Vaeh knew she was going to be in great big trouble. It was just the start to the new school year. It was just a chapter quiz, but it was an F and she was going to be in big trouble. She had read the required parts of the text, for her Social Studies test, but when it came down to the test, she was just lost. She hadn't studied like she told her parents she had. She had been IM'ing Jer most of the night and texting a couple of her friends. Ever since she got her own room in the newly finished basement, she had been left to her own devices when it came to homework and things. Her Dads' had said she didn't have to do her homework at the table anymore, if she kept her grades up, but now she was going to be in great big trouble.

She walked into the backdoor and Will was at the breakfast nook on his lab top. He had a ton of papers in front of him and he was reading something intently when she came in. She tried to just walk in and past him, but he wasn't about to let that happen.

Will: Veah-I need to see the Social Studies quiz you just took today.

Veah: Ok, Daddy. (Puts her backpack down and gets it out. She looks down as she slides it crossed the table toward him.)

Will: I will look this over, and after I talking to your Papa about this, we well decide on a punishment.

Vaeh: But how did you even know? I was going to tell you...

Will: Nevaeh-were you really? I got an email from Mr. Vance, your Social Studies Teacher. He sends them out to all the parents when their child fails a test or quiz in his class. It said that on the course outline at the start of the semester. Did you even read it?

Vaeh: Yes, Daddy, I read it-I don't know why I got the F, but I promise that next time I'll do better.

Will: Did you read the material? Did you really study last night or if I check my restriction page with I find that you were talking to Jer or texting or IM-ing your girlfriends.

Vaeh: Yes.

Will: Which-is it Nevaeh?

Vaeh: I was talking to Jer and my friends. I did read the book, but I didn't review it like I told you I did.

Will: So you lied to me too. I signed your slip that you read the material and you hadn't. I will sign the test paper. You will take the test over, because I asked your teacher to let you. You will not received full credit how ever, if you get an A it will be worth a C, so get an A.

Vaeh: I will, I promise.

Will: and a few more things. I have emailed the cheer coach, you can't cheer until you get the grade up for that class. I know you will miss too many practices for you to compete next month and I'd say I'm sorry, but in this case I am not. And finally you are not allowed to see or talk to Jeremy until you get your grade up as well.

Vaeh: What! But Daddy, he'll think I'm such a big baby. That is completely unfair.

Will: If you want to yell and argue, I will make it longer.

Vaeh: Ok, fine. Here- (she says as she troughs her pom-pons at him. She is devastated and in tears. She is in the opinion that Jeremy will hate her, but she is wrong.)

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A bit later, Sonny arrives home and Will fills him in on what has been going on with Vaeh. Sonny doesn't seem very happy about it either. He helps Will get dinner finished and the table set as they are talking.

Sonny: How did she take the not seeing Jeremy part?

Will: How do you think, she was devastated, but I had no other choice. If she wants to be able to see him and cheer she needs to keep her grade up. An F on a quiz is bad-I'm just glad that it wasn't the chapter test, or it held more weight on her final grade.

Sonny: I completely agree. I'll get the twins for dinner and I'll see if Vaeh will join us as well.

Will: Fine with me.

Dinner was as uncomfortable as the guys thought it would be, they talked with one another about their days, and they joked with the twins, but Nevaeh was utterly silent. She wasn't about to talk to either of them. She knew that Papa was going to want to talk to her about the deal, but she just didn't want to see the disappointment on his face. It was one thing for Will to be mad and upset with her, but Sonny really didn't get mad, he was just "disappointed" in what ever the situation happened to be.

Vaeh wanted to break the ice so, she started first.

Vaeh: Papa, I know that Dad has already talked to you about what happened today

Sonny: can't you just say that you got an F on a quiz, or is that too hard for you too say?

Vaeh: yes, I got the F. And I'm sorry and ashamed of myself, are you both happy. I have never gotten any grade lower than a B plus in my life and now I don't even know if I'll get to stay in my program at school. I am embarrassed more than you two realize. And I don't want to, but if will make you two happy, I will stop cheer and being friends with Jer.

Sonny: You don't have to stop cheer

Will: And we like Jeremy, Sweets, but you have to keep your grades up. And not just because of those things, but because it's who you are, you have always taken pride at being a bright girl. You have always had awesome grades, and you have a brain in that head of yours.

Sonny: and you know how to use it. Ok. So retake the test and rock it. Take your punishment and then we will talk about Cheer and Jeremy, OK?

Vaeh: Ok. Is it ok of I talk to him at school tomorrow?

Will: Of course-just no after school, and no cheer, until we get the next set of quiz and test scores.

Vaeh: I promise I will do way better, and I'll study more than I did this time around.

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Well Vaeh had been good at keeping her promise. She retook the Social Studies quiz and got a A. Which gave her a C on that quiz, and when it came time to the final she got an A. She and Jeremy were still together, and they even took time to study together and that actually helped. Sonny and Will allowed him to come over, when he didn't have practice and he studied with Vaeh.

This gave them sometime to get to know Jeremy and he them. He really like her family. He thought that her Dads were actually cool. They invited him to a Bulls Game and he was stoked. She kept her promises about keeping her grades up, and held all A's at the end of the quarter.

When she got her report card in the mail at the end of the quarter, it was a Saturday and she had just brought in the mail. Will looked through the stake and opened that piece up first. He smiled to himself and then did something kinda of mean and devious.

Will: So it seems we have your quarter report card here. (giving her a stern look)

Vaeh freezes in her tracks and turns around to just stare at him. She is searching for anything that will give her a clue about what she is going hear.

Vaeh: And can I see it?

He handed it to her, still not giving anything to her. She had been positive that she was getting all A's but had one teacher changed their mind? Or was she mistaken. She took the offered piece of paper and turned it to look at it. All A's, she had gotten all A's. She started smiling at herself and then looked up at her Dad.

Vaeh:Why did you just give me heart failure?

Will: It was something I felt I had to do, as your Dad.

Vaeh: I don't remember that being in the Father-Daughter handbook.

Will: There's a handbook. Well, I've never seen it, maybe that's what I'm doing wrong.

Vaeh: yes of course there's a handbook Daddy, how do you think I get through my day?

Will: Ok, Smarty. Give your old man a hug. (and she does)

When Sonny came home they both were excited to show him the report card. He was super happy for her. They told her that she could start Cheering again and she could continue to see Jer, if she kept the grades up. She was happy about that. She excused herself to go and call him about the good news.

Will: I Have that feeling again.

Sonny: What? That we're going to be in trouble?

Will: No, Sonny-Big Trouble. She is going to be Big Trouble, but in a good way.

Sonny just smiled and kissed him. Will knew this was Sonny's way of agreeing with him.