Scooby Doo and all related characters are owned by Hanna-Barbera, Warner Bros., and/or Cartoon Network
All other characters, locations and events are the product of the author's imagination.

Chapter one: Pelican House

"Mmmmm…this is as close to comfortable as I'm going to get" Velma snuggled into Shaggy's one arm embrace.

"Sorry you got pregnant?" Shaggy whispered; a big grin on his face.

"Mmmmm…maybe, let me think…are you kidding? Both sets of parents are walking on air; they've given us enough clothes for a neighborhood. I'm carrying our child, curled up on the sofa, just the four of us…" Scooby had climbed up on the sofa, resting his head on Velma's stomach as if he could hear the baby inside. And who is to say he couldn't?

"…no, I'm not the least sorry" kissing her husband softly. "But I do feel like a blimp!"

"All we need is for the phone to ring" Shaggy offered. At that moment the phone rang! "Great! Isn't technology wonderful?

"Hello, you have reached a wrong number. Any number you dialed is the wrong number. Please try your call at a later time."

"Hi Uncle Shaggy and no this isn't a wrong number! This is Hanna."

"As if I didn't recognize your sweet voice…you and Tommy getting ready for the big two week Christmas break?"

"That's why I'm calling…is Aunt Velma close by?"

"She's here…I'll put you on speaker"

"Hi Hanna, how's high school so far?"

"Fine…except Tommy has met this pretty green eyed blond girl; but that isn't why I'm calling. I do have a question: 'What do you get an older gentleman you know absolutely nothing about except he's got to be in his eighties or close?'

"I wouldn't worry about the blond too much just yet" Velma volunteered. "First I'd need some more information on your older gentleman and why the question?"

"Oh, Long John hasn't asked yet? I hope I'm not letting the cat out of the bag but it's too late now. Long John should be calling soon; I'm surprised he hasn't already invited you.

Just count this as a nervous girl giving an early warning. The story is Tom's grandfather, Joseph McDuff, has invited Long John and family to his estate on the main land, (that's what we islanders call Florida), and he's extended the invitation to include you four and Scooby and me;…seems he wants to 'take a gander' at his future granddaughter-in-law even though he has been told that won't happen for at least four more years when we turn eighteen and finish high school. Both sets of parents have that written in stone somewhere."

"What did your parents say about that…I remember the trouble we had to get them to agree for you to come here?"

"Mari was ready for that one…she said she wants me to help with Sam, giving Angelina, my older sister, a break while giving me some 'practical experience'. I think she's got Tom and I married already!"

"Hanna, that's twice you've called Tommy, Tom. What's the story on that if I may ask?" Velma inquired.

"No real story…it's just that after the kidnapping, I saw Tommy in a new perspective. To me, Tommy is a name you call a little boy; that experience changed Tommy in a good way. I'm not saying this right but he never thought about being a gentleman but he has always acted like one. I saw a more grown up Tommy, more mature than most fourteen year olds, so I changed his name from Tommy to Tom."

"I'd say you said that just fine" Velma said.

"Hanna, I have an idea on your gift." Shaggy spoke after thinking through Hanna and Velma's talk. "The usual gifts are okay but why not do something more personal, especially after what I just heard about Tommy…err…Tom: Why not write a story, or better yet a book, on that experience and how it changed both of you because I can hear a change in your voice too."

"I guess I could Uncle Shaggy; the idea is great but I wouldn't know where to begin."

"I'd begin at the beginning with a blank piece of paper…and a call to Daphne. I'm sure she wouldn't mind helping and giving you some pointers."

-------Xxxxxx

December 21, Florida

The pontoon plane sat down in clear weather with dual sprays and slowly floated toward the dock, stopping in perfect position to disembark. Long John exited first, turning to accept the small bundle from Mari, who followed. Tommy was next to exit the plane, extending his hand to assist Hanna onto the deck.

"Welcome to 'Pelican House'; I'll take your bags" they turned to see a rather tall, dark tanned man of undetermined age approaching. "My name is Hector, Mr. McDuff's man servant, also known as a butler. We held lunch for you. This way please."

Hanna held Tommy's hand, following Hector down the dock; she turned back to see the plane taxing into position for take off. She smiled at Tommy and continued toward the McDuff estate.

A large Christmas tree had been set up in the corner of the living room; blinking lights reflected off the many ornaments, presents were stacked around the tree. As large as the tree was, it was dwarfed by the room in which they found themselves. Overstuffed chairs and couches were gathered into a semi circle that invited anyone to sit comfortably while conversing. Tommy and Hanna glanced over the room, and then at each other, both had noticed that no TV graced the room.

"I'll take your bags to your rooms. Mr. and Mrs. McDuff, the baby and Miss Love will be in the two guest rooms upstairs, Mr. Tommy will be downstairs." Hector informed them.

"I'm Gretchen, housekeeper. Mr. McDuff is resting at the moment and will join you later. We didn't know when you would be arriving so I held lunch for you." Gretchen, middle aged, slightly graying hair led them into the dinning room.

An hour later, lunch cleared, an old man rolled an equally old wheelchair into the room.

"Dad! Good to see you again" Long John welcomed his father.

"Hello son, Mari; I'm sorry I was napping when you arrived. Ahh, this must be my newest granddaughter…Samantha isn't it…she's going to be a beauty and break lots of boy's hearts. She has her mothers' beautiful eyes." He turned his attention to Hanna "and this has to be Anna. I'm so glad to meet you."

"It's Hanna sir, with a 'H'" Hanna corrected the old man gently.

"Oh, sorry, that was stupid of me. I just thought…"

"Thought what, sir" Hanna wondered.

"Please forgive him Miss" Gretchen interrupted; her eyes darting nervously about the room. "He must have thought you were someone else."

Hanna quickly decided to drop the subject for the time being…but she got the feeling that all was not as it seemed and a talk with Gretchen would be in order later.