Long Chapter here folks, as Gene, Alex and Adam adjust to life in the Hunt/Drake household… Expect fireworks! ;).
Don't own Ashes.
Chapter 3.
Next morning, Alex was the first to wake. Lightly treading down the stairs, she smiled softly as she heard Gene's loud snores and laughed quietly to herself. His snoring at times could more than likely be heard throughout the entire neighbourhood, especially after helping himself to bottle of whiskey.
Heading into the kitchen, Alex flicked on the kettle and set about tidying the mess that Gene had made the night before, and set about making two cups of tea and bringing one in to rest alongside his cigarettes on the coffee table in the living room. That would stop his inevitable moodiness as Gene was most certainly not a morning person!
After showering and dressing quickly, Alex returned to the kitchen and set about making breakfast for the three of them. Knowing that the sound and smell of bacon frying would rouse Gene, she threw it into the pan. Minutes later, she heard Gene entering the kitchen, snorting as he glanced nervously in her direction as he crossed to the sink and threw his mug into it before quickly glancing over his shoulder at her and hastily turned back to wash his mug, even drying it and placing it back in the cupboard.
God he must think I'm about to kill him, though who can blame him, I was a right cow last night to him! Alex looked up from her cooking and threw him a small smile as he spoke in a cautious tone.
"Alright?"
Trying to stop the grin from breaking free, she nodded and turned down the hob, letting the food cook slowly and walked over to him.
"Morning. Slept ok? I didn't mean for you to sleep down here y'know. Look last night, I was taken by surprise. I know I acted like a complete bitch but to be fair, how else was I going to react? Your son, who I didn't even know existed, turns up and your making all the decisions suddenly and bugger what I think. It wasn't fair Gene. I thought I, our relationship meant more to you than that! What did you say when we moved in here, if we were going to do this; we'd be equals, partners. Have you forgotten that!"
Gene sighed and pulled her into his arms and kissing her forehead.
"Bolls, I know I should have said but to be honest I didn't know what to tell yer. I 'aven't seen 'im properly in over two years. I presumed that 'is mam told 'im how much of a bastard I was and that he didn't want anything to do with me. When he turned up, I could hardly turn 'im away could I? I'm sorry I didn't tell yer but I honestly thought that I wouldn't see 'im again. I didn't mean to block yer out. I just wanted to do the right thing. Yer still me number one yer know! Even when yer act like a moody mare!"
Alex glanced up at him and laughed at his teasing, relieved that they seemed to be back to normal. Smiling Gene gave her one last kiss and then sniffed.
"Are we having burnt offerings for breakfast again Bolls?"
"Oh shit. Just what I need!"
Gene laughed as Alex ran back towards the cooker and tried to rescue their fry up.
As Alex set the table while Gene poured the tea, Alex glanced at the clock, seeing that it was just going on 10:00.
"Right, can you get his lordship up please? I'm not letting this food go cold. Oh and if he's staying here for the foreseeable, he's going to have to pull his weight! I need you to explain that Gene.
Nodding and giving her a pat on the bum, Gene walked into the hallway and shouted up the stairs for Adam. Not getting any reply, he stomped up the stairs, making sure his loud footsteps wouldn't be unheard and opened the bedroom door. Christ he'd only been here twelve hours and already the place was looking like a tip. Walking over to the bed, he leaned down into his son's ear.
"Oi! Sleeping beauty. Breakfast is on the table. Up yer get."
Adam groaned and pulled the covers up over his head, ignoring his dad.
"Adam, I swear I'll tip you out of this bed if yer not up in ten seconds. Alex has made an effort by making yer breakfast and I'm not letting yer sleep it out all day. Up now!"
Swearing at his dad, he tore back his bed covers and swung his legs out of the bed.
"Aright, jeez look I'm up alright! Blimey yer could 'ave deafened me dad. Anyway it's still early, couldn't she not just bring it up to me? That's what me mam always does."
Gene rolled his eyes and turned to open the curtains, letting the light fill the room. Not wanting his son to disrespect his girlfriend, he looked sternly at him before continuing.
