D: Don't own them, just borrowing, then returning.
A/N: Here's the next chapter for you! Thanks for reviewing, I love getting them, they make me feel oh so special!! Sorry so late on updating, started school and all. Been real busy. So, read on and enjoy, it gets into the whole big part of the story here!
AA/N: I just wanted to add that I wrote this with the idea that Sophie and Peter actually lived at Horizon too, in a room off of the main building. I never realized that they live in a whole different house away from Horizon until AFTER I wrote this, so keep that in mind, you'll understand when you get to the parts I'm talking about. Thanx!
{#}
Over the next two weeks the two sisters healed up, got used to their new medicines and Jess got her staples out. They went to court to officially divorce from their mother, who didn't even show up. She explained it as not wanting to further ruin their lives and just let them go so they can be happier with some one new. That, and it was visiting day at the jail where Walt was at so she HAD to go see him. Shelby wasn't completely surprised, but she was still hurt. She cried a little in Scott's arms that afternoon. Now the adoption procedure began. It would take quite awhile to go fully through. Plus, both Peter and Sophie had to undergo drug rehab reviews to show they were clean for awhile now. So the Merrick siblings were a ward of the state for the time being, which meant they would get some money from the state every two weeks. They opened up an account and just put it all in there.
Over the next 2 months, the Cliffhangers prepared for the end of the school year. The weather changed to warmer temps which meant more hikes and camping trips. Jess gradually warmed to everyone and became known as the 'mini Shel' with her similar attitude and personality to Shelby. She even grew fond of a boy closer to her age in the Trail Blazers group named Jesse, which cracked Scott up with the name similarity. In the beginning of May news came that the adoption procedure was almost finalized by the courts. The 'siblings' couldn't wait. Now all three of them called Sophie 'Ma' and Peter 'Dad'.
On May 20th bright and early Peter got a call. Within 30 minutes his lawyer came with the final paper work.
"Let's bring my kids in first. They'll want to here." Peter said rushing to gather them up. They were all sitting at break, watching Scott and some Trail Blazers throw a football around.
"Shel, Jess, Dan..c'mere." he called smiling happily.
"Gotta surprise for you." He said, raising his eyebrows.
"We're going to Rusty's again?" Jess said full of hope. They had been taking small visits there as groups over the past couple of weeks as a trust building thing and she'd become an excellent pool player. She loved winning money off of unsuspecting people.
"No..well, yeah. But this comes first." He said as they followed him into the office. Sophie was waiting for them with Patrick the kids' lawyer.
"Hey Patrick, what's new?" Danny said, politely shaking his hand.
"Well, thought you might want to be adopted today. Better start learning to write your new name, son." He said proudly. Shelby and Jess beamed and giggled with happy tears in their eyes.
"Today?!" Shelby squealed.
"Now. Here you go Mr. Scarbrow..Mrs. Scarbrow..sign here, and here. Then fill out your three children's new full names there, and sign here." Patrick stated, pointing all over the paper.
"Can they fill out their own names?" Sophie asked, wanting them to have a part in the whole process.
"Sure." Patrick smiled. So Sophie and Peter signed there spots then motioned the kids over.
"Oldest to youngest. In print." Patrick stated, handing the pin to Shelby. She signed Shelby May Scarbrow, then Danny put Daniel Max Scarbrow, and last Jess put Jessica Marie Scarbrow. They were all teary eyed when they finished. After some documentation, Patrick gave Peter and Sophie their official copies and shook hands.
"You're invited to our celebration party this weekend. You have to come." Sophie said hugging him.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world. " he said as he hugged each sibling, Shelby whispering a special thank you in his ear. As he left, Jess turned to her new parents and beamed.
"Thank you mama and daddy." She said before jumping to their arms. A group hug followed with Sophie kissing each one of her new 'babies' on the head. Now Shelby felt a part of her at peace, no longer frightened for herself and her brother and sister. She'd never felt that way before.
"Can we get a copy of these?" Shelby asked, looking at the legal paper with their three new names on it. Peter nodded taking the paper to the copier.
"I'll make some copies for you." He said as he ran off three handing them back when it finished. They all three took one like it was gold.
"I've gotta show everyone!" Jess yelled dashing out and yelling over her shoulder.
"Bye dad, ma, you're the best!" Jess said as the door closed.
"Let's go show the gang. They'll want to know first." Shelby said swinging her arm over her twin's shoulder and heading towards the door. In unison they yelled over their shoulders.
"Bye dad, bye ma!" then started giggling as they stumbled out.
"We've got the best kids on the planet!" Sophie said giving Peter an earth stopping kiss. Guess she was REALLY happy! The gang saw the twins clambering over to them with huge grins and teary eyes.
"Hey babe, what's up? Why all the grins?" Scott asked. They just held up the papers.
"Meet the new Scarbrow kids!" Danny said happily.
"It went through already?! It's finalized?!" Daisy asked, shocked.
"Yep!" Both twins said, smiling like idiots. Everybody started cheering their congratulations. Jess and Jesse came over to join.
"We're gonna have a party this weekend. At Rusty's." Shelby informed from Scott's arms.
"That candy striper better not be there like the last couple times. He creeps me out." Jules commented. Scott nodded, hugging Shelby tighter. To say the least, the last classes of the day were far from focused. More than your typical Friday due to the adoption news. The party was planned for Sunday night since Peter was bringing the Ridge Runners on a little over night campout on the Saturday night.
The Cliffhangers, Peter, Sophie, Patrick and some of the other adoption people like the kids' social worker were invited. Mark came as well since he was like the 'big brother' to the whole school. The other groups stayed behind with a few of the teachers and counselors to watch over them.
