Working It Out 💙

Chapter 23

I woke up early in the morning in LA to someone buzzing at the front gate. I followed Chris as he pulled a shirt on with his shorts as he buzzed them in.

"Pool guy to clean the pool. I forgot. I'm sorry love."

I shrugged, "whatever. I'm getting coffee." I walked into the kitchen to find coffee already made, Kahlan already awake, "what are you doing up so early?"

"I wanted to go swimming."

Chris laughed as he came into the kitchen, "you have to wait until they are done cleaning it." He chuckled as he heard her huff, leaving the kitchen.

I grabbed Chris, pulling him to me, "good morning."

He chuckled, lifting me to set me on the counter as he positioned himself between my legs, "morning love. I.." He kissed my right cheek. "Love..." He kissed my left cheek as I giggled, "you." I wrapped my arms around his neck as he pressed his lips to mine.

"You guys are so gross."

We both laughed as we looked at Kahlan coming back into the kitchen. I shrugged, "all this space and you are in here watching us?"

Chris laughed, "surprised she isn't out there watching the teenage boy cleaning the pool."

"What?" I jumped off the counter as I saw Kahlan blush.

"Yeah, he brought his teenage son to help him today he said."

I rolled my eyes, "leave the boy alone Kahlan. I'm going to go get dressed. Do you want to go shopping later?"

Kahlan nodded, "yeah!"

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

After getting dressed, I found Kahlan on the back patio reading a book, or pretending to read a book as she spied on the boy. I groaned, seeing her wearing her swimsuit top. I went into her room, finding a t-shirt from her closet before going outside. I stood in front of her as I tossed the shirt at her, "I don't want you to get burned."

"Chris!"

I saw her blush with embarrassment, but I crossed my arms in front of my chest, "put it on Kahlan. Now."

She huffed, standing up to put on the shirt. "You aren't my father!"

I groaned as she stormed into the house, slamming the patio door.

"Teenage girls. Been there."

I turned around to Tom, the normal pool cleaner as he smiled. "Yeah. My girlfriend's daughter." I watched Tom smile apologetically as I shrugged, "it's fine. I'm sorry if she bothered you."

Tom shook his head, "no bother."

I went into the house, finding Kahlan in the kitchen, "I don't appreciate you talking to me that way Kahlan."

She shrugged, "I don't appreciate you embarrassing me."

I sighed, "fine. Next time I'll be more aware of your feelings."

Kahlan only huffed, "whatever" as she stormed out of the kitchen.

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

I walked back into the house after getting breakfast to find Chris sitting at the piano, fiddling mindlessly with one hand. He had his other arm up on the top of the piano with his head resting against his arm. "Chris honey, what's the matter?"

Chris looked up, "hey. Nothing."

"Uh huh." I nodded, looking out the window to see Kahlan talking to the boy. I sighed, "have you seen that?"

Chris stood up, "yeah. That's why I'm sitting here next to the window, so I can keep an eye on her."

"Ugh. Okay. She's a teenage girl right? She's going to talk to boys, even if I don't want her to."

Chris chuckled as he followed me into the kitchen, "I guess."

I nodded, unpacking the bag. "I got some bagels and fruit." I saw him smile as he took a bagel. I rested my hand on his arm, "what's the matter?" I positioned myself in front of him as I placed his hands at my waist, "Chris. I know you well enough by now to now when something is wrong. Did Kahlan say something to you?"

Chris sighed, nodding, "yeah. I made her put on a shirt because she was sitting outside in front of the boy in a bikini top. She got mad at me and said I wasn't her father." He shrugged, "I expected it at some point. I guess I just didn't expect it to bother me so much."

"Aww Chris. She's a teenage girl. She doesn't mean half of what she says. She loves you. Welcome to raising a teenage daughter."

Chris laughed, "I know."

I nodded, "I know you want her to like you, but despite what she thinks, she isn't an adult yet. That means she still needs our guidance."

"Mom."

I turned to see Kahlan standing with the boy, "what?"

Kahlan motioned to the boy, "this is Billy. He asked if I could go on a walk with him."

I looked at Chris and back at the boy, "how old are you Billy?"

"I just turned 16 ma'am."

I groaned, "Natalie, please." I sighed, looking at Chris who only shrugged. I looked back at Billy, "can you give me 5 minutes with my daughter?"

Billy nodded, "of course. I'll wait outside."

I looked at Kahlan after Billy left, "I think you owe Chris an apology."

"Nat, that's not necessary."

"Yes it is." I grabbed his hand as I looked back at Kahlan. "No, Chris is not your father. But he loves you and only wants what is best for you just like your father and I do. He deserves the same respect your father and I get."

Kahlan nodded, "I know. I'm sorry." She looked at Chris, "I'm sorry Chris."

Chris smiled, "thank you." He pulled her to him as she hugged him.

I smiled, "okay. You have your phone on you?"

Kahlan nodded, "yes mama."

"Call me or Chris if you are uncomfortable or need us at any point. 2 hours."

Kahlan smiled, nodding adamantly, "okay! Thank you mama!"

I sighed, accepting her hug before she disappeared. "Text me Billy's number in case I can't get ahold of you." I heard her yell her agreement as she left the house.

"Just like that, you're going to let her go?"

I groaned, "I have to. What do I do? Forbid her and then she sneaks out? How can she earn trust if we don't let her?"

Chris laughed as I whined, burying my head in his chest as he wrapped his arms around me. "She's a good kid. You've had sex talk with her, haven't you?"

"Ugh!!" I pulled away, looking at him, "of course I have. I had a baby when I was 15, you don't think I haven't talked about sex? Also," I hit him hard in the chest as he grunted, "she's just going on a walk."

Chris chuckled, "I know. Just asking. Save the abuse for the bedroom."

I giggled, "oh? Yes sir."