Carter finally shares that he is gay to his parents and one Sam flashback at the end.
There's a SPANKING.
"I can't keep doing this, Carter. This 'forbidden love' type shit is old now. You know it and I know it."
A silence hung in the car for a moment and the dim street lights adorning the night just made the mood all the more depressing for both boys.
"Anthony, come on I just-I can't."
"Why the fuck not?!" Anthony turned to look with frustration written all over his face, and he could clearly see fear in Carter's.
It'd been a good 3 months just fooling around with one another. Hanging out with each other where nobody that knew them could spot them. But the fear in Carter's face sealed Anthony's decision. They could never be in a relationship if Carter wasn't ready to tell the world his secret. "You're scared and until you can get over it C, I'm telling you that I don't want to do this anymore."
Carter couldn't help the tears that welled up in his eyes. When Anthony told him that they needed to talk earlier that day the 16 year old had a premonition that it wouldn't be good.
"You weren't having a good time with me?" Carter asked, desperate to try and convince Anthony to keep seeing him.
'You're such an asshole. The fucking worst.' Carter thought.
Now, here he was, the summer of his junior year about to lose someone else that meant the world to him.
"Duh C. That's why I want us to be public. I caught feelings for you, you caught feelings for me, so what now we just keep hiding from our friends and families that we wanna be in a relationship? I'm tired of hanging out in secret. I wanna meet your parents. I wanna go to your prom with you and you to my prom. I want to be your boyfriend."
The pair had met at a party. They dared to give each other a couple of flirtatious looks after sharing a shot together. It was weird. It was like they somehow knew that to give each other a couple of eyes across the room would be okay. It was Carter that looked bashfully away at their fourth glance to once another and he caught the little laugh that the older boy gave him in return.
They didn't go to the same school. Carter going to Xavier prep and Anthony to Cathedral High a town over. Anthony was going to be a senior next year, slightly taller than Carter, curly topped hair, and perfect in every way to Carter. He was smart, aware of the world, and had a fuck the system attitude about society. He kept good grades because despite hating the system he knew he had to make a living later on in life. His parents didn't come to this country for him to do nothing with that opportunity. Well, that's how he explained it to Carter. Anthony was bisexual. He was blunt about it from the start with the Davis-Scott boy. Carter wondered what it was like to be free like that. Be able to just say it; 'Yeah, I'm gay.'
The chemistry was imminent between the two at that party and the rest was history. To Carter it was like a spark ignited in him. He felt comfortable and carefree when with Anthony.
A way that he had only ever felt with one other "friend." Peter. Their friendship had ended in that type of way where you look up and you realize that it disappeared one day. Peter and Carter's friendship stopped around the end of freshman year. Carter had thrown himself into athletics, specifically the school's acclaimed soccer program. He began to make more and more friends. He began to ignore Peter and Carter was so ashamed of himself for that. In fact, roll that memory up with all the others that he titled 'you fucking suck.' They never even talked about what happened. It was a slow devolution of what once was a friendship. Even now when they pass each other in the halls Carter will look at him with guilt gnawing at his stomach and all Peter does is look away.
And so now in front of Anthony, Carter forced the next words out his mouth. They felt like bile on his tongue, but he just couldn't, "I-I'm not ready to...to tell everyone."
"yeah, I know." Anthony simply responded.
"I'm sorry Ant. I don't...I just can't right now. I'm scared, I guess."
"And I'm not gonna force you to do it, but I can't keep hanging with you. It's making it harder and harder for me C. And it's a fucking tease because I know we can't be together.
The blonde haired boy wanted to burst into tears right there. He bit his lip to hold it in. He wouldn't cry. He didn't deserve to cry. It's your fault anyways
Anthony cut the silence, "It's late. I should take you home. My dad's gonna lose it if he finds out I'm out this late anyways."
Before Carter could agree with that sentiment Anthony's phone rang. The curly haired boy looked at it and handed it to Carter. "It's your sister."
Carter took a deep breath so Riley wouldn't notice that something was wrong. Although his twin was really, I mean really good at reading him. It's why she was the only one in his family that knew he was gay. The only one that knew about Anthony.
"Hey Riles, I'm okay, if that's why you're calling. What's up?"
"Carter Davis Scott! Where the hell are you?" And why isn't your phone on?!"
Oh no. It was mama.
"M-mom I'm uh, in Belmont." Carter knew he needed to be honest as much as he could else the night would go even worse for him than it already was.
"Belmont? What the hell are you doing there?!" Luke's yell made the boy wince. Fuck his dad knew too.
Brooke shook her head and took a deep breath, "Are you safe?"
"I'm safe. I, um, just went to hangout with my friend, mom. I-I'll be home in 20 minutes."
The parents weren't sure if that explanation was supposed to placate their concern, but they were sure that the only thing it did is anger them more.
"Do you realize how worried your father and I were? And you're acting like it's not a big deal to be out in the middle of the night!"
"I'm not acting like that!" Carter whined.
"This is not the time to talk back!" Oh shit. Mama was yelling. Not a good sign. "You know what Carter I can't even talk to you right now. You just make sure you get home in 20 minutes little boy."
"Y-yes ma'am."
... ... ...
Brooke had woken up to the sound of movie credits at around midnight. Her and Lucas had a little movie night in bed and had fallen asleep by the second movie. She had been working non-stop that week and so this was her weekend of relaxation. She wanted to do nothing but vegetate and be in her home with Lucas and her children. Thus far, it had been just what she needed to de-stress.
