Kyle sat on the step of Rachel's house waiting for her to return from her job at the Soto Café. He checked his watch; seven o'clock. Rachel said she got off at six thirty. "Where is she?" He had planned this really special picnic for them, down to the last detail. It was going to be perfect. He heard the door open behind him and turned to see a small girl, probably around nine, with her blonde hair pulled into two pigtails and her blue eyes staring at the boy in front of her incredulously. She crossed her arms in front of her and Kyle noticed the ratty teddy bear hanging by its arm in her grasp.

"Who are you?" she asked. Her voice held a curious yet suspicious edge to it. Kyle smiled his most dazzling smile at her.

"Well aren't you cute," he commented. The girl narrowed her eyes.

"Who are you?" she asked again. Kyle stood.

"My name's Kyle. I'm a friend of Rachel's." The girl turned and called into the house.

"Mom! One of Rachel's friends is here!" Kyle soon heard the clop of heels coming toward him. A woman, probably in her late thirties, stepped up behind the little girl. She was slender, Kyle could tell because her fancy violet dress hugged her curves, but was somehow still modest. Her slick black hair was tied into a neat bun and her skin was a peach color that showed she spent a little time outdoors. Her thin lips were stained red and pulled into a smile as her kind green eyes stared at Kyle curiously. Judging by the dress and the black heeled boots she was probably going somewhere mainstream.

"Oh? And who might this friend be?" Kyle cleared his throat.

"I'm Kyle Riley." He saw the women's eyes light up.

"So you're the mysterious Kyle Riley we've heard so much about." The boy inwardly smirked. "Melvin, why don't you let Kyle in?" To Kyle she said, "Rachel should be home soon." With that she walked back into the house. Kyle turned his attention back to the kid in front of him and noticed she was smiling shyly now.

"Follow me," she chirped.

Kyle stepped inside the door and found himself in the living room. The walls were a light blue color while the trim was a bright white. The floor was hard wood and the furniture consisted of a brown loveseat and couch, a teal ottoman. All centered around a sixty inch plasma. Kyle gave a low whistle.

"Nice place you got here, Mrs. Roth."

"Thank you. But I'm not a Roth. Please call me Laura Jones," the woman called back from down the hall. Kyle raised a brow.

"You're not related to Rachel?" he asked. Laura walked into the living room, putting earrings in her ear. A sad smile crossed her features before she busied herself with straightening her dress.

"No. I'm not. Rachel's my foster child; along with Melvin, Timmy and Teether." Kyle looked at the little blonde girl sitting on the couch, watching TV with her bear still clutched in her hand. Suddenly a loud wail came from one of the back rooms. Out came running this little kid with blazing red hair and freckles scattered across his face. Tears fell from the kid's hazel eyes. "Speak of the devil," said Laura. "What's wrong Timmy?" The crying boy held up a piece of blue cloth.

"My…blanky…ripped!" he cried between each sniff. Sure enough there was a huge rip in the fabric. Laura took the piece of cloth away from the loud child.

"Don't worry we'll fix it," she soothed. Melvin ran over to Timmy and offered him her teddy bear.

"Here Timmy, you can have Bobby until your blanky gets fixed," she offered. The red head stared at the toy for a moment but slowly took it from the blonde's hand and hugged it tightly. He sniffed and wiped his nose on his sleeve. Kyle simply sat on the couch watching the whole scene unfold before him. As soon as the kids sat down on the loveseat he asked,

"You named your teddy bear Bobby?" Melvin looked over at the ocean eyed teen.

"Yep."

"Why?"

"Felt like it," she answered curtly. Kyle chuckled. Rachel had rubbed off on this kid. Just then the front door opened and in walked Rachel.

"Sorry I'm late guys. The café was-" she stopped once she noticed Kyle sitting on the couch, smiling his usual smile at her. "-packed."

"Hey Rae," the boy greeted.

"Rae-Rae!" exclaimed Timmy as he zoomed to her side. Rachel absently kneeled down and hugged the child before being tackled by Melvin as well. She glanced at Kyle but quickly turned her attention back to her siblings. "How your day today, Rae-Rae?" asked Timmy.

"I was busy, buddy. How about yours?" Timmy's smile instantly vanished as he clutched the teddy bear tighter to his chest. Rachel noticed this. She looked over to Melvin.

"He ripped his blanket…again." Rachel nodded and then looked back at the sad little boy.

"Well, I'll just have to fix it, wont I?" Rachel stood up and walked over to where Laura had put the piece of cloth. Said person was leaning her shoulder against the wall. "Hey Mom. Do you have a banquet tonight?" she asked noticing the dress. Laura pulled Rachel into a hug and kissed the top of her head.

"Afraid so. And I'll need you to watch the kids tonight."

