My Sister's Secret
(Chapter Twelve: Hand Me Down)
"Liv, come here. I want to show you something," Elliot called to her as she placed dinner dishes in the sink.
"Babe, what is it? I was helping Maureen with the dishes."
"It will only take a second. I want the chance to talk to you for a minute before without the girls catching on."
She smiled. "They are in the playroom with Gabby and Dylan. What is going on?"
"Just come out into the garage," he said leading her by the hand down the steps and into the garage.
"What is going on out here?" Olivia asked smiling at Scott, who had Maureen's car up on ramps.
"Just checking things out. And trying to decide what color to paint it."
"Painting it?" She asked. "I thought you guys were getting a new car?"
"We are," Scott said looking back as Elliot.
"El? Is there something you have forgotten to tell me?"
Elliot looked back at the door and handed her a beer.
"I want to buy the car from Scott."
"Give me one reason why we need another car."
"I can give you two," he replied with a smile as he pointed at the door to the kitchen. "And they turn sixteen years old in three weeks."
"Two kids and one car?"
"They shared a womb, they can share a car."
Olivia laughed.
"Just hear me out, okay?"
"Okay," she said kissing him as he pulled her over to look under the hood of the car.
"Low mileage, excellent condition and a dependable car. It is the exact same make and model as mine at home. Scott just changed the oil and all of the fluids. New tires, it is perfect for the girls. I thought we could buy it from them give them six thousand for it. We get a dependable car for the kids and they get more money for a down payment than they would for trade in."
"I'm in so far."
"Really?"
"Yeah. You're right. They are eventually going to need a car. This one is dependable and in good condition. And this way we help Scott and Maureen out as well. Sounds like a plan to me."
"Wait until you hear the next part," Scott said with a smile.
"There is more?" Olivia asked looking at her husband with her arms folded in front of her.
"Yeah, but you are going to like this part. The place where we got your SUV is having a big sale. I was thinking we could go down and look around and pick out another car."
"So one of them gets a new car and the other gets Maureen's hand me down?"
"No, silly. Scott has already talked to a friend about repainting both cars."
"I'm confused."
"This car is exactly like mine. So one of them will get this one and the other will have mine. Two kids, two cars."
"So the new car is for you, okay."
"Not exactly. I was thinking, you have had your car since the kids were little. We use your car the most, so we should go down and get you a new car. I'll take yours, you get a new one and the kids will have cars that are both paid off. The only payment is on the new one. I'm going to bring mine over here tomorrow afternoon and change the fluids, check the tires, teen proof it."
Olivia laughed. "You have really put a lot of thought into this."
"I got all of the other kids a car for their sixteenth birthday. I want to be able to do something for the girls, too. So back to the original question. What colors are we going to paint them?"
"Well," Olivia said turning around to look at the car. "Aubrey likes blue. She is in love with this little blue car across town."
"Okay, blue for Bre. What about Bailey?"
Olivia looked at Elliot and they both smiled.
"Black Mustang," they said at the same time.
"So we need one blue and one black."
"Dark blue," Olivia said as she slid into the drivers seat of the car. "And we should get them CD players. Your car still has cassette. We could put new stereos in them."
"Good thinking."
"How long will it take to get them ready?"
"If you know for sure on the color, I can take this one down tomorrow and they can go ahead and get it started. If we get the other one in there soon, he could have them done before their birthday," Scott said looking at Olivia. "You can park them here until the party."
"Thanks, Scott. I'm going to head back inside and finish helping Maureen clean up. You two behave yourselves," she said kissing Elliot before heading back inside.
THREE WEEKS LATER….
Elliot fixed his daughters birthday pancakes as he listened to them running around upstairs.
"Breakfast is almost ready," Elliot called up the stairs as Olivia came down. "What the hell is going on up there? Sounds like a heard of elephants."
"Nope, two sixteen year old girls. They are trying to find the perfect outfits to wear for their drivers license photos."
Elliot smiled.
"The do know that you can only see their face in the picture, right?"
"Yeah, well I have told them that about five times. It didn't seem to help. They are excited, daddy. Let them enjoy it. You and Scott have everything planned out?"
"Yes. While you and the girls are shopping and taking driving tests, he and I are going to get things set up back here. I cleaned out the garage and he and he is picking me up in about an hour and a half to bring the cars over. Maureen even got these big red bows. They are going to freak. Prepare for a lot of high pitched girl screaming."
Olivia laughed.
"They are going to love them. I got cash for their birthday cards. I figured we could give them those at breakfast. Then I will take them by the mall before we come home and let them get some shoes and clothes, whatever they want."
"What about the party?"
"Seven o'clock. Here. I ordered the cake and we're going to pick it up on the way home."
"How many teenagers are we talking here?"
"Just two as far as I know."
"I thought you told them they could invite friends?"
"I did. They don't seem to have a lot of real friends right now. Since the trial….they have pretty much lost touch with everyone from their old school. So it is pretty much just family."
"Our poor kids. Imagine being a sixteen year old girl and not having any friends at all."
"One of those times when I am really glad there is two of them. They are best friends and they are really pulling each other through this."
"I talked to Dickie yesterday."
"What did he say?"
