the story of us

Gage swelled up with enough anger to be furious at his Dad. Enough, he might get in a pushing match with him, but he did his best to keep it all in.

"LOOK...things have changed." Gage fumed as he glared back. "I promised Halie I'd take care of her and Alec. That means, we need to be together in this." It was simple. Why couldn't she sleep in his room? Be with him? After all he'd been through, with Macy and last year and Halie too..it was down to this. Sharing his room with the mother of his child.

"But..you're in high school." His dad pointed out.."And..and.." His Dad was not going to back down, even if Halie had slept with Gage last night with Alec in a portable crib next to the bed. "It..shouldn't be this way. Its not gonna happen if you're going to live here!"

"FINE..then we won't live here!" Gage yelled back. He felt his heart pounding in his chest. He hated for it to come to this, but the next thing he knew he was getting out his cell.

"What are you doing?" His dad's eyes bulged in a panic.

"What do you think?" Gage direct dialed his Mom.

She'd seen Alec at the airport when Gage got back. She'd been all smiles, yet low-key. As to not start anything.

She'd been working on the house, by herself. She'd painted all the rooms the past month. And she said it was coming together with a little help from this dude named Easy. She looked a little tired, but happy. She mentioned, he'd have to come over with Alec, when he had a chance.

Of course, she picked up on the first ring.

"Mom," Gage said while staring at his Dad.

He could see even then, his Dad hated for him to call her MOM.

"Well, of course." Clare smiled when she got the call from Gage. A part of her expected it. Perhaps. Although, she hadn't told him she had a room ready for him and of course, Alec. She had not left him out.

She knew if Gage came, he'd bring Alec's mother, too. It was last minute, but she'd ordered a bigger bed. It was only queen sized, but she thought it would do.

She'd gone cottage style for most of the house. She'd always wanted wicker and something for the beach..even if she was right here in the middle of the country. It wasn't like she went nautical.

Easy helped. Of course, he and Will were already here.

Will had his own room and Easy was with Clare. There would be plenty of room in this old house.

"There coming." She said with delight when she got off the phone.

"You, do know how to play all the right cards, don't you?" Easy grinned and picked her up with a hug.

"I wasn't playing any game." She informed him. "I just wanted to be prepared. That's all." She did her best to be even lipped, but she was thrilled. For the first time, she didn't know she could be this kind of happy. It was almost breath taking.

"You know, Carson and Charlie could have moved in." She could have gone that way, but she knew Carson would never hear of it. Even if he was on his last dime, no way was he ever going to ask her for help.

She hoped everything would go smoothly. This was her chance with Gage and the baby too. She had to remember Halie.

Clare nursed her bottom lip.

"They aren't going to hate it here." Easy promised.

After all, he and Will made themselves at home. She guessed. Well, of course, Easy certainly knew the house. He cooked for the most part, among other things that she hoped Gage figured out. Yes, Easy was her man.

Will was awful quiet. He did play on his hand held video game. She didn't really know him, but he wasn't complaining. He did spend some time, over at his grandfather's. There were a couple of kids he hung out with.

Clare hadn't exactly been introduced to Easy's father. She stayed out of it. Easy didn't say much. He got on at a retirement place, where he drove a bus through out the day. His weekends were off. He liked the schedule with plenty of time for Will.

Clare hoped there wouldn't be any problems, as she imagined how the day might go.

"Oh." She then remembered. "We have to go and pick them up." She looked to Easy.

He held in a laugh, but looked to Will.

"Well, come on." He motioned for Will. "Better get this over and done with. Guess, they better see what they're getting into."

Will winced as if he didn't want to be bothered, but he didn't argue. He put his game away.