Hi guys! I am back! Yes, I am alive! I am SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER sorry I was not able to update after a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG time. I returned to school and with work and workout to juggle with it, I almost had no time to update. But here is Chapter 13, updated but still not finished.

Did you guys know that this is the anniversary of this fanfic? OMG! Anyways, please bear with the short update. I will finish this chapter if not tomorrow, on the day after that.

Thanks guys! xoxo

Morticia and Gomez were cuddling each other on her balcony on the eve of February first. The sky was clear, the moon was shining brightly above them, the breeze blowing ever so softly over the worn out quilt covering their legs. Everything was so peaceful. That was until a distant clock chimed twelve midnight – something felt awkward.

Well, things were already awkward even before that night. In fact, the oddness started on New Year's Eve. The day both of them were nervous about, most especially now that they were already in a relationship, was rapidly nearing – Valentine's Day.

Most couples would find the 14th of February exciting. It is actually, for the both of them. It is just that they have made the times they spend together special, neither of them has any idea how to make a couple's day more special than regular days.

Gomez even started a countdown, hoping that a nearing deadline would inspire him to think up of something for Morticia. She, on the other hand, threw all the calendar she laid her eyes on, for with each number slashed of, the day she knew nothing about yet evidently she had to celebrate was closing in, much faster than she wanted to.

That was why, on the third chime of the clock, both of them stiffened up, realizing that Valentine's Day was merely fourteen days away. The excitement Gomez felt turned into anxiousness as Morticia grew more nervous, both because neither of them knew what to do for the demented, but supposedly romantic day.

However, neither of them noticed that the other was also stiff as a board, both eyes wide in apprehension. In their distraction, they just both prayed that the other did not notice the sudden frigidity.

"Good night, cara mia," Gomez whispered to Morticia's ear.

She shifted to allow him to stand up. "Good night, darling," she replied, distracted with her Valentine thoughts that she was not hesitant to let him leave.

Though quite surprised with the absence of her reluctance, he kissed her on the forehead, glad to be able to leave and lock himself up in his room to ponder what to do for the 14th day of the month. "I will see you tomorrow?" he asked, silently hoping that she would say no.

As much as she wanted to decline his offer for the following day, she did not want to hurt his feelings. Of course, she knew nothing of his current disposition, as she was also having her own. "Of course," she said. She smiled up at him in the best manner she could, despite herself.

Without another word, which could have felt way odd had they were in their usual selves, Gomez jumped over Morticia's balcony railing, then unto the adjacent willow tree, leaving her behind, confused. Of course, her confusion had nothing to do with him leaving too early, but of the event to commence in two weeks' time.

He was also having the same dilemma as he drove home. For four times, he nearly crashed onto light posts on the other side of the road, twice nearly drove over two stray cats, and once almost kill a pedestrian, who was already at the sidewalk of the opposite road.

Needless to say, Morticia and Gomez both had nothing in mind to do for Valentine's. Sighing, they both decided to take the next step, no matter how awkward it would be: ask Ophelia, Phoebe, or Christian. Or better yet, ask all three of them.

Things did not go any better the following days. It seemed to have worsened, as a matter of fact, though neither Morticia nor Gomez noticed anything odd with the other's behavior. On seven days prior to Valentine's Day, panic was already rising for the both of them. Neither of them approached Ophelia, Phoebe, or Christian, believing that they alone could crack open the mystery of what to prepare. Finally, Morticia decided to ask for help.

She was quite disappointed to see that Gomez came to drive her to class one morning. Of course, she was delighted to see him, as she longed to be with him but with the imminent occasion just around the corner, she could not completely enjoy his company. She was planning on speaking privately with Christian, perhaps even with Ophelia around, but now that Gomez was present, she decided to switch to Plan B.

"Morticia, where are you going?" Ophelia asked as Morticia climbed up the stairs.

"I forgot something in my room," Morticia easily lied. She entered her room and searched for paper and pen. She sat down on her desk and started the note for Christian.

Gomez on the other hand, seized the moment of Morticia's absence. He already planned on asking Ophelia the moment he arrived at their house. But then Morticia appeared so suddenly that he did not even have the chance to silently communicate with Ophelia.