For the party they reserved half of Rusty's and decorated it with banners, balloons, and streamers that read 'It's twins!' 'It's a boy!' 'It's a girl!' 'It's a girl!' light pink and blue like at a baby welcoming. Everybody loved the theme. Even Peter and Sophie had 'I'm a new Dad!' and 'I'm a new Mom!' pins on. The party started at 6:00pm and by 7:00pm the place was packed with party participants as well as regular customers, including Walter, the candy striper. Scott and Shelby danced constantly, Peter and Sophie letting it slid. Jules kept noticing how Walter would keep trying to talk to Shelby when she sat down at her table. Finally, once when Scott left to use the facilities, Walter sidled up to her at her table.
"Nice party? They having triplets or something?" he asked, trying to ask casual.
"Not that it's any of YOUR business, but they just adopted my little sister and my twin brother and me." Shelby said evenly, not letting him dampen her mood.
"So..that's cool..um..you wanna dance?" he said, acting like he didn't pay attention to what she told him.
"No! Do you HAVE eyes?! I have a boyfriend! More than a boyfriend!..He's..he's my soulmate!" she said confidently, not caring how weird it sounded.
"You believe in that stuff?!" he had the guts to say.
"Yes. She does. Now back off before I MAKE you." Scott said, stepping up to Walter protectively between him and Shelby. Danny joined Scott crossing his arms across his chest.
"Lay off. I JUST asked her to dance." Walter said getting angry.
"And I say..no thank you. Now please leave me alone. I'm TRYING to enjoy myself here with my new family and friends. " Shelby said trying to avoid any fights. Walter trudged off in defeat, but not before throwing a fishy glance over his shoulder at Shelby.
"He's gone. Let's go find our parents. I think Jess has had it." Shelby said, motioning to a booth that had a sleeping Jess curled in it. It was almost 10:00pm then.
"Okay, we'll go now with the rest of the Cliffhangers in the van. You two go with Mark in the truck with all the stuff. How's that sound?" Peter said holding a still sleeping Jess in his arms.
"Good. Did you tell Mark?" Scott asked as he held Shelby's hand.
"Yeah, told him before he stepped out to put some stuff in the truck out back." Sophie said rounding up the Cliffhangers. Jules, Daisy, Auggie, David, Danny, and Jess went to the van.
"One last dance ma?" Shelby asked pleadingly.
"Sure, Mark will be a minute loading up all those gifts in the truck, but don't forget to clean up your drinks and stuff at your table." Sophie said handing her some quarters for the juke box.
"K. Thanks! Night!" Shelby smiled waving goodbye. She went to they're table to do as told, (for once! j/k) and grabbed her drink.
"Still over half left! Help me drink it Scott. I don't want to waste." Shelby said downing about half of what was there, then let him finish it.
"Let's dance babe." He said after finishing the drink. He let her pick the song. She chose 'Shiver' by Jamie O'neal. He smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist, burying his face in her neck.
Don't know how you do it
Like there's nothing to it
You just look my way
You come a little closer
I lose my composure
Don't know what to say
I'm overwhelmed, you smile, I melt
And somewhere inside, oh baby, I
Shiver, tremble, I never
No, I never once felt so much
It shakes me how you take me
Deeper then I've ever been
It's too the core, under my skin I
Shiver
Half way through the song, Shelby felt like, literally her world was spinning.
'Whoa, trippy.' She thought as she listened to the song.
I love the way your whisper
Slowly, softly lingers
In my ear
You move a little lower
World starts spinning slower
Then it disappears
Your lips so close, we kiss almost
Just barely touch, but that's enough
To make me
Shiver..
By the end, Scott felt a little light headed too.
"I'm dizzy, Scott." Shelby mumbled.
"I have that effect on people." Scott joked, smiling lopsidedly. She smirked, rolling her eyes as she tried to step off the dance stage. Big mistake. She mistook the landing and twisted her ankle, falling to her knees.
"Shel? You okay?" Scott yelled, kneeling to her side.
"Ouch!!! Noo, my ankle!" she grimaced, grabbing at her ankle painfully.
"Here, bring her back here. I've gotta a bed in the back room." Cliff, the owner said as he came over when he saw what happened. Scott scooped her up and followed Cliff down some short hallways in the back of Rusty's and set her on the bed.
"It's for me when I can't leave the bar. Go ahead and lay down sweety, get that ankle elevated. Larry and Mitchell are here on call. They got the rig out front." Cliff said, going to look for the town's E.M.T.'s that had stopped by for the party since they all knew Peter and Sophie.
"Thanks Cliff." Scott said holding Shelby's hand. Within minutes they had the E.M.T.'s checking her out. Larry brought in an air splint from the rig.
"Looks possibly a slight fracture, but maybe just a bad sprain. Want us to call your parents?" Mitchell asked as they cleaned up the stuff.
"They probably aren't back yet..besides Mark is here to take us back." Shelby said thinking it wasn't a big deal.
"Well, okay. Get this checked out in the morning. We gotta go, we have a call." Larry said as he and Mitchell left in a hurry.
"I need to get back out front. Mark coming in to get you?" Cliff asked.
"Yeah, he's still loading some stuff out back." Scott mentioned as he sat next to Shelby's side.
"Alright, Night kids. Sorry 'bout the mishap on such a special day Shel." Cliff said nicely before going back out to the busy late bar crowd. He shut the door behind him to keep the loud noise from bothering them.
"You okay Shel?" Scott said as she lay back on the bed, her foot slightly elevated by Scott's knee.
"Hurts some. The splint helps though." She said woozily. Scott smiled down at her.
'Man, she's so beautiful. I just..want her so bad!' Scott thought as he lay down next to her to keep the room from spinning. She immediately grabbed his face and started kissing him.
'I can't take it, he's too cute! She yelled in her head. Scott didn't object, and immediately deepened the kiss to the point where they were going out of control. Before they knew it, their hands where all over eachother, getting more and more intense. Meanwhile, back outside in the bar.
