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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 28, 2019 11:24:59 GMT -8
"I can't wait for you guys to meet him," Caleb repeats for about the millionth time as he straightens every dish on the table.
Sawyer rolls her eyes at him. "Oh. My. God. Caleb, you act like this is some sort of big deal or something?" the younger girl groans.
Caleb stops in his tracks, glaring Sawyer down. "Because it is. Carse and I used to be super close in middle school and then because I came out to him and his dad was one of those people, we stopped talking. It's literally been like... Six years, I think. Almost seven. God, it's been too long."
"Does he know about us?" Emerson asks, a grin growing across his face.
"Yes, but don't you dare, Em," Caleb threatens his brother, pointing at him. "I know what you're thinking. No pranks. He doesn't need that on his first day back in my life."
"Aww, but Caleb, pranks are what make these dumb dinner things fun," Emerson groans, Sawyer chiming in with her agreement.
"No. Pranks. Either of you!" Caleb repeats as he straightens the last glass for the eighth time. Turning to the mirror, he takes a deep breath. "I look okay?" he asks.
Joining his siblings, Marcus leans in the doorway. "Caleb, why do you ever feel the need to ask that? You know you're like the best dressed of the family, right?"
"Plus, didn't he see you like... a few hours ago?" Sawyer snorts.
"Shut up," Caleb mutters, turning back to his siblings. As he does, the doorbell rings. "Oh god. He's here."
Seeing the look on Caleb's face, Marcus turns to grab the door. He opens it. "Hey! You must be Carson."
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Post by Dani on Mar 29, 2019 10:49:25 GMT -8
Carson smiles. He is wearing jeans and a button down shirt with vertical blue and navy stripes. Next to him is a beautiful young woman with blonde curly hair and bright blue eyes.
"I am." Caleb smiles, "And this is my sister, Sophie." Sophie smiles shyly, "Hi."
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 29, 2019 11:07:44 GMT -8
Caleb peers around the door into the entryway, just glimpsing Carson and catching his introduction. "Hey, Carse! Hey, Soph!" he says as he makes his own entrance. "This is Marcus. He's one of Corinne's."
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Post by Dani on Mar 29, 2019 13:35:03 GMT -8
"Nice to meet you." Carson smiles. "Caleb!" Sophie grins and runs to her old friend. She throws her arms around him in a hug, "Oh my gosh! It's been so long!"
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 29, 2019 13:50:21 GMT -8
Hugging Sophoe back, Caleb replies, "You're so grown up, Soph! How old were you when I last saw you? Like, nine? Ten?"
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Post by Dani on Mar 29, 2019 13:55:19 GMT -8
"I was 9... it was right before my birthday. I remember I was sad because you weren't able to be at my 10th."
Carson meet Caleb's eyes and mouths, "I'm sorry."
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 29, 2019 14:01:50 GMT -8
Still hugging Sophie, Caleb reaches a hand out to Carson. He gives Carson's hand a quick squeeze and pulls away from the hug with Sophie. "It made me really sad too, but I'm so happy to see both of you again. I can't begin to describe how happy I am."
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Post by Dani on Mar 29, 2019 14:08:18 GMT -8
"Carson's been smiling all day too." Sophie laughs as Carson's face turns red.
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 29, 2019 14:16:06 GMT -8
Caleb reaches his hand out for Carson's. "Come on in. Everyone's here and waiting," he says, leading them inside.
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Post by Dani on Mar 29, 2019 14:30:17 GMT -8
Carson walks with Caleb and Sophie follows behind.
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 29, 2019 14:56:35 GMT -8
Brian spots them as he enters the dining room at the same time. "Well, I'll be. If it isn't Carson and Sophie! You two are far from the little rugrats I knew before."
"They weren't that young, dad," Caleb replies.
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Post by Dani on Mar 29, 2019 15:05:15 GMT -8
"Mr. McFarland!" Sophie grins and runs over to him, hugging him. Carson walks over to shake his hand.
