Hello everyone! I am so glad you all are still enjoying the fic! Here's a more normal sized chapter this time around as promised. This chapter opens the day after the previous chapter. Hope you all enjoy! :)

Morning in Suburban Winnipeg

({No POV})

Back at the Mathai family home, things seemed to be resuming their 'norm'.

Noah had just gotten back the day before from Emma's family home in the Toronto area the other day and Abe and Elizabeth were FULLY prepared to go back to their usual routines.

It was Saturday and Noah's mom, Elizabeth, went out to the grocery store to get prepared for the week as his dad, Abe, just got in from plowing out the driveway with his truck from another snow storm the night before.

Abe started going upstairs and was ruffling the snow out of his beard as he headed to the hall bathroom to wash up… until he stopped.

In the bathroom at the mirror, he saw Noah (while still in a set of basketball shorts like usual when he doesn't leave the house) in a gray button down shirt and tying a black tie around his neck and collar.

Abe continued to give his youngest child a confused look and eventually just got out, "Where are you goin'?"

Noah whipped his head around, surprised initially until he settled out to his usual neutral to bored expression as he responded matter of factly, "Nowhere. I have a job interview with this Programming Company in Toronto in two hours. It's kind last minute over webcam so I just didn't see the point in putting on anything important from the waist down."

"A 'job'?" Abe finally got out, not able to keep himself from going wide eyed in shock.

And he had VERY understandable reason to go into shock over something like this when it came to Noah.

After all, he had been trying to convince Noah to go back to school or 'get a real job' for years only to feel like he was beating his head against a stone wall when Noah would just brush him off and ignore his 'requests' to try to be more financially mature and independent.

And from Abe's perspective; as shocked as he still was, he knew the exact 'reason' for why Noah was probably finally doing something like this.

Noah even confirmed this for his dad as he responded slightly annoyed and dry like usual, "Hey, like you always said, I need to 'get off my ass and pay my own way', right? Well, congrats, you and mom are finally getting what you wanted. But, I don't care. There's no reason for me to be here anymore anyway. Now that 'TV' for me is completely shot, I need to find some way to make money and find my own place sometime. Besides, I want to move to Toronto to be closer to Emma anyway. I'm still trying to find a decent apartment, but I figured I could work from home while I get enough saved up for rent."

Abe just stood there really just looking at Noah, almost as if he had no idea who he was even talking to anymore.

But… not necessarily for a 'bad' reason from Abe's perspective.

Noah was about to roll his eyes and continue to get ready for his interview in a couple hours, until his eyes went wide slightly as his dad walked closer before crossing his arms and saying, "Look son, I know you hardly ever listen to me, but when it comes to building and housing… don't rent. Like my dad even told me, renting is for suckers who just want to throw their money down a hole. Besides, if you're movin' all the way out there for a job, buy somethin' and invest your money. Get a one or two bedroom condo for yourself and establish yourself right rather than giving it all to some chump landlord. Find one and your mom and I will help you with your down payment just like we did with your brothers and sisters on their first homes. Meantime, why don't you ask your girlfriend if she knows of any spots? She lives there so she may know of somethin'."

This time it was Noah's turn to go 'wide eyed'.

He thought his parents (more so his dad) would just be ecstatic to see the back of him when he moved out with how often they try to 'push him out of the nest'.

But the fact that his dad not only wanted to help him move; but also was willing to help him buy a place out in Toronto… he had no idea what to say?

Abe also seemed to be there too and looked like he was about to walk off until he heard, "Dad."

Abe looked back at Noah and just saw Noah looking at him with his hand extended out to him, clearly extending an 'olive branch' and 'thank you' through a handshake.

While this behavior may appear odd or strained between father and son… this was actually the most 'amicable' thing that probably ever happened between the two throughout Noah's entire life. Abe even decided to take it as well as he shook Noah's hand, the two even exchanging a nod as a sign of appreciation.

As the situation went on, Abe took another good look at Noah and noticed something else he wasn't used to.

Mainly that his son who always insisted on shaving all the time unlike every other man in their family, was actually now sporting a short beard ever since he got back from Emma's for Christmas.

"Thought you didn't want to grow out your scruff?" Abe commented, motioning to Noah's beard.

