Growing Up Brady And Johnson (Read 3,858 times)

[misfit]

Such good scenes between Steve and Ellen! Got choked up at Steve looking at the photo of Jennie so determined to find her, and I second André DiMera, can't wait for him to talk to Kayla! Looking forward to more.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 59

Steve arrived home to Benjy waiting for him at the door. Benjy was already wearing his Salem Wild Cats t-shirt and jeans in anticipation for that night’s football game. Benjy signed excitedly to Steve upon seeing him. “Steve,” Benjy signed. “Benjy spend the night with Kim and Shane. Benjy go to football game with Kim and Shane.”
Steve grinned at the boy. “That’s great buddy,” Steve said as he ruffled Benjy’s hair. “Where’s Kayla?”
“Kitchen,” Benjy signed back.
Steve nodded as he walked into the kitchen. Kayla smiled upon seeing Steve enter. “Hey there,” Kayla said easily.
“Hi there Sweetness,” Steve said. “What’s going on?”
Kayla smiled. “Well, My sister is taking Benjy for the night. He’s going to have a little sleepover with Kim and Shane.”
“Yeah, that’s what he told me,” Steve replied. “No football game for us?”
Kayla grinned. “No. I have other plans for us.”
Steve grinned. “Oh baby. Say no more.”
Steve glanced over Kayla’s shoulder. “What’s for dinner?”
“Lobster,” Kayla replied. “And a bottle of wine.”
“What’s the special occasion?” Steve asked.
“Do I need to have a special occasion to spend a Friday night with my gorgeous husband?” She smiled seductively at him.
“Of course not,” Steve said. “Once Benjy leaves, I’m all yours.”
Just then the door bell rang. Benjy ran excitedly to the door, and opened it as Steve and Kayla trailed behind him. Kimberly entered the house,and Benjy began to excitedly sign to her. “Benjy ready to leave.”
Kimberly laughed easily. “Looks like you are,” she said as she too signed to Benjy.
Benjy nodded. “Ready,” he signed.
“Not so fast,” Kayla said. “You need your things.”
“Sleepover bag,” Benjy signed.
“Yes,” Kayla said.
Benjy ran excitedly up to his room. Within a few minutes he reappeared in the living room with his overnight bag. “Benjy ready,” he signed.
Kayla and Steve hugged Benjy good-bye. “Have fun,” Steve said.
“We’ll come get you tomorrow at Grandma and Grandpa’s,” Kayla said.
“Frankie dance tomorrow,” Benjy signed.
“Yes,” Kayla said. “We’ll come get you at the pub when we come to see Frankie off on his date.”
Benjy nodded. “And then we come home to play games and eat popcorn?” Benjy signed.
“Sure thing,” Kayla said as she hugged Benjy one last time. “Be good,and listen to Kim and Shane.”
“Benjy be good,” Benjy signed.
“He’ll be just fine,” Kimberly reassured. “You guys have a nice romantic night.” Kimberly winked at her sister before leaving with Benjy.
Once closing the door behind Kimberly and Benjy, Steve turned to his wife. “What did you promise him?”
Kayla grinned. “Family night tomorrow night. Once we get home from the pub, we could order a pizza and play board games.”
“Benjy seems awfully excited about it,” Steve observed.
“He does,” Kayla agreed. ‘I thought it would be nice to spend a quiet night at home with him tomorrow evening.”
“Sounds good,” Steve agreed. “But tonight I have you all to myself.”
“That’s the plan,” Kayla said.
She went back into the kitchen to finish making dinner. Steve followed behind her. He knew that this might be a good time to talk to her about what had happened that day with Ellen. “Why don’t I make a salad,” Steve suggested.
“That’d be great honey.”
Steve nodded as he got vegetables from the fridge,and began chopping. “Baby, Ellen came into the office today.”
“Oh,” Kayla said curiously.
“Yeah,” Steve continued. “I had news about Jennie.”
Kayla turned the heat down on the stove, so that she could turn her attention to her husband. “What news? Did your leads come through?”
“You could say that,” Steve said. “I learned today that Jennie was never adopted. The plan was for her to be. There was a couple here in Illinois who were interested in taking her, but they backed out when they found out that they were pregnant.”
“That’s awful,” Kayla said. “How old was Jennie when this happened?”
“Around 20 months,” Steve said. “They even went as far as bringing her here to Illinois.”
“Is she still here?” Kayla asked.
“That’s what I’m trying to find out, baby.”
“How did Ellen take the news?” Kayla asked with concern in her voice.
“She was hurt,” Steve said. “Very worried for Jennie.”
Kayla nodded. “That’s understandable.”
Steve nodded. “Sweetness, she also asked me something.”
“What?”
“Ellen asked that if I were to find Jennie,and she hadn’t been adopted, if you and I could take her.”
“Ellen doesn’t want her back,” Kayla said in dismay.
“I think she does,” Steve said sadly. “But she’s too scared to leave her husband. Besides, she wants Jennie and Benjy to be together.”
Kayla nodded. “Yeah, they would be siblings.”
“Yes,” Steve said. “And I would be Jennie’s father. That’s another reason why Ellen wants me to take her. She wants Jennie to be with her father.”
Kayla’s bottom lip slightly quivered as she looked at her husband. She knew that this was a possibility,and now it looked as if it could actually be true. Jennie could actually be Steve’s child.

