They arrived at Oscar's by 1:00 Steve and Jaime each carried a box into the house. "What in the world?" Oscar said as he held the door open for them. "Rudy what are in those boxes you guys have already spoiled these kids enough." Oscar scolded.

"Oscar what I have for Danny hardly cost me anything, and besides the whole family will be able to use it."

Steve and Jaime carried them in and put them under the tree. They noticed that Oscar had managed to get all of the presents wrapped. There was no more room under the tree.

“Marc, I want you to wear your snow pants. It is very cold out there. Remember what happened a few days back, when you fell into the lake?” Rudy said.

“I sure do. I’ll go get them.” Marc ran up to his room and came back down with his snow pants on.

“Well” Steve stated “T think we are all set. Let’s go gang. What time does your lawyer get here?”

“He said he would be here around two.”

Jaime Steve Rudy and the younger kids left. It was a tight fit but they managed. Jaime held Joey on her lap, and Marc and Matt sat on either side of her.

At 2:00 Oscar's attorney arrived. They set up in the dining room Oscar and Danny on one side of the table and Vince on the other.

"Oscar I spoke to the woman's attorney. She sent me a copy of the summons. The way I see it. She is a fortune hunter."

"What do you mean Vince? Oscar asked.

"First of all she is 32 years old..."

"What!!!" Oscar roared.

"You heard me. She's 32. I think she thinks she has it made. She has no idea Danny is a little boy. The woman’s name is Vera Chase.

"So what do we do about it? Oscar demanded.

"Her daughter is eleven months old. If that is true she was born in February sometime. Going back nine months from February that would put it somewhere around May of last year..."

”Vince that's more than eleven months ago." Oscar pointed out

”Oscar you're not listening to what I am saying. The child is eleven months old. You not only have to go back those months you have add the additional nine months she was pregnant with the child. That is 20 months. That would have made Danny ten years old when he 'fathered' the child, and that my friend that is against the law. The lawyer looked at Oscar.

"I get it. And Danny wasn't even here last year."

“Well that doesn't matter. The woman is from NY!" Vince added. "But even if Danny is the so called father, he can't be held responsible He was a minor then and he is still a minor. The judge has already issued an order for a blood test. The judge wants this settled Monday. The judge wants to hear the case, and have the results ready to go."

"We have to go to a court appointed doctor I suppose. They won't accept our own doctor's report."

"Danny has an appointment Monday morning at 9:00. The hearing is at 2:00." Vince told them.

"Hey! I just had those tests not to long ago, for another case." Danny objected.

“He's right Vince, Shortly after the kids came to live with me, a woman in NY claimed Danny had gotten mixed up with her son at birth. Dan had court appointed blood tests at that time." Oscar explained. “Of course, that was proven wrong. Danny ended up getting quite a settlement from that case.” Oscar continued. "Why can't we just use those test results?"

"Wait, I remember reading that story in Time Magazine not to long ago. And you’re right Dan did get quite a settlement from that case. As you just said. It was how many millions of dollars?” Vince commented.

"That's right. That story was about Danny” Oscar told him. ”It was well over seven million dollars. But that was back when his name was still Jenkins. How did she know how to find him?”

"You didn't know?"

"Know what:" Oscar asked.

"They re-printed the article it was in last weeks issue." He reached in his brief case. "I just happen to have that issue with me. I usually read Time over lunch."

Oscar leafed through the article. “Again the article fails to mention that he is only 12, but it does say that he has been adopted by me, and that his last name was now Goldman!” Oscar fumed.

“Well that explains why she is doing it. She wants the money. She thinks Dan is loaded. As you said the article failed to mention Danny's age. I think it was an over sight. My biggest question was how did she come up with Danny's name. Now I know.” Vince pointed out.

"I knew there had to be some reason." Oscar acknowledged.

”At least now we know.” Vince said. "I'll have a talk with the judge first thing Monday morning to see if we can use the blood tests from the first hearing.”

"I hope so." Danny added.

"Well thanks for coming out here on such short notice." Oscar said as he led Vince to the door. "Will you let us know?"

"Of course, I hope I can see the judge some time today. If I do I'll call." Vince promised as he walked out the front door. It was 4:00

Not to long after Vince left, Steve and Jaime and Rudy arrived back home with the kids.

"So did you guys have a good time?" Oscar asked as they bounded in the back door.

