Chapter 19

Pulling over his car in the garage, Hunter glanced at his wife who quickly went out of the car once he turned the engine off. She had remained silent since they had left their office . Stephanie had not saying a word after they finished their last work for the day, although she carried business as professional as she could , but still Hunter knew something was bothering his wife.

He had asked her secretary what had gone wrong, and she was surprised Stephanie did not inform him that Kane had been skipping school and his teacher had been calling the office, but apparently Steph just chose to dismiss it without telling him. Hunter decided not to push his wife. He knew Stephanie was struggling not to blow herself out because of Kane's shenanigan, and he himself, suddenly felt too tired to care about his eldest son anymore. After all, Kane was going to military school next week, so there was nothing to lose anymore.

He picked up Steph's office bag and his own briefcase when suddenly he heard Steph shouting at him. "Honey, come here! "

"What?" Hunter shouted back, wondering if Seth and Randy had attempted to crucify each other again, and walked into the house . He was taken aback at the sight before him, his youngest son Seth was playing combat toys with his school rivals Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns. He let out a laughter of surprise, as well as Stephanie.

"So you three are best friends again?" Hunter asked as he picked Seth up to hug him, blowing a kiss on the boy's head. "Since when? Why anyone hadn't told me? " He pretended to scold to amuse the kids. Seth giggled.

"Hi Mr. Helmsley, hi Mrs. Helmsly, " Roman , the Samoan kid greeted sheepishly, " Seth apologized to us after school today. We forgave him and had amended our friendship. I'm so happy we can be brothers again, "

"That was good! " Stephanie smiled, "I can't tell you guys how happy I am right now, " She cooed. Dean stood up and went to her, and surprised her slightly as Dean hugged Stephanie, but she hugged him back.

"Oh Dean, "Steph said , "How are your fever today? You got better? " She asked Dean concernedly.

"Thank you Mrs. Helmsley, I'm fine now, " Dean answered.

"How's your mom? Did she know you were here? " Hunter asked .

"Yeah, Kane texted her before, " Dean replied innocently, " She had to fly to Las Vegas today, she told me send her regards to your family."

Stephanie and Hunter swapped glances, then Hunter shook his head with sympathy. The woman deserved an award for bitch of the year, he thought. Can't she just take a break for her own son? He placed Seth down and went to hug Dean instead.

"Come here, big man, " He said, " It's a good thing you and my son are friends again. You know you are welcome here anytime you want, okay? "

"I know, Mr. Helmsley, "Dean smiled, " Kane said the same thing. He adopted me , so he's going to look out for me like Seth,"

Stephanie was a little surprised to hear it, but she still felt happy to see the three kids had became friends again, and for a temporary moment all the things burdening her mind were lightening down as she watched Dean and Roman were all over her husband, laughing at each other. Until she saw Randy and Kane emerged from upstairs, walking towards them.

"Hi dad, Mom, 'Randy said cheerfully. " I had something to tell you both, " He said, briefly looking at Kane who stood beside him. Hunter stared at them suspiciously.

"What is it? "Stephanie asked.

"Well, I had soccer game tomorrow. " Randy began, "Will you guys come to watch it?"

"Oh really? You guys just starting the season and already had a match? " Hunter asked , impressed. "Are you kidding me? Of course we are coming! I'm not gonna miss my son's first soccer game!"

"Thanks Dad. " Randy laughed, "It's just a friendly match. It's between my team and team Cena. Mr. Heyman made me the team captain," He added proudly.

Stephanie and Hunter burst into laughter. "Oohh..its Team Authority against team Cena, " She joked ,kissing Randy on the cheek.

"Now that sound awesome, 'Hunter said, "I'm so proud of you son. Tell you what, since tomorrow is Saturday, we are going to watch your game together. All of us, Seth , Kane, we'll be cheering for you, "

"Can we take this little puppy along, Dad?" Kane suddenly interjected as he pulled Dean towards him. The boy giggled coyly.

"Well, sure thing, Kane, " Hunter approved, "We'll let your mom know first if she can allow us to take you Dean, "

"Yay! Don't worry about her, she would only be busy working, " Dean said, " It's not like she cares about me, after all."

"Now Dean, just cut her some slack. Maybe she's really snowed under, " Kane said turning to Roman beside him." What about you Roman? Your family had any plans tomorrow?" He asked.

"Uh, ' Roman said shyly, "Usually on Saturday my dad took our family to movie theater, so I guess I can't be joining you guys. But I wish Randy's team all luck," He assured, giving Randy a high five.

"That's cool, " Hunter said, " Maybe some other time we can do family gathering, " He suggested.

"That's right, "Stephanie grinned, "So you guys had dinner and all? "

"Yup, " Seth answered, "Can we stay up a little late, Mom? You know, since tomorrow is Saturday, no school?"

"Okay, honey, but not too late, alright." Stephanie nodded in consent. "Your parents know you both are sleeping over here tonight, right? ' She asked Dean and Roman, who nodded quickly.

"I texted Dean's mom and Roman's dad. They 're cool, " Kane said, staring at his mother. Stephanie did not say anything, though.

His Iphone suddenly rang, and Kane looked at the caller ID on the screen. "Excuse me for a moment, " He said and hurriedly went into the kitchen to talk in private.

"So you made up your mind? " He asked the caller once he was alone in the kitchen.

"Yes. I've been thinking about our conversation this morning, and I decided to take up your offer. Where can we begin?"

"Well, you know Lawler and Ross private school right?" Kane asked, "How about we meet there tomorrow."

