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March, 2026 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
It was not unusual for Frank to crash at Mel’s place.
Not in a sexual, ‘fuck buddies’ kind of way. But in a overworked exhausted co-parents one.
On the night before Penny’s nineth birthday, Mel and Frank’s mission was to bake a whole cake and decorate the house while the kids slept.
Penny convinced her parents to throw a birthday bash. It started as little celebration, just a cake and a handful of her friends.
In the end, half of the Pitt crew were invited and all kids from both Penny and Tanner’s classes.
The theme was Fancy Nancy – which meant Mel’s house would look like a glittery rainbow antique shop for a few days, but if it’d make her baby happy, she’d do it again in a heartbeat.
“So, how do we do this?” Frank asked, eyebrows furrowed.
Mel had laid out all of the ingredients they’d need on the counter, recipe written down on her notes app.
“We follow the recipe.” She responded, pushing up her glasses. “It can’t be that hard.”
Fifteen minutes later, there was more flour on the counter then on the cake batter, and Frank managed to drop the milk gallon on the floor – luckily it was closed, still, the sound echoed through the dark asleep house.
He hissed and she mumbled a handful of curse words. Riley – their golden retriever – jumped from where she laid next to Mel’s feet.
Then, footsteps against the hardwood floors. They both froze for a second.
“Who’s that?” Langdon asked, whispering, trying to guess which of the kids was.
Mel didn’t even hesitate. “Tanner.”
Tanner Langdon was a light sleeper like his mother. Even the slightest noise managed to wake him up. So, when he stopped by the foot of the stairs, Mel only grinned at Langdon.
“What the hell are you guys doing?” he itched his eye forcefully, his voice a little hoarse.
“Language!” Mel whispered-shouted.
“Stop itching your eye!” Frank hissed. “Jesus, you’ll pop it out like that.”
“Mom does that all the time.” Tanner mumbled, approaching the messy kitchen counter.
Riley sat in front of him, tongue dangling from her mouth as if she hadn’t seen him in days. The boy scratched her head and the spot right behind her left ear.
“Yeah, your mom will also pop out her eye any damn minute.”
She slapped his arm with the back of her hand; a scolding look on her face. “Hey, I thought we agreed on no more cursing in front of the kids.”
Tanner snorted. “C’mon mom, we all knew you guys couldn’t do it.”
“Gee, thanks for the support.” Frank mumbled. “You should go back to sleep, buddy.”
“Nah.” Tanner half-shrugged, itching his eye with the palm of his hand. “M’not tired. Besides, looks like you guys need a little help.”
Mel and Frank exchanged brief glances. “Yeah, that sounds nice…”
November, 2013 | Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Mel was in the middle of her biochem class when she realized she was late.
As in, her period was late.
It had always been a perfect cycle since she was twelve. On the fifteenth of every month. It was already the twenty first and not even a single cramp came.
She shifted uncomfortably on her chair, mind already a thousand miles away from there. In a quick recap of the prior recent events in her life, nothing really seemed to contribute to her lateness.
She started eating more carbs and a reduced amount of greens – but she was a stressed college student, only Jesus Christ Himself could judge her – so, there was a chance she could be anemic.
There was also an increase in her caffeine intake – but once again, no one could judge her.
And her ‘escapade’ with Langdon during Halloween, but…
Oh.
Oh.
Oh shit.
Mel practically jumped out of her chair as the lecture ended, messily shoving her stuff into her bag, bumping into a few bodies, and pulled her phone out of the back pocket of her jeans.
Melly:
I am so utterly fucked.
Mira:
As in u got laid or..?
Melly:
Something like that? Not really?
A consequence of it?
Samira I think I’m pregnant
Mira:
HUH???????
PREGNANT?
AS IN WITH CHILD??????
YOU ARE CARRYING A CHILD??????
Melly:
No, sweetie
I’m carrying a fucking alien oF COURSE IT’S A CHILD
Mira:
AND IT’S YOU KNOW WHO’S??????
Melly:
Unfortunately I have not slept with anyone in the past six months other than the devil himself so yeah.
It’s you know who’s.
Mira:
I’m calling Garcia WAIT INSIDE THE BIOCHEM BUILDING WE’LL BE THERE IN TEN
Or even less cus we both know yoyo could not care less bout traffic laws
WAIT THERE.
When Mel told her friends about what happened after they vanished on Halloween over coffee and croissants, Samira choked on her cappuccino and Yolanda threatened to wash her eyes with bleach making gagging sounds throughout the whole story.