"Ophelia," he hurriedly whispered, constantly checking the stairs for Morticia.

Ophelia and Christian, who were having a moment on their own by the front door, inquiringly looked at Gomez.

He stepped closer to them, still checking the stairs every now and then. "I need your help," he said.

"What for?" Ophelia asked, looking quite suspicious.

"Valentine's," he simply replied.

Christian snickered.

"Something funny?" Gomez asked, glaring daggers at Christian. He advanced menacingly. Christian also stepped forward, calling Gomez's silent dare.

"Alright, alright, cut it out," Ophelia said, placing both of her hands on either of their chests. "Christian, please move away from Gomez. I will just talk to him… and I will deal with you later."

Though he obviously wanted to start a brawl with Gomez, Christian backed away. He walked to the back door, where he waited with his back turned at them, though he was occasionally checking up with Ophelia.

"What about Valentine's?" Ophelia asked. Gomez studied her reaction, looking for a hint of sarcasm, just like Christian, but found none. He relaxed.

"I want to prepare something for Morticia," he began, but was immediately interrupted by Ophelia.

"Don't you think you are pushing your luck with celebrations?" she asked.

"But it's Valentine's," he countered.

"And it is Morticia we are talking about," she reminded him with raised eyebrows to prove her point.

"She did not seem angry with what I prepared for her birthday," he said by way of explanation. .

"You are one stubborn young man, are you not?" she asked almost too exasperatedly for Gomez's liking.

He shrugged, waiting for her.

She sighed. "Fine, but do not say I did not warn you. What do you need?"

"Thank you," he said, flashing her a big smile. "What does Morticia want?"

"That question again?" Ophelia asked, now sounding positively exasperated. She placed her hands on her hips. "Gomez, you and Morticia have been in a relationship for months already! You even gave her a birthday party, which she most detest, or at least previously. And now you are asking me what my sister wants? Have you not known her enough?"

"I…"

"And for the nth time, Addams, Morticia only wants you!"

"But –"

"Shall we go?" Morticia's voice softly rang out as she descended the stairs. Silence answered her.

"Is anything the matter?" she asked.

"Nothing, cara mia," Gomez nervously replied.

She turned to Christian, who was standing nonchalantly by the wall. "Christian, can I speak with you?"

"Sure," he replied, smiling at her. To Morticia, it was merely a brotherly affection. But to Gomez, given that Christian sniggered at him earlier, as well as the fact that he is a male and Morticia is a knock out female, Christian's smile was not welcome. "What about?" Christian asked as he placed a casual arm around her shoulder, which further irritated Gomez.

"Let us talk outside," Morticia suggested after casting a hesitant glance at Gomez. Of course, they won't be talking about anything other than Valentine's, but she felt guilty upon Gomez's pained expression. She addressed him. "Would that be alright, bubula?" she softly asked.

"Fine," Gomez replied through gritted teeth. Though she called him by the pet name she christened him with, which he very much adored, he could not help but feel irritated with Christian's deliberate actions.

"Come," Morticia whispered, ushering Christian out. She took out a folded piece of paper from the pocket of her bag and handed it to him.

"What is this?" he asked, looking puzzled.

"Answer the question on that piece of paper," she began but halted as he moved to open it. She placed a gentle hand over his to prevent him from unsealing the paper. "Not now, later."

"What's inside?" he curiously asked, putting the folded up paper on the back pocket of his jeans.

"A question," she replied, deliberately shying away from the answer.

"Yes, you said that," he answered. "But what is the question?"

"Christian, if I answer your question and tell you my question, then the whole point of that folded up piece of paper would be moot, wouldn't it?" she asked. She stepped closer to him to whisper, "Just do not tell anybody about that."

"Anybody?" he repeated.

"Anybody," she clarified.

"Not even Ophelia?"

"Christian, do you have a different definition for 'anybody'?"

"Just making sure."

