Just Another Chick Flick

[<^>Krustine<^>]

~Trudie's POV~

The rest of the day we spent wandering around Paris. Valk and Kynaree seemed to like it, I hoped they did. I wanted them to have a good time. These past few years of not seeing them was weird, and now I can't seem to get enough of them.

I think towards the end of our time, when we started going our separate ways, I was excited and relived, that it wasn't my fault that we split. I may have had something to do with it, but I am not the only one who moved away.

While I was kidnapped by Oni, (I don't know if you could really call it kidnapped since I went willingly, not know what to expect) I missed Kynaree, Valkyrie, and the others. I just kind of felt relived to be away. Breathing my own air, and just not having to listen to the chaos.

When we got back to the house, the guys were still gone. I don't know where Rivers took them but it must have been fun, for them to be gone longer than us.

Valkyrie plopped on the couch when we got home, pooped. The baby must really slow her down, of course she is a different person than the Valkyrie I once knew. She once was a Vampire, one who you could not win against. Now, she is human and helpless, just like everybody else in this world.

Kynaree was exhilarated. She couldn't believe the things she seen today. She was scared and nervous on the way up the elevator of the Eiffel Tower, but once we were at the top, she could not believe anything could be so beautiful. She was blabbing about how she had to tell Cecil about this, and she had to tell him about that. I finally just told her that we could just take Cecil to see it, before they leave to go back to England after the wedding.

"Do you guys want anything?" I asked. "Water? Juice?"

I heard a muttering of Water from Valkyrie, and a no i'm good from Kynaree. So I went to the kitchen to get Valk a glass of water, brought it in to her, and told them I was gonna go clean up a bit.

"Are you doing laundry?" Kynaree asked.

"Yeah, why?"

"Because you are always cleaning. Didn't you know you just did the laundry last week? There can't be that many dirty clothes that you need to do it know. Besides it the weeks that I have been here, even though you do the laundry like every 3 days, I haven't seen you wear the same top twice."

"So. Whats wrong with wanting to keep up on household chores?"

"Nothing." She muttered, as I walked away.

I go into Kynaree and Cecil's room, preparing for the worst, as I always do when I truly home its not bad, and it wasn't bad. A few clothes tossed around the floor, and the bed wasn't made, but nothing I couldn't handle. I took the laundry basket from their guest room and moved on to Nathan and Valk's. Once again, not bad. Instead of trying to haul both laundry baskets downstairs, I stuffed Nathan and Valk's clothes in with Kynaree and Cecil's.

I started the dryer then did our room. After the clothes were all downstairs I grabbed the bedspreads and sheets of the beds, luckily making it down the stairs without falling. This time.

I went back upstairs and yelled "I'm hopping in the shower." to the living room, getting nothing in return. Whatever, they don't have to talk to me. I hop in the shower and relax after the long day of walking around. What I could really use right now, is a hot tub. Maybe Rivers would get one for me for our wedding present.

[×|{å†ìe×]

~<>~Cecil's POV~<>~


Rivers took us back to the underground bar, The Billiard Room, to join him in discussing what he would do for his bachelor party. Although Nathan and I weren't standing in the wedding he still felt that we should help come up with some ideas.

Nathan and I sat in the booth Rivers pointed to and then he abandoned us. There were five men already seated there when we pulled up a chair. "'Ello," I said, not sure if they spoke English or not.

"Bonjour," the tallest one said. "You muzz be Sea-suhl and Nahthan."

"Ses-suhl," I automatically corrected, having done it a thousand times. Then feeling rude, I shook his hand and added, "And you are?"

"Eugéne," he answered, "And theez are Frédéric, Luc, Sébastien, and Benoît." He told us, pointing to each one as he said their name. I nodded and smiled at each of them, but hiding the uncomfortable feeling I got around strangers.

Rivers joined us holding the breakfast menus, he sat in between Nathan and Benoît, which left me sitting next to Nathan and Eugéne. He told us that he was buying breakfast and to order whatever we wanted. I ordered a meal that included eggs, sausage, bacon and toast. I was surprised a bar served breakfasts like these. Some people just started downing drinks early, I supposed. Instead of getting beers like a few of Rivers' friends I ordered a black coffee. As if I hadn't had my fair share for breakfast.

"So, what'do guys think?" Rivers asked us, after debating where we should have the party. I shrugged, not having any idea what was just said, and Nathan agreed that it sounded like fun. We remained at the table until Rivers and I finished our eggs. Then instead of leaving he dragged us to the pool table where we split into four teams to play. After two cups of coffee I switched to alcoholic beverages like the rest of them.

