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*3rd Pov
The afternoon light poured softly into the room through half-closed curtains, casting a warm, golden hue across the bed.
Veronica stirred quietly on the bed, the cool linen brushing against her skin as she shifted. She still wore the same dress from earlier that day—a cream-colored floral print that swayed with each step she'd taken during the potluck, paired with a long knitted cardigan that now hung loosely around her shoulders.
Her white flats had been slipped off at the edge of the bed before she curled up beside Georgie.
Her eyes fluttered open slowly, adjusting to the mellow glow around her. Georgie lay beside her, deep in sleep—his chest bare, rising and falling in a steady rhythm. He had tugged off his shirt before they dozed off, complaining about the heat with a sleepy grin.
It wasn't that kind of nap, and they both knew it.
Veronica shifted a little, her arm sliding across the sheets until her fingers found his hair. It was tousled and soft, unruly in a way that made her heart ache a little. She ran her fingers through it gently, brushing the strands away from his forehead, letting her touch linger.
Georgie mumbled something unintelligible under his breath, eyelids twitching. She smiled, continuing her quiet exploration—fingertips trailing over his scalp, down toward the back of his neck.
His breathing hitched, just slightly. Then his eyes cracked open, still half-lidded with sleep, their soft brown gaze finding hers.
"Mm," he murmured, voice low and rough. "That's a nice way to wake up."
Veronica leaned in a little, still smiling. "I figured you wouldn't mind."
He shifted to his side, propping his head up with one arm, the sheet slipping slightly lower on his bare torso. "You're still dressed," he said with a mock pout, his eyes lazily scanning her dresses.
She laughed under her breath. "We were supposed to nap, remember? Not… undress."
Georgie chuckled, running a hand through his own hair now. "I got hot."
"You always do," she teased, brushing his cheek with the back of her fingers. "Even when you're sleeping."
He leaned in, brushing his nose against hers. "Especially when I'm sleeping next to you."
For a moment, it all felt perfect. Warm. Peaceful.
But if life had taught them anything, it was that even a small pebble could ruin a smooth road.
And that pebble just walked in.
"Ahem!"
Mary stood at the doorway, arms crossed, her brows raised higher than the church steeple they'd just come from. Sure, technically they weren't breaking any rules—the door was wide open, after all—but still...
Look at Georgie!
Shirtless!
With that abs-on-display confidence like he had nothing to hide!
And beside him? Veronica, curled up comfortably like she belonged there. Like they were already married and this was just another Sunday afternoon nap in their shared home.
The sound of Mary's voice struck like a match.
Veronica's whole body went still. She slowly turned her head toward the doorway, eyes wide, and met the piercing gaze of Mary Cooper—her expression unreadable, caught somewhere between concerned mother and moral police.
She didn't say a word—just quietly sat up and pulled her cardigan tighter around her, her eyes lowered to the floor like a student caught cheating on a test.
"I need to wake you two up," Mary said, her voice even, but unmistakably cold. Her gaze stayed locked on Georgie. "Veronica, help me make dinner."
Veronica nodded quickly and stood, still silent. She walked around the bed, her steps soft on the wooden floor.
"Go wash your face first," Mary added gently, placing a hand on Veronica's arm. Her voice softened for just a moment, like she couldn't help but show a bit of kindness to the girl.
"...Alright," Veronica replied quietly, offering a small, sheepish smile.
Mary returned the smile—but the moment her eyes returned to Georgie, that softness vanished.
Georgie raised both hands in surrender, still sitting on the bed. "What did I do?! Its really hot in here."
Mary didn't say anything. She just let out a long, deliberate huff, turned on her heels, and walked away.
Georgie exhaled deeply and stood, stretching a little. Nap time's over, he thought. He reached for his shirt, pulled it over his head, and stepped out of the room.
The hallway carried the familiar sound of a football game on TV. As Georgie walked past the living room, he spotted his dad slouched on the couch, remote in one hand, a notepad in the other—probably for tracking scores or bets only he understood.
"Yo," Georgie greeted casually.
George Sr. glanced up with a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. He didn't say anything right away—just raised his eyebrows like he knew exactly what had happened.
Georgie didn't bite. He just rolled his eyes and headed straight for the bathroom.
From behind him, he heard his dad's voice float down the hallway.
"Nap time's over, huh? Good thing you kept that door open…"
There was a pause, just enough to catch Mary walking into the kitchen with Veronica trailing behind her with red face.
