Too Late for Regret (Annalise and Roger) novel Chapter 168

Charlie’s POV

My grandparents sat out here with me and watched the children play. I enjoyed days like this the most. I had out two briskets in the smoker early last night. I was manning the grill, cooking hamburgers and hot dogs for the children. Drew and Mark stayed with me as we discussed the security business. My father came out with my mother and Elise. He patted my shoulder as he passed me.

My mother had Alicia Nicole by the hand as they headed to the swing set for the younger children. They had purchased that one, along with the rubber base for the ground to protect the children in case they fell. Gwen came out to check on the children. She gave Mark a kiss before handing him a drink and heading back inside to help Ana finish the food.

They were making all the sides for the BBQ. It’s what Liam had asked to have for his birthday.

We had gone to Texas last year for vacation, and he loved the food. All of our children liked BBQ, so I bought a smoker, and enjoyed being able to have cookouts for my family.

Ana brought me a drink and gave me a quick hug. Last Christmas, she gave me this grill house, as she called it. One that was built off the sheltered side of the house, next to the patio. That way, I could use it in the winter. It had a stationary wall at the back that was well-insulated. It had a mini fridge in it to store the food before it was cooked. It had a smoker and two built-in grills. A flat-top and a traditional grill. The front and sides of it had pocket doors that pushed back to let air flow through. The flooring was extended to allow people to sit where the island cut over and watch the children play. The barstools were kept inside the room when it was not in use.

“The kids love to come here. It gets harder to make them leave every time we come,” Drew said with a smile.

Emily walked out and agreed with his comment. “It does, they love it here. We’re going to have to get something like this for our home.”

Their children, Aiden and Donna, ran past us, headed to the treehouse. They were five years old, fraternal twins, and quite a handful. visit j(o)bn{i}b _._c{o]m for more interesting books. Aiden had been born first, which he liked to remind his sister. They both had their mother’s blonde hair, but Aiden had Drew’s hazel eyes. Donna had her mother’s blue eyes and was a clone of her mother.

They were both very athletic, and Drew was already teaching them both how to protect themselves. Aiden loved learning new moves and would often accompany his father to work to train with the men. He enjoys learning new things, and the men enjoy having him join the training. I’m sure he will be following in his father’s footsteps when he gets older.

Donna helps to promote Ana’s children’s line.

Ana started it after she gave birth to Prescott.

Emily and Donna get to be photographed regularly, and sometimes Aiden comes along.

For big photoshoots, our own children and Gwen’s even participate. They make a day of it, and the children really like being in the advertisements together.

Ana is a great mother. She’s already teaching our children the value of money. She pays them the going rate each time they do a photoshoot, along with all the children. They all have a savings account that we have both contributed to. Their allowance, for keeping their room clean and doing chores, goes into their checking account along with their pay.

They won’t have to work if they don’t want to, but we haven’t mentioned that to them. We just want them to do what they love when they get older. I believe that Liam will want to run the company with Prescott when I get older. I don’t mind stepping aside so they can do that. Liam is quick to think of ways to solve problems, and Prescott is great with numbers. Mark and I plan on giving our sons the security business.

Anthony will run it with Grant, who is Mark and Gwen’s oldest child.

Grant is five years old and six months older than our son Anthony. He has Gwen’s brown hair and Mark’s dark brown eyes. They get along well and usually play together whenever Mark and Gwen come to visit. We think it’s a great idea to let them run the business together, just as we did. I’m glad that this will play to their strengths. Elise will take over her mother’s business when the time comes. I have at least a hundred pictures on my phone of her sitting next to her mother, and already trying to design at just three years old.

Lucy is Mark and Gwen’s daughter, and she is precious. She is also three, just like Elise. Mark is certain that Lucy will be working with Elise, just like her cousin Alicia, when they grow up.

Ana swears that they will run Fashion Forward together and take it to new heights. Gwen and Laney agree and are looking forward to seeing what the girls do in the future. I have to admit that I can’t wait to see what all four of my children do when they grow up.

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