"Are you kidding me? Of course I do. But tomorrow is Saturday,"

"I know, dummy. My brother Randy had a soccer game tomorrow, so our whole family would be there. My parents, Seth and Dean. You might wanna see us there at eleven o'clock. Don't screw this up, alright?"

"Alright. I'll text you when I get there."

"Cool. Thank you,"

"No, Kane. Thank you. For doing this to me. It means a lot to me,"

"You're welcome, my friend. Anytime." Kane said, and quickly hung up as soon as he saw Dean was strolling into the kitchen.

"Who are you talking to? "Dean asked, tugging at Kane's shirt.

"No one buddy. Just an old friend, " Kane smiled as he lifted Dean up and sat him on the counter. "Why are you not sleeping yet? " He asked.

"I'm not sleepy, " Dean replied, "Seth and Roman wanted to watch a movie. But I don't like the movie. It's boring, " He said, and Kane laughed.

"How come ? What movie you watching? Frozen?" Kane pinched Dean's small nose.

"Noooooo, "Dean shook his head , "Frozen is for girls . They are watching Despicable Me. I have watched that movie three times, "

"The movie's not bad. I think Seth had watched it before, "Kane pondered, "Oh yeah. He never finish it because halfway through the movie Randy spilled popcorn and Coke on him. They both could never settle anything down longer than half an hour, " He chuckled.

"At least they were having fun, right? " Dean said. "I always watch movie alone . Mommy never spare her time to sit with me . She said animated movies are boring. But then, I think all movie types are boring to her, "

"Oh." It was all Kane could say. He didn't know why, but he suddeny felt so awkward that he went to the fridge to pretend to look for something. He took a can of soda anyway , trying to think of something else to say.

"Kane? "The child called.

"Yeah, buddy? " Kane replied nonchalantly, as he struggled to cork the soda open.

"Seth said you are leaving for military school next week." Dean said calmly. "Are you really going there? "

"Yeah, Dean. I don't want to, but , my it was my mom and dad's decision, " Kane nodded, " I have done something bad that they had to send me there."

"That means you are going to leave me. " Dean said. "And Seth, Randy."

"Yeah, but doesn't mean that I will not remember you. I'd still be back once in awhile, you know. And if I have free time, I'd definitely pay you a visit and we can play video games together. I promise you." Kane tried to assure, but Dean wasn't buying it. "And you know you have Seth and Roman to keep you company. "

"But it would not be the same if you are not around, "Dean said unhappily, "Can't you tell your mom not to send you there? "

"Trust me Dean, my mom's decision is final. " Kane shook his head, "I am the last thing she ever want to listen in this world, " He added sadly.

"Then I'll ask her myself please don't send you to military school. Would you like that?" Dean offered, making Kane tempted to laugh , but at the same time he was touched by the way Dean was concerned about him.

"Oh, buddy. I'd sure like to, " Kane smiled, kissing the top of Dean's auburn head. At the same time, Stephanie walked in, and both Dean and Kane fell silent as they watched her going to the fridge.

"Hi guys, " Stephanie tried to sound casual. "Dean, you are not watching the movie with Seth and Roman? " She asked, taking the bottle of milk from the fridge and reaching for a glass.

Kane watched his mother poured the milk into the glass. "Dean had already watched it three times, " he blurted out.

"Yeah, Mrs. Helmsley. I'm bored of it, " Dean confirmed, and Stephanie cracked a smile in amusement.

"Why don't you pick something else then? "Stephanie asked.

"I think I just want to go to bed, " Dean yawned. "Kane please tuck me in, " He pleaded to Kane with puppy eyes.

"Alright, why don't you go brush you teeth, " Kane smiled, "Say good night to my mom, Dean, " He asked.

"Good night, Mrs. Helmsley," Dean said, "Before I go to bed, can I ask you something? "

"Sure, Dean. Go ahead, " Stephanie said as she took a sip of her milk , glancing at Kane who pretended to fidget with his can of soda.

"Can you not make Kane go to the military school? I wish he could stay behind so I won't have to miss him so much, " Dean asked innocently.

Stephanie was astonished and almost choked on the milk she was drinking, too flabbergasted to say anything, and she looked at Kane, pleading silently for him to help. She had not expected the newly formed bond between Dean and Kane was that strong that Dean actually was so concerned that Kane was leaving him, and even Seth and Randy never asked her such thing.

"You'll consider it, right Mom?' Kane quickly interjected, winking at Stephanie to send a signal for her to just confirm what he said. We'll talk about this later, he conveyed the message to his mother .

"Yeah, Dean, 'Stephanie nodded eagerly, " I think Seth and Randy did not want this either. I might discuss it with my husband first. After all, we still can't find a new babysitter for them, " She smiled as she gave a kiss on Dean's cheek.

"Thanks, Mom. I really love that, "Kane pretended to smile. "Now let's go to bed , Dean. I want to check if there's any monster under your bed, " He joked.

Dean laughed in amusement. "Seth told me there are monsters in Randy's room, "

"Really? Let's be quick, I will dispose them in case they are coming for you next, " Kane scooped Dean up on to his shoulders and brought him out of the kitchen.

Stephanie stood alone in the kitchen, watching her son gone as she felt another shed of tear began to form in her eyes. She didn't know which was more heartbreaking to her, losing Kane in few days or planted a false hope in a child's innocent dreams.

a/n: I am really sorry for the late update because I have to be away to attend to something else and had to go without internet connection for several days, and could not not access to anything, let alone uploading a new chapter. I'm still juggling with stuff and I tried to steal a few hours for this, so I'm sorry if this chapter is quite lame. I promise I will update some more as soon as possible as my schedule is so limited right now, but I will be back. Thanks for reading! I love you guys.