The Next Morning
Monica woke up on the couch in her sitting room. She looked over to see Charles sitting next to her, stretching and trying to loosen up his body, stiff from sleeping on the couch.
"Well this was unexpected," Monica said, "I can't believe we fell asleep watching old movies."
"What are the odds I can sneak out the way we came in and no one would notice I spent the night," Charles asked.
"As long as no one realizes your vehicle and guard is still here," Monica said.
"Or the guards changing shifts," Charles said, "it's pretty unlikely isn't it."
"Probably," Monica said, "But I'm not complaining."
"Me neither," Charles said.
"If we hurry," Monica said, "We could leave before any one has the chance to say anything."
Then they heard the sound of thundering footsteps.
"Aunt Monica," Leo asked from outside the door, "Is Mr. Charles joining us for breakfast?"
Neither Monica or Charles answered right away.
"What makes you think Charles is still here?" Monica asked.
"Nana Olivia took his guard breakfast," Kelsey said.
"We are most definitely busted," Charles said.
"We'll be down shortly," Monica said.
"Yay!" They heard Kelsey yell and then thundering footsteps indicating kids leaving.
"I don't have to stay," Charles said, "I will tell Kelsey and the rest of the grandkids, I'm running late for an appointment."
"Do you really have an appointment?" Monica asked, "On a Sunday?"
"No, I just want to make this situation less awkward for you," Charles said.
"I don't know that we can," Monica said, "And do you really want to disappoint Kelsey and the rest of the grandkids."
"No," Charles said, "But I want you to be okay with me staying for breakfast."
"I want you stay," Monica said, "I know this wasn't planned and the family will have questions and comments. But I enjoyed your company yesterday and last night. It felt so much like old times. But if you don't want to stay, I'd understand."
"I want to stay," Charles said.
"Then stay," Monica said before kissing Charles.
"When you put it that way, how can I say no," Charles said, kissing Monica again.
They were interrupted by a soft knock at the door.
"Grammy, Grandpa Charlie hurry up… please" Kelsey said, "We're starving."
"We've been summoned," Charles said, smiling.
"That we have," Monica said.
Charles moved to open the door to find Kelsey standing there.
"Good morning, Miss Kelsey," Charles said, holding the door open for Monica.
"Good morning," Kelsey said, taking Charles's hand and then Monica's to go downstairs.
When Monica, Charles, and Kelsey entered the dining room, Alyssa looked up at them.
"Did you move back in, Grandpa?" Alyssa asked once they sat down.
"No," Charles said, "I just thought it would be nice to have breakfast with you all."
"But you're wearing the same clothes you were yesterday?" Jamie said as he and Jared looked at each other.
"Did you spend the night here too?" Alyssa asked.
"Sometimes people where the same clothes the next day,"Ned said, trying to divert attention away from, "It happens."
"Grandpa Charles never wears the same clothes two days in a row," Jared said.
"Never mind that," Olivia said, "No sense in the letting the food get cold while we wait for Tracy to grace us with her presence. Dig in."
"Finally," Leo said, digging in.
"But," Alyssa started to say.
"How about some whip cream for your waffles," Brooklyn asked, trying to distract her as Tracy stormed in.
"Does no one have any decency anymore?" Tracy asked, "Would it have killed you to wait until everyone was seated at the table."
"Yes," Kelsey said, causing everyone to freeze to watch Tracy's reaction.
Tracy stared at Kelsey, glaring at her. Kelsey glared at her back.
"What are the hooligans still doing here?" Tracy finally said, looking away from Kelsey "Shouldn't their parents have picked them up by now."
"I told Kellie and Jason there was no need to rush," Olivia said, "Since we were having a nice Sunday breakfast anyway."
"Oh please," Tracy said, sitting in her seat.
"Do you need a nap?" Kelsey asked.
"Excuse me?" Tracy replied.
"You're cranky," Kelsey said before digging into her waffle.
"She's always this way," Leo said, "A nap won't help."
The rest of the adults laughed or tried to stifle laughter as Tracy looked offended.
"They're not wrong, Mother," Ned said.
"Kelsey's got your number, Tracy," Olivia said.
"You have to admit," Brooklynn said, "She has got Jason's stare and concise use of words down."
"And shades of her mother's snark," Tracy's muttered.
"Tracy, could you please pass the butter?" Charles asked.
"Sure," Tracy replied, grabbing the eggs, "Hold up...did Charles move back in and no one told me?"
"Tracy!" Monica admonished.
"He was here for dinner last night," Tracy said, "Now he's here for breakfast and in the same clothes he was wearing yesterday…wait a minute!"
"Tracy," Olivia scolded, "Enough there are children present."
"That's what we were asking about his clothes," Jared piped up.
"Thank you," Tracy said, "Finally a reasonable opinion."
"And no one's business," Monica said, sternly.
"Perhaps we should enjoy this lovely meal in peace," Charles suggested.
"But isn't rude not to answer Miss Tracy's question?" Alyssa asked.
"Alyssa," Charles warned before everyone dropped the subject