Nathan and I won a few games together. Sébastien and Eugéne were our biggest competition. Benoît and Luc played like they were already wasted, and Rivers and Frédéric were alright. Nathan, Rivers and I left the bar still feeling ourselves, not having drank too much.

When we walked into Trudie's house she had supper cooking already. Apparently we'd stayed at the bar far past noon without even realizing it. All the girls were teary-eyed as when we walked into the living room. "Not Titanic," Rivers complained immediately.

"Shhh.." Trudie sniffled. I sighed along with Nathan and we all took a seat near our significant other.

"I don't wanna watch the end," Kynaree whimpered, already wiping the tears from her face. "I'll cry."

"You're crying already," I pointed out.

"I'll cry harder," she corrected and hid her face into my shoulder. The guys suffered through the rest of the movie, seeing it was almost over anyways. After the movie Kynaree's eyes were still red and puffy, "I don't like that movie." Trudie was in the kitchen cooking, Rivers was upstairs doing who knows what and Nathan and Valkyrie went off in their own direction.

"Really? You don't think Leonardo DiCaprio's dreamy?" I prompted jokingly.

She smiled guiltily and said, "Well, I think you're much more... British than him." She tried to cover up her smile, but avoided eye contact.

"Is that a good thing?" I asked, "Or does me and my annoying English accent interrupt your thought process?" I some-what quoted words she'd said to me once when she was aggravated. I grinned triumphantly.

"You're right, that is annoying. Maybe you should stop talking," she suggested, a sly grin still on her face. "I'm gonna go help Trudie, Mr. DiCaprio... I mean Cooksley." She rolled her eyes and journeyed to the kitchen.

[<^>Krustine<^>]

~Trudie's POV~

After watching Titanic, like I do every-so-often, (that is a little this that Rivers doesn't like about me, he hates that movie, but would sit through it twice a month just to be with me.) I was back to the kitchen, were our Peasant Chicken Stew was simmering.

Peasant Chicken Stew is a well known meal, here in France, it is a delicacy. I have it at my restaurant. I serve about five meals a day of it. That is good, for how much we serve.


Kynaree came in to help me she looked aggregated, it probably didn't help her mood that I told her I didn't want her help, it was almost done. I tried to say it as nice as possible. I don't know if I portrayed it the way I wanted.

It has been simmering for almost twenty minutes now, so I check to see if it is done. So I stirred the Peas and Chicken in, to let it simmer for another five minutes.

"Five minutes!" I yelled to whoever cared.

Two seconds later There was foot steps coming down the stairs. Valkyrie looked as if she had just thrown up, if so, this would not be a happy meal for her tummy. Kynaree came down, looking like she was attempting to be upset with me and failing miserably when she saw were had chicken, then smiled at me.

Rivers, Nathan and Cecil all came down. Just took a place at the table no expression on Rivers face. He had been drinking, I could smell it on him earlier and know for a fact by the way he is looking at the food. He never wants to eat what I make him when he's been drinking. I guess this is my thing I don't like to much about Rivers, but if he will sit through Titanic with me twice a month, I'll deal with his drinking, more now than ever, since he has people to drink with, but usually only once every other month, this bad.

When everybody was done eating they said it was delicious, Valk must have just been teary eyed still from Titanic, for I think she ate the most. They all went into the living room, guys saying things like "The guys get to pick the movie this time." or "Not another love story"

I stayed back in the kitchen and did was I was best at, Cleaning. I cleaned the kitchen, then I went downstairs to grab the bedspreads and sheets for all three beds and hauled them up the stairs to finish my weekly routine.

~River's POV~

I surprisingly had a good time with Nathan and Cecil, and my groomsmen today. I didn't realize how long we really were gone. If we would have stayed for another twenty minutes, we wouldn't have had to watch the end of that dreadful movie. Could have just came home and ate the wonderful meal set out on the table for us.

I didn't necessarily like the choice for supper, after I was drinking, but it was delicious and I can't hide that fact. I have a wonderful wife-to-be.

We watched Dirty Harry after supper, payback. I figure the girls wouldn't stay for more than twenty minutes and then they would find something else to do. I felt bad at that aspect but its only two hours then they can watch another love, sappy movie.

[×|{å†ìe×]

~<>~Kynaree's POV~<>~


I smiled at Trudie's chicken, it was adorable and dressed so beautifully that I almost had some, but 'chickened' out last second. "I'm sorry, Trudie," I told her pushing the plate away. "I just don't like meat. Its kind of scary.. I mean, it was alive and moving. That chicken. It probably had little chicks..." I picked around the chicken, but ate the rest. It was amazing just like all her other meals. "Do you need help cleaning the kitchen?" I offered after the boys left for the living room and Valkyrie left to take to change into pajamas and take a hot shower.

