Chapter 1.6: Meeting the Family

In the last chapter, Adeline brought a male classmate home from school (Caleb), much to Anthony's and her parents' dismay. David finally got promoted to mid-level in his career, Lucie went back to work, but finances were still tighter than ever.

"Where are we going, Dad?" Adeline asked.

"We're going to Nanna's. By the way, we'll have to change into our formalwear. She prefers that."

"Dad, you didn't tell us that! I don't have my dress!" Adeline groaned.

"Father, my way of dressing always has me prepared for any unexpected situation. I'm quite alright." Anthony said.

"It's okay. I brought your outfits for both of you. Just change before you go into the house."

Dad always has the answers.

"Is that...Nanna's?" Adeline's mouth formed a O.

"Yes, that's the house I grew up in." replied David.

"Bloody blasphemy! Father, why do we not live there!" Anthony exasperated.

David laughed. "Your mother's brothers left her our house. It's the only reminder she has of her family."

"So let's leave my mother and move back in. Can you believe it, sister, this could've been ours!"

"Well, I kind of like Mom's house. It's cozy." Adeline chimed.

"Hurry up and change in the garage and then go say hello to Nanna. She doesn't like to be kept waiting." David ordered.

"Did you meet Nanna yet?" David asked Adeline after he walked in the front door.

"No...I'm scared, Dad. Is she scary?"

"Of course she isn't scary! C'mon, princess. Let's go together." David laughed.

"I see you've brought my grandchildren to finally visit me." Nanna remarked.

"Sorry, Ma, it's just that you didn't like Lucie, so I figured..."

"You figured what? That I wouldn't want to meet my grandchildren? They're still my blood, are they not?"

"I'm Laila. Laila Lee. So you're that poor cousin I have." Her jaw clenched.

"Yeah, I'm Adeline-"

"Don't worry. I know who you are. You stole Mother from me." she condemned.

"I...I'm sorry. She's just over a lot because my mom and dad are really busy and it's just that we-we need help taking care of the twins..." Adeline faltered.

"Shut. Up."

"MAY I SAY WHAT AN EXQUISITE. HOUSE. YOU HAVE, NANNA!"

"Anthony. I'm old, not deaf." Nanna chided.

"Alright, what do you say to the proposition that I move in to take care of you in your elderly state? Just in advance, would you happen to have a large spare room for me?"

"Oh, llama. David, is this your son?"

"-and all I hear is Adeline, Adeline, Adeline! Anthony, Anthony, Anthony! They are soooo adorable! They have the chubbiest cheeks and the biggest smiles! Aunt Lucie is pregnant again! Brandon, Brandon, Brandon! Bridget, Bridget, Bridget! They are soooo adorable! Their whole family is just. SO. ADORABLE!"

"Ohmigosh, Laila, I'm sorry. I didn't realize-"

"And the adorable Adeline is speaking! Thank the llama I finally got to meet her!"

"LAILA. Is that what they teach you at Smugglesworth? And you, Adeline, get over here." Nanna interjected.

"Sorry, Nanna. Didn't see you." Laila mumbled.

"Adeline, another beautiful, adorable granddaughter." Nannay smiled sweetly.

"Nanna." Adeline greeted.

"What's your favorite color, Adeline?"

"Lavender. I really like lavender."

"Ah, good. I'll remember to get you lavender colored clothes for your birthday."

Speaking of birthdays, time had passed by so quickly that nobody noticed that Brandon and Bridget had grown up. And they had turned out to be the spitting image of A & A and just soooo adorable.

Chapter 1.5: New Friends & Back to Work

In the last chapter, Anthony and Adeline grew up into children and moved out of the nursery. They attended their first day of school. 

 

"Another long, exhausting day at work, Anthony. You'll understand in a few years, my boy... Wait a minute. You're not my son. Who ARE you?"

"I'm Caleb Summers, sir. Adeline invited me over today." the boy introduced.

"And it's so much fun! You should join us in our ballet production."

"Hmm...I'll think about it, Caleb."

"Sweet Anthony, I mean Brandon. Hi, Brandon. Brandon, Bridget. Brandon, Bridget. NOT Anthony, NOT Adeline." Lucie muttered to herself. "Oh, I'm going crazy from this. Where's Marilyn?"

"Well, hello. Who's this?" Lucie said as she took Bridget out for a walk to the living room.

Don't freak out, Mom. Don't freak out. "Mom, this is Caleb. I met him at school today."

Lucie took a deep breath."Okay, honey. Give me a moment."

"Hey, Caleb. My mom might think your outfit is a little...too much for her eyes. So she might try to give you a makeover. Don't be offended, okay?" Adeline whispered to her new friend.

"Okay, I'm back!!!" Lucie made her second grand entrance of the day. "Does your mother open her eyes when she dressed you for school today? I'm going to transform you to the heartthr-- to the kind boy your mother would appreciate." She smiled.

"Well! This is perfect!" Lucie exclaimed after she was done with her makeover.

"Mom...that's a little..." Adeline hesitated.

"It's perfectly fine for the boys who want to come visit our daughters. We just want to stay a bit more conservative, don't we, Caleb?"

"Mrs. Wintergreen, I can't really...breathe..."

