A/N: Sorry for the delay in getting another chapter of this up - but if you have been following what has been happening; then you might know by now that I have ended writing the story 'Everywhere You Look' which is where this and others originally spun from; and reasons for that are listed in more detail on a authors note on that.
So this chapter, sees further more that of what we saw in Runnin' where they found out that Kitty and Artie had been talking with one another; and he then came to the Kapowski house on Christmas Eve to spend with them.
And it's really just a light hearted fun chapter, as they do all kind of get Kitty back for things over the years; and more so Sebastian and Mikki who have had to put up with her making remarks over the years to them about their relationship.
So enjoy, and you all know what to do at the end.
Love always,
KJ xoxoxoxoxoxo
Chapter 3 –
Having headed over to the Kapowksi's residence, that of Christmas eve after Mikki and Sebastian had found out that he and Kitty had been talking on the phone for a few months now; Artie was now sitting down in what was still the converted basement which Eric continued to use as his office when home and also housed the rather still large collection of consoles, that they were all told, none of them were allowed to take by Eric; the four Kapowski siblings and also Sebastian, sat talking.
"Do you know how much your dad could possibly get for all this stuff here" said Artie, as he walked around looking in awe at the old gaming consoles and games that were down there.
"He's well aware, yeah" replied Mikki, with a laugh, as Artie looked over to her. "Jeremy did an evaluation a few years back for him; and it was a lot of money back then and I think now, some would even be worth more"
"I'll say" replied Artie, with a nod."Alex Kidd on Sega; that was a totally cool game"
"I always found him really annoying" said Roderick, and Artie looked over to the younger brother of his girlfriend.
"Really?" asked Artie, as Roderick gave a nod."I guess though now that makes sense, with what we're use to and all that in games, with storyline it's kind of dated; but it was back when it came out a pretty cool game"
"I guess, yeah" replied Roderick, as Artie went and sat on the sofa next to Kitty, and casually slipped his arm around her shoulder.
"So what was your fave game, growing up?" he asked, looking to her; and Kitty in turn looked to him.
"I did like the Mario games" replied Kitty, with a nod.
"If people don't like Mario" said Artie, with a laugh."There is something wrong"
"True that" replied Sebastian, with a laugh also. "Remember we use to spend so much time playing Mario Kart" continued Sebastian, as Artie looked to him quickly with a nod and then back to Kitty.
"And there was that game Lemmings which was fun; I use to love making them all into bombs and killing them" said Kitty, with a laugh.
"Katherine, brutal even as a young kid" said Marley, with a laugh; and Kitty looked over to her younger sister and poked out her tongue.
"Says the girl who played Barbie games" replied Kitty, with a smile.
"Rod did too" said Marley, looking to her older sister; as Roderick looked to both of them.
"Oh thanks you two" he replied with small laugh."Let's makes that known, shall we"
"Nothing wrong with it" said Artie, looking to the Kapowski male."A guy can like a girl orientated game, as much as a girl can like a guy one"
"I just prefer to call them games" said Mikki, and Artie looked to her with a nod.
"Yeah let's not start Mikki on the sexism that surrounds video games" said Sebastian, with a laugh and placing a kiss to Mikki's cheek with a smile; as she sat in the arm chair down in the basement with Sebastian, and on his lap more or less so."Because otherwise you won't be getting home at all tonight"
"Well maybe Kitty will like that" replied Mikki, with a smile."Artie spending the night"
"Bite me" said Kitty, glaring at her older sister; as Eric came down into the basement, carrying a load of books, or more so photo albums in his arms; that he had gotten from the upstairs study; that the four of them had used when in high school, rather than that of Eric's office where they currently were seated.
"What you have there dad?" asked Marley, looking to him; as he headed over to where they were.
