GEN II: Chapter 28

In the morning, since Charlie was still asleep, Daphne came downstairs to play on the piano. She was unaware that anyone was awake at the time, but only two minutes into her playing Isabel came down the stairs to watch, and James walked by as well. Daphne had never played piano before and was highly embarrassed at her lack of skill, so she stopped.











Though she was sure Charlie would have preferred to do it, Daphne introduced herself to Isabel.

"I've heard a lot about you, and I am so happy to meet you Mrs. Fuller." Daphne stated politely. She smiled then said "Actually, I'd love to have a picture of you, if you don't mind me taking one? I'll use my cell."

Isabel smiled at Daphne and agreed to a picture, she even posed in her nightgown (her favorite outfit) for the shot. Isabel told Daphne to call her by her first name and the two girls stood in the hallway and talked for a while. The usual get to know you chit chat. The whole time they talked, Isabel could not help but thing of Sybil and how different the two girls were. She liked Daphne better now that she had met her. Sybil had not been so friendly and open with the rest of the family when she visited. Isabel admired Daphne for her confidence, here she was in her sleepwear, in a strange house with people she has never met, and she seemed comfortable.

Isabel apologized for her lack of hospitality, "I didn't know there was anyone here, I would have made breakfast for you." She told Daphne. "Please, I know it's odd but help yourself to anything in the fridge."

Daphne agreed that she was hungry and took Isabel up on the offer.




Upstairs, Charlie had awoken to find his bed empty. Normally he would climb out of bed into the shower and get ready before even coming out, but he needed to know if Daphne was still here. So he jumped up and bolted down the stairs, only to run into his father.

"Where you off to so quick son?" Hayden asked, "Where's the fire?"

Charlie didn't want to seem too desperate, especially since he could see Daphne sitting at the table. "Uh... Dad, what are you doing up so early? Didn't you work last night?"

Hayden still worked nights and usually slept pretty late in the mornings. "No, I didn't work, it was my off night. Anyway, where are you going? I saw your girlfriend, she's cute. Have you been seeing each other long?"

"Well actually, I don't know if I'd consider us 'seeing each other'." He thought about that for a moment. Were they dating? After all they had gone to dinner together, and had a good time. They have also been dancing, and walking in the park. Those all sounded like dates to him. "..No dad, not long. Only a few days."

Hayden smiled at his son. "Well then get to it." He chuckled as he walked up the stairs.

Daphne just finished putting her plate in the dishwasher as Charlie came to meet her. He said good morning to her with a small kiss on the check. Something he hadn't thought of doing before he approached her, it just seemed so natural it kind of happened on it's own. Daphne smiled at Charlie and held his hands.

"Charlie I know you have to work today, I'll leave you to get ready." She said.

Charlie smiled back at her, "I do have to work but you don't have to run out so early, I'll drive you home before going in."

Daphne shook her head, "No I know you're already running late so I'll just say bye now and get out of your way." Daphne was kind of hoping he would ask her to stay there, and be there when he came home, but she was also wanting to go to her own house to take a shower. She also planned on packing some clothes, so she would be ready the next time he invited her to stay. She didn't have any clean ones with her today, just the outfit she had on the night before.

"Maybe tonight we can go out dancing again." Charlie suggested. As he did, he also preformed a small dance move in front of her, just to make her smile. Which she did. James also happened to walk by at that moment, and laughed out loud at Charlies attempt to be funny and cool.

"Probably not tonight, a girls got to freshen up and be ready for the next date you know." Dahpne told Charlie.

Charlie nodded and said he understood, "Well I don't want you to leave here without giving you something to think about..." He pulled her close to him and kissed her. This was the first real kiss the two had ever enjoyed. Daphne had been hoping for it, and easily melted into his embrace.

When they pulled apart, Charlie walked her outside and called a taxi for her. He also gave her a jacket to put over herself for the ride home. Charlie watched the taxi take her away, and wondered if there would ever be a time when she wouldn't have to leave. Would she like staying with him?