"No, that's fine Kynaree," she never wanted my help but it didn't hurt to ask. I shrugged and walked upstairs to see if there was something to do. I didn't even bother going into the living room to see what the guys were watching.

I walked into Cecil and I's current bedroom and plopped onto the comforter. Maybe I should write in my journal, was my first thought. I continued to sit there though, not really feeling up to it. There was a home phone sitting on the nightstand by the bed so I grabbed it and dialed Rodger's home phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey, its Kynaree," I was surprised that I missed him after such a short time. Rodger was the only father-figure I'd ever had in my life, so maybe that had something to do with it.

"How do you like France?" was his first question which was immediately followed by several more, "Are you and Cecil having a nice time? Do Trudie and Rivers have a nice house? What about Valkyrie and Nathan, hows the pregnancy? Did Trudie find her dress yet? Has Cecil done anything stupid that I should know about?"

"I can't answer everything you just asked at once... But umm, we're all having a fun time. I just called because I was sort of bored..."

"Bored? How the bloody hell can you be bored?" he wondered, "I mean, Kynaree, you haven't seen these people in years, and how often do you get a chance like this to just hang out? And your here talking to me on the phone!"

"You're right. I should go watch that stupid movie with the rest of them..."

"That's right, go on. And um, I've wanted to talk to you about Cecil and his job. Just for a tad."

"Alright," I replied after a small pause.

"You know how he hates his job?"

"Sure," I answered, remembering all the times he'd come home totally irritated.

"Well, he has this opportunity, to investigate odd occurrences and research-- like he's doing now... And I think he'd really enjoy it more than working in the office. The thing is, he'd have to travel a lot."

"I'm okay with traveling," I told him, "I mean, as long as he likes what he's doing, I'll come along."

"Yeah, well, you can't tag along with him. There's cases where he would be undercover and he might be gone for long periods of time," he explained slowly.

"I don't want Cecil to go," I said stubbornly. Then, attempting to not sound so selfish, I added, "Isn't that stuff dangerous anyways? Why would you want to expose your son to that?"

"Because, that's what he wants to do. I've never stopped him before. This is harsh, but I think it needs to be said. You're stopping him from going right now, he's only putting up with that horrible job so he can stay home with you. If I were you I'd tell him it I was okay with it."

"I don't wanna talk anymore..." I whispered.

"Just think about it. Sorry, I put all this on you. I'm just trying to give you all the information he's not telling you. Bye." The phone clicked and the call ended. I wondered briefly if that was a long distance call and if I added to Trudie's telephone bill.

I'm just trying to give you all the information he's not telling you, Rodger made it sound like Cecil was lying to me about other things. I tried not to linger on that and switched my thoughts to what else was said in the conversation. Was I really holding Cecil back from what he wanted to do? Was I selfish enough not to let him go? The answer was simple. I was much too selfish.

I set the phone back into its cradle and returned downstairs to see what was going on. Trudie passed me on the stairs, carrying all of our bedsheets in her arms. I didn't bother asking if she needed help this time. I just took a seat in the living room, of course, nearest Cecil. Most of the movie I held one of Cecil's hands in mine and examined it absentmindedly. Finally the show ended, "What should we watch now?" Everyone was gathered into the living room and the sun had finally set.

"More like, what should we do now?" Rivers corrected Valkyrie.

[<^>Krustine<^>]

~Trudie's POV~

I was downstairs making breakfast when Kynaree came down the stairs. I wasn't expecting anyone to be up, it was only 5 in the morning. I just finished a book early this morning, and didn't feel like reading another. I mainly cleaned, the kitchen was spotless.

Kynaree plopped down at the kitchen table where my cereal bowl was sitting, and she started eating it. "You want some?" I asked her jokingly, but she didn't even crack a smile. "Okay Kynaree, Whats going on?" I said sitting in the open spot next to her.

"Nothing." She said harshly.

"Come on Kynaree. Talk to me. I don't like it when your upset."

"I talked to Rodger yesterday."

"Yeah, and what did he say?"

"He told me that I'm keeping Cecil from his happiness."

"Rodger wouldn't do that. He likes you, he approves. What are you talking about Kynaree?"

"Well, you know how Cecil hates his job?" She paused long enough for me to nod. "Well, theres this other job that he could take. One that would involve a lot of traveling and unsafe undercover jobs, and I wouldn't be able to go with him. I would be alone all the time."

"Well, you have to think about Rodgers point of view on this. Think about it. He wants Cecil to be happy, don't you?"

"Well-- Yeah-- But--"

"Kynaree. Just think about it for a little while. Talk to Cecil about it, see his point of view on it. Besides, you can always come live with me."



