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The Baby Game: Time Out

The wedding's tomorrow! Making it the perfect day requires a lot of practice and for everyone to focus “Run, Carson!” With a squeal the towheaded toddler took off running toward first base, nearly tripping over the ball that he had only just barely managed to knock off the tee. His oversized batting helmet threatened to fall down over his eyes with every wobbly step he took. Alex rolled his eyes. Carson finally getting a hit meant he was next. “Kiss for good luck?” Mark asked, holding Alex in place until he got his answer. “No, Bubba.” Alex muttered. Yet another piece of evidence that this was not a real sport was the players hung out with their family until it was their turn to play. “Suit yourself.” Mark smiled all the same. That worked just fine for him since it meant Alex would be going up to bat with caramel still all around his mouth from his mid-game snack. It felt almost like a tragedy as Alex pulled his batting helmet over his freshly cut hair. The wedding was next wee...

Micharosa: One Month Later

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Micharosa looked around the library, smiling to herself. It had been a month since she had last set foot in here, but it felt like a lifetime ago. Of course, in her new life, she had quickly discovered that there were far more books than could ever fit in this library, perhaps even the whole castle. Still, the smell brought back a flood of memories. She ran her fingers through her hair as if to remind herself that she had left this life behind. Her new life in that new world was simply marvelous. The friends of the boy she had traded places with had been a bit confused at first, but once she began to mimic the way they walked, the way they spoke, they accepted that she was Mike. It helped that physically, they were so much alike, and that was not the only similarity. "Even the names." She mused, shaking her head. Mike was just a character she played. When she was alone, she remained Princess Micharosa, albeit a princess who wore trousers and played sports. "You!" S...

Micharosa

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"Another day of school." Mike muttered in disgust, scuffed sneakers scraping on the sidewalk as he shuffled toward the school building. He knew better than to be late, but as long as he had plenty of time before the first bell, he did not want to make it look like he was in any kind of hurry. It was the same classes, day in and day out anyway. He kicked a pebble and watched it bounce. It was only as it came to a halt that he realized it was no ordinary pebble. It was blue-green and seemed to almost glow in the early morning sunlight. He hurried over to it, but misjudged his foot and kicked it under a hedge. He wanted it so bad. "Come back here!" Mike grunted, crawling into a small space in the hedge. Where was it? It was so dark in the hedge. He yelped as he suddenly tumbled, head over heels and everything, through the hedge and into a manicured garden. The temperature was warmer and more pleasant than the fall morning he had left behind and he could not shake the f...

The Baby Game: Suit Up!

The wedding is fast approaching and the time has come to get their suits. But what will the ringbearer wear? And will Alex even be the ringbearer? “Ma- mom, I've got it!” After weeks of careful negotiations – and even a little begging – Alex was still the ringbearer. Now he had a perfect plan: present Mom with an alternative in the form of his cousin. “This better not be another attempt to ruin my wedding.” Mom teased. “Aren't you supposed to be getting ready anyway?” “I’m ready.” Alex said dismissively. “Why can't Lucas be the ringbearer? He's seven.” She sighed. “One, I'm not even sure his family is coming. They live half a continent away, you know. Two, I made my choice and that choice is my son.” She pulled him in as he groaned and kissed the top of his head. “Besides, you're much more responsible than he would be. Lucas the ringbearer would lose the rings. Lexie the ringbearer will make the day perfect.’ “Well, Mark has a cousin. He's named Alex too...

The Two Alices

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“Face it, Levi. You lost.” “Don't need to rub it in.” He muttered, trying one last time to get the cards to stand up. It had been a dumb bet anyway, but Alice always knew just how to get under his skin. Sisters were like that, or at least Alice was. Jenn usually just sat there on her phone, observing the two of them at their never-ending game of one upping each other. “He's right, Alice.” Jenn said imperiously. Alice stuck her tongue out at Jenn. “One of these days, a bird's gonna come eat your tongue.” “That's not true.” “Ugh.” Levi pushed the cards away. “I give up.” “Well, you already lost.” Alice said. “So that means you gotta” her voice was taking on more and more of the sing-songy teasing tone. “Do what I say!” “Alice.” Jenn said. “You're not Mom.” Levi and Alice said in unison. “See, that's why people still think you're twins.” Jenn remarked, laughing as they both looked disgusted at the thought. “What's it gonna be?” Levi asked. Alice g...