"He'll be in around noon. I know that Bailey is especially excited to see him."
"Yeah, they are quite a pair. You would almost think those two were twins and Aubrey and Elizabeth."
Elliot smiled.
"He is her big brother, she adores him and really looks up to him."
"And he is an amazing role model. All of the kids are. We are really lucky to have such good kids. They are all pretty amazing. Our family is amazing."
"Yeah it is."
Elliot smiled as the girls made their way down the stairs.
"There they are! Happy birthday, ladies! I made your favorites for your annual birthday breakfast. Blueberry pancakes for you," he said placing a plate in front of Aubrey. "And banana nut pancakes for you," he said kissing the top of Bailey's head. "Peanut butter is already on the counter."
He watched as his daughters eat their breakfast.
"So what are the big plans for today?" Elliot asked the girls.
"Mom's taking us to take our driving test and get our license. The we get to go get a new outfit for our dinner tonight," Aubrey announced with a smile.
"Dad, what time is Dickie coming in? he will be here for our party tonight, right?"
"Of course. I am going in to do a little work. And I pick him up from the airport around twelve thirty. We should be back here by the time you girls get home."
"I cannot wait to see him!"
"Neither can I."
"Girls, daddy and I thought we would go ahead and give you part of your gift from us now," Olivia said handing them each a card.
"Thanks mom," Aubrey said with a smile as she opened the envelope.
"Wow, two hundred bucks!" Bailey announced in excitement.
"Thank you too daddy," Aubrey said hugging her father.
"You are very welcome baby." Elliot hugged her tight in his arms. "Mom and I were talking and we were thinking you guys might want to get some new clothes for our trip. We're also gonna let you both pick out a new bathing suit, but this way you can get your own clothes or whatever you like."
"Cool. Thanks, dad."
"It was mom's idea. Daddy doesn't speak teenaged girl."
The girls laughed.
"Thanks momma," Bailey said hugging her mother.
"Happy birthday, ladies. If we're not out of here in about twenty minutes we are going to be running late getting back here to spend time with Dickie before your birthday dinner. Finish eating."
That evening they all sat around the dinner table, joined by Cragen and Casey, Fin and Munch. After dinner they retired for the family room where the girls began to open their birthday gifts.
Designer purses from Kathleen, emerald jewelry from Dickie. Cash from Cragen, Munch and Fin. The girls made a killing.
"Are we ready for cake?" Olivia asked playing hostess.
"It is ice cream cake," Bailey added. "And the best food in the entire world!"
The girls headed into the kitchen to help their mother serve dessert to their guests. As the evening began to wind down, Scott and Elliot slipped out to the driveway to prepare for the presentation of the big gift.
Maureen picked up her daughter and asked the girls to help her carry the kids to their car. As she did, everyone else followed along behind them. They had made it out the door and down the front steps before Aubrey looked up to see the two cars sitting there, each with a big red bow on it.
"Really?" She asked with a smile as she looked back at her mother.
"Happy birthday, baby." Olivia kissed her and placed a set of keys in her palm. "The blue one is yours. Black, is Bailey's."
"Oh my God! You guys got us our own cars?" Bailey asked.
"Yeah, well you are licensed drivers now," Elliot said tossing her the keys.
They ran across the driveway to their new cars as they squealed in excitement.
"Can we take them for a drive?" Bailey asked looking at her parents.
"Let's go squirt," Dickie said climbing into the passenger seat of Bailey's new ride.
"This is so awesome."
Eli climbed into the car with Aubrey and Elliot and Olivia watched as the kids drove off.
That night as the girls finished off a bowl of ice cream before bed Elliot and Olivia joined them in the kitchen.
"So, did you girls have a good birthday?" Olivia asked.
"The best," Aubrey replied with a smile.
"Yeah. I still can't believe you guys got us cars. I have my own car! So cool," Bailey replied.
"You girls know that owning a car comes with responsibilities? They are paid off, so there is no car payment. Mom and I can help you out with gas money from time to time and the cost of the upkeep. But the insurance is your responsibility."
"You mean we have to get jobs?" Bailey asked looking confused.
"It costs a lot of money to drive a car," Olivia reminded them.
"I was talking to some people trying to get some ideas for jobs for you girls. Elizabeth is looking for someone to do some filing at her office and Kathleen and Casey could use someone to answer phones in the evenings. This should be enough hours to pay for your car insurance and help give you each a little extra spending money as well. I told them I would talk to you guys about it and have you give them a call tomorrow to let them know."
"Dad, what about our trip?" Bailey asked.
"I'm sure they will work with you."
"And we would have extra money? I up for it," Bailey said with a smile.
"What about you, Bre?" Olivia asked combing her fingers through her daughter's hair.
"Sure. I think it will be kind of cool to be able to earn our own money."
"Alright, then you girls can call them tomorrow and work out the details. But for now, I think daddy and I are going to bed. Good night girls."
"Night mom," Bailey said kissing her mother and hugging her father.
"Yeah, good night mom." Aubrey hugged her mother tight as Olivia kissed her.
"Good night baby, happy birthday."
Elliot and Olivia made their way upstairs as the kids finished their ice cream and made popcorn before returning to the living room to watch a movie.