Thanks for the reviews as always! Here's next chapter - would love to hear what you think and what you think will happen next...
NB: As it was requested, I added a tiny bit more Stef and Lena at the end as well as Kasey and Evan coming back to wrap that up. Take it as a deleted scene if you will!
The family headed back into the house with several pizza boxes.
"OK Jude, Jesus maybe you can get the table set."
"On it!" Jude bound through, the fun he had with Lena making him completely forget any hint of sickness he had been feeling before.
Michelle followed Brandon into the den dumping her day's prizewinning and handbag. They flopped down together on the sofa.
"Well that was fun! It's been ages since I've bothered going to the fair." She smiled cuddling up to him.
"We go most years but it's nice to have a bit of a break from the family. Someone almost always gets into some kind of trouble." He commented kissing her head. He then paused for a moment thinking. "Hey...what did you mean earlier when you made that comment about Evan? Did you see him before?" Michelle's reaction had been eating away at the back of his mind. Brandon had developed a keen liking of Evan but since the pot incident he had been slightly wary. It had reminded him too much about the first time they had met on the beach. His small sibling rivalry with Kasey had also not helped against the backdrop of recent hostilities.
"Oh it was nothing..." She replied.
Brandon looked down at her. "You can tell me you know - if there's something he said or did that made you nervous or..."
Michelle looked at him. She had only half expected Brandon to pick up on her comment, it was more said out of hostility than anything else, but she figured she would take advantage of the opportunity.
"Oh no - it's nothing like that. I don't know...I just...I don't know. He just makes me feel a little uncomfortable sometimes. I'm sure I'm just paranoid."
"He can be a little much sometimes I know, but he's harmless." Brandon said in Evan's defense.
"I know - as I said, I'm probably just being paranoid. He just always seems to be lurking round somewhere."
Brandon furrowed his brow awkwardly. He brushed her hair back affectionately.
"I really wouldn't worry about it - I'm sure it's just coincidence." He said kissing her again. "But you know Evan's pretty easy going, I'm sure if you told him to go away he happily would." He said with a nervous chuckle.
Michelle gave him a big smile. "You're right. As always! I guess I'm just a bit nervous of older guys like that." She lied. "Bad experiences." That part wasn't a lie.
"Well, I'll always protect you. Not that you need protecting from Evan!" He joked just before Stef called them through.
"Sounds like pizza's up!" He said rubbing her arm and moving to get up. Just before they stood she kissed him temporarily paralysing him.
"Come on lovebirds - it'll get cold." Stef prompted them again, breaking their lock. The two of them finally got up and went through.
After dinner it was Callie's turn to was the dishes again - once again left lone with Kasey having been at her dinner date. She was thinking about the conversation she had had with Jesus and how much she now wanted to take down Porter for making him so miserable. She knew it would be difficult with the family ties with Brandon too. Almost as if it had been reading her mind, a voice disrupted her thoughts.
"Hey - want hand?" Michelle asked slipping into the kitchen. She needed to improve her position in the family and decided the best way was to start mixing more with the other members.
Callie turned, slightly surprised by the visit. "Oh hey Michelle." She said slightly nervously. Callie was in a difficult position with Michelle. She was so close to Brandon and didn't like to think she would make it difficult for him to bring his girlfriend into the house, yet she was also very close to Kasey and didn't want to be seen getting too pally. She had so far attempted to keep a neutral distance without siding with either too much.
"Was on my way out and saw you doing this all by yourself!"
Callie stuttered, slightly shocked by the offer.
"Uhm...well...if you want I guess. There's not that much though."
"I don't mind. I'm delaying going home anyway! Anything to avoid small talk with my Dad about the fair and hear him bitch about the bedlam that ensues!" She joked grabbing a towel.
Callie raised an eyebrow and let out a single laugh. "So he's as much of a barrel of laughs at home too then?"
Michelle sighed. "Yep. I can't wait till I'm old enough to get out of there. He's become unbearable since my Mom left."
Callie looked across at her. "Right, sorry - I forgot."
"Oh it's OK - I'm long over it. I wasn't blessed with the best parents in the world. I don't blame her for going, I just wish she'd taken me with her." Michelle sighed wistfully.
"I'm sorry to hear that." Callie said trying to be sympathetic but really not able to get past the awkward depth of which Michelle was sharing.
"I don't know your Dad all that well but I can tell from Jesus he can be a bit difficult." Callie tried to empathise.
"Ha! Understatement of the year." Michelle thought for a moment as an idea crept into her head. This family were all about protecting their own and loyalty. There was a very easy way for her to show solidarity with them in that and gain some respect. "If I were Jesus I would report him for it. It would serve him right." She said mopping up the water on another plate. Callie looked across slightly shocked.
"What you'd want him to get into trouble?"
"The way he treats the kids at school he should be fired - no point in ignoring it. It won't be my problem. He's got enough money - stingy as he is." The level of her venom was surprising to Callie, having only experienced them at the dinner where they seemed quite tight as a unit. She assumed that must have just been the impression as the outsiders.