The woman turned the TV off and unhinged herself from Lucas's embrace. She got up to get some water, however before making it to the kitchen she decided to do a quick check of her kids' rooms. Carter's was the closest. When she opened the door and the bed was empty she wasn't concerned. After all her two youngest still slept in the same bed a few nights a week. However, when she opened Riley's bedroom door and she found a very nervous looking Riley sat awake in bed she knew something was off.
"Riley, where is your brother?" Brooke asked trying to keep her cool. It was clear Riley knew something.
The teen fiddled with her hands. Oh God, they were so, so dead. "Ummm, uhhh, in...I mean...ummm downstairs?"
Brooke rolled her eyes. Oh her youngest was definitely lying, but the mother was sure that Riley knew where her son was. The woman folded her arms against her chest as she strode further into the room, "Riley, if I go downstairs and he's not there, it won't only be your brother's butt in trouble, but yours too for lying to me. Is downstairs your final answer?"
Shit. Fuck. Shit. You can't rat C out!' She thought.
The girl felt stuck between a rock and a hard place. If she told Brooke the truth, she'd betray Carter. Riley knew that Carter went to see Anthony to talk out whatever was happening between them. Riley knew Carter was gay. She knew that Carter really cared about Anthony and if they broke up Carter would be heart broken. But the thing was Riley knew, and no one else. Not mama or daddy. Not even Sammy. It was their secret. And on the other hand if she didn't tell Brooke the truth her ass seemed to now be on the line!
"M-mom I-I can't tell you!"
"Is he home?"
All Riley did was shake her head. Brooke started to feel the worry grow in the pit of her stomach. It was almost 1 am and she had no idea where her child was. "I want you to call him, right now."
"But-"
"Now Riley!
"Why am I getting yelled at when it's Carter that's not here?!" Riley sassed back. How was she getting the third degree? But the fiery look on her mother's face shut the girl's attitude down quickly, "S-sorry. Okay, okay. I'll call him."
"And keep him on the phone. I'll be back."
"Wait-where are you going?"
"To wake up your father."
Double fuck. Double shit.
... ... ...
It was always a beautiful thing to wake up to the love of your life's beautiful visage. However, it was decidedly not so great when she is waking you up to the news that your 16 year old boy is not at home, tucked up in bed like he was supposed to be (actually, he was playing videogames until the wee hours of the night once his dad went to bed).
Lucas jumped from bed in just his boxers, he pulled up a pair of sweatpants and marched towards their youngest's room. Both parents had expected for the girl to be talking to Carter, but instead she was biting at her nails nervously as she sat at the edge of her bed.
The girl spoke up when she saw their increasingly worried yet furious glares "He-umm, well his phone is dead."
"I'm gonna kill him. When he gets home, I'm killing him." Lucas ran a hand through his hair, a nervous tick of his, "Why the hell does he have a phone. If he doesn't charge it?"
"He charges it!" Riley defended him, "He just...forgot this time I guess."
Lucas' annoyed glare fell on his daughter and the girl shrunk.
"Riley I'm giving you one more opportunity to come clean here." Brooke opted to stay calm, well tried her best to stay calm.
"I can't tell you!...but he is fine, you know!' She almost whimpered it out and both parents were quickly losing their patience.
"Give me your phone." Brooke opened up her hand towards the girl.
"What-why?" Instinctively, Riley tightened her hold on the device, "-b-but it's my phone."
Wow. Lucas's eyes widened. Had both their youngest lost their mind? Carter not caring about rules or safety and Riley thinking that all their requests were optional. And another thing, that was his phone. He paid it every month!
"You lost the privilege of privacy when you lied to me about where Carter is." Brooke did not miss a beat closing the space between them, " I am your mother and it's very easy for me to see that a certain little girl is hiding something. I know you're covering for him, and if you're not going to say anything helpful then maybe your phone can help me out. Hand it over."
Riley pouted at having been read so accurately by her mother. "Mom, come on. I'm telling you he's okay. Promise!" She looked poised to argue with them over this.
"Either give it to mama, young lady" Lucas' voice was now stern and Riley knew there was no longer room for sass, "Or you'll find yourself grounded for the next two weeks and still handing it over."
Her eyes pooled with tears that fell down her cheeks. Hoping maybe crying would help, but not even her puppy dog eyes could dissuade the parents.
"One." Brooke started counting, placing a well-manicured finger up. She was not going to do this back and forth with a child. Particularly, her child.
Riley's eyes widened. God her parents hadn't reverted to that in a while. However it certainly had not weakened its effectiveness. Suddenly Riley's plea was more whiny and urgent in nature. She kicked out her legs in frustration, much like a cranky toddler Riley would do in her booster seat. And to the two parents there really was no difference between them m. "N-no mama! Don't count!"
"Two...Riley you know what happens after three."
"Wait, stop! Okay, fine! Here!" She finally handed her phone over with the largest of pouts. Yes, she did know what happened after three. Counting was a pre-cursor to getting a few well-placed spanks on her bum. Spanks that always left her feeling rather sorry for herself. And so it was rare that Riley ever let them get to three.
"And you will be staying in this room when he gets home. Understood? I suggest you listen unless you want a stinging bottom."
"Yes sir." Riley mumbled.
It didn't take much looking for the two parents to figure out who Carter was with. It was the first set of texts that Riley had in her messages. The number wasn't saved but the string of texts was what helped them figure it out. Brooke read the texts aloud.
"Riles, it's C. My phone is dead :(."
"But Ima text you from Ant's phone."