(“Melly, come on! He’s disgusting! Like, sixth grade boy type of disgusting!”)
It wasn’t Mel’s greatest moment, and she was quite aware of it. Having a literal physical reminder of it felt like a sick and twisted joke from fate.
Yolanda and Samira were in front of the biochem building in exactly seven minutes and twenty-two seconds.
“Please tell me it’s a joke.” Yolanda pleaded as Mel sat on the back seat. “God, you’re carrying a mini-Langdon?”
Mel whimpered, covering her face with both palms.
“I don’t know. I gotta take like, a trillion tests.” She muttered.
“Of course, honey. We’ll take all the tests you want. We’ll go to the hospital and take a blood test. Whatever you need.” Samira assured, reaching to touch her knee.
“Oh God if it’s positive, I’m gonna have to talk to him.” Mel cried.
Yoland cackled. “You’re more concerned with the fact you have to talk to Langdon than the fact you might be pregnant?”
“I can deal with a child. With Frank Langdon? I’m not so sure.”
The pharmacy’s cashier with fake lashes and long bright pink fake nails, chewing some gum, only half-judged them as they paid for the pregnancy tests, from various brands, and the gallon of orange juice. Yolanda stood behind Mel, arms crossed and a scowl on her face.
Mel handed the twenty five dollars with a shy smile and shoulders tense.
Within twenty-five minutes Mel drank half the gallon and peed on five tests.
“We’ll check them all at the same time.” Yolanda said, shoving the fifth one into one of the boxes with the other four.
Mel sat down on the floor of Yolanda’s bathroom. She lived by herself in a small studio apartment near campus, so it was private enough for Mel to take all the tests and not risking someone seeing them.
“I’m Juno.” Mel mumbled, staring into the nothingness, sitting on the cold tiles.
Yolanda frowned. “The movie with the girl who gets pregnant?”
She nodded. “It’s my favorite movie since I was thirteen. Now I’m living it.”
Mel covered her face with both her palms, cheeks warm and her ears ringed.
Samira sat down on the floor, handing her the gallon of juice. “Yeah, and just like Juno, you’ll have an immense support group. Me, Yoyo, your mom and Becca. And I might not really know Langdon, but I’m sure he’s not gonna be a coward. It’s his kid too, Mel.”
Yolanda nodded, sitting across them. “I wouldn’t be friends with Langdon if I didn’t think he’s a good person. Deep down he is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met, Mel. And if you are pregnant, he will not hesitate to help.”
Mel’s eyes filled with tears as she nodded, biting her bottom lip. “Oh fuck.”
Seven out of the nine tests came back positive.
Mel felt like throwing up. “Can we… can we get the blood test? Please?” she asked, voice weak.
Samira placed a warm hand on her upper arm, nodding. “Whatever you need. We got you, Melly.”
She gulped. “I’m pregnant. Holy fucking shit.”
March, 2026 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
They managed to get the cake inside the oven before the clock struck midnight.
“See, we do make a great team.” Frank said, high-fiving Tanner.
Mel snorted. “You do realize we still have an entire house to clean and decorate, right?”
He grimaced. “God, how are you able to ruin my mood with just a few words.” He pressed his palms on her cheeks, just to piss her off.
She hated having her cheeks pressed on pinched ‘cause it really reminded her of her great-aunt Vivi, who would aways pinch her and Becca’s cheeks whenever they visited her lake house in Wisconsin.
“I know you, Francis.” She bated his hands away.
Perhaps in more ways either of them really cared to admit.
Tanner sat there, a small grin on his face, watching his parents oh so casual banter. “How can I help, mama?”
Mel shifted her focus to her son, fixing her posture. “Hm, maybe you could start on the paper chains? It’d really help, bud.”
Tanner jumped from his spot on the kitchen isle and saluted. “Ma’am, yes, ma’am.” And skipped towards the living room where all the colored papers and scissors were, his footsteps as careful as possible. Riley followed him with her wiggly tail.
Both Mel and Frank laughed softly.
Her heart clenched a little. When she was not even nineteen yet and in the early stages of her pregnancy, she was one hundred percent sure they could not do it. That she’d be a terrible mother and that her son would hate her and would grow up to become a bitter person.
And now, he was nearly twelve and the sweetest human she’d ever met.
Frank’s warm hand rested on her shoulder. “Hey, where did you go?”
She licked her lips. “Back to UMich.”
