"You're sure this is safe?" April asked, nervously looking over the rather large trebuchet Pugsley was showing off.

"Well, it is when operated properly. I've built them before. This is my biggest, though. Any larger and the stones will be to large to move reasonably." He explained. "No casualties or maimings so far. However, if you are concerned I can show you a safe distance to stand in case of failure? It may be hard to see what I'm referencing with the mechanisms from that distance, though." Already she could see him starting to calculate what a safe distance would be as he looked up at the machine.

After a moment, she shook her head. "If you say its safe, I'll trust it. So, the mechanism and all. How does it work, exactly? I understand the basic idea, but the precise logistics and all I'm not familiar with." Most of her concern faded as his eyes lit up in excitement, reaching to take her hand and pull her closer to showcase his work.

"A Trebuchet utilizes the transfer of gravitational potential energy into kinetic energy. Specifically via a counterweight system." She nodded along, doing her best to understand. Occasionally she asked questions for the terms she didn't recognize, enjoying his enthusiasm.

"Did you build the frame on your own, as well?" She asked, impressed by how smoothly the wood was sanded and the joinings so cleanly done.

"Yes. Honestly the frame took longer than the mechanics since I kept not being pleased with the joinings." He mused. "Sanding took the longest since it was by hand. I normally don't bother with sanding outside of the lever itself, but did this time. Didn't want you getting a splinter or it snagging on one of your cardigans." She paused, fingers still lightly brushing against the frame as she looked up at him.

"You...you sanded everything just so I wouldn't get a splinter?" He nodded, gesturing towards the hand still on the frame.

"You're rather tactile. I figured you might want to touch it, and I didn't want to risk you getting any splinters."

"But...but its huge! It must have taken so long to sand it all!"

"I made sure to account for it in my planning. Still had to add an extra two days of work since I hadn't planned on any intricate carving for the handle on the lever and added it last minute." He explained readily. "Father and Uncle Fester offered to help, but I wanted to do it myself. Learned a lot of new techniques." Gesturing her to follow, he smiled as he pointed to something carved into the pull lever, itself.

"April? You...you named it after me?" He nodded proudly.

"I name each one after a family member. I wanted this one to be yours. Best one I've made, yet." Her eyes watered slightly.

"Can I give you a hug?" She managed, giving a watery smile.

"Um, yes, if you'd like to?" He grunted slightly at the impact of her hug, awkwardly patting her back until she let go. Stepping back from him, she wiped away happy tears.

"Its beautiful, really. I'm honored you named it after me." She insisted. "Ive never had anything named after me before. I'm honored its something so beautifully made."

"The others should be coming out soon. Want to be the one to pull the lever and fire it once they're assembled?"

"I'd be honored." She assured.

By the time everyone was assembled, had adequately praised the contraption, and the rock was set in place an hour had passed. In the end, she'd needed help pulling the lever, but Pugsley was more than happy to do so.

"That. Was. Awesome!" Bren crowed, Chad having joined in on Fester and Gomez's encouragements in pulling the lever before just giddily watching the stone sail into the swamp.

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"Very impressive, Pugsley." Fin agreed a bit more calmly, though even he had a bit of a childish glee in his tone.

"Thats my brilliant boy!" Gomez proclaimed, setting a hand on his son's shoulder to give it a squeeze. "I told you, April. Genius runs in the family!"

She gave a warm smile. "It certainly does."

"Alright, now. Its nearly dinnertime!" Grandmama insisted. "I'm making Pugsley's favorite to celebrate his hard work. Children, you have an hour until I expect you inside and washed up at the table. Gomez, not to much rough housing with them! And remember no destroying the trebuchet until the children all have a chance to invite their friends to the bonfire!"

"Wait, destroy?! Why would we destroy something Pugsley worked so hard on?" Bren demanded, horrified at the thought.

