A/N: Okay so I had a really good chapter going, and when I went to work on it some more, most of it was gone! So Im sorry if this chapter sucks, I'm just not thrilled about having to rewrite what I wrote before. So this chapter may be a bit shorter and choppy. Oh and Caitlyn will be in this story, but as Caitlyn Roberts, Summer's cousin, not Caitlyn Cooper.

**Saturday, A Week before school starts**

It was around 10:00am on Saturday morning when Kirsten went in Elena's room. She smiled to herself seeing the little girl sleeping so soundly. She quietly walked over to the bed and stroked her hair out of her face and gently kissed her temple. "Elena honey," she whispered rubbing her back tenderly.

Elena groaned slightly stirring in her sleep. She rolled over on her back and opened her eyes for a second then groaned throwing the covers over her head.

Kirsten couldn't help but chuckle. "Sweetie; I woke your brothers, we're going to go out to breakfast, then we will be going to the mall for school shopping. We'll be leaving really shortly. Please get ready."

Elena was kind of excited for a new school, but at the same time really, really nervous. She didn't know anyone her age, she didn't know if she would fit in, or if anyone would like her. But she was hungry and really wanted to go shopping. That's something she hasn't had the chance to do yet before the school year starts; going shopping with her mom, but now she can say she did. Normally it was Trey that took her and Ryan, but when Trey got arrested, it was just Ryan who took her. It's different though, going shopping with your mom and going shopping with your brother. Elena smiled and pulled the covers down from her face. "Okay mommy, I'll be down really soon."

"Okay baby." She kissed her forehead and left the room to let the girl get dressed.

Elena hopped out of her bed and skipped to her closet. She pulled out her Wallflower Dark Wash Belted Bermuda shorts and her grey PIECES Kitsa Animal top. She pulled out her white Garden Garland sandals and her black metal, etched Bracelets. She threw her hair into a cute messy bun and skipped downstairs. She walked into the kitchen where everyone was having a conversation. "Good morning!" She smiled and she ran to Sandy hugging him. "Daddy are you coming shopping too?"

Sandy smiled and kissed the top of her head. He loved that she calls him daddy. "I'm sorry honey, I have to go into work, but when we all get back, I was thinking we can go see a movie." He smiled.

Elena smiled wide and nodded "that sounds fun!"

"Yes it does but I'm so hungry can we go?" Seth smiled; the boys who didn't really care if they got knew clothes for school; were just ready to leave. They were more excited about the food then the shopping.

****At the Mall****

The boys had done their clothes shopping first. They were much quicker and easier to shop for as they didn't really care what clothes they got. The boys were sitting in the chairs in the 'Deb shop' as their little sister and mom were looking for clothes for her.

Seth smiled when he saw Summer walk in the store with her cousin Caitlyn. Caitlyn was only two years older than Elena, making her 11. Seth stood up, and walked to Summer giving her a kiss on her cheek. "Hey baby, I didn't know you were going to be here."

Summer smiled. "Yeah, I decided to take Caitlyn shopping for school. Is Lena here?"

Ryan laughed "no we decided to do some shopping at the deb for ourselves."

Just then Elena skipped over to them. 'Summer!" She smiled throwing her arms around the teen.

"Hey Lena. I want you to meet someone." She smiled looking at her cousin. "Caitlyn this is Elena, Elena this is my cousin Caitlyn."

Caitlyn smiled. "Hey Elena. Summer told me a lot about you. She said we would make great friends."

Elena smiled shyly. "Th-that's cool." She whispered.

Kirsten smiled. "I'm sorry to break this up so quickly, but we need to check out and head out to get some supplies for school. But summer, Caitlyn you two are welcome over later tonight."

Both young girls squealed and Ryan smiled at his little sister. He was so thrilled at he can finally see a genuine smile on her face. This new life of theirs is just what they needed.

After they check out the mountain of clothes, shoes and accessories, they were headed out to the Range Rover.

"Thanks mom." The three kids said in unison as they got in the car.

"My pleasure kids." She smiled. "So I was thinking we can have burgers and hot dogs on the grill tonight?"

"Oh yeah! So much fun!" Elena smiled.

"Mom…" Seth said looking up from his phone; "Summer just texted and asked if Caitlyn could sleep over tonight with Elena. According to Summer, Caitlyn wouldn't shut up about it until she asked." He chuckled.

"I don't see why not. Elena are you okay with this?" she asked looking back at her daughter.

Elena looked apprehensive at Ryan; but he just gave her a nod. "it will be fun Lena."

Elena smiled slightly and nodded. "Okay yeah. It will be my first sleepover."

"It will be fun!" Kirsten smiled. "Seth tell Summer, I said yes."

****OCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOC****

Two hours have passed and the four of them were on their way home after completing all their shopping. They ran into some traffic, and Elena wasn't gonna have it. She was hot, hungry and tired. She just wanted to get home, and get ready for the sleep over and take a nap. She huffed taking off her seatbelt which she hates wearing, and threw her legs over Ryan's lap.

"Elena seatbelt." Ryan warned gently pushing her legs off his.

"Ry, we're not even moving!" she whined.

Kirsten turned around to put a stop to it right away. "Elena Nicole Atwood-Cohen, you will put your seatbelt on right now, or I will come back there and make sure the seatbelt isn't the only thing that's going to be uncomfortable. Understood?"

Elena pouted but nodded. "Yes ma'am. But I hate it!" she slammed the seatbelt in the holder.

"I know, but it keeps you safe, and you better lose the attitude, right now. First, and last warning." Kirsten turned back around as the traffic started to move. "See we're moving now."

Elena stayed quiet for the rest of the ride home. Once she pulled in the drive way, Elena hopped out and grabbed her bags and skipped to the door. Once Kirsten unlocked the door Elena ran up to her bedroom and put the bags on her bed.

*******OCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOC*******

Kirsten just sent out a text to Sandy, to stop at the grocery store on the way home for burgers and hot dogs and some other slumber party snacks.

Elena came back down in yellow cotton shorts and a white tank top. She grabbed an apple and sat at the counter. "I'm sorry about what happened in the car mom." She took a bite of the apple.

Kirsten who smiled, kissed her temple. "It's okay baby."

"Well I'm going to take a nap. I don't want to be grouchy for the slumber party tonight!" Elena smiled and hopped off the stool and ran out of the room.

Kirsten smiled watching the excited little girl and turned back to making coffee.