Dave was sitting in his office finishing paperwork. They had been working case after case for three weeks and he knew that at home it was getting to be a lot. Hunter wasn't really admitting it, but Dave knew he was overwhelmed. Almost every kid had been in some sort of trouble. Helen had some infection come out of no where and it had been a few days of worry that she was gone. And Rosie not driving right now everything was on Hunter. It seemed that everything in the house decided to breakdown that week as well, so Hunter was also stuck dealing with all that. And with the entire team being gone as Hunter didn't have much in the way of backup he could call to help. Dave had told him to call Ms. Jarvis next door for help, but he knew Hunter hadn't. Hunter had a few friends, but they all had their own families and their own lives. Dave just wanted to get the paperwork done so he could get home and spend the next week that he had off with his family and helping Hunter fix everything that had gone wrong.
Aaron came into his office.
"Aaron. I can not work another case. My family needs me." Dave said without looking
"Not another case. I have already gotten approval for a week off for the whole team." Aaron said
"Okay. Well I am finishing my paperwork and going home. I will not take on anymore." Dave said
"Nope. Not what this is about. Its about something personal." Aaron said
Dave looked up. "What's wrong?"
"Not about me. I hesitate to tell you because I know you are going home to a lot on your plate but its about Rosie. And she didn't do anything wrong, and she's not hurt or anything like that. I have gotten some information and I feel like if the roles were reversed I'd want to know." Aaron said
Dave sighed "Just spit it out Aaron." He had known the younger man for long enough to know when he was beating around the bush it was something he needed to know.
"It seems that your daughter lost a few babysitting clients. Because of your choice of partners." Aaron said
"I knew that." Dave said
"She didn't think you knew." Aaron said
"I didn't tell her I know. I'm letting her come to me when she is ready. But I'm glad she spoke to you about it." Dave said
"Wasn't to me. Came up when she was talking to Jeff Fuller." Aaron said
Dave sighed. "Okay. Not thrilled about people outside the family knowing before she came to me."
"I think it just came up because of the whole situation with her not babysitting his son for awhile." Aaron said
Dave nodded "Well I think I might need to talk to her about it now."
"Should I not have told you?" Aaron asked
"I'm glad you did." Dave said
"Go. Take care of your family. I can finish your paperwork." Aaron said
"You have a kid to get home to as well. Its okay. I'm just about done." Dave said
Aaron left him to finish. Dave finished and handed in the paperwork before going home. When he got there it was a mad house.
There was a white powder all over the main floor. On inspection Dave found it to be flour. The TV in the living room must have been at full volume and no one was even in there. He turned it off. He heard music upstairs that was louder than necessary. He went into the kitchen where the sink was full of dishes and the dishwasher was opened. He could tell the dishes had been cleaned but there was now flour all over them. The counters were covered with bags of groceries that had been delivered He heard a loud yelp and shouting coming from upstairs. He went upstairs quickly seeing. A mess everywhere he looked. Whether it was clothes everywhere. Or toys where they didn't belong. The laundry room was over flowing with clothes. He knew the washer had broken down so that made sense, but the house was a complete mess where he found Hayley trying to get a little girl who was covered head to toe in flour into the bath.
"Kara NOW!" Hayley screamed not having seen Dave.
"Hayley. Go find who has the music on and get them to turn it off." Dave said, "And if they give you any trouble tell them I am home." He said
Hayley looked up and instantly relaxed. Dad was home. She had help. She went into her and Callie's room and turned off the music.
"I told you not to touch my stereo!" Callie screeched.
"Dad told me to turn it off." Hayley said
"Dad isn't even here." Callie said
"He is home." Hayley said before leaving the room.
Hayley went back to the bathroom where Dave had gotten Kara into the bath.
"Can you go get groceries into the fridge before they start to spoil?" Dave asked Hayley. "And where is Rosie?"
"Fridge is not working as of an hour ago." Hayley said "And she is at therapy. She did try to skip it to help but papa said no. And she borrowed your car to go since she still doesn't have her new one."
"The fridge too now? And Rosie is driving again?" Dave asked
"Yeah… And yes. Papa kinda had a breakdown from everything, and Rosie sucked it up and started to drive again to help…" Hayley said
Dave sighed and nodded "Okay. Well we don't want the food to spoil. I will call Ms. Jarvis next door. Get Callie and the two of you bring the stuff over there maybe she will have the room to store it for us for a few days." He said before he took out his phone and called her. Hayley went and got Callie and the two did as instructed getting all the stuff into the fridge Ms. Jarvis had in her basement.
"Thank you. We really appreciate it." Hayley said
"Of course. Glad to help." Ms. Jarvis said with a smile
The two girls headed back home. Hayley looked at Callie. "Please help me with the mess that is the kitchen."
"No." Callie said as she headed upstairs.
Hayley sighed and called the twins who came down and helped her got the dishes that were in the dish washer wiped of all the flour and put away before filling up the dishwasher.
Rosie came home and saw the mess and groaned. She went into the kitchen.
"Yeah. All hell broke lose." Hayley said "But dad is home."
Rosie nodded. "Good."
"You okay?" Hayley asked
Rosie nodded. "I'm fine." She went to the fridge.
