A/N: Keep the reviews coming! I appreciate them so much.

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Chapter 10: Home For The Holidays

Stephanie got off of a train from Boston and smiled seeing Mikey waiting for her. She ran and hugged him tightly.

"I missed you so much," she whispered.

"I missed you too," he said. "I'm sorry."

"Yeah, you should be," she said and wrapped her arms around his waist. "You're not supposed to do that remember? We're all each other's got." He smiled.

"I know," he said. "I'm sorry, come on, I'm on strict orders from Jimmy to get you home right away, so obviously, we're going to the movies now and not getting home for three hours."

"You're a terrible human being," she shook her head and got into his car. "How long are you home for?"

"Just until the day after Christmas," he said. She looked at him. "Stephie, I have a job."

"You work for Aunt Jaime, you can take the whole week off," she crossed her arms.

"I hear you're going to Paris after Christmas anyway," he said. "The in crowd going international?"

"How do you know that?" She said. "It's supposed to be a surprise for Connie."

"Coach Conway and I keep in touch," he shrugged. "Julie's thinking about selling the house."

"I know, she told me," Stephanie said. "We'd split the money."

"What do you think?" He said.

"I think I don't want to sell Mom and Dad's house," she said. "And I'll find another way to pay for college." He smiled.

"That's what I said too," he nodded, "I'm glad we agree." She smiled. "Are you going to call Aaron?"

"I haven't decided yet," she whispered. "The last I saw him I was half naked on a motel bed, and yelling at him. I think it would be awkward."

"Maybe a little," he smiled.

"You're very smiley," she said. "What's going on? Did you have a particularly nasty fight with Jimmy or something?"

"Nope," he said, "just happy." She looked at him. "Stephie, I swear."

"What's her name?" She said. He looked at her. "You're you got laid happy."

"Her name is Denise Ramsey," he said, "I did not get laid, but we do have a date for New Years Eve. That should keep nosy sisters satisfied."

"Denise Ramsey?" She said. "The singer? She's really good."

"I know," he said. "Uncle Josh introduced us." Stephanie nodded. "What about you?"

"What about me?" She said. "I haven't been dating any faux indie guitar girls." He rolled his eyes. "I don't know, me and TJ left things vague. We're going to see in Paris."

"Good a city as any to lose your virginity right?" He teased. She looked at him.

"I'm not going to sleep with him right away," she shook her head. "I mean, I made Aaron wait sixteen years." He smiled at her.

"My sister the good girl," he whispered.

"Mikey," she said gently, "can we skip the movie and go see Mom and Dad?"

"Yeah," he said, "I'd like that."

"Mom," Eva walked into Cassie and Rick's room. "Can I ask for something for Christmas?"

"I've already shopped for you," Cassie said. "But what is it?"

"I need a ticket to LA for New Years," Eva said. Cassie looked at her.

"Funny," she nodded. "I remember someone saying that she wanted to come home because, and I quote, 'I want to spend time with my family and make things right?'"

"I do want to spend time with you," Eva said. "But you're not the only people I need to make things right with. And Mikey invited me and David out there, and…"

"How do we know you're going to see Mikey and not going to Fiji to paint waterfalls?" Cassie said. Eva looked at her.

"I deserved that," she said. "But Mikey didn't." Cassie sighed.

"Fine," she said. "I'll spot you half the fare, is that OK?"

"Thank you, Mommy!" Eva said and hugged her. "I promise, I'll be so good!"

Connie packed the last of her bags before getting on the plane for Paris. Gordon walked into her room.

"Hey Gordie," she said, "do you want anything specific from Paris? French porn?"

"No, you don't have to bring me a present," he said. "Donavan is downstairs." She closed her eyes. "He won't leave and mom and dad are going to be back soon."

"Right," she said. "I was five hours from not having to deal with this, you know?" He nodded and she walked downstairs. "Hi Donavan."

"You stood me up," he said. "Your grandmother would be appalled at you."

"I didn't want to see you," she said softly. He nodded. "I loved you so much, and you broke my heart. Why would I want to see you?"

"I said I was sorry," he said. "What else do you want?"

"I want to go back four months," she said, "and call my dad and have him pick me up in New Haven that night." She looked at him. "It's not fair!" He looked at her. "It's not fair that the beautiful memory I had of my first time is completely ruined!"

"Connie, I didn't know what to do!" He said.

"Then why did you promise?" She said, her eyes overflowing with tears. "Why did you say that we would always be together, and that you would write me and call me? Why didn't you give me the choice!?"

"Because I didn't want to make the choice," he said. She looked at him. "It wasn't even my choice to make, I mean my father," he swallowed, "he was saying all of these things and he got into my head."

"What kind of things?" She whispered. He looked away. "Please say that they were the kind of things along the lines of 'you should sow your wild oats in college.' Donavan, please tell me it wasn't what I think it is!"

"I don't agree," he said. "I mean, I thought I did, but then I thought about you, and I," he walked over and cupped his hands around her face.

"You didn't think I was good enough," she whispered moving his hands off of her. "I wasn't good enough for you? I'm a fucking Vanderbilt!"

"Connie, I said I didn't agree with him," he said. "But you're not really a Vanderbilt, not by blood!" She stared at him. "Connie, I'm so sorry that I even thought it for a second." He put his arms around her.

"No," she shook her head, and pushed him off, "don't touch me. Get out! I never want to see you ever again." He looked at her.

"Baby," he whispered, "honey, I know you're upset."

"Dude, she said leave," Gordon said walking in. "So I suggest you leave." Donavan nodded and walked out. "Connie," he said as she ran upstairs. He followed her. "He's a douche."

"He's right," she whispered. "I mean, at least from the perspective of that world. It doesn't matter that I'm debuting with the Stamford junior league in July, or that my father runs a family empire that goes back to the 1800s, I'm just the charity case that they adopted from that poor Midwestern couple who couldn't afford to keep me." Gordon stared at her. "I don't feel that way, and my parents certainly don't. But I think my grandpa does. It would explain why he spends so much more time with Trina and Aileen than me." He hugged her.

"I'm glad you're my sister," he whispered. "And I'm glad you're my family." She smiled. "Please don't have sex with Kevin before I lose my virginity, I'll never hear the end of it."

"OK," she said, "nice moment over." She pulled away. "And by the way I never intend on having sex ever again. I think I'll become a nun."

"Connie," he said, "you're not Catholic."

"No," she frowned, "but you guys are, that has to count for something!"

Please review!