Sorry, this chapter is very short. The next one will be much longer. Oh and I'm sorry for getting Austin's father name wrong. His father's name is Ryan Teague.
Christmas
Sawyer goes into her older brother's bedroom. His dark blonde hair looks bizarre all greased up like that, but for once Sawyer doesn't comment on it. She has bigger things to think about than her brother's church-going hairstyle.
Austin sees his little sister staring at him. He specifically told her to never under any circumstances enter his room…without his permission first or if it's an emergency. Peyton made him add that last bit. So far, Sawyer's had seven emergencies since they moved in here two weeks ago. He only said that, though for privacy measures. Sawyer doesn't understand the concept of having some space, whatsoever.
"What do you want, Soy?" the nine year old asked not meaning for it to come out as harsh as it does.
"Is Santa real?" Sawyer has been wondering this for awhile, before Christmas break; some big kids told her, Logan, and Nate that Santa wasn't real and she has to know if he they're right.
Austin almost drops his new I-Pod. He remembers asking Coop if Santa was real when he was six. Coop never believed in anything without proof, first; since there was no proof of Santa. He never believed in him. So, when Austin asked; Cooper told him the truth about Santa not being real.
"Why you asking, that?" Austin distinctly remembers Sawyer warning other to behave for Santa. She hasn't even had one tantrum, which is strange considering Sawyer's flare for dramatics.
"Bunch of big kids told me, Logan, and Nate he wasn't…are they right? You'd know you're bigger than them" Sawyer is convinced; Austin's the smartest guy that's ever lived. This could be due to the fact that Austin helps her with her homework and likes to read.
Austin frowns, who were these stupid kids? "Soy, who told you he wasn't real?" he demanded, determination setting in his eyes. These kids are so gonna catch it.
"Some big kids" Sawyer lied; she has a bad feeling if she tells Austin their names, then he'll get in trouble. "Well is he?" her tone becomes impatient; maybe she should just ask Momma, Daddy or Riley, she's awesome and honest.
The big brother stares at his little sister wondering which road he should go down. The one Coop went down or the one that his sister looks like she wants to hear. "Yeah, he's real, Soy" Austin decides to go down the road Soy-Bean wants to hear.
Sawyer squints trying to detect any hint of sarcasm. "How do you know?" she asked chewing unsurely on her lower lip, maybe those dumb older kids were right. Nate Smith thought they were and Logan wasn't sure either.
"Well…I've seen him, his boot actually. When I was seven, I saw his boat in the chimney" Austin explained as his little sister's eyes widen her eyes bright with excitement. "I heard his reindeer last night too."
"You did?" the six year old looks completely and incredibly enthralled with her brother's tales.
"Yeah, didn't you?" Austin raises an eyebrow at Sawyer who thinks about it; lying would be wrong, but maybe she did hear them.
Sawyer not wanting to feel left out; nods seriously. "Yep, they were loud. I think it was Dasher" the blonde stated adamantly.
"Huh, I thought it was Rudolph" Austin remarked smiling softly at the little girl. "But, you'd know best, Bean."
"Aust, it was so Dasher. You wanna know how I know?" he nods trying to look serious. "Rudolph only comes when it's hard to see. I think he's in hyper-nation" Sawyer explained as Austin chuckles, he doesn't have the heart to tell her she's mixing words up.
The little girl tries to remember why her father sent her upstairs in the first place. "Daddy said, we gots to go to church now" Sawyer skips out of Austin's room and downstairs grinning; Santa's real, she never doubted herself for a minute.
Austin glances at himself in the mirror wondering why the hell they're going to church in the first place. He and his Pops never bothered with that kind of nonsense; church just wasn't the Teague style. Perhaps it's the Scott style, only Austin isn't really a Scott. He's just, well lucky; kids normally, don't get it good like this. The nine year old guesses church won't be that bad, all he hasta do is think about how he's going to sneak out and see Rye tonight.
Riley doesn't want to give Brooke or Julian the presents she made them. It sucks, first of all and second it sucks. They're going to hate it and probably toss it. Riley wishes she could just use the money she 'borrowed' from them. But, they'd think something was up if she suddenly got them awesome crap.
