Quiet vs. Loud

Painting and Party

Rayne's POV

The next week was completely hectic.  Riker and the band had practice every night, and during the day they either had interviews or they were in the studio working on their next album. Jackson and I spent our days working with Riley.  Mom and Evan were working every day, but that was nothing new.  Then, on Wednesday of that week, Jayce got sick.  He started off that morning with a headache and sore throat, but by the time Mom got home that evening, he couldn't even get out of bed.  I had tried to give him food and drink all during the day, but he could not hold anything down and he had a slight fever.  Mom and I spent that night and the entire next day taking care of Jayce.  I wanted to make sure that he was better in time for Jackson's party that weekend.  Finally, Friday around lunch time, Jayce was able to eat some chicken broth and not get sick.  So I knew he was getting better.

Friday morning, all of the new bedroom furniture was delivered and was being stored over in the Lynchs' garage.  Mark and Stormie had come over that morning to help with the deliveries, and they suggested storing everything at their house, that way we could put our old furniture in our garage.  Then after the painting was done, we could bring the stuff from their house.  That night, me and my brothers all spent the night at the Lynchs' house, since our beds had been taken down.  It felt great to finally see Riker.  As soon as I saw him, I ran up to him.  He wrapped his arms around me and lifted and swung me around.  "I have missed you so much this week" he said as he hugged me.  "You don't know how many times I sat in my window and stared out at your house, just wishing I could see you.  But by the time I was looking out, your light was off so I knew you were asleep."

"I wish I would have known you were there." I told him as I put my head on his shoulder.  "I would have come to the window to talk."  "Honestly, by the time I was at the window, it was really late." Riker said as he led me to the couch and pulled me down in his lap.  "And I know you needed your sleep."

Since we had to get up early in the morning, we didn't stay up too late once we got to Riker's house.  So after we ate dinner and cleaned up the trash, we all went down to the basement and got in our sleeping bags.  We all talked for a few minutes, then one by one we all fell asleep.

The next morning, Stormie and Mom came down and woke us all up.  Evan and Mark were already at our house taking the furniture out of Mom and Evan's room.  We went upstairs and saw that Mom and Stormie had made muffins, breakfast burritos, and iced coffee for breakfast.  "Oh my gosh Mom and Stormie" I said when I saw the breakfast choices.  "Thank you guys for all of this."  "Yeah mom" Riker added from right behind me "We would have been happy with just cereal or toast."  "Speak for yourself Riker" Rocky commented as he came in the kitchen.  "I was looking forward to a full sit down breakfast."  "Well Rocky" Stormie said as she put her arm around him "you can sit down and eat what's here.  But if you behave and be a good boy, I will make you mac and cheese for lunch today."  At the mention of mac and cheese, Rocky broke into a huge smile.  Stormie just laughed and kissed him on the top of the head.  Then she and Mom headed over to our house to make sure everything was ready for the painting.  We all promised to be over as soon as we had cleaned up from breakfast.

After we had all fixed our plates, we gathered at the dining room table.  "So" Rydel started "How many rooms are we painting and how are we going to divide to paint them?"  "I know we are painting my room, Jackson's room, Whit and Jayce's room and lastly the game room that is connected to Whit and Jayce's room.  As far as splitting up, I hadn't thought about that yet."  The whole time we had been talking, I had been signing everything so Jackson would not be left out.  Jackson looked at me and signed "Do you think Riker would help me with my room?"  When I translated, Riker just looked at me, then looked at Jackson.  "Are you sure you want me to help you?"  "Yeah" Jackson replied.  "I have an idea for something and I need your help."  "OK" Riker said.  "I guess I am helping Jackson.  "I'll help Rayne" Rydel said quickly.  Whit spoke up and said that he wanted Ross and Ryland to help in his and Jayce's room, so that left Rocky and Ratliff to help Jayce with the game room.  So we cleaned up the breakfast trash and headed over to my house.