"That broke an hour ago. All the food has been taking to Ms. Jarvis's" Hayley said
Rosie sighed "I'm so hungry." She whined
"Yeah where were you at lunch?" Hayley asked
"I had newspaper, but my locker got broken into and my lunch stolen and didn't have time to go to the cafeteria." Rosie said
"Why didn't you text me? I would have brought you something." Hayley said
"There was to much to do in newspaper with the final paper of the year coming out in a couple weeks its a shit show there. And you have been a pain in the ass the last few weeks why would I think you would actually help?" Rosie said
The music started to get loud again upstairs.
Hayley sighed.
"Callie?" Rosie asked
"Yes." Hayley said
Rosie went upstairs and knocked on the bedroom door going in when she was told she could and unplugging the stereo system.
"Hey!" Callie said
"Its too loud. Papa has told you not to put it that loud again and are you doing homework?" Rosie asked
"No." Callie said
"Than go downstairs and help clean up the mess." Rosie said
"No. You're not the boss of me."
"Callie Eve Maddox. Go do what Rosie asked you to. Now." Dave said from the hallway.
Callie quickly got up and did so.
Rosie turned to look at her dad. "Hi daddy." She said softly
Dave went over to her and hugged her tight. "I am so proud of you."
Rosie hugged him. "Why?"
"Papa has told me how much you have helped this week and getting over your fear of driving to help I know that was hard." Dave said
"I had to. Papa. Was not okay. He needed help." Rosie said. "Everyone else was being extra annoying the last couple weeks."
"I know bambina. Papa told me about everyone else not behaving and about you being a really big help." Dave said
"I hope its okay I borrowed your car." Rosie said
"Of course it is. I wasn't using it and I trust you. And the insurance has come through so we will go get you your car this week." Dave said
"Okay." Rosie said
Dave kissed her head. There was a knock on the front door.
"That is probably the new washer being delivered." Rosie said
"Okay. Start emptying the laundry room. I will get the door." He said
Rosie went to the laundry room and started moving all the laundry into Callie and Hayley's room which was the closest room to the laundry room. Moments later Hayley and Callie and the twins were up there helping her and clearing a path through the hallway.
The washing machine was brought upstairs. The old one had already been taking out so the new one was put in its place. Dave thanked the delivery people when he showed them out.
Rosie started to try and figure out how the washer worked to get a load started while Hayley was separating clothes into piles.
Dave came up and started to help and they got a load in the washer. Before heading back downstairs.
"Where are Scar and KK?" Dave asked
"With papa they both had gymnastics." Hayley said
"I thought papa had a showing?" Dave said
"He did. He had to bring them so he could get them to their class on time afterwards. The client apparently was very understanding." Rosie said "This is why I tried to skip therapy today. I would have rescheduled."
"Well therapy is important. I'm sure papa has it handled." Dave said
Rosie nodded and her stomach growled.
"Okay. Now time to figure out dinner I think. Lets order in." Dave said.
"Chinese?" Rosie asked
"Sure." Dave said with a smile. He went and called and ordered for delivery. He would normally go pick up but he wanted a chance to get as much cleaned up as possible so his husband could come home to a cleaner house than when he left.
"How long has the place been a mess like this?" Dave asked Rosie.
"Well the laundry has been piling up for about a week. The dishes in the sink have been pretty much consistent because Callie, Hayley and the twins have been refusing to do them Papa and I have been trying to keep up with it, but we have both been so busy. Papa has been leaving early everyday for work and coming home late and tired after everyone's extra curriculars pick ups. The toys everywhere is an always problem as you know, and no one would listen to papa and clean them up. The flour I have no idea when that happened. I don't know what is up with everyone, but it has been a hard few weeks. I did what I could I promise." Rosie said
"Rose. I know. I'm not upset with you. Papa told me you have been the biggest help and that will not go unrewarded." He said
Rosie shook her head "I don't need a reward for helping in my own home."
Dave kissed her head. The front door opened.
"Scarlet. I told you no. You have given me so much trouble the last few weeks. No sleepover this weekend." He said
Scarlet whined. "But papa that's not fair!"
Dave went to the front entrance. "Papa said no Scarlet and I don't want to hear any more arguments about it." He said sternly.
Scarlet stomped her foot and went to her room. Kara ran into the kitchen and Dave wrapped his exhausted looking husband in a hug.
Hunter hugged him and sank into his arms. "Never have I been so happy to see you home." He said
Dave smiled. "I don't blame you. I know its been a hard few weeks. And it seems you left out some things."
"Yeah. I figured I didn't need to list everything." Hunter said
"I get it." Dave said. "Now. The washer has arrived, and a load started. Dishwasher is going. And I ordered chinese."
"Didn't we get a grocery delivery?" Hunter asked
"We did. And the food is in Ms. Jarvis's extra fridge until we get a new one…" Dave said
Hunter sighed "That broke too?"
"A couple hours ago." Dave said
"Great." Hunter said sarcastically.
"Don't worry about it. I will handle it." Dave said, "I have a week off and I will get this house back in shape and help you deal with the girls."
Hunter sighed. "I'm sorry Dave."
"For what?" Dave asked
"That you had to come home to this mess and to deal with the girls. I should have had it handled." Hunter said
"Since when can anyone handle seven kids and a house and their job plus Helen being back in critical care. You think you should have been able to handle that without help? Especially when six of those seven kids have given you some sort of trouble and wont listen, and you were on your own for carpool most of the time."