"Yea!" The three of them yelled.

Steve took Oscar off to the side and slipped him a wrapped box. "They wrapped for you." He said.

"Thanks" Oscar took it and while Jaime and Steve kept Rudy busy he was able to get it and sneak it under the tree.

"What do you say we all go out for dinner?' Oscar asked as he re-entered the kitchen.

"Sounds good to me" Jaime answered, "Where should we go? Wait I have an idea. How about David's steak house?" Jaime suggested

They all agreed that would be great. They took two cars Rudy, Oscar and Danny in one car, and Jaime Steve the twins and Joey in the other.

While they sat at dinner Oscar told the others what they had found out from the lawyer “I hope it is all over with soon.” Oscar surmised.

As they left the restaurant Rudy went with Steve and Jaime and Oscar took the kids home. Joey fell asleep in the car so Oscar carried him inside and put him to bed. He had become a pro at doing that. He could do it without waking him up.

He no more got Joey into bed when the phone rang.

It was Vince. “Bad news Oscar we drew a bad judge. She demands the blood test. She says she’s tired of fathers trying to get out of paying support.”

“Did you tell her Danny was only twelve?” Oscar bellowed into the phone.

“She doesn’t care. She said a person that young is capable of producing a child. And that your clout won’t get him out of paying.” She said, “and paying BIG”

“Did you explain that what she did with someone as young as Danny was against the law?”

“She told me not to quote the law to her. She was a lawyer while I was getting my diapers changed. She said that if it was proven Dan is the father. And it more than likely will woman don’t lie about who the father of their child is. She will go to jail and Dan will support the child in foster Care.” The lawyer quoted.

“Did you tell her he doesn’t have a job, he is still in Jr. high school? And he can’t access his trust fund till he is 21?” Oscar was furious.

“Oh, we had quite the chat. She said he could get a paper route.” Vince was also angry. “Another thing Oscar, I don’t want you to say a word. She hates the federal government and anyone who works for it. My suggestion is that you sit in the back of the courtroom and act as disinterested as possible.”

“What ever I have to do.” Oscar stated.

Danny was standing beside him when he hung up the phone. “Bad news huh?” he asked.

“I’m sorry Dan you have to take the blood test again. I really wish I could do it for you.”

“That’s ok dad. It doesn’t hurt that much. The blood test will prove beyond the shadow of any doubt I am NOT the father.” Danny comforted him.

“What makes you so sure?”

I have AB- blood remember. If I had a baby the baby would either be AB- also or A- or B- which is almost as rare as mine.”

“Are you sure?” Oscar probed.

“Dad, I’m studying medicine I know for sure.” Danny assured him.

“That’s fantastic. We’ll put that judge in her place.” Oscar put his arm around Dan’s shoulder. “It’s going to be alright son.”

“I know it is dad.” Danny said.

Sunday December 21, 1975

Even though Danny had tried to reassure him, Oscar had not slept very well the night before. The kids were really excited about Christmas, but right now, Oscar really didn’t feel much like celebrating.

He was going to call Steve later on and see if he would come over and put Joey’s bike together. How could this happen, He was beginning to wonder if adopting the kids had really been such a good idea. There seemed to be no end of trouble since they had gone from being Jenkins, to Goldman.

Maybe after the hearing he would ask the judge to rescind the adoptions. Maybe the kids were safer with the last name Jenkins. He would talk with them about it at breakfast.

“No way Dad!!!” Danny cried when Oscar asked if he thought it would be in their best interest to go back to their old name.

“Dan, I only want what’s best for you.” Oscar explained.

‘Well that’s not what’s best for us.” Danny argued.

“Dan you’re being sued because your last name is Goldman. Your brother Matt was kidnapped because of me. Maybe I shouldn’t be your father.”

“Listen dad. We like being you sons. I’m not being sued because my last name is Goldman, it’s because I have 7.5 million dollars, and as for Matt, everything turned out fine he was not hurt. And Steve got him back for us. But if you don’t want to be our father anymore…”

“I want nothing more than to be your father Dan. I love you all four of you. I just don’t want you hurt because your last name is Goldman.”

“Dad, there are a lot of famous people out there who have kids. Do you think that if Steve and Jaime got married and had a baby they would have the baby have a different last name? I don’t think Steve would ever go for that.”

