Hi Folks! I was gonna hold off posting this until I had fully finished the episode but as it's going to be another long one (maybe 7-8 chapters) I thought I may as well get a start as it's nearly done. Thanks so much for the reviews for last chapter. Great to see some new faces reviewing as well as my old friends :) I love to hear people getting involved (although I'm just as chuffed that all you silent readers stick with me!).
This episode will be pretty angsty over-all, especially compared to the fluffy last one, but I'm tackling some harder topics so hope you will enjoy that as much as the fluff. Thanks to Mea23 and TheTBone for helping me float my ideas, as always - and both just posted fab new stories called Wishes and Sins of the Father respectively. They are both cracking reads so would strongly advise you checking them out.
Anyhow, hope you enjoy and would love to hear your views, as always!
"OK, so Brandon, you have your lesson tonight. Jesus practice, Jude and Mariana home with me - what about you two?" Lena asked Kasey and Callie as the family chewed and scraped through breakfast.
"We were wondering if we could prepare our English presentation at Scurro's?" Callie answered.
"That should be fine. Brandon, I can give you the car but you'll have to pick the girls up?"
He looked across at Callie momentarily before looking back at his Mom. "It's ok. I'll walk." He finished his mouthful and got up to finish getting ready. Callie watched him go. She felt like he'd been distant all week but she wasn't sure if it was her imagination.
"I guess you guys can have the car then if you need it, do you?"
Kasey was too absorbed in her phone to hear the question.
"Nice loss last night. you gonna finally let me taunt you in person? What about later? Or you got family plans?"
Kasey read the message and the conversation around her went completely over her head.
"I think we're fine walking but may make dinner tight..." Callie replied before looking over at Kasey for input.
"Pretty rich coming from a Dodgers fan. I actually just said I was watching to avoid you nagging me - see you're picking it up again today though. Callie and I are hanging out at Scurro's after school. If you're that desperate you should come meet us."
She tapped away, placing the phone back down before returning to her cereal only to see all eyes on her.
"Don't let us interrupt you." Lena raised an eyebrow.
"Huh?" she replied before her phone beeped again and she tried to slip an eye to it.
"You've not put that thing down all morning." Mariana grumbled.
"You're just jealous 'cause yours is still confiscated." she replied picking hers back up to peek.
"Guess whose'll be next" Stef remarked pouring out a coffee, causing Kasey to put it back down onto her knee.
"Yes, especially if you have this attachment to it at school." Lena weighed in. "Can you honour us with your attention for five minutes maybe?"
Kasey bit her lips down and looked for further instruction.
"Are you guys eating at the cafe or will you be back for dinner?"
Kasey looked at Callie for her reaction.
"We could eat there?" she suggested as Callie nodded.
"OK - good."
"There you go, Mariana. Two less plates for you to wash." Stef informed her squeezing her shoulders.
"Right, like my nails aren't already ruined." she grumbled.
"Sorta like Jesus' relationship, huh?" Kasey mumbled under her breath as Stef pinched her arm as she passed. Once she had walked by Kasey slipped the message open under the table.
"Just remembered my Dad needed me to babysit my little sister tonight. You guys got any other plans I can crash later in week maybe?"
Kasey put the last mouthful of cereal in her mouth, about to reply, before Lena clicked her fingers in front of her and sprawled out her hand.
Kasey swallowed down and opened her mouth to protest, but analysing the look from both of her Moms she closed it again and sighed, handing it over.
"You can get it back after school."
"But I need to -"
Stef raised her eyebrows, swilling down a mouthful of coffee.
"Never mind." Kasey conceded.
"OK, you two - no later than 7 please. School night. I gotta go." Stef kissed heads and patting shoulders as she passed, ending with a kiss for Lena.
"You're cutting it fine, Jesus." she commented, walking by him as he entered.
"I'm not hungry." he murmured with an evil look at Mariana.
"Guys, not at the table please." Stef warned them before flashing a look at Lena and finally disappearing.
Stef's morning at work began well. The paperwork was all done and they were well up to date with their call outs - the only problem was her increasingly lethargic partner.
