Our Dynasty || 𝘔𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘺

✰ eighteen ✰

["earthquake"]

   "Mom the party is literally around the block, I'll be gone for two hours..." Hayley whines to my mother in background as I try to get on with some work in the living room.

Probably not the best choice of location Callie.

"That is two hours that you could spend studying missy." My mother intervenes as I find her cold words reach my ears.

"I have been studying all weekend, no friends just me alone with books. I feel like Alex." Hayley moans as I give in and venture over to where they are stood.

"Hayley choose your words wisely."

"You're never alone when you have books." Alex chimes in heading down the stairs.

"Alex, choose your words more wisely." I sigh.

"Really Mom? Is that what how you want me to turn out!?" Hayley snaps back.

"Hayley listen to me. This is the SATs not some stupid little science quiz." My mom interjects as I fold my arms over my stomach.

"Hey if science quizzes are so stupid why'd you put mine up on the refrigerator!?" Alex makes a valid point.

"Now that we are talking about it, you used to put mine up too?" I tilt my head.

"Because we feel sorry for you Alex, because books are your friends." Hayley talks down to Alex as I scoff quietly to myself.

"Yeah she wasn't studying last night she was video chatting the whole time..." Alex drops Hayley in it as chaos arises.

"Oh my god Mom!"

"Okay okay—" I try to battle above the sound.

"Woah woah what's the hot topic on the view today ladies?" My dad strides into the hallway.

"Dad, can you please tell Mom that I can take a two hour break to go to a party?" Hayley tries her luck with Dad this time.

"No Ma'am. I'm not stepping into that one. Not playing good cop/Mom." From his wise words I narrow my eyes to myself until the a soft knock rises upon the front door pulling me out of my thoughts.

"You call for a plumber?" The guy asks as my dad opens the door.

"Oh yes we did, just upstairs." My mom drags him into the house and up the stairs.

"Really Claire? I told you I would take a look at it—"

"Yes you did Phil and I think I was pregnant with Luke at the time."

"I fixed the step, look how solid it is." My dad proceeds to stomp up and down the stairs as I drift my gaze down to the ground questioning his actions.

My mom head upstairs while I plant myself down upon the couch hoping to get some more work done.

A few minutes later I feel the shakiness rise underneath me and realise— it's an earthquake.

Rising to my feet, I shout up the stairs to my siblings to check if everyone's okay.

"Honey, you okay—" My dad runs into the hallway as I nod in reply.

"Dad..." Luke's distant shout emerges from the kitchen as me and my dad share looks of concern before racing into the kitchen to see Luke standing in the doorway.

"That thing almost fell on me." He points to the cabinet tipper over on the couch.

"Oh buddy, I'm just glad you're okay." I kneel down him level and ruffle his hair.

"Well I'm not gonna wait around here till I get hurt..." Luke turns and smashes his nose into the wall directly opposite him before falling down the ground.

"Oh Luke—" I hold my hands up to my face as my dad sees to my brother.

"Okay, wow that is a doozy."

"Dad didn't Mom hound you about nailing that cabinet to the wall like ages ago." I narrow my eyes and tilt my head as I rises to his feet.

"No one likes a tattle tale Callie... " He shrieks before running up the stairs.

"Come on buddy sit in the living room where you can gain no injuries, well that might be impossible for you." I whisper under my breath while guiding my brother to the living room.

"What?"

"Nothing, nothing at all." I grin.

Later on I head into the kitchen to see what progress my dad has made on keeping Mom stuck so he can do something she asked him to do months ago. Upon arrival I see Alex and my dad.

"Dad, you getting there?" I rest hands on the couch.

"What are you doing Dad? Aren't you supposed to be getting Mom out of the bathroom?" Alex point upstairs as my dad shamefully lands his eyes on mine.

"That— that is what I was doing. This cabinet was the problem. Yeah, it's very heavy and because it was properly anchored to the wall, it was sort of a ripple effect. It was pulling part of the floor down and then pushing part of the floor up, causing the bathroom door... please don't tell on me." My dad gives in with his demonstration as I release a soft giggle quickly hiding it with my hands.

I slowly clasp my hand while grinning in his direction.

"Phil..." My mom's shrieks emerges into the kitchen as I take a quick step back and let my dad handle this one.

"What happened? You disappeared for like 20 minutes. We just had to break ourselves out of the bathroom..."

"Dad was incredible. He was running around here, turning off the gas lines cleaning up the broken glass and talking care of Luke after he ran into a wall." Alex lies through her teeth as I shoot her a confused look.

"I got scared because the cabinet didn't fall down." Luke chimes in.

"Oh god—" I whisper under my breath.

"Oh I'm sorry." My mom gives in and apologies while embracing my dad within her arms.