Disclaimer, I dont own ATBG only the characters and story I've created

Chapter 3

Ginger took her sister and Jamie outback where David had put up a swing set and playhouse. She sat down on one of the lawn chairs and watched as the two ran around the yard. Going from swinging to the slide, to playing with the dolls inside the playhouse. Ginger smiled at the two, remembering when Carl was that little and would run around the yard with Hoodsey. Time went by so fast. For now, she was happy to let the two little girls play for a couple hours and enjoy being so young. "Jamie, are you ready to go home?" "Ok." Ginger took them inside. "Carl, watch Kalie so I can take Jamie home." "Come here squirt. I'll let you shoot some zombies." "Yay my turn." "Bye Kalie." "Bye Jamie." Jamie hugged her friend before following Ginger outside and getting into the booster seat in the back of the car.

Will was just getting out of the shower and getting dressed when he heard the door. "Coming." He called, pulling on his jeans and walking out to the door. When he opened it, the first thing he saw was Ginger's beautiful smile. Jamie hugged Ginger, "Bye bye Ginger." She ran inside and hugged her brother's leg. "Was she any trouble?" Jamie ran off to play in his small living room and when Will turned to look at Ginger, who hadn't answered him, he saw her staring at his bare chest. "You ok Red?" She quickly looked up, "Huh? Oh no she was good." She answered, blushing.

Will smiled, seeing the rosy color smearing her cheeks. "Thanks for letting her spend time with you guys." Ginger smiled warmly. "You know she's welcome anytime. You are too." She added, before thinking. "Appreciate that Ging. Hey, you never said what schools you were thinking about." "Oh, um, NYC, Stanford, and UCLA." Will frowned. "California? Wow, that's quite a move." "Yeah, I just figured, well…" "Thought it would be easier to move than to stay and feel alone when everyone goes their separate ways?" She looked at him, surprised that he said exactly what she was thinking. "Pretty much I guess."

He took a step towards her, closing the gap between them. "Your family would miss you." "I know. But everyone is leaving and no matter which one I get into, I'll still be alone." She laughed, "That sounds kind of depressing doesn't it?" "No, it doesn't. It's honest. But, you wouldn't be alone, Ging. I'd still be here for you." Before she could answer, he leaned down and kissed her. Her full lips were soft, and he felt a pleasant shock going through him. "Will, can I watch TV?" Jamie called. He pulled away slowly, his eyes on Ginger. "Yeah, I'm coming munchkin. Text you?" Ginger, still in shock, nodded. "See you later." "You can count on it." He answered, smiling as she turned around and walked away.

Ginger got into her car and looked in the mirror, seeing her own smiling face. "Did that just happen?" She asked herself as she slowly drove herself home. She pulled into the driveway fifteen minutes later, and walked inside, hearing her phone go off in the kitchen. "Hello? Hey mom….yes we're fine…I'm just about to make some…I know 350 for twenty minutes…alright, see you in a couple days…love you too, bye." She put her phone into her pocket and called her brother. "Carl, take the trash out, I gotta make dinner."

After feeding her siblings, Ginger took her sister upstairs for her bath. "Hey, load the dishwasher so I can get Kalie ready for bed." "Oky doky." He answered, clearing the table. In the last couple years, he had matured quite a bit. He could still be really gross and he had the strangest hobbies, but was pretty good now about helping out. "You ready for your bath Kalie?" "Bubbles?" The little girl asked, smiling sweetly. "Sure kiddo." "Yay!" Ginger laughed, and helped her into the bath. After she was all clean, Ginger let her play, until the water got too cold. "You want some milk before bed?" "Yes pwease." "Lets get your nightgown on, and we'll go get some ok?" "Ok."

After Kalie had on her pink balloon nightgown, Ginger brushed her soft, wavy dark hair, got her a small cup of milk and read her a story. "Carl tuck me in?" "Sure kiddo." She gave her a hug and headed out of her room. "Carl?" "What?" "Kalie wants you to tuck her in." He walked upstairs, "You ready for bed squirt?" Kalie giggled, knowing what was coming. Carl went in, putting his hand on the top of her head, and squeezed gently. "Brain suckers." Then he covered her up. "Night Kalie." "Night night." He turned on her night light before turning off her room light, and walked out. He walked downstairs and heard the house phone ringing. Checking the caller ID, he ignored it, passing by.

Ginger had gone to take a shower and after getting dressed, she asked Carl who had called. "No one important." She checked the phone and saw the name Jonas Foutley on the screen. "Carl, did you know dad called?" "I know Jonas called. Maybe he left a message. Dad is probably getting ready for bed 'cause he has a speech tomorrow." Ginger didn't push it. She knew how Carl felt about their biological father and he dealt with plenty of anger and outbursts when he was younger. But he had gotten a lot better since their mom and David had gotten married. He started calling him dad the day of the wedding, and David treated them like they were his own.

Ginger checked the messages finding there was a new one. "Hey it's me..uh..Jonas..just wanted to see if you guys are free this weekend. Give me a call. Bye." She chose not to return the call, but sent off a text.

Hey its Ginger

Hey are you kids free tomorrow?

Sorry, we have Kalie until Friday after the medical conference

Oh ok how about Friday night?

I think I'm free. I don't know about Carl

Maybe I'll text him does he have a new number? Last time I sent one I never heard back

He has the same number still I'll let him know you're gonna message him

Ginger put her phone down and sat at her vanity. Her mind was still on Will, while she brushed her hair. She fell back on her bed, thinking about their unexpected kiss. She smiled, pulling out her journal, and began to write. Carl appeared at her door, "You find out what he wanted?" "To know if we're free Friday." "You can tell him I'm unavailable." "He's gonna text you." Carl looked at her, "I'm unavailable." He repeated. "Night sis." Carl said, walking to his room. "Night." She wrote for a few more minutes before putting it on her nightstand and going down to lock the doors, before she went to bed. A smile still on her face.