Sorry, it took so freakn long. I haven't even had time to breathe in the last week. Again sorry for the long wait, but I finally got it completed! ~Aeryn
I flop onto the bed next to him. I was exhausted after today with work, cleaning, then Taylor came over. All I want to do is close my eyes and sleep, but Sid's parents would be here in about an hour. I sigh as my hands find their way into the dark hair on his head, my fingers running through it's thickness. He bends his head back to look at me with his piercing blue eyes.
"Bran how about you get ready and I'll just take a nap?" I sigh.
He looks at me for a moment, his head turning to the side as he tries to understand my words. Figuring that I don't want anything from him he put his head back down on the bed with a sigh.
"I thought not," I mumble.
A yawn seems to escape from me as I hear the running of multiple paws up the steps. Before I know it, the jingle of collars has rushed into my room and the bed almost gives way at all the weight suddenly being jumped on it.
"Ugh, Koda,"I groan as he steps on my stomach to get to a comfortable spot. Within a minute everyone has settled somewhere on the bed.
I hear the door open downstairs.
"Hello! I'm home!" Sidney calls from downstairs. All the dogs perk up but none move.
"Up here!" I call back. I hear him jog up the stairs and stand in the door way. However I can't see him because Koda's big furry white head is in my view. Dog tails thump the bed in greeting.
"Is this what it's like when I'm away?" he asks with a laugh.
"Yeah, pretty much," I sigh.
"I can't even see you, where are you?" he chuckles.
"Koda's laying on top of me."
I hear him snicker before moving over to that side of the bed.
"Hi there," he grins pressing his lips to mine briefly in a quick kiss.
"Hi. I'm assuming Taylor got back ok?"
Taylor had gone back to where the Crosby's were staying because she was covered in batter and flour from our baking.
"Yeah, she had hopped in the shower as soon as I left, or at least she was supposed to. So they should be here in half an hour."
"So I should probably get ready, huh?"
"You're not ready yet?!" he asks in surprise.
"I just have to get dressed," I reply another yawn escaping me.
"Really?" he grins mischievously, his hands traveling under the blanket I'm under. He frowns as his hands come in contact with the fabric covering me.
"I have sweats and a tshirt on," I laugh.
"Not fair," he huffs sticking out his bottom lip in a pout. I can't resist sitting up, disturbing Koda in the process, and pressing my lips to his.
"That's a little better," he smiles pulling away.
"Alright guys, come on off the bed!" I say getting up causing a blur of fur to jump from the bed and race down stairs.
I make my way over to the closet and pull out some jeans to wear and a dark green shirt. I also pull out a pair of high heels.
I walk out of the closet to see Sid reading a sports magazine.
"Can I ask you something?" I ask pulling on my jeans.
"Yup," he says not putting the magazine down.
"Is there a reason your dad hates me?" I say chewing on my lip, nervous for his answer as the cool cotton shirt slips over my head. The magazine immediately is put down and Sid looks at me with an unreadable expression.
"My dad doesn't hate you," he says somewhat surprised.
"Ok, maybe 'hate' is too strong of a word, but he certainly doesn't like me," I say rolling my eyes and sliding next to him on the bed.
"He just doesn't warm up to people very quickly, and he is always a little cautious about my girlfriends," he says a little annoyed.
"Well, it's just, everyone else seems to like me, but he is always ignoring me or glaring at me," I sigh.
"He likes you, just give him some time."
"Alright," I sigh.
"He does!" Sidney says annoyed, knowing that I don't believe him.
"Ok."
"Caitlin, he does!" he growls.
"Whatever you say Crosby," I shrug.
"Caitlin..." he begins but is interrupted by the door bell.
"That would be your parents," I say getting off the bed and sliding on my shoes. I walk down the stairs with Sid hot on my trail.
"He does," Sid tries to get in as I grip the door handle.
"I said ok!" I whisper back harshly with a quick glare at him before opening the door, "Hi guys!"
Sid's POV
I hated when she did that. She would always say ok, but with the tone she used I knew she didn't believe me.
"He does," I try one last time before she opens the door.
"I said OK!" she growls back shooting me a glare.
"Hi guys!" Caitlin greets my family warmly, "I'm assuming you found it ok."
"Hey! Where are the dogs?" Taylor asks excitedly.
"They go in the back room when company comes over," Caitlin responds with a laugh.