[André DiMera]

Glad Steve and Kayla have the house to themselves so they can discuss this. Wonder how Kayla will react.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 60

Kayla felt her bottom lip quiver as she turned the stove off. She knew that Steve being Jennie’s father was a real possibility,and now from what she was hearing, it sounded like it was indeed true. She felt a tear trickle down her right cheek.
“Kayla,” Steve said in concern. “Baby?”
Kayla shook her head. “Yeah,” she said in a choked voice.
“Hey, baby,” Steve said. It’s going to be okay. Let’s talk about this.”
Kayla nodded. Steve gently took his wife’s arm,and led her into the living room. They sat down on the couch. Kayla looked at her husband. “I knew Jennie being your’s was a real possibility,and I told myself that I was fine with that, if it were indeed true. But,” Kayla’s voice trailed off.
“But me saying it makes it real for you,” Steve spoke for her.
“Yes,” Kayla said in a small voice. “Steve, I’m sorry.”
“Hey, baby, don’t be sorry. This is a lot for me too. Ellen swears that I’m this girl’s father. That’s hard for me to hear. I never thought that I’d be anyone’s father,and now it seems almost overnight, I’ve been made someone’s Papa. I still can’t believe it’s true.”
Kayla nodded.”Do you think Ellen is telling the truth? I mean, about you being Jennie’s father.”
Steve nodded. “Yes, Sweetness, I do. She swears that I was the only man she had slept with. I know that she was the only woman that I slept.”
Kayla nodded and sighed lightly.
“She was the only woman I slept with before you, baby,” Steve assured.”Kayla I love you.”
“Oh Steve, I know,” Kayla said quickly. “I’m not questioning your love. It’s just that,” Kayla’s voice trailed off.
Steve put his hand on her arm. “Baby say it. Whatever it is, I can take it. I’ve done so much damage to us because I was not honest with you in the beginning of our relationship because I thought I couldn’t be loved. Please tell me.”
Kayla nodded. She swallowed hard before continuing. “When you just told me that Jennie was most likely your’s, it stung. It hurt. I’m your wife,and I wanted to be the first to have your child. The only woman to have your child. And to think of another woman being that hurts.”
Steve looked at Kayla for a long moment. He wanted her to be honest with him, which she had been. Steve tried to hide the pained expression on his face, but he couldn’t.
“I’m sorry,” Kayla said softly.
“No,” Steve said in a choked voice. “Don’t be sorry. I wanted you to be honest with me,and you were. We have to work through this with honesty, even if it hurts at times. That’s the only way we’re going to make it out on the other side.”
“Other side,” Kayla replied. “Other side of what?”
“Parenting baby,” Steve said simply. “That’s one thing I’m learning since taking Benjamin. This whole parenting gig ain’t easy. But we can do it together. As long as we’re honest with ourselves and each other, even when it’s hard.”
Kayla nodded. She knew that Steve was right. “What about Jennie?”
“I told Ellen today that when I find Jennie that I’m going to get a paternity test. I need to know for a fact that Jennie is indeed my daughter.”
“And if she is?” Kayla asked.
Steve paused slightly. “Um, Ellen wants me to take Jennie if the test is positive,and Ellen is certain that it will be. After all, that would make Jennie and Benjy siblings. Ellen wants them to be together.”
Kayla nodded. “Steve, if the test is positive,and it shows that you’re Jennie’s father, then you have a right to her, especially if she’s still in the state’s care.”
“I know baby,” Steve said. “Ellen said that same thing.”
“Besides,” Kayla continued. “I did say that I wanted Jennie to come live with us if you were to find her,and she hadn’t been adopted.”
“Yeah,” Steve said slowly. “You did say that, but baby, I found out information today that might change your mind about that.”
“No,” Kayla said softly. “Steve, my mind has not changed. I learned a hard truth today about you and Ellen, but that does not change what I’ve told you. Whether that paternity test is positive or negative, Jennie will come to live with us once you find her. Those children need to be together. We will give them a family, if their mother cannot. Besides, you might be a Papa. That makes my heart swell, even if I’m not the Mama.”
“Oh Sweetness,” Steve said gently.
“No,” Kayla continued. “It makes my heart swell with happiness and love for you, Steve Johnson. You love so completely and so fiercely. Any child would be proud to call you their Papa. You are going to love that girl so completely and so fully. I know you will. And I can’t wait to experience it.”
“We both will, baby,” Steve said. “We both will.”
Kayla leaned over and kissed Steve gently on the lips. “I love you.”
“I love you Kayla,” Steve breathed softly. “Let’s go finish dinner,and get this evening of romance started.”
Kayla giggled as she kissed Steve one last time, before extending her hand to him. Steve took her hand as she pulled him up from the couch. They went back into the kitchen,and finished up dinner.

