Stephanie was looking through flyers she'd found at the community center for job openings. She wasn't so sure she could last any longer at the burger joint. Ted was acting worse than usual; apparently they were due for a health inspection soon, so his nerves were shot with anticipation. His already short temper had been ignited four times yesterday. It was so stupid, too! So what she used the blue bottle of glass cleaner over the red? He didn't have to be such a jerk about it!

One of these days, she was quitting. No warning, no nothing.

Her cell phone began to buzz, vibrating on the wooden table. She flipped it open, happily noting it to be her sister. Usually at this time of day, DJ was thoroughly busy with the internship she had gotten a spot for. Any calls made to her or to them from her were later on in the evening. "Hey Deej," Stephanie couldn't wipe the grin off her face. "What's up?" For now, the flyers and applications were pushed aside. She moved her leg over the other to get more comfortable.

On the other end of the line, DJ said, "Nothing, just checking in. I really miss you guys."

"I miss you, too," Stephanie said truthfully. For years, she'd made wisecracks about how she couldn't wait until DJ moved out but when her sister actually had, it got kind of lonely at times. She couldn't get any big sister advice right away like she used to.

"How is everyone?" DJ asked. "I've been so busy I haven't been able to call lately. Dad's left me, like, twenty messages, telling me to be safe."

Stephanie snorted. Yeah, that sounded like Dad. He'd been fretting for a couple of days now since they hadn't heard from her in a while like they usually did. To the majority of the family they came to the conclusion that she was simply busy with her new internship; but for Dad, he was seriously close to going up there himself to verify that she was okay and not stranded somewhere all alone and about to die.

Uncle Jesse hadn't been wrong when he told Dad he was being a little bit dramatic.

"They're fine," Stephanie said with a shrug. "Michelle's got googoo eyes for a boy that just moved here in May. Nicky and Alex are driving Aunt Becky and Uncle Jesse crazy. Joey's got a girlfriend and I'm pretty sure I overheard Dad talking to Vicky on the phone."

"Really?" DJ exclaimed with excitement. "That's great! I was worried about him when I left."

"Uncle Jesse's been trying to get him out there again," Stephanie said. Her Uncle had been urging Dad for weeks now to get back in the dating game, offering to introduce him to some girls he knew.

"Come on, Danny," Uncle Jesse put an arm around Dad's shoulders. "Just picture it. I know these twins and-"

Aunt Becky pursed her lips, raising an eyebrow and narrowing her eyes. It was all done in humor, though. "Twins, you say?"

Uncle Jesse grinned sheepishly and did damage control. "But neither of them are as beautiful or amazing as my wife."

Aunt Becky mhmed.

"I don't know, Jesse," Dad frowned. "It's too soon. First Pam and now Vicky...I don't think I should yet."

"Come on, Dad," Stephanie said, going over to give him a hug. "You deserve to be happy."

"The kid's right," Uncle Jesse nodded. "Just let me hook you up and you'll be glad I did."

"Oh, gosh," DJ snorted. "I can only imagine how that's going."

"Come on, Danny!" Uncle Jesse hollered. "Get down here! Millie will be here any moment!"

"Jess," Aunt Becky sighed, "what did you do?"

"Nothing," Uncle Jesse grinned, "just a little makeover."

"Oh, boy," Michelle muttered from her spot on the couch. "Can't wait to see how this looks."

"Jess, I'm not coming down there," Came Dad's voice. It was slightly panicky, which intrigued Stephanie.

"Daniel, if you don't get your keister down here I'll make Millie go up there," Uncle Jesse threatened.

There were a few moments of silence, followed by light footsteps. Dad was grimacing as he walked down the stairs. Everyone but Dad and Uncle Jesse's jaws had dropped when they got a good look at him.

He was wearing slim black jeans, a white t-shirt and a leather jacket and-painted on sideburns?

"Whoa, baby," Michelle and Aunt Becky said in unison.

Stephanie pressed her lips down to keep from laughing.

