Skipping Stones Episode 3 “Turkeys and Proposals Pt. 1”

Hello friends! Are you guys ready for more Skipping Stones?

*crickets*

Well, I’m excited at least. And for this week, I’ve prepared two episodes of Skipping Stones! you’ll find out why soon….

Alright, without further ado, I present to you Skipping Stones!

Kids scream as the remote changes the TV back and forth from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to Football pregames. Mommy Stone frantically checks the refrigerator for more mayonnaise. A car pulls up – a few hours too early. The Stone household erupts into utter and complete chaos.

It’s Thanksgiving Day.

“You know…I didn’t have chaos on my schedule until at least 10.”

 A frazzled Periwinkle opens the door to find her sister Bella and her family.

“I’m sorry we’re a bit early,” Bella says. “We just couldn’t wait! And I figured I could help with some of the food prep.”

Peri wraps her arms around her sister.

“Oh don’t apologize! I’m so glad to see you. I could definitely use some help.”

Mischief snuck past his mother. “I’d also love to help…”

“So I saw this thing on YouTube where a girl cooked a baby doll head inside her turkey? And then when everyone went to carve the turkey, they saw the head and freaked out. I so wanna try it!”

Periwinkle puts her hands on her hips. Bella mirrors her actions and both sisters firmly reply, “No.”

They both are too smart to let Mischief take advantage of them. Mischief frowns but quickly moves on. A master prankster like Mischief has multiple backup plans.

“So what all do you need to make?” Bella asks. “I brought some potatoes. And I brought stuff to make deviled eggs.”

Relief paints Peri’s face. “How did you know I ran out of mayonnaise? And I haven’t even started on the potatoes yet.”

The sisters chat as they go to get the food from Bella’s car.

Andy, Bella’s boyfriend, finds Lil Choc to say hello.

“Hey, Andy!” Lil Choc greets. “Nice to see you.”

Andy grins. “I wouldn’t have missed today for the world.”

“So…I’m going to propose today! I know it’s a little soon, but I can’t imagine life without Bella. I also know she’d want her family to be there when I do propose. So I can’t think of a better day to do it!”

Lil Choc pats the seat beside him. “The TV stays on football for the rest of the day. That’s my Thanksgiving tradition.”

“Perfect. I love football.” Andy takes the seat beside of Lil Choc.

“You know what else Andy looooooooooveeesss?” Mischief teases. “My mom.”

Sparkles dreamily sighs. “I think it’s so romantic!”

“I can’t WAIT to go on a date. It seems so nice! Sadly, the only boys I’m interested in are fictional…”

A thoughtful look crosses Andy’s face. “Can I talk to you for a moment alone Sparkles?”

She nods.

The two go into a quiet room.

“So, I’m planning to propose tonight…” Andy reaches into his pocket and pulls out the ring.

Sparkles squeals. “That’s so perfect! Ahhhh!”

“I was wondering if you knew of anything that would make it extra special for your mom?”

“Propose to her with…a fake turd!” a new voice enters the room.

Sparkles rolls her eyes. “MISCHIEF!”

“C’mon, you really think I wasn’t going to follow you? Besides, Mom would love it. You know she’s got a sense of humor.”

Andy folds his arms. “There will be no fake turds. Now Mischief, I know you’re a prankster. But just for this one day can you keep a low profile? I want everything to be perfect for Bella.”

“EW YOU’VE GOT THAT DREAMY LOOK IN YOUR EYE AGAIN! BLECH! I’M NEVER GETTING MARRIED! EVER!” Mischief gags.

“Disgusting.”

“Mischief,” Sparkles glares.

It was at that point that Mischief accepted defeat. He might would try to sabotage his mom’s boyfriend, but he could never do anything that Sparkles told him not to. His sister had him wrapped around her finger. Plus, he really did think his mom would be happy with Andy.

“Fineeeeeeeeee,” he whined.

“Gobble-gobble.”

“Oh my! Was this turkey even cooked?”

“Gobble-nope-gobble.”

“Don’t let this be you. Come to Waffle’s Bakery for all your Thanksgiving catering needs! But don’t wait! Orders are filling up fast!”

“Mommy said we should set the table because we’re the oldest,” Chip sighs. “I don’t like it any more than you do.”