Noah just rolled his eyes and shrugged before replying, "Eh, I figured this could make me look older and not have people recognize me from TV anymore. And Emma likes it so I thought it was worth a shot. Probably won't grow it out any longer than this though."

While Abe was still continuing to repress his shock from seeing this nearly 'reborn' and 'mature' person that was his son at the current moment, he tried to hold it back as he just commented short but somehow genuine, "Looks good."

Eventually the two looked like they got WAY too progressively uncomfortable with this 'situation' as they both just abruptly went back to what they're doing, with Abe deciding to just go to the master bathroom off his and his wife's bedroom to wash up.

But as he was about to wash his face, he just looked at himself in the mirror as he was still trying to contemplate the 'New Noah' that seemed to slowly but surely come through ever since he got back from the race.

After a couple more seconds of looking at himself, Abe said to himself in disbelief (mostly referring to Emma), "I don't know what sort hot and wild sex or whatever the hell she must be giving him? But I just damn well hope she keeps doing whatever the hell she's doing to keep him going."

While he was mildly joking and exaggerating about that, he was just still in disbelief and awe at Emma's ability to get Noah to 'grow up' and just 'do things' more than he and Noah's mother ever could.

And either way… Abe wasn't going to start complaining as he for once started to think proudly of his youngest child and son finally seeming to accept responsibility to support and do things for himself now. Because while Noah was never anyone Abe wanted or thought he could ever understand… it still didn't mean he didn't love or wasn't proud of Noah.

And he couldn't be anymore honest about how he felt now more than ever as he smiled a little to himself and started to wash up.

Meanwhile in Suburban Toronto

(Kitty's POV)

What is happening?

No, like, seriously… WHAT IS HAPPENING?!

Ever since I totally flipped out yesterday on Emma… I haven't really left my room much.

Even dinner yesterday was SO awkward since Emma and I were barely even looking at each other since I was still mad at her for comparing me and Owen to Devin and Carrie (but mostly for saying that 'I' was Devin).

But… I don't know?

I'm just SO confused right now.

If it wasn't for me petting Mimzy right now after she jumped up on my lap and kept 'meowing' at me for attention, I'd still be sure I was dreaming right now.

But, like… what is happening?

I mean, Owen and I are just friends… right? Seriously, there is no way, right?

I mean, Owen's a really fun and sweet guy and he's always nice to almost everyone! And yeah I'd consider us close, but… we're just 'friends'.

Like, Owen's never said anything but it's not like I noticed him doing anything different.

He's just a super nice guy and ever since we hung out more after the race, I'd say honestly I'm as close if not more with him than Will and Jade at this point.

And especially after that night I got carried away at the club a couple months ago and Owen covered for me and kept me from doing anything embarrassing, I knew he really had my back.

I mean, that's just 'Good Friends 101', right?

Just because I'm a girl and he's a guy who does something like that for me doesn't mean he has a crush on me or something… right?

Look, what am I even saying? What does Emma or Izzy know?

My 'love detector' is never off.

I can always tell when a guy is into me. I can read the signs and it's not like Owen ever did anything to show that he… My eyes went wide as I thought back to something I totally blocked out from the Saturday after Owen got back.

Crap…

2 weeks ago

({No POV})

Owen had just got from the latest season of Total Drama and decided to ask if Kitty wanted to hang out.

But since Kitty was still trying to get her photography portfolio together for one of her classes, she asked if Owen wanted to come walk around with her in old downtown while she was looking for some good shots.

So, the two were walking around and talking and laughing as they got back into the swing of hanging out again, which really didn't take long for them to settle into their usual 'dynamic'.

Well, until Kitty stopped and looked at a Canadian flag coming off a flag pole on the corner of the town treasury office.

Kitty stopped and let her 'artist eye' take over as she started to herself, getting her camera out and ready, "Oh that would be such a good shot!"

She got her camera lined up and kept trying to change her angles and looked like she was getting a little frustrated as she couldn't get the shot she wanted as she expressed, "Oh forget it."

"What's going on?" Owen asked, having no idea what she was getting frustrated about.

