Morning
I awoke to a soft light that found it's way through the dark curtains of the window. I reached up to rub the sleep out of my eyes. Zack continued to sleep soundly, chest rising and falling peacefully. All of a sudden, the world began to shake violently. I braced myself with my arms, eyes snapping to the small figure jumping up and down on the bed.
"Hey, cut it out." I whispered softly to the child who continued to glare at Zack who still lay with his eyes closed.
The child bounced himself into my arms.
"Quiet sweetheart, daddy is sleeping." I informed the boy, stroking his dirty blonde hair.
"I don't think daddy is asleep." the boy said, seriously.
"Am, too." came Zack's voice.
"Are not." argued the little boy.
"Am, too…"
"Boys." I said sharply.
"Sorry, mommy." they said as one.
Zack sat up on the bed and leaned in to give me a kiss.
"Ewww!" the boy named Ben exclaimed at the sight.
Zack reached down and threw the sheets over Ben's head, reinitiating the kiss.
"Morning, mommy." Zack murmured.
I sighed happily and laughed as Ben struggled to dig his way out of the sheets. Ben was almost two years old now. His features mainly originated from Zack except for his green eyes.
"Ok, soldier," Zack said smiling, "Let's see that salute."
Ben stood up quickly, giving his salute to Zack.
"Look, honey, finally someone who listens to you." I teased.
"Ha ha." Zack said dryly, "Besides, we all know who's in charge, right?"
Zack raised an eyebrow in expectation.
"Oh, of course." I mocked.
"That's right," Zack agreed, apparently not realizing my sarcasm, "Now, what day is today?"
Ben's eyes lit up.
"I know, I know! It's two days until Christmas!" he cried.
"Christmas? No, it couldn't be Christmas." Zack lied.
"Yeah huh! And Uncle Krit, and Auntie Syl, and Auntie Ty, and Uncle Zane, and Auntie Max are coming!" Ben counted the names off with his fingers.
Uh oh. I hadn't exactly told Zack that they were all spending Christmas with us yet. I just kinda planned on surprising him. That way he couldn't argue.
"No, they aren't, little guy." Zack said soothingly.
"Yeah, they are. Mommy said so on the phone." Ben pointed at me accusingly.
Zack turned and looked at me sharply.
"Did she?" Zack said tightly, "And when did mommy plan on telling daddy?"
"Um, honey, Krit, Ty, Zane, Syl, Max, Logan, Jondy, and possibly Jo, Derrick, and Lani, are visiting for Christmas." I said.
Zack sighed and fell back on to the bed.
"How many days?"
I laughed.
"Two days. Two days, honey." I assured him.
Ben apparently got bored and ran out of the room, I heard the TV switch on.
"Uncle Logan's on TV." he shouted excitedly.
Zack shut his eyes and cringed.
I lay my head on his chest. "Please."
"Fine," he didn't open his eyes, "Two days."
"Thank you, daddy." I smiled.
"Mommy!" I heard Ben bellow loudly, "Mommy!"
I sighed and closed my eyes. Zack nudged me, eyes still shut.
"Yeah, I'm going."
I stood slowly and followed my son's voice into the living room, smiling the entire way.
***
"Kill it!" Krit yelled, nearly knocking into me as he rushed around the room.
Blonde hair flung around as Syl turned to quickly escape the wrath of Krit. She laughed as he issued his attack. Syl held up the small Koosh ball. Krit lunged forward to no avail. I tried hard to keep what I hoped was an aggravated look on my face.
"Children!" I yelled over the 'Chaos Twins'. Krit and Syl froze, "Save the Koosh ball wars for Zack and Cade's house."
The front door opened. Zane's eyes widened as he entered the room, taking in the tragic state of the apartment.
"Not God again." Zane sighed.
I laughed at the name that Krit and Syl had fondly come to refer to the ball as.
Syl gave Zane a quick kiss (while standing on tip toes).
"Hi, hot stuff." Syl said, smiling.
"Oh, god." Krit groaned.
He picked up the Koosh and beaned Syl in the back of the head with it.