On the other side of the house, standing as still as a statue, was Gomez. He was intently watching them with greatly antagonized eyes, ready to pounce on Christian the moment he decided to cross his property. The second this thought washed over him, Gomez immediately felt guilty (though not to the extent of ceasing to watch Morticia and Christian) for thinking about Morticia as his property.

He was very mad that he did not notice Ophelia silently lurk behind him. It was not until he angrily huffed and turned around that he saw her. In fact, he came face to face with her and jumped out of his skin in surprise.

"What were you doing?" he asked.

"Why are you watching Morticia like some bird of prey?" she asked back.

He immediately felt sheepish. He could feel red splotches appearing on his neck with her question. Her question shook him up, making him realize that of course, no matter how attractive Morticia is, she will not look elsewhere but him. Yet for some reason, he felt protective off her.

"Nothing," he answered, waving her off. He decided to revert the conversation back to his dilemma. "So…"

It seemed that Ophelia was not stupid, for she understood what he was attempting to say. "Oh, don't 'so' me, Addams. I've already repeatedly told you that Morticia prefers your company more than anything."

"But –"

"Repeat the question one more time and I swear on my Aunt Esther's grave I will punch you on the nose," she warned as Gomez opened his mouth to insist.

"You wouldn't," he challenged her. He had mastered the art of fencing and shooting, and he was at the peak of shape and health, thanks to zen yogi, that he knew Ophelia's most possibly puny punch would be just like a brush of a gentle finger.

"Try me," she said in so much confidence that he almost bought her façade. But then, seeing her slim arms, he knew that she was merely pulling his leg.

" What does Morticia want?" he asked.

"You asked for it," she said. And in a speed, only a bit slower than the speed of light by a miniscule per cent, Ophelia pulled her arm bag and swung it to Gomez's face. He was definitely caught off guard, for he was not expecting such speed and power from her tiny arm. He dodged just in time, and he felt the breeze of her fist graze his cheek.

"You weren't expecting that," she commented with a slightly triumphant smile.

Before he could reply, Morticia approached them. "Shall we go?" she asked in an overly perky voice that of course did not suit her at any level. She saw Ophelia flashed her a skeptic look, but she ignored it. She addressed Gomez. "It is almost time for class."

"Is it?" he asked, surprised. He did not notice her perky demeanor, or rather, he was too busy to notice it. He took out his pocket watch and studied it. "By jove, you are right, cara mia! Pardon me."

"Quite alright," she replied. They then left the house with a hurried good bye to Ophelia and Christian.

Though still distracted with his lack of plans for the 14th day of the month, Gomez did not forget opening the door for Morticia and ushering her in. They rode in an awkward silence, which by some miracle neither of them noticed.

They were on their way up to her classroom when he saw Phoebe arriving.

"Phoebe!" he called. Morticia looked back and saw her friend coming. She stopped climbing the stairs to wait up for her.

"Hello Gomez, hello Morticia," Phoebe greeted. Both Morticia and Gomez observed the bewilderment in her voice, but the former chose to ignore it and greet her friend in return with a kiss on the cheek.

"Tish, you would not mind if I talk to Phoebe for a while, would you?" Gomez asked, perhaps too blatantly.

Morticia slightly narrowed her eyes on his rather peculiar request, especially that their class was about to begin. But then, she remembered how he let her speak with Christian, although it was very clear in hi eyes that he would rather not have him near her. She took a step forward, slightly stood on the tips of her toes, and kissed him on the lips.

The gesture surprised him, for her kiss was more arduous that usual. Pleased with her sudden display of affection, especially on such a public space on broad daylight, he returned her kiss. They broke away from each other moments later, both of them flushed and panting for air. Quite simultaneously, they turned to Phoebe, who was deliberately looking at any direction but them, whistling nonchalantly.

"Pardonne moi," Morticia whispered. She moved to glide away from Gomez and Phoebe, but then her uttering of French nearly drove him out of his wits.

"That's French, Tish!" he cried as he showered her arm with fervent kisses. "You know what French does to me, cara mia! Please say more – monsieur, mademoiselle – anything!"

