What Took So Long--completed

Adjusting

  As soon as K.C figured out Brantley and Jana were hanging around the house all day, K.C made the excuse of going shopping for clothes and maybe a truck. When Pam offered to go, she smiled sweetly and said she needed some alone time. Now, here the redhead was walking aimlessly around the mall in Athens with a couple of bags in her hand. She was feeling restless and decided to leave and shop around a few car dealerships, not really seeing anything that caught her eye. She wasn't rich, but she had saved up quite a bit since she stayed gone. a place and a vehicle were her first priorities, she'd worry more about a job once she got those. Looking at the clock on the dash, it read 6:45, which meant Pam would have dinner done soon so she decided to head back and hope the couple was gone.

   Pulling back into the yard a little after 7, she grabbed her bags and hopped out, sighing when she noticed Brantleys truck was still in the yard. Walking in, She could hear Pam and Jana talking wedding stuff in the kitchen, which meant Dereck and Brantley were more than likely outside since she didn't hear the tv. Heading up to her room, she tossed the bags on The bed along with herself. 'So this is what it was like being home, boring as fuck.' Adjusting back into civilian life was gonna be a bit harder than she thought, maybe tomorrow she'd busy herself with Dereck, he was always tinkering with something. Busying herself with hanging her new clothes up, she heard a soft knock on the door. "Yep." It slowly opened, the bill of Brantley's hat popping in first. "Hey, did you have fun today?" He sat down on the bed, leaning back on his elbow. The redhead shrugged, "Not really. I just feel super restless." "Wanna go do somethin tomorrow?" She cocked her eyebrow, "I don't do third wheel B, thanks though." Closing the closet door, she grabbed a case out of her bag and sat at the desk, opening it up and revealing her pistol. The singer rolled his eyes, watching as she skillfully took the weapon apart, almost too fast. "Jana's flying out in the morning to start her movie, I don't leave for tour until next month." He couldn't help but smirk as she concentrated on the gun in front of her, knowing she heard him none the less. "I guess." Truth was, she almost wanted to stay away from her childhood friend so old feelings would stop coming up, but she knew as long as she was living with his parents, that would be too damn hard. Brantley loved his mom and dad and when he was home, he spent most of his days with them, and spoke to them twice a day while on tour or away from Georgia. "Come on, mom's got dinner done. Chicken, baked beans, corn and Mac and cheese." Her smile made his heart jump and he tried to shake it, his fiancee was downstairs. She quickly put the now clean pistol back together, laughing when Brantley had a 'what the fuck' look on his face and shoved him out the door. "Damn girl, push me down the stairs will ya?" They were both laughing while they sat down at the dinner table, Jana making sure K.C saw her kiss Brantley's cheek. The soldier rolled her eyes and looked down, "I made your plate honey." Dereck spoke, she smiled and thanked them as they all dug in, the house suddenly quiet. "Find a ride today soldier?" K.C smirked at Dereck, but shook her head. "Nah, didn't see anything I could see me riding in. I'll probably ride to Atlanta or somethin one day. Maybe we can have a girls day Momma." Pam beamed, "That'd be great baby girl. We both need it!" They chuckled. Jana might have Brantley's hand, but she had his parents hearts, which in the long run, his parents word meant everything to the man.

   Finishing up dinner, Pam made K.C and Brantley do the dishes, making Jana make a face when Brantley offered for her to help his mom put the food away. K.C knew Pam saw Jana's face but said nothing and offered to do it on her own. She had however, stayed in the kitchen and played on her phone, ignoring everyone. K.C saw that as disrespectful and rude. Pam and Brantley had tried to include her in conversation but her words were short. It had the redhead wondering what the hell Brantley was doing with this bitch. Cool my ass, if she was cool, K.C must be the queen of nerds in this opposite world. Jana's short remarks were staring to piss her off, so before she said anything, she handed Brantley the sponge and headed outside to the swing where Dereck was.

    He smirked as she plopped down with a huff, and handed her a beer while she lit her cigarette. "She's a bit snobby huh?" K.C looked at him sarcastically with wide eyes. "Nooooo, cool as can be in Brant's book." Dereck laughed, "I keep my mouth shut darling, I guess he sees something in her. I don't think it's love like he thinks it is." K.C shook her head, catching on that Dereck obviously didn't like his future daughter in law. He looked over to her, "It really is good to have you home sugar. Everything already feels a bit better. Happier. Don't get me wrong we were all happy, but we always wished you were here. You're welcome to stay as long as you want, Pam and I love you like our own K.C, and I promised your dad I'd always watch over you." She nodded, "I'm sorry I didn't let anyone know what I was doing, I just didn't need to be talked out of it. It was something I needed to do." Dereck nodded, "I understand sweetheart, there are no ill feelings for you in this house, except Jana obviously." He chuckled. Brantleys dad was probably the coolest next to her own. They had served together in the Marines for almost 15 years before Dereck opted out when Pam got pregnant with Brantley. The two stayed friends until the day her father died. They were quiet for awhile, sipping on their beers and enjoying the peace of the night. "Can I ask you somethin sir?" He eyed her when she called him sir and she smirked. "Shoot." "How did you learn to deal with your ptsd?" Dereck was quiet for a beat before looking to her, worry in his brown eyes. "It all depends on what you've been through and how you deal with it. I never really dealt with mine, just bottled it up and eventually I didn't think much of it anyway. But, that's no way to deal with it honey. When you feel it's the right time, you talk to someone and you let it all out. Trust me." He patted her knee, leaving his hand there while she nodded. "Thanks Pops. Thanks for understanding." She placed her hand over his and laid her head on his shoulder. "Your father really would be proud girl. Over the moon at what you've done for yourself. Doesn't matter about the bad. Never feel guilty about the choices you've had to make." The older man had no idea what she'd done, but she'd survived the Army and that was enough for him. The redhead nodded again, keeping silent as they swung back and forth, looking out into the night. Soon, they heard the glass door slide open and Brantley walked over, smiling lightly at the scene before him. K.C had his dad wrapped from the day she was born. He'd always been there for her and it was never a question in his mind to take the girl in when his best friend died. "Mom went on to bed, Jana and I are gonna head out, she's gotta fly out at 7 so we gotta be up at like 5:30. Dereck shook his head and both the former soldiers stood up. Hugging his dad, he looked to K.C, knowing Jana was watching. "I'll come by and pick you up when I get back. Prolly round 9 or so. That cool?" K.C nodded as he glanced over to the house and hugged her anyway. "See ya tomorrow Pop." "Y'all be safe son." With that Brantley was gone. "Aight girl, I'll see ya in the mornin. You need to talk though, don't worry about waking one of us up." He winked, knowing she wouldn't even if she did as he headed inside to his wife.