Shopping

(You think you see where this is going.)

[But you don't.]

"Let's get ribbons." Nudge me a wide grin as I moaned with impatience. "Please? Mela could use ribbons in her hair." We walked down a crowded pier trying to buy some new things for our new flock members. Didn't I mention the house was stocked with cash…no? Well, now I suppose you know. It's pretty convenient.

I sighed, this was going to be hard with Angel and Nudge dragging me around. While we did the shopping Fang was watching the youngers (yep, Mr. Mom scenario- he plays the part well) as Iggy and Gazzy set up the bed in a room we had used for reading in when we couldn't stand the television. The room had originally had a bed but when Fang and I decided to share a room, we thought it was more practical as a non-bedroom. Until now obviously. The bed, luckily, was large enough for both of the kids who were still small considering they had bird DNA.

"No, we have to focus on getting bathing suits for Mela and A.J. Plus, Nudge can't make all of their clothes." I pulled them towards a small clothing store, hoping they had a nice variety. I would probably be here for hours as it is with Angel and Nudge. I watched as they maneuvered towards the girl's section, most likely for themselves instead of Mela.

I figured I'd avoid their "idle" shopping by starting with clothes for A.J. Being a leader for as long as I have, you learn how to tell how big the kids' clothes need to be without having them ever trying them on. It's a sort of art that I have mastered.

I went through lightly, grabbing a black bathing shorts, assorted solid color tee shirts, a nice polo shirt, tan shorts, and a few jean shorts. I would worry about winter clothing once the season came and I would be shopping for all of the flock instead of just the two of them. I also grabbed a pair of sandals although at the house we didn't wear shoes too much.

I headed back to the girl's to find Nudge and Angel carrying loads of clothes that wouldn't fit either Mela or her brother, "Guys, we can't get all of these clothes. We're here for Mela and A.J."

"You mean you're here for Mela and A.J." Angel gave me a wide smile. She was getting some of Iggy and Gazzy's back talk. She couldn't convince me though. I shook my head and then—oh no, you know you saw it coming, Bambi eyes.

"Please Max, just one shirt puh-lease?" Nudge and Angel stared at me as I shifted uncomfortably in my sneakers (ever try flying with flip-flops? No, well, it's impossible). "Come on, just one shirt is all we're asking for."

"You're going to share a shirt?" They shook their heads. "Oh, you mean one each…well, if you get some nice clothes for Mela then all right, as your reward." They gave me a thousand thank yous before running off towards the young girl's department. It took them only a few seconds to get Mela a nice one piece red bathing suit, a few shirts and shorts, a nice dress, and sandals. "All right, let's go."

We went to the cashier, it was a kid my age with sandy blonde hair and nice green eyes. He was cute—if you've never met Fang. He gave me a nice smile and I responded with a mild one. I didn't want to appear interested. "Hey," he said. Angel and Nudge's rewards were on top. He scanned them as Nudge practically drooled over him next to me.

"Hey," I replied.

"A lot of kid stuff you've got." Was he implying something? I narrowed my eyes and he caught it and shook his head. "No! I didn't mean it that way. I have a little brother and my mom's always making sure to get him new clothes. Kids ruin everything sometimes don't they?" I nodded my head. I wasn't going to disagree with him.

He was done and ringing up the total, taking glances up at me. I wanted to say something along the line that he should pay attention to what he was doing because I didn't want to be overpriced. He read out the price and I handed him the money. I started handing the bags to Nudge and Angel, when their hands were full they headed outside as I watched for the change.

"So, do you- want to go out or something?" I didn't even know his name. What made him think I would want to go out with him?

"Sorry, I'm taken." I wish Fang was here. I always love the whole scene where the boyfriend comes up and wraps his arms protectively around his girlfriend. (Sure, I would've been mad at Fang because I'm not his property but to see the look on this kid's face is priceless).

