" Mom, why do we have to clean the whole house ? It's just going to end up being a huge mess again in few hours anyway!," Zac argued.
" Because I want Erin to have a good first impression," Diana replied calmly.
" Come on, I wanna go to Felicia's. Her parents are going to be gone all day and she wants some company."
" I'll tell you what, Zac. You pick up all the dirty clothes in your room, including the closet, and vacuum the living room and you can go to her place for as long as you want. Or untill she get's sick of you, which ever comes first," Diana grinned.
" Very funny, Mom!," Zac rolled his eyes, " But give me twenty minutes and I'll have the room and living room floor spotless." He ran out.
" Spotless? That won't last long," Diana shook her head.
" Hey, Mom!," Taylor called from the couch. He and Isaac had been lounging there and watching the arguement with amusement." What about my date with Maddy tonight? You're not planning on making me miss it to clean I hope!"
" Pick up all the dirty dishes around the house and put the through the dishwasher and you're free after that," she replied.
" What about Ike?," Taylor asked.
" Hey!," Isaac exclaimed.
" He's gonna be cleaning the bathrooms."
" Not again!," Isaac groaned." You know, Mom, Zac did have a point. It's a beautiful Saturday morning and we're gonna spend it inside cleaning?"
" I want it clean because Erin's going to be here tomorrow. Now, no more argueing and get to work," Diana ordered. " I want you guys to listen for the door. I called Terry and asked her to baby-sit and she should be here any minute. I just wonder what's taking her so long?"
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" Mom, I'm not grounded anymore, so what's the big deal?," Terry argued.
" The big deal is I don't want you imposing in on the Hansons lives!," her mother snapped.
" How the hell would it be imposing?!"
" Watch your mouth young lady!"
" Look, Diana is the one who called. She offered to pay me four bucks an hour to take the little kids out for the day so she could clean house. I'd be making my own money. Now, how is this imposing? Last time I checked, it was called helping!"
" Fine, do it! But I'd better not hear anything about you getting into trouble!"
" Why Mom, your confidence in me is so over whelming!," Terry said sarcastically, then stormed out of the house and over to the Hansons.
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" Okay Mom. I took all the dirty clothes down to the laundry room, cleared out the closet, and vacuumed the living room thourghly. Can I please go now?," Zac asked impatiently.
" Zac, just get out of here," Diana smiled, " I'll call you when it's time for dinner.
" Great!," Zac ran out the door and nearly bumped into Terry." Oh, hey Terry. My mom was beginning to wonder where you were."
" Yeah, I know, I'm late. My mom flipped out when I told her I'd be baby-sitting," Terry rolled her eyes.
" Waoh, I'm sorry. Anyway, go on in. I'll see you later!," Zac said and hurriedly ran off.
Terry smiled and walked in. She found Diana in the kitchen.
" Hey Diana. Sorry I'm late."
" That's okay. So where are you planning on taking the kids?"
" I thought I'd take them to Dairy Queen, then to the park. Maybe go to my house later to watch some videos," Terry replied. Good thing mom will be at work by then, Terry thought. "What do you think, guys?," she asked Avery and Mackenzie.
" Yea!," they shouted.
" You spoil those kids," Diana smiled and shook her head. " Let me give you some money for their food."
" Are you sure? I was gonna treat them myself," Terry asked.
" Trust me, honey. I'm doing you a favor in return. These kids eat a lot more then you'd think."
" Well, if you want to," Terry agreed. She accepted a twenty form Diana, put Zoe in her stroller and left with the other kids right behind her.
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" Finally! I was wondering what was keeping you!," Felicia exclaimed. She surprised him with a hug.
" Missed me?," he teased.
" Nah, just bored," she grinned.
Zac pretended to be hurt. " And I was so sure you loved me. You don't have to say anymore. I know when I'm not wanted. I'll go home now," he turned as if to walk out.
" Get back here you big baby!," she laughed. She pulled him over to the couch.
" Sit!," she ordered.
" My feelings are still are still hurt," he pouted.
She leaned over and kissed his cheek.
" Feel better?," she asked.
" A little. It's going to take a little more then that to make me feel better," he teased.
She leaned over and lightly kissed his lips.
" How's that?"
" Getting warmer."
" How about a trip to the arcade?"
" Great! One more thing though."
" What?," she asked, wary.
" One more kiss."
She smiled. " Sold!"
***************************************************
Taylor sat next to Maddy in the movie theater, watching her from the corner of his eye. He was trying to get up the nerve to make a move on her. They had been friends for a long time but they hadn't been dating very long. Only about two weeks. He wanted to hold her hand, at least, but she had her hands folded in her lap. Suddenly, he had an idea. Pretending to yawn, he stretched his arm out and casually began to drape it across her shoulders. Unexpectedly, she burst out laughing. Taylor quickly jerked his arm away.
" What's so funny?," he asked.
" Taylor, if you want to put your arm around me, just do it. You don't need to use the yawn and stretch method," she giggled.
Taylor stared at her, mouth agape. She shook her head, smiling, and took his hand and pulled his arm around her. He smiled with relief and held her closer.
