-Joe’s POV, the next day at lunch time-

"So what’s up?" Nick asked looking rather put out that I had called him and Kevin into my office.

I shrugged. "I just thought we should discuss the CeCelia situation."

Kevin nodded in agreement as Nick’s brow cocked up at me in confusion, “What situation?”

My eldest brother could barely contain the detestation in his voice, “The kissing situation.” he said through clenched teeth, he clearly was no closer to approving of Josh than he was last night.

Nick’s eyes grew huge, "Wait . . . who kissed Cee?"

"You have been so caught up in your baby drama that you haven’t been around, you are completely clueless when it comes to what’s going on with Cee." I started as Nick's eyes met mine. "Josh kissed her last night after her study date at Kevin’s.”

“Who the hell gave her permission to have a study date with that little punk?” Nick spat ignoring my calling him out on his recent absence.

“I gave her permission,” Kevin said taking the blame, “She had a ton of work to catch up on and he offered to help, as much as I detest that little punk he is a very good student and I was unable to resist the puppy dog face…if I had known he would have the audacity to kiss her I would never have allowed it.”

“Well, what did you think was going to happen?” Nick said running a hand through his hair in frustration before turning to me and cocking a brow, “Why do you seem so calm about this? You don’t like him either.”

“No, I don’t,” I agreed taking a seat on the edge of my desk and crossing my arms over my chest, “but she does, and if we tell her she can’t date him she will sneak around to do it.”

Nick shook his head. "Things would be so much easier if she didn't attract boys."

"Well, she does attract boys," I said squashing Nick’s hopes, “as much as we don’t like the idea of her dating Josh there is a very good chance that they are headed in that direction, the more you fight her on this the more she will fight back, she likes him.”

“I don’t care if she likes him,” Kevin argued, “We all have seen his file, I don’t give a shit about his self-proclaimed reform, are you honestly comfortable with her dating someone with such a violent history? OH and let’s not forget the fact that he has been arrested…FOR DRUGS.”

I shot him a look. "Cool your jets . . . anytime Josh has been around Cee he has treated her like a princess. He has been a good influence on her and despite everything we know about him, I think he has changed. If we try road blocking this, we could, no, we WILL lose her."

"Why are you suddenly on Cee's team?" Nick said looking at me with fire in his eyes.

I gaped at him. "Well, Kev here has his own family and as of late you're all ‘Team Cat’; Cee needs someone in her corner so I guess that's gonna be me."

“Just because I’ve been a little busy lately doesn’t mean I am not in her corner.” Nick barked defensively.

I held my hands up in mock surrender, “Look, I didn’t pull you both in here to fight, I just feel like we need a united front as far as this Josh situation goes.”

“Forget it,” Kevin sneered, “I don’t like the kid, I think he is trouble and until he proves otherwise I don’t support them dating at all.”

Nick nodded, “I’m with Kevin…two against one.”

My brows furrowed in frustration, “United we stand…divided we fall…if we are not in agreement on this she will simply come to me for all decisions involving Josh…is that what you want?” I said turning my attention to Nick.

“You are the odd one out brother, not me. If you want to play good cop go right ahead but just know when you take off those training wheels and she falls…it’s on YOU.” Nick sneered and walked toward the door.

“Kev?” I questioned hoping my eldest brother would have more sense.

“Sorry man,” Kevin said patting me on the shoulder before joining our baby brother at the door, “I’m with Nick.”

I stood and shoved my hands in my pockets. "If that is what you want, that's fine.  I’ll play the single parent but when the shit starts to hit the fan because you two refuse to give him the benefit of the doubt don’t say I didn’t warn you!"

There was a knock on the door as I finished my rant. "Come in." I hollered before seeing Cee standing in the middle of my doorway. “What's up baby girl?"

"I had a question for you . . ." She stopped watching Nick and Kevin out of the corner of her eye. "Can I talk to you alone?"

I smirked in my brother’s direction reveling in the fact that Cee had just made my point; “Sure,” I said shooting them a look to get lost. I waited until the door shut behind Nick before turning my attention back to Cee. "What was your question?"

"Was that pow-wow about me?"

I nodded looking at my hands. "Nick and Kevin aren't happy about you hanging out with Josh but I stand by what I said last night. Who you date is your decision.”

"We aren’t dating!" Cee cried running her hands through her hair in frustration. “It was a kiss…”

I held up my hands in mock surrender “Call it what you will Cee, I am not stupid, I see the way he looks at you…and don’t get upset with me, I am the one on your side here remember?”

“Yes…sorry.”

“Nick and Kevin aren’t happy with me either for taking your side.  I am choosing to trust you so don’t do anything to break that trust like sneaking out with him or lying to me. Understood?" I said giving her the parental look as she nodded.

"Yes Sir, I understand." she said adjusting her back pack. "So…I was thinking, since I’m all caught up with homework do you think maybe Josh could come over and hang out after school?"

I shook my head immediately causing her lip to jut out in a pout, “Not tonight, Nick is coming home and you two still need to talk things out.”

Cee let out an audible groan. "What is the point? Nothing I say is going to change the fact that Cat is pregnant or the fact that if she refuses to move in he will be moving out.”

"Just talk to him . . . he needs to know what you're thinking and how you are feeling." I said throwing an arm around my sister's shoulder and giving her a reassuring squeeze. "You two need to hash this out, the sooner the better…like a bandaid."

“It’s not going to just be me and him is it?” she squeaked clearly nervous, “I mean, this is a FAMILY discussion, right?”

I chuckled giving her another squeeze, “Why are you so nervous?”

Cee pushed out of the hug holding me at arm’s length, “The last time he and I tried this little ‘talk’ he looked like he wanted to kick my butt up between my shoulder blades for calling the baby a bastard and Kevin had to step in and remove me from the house…then yesterday he took a belt to me.”

I cocked a brow, “Because you copped an attitude with him, not to mention you were cussing and being completely disrespectful from what I hear.” I watched as Cee’s eyes dropped to the ground. “We are all going to have a discussion, but if you don’t sit down with him first and work things out it is just going to turn into a shouting match again…”

Cee let out a groan before reluctantly nodding her head in agreement, “Fine…"

Chapter End Notes:

*stands up* Hi, my name is Molly and I am a neglectful writer *gives a slight wave*

-Hi Molly

*Fiddles with the hem of her shirt* I've been blocked for a while now...and I've been lacking inspiration...Ive heard admitting I have a problem is the first step to recovery.

XOXO missed you guys!