Kristy, the BSC and Thomas Enterprises

by PrincessSkywalkerOrgana

26year old Kristy is the Chairman of a succesful corporation. She is friends with the other BSC members and planning a reunion that coincides with the opening of Thomas Advertising. She also is parenting Karen, who on Watson's orders is interning at TE.

1. Chapter 1

"Mary Anne called, Kristy. She said it was personal, not business" Karen said, handing her step-sister a pink sheet of paper.

"Thank you, Karen." Kristy said, making sure to keep her voice professional.

It still gave Kristy a jolt to see her hyper perky little sister in business attire. Kristy had started her own business right out of college. Watson had helped her with the initial financing, but Kristy did not feel badly about that, because she had turned his investment into a four time profit.

Kristy would not have taken the loan had she not known that she could turn the profit she had. After all, Kristy had been running a business since the age of 12. The Baby-Sitter's club was a veritable franchise now, and the source of a steady income for Kristy, Stacey, Mary-Anne, Claudia, Dawn, Abby, Mallory and Jessie.

"Diversity is good." Kristy thought to herself. She was not satisfied with the two businesses she had, the BSC and the Thomas Enterprises. "Well, the BSC does not count as Claudia and Mary Anne do the day to day running."

Claudia wanted to paint full-time, and this had led to a confrontation with the Kishis, as they had not seen this as an acceptable career. Kristy had leapt in, giving her title as President to Claudia, which would bring Claudia a guaranteed salary, while still allowing her time to paint.

The problem had come with, who would assist Claudia, Claudia was capable but not skilled enough to run the franchise by herself. At this point, Mary Anne, who was in a serious relationship with Logan volunteered. Logan's career was skyrocketing and therefore, they had decided that she would not pursue a full-time career.

"This works out well for me too, Kristy." Mary Anne had said, "Claudia is in charge, so I can take off when Logan needs me, but I am still doing something worthwhile."

Kristy remained Chairman of the Board, and Chief Consultant. Under Claudia's direction the BSC was artistic as it ever could be. Kristy sat up. "That's it."

"I have still got it." Kristy thought.

She pulled up Thomas Enterprises financial records. "Well, we would start with a one room building. Thomas Enterprises is not public, yet, so I can do this." She muttered to herself.

"Karen." Kristy called."

"Yeah-, I mean, yes." Karen corrected her casual reply, and walked in, as a good intern was expected to do.

"Please see if Claudia is available, and then transfer the call in. Please ask Jayden to hold my 2 o'clock until I am off this call."

"Sure." Karen was curious, but in her three weeks working for Kristy in an official capacity, she had learned better than to ask.

"Claud, it is me." Kristy leaned into the phone. "I have a fantastic idea. Remember, I told you I wanted to add companies. What about an ad agency? You would be artistic director."

"Kristy. I am not a charity case. My paintings are selling well. The BSC is turning a profit." Claudia replied, testily, after a few minutes.

Kristy raised an eyebrow. "Another fight with the parents?"

"Yes. Why do they come over if they are simply going to yell at me. They can go to Ms. Biotechnology if they want to go to an intellectual daughter's house." Claudia said. "I make enough money to rent an upscale condo and own a car and they still think I am doing nothing worthwhile. Forget that! I am 26 years old. They can't tell me what to do!"

"Speaking of people actually indecisive and more than slightly irresponsible, Karen passed her three weeks today."

"Kristy!" Claudia was shocked that Kristy would speak about her step-sister like this.

"What? It is true."

"How you survived, in fact flourished, in a business environment without a sense of tact…." Claudia murmured.

"I know how to give people what they need." Kristy said, slightly haughtily.

"Speaking of Karen, fill me in on the whole story."

"Watson was worried. You know Karen got into the rich kid mode slightly in high school-"

"-slightly." Claudia, who remembered Karen's demands for new cars, a lavish prom, and refusal to take a minimum wage job to pay for these luxuries. Maybe Kristy had learned some tact.

