Disclaimer- Everything connected to the Babysitters Club belongs to Ann M. Martin. I'm just placing the characters in my own story. I am not being paid anything for doing this.
Notes- This story takes place when the girls are 25 years old. I can't give the year because the books never gave it.

Reunion- Prologue

"Flight 321 from Seattle is scheduled to land at gate 52. You've got about 1/2 an hour before it does.

"Thank you." The small brunette turned away from the ticket counter and headed for the gate. The excitement she felt at seeing her childhood best friend again spilled over to her pace, quickening her step and forcing her husband to run to catch up with her.

"Slow down honey. The plane won't land faster just because you run. We'll get there and spend 20 minutes pacing around." He laid a gentle hand on his wife's arm, the touch breaking the spell she was held in.

"Sorry. I just want to see her so badly. We haven't all been together since sophomore year. That was five years ago. And I haven't seen her since our wedding. Three years is a long time, even with email and phone calls." The woman took in a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. "I'm almost afraid to see her again. Isn't that stupid? We've been friends since we were infants, we've been through everything together, and I'm scared to see her face to face just because some time has passed. I really am neurotic."

"It going to be fine. You've been looking forward to this for six months now. Some jitters are normal. Just take a deep breath. And lets move because her flight lands in 10 minutes, and the gate is on the other side of the airport." He'd never seen his wife so nervous before, not even when they had gotten married. It was almost like she was 13 again. She told him stories about her group of friends, and he'd met several of them. But this would be the first time he would see the whole group together.

"Flight 321 from Seattle is now arriving at gate 52." The fluttering in her stomach reaching fever pitch, the woman jumped up onto a nearby chair to scan the faces of the debarking passengers. It was times like these that she cursed her lack of height. Each second ticked by in what seemed like an eternity as she looked for her friend. Finally, she saw a flash of light brown hair, a familiar profile and impish dark eyes that held sparks of the mirth they had at age 12. "Kristy!"

Mary-Anne Jackson leapt off the chair and dove through the crowd to hug her friend. "I can't believe it you're actually here. And look at you!"

"I guess I forgot to mention something huh?"

"You think so?" Mary-Anne laughed, surveying Kristy's eight months pregnant belly. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"I couldn't form the words. I almost backed out the trip but I couldn't pass up a BSC reunion. Especially for such a happy occasion. Are you mad?"

"Why would I be mad? I'm a little shocked sure, but you're having a baby. This is a happy thing. Now Claudia is going be another story. She's expecting to be the center of attention here." Mary-Anne teased her friend but held her questions back. She could see the pain in Kristy's eyes and sensed that the baby wasn't a good topic of conversation. Kristy would talk when she was ready and there was no point in pressuring her.

"How was your flight?" Nick cut into the conversation.

"Good. A little bumpy over Iowa but uneventful. You look good Nick. Is Mary-Anne keeping you on your toes?" She had only met Nick Jackson once, at the wedding. Sometimes her decision to move across the country seemed really bad. Like now. This was her best friends husband and they had only met once.

"I have to keep her from working too hard. Sometimes I think those kids mean more to her than I do." Mary-Anne was a clinical psychologist that worked with disturbed children. She had a busy practice in nearby Stamford, and often worked with DCFS and various welfare agencies. The money wasn't great but she wasn't in it for the money.

"Oh stop it Nick. Those kids need me." Her husband wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his head on top of hers. "I wish my job was unnecessary. I'd jump for the joy the day I go our of business due to no need for me." She turned her attention back to her friend. "Did you check any luggage?"

"Nope. I brought jeans, tee-shirts and sneakers. You don't need a suitcase for those, just a duffle bag. I can wear what I have one to the church." Kristy gestured at the rumpled maternity suit she wore. "All I need is an iron and I'm good to go."

"You never change, do you? I bet you'd wear jeans to the office if you could."

"You bet I would. Especially now. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find presentable clothing that I can wear to work? Jeans would be a relief. Can we get out of here? My feet are killing me."

"Of course. The car's outside. Do you want to go to your mom's first or our place so you can freshen up?"

"We'd better just head for Stoneybrook. If I find someplace comfy I'm liable crash there and not get up again. Although seeing my mother is something I can put off too."

"You didn't tell her?"

"No one here knows. I'll tell you the story later, when we're all together. I don't want to have to repeat myself ad infintum."

"No pressure. Talk when you're ready." Mary-Anne fished her car key out of her purse and turned to her husband. "Grab her bag would you honey?"

"I can take it myself."

"No dice. You are a guest and you are pregnant. Nick will take your bag and you aren't going to argue." Kristy opened her mouth to protest, them closed it again. She was tired, and having some else do stuff for her sounded great. "Who else is here? Am I the last one?"

"Mallory came in yesterday. She's staying with Jessi. Dawn will be here later tonight. And Abby and Stacy will take the train up tomorrow. The ceremony is in four days. Claudia wanted us to have some time to visit. It's been so long since we've all been together."

"Five years." Kristy's voice went hollow as she remembered the last time the eight friends had been together. "It's five years next week."

Mary-Anne heard the catch in her voice and turned around. Kristy was staring straight ahead, but seeing nothing. "Oh Kristy. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."

"Don't worry about it Mary-Anne. I've been in denial since it happened. Coming back is forcing me to face his death." Kristy had lost her step-father Watson to another heart attack in the girls sophomore year in college. That had been the last time she'd come to Stoneybrook. She hadn't even been able to come for Claudia's wedding. The memories where just too hard. And it was easy to stay away. She kept in contact, phoning, writing and emailing, but seeing everything again was a different story. If it hadn't been for the pact, she wouldn't have come. "It's the pact. That's the only reason I came back. And maybe it's time. I haven't seen Serena since she was two. Mom brought her out." In the cruelest of ironies, Kristy's mother was pregnant when Watson died. Serena was born barely a month later. She was one of the cutest children Mary-Anne had ever seen.

"Are you sure you want to be here? We'll understand if you want to go home."

"I'm sure. Claudia invoked the pact. She didn't even do that when she got married. We all made a promise, hell we practically signed that thing in blood, and I intend to keep my end of the deal." Kristy set her jaw and started walking again. Mary-Anne followed.

"Do you get back to Stoneybrook often?" Kristy asked once they were in the car and headed to their childhood hometown.

"Once or twice a month. More since Josh was born." Kristy hadn't been the only one to get a surprise sibling. Joshua Nicholas Spier was the apple of his big sister's eye and a complete surprise to his parents. "Dad and I meet for lunch once a week. Sharon came with him once, but was so uncomfortable leaving Josh that she hasn't come again. I don't blame her. He's still nursing and he won't take a bottle. At six months he's more trouble than I was my entire life. Poor Dad, he has no idea what he's in for when Josh grows up."

"Oh and you do Miss Career Woman?"

"All those years babysitting for a living are not lost on me. I know good and well what boys are like once they start to walk and talk."

"I sincerely hope I'm having a girl."