“You totally paused. You can run, but you can’t hide, Three. The feels will find you.”
“There are no feels, Brat. She lives in Australia, with a kid,” I argued. “Plus, I already told Mom to get me a bride.”
“Uh-huh.” Murphy called after me, “And Three...”
“What, Brat?” I turned back to her from a few feet away. “I told you I’m just having fun.”
“I was just gonna tell you that I was sent to distract you.” Murphy let out a laugh and ran in the other direction.
“That laugh sounded a tad evil. What was that about?” Chloe asked, running up to me.
“Brat was sent to distract me. They’re all teaming up against me.” I smiled. “But they don’t know that we have a stash of eggs.”
“When should we get them?” Chloe asked, but didn’t wait for my answer. “I think I should go because they’re all watching you.”
“I know, and wait ‘til Mom and Dad find out their stash is missing. Look at Mom, just relaxing at the pond with Sophie.” I shook my head. “I‘m looking forward to that more than winning.”
“Okay, go do your thing, aggravating everyone, and I’ll sneak over and get the eggs,” Chloe whispered.
“Better hurry, I see Diana and Hank coming outside.” I headed toward the twins. “You two better hurry. Here comes the final bell.”
“Since when do you care about warning us?” they said in unison.
“It’s amazing you two still do that.” I overexaggerated a stretch, then I saw Chloe come back around the corner. Good talk boys. See you from the winner’s podium.”
The Easter egg hunt had turned out to be more fun than past years, with the whole family battling each other. The family now relaxed around the patio table and loungers.
Diana and Hank hovered over the baskets, counting. Then Diana turned to us with a huge smile.
“I’m happy to announce that, for the first time ever, we have a tie.” Diana looked around the group. “Since this has never happened, Victoria, what would you like to do about it?”
“Wait, wait, wait. We’re all grown-ups now, so I think we should have a family vote on what to do about the tie.” I stood to face the family. “Let’s hear everyone’s ideas. We definitely have to do a tie-breaker, but what?”
“Why don’t we let the two teams that tied choose,” Parker offered.
“No way. It has to be decided before we know who, to keep it fair,” Murphy demanded. “What about picking a color egg and whoever has more of that color wins?”
“Not a bad idea,” August nodded. “Or an extra round of hunting for five minutes for just those two teams.”
“That would work, but we’d have to wait for the eggs to be hidden,” Mom spoke up. “The Easter Bunny hid these eggs, so who would hide them?”
“Just flip a coin and call it done.” Asher stood and offered a quarter.
“Why don’t you just have two winners?” Sophie’s voice came out quietly. “Then both teams are happy.”
“Baby girl, that’s a great idea, but there is only one trophy.” Mia pulled Sophie onto her lap. “I like the way you thought of that though.”
“Actually, there are two trophies, because there are usually two people per team,” Mom said. “So, each team gets one trophy and we end on a tie.”
“I don’t know, Mom, there are some serious bragging rights for tonight,” I shrugged. “I’m not sure anyone wants to lose out on that, especially if it’s not you and Dad. Finally.”
“Let’s take a vote. Raise your hand if you want a tie-breaker.” Diana counted hands. “Ok, now raise if you want to let both teams win.”
“I think that was a tied vote too,” Parker frowned. “That can’t be. Dad, did you vote?”
“Vote for what?” Henry was reading something on his cell.
“Henry, do you think we let both teams that tied be winners, or make them have a tie- breaker?” Mom covered his cell with her hand. “Quickly, we need an answer.”