Giving Fantasia: The Taking Fantasia Sequel

Chapter 57: Guilt Trip

Chapter 57: Guilt Trip

Jim met Lilo on the threshold.

"Aloha!" Lilo saluted. Stitch squirmed inside her backpack as she pointed at Ariel departing from Pirate's Point. "We saw you kissing!"

"Oh yeah?" Unabashed, Jim smiled. He didn't mind kids – their honesty was refreshing. "How'd I do?"

Lilo lifted nine fingers. Stitch raised four. "Nine out of ten. Your hair got in the way."

"Fair enough." Jim opened the door. "You want in?"

"Sure!" Backpack (and Stitch) bouncing, she pranced over the front step. "Beats waiting for Michael outside! T- Y!"

"T - Y?"

"Thank you."

"Ah. Solid. Y-W."

Lilo and Stitch snickered. 

"The cool way to abbreviate 'you're welcome' is U-W." Lilo informed him.

Jim considered. Then he shrugged. "T- Y."

"Ha!" Lilo slapped him high five. "U-W, J-H!"

"Is that Lilo?" Sarah called from the kitchen. Jim's boots nearly blew off as Lilo bellowed. "YUP! IT'S ME!"

"OHUFI!" Stitch yapped.

"STITCH SAYS ALOHA!" Lilo translated.

Sarah peered around the kitchen corner. Smiling, she pressed a finger to her lips. "Indoor voice Honey."

"Oops!" Lilo and Stitch covered their mouths. "Sorry!" Lilo whispered loudly.

"Soka!" added Stitch, scampering from Lilo and nuzzling Sarah's leg. "Sokaaaaaaaaa!"

Sarah scratched Stitch's ear. His little tail waggled. Apparently they were old friends.

"Apology accepted. Stitch there's a cupcake in the fridge, if you use a napkin. Lilo..." Sarah rose as Stitch darted for the refrigerator. "Wendy's cooking breakfast. Are you hungry?"

Lilo sniffed. Deeming the breakfast aroma edible, she hefted her backpack. "I could eat! Is Mike ready yet?"

On cue, Michael swung around the corner. Jim grinned, recognizing the nervous stutter kick-starting his greeting. "Hi Lilo -- er aloha! I just saw Stitch, so I knew it was you! Want some breakfast?"

"Sure." Lilo flicked her thick hair. Jim noticed she smoothed it twice, revealing pink hibiscus earrings that did not match her surfing windbreaker and ripped capris. "What's for eats?"

Michael escorted Lilo into the kitchen. As they entered (oblivious to Jim and Sarah spying behind) he pointed to Wendy. "Scrambled eggs. Wendy is it all right if Lilo eats too?"

Wendy looked from the stove. Fully dressed (she'd never come down in pajamas), she smiled quickly at Sarah and Jim before responding.

"Of course. Good morning Lilo. Rather – aloha."

Again Lilo saluted. "Allllllloha! You look different in normal clothes! But I totally dug those boots you were wearing at the ceremony yesterday. Rad!"

Returning to the eggs, Wendy laughed. "Why, thank you. I'm fond of them too. But, it does feels wonderful wearing shoes again. Have a seat – breakfast will be ready in a minute. More or less."