~Rivers POV~

I woke up, and Trudie was already awake, I seen her bed was all fixed up and laughed in my head. She can't handle a mess, can she. Well, thats why I love her.

I walked down the stairs to the smell of bacon. Trudie and Kynaree where sitting at the table, there was a movie on in the Living Room, telling me that they were watching a movie, but they had to watch the bacon.

I looked at the clock and it said it was already 7 o'clock, I was surprised Kynaree was up, also surprised that nobody else were.

After I stole some bacon from the plate, I gave Trudie a good morning kiss. Trudie's cat was laying on Kynaree's lap. She always was a lap dog-- I mean cat.

~Trudie's POV~

It was almost noon, we were all watching a Reba, and I couldn't stop laughing, I loved that show.

Cecil had mentioned that he was going to get a drink, I went with him to get something for myself too. We got to the kitchen and I asked "So whats going on with you and Kynaree?"

"What do you mean?"

"Kynaree talked to Rodger and he told her something about there being this Job that you would be happier doing. Something that travels, and she can't go with you. Shes really upset, she feels that shes keeping you from your happiness."

"Why would she feel that shes keeping me from my happiness, when she is the one thing that keeps me going everyday?"

"Ask your dad."

[×|{å†ìe×]

~<>~Cecil's POV~<>~


After Trudie's talk, instead of heading back to the living room, I went upstairs to make a phone call. I stood there gritting my teeth while the phone rang. Finally, he answered. "Hello?"

"What makes you think you can just go and tell Kynaree she's destroying my happiness?"

"... I think you have the wrong number," at this point he was so very lucky he was in a different country.

"Dad, enough with the jokes. I'm tired of you meddling. Could you just let us be? We're happy the way it is."

"I just think that you should try at this job. You'll love it. Besides, you can save office work for when you're too old for risky stuff. Right now you're just the right age. I mean, I took breaks from undercover stuff when you were growing up. That's what you can do with your kids." He was speaking so quickly his sentences meshed together, but I understood it. If I wanted to do stuff like this, now was the right time.

I hung up on him before he could say anything else. My father was beginning to remind me of Theo. Always trying to find ways to split Kynaree and I apart. He even annoyed me as much as Theo did. Always trying to make me look like the idiot. I didn't want to go back downstairs as crabby as I was, so I laid on my current bed for awhile.

Awhile was too long for Kynaree, who creaked open the door and peeked her head through. "Cecil.... Cecil, are you awake?" She whispered.

"Mmhm," I mumbled after a pause.

"... Trudie has ice cream."

"Mmhm."

"... Does that mean you want some?"

"Ermm."

" ... But it she has hot fudge too."

"Ermm."

" ... What's wrong?" I heard her feet pad across the floor, and felt her sit by my side. My face stayed facing the pillow. I sighed best I could with pillow blocking my mouth. First, she began scratching my head, and then changed to rubbing my upper back instead. It wasn't a massage type of backrub, Kynaree wasn't a massage-giving type of person, just a pleasant I'm here thing.

"Just pitying myself." Finally, coming up with a reply other than 'Ermm' or 'Mmhm'.

She removed her hand, which I immediately missed, and sat there for a moment. "Its true," she finally said, "I am making you unhappy."

Before she started assuming anything else, I rolled unto my back and sat upwards. "Don't listen to my dad. He's an idiot."

She wiped at her nose and eyes with her sleeve, not yet crying, and squeaked out, "Why would Rodger make up something so mean then?"

"He likes to assume things. He likes to make a mess of things. He enjoys watching me struggle with choices. He... I dunno, just take your pick. Could've been anything." She got off the bed and reached behind me to grab a pillow. After leaning two pillows against the headboard, I knew what she wanted, so I rested against them and let her crawled onto my lap.

"Do you wanna get a better job?" she asked.

"Everyone wants a better job, but I don't want it if I'm forced to be away from you all the time. Its not fair for you. Its not fair for both of us."

"Trudie said I could stay with her while you're gone." I couldn't see her expression, because her head wasn't facing me. From her voice she sounded sincere. "If its horrible and you really don't like it... Then, it can go back to the way it was."

I couldn't help but smile at the offer. It was true. If the time away from her was totally unbearable, I could easily quit. I hated it when my dad was right. My expression morphed back into something more neutral. "We'll see after this assignment. I've barely started researching Valkyrie."

"Okay, let's go join everyone else. They're gonna think something happened to us."

"Ermm," I answered, not feeling at all sociable.

"I can't drag you out of this room, but Nathan, Rivers, Trudie and Valkyrie are all downstairs. And guess who'll take my side?" I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, that's right. All of them."

"Fine, but I won't smile... In fact, I'll glare the entire time we're downstairs. Then you'll all be begging for me to leave."

