After the end of the parade, the kids settled down around the coffee table in the living room and played some board games that they found in a closet. The teens sat by the window just watching the hustle and bustle of the city, texting their friends, and talking quietly to each other. The adults cleaned up the kitchen and after that was done, Alisha went to her room for a quick nap, saying she had gotten up way too early. Izzy and Vic left to tour the hotel facilities and said they were probably going to stop by the bar for a drink. It was settled that they would order sandwiches and fruit and salad for lunch, keeping it light, since dinner was going to be a Thanksgiving feast if their breakfast feast was anything to go by.
Melinda called down and ordered lunch to arrive at two o'clock since everyone was still stuffed yet from breakfast. She also ordered from the dinner options after getting everyone's input. She ordered dinner for seven o'clock. Melinda sat on the kitchen bar stool watching Phil finish cleaning up the sink area.
"Hey. I think I could use a little nap myself. How about you?"
"Someone has to stay with the kids."
"Bobbi and Lance and Nat are right over there. They'll be fine. You look as tired as I feel."
He smiled at her. "We were up awfully early. I mean you are used to it but..."
"Used to getting up at five, not three-thirty. Come on. I'll tell the kids."
He nodded and headed off to the bedroom. Melinda made her way over to Bobbi. "Hey, do you guys mind keeping an eye on the little guys for a while?"
"Sure, no problem." Bobbi grinned. "You old people need your naps."
Melinda was too tired to think of a comeback and just nodded. "You sure you don't mind?"
Bobbi smiled. "Not at all, right guys?"
Nat nodded. 'Not a problem." Lance smiled and gave Melinda a thumbs up gesture.
"And if you let that last remark that I said pass with no snark back, you must really be tired. Go." Bobbi shooed her away.
Melinda needed no further encouragement. She walked to the bedroom and went inside. She laughed as she found Phil already laying on the bed snoring away. He must have conked out the moment his head hit the pillow. She pulled a blanket off the end of the bed, opened it, crawled into bed with him and pulled the blanket over both of them. He instinctively reached his arm out to pulling her close to him and Melinda snuggled into him as she drifted off to sleep.
Everyone was watching a movie. Well at least the kids were watching. The teens were sleeping, and the adults were sitting there but not really watching. Melinda had a book out and was reading, Alisha was on her laptop, and Phil was paging through Jemma's book about the Macy's Parades. Izzy was sleeping on her wife's shoulder while Vic read a magazine. The movie they decided to watch was Frozen, inspired by the balloon Olaf and Skye's insistence. Nat had tried to stay awake sitting by the kids but had simply laid down on the floor and fallen asleep five minutes in. Vic had covered her with a blanket and placed a pillow under her head. Lance and Bobbi who were still over by the window had managed to stay away a good half hour into the movie, talking quietly to each other before they too fell asleep on the floor. Vic had also covered each of them with a blanket and placed pillows under their heads.
Bobbi had woken Phil and Melinda when lunch had arrived. Alisha had woken only a few minutes earlier and Vic and Izzy came back to the room a few minutes after lunch was brought in. The group enjoyed various sandwiches, chips, fruit and salad. Vic and Izzy had told everyone about the hotel and what they had seen, enticing everyone by talking about the large indoor pool. It was decided that after their Thanksgiving Dinner, they would all stay in and watch a movie or two and get to bed at a decent hour so they could go to the pool in the morning after breakfast and explore the city a bit in the afternoon. Melinda had talked to the other adults and they had decided that on Saturday morning she and Phil and Vic, would take the kids who wanted to go ice skating in Central Park. Alisha and Izzy would find something else to do at the hotel – maybe take them to the gaming room or swimming again.
Melinda woke with a jolt when she heard the kids seemingly all talking at once. She had drifted off while reading. Phil must have taken her book and covered her with a blanket. She blinked rapidly trying to remember where she was and what was going on. She smelled turkey. Ah yes. She looked at the swarm of kids getting in the way of the rom service workers.
