The flight was about three hours and to say Zack wasn't a fan was an understatement. From the moment his ears popped, Zack was unhappy. He immediately clung to Maggie's arm and he refused to put his seat belt on and constantly squirmed around in his seat.
"Mama," Zack whined as he dug his head into Maggie's chest. Alex rubbed his back and looked at Maggie. Neither knew what to do. Alex hated seeing Zack like this because of how rare it was. Maggie put the TV onto the kids channel in order to distract Zack. It took a bit of effort to put the headphones on Zack. He hated the inner ear headphones so he could only use over the ear ones.
The entire plane ride consisted of Alex and Maggie switching holding Zack, singing softly into his ears until he would fall asleep. When he woke up they would put the TV back on and do the routine all over again. Thankfully with no air traffic the plane was able to land in 3 ½ hours. Alex and Maggie both sighed with relief as Zack slept the hole decent down.
By the time Alex, Maggie and a sleeping Zack reached the baggage claim, Maggie's aunt was waiting for them.
She ran up to Maggie, "It is so good to see you Maggie it's been too long!"
"It's good to see you too aunt Erin."
"And Alex it is good to finally put a face to the name."
"Like wise," Alex held out her hand only to be brought in for a hug.
"Okay let's get going and get you three settled in, you must be tired from traveling," Erin says as she takes one of their luggage and walks towards the car. By the time they got to the house, Zack was wide-awake and starring out the window looking for cows.
"Mommy look more cows," Zack squeals in delight pointing out the window.
Alex wraps her arms around Zack a little tighter, "I see that baby."
Erin's house in a simple one story home with a big front yard that has a swing attached to it.
"We're here," Erin said pulling into the garage.
"Everything is the same," Maggie said looking around. Memories came flooding back. Alex slid her hand into the small of Maggie's back, "babe, are you okay?" Alex whispers.
Maggie nodded.
Alex kissed the side of Maggie's head before bringing their bags into their room.
Erin walked up beside Maggie, "I'm so happy you came to visit."
"Me too. I'm sorry I should have visited sooner."
"Hey it's understandable. There isn't much here for you. Hell there isn't much here in general." Erin laughed.
"Then why did you stay?"
Erin looked around, "well after your grandparents died they gave me their house and [mechanic] shop. I've been running it ever since. Plus I had Mark."
"But what's keeping you now. You could always run or work at a shop in National City and be closer to us. Closer to people who will treat you as family plus there are more eligible bachelors in the city then in dusty Blue Springs."
Erin laughed, "that's true… let me think about it. I'm going to make us something to eat before you all head to bed." Erin left towards the kitchen while Maggie walked into the bedroom.
Alex was changing Zack into his PJs, "mama look cars!"
"I see that baby. Erin's making dinner for us."
"Cooking run in the family."
Maggie smirks, "something like that."
"Maybe she can teach me a few tricks because somebody's a little scared."
Maggie crosses her arms, "yeah well maybe someone shouldn't be so clumsy when holding kitchen utensils."
"Maggie that was one time and I have been taking cooking classes." Alex countered.
"Why don't you go ask Erin if she needs any help. Let's see what she says and go from there." Alex grinned, gave Maggie a quick peck on the lips then ran into the kitchen.
"What do you think Zack, will mommy make another mess?"
Zack giggles and nods his head. Maggie picks him up, "I think so too."
Zack and Maggie sit at the dinner table watching Alex and Erin in the kitchen. Erin is giving Alex step-by-step instructions of watch she is doing. Maggie loves watch Alex especially when she is in her determined state. When Alex is so focused her eyebrow are furrowed, she stares intently barely blinking at the task. And finally to top it all off, Alex constantly nods her head in understanding while sometimes mouthing the words herself. Maggie could watch a determined Alex Danvers for hours.
"Babe come look at what I just did!" Alex says excitedly. Maggie walks over to the counter and sees Alex flip a burger in a pan with only the flick of the wrist. Alex looks to Maggie with a proud expression on her face.
