by: Tyler Peel

© 2007 by the author

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent.

Chapter 46
Story of a Girl

Chaos began licking Derek's face.

"Will you stop that... oh, it's you guys," Derek said. "Morning, Chaos! Where's your sister?" he asked, sitting up and realizing that Tyler was still asleep and Echo was snuggled up under Tyler's arm.

"First night of hockey practice in the New Year and you can't get up...," Derek said shaking his head at Tyler.

"6:10 a.m. Who gets up at this hour?" Derek asked looking at his watch. Derek got up and walked to the main bathroom to have his pee.

"It's a little difficult to pee when someone is watching you, Chaos!" Derek said and Chaos thumped his tail. Derek looked back and saw that Echo had joined her brother.

"Screw it... I'll pee later. You guys want food, huh?" Derek asked and both dog's tails began pounding the floor. Derek began walking down the stairs then realized that he was alone. He looked up to see Echo and Chaos lying on the floor at the top of the stairs looking down. Chaos was reaching down with one paw trying to touch the first step.

"Sorry guys, I forgot about that," Derek said as he climbed back up the stairs and picked up both dogs and carried them downstairs. He filled each of their bowls with a ½ cup of food each and gave them clean water.

"Okay guys! Let's go outside so you can do your business," Derek said holding the patio door open. Chaos ran outside on to the patio and squatted to pee and pooh in his favourite corner. Echo had to do her standard surveillance of the entire patio before deciding to do her business in the same spot she had been going since they moved in. Chaos sat patiently at the patio door waiting for Echo. Derek let them both into the cage and then started the coffee machine.

"Now we need to make some breakfast for our brothers!" Derek said looking inside the fridge. He pulled out bacon, eggs, English Muffins, and butter.

"Now it's time to wake Tyler up so he can make us something to eat!" Derek said to Echo and Chaos. Derek opened the crate and let the dogs out. He took a couple of hollow rubber balls and threw them into the living room. Chaos and Echo ran off after the balls and found them. Dropping them on the floor in front of them they then looked over at Derek. "Guys! You're supposed to bring them back to me!" Derek said.

*Beep, beep*

"Coffee is ready!" Derek said to the dogs. "Why am I telling you guys that the coffee is ready?" Chaos sat at Derek's feet looking up at him. He twisted his head slightly.

"You think I'm an idiot don't you?" Derek asked Chaos. Chaos barked.

"Shhhhush! everyone is still asleep!" Derek said holding his index finger up to his mouth.

Chaos dropped down on all four paws and stuck his nose between his paws.

"Oh, sorry, I should have said excuse me," Derek said fanning the air and then scratching his butt.

"You're mocking me aren't you?" Derek said to Chaos. Chaos stood up and wagged his tail.

Derek poured Tyler's coffee and began climbing the stairs when he heard the puppies whining at the bottom. "Right, sorry, guys," Derek said as he turned and came back down the stairs.

"It's time you both learned how to climb stairs," Derek said, as he helped each one of them up to the first step. After helping both of them up four steps, Echo caught on and learned to jump up to each successive step until she had reached the top.

"Tyler's coffee is getting cold, Chaos, and your sister has already caught on. You realize that you are proving that men are slower than women?" Derek said to Chaos. "C'mon, you can do it," he said, helping Chaos up each step until they reached the last step when he jumped up himself.

"Good boy!" Derek said giving his ears a rub. "Let's go wake Mommy up!" Derek said laughing and both puppies ran to Tyler and started licking his face.

Tyler rolled over and smiled at Echo and Chaos. "Morning kids!" He said. "Oh geez... let's go get you guys something to eat."

"Done!" Derek said as he appeared in the doorway holding a coffee in his hand.

"Done?" Tyler asked and Derek handed him his coffee.

"Thanks," Tyler said and then received kisses from Echo and Chaos. "What time is it?"

"About 6:30." Derek said.

"Shit! I'm late for my run," Tyler said, jumping up off the floor taking his coffee. He then went across the hall and knocked on Cody and Danny's bedroom door. "Danny! Get up!" he yelled and walked back to his bedroom.

"God I am sore this morning," Tyler groaned.

"Three weeks without hockey practice catching up to you?" Derek asked laughing.

"Coach put us through it last night. He wants all of us to burn off ten pounds of Christmas eating!" Tyler said.

Cody dragged himself into their bedroom carrying Echo in his hand. "What's the problem?" he said yawning.

"Don't you look like shit this morning!" Derek teased.

"I would normally punch you but I'm too sore from last night," Cody mumbled. "Is that coffee?"

"My coffee!" Tyler said pulling the mug off the Chesseur.

"You've got a condom hanging out of your ass Cody!" Derek said with his head twisted sideways.

"Huh?" Cody yelled twisting around and grabbing at his ass.

"Psych!" Derek said, and burst out laughing.

"I'm am sooooo coming back to haunt you after I'm buried! Will somebody please bury me now that I'm already dead," Cody said dropping his head down on the Chesseur.

"Danny! Get up!" Tyler yelled down the hall.

"I can't move...," Danny moaned and Chaos ran into Danny's room upon hearing his voice and jumped up on his stomach. Danny sat up as he choked for air.

"Good Chaos!" Tyler said laughing.

"Breakfast is ready!" Derek said.

"Really?" Tyler asked.

"For you to make... I got everything out, though!" Derek said smiling. Tyler gave Derek the evil eye. "I think I will go get Cody and Danny some coffee!" Derek said as he wormed his way around Tyler and headed back downstairs.

"So you were about to tell me why you woke me to get Danny up?" Cody asked.

"Sorry about that but you should be up! We have school on Monday and the guys are coming back to work on the place this morning, plus we have the rest of our furniture coming today along with the TVs and our internet connection," Tyler said walking past him out of the room to go see Danny.

"Get up, Puckhead! We have to run this morning and we're late," Tyler yelled at Danny from inside his doorway.

"Noooooo. I hurt too much! You didn't have 200 pucks flying at you last night!" Danny moaned as he lay back down on the sleeping bag.

"If you're ready to go in ten minutes we'll run for an hour. If you're not ready we'll run for an hour and a half. If you don't want to go I will unlock the freezer and you can kill yourself at your convenience," Tyler said as he sipped on his coffee.

"You have a lot to learn about incentives!" Danny said sitting back up.

"You don't have to run on Sunday morning!" Tyler said.

"Sweet!" Danny said standing up.

"We'll do weight training instead," Tyler said grinning.

"Get out of my room!" Danny said pointing to the door. Tyler laughed, turned around, and left Danny's room.

Tyler got dressed in his running sweats and popped a freshly charged battery into his MP3 player.

"Can you do me a favour, Babe?" Tyler asked Derek.

"Anything." Derek said.

"Could you pick us up down by the water front in about an hour?" Tyler asked.

"Sure... doesn't that defeat your run if I drive you guys home?" Derek asked.

"Not really because it will be a surprise for Danny. Then we can hit drive-thru on the way home so I don't have to cook breakfast," Tyler said.

"How long are you going to punish Danny anyway?" Derek said laughing.

"Just two weeks. After that he can do what he wants. Once you start running and you get in good enough shape you get what they call your second wind and running becomes fun," Tyler said.

"Whatever... running isn't fun...," Derek said refilling his mug with fresh coffee.

"Can Danny borrow your Ipod?" Tyler asked.

"Sure. You know where it is?" Derek asked and Tyler nodded and ran back upstairs to get it for Danny.

"Where is Casey?" Luke asked as he and Kyle walked to the bus stop.

"He got a ride with Kathy just like he did yesterday," Kyle said shaking his head.

"What do you mean, yesterday?" Luke asked.

"Haven't you noticed that Casey hasn't been in your room for the last two days, much less on the bus?" Kyle asked.

"Ummm... sure he has. It's his room too!" Luke said as they climbed on the bus.

"Sorry f-tard but he's moved into my room," Kyle said sitting behind Luke.

"Has he? Why?" Luke asked.

"You have no idea, do you?" Kyle asked. "What am I saying; of course you would have no idea!"

"Don't fuck with me Kyle. You know I have a date with Megan tomorrow night. What's going on with Casey?" Luke asked.

"You should probably ask him yourself," Kyle said.

"Hey, guys," Chris said getting on the bus.

"Hey," Kyle said, grinning. Luke ignored Chris.

"Did you find something for Casey to give Derek?" Chris asked.

"Yeah it was easy. Mom and I took him out last night." Kyle said.

"Seems funny buying for twins huh?" Chris asked laughing. Luke's ears popped up at the word twins.

"By the way, you have to come by the house tomorrow," Kyle said.

"What's up?" Chris asked.

"We're getting a lecture from Dad about the webcam," Kyle whispered.

"Shit that's bad! Do I really have to be there?" Chris asked.

"If you don't he might show up at your door or talk with your Dad about it," Kyle said.

"That's worse!" Chris said contorting his face.

"Is Mom having twins?" Luke turned around and asked.

"Mind your own business. You shouldn't be listening in on private conversations," Kyle said. Chris snorted and Kyle elbowed him.

Chris pretended to dial an invisible phone. "Hello? Mr. Kettle... it's the pot calling...," Kyle cuffed him over the head.

"Tyler's already used that one!" Kyle said grinning.

"Where do you think all of my lame-assed lines come from?" Chris asked and they both laughed.

Luke jumped up as the bus came to a stop and ran towards the door.

"So how are things with the new roommate?" Chris asked as they waited for the bus to empty before moving down the aisle.

"Actually they are great with the exception that I have to jack off in the shower now," Kyle said.

"Yeah I've noticed since the cam hasn't been online... hint, hint!" Chris said.

"It should be over this weekend. Once Luke's had his first date he should calm down a bit," Kyle said.

"Or become a total megalomaniac!" Chris added.

"Don't even go there. I still haven't figured out where to bury his body yet," Kyle joked.

"What do you have first this morning?" Chris asked.

"Ahhh... physics, then English." Kyle said staring up into the sky for the answer.

"Okay... that means I have chemistry and math this morning. See ya at lunch, then?" Chris asked.

"Just the three of us unless Jeff joins us," Kyle said.

"We have Casey again today?" Chris sighed.

"What do you want me to do Chris?" Kyle asked.

"Nothing! Sorry, I didn't really mean it that way," Chris said as they walked towards their lockers.

"Is Jeff bringing Ashlea to Derek's birthday party?" Kyle asked.

"Probably. He hasn't left her side since he got back. Tuesday night he sat in the parking lot for two hours waiting for her to finish work," Chris said and Kyle laughed.

"Somebody's got it bad huh?" Kyle said.

"Somebody isn't getting it is the problem," Chris said.

"It would be kind of funny to watch Jeff and Ashlea at Derek's party if Matt and Jesse decide to fly in for it!" Kyle said.

"Are they coming?" Chris yelled.

"I don't know. Tyler invited them. I think he even offered to pay for the flight. I wouldn't mind getting my bracelet back either. Hmmm... I wonder where Jesse might sleep this weekend?" Kyle said teasing Chris.

"My house of course..., you've got Casey," Chris said laughing.

"Shut the fuck up, see ya at lunch," Kyle said.

"Laterz," Chris said.

"Hey?" Luke said to Casey as he sat down at his desk.

Casey looked over at him for a brief moment and then looked back at his notebook.

"Are you pissed at me?" Luke asked.

"Hi, Lucas!" Megan said, as she sat down. Luke grinned and blushed.

"Hi Megan." Luke said and then bit down on his bottom lip as he forgot about Casey.

Megan scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it to Luke. He opened it and read it silently to himself. 'What's your shirt say today?'

Luke looked around for Mrs. Hartley and then lifted up his sweatshirt to reveal 'Get down and give me one'. He quickly dropped his sweatshirt back down and grinned at a laughing Megan. Casey watched and shook his head but neither noticed he was even in the room.

Luke scribbled a note below what Megan had written. He handed it back to her and she read it. 'What does your shirt say?' Luke wrote with a 'heart' beside it.

Megan wrote 'sorry, but I can't lift my sweater right now. My shirt says, I taught your girlfriend that thing you like!'  Luke's eyes bulged and Megan laughed at him. Luke looked back at Megan and grinned.

<Saturday Morning>

"I'm starved!!!!" Danny whined.

"Don't worry, Daniel, because in three hours we'll be in Baltimore and you'll have had your blood test and you can eat again," Tyler said carrying a suitcase and his backpack downstairs to the garage.

"What do you want to do about breakfast?" Derek asked.

"I would make you a birthday breakfast but I think we better all hold off until Danny's had his blood taken," Tyler said.

"Coffee it is then. I'd better go tell Cody not to mention food," Derek said running back upstairs to Cody's bedroom.

"Did you pack everything on the list, Danny?" Tyler asked.

"Food bowls, food, treats, toys, leashes, and your sleeping bag," Danny said.

"I wrapped your two birthday gifts for Derek early this morning while everyone was asleep," Tyler said.

"Sweet! Thanks, Ty," Danny said.

Derek came into the garage with his and Cody's suitcases. "Got room for two more?" Derek asked Tyler and Danny.

"Just... Danny, would you hold the cake for a moment while I pack these two suitcases?" Tyler asked.

"We've got cake?" Derek asked with a big smile and then looked at Danny. "Sorry, Danny, I shouldn't be mentioning the word cake! Hope it's chocolate-chocolate?" Derek asked winking at Danny.

"Derek! Shut the fuck up. This isn't easy for Danny! He's got all of those delicious things we have for breakfast going through his head right now. Like pancakes, sausages, bacon, waffles, eggs...," Tyler said grinning at Derek.

"I hate you both with a deep psychotic passion!" Danny said, still holding the cake.

"Can I see the cake?" Derek asked.

"No, it's a surprise," Tyler said.

"But not really... now?" Derek said.

"Go get your dogs and Cody please!" Tyler said.

The boys along with Echo and Chaos began getting into the Van when Derek asked Tyler, "Do you want to drive and I will look after the dogs?"

"You'd better drive, Ty; Derek's getting kind of old to be out on four lane freeways!" Danny teased. Derek turned to lunge at him and Danny said, "You wouldn't hit a guy holding Echo would you?"

Echo slept between Cody and Derek on the bench seat in the Van. Chaos rode the entire way to Baltimore on Danny's lap with his paws up on the passenger window.

"Hello?" Kyle said.

"Hey, Kyle." Derek said.

"Happy Birthday you, old man!" Kyle teased.

"We're about five minutes away! Is Dad home?" Derek asked.

"No because he had to do some emergency surgery this morning," Kyle said.

"Okay. Want to gather everyone up for the surprise?" Derek asked.

"Consider it done!" Kyle said.

"Thanks, love you, Kyle," Derek said as he closed his cell phone.

"Where's Dad?" Danny yelled as he turned around.

"He'll be home shortly!" Derek said.

"Nooooooooo!" Danny moaned. "Now I have to continue fasting!"

As Tyler pushed the remote control for the gate to open he said, "Damn, we need to get one of these for the Jeep!"

The garage door opened simultaneously with the gate and Linda, Kathy, Luke, Kyle, and Chris appeared. Danny held up Chaos to the front window and Luke began jumping up and down with excitement.

"They got a dog! They got a dog!" Luke yelled as the Van came to a stop. As they climbed out of the Van and Derek was wished Happy Birthday by everyone, Cody appeared and Kyle said, "They've got TWO dogs!"

"That's no way to talk about Danny and Tyler!" Derek said. Linda cuffed him upside the head.

"Oh they're so pretty!" Luke said taking Chaos from Danny.

"Hey, Abigail, how's my girl?" Tyler said bending down to pet her. She immediately sniffed him out. "Cody, would you bring Echo over here please?"

Cody set Echo down and she trotted over to meet Abbey. Abbey sat there looking at her while Echo sniffed out every inch of Abbey. Abbey eventually curled up on the garage floor and Echo crawled between her legs and cuddled up beside Abbey.

"They're so beautiful, Derek!" Linda said as she took her turn holding Chaos.

"Where's Casey?" Cody asked. Luke glared at him but Kyle came to Cody's rescue.

"He's doing some homework on my computer. Why don't you go upstairs and surprise him?" Kyle said.

"C'mon, Echo!" Cody said picking her up from Abbey. "You have another Uncle you haven't met yet!" Cody headed inside the house.

"Anyone want to help me empty the Van?" Tyler asked. Everyone laughed at him.

"C'mon, Kyle!" Chris said, walking towards the Van.

"Mom??" Tyler yelled and Linda came over.

"Where do you want Derek's birthday cake?" Tyler asked.

"Just set it on top of the freezer in the laundry room or leave it on one of those boxes in the garage so it will stay cool," Linda said.

Everyone helped to empty the Van except Luke who was preoccupied with Chaos.

"Luke, you'd better take Chaos out for a pee!" Tyler said.

Cody crept down the hall towards Kyle's bedroom. He could see Casey's legs dangling back and forth under the desk. Casey was one-finger typing and singing out loud at the same time. Cody stayed to the left side of the hallway so that Casey couldn't see him from behind the monitor. When Cody reached the bedroom door he bent down and released Echo. Echo sniffed the carpet around her as Cody pointed towards Casey's feet. Echo headed towards Casey without any prompting.

"La la la, la la la, la la la... s.o.s. Please somebody help me... it's not healthy for me to feel this way..." Casey sang as he typed away. Echo didn't go for Casey's toes as instructed but instead ran over beside Casey and sat down. She then stared up at the stranger making funny noises.

<Echo sneezed and Casey looked down to his left side. >

"Ooooooooooh!" Casey sighed while sucking air in as he looked down. A huge smile came across his face. He turned and bent down to pick up Echo.

"You're a girl dog!" Casey said, smiling as he held Echo up in the air and looked at her.

*Knock, knock, knock* Casey turned to look and see Cody standing there with a big a grin.

"YES!!!!" Casey yelled as he set Echo down on the floor and ran to Cody's open arms. Casey started to cry.

"You missed me that much huh?" Cody teased and Casey looked up at him. Cody could tell something was really wrong.

"What's a matter, Casey?" Cody asked, as he picked him up in his arms and sat down on Kyle's bed.

"I hate living here... I want to live with you," Casey cried.

"Tell me what's going on?" Cody asked.

"Nothing...," Casey said as he hugged Cody tightly. Echo whined wanting up on the bed and Cody picked her up.

"This is Echo!" Cody said setting her in Casey's arms.

"She's cute," Casey said sniffling.

"Her brother is here too!" Cody said.

"Two dogs?" Casey asked.

"Yup! Tyler gave Echo to Derek for his birthday. When he picked Echo up Chaos was going to be left all alone and he didn't want to separate them so he brought Chaos along as well," Cody said.

"She's so cute!" Casey said as he bent down and Chaos licked Casey's lips.

"So I see you like the song 'S.O.S.' by Rihanna huh?" Cody teased.

Casey laughed. "Sorry, I can't sing," he said.

"Actually you can and that is a great song! My friend Matt recommended it to me," Cody said.

"Matt from Washington?" Casey asked.

"No this is a different Matt! He's from Pennsylvania and even cuter than the Matt from Washington!" Cody joked. "So are you going to tell me why you don't want to live here anymore?"

Tyler walked into the room carrying two suitcases with Chris following behind him carrying more stuff from the Van.

"Casey!!!!!!!!!!" Tyler said dropping the suitcases and kneeling down on the floor to hug Casey. Casey put his arms around Tyler and dropped his head down on Tyler's shoulder. Tyler looked at Cody and Cody shook his head and put his finger up to his mouth.

Chris signaled Cody to come with him. "Cody, can you give me a hand with some stuff in the Van. We'll be right back guys." Chris said.

Chris took Cody down to the Van and filled him in on what was going on between Casey and Luke.

"Don't suppose you want to come help me wash the Van and clean it out for Dad?" Tyler asked Casey.

"Do I? Sure! Anything that will get me out of here!" Casey said jumping up. Tyler looked at him.

Tyler and Casey came downstairs with Echo in Casey's arms. Luke was holding Chaos standing in the kitchen with everyone else except Chris and Cody when Tyler and Casey came in. Luke looked at Casey and they both looked away.

"Casey and I are going to go clean the Van out and wash it," Tyler said.

"Don't be gone too long! Kathy and I need help with preparing dinner tonight," Linda said.

"Yes, Ma'am!" Tyler said smiling. "I have to go and make that pick up this afternoon as well!" He added. Casey set Echo down and she ran over to Abbey.

Chris and Cody came into the kitchen and Tyler asked Cody. "We're going to wash and clean out the Van did you want to come with us?"

"Yeah I would love to! Danny, did you want to come along?" Cody asked.

"No thanks. I'm going to wait until Dr. Anderson shows up so I can have my blood tested," Danny said.

"Speaking of...," Linda said picking up the ringing phone. "Hi Honey. <Pause> Yes, they just arrived. No, he is patiently waiting for you. Okay, I will tell him. See you soon!" Linda said hanging up the phone.

"Will you guys grab some paper towels, a garbage bag, and some window cleaner please?" Tyler asked Cody and Casey.

"Can I talk to you for a moment?" Luke asked Tyler.

"Sure thing, Pookster," Tyler said.

"What did Dr. Anderson say?" Danny asked Linda.

"He just finished surgery about an hour ago and he'll be home in about an hour," Linda said. "He also said for you to not eat anything." Danny groaned as he held his rumbling stomach.

"What did you need Luke?" Tyler said.

"I need to go shopping this afternoon. Could you take me?" Luke asked.

"I have to do a couple of errands so I guess you could come along," Tyler said.

"Thanks," Luke said giving Tyler a tight hug.

"Do you want to come along with Casey, Cody, and me?" Tyler asked.

"NO!" Luke said and frowned.

"Is everything okay?" Tyler asked out of concern.

"No, not at all," Luke said and walked away.

Tyler whispered in Derek's ear, "See if you can find out what is going on with Luke?" Derek nodded.

"And get the hot tub ready for later tonight," Tyler said.

"You really think we'll need it?" Derek asked and Tyler grinned. "Nuff said," he added.

"Casey and I are just going to sit in the Van while you wash it," Cody said grinning.

"Thanks for nothing!" Tyler joked.

"Any time!" Casey said laughing.

"You're a bad influence, Mr. Connors!" Tyler said laughing at the two of them. Tyler washed the outside of the Van while Casey and Cody cleaned the inside windows. When everyone had finished Tyler vacuumed out the Van as well.

Tyler drove slowly through the slush created from the melting snow so as not to dirty the Van.

"I think people are getting pissed at us, Ty," Cody said.

"Screw them! I just washed this Van!" Tyler said and Casey rolled his eyes and giggled. Tyler parked the Van on the right hand side of the driveway and went inside to get a large, old bath towel to wipe down the outside that had gotten dirty from the drive home.

"This Casey is what we call neurotic!" Cody said standing inside the garage watching Tyler.

"No shit!" Casey said. "Ooops... sorry!" he added laughing.

"In this case that was not only okay but appropriate." Cody said and Tyler stopped wiping down the Van and looked over at them and glared.

Just as Tyler finished Larry came up the driveway in Tyler's Jeep.

"Holy fuck!" Cody said laughing.

"No shit!" Casey added.

"What has he done to my baby?" Tyler moaned.

Tyler's Jeep was completely covered in mud and salt. You couldn't even tell it was a red Jeep. The only clean part of the Jeep was where the front windshield wipers had passed.

"He's ruined my Jeep!" Tyler yelled holding his hands to his face.

Larry jumped out of the Jeep with a big grin. "Damn I love that Jeep! That is the most fun I've had in years. Too bad there wasn't a place to go mud-bogging!" Larry said as he tossed the keys in the air to Tyler.

"Mud-bogging?" Tyler yelled.

"Where's Danny?" Larry asked.

"Inside and I think he might have died of starvation waiting for you?" Cody joked.

"I never get that lucky with any of my kids, Cody!" Larry said as he headed on inside the house through the garage.

"My Jeep!!!!!!!" Tyler whined, raising his hands in the air.

"You know, Casey, there are times in life when it is okay for a man to cry!" Cody began.

"And this isn't one of them is it?" Casey asked.

"No shit!" Cody said laughing. "Let's go inside. I think I would rather watch Danny moan about starving to death than watch Tyler cry over a dirty Jeep!"

"No shit!" Casey said fisting with Cody and then laughing.

"What has he done to you?" Tyler said walking around his Jeep inspecting it very closely. He opened the driver's door and stuck his head inside.

"Eeeeewwwww. Pine tar! Yuck!" Tyler said, pulling out the pine-scented tree hanging on the rear view mirror and throwing it out on the front lawn.