"Mark, got everything?" Cliff said as Mark headed out with the last of the Scarbrow's stuff.
"Yeah. All in the truck. Have a good one, man." Mark said, not knowing that when Peter said 'I've got these kids' he didn't mean ALL of the Cliffhangers. Mark thought when Peter said 'You bring the rest' meant all the gifts and things, not Scott and Shelby too. No one knew Scott and Shelby were still in the back room. Rusty's was still open for another couple of hours.
"Bartender, you've seen the school kids around? Um, Shelby at all?" Walter asked Cliff when he'd lost track of her some time ago.
"She left a little bit ago. Sorry." Cliff answered, eyeing him a minute before going back to work. Walter looked aggravated and stomped out. By the time Cliff closed up to go home, Scott and Shelby where fast asleep wrapped in each other's arms, Shelby's ankle LONG forgotten. Early the next morning, Shelby began to wake up with a slight head ache.
"Hmm..where am I?" she mumbled, blinking open her eyes. Then she realized a body was wrapped all around her, snoozing softly in her neck.
'Oh..wow! It's Scott! We..we.Oh.Wow!!' she thought as last nights wonderful events came flooding back to her. She got teary eyed once again and kissed his cheek, then shoulder. Scott slowly woke up bleary eyed.
"Shelby?" he mumbled. She just smiled, kissing him further.
"Did we?..Oh.." he said as his memory's came back to him also. He grinned up at her, then frowned.
"Why're you crying?" he whispered, concerned. She just smiled through her tears.
"I've, I've never...you..you were SO sweet! So, gentle,..I've NEVER..felt this way, an-" she mumble tears falling.
"Shh.I know. Me too." He said, kissing her sweetly. She returned it with all the love she had for him. She felt like her heart was going to burst. She wanted to show him that. And he let her. A few hours later when everyone at Horizon began waking up, Jess woke up and glanced naturally over to her sister's bed.
"Where's Shelby?" she asked Juliette who'd just woken herself and was sitting up in bed. Jules glanced to Shelby's bed with a confused look on her face.
"She made her bed already?" Jules commented, sleepily.
"I'm going to see my dad." Jess said jumping up and just throwing on a jacket and her shoes, not caring she was still in her pajamas. First she jogged to the boys dorm, knocking.
"Guys? Is Scott there?" she asked when Auggie answered all sleepily. Danny woke up and noticed that Scott's bed wasn't even slept in.
"Nah sis. Wass up?" Danny yawned, scratching his face.
"Shellie's missing too." She said racing out the door to Sophie and Peter.
"Mama! Daddy! They're not here! They never came home!" Jess said in a pant.
"Who? What? Huh?" they both mumbled sleepily as their youngest daughter came rushing in talking 100mph.
"Scott and Shelby!" Jess yelled, making Peter's eyes go wide with the loudness. Just then Hank stepped up behind her, followed by Mark.
"Uh, Peter? You have a phone call." Hank said. Mark looked guilty.
"I DID'T know they were still there! I swear!" Mark pleaded as Peter and Sophie came out in their robes to go to the office.
"Who's on the phone?" Sophie asked, freaked.
"Shelby." Hank said evenly. Peter snapped his head up then and grabbed the phone.
"Shel?" he asked worried.
"Daddy? I'm sooo sorry! We didn't mean to..I'm sorry! Something..happened..and ..and..Scott and I..we're here!" Shelby mumbled out apologetically.
"Where?!" Peter demanded.
"Rusty's?" she said meekly, biting her lip.
"We didn't drink anything, I swear!" she cried out at his silence. Scott took the phone.
"Peter..after you left we finished our drinks..SPRITE..had a last dance, but Shelby stepped off the landing and hurt her ankle. Larry and Mitchell fixed her up here in the back room..but.one thing led to another..and ..well."he said getting all locked throat.
"YOU SLEPT WITH MY DAUGHTER!!!" Peter hollered not believing his ears.
"Peter! I'm sorry!" he said. Sophie grabbed the phone from Peter.
"Put my daughter on." She said evenly. Shelby came on sniffling.
"We BOTH did it, it wasn't just Scott! Ma..you've gotta believe me..I LOVE him!" she finally said. The only thing possible. The truth. Sophie pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I believe you honey. God knows we've all witnessed it before. Are you okay?" she asked, getting a little calmer.
"In all honesty.. That was the best night er.and morning of my entire life! I don't regret a thing! Except for scaring you guys and disappointing you. I'm okay, a little head ache from..something and my ankle does hurt. " she said truthfully.
"My head hurts too." Sophie heard Scott say in the background. Something wasn't right.
"I'll come get you, then you are going to the hospital for that ankle..Tell him Peter's staying here." Sophie said, smirking when she heard Scott rushing to ask if Peter was coming too. She gave them a few more instructions and hung up.
"Scott's afraid you're gonna kill him.. She's okay, hun. Says it was the 'best time of her life'. She's only sorry for putting us through hell. You stay here, tell the other two where Shel's at." Sophie said, kissing Peter's solemn face and leaving to get dressed. This was going to be interesting. When she arrived she found Cliff in sweats, scratching his head.
"I thought they left with Mark. Had no clue they'd still be in the back room. Sorry Soph." Cliff apologized, smiling.
"It's okay. We just had a miss communication..Are you okay sweetie?" Sophie said leaning on the edge of a booth Shelby had moved to.
"My ankle is hurting the most..and a stupid headache." Shelby said meekly. Scott stood WAY back. Shelby kept looking to him for comfort, but he was too scared to move closer, within striking distance.
"Scott..please come and hold Shel's hand. I won't stop you from making her feel safer. Ready to head to the hospital?" Sophie said gently. Just as Scott passed their old table, he noticed Shelby's cup still siting there.