Hunter nodded. "I hope its okay I let her borrow your car."
"Yes. Its okay." Dave said with a smile. "I will take her to get her new car sometime this week."
"I was going to do that but well." Hunter said
"Don't worry about it Hunt. You have had your hands full." Dave said he smiled and kissed his husband.
There was a knock on the door. Dave opened it and paid for the food and him and Hunter brought it into the dining room where the table had been set everyone was called and they all sat down to eat.
Everyone came and ate and talked about their days. Rosie was quiet.
"Rose you okay?" Dave asked
"Yeah..." Rosie said
"She is just hungry. Her locker got broken into and lunch stolen today. She didn't have time to get lunch in the cafeteria because of newspaper." Hayley said
Dave looked at Rosie.
"I would have told you." Rosie said
"Okay. Well why didn't you tell the teacher for newspaper? Or ask your sister to get you lunch?" Hunter asked
"There was just no time." Rosie said, "Just a few weeks left of school, and we are trying to get ahead of the last paper of the year while doing this weeks as well its just a lot of work." Rosie said "I was not happy about it, but it was one meal. I'm okay. Promise." She said
"Principal know your locker was broken into?" Dave asked
"Yes. It is being fixed and I am being given a new combination. Thankfully same locker because its so central to all my classes." Rosie said
"Good." Hunter said.
Dinner was being finished up and Dave looked at all of them.
"I am disappointed to have heard about the way most of you have been acting the last three weeks. Giving papa a hard time. You are all grounded for the next week. No friends, no TV. No computer unless its for homework. This house is going to be picked up and cleaned top to bottom. If its not done by the end of the week the grounding will continue." Dave said everyone but Rosie started to whine and complain but quickly shut up when Dave gave them all a glare.
He looked at Rosie. "You are the only one who this doesn't apply to because you are the only one who didn't get any kind of trouble."
Rosie nodded. "Okay."
Hayley muttered something under her breath.
"What was that?" Dave asked Hayley
"Nothing." Hayley said quickly.
"Repeat what you said." Hunter said to Hayley
"She has been up every night on her phone and computer till like three in the morning." Hayley said indicating to Rosie.
Dave and Hunter looked at Rosie.
"Exams are soon. I have been studying and doing homework but not till three. The one night I was up late on my phone till okay yes was close to three I was talking to a friend who needed to talk to someone. But I have not had any issues getting up and going to school on time." Rosie said
Hunter nodded abit. "She hasn't from what I have seen."
"Why have you needed to be up so late doing homework though?" Dave asked
"You're kidding right?" Rosie asked
"Dave. It makes sense. She has been helping a lot more than she should have been because everyone else was not." Hunter said
Dave nodded. "Okay. Sorry." He said to Rosie.
Rosie nodded.
"Rosie you are off any and all chores until exams are done. Hayley after this week getting the house back into shape you will also be off chores till exams are over. Both your focus should be on that." Dave said.
"Agreed." Hunter said
"She made the mess this week too." Hayley said
"What mess did I make that I didn't clean up?" Rosie asked
"Your entire room for one." Hayley said
Rosie sighed and shook her head.
Dave looked at her. "If your room is a mess you should probably tidy it if your room is a mess you know you wont be able to study as effectively."
Rosie nodded. "I will. Sorry."
"Its okay. You have had a lot on your plate." Hunter said
"And I haven't?" Hayley asked
"Rosie has been picking up your slack as well as everyone else's for the past three weeks." Hunter said
"Including yours." Hayley mumbled
"Yes including some of mine." Hunter said "And its not right or fair. So everyone else will be picking up her chores this next week and because families support each other yours after this week so you can study."
Hayley shook her head. "Its not fair."
"Seems completely fair to me." Dave said
"Of course it does. Because she is your daughter. The rest of us are not." Hayley said
"Hayley!" Hunter said
"Hals. You are just as much my daughter and Rosie is. DNA is only one way to be a parent. I love her just as much as I love you. Or any of you." Dave said
"The only reason this house has not completely fallen about the past three weeks is because Rosie stepped up to do things she shouldn't have to do and didn't complain. This is her reward. She doesn't have to help clean up the house. And if anyone complains about it I will be adding on to the length of your grounding. Am I clear?" Hunter asked
"Yes papa." They all said
Hunter assigned them all chores and they went off.
"Rosie you stay put." Dave said
Hunter looked at Dave. "Something I don't know?"
"You know. Its something that we have been waiting for her to come to us about, but it has reached members of the team as well as people outside of it and I think we need to talk about it before it becomes more." Dave said
"Oh?" Rosie asked
"About why you lost some of you babysitting clients." Dave said
"Ah." Hunter said
Rosie sighed. "Mr. Fuller told Uncle Aaron? Wait you knew?!"
"Yes we knew." Dave said "I had one of the parents call me to confirm I was marrying a man. And was clearly unimpressed and told me it was her job as a parent to tell the other parents of kids you babysat."
Rosie nodded. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Why didn't you tell us?" Hunter asked
"I didn't want you two to feel at fault." Rosie said
"We don't." Dave said "We knew there will be fallout from this. There will always be people who have issue with same sex couples. Married or not. Its not right but it's a fact we knew we were dealing with."