"I feel ridiculous," Dad groaned and tried to turn around. "I'm gonna go change."

Uncle Jesse stopped him. "You are not! I spent a lot of money on these clothes!"

"Well, but Jess, I-"

"You are going to wear these and I don't want to hear one more complaint out of you!" Uncle Jess abruptly stopped and moaned. "Oh, I'm turning into my mother!" Aunt Becky laughed and rubbed his shoulders.

"Do you know how it went?" DJ wondered.

"Not good," Stephanie rolled her eyes as she remembered Dad's remark about the woman's pants. "Apparently she had a grass stain on her pants and Dad took it as some sign they weren't compatible."

"Gosh, you're kidding," DJ sighed. "Well, maybe he and Vicky can work out this time. I hate the thought of Dad being alone."

"Yeah, me too," Stephanie agreed. She licked her lips. "So, how are you and Steve?"

They'd gotten back together during DJ's prom night. Evidently, whatever spark she thought she no longer had was back. Stephanie remembered how her sister had come home the next morning, sighing dreamily and unable to stop smiling like a loon. The two of them promised to take it slow and thus far, they were still together. As of a month ago, Stephanie heard that Steve was planning on proposing. He'd phoned Dad, asking for his permission to ask.

(She knew that since she picked up the other phone and listened in).

Steve had been a nervous wreck, stammering pathetically. It was kind of funny. Stephanie's chest had ached from trying not to laugh and give away the fact that she was there. Dad finally had pity on him and gave him permission.

Now the only thing left was the waiting game.

Steve hadn't proposed yet and she was beginning to think he never would.

"We're fine," DJ was probably suspicious by now, considering Stephanie had asked about her relationship almost every time they talked. "You and Dad are being awfully nosy lately."

"You're my sister," Stephanie said smoothly. "It's part of the job."

"And Dad?"

"You know how he is. Probably thinks you two are getting down and dirty all the time." Stephanie grinned cheekily when her sister made a noise of annoyance.

"Steph!"

"What? We're both adults here."

"You're seventeen," DJ pointed out. "Therefore, still a minor."

Stephanie scowled. She despised getting treated like a little kid when she would soon be off to college. But Dad and Uncle Jesse especially still struggled not to see her as a little girl still. "I'm practically an adult."

"Whatever you say." She was very sure DJ was rolling her eyes. "But I don't think Dad would like hearing you talk like that."

No, she begrudgingly conceded, probably not.

"Anyway," DJ continued, "about Steve, I'm kinda worried."

Stephanie balanced her cell phone on her shoulder with her head tilted to keep it from falling as she picked back up with her job search. "Yeah?"

"He's acting weird," DJ sounded like she was frowning.

"How's that different from how he usually acts?"

"He hasn't been eating as much," DJ said.

Okay, that was weird.

"Really?" Stephanie said with interest.

"Yeah. We found this unlimited buffet and he only ate a plate and a half."

That was way unlike Steve. She had a hunch he was freaking out over the whole proposal thing. Stephanie rolled her eyes. Way to make it obvious.

"I think something's wrong," A bit of anxiety made its way into DJ's voice. "He hasn't said anything to me and I don't want to assume but..." She trailed off and started up again. "I told Kimmy I was worried he was planning on breaking up with me."

Stephanie refrained from saying that was the last thing he was going to do.

"I think you're overreacting just a little."

"You haven't seen it," DJ protested defensively. "He's super quiet and daydreaming a lot and if I call him out on it he'll tell me it's nothing. How can it be nothing? It's obviously something."

She's going to be pretty embarrassed when she finds out the truth

I can't wait, She smirked.

"Deej, chill," Stephanie told her. "It's probably nothing. Don't go jumping to conclusions."

She heard a sigh. "I guess you're right."

"I know I am," Stephanie said smugly. Trust me.

It was quiet on the other end of the line except for some rustling. Eventually DJ spoke again. "I guess I'm just nervous. I don't want anything to ruin it this time around. Me and Steve are finally at a good point. I just hope nothing gets in the way this time."