Stef looked at him, pouring him his fourth coffee of the day.
"Hope you're not doing another shift tonight?" she asked, staring him down.
"Huh? Oh, no. Just gonna be relaxing and watching the game." he said through a yawn.
"You know Mike, you really don't have to do all this. I'm sure Brandon can hold off on the lessons till he can get a scholarship."
"Stef, I know what I'm doing OK? I don't interfere with your parenting, you don't need to interfere with mine." he replied.
"Alright, easy tiger. I'm just saying that not throwing money at Brandon doesn't make you a bad parent. There are other things you can do, you don't have to over compensate." The two of them returned to their squad car. As Mike opened the driver's side, Stef slipped in before he could take the seat himself. He was more concerned about what she had just said.
"You think I'm over-compensating?" He paused, offended, leaning on the roof of the car and looking down at his colleague.
"I think that you are a good enough father to not have to make grand gestures - there are other ways you can be involved that -" Mike shook his head and raised his palm.
"Come on, I don't need a lecture." he closed the door before making his way round to the other door. "Maybe you should be looking at what our daughter is up to instead of bitching about what I'm spending my money on." He complained as he finally got settled in the passenger seat.
"Excuse me?" She asked resting her hands on the steering wheel. "Our daughter who you've been ignoring for the last couple weeks? You're going to criticise my parenting of her?"
"I've not been ignoring her, we've just been unable to engage in reasonable conversation - and that is besides the point. Did you know she had some frat boy walk her home the other night?"
"That's what this is about?" She shook her head with a laugh. "You're upset because our daughter chose not to walk home alone from a party?"
"I'm upset because the guy you're pegging as her protector looked like he was about thirty - and why is she going to parties anyway?"
"She was going to find Mariana - and she didn't walk home alone with him, there were 4 of them." Stef put the keys in the ignition and revved up the car as Mike continued to gripe.
"Well not what I saw. Do you know where any of your kids are these days?"
"Wow. You know Mike if this new attitude is going to be a permanent fixture I'll pay for the lessons myself. You really want to play things like this?" Stef asked sternly as Mike let out a breath and rubbed his face.
"I'm sorry, Stef. I'm just tired and grumpy. I'll get used to it."
"Yeah, well you better because I gotta tell ya, I'm not getting used to this. Got it?"
"OK, OK." He raised his hands up in his defense.
"Good. Now get that coffee down you and try not to be another teenager in my life, please?" She ordered finally moving off. There was enough angst flying around her house, she didn't need it at work too.
"She is absolutely in love with him, she's not just confused." Callie pointed a nacho at Kasey before popping it into her mouth.
"Are you kidding me? She's been damaged by every relationship she's ever had. No way this isn't a rebound. Trust me, by the end of chapter 11 you'll be seeing a very different side. She'll bolt and he'll go off the rails. Mark my words. If Cooper was here he'd totally agree with me."
"Yeah, well your yes-man's still grounded so we'll have to go with the rest of our majority. Wyatt?" Both girls looked at the stunned looking boy before them, his mouth also full of nachos.
"I kind of agree with Kasey. I think she's in it for the sex." Wyatt chipped in as Kasey pointed with a grin at a defeated Callie.
"Probably not how I'd phrase it, but I'll take it, especially as you're risking Callie's wrath for not agreeing with her."
"You seriously don't think there's more to it than that? We need to have a clear idea for the presentation so we're going to have to be sure of what we're saying."
"OK then - Wyatt. Who are you going with? Me or Callie? And you can't just choose her because you wanna get in her pants." Kasey folded her arms as Callie shook her head with a laugh at an embarrassed Wyatt.
"I kind of like the messed-up theory to be honest." He shrugged as Callie got distracted by a ping from her phone.
"Wooo! I win. And by the way Callie, I'd dump him for that." Kasey winked as the young couple exchanged a smirk. Callie picked her phone up to isolate the source of the message. She clicked it open to reveal a direct instagram photograph of the outside of the café they were in.
