Jolly Ol' Good Times (Maxi)

[CUPCAKE]

It was a warm Spring evening, and Maxi was getting excited for her double date tonight! August had finally agreed to hang out with Drew and Maureen, something she wasn't sure he would ever do. She wanted it to be a special night, though. August said he would host since his condo was large and they would have the privacy to really sit and talk, and in return Maxi said she would do the cooking. She called her sister who was just getting into town and was going straight to Drew's place where she was spending the night. She had planned to host her sister the following evening, but August had personally requested she stay the evening if she was going to make him play nice with her sister and friend first. Naturally, Maxi was more than happy to oblige such a condition.

On the way out of the market, Maxi came across a street vendor, a pleasant looking woman in her early forties with a kind smile. She was selling gourmet chocolates, making a name for herself as she was just getting started, and Maxi was drawn to the cart. What better dessert than chocolates? She bought several bags, planning to put them out after supper with the cake she'd gotten, She thanked the woman who graciously thanked her in return for her business, and was on her way.

The chocolates smelled sweet, and on her ride home the scent of chocolate dominated the car. It was all she could do not to dig in and have one, but the longer she drove, the harder it was to resist. When she pulled up to August's condo she finally gave in, popping one into her mouth. It had been, by far, the best piece of candy he had ever tasted and immediately she felt excited about bringing them for group tonight.

August wasn't 'awake' yet, but he'd supplied her with a key so she could come in and start the dinner preparations. She went to the kitchen and began dicing vegetable, but she suddenly grew a little dizzy. The redhead grabbed the counter as the room began to spin, feeling as though she would pass out. She slid to the ground, holding her head. No sooner had her bottom hit the floor, she blacked out there against the cabinet below the sink.

---

“Mum..” The soft sound of the child's voice began to arouse Maxi as the delicate hand shook her arm. “Mum we're almost there..” As Maxi opened her eyes, she was greeted with a semi unfamiliar view. She knew the area, she'd driven past it before. It was some of bigger homes in her development, not the biggest, but large two stories, the ones with the nice, pale brickwork and stone walks. The girl sitting beside her looked to be around seven or so. She had long, dark hair, her frame thin and willowy. Her features were soft, but gently angled and her large, sapphire eyes were all too familiar. She looked a lot like Maxi. Actually, with her darker hair, she looked a bit like Maureen, but something was different about her. She was definitely part McManus, there was no denying that. Her t-shirt was yellow with a navy and white design on it, a gold necklace around her neck with a script R on it and her long hair lay over her shoulders, straight and thin like Maxi's.

The girl smiled excitedly at her and then turned to look out the window of the cab once more. “I can't wait to see the twins!” The girl bubbled in her sweet voice, the British accent painting her words as they left her plush young lips. The cab turned into a driveway and came to a stop, and the girl ran outside to greet the little boy and girl sitting on the steps, who clearly knew who she was and were excited to see her. “Ruby!” The blond child on the stoop called as she hugged the taller girl. The boy stopped and gave the British girl a hug, too. His pale blue eyes moving to meet Maxi's in the cab.

“$22.50, miss.” Said the middle eastern man driving the cab. He turned to look at the dazed woman in the back and then repeated the price. Confused, Maxi looked at the man and then out the window just as Drew was coming out. He swept the little girl she'd rode with into his arms, hugging her before setting her down and jogging to the cab. He peaked his head and smiled wide at his old friend. “Hey, Maxi!” He greeted, leaning in and giving her a hug. ”I got this.” He said pulling away and grabbing his wallet out. He handed the cabbie a twenty and a five and then got out of the car, grabbing the luggage from the trunk and bringing it up towards the house. ”You coming, Maxi? Your sister's dying to see you!” The girls were on the front lawn doing cartwheels together and giggling, but suddenly the child she came with said something and the children all darted inside. What choice did she have but to follow?

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

“$22.50, miss.”[/i] Maxi was still trying to process that a little British girl had been calling her “Mum” a couple minutes ago, and now this cabbie wanted money? Absentmindedly she began digging in her purse for her wallet, watching the group of children in the yard with wide-eyed wonder. Who were those kids? And why did the dark-haired one, Ruby, call her Mum? She did look like her…Finally a familiar face came into view as Drew came out into the yard and picked up Ruby in a big hug that made the cute little thing laugh. Maybe he would know what was going on! Maxi gathered her purse and scooted toward the door, ready to ask Drew what kind of game he was playing at. “Hey Maxi!” “Hey!” she greeted back, putting an arm around him. Before she could ask him about this bizarre meeting, he was paying the cabbie. Maxi climbed out and followed Drew to the trunk. Why was there so much luggage? “You coming, Maxi? Your sister’s dying to see you!” Wait…what? Was this Drew and Maureen’s house? When did they get a house? And who were the kids playing on the lawn? Before she could ask, they all darted into the house and she followed in a daze. “Wait, Drew…is this your house?” Drew gave her a confused grin over his shoulder. “Yeah and Maureen’s…why?” Maxi’s brow lowered over her eyes as she walked beside him. “When did you guys buy a house?” Now Drew stopped and looked down at her worriedly. “Seventeen years ago when we got married. Are you feeling okay?” No she wasn’t! Seventeen years ago?! Married?! What the hell was going on? She just stared up at Drew in shock before a familiar voice called out her name.

There was Maureen and Maxi had never been so relieved to see her. “Maureen! Thank God, I’m so confused!” she rushed forward and dropped her bags before throwing her arms around her sister’s shoulders. Maureen would tell her the truth! She wouldn’t let this cruel game go on any longer! When Maxi pulled back, she took her sister’s hands in her own and smiled wide. “What’s this about you and Drew being married? And with a house! Is he trying to play some trick on me?” Apparently, he wasn’t. Now it was Maureen’s turn to look concerned and Maxi swallowed hard. There was panic rising in her throat and she looked between Drew and Maureen with big, anxious eyes. “What’s going on?” “Mum, come lookit them! They’re soooo cute!” The British girl’s voice called her attention back to the strange girl and her big eyes only grew bigger. She had a daughter…she had a daughter and she couldn’t even remember her…what kind of person was she? Ruby’s face was suddenly flooded with concern and Maxi’s eyes were filling with tears. What the hell was happening to her?

“Tristan, Lottie, take Ruby upstairs and look after the twins for a few minutes, okay?” The dark-haired boy and blonde girl nodded, but Ruby was reluctant to follow them. All Maxi could do was watch them walk away, trying desperately to remember the girl who was supposed to be her daughter. Drew and Maureen got her into a chair and Maxi brushed an upset tear away before looking into her sister’s face. “What’s going on, Maureen? I was about to make dinner for August and I when I ate a chocolate and…well, I must have passed out. I woke up and I was in a cab with a girl I’ve never seen before and she calls me Mum and…Jesus, you two weren’t married when I went to sleep! You’ve only been dating a few months! And now you live in this house and…” A light suddenly clicked on and she gasped, looking at her sister with big eyes. “Oh my God! Tristan and Lottie…they’re your kids! And Ruby said something about twins…did you guys have twins?! How many kids do you two have? And is Ruby mine?” She could feel more panicked tears welling in her eyes and she reached up to place her hands on her cheeks, shaking her head gently. “What’s happening to me?”