“Your right, I didn’t think of it that way. Let’s just drop the subject ok?” Oscar suggested.

“I’m all for that, oh, don’t say anything to the twins. It just might push them over the edge again.” Danny warned

“My lips are sealed.” Oscar agreed.

A few minutes later the rest of the kids came down to breakfast. Oscar made everyone what they wanted. After Breakfast he made everyone go outside so he could put Joey’s bike together.

Monday December 22, 1975

Everyone was up early. Jaime showed up extra early to tutor the boys so Danny and Oscar could get to the clinic in time for the blood test.

“You want to just come to the office with me. You may have trouble concentrating in school. You could hang out with Rudy till its time for the hearing?” Oscar said as they drove to Danny’s school after the blood test.

“No dad, I would love to, but I have a history test I really can’t miss. It’s kind of like a final.” Danny told him

“Did anyone ever tell you you’re a pretty remarkable kid?” Oscar said to Dan as he dropped him off at his school. “I’ll see you at about 1:15 or so, ok?”

“See you then. Listen dad don’t worry. The blood test will prove I’m not the father, it’s not possible.” Dan waved as he started for the building.

Oscar drove off to the office. “I hope your right Dan, What if the test says you could be the father even though you are not…

Oscar was the one who had trouble concentrating. Russ handed him the morning reports but Oscar merely glanced at them, and then set them aside.

“What’s wrong Oscar?” Russ sounded concerned.

“It’s this hearing of Danny’s coming up this afternoon, “ Oscar explained. “I’m very worried about it.”

“I heard about it, what time is it?” Russ asked.

“It’s at 2:00, I have to admit, I’m a little nervous. I know that those blood tests can be very inconclusive. I’ve heard horror stories about men who pay for years for a child they find out isn’t really theirs. All they have to do is have the same blood type as the kid, and wham. They are stuck for the next eighteen years. Russ what if they show that there is a remote possibility that Danny is the father. The way I understood Vince Barrett. The judge is ready to throw the book a Dan.”

“Really? I doubt she throws the book at Dan. I mean I always thought that it was against the law. To well you know.”

“Yea I know. I just don’t want Dan to end up paying for some kid that isn’t his. I mean he’s just a kid himself.”

‘You don’t have to worry about that.” Rudy was saying as he walked into the room.

“You know Danny has a very rare blood type. The baby would have to have a trace of it for Danny to even be considered the father.”

“Dan tried to tell me that. I guess I didn’t believe him.” Oscar said.

“Well you really need to listen to him more Oscar, Danny is an incredible kid. He posses a knowledge of medicine, I swear he even knows more than me. I tell you the truth Oscar that kid is so smart it scares me.”

“Really? Have you tested his actual intelligence?

“Not yet. But I’m sure he’s off the charts. Like I said you really need to listen to him in a situation such as this.”

Maybe I will. Did you need something Rudy?” Oscar asked looking up at him.

“No just wondered how you were holding up. Don’t worry Dan is going to be just fine.” Rudy tried to reassure him. “Oscar just take it easy. They will see this person for what she is. A fortune hunter like your lawyer said.”

“I know that. But what concerns me is that blood tests aren’t 100% accurate. They could say…”

”Oscar I told you not to worry about it.” Rudy restated. “There is no way they will say that Dan is even close to being the father.”

“I sure hope you are right Rudy.” Oscar sighed. It just seems like everything that can go wrong is going wrong.

“You can call it a December to remember. Oscar someday you’ll look back on this and laugh. Believe me. It’s just like your lawyer said. The woman read about Danny and saw Dollar signs. She may or may not have known how old he is. But nonetheless she read the article and said ‘I’ll get rich.’ Who knows her baby may have a very common blood type that would prove anyone the father, anyone that is but Danny.”

Oscar looked at his watch. “Well I’m about to find out. I need to go Danny and I have to get to court.”

“Do you want us to come with you?” Rudy wondered

“Us?”

‘Steve is in my office.” Rudy told him. “We wondered if you might need a little moral support.” Rudy continued.

“I would love nothing more than for you to come. But I have to go this one alone. She the judge that is, hates people in the government, and if I walk in with all of you, she may think I’m trying to intimidate the court or something. My lawyer as advised me to stay in the back of the courtroom. I really hate to leave Danny all alone but the lawyer will be right beside him.” Oscar explained. “My very presence could blow it for Danny” He continued.”

