Best Different Ever (Boxcar Children/Best-Worst Christmas Pageant Crossover)

The Alice Clones

Everyone expected another set of Herdman's when my cousins arrived.

To be exact, a few people came to think there were six Alden children instead of just four, but that my cousins were spaced out a year apart. Charlie asked our mom if there were really only just four like she said, or if they were hiding two others. Nothing changed the fact all four ran away after their parents death, and even missed the funeral. Mother seemed nervous as well, but probably not for the reasons most people around town gave.

Simply put, she was far more nervous at giving a good impression, but also impressing on the four that she loved them a lot. That's why she paced back and forth in the kitchen waiting for them to come, hoping that the meal would be perfect. However, if you walk away for just a few minutes, bad things can happen. Charlie and I also found out how wrong everyone was about the Alden siblings, our cousins.

M

Beth watched her brother Charlie sit down on the front porch with a rather worried look on his face as he watched for their grandfather to come with the four children. The older of the two Bradley siblings shook her head. "You know, mother says they're nothing like the Herdmans."

"Yeah, but she hasn't actually met them, has she?" Charlie leaned into his arms, watching and waiting. "Yesterday was supposed to be the best day ever. It was the last day of school, and we get to avoid the Herdmans for the rest of the summer rather than worrying about one of them showing up in class or the hallways. Instead, we're stuck with the Herman clones every single day and there's no way mom is going to let us avoid them."

The older girl opened her mouth to protest, only for her eyes to catch sight of a car driving up. She recognized the man driving the car as their grandfather but was surprised at the luggage tied to the top. When Mr. Alden pulled up she saw four kids pile out with a rather mangy looking dog while Charlie stood up. Beth glanced at her brother's face and took in the wide eyed expression which indicated he was read to bolt. Without thinking she reached a handout and latched onto his sleeve to prevent him from taking off.

The smallest of the four was a small boy, but his eyes sparkled with mischief while he clutched onto a rather odd-looking bear which looked rather worn. The oldest – another boy who looked older than any of the Herman kids – called out to the youngest when he slid from the front passenger seat. "Hold on Benny!"

, but was even more surprised at the suitcases attached to the back. Four kids waited to pile out, and Charlie stood up, his eyes widening as if he were ready to bolt. The door opened to the car, and out bounded a rather nice looking job, with a six-year-old boy following close behind. "Hold on Watch! Wait for me!"

"I'm trying to catch Watch! Does Aunt Grace even like dogs."

"I told Grace that Watch was a very well-behaved dog," Mr. Alden laughed. "She said he was welcome as well."

Charlie leaned over to his sister. "Beth, is grandfather and mom, I don't know what the word is..."

"Turning a blind eye?"

"Yes, that."

"Why?"

"Mom said we could never, ever have a pet."

"Didn't that have to do with the fact she doesn't believe we could take care of one?"

"Yeah, but..."

The oldest let out a whistle making the dog turn hurry over and sit in front of the young man while two girls piled out of the car interrupting what Beth had to say. The younger of the two Beth surmised was around her age, or that of the two older Herdman children while the second girl was slightly older. Beth also noticed the older girl dressed prim and proper right down to her rather pretty brown hair. The younger girl dressed like Alice, yet she wore her hair at a length far shorter than Alice ever would.

Her eyes were also a vibrant violet color. She turned to the older girl. "What can I carry Jessie?"

"How about your art kit? Henry will get the largest two suitcases, and I'll carry the smaller one, and Benny can get your suitcase."

Beth sighed. "See, they're not so bad."

"Yeah, but they've barely been here."

Benny now stood at attention with Watch waiting for the small case the older boy lifted off the luggage rack. The screen door of the house opened, and Grace came hurtling out. "Oh my! Beth and Charlie could have helped with that!" Beth watched her mother pause. "I'm your aunt Grace by the way."

There was something disconcerting about the way her mother looked at Henry, but she shook it off. Charlie of course did not and gave his sister a look which said, "I told you so," without actually saying it.

"No. We've got it, Aunt Grace." Henry picked up both suitcases, hauling them up to the front porch.

"But..."

"Where can we put our suitcases?" Jessie asked.

"Oh. Well, the girl's suitcases can go into the guest room. The boys will be staying with Charlie."

Beth watched her little brother's eyes widen even more if possible, letting her know he was far from impressed with the situation before heading inside. Benny hurried into the room, setting the small art kit onto the table, while the two big suitcases went into the bedroom. Henry turned and took the smaller case from Jessie. "I'll take this one to where Benny and I are staying."

"Lunch should be ready soon. Will you be staying?"

"Oh, no. I really need to be on the road." Mr. Alden winked. "Plus, this is about the kids getting to know each other. I'm just a call away, and it only takes me a couple of hours to drive out here. I'm sure that the kids will be having plenty of adventures this summer."

Charlie gave her yet another of those looks and Beth simply shook her head.