"Well yer not in yer mam's now lad aright. Yer want to stay here with me then you respect Alex. She's not going to be running around after you, tidying up. I'm not gonna let yer treat her like she's yer maid. Otherwise yer can find somewhere else to stay. Now get down the stairs."
Grumbling Adam stalked out if the room and went downstairs with Gene following him.
Alex smiled at Adam as he entered the kitchen.
"Morning Adam. Hope that bed was ok. Right breakfast is up. I take it that seeing as you're a Hunt you won't say no to a fry up?"
Adam ignored her and took a seat opposite his dad, scowling as Gene rubbed Alex's back soothingly.
"Looks lovely luv. Don't mind 'im. It's too early for 'im apparently."
Alex giggled and they all began to eat in silence. As they finished up, Alex turned to Gene with a smile. "I'm going into town in a bit. I need to get the shopping done and I said I'd meet Shaz for a coffee as well. Can I take the Quattro please? I take it you two are just going to sit about and watch the football?"
Gene got up and collected the plates, bringing them over to the sink and nodded at Alex.
"Ok Bolls. But yer better not scratch it, otherwise yer gonna pay. Can yer get a few of them chocolate biccies that I like and get a couple of beers."
Alex wrote them down on her list and turned to Adam smiling.
"Anything you need while I'm out! What sort of things do you like to eat?"
Adam smirked at her before replying smartly.
"Food."
Alex sighed and turned to Gene raising her eyebrows before replying
"Your right. He's not really a morning person is he? Well that's helpful Adam, thank you very much! If I come back with stuff you don't like, don't even think about complaining! I'll see you two later"
With that, Alex gathered her list and her bag, before giving Gene a kiss and walked out into the hall.
Gene glared at Adam before following her.
"Blimey, I'm sorry about 'im. I did have a word but it looks like he has other plans. I'll lay down the law though ok? I'm not having him talk to you like that. Have a good afternoon and try not to get carried away with all that girly shopping. The wardrobe's heaving already without yer adding to it! Though if yer want to buy me something nice, I won't complain."
Gene growled as Alex leant in for a passionate kiss. Not even caring that they could probably be overheard, Alex gave him a sexy smirk before opening the door.
"I'll see what I can do. Love you."
With a final kiss and a goodbye to Adam, Alex left the house.
As Alex waited for Shaz in their favourite cafe, she thought back over events from the past 24 hours. She wanted to like Adam, she really did but how was she meant to be nice to someone who obviously hated her guts? She tried to remind herself that as he was Gene's son, she'd have no choice but to keep being nice and make an effort. After all, she didn't want to lose him.
Looking up from the menus that were left on the table, she grinned as she saw Shaz enter, laden with bags.
"Hey sorry I'm late. I overslept then Chris and me were a bit busy so I was late out the door. Are u here long?"
Alex winked at Shaz before cheekily deciding to tease her best friend.
"A bit busy, is that what it's called nowadays? I'll have to remember that for the next time Gene and I are busy!"
Both girls giggled as the couple seating beside them threw them funny looks. Shaz winked at Alex before continuing.
"Anyway, are you two still coming on Friday night? Why did I decide to organise Chris a surprise birthday? I'm terrified that Ray will let slip and say something. His mum is driving me up the wall too! Urgh, why didn't I just keep it simple and book a table in a fancy restaurant?! Seriously stop laughing Lex. When you and Gene are happily married, you'll be sorry you mocked me on this!"
Alex giggled harder at the mock glare on her best friends face and tried to calm down.
"I'm sorry but it will be fine. It will be a great night and yes, myself and Gene will be there, although we'll probably have to bring our new housemate. Did Chris ever mention that Gene has a son, Adam, to you?"
Shaz looked at her in confusion, indicating her to continue.
"Last night, his son turned up, he's seventeen and is the image of Gene only trouble is, he's a big pain in the arse! He's terrible Shaz. Barely says two words to means when he does, he's just a smart arse. I can't say anything because, well I don't want Gene to think I'm not being supportive or making an effort do I?"
