Growing Up Brady And Johnson (Read 4,336 times)

[André DiMera]

Kayla’s reaction to Frankie wanting to ask a girl out was cute. Glad the boys liked the chili.

[wildheartashley]

Author’s Note: Sorry in the slight delay in posting the next chapter. I’ll be back on track with my Sunday postings this next weekend. I hope you enjoy my latest update. Thanks.

Chapter 37


Carrie stood at her locker after cheerleading practice the next day.
She got her books and purse out of her locker, and was about to turn
around, when she felt a light tap on her shoulder. She turned to find
Jennie standing behind her. “Jennie,” Carrie said. “You startled me.”
“Sorry,” Jennie said quietly. “I’m ready to start our project.”
“Oh,” Carrie said a bit taken back. “Um. Uh,” Carrie stammered.
“I can still come over right?” Jennie asked.
“Yeah,” Carrie said slowly. “Of course, but your mom never called my
dad last night,and you weren’t at lunch today. I wasn’t sure,”
Just then Jennie cut Carrie off before she could finish her sentence.
“It’s fine for me to come over,” Jennie said quickly. “And I ate lunch
in the library today. That’s why I wasn’t in the cafeteria.”
“Gotcha,” Carrie said easily. “Sure then, let’s go. My aunt Kayla is
picking me up. She should be here in a few minutes.”
Carrie began to walk, and then noticed that Jennie was still
standing at Carrie’s locker. Jennie looked at Carrie with unsure eyes.
Carrie walked back to her locker. “Jennie, are you okay?”
“Yeah,” Jennie said sheepishly. “It’s just. Um, I’m kind of shy
around new people.”
Carrie put her hand gently on Jennie’s arm. “Hey, it’s okay. My aunt
Kayla is super nice. You’ll love her.”
“It’s okay if I ride with you?” Jennie asked. “Cause if it’s not, I
can always walk to your house.”
“Jennie,” Carrie said gently, “You’re not going to walk to my house.
You’ll ride home with me. And if you need a ride back to your house,
I’m sure that my dad can give you a ride home once he gets home.”
“No,” Jennie said quickly. “I won’t need a ride home. I can just walk.”
Before Carrie could say another word, Jennie began to walk quickly to
the front door. Carrie slightly jogged to catch up with her.
Once the girls were outside, Carrie noticed her aunt Kayla’s car
waiting at the front of the school. Carrie motioned for Jennie to
follow her. Carrie opened the back passenger side of the car. She
motioned for Jennie to slide in. Jennie slid into the car. Carrie then
got in, and shut the door behind her. “Hi Aunt Kayla,” Carrie said
cheerfully. “This is my friend Jennie.” Carrie waved towards Jennie.
“She’s coming home with me to do a Science project.”
Kayla turned in the driver’s seat to look at Jennie. Kayla smiled
warmly at Jennie. “Hi Honey,” Kayla said.
“Hi,” Jennie said quietly.
As Kayla drove to her brother’s house, Carrie talked about her day.
Jennie didn’t say a word,and just sat quietly listening to Carrie and
Kayla talk. Kayla then pulled up at her brother’s house.
“Thanks Aunt Kayla,” Carrie said.
“No problem honey,” Kayla said. “Have fun with your Science project.”
“We’ll try,” Carrie said. She slid out of the car. Jennie followed
Carrie out of the car.
“Bye Jennie,” Kayla said. She winked at the girl.
“Bye,” Jennie said as she shut the car door behind her.

[André DiMera]

Hm. I have a feeling there’s more going on here than Jennie just being shy.

[misfit]

So sorry for my delayed reply to this wildheartashley! Holidays left me kinda neglectful on the fanfiction front, both reading and writing it, but I'm working on both!

Anyway, Carrie is such a sweetheart here. I hope that Jennie opens up to her and she's able to help her work through things! 

