Monday Night
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Around the the large beach side table, the family of 12 got comfortable as the two server rotated around them pouring waters and passing out menus. "We will be back, shortly," one of them whispered to Pippa as everyone grabbed menus to peruse.

"Thank you," she smiled, before releasing them. Feather flipped her kids menu and leaned towards Pippa, who had taken one head of the table. "What looks good to you Feath?" She asked, noticing the child's wandering eyes.

"I don't know. I like pizza, but the Mac and cheese comes with applesauce and I really want applesauce," she read. Pippa nodded. While glancing over her own menu.

"You can get pizza and applesauce," Pippa enticed. Feather had always been well mannered and mindful, unlike her father and family members who were raised by Pippa and Lin. She understood why Lizzie and Nova were like that, they were grateful for things like food, because they never knew where their next meals were coming from. But, Feather had grandparents who were financially almost as well off as Lin and Pippa. It just seems like they didn't raise spoil brats.

"Okay," she grinned, before flipping to the coloring side. "What are you getting Nona?" She asked, while starting the word search.

"I think Chicken Marsala. It's the only thing I think the baby will like," she answered. On the other end of the table, Lesley laid her head on Nova's shoulder.

"I can't eat. Literally nothing sounds good," she griped. Nova shook her head.

"Mommy, you have to eat. You've only kept down an apple today. At least get some soup, they have chicken and gnocchi," she offered. Lesley grimaced with a quick head shake. "Okay, tomato?" Lesley shrugged. That would have to do.

A few seats down, Lizzie and Mason shared a menu. "I think we should share the surf and turf. And I'll get a side of rice, so you can have the mash potatoes and we can share the broccoli," she offered. Mason nodded and pecked her cheek. 

"That sounds good to me, baby," he obliged. Lizzie was the decision maker of the relationship, because she grew up with no choices and Mason grew up with too many. "I'm gonna go to the bathroom, can you order me a scotch on the rocks?" He asked. She nodded, while deciding on either a margarita or a lemon drop for herself.

The twins already knew what they were getting before they had even arrived. Claudia was set on the shrimp Alfredo and AnneMarie with the chicken Alfredo. Nothing new there.

Allie had settled in spaghetti with a bolognese sauce. While Lin was talking Noah into a steak. "Listen, son, I was told their Filet Mignon was to die for," Lin enticed. Noah looked at the price of the cut with a sigh.

"I don't know, Mr. Miranda, I'm saving up for a wedding and this steak is more than I make in a week," he over exaggerated. Lin chuckled and waved him off.

"Nonsense, you're family on this trip, which means you don't pay for anything. You can ask any of them. Phillipa and I've got it. You just enjoy," he grinned. Noah glanced to Allie, who was nodding him on. Noah felt guilty and sub consciously made a mental note to pay them back for his and her meals.

"Thank you, sir. I appreciate this," he agreed. Allie kissed his cheek as a thank you for indulging her father. This was something he would have to get used to, thankfully he was fully ready to take care of Allie in a way she was used to.

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Dinner had been served and everyone was starting to slow down. The eligible adults were halfway through their drinks and the minors were on the second refills. As the meal came to an end, Pippa cleared her throat and grabbed everyone's attention. "Okay," she sighed, everyone's eyes on her. She wasn't sure if now was a good time, but since they lawyers were going to be called in the morning, now seemed like an okay time to announce the news. "So as all of you are fully aware, I am pregnant," she said, fanning herself as Lizzie, Mason, and Enzo shared looks of shock.

"I'm sorry you're what?" Enzo asked. In all fairness, it wasn't often that he or Mason or Lizzie saw her outside of her oversized pajamas t-shirt, because they have jobs that force them out early and back late.

"Yes. I am pregnant. Currently 13 weeks and some odd amount of days, I can't remember. But that's not the point right now," she dismissed. Allie smirked, knowing the exact details.

"It feels like it," Mason interjected. Lizzie took another sip of her margarita, speechless. Pippa waved him off and continued to fan herself.

