Wild Flowers
In the garage of the Buchanan mansion, Ace had his guitar, DJ was at the keyboard, Chad was at the drums and Eva was at the mic. Miry stood in front of them thinking this band was the best idea ever.
"Ok guys, it's our first rehearsal. Excited?" Miry asked.
"Yeah!" The four exclaimed.
"We have our first song so let's jam!" Miry exclaimed.
The boys started on the instrumental then Eva began to sing. Soon they got through their first song.
"Aaahh! You sound so good already! We're going to work hard and we're going to have fun. I promise it will pay off."
"So we're all here. Now we need a name." Eva said. She is John and Evangeline's daughter, Destiny's little sister and Miracle's little aunt.
"You sure do. Any ideas?" Miracle asked.
"How about 'Infinity?'" Chad suggested. He is Shane and Neela's son.
"Why 'Infinity?'" Ace asked.
"Because the greatest things last forever." Chad replied.
"I like that. What do you all think?" Miracle asked. DJ, Ace and Eva all agreed that they loved the name.
"'Infinity' it is." Miracle said then the four began to play their song again.
"They sound great." Miracle heard Leon's voice from behind her. The smile on her face instantly disappeared. She turned to face him.
"What are you doing here?" Miracle asked.
"Dani wanted me to pick up Del for her so I'm bringing Evan back a little earlier since I'm already here." Leon replied.
"Hi mommy!" Evan exclaimed then hugged her.
"Hi sweetie. Did you have fun with daddy?" Miracle asked and Evan nodded his head. "Good... Del is in the house with my dad so just ring the doorbell."
"Ok. How are you?"
"I'm busy so I'll see you later." Miracle turned back to 'Infinity' to watch them play. Leon shook his head then went inside.
"Eva, try to hold that note a little longer at the end, ok? Let's take five." Miracle said then took Evan's hand and started toward the front door.
"Miry!" DJ called and ran after her.
"Yeah?"
"We're all excited about this band but if you're going to manage us, you can't get all wimpy on us every time Leon comes around."
"... You're right. I'll be back in a few minutes." Miracle went inside with Evan and met Matthew and Destiny in the living room.
"Hey little man." Destiny said and Evan ran over and hugged her.
"Hi mimi." Evan said.
"Don't forget me!" Matthew exclaimed.
"Hey pops." Evan hugged him.
"E, there's cookies in the kitchen." Destiny said.
"Yay!" Evan ran into the kitchen.
"You ok after seeing Leon?" Destiny asked. Miracle shook her head. "Sit with us." Miracle sat in between her parents.
"Your dad and I were talking and we think that it would be a good idea if you talked to a therapist about your feelings. It should help you."
"You mean like Marty Saybrooke?" Miracle asked.
"No not Marty, she needs a psychologist herself. It's a crime she's even still allowed to practice but anyway... Hope is a psychologist, she's just a few years older than you and it should be easy for you to talk to her. You need to talk to someone. Holding on to your pain is just going to hurt you more and more." Destiny said.
"I don't know."
"We only want what's best for you and we believe that this will help. Aren't you tired of hurting?" Matthew asked.
"At least try it." Destiny said.
"Fine. Could you keep an eye on Evan for me?" Destiny agreed then Miracle went back out to the band.
"I hope it helps her to talk about how she feels." Matthew said.
"So do I." Destiny moved closer to him.
"I wonder if Dani got Leon to pick up Del because she got drunk, embarrassed herself and Shane and I had to take her home a few nights ago."
"Really? That's not like her."
"Haven't you talked to her?"
"Not lately. She goes M.I.A. on me sometimes. She's been doing that for a while now. I know she feels really lonely though she's been trying to hide it."
Drew was upstairs in her room on the phone talking to Harvey.
"Did you tell your dad about us yet?" Harvey asked.
"Have you told YOUR dad about us?" Drew replied.
"...I was going to tell him when you told yours."
"I knew you didn't."
"Why haven't you told your dad?"
"I was going to when I remembered that my dad killed your grandfather so I had a feeling that wasn't going to go over so well!"
"Right... I forgot about that detail but you know, my dad didn't even like his father."
"Yeah but he loves his brother who almost took the blame for the murder. Your uncle Nate and my dad still don't get along. Of course that has a lot more to do with my dad but he's been good since he's gotten back with Destiny."
"Bottom line is, I love you and I don't want our relationship to be a secret so we should just tell them and get it over with. If they don't like it then too bad."
"You love me?" It was the first time Drew had ever heard a guy say that.
"Yeah I do."
Drew smiled. "I'm going to tell him tonight."
"Where have you been?" Drew heard Matthew yell from downstairs. He must've been talking to Nicole.
"Maybe tonight isn't a good time but I'll let you know soon and we'll tell our dad's at the same time. I'll see you at school." Drew got off the phone and eased halfway downstairs and sat on the steps to listen in on Matthew yelling at Nicole.
"You were supposed to be there so that David could pick you and Drew up after school." Matthew yelled.
"I'm tired of being picked up after school like a child." Nicole yelled back.
