The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
A/N—My apologies for it being nearly four years since the last update. Suffice it to say I had a pretty turbulent last four years. Yes, I wrote for a few other TV series since, but I'm back and ready to complete this story and The Bradys: The Final Chapter. This one first. With that, happy reading!
Chapter 58
Two weeks later. Carol is sixteen weeks along. It's the night of the fashion show. Marcia is assisting her mother and sisters with their wardrobe.
Marcia: Mom, how does yours fit?
Carol: Smoothing her blue maxi dress. I like the fit.
Marcia: Concentrating. It's not too tight, is it?
Carol: It's perfect. Puts her hands on her daughter's shoulders. Don't worry. You've got everything covered.
Marcia: Smiles. Thanks, mom!
Cindy yells from behind the curtain.
Cindy: My dress! It ripped!
Marcia: Runs across the room in a panic. What happened?
Cindy: I stepped into the dress and I heard it rip.
Marcia: Studies the damage. I can sew a couple stitches here and here.
Cindy: Want me to take it off?
Marcia: No, just hold it and I'll get it sewn. She grabs her sewing kit and repairs the rip. How's that?
Cindy: Better.
Marcia: Zips the dress. Turn around. Let me see. She looks it over. Looks good. Now, which ear rings are you going to use?
Cindy: I was thinking gold studs, or maybe the hoops?
Marcia: The studs. We'll use the hoops with your tank top.
Jan: Still in her street clothes. Which one do you want me to wear first?
Marcia: Your dress. We'll do the casual next. And let's try an updo.
Jan: All right.
The fashion show director walks into the room and claps her hands.
Director: We go on in ten!
Marcia and the other fashion majors put the finishing touches on their models.
Marcia: Everything feel okay? Accessories in place?
Carol: Finishing the final touches on her makeup. I'm ready.
Jan: I've hit a snag!
Marcia: Oh?
Jan: The zipper's stuck!
Marcia: She grabs a pencil and rubs the graphite on the zipper. How's that? She tests the zipper and it zips up.
Jan: Perfect!
Marcia: Cindy, you ready?
Cindy: Hang on!
Marcia: We can't.
Cindy: Finishes brushing her hair. Ok. I'm ready.
Marcia: Great! Feeling nervous.
Carol: Everything will be just fine. The outfits are beautiful and you have everything coordinated just so.
Director: We're on!
All the models line up and the students conduct one last inspection. Marcia smiles, knowing that her mom and sisters look good in her creations.One senior is the Emcee and begins the fashion show.
Emcee: Welcome to the 1976 University Fashion Show, The students have worked very hard on the show and we ask for your complete attention. Flash photography is prohibited, but regular photography is allowed. Our first category is dress-wear.
Three other students' models precede Marcia's. After the second student's models are finished, Marcia prepares her mom and sisters.
Marcia: We're next. Mom, Jan, Cindy. She takes a deep breath.
Emcee: Next, we have creations by Marcia Brady. First is Carol Brady.
Carol begins her walk down the runway.
Emcee: Carol is wearing a maxi maternity dress with a dark blue overlay with yellow, green, and white daisies all over, and a light blue lining. It features a high built up collar that is embellished with ruffles. The ruffles continue down the bust accenting faux buttons and lead to an empire waist marked with a satin green bow. There are long mesh peasant sleeves with ruffles at the wrist. A full skirt billows from the waist. Let's give Carol a round of applause!
Carol finishes her walk and Jan gets ready. She smiles at Marcia, as she returns to the dressing room to change into her second outfit.
Emcee: Next, is Jan Brady. She is wearing a stunning light blue cotton dress with crochet details. Perfect for prom, this stunning dress has a massive skirt trimmed with a pelmet ruffle..perfect to swish around in! It features long sleeves, and has sweet peek a boo crochet panels on sleeves and bodice. The sleeves are wide and finished with wide cuffs with three buttons. It has a high neck and comes with a sash belt. Thank you, Jan!
Jan finishes her walk as Cindy readies herself.
Emcee: Last, is Cindy Brady. She is wearing a stunning mod blue sheath dress. It has green and white yarn trim around the arms and collar and a metal blue zipper in back. Thank you, Cindy!
