The next morning, Leon and Sharon woke up bright. Sharon went downstairs while Leon was getting ready for his day with their twin nieces, Lola and Lana. Once Sharon reached to the living room she a knock on the front door and decided to see who it was. It had been Rita with Lola and Lana dropping them off for their big day.
"Hi, Aunt Sharon." Lola and Lana said in unison.
"Aww you guys look cute with your matching shirts on." Sharon said in response.
"I know, Sharon. I'm guessing Leon is getting ready or is he still sleeping." Rita said with curiosity.
"No, he's up, probably getting ready and should be…." Sharon said before feeling a tap on her shoulder.
"Hi, Lola, Lana. You guys can have a seat in the living room for a moment." Leon said as he greeted his nieces.
"Okay, Uncle Leon." Lola and Lana said in response before heading to the living room.
"Here's some money for them, I didn't want to give it to the both of them at once because they might spend it all at one place. If they act out, they will be grounded with their punishment determined by me or their dad." Rita said as she gave Leon Lola and Lana's money to him.
"Alright, Sis. Don't worry your girls will have a good time. I will notify you once we leave Dairyland." Leon said in response.
"Okay." Rita said in response.
"Lola, Lana. Say goodbye to your mom." Sharon said as Rita was about to get into the van.
"Bye, Mommy." Lola and Lana said in response.
Leon and Sharon then went into the living room to sit with their nieces.
"Have you guys eaten breakfast yet?" Sharon said to Lola and Lana.
"Yeah, Aunt Sharon. Our dad made us eggs with bacon." Lola said in response.
"That sounds good. Oh boy looks like your uncle has found his breakfast." Sharon said in a calm tone.
"I sure have. Let's see I got to make sure I have everything: wallet check, car keys check, everything else I was just given check. So, Lola and Lana, you guys ready to head out." Leon said in response.
"Yes, Uncle Leon. Bye, Aunt Sharon we'll make sure Uncle Leon don't get into trouble." Lola said with a smile.
"Okay, bye, Lola. Be good for your uncle." Sharon said as Lola nodded.
"Come on, Lols. Bye Aunt Sharon." Lana said with her head out the door.
Lola then went outside and got into Leon's car to be seated next to Lana. Leon a few seconds later got into the car to start it and was off for Dairyland.
"Uncle Leon, what's that your drinking?" Lola asked out of curiosity.
"Oh, this is a protein shake. I have to watch what I eat and such, your aunt helps me out to keep sure I don't get into something I shouldn't." Leon said in response.
"Oh, that's cool." Lana said with a smile and Lola nodding.
"Uncle Leon. How's Nikki been? If you're wondering that's me and our siblings nickname for Nicole. Because at our party the other day she seemed off." Lola asked out of curiosity.
"She's doing okay, right now she is at home spending time with your aunt, my sister-in-law and the lady you met the other day at the park. Why do you ask?" Leon said in response.
"Oh okay. At the party Nikki had noticed a couple of people who had been picking on her at school that passed by and she got a little agitated if I am saying that right. Aunt Sharon noticed that and saved our party from Nikki's temper tantrums." Lana said as Lola nudged her to confess.
"Hold on, so Nicole was being picked on at school and she told me that the….. I don't get it all. Thank you girls for telling me this." Leon said right as he pulled out his phone.
Leon dialed to Sharon's number with the thought of what he just learned in his mind and not wanting to upset his nieces who were in the car with him.
"Hi, darling. You seemed to be distressed. What is the matter?" Sharon said as she answered the phone.
"Did you know that our daughter was being picked on at school?" Leon said in a serious tone.
"I didn't realize it until the other day…..oh my do you think that's what caused her issue?" Sharon said in response.
"Yeah, I was told about it just now. Try to talk to her about it, okay. Oh, just to say we're about over halfway to our destination." Leon said in response.
"Ok, I will try. Have a great time and don't stress about the Nicole situation for me alright. I love you." Sharon said before ending the call.
"I love you too, honey." Leon said as he ended the call and put the phone back in the cup holder.
Leon then looked back through the mirror to see that Lola and Lana had calm faces.
"We're sorry if we…" Lola and Lana said in unison.
"It's okay. You both did well, and I am grateful for it because I can tell how much you care for your cousin. Since you guys are the closest ones to her by age, I was thinking about having the both of you watch out over Nicole at school or whenever you guys hang out." Leon said with a smile.
"We love the sound of that, Uncle Leon." Lola said with a smile before nudging Lana to nod.
"Wonderful. Oh, it looks like we're here. Now to find a good parking spot." Leon said as he pointed out that they were in Dairyland.
"Are you precise with finding parking spots, Uncle Leon?" Lola asked.
"Yes. You see this car wasn't cheap when I first bought it a while back and I am not a stickler with broken down vehicles sorry if I had to say something about your dad's van but it's true." Leon said in response.
"Oh, don't worry, Uncle Leon. We complain some of the time about Vanzilla, but I end up fixing it lucky me." Lana said with a sigh.
"Yeah, Lana. Trying to save it for when Lincoln is old enough to drive it." Lola said as she and Lana laughed a little
"You mean he's going to end up with that thing when he's sixteen. I can't imagine it one bit." Leon said with a sigh.
"Yeah, that's what our mom said one time after it broke down and all of us had to push it back home except for Lola." Lana said with honesty.
"Well, I could have practiced my wave back then if a tree branch didn't whack me like crazy." Lola said in reply.
"Okay, you two. Well, this spot should do." Leon said as he parked a row away from the front gate to Dairyland ticket counter.