"Ugh - I can't wait to get my phone back. I can't believe I got it confiscated mid-conversation." Kasey babbled, but Callie was too distracted to hear the words.
"Thinking of taking Sarah here. Hope you're not there. Wouldn't want anyone getting the wrong impression."
Callie read the message and slipped her phone nervously back into her pocket. Where was he getting this from? She looked around the room and squeezed the table, fidgeting her fingers either side of it.
"You OK Callie?" Kasey asked, looking up from the work they were doing. Callie flicked her gaze to her, zoning back in to her two companions.
"Right – uhm, yeah!" She forced a smile. "You know, I think I'm just gonna head back. Feeling a little light headed."
"Already?" Kasey looked around.
"Callie - I don't care that much you know, if you rather we go with your interpretation...?" Wyatt chipped in suddenly worried that she'd maybe got the wrong end of the stick. He wasn't sure what end that would be but the sudden change was something he couldn't understand any other way.
"He's right, I was only kidding around. We can present whatever you want?" Kasey offered.
"It's not that guys, really." Callie forced a smile. "I just suddenly feel a bit queasy."
Kasey and Wyatt exchanged a worried look.
"OK then, if you're sure."
"No, you guys stay - I don't want to drag you home."
"Callie, come on. I'm not gonna let you go home by yourself. You sure you're OK?"
Callie looked out, agitated but quickly calmed it to a smile to avoid further suspicion.
"I'm sure. Let's go." She made her way towards the door as Kasey turned to Wyatt.
"Any thoughts?"
Wyatt watched as she left before looking back to Kasey. "Your guess is as good as mine." The statement wasn't quite true but he was getting to know Callie more and more and knew that approach would be pretty crucial in success. The two of them grabbed their belongings and followed their departed friend out.
"You know, if you break one of those because you're flinging them around I won't be happy." Stef peered over her reading glasses as Mariana clattered dish after dish.
"I don't see why I have to do them every night." Mariana mumbled.
"Interesting. I can remind you if you like?" Stef replied as Mariana turned and slumped back against the sink, folding her arms.
"I already did the stupid gutters. How long am I gonna be punished for?"
"For lying to us and getting blind drunk? If you ask me you're getting off lightly. You're lucky Mama convinced me not to ground you into next century."
"You know I don't recall Jesus getting punished for getting caught having sex with Lexi." she huffed.
Stef took a deep breath and looked hard at Mariana.
"Maybe you should worry a little less about your brother and Lexi and a little more about yourself and your own actions." she said softly. "I know this has been hard for you but come on, love."
"Am I at least gonna get my phone back any time soon?" she replied returning glumly to her dish washing.
"You'll get it back tomorrow as we agreed. You've got your laptop still, if you ask me you should be grateful."
Mariana didn't respond, leaving Stef to simply watch her from behind. She wished she knew a way to get through to her. She deserved to be punished, but this seemed to be running deeper. As angry as they had been, it was hard not to feel for her. They knew that the constant fighting with Jesus would be punishing her more than they could.
The door swung open and the girls returned.
"Hey guys, how was the cafe?" Stef smiled. "You're back a little earlier than expected."
"Yeah, Callie wasn't feeling too well." Kasey replied rubbing Callie's arm.
"Oh sweetheart - do you need anything?" she asked, removing her glasses.
"No, thank you." she gave her a half hearted smile. "I think I just need to lie down a bit." she gulped before walking briskly up the stairs leaving Stef and Kasey both looking confused.
"Care to explain?" Stef scrutinised as Kasey shrugged. "I wish I knew. Sure it's nothing too bad. Maybe she still feels bad about getting drunk and torpedoing her brother's relationship." She snarked, spotting Mariana and taking a seat next to Stef who threw her an unimpressed glare in anticipation of the looming reaction. The sound from the dishes stopped. "Oh wait, I forgot. That was Mariana."
"Don't you have someone's love life to meddle in?" Mariana sniped back, folding her arms.
"I thought that was your specialty these days?"
Mariana threw the dish cloth at her sister before storming out of the room. Kasey watched her leave, batting the cloth onto the table. It fell neatly between her and Stef who diverted a damning look to her eldest.