Kayla and Steve spent the rest of the evening in one another’s romantic company. Eating delectable lobster, drinking wine, and making love. Neither of them knew what their future would bring, but they knew that they could conquer it as long as they had each other to do so. Their night of romance and togetherness reconfirmed that.

[André DiMera]

So glad Steve and Kayla were honest with each other about how they feel.

Glad they’re in this together.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 61

Carrie squealed with excitement as Roman pulled up in front of Lisa’s house for the sleepover. Carrie took her seatbelt off,and grabbed her overnight bag.
Roman looked at his daughter. “Have fun pumpkin.”
“I will Daddy,” Carrie said.
Roman leaned over to the passenger’s seat,and kissed his daughter on the cheek. “Call me in the morning for me to come pick you back up.”
“I will,” Carrie said. “And I’m gonna have a blast.
Roman nodded. “I’m sure you will.”
Carrie opened the car door,and quickly got out.
“Want me to walk you up?” Roman asked.
“Dad,” carrie said slightly annoyed. “I’m fine. It’s a sleepover. Besides I don’t want the other cheerleaders seeing you walking me to the door.”
Carrie waved to Roman as she walked up to Lisa’s front door. Carrie paused before knocking on the door. Roman gave his daughter a wave back,and drove off.
Feeling satisfied with herself, Carrie rang the doorbell at Lisa’s house. Within a minute the door opened. Lisa stood at the door. “Carrie,” Lisa said gleefully. “You’re just in time for pizza and milkshakes.”
Lisa stood aside so that Carrie could enter the house. Carrie walked into Lisa’s house. Carrie was greeted with the music of Kate Bush booming through the living room.
“Carrie,” Sarah exclaimed excitedly. “You’re here.”
“Hi,” Carrie said.
Carrie looked around the living room,and saw the rest of the middle school cheer squad sprawled out on the living room floor with their sleeping bags, and their overnight bags arranged throughout the room. Carrie plopped her sleeping bag done by Sarah’s.
“Cool music,” Carrie said. “I’m starving.”
“Cool,” Lisa said. “My parents went out for the night so we have the house all to ourselves. The pizza just got here a few minutes ago.”
Carrie noticed that the other girls were drinking from red party cups. “What’s everyone drinking?” Carrie asked.
‘Milkshakes,” Jessie said. “They’re really good. Want one?”
“Sure,” Carrie said. Sounds good.”
Sarah bounced up from her sleeping bag. “Carrie, you have to have the chocolate one. It’s really good.”
“Come on,” Lisa said. “Come in the kitchen with me,and I’ll hook you up.”
Lisa took Carrie by the arm,and led her into the kitchen. Sarah trailed behind them.
“I’m coming too,” Sarah said. “I want another milkshake.”
