A NEW Beginning - Book 2

Chapter 7- Day 1 - Curtis

I hit send on my last email for the day, triple checked my to-do list and shut down the computer. I collected the files in my tray and turned to sort them into the cabinet behind me. I made sure everything was in line, before I picked up my bag, making sure the package was tucked in there securely, and headed out of the room.

I walked down the hall towards Shiros' office, saying goodbye to the people I saw along the way.

I put my head around his door before walking in. 'I'm going to be forever!" he mouthed, rolling his eyes, "Love you, see you at home!'"

I laughed, and tiptoed across the room, kissing him on the cheek before writing him a quick note.

You still good for dinner?

He nodded to me as his eyebrows furrowed, "Yes, I understand that, Baujal, but trust me, Slav is the most experienced in this area. I know he has his," he paused to give me an amused look, "eccentricities, but if we want to get this done, we are just going to have to do the best we can to accommodate him."

"I'll leave you to it," I whispered, kissed him on the cheek one more time for good measure, then, chuckling, I walked quietly from the room, and made my way towards the parking lot.

I slid into the driver seat, quietly thankful that Shiro had to work late, and I didn't have to drive his beast home. While I would never stop him driving it into work, and I was perfectly capable, I hated having to drive his motorcycle. It was so large and powerful, and I liked the security of four wheels, and the body of the SUV protecting me.

I sat with the car running for a few minutes, waiting for the aircon to kick in before I pulled out into the hot June sun and turned on to the long, straight, desert road that would take me to the highway.

Keith would just laugh and tell me this was nothing, summer had only started, but I hated this dry heat. Home wasn't too bad, because we could open the large glass doors, and let the sea breeze sweep through the house, but out here and at the Garrison the heat was dry. I was used to a more humid heat, where you wouldn't dry out after 2 minutes of standing in the sun. After all these years, I had learned to deal with it, but it was not my preferred state. Thank goodness for AC was all I could say.

I turned up the volume and sung along loudly to Wolfmother as I made the half hour trip between Poway and Del Mar.

I stopped by the market on the way home, and grabbed what I needed for dinner, and made sure to get some more wine. If Adam, Pidge and Lex were going to be drinking together, we were going to need a lot of it.

I put all the groceries in the back of the car, and climbed back in, heading back home before I had to go pick Adam up.

***

I walked through the door into the kitchen to find Lex sitting at the counter with her work spread out in front of her. She used the time when Adam was with Lance to do further research and study on PTSD and different therapy methods to help veterans, not only to help Adam, but also Shiro and the rest of our family, and in the hope to further her study once it was time for her to move on.

"Oh, hey Curtis," she said looking up from her work, "I'll be out of your way soon."

"That's okay, hun, take as long as you like," I replied, putting the meat and wine in the fridge.

"Actually," I added, "if you weren't doing anything tonight, Shiro and I were wondering if you wanted to stay for dinner? We're going to ask Keith, Lance and Pidge too. And you're welcome to stay in the spare room."

"Oh!" she said, a look of surprise on her face, "Yeah, that actually would be cool! Is there an occasion?"

"We just noticed everyone has been pretty stressed lately, it might be nice to have an evening to just catch our breaths, you know?"

"Oh yeah, I definitely get that," she sighed.

"Everything okay?"

"Scott's being a dick, as per usual. When I actually see him, its constant arguments. He's always on his phone when we're together," she picked up her phone and slammed it down again, "but he never messages me anymore. I know I work a lot, but he's always out with his friends anyway, and yells at me when I'm not at his beck and call. I think we're finally over. I'm ready to move on."

"I'm glad you've realised that," I replied, "He was never good for you." I hated the guy, we all did. There had been so many times that I, Adam, Shiro or even Pidge had comforted her while she ranted about Scott. He never gave her the attention she deserved, and the attention he did give her was all negative. He was always putting her down, and insulting her, then trying to make it right by buying her gifts and showering her with 'I love you baby,'s, then turning right back around with an 'I'm the only one that will ever love you.'

"Do you actually mind if I stay a couple of days?" she asked, hanging her head. "I promise I'll be out before everyone comes to town! I just think I need to give this some time to settle."

"Stay as long as you like, sweetheart. We haven't got anyone staying here, we thought that would be best for Adam, so the spare room is yours for as long as you need it!" I walked around the bench and lay my arm across her shoulder. "Do you want to cancel tonight and have a quiet one instead? I haven't mentioned it to the others yet."

