Author's Note: Stacey's chapter now! In my BSC reunion story I named her daughter Eloise. Since then I had changed it when I realized writing this story the name would be Eloise Ellison lol. So that's why there's a new name.
Happy reading!
Stacey typed away on her phone making sure that her mother knew her plans. Next to her was her husband talking with their daughter pointing out license plates. On the other side of her son, Xander, was playing a game on his smart phone moving it very quickly.
"I saw Montana," said Savannah pointing to a car.
Stacey nodded and then frowned at the pages pulled up on her screen. Work stuff was boring until she finally sent off the last email for the day. The car rolled across the freeway to her friend Charlotte Pike's house. Stacey would go and visit her with her family or not at least once a month along and then visit her mother. This time she happened to bring her husband and both of her kids.
"I see Ohio," said her husband pointing to a car.
Finally, they rolled down the street to Bradford Court. Across the street Stacey made out a couple of kids running across the front lawn. A few people walking their dogs. Good old Stoneybrook, she thought, and told their driver to drop their stuff off at her mom and stepdad's house. Isaac smiled and nodding remembering the way. He was pretty nice and they considered him family.
"Did I have to come?" asked Xander moaning and putting his game in his back pocket.
"Yes, it's been awhile since you saw Charlotte and her family," she said smoothing his hair. Then gently added, "Now put the phone away before I have to take it from you."
She wished that she didn't have to say it, but this was the fifth time he would pay more attention to the game then the things around him, besides his friends of course. It had to be a phase he was going through. She could only dread the say that Savannah would finally hit puberty.
She flipped her blond hair over her shoulder and made sure that she looked nice. Stacey had on high waisted royal purple skirt that hit the bottom of her knees. Then a black flowy blouse, strappy sandals, and sunglasses on the top of her head. She liked that she looked put together when she saw her friends and family. Even trying to make sure her kids looked just as nice too.
Savannah rushed up the door and rang the doorbell first beating everyone else.
The door opened and a dog barked at them sniffing at Savannah. She had leaned down and Charlotte bounded out of the house hugging her.
"Stacey, you have no idea how glad I am to see you," said Charlotte letting them inside. "And you brought everyone, I haven't seen you in a long time. Hi Alex." She waved a bit awkwardly to her husband and hugged Savannah.
Stacey hugged her tightly and Charlotte squeezed her back. Then noticed the bags packed up next to the door.
"Are you going on vacation Char?" she asked gesturing to the bags.
"Tomorrow we're leaving for Sea City, we're going to meet up with Mallory, Margo, and Nicky," she said wiping a stray hair from her face. "I packed for the kids but we aren't done yet. By the way Alex, Byron is in the kitchen making dinner if you want to see him. The kids will be back in about five minutes or so, they're across the street playing with their friends."
Alex rushed off to the kitchen and the kids made themselves comfy on a large couch. The front door opened with the baby-sitter dropping off three small children. After settling the kids together in their basement playroom, did Stacey plop down on a chair next to Charlotte.
For a second she studied Charlotte and smiled. She had a navy tea length dress on with small white flowers printed all over it and in ankle socks. She never lost her baby weight but on her it looked good. It was good to spend some time with her when they had the chance.
"Everything okay Stace?" she asked sympathetically passing her a mug of green tea.
"Oh, geez when did you start sounding like my mom?" she asked teasingly and took a sip of the tea. Charlotte just flushed but gave her a knowing look. "Everything's fine, same old same old. Alex got a promotion but any higher than what he's getting he'd be president. My company is making some big diabetes advancements but nothing concrete yet."
"Hey that's great though," she said taking a sip of her hot chocolate. "And the kids?"
"Xander is going through a phase and Savannah is as sweet as ever."
With that they caught up on the basics before there was a knock on the front door. Charlotte telling her about a new shirt that she had gotten made her. The neighbor across the street designed her own clothes. Stacey running through what she thought of the newest season of Grey's Anatomy. Then they heard the shouts before sharing a look and heading back inside.
In their front hall stood a man with three kids running past them. Charlotte's mouth dropped open and a wide smile on her face.
"Nancy's having the baby, her contractions started earlier this morning and her water just broke. Can you watch Eliza and Aaron?"
"Yes," said Charlotte excitedly telling them to go downstairs. Then looked at Stacey. "Nancy and Bobby are the neighbors across the street. She's the one that makes the clothes. I guess now she's having the baby."
"Thanks," he said and rushed across the street to a woman getting into the car.
"Well this is exciting. I love those names Aaron and Eliza," said Stacey smiling. She remembered having Xander like it was yesterday. Even though Savannah was adopted, she could remember meeting her a day later. She was four so she wasn't exactly considered 'old' she supposed. "Should we go and check on the kids?"
They crept down the steps to see that they were all gathered around Xander playing red light green light. Good, he seemed to be in a much better mood then he was in the car. Charlotte sat down next to her on the steps watching them.
All of them looked like they were having fun even with the two years old running around as if they were racing each other instead of listening to Xander. He looked frustrated but was trying not to yell at them.
"Hey why don't we play a game?" asked Stacey calling to them. "Maybe Go Fish or I can teach you a new game."
"Okay."
"Can I play a different game then go fish?" asked Xander.
"How about I put down the babies for their naps. Savannah, Gavin, and Aaron can play Uno and I'll teach you and your mom how to play rummy," said Charlotte and nodded.
Stacey studied him for a moment and smiled. Maybe he just needed to be treated a little more like a grown up sometimes. After that was settled and thankfully little tears before nap time. They got started playing their game.
Stacey watched as Charlotte played the four aces before she picked up a new card. Great, she was going to win this round of rummy. Rolling her eyes Stacey just put down her three tens. Next to her, Stacey's Xander.
"Got any," he started to say and stopped himself. "Right this isn't Go Fish."
"But you do have matches," said Stacey looking at his deck of cards showing him how to play.
"Hey, I have homemade spaghetti sauce, meatballs, and garlic bread," called Byron.
This was just totally normal for Stacey and she was happy to have dinner. Good thing she already knew when she was going to come over next. Plus, she couldn't wait to see her mom next.