"And nobody or thing got hurt too!" Maggie kisses Alex, "good job babe. I'm so proud of you."
"Alright Maggie and Zack why don't you two set the table while master chef and I serve the food."
Maggie laughs, "don't keep calling her that or it will go to her head." Alex stuck her tongue out at Maggie who only laughed even louder in return.
"Childish," Erin muttered under her breath.
By the time the next morning rolled around, the little family were well rested and ready for their adventures to begin.
Zack ran into his parent's room, "mama, mommy wake up, wake up!" Zack pounced on the bed. Alex tackled Zack and tickled him. The delicious smell of pancakes wafted through the air. The family jumped out of bed and ran into the kitchen to see Erin making breakfast.
"Good morning!" Erin said with a cup of coffee in one hand and a spatula in the other.
Alex and Maggie starred at her cup, "please tell me there is more coffee." Alex begged.
Erin motioned with her head, "yup brewed a whole pot. If Maggie still drinks the stuff like she use to I figured she would marry someone just the same so I made a pot and have another batch on stand by.
"Oh thank rao," Alex said.
Erin's eyebrows furrowed, "who's rao?"
Alex froze for a split second then told the usual lie, "when my sister was first adopted she and I created this separate language just the two of us knew. It was the building blocks to how close we are now. Anyway my mom didn't allow us to say god in her house so instead we would say rao. Now it's kind of instinct and I don't realize I say it."
Erin looked at Alex with adoring eyes, "that is such a precious story. I would love to meet your sister one day considering we are family now."
Alex looked to Maggie and felt bad for the lie. It's not her secret to tell but hiding something like this from family is not a good way to start off a marriage. Alex stepped closer to Maggie and whispered in her ear, "I'm sorry about that."
"It's okay I understand."
"But you shouldn't have too." Alex kissed the side of Maggie's head before getting Zack ready for breakfast.
"So what are your plans for the trip?" Erin asked as she took a bit of her pancake.
"Alex is insistent on seeing were I grew up so I was going to give them a tour, nothing crazy. We were thinking of visiting one of the state parks. Zack loves animals. I have a somewhere else I want to bring Alex but that will remain a surprise."
Alex butts in, "you know I hate surprises," Alex pouts.
"And lastly I think Alex would love to visit Carhenge."
"Carhenge?" Alex asks.
"It's like the normal Stonehenge but with cars. I figured it would bring out the nerd in you."
"You guys are returning to National City on Tuesday? I know Maggie told me but I just wanted to double check."
"Yup."
"Sounds like an adventure to me. What do you think Zack?"
"Can we see the fishies?" Zack asked.
The adults laughed.
"Oh and Aunt Erin I figured you may want some time to hang with Zack."
Erin lit up, "Yes I would love that. We will have a great time. So what is first on your list of adventures Maggie?"
Maggie looked to Alex, "I think we should check the weather for the weekend before planning anything." Alex took out her phone, "it seems that today and tomorrow are sunny while Monday and Tuesday are raining so I would suggest the state park either today or tomorrow as well as the tour around town."
Maggie thought for a second. The tour was to be the hardest part of the trip, "I think we should do the tour around town first. Aunt Erin would you be okay with Zack for the day. I was thinking we could grill for dinner and sit in the backyard. We could end with a movie night too."
"I think that is a great idea Maggie. What do you say Zack?" Erin asked.
Zack looked to his moms. He knew that Erin was family but has never met her before. His moms nodded to him so he nodded as well.
Maggie knew this was a big step for their relationship because she was going to tell Alex things she has never told anyone. She wasn't sure if she was more scared of her memories or the possibility of bumping into her parents.
FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER
-Should Maggie bump into her parents
-If she does should her parents be accepting of her or have the same negative mind set
Let me know what you would like to see... Thank you to everyone who reads, follows, favorites and comments. :)