Upon turning off the car, Leon notices his phone going off and notices that Sharon was calling him back. Lola and Lana who were out of the car stood by the door they got out of which was right behind the driver's door.
"Hi honey that is odd for you to call me back so soon." Leon said as he stepped out of the car and talking on the phone.
"Yeah it is darling. Anyway, I talked to Nicole and she felt sad talking about it, but I told her that you know about the situation. That is when she told me the truth about when she got picked on began and was afraid to say something, but I told her that there's nothing to be afraid of and so on. Well, I did what I could…." Sharon said in response.
"Okay, is she nearby you? Let me see if I can talk to her maybe that'll help her out. You did your best honey." Leon said with honesty.
"Thank you, darling. Nicole's right by me, here sweetheart your dad would like to talk to you." Sharon said on her end before handing it to Nicole.
"Hi, Daddy." Nicole said once she got the phone from Sharon.
"Hi sweetie. Is there something you want to tell me?" Leon said in response.
"I'm sorry Daddy for not saying anything about me being picked on at school. I was afraid to say anything because people at school would label me a tattletale for doing so." Nicole said in a gloomy tone.
"Sweetie, no one would ever call you a tattle tale for standing up for yourself and finding a teacher to tell them you're being picked on. It's not right that you should be picked on because you are special in your own unique way and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If you would have said something sooner I'd have this talk with you. Now listen to me, don't let yourself down today and be good for your mom okay." Leon said with honesty.
"Okay, Daddy. Thank you for cheering me up." Nicole said in response.
"Oh, hold on before I get off here. I think your cousins want say hi." Leon said as he felt Lola tapping on his leg.
"Hi, Nikki." Lola and Lana said in unison.
"Hi, Lola and Lana. Sorry if I almost caused a scene at your guy's party the other day." Nicole said in response.
"It's okay, Nikki. We understand just that if Lola weren't in a good mood she would have taken care of those meanies for you. Just between us." Lana said in response.
"Yeah well I better get going because my mom wants me for something." Nicole said upon hanging up the phone.
Lana then handed Leon back his phone once she caught up with him and Lola at the ticket counter. Leon had to use the bathroom, so Lola and Lana sat on the nearest bench.
"Hey, Lols. Something on your mind." Lana said with curiosity.
"Yeah, Lana. I've been thinking about what Uncle Leon said to us back in the car about watching over Nikki. I mean don't you think we haven't been doing that already." Lola said in reply.
"Yes, but it's the first time he's specifically asked us to do it though. Things sure have been different since Lori left for college and this is definitely one of them." Lana said after scratching her trademark cap.
"You can say that again." Lola said in reply.
Then Leon got out of the bathroom with gloves on his hands; this put looks on both Lola and Lana who were looking at each other for a double take before seeing what they saw. Once Leon found a trash can he threw the gloves in there.
"Yuck. I'm sure as never going into that stall again." Leon said with a disgust look on his face.
"Should have told you that some of the stalls here are not sanitary, Uncle Leon." Lola said upon looking at her uncle's face.
"Hope it doesn't ruin my appetite for the rest of the day." Leon said in response.
"It shouldn't." Lana said in response.
"Okay, so what do you guys want to do first?" Leon said as he regained his composure.
"Ride some rides if you're up for it, Lols." Lana said as she looked to her sister.
"Okay, Lana." Lola said in reply.
Then Lola and Lana showed Leon which rides they wanted to go on. While the twins were riding the rides, Leon took pictures of his nieces and sent them to Rita who had reply back with great pictures. After the fifth and final ride they wanted to go on together, Lola and Lana started to feel hungry and nudged Leon to get his attention.
"Uncle Leon, we're hungry." Lola said.
"Okay, let's find a stand or something." Leon said in response.
Upon finding a stand that sold food, Leon sat at the bench near by and motioned his nieces to come by him.
"Lola, Lana. Here's some money for each of you to buy something from the stand." Leon said as he handed Lola and Lana the money that Rita had given him earlier in the day.
"Okay, Uncle Leon." Lola and Lana said in response.
A couple of minutes later, Leon notices that Lola and Lana had come back with a box of pizza and this puzzled him a bit. Then Lola gave Leon back the change before she and Lana sat next to their uncle.
"You guys got a pizza. I don't understand." Leon said with curiosity.
"Me and Lana are not going to eat this whole box, you know. We decided to get the pizza as a token of appreciation for you taking us here to Dairyland today and spending time with us, Uncle Leon." Lola said in reply.
"Thank you guys. It means a lot. Besides, it's been a long time since I have had non dietary pizza." Leon said with a smile.
"You mean Aunt Sharon has to make your pizzas all healthy too, Uncle Leon." Lana said with curiosity.
"Hmm-Hmm. She's obsessive when it comes to the health stuff. This is why you hardly see any good foods in our pantry or kitchen when you're by my house. But I don't mind it." Leon said after taking a bite of pizza.
"So, this would be like your cheat meal then, Uncle Leon." Lola said in reply.
"Exactly, Lola." Leon said honestly.
"Does Nikki do this too?" Lana asked out of curiosity.
"She likes some of the foods that I eat but not all of them. So, she'll eat anything similar to what you guys do." Leon answered boldly.
"Oh okay. That's cool." Lola said in reply.
"You guys want do anything else here or want go do something else?" Leon said after eating his last bite of lunch.
"Can we go to the park, Uncle Leon?" Lola said upon looking at Lana.
"Sure." Leon said as he and the twins were leaving Dairyland.
Once Leon, Lola and Lana got in the car is when Leon notified Rita of their plans and she was okay with it. Then a half hour later, Leon and the twins arrived at the park.
"Can we take a picture of the three of us, Uncle Leon?" Lola said once she, Lana and Leon sat on a bench.
