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Third Person POV
At the Cooper household, morning light spilled gently through the kitchen window as Mary stood by the stove, a soft smile dancing on her lips.
Her hips swayed ever so slightly, as if moving to a tune only she could hear—one made of peace, routine, and a heart full of quiet joy.
The comforting aroma of bacon and eggs filled the air, wrapping the kitchen in warmth.
The soft sizzle of the pan and the rhythmic scrape of the spatula added to the simple symphony of a morning well begun—and nothing could wipe the contentment from Mary's face.
"Morning…" came a sleepy little voice from behind her.
Missy, freshly awake and clearly still half-dreaming, shuffled into the kitchen like a tiny zombie and promptly let her forehead thump onto the small coffee table.
"You're late…" Mary said, glancing over her shoulder—but her smile stayed firmly in place.
"Your brothers and your father are out for a morning jog. Too bad you didn't make the cut."
Her tone was light as whipped cream, but the sarcasm danced playfully in the air, just enough to make Missy groan into the table.
Nothing, absolutely nothing, was going to ruin Mary's perfect morning.
Why was Mary in such a good mood?
Well, for the past few days, she'd seen Sheldon and George Sr. joining Georgie on his morning jogs—which, in her book, was very good for their health.
And of course… their 'Nighttime Activities' had been going a bit longer than usual lately.
So really, who could blame her for waking up smiling?
"Why are they all doing this? Mornings are supposed to be sacred!" Missy groaned in her small, whiny voice.
Of course, she was jealous—Sheldon got to wake up whenever he wanted, and now he'd even added morning jogs with Georgie to his schedule.
"You could join them—if you want me to buy you a weaker alarm clock," Mary replied without even turning around, completely unfazed by Missy's childish complaints.
Missy snorted. "Please… we already have you—"
She was about to finish her sentence when Mary turned and gave her a look—the kind of look that erased any trace of Mary's earlier smile.
"Watch it, young lady. I'm in a good mood this morning," Mary said, pointing her spatula like a weapon of domestic authority.
Missy could only groan and drag herself toward the bathroom to splash water on her face.
"Take a shower while you're at it! Don't let your brothers smell you!"
"Ugh! I hate showers!"
Mary didn't respond. She just went back to cooking—with that same cheerful smile back on her face.
As she flipped the bacon and checked on the eggs, familiar footsteps echoed through the hallway, followed by voices.
"…I'm telling you, we're just specks of dust in this universe. I refuse to believe there's nothing else out there," Georgie said as he entered the kitchen, his voice carrying a touch of drama.
He flopped down at the small coffee table, Sheldon right behind him, wearing his usual smug expression—though slightly cracked by the weight of Georgie's words.
"Isn't it?" Georgie added with theatrical flair, as if delivering the final line of a movie trailer.
Sheldon snorted—a sharp, dismissive sound that made Mary whip her head toward him, her eyes narrowing.
"Shelly! Don't do that!" she snapped, her cheeks flushing red.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry," Sheldon replied, deadpan. "That was my snort of derision."
He turned back to Georgie, arms crossed.
"If there were someone—or something—out there, the scientific community would've proven it by now."
Georgie didn't seem offended by Sheldon's snort and keep smirking at him.
"Forget about them. They've been arguing since the beginning anyway."
A new voice chimed in—deep, calm, and familiar.
George Sr. had just stepped into the kitchen, and his words made Mary glance over her shoulder.
"Really? Why's that?" Mary asked, a hint of curiosity—and suspicion—in her tone.
George Sr. walked up behind her and, without being asked, casually placed his hand on her hip.
"I don't know about them, but i just wanted to check how you're doing in this beautiful morning," he said with a grin and a soft, playful voice.
"George… not in front of the children…" Mary murmured, clearly flustered, giggling like a teenage girl.
"Oh! You're sweating so much," she added after lightly touching his chest.
"Ew."
Georgie and Sheldon said in perfect unison.
George Sr. snorted. "Y'all already know what we're doing."
Of course, he was only half-joking—just enough to make Mary even happier than she already was.
Besides, Sheldon already knew the meaning of coitus...
And Georgie?
Well—he's a stud.
Missy appeared with a towel wrapped around her head, frowning at the scene in front of her.
