Hi guys! Here we are at the final chapter of the mini-series. A huge thanks to goodgirlz333 for really helping me work through the kinks in the plan for it, and to TheTBone and thesameguest for all of their help reading through and with ideas. Thanks to all of you for reading and reviewing as well!
I am hoping to post a couple of one shots this week – one will be Jude's take on Callie's being removed in the first ep (will probably be a standalone one shot so stick a follow on me if you want an alert) and I will also be posting at least one more chapter in Letting Them In so if that takes your fancy keep an eye on that one. I'll otherwise be taking a little break this week but hopefully it won't be too long before I'm back in action!
Anyhow, without further a do….here we go:
"How long do you think she'll be?" Kasey muttered to Brandon as they sat on Bindi and Mac's sofa. Mac had towed the car back to the ranch and already they had been supplied with milk and cookies that neither of them had the appetite to eat.
"How long do you think I'm going to be grounded for?" Kasey groaned rubbing her face in the silence. It was now just her and Brandon as Mac was tinkering with their car outside and Bindi was pottering around in the kitchen. The house was a typical little farm house. Cosy and mismatched with a mixture of family photos and ancient relics with no walls or pictures entirely straight.
"I think that we'll both be locked down for a while." He sighed, sinking back into the sofa. "But yeah, good luck getting less than three weeks if you snuck out of a two week grounding."
They sat quietly for a few more moments before Kasey looked over to Brandon's distracted gaze.
"I'm sorry I dragged you into this. It really wasn't cool of me to do." She shuffled round and looked to her fingernails as he turned his head round to her, his bottom lip sticking out a little forward of his top.
"I just got so caught up in the excitement and the plan and stuff I...I didn't really think too much about you and Callie."
"You were right though, it's not like I would have been able to get myself out of my mess yesterday. As much as I hate to admit it you're still the only one who can think up these things."
"Even when they spectacularly belly flop?" She raised her eyebrows.
"Every time, you mean?" He teased as she nudged him before he smiled and continued.
"Well I wouldn't say this time was too much of a belly flop. Like sure, we got busted but we did kinda have fun, right?" he admitted as a smile finally curled up on Kasey's face.
"Oh really? Dancing around in skirts your new thing now, huh?"
"They're not skirts, they're kilts. And you enjoyed it too! Don't pretend it was just me." He mumbled back as Kasey smirked.
"I guess I can admit that. To you, of course. That way we can be on even blackmail terms for if anyone ever finds out."
"Our little secret, right?" Brandon whispered as Kasey winked affectionately before Brandon pulled out his phone.
"What are you doing?" She asked.
"Well, I figure neither of us are going to have our phones much longer so may as well have one last look at the net. You owe me ten bucks by the way." He added deadpan as he scrolled through the screen.
"Like hell I do, what for?" She replied, looking at him in disbelief before he held out his phone.
"Another Northern Neptune gig cancelled as lead singer storms out of venue." He read as a reluctant smile creeped across Kasey's mouth in return for a toothy grin from her brother. Kasey was spared comment as a doorbell interrupted them along with Bindi's voice as she poked her head out of the kitchen.
"Will one of you get that? Mac must be in the garage."
Kasey took a deep breath before Brandon placed a hand on her stomach.
"Don't worry, I got it." He sighed as he pushed himself up and dawdled to the door. He could see Stef's figure, arms crossed and brazen through the screen netting as he clicked it open with the best smile he could.
"Before he could even say hello she had her finger pointed in his face.
"You lie to me to cover up your plans again and you'll be lucky if your late curfew is 7 o'clock, never mind 11! And that'll be when I finally let you out of the house again. She threatened before slapping his arm and striding right past.
"I guess there's not much point in pointing out that I didn't really lie?" He asked as she shook her head at him angrily.
"I don't even understand why you agreed to this in the first place? What do I still not know?" She gave him a damning look as he threw a nervous glance to Kasey. It would be so easy to throw him to the wolves and use the distraction to her advantage, but then again he had held up his end of the bargain and almost more so than that, she really didn't want to.
"I paid him." She replied, blankly. "I gave him ten bucks and said I'd do his chores for the next couple of months."
"You did this for ten bucks and to get out of some chores?" Stef turned to Brandon. "You're almost dumber than she was for taking Jesus out. As if I wouldn't have been straight onto that."
