Author's note: On to chapter 10!!!! Hope you enjoy it!
PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW!!!!!!
Chapter 10: A Family Decision
Chris sat in her car, staring at her parents' house.
Who would've thought getting a new job would bring so much havoc in her life? In less than three months, she'd found out she had a sister, met her biological father and fucked what could have been a beautiful friendship.
She still wasn't a hundred positive on that last one though.
She had mixed emotions when it came to Ryan.
She'd shared lunch with Calleigh only yesterday and she still hadn't totally swallowed what she'd told her. After they'd parted to go back to work, Chris had gone back to the lab and had focused her mind on work. She'd been more than professional, pushing her own problems to a corner of her mind and had promised herself she'd let herself think when she'd get home.
Thankfully, she didn't see Calleigh nor Ryan for the rest of her shift. After work, she'd gotten her things and driven back to her apartment, where, once again, she'd let her thoughts go free.
She'd thought about what Calleigh had told her about her father and what it meant to her. She'd let herself imagine telling her mother about what she'd found out. She'd also spent a lot of time thinking about Ryan.
Ryan and her had started as friends. Before long, they'd taken their relationship to another level and then had called it a mistake. But putting the blame on alcohol was easy, too easy, even. It made her ignore what she might be really feeling. She'd tried as hard as she could to put what she felt for Ryan into clear words, but had failed. Everything was still too blurry.
Chris let out a long irritated sigh and got out of her car. Today was her day off and her mother had called to tell her they were having a family dinner, which had warmed her heart. It had been way too long since the last time she'd seen her whole family together.
She'd chosen to wear a loose fitting cream-colored top and tight black pants. She combed her hair with her fingers and smiled as she walked up to the front door and let herself in. "I'm here!" she called out, dropping her purse by the door.
She heard a loud roar right before her two younger brothers appeared in the living room and ran up to her. Chris squealed as they crushed her between them, giving her a huge bear hug. "CHRIS!!!!" She almost couldn't breathe as they held her between them, laughing at her apparent discomfort.
They finally let her come out for air long enough for her to spot her mom, dad, who was holding Lacey in his arms, and Felix joining them in the living room. "You guys are completely nuts, you know that?" She told them as she hugged her two brothers properly.
Bradley laughed and messed up her hair, ignoring her loud groan. "We're only giving you want, sis'."
She rolled her eyes and hugged Felix, kissed her mother and took her little sister from her father's arms. "My baby!!!" She hugged and kissed her, making her giggle. She then put her down and turned to her father, who drew her into his arms. "I missed you, dad!"
"I missed you too, sweetheart." He kissed her forehead and pulled back slightly to get a better look at her. "I love the new hair!"
She reached up and touched her hair, blushing slightly. "Thanks. I'm getting used to it slowly."
"Well it looks good on you honey." Her mom told her.
"Thanks, mom."
"I swear if you weren't my sister, I'd…"
"AARON!" their mother stopped him, scowling at him. "Not in front of Lacey, please."
Aaron rolled his eyes and shrugged. "She's heard worse than that, haven't you squirt?!?" he retorted, nudging his little sister's shoulder, who looked up and nodded her head in agreement.
Amanda rolled her eyes in frustration as Ricky went over to his young daughter and picked her up again. "Come on, everyone, let's go sit outside." He took his wife by the waist and brought her back towards the kitchen. Aaron and Bradley followed them, pushing and nudging each other as they went.
Felix looked at Chris and gave her a large smile before wrapping his arm around her shoulders. He kissed her cheek and squeezed her against him. "How are you? You look tired."
Her smile wavered slightly, her thoughts going back to the reason why she felt so drained. "I didn't sleep well last night. But I'm good!" she piped up, not wanting to get into her problems again.
Felix started dragging her towards the kitchen and bowed his head to her level. "I don't believe your crap, Chris." He whispered in her ear, making her heart thud painfully in her chest. He kissed her temple reassuringly and guided her outside, where their family was getting ready to have dinner.
A few hours later, after having eaten one of Amanda's tasty vegetarian meals, they all stayed outside, enjoying the warm weather. The three boys decided to shoot some hoops, leaving Chris and her parents sitting at the table. Lacey was fast asleep on her father's lap, who was caressing her back soothingly.