"You remember. Well, Watson saw signs of the same things continuing in college. Plus, Kar, really does not know where she wants to go in life. She is finishing two years and doesn't have a set major. Watson thought if she interned with me for the summer she might learn something. It seems to have worked. Watson said that she had to live with me, earn her way, and he gave me her allowance. If she slacked off at work, I had his permission to dock her allowance. Well, I haven't had to dock her allowance. I honestly think, however, it was more the fact that her dad felt the need to do this made her work hard. I think if she continues this way, I might want to hire her out of school."

Claudia whistled. Whatever she said earlier, Kristy was not one to give in to nepotism. If you weren't qualified, she might give you money, but she wouldn't give you a position in the company. For Kristy, her businesses were her baby and pride. She was rather like Stacey in that regard.

Stacey had been Kristy's Vice Chairman, using her math skills (Stacey had graduated summa cum laude with a b.b.a and a degree in fashion design) and dress skills. One of Stacey's roles had been picking out the suits Kristy had to wear to big conferences and meetings. After two years, Stacey had earned enough to start a side line Anastasia's. Anastasia's really picked up, so last year Stacey quit Thomas Enterprises, with Kristy's blessing and money, to work on Anastasia's full-time.

Claudia thought it big of Kristy not to think of Anastasia's as in any way hers though she had invested a good deal of money in the company.

"CLAUD." The same Kristy said, impatiently. "Will you do it?"

Claudia sighed, working for Kristy meant putting up with bossiness and perfectionism. "I'll do it. But you'd better be paying well."

"$100,000 for half time." Kristy calculated

"Wow!" Claudia said.

"Half time is like 8-4." Kristy warned.

"Still." Claudia thought of how many easels she could buy for that much money.

"And a five year contract."

"Deal." Claudia envisioned a new gallery of Kishi works.

Kristy sighed. Claudia could be so flighty.

"I hear Anastasia's is falling on some hard times."

"Only you would call a 1 profit hard times."

"They turned out a $200,000 profit last year." Kristy said, seriously. "Maybe Stacey will be our first client.

Kristy saw Karen peeping in her door window. She sighed. She hated peeping, the door was closed for a reason. "I gotta go. My 2 o'clock must be here. Talk to Jayden, he'll schedule you in to discuss preliminary plans."

Some people might have started the Thomas Advertising Agency in a room of the Thomas Enterprises HQ, but not Kristy.

Kristy pressed the blue button on her phone, once her headache of a two o'clock appointment left. "Karen, would you come in the office please."

Two minutes later, the door opened and a slightly fearful Karen walked in. "Sit down." Kristy said.

Karen took a seat, not a good sign, this meant Kristy wanted to have a discussion. At home, have a seat meant let's do something. At work, it usually meant, she wanted to lecture you.

"Well, this your three week evaluation. Watson, your mother, and Seth, as well as my mother have asked for a written copy of this. Jayden will type it up once I tell you. Your improvement is remarkable. You are maturing fast, you are learning business etiquette, with more training you could mature to a great assistant. With hard work, and more time we can turn you into an executive. You have always had a great imagination. You just need to work on the execution of your plans. Ideas to execution."

Karen 's head rose with pride. Compliments from Kristy meant something. "You still need to learn how to deal with superiors." Kristy said. "Jayden isn't someone who gets annoyed by much else, but I know that he is getting slightly annoyed by you. Peeping into your bosses' office? Knock, next time."

Karen started to retreat into herself. "The other interns love you, and not just for the lunch you bought them." Kristy smiled. "Karen, you are here for a good summer." Kristy decided to test Karen's confidentiality skills. "We are branching out into advertisement."

"Ooh.." Karen said, excitedly.

"Good. Now, when you are done." Kristy checked her watch, "in ten minutes, you can take the car. I will probably be rather late tonight. If you invite anyone over, make sure they are gone by 9 PM. I am going to be way to tired and crabby to deal with anything."

"The place will be spotless. Can I have my allowance?"

Kristy sighed. She could tell Karen had one of her wacky schemes planned for tonight. Ah well, it was Karen's money. Kristy wouldn't give her any extra.

"Yeah, right." Kristy told herself. Her stepsister could usually get a little out of her.

