Are There Any Blondes Here?

"We're looking at pictures of us growing up," Lacey answered Skye's question. "Want to see some?"

"Wow! That's a lot of pictures," Skye exclaimed in awe.

"Only some are of the kids. Most are of us older girls," Bridget explained with a wink.

"Let me hurry up and get changed. When I get back, I'll join you and try a cupcake," Skye added the last part for Chastity, who hovered nearby with a small paper plate and the said cupcake.

Nodding eagerly, the honey blonde carefully placed the small plate in front of the one empty stool. Next, she laid out a napkin before dashing over to pour a glass of milk. Returning to the kitchen island, she placed the glass down on the upper side opposite the napkin. Pleased that everything looked perfect, she looked up to see everyone watching her, either with a smile or confused face.

"Oh, fiddlesticks," Chastity mildly reproached herself. "Does anyone need a second serving?"

"One's enough for me," Kimberly swiftly stated.

"Same here," Gabby said, patting her firm stomach. "But Bridget needs another one to sober up."

"I'm not that drunk," Bridget denied, gesturing her hand at her big cheersister. In the process, she splashed droplets of wine over the island.

"Leaping lizards! I'll get a paper towel," Chastity exclaimed.

"No, I'll take care of the mess," Rachel countered, already moving toward the dispenser. "You get her another cupcake. And, Gabby, move that wine glass further away."

Sean hung his head at his mother's antics. Next to him, Lacey patted his shoulder sympathetically while Kimberly muttered a comment to herself. After years of cleaning up after her daughters and their friends, the redheaded mother swiftly handled the chore.

"All right, all finished up," Rachel announced, sitting back down on one of the bar stools that Sean carried up.

"Fortunately, Bee sobers up fast, not like another friend of mine," Gabby remarked, nudging Lacey.

"Don't even think of starting, Gabs. I'll unleash Chatty Cathy on you," Rachel counted, nodding at Bridget.

"Fine," her BFF responded, making sure that Lacey saw her eye-roll. "Hmm, now where were we...oh, right! Chastity needs to finish her Harvey tale."

It quickly became evident to Sean that the Diamond Corp receptionist had hoped that her story had been forgotten. The way she immediately fretted while hemming and hawing also caught Gabriela's attention.

"C'mon, girl, we don't like to be left hanging."

"In more ways than one," Bridget attempted to say suggestively, but her hiccup ruined the tone.

Lacey couldn't stifle a giggle as Sean cringed.

"If you don't feel comfortable, that's fine, dear," Rachel began, making eye contact with her best friend. "But, it's not that big of a deal if you do. We may have even heard about Harvey and Shenai's extra friend."

"Oh! I never thought of it that way. I guess--"

DING DONG

"Oh, c'mon!" Bridget exclaimed in frustration while Gabby groaned at the further interruption.

"That must be the other kids," Rachel noted.

"And Whitney's going to be pissed that she missed out on playing hostess again," Gabby remarked.

"Whitney! Get the door!" Bridget drunkenly screamed at the top of her lungs while twisting her body to face the French doors. "Whitney! The door--oww!"

Sean couldn't imagine the night getting any worse as he watched his mother twist too far and fall onto the floor. Chastity uttered one of her non-swear interjections while Rachel jumped off her stool. Her daughter mimicked her.

"Is she alright?" the petite redhead asked worriedly.

"It's not like that's the first time," Gabby replied. "For any of us, to be honest."

"Are you okay, hun?" Rachel inquired, bending down to check.

"I'm fine!"

"You better be. You're the only doctor here," Gabby pointed out.

DING DONG

"Uh, Lace, they're your classmates..." Rachel trailed off as she helped Bridget stand.

"Sure, Mom."

"I'll come too," Sean announced, jumping off the stool.

With comments flying around behind them about previous drunken falls, the two teens left the kitchen. Knowing that Sean felt embarrassed, Lacey again patted him sympathetically. This time she did it on his back.

"I like seeing your mom let loose once in a while. She has a stressful job."

"I know, and Dad doesn't help either."

"Chatty Bridget can be a blast. You should see her and the rest of them at our house on wine nights," Lacey giggled. "I think Lana learned how to behave by the stories that slipped out."

"Trust me. I've overheard things that no son should hear," Sean shook his head as they rounded the corner by the stairs.

