No one's more surprised then Chase Stokes when his estranged step-sister shows up on his doorstep in South Carolina. They haven't talked in almost two years, but something has caused her to quit school, leave Maryland, and take up residence on his...
"Evaline," she heard a voice calling her as she slowly opened her eyes to Rudy's smiling face.
"Hey Pretty Girl. I need you to get up. We have another surprise for you," he told her. Sighing Evaline sat up with his help, "I knew Madison was lying earlier," she grumbled.
Walking through the house to the kitchen Rudy told her to sit at the kitchen counter before disappearing outside. Heaving herself onto one of the bar stools she drummed her fingernails on the counter as she waited for him to come back.
Looking up confused when Rudy and Chase came back in together holding their phones Evaline asked them what they were doing.
"There's two people who couldn't be at the shower today, but they wanted to give you a gift," Chase told her as he sat in the stool next to her and turned his phone to show his mom on facetime while Rudy gave her his phone with his mother.
Laughing Evaline said hello to both of them, "I wasn't even expecting a shower so I completely understand that you couldn't leave Maryland or Alaska."
"How have you been feeling, Honey?" Penny asked. "I've been good," Evaline answered, "The baby is pretty active at night."
"Most nights I have to rub her stomach to get her to settle," Rudy interjected over Evaline's shoulder. "She feels the motion of you walking around and it puts her to sleep during the day," Jen told her.
"I know. I'm so afraid that means she's never going to sleep at night because her sleep schedules already messed up," Evaline told them. "It takes some work, but you can sleep train a newborn to fix that," Jen assured her.
"I'm really glad you guys called. How's everybody on your ends?" Evaline asked.
"Everyone's good here," Penny told her, "We're looking forward to the two of you visiting in November." "I'm looking forward to it too. I already went and bought a winter coat to prepare," she admitted.
"Is everybody okay in Maryland?" Evaline asked looking at the phone in Chase's hand. Smiling Jen nodded, "Everyone is okay here. Honestly, I think they're missing you, but are just to damn stubborn to admit it."
"Well you know he could call and apologize," Chase spoke up, looking at his mom. Pursing her lips Jen nodded, "I know. I've told him it's his responsibility to do so and not to expect Evaline to be the one to make the first gesture since she did nothing wrong."
"But he's a stubborn ass," Evaline said shrugging. "I married him, but yeah he's a stubborn ass," Jen agreed, "Which brings me to why Penny and I called. Since we met at your college talk we've been in contact with each other," Jen revealed.
"I didn't realize you guys stayed in touch with one another," Evaline said. "Yeah, we thought it best to get to know one another," Penny told her, winking.
"So the reason for our call is that we wanted to give you a gift for the baby. Chase you said you received the envelopes," Jen said, looking at him through the phone. Nodding Chase pulled out two envelopes and handed one to Rudy and one to Evaline.
"Penny told me how you two are going to need a crib and things for the baby in L.A. so we wanted to give you this from us to use out there to get what you need," Jen said, "Open the envelopes," she told them, laughing.
Confused Evaline glanced at Rudy before opening the envelope she held. Pulling out a check Evaline's eyes widened, "Jen, I can't," she began before being interrupted. "Yes you can. That's from your father and I and we want you to use it for the things you're going to need in L.A." Jen told her sternly.
Pressing her lips together Evaline simply nodded before looking over to Rudy who held a check in his hand too. Swallowing when he handed her the check Evaline shook her head, while it wasn't as much as her parent's it was still a substantial amount, "Penny," she began before Penny told her the same thing Jen did.
"This is our baby shower gift to you," Jen said as Evaline wiped the tears from her face. "Thank you," she whispered, "Both of you. Thank you."
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"We're going to want to see the finished nursery once you guys are back in L.A." Penny told her. Unable to speak over the emotion she was feeling Evaline covered her face with her hands and nodded.
Feeling Rudy put his arm around her she turned her face into his chest and cried. "I think you guys broke her," Chase joked. "It's alright. When she calms down tell her I'll call her tomorrow," Jen told him. "I will," Chase told her, "I'm gonna take this and go," he told Rudy jumping off the kitchen stool and leaving while still talking to his mom.
"Rudy, if you want to get going you can. I'll call you guys in a few days," Penny said, looking at the two through the phone. Pulling away from him Evaline wiped her face with her hands, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to have a complete meltdown. I'm just a little overwhelmed with the shower and then you guys doing this," she apologized.
"It's okay," Penny replied. "I don't even know how to thank you guys for your help," Evaline told her. "You just did," Penny responded, "And continuing to make my son happy is thanks enough."
"Mom," Rudy groaned. "Does she not make you happy?" Penny questioned, looking at her son. "Of course she does," he answered, rolling his eyes. "Well then don't 'mom' me," she retorted.
Laughing Evaline leaned her head against Rudy's side and listened to he and his mother talk. After hanging up with her Evaline sighed as she looked at both checks, "Did you know they were going to do this?" she asked.
"No, they just said they wanted to give us a gift. I was expecting a bottle warmer or something not $500.00 dollars," he replied, "And I certainly wasn't expecting your dad or Jen to give you $1500.00."
"Neither was I," she told him, "I feel like I need to call him now to thank him, but at the same time I don't want to," she admitted. "You don't have to. You heard Jen it's not your place to approach him first," Rudy reminded her.
"I know, but I feel like them giving this to me is like his way to keep me indebted to him or something," she tried to explain, "He's never done anything for me that he hasn't thrown back in my face."
"Well you know what? I don't give a shit. You're gonna cash that check and use it for the baby and if he throws it in your face so be it. At least you can tell yourself Bean has everything she needs," Rudy told her.
"You know you're kind of hot when you're angry," Evaline remarked. Smiling Rudy carefully pulled her off the kitchen stool before kissing her. "You know we could go upstairs and see if we can add another + to that A++," he told her.
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Laughing Evaline took his hand, "I think we could add two more +'s," she responded, biting her lip. Humming Rudy nodded, "I think you're right," he said as they hurried out of the kitchen together.
