An Anthem Lights Christmas (Completed)

Chapter 22

*Casey POV*
We get into Walmart and the guys exchange glances.
"Oh boy this can't be good" I whisper to the girls
They nod in agreement. The guys look at us but before they can get a word in us girls are already off and running. We split up and I go to the candles. I go over to the shelf of candles and start smelling them. After awhile all I'm smelling is candles so I stopped.
"I was wondering when you were going to stop" I hear Joey say
I turn around and see my older cousin looking at me.
"Yeah. All I can smell now is candles." I say
"You're a goof" he says
"Well I am related to you" I say
"Ooh that must hurt lil bro" Chad says
"Oh shut up." Joey says
"Joseph Patrick Stamper. Shut up is a bad bad word" I scold
"You know what else is a bad word" he asks
"What Stupid" I ask
"Well miss Rotenberger stupid is-" he starts
"As stupid does." I finish
"Ugh I can never win with you" he whines
"Cheer up Joe. We have to go find the other two" Chad says
I hop on Joey's back and he tries to pry me off.
"No way Joe. I'm staying. I don't want to walk" I say
"Ugh fine" he says
We start walking and find Spencer carrying Nicole on his back.
"Has anyone found Megan yet" Spencer asks
"Well clearly we haven't since she's not on my back" Chad says
Nicole and I look at each other then hop off their backs. We then run off. We get to the sweatshirts and sweatpants section and find Megan. She's looking through the clothes with a box in her hands and piles of clothes.
"Really Megan" I ask
"Sorry these shoes caught my eyes and then I saw the sweats. Now let's go to the dressing room. I don't think the guys will find us there" she says
"Alright" Nicole says
We grab her new clothes and quickly run to the changing rooms. We get in the biggest dressing room. After a few minutes Megan's phone rings.
"Put it on speaker" I say
M-hey Chad
Ch-hey where are you and the girls.
N-why do you want to know
J-I'm hungry
Ca- you're always hungry. Oh and Joe you need to go shopping. You ate all the food
J-yeah yeah whatever
S-Megan just tell us where you are
Ch-how much money are you spending
M-um not sure. Maybe close to $50 I was looking at clearance
Ch-ok
J-how did you know she was shopping
Ch-let's see here. It's one of the only stores that sells sneakers, sweatshirts, and sweatpants at a decent price
S-girls just meet us at the front
C-we will
Megan hangs up and we go back to the clothes section. We return some of them then go up to the front. We get to the guys and chad grabs Megan's box of shoes.
"Ooh I like. I want" Joey says
"You want everything" I say
"Oh hush up" Joey says
"Ok let me pay for this stuff then we can go eat" Chad says
He pays for the stuff and we then walk to the car.
"Shotgun" Megan yells
"Driving" Chad yells
"Ok we get it. No need to yell" I say
We get in the car and Joey hands Chad the keys. Chad starts the car and drives off into the sunset.
"Where are we going" Nicole asks
Chad and Megan whisper back and forth a little bit and steal glances into the back seat.
"Stop looking at us. It's getting a little creepy" Spencer says
"We're here" Chad says
He pulls into a parking lot that only has a few cars. Next to it is a huge restaurant.
"What is this place" I ask
"Sky view palace" Megan says
"Where did you find this place" Joey asks
"Well I was taking Megan out for our monthly Megan and Chad breakfast and we wanted something different. We were driving around and found this" Chad says
"You guys have a special breakfast" I ask
"Yeah. To give Megan a morning away from her brothers. Plus it allows us to talk about the month and stuff" Chad says
"Can we just go in and eat" Joey whines
"Yes now shut up you big baby" I say
"Casey Teresa Rotenberger that is a mean word" Joey says
"Too bad." I say
"How about this, Stupid. You stupid" joey says
"How long will it take me to make Jojo Joey Joseph Patrick Stamper mad" I taunt
"Slower than I make Casey Cassandra short stuff Teresa Rotenberger mad" he says
"I hop on his back and he tries to get me off. Once he gets me off I run off and he chases after me.
