Home (Sciles AU)

Chapter 8

Stiles POV

The rest of the day at Scott's house passes by in a flash, it seems. Everyone was happy. Claudia and I probably stayed later than we intended. Scott offered us to stay the night, considering I already had a couple of drinks (there he goes worrying about me again), but I politely declined and told him that we would be fine to go home. Scott said it wouldn't be a bother if we stayed, but I still felt like we were intruding. I mean, Scott and I have only just started to be friends and talk with each other again after 10 years of no contact. Jason tried to plead with me to let Claudia stay longer and even pulled me over to the spare bedroom where Claudia and I could sleep. As endearing as the whole thing was, I still had to say no. It broke my heart to see how devastated both Claudia and James were, but it was also cute to see how good friends they have become. They really do remind me of Scott and I when we were little. In fact, we were probably no older than them when we met, we were probably younger. I will have to try and tell Claudia to never let Jason go, to not make the same mistake that I did. It really was a horrible mistake of mine to let Scott slip through my fingers. Actually, it was probably one of the worst decisions of my life. At least everything is starting to fall into place now.

The next few weeks also seem to go by quickly, and the world seems just a little bit lighter. Scott and I catch up more and more now. Sometimes, it'll be at each other's houses where Jason and Claudia can play together while Scott catch up with each other and find out other things that we have missed in each other's lives. There is a lot of laughing and joking and sometimes even shouting and shoving. It's just like it was back in high school and I couldn't be happier. The first time I saw Scott at the school after not seeing him in what felt like forever was really awkward, but we have already come along way from that, which I'm glad about. Sometimes, it feels like centuries have passed between us, and other times, it feels like no time at all. I really am glad that Scott entered my life again, by some lucky miracle. I think Scott is glad that I'm back in his life too. It's really sweet to see that our kids are friends also. It makes this whole situation easier for the both of us.

On this particular Tuesday afternoon, I'm cleaning up the house a bit. It's almost time to pick Claudia up from school, but I organized with Lydia that she will pick Claudia up from school today so they have some time hang out with each other. Lydia usually picks her up at least one day a week and takes Claudia back to her and Jordan's house for a couple hours. It makes sense, since she is Claudia's biological mother and all. Lydia doesn't interfere with Claudia's life or interrupt it, but she is still a big part of it, which I am very happy about. According to the paperwork, I have full custody over Claudia and that Lydia isn't an officially legally recognized parent for Claudia. It's what both Lydia and I decided on. Lydia was helping James and I make our own family and she knew that. Things have obviously changed a bit, since James is out of the picture, but of course Lydia will always love Claudia with all her heart, just as she will with her inevitable children with Jordan. It'll happen eventually, I know it. Anyway, I am very grateful for everything that Lydia has done for me over the years. She has done so much for me and I don't think I will ever be able to repay her. I'm glad that Claudia loves and adores Lydia and Jordan as well. It's good because Lydia and Jordan probably look after Claudia the most when I'm busy as well, and sometimes when I'm not busy, but just want to look after her. Everything works perfectly.

I'm pulled out of my thoughts when I hear furious knocking at the door, which almost makes me jump out of my skin, my heart hammering against my chest. Who the hell could that be? I know it can't be Lydia and Claudia. Lydia isn't due to drop Claudia home for hours yet. I know that my dad is at work, as are Jordan and Isaac. I'm not sure if Scott is working today or even if he possibly got off early, but he would at least be going to pick up Jason from school right now, so he can't be at the door either. I don't really know who else would come to visit me, especially at this time of the day. I start to feel nervous, but I don't really know why. I try to gulp down my nerves as I place down the cloth and window cleaner bottle and head for the front door. I almost jump again when the person knocks loudly on the door again. Whoever it is sounds very impatient.