Chapter Ten:

"Everyone in the car!" I called, "Come on it's time to leave!"

"GRANDMA!" Jenny wailed running past me.

"Grandpa too!" Nick called stumbling after her.

I laughed and followed after them. I twisted the key in the lock and turned to look at the car, "Do we have everything?" I called to Ike who was buckling in Nick.

"Yep!" Ike called.

I spirited down the stairs and threw open the car door, "Then off we go!"

Ike climbed in and laughed, "Off we go!"

"Yay!" Jenny cried.

And we backed out of the driveway and we were off to see my parents.

LIDILIDI

As soon as we pulled into the driveway I was jumping from the car and flashed up the stairs. I pressed my finger into the doorbell and waited.

"Norah!"

I was grabbed into a hug by my dad. "Dad!" I cried, "Hey!"

Dad looked over my shoulder and laughed, "Making your man do all the work, very smart girl."

I rolled my eyes, "Am I the first one here?" I asked.

Dad opened his mouth to answer, but, "Yes you are sweetie."

"Mom!" I cried, my mom stepped up beside dad and I hugged her.

"Hello Norah, dear, I've missed you."

I smiled at her, "I love you mom and I've missed you too."

My mom smiled, "I love you too dear."

"Grandma!"

Mom laughed as Jenny ran into her arms, "My, Jenny, you are getting so big."

Jenny beamed, "Thank you grandma."

Dad rolled his eyes, "No love for grandpa?"

Jenny hugged him, "Hi grandpa."

"Uh Norah?"

I turned around to see Ike standing behind me, Nick standing beside him, "Thank you for leaving me with our crazy children."

I laughed, "Oh you love me."

Nick hugged mom and dad and then my mom shook her head, "Now, come on inside. I've been cooking since the crack of dawn for you crazies."

Ike laughed, "At lest Norah and Nick are the only speeders in this family."

My mother shook her head, "But I've known you for too long Ike, I know what you can eat too, so don't act like you won't be one of the biggest eaters too."

Ike smiled at my mother, "Oh Artemis you know you love me."

"Shut up Kent," My mother laughed and we all walked into the house.

"Grandpa?" Nick asked, "Can we play catch?"

Dad shrugged, "I don't know Nick, I'm getting old, I might pop an elbow, but come on."

Dad and Nick walked off and mom rolled her eyes, "He is right he is going to pop an elbow one day."

I smiled, "But he will never miss a chance to play catch mom."

Mom nodded, "And you are right."

Ike and Jenny had taken seats on the sofa and they were flipping through the channels on the TV, "When are Parker and Marcie coming?"

My mom shrugged, "I don't know, but I can guess that Marcie will be late, because that's Marcie."

I laughed, "Marcie, it doesn't matter how old she gets, still will never be on time."

"Maybe she's right about not aging."

I shook my head, "She wishes."

Mom laughed, "Ah, It's so good for all you to be back, I've missed you."

"You already said that," I said, "but I missed you too."

"Then come over more, you don't need to leave me with your father this long. Why do you think I had kids? He drives me crazy sometimes."

I laughed, "Aw mom, don't worry, Ike does the same thing to me."

My mom smiled, "It's amazing how much you understand now."

Just then the doorbell rang. Mom looked at me, "I bet it's Parker. Marcie will be last."

"I'm not going to go against you on that bet," I said as I walked to the door.

I walked to the door and pulled it open. "Norah!" Parker grabbed me in a hug.

"Oh Parker," I said, "crushing every bone I own. I'm still small. Stop!"

Parker laughed and let me go, "Hey little sister. Who's here?"

"Mom, dad, Ike, me, Jenny, and Nick."

"Just what I thought."

"Aunt Norah?"

I looked over Parker's shoulder to his daughter, Audrey. "Hey Audrey!" I said giving her a quick hug, "it been to long."

Audrey smiled, "I've missed you."

I nodded.

"Hello Norah," Andy, Parker's wife," said as she came up the stairs. Charlotte, the next oldest daughter, walking beside her and gripping her hand was little Felix.

"Hey Andy," I hugged her.