*Megan POV*
"Should we go after them" I ask
"Neh. Let's go eat" Nicole says
"I agree" Spencer says
"I'll send Joey a text letting him know we're eating" Chad says
"I'll text Casey" I say
I grab my phone and send Casey a text.
M-going in to eat. Join us whenever you feel like it
C-ok. G2G. About to be thrown into a pool.
I call Casey and she answers.
M-put Joseph on the phone
After a few seconds I hear a voice.
J-what do you want
M-you better not throw Casey in that pool. If you do Chad and I will pummel you to a pulp
J-ok ok I won't do it. We'll be there soon
I hang up and go inside. I find the others and go to the table. Ten minutes later the other two show up.
"Ok now is everyone ready" Chad asks
"Yes" we say
"Why is it called sky view palace" Spencer asks
"Because just wait" I say
As soon as the clock reads 6:30 the ceiling separates exposing the open sky. It's just a half hour till the sun rises.
"Woah" they all whisper
"I know. I just love this so much" I say
"It would probably look more magical at night" Casey says
"At night they leave it open so you can see the stars" Chad says
"Ooh Chad what about the secret door" I ask
"Not now. Maybe after breakfast" he says
The waiter comes over and we start ordering.
"Your originals Megan and Chad" the waiter says
"Yes please Jose. Thanks" I say
He gets our orders and walks off.
"How many times have you been here" Joey asks
"Um well we know come here every breakfast. Then we sometimes bring Fallon and the two boys with" Chad says
"Ok" Nicole says
We get our food and keep small talk. We finish eating and Chad goes to pay while I go to talk with Jose.
"Hey megs what can I do for you" he asks
"Can we go up" I ask
"Yeah. Go ahead." He says
"Thanks" I say
I go back to the group and nod at Chad.
"Ok do you guys want to see the secret door" I ask
"Yes" Casey and Nicole say
We go over to the bookshelf and I find the correct book. I pull it and the bookshelf moves revealing a staircase. We all go up it to the roof.
"Woah" Nicole says
"Yeah" Casey agrees
"It's almost time for the sun to rise" Chad says
"It's so perty out" Joey says
"You just ruined it" Spencer says
"Boys no fighting" I say
"Ssh" Casey hushes
We sit down and watch the sun come up. After sitting there for two hours talking and taking in the beauty Chad's phone rings. He answers it and walks away.
"we've gotta head home. The ladies are starting to worry about us" Chad says
"Ugh I don't want to leave" I whine
"You never want to leave" Chad say
"You're right and I'm not going to leave" I say
"Me neither" Casey and Nicole say
*Nicole POV*
Casey and I get up and go sit on Megan's lap.
"Are you really going to make us do this" Joey asks
"Do what" I ask
All of a sudden Casey is lifted off my lap by Joey.
"No snuggles I'll save you" I say
Then Spencer picks me up off of Megan's lap.
"No peaches don't leave me" Megan says
Chad picks her up and they walk down the stairs. Chad shuts the book case and thanks Jose. They carry us out to the car then out is in. Chad gives the keys to Spencer and Joey gets in the back with us.
"Why are we letting Spencer drive" I ask
"Oh be quiet. I'm a great driver" Spencer says
"I agree with Nicole" Joey says
"Just let him drive" Chad says
I sigh but allow it. Spencer starts the car and drives to Chad's. We get there and go inside. As soon as we get inside I'm tackled. I look up and see Brian. He's crying.
"What's wrong" I ask
"Luke and I have to leave today for college" he says
"No you can't. Mom isn't back yet. Who's going to take care of us" I ask
"Spencer is here. He can do it. I already told Jess. She won't come out of Megan's room" Brian says
"I'll go talk to her" Spencer says
"I'm going to miss you Bubby" I say
"I'm gonna miss you too. Let me know if mom gets better or if she dies." Brian says
"Ok love you" I say
"Love you too" he says
*Luke POV*
"Do you have to leave today" Megan asks
"Yes. I'm sorry. I know I told you I wouldn't leave till the start of July but I have to" I say
"Now who am I going to talk to. Who am I going to go to for help" she cries
I pick her up bridal style and go outside with her. I sit down with her on my lap.