She concentrated on getting a mortgage on her house to help pay for Thomas Adverts and convincing some key board of trustees members that this was a good idea. That was hard, because some of the board members thought she was flighty.

"Ms. Thomas." Jayden asked, at 6. "Shall I order you some dinner?"

"Yes, thanks." Kristy said, absentmindedly, while concentrating on the paperwork, and corporate records forms.

Jayden stood there.

"Oh… right, a chicken salad sandwich on white bread with a chocolate blast milkshake."

Jayden smiled, he knew his boss would be busy and preoccupied. Though he could leave right after ordering the food, he always waited until he delivered it to her. "Thanks, Jayden." She said.

"You are welcome, Ms. Thomas. Is there anything else?"

She smiled at him. "Yes. Have a great weekend, Jayden. And call me Kristy."

"Thanks, you too." Jayden eased the door closed behind him.

It was ten o'clock before Kristy finally left for home, completely exhausted. She drove up Oakbridge Ct, dreaming of her couch and a cool glass of soda. She groaned when she heard the booming music as she neared her house. "I told her…"

She corrected her earlier statement, she would have NO problem not giving Karen extra money. "Karen Brewer." Kristy said, her teeth clenched walking in the door.

Kristy grabbed Karen's upper arm and escorted the girl who was wearing a pink tank-top covered by a net poncho and a, thankfully, long pink skirt.

"Is it nine already?" Karen asked, nervously, seeing the set of Kristy's face.

"Ten thirty." Kristy said, her tone no-nonsense. "You don't have a curfew. It is Friday night, I understand. But I asked for one simply thing-NOT AT MY HOUSE. I need to sleep, not clean up. I have a 7 o'clock call with Stacey tomorrow. It had to be 7, because Stace is going to Paris at 7:30 and was at the doctors in the evening today. I have to call Mary Anne back-"

"Dawn called, along with Dan." Karen was, strangely, relieved. She knew her stepsister well enough to know that if Kristy was going to have thrown her out of the house, called her dad, etc. she would have done so. Karen could take a lecture.

"See." Kristy said.

She sighed. "Keep your friends quiet, and they can stay."

Karen smiled. "You are the best." She hugged Kristy tightly.

Kristy shook her head, as she walked up the stairs. She really was too lenient with Karen.

But she meant it. If she was woken up once, Karen would get it.

But Karen knew not to push the limits. Kristy slept like a baby until the alarm woke her up in time to wake up a bit before her call with Stacey. "Hey Stace! What's new in the fashion world?... Well, advert with the Thomas Advertising Firm and we'll have your numbers back up fast….Claud, who else?...well leave NYC and come back fast!...well, legally…give us one month to get all the paperwork, etc….Great idea Stace!" Kristy yelled loudly enough that Karen groaned. "I'll get right on it!"

"Isn't a new company enough to plan for?" Stacey, who was already dressed in a trendy black suit, with a pink sash tied around her neck, in preparation for her flight to Paris said.

"Never!" Kristy said, good naturedly. "So, how does, $200,000, 25 discount… $150,000 per anum for a full ad campaign per annum, sound?"

Stacey raised an eyebrow. The best firms charged that much. Trust Kristy Thomas to immediately lump her firm in that category. Stacey, of all people, trusted Kristy. She had seen first hand what Kristy's drive led to. Plus, $150,000 was the minimum that Kristy's firm was worth. "Deal."

"How is Braddddley." Kristy dragged out the name of Stacey's latest beau.

"Good. He is coming to Paris with me."
"Oooh, Stace! Stacey and Brad in the city of looove."

Stacey rolled her eyes, had Kristy grown beyond the age of 12, "Kristy.." She clipped.

"I thought it was Niagra Falls." She quipped back.

Kristy laughed.

"No. I think Brad is the one. There is chemistry and commitment."

"Good. Mary-Anne will get off of one of cases."

Kristy and Stacey smiled, and quoted one of Mary Anne's lectures "Just commit! It ain't that hard, and the rewards…..wow."

Kristy and Stacey laughed hard. "Remember, I need good advance notice of the wedding." Kristy said.