[MAUREEN ABERDEEN]

“What’s going on, Maureen? I was about to make dinner for August and I when I ate a chocolate and…well, I must have passed out. I woke up and I was in a cab with a girl I’ve never seen before and she calls me Mum and…" Maureen bit her lower lip, looking concerned as her eyes met her husbands. This wasn't normal Maxi. Not at all, and the look in Drew's eyes confirmed he felt the exact same way. "Jesus, you two weren’t married when I went to sleep! You’ve only been dating a few months! And now you live in this house and…” Maxi suddenly gasped and Maureen felt anxious all over again. “Oh my God! Tristan and Lottie…they’re your kids! And Ruby said something about twins…did you guys have twins?! How many kids do you two have? And is Ruby mine?” Maxi was panicking now, her wide sapphire eyes filling with tears. “What’s happening to me?”

Maureen had to think fast, and if she knew her children well enough, she knew they were eavesdropping with their cousin. "Drew will you take the kids out for some ice cream, maybe? I bet Ruby's hungry after that long trip." With deeply concerned eyes Drew nodded, looking between the girls. He wanted to stay, but he knew the kids shouldn't be around for this, especially Ruby, and Maureen would fill him in with all the gory details later. The man got up and planted a kiss on top of his wife's head, and then did the same to her younger sister before going up to get the kids. The sound of scuttling feet told her she knew the children far too well, and she hoped Ruby would be okay. If anything she felt bad for putting Drew in that position knowing he would be asked a million questions by the old three while having to deal with two crying infants. Luckily, the twins were both pretty good, and Tristan was a decent caregiver. "Let's go sit outside." She insisted, taking her sisters hand and leading her outside as she heard more footsteps from above.

Once outside and sitting under the awning, Maureen gave her sister a hard look. "Okay you're going to need to start over, because you're not making sense. And you've freaked Ruby out, and frankly.. all of us." She took her sisters hand, holding it tight in hers as concern flooded her face. "Do you want me call Charlie? Mom and dad are coming at four thirty, but if you want I can ask them to come sooner." She reached up and touched Maxi's clammy skin. "Maybe you're just a little jet lagged? You sounded fine when you arrive at the airport, but maybe the cab ride did something?" She didn't know what else to suggest, but it didn't matter; Maxi was terrified out of her mind and she had no idea how to help her.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

“Drew will you take the kids out for some ice cream, maybe? I bet Ruby’s hungry after that long trip.” It was obvious from the way Drew looked between Maxi and Maureen that he wanted to stay, but instead he nodded. He got up and kissed Maureen on the head before doing the same to Maxi, a gesture the redhead wasn’t expecting. She’d worried him too…Then there was the soft scuffling of feet. Oh Jesus…the kids had heard her. Looking around, she made eye contact with Ruby and only wanted to cry more. The poor thing had just heard her own mother say she didn’t know her. Of course it was true, but she didn’t want Ruby to be hurt in all of this. Maxi didn’t know her, but she knew the girl was her daughter—she never wanted to hurt her child. She watched with big teary eyes before Maureen took her hand and started to pull her away. “Let’s go sit outside.” Maxi nodded, giving her sister her full attention again as they moved toward a backdoor.

Outside there was an awning throwing shade over a set of chairs and Maxi reluctantly took a seat across from her sister. Maureen in turn gave her the hardest look she could remember getting from her since they’d been reunited. “Okay, you’re going to need to start over, because you’re not making sense. And you’ve freaked Ruby out, and frankly…all of us.” Tears were already leaking onto her cheeks before Maureen grabbed her hand again firmly. Didn’t she know Maxi had no answers for her? “Do you want me to call Charlie? Mom and Dad are coming at four thirty, but if you want I can ask them to come sooner.” Maxi didn’t think her eyes could get any wider until Maureen mentioned their parents coming. Their parents? That was impossible…The hand on her cheek did little to steady her. “Maybe you’re just a little jet lagged? You sounded fine when you arrived at the airport, but maybe the cab ride did something?” Jet lagged? “Why would I be jet lagged? I live in Scriptor Bay…isn’t that where we are?” Yes, that was where they were, but apparently Maxi didn’t live there. She’d lived there her whole life! How could she be flying in from anywhere else?

Wait…Ruby had a British accent…Maxi shook her head. “Do I live in the UK?” Maureen confirmed it though she sounded so uncertain of her sister’s confusion. When had she moved to the UK? When did all of this happen? “And you can’t mean our mom and dad are coming…right? I mean, they died when I was eighteen. I know you’ve had some memory issues, but we both knew that. What?” Nope, they didn’t both know that. And apparently it was Maxi with the memory issues. But that would mean her parents were alive…alive after all of this time…it couldn’t be true. She wouldn’t believe it until she saw them. “Can…can you ask them to come earlier? I just…I can’t believe they’re alive. It can’t be them.” Maureen looked like she was about to go get the phone, but Maxi reached out her hand instead, stopping Maureen. “And you mentioned a Charlie…who’s Charlie?” The only Charlie Maxi knew was Charlie Miller. Once upon a time when she was much younger, she’d had a crush on Charlie Miller. He’d gone away to England, though and nothing ever came of her affection for him. She’d long since forgotten her feelings for him. The last time she’d seen him she had been visiting with Jamie while she was studying abroad in Ireland. He’d been as handsome as ever but their reunion was brief and Maxi went back to Ireland the next day with Jamie in tow. That couldn’t be the Charlie Maureen was talking about. And where was August?

[MAUREEN ABERDEEN]

“Why would I be jet lagged? I live in Scriptor Bay…isn’t that where we are?” Maureen opened her mouth and then shut it again, her brows furrowing as her large lips pouted a little. Maxi hadn't lived in Scriptor Bay in years.. “Do I live in the UK?” Her lips pursed as the worried look continued to grace her face at the way her sister asked that, as if she was startled by this. "You have for years." She told her softly. Maureen was trying to be strong for her sisters sake, but she was growing more and more concerned by the second. What was wrong with Maxi? What happened that she had no idea what was going on? “And you can’t mean our mom and dad are coming…right? I mean, they died when I was eighteen." Maureen gasped softly at her words. What on earth was Maxi talking about!? "I know you’ve had some memory issues, but we both knew that. What?” Maureen slowly shook her head, tears filling her eyes. Why was Maxi doing this? What was going on with her? "I have no idea what you're talking about." She admitted, covering her mouth as her strength started to dwindle. She needed to keep it together, though! For her sister!

