If And Maybe

They both sat in the hotel restaurant in silence. Peggy picking up on her mother's deep thoughts and wondering what could be wrong. They ordered, and still sat in silence. Steph replayed the events in her mind. She'd been wondering why Peggy would go out without telling anyone and why Travis would react the way he did. Of course she accepted his apology but still, it's one thing to be upset and it's another thing to do what he did. Telling her Peggy was missing out of the blue. Scaring her.

"Mom."

"Peggy." It was simultaneous. They both sat up on realizing their crossover. Steph cleared her throat. "Talk to me."

Peggy nodded. "Is everything alright? Dad said he couldn't find you. Shane and Tanner said actually."

"I went to a spa. I told your brothers. They forgot."

"Oh right. Dad yelled at them." "And they yelled at you?" Peggy nodded. "You always tell us when you're going out Peggy. What happened?"

"I didn't think it was a big deal. I was literally just outside. For all we know you could have passed me on your way out."

"It's safer if someone knows. It always is. Maybe when you're eighteen or older but not now. Don't do it again. Always. Like you've always done. Always tell us. Anyone, where you're going."

Peggy nodded. "I'm sorry."

"I know you are." She gave her daughter an assuring smile. "Now, what do you want to do after dinner?"

Peggy smiled. She hadn't smiled all day. "Nothing. But you can take me to the spa tomorrow." She frowned for dramatic reasons. "So unfair of you to go without me."

Steph laughed. "We're not joined at the hip you know. Shopping is one thing. But I needed alone time."

"Some day I might not have your time." She raised her head in defiance of some sort.

"Is Tanner getting to you? You sound like him." Steph chuckled. "I'll take you. Just before we leave. Maybe two days before."

"Oh mom! I love it when you spoil me."

"Someday, I won't have your time." She said to her daughter's face, tilting her head. They both laughed. "I know your brothers can be annoying. Especially Tanner." The subject changed.

"It was Shane this time." Peggy's laughter vanished. Shane hardly got upset with her. But when he did… then she really did something wrong. Or he did.

"They were just worried. Because they care. Just like your father was because he cares."

"But he didn't yell at me."

"He had his reasons. People handle things differently. Your dad didn't yell at you but he yelled at me and scolded your brothers. But your brothers yelled at you. Each of us were handled differently. I even yelled at your dad." There was no reason to tell her all of that. But it painted a picture for her. "Think about how they must have felt. And understand it. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Now, it's about a week before we leave. Are you ready for school?"

Peggy sighed. "I'm kind of nervous. But I'm already missing Shane and he's not gone yet. And before we know it, dad will leave too. He actually spent the whole month with us. Of course he was busy half the time." She rolled her eyes. Steph laughed, seeing herself in her daughter… seeing Travis as well. Her beautiful girl.

***

Things went back to normal after the day of scolding and warnings. Since the suite their parents had taken was much bigger than any of their rooms, they always had dinner in there. When they had dinner together. Tonight, being such a night, Travis and Steph were the only ones conversing at the table. All three of them were eating and texting their friends. Tanner had dropped his fork completely and was texting one of his other friends that wasn't Trip. Shane was in a group chat with his friends from high school. And Peggy was texting Aida among other friends, typing with one hand and eating with the other.

"When are you leaving for the spa tomorrow?" Travis asked.

"Spa?" Tanner looked up. "Around noon this time." Steph answered.

"We're going to a spa?" Tanner asked, very much interested.

"No. Peggy and I are going to a spa." Steph corrected.

"Spa?" Shane looked up. "I've never been to a spa. Can I come?"

"You want to get your nails done?" Travis smirked.

"Can I?" Shane asked honestly. "I want to know what the big deal is."

"A sauna, a massage, it's pretty relaxing." Travis commented.

"You've had those done?" Tanner asked.

"D-don't indulge them. It's a mother daughter day."

"Everything's a mother daughter thing with you two. Let them come If they want."

Steph turned to Peggy. "Peggy?"

She was too busy with her phone to know they were even talking. "Hm?"

"She clearly doesn't want to go. We'll go with you. Mother and sons day. Just this once." Shane spoke.

"We could go see a movie after or before and stuff."

"Peggy. Say something or your brothers will take away what we've been planning."

"What?" She finally tore her eyes away from her phone. "What's happening?" Steph filled her in. "And what am I supposed to do, stay here with daddy? No offense dad, but with you busy working I'll probably die of boredom."

"Ouch." Travis said rather dully. "Why don't we all go then. It's been a while for me anyway."

Steph sighed. "Dad really?" Shane asked, interested in the answer.

"Yeah." He looked from one to the other. "The girls went shopping and they saw a movie, they had their alone time. You boys went out." They'd gone to clubs. "We've only been out together like what, once? I've basically been in here all month. Let's do it."

"Hold on a sec, if you're looking at it like that then, you have to hang out with the boys and with Peggy separately and with me and I have to hang out with the boys."

"How many days do we have left?" He considered the facts.

"Three days." All four of them chorused.

Travis smiled. "Let's make a plan then and your mother and I will pick the activities."

"What's going to happen to spa day?" Peggy asked.

"That's still going to happen." Steph answered.

Three days worth of pages summarized…

The spa was a new adventure for the boys. For Tanner who'd heard Abby talk about it, for Shane who couldn't keep his feet in the water long enough. Steph and Travis were laughing. Tanner tried to brave it to prevent the laughter. Dinner came around. Travis took Peggy out and Steph took the boys. Travis took Peggy to see a movie after. It wasn't part of the plan. But they had a wonderful time. He got her ice cream and chocolate and a teddy bear. He got two even, one for Steph. They had fun, laughing and playing. Both soaking up the moment knowing in a few days when school starts, they wouldn't have time for each other. At least they both knew Travis wouldn't.

When Steph took the boys to dinner, Shane ordered everything from the left side of the menu and Tanner ordered from the right. What was a game turned out to be a serious thing when neither one of them could finish what they started. It was hilarious for Steph. Having to help her sons and still not doing enough damage to all the food. Then she took them shopping for new stuff. After which they went sight seeing. Before going back to Tanner's room where she sat down to watch anime with them. Something she hadn't done in a while.

The night was over. Then next day, they switched places. While the boys were out with their dad. Peggy and Steph slept in. And when the boys came back, Travis took Steph to dinner where they regaled each other with all they did the day before. And to top it all off, when they came back to the hotel, they called the children to meet them in front of the hotel. When they were gathered, they took a lovely night's stroll through the city's streets.=