I see Michelle is getting the love she deserves! I'm afraid things will only get worse - this is only Chapter 4! I may lose some friends lol - but don't worry, I'm a believer in eventual Karma. In my stories anyway! Here's fluffier chapter to take away some of the Michelle-induced arrggghh! This story will be a bit of a journey - it speeds up and slows down (hence the Chapter labelling - it's almost like episodes). Hope that works for people!
"Can't I just eat in my room? Even under the sink? This is way unfair."
"No Jesus, it's "so" unfair. And no. I know you don't like him but I'm not having everyone eating all over the house. Besides, maybe seeing Mr Porter out of a school context will help you with how you respond to each other."
"A different context? How about one where he's attached to a dart board." Kasey added nonchalantly as Stef threw a small piece if chopped carrot at her.
"What? I said I'd be here and civil, I didn't say I'd like it!" Kasey protested before eating the carrot.
"Lena will you please teach your children how to put up with someone they don't like without whining about it?" Stef sighed batting Jesus' hand away from picking at the food.
"Usually, yes. With Porter..."
"Lena!" Stef snapped as the two teens stifled laughter.
"Sorry, sorry. I'm kidding obviously. Look kids, he may be a pain in the butt but just try and ignore his attitude and focus conversation away if it's making you uncomfortable. You don't have to talk to him or respond to anything you don't want to and we're not going to let him pick on you like he may thinks he gets away with in class."
"You won't be able to tell - nobody can ever tell. He's a dick!" Jesus moaned.
"Hey! Easy on the language. I don't want to hear another word."
Kasey was about to further protest but Brandon entering hushed the room as everyone tried desperately to think of another topic.
"You don't have to pretend you're not talking about me." he commented clocking everyone's expressions. "Look I know Porter isn't exactly everyone's favourite person and I really appreciate you all doing this for me. I don't exactly love the guy but I just wanna make sure Chelle feels welcome here. Please, just make an effort for me." he pleaded earnestly and the room nodded even though Jesus and Kasey's dissatisfaction was obvious.
"We will Brandon, of course we will." Stef said kissing his head and spurring Kasey on with her eyebrows.
"Right. We will." she replied, albeit slightly begrudgingly as Lena rubbed her back.
"Well you know B this wouldn't be an issue if Moms weren't forcing me to go..." Jesus moaned as Stef rolled her eyes.
"You know I don't care either way bro, " Brandon smiled as Lena exchanged a questioning glance at Stef.
"You're going. If you didn't want to be stuck in the house you should have thought twice before playing up at school. Now not another word or we'll throw a party exclusively for your teachers where you can serve them all drinks in a mini tux."
Jesus groaned and slid off his stool Brandon followed him out.
"Just so you know, this is child abuse." Kasey added slipping off hers as well and nicking one more piece of carrot before Stef had time to slap her hand away.
"You'll see child abuse if you play up tonight Missy! Besides you're 18 now - ain't no laws against that." Stef threatened back getting increasingly frustrated.
"I think you'll find there is and it's called 'assault', officer." Kasey called back snarkily.
"I'll show you assault…don't you tell me about assault…" Stef shouted back her voice trailing off at the end with a slightly defeated tone. Lena scolded her with a look.
"What? We agreed we'd never beat our children!" Stef replied defensively popping a carrot in her mouth. "I never agreed nothing about not hitting any sarcastic adults."
Lena rolled her eyes and walled past her wife. There was the roar of a motorbike engine and the two women smiled at each other.
It was followed by a subtle knock.
"Kasey, get back here - pizza delivery!" Stef shouted loudly knowing Evan would be able to hear her too. Lena smacked her slightly as she shrugged and went to open the door behind them.
"Well hey! This is better than pizza. Hey handsome." Stef quipped as Evan came in his hands full of bags.
"Hey Foster Moms. I left bike in the yard, I don't want those kids messing with it again."
"In our yard?" Stef asked her expression dropping. "Did you put money in the meter?" she said deadly serious. Evan's face dropped also before he began to stutter.
Lena threw her a look.
"Calm down Evan, honey. I'm kidding. Of course it's OK. I hate that thing but if any kids touch is again you let me know. I'll sort them out." she went over to relieve him of some of the bags he had in his hand.
"You didn't need to bring all this Evan." Lena said softly.
"Well I just didn't want you to run out, I mean, now you're accommodating me and all. Plus I know how much wine you're likely to get through..." he smiled as both women's eyebrows raised. He quickly looked sheepish.
"I mean...not that...you only drink...I mean...you know what I mean...right?"
"Well, if there's one thing we raging alcoholics understand it's you can never have enough wine." Stef added squeezing Evan's shoulder slightly as he smiled.
"I'll go chill these in the outdoor box." Lena said taking the bottles with her.
"So, how was your evening? I hope Kasey didn't chew your ear off moaning about Michelle." she added as a deliberate dig at her daughter who had returned. Kasey shook her head throwing a packet of pasta at her Mom to catch as she walked past and took Evan into a kiss.
"Just for the first twenty minutes." he moved as she slapped him on the chest.
"Hey! You're meant to be on my side." she chastised as Stef grinned.
"I'm always on your side baby. Unless your Mom is right. Which is probably always...if she is in the room." Kasey slapped him again.