"Well, I think it's fun watching your mom and Aunt Gabby drive my mom crazy," Lacey admitted, halfway down the foyer.

"Sure, and I'll be the one in therapy for years."

"As if Lana won't put me in there too?"

"We can get a group discount with Peyton and Finn," Sean joked, sending Lacey into one of her giggle fits.

Opening the door, both Sean and Lacey jumped back in surprise at what waited outside. A young, slim man whipped off his fedora before bowing low. Even with his long overcoat, they could tell that the young blond-haired man was well-dressed. They also knew so based on his reputation.

"It's an honor, m'lady, to be invited into your humble...ah, you're not, Mademoiselle Diamond," the handsome, young man stated, after glancing up.

"No shit, Sherlock," a tall, long-legged brunette remarked sarcastically. Pushing her way past the young man on his right-hand side, she entered the cabin.

"Cut the theatrics, Vance. It's too fucking cold," a darker-haired brunette snapped. More voluptuous than the other light-haired brunette, she had to squeeze past her cousin's left-hand side to enter.

A shorter, busty brunette entered next while giggling. A fourth person slapped Vance's shoulder in mock sympathy while pushing him aside.

"Better luck with the next cabin, cuz. Hey, Lacey!"

"Welcome to Diamond Cabin," the petite redhead greeted with a curtsey. A move that caused Sean to look at her in disbelief. "It's Whitney's thing to do. If I don't, she'll get mad."

"Yeah, I suppose she would," Sean responded, shaking his head. Noticing that the blond-haired guy still stood on the porch, allowing the frigid air in, he questioned, "Uh, you coming in or what?"

"Merely waiting to be properly asked to enter," Vance Vandermeer replied, not moving, while his blue eyes studied Sean and Lacey.

"Uh, come on in?" Sean queried, glancing at Lacey, who appeared annoyed.

"Thank you, my good man!" Vance responded cheerfully. Entering, he closed the door and immediately removed his long coat. Sean's eyebrows rose as he noted that the new arrival wore what looked to be an expensive three-piece suit. Also, he wore another curious garment around his neck, along with an extended package he held in his hand. "Here you go."

Suddenly feeling like a servant, Sean not only took Vance's hat and jacket but also had several more coats, scarves, stocking hats, and gloves handed over. Weighted down, he nearly toppled backward onto the stairs. Fortunately, Lacey shot an arm out to save him.

"Damn, it's freezing out there," complained the first girl who had entered. "Hey, Sean."

Sean nearly fell again as the attractive nineteen-year-old kissed his cheek. Behind the brunette, Lacey winked at him as he replied, "Uh, Happy Holidays, Ellie."

A tall, long-legged athletic young woman, Ellington "Ellie" Ridge had long, light-brown hair, dark-brown eyes, medium breasts, and a toned ass. A year older than him at nineteen, Sean knew the competitive volleyball player well. She'd been not only a teammate of Peyton's but also a sort of protégé. As expected, her next words were about his sister.

"Where's Pey?"

"Uh, downstairs," Sean replied as his eyes caught sight of a pair of large breasts straining against a sweater.

Aware of his eye-line, Cheyenne Tissle subtly bumped her right breast to gauge his reaction. A fellow classmate of Sean and Lacey's, Cheyenne, had long, dark-brown hair, hazel eyes, very large breasts, and a curvy ass. An outgoing member of the choir, she had a reputation as a good girl around school.

"Hey, Tarver. How was your Christmas, Stratton?" she inquired, giving Lacey a swift half-hug.

"It was pretty good. Yours?"

"Let me help you, Sean," RJ Ridge offered, taking one of the coats off the pile in Sean's arms. "That closet?"

"Yeah, that one. Thanks, RJ."

"Sorry about Vance. My cousin is an ass," RJ remarked, opening the closet door next to the stair landing.

"I heard that, Junior," Vance sneered.

"I know." RJ winked at Sean.

Two years older than Sean, he always liked RJ Ridge. A stocky athlete, he'd been the starting quarterback in high school. A good-looking guy, RJ had short, brown hair with dark-brown eyes. Having dated Peyton's friend Priscilla Pint for most of high school, he'd checked in periodically during his senior year on the new sophomore. A mentor on the football field to Austin, Sean long suspected that the older guy had warned his childhood rival to back off. A gesture that Sean appreciated.