"Oh, I was really hoping we could meet them," Mom says looking at Taylor who had talked about what an awesome time she had with Caitlin as soon as we walked in the door of the hotel.
"Ok, that's fine, I can call them in," Caitlin says excitedly. I knew she loved showing off her dogs. She lets out a sharp whistle and feet come running.
"Well this is..." she begins.
"Can I introduce them?" Taylor asks.
"Sure Taylor, go ahead," Caitlin smiles.
"This is Koda, that's Hawkeye and next to him is Flash. Then Maggie is over there next to Bran and this is Sam," Taylor points to them all before going over to Sam and petting him.
"Sidney told us you had a lot of dogs, but hearing about 6 dogs and seeing them are two different things completely," Mom says surprised as Koda comes over to her. She cautiously let's him sniff her before she pets him, "How do you handle them all?"
"It's really not that much work,"Caitlin says leading everyone into the living room, "They're are well trained so it's not that much work. Plus if one of them strays off course, the others tend to discipline them. But I love having these guys and I love what I do, so it's never really a chore. I guess you can say my life has gone to the dogs."
"It's great that you have such a passion for this," Mom says apparently taking to Hawkeye as he sits next to her. Sam was by Taylor, Maggie was by my side, and of course Bran was right next to Caitlin. To my surprise the dogs seemed to be staying away from my dad, they were usually so people friendly, but they stayed aways from him completely.
"Well I'm guessing that you are all hungry so I'll go get dinner on the table,"Caitlin says walking to the kitchen.
"I'll help!" Taylor says jumping up from her place on the couch.
"Me too,"Mom puts in, following them to the kitchen.
There are a few moments of silence before Koda hops up to his seat on the unoccupied love seat.
"How do you deal with this?" Dad suddenly asks over the quiet laughing in the kitchen coming from the girls.
"What do you mean?" I ask in bewilderment.
"This! All of these dogs," he says his hand waving around the room.
"It was a little rocky at first, but it's part of Caitlin so I knew that if I wanted to be with her I had to accept that. Now it's nothing really out of the ordinary for me," I say a little confused as to where this was going.
"But is seems to me because of this 'passion' she misses out on things like your games. That doesn't bother you?" he pushes.
"No, not really. I mean, yes I would like her to be there supporting me, but I know that she can't be there all the time. In a way, it kind of mimics my job. I can't always be there for her and I'm not here a lot of the time because of road trips. It 's actually refreshing to have someone that loves their job just as much as I love mine," I say defending her.
"But..." he says about to continue.
"Dinners Ready!" Taylor calls from the dining room.
(Later)
"Caitlin that was delicious! Where did you lean to cook like that?" Mom asks wiping her mouth with her napkin.
"Well it wasn't all me, Taylor helped too," Caitlin smiles at Taylor.
"Well, it was very good ladies," Mom says.
"Thank you," Caitlin and Taylor say simultaneously.
Suddenly the phone rings. I look over to Caitlin but she gives me the 'just leave it' kinda look.The phone ceases it's noise only to start up again. Caitlin looks over to the kitchen a little more intrigued. Again, the phone stops. But this time it's ringing is followed by the noise of Caitlin's cell phone vibrating on the kitchen counter.
"If you'll excuse me for a minute," she says getting up and walking into the kitchen.
A few minutes later I hear her run up the stairs and run back down. She comes into the dining room again, her feet now in her worn leather boots and a fleece jacket in her hand.
"I'm so sorry, but something has just come up and I have to leave," she says rushed.
"Is everything Ok, dear?" Mom asks a little worried.
"Everything is fine, don't worry. Thank you guys for coming and Taylor, don't forget there is desert in the refrigerator. Stay as long as you want, Sorry guys," Caitlin says before rushing out of the living room.
I look over to my dad who gives me that 'I told you so' look. I sigh and get up to go to the living room.
I spot her putting on her coat by the door.
"Where are you going? You can't just leave! Caitlin this is your house and dinner with my parents. I can't believe that you are leaving!"I say my voice rising.
"Bran, Koda!" she shouts into the living room, making them instantly appear by her feet.
"Caitlin! What is so important that you need to leave?" I shout.
She calmly fixes the collar on her jacket and looks up to me. Even though she is calm, I can see that she is hanging on to her short temper by a thread as her eyes have changed to a red brown color like they always do when she's mad.