"We were hoping to leave you kids out of it as much as possible but we kind of knew it was wishful thinking. We choose not to tell you because we wanted you to come to us." Hunter said
Rosie nodded and looked "Sorry."
"Its okay. We aren't angry." Hunter said
Rosie nodded.
"Go. Relax." Hunter said
"Where is Sascha?" Dave asked
"Probably hiding." Rosie said "Its been really loud and he has been affected."
Dave let out a breath and shook his head.
"I don't like it either." Rosie said
"Did Callie have her music loud again?" Hunter asked
"Yup." Rosie said
"I came home, and the TV was on at full volume as well. With no one watching." Dave said
Hunter sighed.
Rosie left after hugging them both and went to her room and closing the door. She flopped on her bed. Sascha peaked out from under her bed.
"The noise should be calmer now. Dad is home." She said
Sascha climbed up on the bed next to her and snuggled up.
Rosie pet him. "I'm sorry boy. I'm so sorry it has been so loud the last couple weeks."
Sascha licked her face.
Rosie smiled "You're a good boy."
Downstairs Dave looked at Hunter. "Go. Shower. Relax. I will handle everything down here."
"Dave. I." Hunter started
"Hunt. I want to. Go." Dave said softly.
Hunter let out a breath but got up and went upstairs. He was to exhausted to argue.
Dave went and made sure everyone was doing what they were told to.
He helped where help was needed but mostly let them do it. He went upstairs once he was sure it was all getting done and switched clothes from the washer to the dryer and put a new load in the washer. There would be several days of laundry before getting caught up.
He checked to Rosie's room and knocked.
"Yes?" Rosie said
Dave went in and saw her curled up in bed with her dog. Her room was definitively a mess.
"Hals wasn't kidding." Dave said
"I know I will clean it. Promise." Rosie said
"Just wanted to make sure you are actually okay. Something seems off." Dave said
"You wanted to ask me not around papa?" Rosie asked
"Cant get that passed you can I?" Dave asked
"You know he did his best. Trust me he wasn't letting anyone get away with thing. But it was like they were all ganging up on him." Rosie said
"I know bambina. I know he's a good dad. That's not at all what this is about. Papa and I are fine." Dave said
Rosie nodded. "So why didn't you want to ask me in front of him?"
"Because you and him seem off. And I love him very much, but you and your sisters are my first priority." Dave said
"We had a bit of an argument this morning. When I was planning on rescheduling therapy so I could take the littles to gymnastics." Rosie said
Dave nodded "Okay. It happens. But what exactly was said?"
"He told me no. And I asked why, and he said because my mental health was too important. And I said I didn't disagree but that I could just reschedule the appointment and he told me that wasn't happening and I was going to therapy." Rosie said
"Okay. Is there more?" Dave asked
Rosie looked down. "I might have said something hurtful and left before he could say anything else. And than everything went wrong today. My locker getting broken into is just the tip of the bad day I had. And well I have been avoiding papa since…"
"What else happened at school?" Dave asked sitting on the desk chair
"Got a test back and didn't do as well as I like or as well as I thought I did. And the other student in the class who I have been just beating on every test did better and I have never once said anything about the fact that generally I do better than her, but she is crazy competitive, and she saw my mark and rubbed it in my face. Than my locker so no lunch and this afternoon I was hungry and grumpy and got told off Mr. Darvis for being abit rude." Rosie admitted. "And than when I left the school everyone was surrounding the car because you have well a very nice car and people I don't even know were suddenly trying to be my best friend and asking me for a ride. I'm not stupid. I saw right though it and told everyone the truth that its not my car I as just borrowing it and as quickly as they were there they were gone." Rosie said. "Nolan has been off the last few weeks and has been not telling me what has been going on and I kind of lost it on him and we fought and its just. I'm glad today is over." She said
Dave moved to sitting on her bed and opened his arms.
Rosie moved into his arms and hugged him.
Dave hugged her tight. When they broke the hug he looked at her again
"What did you say to papa? And has he tried to talk to you since getting home?" Dave asked
"He has. I pretended to be asleep…" Rosie said
"Rosie." Dave said clearly unimpressed
"Sorry daddy." Rosie said
"What did you say?" Dave asked again
"Something I told myself I never would…" Rosie said
Dave crossed his arms and waited for her to tell him. He had a good idea of what it was, but she needed to admit it. "What?" He asked gently prodding her.
"Told him he wasn't my father…" Rosie said looking down.
"Look at me." Dave said
Rosie looked up.
"I'm really disappointed." Dave said
Rosie nodded "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it…"
"I know that. But that doesn't mean its okay to say." Dave said
"I know." Rosie said
"Go. He is in the bedroom." Dave said
Rosie took a breath and went. Sascha followed her.
Rosie knocked on her parents bedroom door.
"Yes?" Hunter said
Rosie opened the door.
"Hey Rose." Hunter said "Come on in." He said
Rosie went in Sascha followed before she closed the door.
They had two large chaises in the bedroom. Hunter was sitting in one. He put the file he was looking at down and pointed to the other chaise.
Rosie sat down. "I'm sorry for what I said this morning papa. I didn't mean it. I still shouldn't have said it though."