"You can go to Chad or any of the guys. Go to Tyler. They want to help you and the other two girls. They really care about you. Please promise me that you will eat. Also text me or call of you ever want to talk. And no more cutting. I'll be calling Chad at random times to make sure" I say
"Ok. I promise." She says
"I love you baby sis" I say
"I love you too" she says
I kiss her forehead and she just buries her head into my chest.
"Go to sleep." I say
"But" she says
"No go to sleep. Please. You need it" I say
"Ok" she yawns
She closes her eyes and after a few minutes she's asleep. I stand up and go inside. Chad comes over to me and takes Megan from me.
"You ready Luke" Brian asks
"Yeah" I say
I hug Nick and then go over to Fallon. I take Owen from her and kiss his cheek then give him back. Casey and Nicole run over and hug me and I hug them back.
"By sissies. Take care of Megan" I say
"Bye Bubby" Casey says
"We will" Nicole says
I kiss Nicole's cheek, grab my backpack and Brian and I head out. We get in my car and Brian starts the engine.
"She'll be okay. She's in good hands" he says
"I know. I just worry about her. She's been through so much and I haven't really been able to help her" I say
"Luke you're a great big brother. You were there when she needed you most. When John and Kyle died. When your mom and dad got divorced. Now you have to let Chad and the others take care of her. You'll be able to see her for holidays and stuff." Brian says
"Yeah I guess you're right" I say
"I am. Now smile we're going to be in college. And even better we're roommates" he says
"Oh joy" I laugh
"You know you want to share a dorm with me" he says
"Yeah yeah" I say
*Chad POV*
Brian and Luke leave and I go upstairs. I go to Megan's room but see Spencer and Jess talking. So I go to the guest room and lay Megan in bed. I close the door then go downstairs. I get down there and Nick runs over to me.
"Me, you, sissy, Owen, and mommy. No more bubbies" he says
"They're still here." I say
"Where" he asks looking around
"In your heart" I say
"Oh" he says
"Hey Chad we're heading out" Caleb says
"Ok. Bye Caleb and Kelsey" I say
I set Nick back on the ground and look around. I don't see the girls.
"Joey where's Nicole and Casey" I ask
"Don't know. Probably outback" he says
"Ok" I say
We go outback and see the girls passing a football. I run through and catch it.
"Give it back Chadwick" Casey says
"We're not in a playing mood" Nicole says
I toss the ball to her and she sits down. Casey goes and sits down next to her. Joey and I go over and join them.
"What wrong" I ask
"My brother and boyfriend just left for college" Nicole says
"My two brothers left for college" Casey says
"It will be okay. You'll see them for holidays and you can text or call them. Plus there's also this new invention called Skype or FaceTime" Joey says
"Your right. How's Megan" Casey says
"She's sleeping" I say
"Ok" Nicole says
"Have any of you seen Tyler" jewel asks
She comes outside carrying Jason and Nick following right behind.
"No. But I did hear him yell no one cares about me anyway" Nicole says
Joey gets up from the ground and takes off running.
"Where is he going" jewel asks
"Looking for Tyler" I say
"Chad Fallon wants you" jewel says
"Ok" I say
*Joey POV*
As soon as I hear what Tyler said I get up from the ground and take off running. I run out front and past my car. I sprint home and go inside. I then go up to Tyler's room. I knock on the door and there's no reply. I knock again and still nothing. I go in and see a few suitcases packed and Tyler laying on his bed with his face in the pillow. I go over to the bed and sit down. 
"What's wrong" I ask
"Go away Joey. It's not like you care" he says
"I care about you vary much. Same with your other two siblings" I say
"Well it seems like you only care about them because you're always with them" he says
"That's because you were always fine with Luke and Brian" I say
"Well some nights I cry myself to sleep and do you came to check on me? No. I have no reason to stay here" he cries
"Tyler I care about you very much. I'm new to this whole parenting thing. Please just stay. And if not for me for your siblings" I say
"Do you really care about me" he asks
"Yeah" I say
"Oh ok. I'll stay" he says
"Good now you look exhausted get some sleep" I say
I leave the room and close the door behind me. Hopefully there won't be a lot of drama the next few days.