"Ow!" Syl cried, more in surprise than actual pain.
She snatched the Koosh and chucked it at Krit, but he ducked. The Koosh ball connected with my stomach instead.
"Hey!" I protested, throwing it back at Syl.
Syl dodged and the Koosh hit Zane.
"Koosh Wars continues!" Krit cried from behind the couch.
"I don't think so." Zane said, putting the Koosh behind his back, "Those always end badly. Usually with me taking the fall for both of you. And I don't think that Ty wants to get kicked out of the apartment today."
"Thank you, Zane." I smiled.
"You suck, Zane." Krit said, sticking out his tongue.
"Party-pooper." Syl added with a pout.
"Sorry, sweetheart." Zane said, leaning down to kiss Syl.
Syl used the opportunity to reach around him and try to steal the Koosh. But Zane had expected that and tossed the Koosh to me. I caught it and back away from Krit.
"You stay back, Krit. No more." I said warningly.
Krit approached slowly with a dangerous look in his eyes.
"Krit..." I said, still backing away, "We have to get ready to go to Zack and Cade's. We really don't have time for this."
Krit just grinned. I glanced quickly over at Syl and Zane and in that moment, Krit pounced. I yelped as I was knocked to the ground. Krit tickled me to try to get me to let go of the Koosh, but I wasn't letting in. I struggled and finally got free, jumping to my feet and running into the bedroom. Before Krit could catch up, I chucked the Koosh into the closet where Krit would never find it.
"Where's God, Ty?" Krit demanded.
"In heaven?" I suggested innocently.
"Very funny." Krit said sarcastically.
"It's time to pack and get going, anyway." I insisted.
"Okay, okay." Krit said, rolling his eyes. He smiled at me, "We can play at Zack and Cade's house. I bet Baby Ben will play with us."
"I bet he will." I agreed, giving Krit a quick kiss in reconciliation, "You are a troublemaker."
"But you love me." Krit pointed out.
"Pure coincidence." I teased, "Now help me pack."
***
"Zack! I'm going to the store!" I called as I headed out the door.
"Mommy, I wanna come!" Baby Ben cried.
"Ben's coming, too!" I added.
"Yay!" Baby Ben said happily, following me out the door.
Baby Ben and I hopped into the black jeep that Zack had acquired for us. I had never bothered to ask how.
"Mommy, can I drive?" Baby Ben asked.
"Uh...I don't think so." I smiled indulgently and buckled him into the passenger side.
"Can I have a soda?" Baby Ben asked as I started the car.
"Maybe."
"Can I have some chips?"
"Maybe."
"Can I have an assault rifle?"
"Maybe...wait a minute. Have you been talking with daddy again?"
"Yes."
"I'll yell at daddy later." I said.
"Oooh, daddy's in trouble." Baby Ben said happily.
"Daddy's always in trouble. Cause who's really the C.O.?" I prompted.
"You, mommy, sir, ma'am, sir." Baby Ben recited with a small salute.
I grinned and turned my attention to the road.
***
Zane gave the wrench one last pull before sliding out from under the car.
"Try her now." he called up to Krit.
Krit started the car and the engine purred. Zane grinned in triumph as he stood up. He took a swipe at the grease on his face, but only managed to make it worse.
"Told you I could make her run." Zane said.
Krit spread his hands helplessly.
"I never said you couldn't." he replied.
"What's with calling the car a 'her'?" I interjected.
Zane shrugged.
"I don't know. I just do." Zane took a step back and surveyed the old jeep critically, "A new paint job and it'll be good as new."
Krit hopped out of the driver's seat and gave Zane a pat on the back.
"Syl will love it." he assured him.
"I hope so." Zane said, making a face.
"She will. I promise. Now, come on. I'm starving." Krit said, leading the way out of their hiding place for Syl's present- a dilapidated old building.
"So what are you getting Ty, anyway?" Zane asked, in a loud stage-whisper.
He was only doing it to annoy me because he knew how badly I wanted to know what Krit was going to give me for Christmas. I wouldn't care except that Krit had been teasing me about it. I didn't even expect a present, but Krit apparently had other plans.
