An Anthem Lights Christmas (Completed)

Chapter 33

*Dylan POV*
I wake up around 6:30 the next morning then wake up the other guys. We get dressed then go to the kitchen. We eat breakfast then and leave a note for Caleb. We go outside and get in Brian's van.
"This is why I got a van" Brian says
"Yeah yeah yeah just drive" Luke says
Brian starts the car and starts driving. We get to Joey's and get out. Tyler unlocks the door and we go inside. We go downstairs to where the girls are and see them still asleep.
"You have all the stuff" Liam asks
"Yeah I have it" I say
I open the duffel bags and unload it. First we each grab a can of silly stein and start spraying it. Then we grab tubes of toothpaste and write with it on the table. Finally we grab our water guns.
"Ok so we fire on three then run" Brian says
"One two three fire" we say
We start shooting. We run upstairs and out the door. We hop in the van then drive off.
"That was great" I laugh
"Yeah it was" Luke says
We get back to Caleb's and go inside. We get in there and Caleb is sitting on the couch.
"What did you boys do" he asks
"Nothing" I say
"Luke" he asks
"What" Luke asks
"Ok no one get to do anything till I'm told what you did. Hand over your phones" Caleb says
We give him our phones and he takes away the tv remote and controllers for the wii and Xbox.
"Now what do we do" Tyler asks
"Let's bake" Liam says
"Yes" Luke says
"Megan gave me a recipe" I say
"Let's go then" Brian says
We get up from the couches and go to the kitchen.
"Ok we need peanut butter, eggs, sugar, vanilla, a bowl, spoon, cookie sheet, and fork" I say
The others get the stuff and set it on the counter.
"Ok 1 cup peanut butter and a cup of sugar." I say
Tyler does it then puts those two things away.
"1 egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla" I say
Luke does that then puts those ingredients away I take the spoon and mix it.
"Ok Liam pre heat the oven to 325 and Brian start putting them on the tray in balls. I say
They do that and I go through with the fork putting the traditional markings on it. Once the oven is pre heated Brian puts them in and Tyler sets a timer for 10 minutes. We clean up and after ten minutes we pull the cookies out.
"Ok these look good." I say
"Boys your girlfriends have been texting and calling you" Caleb yells
"Caleb we have peanut butter cookies" I yell
"Bribery doesn't work Antonio Dylan Powell" he yells
"Don't call me Antonio" I yell
"Then tell me what you did" he says
"Ok ok fine. We went to Joey's" Tyler says
"We pulled a prank on the girls because the prank called us last night" Liam says
"And we prank called them yesterday" Brian says
"Ok you guys can have your phones back. All besides Dylan" Caleb says
The others get their phones back and I just sit there.
"Why do they get their phones back" I ask
"Because Alan said you're grounded apparently you forgot to take the trash out again and do the dishes" Caleb says
"Ugh. I knew I forgot something" I groan
"Let's go we're going to Chad's" Caleb says
We grab our backpacks and go to the van. We get in and Caleb heads to Chad's. We get there and everyone but my uncle and his family is there. I go over to Megan and sit next to her.
"Ok what happened" she asks
"I'm grounded" I say
"Why" she asks
"I forgot to do chores" I say
"Awe you poor poor baby" Casey says
"Shut it Rotenberger" I say
"Nah. It's not Rotenberger. It's stamper. Been that way for a year now. Since The first Christmas here" Casey says
"She's right" Joey says
"Thanks Joe you're not helping" I say
"That's what I'm here for." He says
I just laugh.
"No he's serious. That's his part time job. But he won't tell who hired him. That information is confidential" Nicole says
"Yeah. He leaves at random moments and then comes back 5 minutes to 5 hours later and sometimes he's on the news. He even has his own tv show" Megan says
"He was close to being the fifth richest man in the earth but donated over half of his money to charity and lives a normal but double life. He's really famous. He even has a Twitter." Chad says
"What is it" I ask
"@thats_what_im_here_for" Jewel says
I pull my phone out and look it up. I find it and there's pictures of Joey and different comments.
"Wow ok. Didn't know about it. Sorry joe" I say
"Gotcha" they all yell
"What" I ask
"Well you see people use the line you used on Joey a lot so we all came with a back up/come back story for him. We then decided to make a Twitter and actual post stuff and everything. There are support pages and fan pages for it now" Fallon says
"Oh wow" I say
"Dylan Alan is going to be here soon to pick you up" Caleb says
At that moment Alan walks through the door and looks at me.
"Antonio Dylan Powell you are so grounded. No phone. No tv and no hanging with these peeps for a week. You're lucky I don't send you back to Pennsylvania" Alan says
"What else did I do wrong" I ask
"We'll talk about it later" Alan says
I stand up and give Megan a quick hug then walk over to Alan. Caleb gives Alan my phone and we leave.
*Megan POV*
"Well I was gonna say lets go on a triple date but now that can't happen" Luke says
"You can go on quadruple date. Tyler and Brian have girlfriends" I say
"But the point was for you and Dylan to come with" Liam says
"I'm fine you guys go." I say
"Ok. You all ready" Brian asks
They all get up and leave. I go up to my room and take out my sketch pad and pencil. I go on to Spotify on my phone and play my Disney playlist. A few minutes later there's a knock on the door.