Alex sighed and Shaz reached over and squeezed her hand. Typical blokes, always forget to mention the important things.
"I'll kill Chris later for not telling me! Look, just keep making the effort. Don't lose your temper or you'll play into his hands. He obviously wants his dad to himself. I'd say that finding you and Gene happy was not what he expected. Just keep calm and let him be a smart arse. Gene will take your side if he sees what's going on. As for Friday night, you make sure that it's just going to be you and Gene that goes. That will put the wind out of his sails."
Alex nodded and the two ordered lunch.
When Alex returned home later that afternoon, she was met with a messy house and Gene and Adam sat in front of the telly.
"Judging by the state of our house, I take it you two had an enjoyable afternoon? Did the maid not make an appearance or did you both decide that I'd clean up when I came home?"
Alex stormed into the kitchen and slammed the shopping down onto the table and put it away, slamming the cupboards for good measure. Hearing Gene enter the kitchen, Alex turned angrily to him.
"What the bloody hell is yer problem Alex? I had a nice afternoon catching up with MY son! Don't talk to me like that again in front of 'im yer hear me? I'm not going to put up with it. So what if the place is messy, who cares?"
Although, she didn't care if Adam heard her giving out, Alex slammed the door into the hall shut and rounded on Gene.
"The point is Hunt, it's our house yet I'm the one that's going to have to clean up your mess. Why should I? We agreed this morning, that he'd have to pull his weight, you talked to him about it for crying out loud! He's not going to lounge about and let me be his personal maid. I won't put up with it. Not by him and certainly not by you."
Alex turned and began to make a start on dinner ignoring Gene as he went back into the living room.
"Breathe Alex. Do not give him the satisfaction."
As Gene and Adam entered the kitchen as Alex was plating up.
As Alex placed a plate in front of Adam, he pushed it away.
"Er what's that?"
" 'That' Adam is pasta bake."
"Looks terrible. I'm not eating it. Get me something else."
Alex looked towards Gene and raised her eyebrows, indicating she wanted back up but still annoyed at her for earlier, he ignored her. Gritting her teeth, Alex turned back to the moody teenager, willing herself not to tip the plate over his head. Somehow she didn't think he or Gene would appreciate it!
"Well Adam, if you remember I asked you earlier what you like to eat and all I got was a helpful reply with 'food', it's your dinner and that's that. I won't be making you anything else."
With that, Alex grabbed her own plate and stabbed her fork into her dinner.
Later that night, when Adam had retreated to his room, Gene sat down beside Alex.
"Look about earlier, he doesn't mean it, he's just adjusting and seeing how far he can push the boundaries, that's all."
Alex switched off the telly and pulled the curtains getting ready for bed.
"Boundaries? Gene he's seventeen not a bloody toddler. Give me a break. He's not pushing the boundaries. He's being downright rude and your letting him do it. He's not staying here any longer if he keeps it up!"
Gene narrowed his eyes as he clenched his knuckles.
"Right. That's it. I ain't going to say it again. He's my son and he is staying until I say otherwise. I'm going to bed. You can stay here and be miserable or come with me, it's up to you."
As Gene walked out of the room, he met Adam coming down the stairs.
"You ok lad?"
"Yeah dad, just getting a drink. See yer in the morning."
Making sure that his dad was out of earshot, he entered the living room, spotting Alex. He plastered a smirk on his face as stood in front of her.
"You feeling better after yer little tantrum earlier? Here's a bit of advice. Whatever yer may think, I'm staying here and if I were you I'd be a little bit nicer to me. I mean let's face it, who is 'e going to side with? You, a gobby tart, who can't keep her mouth shut, or me, his son, his flesh and blood. It's simple. Keep out of my way and we'll all be happy. Got it. Night!"
With one last smirk, Adam went back upstairs, leaving a fuming Alex swearing after him.
"What a little shit!"
She was going to have her work cut out for her that's for sure.
TBC.
Yes, Alex, I think you may be right!
Such a charming and nice character isn't he? ;)