Kitty tried to brush it off as she smiled and said, "It's okay, forget it. I think I'm just too low to the ground to get the picture I want. But, it's okay. No big deal."

But as Kitty was about to put her camera away Owen immediately stepped in as he started in true 'Owen-fashion', "WHAT?! No, c'mon, I can help you get that. Uh, here! Hop on! I can give you a boost!"

Kitty stopped slightly when Owen got down on his knee and pat his shoulder with a smile, clearly giving Kitty permission to sit on his shoulder so he could get her to a better height.

Kitty was still trying to brush it off out of her own self-frustration as she got out, "Owen, seriously, it's okay. It really doesn't matter that much. And…" But, Owen just grinned and cut her off as he said, "No, seriously, hop on! I don't mind. Besides, I'm almost 6'1''! It'll be cake!"

Eventually Kitty finally gave in and got close and sat on his shoulder and let out a slight 'Whoa' as Owen held her shins against his chest and stood up.

After a few seconds of getting reoriented, Kitty got out her camera and almost immediately smiled ear to ear as she looked through the lens and saw the picture and angle she wanted as she said, "Oh, cool! This is perfect! Thanks so much Owen!"

She started to smile as she took a couple shots and asked Owen to take a couple steps at different spots to get a couple more angles.

"No problem." He said, trying to keep his tone 'normal' despite barely stopping himself from taking advantage of Kitty's 'distraction' of focusing on her photography to smile at her almost 'adoringly', realizing now more than ever how much he missed being around her while he was gone.

Even though his feelings were still complicated and he was still scared to tell her how he felt, he was just happy more than anything to be able to hang out with her again… and enjoying being close to her even on this level was also something he was trying not to show he was enjoying more than he should.

Despite the fact that his feelings were clearly getting more and more defined toward her since he's been noticing he had been having more and more 'fantasies' about her when he was either alone or sleeping or both lately.

Something he hadn't done toward anyone in awhile.

But, he was just enjoying watching Kitty enjoying herself and also feeling relieved she wasn't noticing how he was looking at her at the moment.

Well, until she did look down and caught him looking at her as he quickly and awkwardly looked down to prevent her from seeing how red his face was at the moment.

Kitty tilted her head for a second at Owen acting 'Not like Owen' as she asked, trying to figure out what was going on, "Um, hey, Owen… are you okay?"

Quickly Owen tried to recover and said, trying his hardest to lie despite 'lying' never being one of his 'strong suits', "Sorry… the sun kinda got in my eye for a second there… Hey! Want to head to the diner up the street for breakfast? I'm starving."

Luckily him sneaking in a truth at the end helped him make his initial lie more believable.

Especially since he (for once) left his parents house without eating just because he wanted to see Kitty and hang out with her more than anything since he got back.

But right now… yeah, his need and love of food seemed to take over as his stomach even echoed the sentiment.

Kitty laughed and said, "Sure! Here, let me hop down and…" then she was surprised slightly as Owen flipped her over onto his back to carry her piggyback as he said, trying to work his way around the situation and also because he didn't want to let her go just yet, "WOOO! Let's do this! Pancakes here we come!"

Luckily (making Owen breathe a sigh of relief to himself) as Kitty secured an arm around his neck as she laughed before pointing straight ahead with her other arm as she said, "Alright! If you're driving?"

They both laughed as Owen took off down the street and around the corner until they got to the diner together.

Present day

Kitty was sitting in on her bed as her eyes went wide and said to herself without hardly even knowing what was really even happening still, "Oh my God… I think I am 'Devin'."

And it looks like Kitty has now kinda sorta got there at this point with realizing Owen's crush on her. But as to what she is 'feeling' right now with the situation… stay tuned to find out ya'll! ;) I also hope you enjoyed the interaction between Noah and his dad. Moreover, Noah's father is now seeing how much Noah really has grown up and matured… even if he did jokingly assume it was a result of Emma seducing the crap out of his son despite them not even getting that far yet in their relationship. Lol. XD But, for real, because as much as Noah and his dad always butted heads his whole life… they still do have a weird level of respect and familial care for each other. More on that later too. ;) Anyway, thanks so much for reading and constructive feedback on the fic is always VERY much appreciated as always.

Stay classy and take care!

Dexter1995