Moving Beyond
Part 21
The game was just to about halftime when the phone started to ring and soon they all saw Mrs. Anderson standing in the doorway. "Cooper, it's the same number."
"I'll be right back." As he took the phone out of his Mom's hand and walked into his Dad's office, Blaine looked at his Dad.
"What is that about?"
"Just a call Cooper needed to take."
"Dad, what's going on? I saw the look on Mom's face." Mr. Anderson grabbed the remote to mute the television before turning to look at Blaine and Sebastian.
"Your Mother is on the phone Seb."
"Excuse me?"
"She called while we were all getting cleaned up. She didn't ask my wife to tell you anything so we assumed she'd call back, which she has."
"Why is Cooper on the phone then?"
"He wanted to talk with her." Sebastian then got up off the couch and headed across the hall where he thought Cooper went. When Sebastian walked into the room, he was surprised to see Cooper was still rather calm.
"Coop, would you give me the phone please? Cooper." Cooper sighed and handed the phone over to Sebastian. "What do you want?"
"I wanted to wish you a happy thanksgiving."
"You could've left that message with Mrs. Anderson."
"I could've, but I wanted to talk to you."
"Now is not the time. I refuse to get into a fight with you today or while I'm at Blaine's."
"I don't want to fight with you Sebastian."
"You never "want to". But it always happens so what would make today any different?"
"How's your sister?"
"You mean your daughter. She's fine. I think your losing your touch though."
"How so?"
"Cooper didn't look like he wanted to ring your neck. Though I'm sure if I gave him a few more minutes he would've."
"He seems like a nice man. Makes me wonder what…"
"Don't even go there Mother. So why don't we just end this now before it goes where it usually does." As Sebastian spoke he felt a tap on his shoulder. When he turned around he didn't see the dark curls he was expecting but Lexi. "Hold on a sec. There's someone that would like to talk to you." After handing the phone to Lexi, Sebastian walked over to the doorway where Blaine and Cooper were standing. "Do you think this is wise?"
"I don't know. But she wanted to talk to her once she overheard Dad and Blaine talking."
"I'm sorry Bas."
"It's not your fault B. I just hope this doesn't turn into world war whatever as I've lost track of what number they're on."
"Happy Thanksgiving Mother."
"Thank you Alexis. Happy Thanksgiving to you as well. How are you?"
"I'm good. Yourself?"
"Good." There was silence for a moment. "I didn't know you were going to be with Sebastian for Thanksgiving."
"That's probably because the last time I talked with Dad we still didn't know if we were going to go. But Cooper had a break in his schedule so we decided to come."
"He seems like a nice man."
"He's wonderful."
"Is Blaine like him?"
"Yes. He's a wonderful young man as well. He makes Bas really happy."
"This seems to be going well." Blaine said to Sebastian as neither Cooper nor Sebastian were going to leave Lexi alone.
"It always starts this way, just wait. They can only be polite for so long. But when I hear Lexi start to get defensive I know our Mother is pushing her buttons."
"Your father tells me you're having twins."
"I am."
"How far along are you?"
"Six months."
"You were pregnant when you got married? I should've known."
"Yes Mother I was. But we were engaged before I ever found out."
"I thought you were smarter than that Alexis."
"I am smart Mother. It just happened. And since we were already engaged we figured we could either wait or get married right away. And since we're married it's pretty obvious what we chose."
"You're lucky he didn't leave you once he got you got pregnant."
"Did you miss the part where I said we were already engaged when I found out?"
"Doesn't matter, he still could've ran."
"Cooper would never do such a thing. He loves me."
"Are you sure he loves you and not your money?"
"You just had to go there, didn't you? For your information, though it's none of your business, Cooper and I signed a pre-nup."
"I'm sure he put up a fuss about it as no one willingly walks away from getting their hands and your type of money."
"Speaking from experience Mother."
"That was uncalled for Alexis."
"You always told me I should speak my mind Mother. And it's because of you that Grandma and Grandpa left almost everything to me."
"That's because you filled their heads with lies."
"I did no such thing. They saw you for the bitch you really are. Grandma was appalled when you couldn't be bothered to show for my high school graduation. And Dad told her how you tried to stop him from bringing Bas with him."
"Your brother's name is Sebastian, Alexis."
"He goes by Bas, Mother or Seb depending who you are, but you wouldn't know that as you're never around him anymore."
"Cooper, I recommend you get her off the phone before this gets worse." Sebastian told him.
"The only way you know what's going on in his life is from what Dad tells you."
"Well, that's because Sebastian feels like he'd be betraying you by talking to me."
"Don't pin your bad relationship with Bas on me. You did that all on your own by forcing him to choose between the two of us. What is so wrong with him loving both of us? Honestly Mother, what's so wrong with that? What you're doing to him is unfair." By this point Cooper had left the boys and was holding Lexi close against his chest as she wasn't giving up the phone.
"I'm not doing anything to him."
"You're delusional if you don't see what you're doing to him."