"Don't worry baby I will fix you up! I'll never loan you out again. Will you forgive me?" Tyler asked. Cody and Casey looked at each and rolled their eyes and laughed.

"Where's Tyler?" Linda asked.

"Outside crying," Cody said laughing.

"Crying?" Linda asked.

"You should see his Jeep!" Cody said, and Casey started laughing.

"Looks like it's been to Iraq and came home on a stretcher!" Casey added and Cody fisted him again.

"Larry??" Linda yelled.

"What?" Larry said running into the kitchen from his office.

"What did you do to Tyler's Jeep?" Linda demanded to know.

"Nothing! Is there something wrong with it?" Larry asked.

Linda shook her head and pointed to the hallway. Larry held his hands out showing his confusion and left to go back to his office with Danny.

Linda ran past Larry and Danny and opened the front door and stepped outside.

"Oh my God! How could he do that?" Linda said. She could see Tyler was one emotion away from breaking into tears as he tried to wipe the dirt off.

"Oh, honey, I'm sorry!" Linda said putting her arms around Tyler. "I know how important your Jeep is to you and how much time you spend looking after it." Tyler just nodded in her arms.

Linda pulled back from Tyler and she could see the tears forming in his eyes.

"He hung a pine-tree on the rear view mirror!" Tyler said, trying to hold back tears.

"He what?" Linda asked, and ran to the open driver's door of the Jeep. "He's been smoking cigars! That bastard!" Linda yelled.

"Cigars? In my Jeep?" Tyler wailed.

Linda stormed back into the house! "Larry???" She yelled as she headed towards his office.

"Why did I come home today?" Larry said to Danny.

"Larry Anderson???" Linda yelled at him as she opened his office door. Everyone in the house made their way to the front foyer so they could see or listen to what was going on.

"You've been smoking cigars haven't you?" Linda demanded to know.

"Just one, honey! I gave them out at the office in honour of..., you know! It's a tradition!" Larry said faking a smile.

"You haul your smoking ass out there right now and clean up that Jeep or you'll be sleeping at a motel for the rest of the weekend!" Linda yelled.

"Ah..., yes, dear," Larry said. "I'll be right back Danny."

"I'm never going to get to eat again am I?" Danny moaned.

Larry paused long enough to look back at Danny and shake his head.

When Danny was sitting alone in Larry's office he yelled, "When you find my rotting corpse please give me a decent burial! I want my ashes scattered in a vat of cinnamon bun dough!" Danny said as he slumped down into one of Larry's chairs.

"Hey, Tyler!" Larry said going out the front door with Linda following him. "Sorry about the bit of dirt on the Jeep. Let me take it to the car wash and get it hosed down!"

"NO! Stay away!" Tyler said with his arms outstretched. "Don't come near my Jeep!" Tyler yelled.

Larry stopped and blinked. He turned around to see Linda standing behind him. Larry threw his arms out as to say to Linda 'I tried!' Linda glared at him, turned around, and stormed back into the house.

Larry turned back to look at Tyler. Tyler stood frozen with his arms outstretched as if he was protecting his Jeep from Larry. Larry started to speak and Tyler jumped in fear. He decided he had better just go back inside the house.

Larry retuned to his office and said, "Sorry about that, Daniel. A little dirt on a Jeep and you'd think the world had come to an end!"

"You got Tyler's Jeep dirty? Holy shit! You would have an easier time telling Luke that Kraft stopped making peanut butter!" Danny said.

Larry paused and then looked over at Danny's face. "Its just dirt!"

"Maybe but this is Tyler! He spread newspaper down everywhere in your Van to keep the floor clean. We had barely got here and he left to go wash and vacuum out your Van," Danny began. "He made notes about where you keep the seat positioned, the rear-view mirror, the radio station and volume level so that he could return it in the same condition as he received it."

"I get your point, Danny, but it was just some dirt on the outside of his Jeep," Larry said shaking his head.

"I think you don't understand Tyler, Sir? Has he told you about his Dad and the newspaper?" Danny asked.

"No." Larry said not really wanting to hear the story.

"I guess his dad drilled it into everyone that if you read, looked, or even touched the newspaper it had better be returned in the condition you found it. His dad was also that way about Tyler using his Jeep," Danny said.

"That's a bit extreme don't you think?" Larry asked.

"Not when you live on a farm. You have to put things back where you found them. Close gates that you opened. It causes a lot of problems if you don't," Danny said and Larry looked at him.

"I should probably shut up now," Danny said grinning and Larry faked a short smile back to confirm Danny's suspicions.

"This is going to hurt you more than it is going to hurt me!" Larry joked.

"Maybe but I won't be sleeping in a motel tonight either," Danny said grinning until Larry looked at him.

"Sorry, Sir!" Danny said and then snorted.

"Shit! What happened to your Jeep?" Luke asked.

"I made the mistake of loaning it out," Tyler said.

"Do you want some help cleaning it?" Luke asked.

"Thanks, Luke, but I'm alright. I'm going to take it out and wash it. I just need to check if Mom wants any groceries picked up," Tyler said.

"Okay. I'll come help. I'm not wanted around the house anyway," Luke moaned.

"Hold that thought Luke. I need to get a grocery list," Tyler said, going inside the house.

"Okay, Daniel, I want you to blow on your arm to make sure the alcohol has evaporated before I insert the needle and drain your lifeless corpse," Larry said, not looking at him.

"How much blood do you need to take out?" Danny asked.

"Not too much," Larry said, opening his bottom desk drawer and pulling out the two-foot novelty needle and holding it up so Danny could see it.

"Aahhhhhhhhh!" Danny yelled.

"What's wrong?" Larry asked holding up the giant oversized needle.

"You're not using that needle are you?" Danny asked backing up into his chair in fear.

"Nah... I just wanted to show you what I got at the annual Christmas party!" Larry said and then stuck the needle back in his drawer.

"Who says doctors don't have a sense of humour?" Danny asked, not seeing the humour in Larry's joke.

"My point exactly!" Larry said holding up the point of the needle he would use. "Now I'm going to take three vials of blood and we'll actually have the results this afternoon..., just before dinner time! I'm also going to need you to fill up another happy face container for me!" he said.

"With what? It's been over 12 hours since I've had anything to eat or drink," Danny moaned.

"I'm sure you can do it if you try hard enough?" Larry said. "Now I want to explain to you what the test results will mean," he added as Danny looked away while Larry inserted the needle and then the first vial to fill.

"Okay now Danny. We use what we call milligrams per decilitre to report blood sugar. So a normal fasting blood sugar for someone who hasn't eaten in 10 plus hours is under 100 mg/dl," Larry began. "Are you with me?"

"Yes, Sir," Danny said, with his voice breaking.

"Now if your reading is from 100 to 125 mg/dl it is termed 'Impaired Fasting Glucose' and those that have a number in that range usually go on to develop Diabetes within a few years if they don't lose weight and/or change their diet."

"Yes, Sir," Danny said as he watched his blood shoot like a geyser into the second vial.

"Two readings over 125 mg/dl fasting equal a formal diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus," Larry said. "Do you know if anyone in your family has ever had diabetes?"

"Not to my knowledge, Sir," Danny said.

"Am I scaring the crap out of you Danny?" Larry asked as he sealed the second vial and labeled it.

"Yes, Sir," Danny said, relaxing a bit from the question.

"GOOD!" Larry yelled. "I want you to be damn scared Danny! Every time you stick something in your mouth whether it is a sugary substance or Cody I want you to think about your health. There is a non-scientific theory that the moment you are conceived your date of death is already predetermined. Excluding accidents and such, your body is already aware of your expiry date," Larry said.

"Is this supposed to make me feel better, Sir?" Danny asked.

"No. It's supposed to give you a real education in making your life as healthy as possible for the amount of time you are here. As I was saying Danny, maybe you'll live to be 105 or only 42. The real question is how much you suffer and what quality of life you have until you die? The lucky ones drop dead in their sleep and hopefully after living a full and healthy life. Others suffer for some or all of their lives. If you want to be giving yourself needles of insulin daily and never eating things like chocolate again then just keep up what you've been doing," Larry said.

"I understand, Sir," Danny said.

"Sex is a lot like food Danny," Larry said. "Not knowing what you've eaten or how much of it is safe to eat is like having unprotected sex. For the first while it seems okay and then before you know it you have a serious health problem and eventually an untimely death."

"I see your point," Danny said.

"And my point is?" Larry asked.

"You said I didn't have to study for my blood test!" Danny joked and Larry glared at him.

"*Ahem* your point is moderation in all things with a dose of common sense thrown in," Danny said.

Larry turned around and handed Danny a red sucker. Danny grinned. "Thank you, Sir, but I'm not wasting my daily sugar allotment on a crappy sucker. I want a piece of Derek's birthday cake tonight."

Larry scared Danny when he grabbed him and hugged him. "That's exactly what I wanted to hear you say!" Larry said holding Danny tight.

"Does this mean I get to have the entire chocolate factory Mr. Wonka?" Danny joked.

"It does, Danny, but only one piece per day!" Larry said laughing. "Danny we really do love you and want you to be a part of this family for a long time!"

"I know, Sir, and that's why I'm trying to fix this problem." Danny said and gave Larry a hug.

"Believe me Danny, I want these numbers to be low as much as you do," Larry said.

"Thanks, Dad," Danny said tearing up.

"Now go fill this and have a light snack because you can be a little bit bad tonight at Derek's birthday party," Larry said.

"I wish I could be bad but Tyler's making me run for an hour every morning for two weeks and then we begin running every second day with weightlifting on alternate days," Danny moaned.

"I guess there is someone else who loves you as much as I do?" Larry asked with a big grin.

"Don't I know it?" Danny said rolling his eyes and then smiling. "Just don't ever tell him because then I wouldn't be able to rag on his ass about making me do it."

Cody picked up Casey and pulled him down on Derek's bed to cuddle with him.

"I love you so much Casey!" Cody said as he kissed his forehead.

"I love you too Cody. I wish I could live with you," Casey moaned.

"Speaking of... would you please tell me why you moved out of your bedroom?" Cody asked. Casey remained silent for a couple of minutes while Cody hugged him.

"Can I ask you a question?" Casey said.

"You can ask me anything," Cody said.

Casey paused to think about how to ask it. "How do you know if you are gay or straight?" He asked.

"Huh?" Cody said separating them slightly so he could look at Casey.

"How do you know...?" Casey began repeating.

"I heard you. Why are you asking this?" Cody said.

"Never mind," Casey said feeling embarrassed.

"No Casey. I'm sorry. You just caught me by surprise. I apologize. I always want you to know that you can ask me anything and I will give you the best answer I can," Cody said. Casey pulled himself tight into Cody's body.

"All I can tell you is what I went through!" Cody began. "When I was your age I had a thing for girls! In grade six, if we were good in class our teacher would read to us at the end of the day. We had our desks in a horseshoe shape around her desk that was two rows deep. So we would all sit in the centre of the room while she read to us. I would try to sit across from a girl named Lynn Alder so I could look up her dress," Cody said, and Casey giggled. "I remember always getting a boner and trying to hide it." Casey roared with laughter.

"So when did you become gay?" Casey asked.

"I'm not really sure but I think it was after puberty started. Some friends had porn magazines and we would read them but I was always looking at the guys rather than the girls. From what I've read on the internet it seems that some guys knew they were gay by the age of three and others don't figure it out until they are fifty but right now I don't think you really need to worry about it," Cody said.

"Did you dream about girls or guys?" Casey asked.

"I started dreaming about girls but then it switched to the guys I went to school with. Dad and I moved around a lot so I was always in a new school. It was easy to make friends with the guys but a lot tougher with the girls. I was lonely and I was always allowed to have guys over for the night. I think the worst part was sleeping next to a guy I liked a lot and not being able to tell him how I felt," Cody pondered aloud.

"I can relate," Casey said and Cody snapped to attention.

"I see," Cody said happy about the revelation that he wasn't the target of Casey's desires. "It's tough when you have feelings for someone who will likely never have those feelings for you huh?" Cody asked.

"Exactly," Casey said and Cody hugged him tighter.

"Take it from my experience Casey. Sometimes it's better to have a real friend for life than a boyfriend for a short period of time. I don't know of a nicer way to say this to you Casey so I will just say it. Some of the guys that stayed the night... we fooled around. Do you understand what I mean?" Cody asked.

"Uh huh," Casey said quietly.

"None of those guys remained friends and if I could go back and change what happened then I probably would. We would avoid each other in the hall at school. It ruined a few friendships because you really can't be openly gay while in school, which isn't a bad thing anyway. It really gave me time to figure out who I was. I dated girls in high school. Some of them I even fell in love with but none of them I wanted for the rest of my life. The most important thing I learned and I want you to listen very closely to this, was that I learned that I wasn't alone. There were other guys and even girls that had the same feelings. Just remember that you're never alone and I'll always try to be here for you," Cody said kissing Casey's forehead.

"I know you are," Casey said looking up with a smile.

"It's not easy Casey but it isn't worth losing a friendship over. Please don't repeat my mistakes!" Cody begged.

"It just hurts when you love someone and they don't feel the same way about you," Casey said.

"Welcome to the real world. It's a bit like a jungle that has a lot of scary stuff in it but you also need to open your eyes and see some of the beauty that is all around you? It's a bit of search sometimes to find love and happiness but all of the good things in life usually require some effort. You're what we call 'good people' Casey and you're going to have a great life ahead of you. I promise it! You have this huge family that loves you and will do everything possible to help you and protect you!" Cody said, as he rested his chin on the top of Casey's head.

"How do you tell someone you love them if you can't say it?" Casey asked.

"Whoa! That's a big-boy question little dude!" Cody said laughing. "I think you do it by being supportive and always be there for that person in times of need. Some will abuse that quality in you and others will come to love you back ten times more for it."

"Hopefully!" Casey said.

"Hopefully!" Cody repeated.

"What had you and Kathy planned for dinner tonight?" Tyler asked Linda in the kitchen.

"Well... we thought about doing steaks on the barbeque," Linda said.

"And?" Tyler asked.

"That's where you come in," Linda said winking at him.

"I see... Okay. How about finger food?" Tyler said.

"We could use Larry's fingers for starters!" Linda joked and Tyler burst out laughing. "Good to see you smile again." She added.

"How about twice-smashed potatoes, chicken and beef stripes barbequed on skewers with a few sauces, a giant plate of nachos supreme, Caesar salad, and some shrimp and scallops?" Tyler asked.

"Nachos supreme?" Linda asked.

"You take a cookie sheet and cover it with nacho chips. Cover them in a couple of kinds of cheese and pre-cooked bacon broken up into small pieces. Then you put it in the oven to melt together. When it is done you cover it in shredded lettuce, salsa, and sour cream. You can add olives as well but I hate olives!" Tyler said smiling.

"And what are you going to do for your shrimp and scallops?" Linda asked grinning at Kathy as she cut up celery and carrots.

"We can puree some good quality garlic croutons and add fresh Parmesan cheese, parsley, and basil. You take the shrimp and scallops and coat them in egg whites. Then you rolled the shellfish in seasoned bread crumbs and pan fry them on skewers in garlic butter!" Tyler said.

"Anything else?" Linda asked.

"Bruchetta!" Tyler added.

"You see how easy that was?" Linda teased as she hugged Tyler.

"Uh huh... so what do you think of Echo and Chaos?" Tyler asked as they all looked over to see Abbey lying on the floor asleep with Echo and Chaos tucked neatly in between her front and hind legs.

"They're adorable, Tyler. That is just about the most perfect gift anyone could give Derek. I think he really loves Abbey more than anyone else in this house. Through all of the difficult years it was Abbey that kept him from just running away," Linda said.

"I love Echo and Chaos but Abbey still has my heart. She'll always be my girl!" Tyler said while in deep thought watching the three dogs.

Linda handed Tyler the list and two hundred dollars in cash. "Make sure we have enough of everything!" she said.

"I know and we are having surprise company tonight as well," Tyler said.

"Larry's sleeping in a motel tonight so there will be enough room," Linda joked, and Kathy laughed while Tyler gave her a funny look.

"Don't worry, Tyler, I've already gotten even with Larry for what he did to your Jeep!" Linda said.

"Noooooo! Really? You don't need to take it out on him. I guess I am being a little foolish since he was kind enough to loan me his Van," Tyler said.

"Not at all! He would have torn Derek a new asshole if Derek had returned his Van that way," Linda said.

"So what did you do to get even?" Kathy asked as she washed to heads of romaine lettuce.

"We stole the key to our hotel room on our honeymoon as a souvenir. I hung it up on the rear view mirror of his Van," Linda said and they all started laughing. Larry and Danny came into the kitchen with their arms around each other and Linda and Tyler looked at them and laughed even louder. Larry turned around and walked out.

"Is that what is meant by the expression 'key to a happy marriage'?" Tyler asked. Linda winked at him. "I'm taking Luke with me and I'm going to make that pickup as well!"

"Just get him back before two p.m. Larry has to take him out to get a haircut," Linda said.

Tyler backed the Jeep around in the driveway so he could drive out. "After we wash the Jeep where do you have to go?" Tyler asked.

"Clothes shopping! I need something to wear for tonight," Luke said.

"Why are you dressing up?" Tyler asked.

"I've got a big date tonight!" Luke proudly announced.

"Whoa! Who is she?" Tyler asked.

"Megan Williamson. She's in my class and she has nice breasts!" Luke said grinning.

"Too much info Luke!" Tyler said laughing. "So did you get anything for her?"

"No. She should be buying me something for having the honour of The Lukester taking her out!" Luke said.

"Where are you taking her?" Tyler asked.

"To Derek's birthday party! What, do you think I'm made of money?" Luke asked and Tyler stared at him.

"Fine! I'm a cheap bastard!" Luke admitted and they both laughed.

"We need to pick up a single red rose for you to give her when you pick her up," Tyler said.

"Coolies!" Luke said.

"So what is going on between you and Casey?" Tyler asked.

"Nothing," Luke said quietly.

"No problem. If you don't want to talk about it then I'm sure Casey will tell me," Tyler said and they drove in silence for a couple of minutes.

"Casey's jealous that I'm dating Megan!" Luke said with his arms folded.

"Really?" Tyler asked.

"Well duh! I've got the hottest girl in class coming as my date and he's jealous that he doesn't have a date for tonight," Luke said. "Are you sure about that?" Tyler asked.

"What are you saying?" Luke asked, unhappy with Tyler's question.

"Are you sure that Casey is jealous because you have a date and he doesn't? Has he said that to you?" Tyler asked.

"No, of course not. He isn't speaking to me!" Luke yelled.

"How long have you and this Megan been... friends?" Tyler asked.

"Just this week. We've always hated each other!" Luke said and Tyler looked over at him with a confused look. "We compete in school!"

"When did you two officially become an item?" Tyler asked.

"This week when she showed me her puppies," Luke said and Tyler slammed on the brakes.

"What?" Tyler yelled and Luke laughed.

"Her t-shirt!" Luke said still laughing.

"Don't tell me she wears the same sort of stuff as you do?" Tyler asked.

"Okay... I won't tell you," Luke said looking out the passenger window.

"Christ! This is like Terminator 2! I wonder who will win?" Tyler asked.

"More like Terminator 2 XL!" Luke said holding out his hands to highlight Megan's breasts.

"I want to go home to Philly right now," Tyler said driving into the car wash.

Tyler got out of his Jeep and gave Luke a hand full of quarters. He grabbed the water gun and set it to rinse. "Throw two bucks worth in please!" Luke did and Tyler hosed down the car including underneath. When time ran out he grabbed the foaming brush and asked Luke to throw in another two dollars worth of quarters.

"So what have you and Casey done since you hooked up with this Megan?" Tyler asked as Luke followed him around the Jeep.

"It's Megan, not 'this Megan'!" Luke said angrily.

"Sorry! The question still stands," Tyler said, giving Luke a cold look.

"We haven't done anything because he isn't talking to me!" Luke said.

"Did it ever occur to you that Casey's feeling might be hurt that you are ignoring or rather dumping him for Megan?" Tyler asked.

"I'm not dating Casey! He's my best friend not my boy friend," Luke growled.

"Casey follows you around like a puppy dog, Luke, and you use and abuse your friendship with him. It's probably just as well if Casey gets some time away from you. Maybe he can make some friends that will treat him as their equal." Tyler said as he set the dial to 'hot wax'.

"FUCK YOU!" Luke said and threw Tyler's change on the ground and crawled inside the Jeep slamming the door shut.

"Whatever... suck it up Luke...," Tyler said to himself. Tyler finished washing, rinsing, and hot waxing his Jeep. He got inside the Jeep and turned the music down.

"I was listening to that!" Luke snapped.

"Get your own Jeep if you want to go deaf!" Tyler said backing out of the stall. "What do you need in clothing?" Tyler asked and Luke wouldn't answer.

"Fine! You need nothing then you shall get nothing. We'll pick up a rose for you to give Megan and then I will take you home and go do the shopping," Tyler said not waiting for an answer.

They parked near Classic Flowers and walked in to buy a rose.

"Can I help you, Sir?" The lady asked and Tyler pointed down to Luke. She looked down at Luke and smiled.

"What can I do for you Sir?" She asked.

"I have a date tonight and I need a rose," Luke said.

"Would you like a corsage or a single stem?" she asked, and Luke looked up at Tyler.

"It's a casual family birthday party and he is bringing a first-time date. I think a corsage is overdoing it," Tyler asked.

"Not really, Sir. It makes her appear special and she doesn't have to carry it around with her," the lady said.

"We don't want to make a fuss. If she is uncomfortable with a single stem rose she can just leave it in the car," Tyler said and the lady nodded.

The lady returned with one red rose wrapped up in cellophane with a blank card and envelope dropped inside. "I trimmed all of the thorns off so she doesn't accidentally prick herself and there is a blank card inside if you want to write a note!" she said. "That will be $10.65 including tax."

"Holy crap!" Luke said. "For one stinking rose?" he asked. She paused to look at Luke and then up at Tyler who grinned.

As they walked down the sidewalk towards the Jeep Luke said, "Thanks for buying the rose, Ty."

"No problem. You're welcome," Tyler said. Luke grabbed Tyler's hand as they walked and squeezed it three times. Tyler returned an identical response.

"Do you want to wander the mall and look for some clothes while I grocery shop?" Tyler asked.

"Nah..., I would rather just be with you," Luke said looking out the window.

"Well I need to get the groceries home the minute I am done so why don't we quickly cruise the mall and then get the shopping done?" Tyler asked and Luke smiled.

Luke picked out a burgundy long-sleeve silk shirt with a mission collar on it to wear with the black pants Tyler got him before Christmas.

Luke ran into the house with his shirt and left Tyler alone to carry all of the groceries inside by himself.

"Want some help?" Derek asked as he gave Tyler a kiss.

"Sure!" Tyler said. "I have to go back out shortly."

"Can I come with you?" Derek asked.

"You usually do!" Tyler said laughing and Kathy and Linda looked at them.

"Ahem! Sorry," Tyler said grinning and Kathy and Linda smiled at each other. "I have to go out alone."

"Fine... be that way on my birthday!" Derek feigned sulking.

"Derek?" Larry called from the foyer.

"Yeah, Dad!" Derek yelled. "I'm in the kitchen!"

"We've hidden your birthday present in the garage. You are no longer allowed to go in there until we say so!" Larry said and Derek smiled from ear-to-ear.

"Can we pass through once more to get the last of the groceries?" Tyler asked.

"Sure but pass through quickly!" Larry said and Derek and Tyler ran back to the Jeep. When Derek and Tyler had left Larry winked at Linda and Kathy.

"Now he will never guess what it is," Larry said.

"How are you getting it here?" Linda asked.

"I have to run Danny's blood tests down to the lab at the hospital so I will just take Danny with me!" Larry said. "Can you get Derek to take Luke for his haircut at 2:00 p.m.?"

"Shouldn't be a problem," Linda said, without looking at him.

"I don't see anything in here?" Derek asked as he walked slowly through the garage.

"Think about it, Derek! They're probably telling you they hid it in the garage so you will spend your time looking around here for it. It's probably in their bedroom or even better... hidden in your bedroom!" Tyler said.

"You're a freakin' genius, Ty! Of course that is what they would do!" Derek said, as then came back into the house.

"Gullible!" Tyler said quietly.

"What?" Derek asked.

"God I love you! ...I was just looking at your ass!" Tyler said winking at him.

Larry walked into the great room and snuck up behind Chris and Kyle who were playing their X-Box. "Guys?" Larry said.

"Uh huh, Dad?," Kyle said not really listening.

