’t you talk to him for me? Do you want this to go on my permanent record?”

“Now settle down laddie,” Liam tried to reason with his irate son.  “Hank was just doin his job ya see.  Ya were out during curfew hours.”

“I was out JOGGING in the morning hours!” Brian tried to explain.  He couldn’t seem to make them understand it wasn’t as if he were staying out late.  Brian didn’t seem to care that his father’s partner and long time friend Hank was the officer that picked him up.  It may have actually been much worse for Brian had another cop caught him out outside of curfew hours.  True, he was out in the early morning hours for a jog, but curfew is curfew and being out was against the law.

“I HATE YOU!” Brian screamed at his father.  “You’re a terrible father and an even worse cop.”

“Now ya listen here Bree-un MacKenzie!” Liam’s brogue reaching the surface as it always did when he was particularly emotional about an issue.  His face began to turn a startling shade of crimsom as well. “We have rules in place for a reason. Ya cannae be breakin the rules to suit yerself and certainly nae because ya think your Da is a cop and can get ya out of trouble.”  He was hurt by his son’s words but he loved Brian and wasn’t going to let this come between them.  Brian would settle down and they would talk it over more calmly.  “Now, ya go to yer room and expect to finish this conversation later when we’ve both calmed down.”  Liam pointed decidedly toward the house.

Brian stomped into the house and flung himself on his bed.  He tried to fight the hot tears of anger that sprang up at the corners of his eyes but he finally gave in and felt the warm salty tears begin to flow.  He hated that he’d fought with his father.  He wasn’t hotheaded or anything…he was often grumpy and seemed angry about everything, especially lately, but he didn’t want to really hurt Liam.  Brian just felt all these different emotions warring within him since becoming a teenager.  He had school, work at the bookstore, family, all of these things added what felt like a ton of stress on his shoulders.

He started to think a bit more clearly and realized that it was probably a good thing if anyone was going to pick him up that it was Hank.  Hank who hung out around the house to watch soccer matches with his Da, Hank who had been at all his birthday parties.  Hank was like an uncle to Brian.  Stupid curfew was a joke anyway.  There were plenty of kids who spent time smoking down at the cemetery.  They bragged about it at school.  Brian had woken early and wasn’t able to get back to sleep.  He felt a jog in the park may help clear his mind.  He’d been working on homework until the early morning hours and just felt like the cool morning air may clear his mind and let him concentrate.  Grades were so important, he knew that both of his parents wanted to see him stay on the honor roll.  High school was so much tougher than grade school had been.  The triplets didn’t know how easy they had it.

Brian flopped over onto his belly.  He would have to face talking to Liam later.  He knew that would be a rough conversation.   He’d seen the hurt in his Da’s eyes when he’s screamed that he was a terrible father.  Brian didn’t want to think about it anymore and closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Things eventually settled back down in the MacKenzie household.  As they prepared for the triplets birthdays.  The girls had a party to celebrate growing into children.  Ceana was seemingly becoming addicted to TV.  “Quite a couch potato really!” Jamie fretted to Liam.  She knew what the alarming levels of childhood obesity were and encouraged all of her children to be as fit as possible.   Too much TV went against what Jamie believed healthy for children.

(Ceana in foreground, Caitir in background before she becomes a child)

The triplets loved school though – it wasn’t long into the school year that Cameron had the same opportunity to clean the stink bug cages that her brothers had.  She was as thrilled as they had been for such a distinguished honor.  Jamie dreaded having to clean the clothing again.  She did look forward to Parent/Teacher night at the school though.  She knew that Caitir seemed to be quite the genius and couldn’t wait to have it confirmed.  Caitir also invited friends over after school occasionally.

As was always the case, Alec celebrated another birthday right after the triplets.  He grew into a Young Adult which was perfect timing because Liam had noticed that Trista had also celebrated a birthday.  She also wasn’t available as often to babysit anymore.  Alec wasted no time in resuming their relationship now that he was old enough.  Trista had cooled things off with him a bit feeling that strange age thing come between them.  She wouldn’t even kiss him anymore until his birthday.  He was very glad that the age thing wouldn’t matter anymore.  His Mom and Da were proof.  Jamie was several years older than Liam and they made their marriage work every day.

Jamie was getting concerned she was getting too old for work anymore.  She refused to give up though and wanted to see her life time desire of becoming a World Renowned Surgeon fulfilled.  She hadn’t reached it yet, she was worried with all the maternity leave time she’d had that she may never reach it.  She continued to keep up with all the latest medical journals and stay current.  She was certain Geoffrey would promote her again.

Liam got his wish a few months later and his girls, Caitir, Caena and Cameron all grew into lovely teenagers.  Let the fun of 5 teens in the house begin!

(Caitir, blonde on far left, Cameron in middle and Ceana on right)

The End Chapter 10

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