Edited by luvtaread
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It was the rest of his life, specifically that which involved Leah, that spun out of control in the years following. As he feared she became more and more rebellious against her mother. It was to be expected as Leah could be as stubborn as her mother in wanting to have her way. Katy was of some help in keeping the teenaged Leah from doing something rash, but they all knew it was only a matter of time before Leah went digging.
Sure enough Leah used a freshman year family tree project as an excuse to enquire heavily into her father. Until then they had always been able to appease her with a basic cover story and minimal information about her mysterious dad. When the precocious teen threatened to start calling doctor's offices to find her father if they did not put her in touch with him, things got rather tense. Brandon resolved the issue by getting a special phone for her and Kara to call and giving them the number saying that their dad had given it to him should they ever need it.
The move worked and Brandon was able to carefully defuse the situation posing in his role as the girl's dad. He had to admit once the bitterness left their voices and the why questions were answered, that it was good to be called dad by his girls again.
Over the years the rebellious Leah continued to defy her mother and raise issues. One of the biggest arose when Mel forbid Leah from going to her Junior Prom. Katy and Leah both appealed to Brandon for help, but in different way of course. In a tough spot Brandon came to the decision not to circumvent Mel's order and therefore had to, as Leah's dad, tell her that it was Mel's call.
However, like Leah and Katy he believed that Mel was being unfair and in a heated discussion, managed to talk Mel down and convince her that letting Leah go was the better in the long run. He reminded Mel that Leah was becoming her own woman and Mel needed to Leah develop her own sense of judgment or she would never become a healthy adult.
"Let her learn on making the small decisions so that when it comes to the big ones, she'll hopefully make the right ones." He remembered saying.
In the end logic won the day and Mel revoked her ban. Leah was surprised, but pleased, and had a wonderful time. Brandon never got credit for his intervention, well other than a fun night with Katy.
Things were fine that that for a few months. That is until an evening toward the end of the summer. Brandon was working late finishing up some paperwork when Leah came in to see him. Mel had gotten her a job at the company as a kind of permanent temp for the summer. Leah did odd jobs as needed around the place. Brandon was sure she would have preferred other work, but Mel had insisted that it would look good for colleges and on a resume.
Brandon heard a knock and looked up to see his eldest daughter standing there and smiling said, "Hey Leah, your mom working late again?"
"Yep, and since she won't let me have my own car, I'm stuck here." Brandon let that one go, as that was a mother-daughter issue he wanted no part in.
"Ah I see, well I'm actually in the middle of something so I can't be of help either kiddo."
"That's okay at least your department had cool stuff to look at, mom's is just finance. You know charts and stuff."
"Well thanks," Brandon said with a smile, "but just boring paperwork today, sorry no cool programs to look at today."
It was right about then that a phone began ringing. Brandon almost froze when he realized which phone it was, it was the special phone that only two people called, and one was sitting next to him. Fortunately, that phone and his usual phone were nearly identical. He answered and after a brief chat with Kara, hung up.
"Who was that?" Leah asked when he was done.
"Annie," Brandon lied quickly.
She seemed to accept it for a second then said, "You're lying Mr. Metcalf, now I'll ask you again who was that." Leah said in a cold tone before waiting expectantly for the answer. Brandon's blood ran cold he was busted and he knew it. When he didn't respond Leah said, "You know what I think Mr. Metcalf?" She asked glaring at him, her face hard and unforgiving, "I think that was my sister Kara. I think that if I took my phone out and dialed the number you gave me for my father, I'd get you."
"That's absurd Leah, why would you think that?" Brandon tried to say calmly all the while knowing she had him. Leah at last knew the secret or part of it anyway.