"Anywho, I'm saying this to say that you will not be getting a sibling but a niece or nephew/ cousin," Pippa paused. She glanced to Allie who was holding Noah's hand for dear life. The 18 year old nodded, premising her mother to continue. "Allie and Noah have agreed to adopt the baby after graduation and raise him or her as their own." The twins grasped to eachother in squeals. Feather did her best to comprehend what her Nona was saying. "Papa and I, at our age, cannot feasibly take care of another child, but refuse to see them go into the system. We have full faith that Noah and Allie will make wonderful parents in spite of Allie's reproductive condition," Nova turned to Allie who was in tears, with Noah rubbing her back and whispering nothing but love into her ear.

"Wait, pause, so you accidentally got pregnant at fifty?" Mason rewound, causing so giggles. "I'm not even trying to be funny, ma. I'm just shocked. But, congrats to you, Allie and Noah. And Liz, I'm getting snipped as soon as we get home," he joked, causing more laughter. Nova took the distraction to nod her mother on. Lesley quietly shook her head. She wanted Allie to have her moment and not have it ruined by her own drama. To Lesley this wasn't a joyous occasion, but another slip up.

"So, is everyone going to live with Nona and Papa?" Feather asked. Lizzie looked over her glass towards her fiancé.

"Well, actually. We are going to move out after the honeymoon. We found a place and can close on it before the wedding and move in after we get back from Tulum," Mason answered. Allie cleared her throat nudging Noah.

"And I just finished my paperwork. For the next two years, Allie and the baby will be at home and I will be based in Pennsylvania at Fort Indiantown Gap. I requested something close to New York so I could come up on the weekends and be close. But, Allie and I agreed that it was best while I finish my time and my degree, she stay with family to have support," he said, tearing up a bit.

"It's gonna be really hard to have the baby and be away from him, but we have talked it over and it is the best for everyone," Allie finished. Lin gripped Noah's shoulder in solidarity. He couldn't imagine living so far away, then remembered when he and Phillipa got divorced and they lived in two separate countries.

"You two will survive and we will be right here to help you," Lin comforted.

"So we are all clear, mom is Allies surrogate, Mason and Lizzie are moving away again, and Lesley is trying to act like we don't all know she's hiding her pregnancy?" AnneMarie summarized. All heads except the twins, Nova, and Pippa snapped towards Lesley who hadn't even touched her soup.

Lin wiped his mouth and threw his napkin on the table. "Is this true, Lesley?" Lin asked, the disappointment radiating from his skin. Lesley hung her head and passed a silent nod.

"This is why no one fucking likes you, you little shit. Shut the fuck up," Claudia grumbled to her twin nudging her hard in her bad arm. Annemarie clasped her good had over her mouth as Nova scowled through her aunt.

"This is why you wanted to move back in right? To pawn off another kid on us, while you run wild?" Lin grumbled. Lesley shook her head, but he kept going. "You were raped with Nova, we understand it, but what about this time? What's your excuse?" He dug. Lesley pulled her glasses up to her head and stared back at her father. She licked her lips as if she were trying to taste the right words.

"Maybe we should talk about this privately," Pippa offered, worried about young ears at the table. Lesley shook her head and sighed. Her eyes still glued on Lin.

"It's okay, mom," Lesley took Nova's hand under the table. "I have made numerous choices in my life. And many of which I'm not proud of. But pawning my child off, as you so eloquently put it, has giving my child the best opportunity at a better quality of life than I could give her at the time. I wasn't necessarily raped, this time around, so much as coerced. Umm...because Nova has always been the most important person to me, I have done some horrible things to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table. That of which has resulted in yet another child. And trust me when I say, I'm grateful for the opportunities you have given me and my kid, but I need help. That's why I moved back in. Because someone told me that it takes a strong person to ask for help." Lesley smiled to Nova and pecked her head. "This is me asking for help." The table went quiet, waiting for something to happen. Eyes darted between Lesley and Lin in hope and anticipation. Lin took a deep breath and laid into the back of his seat.

