RuthlovesBTR, You get your answer in this chapter. And thanks for the review!

DocLover, Thanks!

m7star, That's cool! Thanks for the review!

Cynthia Darling, Again, SO SORRY! Thanks for the review though!

Seth pulled into the Ely yard at about 1pm. As he turned to the key off he leaned back with aloud sigh, staring blankly at the door to his house.

He was exhausted. Before he left Montana he had to take an exam in the afternoon which he stayed up until midnight the night before. After he got home he finished eating, ate super, and then fell asleep. He ended up not leaving until about 3ish. He took about an hours worth of breaks. He drove for 9 hours.

He remembered promising Kathleen he'd call when he got home. So as he started at the entry way light, beaconing him, he dugout his cellphone.

The light was extremely bright, burning his eyes. He squinted as he dialed Kathleen. As it began ringing he put it to his ear and leaned his head back.

It rang twice before Kathleen's groggy voice came on, "You're alive?" Even so late and tired, Seth couldn't help, but smile.

"Yeah," Seth yawned, closing his eyes.

"Good, love you, bye," Kathleen yawned.

Seth snorted, running his fingers through his hair. "Love you too, bye," He heard the phone call end. He set his phone on the passenger seat, next to his duffel bag.

He looked at the house door and his bags.

So far...

He closed his eyes, just resting them a second, or so he thought. He ended up not to opening them until morning.

He woke up when he heard a soft tapping on the window. He looked up, drowsily.

His dad was standing there with a smirk on his face. Seth opened the door and slipped out. Seth leaned on the door. "Long night?" Luke chuckled. His weathered face, crinkled around his eyes and mouth.

"Long drive," Seth corrected.

Luke nodded. "You're mom is worried, you should go see her," Luke glanced toward the house, warily.

Seth look in the same direction, nodding. Luke started to his car. Seth noticed and called, "Dad," Luke turned toward him with raised eyebrows. "I'm missed you," He opened his arms and bear-hugged his father.

"I missed you too," Luke said into Seth's shoulder."I got to get to work though," He held Seth at an arms length and gave him a warm pat on the shoulder before turning to his car. "See you later."

"Bye,"

Seth reached into his car, across the console and pulled his duffel bag toward him. He slung it over his shoulder as Luke pulled out. He kicked his shoes off in the entry-way and dropped his bag on the floor.

His mom must have heard him come in, because she met him in the hallway. "Seth!" She exclaimed, pulling him into a bone-crushing hug. She squeezed him so tightly he to pry her off. Who said women weren't strong?

"Hey Mom," Seth kissed her cheek. "How have you been?" He asked as the walked to the kitchen. He noticed her wiping her eyes. "Aww, Mom, it's okay," Seth put an arm around her as they got in the kitchen. "I'm home," He rubbed her back.

Maxine smiled sitting down in the chair Seth pulled out for her. Tears kept slipping down her face. "I know," She patted his arm. "It's just been a while," She dried her eyes. "Now, let's get you something to eat," She Got up for her chair and started busseling around, getting ingredients. Seth watched as she whipped together pancakes. His brothers had said she wasn't doing well, but he could tell she was worse than they knew, more that she let on.

What mom! Refusing to show how hurt she was. Silently suffering. She was great and Seth loved her.

As soon as Quinn got up he ran downstairs. He was in such a hurry that he didn't even notice Seth until he was half way through his pancakes. "Ow, hi theth," He said with a mouth full of pancakes.

Seth snorted, taking a bite of sausage. He swallowed before answering. "Hey," He continued to watched Quinn with calculating eyes. Quinn however was to focused on getting out to the barn to care. Quinn put his plate in the sink before he practically ran outside.

Seth of course trailed behind. Once out of Maxine's hearing range Seth asked, "What are you up too?" He leaned on the door frame as Quinn tugged on his tenny shoes.

Quinn smirked. "I'll show you," He jumped up and bounded out the door. Seth rolled his eyes before quickly pulling on his own boots and jogging after Quinn.

Quinn threw open the barn doors and jogged to the stall next to Chip's. Chip peeked his head out and nickered. There was a yipping.

"Sorry Chippers," Quinn said, opening the puppy's stall. Seth appeared at the stall door as Quinn crouched on the ground. The little black fur ball attacked Quinn with kissed.

"You got a puppy?" Seth exclaimed. Quinn shook his head picking up the puppy. "You stole a puppy?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

Quinn chuckled. "No, we got Mom a puppy," Seth entered, kneeling. The little girl pushed away from Quinn and ran to Seth.

"What kind is she?" Seth asked, ruffling her ears.

"The shelter thinks she's a golden retriever/lab cross chow, which explains the black and pink tongue." Quinn answered. "Sam and Jen thought that she'd help Mom,"

Seth scratched the puppy's roll-y poly belly. "I see,"

"Do you think that it will work?" Quinn's looked into Seth's eyes.

Seth thought a moment. Why shouldn't it? Give her something to love and baby. Then again.. Give her something else to watch and take care of. Another burden. "I don't know," Seth answered, honestly. Quinn nodded, soberly. "So what's up with you?" Seth asked after a long silence.

Quinn filled his cheeks with air and let it out slowly. "I'm doing better," He answered finally. "I think more people believe me," He explained when Seth raised and eyebrow. "Plus Lacy said she's think about getting a DNA test," He pumped a fist.

"How'd you get her to consider it?" Seth stood up, brushing off his jeans. The puppy jumping on his leg.

Quinn stood too, but didn't brush off his shorts. "Well, I just told her I wasn't going to pay child support unless we take a DNA test and it proves to be mine," Seth nodded an impressed smile growing on his face. "And I told her that when it the test was over and I wasn't the dad she could get the money from someone else," Seth rolled his eyes. "Hey, that kid is not my son,"

"Shut up Micheal Jackson," He walked out of the barn, Quinn trailing behind.

"You love me and you know it," Quinn shoved him. Seth just smiled and rolled his eyes.

Around noon the Ely boys, Darrell, Sam, Jen, and Jane went out to the barn to play with Fluff. As they had begun to the puppy until Maxine named it. They had brought Gal with too, so that the two canines would become friends.

So far things had been going well. Fluff wasn't at all intimiadated by the big German Shepherd. Gal was used to being kind and watching out for young animals, but it was clear that after about 15 minutes Gal was getting annoyed by Fluffs constant nipping and jumping. Or so it seemed.

Fluff jumped up and nipped Gal's ear again. Instead of ignoring it this time Gal jumped around and ran a circle around Fluff before stopping in a playful crouch in front of Fluff, her tail wagging. Fluff's head cocked to the side, confused, before she bounced toward Gal. Her ears flopped up and down in a cute way.

The canines bounded around, the teens watching. "Well, who's that?" Everyone turned to see Nate enter the barn. Gal and Fluff charged toward him. Fluff tripped though and ended up skidding into Nate's feet.

"Nate!"

"Hey," Nate said, picking up Fluff. He smiled at everyone. "So seriously, who is this little cutie?" He asked as Fluff nibbled his finger, looking at him with big eyes.

"That's Fluff," Sam says as she strides toward Nate, embracing him. He kisses the top of her head in a brotherly manner. "How have you been?" Nate set down Fluff as he hugged everyone. She an Gal continued to run circles around the group though.

"Fine," Nate answered, bear hugging Seth. "You guys?"

There was a chorus of 'Goods," Jen explained the Fluff plan.

"Oh, speaking of Mom, I'm going to go see her," Nate said, turning to go. The others went back to playing with Fluff, as Gal left with Nate.

That was a really fr*aking boring chapter! Sorry!