A/N: I promise I am not giving up on this story. Things have been a bit busier lately for me, so I havent had as much time to write. I appreciate everyone sticking around! I hope you enjoy the new chapter!

Chapter 38

Cleanup Crew

Olivia ended up staying with Alex and her family through the end of the year, which she hadn't expected to do originally. But Alex, herself, and even Rosemary came up with every excuse in the book for Olivia not to go back each day. So, they all spent the rest of their time together talking, playing games, watching movies, exploring East Hampton, and just having fun together. Finally, Olivia decided that she would head back on New Year's Day to get ready for classes to start on the next Monday.


"10 more minutes! And then it's 2014!" Rosemary said, pouring herself and Brenda Novak another glass of champagne as Ronald, Dave, and William opened more beers.

"I can't believe it. Another year gone. And now our babies are all grown up and in college!" Brenda wiped a stray tear from her eye as she clinked her glass with Rosemary's, downing the golden liquid.

"Mom, stop," Casey droned, dipping a chip in some salsa before eating it. "It's okay!"

"Hey, let me have this moment!" A tipsy Brenda wrapped her arms around her daughter, holding her tightly to her as Casey groaned.

"Hey, I need some love too," a tipsy Rosemary chimed in, wrapping her arms around Alex. After a brief hug, she then outstretched an arm and motioned for Olivia. "You too. Get over here, Olivia. You need a mother's hug too!"

Olivia smiled and gave Rosemary a huge hug, who had now completely abandoned her embrace on Alex.

"Oh, Olivia. You're such a sweet girl. You can have all the hugs you want, dear. Any time you need them!"

"Thanks, Rosemary. You're a pretty amazing woman," Olivia said, hugging Rosemary tightly.

"Thank you, dear. I love you just like my own, you know that, right?" Rosemary was now pulled back from Olivia, her arms on her shoulders as she talked to her.

"I sure do, Ma'am. Thank you, again. Honestly. For everything. I'll never forget it."

"Okay, okay, can I have my girlfriend back now, please? I need her for my New Year's kiss!" Alex pleaded, holding onto Olivia's waist and trying to pull her back to her.

"Oh, fine," Rosemary grumbled, letting Olivia go.

"Lucky. I wish Trevor was here," Casey complained, dramatically sighing and leaning her head in her hand.

"You can kiss him when you go back, sweetheart. It'll still be your first kiss of the New Year," Brenda said, trying to cheer Casey up.

"I know. I just miss him is all. And I know he misses me too." Casey smiled as she picked up her phone to send a text to her boyfriend.

"Okay, come on, everyone! To the living room to watch the ball!" Rosemary motioned for everyone to move into the living room to count down the last few moments before the new year.

Watching the final 30 seconds count down, everyone in the house was chanting until the ball finally reached the bottom, and the clock turned to 12:00, January 1st. William grabbed Rosemary and Ronald grabbed Brenda, pulling them into sweet, wholesome kisses as their daughters clapped for them in their usual fashion. Dave, keeping the mood light, started gagging as he leaned against the wall, causing the girls to laugh.

Finally, Olivia turned to Alex to put her left hand on the back of her neck and her right hand on her waist, pulling her in for a strong kiss. Alex draped her arms over Olivia's shoulders and returned the kiss before briefly pulling away to part her lips slightly, taking Olivia's lower lip in-between hers. As the seconds ticked on, their kissing grew heavier; tongues exploring each other's mouths as Casey encouraged them on, causing their parents to break away from their own innocent embraces and look over.

"Alright, alright, let's keep it PG, Alex!" Rosemary said, waving her arms at Alex, whose tongue was visibly swirling around with Olivia's.

As Olivia tried to break away, Alex grabbed her face, keeping them together as she continued to kiss her.

"Alex!" Rosemary tried again, but Alex wasn't listening. "Alexandra!"

Finally, Alex pulled away from Olivia, dragging her bottom lip with her between her teeth before releasing it.

"Jesus, Lex!" Casey said, laughing as Olivia dropped her head to her chest, not being able to look up and meet Rosemary's eyes.

"Sorry," Alex finally said, blushing as she wrapped her arms around Olivia, nuzzling her head into her neck. "Got a little carried away I guess."

"It's the Cabot lust," Dave chortled, winking at his niece, earning a sigh from Rosemary.

"Are you really going back tomorrow?" Alex asked, pouting her lower lip out.

