Chapter 2: the reunion

The second they got in the house Molly wanted to spoil Norma and Once-ler. It had been a long time since she had any kids in the house and with her husband and son out harvesting sap and making maple syrup; she wanted to seize the opportunity before they came home. " Why don't I show you where you're going to sleep. " said Molly.

Molly took Norma and Once-ler up the stairs and to the guest room.

"Norma, you can sleep in here… Once-ler, you'll stay in your father's room and he's going to sleep on the couch." Said Molly "While the two of you get settled in I'm going to make both of you some cookies. Is there anything else you would like?" asked Molly.

"No, we're fine." Said Once-ler and Norma together.

Molly then takes Once-ler to his bedroom. "Here you are, dear. I'll be right downstairs if you need me."

"Thank you, Grandma." Said Once-ler

"Your welcome, dear." Said Molly leaving Once-ler alone.

Once-ler went back to the guest bedroom to talk to Norma.

" Your grandmother is very nice." Said Norma

" If we get caught. I'm blaming all this on you. I didn't want to come here. I haven't even thought of the one day I spent here in years." Said Once-ler

"Part of you wanted to come or you wouldn't have gotten on that train with me, once. Now, admit it you want to see your dad again and you're happy I brought you here. I mean your grandmother hasn't seen you in 7 years and just met me today and am downstairs making us cookies. Can't get much better than that. "Said Norma

"But when my mother…"started Once-ler

"Once, forget about your mother. In fact, I don't even want to hear you use the word mother or mention her name for the next three days. And don't worry about her freaking out about where you are. I told Bret and Chett to spread along the message that you're spending the weekend at my house and I called my parents and told them where we were going. They'll cover for us." Said Norma

"You told your parents you were running away to a different state?" asked Once-ler

"We aren't running away. We are visiting your estranged father. "Said Norma

Just then Molly enters "The cookies are ready." Said Molly "Are you sure there is nothing else you two want?"

"No thank you, Mrs. Beanpole "said Norma

"All right." Said Molly leaving the room.

The kids go downstairs and into the dining room where there is a huge plate of chocolate chip cookies sitting on the table. Each kid takes a cookie as they sit down. Once-ler had never had cookies before. It's not because he was a cookie-hating freak. He'd have to have eaten a cookie to hate them. It was just that Elysia wouldn't let him have any sweets growing up. Which he found unusual because she always let Bret and Chett have anything they wanted to eat but she always treated Bret and Chett differently and he always assumed it was because they were special. When he took a bite of the cookie he was in heaven. All the bad feelings he had about being in Quechee just melted away into nothing. In fact he was in such ecstasy he didn't notice when someone sat next to him

"Mind, sharing those with two tired old stiffs" said a voice next to him.

Once-ler looked over and saw his father.

"Once-ler, I'm so glad you're here. I missed you, son." Said Bradley

Once-ler didn't say anything he just took another cookie.

"I see you brought a friend with you. You going to introduce us?" Asked Bradley trying to get a conversation started

"I'm Norma. Norma Snap trip." Said Norma

"Miranda and Carl's daughter?" asked Bradley

"Yes, that's me." Said Norma

"I haven't seen you since your family moved to the other side of Millville. Should have never accepted your father's golf invitation." Said Bradley

"What's wrong with my father?" asked Norma a little offended

"Nothing. In fact, I really liked him. Your mother and father were great neighbors. It was my wife… or should I say ex-wife. She hated everyone. Still does I'm sure. "Said Bradley

Norma nodded in understanding. Once-ler was still ignoring his father.

"It's great to have you both here." Said Bradley

"We're only staying for three days." Said Once-ler without looking at his father. Then he took another cookie.

"Once… Slugger." Said Bradley

"Don't call me that." Said Once-ler

"Fine. Once, I think we need to talk about this." Said Bradley

Looks at Bradley for the first time " My father, who I always looked up to, went crazy and tried to kidnap me. What's to talk about?" asked Once-ler

"That's the story she brainwashed you with? Your mother is some piece of work." Said Bradley

" Brainwashed? I haven't been brainwashed! Mom, cares about me. She cared about me enough to take me home when you kidnapped me. Sure, my life at home isn't easy but life isn't supposed to be. And you always told me never to think terrible things about mom because she loves me in her own way and I stand by that. "Said Once-ler "She's great and you were lucky to have her in your life. You were lucky to have ALL of us in your life." Said Once-ler

" You're right. I was lucky to have you and brothers. Lucky about everything else. I don't think so. I had to change my dreams, my friends, my family, even myself just to make that woman happy. In fact, the day I met Elysia Beanpole was the unluckiest day of my life. It's why I finally stood up to her. It's why I took you and I left. You should be mad at me but not because I took you away but because when she came to get you I didn't fight hard enough to keep you. But with all her connections I didn't think I could and the restraining order is iron clad. It's a miracle you're even here." Said Bradley

"His mother doesn't know. She thinks he's staying at my house." Said Norma

"You two involved?" asked Bradley implying that they were dating

"No." they said together

"Besides, he seems more my friend Ellen Peach's type." Said Norma

"I remember the Peaches. They still next door?" Bradley asked Once-ler

"Yes. We don't talk to them though. Guidelines of the feud." Said Once-ler

"Feud? God dammit. She is still blaming them for my disappearance! I swear that woman is incredible. Getting our family into a feud over nothing. It's ridiculous. I mean of all the ideas!" Said Bradley shaking his head

"What happened to you?" asked Once-ler "Why did you hate us all of a sudden?"

"Once-ler, I don't hate you. If I did I wouldn't have tried so hard to get you to come visit. As I told you. I ran away for you, stood up to your mother for you, have been trying to figure out how to get back into your life for you. You're my son. My little slugger and I only want what's best for you. "Said Bradley "Now, that you're a little older I want to make it up to you as much as I can. Let's spend the next three days reconnecting. What do you say?" asked Bradley

"Ok. " said Once-ler

Once-ler and Bradley shake hands in agreement.

"It's so good to see my boys getting along." Said Molly "Especially, since I can spoil Once-ler rotten without feeling guilty. "

(***)

Back in Villville, Elysia is sitting in the mayor's office.

"You sure you can track EXACTLY where he is?" she asked Phil

"We have to the top men here in Villville. They could find a fairy in Neverland if they had to." Said Phil

"Good. Bret and Chett said he was at a friend's house here in town so this is more a precautionary measure but the letters from Bradley have been coming in more frequently so I'd like to double check." Said Elysia

"Not to worry. We'll have all the answers in a matter of minutes." Said Phil

The phone rings and Phil picks it up. Gives a curious look and then hangs up the phone.

"Well?" questioned Elysia

"You aren't going to like this." Said Phil

"Just tell me." Said Elysia

"Promise you won't shoot the messenger." Said Phil

"JUST TELL ME!" yelled Elysia

"He's in Quechee, Vermont with his father" said Phil

"Apparently a restraining order wasn't strong enough to get rid of Bradley. I swear, I loathe that fact that he grew a backbone." Said Elysia "We might have to get rid of Bradley more permanently."

"Permanently?" asked Phil " Kill him? You can't be serious. Once-ler would never speak to you again."

"I meant hire some one else to kill him, you idiot." Said Elysia "So, it won't trace back to us or more specifically to me. Do you have any assassins on call?"

"Actually, I do." Said Phil taking out his roladex