"Who is it" I ask
"Your big brother" Joey says
"Come in" I say
He comes in and sits beside me on my bed.
"Whatcha doing here by yourself" he asks
"Doodling" I say
"What are you doodling" he asks
"Words" I say
"Can I see" he asks
"No" I say
"Come on why not" he asks
"I'm not done with it" I say
"Do you have any others" he asks
"Yes" I say
"Can I see them" he asks
(All the doodles are ones I drew. Some are attached to the chapter.)
I grab my art bag and pull out my two folders. I give him the one and he looks through it.
"These aren't doodles" he says
"Oops those are my flowers. Wrong folder" I say
"They're really good" he says
"Thanks" I say
He grabs my other folder and looks though it.
"Wow a lot of tv shows" he says
"Hey I like those shows. I don't really watch anything else on tv" I say
"Ok ok now let me see some sketches in you sketchbook" he says
I flip through it till I find the doodles. I find them and show them to Joey.
"Wow really our names" he asks
"I get bored and just let my mind tell my hand what to do" I say
"Ok ok come on we're going for lunch. And yes you have to eat because you didn't eat breakfast" Joey says
"No I don't wanna" I say
"Come on Megan you have to eat" he says
I shake my head and go back to doodling.
*Joey POV*
I grab her sketch book and place it on her bed I grab the pencil from her and put it down as well. I pick her up and carry her downstairs.
"Joey put me down" she says
"No. You have to eat" I say
"Come on Megan you have to eat" Chad says
"Let's go Joe bring Megan with" Jewel says
We go outside and I place Megan in the backseat of my car. Jewel and I get in front. Jewel starts the car and drives off.
"You okay back there Megan" I ask
"I'm fine Joseph" she grumbles
"Ok what's wrong" I ask
"Why do you two have to act like older siblings" she asks
"Because Megan that's how you see us. You don't see us as friends or aunt and uncle. You see us as siblings. And that's how we see you and the other two girls. But they don't realize we're like older siblings. Especially Casey since Joe is her cousin" Jewel says
"Where are we going" Megan asks
"Lunch" jewel says
"No guys don't make me eat please" megan says
Jewel pulls the car over and gets out. She goes over to Megan's door and opens it.
"Why don't you want to eat" jewel asks
"I can't say" Megan mumbles
"Calisia Megan Graham why won't you eat" I say sternly
"Here" she says
She gives me her phone and I look at it. I read it then give it to Jewel.
"Hun don't believe that stuff. You are beautiful and skinny. You have a great relationship and you have a strong Faith. Most of these are because of jealousy. You have friends, family, siblings, a boyfriend, Jesus. There's nothing else you need. Please don't starve yourself. You need to eat. You need to smile. I love seeing you smile. You have a beautiful smile." Jewel says
I get out of the car too and crouch down in front of Megan. I lift her chin so she's looking at me.
"Megan let me see your arms." I say
She uncrosses her arms and I roll her sweatshirt sleeves up.
"When" I ask
"A couple weeks ago. I started thinking that Luke wouldn't wake up and that I got those emails and letters and I broke. I'm sorry Joey. I couldn't stop myself" she cries
"Hey look at me" I say
She shakes her head and just stares at the ground. I tilt her head up so she's looking in my eyes.
"I love you and care about you. A lot of people do and I'll remind you everyday if I have to now will you please eat" I ask
"Ok" she says
We get back in and this time I drive. I start the car and head to chick fil a. We get there and go inside. I order the food while the ladies find seats. I get the food and go over to them. I pray then we start eating.
"Thank you Joey and Jewel" Megan says
"No problem love" I say
"Ugh really Joe can't you call me something normal" Megan groans
"No because I want you to have a nickname from me all to yourself and no one else can call you that." I say
She grunts in frustration and goes back to eating.
"Babe stop frustrating the poor girl" Jewel says
"But baby she does evil things" I whine
"Yeah right. You don't know what I can do then" jewel says
"Let me guess something happened when you ladies had your sleepover" I ask
"We only prank called the boys. Then they prank called us and silly stringed us and sprayed us with water guns" Megan complains
"You poor baby. We should get you home so you can take a nap" I say
"Ok" Megan yawns
I laugh but we stand up and throw out trash out. We go to the car and get in. I start the car and head to Chad's. By the time I get there Megan I fast asleep. We get out and I pick Megan up. We go inside and I take her upstairs. I lay her down in bed and go downstairs. I join the others in the living room where they're watching Frozen. By the time it's over the others return.
"Nicole Casey can I talk with you both" I ask
They get up and follow me outback.
"What's up Joey" Casey asks
"Why are you wearing a sweatshirt in 65 degree weather" I ask
"We're cold" Nicole says
"Really because you're wearing shorts" I say
"It's nothing Joe" Casey says
"Come on girls what's the matter" I ask
"Our lives are falling apart" Casey cries
"You guys would always ask if we were ok and we would deny it. You would double check and we would just push you away" Nicole cries
I pull them in a hug and they cry into my shirt. After about ten minutes they stop crying and pull away. I roll their sleeves up to reveal the truths.
