AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you Bonnie Sveen Fan, Braxton54, and Guest for reviewing and everyone reading; always much appreciated!
Also, thank you, Guest for the idea. Going to try see how that can work into the story. We love hearing ideas so please keep them coming!
The following day, Brax lets Kyle and Casey sleep in again, leaving him to have his morning coffee and breakfast alone.
Just as Brax is almost finished, his phone rings; it is one of his workers from the restaurant saying it was important that he come in because there is some difficulty with some orders and one of the fridges had stopped working.
"Can't anyone else sort this out? I need to look after my youngest brothers again today."
Brax lets out a heavy sigh and pinches the bridge of his nose.
"Okay, I'll be there, but I probably won't make it in until at least ten," Brax replies and hangs up the phone.
Brax gets up from the dining table and not hearing a peep from either of his brothers he makes a quick dash next door.
"G'day Brax, what brings you here at this time of the morning?" John asks, greeting Brax.
"I was wondering whether Marilyn was still here or if she had gone to work?" Brax asks.
"No, it's a day off for her but I'm not sure what plans she had for today; why do you ask?" John pries.
"I just need her to check on Kyle and Casey again today," Brax explains.
"Aren't those two old enough to look after themselves yet?" John questions, placing his hand on the doorframe and resting against the door.
"It's not that; they are both not feeling very well. Look John, I don't mean to be rude, but is Marilyn around?"
John nods and finally lets Brax into the house as Marilyn comes out, having been in the adjacent room sorting out a few things.
"Morning Brax, how is everything today with your brothers and yourself?" Marilyn asks.
"Alright, but not great. You see I hate to ask again, but I really need to go into work today; it's an emergency and I was hoping you could keep an eye on them until I finish, whenever that may be?" Brax asks, feeling hopeful.
"Sure, it would be my pleasure," Marilyn replies with a smile.
"Again, I really appreciate it, Marilyn, and if you don't want to accept any money please accept a free meal at the restaurant," Brax offers.
"I hope I'm invited to this free meal too," John pipes up.
"Fine. Anyway, I better get back and organised," Brax says.
Brax leaves and goes back into his house, to where Kyle and Casey still had not stirred.
Brax gets ready with all his belongings for work and goes into his bedroom first to notify Kyle.
As Brax opens his bedroom door, he sees Kyle sitting up in bed reading.
"Morning Ky, I didn't expect you to be awake," Brax greets with a smile.
"Morning, I just woke up a little while ago and it's okay that I just relax in bed and read for a bit; isn't it?" Kyle replies.
"Yeah, of course, stay in bed for as long as you want, though you'll have to organise your own breakfast as I've been called into work and need to get going soon," Brax explains and watches Kyle's face fall.
"So, you're not going to be here at all today?" Kyle asks sadly.
Brax shakes his head.
"Sorry, I would if I could, but I need to sort out some real important things at the restaurant, but I've asked Marilyn to come over until I get back, so you and Case won't be by yourselves," Brax informs.
"I understand, I just like having you around and hanging out with us," Kyle replies.
Brax smiles and walks towards the bed to run his hand through Kyle's hair.
"I know, kiddo, me too. You let Marilyn know if you need anything and if you start to feel really bad, I want you to give me a call at the restaurant, understand?"
Kyle gives a nod in response.
"Have a good day, little man," Brax says with a smile, then exits the room making his way into Casey's room to inform the youngest.
When Brax enters, he sees Casey is still asleep.
Hating to disturb him but knowing if he didn't inform Casey of his departure the teen would be distressed all day.
Brax quietly approaches Casey's bed and crouches down to gently give Casey a shake.
"Case…Case?" Brax whispers.
Casey flicks his eyes and lets out a groan.
"Can you wake up for just a second?" Brax whispers, still having a hand on Casey's arm.
Casey looks up at Brax with his eyes still dreary.
"How are you feeling today?"
"Okay, I guess," Casey mumbles.
"Good, well I have to go to work for most of today, but Marilyn is coming over, so if you need anything let her know, okay?"