Parker smiled, "So really no Marcie?"

"Nope, no Marcie," I said stepping back so Andy, Charlotte, Audrey, and Felix could step into the house.

Parker followed after and shut the door, "So where's-"

"Parker!" Mom grabbed up Parker in a hug.

"Never mind, question answered," Parker said, "Hey mom, I missed you. Where's dad?"

"Out back," I answered, "playing with Nick."

"Uncle Parker!" Jenny grabbed Parker.

"Hey Jenny," Parker said patting her head.

"Hey Parker," Ike said stepping up beside me.

Parker smiled, "Hey Ike, you treating my sister good?"

Ike rolled his eyes, "Your sister would beat me up if I didn't treat her good."

"As it should be," My mother laughed, "I guess I'll go work on dinner. Marcie should be here in time for it."

"Do you want me to call her?" I asked, reaching for my cell phone.

"No, no, rushing your sister just makes her slow down, not to forget she has four children."

Andy sighed, "I can barely handle three."

My mom smiled, "I can feel your pain."

"HEY!" Parker and I cried.

"Jinx," I whispered.

My mom shook her head, "Children."

I smiled at her, "You have to love us."

Mom shook her head and turned to walk into the kitchen, when the door bell rang.

"MARCIE!" I cried.

"She's early," Parker said.

Mom turned back around, "I'll get it, can someone go tell Wally his daughter is here?"

"I will," Ike said, then he left the room.

From the living room I could hear mom open the front door and a few seconds later Walter and Kelly came running by. And then, after some soft chit chat, Marcie came around the corner.

"MARCIE!" Parker and I both cried as we ran to her and grabbed her in a tight hug.

"Norah! Parker!" She cried, hugging us back.

"Marcie!" I said.

"Hi you two," Marcie laughed, "You look so much older."

Parker laughed, "And you don't?"

Marcie shook her head, "I've been twenty-one for my last couple of birthdays remember?"

I laughed, "We remember."

"Aunt Marcie!"

Jenny and Nick come running into the room. "Hi!" Marcie cried as she hugged both of them, "Where's your dad?" She asked looking up at me.

"Ike is In the kitchen with dad," I answered rubbing Nick's head.

Jenny smiled, "Guess what Aunt Marcie!"

"What Jenny?"

"We got a kitty!"

Marcie looked at me, "Really?"

Jenny nodded, "Yes! Her name is Bon-Bon."

Jenny opened her mouth to speak but I let out a cry, "Misty!"

Misty was walking into the room with Hale, Mom, Walter, Randy, and Kelly.

Misty smiled, "Hi Aunt Norah. Hey Uncle Parker."

I ran to Misty and hugged her and then I hugged Hale, "You treating my sister right?"

Hale laughed and hugged me back, "Yes and my you make me feel so old. I remember when you were just a baby."

I smiled and turned to Walter, Kelly, and Randy I hugged each of them.

Parker smiled at Kelly, "You look so much like your mom."

Kelly smiled her biggest smile, "I know, every one tells me."

Marcie laughed, "Yes they do," She turned to Parker, "So where are your kids?"

"Right here."

Everyone in the room turned around to face Andy. Behind her trailed her three kids, Audrey, Charlotte, and Felix.

Audrey smiled as she spotted Marcie, "Aunt Marcie!" She gave her a hug and then hugged Misty, "Hi."

Misty smiled at her cousin, "Hey."

Marcie shook her head and turned to Andy, "Hello," She gave her a hug.

Andy smiled, "Hi Marcie."

Mom laughed, "So we are all here now, correct?"

I nodded, "Ike's just in the kitchen with dad."

"So then who's ready to eat?"

The room rang out with a chorus of, "Me!"

LIDILIDI

Dinner went by super fast, with the clatter of plates and the room filled with laughter.

Afterwards, every once tossed the dishes into the sink and dishwasher.

We are going to out back," Misty announced as she slid through the kitchen, towards the back door, the other children right on her trail.

"Okay, have fun," Marcie said as she tossed a cup into the sink

"Audrey watch Felix!" Andy called after her daughter.

