A/N: I am still working on Crosshairs and hope to have a new chapter posted soon. But this story just seems to be writing better right now, so I want to work on it while the ideas keep coming. This chapter focuses on Elizabeth with the other family. Like the previous chapter it is a bit slower because she is exploring the house and meeting everyone, but things should pick up during the next couple chapters once the swap is in full force. I'm trying to keep things realistic, although I guess if anyone as seen the show, pretty much anything goes.
Elizabeth always comes across as very classy, but still seems very capable of holding her own against demanding people. You have to be, to be in her line of work. I try to bring that out in the chapter.
The Rest of The Alworths
Elizabeth stepped out of the limo in front a brick front, one story home. It was an ordinary rectangle shape with an A-line roof. The lawn was neat, but with brown patches scattered around. She wondered how much rain they had this year.
The camera crew had prepped her with instructions to talk to the camera so they could record her thoughts and feelings. It felt rather odd doing that, like she was talking to herself, but an internal rant of "We're going to the Caribbean," helped her get through.
"Very different from New York," she stated neutrally. "We don't have this much yard in the city."
Unlocking the white front door and stepping inside, her first thoughts were how plain everything looked. The walls were beige with white trim and simple wood floors. In the living room, immediately when she walked in, was a beige couch, wooden coffee table, two brown chairs and a small television set on a stand. It was not anything Elizabeth would have chosen to live in, but years of planning events to other people's preference had taught her to tactfully express her opinions of their poor tastes.
"They seem to like a neutral colour scheme," she noted. "I personally prefer a bit more colour, but it's important that people decorate their house to their own liking." Okay, that sounded better than, This family has to be some of the most boring and unstylish people on the planet.
Having seen the show, Elizabeth wanted to dive right in and read the manual, however the producers preferred them to tour the house first.
The kitchen was beige (big surprise) with white cabinets and a darker shade of brown for the granite counter tops. Everything was spotless and the smell of cleaner was pungent in the air.
The dining room held a traditional wooden table with six chairs situated around it, one at each end, and two per the longer sides.
"Hopefully we'll be eating meals as a family so I can get to know everyone."
And hopefully getting to know them won't make me run screaming from the room.
The Master bedroom had a bit of colour to offset the plain cream walls with a green comforter and shams to go with cream sheets and simple wooded furniture. The closet held a mix of casual to slightly dressier type clothes, but nothing that spoke of the stylish fashions Elizabeth was used to as a New Yorker.
"I have a feeling I will be overdressed and she will be underdressed," she commented softly, hoping it didn't sound too pretentious.
The kid's rooms were perhaps of most interest to her. El had always wanted children, but before Ender came along she had basically given up on that dream. She was excited to interact with other children besides her son as a maternal figure. From the single, family photo on the dresser the kids appeared to be spread out in age, but still in elementary school.
Disappointedly the kids' rooms were as plain as the rest of the house. The girls' room had two beds each made with a pink comforter. Everything was neat and orderly, with two desks, lots of books on the shelves, and a few toys carefully arranged throughout the room, but nothing that spoke to the personalities and interests of the occupants. Elizabeth was also dismayed to find no dolls or stuffed animals about. As a girl she had dozens of 'friends' and with the exception of that creepy Chucky like doll that had been stuffed into a crawl space, she played with them all for hours.
The boy's room was no better. Really the only difference between the two was that this room had one bed and a blue comforter. "This tells me absolutely nothing about these kids or what their interests are," she remarked rather sadly. This was starting to look like it was shaping up to a rough week and she hadn't even read the manual. "Come rule change I would love to see a little more self-expression."
Finally, she made her way back to the kitchen and crew set the camera so they could shoot the classic scene of her sitting, opening the manual and preparing to read.
Alworth Family Manual
Hello and welcome to the Alworth home. As new mom you will be replacing me, Victoria Alworth. My husband Tom and I have three children, a boy Samuel – 11 and two girls, Cayden – 8, Taylor – 6.
Tom works out of the house as a realtor, although he travels around the area quite a bit to show houses.
Elizabeth bit her lip just in time to refrain from blurting out, 'He's in the real estate business and you live here.'
He and I have been married for twelve years and we look to him to be the man of the house and provide financially for our family.
I am a stay at home mom and believe children need constant supervision in order to grow up to become productive members of society. Left to their own devices they will become law-breaking hooligans who waste taxpayer's money by cluttering up our prisons. I do my best to avoid that specific societal group, since they are a bad influence on others.
Elizabeth shook her head. "Meeting Neal should be an interesting experience then."
I dictate all aspects of my children's lives including how they dress, what activities they participate in and who to select as their friends. Tom and I demand respect and our children address us as sir and ma'am.
"I'm all for respect, but that seems a little dictatorial." Elizabeth shrugged thinking, 'good luck getting Ender to call you ma'am.'
I home school the children for several reasons. First, I can control the quality of education they receive. Education is crucial to go far in this life, and I expect my children to put forth their best effort in achieving a high academic standard.
"We may just have found the one thing she and I agree on."
Second, home-schooling allows Tom and I better control over our children's friends. We do not want them interacting with children who might have a bad influence over them and encourage illicit type behaviours.