She got up and moved to them. "Okay kids, let's get out of the way. Come on everyone go wash up in the bathrooms." They all obeyed running for the bathrooms guided by the older teens. Melinda moved over to Phil who was helping one of the workers set up a folding table and chair by the window. She helped as well noting that Alisha and Vic already were handling the drinks. Izzy was still on the couch having also just woken up and when the kids started coming back into the room she got up and herded then away from the food and workers. Finally, they finished and the workers left the room and the kids sat at the folding table while the adults and Nat sat around the dining table. Bobbi and Lance took the kitchen bar stools. Food was passed around, and plates were filled. The meal consisted of Turkey and Ham, potato filling, two type of stuffing, green bean casserole, a sweet potato casserole, creamed sweet corn, biscuits and rolls, cranberry bread and banana bread, salad, applesauce, and cranberry sauce. On the counter sat the desserts – tradition pumpkin pie, apple pie, pecan pie, chocolate cream and banana cream pies, pumpkin rolls, and a chocolate cake.
The conversation was loud, the food was good, and they all enjoyed dinner. As it was winding down before dessert, Phil stood up and Izzy whistled for his attention.
"Hey so I wanted to thank everyone for coming and making this a memorable Thanksgiving. Skye told us that other than the small Thanksgiving dinners at St Agnes she never really had a real Thanksgiving meal with family before. So I wanted to make Skye's first Thanksgiving with us, one filled with happiness, good food, good friends and her new family."
Everyone cheered and Skye beamed with joy.
"But now, before we get dessert and coffee – and hot chocolate for you guys," he looked at the kid's table, "I'd like each of us to go around and tell everyone something they are thankful for." A few groans were heard. "It doesn't have to be a long speech guys, just a couple words. Who wants to start?"
"I will." Bobbi spoke up. Phil looked at her gratefully. "I'm thankful for so many things this year. But I'll start with being thankful for finally getting a sister. I love you Skye. Thanks for being the bestest sister ever." Skye grinned at her. She continued. "Also I'm grateful for my dad who loves me and does stuff like this," she moved her hands around, "constantly putting me and Skye and everyone else first. He's not just an amazing dad, he's an amazing person and I love him very much." Phil looked like he was about to cry. "I'm also grateful that Audrey listened to me and stopped the awful custody thing. I'm thankful I get to stay living with my family. Mostly this year though, I'm thankful for my mom. Who taught me that it's never blood that makes a family a family but it's love, trust, sacrifice, and time." This time it was Melinda who looked about to cry." So yeah. I'm thankful for my amazing yet sometimes very weird family."
No one said anything for a moment till Lance spoke up, "Geez Bobs, he did say you didn't have to make a speech. How am I gonna get away with two words now?"
Everyone laughed.
Izzy spoke next. I'm thankful for you Lance. You made my life much more hectic and crazy since you came to live with us. I wouldn't change it for the world. I'm also thankful for my amazing wife, and our new daughter Nat, who has brought our family much happiness and made us more complete." She paused. "And I'm thankful for good friends." She held up her wine glass. "To good friends. May they always help light our path."
Alisha smiled and spoke next. "I'm thankful for my son Lincoln. He's my pride and joy. Also very thankful for all of his friends who help him with his math (she looked at Leo), and his science (she looked at Jemma), and those who are always willing to include him in their lives(she looked at all the other kids and the teens). I'm thankful for the Coulsons for inviting us along to this small vacation away from everyday life so I can rest and have a wonderful time with my son and new friends."
Vic spoke up. "What Izzy said. That's what I'm thankful too." Everyone laughed.
Robbie raised he hand. "Can I go next?"
"You certainly can." Phil answered.
"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Coulson for having me along to this place. It's so much fun." He looked down and then back up at his friends. "Thank you all for being my friend. For being good friends. My mom always says that being kind to people you don't have to be kind to is how you know who the real heroes are. I didn't understand that until I met Skye. I'm thankful she wanted to be my friend and that all you guys did too. I'll never ever forget what you did for me, for my little brother. Thank you."
Skye got up and went to Robbie to hug him. The other kids joined them in a big group hug. The adults fought back tears. After a bit of time, the kids sat down and then each one spoke.
Lincoln's was short and simple. "I'm thankful for my mom, my aunts, my friends and being invited here with my mom."
Mack spoke next. "I'm thankful I was invited here too. And that I have a couple new friends. Also that none of you make dumb remarks about my size. Thanks for just liking me for me."