"Hey Shel, look some of our drinks still left." He said, remembering the dance they also shared and smiling.
"You both shared that drink?" Sophie asked, something clicking in her brain.
"Yeah, I couldn't finish it all so I gave about half of it to Scott." Shelby replied.
[flashback]
"Hey Soph..I've noticed that creepy candy striper boy lurking around Shelby's table. He's giving her an evil-sly look or somethin'; he's creeping my girl out." Auggie mentioned to her at the party.
"Yeah, that's Walter. He's been eyeing her since her hospital visit. I'll watch him, but Scott'll keep her safe." Sophie commented, smiling at the cute couple dancing. [end flashback]
"He was lurking around your table . Towards the end of the night. He kept eyeing you, even after Scott and Danny told him to back off. He must of done something to your drink!" Sophie realized all at once.
"Who? Walter?" Shelby asked, not believing it at first.
"That the little guy? Brown hair and eyes? Scar on his chin?" Cliff asked curious.
"Yep" Shelby said, wide eyed with fear.
"He was asking where, you specifically, were last night. He seemed upset when I told him you'd left. Well, supposedly anyways." Cliff said.
"Okay, grab the glass, put it in a baggie, let's get you BOTH to the hospital." Sophie said, getting upset in a totally different way now.
At the hospital, they X-rayed Shelby's ankle and both of them got blood drawn. Shelby wasn't a happy camper.
"I HATE needles! And my foot already itches!" she grumbled in the waiting room as they waited for their blood results. After 20 minutes, they got them back and their answer to the mystery. They headed back to school. When they got there, Scott put Shelby over his shoulder, fireman style, so that his blood drawn arm was free. (right arm) Shelby had here wrapped around his neck, so you could see her bandage. And her casted left foot hung from his grasp on her leg.
"My gosh! What happened?!" Danny said as they approached the lobby at study period. It was a Monday and school was in session.
"Told you, she twisted her ankle. It's fractured, but in a good place. Walking cast for 8 weeks." Sophie explained to the group. Scott gently dropped her on the love seat and joined her taking her hand.
"What's with the bandages?" Auggie pointed out.
"They took some blood." Shelby murmered.
"Seems her stalker decided to slip her a little something in her drink last night. Unfortunately, we BOTH drank it. We got a little out of it." Scott explained, turning pink.
"You mean you don't remember ANY of last night? NOW what juicy stories am I gonna get from Shel?!" Daisy said before she could stop herself.
"Oh..we remember everything! Don't worry!" Scott said, smiling all sweetly at Shelby and turning red. Auggie just cracked up. Daisy smiling like 'Oh YEAH!" to Shelby who buried her face in Scott's shoulder.
"This is TOO much! It's embarrassing enough with my parents knowing!" Shelby mumbled out. Scott suddenly froze.
"Oh God! Where's Peter?!? Should I be saying my final last wishes?!!" Scott said seriously as he looked around.
"No, it's okay Scott. It wasn't 100% your doing..only about 92%. The drugs effect was just enough to drop all you inhibitions. Basically your Jiminey Crickets went on a break. Everything else was your own doing." Peter said coming up to the group. Just then the bell rang.
"I'll get Ms. Cripple." Daisy said, bending over so she could give Shelby a piggy back ride to class.
"You're not mad at me?" Shelby asked her dad as everyone departed. Peter looked at her then to Scott.
"No. Now get to class. You already missed your first ones." He said waving her off.
"Bye my Price..and thanks for the most AMAZING, beautiful, most magical night of my life. I love you." Shelby whispered sweetly in Scott's ear.
"Love you too, babe. And ditto." He said winking as Daisy carried her out. In all the commotion, Shelby never realized how wiped out she was.
By her 2nd class, which was third period, she couldn't keep her head from falling out of her palm where it rested. She even dropped her head so fast that it hit her forehead on the desk. She startled awake grimacing and rubbing her forehead while Scott and Sophie glanced up at her with sympathy. She was in Sophie's class right then, and this time the mom noticed her condition. Scott kept glancing at Sophie like 'do something!'. So she paused in her reading and let Carry finish up reading out loud. She went over to Shelby, who looked up all innocently, trying to act like she'd really been paying attention.
"Baby, why don't you go to your dorm, take a nap." Sophie suggested quietly.
"No..I don't want to be alone." Shelby mumbled/whined a little shyly.
"Can I stay at Dad's office?..On the sofa?" Shelby tried, with a hoarse voice.
"Sure. Scott?" Sophie asked, without having to say anything.
"Got it. C'mon Shel-bell, fireman style again. My arm still hurts." Scott said swooping her up on his shoulder and as Scott walked away, Soph grabbed a quick kiss to Shelby's temple and Shelby waved to Jules and Daisy sheepishly. Scott carried Shel to Peter's office and went in smiling at Peter's confused expression.
"Your eldest is falling asleep in her mother's class and has been given the boot. She is ordered to take a nap." Scott kidded plopping her down on the sofa. He sat on the edge propping her foot up and rubbed her back for a few minutes till she conked out. Then kissed her nose and tucked the blanket around her and nodded to Peter as he left.
"Thanks Scott." Peter said softly.
"My pleasure." Was his response as he walked out. Peter sighed, gazing at his daughter, shaking his head.
"Poor thing." He mumbled, turning the phone to 'blink' mode and put the radio on real soft. He leaned back and finished his paperwork, leaving Shelby to snooze away.
{#}
A/N: There you go!! Hope you like it and understand it all. Remember, I don't have a M.D. so I'm not positive on any medical stuff. Also, I don't own Jamie O'Neal or the song Shiver, I just borrowed it. Please REVIEW!!! Tell me what you think!! Or if you didn't get something 'cause of my far off mind I own!!! Please don't forget to review, I live for these, they tell me if y'all like what I'm doing to the story!! Thanx!
