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Nancy loves the Saturdays at home , they've become the favorite day of the week for her , the ones she's clench her teeth for all week knowing that they are there, awaiting for her to bless her soul and restore her mood like a balsam over burned skin .
Today it's not different , maybe it's even better since it's a rainy day and all she has to worry about includes all the things and people she loves the most , at her old family house too and everyone already confirmed yesterday morning it's all ready so she feels so excited.
Opening up her eyes in the bed with her husband still soundly sleeping by her side made her want to smile as he was still doing it in his sleep, one of the details of him that make her love him every single day a little more .
She envies how he can sleep on the weirdest and most loudly situations, from the rain outside to the chaos of the house, passing through radio's turning on and howling in the forest, back to the days of sin eaters hunting when Florence was their bed , kitchen and house all at the same time .
He is the perfect balance to her that can't sleep well apart from when he's there standing next to her , she's a light sleeper but he makes her relaxed and safe enough to make her sleep through the night, he works better than a nightmares catcher and also has the pros of being way cuter .
The light in the room is absent and all is dark apart from the small hallway light they always keep on and the thunderstorm clouding the sky outside doesn't help with it , but there's always enough of it for her to look at Ace's face and be mesmerized by it , the time did change it slightly but always gave her chance to memorize it and learn every secret of it.
She now knows how every little wrinkle was born , from the worries or the laughs, she can say at first sight from how many hours he has shaved , she can touch his beautiful soft hair and know she's the reason of why they tend to entangle in nods so often because she does pass her hands through them very often, she can tell what Ace is thinking and if something it's worrying him by the shade of his blue eyes . This is the gift that time gave her and she made sure to remember it every day .
" Ace , " she tries to wake him up gently even if she could stare at him for hours and hours without ever getting bored . " Time to wake up, " she says caressing his cheek , a little of beard already growing again brushing against her fingers soliciting her sensors .
" Umm , just five more minutes , I was doing a wonderful dream , " he mumbles still half asleep hugging her closer to him . Her body automatically relax and leans into him , but her mind reminds they have a plan for the day and if they don't go now they won't have the time to be there on time .
" We were alone outside a bar and no one was around and I didn't question it , I was enjoying that, it seemed we were the last two people on the world and there was no one that could interrupt us like it has happened too many times and there were twinkle lights hang all around for atmosphere and it felt so magic , " he tells her .
" I could see the lights shine all around us from both the decorations and the stars of the night and hear your breath since you were sitting so close to me one of your legs was over mine and I'd let one of my hands slip to cover your tights and the other one to cover your face and lean into you and kiss you , " he tells her stroking her hair still with his eyes closed .
" You broke the kiss and for a second I got worried I've done something wrong but all you say is wow that's a fairytale kiss Ace and I go in to kiss you more . " He finishes narrate her . " Come here and kiss me we can either recreate it or I can go back to sleep and restart the dream from where you interrupted it . " He suggests her knowing she would like it too very much .
" We can't, and we don't even had time to have breakfast yet, you don't want to deal with a woman in sugar deficiency right? " She says knowing what arguments to use , he has seen enough times in that state to want to avoid cranky Nancy at any cost . " No , " he says more awake now , her strategy successful . " But that doesn't mean I'm happy about it , " he complains and rubs his noise into her neck inhaling her familiar smell that he can't ever have enough for .
" Okay let's go , " he says after kissing her one last time all over the length of her neck sending her into a state of pure happiness and then jumping off bed and stretching out, giving her the best sight to look at before he chooses to cover it wearing his of their embroidered matching dressing gowns that were one of their wedding gifts .
He stretches one moment before leaving their bedroom and she's quick to follow , the bed already feeling too cold and empty without him , so she makes it being sure the blue and white striped duvet is well fold without any wrinkles just as they like it .
When they arrive in the kitchen they found it already crowded and buzzing with energy , and the view is one of the most unrealistic things they're ever saw . " Good morning, " two young girls wearing them too gowns said to them in chorus like they are the twins of a Halloween scary movie getting ready to commit a crime .
" Good morning Ruth, good morning Sarah " Ace welcome them kissing their daughters on the top of their blonde heads. " Good morning my little stars, " Nancy says doing the same as him . " How are you two little trouble makers already awake ? Usually we have to drag you out of your beds especially if you went late in bed like you did last night, " she enquires them knowing there must be a reason behind this behavior .