"You are a child and if you want to be treated your age then act like it."
"Whatever." Nicole started toward the stairs.
"I'm not done with you. Your principal called today, he said you've been skipping school every since it started."
"So?"
"Where do you think you're going if you don't graduate high school? Go to your room." Drew ran back up to her room since she had been ease dropping the entire time. "I'll tell you your punishment later." Nicole stomped upstairs and slammed the door. Matthew took his seat next to Destiny.
"Wow. Maybe she needs to talk to someone too. Other than her being very spoiled, I don't know why she's so angry unless there's something he's not telling you."
"She's a teenager."
"She is the angriest teenager we know. We weren't even angry like that as teens, not for no reason. Is there a reason she's like this or is she just a rebellious soul?"
"I was thinking about sending her to boarding school."
Destiny looked at Matthew in disbelief.
"Are you the same man who escaped boarding school in a wheelchair? She's your daughter. What makes you think she wouldn't book out of there the first chance she got? That's not the answer because for one thing, she'll runaway. Another reason is that sending her away won't solve the problem. She should feel like no matter how bad she messes up she'll always be able to come home and have support. On the other hand, she needs to know that she can't do whatever she pleases."
"What do you suggest?"
"I don't know but one thing you should do is let Nicole and Drew see their mothers. They may be bad influences but they are their mothers and I'm sure they miss them. You can supervise the visits. I don't know, maybe you should keep her close by you and give her some responsibility. Remember when you were in boarding school and I lied, said I was going on a school trip to D.C. But really went all the way across the world to see you? My dad didn't let me out of his sight for weeks and the punishment lasted an entire month. Dani told me that Jack got in trouble once, and Vic never let him out of his sight and he made him work at the Sun."
"Wait. You're using Victor Lord, Jr. and Jack as an example when it comes to parenting?"
"What? The man may be a bit nuts but he was the only one of you guys' rich parents who actually parented and didn't let his kids get away with everything."
"That's not true."
"It's true to me. You wanted to know my opinion so there it is."
-v-
Nicole walked into Drew's room, ready to vent.
"Can you believe him? He's trying to put me in check. He needs to get a life." Nicole said.
"We're his children, we are his life." Drew replied softly.
"Are you standing up for him?"
"... No. I'm just saying."
"I don't like that bitch Destiny either."
"She's never done anything to us."
"She doesn't like us either."
"Why do you think that? She helped us a number of times."
"Please, don't be so gullible. I wasn't planning to go but now that I'm all riled up, come to this party with me."
"...I don't know... maybe you shouldn't go. You're already in a lot of trouble."
"You coming or not?"
"...Fine." Drew replied and they both got dressed. Nicole called her boyfriend back over to pick them up then they sneaked out the back of the mansion.
When they arrived at the party, everyone there was between eighteen and twenty-eight. It was wild, there was sex, drugs and alcohol. Nicole was ready to dive in and enjoy but Drew constantly had Harvey's voice in the back of her head, telling her to stop following Drew and do the right thing. Last year, Drew would follow Nicole and would be for it 100% and probably just wouldn't go as overboard as Nicole would. This year, Drew has started to second guess all the things they do. She knew things were never her idea and she just went along with it but now just going along for the ride wasn't as acceptable to her and Harvey was influencing her even more to do the right thing, however, she still had a tug of war going on inside herself.
"You want a drink?" Dan asked them.
"Yeah!" Nicole replied enthusiastically.
"Uh... none for me." Drew replied.
"Don't be a bore. She'll have a drink as well." Nicole said then Dan walked away. "He thinks we are nineteen, don't blow it for me by acting like a little girl."
Dan came back with beers for them and himself. Nicole took it to the head but Drew was disgusted by the smell and hesitated. Nicole elbowed Drew's arm so she went ahead and sipped it a little.
Nicole left Drew to dance provocatively with Dan. Drew sipped a little more on the beer then threw it away.
"That is nasty." Drew said. She looked around then wondered to herself why she was there. Harvey was right. She really needed to stop following her. Gratefully, she was finally mature enough to realize that the things they've done and do are not ok. Then she noticed Nicole getting ready to take some type of pill so she ran over to her. "What are you doing? Don't take something and you don't even know what it is."
"I know what it is, it's speed."
"So you're going to willingly take drugs?"
"Yes." Nicole put the pill in her mouth.
"What kind of boyfriend are you to let her do this?" Drew asked Dan.
"Don't blame him, I do what I want to do. No one can make me do anything or stop me."
A guy came over and slapped Nicole's behind. Dan instantly became enraged.
"Have you lost your mind? That's my girl." Dan yelled.
"Look at the way she's dressed, she asked for it." The guy replied before he felt Dan's fist against his face and fell to the floor.
"You asked for that." Dan said to the guy. The guy got back up and pulled a knife out. "You don't want to do that."
"Are you still talking like a tough guy?" The guy asked. Dan pulled a gun on the guy.
"Are you?" Dan asked. The guy backed down and walked away so Dan put the gun away.
"Thanks for protecting me, baby." Nicole said.