"I didn't say they wanted to see you. I do... Besides its adorable when you pout."

[Kàylà]

~Valkyrie's POV~

I can get used to this. I thought to myself while we sat around watching movies. I didn't exactly like the Dirty Harry choice but considering we had made our boys watch the end of Titanic with us it was only fair. There was a slight smell of alcohol on Nathan's breath but considering how 1) he never drank much and 2( it was pretty much impossible for vampires to get drunk, I didn't mind it to much. I was just glad he was having a good time. I had been afraid when he first arrived here that he wouldn't get along well with Rivers since they didn't really know each other to well.

He seemed to be genuially having a good time though which made me smile. As I thought about everything that was happening my thoughts drifted to the baby that was growing in my womb. I wondered if the baby would be like a Dartan or if it would be more vampire than human. I figured that since the vampire gene was still in me even though I was now human once again that the baby would be more 3/4 vampire and 1/4 human.

Realization hit me that the council could never find out about this, they would take the baby away from us and probably kill it. They had no tolerances for abomonations like this. They thought it unatural for a human and a vampire to mate. Technically I wasn't even supposed to be alive. If Nathan had been loyal to the vampire council then he would have brought me to the council to have me executed. I was a vampire turned human. Something that had never happened before in the history of our race. I knew to much and they thought that I would use that information to bring about their downfall.

I shook my head to be rid of the dark thoughts roaming in my head. Nathan looked at me and gave me a curious look obviously hearing everything that had went on in my mind. He was always so atuned to my thoughts, making sure everything was all right.

"Hey, you okay?" He whispered into my ear. He already knew the answer but he still asked all the same.

"Yea I'm fine." I smiled weakly at him.

"Liar." He smiled back. I leaned my head against his chest and listened to the sound of his even breathing. My thoughts returned to Trudie's wedding.

There was still a lot that we had to get done and I wondered by the time the wedding came if I would be able to fit into my bridesmaid dress. I looked down at my stomach real quick and noticed that there was a small buldge starting to form where there was usually just a flat stomach.

This is going to be interesting.

[<^>Krustine<^>]

~Trudie's POV~

I was in the kitchen cleaning like always, when the phone rang.

"Hello?" I said.

"Trudie? This is Xian." His familiar voice came through the phone.

"Oh hey, yeah this is Trudie."

"So, the weddings coming up hey? You getting excited."

I was just trying to figure out why he was calling me to chat, but instead I just said "Yeah i'm excited, but a little nervous."

"Well, I was just wondering, if it was still open for us to come there for your wedding?"

"Yeah! Xian you're always welcome here. House is big enough and I would love to see you again!"

"Great. So next Tuesday okay?"

"Yeah, I'll pick you up at the airport. What time?" Was what I said, but what I was thinking was a little early isn't it? while trying to convince myself that my wedding is more than 2 weeks away.

"Well, i'm online now and I was thinking about 11 AM."

"Perfect, I have to go, but I will see you then." I said and then hung up. I had wished that Xian would decide to come and I don't even know why this made me so happy. It wasn't like Xian and I were that close it just made me happy that he wanted to come and spend Rivers and I's big day with us.

I went to the edge of the Living Room and called Rivers out, I needed to talk to him. I love having my friends around but I never got any time for just me and Rivers, except when he was trying to sleep late at night.

"Hey, you remember Rivers?" I asked him, knowing the answer. I knew that Rivers was not someone that Rivers could forget.

"Yeah, of course." He said.

"He's coming for the wedding." I exclaimed. His face went from happy to not really sad, but not happy. I knew Xian wasn't his bestest of a friend, but he could be happy that he cared. "What?" I asked.

"Well..."

"What?"

"I don't know, thats great that he wants to come. Don't tell me. Hes staying here to right."

"Well yeah, whats the point of having all these rooms and not having them be used every once in a while. Oh that reminds me that I have to change the sheets soon. It all the bedrooms." Rivers looked at me and smiled. "What?"

"Nothing. It's just, thats why I love you."

[Kàylà]

~Valkyrie's POV~

I was surprised when Trudie came into the living room and told us that Xian and Ethan were going to attend the wedding. I smiled widely at the thought of almost having our whole gang together. The only ones missing were Ember our half demon friend and the wolves. It had been a long time since any of us had heard from our furry friends and I wondered what they had been up to.

Rayna and I had ended becoming pretty close considering how our instincts told us to kill each other. Even Tryst and I had stopped giving each other the death glare whenever we walked into the same room. When the wolves had left Rayna had been with child and we all thought it best for her to leave in order to protect the baby....we hadn't heard from them since.

