Mommy Mouse (sequel to City Mouse)

Chapter 3: Dresses and Hamburgers

"Mary Lizard!" Leo shouted as he ran across the lobby. He launched himself into the arms of the willowy brunette who had just entered, pulling a wheeled suitcase.

Mr. Bobby grinned as he watched the small boy enthusiastically greeting the newcomer, as did Mouse, who followed Leo at a more sedate pace.

"Hey, sis, hope you had a good flight," she said as she hugged the taller girl. This entailed hugging Leo as well, since she was still holding him.

"Yes, good flight, nice ride in the private car service, so thanks for that," she replied.

"Is this your sister, Miss Mouse?" Bobby asked, removing his hat.

"Yes, this is the sister closest to me, both in age and heart," Mouse replied, continuing to smile. "Mary Elizabeth, our doorman, Mr. Bobby, without whom this place would go straight to hell."

"You don't have to introduce me," Mr. Bobby scolded gently. "I was just going to say that I could see the resemblance, you see. And you don't have to call me 'Mister,' either," he added, shaking his head.

"I'll stop calling you 'mister' when you stop calling me 'Miss Mouse,' Mouse retorted with a grin. "I've told you and told you, makes me sound like Minnie at a business meeting."

This made Leo laugh, as usual.

They were all still laughing as they got off the elevator.

"You should've told Mr. Bobby that you like to be called Mary Lizard," Leo said. He thought his future aunt's nickname was the coolest thing ever.

"Well, Mary Lizard's more of a family nickname, you know?" she told Leo with a grin. "Only blood relatives and special people call me that." They entered the apartment and Mary looked around with appreciation.

"Is that me?" Leo asked with apprehension. "Am I one of the special people?"

Mary knelt down so she could look in Leo's eyes. "You are the special-est, Leo, my man," she assured him. "I love it when you call me that."

A little later, they were settled in the family room, Happy at their feet, Merry and Chrissy in their laps, sipping iced tea, chatting. Leo was doing a puzzle on the coffee table.

"So, Henry doesn't care that you don't want a big wedding?" Mary asked.

"I think a hundred fifty people is pretty big," Mouse replied with a grin.

"You know what I mean," Mary said, nudging her sister's foot with her own as they faced each other on the couch. "He's a New Yorker, a big time photographer, he must know tons of people. He doesn't care that you're not doing a big thing at the Plaza or whatever?"

Mouse shook her head. "This is his second go, anyway," she said. "He had one of those the first time. Josie was an English socialite, a model and everything? They did some big thing in London, press and Earls and actors and all that stuff." Mouse nodded, taking a drink. "I think he likes the idea of a 'country wedding' in Virginia, you know? He doesn't have any family, and god knows I've got plenty, so I think it works out just right."

Mary looked searchingly at her sister. "And you really don't want bridesmaids and all that?"

Mouse shook her head again, decisively. "I want Henry and Leo, and I want my family. I want you next to me, and I want a kick ass dress. I want tons of good food. And that's about it." She shrugged.

Mary smiled and mimicked her sister's shrug. "Okay, then. Every bride should get exactly what she wants. And if you don't want throngs of people, then there's no reason why you should have them."