The next day Ginger and Karen were grocery shopping and a clash was going on as to whether or not Karen was still small enough to ride in the carriage and Ginger was winning.
"See-mama-I-can-still-fit-in-the-seat-and-buckle-myself-in-no-problem. See-snug-as-a-bug-in-a-rug Mama" Karen groaned forcing the belt over her waist and forcing a toothy smile on her face.
"Karen that seatbelt is cutting off the circulation in your waist now come on and be a big girl. If your good you can have a candy bar and a soda after we shop if you want" Ginger said on the brink of grabbing Karen and spanking her an act she never wanted to do.
"Fine but you know once the babies born he or she is just going to take over the carriage like everything else and I'll be a fragment of a memory wishing I could ride in the carriage".
"Karen Honey we've been over this umpteen times and I'm telling you that the baby is not Buzz Lightyear you're not Woody The Cowboy, and the baby will never replace you I promise you".
Karen slowly followed Ginger up and down the aisles glad she didn't start school yet so she could have these days with her mom when she could get them.
"Mama have you and daddy figured out a place for the baby to sleep? If not it could sleep outside in Pixie's doghouse I bet it could be quite cozy".
"Carrie Bear that wasn't very nice and I bet the baby in my tummy is hanging on your every word. I mean you should be excited you're going to be a big sister and be able to teach the baby things".
Karen grumbled as Ginger threw chips, soda, candy, dips, and pickles into the cart Karen looking as all the things crashed into the cart.
"Mama we don't need all this stuff I mean you don't even like pickles I mean yick they are just soured cucumbers" Karen said as Ginger piled more things in the cart and grinned down at Karen.
"Carrie this isn't just for me the baby needs food too and it has a craving for Mcdonald's also so after this we'll go and talk more about why you are going to hate being a big sister" Ginger said piling some more stuff in the cart and Karen whistled a tune walking next to her mom with people staring.
"KNOCK IT OFF MY BABY BROTHER OR SISTER IS CRAVING THINGS AND IT NEEDS TO EAT. I MEAN HAVEN'T YOU EVER NEEDED TO EAT THIS MUCH IN ONE SITTING?"
Ginger grinned down at her youngest daughter as the customers walked by whispering and Karen growled ready to throw down if she needed to.
"Well shopping's done so let's go pay, put the food away and spend some time at Mcdonald's just the two of us".
Ginger paid for the groceries and drove back to the house in a downpour Karen worried about Pixie her little baby these days and Ginger saw this as they stopped in the driveway and Karen grabbed bags and ran inside to hear Pixie howling a mournful song and immeadiately stopped when she saw Karen.
"Aww it's ok Pix it's just a storm and you never really did like those and neither do I which gives us something to have in common" Karen said as Heavydirtysoul by 21 Pilots blared from an office that was John's and he was writing a chapter of his new book all the while on the phone with his other job.
"No Edmund we are not bankrupt we have tons of money and I want you to go into the safe and give some to Mr. Lee when he gets there we'll conference call when he's there my man. Edmund I'm telling you I put money in there for Mr. Lee last night it's there" John said as he waited a minute then sighed relief.
"Great give Mr. Lee the money when he gets there then conference me in and we can discuss Mr. Lee's business in great detail and I'll be sure to reel him in like a large mouth bass".
John hung up rubbing his temples as Karen bunny hopped into the office and John smiled his daughter always making him do that on his worst days.
"Daddy you need Advil you're rubbing your head extra hard I bet its work stress mama always says you get work stress".
"Carrie Bear when you get older you'll get work stress too it may not be my work stress but you will get stress, call me, and say daddy I understand what you go through in work stress".
"Nuh uhhhhhhhhhh I'm going to be a fashion designer and they have zero stress just models to wear their clothes for them".
"OK say a model doesn't want to walk the runway what then Mrs. Designer? I want to see you handle that Sweetie".
