It was near lunchtime and the now 46 year old Judy Schneider had stepped out into the backyard to get some herbs and vegetables from the garden.
On the back patio, she found John smoking a cigarette.
"You know those things will kill you." She told him without halting her journey to the garden.
"So I've heard." John replied, before taking another puff, "My soul is damned already. I don't really see the point of quitting."
Judy just shook her head as she picked the herbs and some lettuce, placing it in her apron. On her way back to the house, stepping onto the patio, she took John's cigarette as she passed by him.
"You will not be smoking while you are here. You may want to poison your own lungs, but don't poison the lungs of our children with your second hand smoke." Judy said before heading back inside
John grumbled, "All right, Love."
Standing up, he followed her inside. If he couldn't smoke, there was no point of sitting outside.
Meanwhile Zari was upstairs with Crystal in the room that the eight year old shared with Serenity, Star and the now eleven year old Melissa Morrison. But right now, it was just Zari and Crystal in the room.
Crystal was showing Zari all of the things that she had sewed, knitted and crocheted since the last visit.
"I really like all of the things that you've made." Zari said, "Your sewing stitching has really improved."
Crystal just smiled. She was older, but she still didn't talk much.
"You know, I can't sew." Zari added, "Can you teach me?"
Crystal nodded, picking up two baskets. One had some sewing patterns in it and the other one had fabric, thread and needles. She placed them beside Zari, who was sitting on the bed with her.
"Oh." Zari uttered, "How about you pick a pattern. I'll learn to sew whatever you think is best for dummies like me."
Crystal gave a little laugh, "Choose a fabric."
Zari hummed, looking inside the basket with the fabric, "Hmm…" She picked up a baby pink fabric with white polka dots, "This one."
Crystal had chosen a simple square pattern. There were two pieces. One was a little longer than the other one.
"What are we gonna make?" Zari asked
"Tooth fairy pouches for Treasure and Bodhi." Crystal replied as she picked up a purple galaxy fabric. That one was for Bodhi. He liked space.
Zari gave a nod, "Oh, cool."
Having finished his errands, Mick finally arrived at Mount Carmel. As he was walking up to the door, he saw 39 year old Floracita Sonobe sitting out in front.
"Hey Sita." Mick greeted
"Hello Mick." She called back
It was unbeknown to Mick that Sita was sitting outside because she was watching Mayanah and Pages, who were up in the treehouse. It was only when he had heard what had become his favorite name to be called that he became aware of the reason for Sita sitting out front.
"Uncle Mick!" He heard.
Looking up into the treehouse, Mick saw Pages leaning over, smiling at him, as Mayanah was climbing down the ladder.
Mayanah ran over and hugged Mick, "Uncle Mick, we had a giant Beebo on our roof."
"Oh did you?" Mick replied as he picked up Mayanah before he was bombared by Pages hugging him.
"Yeah." Pages added, "Mayanah wrote a story in the journal you gave her."
Mick gave a chuckle as he was holding Mayanah with his left arm and bending down to pick up Pages in the crook of his right arm.
Mayanah nodded, "You didn't tell me that the journal brings stories to life. Mama Charlie told me."
"I said it was special." Mick uttered as he walked up to the door holding both Mayanah and Pages.
Inside Mount Carmel, Nate was in the chapel with Chica and Little One Jones - the now six year old twin daughters of Michele Jones.
Chica and Little One were up on the stage putting on a performance for Nate. They were quite the amazing little dancers. Or at least Nate thought so, but he was probably biased because he loved those little girls. He has never once regretted his decision to save the Branch Davidians.
Nate heard the chapel door creak open. He turned around to see Michele. He smiled at her, watching her walk towards him.
"Hey Nate." She greeted as she sat down beside him, "I see Chica and Little One roped you into watching one of their never-ending dance shows."
Chica and Little One were so busy dancing that they hadn't even noticed their mother walk in.
"Oh. I don't mind." Nate admitted before turning back to watch the twins.
Truthfully, he was wondering when the dance would be over. Then Chica and Little One both curtsied as Michele and Nate started to clap - prematurely.
"And now...the finale." Chica uttered
Michele turned her head towards Nate as she was stifling back her laughter, but donned a big grin on her face.
Meanwhile Charlie was in the living room doing a puzzle on the coffee table with Bobbie and 4 year old Bodhi Gent while listening to David's recorded music. Bobbie, Bodhi and Charlie were all singing along. The song was titled Without Him.
Footsteps were heard approaching and Charlie glanced up from the puzzle to see Sara.
"Oh Sara, come have a seat." Charlie said
Bobbie looked up, motioning Sara over, "Sara! Come do the puzzle with us."
Sara smiled, "Okay Bobbie."
She walked over and sat on the floor in between Bobbie and Charlie. Bodhi was sitting on the other side of Charlie. Sara picked up a puzzle piece and was twirling it in her fingers as she was staring at Charlie.
"You have something you want to say, Captain?" Charlie wondered
"Yeah. Why didn't you tell me?" Sara asked
Charlie furrowed her eyebrows, not knowing that Sara knew she was pregnant.
Bodhi was pulling on Charlie's arm, interrupting, "Mama? Does this piece go here?"
"Just a minute, babe." She told the boy, still looking at Sara, "Um...what are you talking about?"
"Trea blew your secret." Sara admitted, taking a breath, "Charlie, I know."
Charlie glanced over at the puzzle piece that Bodhi was still pointing out. She nodded, "Yeah. That looks great, babe."
Letting out a breath, Charlie turned back to Sara, "I was gonna tell you, Captain. I guess Trea beat me to it."
Sara nodded, "Look, I'm happy for you, Charlie. I just wish I had heard the news from you first."
"I'm not very far along." Charlie told Sara, "I'll be nine weeks at the end of this week."
Sara smiled, "And Rachel?"
"She's five months. She and David are waiting to find out the gender at birth." Charlie informed, "And I will too."
"I think Mommy's having a girl and Mama Charlie is having a boy." Bobbie chimed in
Sara turned towards Bobbie, "Oh really?"
Bobbie nodded, "Yeah." Then she returned her attention back to the puzzle.
"So…" Sara started, focusing back on Charlie, "How's David been treating you since finding out you're pregnant with his kid?"
Charlie just smiled, "He's great. Always asking how me and the baby are doing. He's so excited to be a dad again, and I can't wait to welcome this special little child into the world."
"Have any names picked yet? Like a list of names?"
"No. David names all of his children."
Sara hummed, "Hmm...So you don't have any names that you would have liked to name a kid if you ever had one?"
Charlie shook her head, "No. To be honest, I never expected to have a kid, but it's an honour to be chosen to bring one of David's children into the world."
"Oh...okay." Sara uttered
Sara placed her puzzle piece in the correct spot. She had one of her eyebrows raised, slightly. The wheels of her brain were turning. Charlie seemed different from when they had last visited a few months ago, but maybe that was because she was pregnant now. At least that was what Sara hoped.
Sara made a mental note to have a talk with Ray and Nora about Charlie later.
Hope you enjoyed. Leave a review if you liked it.
What do you think about Charlie? Do you think Sara has a reason to worry?