"Text you when I'm on my way home."
Brooke didn't even bother to ask Riley who 'Ant' was. Her first instinct was to dial the number and continue her inquisition.
Riley, in her nervous state, simply laid tummy down and hid her face in her arms. Hoping that her parents didn't force her to sit up, hoping they let her wallow. Luckily, they were preoccupied with finding Carter that they didn't even question the girl's movements. Both Lucas and Brooke walked out the sullen girl's room, phone in hand, and closed her door.
... ... ...
"I'm so fucking dead." Carter sighed, leaning his head against the seat as Anthony turned onto their street.
"I can drop you off a little further down. I don't know if that'll help, but-"
"No, no. It's fine. I'll be fine."
Anthony heard the uncertainty in Carter's voice but didn't object. "So this is it huh C?"
"Will you text me?"
Anthony smiled and Carter smiled too, "Yeah I guess we can text. I love ranting to you about this fucked up country."
"...wait...Oh my god, they're out front."
"Who?"
"My parents! What the actual fuck?" Carter spoke between his teeth, sinking deeper into the seat. Of course they'd be waiting for him outside! Couldn't they wait to rip into him once he got into the house? They just had to embarrass him like this?
"Oh shit." Anthony muttered as he slowed the car down to a stop.
And there stood Brooke and Lucas in all their glory. Brooke in her peach colored silk robe and house shoes, and Lucas in a white tee, sweatpants and slides combo. Both their arms were crossed, jaws set, and faces clearly lined with anger.
Carter took a deep breath. Not only was his heart feeling heavy and on the verge of breaking but he had to deal with his angry parents too. Maybe they'd tell him it was late and they would save the inquisition for tomorrow. Maybe he could just go cry himself to sleep.
Yeah, right.
"Bye Ant. I hope they don't try to talk to you, but if they do I'm sorry in advance."
Anthony couldn't help but chuckle, "Haha. Gotchu."
Carter opened the door to his impending doom. He couldn't help but gulp as he grabbed onto the handle. Damn, did the door get 30 pounds heavier? Boy, just open the door!
Meanwhile the parents were mute, hawk-like eyes set on their child as he got out of the black Camry.
Carter now stood in front of them, feeling 10 years old all over again. He was unsure of what to do but feeling the need to plead his case he bowed his head, "Dad, mom, look I-" Brooke paused him by pointing straight to the house, "Don't say a single word. You will listen and do as we say. I want you to get inside and sit on the couch."
The boy nodded wanting to look back at Anthony.
"NOW Carter!" Brooke emphasized when her son wasn't moving. That made the boy jump into action as he chose to listen and walked quickly past his parents.
Brooke watched as their child went all the way inside before following Luke's lead and walking over to the car. They needed to meet this boy who looked old enough to vote, which uneased the mother.
Anthony felt a little nervous as he saw the two parents stalk up his way. He rolled down the window and managed a wave at the parents.
"Your name?" It was Brooke who spoke up and Anthony could tell that the mother meant business.
"Anthony."
"So you're Anthony." She muttered before starting up her inquisition, all the while Lucas looked him down with his scariest glare. At least the kid was clearly sober, "How old are you?"
"I'm 17. I'm a senior next year. I, umm, I live in Belmont ma'am."
"So, Anthony, do you want to tell me what the fuck you and my baby boy were doing at 1 am that you couldn't do during the goddamn day?!"
The teenager frowned. How the hell could he answer that?
"Answer the question." Lucas finally spoke up when the boy failed to respond.
"Look, I promise you that Carter and I did not get up to anything, except just hanging out. I, um, Carter's a good friend of mine."
"Hang out? Friends hang out during the day like regular people!" Brooke exclaimed.
The mother had a point. "I think maybe talk to Carter." Anthony replied, "But Mr. and Mrs. Davis Scott, I promise nothing seedy is happening here. And, well, I should probably get home too before my parents freak out."
And so the parents let the boy go home, wondering what the fuck was going on with their baby boy. Both Brooke and Lucas wanted to dig deeper into Carter's relationship with Anthony, but they knew that a spanking was in order first, as heavy as that made their hearts.
... ... ...
Seeing his parents walking in was the first thing that made Carter break through his trance of thoughts, all related to Anthony.
His face blanched when his phone sent him a notification of motion at the front door. Brooke and Lucas were gunning to him like vultures to prey on the Ring camera. You just gotta take it C. You fucked up. He wished Riley were down here to lean into for support. But she had probably gotten chewed out as well.
Why had he needed to talk to Anthony so bad? Why did he ask to see him in the middle of the night?
"I just need to see you and talk about this." Was his exact text to Anthony. God, why did he have to catch feelings for this dude?...Oh shit his mom and dad were inside now and dad was walking towards him with some fucking purpose.
All Carter could do was yelp out a 'hey' when his dad lifted him from the couch by his right arm. "Mom, me, and you need to have a talk about safety. One that I thought I would not need to have with you Carter."
And that made Carter hurt just a little. He knew he usually wasn't like this. Both his sisters had gotten spanked for sneaking around when they weren't supposed to. But not Carter. And he was a little proud of that. In fact he would occasionally tease his sisters about it. But he had to be secretive about this shit, right? He had no other option but sneak out!
In a deft move, Lucas was now sitting down and Carter was standing in between his legs. Brooke stood behind Lucas not looking any less upset than she had on the ring camera. So they were for sure on the same page about this.
It was then, standing in front of his dad like he used to when being scolded as a child that Carter's survival senses kicked in. He definitely had broken his parents number one rule about purposely putting themselves in danger.