Leo went next. "I'm thankful for Jemma so I can talk about science stuff with her. I'm thankful for my other friends. I'm thankful for my aunt Sharon who took me in when my mom died. It was hard coming here to a different country but now it's better with all my friends."
Jemma put her hand over Leo's. "I'm also thankful I have Leo to talk about science with, and also to just to be my friend. Coming here with my parents from England, leaving all my friends was hard. Being teased for my accent and being teased for being smart was hard too. But now I have not just Leo but so many more friends, including you guys. Thanks for being my friend, especially Skye cause if you weren't my friend I wouldn't be here and be able to have all this fun."
Lance spoke up then. "I know what I'm thankful for now. I'm thankful that I'm not the only one her with a British accent."
Izzy gave him a dirty look.
"Okay okay. I'm thankful that Mrs. Coulson hasn't used her kung fu on me for dating Bobbi."
"Yet." Melinda shot back.
Phil looked aghast. "Wait now you two are dating?"
Vic looked at him and shook her head. "Um hello Phil. Are you blind?"
Bobbi turned red. Nat giggled.
Skye spoke up. "Yeah daddy. They kissed and everything." She turned to her friends. "They thought we didn't see."
"Right. Like they were right here." Mack shook his head. Robbie laughed. Lincoln smiled. Jemma giggled while Leo looked disgusted. Skye grinned back at Phil.
Phil looked at Bobbi and Lance. "In front of the kids?"
Melinda was shaking from laughter. Izzy and Vic joined her. Phil turned to them. "This is not funny."
Which only made Melinda laugh more. She finally was able to speak. "Oh Phil."
Nat looked over at Bobbi and Lance and decided to save her friend. She spoke. "I'm thankful for Bobbi. For being my friend. Not just cause I'm Hunter's little sister. Cause she likes me for who I am. And she helped me get so much better at basketball, so much so, that I made the team. I've never been on a team before, never been a team player. But she showed me it's okay to be a team player. And to trust other people. She and Skye made it easier for me to trust my new family. And watching them, I realized I don't have to be afraid to be who I am cause they aren't. about one year ago, I was in a bad foster home and had nearly given up on everything. Then I came to live with Vic and Izzy. I'm so thankful they took a chance on me. I love them both so much."
Izzy and Vic knelt beside Nat and sandwiched her in a hug. Melinda looked over at Bobbi and smiled. Bobbi smiled back through her tears. Lance took her hand and held it.
The room was pretty quiet with everyone contemplating things they had heard from everyone. After a few moments Skye ran over to Melinda climbing into her lap. "Mommy what are you thankful for. You didn't say yet."
"Oh I didn't did I?"
Skye shook her head. "Nope. Are you gonna say?"
"Well, I'm thankful for," she looked around the room as all eyes were on her, "Phil's cooking." She looked at Skye with a twinkle in her eye.
"Yes, me too." Came Bobbi's reply. "I mean we'd starve otherwise."
Skye giggled. Melinda gave Bobbi a dirty look. "But I'm thankful that for once he was able to enjoy this wonderful meal without preparing it and gets to have a break."
Everyone laughed including Phil who added, "although I did make all the desserts last night for everyone else. I do hope they enjoy them."
"Dad. It's Akela and Maria and Pietro. They'll not only enjoy them, they will most likely finish them off."
"And Carol and Val will be there as well, my latest hires at the dojo. Carol has no immediate family and Val's are not close by. I'm also thankful for them so I can spend much more time now with my family. No more late night teaching classes and no more weekends."
Skye grinned at her. "What about me Mommy?"
"Hmm. What about you what?"
Skye frowned. Melinda tweaked her nose and then kissed her on her forehead. "Oh yeah, I'm thankful for this little monkey. You're a pretty great kid." Skye grinned back at her again and hugged her. "And for everyone else here in this room, and Akela and Maria and my employees and Jane and Don and my parents. And for my other kid, Bobbi, who really does love Elton John and my innuendos." Bobbi stuck her tongue out at her. "And Phil. Who gets me. Sometimes I think he knows me better than I know myself."
"Love you too Lin. And right back atcha. I'm thankful for the most beautiful wife in the entire world, and the bestest two daughters in the entire world. I'm a very lucky man." He walked over to Melinda and kissed her on the cheek and then kissed Skye on the cheek.
