Three Weeks Later.

"So why do you think you should get the job?"
"Well I don't really want it. I just really like cute serial killers. What- I hope you don't mind my asking, but what gun did you use when you shot them all?"She scooted her chair round the small round table and looked at me with wide eyes.

"I- um- that- you- this interview is over,"I stood up, grabbed my forms and darted into my office before she could do anything crazy. Miranda was sitting at her desk on her laptop, typing furiously.
"How was it?"She asked me without looking up.

"Terrible I don't think I'm gonna find anyone to hire,"I groaned. Ever since we had opened the new store, I was a lot busier. I had only just worked out how many people I needed working each day and right now I needed to hire two more people.
Miranda groaned and shut her laptop. She pushed away from the desk and spun her chair to face me,"What happened?"

"I asked her the first question and her answer was, and I quote,'I don't really want it. I just really like cute serial killers.' and then she asked me what gun I used,"I sat down at my desk and opened up my laptop.
"Well at least one good thing came out of it."

"Really? What's that?"I mumbled as I opened up my emails.
"She think's you're cute."
I swiveled my chair around to give Miranda a grin,"Ha ha. Come on, help me go through these applications,"I groaned as I looked at all the resumes people had emailed me.

"Just leave them for a bit. Go make yourself a coffee."
"Miranda, I leave in two days I do not have time to make myself coffee. I need to at least find a temp for while I'm gone,"I gave her a pointed stare before clicking into the first email.

"This guy seems okay,"I sighed as I scanned his resume. He had barista experience and apparently a good attitude to work,"Scratch that he's still in school."
"What about this guy. Worked in a coffee shop for two weeks before moving across the country with his family. Got a job in Starbucks and stayed there for three years, getting promoted in the process."

I dragged my chair over to Miranda's desk to have a look but her laptop was on facebook.
"What are you-"
"He said he left Starbucks to go and kill 8 people then went to prison,"Miranda smirked at me.
"You're a bitch you know that?"I groaned and went back to my desk.

"You love me,"She said airily.
"Actually no I dont because you said you'd be my plus one at the wedding and now you're letting your parents drag you back home for a stupid anniversary,"I groaned and slammed my laptop lid down to rest my head on top.
"Frank get the fuck over it okay? I didn't realise the dates coincided. You're just gonna have to go with someone else."

"But I don't want to,"I fake sobbed.
"Grow a pair, Frank."
"Fine I'll go with Lily."
"She's already going though,"Miranda pointed out as she pulled her packet of cigarettes out of her bag,"You coming?"
"Yeah alright."

I grabbed my smokes and lighter and followed Miranda out through the shop to the smoking area out back. A few customers were seated at a table but otherwise it was quiet. We sat down on the edge of the water feature I had so desperately wanted. It was this beautiful stone basin with a dragon emerging from the water in the middle, fire coming out of its mouth. The actual water stream came from the very centre of the fire. At night, I could turn on the lights and have the water flash orange and red in the dark. People had thrown in coins as if it was a wishing well.

Miranda and I lit up silently. Only when we were halfway through our smokes did she say something.
"You looking forward to seeing Lily and Claire again?"
"Fuck yes,"I puffed out,"I was a little shocked to find out they'd been invited but I guess Lindsay felt like she should after Claire's first ever lesson."

"Mmm. I really am sorry I cant come, Frank,"Miranda said as she threw her cigarette butt on the ground and stubbed it out with her toe.
"No don't worry about it. It's your parents' 50 year anniversary. It's a special one,"I said as I put mine out,"You better not leave that there."
"I wont,'She muttered and picked it up.

We stood up and went back inside,"Have you packed yet?"
"Fuck no. I'll do that tomorrow night,"I sighed as we went back into the office.
"Nope. You're doing it tonight. You're gonna be too tired tomorrow,"Miranda said firmly.
"I'll just go and do it now I guess,"I sighed. She was right.

-time lapse-

"You'll be fine okay? You're gonna have Lily and Claire there and Gerard and that can't be there,"Miranda said over my shoulder.
"I know. I just wish you were gonna be there with me,"I sighed and let go.
"Yeah I know. Go on, you need to go to Lily and Claire,"She smiled.

I waved as I got in my car, yelling out a goodbye as I drove away. The two days had passed by ridiculously fast. I was now on my way to stay with Lily and Claire for a night before we all caught a flight to Jersey. As terrible as it was, a little thought had been nagging me in the back of my mind the whole time: I hope I see Cas again. I was doing my best to get rid of it, but it just wouldn't budge.

