Episode 14: Hazy Shade of Winter

February 20th - 26th


There is always something to say about a three-day weekend. A chance to relax, and not be where you normally are. With the Monday off it allows for the Sunday night party. With a Friday night off, it allows for an extra day to party. Yes, the party is the common denominator here. There is something different about a long weekend after a death. Nothing is quite the same, and it takes a while to get back there. Any thoughts, please share below.

RavenHussar

T3 Collective.


Chapter 517: Jamlyn

Monday, February 20th, Morning

In utter and total chaos, chaos was the best word to describe the morning so far. It started with her climbing out of bed and hedging to the first of her children's rooms. A fight ensued to wake her daughter up to prepare for the day. Once her daughter was up and getting ready, she went to rouse her sons. Both of the twins were not in their rooms.

Shaking her head, Ashlyn Pierce-Scott, went downstairs, cursing the suggestion that her oldest daughter did not stay at her place this week. Brett was always good at helping ride shotgun with the kids. Ashlyn shook her head and went down to the gym wing.

Pushing the gym door open, Ashlyn saw her twin sons on the court with their dad and her husband. Strolling out onto the court, her stocking feet sliding across the polished hardwood floor.

Logan, one of the boys, turned to look at Ashlyn.

"Momma," Logan said.

Landen, the other twin, turned to face her. "Momma," he said.

"What are you boys doing down here?" Ashlyn asked.

"Daddy took us down here," Landen said.

"We woke Daddy, and he brought us down here," Logan said.

"Okay, now head upstairs," Ashlyn said.

"Why?" Logan asked.

"It's time to get ready," Ashlyn said.

"Do we have to?" Logan asked.

"Yeah, Momma, do we have to?" Logan asked.

"Yes, we're going to Poppy Buck's to help pack," Ashlyn said.

"Momma, I don't want to," Landen said, "I want to stay home with Daddy."

"Me too," Logan said.

"No, I need help today," Ashlyn said, "No, go, so you can eat before we leave."

"Yes, Momma," Logan said.

"Yes, Momma," Landen said, and the twins headed off.

"The she-bear is keeping her cubs in line," James said.

"One, I hate when you call me that; two, don't piss off the alpha female, and three, you're not helping," Ashlyn said.

"What do you mean?" James asked.

"I don't want to go over there and pack, but you're not going; tell the kids they can stay home," she said.

"You know I can't risk getting hurt doing non-basketball things," James said.

"I know, but the boys don't," Ashlyn said, "You could've come along."

"I have that thing with my parent today," James said.

"That super-secret meeting with Bevin that they just dropped on you," Ashlyn said.

"I think I know what it is," James said.

"Yeah, it involves your brother," Ashlyn said, "It always does."

"Not my fault," James said.

"I at least had the good sense not to have a brother," Ashlyn said.

"Trust me, I know," James said.

"Well, I have to make sure your children are fed," Ashlyn said.

"They're my children now?" James asked.

"You and they pissed me off," Ashlyn said.

"So, that's how it works?" James asked.

"Yes," Ashlyn said and walked away.

Ashlyn headed upstairs to the kitchen. She found her three younger kids sitting down eating. To Ashlyn's shock, she also found her dad, niece, and nephew already at the table, also with breakfast.

"Morning, Ashlyn," Ashlyn Buckingham "Buck" Pierce III, Ashlyn's dad, said.

"Morning," Ashlyn said.

"Chaos in the morning around here," Buck said.

"It's not normally like this, but it's President's Day, James is home, and they were expecting to sleep in," Ashlyn said.

"So, they're still going to help pack?" Buck asked.

"Yes, they are," Ashlyn said.

"They don't seem too happy about it," Buck said.

"Tough; they normally don't have much to do," Ashlyn said.

"Why's that?" Buck asked.

"They're young, and they largely care for their rooms and stuff," Ashlyn said.

"So, I plan to stop off to get packing boxes and other assorted stuff," Buck said.

"Have you picked out a storage place yet?" Ashlyn asked as she poured herself some coffee.

"No, I was thinking of, well, wondering if I could store stuff here," Buck said.

"I don't have the space," Ashlyn said.

"What about the garage?" Buck asked.

"We rent it out," James said.

"Oh, James, you're not helping pack?" Buck asked.

"I have a thing with my parents, plus I don't want to get hurt and void my contract," James said.

"Sounds like they own you," Buck said.

"In some ways, they do, and with what they're paying me, they want a solid return on their investment," James said.

"I could imagine," Buck said.

Ashlyn came over to the table, Maeghan, Landen, Logan, finish up; we have somewhere to go," she said.

"Yes, Momma," Logan said.

"Yes, Momma," Landen said.

"Yes, Momma," Maeghan said.

They finished eating, cleaned up, and went upstairs. Buck looked at Ashlyn.

"They listen well," Buck said.

"Ashlyn's great with the kids," James said.

"It takes time, but it normally works out; in the end," Ashlyn said.

"Come on, kids, we have a few stops to make," Buck said.

Ashlyn watched her niece and nephew get up and follow Buck. She sighed and just rested her head on the table. It was going to be a long day.