"I knew I liked him!" Stef smiled nudging Kasey as she passed.
"Now both of you finish off putting this stuff away, I need to go get ready. Food's cooking, but table needs setting.
Evan can you please make sure Kasey doesn't do anything stupid tonight please, I have a long week and I don't have time to hide any bodies."
"I'm sure Kasey has the place to hide the bodies already mapped out Mrs F!" he smirked squeezing Kasey a little.
"I meant hiding hers." Stef shouted back disappearing into the next room.
Kasey rolled her eyes. "I hope you brought enough wine for me too." She said as Evan smiled and produced a mini bottle from his pocket. "Dutch courage. Just one though! And don't let on, you heard what your Mom said about bodies."
The two of them retreated to the dining room and got the crockery and glasses out.
"Go on...quick! Before Moms come back down."
"Kasey...no, what if they break?"
"Then we'll make up an excuse. Come on - it's quite a skill. Besides you never drop them!"
Evan looked around him nervously before picking up 3 of the stout water glasses on the table.
"What are you doing?" He asked noticing her produce her phone.
"Oh come on - like I'd pass up this opportunity. Don't worry, Moms don't even know how to use a computer. I'll call it "Juggling With Fire and Glass" It's very poetic." She poked her tongue out.
"Oh fine!" He yielded, mentally preparing himself as he began to juggle the three glasses. "But that wine's gone straight to your head. You better not get caught!"
"Just shut up and concentrate, Moms let me have the odd glass. Come on, quick before they come down."
As he was in his full swing she pressed record and then began some mock narration.
"This week on stunts with Evan - watch the amazing transformation of this former pizza delivery boy prepare for his future as a clown for hire in posh restaurants. You can see the concentration dripping from his brow as he faces his biggest challenge yet...juggling Lena's best water glasses."
"Will you stop you're putting me off!" He smirked trying to maintain his balance.
"He thought it was bad when Stef caught him shotting tequila while sliding down the banister but he hasn't seen anything like Lena responding to a threat to her dinnerware."
"Ahem!" Evan swung around catching two of the glasses in a panic as Stef grapsed the third looking extremely unimpressed.
Kasey bit her lips to stop herself from laughing.
"You're a very lucky boy." Stef said handing him the glass. "You can only imagine where Lena would have shoved the broken pieces." Evan stuttered apologetically.
Kasey stood there smirking a little too carefree for Stef's tastes. "Don't tell me you've had a glass of wine already. I leave you alone for half an hour!" She scolded.
"We uh...don't know what you're talking about..." Evan responded nervously.
Stef turned and squared up to him. She was much smaller but still had very commanding presence. "You do realise I interrogate people for a living young man?" He stepped back slightly. "If you want my advice, it's less painful to bite your tongue than risk a lashing from mine for lying to me." He fully retreated as she smiled.
Kasey was a lot less scared of her threats. "Oh Mom, I had one tiny bottle. You'd have let me anyway if we weren't having company ."
"Well that's a bit presumptuous Madame. We occasionally let you have one but that can quickly change if you are seen to be taking advantage. Now finish this off fast with no more goofing off or I'll tell Lena exactly what you've been doing to amuse yourselves. Oh my God - is that a chip? " She said horrified picking up a glass as Evan jumped forward and took it off her to inspect it.
"Oh no, my mistake. You'll live another day my boy." She teased clapping him on the cheek. He exhaled deeply putting the glass down as Kasey shook her head.
Just then they were interrupted by the door bell as the three of them looked at each other.
Immediately Stef's expression turned very grave. "Best. Behaviour." She warned as she walked to the door.
"Michelle. Mr Porter." She said through a forced smile.
"Hey." Michelle smiled.
"Mrs Foster - or Ms. Whatever you guys use in your situation." Her father added blankly.
"'Stef' is fine." She said trying not to rise to the bait. "Can I take your coats?"
"I'll get those Mrs F." Evan came bounding in next to her.
"Oh thanks, sweetheart." She said rubbing his back as he stretched out his hands.
"This is Evan, he's Kasey's boyfriend." The science teacher smiled with a hint of danger in his eyes.
"Ah. Why you are an obedient thing aren't you? Hardly surprising I suppose." He said handing over his coat and wandering in.
"Obedient isn't the only word I'd use..." Michelle added with flirtatious smile making sure she brushed his hand while handing him hers. She had met him a couple of times before but never for long as Kasey usually dragged him off when she arrived.
Kasey bit her lip noticing the look. This was going to be a long night.
Sorry, I forgot the "arrrgghh!" returns at the end. Get your stress balls ready for dealing with Porter. I want to smack him and I invented him. Still figuring out how many chapters I can keep Stef's patience with him for Brandon's sake before she goes all Mama Tiger on his ass.
Chapter 5 Preview: Tensions run high as Porter tries his hardest to get stabbed with Lena's best knives.
"Kids tended to behave better back then. Didn't hide behind all the psychological mumbo jumbo that is now used to disguise being a troublemaker. You were allowed to properly discipline them." He stated as a clear jibe.
Lena shuffled nervously taking a sip of her own wine.
"I take it you enjoyed it more back then, not having to waste your time teaching anyone you deemed unworthy." Kasey snarked calmly in defense of her little brother.