It was 8:00 pm sharp. David was almost finished tying his tie. Jane was putting Kate's bonnet on, and Arthur and DW were already downstairs and ready to go. DW was posing elaborately in front of the TV. Arthur rolled his eyes at her.

"Don't ruin this for me, DW. I don't need you embarrassing me," Arthur clipped.

"Me?" DW asked in offense. "I don't need to embarrass you, Arthur."

DW smirked.

"You'll do that on your own!"

"Why you…"

"Okay kids," David gleefully announced. "It's time to go!"

A knock sounded at the door. Jane finished putting in her pearl earrings as she opened it. Robert and Caroline Parker stood there. Robert wore a black suit, while Caroline wore a silk red dress.

"Oh," Caroline smiled, "we're twinning!"

She pointed to Jane's own red dress. Jane laughed, stating, "We're almost ready."

"No rush," Robert said. "We'll leave as soon as you're good to go."

"Wait's over," David replied, walking out with Kate in his arms. Handing the baby to Jane, David shut the door as the family got in the car. The Parker's own van was at the end of the driveway, and as soon as the ignitions turned on, the two families were off.

It wasn't long before they reached Gorchelli's. Pulling into park, the Reads and Parkers went inside. Robert and David approached the hostess' station. Jane and Caroline sat waiting, making idle chit chat, while the kids all stood awkwardly.

"Hi, DW? I'm Jake."

Jake extended his hand. But DW pinched her nose.

"What's that smell?"

"This?" Jake asked, pulling open his jacket. "It's my dad's cologne. Don't you like it?"

"It stinks!" DW shrieks, causing Sarah to burst out laughing. Jake turned beet red, pointing at Sarah.

"This was all your idea!"

"I think it smells nice," Sarah grinned. Jake walked away, standing near Emily. Katelyn walked up to Jane.

"May I hold her?" Katelyn politely asked, pointing to Baby Kate. Jane smiled.

"Of course." Jane handed Kate to Katelyn carefully. As the older child rocked the baby, she asked,

"What's her name?"

"Her name's Kate."

"Hey, that's my name," Katelyn brightened, turning to the child in her care. "I'm a Kate, too," she told Kate, tickling her. Baby Kate laughed gleefully, clapping her hands.

Arthur stood talking to Emily and Neil.

"Please tell me you guys are coming to Lakewood."

"I don't know," Neil shuffled. "Vi might kill me."

"Oh hush, Neil," Emily said, jabbing his shoulder. "Mom and Dad said it's the closest school, so that's where we're going."

"Cool," Arthur smiled. "Are you guys into sports?"

"I like soccer," Emily replied. "But Neil loves football."

"Please tell me you guys play football!" Neil said excitedly.

"Isn't that more of a high school sport?" Arthur asked. "We do have soccer. And basketball. And we have baseball."

Neil visibly cringed at the mention of baseball.

"At least you have basketball," he muttered.

"So, where did you guys move from?" Arthur asked.

As it turned out, the Parkers were from New Jersey, specifically a city called Bronston. Over time, family and friends had moved elsewhere, many settling close to Elwood City and Crown City. Their uncle Chip was even a police officer for the ECPD. So, the Parkers eventually decided that a change of pace was in order. They moved to Elwood City in the hopes of a fresh start.

"Our dad hopes the move will be permanent," Emily said.

"Would kinda bite to make new friends, just to lose them again," Neil added.

"Well, there's plenty of reasons to stay," Arthur smiled. "Tomorrow, I'll introduce you guys to the gang!"

Their party was called, and the Parker and Read families made their way to their table, earning stares from smaller families all the way. Robert sat at the head of the table, with Caroline on his right, and David and Jane on his left. Next to Jane was Kate's highchair, Katelyn, DW, and Arthur. Next to Caroline sat Sarah, Jake, Emily, Neil, and Terry.

