One reviewer asked for the reaction to Chapter 5 of my story "Falling in Zero Gravity." I decided to grant their wish and show Stephenie, Danielle and Gloria's (Auggie's mother) reactions. This will be a double shot of espresso.

So, I dedicate this to Goddess of the Black Rose.

Love from, Miss Claire.

Someone's Gonna Get It

Wednesdays were laundry days at the Brooks house. Right in the middle of the week meant that the play clothes from Saturday and Sunday had plenty of time for any applied stain remover to sit, while washing the nicer clothes from Thursday and Friday night social events meant that they would be fresh should something happen and they were needed. It also meant that Danielle had time to sit down and enjoy a glass of wine right before lunch.

She had no way of knowing that she wouldn't get that glass of wine on the Wednesday after Annie emptied the guest house.

Danielle was singing along to her favorite radio station as she was folding a load of the girls' t-shirts. She was always very particular about their t-shirts to keep them soft and from fading. She was surprised when she pulled out an adult navy one with a store logo.

"Annie…" she growled out. Her sister knew not to put her clothes in with the girls'. But then again, it was just as likely that one of the girls had used it when Annie had watched them a couple of Saturdays ago.

Danielle quickly put away the girls' clothes before heading downstairs and out to the guesthouse to put the shirt on Annie's bed. She dug the key out from under the flower pot since she left her keys in the house. She got two steps into Annie's bedroom before stopping in a dead shock, allowing the t-shirt to drop to the floor, forgotten.

The room was devoid of anything Annie.

The furniture was all there still, but the comforter, the books, her other various odds and ends weren't. Danielle practically sprinted to the closet. She tore the door open, only to see it devoid of suits and jeans and the totally impractical heels collection. The bathroom was the same way. Only a forgotten razor blade lay forgotten on the floor.

On a last minute thought, she checked under the bed and found a box labeled Bonfire Fuel. She snatched it from under the bed.

"Annie…"she growled yet again. She stormed back into the main house, snatched up the phone, and punched in the numbers for Annie's office.

!

"Smithsonian curators. Annie Walker speaking," Annie answered her cover line from the tech office (and Auggie's lap).

"Annie, are you aware that your stuff is missing from the guest house? Except for a box labeled Bonfire Fuel?"

"Oh, hello sister dear. Yes, I realize this. I moved over to Auggie's yesterday. It's more convenient for our new arrangements."

There was silence on the line before a scream reverberated through the line. Annie held the phone away from her ear and Auggie smirked at her. "ARE YOU PREGNANT?"

"No sister, I am not pregnant. Yet. Or that we know of."

"You both are coming to dinner. Tonight. No excuses. Even if one of you gets run over by a bus. You will both be here."

"Yes sister. We will be there. I have to get back to work."

Danielle hung up the phone without saying bye. Annie looked at Auggie and settled back against him.

"Well, wifey, this will be fun."

"I have no doubt, husband."

!

Annie and Auggie walked in Danielle's house with small smirks on their faces. They had been late getting out of the office and didn't have time to run to their house.

The fact it was work clothes wasn't the first thing that Danielle noticed. It was how rumpled their clothes were.

"You two didn't stay late at the office working, did you?" Danielle asked while biting back a laugh. After all she was still a little pissed about discovering Annie's absence.

"That's classified," Auggie said, causing Annie to break out into a giggle fit.

"Are you high, sister dear?"

"Nope. Just struck me as funny."

"Oh. Well, come on in the dining room. Dinner's ready. Both of the girls have tests tomorrow, so they're already in bed."

"Poor kids. I know I hated tests back in the day. I'm just happy that I don't have to deal with those anymore."

Dinner went smoothly for the most part, that is, until Auggie asked Annie to pour him a second glass of wine.

It happened right at the same time as Danielle decided to broach the subject of why Annie moved out. Annie had picked up the bottle of wine and was pouring with her left hand. It took a minute for it all to connect in Danielle's mind.

"Annie….." Danielle growled.

"What El?"

"YOU AND AUGGIE GOT MARRIED? YOU ELOPED? YOU DIDN'T TELL ANYONE? WHY? I WAS SO LOOKING FORWARD TO HELPING YOU PLAN YOUR WEDDING! AND WHAT IS MOM GOING TO SAY?"

"El, calm down. Mom already knows. Auggie visited Mom and Dad two weeks ago to ask permission-which is sooo cute, right?-so they knew it was coming. And she doesn't really care since we got pictures and are very happy and all. You know she and Dad had eloped, right?"

Danielle let out a shriek, still clearly severely upset. "YOU COULD HAVE INVITED ME TO COME WITH!"

"It was a spur of the moment thing late Friday night when we decided to fly to Las Vegas," Auggie muttered. He was huddled back in his chair a little, clearly trying not to get any of the flak.

"I DON'T CARE!" Then Danielle calmed down for a scary second before a huge grin broke out on her face.

"Does Stephanie know?"

When she saw how pale Auggie and Annie both got, she fell out of her chair laughing. Revenge would be sweet.