Pandora is now setting up home on her own, with Brock off fighting a war a world away. Thankfully, she has great friends who have come for the weekend. Welcome to Lipstick Lies!
2989 NW Esplanade is the new Seattle home to Brock Carrendar and Pandora LaRue. Brock purchased the house for Pandora while they were in Hawaii when Brock realized that Pandora was very uncomfortable living in his apartment complex with his brothers and fathers, and her apartment was too small for all their belongings. Come by for a visit!
Please state where your characters are in the house at the beginning of your post.
Basment/First Floor Area
After putting away the groceries, Pandora went to her bedroom to put the few personal products in the bathroom, dropping the testing kit on the counter. She glanced at it as she left the bathroom again, nervously pacing her bedroom as thoughts crowded her mind.
“Okay…okay…calm down, Pan. It’s not the end of the world. So you…might…be pregnant…this could be a good thing…and if you are, at least you know it’s Brock’s.” she chuckled, tears springing to her eyes. “Okay, okay. Just do it and get it over with.”
She turned on her heel and went into the bathroom once again. She snatched up the box, reading the directions on how to perform the test. She sat on the toilet and took the test, setting the stick on the counter as she washed her hands.
“5 minutes…my life may or may not change in 5 minutes.” she mumbled, bent over the sink and staring at her pale face in the mirror. She needed to keep her mind occupied. She left the bathroom and headed downstairs.
Kitchen
She rifled through the contents of her kitchen, wondering what to fix for dinner.
“Spaghetti and garlic bread.” she stated, pulling out the items needed. She put on a pot of water to boil for the pasta noodles and flipped on the oven for the bread. She kept an eye on the wall clock as she kept an eye on the water, counting down the minutes.
She dumped the noodles in the pot as the water began to boil before turning down the heat and adding a small splash of vegetable oil to the water so the noodles didn’t stick together. Stirring the hamburger and sauce together, she covered the pan with a lid, turning down the heat on that as well.
Well beyond the time when the test was completed, she made her way back upstairs, rubbing her hands nervously. She paused on the threshhold of the bathroom, staring at one little innocent stick resting on the counter. She couldn’t see the results from where she stood, but she knew it was there.
Bathroom
“Just go look already. One small peek.” she whispered, swallowing a lump in her throat. Taking a deep breath, she stepped further into the bathroom. She moved toward the sink, her heart beating a mile a minute. She picked up the test stick with a shaky hand and bracing herself, she looked down.
She sat on the edge of the tub in shock, her legs no longer able to support her body.
“I’m pregnant!” she whispered. A sob caught in her throat. “I’m pregnant. Jesus, I’m pregnant!” she laughed, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her heart felt so full she didn’t know how to contain it.
It was at that moment that the doorbell rang.
“Oh my god! Jane and Jason!” she exclaimed. “My dinner!” She quickly splashed water on her flushed and tear-streaked face, quickly drying off before she rushed downstairs. She took a deep breath to calm herself before she plastered a smile on her face and opened the door.
Front Hall
Her friends stood on her porch, luggage in hand.
“Hey, come on in. Sorry to rush but I have dinner going on the stove.” she told them, rushing back into the kitchen. There were a few minutes left on the bread and the sauce was nearly ready. She dumped the cooked noodles into the strainer in the sink before she moved to hug them both.
“Welcome to my humble abode.” she finally greeted them properly.
When Jane and Jason pulled up in the driveway of Pandora’s new home, Jane’s jaw fell open at the true beauty of the traditional style dwelling. So very different from what she imagined, and the photos she had seen of it on Pandora’s cell had truly not done it justice. Gushing, she slapped Jason’s arm playfully.
“Isn’t that the most gorgeous thing you ever did see?’ Bubbling with her enthusiasm, as much as ever. The ditzy blonde was practically bouncing in her seat, excited to be spending the weekend with Pandora and helping her with the garden. Jason could only smirk in response to Jane’s high pitch questioning. He on the other hand found the view in the front seat of the sedan to be more beautiful. “Oh I don’t know, I think you’re gorgeous.” Jason winked at Jane as she started to make a cat like pawing action at him, before undoing her seat belt and then fussing with the door. They had brought an overnight bag each, as well as gardening supplies, some plants and seedling packets in the boot. “You get the luggage and I will carry in the supplies.”
Once they had unloaded the car, and Jane had taken most of her gardening supplies to the garage, they then walked up the garden path and up onto the veranda.
Jason set down the luggage while Jane rang the bell only to see a flushed looking Pandora answer the door.
“Hey, come on in. Sorry to rush but I have dinner going on the stove.”
