chapter twelve// firefighter Barbie
Evelyn wordlessly sat in the back of her home room class watching the morning announcements willing it to finish. The fifteen year old couldn't give a fuck about the chess triathlon on Saturday or about the cheerleading teams fundraiser to raise money for new uniforms and by the looks of it her home room teacher Miss Kennedy would rather be anywhere else also
the classrooms door flew open diverting the blondes attention from the screen to Athena who stood sheepishly at the top of the room a duffer bag slung over her shoulder, "sorry, soccer practice" she smiled her tan cheeks showing a light shade of red as practically the entire room had turned to look at her
Being as kind as she was, a complete opposite to most people she'd met, the teacher shook her head offering the curly haired girl a comforting smile "go take a seat, you're missing the most fascinating broadcast ever"
Evelyn watched as Athena walked towards the back of the class room and sat down in the seat beside her, just like she had yesterday "hey" she whispered as to not interrupt morning announcements, "we missed you at lunch yesterday"
"yeah sorry I, uh got lost and couldn't find you guys" she said quickly coming up with a lie, guilt gnawing at her insides — the teen didn't think Athena actually wanted to sit with her
"what class do you have before lunch? I can meet you there and we can walk to the cafeteria together" she replied easily coming up with a solution
It would be an understatement to say Evelyn was shocked, "you don't have to do that—"
"—no, but I want to" Athena shook her head making it clear there was no point in arguing "it's no big deal anything for a friend, so what class have you got?"
Evelyn smiled widely at the girl—her now friend apparently "thanks and I've got art with Mr Dorris" , watching as Athena's eyes lit up at the mention of the teachers name
"lucky. Ive never had him but according to Em he's a major dilf" she smiled cheekily as she grinned suggestively at the the blonde who shook her head in amusement, "you're laughing now but wait to you see those hands, apparently you'll never have an inn one thought again— not really my type though"
Before she could reply her phone flashed with a text from her foster mom Maya,
M: dinners at 7, Andy and Vic can't wait to meet you!
Nervous flutters filled her stomach at that but ignored it wanting to make her foster parents happy, instead she picked up her phone typing a quick reply that hopefully didn't scream her distaste at the idea
"she's so cute" Athena commented, Evelyns eyes flickered in confusion before she followed the girls line of sight down to her phone Athena's attention obviously haven been stolen by her Lock Screen — a picture of Faith taken this morning as she smiled cheekily her face covered in maple syrup "is that your sister?"
Evelyns face paled, she really didn't want to have to do this, but she couldn't exactly lie. She wouldn't deny her own kid
"no, Faiths my, my d-daughter" she admitted quietly watching timidly for any sign of shock or disgust on the brunettes face but finding none, much to her surprise haven been more than use to the negative reactions that came from 'friends' when they found out about the toddler,
"she looks a lot like you" she offered Evelyn a smile to ease the nerves it was obvious she was filled with, "we don't have to talk about it, not till your ready or ever that's your choice" Athena could tell it took a lot from her new friend to even admit she had kid, she didn't want to make her anymore uncomfortable
"but for what it's worth I bet your an amazing mom" Evelyn blushed trying to hide her shock at Athena's reaction she was at the very least expecting to be shamed just like Georgie had done yesterday, she muttered a quiet thanks "and I can't wait to meet the little cutie, whenever your ready of course"
Since having Faith two years ago she'd never introduced her to anybody (expect her foster placements for obvious reasons, though if she had a choice she definitely wouldn't have ) due to an abundance of trust issues — but despite knowing the brunette, her first real friend for just over 24 hours she had none of the same worries that usually would have consumed her and sent her into panic, she felt herself letting out a real smile for what felt like the first time in forever
Lunch had come sooner than Evelyn would have wanted as she followed Athena through the busy cafeteria (of teens fighting for the front of the food line or good seats that weren't crammed by freshman rushing to finish their homework) not stopping, instead heading straight outside where picnic tables and benches littered the grass court yard, "they're all over there by the tree"