Lucas placed his hands on either side of the boys waist and looked at his son with a steely glare. Carter gulped at the firm familiarity with which his dad was holding him. It made the boy squirm in his father's grasp.
"Do you remember this position Carter Davis Scott?"
"Y-yes sir." Carter hung his head shamefully. He couldn't control how fidgety his legs started to get. There were so many instances that the boy's eyes would pool with tears when getting a talking to in his current position. And truly, the higschool varsity soccer player started to feel like he was 8 years old again.
Luke gave his son one good look. His little boy who was not so little anymore. But, Lucas and Brooke learned that even big kids needed their bums reddened from time to time. It was the case with Sam, and it was now the case for Riley and Carter. Of course Lucas and Brooke were fully prepared to check in on their child afterward. They were sure something was going on with their son. This was out of character for Carter and their conversation with Anthony didn't help either.
"I used to hold you like this whenever you needed to have a serious conversation with daddy. And every time I had you like this I couldn't help but see my baby, and it's no different now, Carter Davis Scott. Right now I see my little boy."
Carter's face flushed at his father's words. Why did his dad have to talk to him like he was a toddler?
"And that's good for you son because right now this position, well, it's the only thing preventing me from pulling those pants down right now and spanking your bare butt."
I don't wanna spanking! The teenage boy whined in his head. "Dad I'm not a little boy!"
"Well your actions prove otherwise." Lucas snapped back.
His mama's upset voice made the boy snap his head up, "You snuck out in the middle of the night, young man. We are you parents and need to know where you are at ALL times. Do you understand me?"
"Yes ma'am.
"You deciding to sneak out was foolish Carter! Daddy and I let you and your sister go out all the time. All we ask is that we know where you are! And on top of that your phone was off! This entire night you made one bad decision after another. It was so incredibly irresponsible of you!"
The teenager's eyes sprang tears and he rubbed at the side of his sweatpants over and over. His mother yelling at him was Carter's kryptonite. "I-I'm sorry mama."
He felt his dad give his hips a squeeze. "And trust that we're going to talk about your reasoning for pulling a stunt like that, but right now we need to take care of the fact that you put yourself in danger.
"B-but dad please." Carter knew what that was code for, "I'm almost an adult!"
"Almost being the key word." Lucas emphasized, "You are not yet an adult. And as such you still answer to your mama and me. Until you can properly take care of yourself and afford your own place that will be the case. You do NOT get to go out at all hours of the night without your parents knowing." The man's hands went to the waistband of Carter's pants and the tears that had sprung with Brooke's scolding began to fall down the boy's cheeks. Any thoughts about Anthony had been stored away. Now, Carter's main concern was that he had broken his parents' main rule and his consequence was a spanking over dad's knee. Any illusion of adulthood dissipated.
The teenager tried to stop his dad but Lucas caught his hands, "Move your hands Carter. Your pants are coming down."
"Come on dad, no!" He cried as his dad pulled his sweats down and they fell to his ankles, his one size too big Fruit of the Looms coming into view. All of a sudden Carter felt exactly as Lucas saw him. A little boy.
Luke continued with the lecture as he maneuvered the crying boy over his lap. Carter legs dangling over the side of the man's lap, "You do not get to leave this house without making sure that mama and daddy know where you are and who you are going with." He began to spank and Carter remembered why he tried so hard to avoid being in this position. The boy kicked out his legs and whimpered.
"I-ow dad! I-know. I-won't do it again!"
Lucas could see the boy's cheeks reddening below his briefs as he gave him a flurry of quick swats. Carter's legs scissored over and over. His sweatpants eventually falling off his legs.
"You do not get to leave this house with an uncharged phone. We bought you a portable charger for a reason. Use it, little boy!" Lucas moved to the boys sit spots, sending stinging swats that made Carter lose his resolve.
"OOwwwww! Puh-owwwwww-lease daddy! No more! I'm sorry!"
But Lucas pushed through as he scolded and spanked, "You do not lie to mama and daddy about what's going on in your life. Sneaking around is lying!"
Carter would say anything to get his dad to stop smacking his bottom, but that last reprimand had struck Carter harder than the others. "Daddy, I won't sneak around! Promise! I don't wanna lie to you and mama anymore! Please stop! I'm sorry!" The boy's sobs increased and both Lucas and Brooke knew he was done.
Lucas spanked for another minute before he ended the punishment. He placed his hand on his crying child's back, "Never again Carter Davis Scott. Or you'll find yourself across my knee just like tonight."
"N-no daddy." Carter urged through his watery cries, "I won't sneak out! I don't wanna lie anymore either, I promise!"
Lucas rubbed the boy's back shushing him all the while, "I hear you buddy. I know you're sorry sweetheart." He put a strong hand under the boy's bare dangling legs and placed them atop the couch, letting the teen be more comfortable as he rested over his lap. Carter immediately moved his hands to his reddened bottom, rubbing the pain away as his sobbing and hiccuping continued. Although normally he would balk at being bare bummed over his daddy, right now he didn't think he wanted any fabric on his bottom.
Meanwhile Brooke gave father and son a moment, waiting for their child to calm a little before she moved to sit by the two and clean her son's snotty and tear stained face. When Luke pulled the boy's briefs back up she took it as her signal.
Brooke moved to sit by the boy's head with tissues in her hand and ran a gentle hand through his hair, "Turn to look at me, but stay laying down baby. Shhhhhh. I'm just going to clean up your face a little."
