'Til The End of Time

Chapter 39: "Stand Back"

2 years later

Mallory walked into first period drained from the night before. She was up late studying for her AP calculus. She had to babysit her little siblings and her cousins for her parents while they went out for dinner. Easton walked into the class smiling away. He had an envelope in his hand.

"Hey Mal, you okay?" He asked touching his little sister who looked scared.

"I'm sorry East. I'm only on four hours of sleep knowing you went out last night and I was stuck at home with four little kids." Easton chuckled

"Wait I thought your um boyfriend was over." Mallory stood up and pushed him.

"Easton! Stop! He's not my boyfriend! He's my study partner and you were right about him anyway. He doesn't change." Mallory sat back down and put her head down and relaxed.

Jack ran into the house coming home from school. Camille brought him home.

"Momma! Where is Daddy?" Jack asked his mom

"He's at work bud." Erin walked to the living room and picked up her two year old son Levi.

"Momma, why is lee so tiny?" Jack asked

"Bud he's two. He's growing." Jack laughed

"Okay Momma.. Can we got eat dinner now?" Erin smiled

"Jack, let's wait for Daddy and your older siblings." Jack was four and he was growing big. He always loved to ask questions. It was his favorite thing. His older cousin Daniel was five and they were both little trouble makers.

"Okay Mommy." Jack sighed and ran outside

"Thanks Mom for bringing him home!" Camille smiled and started walking outside. Erin picked up Levi and put him in his high chair.

Mallory walked into the house tired as hell.
"Hey mom I'm just gonna go up to my room."

"MALLORY JULIETTE HALSTEAD! You are not! Get down here! We are eating dinner!"

"But mom dad isn't even home yet." Mallory yelled back

"Mal dad is at work! You know that!" Easton yelled

"I do know that smartass. I'm sorry I had to watch the kids last night then this morning I had to take a damn exam."
Easton sat down at the table and started gobbling dinner. Jack ran inside full of mud.

Easton stood up and walked out so his little brother could see him.

"EASTON!" Jack yelled running towards him. Easton backed up and pushed Jack away.

"Mom! Easton is being mean!" Jack yelled running into the kitchen.

"He's full of fucking mud. I'm not letting my muddy little brother hug me." Erin stopped and smiled

"Jackson Richard Alexander Halstead! Get cleaned up for dinner! I'll go help you. And you Easton stop the cussing!" Erin yelled

Mallory sat down drained out. Erin finished cleaning up her son then walked back into the kitchen to see her husband sitting down eating dinner.

"I'm done Dad. I am so ready for graduation." Mallory said

"Mal, you'll get through it. It's Exams."