"Well, I guess you don't need to do them any more now, huh?" Brandon shrugged to her gratefully, showing his appreciation and both exchanging a pact that they really were even now.
"Oh it won't matter." Stef burst both their bubbles. "Because I'm gonna come up with a hell of a list for both of you. Especially you!" She turned to Kasey, finally gearing to set off her rant, but was interrupted by Bindi bustling out of the kitchen.
"It's so lovely to meet you, Stef!" She smiled, holding out her hand and buying the kids a few more moments. Stef swallowed back her anger and shook it, forcing as best a smile as she could.
"Thank you, really, for looking after them. I really am so sorry for the trouble you went to..."
"Oh no trouble at all! We were thrilled to have them with us. They really are wonderful children." She smiled as Stef looked at the hopeful looks she received from both kids hoping to milk it. The sternness of her face proved it was futile as both dropped back down.
"Well I am glad that they behaved even if they were in the middle of a covert operation."
"Teenagers are a nightmare, aren't they?" Bindi placed her arm across Stef's back and the other on her near shoulder as she chuckled nostalgically. "I had six kids you know? Four boys and two girls."
"Almost the same as us." Stef fell into the trap of Bindi's kindly smile and relatability as Brandon and Kasey exchanged hopeful glances that maybe this would help soften Stef's mood.
"I don't know though, I may be thinking of selling one or two of mine. Interested?" She joked as Bindi laughed. "Sold! Kasey's been a doll at helping me work my cellular telephone. She even showed me hers. I loved looking at the maps!" A wash of realisation flooded over Stef's face as she couldn't help but smile towards Kasey. Suddenly the mysterious pokes in the application were making sense.
"She did, did she? Well I can't tell you how please I am that she let you play with it." Stef smiled, quietly content that this would be a fun gloating point if nothing else, especially as right now she was the only one in the room who possessed the knowledge.
"Now, what can I get you?"
"Really, I'll just grab the kids and go...they still have a long night ahead and that one definitely has an earlier morning than anticipated." Stef flashed a look to Kasey, hinting at what may be in store for her. It was very rare to get a sleep in when a discipline talk was on the horizon.
"Nonsense!" Bindi waved her refusal off. "Mac is tinkering away still and you've had a drive out. Sit, have a warm drink and then we'll set you off on your way." Hoping that this continued delay may work to get Stef in a lighter mood, the kids were eager to jump in.
"You know what, I think Bindi's right, Mom. She makes amazing cookies. You sit down and we'll help. In fact, we'll just make the drinks." Brandon volunteered. "You've been slaving over us all night, Bindi. Why don't you sit down? We'll figure it out.
"I'm cool with that." Kasey hopped up as Stef grabbed her arm. "Actually, maybe that is a good idea, but how about Brandon you help Bindi and it will give Kasey and me a chance to talk." She emphasised as Bindi clapped her hands together.
"That sounds like everybody wins! Such a thoughtful young man." Bindi pinched Brandon's cheek before clasping her hands towards Stef.
"What would you like?"
"I'll take a coffee if that's OK, and is there a room Kasey and I can go talk in?"
"Is that really necess-"
"Oh yes." Stef commented as Bindi pointed through across the hall.
"I'll bring your coffee to you." She informed her as Stef guided Kasey around to the door.
"You know I don't see why we can't just talk in here..." She whispered.
"Witnesses." Stef replied smugly giving her a light pat on the back as they crossed the hall.
"Sit." She commanded as Kasey slumped into a chair.
"Well, do you have anything to say for yourself?" She asked, placing her arms firmly on her hips in a damning posture.
"Just that I'm sorry..." She winced. Although they were still having this talk it was apparent that the delay had worked somewhat in calming her down.
"Kasey, do you have any idea how much a slap in the face it is when you completely disregard what we tell you to -"
"Sorry to interrupt..." the door swung open as Bindi's head popped round, Stef biting down on her frustration.
"Do you take milk or sugar?" She asked as Stef swallowed hard.
"Just black, please." She nodded turning back to Kasey.
"So yes...this was an act of completely disobed-"
"Sorry again, is there anything else you need? You don't have a nut allergy or anything?"
"No really, just five minutes peace alone with Kasey would be wonderful." Stef smiled, still trying to stay as polite as she could without exploding at the repeated irritations. Bindi apologised again before bobbing out and back in.
