Family Tradition

A/N: Okay, so here's the next chapter. I'm not going to repost who all the reviewbies are taken from, because there aren't any more new ones in this chapter. Don't worry if I haven't gotten to you yet, the story is far from over. Wow, this is turning into quite the lenghty fic, huh? :) So without any more useless author drivel, on to the chapter! *hugs*

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Rebecca laughed again as the girls snuck down the stairs to the main floor of the house, trying to make as little noise as possible. She covered her mouth with her hand, reaching the end of the stairs. She pointed off to the kitchen and started off there herself, only to run straight into someone as she turned the corner. She jumped and let a slight squeal escape her lips from the shock of it. Although when she recognized who it was, she only laughed, lightly hitting him on the arm.

“God, Patrick, you scared the hell out of me.”

“Ouch, Reby. And nice to see you too. Girlfriend-sitting?”

“Yeah. Patrick, let me introduce you to the Girlfriend’s club. You already know Ivy. And that’s Cat, I think you know her, Ryan’s girl. And this is Chris, Mikey’s girl.”

“So what about you and Ivy? Who has claim on you two?”

“No matter what he might want to think it’s your best friend for me, Stumpy. And you of all people should know about Bec’s man. Unless you have amnesia, or multiple personalities.”

Rebecca laughed as Ivy basically called all claims on Pete. That was certainly her best friend talking. But when she mentioned her and Patrick being together, Rebecca blushed a bright red and shook her head, motioning with her expression for Ivy to hush about the supposed couple that they were. After the wedding incident, she hadn’t even spoken much with Patrick as she had been busy rushing about with Pete working on getting the legal parts of the upcoming video settled so they could start shooting.

“Right, now about that ice cream, Becca. Where are you hiding it, or do we get to have you take us out for a treat?”

At that moment, Rebecca could have kissed Cat on the cheek for pulling the attention away from Patrick and her. She didn’t even know where things were between the two of them, much less how to introduce each other as. So she was happy with the distraction.

“Oh yeah, it’s in the kitchen. Come on, we’ll raid the ice cream before grabbing another movie. I have a feeling the boys are going to be playing together for a while.”

Rebecca laughed as she started off towards the kitchen, only to be stopped as Patrick caught her arm lightly.

“Reby, could I ask you something? Alone?”

Rebecca nodded, trying to ignore the smirk on Ivy’s face as the other three girls headed off in the direction of the kitchen. She turned her attention back to Patrick, nodding as soon as she saw Ivy walk into the kitchen, being the last of the other girls. Although she wasn’t prepared for what happened next.

The normally shy and conservative Patrick suddenly cupped her face in his hands and kissed her fiercely, her back pressing up against the wall. Although as soon as her back touched the wall, she lost control and her subconscious screamed at her, the flashbacks hitting her again full force. She acted on her instincts, which were panicking, and she shoved him backwards, instantly regretting it as she saw the hurt in his eyes.

“Patrick, I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t worry about it. I’m the one who should be sorry. Please forgive me, Rebecca. I’ll let you get back to your girls night. G’night.”

As he turned and was walking out of the house, she rushed after him. But it was to no avail. He seemed to be purposely ignoring her as he walked out to his little car and quickly drove off. Oh god did she get herself into a bind.

Her thoughts were interrupted by her cellphone vibrating in her pocket. She pulled it out, smiling as she saw that it was Beth, probably calling to tell her about her date with the mystery man. She turned back to the porch and sat heavily down on the steps, answering the phone in as disguised cheerful voice as she could.

“Hey, Bethy. How did it go?”

“Oh my god, Becca! It was William-fucking-Beckett! From The Academy Is! I have been chatting with the lead singer of one of my favorite bands for months now and didn’t even know it! God, Becca, it was great. I think I might faint from it all. I have to be dreaming, I’m not that lucky. But silly me, what are you up to? Are you busy? Or could I drop by?”

“Yeah, sure. Come on over. I’m just entertaining the other girls who were dropped off while the boys have their play time. So you’re more than welcome to drop by.”

“Everything okay? You sound a little off.”

“I’m fine. A little tired perhaps, but I’ll survive. At least I don’t have morning classes tomorrow.”

“Right, so I’ll drop by then. If I can get Mom to let me go out again this late. Love ya.”

“Ditto.”

Rebecca hung up the phone and took a few deep breaths and turned to go back into the house. Boy was this night going to be a long one. Before she opened the door, she tried calling Patrick’s cell phone, suspecting that he wouldn’t answer, especially if he was driving still. And when the voice mail picked up, she nodded, closing her phone without leaving a message. Things had sure gotten yucky in a hurry.