Hunter nodded. "I know you didn't mean it. But doesn't mean it didn't hurt."
Rosie nodded. "I'm really sorry."
"I know you have been under far to much stress the past few weeks. I need to figure out how to manage better when dad isn't here. The pressure on you has been unfair." Hunter said
"Still not an excuse to say what I did or not do what I'm told." Rosie said
"No. But I know you didn't mean it and you have apologized." Hunter said opening his arms up to her.
Rosie went to him and hugged him. Hunter hugged her tight. "Dad could tell something was off between us." she said
Hunter chuckled "Cant get anything passed him."
"Nope." Rosie said with a small laugh.
"This weekend. You and me. Papa, daughter date." Hunter said
Rosie smiled and nodded. "Would love that."
"Good. You decide what you want to do and let me know." Hunter said
"You haven't been rock climbing with me before." She said
"You're right I haven't that's what we will do." Hunter said with a smile
"Perfect." Rosie said. "I will let you get back to work." She gave him another hug and left the room.
Sascha had found a comfortable spot next to Hunter and stayed.
Rosie chuckled "You are his second favorite person."
Hunter smiled. "I'm glad he likes me as much as I do him." Petting him.
Rosie went into the hall. Dave saw her come out and went into the bedroom. He saw him working
"You know when I told you to come rest it didn't mean work." Dave said
Hunter smiled and put the file down.
"Why didn't you tell me what she said?" Dave asked
"I figured it was between her and I to fix and I would have told you later." Hunter said
Dave nodded. "Are you okay?"
"Yes. I knew she didn't mean it." Hunter said, "And we talked it out."
"Knowing she didn't mean it doesn't make it hurt any less." Dave said
"This is how you have felt every time the others have said it to you?" Hunter said
"Yeah. It hurts. Even if you know they don't mean it." Dave said
"But you never showed it." Hunter said
Dave shrugged. "Guess I'm better at hiding it than you."
"Yeah. Rose mentioned you could tell something was up." Hunter said
"I did." Dave said sitting in the chaise that Rosie had been in.
"Sorry Dave I wasn't trying to hide it from you just wanted to wait till we had some time alone to talk about it." Hunter said
"I get that. I'm not upset." Dave said reaching out and putting a hand on his knee.
Hunter put a hand on top of his and smiled.
"But I am taking her on a papa, daughter date this weekend. Going rock climbing." Hunter said
"Ah. Getting over the fear of heights?" Dave asked
"She got over her fear of driving to help me when I was not sure how I would get everyone where they needed to be. I can do this for her." Hunter said
Sascha's ears peaked up and Dave noticed.
"What do you hear?" Dave asked
That's when they heard yelling coming from downstairs. Dave and Hunter both got up.
"Hunt I've got it. Rest." Dave said before he went downstairs and found Kara sobbing sitting on the ground with pieces of a broken mug all around her.
"Hey. What happened?" Dave asked picking her up and taking her away from the broken pieces.
"I-I just wanted juice." She sobbed out.
"Okay. That's okay. Let me get you some." Dave said setting her down at the table and getting her a plastic cup with juice and handing it to her. "Why were you going for these cups?" Dave asked
"I wanted to be a big girl." Kara said
Dave smiled "You are getting older yes, but I think it will still be a few years before you can use these cups he said as he picked up the big pieces.
"What was the yelling about?" Dave asked
"Callie yelleded at me for breaking the cup." Kara said as she sipped her juice.
"She yelled and than walked away?" Dave asked
Kara nodded.
Dave grabbed the broom and swept up the entire kitchen to make sure every piece was gotten. He put all the pieces into a paper bag and than into the garbage.
He put everything away and than went and picked up the little girl and sat down with her in his lap. "It is just a cup its no big deal but from now on use the cups in the drawer that you can reach okay?" Dave asked
Kara nodded
"Now. Why did you give papa a hard time the last couple weeks?" Dave asked he was going to have a conversation with each of them individually anyways and she was the easiest to start with right now.
Kara shrugged
"Piccolina you can tell me anything." Dave said
"I just wanted to spend time with him." Kara said
Dave nodded. "He has been pretty busy huh?"
Kara nodded.
"Well. Next time all you have to do is tell him you want to spend time with him instead of getting into trouble okay?" Dave said
Kara nodded and finished her juice.
Dave kissed her head. "Now. I think its time to get you ready for bed." He said setting her down
She took her cup and put it in the sink before going upstairs. Dave followed and helped her get ready for bed and went and told Hunter.
"I think Kara would like if you would read to her tonight." Dave said
Hunter smiled and got up and went to do so.
Dave then went and found Scarlet sitting in the living room with a book.
"Hey squirt. You're done your chores?" Dave asked
"Done what I was asked to do." Scarlet said
"Okay. You can do more tomorrow." He sat down next to her. "Do you want to talk about what has happened the last couple weeks. Why have you been giving papa a hard time?"
"I felt like it." Scarlet said
"Not a good reason." Dave said
Scarlet shrugged
"He took you out for a special day and the very next day you started to act out. Did something happen when you hung out?" Dave asked
"No." Scarlet said
"Did you have fun with him?" Dave asked
"Yeah. He took me to the zoo. We saw all the animals." Scarlet said
"So why did you start giving him a hard time?" Dave asked
"Everyone else was…." Scarlet said
"Really? So you thought because some of your sisters were giving him a hard time you should to?" Dave asked
"Well. Callie told me I should…" Scarlet said
"She did? Well did you know you shouldn't be doing it anyways?" Dave asked
Scarlet nodded.
