Family Affair

Chapter 1

Kenny's POV

"There's no way we're getting Aurora a pony!" My wife Kelly exclaims. We only have a few days left before Christmas and we haven't even started shopping. Hell, we just put up our tree this morning. We're sitting down writing out lists of what to buy for our family. Aurora is our daughter.

"Why not? We can afford it!" I try to reason with her. It's true, money isn't an issue here. I'm a top Advertising Executive and she's a Psychiatrist. Together, we bring home $500k a year. Like I said, money isn't the issue.

"That's besides the point! Remember when we got her a bunny?"

I laugh. "Oh come on Kelly! She was only 5!"

"She's 6 now!"

"I just want to spoil my little princess! There's nothing more I love in the world than spoiling my kids!" I kiss Kelly's belly. "That includes you too, little one." Kelly is five months pregnant. We already have a son and a daughter so we want this baby to be a surprise.

"I love spoiling my kids too, but the pony is not happening!"

I put my hands up in defeat. "Fine, you win! You can also be the one to break the news to Aurora on Christmas morning."

"Kenny!" She playfully smacks my arm.

"I'm kidding baby."

"What do you want to get Connor?" Connor is our 12 year old son.

"Well we just got him a guitar for his birthday so maybe clothes for Christmas."

"That isn't exciting."

I chuckle. "I swear it gets harder to shop for them the older they get."

"No kidding. We give them everything they want year round."

"We really have spoiled them, huh?"

"We? You mean YOU have!" She laughs. I can't argue with her there.

I laugh. "I can't help it. I just want to give them the life I wish I had as a child. Their childhood experience is nothing like mine, thank God!"

"You worked hard to make sure of that." Kelly puts her arms around me and smiles.

"Yes I did!" We start kissing.

"Gross! Do you guys have to do that in here?" We turn and see Connor. His face is red. Priceless! Kelly quickly hides the list behind her.

"How do you think you got here kiddo?" I smirk just before kissing Kelly again.

"Dad, please!" He turns his head away.

Kelly pulls away from. "What? You're 12! You took sex ed!" I try to kiss her again, but she covers my mouth.

"Kenny, stop! You're embarrassing him!"

"Yes, please stop!" Connor chimes in.

I start laughing. "Okay, okay fine! Did you need something?" I ask him.

He nods. "Can I have $40? Tommy and I are going to Dave and Busters."

"Only $40 this time?"

"Yes, mom told me I can't ask for more than that at a time." That's true. I usually give him $100 when he goes out with friends, but Kelly thought it would be in his best interest if I don't give him that much anymore.

"Fair enough." I pull out my wallet and give him $40. "Do you need a ride?"

He shakes his head. "No, Tommy's mom is picking me up." Tommy Black is Connor's best and the son of Bebe and Token.

"Oh okay. Have fun and be back by 7."

"See you guys!" He quickly heads out the door.

"That was close. At least he didn't hear what we were planning to buy." She pulls the list back out.

I nod in agreement. "Yeah. I think we should work on our lists later."

"Good idea." She folds the paper up and yawns. "I'm a little tired, so I'm going to take a nap."

"Go for it. You and the baby need plenty of rest. What do you want for dinner?"

She thinks for a moment. "I think I'm in the mood for Mexican."

"I'll see what I can get Sue to whip up for you." Sue is our private chef. Neither one of us can cook so she definitely comes in handy.

"Thank you baby!"

"You're welcome. Enjoy your nap." I give her another kiss before she heads upstairs. Before I have a chance to reach out to Sue, my doorbell rings. Normally, I would have my butler answer it, but since I'm already by the door, I go ahead and open. I'm shocked to see my brother on the other side.

"Kevin? What are you doing here?"

He smirks. "Kenny!" He hugs me. "I'm surprised you answered your own door for once!"

"Umm…yeah. Like I said, what are you doing here?"

His expression completely changes. "Can we talk?"

I raise my eyebrow. "You drove all this way just to talk? Haven't you ever heard of a cell phone?" He lives in Albuquerque which isn't exactly around the corner.

"Can we go for a drive and talk?" I can hear the desperation in his voice.

"This sounds serious…"

He nods. "It is…"

"Let me leave Kelly a note and we'll go."

"Thank you." Not only do I leave a note for Kelly, I also leave a note in the kitchen for Sue so she can get started on dinner just in case I'm not back by the time Kelly wakes up from her nap.

"So what's this all about?" I ask Kevin as he's been driving in circles for the past 10 minutes, but hasn't said a word.

"It's about Chase…" Chase is my 17 year old nephew.

"What about him?"

Kevin sighs. "He's out of control! Selling drugs, getting into fights in school which have gotten him kicked out, shoplifting, and he's in a gang."

"Chase? That doesn't sound like him." I know he can be a little troublesome at times, but not to this extreme.

Kevin nods sadly. I can tell this is really troubling him. "I don't recognize him anymore. Shelly and I don't know what else to do…that's where you come in." He's married to Shelly. Don't ask how or why that happened.

"Do you need money or something? I assume you want to send him to a private school since he got kicked out of school. Hell, maybe he'll benefit from going to a boarding school." I knew money was going to be involved. This isn't the first time Kevin has come to me for money, especially when it comes to Chase.

"No." Kevin lets out a deep sigh. "We were wondering if Chase can come live with you after the holidays? We want him to be able to finish his senior year on time."

Holy shit! I damn sure wasn't expecting that. "I don't know Kevin…"

Kevin frowns. "You don't know? Come on Kenny, you have a 10 bedroom house!"

"Dude, first of all, it's only 8 bedrooms. Second, remember Kelly is pregnant! I don't want to put her in a situation where she's stressed out. It's not good for her or the baby."

"Come on Kenny. We're family and family helps family."

I glare at him. "Really Kevin?" Shit, I've been helping him out for I don't know how long.

"Yes really! I think after all this time you owe me one!" He glares back at me.

I look away from him. "You're really going to throw that in my face?"

He nods. "I just wanted to remind you about what I've done for you. You wouldn't have had the opportunity to live this fabulous life if it weren't for me."

"You don't know that!"

He chuckles. "I'm pretty sure you would've had a hard time achieving that goal!"

I look out the window and sigh. "Did you come here to make me feel guilty?"

"Is it working?"

I turn and look at him. "A little bit…"

Kevin smiles. "So you'll let Chase move in?"

"I have to discuss this with my wife first. You understand that don't you?"

He nods as he pulls the car into my driveway. "That's fine, but I need an answer as soon as possible."

"I'll talk to her and I'll call you later. You probably should head back, I know that's a long drive for you."

Kevin shakes his head. "Actually we're staying at a hotel in Denver. We thought we would surprise our parents for Christmas."

"Why can't Chase move in with one of them?" I ask.

"You know why he can't move in with mom and dad." My parents are alcoholics, that's definitely the last place he needs to live.

"What about Shelly's parents?"

"They're not in the best position health wise to care for a rebellious teen."

I nod in agreement. "Fair enough. Like I said, I'll talk to Kelly and get back to you later." I tell him as I get out of the car.

"Thank you. Remember, family helps family." I close the door and he drives off. I let out another sigh. I don't think Kelly is going to like this at all…