Hawk's Eye

Chapter 30

"Yeah, she does look like one tough cookie," Angie agreed. She looked at Tony curiously. "But she looks so young. How old is she really Tony?" Angie asked. Tony froze and looked at his mom.

"Mom, that's not important. She makes me happy, so why can't you just be happy for me?" Tony said. His dad looked at him knowingly.

"Son, your mother asked you a question," his dad said sternly. Tony sighed and looked up for a second before returning his eyes to his mom.

"Seventeen," he muttered. His mom's eyes widened.

"Tony, that's illegal," his mom whispered.

"Only for one more month! Mom I don't think you understand how much I love her," Tony argued.

"That still doesn't change the fact that she's too young for you," Angie snapped back, raising her voice.

"I'm going to ask her to marry me," Tony countered in an even tone. His parents froze, stunned. Neither of them moved for the longest time. Tony only stared at them. His mind was set.

"Tony...," his mom sighed at a loss for words. Tony started backing out of the door.

"I've already made up my mind, and I've thought about it for a long time. She's the girl I want to marry. Either you can accept that and welcome her into the family with open arms, or I'm never coming back," Tony gave them an ultimatum. Angie sighed and slumped forward in defeat.

"I never said I didn't like her... I do, but... you're not a child anymore Tony. I guess you make your own decisions, and I'm trusting that you're making the right one," Angie said. Tony nodded.

"It is the right one," he confirmed. With a quick goodbye, Tony went back to Kyndall. She was sleeping peacefully under the covers while Nick and Nolan watched TV. Tony looked at her confused. "She's asleep?" he asked amazed. Nolan shrugged.

"We gave her medicine for the pain and it knocked her out," Nolan explained. Tony sighed and ran his hand down his face.

"What happened with Mom?" Nolan asked curiously. Tony sighed and ran a hand down his face. "Did you get into an argument with them?" Nolan pressed further. Tony gave in and nodded.

"Yeah, we got into an argument," Tony confirmed. Nick and Nolan looked at him confused.

"But I don't get it; you told them you were staying and they got mad at you?" Nick asked. Tony shook his head.

"No, that wasn't it. It was because of Kyndall," Tony said softly. The N twins were even more confused now.

"But they like Kyndall, and she got you to stay. Why would they argue with you about Kyndall?" Nolan asked. Tony looked at her sleeping figure curled up on the bed.

"It was because of her age," Tony said quietly.

"But she's only one year younger than-" Mick started.

"No, she's not. We lied. She's three years younger than me. She's seventeen, and she's a junior at Remington Prep," Tony confessed. Nick and Nolan froze.

"It's not even legal," Nolan whispered in realization. Tony nodded and looked at Kyndall sadly.

"And they were even madder when I told them I was going to propose to her on her birthday," he explained further. Silence filled the room as this information sunk in. Tony sat on the edge of the bed and moved a strand of hair off of Kyndall's forehead. She stirred slightly and reached out for him. He smiled sadly and kissed her head softly.

"You really love her, don't you?" Nolan asked softly. Tony nodded without taking his eyes off of her. Nick stood up and tapped Nolan lightly before he motioned to the door. The N Twins started to leave but Tony stopped them.

"Don't tell Brian please," Tony asked. Nick snorted and rolled his eyes.

"God, we're not idiots Tony. Plus, I think Mom is going to ask Brian to leave for the rest of the week. Katerina and the kids can stay, but Brian has to go," Nick said. Tony sighed in relief.

"Good; thanks guys," Tony smiled softly. They nodded before they left. Tony turned back to Kyndall as she started to stir again. Tony watched as her eyes fluttered open. She scrunched her eyebrows and groaned.

"My head," she said sleepily. Tony shushed her before he chuckled and kissed her cheek.

"Go back to sleep baby," he whispered. She groaned again and reached out for him.

"Come lay down with me," she said softly. He sighed softly and laid down next to her. She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest. She didn't know if it was a dream or not, but she heard every word of Tony's conversation subconsciously. She looked at him curiously. "Is Brain leaving?" she asked sleepily. Tony shrugged and put an arm around her.

"I don't know," he answered truthfully. She sighed and closed her eyes again; letting the sleep take her.

~

The next morning, Brain was, in fact, gone. Kyndall went to talk to Katerina. They spent the whole day together. Kyndall played with Elliot and Henry. Tony spent the day with the boys of his family down at the lake. Angie poked her head in to check on Kyndall and Katerina.

"Hey ladies," Angie smiled softly. She looked at Kyndall sympathetically. "Are you okay deary?" she asked Kyndall. Kyndall hesitated before she nodded.

"I'll be okay," Kyndall sighed. Kyndall put Henry on the couch with Elliot before she stood and went to Angie. "I'm sorry for ruining you're dinner yesterday. It really was delicious." Kyndall apologized. Angie brushed it off.

"Oh honey, it was no big deal, but I do need to talk to you about something. Tony explained everything to us after you left... including the age situation," Angie said quietly. Kyndall froze and waited for Angie to continue, but she didn't.

"We didn't mean for it to happen, it just did. I just don't have it in me to stay away from him," Kyndall replied quickly. Angie nodded as a look of sympathy crossed her face.

"I know sweetheart. Tony said the same thing, and much more. Just... be careful until it is legal, okay? Tony loves you, and I'm not going to stand in the way of his happiness, but you should evaluate how much you want to be with him. Especially as you're birthday rolls around. You're going to have to start making big decisions soon; just be aware of that," Angie warned. And just like that, she was gone. Kyndall looked after her confused. What was she talking about. The rest of the week went by with Kyndall actually having fun with the boys. She went swimming with the N Twins, and Tony in the lake, they went horseback riding, fishing, camping; every day was something different. Finally, it was time for Tony and Kyndall to head back to California. After saying goodbye to everyone, they were on the road. Much like last time, Kyndall slept the whole ride. Tony pulled up to Kyndall's house and opened the door for her. As Kyndall opened the door, she was greeted with the sound of a toddler's laugh. She froze as she saw a small freckled boy with brown wavy hair running towards her. What really caught her eye was his tropical green eyes... just like hers. She knew who it was immediately. Tears formed in her eyes as he reached his hands up to her. She smiled softly and sadly as she picked him up. Tony entered the house and smiled softly at the picture of Kyndall's happiness. He sighed in relief and looked back as Kyndall's parents appeared with Kaitlyn.

"Did you..." Tony trailed off motioning to Kyndall. Kaitlyn's cheeks heated as she nodded.

"I knew it would make her happy," Kaitlyn answered quietly. Kyndall's parents looked to Kyndall curiously.

"We're sorry we didn't get your permission first, but I felt we had to bring him," Beth said. Kyndall smiled genuinely and shook her head as she looked to her mom.

"It's okay; I'm glad you did," she smiled. She turned her attention back to the happy little boy in her arms. She kissed him and rested her forehead against his. "Hi, Carter."