Enchanted

Chapter 12

Judy, Rose and Jeanette cried heavily as their children outlined exactly how they've dropped the ball raising them. Marcus, Michael and Russell were shocked and dismayed to be chewed out so calmly yet thoroughly.

Then they were hit with the one, two punch of them moving to California and they were taking Maddie and Lisa.

The moms cried harder.

The dads were stoic and hard faced but inside, they were truly hurt.

Mercedes reminded them they still loved them but they had to make sure their children still loved them.

That made the dads break down.

Marcy asked a question that shot to the heart of all of them; if they didn't love them, why were they crying now?

It was like a physical pain for each of them.

Marcy told her kids in front of all of them that she might not understand it but she knew she loved them. All of them. No ifs, ands or buts about it.

Jeanette quickly tried to say they loved them but Marcy didn't believe it. She swore that love was more than empty words spoken when you weren't getting your way.

It was an action, one she was putting in place for her and her family's peace of mind and soul.

Marcus wanted to know why she didn't believe she was loved and she pointed out how it was just from them six. She felt love from her siblings and kids.

Mercedes brought up Nadine's words and the in-laws' disbelief over their planned lives.

Russell wanted to know what they were going to do with their lives in California.

Marc said that was what the next seven months were going to be about; finding out.

Paul was dead shocked. But he suggested they reschedule. The kids refused and went up in their groupings to get their pictures taken. Paul felt bad for the adults but he'd had a similar fight with his own parents.

W

Maddie waited.

Nancy Beecher spoke first. "Really now?"

"Yes!" Sarah Grayson cheered.

"Sarah!"

"I'm going to miss my big sister!"

Nancy sighed. "I never said I wouldn't miss Karen-"

"And now I don't have to! I always wanted to sing with you, Mad!"

Maddie giggled. "Give it up, Nan. You're going to agree."

"I am not!" Nancy sputtered.

W

"Please, Daddy?!" Nancy begged.

Calvin Beecher Sr. looked at his young daughter. "Sunflower-"

"Daddy, it's a good idea! Marcy thought of everything!"

"She did?" He knew by now that Marcy prepared for any and every contingency.

"Yes!"

"What school will you be going to?"

"Whichever one is the most private by Karen's and Vic's home."

"And what if you tire of singing?"

"She said tough toenails. I shouldn't sign if I'm not ready."

"What about your siblings?"

"I'll call them on the phone."

"What about Lotus' privacy with her husband?"