Maxi seemed more and more confused, so certain of the strange things she was spouting “Can…can you ask them to come earlier? I just…I can’t believe they’re alive. It can’t be them.” Why not? Why did she think they had died? Maureen was glad for the excuse to get up, though. She suddenly needed her mom just as much as Maxi clearly did, but before she could get up her sister grabbed her arm, keeping her from leaving just yet. Sapphire eyes met sapphire eyes as the sisters gazed at one another, both confused and worried. “And you mentioned a Charlie…who’s Charlie?” Her frown was a sad one, her shoulders slumping. She didn't know Charlie either? "Maxi, he's your husband." She was clearly surprised by the news and Maureen took the opportunity to get up, her hand slipping from her sisters. "Just stay put, I'm going to call mom. I'll be right back, okay? Don't move." She begged, moving back into the house.

Drew had already left with the children and she wondered how he was handling the situation. She grabbed her house phone and dialed her moms cell, begging her to come early, explaining something was wrong with Maxi. She didn't give details other than to just hurry. Luckily they didn't live very far away. Afterwards she grabbed her cell and shot Charlie a quick message that Maxi and Ruby had arrived safely, but Maxi was having some memory issues and to call her as soon as possible. She knew the man was probably in bed, but he would know to call the second he woke.

Once the calls were made Maureen filled a couple of glasses with ice and lemonade and brought them out back for the two of them to drink. She took a seat next to her sister, turning her body to face hers. "Have you taken any medications lately?" She asked, trying to sound even toned now, afraid of her voice cracking. "Is there something I should know, Max?"

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

“Maxi, he’s your husband.” Say what? Her husband? Maxi didn’t have a husband! If she wanted anyone to be her husband, it would be August! Why wasn’t he here? Her big sapphire eyes were wide as saucers as she looked up at her sister, watching her move from sitting. “Just stay put, I’m going to call mom. I’ll be right back, okay? Don’t move.” No! Why was she leaving? Who the hell was this Charlie? There were so many questions she wanted to ask. “But—!” she stumbled, but Maureen moved too fast to the door inside. She was calling their mother and Maxi was married…with a daughter…and apparently Maureen was married to Drew and had four kids. It was too much to take in and she slumped back in her chair, her ample eyes filling with tears of utter confusion. What was happening? Why was this place so different than the world she knew? If this was a dream, it was far too vivid and she couldn’t wait for August to wake her up. As she slid down in her chair, there was an odd scraping noise and she finally reached into her back pocket. There was a thin folio there, like a little book…actually there were two! She pulled them out and produced two United Kingdom passports. Upon opening one, she saw it was Ruby’s passport. Ruby Margot Miller…she also noted the girl’s age. She was a preteen! And then she looked at her passport. How old was she supposed to be? The same age…and her last name was Miller too. Maxine Erin McManus Miller…wait. Her last name was Miller? So her husband was…Charlie Miller. Charlie Miller?! Charlie Miller was her husband?! Maxi was suddenly sitting on the edge of her seat and leaned over, staring in shock at the passports in her hand. No way! This couldn’t be possible! Nothing had ever come of her crush on Charlie!

When she heard footsteps she suddenly sat upright again and whipped around to find Maureen with two glasses of lemonade. That was exactly what their mom always did when company came over in the spring and summer—she brought them lemonade. If Maureen had memory issues, she wouldn’t remember that little detail. Could her parents really still be alive and in Scriptor Bay? Maxi took her glass and took a refreshing sip, needing it to try and calm her nerves as Maureen took a seat beside her. “Have you taken any medications lately? Is there something I should know, Max?” She looked up at her sister with surprise and then shook her head. “No, nothing. I haven’t even had allergies lately…I just…I don’t know what’s happening. This isn’t the life I was living when I passed out. At least…I don’t think it was.” Or was her life with August the dream? Her parents dying, Maureen coming back from the dead, Rebecca and all of her other friends…and August. He couldn’t have been a dream. No way. Her love for him was real and she needed to get back to him before he started to worry. What if he was desperately trying to wake her up right now? Her eyes came to her sister’s.

“So…I’m married to Charlie Miller? Jamie’s brother?” She lifted the passports to show how she’d come to that conclusion. “How the hell did that happen? I had a crush on him when we were teenagers, but nothing came of that…And where’s August?” She needed to know what happened to him, where he was. If she could just get back to him, maybe this would be okay…

[CUPCAKE]

[I"No, nothing. I haven't even had allergies lately...I just...I don't know what's happening.[/i]" she was glad that Maxi hadn't taken drugs or anything, and she knew her sister wouldn't drink in front of Ruby. "This isn't the life I was living when I passed out. At least...I don't think it was." Maureen was lost for words. What could she say? What was there to say? She couldn't think. Not even an hour ago her sister told her she landed and couldn't wait to see her and now she had no recollection of anything! Al she could do was look into her sisters eyes, her own welledwith frightened tears.
"So...I'm married to Charlie Miller? Jamie's brother?" slowly Maureen nodded, biting her bottom lip. "For nearly 17 years." She said in a soft voice, still unable to believe this conversation was happening. "How the hell did that happen? I had a crush on him when we were teenagers, but nothing came of that...And where's August?". Maureen opened her mouth and then shut it, pursind her lips. Sloly she shook her head. "I don't know who August is." She said cautiously. "But when we went to England back in '93 we stayed with Charlie and Jamie. He.. he admitted he'd liked you when we were younger and you did the same. You dn't remember that?" She asked hesitantly, knowing the answer. How could she forget? "Charlie moved back to the states the next year and.. he asked you out. You said yes. Then he got that job offer in London and you decided to go with him."

The front door of the house opened and Maureen looked up, relieved to see her mother face, then her fathers a moment later. She sighed and waved her arm at her parents. "Mom and dad will tell you." The sliding door opened and a very familiar ghosts face came into view. "What's wrong, baby?" asked her mothr as she came to sit beside her youngest child, the look on the young girls face. Showing how afraid she really was.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maureen looked at a loss for words as Maxi asked about August. Her sister shook her head slowly and Maxi could feel her heart hammering. “I don’t know who August is.” She wanted to cry. August wasn’t here. He wasn’t in her life here. The only man she’d ever really loved didn’t exist for her in this life. She immediately wished desperately that she would wake up and find August standing over her. How could that chance meeting in the liquor store have never happened? “But when we went to England back in ’93 we stayed with Charlie and Jamie. He…he admitted he liked you when we were younger and you did the same. You don’t remember that?” Maxi’s eyes were glistening as she shook her head slowly from side to side. At least it was Charlie she was married to and not some random stranger, but...he wasn’t August. “Charlie moved back to the States the next year and…he asked you out. You said yes. Then he got that job offer in London and you decided to go with him.” Her eyes fell as she zoned out, trying to remember any of this. How could she remember it when it wasn’t even her reality? This wasn’t possible! Living in London, marrying Charlie, having a nearly teenage daughter…But there was one more impossibility walking through the door of the house.