“Ok. Good luck we’ll be here when you get back.” Rudy assured.

“Ok see you in a little bit.” Oscar put on his coat and left his office.

Danny was waiting for him when he pulled up in front of the school. “How did the history test go?” Oscar wanted to know when Danny was settled in the front seat.

“I did better than great.” Dan smiled. “In fact, I got the highest score in my class. I really love history. We have a science project due when we get back. It’s going to have something to do with history.

“I’m glad you did well on the test. I was afraid you might have trouble over, well you know with the case and all.”

“Dad I told you I’m not worried, I know those tests won’t show anything.”

“Well I hope you are right?” Oscar looked over at him. “Dan let say you had O type blood and the baby had O type blood, even though you are not the father, you could still get stuck paying for a kid that’s not yours. I know it happened to a friend of mine.”

Danny looked at him. “No it wasn’t Steve, in fact it happened before I knew Steve.”

“Really? But I thought I explained this to you this morning. Dad, do you know the chances of the kid having AB- blood I have a better chance of making snowballs in July.” Danny assured him.

“That is what Rudy keeps trying to tell me too.” Oscar stated. “I’m just worried about you son. You have a brilliant career ahead of you. I don’t want to see your entire life ruined on a lie.”

It won’t go that far dad. The judge will see through her believe me. Right now she is angry with me, cause she thinks I’m this guy trying to get out of paying for my child. To be real honest, I don’t think the judge believed Vince when he told her I was only twelve. You did remember to bring my birth certificate and the adoption papers?”

Oscar patted his breast pocket “Got them right here.”

They pulled up to the curb outside the courthouse “Well, here we go again.” Oscar said as they got out of the car.

Their lawyer met them just inside. “Ok let’s go, now Dan don’t say anything unless asked by the judge ok. She hates it when ‘dead beat dads’ who try to argue their way out of paying child support.

“I won’t say a word unless asked.” Danny said.

“Ok well let’s go get this over with.” The lawyer led them to the courtroom.”

After handing Vince Barrett Danny’s birth certificate and adoption papers Oscar took a seat in the back of the courtroom. Vince escorted Danny to their place in the front.

Kim Lee and her client Vera Chase sat across from them. “Is that her?” Danny asked

“Yea, I met with Kim on Saturday when I talked to the judge. She had to be present when I met with the judge.”

“I know that.” Danny explained.

The court came to order and the judge came in. “Are all parties present?” She seemed as if to say ‘where’s the dead beat, let me at him.’

“Yes your honor.” Kim spoke “Kim Lee for the plaintiff Vera Chase.

“Your honor Vince Barrett for the Defendant Daniel Goldman.”

The judge looked at Vince. “Where is the dead beat, I mean your client?”

“He’s right here your honor.” Vince said.

“I don’t see anyone at your table except maybe the Defendant’s son.” She snorted.

“No, Your honor this is my client. This is Daniel Goldman. I thought I explained to you on Saturday that he was only twelve.”

In the back of the courtroom Oscar breathed a sigh of relief maybe now the judge would lean toward Danny. Obviously she hadn’t believed Vince on Saturday.

“Mr. Barrett you mean you were telling me the truth on Saturday?” The judge continued to stare at Danny.

”Yes your honor. I was telling you the truth. Here are his birth certificate and Adoption papers.” He handed them to the judge.

The judge turned to Kim Lee. “Well Ms. Lee what do you have to say. Your complaint failed to mention that the father was only twelve. Why did you fail to mention that? You are to disclose everything, that’s why when Mr. Barrett tried to tell me the other day that his client was a child I didn’t believe him. Were you aware of the fact that he was 12 or is it like Mr. Barrett said? Your client just wanted to cash in on a 7.5 million dollar trust fund, which I would have ordered broken if indeed Daniel was the father. I want your answer and I want it now!!"

Kim looked over a Vera, then back to the judge. “You’re honor, I had know idea that my client had named a child in this suit.”

The judge opened the envelope containing the blood tests. “Your client better pray that these tests do not reveal Daniel to be the father. Cause if they do, I am sending her to prison for a very, very long time!!” The judge thundered.

“Yes your honor.” Kim said. She shot another look at her client. “She is right.” She informed her client.

“She is also in trouble if the shows he isn’t. That is called perjury. I will also send he to jail for that.”