At that moment, she rushed back into the kitchen, and fussed madly about while Jason smirked and ushered his fiance’ inside. You could smell the richness of the garlic sauce and the benches were a bit of a sight. Jane giggled as she came in and came up alongside Pandora as she cooked, giving her a little hip bump as she was greeted in turn with a hug. Jason smiled broadly to see Pandora so full of life.
“I thought Brock was the chef in the house.” This was what he had heard, from the many times he had spoken to Pandora after she got back with Brock in Hawaii. He glanced over the simmering pot of spaghetti sauce and the cooked noodles in the strainer. He snuck over and sampled a string of pasta to see if it was perfect. He smacked his lips and said. “Not bad…could use a touch of salt.”
Jane squeaked. “Oh, it doesn’t need salt. Stop being so picky.” Jane hated to think that Jason was criticizing Pandora’s efforts. It was then Jane noticed that Pandora’s face was a little blotchy. She reached up and caressed her cheek softly.“Are you okay, Panda?” For some reason, everyone loved to call her Panda.
Jason picked up on this and wandered over, his brows knitting as he too became concerned. “Did we arrive at a bad time?’
It was a good question.
<3>
“Are you okay, Panda?” Jane asked, looking at her with some concern. Pan laughed off the question, though it sounded a bit forced on her part.
“I’m fine. Just fine. It’s warm in here, is all. And I was chopping an onion. No biggie.” she grinned. She wanted to cringe at how stupid she sounded.
Now Jason was looking at her with concern as well.
“Did we arrive at a bad time?”
“No…no. I’m just…happy you guys are here.” she smiled. “Oh! Manners. You guys want a beer or something?” she wondered, darting around them both to go to the fridge. “It’s just me here so I had to go shopping today. I did pick up some wine and a couple of cases of beer. Or I have soda, water and lemonade. Your choice. Just make yourselves at home.” she grinned. “I’m just going to go take your bags up to the guest room. I forgot to make up the bed in there so I’m going to go do that.” She turned off the sauce on the stove as it was done and removed the bread from the oven, glad she hadn’t burnt either.
She looked at them both. “Be right back. Go ahead and start eating if you’d like. Plates are in the cabinet next to the fridge and silverware are in the drawer next to the stove.” And with that she was out of the kitchen as if the hounds of hell were after her, leaving her friends staring after her.
It was a given that nobody had ever seen this side of Pandora and it was a bit shocking.
Pandora’s Bathroom
After making up the bed in the guest room and settling their things nearby to be unpacked later, Pandora darted into her own bathroom and sank down on the edge of the tub. The test stick was still sitting on the sink where she dropped it and she looked at it again to make sure she hadn’t imagined it.
Her emotions were all over the place and she couldn’t take it anymore. Her head dropped into her hands and she broke down into tears, trying to muffle her sobs so her friends couldn’t hear her (wishful thinking on her part).
Alone and pregnant…and missing Brock like crazy.
It was a lot to deal with.
Both Jason and Jane just stood there as Pandora turned into this whirlwind. Talking one hundred miles per hour and darting about the kitchen like the Flash. It was concerning as it was unsettling to watch. The couple exchanged a glance, barely able to get a word in as Pandora snatched up their over night bags and dashed out of the room as though her tail was on fire.
When she was out of sight, Jane was the first to remark. “Okay…what in the hell was that?” She wasn’t stupid, well, anyone could see that something was deeply troubling Pandora and she was doing one hell of a performance to keep her guests from guessing. Neither felt like eating without her, and Jason was alert to there being something really wrong.
“Jane, love. You set up the table and get us all a drink, I am going upstairs to check on Pan.”
“Okay.”
Jane immediately went to the fridge and took out a bottle of wine, and then turned to get some glasses, as Jason left the room.
Pandora’s Bathroom
Walking up the stairs, Jason cautiously looked around as he padded down to where Pandora’s room was. He peeked inside and whispered her name, only to see the bathroom door closed. From within, there was a muffled sound. The sound of crying. Sighing, Jason wandered through and then he hesitated before knocking lightly.
“Now…when have we ever kept secrets from each other, Pan?” He said in a soft voice. He pressed his hand to the door, and bowed his head, thinking that this might be a hormonal problem, coupled with the fact that Brock was away and Pandora was dealing with it all on her own.
“Best thing in the world, is to talk about our problems.”
He then stood back and waited for her to open the door.
<3>
Pandora heard the knock at the door and inhaled sharply. She had a feeling her friends knew she wasn’t being herself, and it was a testament to their short friendship that they knew her as well as she knew herself.