"Well then I say girly you get out there or you're fired and I mean it I didn't design these clothes for you to be stubborn".
John smiled as Karen put on her best fashion designer accent and Ginger couldn't help but smile along with him.
"I mean who doesn't want to be a model anywho? Their beautiful, looked up to by so many people, they wear the trendiest clothes, and last but not least they get to walk a runway".
Pixie Karen's fashion model heard the word model and growled and ran as fast as she could to hide hoping Karen wouldn't find her.
"I say Pixie doesn't want to be a model she absolutely hates it and you force clothes on her making her hate you just a little, teeny, tiny, miniscule of a bit" Ginger said as John laughed nodding his head.
"Yes well this fashion designer craves nuggets, fries, a Coke, and Ice Cream so come on mama Mcdonald's awaits us".
Ginger smiled as John pecked her lips and his phone rang with him texting Ginger his Mcdonald's order Katie, Hank, Deidra, and Carl walking into the house hearing Mcdonald's.
"Ginge please tell me you said Mcdonald's because me and the baby are starved and we need fast food pronto" Katie said as Karen giggled hearing her brother and sister's come home from school early.
"Kids how was school? And if you don't tell me I'll call the principal and ask him how your day was and you don't want that do you?"
"School was great now excuse me but I have homework and I know don't bother dad he's working mom. After homework maybe I'll go to the movies or something" Lucas said spreading textbooks and notebooks out in front of him as Noel and Heather dashed upstairs laughing.
"Well at least Heather and Noel found their sisterhood again now come on Carrie Bear Mcdonald's awaits. Would you like anything Lucas?"
"Can I come or is there only enough room for all the people plus Karen and you to go? If not just get me a Double Quarter Pounder With Cheese large size with a Coke".
"Mama I know I've been needy lately but I'm sensing that Lucas needs you now so I'll stay home with Heather and Noel watching cartoons and you try to fix Lucas the best you can" Karen said as Ginger wept a bit seeing her youngest give up Ginger time for Lucas.
"Right nuggets, fries, a large Coke, and a vanilla cone it is Carrie Bear and if you need anything else just let me know" Ginger said as Lucas stood up packing up his studying and meeting Ginger in the car.
"Lou level with me what's eating you and I know it's something big because you hardly ever want to talk to me these days so spill the beans".
"Mom do you think I'm a bad big brother? I mean have I not taught Heather, Noel, or Karen anything to help them get through life?"
Ginger looked down at her son as he gently cried and she pulled over squeezing him in a hug an act he wasn't expecting from his mom these days.
"Lou you are the glue that holds the siblings together I mean without you where would Noel, Heather, Karen, or even Merisel be? I mean where would she be if you hadn't helped her find love?"
Lucas shrugged as Ginger kissed his cheek and then drove for Mcdonald's and KFC Lucas' favorite place to eat.
"Now you get a bucket of chicken that I'm sure everyone will devour but you can hoard one bucket if you like get sides and call Merisel and set up a date I mean she is your girl after all.
Lucas dashed into KFC as Ginger ran into Mcdonald's for the Tres Amiga's food not knowing Lucas's mind was in overdrive mode to make both Merisel and Karen happy and he knew the perfect place to do that.
"Yes I'm certain I know how much money it is but we need Arendel Castle for at least a week and I'll pay up the ass for it".
Lucas heard a response knowing he still had his ace in the hole because he never got his graduation present yet and he knew this would probably be his birthday five Christmas's and graduation present rolled into one.
"OK thanks and I'll call back when I have a credit card handy just keep that reservation and if it's any conciliation Trent you are making my four year old sister extremely happy".
Ginger walked into KFC and sighed in ecstasy the smell of fried chicken greeting her as Lucas ended his call and walked up to the counter Ginger following him sensing shenanigans and from Lucas this was like Haley's Comet a rare occurrence.
