Ransom of Cynthia
"Angelica," Charlotte said as she spotted her daughter with a gooey face, "what did I tell you about sweets? After your last cavity-"
"But mommy its so good!"
Stu, even though he was tired, smiled at his sister in law. "Hey Charlotte, come take a look at what Tommy got!" She frowned at the interruption but walked over, putting a smile on as Tommy dutifully opened his goodie bag. As she leaned down Stu whispered, "Its fine… sugar free."
"Sugar free?"
"Its Lucy, remember? You think she was going to give 22 toddlers and babies bags full of sugar?"
Charlotte chuckled at that. "No, I suppose not. So it's safe?"
"Still need her to brush her teeth but it's far safer than regular candy." Charlotte nodded and picked Tommy up, giving him a cuddle while Stu helped Chuckie get another piece of candy. "Honestly I'm thinking we should switch to it for a while… might keep Tommy from being so hyper at times."
"That's a good idea," Charlotte said. "Hmmm… mock candy that is sugar free but kids can't tell… I'll need to talk to my bosses about that, I think it's a market primed for mining." Charlotte held up Tommy, his little legs and arms wiggling. "Oh, aren't you getting big! Soon you'll be doing hostile takeovers yourself!"
Tommy, who had recently decided that he wanted to begin acting like a big boy in order to do all the fun things babies couldn't do, gasped in delight at his aunt's words. He didn't know what a hobble makeover was but he wanted to do it if that meant he was a big boy!
"Come on, Angelica!" Charlotte said as she gave Tommy back to Stu. "We need to get home and start dinner." She paused. "And you might want to stop eating your candy now… you aren't going to get anymore after that, after all."
"Are you sure I can't have more?" Angelica asked as they left.
"Alright Stu," Didi said, taking Tommy from him as he let out a yawn, "looks like all the men of the house need a nap. I'll put Tommy and Chuckie down while you grab some shut eye." Tommy let out a little gummy yawn before his eyes fluttered. It had been SUCH a fun day! "What about you, pop? Going to take a nap?"
"Nah, I need ta head out. My old friend McCready is in town and I want ta meet up!"
"Who is McCready again?" Didi asked.
"He's the pilot I met back when I was in the Antarctic! He had a lick of trouble with some frozen whats-it but I tamed that beastie."
Lou looked down at Spike.
"Ain't that right?"
Spike quickly nodded in worry, hoping that Master Lou knew he'd been good and not tried to assimilate anyone at all. Just protect the Master's family.