The Way We Were

The Way We Vacation PT1

"It's so pretty, Mommy!" Mickey peeked out the window of the car.

"Mommy!" Riley was right there with her. "Water!"

"Sit back." Marcy ordered softly, in love with their Irish property as well.

The younger Chang family had come to Ireland to stay in their castle for a week while the older Changs went to Paris, France and the Taylor-Joneses stayed in Germany but in their own home.

Maddie went ahead to England, where they'd meet up ‪Sunday night‬.

The long car stopped and the driver opened the door. The kids burst out but stayed close (they knew the rules). Marcy, Mal and the nannies got out with the triplets.

Staff spilled from the castle. A short, plump woman with iron grey hair came forward. "Hello."

"Hi, we're Mr. and Mrs. Chang." Marcy shook her hand.

The older woman clasped her hand between both of hers. "I'm Mrs. O'Grady. I'm in charge of the female half of your staff. This is O'Brien. He's in charge of the male half and is the head butler."

"It's very nice to meet you." Marcy smiled. She loved old people and elderly like Mrs. O'Grady was why.

"These are our children; Mally, Mickey, Rye, Shay, Sebby and Sky." Mal introduced them. "And these are our nannies, Linda and Marionette."

Mrs. O'Grady nodded. "Lovely to meet you, dearies."

"May we take your things inside?" O'Brien asked.

"Yes please." Marcy nodded. "Thank you."

"Thank you!" The talking children chirped.

"Thank you." Mal was proud of his kids.

Men started taking things inside. Unfortunately the Changs had had to travel heavy. It was exhausting.

"Would you like a tour or a nap?" Mrs. O'Grady asked, her soft lilt making Marcy feel at ease.

"Actually I'm hungry." Marcy still was having cravings from her last pregnancy.

"Oh yes. We can make anything you desire."

Marcy thought about it. "Can the chef make soup dumplings?"

The Irish woman blinked, wracking her brain for what the hell a soup dumpling was.

"Nevermind." Marcy shook her head. "It was dumb on my part."

"No, no, Mistress!" Mrs. O'Grady didn't like her saying such things. "The chef isn't Irish. I'm sure he'll know how to prepare- soup dumplings."

"It's okay, Mrs. O'Grady. I shouldn't be eating anyway."

"Baby,-" Now Mal was upset.

"It's okay. Let's just go inside. We can take a nap then explore."

Mal stared at her as she looked at the ground. He resolved to bring it up when they were alone.

W.W.W.

"We should talk." Mal waited until he thought Marcy had forgotten.

Marcy was shutting the door on staff leaving from putting away their clothes. Usually she liked to do it but her lady's maid and his valet had insisted. She was tired so she gave in. Now she was on edge. "Why?"

"Because. You know I don't like when you say bad things about yourself."

"So I should live my life according to what you like?"