Abby was mentioned in chapter 2 of Daddy and Poppa's Wedding.

Enjoy.

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Max brings two glasses of lemonade to the kitchen table. He sets one in front of Abby and puts the other by his books. He brings over a plate of chocolate chip cookies and puts it on the table. He sits down.

Abby smiles, "Science first?"

Max groans, "Yes, let's get that out the way." Abby laughs as they open their science textbooks. Max sniffs, "Laughing at my pain? Rude."

She continues to laugh as she takes a bite of a cookie, "Max, you kick ass in math, history, English Comp. I find comfort that you're not perfect."

Max giggles, "You're forgiven."

She smiles, "Thanks."

They return to their homework.

Thirteen year old Max is looking forward to graduating from the Manhattan School for Exceptional Students in June. He's already been accepted at the High School for Computer Sciences.

Abby isn't sure what high school she will be attending.

Max glances at his friend. He's known Abby since his first day at the mundane school. They became quick friends and have studied at each other's homes on occasion over the years.

Max doesn't mind going to Abby's, as long as her parents aren't around. It's not that they have an issue with Max, they have issues with each other. All they do is yell at one another.

Once her mother left the house slamming the door behind her. Abby's father ran over to the door, opened it and stood there cursing until she drove away. Then he slammed the door, grabbed a six pack of beer from the fridge and went upstairs to his room, slamming that door.

.

.

.

.

Abby gives Max a weak smile, "Sorry about that."

Max shakes his head, "Not your fault."

"I know, but if I knew they were going to be like this, I wouldn't have suggested coming over here."

"Not a biggie, Abby." He glances up the stairs, "I guess when she gets back, they will kiss and make up?"

Abby laughs, "Kiss? I don't remember the last time they kissed. Hell I don't remember the last time, they touched each other's shoulder or held hands. They barely can be in the same room without yelling."

Max glances at the front door, "Oh? My fathers are always kissing. They kiss 'good morning', 'good night', 'I missed you', 'how was work'." Max laughs, "Sometimes they don't even need a reason to kiss."

Abby shrugs, "I guess you got lucky to have fathers that love each other."

Max squeezes her hand, "But your parents love you, don't they?"

She sighs as she looks around the room, "Truthfully, Max, I don't know. I guess they do, because they're my parents, but I don't remember the last time either one said that they did."

"Oh." He taps a finger on his textbook, "That's terrible, Abby."

She shrugs, "Yeah."

.

.

.

.

Abby smiles, "Penny for your thoughts?"

Max smiles, "We graduate this year."

She nods, "Yeah." She looks around, "Max, can I tell you something?"

He nods, "Of course."

"You can't tell anybody."

"Okay."

"I like girls."

"Okay."

"That's all you have to say?"

Max giggles, "You have noticed I have two fathers?"

She nods, "I did." She runs both hands through her red hair, "Wow, that felt good to say out loud."

"You haven't told your parents?"

She shakes her head, "Are you crazy? And give them something else to argue over and blame each other for."

"That sucks, Abby."

She nods, "Yeah. Every day it just gets worse. I heard Mom on the phone the other day speaking to a lawyer."

"Lawyer?"

"Yeah, and she is going to Elko over the weekend."

"Elko? Isn't that in Nevada?"

"Yeah, her sister lives there."

"Okay."

"I think she's looking for a house or an apartment there."

"She's moving?"

"I think so."

"What about you and your dad?"

"No, Dad would never leave New York. They are talking separation."

"Oh, what about you?"

She shrugs, "I don't know. Hopefully she'll let me graduate here, then go to Elko, but she refuses to give me a definite answer whenever I've bought it up."

"Damn, Abby."

She nods, "Yeah, I know."

"It's only a few months away."

Abby shrugs, "I don't know. I hate to say it, but my parents hate each other. And whatever they can do to make the other suffer is all they care about now."

"And you're stuck in the middle."

"Yeah, which is why this year, I've been spending so much time here. I hope your fathers don't mind."

Max shakes his head as he squeezes her hand, "They're cool with you being here."

"Thanks, Max. This is my safe place. My dad doesn't like it, my mom does. Of course, that would be the case. Even if my mom hated the idea of me being in your home, as long as Dad hates it, she will love it."

The front door opens and Magnus walks in. He smiles at the teenagers, "Hello, Abby."

Abby smiles, "Hi, Mr. Magnus."

Magnus eyes the empty plate on the table, "Max, did you put the chicken in the oven?"

"Long time ago, Poppa. We only had a few cookies."

"Right." He walks into the kitchen, "Abby, staying for dinner?"

She weakly smiles, "If it's okay?"

"Of course, it's fine. You are always welcome here." He opens the fridge, "Max, you made pasta salad."

"Uh huh. I wanted to surprise Daddy."

Magnus nods, "You want something, don't you?"

Max giggles, "No, I just wanted to make pasta salad."

Magnus smiles at Abby, "Alec loves Max's pasta salad, but I'm always suspicious when he makes it without being asked to."

Abby laughs, "What's so special about it?'

Max giggles, "I use tricolor pasta. Then I add carrots and peppers to add more color. And I put croutons in to add some crunch."

"Sounds awesome."

Max nods, "It is, even if I do say so myself."

Magnus laughs as he walks over and kisses Max's head, "Modest as usual."

Max giggles, "Daddy says it's awesome."

"That's because you're a Daddy's boy."

Max nods, "And Poppa's."

Magnus sniffs, "Sometimes." He walks to his and Alec's bedroom, "I'll be right back."

Abby helps Max clear the table of their books, then Max sets the table.

Abby sighs, "I don't suppose your fathers would want to adopt me?"

Max smiles, "You can ask them."

"I'm kidding, Max."

"I'm not."

Abby laughs.

The front door opens and Alec walks in. He smiles, "Abby, good to see you."

Abby smiles, "Hi, Mr. Alec."

Magnus leaves the bedroom and walks into the kitchen, "Go change, dinner is almost ready."

Alec nods. He walks over and kisses Magnus, "Yes, boss."

Magnus smiles, "Max made pasta salad."

"He did?" Alec walks over and kisses the top of Max's head, "Thank you."

Max smiles, "You're welcome, Daddy."

Magnus sniffs, "You're welcome, Daddy." He glances at Abby, "Told you, Daddy's boy."

She laughs, "I think it's sweet."

Magnus rolls his eyes, "Damn, not even Max's friend is on my side."

Max giggles, "Poor unloved Poppa."

"Alec, I told you to change."

Alec laughs, "I'm going." He walks into his and Magnus' bedroom as Abby and Max laugh.

Magnus shakes his head, "I hate all of you." He takes the chicken out the oven.

Abby whispers to Max, "He's kidding, right?"

Max nods, "Yes, he is."

Abby smiles, "Just checking."

Alec walks out the bedroom and they sit down to eat dinner.

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After dinner, Max walks Abby to the subway station.

As they are waiting for a train, Abby sighs, "You are so lucky Max. You have two great fathers that not only love you, but love each other."

"Thanks."

"Now I go back to the battlefield in Park Slope called home."

"You wanna sleep over?"

She laughs, "My dad's head would explode if I stayed overnight. But thanks anyway."

A train arrives and she gets on. She waves to Max as the train leaves the station.

Max goes up the stairs and walks home.

-tbc-

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I originally planned for this to be only one chapter, but mid way through the next part, I realized that it would better if it was a separate chapter.