Georgie's voice echoed from the bathroom, loud and indignant.
"I can't hear you!"
George Sr. chuckled to himself, shaking his head. He went back to his game, grinning like a man who just got his favorite kind of entertainment—free and right in his own home.
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3rd Person POV
"Thank You, God, for this food we're about to receive, for the nourishment of our bodies, and bless the hands that prepared it,"
Mary led the dinner prayer with her eyes closed, voice calm and practiced, while everyone around the table held hands in a quiet circle.
"Amen," they echoed in unison.
Plates clinked, forks rose, and dinner officially began—except for Mary and George Sr., who exchanged a quick glance across the table. Not subtle, not dramatic, just a silent exchange that didn't go unnoticed.
Georgie caught it. Of course, he did.
He grinned mid-bite and pointed a fork toward them. "Okay, wait—why are you two looking at each other like that? Oh my God... are we getting a new sibling?!"
Missy gasped so loud her chair creaked. Her eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.
"Am I gonna be a big sister?!"
"Congratulations!" Veronica added, genuinely beaming.
Sheldon, seated beside Georgie, gave a short nod and looked straight at Mary.
"I don't particularly enjoy infants, but if I must adapt to a younger sibling, I suppose I can handle it. Which room will he occupy?"
Georgie leaned toward Sheldon with a mock-serious tone, as if passing down family secrets.
"He or she, is taking my room. Veronica and I will move to the garage," he said, reaching for Veronica's hand with a smirk. "We'll decorate it into our own little love nest."
Veronica turned red instantly, but didn't pull her hand away.
Missy, completely ignoring Georgie's declaration, clapped her hands together and turned to Mary with pleading eyes.
"Can I decorate the baby's room? Please, Mom?! I already have a theme in mind—clouds and stars and glow-in-the-dark stuff!"
Mary stared at the entire table, jaw slightly slack, her spoon paused mid-air. She finally set it down and gave Georgie the sharpest glare she could muster.
"I am not pregnant!"
George Sr. chuckled and shook his head.
"Well, I'm glad y'all are so supportive… but that is not what your mother was gonna talk about."
Mary gave a nod toward George Sr., then looked at them one by one around the table.
"Nobody's moving."
She pointed at Sheldon.
"No love nests!"
She jabbed a finger at Georgie and Veronica.
"No one is getting pregnant!"
That one was aimed at Missy—but she threw a glance at Veronica too, just to make sure the message landed.
"Aww…" Missy groaned in disappointment.
Sheldon nodded seriously. "I'm not against you being pregnant again. With Georgie becoming a singer, we'll be rich in… maybe two or three years."
Georgie nodded, arms folded, playing along.
"Hmm… you're right. I'll be able to help the family—maybe pay the water and electricity bills or something."
George Sr. shook his head.
"Nope. As long as I'm still alive, I'm paying those bills."
Of course, George Sr. knew Georgie wasn't trying to insult him—just trying to step up—but pride is pride. As a father, as a husband, as the head of the house… he still wanted to hold that ground.
Georgie shrugged.
"I'm just saying. I'm still living under your roof. When I get the money, I'd like to contribute a little."
George Sr. gave a thoughtful nod.
"We'll talk about that later."
Georgie understood what that meant. Later probably meant a heavy conversation—about money, family, manhood, and respect. And he didn't want to hurt his father's pride. He just… wanted to help. That was all.
Mary watched the two of them—father and son—not with warmth, but disbelief.
"Am I seriously not getting a say in all this? It's my body everyone's talking about!"
Veronica giggled at the chaos unraveling around the dinner table.
"I like kids. Maybe I can help too."
"Or… maybe we can…" Georgie wiggled his eyebrows and squeezed Veronica's hand, clearly teasing.
"Shut up, Georgie!"
Mary snapped, pointing her knife at him like it was a courtroom objection.
"Geez, okay!" Georgie raised his hands. "So if you're not pregnant… why were you and Dad giving each other that look?"
Missy leaned forward, eyes curious.
"Yeah, or… wait—are we getting a new puppy?!"
"No dogs allowed!"
Sheldon snapped, glaring at Missy across the table.
But Missy was the alpha here, and Sheldon knew he wasn't going to win this one.
"I don't care! I'm gonna build a doghouse in our room!"
