Disclamer: i do not own cheaper by the dozen

Hi thanks ver much to la-la-la-45, Brookie Cookie Renee and Christine Nicole for reviewing.

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Chapter 9

All the Baker's and the Murtaugh's were gathered round the table outside on the porch for lunch. Sarah and Mike were sat together at the end of the table.

"How you doing Sarah?" Mike asked.

"I'm fine,"

"Yeah but how are things between you and Elliot?"

"I dunno really, it seems a bit weird seeing him after all this time but no longer being with him anymore. I just wish you know things could go back to the way they were before, just chilling out and having a good time together."

"You know maybe if you two work out your differences things could go back to that," Mike said.

Jimmy, Sarina, Tom and Kate all sat together chattering away.

"So I hear Charlie and Ann are going round to yours for dinner tonight," Jimmy said.

"Yeah they are, we're all really excited because it's been a while since we last saw Charlie," Kate replied. Charlie and Ann had got together not long after they were at the lake last year. Both Tom and Jimmy were a bit unsure about it to begin with, especially Jimmy he really didn't like the idea of his daughter ever becoming a Baker.

"That was delicious," Kate said putting her fork and knife down on to the empty plate.

"Listen up all of you kids," Jimmy said getting the attention of all the Baker and Murtaugh kids. "Right you can all go off now and play about in the lake or whatever and leave us adults in peace, but no getting yourselves into trouble especially you Baker's."

All of the Baker and Murtaugh kids were out playing in lake on the big inflatable trampoline or on the jet skis.

"So Baker, what you been up to since the last time I seen you, been in a lot of trouble?" Kenneth asked Mark, as the two of them were jumping about on the trampoline.

"Not a lot really, I got new frog he's called buttons, how about your self?"

"Well you know just the usual." Kenneth relpied. Mark and Kenneth were very similar and got along rather well but were both suspicious of each other and seen each other as a threat and a bit of competition. There was a rivalry between them, they were a bit like a younger version of Tom and Jimmy.

Henry was lying down at the side of the lake.

"Hey dude, what do you think we should do about the Elliot situation?" Jake asked as he came over and sat with Henry.

"I say we go speak to him now," Henry said as he pointed over to Elliot noticing he was alone.

"Ok but we don't wan to make a scene," Jake said as the two of them made there way over towards Elliot.

Elliot was in his own little dream world. He was watching Sarah playing about in the lake, thinking about what he had lost and how it was all for nothing. He still really liked Sarah but didn't have the guts to apologize or tell her the truth about why he dumped her.

"Hey Elliot do you mind coming inside, we want to have a quick word with you?" Henry asked.

"Yeah sure," Elliot replied and the three boys walked over towards the house. "What is it?" Elliot asked.

"Well let's just get straight to the point, who's Sophie?" Jake asked.

"Sophie, I don't know a Sophie," Elliot said acting like he was none the wiser.

"Look man, I heard you talking about her to Kenneth," Henry said, "so come on tell us who is she?"

"Well emm," Elliot heisted, " look I know it was stupid but emm well there was this new girl at my school Sophie, and she said she liked me and well I kind of liked her too and she said that if I dumped Sarah we could be together."

"But how could you like Sophie, if you really liked Sarah?" Henry interrupted.

"I did, I still do like Sarah but I never seen her and it didn't feel like she was my girlfriend and i wish she still was. Anyway I dumped Sarah and afterwards I went to tell Sophie but then I found out she had a new boyfriend and I know it was stupid but."

"She played you like a fool," Henry said interrupting again.

"Look please don't tell Sarah," Elliot begged.

"I'll do what I want, okay," Jake snapped he was really becoming annoyed.

"Cool it Jake," Henry said trying to calm his brother down. "Come Jake let's go," Henry said pulling his brother away before he could hurt Elliot. Jake wasn't really the violent type and didn't get into a lot of fights just the odd few. Jake was rather protective of his family and that was what got him into most of his fights because he can't stand anyone disrespecting of hurting his family.

"So what are we going to do? Are we going to tell Sarah? Jake asked.

"I don't know she seems to be getting over him and moving on and she's just been able to actually come face to face with Elliot, so I don't think we should tell her it will just upset her again and I really don't want to make her unhappy and it's taken her a long time to be happy again so I think we should just leave it." Henry replied.

"You sure dude?" Jake asked. He really didn't like the idea of lying or keeping something from Sarah, she was his best friend and they told each other everything.

"Yeah, I mean I'm not saying we don't ever tell her, because maybe there will be a time that's right to tell her, but now's not that time and it's suppose to be a fun vacation and telling Sarah about Elliot isn't going to make it a fun vacation." Henry was always thinking things through and planning things out so that everyone would be happy.

"Yeah maybe your right, but I don't like lying to Sarah," Jake replied.

"Well your not really lying to her by not telling her, unless she asks do you know why Elliot dumped me and you say no then your not really lying and I don't think Sarah would ask that anyway."

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