Going back inside Charlie noticed the time on the clock. He only had one hour to go before he and James were off to work. He took the fastest shower he had ever had and grabbed a juice from the fridge. That would have to do him until lunch today. Then the two brothers were out the door.

Hayden spent most of the day doing house chores and working out. He paid the bills and washed a few loads of clothes, also cleaned the bathrooms. When he started to do his workout, he smiled as Isabel came down to cheer him on. She pretended to train him. Although he didn't need it, Hayden let her urge him on just to make her feel important.

By the time the boys got home from their jobs, Hayden had already left for one of his last nights working. He hoped to retire soon, and was just looking for the right day.

Isabel, James and Charlie sat down to dinner together and talked about their day. Isabel didn't say much, it was the boys who did most of the talking. In her eyes, they led more interesting lives at the moment anyway. Hers was the same old routine.

After dinner, James poured some drinks for himself and Charlie. James hadn't finished talking about his workday, and knew his brother would listen. He had gotten a promotion, and was actually put into police uniform. He was still only a desk-jockey but he'd be higher soon, and he knew it.

Charlie shared the information that he was promoted as well. He had gone from a plain old paper boy to a Freelance writer in just days. That is actually two promotions.

Both of the boys were happy for the other and celebrated with one another well into the evening. Then Charlie said that he was tired because he didn't get very much sleep the night before.

James laughed at his brother, "Yeah I thought I heard some crazy activity coming from behind that closed door!!" He really had meant it as a joke, but his inner young man was curious and hungry for juicy gossip. Or at least something else to congratulate his brother on.

"Oh please, it wasn't like that at all! You heard no such thing. All we did was talk." Charlie defended.

"Yeah sure, that's what they all say." James winked at Charlie. "Oh, chill out bro', I'm only jokin'. I know you wouldn't take advantage of a girl like that, I mean you have only seen her a few times anyway."

James said goodnight to Charlie and went upstairs, but didn't go to bed. Charlie wasn't going to bed right away either, though he needed to, he hadn't lied to James when he said he was tired. He really was, but there was something more important to him than sleeping. He finished up his last drink and went out the front door, since he had had a few drinks he hailed a taxi instead of driving himself.











Outside, there was other bonding going on. While he was at work Hayden had hired someone to install a hot tub, as quietly as possible so his wife would be unaware. Being a famous pro-athlete had it's benefits. When Hayden asked for something, it was done. No questions asked. Hayden had also ordered a new seat, and fire pit for the back yard as well.

When he arrived home he checked it out himself before presenting it to Isabel. She loved it, and she loved Hayden even more for doing it. Though she didn't want to admit it, Isabel didn't move around much because her joints hurt, and she knew that this hot water would help very much.

Isabel thanked her husband with a smile and a hug, then the two cuddled on the new bench in front of a crackling fire before dipping into the hot tub. For just a moment they thought of going skinny dipping, but changed their mind when they thought of the kids being home. The wouldn't want the boys to come out and see them in their 'birthday suits'.

The warm water did more for Isabel than soothe her hurting joints. Of course, Hayden's kisses helped as well...




Pretty soon Hayden and Isabel were skinny dipping anyway, and doing a little more than that. The hot tub had heated up more than their skin, apparently. Though it hadn't been too long since their last romantic encounter, it seemed like it had been a while since they felt like this with each other. It was fresh and new, like they had never done it before.

Isabel loved the new addition to the backyard, and so did Hayden. After they got out and dried themselves off, they went inside to do other things.











Charlie went to pick up the headstone for Chase. He had told the rest of his family of Chase's passing, and they were all heartbroken, but it seemed to affect Charlie more than anyone.

While he was in the mausoleum, Charlie heard very strange noises. Creeks and groans from the shadows. As soon as he found Chase's headstone he was out of there. Charlie was not a coward in anyway but that place actually did frighten him just a little bit. Briefly he thought maybe he shouldn't have come at night.

He got the headstone home, he gathered everyone up and they walked to the family cemetery. Hayden was already asleep and they didn't want to wake him, so naturally he stayed home. They placed Chase next to Kenya, then talked to them both for a while. Isabel, James and Charlie each cried for the loss of a family member.