Chapter Two: Explaining the Guest List

Two Months Later...

"Boss Jones and Guest, Hamtaro Haruna, Bijou Kreviazuk, Pashmina and Penelope Smith, Panda, Cappy Greyston, and Guest(s), Howdy Lawlace and Guest, Dexter Carlton, Candace Fox, Jingle Rollins- Wait! Hey Maxy, do we know a Candace Fox?" Sandy was double checking the invitations that were to be sent out the following day. So far, there were twenty or so.

"Yes. Well, I do at least. She's my cousin-by-marriage." Sandy looked confused. "My Uncle Tao- the Russian guy, remember?" Sandy nodded. "He married her mother."

"Wouldn't that make her your regular cousin?" Sandy asked.

"No. Lydia had Candace with another man," Maxwell replied.

"Oh...I'm starting to get it now! I hope I don't sound like, rude or anything but, what happened to her dad?"

Maxwell hesitated. "...Maybe you should ask Candace. All I know is that Lydia remarried the guy and then died when Candace was eight.

"Oh..." Sandy said, sadly. " Wouldn't she like, get mad at me, though? I mean, if I asked her about it?"

"Not if you get to know her first," Maxwell tried lightening the mood. "I'm sure you two will get along great!"

"I hope so," Sandy said, gently putting the invitation back into the middle of the pile.

-.-.-.

"Hey, Sandy. how about I take you out somewhere? You know, to celebrate? Besides, you need the break, sis," Stan offered that night.

"Sorry Stan, I can't. I'd love to, but I can't," his sister replied.

"Aw...How 'bout tomorrow, then?"

"I can't then, either."

"Why not?"

"Max's cousin is coming to help with the wedding plans, seeing as I can't organize and Max has no good taste."

"I do so!" Maxwell yelled from the den. The twins chuckled.

"So...?"

"I'll probably be free Wednesday, if that's what you were about to ask."

"No... Is she hot?"

"STAN!" Maxwell looked up at Sandy from his book, startled with her sudden uproar. "How am I supposed to know? I've never seen her before," she whispered. "And besides, I'm a girl. How would I know if another girl is attractive?" Stan grinned.

"Oh...Well, Wednesday it is! See you then?" Stan switched the subject.

"Yeah. But only if you leave Candace alone."

"Candace? That's a cute name."

"STAN!"

"See ya Wednesday!" Stan quickly dismissed himself.

Click.

"Sandy sighed. "What am I gonna do with him?"

"Lock him up and throw the key away?" Maxwell suggested playfully.

"Maxy! I'm not THAT cruel!"

"And, how cruel would that be?" he asked, leaning forward. Sandy giggled.

"Maxy! You're such a goofball," she said, pecking his cheek.

"Just the cheek?" Maxwell pouted. Sandy kissed him on the lips.

"There. You happy?" she asked.

"You act as though I forced you," he laughed.

"Oh, be quiet." Sandy pushed him onto the couch and turned off the lights.

"Hey!" Maxwell said, pretending to be mad.

Sandy giggled and continued running up the steps.

"Good night, Maxwell! We have a lot of work to do tomorrow, so get some rest!"

Maxwell sighed defeatedly and lay his head down on a pillow.