ExpecttheUnexpected

Disclaimer: I don't own anything 'In A Heartbeat' related whatsoever. All I have is this story and the characters that I made up. They belong to Disney and Alliance Atlantis and so forth. Thanks to all that reviewed so far.

Parent Trap

Expect the unexpected

From the ceiling hanged a crystal chandelier, hovering over the dining table where four individuals are seated. On the long ends of the table sat William and Daphne, Tyler's mom; on the wide side of the table sat Tyler and Val.

"The food is great, Mrs. Jenks…I mean…Daphne," Val said to penetrate the silence in the room.

"Thanks Val," Daphne replied.

"So, did you guys hear about Tyler's award?" Val asked.

Daphne and William looked up and faced Tyler. Tyler looked up and looked at Val.

'Oops…did I do something wrong? This feels like déjà vu,' Val thought.

"Tyler, why didn't you tell us?" asked William.

"I just got the award today," Tyler replied.

"Congratulations," said his mom. "What was it for?"

"You know, academic achievements, athletic honors, and community service stuff that I did for the past year."

"That's great," said William.

"And William, thanks for everything. You know, with all the help on my studies."

"You're welcome," William said, although he was thoroughly surprised.

Tyler just smiled and went back to eating his food, although his gaze returned to meet Val's eyes. For a minute, Val thought he was mad at her, like the last time, but Tyler gave her a smile that assured her that everything was fine. Val has yet to be convinced.

"How about you, Val?" asked William. "Did you receive any awards?"

"Well, no," Val replied. "I…"

"Val doesn't need any certificate or award," Tyler cut in. "Everyone knows she's a terrific student, talented athlete, and a great EMT."

Once again, Tyler smiled at Val, but she still had a feeling that he was upset.

"That's great, too," said William.

And once again, the room was back in the state of silence.

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Jamie was inside his room, still reliving the events that happened earlier. At the sound of a telephone ring, he jumped up and picked the phone up.

"Hello?"

"Hey Jamie!"

"Caitie…how are you?"

"I'm good. How was your day with Hank?"

"Not bad. How was your thing with Brianne?"

"We finished what we had to do. What did your parents say?"

"About what?"

"Your test."

"I hate them."

"Why? I thought they would be proud of you."

"They are."

"Then what's the problem?"

"They made me join the…"

"The what?"

"The Ac…"

"Ac…"

"Aca…"

"Aca…"

"Acad…"

"JAMIE! Just say it!"

"Theymademejointheacademicteam," Jamie said in one breath.

"That's funny. For a second there, I thought you said they made you join the academic team."

"That's not funny," said Jamie in a whining tone.

"You mean…no!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"Yes!!! Yes!!! Yes!!!"

"OK. Calm down. You're not freaking out, are you?"

"Do I sound like I'm freaking out? Do I!?! Do I!?!"

"Actually, you do, and if you don't stop, I'll put the phone down."

"All right. I'm sorry, but I can't get out of this. I told my dad that I would do this to prove to him that I'm not a failure."

"Then do it."

"You're not mad at me?"

"Where did you get that idea?"

"Well, you don't like academic people, except maybe Val and some of the people on the squad."

"I'm not going to hate you. Just don't let it go to your head that you'll start wearing a tie and a suit."

"I won't. I guess that's one less thing to worry about."

"I think it's cute that you're worried I might hate you."

"Will that get me anything?"

"Not a chance," said Caitie with a laugh.

Jamie laughed as well.

"I got to go," said Caitie. "Goodnight, Jamie."

"Night, Caitie," he replied as he put down the phone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The dinner at Tyler's house was just about finished.

"Thanks for the dinner," Val said as she was about to leave.

"Anytime Val," said Daphne.

"Mom, I'm driving Val home. I'll be back in a few minutes."

"Don't be late," said his mom. "And come back again soon, Val."

"Sure," Val replied. "Bye William."

"Bye Val," he replied.

Tyler handed Val her coat and led her outside. Before they could go anywhere, Tyler stopped at the front porch and faced Val.

"I know what you're thinking," he told her with that same smile and look on his eyes.

Val looked up into his eyes and for the first time, she started to feel that odd feeling in her stomach, like the ones she felt when they first met.

"You think I'm mad at you, don't you?" Tyler continued.

"Why would you say that?"

"Because you haven't spoken a word to me since you told my parents about the award."

"Well, are you?" Val said as she dropped her gaze to the ground

"No, of course not," Tyler said as he lifted her chin up. "I'll never get mad at you…ever."

"But the last time…"

"Was the last time," Tyler continued. "Everything is different now. I'm not upset that you told them. Everything with William and I are fine."

"Well, it just felt like déjà vu, you know?"

"But it's not," Tyler said. "So you don't have to wor…"

"Tyler?" Val said as Tyler stopped and started behind her. "What's wrong?"

Val turned around and saw a brand new car with a card saying "TO TYLER." Tyler walked over to the car, while holding Val's hand. As they approached the car, they saw a stranger kneeling on one knee on the floor as though he was searching for something.

"May we help you?" asked Tyler. "And is this car really for me?"

"Actually, you can," said the man as he stood up to face them. "And this car is really for you."

Tyler took a step back, and inadvertently dropped Val's hand, for the reason that the stranger was no stranger at all.

"Dad."

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What did you think? Please R/R. I hope you liked it. The next chapter will be out soon. I'll be back! ~ Scarlet182