"Well, you will need to advertise it!"

"Any publicity, huh?"

"Yup."

A doorbell distracted Stacey. "That's Brad! Fax me the sketches of the new building and plans, will ya?"
"Have a safe trip. Have fun, but not too much!"

"Have fun parenting Karen!" Stacey got the last shot.

Kristy looked at the clock, 8 am, too early to call Mary Anne. On Saturday mornings, in the summer, MA and Logan slept in.

Kristy started breakfast, scrambled eggs and toast, because that would last the longest. Karen could really sleep in.

Kristy ate a solitary breakfast, while looking over some plans an architect had faxed over. Given her budget, they had decided that initially the Thomas advert company would be connected to the existing building. It would basically be an additional conference room. When the advert company took off, then a whole new place would be built.

On Kristy's insistence, the new addition would have its own entrance and it was on making those two things lavish that she would spend the money. The initial plans had a fountain, the latest sound technology in the conference room… Kristy also was paying for speed, she was not known for her patience.

"Claud." Kristy called.

"Hmpf." Claudia said, sleepily. "You don't call Mary Anne before nine! Why do you call me?"

"Because you are embarking on a Thomas project. I am faxing you the sketches Brewstone architects have sent me. See what you think. You are the artistic coordinator. Also, I am going to put an ad in the paper. You and I need to coordinate interviews."

"If you don't have the time to interview…"

"I'll make the time." Kristy said. "By the way, Stace agreed to be our first client, so you need to get working on that. She said she would have Alena, her assistant, bring over the stuff we need. Keep this under wraps, because legally we can't start doing stuff until our corporate records get approved. For now, if anyone asks, you are helping a friend. But I wanted something ready for our grand opening."

That didn't make too much sense to Claud, wouldn't people know when they saw the ad campaign that this had to have been done in advance.

"Stace also had a great idea. Why don't we have a reunion of the BSC at the same time that we have the grand opening party."

"Kristy, you can't plan a reunion, run a company, and open one." Claudia groaned.

"Don't forget, planning the Thomas-Brewer reunion."

Claudia just groaned. "No, seriously." Kristy dropped the act. "I have learnt my lesson. Delegating! Important."

"Good." Claudia said. "MA can plan the reunion, okay?"

"Aw, Claud."

Claudia remained firm. "Stacey didn't know about the family reunion. MA has a lighter load, and she likes this organization stuff. She will better be able to keep the records of who comes in when and who can stay with whom."

"Fine." Kristy relented. "How is Mallory, by the way, I haven't spoken to her since I went to her book-signing?"

"Doing good. I spoke to her a few weeks ago. She is enjoying Thailand. The bank is fun, she says that it is spurring her creative processes as well."

"Jessie?

"Awesome. I didn't speak to her directly, but Dawn did. Dawn says Jessie is happy. Dawn also said Jessie said she'd give everyone a call this weekend, but she has been busy with the ballet company and taking some side classes."

"What does she need side classes for?"

"To broaden her mind." Claudia imitated Jessie's breathy tones.

"How is Dawn?"

"Awesome, as usual. The recycle center is going well, the book is going well, her job at the University, not so well. But she says it is an income and the other two things are awesome."

"Jeff?"

Claudia sighed. "She didn't talk much about him. I don't think he is doing well."

"He needs to be in a psychiatric hospital."

"We all know that. I think Dawn knows that too, but she just feels guilty. I think she blames himself for him having to see Carol and her dad killed."

"That is insane!" Kristy exploded. She remembered the phone call all to well. "Kristy." Dawn spat out. "Kristy come…please…Dad…Carol….Jeff."

"Dawn, what?"

"Dad and Carol are dead!"

Kristy had just sat there as Dawn cried into the phone for a minute. "Dawn, I will be on the first flight out."

"Can you tell Stace and the others? I don't have the courage."

"Of course. Don't worry 'bout a thing."

"Jayden." Kristy had called

It was as if the memory of that phone call caused the phone to ring. "Claud, I have call waiting. It is Dawn."

"It is 6 am her time!"