She walked quicker to keep in step with the girl who in Evelyns opinion was way too over energetic for being at school, though she had to admit her attitude was a welcome breeze to her usual gloomy life
"Evelyn meet Addie—" Athena began introducing the blonde to her friend group once they had reached the tree, the raven haired girl who'd she learned to be called Addie smiled warmly at her, the girls dimples showing, "Tate—", the boy grinned offering a small wave as he greeted her with an hey,
"Faye" Athena added gesturing to the blonde who smiled at the mention of her name, although it was nothing like Addies welcoming one, in- fact it looked forced and Evelyn was sure the girl was looking her up and down (though she couldn't be completely sure due to the false eyelashes coating her eyes), but decided against saying anything heaven probably imagined it
"And you already know Em and Chris" Evelyn nodded trying not to let her awkwardness show as she followed Athena's suit and sat down on the grass next to her and Chris, almost immediately regretting her decision as she swore she could feel Faye glaring daggers at her as she violently ate her sandwich
Evelyn nervously gulped as she pulled her tote bag from her shoulder and sat it on her lap pulling out the packed lunch Carina had made her (despite her insistence that it wasn't necessary the Italian was quite persuasive) , "is that a cake pop?" she heard Tate ask his mouth watering as he caught sight of the pink dessert Faith had decorated with way too many sprinkles through the blondes clear lunch box
"uh, y-yeah? You want it?" offering it to the curly haired boy who thanked her before snatching it of the blonde, "don't your parents feed you?" Emily asked the boy beside her as she laughed slightly amused, Tate mumbling something incoherent back at her as he shoved the cake pop into his mouth
"don't mind Tate he left his manners in the womb" Chris said from beside her, before handing her what looked to be a brownie, Evelyn looking towards him in confusion "my mom always packs us extra, and uh don't worry Tate doesn't like them"
"did you have a good day in school bambina?" Carina asked once the teen had got in the car abandoning her bag at her feet, slightly surprised the Italian had actually picked her up and on time with Faith in the back (sleeping) like she had said she would, "make any new friends?"
Evelyn smiled, "yeah it was good, Athena, the girl from my home room class let me eat lunch with her and her friends"
Carina grinned from ear to ear more than happy to know that Evelyn was settling in at school okay, her nerves from the past two days eating at her "that's great Evie, Athena's friends with my friend Amelia's twins Emily and Chris Sì?"
"yeah, we're all in English together and I'm in bio with Emily and Algebra with Chris I think" she answered picking at her nails, what if the twins didn't like her? They'd surely tell their mom who'd tell Carina and then what would happen?— Evelyn didn't want to find out
The Italian woman nodded as she kept her eyes on the road, making a mental note to text Amelia later as she continued to ask her foster daughter about her school day and soon the car had stopped as Carina parked it in the garage, both of them exiting the car to head inside
"need any help bambina?" she asked watching as Evelyn juggled holding her bag and now Faith who was still dead asleep, her head dropping to her mothers shoulder as the teen settled her in her arms
Evelyn shook her head, "it's fine I got it" she said showing a grateful smile as she followed Carina into the house muttering a thanks as she held the door open for her to walk through
"nessun problema, figlia Mia" she shook her head setting her purse and keys onto the kitchen counter before turning to look at the teen "do you have any homework you need to do before Victoria and Andy come?"
"just some maths questions to finish, I can help you make dinner first" she said, looking at the Italian with a confused look when she shook , usually her homework was made to wait while chores like cooking took priority, "are you sure, I don't mind"
Carina smiled sadly at the girl, "that's okay bambina thank you for asking though" she wanted desperately separately for her foster daughter to see that she was safe here, that she didn't have to do unnecessary chores like cleaning up after everyone following breakfast or making dinner for them plus guests just to guarantee her spot at the home for another day, she was here to stay as far as Maya and Carina were concerned "why don't you go lie the Tesoro down, though probably not for long we both know she doesn't like to go to bed as is and then once you've done your work I can show you both the familia tiramisu recipe, hmm?"