"So next time someone tells you to do something you know you shouldn't you don't do it. And if you don't know if you should you ask an adult if you should or not." Dave said
Scarlet nodded.
"Now time for bed." He said.
Scarlet went upstairs and got ready for bed. Hunter read a book to her as well before getting an apology from both girls he told them both it was forgiven kissed both their heads and said good night to both girls in that room and closing the door leaving a night light on for them.
Dave was coming up the stairs. "Both of them apologized." Hunter said
"Good." Dave said with a smile. "I talked to them both but didn't tell them to apologize so they did that on their own."
"Did you figure out why they were particularly difficult?" Hunter asked
"I did." Dave said taking him into their room.
"I guess Callie told Scarlet that she should be a brat." Dave said
Hunter let out a breath. "Yeah. She was definitely leading the charge of hellion. Was it the same for KK?"
"No." Dave said.
"Why than?" Hunter said
"She didn't know how to ask you for some time together." Dave said
"Because I didn't give her enough attention…" Hunter said
"Yeah. Its why I thought you should read to her tonight." Dave said
Hunter nodded. "Were you going to tell me if I hadn't asked?"
"Probably not." Dave said
"David. That's not fair." Hunter said
"I know. I just didn't want you to feel like you did anything wrong. You were playing the role of two parents while juggling so much." Dave said
Hunter sighed and nodded. "Have you talked to the other four?"
"Not yet. Was going to as it came time for their bedtimes. Its about time for the twins." Dave said "I will tell you everything promise."
"Okay." Hunter said
Dave left the room and went to the twins room where they were picking up their room.
"Glad to see you are cleaning your room." Dave said
They both nodded.
"It looked pretty good you can finish tomorrow. Its time to get ready for bed. I will be back in ten minutes to talk." He said before going to Hayley and Callie's room and knocking.
"Yes?" Hayley said
Dave went in and saw them doing the same in cleaning their room. "Time for showers and to get ready to wind down for the night. I will be back in abit to talk." He said
Both girls nodded.
Dave went to Rosie's room and knocked.
"Come in." Rosie said
Dave went in. "How is the homework coming?"
"Just about finished." Rosie said
"Good. It will be an early night for everyone. That means you too." Dave said
"Got it." Rosie said
"I know you two worked it out, but I don't ever want to hear you say or have said anything like that to papa again. Am I clear?" Dave asked
"Yes. Understood. I wont." Rosie said
Dave kissed her head "Love you bambina."
"Love you dad." Rosie said
Dave left the room and went back to the twins bedroom and knocked.
"You can come in dad." Maddy said
Dave went in and sat on the end of Mackie's bed.
"You two want to tell me why you gave papa a hard time the last couple weeks?" Dave asked
"Callie told us to…" Mackie said
"You two are old enough to know better." Dave said
They both nodded.
"So why did you think it was a good idea to listen?" Dave asked
"Siblings unite?" Maddy said
"Siblings who misbehave together get punished together. You did what Callie said and now you are sharing in the grounding." Dave said
They both nodded
"Sorry." They both said
"Should it be me you apologize to?" Dave asked
They both shook their heads.
"I will send papa in." Dave said "Next time I expect you both to behave no matter what anyone else is doing. If you don't you will be in far more trouble. Am I clear?" Dave asked
"Yes daddy." They both said.
He kissed both their heads and said goodnight before leaving the room and sending Hunter in.
Hunter went in and got an apology from both girls before he went to the bedroom where he heard Dave in the shower. Dave came out of the shower abit later and saw Hunter looking at the file.
"Hunter if I see you with the file again tonight I will ground you." Dave said with a smirk.
Hunter chuckled and put the file down. "Oh yeah?" he said
"Yes. And it wont be from the TV." Dave said smirk still on his face.
Hunter went over to and kissed him.
Dave kissed him and wrapped his arms around him. "Is this file something that can wait?"
"Well. Yes." Hunter said
"I need you to relax. I will give you a back rub when I am done talking to all the girls. But no more work tonight. Please."
"Okay. Promise." Hunter said.
"Thank you." Dave said kissing him again.
Hunter went to take a shower and Dave went and knocked on Hayley and Callie's bedroom.
"Yes." Hayley said
Dave went in. "Hayley come with me"
Hayley went and they went down to the office.
They both sat down.
"So do you want to tell me what happened that caused you to act like you did the last two weeks?" Dave asked, "And I don't want lies or excuses."
Hayley let out a breath but didn't say anything.
"I can sit here all night Hayley." Dave said
She took her phone out of her pocket and showed him texts from Matt.
Dave looked and let out a breath. "Who told him you were pregnant?"
"I don't know." Hayley said
"As far as I know the only people who know are this family. Derek, Spencer, Will and his partner and Nolan. None of whom would tell him." Hayley said
"No they wouldn't." Dave said, "You didn't tell any of your friends?" Dave asked
"Not even Pierce. Only reason Nolan knows is cause Rosie let it slip but I don't mind him knowing." Hayley said
"You sure she didn't slip and tell anyone else?" Dave asked
"Not as far as I know but anyone she would have told wouldn't tell Matthew." Hayley said
"Why didn't you tell Papa this was happening?" Dave asked
"To much stuff going on." Hayley said
"So instead you add to the stress by not helping out and acting like a child?" Dave asked
Hayley looked down.
