DISLCAIMER: I OWN NOTHING!!!
Ok guys, here's the next chapter. I know it doesn't really explain anything but it is leading up to the next chapter where several things will be explained. I hope y'all like this chapter and thank y'all so much for the reviews you've sent me. I really do appreciate every single one I get. Also,several people here and on other boards where I have this story posted have suggested that I find a way to seperate scenes so I tried to incorporate that in with this chapter. Well, I think that's everything I needed to tell y'all. Well, let me know what you think. Please review, thanks!
"Mommy, who was that man?" Sophie asked Kirsten as they sat on the bed in Sandy and Kirsten's room. Kirsten looked down at her daughter, unsure of how to answer the question. Was she supposed to tell her two year old daughter that the man was her grandfather, a man that was suppose to be dead? Or was she suppose to tell her that he was just one of Daddy's clients? That would not be a lie and at least that way Kirsten would not have to worry about Sophie being scarred. "Mommy!" Sophie said again, noticing the distant look on her mother's face. Kirsten looked down at Sophie and smiled.
"Honey, that man is….." Kirsten began but was quickly cut off as the door to the bedroom opened and Sandy stepped in.
Sandy did not make eye contact with Kirsten, something that Kirsten quickly noticed and knew that it meant something was wrong. Sandy walked over to the bed and sat on the edge, continuing to look down as he moved.
"The kids are back from the movie. They just pulled in! Kirsten, we need to talk so I was thinking that we might could get Seth and Summer or Ryan and Taylor to take Sophie to the park." Sandy's eyes finally met Kirsten's and when they did she could see the urgency in his eyes.
"Sandy, I think we shouldn't have her out. She was running a fever earlier, that's why I went to get Children's Tylenol!" Kirsten said, realizing for the first time that Sandy did not about Sophie's fever.
"Is Princess not feeling well?" Sandy asked concerned as he lifted Sophie off the bed and sat her down in his lap.
"I not sick!" Sophie said adamantly, turning around to face Sandy. "Daddy, what wong? You look sad like Mommy!" Sophie said softly as she gently ran her tiny little fingers through Sandy's shaggy hair.
"Nothin's wrong Princess, Daddy just needs to talk to Mommy about a few things, that's all," Sandy gently kissed Sophie temple and hugged her closely to him.
Kirsten had been watching the interaction between her husband and their daughter and had not been shocked when Sophie had asked Sandy if he was all right. Sophie was a very attentive child that noticed when something was wrong with anyone, and as Kirsten looked at Sandy she could see the worry etched in his face. She could not help but think what horrible things her father had probably brought with him into their house. Probably involving poor Sandy before he even had the chance to say no. Kirsten was about to speak when she noticed the left side of Sandy's face and a hand print.
"Um Sophie, sweetie, why don't you go in the living room and see if the movie was any good that brothers went too, ok ?" Kirsten asked Sophie, not wanting to discuss delicate matters in front of such a young child. Sophie looked up at Kirsten and nodded.
"Ok Mommy!" Sophie smiled as she slid out of Sandy's lap and ran to the door. "Don't be sad Mommy, you too Daddy!" Sophie added quickly as she shot out of the bedroom and down the hall to the living room. Sandy and Kirsten exchanged quick smiles then Kirsten scooted over to Sandy and laid her head on his shoulder.
"Oh honey, are you ok? I can't imagine how hard today has been for you!" Sandy said as he wrapped his arms around Kirsten and dropped a kiss on her forehead.
"I've had worse days, but I'm worried about you Sandy? Sophie's right, you seem upset and what happened to your face?" Kirsten asked, gently running her nails over his cheek. Sandy chuckled lightly and looked down at her, his heart breaking at the thought of having to tell her that he was the one that had helped Caleb and had brought him into their house. "Sandy, what's wrong?" Kirsten asked more adamantly, noticing how tense he was.