The two guys were joined by the one person that didn't hand Sean her coat. RJ's younger sister, Robin, gave Sean a big wave as she handed her stuff to her brother. Although sixteen-years-old, Robin was either blessed or cursed with the figure of an older teen. A short, spunky girl, she had shoulder-length dark-brown hair, almond eyes, a toned ass, and a pair of large breasts that appeared huge on her short frame. It was those breasts that currently threatened to end her volleyball career so early into high school. Just like her two siblings, Sean knew Robin through connections with people close to him as she was Zoey Gibble's closest friend.

"Hi, Sean! Zoey says hi too."

"You two up to trouble again?" he countered, knowing their ways.

"Nope. We stopped to pick up treats at the bakery this morning. Zoey got roped into working as someone stole her sister," Robin remarked, putting her hands on her hips.

"Don't blame me," Sean replied, holding up his now empty hands. "Talk to my mom. She's to blame."

"Pssh, yeah, right. Your mom's too cool to yell at."

"Hold off that thought until you see Mrs. Tarver," Lacey chimed in.

"Uh-oh, we better hurry before Vance gets us kicked out," RJ said, noticing the others had walked further into the cabin.

"Please. Ellie and Cheyenne will make him wait in the freezing car instead," Robin cracked, heading down the foyer. "Where's JoJo? I'm supposed to check up on her."

"She's down in the hot tub with the others," Sean informed her, getting a groan from RJ.

"Hot tubs, blondes, and Vance don't mix well."

"Overconfident guys and Whitney mix even worse," Lacey chuckled, with Robin joining in.

Sean and Lacey hung back a second, allowing the Ridge sibling to get ahead of them.

"Was he wearing a fedora?" Lacey whispered.

"Is he still wearing an ascot?" Sean whispered back, causing them both to crack up.

Rounding the corner, their amusement ended as RJ whistled at the interior of the cabin. Standing at the edge of the great room, Lacey gave a rushed tour of what was where. Both Ridges nodded at the bathroom and the stairs leading down to the rec room as they expected they needed to know those locations.

"Maybe when Whitney's done in the hot tub, she can give you a real tour," Lacey suggested.

"Oh, we don't want to be a bother," Robin said as her brother peered up at the second floor.

"It won't be. She loves to do it," Lacey assured.

"A little too much," Sean muttered, earning him an elbow nudge in the ribs.

"Damn, this place is awesome," RJ declared. "Not at all like that weird glass lakehouse my uncle built. I mean, you can't even go to the bathroom without worrying about people seeing inside."

"Really?"

"Yeah, really. Is Austin down in the hot tub too?" RJ questioned, searching around.

"No, he went to your uncle's glasshouse," Lacey grinned. "I wanted him to spend time with my dad."

"Ouch! You're a sneaky one, Stratton," RJ chucked.

Not interested in listening to talk about Austin, Sean motioned for Robin to follow him over to the cabin's other end. They made it in time to witness Vance's next theatrical moment. With a bow, he greeted Bridget.

"Dr. Tarver, it is a pleasure indeed to bask in your beauty. Your loveliness is a delightful reminder from where your vision of a daughter gets her charms," Vance greeted, kissing Bridget's hand.

"Oh, boy. Wait until Peyton sees you again," the elder Tarver grinned.

"Alas, I did spend a mere moment last night in the presence of pretty Peyton. Unfortunately for me, Reece Kittle swooped her out of my arms," Vance recounted, laying it on with his sad face.

"Did he?" Gabby repeated, the wheels spinning inside her head.

"Crap, Peyton's going to need help tonight when she hides his body," Sean muttered.

"Don't mind him, ladies. He'll eventually go away," Ellie remarked, placing a bottle of wine on the kitchen island.

"Mom thought we should bring something to help drown out his voice," Cheyenne revealed, placing another bottle on the counter.

"I knew there was a reason that Cordelia was the Sugarbee that I liked best," Gabby declared, walking over to hug Cheyenne. "It's been a few years, young lady. And my have you grown," she gestured to the teen's large rack.

"Gabs!" Rachel admonished, pushing her friend away to issue her own hug. "How was your Christmas, hun?"

