Chapter 9
"You're late," Jeff said as he saw the eight teens walk into the restaurant.
"Sorry about that, we got caught up at the desert," Max explained.
"Yeah, Amy came by earlier and told me not to expect you four to be on time," Jeff replied. "I already called in four other employees to replace you guys so you have the night off," he added.
"Aww gee! And I was so looking forward to spending my Saturday night working," Alex said with mock disappointment.
"Well if you were really looking forward to it, I could always put you on the schedule," Jeff replied with a smug smile.
"No, no! That's okay," Alex said quickly.
"Yeah, somehow I knew that would be your response," Jeff said with a smile.
He looked past Alex and the boys to notice the girls standing behind them quietly. In the two months that they had been here, he had developed a fondness toward them - all of the parents did. They were constantly at the Crashdown when the boys were working, keeping them company and he and the other parents had appreciated their friendship to their pseudo sons. However, he had not talked or seen any of them since the night Khivar came to his restaurant almost a week ago. Not that he could blame them, they were practically kicked out of the restaurant the last time they were there.
"It's good to see you girls again," he said timidly, trying to ease into an apology. He could tell that it wasn't working because all four of the girls were looking at him indifferently. He was about to try a different approach when Liz spoke up.
"Hi Mr. Parker, how've you been?" she asked with a small smile.
"Great! And how have you girls been? Good I hope," Jeff said excitedly, happy that at least one of them was talking to him.
"Yeah, we've been fine, right?" Liz said, looking for confirmation from her sisters. The girls simply nodded.
"Look girls, I know that 'sorry' doesn't cut it, but I do truly feel bad for the way that I and the rest of the adults treated you last week," Jeff said. "We had no right to stand there and judge you because, you were right, we have no idea what you girls have been through," he added, waiting for their reaction. Maria was the first to speak up.
"Thanks Mr. Parker, and don't worry about it, we know that you were just trying to protect the guys, it's completely understandable," she said.
"Yeah," Isabel added. "We're all stuck together so there's no point in holding any grudges," she said.
"Great," Jeff said with a smile. "How about you guys have dinner here, on the house," he suggested.
"That sounds great," Tess said with a smile.
"I'll have to take a rain check," Maria said. "I'm exhausted, what with dealing with Michael all day," she said, throwing a smile at Michael. "I'm just going to head home."
"Are you sure, Ria?" Liz asked.
"Yeah, definitely. I'll see you guys at home," she said before getting ready to leave.
"Hey, Blondie, I'll give you a ride," Michael said, stopping her before she could leave.
"Fine, but don't call me Blondie," Maria said with a small glare. "I'll see you guys on Monday," she said to Max, Alex, and Kyle before leaving the Crashdown with Michael.
The drive to Maria's house was done in comfortable silence, and before they knew it, they had arrived.
"So, you coming in?" Maria asked.
"I thought you were too 'exhausted' for me," Michael said with a smirk.
"I am, but I figured I'd be nice since you gave me a ride-don't think I actually enjoy your presence," Maria replied with a smirk of her own.
"Ouch, Maria, that really hurts," Michael said while bringing his hand to his chest.
"I'm sure you'll survive, now hurry up and get out," she said before getting out of the car and heading to her front door. Michael quickly followed.
"Why's it so quiet?" Michael asked as they entered the house. In the two months that he had known the girls, he had gotten used to their house being filled with Amy's hippie music during the day.
"I don't know. My mom's car is still outside," Maria replied, wondering where Amy was. "Mom?" she called out. She heard a noise from upstairs in response.
"I guess she's in her room," Michael said, getting ready to take a seat on the couch.
"Come say hi with me," Maria said, not giving Michael a chance to answer before taking his hand and dragging him upstairs. Upon reaching Amy's room door, Maria barged in, not bothering to knock. "Hi Mo-" Maria stopped short at the site before her. There in front of her was Amy, with Jim Valenti, on top of her, kissing her like there was no tomorrow. Neither Amy nor Jim noticed Maria's presence.
"Jesus, Maria, would you move so that I can get in," Michael said as he lightly shoved Maria further into the room and made his way in. He barely made two steps before he stopped dead in his tracks.
"What the hell?!?!" he exclaimed, gaining the immediate attention of Amy and Jim.
"Michael! Maria!" Amy exclaimed in surprise. "What.what are you two doing here?" she asked.
"I live here!" Maria said. "What the hell is he doing here?" Maria asked, pointing at Jim.