"Anything else going on that you should tell me?" Dave asked
"Not about me. But Callie was the main instigator in the younger kids getting in trouble. At first I tried to stop her but than I started getting the texts and I gave up caring…" She said
"Yeah. I have heard about Callie. And I can understand why you didn't feel like fighting with her anymore after these texts started coming in. But that doesn't mean you get to act out as well." He said
"I know. I will apologize to papa." Hayley said
"Good. I suggest that you let Pierce know about all this unless you want him finding out from other sources." Dave said "I'm going to keep the phone to show Papa. I will give it back to you tomorrow."
Hayley nodded. "Can I see Pierce to talk to him in person? I think its better in person."
"I'll think about it." Dave said
Hayley nodded.
"I know this is a hard situation and I know it would have taken a toll on your metal health but its not an excuse to act the way you did. You ever pull something like this again the consequence will be far worse." Dave said
"Understood. Sorry dad." She said "And sorry I said you love Rosie more than the rest of us."
Dave hugged her and kissed her head. "Forgiven. Now go get some sleep and send Callie down." He said
Hayley went upstairs and Callie came down.
Callie sat where Hayley was.
"So. You want to tell me what happened?" Dave asked
"Nope." Callie said crossing her arms.
Dave sat back in his chair "Okay. Well I have no where else to be so we can just sit here till you are ready to tell me."
Callie just narrowed her eyes at him.
Dave had saved her for last because he knew she was going to be the most stubborn. She was the most stubborn of all the girls. So he just sat there. He had dealt with harden criminals they always cracked, and he knew Callie would crack much quicker than any of them.
Callie's glare faded and she started to sulk. She wanted him to cave and let her go but it wasn't working.
Dave sat there not moving not taking his eyes off her. He wasn't giving any sort of displeased look just watching her. He could see she was caving as he knew she would.
She started to fidget and looked down. "Its getting late you know. I need to go to bed." Callie said
"As soon as you tell me what caused you to act the way you did and get your younger sisters to do the same you can go to bed." Dave said
Callie looked back up.
"They all told me." Dave said
Callie let out a breath.
"Papa humiliated me at school okay!" Callie said
"Oh? How?" Dave asked
"Called me princess in front of all my friends!" She said
Dave bit the inside of her cheek. He understood to the girl it wasn't funny but to him it was a bit amusing. She was obviously getting to the age where a nickname like princess was not 'cool.'
"Did you tell him you didn't like that he did that in front of your friends?" Dave asked
"No. The damage was already done." Callie said
"So instead of talking about how you are feeling like a mature young lady you asked like a small child and got your younger sisters to do the same?" Dave asked
Callie looked down.
"See I can understand why you might not want to be called princess in front of your friends. You are growing up. But than you turn around and act like a child?" Dave asked
Callie nodded abit.
"You -are growing up Callie. And your younger sisters look up to you. And they want you to like them so they are going to do the things you ask even if they know they shouldn't. And yes they made the choice to listen despite knowing its wrong, but you put the fuel on that fire." Dave said
"I'm sorry." She said softly.
"Is it me you should be apologizing too?" Dave asked
Callie shook her head.
"And why did you feel the need to yell at Kara in the kitchen?" Dave asked
"I had just finished cleaning in there" Callie said. "I was frustrated. I will apologize tomorrow."
"Good. Go. Talk to papa. Tell him the truth." Dave said
Callie went. Dave took a screen shot of the texts on Hayley's phone and sent them to himself before sending them to Will 'These are texts Hayley has received from Matthew Black. We are unsure how he found out the list of people who know would not tell him or anyone without Hayley's permission' before he went through the house turning every light that was on off. This was why the electric bill was so high. But he didn't really care. Because despite the conversations he just had to have with each of his daughters and the cost of the electric bill having gone up as well as every other bill. He had the family he had always dreamed of.
He went upstairs as Callie was coming out of his and Hunter's room. Dave kissed her head and said good night to her making sure she got into her room before turning the hall light off and going into his and Hunter's bedroom and closing the door.
"All done?" Hunter asked
"Well. I have spoken to all of them. But there is a situation with Hayley." Dave said
"Oh?" Hunter asked
Dave climbed onto the bed behind where Hunter was sitting and started to rub his shoulders.
"I know you are going to be angry. I'm angry too. And we will handle this. I have already send a screen shot of the texts to Will. And he will handle it I'm sure." Dave said
"It must be pretty bad if you are trying to make me relax before telling me.
Dave took her phone out if his pocket and showed him the texts.
Hunter let out the soft growl that Dave only heard when one of his girls were in danger or hurting because of other people. Dave continued to rub his shoulders.
"Why didn't she tell me?" Hunter asked almost in tears.
"She didn't want to add to the stress." Dave said
"So she acts out instead?" Hunter asked
"Yeah. I asked her that exact thing." Dave said, "She didn't really respond other than to look down." Dave said
Hunter put a hand on one of Dave's "Stop."
