Chapter 9

Sportacus told the Mayor to sit down on the couch with his suitcase. Then he came over to his wife. She stood up and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"It looks like we won't be alone tonight. I'm sorry." He whispered to Stephanie. She only nodded and looked into his Icelandic baby blues. The above-average hero was tired not only physically but emotionally too.

"I'll make you up some sports candy while you talk with Uncle Milford." Stephanie said keeping her voice low.

"We've talked. I need to talk to you alone." Sportacus continued to whisper. "Grab some fruit and we'll go outside." Stephanie nodded and let go of him to get some sports candy out of the fridge. Her husband told Mayor Meanswell to keep an eye on Joshua and promised to be back soon.

Sportacus and Stephanie sat outside at one of the picnic tables. It was obvious that things were pretty bad.

"After I left Town Hall this morning, he and Bessie went home and continued to argue. Eventually Bessie told him to get out. So the Mayor grabbed some things that Bessie threw at him and went over to Robbie's." The above-average hero explained.

"Why are they arguing and why did Uncle Milford go to Robbie's?" Stephanie asked.

"They're arguing because Milford forgot their anniversary and afterwards he has been spending all his time at Town Hall. Supposedly for the upcoming election but no one is running against him anyway. He went over to Robbie's because he didn't want to disturb us. Frankly, it's a bit late for that." Sportacus said. A hint of aggravation crept into his voice as he picked up some apple and ate it.

"So what are we going to do?" Stephanie wondered.

"I have a mind to do nothing. It's not our fault that he forgot their anniversary. It's not our fault Bessie can be so demanding." Sportacus shocked his wife with this reaction. "I can't take this anymore. I don't know how my father ever dealt with this. Constantly fixing other people's problems and not his own. Maybe that's why our family was such a mess."

"It was because of your family that you became a hero. Becoming a hero is what brought you here to LazyTown in the first place. Its why we met, its why we're together, and its why we have a wonderful son." Stephanie reminded him.

"Yes and there's nothing I'd rather have than what I do right now but sometimes I wish it was just you and me and Joshua." Sportacus said.

"That would be great but right now life is a little complicated." Stephanie smiled.

"Its always complicated. But I wouldn't want anyone else to be living this complex life with than you." Sportacus said kissing her hand. "In the meantime, I think its best to wait until tomorrow. Hopefully their tempers will have settled by then."

"I hope you're right." She said. The two got up and went back inside. Tomorrow would be a better day.

Robbie and Amanda hadn't gone home. The two had decided to get something to eat. It was now close to five-thirty and Robbie was hungry.

"I want to apologize for this morning." He said as they stood in line at the burger joint.

"Well I kind of put you on the spot with my question." Amanda told him.

"Do you want something?" Robbie asked pointing to the menu.

"No, I had salad over at Stephanie's." Amanda told him. Robbie smiled and ordered his meal. They waited in silence for a few moments and got the meal. Walking out of the place, the two headed back to their house.

"I want you to understand that I didn't want it to seem like I was trying to ignore you." He said. "There has been something I wanted to say but was afraid that every time we talked that I might spill it before it was time." Amanda gave him a slightly confused look. The two sat down on a park bench and Robbie chomped on his burger.

"Hmm that smells good." Amanda said.

"You said you weren't hungry." Robbie teased.

"I changed my mind." Amanda smiled.

"Ok, you can have my French fries." Robbie offered.

"You sure? I know you're hungry." Amanda wondered.

"I made some cake the other day. I'm sure there is some left at home." He said reaching into the bag for the fries. Carefully Robbie slipped a surprise into the box. Then He handed them over to her and Amanda starting eating them.

"Ugh. Those tasted funny." Amanda said tried to spit the couple fries back out but it was too late. Robbie almost choked on his burger.

"Funny how?" He asked. A look of concern crossed his face.

"Like some sort of metal." The sentence barely made it out of her mouth when her eyes went wide.

"Oh no!" Robbie exclaimed. "You swallowed it!"

To Be Continued…