Carrie walked into the kitchen,and saw two boxes of pizza on the kitchen table, along with an assortment of chips and cookies. “Help yourself,” Lisa said as she motioned to the table of food.
Carrie grabbed a plate,and put a slice of pizza, chips,and a cookie on it. Lisa went over to the counter where the blender was,and began to make a chocolate milkshake. Carrie watched with curiosity as Lisa made the shake. Carrie noticed that Lisa added something to the milk and ice cream mixture before turning on the blender. Once the mixture was done blending. Lisa took the milkshake,and poured it into two party cups with straws. She gave one cup to Carrie,and the other cup to Sarah.
Sarah took a long sip of her shake. “It’s so good,” she breathed with excitement.
Carrie took a sip of her milkshake as well. “Yum. It is good. What else did you put in it?”
Lisa giggled slightly. “Vodka.”
Carrie felt her stomach drop slightly. “Vodka,” she repeated. “I can’t drink this.”
Carie extended her hand with the cup in it to Lisa. Lisa shoved the cup back towards Carrie. “Come on Brady. It’s not that much vodka. You can barely taste it. Besides, you wouldn’t even known if you hadn’t seen me put it in. Don’t be a buzz kill.”
Sarah took another sip of her milkshake. “Come on Carrie,” Sarah chimed in. “I’ve had two and I’m just fine. You can’t even taste the alcohol.”
Carrie took another sip of her milkshake. Sarah was right. She couldn’t taste the alcohol. What would one chocolate vodka milkshake hurt. “Okay,” Carrie agreed.
“Yay,” Sarah said loudly. “Cheers.”
“Cheers,” Carrie said as she extended her cup to Sarah. The girls banged their cups together as Sarah began to giggle.
Lisa smiled as she poured herself another chocolate vodka milkshake. “Let’s get this party started.”
Lisa led Carrie and Sarah back into the living room. The cheerleaders sat on their sleeping bags, eating pizza and chips,and drinking their milkshakes. Lisa turned the music down a bit. She motioned to the girls. “Girls,” Lisa said. It’s time to have a little fun.”
Tori perked up from her sleeping bag. “This is gonna be good.”
“I’m all in,” Nikki chimed in.
“Us too,” Rachel and Megan agreed excitedly.
“What’s the game?” Kelly asked.
Lisa smiled. “Truth or Dare. Who wants to go first?”
Carrie took another sip of her milkshake. She was starting to feel warm and giddy inside. “I’ll go first,” she said gleefully.
Tori began to snicker slightly.
Lisa smiled. “Okay. Brady’s up first. Carrie, truth or dare?”
“Truth,” Carrie said.
Lisa looked to the other cheerleaders. Tori nodded.
“Carrie,” Tori said, “Do you really like Jennie, or are you just pretending to be her friend?”
Carrie felt her stomach drop slightly. She took a longer sip of her milkshake. Trying to think what she should say.

[André DiMera]

Wonder how Carrie will answer. I hope none of the girls end up getting drunk from the vodka milkshakes.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 62