"...you're not going to hit her are you? I mean I know that a good spanking never did any of mine any harm but I feel I should say that using belts or anything really isn't in our beliefs and I know Kasey said you may beat -" She quickly cut off at Kasey's cut throat motion. She quickly tried to turn into a neck scratch as Stef squinted to her and turned back to their persistent host.
"I've never hit them Bindi, please, just five minutes..."
"Of course. Sorry, last time I promise." She bustled back, closing over the door.
"Beat you? Really?" Stef growled as Kasey shrugged.
"We really didn't want her to make us answer the phone..." She defended as Stef exhaled, trying to keep her lid on.
"You know what pisses me off most about this, young lady?" She tried to pick back up, even though it was proving more difficult by the second. "This wasn't just doing something you knew we would be mad about, it wasn't even just sneaking out - it was a calculated operation to run rings around us. You even used my favourite film. For evil!"
"Yes - and I know that I deserve what you're going to toss at me, but Mom this was a once in a lifetime opportunity! You always talk about how we are responsible for our choices and actions and we have to be prepared to face the consequences for them. Yes, I knew it was wrong, but I weighed it all up and decided that it was worth the risk."
"Worth the risk? Well that makes it wonderful for you, maybe, but what about your siblings? You pull in Brandon and Callie too, who by the way was probably working a lot harder than you were trying to cover up this mess. I mean dammit Kasey, you're reckless but not selfish!"
"And I...I am sorry about that. But wait, they're not in too much trouble are they? I mean you just said this was my fault and it totally was. The responsibility is 100% on me."
"Well love, I kind of wish that was true but unfortunately it doesn't work like that. You all made choices - yours was just by far the dumbest!" Stef explained firmly.
"You have no idea how disappointed it makes me when I know I can't trust you!" She added, a look of genuine hurt in her eyes that did cut through Kasey as hard as Callie implied it would. There was a moment of silence before Stef took a seat next to Kasey and looked her in the eye. She could see that this had got through on some level and as furious as she was she was punished by that look almost as much as her daughter was.
"You have got a long way to go and a hell of a lot of making up to do before you make this right again, got it? To work back even a glimmer of trust with me."
"Yeah, I get that." She sighed.
"But I am at least glad I can apparently trust you two to make a good impression on people. It means I've not completely screwed up." Stef mumbled.
"Hey, you've not screwed up at all. I'm just really hard to control." Kasey added, screwing her face slightly as Stef couldn't help but laugh a little.
"Well that is certainly true. Guess I'll just have to try harder."
"Yep." Kasey agreed without thought before quickly realising that it may not have been the best choice in words.
"Wait, I mean - not that you have to go over the top to...I mean I do learn...being grounded will definitely stick this time. Like, it'll be a 'so' grounded so..." she hopped up after Stef who was heading to open the door.
"Oh no, clearly just grounding you doesn't have any bearing. You're going to be barely out of my sight over the next few weeks. You want control baby, I can do control. Hell, maybe I will take one of these belts Bindi felt she needed to point out that they don't use. We can stick a leash on it and I can literally drag you everywhere I go. Tie you up outside our bedroom so you don't run off." She continued to elaborate as Kasey's eyes showed her nervousness.
"You are exaggerating now, right?" She asked, not entirely sure how much of this was still in jest.
"I guess you'll have to wait and see once we have our talk with Mama tomorrow, won't you?" She replied, nonchalant before clapping Kasey's behind and flicking her head back to the other room.
"Drinks are made and cookies are warmed!" Bindi announced as Brandon carried the tray through.
"Well aren't I just in time!" Mac smiled, hopping in.
"You must be one of the mothers of our favourite new dancers." He smiled as Kasey and Brandon exchanged a nervous look."
"Dancers?" Stef clarified.
"Yes. We just had our ASSHAaL St Andrews Day Ceilidh." He replied as the kids tried to hide their smirks, the novelty of the name still not wearing off even in the current atmosphere.
"I'm sorry, ASSHAaL actually is a real thing?" Stef replied deadpan as her question was met with two oblivious nods of confirmation from Bindi and Mac.
