New Addition
It's been a week since Kit found out that she was pregnant for the third time. Her feelings on this were mixed. Could they really afford having another child? Was now not too late, after all she had, had three already.
By the time the baby would arrive, Katie and MJ will be juniors in High School and Kasey Lynn will be entering the fourth grade. Steve walked into their bedroom and found Kit looking at Katie and MJ's baby album.
"They were so cute at this age weren't they?" Kit said looking over at Steve.
"Yes they were. Now they are almost grown up." Steve said.
"Steve."
"Yes."
"What are your feelings on being a Dad again?" Kit asked looking at him.
Steve sat there for a moment and then said,
"I love it."
"Seriously Steve? You're not just saying that are you?" Kit asked looking at him.
"Kit I'm being serious. Like I've told you before I would love if you had a lot of kids." Steve said kissing her.
"How do the kids feel about it?" Kit asked him.
"I don't know. They haven't spoken to me about it." Steve said.
Meanwhile down stairs…
"Katie." Kasey Lynn signed.
"Yes."
"How do you feel about Mommy having another baby?"
"I'm cool with it. How do you feel about it?" Katie signed to her.
"I think it should be fun. What do you think MJ?" Kasey Lynn signed.
"I don't know. It hasn't hit me yet." MJ signed to her.
The phone rang and MJ picked it up.
"Hello."
"Hey MJ its Patty."
"Hi honey."
"I was just wondering if you want to hang out today." Patty asked nervously.
She feels that she's being too pushy.
"Sure we can hang out together." He said with a smile.
"What is a good time for me to come over?" She asked.
"You can come over now if you want. I'm just hanging with Katie and Kasey Lynn. Mom and Dad are around." He said.
"I'll be by in five minutes."
"See you then."
After they hung up MJ went upstairs to shower. Five minutes later Patty rang the doorbell and Adam arrived.
"Hi guys come on it." Katie said answering the door.
"Where's MJ?" Patty asked.
"He's in his room. You can go up." Katie said hugging Adam.
Patty went up the stairs and went down the hall to MJ's room. She knocked on his door; he opened up his door he was dressed only in his jeans When Patty saw him she couldn't believe how buffed he was. His arms were chiseled just right. His stomach was tight and he was sporting six-pack abs, in fact he resembled his father in a lot of ways.
"Well are you just going to stand there or are you coming in?" MJ asked as he gently pulled her through the door.
"Huh? Oh sure." She said blushing.
MJ couldn't believe how beautiful Patty was. Her long brown hair and green eyes were just to die for. She was wearing a denim dress with snaps all the way down; he pushed his immediate thoughts to the back of his mind.
"So what have you been up to today MJ?" Patty asked sitting at his desk.
"Nothing. Just thinking."
"About?"
MJ walked over to his bed and sat down and asked,
"Did Katie tell you that my Mom is going to have another baby?"
"Yes she did. I think that is fantastic. Don't you?" Patty asked looking over at him.
"Yeah I guess. It's kind of weird though." He said putting on his shirt.
Patty sighed when MJ put on his shirt.
"Why is it weird?" Patty asked watching him get dressed.
"I don't know. It's just weird that my parents are still having sex." MJ said shuddering.
"MJ! I'm shocked that you feel that way." Patty said getting up and sitting next to him.
MJ looked over at her and asked,
"Why?"
"MJ your parent's are normal people. Everyone still has sex. Just because they have been married for sixteen years doesn't mean they have to stop." Patty said holding his hand.
"Yeah well it's still kind of weird." MJ repeated.
"So are you saying if we had been married for sixteen years, the sex would have to stop?" She questioned.
"No way!" He smiled at her.
"Then why should it stop for your parents?" Patty asked looking at him.
MJ shrugged his shoulders to her question. He then gently pushed Patty down on his bed and started to kiss her. While they were kissing there was a knock at his door. Patty jumped up knocking him off the bed. She quickly sat at his desk and picked up his phone and pretended to be on the phone. MJ laughed at her as he opened his door to find his mother standing there.
"Hey Mom. What's up?"
"I was just wondering what you and Patty would like for lunch. Kit said looking at them both.
"Can you make chicken salad?" MJ asked.
Patty looked over at Kit and said,
"I don't mind, really, it's nice of you to ask me."
"Well then I guess I'll make chicken salad." Kit smiled as she closed the door, remembering what it was like to be young and in love again.
After MJ closed the door he walked over to Patty and pulled her up off the chair and into his arms and started to kiss her again. They then fell onto his bed. Patty looked at him and said nervously,
"MJ I can't do this. We are going to get into trouble."