The girls looked at Carrie expectantly. Carrie took another long slow swallow of her milkshake. She felt the cold mixture burn as it went down her throat.
“Come on Carrie,” Sarah said urgingly. “Answer the truth. Do you really like Jennie?”
Carrie looked towards the other girls. She took one last sip of her milkshake,and felt the pressure to respond. “No,” Carrie said with her voice slightly sounding slurred. “I don’t really like her.”
Lisa and Tori clapped their hands together excitedly. “I new it,” Lisa said. “Brady really does have class.”
“This calls for another shake,” Tori chimed in.
Tori jumped up from her sleeping bag,and grabbed Carrie’s cup from her hands. Tori quickly left the room with Carrie’s cup.
Carrie looked at the other cheerleaders. She felt her stomach drop. She couldn’t believe what she had just said. She didn’t want to say it, but she felt the pressure to give them the answer that they obviously wanted. Carrie opened her mouth to try to take back what she had just said, but before she could say another word, Tori returned with a fresh milkshake. She shoved the fresh milkshake into Carrie’s hands.
By this point, Carrie was beginning to feel the effects of the chocolate vodka milkshake. She felt the room spinning around her, yet she felt happy, warm,and giddy inside. She took another sip of the fresh drink in her hands, hoping that by taking a sip would calm the dizziness down.
“So Carrie,” Lisa said. “Tell us how you really feel about Jennie. You’re just pretending to be her friend. Right?”
Carrie took a long gulp of her milkshake. “Right,” Carrie said loudly. “I’m pretending.”
“Good,”
Tori said as she took a sip of her milkshake. “So, we’re going to embarrass the heck out of Jennie. Just for grins and giggles. And you’re going to help us.”
“Me,”
Carrie said. “What do you want me to do?”
Lisa piped up. “You know those stupid notebooks that she’s always writing in, we’re going to take them, and blow up the pages,and hang them up all over school.”
“No one will even know that it was us who did it,” Rachel chimed in. “And you’re going to help us carrie.”
“Me,” Carrie said with her voice thick with alcohol. “What will I do?”
“You’re going to steal her notebooks,” Megan said.
“Steal,” Carrie said slightly confused. “I can’t steal.”
“Steal, borrow, call it what you will,” Lisa said. “Just get them away from Jennie long enough so that we can make copies of the juiciest pages. What does she write in those dumb things anyways?”
Carrie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She had never been drunk before, but she thought that she might be well on her way of getting drunk,and now she had gotten herself into a sticky situation, trying to fit in,and she couldn’t get herself out.
“Carrie,” Sarah proded. “What does Jennie write in the notebooks. I know that you know.”
“I can’t say,” Carrie finally said.
Tori sighed exasperately. “Never mind, Brady. Who cares what she writes in them. We’ll find that out once you jack them off of Jennie. Just get the notebooks from her,and we’ll take care of the rest.”
“Why do you want to do this?” Carrie asked.
Lisa and Tori began to laugh. “Ah, cause Jennie’s a loser,” Lisa said. “Duh. And she deserves to be embarrassed. Besides, we have to test your loyalty. And this is how we’re going to do it. If you want to stay on the cheer squad, you’ll get the books from Jennie.”
All of the girls looked at Carrie, waiting for an answer. Carrie took a long sip of her milkshake. Even Sarah was looking towards her for an answer. “I guess,” Carrie finally said. “I’ll try.”
“You won’t try,” Lisa said. “You’ll do it, or it’s off the squad.”
“And if you tell Mrs. Nelson, we’ll deny it,” Tori chimed in. “So you’re better off just to do it,and the sooner the better.”
Megan and Rachel started to laugh. The rest of the girls began to giggle, even Sarah giggled as she took another sip of her milkshake.
Carrie felt a wave of nausea come over her. She couldn’t believe what she had agreed to. Were these girls even her friends? Even Sarah was laughing. Carrie’s head felt so fuzzy,and yet she felt warm and happy all at the same time. Yet a sick dread came over her. She had to leave. She had to think. She couldn’t stay here, not after what she had just agreed to do.
Carrie stood abruptly from her sleeping bag. She felt the room spin around her. “Uh, I’m not feeling so good. I think I need to call home.”
“Too much vodka,” Lisa said.
“I just need to call home,” Carrie said.
“Buzz kill,” Nikki said.
“Never mind Brady,” Lisa said. “Let her go. Just remember, Carrie, not a word, or it’s off the squad. And remember, you have a job to do.”
Carrie slowly made her way into the kitchen. She grabbed the phone from the counter, and began dialing a number. As she dialed, she prayed that her aunt Kayla would answer. She needed to get out of here. Hopefully her Aunt Kayla would come rescue her.