"I think I'm gonna take her to bed." He announced, standing from his chair.
Chris grinned as her mother stood and kissed her unconscious daughter good night right before Ricky disappeared inside the house.
Amanda sat down again and looked at her eldest daughter. "So? Care to tell me why you look like you haven't slept in days?"
Chris sighed, defeated. She wasn't going to get out of this one. "There's just a lot going on, mom." She told her.
Her mother stood from her chair again and came to sit next to her. She took her hand in hers and squeezed, encouraging her to keep going. "What's going on?"
She looked down at their hands and decided to go for it. She was tired of hiding everything from her. "I've met my biological father, mom." She announced, looking up at her mother's face to watch her reaction.
The older woman laughed and shook her head, clearly not believing her. "What?!?"
Chris frowned and stared at her. Now that she'd finally said it, she wasn't about to take her words back. "I'm serious, mom. I've met him."
Her mother's smile slowly disappeared. "But… how?" she whispered, not wanting anyone else to hear this.
"He lives in Miami." She sighed. "Apparently he's been living in Miami for many years now."
Her mother's hand left hers to join the other one on her lap. "You talked with him?"
Chris nodded her head slowly. "We just exchanged a few words. But don't worry, he has no idea I'm his daughter." She cleared, not wanting her mother to think he'd show up here and ask her for an explanation.
Amanda looked down at her folded hands and shook her head. "I don't understand, Chris! How could you have talked to him?" she asked her, not understanding under what circumstances she could have met him.
'Here goes nothing.' Chris thought. She'd have to tell her sooner or later. "I found out one of my coworkers is his daughter."
Her mother stayed silent, in shock. She finally let out a long breath and looked at her. "Does she know…?"
Chris shook her head. "No. I haven't told her. I haven't told anyone."
Her mother nodded her head quickly. "Good."
The younger woman raised her eyebrows and shrugged. "I don't know. I've been thinking about telling her the truth."
Her mother's eyes locked on hers. "No, you won't." She told her, her eyes pleading with her. "Chris, this is a bad idea. I don't want you to tell her anything. I don't want you to tell ANYONE."
Chris frowned, feeling her pressure rising. "I'm twenty-seven years old, mom. I can make my own decisions." She told her, her voice becoming louder. She couldn't force her to do anything she didn't want to. She'd been living with the secret for way too long now, and it was becoming too heavy for her shoulders.
Clearly, her mom didn't agree with her. "And I'm still your mother. I made a choice many years ago that I didn't want Kenwall Duquesne in our lives. I'd like you to respect my choice."
Chris shook her head. "So I have to keep this secret from her and that's it? I've been working with her for about three months now. Do you only KNOW how hard it's been for me?" she told her, not believing what her mom was saying.
Amanda shrugged. "Maybe you should quit this job, then."
Calleigh's mouth opened in shock. "You are so selfish." She told her, not caring if she hurt her with her words.
Her mother shook her head and pointed at her daughter. "No YOU are being selfish. You have a great family who loves you. Isn't it enough?"
Chris pinched her lips, stopping herself from saying something she'd regret. She stood up from her chair just as her father came back outside. He frowned, noticing something was wrong. "Chris? Are you leaving already?"
She nodded her head and went over to her dad, giving him quick hug. "Good night, dad."
He kissed her cheek, still frowning. "Good night, sweetheart."
Chris turned around and waved at her brothers. "Good night, guys!!! I'm leaving!"
The three men waved back and grunted their good night wishes, their heads focused on the game they were playing.
She turned around and quickly disappeared in the house. She walked over to the front door, grabbed her purse from where she'd left it and walked back outside. She made a beeline for her car and climbed in, needing to get away.
She drove quickly, heading towards her apartment, but realized she didn't want to go home. She didn't want to be alone. She was tired of dealing with her thoughts. Without a second thought, she turned the car around and chose another destination.
She wanted, no NEEDED to see Ryan.
She quickly drove her car to his place, not even caring what his reaction would be when he'd see her on his doorstep. She finally reached his building and parked her car. She ran up the stairs to his apartment and knocked at his door.
She heard movement coming from inside the apartment and Ryan finally opened his door. "Chris!" He said, surprised at finding her there.