"Which is why I'll say Bye. Don't worry, I will call you."

"I can't deal with this." Dawn said, in tears. "He had another episode. He stole my car."

"Honey," Kristy said, trying to comfort Dawn. "You have done the best you can…"

"He drove Prem away." Prem was Dawn's boyfriend since high school. "Prem said he couldn't take it anymore… the phone calls in the middle of our dates asking us to get Jeff…"

Kristy listened to Dawn vent for awhile. "Honey, do you need someone to visit."

"No." Dawn said, her voice initially feeble, then it grew stronger. "No. Kristy, you have a business. I just needed to talk. Jeff is going to his psychiatrist later today. I have legal custody, which gives me some options. I just needed to talk, thanks for listening."

"Anytime." Kristy said, not really believing Dawn.

"Another good reason for a reunion." Kristy murmured. "Dawn."

Kristy called Claudia after talking to Dawn and reassured her.

"I need a phone break." Kristy said, aloud, and went into her garden. Watson and Nanny's hobby had grown on her and she took pride in her garden.

Mary Anne joked that the garden showed Kristy's life. When the garden was wilted, that meant Kristy had another project. When it was vibrant, that meant Kristy was content with the old projects….or tapped out.

Karen came out when Kristy had finished her cup of tea in the garden. "Hm?"

"I just finished talking to Elizabeth. She would like to speak with you."

Kristy rolled her eyes, but she obediently talked with every member of her family at the family home, which meant 16 year-old Emily Michelle, who was going through a teenage phase, 18 year-old Andrew, who was a little nervous about going off to college though he would never admit it, Charlie, who was basically engaged to his girlfriend Sammy, though he would never admit that, Sam, who was visiting Charlie for the weekend, and of course, her mother and Watson.

"I am phone-d out." Kristy complained, once that long call was done. "Are you done eating, and ready to go out."

"Yes." Karen said, eagerly.

"Do you want to hit the waterpark?"
"Awesome!" Karen said.

Kristy and Karen ran upstairs, than in opposite directions. The distance between Kristy and Karen's rooms, Kristy's was on the far left and Karen on the far right, worked well because of how messy Karen was.

Kristy went downstairs, expecting to have to wait ten minutes for Karen, but was pleasantly surprised to find Karen impatiently waiting. "She must really have wanted to go out." Kristy thought.

Karen made to grab her allowance. "My treat." Kristy said. "You still might want some of that if you want souvenirs, etc, but otherwise we are golden."

Karen and Kristy clambered into Kristy's new Volvo. "It is fuel efficient, and an American car-it is owned by Ford, so that counts." She would tell you if you asked why she bought this particular car.

Kristy used the thirty-minute car ride as bonding time for her and Karen. She wanted to ensure that amongst all the maturity and business lessons, Kristy and Karen were still stepsisters.

Once they got there, they raced into the water, laughing. Kristy made herself ignore the two-piece that Karen was wearing, Stacey wore, designed, skimpier stuff, after all.

Two hours later Kristy remembered the calls she had to return. She left Karen playing in the water. "Hey Dan, what is up…" Kristy talked to her friend. Kristy knew Dan had a crush on her, but for the most part, she ignored it. She did not have time for this.

Dan was a nice guy and everything, but there was too much going on in Kristy's life for a relationship.

Kristy weaseled her way out of the call in ten minutes, and then called Mary Anne, after checking that Karen was busy—she was riding the slide. "Hey MA!"

"Kristy!" Mary Anne said, she moved the phone from her right shoulder to her left shoulder.

"How is Mark? Eric? Logan?"

Mary Anne laughed. "They are all doing well Logan has invited some players from his team over for dinner, so I am busy in the kitchen."
"I can call back."

"No. If I can't take a half an hour break to talk to you, then Logan will have a problem."

Kristy laughed at hearing the veiled threat in her friend's voice. Mary Anne made threats she followed through on. Counterintuitively, in Kristy's opinion, being a virtual house wife hade made Mary Anne more assertive. Still, when she threatened you…

"Listen, I am starting Thomas Advertising, I thought I'd plan a BSC reunion around it…I was wondering if you would plan the reunion."