"Yeah, what'd you get me? What'd you get me?" I pressed.
"See, that's the thing. I don't know what to get her." Krit said, grinning.
"Get who what?"
Krit and Zane both jumped and spun around to see Syl approaching them.
"Stalker." Krit accused.
"That doesn't answer my question." she replied, "What are you guys doing out here anyway?"
"Nothing!" they both chimed.
Syl frowned and looked at them suspiciously. Zane quickly distracted her with a kiss and began leading her away from the building. He signaled behind his back to Krit and me that we had to move the car. Krit sighed and grumbled irritably, but nodded. He waited until they were long gone before heading back inside. I followed.
"Stupid Syl." he complained as he started the car, "Has to be snooping around. Doesn't she know that curiosity killed the cat? So now I have to go find a new hiding place for this thing. Man."
"We don't really need to find a new hiding place. We could drive it to Cade and Zack's and Zane and Syl can take Zane's jeep. We'll tell Syl that you ...uh... 'found' an mode of transportation for us." I suggested.
"Okay." Krit agreed, "The tricky part's gonna be getting our stuff here. We'll have to do that tonight when Syl's asleep."
"It's a date." I agreed, "We should get started early tomorrow, anyway. We've got quite a drive ahead of us."
"I know. All the way to California." Krit said sarcastically, "It's only a couple states away, Ty."
"Still a long drive. I mean, I'm gonna be stuck with you the whole way." I made a face.
"You're so funny." Krit said sarcastically, leaning in to kiss the look off my face.
"Humor runs in my family." I returned.
Krit laughed and nodded.
"Okay, well we should move the car for tonight at least. Just in case Syl decides to do more snooping." Krit said, pulling out of the building.
"Okay." I agreed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wow, did that take a long time. Thanks for sticking with us, SP Fans! So here's the first chapter. Cade moved to a different city, so I'm trying to do this on my own. Please be patient with me and feel free to give me any advice.
Ty
I awoke to a soft light that found it's way through the dark curtains of the window. I reached up to rub the sleep out of my eyes. Zack continued to sleep soundly, chest rising and falling peacefully. All of a sudden, the world began to shake violently. I braced myself with my arms, eyes snapping to the small figure jumping up and down on the bed.
"Hey, cut it out." I whispered softly to the child who continued to glare at Zack who still lay with his eyes closed.
The child bounced himself into my arms.
"Quiet sweetheart, daddy is sleeping." I informed the boy, stroking his dirty blonde hair.
"I don't think daddy is asleep." the boy said, seriously.
"Am, too." came Zack's voice.
"Are not." argued the little boy.
"Am, too…"
"Boys." I said sharply.
"Sorry, mommy." they said as one.
Zack sat up on the bed and leaned in to give me a kiss.
"Ewww!" the boy named Ben exclaimed at the sight.
Zack reached down and threw the sheets over Ben's head, reinitiating the kiss.
"Morning, mommy." Zack murmured.
I sighed happily and laughed as Ben struggled to dig his way out of the sheets. Ben was almost two years old now. His features mainly originated from Zack except for his green eyes.
"Ok, soldier," Zack said smiling, "Let's see that salute."
Ben stood up quickly, giving his salute to Zack.
"Look, honey, finally someone who listens to you." I teased.
"Ha ha." Zack said dryly, "Besides, we all know who's in charge, right?"
Zack raised an eyebrow in expectation.
"Oh, of course." I mocked.
"That's right," Zack agreed, apparently not realizing my sarcasm, "Now, what day is today?"
Ben's eyes lit up.
"I know, I know! It's two days until Christmas!" he cried.
"Christmas? No, it couldn't be Christmas." Zack lied.
"Yeah huh! And Uncle Krit, and Auntie Syl, and Auntie Ty, and Uncle Zane, and Auntie Max are coming!" Ben counted the names off with his fingers.
Uh oh. I hadn't exactly told Zack that they were all spending Christmas with us yet. I just kinda planned on surprising him. That way he couldn't argue.