"Lou eldest sib and apple of your father's eye what are you planning? Just remember if you don't tell me I'll find out I'm that good" Ginger said as Lucas put Apple Music on and hid behind David Bowies Heroes and Ginger saw a lot of John in Lucas this being John's defense against Ginger's nagging voice.
"I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing will drive them away
We can beat them for just one day
We can be heroes for just one day"
"Lucas David Bowie will only get you so far and besides Moonage Daydream is more my speed not Heroes. Now spill the beans what are you up to?"
"I can't tell you because it's a surprise for Karen, Merisel, and the family so just order what you want and let's get home where my surprise will come around full circle".
"Lucas now I have to know what you're planning because no doubt it's going to be on your dad's or my credit card so spill honey".
"No I don't want Karen or Merisel knowing anything until I know I can afford this trip and yes it's a trip and that's all you're getting out of me".
"Ok a trip so I gotta think it's tropical and since Karen and Merisel don't have passports and neither do you I'd have to say Florida or California".
Lucas grabbed his food and huffed angrily as his mother grabbed what she wanted and then they both walked back to Ginger's SUV one angry the other still curious.
"OK don't tell me but you have to fund this surprise yourself unless by the time we get home you tell me what I want to know. Now spill, spill, spill those beans or go through your bank account and piggy bank hoping you have enough to fund this trip for the family".
Lucas had a sly grin as he did the one thing he knew would ruffle Ginger's feathers a bit Lucas forgetting how angry and moody a ruffled feathered pregnant woman could get as he pulled out his cell phone.
"Hi dad I need to call in a few favors and mom is totally acting childish so a man will be calling you with a price for a certain someone's surprise and I want you to give him your credit card number and not speak a word of this until I get home" Lucas said hanging up as Ginger growled and pulled the car over.
"Lucas that was low even for you I mean you know your dad can't tell you no it's a weakness in him and you just used him to your advantage" Ginger said throwing mashed potatoes and gravy at Lucas as he opened the door and stormed off mashed potatoes and gravy trailing behind him.
"Lou wait honey I'm sorry I'm just moody right now and I want to apologize for what I just did I wasn't thinking sweetie".
Lucas was on the phone with John telling him what Ginger just did and he angrily handed her his cell phone just growling he would like to speak with you.
"John baby I know it was wrong but you know what pitting parents against each other does to me I mean I just wanted to know what he was planning".
Lucas sat on a curb wiping himself off as Ginger tried her best to convince John how sorry she was and Lucas slumped into the front seat a stout on his face as Ginger hung up and gently looked over at Lucas as he stared back his eyes like hot coals.
"Mom you don't need to know everything I'm planning I mean this is so I can show Karen how great of a big brother I am and I just want her to look up to me. I mean Heather and Noel never did they had each other because their twins and I guess I feel left out in the sibling brigade".
"O-K- Lou- I- get- it- you- hate- me- and- probably- never- want- to- speak- to- me- again- like- Heather- Noel- or- Karen- will- one- day- stop- talking- to- me- because- of- the- new- baby- and- I'll- just- have- your- father- and- new- brother- or- sister- to- keep- me- company" .
Lucas wrapped his arms around his mother as Ginger smiled a little and hugged him back as they reached the driveway and John was outside looking angry at his wife as Ginger stepped from the SUV and walked past him Mcdonald's and KFC bags around her wrists.
"Ginger I know you're pregnant and all but that does not condone you throwing mashed potatoes and gravy at our son. I mean he never once argued with us, never once broke the rules, he's always on the straight and narrow so you decide to throw food on him?" John asked as the girls, the Tres Amiga's, Carl, Hank, and Lucas grabbed what they wanted and walked off Lucas smiling secretively.
"John Honey Bear and father of my children I'm hormonal and that means my feelings are as jumbled as the wires in back of the TV some days I'm happy and then sad the next second other days I'm mad and then happy the next second now please relax and tell me what Lucas has planned".
"Ginger before I do such a thing you know apologies are in order. I mean how would you like it if Lucas hauled off and threw food all over you?"