Casey nods and starts to shut his eyes again.
"Get as much rest as you need, kiddo, just make sure you eat something today," Brax whispers and strokes Casey's hair gently.
Casey mumbles and shuts his eyes again.
Brax leaves and grabs his wallet, keys, and phone just as Marilyn fronts up at the door.
"Thanks again for this Marilyn," Brax says.
"Don't you worry about a thing. You just have a good day at work," she says smiling.
Brax shuts the door behind him.
About half an hour later when Kyle continues to hear Marilyn busying herself in the house, he decides to put his book down and get up and get dressed.
Marilyn smiles at Kyle as he enters the living room.
"Hello, Darling," she greets.
"Hi Marilyn, how are you?" Kyle replies.
"I'm well thank you," Marilyn answers.
Kyle walks into the kitchen and grabs a bowl and the saucepan, feeling like some fresh porridge with some fruit.
Marilyn finishes tidying some papers on the coffee table and approaches Kyle in the kitchen.
"Can I help you with anything here?" she asks.
"No, it's okay, thanks, Marilyn," Kyle replies and continues to cook his porridge and cuts up his fruits.
"I was thinking maybe today we could play some games like we used to. Do you still like Scrabble?" Marilyn says.
Kyle nods and dishes his porridge into the bowl.
"Yeah, I love playing that still but just don't get much of a chance anymore because Heath or Casey don't like it, and Brax is always too busy for that kind of game now, so I'd really like that," Kyle says.
Marilyn smiles and leaves Kyle to finish his breakfast.
Once cleaned up, Kyle gets out the Scrabble board and sets it up for Marilyn and himself. They play a few games with Kyle winning three-quarters of them before Casey comes out still wearing his pyjamas at one-thirty.
"Where's Brax?" Casey asks, a little dazed, having just woken up a short while ago and noticing the eldest nowhere in sight.
"He went to work, sweetheart," Marilyn says.
"Did Brax not tell you?" Kyle adds.
In honesty, Casey couldn't remember, he was too sleepy.
Casey gives a shrug.
"I guess I forgot," he mumbles.
"Why don't you come and have a game with us if you are feeling well enough?" Marilyn suggests.
Casey looks over at the Scrabble board and scowls.
"I don't like that boring and complicated word game," Casey moans.
"We can play The Game of Life instead?" Kyle suggests, wanting to cheer his brother up and give him a chance to feel part of something.
Casey smiles widely.
"Well, I guess we better pack this away and if you boys want to set that game up then I might go and make you both some lunch," Marilyn says.
Casey sits down at the table while Kyle packs up the Scrabble board and pieces and returns it to the games cupboard and pulls out The Game of Life.
Casey remains slumped in the chair as Kyle begins setting up the game and Marilyn is in the kitchen.
"Are you okay?" Kyle asks Casey as the younger teen rests against the table.
"Yeah, I'm much better, just really tired still. I hated being so sick," Casey mumbles.
A moment of silence passes before Casey decides to ask Kyle a question.
"So how come you are still hanging out at home and not going to school when you like school so much?"
"I've been given until next week off," Kyle replies shortly, without looking up from his task at hand of setting up the game.
"Why do you get off until next week? Does it have anything to do with why you came home early that day?"
Kyle's cheeks flush, hoping that Casey wouldn't have remembered that he'd come home early from school.
"Don't ask me please. I don't want to talk about it," Kyle requests.
Casey doesn't get another chance to pester Kyle before Marilyn returns with two plates containing a sandwich for each teen and a chocolate chip cookie.
"Thank you," Kyle says and sits down to eat his lunch.
Casey, feeling like he was starving instantly goes for his cookie first and shoves it into his mouth whole.
"Be careful, Darling, and chew your food. Remember you are still recovering," Marilyn says to Casey.
Casey slows down his eating when he gets to his sandwich and as the boys eat their lunch, they begin to play the game.
Casey draws a secret agent for his career.
"Oh awesome!" he announces.
