Shaggy was elated. The gang was coming for a visit. Maybe they would be able to meet Christina. Shaggy hoped so. Thanks to his mother, however, Shaggy wasn't sure that Christina would want to meet his friends. Stacey had made quite the negative impression. She and his father continued to argue about what was best for Shaggy. This led to him staying out of the house as much as he could. Often times Shaggy would join Christina at the park. They needed to stay together in order for there to be balance in his life. Yes, Christina was hurting, going through something he hadn't ever experienced before. However, she always made time for him. She heard him out, she listened when no one else would.

Currently, Christina was sitting beside him under the large oak tree in the middle of the park where they always sat. the wolves were chasing Scooby all over the sloping green hills of the park startling many as they sped past. Soon. They would tire out and drop to the ground rolling onto their backs and panting endlessly. For now, they gave Shaggy and Christina space to chat. Shaggy smiled softly when Christina turned her attention to a bird as it flew overhead. Christina saw the beauty and goodness in nearly everything and she would point it out to you quickly.

"Christina, would you tell me a story about your mother?" Shaggy asked quietly when the ran out of things to talk about.

Slowly, Christina was starting to open up more. She was able to talk about her mother without breaking down into tears which was a good sign. So, Shaggy would ask to hear stories. Christina would gladly tell.

…...

"Mommy, look the birdie landed on my finger," Christina squealed.

"That's great sweetheart," Alissa nodded looking up from the roses she was attending to.

Christina loved spending time in the garden with her mother. Alissa had maintained her garden for years. After she fulfilled her destiny she moved into a small house on the edge of the woods. She was content there with only Radu and Christina. After Radu's death Alissa through herself into gardening. Not that Christina understood this, she just loved the roses and the animals. Right now, Christina was petting the fluffy rabbit that had hopped into her lap. Eventually they would go inside and bake sugar cookies together. Time with her mother was the best time ever.

When they did go inside, Christina ran to her room before returning with her favorite ragdoll.

"Christina, do you want to make cookies now or after dinner?"

"Dinner,"

"Okay, then what would you like to do?"

"I dunno," she sighed with a small shrug.

Christina popped down on the warm red rug and twirled her doll around. Alissa joined her soon after with her sketchbook in hand. Alissa had an entire sketchbook filled with pictures of her daughter. Pictures of her in the park, playing in the garden, painting, even one of her fast asleep. It was clear to anyone how strong their bond was.

…...

"She had a sketchbook with pictures of you?" Shaggy questioned.

"Yeah,"

"Do you have it?"

"Right here," Christina replied as the book materialized in her hands.

The hardcover sketchbook was creased and crinkled with yellowed pages. Christina held it with a gently to her chest before slowly opening it. The first page had a note which read:

My daughter Christina is the light of my life. She's such a curious rambunctious little girl. Never one to shy away from adventure. I am dedicating this sketchbook to her. I hope to capture her best and even some of her worst moments. One day I'll present it to her. We'll look through it together and we'll laugh and cry, she'll question my sanity. So many great memories are to be kept in this book I hope that my efforts will be greatly appreciated.

This is for you my dearest Daughter.

Love you always.

Alissa.

Christina choked down her tears. She hadn't seen this note before. She hadn't at the heart to look at this book but now she was happy Shaggy brought it up. She scooted closer to Shaggy, spreading the book across their laps. The pictures alternated between color sketches and inked drawings. The first one they saw was of Christina playing on the swing in her front yard. Her hair was tied in bouncy pigtails and she wore a blue dress with muddy boots, Shaggy found it adorable because her right fang was missing yet she smiled for the world to see.

Christina flipped the page and her breath hitched when she saw the picture of her sleeping in the rose garden with a rabbit nestled into her elbow. Alissa had enchanted the roses to grow without thorns so Christina wouldn't be harmed.

"Was that rabbit yours?" Shaggy asked as he studied the picture.

"No, the animals came from the woods. They were always attracted to Mom. She was welcoming, always ready to help,"

"Like, she sounds great,"

"She was,"

"Christina?"

"Yeah?"

"The gang is coming for a visit this weekend and I really want to introduce you,"

"Okay,"

"We can all meet here at four on Saturday"

"Saturday,"

…...

When the shadows grew long and cast the park into twilight Christina walked with Shaggy back to his house.

"Like, can't you come in for a few minutes?" Shaggy begged lightly grasping Christina by her wrist.

"Shaggy your mother-"

"Like, she can deal with it, please come in?"

"I really don't want to intrude-"

"Please?" Shaggy begged with a whimper.

Christina hesitantly followed Shaggy inside the house. Sam was seated in the armchair reading the evening paper. Sugie was nearby doing homework and from the sounds of things, Stacey was working on making dinner. When she stepped out of the kitchen to greet her son her face lost all traces of the smile that had been there.

"What is she doing here?" Stacey questioned harshly.

"I invited her inside,"

"Well, now she's leaving,"

"Mom-"

"No, I will not allow this bratty, impolite know-it-all FREAK in my house now, GET OUT,"

"Y-yes ma'am," Christina stammered before disappearing in a cloud of purple smoke.

"LIKE, YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU JUST DID," Shaggy roared, the sheer anger caused him to transform before stomping off to his room.

...

Please leave a nice long review for me since I had a eventful day. What kind of trouble will Christina get into? What has Stacey done? Will her view on Christina ever change?