Chapter 136


Tim continued to struggle with the swingset as Michael struggled along with him. Mary Grace tore around the yard with the dogs at a high rate of speed – taking time out periodically to laugh at Tim and her brother.

“You guys are pathetic.” Mary Grace levelled the insult at a very frustrated Tim and a very annoyed Michael. “So – can’t follow simple directions huh? Men!”

Michael looked at his little sister and fought the urge to choke her. “Listen Mary Grace…go play or something…we don’t need your commentary.”

“Yeah Mary Grace listen to your brother….take a hike.” Tim shook his head and then went back to reading the instructions for construction of the pile of kindling that lay before them. “You know Mike…I think a bon fire might be in order here.”

“Don’t give up yet Tim…we’ll get this thing together. I really want that beer. I’m going to work for that beer!” Michael smiled at Tim.

“Ok…Mary Grace….you can leave…go….go bug Bette.” Tim smiled at Mary Grace as he motioned for her to leave.

“Ok..but don’t come crying to me when you guys need help.” Mary Grace grinned what appeared to be a knowing grin and went scampering off with Jake and Mini.

Tim looked at Michael. “If we need to ask her for help…I’m going to shoot myself!”

“Not if I beat you to the gun…I’ll plug myself first. Do you have any idea what it’s like living with that little *****?” Michael shook his head. “She’s awfully cute…but she can make life a living *****.”

“I noticed…tell you what…two beers….the second is our secret. You deserve something for living with her every day.” Tim chuckled and then went back to reading the instructions. “*****…doesn’t anyone write this ***** in English? Damn…it’s going to be a very long day.”


“Beeeeeeeeetttttttttte!” Mary Grace screamed as she came bounding across the yard and landed square in Bette’s lap.

“Sweetie…you really need to stop landing on top of Bette like that.” Tina gave a disapproving look. “Bette’s pregnant Sweetie…please don’t jump on her ok?”

“Oh sure…sorry Bette. Can I talk to the babies? Plllllleeeaaaaaassseeee?”

“Sure Sweetie…but listen…they’re very impressionable…so watch what you say ok?”

“Sure Bette!”

Mary Grace put her head in Bette’s lap. “Hey you guys….boy do I have a lot to tell you!”

Bette listened intently and ran her fingers threw Mary Grace’s hair while she continued to talk to the babies. Tina and Jackie just looked on…thinking to themselves how absolutely adorable this was.

“You know you guys…you have a beautiful mama…and your mommy ain’t half bad either. And you have the coolest grandma. Oh and you have an older sister, Taylor…. and an older brother, Dylan. Their really cute…but they’re still little babies…so it’s up to me to teach you the ropes! Oh…oh…oh…and guess what you guys….guess what? You have two dogs….Jake and Mini. I picked out Mini….Bette…I mean…your mama …took me with her to go get Mini. Jake went too. We had so much fun. We went to Mc Donalds and we had Happy Meals and we went in the Saab. Jake threw up – it was gross but so cool! Wait until you go for a ride in the Saab – TOO COOL! Top down – wind in your hair…bugs in your teeth…..it’s the best. Oh…Oh…OH …OH..and I’m Mary Grace…I forgot to tell you…I live next door. And one day I’m going to be your babysitter. And your mama is going to pay a fortune for my skills.”

Bette smiled. “You have anything else to say Sweetie?”

“Hmmmmmm? Yeah I do….you’re gonna love your mama. I do.”

“Awwww…that’s sweet Mary Grace…I love you too.”

“I know you do Bette…how could you resist?” Mary Grace shot Bette a toothy grin.

“I can’t…I just can’t….who could possibly resist your charm?” Bette giggled and looked over at Tina and Jackie. “Can you two resist that precious face?”

Jackie and Tina replied in unison. “Nope!”

Mary Grace sat up and looked at Bette. “Hmmmm?”

“What hmmmmm?” Bette looked puzzled.

“Your babies are really lucky Bette.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because you’re a lot of fun….they’re going to have a lot of fun. Hey Bette?”

“Yeah Sweetie?”

“You wanna come inside and watch the Rugrats with me?”

“Sure…you won’t get mad if I fall asleep will you?”

“Nope – not if you have snacks! Tina…you got snacks?”

Tina smiled at Mary Grace. “Sure do…come on…let’s go in and get you two settled…you don’t want to miss anything…”

Jackie smiled at Bette and then at Tina. “I’ll watch the twins while you guys get settled in ok?”

Bette gave Jackie a kiss as she walked past her. “Thanks mom.” Bette leaned in closer to Jackie. She whispered in her ear. “You recovered from your night of passion?”

“Yes Sunshine…thank you for your concern.” Jackie gave Bette a playful swat on her ***** sending her on her way.

Bette yelled back over her shoulder. “You’re the coolest grandma!”


Once inside the house, the search for snacks began.

“OOOH popcorn. Yeeesss!” Mary Grace slapped Tina a high five.

Tina looked at Mary Grace and laughed. She looked at Bette. “How about you Babe? Popcorn?”

“Sure T…and water…ummm…I mean…juice boxes. I’m not going to be accused of being into dreaded YUPPIE SNACKS again.” Bette smiled.

“Oh God Babe…we wouldn’t want that!” Tina gave Bette a quick peck on the cheek.

Mary Grace had wandered off into the living room. “IT”S STARTING BETTE…..HUUUUUURRRRRYYYY!”

“My fan club awaits me T…wish me luck!”

Tina grabbed Bette around the waist and pulled her close to her. “You’re beautiful mama.” Tina kissed Bette.

“You ain’t half bad either mommy.” Bette cradled Tina’s face in her hands and kissed her gently. “I love you Tina…I love you….”

“Get going Babe…before you piss her off…we don’t want that now do we?”

“Oh good lord no!” Bette walked quickly out of the room – popcorn and juice boxes in hand.

Bette settled on the couch and soon Mary Grace cuddled up with her. Soon Bette was asleep with Mary Grace asleep and laying on top of her.

Tina entered the living room and saw them. “Too damn cute.” She picked up a blanket and covered them up.


Outside, Tim and Michael had made significant progress on the swingset.

“About another half hour Mike and we’re done…THANK GOD!”

“BEER! BEER! BEER!” Michael had set his goal and was preparing to collect!


Tina and Jackie sat by the pool with the twins – enjoying the silence. Even the dogs had passed out on the lawn.

“Mom about your little thing….”

“Tina…I don’t think we should be talking about this.”

“I just wanted to say…it’s not my place to judge you.”

“Thank you honey…I appreciate that….I’m sorry you got so upset.”

“Yeah..me too…poor Bette…I can’t believe I did that to her.”

“Tina…did she forgive you?”

“Yes.”

“Then let it go…it’s over….”

“You’re right…but I really lost control.”

“Yes you did…but it’s ancient history now….let’s move past it ok?”

“Ok. Can you help me change the babies.”

“Sure. They need to be fed don’t they?”

“Yup.”

“Hey Tina..speaking of food…what are we doing for Thanksgiving?”

“Oh…brace yourself…all the girls are coming here… and Melvin.”

“It’ll be nice to see all of them again…and I’d love to spend some time with Melvin.”

“Yeah mom…that’ll be nice…but….”

“But what Tina?”

“Bette and Alice want to do the cooking.”

“OH GOD NO! Are you serious?”

“Dead serious!”

“This will be one Thanksgiving we’ll never forget.”

“Mom…I have a feeling we’ll be giving thanks when it’s all over…..”

“If we live….” Jackie chuckled. “Ok – let’s go and get these babies changed and fed.”

“They aren’t on solids yet – at least we know they’ll live to see Friday!”