"Yeah well, I think if they could get rid of him they would do. Seems like he's too smart for that."
Michelle squinted slightly. "I just wish I could do something to help Jesus. I feel so bad for him. If there is ever anything I can do to help, do say. If I had any sway I would but I've tried. I'm not sure it helps." She sighed wiping her brow with her wrist.
Callie was beginning to warm to her slightly. Nothing she was saying seemed contrived and she spoke with genuine regret for Jesus - guilt almost. It was a side she hadn't experienced before.
"You've tried to talk to him about it?" Callie asked, finishing up the last dish.
"Yeah - he just murmured some stuff about how kids like Jesus had it coming and went crazy at me. I just wish there was a way to catch him in the act. I'm tired of being the bad guy by association."
"Well if we figure out a way I guess you'll be first to know." Michelle smiled in return hanging up the now wet tea-towel.
"Thanks for uhm...the help." Callie stuttered, curious as to how their impromptu session would end.
"My pleasure. Anyhow! I guess I better grab my bear and get home! Guess I'll see you soon!" She smiled bobbing off to collect her belongings and disappearing.
Callie stood thinking for a moment about the strange conversation she had just had. Something Michelle had said had given her an idea - not to mention the green light for if they did find a way to get rid of Porter.
"We should have brought your Mom along." Evan quipped finally growing tired of their own small talk.
"She seems to have this figured out a lot better than we do."
Kasey let out a small laugh. "Yeah...maybe we should have got her to run through what she wanted us to say too."
"Well...I guess we could try and adlib." He added finally finding the nerve to look across at her after a small pause.
"I'm sorry." He said simply.
Kasey stopped in her tracks and looked over to him. Evan's heart was thumping. He expected her to tear him apart now the topic was on the table. She had every right to be angry. She had spent the last week festering with it and he hadn't even tried to stop her. He deserved it.
"I'm sorry too." She said as he had to double take.
"What?" Was all that could come out of his mouth in his state of shock. It was the last thing he expected. What did she have to be sorry for?
"I've dragged this out way too long. I was just so scared to confront it I guess." She put her hands in her pockets and shrugged her body down.
"I was mad - and I was scared then too. I was scared at what would happen. It was too much like the fight with Dad and stuff - but I shouldn't have taken that fear out on you."
Evan couldn't help but laugh. Kasey furrowed her brow and punched him lightly. Every part of her demeanor was echoing Stef's mannerisms.
"Are you laughing at me?" She said slightly offended at his reaction.
Evan put his hands on her shoulders.
"Oh Kasey." He said. "I just...this is so not how I expected this to go down. I mean...I just had this whole speech written out in my head...I just never imagined - I mean you have nothing to apologise for."
She slouched down and looked at a spot on the ground making a pattern on it with her toe. "Well I don't want to stop you making your speech..." She replied with a small hint of a smile.
Evan knelt down on the floor in front of her as her eyes widened.
"Don't get excited - it's not that!" He commented realising how this position, along with a speech, could be misconstrued.
"I just want to show you how sorry I am for putting us in that position. What I did was stupid - and I should never have risked that - putting you in a position where you had to defend me. I know I'm going to screw up - and I'm sorry that it almost certainly won't be the last time - but I promise you that every time I do I'll fight to win you back Kasey. I'll never stop doing that - not as long as there's a single part of you that wants me back." He held her in a stare before a smile crept across her face. "Get up, dummy!" She said dragging him up. He stood up picking her up and swinging her round slightly.
She slapped him on the chest.
"Ugh! I hate this!" She said her expression dropping again. Evan looked confused.
"What - that we made up?"
She sighed. "That my Mom was right. Again. Why did we leave this so long?"
Evan laughed pulling her into a side embrace and using his other hand to brush away a strand of her hair from her face.
"We don't have to tell her. We could go home and have a blazing row if you want." He laughed.
She squinted, contemplating it for a second. "Actually no - we better not. I think one more dig from me today and she really will lock me in the attic..."
Evan laughed. "I can't believe you got her in so much trouble!"
"I didn't mean to!" Kasey protested. "It was just too much fun to watch it - I didn't expect Lena to come looking for us." She stuck her tongue out slightly.
"Well, no-one is suffering for it more than me." He said, exaggerating a whimper.
Kasey looked up to him confused.
"Your Mom is giving away all the presents my girlfriend flirted her way to get me to the children's home." He mocked crying putting his hand over his eyes. "I just...I can't believe I've lost out on a bag of novelty crap."
Kasey laughed and slapped him slightly.
"I'm sorry baby. If it makes you feel any better I never got any of the gold bucket gifts. I would have had to go further than I could put you through."
"It's OK - you can make it up to me later." He added.
"Later?" She questioned as he raised an eyebrow.
