The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
Chapter 13
A/N-Happy Thanksgiving! Another chapter. I'm using this four-day weekend to write more. Got that creative streak, I suppose. Hope your Thanksgiving Weekend is great! With that, happy reading!
It's the weekend of the big move. Marcia has her stuff all packed up. Now, the attic, once again, seems bare. She looks around the room and swallows the lump in her throat. Carol enters the room and joins her daughter at the window.
Carol: Got your stuff together? Suzy and her father will be here in about half an hour.
Marcia: Yeah. She sighs.
Carol: You all right?
Marcia: I am. I can't believe today's here.
Carol: Moves a lock of hair out of Marcia's face. I know. Gets sentimental. Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday you were Ryan and Carolyn's age, and now you're all grown up.
Marcia: Blushes. Aww, mom!
Jan knocks on the door, then enters.
Jan: Suzy and her father are here.
Marcia: Thanks.
She surveys the room and inhales.
Carol: Concerned. Are you okay?
Marcia: Yeah.
Carol embraces her daughter.
Carol: I love you.
Marcia: I love you, too.
Carol: Well, let's go help your father and brothers load your things into the truck.
Marcia meets Mike and the boys in the driveway. Suzy gets out of the truck and hugs her best friend.
Suzy: Can you believe it's today?
Marcia: No! I'm so excited!
Suzy: The rest of the house is fully furnished! We'll have a couch, a recliner, kitchen table, and enough dishes, silverware, and cooking ware so that we can have something decent to eat.
Marcia: Well, we'd better get started. The sooner we get things loaded here, the sooner we can get settled there.
Suzy: My stuff's in the truck too, so we can unload everything all at once. Which bedroom do you want? The master or the guest? Each one has a full bath. The only differences are the master bedroom and bath are bigger, and the bathroom's attached to the master bedroom, but not the guest.
Marcia: It's your dad's duplex. You should get the master.
Suzy: The master faces the east, and the guest, the west. I usually like a western facing bedroom, but I'm open to either.
Marcia: Go ahead and pick. I'll take the other.
Thomas Norris: One of you needs to pick, so that we'll know where to load your stuff.
Suzy: Contemplates it. Okay, I'll take the guest and you take the master.
Marcia: Okay.
Mike, Peter and Bobby begin loading Marcia's things into the truck. Cindy, carrying a fussing Ryan, comes out to the driveway.
Cindy: Mom, the twins are awake.
Carol: Oh! Thanks! Who has Carolyn?
Cindy: Alice is feeding her a jar of green beans.
Carol: Taking Ryan. Guess you weren't in the mood for green beans. Huh?
Cindy: Nope. He spit out every bite I tried to give him.
Carol: Chuckling. That would explain the green on his shirt and...She fingers a lock of Cindy's hair...in your hair.
Cindy: Oh! She fingers a green lock.
Carol: Thanks anyway. I'll get him to eat.
Carol carries Ryan into the family room and nurses him. Soon, the men have all of Marcia's things loaded in the truck.
Mike: Go ahead and tell your mother everything's loaded.
Marcia: All right. She goes inside. Mom, the truck's loaded.
Carol: All right. Ryan's finishing up. I'll see if Alice will feed him his green beans and I'll feed Carolyn. By the time you and your dad get things unloaded, Carolyn will be finished and I can be over to help you get things set up.
Marcia: Okay. Trying to hide her disappointment. See you soon.
Carol: Concerned. Are you okay?
Marcia: Yeah. Composes herself. Well, Dad, the Norrises and I need to get going. See you soon.
Carol: Still concerned. All right.
Marcia leaves and joins the crew going over to the duplex. Mike is already in the passenger seat of Marcia's car. She signals to Mr. Norris, and then gets in her car.
Mike: Your mother not coming?
Marcia: Sighs in frustration. Not yet. She's gotta get Ryan and Carolyn fed before she can meet us there.
Mike: By the time we get everything loaded in, she'll be here.
Marcia: I know. We gotta get going.
Marcia starts the car and follows the moving van to the duplex. Excitement grows as Marcia rounds the corner and sees the duplex. Mike, seeing his daughter's elation, smiles with pride. She pulls in front of the house and turns off the engine. Suzy hops out of the truck and runs to Marcia's car.
Suzy: Welcome home! You ready to unload?
Marcia: Sure! Let's get going.
Suzy: Where's your mom?
Marcia: She's feeding the twins. Sighs, disgruntled. She'll be here right after we finish loading.
Suzy: Sympathetic. So will my mom. She wanted to wait until we were finished unloading. My mom and your mom will probably be here at the same time.
Marcia: Feeling better. We'd better get going. Smiles.
Marcia and Suzy direct their fathers as they unload the truck. As the men are unloading the last couple pieces of furniture, both Anna and Carol pull up, and walk into the house.
Carol: Hey! What a nice place!
Marcia: Smiles, with excitement. Thanks.
Suzy: Hey mom! Hey Mrs. Brady!
Anna: Hi! You ready to get settled in?
Suzy: Sure!
