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3rd POV
On Sundays, like most Christian families, the Coopers went to church as usual. Of course Mary made sure of it, she was always the one to push them out the door.
This Sunday, though, she wasn't in the best mood. Not after Georgie's told her about little 'Evil Plan' for Sheldon earlier this morning. It still sat heavy on her chest. She hadn't told the others what they'd discussed, but that didn't mean she'd let it go.
No. Mary intended to see with her own eyes what this "Libby girl" would do around her son. What's make Georgie said that and to see if that really true about what he said.
"Coopers!" Pastor Jeff's voice carried warmly across the churchyard. The family turned to see him approaching, that familiar easy smile on his face. "What a beautiful day, isn't it?" he greeted cheerfully.
The Coopers exchanged glances with one another. Something about this meeting felt different from the last time at the church potluck.
This time, Selena clung tightly to Pastor Jeff's arm. Not cold and distant, like before.
"Yes, Pastor Jeff," Mary replied brightly on behalf of them all. "In fact, we're going shopping later for the barbecue tonight."
As Mary and Pastor Jeff fell into conversation, Georgie kept his eyes locked forward, doing his best not to notice the pair of eyes burning into him.
Well… make that two pairs of eyes.
Veronica's arm wrapped tightly around his, silently demanding his attention. And across from her stood Selena, her gaze sharp, steady, and unmistakably aimed at him.
Of course Veronica noticed that stare. She studied Georgie carefully, waiting to see if he would glance back at Selena.
He didn't. He just kept watching Mary and Pastor Jeff chat, as if the entire moment wasn't happening. Of course, he is trying really hard not to notice this.
Still, Selena's stare lingered and Veronica's stare pressed harder.
It was dumb, wasn't it?
But then again… being an attractive man was really hard.
One wrong step, and he'd be chewed alive.
"Alright, Pastor Jeff, I'll see you both tonight!" Mary said with a warm smile.
"…I'm sorry?"
Georgie blinked. He'd been staring at them, but hadn't heard a single word. No, he didn't want to hear them talking, and focusing on not being noticed and scared about these two women.
Mary turned her gaze on him. "Pastor Jeff will be joining us tonight," she clarified pointedly.
"I was thinking of bringing beer, but…" Pastor Jeff gestured to his clerical shirt with a half-smile, "…doesn't quite fit the image, does it?"
George Sr. perked up immediately. "Oh, no, no, no—you can bring beer. We'll be the ones drinking it…"
"George…" Mary hissed under her breath, trying to shut him up.
"…Or not!" George Sr. quickly backtracked, flashing a painfully awkward smile. "We'll, uh, handle hospitality instead."
Pastor Jeff chuckled, giving Selena's arm a small pat. "I'll bring a little beer then. Not much. And yes, we'll both be there tonight. At the Coopers' party!" His voice carried with warm enthusiasm as he waved and walked away with Selena.
Mary watched them go, her own smile tugging wider. "See? Isn't that wonderful? Pastor Jeff and his wife—they're closer now. More affectionate than before." She spoke with quiet pride, like she herself had played a part in their reconciliation.
George Sr. squinted at Mary, suspicion tugging at his voice. "...I smell a little juicy gossip here… you want to spill it?"
Mary shook her head quickly. "...Not my secret, George." she said, though her eyes betrayed how badly she did want to talk.
Missy, who had been quiet the whole time, suddenly spoke up—straight to the point, "Pastor Jeff is getting divorced, isn't he?"
The words came out blunt and direct, earning her a sharp glare from Mary. But Missy didn't care; she just liked the thrill of digging into gossip.
Mary then darted her eyes around to make sure no one had overheard, "Let's go," she muttered firmly, ushering them toward the car without wanting to spill the beans to her own kids about adult problems.
As they walked, Veronica clung tighter to Georgie's arm. Her voice dropped low, almost a whisper, "Why was that woman staring at you like you owed her something?"
"…She was?" Georgie blinked, acted surprised in his face, "Huh… i didn't notice."
Veronica gave him a flat, deadpan stare. "You didn't notice her, you didn't notice Pastor Jeff either. So where exactly was your attention going, huh?"
Georgie smirked, slipping his arm around her waist. "You really wanna know?"
Veronica snorted, letting him hold her but shooting him a mock glare. Of course, Georgie didn't dare get too handsy in public…he was still a gentleman….
"…Georgie." Veronica hissed, her face turning red. "...Move your hand from my ass..." she whispered really quietly to him but Georgie not moving his hand and just grinned toward her.
They were walking behind the rest of the family, so no one else in the family saw what Georgie was doing.
Well… except for one person.
"Brother, please refrain from your disgusting public displays of intimacy," Sheldon said flatly as he passed them. "This is still church area. People will criticize you, or worse, they'll nail you to the cross like Judas."
Veronica froze, speechless, while Georgie nearly choked holding back laughter until Veronica smacked his arm hard.
"What's going on back there?" Mary turned, frowning at them.
"Nothing, Mom," Georgie said smoothly, chuckling. "Veronica was just saying how happy she is to go shopping with you."
Veronica gasped, scandalized, while Mary rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah," she muttered before sliding into the driver's seat.
Georgie and Veronica climbed into her car. The moment the door shut, Georgie leaned closer, flashing that intimate smile. "So…" he teased, "Should we go to a motel or what?"
Veronica's eyes widened. "Are you seriously that horny?!" She yanked her seatbelt, glaring at him from her steering wheel. "...Just because you touched my ass?" She shot a quick look down at his crotch before meeting his eyes again—only to freeze.
