Chapter Four: Wendy

Disclaimers: I don't own Once Upon a Time. Also, this is a spin – off from La Lisboa's original "Thicker than Water."

I'd like to say "Happy Mother's Day" to all the mother's out there that are reading this. (Or even if you've ever acted like a mother to someone.)

This is another "voice." This time, we'll here from Wendy, the college student who works at the hospital with Snow. This story takes place in several different chapters, ending in chapter thirteen.

The first scene takes place a few days after Snow's

conversation with Cindy and Wendy about marrying David in chapter nine

Mary Margaret had already left for the bus stop, and Wendy was continuing to the parking lot with Cindy. "So, I was thinking, maybe we'd get a wedding present for Mary Margaret," Wendy commented, looking at her friend to see what she thought.

Cindy shrugged. "Maybe. It would be fun to give her a gift. But didn't she say it wouldn't be a big wedding? What if she doesn't want anything?"

Wendy nodded. She'd thought of that. "Yeah, but I think we should still get her something, anyway. A wedding should be celebrated! I know she's not having a big wedding, but that doesn't mean we can't get her a little something to show how happy we are for her. She's our friend, right?"

Cindy nodded.

"So you give presents to friends on special occasions! I mean, like you did for my birthday last month."

Cindy nodded. "Yeah, okay. We can pick something out next week."

The second scene takes place during the week of

"chapter eleven" although Wendy and Cindy were not in that chapter.

Cindy and Wendy arrived about fifteen minutes earlier than Mary Margaret would so they could discuss their options for presents in the break room. "I was thinking about a paperweight," Cindy commented. "That would be something nice, but it wouldn't be too expensive."

Wendy nodded. "That's a possibility. Although, I was thinking about something a little more…useful. Like maybe a crock – pot?"

"Does Mary Margaret cook, though? How do you know she'd use it?" Cindy asked.

"Good point. Maybe we should get her something she could use with her new husband…Like a bed for example?" Wendy commented, her eyes lighting up. Now that was a wedding present.

Cindy nodded excitedly as well. "Great idea. A bit expensive though, isn't it?"

Wendy shrugged. "We can look for used beds in good condition. They still have a buy – swap and – sell for this area. And sometimes people sell things like that at the university. I'll look when I'm there tonight."

Cindy nodded.

Then they heard footsteps in the background. Was it Mary Margaret? Just to be on the safe side, Wendy switched the topic. "So I heard Timmy made a new friend in kindergarten?" she asked Cindy, loudly.

"Oh, yes" Cindy replied as Mary Margaret opened the door and smiled at them. "His name is Harry."

Takes place in chapter thirteen, on Monday of that week

Wendy had looked all week for a bed for sale at the university for Mary Margaret. So far, they hadn't come up with anything. But she and Cindy were determined to get her a bed as a wedding present. Especially after they'd seen what Mary Margaret and…what was his name? David were using as a bed right now. An air mattress! Seriously, the woman needed a nice big bed with plenty of springs. Especially with a man like David.

Wendy came to the employee room ten minutes early again. "So do you have the buy – swap – sell book?"

Cindy was already sitting down with the book opened up. "Of course. Let's take a look," she replied.

Unfortunately, there were no beds for sale there, either.

Wendy sighed. "What do we do?" They heard footsteps. "About all the extra work their making us do with Marianne out sick!" she finished, changing the subject again, as Wendy was pretty sure the footsteps was Mary Margaret.

Takes place Tuesday night

Wendy looked at the ads at the university again. There had to be a way they could get Mary Margaret a bed for her wedding. She was almost tempted to try the mall, but she knew they'd be far too expensive for two women who worked part – time, one raising a son and the other attending school. Even Wal – Mart would be too much. Still…

Then she noticed an ad for a couch. It was only $50. That was within the price range that she and Cindy had decided on. It was a small couch, according to the ad, so Mary Margaret and her new husband wouldn't be able to stretch out on it, so to speak. But it would be pretty nice for cuddling, Wendy supposed. And Wendy remembered when they helped Mary Margaret move last weekend. She didn't have a couch. Maybe this could be their gift. It was certainly better than their other options.

Wendy pulled out her cell – phone to call Cindy if she would agree. If she did, Cindy could give her the money in the next two days, and they could deliver it to Mary Margaret's with her father's truck