*Alright time for serious business and here is Ch 3. Hope you like it

Gene walked into the kitchen and noticed that Finny had already sat down at the table. She looked at Finny's mother and she brought over some bacon eggs and toast on a plate. Finny's mother was petit; she had short blond hair, brown eyes and an inviting smile. Gene sat down at the mahogany table and said "I'm sorry to bother you but I never really got your name?"

"Oh I'm so sorry for not introducing myself earlier. My name is Clara."

Clara then placed Gene's plate on the table and then took her own place at the table. After they all had finished eating Finny then asked his mother "So why did you come so early? Did "he" send you home?" Gene noticed Clara's smile fade from her face and sternly replied "No your father did not send me back. I came back on my own will to see you."

"You didn't have to come."

"I thought you might be lonely so I wanted to see you, but we'll talk about this later."

Clara then turned towards Gene and inquired "So how long have you been with Finny?"

"For about four months, he is a really nice boy and an exceptional athlete as well, you must be proud of him."

Clara's eyes lit up with joy and replied "Well he is a sweet boy…Oh and Gene I was wondering if you would like to hear a little story?"

"What story?" Finny questioned.

"It's the one about how I met your father. You haven't heard that one yet and it would be nice for Gene to know as well. Besides you two don't have anything planned do you?"

Gene shook her head and answered "No we don't, and I would love to listen to your story."

Clara started off "It was the early years of the Roaring Twenties and prohibition was in full swing. There was money to be spent, illegal alcohol to be bought and lavish parties to attend. I was only 20 at the time and I was a young Flapper Girl. I had recently moved out of my parent's house and was living with my best friend who was enormously popular with the rich and famous. She had been invited to one of the biggest parties of the year and brought me along." Clara paused and Finny asked "So how did you meet my father?"

"Just wait I'm getting to that part"

Clara than continued "The house was huge and brightly lit; it was like gold flooding from the chandeliers. The dresses were extravagant and colorful. The music was lively and everyone was on their feet no matter how tired they were. It was like the whole party had its own energy which would keep everyone going. I enjoyed dancing and speaking with all of the stars that were there but I had caught the attention of one person in particular. As I continued to admire the beauty of my surroundings I walked out to the second floor balcony and there he was. He had on a dark suit and wore a black bow tie. He was also extremely handsome and had the most striking green eyes. They were like blue green flame which stood out from his tan complexion. I made my way over to his side and he glanced at me and asked me for my name. I simply responded with Clara and he smiled. We spent the rest of the night there outside of the party and I knew from then on that I had found the man I was willing to spend the rest of my life with."

Gene then asked "Is there more to this story?" Clara looked at her and beamed and replied "Yes but I don't think it's appropriate for your age, but I can tell you that we got married in 1924 and that Phineas was born on October 21, 1925. After Finny was born things were a little –" Finny interjected "Different. My father became a completely different person after I was born and I don't want to hear any of this anymore." He stood up abruptly from the dining table and went upstairs. Gene had never seen him act so bitter before.

"What happened after he was born?" Gene asked "Well after he was born Finny's father became distant and was away at work. He only came back from New York for holidays or birthdays, but Phineas adored him to death. Whenever he came home that boy would run up to him and he always had such a look of pure love and admiration on his face. Something he never did to me or anyone else. Finny would always seek his father's attention no matter what. As a matter of fact I was the one who actually got him into sports as a way to take his mind off the fact that his father wasn't there. Once he got older though something happened that destroyed his view of his father forever."

Tears welled up in her brown eyes and then she continued "When Phineas was about 13 years old I had recently found out that his father was having an affair with another woman and I tried to hide it from him but eventually finny found out and our family became a mess. I pulled through and forgave him but Finny scorned his father and was completely heartbroken. He was also deeply disappointed in me for forgiving his father after what he had done. Now he doesn't even speak one word to him."

The tears then began to stream down her round face and Gene comforted her "It's not your fault it's just hard to heal." Clara brushed her honey blond hair out of her face and requested in a weak voice "Could you talk to Finny please? He'll listen to you." Gene couldn't turn down such a whole hearted favor and accepted.

Gene went up the staircase and turned the golden door knob to open Finny's door. She saw him lying on his bed. He saw her standing at the door and sat up causing the bed to groan under his 150 pounds of muscle. "Are you alright Finny?"

He glanced at her and sighed "Yeah I just get a bit angry when anyone talks about my Father. I'd rather not be reminded of his existence." She walked over and sat next to him and caressed his face "It's alright I understand how hard it is to forgive, but you got to admit that your situation could have been worse." Finny smiled and jokingly said "Yeah I could have had an abusive dad who would have beat me all day."

Gene chuckled painfully and replied "You could've but you didn't and besides I give you all the attention you need right?" he turned his face towards her and he had his goofy yet provocative smile on his face that Gene absolutely adored. He musically stated "Yes you give me all the attention I need." She giggled and then placed a small peck on his cheek.

"I love you Gene Forrester." He whispered. She flushed bright crimson and quietly murmured "yeah I love you too." Finny raised his brow and slightly laughed and brushed her hair back and commented "You finally say it after four months." Gene countered "Well the girl doesn't always have to say "I love you" first besides I find it sweeter that you said it before me… So do you feel better now?" He nodded his head and they both stood up and walked back down stairs. Once they were back down stairs Clara called Finny over to the phone and handed it to him. He held it to his ear and continued on in a conversation with the person on the other line.

Gene strolled into the living room and looked at all of the photos which she was unable to appreciate the day before. There were photos of people at parties, a wedding probably Clara's she assumed and many of Finny as a child along with ones of him that seemed more up to finally found one of a sharply dressed man and Clara said behind her "That's Peter. Phineas' father." Gene held up the photograph and thought Finny does look like his father a bit but it's hard to tell with a colorless picture. She placed it back on top of the deep brown side table and said to Clara "Phineas does look like his father but he definitely has your smile." Clara's laughter chimed though the living room and she thanked Gene. Suddenly Finny rushed into the room and announced "I just got off the phone with Brinker and Gene and I are going to New York tomorrow!" he quickly ran back out before Gene and Clara had any time to even think.

"Did he just say what I thought he said?"

"My son is so quick to make decisions without consulting anyone" Clara said while shaking her head and laughing contently.

Gene went up the stairs again and found Finny packing his things

"So where are we going exactly?"

"Brinker invited a bunch of his friends to a Christmas party at his house in New York and he said you could come too…"

She sensed how excited he was and after he was so upset before she wanted him to be happy; so she went along with his little plan.

*End of Chapter 3 what will happen next? Sorry for all the blocks of text I tried to space it out also what did you think of Clara's little story? Review if there are things you don't like, like and if you have any questions. DFTBA : D