"What?" Kasey shrugged, interpreting the look.
"Was that absolutely necessary?" she scolded.
"Hey, just because you're giving her an easy ride doesn't mean I have to. I thought we practiced loyalty in this house. There's no excuse for what she did."
"Yeah, well there's no excuse for bullying your sister either, whatever she did do." Stef picked up the towel and held it out. "You can finish of seeing as you just scared off my assistant."
"So we're allowed to storm off while we're being punished now as well as getting drunk?"
Stef whipped Kasey's arm with it lightly. "You're allowed to zip it and do as I tell you."
Kasey rolled her eyes and slid off the stool, making her way to the sink.
"So. Do you think that Lexi will ever be coming back to school?" Kasey asked. "I know Jesus is getting pretty worried."
"I don't know what is going on." Stef sighed. "I just wish they'd calm down."
"I can't believe they're being so dictatorial. I mean come on - banning her from even being anywhere near Jesus? How screwed up is that! Even if they're her parents - control freaks much?"
"Everyone is entitled to their own values." Stef replied. "They think they're doing what's best for their daughter." the phrase reminded Stef of her earlier talk with Mike.
"Hey, speaking of which, I have a question for you young lady. Why is your Dad all worked up about this guy of yours?"
"Huh?" Kasey's eyebrows crinkled as she rinsed off the last of the plates.
"Your Dad, he seems to be under the impression it was some college kid walking you back the other day and he's not very happy."
"Craig? How does dad even know about that?" Kasey clarified in shock. "He's not a college kid, well, at least I don't think he is. I barely know him."
"You knew him well enough for him to walk you home - and your Dad saw you when he dropped off Brandon."
"I walked back with Kelly and Talya and he tagged along. They went ahead when we were back at the house and I let you know exactly what was going on. Did he really try and narc on me?"
"He's just concerned, love." Stef sighed. "He's just trying to be your father."
"Concerned? So when I interfere in his life it's all feathers and tarring but when he does it to me it's concern."
"Oh Kasey, change the record." Stef groaned, fed up of once again being caught in this tiresome spat.
"Oh sorry, I forgot you always take his side. I don't know how many times I have to apologise to him but I'm not going to be frozen out and have him pass orders through you! What, he can't even tell me to my face that he's been spying on me? Do me a favour - tell him if he wants to be my father again he can bother to bitch at me off his own back."
Stef buried her face in her hands, the endless bickering finally grating too far. The final straw had been dropped and she whipped her phone off the table.
"OK I've had enough of this." She mumbled as she dialled a number, Kasey looking on. "I'm not playing middle man for you two any more."
"Hey - you in the house? Good. Stay there." She hung up and grabbed her car keys.
"Lena, I'll be back in twenty minutes." she shouted before pointing the keys to Kasey. "You. Car."
"What? Why?" she asked, drying her hands.
"You're going to meet your Dad."
"Ha - uhm. No."
"Uhm - it's not up for discussion. It's been too long and this is getting sorted." Stef put her arms on Kasey's shoulders and began to walk her towards the door, in spite of her struggling.
"But Mom - !"
"'But Mom' nothing, I'm fed up of him and I'm fed up of you so you're going to go round there tonight with a peace offering and this is going to be sorted out."
"A peace offering? He's the one who's freezing me out." Kasey continued her efforts to turn back around against Stef's relentless motion pushing her closer and closer to the door.
"Which is why I'm de-frosting it. Car. Now."
"But - "
"Now! Don't make me tell you again."
Kasey grunted as Stef slapped her a couple of times on the back and finally shepherded her out.
Next Chapter Preview: An unexpected throws a spanner in the works for Kasey and Mike, Mariana finds some comfort in Anna and Wyatt takes action to protect Callie.
She tried not to look too alerted by it, but he saw right through. She gave him a false smile but he could see her hands twitch as she opened it. Her face dropped again.
It was photo of Anchor Beach. Callie couldn't hide the fear in her face and Wyatt was done with trying to pretend he couldn't tell what was going on.