"Okay, Lola. I'm good with that just get on the right side of me and Lana stay where you are. Smile for the camera." Leon said as he got his phone out to take a selfie with his nieces.
The picture was taken, and Leon was thrilled with the photo upon showing it to Lola and Lana. Then Lola and Lana played on the playground for a while with Leon watching from the bench. As he was watching his nieces play with each other, Leon was looking back on his own childhood with Rita and how different it was compared to the current generation. Suddenly, Leon saw Lola coming up to him.
"Uncle Leon, I was wondering what you meant earlier about me and Lana watching over Nikki." Lola said in curiosity.
"Oh, that well was just me getting to overlook the situation after what you and your sister told me about Nicole being picked on. I know just by looking at you that you've been looking over Nicole for a while that it really wasn't my place to say much, Lola." Leon said with a sigh.
"You knew? Oh, me and Lana were wondering about it because things had been different since Lori left for college and all." Lola said in reply.
"Of course. I know that things have changed since Lori had gone to college and I could tell with Nicole because she misses her like you guys do. It's a tough time for her right now…." Leon said in response.
"Aww. Poor Nikki. Is there anything that me and Lana can do, Uncle Leon?" Lola said once Lana came to their direction.
"Hmm…I'll talk it over with your aunt Sharon and your mother first, but I was thinking how about you guys spend the weekend with me and your aunt. That way Nicole will have somebody to hang out with and she won't feel left out all the time." Leon said with honesty.
"Okay, Uncle Leon." Lola and Lana said in response.
Then Lola and Lana went back to the playground for a while, Leon pulled out his phone and proceeded to call Rita first.
"Hi, Sis. Can I talk to you about something or rather run it by you?" Leon said once the call went through.
"Sure, Leon. What is it that you have in mind?" Rita said in response.
"Well, I know you told me that you and your family would be going out of town this weekend. I was wondering if Lola and Lana could spend the weekend with me and Sharon. The reason might be farfetched but it's not….." Leon said in response.
"I'm okay with it, Leon. I already figured out the reason without you telling me, sister's intuition. Alright I'll get their bags ready. Are they behaving for you?" Rita said with curiosity.
"Of course, Sis. They're on the playground and I am watching them, so they are doing fine." Leon said in response.
"Okay, see you later." Rita said in response before ending the call.
Leon then looked at his call history to find Sharon and dialed her number while stretching his legs out.
"Hi, darling." Sharon said once the call came in.
"Hi, Shar-bear. Listen can you do me a favor?" Leon said with honesty.
"Yeah, what is it?" Sharon said in reply.
"Can you have Nicole straighten her room up a bit?" Leon said with a calm tone.
"Sure, darling. What's the occasion?" Sharon said in response.
"Don't say anything yet to Nicole but I ran it by my sister for what I am about to tell you. Lola and Lana are going to spend the weekend with us. I had been thinking about how our daughter's been lately, and I figured this would help her out if she had quality time with her cousins too. Wouldn't you think so, Honey?" Leon said in response.
"Yes I do see your point, my love. I mean Nicole has been a bit distant lately and after figuring out the situation this morning, I'd think this would help her out a lot. So, where you guys at now?" Sharon said in response.
"We're at the park. We left Dairyland after eating lunch and chose to spend some time at the park. It will be a while before we come back because I got to get Lola and Lana's bags from my sister's, so she'll be a while there. So, don't worry about getting everything done in a fast pace, honey." Leon said with a smile.
"OK, see you when you get home. Love you." Sharon said in response.
"Love you too." Leon said before ending the call.
Then Leon motioned for Lola and Lana to come by him for a moment.
"Lola, Lana. I talked it over with your mom and aunt Sharon, they said it was okay that you guys spend the weekend with me and Aunt Sharon." Leon said with a smile.
"Yay, thank you. Uncle Leon." Lola said as she and Lana hugged their uncle.
"Your mom is getting your guy's bags ready, so we'll have to stop by your house to pick them up before heading to my house. That way if you want to get Hops, Lana you can get him but none of your mouse friends." Leon said with a smile.
"Okay, Uncle Leon. But why can't I bring any of my mouse friends?" Lana said once Lola left for the playground.
"Your aunt is deafly afraid of mice. I know Lana it's sad, but I learned of this yesterday. I definitely know that Hops won't cause any problems since you two are remarkably close and got him well trained." Leon said with a calm tone.
"It's okay, Uncle Leon. I don't have to worry about getting Hops from the house." Lana said as she showed Leon her frog was under her shirt in the pocket of the trademark overalls she was wearing.
"Oh, you're very clever, Lana. Hi, Hops." Leon said as he saw the frog get his snack of nearby flies.
"Aww, he's saying hi back to you, Uncle Leon. Probably needed his snack and fresh air." Lana said in response.
"Hmm…he'll like it at the house since flies tend to be a on and off problem." Leon said with a smile.
"Hmm…. Lola looks like she's ready to leave, Uncle Leon." Lana said as Lola was coming in their direction.
"Uncle Leon, I'm ready to go." Lola said once she made it to the bench.
"Okay. If we're all ready then it's off to your house." Leon said with honesty.
Leon and the twins got in the car and left the park to head to the Loud house. It only took Leon a few minutes to get there from the park since traffic was not busy. Once Leon parked the car in front of the Loud house, he saw that Rita was waiting for him and the twins outside.
"So, did you guys have a good time at Dairyland?" Rita said to Lola and Lana.
"Yeah, we got to ride on some rides and watch Uncle Leon get disgusted by their bathrooms." Lola and Lana said in response.