He looked back at Bobbi who just held up her hand and said, 'your good dad, can we just get dessert now," she held up one of the pies. "I'm dying for a piece of banana cream."
Everyone shouted in agreement and the desserts were cut and plated and passed around while the conversations flowed. Melinda just sat with Skye in her lap as the very contented girl laid her head on Melinda's shoulder.
Everyone agreed on watching a movie after the hotel staff had picked up all the serving dishes and removed the folding table and chairs. Which movie had been discussed until Lance suggested a Star wars movie and the majority agreed so they had watched 'A New Hope.' The movie peaked Skye's interest, having never seen it before, and she had a new favorite hero to look up to as she fell in love with Princess Leia. That's what she was jabbering about to Melinda while Melinda combed through her hair getting tangles out.
They were sitting on the bed while Bobbi took a shower and Natasha was taking one in her parent's bathroom. Everyone had mellowed out after the movie and since they had all been up early that morning, everyone was fine with going to bed early. Izzy and Vic had retired for the night to their room as had Alisha. Melinda was hoping the girls would all be tired and settle down quickly. She could feel the fatigue in her body to her bones. Jemma was sitting on the cot reading while Skye chatted away about Star Wars. Bobbi and Lance had told her about all the movies that here were and she wanted to see them all now.
Bobbi emerged from the bathroom dressed in her pajamas which happened to be Star Wars ones. Skye grinned at her and started badgering her with Star Wars questions which Bobbi was more than happy to answer as she plopped down on the other bed.
"You gonna Mama?"
Melinda had become distracted and missed what Skye asked her. " Gonna what baby?"
"Watch all of Star Wars with us. Me and Bobbi are gonna do a binge watch during the holiday break."
"Ah, maybe some. When I can."
"You like Star Wars?"
Bobbi laughed. "Who do you think introduced me to Star Wars Skye?"
"Mama did? I though daddy would have. Mama always says he's a nerd."
Bobbi laughed louder and even Jemma was smiling now, looking up from her book"
Melinda laughed too. "Suffice it to say I think I'm the bigger Star Wars fan. Phil is more into the comics and superheroes. And Skye – you like what you want to and ever worry about what others think or like."
"So it's a good thing to be nerdy?"
"I think we are all nerdy about something." Jemma finally spoke. "People think I'm nerdy cause I love science so much. Leo too."
Bobbi sat up. "You know what Jemma? Nerds rule the world. Right mom?"
"Right. And actually, we are all nerdy about something. But if people are calling you that, Jemma, and Skye, to be mean and not just having fun like we do, that's wrong. For some people they use it to denigrate others and bully them.
Jemma nodded.
"If anyone calls you names in a mean way or bullies you, you should tell someone – a teacher, a parent..."
"Or your big sister. Or your friend's big sister Jemma. Melinda's right."
"Some of the girls at St Agnes called me names. And took stuff from me sometimes. And pushed me around and stuff. Sometimes other kids at the fosters did too. I knew you wouldn't Bobbi when you knelt down in the front yard and gave me Violet." She looked at her feet. "I was worried a little but then I wasn't."
Bobbi moved to the bed Skye was on. "I'm glad." She pulled Skye to her to hug her.
Jemma watched thoughtfully. "I wish I had a big sister. You're so lucky Skye."
Bobbi looked over at Jemma, and then waved her over. Jemma stood in front of the bed. "Come on. I can be your big sister too. Come on up here and join this hug."
Jemma jumped on the bed and happily embraced Bobbi. "I'd like that."
"Well you just remember that if anyone bullies you, you tell me Jemma. Or if you just want to talk sometime, I'm here okay?"
Jemma nodded. Bobbi hugged the two girls. Just then Natasha opened the door and came in.
She smiled at the scene in front of her. "What's going on?"
"A hug fest." Bobbi answered.
Skye added. "Bobbi's Jemma's big sister now too."
Natasha smiled. "Can never have too many sisters, right Mrs. Coulson?"
"Right."
"Izzy says that you are like a sister to her."
"She did, did she?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Okay that needs to stop. Call me Melinda, okay? And yes, I feel the same about her. And Maria, and Akela. None of us are related by blood but we are definitely family. But you guys have to all settle in now. I'm really tired and I know all of you are too. And tomorrow we need lots of energy to go swimming and shopping."
