The Surprise

 by Jenny Cruey

Chapter One.

 Fresno California June 1890.

  This story takes place after Andi's twins were born.

Andi Carter Prescott, walked carefully down the train steps so not to wake up Charlotte. When Andi's feet touched the ground, she looked down at Charlotte. She was still asleep.

Thank goodness. Andi thought.

Andi quickly followed the rest of her family off the train station. Justin was supposed be meeting them to take them home to the ranch.

Andi was so excited to show off her little girls. Andi couldn't wait to see the look on her brothers faces. They would all be shocked.

"Hey, I see Uncle Justin!" Betsy called.

Andi looked up right as Justin walked up to Mother and Kate. He hadn't seemed to notice what Andi had in her arms.

Just then Riley came beside of Andi. He was holding Lilly. "You ready to surprise your brother?"

Anna nodded. "You bet I am!"

Justin hugged Mother. And then looking at Kate and Troy, he said. "I'm just glad everyone is okay."

"Yes, thank the Lord," Kate nodded. "And for the new addition to the family."

Right at that moment Justin saw the two babies. His face showed his shock. He blinked a couple of times to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

Everyone burst out laughing at the look on Justin's face. He looked so surprised. It seem like Justin didn't know exactly what to say.

"Well, aren't you going to say anything, big brother?" Andi asked.

Kate looked over at Andi. "I think Justin is  lost of words."

"I think you are right, Kate." Andi said.

After a couple of minutes Justin was finally able to talk. "I...I just can't believe it! You had twins?"

Andi nodded. "Yep."

"And they look like Andi too." Kate put in.

Andi pulled the blanket away from Charlotte's face. Justin looked down at Charlotte. It looked like he was lost in thought as he looked down at Charlotte.

Memories of Andi being a baby flooded back into Justin's mind. He looked over at Lilly in Riley's arms. She was fast asleep.

Both babies were so little. Justin couldn't hardly tell them apart. All except that one of the twins were smaller then the other one.

Justin cleared his throat. "What is their names?"

"Lillian and Charlotte." Riley replied.

"I can't get over how much they look like you, Andi." Justin said his eyes sparkling.

Andi smiled at him. She was so blessed to have a wonderful family, and brothers that was the best uncles to her children.

With her free arm Andi hugged Justin. "I knew you would be surprised."

"It was the best surprise ever!" Justin bent down and kissed Andi on the head.


                   Chapter Two.


A few minutes later everyone headed for the ranch. Andi was so excited she couldn't hardly hold still. All the way out of town Andi couldn't help but think what the rest of her family would say.

Probably Chad wouldn't be able to a word. He would be so shocked. Andi could just see the surprise look on everybody's face.

Chad for one would be the one mostly in shock, because the babies looked just like him and Andi.

Even though sometimes Chad and Andi didn't along, Chad was a good uncle to Jared.

Just because he's my brother doesn't mean he can boss me around. Andi thought.

But Chad's little girl Susie, was a lot like Chad. It was like Chad all over again. To Andi, she thought it was so funny with Chad's hands being full with little Susie.

But Chad had said that Susie acted just like Ellie and Andi. But Andi didn't think that Susie acted like her. She thought Susie acted exactly like Chad.

A couple of minutes later Justin pulled the buggy to a stop in front of the Carter home. Riley handed Lilly to Justin, and Riley got down from the buggy.

Riley turned to help Andi down he reached for Charlotte. With one hand free he helped Andi down.

She smiled her thanks. Riley gave her back Charlotte. Everyone started towards the house.

Andi hadn't noticed that Chad, Ellie, Lucy,
Mitch and his special friend Mandy Parker stood on the porch steps.

Andi noticed that Mitch and Mandy looked like they were up to something.

Mitch and Mandy had been counting for about two years. But Mitch hadn't told anyone that he had been seeing Mandy, until a couple of months ago.

When Mitch told everyone, Andi said. "Well it's about time. Your the only one not married yet."

Mitch's face had turned red. But over the past couple weeks Andi could tell Mitch really loved Mandy. Andi really liked Mandy. Andi wished Mitch would ask Mandy to marry him.

Now as Andi followed behind the rest of her family, she looked up at Riley. He was looking at her and grinning.