"I can definitely tell you guys had a good time then." Rita said as she smirked to Leon.
"Yeah, they sure did, Sis. Ok I got their bags." Leon said before putting Lola and Lana's bags in the trunk of the car.
"Leon, I appreciate you and Sharon doing this for the weekend. I understand where you were coming from when you asked me earlier and also to be honest I think Nicole would do great with Lola and Lana since she is starting to get close with them but it's not there yet. On top of that I think Lola and Lana wouldn't have liked where me and Lynn was planning on taking the others anyway especially Lola." Rita said in response.
"Oh, really. What makes you think that Sis?" Leon said in response.
"I don't know, it's that Lola's stingy on certain things when it doesn't meet her standards." Rita said in response.
"Ah, one of them personality quirks." Leon said with a sigh.
"Bye, Mom. We'll see you later." Lola and Lana said once they hug Rita and got back into Leon's car.
"Well, Sis. I better let you go and have a safe trip." Leon said once he got in the car.
"Bye, Leon. Bye, Lola and Lana. Be good for your aunt and uncle you hear me." Rita said in response.
"We will." Lola and Lana said in response.
Then Leon with the twins left the Loud house and headed off for the house. Upon turning into the driveway, Leon sees the front door was opened a creak and sighed.
Once Leon got out and got Lola and Lana's bags from the trunk of his car, he motioned the twins to get out of the car to get their bags. After everything was settled, Lola and Lana stood behind Leon as he opened the door to the house.
"Hi, darling. Hi, Lola and Lana." Sharon said while she was in the kitchen.
"Hi Aunt Sharon. Is Nikki upstairs?" Lola said in reply.
"She should be. Why don't you girls check and get settled in?" Sharon said in response.
"Okay. Come along Lana." Lola said as she and Lana went upstairs with their bags to Nicole's room.
"Sharon, did you leave the door open a hair?" Leon said after shutting the door behind him.
"Yeah I figured it would be easier you know if Lola and Lana had bags or something that it would not be a hassle to budge the door down." Sharon said in response.
"Oh okay. So, what happened to Teena and Karen?" Leon asked out of curiosity.
"They left about a couple of hours ago because they wanted to see a movie that Karen had read about from a friend of hers. So, they probably won't be back for a while. That gave me quality time to prepare a quality dish for dinner." Sharon said in response.
"Umm…honey just to let you know I kind of cheated on my diet today. I had a couple of slices of non dietary pizza while I was at the theme park earlier." Leon said with a nervous tone.
"Leon, it's okay. I'm glad that you told me, because to be honest with you I have a craving for things outside of the diet too. I mean it's okay that we do things like this once in a while. "Sharon said honestly.
"You are saying this to make me feel better or are you serious, honey?" Leon said once he stood next to Sharon.
"I'm serious, Leon. Do you think I like making all of those diet foods all the time? Despite being the health nut that I am." Sharon said in response
"Hmm…if you put it that way not really. But I know we're doing our best to balance the nutrients we need and all. I kind of see where you are coming from, honey." Leon said with a smile.
"Yeah. Do you want to know what is in the oven right now?" Sharon said in response.
"Sure, Shar-bear." Leon said with honesty.
"It's stuffed macaroni and cheese on one platter and next to it is a couple of cookie sheets with chicken strips on them. What do you think?" Sharon said in response.
"That sounds good to me. Oh, sounds like the girls are coming down." Leon said as he heard footsteps coming downstairs.
Then Leon and Sharon had smiles on their faces once they saw Nicole standing with Lola and Lana playing with each other.
"Hi, Mommy and Daddy. How much longer until dinner time?" Nicole said with curiosity.
"Only a little while longer, sweetheart. Do you girls want something to drink?" Sharon said in response.
"Yes, please. Thank you Aunt Sharon." Lola said in reply while Sharon poured three glasses of water for Nicole, Lola and Lana.
"Oh, Lana. Show your Aunt Sharon your special friend and his special ability." Leon said with a smile.
"Alright, you asked for its Uncle Leon. Aunt Sharon, I want you to meet my friend Hops don't worry he's nice, watch this ah there's some flies." Lana said after taking her shirt off and into her trademark clothes pulled out Hops.
"So, he's a frog. That means you're an animal lover aren't you, Lana." Sharon said in response.
"Yeah, I love animals and would take care of them instead of letting them be left out and hurt." Lana said in response.
"What's for dinner, Aunt Sharon?" Lola asked out of curiosity.
"We're having chicken strips with stuffed macaroni and cheese." Sharon said in response.
"Mmm…sounds good, Aunt Sharon." Lola said in reply.
"Does your dad make original foods like that for you guys or how does he do it?" Sharon said out of curiosity.
"Oh, he had it set on a fixed routine on which he had us eat the same food on a set day on a certain meal like clockwork. Luckily, we got him out of that habit, and he makes foods that are somewhat okay still, but they are improving. Right Lana?" Lola said honestly.
"Yes, that's true." Lana said in response.
"Oh, the foods done. If you girls want to stay where you are, I am okay with it. Just remember this stuff came out of the oven so let it cool before you take a bite." Sharon said once she pulled the dinner out of the oven.
Then Leon got all of the plates prepared and handed Nicole, Lola and Lana their plates before fixing his and Sharon's. Once Leon sat down in the dining room with Sharon taking the chair next to him, they notice that Karen and Athena just come back from the movie.
"Hi, Sis and Athena. How was the movie?" Sharon said with curiosity.
"It was an interesting movie to say just like my friend told me it would be. Other than certain things happening while we were at the movie theater, we had a good time." Karen said as she went upstairs to put her purse away in her room.