He gave me a nice grin, which I assumed was supposed to impress me. It was dull. I've seen better smiles, "That's what they all say at first." Oh—God—what kind of pick-up line is that? He dropped the money in my open hand.

"If that's what they all say then maybe you're asking the wrong girl." Then, I stuffed the money in my pocket and walked out the door. Leaving him, slightly in shock with a wide grin on his face. I would've liked to see what happen if Fang was here when the cashier boy did a scan at my butt. Yeah—he's not so stealth, I'm a bird-kid after all.

I must've stolen the only great guy on the planet.

-------

Fang watched as Mela and A.J. hung their heads low together over a coloring book. He was hoping Angel wouldn't mind that he had taken some of her crayons and books (like she honestly needed them, she was eight after all) so that the two toddlers could play. He felt slightly exhausted watching them. This had been different than when he had taken care of the flock.

Mela and A.J. depended on him. It wasn't like they could walk away and do their own things (although Mela believed that she could, she seemed really smart). He was liking getting to know them.

Mela was the smart, confidant, talkative sister. Although she acted as if she was older, Fang couldn't see past the fact that she was four years old. Especially the other night, when she had woken up crying and calling for her Mommy. Not her Mom or Mother, but her Mommy. He saw how truly young she was. Her dark eyes glinted with laughter and curious though. She had a pretty smile that seemed sarcastic at some times, unintentionally of course. She still wore the clothes she had arrived in, a black torn tee shirt and red soccer shorts.

A.J. was the silent, scared, trying to be brave brother. He was more in tune with his age. He often communicated with Fang through his mind (by often, it is meant only a few lines in a day). His light brown hair always swooped down in front of his large, curious eyes. A.J. may barely talk but he heard a lot and seemed to have a good memory (a came of memory cards had showed Fang that). He was in a light blue polo that was torn as well with jean shorts.

"Max will be okay?" Fang lifted his head, sitting on the couch, to look down at where Mela and A.J. were on the floor. They were done coloring and instead, were staring up at Fang with curiosity. Mela had been the one to speak of course. "I can tell you're worried, but Max is strong and fights a lot."

Fang gave her a light smile. He was glad they were such easy kids. He recalled Gazzy around six and he had been a little monster (with his stink farts and copy-cat voice). "How did you know I was thinking of Max?" Conversation felt easy and light among the children, he couldn't not talk around them.

Mela of course was right. He was worrying about Nudge, Angle, but mostly Max. They had gone off shopping, which might not always end up well. He heard the giggles upstairs of Iggy and Gazzy designing their latest experiment. They had easily finished building the bed for the kids about half an hour ago.

Mela shrugged, "I just kind of guessed. When you think of Max your eyes just stare off into nowhere." Then, she turned to A.J., "I think we should read a story." A.J. nodded his head and ran towards one of the large bookcases. On the lower level there were all children's books as if Jeb knew that toddlers would be here.

A.J. picked out a book with a little bird on it. He ran over towards Fang. Read please. Da—Fang. Mela was already sitting by Fang staring up at him with large, curious eyes. They reminded him a bit of Max in the way they sucked him in so he couldn't refuse. A.J. appeared to have the same effect. It wasn't mind control- he knew that much- it was just his own need to make these kids happy. It must've been the fact that their parents were who knows where.

Fang picked the book up from A.J.'s hands. Then, the little boy crawled up and leaned against Fang to stare at the book. Before Fang even began he heard Mela, "Do you love Max? Like, a lot- more than brother and sister love?"

"Yes," Fang replied.

"Mom and Dad were like that too. They really loved each other. I could feel it," Mela then turned her attention to the cover. Fang was about to ask her how she felt when she said, "Can you please read Fang? Before we get old and wrinkly and start drooling out of our mouths like a baby again?" Geez- was the a Maxism or what? The girl had sounded just like Max, perfectly. Fang assumed Mela was a chameleon of sorts maybe like Gazzy. Maybe it was her power.

Then, Fang opened the book.

"There once was an ugly duckling…"

Or so the story began.