Disclaimer: I don't own The Mysterious Benedict Society

Author Note: Hey all! This is the third in a series, so if you haven't already please go read my other stories first in this order: Lemon Juice Letters, Lemon Juice Droplets, and finally this story.

Anyway, this picks up a few years after the events of the first two, and will showcase the progression of Kate and Reynie's relationship in addition to focusing on Constance and Sticky and where they stand now that Constance is an adult. It will feature chapters written in the perspective of all four members of the society. Please hang in there with me because I'm currently working on two projects (the other being a Penderwicks story) so the updates may be a little slow. But fear not, I'm determined to complete this project and I don't mean like a month between updates slow either. So just hang with me through this story, I hope you enjoy!

The Mysterious Benedict Society

Rhyme or Reason

Chapter 1 (Kate's POV)

"Time has a way of changing a lot of things I guess. When I was a kid it mostly involved getting taller and gaining life experience of course. Or to put it a bit more honestly, learning the hard way. In fact, I've learned a lot of stuff the hard way! How not to walk a tightrope for one, and how not to bake an apple pie for another. I've had my fair share of scrapes and bruises too! Maybe even a few scars from the really rough times. But the one thing I don't have is regrets. Nope, not a one! I'd have done it all again without question.

And I even wouldn't change when I did it because ya know I think the timing happens for a reason. It all adds up to make us the sorta persons we really need to be. Life has a way of working itself out I guess. So even if you didn't see half of it coming, well that's okay too. Because that's just how life goes I think, you can't see everything that's coming up. Chances are you can't even guess what's coming up.

I never guessed I'd fall in love with my best friend, but ya know I actually did. I married him too. And that was four years ago already. It doesn't seem that long but I guess it's like they say, "time flies when you're having fun." And being married has been fun. More than I would have figured I guess. And I think that's mostly because it's pretty much just spending time with someone you already loved being with. Reynie is still a little unsure of himself, but little by little I'm breaking him out of his shell. Sometimes it takes the people that know you the best to be the ones who push you out of your comfort zone. So that's what I'm trying to do for Reynie. And hey I think it's working! He still has those glum days when he doubts that he's good enough, but that's nothing I can't handle.

And in fact, now it's two against one! Our daughter was born just about a year ago, and even though she hasn't quite got too many words worked out just yet, I can tell she's on my side of the debate. To little Amy daddy is good enough for anything. In fact, he's just perfect how he is! So I figure with another person (little person granted) telling him so, he'll have to start seeing things how they really are. Sure we already went through his doubts about if he'd make a great parent, but I handled that too. And now that we're both getting more used to it well, well I don't think we've done half bad at the job!

She's still so little it's hard to tell yet which one of us she's the most like, but I figure it's an even toss up. I mean her looks are. She's got Reynie's brown hair and my blue eyes, so I figure the rest must be half and half too. In fact, that's just what I'm hoping for! She's so energetic that Milligan jokingly says I'm getting the payback I deserve for what I put him through as a baby! But at the same time she doesn't have any trouble sitting still when you read to her. And Reynie has every night since she was born, and even a few before she was! He thought she'd still be able to hear then, and I think he was right about it. So that sounds like an even mix if you ask me.

She's a handful for sure, but at least it sounds like she has a little bit of her dad's sensibleness! And how have I been you ask? Well let me tell ya! I wasn't altogether sure I'd be a great mom either. Not from lack of trying of course, but I guess it was just natural to worry about it. And you can just imagine everything Reynie had to say about that! I made sure to pull the old switcheroo on him about that one! I think he got my point, so we agreed not to have any more talk about ending up bad parents, from either of us.

All and all though life has been absolutely great! And how can it not be? I mean I'm just surrounded by amazing people that I love! And I know they love me too, that's the real important part. It's the part I make sure to remind Reynie of, so I make sure I tell him every day. And in all four years, well I'm proud to say I haven't missed a day! That's a lot of "I love yous" for sure, but it never gets old to me. Which is funny, I never would have thought that saying the same simple words over and over could mean so much. But they do, and I figure they always will…

Oh and before I forget, let me say that old Connie girl has taken to being an aunt with all the charm you'd expect! But in spite of the wit, she's our most faithful babysitter. In fact, I think she secretly likes children! I told her she'd make a great mom too someday, but I wasn't too sure she agreed with me. Mostly I think she was too busy turning red. Even though she's old enough now she still won't really talk about the whole "Sticky situation." Ha sorry I didn't mean for that to be funny, but that one wasn't too shabby!

Anyway, what I mean is, she seems even less confident in herself than Reynie was about telling me his feelings. Don't think I'm not tempted to repay the favor and just drop the news on Sticky, but I'm not sure if I should. Neither is Reynie, he thinks we should give them more time to figure things out. I kinda agree, but at the same time I guess I'm wondering where we'd be if Connie hadn't broke the rules and told me how Reynie felt. But then I guess it's like I said, life has a way of working itself out. And if in the future "life" uses me to help make things work out, well I'll enjoy every second of it!

Because really I think Connie is worrying over nothing! I mean Sticky has had a few dates over the years, but none of them have ever amounted to much. And it's even been a while since he's been out with anyone. I mean not even so much as a cup of coffee. Personally I think it's because he likes her too. Sure she was too young for a while there, but not anymore. So I'm betting he's just waiting to work up the nerve! I hope so anyway. I really just want them both to be happy. And honestly, I think the way they both bicker with each other is pretty adorable! And I think it just further proves that I'm right about them both!

Well I guess only time will tell. And while I'm not a big fan of uncertainty, it does keep life exciting at least! And who knows, things might just work out without me or Reynie having to do anything. Anyway whatever crazy adventure life decides to throw my way, well you can be sure you'll be the first to know."

Setting the brush down I grinned as I looked over the first few pages of my new journal. I'd just decided to start keeping one not too long ago. I figured it would be fun for Amy and all of us to read years from now. Kinda like all those old letters…

So it was only fitting that any journal belonging to the "Wetherdoons" as I liked to call us, should be written in invisible ink. But not just any invisible ink! Yeah that's right, lemon juice was the only way to go! Which probably just proved that I really had turned out pretty sentimental. But that was okay too. If being this happy came with being a little sappy than it was definitely worth it!

Closing the journal and tucking it in a secret drawer I'd fixed into the bottom of Reynie's desk I grinned with satisfaction. I never thought of myself as the writer type, but I was starting to like it I think. Then I chuckled. Or it could have just been the lemon juice, which was just too fun to pass up.

Surprisingly though, it was already dark outside. I guessed I'd been writing longer than I realized. Glancing at the clock I saw it was after 9:00. I frowned playfully. Amy was probably using her cute charm to persuade Reynie to read right past her bedtime. I laughed to myself. Well when it came to books I guess I'd have to be the sensible one!

So walking down the hall I poked my head into the living room. I was just about to pull my "pretend to be angry act" when I stopped short. Sitting at one end of the sofa was Reynie, and curled up in his arms was Amy, but surprisingly… They were both sound asleep. Well being that I was more sappy than sensible, I did the only thing I could. I gave them both a kiss on the forehead and then curled up right beside them.

Yeah…life has a way of working out if you just give it time… If you just wait for it.

I didn't have any doubt about that.

Nope, no doubt at all…

Thanks so much for reading, and feel free to review! Our next chapter will be in good old Connie girl's POV! So that should prove interesting. :)