"Amy and I were just." Jim started.
"Just what? Making out like teenagers?" Michael cut in.
"Oh, that is so gross," Maria said as she started to back out of the room.
"Let us explain," Amy said.
"No way, I think the mental image you guys have given us is enough," Michael said, not wanting to hear about his dad's love life. "We'll just leave and let you two get back to whatever it was you were doing," he said, barely forcing down the shudder that threatened to go through his body at the image of what Amy and Jim would do. He turned to Maria and saw that she was still too shocked to leave the room.
"Come on, Blondie, let's get out of here," he said as he dragged her out of the room, down the stairs, and back to his car.
"That was so gross," Maria said after they had been driving for a few minutes. She couldn't get the image of her mom and Jim kissing out of her head.
"I know," Michael said, just as disgusted. "That was my dad," he said in shock.
"And that was my mom," Maria added.
"And they were making out," Michael said. Both he and Maria shuddered at his last statement.
"Ew, can we not talk about this, it's too traumatizing," Maria said.
"Fine by me," Michael replied. "So where do you want to go? The Crashdown?" he asked.
"No, it's probably packed by now," Maria replied as she looked out the window. "Pull over here," she said as she saw a swing set come into view.
"The park?" Michael asked confused.
"Yeah, I love parks, there's such a childish vibe that surrounds them," she said with a small smile.
"If you say so," Michael said with a shake of his head as he parked the car and got out with Maria. Maria quickly guided him to the swings.
"Push me," she said as she took a seat on the swing. Michael walked behind her and started to lightly push the swing.
"Whee!" Maria said childishly as Michael pushed her higher. Michael couldn't help but smile at her carefree attitude.
"What are you smiling about?" Maria asked.
"Nothing, you can just be really cute sometimes," Michael replied, surprised by his words. He looked at Maria and saw that she was equally surprised.
"Just sometimes, spaceboy?" she questioned as she slowly stopped swinging.
"Yeah, you know your loud mouth tends to take away some cuteness," Michael replied with a smile. Maria lightly hit him on his shoulder.
"Shut up," she replied with a smile. The sound of children's laughter attracted their attention and they both turned to the left to see a young boy and girl laughing and playing with their mom and dad. After a brief silence, Michael spoke up.
"Did you ever sit down and think about what our real family was like?" Michael asked as he took a seat on the swing beside Maria.
"Yeah, I did actually. I love Amy with everything in me, but I've always wondered what my mom and dad were like or if my sisters and I were really sisters," Maria replied as she started to think deeply.
"Yeah, me too. After Abby died and Hank became a drunk, I used to lay in bed in my room and imagine what my mom and dad were like-it always bothered me not to know," Michael said.
"I know what you mean. Before Amy knew our secret, my sisters and I used to cry ourselves to sleep at night thinking that we'd never get to know our real mom or dad."
"Do you think you ever will?" Michael asked.
"Excuse me?" Maria asked confused.
"Do you think we'll ever get a chance to meet and get to know our parents?" Michael asked. There was a slight pause before Maria replied.
"I don't know," she said with a sigh. "I like to think that one day we'll be lucky enough to meet them, but at the same time I wouldn't be surprised if Khivar already got his hands on them. After all, he was pretty pissed that our parents decided to reincarnate us, who knows what he did to them after he found out," she said.
"You honestly think he killed them?" Michael asked sadly. Although he loved Jim like a father, he had always held out hope of meeting his birth parents and to realize that they could be dead was more than he wanted to handle.
"I really don't know, Michael," Maria said quietly as she saw the sad expression come across Michael's face. "Who knows with Khivar. We just have to hope that our parents were too smart to let him get them." Michael stayed silent after her statement.
"Why us?" Michael asked, breaking the long silence.
"What?"
"Why, out of all the people on Antar, why were the eight of us picked to run an entire planet?"
"I wish I knew, at least all of this would make a little sense," Maria replied. "But it doesn't matter why we were picked, bottom line is, we were picked."
"You think we can beat Khivar?" he asked.
"We have to, for Antar and Earth," Maria replied.
"But do you think we can?" he repeated.
"Oh yeah," Maria replied with a dark look. "No way will I let that bastard get away with killing me again. I'll kill myself before I let him kill anyone of us."
"Whoa," Michael said, seeing the dark look on Maria's face. At that moment, Maria looked like she could kill Khivar with her bare hands. Michael wasn't sure if he should be worried or proud; he decided to go with proud. "Khivar better watch out when you get near him," he said.