"Living room... Now!" Larry said and both looked at each other. Kyle groaned as he paused the game.

Larry closed the French doors behind him and made the boys sit down on the sofa.

"Isn't this much better than going to the dungeon as you put it?" Larry asked Kyle.

Kyle and Chris stared at the floor.

"A fifteen year old girl in Hamilton, Ontario put on a private show for her boyfriend on her webcam. She didn't know that he was recording it! They broke up and he distributed the video he made to several trusted friends. Needless to say your trusted friends might have their own friends you don't trust. Half the school has seen her private show and the boy is up on charges of distributing child pornography," Larry began and then stopped. Chris and Kyle both looked up at Larry.

"Thank you for your attention. Now I will continue!" Larry said. "The relationship that you two have is the worst kept secret in this family...," Larry added and Chris sucked his breath in and tensed up.

"For what it's worth, Chris, your father and Kathy are aware of it and they are only disappointed in the fact that you are obviously ashamed or afraid to tell them? I've already told you how happy I am that you are in Kyle's life Chris, but if I can figure it out then assume anyone else can? This conversation isn't leaving this room unless I find that either of you aren't paying close attention," Larry said, and Chris exhaled.

"All four of us and all your brothers love you boys and couldn't be happier that you two care so much for each other. I don't want to see scenes of open sexual activity or even hear about it but you both should feel comfortable to hold hands, kiss, and be at ease about loving each other. Please keep in mind that we do have Casey and Luke around? If I was either of you right now and I couldn't be open with my boyfriend in my own home then I wouldn't want to live there. We want both of you to always consider this your home," Larry said.

"I can take away your webcam, Kyle, and I'm pretty sure I could convince your Dad to do the same thing, Chris, but I don't want to! I would also like to believe that you are both smart enough and old enough to not have to learn everything the hard way?" Larry said and Kyle snorted and Chris smiled at his unintended sexual pun.

"Don't even go there, Kyle! A big part of growing up and maturing is learning to evaluate the consequences of your actions and words before you do or say something. Do either of you know of many people who started dating in grade nine or ten and then spent the rest of their lives together?" Larry asked and they both shook their heads no.

"Odds are against you guys being together as a couple for the rest of your lives and I for one would be a little disappointed if you did stay together as a couple because you would both be missing out on experiencing a lot that this world has to offer. I also hope that you two can remain close friends if you guys should decide to end your relationship. What goes on between the two of you is private and not for anyone else even after you guys go your separate ways. It says a lot about how sick some people are that they would write a tell-all book or publish private photographs. What you two have right now should be cherished privately between you both for the rest of your lives," Larry said, and Chris was visibly shaking.

"Would you hold his damn hand, Kyle?" Larry asked with a smile. "Are you going to be alright, Chris?"

"Yes, Sir," Chris said not looking up.

"I'm sorry that I am upsetting you Chris but it is more important that you both realize now the good and bad of being in a relationship. I don't think either of you want to see your naked photos published on the internet in some porn site?" Larry said and both quietly said 'no'.

"Be safe, be cautious, and be smart about what you do! All I am going to do is ask you both not to get naked on your web cams for any reason and the reason that I am asking you boys to do this is two-fold. One, you boys already have private bedrooms and two places to safely and quietly be together and the second reason is to protect yourself from either some stalker or simply having those pictures come back to haunt you at a later date!" Larry said, as Chris' leg began to thump up and down uncontrollably.

"Chris?" Larry called and Chris looked up at him. "We love you very much and we fully approve of you and Kyle being together." <Chris' leg stopped moving> "You are and always will be a part of this family as long as you want to be! Even if you and Kyle are not together as a couple you are always welcome and wanted here!" <Tears began to stream down Chris' cheek> "You might feel really embarrassed and even angry with me right now but try to remember that I am talking to you both in private. I can't really stop you guys from using web cams. All I can do is put faith in you both that you will understand the potential problems that might arise if you are getting naked on your web cam. I also hope that both you feel safe to come talk to me about anything that might be of a concern? As a parent, my job is to help prepare you to go out into the world on your own. It isn't to mislead you, punish you, or make fun out you at your expense. Well... exclude the third one when it comes to Luke but that is just payback!" Larry said smiling, and Chris and Kyle began to laugh.

"Just in case I need to spell it out for you Chris? I hope I can earn your respect for me and get lots of hugs, kisses, and love from you? You can also expect me to kick your ass when needed! I've told my three boys many times that parents who get angry with their kids when they do something wrong, do so because they love them. If I didn't care about you both then I wouldn't waste my time talking with you right now. Next week I am going to vaccinate you both to protect you from some things you could pick now that you are sexually active." Larry said and Chris and Kyle both gave him a look of fear.

"Don't worry because you're not the only ones getting vaccinated. Your four older brothers along with Jeff and possibly Luke as well are all getting the same shots. Just remember that there is no vaccine for AIDS!" Larry said and they all sat in silence.

"Anything you guys want to say or ask?" Larry said and Kyle shook his head.

"Are you feeling any better, Chris?" Larry asked.

"Sort of... just the dad thing," Chris said slightly embarrassed. "I do have one question though?"

"Shoot!" Larry said and laughed at his own joke. Kyle and Chris looked at him strangely. "Never mind. It was just a failed attempt at a pun."

"What happens if condom breaks or rips?" Chris asked and Kyle looked at him in disbelief.

"That's a great question Chris and I wish medical science had a good answer for you but it doesn't. In the case of having sexual intercourse with a female she needs to get to her doctor right away. There are several options including what some laypeople call 'the morning after pill'. Both partners need to be checked for possible disease contamination. By the way, if you guys should find yourselves in that position with a female, a common myth is that she should clean herself out by douching? Wrong! That can make things worse and even heighten the chance of becoming impregnated," Larry said.

"When it comes to anal intercourse albeit with a male or female the problem is the tearing of the lining of the walls. Having anal intercourse can do a great deal of damage up inside you, especially the first few times, so it is even more important to wear a condom. Those little tears can pass Hepatitis B and C along with HIV into the blood stream very quickly. There is one thing you can do to clean yourself out without adding more damage though! A mixture of a mild soap and warm water can assist in cleaning yourself out before more damage is done but you still need to seek professional help from someone like me," Larry said, smiling. Both boys seemed deep and thought. "Remember this boys, even something like precum as you boys call it can transmit numerous STD's so choose your partners carefully and if either of you should cheat on the other then you must make the other aware of it!" Larry said.

"You make it sound like the only safe form of sex is jerking off in a sealed room alone?" Chris moaned.

"As long as you aren't bothered by going blind and having hairy palms?" Larry jokingly asked. Chris and Kyle's eyes opened wide and then Larry winked at them. "I'm just teasing guys! I want to scare you enough with the truth to make sure you are both safe. I'm not trying to take away your fun. If I were you guys, I would wash carefully before and after any sexual contact, avoid any other partners, and leave the anal sex out of the equation." Larry said.

Kyle and Chris looked at each other expressionless.

"Have you boys ever woken up in the night and all the covers are on the floor?" Larry asked.

"Yeah... all the time!" Kyle said suspiciously and Chris nodded yes.

"Who do you think covers you both up when you sleep at Chris' house?" Larry asked with a grin. Chris' mouth dropped open.

"Tell ya a little secret, Chris. Your Dad covers you both up and gives you both a kiss. He says he wishes he could take a picture of you both when you're asleep and one of you is holding the other. He says the look of contentment is one of the nicest things he's ever seen," Larry said and Chris blushed. "Chris, you are missing out on what might be the world's greatest Dad!" Larry added.

"Maybe number two but not number one!" Kyle said and got up and hugged his dad. "I love you so much, Dad!" Kyle said. Larry looked over Kyle's shoulder and held his left arm open for Chris. Chris jumped up and into Larry's arm and then kissed his cheek. "I love you too, Dad!" Chris added.

"In my bottom left desk drawer are several boxes of condoms including glow-in-the-dark ones! I want you guys using them when doing certain activities that will remain nameless! Just make sure you put them away in your room where Luke and Casey can't find them!" Larry said.

"Maybe it's not a bad idea if they're somewhere that Luke and Casey can find them?" Chris suggested and smiled.

"Maybe you're right but losing two more sons to becoming adults is enough for one day!" Larry said shaking his head.

"Hey!" Luke said tapping on Kyle's bedroom door. Casey looked around from the computer monitor and said 'hey' in a much more subdued tone and then looked back at the monitor.

Luke remained outside of Kyle's bedroom door. "Tyler bought us new shirts for Derek's birthday tonight!" Luke said.

"Okay... thanks," Casey said coldly.

"He bought us two colours, burgundy or royal blue. Which colour did you want?" Luke asked.

"Doesn't matter because I think I'm going to the show tonight with Calder and Patrick." Casey said not looking away from the screen.

"Oh... okay," Luke said and turned around and left. Casey peeked out from behind the monitor and watched Luke walk back to his bedroom. Casey flinched as his stomach knotted on him after lying to Luke.

Luke stood naked in the washroom when Derek came in looking for him. "I have to take you to... what smells in here?" Derek asked.

"Me!" Luke said smiling.

"Did you get in a fight in the perfume department at J.C. Penny's?" Derek asked.

"I've been trying different colognes to see what smells best for my date tonight," Luke said grinning.

"Christ, Lucas, you smell like a Turkish whore house! Get in the shower and scrub all that shit off! I have to take you to get a haircut," Derek said.

"What do you use trim your pubes?" Luke asked, as he pulled on his five hairs.

"GET IN THE FUCKING SHOWER!" Derek yelled and left.

As Derek came down the curved staircase, Tyler asked, "Do you know where Luke is?"

"In the shower, trimming his pubes!" Derek said angrily as he walked passed Tyler.

"K... I really didn't need to know that," Tyler said climbing the stairs.

Tyler knocked on the washroom door.

"In the shower!!!!!!" Luke yelled.

"I have to go out are you coming with me?" Tyler asked and then opened the door. "SHIT Luke! What are you doing?" Tyler said looking at Luke, his face covered in shaving cream while he held a razor in his hand.

"Put that razor down and wipe that crap off your face!" Tyler yelled. "Don't you EVER touch a razor without someone else's knowledge?

Luke set the razor down and ran his face under the showerhead as quickly as he could.

"Sorry," Luke squeaked out in fear, as he had never seen Tyler this angry before.

"Luke ,you could seriously hurt yourself! You don't need to shave. What smells in here?" Tyler asked holding his nose.

"I was experimenting with different scents for tonight." Luke said.

"Don't!" Tyler said, still holding his nose.

"Okay...," Luke said, beginning to tear up.

"When you are done I will give you some of my Tommy aftershave balm to put on," Tyler said and walked out of the bathroom.

"What is it with everyone today?" Luke said as he worked shampoo into his hair.

Tyler saw Casey's feet hanging off of Kyle's bed so he crept down the hallway to scare Casey.

"GOTCHA!" Tyler yelled as he jumped on top of Casey. Casey screamed. "Geez, Casey you sound like Derek!" Tyler said winking at him and Casey laughed. Tyler pulled up Casey's sweatshirt and began blowing bubbles on his tummy making Casey laugh hysterically.

"Want to go out on tour with me? Just you and me alone!" Tyler asked.

"Everyone else turn you down?" Casey teased.

"Pretty much... same old same old... you know?" Tyler said laughing. "Now I'm going to tickle you for teasing me," he added.

Tyler rolled over Casey on to his back and pulled Casey up on top of him and hugged him.

"Can I ask you a question?" Casey asked.

"You don't need to ask just say the question Casey." Tyler said.

"This is kind of personal." Casey said.

"I'll try my best to answer!" Tyler said.

"How do you know if you are gay or straight?" Casey asked.

"Huh?" Tyler said wide-eyed.

"Geez! I seem to get that reaction a lot!" Casey moaned.

"Well, if you are a guy and you are gay you would like other guys. It is termed as being homosexual. If you are a girl and you like girls you are also gay though the term is lesbian. If you're a guy or a girl who likes the opposite sex then you are straight or heterosexual!" Tyler said and Casey stared blankly at him.

"I guess that didn't exactly answer your question eh?" Tyler asked.

"I could have read that in any health book! I wanted to know how YOU knew you were gay," Casey asked as he pointed at Tyler.

"Hmmm... well I did like girls when I was in public school. I dated a lot of girls in high school. Ummm... I'm not really sure I should be answering this question, Casey," Tyler said.

"You think I'm a little boy?" Casey asked sharply.

"No, Casey. I just don't think it is something you need to worry about right now. I think you should go where your heart takes you and not let anyone influence what feels right inside of you. I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm ducking the question but I'm really not. You're about to start puberty, which involves more changes in the next eight years than you will ever experience again in your life. Having all the answers is nice but there is some fun in not knowing the answers and just letting each day be a surprise," Tyler said and Casey stared at him.

"I'm not really making any sense am I?" Tyler asked and Casey twitched his nose.

"Okay, Casey, let me give you one little example, and then you can think about it for a while and decide if you want to know more," Tyler said and Casey smiled.

"There's a thing called 'nocturnal emissions' or more commonly known as a wet dream," Tyler said.

"Yeah we studied it in health class." Casey said.

"It doesn't happen to everyone but to those who experience it without ever knowing about anything about it, it can be both a frightening and exhilarating experience. Having an orgasm is one of the great feelings in life and when you have your first one try to remember the good feelings you have because the first time only happens once!" Tyler said and Casey again twitched his nose in confusion.

"What I am saying is that sometimes the first experience of something is the best! Like the first time you try a new food that you've never tried before. You are really surprised at the new experience. Every time after it is still good but not as exciting as the first time. Does that make sense?" Tyler asked.

"Sort of... but I get what you are saying." Casey said. "So how do you know if you are gay or straight?"

"Well... for me it was confusing. I like girls and guys and the way I realized that I was gay is this. When you are having an orgasm you will often close your eyes and concentrate on having sex with a guy or a girl. I tried thinking about girls but it was always a guy that brought me to orgasm or a better orgasm but I'm not sure if this is answering your question?" Tyler asked and Casey nodded and smiled.

"Be open minded, Casey. Don't close out the idea of being straight or gay; just let your heart guide you! Many guys experience both sides before deciding what is right for them. Remember to always be safe and never do anything with your partner that he or she doesn't want to partake in or as the old saying goes 'no means no'!" Tyler said giving Casey a kiss.

"Thanks, Ty!" Casey said hugging Tyler. "Your explanation wasn't as good as Cody's but it still helped."

"So do you want to come with me now? I'm going somewhere special to pick up something for Derek." Tyler asked.

"Can Cody come along?" Casey asked.

"Sorry, Casey. There won't be room in the Jeep if I bring a third person but it's okay if you want to stay here and spend time with Cody. I'd probably do the same thing if I were you," Tyler said smiling.

"Sorry, Ty. I just miss him so much! I hug my pillow at night dreaming that he is with me," Casey said.

"I know the feeling Casey! Sometimes I hug my pillow and pretend it is my little brother David," Tyler said and Casey flung his arms around Tyler's neck and held him tight.

"I know that I'm not much of a substitute but you can hug me any time you want!" Casey whispered into Tyler's ear.

"You're a great substitute, Casey. I wouldn't trade you for anything or anyone," Tyler said kissing him and then getting up and leaving Kyle's room.

"Geez... nobody wants to go out with me to do the pickup!" Tyler moaned going into the kitchen.

"I'll go!" Derek said.

"Right... It's you I'm picking up for!" Tyler said.

"I can go!" Cody said.

"Nope! You're little brother needs you today!" Tyler said and Cody grinned and ran out of the kitchen to head upstairs.

"Why don't you take Chris and Kyle with you? It would get them away from those stupid video games!" Linda said.

"I wouldn't have room in the Jeep to pick up those two packages if I did!" Tyler moaned.

"Oh poor baby...," Kathy teased as she kissed the top of Tyler's head.

"Take one of the Vans!" Linda said.

"If I do that my Jeep will be left here alone and dad might try to do something with it?" Tyler whined.

"Not if he wants to sleep in this house again he won't!" Linda said, and Tyler moaned feeling sorry for himself.

"For Christ's sake Tyler, grow up!" Linda said shaking her head.

"What time do you have to be there, Tyler?" Kathy asked.

"Shit! See ya later, love ya, buh bye..." Tyler said running out of the kitchen.

Tyler almost knocked down Larry, Chris, and Kyle as he ran to the front door.

"What's the hurry?" Larry asked.

"Going to be late to pick up those two packages!" Tyler said winking. Chris and Kyle caught the wink and looked at each other.

"Can we go with you?" Kyle asked knowing something was up.

"Ummm... no because I won't have enough room with you two in the Jeep," Tyler said, as Abbey appeared at the door followed by Echo and Chaos.

"Why don't you take Linda's Van?" Larry asked and Tyler stared at him. "Don't worry! I have to go out with Danny to the hospital and we will take my Van and Derek can drive your Jeep to take Luke to get his hair cut!" Larry said. Chris and Kyle smiled and began putting their coats on.

"Derek???" Tyler yelled.

"Wot?" Derek asked from the top of the stairs. Tyler tossed his keys up to him.

"I have to take the Van out so you'll have to take my Jeep for Luke's haircut," Tyler said.

"Sweet! Mud-boggin here I come!" Derek joked. Tyler glared at him.

"It's a joke, Ty!" Derek said.

"Got your stuff guys?" Tyler asked and Abbey began to whine.

"Fine! Get your leash then!" Tyler said and Abbey walked over to the door and looked up at her leash hanging on the knob. "Will you guys get the leashes from Echo and Chaos as well?" Tyler asked.

All three boys and three dogs piled into the Van.

"Where are we going?" Kyle asked, holding Chaos in his arms.

"To pick up a couple of parcels," Tyler said.

"Where?" Kyle asked. Tyler looked over at Kyle and Kyle shut up.

<20 minutes later>

"Hey we're going to the airport!" Chris said.

Tyler parked the Van and told the boys to stay inside with the doors locked!

Tyler went to the arrivals lounge and looked up the flights coming in from Chicago.

"Flight 659 from Chicago arriving at gate B12."  Came over the loud speaker.

"That's the flight!" Tyler said to no one in particular. Tyler walked over to the new arrivals gate and leaned on a pole since he wasn't allowed to go any further. He watched the people lining up to enter through security. As they passed through the metal detectors they were all removing their shoes and belts for inspection.

Tyler snorted laughter. Through the glass partition he spotted what he was looking for and waved frantically to catch their attention.

"Look! There's Ty!" Jesse said to Matt and they both waved. Coming through the exit doors with luggage in tow, the three embraced.

"Geez, guys I'm so glad you made it!" Tyler said giving each one of them a kiss and a hug.

"Are we really doing this?" Matt asked laughing.

"It's for your brother!" Tyler said. "How's Jesse doing?" Tyler asked messing his hair up.

Jesse squeezed his eyes shut and smiled. Then he picked up Tyler off the floor and spun him around in his arms.

"Jesse's been sucking on the oxygen mask on the flight?" Tyler asked Matt.

"Pretty much!" Matt said.

"Do they know we are coming?" Jesse asked.

"Nope. Only Mom and Dad know. Kyle and Chris are in the Van right now in the parking garage and think I'm picking up two parcels." Tyler said and Matt and Jesse laughed. "We lucked out and your flight arrived as Derek is taking Luke to get his haircut so it will really be a surprise when he gets home."

As the elevator door closed to take them up to the car park Jesse quietly took Tyler's hand and squeezed it three times. Tyler smiled and squeezed Jesse's hand back.

"How did your parents react to sudden flight to Baltimore?" Tyler asked.

"They thought it was great!" Jesse said.

"They're pretty damn happy over the change in Jesse!" Matt added.

As the elevator doors opened Tyler said, "Now let's see how long it takes for two teenage boys to go insane inside a Van?" Matt and Jesse asked.

"Where's the Jeep?" Jesse asked.

"I had to bring the Van because of Kyle and Chris and the three dogs coming!" Tyler said.

"Three dogs?" Matt asked.

"Sorry, I forgot to tell you that I got Derek two golden lab puppies for his birthday. Echo and Chaos came along for the ride!" Tyler said.

"Sweet!" Jesse said.

"Love the names!" Matt added laughing.

"Okay, guys, look straight ahead and see how close we get until they notice," Tyler said. Matt and Jesse were grinning as they walked towards the Van.

"HOLY FUCK!" Kyle yelled and Chris looked up.

"SHIT! He flew Matt and Jesse in for Derek's birthday!!!!!!" Chris yelled as they scrambled to get out of the locked Van.

"I got your bags, guys... go greet your brothers!" Tyler said laughing and Matt and Jesse ran towards the Van.

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! I don't fucking believe this!" Kyle yelled as he jumped into Jesse's arms. Abbey, Echo, and Chaos came running from the open side door of the Van.

"Oh God I've missed you!" Chris said as he threw his arms around Matt's neck. Matt planted his lips on Chris' and then winked.

"I've missed you too, Chris!" Matt said, and gave him another hug.

Kyle looked beyond Jesse at a grinning Tyler and said, "You fucktard!" and laughed. Kyle immediately went to hug Tyler. "Thanks Tyler!"

"You are most welcome, not-so-little-dude," Tyler said smiling.

All three dogs ran to Tyler.

"Echo, come here!" Matt said not sure which was which.

Echo ran over to Matt and he picked her up. "Damn, you are so cute! Look at the size of those paws!!!" Matt said shaking one of her paws.

"Let's get those dogs back in the Van before some crazy driver hits one of them!" Tyler said.

Matt rode in the first row bench seat with Echo in his arms and Chris hanging off him. Jesse rode behind Matt holding Chaos with Kyle's hand on his leg slowly creeping up. Abbey sat on the floor with her head in Tyler's lap getting the occasional ear scratching.

"Shit! You live in this mansion?" Jesse asked, as he bent over to look through the front windshield.

"It's your mansion too!" Kyle said resting his head down on Jesse's shoulder. Kyle looked down to see the bracelet on Jesse's wrist. Jesse put his arm around Kyle.

"How big is this place?" Matt asked.

"About 7000 square feet!" Tyler said as he put the Van into park. Abbey was the first one out and she headed over to her favourite tree to pee. Echo and Chaos followed and squatted down beside her.

"I really have to pee!" Chris said.

"Me too!" Jesse added laughing.

"Yeah... watching them sort of makes you have to go," Tyler said.

"C'mon Jesse and I'll help you pee!" Kyle said grinning.

"I thought you were getting him neutered?" Jesse asked Tyler. Kyle punched Jesse's arm.

"Why don't you two carry their things in?" Tyler asked Chris and Kyle.

Matt and Jesse followed Tyler into the kitchen.

"Matt! Jesse! This is Linda Anderson and Kathy Mitchell! Kathy is Casey's Mom and Linda is Derek, Kyle, and Luke's mother.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both!" Linda said giving each of them a hug and kiss. "Have we met before Matt? You look familiar!" she asked.

"I was your ski instructor two years ago in Lake Placid," Matt said.

"Matt! Matt Duracell?" Linda asked.

"Durrell!" Matt said, correcting Linda.

"Right! Sorry. How is your Dad doing? He wasn't well if I recall?" Linda asked.

"Dad is fine; it is Mom who isn't well but she is holding her own and actually doing much better in the last week!" Matt said winking at Jesse.

"How was your flight?" Kathy asked.

"Really good! One twenty minute stopover at O'Hare and then straight to Baltimore," Matt said.

"Chris and Kyle haven't stopped talking about how much fun they had with you guys!" Kathy said smiling.

Matt and Jesse looked at each other.

"We really appreciate all the help you gave them in skiing!" Linda said.

"It was our pleasure. I or rather we have never been treated so nicely! You both have wonderful boys! We really feel like they are our brothers," Matt said.

"I gather Jesse's the quiet one?" Kathy asked and Jesse blushed.

"No Ma'am!" Jesse said. "It's just hard to get a word in when Matt's in the room." Jesse said laughing. Matt lunged at him and Jesse ran for a few feet.

"I've still got the power!" Matt proudly declared.

"Why don't you boys get settled in? Tyler, does Derek know anything yet?" Linda asked.

"No Mom. He has no idea," Tyler said, as he scratched Abbey's ear and Chris and Kyle snickered.

"Where is everyone going to sleep?" Kathy asked of Linda.

"They'll figure it out. I think Kyle might stay the night at Chris'." Linda said.

"Hey guys, Cody and Casey are upstairs!" Kyle said winking.

"Sweet!" Jesse said. "We can go surprise them."

"Tyler, can I see you for a moment?" Linda asked.