"No, no, if we get a dog, the doghouse stays outside," Georgie chimed in. "Otherwise, it'll be licking my face every morning."
Everyone turned to Georgie with confused expressions—Veronica included.
He just shrugged.
"Animals love me."
No one quite believed that. Especially not Sheldon, who was still deep in his anti-dog stance.
The conversation started spiraling into chaotic chatter—Missy talked about wanting a kitten, Sheldon launched into a mini-rant about germs, and Veronica quietly laughed at it all.
Mary threw a glance at George Sr., who looked like he was about to jump in and add his own ridiculous take.
"Enough!"
George Sr. finally snapped, dropping his fork with just enough force to make a point.
"Your mom has something to say. You better shut up or I'll cut your allowances."
That did the trick.
Instant silence.
All eyes turned to Mary.
"Thank you," she said softly, nodding toward George Sr. She then looked around the table, her expression gentle but firm.
"So, starting next Monday, I'll be working full-time at the church."
Missy leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "I'm not sure I care."
Mary shot her a look before shifting her eyes to Sheldon, who—of course—had a pressing question.
"Well… who's gonna take care of us?"
"Nothing's changing in the morning," Mary said, her tone calm but clear. "I'll still make breakfast and lunch, I'll still drive you both to school. After that, you'll come home, do your homework—"
She glanced at Missy. "—then you can watch TV or play until I'm back."
Sheldon frowned. He didn't love change, especially not this kind of change.
"Why not Memaw take care of us? Or Georgie?"
George Sr. snorted. "Because she's not the sweet old lady you think she is."
"George…" Mary sighed. She had asked Connie to help watch them, but she refused—again—not wanting her afternoon turned into babysitting duty.
Then she turned to Georgie. "What about you?"
Georgie folded his arms, closed his eyes for a moment, and let out a long sigh.
"I guess not. My schedule's really tight right now. I'm even trying to cut back on class hours or skipping it. I am sorry mom, I don't think I can do it."
Mary's smile faltered, just slightly. "Of course… well, I hope you'll all show a little responsibility. Sheldon? Missy?"
Veronica, who had stayed quiet until now, finally spoke.
"What about me?"
Her voice was soft, but her eyes betrayed the sting she felt at being overlooked.
Mary looked surprised, almost guilty.
"Oh—Veronica, honey, I didn't mean to leave you out. I just… I'm taking this job to help earn extra money."
Veronica blinked, then smiled—trying to mask her disappointment.
"I don't want money, Mom…"
The word 'Mom' still came awkwardly, but she pushed through.
"You've given me a place to sleep, food on the table—I want to help however I can."
Mary's expression softened into something truly warm, and she glanced at George Sr., who gave an approving nod.
"Really?" she asked gently.
"Yes. Besides, I want to be a teacher, remember?"
Before Mary could say anything more, Georgie raised a finger for a timeout.
He swallowed his bite of food, dabbed his mouth with a napkin, then leaned in with mock seriousness.
"My client won't take the job unless there's proper compensation."
Veronica started to speak, but Georgie shushed her.
"Ssshh. Let me handle this, Sugar."
He turned to Mary. "So, what are you offering for my client to accept this deal?"
Mary rolled her eyes and groaned. "You've got to be kidding me…".
George Sr. chimed in, half-joking, "Unsupervised time?"
Mary snapped back without missing a beat.
"No. Absolutely not!"
"Hey!" Georgie protested. "Taking care of two kids? That's a full-time mental breakdown waiting to happen. You gotta pay for that!"
Mary narrowed her eyes. "What do you want?"
Georgie pointed at George Sr., still staring at Mary.
"Unsupervised time!"
Mary looked like he'd just demanded half the house.
"More specific?" she asked through clenched teeth.
Veronica put her hands up, embarrassed. "....I'm not part of this negotiation, Mom. I swear."
Georgie ignored her.
"Sleeping together."
"No."
"Geez, you're one stubborn pretty woman." He tapped the table with mock frustration.
"Thanks. Still not changing my mind."
"Nap time. Door locked."
"Nap time. Door closed, not locked," George Sr. said, arms crossed like he was negotiating a $20 million contract.
Mary gave George Sr. a side-eye like he'd just failed her completely. But before she could argue, Georgie stood up and offered him a handshake.
"Deal!."
Sheldon and Missy stared at the scene like it was live theater—chaotic, dramatic, and oddly impressive.
Missy's eyes sparkled the entire time.