The drive up to Washington passed by in a blur of singing loudly, stopping only twice for food and the toilet. When I had arrived, Claire had given me the biggest hug I have ever had from her. She had been crying all day because Lily had to work so she couldn't go to the wedding with us.

"I thought they gave you the time off though?"I asked as we drank coffee. Claire was in her bedroom playing guitar.
"So did I but they said they needed me because this woman is sick. They already knew that I was only going for Claire so I couldn't say it was someone close,"Lily sighed, dusting biscuit crumbs from her lap.

"Well at least I can take Claire,"I muttered.
"Yeah... About that... I don't want you taking her..."Lily looked at me, daring me to say no.
"Why not?"I said in a carefully measured voice.
"She's got a big test coming up next week and I don't want her missing school beforehand."

"Does she know yet?"
"Not yet. I'd prefer it if I told her though,"Lily sighed, taking my controlled anger as acceptance.
"Tell me what?"Claire suddenly jumped out of her bedroom, her guitar in her hands.
"Lily doesn't want you going to the wedding,"I told her, smiling at Lily's outraged face.

"But... I'm still going right?"Claire looked at Lily for confirmation.
" 'Fraid not sweetie,"Lily said sadly.
"Why not?"
"I don't want you missing school for a wedding of someone you had one guitar lesson with. You've got a big test next week and I don't want you to miss out on any important lessons."

"But you said I could go..."Claire sat her guitar down and came to stand in front of me,"You'll stil take me wont you Frankie?"
"Uhh..."I glanced at Lily who was shaking her head at me,"Of course I will kiddo. Your bags are packed right?"
"Frank!"

"Yup! Can I take my guitar with me?"
"Definitely,"I smiled widely,"Go and make sure you've got everything okay?"
"I was gonna show you guys a song I learnt to play but that can wait. Lily wants to yell at you,"Claire winked at me and took her guitar back into her room.

"Frank what the hell are you playing at?"
"She has been looking forward to this for three weeks. You can't just take it away from her the day before like that."
Lily gave me a look of frustration,"But I told you why I don't want her going."
"Yeah and I think its cruel and wrong to do that to her. She's coming with me."

"No. She's not. She's not your-"
"Not my what? Not my daughter? Is that what you were going to say?"I stood up and glared at her,"She isn't yours either. She is your sister. Your adopted sister. And she's also my adopted sister. And I am older so technically I should be the one looking after her."
"Don't you dare,"Lily stood up as well, towering above me in her heels,"I am the one who worked to get us where we are. I worked to get this apartment. I hunted her down so I could give her a proper home for once. A solid one. Don't you fucking dare turn up after eight years and start making decisions you have absolutely no right."

"I have just as much right as you do! She is my little sister as well! I love her to fucking death no matter how long I've been away! I love you both to death no matter what! Why is it so fucking hard to let her have few days of school off to spend some time with her big brother that she hasn't seen in eight fucking years?! Huh?!"I watched as she processed everything in her mind like she usually did. After all this time, she was still the same girl who had taken pity in me. Felt sad at the sight of everyone making fun of me. She had been the first one to make me realise that not everyone in the world was a complete bastard.

"Lily I don't want to fight,"I sighed,"Especially over Claire."
"I'm not gonna go,"Claire said suddenly. Lily and I both snapped our head to see her holding her guitar again.
"What? Why not?"I took a few steps closer to Lily.

"If it makes you guys fight like that then I don't want to go. When I was little you guys were always like my parents. Until Mum of course but you know what I mean. I don't want to be the reason you stop talking. I may have only been three and four at the time but I do remember how close you guys were. I'm not gonna be the one to ruin that,"She said seriously.

"Claire you don't-"
"Nope! It's not up for discussion. This is my choice. Also, Gabby just bought a new video game and she wants me to go to hers tonight. Can I?"Claire smiled at Lily.
"Oh I see. You dont wanna see me you just wanna play a video game,"I couldn't help but smile.

"Pretty much,"Claire winked at me before turning her puppy dog eyes back on to look at Lily.
"I- I guess. It's getting a little late for you to walk there though.
"Frank will take me. Wont you Frank,"Claire looked at me hopefully.
"Apparently,"I sighed.