"What was that about, Teena?" Leon said out of concern.
"Oh, just that some people were being unruly a few minutes before the movie was supposed to start and they had all of us stand out in the hallway before the police came to escort the troublemakers out of the theater. So that sort of explains why we got back late, Leon." Athena said in response.
"Oh okay. So have you guys eaten yet?" Leon said with curiosity.
"No, Leon." Karen said once she came down.
"Well Sharon's still have some chicken strips and stuffed macaroni and cheese that she just made not too long ago in the kitchen if you guys want to grab a plate." Leon answered boldly.
"Thank you Leon." Karen and Athena said in response before heading to the kitchen to get their plates.
"Hi, Auntie Karen. Guess whose here with us for the weekend." Nicole said in response.
"Hi, Nicole. I see your cousins are here oh gosh I'm sorry if I get you two confused even though I was at your birthday party the other day. The one wearing the dress is Lola and Lana's the one that wears the ball cap." Karen said in reply.
"Yeah, you got us right, Ms. Karen. You're the blonde lady that was around Uncle Leon at our party the other day, oh shoot I already forgot your name." Lola said in reply.
"It's okay, my name's Athena or you can call me Teena if that's easier to remember for you and your sister. Teena is a name that was given me to by your uncle ever since I was a baby because he had difficulties remembering my birth name." Athena said in response.
Once Athena got her plate, she sees Leon getting up to see if Nicole, Lola and Lana had eaten their dinner. Impressed by the fact that all three plates were empty, Leon had a smile on his face before looking at Nicole and his twin nieces who were looking at Athena.
"Uncle Leon. Where's your guy's bathroom at?" Lana asked out of curiosity.
"It's upstairs right across from Nicole's bedroom." Leon said in response.
"Okay, thank you. I need to go bad." Lana said as she rushed to the bathroom.
Nicole went by Sharon for a moment while Lola stayed where she was, Leon was looking on with a natural face. Then Athena went to the living room to eat her food with Karen who had done the same thing.
"Don't beat yourself up, Uncle Leon. Nikki wanted to chat with Aunt Sharon for a while after dinner that's what she told me and Lana earlier while we were setting up our bedding arrangements." Lola said upon looking at Leon's face.
"Okay. I noticed that Athena talked to you guys for a second. What is it about?" Leon asked out of curiosity.
"Oh that. Well, she told me and Lana that we have the option to call her Teena in case we forget her real name." Lola said in reply.
"She's got a heart of gold for doing that. Because she sensed that you guys were related to me and such that I wouldn't mind it if she let you guys calling her that. Since it was an easy name for me to remember at the time when I started calling her by it that it stuck out to this day." Leon said with a smile.
"Okay I am back. So, what are talking about?" Lana said once she got back from the bathroom.
"I was telling Uncle Leon what Teena was telling us just now and Nikki talking to Aunt Sharon after dinner." Lola said in reply.
"Oh okay. I'm glad we're here and not where mom and they is going to this weekend. Right Lols?" Lana said in response.
"Yeah." Lola answered boldly.
"Your mom figured you would be better here than where they were going but again she didn't mention where the trip was though." Leon said with honesty.
"Oh, it was to some faraway place where we would have to listen to Lisa's presentations for two days and the worst part of it is that the hotel is rundown not to my standards. Also, we would have been bored easily." Lola said honestly.
"So, one of those trips. I can definitely understand why there's no fun in those." Leon said with honesty.
Then a few seconds later, Nicole joined her cousins and her dad in the kitchen. Leon was looking at Nicole's face with curiosity because he knew that she wanted something but couldn't figure it out.
"Daddy?" Nicole said with a smile from ear to ear.
"Yes, sweetie." Leon answered boldly.
"Do we have any ice cream?" Nicole said with curiosity.
"I know what you're thinking. Of course, we have ice cream. Alright just take a seat by your cousins and I'll scoop it out for you guys how's that." Leon said as he pulled out a carton of ice cream in the freezer.
"Okay, Daddy." Nicole said as she took a seat next to Lola and Lana.
"Wow, Nikki. I didn't believe that could work." Lola said in a quiet tone.
"Yeah, my mommy told me about it just now. Because she knows that my daddy has secretly been using ice cream on her for a while now and she'd figured that it shouldn't go to waste so why not have it when we have company over." Nicole said in response.
"I like that kind of thinking. To be honest. Lana you're putting that in your ice cream that's gross." Lola said as she noticed Lana pulled out a couple of dead crickets.
"What? I figured that way Hops would eat some ice cream too." Lana said in response.
"Okay, just as long as you don't show that to Uncle Leon, you're fine." Lola said with a sigh.
"Yeah, rather if my mom sees it to. I mean it's strange to do when you're not at your house." Nicole said with curiosity.
"True, Nikki. If you guys can adapt to it a bit more, then you will understand the kind of person I am." Lana said in response.
"We didn't mean to take it like that at all. Right, Nikki?" Lola said honestly.
"Of course not. We didn't mean to that what you do for Hops personally. It's that oh, I'm not good at explaining that this kind of thing." Nicole said with honesty.
Leon was finishing the touches on the ice cream bowls is when he caught wind of the girl's conversation and handed them their bowls.
"Uncle Leon?" Lola and Lana said in unison.
"Yes." Leon replied.
"We're stuck in a bind as in me, Lana and Nikki." Lola answered honestly.
"Hmm.. how so?" Leon said in response.
Then Lola explained to Leon the conversation that transpired between her, Lana and Nicole just a few minutes prior.
"Ah, the advice that I would give you is simple is appreciate the person for who they are and understand their purpose is in life." Leon said in a reassuring way.