[wildheartashley]

Author’s Note: Sorry for the delay in posting. I’ve been sick for the past few days. I wanted to get an update out today, since I’m having a sick day. I’ll be back to my usual Sunday posting next week. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 38


Carrie opened the front door. She walked into the living room, Jennie
following behind her.
“Hey Jennifer,” Carrie called. “I’m home.”
“Hi,” Jennifer called from the couch in the living room.
Carrie made introductions between Jennifer and Jennie. Sami then came
bounding downstairs. “Carrie,” Sami squealed excitedly. “Who’s your
friend?”
“This is Jennie,” Carrie explained. “We’re going upstairs to do homework.”
Sami looked Jennie over. “Are you a cheerleader too?”
“No,” Jennie said quietly.
Sami nodded. “What do you do then?”
“Nothing,” Jennie said just as quietly.
“Oh,” Sami said.
“Hey, Sami,” Carrie said, “We gotta go work now. Okay.”
“Okay,” Sami said.
Carrie took Jennie into the kitchen to get a snack. She motioned
towards the fruit bowl and crackers on the counter. “Help yourself.”
Carrie took a banana from the fruit bowl. Jennie looked unsure, but
helped herself to a pack of peanut butter crackers and a banana as
well. Jennie put the pack of crackers in her backpack.
Carrie then took Jennie up to her room. Carrie threw her purse on her
bed,and plopped on the floor, and got out her Science book and project papers.
Jennie looked around Carrie’s bedroom in awe. “Wow, you have your own
room. You don’t have to share with your sister?”
“Nope,” Carrie said. “I have my own room. So does Sami, and my brother Eric.”
Jennie nodded. She joined Carrie on the floor, and got her Science
papers out as well. The girls munched on their bananas as they began
to work on their Science project. Carrie was impressed with the amount
of information that Jennie had found about the ear. “This is great,”
Carrie said. “When did you find all of this?”
“Today during lunch,” Jennie said.
Carrie showed the information to Jennie that she had found. Carrie
then got the giant poster board from the guest room. She explained to
Jennie that they could write and draw pictures on the poster board as
part of their presentation. Jennie didn’t object,and just nodded in
agreement.
The girls continued to work on their prohject. Carrie then heard her
father come in from work. “Sounds like my dad is home,” Carrie said.
“Oh,” Jennie said. “I should go.” Jennie got up quickly and began
quickly gathering her things, and shoving them into her backpack.
“Hey,” Carrie said. “It’s no rush. Like I said, my dad can give you a
ride home.”
“No, I can walk home. It’s fine. Really.”
Okay,” Carrie said. “Um, would you like to come back on Saturday? We
can continue to work on our project then.”
“Really?” Jennie asked in surprise. “You want me to come back?”
“Yeah,” Carrie said, “I do. I have a football game Friday night, but
Saturday I’m all yours.”
Jennie smiled slightly. “Sure.”
“Cool,” Carrie said. “Maybe we can get a pizza or something.”
Jennie nodded. “What time do you want me to come on Saturday?”
Carrie thought for a minute. “How about one? Do you need a ride?”
“No,’ Jennie said. “I can walk.”
Carrie and Jennie then went downstairs.
“Hey pumpkin,’ Roman greeted as Carrie and Jennie walked into the living room.
“Hi Dad,” Carrie said. “This is my friend Jennie.”
Jennie smiled sheepishly at Roman. “Hi kiddo,” Roman greeted warmly.
“How’s the Science project coming along?”
“Good,” Carrie said. “Is it fine for Jennie to come back on Saturday,
so we can work on it?”
“Sure,” Roman said. “Jennie, do you need a ride home?”
“No thank you,” Jennie said politely. “I can walk home.”
Before Roman or Carrie could say another word, Jennie made her way to
the front door. “Thanks Carrie,” Jennie said. “See you tomorrow.”
“See ya tomorrow,” Carrie said. “Thanks Jennie.”
Jennie nodded, and then walked out of the Brady house. Carrie thought
her project was off to a good start. She hoped that maybe by doing
this project with Jennie that she could get to know her better.

[André DiMera]

Glad the project is off to a good start. I still think there’s something odd going on with Jennie.

[krw627]

Jennie almost seemed scared of Roman, or men. I hope there's not a problem with her dad.

