Moonlight

Part 20

October, 12, 2011 LA

Stevie had only opened the door to her house and already knew someone was in trouble. She knew she couldn't really be angry at her children for staying up, wanting to wait for their dad to come home. Lindsey had been on tour for about six weeks and the family had only met for a few times. Normally there had never been a problem that either Stevie or Lindsey would take the kids and fly over to some of the weekend shows, but with paparazzi still lingering neither of them wanted to take that risk too often.

Shaking her head, she went inside the house, stepping right in the middle, of what appeared to be, a battle field. She had heard them long before seeing them. Yelling and running out of the living room, five kids rushed by her into the direction of the kitchen, not even noticing her. Looking after them, she saw Kristen coming out of the kitchen, yelling, trying to make them slow and calm down when they already had to stay up all night.

“Hi.” Stevie laughed, greeting Kristen with a hug that was returned. “Why did I just count five?” She asked, raising her eyebrows. “I'd understand three, even four, but five?”

“Kathy.” Kristen explained.

“Oh, yeah...” Stevie nodded her head. “Stop wait.”

“Will said you knew she'd be here.” Kristen held her hands up in defend.

“He said...” Taking a deep breath, remembering how her son had phrased it, she called for him. “William Gregory Buckingham, living room right now.”

Stevie made her way into the living room, motioning for Kristen to follow her, and then waited for Will to come in. Still being followed by his girlfriend, sisters and Kristen's daughter Lola, he came back into the room, much slower now.

“Hey mom.” He said.

“Hi you all.” Stevie greeted them all, before turning to the four girls. “You, out for now.”

The tone of Stevie's voice let all the girls know they were in trouble as well.

“You are one clever, little rule breaker.” Stevie began.

“It's not rule breaking when you said yes, mom.” Will argued. “I asked if Kathy can come over when dad's over, and he should be here soon.”

“I know what you asked.” She shook her head at her son, thinking how he was turning out to be more and more like Lindsey. “I know exactly what you asked me. Why do you think I said you're one clever rule breaker? You knew exactly I would say no if you had asked me if she could stay here tonight.”

“Lola's here, so I thought...”

“Maybe she’s here because her mother is here.” Stevie argued.

“Yeah, that's why I thought you wouldn't really mind.” Will shrugged his shoulders. “Kris is here so...”

“And I'm actually right here.” Kristen laughed, knowing now why Stevie had wanted her to follow.

She had known nearly as early as Stevie and Lindsey about the drama and rule bending tendencies of the three kids. Kristen had learned the hard way that while not fighting against the others, the three were trouble if they wanted to be.

“William, we have some rules, and we have them for a reason.” Stevie began again, before Will could reply. “And one of the rules is no sleep over during the week and especially no when neither your father nor I are here, to make sure your three actually get your behinds into bed at time.”

“But...” He protested.

“But since you asked me, and I agreed to Kathy staying here, there will be no consequences.” Her voice was stern. “This time.”