"How do you know this stuff, Daddy?" Nicole said as she and her cousins were eating their ice cream.
"Well, you remember the best man at me and your mom's wedding. You see his life had hit rock bottom once but until he got saved is when he gave me that piece of advice right after I got out of the wrestling business and I asked him why he never gave up on me after all these years." Leon said with honesty.
That put a smile on the girls faces once Leon finished his explanation and looked at each other realizing there was an important lesson that came out of it. Then Nicole and Lola embraced Lana as they began to understand the kind of person she is, and they finished their ice cream before it all turned into mush.
Leon who had been watching from the living room was happy to see that his daughter and twin nieces picked up on what he was telling them. Sharon, who had been sitting next to Leon tapped his leg to get his attention.
"Leo, darling. Leave them be, it looks like they're having fun now." Sharon said in a calm tone.
"Yeah, you're right, honey. I'm glad that they are getting along great is all. By the way, I know you told Nicole about my secret ice cream stash. I can tell just by looking at you, Shar-bear." Leon said.
"Okay, I might've told Nicole about your ice cream stash. But you know you have to watch your sweet intake, darling." Sharon said in response.
"Yeah, well since the secret is out now. Anyone can use it at any time. Just means that it's no longer a secret that you'll pull the same thing, Shar-bear." Leon said in rebuttal.
"Oh okay, you got me there." Sharon said in response.
"Aww it's cute how you guys get into crazy stuff like food stashes and laying down the law with it." Karen said while smirking.
"Oh please, you used to lay down the law on clothes and shoes when we were younger, Karen Louise." Sharon said in response.
Sensing this was a cue to get out of the living room, Leon had escorted Nicole and the twins up to Nicole's bedroom and stayed with them. Sigh a breath of relief, Leon noticed his daughter and nieces were sitting on the bed.
"Mommy and Aunt Karen arguing over something again?" Nicole said in a calm tone.
"Yes, sweetie. It'll be a while before it simmers down. So, how was the ice cream?" Leon said in response.
"It was good, Uncle Leon. Right, Nikki?" Lola and Lana responded
"Yes it sure was good." Nicole said in response.
"Can we come in?" Sharon and Karen said before knocking on the door.
"Hmm..have you checked your bad sides out the window?" Leon said in response.
"Yes." Sharon and Karen said in response.
"Alright you can come in." Leon said before opening Nicole's bedroom door.
"We need to apologize for our actions downstairs earlier and we're sorry you guys had to hear that argument. It was wrong of us to do that especially when we have guests over." Sharon and Karen said in unison.
Leon, Nicole, Lola and Lana accepted Sharon and Karen's apology. Then Sharon and Karen left the room with Leon slowly following them but not before turning his back to his daughter and twin nieces.
"Make sure you guys brush your teeth since you had ice cream." Leon said before leaving the room.
"We will Daddy." Nicole said in response.
Then Leon headed downstairs to join Sharon and Karen in the living room. Once Leon got settled in next to Sharon he put his head on her shoulder.
"It looks like the day of running around and trying to manage Nicole and your nieces must have worn him out." Karen said in observation.
"Yeah he's doing his best you know Sis." Sharon said as she moved Leon's head to her lap.
"You're right, Shar." Karen said in response.
"Hmm…what were you guys saying about me?" Leon said while mumbling with his eyes closed.
"Oh, just how wonderful you are darling." Sharon said in response.
"Okay, honey. Whew, I am exhausted. Can you guys manage the girls because I am heading off to bed?" Leon said as he got up.
"Of course, Leon. Good Night." Karen said with a smile.
"Okay, good night, darling. I love you." Sharon said as she kissed her husband good night before he headed off to bed.
"Love you too, honey." Leon said in response.
Then Karen got a couple of cups of tea brewed for her and Sharon. Once Karen handed Sharon her cup of tea, she noticed that Athena was entering the living room. However, Athena had a bottle of water with her so Karen didn't have to worry about asking for a drink.
"Leon's off to bed already if you were looking for him." Sharon said once Athena sat down.
"That's okay I'd figured he would be after the day he had gone through. I mean he was full of energy like that when he used to watch me and my brother." Athena said with a smile.
"So, what kind of things did Leon do when he babysat you?" Karen said in response.
"Hmm…he would play card games with me and my brother, help me learn how to walk, and watch all of the movies that would make most men feel embarrassed with me." Athena said in reply.
"He was the cool person to hang out with. Oh, I'd love to see that." Sharon said in response.
"Yeah, Sharon. You would have loved it; Leon was happy back then. Once the situation with my Uncle Bret happened in Montreal, Leon had become closer to my family and was uncertain even all the way to the day my dad died." Athena said with a calm tone.
"Yeah, I think Leon feels bitter about what happened. I remember that he told me that he was peeved off about what happened on the night he got inducted into the Hall of Fame." Sharon said in response.
"Really, I never heard of that what happened." Karen said in curiosity.
"Leon told me that two people, Jeff Jarrett and Mark Henry, who were also inducted in the Hall of Fame the same night had invoked Owen's name in their speech; he suspected that his boss had put them up to it despite knowing his feelings on what happened. Well, he appreciated the way how Jeff did it because he'd know Owen had helped him out and was his last tag partner. However, it was the one that Mark Henry did which boiled over for Leon and almost wanted to take off his ring to throw at Vince in the face. Luckily, a few people backed him out of it, and he chose to no show the RAW after the WrestleMania because of it." Sharon said in response.
"Oh, I remember my mom hearing that speech and she wasn't thrilled because her name was used in a bad way for people wanting to get my dad into a Hall of Fame for the company that she sued for his death. I understand Leon's frustration because he knew my mother's wishes once the lawsuit was settled and left it be." Athena said in response.
