nyc prep continued

Braden laughed as well, " I was just..." he couldn't help laughing, "forget it." he said a little embarrassed

Sam rolled her eyes, "you're no help." She grabbed a glass of champagne and went back into the dressing room. She came back a few minutes later in a not as bright pink dress. It was strapless, stopped above her knees, and had a puffy skirt.


"How's school going for you?" Paige asked after a minute

Jaimie smiled and, putting a hand on the back of his neck, pulled him into a kiss.
Sasha stuck her tongue out. Gross.

he smiled into the kiss his hands going to her hips. this is what sasha got for making a big deal out of him looking at her sister he thought

ooc: so I was listening to the radio and I finally found Braden's song

The fourteen year old, having had enough of that, left the room. Jaimie's other hand rested on his shoulder, gripping his shirt gently.

the joke was up and he kissed her like he meant it pulling her close

ooc: Yeah, I saw your post. I totally agree. It's definitely Braden's song.

ic: Jaimie pulled her lips from his, resting her forehead against his. "We gross out my sister?" she asked with a laugh.

"I think so." he replied," so not to put a damper on things but when is she getting here?"

oxford girl wrote:

Sam rolled her eyes, "you're no help." She grabbed a glass of champagne and went back into the dressing room. She came back a few minutes later in a not as bright pink dress. It was strapless, stopped above her knees, and had a puffy skirt.


"How's school going for you?" Paige asked after a minute

"Now see that...thats not horrible." Jeff said honestly

"As planned," Nikki shrugged, " you?"

"Tomorrow," Jaimie sighed. "Tomorrow afternoon."

"Oh...good." he said with a little smile before kissing her again

"Really?" Sam asked as she looked in the mirror. "I guess its not that bad. I have one more to try." She left and came back a few minutes later in a dark pink dress. It was very fitted and hugged her curves. It stopped above her knees and had a sweetheart neck line. "What do you think?"



"Well I haven't gotten expelled yet, so that's a plus." Paige said. "Its actually not as bad as I thought it would be."

She smiled into the kiss, her hands tangling in his hair. She was glad he would be here tomorrow, especially given how Sasha had reacted this morning.

ooc: tomorrow as in monday or sunday?

Braden pulled away after a minute, " I want to...continue this..I really do but shouldn't I go get dinner so Sasha can eat?"

Jeff didn't say anything for a minute, " that...thats really nice."

Not yet at least, nikki thought, " thats good."

ooc: sunday =]

ic: "You're so smart," Jaimie smiled, kissing his cheek. "Yes, that would be great. You're a real life saver today, you know that?"

"Really?" Sam grinned. She looked in mirror. "I guess its not that bad. I'll have to get you a matching tie," she said as she looked back at him


"Yeah, and the hospital my brother is in is only a few blocks away so I get to see him more, at least for now." Paige said

"I try," braden joked as he stepped away and headed for the door

"Id rather wear that color than the other ones," he grinned


"Why is he in the hospital?" she asked

"Thank you," she said again before he left. He really was amazing. After he left, she went back to cleaning and preparing for tomorrow.

Sam laughed, "I'll be right back, don't drink my champagne."


"I guess my parents think he's better off their sot he doctors can monitor him, that way if he ever comes out of a coma they can take care of him." Paige shrugged. "The doctors said he'll probably never wake up."

"No guaranties," he called after her

Braden was gone a bit longer than normal but he returned with Chinese in hand, "I got a little of everything." he announced when he came back in

nikki frowned, " coma?"

Sam came back a few minutes later with a dress bag. "Ready?" She asked.


"Yeah, he had a health problem," Paige said.

"Wonderful," Jaimie smiled. "I'll grab Sasha."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Nikki said

"Yeah," jeff said standing up

Braden got out plates and set out all the to go boxes and sauces

Jaimie and Sasha returned, Sasha looking very excited. "Smells great!" she told Braden.

"glad you think so. I got a little bit of everything." he replied

Once they had all sat and dished themselves food, Jaimie realized the situation she was in. This was... well, this was as close to a family as she had. Especially with Braden being so supportive and great... She wasn't sure how she felt about the family dynamic that seemed to be going on.

"Thanks," Paige said. "Have you lived in New York long?"



"Where to now? Lunch?" Sam asked. "You can pick the place."

"Okay," Brooklynn looked at her parents. Her dad looked as he normally did, glasses, a sweater vest over a button up, and a pair of khakis. At least he had taken off the old brown blazer with the elbow patches.
Her mother was wearing a long skirt that seemed straight out of the 70's and a sweater.
"Mom, can you please put on normal clothing? Like real people clothing?"
"Brookie, what's wrong with this?"
"Mom you look crazy. Like a crazy hippy. Can you please just put on normal clothes?"
She sighed and left, going to change.
"Dad, can you not history him too much? Please? He's really smart, take my word for it. You don't need to quiz him to figure it out."
Her dad laughed. "Okay Brooks."
She flinched at the nickname. "And please, no embarrassing nicknames? Please?"

"I've lived here a long time." she said with a shrug

Braden ate in silence. this was nice

Carl took a deep breath. before knocking on the door.

Jaimie quietly excused herself and went into the living room. How did she feel about the family that she had constructed? She wasn't sure. It was... it was too comfortable, she felt nervous because of it.

Brooklynn opened the door. "Hey." she smiled. "Come in! You look nice," she added. The hallway was a little cramped, but that was because it was stuffed with bookcases, which in turn were stuffed with books.

"I moved here during the summer. I used to live here, but we moved away five years ago." Paige said

Braden excused himself and followed her, " you ok?" he asked

braden smiled, " thanks." he suddenly felt out of place in his dinner suit, " you look great as always." he said as he followed her

"Is it better out there?"

Paige shrugged, "we moved to LA. There about the same really."

"It's weird right?" she asked. "Me.. basically being a mom to Sasha? She's 4 years younger than me, I shouldn't have to be her mom. That's weird."


"Thanks," she smiled and led him into the living room, which was packed with more books, an old fashioned looking globe, a long leather couch, and two arm chairs.
"Dad, this is Carl," she said and the man sitting in one of the armchairs looked up. He gave a big smile.
"Carl, it's nice to meet you. Brooklynn has told us quite a bit about you." He stood and offered his hand.

"Weird? I wouldn't say it like that. we live life with the hand are dealt. this was yours. you are doing what you need to do for the person you love." he replied honestly

Carl shook his hand, "I'm glad...I hope it was all good."

Nikki nodded, "a bunch of self important bastereds?"

"Yeah," Paige said. "I guess people really are the same everywhere."

A small smile peeked out. "Can't you just tell me I'm weird and let me have this one?" she asked with a small chuckle.

"Of course," he grinned. He released his hand. "Sit," he motioned to the couch. "Sybil should be out in a moment."
Brooklynn sat on the couch, glad that her dad hadn't yet embarrassed her.

"no I can't sorry," braden said again with a hint of a smile

Carl sat down, "you have a beautiful home sir."

Nikki nodded, " yup."

Jaimie groaned, but hugged him, putting her head on his shoulder. "Thanks for helping me take care of her."

"So tell me about yourself, Carl!" The man suggested. "Brookie-" he stopped, as his daughter was glaring at him. "Brooklynn" he corrected himself, "Says that you're taking correspondance classes from Princeton?"

Paige was silent for a few minutes, she just enjoyed the sun. "Its so peaceful here. It feels like everything will be ok."