[André DiMera]

Carrie’s definitely drunk. Hopefully she won’t go through with the other girls’ plans.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 63

Benjy clapped his hands excitedly as he proceeded to win another game of Shoots and Ladders. “Benjy win again,” he signed excitedly to Steve and Kayla.
“I’d say,” Kayla said smiling warmly at Benjy.
“Play again,” Benjy said.
“Sure thing,” Steve said.
Steve began to set up the board game when the kitchen phone rang.
“Phone,” Kayla said as she signed to Benjy. “I’ll be right back.”
Benjy nodded as he waited for Kayla to sit back down so they could play another game.
Kayla picked up the kitchen phone. “Hello.”
“Aunt Kayla,” Carrie said on the other line. “Can you come pick me up?”
“Honey,” Kayla said a bit concerned and puzzled. “Carrie, are you okay?”
“Um, I’m not feeling so good,” Carrie said with a slurred voice. “Can you come get me?”
“I thought you were at a sleepover,” Kayla said. “At one of the cheerleader’s houses?”
“Yep,” Carrie said with a slight giggle in her voice. “But I’m not feeling good. Please Aunt Kayla.”
Kayla was quiet for a long moment. From listening to Carrie on the other end of the phone, it almost sounded as if Carrie were drunk. But then again, Kayla thought that she might be imagining things. Her niece would never do anything like that.
“Pretty please,” Carrie said again.
Kayla was broken from her thoughts. “Of course honey. I’ll be right there.”
“Oh,’ Carrie gushed. “Thank you so much. And Aunt Kayla, don’t tell Dad.”
“Sweetie,’ Kayla said trying to keep her voice even, “Just give me the address of where you’re at. I’ll be there soon.”
Carrie gave Kayla the address of Lisa’s house. Kayla wrote the address down,and hung up the phone. Kayla looked at Steve a bit bewildered. Steve got up from the kitchen table. “Everything okay Sweetness?” He asked.
“No,” Kayla said. “Carrie needs me to go get her.”
“Is she okay?”
Kayla looked at her husband pointedly. “Steve, I think she’s drunk.”
“What,” Steve said in bewilderment. “Drunk? Are you sure?”
“She sounds drunk to me,” Kayla reasoned.
“Are you going to call your brother?”
“No,” Kayla said. “Carrie doesn’t want me to.”
Steve looked at Kayla sternly. “Baby, maybe you should. Roman is her father. He’d want to know.”
Kayla walked into the living room,and grabbed her purse. Steve followed her, with Benjy now trailing behind them. Kayla turned to look at Steve. “I promised her that I wouldn’t. Let me just go pick her up,and I’ll assess the situation.”
“Assess the situation,” Steve repeated.
“Yeah,” Kayla said. “You know, see how bad things are.”
Steve put his hands up. “Okay baby. I can’t stop you.”
“Thank you,” Kayla said. She kissed Steve on the cheek. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Benjy then shoved himself between Steve and Kayla. He began to sign. “Our game. What about our game?”
Kayla knelt down in front of Benjy. “I’m sorry buddy,” Kayla said slowly. “Carrie isn’t feeling good. I need to go pick her up. I’ll be right back.”
“Then we play?” Benjy signed.
Steve interrupted the conversation. He began to sign and speak to Benjy. “Hey little man, why don’t we go into the kitchen and make some popcorn while we wait for Kayla to get back.”
Benjy nodded. “Kayla make Carrie better.”
“I hope so,” Kayla said.
Benjy nodded, satisfied with Steve and Kayla’s responses to him. He then turned and walked back into the kitchen.
“You’re bringing her back here? Aren’t you?”
“You really do know me,” Kayla said.
“Of course baby,” Steve said. “I’ll try to get Benjamin to bed before you get back here with Carrie.”
“Thank you,” Kayla said gratefully. “Steve, if she really is drunk, who knows what kind of shape she’s in.”
“Nothing we can’t handle,” Steve relented. “Although, I do wish you’d call your brother.”
Kayla kissed Steve on the cheek again. “Thanks for understanding. I’ll be back.”
Kayla grabbed her keys out of her purse,and walked out of the front door to her car. She got into her car,and started the ignition. She had no idea what she was about to get herself into, but it was clear to her that her niece needed her. That was what Kayla kept thinking as she drove to pick Carrie up.

