The Mitchell's and L/N vs. the Machines

A "Great" idea

Katie shoves the door open, marching into the bedroom. I quickly follow behind, concerned but also upset over what just happened. I quickly climb up on the bed and allow my body to fall to the mattress, but I grow confused as I see Katie shave some things in our give-away box. Once she puts all of the rest of the things in there, she closes the lid and shoves it out the door with a grunt leaving her lips.

As she turns back to her room, she grabs the door handle and closes the door. She climbs up on the bed with me. Once she's on the mattress, she pulls her hoodie over her head and pulls out her phone from her pocket. With a heavy sigh, she pulls me down with her on our stomachs. She holds out the phone in front of her with one hand and the other around my waist tightly.

She pulls up a photo, making me take a look at it. My eyes meet the sight of Katie in the car's driver seat and Dad hanging outside, side hugging the little Katie and both are smiling widely. She put the phone down and hugs me. "Why's he like this?" She whispers, maybe hoping that I have an answer, but sadly, I do not have anything to say to make this better.

3rd POV

Rick scrubs the plate, but his face tells that he's thinking of something else. "Why is she like this?" He asks aloud, referring to his daughter. A light knock from the kitchen entrance fills his ears, and he stops the water and stares into the sink. "Did you talk to her, yet?" Linda asks, concern written on her face.

Rick clears his throat, still looking into the sink. "No, not yet." He admits, his shoulders slumping further down.  "I don't know what happened, Lin. I know teenagers are supposed to rebel against their parents or something but... I don't know, I just thought we'd be different." He turns to the side and taps his finger onto the counter.

Linda takes a moment before speaking up. "Rick. Don't you think you have some control over that?" She walks into the room and holds onto a chair near her. "You just broke her laptop and dragged her girlfriend, our soon-to-be daughter-in-law, with her. And I mean, look, we haven't had a good family picture in years because you two are always arguing." She gestures to the wall where the two look mad in all of them.

Rick examines the wall before his eyes land on a certain frame. "Huh, well what about that one?" He points to it. Linda looks and has an incredulous look. That came with the frame!" She yells out as it shows an example picture. Linda regains her composure and turns back to her husband. "Whenever we have a problem at home, you always throw your whole self into fixing it, and I love that about you." She smiles softly and then it turns into a worried frown. "But now this is broken, okay? Because if those two girls leave and never come home again, that's a problem I don't think we can fix." Linda lays it on Rick.

Rick sighs and turns back to the sink, trying to think of something. Linda walks up to his side and places both hands on him. "I know you can do this." She encourages Rick and walks off.

Rick takes a deep breath and makes his way to a certain room with boxes piled up next to it. He holds up a fist to knock on it before sighing and rubbing the nape of his neck. He looks at the boxes, and he's shocked to see a wooden moose sitting on top of the giveaway pile. He quickly makes his way over to the box and kneels before it. After flapping the lids open, he gently scoops the carving into his hands. He rubs his thumb over it as an unknown memory plays in his head.

He looks to his left to see an old tape recorder resting on another box. He takes the camera and a cassette tape from the box and makes his way over to the living room. He plugs the camera into the TV and sits on the couch. He turns on the TV, and static fills the screen until it cuts to Rick giving a small Katie a piggyback ride through the woods. Katie looks around in wonder and Rick is fondly watching her. They both laugh while Katie hugs her Dad's head.

The next view is Katie stomping excitedly when she sees her Dad pulling in through the window. She quickly gets down from the chair and runs to the door laughing. Rick picks Katie up and holds her tightly.

Another video pops up and Linda's happy face is seen. "And now, the Mitchell family talent show!" She announces and presses play on a boom box. The Dad and daughter are dancing in the kitchen, singing along to the song playing, and having fun. Rick chuckles at this memory.

Another film cuts in where it's in a camp pickup. "Bye, Katie! Are you ready for summer camp?" Linda asks. Katie turns around and begins to cry. Rick immediately gets out and goes to her side. "Hey, what's wrong?" He asks her. "You'll be back before you know it." He tells the little one gently. Katie looks to her dad and engulfs his leg into a hug. "DOn't make me go." She begs. Rick frantically looks at Linda before his eyes land on something.

"Well, look, let me just..." He trails off and goes to his car. He reaches to the window and grabs the wooden moose. He kneels gawn and hands it to Katie, who looks shocked from this. "Hey, take this."

"But this is, like your favorite thing." Katie sniffles. "Well, it's yours now," Rick says and places it on her hand "See, this little guy is scared to be alone, so you're gonna have to cheer him up for me, okay?" He asks Katie who nods with a slight smile. "You know how to say 'I love you' in moose language?" Rick asks before bellowing, making Katie laugh. "Oh, and I'm sure your new friend would love to meet him, right?" The TV goes off and Rick examines the moose in his hand.

He sighs and gets up, placing his hands over his hips. "alright, let's fix it." He declares to himself.