Sandy hyperventilates. “I might could handle working with you.” She spat that last word. “But the plates! They don’t match!”

She looks as if she’s about to faint.

Chip rolls his eyes. “Not this again.”

“What? You know how important it is for everything to match!”

“It’s Thanksgiving,” Chip says, matter-of-factly. “We’re having tons of people over…do you honestly expect us to have 22 matching plates?”

“Do I know that Chip is probably right? Yes. Will I ever tell him that? No.”

“I mean…if we’re going to serve 22 people, then yes.”

Chip groans. “I’ll just set the table myself if you’re going to be like this.”

“But you won’t do it right!”

“What does she even want?”

“Then you do it! I don’t want to deal with this!”

“Fine, I will!” Sandy shrugs, glaring at her elder brother.

“That’s what I wanted all along.”

“The cooking has been so easy today! Thank you so much for coming along to help,” Peri hugs her sister.

Bella grins ear to ear. “Aw, of course! You’re my big sister. I really do appreciate you hosting Thanksgiving year after year, so what better way to thank you?”

“Also Andy seemed anxious this morning. I think he’s nervous to be around my family. I figured if we came a little early, it would ease his nerves.”

Peri carefully takes the pecan pie out of the oven.

“Time really does fly when we’re together! It’s already 12:15! The others will be here any minute!”

Bella nods. “Isn’t it funny how you said dinner was at twelve and no one is here yet?”

“That’s family for you,” Peri sighs. “But it’s a good thing too because the turkey isn’t quite done yet.”

“That’s turkeys for you.”

“Oh please, oh please can I have a pony for Christmas? And a large flatscreen TV? And a new iPhone? And..and…”

“Candy, sweetie, we don’t have that much money!”

“But what about the Black Friday deals at StuffieMart? You can get all that stuff and more for only $100!”

“Wow, really? In that case, you can have everything off your Christmas wishlist! And hey, there’s still extra money left over! You can have that now!”

*alarm sounds*

Candy yawns. “Oh, what a lovely dream. Don’t forget, Black Friday deals at StuffieMart start at midnight on Friday!”

The sounds of car engines fading alerts Peri that her guests have arrived. Being the kind hostess that she is, she goes outside to greet them.

“Oh welcome, welcome!” she exclaims, seeing the Stone and Caramel families standing on the porch. And of course, they brought food. Starburst is holding a pumpkin pie, and Clarice has a basket filled with soda.

Peri leads everyone into the kitchen. “Please set your dishes on the table. They smell wonderful.”

“Can everyone please come into the dining room?” she calls, in a loud, but not harsh voice.

Food is an excellent motivator. Within two minutes, everyone in the house is squished into the one tiny dining room.

“It’s a bit of a tight squeeze, but we make it work.”

“Our Thanksgiving feast isn’t quite finished,” Peri begins.

Kids pout. Mischief even starts to leave the room.

“Wait!”

Peri manages to regain everyone’s attention.

“I was thinking we could all sit around the table and say what we are thankful for. It would be a great way to pass the time until the turkey is ready.”

Andy smiles and takes a seat. “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”

“I came for the food. Not this mushy gushy stuff.”

Everyone squishes together to find a seat. Once the movements stop, Andy clears his throat.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to go first,” he shakily says. His lip quivers and Bella looks over in concern, wondering why her boyfriend is so anxious.

“If I didn’t go first, I knew I’d lose my nerve.”

“I am thankful for many things this year. First and foremost, family. Before I met all of you, I had no idea family could be so close. I’m so grateful that you’ve all accepted me as a part of this family. Secondly, I’m grateful for my Bella.”

Bella blushes at that part.

“Without her, I never would have gotten to know all of you as well as I have. I’d probably be eating a TV dinner right now.”

Everyone laughs.

“Which is why I want to ask you a question. Bella, I know we’ve only been dating since September, but I already have gotten to know you and I don’t want to waste any time. I love you. I love Mischief and Sparkles and your whole extended family too. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

He drops to his knee and pulls out the ring. Family members gasp.

“Bella Caramel, will you marry me?”

Bella gasps as tears come to her eyes.

“I-I,”

*grins*

Did you enjoy that? I bet you really liked the ending. As much as I’d love to make you guys wait at least a month before the next episode, I’ve got the next episode ready to go on Friday!

I will see you tomorrow to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!