I made my mind wander away from these thoughts and back to where they originally started. It had been almost as long if not longer since they had heard from Xian. He had made sure that they had kept their life sepreate from us. Making sure that they didn't get caught up in any other mischief. The world had been quiet after the death of Dr.D and Oni though. A silent sob caught in my throught as I thought of Oni. Yea he had betrayed us all, forced me to kill Theo, and then in turn killed me, but he had been my closest friend for so much longer.

I had to keep my grieving secret from Nathan in those few months after for I knew he wouldn't have been happy if he had found out that I was wasting tears on the man who had caused so much pain and destruction in our lives. That didn't change the fact that he had always been the one there for me whenever I needed someone. I kept my thoughts as sheilded as possible which made Nathan give me an odd look. It wasn't often that I tried to shield my thoughts from him but when I did he knew not to press me about it.

I cleared my thoughts of everything and painted on a smile. "That's great Trudie! I'm glad that they changed their minds and are going to show up after all." If nothing else I could blame my sudden moodiness on my pregnancy. There was a bright side to all the throwing up and constant mood swings...I guess.

The wedding was only two weeks away and there was still some planning to do. There was the rehersal dinner, finding a preist...heck did they even have a location yet? It wasn't my job to worry about this and I knew that Trudie would have everything under control. That was some advantage to never sleeping, you got a lot more done in a day.

An idea formed in my head and I knew that Kynaree and I were going to have to pull it off. Trudie needed a day off from all the cleaning, cooking, and wedding planning for at least one day. Yes she had, had her bachorlette party but she still needed another day to relax and chill with just Kynaree and I. I got up from where I was sitting and motioned for Kynaree to follow me.

This had to be perfect.......

[×|{å†ìe×]

~<>~Kynaree's POV~<>~


"You think he'll be excited to see us?" I asked, practically bouncing up and down in the backseat.

Trudie shrugged, "I dunno, its Xian..." She had a point.

"I bet he will," I said anyways. We were headed to the airport to meet Xian. "Hey, you think he brought Ethan along?"

"I dunno, he didn't mention anything on the phone. I doubt it, but its not a big deal if he does."

"Well, Xian's gonna be the odd man out, not that its unusual for him, but I mean with all the couples," I realized out loud. It was only Trudie, Rivers and I coming to pick him up. I wanted to go for a ride, but nobody else really seemed to care whether they came or not. Cecil figured it would be a good time to interview Valkyrie and Nathan. He still needed to gather some information for the MMC.

Rivers hadn't said much of anything the whole ride there. He just monkeyed with the radio. "I like this song!" I would say, then he would change it. I didn't think it was on purpose. He probably just didn't like the song.


~<>~Cecil's POV~<>~

"Okay, some of this questions are going to be a little strange, but its part of the job." I explained, as I waited for the page to open up on my laptop.

"Alright," Valkyrie shrugged, absorbed into the television show she was watching.

As it loaded I checked my email. Most of it was junk mail, I had one from my dad. It read:

Hey kid,

Been watching the house for you two. I hope you don't have rats from the rotten pizza you left open on the couch...
Mrs. Stone down the road from you has some kittens. I know Kynaree's been wanting one. Want me to pick one up? I'll take care of it till you both get back.

-- Love Dad

I replied with:

Thank you. No kitten.

Cecil

I typed Cecil even though I knew he would know who it was from. I just felt the need to. I sat there while before sending the email. Was I supposed to put "Love Cecil"? I decided against it.

[<^>Krustine<^>]

~Trudie's POV~

We were on our way to pick up Xian, it was Rivers, Kynaree and I. Rivers didn't seem like he was in such a great mood. I think he was still mad about me opening the house up to all of my friends. I didn't get why he was upset. If he had people he wanted to stay in the bedrooms he could have just said. Besides, we still have two open rooms.

Rivers wouldn't stop fiddling with the radio and I was getting irritated. I started thinking it was something Kynaree did that was making Rivers so upset instead of what I did. He kept changing the station when Kynaree said she liked a song.

Finally it came to a point when I had to tell Rivers not to monkey with the radio or I would kill him.

When we pulled up to the airport after what felt like forever. Xian and Ethan were waiting outside. I stepped out of the car so he could see that it was us, since he didn't know about the new car thing.

"Xian!" Kynaree and I exclaimed at the same time, and started running to basically tackle him.

"Trudie! Kynaree!" He said giving us a hug once he got to his feet.

"Hey Ethan!" I said giving him a big hug.

"Hey, how are you?" He responded.

"Good, great actually. A little nervous though."

"About what?" He asked, literally confused.

"Um, Ethan do you mind telling me why your visiting?"

"Oh. I see." He said. I grabbed some of their luggage and then started to stuff it in the trunk. It was going to be a tight fit squeezing into the car with 5 people, but it wasn't like we couldn't do it.

