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p style="max-height: 999999px;"The atmosphere around this particular picturesque Sunday Morning in Green Grove had an aura of mystery and whimsy surrounding it./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"The feeling that anything could happen that day permeated the cool yet gentle breeze creating an air that made some of the guests awakening that morning uneasy while it's effects created excitement and anticipation in others.../p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Rico was decidedly camped in the excited column. From his bedroom window he awoke to the sound of birds chirping and lawn mowers comfortably making a low hum in the distance./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"There were so many thoughts, emotions, and possibilities running through his mind that he reached for his phone quickly scrolling by a text from Jo letting him know she made it inside safe before checking to see if Lace had contacted him./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"She hadn't yet so he left her a message saying he couldn't wait to see her beautiful face later on that day./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Grinning to himself Rico thought of how INSANE yesterday was in a good way unsure if he had dreamt it up/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Mostly because It reminded him of something he saw when he was seven where the awkward main character accidentally traveled through a magic mirror and ended up in an opposite universe where everyone saw him as a hero instead of a sidekick./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"For once in his life he wasn't dreading the day or silently trying to get through it. Today He was ready to face it. He was the Hero of his own story. He has kissed the girl of his dreams and even better than that he had found happiness with the girl of his fantasies. He felt so confident inside and it was all thanks to Lace./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"The sounds of Rico singing "Happy" in front of the mirror as his clippers buzzed through his hair harmonized with the noises outside to create it's own distinctive beat as he swayed along adding swagger to his movements. Looking at his changing appearance in the mirror for the first time he gave it a nod of approval instead of acceptance.../p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Tossing and turning as the birds tweeted obnoxiously outside her window was not enough to completely wake Jo up from a fitful sleep of what would be best described as half dreams half nightmares./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"As she tried to tune out the noise, beams of light escaped through her blackout curtains and aimed themselves like lasers directly at her headboard./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Trying to blink them away as they landed on her she begrudgingly decided to wake up for the day. It wasn't as if she would be able to fall back to sleep anyway with everything that was on her mind./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Turning the radio on she stopped at her favorite song "That's what you get" by Paramore and began humming along./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"For starters Lacey being back in town more beautiful and perfect than ever. Tyler using her to make sextapes. Danny chasing after Lacey again but what else was new. Rico rejecting her even though he said he wasn't and him revealing that her mother was lying to her father about her past all these years./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"The ugly fact remained that her mother probably knew all about Marna Inc's double dealings and had actively helped to get an innocent man fired./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Her sleeping with the Mayor or Vikram./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"meant that she has most likely been sleeping with him before he died all the while playing the innocent Stepford wife to Jo's dad./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"And what about her dad. What if he found out about it would he want a separation or a divorce? and would Jo even have the courage to tell him?/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Interrupting her thoughts there were two rapid knocks on the door before her mother Tess promptly entered her Room which was of course the last person she wanted to see./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Why knock if you're just gonna walk in"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Jo muttered to herself/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""I heard that Jo" Tess said "and to be clear I knock as a warning not an invitation"./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Pulling the covers off of her Jo shuffled to the end of the bed to face her mother./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""So what do you need" Jo asked smartly/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"" I need two things actually" Tess said staring down at her a grim frown forming on her face. "One I need you watch your attitude okay and Two I need you to come home at curfew"./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""I texted you at like 1130 that i was on my wa".../p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Yes you did Jo Tess interrupted "and I waited up for you but you must've come home much later than that because I didn't hear you come in so next time you check in with me before you go to bed or I'll be forced to tell your father about it"./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"" Oh So you can tell Dad some things" Jo blurted out before clamping her mouth shut./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""What the Hell is that supposed to mean"? Tess yelled./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""It doesn't mean anything" Jo said ready for Tess to leave. "If that's all Mother I'll make sure to check in with you at curfew okay" then getting up she walked into her bathroom and slammed the door./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Alarmed Tess walked downstairs checking to make sure Kyle was still asleep before she entered her studio./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Dialing his number she breathed out a sigh of relief when he answered "Hello"./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Hey Vik I need to see you"."I don't know why but I think Jo knows something." Can you come by tonight Kyle is working and we can meet in the studio