"Gomez, control yourself," she whispered. She tried to squirm away from him but he was determined not to let her go without any further French. He continued kissing her arm, ready to move to the other. Having no choice, she assumed the manner of Mrs. Addams. "Gomez…"

"Yes, Mama," he replied most abruptly. He immediately let go of her hand and stood up straight.

Morticia and Phoebe quietly chuckled. With a quick peck on his cheek, Morticia left.

"What's going on?" Phoebe asked once she was certain that Morticia was out of earshot. "I know that look, I've seen that before."

"Then you know what I am about to ask," Gomez replied.

"Tell me," she said. She leaned on the stair railing and waited for him to proceed.

"What do you think Morticia wants for Valentine's?" he asked, trying to sound casual but failing.

She rolled her eyes before responding. "That question again, Gomez?"

"Well, technically, that was a different question," he replied. "Before I was asking for a birthday gift, now I am asking for a Valentine's gift, or something."

"Are you mocking me?" she asked, putting her hands on either of her hips. She raised an eyebrow.

"Definitely not," he replied, shaking his head vehemently. "I was just pointing out that now is different from Morticia's birthday."

She raised her eyebrow even higher.

He swallowed hard for now, Phoebe looked not so different from Morticia when she imitates his mother. "If you insist," he replied meekly.

She dropped her menacing stature. "Don't you think you are pushing celebrations and gifts too hard on Morticia?" she asked.

"That was what Ophelia said," he commented.

"And you asked her, too. Again, I must add," she replied.

"Morticia sat well with her birthday," he insisted. "Valentine's might not have a bad effect on her."

"Did you ask Ophelia that?"

"No… but if there is something I need to know, she would've told me. Wouldn't she?"

She shrugged.

"Do you know?" he asked, suddenly doubting whether his idea of celebrating Valentine's was a good idea.

"No idea,"

Gomez was silent. He contemplated for a while, racking his brains whether Morticia previously said, even in passing, that she detest Valentine's, too. He thought if she showed manifestations of hating romance, but found nothing of either.

"I don't think she dislikes Valentine," he slowly said. He looked inquiringly at Phoebe. "Well?"

"I told you, Gomez," she began in an exasperated voice. "Morticia wants your company and nothing much else."

"Ophelia said that also," he commented. He scratched his head. "Are you certain that you and Ophelia are not sisters?"

"You have a very cluttered mind," she commented. Looking irritated, she turned to her heel and climbed up the stairs to her class, leaving Gomez still clueless.

On the crack of dawn on the 14th of February, Gomez left his bed. He had been lying there since 10 in the evening but sleep was eluding him. Within minutes, he had showered, pomaded his hair, and literally suited up – he was wearing a three-piece black suit with bow tie, and a matching black and white leather shoes. It was not his usual get up, but today was Valentine's day and he had finally hatched up a plan to pleasantly surprise Morticia. His only worry now was whether she has a thing against Valentine's.

He looked at his reflection on the hallway mirror, and he could see the worry on his face. He cast the ill thoughts aside, for there was nothing he could do anymore, the order was ready for pickup. And besides, how would he know her reaction unless he pull this stunt off? Perhaps it would have been easier if he asked her.

Shaking his head to cast away all the negativity, Gomez left his apartment and started his car. Of all the days, today was the time his trusted Duisenberg decided to whine. It was too early in the morning for him to bring the car to the nearest car shop for checkup and possible repair, and he would be late if he had to stop by the car shop before going to the restaurant and flower shop.

Praying to all the saints, spirits, and other ethereal beings, he decided to skip the car repair shop and proceed to his Valentine's day errands. He thought that perhaps, his beloved car would cooperate with him and last until the end of the day.

"Please stay with me," he whispered as he drove away from his apartment. "I will have you repaired first thing tomorrow morning… just help me make this day perfect."

After the first few kilometers, the Duisenberg ceased from whining. He let out a sigh of relief and continued driving, whistling to himself.

"Bon journee, monsieur," the female receptionist greeted him as he entered the French restaurant. Though the young woman spoke and even looked part-French with Parisian accent, the delivery did not appeal to him. Maybe it was because the woman was irritatingly blonde, but inexplicably, he felt a surprising wave of distaste for the language. He thought perhaps, French only appealed to him if Morticia speaks it. The receptionist continued speaking, though this time in English. He noted her indeed Parisian accent. "How may I assist you, monsieur?"

