DT Serum, Primary Testing In Progress

(As Shu goes to ask himself...)

"Okay!" Shuni agreed, running to ask Sam if he wanted to come.

"Nope.  You deserve better," Lex said firmly.  "It's not far, anyway.  It's right over there."

Sam was just about to start a solo match on a game.

Layla smiled at Lex and didn't argue. Once there, she ordered and offered to pay for Lex's food too.

"Sam, do you want to go pick up Paul?" Shuni asked eagerly.

Lex shook his head as he placed his order.  "No.  This is my treat to you.  Not another word about you paying for anything."

Sam smiled and turned it all off. "Sure!"

Layla smiled and pecked a kiss on Lex's cheek. "Thank you."

"Sam is coming with us," Shuni told Ashton as he returned.  "Why not True?"
"Because True couldn't wheel himself out of here if the house was on fire," True grumbled, inching his way toward his room.  Ow.  Ow.  Ow.  Ow.
"Oh."  Shuni looked up at Chris then Ashton.
"I'll wait here and make sure True doesn't burn if the house catches on fire," Chris said, moving back.

"You are welcome," Lex said.  He hesitated.  "Finish the book?" he finally asked.

"Are you sure?" Ashton double checked.

Layla shook her head. "Not yet. It's coming close to the climax though. And what about you? How's Sherlock Holmes coming along?"

"Positive.  Now go before you're late," Chris smiled, waving a little to Shuni and Sam.

"Very slow.  On top of not being a great reader, the characters talk funny," Lex grumbled.

Ashton smiled and herded Shuni and Sam out. "All right, off to save Paul from school!"

Layla giggled. "It was written a long time ago, and I believe in Britain, where they talk funny to start with. If you want, we can try to read it together sometime." She offered.

Shuni took Ashton and Sam's hands.  "I like this part of the day.  It's lovely!"

"I'd like that," Lex decided.

Ashton smiled. "Yeah, it's a good excuse to get out of the house, huh?"

Layla smiled. "Sweet. Just let me know when and where." They got their food and Layla excitedly dug in.

Shuni thought about that.  "I just... Like it," he shrugged.

Lex grinned as he watched Layla for a moment then followed suit.

Ashton smiled. When they got to the tree, Gaster was already there.

Layla was happy. The food was good, and she enjoyed Lex's company. It made her glad he agreed to come with and even relaxed a bit. Sure, he could be a bit rough around the edges at times, but she loved him.

"MOMMY!  DADDY!"  Shuni sprinted forward and lunged at Gaster.
Geena laughed softly as she stood back and watched.

(I'll leave Lex and Layla to have some time at the diner.)

Gaster laughed and scooped Shuni up in a hug. "Hey Shuni! Have you been behaving for your brothers?"

(Seems good to me  Pick back up when they're leaving?)

"Yes, Daddy.  We were all very good!" Shuni promised, hugging Gaster tightly.  "We missed you lots.  Are you and Mommy coming home now?"

"I believe so." Gaster smiled. "Figured we would pick Paul up first though."

"He will be so happy to see you," Shuni nodded.
"Do I get a hug?" Geena asked Ashton and Sam with a little smile.

Sam smiled and came over. "Of course!" He said happily. 
Ashton smiled and hugged Geena too. He was happy now, versus the depressed state when the newlyweds left him in.

Geena hugged them both and gave them each a kiss on the cheek.  To Ashton, she murmured, "I am so happy to see you doing better!"
Shuni finally wriggled out of Gaster's arms and hugged Geena next.

Ashton smiled at Geena. "Well, we kind of made up." He told her a little Sheepishly.
Sam smiled and hugged his dad. "Did you two have lots of fun?"

Geena raised an eyebrow with a little smile but didn't question him any further as of yet.  "Yes, we had a very good time, but I am so happy to be home!  Paul should be out any minute now, I believe.  Ashton, did you forget to bring Bitty Kitty?"  True was the one who brought Bitty Kitty every day, but he wasn't here today.

Ashton's face dropped. "Oh shoot, yeah, I forgot." Just then, the school opened the doors and released a flood of kids. An overly excited Paul raced over and gave Gaster and Geena bear hugs. "Mom! Dad! You're back!" 
Gaster chuckled. "Figured we'd pick you up on our way home."

"He probably won't notice," Geena quickly assured Ashton before turning her attention to Paul.  "Paul!  Oh, I've missed you!"  She hugged him, kissing the top of his head a couple of times before releasing him.

Paul giggled. "It's been years since you guys left! We even adopted a new brother! And a puppy!"
Gaster raised his eyebrow at that. What had Ashton, True, and Lex been doing while they were gone exactly?

"Did you, now?" Geena asked in a neutral tone, glancing at Ashton.
"I didn't like them, but now I think they are okay," Shuni said truthfully.