Danny had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing. How the tables had turned and turned in his favor. The judge hadn’t believed them at the start, but now that he had actually shown up in her courtroom, she had no choice but to believe them.

“In the back of the courtroom Oscar was doing the same he was afraid he was going to burst out laughing at any moment.

The judge opened the envelope “And the winner is…” She withdrew the test results from the envelope. “Congratulations Ms. Chase, you are only going away for perjury and not child abuse.” The judged announced. “Be grateful.” She added.

She looked at Danny. “Is your father present in the courtroom?” She asked smiling at him.’

“Yes your honor, he’s in the back.” Danny pointed to the back of the courtroom.

“Mr. Goldman, you have the courts apology you will receive a written apology after the holiday break. I am so sorry to inconvenience you. I know what a busy man you are.”

She tuned again to Vera Chase and her attorney. “So Mr. Barrett was correct, you got Dan’s mane out of Time Magazine. You read he had received a 7.5 million dollar settlement and you saw dollar signs. What the article didn’t mention was Dan’s age.”

Then she became very angry.

She turned again to Vera and Kim. “You have not only wasted the courts time, you have wasted my time. I don’t like it when someone wastes my time. I am fining you 40 thousand dollars on court costs. You will work in jail. The woman get paid for working in the kitchen and laundry, the money you earn will go directly to the court until it is paid off. Miss Lee I feel you knew exactly what was going on I am charging you with contempt. You also have a $40,000 fine. I am also ordering you to pay Daniel $10,000 dollars.” She turned to Oscar I’m sure you will see to it that it goes into his trust fund?”

“Yes your honor, I sure will. Thank you.”

“This case is dismissed. I am going on vacation. I was supposed to leave this morning.”

They had been in the courtroom a little over an hour when the finally left. “Let’s go tell everyone the good news.” Oscar said. “Are you working with Rudy again today?”

“No, he gave me the rest of the week off for the holiday. The kids are out today to.” Danny told his dad. “That is if Jaime lets them off the hook Danny laughed.

“Maybe I’ll take the rest of the week off too.” Oscar pondered.

“That sounds like a good idea to me.” Danny said.

Oscar thought for a moment, “Do you think we can possibly make it through the rest of the month without anything else happening. As Rudy told me earlier we can call this a December to remember.”

“I think December Mayhem is more like it.” Danny noted.

“I think you’re right.” Oscar laughed.

When they arrived back at OSI headquarters Steve and Rudy were waiting for them in Oscar’s office.

“Is anything wrong?” Oscar asked upon seeing the two of them.

“No, we were just wondering. How did it go?” Steve was the first to speak.

“You scared the living daylights out of me. It seems that everything that can go wrong is going wrong.

“So what happened?”

“There was book throwing alright, only the judge threw the book at her. Right Dan?”

“Did she ever.” Danny responded. “Boy was she mad.”

“When Vince told her on Saturday that Dan was only 12, she didn’t believe it. When she saw Dan her opinion changed. Let’s just say it wasn’t pretty.”

“Oscar do you think you and your family could possibly make it through the rest of the holiday season without anymore incidents?” Rudy asked.

“I certainly hope so.” Oscar agreed.

They stood talking about the case for a little while longer.

Rudy asked Danny to program some more data into the computer. Danny agreed so they headed for Rudy's office

"This won't take long Oscar" Rudy assured him

“No problem I won’t be ready for a little while anyway.” Oscar informed him.

As they entered the office Rudy turned to Danny “How did you do on that history test today?”

‘I did great! I got an A.”

“That’s wonderful. Do you have any homework?”

“No, they aren’t giving us any this week But we do have a project that will be due when we get back.”

“Really? What kind of project?”

“I want to build a time machine.” Danny opened the door for them.

“You want to what?” Rudy wanted to know.

“You heard me. I love history, I would love to see some historical events first hand.” Dan explained.

“Dan, that is not possible. You can’t go traveling through time.” Rudy told him.

“I think you can. And I’m going to prove it.” Danny stated

“Dan, let’s say you do build one, and it works. Do you think for one instant that your father is going to allow you to use it? I’ll give you the answer, the answer will be no. I’ll even tell you what he’ll do. He will classify so you can’t get anywhere near it.”

Danny sat at the computer. “I still say it will work. I have it all mapped out. See.”

