Raising Kamden

Chapter 4: Calm Before the Storm

It is a new day in the Dixon household. Baby Kamden is fast asleep in the new crib that Anna has bought her. It has been a couple of days since the incident at the mall. With a lot of hard work, Nolan, Amos, and Anna (with a bit of help from Azai) managed to finish up Kammy's nursery. Anna also helped Nolan get his room all fixed up.

It surely confused Nolan that Anna was getting them all settled in as if they would live there for a long time. He thought that he should probably get another job soon and save up to move out.

However, Nolan can't deny the feeling he gets when he is with Anna. Ever since the mall incident, Nolan would get nervous and blush around Anna. Her kindness is touching and the way she treats Kamden like she is her blood child was sweet. Not to mention Anna is showing that she is interested in him. It may not be the only grounds justifying falling for her, but it something to go off of.

Coming from our little summary of the state of affairs right now, we move to Nolan and Anna, who are hanging out near the near Olympic size swimming pool that the Dixon's own. Azai and Amos are playing with water shooters will Nolan and Anna relax on the lounge chairs near the pool. Well, Anna is relaxing, Nolan is searching for jobs on his phone so he can start paying off the Dixon's. At least he is grateful.

Bertie makes his way out with a tray of drinks and snacks for the group. Everyone says their thanks as Bertie holds the tray to his chest.

"Anna, someone has come to see you," Bertie announces. Anna sits up in her chair and faces Bertie. She wasn't expecting anyone today. Surely, not Brexley since their fight at the mall (it is not like she is close to other people). So who could it be?

"Who is it?" Anna asks and she takes a sip of her slushie lemonade. Sweet, tangy, and refreshing. Perfect for the sunny and warm weather they are having.

"Mr. Cainen Black," Bertie answers back. Anna and Nolan glance at each other then back at Bertie who stands there with an emotionless face.

Anna nor Nolan expected Cainen's visit. It is not it was weird for him to know where Anna lives. Since he along with Brexley and Xander comes over to her house to hang out. However, this doesn't mean his visit is called for.

"You can let him in," Anna says before lying back in her lounge chair. Nolan just returns to his job hunting. After the encounter at the mall, Nolan can tell that Cainen is not an enemy.

Cainen makes his way to the pool after Bertie lets him into the Dixon household. He takes in the surroundings of the big house that he has been in before. He still can't believe that people can have a house this big. Maybe it is because he lived in a townhouse most of his life. Once he got outside, he says his hellos to the group and sit in an empty lounge chair next to Nolan.

Anna takes a sip of her slushie lemonade before asking," So Cainen, what brings you here today? Not like I hate having you here, but it is a surprise visit."

Cainen smiles at her, "I thought about what happened at the mall the other day and came to tell you guys I am on your side."

Nolan and Anna glance at each other before looking back over to Cainen sitting on the lounge chair.

"You are on our side?" Nolan hesitantly asks. Cainen nods and gets up to stand closer to Nolan.

He puts an arm on Nolan's shoulder, "Brex and Xander are a little crazy about this popularity thing. It is kind of stifling me as well. Also, you guys are doing well together so I don't see why popularity should pull you guys apart."

Anna puts down her drink on a side table, gets up out of her chair, and walks over to Cainen and Nolan. She sighs relief, "Thank you Cainen. This has been kind of stressful because of this popularity thing. So it is good to know we have an ally. "

"No problem Anna. I was just thinking about it and since I have time, I thought I should come over and tell you." Cainen explains as he moves his hand from Nolan's shoulder.

Nolan doesn't say anything, however, he grows a small smile on his face. To know that these nice people are willing to help him out. Even so, he is growing a small family that when he was younger, he would dream of having.

Bertie comes out holding an awoken Kamden. She has just got up from her nap. "Mr. Foster, Kammy is awake from her nap. Would you like me to feed her now?" He asks. Kamden held her head in Bertie's chest, trying to hide from the bright sunlight.

"Yeah. You could give her a bottle." Nolan says.

Cainen turns to look at Kamden and then Nolan. He saw that baby at the mall with Anna and Nolan the other day. It was weird to him that she would be with Nolan right now at Anna's house.

"Hey, isn't she the baby from the mall? What is your little sister doing here?" Cainen questions. It was a valid question, I say. Nolan and Anna glance at each other then back Cainen.

Nolan scratches the back of his head, "Well, she is technically not my little sister."

"What do you mean?" Cainen can see that Anna and Nolan have a bit of a weird secret to share and boy it is weird. We already know it.

While Anna and Nolan explain Kammy's relations to them, at around the same time, Xander Cooper is plotting something in his room. He is plotting a way to split Anna and Nolan apart. Yeah, it has gotten this far and Xander is acting very petty. Fortunately for him (and unfortunately for Nolan and Anna), he has a little sister that might be able to help him.

Xaelah Cooper is Xander's 16-year-old little sister. Yeah, I know, their names, both start with the letter X. Xaelah aspires to be a famous playwright and with this dream, she practices writing plays. Also, a thing to note is that Anna used to be an actress in middle school. Xaelah looks up to Anna and wishes for her to play the main lead in one of her plays. She always expressed this to Xander, but he never cared about it, until now. It is such a twisted way to use your sister, but that is how Xander is.

As for his plan, Xander will get Xaelah to write a play similar to his current situation, but Anna would want to be with him instead. Then he will have Anna act it out with him and Xaelah will record it (probably so she can have it to admire later) and use the footage to get rid of Nolan. Sick, I know.

Xander makes his way into Xaelah's room to get her to make the script. While he won't tell her the details of the plan, he will get her help. He is tricking his sister as well.

Xaelah is in her room working on another script for her school's drama club. Fortunately for her, the school allows Xaelah to cultivate her skills. Even though she was a bit annoyed by her brother's barging in her room without knocking, she was ecstatic to hear that he will finally answer her prayers to get Anna to act in her plays. Only on the condition, it is a love story where he can play the main lead. Xaelah agrees in a heartbeat. Fortunately for Xander, this works in his favor, but for Nolan not so much.