Author's Note: So I will confess my muse is still percolating on the direction of Johnny and Liz's story. Their status is still a mystery to me at this point as well. I'm always happy to hear any excitement over Charles being brought from the dead. It's been an absolute delight for me to write. Have a great weekend!
Kellie & Jason's House
"Mom, you said no video games, but that doesn't mean we couldn't have gone to the arcade with Danny and Jake," Jamie whined.
"Remember, sometimes Danny and Jake get to have time just them and Jason," Kellie said.
"But this wasn't even planned," Jared said, "It was awfully last minute. They were supposed come over right after school."
"And sometimes plans change," Kellie said as the doorbell rang, "Speaking of plans changing, I think you two should get the door."
"Wait, you never let us get the door," Jared said.
"Who cares?" Jamie said, bolting to get the door.
"Hey wait up," Jared said.
"Alyssa," Kellie yelled, "Come downstairs."
"I was going to paint my nails," Alyssa yelled.
"Later," Kellie said, going to get Kelsey from her play tent, "Someone's here to see you."
"Is it Grandpa Charles?" Alyssa yelled, thundering out of her room and down the stairs as Jamie and Jared fought over who was opening the door.
"Hey, let's not leave your Grandpa standing outside because you two can't open the door at the same time," Kellie said, coming in carrying Kelsey.
"Are you serious?" Jared said, stunned as Jamie took the opportunity to open the door to see Charles standing there, holding several gift bags.
Alyssa barreled through Jamie and Jared to hug Charles who set the bags down barely in time to catch her.
"Grandpa," Alyssa exclaimed, hugging him.
"You have no idea how much I missed all of you," Charles said.
"Did you bring me presents?" Alyssa asked when she let Charles go.
"Alyssa," Kellie gently scolded.
"It's a fair question," Alyssa said, "He did bring gift bags."
"I hope you boys aren't too old for hugs just yet," Charles said to Jamie and Jared who looked like they were attempting to be more nonchalant about everything.
"Maybe for today, I'll make an exception," Jamie said while Jared hugged Charles. Then Jamie hugged Charles.
Why don't we let Grandpa inside the house?" Kellie said as Charles picked up the gift bags.
Kelsey whispered in Kellie's ear as Charles came in the house.
Kelsey squirmed in Kellie's arms. Kellie put her down before Charles could acknowledge her. Kelsey ran upstairs.
"Give her a couple minutes," Kellie said to Charles, "She'll be back down."
Come on, Grandpa," Alyssa said, grabbing Charles's arm and pulling him further into the house.
Kellie waited for Kelsey as Charles and the kids settled into the living room. Kelsey came downstairs with a couple of colored pages torn out of one of her coloring books.
As Alyssa, Jamie, and Jared were digging into their gift bags, Kelsey ran up to Charles and handed him the pages.
"Are these for me?" Charles asked.
Kelsey nodded excitedly as he took them from her.
"They're very lovely," Charles said, "I can't wait to put them up on the fridge."
Kelsey then climbed up on Charles lap. Charles set the pages on the coffee table and grabbed the remaining gift bag.
"I believe I have some things for you too, Miss Kelsey," Charles said, handing Kelsey the gift bag. Kelsey pulled out a glittery blue stuffed animal unicorn."
"My favorite color," Kelsey exclaimed, hugging the unicorn, while Alyssa opened up a pack of nail polish from her gift.
"New colors yes," Alyssa said, debating which color she was going to paint her nails, "I guess it's a good thing Mom told me to come downstairs instead of paint my nails."
Jamie was excited over a new video game.
"Grandpa got me a new video game," Jamie said, "I think Grandpa being alive and here means the no video game rule.."
Charles shook his head and said, "You'll just have to wait until after the moratorium on video games has passed."
"Ahhh man," Jamie groaned, "Jared, can any of those debate books Grandpa gave you help us out."
"You'll live," Jared replied, "We both will. Grandpa Charles was our best argument and since that won't work."
"I'm sure you boys will survive without video games," Charles said.
"You could always paint your nails instead," Alyssa said, "But you can't use my new nail polish. I have some other nail polishes upstairs I might let you use."
"Hard pass," Jamie said as Jared rolled his eyes.
"I'm going to go start the grill," Kellie said, specifically to Charles, "And get dinner started. I assume you're all good here."
"I'll make sure this group keeps it to a dull roar," Charles said.
"If you're starting the grill, does this mean we get to have a campfire tonight too?" Jared asked as Kellie left the room smiling.