Maxi heard the door open, but she assumed Drew was home. She was too out of it to even think that Ruby might be with him or even that Maureen had called their parents. Maureen sighed, though, and Maxi looked up, seeing her waving her arm. “Mom and Dad will tell you.” The sigh of the sliding glass door opening and the mention of her parents made Maxi spin around at breakneck speed. Her big eyes grew even wider. It was them. It was really them. Like two ghosts, her parents emerged on the patio, older than last she saw them. They both had graying hair, especially her father, and their faces were slightly wrinkled, but it was definitely them. Tears immediately welled in her eyes and blurred her vision as she watched them approach. Twenty-five years…she’d been twenty-five years without them. “What’s wrong, baby?” Her mother perched her curvy figure next to her, her voice the same soothing coo it had always been. It had been so very long since she’d heard that voice. Her tears were choking her and she sucked in a sharp breath as she looked up to her father. He came and kneeled in front of her, his brow furrowed with worry. “Why are you crying, Maxi Monster?” She sobbed at the nickname she hadn’t heard in what felt like eternity. Her trembling hands reached out and touched her father’s face. His curly hair, his dimpled chin, his smooth, warm cheeks…he smiled curiously at her. “What, Honey?” She shook her head and then turned to her mother and did the same, touching her red locks falling in soft waves to her shoulders, faded with silver. Then she touched her mother’s smooth, pale cheeks. Unlike Sean, Margot looked worried at her affectionate touches.

“Maxi, come on, what’s wrong?” And Maxi lost it, the tears unstoppable as she shook her head and sobbed again. “You were dead! You two died twenty-five years ago! You went out on the boat and you never came back!” Sean and Margot looked between each other with frowns before looking to Maureen. Now they all thought she was crazy. Maybe she was… “I swear! I haven’t seen you in twenty-five years!” She sobbed harder, gripping her mother’s arms for support. Margot held onto her daughter’s arms, touching her cheek now gently. “Shhh, shhh…It was just a dream, Maxi. It was just a terrible, awful dream.” Was it? She’d lost August…but her parents were there before, flesh and blood and healthy. “I missed you, Mom.” Her tears were pouring down her cheeks as her mother smiled that warm, beautiful smile, her eyes glistening in return. “I missed you too, baby.” With that Maxi threw herself into her mother’s warm arms and cried like a baby. She couldn’t stop as she relished in the embrace she never, ever thought she would feel again. First she got her sister back, and now her parents. Her mother hand her hand over Maxi’s hair, just as she used to do, and rocked her gently from side to side. Maxi wailed softly in return, clinging desperately to her mother. When she’d calmed some, her face rested against Margot’s shoulder, she opened her pink, swollen eyes to her father. Even he had misty eyes as he smiled at his wife and daughter hugging. They couldn’t possibly understand how she felt, though. They had been ripped away from her and part of her heart went with them. Her heart felt like it was mending…but at the cost of another large piece being ripped off. Why couldn’t she have August and her parents? She disentangled herself from her mom and threw her arms around her father’s shoulders, squeezing so tightly. “Daddy!” she cried. He smelled just as she always remembered—like pine needles and peppermint. A soft chuckle came from him as he ran his hands up and down her back a little roughly. “I missed you so, so much!” Again she was sobbing and clinging and he just patted her hair softly. “I missed you too, Pumpkin.” She never wanted to let go. Not for all the world. Alas, after several minutes of moving between hugging her dad and hugging her mom, she finally calmed down enough to really look at them. It was a miracle. An absolute miracle. “How is this possible?” she said softly, looking between her parents. It was very much how she’d reacted when she had reunited with Maureen. This time, though, she was the one who couldn’t remember. It was all so much to process.

[CUPCAKE]

Margot watched her daughter cling to her father, her eyes glistening with tears, not because she was touched by her daughters sentiments, because she was, but because this was not okay. She missed Maxi, it had been nearly a year since she'd seen her last, but what Maxi was saying wasn't right. They died twenty five years ago? Last she checked she was alive and well, and had spoken with her daughter yesterday wishing her a good flight. To say she was worried was an understatement, but when her youngest pulled away from her father, who seemed worried, but maybe not as much as her mother, she smiled and embraced the girl again. Her body trembled as though she were freezing, but the skin felt warm and clammy. Maureen had mentioned Maxi didn't even seem to recognize Ruby, or have recollection of her ether. What had happened between the airport and Maureen's house?

Finally Maxi calmed enough to look at them both, her eyes stained red, her cheeks damp and pink with her tears. “How is this possible?” she asked softly and Margot looked to Sean who simply looked back. She was lost for words, just as her daughter had claimed to be. What could she say? "I don't know." She finally said, feeling very unsure about this. She recognized her sister at least, and Drew, but them having a home and children was a foreign idea. Had she somehow regressed to an earlier time? That didn't explain why her parents would be dead for a quarter century, though.

Maxi suddenly flinched, grabbing her head as a sharp pain stabbed her brain, like electricity. The pain only lasted a moment, but she suddenly remembered something new, something vivid..

Maxi coughed, her throat sore and her head warm. Her thin body was laid out in bed, though it wasn't her bed, not the one at her house, anyway. She and Maureen shared this bed whenever they went to grandma's for the night. Maureen had her own bed, but the girls always decided to sleep together there, it was far more fun and easier to giggle themselves to sleep that way, but there was no Maureen. Maureen didn't have pneumonia, Maxi did. She understood why her family went on the trip without her, she couldn't blame them, but it didn't make her any happier to be stuck behind, alone. Sure she had grandma, who was great, but the fishing trip was something she'd looked forward to. The door suddenly creaked open and Maxi looked over curiously, not seeing anything at first but then a pair of large blue eyes peaked in,a mischievous grin following it. "What're you doing here?" She croaked at her sister who giggled and darted into the room, wriggling her way into bed with her little sister. Though they were three years apart, they looked about the same age due to their Blurr heritage. "Did you think I could leave without you?" Wasn't that the plan? "Yes!" "Alright, alright.. we were, but then daddy heard a weather report when we stopped for gas and they predicted a big storm. We all decided that maybe it would be better if we canceled the fishing part of the trip and hung out at home with your stinky face." She teased playfully, nuzzling close to her fever ridden sister, already feeling sweaty from the radiating heat of the younger girl. "Really? But the boat rental.." "Daddy's on the phone with the guy now seeing if he could maybe switch the weekend or get some of his money back. It didn't feel right without you." Maureen reached up and tucked a red hair behind her sister's ear. "So I guess I won't catch that big trout for you after all. Not this weekend, anyway." Maxi threw her arms around her sister, feeling better already. "I don't care, I'm glad you're here." Maureen grinned and slung her hand over her sister. "Me too." She whispered back.