"It won't," Stephanie said.

"You can't be sure of that."

"Sure I can. Consider it little sister advice."

DJ laughed lightly. "I hope you're right, Steph. I really do. Kimmy seems to think so, too."

Stephanie made a noise of disinterest. She couldn't care less of what Gibbler thought.

"She's been asking if I think Steve will propose soon."

Stephanie's eyes widened and she smacked her forehead. Gibbler! Did she know what Steve was going to do? Maybe. She was DJ's best friend. Unfortunately. Gibbler was going to ruin the whole thing!

"Well, do you?" Stephanie said carefully.

"No way," DJ said and she didn't know if that was a good or bad thing. "We're not ready for that yet. I'm not even done with my internship and Steve just that coaching job. No...definitely not. We couldn't."

"Right," Stephanie exhaled. With due time, DJ might change her mind. Maybe she didn't even need to change her mind, merely because she didn't really think it was happening in the first place. But whatever the reason was, as of right now, it wasn't looking good for Steve.

"I think Kimmy's filling my head anyway," DJ remarked.

"I could've told you that."

DJ ignored her. "Ever since she's brought it up, I keep thinking of Steve looking at rings and us planning our wedding. I think I'm losing it."

Not necessarily, being that in a matter of time-whenever Steve gathered up his courage and proposed already-they would be doing just that.

But DJ didn't know that, of course.

"Look," Stephanie said to redirect her attention. "Do what I've been telling you for years: ditch Gibbler. You'll forget all about this wedding stuff in no time."

"Steph, be serious," DJ scolded.

"I am, trust me," Stephanie snorted.

"You've got to get over this feud with Kimmy," DJ lectured. "One day you'll have to realize she's practically family."

"If she's practically family then I want a new one," Stephanie said with a shudder at the mere thought. Kimmy Gibbler as family? No thank you.

"You're ridiculous."

"But you love me."

"Only because I have to," DJ shot back. The line went silent once more. "Say, Steph?"

"Hmm?" Stephanie hummed as she eyed an ad that was searching for an assistant at a pet store. Sounded doable but-crap, she'd need a certificate for that. Never mind.

"Dad told me a bit about Charlie in one of his many messages he left," DJ said carefully.

This made Stephanie go still. She only just stopped herself from dropping her pencil. "He did?"

"Yeah," DJ said. "He did."

"How much did he tell you?"

"Enough," DJ said. "Steph, why didn't you ever tell me about his dad?" She sounded somewhat hurt. "You never mentioned anything."

Her tone wasn't accusatory but Stephanie still felt like she was being cornered. "I was a kid, give me a break. I felt guilty for telling Uncle Jesse. I didn't want anyone else to know."

"Okay, but-" DJ started to say something but then changed it entirely. "I'm really proud of you, Steph. Really. I'm glad you told someone."

"I felt like a tattle tail," Stephanie admitted. Despite that she'd been really worried when she heard about him falling down the stairs. Regardless of that, it still felt wrong to say something when she'd promised not to.

"You probably saved his life," DJ said quietly. Stephanie's stomach lurched at the thought. She'd never really thought about that before. Sure, she was worried about him and what his dad would do; but never had it occurred to her that he could have died from it. "There's no telling what his dad might have done."

"Yeah, I know," Stephanie sighed. Now she knew. "But why did Dad tell you about Charlie, anyway?"

Pause.

"Don't get mad," DJ said wryly.

"Oh, great," Stephanie rolled her eyes. "What now?"

"Dad thinks you and Charlie are a thing," DJ confessed. "He wanted me to ask you about him."

"Ugh! We're not a thing! I told Dad that!" Stephanie couldn't help but feel annoyed. They'd already had this discussion.

"Do you...want to be a thing?"

Stephanie wrinkled her nose. "No. Gross. Deej, come on. "
"What?" DJ said. "I'm just asking. No need to get defensive."

"Well sorry but Dad thinks we're dating, so does Uncle Jesse and even Charlie's adoptive parents think we have some thing going on."