"He better watch out when we get near him," Maria corrected. "With the pace you're learning your powers, it's only a matter of time before you and I become unstoppable."
"You think so?" Michael asked, surprised that he was proud of Maria's compliment.
"Definitely," Maria replied. "Khivar won't stand a chance," she said confidently before turning to look at the sky.
"We better get going, it's getting dark," Michael said a few minutes later as he noticed the moon.
"Yeah, you're right," Maria said as she rose from the swing.
"Come on," Michael said as he unconsciously took Maria's hand in his and led her to his car; he was surprised when Maria didn't pull away.
"You should do this more often," Michael said once they were situated in the car and on their way to Maria's house.
"Do what?"
"Open up," Michael said simply.
"What are you talking about? I'm always open," Maria argued.
"No, you're not. In the two months that I've known you, you've always closed yourself off when a conversation got too personal for your liking. I guess it was understandable, considering that we didn't know who you were, but it's nice to be able to have a conversation with you and know that none of your walls are going to be put up," he said,
"My walls?" Maria asked in an amused voice.
"Yes, your walls," Michael replied with a smile. "Sometimes, you're a stonewall that refuses to let anyone but your sisters and mother in."
"Oh really?" Maria, slightly amused by Michael's metaphor.
"Yes, really, but don't worry Deluca, I intend to knock them down day by day," Michael replied with a smile.
"And how do you plan on doing that?" she asked.
"Just wait and see, Blondie," he replied as he pulled in Maria's driveway.
"All right then, spaceboy. I'll wait to find out what you have in store for me," Maria replied as she gathered her purse.
"You do that," Michael replied with a smile as Maria got out of the car and walked over to the driver's side of the car.
"Call me when you get home, okay?" she said to Michael as she stood by his car window.
"No problem, Blondie," Michael replied with a smile.
"And thanks for hanging with me today, I had a good time," she added before leaning in and giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Anytime," Michael replied, still tingling from Maria's light peck.
Michael watched as Maria walked to her door and entered her house. He sat there in silence for a few minutes before finally starting his car and heading back home.to call Maria.
TBC.
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"You're late," Jeff said as he saw the eight teens walk into the restaurant.
"Sorry about that, we got caught up at the desert," Max explained.
"Yeah, Amy came by earlier and told me not to expect you four to be on time," Jeff replied. "I already called in four other employees to replace you guys so you have the night off," he added.
"Aww gee! And I was so looking forward to spending my Saturday night working," Alex said with mock disappointment.
"Well if you were really looking forward to it, I could always put you on the schedule," Jeff replied with a smug smile.
"No, no! That's okay," Alex said quickly.
"Yeah, somehow I knew that would be your response," Jeff said with a smile.
He looked past Alex and the boys to notice the girls standing behind them quietly. In the two months that they had been here, he had developed a fondness toward them - all of the parents did. They were constantly at the Crashdown when the boys were working, keeping them company and he and the other parents had appreciated their friendship to their pseudo sons. However, he had not talked or seen any of them since the night Khivar came to his restaurant almost a week ago. Not that he could blame them, they were practically kicked out of the restaurant the last time they were there.
"It's good to see you girls again," he said timidly, trying to ease into an apology. He could tell that it wasn't working because all four of the girls were looking at him indifferently. He was about to try a different approach when Liz spoke up.
"Hi Mr. Parker, how've you been?" she asked with a small smile.
"Great! And how have you girls been? Good I hope," Jeff said excitedly, happy that at least one of them was talking to him.
"Yeah, we've been fine, right?" Liz said, looking for confirmation from her sisters. The girls simply nodded.
"Look girls, I know that 'sorry' doesn't cut it, but I do truly feel bad for the way that I and the rest of the adults treated you last week," Jeff said. "We had no right to stand there and judge you because, you were right, we have no idea what you girls have been through," he added, waiting for their reaction. Maria was the first to speak up.
"Thanks Mr. Parker, and don't worry about it, we know that you were just trying to protect the guys, it's completely understandable," she said.
"Yeah," Isabel added. "We're all stuck together so there's no point in holding any grudges," she said.
"Great," Jeff said with a smile. "How about you guys have dinner here, on the house," he suggested.
"That sounds great," Tess said with a smile.