"Yay! The girls all cheered. But they soon settled down per Melinda's wish.
Bobbi and Natasha shared the queen bed, Jemma on the cot, and Melinda and Skye on the double bed. Melinda thought maybe she should get up and check on the boys in the living room but shrugged it off, and with Skye snuggled into her, feel fast asleep.
Melinda work with a start, blinking quickly and not recognizing her surroundings. Skye was softly snoring still cuddled into her, and Melinda saw Jemma's small form asleep on the couch at the foot of the bed. She glanced over and saw Bobbi sitting on the edge of the other bed yawning. She heard a whisper and then looked over to see Vic at the door with Natasha. Ah that must be what woke her. The whispering.
She shifted her body and Skye with her to sit up a bit more. Vic glanced at her. Then Natasha walked over to her and whispered, "Mom and I are going to do Tai Chi, you want to join us?"
Melinda whispered back, "what time is it?"
"Almost seven."
Wow so they'd all slept for over nine hours. Melinda looked at body and motioned with her head. Bobbi nodded. "Sure. Tell Vic we'll be up and about in about ten minutes to join her. Where's she going?"
Natasha shrugged. And walked back over to the door to relay the message. Vic nodded, showed ten fingers to Melinda and gave her a thumbs up.
Melinda slightly tickled Skye's face and the little girl opened her eyes looking lost for a moment before smiling.
"Hey little one. "You ready to get up and go do Tai Chi or do you want to stay sleeping?"
Skye yawned and stretched looking around the room as she saw Natasha getting dressed and Bobbi get up to use the bathroom. "Are they going?"
"They are."
"What about Jemma?"
Melinda looked over at the cot and saw big brown eyes staring back at her. "She's welcome to come with or she can stay here and sleep too."
"Oh I'd like to come with please."
Melinda laughed, as Jemma jumped out of bed and started rummaging through her suitcase. "what should I wear for Tai Chi?"
"Anything comfortable."
Skye got up too and sat on the bed. "Jemma you don't know Tai Chi do ya?"
"No. But it sounds fascinating and I can watch."
"Are you interested in learning Tai Chi Jemma?"
"It does sound fun. When Skye told us she was doing it, I looked it up and it seems like a very good form of exercise, similar to yoga but more active? Is that correct?"
"It is. Tai Chi is about calmness and learning your body and being able to focus. At least that's what it does for me. You're more than welcome to join us Jemma and I can even teach you a few simple moves if you like?"
"Yes please. Thank you."
Bobbi came out of the bathroom and Skye ran inside. Everyone proceeded to use the bathroom and get dressed and then they left the room, finding Vic over by the entryway to the suite. They all quietly walked into the hallway following Victoria to the elevator.
"We can go down to the exercise room. They have a fairly large area for a group we can use," she said as they got on the elevator. "Izzy and I scouted it out yesterday when we walked around."
They got to the ground floor and Victoria walked them to the exercise room. She used her key to enter and then got everyone's ID's out of her bag that she had taken from the kitchen where Melinda had left them. After showing them to the attendant, she led the group over to an open area. Along the walls were all kinds of fitness equipment with a few other guests using them.
Vic nodded at Melinda who stood in front of the group and led everyone in a few stretches. Then Jemma sat off to the side to watch as Melinda led the group doing the 10 form. After two cycles through Melinda stopped and called Jemma over. The other watched as Melinda taught her the first two forms leading her through them over and over.
After about fifteen minutes Jemma seemed to get it. Victoria spoke," You do that teaching thing pretty good Lin.
Natasha leaned over to Vic and whispered something. Vic turned back and spoke, "you ask her."
Melinda turned around and looked at Natasha. "Ask me what?"
"Could you um – I'd like to learn more. Like is there a class for self defense I could take?"
"Of course. We teach all ages. I'll talk to Victoria later about setting something up. You did very well with Tai Chi. How long have you been doing that?"
"Just a little while. A couple months maybe."
"Me too." Skye jumped into the conversation. "You could take class with me. Ours started two weeks ago."
"Actually Skye, Natasha would be better to take a class closer to her age group. Carol teaches a couple you'd fit in."
"Oh." She looked disappointed.
