Come Away.

Heavy Lifting

Billy, along with Buster and Tanner and Michel picking up bins and boxes that say Christmas on it. Thankfully Marlowe did see Billy and nothing happened to him. Moving away from the back of the barn. Hopping that no one had saw it, to late. Buster did.

"Hey Mars. Why are you out here in the freezing cold?"

Trying to think of words to say as Billy looked at her and quickly looked away cause Michel passed a bin to him."Granny said she wanted to let you boys know that after this hot coco is in the making." It was the truth.

"Oh goodie I love me some hot chocolate." Rubbing his hands together, while acting like a small child.

"Right..I'll let you men, continue what you are doing?" Walking out of the barn. It has started to snow. Hating the snow all Marlow's life she sighed as she stomps her feet, coming in from the back door. "When will it be fall or spring?" Muttering to herself.

Granny made a big bowl for her sons and Billy. Picking up a book from the living room, reading for awhile. The men came all in with bins and decorations that couldn't fit into a bin. Buster brought in the tree, helping along side him was Billy.

Granddad passed out on his chair as Billy gently taps on Marlow's foot. "Whose this?" He mostly met everyone in the family.

Jumped just a little, as Marlow glanced up to see Billy. "My great grandad. Around here we call me grandad. His name is Russel."

"Ah. Is he from the retirement home or something?"

Holding the book back up to her face. "No. Granny wanted to keep him from that place. She feels like she owes it to granddad."

Fluffing up the tree, looking at his wrist watch, Billy looked at granny. "Thank you for the hot chocolate. I do have to go." He stands up. Marlowe was decorating the tree with her aunt. "See you later Marlowe." With a playful wink. Billy walked out the door.

Marlowe aunt Kelly nudge her on the shoulder. "He's got a cute ass."

"Aunt Kelly! Billy is 17!" Kelly didn't care. "Besides he's only here to bug the shit out of me because what happened at school." Picking out another ornament.

Kelly laughed. "What did you do this time?"

"Two names. Tommy, Tina."

Kelly knew that those two are up to no good, they come into her restaurant that she runs. Always being asshole and was thankful enough that Steve stopped hanging out with them. "Enough said."

The tree was finally done. Marlowe's mother loved Christmas. It's one of the reasons why Marlowe hates it. Aunt Kelly sat down next to Marlowe. "So why is Billy bugging you then?"

"Tina being an ass and I totally pushed back and then Billy got in front of Tina to stop the whole thing. It was to late. So now Billy is trying to get back at me." Marlowe sighed.

"Well that isn't your fault that he got into that fight. Ugh men think that we always owe them something, when we don't." Rolling her eyes.

"I mean I sorta get why and I told him that I was sorry about all of it. But knowing California, he wouldn't take sorry for an answer." Crossing her arms.

Shaking her head. "Anyways, I'm just more focused on my surgery then worrying about him."

"As you should be. Billy is grown, he can take care of himself."

Truth is he could but with his dad always being the bully 24/7 he couldn't get a break. Sometimes Billy felt like being alone was the best thing in life. No one to worry about. Other times he needed the attention so someone could care for him.

In Billy room he would sit alone in the dark, with all the hurtful things that his father had said to him, repeating in his brain. 'Your no good.' 'Your acting like a baby Billy ' 'Grow a pair Billy.' that was just one of the many things that Neil spoke to Billy about.

It didn't stop snowing in Hawkins, granny called Billy around eight in the morning to see if he had time today to shovel the snow. Which he did since his dad was home. Asleep, with a hungover. Susan her best to keep her daughter out of the house so, Neil wouldn't say anything hurtful towards her.

Billy got stuck and he would curse every swear word that anyone could possibly think of. Finally an hour later Billy arrived. Stomping on the snow to get to the house, thankfully it was only the driveway not the whole back way. Knocking on the door Marlow answered. Seeing Billy's face red, it was cute on him. "Morning California."

Muttering under his breath. "Morning." Rubbing his hand together. "Mind pointing the way to the shovel?"

Handing him the shovel seeing no gloves or hat. "Stand there for a sec."

"Why? I'm busy as you can see." Taking the shovel.

"California you'll catch a cold. And if you do, that means you can't help granny. Since "Steve" seems to be too good to do this. Plus I don't want my family to get sick." Giving Billy, hat and gloves.

Billy chuckled. "So you do care about me."

Rolling her eyes. "If you want to put it that way sure."

Billy grins. "By the end of this month I'll have you falling for me doll."

"Gross. I don't date assholes." Shutting the door in his face.

Billy still had a grin on his face. "We'll see about that." Shaking the shovel a bit and went back to the driveway to clear a path.

About three hours, Billy was done. Coming back to the house, granny let Billy in and gave him some money from yesterday and today. Marlowe came out in her pj's, she took a shower, Billy could smell her. Marlowe smelt so good. Keeping to himself as he got warmed up. He wasn't falling for her, Billy couldn't. Steve would be all up in his shit for or if he broke her heart.

Marlowe and Billy was left alone while granny was getting him something warm to drink. "How's the catching up on reading?" Billy asked.

Marlowe looked into Billy eyes, she could see something was wrong, bothering him. Knowing Billy he would never say. "Eh... Read one chapter of a book and got highly bored."

Staying silent Billy then said. "Maybe it's not the right book."

"You like to read?" Marlowe asked. She couldn't imagine that he would like to read.

"When would I ever have time?" Shrugging his shoulders.

"Right." Billy's hands were red and cold he would rub them together. Marlow put the TV on. "Hey did you eat breakfast? Granny myself along with Granddad haven't yet."

With Billy shaking his head no. He didn't want to interfere. "I can eat when I get home."

"That was a lot California. Shoveling is shit ton of work. Come'on, granny won't mind feeding you."

It would be nice for once to have a nice cooked meal. Not that Susan does a bad job, she just works a lot and so Billy would have to make shitty food for Max and myself. "You sure?"

"Of course." Placing a hand on to his. "Can we call ourselves even or do you plan to do more?" Then she let's go of Billy's hand.

"Even? Hmm I dunno. How about a kiss to make it all better?" Teasing Marlowe. That made her a little red.

Groaning as she moves away from him. "You wish. California you couldn't handle me even if I did want to date you." Granny came into the room with a cup of hot chocolate. "Gran, Billy is staying for breakfast."