"I'm sorry mama." Carter felt a fresh set of tears come out, "Shhhhhh baby boy. It's okay. Hey, it's okay. You're forgiven"
He only gave his mother his sad green eyes as she shushed him and cleaned his face a little. Carter knew if anyone saw him like this, still laying over his dad's lap, getting his face cleaned by mommy like a baby, he would simply die of embarrassment. But it felt too nice to try and move.
"Can I ask you something C?" Brooke asked as she finished up.
Carter looked at his mother with his eyes still red rimmed, "Y-yes."
"Why do you tell us you don't want to lie. Is there something you feel like you've been lying to us about?"
Carter's heart fell. The question had made him think about his own sexuality and Anthony all over again. All those emotions began to compound with his spanking. In an effort to calm Carter down from his renewed sorrow Lucas easily maneuvered the prone boy to be sitting on his lap, his reddened bum facing out so as not to make it more sore. The teenager was surprised his dad could still move him around so easily. When Lucas noticed the boy's face he chuckled, "Daddy can still carry you around C. I'm older now, but not weaker."
And that made the tension between the three slightly break as they laughed a bit. After their moment Carter leaned into his dad's chest, a renewed sniffle coming back.
Carter was yet to answer Brooke's question so Luke decided to push the boy. He kissed the top of Carter's forehead, "What's been going on C, huh? Mama and I are worried about you."
The teenager looked up at both his parents and saw the complete and utter concern in their face and it just made his walls break. It was so hard to keep it together around them.
"I- if-I'm-" Damn it here came the tears again!
"Take your time big boy." Brooke cooed as his dad began to rub his back once more. God, his parents loved him so much! They deserved the truth. Carter's heart began to beat quickly. Was he really about to do this? He undid himself from his dad's hold and stood up in front of them, attempting to wipe at the freshly fallen tears.
"Big boy." His mom called for his attention. Carter didn't know this but Brooke could see that the boy was struggling whether or not to talk to them. "I'm going to tell you something that I would always remind Sammy of when she first came to live with us." She waited for her son to fix his gaze on her, "There is nothing you can't tell Dad and me. No matter how awkward, or hard, or weird. Dad and I are your parents we love you and support you unconditionally."
Carter wiped at his eyes with the ends of his shirt, trying to get himself together enough (and find the courage) to do this, "I-"
Say it. Say it. Say it. FUCKING SAY IT DUMBASS!
"I'M GAY!" He cupped his hands to his mouth hearing the words come out of his mouth for the first time in front of anyone but Riley, but then he immediately dropped them, "There, I said it! I'm gay! And I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier! But that's why I was out tonight. Anthony, we, well I don't know we were sort of into each other and he wanted us to be official and I told him I can't-I can't" Carter started to shake his head as the tears came out again, "I can't tell everyone!"
And Brooke and Lucas were quick to help their newly sobbing boy. It was Lucas who stood up and wrapped the boy up in a hug, "Hey, hey"
"I can't tell everyone dad. I don't know how to do that!" And Carter sobbed for all he was worth.
Lucas made a snap decision to pick the disconsolate boy up into his arms. Although Carter was taller than both his sisters, Lucas still managed to hoist the boy up. Using one arm he guided the boy's legs around his waist while picking him up. Carter wrapped his arms around his dad's neck crying into the man's broad shoulders.
"Daddy's got you." Lucas couldn't help that tears were pooling at his eyes too, "Thank you for telling us. We love you so much C. Shhhhhh. Im sorry about Anthony baby. know it's hard. Shhh."
And Lucas rocked with Carter in his arms. The father held him like a boy half his age, and paced around the room to sooth the child, whispering how much he loved his son, assuring him it would all be okay. The man looked over to Brooke who was also teary eyed at the sight of their son so broken.
The time to unpack all the new information they were privy to would come later, for now the two parents would console their son.
Brooke had gone upstairs to grab a box of Kleenex while Lucas was attending to their son. Her mind spinning with what Carter revealed. She was so happy that they now knew his truth and it honestly didn't surprise the woman too much. It was not out of the realm of possibility considering she remembered how close Carter and his friend Peter once were. Until one day Peter just stopped coming over, Brooke thought. How much of her son's life did she not know about?
Get it together Brooke. Now is not the time!
The woman was stepping out of her room about to go downstairs again, when two worried little eyes made contact with her from across the hall. Brooke stopped and took in the sight of her youngest daughter clearly aching to go check on her brother.
"M-mama"
Brooke called her over with an extended hand and Riley opened the door quickly walking towards her mother. The woman simply hugged her child and kissed the top of her head, "He's okay princess. But you stay up here, alright? It's late so we'll all come up to bed soon." Riley nodded into her mother's chest, wanting to argue, but the girl could tell that what Carter needed was mom and dad. She let go of the embrace when her mother gave her two pats to her bum and the directive to go back to her room. The girl settled back onto her bed, hoping to stay awake long enough to hear Carter come upstairs so she could lay with him.
When Brooke made it back down the steps, their son was seated in the middle of the couch and Luke was rubbing his back as Carter calmed down. The woman sat on the other side of Carter and placed the Kleenex box on his lap. He wasn't saying anything as he wiped at his face so Brooke decided to take the opportunity to assure their child,
"C, dad and I are so proud of you. You know that? You are our brave child and as you grow up we learn and embrace new things about you and that's the special part about being a parent. Dad and I want you to be happy and fulfilled, that's all we care about baby. I'm so sorry that you have to deal with your first heartbreak on top of it all love."
