Disclaimer: I don't own the Brady Bunch characters; only my OC's.
Cindy Brady, now thirteen years old has had enough of being treated like a small child. She has been wanting a sleep over for a long time; not because Marcia or Jan included her in theirs; she wanted to have her own friends sleep over.
"Family meeting everybody," Cindy called.
The older kids, Mike, Carol and Alice all piled into the livingroom.
"Cindy; you can't call a family meeting; you're just a child," Jan told her.
"Says you, woman," Cindy retorted.
Jan was taken aback by Cindy's remark. Carol stepped in to scold the youngest girl.
"Now Cindy; don't talk to Jan like that; and Jan, Cindy's not a child anymore; as much as I hate to admit it," Carol said.
"But Mom-" Jan was interrupted by Carol.
"No buts; now Cindy; what is this about a family meeting? Is there something you want from us?" Carol wondered.
"Yes there is; as you all know, I've been keeping my grades up at school-" Jan interrupted Cindy.
"Whoop dee doo," Jan sneered.
Cindy sighed and turned to Jan.
"I wasn't finished, Jan; now please stop interrupting," Cindy responded.
Jan was now silent.
"She got you good, Jan," Bobby remarked.
"Sorry Cindy; please continue; I'll sort out your sister later," Carol said.
Jan huffed indignantly. Mike silently scolded her with a wagging of his finger.
"As I was about to say; my grades are up this term; so, may I please have a slumber party?" Cindy asked.
Carol looked over at Mike and then back to Cindy.
"I'll think about it; and discuss it with your dad; that's what we did with the others," Carol explained.
Cindy smiled; maybe thirteen was her lucky age to be treated like a big girl for once. Moments later, they all dispersed except for Mike and Carol.
"Well, Mike? Do you think Cindy is ready?" Carol asked.
"She is thirteen; Marcia was thirteen when she had her first sleep over; so was Jan; it's only fair we let Cindy have her first sleep over in her first year as a teenager instead of making her wait until she's in high school," Mke explained.
Carol sighed.
"You're right, Mike; I was just having some doubts about Cindy being ready for this; it's hard for me to adjust to my little Cindy being a teenager; but, the new addition will make me feel young again," Carol said.
Mike raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
"New addition?" Mike asked.
"I'm going to have a baby," Carol answered.
Soon enough, Mike felt a smile form on his face. He hasn't been this excited or nervous since he married Carol about seven years ago.
"This is huge; we gotta tell the others," Mike claimed.
Carol suddenly remembered something; she had to talk to Jan about her patronizing behavior towards Cindy.
"I gotta talk to Jan; her behavior towards Cindy was appalling," Carol responded.
Mike nodded as Carol walked upstairs to Cindy and Jan's bedroom. She knocked on the door.
"Come in," Jan said.
Carol entered the room and closed the door.
"Have a seat," Jan stated.
Carol got comfortable on the edge of Jan's bed. Once they made eye contact, Carol started talking.
"Jan; the way you treated Cindy wasn't very nice; I'll admit she was very crass with you; minus any bad word she could have called you; but, you were treating her like a child," Carol scolded.
Jan had taken a moment to think about her behavior.
"She is a child," Jan claimed.
"No she isn't; and I expect everyone to treat her like a teenager; I still have to remind myself of that fact since I'm not used to her being a teenager yet," Carol explained.
Jan nodded.
"Another thing, Jan; Cindy needs to hear your apology," Carol added.
Jan huffed and nodded.
"Fine; send her in, please; this is between the two of us," Jan responded.
Carol nodded.
Moments later, Cindy entered the room and Carol walked out. Jan closed the door so she and Cindy could have a private conversation.
"Cindy; are you still mad at me?" Jan wondered.
The young teen sighed.
"I wasn't really mad; just annoyed," Cindy answered.
"Listen; I'm sorry if I was rude to you and acting like your opinions don't matter just because you're the youngest; I really do love you, Cindy; but, I'm just not used to the idea of you being a young lady; you'll always be my baby sister," Jan explained.
"Thanks, Jan; and I forgive you," Cindy admitted.
Jan smiled and went to hug Cindy; when Cindy held up her hand, Jan was surprised.
"Not yet Jan; do you promise to keep your word and treat me like the young lady I am; not like some stupid little kid?" Cindy asked.
Jan held up her right hand and swore to treat Cindy like her proper age. Then, the two sisters hugged each other. The girls broke their embrace moments later.
"Are we friends again?" Jan asked.
"Duh; of course we are, silly," Cindy said.
Once the girls were back downstairs, Mike and Carol had some exciting news. They all piled into the livingroom.
"I already passed the news onto Greg and Marcia; they were surprised; I hope you all will be too," Carol said.
After a moment, Carol couldn't keep this hidden.
"I'm having a baby; I'm due around Christmas time," Carol said.
Everyone; especially Cindy was excited.
"Wow! A new sibling; that means I won't be the youngest anymore," Cindy exclaimed.
Carol smiled wide.
"That's right, Cindy; and your dad and I decided you may have your sleep over; providing that you help with the preparations," Carol replied.
Cindy was too excited to speak; she just gave two thumbs up.
"That's my big girl," Mike said.
A/N: This story takes place about two years after the show was cancelled. The year is 1976; Marcia and Greg have moved out; Peter is in the attic room. Cindy is in eighth grade and will be in high school in 1977. Carol and Mike are expecting a new addition; or additions.