He smiled softly at her, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “Oh yeah? Back to when you had a half dozen piercings and that long Rapunzel hair?”
She giggled, copying his move and leaning against the kitchen counter. “Yup. And you had a six pack and huge biceps.”
“Have.”
“Eh.”
November, 2013 | Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Mel waited until the blood test results came back to tell Langdon.
She called her mother the same night she found out. There were tears (from both sides) and her mother assured her they would plan everything out over Christmas. And Mel couldn’t wait to go back home and hug her mom.
Her home, filled with books by Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf, Shakespeare, Louisa May Alcott and Eve Babitz; Aretha Franklin and Fleetwood Mac’s vinyls and her bedroom’s bay window that would enter just the perfect amount of light early in the morning and just enough wind in the afternoon.
It was early in the morning, the temperature below freezing, but not bothering her as much as the pit on the bottom of her stomach.
She was out on her morning walk, and he was heading to practice. Same routine as always. But as soon as the words ‘I’m pregnant’ come out of her mouth, everything would change.
Mel gulped.
Samira told her to approach him carefully.
Yolanda said to just rip off the bandage.
(“If he can’t take it, then he’s a fucking pussy.” She said.)
She took a deep breath.
“Now or never, Mel.” She mumbled to herself. “Langdon!”
He turned to her, a little startled. A boyish grin grew on his face as he realized it was her. “Mornin’, King. Came to escort me to practice?”
His hair falling just a little over his eyebrows, his head tilted to the side and that fucking smile on his face.
(That image would pop in her head many times over the years, as it was the last time she saw him as that annoying jock/frat boy.)
She bit her bottom lip, shoving her hands into her jacket’s pockets. “We gotta talk.”
He frowned. “Something’s wrong, Melissa?”
Everyone called her Mel. Samira, Yolanda, her mother, Becca.
Everyone except Frank Fucking Langdon. (At this point she was convinced that was his actual middle name.)
She placed her hands on her hips and took a deep breath. Mel shook her head. “I’m pregnant.”
Ripping off the bandage just like Yolanda had told her to.
All color vanished from his face. “What?”
She pulled the printed blood test result from the pocket of her jacket and handed him. “Pregnant. And yes, I’m sure it’s yours. They said I’m three weeks along.”
He stared at the paper in his hands, then back at her. “Mel, I’m…”
She shrugged. “It’s done, Langdon. We can’t go back in time.”
He gulped. “You’re keeping it?”
Mel nodded. “I know it’s insane but… I can’t-” her voice broke it. “Not that I think there’s anything wrong with terminating pregnancies especially when you’re eighteen, but I…”
Can’t do it. – she finished mentally.
It was hard. Everything was spinning. How to finish a sentence? How does one elaborate a sentence?
What the fuck even is a sentence?
She was hyperventilating. Not enough oxygen. She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think.
Was she crying?
“I can’t-” she wheezed, knuckles pressed against her sternum.
Pain.
She needed to feel any type of pain.
Langdon dropped all his gear and pulled her into his arms. “Hey. Hey, it’s okay. It’s your call, Mel. We’ll do whatever you want.”
His heart was thundering against her ear. A strong rhythm grounding her. She focused on that. On Frank Langdon’s heartbeats echoing in her head.
The fabric of his sweater against her cheek.
Her fingernails gripping onto his jacket.
Her feet planted on the sidewalk, in between his.
The suffocating feeling slowly began to fade. The pressure of his warm body around hers seemed to ground her. His strong arms engulfing her, pressing her against his chest.
“I want to keep this baby.” She mumbled against his sweater.
“Okay. Then, we’re keeping it.” He pulled away half an inch so he could face her. “It’s gonna be one hell of a gorgeous baby.”
She laughed softly, pulling away from his embrace, wiping her nose with her sleeve. He placed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his cold fingertips sending chills down her spine. She licked her lips and looked into his eyes.
He loved eye contact for some reason.
“Do the girls know?” he asked, his hand coming to rest on her upper arm.
Langdon also loved physical touch, meanwhile Mel was never really used to it.
Her mother, Theresa King, had sensorimotor OCD and was hyper-aware of her own body. Even after decades of therapy, she’d rarely express her love for her children through touch. Then, there was Becca, who was on the autistic spectrum and wasn’t the fondest of touching.
Her father, on the other hand, was one hell of a hugger. He gave the best hugs ever. Arthur King loved to wear soft sweaters that smelled like cinnamon and clove.
