Chapter 37 Anywhere but here.

Administration Building

Peter hangs up the phone and closes his office. As he locks up the Administration Building, Shelby approaches him. Peter jumps when he turns to see Shelby right behind him.

"Shelby?" Peter nearly drops his files. "What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you Peter." She says really not looking at him.

"Okay?"

Peter motions for them to take a seat on the bench next to them. They sit and Shelby hesitates to ask.

"What is it Shelby?" Peter encourages her to talk.

"Scott's father invited me to spend Christmas Vacation with them. I'm asking if I can go." Shelby looks Peter in the eyes hoping he'd say yes.

"That is something I need to discuss with Sophie and then Mr. Barringer." Peter replies.

"Thank you Peter." Shelby says and gives him a hug.

"I didn't say yes."

"You didn't freak out either." Shelby says back as she heads off towards the girl's dorm.

Peter follows half way and then runs into Rodger.

"How did things go in the dining room with Andrew and Taylor?" Peter asked.

"Andrew went right away in helping, Taylor needed a little persuasion." Rodger smiled as Peter laughed. "But she helped him out."

"Do you know what is going on with those two? Is this a new thing? I thought she hung out with Adam?"

"Peter, you and Sophie need to get away. Leave everything here to us. We all can handle it." Rodger advises his old friend. "You're not being any good to these kids burnt out like you are." Rodger puts a hand on Peter's shoulder. "I wouldn't be so pushy, if I didn't think you needed."

"I'll talk it over with Sophie. Christmas Vacation is soon, maybe we can get away for a week before." Peter walks away and then turns around. "Rodger thanks."

"No problem man."

Girl's Dorm

Shelby is sitting in her bed. Daisy is next to her.

"Scott asked me to go home with him on vacation."

"Like Peter and Sophie are going to let you."

"I asked and Peter said he'd talk it over with Sophie. He didn't freak or say no." Shelby smiles a real smile. "What are you going to do?" She asked her friend.

"Daddy dearest wants me home with him. He wants me to meet his new girlfriend." Daisy says flat with a hint of sarcasm. "He wants us to be a happy family."

"Are you going to go?"

"Where else would I go?" Daisy raises an eyebrow.

"Maybe to Scott's?" Shelby suggests. "I think I can get him to ask his father."

"I don't know." Daisy gets up and goes over to her own bed. "I figured you'd want to be alone with Scott outside of this place." Daisy sits down and looks at her friend. "You two need to figure things out."

"I don't want to."

"The world will not stop because you don't want to make a choice." Daisy gets under her covers. "I'd give anything to be anywhere but my father's house."

Taylor comes running into the dorm and jumps into bed. Juliette, Daisy and Sophie look at her.

"Where have you been?" Shelby asks watching Taylor throw her shoes under her bed.

"Anywhere but here." Taylor replies out of breath and rolls over pretending to sleep.

A female counselor comes and checks on the girls, then shuts off the lights.

Boy's Dorm

Scott is lying on his bed rereading the letter from his first college choice. Ezra throws a pillow at him.

"How many times are you going to read that thing?" He asks ducking as Scott throws the pillow back.

"As many as I can."

"What college is going to want a drugged up athlete?" Trey replies out of jealousy.

"Apparently UCLA does. They've invited me to be a walk on." Scott continues to look at the letter. Trey laughs.

Andrew comes running into the dorm.

"Where have you been?" Ezra asks Andrew as Andrew gets ready for bed.

"Anywhere but here." Andrew replies.

Andrew jumps into bed just as a male counselor comes in and checks on the boys. The male counselor turns out the lights.

Peter and Sophie's Home

Sophie is already lying in bed when Peter gets home. He quietly takes off his clothes and changes into boxers to sleep. He crawls in bed. Both lie in bed with they're eyes wide open.

"Sophie, are you awake?" Peter asks peaking over at her.

"Yes." Sophie whispers back.

"I'm sorry." Peter replies. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you what I was going to do with Taylor."

Sophie sits up and looks at her husband.

"We need to be a team on this." Sophie says. "Those three girls are our responsibility now."

"I know."

"Anymore decisions need to be made by us, together." Sophie looks around the room. "This house isn't big enough for all three of them to come and live."

"We can get a new house." Peter says and pulls out a magazine full of houses.

Sophie looks at Peter amazed.

"You've been thinking about this for a long time?"

"Ever since we become guardians."

"I have to admit. . .I've been thinking the same things." Sophie smiles.

Peter kisses Sophie.

"What were Taylor's scores?" Sophie asks as they pull apart.

"Way above average."

"She needs to go to Bob's school." Sophie states.

"Bob. . ." Peter laughs. "I'm sending in her application tomorrow after our meeting again. We don't have the equipment or teachers to teach her here. She can attend classes there and groups here. That's the only thing I can figure out." Peter takes Sophie into his arms. "I just wish I can figure her out."

"I hate it when we fight." Sophie kisses her husband.

"That's because we are both stubborn." Peter kisses her back.

They both lay down on the bed, Peter gentle on top of Sophie.

"Rodger thinks we should take a vacation." Peter says in between kisses.

"I think he's right." Sophie says taking Peter's shirt off.

"Tomorrow I'll tie up some things and then well take off."

"Where are we going?"

"Any where but here." Peter shuts off the lights and then pulls the sheets up over them and pieces of clothing come out from under.