"That is the most mature thing you've said in years. So, we are here to help." A collective sigh of relief washed over the table. Enzo quickly pulled Feather into his lap, feeling the need to hold onto her just a little tighter. The feeling of uselessness and frustration he faced all those years ago when he couldn't help Lesley the first time only made it harder this time around. He has a daughter of his own now, the stakes for him were much higher.

"Do you understand what's going on?" He asked, running his hand down her silky black hair and taking in the bath and body works scent he had bought for her a few weeks prior.

"Mhmm," she hummed. Feather felt his energy shifting and laid her head on his shoulder. "It's okay, daddy. I'm still just a kid," she assured, easing his anxiety. She was seven, with no devices, just toys and imagination. She spent most days coloring and playing, which had her socially acclimated better overall. Feather could empathize with people and understood emotions better than most kids her age. She her traumas but so did everyone else at that table.

"I'm going to the bathroom. Lesley will you come with me?" Allie asked with pleading eyes. Lesley agreed and followed her through the restaurant. Inside the empty bathroom, Allie pulled her older sister into a hug.

"You okay, Al?" Lesley asked, holding her little sister tightly. The 18 year old nodded and stepped back. Tears filled her eyes.

"I just need a minute, you know. A week ago, I was worried about exams and Noah meeting mom and dad. Now, as a graduation gift, I'm getting a newborn. I just— ugh, how did you do it? I know you were young when you had Nova, and I would ask Stevie but... you know..." she rambled. Lesley grabbed her sisters wrist to center her.

"When I had Nova, I was 15. I was scared. But I was determined. I wanted to be her mom more than anything. I wanted to make her proud of me. And somehow along the way she became my hero. You and Noah will be great parents because you have a great family behind you to support you. We can be like a little sister mommy club. It's been years since I've had a baby and this is your first. We will do it together," Lesley offered. The dimly candle lit bathroom created the perfect atmosphere for their sister bonding moment, causing them to laugh at the surrounding environment.

"I love you, little miss. And I'm glad you're back."

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After dinner, back at the house, Lizzie started to unmake the bed as Mason put his pajamas on. She had been quiet after dinner which wasn't a huge deal, but Mason could sense something was off. "You feeling alright, baby?" Mason asked. Lizzie pulled her hair into a bun and sighed.

"I got a call the other day," she mumbled, leaving back. Mason peeked his ears up. "It was from Lauren. She wants to see us," she gently relayed. Mason took a seat on the bed as she leaned back into the dresser.

"Did she say why?" He asked. Lizzie shook her head. "Have you told my mom about this?"

"I couldn't. You know how she feels about Lauren. She still thinks she abandoned you," Lizzie answered. Mason threw his index finger up while looking back to the closed door.

"Not so loud. Listen, if she calls again tell me. But this stays between us. Franklin." He called. Lizzie caught a hitch in her throat.

"It's not that serious—,"

"Call it," he demanded. "I will figure something out until then. But, call it." Lizzie rolled her eyes and kissed her thumb while holding out her pinky.

"Franklin," she obliged, starting their secrets handshake. There were some things they would take to the grave from their years on the run and "Franklin" was their way of burying it.

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Nova, Claudia, and AnneMarie sat on Pippa's bed while she pulled her hair up to start her skin care. "Any particular reason why you all have decided to hang out here?" Phillipa asked, pulling her t-shirt up to rub lotion on her bump.

"You're seriously going to give birth and then give your 18 year old the baby?" Claudia asked. Phillipa nodded, pulling her shirt back down and starting to remove her makeup.

"Yes, because I'm, wait for it, 50. And taking care of a newborn doesn't sound appealing at all. My youngest are 14. I'd like to keep it that way. I had you all at 36 and that was pushing it. But 50? No thanks. Lesley is about to have my fourth grandchild. I can't start over," she replied. The girls chuckled to one another.

"One of the girls in our family has to beat teen parenthood and right now, my money is Feather," Claudia joked.