“What?” she snapped, wiping her face. She hated feeling so weak.
“Now…when have we ever kept secrets from each other, Pan?” she heard Jason’s voice come through the door. “Best thing in the world, is to talk about our problems.”
She could hear the concern, patience and worry in his voice and a fresh wave of tears blurred her vision. A lump formed in her throat and she couldn’t even form the words that were on the tip of her tongue. She swiped at her eyes again but her tears continued to fall without her permission.
“Oh what the hell! You’re going to find out one way or another.” she muttered, getting to her feet. She opened the door, pressed the test stick into his hand and moved to sit on her bed. She looked so sad and pathetic, it was heartbreaking.
The door finally opened and it was a tear streaked face that met Jason’s gaze. Before he had a chance to speak, she thrust a pregnancy test stick into his hand, blurting that he was going to find out one way or another. Letting her past, he stared down at the stick, and of course the result. The unmistakable two lines.
Pandora was pregnant.
Slowly, a smile crossed Jason’s face and he could feel a swell of happiness from within. “This explains a lot.” He was about to say that Jane would go crazy when she found out, only he then saw how sad Pandora looked. It really was a heart breaking sight.
“Pandora.” Jason always had THAT voice, when he was talking to a patient, but this was a little different given the circumstance. He crossed the floor and sat down on the bed beside her, placing an arm around her reassuringly. “Don’t go thinking you have to struggle with this all on your own, kiddo.” He drew her closer and held the stick out before them both.
“Do you know how many people pray for this sort of result?”
Jason kissed the top of her head as he knew she was still wrought with worry and sadness. It would have a lot to do with the fact that Brock was not there to celebrate this happy tiding. “Brock will be over the moon when he finds out.” This is something that Jason was sure of. Jason handed her back the stick and said; “You’re going to be a great Mommy.”
<3>
“Pandora.” Jason sighed, causing her to wince at his tone. The last time she heard that from him, she had been yelling at him and kicking him out of her hotel room. But he surprised her by sitting next to her and placing his arm around her shoulders.
“Don’t go thinking you have to struggle with this all on your own, kiddo. Do you know how many people pray for this sort of result? Brock will be over the moon when he finds out.”
“I know that, Jason…and I’m happy about it, despite everything…but…” she sighed, raking her fingers through her hair. “Brock’s not here. I don’t know where he is, if he’s safe, or when he’s coming back. I don’t know if he’s alive or dead. How am I supposed to tell our child about where he is and why he left us alone?”
She looked down at the stick pressed into her hand by Jason.
“You’re going to be a great Mommy.”
“Oh yes. Shining example of motherhood I had. Willing to sell her daughter’s body for an ounce of coke to her pimp husband.” she snorted. She looked at the two lines denoting her pregnant state before looking at Jason. “Do you think so?” She sounded so uncharacteristically lost.
As Jason rushed to reassure her that Pandora would be a fantastic mother, the sound of the doorbell pealed through the house. Frowning, Pandora went to the window and looked to see who could be at her door. Her eyes widened in shock and without a word to Jason, she ran from the room, flying down the stairs at a neck-breaking pace.
She tossed open the door and with a scream of happiness, enveloped the two young men who were standing on her porch.
“Oh my god! What are you guys doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be at school?” she exclaimed as she stepped back. Jason and Jane would see two identical young men standing in the door and most likely wonder who they were.
“We’re on summer break.” the one on the left said.
“And we decided to come see you.” stated the one on the right. Pandora threw her arms around them again as they shared a three-way hug.
“I am so glad to see you both. I’ve missed you so much.” Pandora whispered, tears clogging her throat.
“Hey, sis? What’s with the waterworks?” came the expected question. Pandora stepped back with a laugh, grabbing them by their hands and pulling them into the house.
“It’s nothing. I’ll tell you later.” She saw Jason and Jane and laughed, forgetting that her friends were there for the moment.
“Jason Lumbard, Jane Harrison – meet my brothers, Caleb and Caden.” she introduced.
“Nice to meet you!” the twins stated in unison, friendly smiles on their faces. Pandora looked at her brothers.
“How long are you guys in town for?”
Caleb looked at his brother in silent conversation before they both turned to look at their sister.
“Permanently, actually.” Caden stated. Pandora’s eyes widened.
“What? What about school? You can’t just up and leave like that!” she exclaimed.
“We didn’t.” Caleb told her. She glared at them both, hands on her hips.
“Explain! Now!” she demanded. In reply, Caden handed his sister a letter. “What’s this?”