"You ready to surprise the rest of your family?"

Anna smiled back. "Yes."

Chad walked over to them. But before he could say one word. Mother, Katie, and the rest of them all shouted, "Surprise!" And Riley and Andi stepped out from behind the family.

At the sight of the twins Chad's mouth fell opened. All the rest of family's mouth's fell opened.

No one moved. They were all in shock and in disbelief. Jared clapped his little hands together. "We got them, Mama, Daddy!"

Andi smiled through her tears. They were happy tears. Riley put his arm around her shoulders.

Ellie was the first to react. She ran pasted Chad, and came to Andi's side. "Oh Andi! They're adorable! When did you have them?"

Andi caught from the corner of her eye Riley smiling at her. "It's a long story. I'll tell the story later."

Mitch and the rest followed after Ellie, all except for Chad. He still stood in shock.

Mitch walked over to Andi and Riley. "No way! You're kidding me?" His voice sounded surprised.

Andi nodded. "Yep. Twin girls."

"I can't believe it! They look just like Andi." Mitch shook his head.

"That's what I said." Justin put in with a smile.

Finally after a moment Chad walked over to see the twins. He looked down at his nieces. He looked from Charlotte to Lilly.

"Well Chad? What do you think about your nieces?" Andi asked.

"I don't know what to say. I guess I'm in shock." Chad said. Then with a grin he added. "Well, it wasn't good enough that Taffy had twins, but you had to do it one step better!"

At that Andi burst out laughing. That was exactly what she thought he would say. All the rest of the family started laughing.

"Andi, you were right about what Chad would say." Riley shook his head laughing.

Chad looked at Andi. "What? You mean you thought I would say that?"

Andi giggled at the look on Chad's face. "Yes I did."

"What in thunder is all the laughing about? I could hear you all from across the yard!"

Andi turned around. Sid McCoy.

Before Andi could reply Riley spoke up. Uncle Sid, you have two beautiful nieces."

Sid took a step back. The look of surprise came over his face. "You didn't miss Andi?"

"Yep!"

"What is their names Andi?" Ellie asked.

"Lilly and Charlotte." Andi replied.

"I love their names." Lucy said.

Sid came over to look at the girls. All the family surrounded Andi and Riley. Andi was so happy for her family.

A while later Andi had put the twins to sleep. Mother had insistence that Andi and Riley stay for supper.

Riley and Andi agreed. At the supper table Andi told the story how the twins were born. When Andi was done telling her story, Riley put in arm around her shoulders.

"I'm just thankful that Andi is fine and the twins."

Heads nodded in agreement. Not long after that Mitch cleared his throat and glanced over at Mandy.

Andi set her fork down. I wonder why Mitch is acting so strangely?

"Me and Mandy's got some news of our own." Mitch said.

"Oh what's that?" Chad's eyebrows shot up.

Mitch's face turned a little bit red. "W...Well I..I asked Mandy to...to marry me. And...And..." He didn't seem to find words.

"Go on." Justin urged.

But Andi knew exactly what Mitch was going to say next. She was sure that everyone else would also know what he was about to say.

Mitch looked over at Mandy again. "And Mandy said, Yes!"

"I knew it!" Andi blurted out. "I knew you would ask her to marry you. Congratulations!

Andi's heart filled with pride for her older brother. It was about time he got married. He was the last of the Carter brothers to get married.

All of the family was happy for Mitch and Mandy. Andi got up from her seat and hugged Mitch and Mandy.

That week was sure full of surprises. Andi was really happy for Mitch. He found the love of his life.


                             *****

                Four months later.


Andi watched as Mandy's farther guided her down the aisle. Mandy was dressed in a white wedding dress. She looked beautiful.

Andi looked at Mitch, he was smiling from ear to ear. Justin, Chad, and Peter stood beside of Mitch.

Soon the pastor pronounced Mitch and Mandy as "Mr. And Mrs. Carter."

Everyone stood up and clapped for the couple as they walked back up the aisle. Andi smiled at them as they went by.

Andi couldn't express how happy she was for Mitch. He had finally gotten married. And who knew what the future may bring for Mitch and his wife.