"I ordered your set meal of authentic Parisian breakfast for two, a couple of days ago," he began, ignoring the receptionist's extensive batting of eyelashes. "I said that I will pick it up today, though in an hour. I woke up early and decided to drop by ahead of time, thinking that perhaps it is already available."

"Your name, monsieur?" she asked.

"Gomez Addams," he replied.

The receptionist checked their computerized record for almost just a second. She raised her head to address him. "Please wait for a while, Mr. Addams," she said, gesturing onto the couch reserved for those who came without reservation and willing to wait for a table. "I will just get your order."

As he walked towards the couch, the receptionist left her post and went to the kitchens. Few moments later, the receptionist returned, behind her was a female chef, carrying a box of unmistakably cake.

"Here is your order, Sir," the receptionist said, handing him two paper bags. He handed her his credit card, in exchange.

"Good morning, Sir," the chef greeted. "I own this restaurant and I am also the head chef. I would like you to have this," she said as she handed him the box. She continued, "Since it is Valentine's Day, we give away whole cakes to those who would order a meal for two, and a slice for those who dine in. Assuming based from your clothing and your meal for two, we thought that this is all for a date."

Gomez smiled. "You are correct," he said. "Thank you." The receptionist returned his card and he left. He stopped by a flower shop, where he picked up three dozens of long stemmed red roses, a bunch of petals of red rose, and a couple of balloons shaped like hearts. Of all the things he bought, the balloons were the most cheesy. As he left the shop, he was considering whether the balloons were such a good idea after all. He then drove to Morticia's house, where he decided to park several yards away, just as not to disclose his arrival.

He walked around the house and entered through the back door, as Morticia and Ophelia never lock, or even close the said door. True enough, it was wide open, almost welcoming him. He entered and put down on the kitchen table the food he brought. He carefully unpacked each item, neatly placing their containers on the table. After he unpacked the cake, which was, to his delight, a green tea cheese cake, he carefully folded up the paper bags and then threw them away.

Rather like a thief, he searched the kitchen drawers and cabinets, looking for the best plates and utensils they have. He was even lucky enough to see a silver serving tray, which he decided to put the food on. He took out surgical gloves, which he miraculously scavenged in his apartment, from his pocket and slipped them on to keep the food as hygienic as he could. Personally, he preferred his food dirty, but he had not spoke with Morticia about that.

As he put the food on the good china, he heard footsteps descending the stairs. He panicked. He knew that Morticia would usually sleep until an hour before class. On the rare times that she would wake up early, it was only to escape Ophelia. Was today one of those days? It was impossible for him to keep all the cluttered things on time. It was also an impossible task to finish plating, tying the balloons, and scattering the rose petals before she would arrive in the kitchen.

A second before he could collapsed in panic, Ophelia appeared from the staircase. He breathed a sighof relief.

"Thank goodness it was only you," he said. He continued arranging his Valentine's surprise for Morticia.

She raised an eyebrow, way up high, as she pierce him with an accusing glare. Then she scanned the room. "That was rich," she sarcastically said. "And what is all these?"

"Valentine's breakfast," he replied, not looking up from his work.

"Oh," was her only reaction. "And so you have finally understood what effort and company meant, good for you."

"Do you think, Morticia will like this?" he asked, finally looking up to Ophelia. His eyes were round with anxiousness.

"Why wouldn't she?" she asked, sitting down on the chair opposite Gomez. "You pulled this off all by yourself."

"But I did not cook the food," he countered, also sitting down. "I just bought all these and put them all in a single tray."

"Yes, but you put an effort of coming up with this Valentine's surprise for Morticia."

"If you call it that," he scoffed dejectedly. He sighed. "I only came up with this a few nights ago since I could not think of anything. Another thing is, how different is this from the usual breakfast I bring to her?"

"The roses," she suggested.

"Pfft," he scoffed again. "I bring her flowers almost every day."

"But I doubt that you shower her with rose petals," she insisted.