The nine year old reluctantly goes downstairs with the wrapped present in hand. She wasn't sure what to get the boys, Brooke and Julian said they were too little and it was okay if she didn't.
"This is for both of you" Riley stares down at the gift Lucas helped her make and decorate the wooden frame. It has a picture; Quinn took of her, the boys, Brooke and Julian when they weren't looking. The pictures are together so it looks like they all belong.
"That was very nice of you to think of us, Rye" Julian praised smiling down at her; he gently plays with Jude's blue train.
Brooke starts to take the overly tapped gift from her, but Riley holds it to her chest. "It kinda sucks" the girl doesn't want to give it to them.
"I doubt that; come on, we'll like it" Brooke promised, she wants to take the present from her daughter, but Riley has to be willing to give it to her. That's the only way they can really accept the present.
"Even if it sucks?" Riley doesn't look so sure; Grams was a wonderful woman, but she was very critical of her granddaughter. It was mostly because she worried Riley would end up like her mother, Mary.
"It's not going to suck, but if it does then…" Brooke thinks for a moment causing Julian to smirk. "That doesn't matter as long as you tried your best on it" the mother explained, Julian wonders how Brooke got to be so good with their kid.
"I did try...I even got Lucas and Quinn to help me" Riley stated proudly as her parents wonder what the present is.
It has to be something about words for Lucas and pictures for Quinn, Julian is clearly intrigued. "Come on, Rye, I bet it's the best gift in the whole world" Julian gestures causing Riley to giggle.
Riley shifts from foot to foot. "Okay, here" she hands the gift to her foster mother whose hands aren't full. Brooke rips open the gift and blinks as she stares down at the many photos morphed into one. "It's okay if you don't like it, you can tell me" Riley mumbled softly.
Brooke shows her husband the frame and he grins. Riley obviously wanted to use every shade of blue imaginable; blue happens to be her favorite color this week. "It's great, Rye, I love it" Julian whispered his eyes bright with affection.
"Me too" his wife agreed confidently; she reaches over and ruffles her foster child's hair.
Riley looks at the toys she received. Really, she thinks Brooke and Julian got her too many things. When she lived with Grams, Riley only ever got her a few things. Money was always tight and they couldn't afford toys, Riley understood that, in fact she hadn't expected to get as much as she did. She isn't Julian or Brooke's actual kid, but they still got her stuff, it's weird. They shouldn't get her stuff, they really shouldn't.
Jude waddles over and tugs on Riley's hands, he wants her to lift him up. The girl glances down at her little brother; she already knows what he wants. "Not right now, J-Dude" Riley murmured, her thoughts are on her Grams.
The dark haired baby's lower lip wobbles, sadly. "Rye" Jude whined, about ready to ball his eyes out. Ever since, the boys learned her name, they've gotten used to her and expect their 'big sister' to play with them.
"Okay, fine" Riley rolls her as she lifts Jude onto her lap. The little boy giggles as he rests his head against her chest. He loves being Riley's favorite.
Davis pouts at his big sister and brother. He looks down at his red train set and throws it at Riley. The nine year old looks at her jealous blonde haired brother. "What'd you do that for?" she asked softly, not expecting an answer.
"Davis, I'm sorry about him" Brooke reprimanded softly, Riley shrugs her shoulders; she gets why Dave did it, he's jealous.
"Come here, Dave" Riley chuckles and lets the little boy crawl other her side of her lap. Brooke hadn't expected the boys to take to Riley like they have, it's adorable.
Julian watches his foster daughter and sons. Something about this feels right; Brooke comes into the kitchen smiling. "Babe, I've been thinking" her husband whispered kissing the top of her head.
"Huh" Brooke looks over, her eyes smiling with delight.
"Well, I think we should adopt, Riley" Julian admitted, Riley's just so great with the boys and he honestly loves her like a daughter. These past couple months have been great.
Brooke smiles at her husband and nods. "I think we should too. I'll call Bevin tomorrow and see if we can" she said her tone rich with excitement.
Julian asked curiously, "When should we tell her?"