"Oh come on Patty. We're not doing anything wrong." He said looking up at her.
"Please MJ. I don't feel comfortable."
"Ok. Ok." He sighed.
Patty got up and fixed herself while MJ went over to his mirror and combed his hair. They left his room and headed downstairs to the kitchen to have lunch.
"Mr. & Mrs. Sloan I just wanted to say congrats on having another baby." Adam said to them.
"Thanks Adam." Kit and Steve said with a smile.
"I would also like to say congratulations." Pattyadded.
"Thanks." Kit and Steve said again smiling.
The doorbell rang. Katie went and answered it. When she opened the door Kit's Uncle Jimmy was standing there with a bouquet of flowers.
"Uncle Jimmy please come in. Mom would love to see you. From the looks of the flowers Mom told you the good news." Katie said holding the door open for him.
"Yes she did. I'm so happy for her." Jimmy said with a huge smile.
"I thought I heard a familiar voice." Kit said coming out of the kitchen.
Kit hugged and kissed Jimmy.
"These are for you." Jimmy said passing the flowers to Kit.
"Uncle Jimmy you are too much. Thank You, they're lovely." Kit said smiling at him.
"Anything for my goddaughter." He said hugging her.
Kit and Jimmy walked into the kitchen and showed everyone the flowers. After lunch Steve cleaned up while the kids went there way and Kit and Jimmy went outside to talk.
"So Kit are you ready for another child?" Jimmy asked looking at her.
"Yes and no." She said looking over at him.
"Well I'm very happy for you and Steve. You two are the perfect parents. I'm sure the twins and Kasey Lynn will help out." He said putting his arm around her.
"Thanks Uncle Jimmy. Steve and I try our best with the kids." She said putting her head on his shoulder.
"Uncle Jimmy."
"Yes Kit."
"How would you feel if I named the baby after Poppy?"
Jimmy was quiet for a while and then looked over at Kit and said,
"I would be thrilled and I know Dad would have loved it."
"Oh good."
"By the way Kit, what happens if it's a girl?" Jimmy asked.
"Uncle Jimmy. I have a feeling it's going to be a boy." Kit said looking at him.
"If it isn't."
"I'll still name the baby after Poppy." She smiled at him.
"Ok." He laughed.
They both got up and went inside.
"Listen you two I have to run. Congratulations again. Don't forget to call me you two; I want to be kept up to date on the progress of this baby." Jimmy said hugging and kissing Kit goodbye and shaking Steve's hand.
"We won't." They both said walking Jimmy to the front door.
After Jimmy left Steve and Kit went into the den to watch a movie. When they walked in they found Adam and Kasey Lynn playing a video game against MJ and Katie. Patty was sitting laughing at them all. They just stood there for a moment and watched the five kids having fun. Steve and Kit then left them alone. They went into the kitchen to make a cup of tea.
"Babe."
"Yes." Steve said holding her in his arms.
"You think we can manage with another baby?" Kit asked looking up at him.
"Kit we've done it with three kids, I think we can manage with the fourth one." Steve said looking down at her.
"Kit I know there is something else bothering you. What is it?" He asked looking at her.
Kit was quiet for a while and then said,
"I'm scared."
"Scared of what?" He asked looking at her and holding her hand across the table.
"What happens if there is something wrong with this baby?"
"Kit there's not going to be anything wrong with the baby." Steve said looking at her.
"How do you know?" Kit asked getting upset.
"I have a feeling." He said.
"Steve I can't go through it again." She said looking at him.
"Sweetheart you know I'm here with you on this. You're not alone."
"I know you are. It's just that I don't know if I can handle it again." She said looking at her hands; she couldn't look him in the face right now, in case she saw the sadness, which she knew, would be visible in his eyes. Then she continued,
"What happens if the baby is normal? Kasey Lynn is the only one who is different. It's not fair!"
Steve looked at Kit and said,
"I'm not a religious man but I think God wanted us to have a 'special' angel and he sent us Kasey Lynn. If he sends us another 'special' angel then we'll just have to deal with him or her."
Kit felt better with Steve's outlook but deep down inside her she was still worried. Kit went outside to sitalone for a while. Kasey Lynn came into the kitchen to get something to drink. She looked outside and saw her Mom sitting there. Kasey Lynn looked over at her Dad and signed to him.
"Daddy is Mommy ok?"
"Yes she is." Steve signed back at her.
Kasey Lynn grabbed a juice box, walked outside and walked over to her Mom and gave her a hug. Kit looked at Kasey Lynn and smiled at her.
"Mommy are you ok? You seem upset." Kasey Lynn signed.
"I'm fine Kasey Lynn." Kit signed.