"Maxi?" Maureen asked softly, worry in her small voice as she watched her little sister. Her eyes glazed over for a moment, but she was looking at them once more. "Maybe she should lay down for a while." Sean insisted and Maureen nodded. "You can lay in our bed, it's quiet in there without the twins. Well, the house is quiet without the twins. And the other two.." "Come on, Maxi Monster.. I'll help you up."

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

“I don’t know.” Even though she knew her mother had no idea what she was talking about, Maxi was comforted a little by the softness of Margot’s voice. She could listen to her mother talk for hours about anything and everything just to relish the fact that she could hear her voice again. Sean too. She could listen to her father all day too. Just as she was thinking this, though, a sudden flash of pain erupted behind her eyes. Squeezing her eyes shut and sucking in a sharp breath, she grabbed her head and could feel the sudden intense pain recede. In its wake was left a memory, but not one she’d had moments before. Maxi could remember the weekend her family disappeared like it was yesterday. Every moment she had spent alone sick in bed that weekend would forever be etched into her brain. Yet this memory…it contradicted everything she knew to be true. Maureen had come into her room and insisted they could reschedule the trip. Mom and Dad didn’t want to go on the trip without Maxi either, so all of them had turned around after gassing up and come to get her from Grandma and Grandpa’s. They knew about the storm and that decided them on coming back to her. They didn’t go out on the boat that weekend…the storm had raged on the rolling sea, but it hadn’t taken Sean and Margot McManus with it, nor had it stolen Maureen McManus’s memory. How could she have that memory? They died! That never happened! But then why did she remember it now? How could she deny the truth when her mother and father were right there in front of her? She looked between them now, lost and confused and her big, deep blue eyes filled with fresh tears. Was she really going crazy? How could she think her family was dead? And for so long, too…

“Maxi?”[/b] Maureen’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts and she looked at her sister with wide, scared eyes. All this time Maureen had been just within calling distance. She must remember everything. It was a comfort to know that she and Drew had still found their way to each other…but how was that comforting? Maybe she had just interjected them not together into her addled memory, only to have them come together in a different way. “Maybe she should lay down for a while.” Now her father’s calming voice broke through and Maxi gave him a curious look. But she didn’t want to lie down…lying down was what got her in this mess! “You can lay in our bed, it’s quiet there without the twins. Well, the house is quiet without the twins. And the other two…” “Come on, Maxi Monster…I’ll help you up.”[/b] Though she accepted her father’s help getting to her feet, she looked between all of her family and shook her head. “No, I…I don’t want to go back to sleep, yet.” Her family gave her wary looks and she looked around, trying to figure out how to keep them from forcing her into a bed. “Please, I don’t want it to get worse if I lie down again. Maybe if I stay alert and try to calm down, I’ll be able to remember everything.” She gave a slightly hopeful smile, but she really was afraid that if she went to sleep again, everything would change. What if she went to sleep and went back to the memories she was now questioning? Yes, August would be there and life would be normal again…but her parents would be gone. She just wanted a little while longer to be with them, to know what it was like to have them in her life again. No words could describe how much she had missed them.

“I know I’m scaring you all, and I’m so sorry for that, but I’m not ready to rest. Maybe if you fill me in I’ll be able to remember.” Did they all have to look so hesitant? She was the one who had suddenly lost her marbles! Scared and confused and without a clue besides that out of place, life-altering memory, Maxi was determined to get a handle on this situation. Falling back to sleep wasn’t going to help that…well, maybe it would, but she was too worked up now to try that again. “Tell me about Ruby. I know how old she is from her passport and her name, but I don’t know anything besides that. I feel awful for scaring her and I want to be able to comfort her by remembering something about the poor thing. Please…I don’t want my daughter to be more frightened than she has to be.” It was still hard to process she had a daughter, but there was no denying who Ruby was with how much the girl looked like her. As a mother, she needed to do what she could to protect Ruby from the mess that was her brain at the moment.

[CUPCAKE]

Maureen watched her father pull Maxine up, but she was resisting even as her body raised from its resting spot. “No, I…I don’t want to go back to sleep, yet.” Maureen bit her bottom lip and looked at her parents. Maybe they could talk sense into her sister? She wasn't right. She was sick and she should really rest or.. Maureen didn't know. See a doctor? She didn't have insurance here. The hospital perhaps? Even then it would cost an arm and a leg and what would Ruby think? First her mother doesn't recognize her and then she'd in the hospital? No, they needed to get Maxi sorted out and fast.

Maxi was pleading with them all to not make her sleep, the one thing she feared would make this horrible situation worse. “I know I’m scaring you all, and I’m so sorry for that, but I’m not ready to rest. Maybe if you fill me in I’ll be able to remember.” Fill her in on what? The last twenty five years? Maureen shifted uneasily, and one look at her parents and she could tell they were unsure about what to do as well. “Tell me about Ruby. I know how old she is from her passport and her name, but I don’t know anything besides that. I feel awful for scaring her and I want to be able to comfort her by remembering something about the poor thing. Please…I don’t want my daughter to be more frightened than she has to be.” Margot and Sean looked at each other and finally nodded. "Alright, but let's go in where it's a little cooler." They insisted.

Once everyone was settled inside they all took turns talking about Maxine's life, and though they weren't completely comfortable with everything, they did what the girl needed. How she'd reconnected with Charlie on holiday and how he had come back to the states in order to be closer. How she moved to the UK when he got a job offer. How she had tried to get a teaching position there but it had been nearly impossible considering her lack of residency in the country, and how she ended up getting a job as a waitress in a cafe working under the table. The story went on about her getting pregnant with Ruby and having the girl, becoming a stay at home mom to raise her daughter with Charlie. How she seemed happy for the most part, but homesick. She usually came in for an extended visit in the summers and around the holidays when she could, always scheduling the trips around Ruby's time off from school, even though she was home schooled. Maureen had settled and had children as well so it was easy for her to come visit her sister who stayed at home educating her children as well. Charlie usually didn't come for the whole trip, usually opting to fly out for the last week or so to visit family and then flying back with his family.

Maureen's phone rang as Maxi started asking questions and she excused herself to talk to Drew who was on the other line. He asked what was going on and she did her best to explain, though there wasn't really an explanation for what was happening. She asked how Ruby was, and he said a little distant and nervous, but in a decent mood otherwise. Being around her cousins was definitely a good thing for her, but she was asking about Maxi and she wanted to see her. Maureen bit her lip unsure if it was a good time to bring the girl back or not, but how long could they really put off the inevitable? "Alright, why don't you guys come on back, I'm going to go ahead and call for pizza now." She told her husband before hanging up. Maureen made her way back to the living room where her sister and parents sat. "I'm going to call for the pizza. Drew and the kids are on their way back now." Her eyes met Maxi's nervously. "Is that okay? Should I tell him to keep her out longer?"