if you want I'll leave it unlocked"./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"From the other end he agreed and hanging up Tess crawled back into the bed with Kyle feeling another Migraine starting to form.../p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Climbing into his room Danny yelped out in surprise when he found his mother Karen with her arms folded sitting on his bed./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Hey there, Where have you been"? She said smiling belying her body language./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""I took a walk" Danny said nonchalantly beginning to lie but one look at the expression on his mother's face complete with a slightly upturned eyebrow and he laughed despite himself admitting "Okay, Okay I went to see Lacey"./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Annnd" Karen added/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Annnd I ended up apologizing to her and staying with her all night"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""I hope you two were safe" Karen said as she took in his elated demeanor/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Oh Mom come on". "Seeing her was about so much more than that" Danny said almost giddy and childlike./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""We talked almost all night and we connected in a way that I can't even describe right now we just connected and I know now that I really love her mom. "I Love Her"! he proclaimed raising his eyes heavenward to let the Universe know his intentions./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Watching him Karen smiled brilliantly before rushing over to him to hug him tightly in her arms."Oh Danny that is great she said sniffling as a lone tear escaped her./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Stepping back she looked at him before asking "You know what that means don't you"?/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""What"? he said uncertainly especially where his mother was concerned./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""It means WE" she emphasized "have a perfect dinner to prepare" and walking over to his laptop she opened up a popular crafting site to start preparing./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""I'm cooking" Danny said as he joined her pulling up an arrangement online of white and pink Daisies for the Centerpiece./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"He turned on Otis Redding's "Try a little tenderness" for mood music unable to stop thinking about her smile .../p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Judy Porter had woken up that morning with a sense of foreboding. Every nerve in her body told her that something was wrong./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Shrugging it off she surmised it was probably because of the dinner at Karens house that afternoon./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"When the doorbell rang she looked out the window to find her Ex husband Samuel standing on the step with her youngest daughter Clara next to him./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Opening the door she stood there with a plastered smile on her face./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Hello Judith" Samuel said with a bouquet of flowers in hand looking small somehow despite his large stature/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Hello Samuel" she replied shaking his hand as an awkward pause ensued before Judith/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"composed herself and cried out "Clara Poo" pulling her youngest baby into her arms./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""What are you doing here" Judy said to her while searching Samuel's eyes for an explanation/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Well you told me Lacey was back" Clara said. "So I bought a plane ticket but Dad didn't think it was safe for me to come alone so..."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""So I came along". Samuel finished looking directly at Judy "I wanted to see her too". "I hope you don't mind"./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Turning to Clara Judy said tiredly "Clara I'm sure you're exhausted honey". "Why don't you go upstairs and get settled while your father and I talk for a few minutes"./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Sure Mom" she said skeptically before putting her headphones in her ears and walking into the house./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""It's not that I mind Samuel it's just.. Lacey is still getting used to being home and I don't want to do anything that would give her a setback or upset her further"./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""I understand your concern Judy and I won't intrude I just want to see her". "Ive been seeing a therapist myself and I've kept in touch with her doctors so I realize that a lot of her issues stem from us and the problems we had in our marriage"./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""I don't know" Judy said knowing that Lacey wasn't too happy especially after her episode last night./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Please" he pleaded "I really want to try and make it up to her and you"./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Against her better judgment she ushered him into the entryway/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Look how about this let me get ready and then I can let Lacey know and she can decide if she wants to see you or not"./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Fair enough" he said walking to the Living room as Judy walked up to her room to get ready for what was shaping up to be a terrible day./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Fortunately for her or unfortunately depending how you looked at it she didn't have to wait long to be vindicated, in the time it took her to get showered, dressed and in heels Samuel had not only managed to upset Lacey but Clara as well./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""What the Hell happened"? She yelled halfway in-between placing her second heel on her foot as she flew out of her room towards the commotion. She found Samuel leaning with his head down against Lacey's Doorway and Clara glaring at her father with so much malice in her eyes that she had to take a step back./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"'Yes' Judy thought 'It was shaping up to be a terrible day indeed'./p
p style="text-align: left;" /p