"How can I when he won't come to see me?"
"Mother, when was the last time you talk to him that the two of you didn't end up fighting?"
"I…I don't know."
"That should be clue enough that something isn't right. Yet you obviously don't care enough to come and see him. I understand that you don't love me, but how can you treat Bas this way? You treat him as though he doesn't matter. And damnit he does matter!" As soon as she finished Cooper took the phone out of Lexi's hand as she was crying uncontrollably.
"Mrs. Smythe, this is Cooper again. I think this call needs to end, because my wife is now an emotional mess."
"I want to talk to Sebastian."
"Bas, do you want to talk to your Mother?"
"No." He replied loudly enough so that his Mother would hear him through the phone.
"Did you hear him; he doesn't want to talk to you and I'm not going to make him. Goodbye Mrs. Smythe." After Cooper hung up the phone he tightened his grip on Lexi who had turned in his arms. "Why don't we go sit down hun?" She just nodded and allowed Cooper to take her wherever he wanted.
"Are you okay Bas?" Blaine asked as he looked up at Sebastian whose eyes were swollen yet locked on Lexi and Cooper.
"Better than she is."
"Talk to me Bas."
"What's there to say Blaine except that my Mother is a bitch? Yes I know I'm defensive when I get on the phone with her, but I refuse to give her the benefit of the doubt anymore. I just wish I knew what she said to Lexi."
"Why don't you ask her after she calms down?"
"I will." Sebastian then wrapped his arms around Blaine who wrapped his arms around him in return. "I can only imagine what's going through your parents' heads right now."
"Knowing them, they're worried about you and Lexi. Remember, Cooper and Lexi filled my Mom and Dad in when they were planning Christmas."
"But hearing about it and having to witness the chaos it brings are two different stories."
"Bas, give my parents some credit, okay." As Blaine and Sebastian talked, Cooper tried to calm Lexi down.
"Blaine. Bas. Can one of you get me some water please?" When Blaine looked over at Cooper he no longer saw anger on Cooper's face, but worry."
"I've got it Coop!"
As Blaine ran into the kitchen his parents looked up. "What's wrong Blaine?"
"Something's wrong with Lexi. Cooper only asked for some water but he's clearly worried." Blaine had barely finished speaking when his parents ran out of the room. When Blaine walked back into his Dad's office Lexi was lying down on the couch with his Mom and Cooper kneeling next to her. "What's going on Bas?" He asked as he tossed the bottle of water at Cooper.
"They're afraid she's having contractions."
"Isn't it way too early for that?"
"Yes." Just then Mr. Anderson came walking back in the room with a blanket since Lexi had a chill.
"I think it's best if you boys go wait in the other room."
"I don't want to." Sebastian replied.
"I'll be okay Bas, I promise. If anything else happens Cooper will come and get you."
About an hour later Cooper walked into the family room where Blaine and Sebastian were sitting. "She's going to be okay Bas."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. We called her doctor and told her what was happening. And having her lay down and giving her water was the right thing to do. She recommended that Lexi just rest for a while and that if anything else happens that we call her back."
"Can I go see her?"
"She's sleeping right now so don't wake her okay." Sebastian nodded and headed for Mr. Anderson's office.
"Are you okay Coop?" Blaine asked after Cooper sat down.
"Besides just being scared to death, yes." Blaine reached out to take Cooper's hand and once he took ahold of it he could still feel Cooper shaking.
"Were you telling the truth that she's going to be okay?"
"Yes. I'd never sugarcoat something as serious as this. But Lexi does now have an appointment for Monday after we get home."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"You can stop me from getting on a plane and giving that woman a piece of my mind."
"As much as you want to Coop, Lexi needs you here."
"Why do I have a feeling that I'm not the first person you told that to today?"
"Because you're right, Bas is furious."
"I don't blame him one bit because I am too."
"Lexi doesn't need either of you running off right now. But I highly recommend you call their Dad, he needs to know what happened Coop." Cooper let out a deep sigh.
"You're right. Could you go and tell Mom what I'm going to do, so she can figure out when we're going to eat?"
"Of course."
When Blaine walked into the kitchen he saw both of his parents with a glass of wine in hand. "You might want to pour one of those for Cooper as well." His Dad just smiled and grabbed another glass out of the cabinet. "Mom, so you know Coop's going to give Mr. Smythe a call and tell him what happened. He thought you'd like to know so you can figure out when we're going to eat."
"Thank you Blaine." After passing Cooper's message on to his Mom, Blaine headed for his Dad's office and Sebastian. "Do you need anything Bas?" He asked as he pulled a chair over next to Sebastian's.
"Besides the obvious, no. I first thought you were Cooper. Where is he?"
"Calling your Dad."
"He's going to be livid." Sebastian then leaned over and moved a strand of hair out of Lexi's face. "She's his princess, did you know that?"
"I don't doubt that." As they sat there Blaine felt Sebastian take ahold of his hand and give it a squeeze. "She really loves you Bas."