"okay" Evelyn nodded adjusting the sleeping toddler on her hip before walking around Carina to get to the stairs, the doctor placing a kiss on her forehead as she did, "oh" she said stopping once she reached the stairs, turning round to look at her foster mother "should I get changed, before t-they come?"
"you look beautiful Evie" she disagreed, the teens face redeeming at the comment "besides Andy and Vic are family they won't care what you're wearing they just what to get to know their newest niece, sì?"
As Evelyn bid Carina one last goodbye she tried to ignore the flutters in her tummy at the term of endearment — she really hoped she wouldn't screw up , she was beginning to feel at home here
"Honey I'm home" Maya called out jokingly just over an hour later, as she walked in the front door slipping off her shoes by the front door and leaving her keys in the dish
"Car?" She shouted once more when she didn't receive an answer
"in the kitchen" she heard her wife shout back followed by a fit of giggles which she recognised belonged to Faith, she followed the noise
Upon entering the kitchen the firefighter felt her heart her heart double in size at the domestic scene in front of her— Faith sat on her knees on the island a mixing bowl in font of her which she was presumably suppose to be stirring (though judging by the cocoa powder surrounding her mouth she wasn't doing a great job) , Evelyn stood protectively behind her making sure that she wouldn't fall while holding the whisk attempting to get the very stubborn toddler back on task
Carina stood beside them whipping together the wet ingredients dressed in the patterned apron she found in a market on their anniversary trip to Sicily last year —Maya thought she looked hot
"hello my loves" she spoke finally catching her three girls attention
Faith smiled at the oldest blonde offering her the spoon she was holding, "some?", Maya wanted to coo at the two year olds cuteness
"no thanks Fai, I'm not as cute as you so Car will have my head" she widened her eyes as she playfully ruffled the girls hair. Maya could feel Carina glaring at her, deciding to ignore that she pulled her foster daughter into a side hug placing a kiss on her forehead "have a good day Ev?"
Evelyn nodded into her chest , making sure to keep her free hand round Faith so she could fall "you still okay for dinner? There's still plenty of time to cancel" she checked again, not wanting her foster daughter to feel uncomfortable in her own home or pressured into doing something she didn't what just to appease herself and Carina
"I'm fine with it" she said, "promise" she added when she caught sight of the unsure look on her foster moms face, "besides they're your friends and colleagues, gonna have to meet them eventually right?"
Maya let out a laugh, "suppose you're right kid" she squeezed her one more time before making her way over to her wife opening her arms, "what's cooking love" she asked wrapping her arms around the Italians waist resting her head onto her shoulder as she tried to catch a look into pot
"tiramisu" she replied turning around in her wife's hold giving the woman a stern yet loving look "you need to shower, you stink of smoke Bella — our guests will be here in less than an hour!!"