As Kimberly greeted the new arrivals neutrally, Sean watched Vance with uneasiness. He'd been only half-joking about Peyton murdering the self-proclaimed Casanova. He knew from overheard conversations that Vance long had his eye on his sister. Lana found him to be obnoxious but also suggested that Peyton should take him out for a spin. An idea that horrified Finn. Still, the comment about Reece intrigued Sean. He wondered if something might finally happen with Rylee's older brother and his sister. It was his watchful eye that caught Vance's attention as it swung over to the one woman that needed protecting.

"And who is this glorious heartbreaker?" Vance inquired, moving past Bridget and toward Chastity.

Lacey gasped in concern. Knowing that Whitney and her father adored Chastity, she began to hurry over before noticing that Sean had the same idea and started sooner.

"I'm Chastity Kupp," the honey blonde introduced herself, offering her hand to shake.

"Kupp, you say? A fitting name for a bombshell with your assets." Bending down, Vance kissed the top of her hand.

"You're funny."

"And you're a peach."

"Who also happens to be a favorite employee of the Diamond family," Sean interrupted, wedging himself between the two. "A legacy employee that Mr. Diamond and his daughter care for very much."

"If you say so," Vance replied dismissively.

"I know so," Lacey reaffirmed. "Chastity is considered family by both the Diamonds and Pierces. So she's off-limits."

"Lace, don't be rude," Rachel hissed.

"I'm not, Mother. I'm making sure that there are no misunderstandings."

"Want a cupcake?" Chastity asked politely. She wasn't sure why Lacey and Sean stopped the goofy man from talking to her, but she trusted Whitney's friend to know what's best.

"I'd gladly taste any cupcake you offered," Vance accepted cheerfully. "A woman that bakes is highly attractive."

"And you're highly annoying," Ellie told her cousin as the honey blonde passed out her treats to the new arrivals.

"These are delicious," Robin declared. "Mrs. Gibble would be impressed."

Chastity grew teary-eyed at such praise. Dreams Muffs bakery was one of her favorite places to visit. Their goods were her only trusted fallback option in case she couldn't find the time to bake her special event treats.

"I think these might be even better than what we picked up this--ack, ack!" RJ's eyes had bugged out moments before he began to **** on the cupcake.

"Great Scott! He needs the hemlock thingy!" Chastity shrieked.

"It's the Heimlich maneuver, and no, he doesn't need it," Ellie remarked, walking over to slap her brother's back. "What he needs to do is control his reactions to hot girls."

A good portion of the kitchen's inhabitants followed RJ's watering eyes across the room to see a returned Skye. The brunette with blonde highlights stood a couple of steps outside the kitchen, studying all the new arrivals in surprise.

"H-Holy...y-you're S-Skye Willows," RJ stammered after he'd stopped ****.

"Um, yes, I am. Have we met?"

"Y-Your h-here?!"

"Duh! Of course, she's here, dummy. We just saw her in those pictures with Whitney," Robin told her brother.

"Oh! You guys saw our pictures?" Skye's face lit up.

Curious to see what over-the-top move that Vance would make on Skye, Sean glanced over at him. He caught the end of an eye-roll and shake of the head at RJ. Befuddled for a moment at the lack of interest, Sean nodded as he recalled Vance's preferences. That's right! Vance has a fetish for blondes. Still, Skye's hot as fuck and has blonde highlights. You'd think he'd make an exception for that.

"Pictures? What pictures?" Gabby shot up straight.

"Are these the ones from the hot springs?" Rachel inquired.

"The ones that the ranger got all worked up over?" Gabby's face brightened with interest. "Show us!"

"Yes, show us!" Bridget further agreed.

"Um, can I use that tablet?" Skye asked. She didn't want to use her phone and risk a repeat of what happened down in the hot tub.

"Are those flowers?" Kimberly questioned, finally noticing the plastic-wrapped item in Vance's hand.

"Yes, I always bring flowers when the mistress of the house is as lovely as Whitney," Vance explained proudly. "Uh, where is she?"

"They're down in the hot tub," Gabby barely looked over as she replied. The fun-loving mom instead crowded around the tablet as Skye brought up her page.

"Hot tub? What hot tub?" Vance's head swiveled all around.

"It's through those doors, down the stairs, and into the room below," Kimberly issued directions. She wasn't happy that Vance hadn't drooled over her, especially as she had blonde hair too.

"Dude, you don't have any swim trunks!" RJ called after his cousin as Vance dashed through the French doors.

"That's the difference between you and me." Vance stopped to turn around and explain. "To me, the lack of trunks is not a problem; it's a benefit."