"Yeah, I need to, Al. I've gotta get some things done before the semester starts."

Alex nodded her head and gave Olivia another kiss before joining the family in their ongoing conversation.


"Oh no way!" Elliot said, mouth wide open as he stared at the TV in the living room, controller in hand. "These graphics are insane. So much better than the 360!"

Olivia wore a proud smile on her face as she ran through a building and shot someone. "Right? I really can't believe Alex's parents got me this…"

Elliot laughed as he too got a kill in the game. "They must really like you then."

"They do. Which is really great, because I love her, El," Olivia admitted proudly.

Elliot paused the game to turn and look at Olivia, a giant grin on his face. "You love her, huh?"

Olivia's face immediately went red. "I do, El. I really do."

Elliot then threw an arm around Olivia's shoulder, pulling her closer to him and giving her some tight squeezes before resuming the game. "I'm happy for you, Liv. Honestly. Blondie's not so bad."

Olivia rolled her eyes as she chuckled. "Shut up."

After a couple rounds of the game, her phone starting to ring. Olivia again paused the game and picked up the phone, raising an eyebrow at the name across her screen. Rosemary was calling her.

"Hello?"

"Olivia dear! It's Rosemary. How are you?"

"I'm fine, how are you?" Olivia asked, getting up from the couch to stretch.

"Good, good. Hey, I wanted to let you know. We'll be pulling up to your place in about 5 minutes."

Olivia froze as she frantically looked around the townhouse, which still hadn't been cleaned.

"I – I'm sorry, w-what?"

Elliot, noticing Olivia's change of tone, stood up and looked at her, his face full of concern.

"You heard me! We'll see you and the boys soon, dear."

Before Olivia could respond, Rosemary hung up the phone. Mouth slightly agape, Olivia started chewing on her lip as she brought her free hand to her forehead.

"What's wrong?" Elliot asked, trying desperately to make eye contact with Olivia.

"Uhh… Apparently Alex and her mom are going to be here… in 5 minutes…" Olivia took one more look around the townhouse before closing her eyes and letting out a huge sigh.

"Well," Elliot said, putting his hands on his hips as he too looked around at the place. "That's not good."

Olivia shook her head and pursed her lips before calling for Tim and Johnny to join them in the living room. She quickly gave them the news before all four of them desperately tried to clean up the trashed townhouse.


The Day Before

Kathy: We've got a problem.

Alex: Oh no. What's wrong?

Casey: What's going on?

Amanda: What is it?

Kathy: Our boys, plus Olivia, didn't clean one fucking thing in that house… I just dropped Elliot off and ladies… we're dating slobs. Well, idk about you Casey lol.

Casey: Oh no, Trevor is a slob too. He's actually been hanging out with Johnny there a lot with Charlie, so… he's just as responsible I'm sure.

Alex: Really?? They didn't do ANYTHING?

Kathy: nnnoopppee… it's horrible. I went back to my apartment. No way am I staying there.

Amanda: why am I not surprised… Johnny's room looked like a tornado flew through it last time I was there…

Kathy: Elliot's too…

Alex: Yup, Liv too… I don't think one piece of her clothing is folded anymore. It's all in piles and she couldn't tell me what was clean or not. It was either "I think so" or "Who knows."

Kathy: we're gonna have to take a stand. Tell them we're not coming over until they clean.

Amanda: it won't work. They'll just show up at our places then, or… just not even care. They'll see it as an opportunity to play Xbox more… We gotta trick em.

Alex: How do we do that?

Casey: I have a suggestion (;

Alex: uh oh lol what?

Amanda: ?

Casey: tell them no sex until it's clean (;

Kathy: I've tried that before… doesn't work.

Casey: wait, why not?

Kathy: two reasons. One, they have porn and the internet. Two, I may also not be very good at sticking to that threat… lol

Alex: that would so work with Olivia. She can't resist me (;

Casey: I'm pretty sure you would cave before her, Alex… you're the horniest person I've ever met lmao

Alex: excuse me???? That's such a lie lol

Casey: really? Dinner with the parents? Thanksgiving? Our dorm room?! The night you guys made everyone in the house mad! I could go on, you know lol.

Alex: okay, okay, okay… I get it…

Amanda: Jesus lol

Kathy: not helping!!! We need a serious plan. But like, we have to trick them. What makes dumb boys and a lesbian freak out?

Amanda: this sounds like an opening to a bad joke…

Kathy: omg, focus lol

Casey: their parents?