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi could see the look her parents exchanged, one she hadn’t seen in so, so long. They had always been able to communicate with each other without saying a word. “Alright, but let’s go in where it’s a little cooler.” She was glad they agreed and Maxi made her way into the house, followed by her family. Finally someone filled her in on everything she didn’t know…or had forgotten. How she reconnected with Charlie, how they had moved to the UK because Charlie got a job offer in London, her lack of residency there and what she was able to manage until she could get it and then how she’d given up work to raise her daughter and educate her at home, how she was happy but homesick—all of this came to light as her family filled her in on her life. Of course she would be homesick. Scriptor Bay was her home, not London, even if that was where Charlie was. It made her sad to know that she only got to see her family over holidays, particularly the summer. And didn’t she miss her husband when he only came for the last couple weeks of the trip? It was still hard to picture herself being married to Charlie Miller, but that wasn’t to say she didn’t love him. Her memory had just been filled with thoughts of August and not Charlie and now she couldn’t differentiate between who was real and who was just a dream. Right now, she was leaning towards Charlie being real since August had never existed for her here…

“So when is Charlie supposed to be here? I know I just arrived today.” Maureen’s phone rang and she excused herself to answer it, leaving only her parents to answer her questions. Margot and Sean glanced at each other again and Margot reached out to take her hand. “Well, he wasn’t supposed to be here for another couple weeks, but I’m sure he’ll come sooner if you need him to.”[/i] Maxi considered it a moment, her stomach doing a back flip at the thought of seeing Charlie again. Would he kiss her? Of course, they were married. Would he…would he want to have relations with her? Again, she was his wife…it would make sense. She swallowed hard at just the thought of it, feeling like August would strangle her if he ever found out she slept with someone else. But he wasn’t here…how could she be loyal to a dream? Maxi shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know…Isn’t he busy with work?” Margot gave a small, weary smile and Sean let his own smile cross his lips. “You’re more important than any work he might have.” Maxi smiled too, but she was still hesitant about asking that her husband be there. Maureen had probably told him what was happening already and Maxi had to wonder if he would want to talk to her when he eventually heard the news. If he was in England, he was probably asleep right now. In a few hours, she might be getting a rather frantic call…probably would. And what would she tell him? That she wanted him there? Or that he should stay in London? He might still insist on coming, just to be sure she was okay. That’s what husbands did, right? It’s what August would do… “I have a feeling he would come whether I asked him to or not.” She gave a small smile before looking to her sister as she came back into the room.

“I’m going to call for the pizza. Drew and the kids are on their way back now. Is that okay? Should I tell him to keep her out longer?” Maxi could feel her heart beginning to beat faster, now knowing who Ruby was and still not able to remember her. At least she was now armed with some knowledge. Swallowing hard, she shook her head and forced a smile. “No, that’s okay. I want to see her. She’s my baby girl, after all.” Just saying the words made her feel warmer towards the girl and she couldn’t deny a certain excitement at meeting her daughter. What was she like? What were her favorite things? What did they do together? She hoped the girl didn’t hate her now…

[CUPCAKE]

The McManus family watched skeptically as Maxi forced a smile and nodded, assuring them all that she was okay to see her daughter. Maureen nodded and held her phone up before backing away. "I'm going to go call for the pizza. I'll be back in a moment." Margot sat and stroked her youngest daughters deep red hair, her troubled eyes meeting those of her husbands. They were both concerned about this very strange turn of events. "Tell us more about what you remember.." The older woman urged, trying desperately to understand what went wrong.

While Maxi told her parents about what had happened before she woke up, Maureen went ahead and put the order in for the pizza. When she hung up she went back to listen to Maxi speaking with their parents, folding her arms and leaning on the door frame. None of this sat well with her. Not remembering her life at all, especially her daughter or husband.. No. No she knew who Charlie was, she was just surprised that they were married. She wondered if she should pull out her pictures from the wedding, pictures of when Ruby was small.. Would it help her remember? She turned to head towards the office/playroom where she kept a box of photos, intending to pull them out for her sister to sort through, when her phone rang. She looked down to see it was her brother-in-law and quickly answered it. "Hey, Charlie.." "What's going on?" He asked immediately, a frantic worry in his voice. "I don't really know exac--" "You said she can't remember anything?" "Yeah, it's weird, like she remem--" "Why can't she remember? Where's Ruby? Did something happen?" Maureen knew she was going to have a hard time getting through to Charlie, who was obviously confused and upset. She loved the boy, they were practically brothers, but sometimes Charlie was a little much to digest. He was sweet, and he cared for her sister, but he was sometimes a bit rough around the edges and more than a little demanding. Sometimes she wished he would smoke like his brother if only to calm him down, not that she condoned Jamie's cannabis use.

"Calm down, Charlie." She urged, shutting the door behind her. She explained as best as she could what was going on, telling him about how Ruby was fine and they weren't sure what happened to Maxi. He was short with her, obviously worried, and wanted to talk to Maxi but Maureen was unsure how her sister would handle that conversation. In her fragile state she wasn't sure Maxi could really handle being interrogated by her husband. She heard the front door open and the patter of feet accompanied by the wailing of not one, but two infants. "Look, Don't worry for now.." "How can I not worry? Should I catch a red eye?" "I don't think that's necessary. Listen, Drew just got back with the kids. Pizza will be here any minute, why don't I let everyone settle a bit and have Maxi call you as soon as the kids settle down for a movie later. Alright?" There was a hesitant silence on the other end and then a short little, "Fine." He muttered, "But have her call me the second she can, alright? And I'm looking at flights." He warned and all Maureen could do was roll her eyes. "Alright. I promise she'll call soon. I'll catch you later." "Alright, bye." He was grumpy, she could tell. Maureen grabbed the box of photos and made her way out of the room just as the kids came bounding down the hall.

Ruby was the last of the children and she looked so unsure standing there. It made her heart melt and she went to the girl, wrapping her arms around her head of messy dark hair, cradling her face close. "Your moms going to be okay." She promised softly. "But she doesn't know me." Came the weak reply and Maureen knelt down, looking into the child's eyes. Though she looked so young, she still held the wisdom of a child of fourteen. "She does. We don't know what happened that made your mom forget, but deep down in her heart she knows who you are. She could never forget you." Ruby looked unsure of her aunts words, skeptical about what was being said and her eyes moved towards the living room. "She forgot a lot of things. Your dad too. We just need to help her remember, alright? Can you just be brave for a bit?" Ruby turned her sapphire eyes back to Maureen and gave a short nod. "That a girl.. Come on." She stood and took Ruby's hand and led her to the living room, passing Drew on the way who was holding a whimpering infant, the other nestled quietly in her mothers arms. She gave her husband a sad sort of smile, who returned it as Maxi came close to them. Would she remember the little girl now?