"That's okay, thanks Curtis, I think a night to unwind is exactly what I need," she said, getting up and starting to pack away her papers, "I might head home now and grab a few things. I'll be back soon, and then can we please, please, get stuck into that wine?"

"Sounds like a perfect idea. I'm coming with you!"

"It's okay, he's out of town, but thank you, Curtis. You need to pick Adam up anyway. He needs his meds soon." She picked up her bag and made her way to the door. "See you shortly."

"I'm keeping my phone on me, so if he's there and starts to cause a fuss, or you get into any trouble, you ring me right away!" I called after her, then I heard the door shut, without an answer. I sighed as I sat down on one of the stools.

We had offered her our spare room so many times and offered to go over there to help her get her stuff, but she just kept telling us that she loved him and that he loved her, and would never hurt her. 'He gets angry, but he's never hit me!' I had heard her say so many times, but we were in constant fear that the next time he got angry, he wouldn't be able to stop himself. And if she was threatening to leave him, or tried to leave without saying something and he caught her, I'd hate to think what he'd do.

I got my phone out of my bag and turned the volume up full ball before sliding it into my pocket. I grabbed the package I got from Gupil this morning, and my wallet and keys, and got back into the car to drive to Romelle's.

***

I walked around the side of the house and peered through the backdoor to find Romelle and Lance with a folder and papers spread out all over the counter. Lance gave me a 'help me!' look, as he opened the door, and Romelle greeted me with a bright smile.

"What are you up to there?" I asked, stepping closer.

"We're planning the triplets birthday!" she beamed.

"Oh wow!" I said, looking over the mess of papers, and picking up one that was an advertisement for a group that performed aerial silks. "Look, Loverboy Lance!" I laughed, "It's you!" I had heard the story countless times. Pidge and the others would never let Lance live that one down.

"Gimme that!" he said, snatching it, and throwing it straight in the bin.

"Hey! That was one of Coran's favourites!" Romelle complained.

"Well, nobody can do it as good as me, so I'm saving everyone the disappointment!"

Romelle and I laughed, while Lance blushed a bright red.

"Where are the others?" I asked, looking into the lounge room.

"Keith took Adam over to our house a little while ago," Lance said and started walking towards the door. "They're up to something! I'll walk you over!"

"Hang back, Lance, I need to talk to you first."

"Okay?" he replied, raising one eyebrow.

"I was hoping you could help me. I've got Shiro a wedding present, and I need somewhere to hide it for the time being. I can't trust Adam."

"Oh! Can we see!" asked Romelle.

"I want him to see it first," I replied, and she pouted, "And it's all wrapped up nicely anyway."

"No can do, sorry Curtis," Lance said, "You know Keith tells Shiro everything, and I don't know if I can keep it from him."

"That's okay, Lance." I replied, trying not to get too disappointed, "I hadn't thought of that. I'll think of something else."

"You could always keep it here?" Romelle piped up, "I promise I won't peak, and I'll keep it away from the kids, and Coran, or anyone else who might not be able to keep their hands to themselves?"

"Okay, thanks Rom," I replied, handing her the package.

Just then there was a loud cry from upstairs and both Romelle and Lance glanced towards the ceiling.

"Do you mind checking on them, Lance, while I clean this up? I'll be up in a minute to give you a hand."

"No problem Rom!" Lance replied. He was halfway to the stairs before she had even finished talking. He really loved those kids.

"Okay," she whispered, as she turned to me, "Go, go, go! Under no circumstances can Lance go over there right now! Keith's showing Adam the birthday present he's been making him."

"Oh!" I replied, walking towards the door, "say no more! I'll be back soon."

I walked through the big glass door, and across the yard. I swung the gate open and made my way up to Keith and Lances back porch.

"Adam? Keith? Are you here?" I called as I slid the door open. Of course it wasn't locked. Shiro and I had warned them so many times, if not for their safety, then for Pidge's. She often got lost in whatever she was doing, and wouldn't hear a stampede of elephants if she was immersed, anyone could sneak up on her.

"In Keith's studio, Sunshine!" Adam called back.

"Okay, coming!" I said, pulling the door shut behind me, and made my way to find them.

A/n: I don't know if anyone's even here anymore, so if you are, leave a comment, otherwise this is the second to last chapter I'm posting here. If you want to continue reading this story, find me as letmebelex on AO3