Title: New York Stories
Chapter 41 – Future Planning

Wow okay so when I first started this story idea over a year ago I wasn't sure it would even last this long or that many would like it this much (WOW OVER 1000 REVIEWS! - seriously LOVE YOU ALL for that!). I was sooo nervous about the other couples and if you'd like my OC's and of course the stories that went into this. But thanks to all your enthusiasm over this past year, I have enjoyed writing this so much and am also sad to see it end (for now *wink*)! But I can't thank you all enough for making this story a success and so much fun for me to write!

Monday morning after the big proposal weekend, finds Sid and Alice Hammerback sitting around the table, Sid with his list of new tenant applications and Alice with her laptop, waiting for his input.

"What is it?" Alice inquires as she looks at Sid with a wondering glance.

"Just thinking about how much this place is gonna change in a few weeks. Now we will have 3 new apartments to fill."

"New weddings to help out with," she adds.

"New babies to welcome."

"New families to watch."

"New tenants to…" his voice trails off into a soft chuckle. "When do we retire?"

"Honey this is retirement."

"Oh right," Sid smirks. "When do we go back to work?"

"Funny," Alice retorts. "Okay so who's first?" Alice urges.

"I think Danny and Lindsay. They have Lucy to consider and..."

"I meant which new tenant application…Danny and Lindsay, really? Well makes sense, since there is Lucy involved and I can see both of them wanting to give her the most stable family environment as soon as possible."

"Well his is bigger."

"Why do women always think size matters?" Sid counters, drawing a gasp and roll of her eyes from his wife. "Is that why you married me?" He continues, garnering a small swat.

"Yes it was the size of your IQ that got me," Alice dead pans and Sid just smirks as he puts his reading glasses back on. "But you know after all the trouble both Mac and Stella and Don and Jessica have been through, it could be either of those couples up first," Alice suggests.

"My money is on Danny and Lindsay," Sid insists.

"Yes I guess this time I might agree with you," she tosses him a sideways smile. "But I am happy that both Mac and Stella are okay and that horrible creep Frankie is gone for good."

"Almost at too high a price," Sid frowns. "Mac gave me a few details when he and Stella came back from grocery shopping yesterday and…yeah just glad that that kid Reed was there to help out."

"That kid Reed also put in a tenant application didn't he?" Alice inquires.

"Yes. And since Mac and Don are going to move in with their ladies after they are married, I was thinking either one of those for him. They are smaller and cheaper."

"How about we give him one and this Adam Ross the other, save Rikki's for an established coupled if we find one we like."

"That would work," Sid agrees. "And I guess in addition to a few more community pot luck's in the up coming months you'll be planning a baby shower for Sheldon and KaSaundra?"

"She went for her first ultrasound and everything is okay and the baby is so far healthy," Alice relates with a smile. "But her and Sheldon wanted it to be surprised about the actual sex of the baby."

"I guess after the first scare I can't blame them," Sid states gravely. "Besides boy or girl, it will be loved."

"Very much. They will make wonderful parents."

"And spoiled."

"Sidney."

"Well it's true. Hmm, that reminds me. Is that room childproof? I mean the community room? In fact…" Sid pauses as he leans back in his chair and casts his glance out the window.

"What is it?" Alice asks in haste.

"Well if we are getting more children we might need to fix up that outside playground a bit better and maybe include a fenced in area for crawling babies away from the sandbox?"

"Children? Sid I don't think that Sheldon and…"

"I meant the other couples," he smiles.

"You are incorrigible," Alice sighs. "But sadly I do agree with you on this."

"Sadly? I thought you wanted to have more kids around here? Trust me, with this group of responsible adults, I'm sure they'll have fine families."

"And will make us honorary grandparents? Admit it Sidney, that is what you want," Alice teases. "Yours aren't that close by to spoil your own and I know you had fun doing that with Lucy Messer."

"They do bring a certain delight that long distance can't cover over," Sid admits in truth. "And besides, I know you like it too."

"Gives me another excuse to buy yarn for knitting," Alice smiles.

"Ah knew that was an added incentive."

"Plus, it will give our granddaughter Kendall something to do when she comes from upstate to visit us," Alice notes.

"You mean keep her out of trouble."

"Sid, she's not a teen. She's a young woman in university and capable of taking care of herself."

"Without us butting in?"

"Without us butting in," Alice states firmly.

"Think that'll happen?" Sid challenges.

"No," Alice chuckles. "But we can at least try right?"

"We can. But I thought she was going to transfer here in the winter semester?" Sid wonders.

"I think she's working on it. But I'm sure she'll take up residence on campus," Alice answers with a small shrug. "But then Lindsay's is also available so we have a few options before then."

"Didn't really expect all this to happen."

"What to happen?" Alice wonders.

"All these couples to hook up under our roof. Kinda like the brady bunch," Sid chuckles. "And you are Alice after all."

"At least they don't all expect to cook for me," Alice lightly groans.

"Hey at least Mac or Don haven't burned the place down yet with those questionable patio barbecue's they set up."

"Well Stella and Jessica both have bigger patios so…"

"Again with the size," Sid retorts and Alice laughs.

"But yes I too am happy for them all. And the other great thing is they just seem to also get along as a group so well. As if they were united, cohesive team in another life."

"Like crime fighters or something," Sid mentions.

"Crime fighters?" Alice arches her salt and pepper brows.

"Could have been," Sid shrugs with a smile.

"Well whatever they were, I'm just happy they are all together in this one," Alice mentions as she settles back into her chair and stares out the window.

She allows her eyes to linger on the warm fall colors before Sid's hand resting on hers forces her eyes back to his.

"What is it?"

"You know when we took this place, I was kinda worried about how we too would fit in with everyone. Them all getting along is an added bonus, but the fact that they all get along with us and we actually like them, is to me very amazing. So while at one time, I did have second thoughts about taking this job, as of right now, there is no other place in the world I'd rather be."

"This is home."

"Home," Alice whispers as her fingers close around his. "A wonderful secure home, with loving children and a few happy futures waiting to be discovered."

"Can't wait," Sid replies as he leans in and kisses her cheek. "You know the faster we get through these applications the faster we can get back to our Sudoku challenge. You know I want to defend my winning streak at any cost."

"And the wager?"

"Double or nothing," Sid winks.

"Love when you talk dirty," Alice winks in return. "Okay so who do we have first…"

"Well…"

THE END

A/N: I know this is short but I just wanted to add this bit extra from the Hammerback's POV of sorts b/c that's how the story mainly started out. I want to thank you all once again for liking this enough and please leave a final review (yes even you lurkers) for all the hard work and love that went into this story over the past year! Eeks!