"Oh honey, we need to talk but you are not gonna like what I have to tell you!" Sandy shook his head as he spoke, not wanting to see the look on Kirsten's face.
"Sandy, unless my Dad has brought Rebecca Bloom back with him I don't care!" Kirsten joked, hoping to lighten the mood.
"No, he didn't bring Rebecca back with him but we need to talk about why he's back an…"
"Sandy, I don't care why he's back. After everything he did, making his family think he was dead, I don't want to see him ever again." Kirsten's words did not surprise Sandy but he also knew that they were not true.
He knew that Kirsten and Caleb had always had a strong bond and that had been why he had decided to help Caleb in the first place. Even though he knew it would disrupt their lives for a while he knew that in the long run Kirsten would be glad to have her father back. However for Sandy he did not know when the 'long run' would be.
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"Taylor, are you sure you're all right? I have never seen anyone that sick before. Eww!" Summer said as she handed Taylor a cup of tea. Taylor smiled appreciatively at Summer as she took the tea.
"Summer, honestly, I'm fine. I just didn't realize that there would be so much ripping flesh in that movie. I just hope Ryan's pants aren't ruined!" Taylor said, blushing as she thought about vomiting on Ryan.
"Oh, I'm sure they'll be fine!" Summer smiled and nodded, knowing that there was no way those pants would ever be clean again. "Hey, Taylor, I don't mean to sound nosy but are you sure you're all right. I mean when I called you last Thursday you were sick then and you're still sick," Summer said as she sat down on the sofa beside of Taylor.
"Summer, I was just sick today because of that movie, it was very bloody. And when you called the other day I think I just had a bug. There's been a bug going around. Several people have been out in my literature class but I'm not too sure if that's because of a bug or they're hung over. Oh, that reminds me, the other day when Ryan and I were walking to our History class there was the old man sitting on the side of the road and he had a gla…." Taylor rambled, hoping to distract Summer with her endless chatter.
"Taylor, stop! I heard you this morning in the bathroom and then you got sick when Julie was changing Blake's diaper last night. But it was kinda bad!" Summer wrinkled her nose at the thought.
"Summer, I promise you I'm fine. There is nothing wrong with me, but thank you for caring so much!" Taylor smiled at Summer and pulled her into a hug.
"Of course I care, you're my best friend. I've already lost one of my friends, I don't want to lose another one!" Summer said as she hugged Taylor, the pain of losing a friend still fresh in her heart.
"Is evione sad today?" Sophie gasped as she stepped into the living room, shocked to Summer and Taylor hugging.
"We're not sad Sophie, we were just hugging!" Taylor smiled at the little girl as Summer and she broke the hug.
"Who's been sad today Soph?" Summer asked as she picked the little girl up and put her on the sofa between Taylor and she.
"Mommy was sad, and I was sad, I think aunt JuJu was sad, and Daddy looks sad!" Sophie spoke quickly, hoping that they could tell her why everyone had been so sad.
"Sophie, why were they sad?" Taylor asked, a bit concerned by what the child had just told them.
"I don't know, that's why I tell you!" Sophie rolled her eyes, exasperated with her sister-in-law. Summer could not help but chuckle at the little girl's dramatics, something she had obviously inherited from her brother. Summer was just about to ask Sophie another question when Ryan entered the living room, wearing a new pair of pants and Seth following behind him, babbling about how fantastic the movie was they had just saw.
"Seth, Wyan!" Sophie squealed and ran to her brothers, always excited to see them.
"Hey, what have you been doin' today? I thought you and your Mommy were still shopping!" Ryan said as he picked Sophie up and swung her in the air.
"Mommy's sad!" Sophie answered simply as she laid her head on Ryan's shoulder. Ryan looked at Seth a moment with a questioning look then looked back down at Sophie.
"Hey Soph, why's Mom sad? Did she finally realize that you have the fashion sense of a Cohen instead of a WASP?" Seth teased as he plopped down on the sofa beside of Summer.