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 29, 2019 15:10:51 GMT -8
"How are you two doing?" Brian asks, hugging both of the kids. "Caleb told me about your mother. I'm so sorry to hear that."
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Post by Dani on Mar 29, 2019 15:17:53 GMT -8
"We're as good as can be expected." Carson says finally relaxing and feeling at home for the first time since his mom died.
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 29, 2019 15:26:58 GMT -8
"Let us know if you ever need anything," Brian says as Corinne enters and kisses his cheek. "Corinne and I would hate to find out that we could have done something but you were too scared or proud to ask."
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Post by Dani on Mar 29, 2019 15:32:39 GMT -8
"We will." Carson smiles.
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 29, 2019 15:34:21 GMT -8
Caleb steps beside Caleb, gesturing to Corinne. "Carson, this is my stepmom, Corinne. I think you met her once or twice when she was just my dad's girlfriend."
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Post by Dani on Mar 29, 2019 15:35:36 GMT -8
"Yea, nice to see you again." Carson smiles.
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 29, 2019 15:44:46 GMT -8
"You've grown up so much," Corinne says, giving Carson a little hug. "You always seemed like a nice young man."
"The best." Caleb smiles at Carson.
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Post by Dani on Mar 29, 2019 16:50:55 GMT -8
Carson shifts his weight from one foot to the other still feeling awkward about his past.
Sophie smiles and waves at Corinne
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 29, 2019 21:05:41 GMT -8
"You want to meet the rest of Caleb's new family members?" Brian asks to break the ice. "Come back in, kids! You were all just here!"
Caleb takes Carson aside. "Hey, everything okay?"
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Post by Dani on Mar 30, 2019 5:13:46 GMT -8
"Yea..." Carson says looking down, "Just.... I can't believe how much I missed out on.... I shouldn't be meeting everyone now... I should've been here all along."
"Sure!" Sophie grins
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 30, 2019 5:18:27 GMT -8
"You had no control over any of that," Caleb says softly. "Your dad was a jerk, Carson, and you were just a kid."
Brian says, "Well, think you can keep a whole house full of new people straight?"
"Sophie," Corinne adds, "did you ever meet my kids?"
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Post by Dani on Mar 30, 2019 5:27:43 GMT -8
"No... I don't think so..." Sophie says looking up at Corinne.
"I should've stood up to him." Carson sighs.
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 30, 2019 7:34:03 GMT -8
"Well, these are my kids," Corinne says, pointing to Marcus, Ellie, and Isla. The three wave, Ellie moving to shake the girl's hand.
Brian turns Sophie to face the other wall. "And these are the rest of our kids. Charlotte, Emerson, Sawyer, Ezra, Avis, and Perry."
"Stop beating yourself up, Carse," Caleb says. "You were thirteen and your dad was a scary man."
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Post by Dani on Mar 30, 2019 12:16:10 GMT -8
"I guess." Carson sighs.
"Oh wow!" Sophie grins, "It's so nice to meet all of you." Her blonde hair falls over her eyes and she pushes it back with her hand, "I apologize in advance, I'm not real good with names."
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 30, 2019 12:27:46 GMT -8
"Carson, forget about all the," Caleb says, trying his best to encourage Carson. "All that is in the past. We're not there anymore. We're in the present."
Ezra grins, lifting a hand to wave. "I'll remember your name though."
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Post by Dani on Mar 30, 2019 12:58:03 GMT -8
Sophie smiles, "Ezra right?"
"I know..." Carson sighs, "C'mon, I want to meet everyone."
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 30, 2019 13:05:51 GMT -8
Ezra gives her finger guns. "You got it," he says with the hugest grin. This girl is... super pretty.
"You'll be good," Caleb says, leading him back to the rest of the group. "Ezra's the one talking to Sophie."
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Post by Dani on Mar 30, 2019 13:27:16 GMT -8
Sophie smiles, "It's a cool name so it's easy to remember."
Carson nods.
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