Kids, thanks for choosing us to be your moms.

XXII. Date to the Premieres

Jo was outside the front of their home; the fall heat licked at her as she worked to trim the bushes. Just then a car pulled up. Jo turned lowering the trimmer she recognized the small SUV it was a regular in their driveway. Jo started to make her way over just as the door flung open and 9-year-old Kai. As the young boy prepared to dart towards the house, the ruffled brown hair was tossed aside like Justin Beiber circa 2010. He threw on his backpack turning around just in time to come face to face with zJo. "Hey Mrs. Olsen!" he smiled up at her his hair just beginning to cover his face,

"Hey Kai," Jo smiled back, "LK is around back." she motioned over her shoulder,

"Sweet!" he was about to take off when a voice stopped him.

"Kai," his Mom had her head out the window as she called her son back, "I do believe you are forgetting something."

"Mom..." he groaned on embarrassed,

"Wow!" Birdie marveled, before she pulled her son close to her kissing him firmly on the cheek, "I love you. Be good. Use your manners."

"Yes ma'am." he said before he turned to leave he stopped, "I love you." he ran off after that quickly taking off around the side of the house so he wouldn't have to take off his shoes through the house.

Jo walked over to the SUV leaning on the open window, "When do you need him back by?"

Birdie sighed, sinking into her seat, "You want to keep him?"

Jo laughed, "Happily. He's a good kid."

"Yeah he is," Birdie nodded softly with a smile before she turned her attention back to Jo, "Uhmmm Chad is supposed to be redoing the flooring in the boat house tomorrow which is a whole ordeal and I dont want Kai near all those open holes."

"Do you want just to come get him Sunday?"

"Are you sure?" Birdie asked cautiously.,

"Oh my gosh yes!" Jo reassured her, "They would love it."

Birdie put her head back before she turned to Jo smiling, "You are a lifesaver. I dont even know if Chad will do the floors and they need to get done."

"Well, I know a certain teenage boy who can be quite handy if you tell him what to do."

"I'll keep that in mind." Birdie reached for her bag, "At least let me give you some money for-"

"Birdie" Jo said firmly, "Put that up right now."

"Josephine." she challenged, "My son is over constantly. I feel bad just dumping him on you."

Jo matched energy, "Beatrix." she crossed her arms, "Liz and I have more than enough to spare. You owe us nothing."

"Thank you," Birdie said softly,

"In the summer when your house is done im dumping those two crazies on you."

Birdie laughed, "Deal."

Birdie, Chad, and Kai lived on the lake that neighbored Topanga. Their lake hose has been under some serious renovation leaving Kai at their home more often than normal. The repairs are turning out to be more extensive than they originally believed and Chad's job made it difficult for the two to tackle. Jo leaned back on the car, "Birdie im serious. If you need help[ renovating give me the word and ill have my guys on it."

"Thank you," Birdie said earnestly,

"MAMA!"

Jo and Birdie laughed before Jo said, "Thats my cue." she drummed on Birdie's window opening, "I'll see you Sunday."

"Sounds good! Please tell that precious wife of yours I say thank you too."

"Will do!" Jo called over her shoulder as she went to the sound of her kids.