"Pfft," he repeated.

Ophelia frowned. "Fine!" she almost cried in frustration. "Here I am, telling you that what you prepared is simple yet romantic, but you choose to pity yourself. Suit yourself; your efforts are futile, they won't work." She stood up and started to leave.

"No, no, stay, Ophelia," he stopped her, quite almost pleading. "I'm sorry. I'm just worried Morticia will not like this."

Ophelia sighed exasperatedly before returning to her seat. "No woman in her right mind will not like this," she said waving to the mess he had made on their dining table. "If I know something about Morticia, it is that she adores you no matter what. This will make her love you more."

"You think so?"

"Yes," she replied with the same exasperated voice.

"Okay," Gomez replied, finally smiling and losing his anxiousness. He picked up the plate he was working on and continued placing the items as artfully as he could. When he finished, he took out the rose petals and started scattering them from the dining room up to Morticia's bedroom door. Ophelia watched him sleepily, not saying a word.

"Shouldn't Morticia already be preparing around this time?" he asked upon his return.

"What's the time?" she asked, yawning as she spoke.

"A little before seven," he replied. He picked up the long stemmed roses, left three on the table and carried the rest back up the stairs, while at the same time, fetching thin rope from his pocket. One step at a time, he carefully tied a rose on the hand railing of the steps, thinking of making Morticia pickup each on her way down. It was a slow work, but his heart was blooming with excitement as he made his way down the stairs.

"There is no activity inside her room, Ophelia," Gomez called out from the staircase.

"She could not still be sleeping," she replied. Ophelia stood up and climbed up the stairs, passing by Gomez, who was tying the last few roses on the handrail. "Morticia?" She called out, knocking on the door.

"Ophelia!" he hissed as he took the stairs three at a time just to prevent her from rapping her knuckles on her sister's door.

"What?" she asked.

"You cannot call her out!" he hissed. "And lower your voice."

"Why?" she asked.

"Because I am not done yet!" he whispered. "She cannot see what I have prepared just yet!"

"But how am I supposed to know whether she's inside?"

"Why would she not be inside in the first place?"

"I don't know," she shrugged. She shoved past him and climbed back down the stairs. "She could have gone to your house."

"That doesn't make sense," he replied waving aside the idea. "Besides, we did not make arrangements for today, so she's just inside her room."

"Hello?" someone from the receiving room called out.

Both Ophelia and Gomez went to checked out who it was.

"Phoebe, hi," Ophelia said. "What are you doing here?"

"Hello Phoebe," Gomez also greeted.

"Hello Ophelia and Gomez," Phoebe replied, sounding a bit surprised. "I did not expect you to be here, Gomez."

"Why not?" he asked.

"What are you doing here?" Ophelia repeated.

"I came to get Morticia's things," Phoebe replied.

"Why?" Gomez asked.

"Is she not here?" Ophelia asked.

"And why did you say that you did not expect to see me here?" Gomez added.

"I am getting confused," Phoebe replied. She looked strangely at Gomez. "Are you not supposed to be meeting with Morticia?"

"That is why I am here," Gomez said.

"Phoebe, is Morticia not supposed to be here?" Ophelia asked.

"Do you mean to tell me that you do not know where Morticia is?" Phoebe asked, confusion evident in her voice.

"Did I hear someone say Morticia?" another voice joined in. the three of them turned around to see Christian entering the house through the back door.

"What are you doing here?" Phoebe asked.

"I came to fetch Ophelia," Christian replied. Then he smiled at her, "And good morning to you too, Phoebe."

"Never mind that," Ophelia said, brushing his kiss on her forehead away. "Yes, we are talking about her."

"Why did you ask?" Phoebe asked.

"Did you see her?" Gomez also asked peering suspiciously at Christian.

"Don't shoot me, dude!" Christian said placating Gomez's rising anger. "But I did see her."

"What do you mean?" Ophelia asked, her voice mirroring the anxiousness previously used by Gomez and the confusion evident in Phoebe's voice.

"At around 5 in the morning," Christian said, rather nonchalantly. "Why?"

"Where did you see her –?" Gomez began but Phoebe interrupted her.

