A few weeks later, a surprise greets you

After that, time seems to fly by.

You and Allison had hit it off great and the familiarity of being good friends allowed you to quickly bypass the awkward stage of "getting to know you" and it soon was easy to transition from being friends that hung out together to being a couple. Randall had settled well into being the third-wheel, though he often ribbed you plenty by stating "I called it!" Allison just laughed along, teasing you and your sense of "knowing what a woman would like" and wondered how much porn rubbed off on you and your teenage mind. For your part, and more than a bit of hesitation, you just grinned and bore it. Randall had been sworn to secrecy not to divulge that you had, at one point, Summer Rain's phone number in your contacts list.

Knowing where he hid the BDSM porn in Alice's home office did that to you.

Still, it was a bit rough at home with the adjustments. Tabitha took it on her own to, in her words, carry on the household as the only "woman of the house" left. Even David pitched in, helping where he could, and Allison had no problems often hanging out and making herself useful. You couldn't have asked for a better girlfriend (your dad admitting as much). Speaking of your father, he had taken the news of your mom's mental drift rather hard but he was a soldier and he even had put himself out there to see life again as a single father of three. A bit tepid in nature, overall, you were proud of him and the steps he was taking.

****

"Listen, I know we have the report due in about a week, did you think we can make arrangements to..." you stopped as your eyes adjusted to the bright kitchen lights and the sudden appearance of an all-too familiar face sitting at your kitchen table. It took you all of the energy in your body not to shout or scream but instead you just looked at the visitor sitting at your table, your siblings looking between the person and you.

"Ah, Tim, I'm sorry for dropping by, but I needed to speak with you."

You quickly told Allison you'd call her back and after hanging up, you took a seat next to David and looked at the old man across from them. "What can I help you with, Dr. Saunders?"

"Since the three of you are here, I need to speak with you three about someone you know. In particular..."