"Carol is a very good teacher. And Bobbi said something about maybe helping out a little bit. Some classes with certain ages do better with two instructors. I can set you up for a beginning class with Carol and Bobbi. How's that sound?"
"Good." She smiled back.
"Perhaps I could convince my mum to let me take a class as well. With Skye. Unless it's too late?"
"I could probably fit you in the one she's in. Have your mom call me."
"Is it like what you taught me? Just now?"
"It's similar. But Skye's class is more about self-defense, an introduction to the various Martial arts disciplines. We also do have Tai Chi classes for all levels."
"Thank you."
"You're very welcome. Why don't you watch some more and even try some of the next series with us, okay? Come on let's finish up guys."
Melinda led them through the 10 Form again and then she, Bobbi and Victoria continued doing more all the way through 24 forms. Skye and Natasha watched and tried a few but gave up and then just sat with Jemma watching.
Jemma spoke softly to Skye. "Your mom is amazing, Skye."
Skye nodded and grinned back at her. "She's a super ninja."
Natasha smiled. "She is. My mom said she learned Tai Chi from Melinda when she was going through a rough patch and it helped a lot. And Bobbi's pretty good too."
"Mama said that Bobbi's won lots of martial arts trophies. Mama said she got busy with high school and basketball and stopped doing it lots - but she is really good. She came to our first class at the dojo and helped show us what to do. After all the classes Mama and Bobbi sparred."
"What's that?" Jemma asked.
"It's when they pretend karate fight." Skye answered.
"I hope my mom says I can come to your class Skye."
"Me too. We should invite Leo too."
"And Lincoln and Robbie and Mack and..."
"Whoa guys. Classes can only be so big. I mean tell them and stuff, but Melinda probably already has your class pretty full Skye." Natasha said while watching the other three finish up.
"Yeah. There's already nine of us and with you Jems it will make ten. Mama did say she likes to keep younger classes smaller especially new beginners like me. But if you come that would be ten and you could be my sparring partner."
Jemma shook her head. "I hope my mum says yes."
They got back to the suite finding everyone else were finally awake. Phil and the boys were cleaning up the living room and putting bedding and pillows away, Izzy was brewing coffee, and Alisha was in the shower. The girls all headed to the room to wash up and change. There was no big breakfast like yesterday, Phil had said they would be having cereals, fruit, bagels and muffins. The whole group finished breakfast and cleaned up, and then spent some time relaxing and waiting till ten o'clock when they were going to go to the pool.
Melinda got out of the shower, dried off and put on a pair of sweatpants and one of Phil's comic T-shirts. She opened the door to Jemma and Skye paging through a magazine while sitting on the cot. Melinda walked to the bed and flopped down, sighing heavily.
"Are you okay Mommy?"
"I'm good." She pulled the comforter over her and sighed again. "Wake me tomorrow okay baby." She closed her eyes.
"Tomorrow?" Skye jumped off the cot and then jumped on the bed crawling up to Melinda and put her hand on Melina forehead. "Are you sick?"
Melinda smiled. "No. I'm just tired. And old."
"You're not old Mrs. Coulson." Jemma offered.
Melinda peaked one eye open and saw Skye looking at her. "Are you gonna take a nap now? Phil said the others would be back with the burgers and fries soon. Aren't you hungry?"
"Yes. But I'm more tired."
"Should I get Phil."
"I just need a few minutes. Why don't you two go on out and watch cartoons with the others?"
"Okay." Skye slid off the bed and she and Jemma left the room.
Melinda sighed and closed her eyes, rolling to her side and pulling the comforter tighter around her shoulders. She was really tired. She thought. Between getting up so early yesterday and all the excitement and the business of the day, getting up at seven for Tai Chi, and then trying to corral 6 eight-year old's in a pool and game room, and then make sure they all got showers – she was really tired. "I guess I am really getting old, she said aloud to herself.
"Nah, not old. Just mature." Phil laughed as he walked over to her.
"I didn't even hear you come in."
"Yeah, you were too busy having a pity party about getting older."
She shook her head. "You know it's tough watching over this many kids. I mean I teach kids at the dojo but half the parents are there and it's only for 45 minutes at a time. Dealing with Skye is one thing but the barrage of questions from six of them, and how fast they can move from place to place is simply exhausting."