"Sure. You guys go ahead but remember to keep it down up there because we want to surprise Derek and he is due home in the next half hour," Tyler said.

Chris and Kyle decided to wait downstairs while Matt and Jesse snuck upstairs and along the wall towards Kyle's bedroom.

"Tyler, the moment that Derek arrives I need you to get Derek away from the front of the house so Larry can put Derek's present in the garage," Linda said.

"Consider it done. I'll get them all down in the basement to shoot some pool!" Tyler said.

Matt and Jesse moved down the hallway towards Kyle's bedroom door. The door was partially closed. They could see Cody lying down on the bed facing away, towards the window with Casey in his arms. Matt was about to push the door open when Casey rolled over to face Cody.

"Ahhhhhh ah, ah, ah,....," Casey said, with a huge smile pointing towards the half open door. Matt and Jesse walked into the room and Cody turned over to see what Casey was pointing at.

"Oh Shit!" Cody said grinning.

"Yeah... that's the word I was looking for!" Casey said and all four laughed.

Casey jumped over Cody and ran into Jesse's arms. "Hey Casey!" Jesse said while Matt jumped on the bed and hugged Cody.

"Does Derek know you are here?" Cody asked sitting up.

"Nope! Neither does Luke or Danny yet!" Matt said.

"You guys came all the way out here for Derek's birthday?" Casey asked Jesse.

"We did... but we also came to see you and all of our other brothers as well!" Jesse said hugging Casey a second time.

"Thanks, Jesse." Casey whispered in Jesse's ear. "I need you guys right now."

"What's up?" Jesse whispered back.

"Later," Casey said and Jesse nodded.

"Get over here!" Matt said to Casey. "I need my hug too!" Casey came over and hugged Matt.

Matt whispered in Casey's ear, "If you go see Jesse he will give you something special we brought for you from Seattle!" Casey's eyes lit up and he ran over to Jesse.

"C'mon, let's go get my luggage!" Jesse said and he left the room with Casey holding his hand.

Matt turned back to look at Cody and Cody pulled him into a hug and flipped him down on the bed.

"I can't believe you are here! I'm so happy you guys are here," Cody said.

"You'd better hug Tyler! He's the one that made this all happen," Matt said.

"I can do that any time!" Cody said laughing. "How's Jesse doing?"

"Really good. Since the moment Tyler called to arrange our flight he's been bouncing off the wall. Mom and Dad thought he was on drugs!" Matt said laughing.

Jesse appeared at the top of the stairs with Casey attached to him. "C'mon up guys and, Ty, could you bring our coats up as well so Derek doesn't notice them?" Jesse asked.

"Good thinking!" Tyler said.

Kyle and Chris lugged their suitcases up the stairs and threw them on Derek's bed. Jesse unzipped his suitcase and asked Casey to get Matt to come into the room. Jesse and Matt sat on each side of Jesse's suitcase and began looking through several white plastic bags.

"Found it!" Matt said. "Here Casey, this is from Jesse and me," he said handing Casey a bag.

"WHOA!" Casey said looking inside the bag.

"What is it?" Chris asked and Casey pulled out a Seattle Supersonics Jersey with Ray Allen's name and number 8 on the back of it.

"Dude, that is so cool!" Kyle said. Casey ran over and hugged the two of them together.

"I love you guys so much," Casey said.

"We love you too!" Jesse said.

"You didn't need to bring me anything. I've got all I need with you guys here," Casey said. Matt kissed Casey's cheek and Jesse started to tear up. He pulled Casey away from Matt to hug him and cover his tears.

"Thanks, Casey, that means so much to me," Jesse whispered and Casey kissed his cheek.

"I think there might be something in here for Kyle and Chris as well!" Matt said and both boys grinned. Matt pulled out two bags and looked in each.

"Where is that double headed, glow-in-the-dark, vibrating dildo?" Matt joked and Kyle and Chris fisted each other and grinned.

"This one is for Kyle and this one is for Chris." Matt said handing them each a bag. Neither boy opened the bag before giving Matt, and then Jesse, a hug and a kiss.

"Cool!" Chris said.

"What did you get?" Casey asked.

Kyle pulled out a Quicksilver watch and a yellow skater's toque.

Chris pulled out a Quicksilver watch and a blue skater's toque from his bag.

"Look Kyle, our watches are identical!" Chris said holding his watch next to Kyle's.

"We sort of thought that since you guys are a couple that a matching pair of watches might be a nice little secret just between the two of you?" Jesse said.

Casey pulled off his sweatshirt and put his Supersonics jersey on.

"We should take the stuff downstairs for The Andersons and Kathy," Matt said, and Jesse nodded.

Everyone followed Matt and Jesse downstairs and into the kitchen.

"How are you boys making out?" Linda asked.

"Casey, what are you wearing?" Kathy asked with a big smile.

"Oh Casey, don't you look cute!" Linda said, and Casey grimaced at Linda.

"I mean cool! Not cute!" Linda said correcting herself and Casey smiled.

"Matt and Jesse gave me a Ray Allen jersey!" Casey said modeling it for them.

"Did you thank them?" Kathy asked.

"Yes he did!" Matt said.

"He actually said the jersey was nice but he was happier about having us here!" Jesse added.

"These are for both of you!" Jesse said handing each of them a bag with a card in them.

"Oh my goodness boys, you didn't need to do that!" Linda said and Kyle rolled his eyes.

"KYLE!!!!" Linda yelled and Kyle flashed a quick grin.

"What do we have in here?" Kathy asked aloud.

"Sorry about having to use bags but security is so tight at the airport these days," Matt said.

Linda pulled out a box of chocolates from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and a large bag of 'Seattle's Finest' coffee beans. There was also a wrapped gift inside with a note attached that said, 'Congratulations on the good news - open in private', Linda read the box inside of the bag and grinned and winked at both boys. She then gave each of them a kiss and hug.

"Thank you, boys! That was completely unnecessary but very thoughtful!" Linda added.

"Oh goodness!" Kathy shrieked getting everyone's attention. "How did you know?"

Matt and Jesse pointed to Tyler who in turn, pointed to Casey.

"Don't look at me! It's not my fault... I don't think?" Casey pondered and everyone laughed.

"What's in the bag Kathy?" Cody asked.

Kathy pulled out a jar of sand, some rocks, and some shells. "It's real sand from the pacific?" She said beaming and everyone looked at her funny.

"For my aquarium! I've always wanted sand from each of the oceans of the world!" Kathy said.

"We collected the rocks and shells right off of the beach!" Jesse said. Kathy was in tears she was so happy. She immediately hugged Jesse and Matt, then Tyler, and finally her Casey.

"Aren't you overreacting for a jar of sand and some beach stuff?" Casey asked twisting his face. Everyone laughed.

"See if I share these chocolates with you then!" Kathy said.

"Matt, you'd better dig out the stuff for Danny before it gets ruined!" Jesse said and Matt ran upstairs.

"What did you bring, Danny?" Casey asked.

"It's a secret but I will tell you if don't tell anyone else!" Jesse whispered.

"I think everyone in the room can hear you?" Casey said and everyone laughed.

"There's this place in Seattle called 'Cinnamon Works' and we brought two bags of their 'cinnamon pull-a-parts'. One bag for Danny and one for everyone else to try," Jesse said in a whispered voice.

Matt came running back into the kitchen with two bags. "Tyler, your Jeep is just coming into the driveway. Would that be Derek?" Matt asked.

"Upstairs! Now!" Tyler yelled. "You too, Casey, if you're going to wear that jersey!" Tyler added and the three ran upstairs.

Tyler tossed Kathy and Linda a bag each of cinnamon pull-a-parts and told them to hide them along with their stuff from Matt and Jesse. Tyler walked into the front foyer as Luke opened the door with Derek behind him. Luke had a look of terror in his eyes and Derek was shaking his head.

"Nice hair, Luke!" Tyler said.

"Whatever..." Luke said storming off to the kitchen.

"What happened?" Tyler asked.

"Never! Never ever again!" Derek complained.

"That bad eh?" Tyler asked.

"He wanted half of his head shaved and the other half dyed florescent green!" Derek said.

"Thank God you were with him or they might have done it!" Tyler joked.

"No they wouldn't! Dad's already threatened them before. Half of the staff run and hide when they see Luke coming," Derek said and Tyler hugged him and gave him a kiss.

"I'm sure the rest of your birthday will get better!" Tyler said and Echo and Chaos stood at their feet looking up.

"Oh sweeties! I missed you too!" Derek said picking both of them up and giving them each a kiss.

"Coffee's ready!" Tyler said leading Derek and the puppies into the kitchen.

Linda and Kathy both started giggling when Derek came in.

"What now?" Derek asked.

"Nothing... old man!" Kathy teased and Linda laughed.

"Don't worry Derek... we got you Viagra for your birthday!" Tyler teased and Derek made a face at Tyler.

"Should we give him his next two birthday presents?" Tyler asked.

"Who cares?" Luke grumbled as he made himself two peanut butter sandwiches.

Linda swatted the back of Luke's head.

"How are you going to give it to him?" Linda asked and Luke snorted. Then Derek and Tyler began laughing.

Tyler cleared his throat. "I'm thinking of sitting him down on a bar stool and blindfolding him!" Tyler said.

"I thought we agreed to leave the bedroom stuff in the bedroom?" Derek asked.

"Oooooooo!" Luke said grinning.

Linda swatted the back of Luke's head again.

"Ow!" Luke said grimacing at his mother.

"What can we use for a blind fold?" Tyler asked.

"Duct tape and lots of it!" Luke said.

Tyler went and got a toque and put it over Derek's head and sat him down on a bar stool facing into the kitchen.

"Okay, Luke, your job is to wrap masking tape around his eyes so he can't peek!" Tyler said.

"Can I do his mouth too?" Luke asked and moved quickly before his mother could cuff him upside the head a third time.

"What are you going to do when Luke sees the present ahead of Derek?" Linda asked.

"Good thinking! Luke can you keep your mouth absolutely shut when you see his present so it doesn't spoil it for him?" Tyler asked.

"No problem!" Luke said hunting through a drawer for masking tape.

"I'm really serious Luke! You're going to want to say something and you can't!" Tyler warned.

"It won't be a problem." Kathy said. "I'll just cover his mouth." Luke gave Kathy the evil eye.

"When I come back, Luke, I want you to hold your hands over Derek's eyes so there is no way he can see anything," Tyler asked.

"Can someone hand me my coffee, please?" Derek asked and Kathy set his mug in his hand.

Tyler returned to the entrance of the kitchen and peeked around the corner. "Are you ready Luke?" Tyler asked.

"Sure..." Luke said ignoring him.

"Mom and Kathy I will need you both to move away from where you are," Tyler asked and they got up and moved as they sat directly across from Derek. Tyler walked into the kitchen followed by Matt and Jesse.

"HOLY..." Luke began and Linda swatted the back of his head. "Ow! I didn't even say it!"

"You were thinking it, Luke!" Derek said blindfolded.

"Oh my God! I can't believe you did this!" Luke said grinning. "This is so cool knowing what is about to happen before Derek does."

Casey came into the kitchen with the others but didn't look at Luke. Luke did notice the jersey that Casey was wearing. Casey climbed up on Kathy's lap.

"When I get this blindfold off I'm going to kill you, Luke!" Derek said as Matt and Jesse moved in front of Derek across the kitchen counter island. Jesse started waving his hand in front of Derek's face and Matt started making funny faces. Everyone began laughing.

"I hate you all!" Derek said. "This is some sort of gag gift isn't it?" He asked.

"Can I take it off now?" Luke asked.

"No! We need a camera!" Tyler said and sent Casey up to Derek's room to get Tyler's camera. Tyler snapped a couple of pictures of everyone in the room with Derek wearing a blindfold.

"What do you say we all count down from ten and then Luke can pull the toque off?" Tyler asked and everyone but Jesse and Matt agreed. <More giggles>

As the countdown began Matt and Jesse leaned on their fists next to each other. Jesse leaned in towards Matt. "Three... two... one..." and Luke pulled the toque off. <Snap>

"Holy Fuck!!!" Derek yelled and Luke swatted Derek across the back of the head. <Snap>

"I can't believe it!" Derek yelled and reached across the counter to hug Matt and Jesse. <Snap>

"That was kind of fun... the swatting part!" Luke said and Linda swatted the back of Luke's head <Snap>

"Happy Birthday, Derek!" Matt said smiling.

"Happy Birthday, old man!" Jesse added with a grin.

Abbey went to the door barking and Echo and Chaos followed.

"Someone's at the door!" Kyle said.

"I'll get it. It's Jeff and he doesn't know you guys are here! I just told him to get over here because Derek was being given a surprise," Chris said running to the door.

"Chris!!!!!!" Matt yelled.

"What?" Chris asked running back to the kitchen.

"Why don't you let me answer it?" Matt said grinning. Chris smiled and pointed towards the door.

The doorbell rang again as Matt with a grin, opened the door and said, "Yes?"

"HOLY CRAP! Matt? Is it really you?" Jeff asked with his mouth now hanging open.

"Want me to get naked and prove it to you?" Matt said and then pulled Jeff into a hug. All the boys gathered around the entrance to the kitchen to watch.

"I think they're kissing!" Casey said quietly.

"We're not heating the outside!" Derek yelled with his arm around Jesse. Everyone laughed and Matt and Jeff stopped kissing and turned to look at all of them.

Matt pushed Jeff outside and he stepped out with him and closed the door behind him. More laughter.

"Now I know why you wanted...," Derek began and Tyler shushed him.

"Save that for later when Danny is here. Why don't we all grab drinks and go downstairs and shoot some pool?" Tyler suggested opening the front door. "Guys we have laws about what you're doing on the front step!" Jeff and Matt came inside.

"Jeff looks a little dazed," Kyle said.

"Wouldn't you be?" Chris asked.

"Uh huh!" Kyle said leading everyone downstairs.

Matt ran upstairs to the bedroom to get Luke's gift and then went downstairs to the basement with two bags in hand.

Luke immediately left Jesse's arms and jumped up on Matt and hugged him.

"I love you!" Luke said.

"I love you more!" Matt said.

"What did ya bring me?" Luke asked.

"Lucas! That's rude!" Derek yelled and Casey shook his head.

"This is for you from me and Jesse!" Matt said handing Luke a bag.

"WHOA!" Luke said.

"Where have we heard that before?" Tyler asked looking at Casey.

"Casey, come over here!" Matt asked.

Matt reached into the second bag and pulled out two boxes of chocolates from the Chocolate Factory and gave one to Casey and one to Luke.

"Thanks, Matt!" Casey said giving him a hug and a kiss.

Luke was too busy stripping half naked to care about the chocolates.

"What did you get?" Cody asked Luke.

"A Josh Brown Seattle Seahawks jersey!" Luke yelled holding it up for everyone to see.

Casey gave Jesse a hug and kiss as well. "Thanks for the candy Jesse! I don't need it though. I'm just happy my two brothers are here," Casey said.

"Thanks bud! I feel the same way about my family," Jesse said.

"Give me the chocolates then!" Luke said as he tore into his box. "Is that peanut butter I smell?"

"Chocolate and peanut butter in a mix of light and dark chocolate coating!" Matt said. Luke grabbed three of them from the box and tossed them in his mouth and then closed the box. Everyone watched Luke eat and Derek was about to say something but Tyler stopped him.

"Somebody rack up the balls and Derek, do you want to get a fire going in the fireplace?" Tyler asked.

Kyle cupped Tyler's crotch and said, "Balls are racked!"

Matt started laughing and said, "God, it's good to be home!"

"Where are we going now?" Danny asked as they left the hospital.

"We're going to pick up Derek's surprise birthday gift but I needed some help to get it home," Larry said. "Did you like your tour of the hospital?"

"Actually it was much cooler than I thought it might be. I like the observation room that looks down over where they do the surgeries!" Danny said.

"That is because this is a training hospital as well," Larry said.

"Visiting the patients was pretty cool but I felt bad for the old people in there," Danny said.

"We all are getting older Danny. The really sad part is that some of those people either have no family or the family simply doesn't bother to visit them," Larry said.

"Do you normally take stuffed animals in for the kids in the paediatric ward?" Danny asked.

"Always! Stuffed animals do more to help kids heal than I can!" Larry said unlocking the Van in the parking lot.

"I would have thought the stuffed raccoons would be scary but the story you told made me want one!" Danny said laughing.

"That's exactly what Tyler said when I told him about the raccoons! Raccoons are nocturnal so explaining to the kids that 'Bandit' will sleep during the day and stay awake at night to protect them helps them to sleep better!" Larry said and Danny laughed.

"What's so funny?" Larry asked.

"When you tell them that you don't need to feed them because they are already stuffed!" Danny said and began laughing hysterically. Larry grinned at him and started up the engine.

"Oh shit!" Danny said as Larry drove into the parking lot.

"Huh?" Larry asked.

"Sorry. I just figured out why you needed me?" Danny said and Larry grinned.

They both got out of the Van and a salesman approached them.

"Afternoon, Dr. Anderson." the salesman said.

"Afternoon Gary! I'd like you to meet one of my sons, Daniel!" Larry said putting his arm around Danny. Danny beamed proudly.

"Nice to meet you, Daniel!" Gary said shaking his hand. "Is this the birthday boy?" Gary asked Larry.

"No, he's out getting Luke a haircut." Larry said. "Is everything ready to go?"

"Yes, Sir! It's been detailed and the plates are on. Your insurance company faxed the paperwork over and all you need to do is sign that you've received your son's new vehicle," Gary said smiling.

"Thanks Gary. Let's get it signed then!" Larry said.

"Follow me, please," Gary said, as he held open the door going into the dealership.

"What kind of car did you get him? If you tell me it's a Chrysler Crossfire I will be forced to kill him and assume his identity," Danny joked.

"See the red one over there in the used car lot!" Larry said pointing.

"Oh! Oh! Oh my heart be still! You got him a Jeep Cherokee?" Danny asked.

"It's three years old, low mileage, and very nicely equipped!" Larry said.

"Nicely?" Danny asked.

"Very, very nicely!" Larry said... very slowly!

"Can I be adopted next?" Danny joked.

"I like to think you already have been," Larry said, returning his arm around Danny's neck.

"I love you, Dad, and wouldn't trade having you for a brand new Crossfire!" Danny teased.

"What about two brand new Crossfires?" Larry asked.

"Can I get back to you on that?" Danny said winking.

Larry signed the papers and Gary gave him his copy plus a miniature red Jeep Cherokee car.

"Cool! Is that for Luke?" Danny asked.

"No, Tyler asked for it so he can put it on top of Derek's cake." Larry said.

"Sweet!" Danny said.

"Thanks again, guys!" Gary said waving.

Larry and Danny turned and waved.

Larry handed the keys to Danny. "Try not to trash it before we get home," Larry teased.

"No Sir! No way! Uh huh! I'm not driving that thing!" Danny protested.

"Yes you are! I'm too tall... no offence," Larry said.

"What if something happens?" Danny asked.

"It won't but if it did we have insurance and I'm a doctor. Danny, you're my son and I love you and trust you. Enjoy the ride home because you're probably the first and last person to ever be allowed to drive it once Derek gets his hands on the wheel," Larry joked.

"Does anyone else know about it?" Danny asked.

"Just you, me, Linda, Tyler, Kathy, and Ian," Larry said. "Oh and here is the remote control for the garage door opener. I want you to park it in the middle spot and remember that Derek doesn't know anything about this!" Larry said.

"What exactly did Derek do to deserve this?" Danny asked.

"Huh?" Larry asked.

"Sorry, what I really meant to say was what do I have to do to get a car like this?" Danny asked with a grin.

"Derek grew up and he brought me three wonderful sons! If you can top that we will consider a car for your birthday!" Larry said winking.

"About this size right?" Danny asked holding the model up in the air.

"You're getting too smart, Daniel!" Larry said. "Hurry up and follow me home!"

Larry dialed Tyler's cell phone to let him know that he was on his way home and that they would need time to give it a quick wash with the hose because of the melting snow and slush. Tyler decided to avoid any wise-assed comments and simply told Larry to tell Danny to go to the basement when he arrived.

Danny was so careful driving home that all he and Larry had to do was wipe down the sides of the Jeep and the tires. Together, they added a big white bow and ribbon across the windshield of the Jeep. Danny placed the model Cherokee next to the cake so Tyler would be able to find it.

Larry and Danny were partially soaked from cleaning Derek's birthday present and when they entered the kitchen from the rear hallway Linda and Kathy started laughing.

"Where is everyone?" Danny asked.

"Wait here. Tyler has a surprise for you! Let me get him." Linda said. Linda called down to Tyler in the basement and he came running upstairs.

"Danny's back!" Linda said and Tyler grinned.

"Did you have fun?" Tyler said smiling at Danny.

"Come see!" Danny said and he and Tyler headed out to the garage.

"Shit! That is one fine looking vehicle! I wonder if he will let any of us inside of it?" Tyler asked.

"I got to drive it home!" Danny said and giggled.

"Really? How cool is that? How was it?" Tyler asked.

"Frick'n awesome! So much nicer than your Jeep! Quiet, warm, smooth to ride...," Danny said and Tyler glared at him. "Not that there is anything wrong with your Jeep Ty! By the way, I put the model car beside your cake!" Danny said.

"Thanks for you help Danny because I wasn't able to go," Tyler said.

"And speaking of... why is that?" Danny asked.

"I'll show you!" Tyler said and they walked back into the kitchen.

"How are you going to give it to him?" Tyler asked.

"We were just talking about that, Tyler!" Larry said. "We thought that we would have everyone gather around the Jeep in the garage and bring him in blindfolded?"

"Everyone could yell happy birthday when he takes the blindfold off!" Danny added.

"Good idea!" Larry said.

"Cool! I can take him into the garage blindfolded and Cody can take pictures!" Tyler said.

Larry was about to ask where Matt and Jesse where and Linda shut him up before he said anything.

"Got the blindfold?" Tyler asked and Kathy held it up still covered in masking tape.

"Put this on, Danny!" Tyler said and Linda, Kathy, and Larry started laughing.

"Oh Tyler, you're going to need to take this with you!" Kathy said pulling both bags of cinnamon pull-a-parts out of the cupboard and giving it to Tyler. Tyler opened the bag and laughed.

"I smell cinnamon!" Danny said.

"Don't even think about touching that blindfold!" Tyler threatened.

Danny placed his hands on the back of Tyler's shoulder. "Can't I hold on to your butt instead?" Danny asked grinning.

"He looks so cute grinning with that blindfold on!" Kathy said.

"Grab my ass again and you'll be eating that blindfold!" Tyler said as they left the kitchen.

Tyler opened the basement door and yelled down that he had one blindfolded Danny coming down the stairs! Danny heard everyone giggle.

"I hate you for whatever you are doing!" Danny said.

"I know... what else is new?" Tyler asked.

When Tyler reached the bottom of the stairs Danny could hear more noise and laughter. Tyler tossed the bag over to Jesse.

As he walked Danny towards the pool table Luke slapped Danny's ass and said, "Good game kid!" Everyone laughed.

Danny turned his head and said in a Southern accent, "I keel you later!" More laughter.

Tyler rested Danny against the long side of the pool table and told him to keep his hands on the table and not to move them. Tyler positioned Jesse and Matt on each side of him.

"You made a video of me at The Cave and you're going to run it now and embarrass me right?" Danny asked.

"No, but now that you mentioned it I wish I had!" Tyler said.

"What's the cave?" Luke asked.

"Never mind!" Derek said giving Luke a cold stare.

Tyler used hand signals to instruct Matt and Jesse on what to do. "Remember Danny... no movements until you are told to remove your blindfold," Tyler said.

Jesse reached into one of the bags of cinnamon pull-a-parts and gave everyone one to eat. Then Jesse ran one under Danny's nose.

"Shit! That's a cinnamon bun! I know it!" Danny said and everyone laughed. They all gathered close to Danny holding their cinnamon pull-a-parts at their mouths.

"I can hear you all breathing around me! Derek, you need to brush your teeth!" Danny said and everyone laughed but Tyler laughed loudest.

"Daniel?" Tyler called holding the camera.

"Uh huh?" Danny said.

"You can take it off now!" Tyler said and Danny started undoing his zipper. Everyone laughed.

"Hey! I know that laugh!" Danny said and ripped the blindfold off. Matt and Jesse immediately kissed each of Danny's cheeks. Danny looked at each of them.

"Oh shit! Oh damn!" Danny said. "Cinnamon buns!" He yelled grabbing the one out of Cody's hand and stuffing it in his mouth. He then said, "Who the hell are you guys?" Danny winked at everyone and then half the boys dropped to the ground laughing. Tyler stared at him in disbelief.