The boy could only nod, too afraid to talk and cry once more. So Brooke and Lucas sat with him as he calmed down.
Brooke's heart ached for her little boy. She would move heaven and earth to ensure that her children were okay. It didn't matter how old they got. Carter, Riley, and Sam would forever be her babies, no matter how old they got.
Sam had been the first one to learn that age had nothing to do with her parent's caring for her in that same nurturing way.
... ... ...
"Okay, mom, jesus christ! I'll leave the precious two alone. They were being fucking annoying though and I couldn't concentrate."
Brooke rose an eyebrow at her daughter, "Watch the language and the attitude."
The 20 year old slammed her computer closed, "Fine." She stood up from the couch, "I'm going to Manny's."
And the mother had had enough. She knew her daughter was off, and was determined to get to the bottom of it, "No, Samantha, you will not. I need you to go straight up to my room and take a break." Brooke pointed directly to the stairs, glowering at her irate college aged child.
"No." Sam crossed her arms across her chest, "Why should I?" She was 20, why the hell did she need to go to her parents' room for a 'break'?
Brooke's eyes narrowed and a pair of "oooooooooooooo Sammmmyyy. You're in troubleeee." Came from the twins who were being nosy in the kitchen.
Sam turned angrily towards them, "Shut it, tattle tales!" They were the ones that had gone crying to Brooke about her being 'mean to them all day' anyways. What Sam didn't know is that Brooke had caught her eldest's irritability the whole week, but let it be. She figured her daughter just needed space. It was only when her two youngest had told her that Sam had cursed them out for being too loud while she was working on her summer class that Brooke decided to step in. The mother had patiently waited for Sam to finish her work before she confronted her about her creeping attitude and interactions with her youngest.
Brooke walked straight to her eldest and grabbed her forearm, speaking low enough that only Sam could hear her. Although Riley and Carter could clearly see that their big sister was getting scolded by mama. "Young lady, that is enough of the rudeness. It's been all week that you've been bratting the way you are now. Either you go up to my room willingly, or I swat your backside there like I had to do when you were acting up like this as a child. Your choice."
Sure, Brooke was bluffing, but she knew that regardless of age, it would get her daughter moving.
Sam's eyes widened and she felt herself tense. Her mom wouldn't spank her, would she? In front of the twins?! The look her mother was giving her was enough to make her listen though. She pulled away from her mom's grasp and stomped all the way up to her parents' room, much like she used to do all those years ago.
Brooke took a deep breath and moved her gaze towards her tiniest ones who were clad in their swimwear, "You two need to leave your sister alone. She is having a hard time and does not need you two teasing her, or bothering her. If I catch either of you teasing her it's a time-out. Am I understood?"
"Yes ma'am."
Convinced that they would heed her warning the woman led them out back to the pool since Lucas was there cutting the grass. She gave them both a kiss to their forehead and a gentle swat to their bottom, "I'll be upstairs talking to Sam, alright? Tell dad I'm helping your sister."
"Okay."
" 'Kay mommy.'
... ... ...
The mother had given her eldest about 10 minutes to cool off, but even then Brooke wasn't sure what mood Sam would be in when she got to the door, but she hoped that she would be less irate.
Once inside Sam looked up from the windowsill she was sitting at and gave her mother a glare.
"Samantha-"
But Sam cut her off, "I sat in this ridiculous timeout. I won't curse at the twins. Can I go to Manny's now? He's waiting for me."
Brooke scoffed. "Maybe you need more time because clearly you're still on edge."
Sam groaned and looked to the ceiling, "Oh my gooooddddd. Mom, please! What do you want from me?"
Brooke sat on her bed and patted at it gently, but Sam only shook her head looking away. As stubborn as ever. The mother sighed, "I want to know what's been going on with you Samantha. You've been out of sorts and I know, just as well as you know, that whenever you're grumpy like this it's because something deeper is bothering you."
"I'm not grumpy!"
"Would you prefer I say you're fussy?"
"No." Sam spat. She felt 14 all over again.
"I want you to text Manny and tell him you won't be able to make it."
"What? Are you serious? You can't- you can't do that!"
Brooke leveled her with a look that said 'try me.' It was then that Sam realized that she needed to try a new approach with her mom. She took two mindful breaths while Brooke waited patiently for Sam to get it together.
"Mom, fine. Okay?" Sam looked down at the hands she was wringing, already beginning to feel calmer, "I-I'm sorry. I know I've been acting rudely all week. You, dad, and the twins don't deserve that. I really am sorry and I'll do better. Promise." She met Brooke's stare, grateful that her mom looked receptive, "But I'm older now mama, I've been taking care of myself in college, you can't just order me around like that."
Brooke looked deeply at her upset daughter, taking a moment to see past her own frustration and really listen to Sam.
The young woman in front of her was right. Her Sammy wasn't a child anymore. As she listened to her thoughtful apology and looked at her little girl in a fashionable dress and well done makeup, Brooke was reminded of that fact. She instinctively knew she couldn't handle this the way she did when Sam was a teen. Although all she wanted was to force her child to talk she decided to do the opposite.
She uncrossed her arms, bracing them on the bed, and sat up a bit taller, "You're right. You're older, and have matured a lot peanut. I know I can't force you to do anything."
Her mother's sudden acquiescence unnerved Sam and Brooke could sense it.
"I just want to make sure you're okay. You're my child Sam and I love you and worry for you all the time."