[gapeach]

Just read everything. So glad that Carrie is trying to get to know Jennie. Wonder if she is related to the woman from the clinic? Loved Steve & Frankie's relationship. Also glad that Steve didn't tell Kayla it was Jennifer that Frankie was thinking about asking out. Gotta keep the bro code

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 39


“She’s here,” Sami called from the living room.
Carrie came into the living room, and peered out the front window.
She saw Jennie walking up the front sidewalk. Sami excitedly opened
the front door. “Hi Jennie,” Sami called in delight.
Carrie rolled her eyes in slight annoyance. “Sami,” Carrie warned.
“Jennie and I have our project to work on.”
“I know,” Sami said. “I’ll stay out of your way till you are done.”
Just then Jennie appeared in the doorway. “Hey Jennie,” Carrie greeted.
“Hi,” Jennie said.
“Hi,” Sami piped up loudly. “Happy Saturday.”
Jennie smiled at Sami. “Hi Sami.”
Sami grinned at Jennie. “Hi.” Sami then turned to Carrie. “Carrie, can
you and Jennie play with me once you guys are done working?”
“I don’t know,” Carrie replied.
“I’d love to play with you,” Jennie said.
“Really?” Sami asked in excitement.
Jennie nodded. “Sure.”
Carrie relented. “Okay, Sami. We’ll play with you, but let us work first. Okay?”
Sami nodded in agreement. “I won’t bother you. I promise.”
Without saying another word, Sami went skipping down to the basement
to play with Eric. Just then Roman came into the living room. He said
hello to Jennie. Carrie then took Jennie upstairs so they could
continue working on their project.
The girls got comfortable on Carrie’s floor. Jennie got out the new
information about the ear that she had found the day before. Carrie
got the poster board,and the girls began to work. Jennie came up with
the idea that they could also focus on problems of the ear, deafness
specifically. As Jennie talked about all the ways that a person could
become deaf,and the parts of the ear that could be damaged, Carrie’s
thoughts turned to Benjy.
“Wow,” Carrie said. “You’ve really done your research.”
Jennie smiled slightly. “Yeah, I really find it interesting. I had
gone to the library last night.”
“You didn’t go to the football game?” Carrie asked.
“No,” Jennie said. “That’s really not my thing.”
“What’s your thing then?” Carrie genuinely wanted to know.
Jennie shrugged. “I don’t know. No one has ever asked me that before.”
“Well, I want to know.”
Jennie quickly changed the subject, wanting to take the focus away
from her, and put it back on their project. “We could do a little
section on sign language,” Jennie suggested.
Carrie perked up upon hearing this. “That would be great.”
Carrie then watched in awe as Jennie began to sign.
“Wow,” Carrie said. “What did you say?”
Jennie grinned. “I said that would be cool.”
“How did you know sign language?” Carrie asked.
Jennie’s face turned somber. “Um, I was taught.”
“Is someone in your family deaf?”
“Not really,” Jennie said. “Um, it’s complicated. Can we just work?”
“Sure,” Carrie said.
Carrie and Jennie continued to work quietly on their project.

[misfit]

Jan 11, 2023 10:01:43 GMT -5 krw627 said:

Jennie almost seemed scared of Roman, or men. I hope there's not a problem with her dad.

I picked up on this, too! Really interested in seeing how everything unfolds with the character and I love how seamlessly you blend her into the family dynamic with Sami, Roman, etc. I can visualize the scenes so well! Looking forward to more.

Edited to add, soon as I post that I'm looking forward to more, there's more!

Little Sami is adorable and you totally capture the slightly annoyed older sister vibe with Carrie (I am an older sister so I'm very familiar with it, lol). Made me sad that Jennie's still so shy/trying to shift attention off herself even from Carrie. I'm so curious about the 'complicated' you're hinting at involving why she knows how to sign, too. Can't wait for the next update! 

[André DiMera]

Hmm. There’s definitely something going on with Jennie. Glad she’s done research, though.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 40

