I agree with whoever else wanted the talk. You should go ahead and do it.
The talk with Anya and MJ isn't going to happen for a few chapters. Even when it does I'm not sure where i want to take it at this time. Though I'm leaning towards keeping him with Mac/Stella
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With Leanne done with her patients. She didn't feel like spending time alone. Knowing it had been a few days since she talked with MJ, she decided to call and see how he was doing.
"Hello."
"Hi Stella...how are you?"
"Leanne...how wonderful to hear from you. How you doing?"
"Okay...a little tired. So how's my MJ doing?"
"He's great. Would you like to speak with him?"
"Sure. That would be nice."
"MJ...it's Leanne."
Picking up the phone in the other room he told his nana she could hang up now.
"Hi Leanne....how are you?"
"I'm good MJ. Listen I just finished up with my last patient for the day. How would you like to spend time at the Mall. We could grab some lunch. I'd like find out you're doing."
"Umm...the Mall? Wouldn't you rather visit here. I can make us some snacks."
"I could. But wouldn't it be nicer to go out. This way I could meet some of your friends, bring Lindsay with us."
"No...I don't think Lindsay will come. She's already at the Mall."
"Then why aren't you there MJ? I thought you loved the Mall."
"I do. It's just I'm not feeling up to it."
Leanne was suspicious. She could tell MJ was scared. She could hear it in his voice.
"I'll tell you what. How about I come pick you up. We can talk for a bit, and then go to the Mall."
"Umm..okay. But only if I feel up too it."
"That's fair. I'll see you soon."
Hanging up the phone Leanne's first priority was to get MJ to fully trust her to protect him at the Mall.
The Delko's
With the girls all at the Mall shopping with their sisters for Christmas. Mackenzie, Eric, and Eric Jr finally had some free time.
"Hey Mac....where's the Christmas tree from last year. The small one that sits on the table?"
"It should be there Eric. Bring up the ornaments too."
Carrying everything in his arms, he dropped the box of bulbs down the steps.
"Eric???? You okay?"
"I'm fine Mac. I just dropped the glass balls that go on the tree. We'll have to buy more."
Meeting him at the top of the stairs she grabbed one of the boxes.
"How many more boxes are down there?"
"About three. I need the vaccum first. There's alot of broken glass."
With the mess cleaned Eric grabbed the last three boxes bringing them upstairs. Taking the decorations from the box the girls ran in.
"Alright....Christmas...can we help decorate?"
"Aww...not that little tree again. Why can't we have a big one?"
"No Sara. You know we go to Papa and Nana's at Christmas."
"I know. It would still be nice to have our own tree."
"Enough about the tree. Did you get some of your presents out of the way?"
"We did mom. We have yours, daddy's and Eric Jrs. We'll be back down to help as soon as we hide our gifts."
As the girls ran upstairs Eric whispered.....
"There goes our peace and quiet."
Over at Michael and Anya's they were also putting up their tree. Only difference was Anya had Michael go buy one. For she loved the scent of pine throughout her home.
Unpacking the decorations Michael handed the plastic santa's to Tyler.
"Okay son. I want you to put all the Santa's in a row along the bottom like this."
Watching his daddy he giggled. For daddy had a chirstmas sticker on his behind.
"What's so funny you little monkey?"
"Daddy bumbum...look mama...daddy's bumbum."
Anya tried not to laugh.
"He's telling you you have a Rudolph sticker on your butt. You must have sat on it."
"Ohh..you find that funny son. Here you go. Right on your nose."
Sticking it on his sons nose he giggled. Continuing through the boxes Michael noticed the small box off on its own.
"Hmm..what's in here?"
"I'm not sure Michael. It been years since we unpacked these. With going to your dads every year, we never bothered."
Opening the box Michael dropped it and closed his eyes.
"Hey mom...I'm home."
"Caroline...how was the mall?"
"It was good MJ and Lindsay broke up. But they are staying friends. What's wrong with daddy? He's crying."
"I'm not sure. Michael....what is it?"
Closing back up the box he tried to push aside.
"Let's see daddy. What's in there?"
"It's nothing love. Why don't you help Tyler with the Santa's."
"I want to see what's in the box dad."
Taking it from his hands she opened it and stared. Then dropping it she ran to her room.