"Told you..." Kasey whispered bobbing forward to Stef as she tried hard not to laugh at her Mom's wide eyed reaction. She stepped back wisely as Stef's look reminded her that this wasn't the time for gloating. In line with his persistent talking skills, Mac quickly rescued her from any backlash as he placed his hand on Brandon's shoulder, clapping the boy's attention from watching for whether Stef unimpressed look would manifest into anything more than a side eye.
"Yes, your son was quite a hit on the floor and your daughter is a very fast learner. Probably the best partner I had all night."
"You know, we don't need to go into the specifics. The important thing is the party went off well and we'll be able to get home, right?" Brandon quickly tried to rescue as Stef's eyes lit up, the potential for this firing up her mischievous quarters, especially when it came to embarrassing kids who'd been giving her the runaround.
"Oh no, I think I want to hear all about this evening. Every detail, Mac. Don't hold back. Afterall you kids wanted to stay for longer, huh?" She smiled with delight as both kids shuffled uncomfortably with the realisation their secrecy wouldn't be as easy to hang onto after all. She placed a hand on the back of Kasey's neck and dropped her voice down low. "How does it feel knowing that squirming while I bond with your new friends will be your last memory of a social life for the foreseeable future?" She whispered to her before linking her arm and pulling her down onto the sofa so that she couldn't wriggle away.
After Stef had indulged Bindi and Mac's eager retelling and delighted herself in the discomfort she saw in both of her children, the drinks were finally drained and the company rose, ready to go.
"I really can't thank you enough for taking care of them tonight." Stef shook both of their hands.
"Oh it was our pleasure, really. And I do hope that you come back next year? We would love to see you again. Maybe bring the whole family." Bindi beamed as Stef laughed at the thought of her other kids every joining in something like this, or even herself for that matter.
"Well, I'm not too sure Kasey won't still be grounded by then." She cast her a dark look as Kasey shuffled her shoulders, even though she knew it was likely yet another exaggeration.
"But I am thrilled to know that they were able to help you with your phones. You know Kasey, maybe we can set you up as a helper at our community centre. I'm pretty sure they have some classes there about teaching people like BIndi and Mac how to best use technology. It sounds like you're a natural." She suggested, even though both kids could tell it was less of a suggestion and more of a promise.
"She would be wonderful. She taught me how to use that GSP app in no time! And how to enter a number into my phone. Usually my grandkids just do it for me."
"Oh I hope you have Kasey's number. I'm sure she would love to have you call her if you have any problems. That is, when she gets her phone back." Stef smiled smugly with another side glance. "Plus I can't wait to tell her exactly how that app improved the excitement of my evening." Kasey picked up on the hidden meaning and very quickly pieced things together as to what had caused their downfall.
"Either way, I do hope you do stay in contact." Mac turned the conversation back, the references having gone over his head. "You know where to find us if you want some more haggis! It's hard to get on our shores. You should try it over in Scotland though, there they actually use the lungs too."
"It really does sound...delightful." Stef commented as they said their goodbyes to Bindi while Mac guided them out.
"Now I've set up the tow to your SUV and made you a number plate. You're going to have to take it to the garage though. Tell them that it broke last night and today as well as that time a few weeks ago."
Kasey and Brandon's stomach's plummeted, Stef throwing them another icy glare.
"Last night?" she queried
"Yes ma'am. The kids said that they started up last night with the kit with no bother so I'm assuming the battery was just on its way out. That does happen. Really you should have taken it to a garage after that second fail."
"Oh I can't wait to figure out why we didn't." Stef replied, eyeing both her children, the guilty looks being enough to assure her that there was definitely more to this odd pact.
"Well, thank you for everything Mac." Stef and the kids waved their final goodbyes before settling into the car.
There was an eerie silence before Stef turned round to them both with a smile.
"Here's the deal." she began. "I get all the information before we get to the end of this journey or I am going to thoroughly enjoy persuading Mama to organise an evening where you demonstrate, with each other, every single dance you learned to the entire population of Anchor Beach."
Kasey and Brandon looked at each other nervously.
"And what's worse..." Stef turned her attentions to the road as she shifted gears and pulled out of the drive, "everyone's gonna find out you two mortal enemies actually enjoyed doing it."
There you have it. I would love to know what you thought of this chapter and the series itself – knowing what people liked/didn't like always helps me know what to focus on for the next. Was there anything I didn't show you would liked to have seen? As always, any suggestions (for this or other stories/one shots) are always welcome/encouraged!