Amanda: ohh, that's a good idea. Should we trick them that their parents are coming or something?

Kathy: I could convince Elliot that, but I know Liv doesn't give a shit about her mom. She wouldn't just leave them hanging though, so it could work. What about Johnny? And who the hell has reigns on Tim? Lol

Amanda: idk I haven't ever talked with him about his parents. So idk how that would work.

Alex: I kinda have an idea… it's a mean idea, but it'll work.

Kathy: what is it?

Casey: oh no, Alex… no.

Alex: yes Casey

Amanda: ???

Kathy: well?!

Casey: that would be so evil…

Kathy: okay I can't take this anymore, what is it?!

Alex: when Casey and I were like 16 and our parents left us home alone when we'd hang out, they always gave us a list of chores to do. So, naturally, Casey and I goofed off cuz our parents always told us what time they'd be home. Except, they would lie. Like they would tell us, "hey we'll be home by 7!" and then show up at 4 and yell at us for not doing anything lol.

Kathy: okay, okay. That could work. So we lie about the parents coming and then give them like a strict timeline?

Alex: kinda, but there's holes in the parent thing. I actually have a meaner idea. It would make Olivia freak out

Casey: Alex! Nooooo. I know where you're going with this.

Amanda: okay, what's the mean idea?

Alex: how about my mom actually shows up? Lmao.

Kathy: oh shit, think she'd be down?

Alex: absolutely. She is a clean freak, and will literally jump at any opportunity to see Liv. They're like best friends… which is weird.

Casey: dude if anyone will scare the boys into cleaning, it's fucking Rosemary Cabot lmao. And the boys are momma's boys, so it helps. That woman is gonna flip her lid on them when she sees the house lmao!

Alex: I have a feeling she'll somehow yell at me for their house being bad lol. I kinda hope she yells at Olivia lmao!

Amanda: Jesus, Alex lol

Casey: you're an asshole lmao

Alex: (;

Kathy: okay, great! How about tomorrow? You guys are already headed back to campus, right?

Alex: yup! Casey and I will talk to mom, then come pick you guys up, and we'll head over there.

Amanda: oh this will be great lol.

Casey: I'm already scared lmao

Kathy: let's do it!!


"This is so not good," Olivia said panicking, desperately flapping open the last trash bag in the house. "Why the fuck didn't we clean like we were supposed to before Christmas?!"

Elliot, carrying a handful of beer bottles, made his way to the kitchen to set them on the counter before heading back to the living room, gathering up more. "Because this cleaning shit sucks. I wish our women would just do it."

"Way to sound like a misogynist, El…" Olivia scoffed, swiping her arm across the counter to fling all of the contents into the bag.

"Wait, why do we have to clean just 'cause your girlfriend's mom is coming?" Tim complained, breaking apart empty beer boxes.

"Uhh, because we all fucking made this mess? I told you, I'm not cleaning up everyone's shit. We all live here, so we all do it," Olivia said, irritation in her voice.

"Tim, shut up," Johnny said, bringing out an armful of trash from his room. "Our girls have been bitching at us anyway about this. We gotta just do it."

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

Olivia sighed, dropping the nearly full trash bag to the floor, some of its contents spilling back out onto the floor. Elliot made his way to the door and opened it with a smile. Right as his eyes caught everyone waiting on the porch, his mouth dropped as Kathy pushed her way into the townhouse carrying bags from the store. She was followed by Alex, Casey, Amanda, and Rosemary; all of whom were also carrying bags.

"Hey there, boys! And Liv," Kathy greeted, an evil smile plastered across her face.

"Jesus… somehow this place got worse," Alex commented, looking around at the disorganized living room.

Rosemary sat her bags down and placed her hands on her hips, chewing her bottom lip as she looked around the place and sighed.

"Holy shit, her mom's hot!" Tim whispered to Olivia, earning himself a strong punch to the arm.

"Shut up! Don't disrespect her," Olivia angrily whispered back, trying to hide from Rosemary. She didn't think she could face her right now.

Rosemary cleared her throat and made her way to stand between the sectional couch and the television. Folding her arms, she spoke up in her best mom voice.

"Come sit, all of you. Now."

Elliot, Olivia, Tim, and Johnny made their way to the couch before plopping down, sitting and facing Rosemary. None of them could make eye contact with her – her motherly gaze was too intimidating.

"Now… do you know why I'm here?" Rosemary asked, keeping her tone strong.

