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Disclaimer: I do not own The 4400. Though if I did I'd take Marco and …cough can't exactly discuss that here.
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My Life in Snippets and Phrases: You Can't Turn Back the Clocks
Chapter Three
by: phoniexchild
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Diana rolled over in bed and was not met by the feel of another body. This was an oddity. Sitting up, she looked at the clock. It was nine forty-three in the morning. At least it's Saturday.
She put on a robe, went out into the kitchen where Maia and Becca sat, eating cereal.
"Good morning, girls."
"Morning, Mrs. Pacella." Becca said around a spoonful of Lucky Charms.
"Morning, Mom." Maia said, sounding rather awake, "Dad's in the shower. And Bella's been quiet."
Diana smiled at her daughter, "Thanks, honey." She glanced at the clock, "What time is Kerry coming over?"
"There was a change of plans. Kerry invited us over to her house. Dad said it was okay." Diana could see Maia swallow the question of "Can we?" Maia was in some ways still unsure of Marco's parental authority over her and if Diana could veto any decision he made.
"Well, if Marco said it was okay, then I have no objects."
"Yes!" both girls chorused; Maia's face lit up, "Thanks, Mom!"
Diana just grinned at them, "Just remember the promise you made your father about babysitting Bella."
"Of course," Maia said, "I won't forget." She vowed with a small smirk.
Deciding to - for the time being - ignore the smirk, Diana went over to refrigerator and took out the orange juice. "When are you two expected at Kerry's?"
"At ten," Maia said, while her tone held a questioning tone.
"Okay. Don't forget to brush your teeth."
"Mr. Pacella's in the shower," Becca said, timidly.
"I'll get our brushes, Bex." Maia promised and hopped up from her seat.
Becca watched her friend with awe, then looked to Diana, "But where will we brush our teeth?"
Diana smiled reassuringly at the girl, "At the kitchen sink."
"Oh," the girl muttered, sounding embarrassed.
Maia returned with toothbrushes and toothpaste, "Back." She announced. To Diana, "Can we leave after we brush our teeth?"
"Is Becca packed?"
"Yes I am, Mrs. Pacella," Becca said, sounding more sure of herself.
"Okay, but I want you two back for lunch."
"Alright," Maia agreed.
Diana poured herself a glass of orange juice and returned it to its place as Becca finished eating. The girls quickly brushed their teeth and put them back in the proper places.
"Bye, Mom," Maia said and kissed her mother good-bye.
"Thank you for letting me stay over, Mrs. Pacella." Becca said, looking shy.
Maia just grinned at her friend who started to blush as Marco entered the kitchen. Then Diana got it.
"Behave yourselves," she warned.
"Yes," the girls chorused.
"Have fun," Marco called out as they started to leave.
"We will," Maia answered for both of them as Becca went scarlet.
"She likes you," Diana stated after the girls left.
"Hmm?" Marco asked as he opened the refrigerator.
She studied him in his clueless glory; clean shaved, wet hair, and all. "I love you," she said suddenly.
He looked up from his search for food to her, "I know," he said with a cheeky grin.
"Oh?" Diana smirked, "If you knew that, then why didn't you wait 'til I was awake to take a shower?"
Now Marco was grinning, "Ooh, dirty."
Diana rolled her eyes and was about to answer - when Bella's cries reached the kitchen.
Stifling a sigh, Marco started to head for the nursery, then suddenly stopped, "You can go start the shower. If I'm lucky she'll spit up on me," and with that he left.
Diana's laughter followed him into the nursery.
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Word Count: 587
Date Posted: 9.18.05
Date Written: 9.18.05
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This story is beta'd by Mary, because she "thoroughly enjoyed it". Yay.
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Author's Notes: This didn't turn out exactly as I pictured it, but I'm still pretty happy with it. One thing I am slightly worried about is characterizations. If you have any positive suggestions, I'm all ears.
Hope you enjoy it. I might not be posting too much during the week since I have classes. Though I shall do my best.
Rating: Changed to 'T' due to suggestive themes.
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