I didn’t know what to name the second Langdon gremlin so i just went with what i’ve seen most common in fanfiction
Shoutout to @queersyourgender for reading it through and helpingggg!
“Okay are we all ready for some fun?” Frank grins as he helps Tanner out of his booster seat while holding the door open. “Remember not to run too far ahead T, we need to keep an eye on you and Millie.”
Tanner just rolls his eyes in all his 4 year old glory, “Yes daddy I know!” He was rearing to go, his little legs bouncing and moving as they waited for Mel and Millie to come from the other side
“All ready?” Mel stood to the side, holding a very sleepy Millie on her hip as she greeted Tanner and met Frank's eyes.
It had been a long while since he had gone out with the kids and Mel together, divorce proceedings had gotten in the way alongside working opposite shifts but they finally made it work.
Mel had gotten word from Cassie that there was a petting zoo getting set up in the local park closest to the hospital and she immediately told Frank who agreed on the idea. They wanted to bring Becca but the girl was too busy hanging out with her new friends but requested the family get photos.
Naturally, Tanner was ecstatic to hear where they were going and went on and on about how he was so excited to see the different animals. It took a couple days for Millie to come around to the idea, not one to get her hands dirty if she could help it but once Frank had promised ice cream, she was on board.
“Are you gonna wake up a little more honey?” Mel asks the toddler, now just over 2 years old and definitely following in her brother's footsteps with being crazy, it was strange seeing her so subdued. “We’re gonna see so many animals, your favourites are here too.”
Young Millie was obsessed with goats, neither parent knew how she managed to even hear so much about the animal but she had plenty of toys to prove her love for them. Now, she had her stuffed goat (or really it was more of a sheep) under her arm and her thumb in her mouth but seemed to perk up at the mention of the animal.
“Goats?” She questions, looking around through sleepy eyes as Tanner bounds ahead. “I wanna see Goats.”
Frank chuckles, leaning over to smooth back her baby curls and presses a kiss to her forehead, “We’ll see some Goats, don’t worry. I think Tanner is more excited about the chickens.”
“They have chickens here?” Mel looks up to him, her face scrunched in question, “I also heard they have a park too so if they’re not tired out by the end then they certainly will once we’re done at the park.”
Frank already couldn’t wait for the post activity nap and the quiet.
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“Mel look! Daddy look!” Millie exclaims, pointing through the fence to the Goats that were mooching around the enclosure. She had some food that was being given out and was just chucking it through the gaps of the wooden fence, grinning when a Goat would eat what she had thrown.
“Look Millie! That one has a beard!” Tanner shouts, a giant smile on his face as he’s leaning back against Mel’s shoulder
Millie just squeals in delight, bumping back against her dad’s shoulder as she jumps in excitement. Frank surely hopes this tires them out.
After a long walk around and several trips back to their favourite animals to say goodbye, they make it to the play park at the end and they let the kids run free, trusting Tanner to be safe while they watch Millie a little closer in the under 3’s area.
“Do you think they’ll sleep well tonight?” Mel asks suddenly from where she’s crouched next to his daughter and letting her pat the bucket that’s holding the sand, “They should at least fall asleep in the car.”
Frank had no doubts that they would fall asleep, he had hoped that he and Mel could have some time tonight without the kids waking up every couple of hours.
“Tanner was asking for ice cream earlier, so was Millie.” He hums, laughing softly when his girlfriend pulls a face, “We’ll grab some on the way home, I think if we give them any now, they won’t sleep tonight.”
“We’ve already done a good job at tiring them out, why undo all that work?” He quickly agrees with her as she lifts up the bucket, revealing a standing sand castle that Millie claps her hands at before she knocks it over with her chubby hands.
Frank looks over to where he last saw his son, signalling that it was time to go before standing and dusting off the sand that had somehow made its way onto his jeans, “Time to go T, the place will be closing soon.”
“But ice cream!” He pouts, willingly turning to put on his jacket that Frank holds out, “You promised.”
He did feel a tiny bit bad, he couldn’t lie but having a night uninterrupted with Mel won out, plus it wasn’t as if he didn’t have the plan to get some on the way home. “You can have some for breakfast in the morning before mom picks you up, how’s that?”
Tanner giggles, “Mommy won’t be very happy,”
“I think she’ll survive,” He hauls Millie, now wrapped in her own baby jacket, onto his shoulders (bad back be damned) and hums at the small giggles that erupt from her. He has one hand holding her foot while the other holds Mel’s hand and Tanner is racing ahead, sensibly waiting for them the closer they get to the parking lot.
“Have you had a good day?” Mel inquires, looking back around to the back seat once they’re all settled in their seats.
But they’re met with silence, Tanner and Millie were fast asleep in the space of them getting in the front. Mel just chuckles, looking back to Frank with a pleased smile.
“Well Miss King, I think that’s a good day well spent don’t you?” He quips while starting the car and buckling his belt
Didn’t know how to title this but i’m still in my wedding kick
Today was the big day, a day that Frank knew was coming but didn’t want to experience so soon.
“My baby is getting married,” He sniffles as he’s tying his tie and looking back at Mel.
Mel smiles in response, smoothing down the skirt of her dress. “Millie is all grown up, can you believe it?”
“I still remember when she came home and announced that she was dating at the age of 4, I almost had a heart attack.”
“And now she’s getting married to the love of her life,”
Mel King had watched Millie grow up, and it was the most enormous privilege that the Langdon’s let Mel in so willingly. There was some tension at first, which made holidays together nerve-wracking, but soon they were one big family.
A knock at the door interrupted the conversation, and Abby Langdon-Satturi poked her head around the door.
“Abby?” Mel questions, watching the woman sheepishly wobble into the room
“I’m sorry to intrude, but Millie wants to speak with you, Mel,” She says, her hands interlaced in front of her. “She wants to see you before the ceremony.”
“Is everything okay?” Frank asks attentively about his ex-wife. “She’s not having doubts, is she?”
Abby shakes her head, smiling brightly. “She’s eager to get the party started, but nothing like that, don’t worry. I think Mel will love what Mills has in store.”
Mel didn’t waste another second, kissing her husband on the cheek and squeezing Abby’s hand as she passed by, but soon she was stepping into the bridal suite and seeing Millie in her dress.
“Oh, honey, you look beautiful,” She cries, one hand on her chest and the other wiping away tears. “Is everything okay?”
The now twenty-four-year-old had grown into a bright, loving, and caring young woman. Her love for animals led her to a career working with them, and she found the love of her life through that career.
“Mel, hi.” She reaches out for her, bringing Mel closer. “I’m not sure if it’s a tradition, but I gave my mom a gift as the mother of the bride, but you’ve been a big part of my childhood and shaped me into the woman I am today. I wanted to get you something, a small gift just to let you know that I’m grateful.”
Mel was surprised, her eyes widening. “A gift? You didn’t have to do that.”
“You were the best mom a girl could ask for, especially considering the circumstances, but I’m happy my dad found you after everything.”
“I can’t hold a candle to your mom; she would always be your number one, and I'd never replace her, but it’s been an honour to watch you grow up, Millie.”
The gift box the bride gave her was small and velvet. It had a little bow on top and looked perfect. Inside was a silver bracelet with several charms hanging from it.
“It’s matching with my mom, just some little milestones we all reached and memories,” Millie explains while Mel tries it on. “The first one being my graduation from high school, Thanksgiving and so on. It’s a symbol of very few little memories that I have cherished, and I hope we can add to it in the years to come.”
“Darling, it’s wonderful, thank you so much.” Mel hugs her close, tears streaming down her cheeks. “We’ll make sure to keep adding memories, don’t you worry.”
