AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you, Bonnie Sveen Fan and Braxton54 for your continual reviews and support and thank you anyone still reading along.
Back at the flat, Kyle sets the table and announces that dinner is just about ready.
Heath pulls out a chair for Bianca to sit down and goes to assist Kyle in serving the dinner.
As the three sit down for their meal, Bianca observes the chicken and pasta meal on her plate before taking a bite.
"Wow this tastes amazing," Bianca praises," And you made this all yourself?"
Kyle nods, taking a fork full of his own food.
"If this cooking is anything to go on you should consider being a chef," Bianca adds.
"I haven't really thought of that; I only like cooking as a hobby, but I do like the idea of running a restaurant," Kyle replies.
"You little entre...entre...you know what I mean: business runner," Heath jokes; unable to get the words out.
Kyle quickly corrects him, "entrepreneur."
"Yeah that," Heath clarifies as Bianca laughs at Heath's mistake and Kyle correcting him.
"Well I'm sure you will be able to achieve anything you want," Bianca encourages.
"Thanks. I actually enjoy helping Brax at his restaurant even if most of the time it's for punishment, but I want to keep my options open as I like music and science too."
Bianca looks to Heath in confusion.
Heath gets up and wraps his arm around Kyle.
"That will be one to tell the big fella," he jokes as he makes his way over towards the stove for a second helping of the chicken and mushroom carbonara.
"Please don't say anything," Kyle asks.
"I'm only joking with you. I won't say anything if you don't want me to," Heath responds; scoffing down his second meal and burping as he finishes.
Kyle turns away embarrassed for his brother's manners in front of Bianca but Bianca just laughs it off.
"So: where's this fancy dessert?" Heath announces a short while later.
"Do you have holes in your stomach, Heath?" Bianca says with a laugh.
"Nope, just need to maintain my muscles and I love a good meal from Kyle's cooking," Heath replies.
Kyle takes all the plates to the sink and dishes out the pie.
"You actually made this from scratch too?" Bianca asks, in amazement, knowing how difficult making meringue could be.
"He's a real little genius!" Heath praises and ruffles Kyle's hair.
"Well again this is very lovely Kyle. Thank you for dinner and this wonderful dessert," Bianca praises and gives a wide smile.
"You're welcome," Kyle says, bashfully.
"So what do we have planned for tonight?" Bianca asks.
"I know what I'd like planned, but it's not appropriate with Kyle being here," Heath snickers.
"Be reasonable," Bianca states.
"Why don't we all have a game of monopoly," Kyle pipes up; unsure of if it was too childish an idea for Bianca to join in on some board games.
"That sounds like a great idea. I haven't played a good game of monopoly in ages," Bianca informs, smiling.
Kyle begins to wash up and Bianca stands beside him.
"Here: let us help you; after all you cooked," she offers and takes a tea towel to start drying.
"It's okay," Kyle replies, knowing dishes were part of his punishment chores.
Bianca looks over to Heath and gestures with her eyes to come and help.
Heath sighs but joins the two at the sink.
"Leave that Ky," Heath says.
Kyle stops washing up and pulls his sudsy hands from the water.
"But..." he starts, before being interrupted.
"No buts; get on with ya," Heath states; resting a firm hand on Kyle's shoulder.
"Why don't you go set up for the game?" Bianca suggests.
Kyle dries his hands in defeat and goes back to the table to set up the monopoly game, while Heath and Bianca finish the dishes.
Heath and Bianca make their way to the table where Kyle has set up the monopoly board and dished out the cash.
The dog and racecar tokens are already placed on the starting point.
"I'm sorry I didn't know what token you wanted, Bianca," Kyle confesses.
"That's alright Kyle. I might go with the thimble," Bianca replies and pulls out the thimble token from the box.
The three play monopoly for two hours until Heath starts becoming frustrated for losing his money to Kyle and Bianca.
"This game is rigged, why can't I get any money coming in like you two?" Heath accuses.
"I hate to say it but you are not very skilled with your financial skills Hun," Bianca admits, causing Kyle to giggle; knowing the truth that maths and money is not Heath's strong point.
"Oi: no comments from you!" Heath says and reaches over to ruffle Kyle's hair.
"Besides, I like to think I'm letting you both win anyway!" Heath declares.
Kyle and Bianca exchange glances and let out a small giggle.
"What? It's possible!" Heath defends.