Carol and Anna help their daughters arrange their rooms and set up the kitchen, as Mike and Thomas make sure all the appliances, plumbing, and electricity were in good working order.
Thomas: Looks like everything's in order.
Mike: Really nice place you have here. Who's living in the other unit?
Thomas: A very sweet retired couple, in their 80s. They're very quiet.
Anna: Oh, Rose is a gem! She makes the best pies.
Thomas: And a mean beef casserole.
Mike chuckles.
Thomas: And Lewis is good to see after people. I chose this duplex for Suzy because I knew she'd be safe with the Howards living next door.
Mike: I'd like to meet them.
Thomas: Sure!
Thomas introduces Mike and Carol to the Howards.
Lewis: Good to meet you! If Suzy and Marcia need anything, they can feel free to knock on our door.
Rose: And I made some chocolate chip cookies for the girls as kind of a house warming gift.
Marcia and Suzy join their parents and the Howards.
Mike: Mr. and Mrs. Howard, this is our daughter, Marcia.
Thomas: And you know Suzy.
Marcia: Please to meet you, Mrs. Howard
Rose: Rose. Call me Rose.
Marcia: Yes, Rose.
Rose: Good! Now, I'd like to have the two of you over for dinner sometime.
Suzy: Thank you.
They say their goodbyes and go back into Suzy and Marcia's duplex. Carol and Marcia go back to Marcia's room to put in the finishing touches.
Carol: How about if we put the dresser over there?
Marcia: Surveys the room. Yeah.
Carol: How does it look?
Marcia: Really good! She claps her hands once. I can't believe I'm out on my own.
Carol: Tries to prevent a tear from falling. My baby girl's all grown up!
Marcia: Aww, mom! She embraces her mother. Thanks for everything.
Carol: You're welcome.
Marcia smiles, as if she's thinking about something.
Carol: What?
Marcia: You know, when Greg moved out, you were four months pregnant with the twins.
Carol: Time goes by pretty fast, doesn't it?
Marcia: Sits on her bed. Yes, it does. Sometimes I think I should be going back to Westdale this fall, but I'm not. I'll be in college.
Carol: Sits beside her and moves a lock of hair from her daughter's face. You are, and we're so proud of you!
Marcia: Thanks.
Mike: Knocks on the door. Carol? Time to go.
Carol: Addressing Marcia. Honey, would you like us to come back this evening with dinner, or do you and Suzy want to be by yourselves?
Suzy: Sticks her head through the doorway. Marcia, mom and dad are bringing dinner tonight. Is that okay?
Marcia: Yeah sure, Suzy. Tell 'em that's fine.
Carol: We can come over tomorrow night then.
Marcia: Sure.
Carol: What would you like us to bring?
Marcia: Hamburgers are probably the easiest. Suzy and I can go get some beans, lettuce, tomato, onions and potato salad. I think we've got pickles, ketchup, mustard and mayo. I guess, bring the burgers, cheese, chips and buns. We've got the grill out back. Smiles. Guess you'll have to tell Bobby and Cindy no swimsuits, since we don't have a pool.
Carol: Guess so! She chuckles.
Mike: Hugs his daughter. We'll see you tomorrow night then.
Marcia: Bye.
Marcia waves as her parents drive off.
In the car
Carol sighs as the house disappears from view.
Mike: A penny for your thoughts?
Carol: I can't believe our baby girl has moved out.
Mike: As you said, she's all grown up.
Carol: She is. She beams. I'm so proud of her, but... She gets choked up.
Mike: Rubs his wife's shoulder. But it's going to be strange being back at the house and she doesn't live there anymore.
Carol: Exactly.
Mike: She and Greg are both across town. It's not like they're in another state.
Carol: I know. She sighs. So many changes.
Mike: We have had a lot.
Carol: Greg, then the twins, now Marcia...all in a little less than a year.
Mike: It's been said that the only constant is change.
Carol: Before we know it, it'll be Peter and Jan, then Bobby and Cindy, and then Ryan and Carolyn.
Mike: Chuckles. Yes, but don't rush it.
Carol: Smiles. You're right.
The next evening
The Bradys are getting ready to go over to Marcia's duplex. Carol, Alice and the kids are frantically getting things together.
Carol: Cindy, can you take the food out to the car?
Cindy: Sure.
Jan: I got the patties.
Jan and Cindy take the food and put it in the station wagon.
Alice: What do you need me to carry?
Carol: Get the paper goods. I need to check on the twins.
Alice: Roger that! She takes them to the car.
Mike: Carrying Ryan. I've got Ryan and Peter's getting Carolyn.
Carol: Looks worried. Do I need to go rescue him?
Peter: Enters the kitchen with Carolyn. Nope! Got her right here.
Carol: Great! Go ahead and put her in her car seat. Where's Bobby?
Bobby: Right here! I've got the diaper bag.
Carol: Thanks. Lemme see if I've got everything packed in it.
Bobby hands her the bag.
Mike: Can you take Ryan and put him in his car seat?
Bobby: Reaches for his brother. Sure.
Peter and Bobby go to the car.
Mike: Anything I can help you with?
