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Chapter 12 - Dreams Shattered
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56
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A Place To Call Home Chapter 13 - Proof Of Love
Cailen woke up in an emergency room.Or what he was guessing was the emergency room.He was lying in a bed that was a in room surrounded with white walls. Wherever he looked, or his eyes land on- because he can’t really move his head around to look properly at his surroundings- were color white.The walls, the ceiling, the curtain by the window- everything. He hurt everywhere and couldn't help but groan when he tried to move."Cailen?" A small worried voice came from his right.Cailen tried to turn his head towards William’s voice, but he groaned again when pain hit him. He took a deep breath and that even hurts too.He tried to calm down and tried again- more gently and carefully this time. He slowly turned his head to see William standing beside his bed, his curly hair in a disarray, green eyes red and puffy as if he had been crying."Hi, William," Cailen smiled weakly at him before something caught his attention at the corner of his eyes.He slowly turned his head to see Matthew
A Place To Call Home Chapter 14 - Back Again
7 years later…Cailen sat in the backseat of the taxi, staring out the window at the familiar roads of Beverwood.It was the first time he's been home since he went off to university two years ago. He realized what a dick move that was but Eden and Dean were very understanding that he needed to focus on his studies.He felt really bad about lying to them, because of course, he could have made time to come home for Christmas at least but he didn't. He was worried that being around them would make them see through his mask he's worked so hard to construct.He knew he couldn't be his true self around his family or they wouldn't accept him. He learned early on that he needed to act more like other boys or Eden and Dean wouldn't have kept him.That's not to say he is a completely different person around them, no, just... More reserved in a way.There were certain things he didn't discuss with them or around them, certain things he didn't do around them and he was okay with that. Pretending
A Place To Call Home Chapter 15 - Missing Out
Edenspun around in confusion, her eyes searching the room until they landed on Cailen.She gasped as well, dropping her oven mitts on the ground. Cailenthanks whatever god is up there that she wasn't holding a roast or something.Stellaturned as well, wondering who could have caused such a reaction and squealed when she saw him."Cailen! You came!" Stellasaid excitedly, making her way around the kitchen to pull him into a hug.Cailenchuckled and wrapped his arms around her waist, hugging her tightly but also being cautious of the knife she still held in her hand."If you poke me with that thing, I'm gone,"Cailenteased as he pulled away, eyeing the knife.She grinned at him, then turned to set the knife down. Cailenactually saw Stellanot too long ago so she really hadn't changed a whole lot since then. The only thing that's changed is she may have gotten a hair cut, but Caile
A Place To Call Home Chapter 16 - The Boy From Seven Years Ago
Asherlooked up and met Cailen'scerulean eyes.He smiled shyly at Cailenand he didn't blame him because he knew he was staring but he couldn't pull his eyes from him."Hey, Cai,"Ashersaid awkwardly with a small wave.Cailenreally had to pull it together. He knew that but he couldn't believe this was Asher. He couldn't believe this was little scrawny Asher. Asherthat begged him to tell on the bullies in school. Asherwho cries at Toy Story, every time.Asherwho always made sure to include Cailenat the parties he was invited to. He couldn't believe this was Asher."Jesus, what's in the water here?" Cailenjoked, trying to cover up his utter shock and possible drool.All four boys chuckled at Cailen, even Noahwho really didn't know him."I should have stuck around.I seemed to have missed the puberty bus,"Cailenjoked, looking down at his s
A Place To Call Home Chapter 17 - Unexpected
"This summer is going to be ace,"Matthewinformed the other four boys while they waited for their food to arrive.They were sat in a local diner that they always used to eat at. Cailensupposed they still ate here. It was only him that used to eat herebefore.They sat in a booth with Matthew, Williamand Noahsquished in on one side and Asherand Cailensitting comfortably on the other. Cailenwas looking around at the diner, seeing it really hadn't changed a bit.It still had the old beat up chairs and tables, the red booths still had rips in them, if not more, but Cailenloved it all the same.It was a piece of home and Cailenwouldn't change it even if he could."Yeah, we'll actually be able to score some beer without begging people to buy it for us,"Noahsaid, grinning at Matthew.Matthewsnorted."Who said you wouldn't have to beg? I want you on
A Place To Call Home Chapter 18 - First Sign