They all started piling into the backseat. Rivers didn't even get out the the car the whole time. "Rivers, aren't you going to say Hi." Xian said as he got into the backseat.

"Hi." He said. I gave him a little death glare. I would have to talk to him tonight. He was being very rude.

Kynaree sat in the middle in the back and Ethan and Xian by the doors. The ride home was silent and by the time we got home Kynaree was sleeping using Xians shoulder as a pillow.

As we were nearing the house I told Xian to wake Kynaree up since I knew it took her a while to come to full consciousness.

~Rivers POV~

By the time we got home, I was almost sleeping thats how bored I was. I felt that Trudie would kill me if I changed the radio station anymore.

We weren't home for ten minutes and I was asleep. Even before Trudie got back from showing Xian and Ethan to their room.

~Trudie's POV~

I showed Xian and Ethan to the rooms they would be staying in and when everyone was settling in and falling asleep I went and watched a movie. A Cinderella Story, with Hillary Duff. I love this movie and it makes me tear up every time I watch it. I watch it so much that it is starting to scratch.

I hate this movie from about the pep rally to the football game and I always end up crying by the end. She should have just told him that night and saved humiliation.

I watched a few more movies and then before I knew it it was morning and Kynaree was tumbling down the stairs for breakfast.

[--Kyle--]

-- Xian's POV--

It was great to be back with the whole gang again. It was getting ridiculous how much we never saw each other.

I was glad to get out of even the apartment. I was ecstatic that I was out of the city, the state, the country! France was beautiful.

Ethan was glad to leave too. It left Luana to have some time to plan, the other wedding that would be happening in two months, with all the girls. And gave me time to think more about what Orian had asked me to do.

Break up Ethan and Luana's wedding? I would never.

Trudie and River's house was ginormous. I got lost twice trying to find my way back upstairs from our rooms.

I knew that Ethan would probably make our 'rooms' into one room. He had a hard time sleeping alone. Ever since the Oni and Dr. D thing so long ago. Now with Luana still back in Seattle, he was bound to end up in my bed with me. Good thing we were like brothers.

When we had gotten to Trudie's house from the airport, there was some time left over in the day so Ethan watched TV in my room on my laptop courtesy of Hulu while I read the rest of the book I was reading on the plane.

He was almost to the third season of Lost...never should have told him about that show...he asks me questions every three minutes.

Ethan 'fell' asleep while watching Lost, so he just slept in my bed. I knew it would happen.

In the morning it was breakfast time and Trudie was the best cook in the world. Never had anyhting better in my life.

While we were all eating we caught up with everything that had happened over time. I noticed a few death glares coming from Rivers' direction. But whenever I glanced over, his glare had magically turned into a grin...a fake grin. Trudie must have talked to him.

I was still a little confused on why Rivers hated me so much. I hadn't really done anything to him. That I know of atleast.

After breakfast, the girls were off doing something, probably wedding related. Not wanting to continue the glare fest with Rivers, Ethan and I went to see the sights of France.

It was good to be away from Seattle for a while. I couldn't stand another minute of wedding plans...or breaking up wedding plans. I was glad to just be here.

When Ethan and I got back to Trudie's from a great day (good thing I payed a bit of attention in French class), it was a bit shocking to see what we saw.

[×|{å†ìe×]

~<>~Cecil's POV~<>~


Kynaree volunteered us to make brownie sundaes, for her, Valkyrie, Rivers and I. We hadn't seen Xian and Ethan since breakfast. Trudie was busy at work. I wasn't exactly thrilled about serving everyone, was this how Trudie felt all the time?

"Here, I'll cut the brownies and put them into the bowls. You get the ice cream," Kynaree ordered.

I grumbled, but obeyed, grabbing the ice cream scoop on my way back to the counter. I started scooping, but mid-scoop noticed something. "Why on Earth are the brownies cut into triangles?"

"Why not? Brownies can be in whatever shape you want," she defended angrily. I gave her a skeptical look, but put a scoop in each bowl anyways. "You're the slowest scooper ever."

"Well, Sorry. Next time you can scoop the ice cream, and I can cut the brownies into squares." I wasn't mad, I said it in a joking tone. Kynaree just wasn't in the mood.

While I was distracted, attempting to open the caramel jar when suddenly something cold and puffy covered my head. Confused, I set the jar down and felt my hair. I was wearing a whipped cream container, with the whipped cream still inside. "Was that really necessary?"

"Yes..." She said, trying to sound mad, but couldn't stop the giggles from escaping.

I grabbed the bottle of Hershey's Chocolate syrup next to me, before I could get her back she darted for the living room. I took the whipped cream hat off my head and headed after her.