"What did I miss?" she asked, suspicious.
Mary raised an eyebrow.
"Really? Did you actually wash yourself?"
Missy had only been in the bathroom for a few short minutes—her usual routine.
"You know what? Do whatever you want!" Mary sighed in defeat.
"Okay, Mom. So what did I miss?" Missy repeated, clearly unbothered, and walked over to Georgie. Without warning, she plopped down onto his lap.
"Hey, young lady, I'm sweating here," Georgie muttered, though he made no move to push her off.
"I don't care." Missy stuck out her tongue at him and stayed right where she was.
"We were discussing the existence of something that's never been scientifically proven," Sheldon chimed in as he picked at his breakfast, which Mary had just set in front of him.
He paused for dramatic effect.
"Aliens," he said flatly.
"Are they handsome?" Missy asked, turning to him with genuine curiosity.
"No," Sheldon said with a scowl. "You clearly weren't listening. I said the existence of something that has never been confirmed. That means we don't even know if they exist."
Missy thought for a moment, then shrugged.
"I don't know if I care."
Georgie chuckled, shaking his head. "Come on, Shelly. The absence of evidence is just that—absence of evidence. Doesn't mean something doesn't exist. Just means we haven't figured out how to look properly."
Before Sheldon could fire back, Georgie turned his attention to Missy.
"Has Veronica been staying over lately?"
Mary frowned, pausing with Georgie's plate in hand.
"Why are you asking her? I'm the mother of this house."
Missy ignored her mom's comment and looked at Georgie.
"I don't know... Last time she called, she had a fever," she said casually. "I didn't tell you because she asked me not to. She didn't want to bother you."
Everyone turned their eyes to Missy—well, except for Sheldon, who simply shrugged and continued eating.
"Melissa Cooper!" Mary gasped, staring at her daughter in disbelief.
George Sr. folded his arms and gave her a look too.
"That's not cool, Princess." Georgie said quietly.
He reached over and pinched her cheek—but this time, it wasn't teasing. It was gentle, but firm.
"Ow!" Missy yelped, pulling back. "But… but she told me not to! I wanted to tell you, really, but she made me promise. She didn't want anyone else getting sick because of her. Not Sheldon… not even you…"
Her voice trembled now. She blinked rapidly, trying to hold it in.
She could feel it—Georgie wasn't yelling, but the silence between them was loud. He wasn't mad. He was disappointed.
And somehow, that was worse.
"I'm sorry, Brother…" she whispered, eyes wide and shiny. Her voice was small. Honest.
She leaned into him a little, like she was trying to rewind time by just being close.
Georgie sighed and gave her a forgiving smile. He kissed the cheek he'd just pinched.
"It's okay. We'll go check on her before church, if that's alright with you, Mom?"
Mary had been watching them both—her children—and something in her expression shifted.
"Oh yeah," she replied gently, her voice warmer now.
"Just finish your breakfast, sweetheart. I'll make the potato salad for today's event."
"What about my breakfast?" George Sr. asked, confused.
Mary stopped and turned to him with a raised eyebrow.
"I agree with Georgie. You need to start dieting." She nodded toward his belly.
George Sr. pouted, walked over to Mary, and whispered in her ear,
"Come on... you know how much I moved my hips last night, right?"
Sheldon made a face like he'd just bitten into something sour.
He had the ears of a Vulcan—unfortunately.
And this time, it wasn't just Sheldon. Georgie and Missy heard it too.
George Sr. hadn't exactly whispered.
"Gross!" Missy groaned, covering her ears.
"That's so gross, Dad!" Sheldon and Georgie echoed.
Mary's face turned red as she lightly smacked George Sr.'s arm with the spatula.
"Just shut up and sit down!"
"Yes, ma'am," George Sr. said, grinning shamelessly as he winked at her.
"Ugh!" Mary groaned, shaking her head, but smiling anyway.
The kitchen fell back into its usual hum—muffled chatter, the sound of forks tapping plates, and laughter hanging in the Sunday morning air.
That was until the front door opened—without a single knock.
No one even flinched.
Only one person ever entered like that.
"What chaos is happening right now?" Connie called out, stepping in like she owned the place.
Right behind her stood Veronica, smiling gently—especially at Georgie.
