Temporary Home

The next morning, I was just laying in bed, staring at the ceiling. They had let me skip school on account from the events of last night, but I wasn‘t protesting. I just kept slipping in and out of sleep. I didn't really have the energy to get up yet.

"No! Wait!" I heard Zacky hiss in a loud whisper.

"Kelsi!" The little ball of energy jumped on top of my stomach, taking the breath out of me. I groggily looked up to see-

"Kyle?!" I was suddenly wide awake. He sat on my stomach, giggling like a maniac.

"Hi, big sister!" He smiled, throwing his arms around my neck. I looked up to Zacky in confusion.

He just sheepishly. "Sorry, I tried to keep the little squirt under control."

"I am not a little squirt!" Ky said, crossing his arms and glaring at Zacky. Oh boy, this was going to be fun...

I shook my head, picking Ky up and placing him on my hip, before walking down stairs to the living room. "Alright, someone has a hell of a lot of explaining to do." Don't get me wrong, I was happy. No, beyond ecstatic. But I was still confused.

"I see Zacky let Ky get away from him," Matt said laughing.

"The little runt tricked me!" Zacky pouted, plopping down onto the couch.

"Stop calling me names, Mister!" Ky said. Everyone couldn't help but laugh at this.

"Yeah, Mister. Stop picking on the little one," Gena laughed, poking his side. He just glared at her.

"So, Kels. Happy to see your new little brother?" Michelle asked, getting back to the point. I looked at her for a few seconds, before handing Ky to Jimmy, then running over and tackling her into a hug.

"Thank you so much."

"Of course. He's a great kid. He helped us make breakfast. The whole time he was talking about you." She laughed.

"Is that right?" I teased Ky as he sat on Jimmy's lap. He giggled and buried his face in Jimmy's chest.

"Ky, can I have a hug now?" Matt asked. Ky looked at him, thinking about it, then shook his head no. "But why not?" He asked, pouting.

" 'Cause, you helped him!" Ky said, pointing to Zacky.

"Helped with what?" I asked skeptically as I sat next to Jimmy. Ky crawled into my lap and lay his head on my chest.

"They were keeping me away from you. Bullies."

"Aw, poor Ky Ky." I laughed, rubbing his back.

"We were only doing it so Kelsi could sleep a little longer, Bud," Matt said, kneeling in front of us. Ky looked at him, then up at me. I nodded and he lunged at Matt. He laughed, catching him in his arms. It was so cute. Matt would be a great dad one day.

Speaking of dad's... "Hey," he said, walking in slowly. There was an evident black eye and split lip. The press would have a field day with that. Everyone mumbled a reply as he sat down. Ky looked around confused.

"Why are you all so quite now?" He asked innocently.

"Because your new dad's a jackass," Johnny mumbled, earning a slap from Lacey for swearing in front of Ky.

"No he's not. He's just trying to make something up to Kelsi. He's not a bad man." I smiled and kissed his cheek, before setting him back in Jimmy's lap, and walking to the back patio. I sat, breathing in the warm, California air.

"Hey, you," Matt said, sitting next to me. I smiled and looked over to him. He softly stroked my sore cheek and cursed under his breath. "I was close, Kelsi. I was... But, he is a good guy, he just makes bad decisions sometimes." I nodded, and lay my head on his shoulder.

"I want to be mad at him, but something's holding me back. It hurts that he did do that, but I still love him."

"And that's not a bad thing. Why don't you guys talk?"

"Will you stay out here with me?"

He looked unsure. "If you want me to, I will."

"Please."

"Alright, let me go get him." A minute later, he came back out, Dad slowly following behind him. Matt sat back down next to me and held my hand in his.

Dad stood in front of me, shame in his eyes. "Kels, I'm so sorry, and I know that's not even close to enough. I was drunk, and you scared me. I didn't know if something had happened to you and you weren't answering your phone."

"I understand that, Dad. But you should've let me explain. You knew something was wrong when you saw how upset I was, but you still went off."

"I know," he whispered, looking at his feet, ashamed. I stood up and walked over to him, wrapping my arms tightly around his waist.

"But you brought Ky home, and that makes a little bit of it up. You're still on my shit list though." I heard Matt chuckle, and Dad and I both flipped him off.

"I'm going to make it up to you, Kels, I promise," Dad said, kissing my forehead.

"Hmm... Like letting me get a tattoo?" I asked, smiling innocently.

He stared at me with wide eyes. "I'll think about it..."

"Nice try," Matt snickered as we walked back into the house.

"Jerk," I said, elbowing him in the ribs.

"That's it! Come here, little girl!" I screamed and ran as he chased me. He was too fast though, and grabbed me from behind.

"Leave Kelsi alone!" Ky yelled, going up to Matt and kicking him... Well... Not in a very pleasant place to be kicked. Matt dropped like a hot rock, holding his crotch.

"Oh..." All the guys groaned in unison, knowing the pain he was in. I couldn't help but laugh. Not because he was in pain, but because a five year old took him down! I pat Matt's back and he just smiled sarcastically up at me.

"Now he could come in use," Jimmy said, smiling and giving Ky a high-five.

"Okay, Ky. Matt was just messing around. Go give him a hug and tell him your sorry." I told him. He nodded and walked over to Matt, wrapping his arms around his neck.

"I sorry, Uncle Matt."

"Aw." Everyone said, smiling.

"It's ok, little guy. I think I can still have kids," he said, laughing and standing up.

"Hey, Ky." Zacky said, trying to get his attention. "Can I have a hug now?" He asked, holding his arms out.

"No you may not. You're still mean."

"Rejected." Zacky pouted, dropping his arms.

"Aw! I'll give you a hug," I said, skipping over and jumping in his lap.

"Ha! She loves me more than you," Zacky said, wrapping his arms around me.

"No, she just feels sorry for you," Ky shot back.

"Dude, who taught this kid this crap?" Leana laughed. Everyone looked at me and I smiled innocently.

Now our family was complete. Ky was here and everyone would look after us as we went through life. I finally have the perfect family.