Adam Blake - 138. Chapter 138

We made trips to Lichtenstein every other month for our ministers’ meeting. We alternated between the College and Lichtenstein. I discussed with Gerry about the consulate in New York and decided we’d use it as a connection to the UN which Gerry and I would visit for the annual opening of the United Nations. They would notify us if we were needed. We stayed at the consulate. So between flying to Lichtenstein and New York, we bought a helicopter and a small business jet.

James had the lawyers incorporate a small business that owned the helicopter and the plane. The helicopter was registered in the US, but the plane was registered in Lichtenstein. We used the plane to bring members of the Board of Directors to the monthly meeting and our trips to Lichtenstein. The helicopter was used to transfer from the school to the local airport and back.

“Doc, could we drive to the airport?”

“No, the nearest airport is 6 hours away. I can use it to bring the auditors rather than pay for a rental. Now we need to set up an agreement that shows the cost and income from the helicopter accrues to the Academy, and the income from the plane accrues to the Treasury of Lichtenstein.”

When the helicopter landed with the same picture painted on it as the stallion on the medal, the boys all cheered. I made sure it had an executive decor to match the plane. The leather seats were very comfortable, and the staff was first-rate. We did have a female stewardess. All of the boys wanted to ride to see the young lady. I solved that problem by having her meeting the Knights at dinner the first time the copter landed.

The plane had the insignia of Lichtenstein paint on it. Gerry was very proud of his plane. It also had executive decor. I think Gerry sometimes made up excuses to fly in it.

I promised the seniors we would fly them home. I had to include the College seniors as well.

Our lawyers said we should register the helicopter in Lichtenstein, which would save us on taxes. So we changed the registration, and we painted the flag of Liechtenstein on the side of the plane just under the painting of the stallion.

“Doc, we should have done that from the beginning.”

“You’re right, but I thought since we would use the copter Stateside, we should incorporate it here.”

We drove empty buses to the cabins and ferried the boys over to the cabin in the helicopter. They got their ride, Marie and I rode on the first ferry, Little Marie rode on the second ferry with Uncle Evan. That is what he would say to her, “Uncle Evan will take care of you.” He was becoming a devoted uncle.

My responsibilities became routine, the introduction of new students in the Academy, the initiation of the Squires into Knighthood, planning holidays, with James and Seth, reviewing the Fair at school end. Then summer seminars, but from two, we were down to one. I was getting invitations from various countries to make presentations to their universities. We had to fly. Sometimes Marie would come but not often. Those that came every time called me father.

“I always had a good life as I defined a good life, loving parents, and a comfortable home life. Now I had to remember those precepts of mine. Money and fame could destroy my fundamental values if I let them. I had seen many people let fame and money turn them into people who have no heart; they became in love with themselves, ignoring those around them. I never want to be like them, so I’d look at the boys whenever I had a pinch of pride. Their smiles would bring me back to who and what I liked about myself. The hugs and the checks of the temperature of my heart helped.

It seemed like yesterday when Little Marie was born, and now she is three years old, and the boys have adopted her as their sister. They spoil her, and Marie has to be on her toes all of the time. I don’t see that as a problem since I’m probably the one who spoils her the most.

“Adam, give me your hand.” I did. She placed it on her belly.

“I don’t feel anything.”

“You will. because I’m pregnant.” I was overjoyed, and although I wanted a son, I could care less as long as the baby is healthy.

I had James bring my boys to my office, “Sons, it looks like you are going to have another brother or sister.”

“Mother is pregnant?”

“Yes, Raymond,” They all smiled, “Father, may we pick the name?”

I thought, why not, “Yes, why don’t you all meet and decide on a name for a sister and one for a brother.”

“Can the baby have more than one name?”

“Sure”

I smiled at the boys. Marie and I laughed when I told her about the boys and me telling them about the baby. “You know the baby is going to have more than one name. I’d expect she or he will have at least four names.”