Sharon and Karen now understand what Athena meant and realized why Leon hasn't been wearing his Hall of Fame ring as much as he used to. Then Athena felt relieved to see that and looked at Sharon and Karen with a curious look on her face.
"Can I ask you guys a question?" Athena asked out of curiosity.
"Sure, Athena." Sharon said with a smile.
"I want to try to fit in with you guys, but I don't know how that's why I've been in my room most of the day except for when Leon's out here because I don't want to see him mad or sad that I'm not blending in. Are there any way you guys can help me out?" Athena said in response.
"Of course, Athena. We'll let you hang out with us. I mean you'll learn a lot from being with us believe me. Just like you did earlier with Karen at the movies." Sharon said with a smile.
"Thank you so much, Sharon." Athena said in reply.
"Yeah, Athena. Don't feel lonely, you're always welcome to join me and Sharon at anytime. I noticed the other day you were doing yoga outside. Do you do that on a regular basis?" Karen said in response.
"Yoga is one of my usual exercise routines to help me calm that I do a couple of times a week. I wish I could do more though but I'm nervous about it. Even though my mother was a gymnastics expert when she was younger, and my dad was a prominent wrestler. So….." Athena said with a sigh.
"It's okay, Athena. I was like you when I first started to get fit. I had been nervous as a whale once I walked into the gym then a trainer came up to me and told me that it's alright to be nervous at first but after a while you'll be comfortable with it. It doesn't crazy coming from someone that's a lifelong health nut or at least that's what Leon likes to call my personality sometimes." Sharon said with a smile.
"That's encouraging advice, Sharon. It makes me feel better about wanting to move forward with what I want to do then." Athena said with a smile.
"I'm glad to hear that." Sharon said in response.
Then Karen notices that Lola had come downstairs to the living room. This prompted Sharon to turn around.
"Aunt Sharon, Nikki's crying. Me and Lana didn't do anything wrong." Lola said with concern.
"Okay, can you guys come into the kitchen? I know that I believe you Lola it's just I don't get why Nicole's acting like this." Sharon said in response.
"Alright, Aunt Sharon." Lola said as she went back up to get Nicole and Lana.
Sharon then stood in the kitchen with a worried look on her face. A few seconds later, Nicole still crying alongside with Lola and Lana were in the kitchen.
"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" Sharon said in a concerned tone.
"Mommy, I got a bad bruise on my arm and fell off my bed. It hurts bad." Nicole said as she was still crying.
"Okay, just hold it still, sweetheart. I will find an ice pack and that should help swell down the bruise." Sharon said as she opened the freezer.
"Okay, Mommy." Nicole said sniffling.
"See what I told you, Nikki. Everything will be fine, right Lana." Lola said in a reassuring way.
"Yeah, me and Lola had gotten bruises before but were assured by our mom and dad that everything was going to be okay." Lana said in response.
"Aha, found the ice pack. Here you are sweetheart. Just hold on to it for a while. Thank you girls for helping her out." Sharon said with a smile.
"You're welcome, Aunt Sharon. We'll make sure that Nikki keeps the ice pack on her arm until it goes out." Lola and Lana said in response.
"Thank you Mommy for helping me feel better." Nicole said in response.
"No problem, sweetheart. You guys go back to what you were doing." Sharon said with a smile.
Nicole, Lola and Lana went back to Nicole's room while Sharon went back to the living room. Upon taking a sip of her tea, Sharon noticed the smile that Karen gave her, and Athena had gone up to the bathroom.
"Shar, I'm very proud of you for what you did." Karen said with a smile.
"Thank you, Sis. I am doing my best to being a mother and aunt." Sharon said in response.
"I know you are. So, I was wondering…." Karen said with curiosity.
"Workout tonight? Sure, but I was going to wait and ask Athena to see if she wanted to join us." Sharon said with a smile.
"I understand, Shar. Let me get changed before we start." Karen said in response.
"Okay, Sis. Umm, can you grab my workout clothes from my room if you're heading up to your room." Sharon said in response.
"Yeah I can do that." Karen said as she went up to her bedroom to get changed.
Then Athena came back down from the bathroom and sat down in the living room across from Sharon.
"Athena, me and Karen are about to start a workout here in a few minutes. Do you want to join us? It's completely up to you." Sharon said with a smile.
"I'll do it, since I am in workout attire anyway even though you don't see it." Athena said in response.
"So, I know that you mentioned that you do yoga as your exercise. Do you want to start out at the beginning where Karen's at or be at my level?" Sharon asked out of curiosity.
"I'll try your level first and if it gets way too much on me for a while then I might consider your sister's level." Athena said in reply.
"Okay. At least you understand the risks, I know sometimes I forget, and Leon tends to remind me about it." Sharon said with a calm tone.
"Really he does? That don't surprise me because my uncles said the same thing if someone got out of line Leon would get in their ear." Athena said with a smirk.
"Yeah, he's like that but like I said not always. I think he does that to make sure I'm safe and don't hurt myself." Sharon said with a smile.
Then Karen came down all changed into workout clothes and handed Sharon her workout clothes. So, Sharon changed quickly in the living room into her workout clothes.
"Only you, Shar." Karen said with a sigh.
"What? I was doing this since Leon's not down here and the kids are up playing in Nicole's room." Sharon said in response.
"Okay, you got me there, Shar." Karen said in response.
"Now you guys got that settled. Is there anything you want me to do?" Athena said with curiosity.
"You can help me move the coffee table over to the wall while Karen gets the mats from behind the couch." Sharon said in response.
