𝐔𝐩 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝙎𝙊𝙎𝙎 𝙊𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙩𝙨

S1 EP:1 I Got A Secret, Can You Keep It?

AU

It was a Saturday afternoon in 2024. The Dunn household maintained its usual tranquil atmosphere, as Mrs. Dunn had left to keep an appointment with a friend. Topher and Harper, aged 17 and 15 respectively, were seated at the dining table working on their school assignments; or so it seemed. Astonishingly, Harper's idea of "multitasking" involved FaceTiming her boyfriend's sister rather than concentrating on her studies—a response to Topher's reminder to focus.

"Harper, I need help with a math problem" Topher groaned, tapping his pencil on the table

"What is it?" Harper asked, only the least bit amused

"If Jaida ate 30 apples, and Parys needs-"

"God, Jaida needs to lay off those apples" Harper interrupted. Zoey laughed through the phone. Harper giggled.

Topher rolled his eyes

Just then Harper and Topher heard the front door open. They both heard mumbles coming from it too.

"Oh, I got to go, Zoey" Harper said, before picking up her phone

"Ok"

"I love you" Zoey mumbled

"I love you too, Zozo" Harper answered, pressing her phone to hang up

Just then, Jess walked into the dining room, only to greet her kids

"Hey guys," Jess said, kissing Harper and Topher's foreheads

"I heard someone else come in" Topher pointed out

"Oh yeah" Jess sighed

"Was it your friend?" Harper questioned

"Um....about that"

Harper and Topher were left with wide eyes when a tall man with brunette-colored hair and almost hazel eyes entered the room.

"Hey Babe," The man said, putting his arm around Jess

Harper raised an eyebrow

"Babe?" Topher put a question to

"Kids, This is Lucas" Jess introduced

"I'm her boyfriend," The man said

"He's my boyfriend" Jess confirmed

Harper and Topher just stayed silent. Their dad's passing was very hard on them, and they weren't really in agreement went it came to their mom seeking new love. But this just seemed too sudden. I mean Jess didn't seem like she was ready to look for anyone now anyway.

"You guys must be Harper and Topher," Lucas said, with a smile

"Yeah" Harper spoke

Lucas eyed Harper up and down "God, She's gorgeous" Lucas quoted to Jess

Jess smiled

"Like you," Lucas remarked, before kissing Jess's cheek

Harper rolled her eyes

---------------

As time went on, Jess, Lucas, Harper, and Topher congregated in the living room to watch a movie while seated on the couch.

"Do you guys want something to drink?" Jess asked

"Sure, Babe," Lucas said, as the kids nodded

"I'll be back," Jess said, before getting up from the couch. She put the popcorn bowl that she was holding on the nearby stand, next to the armrest. She then left