Isaac and Nikki were working around the house together. He was mowing the lawn and picking up branches from the storm the other night, while she cleaned up the kitchen. Monroe and Everett were in the living room playing video games, enjoying spending some time together. They had been asked to clean up their rooms after breakfast that morning, and neither had wanted to. But Nikki had told them there would be no video games until they did. Isaac had agreed with that, and both had to go upstairs and watch as they picked up their rooms. Now they were more than happy to be done and playing.
But the peace and quiet over there were short-lived when Kate showed up. She was stressed out from her morning at home and wanted someone to talk to. Letting herself in after saying a quick hello to Isaac, she entered the kitchen and sat down at the table.
" Hey, Nikki."
" Hey. You want a cup of coffee or something?" Nikki asked as she continued to wipe the counters down.
" Maybe something a little stronger if you got it. It's been a rough morning."
That got Nikki's attention, and she turned to look at her. " What's wrong, Kate?"
" Everything. Taylor wants Arielle to live with him and Natalie, but they are of course staying with us because of that stupid tornado. So all the drama of that is being brought in." She sighed. " Not to mention it turns out Arielle might be pregnant."
Nikki looked at her in surprise. " Who is the father? Did she say?"
" Here is a shocker for you. Ashley's ex-husband raped her. Although she had already lost her virginity to some guy. So it could be either one of them."
" That is insane." Throwing the towel down, Nikki went into the fridge. " I do have an open bottle of champagne if you want a mimosa."
Kate nodded her head to say yes. " We're all taking a break from each other right now. Diana and Walker showed up, and things got a bit heated up. Ashley went off of Diana."
" Spend as much time over here as you need. We have nothing going on over here."
Isaac came into the kitchen then, and Taylor was right behind him. " I just heard the big news, Kate. Tay told him his daughter may be pregnant, which I am guessing you already told Nikki about?"
" Yeah." She looked up at Isaac. " It's all pretty insane right now."
Nikki turned around to hug Taylor. " I know you have had a lot to take in, Taylor."
" Yeah." He noticed the bottle of champagne. " Isn't it a bit early for that?"
She laughed. " I am mixing up a mimosa for Kate. You want one?"
" No thanks. Another hug sounds good though." He sighed. " I am just... I feel like I am about to lose it. I mean, first I find out that Ashley didn't about our daughter after all, and now not only are they here in town but... Arielle might be pregnant. It's all just too much."
Nikki gave him another hug. " It's okay, Taylor. You will get through this."
Isaac poured two cups of coffee and handed one to Taylor. " Nikki is right. You have us to hold you up, man."
Taylor took a sip of his coffee, and set it down for a group hug from the three of them.
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Christopher was more than happy when his mom returned to see him again and thrilled to see Arielle with her. The tv had started to bore him, as nothing good was even on. They even brought him one of his favorite snacks, a chocolate chip cookie dough blizzard from Dairy Queen. Arielle had gotten herself a snicker's blizzard and their mom had gotten a triple-berry fruit smoothie.
