OK guys - thanks for the feedback! Love that people like Evan/Stef scenes because there are a fair few! There are a couple of fluffy filler chapters coming but we will soon be progressing into the next "episode". Enjoy the fun times while you can - that's all I'll say!

"Can you hear them?" Kasey whispered as Callie stood straining to try and hear out of sight.

"I'm not sure...it sounds like Stef is saying...she's going to...I can't hear. I think they're deciding on the rules."

"So that means they've agreed to let him stay...?" Kasey said excitedly.

"I can't tell...Lena sounds like she's protesting something but...wait, it's all gone quiet."

"You could eavesdrop better from the rafters you know. That way we could get some peace for a little while as you try and figure out a way back down." Stef said as the three jumped back with fright, their parents sneaking up on them from around the wall.

"So what did you decide? Can Evan stay?" Kasey looked up hopefully as Stef threw a look at Evan.

"Wow. Nice job on keeping our chat to yourself till we were decided!" She admonished as Evan smiled apologetically.

"My head's still a bit...fuzzy..." He said as Kasey stroked his cheek with another smile.

"Come on Moms, just tell us. Do I have to get ready to give up my room or what?" Callie joked as Kasey nudged her in the back.

Their moms exchanged a look.

"I think we've agreed that temporarily this is the best solution. But not that, obviously. Evan you'll be in the basement and we're gonna hit you both with a ton of rules that we expect you to respect while you're under our roof. We need to play this carefully so as not to set a precedent with your siblings. This is an exception and it's only until you can stand on your own two feet." Lena responded. Kasey's face exploded into a smile.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She said springing forward and pulling her Moms into an excited hug.

"OK, OK, calm down!" Stef said slapping Kasey's back to try and free herself from the strangle. She pulled her down into a one armed hug squeezing her tight against her body in a lock.

"And you, young lady, are going to have to work with us. We don't want you taking advantage of the situation." She squeezed her a little tighter as a warning.

"I know, I know. Don't worry, we'll sneak around in the same way we would if he wasn't living here to make sure you don't think we're taking advantage." Kasey beamed cheekily hugging her mum round her side. Stef slapped her on the behind again releasing her from her clutch. She bound over to Evan and leapt onto him. He waivered slightly still very fragile from his hangover.

"OK - first things first. If we're going to put you up in the basement it needs to be cleared which fits in nicely with your punishment my friend." Stef said wandering over to Evan and slapping him on the shoulder. "But first of all - get clean clothes, scrub up and prepare for a day of the full force of the consequences of getting me up on a Saturday to pick you up in prison." She smiled clapping his cheek gently as she walked off. "Got basement to clear, gutters to clean, lawns to mow. Oh I'm gonna love you being here!" She continued mumbling to herself as she jogged up the stairs. Evan sighed as Kasey and Callie smiled in sympathy. Lena walked over to him and rubbed his chest wincing slightly at the strong smell of alcohol he was still embalmed in.

"You're gonna wish you were on the streets." She said sympathetically before following Stef to explain the situation to the other kids. Evan laid his head back against the wall with a tired smile.

"Good luck, kid." Callie said patting his arm and walking off.

Kasey turned to her boyfriend finally alone again. "You're an idiot you know. I wish you'd told me." She chastised him slipping her body between his arm and side.

"I didn't want to put that kind of pressure on you...and I didn't want you to be ashamed of me" He said quietly. Kasey looked up to him with a soft gaze.

A moment of silence followed.

"I'll always be proud of who you are Evan. You're the best man I know." She said pecking him on the cheek.

"But you smell rank. Get clean please so I can kiss you again and make Mom regret being so cool." She joked as she pulled away.

He rubbed his hands behind his head taking in the events. He wasn't sure what had just happened but he was sure he was not gonna blow the chance he had to prove how much they meant to him.

"And so, does anyone have any more questions?" Lena asked the assembled kids sitting in various places scattered around Jesus' room.

The kids all looked at each other seeing if anyone seemed to have a problem.

"I think it's awesome! We're gonna have so much fun!" Jesus beamed before Stef caught his eye.

"Yeah well just remember you're still on thin ice after your behaviour yesterday my friend so don't be getting too many ideas. In fact you can pay some of your penance helping the other criminal around the house today." She informed him. His face dropped momentarily but the excitement of having another brother soon won him back over and he smiled to himself imagining the mischief they could get up to.

"Cool by me!" Mariana added with a nod from Jude.

Brandon was the only one who seemed slightly uneasy.

"I mean, I'm cool with it but does this mean you'll be as easy with me and Chelle rules-wise?" He said with a slight crease in his brow. Stef and Lena looked at each other.

"Well Brandon we're not relaxing any rules as regards the standards of behaviour in this house. It's not like they're going to be sharing a room - or allowed to be staying up together for that matter."

"And just remember these are exceptional circumstances. We're not trying to encourage Evan and Kasey living together as if they were moving into their own flat. It'll be a bit like if we were fostering him. Though obviously he's an adult."

"So...will he have curfews and stuff?" Jude asked curiously.

"Well I wouldn't say we can impose a curfew on him but we'll expect to know what's going on with him and when he will be coming in and out - and he won't be treating this place like a frat house - before you get any ideas" She said slapping Jesus' leg playfully.

"We'll need to iron out some of the creases as time goes on." Lena added. "And we'll be making sure none of his activities have any effect on the way we run the house."

"Is that all understood and OK with you all?" Stef asked again looking in particular at Brandon. He nodded softly with a shrug as Lena's phone began to ring.

"Huh, it's Lesley. Just give me a minute." She took the call and wandered into the hall as Jude and Mariana looked at each other.

"Hey - teachers calling up on Saturday morning! Either there's some news about the play or someone's getting grounded." Stef teased tickling Jude's stomach.

"Thanks for telling me. That's great news!" Lena beamed coming back in and ending the call.

"Well? What did she say?" Stef said excitedly gripping Jude's hand.

Lena's smile grew. "Well...it seems you were very impressive young man." Jude dared to twitch a smile as Stef rattled his hand slightly in excitement. "She wanted to call to tell us herself that not only have you got a part in the play..." She paused as Mariana's eyes grew.

"But you got the part of Puck!" Jude's jaw dropped with genuine shock as various family members exclaimed their excitement and congratulations.

"Yes!" Mariana screamed pulling him into a hug and jumping up and down with him. Stef jumped on top with similar sentiments as his brothers rubbed his hair and Lena jumped in on the hug too.

"But...how...? My audition went so wrong!" He said humbly, still unable to believe what he had just been told.

"What's going on?" Callie asked having heard all of the excitement from downstairs. Kasey followed close behind.

"Jude got the main part in the play!" Brandon said with pride as Callie ran over and pulled him up into a hug as well.

"It would seem you blew them away with your 'creative and original' audition!" Lena beamed as Stef grabbed her hand swinging her arm.

Finally Jude had processed it enough to smile as Callie put her hands around his cheeks. They both exchanged a look before breaking out into a unison recital.

"I thought I could! I thought I could!" The two of them laughed as Callie kissed her brother's head.

Chapter 15 Preview: The family settles into the new arrangement with a family film night. (Spot the reference - anyone?)

"Well personally I think the only good thing about it was the Mom - and who's scared of clowns these days?" Lena said standing up and stretching her legs.

"That kid was creepy though...Evan if you find any weird trap doors in our basement, please don't go snooping." Stef added before slapping him on the knee.