[Kàylà]

~Valkyrie's POV~

Nathan and I were just relaxing on the couch when Kynaree came flying out of the kitchen armed with a can of whip cream in her hand. Cecil wasn't far behind and had a bottle of Hershey's chocolate syrup in his hand. There was a bit of whip cream left in Cecil's hair and I stared in wonder as in to what the hell was going on.

Kynaree ran in front of the coach as a way to try and save herself, as if Nathan and I would save her from Cecil and his bottle of chocolate syrup. Of course this wouldn't be the case. "What is going on here?" I asked them.

"Cecil is being mean!" Kynaree whined.

"Hey you started it!" Cecil said back. I shook my head...they were acting like 5 year olds. That was when it all turned to chaos. Kynaree aimed at Cecil with the whipped cream can and sprayed it at him, Cecil on the defensive tried to get her back by squirting the chocolate sauce at her.

Instead of hitting their correct targets Nathan and I were on the receiving end of their food fight. Whip cream ended up hitting Nathan straight in the face and chocolate sauce sprayed all over me, while also getting on the couch. They both stared at us with horrified expressions and in the blink of an eye Nathan was in the kitchen arming himself. oh no, Trudie is going to kill us when she sees this I thought to myself. Of course before I could exit the room and stay out this crazyness, I was hit in the back of the head by a line of whip cream.

I turned around to see Kynaree bent over with silent giggles, that was stealing the breath out of her. Nathan was by my side then with a bottle of caramel sauce and strawberry topping. I took the strawberry topping from him and ran after Kynaree with it. She screamed and ran away from me. Rivers hearing the scream came downstairs and saw the chaos that was taking place in his living room.

There was ice cream toppings everywhere! The living room was a complete and total disaster. All of us except Nathan who was to fast for all of us to attack him with our food of choice.

"What did you do!!!" Rivers yelled. Just then the door opened as Xian and Ethan walked in.

[<^>Krustine<^>]

~Rivers POV~

I walked downstairs to a total disaster, I was trying to get everyone to stop their topping war and clean up a little before Trudie got home, when Kynaree came running in the living room, Valkyrie behind her spraying strawberry syrup everywhere. Thats when the door opened, and I knew somebody was going to end up dying that night.

Xian and Ethan walked in first, their expression was unbelievable. Trudie was just pulling the driveway, I almost wanted Xian and Ethan to tell Trudie they needed to go somewhere, right then and there. They needed a ride to someplace, somewhere, anywhere but here. Trudie was now walking up the sidewalk, she looked like she was in a really good mood and I was upset that that would be ruined soon. I just wish this mess would disappear and she could stay in a good mood all night.

Just as I expected, Trudie's smile faded as soon as she got close enough to the door to see the mess. When she walked in the house, she was speechless. It took her a while to take it, like it was just a nightmare, and she would wake up at anytime. I walked over to her, just in case she needed a hug. This was going to be a long night.


~Trudie's POV~

I couldn't believe what I was seeing. My house. My furniture. My carpet. I walked into the house farther without saying anything. My chairs. My T.V. My Grandfather Clock. I walked farther.

My Kitchen!

I wanted to cry. Thats what I wanted to do, I couldn't do it now, not in front of everybody, maybe when everyone goes to bed, and the mess is not half as bad as it is now, then I will weep to myself. With no one there to witness. This had to be dealt with, and it had to be dealt with fast.

There is Strawberry Syrup on my Tan couch. That is not going to come out.

There is Chocolate Syrup across my carpeting. That is definitely not coming out.

There is Syrup and whipped topping everywhere, and there is not much I can do about it, cause it is going to stain.

I could feel watching eyes all around me, waiting. Waiting for what? For me to scream? Cause thats what I wanna do right now. I pulled Rivers to the side and told him what I wanted everybody else to do, so he would tell them. So I didn't have to even talk to them.

"I want them all to go to their rooms. Go to bed without supper." I whispered, and he laughed. "Do you think I'm kidding?"

His smirk went away, and he said "Okay, I'll tell them, but I'm helping you clean this up. If you do it yourself, you might hurt yourself."

"Are you trying to be funny?" I whispered really loudly. "I just need them out of my sight right now."

"Okay." He said, any sign of laughing escaping from his face. For a minute I almost felt bad for yelling at him, I might have to apologize later, but right now, I need to clean.

I started in the living room because I wanted to get as much out of the carpet, couch and chairs as possible. I got the cleaning supplies from the kitchen and told Rivers to start on the TV, it might ruin it if it sits there too long. I didn't want him to touch the carpet, couch or chairs because he would probably rub rather that blot and then it would smear. I couldn't deal with that.