Marilyn pulls out a Chef as her career and finally Kyle draws out his and his face sinks as he reads the card.
"A professional athlete," he moans, realising the irony in how far from the truth that was.
"Oh no, that would be the least like you!" Casey says with a laugh.
"You can change it at some point in the game; can't you?" Marilyn asks.
"Yeah, if you pay to go to Night School, which if this is anything like real life Kyle wouldn't have a problem with that, except for not going to school for the entire week," Casey comments.
Kyle shifts awkwardly in his seat wishing Casey would shut up about him not going to school.
"Let's just focus on the game, shall we," Marilyn says, attempting to distract Casey from his comments about Kyle not going to school.
The three continue to play a couple of rounds of the game, with each time having different outcomes and are just finishing their third game when Brax walks in, carrying a bag of food.
"Hi, everyone; sorry I'm so late. Everything ran late and the suppliers stuffed up with an order which took forever to try and fix," Brax explains and approaches the three at the table.
He greets both teens with a ruffle of their hair.
"You should come and play with us," Casey requests.
"Maybe later, but right now I brought home some food from the restaurant for dinner," Brax replies and pulls out a few containers.
"Yum, what did you bring?" Casey asks, sneaking a look at the containers.
"I got two bolognaise, a beef and chicken rice, and Marilyn, I got you a vegetarian stir-fry," Brax explains and hands Marilyn the meal for her.
"Oh, thank you, but you really needn't have done that," Marilyn replies.
"It's the least I could do," Brax says and grabs some cutlery and returns to the table to sit down.
Kyle had moved the board game away so the four could have a meal.
"So, I see you have all been enjoying playing games today?" Brax asks after some time.
"Yes, Kyle and I played Scrabble for a few hours, and Brax I must say you have a very clever little brother. I never remembered him being this talented at Scrabble when we used to play many years ago," Marilyn comments.
"I already know that, and it helps that he spends the days reading or learning new things," Brax replies proudly, with a wide smile as he continues to eat his bolognaise.
"Well, it has definitely paid off and young Casey is a whiz with the Game of Life," Marilyn praises, not wanting Casey to feel left out.
"He definitely loves playing games he can have a chance of winning," Brax answers and smiles over at Casey who is busy scoffing down the other bolognaise, leaving Kyle with the rice dish.
"It was awesome Brax, I picked the best careers all three times. First, I was a secret agent, then I got a video game designer, and finally a race car driver. Kyle drew the professional athlete," Casey beams.
"That's great you had a good time, Case, and I can imagine the unfortunate scenario with your athlete card, Kyle," Brax says.
"I got to change it later in the game to something better," Kyle pipes up.
Once the four finish their meals Marilyn gets up and excuses herself.
"I best be going back home. Thank you for a wonderful dinner, Brax and it has been a lovely day with you boys," Marilyn says sweetly.
"It was good thanks, Marilyn," Kyle says.
"Yeah, it was awesome," Casey adds.
Marilyn farewells the brothers and leaves the house and then Brax cleans up the mess of the containers.
"Can we continue playing now?" Casey asks.
"I don't see why not. Deal me in as well," Brax states.
Casey and Kyle smile and Kyle goes to collect the game again.
Brax is lucky enough to get a career as a doctor and for the first time Kyle picks a career that suits him: a singer, while Casey is stuck with being a fashion designer and not having the money for night school had to play out the whole game with a career card he hated.
After playing a couple of games Brax puts an end to the games so he could focus on some of his own work before bed.
As Kyle packs away the game, Casey approaches Brax in the living room where the eldest had exited too to collect his work.
"Brax because I'm feeling better does that mean I have to go back to school tomorrow; it's just one day and it seems stupid to go for one day?" Casey moans.
Brax looks over at Casey and chuckles.
"You don't have to plead with me. I'm well aware it is only one day, and I have no intention of sending you. Besides, it will give you a better chance to fully recover," Brax says, smiling.
"Thanks Brax," Casey beams and makes his way back to his bedroom to get some fresh pyjamas to change into after he has a shower.