Thread: You Again? (rpfiend_123 & AnnaBeth Belle)

The sun was just coming up and shining through the window as Mike Stevenson heard his wife's car pull in. He was accustomed to that, though. Not just getting up early, but waking up to find his wife had pulled another all-nighter at the office. He sat in his snug white t-shirt and dark grey sweatpants, sipping his coffee and turning his head with as warm of a smile he could muster for Claire as she came through the garage door. Morning sweetie, want some coffee? he said, already knowing she was going to say No. she responded dryly. I'm exhausted, going to bed, honey. Let me know when Brooke gets here and I'll get up. He sighed and returned to looking out the kitchen window. His life as an educator always had him getting up early - being the vice principal at a local high school meant his body never let him sleep in past 6 even if he wanted to yet he'd always been able to spend mornings with his wife. That is, until she got a promotion at her office and began working 60 plus hours a week. Honestly, he'd gotten used to it at this point, and just figured it'd be best to leave it alone. He truly believed being successful at her job made her happy, so he decided to let the issue lie. It was the beginning of summer, and in a few hours, his daughter Samantha's best friend, Brooke, would be getting dropped off to spend the summer with them. Sam and Brooke had been inseparable since middle school, so Mike had seen the two grow up before his eyes as if they were both his flesh and blood. Since they were on summer break, and since Brooke's parents summer in Rome every year, this had become a tradition. Normally, the whole family would hang out and have a great time, but this year would be a tad different. Claire was working insane hours, and Samantha had volleyball camp at the school almost every day of the week for several hours. Of course she'd be off nights, but for most of the day, Mike figured he'd have to find a way to entertain Brooke. It's not that he thought she couldn't fend for herself, but he hadn't really spent a bunch of time with her one on one, and didn't know what to expect. He spent the rest of the morning finishing the laundry and making another pot of coffee for when his girls woke up. That was the kind of role he played in their lives - always doing most of the cooking, the cleaning, the laundry. He didn't complain though -he really did find joy in making sure his women were taken care of, but honestly, after 30 years of it, he'd started to feel a bit.. oh, he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Bitter wasn't quite the right word.. Neither was depressed. Held back maybe? He didn't know.. any time he thought those thoughts, he just pushed them back down. He was a good man. A few hours later, he had just finished up putting the folded laundry in Claire's and Sam's baskets when he heard the doorbell ring. He'd changed into some slim fitting black shorts that came up just above his knee and a white button up short sleeved collared shirt - crisp and pressed. He knocked on Sam's door as he headed to the front of the house Hey Sammy, Brooke is here! Get up! he then crossed the living room to his bedroom, peeking his head in and saying in a soft tone. Hey Claire, Brooke is here. Just letting you know. then shutting the door quietly. He knew she'd probably keep on sleeping. Finally, he came to the front door, opening it and smiling down at Brooke. Ugh, you again?! He said with his signature greeting to the young woman. He waved at her parents as they pulled back out of the driveway with a 'beep-beep' of their horn. Sorry, we decided not to let you stay with us this year. We're getting tired of you. He folded his arms and did his best to block the doorway while the broad grin on his face betrayed his words as a joke.