Sam bit her lip, still feeling guilty at the childish way she'd been talking to her mom, "...and I'm sorry for being a lot lately."
"Hey, you're not a lot. You never have been."
Sam restrained an eye roll, "Yeah, sure."
She didn't believe it, and it stung the mother to know that. Brooke stood from the bed and walked over towards the window sill, giving Sam a gentle kiss atop her head, "I know there's something bothering you, but I won't push, alright? I'm here to talk and so is dad, whenever you need it."
Sam nodded and the woman placed a gentle hand on the girl's cheek, "Thank you for taking some time to calm down up here. I'm not stopping you from going to Manny's. Go and have fun. I love you little one."
Sam willed away tears, "L-love you too mom."
... ... ...
"I heard from the Carter and Riley grapevine that you threatened to spank Sammy." Lucas sat on the couch where his love was relaxing watching reality TV.
Brooke was surprised, "They heard me? I really was trying to only say it loud enough for her to hear. And all I said was that I'd spank her butt to get her moving upstairs, if she didn't listen."
"They didn't hear. Carter said you had the look after they told on her for cursing them out." And both parents laughed at that.
"I didn't spank her."
"I know you didn't." Lucas assured, a soft smile formed on his face as he contemplated Brooke for a moment. Lucas could see how conflicted Brooke still was. He put an arm around his wife and Brooke took the opportunity to lean her head on his shoulder. "I shouldn't have threatened her. She's 20 now and-"
"And she's been bad-tempered all week. Trust me babe, I get the frustration."
Brooke let out a long sigh, "She apologized though and promised to do better, but she just looked, well no, still looks, so sad."
"She'll talk to us when she's ready. Sam always does."
Lucas gently lifted Brooke's chin so their eyes could meet, "I love you so much Brooke. And I'm so happy I can do this parenting thing with you."
The woman couldn't help but get a little misty eyed going in for a deep kiss. Her rock. Once they settled back onto the couch Lucas looked back to her, "Remember last year when we went to her dorm and I threatened to spank her? At least today didn't go that bad."
Brooke chuckled a bit, "Yeah, not our best moment."
"We were worried about her!" Lucas argued.
And Brooke just nodded her head with a smirk not wanting to rile Lucas up.
"Well, regardless." Luke spoke up again, "She talked to us even then, so I'm confident that she'll come to us now."
When Sam got home that night everyone was already in bed. She'd texted her parents letting them know she'd be home later and wished them a goodnight.
She trudged up the stairs, her feet feeling like lead. God, she was so tired. But she knew she wouldn't sleep much. The 20 year old didn't want to admit it, but her mood, appetite, and sleep had been out of whack for a few weeks now. Sam hated herself for it. Hated that whenever things seemed just right with her emotional and mental stability it was never permanent.
Once in her room the girl forewent changing into pajamas or going through her normal nightly routine and instead just fell into her covers hoping that sleep would come and that it would be restful.
But that hope was futile because she had probably only gotten 4 hours of real sleep and the rest was her tossing and turning. By 8 am she was frustrated and decided to get up to take a shower.
Unfortunately, while in the shower her mind's anxious thoughts started to go into overdrive. She started to feel a familiar overwhelming fear. Why was she so afraid? Why was she struggling to breathe? Her mind began to race trying to form a cohesive thought, but she just couldn't. The fear turned into a red-hot feeling that traveled through her. She was reaching, grasping for some mental trick to make it go away but she couldn't find it.
Sam began to sob heavily, almost wailing as she slid down onto the tile of the shower. Her heart felt like it would explode out of her chest, but she couldn't fight it. She was stuck in this state. Helpless. And so she barely noticed when Riley and Carter knocked roughly on the door or when a worried Brooke rushed into the bathroom and threw open the shower curtain. It was Riley who had run down to tell her mom that Sam was crying really hard in the bathroom and not opening the door even though they knocked. The mother wasted no time in getting to her eldest, telling both a concerned Riley and Carter to wait downstairs.
"Oh honey." Brooke was quick to shut the water off and grab a towel. Sam still sat sobbing, beside herself, and curled in, barely registering what was happening around her.
Brooke fished the girl out of the corner of the stall with the towel and firm, but gentle hands. She sat her still panicking child on the toilet lid wrapping her in a large towel and doing a quick wipe of Sam's face.
"Samantha." She maneuvered Sam's head her way, "Samantha, look at me. It's mom." Brooke's voice was stern, "I'm right here. You're okay." She put two hands on Sam's shoulder's, squeezing gently, hoping that the pressure would help. "Baby, look at me. come on." She continued to talk to her daughter until Sam was able to latch onto her mother's voice and touch.
The young woman looked at her mother though her teary vision, Any notion of pride that she held into all week completely gone. "M-mama, I-I'm scared!"Sam wailed and Brooke's heart broke at the sight of her daughter's vulnerability.
"Oh Honey. I'm here baby." She knelt down to be at eye level with Sam. She wanted to whisk her child into her embrace, but knew that she needed to succeed in calming her down first. And although yesterday she could not deal with her daughter the way she did when Sam was a child, the mother knew that the same tactics she used to ease her daughter from her anxious moments then would still work now.
"I need you to follow my breath." Brooke took in an exaggerated breath, "Follow me honey. Next one we do together." And Sam heeded her mother's instruction.
"That's my girl." Brooke cooed like she would all those years ago, "Okay love, can you tell me where we are?"
"Home. In the- in the bathroom." Sam hiccupped out. Her heart no longer felt like it wanted to explode, so that was a good sign.