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p style="max-height: 999999px;"The atmosphere around this particular picturesque Sunday Morning in Green Grove had an aura of mystery and whimsy surrounding it./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"The feeling that anything could happen that day permeated the cool yet gentle breeze creating an air that made some of the guests awakening that morning uneasy while it's effects created excitement and anticipation in others.../p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Rico was decidedly camped in the excited column. From his bedroom window he awoke to the sound of birds chirping and lawn mowers comfortably making a low hum in the distance./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"There were so many thoughts, emotions, and possibilities running through his mind that he reached for his phone quickly scrolling by a text from Jo letting him know she made it inside safe before checking to see if Lace had contacted him./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"She hadn't yet so he left her a message saying he couldn't wait to see her beautiful face later on that day./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Grinning to himself Rico thought of how INSANE yesterday was in a good way unsure if he had dreamt it up/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Mostly because It reminded him of something he saw when he was seven where the awkward main character accidentally traveled through a magic mirror and ended up in an opposite universe where everyone saw him as a hero instead of a sidekick./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"For once in his life he wasn't dreading the day or silently trying to get through it. Today He was ready to face it. He was the Hero of his own story. He has kissed the girl of his dreams and even better than that he had found happiness with the girl of his fantasies. He felt so confident inside and it was all thanks to Lace./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"The sounds of Rico singing "Happy" in front of the mirror as his clippers buzzed through his hair harmonized with the noises outside to create it's own distinctive beat as he swayed along adding swagger to his movements. Looking at his changing appearance in the mirror for the first time he gave it a nod of approval instead of acceptance.../p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Tossing and turning as the birds tweeted obnoxiously outside her window was not enough to completely wake Jo up from a fitful sleep of what would be best described as half dreams half nightmares./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"As she tried to tune out the noise, beams of light escaped through her blackout curtains and aimed themselves like lasers directly at her headboard./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Trying to blink them away as they landed on her she begrudgingly decided to wake up for the day. It wasn't as if she would be able to fall back to sleep anyway with everything that was on her mind./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Turning the radio on she stopped at her favorite song "That's what you get" by Paramore and began humming along./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"For starters Lacey being back in town more beautiful and perfect than ever. Tyler using her to make sextapes. Danny chasing after Lacey again but what else was new. Rico rejecting her even though he said he wasn't and him revealing that her mother was lying to her father about her past all these years./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"The ugly fact remained that her mother probably knew all about Marna Inc's double dealings and had actively helped to get an innocent man fired./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Her sleeping with the Mayor or Vikram./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"meant that she has most likely been sleeping with him before he died all the while playing the innocent Stepford wife to Jo's dad./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"And what about her dad. What if he found out about it would he want a separation or a divorce? and would Jo even have the courage to tell him?/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Interrupting her thoughts there were two rapid knocks on the door before her mother Tess promptly entered her Room which was of course the last person she wanted to see./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Why knock if you're just gonna walk in"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Jo muttered to herself/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""I heard that Jo" Tess said "and to be clear I knock as a warning not an invitation"./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Pulling the covers off of her Jo shuffled to the end of the bed to face her mother./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""So what do you need" Jo asked smartly/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"" I need two things actually" Tess said staring down at her a grim frown forming on her face. "One I need you watch your attitude okay and Two I need you to come home at curfew"./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""I texted you at like 1130 that i was on my wa".../p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Yes you did Jo Tess interrupted "and I waited up for you but you must've come home much later than that because I didn't hear you come in so next time you check in with me before you go to bed or I'll be forced to tell your father about it"./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"" Oh So you can tell Dad some things" Jo blurted out before clamping her mouth shut./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""What the Hell is that supposed to mean"? Tess yelled./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""It doesn't mean anything" Jo said ready for Tess to leave. "If that's all Mother I'll make sure to check in with you at curfew okay" then getting up she walked into her bathroom and slammed the door./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Alarmed Tess walked downstairs checking to make sure Kyle was still asleep before she entered her studio./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Dialing his number she breathed out a sigh of relief when he answered "Hello"./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Hey Vik I need to see you"."I don't know why but I think Jo knows something." Can you come by tonight Kyle is working and we can meet in the studio if you want I'll leave it