Rudy looked at the computer screen where Danny had been composing his theory. “You may be right, but like I said…”

“You will have to back me up on this Rudy.” Danny suggested.

“I still don’t think it will work. Your dad would never go for it. You know that.” Rudy said shaking his head. “You better get started on this before your dad is ready to leave.”He handed him the figures he wanted programmed.

Danny began working on programming the new data into the computer. And Rudy began working on Danny’s theory of having Marc’s bionics growing with him.

Steve and Oscar sat down in Oscar’s office talking, when the young kid from the mailroom brought in the afternoon mail.

Oscar picked up the top envelope it was from NY. “Now what?” He sighed. “More bad news I suppose. Let see, what could it be. Oh yea. None of the kids belonged to my sister, that’s probably what it’s going to say.”

“Come on Oscar it might be good news for a change.” Steve tried to sound hopeful.

Oscar opened the envelope. It contained a check in the amount of 1,675,867 dollars and it had Oscar’s name on it. The letter from Joe Thompson accompanied it. It read.

Mr. Goldman:

Your sister and Brother in law owned two homes, one in the City and the other in Newark NJ. Those two homes were just sold. I am sending you a check for what both houses brought. I know you will put it into the children’s Trust accounts.

“I can’t believe this” Oscar said reading the note for the third time. I didn’t know they were even trying to sell the houses. I just assumed they had already sold and the monies had gone to pay off bills and the like.” Oscar was astonished.

“How much is the check for Oscar?” Steve wondered.

“Well over a million dollars. It will directly into the kids trust accounts. I’ll divide it between the four of them, after the holiday.” He took the letter and check, and put it in the safe in his office.

“Wow, that’s nothing to sneeze at.” Steve whispered.

“It should be safe in there till after the holiday.” Oscar locked the safe.

“I’ll go with you when you take it to the bank. I don’t want you walking around Washington with that large of a check by yourself. Steve offered.

“I appreciate that Steve, I may even do it tomorrow. I’ll let you know.”

“What ever you want to do Oscar.”

Oscar looked at his watch. “Well I better pick up Danny and head for home.”

“How is Wiggles doing, the twins sneezing at all? Cause if they are Jaime and I will take the puppy.”

“That won’t be necessary they haven’t sneezed on sneeze “ They left Oscar’s office and headed for Rudy’s

“You about ready to go Dan” Oscar asked as the entered the room.

“Yea Rudy and I were just talking. I’m ready.”

“Ok then, let’s go.” They were on their way out the door, when Jaime burst in. “Please oh please tell me the twins are here!” She set Joey down next to her.

“No, their not here” Oscar said. “What do you mean, are they here?”…

“Jaime, what do you mean, ‘are the twins here?’ I thought they were at the house with you.” Oscar quivered as he spoke. “What happened?”

“Well, after they finished their lessons for the day at about four, I let them go upstairs so I could work with Joey. I’ve started him on a little math, anyway at five I started dinner, Joey went to play and came back down saying the twins weren’t in their room. I went and looked, I found this note on the table.’

Oscar took the paper from Jaime. “What’s it say Oscar?” Steve and Rudy wanted to know.

“It says that they are on their way here.” Oscar told them

“I looked on the way in, I didn’t see them at all along the road.” Jaime interjected.

“Come on we better get going. It’s very cold out today. I hope Marc is alright.” Rudy grabbed his coat. “Jaime, you stay here with Joey and Danny in case they show up. Oscar you drive. Steve and I will watch the road and see if we see them.” Rudy continued.

Everyone grabbed their coats and headed down for Oscar’s car. They drove the normal way home Steve sat in the back and scanned out the left side of the car and Rudy watched the right side.

They got to Oscar’s house without finding anything. “I’m going to go inside and call OSI security tell them to start searching the building and the City. Then we will look around the house. Maybe Rudy is right. Maybe Marc’s bionics froze up some place and they are in the woods someplace.” Oscar considered. “Although I hope not.” He added.

“Oscar you and I will search around here. Steve you stay in the house. I don’t want you to freeze up. I might have my hands full with the twins.”

They walked into the house. The kitchen looked like a tornado hit it. There was a chair pushed up to the counter an empty jar of grape jelly sat on the counter. Most of the jelly was spread on the counter. On the floor was an empty carton of milk surrounded by a large puddle of spilled milk. Laughter and the sound of the TV came from the living room.

