Author's Note: Thank you to those of you who take the time to review. It means far more than you will ever realize. It is a reminder that the hours put into an update are not wasted. For those of you who read and do not review, I thank you for reading. I realize I do not update as often as you would like and that has cost me readers. Quality over quantity is my philosophy. I will not mass produce updates just to keep readers. Nor will I blackmail readers into reviews by with-holding updates. I will, however, give you a quality story. I know I am not the best writer out there but as far as fan fiction goes I do believe I am a cut above the norm. Alright, on with the story! We left off with Izzie learning that Derek was her father. Rather upsetting, don't you think? To have something that big thrust upon your already ridiculously, messed up life? Thankfully, Alex is there to save the day. Things might seem as though they are speeding along at an almost un-tangible rate, but there is a reason for that. I needed to come up with a way for Izzie to move into Alex's house. I don't think any of you will argue with how fun that is going to be!
Chapter Seven
How To: Grow
Moving in together was a big step. One that shouldn't be taken lightly. It would mean changes, drastic changes, to both their lifestyles. Caitlyn Burgess wasn't sure she was ready for that step. She loved her boyfriend Greg, really she did, but living together? Just the thought was enough to make her break out in hives. A delicate shudder rippled through her body as she sorted through the 75 unread emails that filled her account. Most were stupid jokes, chain letters or coupons she would never use. One was from a cousin she couldn't stand, and another from her mother. Both could wait. As could the one from Greg. No doubt it was another list of why they should cohabitate. How did she get him to understand that she liked her space? That she had meant it when she said she wasn't into the whole marriage thing? She'd tried that once. Right out of high school she had married her high school sweetheart. Their marriage had lasted a total of four years. Long enough for her to play housewife while her parents helped him go to college. The moment that diploma was in his hand he'd slapped divorce papers in her's. She'd been left with all the bills to an apartment she couldn't afford and a lesson in how not to get her heart broken again.
"Sorry Greg, you're a nice guy, but I prefer taking care of myself," she muttered as she moved the email into a folder marked Greg. Out of sight, out of mind. At least for the moment. Instead, she focused on the message from myvideos alerting her to the fact that one of her subscriptions had uploaded a new video. Perfect! She only had two subscriptions. One to an Korean lawyer who vlogged about sticking it to people…legally of course. The other to a blonde chick who knew how to do just about everything. Either would get her mind off how to let Greg down gently. Score! Both had updated. She opted for the lawyer first. She could use some snark.
"The topic this week is co-habitation." The saccharine sweetness of her voice, paired with the small smile gracing her cherry red lips, was enough to make a person sit up and take notice. Yang, of Hunt, Bailey, and Yang, was a force to be reckoned with. Her little vlog had started six months ago as a creative way of reaching new clients. To date it had brought in four divorces, two wills, a custodial suit, and several pre-nuptial agreements.
"Maybe I should have gone with the howtogirl." Caitlyn bit back a sigh, her fingers hovering over the mouse. There was no point in listening to a topic she had no interest in. Except, maybe Ms. Yang would shed some light on how to talk Greg out living together. Her hand fell limply into her lap as she sat back to enjoy. Fifteen minutes later she was left reeling. Yang had armed her with information on how to get Greg to back down from living together, but she had also given Caitlyn plenty to think about. Relationships were meant for growth. Either a couple grew closer or they grew apart. The idea was a daunting one. She wasn't sure she was ready for more but she wasn't sure she was ready to lose Greg either.
"I really should have gone with the howtogirl." With trembling fingers, Caitlyn clicked over to the other vlog. Hopefully Izzie would have something fun to cheer her up. Fun or a comfort food recipe.
"I've decided to do something different today. Partially because I don't have anything planned and partially because I like trying new things." She smiled and reached up to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. It was shorter than it had been in previous vlogs, but definitely flattering. "Today I'm going to answer some of the frequently asked questions you guys email me. In order to keep things fun and save you from having to just stare at me sitting in a chair I've asked my friends Callie, Meredith, and Lexie to help!" The focus shifted from her to a cream colored sofa where there women sat, wearing identical, too bright smiles. "I promise they're not as scary as their smiles," Izzie joked when the focus was once again on her. "So…first question?"
Caitlyn let out a sigh and settled back in her desk chair. Nothing interesting. Just tips on using salt to dry up spills and prevent stains, or baking soda as a natural abrasive cleaner. Helpful hints that would probably make a killer book. Maybe she would send an email suggesting that. In the meantime, she needed a distraction. Something to get the whole moving in with Greg debacle off her mind. Then it happened. The too skinny blonde sitting on the couch asked how things were going between her brother and Izzie now that they were living together.
"I…uh…good." Izzie's cheeks turned a brilliant red. "Things are good. They're really good. We've worked out the initial bugs of two people living together and now we're working on getting the nursery put together."
"So," the slimmer of the two brunettes smiled secretively, "does that mean you know what colors to decorate the nursery in? I only ask because your shower is next week and I would love to know if I am buying for a niece or nephew."
"We'll discuss that later." The stuttering was cute. Mostly because Izzie never stuttered. Clearly the sex of the baby was something she wasn't comfortable talking about.
"Fine. I'm holding you to that. So, I accidentally washed my hot pink lipgloss with a load of whites. Am I screwed or is there hope?"
Chewing the inside of her cheek, Caitlyn drummed her fingers against her upper thigh. Yang had suggested that a relationship was meant to grow: either closer or apart. And Izzie made living together seem fine once you grew accustomed to having another person around. That was all well and good but…how did she protect her heart? "Maybe one of them will have something in their next vlog," she muttered before rising from her desk chair. The internet wasn't distracting her. Time to cook. Or maybe time to call Greg for a little heart to heart on which way their relationship was growing.