"I'll have to take a rain check," Maria said. "I'm exhausted, what with dealing with Michael all day," she said, throwing a smile at Michael. "I'm just going to head home."
"Are you sure, Ria?" Liz asked.
"Yeah, definitely. I'll see you guys at home," she said before getting ready to leave.
"Hey, Blondie, I'll give you a ride," Michael said, stopping her before she could leave.
"Fine, but don't call me Blondie," Maria said with a small glare. "I'll see you guys on Monday," she said to Max, Alex, and Kyle before leaving the Crashdown with Michael.
The drive to Maria's house was done in comfortable silence, and before they knew it, they had arrived.
"So, you coming in?" Maria asked.
"I thought you were too 'exhausted' for me," Michael said with a smirk.
"I am, but I figured I'd be nice since you gave me a ride-don't think I actually enjoy your presence," Maria replied with a smirk of her own.
"Ouch, Maria, that really hurts," Michael said while bringing his hand to his chest.
"I'm sure you'll survive, now hurry up and get out," she said before getting out of the car and heading to her front door. Michael quickly followed.
"Why's it so quiet?" Michael asked as they entered the house. In the two months that he had known the girls, he had gotten used to their house being filled with Amy's hippie music during the day.
"I don't know. My mom's car is still outside," Maria replied, wondering where Amy was. "Mom?" she called out. She heard a noise from upstairs in response.
"I guess she's in her room," Michael said, getting ready to take a seat on the couch.
"Come say hi with me," Maria said, not giving Michael a chance to answer before taking his hand and dragging him upstairs. Upon reaching Amy's room door, Maria barged in, not bothering to knock. "Hi Mo-" Maria stopped short at the site before her. There in front of her was Amy, with Jim Valenti, on top of her, kissing her like there was no tomorrow. Neither Amy nor Jim noticed Maria's presence.
"Jesus, Maria, would you move so that I can get in," Michael said as he lightly shoved Maria further into the room and made his way in. He barely made two steps before he stopped dead in his tracks.
"What the hell?!?!" he exclaimed, gaining the immediate attention of Amy and Jim.
"Michael! Maria!" Amy exclaimed in surprise. "What.what are you two doing here?" she asked.
"I live here!" Maria said. "What the hell is he doing here?" Maria asked, pointing at Jim.
"Amy and I were just." Jim started.
"Just what? Making out like teenagers?" Michael cut in.
"Oh, that is so gross," Maria said as she started to back out of the room.
"Let us explain," Amy said.
"No way, I think the mental image you guys have given us is enough," Michael said, not wanting to hear about his dad's love life. "We'll just leave and let you two get back to whatever it was you were doing," he said, barely forcing down the shudder that threatened to go through his body at the image of what Amy and Jim would do. He turned to Maria and saw that she was still too shocked to leave the room.
"Come on, Blondie, let's get out of here," he said as he dragged her out of the room, down the stairs, and back to his car.
"That was so gross," Maria said after they had been driving for a few minutes. She couldn't get the image of her mom and Jim kissing out of her head.
"I know," Michael said, just as disgusted. "That was my dad," he said in shock.
"And that was my mom," Maria added.
"And they were making out," Michael said. Both he and Maria shuddered at his last statement.
"Ew, can we not talk about this, it's too traumatizing," Maria said.
"Fine by me," Michael replied. "So where do you want to go? The Crashdown?" he asked.
"No, it's probably packed by now," Maria replied as she looked out the window. "Pull over here," she said as she saw a swing set come into view.
"The park?" Michael asked confused.
"Yeah, I love parks, there's such a childish vibe that surrounds them," she said with a small smile.
"If you say so," Michael said with a shake of his head as he parked the car and got out with Maria. Maria quickly guided him to the swings.
"Push me," she said as she took a seat on the swing. Michael walked behind her and started to lightly push the swing.
"Whee!" Maria said childishly as Michael pushed her higher. Michael couldn't help but smile at her carefree attitude.
"What are you smiling about?" Maria asked.
"Nothing, you can just be really cute sometimes," Michael replied, surprised by his words. He looked at Maria and saw that she was equally surprised.
"Just sometimes, spaceboy?" she questioned as she slowly stopped swinging.
"Yeah, you know your loud mouth tends to take away some cuteness," Michael replied with a smile. Maria lightly hit him on his shoulder.
"Shut up," she replied with a smile. The sound of children's laughter attracted their attention and they both turned to the left to see a young boy and girl laughing and playing with their mom and dad. After a brief silence, Michael spoke up.