"Can I come in?" she asked him, not knowing how much longer she'd be able to keep her emotions under control.
"Yeah, sure." He stepped back and opened the door wider for her.
She hung her head and walked in quickly. She heard him shut the door behind her but didn't turn around, not knowing what to do. What could she tell him? The television was on and the couch looked as if he'd been lying on it. There was a dark brown blanket bunched up at one end of the couch and a half-empty bottle of beer on the coffee table.
Ryan walked over to her and put his hand on her shoulder. "What's going on, Chris? Are you ok?" Did something happen?" he asked her, concerned.
Chris sighed and dropped her purse on the floor. She took the hand he'd laid on her shoulder and slowly turned it around. She brought it up to her lips and kissed the palm of his hand. She had no idea what she was doing but enjoyed the small shiver she got from Ryan. She turned around and, without a word, raised herself to her tip toes to touch her lips to his.
Ryan gasped against her mouth as her lips brushed his, taken by surprise. Her light kiss wasn't enough for him though, as he wrapped his arms around her waist, bringing her closer to him. She let him take the lead as he crushed his lips to hers, moaning lightly. He bit her lower lip, asking for entrance. She held on to him as he deepened the kiss, his tongue invading her mouth.
Chris kissed him back hungrily, holding onto the back of his head to keep him from pulling away. But she wanted more. She needed to be surrounded by his heat. Her hands seemed to take a life of their own as they left his neck and travelled down to his pants. He pulled back when he felt her fingers working on the button of his pants.
"What are you doing?" he asked her, panting heavily. His hazel eyes were dark with desire, and she knew he was trying very hard to keep himself under control.
"Please, Ryan." she told him, her eyes pleading with his.
He put one of his hands behind her head and brought her lips up to his again, his tongue invading her mouth, making her moan in pleasure. His other hand travelled down to the juncture of her thighs, touching her through her pants.
Chris' hands went back to the button of his pants, wanting them off, now.
Ryan's mouth left hers again. He looked in the direction of his bedroom, but decided the couch was a lot closer. He brought her to it and laid her down, covering her body with his. He raised himself on his knees and took off his t-shirt, throwing it behind him. He reached down and helped her take off her own top and immediately freed her from her bra. He bent his head and feasted on her breasts, relishing in the long moans and gasps her got from her.
Her hands were still struggling to open his pants. With a groan of satisfaction, she finally succeeded and slipped her hand inside his pants, her fingers wrapping around his engorged flesh. Ryan pulled back and closed his eyes tightly, groaning at the feel of her hands on him. He took a long shaky breath, trying to control himself as she squeezed and massaged him. He finally groaned and pushed her hand away before standing up from the couch. He took his pants off before helping her out of hers, pulling her underwear off at the same time.
He covered her body with his again, his hard need digging into the flesh of her thigh as he devoured her mouth with his.
Her nails scratched his naked back, drawing a long moan from his throat. She wanted, no NEEDED to feel him inside her.
Ryan held his weight up on one arm and spread her legs a little wider with the other. He tested her wetness, grinning proudly at finding her more than ready for him. His hand joined the other by her head and he hid his face into her neck as he slowly pushed himself inside her, groaning as he filled her completely. She drew her legs higher over his hips, urging him to go deeper.
He pulled back and looked at her face as he started thrusting his hips slowly, relishing in her passionate gasps. She held onto his shoulders, her eyes tightly shut. He picked up the pace, moving faster and faster, making her moan louder. He bent his head and crushed his lips to hers, his tongue imitating the movements of his hips inside her.
She was close, so close as he kept driving into her. She finally tore her mouth from his and threw her head back, crying out as her walls clenched tightly around him. Ryan whimpered, unable to keep himself from exploding as he watched her, her eyes tightly shut, her mouth wide open in ecstasy. He hid his face inside her neck and moaned her name, pumping his hips erratically before he finally came.
He didn't move off of her immediately, as they fought to get their breathing under control. Not wanting to crush her with his weight, he finally pulled out of her and moved her so he could lay behind her, pulling her against his chest. He reached down and grabbed the dark brown blanket he'd left on the couch, covering their sweaty bodies with it. He kissed her head and snuggled up to her, loving the sound of her soft breathing.
*Blushing* ... SOOOO????