Oscar Rudy and Steve followed the laughter. Marc and Matt sat on the couch they had more jelly on their shirts than on the sandwiches they were eating.

“Boys!” Oscar scolded. “You scared us to death. You left a note saying you were on your way to town. Jaime rushed in she was worried sick.”

Rudy picked up the phone and called his office to tell Jaime the twins were safe.

“Not for long.” Oscar informed everyone within listening distance. “Why would you two do that?”

“We were going to come and find you, but after we got started it was so cold…” Marc started.

“A and it w was g getting d dark.” Matt continued.

“Then we got back here and everyone was gone.” Marc went on

“Yea a and w we were h hungry.” Matt finished.

Rudy got a hold of Jaime. “She’s on her way back.” He told everyone. “Your dad is right boys, we were ready to call the police to help us find you.”

“We’re sorry.” Marc stated, “We thought we would get back here before she found the note.”

“But why would you leave to begin with you guys aren’t allowed to cross the street by yourself.” Oscar’s anger was diminishing “You two are grounded till further notice. You can’t just up and leave the house whenever you want.”

The anger was coming back. “When I think of what could have happened to the two of you out there on your own. You could have gotten into the city and gotten lost.” Oscar shuddered at the thought.

Jaime Danny and Joey arrived within twenty minutes. “You two scared me to death.” Jaime scolded.

‘We’re sorry Jaime” Marc sad. “We didn’t know you would find the note. Then we came right back. It was to dark we got scared.”

“Well don’t ever do that again.” She continued.

“Well they are grounded till further notice.” Oscar informed her.

“Ok well they are done with ‘school’ as of today. I figured since the public schools got out today, I would let them out.” She turned to Oscar. “I’ll give you everything they worked on so their new teachers will have it when they start the Richmond School after the holiday’s”

“I’m not all for certain that’s going to happen. They are doing so well with you as their teacher. I might just keep it that way.”

“Oh Oscar I was hoping you would say that. I love teaching them.”

“Well the job is yours.”

Jaime and Steve left taking Rudy with them. “Well guys what should we have for dinner?”

“Hot dogs” They all called out.

After dinner the phone rang. Oscar answered it. “Yea just a minute. Dan it’s for you.”

Danny took the phone. “Oh hi Bryce… Just a minute I’ll ask. Dad it’s my friend Bryce, he wants to know if I can go shopping with him and his dad tomorrow afternoon. I still have Christmas shopping to do.”

“It’s ok, “ Oscar said. “But I’ll drive you there myself. Tell Bryce you’ll meet him at the mall. I’ll stay with you.”

“Ok “ Dan explained everything to his friend. “But dad.” Danny said after he hung up. “I really don’t want the little kids to come along.”

“I’ll see if Jaime can baby sit.”

He called her later that evening. “I would love to sit for the twins tomorrow… Hang on Just a minute Oscar. “

“Oscar it’s Rudy, I’m over here at Steve and Jaime’s I have some tests I would like to run on Marc. Nothing major just something I’ve come up with. I’ll take care of the twins and Steve and Jaime can watch Joey. Here I’ll put Jaime back on.”

“Great. Danny’s friend called to ask him to go Christmas shopping” Oscar continued after Rudy handed her back the phone. “I really don’t want Danny riding with people I don’t know. So I’m going along. I’ll drop the kids off after lunch. We should be done by dinner. I’ll go home and get things started, if you want to bring them out to the house by six that would be wonderful”

“That’s what we’ll do then.” Jaime told him. She hung up. “He’s taking Danny to meet a friend so he can do some Christmas shopping.”

“Well I better get going” Rudy said. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.

‘See you later Rudy.” Steve and Jaime waved good-bye to him at the door.

At a small café in the middle of the city two men sat. “I’m telling you Frank, Goldman’s seven year old son is bionic. We don’t need Col Austin, Jaime Sommers or Rudy Wells to build one for us. We get the kid and he’ll do what we tell him to do.”

“How do we get him Rick?”

“You break in to Goldman’s house and take him, it’s that simple. You do it tomorrow.”

“Wait, why does it have to be me.” Frank wanted to know.

“Because I said so that’s why. Now here’s Goldman’s address you grab the kid, and bring him to me.” Rick told him. “It should be as easy as taking candy from a baby.”

“Ok Rick.” Frank took the address and the two separated.

...Continued