The First Times

First School Project

"Ana...?"

"Yes, Benny?" Ana looked up from her lunch- some chicken leftover from the previous night dinner -to face her nervous best friend.

"I was wondering, uh... do you want to be my partner for the, uh.....science project?" Ana blinked for a few seconds before smiling at her best friend. She was hoping he would ask her because the other kids were not very nice to her and thought she was kind of nerd because of her like to books. Still smiling, she nodded at him. "Great! You think you can come home tomorrow to start it?"

"I have to ask for permission, but I'm sure Dad and Papà will let me." She replied, confidently. Deep down, she was worried Papà would say no, because he didn't seem to like Mrs. Troyer.

However, she couldn't be further from the truth.

As soon as Nico and Will heard that it was for a school project, neither of them could actually deny that to Ana. Nico did have the split-of-a-second decision in mind to say no, but he then realized that demanding that it happened in their home could end up the same for Benny, so he decided to be the bigger person and agree. Besides, Ana's beaming smile was enough reward.

Will, after hearing that the project was about different kinds of vegetation- catergories, properties, climates and the sort -gave Ana his own books on medicinal herbals, hoping it would help them. For him as well, Ana's beaming smile while holding his book was the biggest reward ever.

That said, it didn't mean both parents weren't nervous about this outing.

Will insisted in picking up Ana after her project was over, so they wouldn't bother Mrs. Troyer. Nico agreed with him, simply because he was on the hospital doing his residency and couldn't. Ana nodded in agreement when Will left her at school, hugging him tight and saying that she would call when they were done. Will smiled and went on with his day.

Around 6:30 pm, Ana called Will to let him know that she wanted to go home. Will didn't detect any homesick nor nervous tone on her voice and, after releasing a sigh, told Ana he would be in twenty minutes. As promised, twenty minutes later, Ana was safely strapped on the back seat of the car, telling Will about her day.

"Did the book I lend you helped?" Will asked, not taking his eyes of the road. Ana nodded, though she elaborated for his sake.

"Yeah! Benny and I read it during breaks and we could decide what to use..." She explained, before frowning a little. "Too bad we didn't finish it... we have to meet again for it..."

"Why don't you suggest Benny to come home the day after tomorrow, Principessa?" Will told her, when they reached a light. "That way, the work was divided between both houses and we don't bother Mrs. Troyer again." He winked at her, making her nod and giggle.

Soon, the day after tomorrow arrived and Nico was taking the kids to the apartment before his shift. Will was already there, placing the cookies Sally had sent the previous day on a plate on the table along with two glasses, ready for whatever they wanted. The second he was finished, was when the door got opened.

"Dad!" Ana greeted him, slowing down when she saw the cookies on the plate. "Grandma Sally's...?" Was all she asked, leaving Will chuckling and nodding. "Yay!! Benny you have to try them!" Ana gave Benny one and almost shoved it down his throat if Will hadn't caught her from behind to hug her. "Daddy!!" She squeaked, dragging the 'y' in Daddy. Will smirked.

"Project first, cookies later." He announced to the even disappointed Benny, who was munching the previously-given cookie with gusto. Soon, the kids were working in the project, barely making a noise under Will's watchful sight, who was on the couch reading a magazine. He would peek at them from time to time, watching them whisper and taking notes and reading in silence.

After almost two hours of silence, Will got up from the couch and saw them with their books and notes closed and eying wistfully the cookies, which made Will chuckle and sit next to them. It was as if they were expecting permission, permission Will granted by nodding his head. The kids attacked the cookies and milk that was given, with a smile.

"Hmmm! Grandma Sally's cookies are the best!" Ana proclaimed. "Now I know why Uncle Percy loves them too!"

"That Grandma doesn't hear you saying that or she'll get sad..." Will warned her with a smile, but Ana smiled back. She knew Grandma Naomi wouldn't be upset by that. "Did you guys finish the project?"

"Yes." Benny answered after taking a sip of milk. "We couldn't finish before because we found lots of information..."

"Well, more information is good, right?" Will saw the kids sharing a look, as if asking themselves 'is it?'. It caught Will's eyes the surprisingly good communication that these two had at that age.

"Just hope our teacher likes it..." Ana admitted, shrugging her shoulders.

"You kidding, right?" Will faked surprised, earning chuckles from them. "Bet you get an A+!" The kids smiled and nodded, hoping that too. "Now, Principessa, save Papà some cookies or we'll have him complaining until we see Grandma Sally again." Ana rolled her eyes and separated some cookies for Nico.

"Yes, Daddy..."

"There. Now, you guys wanna watch a movie before Benny's Mom comes for him?"

He didn't even have to ask that.

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Part 3/3

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Good morning/afternoon/evening, guys!

First, I want to apologize for not posting last weekend but I was without internet and almost close to lose electricity too. When I recovered, halfway through the week, I decided to post cleaner during the weekend, which is why this post today will be the double as usual!

Also, this weekend, I'm starting a new story! The title is Saving Time - A Caleo Story (I added the 'Caleo' in case other stories are called the same and you can recognize them). The basic premise of the story is that of Time Travel! I hope I do a great job, but that would be up to you...

So, the updates!

The First Times: 3 chapters!

Saving Time - A Caleo Story: 2 chapters!! Please, read and review!

See you guys next weekend!
xoxo, SilverHuntresses