Carol: Looking through the diaper bag. Diapers, wipes, change of clothes for each, pacifiers, ummm... Can you get a jar of peaches for each of them?
Mike: Looks in the cabinet. We've only got one jar.
Carol: Did we feed them a vegetable or a fruit for lunch?
Mike: I think we did a jar of squash and a jar of blueberries.
Carol: Okay, then the jar of peaches and a jar of peas.
Mike: Got them. Puts them in the bag.
Carol: I guess we're ready to go!
Mike and Carol join Alice and the kids in the wagon. They make their way to Suzy and Marcia's place.
At Marcia and Suzy's Place
The Bradys pull up into the duplex's driveway. Carol can hardly contain her elation. She gets out of the car, rings the bell, and rings the doorbell. Marcia answers.
Marcia: Mom!
Carol: Embraces her daughter. Marcia! How are you?
Marcia: Great! She sees the rest of the family getting out of the car. Let me help you guys get the stuff. Suzy's firing up the grill. She walks with her mother, to the car. Guys, you can take the patties and buns out to the back. Suzy's got the grill going.
Mike: Gives Marcia an embrace. Good to see you!
Peter and Bobby get the food and take it to the back porch. Mike gets Ryan and Carol, Carolyn. Alice carries the diaper bag. Jan and Cindy hug their older sister.
Jan: Hey! How's living on your own?
Marcia: Chuckles. It's only been a day.
Cindy: Can we see your room?
Marcia: Sure. After dinner. She hugs Alice. Two weeks! Getting nervous?
Alice: No, but Sam is! He bowled his first gutter ball last night at the tournament.
Marcia: Puts her hand to her mouth. Oh no! Hope that didn't cost you the trophy.
Alice: Nope! Smiles. We still took first. He was hoping to break his record, but he didn't.
Marcia: At least you still won.
Alice makes her way to the back yard. Marcia says hello her youngest siblings, as she accompanies her parents to the backyard. Suzy, cooking the patties, greets them.
Suzy: Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Brady!
Carol: Hi Suzy! How are you two settling in?
Suzy: Just fine! Mom and dad came over last night and we cooked enchiladas.
Mike: Mmm! Sounds delicious!
Marcia enjoys hosting her family at her new place! She now understands how Greg felt when he moved out the year before: excitement and surrealism together. After dinner, Marcia gives her family a tour of the house. Peter and Jan look at the duplex with interest. It's two years until they can move out to go to college.
Jan: Studying Marcia's room. I like it! You and mom did a great job on it.
Marcia: Thanks! So, have you started moving into the attic?
Jan: We've moved a few things, but not everything yet. We only got to start today. We'll do more tomorrow, and I should be fully moved in by Monday.
Marcia: Bet Pete's not happy he has to wait.
Cindy: Actually, he doesn't seem to mind.
Marcia: Oh?
Jan: It's only two weeks until he can move. I have a feeling once we're back from Alice's wedding, he'll start moving his stuff.
Marcia: Chuckles. Like Greg did when Dad gave up his den?
The girls crack up.
Marcia: So, when Jan and Peter move into their new rooms, you and Bobby will have your own rooms too. Will the two of you move into the attic and Alice's suite?
Cindy: Probably. Mom and dad will want to put the twins in our rooms. The nursery's rather small, and they'll need their own space.
Soon, it's time for the Bradys to leave.
Mike: Knocks on Marcia's door. Kids, it's time to go. Your brother and sister need to get to bed.
Cindy: So soon? She looks at her watch and notices the time. Oh!
She and Jan embrace their sister and make their way to the car. Mike passes Carolyn to Jan. Peter and Bobby say their farewells, as does Alice, carrying Ryan, leaving Mike and Carol with Marcia.
Carol: Hugs Marcia. Marcia, I'm so proud of you!
Marcia: Thanks!
Mike: See you soon! Good luck at work!
Marcia: Thanks, dad! I'm looking forward to it!
Back at the Bradys
Alice and the kids bring in the leftovers, put them away, and make their way to their rooms. Mike and Carol bring the twins to the nursery. Carol nurses Carolyn, while Mike dresses Ryan for bed.
Carol: Content. I'm so happy for Marcia!
Mike: Impressed. You've handled this move very well!
Carol: I miss her and it feels so different without her, but...
Mike: ...But?
Carol: But, this is what they're supposed to do: be born, grow up, leave and then start their own families. We did, and I know it was hard on our folks.
Mike: Smiles. I'm proud of you.
Carol: Oh?
Mike: I thought you'd be beside yourself, like when Greg moved out.
Carol: I've shed a few tears here and there...She feels them trying to escape...Like now.
Mike: Gives her a soft peck. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything.
Carol: No, I knew it was coming. We've had two leave the nest. A tear rolls down her cheek.
Mike: I'm still proud of you, you know. He wipes the tear away.
Carol: Looks at her twins. I love our family. When I was a child, I dreamed of having a big family of my own, with lots of kids and a loving and handsome man by my side. Who says dreams don't come true? Mine did.
They engage in a passionate kiss.
-End of Chapter 13-