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John shut the door to the hotel, a huge grin plastered on his face. A minute later, Peggy emerged behind him, giggling profusely. She walked past him up to his carriage and impatiently waited for John to come and open the door. John sighed happily and looked around. He was going to see Alex for a surprise visit! John had only arrived with Peggy a few days prior and was very excited to meet Alex again, and everyone else to. It had only been a few months since the two had left to South Carolina for school but it felt too long for them, and they was sure everyone else agreed. He trudged through the cold breeze to his parked carriage and opened the door, allowing Peggy to enter at last out of the chilly weather. He then got himself in and told the driver to head to Alex's house. Before he headed home however he wanted to visit the nearby pond, even though Peggy wanted to see Alex and her sisters already. He mainly wanted to go because he couldn't get enough of the turtles there and while he had gone a few hours earlier he figured another visit wouldn't hurt. As they arrived at the pond Peggy pointed out someone was already at the place before them. Looking over he realized it was America's favorite french fry, Lafayette. Getting excited, he and Peggy quickly stopped the carriage and jumped out of it to attack the Frenchman with a jump scare hug. Lafayette only noticed when he heard two people yelling his name, and turned to feel two bodies crashing into his and making him fall over.

"Ah! Please don't hurt me! You can have my money just don't hurt me!"

John looked at Peggy in confusion and turned his attention back to Lafayette as the the Frenchman slowly opened his eyes to see it was not a robber on him, only turtle boi and Peggers. John and Peggy smiled widely and giggled as Lafayette practically yelled in their faces.

"John! Peggy! You two are back already? I thought you told us you guys would be gone for another month!"

John grinned even wider in response. "Nope! I only told you guys that so you and Herc or anyone else wouldn't ruin our surprise."

"Surprise?"

"Ah yes, we still gotta tell ya that. Me and Peggy got some feather bags in the back of the carriage and basically we just wanted to scare the hell outta Alex, Eliza, and Angelica by hitting them with the bags. (Yes basically pillows idk if they did this but IDC XD) I would have told you and Herc that we were coming home but I was worried Herc might accidentally tell Alex about it. I love him but he isn't the best secret keeper."

Lafayette chuckled and nodded in agreement. "Ah that is true, Herc isn't the best at that kind of stuff. He of course is still amazing."

Peggy giggled as she stood, shaking her head, agreeing with Lafayette. Both Lafayette, John, and Peggy jumped as they heard a sudden deep laugh interrupt their conversation.

"I'm not the best at what kind of stuff Laf?"

All three turned their heads to see the one and only Hercules Mulligan standing next three them on the ground, a huge grin on his face. John suddenly realized he was still on Lafayette and quickly got up, blushing while apologizing. Hercules then grabbed John and Peggy and nearly suffocated them in a bear hug. Once that was done, Hercules then asked his question again.

"Anyway, back to earlier, what were you three knuckleheads talkin' about?"

John rubbed his hands together and was about to respond when Peggy unexpectedly interrupted him. She walked over, stood on her tippy toes, and poked Hercules' nose.

"We we're talking about how you can have a little difficulty keeping some secrets ya goober."

"Aw, I won't deny what's true. I can't help it sometimes. But, what are ya guys keeping? I promise I won't tell anyone!"

"Well", John started, "as you know me and Peggy told you guys that we we're returning in a month, but clearly we are here right now so that was a lie to all y'all. Me and Peggers were gonna hit her sisters and Alex faces with feather bags as a "I'm home!" kinda thing. What do ya think Herc?"

- Written by Jesty-Joker -

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A/N BELOW!

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Thank you so much Evelyn! This is a great chapter.

The next chapter will be written by Jaz. You are not allowed to look at this chapter until I have sent you the last sentence of this chapter + you have sent me your chapter. If you're reading this before that, that's a big no no.

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The next author will be...

bluefoxmoon !
You will be writing the next chapter!
You are not allowed to read the NEXT chapter until I have sent you the last sentence of it and you have sent me your chapter.

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This MAP has been really great so far. Thank you all so much ❤️