The Way We Were

The Way We Kyoto/Seoul

The Fabanges siblings and their children and nannies exited the cars. Michael Sr. and Gertie were waiting for them, having left the reunion hours earlier.

The group went inside and were shown rooms to reside in.

Marcy didn't really want to unpack but all of the clothing needed cleaning. They'd sent things to California so they wouldn't travel unnecessarily heavy but between England and China, they hadn't done any laundry.

So Marcy did it now.

Gertie found Marcy in the laundry. "What are you doing?"

"Laundry."

Gertie wrinkled her nose. "Why?"

"We have no clean clothes."

"We have staff, child."

"I know but it relaxes me."

Gertie didn't get it. "Nana made it in."

Marcy had been surprised when her great grandmother had announced that she'd be going to Japan as well. "That's good."

"Want to prepare her room?"

"That doesn't relax me."

Gertie laughed.

W.W.W.

Lady Jeanne had George, her butler, knock on the door before them.

Mal answered with a yawn. "Hi, Nana. Hi, George."

"Mal." Lady Jeanne smiled. "Where is your wife?"

"Baby?!" Mal yelled.

Marcy came to the door. "Hey, Nana. Hey, George."

"Come along." Lady Jeanne thumped her cane.

"Where you tryin ta go?"

Lady Jeanne grinned. "You'll see."

W.W.W.

"You took me to Korea to visit my friend?" Marcy cut her eyes at her elder.

"Yes." Lady Jeanne lied.

"Right. So let's go to her house."

Lady Jeanne wrinkled her nose at her great granddaughter's stare. "We will."

"After you."

Lady Jeanne thumped her cane. "I may have not been entirely forthcoming."

"Really?"

George tried not to laugh.

Lady Jeanne glared at both. "I have never adopted a child before. You have."

Marcy's lips twitched. "And you couldn't have adopted in Japan? Or tell me beforehand?"

"I needed to insure you would help."

"Nana... Of course I would help you. What's the real reason you didn't want me to know we were coming for you to adopt some overgrown oxen in a different country?"

"MarcAn..." Lady Jeanne frowned.

"Nana..."

The octogenarian pouted. "I am unsure if I can do this."

Marcy frowned. "Nana, you raised eight kids."

"I gave birth to eight children. My nannies raised them."

Marcy smacked her lips lightly and blew out a deep breath. "What's the worst that can happen? You raise the next Hitler?"

"Yes."

"Even if you somehow forget who you are and this kid ends up tryin the world, you have over 5,000 members of your family to crack the whip and put them back in their place. You might not have been the best mother but you have the age, maturity and wisdom to do better this time around. Just get a sixteen year old just in case. Nobody can mess up two years."

Lady Jeanne smiled. "You are a very good mother, gel."

"Laura was pretty good." Marcy lifted a shoulder.

"If I shall die before this child becomes of age,-?"

"I got you, Nana."

Lady Jeanne cupped her chin. "Good gel."

W.W.W.

Marcy stopped in front of a door and watched the young girl dance gracefully. She clicked her tongue softly and Lady Jeanne and George walked over. "She's talented."

Lady Jeanne watched the teen move. "I know nothing of dance. You know that. Whenever you and Mikey gab on about your fancy footwork, I get dizzy."

"I can talk to her but you can start an interest." Marcy knocked on the door.

The girl jumped and nearly fell before going to turn the music off. She came to the door and bowed. "I am sorry. The space is yours."

"Hey, hey. Chill out." Marcy soothed. "I like your movements. Are you training with anyone?"

The girl blushed but kept her gaze down. "No, ma'am."

"Hey, I'm probably two years older than you. Drop the ma'am and call me Marcy."

The girl smiled briefly. "Hello, Marcy."

"Hello. This is my great grandmother, Lady Jeanne Fabray and her butler, George."

"Hello, Lady Fabray and Mr. George." She bowed.

George bowed back. "Miss."

Lady Jeanne smiled. "Raise your head. Look people in the eye when you speak to them. You have a voice. Command respect."

The girl blushed before paling.

"Let's start with your name." Marcy used a finger to lift her chin. "What's your name, sweetness?"

The girl blushed. "Mao Xindi."

"Xindi." Marcy nodded. "She's right though. Respect is earned but the right to be respected as a human is a birthright. You walk with your head up and back straight."

Xindi smiled and tucked a bit of hair behind her ear. "Thank you, ma'am- Marcy."

"Good. Now what do you like to do for fun?"

Xindi had been asked the question before but this was the first time it had seemed like the person asking actually wanted to hear the answer. "I love dancing and cooking. I like gardening and whenever I can save a bit, shopping."

Marcy laughed. "You're going to fit right in."

"Fit in, Marcy?"

"I've got an eye for people and I think you'd make a great new daughter for my grandmother. If you're interested. Now she's mighty old but we've already agreed that if she croaks before you turn eighteen, you'll come to live with me and my family."

"MarcAn!" Lady Jeanne blushed.

George had tears streaming down his face, trying not to laugh.

"Well we did!" Marcy grumped. "So what do you say, Xindi?"

W.W.W.

Tina hugged Marcy tight. "I'm so happy you're here!"

Marcy patted her arm. "You've got to let me up, T."

Tina backed away. "Who are they?"

"That's my Nana, her butler and her new daughter."

"New daughter?"

"I'll explain everything later. Now I'm thirsty as a fish in hell."

Tina laughed. "Are you sure you aren't pregnant?"

Marcy just smirked.