Maya looked over at Evelyn jokingly rolling her eyes the teen trying to hold in a laugh as she turned back towards helping Faith stir, "okay I'm going" she said pecking Carinas lips receiving a satisfied huff "and we'll be talking about this later" she added
This time it was Carinas turn to roll her eyes, she knew exactly what the blonde was referring to — since they'd met she had kept her tiramisu recipe top secret from Maya despite the blonde constantly begging to know the secret ingredient her favourite dessert. It was fair to say she was jealous
"you are not getting the recipe, now go"
Evelyn was beginning to regret agreeing to this dinner, she wished she could take a time machine and go back to just an hour ago when Maya had checked with her for the final time and say fuck no to the idea of meeting the woman's friends especially in such a formal setting (though Evelyn knew that even if going back in time was possible, she'd lie again about being excited to meet the two women to appease her foster mothers— the blonde teen hated that she was a people pleaser)
She anxiously sat on the couch, Faith between her legs as she fixed the braid that was coming loose from the toddlers hair. As she tied in the elastic band in place she heard her phone ding from Faiths hands who had been watching Ben and Hollys little kingdom, the teens attempt at keeping her distracted so she stayed still while getting her hair done,
"momma 'essage" she said showing the blonde the lit up phone
"can I see?" Evelyn asked smiling at Faith who gently handed her the phone, climbing onto her mothers lap to look at the notification too even if she couldn't read yet, "thank you baby"
Evelyn scrolled down her short list of notifications seeing the most recent once sent was an email, clicking on it she saw it was an emailed response from District one one of the places she had sent her CV to just yesterday asking her if she was available for an in person interview on Saturday
suddenly her anxiety amplified, she had stupidly forgot about Faith and she was sure her possible employers wouldn't be too happy about her showing up with a toddler who sometimes liked to run wild at the worst possible times with no shoes or socks on (a habit she'd just recently picked up much to the teens dismay) — that wouldn't be the best of first impressions
Evelyn quickly became aware that she'd have to ask one of her foster parents for help minding the girl, guilt already swarming her insides as they'd done so much for her already she didn't want them to get mad at her for asking for more, surely coming across as ungrateful
But she needed this job desperately and fast if she was to prove Veronica wrong so she'd just have to suck it up and ask them —hopefully if this dinner went well they wouldn't be too angry and let her go
A knock sounded the house and the teen felt her heart drop, "there here" Maya announced as though it wasn't already painfully obvious as she walked to answer the door, Carina stood beside her foster daughter in the kitchen her arm wrapped round the girls shoulder in comfort assuring her that everything would be fine as the teen assisted her in carrying the food into the adjoining room
"you're here" the fire captain smiled as she opened the front door letting the two women walk in, " and only forty seven minutes late, that's got to be some new record I'm proud honestly"
Vic huffed as she slipped off her shoes Andy following suit, "sorry we can't all be like queen of the clipboard Maya Bishop"
Maya ignored the brunettes comment taking both women's coats, hanging them on the hook beside the front door "it's this one's fault" Andy gestures to Vic with her shoulder "dragged me to every shop in the mall to find the perfect gift for Evelyn and Faith"
The blondes eyes fell to the abnormally large gift bags in both her friends hands, "you didn't have to get them anything" she lightly scolded
It was Hughes turn to roll her eyes, "hey, I gotta put the work in if I want to be awarded favourite auntie"
"No chance" Andy muttered under her breath covering the comment with a cough when Vic glared at her from beside her, Maya laughed, "so, where are they? I think it's time they meet their Tia Andy"
"they both should be in the dinning room helping Car set the table" she said watching as Victoria's eyes widened in excitement about to race to said room, Maya held her hand out stopping her "but before you go in you've both gotta promise not to overwhelm her— and that means no hugs unless she's comfortable and no integrator style questions" she warned addressing the last part towards Vic especially
"God, Mommy Bishops protective" she laughed nudging Andy although quickly quieted down once Mayas eyebrows raised her eyebrows sending her a heated glared, "promise" she mumbled, Andy tried hard not to laugh as they both followed the blonde through her house and into the dinning room
Maya let out a breath of relief as they entered the room as both Andy and Vic chose to greet Carina first with hugs instead of immediately pouncing on the who hadn't lifted her eyes from the floor since they had walked in, cowering into herself as though to make her self look as small as possible not as to not draw attention to herself
The older blonde gently set her had on her foster kids shoulder, whispering to her "it's just Andy and Vic remember? they're nice I promise" Evelyn just nodded carefully watching as the two guests said their hellos to her other foster mother, Faith nervously watched too from behind her mothers leg, "are you sure you're okay with this, sweets?"
