Heaven help you guys. Happy Valentines Day!

CC (c) MI


Ari POV

I perched happily on the couch, Elaine on my knees. I held her hands as she threw herself backward, so she was upside down. Quickly I yanked her back up and she giggled wildly, already leaning back again for more. It's a little game we do.

Mom watched us with a smile, hanging the last couple ornaments on the tree. We'd gone to the countryside to get it yesterday and as a treat Mom and Dad took us to see the old remains of Wayland Manor. It was kinda cool, but Dad just looked happy to leave.

Now we were home, waiting for Kane to arrive. I know I've been getting on Dad's nerves, asking him about 13 times everyday when he's portaling in. Evil parents decided to let him come and don't tell me what day. Evil...evil. I finally annoyed my Dad enough for him to tell me that he's coming today though. I haven't seen him in months so I'm excited to say the least.

A loud bell rang through the house I jumped, almost letting go of poor L. "I'll get it!" I yelled, setting L on the couch and rushing for the door. Jamie was coming down the stairs and I barely missed colliding with him as I rounded the corner. "WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOIN' WILL YA?" He spat.

I glanced at him as I grabbed the doorknob. "Your fine. Now, if you'll excuse me." I flung the door back and saw Kane standing on the other side. His dark brown hair was longer than it had been a couple months ago but his eyes were the same light blue. A feature he'd gained from his mom. Letting all my giddiness out, I ran to him and wrapped my arms around him. He smiled big and picked me up, burying his face in my shoulder.

"Mmm, I've missed you." He sighed, setting me down. Without any reply I pushed up on my toes and crushed my lips to his. He stood shocked for a second then went pliant, his mouth softening and caressing mine gently.

"Get a room." Snapped me out of my enjoyment and I pulled away to see Jamie looking sour.

I growled but Kane laughed, hugging me tightly around the waist. "Hey man! What's up?"

Jamie rolled his eyes and wandered off toward the kitchen. I looked up at Kane with a grin. "Oh, just ignore him. Come inside! How's New York?"

"It's good, boring without you though." His voice was soft and warm, something I'd been missing. With a smile still on my face we talked as we made our way to the living room. Kane suddenly turned red and my eyebrows scrunched. I looked in front of me.

Mom and Dad were being gross. Like old people kind of gross. Dad was standing behind Mom, one arm around her waist, his other hand twined with one of hers. Mom giggled as Dad nuzzled the side of her neck. Really...I said into their minds. Mom swung her head toward us, cheeks pink, but Dad was still occupying himself in Mom's neck.

"Hi honey. Oh, and Kane! You're finally here, I'm sure you're happy now sweetheart." She smiled at me then reached a hand back to touch Dad's hair. "Um honey, I need to go see if Jamie's doing the dishes like I told him."

Dad sighed and straightened as a voice called from the kitchen. "Don't worry Mom, I'm not!"

Mom rolled her eyes and came over to pat Kane's shoulder, which she could barely reach. "We're glad your here honey. Ari, you want to show him where to put his stuff?" I nodded and she went to the kitchen, gearing up to take my brother down by her thoughts. Let's just say that Jamie has been kinda slack on all his chores lately.

"ARI, NO MIND READING!" She yelled from the kitchen. Kane looked down at me with a frightened smirk and I smiled, tugging on his arm. "Lets go."

Dad cleared his throat and I glanced toward him. Kane's back stiffened, straighter than a board. "No closed doors you two. Don't want any temptation."

I groaned. "Don't be such a worry wort Dad. We got it."

"Yeah..I'm mean, uh..Yes Sir." Kane stammered out as I pulled him to the stairs. I could feel Dad smiling at Kane's nervousness.

Kane picked up his duffel at the bottom of the stairs and I led him to the small guest room that was right next to Jamie's. It was the smallest room in the house, most of the floor space taken up by the bed and chest of drawers.

My boyfriend tossed his bag on the narrow twin bed and sighed. I wrapped my arms around him. "Sorry it's kind of small but i'm glad you came."

He smiled. "Me too." Just as he leaned down to kiss me, the door flew open.

"Someone's at the door for you Ari!" Jamie said, smacking some gum. Where did he get that?

I sighed and let go of Kane. "Way to ruin a moment."

Lips pecked my head. "It's uh, it's okay. I need to make phone call anyway." Kane stuttered and I nodded. I reached up to peck his cheek and then left out the door with Jamie. My brother gave me a strange look when the door closed behind me.

"What?" I asked.

He shook his head. "You don't think he's acting kind of weird?"

I frowned. "No, what do you mean?"

"Nothin'. Go get the door."

I pursed my lips and thundered down the stairs, mulling over Jamie's words.

Jamie POV:

I watched my sister leave and sighed. Kane is acting weird. He used to watch Sorry-ann like a lost puppy now he's...not. Hmmm...

My lips twitched as I saundered over to Kane's room and leaned by the door frame. I could hear him talking softly through the wood but couldn't seem to make out what freaking words he was saying. The idiot couldn't even talk loud enough for me to snoop. How rude.

With a smirk, I stepped to the side and let my body relax, easily melding into the wall. I moved through the wall, seeing just how old and crusty this place really is, and finally found the area Kane was leaning against. Now I could hear him.

"Yeah, you know that...Of course...Baby don't be that way, I'm just..trying to let her down easy...Your the only one for me...I love you too...bye."

I nearly fell through the wall. Thankfully I just tripped and landed painfully in the bathtub. I rubbed my head with frown, wishing bathtub's had padding. My thought quickly turned to what I'd just heard though. Kane cheated on Arianne. Is cheating. Now I gotta tell her. Ari's gonna kill him..NO, Dad's gonna kill him and sterilze him...I hope I get to watch.


Oh gracious people. Kane's a cheater and Jamie's sitting on the biggest secret. Couldn't dream up a worse problem.

Who do you think was at the door? Hmmmm...

~Elizem18