"Damn! He got you, Ty!" Cody said laughing as Danny hugged and kissed Matt and Jesse. When Danny hugged Jesse he added, "Get your hands off my crotch!" More laugher.

"You are good, Mr. Armitage! So good that I could do you right now on this table!" Tyler joked and Danny rolled back on the table and flipped his legs up in the air.

Casey took a shot and sunk the white cue ball. He turned around to hand his stick over to his partner, Cody, and found himself face-to-face with Luke.

"Nice shirt!" Luke said smiling.

"Yeah," Casey said unenthusiastically as he walked past Luke and gave his stick to Cody. Casey sat down on one of the sofas. Luke came over to him and sat down beside him.

"Want to trade jerseys?" Luke asked.

"What?" Casey said so loudly that everyone paused to look at them.

"I said do you want to trade jerseys? You know I am a bigger basketball fan than you are." Luke repeated. Casey looked at him with shock.

"No problem," Luke said. "If you don't want me to have your jersey that is fine."

<Two minutes pass>

"It's not like I don't share everything of mine with you," Luke said staring intently at the game.

Casey stood up and pulled off his jersey and threw it at Luke's face. "Here! Keep the fucking thing!" Casey yelled and ran out of the room.

Tyler looked at Derek and saw the rage in his eyes. He put his hand on Derek's chest and said, "Whoa! You can't get involved! They need to work it out for themselves."

"Luke is being an asshole... as usual!" Derek said glaring at Luke. Luke caught the look from Derek and got up and left the room leaving the jersey sitting on the sofa.

Derek tried to get past Tyler but was stopped. "They might be kids but they need to work it out by themselves. If they need help they will ask!" Tyler said.

"Just because Luke is in love doesn't give him the right to be an assmite!" Derek said.

"I dunno... when you first fell in love with me you were an asshole!" Tyler said grinning. Danny laughed and Derek glared at him.

"If no one would be offended I could really go for a nap?" Matt asked.

"Word!" Jesse said. "We were up at 3 a.m. Pacific Time."

"C'mon, Jesse, Chris and I will show you my bedroom!" Kyle grinned.

"Matt, I will show you Derek and Tyler's room!" Jeff said laughing. Kyle mouthed 'fuck you' to Jeff.

"So much for our planned game of strip pool!" Tyler teased. "We should probably go see if they need any help in the kitchen?" Tyler said to Derek.

"It's my birthday! I don't have to work!" Derek said.

"You do need to take your dogs for a short walk," Tyler said grinning.

"So what's going on with Casey and Luke?" Danny asked Cody when they were alone.

"Off the record?" Cody asked.

"Of course?" Danny said as he shot the cue ball around the table.

"Casey might be gay," Cody said.

"Really?" Danny asked seriously. "I thought him and Luke were into Rihanna and Lindsay Lohan or something?"

"That's not the problem," Cody said.

"What is then?" Danny asked.

"I think Casey has a crush and his heart's been broken," Cody said quietly.

"Shit! I'm sure you can easily explain to him that you're much too old for him," Danny said.

"It's not me Danny, it's Luke!" Cody said.

"Whoa! That is a problem! President Bush has a greater chance of winning a Nobel Peace prize than Casey has of winning Luke over," Danny said.

"It's not funny, Danny!" Cody said angrily.

"I never it said it was, Cody! I'm sorry. Does Ty know?" Danny asked.

"I'm not sure but I think so. That would explain why he's keeping Derek away from them," Cody said.

"What do you think we should do to try and solve it?" Danny asked as he sat down beside Cody holding a pool cue.

"Nothing because we can't interfere until called upon," Cody said.

"Does Luke have any knowledge of Casey's feelings towards him?" Danny asked.

"No, and like I said before, I 'think' Casey has a crush on Luke. He hasn't actually said it to me," Cody said.

"Isn't he kind of young to even think about being gay or straight?" Danny asked.

"I'm not sure but I basically said the same thing to him earlier. It could be that he has a crush on Luke but not necessarily other guys," Cody said.

"Let's shoot some pool!" Danny said.

"Sure, but let me see if I can get Casey to join us," Cody said getting up and going upstairs.

As Derek returned up the driveway with Echo, Chaos, and Abbey they heard the beep of a horn behind them. Ian waved from his truck and drove on past them and parked in the roundabout. Derek released all three dogs and Abbey immediately scooted over to see Ian and Echo and Chaos followed.

"Hey! There's the birthday boy himself! So these are the latest addition to the fold?" Ian asked.

"Echo has a pink collar and Chaos has a red collar," Derek said, proudly showing off his two puppies.

"Derek, they're beautiful pups but Abbey's still my favourite... aren't ya girl!" Ian said, rubbing her tummy.

"Between you and me she's still my favourite too!" Derek said.

"How are they getting along?" Ian asked.

"Great! Abbey's being a real mom to them and I think they still really miss their Mom," Derek said. "What brings you by so early?"

"I'm taking Jeff, Chris, and Casey out to buy you something for your birthday!" Ian said grinning.

"Make sure it's big and really expensive!" Derek said laughing.

"You sound like Luke... well actually you sound like almost all of them!" Ian said and winked at him.

"C'mon inside and I will get them. Our friends Matt and Jesse arrived from Seattle today and they are all up in the bedroom," Derek said opening the door for the three dogs to go inside.

"Where is everyone?" Luke asked as he entered the kitchen.

"Casey, Chris, and Jeff went out with their Dad to do some shopping and I think Ian was taking them to lunch?" Linda said.

"Matt, Jesse, Cody, Kyle, and Danny are all asleep and Tyler is doing something to my birthday cake," Derek added. "So when do we get to meet this girlfriend of yours?"

Luke looked at his watch. "In just a few hours! I have to get dressed!" Luke announced and ran out of the kitchen.

"Would you go and assist him please?" Linda asked. "Last time he tore the house apart."

"No problem. This morning he had 12 different colognes and perfumes on!" Derek said.

After another shower, which included a shower cap to protect his hair, four clothing changes, selection of the right pair of shades to wear on his forehead, and an hour's time..., Luke was ready to pick up his date. As he played with his hair in the mirror he saw Casey walk into the bedroom carrying a bag. Casey froze looking at the mess Luke's room was in.

"How do I look?" Luke asked, watching through the reflection in the mirror.

"Fine," Casey said not looking at him.

"How would you know? You didn't even look at me!" Luke said with disgust.

"You couldn't stop looking at yourself in the mirror long enough to turn around," Casey shot back.

Luke turned around and asked, "How do I look?"

"Fine," Casey mumbled without turning around from the closet. Luke rolled his eyes and left the room.

Luke appeared in the kitchen wearing brown shoes, beige cargo pants, and a bright yellow t-shirt under the unbuttoned burgundy silk shirt. Luke flung one hand out in the air like a runway model. No one noticed him.

"Ahem!" Luke said and added a smile.

"Are you ready to go, honey?" Linda asked after taking a quick look at him.

"Well... how do I look?" Luke asked in frustration at the lack of attention he was receiving.

"Fine," Linda said, without looking at him as she set out plates and silverware on the counter.

"Very smart!" Kathy said, as she chopped up grape tomatoes for the bruchetta.

"Did you want me to get my Tommy after shave balm for you?" Tyler asked as he skewered pieces of chicken.

"No, I decided to go with CK1!" Luke said, smiling and Tyler twitched his nose over the choice.

"Ewwww... someone's not getting kissed tonight!" Tyler joked.

"What's wrong with CK1?" Larry asked lowering the newspaper.

"It smells!" Tyler said.

"Not if you have really bad body odour!" Linda said.

"What?" Larry yelled. "I thought you liked it?"

"No, I've never liked the reek of that stuff; now Calvin Klein underwear is another story!" Linda said, and Tyler and Kathy started laughing. Ian was about to laugh as well but noticed Larry was staring at him.

"DAD???" Luke yelled. "I need to pick up Megan!!!!"

"Can't one of your brothers pick her up? Say Kyle for example... he's got a bike!" Larry teased while turning the page of his newspaper.

"DAD????" Luke yelled again.

"Can't she call a taxi?" Larry said enjoying his moment of picking on Luke.

"I can take you over?" Tyler offered.

"NO! You're picking on me!" Luke stammered.

Linda and Tyler looked at each other and grinned.

"SEE??? Everyone hates me!" Luke said and stormed out of the room.

"Larry?" Linda called.

"Yes dear, I know what you are going to say and 'yes' I've had my fun for the day... well, almost!" Larry said grinning.

As Larry and Luke put on their boots and winter coats they heard Tyler call. "Luke?"

"WHAT!" Luke yelled coming back into the kitchen with a sour look on his face.

Tyler opened the fridge and handed him the single red rose. "You don't want to forget this do you?" Luke grabbed it from his hand with a scowl on his face and left for the Van.

Linda was about to scold Luke, and Tyler stopped her.

"What is going on with that little brat this week?" Linda asked.

"I will give you the short version..." Tyler began and explained to her and Kathy how Luke was in love and ignoring Casey. "So the best thing for both of them is for Luke to realize what he has to lose and for Casey to stand up for himself and not follow Luke around like a puppy. If everyone stays out of it then hopefully they will both learn a lesson?" Tyler said. Linda looked at Kathy and she nodded her agreement with Tyler.

"From what I get via Casey, this Megan girl is an obnoxious brat with a brain and big 'titties'!" Kathy said laughing.

"So you are telling me that we are having the female version of Luke over with breasts?" Linda asked.

"According to Casey, he thinks they are perfect for each other because they are so much alike," Tyler said.

"I gather Luke doesn't realize that opposites attract?" Linda asked.

"He'll probably realize it before midnight," Tyler said. "And I think it's good for Casey to stand up for himself. Luke would never intentionally hurt him but Luke runs the show and it's time he learned that friendship is a two-way street."

"Geez... it's my birthday and you guys are talking trash about me...," Derek moaned, coming into the kitchen. Everyone laughed at him.

"We were talking about...," Tyler began.

"Yes, Derek, we were talking about you!" Linda said. More laughter.

"We were talking about Luke and Casey," Tyler said, giving Derek a kiss on the cheek. "What's a matter, birthday boy? Are you sad because you're an old man now?"

"You're so sleeping alone tonight?" Derek asked.

"Word! I don't sleep with old men, but I seriously doubt we will be very far apart with the number of people staying here tonight!" Tyler said.

"Shut up!" Derek said grinning.

Larry pulled the Van up in front of Megan's house and put it in park. "Want me to come up to the door with you?" Larry asked grinning. Luke gave his dad the evil eye.

"It's a big day for you, Son!" Larry said and Luke continued to glare at him.

"Okay then...," Larry said, looking straight ahead.

Luke got out of the Van and started walking up the driveway. Larry yelled to Luke who turned around to see his dad grinning as he held up a single, long-stem red rose. Luke slapped his face and shook his head.

"Thanks, Dad," Luke said, and Larry winked at him.

Luke stood standing at the door for a moment. He looked at the number on the house to make sure he had the right house. He pushed the doorbell and took one step back and held the rose out in front of him. He then quickly blew into his hand to check his breath.

Luke pressed the doorbell again. Taking a step closer to listen and see if he could hear anything. It sounded like a TV. Finally he tried rapping on the door and as he did it suddenly flung open on him.

"What?" The guy asked. Luke stared up at an overweight, balding man covered in tattoos holding a can of Bud Light wearing only boxers and an undershirt.

"Ummm... ahhh... Is Megan home?" Luke asked taking a step backwards. He then looked down at rose he was holding out and put it behind his back.

"Dad?? I told you I would answer the door!" Megan yelled as she ran down the stairs.

Luke smiled with relief to see her coming down the stairs. Luke stepped up to the door as her father held it open. Mr. Williamson flicked his now finished cigarette butt over Luke's head and into the garden. Luke flinched. Luke looked around to see tattered carpet on the stairs and wallpaper strips separating. The house looked like it needed either a thorough cleaning, or even better, to be completely bulldozed.

Megan quickly put her boots and coat on. She almost knocked Luke down as she pushed him backwards in a hurry to close the door behind them. They both heard her father yell, "Youz gots school on Monday!"

Megan gave an embarrassing smile.

"You look beautiful... as always," Luke said staring into Megan's eyes.

"Thanks," Megan said, shyly as she stared out across the road. Luke looked to see what it was she was looking at and they saw the drapes move in the front window of the house across the road.

"Something wrong?" Luke asked.

"No, no... was just looking... at your Van!" she said, and Luke handed her the rose.

"This is for you," Luke said blushing.

"Mr. Anderson... you do know how to look after a lady!" Megan said as she accepted the rose. They both stared at Larry in the Van.

"Should we go?" Megan asked.

"Yeah... sure," Luke said as he took her free hand. Larry grinned as he watched them walk towards the Van holding hands and smiling. Luke opened the sliding rear door of the Van and helped Megan in.

"Ummm..., Megan, this is my Dad!" Luke said, as he sat down beside her.

"Hi Megan, it's a pleasure to meet you," Larry said, without turning around.

"It's nice to meet *Achoo* Mr. Anderson as well." Megan said sneezing.

*Achoo* Megan sneezed again.

"Getting a cold are we?" Larry asked, and Luke cringed fearing his father was going to play doctor with her.

*Achoo* "No, Sir..., I think I am allergic to someone's cologne," she said sneezing again.

Luke groaned. "Sorry, that would be me," Luke said.

"Megan honey, why don't you come sit up front and I'll open the window?" Larry asked and Megan undid her belt and moved up to the front passenger seat. Luke growled at what was going on.

"So you're in Luke's class at school?" Larry asked and Luke dropped his face into his hands. 'Can this get any worse?' he said to himself.

As they turned into the driveway it was Megan's turn to say 'whoa'!

"Is this your house?" Megan said in shock.

"Nah, we just rented it for Luke's brother's birthday party!" Larry teased.

"DAD!!!" Luke yelled.

"Sorry, Megan, yes, this is our house and as you will see Luke is the member of the family with no sense of humour," Larry said. Luke had to lift himself up in his seat to give Larry an evil stare in his rear-view mirror. Megan smiled and laughed.

Luke jumped out of the Van and opened the front passenger door for Megan. He took her hand in his as he helped her step down and out.

"Luke, why don't you go wash up while I take Megan out for dinner and a movie? We won't be long," Larry said and Megan covered her mouth as she laughed. Luke turned red with anger.

"You know Megan, it's only fun to tease the boys when you know it bothers them?" Larry said.

"Maybe someday my dad will grow up!" Luke said in a deep, low voice while he glared at Larry.

"I hope not Luke... I would hate to become old like you," Larry teased. Megan was almost in tears from laughing.

"Your dad is soooo cool and funny," Megan said and Luke held back the anger and faked a smile.

"I keep telling him that but he won't listen. Go on inside and have fun. Megan, make yourself at home and if Luke gets to be too boring then let me know and we'll go see a movie?" Larry teased.

"Paybacks are a ..., " Luke began

"Ah, ah, ah... watch your mouth Lucas or you'll be spending tonight in your room while Megan and I go dancing and have a romantic dinner for two," Larry said.

Megan sneezed again and Luke took her arm and forced her towards the door and away from his father.

"Sorry about that!" Luke apologized.

"Sorry about what? Your dad is a scream!" Megan said smiling.

"Some days he does make me want to scream," Luke said, and winked as he opened the front door.

"Wow!" Megan said as she looked in and saw the marbled tile floor and the curved staircase. Tyler came along the hallway upstairs and turned to go down the staircase with Echo in his arms.

"Whoa!" Megan said as she looked at Tyler coming down the stairs.

"Great," Luke said in a whispered breath.

"Hi! You must be Megan?" Tyler asked with a big smile.

"Hi!" Megan said as she removed her winter boots.

"This is Echo! Echo, meet Megan!" Tyler said as he lifted Echo's paw up and down to make it look like she was waving.

"And I am Tyler by the way," Tyler said sticking out his hand. "I'm Luke's brother's..." Tyler began until he saw the look of terror on Luke's face. "Roommate at University!" Megan shook his hand longer than Tyler and Luke were comfortable with.

*Achoo* Megan sneezed.

"Sorry! Are you allergic to dogs?" Tyler asked stepping back with Echo in his arms.

"No... it seems I'm allergic to Luke!" Megan said grinning and Luke made a face.

"I'll be right back. I'll just go wash this CK1 off," Luke said running upstairs.

"Megan would you like to hold Echo for a moment? I just have to run to the kitchen and I will be right back!" Tyler said, as he basically dumped Echo into Megan's arms before she could respond.

Tyler ran into the kitchen and whispered to Larry, Linda, Kathy, Ian, and Derek. "No gays here! No gay discussion!"

"What?" Linda said.

"Luke's girlfriend. Something's up! Just keep the entire boyfriend scenario out of sight! Derek get upstairs and warn everyone else." Tyler said and ran back into the hallway.

"Is he crazy?" Derek asked shaking his head.

"I think we can all go straight for one night!" Linda said. "For Luke's sake!"

"Whatever... it's just my birthday. I suggest someone keep her away from the Jacuzzi though!" Derek said as he left the kitchen.

"Oh, Derek, I want you to meet Luke's friend, Megan," Tyler said.

"Hi, Derek. Happy Birthday," Megan said handing him a card out of her purse and undressing him in her mind from head-to-toe.

"Thank you, Megan. It's really nice to meet you! Who thought a really pretty girl would ever be anywhere near Luke?" Derek joked to Tyler.

"We may have the answer to that Derek. It seems Megan is allergic to Luke! Every time he is near her she sneezes," Tyler joked.

"Lucky you!" Derek said. "I get cramps and nausea," Derek joked and winked at Megan.

Luke came down the hall just in time to hear Tyler say, "I think it's the cologne he's wearing."

"I told him to wear Tommy Sport!" Derek said.

"Oh yeah..." Megan began. "I love the smell of Tommy colognes. The sport smells like watermelon," Luke immediately turned around and ran to Derek's room to put some of Tyler's Tommy Sport on his face.

"Excuse me, Megan, I have to go wake up some friends of ours that are here from Seattle," Derek said and ran up the stairs.

Abbey and Chaos soon appeared and Tyler was then explaining how the puppies were Derek's birthday gift from him. When Luke returned, Megan was sitting on the second step of the staircase with Echo and Chaos vying for her attention and Tyler was kneeling on the floor rubbing Abbey's tummy.

"Oh, here is Luke now! I will get out of your way. I'm sure Luke wants to give you a tour of the house and introduce you to everyone else here," Tyler said.

Luke watched Megan stare at Tyler's crotch as he passed her on the stairs. She couldn't have been more obvious with her pleasure at the sight, in Luke's mind.

"C'mon and I will give you the not-so-grand tour?" Luke said holding his hand out for Megan to take. They walked in to the living room.

"Wow! This is beautiful in here!" Megan said as she walked over to the curio cabinet and stared at the collection of Royal Doulton figurines. "Those are worth over $300.00 each and these are over $1000.00 each. There must be... ten grand in this cabinet?" Megan figured.

"They're just statues!" Luke moaned and Megan looked at him.

"You have a baby grand piano?" Megan asked.

"Apparently so? Want to hear me play chopsticks?" Luke asked.

"That's okay...," Megan said as she picked up a vase and turned it upside down to read who made it.

"Let me show you the pool table!" Luke said.

"I'll bet this is worth at least eight thousand dollars!" Megan said tapping at one key on the piano.

"C'mon!" Luke said walking her out of the room and across the hall to the dining room.

"Look at that China set!!!!" Megan cooed.

"They're dishes... get over it," Luke teased and Megan opened one of the doors on the hutch and pulled out a plate.

"Maybe you shouldn't touch that since I'm not allowed too?" Luke suggested.

"Royal Doulton Minton! Do you know that these are probably $1500.00 per place setting?" Megan said as she read the back of the plate.

"That's a few years of my allowance if you break one!" Luke joked.

"Look at all this stuff... silver candle holders, antique tea set, and lead crystal stemware... There's probably about...," Megan said.

"Stop! I don't want to know nor do I care. I just want to be with you," Luke said, taking Megan's hand and she smiled.

"Your parents are really rich!" Megan said.

"I don't know. Dad's a surgeon and Mom stays home," Luke said.

"Your dad is a doctor? How cool is that?" Megan asked.

"If you like cutting up bodies I guess it's cool?" Luke pondered for about a half of a second.

"Luke?" Linda called walking into the foyer.

"In here, Mom!" Luke said.

"Oh Hi!" Linda said.

"Mom, I would like you to meet Megan Williamson!" Luke said.

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Anderson!" Megan said from across the dining room table. Megan stared at the chandelier above.

"Nice to meet you as well!" Linda said smiling.

"Huh? Sorry," Megan said refocusing on Linda.

"I said it is nice to meet you as well. We are about to have some hors d'oeuvres in the kitchen if you two would like to join us?" Linda asked.

"Thanks, Mom. We'll be along in a moment," Luke said.

"Would you get Casey and the boys from upstairs as well please!" Linda asked heading back into the kitchen.

"Casey is here? As in Casey Mitchell?" Megan asked with a frown.

"Casey lives here along with his Mom, Kathy!" Luke said.

"Eeeewwww... isn't it bad enough being near him school?" Megan asked.

Luke ignored the question and suggested they go upstairs and get everyone.

"This is the washroom by the way!" Luke said turning on the light as they passed by.

"Holy crap! This is bigger than our kitchen and living room," Megan said peering in.

Tyler was walking down the hallway when Luke said, "Well... I only have two brothers but we have a lot friends and company over so having a large shower gets everyone cleaned up faster," Luke turned to see Tyler standing in front of him trying to get by.

"Only two brothers, eh?" Tyler asked and walked past Luke before he could say anything.

"This is my room!" Luke said opening the closed door to find Casey standing there in his underwear getting dressed. Megan's eyes moved immediately to Casey's 'package'.

"Don't you ever knock when the door is closed?" Casey yelled at Luke.

"I thought you were in another room," Luke shot back coldly at him.

"My clothes are still in YOUR closet," Casey yelled.

Megan ignored the banter and walked around the room. She smiled and shook her head looking at the empty peanut butter jar collection. She sat down on the bed beside Casey and picked up Mango.

"You still sleep with stuffed animals?" she asked laughing at Luke.

"No! No, I don't!" Luke said and Casey glared at him with his mouth open. Luke glared at Casey in fear that he was going to say something.

"The monkey's name is Mango and he is mine!" Casey said staring coldly at Luke. Luke exhaled in relief.

"Well, he is kind of cute... for a monkey!" Megan said tossing Mango back on the bed.

"May I finish getting dressed now?" Casey asked, as he stared Luke down.

"C'mon Megan, we need to go get the others. Sorry for walking in on you, Casey," Luke said without looking at him.

As they walked down the hall Megan asked, "I see you and Casey wear the same bracelets! Is that some sort of cult thing you have with Casey?" Megan laughed.

"Yeah... something like that," Luke said.

Luke tapped on Kyle's bedroom door and yelled in that 'Mom wants everyone down in the kitchen.' He did the same on Derek's bedroom door without opening it.

"Must be some secrets hidden in there?" Megan teased.

"No, they are my brother's bedrooms and I don't want to have to embarrass you by seeing more guys in underwear," Luke said.

"I wasn't embarrassed," Megan said as they walked down the hallway back to the stairs.

'I noticed that as well,' Luke thought to himself.

Luke introduced Megan to everyone and they all remained collected and somewhat quiet around her. The conversation remained at best boring while everyone ate the finger food.

Jeff finally arrived with Ashlea and Tyler was careful to make sure he answered the door and warned them about what not to discuss while Megan was there.

Megan had little trouble making herself at home and creating most of the conversation. Her brief chat with Larry brought the room silent for the first of two times that evening.

"So, Dr. Anderson, do you like being a surgeon?" Megan asked.

"It's a rewarding job when you get an opportunity to save someone's life. I find the most satisfaction when I am removing cancer cells and I find out that I got them all and the patient will live and not have to undergo chemotherapy or radiation. Mind you, that doesn't happen all that often!" Larry said smiling.

"You must have spent a long time studying to be a surgeon?" Megan asked.

Both Tyler and Casey stood side-by-side at the kitchen counter and avoided any eye contact with Luke.

"Over ten years and I am still taking several courses each year to remain up to date on the current happenings and latest techniques used today," Larry said.

"So how does it pay?" Megan asked and the room went silent.