"No, Ma'am," Elliot answered, still unable to look at her.

"I have a feeling it's because we're in trouble?" Johnny asked, his voice cracking a bit as he caught Amanda's stern look.

"Yes, you are. Not with me, yet, but with your women. They told me you are all living like barn animals. Anyone want to explain the reason for this mess?"

"We let it get carried away, Mrs. Cabot," Tim admitted, his head low in his chest.

Alex and Kathy nearly had the same thought going through their minds. Holy shit, this is actually working!

Rosemary unfolded her arms and stepped forward until she was standing directly in front of Olivia. She then dropped down to a crouching position, putting a hand on Olivia's knee as she tried to make eye contact with her.

"Olivia, my dear. I haven't heard from you, yet. Do you want to tell me anything about this mess?"

Olivia swallowed before finally lifting her head up to look at Rosemary, who was smiling at her. She was trying to be stern, she really was. But Olivia was too precious; she was having a really difficult time pretending to be the "mean mom" with her.

Olivia smiled back, her cheeks red with embarrassment. Putting her hands together and twiddling her thumbs, she swallowed again before finally answering Rosemary.

"Well… we're all kinda slobs. And no one wants to collectively clean. They are all hoping a woman does it for them." She looked over and scolded Tim. "And since I'm the only woman of the house, I'm not opening that can of worms. They'll expect me to do everything."

"Hey now!" Elliot defended. "I wouldn't do that to you. Tim, probably. But not me, Liv."

"No, the other girls can help too," Tim joked, Rosemary immediately shooting him a glare as she stood back up and stood directly in front of him, arms folded in Cabot fashion. Swallowing, Tim quickly wiped the smirk off his face as he looked up at Rosemary and pursed his lips in guilt.

"I take it you're the single one of the group?" Rosemary shot at Tim, causing everyone else to bite back some laughter.

"Okay, I deserved that," Tim said, throwing his hands up in defeat. "Sorry. I was only joking. I know we all need to do it."

"Good. Now, get up. All of you. We're going to clean this house, and I expect that it stays that way, and never looks like this again. Your girlfriends want nothing to do with this messiness. It's not impressive, nor is it cute. Do we understand?" Rosemary raised an eyebrow and glared, flicking her eyes between all of the boys and Olivia.

Olivia was the first to respond, looking sheepishly at Rosemary. "Yes Ma'am."

The boys followed suit, nodding and murmuring in agreement before rising from the couch and following Rosemary towards the bags that were brought in. Searching inside one of them, she brought out a box of trash bags as well as some packs of latex gloves. She tossed the gloves to Olivia, instructing her to divvy them out to everyone as she pulled out several trash bags, handing one to each person.

"Before we do any sort of scrubbing, disinfecting, or washing, the trash has to go. And by the looks of it, there's enough to fill the bags I handed out. You two," Rosemary said authoritatively, pointing at Tim and Johnny. "Your names are?"

"Tim."

"Johnny."

"Good. Tim, Johnny, you two start in the kitchen. I want nothing left on that counter. Olivia, and… your name?" Rosemary asked, pointing at Elliot.

"Elliot, Ma'am!" Elliot said with a big smile, reaching his hand out to shake Rosemary's.

"Good. Olivia, Elliot, you work here in the living room."

"What do you want us to do, Mom?" Alex asked, trash bag in hand.

Rosemary pondered for a moment, tapping her foot as she pursed her lips in thought. "You know what? You girls hang out on the couch for now. Watch some TV. Let's make sure the problem children can clean properly."

Alex nodded and smiled before plopping down on the couch and changing the channel to MTV. Casey, Kathy, and Amanda joined her on the couch as Rosemary supervised the trash pickup.

About 30 minutes and 6 trash bags later, Rosemary wiped the sweat on her forehead as she made her way back over to the bags. She pulled out various cleaning products and implements, handing them out to the group. She put Tim and Johnny in charge of washing the windows and the walls as she took down all the curtains to wash them. She gave Olivia and Elliot dish duty, while Alex volunteered to get up and vacuum.

Once all those chores were done, Rosemary instructed Tim and Johnny to work on the bathrooms while Elliot and Olivia worked on the counters – scrubbing and sanitizing them as Rosemary organized the dishes in the cabinets.

"Man, it is hot in here," Elliot groaned, sweat soaked through his shirt. After grabbing the neck of the t-shirt and fanning it from his body, he finally decided just to rip it off and toss it in the laundry room.