"mhm" she sent the older woman a tight lipped smile, of course she wasn't okay with it! She'd spent all of third and fourth period anxiously biting her nails down to a pulp in anticipation, "great 'cause there coming over here now"
Evelyn barley had time to react to that before Faith was pulling at her legs begging to be lifted into her arms, (which of course she complied with, more for her own comfort if she was being totally honest) and Carina along with the two dinner guests were stood in front of her, one in particular was quite literally beaming at her
"uh, Evie this is Andrea—" Carina introduced pointing to the taller of the women, Andrea smiling warmly at her, Evelyn attempted to return it but she was sure the 'smile' she gave made her look constipated and terrified as fuck. She was positive that if it wasn't for Mayas hand still protectively placed around her, rubbing comforting circles she would have ran away already and hid under the bed
"— and Victoria" she finished pointing to the other woman who looked like a kid in a candy shop. Evelyn had never seen anyone look that happy
"Vic is fine, it's so nice to meet you Evelyn" she smiled widely at her, the blonde mumbled a hi, her cheeks turning an impossible shade of pink —hi? who the hell says hi? she wanted the ground to swallow her up
Probably sensing her deathly painful awkwardness Andrea or Andy, she wasn't sure what she was allowed to call her yet turned her attention to Faith , "and who's this little chica"
Faith hid further in Evelyns neck, her breathe tickling the teen "it's okay, you can say hi" she spoke quietly to her daughter, so no one else picked up on it — while the toddler was usually a social butterfly she had the sixth sense of undertaking the blondes emotions especially when she was nervous so reassurance from Evelyn was necessary
"Hewwo" she spoke shyly, moving her face a
so she could face the two women her fingers digging into Evelyns shoulder, " I 'aith"
"woah that's such a pretty name, can I have it?" Andy playfully asked, the two year old quickly shook her head — her pig tails hitting Eve in the face
"no silly" she giggled, mumbling another few words in between her fit of laughter
" I didn't understand a word you just said but gosh you're cute" Vic cooed, in turn making Evelyn feel more at peace with their presence as a result of simply being nice to her daughter
"Okay, why don't we get started on dinner before it gets cold sí ?" Carina suggests after the introductions were made and (hopefully) the awkwardness was over— Maya practically drooled at the proposal
"sounds good, I've been dreaming of that tiramisu all day"
Dinner had surprisingly been a breeze for the teen, managing to clear just over half her plate and all of the dessert (it was fair to say the Deluca families tiramisu lived up to the hype) in between Andy and Vics questions about simple topics like school, friends, what tv shows she liked, clothes and boys — thankfully being able to avoid the last topic by awkwardly excusing herself and Faith to the toilet even after the toddler insisted she didn't need to go, she wasn't even fully potty trained yet?!
She just hoped none of the four adults noticed her flustered state, doubtful
After settling Faith to bed who'd passed out in her mothers lap after her last bite of dessert, Evelyn joined the four in the living room to be met with Andy and Vic fighting over what movie to play, Carina munching on popcorn tuning them out while Maya looked like she wanted to punch her two friends
She settled herself in between her foster mothers on the three seater couch, not quite comfortable enough to sit next to Andy and Vic who had taken up her usual spot (though there was definitely room for her)
"Hey!" Maya said interrupting their sibling like bickering, "why don't we let Ev pick" she suggested, well more demanded once she noticed her kids presence. Evelyns eyes widened, regretting walking in almost immediately
"Im going to get more popcorn" Carina announced, handing Evelyn her blanket she stood up whispering to her "good luck bambina"
"Oh uh, that's okay — I don't mind what we watch"
"please, their killing me" Maya begged her eyes wide as she looked hopelessly at her foster daughter
"Fine" the teen quickly gave in to appease her foster mother, "w-what are the options ?" She asked just at carina walked back into the room, handing a bowl of popcorn to Andy and Vic to share (and no doubt fight over) and one for herself, Ev and Maya to have
"Legally blonde,ten things I hate about you, letters to Juliet, the holiday—" Carina began listing, Evelyn could hear Andy mutter under her breath it's not even Christmas "or anything else, Netflix is your oyster — just please choose something, anything before they start fighting like little bambine again"