"You should have taken Izzy and Vic up on their offer to help. Since the teens decided to do their own thing this morning."
'Which is fine. But Alisha needed to make some important calls to clients, and well I mean it was only for a couple hours. And even thought they think they are invincible, I'm glad you went shopping with Bobbi, Lance and Natasha. They really aren't used to the city. And Izzy and Vic were looking forward to just spending some time together. You know Vic told me they haven't had a real vacation in close to four years. And she said that they love the kids dearly, but sometimes they just need some alone time."
"Wise words. We need to remember that too. Which is why, I got us tickets to a play tomorrow night and dinner for two."
"Let me guess. It's a surprise, right?"
"Oh good. I thought for sure you'd try to get me to tell you where we are going?"
"Phil."
"Yes dear?" He smirked at her.
"You're impossible. Anyway I guess I need to get up cause lunch will be here shortly. Oh and Bobbi told me Skye is worried about getting us Christmas gifts. Bobbi told her she'd help her make something, but she was insistent on buying something for us and Bobbi. Bobbi said she asked how she could earn some money. So I guess I need to talk with her unless you want to?" She looked at him pleadingly. "You would be better cause I'd probably just give ibn and hand her a couple hundred dollar bills."
He laughed. "She does have you wrapped around her little finger."
"Well I know. I need to be firmer with her but that can wait till she's been with us longer. Till she trusts us completely and maybe till her insecurities are far in the past. It's not wrong that I want to give her everything, is it?"
"Lin. I'll talk to her. While we're shopping this afternoon, maybe point out the price of things, and point out that a gift for a parent is not something that others place value on but rather something that comes from the heart that is thoughtful."
"See you already have the right words."
"Well, I had to say them to Bobbi when she was much younger. So I've had practice."
"Good. Then it's settled. How much time do we have before lunch gets here?"
"Five minutes if we're lucky."
"Come hold me for five minutes Phil."
She didn't have to ask twice. A few minutes later, someone knocked on their door. "Is it safe to come in? Skye said you wo were in here alone." It was Bobbi.
"Come in. The door's unlocked."
"So Izzy and them got back with the food," Bobbi started as she opened the door, "so..." Her voice trailed off as she saw the in bed together. "You guys aren't... I mean..."
"Not yet." Melinda replied in a sultry voice.
Phil just raised his eyebrows at his daughter.
"Sure. Even on vacation. Like freaking rabbits." She gave them a look of disgust and slammed the door shut.
Melinda started giggling. "We weren't even doing anything," Phil said while starting to laugh. He looked at Melinda and raised his eyebrows suggestively. "But we could. They're all busy chomping on burgers and fries.
Melinda grinned but then shook her head, "we have to get up cause Bobbi's gonna..."
The door flung open as Skye came running in. "Bobbi said to tell you guys to get out here and stop embarrassing her." Skye jumped on the bed and put herself between Phil and Melinda. "Whacha embarrassing her about huh?"
Melinda grabbed Skye and started tickling her. She tried to wiggle away. "Help. Help. No Mama." She batted at Melinda's hands in vain and gave a pleading look to Phil. "Save me daddy!"
He picked her up and rolled out of bed keeping her away from Melinda's outstretched hands. Skye giggled and clung to Phil's neck.
"I'll save you from the big bad tickle monster. Hey, we can get her. Me and you."
"Phillip."
"I would but I'm really hungry. My tummy says it's time to eat."
"Okay. We'll get her later," he whispered conspiratorially in her ear." Looking at Melinda, "come on old lady, it's lunch time."
"Who you calling an old lady, you better..."
"Well you need to take naps now. Pretty soon you're gonna start wearing sweaters and knitting."
Skye giggled louder. "You did take a nap yesterday Mama. And now today."
Melinda got up and tickled Skye's toes. "Well watching you and your little friends is exhausting. I'm no spring chicken."
"You're not a chicken at all Mama. You're very brave and strong." Skye's puzzled face made Melinda laugh.
Phil laughed too and opened the door and the three entered the little hallway and then walked into the dining area. Bobbi spotted them and smirked. But her smirk soon disappeared as Skye looked at Melinda from her perch on Phil's shoulders and said, "Mama what does frickle frackle mean?"