"I know!" Audrey called.

Andy sighed and leaned against the counter, Parker walked over to and kissed her on the cheek. "She's smart honey."

"But getting an attitude."

Mom laughed, "Oh it runs in this family sweetie. I had one, Marcie had one, Parker, Norah. They grow out of it."

Parker rolled his eyes, "Mom."

"Your mother speaks the truth," Dad laughed and kissed Mom.

Marcie sat herself down in a chair, "Gosh I feel so old thinking about that Misty is about to be fifteen is a few short months. I was just fifteen."

Hale sat down beside her, "Then how do you think I feel? I'm older then you."

Marcie shook her head, "Old! Old! I'm an old lady!"

Mom rolled her eyes and smacked Marcie on the head lightly, "Honey stop that! If you are old, I'm ancient."

Marcie smiled, "Sorry mom."

Mom rolled her eyes, "I love you anyway."

I giggled and took Ike's hand, "I'm still young."

Marcie looked at me, "Not for long little sis, those kids will turn your hair grey in a blink of an eye."

I rolled her eyes, seriously doubting her, "Jenny and Nick are super sweet."

"And then they become teenagers honey," Andy said, "I thought the same thing about Audrey."

I sighed, "Okay, let me believe it will be okay, don't stress me out."

Andy and Marcie laughed.

Hale looked down at his watch, "It's getting kind of late, should we go get the kids?"

Marcie shook her head, "Let them get all their energy out, they'll come in when they are beat and we can have a peaceful drive home."

I nodded, "All the way here all I heard was-"

"Are we there yet?" Andy finished.

I laughed, "Yep."

Mom laughed, "Now you all see why I hated driving to the beach with you guys."

Marcie rolled her eyes, "Yea whatever mom."

Mom hugged Marcie, "I still love you dear."

LIDILIDI

Nick was fast asleep in my arms and Jenny was falling asleep on her feet as I said goodbye.

"I love you Marcie," I said hugging her, I looked at Hale, "You be good to my sister."

Hale smiled, "I will Norah, come and see us some times.

"I love you Aunt Norah," Misty said.

I smiled, "I love you too."

I then turned to Parker who yanked me into a hug, "I'll miss you baby sister."

I shook my head, "Whatever Parker, you used to shove mud in my ears."

Parker laughed, "I love you Norah."

"I love you too."

"Bye Andy, bye Audrey."

Andy nodded, "See you Norah."

"Bye Aunt Norah."

I then turned to my mom and dad. I grabbed both of them in a hug. "I love you guys."

"We love you too Norah," Dad said.

"Don't be strangers, come visit me. Jenny and Nick love you."

Mom softly kissed Nick on the head, "I know."

Ike walked over to me, "If we don't leave soon, Jenny is going to fall asleep right here."

I looked down at Jenny who was leaning against Ike. I ruffled her hair, "You sleepy little bug?"

Jenny nodded.

"Okay, hug grandma and grandpa goodbye."

Jenny stepped forward and hugged mom and dad.

"See you later princess Jenny," Dad whispered to her.

Jenny nodded, "I love you."

She stepped back and I wrapped my free arm around her. "I'll see you all soon," I said.

Mom nodded, "You better Norah, I birthed you and I don't care how much Ike loves you, I deserve you sometimes too."

I laughed, "Bye mom, bye dad."

Ike bent down and lifted Jenny into his arms, "You are getting to big for this princess."

Jenny rested her head against his shoulder and her eyes shut.

"She doesn't care right now," I smiled.

Ike and I walked to the door and then outside to the car. I walked around one side and Ike walked to the other.

We pulled open the doors and I buckled Nick in and Ike buckled Jenny in.

"Let's go home, my love," Ike whispered and shut the door softly.

I shut the door too and then climbed into the passenger side.

Ike climbed in and reached for my hand.

"I love you," I said.

"I love you too Norah, now let's go home."

"Let's," I laughed.

And then we backed out of my parents driveway and were on our way home.

Author's Note: Nothing much to say, but sorry this chapter took forever to get up.

It's called school.