Boxing Partners

Let's Dance to the Joy Division

"OW! SHIT! Fucking thing!" the blonde yelled,

"language!" Lee spoke softly,

"Sorry Lee, I whacked my thumb with the hammer again" Violet whimpered, placing her thumb in her mouth to ease some of the pain.

"Why did I leave you with the hammer again? Thankfully that was the last nail" the older man declared picking up the frame balanced on the wall beside them, placing the frame on the nail, moving it back and forth to make sure it was level, once the photo stopped moving he took a large step backwards to have a look.

"I always loved this photo of us Dad" A voice came from behind. Admiring the photo of everyone, AJ perched on Violet's shoulders, Clem beside her, Carley beside Lee and Louis in the background catching the shot. The wispy and fluffy sand contrasted with the deep blue sea. "I love the beach; we need to go again soon" the blonde spoke

"Me too Sweetpea, it was such a lovely day"

"Did you just call me Dad?" The man spoke again

"Sorry, I just felt It was right, you've been here for me for almost 6 years since I'm 23 and I'm finally happy again, that wouldn't have happened without you, or Carley for that matter. I spoke to her earlier and she said it was ultimately my decision when but I'm ready. I don't have to call you that, sorry it was dumb, never mind"

"No, No, Sweetpea come here, I was hoping you would someday, just wasn't expecting it today. I love you Darling, I hope you never forget that" Lee spoke, embracing the girl into a tight hug.

"Thank you for everything"

The girl wiped the tears forming in her amber eyes away, chuckling slightly she spoke; "let's get back to this, we're almost done, and guest will be here in a few hours."

"Are you sure you want to have the party tonight? We can postpone it until we've settled in, we don't even know half the rooms in the house yet!" Carley injected,

"You're probably right but it's too late to cancel and we have only got a few finishing touches left, hanging photos, getting mattresses on beds, and a grocery shop" Vi retorted.

The older man huffed before speaking again, "Clem, why don't you and Vi go get the groceries, drinks and stuff for the party, we'll finish up here, how does that sound?"

"Great idea, I think we both just need to get a breath of fresh air, I don't know about you lovely but I'm a little stressed"

"I could tell, but yeah, I'll grab your keys, where are they?"

"Umm? In the- in the thing, the thing." The brunette said flailing her hand in a circular motion back and forth, "The coat rack by the front door Clem" the little boy said, holding the toolbox in his small hands"

"Thank you goofball"

"don't. call. me. Goofball! I am almost ten years old"

"How about Shitbird then?"

"Clementine Everett do not swear at your brother!"

"Sorry Dad..."

Both Carley and Violet bent over laughing, "you both haven't changed in years"

"come on let's go, we're losing daylight quickly people!"

~~~~~

Clementine pulled into the large baron parking lot, bringing the car to a halt near the back corner, Violet groaned.

"What?"

"Why'd you park so far away?"

"well, we have time before the party, and I figured after getting groceries we could, you know," the brunette said, placing her hand midway on the blonde's inner thigh.