Maxi's eyes met the girls and immediately she felt a stab in her brain, like an electric current shooting through it, her eyes glazing over just a moment as she remembered something she hadn't before. “But I don’t want to go among mad people," Alice remarked. "Oh, you can’t help that," said the Cat: "we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad." "How do you know I’m mad?" said Alice. "You must be," said the Cat, or you wouldn’t have come here.” Maxine read and Ruby giggled. She was so small, her dark hair still thin and downy like a baby's, the sound of her laughter still high pitched and sweet. "Is she mad?" Ruby asked looking up at her mother, those deep blue sapphires penetrating those of Maxine's. "Alice?" Her voice was already tinged with the British accent native to those who lived around her, though it wasn't as strong as it was as an older girl. "Do you think so?" Ruby bit her lip and then shook her head. "I think she's having a frightful dream." She offered, her words sounding far too mature for such a tiny girl. She rested her head on her mother as they snuggled on a plush chair in the girls nursery. "Cat's don't talk." She added. "Are you sure?" Maxi asked and the girls eyes widened as she looked at her mother. "Can they?" She questioned and Maxi smiled and rolled her shoulders. "I suppose in our dreams they could, but no, not really." She shut the book, laughing softly. "Alright, off to bed." The girl shimmied down and made her way to her bed as Maxi followed, tucking her in. "We'll read more tomorrow, won't we?" Ruby asked hopefully and Maxi nodded, leaning down and pecking her forehead. "You bet. I love you little mouse." "I love you, too." Maxi left the bedroom and made her way to the kitchen where Charlie was managing the bills. She sighed and slid into her seat, looking her husband over and biting her lower lip. "I think Ruby should have a brother or sister." She said, knowing already it would start another fight, but she desperately wanted another, and she was sure the more time Charlie spent with Ruby, the more he would be inclined to agree. But clearly not yet. He sighed and shook his head. "I've told you how I feel about that. Please, I don't want to fight tonight." He said not even bothering to look up. "But one more isn't the same as five more." She insisted, which had always been his argument. Charlie didn't want Ruby to compete with her siblings the way he felt he needed to. "But as soon as you have one more the debate will begin all over, until we have a house full of kids. I know you, Max.. I know you want a houseful, and I told you from the beginning I don't." "But I'm not asking for a houseful!" "You agreed Ruby was enough!" His voice was growing harsh as was hers. "She is, but you're twisting my w--" "No, Maxine. You're pushing and pushing.. I want a small family. I don't want to spread my love thin between more than one. Ruby's our world, that's enough." There was a firm finality in his voice and Maxi felt the tears reach her eyes, angry and hurt at his inability to budge. She got up and stormed off, leaving Charlie frustrated to finish the already tedious task of bills.

She was suddenly back in her sisters living room, gazing at the tiny girl she'd tucked in, only she was so much older now. Ruby bit her lower lip. "Do you remember me yet, mum?" She asked nervously, her eyes confirming the fear she truly felt at being forgotten by the most important person in her life.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi watched as her sister retreated into the next room to order pizza, leaving her with the parents she still couldn’t really believe were alive. Had she really been wrong in thinking they were dead? That life seemed so real…Before she had a chance to contemplate this again, her mother asked her more about what she did remember. She explained how she’d eaten a piece of chocolate in her kitchen and woke up in a taxi next to Ruby. Of course she left out the detail that she’d bought the chocolate for her and her boyfriend to share. A married woman mentioning a boyfriend was never a good thing and she didn’t want her parents to think less of her. Damn, a married woman…She mentioned her brief memory of Maureen coming in to comfort her that weekend they were supposed to go out on the boat. Her parents could barely even remember that weekend. Strange how insignificant that weekend was in this reality when it had shaped the entirety of her other reality. But which one was really reality? There were so many questions and not nearly enough answers. It sounded like Maureen was still on the phone, which surprised Maxi since it had been several minutes already. Was she still ordering pizza? Her voice quieted and she looked back to her parents who were asking her if she actually ate a piece of chocolate in her home in London. “No, it was in my home in Scriptor Bay. I live in Trail Oaks…well, that’s how I remember it. I don’t know…maybe it was all just a really vivid dream and I really did eat the chocolate in London…I just can’t remember.” Her mother looked like she was about to cry and Maxi got to her feet, wanting to comfort her, but the sound of the door opening caught her attention. She straightened and swallowed hard, knowing what she would have to face.

The sound of infants whimpering was the first thing she heard following quickly by the bounding footsteps of Maureen’s older children. They quickly came into view, giving Maxi nervous smiles before looking at their grandparents. Her parents stood to greet them as Tristan and Lottie. They were beautiful! Tristan looked so much like his mother but with a dark mop of hair like his father, his sister crowned with very light brown hair that obviously used to be blonde. She looked very much like her father. Seeing Drew brought a more genuine smile to Maxi’s face, her heart still hammering in her chest. The little baby he held was squirming and Maxi felt the urge to scoop it up into her arms and cradle it until it calmed. So her maternal instinct was still there, even if her memory of her daughter wasn’t. But behind Drew, she saw Maureen walking with Ruby and Maxi forced herself to step toward the girl. They looked so alike…except Ruby’s hair was dark, like her father’s, and her face longer and leaner than Maxi’s. She was definitely a combination between her and Charlie. But the girl was looking down at her feet as mother and daughter inched toward each other. Finally their eyes met and Maxi immediately felt a pain filling her head.

She remembered again. This time she was reading Alice in Wonderland to her beautiful little girl. How she felt like Alice lost in a strange land now…Perhaps this was all a frightful dream too. Maxi called Ruby “little mouse” and her heart ached with warmth at seeing Ruby’s smile. All of the love she’d forgotten felt like it was crashing over her as she remembered that simple moment in time. It was followed by a less than pleasant memory about her husband. Charlie didn’t want any more children and Maxi just wanted one more. Just one. Why couldn’t Charlie give that to her? Charlie had always been so set in his ways, and it was no different in her memory of him. As soon as the memory calmed, Maxi found herself with her fingers pressed to her temple. Her big eyes came back to Ruby’s and she saw simply a bigger version of the girl she’d read to in her memory.

Ruby bit her lip as they gazed at each other and Maxi realized that must have been a habit of hers that the girl had adopted. “Do you remember me yet, mum?” Maxi’s eyes immediately filled with tears and a big, apologetic smile came to her mouth. Her hand came up to rest on Ruby’s cheek. “How could I ever forget my little mouse?” Ruby had obviously been terrified and her eyes filled with tears too as her mother pulled her into a tight hug. The girl’s head came to just under Maxi’s chin and Maxi took the opportunity to rest her cheek against Ruby’s dark hair. “I don’t remember everything yet, but I remember who you are, baby. Everything will be okay, I promise.” Her quiet words drew a soft nod from the girl she kept close. Ruby held onto her tightly, her little arms wrapped around Maxi’s waist, and Maxi smiled into her soft hair as her tears subsided. A sniffle from Ruby was enough to tell her the girl was crying, but she didn’t sob or make any other noise besides. Maxi ran her hand over Ruby’s hair, soothing the girl and when she looked up she could see her mother wiping tears from her eyes. Her father was smiling at them and Maxi gave him a smile in return. She was still utterly confused, but at least here she had a big, warm family surrounding her.