"Wait, Gomez, answer me first, why are you not with Morticia? I thought you had plans?" Phoebe insisted.

"On her balcony," Christian answered Gomez's question.

"Do you mean to say that Morticia is not here?" Ophelia asked, her voice raising a bit.

"No," Christian replied.

"What do you mean, 'no'?" Gomez asked, sounding very worried. Before Christian could reply, Ophelia ran past them and rushed to the stairs. Realizing rather delayed, Gomez followed her, with Phoebe and Christian on his heels.

"Morticia?" Ophelia called out once again. She knocked hard on her door. "Morticia?"

"Morticia!" Gomez also called.

"I told you, Morticia is not here," Christian insisted.

"Where did she go?" Phoebe asked, sounding worried as well.

"I don't know," Christian answered. "I just saw her climb down her balcony."

"Why did you not stop her?" Ophelia asked almost hysterically.

"Why would I do that? She seemed fine with what she was doing," he reasoned out.

Gomez twisted the knob of Morticia's door and it flung open, revealing an empty room, as Christian claimed.

"Where is she?" Gomez asked.

"Why is she not with you, Gomez?" Phoebe asked him. She was staring at him dangerously.

"She was climbing down the balcony instead of leaving through the door," Ophelia was saying to Christian. "How could she seem fine?"

"She did not look scared," Christian replied. "Besides, I thought you knew she was leaving."

"But that early?" Ophelia asked. She paced the room, showering their feet with daisy petals.

"Why would she be with me?" Gomez answered Phoebe with also a question.

"Because it is Valentine's Day," Phoebe replied.

"But we did not arrange anything," Gomez said.

Phoebe sighed. "Look, I have to get Morticia's things and go. We have a field trip today."

"Wait, you cannot leave us with Morticia missing!" Ophelia cried as she watched Phoebe get a lone bag on Mortica's bed.

"I will be late,"

"Morticia's missing!"

"No, she's not," Christian persistently said. "She was not abducted, Ophelia. She left her room and went to that direction."

The three of them followed Christian's finger, which was pointing to the opposite direction of the school.

"Wait…" Gomez slowly said. He turned to Phoebe. "Did she tell you that we have plans?"

Phoebe shook her head. "No. She just asked me to bring her things for her."

"When?"

"Two days ago…"

"And you saw her going to that direction?" Gomez asked Christian.

"Yes," Christian replied. He thought for a while. "Oh, and she was carrying a small backpack."

"Morticia with a backpack?" Ophelia asked incredulously, momentarily forgetting that her sister was missing. Phoebe reminded her this.

"Ophelia, your sister is missing," she said.

"No, she is not," Christian said again, this time sounding very much exasperated.

"Yes, she is," Ophelia countered, as she came back to her senses.

"No, he's right," Gomez said, agreeing with Christian.

"Then where is she?" Phoebe asked.

"At home," Gomez answered. Without any further ado, he raced past them and left the house. He went to his car and started it, or at least attempted to start it, for it was not cooperating with him again. "Oh, not now…" he groaned.

"Gomez, what are you doing?" Ophelia asked as she, Christian, and Phoebe came running out the house to follow him.

"I understand…" Phoebe said, watching Gomez struggle with his car, which is still not starting. "Morticia is at his house."

"What? Why?" Christian asked.

"It's Valentine's Day!" Ophelia said with dawning realization.

"Yes!" Phoebe agreed.

"Ha! Gomez, I was right! Morticia is –" Ophelia began but abruptly stopped upon seeing Gomez leave his car and run away from them. She cried out to him, "Gomez, where are you going?"

"Home!" he cried back but continued running away.

"On foot?" she shouted, for he was quite far away already.

"Car's not good!" he shouted back and turned on the corner and he was gone.

Phoebe climbed inside Gomez's car and turned the key. The car came to life. She stared at Ophelia and Christian, "What did he mean by the car is not good?"

"No idea," Christian answered. Ophelia looked just as confused as the other two.

Please wait for further update! I have a two-month break so hopefully, I will make use of that and update as much as possible :D Thank you guys! xoxo