"Did you ever sit down and think about what our real family was like?" Michael asked as he took a seat on the swing beside Maria.
"Yeah, I did actually. I love Amy with everything in me, but I've always wondered what my mom and dad were like or if my sisters and I were really sisters," Maria replied as she started to think deeply.
"Yeah, me too. After Abby died and Hank became a drunk, I used to lay in bed in my room and imagine what my mom and dad were like-it always bothered me not to know," Michael said.
"I know what you mean. Before Amy knew our secret, my sisters and I used to cry ourselves to sleep at night thinking that we'd never get to know our real mom or dad."
"Do you think you ever will?" Michael asked.
"Excuse me?" Maria asked confused.
"Do you think we'll ever get a chance to meet and get to know our parents?" Michael asked. There was a slight pause before Maria replied.
"I don't know," she said with a sigh. "I like to think that one day we'll be lucky enough to meet them, but at the same time I wouldn't be surprised if Khivar already got his hands on them. After all, he was pretty pissed that our parents decided to reincarnate us, who knows what he did to them after he found out," she said.
"You honestly think he killed them?" Michael asked sadly. Although he loved Jim like a father, he had always held out hope of meeting his birth parents and to realize that they could be dead was more than he wanted to handle.
"I really don't know, Michael," Maria said quietly as she saw the sad expression come across Michael's face. "Who knows with Khivar. We just have to hope that our parents were too smart to let him get them." Michael stayed silent after her statement.
"Why us?" Michael asked, breaking the long silence.
"What?"
"Why, out of all the people on Antar, why were the eight of us picked to run an entire planet?"
"I wish I knew, at least all of this would make a little sense," Maria replied. "But it doesn't matter why we were picked, bottom line is, we were picked."
"You think we can beat Khivar?" he asked.
"We have to, for Antar and Earth," Maria replied.
"But do you think we can?" he repeated.
"Oh yeah," Maria replied with a dark look. "No way will I let that bastard get away with killing me again. I'll kill myself before I let him kill anyone of us."
"Whoa," Michael said, seeing the dark look on Maria's face. At that moment, Maria looked like she could kill Khivar with her bare hands. Michael wasn't sure if he should be worried or proud; he decided to go with proud. "Khivar better watch out when you get near him," he said.
"He better watch out when we get near him," Maria corrected. "With the pace you're learning your powers, it's only a matter of time before you and I become unstoppable."
"You think so?" Michael asked, surprised that he was proud of Maria's compliment.
"Definitely," Maria replied. "Khivar won't stand a chance," she said confidently before turning to look at the sky.
"We better get going, it's getting dark," Michael said a few minutes later as he noticed the moon.
"Yeah, you're right," Maria said as she rose from the swing.
"Come on," Michael said as he unconsciously took Maria's hand in his and led her to his car; he was surprised when Maria didn't pull away.
"You should do this more often," Michael said once they were situated in the car and on their way to Maria's house.
"Do what?"
"Open up," Michael said simply.
"What are you talking about? I'm always open," Maria argued.
"No, you're not. In the two months that I've known you, you've always closed yourself off when a conversation got too personal for your liking. I guess it was understandable, considering that we didn't know who you were, but it's nice to be able to have a conversation with you and know that none of your walls are going to be put up," he said,
"My walls?" Maria asked in an amused voice.
"Yes, your walls," Michael replied with a smile. "Sometimes, you're a stonewall that refuses to let anyone but your sisters and mother in."
"Oh really?" Maria, slightly amused by Michael's metaphor.
"Yes, really, but don't worry Deluca, I intend to knock them down day by day," Michael replied with a smile.
"And how do you plan on doing that?" she asked.
"Just wait and see, Blondie," he replied as he pulled in Maria's driveway.
"All right then, spaceboy. I'll wait to find out what you have in store for me," Maria replied as she gathered her purse.
"You do that," Michael replied with a smile as Maria got out of the car and walked over to the driver's side of the car.
"Call me when you get home, okay?" she said to Michael as she stood by his car window.
"No problem, Blondie," Michael replied with a smile.
"And thanks for hanging with me today, I had a good time," she added before leaning in and giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Anytime," Michael replied, still tingling from Maria's light peck.
Michael watched as Maria walked to her door and entered her house. He sat there in silence for a few minutes before finally starting his car and heading back home.to call Maria.
TBC.
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