Athena helped Sharon like she was told to while Karen got the place mats ready. Then the three women warmed up for a couple of minutes before starting the workout. The routine lasted around a half hour and by the time it was over with Sharon who was all but spent looked at Athena and Karen who were physically drained.
"Whew…I'm beat. Just by looking at you guys….." Sharon said as she regained her breath.
"Yeah, Shar…..that workout beat us up…..for sure." Karen said as she ran out of breath.
"I…. agree…. with…. her. It feels like my hearts…..beating out…. of my…chest." Athena said as she ran out of breath.
"Take a sip of your water, Athena. Sis, you get a sip too." Sharon said as she got up to take a sip of water from the sink.
Athena took a sip of her water and handed it to Karen before she took a sip, then a couple of minutes later they regained their breath. Sharon then moved the table back to its original spot; Karen went upstairs to take her shower first while Athena stayed.
"I feel all sweaty, Sharon." Athena said with a calm tone.
"I know, Athena. When I did my first workout I had sweat drenched all over me like you are right now. It felt nasty believe me that I wanted to stay in the shower forever but it's not that bad." Sharon said in response.
"Oh okay." Athena said with a smile.
"Hmm…hope my sister didn't hog all the hot water because we still have to take our shower too." Sharon said with a sigh.
Once Sharon said that, Karen came back down from her shower and Athena went up to take her shower.
"Sharon Michelle, I didn't hog all of the hot water. Besides your husband would get onto us if we did that." Karen said with a sigh.
"Okay alright you got me there, Karen Louise." Sharon said in response.
"Look you've known me your whole life, have I ever once hogged anything that was yours?" Karen said in response.
"No, Sis." Sharon said in response.
"Okay, you got nothing to worry about then." Karen said as she rubbed Sharon's hair.
"You know my hair's sweaty still, Sis." Sharon said.
"Oh, good gracious. You got a point now I got to wash my hands." Karen said as she went to the sink.
Then Athena came down from her shower and it only left Sharon to take her shower. A few minutes later, Athena went straight to bed which left Karen all by her lonesome and while waiting for Sharon to come back down she picked up her clothes on the couch and put them in the dirty clothes hamper. Shortly after sitting back down, Karen saw Sharon coming downstairs.
"I put your clothes that you left on the couch in the hamper for you, Shar." Karen said after sipping her tea.
"Thanks, Sis." Sharon said in response.
"Hmm…. your husband must have been that tired, Shar." Karen said with curiosity.
"Yeah, he was and when I got my clothes earlier he was sound asleep. It must have been all of that running around and tending to the kids got him today." Sharon said in response.
"Speaking of kids…." Karen said as she noticed Lana coming downstairs.
"Here's the ice pack, Aunt Sharon. Is it okay if I put away?" Lana said as she came downstairs.
"Of course, Lana. So, how's Nicole's arm?" Sharon said with concern.
"Nikki's arm is fully better, Aunt Sharon. Her and Lola fell asleep just a short time ago." Lana said in response.
"How come you're not sleepy, Lana?" Sharon said in response.
"I was the first one to sleep but I had a nightmare and I'm having a hard time going back to sleep." Lana said in response.
Karen headed off for bed but not before wishing Sharon good night. Then Sharon motioned Lana to sit next to her.
"Aunt Sharon, I'm scared." Lana said with a terrified look on her face.
"It's going to be okay, Lana. Do you have nightmares regularly?" Sharon said in a calm tone.
"I sometimes have nightmares, but I turn to my siblings and sleep with them if that happens. But that's hard for me to do now since Lori left because she always let me sleep next to her when I had nightmares." Lana said with a gloomy look.
"I understand how you feel Lana. Because when I was your age, my mom and dad put me in the same room as my sister since I had bad bouts with nightmares. So, I roomed with her all the way through high school, and it made me feel safe too." Sharon said in a reassuring way.
"That's cool, Aunt Sharon." Lana said in response.
"Have you talked to your mom or dad about your nightmares?" Sharon said in response.
"No, I know I should since Lola always does when she rarely gets them. But I don't know if they'll understand me though." Lana said in response.
"I believe they will understand you if they always listen to Lola with hers. I mean it's a twin instinct you should have up here in your head. I've known many people who were twins and understood the instincts one has with the other." Sharon said with a smile.
"Yeah, I'll talk to them once they get back from their trip." Lana said in response.
"That's the spirit Lana. You want to sleep with me and your uncle or are you going to be okay with sleeping on your own tonight?" Sharon with a calm tone
"I feel all better after talking with you, Aunt Sharon. I'm going to try to sleep on my own. Thank you and good night." Lana said before heading back to bed.
Then Sharon shut off all the lights before heading upstairs to her and Leon's room. Once Sharon entered the room, she noticed that Leon was half awake.
"How…was your evening, honey?" Leon said with a groggy voice.
"It went good, darling. Athena joined me and Karen in our workout since she wants to fit in our social life." Sharon said in response.
"Hmm…that's exceptionally good. I'm proud that Teena is wanting to join in on your guy's social lives. So, did the kids give you any trouble?" Leon said with his eyes closed.
"Not really. Just that Nicole had a minor bruise on her arm from probably her furniture again but it's all healed. Let's see, oh yeah and I was talking to Lana for a while because she had a nightmare." Sharon said in response.
"Does Rita or Lynn know about this?" Leon said in response.
"No, but Lana assured me that she'll tell them once they come back from their trip." Sharon said in response.
"Alright, that's good. Sorry if I bailed out on you earlier than usual tonight, honey." Leon said with honesty.
"It's okay, darling. I know how tired you were today." Sharon said before kissing Leon.