At reading that Elizabeth suddenly began to laugh out loud, then abruptly stopped, remember the cameras were recording ever reaction. She knew the camera crew had no idea what was so funny to her, but she couldn't help but think about Neal and Mozzie and their escapades with Ender. She continued reading in an effort to find something else to comment on, and hope her previous outburst was edited out.
Finally, home schooling protects our children from exposure to dangerous substances such as pesticides. Twenty-eight of forty commonly used school pesticides are linked to cancer and I do not want my children breathing in toxic fumes, day in and day out.
I also keep my house very clean, since I dislike germs of any kind. One thing of note, which I do, is to spray Lysol, between the bed sheets every morning, before making them. This helps kills any germs, which might be present. We also eat an organic diet with very little meat. Most of our foods are purchased from two specific farmer's markets, known for not using pesticides on their foods.
"She sounds very heath conscious, although I don't know how Peter will do eating tofu for a week."
If you have any problems with the children please speak with Tom about discipline. We often put the children in the corner or make them do extra chores if they misbehave, and he can show you which infraction orders what severity of punishment.
Hopefully you will have two excellent weeks. I trust you can learn a lot from our family, and I'm sure I can teach yours many ways to improve as well.
Victoira Alworth
El spent the last two weeks mentally prepping herself for this time, no matter how difficult. However, she didn't know how good her experience would be when the other mom only made reference to how she would going to change Elizabeth's family for the better.
"I'm really not sure how to respond to that," she told the camera. "I just don't understand why someone would volunteer to be on this show if they didn't want to at least learn from the other family. I guess we'll just have to see how things play out."
The camera crew directed her to sit in the front living room, and she situated herself on the couch, ankles crossed, waiting for everyone to arrive.
When she heard the key in the lock she rose, smoothing her blouse and adjusting her necklace. She had tried to be casual during the trip, opting for jeans and flats with a green top and a few simple pieces of jewellery. It was a typical weekend outfit, stylish, but still comfortable.
The husband walked in first, followed by three silent children. He was a bit taller than her, but not as tall as Peter, and probably just under six feet.
Elizabeth smiled and took his hand when he offered it. "I'm Tom Alworth," he introduced himself and waited for her to respond.
"Elizabeth Burke, but El is fine," she told him and quickly turned to the children.
They each took her hand and offered a shy smile, stating their names.
Everybody took his or her seats and Tom asked her about herself.
"I'm from New York City." El explained. "My husband Peter and I adopted one child about 18 months ago, Ender. He turned seven last month. I work as an event planner, and Peter works for the FBI investigating white collar crime."
"Sounds like an interesting life. I hope it's not dangerous." He suddenly added looking concerned. El could understand considering it was his wife who was now there.
"Peter's good about keeping work at the office," she told the man, knowing her husband would be more likely to keep work there with another woman in the house. "And white collar crime tends to mean business fraud and that sort of thing. Non-violent type crimes."
"Like Bernie Madoff?" He questioned.
El nodded, liking that he could make that connection. "Exactly."
Mr. Alworth seemed to consider that and looked a bit relieved.
"So I read the manual," El ventured. "You're a real estate broker?"
Tom nodded. "Yes, I work mainly from the house since Victoria likes it when I'm here for her and the kids. Her parents were very involved in her life so she wants to do the same thing."
"I saw she home schools. My son attends a private school, but I've always wondered about home schooling. What do you kids think about it?" She turned her attention to the children, anxious to interact with them more.
They looked at her somewhat surprised to be drawn into the conversation, and El couldn't be sure but she thought the boy muttered, "It sucks."
The middle child, Cayden supplied the answer. "It's okay. Sometimes I'd like to see my friends more," she gave her father a cautious glance, "but we learn lots of stuff. I know all my multiplication tables up to twelve," she suddenly added with a gleam in her eye. "Wanna hear?"
"You will have plenty of time to recite them for Ms. Elizabeth during school hours Cayden," her father cut her off and the girl dropped her head in disappointment.
"What's your son like?" the youngest girl piped up. "Cause he's seven and I'm going to turn seven in one month so we're practically the same age."
"Well," El began not sure which parts she wanted to share. "Peter and I adopted him from foster care. We met him while Peter was working on a case, and he just seemed like the right fit for our family. He loves martial arts, and just won the championship title for the 10 and under Kung Fu competition in the east coast district. He's going to compete at Nationals in two months."
"Cool," the boy responded. "I wanna learn how to beat somebody's ass."
"Samuel," his father snapped. "We do not use words like that, go stand in the corner."
Samuel looked sulky but muttered, "Yes Sir," got up and walked over to the far corner, facing it, and folding his arms.
"That sounds intense, you aren't concerned for his safety?" Tom asked.
El shrugged. "Not really, they wear padding to spar so it's pretty safe. What do your kids like to do? Are they involved in any sports or clubs?"
"Victoria doesn't like them participating in something where they might get hurt so we don't really do sports, but they're part of a local chess club, and Cayden and Taylor are learning how to knit."
El looked at the girls who both made faces, but smoothed them out the moment before their father looked their way.
All Elizabeth could think to say to the camera's later, during the filming of the 'confessionals' segment was, "It seems like Victoria really dictates what goes on in this family, but it would be nice to let the kids have some choices to explore their own likes and interests."