"Excuse me? It better be you three as well," Pippa stated. Claudia shrugged.

"I don't know, mom. AnneMarie is a reforming whore. Reforming, being the key word. I just got into my hoe phase. So... anything is possible. And Nova... well she can't help her predispositions," Claudia replied. AnneMarie shrugged while Nova shook her head in protest.

"I have a cis-girlfriend. That's literally impossible," she replied. Phillipa dropped her head for a second, trying not raise her blood pressure any higher than it already was.

"I swear on everything that I love, you three will not get pregnant before 20. Because I cannot— I repeat cannot," she stressed, turning to face the girls, "have every single kid I've raised be a teen parent. Enzo is the oldest so far but he technically had her at 20. So, I just... I need a mom win with at least one you in this department," she begged.

"Well, you'll be fine with me Nona, because like Mason, I'm not having kids either," Nova expressed. Pippa perked up with a small smile.

"I'll take it."

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The next morning, Allie woke up to gentle kisses on her neck. "Again? Babe, we just went to sleep," she mumbled. Noah chuckled and turned into her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"No, not again. We used the last condom at around 3," he replied.

"You know we don't need those right? I literally can't get pregnant. I haven't even had a period in 3 years and probably never will again," she mumbled, taking a deep breath. Noah pulled away, sitting up. "Babe," Allie called.

"No, it's fine. I just... it's still something to get used to. You know? You go your whole teenage life trying not to get someone pregnant and now I couldn't if I wanted to," he confessed. Allie had been living with the possibility of not having biological kids since she was 9. But her life has continued to move since then. Frank saved her. She got pulled back in Lin and Pippa's custody for good. She went to school, messed around, but always kept going. Now, she had to get Noah going too or this would paralyze him.

"We need to look to the future. We have a baby coming in 37 weeks. A so far healthy, strong baby. And who knows, adoption may be in our future after this. But for now let's be grateful that my parents made the best mistake possible," she gleamed. Noah nodded in agreement and pecked her cheek. "Let's take round four to the shower," she smirked. Noah immediately scooped her up from the soft cushioned bed and galloped towards their en suite.

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In the kitchen, Feather and Lesley made breakfast bars for the family. They were the first ones up, Lesley with morning sickness and Feather with excitement. They were going to a fair and Feather couldn't contain herself. "Do you want a boy or a girl baby?" She asked, stirring the batter. Lesley prepped the cupcake tin with a huge grin.

"I think a girl, just because I love being a girl mom I think. When Nova was little, I would dress her up and do her hair. And I loved having my mini-me." Feather's eyes glossed over thinking about all she did with her mom before the drugs took over.

"Do you think I'll ever get a mommy again?" Feather asked. Lesley stopped for a moment, looking to her niece.

"I don't know the future, Feath, but I know that you have a family that loves you so much and can't wait to watch you grow up to be smart and intelligent and kind and child free until you're older and ready and hopefully married," she tried. Feather nodded with a grin.

"I'm 7. And I'm okay with being 7. I'm trying to convince my daddy to buy me a Lego set at the fair today. And I don't even know if they sell them. I like being 7," she smirked. Lesley poured the batter into the tin and handed off the spoon for Feather to lick. These were the days she was robbed of with Nova. When Nova was 7, Lesley was forced to work at a strip club and teach her child how to lock the door and stay quiet in case anyone without a key, aka her or Vedrana, came by. It was torture enough bartending to dirty guys with families and sick bastards with fantasies. But, it got worst, knowing that when she got home at 4 AM, she had an hour to clean up and take a nap before it was time to get her kid up and ready for school. It was the life she lived, but not at all the life she wanted.

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To My Bomb.Com Friends and Supporters,
That's number 2 baby! We love a good streak! THE FAMILY KNOWS??? What will the lawyers say?? LAUREN CALLED??? And WHO/WHAT IS FRANKLIN???? Anywho, that was a lot in a short amount of time knooow but, I want to go in depth more and there was something's to get out of the way to elaborate more on later. Lmk!!!
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