Kasey Lynn got up and went to walk away when she signed,
"Mommy, the baby is going to be fine. It's ok if I'm the only one who is different."
Kit got up and walked over to Kasey Lynn and hugged her. Then she signed,
"You made me feel a lot better."
The girls walked back inside.
"Everything ok?" Steve asked.
"Yes everything is fine." Kit smiled at him.
Kit, Steve and Kasey Lynn were sitting in the kitchen when Katie, Adam, MJ and Patty walked in.
"Dad."
"Yes." Steve said looking at MJ.
"The four of us are going to the movies then out to dinner. Is that ok with you and Mom?" MJ asked looking at them.
Kit and Steve looked at each other and Kit said with a smile,
"It's fine with us."
"What movie are you guys going to see?" Steve asked.
"The new Johnny Depp movie The Pirates of the Caribbean." Katie said.
"Ok. Have fun." Kit smiled at them.
"We will!" Katie shouted as they left the kitchen.
They piled into Adam's car and drove to the local movie theater. When they got out they ran into CJ, April, Dion and Liz.
"Hi guys!" Katie shouted to them.
"Hey!" They all said waving.
Katie, Patty, Liz and April got together while the guys bought the movie tickets.
"Hey guys check out what Dion got me." Liz said excitedly.
Liz showed Patty and Katie the diamond ring.
"You two are not engaged are you?" Katie asked looking at the ring.
"No! Are you kidding? Dion's Mom would have a fit." Liz said. Then she continued,
"We were walking by the jewelry store and I saw it so Dion bought it for me." Liz smiled.
"Wow! That's cool." Patty said.
"I'll be right back." April said leaving them.
Liz watched April walk away. She looked back over to Patty and Katie and asked,
"So what do you guys think of April?"
"She's nice. Why?" Patty and Katie asked.
"I'm not sure if she likes me too much." Liz said sitting down.
"Why?" Patty asked.
Liz was quiet for a while and then said looking at them,
"Because I'm dating Dion."
"What does that have to do with it?" Katie asked sitting next to her.
Before Liz could respond to Katie's question the guys came back with the tickets and they all went inside. Katie tried to figure out what Liz was trying to say but she couldn't. They all sat together to watch the movie. While the 'trailers' were being shown Patty leaned over and tapped Katie on the leg.
"I figured out what Liz was saying." Patty whispered.
"What?" Katie asked leaning over Adam.
"Katie why don't you and Patty sit together." Adam said.
"Ok. Sorry." Katie said getting up and switching seats with him.
"So what was Liz trying to say?" Katie asked in a whisper.
"April doesn't like her because of her skin color." Patty replied.
Katie looked at Patty with a shocked look and asked,
"You're kidding right?"
"Nope, after April left us April spotted some of her friends and went over to them. When we were going inside I heard her say to them, "I wonder why she couldn't find someone her own color."
Katie was so mad that she wanted to scream. Katie was just about to say something when the movie started. She sat back and relaxed. Adam looked over at Katie and saw that she was upset. Leaning over he whispered,
"Are you mad at me?"
She turned looking at him and said,
"No. I'll tell you later is that ok?" Kissing him, just to ease his mind.
After the movie was over they all decided to walk over to BBQ Bob's for dinner. When they got to the front door April whispered to CJ,
"I'm not going in. I called my sister and she's coming to pick us up. I would rather not eat at that place if SHE'S going to be there."
CJ excused himself and took April to the side and asked,
"What do you have against Liz?"
"I don't like her ok. She's always around."
"Liz happens to be my brother's girlfriend and she alsohappens to be my friend. I've known her WAY longer than I have you." He spat furiously.
"Look CJ I don't think she's right for Dion."
"Why?"
"Because she's not like us. Ok."
"Excuse me? What do you mean not like us?"
"She's not black ok."
"Who the hell cares what color she is. She's a sweet person. If Dion didn't ask her out I would have. And if you don't like it then you could go to hell." CJ then walked away from April and went into BBQ Bob's.
April was shocked that CJ left her and spoke to her like that. Everyone looked over at CJ and asked if he was ok.
"I'm fine." He said sitting down.
"What happened to April?" Liz asked.
"She and I broke up." CJ said.
"Why?" MJ asked.
"It's because April is a complete jerk, never mind the fact she is a racist.'' He said.
"CJ I'm sorry. I knew this was going to cause a problem someday." Liz said looking at everyone.
Liz got up and quickly walked into the bathroom. Katie and Patty went in after her.
"Liz you ok?" Katie asked hugging her.
"No Katie I'm not. You and Patty are lucky you don't have to go through this."