" It's Saturday no ? " Sarah states it while sitting at her place at the table right in front of her mom and next to her sister. " It's Grandparents day. " Like that answers everything, she and her sister start looking at the options on the table to eat and go for the orange juice freshly prepared by Ace for them.
" Yes it is , but it's not a news , we do it every week and you'll always are two adorable dormice. " She says wanting to know what's going on while taking the oatmeal milk for herself and passing the fried toasts to Ace.
But the twins just ignore them and start having breakfast. Nancy looks up at Ace, trying to see if he knows more than her , but he just shrugs and gets up to put on the table the bagels for all the family that disappear in the plates of all the three women faster than speed lighting .
" So we're going soon ? " Ruth insist , her mouth still half full of food . " Ruth first eat than talk , " Nancy reminders her. " Yeah as soon as we change out of our pajamas we'll go , today Grandpa Ryan is gonna accompany us since it's raining," she says. A thunder strikes in that moment, as to highlight what she just said , after all this is Maine and this is the damn season of the bad , cold weather.
The girls shouts excited , they love to spend time with him and that sentiment is more than reciprocated , she has always more trouble separating Ryan from the girls than the contrary when it's time for them to go back home , he is the one more prone to ask to stay for another 5 minutes that could easily turn into an half hour.
As they finish to eat and Nancy takes her last sip of caffeine for the day already missing it and holding a little longer than it's necessary the warm cup on her hands , the girls rush to get dressed , foo excited to be contained at the table . " Can we wear the rain boots grandpa bought us ? " Sarah ask hopefully. " The ladybug ones ? " Ruth specify wanting to make sure there's no mistake on what she has in mind for the day .
They adore those and even if she still thinks Ryan spent too much and it's wasn't necessary for him to make them being shipped straight from Paris she can't help to adore how cute they look on them and her gallery of photos is a proof of it , and the smiles of the girls are definitely worth double of any price he spent on them .
" Of course, but remember, with cloud weather or not " she starts saying " the importance of dressing in layers , " the girls finish for her . " Mom we know, you told you a million times, " Sarah says. " And we're pure Main material , we have it on our DNA, " Ruth concluded.
" Wow , I've turned into an old woman repeating herself it seems . Well since you're so good at it go chose your outfit , we'll follow you in a moment to help you with the hairs. " And they're out before she can even add anything, " and don't run on the staircases " she adds after hearing their footsteps resonating through the whole dining room.
Ace laughs seeing them sprint away. " Our little earthquakes didn't even cleared the table but I guess we can let it go since it's a festive day and you said them they could go . " He says looking at her . " We have to , anyway they would win, they took the love for winning through technicalities from me sadly. " She sighs. " One last bagel before we go ? " Ace ask her . " Split it , " she answers . " Like we do everything. " He says more softly gifting her a butterfly movement in her belly. She cleans the crumbs and let him clean the table while she goes upstairs preparing.
They found themselves together again in the twins room , miraculously already dressed up and just needing some help with the hairstyles. " Wow you're unstoppable this morning my butterflies, I'm gonna have to write down this event in the calendar," making them chuckle .
" Mom I want braids , the ones with the clips at the end , " Sarah asks. " And I want two braids like Aunt George," is Ruth request. " Are you sure you want to braid your hair? We're gonna be all day inside and it's raining outside, no one will see them with the hoodies and the umbrellas . " She makes them notice.
" We want them , we do it for us not for the others. Isn't what you always say ? That we shouldn't judge our bodies and decide what to wear based on the people's comments but our desires? " Sarah speaks for them both and they are both headstrong with their arms crossed a vision of force and determinate.
" Right, just checking in . " She says thinking it's the second time today her daughters won an argument against her and they still haven't left the house , at this point by the end of the night she'll need a lawyer to convince them to go to bed , at least the good news is that Carson would be proud of how much like him they're going to be .
" So who wants to go first ? " She asks. Ruth signals for her sister to go but there's no need for it cause her prince charming arrives with perfect timing. " Okay who wants Dad's coiffeur time? " And Ruth smiles raising her hand , she always tries to book him before her sister .
They start working on the girls together and quicky, thanks to their consolidated routine and Ace's ability that he learned thanks both Nancy and Bess' help , their friend has been more than once the tester for his practice, but she's never complained about it , after all it's one of her duties as plantanchor and she takes them very seriously.
' okay we're done . Satisfied of the results ? " Nancy asks the costumers. They nod and are happy with it , thankfully because with a timing that got better over the years but it's still one of his most distinctive characteristics they all hear Ryan's clacson through the sound of the storm.