"The photo albums" replied Eric, with a laugh as he placed them to the small table that was in the room."I thought you were wanting them"
"No, we were not wanting them" replied Kitty, looking to her father."And you can take them back upstairs, right now; thank you very much"
"That's only because you don't want Artie seeing all the old photos of you" said Mikki, with a laugh; as Eric nodded and handed a photo album over to Mikki; who opened it with a smile."Let's see shall we, this one looks like the holiday album, that Mom has made up for over the years when we were younger"
"I hate you" said Kitty, looking at Mikki and then to Eric."And you as well, aiding much in humiliation here"
Eric laughed as he too looked at his daughter. "If it doesn't make Artie run for the hills after seeing your old baby photos, then nothing will"
"I'm sure you were a cute baby" said Artie, looking to Kitty; who in turn looked to him and giving a small smile.
"She totally was" said Eric, as he grabbed a photo album and passed it over to Artie."That one would be the Kitty album; Midge made a photo album for each of them a few years ago back in the summer break; so we have one for each and then also as Mikki has there a holiday album and also family albums"
"Thanks" said Artie, with a nod; as he took the album from Eric, and Kitty glared at her father muttering "Hate you" under her breath; as Artie opened the album, to see the photos of Kitty that were taken just after she'd be born."See you were cute"
"Cuter then Mikki, that's for sure" said Kitty, with a small laugh as she grabbed the photo album that was Mikki's and opened it. "See, she was this squishy little blob of a thing"
"I was not" replied Mikki, moving from Sebastian lap, and leaving him with the holidays album and snatching her photo album from her younger sister."I was adorable, everyone use say I was; and I was also Aunt Shelz's favorite growing up, so poo to you"
"You'll get use to this, Arts" said Sebastian, with a laugh and looking over to his best friend with a smile."This is just normal with Kitty and Mik"
"I kind of see that, yeah" he replied, looking to his friend with a laugh; and then at a photo in the album, as Mikki sat back down with Sebastian."So that's not you mom, is it?" he asked, tapping on a photo and Kitty shook her head.
"No that's Aunt Shelby" replied Kitty."So much for Mikki's statement of being favorite"
"Not a statement" said Mikki, looking to her sister."Just the truth"
"I actually beg to differ with both of you" said Roderick looking to his two older sisters."And say being the only boy in the family among that of girls, that I am the fave one"
"Oh so not true" replied Kitty, looking to him shaking her head.
"Well that might actually be true" replied Marley as she looked at one of the albums also."We all know Aunt Shelz wished she could have had more kids, but couldn't after complications with Sami's birth"
"True" said Mikki, with a nod."And I do remember her saying to Mom once that she wished she could have had a boy"
"Doesn't mean Rod is the fave" said Kitty, looking to her sisters and brother.
"How old would that cousin, that you have never met be now?" asked Sebastian, looking at Mikki as he flicked through the album of Christmases gone by; and smiling when he saw a photo taken of the first Christmas he and Mikki had been together, in the album.
"Well they were born four years before I was born" replied Mikki, looking to him."So she'd be thirty one"
"Umm cousin, you never met?" asked Artie, looking around at the others in the room."Care to explain that one"
"Aunt Shelby, had a baby when she was still in high school" replied Kitty, looking to him."And since she and her then boyfriend were definitely not ready to be parents; they gave the little girl up for adoption"
"Okay, yeah wow" said Artie, looking to her."So you have a cousin out there somewhere; that you've never met"
"We do" said Marley, with a nod."Aunt Shelby has always left it up to her, if she ever wants to know about her family. But so far we haven't heard anything about her looking"
"She might not know" said Artie, looking to her; and Marley nodded.
"Okay, how can you not say I wasn't the cutest" said Kitty, stopping Artie from turning the page on the photo album he was looking of her, by placing her hand on it.
"Why?" asked Artie, with a laugh looking to her and then to the photo album, and seeing a picture of her in what looked to be a blue dress for that of a dance costume, posing with her hands to her hips.
"See, totally cute" said Kitty, looking to him with a smile and Artie nodded.
"Very" he replied, with a nod.
