Episode Two: First Day, Worst Day Part III

McDonald-Venturi Kitchen:

"Lizzie, do you mind making the dinner tonight?" asked Nora, when she saw her daughter entering the kitchen. "I was trying to make it, but my client called…and well, unless you want to have burnt food…"

Lizzie sighed. "Yeah, I'm on it, mom."

"Thanks, sweetie." Nora said, distracted and went off to tend to her work.

She rolled up her sleeves, and began to hunt through the refrigerator to see what she could possibly make in a last minute notice. Edwin entered the kitchen just then, talking on the cordless phone.

"Yeah, and I'd like it delivered within half an hour. Yeah, thanks!" he walked over and handed the phone to Lizzie. "Dinner's on dad, it seems."

"Edwin, what did you do?" asked Lizzie, shocked.

"I heard Nora's dinner got burnt, so I called in for pizza. You don't have to cook, Liz. Don't you have a pile of homework to start on?" asked Edwin, a bit taken aback.

"Actually, Ed… This is Lizzie. Not Casey. I don't need to start on my homework right away!" she said, "But thanks. At least I don't have to cook dinner for the family."

"Welcome, sis!" Edwin laughed.

The phone bell went off just then. Lizzie answered it.

"Hey Liz!" said the excited voice of Casey from the other end. "Glad I finally got hold of you. How's high school? Met any cute boys yet?"

"I'd rather not talk about it," said Lizzie, trying to be as diplomatic as possible. "I'll get mom…"

"Oh wait, De-rek!" she shouted, "Oh fine…talk to Derek!"

Derek's voice came next from the other side, "Hey Lizzie…how's the soccer going?"

"Oh…you know." Lizzie said evasively. "Oh hey, here's Edwin, talk to him."

She threw the phone at Edwin who caught it deftly and said, "Hey Derek! How's it going? Me…oh just the usual. Wait I'll get dad for you."

"Hey Dad," he yelled. "Derek's on the phone for you!"

McDonald-Venturi Dining Table:

"I don't remember ordering pizza," Nora frowned when she saw the two gigantic boxes on the table. "Lizzie, I thought you said you would be cooking dinner."

"Uh, no…" said Lizzie defensively. "You asked me to make dinner. And Edwin ordered the pizza because we both had a rough day at school, and could appreciate some break."

"Edwin ordered the pizza?" asked George, astonished. "How did you pay for it, son?"

"With my allowance," said Edwin in a confident voice. "With Derek gone, I can now fully appreciate the whole of it."

George laughed. "My son is growing up too fast."

The he noticed something, "Where's Marti?"

"Probably hiding in her tent," said Lizzie, as she began to open the pizza boxes. "She screamed she hated the family before."

"Oh…Ed, could you please go fetch her?" George asked.

"Isn't that a dad's job?" countered his son.

"Yeah it is…but I'm worn out from work. So will you please go and fetch Marti?"

Edwin sighed, and much to Lizzie's surprise obliged his father. She clucked to herself. Typical Edwin! He was trying to break his Derek Junior image by becoming a goody two shoes.

A Tent outside Derek's Room:

"Marti," Edwin called through the doors, "come on down for dinner, will you?"

"Go away, I'm not here!" chirped up a little voice from inside.

"That's funny, Marti…but come on. I'm really starved, and I ordered pizza…" Edwin tried his best to tempt her.

Footsteps were heard on the stairs, and minutes later Edwin found himself staring into the face of his stepsister. She grinned at him, and held out one of the boxes of pizza.

"I think I should save you," she stated. Then she sat down beside him on the floor.

"Marti, it's me…" she cooed, "come on, you don't have to go down for dinner. I brought it up. now come out, and tell me what's bothering you."

"I did before, but you didn't care!" Marti shrieked.

Edwin and Lizzie stared at each other, confused then it dawned on them.

I was missing you guys. Ever since you started high school, I have been feeling really lonely.

"Oh Marti…" sighed Lizzie. She had completely ignored her younger stepsister, being too wrapped up with her own problems. "I'm sorry about that. But if you come and have your dinner…we swear we'll figure something out."

Marti unzipped the tent door, and poked her head through. "You promise?"

Edwin looked into her big brown eyes, looking thoroughly scared. He nodded his consent. "Yeah, Marti, we promise."

Marti jumped out of the tent, and onto their laps. The three children enjoyed their meal on the floor, before the rooms of Derek and Casey. It tickled them to think what their siblings would've said if they found them sitting there, gorging on food. Derek would've probably joined them, but Casey would've freaked out.

McDonald-Venturi Living Room:

The next morning, after breakfast Nora and George were surprised to find Lizzie helping Marti put on her school bag.

"Guys aren't you a bit early for school?" asked George.

"Oh no, George" said Lizzie, "Edwin and I are taking Marti to school first by our bikes. It will take awhile."

Edwin rushed down the stairs just then, shouldering his bag.

"Ready to go, ladies?"

"Yeah, when you are!" Marti giggled, and Lizzie couldn't help but join in.

George and Nora stopped Edwin, when he tried to follow the girls out of the house.

"Ed, be careful." His father pleaded.

"Yeah, dad" sighed Edwin. "No worries. I can't wait to turn sixteen and drive a car, because this job would be a lot easier then."

He walked out of the house. Nora stared at the kids. At length she turned and asked her husband:

"Do you think they did something wrong and are trying to cover for it?"

They considered the possibility for a moment and then both said, "No…"

Nora smiled at George, and kissing him said, "I guess the kids are growing up fast."

Her husband couldn't help but agree with her.

- THE END –

Author's Note: I'm still stumbling around…but it does take some time to find one's voice. Therefore, I will let you be the judge. The episodes are becoming longer too. I might have to break them into three parts soon, if I am not careful. Watch out for the 4th episode though. That's my personal favorite. Till then, cheers! Misty :D

I apologize to anyone getting an update for this chapter. I figured the last one was too HUGE and had the chapter broken. Thanks :)