"But Kyle and I were going to-"

"I don't mind helping out with the kids," came Kyle's voice from the couch. Rachel looked over in his direction and sent him a 'are you sure' look. "Don't worry Rae. We can always go on a picnic some other time," he reassured. Rachel gave a small smile in return. Laura smiled at the two teens.

"Well now that that's settled, I'd better be going." She kissed the tops of the younger kid's heads and with one more glance at her watch, left out the front door. Rachel sighed and went over to a drawer and pulled out a blue thread and needle. Kyle gave her a questioning glance.

"You have the same color thread as the blanket?"

"Well, after the first ten times he ripped this blanket we decided it would be best," was her reply. Kyle nodded and decided to stretch out across the couch. A moment of silence went by. Then,

"OUCH!" Rachel looked over from where she was sewing the blanket and saw Kyle cradling his hand. Sitting on the floor beside the couch, an innocent look on his face, was a small blue eyed, blonde haired baby.

Rachel had to hold back a chuckle. Melvin and Timmy on the other hand didn't even try. Rachel then cleared her throat, walked over and picked up the littlest child. "Now Teether, what have I told you about biting people," she asked him in a sweet and somehow stern voice. The baby simply giggled and clapped his hands. Kyle shook his hand.

"I can see why he's called Teether," he muttered sitting up. The baby turned his gaze back to Kyle and had an apologetic look on his face. Kyle smiled. "Don't worry little guy. I'm tough." Rachel rolled her eyes as Kyle flexed his arms over dramatically.

"Oh yeah. You're real tough," she said. Kyle gave her a look of mock hurt. Melvin rolled her eyes at both of them.

"Get a room you two," she said. Both teens looked over at her, slight color tinting their cheeks. Timmy and Teether looked back and forth between the other people in the room, both completely lost. Timmy then hopped up and pulled on the leg of Rachel's jeans.

"Blanky fixed?" he asked. Rachel nodded as she sat down next to Kyle on the couch, Teether on her lap.

"Its on the table." Timmy smiled and ran over to get his possession, leaving Melvin's teddy bear on the ottoman. Melvin sighed and picked up her animal. Timmy jumped back on the loveseat next to Melvin and curled up with his blanket. Both turned their attention to the TV that was playing some cartoon. Kyle watched as Rachel lay down and put her feet on Kyle's lap, Teether straddling her stomach as she made silly faces at him. The baby giggled.

"Well I have to admit Rae; I've never seen you act like this before." Rachel looked over at him.

"That's because these kids some how manipulate me," she replied. Kyle rolled his eyes.

"Yes, they are just evil masterminds of manipulation aren't they? You can see it in their eyes." Rachel jerked her leg and kicked him in the stomach playfully. A moment of silence passed between them.

"Hey, Rae? Why didn't you tell me about…this?" he asked, gesturing around the room and at the kids.

"Why didn't I tell you about me being a foster kid you mean?" She shrugged. "I didn't think it mattered. I'm still me and that's all there is to it."

Kyle smirked. "Good. Cause I like you…just the way you are." Rachel rolled her blue eyes at him.

"I guess I like you too," she admitted. Teether clapped.

"Like!" he shouted. Both teens laughed.

******* Around ten o'clock Kyle checked his watch and groaned. He stretched his arms above his head and let out a yawn. He looked over to find Melvin and Timmy asleep and sprawled across the loveseat and ottoman, their possessions clutched to their chests. He then looked over at Rachel and saw her fast asleep as well; Teether curled up against her, on his way to dreamland. Kyle gently moved Rachel's feet off of himself and slid off the couch, placing her feet on the spot he used to occupy.

He stood and leaned over Rachel and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Goodnight, Rae." He saw the corners of her mouth twitch and then he stood up straight and headed for the door. Before he got there however the door opened and in came Laura, looking exhausted. She smiled at Kyle.

"I was just leaving, Mrs. Jones," he said. The woman nodded. She scanned the room and shook her head.

"I hope they didn't give you much trouble." Kyle shook his head.

"They were no trouble at all. Though I found out why you call the baby Teether," he said showing her his hand. She chuckled and nodded her head.

"Im sorry you had to cancel your date plans with Rachel."

"Its no big deal. I had fun tonight."

"Well…thank you. Rachel sure has found herself a catch." Kyle gave her a dazzling smile.

"I'm glad you approve. Have a good night Mrs. Jones." We walked passed her and out the door.

"You too. Oh and Kyle," she called. The boy stopped and turned to face her. "Call me Laura." Kyle smiled and nodded before disappearing down the street. Tonight might not have gone as he planned, but it was still...perfect.

***** YAY I finally did something with Melvin, Timmy, and Teether! Go me! Go me! Well R&R suckas!