"Beth's house was just robbed Sid. She was home alone and right now she needs me," she growls.
I look at her in surprise, I hadn't seen that curve ball.
"Go," I say simply.
She nods and jobs out the door with Koda and Bran by her side.
I sigh as I watch her pull out of the drive way. Now I had to go face my dad.
I walk back into the dining room and take my place at the table where a desert is waiting infront of me.
"Thanks Tay," I murmur before digging in.
"Is everything ok?" Mom asks quietly.
"Yeah, everything is fine," I sigh.
"See this is exactly what I mean! She just skipped out on a family dinner! Sidney you can't put up with that!"Dad shouts.
"Dad..." I sigh.
"How much are you supporting her financially?" he asks suddenly.
My head whips up in surprise as I stare at his expressionless face.
"Excuse me?" My own temper flaring.
"Sidney she is a dog trainer, she can't be doing that well financially yet she can still afford a house like this? You have to be helping her out in some way!" he shouts.
"Actually, no I'm not giving her any money, Dad! Caitlin is a very successful business woman, she isn't some lowly dog trainer. God, Dad! I can't believe I didn't see this! I defended you today when she brought up that you didn't like her. I had no idea that you actually didn't like her!"
"No Sidney, I don't like her because she is tricking you. Just like Victoria did," Dad says simply.
"Don't you ever compare her to Victoria! She is nothing like her. Maybe if you actually did your homework on her or even just listened to what she had to say, you'd like her. Dad she is very successful at dog training. She has trained celebrities dogs, Koda has been in a movie, and you know Sam... he actually bit her in a training session, which is why she has that scar on her arm. But instead of putting him down, she adopted him and now he wouldn't hurt a fly! She is fine financially. And I know you saw the interview she did at the event, but did you even listen. Dad, I didn't bring her there. She was invited on her own. On the bookshelf in her study you can see the crystal statue she received for finding the most victims in the avalanche. Dad I really suggest you get to know her, because she is staying in my life and because you are missing out on knowing an incredible person,"I shout.
He looks at me with a look of surprise at what I have just said.
"Oh, and she had to leave because her friend's house was robbed and her friend who is almost 9 months pregnant was inside when it happened. She left because she was needed," I say simply.
I flop onto the bed next to him. I was exhausted after today with work, cleaning, then Taylor came over. All I want to do is close my eyes and sleep, but Sid's parents would be here in about an hour. I sigh as my hands find their way into the dark hair on his head, my fingers running through it's thickness. He bends his head back to look at me with his piercing blue eyes.
"Bran how about you get ready and I'll just take a nap?" I sigh.
He looks at me for a moment, his head turning to the side as he tries to understand my words. Figuring that I don't want anything from him he put his head back down on the bed with a sigh.
"I thought not," I mumble.
A yawn seems to escape from me as I hear the running of multiple paws up the steps. Before I know it, the jingle of collars has rushed into my room and the bed almost gives way at all the weight suddenly being jumped on it.
"Ugh, Koda,"I groan as he steps on my stomach to get to a comfortable spot. Within a minute everyone has settled somewhere on the bed.
I hear the door open downstairs.
"Hello! I'm home!" Sidney calls from downstairs. All the dogs perk up but none move.
"Up here!" I call back. I hear him jog up the stairs and stand in the door way. However I can't see him because Koda's big furry white head is in my view. Dog tails thump the bed in greeting.
"Is this what it's like when I'm away?" he asks with a laugh.
"Yeah, pretty much," I sigh.
"I can't even see you, where are you?" he chuckles.
"Koda's laying on top of me."
I hear him snicker before moving over to that side of the bed.
"Hi there," he grins pressing his lips to mine briefly in a quick kiss.
"Hi. I'm assuming Taylor got back ok?"
Taylor had gone back to where the Crosby's were staying because she was covered in batter and flour from our baking.
"Yeah, she had hopped in the shower as soon as I left, or at least she was supposed to. So they should be here in half an hour."
"So I should probably get ready, huh?"
"You're not ready yet?!" he asks in surprise.
"I just have to get dressed," I reply another yawn escaping me.
"Really?" he grins mischievously, his hands traveling under the blanket I'm under. He frowns as his hands come in contact with the fabric covering me.
"I have sweats and a tshirt on," I laugh.