"I didn't know crickets survived in January?" Kyle said and the room burst into laughter. Luke wanted to die right there and Megan missed the joke completely and continued to stare at Larry awaiting an answer.

"Considering the malpractice insurance one has to have it doesn't pay all that well, Megan!" Larry said.

Linda decided to break up the line of questioning by asking Luke if he wanted any peanut butter?

"Eeeewwwww... peanut butter?" Megan asked, making a face.

"Yes, that is Luke's favourite!" Linda said smiling. Luke dropped his face down.

"Yuck! Peanut butter is disgusting," Megan said, and the room went silent again.

"Found that pin, Mom!" Kyle said staring down at the floor. <Snorts all around> Tyler and Derek left the room and Casey asked to be excused shortly there after.

Tyler closed the door behind them in Derek's room.

"Can you believe that witch?" Derek asked wanting to punch the wall.

"I think it's kind of sad really. I don't see what Luke sees in her but Kyle deserved an Academy Award for timing tonight!" Tyler said laughing.

Derek held his hands out in front of his chest and Tyler laughed some more.

"They're not that big!" Tyler said.

"They are for someone her age or at least they are to Luke!" Derek said.

Megan excused herself to go use the washroom. When she reached the top of the stairs she peeked in Linda and Larry's bedroom.

"What a money pit this place is?" She thought to herself. When she finished in the washroom she walked down the hallway towards the two bedrooms she hadn't seen. Luke's bedroom door was closed and she figured Casey was in there and had probably left because she embarrassed him. Megan knocked on the bedroom door.

"Come in!" Casey said quietly as he got up to leave figuring it was Luke.

"Hi, Casey," Megan said.

"Oh... Hi," He said looking away from her.

"I just wanted to apologize for walking in on you before," Megan said.

"It's no problem. I wasn't naked or anything," Casey said feeling flush.

"Well I just wanted to say I was sorry and I can assure you that you would look fine if you were naked as well!" Megan said winking at him.

Casey looked up at her in shock and said, "Get bent!" and stormed out of the room past her and headed towards the stairs.

Megan moved on towards Kyle's room. She knocked softly and opened the door up to see the room was empty and full of skating paraphernalia. "Ugh!" she said closing the door.

When turning to her right to see Derek's bedroom door she tapped quietly and no one answered so she opened the door to see Tyler and Derek kissing. They stopped kissing and turned to look at her.

"Did you want something, Megan?" Tyler asked.

"No, umm... sorry. I was looking for the bathroom!" Megan asked turning red.

"Go back down the hallway and it's the last door on your right before you hit the railing," Tyler said and Megan smiled and closed the door.

"Looks like our secret is out?" Derek said and then giggled

"Lying little bitch! I walked past them when Judas was showing her the bathroom! She's just being nosey and spying," Tyler said shaking his head.

"I wish Luke would just throw her ass out of here," Derek said.

"We'd better get back down there. How long has it been since she was in here?" Tyler asked.

"Probably about a minute!" Derek said.

"Bet ya a blow job that she is down in the kitchen right now?" Tyler asked.

"No way, I know you better!" Derek said laughing.

"You're no fun since you got older and became smarter!" Tyler teased.

Tyler and Derek returned to the kitchen to find Megan standing next to Luke with everyone around the counter. Megan wouldn't look at either of them and they noticed it. Megan signaled to Luke that she wanted to go somewhere.

"Mom, we'll be right back! I want to finish giving Megan the house tour!" Luke said and they both left the room.

"I think she already finished the tour." Derek said and Linda, Kathy, Casey, and Tyler looked at him.

Derek looked back at them and said, "Later... we'll fill you in on the little bitch!" Linda and Kathy looked at each other while Casey became flush again wondering if they knew about Megan being in his room.

Luke took Megan downstairs to show her the games room. He shot a couple of balls on the pool table but Megan didn't seem interested.

"Did I do something wrong?" Luke asked.

"No," Megan said, as she became fidgety.

"Okay..." Luke said. "Maybe we better get back up there for dinner.

"Ummm... I don't know how to tell you this but I just saw your brother kissing Tyler!" Megan said.

"And?" Luke asked.

"Well... Like I said... they were kissing!" Megan said not understanding why Luke didn't see a problem.

"Tyler is Derek's boyfriend so I guess they are going to kiss now and then!" Luke said grinning.

"That's so disgusting! Being gay is all wrong!" Megan said crossing her arms.

"Wrong?" Luke asked setting the pool cue down.

"Yeah! Wrong! Don't you think so?" Megan asked shaking her head in disgust.

"No. He's my brother and I love him. I also love Tyler!" Luke said.

"Oh great... so now you are telling me that you're bi-sexual?" Megan asked.

Luke laughed. "No, you don't understand. I love them like I love my Mom and Dad. You really have a problem with gays?" Luke asked.

"Read your Bible, Luke! It clearly says so! It's... it's... just disgusting! Eeeeewwww!" she said shivering.

"Okay, no problem. Wait here and I will take care of things." Luke said and ran past Megan before she could say anything.

Luke ran into the kitchen and Tyler and Derek spotted him immediately. Luke silently pointed to Tyler, then called him with his hand, and then left the kitchen to go into the foyer.

Tyler looked at Derek and shrugged his shoulders.

"What?" Tyler said coldly.

"I need you to drive Megan home," Luke said.

"I don't think your girlfriend would want to be in a vehicle with me," Tyler said.

"Exactly! That's why I want you to drive us over to her house so I can take her home," Luke said.

"Get your Dad or one of your brothers to do it!" Tyler said and walked back into the kitchen.

"Your brother needs you," Tyler said quietly to Derek as he put the keys to the Jeep in his hand.

"Huh?" Derek asked.

"Just do as your told and don't ask any questions," Tyler said pushing him towards the foyer.

"Derek?" Tyler called and Derek turned around. "Better take this with you!" Tyler said handing Derek the rose.

"C'mon!" Luke said to Megan when he reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Where are we going?" Megan asked.

"I'm taking you home!" Luke said and turned and ran back up the stairs.

"What's going on?" Derek asked as Luke and Megan reached the top of the stairs.

"Some unexpected company arrived at her house and Megan's parents want her to come home," Luke lied, without looking at Megan's face.

The three left without saying another word to each other. When they arrived at Megan's house Luke got out and tipped the front seat forward so that Megan could get out.

"I'll be right back," Luke said.

"You don't have to walk me up to the door," Megan said coldly.

"I'm not done with you!" Luke said taking her arm and moving her in the direction of her front door.

When they arrived at the front door Luke stood silently and waited for Megan to look at him. When she finally did he said, "You know you are so beautiful, and smart, and funny. <Megan began to smile> It's really sad that you are homophobic and can't get beyond that. You were more interested in how much stuff my parents have or looking at the other guys than you were in me!" Megan's eyes looked down.

"Don't worry though because it's my fault and not yours. I should have seen through you. I've lost my best friend in the world, I insulted my adopted brother, and I allowed myself to be a fool. Tyler always told me that the only thing that matters at the end of the day is that you can face yourself in the mirror," Luke said and turned to walk down the stairs.

He stopped and turned to look at her. "Say whatever you want to about me to all of your girlfriends," Luke began and he saw her looking beyond him. Luke turned to see the drapes move again at the house across the road. "My brother may be a fag but he's more of human than you will ever be and by the way... and Mango is MY STUFFED MONKEY!" Luke yelled and walked down the driveway. Megan sat down on the steps in front of her house and began crying. Luke got into the Jeep and buckled himself up. He turned to look at Derek and saw him staring at Megan on the step visibly crying.

"You can't leave her like that!" Derek said.

"Says who?" Luke asked defensively.

"I did the same thing you just did and because I was right it doesn't make you feel any better about it at the end of the day. If you really feel okay about it then we will leave," Derek said putting his hand on the ignition key. Luke looked down at Derek's hand and then up at Derek. He then looked over at Megan. Luke unbuckled his belt and got out and walked back up towards Megan's front door.

He stopped about ten feet away and remained silent until Megan looked up.

"I'm sorry for taking my anger out on you when the real problem here is me. I should have looked beyond your eyes and smile and seen what you really are inside. I apologize. I was actually thinking on the ride over here that on Monday we might be able to start over again and simply be friends but I seriously doubt you aren't much more than a homophobic gold digger. I love all of my brothers more than anyone on this planet and I just sold them out for a pretty girl. Again, I am sincerely sorry for taking my anger with myself out on you. This entire night was my fault and I accept full responsibility," Luke said with tears rolling down his eyes. Megan looked up to see his tears. Luke turned and left.

Luke wiped his eyes a few times before getting into the Jeep. He buckled up and looked straight ahead without saying anything. Derek watched as Megan went inside her house. He started up the Jeep and they drove away.

"I need to stop and get gas since Dad left the tank on empty," Derek said but Luke just stared out the front windshield in silence. Derek pulled into an Exxon station and turned the Jeep off. He looked over at Luke who just stared silently forward. Derek turned the key backwards and put the radio on. He got out to fuel the Jeep. Nine Days came on the radio with their song 'Absolutely'.

This is the story of a girl who cried a river and drowned the whole world. While she looks so sad in photographs I absolutely love her when she smiles.

How many days in a year, she woke up with hope but she only found tears and I can be so insincere, makin' the promises never for real.

As long as she stands there waiting, wearin the holes in the soles of her shoes. How many days disappear you look in the mirror so how do you choose?

Your clothes never wear as well the next day and your hair never falls in quite the same way. You never seem to run out of things to say...

Luke turned the radio off.

Derek returned to the Jeep after paying the attendant and saw the tears running down Luke's face. Luke continued to stare forward in silence. He started the Jeep up and headed home as quickly as he could. Derek drove up the steep hill of their driveway and parked over to the right side, under a tree, so others could easily leave. Derek turned the Jeep off and sat quietly.

<Five minutes pass>

"Do you think we should go inside?" Derek asked.

Luke blinked and undid his seatbelt. Derek waited at the front of the Jeep for Luke to join him. He pulled Luke into a tight hug and kissed the top of his forehead. Luke began sobbing in Derek's arms. Derek kissed the top of his head and quietly held him close letting Luke cry it all out.

"C'mon, let's go in? It's getting cold outside," Derek said.

"No," Luke said, staring at the house. "I can't go back in there after what I did to them!"

"Luke, we're your family and we love you regardless! You were a perfect gentleman with Megan and she wasn't much of a lady. Brothers forever remember?" Derek asked as he began walking Luke towards the door. Once inside, Luke removed his coat and boots and ran up the stairs to his bedroom closing his door behind him. Linda came out of the kitchen upon hearing feet run up the stairs.

"Where's Luke? Is he okay?" Linda asked.

"He's in his room and, no, he isn't okay but he'll eventually get over it," Derek said.

"I'm going up to see him," Linda said climbing the stairs.

"Mom! Wait! Let me handle this, please," Derek said. "This is the time when a boy needs his big brother and not his Mom!" Linda stopped and turned around.

"Are you sure?" Linda asked.

"Yeah I'm sure. I'm an adult now and it's time I started taking responsibility not to mention I am still deeply indebt to Luke and Kyle for not being the brother I should have been. It's time to repay a little of my debt," Derek said.

Linda met Derek on the stairs and gave him a kiss. "I'm so proud of you, Derek!"

"Save it. Mom, till I've earned the compliment," Derek said, climbing two steps at a time.

*Knock, knock, knock*

There was no response so Derek opened the door and peeked inside. Luke was lying face down in his pillow with one arm around Mango. Derek sat down on the bed beside Luke.

"Not sure how well Mango can breathe with you holding him like that," Derek asked.

Luke threw Mango against the wall under in bunkbed. "It's just a stuffed animal, Derek!" Luke yelled into his pillow.

"Mango is not just a stuffed animal Luke. He's a part of our family! Just like Abbey, Tyler, Kyle, you and me! Mango's been through everything this family has and he has always stuck by us! Though I have to confess he sucks at snowball fights!" Derek said and Luke giggled into his pillow. Derek slid closer and lay down beside Luke putting his arm around him.

"It's going to be okay, Pukey, I promise!" Derek said.

"No it isn't! My life is over! I told Megan that I only had two brothers. I've been ignoring Casey all week and he hates me now!" Luke cried.

"I promise you that Tyler still loves you. He might be a little bit hurt but he knows you love him and he definitely loves you. I'll even go so far as to say I think I am a bit jealous of how much he really does love you," Derek said.

"What about Casey?" Luke asked.

"That's a real problem there that you do have to fix. What do you think you should do?" Derek asked.

"There's nothing I can do...," Luke moaned and buried his face back in his pillow.

"I think there is something you can do!" Derek said.

"What then?" Luke asked.

"You tell me! You're the brains of this family," Derek joked.

Luke didn't respond.

"How about apologizing?" Derek asked.

"Yeah...," Luke moaned. "He won't believe me after all the horrible things I've done to him."

"You won't know if you don't try," Derek said.

"Whatever," Luke whined.

"I've been watching Casey closely. I think he's really hurt," Derek said.

"Duh! He's not even speaking to me unless he has to!" Luke said sarcastically.

"No Luke, work with me here. If he didn't like you then he wouldn't care. You push him around all the time and treat him like a slave but he still likes you. Why do you think he does that?" Derek asked.

"Maybe he's dumber than I am?" Luke suggested.

"Lucas!" Derek yelled at him.

"He's not dumb. He does almost as well as I do in school and he actually does better in math than me," Luke said.

"Do you think Casey likes Megan as well and he's jealous?" Derek asked.

Luke laughed. "He hates her! I don't even know of any girls that he likes. If I bring up some girl at school he just gets quiet or changes the subject. You would almost think... SHIT!" Luke said rolling over.

"You don't think?" Luke asked staring up at Derek.

"Anything is possible and that might explain why he is angry but not saying anything," Derek mused.

"Shit! Why didn't I see it before?" Luke asked as he wiped his eyes

"Because you are so wrapped up in the world of Luke Anderson you don't notice what is going on around you!" Derek said. Luke made a face at Derek. "Hey, I was far worse than you. Just don't wait until you are 20 years old to do something about it!" Derek said.

"Yeah... well it doesn't really matter now anyway," Luke moaned.

"Luke? You have lots of time to apologize and correct the situation. Casey isn't going anywhere," Derek said.

"I don't think he'll listen to me anyway," Luke said.

"When has he ever stopped listening to you? He worships you like a God, though no one really understands why?" Derek teased and Luke elbowed him. "Why don't you get out of these clothes and put something comfortable on and come downstairs for dinner?"

"I can't show my face down there again!" Luke moaned and buried his face back in his pillow.

"Okay, then we'll just stay here," Derek moaned.

"You go ahead. I will be fine up here. It's your birthday! You should be downstairs!" Luke said turning over to face Derek.

"Not if I can't celebrate it with you. I'll just tell everyone to go home," Derek said.

"I'm not five years old Derek. That guilt shit doesn't work on me," Luke said.

"I wasn't trying to guilt you Luke. Who took you to get your hair cut? Who told you on New Year's Day that they realized they really wanted to be with you more than anyone? Who doesn't want to celebrate his own birthday if he can't have his brother celebrate it with him?" Derek began.

"I get your point Derek!" Luke whined. "What do I do about Tyler?"

"I guess you should apologize to him if you feel inside that you did something wrong. There isn't much else you can do?" Derek said.

"He doesn't like it when people apologize...," Luke said.

"No Luke, that isn't what he said! He said don't apologize unless you really mean it because your words don't mean anything if you are going to simply repeat the same mistake again?" Derek said moving the hair out of Luke's eyes

"He's still mad!" Luke said.

"Luke, do you take the words on this bracelet seriously?" Derek asked holding Luke's wrist up in the air.

"Of course!" Luke said.

"Then why are you worried that Ty or Casey won't love you or want to be your brother anymore?" Derek asked.

Luke curled up into Derek and pushed his face into Derek's chest. "Because I don't deserve to be their brother," Luke said and started to cry.

"That's the attitude you should always have Luke! You should never feel that you are worthy of anyone's friendship or love and always treat a friend, or brother, as a cherished part of your life," Derek said.

Tyler tapped on the door, walked in and said, "Guys, the guest of honour is needed for dinner and we would also like you to join us Derek?" Luke and Derek started laughing.

Tyler pulled Derek off the bed and told him to get downstairs. He then picked up Luke and held him in his arms. "You okay, Pookster?" Tyler asked and Luke lay his head down on Tyler's shoulder and shook it to say 'no'.

"You're too young to have girl problems! You've got your whole life ahead of you to have them," Tyler teased.

"I don't have girl problems. I have guy problems," Luke said.

"Whoa! Dude! You're not thinking about crossing over to the dark side are you?" Tyler asked and Luke giggled.

"Maybe... one never knows," Luke said.

Tyler held Luke in silence for a couple of minutes and swayed him back and forth in his arms. "I love you, Lucas Anderson!" Tyler said.

"I love you, Tyler Anderson," Luke said. Tyler smiled and tapped him three times; Luke returned the love.

"Let's go wash that face of yours and go eat dinner?" Tyler said carrying Luke to the bathroom.

Jesse, Chris, and Kyle were stuffing their faces with nachos supreme when Luke and Tyler entered the kitchen. Ashlea was sitting on Jeff's lap on a bar stool feeding him barbequed beef strips, Casey and Ian where over on the sofa talking privately, and Derek, Matt, and Cody were eating shrimp and scallops while Danny played with his salad.

Luke stood beside his mom. "Are you okay honey?" Linda asked quietly.

"Mmmm hmmm," Luke mumbled as he looked over at Casey and Casey looked away and continued his conversation with Ian.

"Why don't you grab a plate and have something to eat?" Linda asked.

"I'm not really hungry," Luke said and Linda placed her palm on his forehead. Luke looked up and glared at his mother.

Larry returned to the kitchen from his office. Danny stared at him waiting for a sign. Larry smiled.

"YES!!!!!!!" Danny yelled garnering everyone's attention.

"Good news?" Tyler asked raising his eyebrows.

"Shockingly good news in fact!" Larry said as he leaned on the counter next to Danny.

"How good?" Danny asked.

"You're not a diabetic! You're not far away from becoming one though. Take it as a warning Danny. I never make promises but in this case I will! You go back to your old lifestyle and you will become one, but for the moment let me be the first to congratulate you!" Larry said giving Danny a hug.

"TRIPLE CHOCOLATE FUDGE SUNDAES FOR EVERYONE... but me!" Danny said laughing.

"I'm so happy for you!" Tyler said, giving Danny a hug and a kiss. Everyone took turns congratulating Danny except Luke.

"So what does everyone say we open presents?" Larry suggested.

"Yea!!!!!!" Derek said alone.

"You know what to do with him right?" Larry said to Tyler.

"Uh huh! We'll be back in a couple of hours everyone!" Tyler joked.

Tyler took Derek up to his parent's room and put a blindfold on him.

"Do you have this blindfold obsession?" Derek asked.

"Has it ever turned out to be a bad thing?" Tyler asked.

"It could be this time," Derek said.

"Just shut up and enjoy the attention... tomorrow we go back to treating you like the assmite you really are," Tyler joked.

"I love you too!" Derek said and Tyler kissed him. "Mmmmm... I could go for more of that!"

"Later... you got lame-assed gifts to receive and fake thank you's to make!" Tyler said laughing. Tyler guided Derek all through the house. He spun him around several times to get him confused. Tyler would walk him to a closet door and open it. He would make Derek attempt to go through the door.

Finally Tyler opened the door to the garage and peeked in. Matt was in the front seat of the Jeep Cherokee with Abbey on his lap. She was panting out the window. Casey sat on the hood with Echo in his arms. Luke stood near the back of the Jeep with Chaos in his arms. Kathy and Ian leaned on the hood from the far side. Ashlea sat on the hood next to Casey with Jeff leaning into her and his foot on the bumper. Jesse was on the ground leaning against the front tire. Kyle leaned against the rear tire with Chris leaning back into him and Kyle's arms around Chris' chest. Linda and Larry sat in the backseat together and Danny was in the front passenger side sitting on the door of the car with his legs inside as he leaned on the roof. Cody stood off to one side with the camera ready. Tyler held his finger up to his mouth telling everyone to be silent.

Tyler led Derek into the garage. Chaos tried desperately to get out of Luke's arms and go to Derek. Tyler told Derek to stand still and Tyler went over to the back of the Jeep to stand beside Luke. Cody snapped a quick pick of everyone.

"Where is everyone?" Derek asked Tyler.

"Take your blindfold off!" Tyler yelled.

As Derek flipped the blindfold off everyone yelled "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!" <Snap> It took Derek a few seconds to focus from the bright lights.

"SHIT!!!!" Derek yelled as his eyes bulged open. Everyone started clapping. Luke set Chaos down and he ran to Derek. Derek picked him up and stared with his mouth hanging open. Linda and Larry were the first to come over to him.

"Happy birthday, Son!" Larry said.

"Oooooo my baby's no longer a teenager!" Linda said and she began to cry as she hugged Derek.

"This is a gift from everyone in this room. Everyone threw in a few bucks and rented you this Jeep for the night!" Larry said and the room erupted in laughter.

"Larry!!!!!!" Linda yelled.

"Fine... take one more of my fifteen minutes away! Derek, everyone in this room contributed a few dollars up to most of your college fund <Linda makes a face at Larry while everyone else laughs> for this gift to remind you that your entire extended family loves you very much. Except for Danny who spent his contribution on a bag of cinnamon buns! <Danny laughed the loudest of everyone> Derek hugged his Dad.

"I thought about you as I ate them!" Danny yelled from the back of the Jeep. "Or at least I think I did?"

"Thank you everyone," Derek said wiping tears away. "I am dumbfounded over this!"

"You're half right!" Kyle said and everyone laughed.

"Kyle, you can have a ride any time you want... tied to the front bumper though...," Derek shot back.

"Be nice to me big brother! I paid for the steering wheel and if you're not good to me I'm taking it back!" Kyle said laughing and Tyler fisted him.

Derek climbed in the front seat and Cody took a few pictures of him. Derek looked over to see Tyler and Danny talking and laughing at him. Derek grinned.

"Now there might be a couple more presents for you inside and I think Tyler bought you a cake at 7-11 or a Twinkie or something. Once we've finished with that you can take your brothers for a ride," Larry said.

Everyone filed out of the garage one by one past Derek. Each one gave him a hug as he thanked everyone individually. The garage emptied and the kitchen filled, leaving three people and three dogs in the garage.

"Derek, I really need you to go so I can put your cake together," Tyler said.

"C'mon, Luke," Derek said.

"You go ahead. I'm just gonna stay out here and ... look at your new Jeep," Luke said quietly.

"Luke, I'm going to send everyone home then. If you don't want to help me celebrate my birthday then we won't because I couldn't imagine a party without you there?" Derek said.

"Not tonight please?" Luke asked.

"Come sit here with me while we watch Tyler get the cake ready." Derek said as he opened two lawn chairs for them to sit on. Tyler glared at Derek and then went to work on the cake. Luke sat down beside Derek and Derek put his arm around Luke's shoulder.

"Avoiding Casey isn't going to make anything any better. You're feeling guilty and I can assure you that apologizing will make you feel better even if Casey doesn't accept your apology, though knowing him, he will!" Derek said.

"You don't understand. Derek. You're a screw up on a daily basis and always have been but I'm not like that!" Luke said and Tyler snorted. Derek looked up at Tyler and bit down on his upper lip. They smiled at each other.

"Well... ummm... thanks for the pep talk on my birthday, Luke!" Derek said sarcastically and laughed.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. You know what I mean," Luke moaned.

"Yes, I know what you mean!" Derek said.

"I pre-plan everything! I weigh the possible outcomes and make my decision. Even when I don't make the right decision it still turns out to be one of the options I didn't choose. This time it's all fucked-up and I didn't see any of this coming," Luke said, and rested his head on Derek's shoulder.

"I believe the term is pussy-whipped!" Derek said and Tyler shook his head.

"Huh?" Luke asked.

"It's when all of your blood leaves your brain and goes to your dick!" Derek said laughing.

"You mean this is all Megan's fault?" Luke asked.

"Not in the slightest! You were attracted to a pretty girl but blinded by everything around you. You previously didn't like her and your best friend has always hated her. Bottom line is you ignored the evidence that was already in front of your face or better said; you ignored your own principles for a nice set of tits! You fucked up and that's okay as long as you learn from it," Derek said smiling until he looked up at Tyler.

"What?" Derek asked.