"Liz I heard what April said to her friends at the movie theater. I can't believe she's like that. Doesn't she realize that this is the 21st Century?" Patty asked angrily.
"Tell me the truth. Are you guys uncomfortable that Dion and I are dating?" Liz asked wiping her eyes.
"No." Patty and Katie said looking at Liz.
Liz looked over at Katie and said,
"What do your parents think about me dating Dion?"
"I don't know. They never said anything to me about it. What does my godmother think?" Katie asked.
"She treats me good. I'm very respectful to her and Dion and I never do anything wrong in front of her."
"Then don't worry about it." Patty said.
The girls were about to leave the bathroom when Liz asked,
"Katie do you think we can have like and emergency sleep over tonight?"
"I don't see why not. Care to join us Patty?"
"Sure why not." She smiled at them.
They went to join the guys for dinner. Afterwards Amanda came and picked up CJ, Dion and Liz. Katie, Patty, MJ and Adam piled into Adam's car and he took them home. When they pulled up they got out and went inside.
"Where's April?" Amanda asked.
"She and I broke up Mom." CJ said.
"I'm so sorry. Care to talk about it?" Amanda asked.
"No Mom. Not now." CJ said looking at his Mom.
When Amanda pulled up to Liz's house Dion told his Mom that he's going to hang with her.
"Dion. Not tonight. I'm going to hang with Patty and Katie."
"You sure baby."
"Yes Dion I'm sure." She forced a smile.
Dion walked her to her door and watched her go in and then went back to his Mom's waiting car. They then took off for home. On the drive home the boys were quiet. Amanda didn't want to pry until she felt it was time to.
Meanwhile at the Sloan's House…
Katie and Adam went into the den to just hang out while MJ and Patty went up to MJ's tree house to talk.
"Adam can I ask you a question?"
"Sure." He said looking at her.
"How do you feel about Liz and Dion dating?"
"I'm ok with it." He said looking at her.
"You sure?"
"Yes." He laughed and then said, "My Mom's sister is married to a black guy and he is the nicest guy ever. At first the family wasn't too happy with it but the way he treats my Aunt everyone is cool with it." Adam said.
"I can't believe April is like that." Katie said.
"No matter what year we're in people are still going to be racist." Adam said pulling Katie into his arms.
"Yeah well I just don't like it." Katie said.
"Well I better get going. My grandmother has to go to the doctors in the morning." Adam said.
He then started to kiss Katie.
"Yeah well the girls are coming over for an emergency sleep over." Katie said trying to catch her breath.
"Oh man! I'm going to miss seeing you in your nighty." Adam laughed.
Katie looked up at him and said with a smile,
"Oh well too bad. Besides I don't wear nighties. I wear night shirts and to be honest Ithink my Dad might have something to say about it anyway." She laughed as the look on Adam's face movedfrom that of ummm that would be nice only to replaced with, OHHH God yeah your right expression.
Adam laughed at her. They left the den and walked to the front door and said their goodnights. Katie then went to look for her parents.
"Mom! Dad! Are you around?" She called going up the stairs.
Meanwhile up in the tree house…
MJ looked over at Patty and noticed that she wasn't there mentally.
"Honey you ok?" MJ asked breaking into her thoughts.
"Huh? Yes I'm fine. Sorry." Patty smiled at him.
"Want to talk?" MJ asked.
"I don't understand April's problem. I thought the kids today are cool with everything." Patty said looking at MJ.
"Some are and some aren't. I know for one thing. I'm cool with it." MJ said sitting behind Patty and wrapping his arms around her.
Patty leaned back and put her head on his chest. She just sat there listening to his heartbeat. The next thing MJ knew Patty drifted off to sleep.
Meanwhile back in the house…
Steve walked out of his and Kit's bedroom.
"Hi Katie how was the movie?" Steve asked.
"It was good. I need to talk to you and Mom. It's important." Katie said.
"Ok." He said with concerned in his voice.
They walked back into the bedroom.
"First off I invited Patty and Liz to stay the night."
Katie saw the look on her parents face. They weren't happy that this was sprung on them at 11pm at night.
"Before you guys say something please hear me out as to why I did this." Katie sat down on her parent's bed, took a deep breath and began her story.
"You know CJ's girlfriend April. Well she's not happy that Liz and Dion are dating."
"Why not?" Kit asked sitting up, Katie looked at her hands and fidgeted slightly before she continued.
"Because Liz is white and Dion is black." Katie said looking at her parents.
"Oh that really pisses me off!" Kit said. Then she said, "I ought to go and slap that girl."
Everyone laughed.