Brooke looks in the living room to see, Riley playing with little Davis and Jude. "When we know it can be official, I don't want to get her hopes up" the mother admitted as Julian nods.
"I can't wait" he said heading back into the living room and sitting beside Riley. "Hey Riley-Roo, how are you?" the father asked offering his foster child a sympathetic smile.
Riley looks up at him, "I've never gotten so much stuff before, not even on my birthday" she murmured softly.
Julian runs his hand through her hair. "I really love the present you got us, it's great" he said as Brooke sits down beside them and takes Davis off Riley's lap.
"Really?" the nine year old her eyes full of awe, she thought they would only accept a store bought present.
Brooke nods seriously, "I think it's the best present, I've ever gotten and trust me, kid I've gotten everything" she said with a sincere grin.
Riley flashes a smile and leans against her foster mother. "Thanks for everything you've done for me" the curly headed child answered her eyes shining with enchantment.
"Think nothing of it" Brooke answered waving her off.
Riley looks down at the pile of presents and then at her parents. "You shouldn't have gotten me all this stuff" the child said softly.
Julian's brow furrows and he frowns slightly. "What do you mean?" the foster parent asked looking concerned.
"It must've cost a lot" the curly headed child looks down at the box of awesome boots and wonders why they bought her all this stuff.
Brooke gives Julian a look and answered, "Riley, you don't have to worry about money. That's our job."
"Are you sure?" Riley asked hesitantly.
"One hundred percent" Brooke answered as Davis tries to crawl back onto Riley's lap, the mother smiles. "I guess you're their favorite person, now."
"Nah, I'm just their sister" Riley gulps unsurely and blinks, she hadn't meant to say that. "I'm sorry...is it okay for me to call them my brothers?" she said worriedly.
"Of course it is, we'd love that" Julian said chuckling softly; he looks at Brooke wondering if he should bring the adoption up.
"It's just…people ask stuff and I don't know what else to call them and…I mean you guys sorta are my family" Riley admitted flashing them a genuine smile.
"Well, I'm sorta glad you said that" the doorbell rings several times. "As usual, the Scotts are early" Brooke said as Riley runs and opens the door to Haley, Nathan, and Lydia.
"Come here you, give me a hug" Haley ordered walking inside and giving her 'niece' a hug. "Merry Christmas, how was Santa this year?" she asked as Riley snorts.
"I think he's okay, probably tired from visting everybody" Riley said with a cheeky smirk as Haley rolls her eyes.
"How did he treat you?" Nathan asked ruffling Riley's curls.
"Yeah, he went all out" Riley gives them her signature smile. "Where's Jamie? I got this awesome I-pod" she asked pulling away and looking around for her friend.
Haley answered sighing, "Outside, playing basketball."
"Cool" Riley quickly runs outside, I-Pod in hand.
Brooke's eyes widen at this. "Try not to get dirty or break the I-pod, Santa spent a lot on that" Brooke warned as Riley looks over at Brooke with raised eyebrows.
"Yes ma'am" Riley called over her shoulder; today's a special day, the least she can do is be respectful.
Haley giggles at that and gives Brooke a hug. "Well, ma'am, I see she's gotten more respectful" Haley observed jokingly, she can't remember a time when Jamie has ever called her ma'am.
"I doubt that'll last five minutes" Brooke said as she gushes as little Lydia in a beautiful Christmas dress. "You look so pretty Lydie" she takes the baby from Nathan who smiles.
Lydia giggles up at her Aunt Brooke, Jay's always telling her stories about how silly she is. "Pity" the year old tried to say as Brooke smiles brightly down at her.
"You Lydia Bob Scott are beautiful" Brooke kisses the top of Lydia's head and tickles her side.
Jamie dribbles around the drive-way. His Dad said long as he behaved himself he could bring the basketball and play. Oh and he also has to include Riley, which won't be a problem.
"Hey Jay" Riley said trying out a nickname for him.
Jamie looks over with a dimpled grin. "Rye, Merry Christmas" he said using the nickname only a selective few people say.
"What'd you get?" the curly headed girl asked her beautiful blue eyes dancing with amusement, Jamie sometimes gets lost in those eyes.