"AKA Claudia made you delegate something."

"Yup." Kristy said, ruefully.

"Good for her. You work to hard, what was Watson thinking adding to your workload?"

"He was thinking of Karen, and realized that I wouldn't mind being inconvenienced slightly."

"'sides, I am enjoying spending time with Karen."

Mary Anne smiled. "I am glad." She said, sincerely. "You were really close. How is Charlie? Sam?"

"Charlie is doing well. He loves his job. He is coaching a soccer team at the High School, which pays okay, but he is also sportscasting. He is loving that, and doing well at it. He is living at home, which adds to his responsibilities, especially as Sam moved out."

"You didn't tell me that."

"It was a good move. He needed to get responsible. I think he realized he needed to spread his wings. He still lives in Stoneybrook, so mom and Watson can check up on him. He had a nasty break up with Chandra three months ago."

"Oops. I think I heard rumors about that." Mary Anne said, delicately. She had actually heard all about that- Sam getting arrested, and Watson needing to call in some favors.

"Yeah, so that is another reason he can't go too far. He is on probation for another six months from the court, and Watson and Mom have him on restricted privileges for another four months after that. But, the break up with Chandra he realized that he needed to get his life in order. I think he is."

"Charlie probably checks up on him, more than your mom and Watson." Mary Anne said, with a laugh. Charlie had always been very protective and parental towards all the Thomas-Brewer kids.

"Also true." Kristy said. "So tell me about your life."

"Well, nothing that exciting." Mary Anne said. "Logan is a dear. We had a slight rough patch, he was getting too engrossed in his sports schedule and teammates. It came to head over a dinner, imagine that. I had cooked a lasagna, and in front of the kids, he said—too many carbs, coach wants us to cut down. Well, I blew up. A) I had spent time cooking, B) that undermined my authority with the kids. He agreed that next time, he would tell me in advance, or at least pretend to eat in front of the kids… since then, things have been especially golden. He hasn't sprung any of his teammates on me."

"Good for you! Hear from Dawn?"

Kristy and Mary Anne spent the next fifteen minutes, before Mary Anne had to go to finish making dinner. Personally, Kristy thought she would hurt someone before she cooked the elaborate meal Mary Anne was planning.

Kristy raced back to the water, splashing Karen. "Splash war!"

Karen giggled, and held her hands up to defend herself from the wave of war that Kristy splashed at her. She then retaliated with her own splash.

Kristy's athleticism built up her stamina for this contest, whereas Karen's sheer energy allowed her to match Kristy. It came to the point where, thirty minutes later, the two were still going at it.

"Slide?" Kristy asked

"Sounds good." Karen said, panting.

The two lay on their backs to catch their breaths and relaxed.

Kristy breaststroked to the ladder that took them to the slide. At 2 Kristy said, "Lunch?"

"Sounds awesome."

Kristy bought chicken burgers and fries, and Karen carried sodas to their towels. "Tell me 'bout the guy you were dancing with?"

"Kevin?" Karen said, as she chomped on a fry. 'Well, he actually interns at TE as well, he is in the financial department. He is cool."

"What about David." Kristy mentioned Karen's boyfriend at school.

"He and I are on the rocks. I think he brings out that part of me that I need to get away from-the spoiled indecisive coaster. Kevin is a part of ambitious Karen."

Kristy was glad Karen was being frank with her. "I like ambitious Karen. She is someone I can be proud of."

"Yeah, I like her too." Karen said.

"Enough introspection." Kristy said. "More water, or something else."

"Race you." Karen headed to the wave pool.

Another idea hit Kristy like a flash. She knew she needed to wait until Monday, to really get going on it. But that just made her itchy.

Karen noticed, so an hour later she suggested. "Shall we head home?"

"Sounds great." Kristy said, gratefully.

Kristy showered very quickly, and took out her laptop while in her bathrobe. She started typing a letter.

Then, she typed up a form and a schedule.

"Kristy! I am making nachos, would you like some?"

