A few day later
Matt was glad when he came home and laid down on the couch, grabbing his favorite pillow and falling asleep, finally being able to nap. Gabby came back from groceries and smiled as she saw he was home as well, grabbing a blanket and throwing it over him, walking to the kitchen to unpack the groceries.
Suddenly the front door burst open again and Genevieve came walking in, dancing around as she had her headphones in and Matt sat up, rubbing through his eyes because he was so tired and had to wake up so abruptly.
She threw her back on the ground, dancing around and saw him looking then.
''Oh, sorry.''
''All good.'' Matt said then as it was good to see her happy.
''I am going out now.''
''To do what?''
''Stuff.'' She frowned. ''not any of your business.''
''I would like to know where you hang out. Besides, don't you have any homework?'' He asked then. ''And then there also are the chores you still have to do.''
''Look, you are not my dad.'' She said then as she shrugged. ''I do what I want.''
''As long as you are living with me and Gabby we expect you to do your best in school.'' Matt said strict as he sat up.
''I just came back from school. I have been there for 8 hours I really don't want to spend more hours today on it.''
''I just came back from 24 hour shift after which I did 8 more hours of constructing.'' He said as he picked up her bag and pushed it back in her arms. ''Welcome to the grown up life.''
''What, you want a medal now?'' She asked snarky.
''Go make the homework.'' Matt said strict and when she wanted to walk towards her bedroom he coughed.
''In the kitchen, as we told you.''
With a big sigh she walked to the kitchen, as they wanted to make her homework and angry she sat down by the kitchen table. The only reason they wanted her to do it here so they could make sure she was actually doing it and she hated that they didn't seem to trust her.
Gabby looked concerned as she was staring at the books, tears in her eyes.
''I don't get it. it is hard and everybody seems to understand it except for me. I just feel stupid!'' She said upset as looked at her books, hands in her hair and softly she started to sob then. Gabby sat down beside her and laid her hand on Genevieve's back.
''hey, listen to me. You are not stupid. I get it, it is hard to deal with school after not going there for a long time…but you will get it….what is the subject?'' Gabby asked then.
''Spanish.'' Genevieve sniffed.
''Well, haven't you hit the jackpot with me.'' Gabby smirked. ''Come, I will go over it with you.''
Genevieve nodded relieved and Gabby grabbed some tea for the both of them, sitting down with her then. As they had finished everything Gabby wanted to make dinner and it was very late, but Matt walked in then.
''You know what, let's go out for dinner.'' Matt said then and Gabby looked a bit unsure but he nodded.
''it is fine. I got some extra money for contracting.'' He said softly as Genevieve walked away to get ready for going out. Gabby kissed him on his cheek.
''She is concerned she is not going to make it in school. I helped her with her homework.''
''That is good. I am sure she can do it.'' Matt said.
''She hasn't done her chores yet though.'' Gabby said.
''Ah well, she can do them tomorrow, or after dinner. I am glad she did her homework. That is something.'' Matt said then and Gabby nodded. They left the restaurant then and sat down together.
In the restaurant they were enjoying dinner but Genevieve kept looking at a table full of girls on the other side of the restaurant, probably friends, having dinner together. Gabby saw her looked and felt sorry for the girl because she still hadn't really made any friends at school since she had joined only now and all the girls had already made friends and most of them didn't seem to accept her.
''Hey, I was thinking, why don't you join a sport you like? You could meet people that like the same things as you do.'' Gabby said concerned.
''I don't like sport.'' Genevieve shrugged, looking away from the girls then.
''Well there has to be something you like.'' Matt shrugged. ''Maybe it is not a sport, maybe something else.''
''I don't know.'' She shrugged then.
''Well, it would be good for you. I am sure about that.'' Gabby said and finally she nodded.
''All the other girls have boyfriends and friends and I have nobody.'' She mumbled.
''Well you have us. You always have us and I know I am not your boyfriend or any of your girlfriends…but you are not alone. Just know that.'' Matt said.
''I didn't get a boyfriend until after high school, it is not important.'' Gabby said then.
''I can't imagine, you are so pretty.''
''Well, I was busy getting good grades and now with boys and they didn't like me because of that, but it all turned out fine. Don't worry about that boyfriend.'' Gabby said then and finally Genevieve nodded and smiled and they finished dinner, going home then.
''I didn't do my chores.'' Genevieve said then as she looked around the house.
''You can do them tomorrow.'' Gabby said then but she shook her head.
''No, I want to get them done.'' She said then and went to the kitchen to do her chores there.
''Sometimes she kicks and yells at everything, then she just does it.'' Matt said in disbelief.
''Guess that is part of being a teenager.'' Gabby smiled and they watched some TV together before going to bed as well. In bed they cuddled together.
''We are looking after a teenage girl…and sometimes that makes me feel so old.'' Matt smirked softly.
''I know what you mean.'' Gabby said as she laid against him.
''I am not sure what to do sometimes…I just want her to feel good and make friends.''
''She is a nice girl…when she feels like it. I am sure she can make friends.'' Gabby said then and they shared a kiss.
''I had expected that we would be dealing with diapers now, not with homework.''
''Yeah….but the diapers will still come someday.'' Gabby promised and he nodded and they kissed again. They cuddled up together, both of them still trying to get used to dealing with having a teenager in their home they had to look after, but slowly and steadily they knew it would be okay.
NOTE: So the new family is trying to get used to living together and as Genevieve is still a stubborn teenager it does not always go well but they also knew she is still insecure, but hope that she will get friends soon while Matt and Gabby are still trying to find out how to deal with the teenager.
Next chapter, Matt asks some advice from Herrmann about trying to be a good guardian while Gabby and Genevieve look for a sport for her.
Thank you so much for your response on the previous chapter! I am so glad you are so interested in the story and I hope you like this chapter as well, please enjoy! I look forward to hear what you think.