It would be often that Mel would come home from school overwhelmed with everything – often even with her own mother and twin sister –, run upstairs to his study only to find him sitting on his brown leather chair, glasses on the tip of his nose. She’d throw herself onto her lap and sit there as he read another essay.
He passed when she was fifteen years old. And since then, nobody really touched her.
Nobody except Frank Langdon.
“Hm” she cleared her throat. “Yeah, they… they were with me when I took the tests. And when I went to the hospital to get the blood test done.”
Langdon nodded.
“Oh my God, you’re going to be late for practice.” Her eyes widened with realization. “I’m sorry.”
“What- Hey, don’t do this, it’s fine. This is much more important than stupid hockey practice.” He assured her, eyes seeking hers. “I’ll talk to coach later. Don’t worry ‘bout it, King.”
She smiled, just a little. “Still, you should go. We’ll talk later.”
“And where are you headed to?” he asked, brushing his dark hair with his hands.
“I am getting breakfast with Yoyo and Samira. I only have a couple classes today so I’ll probably the rest of the day at the library.”
Langdon nodded. “Then I’ll meet you tonight. Are you already craving something?”
Mel laughed. Of course he’d ask her that.
“I’ll be lucky if I even manage to keep breakfast in my stomach for the whole morning.”
He grimaced with sympathy. “That bad?”
“Worse.” She pressed her lips together. “So, yeah. I’ll see you later tonight, Langdon.”
“See you tonight, King.”
Instead of walking away as she did, Frank Langdon stood there as she walked away, only moving again when she was out of his sight.
March, 2026 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Samira’s call came at twelve thirty on the dot. They were sitting in the living room, cutting up colored paper for the paper chains and Mel’s hand was starting to ache with how many starts she had already cut up.
“Hey, gorgeous woman I love very much, aren’t you working tonight?” Mel picked up the call with a smile on her face.
Samira had been working nights for the past months and as much as Mel missed working with her best friend, she could see how much Samira thrived on nights. Especially alongside Dr, Jack Abbott – her so-called ‘platonic’ crush since she started working at PTMC.
“On a scale from one to ten how much would Penny love a borderline giant stuffed unicorn?” Samira asked, a little frantically.
“I swear to God if you tell me you’ve been beating yourself up about what to gift my daughter the entire night I will unironically smack you.”
A heartbeat of silence.
“Just answer the question, Melissa.”
“A twelve, Samira. Penny would actually love that.”
“Thank you. I love you. And I’m bringing Jack to the party, talk to you in the morning!”
“Wait don’t you dare-” but Samira has already hung up before Mel could finish her sentence. “Bitch.”
“No swearing in front of the kids.” Frank hummed from his spot on the couch; eyes focused on cutting the star perfectly.
“Don’t repeat that.” She pointed a finger at Tanner. “But that fucking bitch is bringing Abbott!”
“Do not repeat that either.” Frank copied her gesture. “But what the fuck?”
“I mean everyone who has eyes know they’ve been into each other since forever, but bringing him to her niece’s birthday party?”
Tanner snorted.
“Is there something you’d like to share?” Mel asked, an eyebrow raised.
Her son eyes her, then his father, then back to her, a boyish grin on his face and head tilted to the side.
“No, mama. I’m good.”
Frank poked Tanner with his toe before returning to the subject. “I didn’t know they were this serious.”
“Neither did I!” she exclaimed. “I mean, Abbott was already invited, he’s great, I love him, but the way she said it was like…”
“Like when you told your mother a frat boy had gotten you pregnant?”
Tanner full-on belly laughed at that.
“Yeah.” Mel muttered. “But I didn’t really rush it like that.”
She returned to cutting the paper, her hand cramping.
“How was it?” Tanner asked, squirming a little on his spot on the carpet; Riley shifted her head that rested on his knee.
“How was what, baby?” Mel asked, adjusting her glasses.
“Being nineteen and pregnant.” He mumbled, softly petting the Golden’s head.
She could sugar talk it, obviously. Tanner was twelve, he didn’t really need to hear how desperate his mother was when she saw those two pink lines.
But she had always advocated to having an honest and open relationship with her children. So, she went with something in between:
“It was a little scary, sure.” She responded, voice calm. “But seeing you for the first time. With those gorgeous big blue eyes, oh my.”
Her boy smiled.
“You were the most adorable baby in the planet, buddy.” Frank rolled down to sit on the carpet next to him. “You were so calm your mother and I would spend the entire night awake, just waiting for you to start crying.”