"John if it'll make you feel better we hugged it out now let's go I'm more excited than Merisel and Karen put together I bet".
John just grumbled and led Ginger to the others in the living room where Lucas was devouring chicken Merisel giggling and cuddling next to him glad she could finally be happy and not around her mother.
"All right everybody now as mom and dad know I have a surprise for the family but more so two people in particular and mom I know is dying to know so how's everybody's food?"
Ginger threw a drumstick at Lucas and he quickly caught it as John couldn't help but laugh at all the things Lucas picked up from him like creating suspense in a conversation.
"All right all right I'll tell everyone after these messages from our sponsor and maybe a couple more messages from different sponsors and maybe more or less only the host with the most knows".
"Lucas I swear you better tell us soon or my four year old body is going to implode and explode then I'll set Pixie the killer sheepdog after you" Karen said dressing Pixie up in a dress she made for her or more or less trying to wrestle it on her with a matching bonnet.
"Lou you better tell us soon I think the tike means business I mean she's never threatened me with Pixie before and I've been around since she was born and first got Pixie" Merisel said as Pixie growled trying to bite the straps to the bonnet.
"All right now we're back to what is the surprise and now Merisel my sweet assistant the envelope please and we can all bear witness to the greatest surprise ever".
"Grr not an envelope it's going to take thirty years for us to know what the surprise is and then I may be too old for it now opening that envelope better be quick or I'm going to say sick im Pixie and she'll bite who I say trust me I have her trained".
Merisel and John both laughed aloud seeing both Ginger and Karen seething with rage and John saw why Ginger called Karen mini her both Ginger and Karen counting to ten and trying to relax themselves.
"Why thank you Merisel isn't she beautiful ladies and gentlemen now when I open this envelope right here in my hand with a surprise place written on it I know everyone will be surprised and a bit miffed making you wait so long and so after these messages I'll open the envelope and get on with it".
"Grr that tears it mommy hold him down Pixie will attack high and I'll go low then we snatch the envelope and see what Ryan Seacrest is hiding under the envelope".
"I want chicken I want liver Meow Mix Meow Mix please deliver, I want tuna I want sushi Meow Mix Meow Mix give it to me, MMMMMMMMEEEEEOOOOOOWWWWWWW MMMMMMMMMIIIIIXXXXXXXXXX Please deliver".
John and Merisel were on the floor laughing as Karen and Ginger drummed their fingers angrily on the ends of their seats Lucas playing another commercial.
"Ford F150 100 Horsepower, power steering, fast as lightning all's you have to do is ask yourself have you driven a Ford lately?" Lucas asked as Karen roared and ran at Lucas Pixie taking this moment to tear her dress and bonnet off Lucas holding the envelope high over his head.
"And we're back to Surprise Idol where I was given an envelope and was about to open it but before I do this I want to let you all see who we're voting for tonight ladies and gentlemen".
Karen held an angry stout on her face as Ginger did the same while John and Merisel were rolling on the floor in tears from laughing.
"All right now I have this envelope which needs opening after these exciting messages ladies and gentlemen".
Karen stared at Pixie as Pixie took the bonnet off her head with a mighty paw and Karen stood in front of her as Pixie barked happily and licked Karen and she knew what had to be done quickly.
"Pixie Lucas has fried chicken your absolute fave so sick him and find that chicken and also get me the white envelope he has in his hand too".
Pixie pounced on Lucas her weight bigger than his bowling him over and she lapped his face as Lucas laughed and Merisel and John pulled Pixie away the envelope still intact.
"And we're back boy we're having an hour O fun here a doggy just lapped me to death to get to my envelope and now finally the reveal of the surprise on Surprise Idol I bet everyone's on the edge of their seats".
"Ohhhhhhhhhh out with it I'm not trained for this kind of torture and I'm small you should be nice to me mommy and daddy say so".
