dancing queen

July 2041 - Ricky Cormier is 46, Robert Stanton is 40, Jenny Johnson is 39, Meg Stanton and Ellie Fairchild are 17, Libby Stanton is 12, Jodie and Sadie are 9.

"What are you doing in here? You've been in the bathroom all morning." Libby stops when she catches a glimpse of Meg. "What did you do to your hair?"

"I dyed it. What do you think?"

"Why do you want to be blonde? Is this because Matt dumped you?"

"This has nothing to do with Matt. I did this for me, and I think it looks great."

Jenny has started coming over while Robert is at work. She says she wants them all to spend time together before Meg starts college.

"Doesn't Meg's hair look great? That color is so wonderful with her skintone." She eyes Libby carefully. "You would look so cute with a new haircut. You should come by the salon sometime."

"I like my hair the way it is. And shouldn't you be leaving before Dad gets home?"

Unlike Libby, Meg is happy to spend time with her mother. Jenny takes Meg on a trip to Twikkii Island with Ricky and Ellie.

It's a little weird for Meg and Ellie to see their parents together in love. Jenny and Ricky recently made their relationship more official and moved in together.

Ricky's vacation house is incredible - a large villa on the ocean, and a bright red vintage convertible in the driveway.

He shows the girls the best beaches on the island. He really wants to make a good impression on Meg now that he's dating her mother.

They love watching the fire dancer.

"This vacation was a great idea," Jenny says. "The girls are having a great time."

They go shopping on the boardwalk and try the pineapple surprise.

They don't eat out very often though. Most nights Ricky cooks them a gourmet meal at home.

After the first few days of exploring the island, they spend most of their days just relaxing at the house. Every morning the girls have breakfast on the large patio on the second floor.

Ellie spends a lot of time painting on the small patio facing the ocean.

Sometimes at night, the girls borrow Ricky's convertible and drive around the island.

Most afternoons they spend hours sunbathing on the beach.

After all of the time on the beach, Ellie ends up with a nice tan.

"I'm really going to miss this place," says Meg.

"We can always come back," Ellie says.

"Well, st least as long as my mom is dating your dad," Meg says.

"Even if they break up, we can always come back here together."