"No kidding," Olivia said, wiping the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand before throwing the rag down and taking off her shirt too, leaving her in her heather grey sports bra.

Looking back from her spot on the couch, Alex watched intently and swallowed hard as she surveyed Olivia, skin dewy from sweat, leaning against the refrigerator and chugging water. Catching her eyes, Kathy too looked back to stare at Elliot, having nearly the same reaction as Alex.

"What?" Casey said, turning around and catching sight of the two before rolling her eyes and chuckling. "Oh jeez, you guys."

"What?" Alex whispered defensively, resting her chin on the back of the couch. She let her eyes rake over Olivia's body, surveying the glistening tan skin of her exposed abdomen. As her eyes moved back up to Olivia's face, she carefully watched as Olivia chugged the rest of her water, spilling some down the front of her. Most of it was immediately soaked up through her sports bra, but a few droplets of water had made their way to Olivia's toned stomach, rolling down her muscles before soaking into the waistband of her shorts.

Alex couldn't help her jaw hanging slightly open as she watched Olivia run her hand across her stomach to clear the faint trails of wetness that the water had left. She then suddenly felt someone wiping her chin with a napkin, breaking her out of her gaze. She angrily and confusingly shot her eyes up to her mother, who was smirking at her.

"Sorry. You had a little bit of drool there, Alex," Rosemary teased, causing Casey and Amanda to giggle at Alex. Kathy would've giggled too, but she was too fixated on Elliot to notice.

"Oh ha ha," Alex said dryly, Olivia finally catching her attention.

"You lookin' at me?" Olivia asked, pointing to herself.

"You know I am," Alex replied with a cheeky smile.

Grinning back, Olivia shot a wink to Alex before Rosemary interrupted their flirting.

"Do you two ever behave?" Rosemary again teased with a laugh.

"Those two? Ha! They're animals," Elliot said, earning him an elbow to the ribs. "Ow!"

"Shut up!" Olivia whispered through gritted teeth.

Rosemary let out a sigh as she leaned against the back of the couch.

"Alex and Olivia?" Johnny asked, making his way from the bathroom upstairs, cleaning supplies in hand. "They're definitely animals. Hey Blondie?"

Alex only glared at Johnny, her arms now folded as she got up on her knees on the couch, not wanting to entertain his banter.

"Did you tell your mom how you about made the ceiling fall in on me?"

Alex felt her heart nearly drop to her stomach; her eyes went wide as she felt the color drain from her already pale skin.

"Dude!" Olivia growled, throwing her empty water bottle at him.

Rosemary sighed again as she put her forehead in one of her hands, rubbing it as she shook her head from side to side.

"That was a joke!" Alex defended. "Okay, wait, when did this become a roast? Do you really wanna go there? Because we will, asshole!"

"Alexandra!" Rosemary said, scowling her daughter.

"Can you fuckers just shut up?" Olivia angrily whispered to Elliot, Johnny, and now Tim who was finally back downstairs.

"I heard that too!" Rosemary said, pointing her finger at Olivia.

Olivia weakly smiled and hung her head low, Elliot snickering next to her.

"Don't be laughing, Elliot. If I hear that language from anyone's mouth, I will have the same reaction. You are all too young and smart to be using such language."

"Yes Ma'am. You won't hear that from me! I'm a good kid." Elliot had the biggest shit eating grin on his face as Olivia scoffed next to him.

"A 'good kid,' huh? Is that why you can Kathy keep me up late at night?" Olivia shot back.

"Liv!" Kathy said, hanging her head down against the couch after a gasp.

Elliot only held his hands up in defense as he leaned against the counter in the kitchen.

"Okay, okay, okay! I don't need to hear any of this!" Rosemary took her hands and covered her ears, yet again sighing. "We need to get back to cleaning! How are everyone's rooms?"

That shut them up.

"Uhhh," Olivia started, unable to answer the question.

"They're bad," Amanda said, glaring at Johnny.

"Yeah, they're uninhabitable!" Kathy agreed.

"Okay then!" Rosemary said, clapping her hands together. "Ladies, let's say we help with the rooms, okay? Casey, you supervise Tim."

"You ready for the shit show, Red?" Tim said with a laugh before catching Rosemary's gaze.

"Timothy. Language, young man. I told you."

"Yes Mrs. Cabot. I'm sorry." Tim gave an apologetic smile before Casey motioned for him to go to his room.