“That must’ve been exhausting.” Tanner muttered.
“Meh.” Frank shrugged leaning to pull him into a bear hug. “It was worth it. I mean you and your sister are still all in one piece right?”
The boy giggled as his father pulled him closer. “Yeah.”
“See? We did a pretty good job, dontcha think, King?” he turned to her, with a smile on his face that she copied almost involuntarily.
“I like to think so, Langdon.” she agreed.
The house was done by two thirty.
Tanner had gone to sleep ten minutes prior, and Mel and Langdon stood in the living room giving a few last touches to the room.
“Huh, we are pretty good at this thing.” Frank said, placing both his hands on his hips.
“Oh yeah, if this whole medicine thing doesn’t work, we can become party decorators.”
“You bet, sweetheart.” He winked at her.
She snorted. “Oh God, I need some sleep.”
Frank grabbed her wrists before she could press her palms against her eyes. “I meant what I said before, any of these days you’ll be fucking popping your eyes out.”
“Yeah, yeah.” She mumbled. “Come on, I’m exhausted.”
Mel tugged at the leather bracelet he wore since college. (She would never admit it, but something about it just made him much more attractive.)
“You’re giving me the pleasure of sharing a bed with Melissa King?” his free hand came to rest on her hip, thumb poking her hipbone, and a smirk grew on his face.
“I can still let you sleep on the couch.” She responded, deadpan.
Frank laughed. “Lead the way sweetheart.”
She had the comfiest king-sized bed, and the warmest thick heavy blankets in the world. It was practically a nest.
They had both showered before dinner earlier so Mel only kicked off her leggings and threw herself on the bed.
Frank took off his shirt and climbed in beside her.
They laid in silence for a bit, neither quite able to fall asleep. “Can you believe she’s nine already?” Mel whispered, voice weak. “God, she was born yesterday.”
“It was yesterday that you told me you were pregnant with Tanner.” He whispered back.
Mel smiled. “We are officially old.”
“We are still the youngest parents in every single parent-teacher meeting.” He pointed it out.
“The hottest ones too.”
Frank laughed, and Mel saw her children in his smile.
And her heart filled with love.
November, 2013 | Ann Arbor, Michigan.
It was an hour and a half later that Yolanda barged into their favorite breakfast spot with a gigantic smile on her face.
“Abby broke up with Langdon in front of the entire hockey team today.” She announced as she sat down in the booth next to Samira.
“Huh?” Mel exclaimed.
“Excuse you?” Samira nearly choked on her tongue.
The older woman shimmied out of her jacket, chipperly. “Apparently, one of Abby’s sorority sisters was out, doing God knows what at six thirty in the morning and saw the two of you talking and immediately called Abby. She showed up at practice demanding an explanation and he told her about the pregnancy. Apparently, she even slapped him. Like a full-on Mexican telenovela slap.”
“Oh” Samira laughed. “That is messy.”
Mel whimpered, pressing the heels of her hands against her eyes. “Everyone’s gonna know within like… three hours. That is if they don’t already.”
“Hey.” Garcia and Samira reached for her hands. “Listen, we got you. If anyone dares to say anything…”
“We’ll fucking kill ‘em.” Yolanda assured her. “This baby will have the best fucking fairy godmothers.”
“Just godmothers, Garcia. We’re not fairies.”
“Well, I am. In my world, Mohan.” She stated, face serious. Mel laughed so hard she nearly pissed her pants. “Anyway. Langdon mentioned he was going to see you later.”
“Yeah.” Mel muttered. “We have a common subject now, so…” she shrugged.
Samira giggled. “Oh God, and to think that eight weeks ago you loathed him.”
Mel crumpled a napkin in her hand and threw it on her face.
She was in anthropology class – an elective she chose just for fun – when her phone buzzed softly.
Langdon:
U ok?
King:
Geez I’ll kill Garcia
Why did she give u my number?
Langdon:
Well u now that baby u carrying?
Its half mine!
King:
Oh poor kid
Langdon:
U havent answered my question, King
King:
Im fine Langdon
Not much different since u last saw me
Literally four hours ago
Langdon:
Lots couldve happened in four hours
King:
Like u getting broken up with?
Langdon:
So youve heard
King:
Garcia did have a gigantic
borderline maniac smile on her face
this morning during brunch so…
Langdon:
Well
Idk what to say
Other than yeah abby was really fucking pissed
But I dont really care abt it right now
I have bigger concerns
King:
Like?