Andy and Vic huffed in silence at getting called out by the Italian and if Evelyn wasn't so fucking nervous about choosing the right movie she would of laughed at the looks on their faces
Evelyn thought for a minute before a conversation she had with Athena walking to class popped into her mind, "um, c-can we watch imagine me and you?, if that's okay" she had wanted to watch it the second Athena mentioned it, to have something to talk to her about other than the English homework or how hot Athena didn't find the art teacher
Vic smiled though it wasn't her choice she was glad the teenager she'd met just a few hours ago was feeling at least comfortable enough to suggest a movie option, "what's it about" she asked after demanding Andrea to get the movie on the tv
"I- I don't know, my friend Athena suggested it" She shrugged playing with the edge of the blanket now draped across her knees and tucked round her body as she sat comfortably against the couch, almost leaning into both her foster parents as carina mindlessly played with the girls hair
"Oh, sh— sugar before I forget" Vic stood up, running out of the room and back within 30 seconds, deciding now as Andy searched for the film on Netflix was the best time to give Evelyn the gifts she'd gotten for both her and Faith,
"here, just a little something" she nochantly shrugged handing the unusually large gift bags to a shocked Evelyn, and faiths to Carina
"Oh, t-this is for me?" She asked trying not to sound as surprised as she felt, she couldn't remember the last time she got a gift, if ever!
Vic nodded her smile not once leaving her face as she eagerly waited for Evelyn to open her gift, the teen turning to both her foster mothers for reassurance that this wasn't some kind of joke — Maya patted the girls thigh in comfort
The blonde hesitantly opened the gift bag pulling out a box of chocolates, watermelon gummies, a barns and noble gift voucher and — "oh my god"
"you like it?" Vic asked her nervousnesses about the gift fading instantly at the girls reaction, "Maya mentioned you like Taylor swift so -"
"I love it, thank you so so much " she smiled wide, looking down at the gift, a red tv cardigan, guilt swarming her at the thought of vic wasting her money on her, "you really didn't have to do that"
"pssht" she waved her hand as though it was nothing , "anything for my favourite niece, now you'll give Faith her gift tomorrow?" Evelyn nodded saying thank you for the millionth time ignoring the happiness she felt at being referred to as someone's niece—
Evelyn tried to hide her blush behind the cardigan as Andy announced she'd found the movie, Vic collapsing back into her seat as carina carefully took the cardigan folding it as to not wrinkle it assuming without a doubt that her foster daughter would want to wear it to school the next day, making a mental note to thank Victoria before she left for the smile on the blondes face
As the movie played Evelyn ignored the feelings that arose as she realised the plot of the movie, how her insides fluttered or how her cheeks turned a dark pink colour when the main characters Rachel and Luce kissed for the first time (she was so glad Maya had turned of the lights before Andy pressed play)
she'd never watched a movie like that before
Soon after the movie had finished, Andy and Vic had to leave having work early the next morning but not without promising to see the teen soon, and surprising herself entirely Evelyn found herself excited for that though it was quickly replaced with anxiousness as she was reminded of the interview she had on Saturday
But as she seen the smiles on her foster mothers faces as they closed the door, as Vic and Andy left she made the wise decision to make it tomorrows problem — who was she to ruin a perfectly good night?
After helping Maya and Carina clean up, despite their usual insistence that she didn't have to Evelyn got ready for bed, waiting for her foster mothers to say goodnight like always she got under the covers of her floral duvet beside Faith, her thoughts swarming of the movie she'd just watched and the girl who'd suggested it
So grateful Maya and Carina hadn't come to get her phone yet she tapped onto Athena's contact typing a quick message about how'd she'd watched the movie, leaving out the part about how flustered she had gotten and how confused she was because of it — Athena would surely make fun of her for it
Evelyn pushed down the feelings of butterflies at Athena's almost instant reply
a note from the author<3
thank you so much for reading chapter twelve of to build a home!! So sorry for the late upload
question— anything you'd like to see in the next few chapters??
Requests for this story are always open and I'll try my best to include them all!!
the friend group-
see you soon <33