"Jesus!" she gasped.
Right outside the window, Missy's face was pressed against the glass, contorted into a creepy, gleeful expression.
"Ack!!!"
Georgie jerked in surprise too, nearly jumped to Veronica side.
The back door suddenly swung open and Sheldon climbed in behind Veronica, "Mom and Dad want us to ride with you two." he said matter-of-factly.
The other back door opened as well, and Missy hopped in. "Yeah, they kicked us out! Can you believe I'm not allowed to hear the gossip about Pastor Jeff and his wife?"
Veronica froze. "Selena…" She muttered quietly but they heard her in this damn car, especially Georgie who cursed under his breath. The name flickered in her mind, and she turned sharply to Georgie, remembering how he'd dodged the topic earlier.
"Yeah," Missy chimed in, leaning forward between the front seats, "I heard they were almost getting divorced. That's what people are saying."
"Missy! Sit down, you'll make us crash!" Sheldon snapped, more worried about road safety than juicy gossip. Even though the car still hasn't started yet, he just liked safety.
Missy ignored him with a shrug, her grin still wide. "I'll hear it later anyway. People talk all the time. Especially when they gossip about other people." She turned her head toward Veronica, her eyes mischievous. "So… where are we going?"
"We're going home," Sheldon said firmly, frowning hard. "Libby and Tam will be coming over later."
Missy ignored Sheldon completely and leaned forward, whispering toward the front seats, "I saw what happened in here…" she said sweetly, her grin almost angelic. "…I saw you looking at my brother…You know…"
Veronica froze, staring at Missy's smug little smile, "…How about we grab some ice cream first before going home?" she suggested quickly, her mouth twitching as she glanced at Georgie.
"…Yeah, I think I want ice cream too. Shelly, you want some?" Georgie added, catching Veronica's drift.
"I guess…" Sheldon muttered and looking confused. He had, of course, heard Missy whisper…Vulcan hearing, remember?...but he didn't understand the context. Still… free ice cream, who would say no?
"Let's go!!!" Missy cheered, bouncing back into her seat beside Sheldon.
"…Unbelievable. Threatened by a mere child," Veronica muttered under her breath as she started the car.
Georgie chuckled, glancing into the rearview mirror. "Don't think of it that way. They're happy. And besides, who doesn't like ice cream?"
Veronica sighed, keeping her eyes on the road, "Georgie…our talk isn't over," she said quietly.
"…What talk?" Georgie replied, his smirk hiding the dodge and he didn't dare to see her face again.
"…Keep pretending. The more you avoid it, the more guilty you look." Veronica's lips curved into a smile, of course not a warm one, but sharp and knowing that he is doomed.
Georgie refused to look at her, but damn it, the car window reflected that smile right back at him.
In the back seat, Sheldon turned to Missy, "What exactly did you see in here?"
Missy shrugged, "Veronica was staring at our brother's pants before we got in. I bet they were talking about sex."
Both Georgie and Veronica snapped their heads back in unison. "…Oh, good Lord…" Veronica whispered, speechless at what she heard.
"Hey! I thought we had a deal, young lady!" Georgie barked, pointing at Missy. "Not cool!"
Missy only shrugged again, "We're partners in crime, remember? And partners share information." She gave Sheldon a solemn nod.
Georgie's mouth twitched hearing that, "Then why are you whispering before if you just drop it like nothing matters?"
"For dramatic effect." Missy grinned at him like she is already the winner here.
Sheldon returned the nod like it was a binding contract, "Very well. Since we're partners, I must share too. What you said makes sense. Before they got in the car, I saw Brother touching Veronica's buttocks, of course with a dirty expression on his face. It disgusted me considering she had just used the restroom before church… the amount of germs on Brother's hands must be astronomical."
Veronica's jaw dropped in horror. "GEORGIE!" she yelped, smacking his arm, "This is YOUR fault!"
"Hey! Dangerous! Focus on the road!" Sheldon panicked, gripping his seat like the car was already skidding out of control. Of course they are fine, nothing bad happening right now.
"Now that's the real gossip…" Missy said smugly, leaning back with a triumphant look plastered across her face.
Georgie twisted around, pointing at Missy first. "You…Young lady, I already promised you ice cream. So you better keep your mouth shut, understand?" Georgie said with a frown in his face.
Missy zipped her lips with an exaggerated motion, eyes twinkling with mischief. Who knew how long that would last.
"And you, Shelly," Georgie turned next. "That wasn't disgusting…that's love. That's what people do when they care about each other. Our love intimacy is greater than the Big Bang, Of course it's hypothetically, but I'd kiss her in front of the whole world if i want it and i'll do that no matter what. That's what you do when you love someone."
He leaned over and kissed Veronica's cheek. "See? No problem at all." He kissed her again, grinning wider.
Veronica giggled despite herself, swatting at him playfully.
"Brother! Stop! Veronica, focus on the road!" Sheldon shouted, clutching the seatbelt like a lifeline.
"Ugh… you guys make me want to puke…" Missy groaned, rolling her eyes.
Georgie only laughed, leaning back in his seat. "I kiss her because I love her. I touch her because I love her. And she likes it because she loves me back."
Missy and Sheldon both groaned in unison, refusing to comment any further and try looking away from both of them.
Veronica glanced at the rearview mirror, suppressing another giggle before meeting Georgie's eyes again. "…I still want to hear about it, Georgie."
Of course she didn't forget it.
His mouth twitched, realizing his little distraction tactic hadn't worked. Not this time.