Once most of the project was finished, Carrie put her colored pencil
down. “I’m sorry about earlier. I shouldn’t have asked so many
questions. I was curious.”
Jennie nodded. “No, I shouldn’t have snapped at you. I’m just not used
to talking about myself. No one really cares all that much.”
Carrie nodded. She really didn’t know what to say about what Jennie
had just said. “Well, I do think it’s really cool that you can sign.
My Aunt Kayla and Uncle Steve know sign language.”
Carrie then began to tell Jennie about her family. She told her about
how her aunt Kayla and uncle Steve are fostering Benjy,and that
Benjy is deaf. She told Jennie about her dad, and how Marlena was
dead. She told Jennie about her grandparents, and the Brady Pub, and
about her other aunts and uncles. She finally told Jennie about
Frankie and Max,and how they just became apart of her family.
“Wow,” Jennie said once Carrie was done explaining. “Your family
sounds really nice.”
Carrie nodded. “They’re the best. I love them so much.”
“I don’t have a family,” Jennie said simply.
Carrie felt her stomach drop at Jennie’s last comment. “You don’t?
Carrie asked in dismay.
“Nope,” Jennie said. “My mom gave me up when I was a baby.”
“Oh,” Carrie said. “Who do you live with? Do you have a foster family?”
“No,” Jennie said matter of factly. “I live in a group home with a
bunch of other girls.”
Do you like it there?” Carrie was curious,and yet at the same time,
her heart broke for Jennie. She couldn’t imagine not having any
family.
“I hate it there,” Jennie confessed quietly. “The girls always give me
a hard time.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know,” Jennie said. “I’m a loser, I guess. It’s really no
different then how the other kids treat me at school.”
“Yeah,” Carrie said. “I’m really sorry about what happened in the
cafeteria the other day.”
Jennie shrugged slightly. “Thanks for the chips.”
Carrie nodded. She wanted to say more, but just then Sami appeared in
Carrie’s doorway. “Are you guys done yet?”
Carrie looked towards Jennie for confirmation. Jennie grinned
slightly. “Yep, we’re done,” Jennie said.
“Yay,” Sami said. “We can play.”
Sami walked into Carrie’s room,and began to look inquisitively at
Carrie and Jennie’s project. The girls explained to Sami what
everything was. Sami then began to talk about Benjy. And how she
wanted to learn sign language.
Jennie then perked up. “Hey, I can teach you guys sign language,” she
offered. “I mean, if you want.”
Sami clapped her hands excitedly. “Ho, please, Carrie. Please. That
would be so cool.”
Carrie smiled. “That would be cool. I’d love that.”
“Wait,” Sami cut in. She looked at Jennie with questioning eyes. “How
do you know sign language? My Aunt Kayla and Uncle Steve know sign
language. My Aunt Kayla used to be deaf, but now she’s not. And they
got Benjy now.” Sami looked towards Jennie to see if she was
listening. “Do you know who Benjy is?”
Carrie cut in quickly. “Yeah, she knows all about Benjy. I told
her,and Jennie used to know someone who signed, that’s how she knows
it.”
Jennie breathed a sigh of relief that Carrie came to her defense so quickly.
“Can you teach Eric too?” Sami asked.
Jennie nodded. “Sure, if he’d like to learn.”
Yay,” Sami exclaimed in glee. “But can we play first? You promised.”
“We did,” Carrie said. “What do you want to play?”
“Beauty salon,” Sami said.
Both Carrie and Jennie agreed. The girls spent the rest of the
afternoon playing beauty salon, and listening to music. As they
played, Jennie promised that she would come back throughout the week
to begin teaching Carrie and the twins sign language. Carrie was
pleased that she seemed to be getting to know Jennie, and possibly
even be making a new friend in the process.

[André DiMera]

I’m glad Jennie opened up to Carrie, and that she’s willing to teach her sign language.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 41
Carrie put a hair elastic around the French braid that she had just
given Jennie. “You’re hair is so pretty,” Carrie said.
“No. Not really,” Jennie said.
“Yeah it is,” Sami piped up.
The three girls had been playing beauty salon since finishing the
Science project. Just as Carrie was about to put another tape in her
boom box, Roman appeared in her bedroom door. “Hey ladies, how about
Shenanigan’s for dinner tonight?”
“Yeah,” Sami jumped up in excitement.
“Sounds good,” Carrie said.
“I should get going,” Jennie said.
Sami then looked at Roman. “Daddy, can Jennie come too?”
“Yeah,” Carrie chimed in. “You should come.”
Jennie was quiet for a long moment.
“We’d love to have you join us,” Roman offered. “I can drop you off at
home afterwards.”
“Uh, I guess,” Jennie said. “Just let me call home first.”
Carrie took Jennie downstairs to the kitchen. She gave Jennie privacy,
so that Jennie could make the call. Within a few minutes, Jennie was
back up in Carrie’s room, saying that it was fine for her to come
along.
“I don’t have any money though,” Jennie said.
Carrie put her hand on Jennie’s arm assuredly. “It’s okay. My dad has
it. He wants you to come. He wouldn’t have agreed if he didn’t.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Carrie said confidently. “We’ll have fun.”