“Read it, sis.” he urged. Frowning at them both, she directed her gaze down at the words on the paper. It was on college letterhead and it took her a moment to process what she was reading.
“Why does this say that you both have been accepted as transfers to Washington State?”
“Because we have.” Caleb grinned.
“You’re moving here?”
“Yes.” they both answered.
“Why?”
“One, to be close to you of course. And two, because they have a better medical program then the one back home.”
“Jesus, you two.” Pandora sniffled, hugging them both once more. “What am I going to do with you?”
“How about some food? I thought I smelled spaghetti.” Caden grinned.
“You did. We were just about to eat.” Pandora laughed. “And…we have a lot to talk about.” She realized she neglected to tell her brothers about her and Brock being together again…among other things. This was going to be an enlightening conversation – doubly so since Jane didn’t have a single idea about Pandora’s own abilities.
Jane was placing out the cutlery on the dining table, when she heard the doorbell ring. The blonde florist didn’t know that Pandora was expecting others, until she heard the sound of a scream from the second floor, and then Pandora coming flying down the stairs to greet whoever it was. Wiping her hands on her jeans, Jane started for the hall only to be met by Jason, who wasn’t as fast coming down the stairs. He had a bemused expression and naturally Jane was curious. She tugged at his shirt to pull him aside and whispered.
“What’s going on?” Thinking that Jason must have known by now as to why Pandora was acting so strange earlier. Jason silenced his love by kissing her lips and then winking. “It’s not for me to say.” He whispered back, before placing an arm around her and guiding the confused young blonde out into the foyer, where Pandora was greeting her brothers enthusiastically.
Being the gracious hostess that she was, Pandora lead the introductions.
“Jason Lumbard, Jane Harrison – meet my brothers, Caleb and Caden.”
The twins both chimed in that they were delighted to meet Jason and Jane, and Jason did a short wave while Jane was still prodding Jason’s side, trying to get more out of him of what happened upstairs. Jason slapped her backside to get her to quit and he then said.
“Nice to meet you boys.”
Jane grumbled then she put on her bright fifty watt smile. “Hello!” Her head tilting to the side and she said through gritted teeth to Jason. “I hate secrets.”
On hearing that the boys were hungry, Jane remembered that she had been setting places at the table. She dashed back into the kitchen to help get out the extra plates and cutlery needed while Jason could only smirk and nod at Pandora’s comment that there was a lot to discuss.
“Pan’s right about that.”
<3>
And so, over a nice dinner of spaghetti and garlic bread, Pandora told the same story to Jane (and in turn, her brothers) about Brock that she had given Erica the night of July 4th; who Brock really was, his abilities and powers, and why he wasn’t here now. She also told Jane about how she was able to light fires with a though, demonstrating quickly by lighting her own hand on fire and extinguishing the flames a moment later.
“I didn’t want anyone to find out, but it’s kind of necessary right now.” Pandora stated, taking a sip of ice tea.
“Why?” Caleb wondered. She set down her cup and took a deep breath. This was the moment of truth.
“I’m pregnant.” she stated, a small smile of happiness on her face.
Nobody said anything for a very long moment, making her nervous that she’d done something wrong. Caden was the first to react. He left his seat and approached his sister. Pandora was slightly worried about what he would do, but she had nothing to fear as he hauled her to her feet and pulled her into a tight hug.
“I am so happy for you, sis. This is awesome news.” Caden grinned.
“You’re not mad?”
“Mad? Why would I be mad about this? You’re going to be a mom!” he grinned, then his eyes went wide. “I’m going to be an uncle!” he cheered, fist pumping in the air. Caleb joined brother and sister in the happy little celebration.
“This kid is going to be spoiled rotten.” Caleb snickered.
Pandora smiled at her brothers, happy that they were happy about the new edition coming into their lives. She turned to look at Jane, who had yet to say a word.
“Janey? What do you think of all this?”
Pandora finally turned to Jane to ask her take on all this, and for the first part Jane just sat there, with a grinning Jason sitting beside her.
“Janey? What do you think of all this?”
“I’m just….shocked. You must have conceived while we were all in Hawaii. Man, what did they put in those cocktails?”
It took a moment for Jane to get her head around it all, and when she did, she suddenly made a loud whooping sound.“You’re having a little bitty baby!” The ditzy blonde clapped repeatedly and Jason wrapped an arm around her as the penny finally dropped.
“Ooo you are going to have a baby belly for the wedding. I wonder if you should wear a floral dress…rather than the pink.” Jane wasn’t sure if she had asked Pandora to be her Matron of honor as yet, but in all the madness she was now blurting out things that had nothing to do with the baby.
<3>