"Sure, thanks." Kristy called back. "I'll be down in two minutes."
Kristy sent the e-mail to Jayden and then went downstairs. "So, what is this new idea rolling around in that head of yours?"
Karen gave her stepsister a piercing look. "I was thinking," Kristy said, slowly. "Few interns get to see a business go from thought to completion. I think it would be a valuable experience for college kids."

Karen thought of some of her ambitious friends. "I am sure they would."

"But, I want serious applicants, so Jayden would have to recommend them and they have to be willing to put in 10-12 hours a day if asked, five days a week but willing to come in other times.

Karen raised an eyebrow. "Well, my friend Sarna will definitely love to."

"Tell her to send me her resume, application, and a short paragraph of interest and mal it to me and cc Jayden."

"Tell all your friends, and I'll have Jayden e-mail career counselors in the area."

Kristy was connected with most of the local schools through career fairs etc, so she was quickly able to able to locate all of their e-mail addresses and send out her notice, and application.

Karen went to call her friends at Stoneybrook U, as well as Stamford Technology Institute.

An hour later, "Karen, dinner!"

For the rest of the evening, Kristy and Karen watched movies, Disney to sports to action and relaxed.

They were interrupted by a call from Dawn stating, happily, that Prem had apologized and Claud stating that Stacey had arrived safely. But Kristy did no work and relaxed. Maybe Karen being here is good for me too, Kristy thought.

The one thing about living alone was that there was no one to force her to relax. There was no responsibility to eat, accept for the monthly family dinner.

Being Karen's role model made Kristy more responsible. She wanted to show her that one could be great businesswoman and live life.

Kristy had always found that success and hard work made her happy. She was driven, but she knew that that drive sometimes led to her cut corners in life. She thought of one incident in particular…. She shook her head. There was no time for that. With the help of her family, and friends, she had pulled through. The BSC and her family had always been there for her, and now it was their turn to be there for Dawn.

Kristy was sorry that Dawn was so far away. It made it hard for her to be there for Dawn as she would like to be. Kristy shook her head. "What is with the introspection, Thomas?" She thought.

Ten minutes later, Kristy was jolted to reality by giggling. "You fell asleep." Karen said, wiping nacho sauce from Kristy's forehead.

"Laugh." Kristy grumbled, but then she laughed herself.

"Hey, what do you think about driving to the house tomorrow? I'll call Charlie and Sam and have them come as well. We can have a Thomas-Brewer day."

"Make sure Andrew and Emily Michelle are free." Karen pointed out, reminding Kristy that her siblings were older and no longer dependable to be free. "I know David Michael is, Elizabeth grounded him."

Kristy groaned. David Michael was an engineering student. He was interning with Livelong, biotech corporation. But David Michael could get himself in trouble, he took after Sam in that respect. "What did he do."

"Oh, nothing major, he arrived after curfew three days. But Elizabeth probably decided she wanted to nip the problem in the bud."

Kristy smirked, the Thomas-Brewer kids were causing her mother to get gray hairs fast.

Kristy dialed Charlie, Sam, Andrew, and made sure they were all coming.

"Charlie, you can bring Sammy." Kristy said, when the long silence after Kristy mentioned her plan told her that Charlie had intended to hang with his girlfriend tomorrow.

"You sure?"

"Just make sure you cook something and bring it, otherwise Mom'll be fretting about not having enough food to feed us all."

"Will do."

"Also, I need to leave by 8, I have an early day at the office."

"I am working a double shift at the hospital so, ditto." Charlie was almost done with his residency.

"Good." Kristy said. She didn't want the old- she never spent anytime at home- lecture.

"Karen, we need to leave by 11 tomorrow, and I am going to be up at 9 cooking." Kristy called to her sister who was settling in the sofa with the remote as she climbed the stairs to go to bed.

"Fine." Karen said.

The day went well. Elizabeth and Watson were thrilled to see all their kids together again.

But it was only as Kristy helped clean up that she realized that subconsciously she had had an ulterior motive- seeing everyone before she got busy so she didn't have to drive home as the business took off.

"Well, you didn't really do it on purpose." Kristy thought to herself.