A/N: Here's the next chapter for you! Thanks for reviewing, I love getting them, they make me feel oh so special!! Sorry so late on updating, started school and all. Been real busy. So, read on and enjoy, it gets into the whole big part of the story here!
AA/N: I just wanted to add that I wrote this with the idea that Sophie and Peter actually lived at Horizon too, in a room off of the main building. I never realized that they live in a whole different house away from Horizon until AFTER I wrote this, so keep that in mind, you'll understand when you get to the parts I'm talking about. Thanx!
{#}
Over the next two weeks the two sisters healed up, got used to their new medicines and Jess got her staples out. They went to court to officially divorce from their mother, who didn't even show up. She explained it as not wanting to further ruin their lives and just let them go so they can be happier with some one new. That, and it was visiting day at the jail where Walt was at so she HAD to go see him. Shelby wasn't completely surprised, but she was still hurt. She cried a little in Scott's arms that afternoon. Now the adoption procedure began. It would take quite awhile to go fully through. Plus, both Peter and Sophie had to undergo drug rehab reviews to show they were clean for awhile now. So the Merrick siblings were a ward of the state for the time being, which meant they would get some money from the state every two weeks. They opened up an account and just put it all in there.
Over the next 2 months, the Cliffhangers prepared for the end of the school year. The weather changed to warmer temps which meant more hikes and camping trips. Jess gradually warmed to everyone and became known as the 'mini Shel' with her similar attitude and personality to Shelby. She even grew fond of a boy closer to her age in the Trail Blazers group named Jesse, which cracked Scott up with the name similarity. In the beginning of May news came that the adoption procedure was almost finalized by the courts. The 'siblings' couldn't wait. Now all three of them called Sophie 'Ma' and Peter 'Dad'.
On May 20th bright and early Peter got a call. Within 30 minutes his lawyer came with the final paper work.
"Let's bring my kids in first. They'll want to here." Peter said rushing to gather them up. They were all sitting at break, watching Scott and some Trail Blazers throw a football around.
"Shel, Jess, Dan..c'mere." he called smiling happily.
"Gotta surprise for you." He said, raising his eyebrows.
"We're going to Rusty's again?" Jess said full of hope. They had been taking small visits there as groups over the past couple of weeks as a trust building thing and she'd become an excellent pool player. She loved winning money off of unsuspecting people.
"No..well, yeah. But this comes first." He said as they followed him into the office. Sophie was waiting for them with Patrick the kids' lawyer.
"Hey Patrick, what's new?" Danny said, politely shaking his hand.
"Well, thought you might want to be adopted today. Better start learning to write your new name, son." He said proudly. Shelby and Jess beamed and giggled with happy tears in their eyes.
"Today?!" Shelby squealed.
"Now. Here you go Mr. Scarbrow..Mrs. Scarbrow..sign here, and here. Then fill out your three children's new full names there, and sign here." Patrick stated, pointing all over the paper.
"Can they fill out their own names?" Sophie asked, wanting them to have a part in the whole process.
"Sure." Patrick smiled. So Sophie and Peter signed there spots then motioned the kids over.
"Oldest to youngest. In print." Patrick stated, handing the pin to Shelby. She signed Shelby May Scarbrow, then Danny put Daniel Max Scarbrow, and last Jess put Jessica Marie Scarbrow. They were all teary eyed when they finished. After some documentation, Patrick gave Peter and Sophie their official copies and shook hands.
"You're invited to our celebration party this weekend. You have to come." Sophie said hugging him.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world. " he said as he hugged each sibling, Shelby whispering a special thank you in his ear. As he left, Jess turned to her new parents and beamed.
"Thank you mama and daddy." She said before jumping to their arms. A group hug followed with Sophie kissing each one of her new 'babies' on the head. Now Shelby felt a part of her at peace, no longer frightened for herself and her brother and sister. She'd never felt that way before.
"Can we get a copy of these?" Shelby asked, looking at the legal paper with their three new names on it. Peter nodded taking the paper to the copier.
"I'll make some copies for you." He said as he ran off three handing them back when it finished. They all three took one like it was gold.
"I've gotta show everyone!" Jess yelled dashing out and yelling over her shoulder.
"Bye dad, ma, you're the best!" Jess said as the door closed.
"Let's go show the gang. They'll want to know first." Shelby said swinging her arm over her twin's shoulder and heading towards the door. In unison they yelled over their shoulders.
"Bye dad, bye ma!" then started giggling as they stumbled out.
"We've got the best kids on the planet!" Sophie said giving Peter an earth stopping kiss. Guess she was REALLY happy! The gang saw the twins clambering over to them with huge grins and teary eyes.
"Hey babe, what's up? Why all the grins?" Scott asked. They just held up the papers.
"Meet the new Scarbrow kids!" Danny said happily.
"It went through already?! It's finalized?!" Daisy asked, shocked.
"Yep!" Both twins said, smiling like idiots. Everybody started cheering their congratulations. Jess and Jesse came over to join.
"We're gonna have a party this weekend. At Rusty's." Shelby informed from Scott's arms.
"That candy striper better not be there like the last couple times. He creeps me out." Jules commented. Scott nodded, hugging Shelby tighter. To say the least, the last classes of the day were far from focused. More than your typical Friday due to the adoption news. The party was planned for Sunday night since Peter was bringing the Ridge Runners on a little over night campout on the Saturday night.
The Cliffhangers, Peter, Sophie, Patrick and some of the other adoption people like the kids' social worker were invited. Mark came as well since he was like the 'big brother' to the whole school. The other groups stayed behind with a few of the teachers and counselors to watch over them.
