2. Generation

Sky.

✙ ☠ ✙

The door's open so I walk right into the huge white mansion. I'm anxious to see everyone again. Especially my daughter, Rose. I've really missed her. Aron and I went on a little vacation in Bali to celebrate our engagement. It was actually a lot of fun but one week would have been enough for me. I can't be away from Rose for too long.

As I walk inside I'm greeted by Steven.

"Sky!" He exclaims before picking me off the ground and hugging me like he hasn't seen me in two years.

"Jeez, Steve. It's only been two weeks."

"Two weeks too long. I really missed you, buddy." Steven's caring blue eyes probe into my soul. He ruffles my hair.

I smile. He really kind of feels like a dad to me. I missed him too.

Loren comes in just that moment. She looks shiny and stunning as ever.

"Loren!" It's like a breath of fresh air to see her again. I embrace her tightly.

"Did you enjoy being with Rose for a while?" I ask.

"Totally. I made sure she won't forget who her mama is when I go off to college." She smiles.

"Good. Speaking of which, where is she?" I'm dying to see her.

"She's on a walk with my mom. They should be back soon."

My shoulders slump. I can't wait another minute.

"Don't worry. They'll be back in an hour."

"An hour!" I complain.

"Where's Aron?" Loren laughs.

"He's at college. Meeting his classmates and all that."

"That's so cool! He's so lucky his college is in town.." Loren goes on about Aron and colleges but I'm completely distracted. Chase walks down the bright white stairs and all I can say is.. he looks different. I guess he has been changing all this time but not seeing him for two weeks really made it clear to me.

I'm completely surprised.

His hair is several shades darker, there's a silver ring in his left nostril and he looks so much older than how I remember him. He's also gained some muscle. Before he was just super lanky and now he looks tall and strong. It's a total mind-fuck.

"What the—"

"Sky!" He picks me up and squeezes me half to death, much like his dad.

"I'm so glad to see you!" He smiles.

"You got your braces out!" I notice when he puts me down on the ground.

"Yep. My teeth are perfectly straight now." He shows them off proudly. "I can't stop licking my them.."

I'm kind of mesmerized watching him. His face looks so different. He's got a perfect sun tan and most of the baby fat is gone now. His jaw is sharper and his eyes.. bluer? I don't know what's going on.

We're both stuck staring at each other.

"Chase, why don't you go to the grocery store? Loren and I will start dinner." Steven says, pulling our attention away from each other.

"Sky, wanna come?" He asks.

"Sure." I shrug.

× × ×

"You look so different." I say as I drive to the grocery store.

"Different?"

"Yeah.. You look kinda.. hot." I say honestly.. and slightly unsettled.

Chase snorts.

"Seriously. I'm sure the girls will be all over you this year." I say casually as I pull into the parking lot.

"Though, I guess that doesn't matter."

We get out of the car and walk the rest of the way to the store.

"Why doesn't it matter?" Chase asks suddenly.

"Well, you're gay, right?" I frown.

"I never said that."

"But.. last year—"

"You're into Aron and you're bi." He's really defensive about it.

Honestly, it doesn't really matter.

"Yeah, I guess—"

My phone that suddenly starts ringing.

I pick up.

"Cariño,"

I melt.

"Aron!"

Chase rolls his eyes.

I kick him playfully.

"Did you finish?" I ask.

"Yeah. Which house did you say you're at? Steven's or Diana's?"

"Di—"

Chase surprises me by caging me in his arms from behind. He snatches my phone.

"What the hell?"

"Aron! Come quick! I'm taking Sky hostage!" He laughs.

I struggle to get out of his grip. Jesus. He's stronger too.

We're approached by a group of five girls. They look about fifteen to me.

"Aren't you Sky?" The blonde one asks.

Chase lets go of me and walks away, talking to Aron on the phone.

I shake my head at him.

"Yeah."

"You went to East End, right?" Another one asks.

I nod. What could they want?

"We just wanted to say, you're a total legend. You were basically the king of the school. I mean, you were best friends with the quarterback, dating the most popular girl.. Then you dumped her for the most popular guy in the school and then you got her pregnant and now you're a teen dad."

"Like, that's so punk." One of the girls chimes in.

Are they.. Are they kidding? This is a joke, right?

"My sister used to go to East End. We're going this year." One of them clarifies.

"Okay.. cool." I say, completely confused.

"And.. I just wanna say. I have a bit of a thing for daddies." The brunette smirks, taking a step closer to me.

I frown.

All I can say is wow. The youth of today, I guess. I mean, what else can you expect from a generation that uses 'choke me' as a compliment?

Also, when did I stop belonging to that generation??

"Uh.. good to know."

"Who is your friend?" The red head asks, staring at Chase.

"That's Chase. My.. brother in law.. I guess. Sorta."

"That's Chase?" They all start whispering.

"Hey Chase!" I wave him over.

He hangs up the phone and comes our way.

He wraps his arm around my shoulder.

"Girls, meet Chase Chambers."

This is so fun. I watch all their faces burn up as they realize how beautiful he is. I guess this is what you'd call a glow up.

"Hey." He says casually.

They all stumble over their words trying to say something back. I try not to laugh. I told him he's gonna rule this year. Maybe this will be good for him. Maybe he'll finally feel more positive about school.

"They're going to East End this year." I explain.

He nods. "Cool. I'm sure you'll like it." He says this in a very pointed way.

I jab him.

"Anyway, we should get going." I walk towards the store. Chase follows.

"Bye Chase!"

"See you in school!" The girls all say their goodbyes, desperate to get noticed.

Chase just gives them a curt nod. He's so clueless. I laugh.

× × ×

We carry the huge bags of food into the kitchen. Loren and Steven are already busy boiling things and cutting up vegetables.

I put the bag on the floor and then I feel two warm arms wrap around me.

"Hey, Guapo." Aron kisses my temple.

"Aron!" I turn around and kiss him with a fiery passion.

"Not in front of my granddaughter." Diana, Chase and Loren's mom, says as she enters the room with my daughter in a stroller.

"Rose!" I run up to her. I'm glad to see her big blue eyes stare up at me.

I pick her up and finally hold her in my arms.

Aron wraps his arm around me and kisses Rose on the head. "We missed you." He smiles.

"Chase!" Steven screams annoyed.

"What?" Chase says, his mouth full.

"Stop eating the sausages! Just wait till the food's ready!"

"I'm hungry!" Chase whines.

We all laugh together.

Our family is quite unusual. But I love every part of it.