[André DiMera]

Glad Carrie called Kayla. I wonder if Steve will call Roman.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 64

Carrie walked back into the living room. She walked over to where her sleeping bag and overnight bag laid on the floor. She began gathering her things. Sarah jumped up from the floor, her cup still in hand. “You’re seriously leaving,” Sarah said in a whiny slurred voice. “Come on Carrie. Please stay.”
“I’m not feeling good,” Carrie said. “My aunt is coming to get me.”
“Please stay,” Sarah repeated.
“Oh let her go,” Tori spoke up. “But remember, Brady, don’t tell anyone about our little plan. Got it.”
Lisa then spoke up. “And if you tell anyone about the alcohol, I’ll deny the whole thing. So just keep your mouth shut.”
“But,” Carrie said in mild protest.
“Hey Kelly chimed in. “You’re one of us now. This is what we do, and all the other new girls are fine with it. So don’t ruin it for us.”
Carrie looked around the room as she picked up her bag and sleeping bag. The rest of the cheerleaders were sitting on the floor with their vodka chocolate milkshakes, just drinking them. Even Sarah had sat back down on her sleeping bag and began drinking her milkshake again. All Carrie could do was nod at the group of girls. She didn’t say another word. She just walked to the front door to leave.
“Hey Brady,” Lisa called out. “Remember you have to keep your part of the plan. Get those stupid books from Jennie.”
Carrie didn’t say another word. She didn’t even look over her shoulder. She just left Lisa’s house, slamming the front door behind her.
Carrie felt waves of nausea come over her as she sank onto the porch steps as she waited for her aunt. Yet she felt warm and giddy all at the same time. She knew that she was going to be in major trouble, but she also remembered what the cheerleaders had told her, not to tell. And then there was their plan that they had for Jennie. Carrie still couldn’t believe what she had agreed to. She had to find a way to get out of this horrible plan, but her head felt too fuzzy to think clearly. Just then she was broken from her thoughts when she heard a car pull into the driveway. Carrie looked up,and noticed her aunt Kayla’s car. Carrie breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the car. Carrie pulled herself up on her feet, feeling unsteady as she walked to her aunt’s car with her things. Carrie opened the passenger’s side door,and fell into the front seat. She giggled slightly as she shut the car door.
“Hi Aunt Kayla,” Carrie said in a slurred voice. “Thanks for coming.”
Kayla looked at her niece in disbelief. Carrie was indeed drunk. “Carrie, what the heck happened?”
“Milkshakes,” Carrie said innocently. “Really good chocolate milkshakes.”
Kayla shook her head. “How much did you have to drink?”
“Two,” Carrie said with a slight giggle. “I had two.”
Okay,” Kayla said evenly. “Let’s get you home.”
“No,” Carrie protested. ‘I don’t wanna go home. Please Auntie Kayla. I can’t.”
Kayla sighed heavily. Steve was probably going to kill her, but she couldn’t take her niece back to her brother’s in this condition. “You’re not going home,” Kayla said. “You’re going home with me.”
“Goodie,” Carrie said as she clapped her hands together. “God, it’s hot in here.”
Carrie proceeded to open the window. “Aww, that’s better.”
“Let’s get you home,” Kayla reasoned.
Kayla wanted to ask Carrie questions about what had happened that night, but she had a feeling that Carrie wouldn’t be able to answer her questions at the moment. She figured that she could talk to her in the morning. As they drove, Carrie turned on the radio, and turned the volume up as her favorite song came on.
“I love this song,” Carrie said animatedly as she began bouncing up and down in her seat. Debbie Gibson filled the car,and Carrie began singing loudly. This continued until they arrived back at Kayla’s.

Once getting home, Kayla turned the radio off. She looked at Carrie. “Okay, the party’s over. Let’s go.”
Both Kayla and Carrie got out of the car. Kayla grabbed Carrie’s things as they made their way into the house. Kayla walked into the kitchen with Carrie trailing behind her.
Steve got up from the kitchen table. “Sweetness,” he said.
“Hi,” Kayla said.
“Hi Uncle Steve,” Carrie said with a giggle.
“Steve,” Kayla said, “She’s drunk.”
“I see that,” Steve said.
“Hi Uncle Steve,” Carrie repeated.
“Hey baby,” Steve replied. “How are you doing?”
“Good,” Carrie said.
“We’ll see how good you’re doing in the morning,” Steve remarked in a snarky tone.
Kayla rolled her eyes. “Is Benjy asleep?”
“Yeah, baby,” Steve replied. “I got him down. What do you want to do about her?” Steve motioned to Carrie.