Within a few minutes, once everyone had their shoes on, Roman and the
kids left for Shenanigan’s. Once arriving at the restaurant, as the
group walked to the restaurant, Eric saw Steve and Kayla’s car pull
in. “Hey,” Eric said. “Aunt Kayla and Uncle Steve are here.”
Just then Steve, Kayla, and Benjy emerged from their car.
Kayla smiled upon seeing her brother with her nieces and nephew.
“Guess we had the same idea," she said.
“Daddy, can we all sit together?” Sami asked.
“Sounds good,” Roman said.
“Hi Jennie,” Kayla said.
“Hi Jennie said quietly.
Everyone made their way into the restaurant. Jennie stuck close to
Carrie. Carrie assured Jennie that her uncle Steve was really nice. As
the group waited for their table, Carrie introduced Jennie to Steve
and Benjy.
“Hi Jennie,” Steve said.
Jennie waved shyly. She then began to sign to Benjy. She signed hi to him.
Benjy began to excitedly sign to Jennie. Jennie talked as she signed
with Benjy. The twins watched in awe as Jennie and Benjy conversed
with one another.
Sami then spoke up. “Jennie is going to teach us how to sign.”
“That’s really cool,” Kayla said. “Jennie, honey, how did you learn to sign?”
Jennie froze in mid sign. She put her hands at her side. “Uh, it’s
complicated.”
Before anyone could say another word, the hostess approached the group
to escort them to their table.

Once at their table, Benjy insisted on sitting by Jennie. He sat in
between Carrie and Jennie. Jennie signed the menu to Benjy, as he
decided on getting a hamburger and fries for dinner. Both Steve and
Kayla watched in delight at the way Jennie interacted with Benjy.
Once everyone was finished with dinner, Roman and Steve went up to pay
their respected bills.
“Carrie’s friend has quite the way with Benjy,” Steve observed.
“Yeah, she does,” Roman agreed.
“Hey,” Steve said, “Let me and Kayla buy Jennie’s meal tonight. She
was so great with Benjamin.”
Roman nodded, understanding that Steve was trying to extend a sweet
gesture towards Carrie’s friend.

Just then Kayla appeared with the kids.
“Daddy,” Sami said, “Aunt Kayla said we can go get ice cream. Can we?”
Roman shot his sister a look. “Kay,” he said.
“I couldn’t resist,” Kayla said innocently. “How about it?”
“Fine,” Roman said.
“I can’t,” Jennie said quickly. “I really need to get home.”
Carrie looked at Jennie in hopes to reassure her. “Jennie it’s okay.”
“No, pumpkin,” Roman cut in. “Why don’t we run Jennie home first,and
then we can meet your aunt and uncle for ice cream.”
Jennie breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you,” Jennie said.

Roman nodded. Everyone got in their cars. Jennie gave Roman her
address,and he drove to her house. He pulled up in front of Jennie’s
house. Carrie got out of the car,and walked Jennie up to her front
door.
“Thank you for today,” Jennie said. “I felt like I was apart of a real family.”
Carrie wanted to say you’re welcome, but before she could say a word,
Jennie gave her a hug. Jennie then turned,and walked in her house.
Carrie walked back to the car,and got back inside. Roman then drove to
the local ice cream shop. For the rest of the evening Carrie was quiet
as she spent the evening with her family. What Jennie had said to her
had really affected her. Carrie felt bad for Jennie, yet at the same
time, she didn’t want to pity her. Carrie was learning from spending
time with Jennie in the past few days that she really was nice. At
that moment, Carrie decided that she was going to be Jennie’s friend,
no matter what her other friends said.

[André DiMera]

Glad Carrie is gonna be Jennie’s friend. And that Steve paid for Jennie’s dinner. It feels like there’s still something slightly off about this, though.