As Cindy finishes her walk, Marcia breathes a sigh of relief. She follows Cindy into the dressing room.
Marcia: Great job! Quickly change into your next outfit. We don't have a whole lot of time.
Carol and the girls change into their casual wear. Marcia looks everyone over.
Marcia: You look great! Let's get lined up!
The last of the models from the first round finish and the models line up for the next. Again, Marcia's the third student.
Emcee: Thank you ladies! This concludes the dress-wear category. Our second category is casual wear.
Cindy: Oh no! She grunts.
Marcia: What?
Carol: I've got one hoop and one stud in!
Marcia: Races to find the correct earring. Here! Take the stud out and give it to me.
Cindy: Fastens in the hoop. Got it.
Marcia: Everything in place?
Carol: I'm ready!
Jan: So am I.
Cindy: Feels everything. Yep!
The second group finishes and Carol and the girls take their places.
Emcee: Next, we have Marcia Brady's casual line. First is Carol Brady. She's wearing a red, white and blue floral, fully-lined polyester double knit floor length maxi dress with a tight stretch and has an empire waist and v neck, and flared skirt.
Carol takes her turn down the runway. Then Jan gets ready.
Emcee: Thank you, Carol! Next, is Jan Brady. Jan is wearing a soft Henley t-shirt with red and heather grey stripes. It is made of the softest ribbed polyester/cotton blend. She paired this shirt with soft bell bottomed jeans, complete with a denim belt with a small gold buckle. Her hair, long and soft, with honey coloured plastic maxi sunglasses, completes the look
Jan spies Billy in the audience and smiles.
Emcee: Give Jan a round of applause! Next is Cindy Brady. She is wearing a navy blue tank top, with red trim and a large daisy on the front. She paired this shirt with bell bottomed jeans and red New Converse sneakers. Thank you, Cindy!
As Cindy is walking back up the runway, she trips over a wrinkle in the carpet, catching herself before she face-plants onto the floor. She gulps, trying not to cry as she makes her way back to the dressing room. Carol sees the frustration written on her face.
Carol: What's wrong?
Cindy: I tripped on the carpet and nearly fell! She begins to cry. Everyone saw me!
Carol: Envelops her in an embrace. I'm sure it wasn't that bad.
Cindy: It was! You're supposed to be poised in a fashion show and I looked like a deer skating on ice!
Carol: Tries not to laugh at the imagery. I bet it wasn't that bad.
Marcia: Walks in. Cindy, are you okay?
Cindy: I'm sorry! I didn't mean to trip. I bet I hurt your grade.
Marcia: You have nothing to be sorry for.
Cindy: But I tripped.
Marcia: I saw that wrinkle and tried to straighten it before anyone took their walk, but I couldn't get it straight.
Cindy: I hurt your grade.
Marcia: Not at all!
Cindy: But I tripped.
Marcia: Our grade isn't based on how the models walk down the runway. Our grade is based on the outfits themselves: how they fit and the choices we made for each of you. You looked great out there and your outfits really worked for you.
Cindy: Thanks. I want to keep mine. Can I?
Marcia: Absolutely! I'm honored you like them.
Cindy: You're a great fashion designer.
Marcia: Blushes. I'm not great. I hope to be some day.
Cindy: Well, I liked your outfits the best out of all of them.
Marcia: Thanks. That means a lot!
Cindy: When do you find out your grade?
Marcia: The first of next week.
After the models change back into their street clothes, they meet their families and friends. Billy has a bouquet of roses for Jan.
Billy: These are for you!
Jan: Thanks! They're beautiful!
Billy: Not as beautiful as you. You looked great!
Jan: Thanks! I had fun!
Billy: It showed. You wanna grab dinner? There's a new Greek restaurant on the Boardwalk.
Jan: Sure! I've never had Greek food.
Billy: Neither have I.
Meanwhile, the Bradys congratulate Marcia.
Mike: Congratulations, Marcia! You did great!
Marcia: Thanks! It was a lot of work.
Mike: Kisses his wife. And you looked stunning.
Carol: Marcia, you did an excellent job. The dresses were comfortable and stylish.