[André DiMera]

Wonder what Steve and Kayla will do about Carrie.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 65

Before Kayla could answer Steve’s question, Carrie slumped onto the kitchen floor. “I don’t feel so good,” she said, as a sallow expression washed over her face.
Both Kayla and Steve looked at Carrie. “I know that expression,” Kayla said.
“Say no more, Sweetness,” Steve said, as he jumped into action.
Steve swiftly walked over to Carrie,and picked his niece up off the floor. He walked quickly into the bathroom, with Kayla following behind them, Carrie’s overnight bag in her hand. Steve gently deposited Carrie on the floor of the bathroom, in front of the toilet. Steve turned to Kayla. “I’ll let you handle things from here, baby.”
Kayla nodded, knowing what she needed to do.
“I don’t feel so good,” Carrie repeated.
“I bet,” Steve said. “No worries, baby. Your aunt Kayla will take care of everything.”
Before anyone could say another word, Carrie began vomiting into the toilet. Steve quietly left, giving his niece privacy,and the space that Kayla needed to care for Carrie.
Carrie proceeded to get sick again. All the while, Kayla sat with her niece, gently rubbing her back,and holding her hair back. “That’s it,” Kayla soothed. “You’re alright.”
Carrie got sick one last time, and began to cry softly. “I’m going to be in so much trouble,” she said in between sobs. “Dad is going to ground me for life.”
“Shh,” Kayla soothed. “It’s going to be okay. Why don’t we get you cleaned up,and into bed. We’ll talk about this in the morning.”
“I’m sorry,” Carrie said weakly. “I’m so embarrassed.”
“Hey,” Kayla said. ‘It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. Remember, I’m a nurse.”
“Oh, my stomach,” Carrie said.
Kayla nodded in slight sympathy. She set to work, helping Carrie get ready for bed. She washed Carrie’s face, and helped Carrie get into her pajamas. Kayla then got two aspirin,and a glass of water, instructing Carrie to take the pills,and drink the water slowly. Carrie did as she was told.

Kayla then took Carrie into the spare bedroom. “You can sleep here,” Kayla said, as she turned the bed down for Carrie.
Carrie nodded as she got into bed. “Thanks,” Carrie said meekly. “How am I gonna feel tomorrow?”
“Probably not good,” Kayla said. “But we’ll worry about that in the morning. Just try to get sleep. Hopefully the worst is over.”
Carrie snuggled under the blankets. “Thanks Aunt Kayla.”
Kayla kissed her niece on the forehead. “Wake me or Uncle Steve if you need anything.”
Carrie didn’t respond, as her eyes began to close.
Kayla smoothed Carrie’s hair from her face,and quietly left the guest room. She walked into she and Steve’s bedroom. Steve had already gotten ready for bed,and was laying down. Steve glanced at his wife, as she began to get ready for bed. “How’s our little lush?”
Kayla glanced over her shoulder, before putting her nightgown on. She rolled her eyes. “Not so good,” Kayla said.
“I’ll fix her up in the morning,” Steve promised.
“I bet you will,” Kayla said with a grin. “Steve Johnson’s famous hangover remedy.”
“You know it baby,” Steve said with a twinkle in his eye. ‘It worked for you, didn’t it?”
“Ugh,” Kayla groaned. “Don’t remind me. That drunken display was not one of my finest moments.”
Kayla got in bed with her husband. Steve pulled her close to him. He kissed the top of her head. “Maybe not,” he said. “But you’re cute when you’re drunk.”
“Thanks,” Kayla said feigning annoyance.
“Is Carrie okay?” Steve asked with concern in his voice.
“I think so,” Kayla assured. “She got sick a couple times. I put her to bed,and hopefully she’ll sleep through the night.”
“Hopefully,” Steve repeated. “You do know that your brother is probably going to kill her and you tomorrow, right?”
“Yep,” Kayla said. “Probably. But I couldn’t take her home. I’ll deal with Roman tomorrow.”
Steve kissed Kayla as he wrapped his arm around her. “You’re a good aunt, baby.”
“Thank you,” Kayla said as she kissed Steve on the cheek. “This good aunt is tired though. Why don’t we try to get to sleep.”
Steve nodded as he reached over to the bedside table,and turned off the lamp. He held Kayla in his arms, as they fell asleep.

[André DiMera]

Carrie’s in bad shape! Glad Steve and Kayla are taking care of her.