There was a knock on the bedroom door. Steve opened the door and everyone came in. Then Steve asked,
"Katie did you hear April say that?"
"I did Mr. Sloan. When we were all going into the movie theater. April said to her friends, "I wonder why she couldn't find someone in her own color." Patty said putting her arm around her cousin.
"Liz I'm sorry you have to go through this." Kit said looking over at her.
Liz looked at Kit and Steve and said,
"Thanks."
"Mom. Dad. What is your opinion on this?" MJ asked.
"I think it is ridiculous." Kit said.
"April has a lot of growing up to do." Steve said.
"Mr. & Mrs. Sloan are you two ok with me dating Dion?" Liz asked.
"We're fine with it Liz and we know that Dion's Mom is fine with it too." Kit smiled at her.
"I'm glad. Well I guess we all better get ready for bed. Good night and thanks again." Liz said getting up.
"You're welcome." Steve and Kit said hugging and kissing the kids goodnight.
"Katie can you stay a moment?" Kit asked.
After MJ, Patty and Liz left; Katie sat back down on her parent's bed.
"I'm happy that you came to us with this kind of problem." Kit said hugging her.
"Thanks for helping." Katie smiled.
Steve looked at Katie and before he went to say something Katie said,
"I know. I know. I'm grounded for the whole weekend."
Steve looked over at Kit and then back at Katie and said,
"I think we'll let this one slip by. What I was going to say is can you help me with breakfast in the morning?"
Katie breathed a sigh of relief and said,
"It will be my pleasure."
Then she kissed her parents good night and went back to her room. When she walked in Liz was on the phone with Dion.
"Liz you ok?" Dion asked.
"I'm ok Dion."
"Liz I'm very upset with you." Dion said.
When Liz heard Dion say that it felt like her stomach dropped.
"Why?" She asked as the tears started to fall.
"Because I'm your boyfriend and I wanted to be the one that you talk to about this mess. I know you, Patty and Katie are tight but I wanted to be the one there for you. I love you Liz."
"I'm…I'm so sorry Dion. I wasn't thinking. I love you too." Liz said crying.
Dion waited for Liz to calm down but she couldn't. The whole mess got to her. Patty took the phone from Liz and told Dion that Liz will talk to him in the morning and then hung up. Katie, Liz and Patty just hugged each other until Liz calmed down.
Dion just sat there quietly going over everything that happened tonight. He so wanted Liz to be with him right now. Amanda came out of her bedroom and found Dion sitting on the couch.
"Dion Aaron Bentley what are you doing up at this time of the night?" Amanda asked.
"I was on the phone with Liz." He said looking at his Mom.
Amanda was annoyed that Dion was on the phone at midnight with Liz.
"Why? Couldn't it have waited until morning?" Amanda asked sitting next to him.
"No Mom it couldn't have." Dion was just about to say something when CJ came out of his room.
CJ sat down and looked over at his Mom and said,
"The reason why April and I broke up is because she's a racist." CJ said looking at his Mom.
Amanda just sat there looking between the two boys. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. In all her dreams she never wanted her children to go through life being judged by whom they are friends with or whom they date and then eventually marry. She knew deep down inside that Dion honestly and truly loves Liz and she could say that she did too. Ever since Liz was a little girl she really liked her a lot. Nothing could ever change that feeling, for her she was the ideal person for her son, the sort of girl she would be proud one day to call her daughter in law.
"April doesn't like Liz dating Dion because Liz is white?" Amanda asked.
"Yes." The both boys said.
"Unbelievable." Amanda said shaking her head.
"Mom how do you feel about me dating Liz?" Dion asked looking at her.
"I'm happy for you both. I like Liz a lot. She's very respectful and has great manners." Amanda said.
Dion looked at his Mom and said,
"Thanks." Then he went to his room.
"CJ are you ok?" Amanda asked.
"You know Mom I couldn't be any happier that April and I are no longer together. Now I know her true feelings." CJ said.
He then got up and kissed his mother goodnight and went to bed. The next day at the Sloan's House Katie and Steve got up and made waffles, sausages and scrabble eggs.
"Dad thanks for letting Patty and Liz stay over. I really appreciated it." Katie said hugging him.
"You're welcome." He said hugging her back.
After breakfast the girls went back upstairs to get dressed. While Liz was in the shower Dion, Amanda and CJ stopped by.
"Sorry to bother you on your day off Steve." Amanda said coming in with the boys.
"It's ok Amanda." Steve said holding the door open for them.
Amanda and the boys sat on the couch, while Steve went and got Kit. When they came out Amanda was just hanging up her cell phone.
"I just called Liz's Mom and told her to come over to discuss this mess with her." Amanda said.