For the party they reserved half of Rusty's and decorated it with banners, balloons, and streamers that read 'It's twins!' 'It's a boy!' 'It's a girl!' 'It's a girl!' light pink and blue like at a baby welcoming. Everybody loved the theme. Even Peter and Sophie had 'I'm a new Dad!' and 'I'm a new Mom!' pins on. The party started at 6:00pm and by 7:00pm the place was packed with party participants as well as regular customers, including Walter, the candy striper. Scott and Shelby danced constantly, Peter and Sophie letting it slid. Jules kept noticing how Walter would keep trying to talk to Shelby when she sat down at her table. Finally, once when Scott left to use the facilities, Walter sidled up to her at her table.
"Nice party? They having triplets or something?" he asked, trying to ask casual.
"Not that it's any of YOUR business, but they just adopted my little sister and my twin brother and me." Shelby said evenly, not letting him dampen her mood.
"So..that's cool..um..you wanna dance?" he said, acting like he didn't pay attention to what she told him.
"No! Do you HAVE eyes?! I have a boyfriend! More than a boyfriend!..He's..he's my soulmate!" she said confidently, not caring how weird it sounded.
"You believe in that stuff?!" he had the guts to say.
"Yes. She does. Now back off before I MAKE you." Scott said, stepping up to Walter protectively between him and Shelby. Danny joined Scott crossing his arms across his chest.
"Lay off. I JUST asked her to dance." Walter said getting angry.
"And I say..no thank you. Now please leave me alone. I'm TRYING to enjoy myself here with my new family and friends. " Shelby said trying to avoid any fights. Walter trudged off in defeat, but not before throwing a fishy glance over his shoulder at Shelby.
"He's gone. Let's go find our parents. I think Jess has had it." Shelby said, motioning to a booth that had a sleeping Jess curled in it. It was almost 10:00pm then.
"Okay, we'll go now with the rest of the Cliffhangers in the van. You two go with Mark in the truck with all the stuff. How's that sound?" Peter said holding a still sleeping Jess in his arms.
"Good. Did you tell Mark?" Scott asked as he held Shelby's hand.
"Yeah, told him before he stepped out to put some stuff in the truck out back." Sophie said rounding up the Cliffhangers. Jules, Daisy, Auggie, David, Danny, and Jess went to the van.
"One last dance ma?" Shelby asked pleadingly.
"Sure, Mark will be a minute loading up all those gifts in the truck, but don't forget to clean up your drinks and stuff at your table." Sophie said handing her some quarters for the juke box.
"K. Thanks! Night!" Shelby smiled waving goodbye. She went to they're table to do as told, (for once! j/k) and grabbed her drink.
"Still over half left! Help me drink it Scott. I don't want to waste." Shelby said downing about half of what was there, then let him finish it.
"Let's dance babe." He said after finishing the drink. He let her pick the song. She chose 'Shiver' by Jamie O'neal. He smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist, burying his face in her neck.
Don't know how you do it
Like there's nothing to it
You just look my way
You come a little closer
I lose my composure
Don't know what to say
I'm overwhelmed, you smile, I melt
And somewhere inside, oh baby, I
Shiver, tremble, I never
No, I never once felt so much
It shakes me how you take me
Deeper then I've ever been
It's too the core, under my skin I
Shiver
Half way through the song, Shelby felt like, literally her world was spinning.
'Whoa, trippy.' She thought as she listened to the song.
I love the way your whisper
Slowly, softly lingers
In my ear
You move a little lower
World starts spinning slower
Then it disappears
Your lips so close, we kiss almost
Just barely touch, but that's enough
To make me
Shiver..
By the end, Scott felt a little light headed too.
"I'm dizzy, Scott." Shelby mumbled.
"I have that effect on people." Scott joked, smiling lopsidedly. She smirked, rolling her eyes as she tried to step off the dance stage. Big mistake. She mistook the landing and twisted her ankle, falling to her knees.
"Shel? You okay?" Scott yelled, kneeling to her side.
"Ouch!!! Noo, my ankle!" she grimaced, grabbing at her ankle painfully.
"Here, bring her back here. I've gotta a bed in the back room." Cliff, the owner said as he came over when he saw what happened. Scott scooped her up and followed Cliff down some short hallways in the back of Rusty's and set her on the bed.
"It's for me when I can't leave the bar. Go ahead and lay down sweety, get that ankle elevated. Larry and Mitchell are here on call. They got the rig out front." Cliff said, going to look for the town's E.M.T.'s that had stopped by for the party since they all knew Peter and Sophie.
"Thanks Cliff." Scott said holding Shelby's hand. Within minutes they had the E.M.T.'s checking her out. Larry brought in an air splint from the rig.
"Looks possibly a slight fracture, but maybe just a bad sprain. Want us to call your parents?" Mitchell asked as they cleaned up the stuff.
"They probably aren't back yet..besides Mark is here to take us back." Shelby said thinking it wasn't a big deal.
"Well, okay. Get this checked out in the morning. We gotta go, we have a call." Larry said as he and Mitchell left in a hurry.
"I need to get back out front. Mark coming in to get you?" Cliff asked.
"Yeah, he's still loading some stuff out back." Scott mentioned as he sat next to Shelby's side.
"Alright, Night kids. Sorry 'bout the mishap on such a special day Shel." Cliff said nicely before going back out to the busy late bar crowd. He shut the door behind him to keep the loud noise from bothering them.
"You okay Shel?" Scott said as she lay back on the bed, her foot slightly elevated by Scott's knee.
"Hurts some. The splint helps though." She said woozily. Scott smiled down at her.
'Man, she's so beautiful. I just..want her so bad!' Scott thought as he lay down next to her to keep the room from spinning. She immediately grabbed his face and started kissing him.
'I can't take it, he's too cute! She yelled in her head. Scott didn't object, and immediately deepened the kiss to the point where they were going out of control. Before they knew it, their hands where all over eachother, getting more and more intense. Meanwhile, back outside in the bar.