"Your bedside manner needs a lot of work Derek. Luke, Derek is right but lacks subtlety in his explanation. Megan turned out to be something other than what you expected or she led you astray and that is a very common occurrence in life. Sometimes the wrapping on the gift is nicer than the gift inside, might just be a better way to look at it. You didn't know that she is homophobic or that she was scoping the goods inside this house. The fact that you figured it out less than an hour into a date with a pretty girl with large... tits, as Derek puts it, is a credit to how smart you are," Tyler said and Luke faked a half smile.

"Now when it comes to Casey you fucked up royally and I can assure we all do it and some never do learn from it. I like that you are hurting right now <Luke's head popped up and he gave Tyler a dirty look> because it shows you have a conscience and just how much you really do love your best friend! I'm guessing you never want to feel the way you do right now ever again? This means you probably won't get in this situation ever again and will be more cautious in the future about balancing your friendships and your love life. I can't really say how Casey will react but I agree with Derek that he will probably accept your apology and you guys will be best friends again very soon," Tyler said.

"See how long it takes Ty to say what I said in about a minute?" Derek asked Luke. Luke grinned.

"In case you haven't realized it Luke, we both think of you as extra special and not in the short bus way!" Tyler said winking at him. "I love all of my brothers but I would by lying if I said I didn't have special feelings just for you. Remember that you were the first person I said 'I love you' to?" Tyler said and Luke nodded. Tyler took his hand and squeezed it three times just as he did on the Drexel campus grounds the first day they met. Luke squeezed it back three times.

"It wouldn't be a celebration if you weren't apart of it Luke!" Tyler added.

"If you really don't want to join in my birthday then that is up to you but I want you to know that it won't be a party without you," Derek said. "And did you know the first couple of days without you at the cottage all Tyler could do was wonder and worry about you. He was planning two days ahead to make sure we left in time to be at your game!" Derek said and Luke blushed.

"The truth is Luke we both feel there is no number two next to you, and if you ever repeat that to anyone we will kill you!" Tyler whispered and grinned. Luke reached forward and hugged Tyler and then Derek.

"Thanks guys," Luke said, holding back tears.

"If you think about how much we love you just imagine how your best friend must feel about you? We're not even your best friends and look how much we love you? Casey's hurting right now and he wouldn't be hurting if he didn't love you even more than we do!" Derek said.

"Did the party move back out here?" Larry asked stepping into the garage.

"We'll be inside in a moment, Dad." Derek said. Larry looked at Luke and realized that something serious was going on. Larry came over and picked up Luke into his arms.

"I love you, Pookey!" Larry said, as Luke rested his head on his dad's shoulder.

"I love you too, Dad," Luke replied quietly.

"With all the troubles of the world, Luke, love is all that really matters," Larry said and carried him back inside the house with Abbey in tow.

"See!" Tyler said.

"What?" Derek asked.

"Dad said it in less time than you did!" Tyler said and then grinned.

"That's only because you're a bad influence on me and I am becoming long-winded!" Derek shot back and then smiled.

"Happy birthday, Derek... I love you so much!" Tyler said and he then began kissing Derek.

"Thanks, Babe! The Jeep is nice but having you in my life is what makes this birthday so special," Derek said.

"Liar!" Tyler said, as he continued kissing him.

"Pretty much...," Derek said, and they both laughed.

"Go open your presents!" Tyler said as he picked up Echo and Chaos and set them in Derek's arms.

Derek returned to the kitchen to find the room lit by candles and a roaring fire in the Great Room. Casey hung off his mother and Luke hung off his Dad. They continued to play a game of looking at each other when one wasn't looking and then suddenly turning away when one caught the other's eye.

"Do I smell bacon cooking?" Derek asked as he set the puppies down on the floor.

"Tyler was cooking bacon for the three dogs as a treat since they can't have cake," Kathy said.

"Did he cook enough for Danny as well?" Derek asked and everyone laughed except Danny.

"Ha, ha, ha! I'm returning your gift now, me and Cody!" Danny joked handing Derek a large wrapped gift.

Derek began tearing open the gift.

"What is it?" Chris asked.

"Looks like a picture frame!" Kyle suggested.

"Pawprints!" Derek said. "Whoa! How cool! Thanks guys!" Derek said getting up and giving Cody and Danny a hug.

"What is it exactly?" Ashlea asked as Jeff rubbed her thigh under the counter.

"It's a picture frame with two parts to it." Derek said holding the box up for everyone to see. "One side is for a picture of your dog and the other side holds a plaster cast that you imprint your dog's paw into so you have a memory of them for life and I've got two of them!" Derek grinned holding them up.

Tyler returned to the kitchen just as Derek got around to opening up Kyle and Chris' gift.

"Oh guys that is really great! Especially if Tyler is driving!" Derek said joking. <Swat to the back of the head>

"Ow!" Derek said laughing.

"Consider that an advance on your birthday spankings!" Tyler said.

"You said we were doing that later in private?" Derek said and then came the collective "Eeeeewwwww!" from everyone in the room followed by much laughter.

"Is that some kind of a leash?" Ian asked.

"Almost! It's a dog harness for travelling in a car. You can attach them to the rear seat belts and it helps to protect them during a car accident while still allowing them some freedom to stick their heads out the window," Kyle said.

"Looks like you hauled in the mother lode of gifts?" Tyler asked.

"You bet! I got a cane, a white belt with plaid pants, a bottle of Geritol multi-vitamins, a jar of prunes, some hair dye, Metamucil fibre, denture cream, diapers, a bottle of Oil of Olay, magnifying glass with a built in light, a box of Shredded Wheat, and a senior's 10% discount card for Walgreen's pharmacy!" Derek said with a straight face.

"Prunes, huh? Cool!" Tyler said.

"That's what I was thinking!" Derek said with a wink.

"Is everyone ready for cake?" Tyler asked.

"I'm not really hungry!" Derek joked. Tyler raised one eyebrow.

"Sure... go ahead and bring it in," Derek said giving him a kiss.

"I'll need some help?" Tyler asked and Matt volunteered.

Together they carried in a large homemade slab cake with a toy model of a Jeep Cherokee on the top while everyone sang Happy Birthday to him. The cake read, 'Happy 20th Birthday Derek, love, your family!"

Light conversation took over as everyone ate chocolate cake with a chocolate ganache icing on top decorated in whipped peanut butter frosting.

"Since we are having a celebration and all of our family is here, Linda and I would also like to make an announcement!" Larry said and everyone froze. "Linda?" Larry said.

"If all goes well you're all going to have a new baby brother or sister in the end of September!" Linda said and everyone cheered except Luke who dropped his face into his hands. After congratulations and hugs were done Ian whispered something into Casey's ear and he ran out of the kitchen and headed to the garage. Luke was debating on heading to the garage to corner Casey and apologize but Casey returned as quickly as he left.

He carried in a large long white box wrapped in a red ribbon with a matching red bow. Cody got the camera ready.

"This is for you, Mom!" Casey said.

"For me?" Kathy asked and gave Casey a kiss.

Kathy looked around at everyone for a clue but no one seemed to know anything but a giggling Casey. Tyler and Derek looked at each and shook their heads. Tyler looked over at Larry and Linda who hinted they didn't know anything about it either! Ian moved in behind Kathy and Chris slid around next to Ian without her noticing. Ian placed his arms around Chris and held him tight.

Kathy removed the bow and untied the ribbon on the box before opening it. When she opened the box she found a dozen roses and a card with 'Casey' printed on it. She picked up the card and flipped it over to see it was sealed. Casey held his hand out.

"It's addressed to me, Mom! Hand it over." Casey said and everyone laughed at him.

"I wonder who would be sending me roses?" Casey teased and Chris cuffed the back of his head.

Chris looked over at Kyle and grinned. Kyle's mouth dropped opened when he realized what was going on. Chris made a single nod in Kyle's direction.

Casey opened the card and hid it from everyone around him so no one could see what it said.

"...the party of the first part requests that the party of the second part... blah, blah, blah...," Casey read and everyone laughed.

"Casey!" Jeff said and then nodded at him.

"Right!" Casey began, "Dear Mom, we think you are the greatest Mom in the world! No offence, Mrs. Anderson!" Casey said and Linda started laughing.

"Is it your birthday too?" Larry asked.

"Shush!!!!!" Casey said giving Larry a dirty look. Kathy motioned with her head that it wasn't.

"As I was saying..." Casey continued. "We also think that dad a.k.a. Ian is the perfect Dad!" Casey said and stopped and looked at Larry but didn't say anything. Everyone laughed.

"He's a little ham isn't he?" Larry said and everyone laughed.

"Chris, Jeff, and I think that you and Ian would make the perfect couple. Okay Mom you need to untie the ribbon around the roses!" Casey said stopping to watch her untie the ribbon.

Kathy carefully pulled on the red ribbon covered in tiny pink roses. As she pulled it apart a diamond ring appeared.

"Your three sons would like to know if you would do us the honour of making Dad your husband and all of us a family?" Casey said with his voice breaking and tears running down his face.

Kathy picked up the ring and burst into tears.

"Ummm mom? We need to know if those are happy yes tears?" Casey asked and Kathy nodded as she cried. All three boys gave Kathy a group hug and kissed her. Luke slumped down in his bar stool and dropped his head down on the kitchen counter.

"Umm guys, does the groom get to hug and kiss his future wife?" Ian joked.

"Wait till the honeymoon!" Casey said and the room erupted in applause.

Linda ran around the counter to be the next to congratulate Kathy and Ian.

"Oh goodness!" Linda began crying herself. "I'm so happy for you both; for all of you!"

"Just think! We'll be a proper family." Casey boasted. "And we can all move into one house together!" Casey added and Luke ran out of the room in tears unnoticed by anyone.

"Okay everyone... who wants to go for a ride in my Jeep?" Derek asked and no one responded.

"Guys! We drew straws remember and the three losers have to go for a ride with Derek!" Tyler teased.

"Fine... I'll go," Chris moaned and winked.

"I've got health insurance so I guess I can go," Matt said.

"We'll go too! Since I have to get Ashlea home because she has to work in the morning and it will save me some gas," Jeff teased.

"I really hate you all but nice work on the presents!" Derek said grinning.

Tyler pulled Derek aside and whispered in his ear, "Movies? To be returned? Remember?"

"Right!" Derek said shaking his head.

Derek, Ashlea, Jeff, Matt, and Chris left for the garage.

"Kyle do you want to help me get the Jacuzzi going?" Tyler asked.

"Sure." Kyle said getting up and going with Tyler to the patio door.

"Ian and I were thinking of going back to his place tonight," Kathy began as she played with the ring on her finger. "Did you two want to escape the Zoo and stay there as well?" She asked of Larry and Linda.

Larry looked at Linda and smiled. "Hell yeah!" Larry said laughing.

"Actually that will solve some of the sleeping problems we're going to have tonight but what will the boys think and what about Luke and Casey?" Linda asked.

"That they have the house to themselves!" Larry said. "They managed in Lake Placid and besides, we are just a phone call away. Added to all of that is what Tyler said - to let them work it out for themselves."

"Let's go get packed," Linda said. "You want to make sure it is okay with Tyler first?" she ordered.

"I'll look after it and if Tyler has any concerns about the boys we'll stay home!" Larry said. Larry opened the patio door and called to Tyler who with Kyle, was getting the Jacuzzi up and running.

Tyler and Kyle stepped back inside the house.

"Isn't it a little cold for the Jacuzzi?" Larry asked.

"It's really warm out actually!" Kyle said.

"Apparently there is a heat wave coming over the next week," Tyler added.

"Your mother and I were thinking about escaping to Ian's for the night but we wanted to make sure it would be okay with you and Derek considering the situation with Casey and Luke?" Larry asked.

"Yeah it won't be a problem. Casey will go to Kyle or Cody if needed and Luke has Derek and me," Tyler said with his arm around Kyle.

"That reminds me... thank you, Kyle, for allowing Casey to share your room. I know it's been hard on you and Chris and I really appreciate you doing this," Larry said.

"It's been anything but 'hard' on me and Chris," Kyle said smirking.

"Don't worry not-so-little-dude, I am fairly certain it will all be over by Monday at the latest." Tyler said. "Have fun, Dad," he said giving Larry a hug.

"I hope so!" Larry said winking.

"Eeeeewwww... I so did not want to hear that!" Kyle said scrunching his face up.

"Can I bother you for a quick favour before you go?" Tyler asked.

"Kyle knows where the condoms are... I mean sure," Larry said turning back to them and grinning.

"Could you hang around just until Derek gets back? I want you to take a picture of all of us," Tyler asked.

Larry looked at his watch.

"I'll call his cell phone right now and get him to head home!" Tyler said.

Casey was removing his dress shirt that Tyler had bought him while he climbed the stairs. He walked into Luke and his bedroom without thinking about it because the door was open. He stopped about three feet inside the room when he saw Luke face down in the pillow and obviously crying. Casey tapped on the door but Luke never moved.

"I just came in to get changed. Only be a moment," Casey said, and Luke didn't respond.

When Casey was down to his underwear he heard Luke say while still facing the wall, "It's your room too!" Casey didn't respond but rather hurried to get dressed and get out of the room.

Kathy came into their room and stopped. Casey tried to fake a smile and then rolled his eyes at his Mom.

"We're just about to leave and I wanted to say goodnight," Kathy said.

"Night, Mom. Have fun!" Casey said.

"Thank you, Son. That has to be the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me, Casey!" Kathy said.

"Nah... what Derek and Jeff did was nicer. Because of them I still have you," Casey said giving his Mom a hug.

"Well if you need anything you call me, okay?" Kathy asked.

"I'll be fine, Mom. I have nine older brothers who love me!" Casey said and Luke began counting them off in his head.

"I know you do! Now grab your clothes and go fix your hair because Larry is going to take a group shot of all of you before we go," Kathy said pushing Casey out the door towards the bathroom.

Kathy closed the door and sat down on Luke's bed.

"Hey?" Kathy said quietly. Luke made an acknowledging muffled noise.

"I'm sorry your date didn't work out but there will be others. Don't miss out on the fun of the party going on. I think everyone is missing your contributions to life around here. At least I am!" Kathy joked and Luke rolled over.

"I don't think so... Casey hates me... and I deserve it." Luke said and rolled back over not wanting to see anyone or be seen.

"I promise you Luke that Casey doesn't hate you. Maybe a little hurt by you but he definitely considers you his best friend," Kathy said.

"He wants to move out and be 'a real family,'" Luke moaned.

"Can you blame him?" Kathy asked and Luke rolled over and looked at Kathy in shock.

"We are a family!" Luke said.

"We are but we aren't, Luke. The brotherhood is real and deep between all of you but you still have your Mom and Dad to protect you and for you to call on when you need them. You've been so very kind and generous in sharing your bedroom and all your stuff with Casey but it is still your bedroom! Casey wants to have his own bedroom so he can hang up his own posters, listen to music, and play on the computer and things like that. He's really a quiet and shy little boy and while you've been a great friend and a good influence on him, he doesn't have any place to call his own," Kathy said.

"He can have all my stuff and hang any posters up that he wants!" Luke said.

"It's bigger than that Luke and it isn't about you. He loves you very much. You're his best friend. <Luke rolled his eyes> Luke?" Kathy asked.

"What?" Luke said.

"You just rolled your eyes. Don't you think he considers you to be his best friend?" Kathy asked. Luke shrugged his shoulders.

"He's been having lunch everyday with Kyle and Chris so I am guessing he doesn't have a lot of other friends," Kathy suggested and Luke's gaze drifted to the bottom of the bunkbed above him.

"You need to understand that Casey lacks the confidence you have and that is one of the reasons he is so lucky to have your friendship and influence but I hope you won't begrudge him wanting to have a mom and dad like you do and a bedroom to call his own or a couple of step-brothers?" Kathy asked and tears rolled down Luke's face.

"Casey has no right to monopolize all of your time or hang off your every move like Echo and Chaos! You have proven to him how great of a friend you are by allowing him to share in everything you do. Real friends don't hold each other back from growing or learning or experiencing the world unless it is something dangerous! I don't think you would ever let Casey do drugs or get into a car with a drunk driver but I also think you are a good enough friend to encourage him to spread his wings and experience the world. Maybe even remind him that if he falls down you'll be there to help him back in the same way he would for you?" Kathy said smiling. Luke reached up to Kathy with open arms. She held Luke while he cried.

"Getting old sucks, doesn't it?" Kathy asked and Luke nodded his head in her arms.

"Don't cry for what you might lose but celebrate what the future has in store for both of you," Kathy said and Luke sniffled.

"For what it is worth, Luke, I love you for what you've done to help me and Casey but more so I love you for you and I know Casey does as well," Kathy said and Ian tapped on the door.

"Come in," Luke yelled.

"Oh sorry. I looked everywhere for you," Ian said.

"I was just talking with Luke," Kathy said.

"No, I meant Luke! Tyler wants your Dad to take a few pictures of all of you and I said I would go find you," Ian said.

Luke got up out of bed and walked over to Ian. He signaled Ian to bend down and Ian did. Luke wrapped his arms around Ian and whispered, "You take good care of my Casey!"

"I promise!" Ian whispered back and Luke walked out of the room.

"What was that all about?" Ian asked.

"Growing pains...," Kathy said wiping her eyes.

"Doesn't he realize we are already one big family?" Ian asked.

"He soon will... he soon will," Kathy said hugging Ian and laying her head down on his chest.

"Jeff and Chris were arguing earlier about whose room Casey would be in," Ian said laughing.

"I never thought about that. There are only three bedrooms in your house." Kathy said looking up at him.

"Our house Kathy and they were arguing over who gets to share their room with him. They both want him in their own rooms!" Ian said laughing and Kathy joined in.

"There's Luke!" Larry said and everyone turned around to look at him except Casey.

"Okay now here's how I want to place the eleven of you." Tyler began. "Along the back row will be Danny, Me, Derek, Jeff, and Matt and right below I want Cody with Casey on his lap, Kyle, Chris, and finally Jesse with Luke on his lap. Casey and Luke I want you both sitting on the outside facing in." Tyler said.

Tyler walked over to Luke and whispered in his ear. "I know you don't feel like it but I really need you to dig deep and give a sincere smile! I'm going to take this picture and draw everyone of us and frame it. Can you work with me here?" Tyler asked. Luke glared at him for being singled out.

"Do I really ask a lot of you, Luke?" Tyler said and Luke bit his bottom lip. "I'll teach you some secrets to winning women later on!" Tyler offered and Luke smiled.

"Why are we placed this way?" Derek asked.

"Easy! Danny is right above Cody and Casey. You and me are together. Jeff is beside Matt and above his brother. Kyle and Chris are kind of obvious... though they don't realize it yet!" Tyler said and everyone laughed. Chris' mouth dropped open and Kyle gave Tyler the finger. "And Luke is with Jesse because Luke was the only one to believe in Jesse which brought us our newest brother!" Tyler said and grinned.

"When will you learn to stop challenging him?" Danny asked. "Every time you do that we have to hear this long, drawn out boring speech!" Danny said winking at Derek.

"At least I didn't ask him to say grace!" Derek shot back with a grin.

Everyone groaned!

"Can we get this picture taken please?" Larry asked looking at his watch.

"Not quite yet! Derek can you go grab those two things?" Tyler asked.

"Oh... right and it's three things actually!" Derek said and ran out of the great room to go to his bedroom. Tyler couldn't figure out what the third thing was.

"Now we need Abbey in between Kyle and Chris and we'll give Echo to Casey to hold and Chaos to Luke to hold." Tyler said handing each of them a puppy.

Derek returned and handed Tyler two boxes. "Don't you want to do it?" Tyler asked Derek.

"No, I think it should be you!" Derek said and then he handed Mango to Luke. Luke smiled.

"Okay everyone please stay in your places! Jesse, I need Kyle's bracelet back." Tyler said and Jesse and Matt grinned realizing what was about to happen.

Jesse removed his bracelet and handed it to Kyle. Kyle put it back on his left wrist.

"We don't have a formal ceremony for this...," Tyler began.

"But you can damn well bet Tyler is working on one!" Danny yelled and everyone laughed.

"After the picture we're having a vote on expelling Danny!" Tyler joked. "Matt and Jesse on behalf of all of your brothers we present to you your own bracelets to signify that you are both now officially our brothers for life!" Tyler said handing them each a box. Matt and Jesse put their bracelets on.

Tyler whispered into Larry's ear that he wanted three pictures of the group and then two of them all holding out their bracelets. Larry nodded, looked at his watch, and then shook his head. Tyler walked over in front of everyone and made some minor changes in how they sat. He then knelt down in front of Abbey who sat between Kyle and Chris on the floor.

"Guys!" Tyler said to Kyle and Chris. "You're both safe here with family and it is time you guys realized that your family loves you and supports you both!" He said putting Chris' right hand in Kyle's left hand. They both smiled. Tyler ran around behind the leather sofa and the pictures where taken.

Luke immediately left the great room and ran down the hall to the laundry room. Larry, Linda, Ian, and Kathy left for Ian's house for the evening after saying good night to everyone.

"Jacuzzi time?" Danny asked.

"Word!" Derek said.

"I'll grab the towels!" Tyler said.

"Everybody get naked!!!!!!!!!!!" Kyle yelled holding his arms up in the air.

Everyone moved upstairs to get rid of their clothes. Casey stayed behind to help Tyler get a dozen diet R.C. Colas out of the fridge in the garage and carry them outside to the Jacuzzi.

"How are things going with Luke?" Tyler asked.

"Don't ask," Casey moaned.

"The house is going to be crowded tonight so if you want to sleep with Derek and me you are welcome to?" Tyler asked.

"Thanks but I'm not giving up the opportunity to sleep with Cody and Danny!" Casey said grinning. Tyler messed his hair up and smiled at him.

"I might just start calling you lil Cody!" Tyler joked.

"Okay by me!" Casey said laughing as they set the cold colas on the edge of the Jacuzzi.

Tyler put his arms around Casey and said, "I was so proud of you tonight. Everyone was proud of you! You are really turning into a fine young man, Casey! Always remember that your family loves you especially Luke!" Casey didn't respond.

"I'm serious Casey! I would never lie to you! You might not see it but on the inside Luke is lonelier than you are! He needs you more than you need him."

"I doubt that," Casey said.

"The quiet ones like yourself are often more secure in who they are and where they are in life! Luke needs you more than ever. Having a date with Megan isn't a rejection of his friendship with you and if you miss him as much as he is missing you then you might want to be the adult and start speaking to him?" Tyler suggested.

The boys started coming outside naked to get into the Jacuzzi. "Let's go get changed." Tyler said picking Casey up in his arms and carrying him inside. Tyler carried Casey up the stairs and down the hallway to Kyle's bedroom. As they passed Luke's bedroom Casey looked in to see Luke was doing something. Tyler set Casey down outside Kyle's bedroom door.

"I think I'm going to get changed in Luke's room," Casey said smiling. Tyler smiled and winked.

"Why don't you go play on Kyle's computer and give me a couple of minutes with Luke first?" Tyler asked and Casey nodded and hugged Tyler.

Tyler tapped on Luke's open bedroom door. Luke was lying down on the bed with Mango tucked safely inside his arm.

"Hey?" Tyler said and Luke didn't move or respond.

"I thought you might be a bit happier about the news of having a new baby brother or sister?" Tyler asked.

"NO!" Luke yelled to the wall.

"I think you're going to love having a little brother or sister as much as I love having you as a little brother," Tyler said and Luke rolled over and glared at him.

"I'M THE BABY OF THIS FAMILY!" Luke yelled.

"Ahhh... okay, I understand. You think that all the attention is going to be on the new baby and you will be ignored?" Tyler said. "For the first few months to a year it will be like that but you will actually enjoy it because it will give you the freedom to do what you want."

"Hmmmpft!" Luke moaned.

"I'm not the smartest guy around Luke but I can guarantee you that odds of having a second Luke Anderson are about one in a billion! You are definitely one of a kind!" Tyler said rubbing his back.

"Everyone will just ignore me!" Luke said.

"I don't think so and I can prove it!" Tyler said.

"How?" Luke asked rolling over.

"Did you notice how much extra attention Abbey's been getting this weekend so that she knows she isn't being replaced?" Tyler asked and Luke thought about it.

"I dunno...," Luke whined.

"Do you love your two brothers?" Tyler asked.

"Yeah...," Luke said.

"Then there is no reason why you won't love having a new brother or sister and between you and me I think you're going to have a lot of fun teaching your new sibling about the real world! She is going to have an advantage in this word that none of us had growing up because she is going to have you looking out for her!" Tyler said.

"You said 'she'?" Luke asked.

"We all think it's going to be a girl!" Tyler said.

"Really?" Luke asked smiling.