"Mom! Change it!" Adeline cried.

"Oh, alright. This is better anyway, I guess. Just never take that sweater off, Caleb. We don't want to see any more than we have to, alright, honey?"

"I'm only a kid but yes, ma'am."

Lucie was so happy with her new creation.

"Would you like to sleepover tonight?" asked Adeline.

"Sure!"

"AUGHHH! Bridget, you give me no peace and quiet!" the young Wintergreen bellowed.

"Anthony Wintergreen, we have a guest! Please be on good behavior." Lucie ordered as she took care of Bridget.

"Who are you?!" Anthony screeched after his mother left.

"I'm Caleb. You're Adeline's twin brother! Wow, what's it like to be the brother of someone so popular?"

Anthony sneered. "Stay away from my sister. And my family."

So poor Caleb spent the rest of the night (into morning) in the guest bathroom of the Wintergreen household. Good thing he had a toy to keep him company.

"Darling, I'm off to the suffocating Doo Peas Towers for my new mid-level position." David announced.

"Have a good day at work, hon." Lucie was too busy taking care of the garden that predated her four children.

This house is a dump. Party animals, thought Robin the maid.

"That's a nice place," Lucie murmured to herself, "That's where they'll do the scouting?" Lucie signed the twins up for afterschool activities.

And who slept in that bed yesterday. It's a mess.

It's back to work for Lucie! Why can't we afford a car. It doesn't make a good impression when I bike to my makeovers!

Her phone rang. "Yes?...Oh, I'm sorry to hear that...Okay, we'll meet another day." Something had come up and her client left her in the middle of an unknown neighborhood.

This is an interesting place to live. Every house looks the same, even the garden! Wonder what made them choose to live here.

Wait, isn't that...wasn't that my client in the limo that just passed me? Did he see me? How embarrassing!

Chapter 1.4: The Adventures of Adeline & Anthony

In the last chapter, Lucie went into labor while David was getting electrocuted at home. Lucie gave birth to another set of twins, Brandon and Bridget.

"Come on, my little Ant. It's time to grow up. Your baby sister and brother need the cribs."

"Dada?" Poor Adeline and Anthony never learned to speak during their toddler years.

"Yes, Adeline, that cake's for you. Once you can eat it."

Newly grumpy Anthony was none too happy with with his cake. He grew up to inherit his father's Asian features.

Friendly little Adeline had her mother's facial structure but her father's Asian features.

"For your birthday, your father and I have decided to give you your own room!" Lucie surprised the first set of twins.

"But Mom, we've always had our own room..." quipped Adeline.

"Mother, really? In your drawing room?" Anthony turned his nose up in disgust.

Lucie took a deep sigh and explained, "Children, be patient. Having more twins means we have to save. And ta-da! We even hung up a cartoon picture to make it like a children's room!"

"Our other room was bigger." Anthony hissed.

"Mom, I like it! Thanks!" Adeline smiled.

"Augh!!!"

"Aunt Marilyn, could you please quiet down my little sister? I could hear her wailing cries from my bedroom all the way down the hall!"

"Sorry, my precocious nephew. I will try my best despite the fact that I rarely see my own children anymore."

Even with four children, Lucie tried to find the time to sketch. Now that her maternity leave started again, she wasn't allowed to go back to work for a while, meaning money was tighter than ever.

"This is like taking care of Anthony and Adeline all over again. Except it's Brandon and Brittany." David sighed.

"Sister, with our geniuses, you mustn't be fooling around with childish literature. Tsk, if you call that garbage literature."

"Brother, Adventures of Ramundo happens to be a very intellectual book. But seriously, go away. Why are you so annoying!" Adeline snapped.

"Sister, I just wanted to inquire if you would like to play Royal Family with me while I preside over the royal court."

"All hail me!" shouted the two simultaneously.

"Excuse me, I preside over the royal court because I presented you with this fantastic game." Anthony sternly said.

Adeline sighed. Why was she the one sleeping on top? Don't boys like to jump around and stuff? All because her brother didn't want to exert unnecessary energy by climbing the ladder.

"Mom, were the twins up all night? What are you doing?"

Lucie whispered to her older daughter, "Calling Marilyn. I really need to sleep..."

"School bus has arrived! I challenge to race you!" Anthony shouted as he dashed past her.

"...huh? I didn't even accept your challenge! Argh. Wait up!" Adeline raced after him.

"How exciting! First day of school!" Adline squealed.

Meanwhile, Anthony squirmed back into his seat. "Adeline, perhaps I shouldn't go today. My stomach is feeling funny."

"Oh, you're fine. You're just nervous, but once you see all our new classmates, you'll be back to all your weird ways!"

"Adeline, I don't think I have the courage..."

"Anthony Wintergreen, get up here or I'm calling Mom to tell her you want to ditch school."

"Okay..."

"Hey, I'm Calgary. First day?" Calgary introduced himself.

"Yup, it's really exciting. Any good tips?" Adeline asked.

"Yeah. Just talk to friends. You won't get in trouble."

"Thanks."

"So you've been making acquaintances with high school students. Do you think you're cool now?"

"You better believe it, bro. Now let's go to school."