The Arrangement

17

Lili
I got up and took Dakota outside. There was paparazzi surrounding the house. Dakota growls and they back up some. I hear the cameras snapping and the lights flashing as I walk back inside. I close the door after Dakota and lock the door.

"There is a lot of paparazzi outside." I sigh. I stir the food and Cole wraps his arms around me. "We can have a movie day." he kisses my shoulder and I plate the food. There was a knock on the door and Cole let go of me. Dakota sat by my feet and watched the doorway.

Dylan, mom, Tess, Cami, KJ, Cole, and Bree stepped into the kitchen. "Are they gone?" I ask. "Most of them." he nods. "How are you feeling?" Cami hugs me. "I'm good." I smile. "It smells really good." Kj says. "Is that all you think about?" Cami asks. "Not all the time." he shrugs and I giggle. Dylan hugs me and helps Cole set the table.

"How's Chloe doing in college?" I ask. "Good. She's ready to come home." Mom says and I nod. My phone starts ringing and I step into the living room.

L: hello?
?: Hey. It's Jordan. There is a movie producer who wants you to do the FX make up.
L: when?
J: in 2 months.
L: I'll think about it and get back to you.
J: of course. Bye.
L: Bye.

I hung up and went back to the kitchen. "Who was that?" Dylan asks. "Jordan." I reply. "Who's Jordan?" he asks and I smirk. "Nobody in particular." I shrug. "Is he your side dish?" Bree asks, "are you cheating?" she stares at me in disgust and I laugh. "One. That is just disgusting. Two. He is gay. Three. He is my producer." I calm down and eat some of my food. They raise there eyebrows at me. "I thought Leo was your producer." Dylan says. "He got fired." I state.

"Do tell." he leans back in his chair. "You know I hate doing interviews and he went behind my back and scheduled one anyways. I told him he was fired and he told me that I couldn't do that. Jordan is my new producer. Very sweet. You two would make a great couple." I say and he glares at me. "Why would you say that?" Bree sputters. "What did Jordan want?" Mom intervenes. "He said that a movie producer wants me to do FX makeup in 2 months. I don't know if I'm going to do it or not." I shrug.

"I think you should." Cole says. "It's be great to do something, but I like my sleep." I sigh. Dakota goes to the living room. I furrow my eyebrows and watch him. "I think his leg is hurting him." Tess says quietly. "Probably." I lean back in my chair. "I thought his leg was better." Cami says. "I honestly don't know. One day it's fine and the next he can't put weight on it." I shrug.

I stand and put my plate in the sink. I look through the medicine cabinet and grab his pain pills. I get some cheese and put the pill in the cheese. "Do you want me to do it?" Tess asks and Cole shakes his head at her. I giggle and shake my head. "He doesn't like anyone sticking their fingers in his mouth and will bite." I say. "Yet he doesn't bite you." Cole states. "I give him food. He likes food." I retort. "Touché." he says.

We go into the living room and Dakota was laying on the couch. I sit next to him and rub his head. He looks up at me and I could see the pain in his eyes. I hold the cheese to him and he smells it before eating it. I move his head and sit down, putting his head on my lap. He whimpers and nudges my hand. I gently move his leg onto my lap and rub slowly circles on it. Cami sits next to him and rubs his side.

"I hate it when he feels bad." she says. "Me too." I say quietly. "Maybe you should take him to the vet and see why his leg is still the same." Kj suggests. "I don't know." I sigh, "he said it would take time for his leg to get better." "And that was what? A month ago?" Kj retorts.

I take Dakota outside and some paparazzi surround me. Dakota growls and barks, but they don't leave. "Ms. Reinhart, is it true that you were in a crash that caused you to have a miscarriage?" one asks. "No comment." I answer. "Is it true that you are married to Cole Sprouse?" another asks. "No comment." I take Dakota back inside and lock the door. I take his leash off and sit on the couch.

"You ok?" I hear, but don't look up. "Lili?" they sit next to me and I stand quickly. "I'm fine." I whisper and go to my room. I change into some shorts and a shirt. I help Dakota into the bed and he lays with his head on the pillow. I stroke his head and go to the bathroom. I brush my teeth and wash my face.

"Hey Lili?" I hear and step out of the bathroom. "Yea?" I ask and look up to see them in my room. "What did the paparazzi say to you?" Mom asks and I sigh. "They were asking about the car accident and the miscarriage." I answer. I sit on the bed and rub Dakota's side. "Don't let them get to you." she says softly.

Cole
I pass by Lili's room and heard her talking to Amy. "It's so hard mom." I could tell she was close to crying. "I know honey." Amy replies. "I was so excited to have the twins, and now they are gone. It's all I can think about, that it was all my fault." she sobs. "It's not your fault!" Amy says sternly. "It is mom. If I wouldn't have left, they would still be alive. It's my fault!" she sniffles. "Get some rest honey. You need it." Amy says softly and opens the door.

She closes it and looks over at me. "She blames herself." I state and she nods, "she needs a distraction." "That she does, but I doubt she will leave the house." she sighs. "I'll talk to her." I say and she heads to the living room. I open the door slowly and step inside.

I sit next to her, leaning against the headboard and pull her on top of me. She cries into my chest and I stroke her hair. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." she sobs. "Shhh. It's ok. It's not your fault." I whisper and she shakes her head. "It is! They would still be alive if I didn't leave!" she cries. I run her back and a sob wracks her body. "We can always try again. Things happen and they weren't meant to be born right now." I say softly and she sniffles.

"I don't know how you don't hate me." she whispers. "I don't hate you Lili. You are so special, but you choose not to see it. You are going to be an amazing mother when we have a baby. We don't have to rush into having kids right now. Just let everything settle." I say and she nods, resting her head on my chest. "It's probably for the best. I don't think we could handle twins right now." she smiles up at me and I kiss her head. "You are probably right." I reply.

"Get some rest. I'll be here when you wake up." I say and she nods. "Goodnight Cole." she mumbles. "Goodnight Lili." I wrap my arms protectively around her and she snuggles into me. "I love you." she murmurs before falling asleep. "I love you too. More than anything in the world." I whisper.