"Mommy's not a wasp!" Sophie hissed, used to hearing Kirsten defend herself every time Seth would call her that.
"Sophie, why is Mommy sad?" Ryan asked Sophie as he gently raised her chin with his finger, bringing her eyes to meet his.
"Cause a man came hewe and Mommy did that!" Sophie said, pointing to the corner where the Tylenol still was. Everyone turned and looked at where Sophie was pointing, shocked when they saw the wall and carpet covered in a sticky, red syrup.
"Oh My Gosh, I didn't even notice that!" Taylor said as she stood up and went over to the splattered area.
"What happened?" Seth asked, looking to his sister for an explanation.
"My temper got the better of me!" Kirsten's voice startled everyone as they all stood around the living room, looking at the carpet and wall. They all turned and looked at Kirsten, shocked that she was the one responsible for making such a mess.
"Who'd ya throw that at?" Seth asked jokingly.
"Someone who I never thought I'd see again!" Kirsten answered Seth, her tone serious.
"You actually throw that at someone?" Seth shrieked, shocked that his mother would do something like that.
"Hey, remember, she is the one that sent a vase flying at your Grandpa's head!" Ryan said, giving Kirsten a small smirk. Kirsten forced herself to return a smile, knowing that Ryan had no idea how close he was to the truth of the matter.
"What is it? It smells like Cherry!" Summer said, sniffing the red contents on the wall.
"Yeah, the smell is really strong," Taylor commented, covering her nose and mouth with her hand to block the smell that was already making her stomach feel like it was doing flips. Summer gave Taylor a questioning look then turned her attention back to Kirsten.
"It's Children's Tylenol. I had went to get it for Sophie but I…I was caught of guard by who was here!" Kirsten answered, trying to be as honest as possible, not wanting to tell them everything yet. She did not know everything yet.
"Why did Sophie need Tylenol?" Ryan asked, worried about his sister.
"She had a slight fever this morning!" Kirsten said, glancing at Sophie who was still in Ryan's arms.
"I not sick!" Sophie said quickly to Ryan. Ryan smiled at the little girl and nodded, knowing that Sophie hated nothing more than being sick because when she was sick she was not allowed to go outside or play with her friends from play group.
"Sophie, sweetie, we don't think you're sick but I need to get some more Tylenol just in case you have another fever," Kirsten said to Sophie as she brushed a few stray strands of Sophie's hair behind her ear. Sophie shook her head and buried her face in Ryan's neck, not wanting to take the medicine.
"Well I could go to the pharmacy and pick up another bottle. I need to get a prescription filled anyway!" Taylor volunteered.
"Are you sure you wouldn't mind?" Kirsten asked, not wanting to impose.
"Yeah, I'll go now!" Taylor smiled as she kissed Ryan quickly on the cheek, patted Sophie on the back, and grabbed her purse.
"I'll come with you, I need to pick up some toothpaste anyway," Summer said quickly, grabbing her purse as she kissed Seth on the cheek and grabbed her purse. Summer was determined to get Taylor to tell her what was going on.
Once the two girls had left and the car had pulled down the driveway Kirsten turned to Ryan and Seth, trying to decide whether or not she could trust the two of them together to get Sophie out of the house, all the while keeping a close eye on her. Kirsten would let Ryan take Sophie anywhere but Seth she was more than a little worried when it came to him taking Sophie. Being so far away from home Seth rarely had the chance to take Sophie anywhere, resulting in Seth not realizing just how much attention he had to give her when he had her out. Kirsten could not help but remember when she had let Seth take her to the store for Thanksgiving and he had lost her. He had called her from the store, hysterical that he had lost Sophie. Luckily a lady who's daughter was in the same play group that Sophie was in had found her wandering around the frozen foods section, trying to let the turkey's loose that had been so unjustly slaughtered for a day that celebrated the demise of the Native American. Kirsten had immediately known that Sophie had heard Summer's endless lectures on Thanksgiving and had then realized that Seth might not be the most responsible choice when it came to baby sitters. At least not when he was with out Summer to help him watch her.