What was so difficult about understanding that they were friends, nothing beyond that? She had no desire to date Charlie and she was one-hundred percent confident that he didn't want to date her.

"Well, apparently Michelle told Dad that you two were flirting on Friday when he and his family came over," DJ said.

"We weren't flirting!" Stephanie groaned, having the urge to throttle her little sister. "We're just friends, that's all."

"Doesn't sound like you're just friends to me," DJ said slyly. "Is he cute?"

"DJ!"

"Just a simple question," DJ said smoothly. Oh, her sister was smirking. Without a doubt. "You can admit someone is attractive without liking them. So, tell me, is Charlie cute?"

"I mean, he's not ugly," Stephanie narrowed her eyes, even though her sister couldn't see her.

"That's a good sign," DJ said, amused. "So, how did you come to meet Charlie again anyway?"

"What, Dad didn't tell you?" Stephanie muttered.

"He spoke so fast in his voicemails I barely heard much of anything," DJ recalled.

That was a surprise. "At work," Stephanie said, shifting her position in the chair. "He was getting dinner. I really didn't expect to see him."

"Maybe this is fate bringing you two together," DJ mused. "It brought me and Steve back together."

"That's you and Steve," Stephanie pointed out. "Me and Charlie aren't in love with each other."

"No," DJ agreed, "but maybe you...like him?"

"I don't like him!" Stephanie glowered at the wall that faced her, imagining her sister's face. "We're just friends, Deej!"

"Okay, okay," DJ said and she could visualize her sister putting her hands up in surrender. "He's your friend. No need to get snippy."

But Stephanie was in no mood to be nice. She'd already been subjected to a talk from their Dad, who went over the rules for dating li he'd done for DJ and would-probably too soon for his liking-do the same for Michelle. She was told-with reluctance-that Charlie could still come up to her room but the door was to be kept open. Although it wasn't like she'd planned on having him up there with it shut anyway. Knowing there was no use of arguing or insisting that nothing was going on, Stephanie had only nodded, introducing a yeah or two every once and a while. Something to show him that she was listening-even though she didn't want to be.

"It can't be that bad, can it?" DJ said.

"What can't?"

"Everyone thinking you're together," Her sister elaborated. "I get it-it's probably annoying but where's the harm?"

"The harm is no one thinks guys and girls can just be friends, that's what," Stephanie told her. She remembered back at the burger joint where Lacey had tried prying details from her, as if Stephane was hiding some secret love affair. "Michelle's friends with Teddy, Aaron and Bailey and no one accuses her of crushing on them."

"She's the youngest, Steph. Dad's probably trying to keep her as a little kid as long as he can."

Stephanie could admit she was pouting a little. It still wasn't fair. "Still..."

"It's different for you now," Dj said wisely. "Did you know, you might have already met the person you'll marry someday. Isn't that crazy?"

"I'm not marrying Charlie," She said sharply.

DJ giggled. "I didn't say anything about Charlie."

"You were thinking it."

"Apparently, so were you."

"I was not!" Stephanie said hotly.

"I don't know. You're getting a bit defensive for not thinking about it," DJ said teasingly. "Come on, Steph. It's okay to admit you might have feelings for him."

"For the last time, I don't have feelings for him!" Stephanie whispered furiously. "And how come you guys never said anything like this about Harry?"

"I've seen how you are with Harry," DJ said simply.

"You haven't seen how I am with Charlie."

"No," DJ conceded. "But if what I heard is true, you and Charlie sound like you're flirting. That's a bit different from how you would act with a friend."

Stephanie had to literally bite her tongue or else she might have let it slip about Steve's plans to propose. She would not ruin the surprise...she would not ruin the surprise...

"Even if I wanted to date him-which I don't," She made that explicitly clear to her sister. "I don't think he's looking for anyone anyway."

"Maybe not." Stephanie was instantly suspicious. DJ was far too agreeable to her comment. "But-" there it was. "Maybe he doesn't know he wants anyone until he gets to know you."

She rolled her eyes. "Whatever."