"V!" Missy shouted, running up to her and hugging her tightly. "I missed you sooo much!"
"For someone who didn't tell Georgie his girlfriend was sick... yeah, I believe that." Mary said dryly, shooting Missy a glance.
Missy gave her a glare in return, but Mary ignored it and turned to Veronica with warmth in her voice.
"How are you, honey? Did you eat anything this morning?"
Veronica nodded and smiled sweetly.
"I'm fine. And yes, I had breakfast before I came," she said, pinching Missy's cheek playfully without looking at her.
"Why does everyone keep pinching me?!" Missy whined, pulling away.
Veronica just laughed and turned to Georgie, who had already gotten up and walked over.
"How are you?" he asked softly. "I'm sorry… I've been busy lately."
Veronica hugged him tightly.
"It's okay. I asked Missy not to tell you anything."
"See?!" Missy shouted in defense, her voice high.
Sheldon finally joined in. "Tam told me you were sick on the phone… before he apologized to me."
All eyes turned to him—especially Mary. She didn't say a word, just looked over at George Sr., who now stood with arms crossed, looking… not exactly angry.
"....."
George Sr. could feel Mary's eyes on him.
He avoided eye contact, shifting uncomfortably.
"Dad knows too," Sheldon added flatly.
"Miss McElroy told him. That's what Tam said."
George Sr. blinked, his mouth slightly open.
He glanced sideways at Mary, who was still staring at him.
"You two traitors!" Missy shouted dramatically, pointing at both Sheldon and George Sr.
"Wh—I didn't—" George Sr. tried to find a way out, but there was none.
He looked around the room—at Mary, Sheldon, Missy, Georgie… even Connie.
And just when the air began to tighten with awkward tension—
Laughter broke the silence.
"Hahaha…"
Veronica was laughing so hard, tears streamed down her cheeks.
Wiping them away with a bright smile, she leaned into Georgie's arm and whispered,
"I missed this… so much."
"Come on, sit with me." Georgie said gently, guiding her down to sit on his lap.
"That's my seat…" Missy's small voice cut in, clearly not thrilled.
But Veronica simply stuck out her tongue at her.
And since Georgie had invited her himself, she was safe—for now.
Missy gritted her teeth and took the seat beside Georgie instead, her eyes still narrowed.
Veronica wrapped her arms around Georgie's waist and leaned toward Missy, whispering with a teasing grin, "Perks of being recently sick."
Missy squinted right back at her.
"Enjoy it while you can…"
"Oh, I will," Veronica replied, mirroring Missy's tone and expression perfectly.
"You know we can all hear you two, right?" Georgie said, his mouth twitching, trying to suppress a laugh.
"We know," Veronica and Missy said in unison—neither breaking eye contact.
"Damn it," Connie muttered from her seat beside George Sr., arms crossed, "I miss all the drama right?!."
"Oh yeah," George Sr. smirked, eyes forward.
He just loved getting on Connie's nerves.
Connie scoffed and turned toward Mary.
"So, what're you bringing to the potluck?"
Of course, Connie had no intention of bringing anything herself—she'd just show up and eat, like always.
And she'd definitely be helping herself to Mary's food. It was always better than everyone else's.
"Just potato salad, Mom," Mary replied, not even glancing up as she pulled out her bowl of potatoes and got back to work.
Veronica, noticing Mary juggling everything on her own, stood up from Georgie's lap and walked over to her.
"What can I do, Mary?"
Mary stopped what she was doing and looked at her—eyes narrowing, lips pressing together.
Veronica immediately flushed under her stare.
She knew exactly what Mary wanted her to say.
"I'm embarrassed to say it…" Veronica mumbled, her voice cracking.
She looked at Georgie, who was clearly trying not to laugh with Missy had reclaimed her seat on his lap and was smirking straight at Veronica.
Trying to ignore her, Veronica turned back to Mary.
"…Mom," she said softly, cheeks glowing red, her eyes drifting toward the potatoes that still needed peeling.
Mary beamed. She turned to George Sr. and Connie, her smile stretching wide.
"Alright then! I could use the help. My actual daughter is no help at all—so I guess I'm lucky to have you instead."
She bumped Veronica playfully with her elbow.
"Hey!" Missy barked from Georgie's lap, pouting.