Faux Vows, True Desires

"Mom, I'm bunking with you tonight." Lucinda strolled into Janice's room, pillow in tow.

Janice was more than willing, but she shot a glance at Stefan.

Stefan, ever considerate, piped up, "Mom, let Lucy sleep with you; you guys can have a good heart-to-heart."

Since Stefan was on board, Janice was thrilled and shot Stefan a goodnight with a smile, "Stefan, night." "Night, Mom."

Stefan looked toward Lucinda. She had already nestled herself in the room, not even bothering to bid him goodnight.

"No biggie," he thought. Seeing her happy was worth letting it slide.

Janice shut the door.

Stefan stood at the door for a good few minutes, ensuring it wouldn't be opened again, before he finally trudged off.

Ike was clumsily guiding a totally plastered Keith upstairs.

"How the hell did he get so wasted?" Stefan quickly rushed over to help steady Keith.

After a late-night snack, the guys cracked open a few cold ones. Stefan opted out but reminded them not to drink themselves under the table.

But Keith went all out and ended up hammered.

They managed to get Keith into the guest room and onto the bed. Ike plopped down on the edge of the bed, panting, "Except for me, everyone else is out cold. I had to help Keith up the stairs. The guy can barely stand. I'm beat."

"Weren't you guys told not to get hammered?"

of his jacket. Seeing that Keith was totally sloshed but still had his makeup on, Stefan fetched a basin of water from the

peace. The pressure is relentless. It's rare for him to kick back, so he got a little carried away because he was so

since he was finally letting loose, I'd let

Even his own father, Nathan, might not

doubted anyone in the Blue family could be a trusted ally for

really pitiful and had a

it easy. No complex issues, a small income, but

"It's definitely not easy."

"I'll try my best too, to become stronger and be Lucy's support.

need to help Lucy and her brother hold firmly on to what they want most, and

eyes,

to just

Janice, so I was just taking

to escort her?" Ike teased, "You want to

come to

Ike paused momentarily.

him? He was a

he said irritably, "Stop acting like I want to take advantage

work after taking over the company, you guys might even have kids now." Ike asked hurriedly, "Stefan, you and Lucy have been married for so long.

knew when

prevent

did get

he'd become a father and have

you guys wanted kids, I didn't mind. I'm more than happy to become an uncle. But now the situation's different. Lucy's found her biological parents, and the Blue family is quite