unlocked"./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"From the other end he agreed and hanging up Tess crawled back into the bed with Kyle feeling another Migraine starting to form.../p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Climbing into his room Danny yelped out in surprise when he found his mother Karen with her arms folded sitting on his bed./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Hey there, Where have you been"? She said smiling belying her body language./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""I took a walk" Danny said nonchalantly beginning to lie but one look at the expression on his mother's face complete with a slightly upturned eyebrow and he laughed despite himself admitting "Okay, Okay I went to see Lacey"./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Annnd" Karen added/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Annnd I ended up apologizing to her and staying with her all night"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""I hope you two were safe" Karen said as she took in his elated demeanor/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Oh Mom come on". "Seeing her was about so much more than that" Danny said almost giddy and childlike./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""We talked almost all night and we connected in a way that I can't even describe right now we just connected and I know now that I really love her mom. "I Love Her"! he proclaimed raising his eyes heavenward to let the Universe know his intentions./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Watching him Karen smiled brilliantly before rushing over to him to hug him tightly in her arms."Oh Danny that is great she said sniffling as a lone tear escaped her./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Stepping back she looked at him before asking "You know what that means don't you"?/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""What"? he said uncertainly especially where his mother was concerned./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""It means WE" she emphasized "have a perfect dinner to prepare" and walking over to his laptop she opened up a popular crafting site to start preparing./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""I'm cooking" Danny said as he joined her pulling up an arrangement online of white and pink Daisies for the Centerpiece./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"He turned on Otis Redding's "Try a little tenderness" for mood music unable to stop thinking about her smile .../p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Judy Porter had woken up that morning with a sense of foreboding. Every nerve in her body told her that something was wrong./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Shrugging it off she surmised it was probably because of the dinner at Karens house that afternoon./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"When the doorbell rang she looked out the window to find her Ex husband Samuel standing on the step with her youngest daughter Clara next to him./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Opening the door she stood there with a plastered smile on her face./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Hello Judith" Samuel said with a bouquet of flowers in hand looking small somehow despite his large stature/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Hello Samuel" she replied shaking his hand as an awkward pause ensued before Judith/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"composed herself and cried out "Clara Poo" pulling her youngest baby into her arms./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""What are you doing here" Judy said to her while searching Samuel's eyes for an explanation/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Well you told me Lacey was back" Clara said. "So I bought a plane ticket but Dad didn't think it was safe for me to come alone so..."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""So I came along". Samuel finished looking directly at Judy "I wanted to see her too". "I hope you don't mind"./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Turning to Clara Judy said tiredly "Clara I'm sure you're exhausted honey". "Why don't you go upstairs and get settled while your father and I talk for a few minutes"./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Sure Mom" she said skeptically before putting her headphones in her ears and walking into the house./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""It's not that I mind Samuel it's just.. Lacey is still getting used to being home and I don't want to do anything that would give her a setback or upset her further"./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""I understand your concern Judy and I won't intrude I just want to see her". "Ive been seeing a therapist myself and I've kept in touch with her doctors so I realize that a lot of her issues stem from us and the problems we had in our marriage"./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""I don't know" Judy said knowing that Lacey wasn't too happy especially after her episode last night./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Please" he pleaded "I really want to try and make it up to her and you"./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Against her better judgment she ushered him into the entryway/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Look how about this let me get ready and then I can let Lacey know and she can decide if she wants to see you or not"./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Fair enough" he said walking to the Living room as Judy walked up to her room to get ready for what was shaping up to be a terrible day./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Fortunately for her or unfortunately depending how you looked at it she didn't have to wait long to be vindicated, in the time it took her to get showered, dressed and in heels Samuel had not only managed to upset Lacey but Clara as well./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""What the Hell happened"? She yelled halfway in-between placing her second heel on her foot as she flew out of her room towards the commotion. She found Samuel leaning with his head down against Lacey's Doorway and Clara glaring at her father with so much malice in her eyes that she had to take a step back./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"'Yes' Judy thought 'It was shaping up to be a terrible day indeed'./p
p style="text-align: left;" /p
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