Pawned Virtue - #wattys2015 BK4 TPBS - Completed 1st draft

-51-

Not edited. Sorta short.

"Hey guys... are you busy?"

Peter put down the book he was reading and Keiran turned off the television.

"No Tara. Never too busy for you love. What's the problem?"

Tara smiled her thanks at Peter before sitting on the lounge and curling her feet up underneath her.

"I'm confused."

"What about?" Keiran asked.

"I don't know if Brisbane is the best option for me anymore."

"Would that handsome husband of yours have anything to do this indecision?" Keiran teased.

"No! Well... maybe a little... But not the way you're thinking!"

"Uh huh" Keiran teased again.

"Keiran let the poor girl talk! Tara, what 's got you thinking like this love?" Peter asked.

"Well... this whole Ellie thing for a start. She really sounds crazy."

"Lucas will make sure you're protected" Keiran pointed out.

"Yeh, see... that's another thing, Maggie and the guys would have to move. This is their home. It's not fair on them..."

"You know those people would do anything for you Tara."

"That's not the point Ke. They shouldn't have to. If this Ellie hadn't come along then they wouldn't have to move cause I'd be going on my own."

"That's true love but have you considered the options? Do you still have your place here at university still? You have a scholarship to go to Brisbane, you'll be looking at a  student loan if you stay here."

In truth Peter didn't want to see her go as far as Brisbane but it wasn't his place to make this decision for her, just as it wasn't his place to stop Keiran from choosing his own future.

"This Ellie scares me" Tara admitted "Everything you and Jace told me Ke... she doesn't sound like she's sane."

"She's not. She's a wack job."

Tara nodded with a grim look in her face.

"Why don't you make some calls in the morning before you decide anything? Know what you're up against before you decide anything."

"I like it" Keiran said "That's an awesome idea Dad. Now I can see where I get my brains from."

Peter looked at Keiran through narrowed eyes.

"What do you want?"

Keiran gasped and put a hand on his chest.

"Dad, really... that burns deep."

"Oh knock it off you fool." Peter laughed at him beforw speaking to Tara "So what do you think love?"

"Oh I agree. Keiran's a fool." Her cheeky grin had Peter laughing again.

"In answer to the real question. You're right. I have to find out exactly what I can do before deciding."

"Crawler" Keiran stabbed at her before poking his tongue out.

Tara just poked hers back at him.

"Lucas' father sounds like a piece of work." Peter said in passing.

"If you wanna cheat, get out. Simple. You don't get married to sleep around." Keiran said seriously.

"If you're in a relationship with anyone you don't cheat son" Peter added in.

"True that Dad. Hey... When are you going to start dating again?"

Peter laughed.

"I think I'm past my dating days Keiran."

"Oh come on Dad. You're forty nine not eighty."

"I'm happy with my life as it is thanks."

Keiran shook his head at his father.

"So sad. In your prime and everything."

Peter laughed loudly at Keiran before looking at Tara and asking her opinion.

"Go for it Dad."

All three of them went silent as grins grew on Peter and Keirans face while Tara looked shocked that she'd called him Dad so easily.

Keiran got up and did a running jump on the lounge next to her and pulled her down and started tickling her as she screamed for him to stop.

"No way! You're my sister, I have  lot of years to make up for!"

"HELP MEEEEEEE"

Peter sat back and laughed while watching the pair. He chuckled as Tara got the upper hand and Keiran ran screaming from the room.

"My sister is gonna get me!"

"Better lock your door Ke! I'll get you while you're asleep!" she called after him.

She slumped back down and puffed while getting her breath back and squirmed to stretch the still achey places that Keiran had tickled her harder.

Peter spoke to her in a quiet voice with words she would never forget. Words that had her throwing herself across the room and into his fatherly embrace;

"I'm proud to have you as my daughter Tara. You've proven time and time again just what a strong young woman you are. You've been to hell and back but you keep fighting. That's a remarkable achievement. Be proud of who you are because I know I am. If you decide to stay in Sydney then you're more than welcome to stay here. This will always be your home."