"Not fair," he huffs sticking out his bottom lip in a pout. I can't resist sitting up, disturbing Koda in the process, and pressing my lips to his.
"That's a little better," he smiles pulling away.
"Alright guys, come on off the bed!" I say getting up causing a blur of fur to jump from the bed and race down stairs.
I make my way over to the closet and pull out some jeans to wear and a dark green shirt. I also pull out a pair of high heels.
I walk out of the closet to see Sid reading a sports magazine.
"Can I ask you something?" I ask pulling on my jeans.
"Yup," he says not putting the magazine down.
"Is there a reason your dad hates me?" I say chewing on my lip, nervous for his answer as the cool cotton shirt slips over my head. The magazine immediately is put down and Sid looks at me with an unreadable expression.
"My dad doesn't hate you," he says somewhat surprised.
"Ok, maybe 'hate' is too strong of a word, but he certainly doesn't like me," I say rolling my eyes and sliding next to him on the bed.
"He just doesn't warm up to people very quickly, and he is always a little cautious about my girlfriends," he says a little annoyed.
"Well, it's just, everyone else seems to like me, but he is always ignoring me or glaring at me," I sigh.
"He likes you, just give him some time."
"Alright," I sigh.
"He does!" Sidney says annoyed, knowing that I don't believe him.
"Ok."
"Caitlin, he does!" he growls.
"Whatever you say Crosby," I shrug.
"Caitlin..." he begins but is interrupted by the door bell.
"That would be your parents," I say getting off the bed and sliding on my shoes. I walk down the stairs with Sid hot on my trail.
"He does," Sid tries to get in as I grip the door handle.
"I said ok!" I whisper back harshly with a quick glare at him before opening the door, "Hi guys!"
Sid's POV
I hated when she did that. She would always say ok, but with the tone she used I knew she didn't believe me.
"He does," I try one last time before she opens the door.
"I said OK!" she growls back shooting me a glare.
"Hi guys!" Caitlin greets my family warmly, "I'm assuming you found it ok."
"Hey! Where are the dogs?" Taylor asks excitedly.
"They go in the back room when company comes over," Caitlin responds with a laugh.
"Oh, I was really hoping we could meet them," Mom says looking at Taylor who had talked about what an awesome time she had with Caitlin as soon as we walked in the door of the hotel.
"Ok, that's fine, I can call them in," Caitlin says excitedly. I knew she loved showing off her dogs. She lets out a sharp whistle and feet come running.
"Well this is..." she begins.
"Can I introduce them?" Taylor asks.
"Sure Taylor, go ahead," Caitlin smiles.
"This is Koda, that's Hawkeye and next to him is Flash. Then Maggie is over there next to Bran and this is Sam," Taylor points to them all before going over to Sam and petting him.
"Sidney told us you had a lot of dogs, but hearing about 6 dogs and seeing them are two different things completely," Mom says surprised as Koda comes over to her. She cautiously let's him sniff her before she pets him, "How do you handle them all?"
"It's really not that much work,"Caitlin says leading everyone into the living room, "They're are well trained so it's not that much work. Plus if one of them strays off course, the others tend to discipline them. But I love having these guys and I love what I do, so it's never really a chore. I guess you can say my life has gone to the dogs."
"It's great that you have such a passion for this," Mom says apparently taking to Hawkeye as he sits next to her. Sam was by Taylor, Maggie was by my side, and of course Bran was right next to Caitlin. To my surprise the dogs seemed to be staying away from my dad, they were usually so people friendly, but they stayed aways from him completely.
"Well I'm guessing that you are all hungry so I'll go get dinner on the table,"Caitlin says walking to the kitchen.
"I'll help!" Taylor says jumping up from her place on the couch.
"Me too,"Mom puts in, following them to the kitchen.
There are a few moments of silence before Koda hops up to his seat on the unoccupied love seat.
"How do you deal with this?" Dad suddenly asks over the quiet laughing in the kitchen coming from the girls.
"What do you mean?" I ask in bewilderment.
"This! All of these dogs," he says his hand waving around the room.
"It was a little rocky at first, but it's part of Caitlin so I knew that if I wanted to be with her I had to accept that. Now it's nothing really out of the ordinary for me," I say a little confused as to where this was going.
"But is seems to me because of this 'passion' she misses out on things like your games. That doesn't bother you?" he pushes.