"Are you kidding me?" Drew was in disbelief. She was just terrified and her sister was cool about her boyfriend having a gun. Something is wrong with her. "Let's go."
"No! I'm enjoying the party."
"...Fine. Stay then, you're on your own." Drew went outside and called Harvey.
"Hey Lovebug?" Harvey answered.
"Hey, I know it's late but could you pick me up from this party. I came with Drew and her boyfriend. I know it was a bad idea but I just don't feel safe. I just want to go home."
"Drew, it's 12:30. My curfew was hours ago."
"I know. I'm sorry but if I call anyone else I'll get in trouble."
"I'll be in trouble too but don't worry. I'll be there as fast as I can."
"You know what... no. I don't want you to get in trouble. I just thought of someone else I can call. Thanks. I love you." Drew hung up with Harvey and called her mom, Lilo.
"Lilo speaking."
"Mom? It's me, Drew.
"Drew! It's been a long time. How are you? Your dad finally let you call me?"
"No but I need your help. I'm at this party that I'm not supposed be at and I really want to go home. I don't want to get in trouble. I don't feel safe or comfortable."
"Fine, where are you?" Drew gave Lilo the address and she arrived about fifteen minutes later with her new boyfriend.
"This is Ezera. Ezera, this is my daughter, Drew. Drew, let's get you home."
"Wait, can you go in and get Nicole, I don't want to leave her here but she doesn't want to leave?" Drew asked.
"Then let her stay." Lilo replied.
"Mom!"
"Fine." Lilo said.
"I'll get her." Ezera offered.
"...Thanks. Her boyfriend is dangerous. You're a lot bigger than him but you should be aware." Drew said.
"Ezera's a professional wrestler and boxer, he can handle himself." Lilo said.
Drew and Ezera went back into the party to find Nicole.
"Oh my gosh!" Drew exclaimed after spotting Nicole putting on a sex show with Dan. "Unfortunately, that girl making a fool of herself over there is my sister."
"How old is she?"
"Sixteen."
"How old is he?"
"Early twenties."
Ezera shook his head and all six foot five, two hundred eighty pounds of muscles went over and pull Nicole off of Dan like she was a feather.
"What are you doing? Who are you?" Nicole yelled.
"Put your clothes on." Ezera said before taking one unexpected hit to Dan and knocking the daylights out of him.
"What did you do that for?" Nicole yelled after she finished dressing and kneeled by Dan's side.
"Let's go."
"I don't know you! I'm not going any-" Ezera picked Nicole up, threw her over his shoulders and walked out with Drew next to him.
Nicole fussed the during the entire ride.
"This is all your fault!" Nicole yelled to Drew.
"Yeah. I'm looking out for you. At least this way, if dad didn't figure out that we sneaked out yet, you won't get in trouble but this is the last time I'm covering for you. You need to stay away from that Dan guy. He's bad news."
"I know what he is. If you tell, I'm bringing you down with me."
"Go ahead and try."
They pulled up to the mansion.
"Thanks mom. Thanks... Ezera. Goodbye." Drew said and got out of the car with Nicole.
"Wait. Drew, I love you. I just want you to know that." Lilo got out of the car to say.
"I know, mom. I love you too." Drew hugged her then helped Nicole go into the mansion through the back. As big as the place is, it felt like forever getting Nicole to her room. When they finally got there and opened the door Matthew was sitting on her bed which faced the door waiting for them.
"Dad!" Drew exclaimed, surprised.
"Nice of you two to show up." Matthew said. Nicole was obviously high as kite. She couldn't walk straight. "What's wrong with her?"
"She took speed and drank beer. I don't know how much but we weren't there that long."
"You weren't where that long?" Matthew asked.
"A party."
Nicole sat down and Matthew looked at her eyes. He shook his head.
"This ends here." Matthew said.
-v-
The next day, Miracle went to the Buenas Dias and saw Izzy there with shades on and eating. They were supposed to hang out but Izzy canceled because she was sick but obviously that was a lie. Miracle went over to her.
"Sick huh?" Miracle asked.
"Miry! Um, I am sick. I came to get soup." Izzy replied.
"You're not eating soup."
"I ate it already."
"Sure you did." Miracle sat down. "I don't appreciate my best friend lying to me. What's wrong with you? I've hardly seen or talked to you since you've been with this new guy. Why are you sitting here with those glasses on?"
"I'm sick. My head hurts."
"Liar. I'm having Dejá Vü." Miracle reached across and took Izzy's shades off. She shook her head and gave her the glasses back, Izzy put them back on.
"He's hitting you? Haven't you had enough of that for a lifetime from the man you thought was your father?"
"Just stay out of it." Miry looked at her like she was being ridiculous. "Right. I forgot who I was talking to."
"I am not going to sit back and let some guy pound on my best friend. I'm going to help you if you like it or not. You deserve better and you know it. You went to college to become a councilor so that you can help other women. You can't help anyone else if you can't help yourself. I love you Izzy and I won't watch you get hurt." Miracle hugged her and left. Izzy put her head down, frustrated.