The two boys silently climbed the stairs to William's room together, Cailenflopping on the bed when they got thereand Williamflopping down beside him.William's room looked like any other teenager's room.A bed against the wall in the middle, a desk on the far wall that had his school bag hanging from the office chair there, and a TV on the opposite wall of his bed, facing the bed so he could watch while laying down.There were band posters lining the walls along with school awards and sports medals, most of them being the award for 'most improved' or 'hardest working' because Williamreally wasn't very coordinatedand tended to fall a lot but that didn't stop him from trying."What do you think happened?" Williamasked, finally breaking the silence."I don’t know. She'd tell us if someone died, right?" Cailenasked.Williamnodded."Could be nothing... She really could be
A Place To Call Home Chapter 19 - Connection
When Cailenfirst saw Ashercome out of the bathroom the first day he came back,he was surprised and very pleased with who Asherhad turned into.Now, seeing him nearly naked, jogging into the water,took his breath away.Asherhad a defined chest with a growing sixpackabs, his arms were muscled but nicelytoned and that's all Cailencould see in the faint light the moon offered but that's all he neede-or could handle because he was fairly certain-anymore,and his brain might short-circuit."What are you gonna do about it?" Asherasked, grinning at Cailenas he approached but he wasn't capableof speech right now. "Hmm?" Asherencouraged and frowned when all Cailencould do was stare. "Cai? Are you okay? I didn't hurt you,did I? Cai?""Hm, what? No! No, I'm fine,"Cailensaid quickly but Ashercontinued to frown at him, probabl
A Place To Call Home Chapter 20 - Surprise In The Palm Of His Hand
He saw Asher’s eyes move down to his lips, then back to his eyes.Cailen didn’t know what was happening anymore as he saw Asher’s adam’s apple move as if he was swallowing something.Time seemed to stop when he suddenly felt the tip of Asher’s nose against his. He didn’t even know who moved and he can’t really hear anything anymore other than the pulse in his ears.Cailenfelt like he couldn't breath again, and not only because Ashermight be squishing him, not that he actually minded that, but because of this feeling inside him.It took his breath away, making his stomach flutter and his heart skip and…What was he doing?This was Asher.He shouldn't be feeling this when he looks at Asher.Asherwas his friend, has been since he was thirteen. He shouldn't get that kind of reaction from him.It was one thing to think he was fit when he to
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A Place To Call Home Epilogue - A Place To Call Home
"Hey, hey, it's the superstar, finally making an appearance!" Matthewcalled out when they entered the kitchen.Cailengrinned at this while Williamlooked a bit sheepish. He knew he was never around much and constantly apologized for it, but they all understood and were all proud of their friend."Shut up, I've been busy!" Williamdefended just as the two girls at the counter turned in their stools and gasped.They each climbed their way down from the stools, Aariyahalmost taking a tumble but she caught herself and then they were each latched onto one of William's legs, the older man chuckling."Uncle William!" Maddisonsquealed, squeezing William's leg tight.Williamawkwardly bent down as far as he could without hurting or squishing the small girls, reaching out to rest a hand on each of them."How are two of my favorite girls?" he asked.It was truly adorable how much they each loved
A Place To Call Home Chapter 119 - Growing Up And The Grown Ups
Cailenonly had to look over the boy's shoulder to see his brother saunter in, but Ezekieland Ellianahad to turn around and Cailencouldn't say he was exactly surprised by the reaction.Ellianagasped in surprise while Ezekieldarted forward and threw himself at his uncle.Williamchuckled and wrapped Ezekielup in a tight hug, rocking him back and forth slightly before letting go."Uncle William, you made it!" Ezekielsaid happily.It had been a while since Ezekieland Maddisonlast saw him."Papasaid he didn't know if you were coming," Ezekielexplained.William mockscoffed."Of course I will! I wouldn't miss my favorite nephew turning fifteen!" Williamexclaimed.Cailentook a peek over at Ellianato see a look of confusion mixed with awe and nearly lost it. He would never understandthe effect Williamhad on teen
A Place To Call Home Chapter 118 - Their Daughters
Both Matthewand Cailenlooked over to where the girls were sitting.It was instinctive now, whether it was your own child saying it or not, when you heard 'Daddy'or ‘Papa’, you look.Maddisonwas standing from her spot and making her way over to where Cailenand Matthewsat, a sheet of paper in her hands."Look, isn't my flower pretty?" she asked holding up the paper to Cailenwhere he saw a simple flower drawn on it.It was pink with big petals and a small green stem and looked like every other flower drawing she'd ever done but Cailenstill nodded along, smiling at his daughter."Yes, it's beautiful, love," Cailensmiled, his arms still bouncing Mishaup and down on his knee."But- But isn't mine beautiful-er?" Aariyahstood in a hurry, rushing over to them and nearly tripping as she held up her own drawing of an almost identical flower.Cailens
A Place To Call Home Chapter 117 - The Trio