"Yeah, let's see what his reaction is when we find the one of you dressed as Catwoman, Kits" said Mikki."I'm sure cute will not be what he will be saying then"
"You know I think that costume is still up in my bedroom" replied Kitty, with a smile; her sisters, brother and Sebastian, looking to her with that of a raised eyebrows; and Artie a somewhat interested look; the six of them continued to look at the old Kapowski family photo albums before Artie had to head back to his parents house in Spartanburg.
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Leaving the Kapowski house about ten thirty that evening, Kitty who had walked with Artie out to his parked car, smiled inwardly to herself as they kissed goodbye.
"I'll call you soon" said Artie, moving out of the kiss and looking to her."And hopefully as well I can organize maybe getting out to Las Vegas to see you over the spring break"
"That be good" replied Kitty, with a nod and giving him a smile. "I just wish I kind of maybe had organised to stay here for New Year's, since I'm not actually working; but since we were able to get cheap flights back a few days before hand, we went with them"
"So you're not able to change them at all?" asked Artie, looking to her and Kitty shrugged her shoulders.
"I maybe could" replied Kitty, looking to Artie also."But I would probably have to pay a fee to do that"
"It's okay" said Artie, looking to her with a smile."I'm not expecting that you can do that. Although it would be nice, to be able to spend New Year's with you, since I will be surrounded by that of your sister and Seb, Kurt and Dave, and Ellie and Robbie; as like the lone pathetic single hang on friend among the couples"
"And it will be gross" said Kitty, with a laugh."Especially that of my sister and Seb, because they didn't spend last New Year together, and therefore they will just be really gross with one another this year"
"Pretty much" replied Artie, with a laugh also."We had to deal with a pretty miserable Seb last year, and whilst I'm totally glad it's not the case this year; I also know they will not leave one another's side, so therefore whilst last year, Seb and I could kind of hang out at New Year's, I know that won't happen this year"
"Let me see what I can do" said Kitty, looking to him, with a smile. "It would be nice to spend New Year's together, and honestly it's kind of really overrated in Vegas"
"Like I said, no pressure" replied Artie, giving her a smile. "But if you can maybe organise it, that would be good"
"I'll do some checking when I go in and see" replied Kitty, with a nod. "And I can call you tomorrow, let you know"
"Okay yeah" said Artie, with a nod and smile; and also quickly kissing her."I should let you go and do that; and hopefully I'll see you soon"
"Yeah, even if I can't get a change of flight" replied Kitty, with a smile also. "I'll come and see you before I leave"
"Okay, well have a great Christmas tomorrow" said Artie, with a smile and Kitty nodded.
"You too, night" she replied.
"Yeah, night" said Artie, quickly kissing her again; before opening the door to his car and getting in to it. "We'll talk soon"
"Okay" replied Kitty, with a smile as Artie started up his car and then putting it into gear; and reversed out of the driveway, giving a quick wave; before heading back to his parents house in Spartanburg.
Smiling as she headed back up to the front door of her parents house; and planning to go on her dad's computer to see if she was able to possibly change her flight, she opened the door just as Mikki and Sebastian, both sat down on the stairs together; trying to make it look like they hadn't been spying on her and Artie.
"Don't pretend you weren't watching what was happening" said Kitty, looking to the two of them with a laugh. "I know my sister, and you as well Seb"
"We weren't doing that" said Mikki, looking to her younger sister and shaking her head. "Why is there something you don't want us knowing?"
"Like maybe you and Artie kissing" said Sebastian, with a laugh; and Kitty glared at him.
"How would you know he and I did that" she replied, looking to him. "Unless the two of you were spying"
"Educated guess" replied Mikki, with a smile; and Kitty looked to her shaking her head.
"Liars" she replied, with a laugh. "Now if you excuse me, I have to go and borrow dad's computer and see how much it would possibly cost to change my flight, so I can spend New Year's here"
"Wait, what?" asked Mikki, looking to her sister as she went to head downstairs again to use Eric's computer.
"I might, if I can" replied Kitty, turning to look at her older sister. "Spend New Year's here, so Artie doesn't have to put up with three overly gross couples who can't keep their hands off one another"
"Maybe you want to be putting your hands on Artie as well then" said Mikki, as Sebastian laughed; and Kitty glared at her.