"Yes, you're home and you're safe. Can you repeat that for me?"
"I-I'm home a-an-" Tears renewed and a sob stuck in Sam's throat, but Brooke didn't let her fall back into her panic.
"Shhh. No baby. Don't do that. Two deep breaths again. In and Out." Brooke waited until Sam did so, her stare never leaving her daughter's visage "Okay, now I want you to repeat the whole thing, I'm home and I'm safe."
Sam felt as her mom rubbed her hands over her shoulders and arms over and over again. The comfort felt so nice. "I-I'm home and I'm safe."
Brooke nodded, "Yes. You're home with dad, riley, carter, and me. Nothing is going to happen to you here. Okay? You just keep breathing for me, peanut."
"Don't leave mama." The haughtiness that had been consistently in her voice that week was replaced by a meekness that made the 20 year old seem so much younger to her mother.
Brooke shook her head, "I'm not leaving princess." She kissed her baby's forehead, "I'm right here with you."
Fifteen minutes later Brooke had led a calmer Sam into her room and onto the unmade bed. Brooke had done her best to dry her daughter's hair so that it wasn't dripping wet before leaving the bathroom.
"Let's get you changed little one." The older woman handed her daughter Barry the bear and Sam did not hesitate in hugging him to her front, though a light blush hit her cheeks at the thought of her childish actions.
Sam had since come down and was feeling some residual embarrassment. She hung her head, tightening the towel closely around her nude body as her mother moved about the room. Brooke didn't notice any of this until she had turned back around with a pair of panties, large purple tshirt and starred sleeping shorts the girl tended to use when at home. The woman moved in front of her daughter and lifted Sam's chin towards her gaze, "Sammy baby, it's okay. You had a panic attack. We know that happens sometimes, right? I'm so proud of you for calming down as quickly as you did."
"Only because you were there." Sam admitted, her voice now slightly hoarse from crying. She felt her eyes well up again and she was surprised that she had any tears left to give, "I-I'm so tired of feeling like this mama."
Brooke set the clothes down. Changing Sam would have to wait. So this had been happening a lot lately? Her poor baby! It was in that moment that Brooke decided that it may be time to re-asses the anxiety medicine her daughter had been taking. But she couldn't interrogate now, instead she sat next to her daughter, wrapping her in an embrace. Sam eagerly leaned in, dropping Barry and hugging her mother much like she used to at 14. Her arms wrapped around the woman's neck, holding onto the fabric of her mama's shirt. And Brooke held her with the same conviction.
"Shhhhhh princess. No more tears."
The woman rubbed her daughter's back and occasionally patted Sam's bottom for a few moments, "My sweet baby girl. We'll figure it out together, okay?"
Sam allowed her mother's caresses and words to ease her. Why had she fought this whole week to hide her struggle from her mother?
"Are you listening love?" Brooke broke her from her thoughts.
"Y-yes ma'am." Came her teary response.
"Okay, because i want you to hear me Sammy when I say that I'm glad I was here to help, but that doesn't change that you were the one that calmed down on your own. You have grown so much baby and you shouldn't feel embarrassed about any of this."
Sam moved from the embrace, sitting next to her mother on the bed, "I needed my mommy to help me out of the shower and now I'm sitting here naked and crying. I'm- I-" She took a deep breath and looked away for a moment, "I hate this about me mom."
Brooke squeezed her daughter's hand, wishing she could will away that feeling from her little girl, " Peanut accepting help is one of the strongest things you could do. If you ask anyone who's known you since you were 14, they'll tell you how much you've grown."
"I guess."
"Well I know…Andddddd-" Brooke booped her daughter's nose, "-you're my child. I know you've gotten older, but I have seen you naked before."
"Mama!" Sam whined. But Brooke only chuckled, "Plus you're in towel so don't even sweat it." She gave her daughter a soft look, "Sammy I really wish you could see what I see when I look at you."
And Sam finally gave her mother a crack of a smile, choosing to simply let herself fall and lay her head into Brooke's felt at ease in a way that she hadn't in a while. Brooke watched her daughter get comfortable slightly amused as the girl turned to face her stomach nuzzling into her mama with a long sigh. Brooke supposed their conversation was over, for now at least. The mother began to bob her legs to help keep Sam calm, and it didn't take long for two consecutive yawns to come out of her kid.
Although it was morning, Brooke sensed that her daughter's sleep was probably suffering from her increased anxiety too, on top of the panic attack that took a lot out of her . "Let's get you settled for a nap, peanut?"
And Sam didn't argue. She was still feeling so tired, "Can you stay with me mama?" She asked not looking up as she was feeling a bit bashful. Her words were muffled by her mother's shirt, " At least until I fall asleep?"
"Of course. Do you need help changing?"
"I got it."
And sure enough, once laid in her bed with her head on Brooke's chest, Barry in her arms, and her thumb secured in her mouth, Sam fell into a peaceful sleep.
Some things never changed.
... ... ...
As Brooke tucked Carter into bed next to a fast asleep Riley that night (at Carter's behest) she had that same protective feeling for him that she did for Sam after her panic attack.
She sat down at the edge of the bed and kissed the top of his head and ran a hand through his hair, "I love you so much baby boy. I know heartbreak is hard. If you need to talk about that or about absolutely anything else please come to me. I want to help you."
Carter wasn't sure how to feel in the moment but he knew he felt loved and accepted by everyone in his household and that had to count for something. He nodded and whispered out a "Love you mommy" before closing his eyes.
And Brooke did not leave his side until he fell asleep.