Marcia: If you want, you can keep them. She smiles. After all, you've got a few more months before my youngest brother or sister is born.
Carol: I'd love to.
Cindy: Can I keep mine?
Marcia: Proud. Sure! And if Jan wants, she can keep hers too.
Cindy: Are you going to do a show next year?
Marcia: I want to. Laughs. I had a lot of fun.
Cindy: So did I.
Carol: I did too. When will you find out your grade?
Marcia: A couple days or so.
Cindy: If I was the professor, I'd give you an A.
Marcia: Blushes. Thanks!
A couple days later, Marcia comes over for supper. Jan and Cindy are cooking and Carol is in the family room, reading to the twins.
Carol: Reads and signs. One fish, two fish! Red fish, blue fish! Black fish, blue fish! Old fish, new fish!
Ryan: Boo fish!
Carolyn: Signs. Fish!
Carol: Yes, fish! That one's a blue fish! She points to the yellow fish. This one has a little star.
Ryan: 'Tar!
Marcia opens the sliding glass door.
Carol: Hi! How was your day?
Carolyn: Slides off her mother's lap, runs to her oldest sister, and signs to be picked up.
Marcia: Speaks and signs. Hi Carolyn!
Ryan: Ma-sha! Mommy read book.
Marcia: I see! Is it a good book?
Ryan: Uh huh!
Marcia: I got my grade back on the fashion show.
Carol: Oh? How did you do?
Marcia: Got an A+! She really liked my outfits. She was especially impressed with the maternity outfits.
Carol: Wonderful!
Marcia: Excited. What's even better, is that she wants to buy the patterns so she can sell the outfits in her boutique.
Mike walks into the room, having just gotten home from work. He hears Marcia's news.
Mike: Hi honey! He kisses his wife. Your professor wants to buy your patterns?
Marcia: Yes.
Mike: That's a real honour. Has she drafted up the terms? Will you get a portion of the sales, or just money for the pattern?
Marcia: I don't know. We haven't gotten that far.
Mike: Make sure you get a fair deal. Don't agree on anything just because this is flattering.
Marcia: I won't. If you'd like, I'll bring over the offer, so you can take a look at it.
Mike: I'd like to look it over. Smiles. I am very proud of you.
Marcia: Thanks!
Jan: Calls from the kitchen. Supper's ready!
The family gathers. Jan and Cindy serve meatloaf, green beans, rolls and fruit salad.
Mike: This is really good.
Jan: Thanks.
Marcia: Jan, how did you do at the art show? I'm sorry I wasn't able to go.
Jan: I'm going back to Regionals.
Marcia: Congratulations! Which one did you enter?
Jan: I painted Mt Fuji.
Marcia: You really want Aunt Jenny to take you to Japan after graduation.
Jan: I really do. She makes it sound so magical.
Cindy: I'd love to go to Japan.
Jan: Maybe you will.
Ryan: I go Japan! He giggles.
Bobby: I don't know where I'd want to go. All I know is that I'm glad it's finally Christmas break.
Peter: Have you heard whether or not they're moving ninth grade back up to Westdale?
Bobby: They haven't said, but rumours are that they are.
Cindy: That's what I've heard. I'm not sure whether I want ninth grade in high school or in junior high. I'd like to be the oldest and I have so many ideas for next year as captain, but then again, I'd like the challenge of high school cheer leading.
Bobby: I don't care one way or another.
Peter: I can't wait until I get out of Westdale.
Jan: Me too.
Marcia: You're gonna love college. So much better than high school. More freedom, taking classes you want...
Peter: He pipes. Living on your own!
Mike: We'll see.
Peter: If me and Jan move out after graduation, then Bobby can have my suite, Cindy can have Jan's room, each of the twins can have Bobby and Cindy's old rooms, and the new baby can have the twins' room.
Jan: Changes the subject. Billy's taking me to the movies. I need to get ready.
Marcia: What are you seeing?
Jan: The Man Who Would Be King.
Carol: What's it about?
Jan: I don't know.
Carol: Have fun!
Jan excuses herself and gets ready for her date. Marcia leaves soon after as well.
-End of Chapter 58