The Things You Give

Part 30

"Do I smell brownies?" Red asked as he entered the kitchen. Kitty was hunched over the counter, cutting up and arranging the freshly baked brownies. He smiled and reached one for one. "Thanks, Kitty."

"Oh, good, now that you're in a good mood," Kitty said and swiped her hands together. "Let's talk about the baby shower."

"Oh, come on!" Red griped with a mouthful of chocolate. "I just want to eat my brownie in peace. Now, why would you want to ruin that?"

"I don't think we should make the kids pay for their own baby shower," Kitty continued. "I figured we can pay for the food and decorations."

"And they can pay for the location?" Red asked, taking a bite of the chocolatey goodness.

"No..." Kitty said. "We can actually have it he—"

"No!" Red boomed, dragging out the vowel. "No parties! No more! Our house is starting to smell like a frat house from all the parties that you like to throw!"

Kitty squinted her eyes at him and placed a fist on her hip. "How would you know what a frat house smells like, Red?"

Red cleared his throat, feeling uncomfortable, and scrambled for an answer. "Well, I...uh...this isn't about me! This is about you and wanting to throw a damn party here!"

Kitty opened her mouth to respond, but was cut off by the basement door flinging open and stomping.

"Y/n, come on!" Hyde cried out from the stairs, following after his wife.

"Get bent, Steven!" Y/n screeched as she entered into the kitchen, heading towards the sliding door.

"I'm sorry, okay?! What can I do to make it better?" he begged.

"Just leave me alone!"

"What is going on here?" Kitty asked.

"Steven is hiding money from me!" Y/n blurted. "And not just a few bucks—no, a couple thousand!"

"WHAT!" Red and Kitty said unison.

"Y/n!" Steven cried out, rubbing a hand down his face.

"You're telling me that you can not only afford this damn party by yourself, you can also afford to move out?" Red asked, annoyed.

"Where is this money?" Y/n demanded, placing her hands on her hips. Steven was grateful she diverted the attention back to her instead of having to answer to her angry father. "It can't be in our bank account because the last time I checked, the money wasn't in there."

Steven's head snapped up. "You've been checking my bank account?"

His question took Y/n a bit by surprise. "Our bank account. And yes. I keep track and budget our finances."

"No, it's my bank account," he said, growing irritated. "The money that I make goes in there."

"Steven, I'm warning you: Don't. Go. Down. That. Road," Red said, eyeing his son-in-law. "Trust me, this a trap. Don't fall for it."

"What the hell do you mean the money that you make goes in there?" Y/n spit. "Regardless of what's what, it's still our money. Now, answer my question!"

"No, no, I'm pumping the brakes on this one," Steven said. "I make the money by going to my job. I bring home the paycheck by putting it into my bank account. The only thing you do is spend it all!"

Rage flickered in Y/n's eyes. If Steven didn't know any better, he swore he was looking right into Death's stare. "What did you just say to me?"