"Uh guys, would you two mind taking Sophie to the park? Sandy and I need to discuss a few things and I don't think Sophie would find them too interesting." Kirsten asked, deciding that with Ryan and Seth both Sophie would be all right. At least she hoped.
"Sure," Seth answered, surprised that his mother was trusting him with his little sister. Ryan and Taylor, living only a few minutes away, were the two that were usually entrusted with Sophie. "C'mon Soph, let's go get you dressed for the park, Mom keeps you all WASP-ified!" Seth said as he took Sophie from Ryan.
"Mommy's not a WASP!"
"I'm not a WASP!" Kirsten and Sophie both spoke at the same time, forcing Kirsten to let a tiny giggle escape her lips.
"Oh God, Sophie, you are a Cohen. You aren't suppose to defend WASPs!" Seth groaned as he carried Sophie to her room.
"Kirsten, what's goin' on? Why do you really want us to take Sophie to the park?" Ryan asked once he heard the door to Sophie's room close.
"Ryan, Sandy and I just need to talk. Everything is fine, I promise. Thank you for taking her!" Kirsten smiled at Ryan then quickly looked away. Ryan knew that Kirsten did not want to discuss the matter any further but it was obvious there was something wrong.
"Hey, have you seen Julie or Blake? Kaitlin asked me to tell her something!" Ryan said, deciding that for Kirsten's sake he would let what ever was bothering her go for the time.
"Oh, uh Blake is asleep in Sophie's room and Julie, from what Sandy said is out back. She's probably relaxing back there! Where is Kaitlin by the way, I haven't seen her?" Kirsten asked, noticing for the first time that Kaitlin was no where in site.
"She had me drop her off at the mall. She wanted to pick up a few things at the mall," Ryan answered, noticing how puffy Kirsten's eyes were.
"Oh, all right. Well, I'm gonna go say bye to Sophie. Thanks again for goin' to the park with Seth and she!" Kirsten smiled as she gave his arm a gentle squeeze.
"No problem, I don't want Seth to lose my little sister!" Ryan smiled, hoping to lighten the mood. Kirsten returned the smile then headed back to Sophie's room. Ryan watched as she walked away, worried about her and what had transpired while he had been sitting in a theatre, watching a man getting slowly pulled into shreds as Taylor retched on his pants.
"C'mon man, let's take the Princess to the park!" Seth startled Ryan as he stood in the doorway, Sophie hoisted above his head on his shoulders.
"All right!" Ryan smiled at Sophie headed to the door. "Watch her head!" Kirsten heard Ryan warn as Seth walked out the door. Seth quickly shot Ryan a snide comment before the door closed. Kirsten leaned against the frame of Sophie's room, smiling as she heard Sophie's giggles and her son's playful banter. She could not imagine ever doing something to them like Caleb had to her. Taking a quick look at Blake who was still cuddled up asleep on Sophie's bed she went over to him and tucked the blanket around him Sophie had covered him up with then headed to the bedroom, dreading what Sandy needed to tell her.
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Julie had been in the kitchen the entire time listening to Taylor and Summer talk about Taylor being sick, then listening as Sophie had came in the living room telling them about how upset Kirsten had been. She had been especially interested when Kirsten had told them that she had thrown the Tyelnol at someone. But when Julie had heard Kirsten ask Seth and Ryan to take Sophie to the park she knew that she should probably take Blake and leave the house for a couple of hours so Sandy and Kirsten could talk in private with out worrying about her or Blake. Quickly scribbling a note explaining that she had taken Blake to the mall with her to get Kaitlin Julie went to the bedroom where she grabbed Blake, his diaper and her purse, then headed to the car. Once she had him buckled in the car seat she quickly got in the car and headed for the mall, all the while Blake continued to sleep peacefully.