"Mark, got everything?" Cliff said as Mark headed out with the last of the Scarbrow's stuff.
"Yeah. All in the truck. Have a good one, man." Mark said, not knowing that when Peter said 'I've got these kids' he didn't mean ALL of the Cliffhangers. Mark thought when Peter said 'You bring the rest' meant all the gifts and things, not Scott and Shelby too. No one knew Scott and Shelby were still in the back room. Rusty's was still open for another couple of hours.
"Bartender, you've seen the school kids around? Um, Shelby at all?" Walter asked Cliff when he'd lost track of her some time ago.
"She left a little bit ago. Sorry." Cliff answered, eyeing him a minute before going back to work. Walter looked aggravated and stomped out. By the time Cliff closed up to go home, Scott and Shelby where fast asleep wrapped in each other's arms, Shelby's ankle LONG forgotten. Early the next morning, Shelby began to wake up with a slight head ache.
"Hmm..where am I?" she mumbled, blinking open her eyes. Then she realized a body was wrapped all around her, snoozing softly in her neck.
'Oh..wow! It's Scott! We..we.Oh.Wow!!' she thought as last nights wonderful events came flooding back to her. She got teary eyed once again and kissed his cheek, then shoulder. Scott slowly woke up bleary eyed.
"Shelby?" he mumbled. She just smiled, kissing him further.
"Did we?..Oh.." he said as his memory's came back to him also. He grinned up at her, then frowned.
"Why're you crying?" he whispered, concerned. She just smiled through her tears.
"I've, I've never...you..you were SO sweet! So, gentle,..I've NEVER..felt this way, an-" she mumble tears falling.
"Shh.I know. Me too." He said, kissing her sweetly. She returned it with all the love she had for him. She felt like her heart was going to burst. She wanted to show him that. And he let her. A few hours later when everyone at Horizon began waking up, Jess woke up and glanced naturally over to her sister's bed.
"Where's Shelby?" she asked Juliette who'd just woken herself and was sitting up in bed. Jules glanced to Shelby's bed with a confused look on her face.
"She made her bed already?" Jules commented, sleepily.
"I'm going to see my dad." Jess said jumping up and just throwing on a jacket and her shoes, not caring she was still in her pajamas. First she jogged to the boys dorm, knocking.
"Guys? Is Scott there?" she asked when Auggie answered all sleepily. Danny woke up and noticed that Scott's bed wasn't even slept in.
"Nah sis. Wass up?" Danny yawned, scratching his face.
"Shellie's missing too." She said racing out the door to Sophie and Peter.
"Mama! Daddy! They're not here! They never came home!" Jess said in a pant.
"Who? What? Huh?" they both mumbled sleepily as their youngest daughter came rushing in talking 100mph.
"Scott and Shelby!" Jess yelled, making Peter's eyes go wide with the loudness. Just then Hank stepped up behind her, followed by Mark.
"Uh, Peter? You have a phone call." Hank said. Mark looked guilty.
"I DID'T know they were still there! I swear!" Mark pleaded as Peter and Sophie came out in their robes to go to the office.
"Who's on the phone?" Sophie asked, freaked.
"Shelby." Hank said evenly. Peter snapped his head up then and grabbed the phone.
"Shel?" he asked worried.
"Daddy? I'm sooo sorry! We didn't mean to..I'm sorry! Something..happened..and ..and..Scott and I..we're here!" Shelby mumbled out apologetically.
"Where?!" Peter demanded.
"Rusty's?" she said meekly, biting her lip.
"We didn't drink anything, I swear!" she cried out at his silence. Scott took the phone.
"Peter..after you left we finished our drinks..SPRITE..had a last dance, but Shelby stepped off the landing and hurt her ankle. Larry and Mitchell fixed her up here in the back room..but.one thing led to another..and ..well."he said getting all locked throat.
"YOU SLEPT WITH MY DAUGHTER!!!" Peter hollered not believing his ears.
"Peter! I'm sorry!" he said. Sophie grabbed the phone from Peter.
"Put my daughter on." She said evenly. Shelby came on sniffling.
"We BOTH did it, it wasn't just Scott! Ma..you've gotta believe me..I LOVE him!" she finally said. The only thing possible. The truth. Sophie pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I believe you honey. God knows we've all witnessed it before. Are you okay?" she asked, getting a little calmer.
"In all honesty.. That was the best night er.and morning of my entire life! I don't regret a thing! Except for scaring you guys and disappointing you. I'm okay, a little head ache from..something and my ankle does hurt. " she said truthfully.
"My head hurts too." Sophie heard Scott say in the background. Something wasn't right.
"I'll come get you, then you are going to the hospital for that ankle..Tell him Peter's staying here." Sophie said, smirking when she heard Scott rushing to ask if Peter was coming too. She gave them a few more instructions and hung up.
"Scott's afraid you're gonna kill him.. She's okay, hun. Says it was the 'best time of her life'. She's only sorry for putting us through hell. You stay here, tell the other two where Shel's at." Sophie said, kissing Peter's solemn face and leaving to get dressed. This was going to be interesting. When she arrived she found Cliff in sweats, scratching his head.
"I thought they left with Mark. Had no clue they'd still be in the back room. Sorry Soph." Cliff apologized, smiling.
"It's okay. We just had a miss communication..Are you okay sweetie?" Sophie said leaning on the edge of a booth Shelby had moved to.
"My ankle is hurting the most..and a stupid headache." Shelby said meekly. Scott stood WAY back. Shelby kept looking to him for comfort, but he was too scared to move closer, within striking distance.
"Scott..please come and hold Shel's hand. I won't stop you from making her feel safer. Ready to head to the hospital?" Sophie said gently. Just as Scott passed their old table, he noticed Shelby's cup still siting there.