"No, they aren't, little guy." Zack said soothingly.
"Yeah, they are. Mommy said so on the phone." Ben pointed at me accusingly.
Zack turned and looked at me sharply.
"Did she?" Zack said tightly, "And when did mommy plan on telling daddy?"
"Um, honey, Krit, Ty, Zane, Syl, Max, Logan, Jondy, and possibly Jo, Derrick, and Lani, are visiting for Christmas." I said.
Zack sighed and fell back on to the bed.
"How many days?"
I laughed.
"Two days. Two days, honey." I assured him.
Ben apparently got bored and ran out of the room, I heard the TV switch on.
"Uncle Logan's on TV." he shouted excitedly.
Zack shut his eyes and cringed.
I lay my head on his chest. "Please."
"Fine," he didn't open his eyes, "Two days."
"Thank you, daddy." I smiled.
"Mommy!" I heard Ben bellow loudly, "Mommy!"
I sighed and closed my eyes. Zack nudged me, eyes still shut.
"Yeah, I'm going."
I stood slowly and followed my son's voice into the living room, smiling the entire way.
***
"Kill it!" Krit yelled, nearly knocking into me as he rushed around the room.
Blonde hair flung around as Syl turned to quickly escape the wrath of Krit. She laughed as he issued his attack. Syl held up the small Koosh ball. Krit lunged forward to no avail. I tried hard to keep what I hoped was an aggravated look on my face.
"Children!" I yelled over the 'Chaos Twins'. Krit and Syl froze, "Save the Koosh ball wars for Zack and Cade's house."
The front door opened. Zane's eyes widened as he entered the room, taking in the tragic state of the apartment.
"Not God again." Zane sighed.
I laughed at the name that Krit and Syl had fondly come to refer to the ball as.
Syl gave Zane a quick kiss (while standing on tip toes).
"Hi, hot stuff." Syl said, smiling.
"Oh, god." Krit groaned.
He picked up the Koosh and beaned Syl in the back of the head with it.
"Ow!" Syl cried, more in surprise than actual pain.
She snatched the Koosh and chucked it at Krit, but he ducked. The Koosh ball connected with my stomach instead.
"Hey!" I protested, throwing it back at Syl.
Syl dodged and the Koosh hit Zane.
"Koosh Wars continues!" Krit cried from behind the couch.
"I don't think so." Zane said, putting the Koosh behind his back, "Those always end badly. Usually with me taking the fall for both of you. And I don't think that Ty wants to get kicked out of the apartment today."
"Thank you, Zane." I smiled.
"You suck, Zane." Krit said, sticking out his tongue.
"Party-pooper." Syl added with a pout.
"Sorry, sweetheart." Zane said, leaning down to kiss Syl.
Syl used the opportunity to reach around him and try to steal the Koosh. But Zane had expected that and tossed the Koosh to me. I caught it and back away from Krit.
"You stay back, Krit. No more." I said warningly.
Krit approached slowly with a dangerous look in his eyes.
"Krit..." I said, still backing away, "We have to get ready to go to Zack and Cade's. We really don't have time for this."
Krit just grinned. I glanced quickly over at Syl and Zane and in that moment, Krit pounced. I yelped as I was knocked to the ground. Krit tickled me to try to get me to let go of the Koosh, but I wasn't letting in. I struggled and finally got free, jumping to my feet and running into the bedroom. Before Krit could catch up, I chucked the Koosh into the closet where Krit would never find it.
"Where's God, Ty?" Krit demanded.
"In heaven?" I suggested innocently.
"Very funny." Krit said sarcastically.
"It's time to pack and get going, anyway." I insisted.
"Okay, okay." Krit said, rolling his eyes. He smiled at me, "We can play at Zack and Cade's house. I bet Baby Ben will play with us."
"I bet he will." I agreed, giving Krit a quick kiss in reconciliation, "You are a troublemaker."
"But you love me." Krit pointed out.
"Pure coincidence." I teased, "Now help me pack."
