Just a quick note: Liz Baker is Charlie's twin sister. I've thrown in another family from Long Island, New York (The Zimmerman family) for some more fun. Liz is not a Sue, I promise. Enjoy. And for those of you who have read my story before, I got rid of the prologue because it annoyed me. I might put the ages back in later, toward the end.

Have fun!

Elena

Chapter One: A Baker's Dozen

Thirteen donuts at Krispy Kreme. Thirteen rolls in a basket. Thirteen eggs. Thirteen. A baker's dozen. Thirteen kids in one house. Sound crazy? What if they were all in the same family? Same parents, same last names? Call it crazy. For Nora, Charlie, Liz, Lorraine, Henry, Sarah, Jake, Mark, Kim, Jessica, Mike, Nigel and Kyle Baker, it was a way of life.

Nora Baker-McNulty staggered out of the car, the roundness of her stomach making it annoyingly difficult. Her father Tom quickly caught her arm and supported her as her husband Bud came around to lead her up the front steps of Lakeside High School. All around her, nine of her younger siblings dashed madly out of the van and up the stairs. She groaned inwardly. One downside to having such a large family was that they were rarely on time for anything. Hopefully Lorraine hadn't been presented with her diploma yet. And where were the twins, Charlie and Liz? Charlie had left an hour ago to pick Liz up from the Chicago airport – she'd flown back from Harvard for Lorraine's graduation. Though, Nora thought grumpily, it would have been more convenient if she'd decided to come a day earlier. But workaholic Liz wouldn't dream of it. Honestly, that girl made it into Harvard out of sheer willpower and determination to prove that the Bakers could become something other than coaches and housewives after high school. It wasn't that she disliked her family. Nora knew that Liz wouldn't trade her life for any other, but her younger sister absolutely hated the snide remarks made from the city kids about the Bakers from "Cowpie" Illinois.

Movement at the corner of her field of vision caught Nora's eye as Charlie and Liz sprinted down the center aisle to the row the Bakers had claimed. From her place in line, Lorraine waved discreetly, tapping her watch in mild annoyance. Both Charlie and Liz gave her sheepish smiles and shrugged their shoulders helplessly before Lorraine's name was called.

Later, at Lorraine's graduation party, Liz leaned over to her twin as Bud and Nora stood up slightly anxiously to announce their toast. "They look nervous," she whispered, "Ten bucks says they're gonna drop a bombshell."

"I'll take you up on that," Charlie whispered back.

Liz was not disappointed. Bud announced that he'd been offered a managing position of an advertising firm in Houston, Texas, concluding hastily with, "We're moving in September. Thank you!"

Backhanding Charlie lightly on the chest, Liz murmured, "That's ten bucks you owe me, twin brother."

"Consider it your ride back to the airport, Lizzie," he grinned playfully.

She made a face at him. "Thanks, Charles Baker."

Their parents came up, talking to Bud and Nora, who were obviously on their way out. "Hey!" Tom turned to the twins. "You two staying for some touch football?"

Liz kissed his cheek briefly. "Sorry Pops, I have to catch my flight. I have a term paper due the day after tomorrow. I'll see you guys soon, okay?"

"I have to work, Dad," Charlie added. "I'm dropping Liz off and heading straight over there."

"Great," Tom Baker muttered as his three oldest children took off in their separate directions. "Did everyone forget that touch football is a time-honored tradition at Baker family events?"

Author's Note: Hey guys! First chapter is up! Sorry about the wait, my computer wouldn't let me upload any documents, but it's fixed now, so the next two are going up pretty fast. The chapters are a little short and I'm sorry if that bothers anyone. They'll get longer (hopefully). Anyway, please don't be shy about reviewing!