"Dude, she'll be here soon," Trippsaid, leaning across the island in the kitchen to reach for the bowl of crisps that Cailenhad put out. "Calm down or you'll start getting sweat stains," he added, scrunching up his nose in distaste.Tripp, if possible, had grown up to be even bigger than Ezekiel, though that wasn't much of a surprise with how much taller he's always been than Ezekiel. He still had his blonde hair,though it wasn't quite so golden anymore-more of a dirty blonde, and has acquired glasses over the years.Cailenremembers the first day he had come over with them on, the boy had been mortified but he's grown to love them, claiming the girls were really into the 'nerdy' look these days."And no girl likes sweat stains," Aireneadded from her spot at the island.Airenehad grown up to be quite the beautiful girl, her hair still a fiery red and her green eyes bright and enchanting.Ezekie
A Place To Call Home Chapter 116 - Their Son’s Parents
Cailenstopped a ways back, pulling his coat tighter around him as the fall breeze blew and made him shiver.He was always surprised sometimes when he really looked at Ezekieland saw how much he's grown.Up until last year,it seemed as though he had missed the puberty bus until one day,Cailenreally looked at him and noticed he had grown about a foot and was stealing his cologne to wear.It was a bit of a shock that he quickly got over and went out to buy Ezekielhis own cologne along with some shaving supplies since he had noticed the boy had also started growing some scruff.It was something he never had a problem with in the first place because until now, he never had a single hair grow on his face, well aside from his eyebrows and his head, of course.Cailenknew he was going to be one of those teenagers that looked way olderthan they really were just because puberty decided to randomly
A Place To Call Home Chapter 115 - Missing Birthday Boy
Maddison rushed over to them, throwing herself into Asher's legs hard enough that her feet left the ground and she was able to crawl into Asher's lap, with his help of course."What do you mean ‘Zekeleft’?" Asherquestioned as he wrapped his arms around his daughterso she wouldn't fall off.She had nestled herself nicely in his lap so her legs dangled over the edge but she was able to look up at them both with her big blue eyes.They adopted Maddison out of the orphanage when she was six years old, soon after Ezekielhad come up to them one day and asked if they were ever going to adopt another child.It was completely random and out oftheblue and had taken them both by surprise so much that they didn't know what to say.They honestly hadn't thought about adopting again, but when Ezekielexplained that he was only wondering because he thought it might be nice to have someone to play w
A Place To Call Home Chapter 114 - Their House
Seven years later…"Alright," Cailenheard come from down the hall.It was only a couple steps further so he made the small venture to poke his head around the corner and into the hall to see Asherjust coming up from the basement."The basement isofficially 'Teen-Proof'," Asher said around an exhausted sigh.Cailenfully stepped into the entrance of the hallway, crossing his arms over his chest and waiting for his husband to meet him at the end of the hall and proceeding to follow him into the kitchen.Cailenstill cringed slightly whenever he walked into the kitchen, more so when he had company following him.They were in the middle of renovating the kitchen, the last of the house's renovation, thankfully.When they purchased the house four years ago, they had gotten it pretty cheap because it needed so much work done to it. They just hadn't realized how much work it ne
A Place To Call Home Chapter 113 - Leaving
"Yeah, I love you too," Cailensaid with a small smile before hanging up his phone and slipping it into his pocket.He went to turn around but paused as a man in a suit rushed by him, obviously in a hurry.They were at the airport saying goodbye to Noahbefore he got on a flight to Scotlandand apparently,he was not the only one planning a trip that weekend.You could barely move without bumping into someone and Cailenhad to step away into a corner in order to answer his phone because it was so loud.Once the man had passed,Cailencontinued back towards the small group that was gathering outside the gate Noahwas to go through to get to his flight.They were all there, Matthew, Hazel, and of course Aariyah, William, Asherand Ezekiel, all hugging Noahgoodbye before his departure.He had been in the middle of saying goodbye when his phone rang and he excused himself to answer
A Place To Call Home Chapter 112 - Family Night
Cailen is startled from his sleep by a sudden weight crashing into him and then a wet nose sniffing at his face.He knows who it is instantly and groans, not caring if he wakes Asher up at this point.It's his dog, if Loki is waking Cailen up, then Asher can get woken up as well.Cailen brought his arms up, having to untangle himself from Asher's grasp in order to do so, and shielded his face from the intruding nose.It's not like this has never happened before, but it didn't happen often.Loki was usually pretty good at just sleeping at the foot of their bed, but recently, he's been cuddling up to Ezekiel in his so it was a bit strange.Either way, Loki was waking Cailen up so he started to sit up, just remembering to be gentle in case Asher's arm or leg was in the right position to get squished."Loki, down," Cailen mumbled, his tone firm.Cailen heard a groan come from behind him and knew Asher was now awake.