Arthur took a glance at Terry, who seemed disinterested by the whole situation. Neil and Emily made an obvious attempt to order differently, but in the end, the ravioli kept them together. When the waiter came, taking drink orders, milk was ordered for DW, Sarah, and Jake, while the other kids had either apple or orange juice. The adults kept things mild with waters and soda.

"So, David," Robert asked, "what do you do for a living?"

"I'm a caterer."

"Ha," Robert chuckled. "So, you can probably outcook all these guys!"

"Thanks. I appreciate it but baking is my specialty."

"Really? What's your favorite dish?"

"Souffle, by far!" David beamed.

"I always have trouble getting mine to rise," Caroline said. "Any tips?"

As David took to explaining the procedure, DW sat coloring her pages. Jake drew a picture on the back of the paper, turning to show DW.

"Hey, look DW. It's all of us playing ball together."

"You're supposed to color inside the lines," DW clipped.

As Jake deflated, Sarah turned to look, chiming in, "Looks cool, bro."

Katelyn took notice, asking, "What're you into, DW?"

DW stared at the older girl.

"What?"

"I said, what do you like?"

DW glanced at Jake, who'd returned to drawing.

"I like Mary Moo Cow. And Crazy Bus."

Arthur choked on his orange juice.

"You okay?" Neil asked.

"I like Mary Moo Cow, too," Katelyn replied, smiling.

DW hummed in reply. Katelyn looked to Jake and shrugged. Jake sighed and held his head. Arthur asked Neil,

"How do you do it, man?"

"Do what?"

"So many siblings!" Arthur then whispered, "So many sisters."

Neil laughed it off.

"Easy. I have a twin to help me."

"That's right," Emily chimed. "Nobody better heckle my bro!"

"Besides," Neil continued, "Kate and the duet aren't so bad. Terry's the mean one."

"What did you say, shrimp?" Terry snapped.

Neil stuck his tongue out in reply, prompting Terry to bare her teeth.

"That's enough you two," Robert scolded.

"Yes Dad," the two replied.

David and Jane took notice of how orderly the kids were.

"We have got to commend you two," Jane chimed in. "How do you do it?"

Robert and Caroline had a hearty laugh.

"It's all in the wrist," Robert joked, causing Caroline to jab him.

"We just take our time with each of them and try to give them the attention they deserve," Caroline said, adding, "it's not always easy, but we manage."

"And it helps that they're all good kids at heart," Robert supplied.

From there the conversation drifted into past employment, old friends, and what life was like in Jersey. After dinner, David posed the question to Robert,

"What're you gonna do for work?"

"I've got a labor contract with Crosswire Motors. I'm a bit of a fiddler and a fixer. But I am a licensed mechanic."

"Well, if I ever need help with the van, I guess I know who to call. How much do you charge?"

"After tonight?" Robert smiled warmly, "free of charge for you guys. It's good to know we'll be living near good people."

"Same here."

When they had arrived back home, Arthur told Neil to wait outside as he grabbed something. Neil shuffled outside, Emily at his side. Robert remained talking with David as Caroline and the others went home. Arthur grabbed his Bionic Bunny radio and pulled out a two-pack of spares he kept for emergencies. He raised the receiver and called radioed Buster.

"Buster Bunny here!"

"Hey, Buster. You know those extra walkie talkies you gave me?"

"Yeah? What about them?"

"Well, we just got new neighbors, and I'm thinking about letting them join the gang."

Buster gave a pause.

"…Are they aliens?"

Arthur sighed. "No."

"…Are you sure?"

"Yes, Buster, I'm sure."

"Then it's fine. When do we get to meet them?"

"Get everyone together tomorrow by the treehouse. I'll introduce them to everyone."

Arthur rushed outside and handed Neil and Emily each a walkie talkie.

"Neighborhood communication," Arthur explained. Neil looked his over while Emily gushed over hers. They thanked him, and Arthur smiled.

"Welcome to the neighborhood."

A/N: Well, I had most of this done, just didn't get it finished until recent. Back to business, though. Onto the next installment!