Chapter 522: Bobbi-Lee's Cottage

Monday, February 20th Evening

She heard the front door open and close from her office in the loft area. After a moment, footsteps echoed as someone walked up the stairs. She picked her head up to see the person walking up those stairs. The woman at the desk smiled at them.

"Hey, how were practice and work?" Bobbi-Lee Burke asked.

"The usual, as you know," Brett Pierce-Burke said as she found a chair to sit in.

"No, I don't; why don't you tell me," Bobbi-Lee said.

"We made some final adjustments in practice for the state tournament, but work was boring, just a slow day at the studio," Brett said.

Bobbi-Lee nodded, "I can see you didn't change from work," she said, pointing to Brett's Punk'd and Disorderly Studios t-shirt.

"Yeah, I just got here," Brett said.

"I know that; I'm surprised Mags didn't have you change before leaving," Bobbi-Lee said.

"No, did she when you worked for her at TRIC?" Brett asked.

"Worked for her at TRIC? Not for her; everyone there worked for Peyton," Bobbi-Lee said.

Brett nodded, "That's not what I heard," she said.

Bobbi-Lee nodded and went back to her paperwork. Brett stood up and walked over to Bobbi-Lee's desk. Brett looked over the desk.

"What are you working on, Aunt Bobbi?" Brett asked.

"I'm not doing a design right now," Bobbi-Lee said.

"Why not?" Brett asked.

"Because, well, let's not worry about the why," Bobbi-Lee said.

"Okay," Brett said.

Bobbi-Lee stood up and stretched. She looked at her oldest niece and nodded. Bobbi-Lee reached down and picked up her sweatshirt, putting it on.

"Were you home all day?" Brett asked.

Bobbi-Lee shook her head, "No, I went to Beaulieu today for a meeting," she said.

"Is that how you went to Beaulieu?" Brett asked.

Bobbi-Lee was wearing a sports bra before putting on her sweatshirt, yoga pants, and thick heavy shock. Her ginger red hair was pulled back in a ponytail, except for a stray lock of hair that hung along the left side of her face. Bobbi-Lee's was scrubbed clean of any makeup.

"No, are you crazy? No one goes to a business meeting at Beaulieu with Brooke dressed like this," Bobbi-Lee said, holding her hands out to show her outfit.

"What did you wear?" Brett asked.

"I wore a proper business outfit," Bobbi-Lee said.

"So, you came back here and changed?" Brett asked.

"Yeah, have to be comfortable," Bobbi-Lee said.

"Okay," Brett said.

"Go, get comfortable and meet me in the kitchen," Bobbi-Lee said.

"Why?" Brett asked.

"Well, I have some leftovers, I can warm up, and we need to talk. Plus, I bet you've not eaten since lunch," Bobbi-Lee said.

Brett nodded and headed downstairs. Bobbi-Lee nodded, shut down her lights, and followed. Walking across the great room, Bobbi-Lee went to her kitchenette, pulled out the leftovers, and started warming them up. After a few minutes, Brett emerged from the guest bedroom and walked over to the kitchenette. Brett was now wearing shorts, a baggy long-sleeved t-shirt, and heavy socks; her hair hung loose, if not messy, and she took a seat at the breakfast bar.

"So, how was your show?" Brett asked.

"After all the nerves and fear, it turned out better than expected," Bobbi-Lee said.

"I wish I could've been there," Brett said.

Bobbi-Lee nodded, "Yeah, I would've liked you to have worn the featured dress," she said.

"Why me?" Brett asked.

"I designed it with you in mind," Bobbi-Lee said.

Brett canted her head, "Why me?" she asked.

"You're my niece and at times also my muse," Bobbi-Lee said.

"Muse? Me? Why me?" Brett asked.

"I'm not the target for my designs anymore, but you are, so I design for you," Bobbi-Lee said.

"Oh wow!" Brett said.

Bobbi-Lee nodded, "Yeah, so, do you have homework?" she asked.

"Yes," Brett said.

"So, after we eat, get it out, and I'll help," Bobbi-Lee said.

"You don't have to, Aunt Bobbi," Brett said.

"I know, but I'm not getting blamed for your grades slipping," Bobbi-Lee said.

"Are you sure you can handle it?" Brett asked.

"Yeah, considering I graduated Magna cum laude from Wake Forest University and a Phi Beta Kappa," Bobbi-Lee said.

"What does that mean?" Brett asked.

"Your Aunt Bobbi, child, is smart and hard-working," Bobbi-Lee said.

"Okay," Brett said.

A timer dinged, and Bobbi-Lee pulled out the leftovers. She put them on the breakfast bar. Bobbi-Lee turned to get plates and flatware.

"Aunt Bobbi, I can do that," Brett said.

"Pish!" Bobbi-Lee said.

"Pish?" Brett asked.

"Sit; you're a guest," Bobbi-Lee said.

"I normally do chores," Brett said.

"At your houses, right?" Bobbi-Lee asked.

"Yes," Brett said.

"Is this your house?" Bobbi-Lee asked.

"No," Brett said.

"So by that logic, you're a guest," Bobbi-Lee said.

"Can't argue with that logic," Brett said.

Bobbi-Lee returned with two plates and flatware. Passing them out, Bobbi-Lee put some of the leftovers on her plate.

"So, how did you end up suggesting I stay here?" Brett asked.

"That was your Aunt Kelly's idea," Bobbi-Lee said.

"I'm surprised Aunt Kelly didn't offer," Brett said.

"She has your three cousins, while I just have the cats," Bobbi-Lee said.

"How did you end up with just cats?" Brett asked.

"I'm not ready to tell you that yet, and eat," Bobbi-Lee said.

"Yes, Aunt Bobbi," Brett said.

"No sarcasm either," Bobbi-Lee chuckled.

Brett smiled, made her plate, and started to eat.