Author's Note: I seriously can't stop, I'm a little worried! Not really, just not a lot of school work this week, so I'm bored. Enjoy the chapter.
I disclaim
Chapter 28: Give Thanks
"Ugh, how do you live like this?" Allie sighed wandering around Cassie and Rick's apartment. Cassie looked at her from the couch. "Here is your tea."
"Thank you," Cassie said, "So what's she like?"
"She seemed sweet," Allie said softly, "She's Cuban so that's good. His family must love that."
"His family loved you," Cassie said. Allie smiled. "At least you didn't see them together."
"I'd almost rather have," Allie sighed, "If I knew Luis was happy with her, I think I could handle it better." Cassie smiled. "OK, so, I'm throwing you a shower."
"Allie," Cassie shook her head, "I don't think that,"
"No," Allie said, "I didn't get to throw you a bachelorette party, I get to do this. Besides it'll save you a bunch of money."
"I guess that's true," Cassie nodded and sipped her herbal tea, "Oh I'm dying for a drink." She dropped her head back. Allie nodded and walked over to the kitchen, "That wasn't cue for you to get me one!"
"I'm looking at the latest ultrasound," Allie rolled her eyes, "Do you know if it's a boy or a girl yet?"
"A girl," Cassie smiled, resting her hand on her now very obvious bump.
"No, I mean scientifically," Allie said, "Not your stupid intuition."
"It's a girl," Cassie said, "The doctor said so." Allie hugged her.
"She's is going to be the most adorable little baby in the world," Allie bounced.
"Well between you and Tammy she'll certainly be the most stylishly dressed," Cassie laughed, "A designer for an aunt and a shopaholic for Godmother."
"Godmother?" Allie said. "Really?"
"Yeah," Cassie said, "I mean, I don't have a sister, and this way you're official." Allie smiled and hugged her. "You're welcome."
"Who's the Godfather?" Allie asked
"Cole probably," Cassie smiled innocently. Allie looked at her.
"Do you want your baby to be dropped on her head a lot?" Allie asked. Cassie sighed and shook her head.
"Come on," Cassie stood up, "We have to get over to the house."
"Hey Princess," Tom walked in and saw Kelly working in the kitchen, "That smells good."
"Thank you Daddy," She smiled, "Hi Ana, hey Tommy."
"Hi Kelly," Ana said, "Do you need help?"
"I've got it," She shrugged, "Tommy, Jimmy's upstairs, if you want."
"Sure," Tommy said, "Thanks."
"Is Scooter here?" Ana asked.
"No," Kelly shook her head, "Just me if that's OK. Where's Tammy?"
"Oh, her friend Connie's been a little down since breaking up with her boyfriend," Ana sighed, "She wanted Tammy to go over there."
"Connie and Guy broke up?" Kelly said. Ana nodded, "They're like the quintessential high school couple."
"They've been a pair since they were all babies pretty much," Ana shook her head, "Longer than Tammy and Fulton. It's a little odd."
"Mm," Kelly nodded, "Daddy," She said, he looked at her, "When Rick and Cassie get here try to be supportive, ask about the baby."
"Kelly," He looked at her, "I'm letting them in the house aren't I?"
"Please," She stressed, "For Jimmy, he's really miserable lately."
"I can't fight both of you," He sighed and walked out.
"You gave him a hard time about it too?" Kelly asked. Ana nodded. "Good." She laughed.
"You weren't so on board a month ago either," Ana said.
"I didn't see how much this was hurting Jimmy until this week," Kelly sighed, "He still needs a lot of taking care of." Ana smiled.
"You're very good at that," Ana said. Kelly looked at her, "Taking care of them."
"I try," Kelly nodded, "It's harder from New Haven." Ana laughed.
Julie sat at the vanity in her room in Newport and touched her hair pushing a broken piece of it up and pinning it down. She looked in the mirror and sighed glancing down at a picture of her and Steve from the summer, they were laying on her bed and she was holding the camera above them. Steve had decided to lick her cheek right before the camera snapped, her face was squished in disgust. She laughed, and realized once again how much she really missed him. But then next to that was another one that Tammy had taken at her Sweet 16, of Jimmy with his arms wrapped around her. She was looking up at him with a sort of adoration that she'd never noticed until she'd seen this picture, and he was looking at her the same way. She opened the box that held her garnet necklace.
"That's pretty," Jaime said walking in.
"It's my birthday present from Jimmy," She laughed. "I don't wear it often, it's too fancy." Jaime nodded and walked over plucked the necklace out and put it on her.
"Josh told me what you two talked about," Jaime sighed, "I'm sorry I've been so out of it these past couple months. Elyse picked up the mommy slack, I assume."