"Yup, but no one really knows and if it is a girl you'll still be the baby boy of the family!" Tyler said giving Luke a kiss on the forehead. "Regardless, no one will ever replace you!" Tyler said getting up and leaving the room. Luke got up and grabbed a recycling bag and began filling it with his empty peanut butter jars.

"All done so go ahead and get changed and take your time, Casey! I will let your brothers know that you might be a bit," Tyler said.

Casey crept back down the hallway and peeked inside the door to Luke's room. Luke had several white plastic recycling bags and he was filling them with his peanut butter jar collection. Casey's mouth dropped open. He tapped on the door and walked in. Luke turned to look at him and then continued on filling the bag.

Casey sat down on the bed and began unbuttoning his shirt. "Whatcha doin?" He asked Luke.

"Cleaning the room out," Luke said without looking at him.

"Are you coming into the Jacuzzi?" Casey asked.

"No," Luke said.

"Everyone's going to want you there!" Casey said.

"They'll be fine without me," Luke said.

Casey removed his shirt and hung it up and then his pants and socks in silence. When he was down to his underwear he asked Luke, "Why are you throwing them out?"

"Cause I don't want them in here anymore," Luke said.

"You can't throw them out! You've been collecting them all your life!" Casey said and Luke didn't respond.

"Well I think they are cool," Casey said removing his underwear and Luke turned around and looked at him.

"Really?" Luke asked with a hint of smile coming across his face.

"Yeah! I wouldn't display them the way you do it but it's such a cool collection. You might even make in the Guinness World Book of Records?" Casey said.

"How would you set them up?" Luke asked.

"Well, if we moved your chest over to the centre of this wall," Casey began pointing at the now empty wall. "We could stack them out from the corner and building them up like a staircase going up to that corner in the ceiling. Then we could set things on the lids of each one like our Mattel car collection! I'll bet that between the two of us we could set a car on top of almost every jar."

"Coooooool!" Luke said considering the idea.

"We would have to move a couple of your posters of Lindsay Lohan though," Casey said, and Luke reached up on the wall and tore two of them off and then tore them into smaller pieces. Casey grinned and Luke smiled back.

Luke tried to drag his chest over and couldn't move it. Casey came over and opened the third drawer. "Go to that side and do what I do!" Casey said. Casey put his right hand inside the third drawer and his left hand at the back of the top of the chest. Luke followed Casey and together they easily lifted the chest of drawers and moved it to the centre of the wall leaving room to begin stacking the jars in the corner and moving out towards the middle of the room.

Luke grabbed one of the five filled bags and began placing them on the floor building outwards until the jars ran out 12 deep along each wall. Together they filled in the centre to create a ¼ round circle of peanut butter jars. Both boys backed up and looked at their progress.

"You know what would look really cool?" Casey asked.

"What?" Luke asked excitedly.

"Before we go any farther... if we could put a light in there everything would glow at night!" Casey said.

"Whoa! Cool idea, Casey! I know just the light too! Mom and Dad have this rectangular Japanese lamp sitting in the attic. It only takes a little bulb like a Christmas light so it wouldn't be a fire hazard. I'll be right back!" Luke said running out of the room. Casey followed Luke to the doorway next to Kyle's bedroom. Luke opened the door, turned on the light, and climbed the stairs. He returned in less than a minute with a cardboard box that showed a picture of the table lamp inside.

"Cool!" Casey said shivering from the cold air falling down the stairway. They returned to Luke's bedroom and set the light up deep in the corner on top of the first row of peanut butter jars. Luke plugged it in and tested the bulb. They then continued to empty the rest of the recycling bags of empty peanut butter jars and stack them until they were done.

"I've got an idea!" Luke said and ran back out of the room. He returned shortly with an extension cord.

"Where did you get that?" Casey asked.

"It's from Derek's stereo in his room. He won't miss it since he doesn't really live here much anymore," Luke said, laughing. Together they pulled their bunkbed out slightly so extension cord could plug in underneath their bed and they could turn it on and off at their pleasure.

"I think those three peanut butter jars on the third highest row need to be pushed in or they are going to fall down," Casey said. Luke leaned on the wall and tried to reach towards them but couldn't.

"Let me grab hold of your belt so you can lean in," Casey said. Casey leaned backwards while Luke attempted to reach the jars. Luke's sweatshirt knocked over two jars from the row below and as they fell they took another thirty jars down with them. Casey began laughing and fell backwards on the floor. Luke caught himself against the two walls and was holding himself from falling forward.

"Casey!!!!!" Luke yelled. Casey jumped up, still laughing, and pulled Luke back by the belt on his pants.

"Enough of this shit!" Luke yelled, and Casey thought Luke was mad at him. Luke began ripping his clothes off until he was down to his underwear. He stopped and looked at Casey who was watching him. Luke smiled and removed his underwear. Casey smiled back and together they replaced all of the empty peanut butter jars.

"Another year and we'll have enough to go right to the top?" Casey said.

"Let's see how it looks!" Luke said, and he shut the bedroom door and turned on the small lamp on his nightstand.

"Hmmmm..." Luke said holding his chin. "I know what we need to do so we can see them! Luke took the two pillows off his bed and moved them to the opposite of the bed. "C'mon!" Luke said crawling into bed and holding the comforter open for Casey. Casey smiled and turned the light out on the nightstand. He felt his way around the bed and when he laid down Luke threw the open comforter over him and snuggled up tight against Casey keeping his arm wrapped around him.

"Are you ready?" Luke asked.

"Ready!" Casey replied.

Luke reached down beside the wall and plugged the extension cord into the wall.

"Whoa!" Casey said before Luke could even turn back around.

"Word!" Luke said as he slid over close to Casey put his arm around Casey's waist under the comforter. They both stared at their work in silence.

"Casey?" Luke whispered as he began to move his fingers in small circles on Casey's tummy.

"Yeah?" Casey said lying on one arm staring at the lights.

"Ummm... can you lie flat so I can see it better?" Luke asked and Casey rolled over but Luke didn't remove his hand.

"Better?" Casey asked.

"Almost," Luke said and he got Casey to lift his head up and Luke put his pillow on top of Casey's.

"Much better now!" Luke said as he rested his head on Casey's arm.

"Casey?" Luke called quietly.

"Yeah?" Casey replied.

<Silence>

"I'm sorry about being a jerk," Luke said.

"It's okay... I'm used to it!" Casey said laughing and Luke pulled out his pillow and smashed Casey in the face with it. Casey was still laughing.

When things calmed down Luke added, "You're not just my best friend but you're the best friend I've ever had and I promise I will never put anyone ahead of you ever again," Luke sniffled.

"Everything I have in life right now is because of you and Tyler. You don't owe my anything. I'm the one that owes you," Casey said.

"I love you Casey," Luke said moving back to his own spot on the bed.

"Thanks. I love you... more," Casey said with a slight hesitation.

<Silence>

Luke rolled on to his side facing Casey and leaned in and kissed Casey's cheek. He immediately moved back to his side of the bed. Luke closed his eyes and prayed that he hadn't just made things worse.

Casey turned over to face Luke. He sat up and leaned in to kiss Luke's cheek as had been done to him. At that point Luke turned towards Casey just as Casey was about to kiss him and their lips met. Casey backed off and stared down at Luke. Casey was blocking the light and couldn't see Luke's expression.

Casey dropped back down on his pillow looking up at the bunkbed above him.

<Five minutes of silence pass>

"You know...," Casey began, and Luke immediately said, "What?" Luke sat up on his right arm facing Casey.

"I was just thinking that since the lids aren't see-through on those jars if we turned them all upside down the light would reflect upwards!" Casey said staring at the pyramid of peanut butter jars.

"What?" Luke yelled in disgust.

"I said...," Casey began.

"I heard what you said Case!" Luke said in disgust. "I just can't believe you said it!"

"Why?" Casey asked turning to look at Luke.

"Because I just got the best kiss I've ever had in my life and you want to talk about those stupid peanut butter jars?" Luke said, smiling and Casey started laughing.

Luke jumped up on top of Casey and began tickling and wrestling with him. Casey attempted to fight back until he felt Luke's hands caressing his body and finally Luke pressed his lips against Casey. They shared a long kiss, which included Casey slowly wrapping his arms around Luke's back.

When they parted Luke said, "Someone has a hard on!"

"I do not... well maybe a little," Casey said blushing.

"I was talking about me," Luke said. "Yours is too small for me to notice!" Luke teased.

"Is not!" Casey said.

"Is too!" Luke replied.

"Betcha!" Casey said.

"You got a bet!" Luke said.

"What are we betting for?" Casey asked.

"Let's just say that there won't really be a loser!" Luke said grinning.

"I've got a ruler in my pencil case!" Casey said.

"How long?" Luke asked.

"Six inches!" Casey said.

"That won't be long enough for me!" Luke said, laughing at his own comment.

"Bullshit!" Casey said laughing and Luke began grinding his erection into Casey's now hard member.

"Git yer ruler!" Luke said giving Casey a quick kiss and rolling off of him.

Casey climbed out of bed and turned back around and leaned down to give Luke a return kiss. Luke leaned up towards to Casey to receive it.

Casey dug through his backpack and found his ruler. Just as he was about to get into bed Luke climbed out. He took a piece of paper from his desk drawer and felt-tipped marker. He wrote something on it and grabbed some tape.

"Nice little cock!" Casey said laughing as he watched Luke's silhouette in the darkness.

"Eat me!" Luke said ignoring the comment.

"Maybe I will?" Casey teased.

"I'm counting on it!" Luke said laughing as he walked over to the closed bedroom door.

Opening his door slightly he stuck the note to the door and then he closed the door.

"What did you write?" Casey asked as Luke approached the bed.

"Do Not Disturb!" Luke said and Casey began laughing.

Casey moved to let Luke in and Luke made him slide over to the wall. "I never sleep against the wall!" Casey said slightly confused.

"Who said anything about sleeping..., besides, this way you can't leave me!" Luke said.

"I'd never leave you Luke." Casey said seriously.

"Same here!" Luke said as he moved in closer to Casey.

"I thought you liked girls?" Casey asked.

"I thought you liked boys?" Luke asked, and Casey frowned and looked away in embarrassment.

"Case! I love girls and I love their tits. I would be lying if I didn't admit to it but there is one thing I love more than any girl who has ever been on our wall and that is you! I'm don't like guys but I know that in my heart I love you. My huge boner wasn't fake!" Luke said and Casey started to laugh through his oncoming tears.

"You'll always be my number one Case! Any part of my body you want is yours and anything I own is yours as well! We're going to show the rest of our brothers that none of them are as close as we are!" Luke said.

"Do we really have to show them?" Casey asked.

"Nope, but I don't care if they know or if anyone knows. I love my Casey and he is my number one brother and that is all that matters!" Luke said and gave Casey a kiss on the lips. Luke crawled on top of Casey and laid his head down Casey's chest.

"Thanks Luke. I never thought anyone would love me this way," Casey confessed quietly.

"I can't imagine not having you as my best friend forever. If you ever left me I wouldn't want to live," Luke said to Casey's chest. Casey stroked Luke's back.

"I love you, Luke," Casey said with tears streaming down his face.

"I know and I have been an assmite for not realizing it. I'm sorry Casey and I hope you will forgive me?" Luke asked and Casey leaned forward to kiss the top of Luke's head.

"Your tiny little cock is stabbing into me." Luke said and reached down to move Casey's member over. Casey gasped.

"I can do that again?" Luke asked grinning.

"And again, and again, and again...," Casey said and Luke started laughing. "I hope you noticed that I'm not aware of your tiny little cock sticking into me!" Casey said chuckling as he reached down to massage Luke's butt.

"Is that your finger in my butt?" Luke asked laughing.

"No, that's my gi-normus cock!" Casey teased, and burst out laughing.

"Gi-normus isn't a word!" Luke said.

"Sure it is when you are describing my cock! It's when gigantic and enormous don't quite describe it!" Casey said, and Luke rolled off of Casey laughing so hard that he had to hold his stomach.

"Okay! Enough! Let's measure!" Luke said sitting up and turning the light on that sat on the nightstand.

"I thought you needed something longer?" Casey teased.

"Mom and Dad have a yard stick in the front closet. We just have to add on to 36" and we'll know how long I am!" Luke said, with a straight face and Casey burst into laughter. Luke joined in as well.

"Can I ask a favour?" Casey said.

"Anything!" Luke replied.

"Can you kiss me in the light?" Casey asked.

"I'll kiss you on the stage in the gymnasium in front of the whole school if you want?" Luke said seriously.

"That's okay..., but that means a lot," Casey said.

"You mean everything to me Casey! I didn't know how alone I was until you became a part of this family and more importantly my brother for life!" Luke said and closed his eyes as he kissed Casey. Casey kept his eyes opened and watched Luke. Luke opened his eyes after they parted.

"What?" Luke asked.

"Don't take this the wrong way but for a guy who never shuts up you just said more to me right now than you've ever said before," Casey said blinking to keep the tears from running out. Luke closed his eyes and kissed Casey again.

"Ready to measure?" Luke asked.

"Uh huh!" Casey said.

"Lie down!" Luke ordered and Casey did.

Luke leaned across Casey so that he couldn't see anything. He reached out and played with Casey a bit to make him as hard as possible. Casey moaned every time Luke touched him but when Luke played with Casey's balls he would gasp. Luke held the ruler up and took a measurement.

"Okay, all done!" Luke said lying down beside Casey.

"How big?" Casey asked.

"Almost an inch!" Luke said trying to keep a straight face.

"So I'm only twice as big as you?" Casey shot back.

"Eeeewwww..." Luke said laughing. "Nice timing on the comeback!" Casey laughed.

"Seriously! How big am I?" Casey asked.

"Big! Almost four inches and you have more pubes!" Luke said.

"Really? Cool. Well you're much thicker than I am!" Casey said and then started to laugh when he realized what he had said.

"Fucktard... but it was funny," Luke said laughing.

"My turn to measure you!" Casey said sitting up and taking the ruler from Luke's hand.

Casey brought his hand down and paused. Luke looked up at him.

"It's not going to wet you," Luke teased. "Though I do have to take a leak!"

"I just never thought this would ever be happening," Casey said.

"I'm just worried you're going to get bored with me and dump me for some cute guy!" Luke said. Casey started laughing.

"What?" Luke asked.

"Hearing you say that is so funny, but so nice!" Casey said.

Luke sat up and grabbed the ruler out of Casey's hand. He threw it across the room and unfortunately hit the pyramid of peanut butter jars. Almost a quarter of them fell over and Casey and Luke started laughing.

"Let's just pretend you won!" Luke said with his lips barely an inch away from Casey's. Casey crawled on top of Luke and pushed him back down on the bed and they continued kissing.

"I wonder where Luke and Casey are?" Cody asked as they all sat quietly in the Jacuzzi.

"Working things out, I believe," Tyler said, as he rubbed Derek's thigh under water.

"I'm going to go find out!" Cody said getting up out of the water.

"I'll come too!" Danny said winking at Cody.

"I'll bet he will!" Derek said and everyone laughed.

Cody and Danny dried themselves off just inside the patio doors and let the dogs outside to pee.

"We'd better wear towels!" Cody said and Danny nodded in agreement.

Cody and Danny climbed the curved staircase and when they reached Luke's bedroom door they saw the note and heard noises inside the bedroom.

"Do Not Distrub?" Cody read aloud and laughed.

"Someone needs to learn how to spell!" Danny said laughing.

"I heard that!" Luke yelled from inside the room.

Danny opened the door and flipped the light on. "That's my line... WHOA!" Danny said as he saw Casey's naked body on top of Luke with their arms around each other. Cody grinned and winked at Casey from behind Danny. Casey blushed and smiled.

"Obviously someone needs to learn how to read!" Luke said coldly.

Casey was about to move but Luke tightened his grip to let him know it was okay and he relaxed.

"Well I guess we now know who's a top and who's a bottom!" Danny said laughing.

"You haul your skanky little ass down here and I will show you who's a bottom!" Luke said, and Casey and Cody started laughing. Casey dropped his head down, face first on to Luke's chest.

"It's nice to see you guys made up and worked things out!" Cody said.

"We're fighting right now! Making up is soooo much hotter than what you see right now!" Luke said and Casey laughed. Danny looked over his shoulder at Cody and then back at Luke and Casey.

"Would you like us to get you guy's a couple of chairs, a drink, and some popcorn?" Luke asked sarcastically and Casey continued laughing at the banter.

"Ummm... sure!" Danny said crossing his arms and leaning against the doorframe. Danny looked over at the newly half constructed peanut butter jar pyramid. "Cool guys!"

"Visiting hours are now over, Danny!" Luke said.

"You know... if you turned the jars upside down...," Danny began.

"OUT!" Luke yelled pointing towards the door. Casey snorted

"But we want to watch the movie?" Danny said.

"Take a picture... it will last longer!" Luke said shaking his head and Casey and Cody continued laughing.

"He's been hanging around Tyler too long!" Danny said pointing at Luke.

"C'mon perv boy!" Cody said grabbing Danny by the shoulders. "You know they are both mentally too old for you to be watching!" Luke and Casey laughed while Danny glared at Cody.

Cody closed the door with Danny on the outside. He walked over to the bed and leaned down to kiss Casey and then Luke.

"I love you guys very much!" Cody said.

Casey was about to speak when Luke said, "I'm learning to love you less and less every second you stay in this room!"

Cody winked at Casey, turned around and left closing the door behind him.

"That was kind of rude, Luke," Casey said.

"I don't care. I left a note. I want my Casey time and if they try to interrupt again I will fight them over you!" Luke said.

"You know how to make someone feel good!" Casey said giving Luke a quick kiss.

"You mean like this?" Luke said and Casey squealed.

"So did you have a good birthday?" Tyler asked.

"The best! I've got all my brothers here and that is all that counts!" Derek said giving Tyler a kiss.

"Can I have your Jeep then?" Jesse asked.

"No!" Derek said and faked a grin.

"You really don't need to stare at the bracelet every two minutes, Jesse!" Kyle said.

"I just can't believe you guys included me in this family after all that I've done," Jesse said.

"I can't believe you want to be in this family," Derek said, staring at Kyle. Kyle stuck his tongue out Derek.

"I think I'm ready for bed, guys! The nap helped but I am just beat," Matt said.

"I'm ready for bed too!" Jeff added a little too quickly and everyone laughed. Matt put his arm around Jeff and kissed his cheek.

"I think I'm ready for bed too!" Jesse added and Kyle rubbed Jesse's chest and grinned.

"Down, boy!" Derek said to Kyle. Kyle made a face.

"Where is everyone sleeping?" Jeff asked with some urgency. Everyone laughed.

"With you and Matt... duh!" Derek said laughing.

"Matt and Jeff are in the loft better known as Kathy's place. Make sure you clean up in the morning, eh, guys?" Tyler joked. "Derek and I will sleep in Mom and Dad's room and Danny and Cody can sleep in our bed."

"How come you get to sleep in Mom and Dad's bed?" Kyle asked.

"Because they have a Jacuzzi tub in the ensuite bathroom and I'm the one who is going to be cooking your breakfast in the morning!" Tyler said.

"Right!" Kyle said shaking his head.

Everyone went back inside and Derek fed the dogs and put them out to do their business. Danny and Cody were already in Derek's bed and almost asleep when Derek and Tyler came in to retrieve some clothes.

Tyler read the note on Luke's bedroom door and snorted. He tapped lightly on Luke's bedroom door and when he heard no response he opened the door to find the room illuminated by a half constructed peanut butter pyramid. Luke and Casey were sound asleep, naked and uncovered. Casey had his arms around Luke and Luke had Casey's hand in his, holding on to his crotch. Tyler covered them up and kissed them both good night.

Luke opened his eyes partially and quietly said, "Thanks for bringing Casey into our family," Casey didn't open his eyes but he did tap Luke's chest three times.

"Thank you to you guys for bringing me in as well," Tyler said.

"I'm the luckiest guy in the world," Luke mumbled.

"Yes you are Luke... yes you are!" Tyler said as he unplugged the light and closed the door.

Kyle stripped naked and jumped into his bed before Chris or Jesse had their pants off. When all three had snuggled in beside each other, Kyle and Chris each leaned into Jesse. Jesse wrapped his arms around each of them and kissed them both.

They all lay silent for a few minutes until Jesse spoke. "Guys?"

"Uh huh?" Kyle said as he teased Jesse's nipple.

"I think I would like to become a full member of the family... tonight. If you guys wanted to?" Jesse said and Chris and Kyle sat up slightly and looked at each other.

"Are you sure?" Kyle asked.

"Yeah, I am sure, but it's not about you guys doing anything to me or for me... It's about me thanking you and showing you both how much I love you," Jesse said.

"Are you clean?" Chris asked and Kyle was about to shut Chris up and then remembered how important it was for both of them to make sure.

"Spotless! I got myself checked out after all that shit. I even heard on the news that the others who testified against him all came out clean and I've always used a condom with girls!" Jesse said.

"Any of them ever break on you?" Chris asked and Kyle rolled his eyes.

"Not yet... touch wood!" Jesse said tapping on Kyle's forehead and then winking at him.

"Jesse, I don't want to speak on behalf of Chris but I can say this... even though I can't really believe I am about to say it. We love you period! We don't need to do anything. I love just being with you and in your arms is even better but we want you to be healthy... as in the mind sort of healthy. We love you too much to ever take a chance on a one nighter thing and risk losing you," Kyle said.

"That's why I want to be a part of this family, Kyle," Jesse said staring into Kyle's eyes.

"Nicely put Kyle!" Chris said and leaned across Jesse to kiss him.

"We don't do anything anal Jesse!" Kyle warned.

"That makes three of us!" Jesse said and Kyle and Chris laughed.

"Chris, you grab the condoms... get a Derek sized one for Jesse! I'll be right back!" Kyle said.

Kyle walked down the hallway to Luke's room. He ripped the sign off of his door and stuck it on his door and closed it.

"Do you want the door closed?" Derek asked as he looked over at Tyler on one side of the bed and Echo and Chaos beside him with Abbey at the end of the bed.

"Nah... they might want the run of the house tonight!" Tyler said.

"Are we ever going to have a night alone?" Derek asked.

"Not exactly sure but I think I can fix the problem!" Tyler said getting out of bed. Echo and Chaos got up wondering what Tyler was doing and Abbey raised her head and turned to look at Tyler.

"I need your help Abbey?" Tyler asked and Abbey got up. "Could you sleep right here?" Tyler said pointing to the bottom corner of the bed closest to the door.

"Why there?" Derek asked.

"Because dogs like to be where they can see and hear what is going on and run after anything they might hear," Tyler said as he lifted Echo and Chaos and set them around Abbey. "There! We now have two-thirds of the bed!" Tyler said.

Abbey stretched out. "Make that one half of the bed!" Derek said.

"Then hurry up and get into bed before we are sleeping on the floor and the three of them take control of the bed," Tyler said, and Derek crawled in beside him.

"How are Luke and Casey doing?" Derek asked.

"I can't be sure but I would say they are a couple now," Tyler said.

"Really?" Derek asked laughing.

"What's so funny?" Tyler asked.

"Luke? Gay? Think about it," Derek said.

"I don't think he's gay. I think he just realized what he had in a friend like Casey and he now realizes that relationships are give and take," Tyler said.

"Speaking of giving and taking... we haven't really given or taken in a while!" Derek said. Tyler reached down and grabbed hold of Derek's member. Derek sighed in ecstasy. Tyler began jerking Derek's member up and down. The movement made Abbey look over and then get up and walk in between them where she settled down. Tyler slid over to protect Derek from falling out of the bed. Derek shook his head and Tyler laughed.

Echo and Chaos got up and hopped over Tyler to be next to Abbey. Derek and Tyler were now on opposite sides of the bed with the three dogs in between them.

"Tomorrow?" Derek asked.

"Shower?" Tyler responded.

"7:00 a.m.?" Derek asked.

"Got to run!" Tyler said.

"9:00 a.m. in the ensuite Jacuzzi?" Derek asked.

"Hmmm... should have breakfast finished before that?" Tyler pondered.

"Bring coffee!" Derek said and Tyler nodded.

"Bring condoms!" Tyler said and Derek nodded and smiled.

"Happy Birthday Derek, I love you with all my heart," Tyler said.

Derek tried to lean over the dogs to kiss Tyler and Abbey's head popped up and licked his lips.

"ABBEY!" Derek yelled and Tyler laughed and kissed Abbey.

To be continued...
 

tylerpeel@tickiestories.us

Posted: 01/28/09