"Well...my friend just happens to be away at the moment and he left me the keys to his parents' beach house. They moved out East a couple years ago. It's usually rented out but the people cancelled this week." Evan raised his eyebrows as Kasey smiled.
"Were you planning this?" She asked.
"Well no - but where do you think I've been avoiding having this conversation with you all week? It has like 3 games consoles. We could play Grand Theft Auto."
"Well now there's an offer I can't refuse..." She laughed as they walked off into the low light of the evening.
Back at the house Jesus sat playing video games in his room as Jude lay on the bed, eyes closed, with his headphones plugged into a dictaphone Lesley had leant him to help him revise his lines from memory. Callie smiled seeing him so content and headed over to Jesus' bed.
"Hey..." She tapped his leg forcing him to remove his headphones.
"Hey Callie, what's up?" He put the game down slightly confused.
"I was thinking...do you have detention with Porter this week at all?" She asked her eyebrow slightly raised.
Jesus turned his head slightly. "I think he's taking it Tuesday...I don't have it yet but no doubt I will do for some stupid reason by then. Maybe shoving a bunsen burner up his..."
Callie raised her hand to silence him. "Hold that thought."she smiled. "I may have an idea..."
Jesus looked at her suspiciously.
"Jude!" She shouted across, grabbing his attention.
"I need a favour..."
Stef flopped down on the bed next to Lena.
"Some day, huh?"
"Uhuh." Lena replied barely looking up from her kindle.
Stef looked across at her and rolled her eyes.
"You can't still be mad at me. Come on, I've done way worse than that."
Lena looked across at her with a raised eyebrow.
"That's your defense?"
Stef squinted thinking about it for a second.
"I was bonding with My daughter? She needed her Mom. She's had a tough time lately." She suggested hopefully.
"You mean she implied you couldn't beat her score..."
"Well..."
Lena looked across at a sheepish Stef once again.
"We did bond before it - how else do you think I persuaded her to make up with Evan? And the rest, well I was really just trying to win some balls for you. Wait I mean not those kind of balls...the white prize ba-" Lena pulled a surprised Stef into a kiss as she dug further.
"What was that for?" she asked pushing herself free after a few moments.
"I just really want you to stop talking about balls." Lena laughed.
"So...we're OK now?"
Lena squinted. "I dunno...I still think you could make it up to me...I mean he had his hands all over you..."
This time Stef rolled over onto Lena and pulled her into a kiss.
"Why?" She murmured flirtatiously. "You jealous?"
Lena slipped her arm out to place her discarded kindle on the night stand. They continued until they were interrupted by the door and some laughter followed by some shh-ing. Both women sighed at the reminder and Stef looked over.
"She's over a half hour past curfew."
"Well they do have a week to make up for I guess...we could let it slide given the circumstances..." Lena suggested.
Stef raised and eyebrow. "After I've been left grovelling all day - no way. Hold that thought - I'll re-engage momentarily..." Lena laughed to herself at Stef's operation-like phrasing.
Stef retrieved her phone from her night stand and dialled Kasey's cell.
"Mom?" Kasey answered "I'm home...Evan says hi."
"Yes, I know you are, and you're late."
"Uhm, we got distracted. You wanted us to make up though and we have."
"So I was right?"
Kasey sighed.
"Yes. You were right."
"Good girl."
"Mom, why are you calling me when I'm downstairs?"
"Your Mom and I are busy, we're not going to get dressed just for you."
Lena smacked Stef in the back as Kasey shuddered.
"Oh wow - too much information!"
"Well, you come home a half hour later than you're supposed to who knows what you'll find..."
"Point taken...I'm not sure psychological trauma is an approved method of child discipline however."
"You're not a child - I've already done my screwing up of you. Anyway, I have some stuff to get back to.."
"Mom!"
"...so be up to your room within the next 5 minutes and leave Evan downstairs or I'll call you again and who knows where conversation will stray."
"OK, I really have to hang up now. Have a ugh...good night..."
"Oh we wi- " Kasey cut her off mid sentence with another shudder that made Stef give an evil laugh.
Lena shook her head as she turned to her.
"What?" Stef protested. "If she's old enough to have sex she's old enough to understand that her parents do."
"It's still mean...and kinda creepy."
"Well, it's done. And it apparently worked." she added hearing Kasey ascend the stairs.
"Now, where were we. If I'm going to scar my daughter it better be for something..."
The two women picked up where they left off.
Well there's some extra for you - I hope you enjoyed it. I figure at 18 kids would only be slightly grossed out by their parents having sex enough for Stef to tease her without it being too weird...anyhow!
Chapter 30 Preview: Callie initiates her plan.
Lena squinted her eyes. "Ok. What's going on? Is this some kind of prank or bet or something with you and Kasey cause I gotta tell you Callie I'm really busy and..."
"Its not, really!" Callie interrupted. "I'm just trying to help speed things up by saying I expect to get a detention." Callie hesitated slightly seeing Lena get more suspicious. "Plus..."
Lena sighed waiting.