"Like she always does," Julie shrugged. Jaime nodded. "You haven't even been here this week Mom," Jaime sighed. Julie'd started saying "Mom," now when things were serious.
"I know," Jaime sighed, "And I'm sorry. Maybe Christmas, we could go to Italy, just us."
"No," Julie shook her head, "I'm spending Christmas in Maine, with Dad." Jaime nodded. "So um, Josh's parents?"
"They're nice," Jaime said, "Very west coast though, so you know," Julie nodded, "None of your New England and Midwest conservative practicality OK, missy?"
"I love that my mommy bought me a brand spanking new Jeep Wrangler for no reason whatsoever," Julie sparkled. Jaime laughed. "No, for real? Um, I love how sunny it is here in Orange County, I mean, back home it snows in the winter. Doesn't snow suck? I mean, especially when I love hockey so much."
"OK," Jaime said, pushing her out the door, "You made the point." Julie giggled. "I just mean be nice."
"I'm always nice," Julie frowned.
"Josh's nephew is a big hockey fan," Jaime said, "He knows who you are, and likes you a lot."
"How old is he?" Julie asked.
"Your age, maybe a little younger," Jaime shrugged.
"No," Julie groaned, "No more boys."
"Yeah, try to avoid having this one fall in love with you," Jaime said. Julie rolled her eyes, "Speaking of boys who are in love with you,"
"How is Paulo?" Julie asked.
"Good," Jaime said, "He's thinking about doing a semester abroad."
"That wouldn't be for another year or so, though right?" Julie said.
"Mm hm," Jaime nodded, "I suggested USC."
"Mom you didn't!" Julie groaned.
"Aren't you going to be at Dartmouth?" Jaime said, "That won't be an issue."
"Nice try with the guilt," Julie nodded. "USC's still number one."
"Good," Jaime kissed her.
"You two ready?" Josh came down. Julie nodded. "What's she bugging you about?"
"Becoming a Trojan," Julie said.
"Ah," Josh nodded, "That's on my behalf, sorry." Julie laughed. "Dartmouth sucks."
"Your opinion is noted Joshua," Julie nodded.
Connie sat at her kitchen table peeling potatoes. Tammy sat across from her staring.
"You could help," Connie said.
"Connie," Tammy said, "When has me helping with cooking ever been helpful?"
"Good point," Connie said, "Can you handle sticking the cider in the big coffee pot to heat it up?"
"I can totally handle that," Tammy nodded.
"Tammy," Mrs. Moreau walked in, "Your father and your step mother, are they coming?"
"Dad and Pauline are in Indiana with her parents," Tammy smiled fakely, "They're trying to have a baby! Isn't that exciting? Or Pauline thinks she might want to adopt. It's very in right now."
"Honey," Mrs. Moreau sighed, "I'm sorry." She shrugged, "Can I have a minute with Connie?"
"Sure," Tammy shrugged, "I should probably call my dad anyway." She skipped out.
"Mom, I'm fine," Connie mumbled and picked up a new potato.
"Guy's going to be here tonight," Mrs. Moreau said, "Although his mother offered not come."
"Mom," Connie sighed and looked at her, "I don't expect you and Dad to not be friends with the Germaines anymore. They're your best friends."
"OK," She nodded, "It's just that, you've been so sad." Connie nodded.
"It's just readjustment," She shrugged, "I was with him all the time, and now I'm with him, in the few classes we have together, at practice," She looked down, "It's new territory. But Guy's still Guy." Her mother leaned over and kissed her. "Do you know where the cheddar is?"
"Hi," Janet said walking slowly into the kitchen where Scooter was pouring himself a cup of coffee.
"Hi," He said, not making eye contact.
"Um, you've kind of ignored me," She said. He looked at her.
"What are you doing?" He asked. She swallowed, "Why are you here?"
"I'm with Dave," She shrugged and crossed her arms. "And I missed my plane. So he offered." Scooter nodded.
"You're not here for me?" He asked.
"No!" She said, "I like him. He's smart and he doesn't talk down to me, and he's sexy and we have fun."
"Really?" He looked at her. "I mean, a year ago,"
"I'm not the same girl I was a year ago," She sighed, "I mean, being completely ignored for most of your senior year will change you." He looked at her.
"That was my fault," He whispered, "I shouldn't have,"
"No," She said, "If I hadn't, I mean it wouldn't have been as bad if I hadn't I mean," She sighed, "That summer."
"Yeah," He laughed. "But, I just," He looked at her, "Janet, I don't want you to get hurt, Dave," He sighed, "He's not what you think."
"I've been hurt before," She shrugged. "He can't hurt me worse than you did." He nodded. "I'm OK. But thanks."
"Sure," He nodded, "It's still fucking creepy though." She laughed.
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