"No, not really. I mean, yes I would like her to be there supporting me, but I know that she can't be there all the time. In a way, it kind of mimics my job. I can't always be there for her and I'm not here a lot of the time because of road trips. It 's actually refreshing to have someone that loves their job just as much as I love mine," I say defending her.
"But..." he says about to continue.
"Dinners Ready!" Taylor calls from the dining room.
(Later)
"Caitlin that was delicious! Where did you lean to cook like that?" Mom asks wiping her mouth with her napkin.
"Well it wasn't all me, Taylor helped too," Caitlin smiles at Taylor.
"Well, it was very good ladies," Mom says.
"Thank you," Caitlin and Taylor say simultaneously.
Suddenly the phone rings. I look over to Caitlin but she gives me the 'just leave it' kinda look.The phone ceases it's noise only to start up again. Caitlin looks over to the kitchen a little more intrigued. Again, the phone stops. But this time it's ringing is followed by the noise of Caitlin's cell phone vibrating on the kitchen counter.
"If you'll excuse me for a minute," she says getting up and walking into the kitchen.
A few minutes later I hear her run up the stairs and run back down. She comes into the dining room again, her feet now in her worn leather boots and a fleece jacket in her hand.
"I'm so sorry, but something has just come up and I have to leave," she says rushed.
"Is everything Ok, dear?" Mom asks a little worried.
"Everything is fine, don't worry. Thank you guys for coming and Taylor, don't forget there is desert in the refrigerator. Stay as long as you want, Sorry guys," Caitlin says before rushing out of the living room.
I look over to my dad who gives me that 'I told you so' look. I sigh and get up to go to the living room.
I spot her putting on her coat by the door.
"Where are you going? You can't just leave! Caitlin this is your house and dinner with my parents. I can't believe that you are leaving!"I say my voice rising.
"Bran, Koda!" she shouts into the living room, making them instantly appear by her feet.
"Caitlin! What is so important that you need to leave?" I shout.
She calmly fixes the collar on her jacket and looks up to me. Even though she is calm, I can see that she is hanging on to her short temper by a thread as her eyes have changed to a red brown color like they always do when she's mad.
"Beth's house was just robbed Sid. She was home alone and right now she needs me," she growls.
I look at her in surprise, I hadn't seen that curve ball.
"Go," I say simply.
She nods and jobs out the door with Koda and Bran by her side.
I sigh as I watch her pull out of the drive way. Now I had to go face my dad.
I walk back into the dining room and take my place at the table where a desert is waiting infront of me.
"Thanks Tay," I murmur before digging in.
"Is everything ok?" Mom asks quietly.
"Yeah, everything is fine," I sigh.
"See this is exactly what I mean! She just skipped out on a family dinner! Sidney you can't put up with that!"Dad shouts.
"Dad..." I sigh.
"How much are you supporting her financially?" he asks suddenly.
My head whips up in surprise as I stare at his expressionless face.
"Excuse me?" My own temper flaring.
"Sidney she is a dog trainer, she can't be doing that well financially yet she can still afford a house like this? You have to be helping her out in some way!" he shouts.
"Actually, no I'm not giving her any money, Dad! Caitlin is a very successful business woman, she isn't some lowly dog trainer. God, Dad! I can't believe I didn't see this! I defended you today when she brought up that you didn't like her. I had no idea that you actually didn't like her!"
"No Sidney, I don't like her because she is tricking you. Just like Victoria did," Dad says simply.
"Don't you ever compare her to Victoria! She is nothing like her. Maybe if you actually did your homework on her or even just listened to what she had to say, you'd like her. Dad she is very successful at dog training. She has trained celebrities dogs, Koda has been in a movie, and you know Sam... he actually bit her in a training session, which is why she has that scar on her arm. But instead of putting him down, she adopted him and now he wouldn't hurt a fly! She is fine financially. And I know you saw the interview she did at the event, but did you even listen. Dad, I didn't bring her there. She was invited on her own. On the bookshelf in her study you can see the crystal statue she received for finding the most victims in the avalanche. Dad I really suggest you get to know her, because she is staying in my life and because you are missing out on knowing an incredible person,"I shout.
He looks at me with a look of surprise at what I have just said.
"Oh, and she had to leave because her friend's house was robbed and her friend who is almost 9 months pregnant was inside when it happened. She left because she was needed," I say simply.
6 Comments to "Chapter 55: Needed"