"New cell, clothes, and video games; what bout' you?" Jamie asked tossing her the basketball.
Riley catches it easily, "umm, I-pod, clothes, and stuff. I don't think Brooke and Julian know what to get me" she said as Jamie's green eyes widen.
"You mean there's no Santa" Jamie asked his mouth falling open in mock shock, Riley smiles as she slugs his shoulder. "So, remember when I kissed you."
"Yeah I think so" Riley giggled, it was her first kiss. How could she forget it? Really, she's been thinking about it everyday since, but it's not like she'll tell him that.
"I've been thinking about it...a lot and I think I want to be more than friends with you. If that's okay with you, cause yeah...do you want to?" Jamie asked hesitantly as he waits for her to respond.
Riley asked, "What about Madison?"
"Well, I'll just tell her I want to be friends with her" the blonde reasoned shrugging as though this solves all their problems.
"I'm her friend too, Jay" Riley commented as Jamie chews on his lower lip.
This is so confusing, when did everything become so different? Jamie wondered as he taps the ball. "Well, can't we all be friends? I mean, I wanna be friends with her, but not with you. It's different with you" the boy looks so flustered, he's been trying to think of a way to say this all week.
"Jamie, you can't do that to Madison. She likes you, I know she does" Madison told her she liked Jamie, a lot and they only just started being friends. "It wouldn't be cool if I took you from her" Riley answered weakly, she wants to be more than friends with Jamie, but Madison's sort of her friend.
"I really wanna be more than friends with you" Jamie stated seriously. "I really, really like you and yeah, that's it. I like you."
Riley wants to tell him she does too, but she can't do that to Madison; they've only just started being friends. "Jamie, I like us being how we are now, okay? I don't wanna ruin it" she lied as Jamie's face falls wishing he hadn't said that.
"Jamie, Riley, get your butts in here! It's time for dinner" Haley shouted as both kids stare at one another for a second, before doing as they're told.
Hours later, after the Scotts have gone home and everyone is in bed. An impatient Riley waits for her best friend outside. When Riley sees him walking down the street, she glares at him. "Quit giving me that look. I know; I know I'm late. Peyton and Lucas wouldn't quit checking on me" he reasoned causing Riley to laugh.
Riley asked, "Why'd they check on you?"
"I dunno, they're weird" Austin answered shrugging, he has Riley's gift hidden behind his back. "Well, here buddy, I got you this" he shows her the present; he didn't wrap it very well, but that doesn't matter.
Riley hands him the present Brooke gave back to her. She didn't think her foster mom would do that, but she did. Maybe she understands friendships and all that dumb stuff. Austin stares down at his present in mild confusion. Usually, Rye only gets him funny gags he could test on his next victim otherwise known as Sawyer.
"I know it's dumb, but I thought since you have Lucas and Peyton now, you'd wanna take pictures. You used to like taking pictures and stuff, you know what I'm gonna shut up now" Riley rambled on and on, rolling her eyes.
Austin said staring down at the album, "You should cause I like it, it's better than what you usually get me."
"Ouch" Riley joked laughing it off.
"No, I mean. It's really awesome" Austin whispered as he watches Riley open the journal with an amused smile.
"Who knew you had such a gift for getting gifts?" Riley asked as she stares down at the red journal. Reds her favorite color too, Austin must've known that while he got it for her.
"Well, you are my best friend" the blonde boy replied looking the picture of cheerfulness. "Do you think Coop wants to take me away?"
Riley chews nervously on her lower lip. "Nah, he can't do that. He hasn't been around long enough to" she said shrugging it off.
"What if he does? I don't wanna live with him" Austin asked feeling hot tears fall down his cheeks.
"You don't have to" the girl said shaking her head. "If he tries to, we can just run away together."
"Could we bring Jamie and Lily?" Austin asked, he really like their new friends, especially Lily. He doubts he could live without her craziness in his life.
Riley can't help, but wince at Jamie's name. "Sure, wanna come over and hangout?" she asked sounding mildly curious.
Austin answered shaking his head, "Nah, I'll prolly get in trouble if I do." Living with the Scotts has taught him to avoid as much trouble as he possibly can.