Finally she nudged Ruby back with a big smile and lovingly brushed the tears from Ruby’s cheeks with her thumbs. Ruby gave a smile and finished the job, letting Maxi do the same for her face before she looked back at everybody. “I’m remembering bits and pieces now.” Her eyes fell on her nephew and niece and she put her arms out to them. “Tristan, Lottie, come here and give me a hug.” They did so, Lottie grinning wide and bounding forward to hug Maxi while Tristan calmly came forward and gave big smile. Teenagers always had to keep up appearances. No, Maxi didn’t remember them yet, but she could at least make them feel like she did. The last thing she needed to do was panic everybody in the house as much as she was panicking internally. When Maxi turned to look at her sister and Drew, she saw the twin girls squirming in their parents’ arms. Maxi grinned wide and stepped forward. “And who are these two little beauties?” she asked, moving forward to stare at their squishy little faces. They were so adorable!

[CUPCAKE]

Ruby felt her heart beating a million miles a minute as her mother's hand slipped to her cheek. “How could I ever forget my little mouse?” It was a name her mother had used mostly when she was small, something only her mother could know, could remember, and she felt so much relief in that single statement. Her eyes welled with tears and she gripped her mother tightly when she was pulled into a hug. “I don’t remember everything yet, but I remember who you are, baby. Everything will be okay, I promise.” Ruby felt comfort in her mothers words and she nodded, wishing her cousins weren't there to witness the sentimental moment. It was hard not to feel shy about it all, despite how close she was to Tristan and Lottie. Her mother finally pulled away and she offered a teary smile at the woman as her hand came to wipe her tears away for her. Ruby looked at the group as her mom explained she was remembering bits and pieces, which was a good sign, but why had she forgotten? What had happened? Ruby wanted to know, as everyone else did, but how could her mom even know? It was a weird mystery, and she wished her daddy was there.

Ruby moved aside as her cousins took turns giving her mom a hug. She seemed to remember them, but there was definitely a little something off, especially when she came to the twins. Maureen and her mother explained which baby was which since it was still hard to tell. Tristan still got them confused even though Lottie could tell them apart in a blink. Ruby sat next to her mom on the couch, Sean on her other side as they fawned over the babies, while Maureen and her mother went to the kitchen to talk quietly among themselves. They needed to make a plan for Maxi, maybe see a specialist of some sort while she was down. Maureen told her mom how Charlie had offered to take a red eye in, and though Margot didn't want him to put out that kind of money, she knew this was sort of an emergency. They didn't know what was going on with Maxi, and he should really be there for her. They knew he probably already switched his time off at work, was getting chewed out by his boss, and was making travel preparations. That was just Charlie. He could be an ass. A huge ass, but they knew he loved Maxi and Ruby more than anything, even if he wasn't always the nicest to either.

"Maybe we should let him talk to her first." Maureen suggested to her mom softly in the kitchen. "Let him gauge the severity of the situation." Margot looked worried, her eyes on her youngest daughter. "We should, though we both know he can't handle it appropriately." The look on Maureen's face showed how much she knew her mothers words to be true. Charlie would push her, try to get to the bottom of it in a way none of the McManus' family would. They were willing to ease information from Maxi, get her help, coddle her. Charlie simply wouldn't have that sort of patience. "She's his wife now. We can't protect her from him." "I think protect is a harsh word." Maureen said softly, but she knew in a way it was the only word to use. "You know what I mean." The older woman's eyes came to her daughters and they offered each other troubled looks. "Maybe she needs that, though. Maybe once she sees Charlie everything will fall into place." Maureen suggested and her mother forced a smile and nodded. "Perhaps. It's worth a try. I just don't know what's happened to her. I wish we had some kind of clue.." Maureen nodded, watching her sister once more. "Me too. I've never seen her like this.. She's always been so sure of everything, never forgot a birthday even." The women fell silent for a moment and finally Maureen sighed. "Charlie will have a fit if I don't get her on the phone soon." Margot simply nodded, not knowing what else she could even say.

Maureen moved back into the living room, folding her arms and smiling down at the group. Lottie and Tristan were sitting on the couch beside Ruby, Drew on their other side. They were all chatting softly, the twins both quiet and and happy now that Drew had warmed them each a bottle. "Maxi?" Maureen said, trying to get her sisters attention without causing alarm. "Charlie hoped you might call him. Did you maybe want to do that before the pizza comes? He was talking about getting a flight out tonight. He could be here tomorrow.." She licked her lips, watching to see more recognition in her sisters eyes, or to see her dismiss it. Hoping she would say everything was fine. Not that she didn't want to see Charlie, she just didn't want him there under these strange circumstances.

---

Maureen had never been a huge fan of her sister's boyfriend, but she had to give the man some respect. Since he'd found Maxi passed out he hadn't left her side. He looked worn and ragged when she entered the hospital room, as though he hadn't slept all night, or in his case, all day. He wasn't great company, but he answered her questions as best, and patiently, as he could. She had to practically beg him to get a moment alone with her sister, and when she did she spoke softly in Maxi's ear, begging her not to leave her, begging her to come back and soon, that their time together had only just begun and she wasn't ready to end it yet. Maxi was the key to her past, and a part of her future. They were going to raise babies together and grow old together, and do all the things sister were supposed to do together. Things they'd been robbed of all these years. Silently she prayed and placed a small cross on the stand beside her bed where flowers already sat.

During the hour she visited, a nurse entered. She was a pleasant looking woman in her early forties with a kind smile. "Just going to collect another sample." She informed Maureen softly, pulling out her syringe. She took blood from Maxi's arm and then did an overall check on his vitals. The nurse wrote it all down in her chart and then gave the girls hand a gentle squeeze before leaving. Maureen stayed out of the way during it all and finished up her visit. She promised to come back later, planning to spend some time with Drew who had visited earlier that day, though August hadn't been kind enough to leave the room for him. Drew was a good enough man not to take it too personally, though Maureen knew he would have liked maybe more privacy. He understood, though. They both knew how much Maxi meant to him, even if he didn't say it often enough to her.

When she left August went back in, taking his seat silently at her side. Maureen didn't know what sweet words he uttered to her, if at all, but she hoped that Maxi could hear them. She slipped her arms around Drew's neck and sobbed, feeling his own thick arms encircle her, holding her close. At least she had Drew to keep her light of hope glowing.