" Grandpa! " They are shout excited going to him before their parents can do anything apart to remind them to not get hurt running. " Are you ready? " Nancy asks him . " Me ? I'm the one who's in advantage I should remind you, if there's someone who should have been worried it's you " he teases her .
They found in the entry an half wet Ryan waiting for them , The girls have already opened the door and got welcome with the biggest hugs humanly possible . " My princesses! Aw you've grown up so much! Are you always more beautiful every time I see you? " He tells them . " It's been just a week Grandpa, " Sarah laugh. " Are you saying I'm wrong? " He jokes with her making her tickling her .
" Hey guys, hello happy Saturday! " He says giving Nancy a cheek kiss and Ace an high five. " Hey Dad good morning to you too, thanks for giving us a ride " she appreciates him. " Oh I'm not doing it for you. I'm doing it for my gems" he says looking loving at them .
" Thanks man , " Ace pretends to be offended by that. " Oh don't worry Mr H you're always my flower " he says giving him a shoulder touch . " Okay, okay stop with all your sentimentalism , it's time to go , " she says bringing everyone back on track .
" Shotgun ! " Sarah shouts . " No it's not fair , you said it last time too ! " Ruth protest. " Oh not again , you know you're not old enough to stay on the front so it's me who's got the shotgun, " Ace says while taking them outside. " You know you're my favorite daughter right? " Ryan whispers her while she was checking all the lights were out and she wasn't forgetting the keys .
" Dad, I am your only child , " she laughs. " Yes I know but even with a thousand children you'll always be my favorite, " he says. " Look at what I have now for you , a family car instead of a Porsche but also a real family with a daughter, a son in law and two precious granddaughters that are the joy and the glory of my life. " Nancy has a lump of emotions blocking the words in her throat . " So I love you I guess " Ryan says her .
" Mr H it's all right? " They hear Ace ask from the car . " We're coming ! " It's his answer. " I love you too Dad, " Nancy stops him and hopes that the rain outside will blend with her tears of emotions.
The car ride to the Drew house is short but not enough to avoid Ryan blasting for the girls pleasure their favorite cartoons soundtracks , even if Nancy is sure he did it more for himself than them , she's can bet her Spotify wrapped on it .
" Good morning beloveds " it's Carson's welcome when he opens the door for them . They all hang out their raincoats and go in welcome by the warm of the house and the greetings of Ace's parents towards all of them but especially the girls like always .
" Hi Dad, " she gives him a quick kiss . " Hello Mr D, " Ace says . " Good morning Thom, " Nancy signals him and for a second she thinks back to when that was all she knew to say to him and then how hard she started studying ASL once he and Ace started dating the first time and how once they got back together he was the best teacher and made fun even her repeated mistakes and all her gibberish until she got it.
Their daughter never had that problem , just like French, they started teaching it to them as soon as possible, there was no way they had to go through her same linguistical barrier and don't be able to communicate with part of their family.
" Hi sweetie, " Rebecca hugging her and then after Ace , physical touch being her own favorite way to communicate . " Acey, how are you today? " She asks him . " I'm good mom , we had an unusual easy morning today . " He tells her .
" Grandma, do you like our braids ? " Ruth ask her interrupting their conversation. " Of course, you like two princesses , " she tells them . " That's what Grandpa Ryan said ! " Sarah says excited. " Oh really , well if more than one person says it must be true . " And the girls can't but nod agreeing with her flawless logic .
" Are how are Jean and Amelia doing ? " Ace enquires . " Yeah it's the weekend to her sister going well ? " Nancy chims in . " Yes, they are sorry their missing the family reunion today but it was important for Jean to be there to her niece's birthday " Carson tell them excusing himself for his wife.
" Oh there's no need to , tell her that we say happy birthday, " Nancy says reassuring him . " Sup guys , what's going on , " Ryan joins the conversation. " Oh we're just catching up , " Rebecca says. " And you ? How's Red? We haven't seen her in a while , " she says . " Oh you know her , you see her when you see her , the only constant woman of my life is you " he says playing with her .
" Hey, back down , that's my wife you're talking about . Don't forget I could get you arrested for public decency violation. " Thom says . " Oh you know I'm joking, but anyway that wouldn't be my first time . " Ryan says making the whole group laugh . " What do you say , time to go sit and have lunch? " Carson says and everyone nods and talks excited about it . They all have found out over time and experience that there's not a better chef in the family but the combination of Carson preparing the first course , Rebecca the second , Ace the dessert and Ryan chosing the options for the drinks make a full meal worth of the best star-rated restaurant.