Langdon:
Our baby
King:
My baby
Langdon:
Well it does take two to tango, Mellie
King:
Double ew.
One for the awful joke
Another one for ‘Mellie’
Do not call me that ever again .
Langdon:
Whatever u say Mellie
I’ll see you later ;)
March, 2026 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The soft faint giggles coming from down the hall were the first thing Mel heard when she opened her eyes. She glanced at the digital clock on her bedside table. It was only seven thirty in the morning.
She snuggled back into her pillows, but her bed felt warmer and her blankets heavier than usual. She frowned, then she heard a soft groan.
Oh yeah, Frank.
Her back was fully pressed to his naked chest, his arm thrown over her waist, his warm breath tickling her neck.
“S’Too early.” He groaned, rubbing his face on her neck. “So comfortable.”
His lips traced her neck almost dangerously. Mel tried to get off the bed, but he only pulled her closer. “Yeah, but it’s your daughter’s birthday. And Tanner’s been nice enough to hold her I her room a bit.” Mel whispered.
“He can hold her for a little longer.” Frank responded, eyes still closed, his hand resting on her ribcage, just beneath her breast.
“No.” she stated. “Come on, up you go.”
His grip softened and she managed to jump off bed and look for some shorts or yoga pants somewhere on her messy floor. Frank sat up, leaning on his elbow, eyes stuck to her.
“What are you doing?” she asked, still leaning down, eyebrow raised.
He smirked. “Enjoying the view.”
Her cheeks warmed up and she threw a random T-shirt on his face. “Get dressed. Now.”
“M’not really used to hearing that from women.” He sat up fully and threw on the shirt.
Mel snorted.
“Oh, please. The last time you had sex was nearly ten years ago, Frank.”
“Well, not really, Sweetheart. You’re forgetting that conference a couple years ago-”
This time, she threw her shoe.
Mel made a gigantic stack of chocolate chips pancakes with some strawberries and whipped cream and lit up a pink swirly candle on top of it.
When they opened the door to Penny’s room, she and Tanner were already sitting in bed just waiting for them. Riley entered the room as well and jumped onto Penny’s lap, sniffing her all over, making the girl giggle.
They sang happy birthday and Penny’s piercing blue eyes glistened with joy. Mel gulped as her eyes filled with tears.
Her baby was no longer a baby.
And she was no longer a scared eighteen-year-old.
And the guy she loathed so deeply was now one of her people on this planet. Fate really was a funny little thing.
“Make a wish, Penny Lane.” Frank said.
Penny shut her eyes tight, a little pout grew on her lips, then she leaned over and blew the candle.
She smiled at her parents and Mel couldn’t resist but kiss her chubby cheeks strongly. Clock was ticking, she didn’t really have much more time before her daughter thinks that getting kissed by her mother is awkward.
“What did you wish for, my lucky Penny?” she asked, brushing her daughter’s wild curls back.
“I can’t tell, mama. Or it won’t come true!” Penny protested.
“Oh, yeah. Of course, how could I forget?” Mel and Frank laughed.
Tanner reached as grabbed a strawberry and popped into his mouth. “I want a bite of that.”
“Nuh uh. It’s my birthday, Tan.” She shook her head.
“Dude, there’s like a bazillion pancakes. You can give me at least one!”
As the two siblings began bickering, Mel and Frank grabbed the full plate and headed downstairs to finish preparing breakfast.
“How long do you think is gonna take them to notice we have the plate?” Frank asked, hip resting against the kitchen isle.
Before Mel could even open her mouth, the kids’ frantic footsteps echoed through the house. They climbed the stools and eyes the pancakes hungrily.
“Alright, here’s the deal. Penny, please share some of your pancakes with your brother. There are six pancakes there and you won’t eat ‘em all.” Mel said.
“Fine.” She huffed. “I love the decoration, by the way. Thanks mom and dad.”
“You are very much welcome, baby.” Frank said. “Now come on, we have a big day ahead of us!”
As Mel and Frank finished preparing breakfast, the children’s not so hushed exchange was heard:
“What did you wish for anyway?” Tanner asked, not quite whispering.
“I can’t tell you. I want it to become true.”
“Everyone knows that siblings don’t count, Pen.” He stated as if it was obvious.
Mel and Frank exchanged glances, with tiny smiles on their faces. That was something they most definitely said at some point during their lives to their respective siblings.
“Fine.” The stool squeaked as Penny probably leaned closer. “I wished for mom and dad to get married.”
This time, neither dared to glance at each other.