"If I want to do that" she replied. "That is none of your business"; and then continued down the stairs to use her father's computer in the hope that she might be able to change her flights and make them for after the New Year had been rung in.
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Having managed to change her air fare and being able to do without extra charge since it was prior that of twenty four hours to the flight; unlike it would have been for Mikki the year before if she had been wanting to change her flight, to spend some more time in South Carolina.
The day after New Year's Eve and therefore the first day of 2017; after having that of a bit of a sleep in since they'd gotten to bed late, Kitty and Artie; along with that of Mikki and Sebastian, were sitting in the Bojangles; at the insistence of Kitty who claimed to miss the chain food restaurant, not that far from the apartment, having a late lunch.
"So what's Ryder like then?" asked Artie, as the four of them sat eating; he having never met that of Marley's now fiancé.
"Nice guy" replied Mikki, looking to him."He's actually the younger brother of Sam, who is the best friend of Noah; who I co hosted the morning show with in San Francisco"
"Wow, small world" said Artie, with a laugh; and Mikki nodded.
"Yeah it kind was just that really strange thing" said Mikki, as she grabbed some fries and eating them.
"So you've all met him then?" asked Artie, looking to the other three at the table.
"We have yeah" replied Sebastian, with a nod."Myself only once, when he came out here with Marley a few years ago"
"And I've seen him a few times when I've visited Marls in San Fran" said Kitty, looking to Artie with a smile."And like Mikki said, he's nice; they met through mutual friends"
"Okay cool" replied Artie, looking to her; and then looked to his best friend. "Guess with Marley now engaged, that ups the ante on you"
"Maybe" replied Sebastian, looking to his best friend with a laugh. "But Mik and I aren't any rush for that, we're just happy with what we have"
"Hmm, and this New Year's has certainly being better than that of the last years; that is for sure" replied Mikki with a laugh also.
"Definitely has" said Sebastian, with a nod and looking to Mikki; and quickly kissing her.
"See why now I had to stay here" said Kitty, looking to her older sister and Sebastian; shaking her head at the two of them. "If I'd gone back to Vegas and spent it there, poor Artie would have had to put up with you like this the whole entire time"
"And that was the only reasoning you had for staying" said Sebastian, with a laugh and looking to the girl he considered to be very much that of a sister to him. "Because like we said earlier, we heard stuff"
"Bite me" replied Kitty, glaring at him and Sebastian gave a laugh.
"Sure you maybe let Artie do that last night" replied Sebastian, as Mikki hit him; and he looked to her. "What it's about fair time we were able to get her didn't she blackmail you years ago, when we'd been dating that first year? Made you buy her stuff?"
"She did" replied Mikki, with a nod and looked to her Kitty with a smile. "Kits, we're going shopping and unless you want me to tell Mom and Dad what you got up to over New Years, then you're buying me what I want"
"I so hate you" replied Kitty, looking to her sister and shaking her head as Mikki gave a laugh and smiled at her younger sister.
"So not scared yet, of this family Arts?" asked Sebastian, looking to his best friend with a smile.
"No, I don't think so" he replied, with a smile and looked to Kitty with a smile; the four of them continuing lunch together, before Artie headed back to Lexington where he lived and Kitty, Artie and Sebastian returned to the apartment that Mikki and Sebastian lived at.
End Note: I think it was fair time that Mikki and Sebastian got Kitty back at her own sneaky ways; not that she has ever been mean about stuff, or even Mikki and Seb there.
But the fact that they are doing, kind of proves they care about her; and obviously Artie knowing the two of his friends well enough; know it's just fun and games, and really besides the teasing they all do, knows it because they care.
Next chapter, I have planned the outline for and know what is happening for the most part in that; and slowly then I will get Kitty moving back to South Carolina before that of Mikki and Sebastian's first child is born.
Anyway as always, thanks for reading and I will catch you all again soon.
Love always,
KJ xoxoxoxoxoxoxo