"At least you're not being sent to jail all the time like the other night," Kyle comments, trying to diffuse his brother's frustrations.
The three continue to play until it was close to nine o'clock, when Bianca suggests they call it quits due to Heath's frustrations of losing.
"I think this game is getting a little out of hand now; you are getting far too upset, Hun," Bianca says, referring to Heath and reaching over to pat him on the hand.
"I'm not getting upset," Heath complains in a frustrated tone and fidgets in his chair.
"Why don't we relax and watch a movie with a nice hot chocolate? You'd enjoy that too Kyle," Bianca suggests, calmly.
Heath sighs heavily, "Fine: I'll admit defeat."
Bianca smiles, "That's very good of you."
Heath gets up to lean over to give Bianca a kiss, while Kyle begins packing away the board game.
Bianca gets up and makes her way towards the kitchen to grab out three mugs.
"Are you amazing or what?" Heath laughs; wrapping his arm around Bianca's waist.
Kyle puts the game to the side and calls out to his brother.
"Um, Heath: can I talk to you?"
"Sure, Bubs," Heath replies and approaches Kyle.
"It's just that, you know I'm not allowed to watch TV at the moment," Kyle whispers, feeling embarrassed for admitting that around Bianca.
"One night won't hurt," Heath encourages and squeezes Kyle's shoulder.
"I really don't want Brax to get mad," Kyle whispers.
"If he starts then I'll say it's my fault. You have nothing to worry about," Heath assures.
"But I really don't like the idea of being deceitful," Kyle states.
"You're not being..." Heath starts then looks at Kyle's pitiful eyes and sighs.
"Fine; I'll go and ask the big fella. Be back in a minute, Babe!" Heath tells Kyle then calls out to Bianca.
Heath barges into Brax's next door and the eldest takes his eyes off the footy on TV to glance at his brother.
"Nice of you to just barge in; like usual," Brax comments, sarcastically.
"Whatever; I came to ask you something. Kyle has his undies in a twist worrying because Bianca wants us all to watch a movie and Kyle doesn't because you say he's not allowed," Heath explains.
"I see, well that was my condition of the grounding," Brax replies.
"Why can't you bend the rule just this once and let Kyle enjoy his night; don't be such a stick in the mud," Heath starts.
Brax raises his brow at Heath.
"You did not let me finish," Brax grumbles, "I was going to say it was a condition of the grounding, however I am willing to make an exception only because Bianca is over having a nice night, but it is to be for one movie only and that does not mean it loosens his grounding so make sure he knows that."
"You don't need to worry; Kyle isn't going to do anything dishonest like that," Heath answers.
"It's not Kyle I'm worried about," Brax teases.
"Oi: what's that supposed to mean?"
"Doesn't mean anything, but right now I want to watch the footy so if you're done..."
"Alright I get it," Heath grumbles, "Who's winning tonight's game?"
"It the Seagulls, they have four points up on the Cheetahs and they just keep knocking out the players," Brax complains; bummed that his favourite team was losing.
"Guess I'll leave you to it then," Heath laughs and heads back to the flat.
Bianca and Kyle alert to Heath's return and Kyle looks at his brother with hope.
"It's all good, little bro," Heath informs, "So has it been decided what movie we are going to watch?" Heath asks.
"I want to watch my favourite romance: P.S. I love you," Bianca says.
"I know you love me Babe, but romance movies aren't my thing," Heath states.
Kyle laughs at Heath's mistake.
"What? They aren't," he defends.
"No, Heath, the movie is called, P. S. I love you," Bianca chuckles.
"Oh, well I'm not into that sort of genre," Heath replies, trying to hide his embarrassment.
"Alright, well, what do you want to watch Kyle?" Bianca asks.
"Um, I haven't seen Ratatouille in a while," Kyle whispers.
Heath rolls his eyes.
"Not one of those kid movies," Heath complains.
"Heath," Bianca scolds and gently slaps his chest.
"I just want something with substance, like action and adventure," Heath states.
Kyle thinks for a moment.
"What about the latest Jumanji movie?" he suggests.
Bianca shrugs in approval and Heath nods.
"Guess that's settled then. I'll go finish getting our hot chocolates," Bianca informs.
"Go and sit down on the couch, Bubs, and get the movie ready," Heath instructs.
Kyle goes to sit on the couch and flicks on the movie channel and selects the movie.
