Mallory is next! In case you couldn't guess I decided to write this in the order that the girls were each introduced to the club. Next is Jessi and then Abby. I saw someone say that an older Mallory looked like the actress who plays as April on Grey's Anatomy and I thought it was a great fit. Especially she had dyed her hair red (even though Mal's hair is more auburn lol). I can imagine an older Mallory really growing up to be pretty and more confident especially since she's at Riverbend.

Also kept in continuity with my other story that Mallory is a lesbian. If you want to read how she came out to her family check out chapter 7 of The Summer After. This is more of a T rating for some implications

Enjoy!


Ahhh Sea City, thought Mallory, as she rested on the beach with her hair up and sunglasses resting on her face. It was a perk of having Lasik that she didn't have to look for special sunglasses to go over her normal glasses. The beach umbrella above her, a drink in her hand, and a book her lap. Her purple and green bikini helped make sure her tan would even out well. Out in the water she waved to her wife, Addison, who was playing with their daughter jumping waves. She'd be out there with them but promised that she'd sit with Margo for a bit.

"You know Elizabeth Barrett sounds a lot like Elizabeth Bennett, are you sure that Pride and Prejudice didn't inspire your name choice?" asked Mallory to her younger sister looking up from her copy of said book.

Margo just looked at her slightly disgusted before turning back to rubbing suntan lotion on her arms.

"Uhh no, I just really liked the name Lizzie," said Margo snapping at her leaving Mallory to send her the best talk to me look. "I'm sorry for snapping, I just hate being out in the sun and heavy like this."

Mallory just coughed and peered down at Margo's very pregnant tummy. She was only seven months, but she looked like she was a little farther along. Their family still had their annual Pike family vacation to Sea City. Only this time the entire family wasn't there. For example, Claire was traveling right now for her job 'living up' her single life. Vanessa lived in Nashville and she wasn't crazy enough to travel with an infant. Adam, now back from the marines, was busy helping Jordan and Stephanie move from LA to NYC with Jeff Schafer. Her parents were here, but they were in Smithtown the historical village, rather than at the beach.

That meant that Mallory and her family, Byron and his family, Margo with her family, and Nicky with his family was currently living it up at Sea City.

"It's okay," said Mallory her gaze over at the ocean once again. "Think of it this way, we could be helping Jordan and Stephanie move. Imagine moving from LA to NYC."

"At least Jordan will be close to us," said Margo perking up. "Are they going to be near you?"

Mallory shook her head no. She, Addison, and Penelope lived on Staten Island. Jordan and Stephanie were being moved to the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It must have been nice for him to have a job that'll transfer him to the nice neighborhood.

"Think about it this way, now they have to deal with snow and winter shopping," said Mallory sort of jealous of their lack of winters. "Anyway, enough about Jordan. How's the baby feeling?"

"Fine," said Margo rolling her eyes. "Just two more months. I can't believe that Buddy and I are having a third kid. On a teacher's salary."

Mallory just shook her head. "You're making me happy that I only have one kid."

"Yea yea don't rub it in," joked Margo. "How are you doing? Happy to be on vacation with the rest of your family?"

"Hey, it was my idea to get all of us together," said Mallory. "Remember how we would always come here growing up? I remember Vanessa getting her first crush here. Jordan got so sick from eating at Burger Garden for three days in a row. Or that time we were here during the hurricane."

"I remember Adam sneaking out. I still don't know what he did that one year. Or when Byron brought Charlotte for the first time. Or when Nicky spotted those sharks that one year."

They sighed and clinked their drinks together watching the surf. It was gorgeous as Mallory took a sip of her drink. Non-alcoholic of course but still this was the life to just enjoy the beach like this. Mallory sighed and rested back in her chair and returned to her book. Elizabeth Bennett was staying the night at Netherfield in this chapter.

Margo had finished rubbing her lotion before sitting back and doing the same.

Her mind wandered for a bit and watched Penelope and Addison. Her hands itching to get back to her bag and look at her work. Normally she wouldn't work on vacation, but this was the fun part. Finally giving in she reached over for the paperwork.

Margo slapped her hand away from it.

"No working, this is vacation."

"Claudia asked me to look," she protested looking out at her family again. Mallory set it aside and was going to start to get up before Margo stopped her.

"What did you say Claudia? As in Claudia Kishi? I didn't realize you still talked to each other much."

"Well when I needed an illustrator, she was the first person I thought of."

"Aww I remember her baby-sitting us for a really long. What's she up to now? Why did you need an illustrator anyway? You're a great drawer."

She flushed and imagined her first drawings and shuttered a little. Yea Mallory remembered those mice she drew in high top sneakers before. Then again Penelope really liked the way she drew pictures for her. It was just that she knew that she wasn't as good as she thought she was. Besides this was just her side job while she worked in web design full time.

"My editor thought the designs wouldn't work. I nearly walked away from the deal until they mentioned I could work with anyone. So, I called up Claudia and she read it. Claudia said the same thing but phrased it a lot better."

"What'd she say?"

"Think using The Very Hungry Caterpillar designs in a book like If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. It's a stylistic thing. Anyway, Claudia is doing very well. Janine is staying with her for a… Addy!"

Mallory perked up and saw her wife heading over before rushing over to her. She was carrying Penelope who was on her shoulders acting all dramatic complaining that she sand was too hot. She kissed her full on the lips happy to see her. Then hugged Penelope making her walk back to the towels and wrapped one around her. Penelope pouted but walked back with them together.

Margo had joined Buddy and the kids then headed out to the water together.

"I know I shouldn't have," she said, "but I opened my work files and I want you to tell me about what you think of the pictures Penny."

Her five-year-old suddenly sobered up taking her job very seriously. Addison raised her eyebrows at her Mal sheepishly shrugged her shoulders. She couldn't help herself and Addison just smiled at her.

"Let me see," said Penny and then she handed her the pictures that Claudia had drew.

"Mal," said Addison with a warning not to really work on vacation.

"Addy," she said raising her eyebrows and grinning. There was some leeway in this conversation, after all Addison did have to approve of something from her job on their first vacation together. Mallory had an idea of what she could do to make it up to her.

"I like them," said Penny breaking their little eye conversation. "They're really pretty to look at and really colorful."

Right that was perfect, thought Mallory, and then broke eye contact with Addison to put up the paperwork. At least that worked out.

"Hey, you guys want to come back to the house?" asked Byron. Next to him Charlotte was holding Gavin's hand. The twins, Autumn and Amelia, in their carrier on his back and chest. "It's nap time if you want some quiet time."

"That or you can come with us to mini golf," said Nicky with his wife, Kristin, next to him. Their son, Jackson, in Nicky's arms already falling asleep.

Quiet time huh? That sounded like a good idea and smirked at Addison. They probably wouldn't go to the boardwalk. Mallory flipped her now much smoother and less frizzy hair from her face and nodded. Penny could use a nap then she and Addison could have their own kind of fun. Why was she thinking of work? This day was turning out to be quite nice.