"We can't just keep everything I build. It would take up far to much space." Pugsley explained. "Besides, the fun part is building it. So we simply fire it off a few times then have fun dismantling it for use in a big family bonfire."

"Last time Mother let them tie me to a stake like a proper witch. Just like our ancestors." Wednesday chimed in happily. "It was a wonderful time."

"So...do you normally bring friends to the bonfires?" Chad asked.

"Well, sometimes. Not very many people seem to enjoy them very much for some reason." She informed.

"Wait, so we can invite people?" Chad clarified, gesturing to the college quad.

"Why of course, dear. It is a family bonfire. Anyone who is an Addams or a friend of theirs is invited. Just let us know how many people to expect for refreshments. As well as inform us of any allergies, of course." Morticia assured. "In fact Gomez and I were just discussing how eager we are to meet some of your friends just the other day. We understand that you are all grown up and spreading your wings, but a parent can't help but worry who their children spend time with."

Bren beamed. "So like one friend each? If they stay super late can they sleep over?"

Chad lit up "That would be sick! Would it be okay, Morticia? They can stay in our rooms, they're big enough!"

She considered for a moment as the two practically vibrated in place from the excited anticipation.

"If we all agree to postpone the bonfire two days and host it Friday evening, I can agree to hosting your friends overnight. Sleepovers on a school night are rarely a prudent idea." She negotiated. "Are we all in agreement for waiting until Friday night for the sake of the children? Gomez? Fester?" She hummed, focusing on the grown men sheepishly hiding hatchets behind them.

"Why of course Cara Mia! We would be happy to wait!" Gomez insisted, nudging his brother.

"Oh, um, yes, absolutely! Anything for the children!" He quickly agreed with a grin. "Friday night it is!"

"Wonderful. Lurch? We will have extra guests overnight this Friday. The children will give us a full count soon." She instructed. "Best to ensure we have additional bedding prepared." He simply nodded with a grunt of acknowledgement before turning to return to the house.

"Overnight...I cant recall the last time we had young overnight guests! Fester, we must prepare some activities for them!" Gomez suddenly declared, that mildly manic glee shining in his eyes.

"Oh, I'm sure we can entertain ourselves." Fin insisted nervously on behalf of all the wide-eyed college crew. "No need to trouble yourselves."

"Oh it's no trouble at all! Is it, Fester?"

"Not at all!" He agreed readily, both men obviously giddy at the thought. "I believe I already have ideas!"

"Brilliant!" Gomez declared, clapping his brother on the back. "Lets go in and get to work! So much to do with so little time!"

Once the adults had all made their way inside, Fin turned to the others.

"Please say that wasn't the look he gets when he's going to go full Addams on us?" He pleaded, only to have his hopes dashed by April's solemn expression.

"He had the same look when building Bren's running course."

Bren threw an arm around April's shoulders. "Well that didn't turn out so bad. Just minorly terrifying." They insisted brightly. "We'll just give our friends a clear warning and keep an eye on 'em. No big deal."

"This is going to be awesome! I already know who I'm inviting!" Chad announced with a grin. "He doesn't believe any of the stories I've told him! This is gonna be great!"

"Yeah, I've got a track team bud that I'm thinking I'm gonna invite." Bren added.

"I think I've got someone in mind. She's kinda shy, though, so we'll see if she goes for it." Fin hummed. Bren gently squeezed April's shoulders.

"So, what about you, Red? Got anyone in mind to invite?" They asked, only to look down and see a light flush to her cheeks.

"I, um, not really." She said quietly. Their smile faded slightly.

"Really? Huh. Well maybe you'll think of someone by Friday." Chad offered. "If I didn't have Drake in mind, I'd have a hard time choosing."

"Y-Yeah, maybe." She agreed before changing the subject. "We're going to be late to dinner if we keep standing out here. Best we all get inside." Bren frowned as she quickly moved away and towards the house, their side cool from where it lost her warmth.

Did April not want to introduce the rest of them to her friends?