Working It Out 💙

Chapter 20

***************Chris POV***************

I stood at the stove in the morning, making breakfast when I hear Kahlan coming down the stairs.

"Mom?!"

I turned around as she approached the kitchen, jumping at the sight of me.

"Fuck! What are you doing here?"

I laughed, holding my arms out as she accepted a hug, "don't let your mother hear you say that."

Kahlan chuckled, pulling away from me, "I missed you Chris. What are you doing here? And where is my mother?"

I smiled as she sat at the counter, fiddling with her phone, "I missed you too Kahlan. I got in last night." I put some eggs and toast on a plate and set them in front of her, "eat your breakfast. Your mom went in to the gym early. She asked me to make sure you get off to softball practice?"

Kahlan nodded and smiled as she began to eat her breakfast. "Soccer practice. And I don't need a babysitter Chris. I'm almost 14. I think I can handle getting to the bus stop by myself."

I shrugged, "sorry. And I know that. So does your mother. But if I wasn't here, would you have had eggs for breakfast?" I laughed at her rolling her eyes, "also I wanted to talk to you about your birthday."

"Okay?"

I saw her watching me as she ate. "Well we have the same birthday. I wanted to see if you wanted to have your birthday at my place. With my family and your grandparents. I have a pool."

Kahlan laughed, "you want to do our birthdays together?"

I hesitated, thinking maybe it was a bad idea. "I mean, only if you want to. I know you're a teenage girl and probably don't want to share your birthday with an old man. But I thought it would be a good chance for our families to meet."

Kahlan squealed as she stood up, lunging into my arms as she hugged me, making me grunt. "I love it Chris. Thanks!"

"Really?"

She nodded as she pulled away. "Yes! It's great. Thank you Chris, and thanks for breakfast." She grabbed her bag and a piece of toast. "I have to go."

I chuckled as she came back to kiss my cheek before disappearing out the front door.

***************Normal POV***************

I stood in the kitchen at Chris's house at the sink, doing dishes when I feel Chris come up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

"Why are you only in your bikini top? Are you trying to tease me for my birthday?"

I laughed as I turned off the water before turning to face him, "maybe." I pointed to my shirt on the counter behind him, "also I didn't want to get my white shirt all wet. I thought this would be easier."

Chris moaned, nodding as he began to kiss down my neck to my chest, "easier for me, you mean." I giggled as he trailed his lips back up to my neck, nipping at my earlobe, "I love you. Are you nervous?"

I nodded as he pulled away to look at me, "a little. What if your family hates me? We've only been together for a few months Chris."

He sighed, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear, "they won't hate you. They couldn't possibly. And besides, Scott and Tara already love you. They're far more difficult to please than my mother."

I laughed as I wrapped my arms around his neck, "and your sisters?"

He tilted his head back forth, "could go either way."

"Great."

He laughed, leaning down to kiss me. "It'll be fine love." He rested his head against mine as we heard people at the front door, "speaking of."

I heard him sigh as he pulled away to check the door as I put my shirt on, tucking the front into my shorts before following him. I watched him kiss the cheek of an older woman I could only assume was his mother.

Chris grabbed my hand, "mom, this is Natalie. Nat, this is my mom Lisa."

I shook her hand with a smile, "it's really nice to meet you Lisa."

Lisa smiled, "nice to meet you too dear."

Chris ushered her in the house, "come on. More people are arriving, let's not block the doorway."

********************************************************************************

"So you have a teenage daughter? Where is she?"

I stood in the backyard with Chris as he started the grill as his mother approached us. I looked at my watch, "she should be here soon. Her father is bringing her. Every year for her birthday, he takes her out in the morning and they have breakfast and go shopping. They'll both be here soon."

Lisa looked at Chris, "her father is coming too?"

He shrugged, "yeah, of course. We're all friends mom. It's fine."

She nodded, smiling, "okay then."

I heard someone at the front door, looking at Chris. I groaned, "I think that's my parents and Hailey."

He nodded, grabbing my hand to lead me to the front door. We got there just as my parents entered with Hailey who greeted us first.

She kissed Chris on the cheek before hugging me, "hey. Happy birthday Chris." She handed him a bottle of whiskey.

He smiled, accepting the bottle, "thanks Hailey." He turned to my parents, shaking their hands as I introduced them.

"This is my father Charles and my mother Miranda."

My dad half smiled, nodding, "where's my granddaughter?"

Chris cleared his throat, "um, she should be here soon with Alec."

Miranda smiled, "Alec is coming?"

I sighed, "yes mom. Come on, let me introduce you to Chris's family."

Miranda shook her head, "I think I'll just wait here until Alec gets here."

"Mom. Come on." Hailey grabbed her hand as I looked at Chris who only shrugged.

Chris smiled, "well my brother took over the grill, so there will be food soon. And there's drink in the kitchen." He pointed down the hall to the kitchen.

I sighed as they didn't say anything, following Hailey out to the back patio. I turned to Chris, "I'm really sorry."

He shrugged, "I mean. It's fine. Can't expect it all to be easy can we?"