Dave let go and Hunter got up and came back in a few minutes later with Hayley.
The three of them sat down together on the bed.
"Why didn't you tell me? The real reason." Hunter said
Hayley let out a breath.
"I knew you would lose you shit. And I know there are two people in this world who can calm you down. One is lying in a hospital bed and the other was in Ohio." Hayley said
Hunter let out a breath "You're scared of me?"
"No! I know you would never hurt me. I knew it would take dad or mom to keep you to keep from going and killing Matthew." Hayley said
Hunter nodded. "Oh."
"Because you love your girls. And would do anything to protect them. Its one of the many things that made me fall in love with you." Dave said
"You think she was right to keep it from me?" Hunter asked
"No." Dave said "You still should have told him. You could have brought me into the conversation over the phone. But you still should have told him right away."
Hayley nodded "Okay. I'm sorry papa."
Hunter pulled her into a tight hug.
Hayley hugged him
"I have sent the texts to Will. We will figure this all out tomorrow." Dave said
Hayley nodded.
"Go. Get some sleep." Hunter said.
They all said goodnight Dave gave her back her phone and Hayley went.
Hunter looked at Dave. "Do you think I over react?"
Dave shook his head "No. I think the anger you feel when someone you love has been hurt is completely understandable. But I think…" Dave said trying to find the right words "You could handle it better. I get the urge to want to go kick Matthew's ass. I want to do it too. But it wont help anything if you do."
"I wouldn't actually go kick his ass." Hunter said
"You punched Weston in the face when he wouldn't let you see your ex-wife." Dave said
Hunter looked down at his hands.
They were quiet for a few minutes.
"Maybe I need to go to therapy to work on the anger issues." Hunter said
"If you want to yes do that. But its not the anger that is the problem. Its how you handle that anger." Dave said
Hunter nodded. "My daughter didn't want to come tell me because she was worried about my reaction."
"Yeah. That is a problem." Dave said softly
Hunter put his face in his hands.
Dave sat behind him again and put his hands on his shoulder and started to rub again.
"Dave please don't." Hunter said
Dave stopped "Why not?"
Hunter shrugged.
Dave tilted his head "I don't accept that as an answer from the girls and I wont from you. Why don't you want me to rub your shoulder?"
"I don't want you to. That's all the answer I need to give you." Hunter said
Dave nodded "You're right. I'm sorry." He backed away and went into the bathroom.
Hunter sighed "Dave."
Dave came back into the room "Yes?"
"I'm sorry." Hunter said
"No Hunt. You're right. You don't want me to that's all you need to tell me." Dave said
"But its not the whole story." Hunter said
"What is?" Dave asked
"If I let you continue you are going to find something that I don't want you too." Hunter said
"The knot?" Dave asked
"Yeah." Hunter said
Dave nodded abit and went back into the bathroom. Now he was upset.
Hunter let out a breath he could sense the change in Dave's mood.
"Dave." He said
"Hunter. Right now I need a moment to calm down." Dave said
Hunter started to pull the blankets on the bed down to get it ready for the two of them to go to bed. Dave came back into the room with the tube of heat rub and held it up.
Hunter took his shirt off and laid on his stomach on the bed. Dave situated himself on top of him and put some of the rub onto his hands before started to massage his husband's back.
"I'm sorry Dave." Hunter said
"You didn't want me to know because you knew I would tell you that you are making a massage therapy appointment?" Dave asked
"Yes." Hunter said
"Why are you so against it for yourself?" Dave asked "You highly encourage Rose to keep going but you don't? Why?"
"I just don't have the time." Hunter said
"Maybe in the last three weeks you haven't had much time to spare. But when I am around you do. And Ms. Jarvis has offered on more than one occasion to help when I'm not here which I have told you and told you several times the last few weeks. She used to be who stayed with Rosie all the time when I was working." Dave said
"I know. But that was one girl. It would be seven. Some of whom don't have an off button." Hunter said
Dave chuckled. "She doesn't take shit. I bet she would have helped get those girls in line right quick. She has three sons and two daughters. All born in four years. She intimidates -me if she wants to."
Hunter laughed. "Oh please let me be in the room the next time she does."
Dave shook his head with a smile. He started to work at the knot on Hunter's back.
Hunter whimpered and tensed.
"I know it hurts but if you're not going to let a professional at it I have to. And I think tensing is going to make it hurt more." Dave said softly
Hunter took a breath and relaxed again and let Dave work at the knot trying to stay relaxed.
After a few minutes Dave could tell it was starting to soften a bit, so he worked at it for abit longer before stopping. "I don't want to torture you so I'm going to stop"
"Okay. Thank you. It actually does feel abit better." Hunter said
Dave climbed off of Hunter. "Good. I'm glad I could help."
Dave went and checked on the girls and they were all asleep. Dave smiled and went back to the bedroom turning off the light and climbing into bed next to Hunter
"I will call and make an appointment with the massage therapist." Hunter said
"Thank you. Can you tell me the real reason you have been pushing so hard against it?" Dave said
Hunter let out a breath. "Can I just say childhood trauma and you not push it?"
"I cant force you to talk about it but know I'm here when you are ready to tell me." Dave said
"I know." Hunter said the two of them kissed and curled up together and fell asleep.