Chapter Two

Henrietta's Pizza

10 PM Friday

The Stepfather had a saying he's kept in the back of his mind since he was a kid. Pizza was always the question and the answer. Hungry and don't feel like cooking? Pizza. Hungry but already cooked? Pizza. Tension rising between the family and need something to break it? Pizza.

Pizza every time.

And tonight was no exception. Sure, pizza likely wouldn't solve the issues between Ellie and Beth considering the latter didn't speak to her during and after the former's very abrupt divorce but it would be a start. Pizza was always the question and answer.

And honestly?

He wasn't sure where he was going with that train of thought but he was hungry and waiting in a pizzeria with three equally hungry children also wasn't helping.

They had already ordered and were sitting at a table waiting for the food. Across from him were sixteen-year-old Bridget and fifteen-year-old Danny. Bridget had white skin, short black hair, and brown eyes and she wore a red short sleeve shirt, black shorts, and black boots. Danny had white skin, short blonde hair, and blue eyes and he wore a blue short sleeve shirt, black shorts with yellow lines, and black and white shoes. And sitting beside him was twelve year old Kassie. She had white skin, long blonde hair, and blue eyes and she wore denim overall shorts over a white short sleeve shirt and white and red shoes.

They've mostly been quiet around him but he knew they were more talkative when he wasn't around. It did hurt a bit but he understood why so he sat silently for a moment before deciding he needed to try and talk to them. He asked Bridget about a new friend she made in the neighborhood.

"She's nice… We're going to a protest tomorrow." Bridget said with a small smile while Danny rolled his eyes. He then offered to take her and her friend there. But then her smile disappeared… "That's okay… Her dad already offered… Thank you though…"

He simply nodded and the awkwardness returned.

So he tried again by asking Danny how DJing was going.

"Okay…" Danny answered quietly. Bridget elbowed him. "Um… Still working on something." He nodded and told him when they start at their new school, they're be plenty of parties where DJs are needed. Danny nodded with a small strained smile of his own.

And the awkwardness was back.

Until they were called to grab their pizza and drinks. Quickly, Bridget stood and pulled Danny up by the elbow.

"You drove us here. We'll carry the food and drinks. Come on, Danny."

And they were gone. As he stood with Kassie, he let out a quiet sigh until he felt a smaller hand pull at his own hand. He looked down to see Kassie staring up at him with a small smile. He gave her a questioning look.

"Can you read me another one of your stories later?" He chuckled lightly and told her yes, he would love to.

And her smile widened.

Apartment 13E, 13th Floor, Monde Apartments

The Stepfather placed another washed plate in the dish rack before cleaning another dirty plate. Dinner had been less awkward and more talkative as he imagined with pizza and drinks to loosen everyone up. It seemed Ellie and Beth talked and seemed to reach some kind of understanding while they were gone.

Truthfully, he didn't dislike Beth. He knew siblings sometimes went down different paths, having different wants in life. And truthfully, he only knew a little of the path Beth went down. He knew she worked with music instruments, specifically guitars. He also knew she had been following some up and coming band he never heard of around the west coast. When talking about her frustration regarding Beth, Ellie had referred to her as a groupie… and he had a feeling he knew her thoughts on that.

Really, he understood but he wasn't going to get between them.

…

But it seemed the universe disagreed with him considering said girl was leaning against the kitchen counter with her arms crossed, staring intently at him with an unreadable expression. Beth had white skin, short black hair, and green eyes and she wore a burgundy short sleeve v-neck short dress and black boots. He stopped doing the dishes and looked at her.

Awkwardly, he said hi…

"So… Uh… You're old, right?" Beth asked in an unsure manner… Which he responded with a raised eyebrow and a look of bewilderment. "Shit…Bad joke…" She muttered before she tried again. "I meant, you know stuff… About parenting…?" His look stayed the same… "Okay, what if Ellie was pregnant?-" His eyes widened and his mouth gaped and Beth copied his expression. "No! Wait! She's not pregnant!" He relaxed a little, still unsure of where this was going… "But… What if she was? Do you think you would want to have your own kid? I mean not that Bridget, Danny, and Kassie aren't-!"

He raised his hand to stop her. He told her he understood and that he would be happy to have a kid with Ellie.

"But how do you know if you're ready…?" Beth asked quietly. He only stared at her… Hesitantly, she nodded… He asked if Ellie knew…

"Not yet…" She lowered her head and her arms fell to her sides… He gave a quiet sigh and told her anyone can prepare but no one will know if they're ready to be a parent. He then told her to answer one simple question.

Would she try to be a good mom?

"Of course…" He gave her a stern look. "Of course!" Beth answered more annoyed but confidently. His expression softened and he told her that's the only question worth asking and the only answer worth giving. She seemed to think for a moment before slowly walking back to her bedroom. But she stopped before leaving the kitchen and whispered words he faintly heard before she resumed walking.

"Thank you…"

He simply smiled and returned to the dishes.

A short chapter for more character moments and development so apologies. But the main characters have been introduced and the backstories have been given. The next chapter will be the beginning of the end with the appearance of the Book of the Dead... Also, I may have a Scream 6 one-shot published tonight or tomorrow... Anyway, until next time.