Authors note: Just a one-shot based on the most chocolatey time of year...Easter!

I noticed no one else had written one, so I thought I would step up to the challenge. I would you enjoy.

I do not own the characters, I just wish I did.

I felt a sigh slip between my pursed lips as I pushed the half-full shopping cart up yet another isle. The whole mall had been redecorated. A series of bland yellows, sky blues and baby pinks engulfed the once familiar surroundings. Stuffed teddies had also found their way onto the shelves of the aisles. Soft mellow ducks, pure white sheep with beady eyes. The usual items in the home section, the section I needed the most at that moment, had been vacated in order to make room, or what seemed more like general lebensraum, for the eagerly awaited arrivals.

It was no surprise to find children skulking up and down the ex-interior design aisle, pulling exhausted parents by their sides. Their cheeks pinched red, eyes gleaming as they were turned upwards, mouths agape in sheer awe. Following their gaze, I found it. The source of all this madness. The swift change in colours, the new stuffed toys and the joy of the younger generations.

Eggs. Shelves upon shelves of eggs. From every chocolate confectioner nameable, there was a symbol of their existence in front of my very eyes. Hersheys, Cadburys, M&M's, KitKat, Twix,Snickers, name it, it was there. It was that time of year yet again. The ewes birthing innocent lambs, the last of winter wilting away and being reborn into spring. It also meant another thing. Easter had arrived.

I had grown up with Easter visiting me each year. Each year, although I was not close to many of my relatives, they visited our house or we travelled to theirs. The day would be spent swapping Easter chocolate, gorging upon previously prepared devilled eggs and smoked ham. Then, the parents would 'chat', laughing heartily, clutching their bulging stomachs and drinking deep burgundy, full bodied wine. Still, I never saw the appeal or excitement in receiving the hollow egg shaped chocolate, the meals or the wine on that particular day.

I walked past the beaming children, who looked as though they were about to implode with crazed excitement. Even at a young age, I had been negligent towards Easter, preferring the celebrations of July 4th, Christmas and even Thanks-giving. At least at those times, grown ups could join in.

I pushed my hand into the seat pocket of my jeans, clasped the small paper note and pulled it out, opening it as I did so. "John...your writing is atrocious" I murmured to myself as I skimmed the small list. Most of the items, the one I could read anyway, where already in the metallic shopping cart in front of me. I mentally read the list once more to check; "Smuckers Blueberry preserves. Check.

Lucky charms cereal for Mark, the immature dope. Check.

Chicken breasts. Check.

Lasagne. Check.

Penne pasta. Check.

Shake 'n' bake. Check.

Jiffy corn. Check.

Rice a roni. Check.

Hersheys chocolate bar...

I looked down into the cart. No chocolate in site. I also noted the handwriting was different. Marks . Such a child. thought. I retreated to the candy aisle, where more Easter eggs awaited. Jesus.I quickly grabbed a handful of Hershey bars, dumped them in the cart and padded down the aisle towards the register. I just want to get home.I thought as the teenage clerk took his sweet time scanning each object.

"Hey 'manda. Got my Hersheys?" Mark bellowed when I walked through the door, finally. I nodded, tottering towards the kitchen. I dropped the bags on the granite kitchen island and began to unpack the groceries. "Help?" I said to Mark, without even turning or pausing my efforts. He grabbed one bag, attacking it with his huge, masculine hands. After he pawed through it, he looked up at me with the face of a sourly disappointed child. The corners of his lips became limp, his pupils dilating and narrowing on me. I giggled as I thought: He looks kind of cute that way. grinned at him before handing him the small pile of chocolate bars.

"This what you were looking for? Hoffy?" I taunted as his face lit up dramatically. He reached out, eager as ever.

"Thanks 'manda. And it's 'The Hoff' to you" He finished with a cheesy wink, before he scampered off to the lounge.
"Thanks for the help" I called out sarcastically, although I couldn't deny the grin on my face.

I joined him when I had finished putting away the food items. He broke off a piece of chocolate, prodded it into his mouth and gently moaned as he consumed it, all while watching the game. "And who said men couldn't multi task?" I chirped, interrupting his Hershey frenzy.

"Hey look. I give a new meaning to kissing ass" He grinned at me, chocolate smothering his teeth. I gasped at him, before playfully slapping his bulky arm.

"MARK!" I yelped. He chuckled. "New meaning to kissing ass eh? Defiantly John's ass then" With that remark I earned a pout, coupled with a scowl.

"Nasty pasty" He remarked, eating the chocolate once more.

"Meanie bombeenie"

"Mad cow"

"Stressy Eric"

"Infamous ignoramus"

"Starving Marvin

"Both of you! Shut up!" John yelped from the back room. "Your both morons"

"Sorry!" We cried in unison. We quietened down, like school children sent to the corner. We sat and watched the game in silence, the occasional sounds of clutter coming from the back room, or John's workplace, as we often called it. After a while Hoffman spoke, although it was no more then a mere whisper. He turned to me and simply said:

"Yeah, well...your a twat."

What do you think? Reviews are much appreciated. Thank you.