Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, and it was created solely by me as the author. All characters are over the age of 18. Any similarities to characters, real life people, or things are all happenstance, though my appreciation to those who have
inspired
my works is immense.
Author's Note:
This is the tenth part, and I just love this series! I hope you have been reading the story parts from before to best enjoy the storyline. **While there is talk of incest, none occurs in this chapter.** Please *follow me* so you'll be the first to know when the next parts come out. I know you're gonna want to see what happens!
Questions and comments are welcome. Please take the time to *rate* this story also. I hope everyone will be kind.
Recap:
Since Mark and Connie missed out on the Fourth of July festivities, Lana, Toby, Shawna, and I hosted a spectacular event at the end of the month. During the day, we had my brothers and Mark and Connie's three kids in attendance. Just before dinner, my mom collected pizzas I'd ordered from the local joint and brought the five children back to the old neighborhood (Janet was old enough to watch her siblings so Mark and Connie could stay). Tom, LeAnn, Darcie, Laura, and Rob were invited for dinner and festivities, but that's a story for another day!
I Was Their Babysitter - pt. 10
"Can we go to the batting cages?" Shawn asked as he gave me a side hug before running over to Toby.
"Hi, Sissy," Scott greeted me and hugged me tightly around my neck once I'd bent down to be at his level. "I miss you. When are you coming back to live with us?"
"Oh, sweetie, I live here with Lana now," I reminded him. "I'm old enough to be on my own. But that's why I hang out with you guys over here. So, you can still see me. But, Scotty? I miss you too. You know one thing that won't ever change?" Scott shook his head. "I will always love you, my baby brother." I took that opportunity to tickle him which had him howling in laughter, a sound I really did miss.
"Oh? Who do we have here?" Shawna asked when I brought the boys out back.
"Ms. Shawna," I greeted her as we had discussed before the boys arrived, "these are my little brothers, Shawn and Scott. Boys, this is Toby's mom, Ms. Shawna."
"Your name sounds like my name," Shawn acknowledged to her.
"Well, that must mean that we are going to be good friends," Shawna speculated. "Tell me, what's your favorite cookout food?" she asked both my brothers, also knowing already what their answers were going to be. I had made sure to give her a lot to work with. I took that opportunity to head into the house to see if anyone else had shown up.
"Steph!" Janet greeted me with open arms.
"Hey, Jan-Jan!" I exclaimed and opened my arms to hug her tightly. I guessed that Jack and Chrissy were still making their way into the house. Janet and I had bonded the most initially when I first met the family, but as she got older, she outgrew her need for a babysitter, and therefore, her bond with me. Our alone times were few and far between, so this was a momentous moment for me.
"How's your summer going?" I asked as I let her go. "Oh, cute outfit!"
"Thanks! Yeah, it's been good. I got to go to the mall with Kelly three times so far." Kelly was her best friend.
"Got your eye on any boys?" I asked. Last time I asked her that, for the first time ever, she nodded and blushed. Every other time I had ever asked her, she made the face of disgust and shook her head adamantly.
"There is one that I think is cute," she admitted. Just then, the front door burst open. Welp, there went our talk.
"We'll talk later," I promised in a whisper in her ear.
"Steph!" Chrissy declared and ran full force at me.
"Oh!" I breathed as I nearly lost my footing with her hit. "Hey there!"
"Steph, where's the... oh," Toby had started to ask and then realized the Dartmouth family had arrived. "Hello," he greeted the three curious faces staring at him. "I'm Toby. You guys must be Janet, Jack, and Chrissy?" He'd pointed at the correct person per name. I was very pleased.
"Who are you?" Jack asked almost accusingly.
"Jack, girls," I spoke up, "I'd like you to meet my boyfriend, Toby Franklin. Toby and I met at school this summer. My brothers got to meet him on the Fourth, and we are planning a day at the fun center. I was just thinking you three, Toby, and I will have to plan on that before school starts next month too, huh?"
"Yea!" Chrissy exclaimed. "Mama, can we go? Can we?"
Connie sighed. "Let's get through today, shall we?" she suggested and shook her head. "Head to the backyard, please. Jack, please grab your sisters' chairs. Mark, the cooler should be out back already."
"Yep, all set up," I confirmed.
"''Have kids,' they said,'" Connie teased when it was only Toby and me standing with her. "'It'll be fun, they said,'" she continued and sighed. "Hi!" she greeted us more characteristically of herself. "How's it going, you two?"
"Oh, good," Toby answered. "By the way," he added nonchalantly as he headed for the backyard, "you're not the only person she's saying 'I love you' to these days. See you out back!"
"Oh! Stephanie!" Connie exclaimed and hugged me. "Why didn't you tell me?!"
"It happened earlier this week, and we were in the shower, thank you very much," I teased. "It's not like I was going to text you from in there."
"Hopefully you showed him just how much you love him back with a little shower lovin'?" Connie teased and hip bumped me as we walked towards the backyard activities.
"Who, me?" I asked in a high-pitched voice. "Why, Ms. Connie," I continued in southern belle accent, "I do declare! Of course, I did!"
"That's my girl," she responded and headed over to assist her children who were struggling with their folding chairs.