"I know and I love her too. Did you notice the last part of their argument was about me?" Blaine then watched as Sebastian brushed a tear away.
"Don't go blaming yourself for what happened Bas. Lexi wouldn't want that."
"I know. I just want to get my mind off of everything that just happened and go back to the way things were before the call."
"Besides just relaxing and watching the game, what were you thinking about earlier?"
"You're trying to change the subject."
"Yes I am. I don't want you dwelling on what happened and neither would your sister. Plus you just said you wanted to get your mind off of what happened, so what were you thinking about earlier?"
"During the game, not much besides what was going on."
"What about before the game?"
"Do you really have to ask?"
"Maybe I just want to hear you say it. It'll help put your mind in a completely different place for a while." Sebastian looked over at Blaine again and couldn't help be in awe the way Blaine could go from looking so innocent one moment to completely seductive the next. He could feel the heat pool in his gut knowing that he was the only one Blaine ever looked like that for. Sebastian then leaned in closer to Blaine.
"I wanted to…" Sebastian's whisper in his ear was cut off when Mr. Anderson knocked on the door softly.
"We'll be eating in about twenty minutes boys."
"Thanks Dad."
"I think that was a sign that I shouldn't talk dirty to you in front of my sister." Sebastian said with a smile. "So until I can tell you what I was thinking, let your imagination run wild B. I'm sure it won't be too far off."
By the time the boys walked into the dining room almost all the food was on the table. "Where's Cooper?" Blaine asked as he and Sebastian took their seats.
"I'm right here." He said as he came walking in and plopped down in the chair next to his Mom. "Though I'm not really hungry."
"I don't think any of us are, but we should all probably try to eat something." Mr. Anderson said as he pulled his wife's chair out. "From what I know of your wife, she'd be upset if we didn't."
"You're Dad's right Coop." They all turned towards the doorway when they heard Lexi's voice and Cooper quickly got up from his chair.
"You should be lying down."
"I will after we eat, I'm hungry Coop." As everyone filled up their plates Lexi couldn't help notice that all the eyes on the table were on her. "I'm okay guys."
"Before I forget, your Dad would like you each to call him when you get a chance." Cooper told Lexi and Sebastian.
"If you don't mind me asking Coop, why didn't he want to talk to me after he was done talking to you?" Sebastian asked.
"That would be because he was too angry. He figured by the time either of you call he'd have time to calm down a bit. And he also said if neither of you call till tomorrow that's fine with him. He wants you both to try and enjoy what's left of today."
"We can do that, right Bas." Lexi said with a smile as she looked across the table at him and he nodded. Dinner was just what they all needed as things started to go back to normal. The only difference was that none of them basically let Lexi do anything once dinner was over. "You know I'm not going to break, right?"
"Yes, but you need to go back and lay down." Cooper told her as he took her hand. "Remember, you promised you would."
"I know."
"Go with her Cooper, the boys are going to help me clean up, right?" Both Blaine and Sebastian nodded in response to Mrs. Anderson. "See, we're all good. We'll be in once everything is cleaned up."
With four of them in the kitchen, it didn't take long at all to clean up. "So, are you boys going to join us for a movie with Lexi and Cooper or are you going to watch the late football game?"
"I don't know, Bas?"
"Whatever's clever."
"That's for the help."
"Anytime."
"What movie are you going to watch?" Blaine asked hoping that could help them make a decision.
"It's Thanksgiving night, what movie do you think Cooper wants to watch?" His Dad replied with a smile.
"We'll watch the movie." Blaine replied before putting away more dishes.
"What are we watching?" Sebastian asked.
"Christmas Vacation."
"Why doesn't that surprise me?"
"Because you know Cooper."
"If I remember correctly Blaine, at one time you asked me to put…what was it…twenty-five thousand Italian twinkle lights on the house?" Sebastian couldn't help laugh at Blaine's reaction to what his Dad just said.
"Now B, were you going to check each and every one of those before your Dad put them up?"
"You're going to fit in watching oh so well Bas."
By the time they joined Cooper and Lexi in the family room, both of them were stretched out on one of the couches. "You need to sit up Coop." Blaine said as they walked in.
"I'm not taking up any more space than Lexi and she's supposed to be lying down." Cooper replied with a smirk as he was lying behind Lexi. Blaine then looked over to the other couch where his parents had already gotten comfortable.
"Let's just take the floor B." Sebastian said as he tossed one of the big floor pillows at him. "We'll have lots of room." Blaine just smiled and laid down on the floor next to Sebastian. It was amazing after how chaotic part of the day had been to where they all were then just watching a movie and laughing. "Hey B, is this what normal is?" Sebastian asked softly as he leaned close to Blaine.
"Yea Bas, this is what normal is. Or at least normal in this family." Blaine then gave him a peck on the cheek. Since they were all enjoying themselves most were pretty surprised when Mrs. Anderson came back in and placed dessert in front of everyone. "Thanks Mom."
"Thanks Mrs. Anderson."
"You're welcome boys."