Yours Mine & Ours

37

That same day as we got off the bus we were all in a happy mood. Everyone has felt like they found their place. And the North kids. And the Beardsley kids were ready to be a family. Every kid from youngest to oldest we're connecting in a way that they need thought they would. For once they we're working together.

But you know the saying "All good things must come to an end."

A black SUV with tented windows pulled up seconds after we got off the bus. Frank stepped out all dressed up in his Marines uniform. His hat was sat on his head, where his hair was combed to perfection. The older male stood stiffly in front of all the kids. And his face looked wrinkled from stress and exhaustion.

"Way to go, willie" Also cheered.

"Couldn't have done it without you, bro" William thanked Dylan.

" Dad, guess what happened today at school?" Phoebe said bouncing in place.

"Hey, i wanna tell him" Dylan said.

"Have you ever heard yourself tell a story? You have a tendency of rambling" Phoebe teased.

"Okay, listen up, guys! I have something important to say" Frank said with a Stern face.

"We're leaving?" Harry asked but more like statee. His mood instantly dropped.

When the kids saw him their moods instantly soured. Seeing him dressed up, and not seeing Helen their mom. Something bad was about to happen.

Kelsey for once decided to keep her mouth shut.

William decided not to tell his father about becoming class president.

Christina felt dread bubble up in the pit of her stomach.

Harry knew he should have kept his bags packed.

And everyone else was just sad. Honestly the only words to describe the mood. It was so thick in the air someone could cut it with a knife

"What? No. Do we have to leave?"Christina unhappily asked. Her and Phoebe were finally becoming sisters.

"Look, just 'cause you and mom had a little fight... that's no reason..." William started

"it was a big fight. This whole thing is our fault. We tried to make all of you live with people... that you have nothing in common with... and that was self-centered of us. It was pigheaded. And i'd like to talk about this more... but my ship sails in a half-hour" Frank explained.

" Where are you going?"

" I have to visit all the commands on the east coast... to prep for my new job. So let's lose the long faces. Now, if you ever need anything, that means all of you north kids... you just call me. I'll be there. Got it?" Frank said hugging the kids.

"Bye, frank" Some of the North kids said.

"William, you know the routine. Mrs. Munion will bring you down to washington once i get us set up"

" But you can't go" Aldo whined.

"Come on, dad. Please! - Please" they pleased with him. But their pleads fell on deaf ears.

"Listen I promise everything will be exactly as it was before. This is our last move. I have to go" Frank said rushing off to the area.

" You're not gonna tell him you won class president?" I asked feeling terrible.

"Doesn't matter anymore" William angrily said as he stomped to the house.

"What are you gonna do?" Jimi asked.

"I'm gonna pack and we're gonna move, just like every other time" William explained.

" So that's it? We're just gonna give in and let this happen?" Christina asked. She thought her brother would be the type to give up.

"You know the drill, christina!!" William shouted.

"William, wait! Wait!" Ethan the youngest of the Beardsley kids pleased.

" What?" William snapped turning around.

"Yeah. This is your guys chance to have a mom. A family that cares and is there for you" I said.

"Please... i don't wanna lose another mommy" Ethan said with tears welling in his little eyes.

"He's right" Otter and Ely said.

William stopped and glanced at all the faces. Ethan, Ely, Otter, Kelly, Michael, Christina's, an Harry's faces all sad. Then to Phoebe, Dylan, Jimi, Naoko, Joni, Mick, Bina, Marissa, Aldo, Lou, and Kelsey's hopeful faces. "Well, then i guess we better stop that boat" William smiled.

" Yay!" Everyone cheered.