***
"Zack! I'm going to the store!" I called as I headed out the door.
"Mommy, I wanna come!" Baby Ben cried.
"Ben's coming, too!" I added.
"Yay!" Baby Ben said happily, following me out the door.
Baby Ben and I hopped into the black jeep that Zack had acquired for us. I had never bothered to ask how.
"Mommy, can I drive?" Baby Ben asked.
"Uh...I don't think so." I smiled indulgently and buckled him into the passenger side.
"Can I have a soda?" Baby Ben asked as I started the car.
"Maybe."
"Can I have some chips?"
"Maybe."
"Can I have an assault rifle?"
"Maybe...wait a minute. Have you been talking with daddy again?"
"Yes."
"I'll yell at daddy later." I said.
"Oooh, daddy's in trouble." Baby Ben said happily.
"Daddy's always in trouble. Cause who's really the C.O.?" I prompted.
"You, mommy, sir, ma'am, sir." Baby Ben recited with a small salute.
I grinned and turned my attention to the road.
***
Zane gave the wrench one last pull before sliding out from under the car.
"Try her now." he called up to Krit.
Krit started the car and the engine purred. Zane grinned in triumph as he stood up. He took a swipe at the grease on his face, but only managed to make it worse.
"Told you I could make her run." Zane said.
Krit spread his hands helplessly.
"I never said you couldn't." he replied.
"What's with calling the car a 'her'?" I interjected.
Zane shrugged.
"I don't know. I just do." Zane took a step back and surveyed the old jeep critically, "A new paint job and it'll be good as new."
Krit hopped out of the driver's seat and gave Zane a pat on the back.
"Syl will love it." he assured him.
"I hope so." Zane said, making a face.
"She will. I promise. Now, come on. I'm starving." Krit said, leading the way out of their hiding place for Syl's present- a dilapidated old building.
"So what are you getting Ty, anyway?" Zane asked, in a loud stage-whisper.
He was only doing it to annoy me because he knew how badly I wanted to know what Krit was going to give me for Christmas. I wouldn't care except that Krit had been teasing me about it. I didn't even expect a present, but Krit apparently had other plans.
"Yeah, what'd you get me? What'd you get me?" I pressed.
"See, that's the thing. I don't know what to get her." Krit said, grinning.
"Get who what?"
Krit and Zane both jumped and spun around to see Syl approaching them.
"Stalker." Krit accused.
"That doesn't answer my question." she replied, "What are you guys doing out here anyway?"
"Nothing!" they both chimed.
Syl frowned and looked at them suspiciously. Zane quickly distracted her with a kiss and began leading her away from the building. He signaled behind his back to Krit and me that we had to move the car. Krit sighed and grumbled irritably, but nodded. He waited until they were long gone before heading back inside. I followed.
"Stupid Syl." he complained as he started the car, "Has to be snooping around. Doesn't she know that curiosity killed the cat? So now I have to go find a new hiding place for this thing. Man."
"We don't really need to find a new hiding place. We could drive it to Cade and Zack's and Zane and Syl can take Zane's jeep. We'll tell Syl that you ...uh... 'found' an mode of transportation for us." I suggested.
"Okay." Krit agreed, "The tricky part's gonna be getting our stuff here. We'll have to do that tonight when Syl's asleep."
"It's a date." I agreed, "We should get started early tomorrow, anyway. We've got quite a drive ahead of us."
"I know. All the way to California." Krit said sarcastically, "It's only a couple states away, Ty."
"Still a long drive. I mean, I'm gonna be stuck with you the whole way." I made a face.
"You're so funny." Krit said sarcastically, leaning in to kiss the look off my face.
"Humor runs in my family." I returned.
Krit laughed and nodded.
"Okay, well we should move the car for tonight at least. Just in case Syl decides to do more snooping." Krit said, pulling out of the building.
"Okay." I agreed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wow, did that take a long time. Thanks for sticking with us, SP Fans! So here's the first chapter. Cade moved to a different city, so I'm trying to do this on my own. Please be patient with me and feel free to give me any advice.
Ty