Lucas opened the envelope and he grinned as everybody else just stared nobody more intently than Ginger and Karen who looked like they may faint soon.
"Everyone the surprise is that we're as a family going to Florida for two weeks and one of those two weeks will be spent in Arendel Castle where Anna and Elsa will greet us every morning for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner".
Ginger smiled as Karen was speechless her chin trembling and she cried hugging Lucas as Pixie licked him rapidly her only attack reserved for her family as Lucas embraced Karen's hug and she hummed For The First Time In Forever under her breath giggling.
"We leave tomorrow so today is a packing and buying things for the trip phase. Tomorrow bright and early we ship off for Florida".
"Mare and sibs excluding Karen I think Lucas and Karen need some alone time so go pack and make lists of things you want to bring with you on your trip" Ginger said as the Tres Amiga's took their food to the kitchen excluding Ginger and John.
The kids excluding Karen did as Ginger asked even Pixie racing off to find a place to lie down for a bit leaving John, Ginger, Lucas, and Karen alone.
"So Care Bear mommy says you don't want to grow up because you're afraid you're going to be forgotten by the family is that right?" Lucas asked as Karen shrugged and sniffled.
"Of course you know Care Bear. Why don't you tell me what's got you in the no baby blues huh? I mean we can work through this together I've been there twice".
Karen sniffled again and bawled not knowing how to process her feelings being too young to do that and crying was her go to move when she wanted to forget bad feelings.
"Well- it- seems- like- all- the- adults- are- so- excited- for- the- baby- and- things- I- could- do- like- riding- in- the- grocery- carriage- getting- mommy- and- daddy- to- feel- bad- for- me- or- getting- my- own- way- when- I'm- in- trouble- is- all- forgotten- about- thanks- to- the- stupid- baby" Karen said crying fresh tears.
"Yea but you forget all the great things about being a big sister like you get a later bedtime, you get more responsibilities, and you get to show the baby all the things you were shown as a baby like blowing bubbles in your milk just like I taught you".
Karen giggled through her tears remembering when Lucas taught her to blow bubbles in her milk the glass being too full and getting all over the table and the floor.
"Yea just not too full mommy was so angry when we did it that she kicked us out of the house until the whole mess was cleaned".
Lucas laughed along with Karen as John and Ginger joined them all of them hugging Karen and Heather and Noel knew that Karen and Lucas were forming the same bond Heather and Noel had and Merisel had more love for Lucas in this moment seeing him as a great big brother and future father material.
"Lou do you think we will love each other forever? I mean you love me now but you love Merisel too and she loves you too so does that mean Merisel gets more love than me?"
"Karen nobody can replace you in my heart I promise you that and the love I have for Merisel is a different love. See I love my family more than anything but Merisel she gets my love as a girlfriend for now until we get married and then she'll be family too".
"I'm glad Merisel loves you because you need someone besides family in your life and Merisel even though acts like a goldfishy around you it just shows how much she loves you and she needs you a lot more than you need her because her mommy's mean".
Lucas grinned and hugged Karen tight as Merisel ran over also grabbing Karen in a hug and her cell phone rang indicating it was her father and she pecked Lucas and ran off to tell her dad about the trip to Florida.
"OK everybody listening can come down now and I know you are all listening seeing Pixie is wagging her tail at the bottom of the stairs".
Noel and Heather walked down the stairs Katie, Hank, Deidra, and Carl opening the door to the kitchen and shuffling over glad Karen and Lucas had the talk they had.
"OK let's eat then pick Merisel up and go to the mall for Florida shopping and then pack and get ready for tomorrow".
After Lucas said this Merisel rang the doorbell grinning and making out with Lucas leading him upstairs as all the adults said uh oh but Karen saw no problem with them kissing in Lucas's room not realizing yet that other things would go on up there.
Well that's it for now I hate to leave you in suspense but my envelope says dum dum dummmmmmmmmm time to end this chapter lol till next time friends and fans alike and also R&R.