Chapter 5
The Surprise

(Editor's note: This is the final chapter of a multi-part short story.)

Amy was more worried about her husband than ever. He had returned around 11am and seemed even more despondent than before. Walking into the study she stopped behind his chair for a moment before continuing forward and sitting in his lap.

"I have something to tell you sweetie," she whispered in his ear.

"Yes?"

"I want you to be happy," she continued, "because I'm happy."

"I need to tell you something," he interrupted.

"Me first," she said while gently stroking the back of his neck. "We're having a baby!"

For the first time in weeks a smile formed on his face. His worries vanished; the only thing on his mind was his wife and unborn child.

"A baby?" he asked. "Are you sure? When did you find out?"

"Yes I'm sure," laughed Amy. "I found out yesterday. I wanted to tell you this morning but you left in such a hurry."

"That's wonderful, we're going to be a family," said Jerry while smiling down at her.

Amy's smile lit up the room; she knew she finally had her husband back. "What were you going to tell me?"

Jerry then proceeded to tell his wife about his meeting with the doctor that morning. He pulled out the envelope and showed her the items that proved his real identity. And finally he explained how he could save the farm for once and for all.

"You aren't thinking about going along with his scheme are you," asked Amy.

The incredulous expression on Jerry's face answered her question before he could respond, "Of course not!"

"Good," she replied. "But what will you do about the auction?

"I'll figure something out," he responded. "But none of that matters, because I have you and I have you," he said while gently rubbing his wife's belly.

The Auction

It was a typical sunny California day as the mayor made his way up the steps of City Hall. The crowd resembled that of a rock concert with people pushing and shoving trying to get up front.

"The public auction for the Johnson Farm will commence forthwith," the mayor began. "What shall we begin the price at?"

"Five cents," a voice in the crowd yelled out causing a chain reaction of laughter.

"Fine then," huffed the mayor. "Do I hear ten million?"

"Thirty million!" a voice shouted out.

"Fifty million!" another voice.

"Eighty-five million!" yet another.

A steady stream of bids flowed one after another making it hard to distinguish which one was the latest high bid. Some reporters were already writing their headlines in anticipation of the outcome, "AUCTION EXCEEDS $1 BILLION!!!" During the course of this frenzied bidding a commotion could be seen at the back of the crowd. A few yells could be heard as someone steadily pushed their way forward through the crowd. An indistinguishable voice could be heard, slowly growing louder as the man pushed his way forward.

"Order," yelled the mayor, "we'll have a civilized auction if I have anything to say about it."

"Stop the auction," the once indistinguishable voice could now be heard yelling.

"Stop the auction," the mayor repeated with a huff. "What gives you the right to demand a stop to this auction?"

Having finally pushed through the throng Jerry stood at the front step to City Hall. "I'm the sole-descendent of Bill Johnson and rightful heir to the Johnson Farm. That gives me the right."

A gasp flowed through the crowd. The newspaper reporters quickly pulled out their pens and paper again. "DESCENDENT FOUND?" they wrote in unison.

"We've already determined that Old Johnson had no living family," said the mayor dismissively. "What proof do you have?"

"Blood records, birth certificate and the statement of that man," replied Jerry while raising the documents in the air and pointing toward a cloaked man in the back of the crowd. The crowd turned in the direction of Jerry's pointing as the doctor started to run from the scene.

"I was kidnapped at birth and only yesterday found out the truth," he continued. "I am Bill Johnson's son."

The newspaper writers were in Heaven with this latest turn of events. "KIDNAPPED SON DISCOVERED!" the pens screamed out. Mayhem ensued as some of the reporters ran toward Jerry to get an interview while the rest ran to their TV trucks to begin their broadcasting. And the businessmen, those poor confused businessmen, were quick to recover and jot down purchase offers that they each futilely attempted to hand to the new owner of the Johnson Farm.

Having seen the chaos unfold the mayor decided to make a hasty retreat "Due to the current circumstances," said the mayor quickly, "the auction will be delayed until these claims can be verified." The mayor then ran down the steps, two and three at a time, grabbed Jerry by the arm and pulled him into City Hall before the throng could get to him.

The Homecoming

It was a beautiful summer day, only a few weeks after the failed auction when a car stopped in front of the Johnson Farm. Exiting the car a man walked to the gate and unfastened the locks affixed to it. He paused momentarily and grabbed a few pieces of paper that had been taped to the gate before walking back to the car.

"What are those," inquired Amy upon Jerry's return.

Jerry shook his head, "more offers to buy the property."

"By now," mused Amy, "you'd think they would know we're not going to sell,"

"I guess they keep hoping," he replied. "So tell me, are you ready to see our new home?"

"I don't know," she said with a glint of mischief in her eye.

The past few weeks Jerry had been busy signing paperwork, submitting DNA tests and fielding interview requests. This would be the first time back for Jerry since the auction and the first time Amy had ever set foot on the property.

As the car slowly crept forward past the entrance to the Johnson Farm Amy's eyes grew large, "it's so beautiful. I never would have imagined by the appearance from the outside."

Smiling, Jerry looked down at his loving wife. "There's still some work we need to do if we're going to have it ready in time for our baby."

"I should say so, you've only finished painting part of the house," she joked.

Laughing, he took his wife's hand as they walked on the stone steps toward the entrance to the house.

"Have they decided what will happen to the doctor?"

"He'll be charged with kidnapping, fraud and extortion," replied Jerry. "Needless to say, he won't be leaving prison anytime soon."

"Good," Amy replied while giving Jerry's hand a slight squeeze.

As they reached the porch Jerry leaned over and swept Amy up off her feet. Carrying her across the threshold he deposited her in the entrance of the house. "We're home darling."