"Hey Shel, look some of our drinks still left." He said, remembering the dance they also shared and smiling.
"You both shared that drink?" Sophie asked, something clicking in her brain.
"Yeah, I couldn't finish it all so I gave about half of it to Scott." Shelby replied.
[flashback]
"Hey Soph..I've noticed that creepy candy striper boy lurking around Shelby's table. He's giving her an evil-sly look or somethin'; he's creeping my girl out." Auggie mentioned to her at the party.
"Yeah, that's Walter. He's been eyeing her since her hospital visit. I'll watch him, but Scott'll keep her safe." Sophie commented, smiling at the cute couple dancing. [end flashback]
"He was lurking around your table . Towards the end of the night. He kept eyeing you, even after Scott and Danny told him to back off. He must of done something to your drink!" Sophie realized all at once.
"Who? Walter?" Shelby asked, not believing it at first.
"That the little guy? Brown hair and eyes? Scar on his chin?" Cliff asked curious.
"Yep" Shelby said, wide eyed with fear.
"He was asking where, you specifically, were last night. He seemed upset when I told him you'd left. Well, supposedly anyways." Cliff said.
"Okay, grab the glass, put it in a baggie, let's get you BOTH to the hospital." Sophie said, getting upset in a totally different way now.
At the hospital, they X-rayed Shelby's ankle and both of them got blood drawn. Shelby wasn't a happy camper.
"I HATE needles! And my foot already itches!" she grumbled in the waiting room as they waited for their blood results. After 20 minutes, they got them back and their answer to the mystery. They headed back to school. When they got there, Scott put Shelby over his shoulder, fireman style, so that his blood drawn arm was free. (right arm) Shelby had here wrapped around his neck, so you could see her bandage. And her casted left foot hung from his grasp on her leg.
"My gosh! What happened?!" Danny said as they approached the lobby at study period. It was a Monday and school was in session.
"Told you, she twisted her ankle. It's fractured, but in a good place. Walking cast for 8 weeks." Sophie explained to the group. Scott gently dropped her on the love seat and joined her taking her hand.
"What's with the bandages?" Auggie pointed out.
"They took some blood." Shelby murmered.
"Seems her stalker decided to slip her a little something in her drink last night. Unfortunately, we BOTH drank it. We got a little out of it." Scott explained, turning pink.
"You mean you don't remember ANY of last night? NOW what juicy stories am I gonna get from Shel?!" Daisy said before she could stop herself.
"Oh..we remember everything! Don't worry!" Scott said, smiling all sweetly at Shelby and turning red. Auggie just cracked up. Daisy smiling like 'Oh YEAH!" to Shelby who buried her face in Scott's shoulder.
"This is TOO much! It's embarrassing enough with my parents knowing!" Shelby mumbled out. Scott suddenly froze.
"Oh God! Where's Peter?!? Should I be saying my final last wishes?!!" Scott said seriously as he looked around.
"No, it's okay Scott. It wasn't 100% your doing..only about 92%. The drugs effect was just enough to drop all you inhibitions. Basically your Jiminey Crickets went on a break. Everything else was your own doing." Peter said coming up to the group. Just then the bell rang.
"I'll get Ms. Cripple." Daisy said, bending over so she could give Shelby a piggy back ride to class.
"You're not mad at me?" Shelby asked her dad as everyone departed. Peter looked at her then to Scott.
"No. Now get to class. You already missed your first ones." He said waving her off.
"Bye my Price..and thanks for the most AMAZING, beautiful, most magical night of my life. I love you." Shelby whispered sweetly in Scott's ear.
"Love you too, babe. And ditto." He said winking as Daisy carried her out. In all the commotion, Shelby never realized how wiped out she was.
By her 2nd class, which was third period, she couldn't keep her head from falling out of her palm where it rested. She even dropped her head so fast that it hit her forehead on the desk. She startled awake grimacing and rubbing her forehead while Scott and Sophie glanced up at her with sympathy. She was in Sophie's class right then, and this time the mom noticed her condition. Scott kept glancing at Sophie like 'do something!'. So she paused in her reading and let Carry finish up reading out loud. She went over to Shelby, who looked up all innocently, trying to act like she'd really been paying attention.
"Baby, why don't you go to your dorm, take a nap." Sophie suggested quietly.
"No..I don't want to be alone." Shelby mumbled/whined a little shyly.
"Can I stay at Dad's office?..On the sofa?" Shelby tried, with a hoarse voice.
"Sure. Scott?" Sophie asked, without having to say anything.
"Got it. C'mon Shel-bell, fireman style again. My arm still hurts." Scott said swooping her up on his shoulder and as Scott walked away, Soph grabbed a quick kiss to Shelby's temple and Shelby waved to Jules and Daisy sheepishly. Scott carried Shel to Peter's office and went in smiling at Peter's confused expression.
"Your eldest is falling asleep in her mother's class and has been given the boot. She is ordered to take a nap." Scott kidded plopping her down on the sofa. He sat on the edge propping her foot up and rubbed her back for a few minutes till she conked out. Then kissed her nose and tucked the blanket around her and nodded to Peter as he left.
"Thanks Scott." Peter said softly.
"My pleasure." Was his response as he walked out. Peter sighed, gazing at his daughter, shaking his head.
"Poor thing." He mumbled, turning the phone to 'blink' mode and put the radio on real soft. He leaned back and finished his paperwork, leaving Shelby to snooze away.
{#}
A/N: There you go!! Hope you like it and understand it all. Remember, I don't have a M.D. so I'm not positive on any medical stuff. Also, I don't own Jamie O'Neal or the song Shiver, I just borrowed it. Please REVIEW!!! Tell me what you think!! Or if you didn't get something 'cause of my far off mind I own!!! Please don't forget to review, I live for these, they tell me if y'all like what I'm doing to the story!! Thanx!