After a long and fun and full of chats and catch up on their week lunch , so good and tasty that the girls even finished all their portions of vegetables without any kind of complains, they all pass to the focus of the day , the most expected moment, the one where someone trains for all week , knowing that if they want to keep their advantage they need to stay in shape , the one and only game night tournament .
That one may or not be Ace, who crushes on it but for a reason he says to himself, and that from the girls took their competitive side . But if there's something all the family has learned is that Guess Who ? is banned from the house , it ruins the fun and can start a feud like no one ever saw , that's why it has been hidden in the attic from everyone's well being and they all promised to never mention it again , like it's their family version of the Jumanji game .
The rounds usually go from chess , to scrabble, to battleship , to in the end the two finalists the cruel and without limits or pity version of Uno , where all the +4 are allowed and the only thing that counts is shouting Uno at the top of your lungs in the fastest humanly possible time .
And that's where today , and usual, finalists are : Nancy and Ace once again one against the other , the table with a pile of the tossed cards dividing them , and the rest of the family splitted in teams watching them and cheering like it's a competition of athletes on TV and not their own .
" You know you can't win , " Ace tries to intimidated her . " I only have 3 cards left and you have your whole deck full , you'll lose in a couple of rounds, accept it. " He says confident . Ryan cheers at him from the barricades . " Oh like I haven't heard this before, don't worry I'll console you when you are gonna be the one who's gonna lose . " Nancy reply not at all touched by his strategy but mouthing a traitor in her Dad direction.
" Don't say I didn't warn you, " he says before looking at her deadly in the eyes and add . ” Uno " , she tries to keep her poker face on but just as she can read him well so he knows all of her and her expressions . She plays her turn but there's nothing to be done , Ace ruthless play his last card and wins the game, making his team explode I'm happiness and congratulations , from Ryan first as always to Thom and Ruth .
Rebecca and Sarah and Carson go console Nancy , reassuring jet that they all know how good she is since she's repeatedly beat every single one of them . " I guess I should congratulate you , " she says to her husband. " I guess I'm still in advantage of a couple of points ahead of you in our leaderboard, " he answers still gloating over the victory.
" At least in this one yes, but I want a rematch once we go back at home , " she propose. " Oh you can count on it , " Ace agrees quickly , already imaging the kind of game they're gonna challenge on .
" It's ice cream time so ? " Sarah interrupt all of them , reminding of the promises she got on the morning , one that she considers sacred when it is about her favorite dessert , even beating grandma's kosher cookies even if she would never said it loud and break her heart like that , she loves her too much to do such a thing .
" I guess you're right, we've finished playing so we can go now if you really want, " Nancy answers her . " Of course she wants, " Ruth chims in as excited as her twin to go eat . " Grandpa Ryan it's time ! " She calls him .
"Ice cream time, to the machine! " He shouts excited taking by the hand one of each girls and going to the car with them looking back mouthing q goodbye to all the rest of the family. " I guess it's better if we go with them fast before we found all of three of them in a sugar crush, " Nancy says.
Carson agrees , he saw Ryan have more than one in the time they lived together. " Go, I'll take care of everything here , see you soon " he says kissing her goodbye. " Thank you Rebecca like always I've would have eaten even the plates of all your food , " she compliments her mom in law. " Oh sweetie bring with you some cookies, the girls can eat them tomorrow at breakfast, " she says saving them to plan what to cook for all them for the next morning , if there's something they all agree on it's the goodness of her food
" Bye Dad, I had fun, " Ace says him . " Me too , I'm proud of you for winning, " he signs him and that little recognition even if for a simple game warms his heart, he'll never get used to that kind of affection expressions from the Captain .
" Thanks for all mom , " he kisses her . " It's always a pleasure Acey, never forget it. " She tells him , Rebecca would never have enough to see her son so happy . " Goodbye Mr D, we'll see you next week . " He starts his final goodbye . " Bye Ace, call when you all get back home . " He says while starting cleaning the table .
As they leave and Nancy finishes taking her coat she notices that outside it has stopped raining and it is a blue sky day again . " Wow Ace look , it changed completely the weather while we were inside . "
" You're right, even the clouds left to celebrate me " he jokes with her , his eyes bright as the sky she's looking to . " It's really a good day , " he says while getting in the car . She can't help but agree and smile , yeah spending so much time with her family ? all of them happy and safe ? It's really a good day but mostly it's really a good life.