"We broke Joey. We couldn't take it anymore. Between everything happening with Megan's family to our own family's we couldn't deal with everything" Nicole says
"It's okay girls. We still love you. We will always love you. Those scars are showing that you are winning. God is working along side of you. He is helping you conquer the devil." I say
"Please help us Joe" Casey says crying again
"I will but you have to come to me. You have to tell me what's wrong. We all want to help you but you have to come to us" I say
"Ok" they say
I wrap them in another hug as they cry. They finish crying and I wipe away the stray tears.
"Let's go back inside" I say
They nod their heads and we go in.
"You three okay" Chad asks
"Yeah" I say
"You girls can go up to Megan's room if you want to sleep" I whisper
They nod and go upstairs. I go and sit down on the floor in front of Jewel's feet.
"You ok baby" Jewel asks
"Yeah" I say
"Are our sisters ok" Tyler and Brian ask
"They'll be fine. They're just struggling" I say
Luke walks in from out front looking mad and sits down.
"What's wrong Luke. Who was on the phone" Caleb asks
"My mom. Apparently she's now allowed visitors and her and my grandma want to see us kids" Luke says
"No no old mommy me don't like her" Nick yells
Fallon takes Nick down to the play room and Kelsey and Jewel follow taking Owen with them.
"What do we do" Liam asks
Luke stands up and starts pacing.
"Luke calm down" Caleb says
He keeps pacing and starts clenching his fists.
"Lucas Cody Grimm sit down" Caleb says
Luke sits down and relaxes.
"We will talk to Megan and see what she wants to do. We will not let Owen and Nick go with though" Chad says
"Ok. But what if Megan doesn't want to go" Luke asks
"I'll go with if that makes her go" I say
"Chad get down here" Fallon yells
Chad gets up and goes down to the basement. Like and Liam go to follow but Caleb and I stop them.
"Let Chad deal with it." I say
*Chad POV*
I get down to the basement to see the ladies on the couches and Owen on the ground playing with toys. I look around and see Nick in the game room throwing things stomping around. I go over to him and pick him up. He starts punching my arms
"Joey get down here" I yell
I hear footsteps and then Joey appears.
"Hold his hands" I say
Joey takes his hands and make sure Nick is looking in my eyes.
"Let me go daddy" he yells
"No bud I can't. Look at me" I say
He shakes his and starts squirming.
"Nicholas Graham stop squirming and look at me" I scold
He stops and looks me in the eye.
"You don't have to go and see her buddy. We aren't going to make you. You can stay here with mommy and Owen ok" I say
"Ok daddy. I'm sorry" he says
"It's fine. Now go watch the movie with mommy your brother and aunts" I say
"Ok" he says
I set him down and he runs off and Fallon comes over to me. Joey goes upstairs and I hug Fallon.
"You ok" I ask
"Yea. It was just scaring me" she says
"Ok" I say
I kiss her forehead and she rolls up the sleeve of my t shirt and gasps.
"What" I ask
I look at my arm and see a big bruise.
"That must've been from Nick punching me before Joey grabbed his hands." I say
She rolls up the other sleeve and there's a bruise there also.
"Do they hurt" Fallon asks
"Eh a little" I say
"Go ice them" Jewel says
"Yes ma'am" I say
I go upstairs to the kitchen and grab two ice packs. I tie them to my arms using towels and go to the living room with the others.
"Hey we're gonna head out" Hope says
We say bye and her and Faith leave.
"What's with the ice" Spencer asks
"Bruises from Nick" I say
I move one of the ice packs to reveal the bruise.
"Ooh he got you good." Caleb says
"It could've been worse if Joey hadn't come downstairs" I say
After a few hours the three girls come downstairs.
"You girls sleep well" I ask
"Yeah" Nicole says
"What happened to you Chad" Casey asks
"Nick was having a breakdown and started punching my arms while I was holding him" I say
"Where is he" Megan asks
"Downstairs watching tv but it's fine. He had a good reason for doing it." I say
"What reason" Casey asks
"Um Megan you might want to sit down." Spencer says
The girls sit down and I go sit in the ground next to Megan.
"Megan mom called me. She wants us to visit her and grandma in jail" Luke says cautiously
"Um when" Megan asks
"Tomorrow" Liam says
"I can't go. I don't want to go." She says
"Megan" I say
"No Chad. Don't make me go. Please please don't" Megan says
"Megan what if I went with" Joey asks
"You'd do that" Megan asks
"Of course. I think you need to see them" Joey says
"Ok" Megan says
"Well I'm ready to head out. Are you guys ready" Spencer asks
"Yeah" Nicole says
They leave and then Liam does.
"Kelsey let's go" Caleb yells
The Grimm's leave and then the Stamper's. Fallon makes dinner and after we eat we go to bed. I lay down in bed and drift off to sleep.