Kathy went with Elliot up to his room, and Amanda went with Johnny to his, leaving Alex, Olivia, and Rosemary downstairs.

"Now, since I don't fully trust you two alone, I'm coming to help with Olivia's room," Rosemary said, gathering up some supplies.

Olivia's eyes went wide. "I promise, we'll clean! You don't need to help. Just stay down here and relax!"

"Olivia… are you embarrassed about your room?"

"Maybe…" Olivia said, blush running through her cheeks.

"Sweetie, it's okay. You're all still kids. Now come on, off we go." Rosemary motioned for Olivia to lead the way as she and Alex followed behind up the stairs.

Opening the door, Olivia frowned as she opened the door and plopped her hands to her sides. Her room was truly a train wreck. She then quickly grabbed a tank top that was draped on her bedpost and threw it on.

"Jeez, Liv. This is worse than when I left," Alex said softly.

Olivia let out a long huff of air before rubbing the back of her neck and giving a nervous chuckle. "Yeah."

Rosemary wasted no time moving past them both and starting to tidy up the room. Without even asking what clothes were clean or not, Rosemary gathered up everything into Olivia's hampers before making her way to the windowsill and nightstand to clean up the trash.

Picking up an ashtray, Rosemary surveyed its contents.

"Is this?" Rosemary questioned, picking up a half-smoked joint and bringing it to her nose. "It is."

"That's, uhh… that… I can explain that," Olivia stuttered.

"No need, Olivia. I was young once too, you know. I've smoked my fair share of marijuana."

"Mom!" Alex said, honestly surprised at her mother's admission. "Seriously?"

"Yes! College was a wild time." Rosemary dumped the contents of the ashtray into the trash bag.

"Oh my God. Does Dad know you're a deviant?" Alex laughed.

"Who do you think got me to smoke it?" Rosemary said with a laugh as Alex again gasped.

"I love your parents so much," Olivia whispered to Alex, a big grin on her face.

"And we love you too, sweetheart," Rosemary replied to Olivia, turning to give her a smile. Olivia immediately blushed, not realizing Rosemary could hear her. "So, you two going to clean anything or just stand and watch me?"

Olivia went to her desk to begin cleaning it off as Alex went to reorganize Olivia's closet. After Rosemary was done with the trash, she stripped Olivia's bedding from the bed to wash it as well, leaving the room to start the washer downstairs.

Having a moment alone, Alex turned around from the closet and put her arms around Olivia's shoulders, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"I missed you," Alex said, planting more kisses on Olivia's cheek.

Watching Alex kiss her cheek in the mirror on her desk, Olivia quickly turned her head and connected her lips with Alex's. They broke away after a few lingering seconds, smiling at each other.

"I missed you too, Alex. You wanna stay here tonight?" Olivia stretched her arms out, wrapping them around Alex's waist as she coaxed her down onto her lap. Alex wrapped her arms again around Olivia's shoulders and leaned her head against hers.

"In a clean room? With you? No parents? You're damn right I would."

Olivia let out a small laugh as she again connected her lips with Alex's, holding her in a soft and sensual kiss. Briefly breaking apart, Alex then returned her lips to Olivia's, taking her bottom lip between her own. They repeated this a few more times before opening their mouths to each other as their tongues explored each other's mouths. Olivia let one of her hands trail from its hold on Alex's waist down to the seat of her jeans and gave her a squeeze, causing Alex to let out a soft moan into Olivia's mouth.

"Seriously?! I am gone for two minutes, you two!"

The sound of Rosemary's voice was enough to jolt Alex and Olivia away from each other with Alex shooting up from Olivia's lap and back to the closet.

"We weren't doing anything!" Alex defended, straightening up Olivia's shoes.

"Save it," Rosemary said, moving back into the room to clean up Olivia's end tables and around her bed.

About an hour passed before the room was fully cleaned up and everyone migrated back downstairs to the living room. To put the finishing touches on, Rosemary placed some wax warmers and candles around the house to freshen the air. Everyone found a place to sit on the sectional couch, exhausted but proud of the work they did.

"There!" Rosemary said, lighting the last candle on the coffee table in the living room. "Now, this place better never look like that again. Is that understood?" She pointed at everyone to drive in her final threat before sitting at the end of the couch next to Casey.

Everyone nodded their heads, giving out some "Yes Ma'am's" as they surveyed the now sparkling clean townhouse.

"Good. Now. Who wants some pizza? I'll buy."