Heath grabs a packet of sour cream and chives potato chips from his cupboard and empties them into a big bowl.
"You can't be serious Heath, you only finished a big meal and dessert a few hours ago," Bianca chuckles.
"You can't have a movie without snacks," Heath states.
Bianca hands him one of the mugs and takes the remaining two down to the couch.
"Thank you," Kyle says as Bianca hands him one of the mugs of hot chocolate.
Heath flops down on the couch next to Kyle, with the bowl of chips and Bianca sits down on the left of Heath.
Heath pulls up a blanket around the three of them and Kyle starts the movie.
Halfway through the movie, Kyle snuggles up further into Heath's side and rests his head on his shoulder; soon falling asleep.
Bianca smiles over at Kyle as she takes a glimpse of the teen while reaching for a few chips from the bowl.
"You're a really great big brother," Bianca comments and indicates towards Kyle.
Heath looks down and sees Kyle asleep and gently slips his arm up to wrap around his brother.
"What can I say; he's pretty special to me," Heath whispers.
Bianca leans over to kiss Heath on the cheek and Heath wraps his other arm around her.
"So how come he is staying here again?" Bianca whispers.
"He and Casey had a big fight and Brax suggested they needed space," Heath explains.
"I know siblings fight but Kyle and Casey are usually so close; they always look out for each other at school," Bianca whispers; feeling confused.
"It was over an incident they did involving Brax's Ute, where they totaled it and the effects and feeling from that, kind of escalated between them," Heath explains.
Bianca's eyes go wide; not believing that either of the boys would be capable of doing something so deliberate.
"You're not serious; surely they wouldn't?" she questions; taking a glance over at Kyle looking so innocent.
"There's no doubt about it. It was meant to be a prank to get back at me."
Bianca immediately sits up and stares at Heath.
"You are not doing those childish pranks on those two again, are you?" she quietly accuses.
"No, Babe, I swore to put an end to that after it led to our argument. I wasn't going to risk that again," Heath defends and pulls Bianca close again; affectionately kissing her on the head.
"Let's just say Casey has a tendency to get stupid ideas into his head and this time it was for revenge towards me; despite me calling a truce, and dragged Kyle along for the ride, only for the prank to backfire. They didn't get off easy when the big fella found out either; I think that might have been a contributing factor in their behaviour."
"Oh," Bianca simply says, imagining Brax's reaction, and knowing how sensitive both boys were and how much they looked up to the eldest and instantly feels sorry for the boys.
Bianca leans in further into Heath's chest and turns her attention back to the movie.
"Stay over?" Heath asks.
"I really shouldn't, not with Kyle staying here," Bianca whispers.
"Kyle won't mind; he likes you and I have to say he's got good taste there," Heath chuckles and gives Bianca a squeeze.
"Well it would be nice, but only if you're sure he wouldn't mind," Bianca whispers.
"He'll be cool with it," Heath assures then glances down at Kyle.
Bianca and Heath finish watching the movie just as the time reaches eleven.
Bianca sits up to turn the TV off.
"How are you going to leave him and go to bed without waking him?" Bianca asks; referring to Kyle.
Heath looks down at Kyle who is still sleeping and he carefully slips his arm out and gently pushes Kyle down against the couch.
"Could you pass me those pillows just down there, Babe?" Heath whispers and points to the pillows next to the couch.
Bianca hands Heath the pillows and he gently rests them under Kyle's head before standing up.
He moves the blanket they were all using away and picks up Kyle's legs; placing them gently onto the couch.
Heath then grabs Kyle's blanket and quilt and flaps them over his brother.
Kyle stirs but does not wake.
"He's pretty out of it, but I'm not surprised with spending all day cooking us a nice meal," Bianca comments.
"That's saying something; he's usually a really light sleeper. It's Casey that you need an explosion to wake and move sometimes," Heath chuckles as he gets up from kneeling down and covering up Kyle.
Bianca smiles at her boyfriend.
"Look at you: behind that tough, muscular guy, you're so caring with them, especially Kyle."
Heath shrugs.
"Sure, I love to tease them and boss them around; what older brother doesn't? But I do love them. Family means everything to us Braxtons," Heath admits.
"How could I not love you?" Bianca says and leans over to kiss Heath.
Heath wraps his arm around Bianca's waist and guides her towards the bedroom, where they both change into comfortable clothes and snuggle together in Heath's bed.