As Jackie and Ann explored their relationship, Lisa smiled as she began to settle into a chair. Everyone had been returned to normal and with Tricia arriving early, the family now began enjoying the holiday. As Lisa now sipped her coffee she smiled, a knock at the front door causing her to turn in that direction. “Must be Katie,” she thought happily. “About time too, it’s almost 10 a.m., how long does it take a girl to get ready in the morning.” Making her way towards the door Lisa opened it, only to gasp in complete shock.
“Sorry Lisa,” a woman in her mid 50s said. “Needed to speak with my daughter about her crazy plan.”
Lisa continued to gawk at the woman and her friends. Six adults stood outside on her front porch. The auburn haired woman was an attractive woman with some grey scattered in her hair along with a man who was her husband that was grey as well. Next to them stood an Asian woman also in her 50s with a giant of a man who appeared to be in his 40s. Finally Lisa beheld two adults in their mid 30s. The two 30 year olds anxiously looked past Lisa as if they were searching for someone. Lisa knew who these people were, these were the future versions of herself, Jason, Kumiko, Cole, Samantha and Mike.
“Lynne,” the older Lisa called. “I see you peaking out from behind the couch. Get. Over. Here. NOW!”
Lynne sheepishly made her way towArds the front door, unable to make contact with her mother. “Ummm hey mom,” she said sheepishly. “How was your trip?”
The older Lisa scowled at her daughter, now was not the time for humor. “How do you think it was,” she grumbled. “Lynne do you have any idea what you’ve done? You altered history with this little trip of yours. Do you have an idea how badly things could turn out because of this?”
“Sort of,” Lynne mumbled. “But I had to, you know how things turned out. I wanted to make things better. Is that so bad?”
The older Lisa sighed as she rubbed her eyes. Lynne was way too much like she was, hard headed, unwilling to admit mistakes and possessing a giant heart that she wore on her sleeve. Of course a girl with near limitless magical abilities would try something so fool hardy. Still, her actions had indeed altered her timeline. A fact that could make things quite dangerous for her return. Looking at the girl Lisa groaned in frustration. “Jason can you please talk to this girl,” she moaned.
Jason now stepped forwArd, giving the girl a disapproving look. “Lynne,” he said sternly. “I know you think you did something good but changing the past has serious consequences. While altered things from the past their could still be serious consequences. We’re still trying to figure it out.”
“Well let’s head home and figure things out then,” Lynne stated. “I mean that’s why you came back here right? To take us back home?”
Lisa and Jason looked at each other before sighing sadly. “Unfortunately,” Jason sighed. “That’s not gong to be possible right now.”
Lynne gasped in shock as she looked at her parents. “Lynne,” Lisa said sadly. “Unfortunately it looks like you, Tricia, and Tommy will probably be stuck here until you two are born. After that we should be able to get you home.”
“Wait,” Lynne stammered. “Are....are you telling me we’re stuck here til July?!?!”
Lisa and Jason nodded causing Lynne to groan in frustration. “Well this just sucks,” she grumbled. “We’re stuck here for the next seven months. What the hell are we going to do.”
“Hey listen,” the older Lisa stated. “Look, I know this seems like a bad thing but you should be safe. We can still visit you from time to time so it won’t be that bad. But after this not only are you grounded but you are never to time travel without permission ever again.”
“Fine,” Lynne sighed. “So what do we do now then?”
“We celebrate Christmas of course,” The elder Lisa smiled. “That is if my younger self allows me in?”
“Oh ummm sure,” Lisa responded, still slightly stunned.
“Awesome,” the older Lisa smiled. “Besides I know a couple of people who are really anxious to see someone.”
The adult Samantha and Mike now stepped forward quickly as they scanned the living room. Tricia had watched from her spot on the couch curiously and almost burst into tears as her parents gazed at her. “Mom! Dad!” she cried as she kept towards her folks. Samantha and Mike smiled warmly, their eyes dampening as they embraced their daughter.
“Oh god Tricia,” Samantha cried as she squeezed Tricia tightly. “We were so worried about you when we found out.”
“I’m so sorry mom,” Tricia wept. “I...I heard you and dad fighting. I felt bad and wanted to apologize to you and dad. ...I’ve always felt bad you and dad had things so hard. If I hadn’t been born....who knows how your lives would of been different.”
Samantha and Mike stared tears eyed at their daughter. They had never given any inclination that they were unhappy about their lives. Yes things had been difficult, yes being young parents had not been easy but Samantha would not change a thing. “Trica,” she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. “Don’t you ever think that your father and I never wanted you. Your the greatest thing that has ever happened to either one of us. We love you more than anything in the world.
“Your moms right,” Mike said quietly. “I wouldn’t change a thing. Your the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
Tricia smiled as she now began to cry. She couldn’t be happier to have her parents with her, even if it was temporary. As the families now began to settle in and talk they couldn’t help but wonder where things would go from here. Lynne and her friends would be stuck in this time until Lisa gave birth, this meant she and her friends would be going to school with Gloria. Lisa could only hope that things would be quiet, something told her though that quiet would be the furthest thing from happening for the remainder of the school year.