Planned Surprises & Perfect Chaos
The late afternoon light slanted through the windows of the modest house, turning the kitchen into a warm haven of fading gold. Caitlyn’s steps were soft and hesitant as she left Vi’s room—a room still echoing with the quiet aftermath of tears—and made her way toward the kitchen.
In the kitchen, Vander stood leaning casually against the counter, absorbed in his own thoughts. Gathering her courage, Caitlyn approached him, her voice barely rising above a whisper. “Um, Vander,” she began, her tone tentative and unsure, “with Vi’s birthday coming up, do you know if there's anything we could do or something she would want to do?”
At the sound of her soft, uncertain query, Vander’s eyes crinkled with warmth. He recognized the trembling care behind her words—a testament to how deeply she cared for Vi. With a gentle smile, he replied quietly, “Powder would know best. I’m pretty sure she had a plan in mind from last year.” Nodding in the direction of a half-open door.
“Right, uh, thank you” Taking his word, Caitlyn left the kitchen and made her way down the hall. At the door marked with a scribble of a blue monkey and matching blue block letters spelling out “POW POW”, she knocked gently. The door swung open moments later, revealing Powder with a warm, slightly distracted smile.
“Oh Caitlyn! You all good? – here, uh, come in,” Powder said, her voice tinged with surprise as she quickly moved aside to let Caitlyn in. She was in the middle of trying to shove a pile of freshly laundered clothes into a drawer, but seeing Caitlyn’s expression, she paused. Her hands fumbled for a moment before, in a flurry, she casually tossed all the clothes on her bed onto the floor. “Oh uh—yeah. Just... sit down. Make yourself comfortable,” Powder offered hurriedly, as she awkwardly pointed to the spot on the bed. She didn’t quite know what to do when people were in her room, other than Ekko or her siblings, and it was evident in the quickness of her motions. Caitlyn blinked, unsure of how to respond but grateful, nonetheless. She sat down on the edge of the bed without much ceremony and took in Powder’s room—a cozy, mismatched mix of chaos and personality that was distinctly her. Powder, still standing near the bed, gave a nervous laugh before returning to her half-folded laundry, clearly trying a little too hard to appear calm. “Sorry, I know it's... a mess,” Powder mumbled, briskly brushing her hands off as if trying to erase the pile of freshly laundered clothes scattered across her bed. She shot an awkward glance at Caitlyn.
“Not at all,” Caitlyn replied with a soft, genuine smile. “It’s incredibly you—chaotic, but cozy and warm.” Her eyes wandered around the room before landing on a decorated photo frame featuring a younger Powder and Vi. Gently, she picked it up, rubbing her thumb over the tiny image of Vi. “And Vi’s is exactly like her in every way.”
Powder, resuming her task of folding laundry, looked up in mild confusion. “Um, of course they are?—they’re our rooms. We decide how they look, so naturally, they reflect us.”
Caitlyn chuckled, a playful edge in her tone. “Ha—well, you’re clearly not a Princess of England; I basically live in a display home.” With that, she set the frame down and let out a wistful sigh.
Noticing the change in Caitlyn’s demeanour, Powder paused her folding and sat on the edge of the bed, turning to face her. “So tell me, toots, why are you here and not upstairs canoodling with my sister like you usually do?”
Fiddling with her fingers, Caitlyn’s voice softened. “Vi’s birthday. I want to do something—but I have no idea.”
At the mention of Vi’s birthday, Powder’s smile grew wide. Without another word, she darted into her wardrobe, rummaging into the depths of her clothes. A few moments later, a series of three loud bangs against the wall echoed through the room. Powder reemerged, clutching a whiteboard covered in almost indistinguishable writing.
Before Caitlyn could process the spectacle, Powder’s door swung open once more, and Mylo and Claggor slipped in. They sank into the beanbag cushions scattered on the floor with casual disregard.
“Powder,” Claggor grumbled, “you need to stop banging on the walls before you break it one day.”
Mylo nodded in agreement as Powder retorted with a mischievous grin, “It works every time, so why would I stop?”
Caitlyn sat back on the bed, amusement twinkling in her eyes as she quietly laughed at the familiar, chaotic antics of the siblings.
For the next hour or so, the room buzzed with creative energy as the siblings and Caitlyn gathered around the whiteboard still filled with scribbled ideas that Powder and Vi had dreamed up together last year. Mylo chimed in with his quirky twists while Claggor offered down-to-earth tweaks, each suggestion adding another colourful layer to the plan. Amid the lively brainstorming, Caitlyn paused and asked quietly, “Will Vander agree to this?” Powder smiled reassuringly and patted her shoulder. “Vander will do anything for Vi,” she said confidently, the promise of a perfect birthday hanging in the warm, collaborative air.
Just as they were putting the final touches on their plan, the door swung open, and Vander stepped in, pausing at the sight of everyone gathered in Powder’s room. His eyes widened in mild surprise before settling on the whiteboard, boasting the bold heading, “Vi’s 18th+1 birthday road-trip extravaganza.” A soft chuckle escaped him as his heart swelled with adoration for his children—and for Caitlyn’s tender care toward the eldest. Turning to Caitlyn, he announced, “Grayson is here.” Caitlyn sighed, the thought of returning to the cold, lonely estate weighing on her, but before she could express her disappointment, Vander smiled gently and added, “She's staying for a quick cuppa; you have a bit of time still.” With a silent nod and a warm smile exchanged with Powder—a wordless thank you for the past hour of planning—Caitlyn headed upstairs to wake Vi and say goodbye before she went.
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Caitlyn moved to the empty side of the bed, her heart racing just a touch as she leaned in to gently shake Vi awake. As her fingers brushed against the nape of Vi’s neck, she pressed soft kisses there, coaxing the older girl into waking.
Vi stirred slowly, her sleepy voice barely more than a mumble. “Gray’s here?” she croaked, her heavy eyelids threatening to fall back shut
Caitlyn let out a quiet, defeated breath and squeezed Vi’s hand under the covers, her touch delicate but firm. “Yeah...” she responded softly. Just as the words left her mouth, Vi's eyes snapped open, and without warning, she wrapped her arms tightly around Caitlyn’s waist, pulling her down on top of her. Caitlyn’s gasp echoed in the room as she tried to wiggle free, her voice slightly frantic. “Vi! What are you doing??”
Vi smirked, a playful glint still lingering in her half-asleep gaze. “She can’t take you now.” She grinned mischievously as though she’d won some kind of battle. Caitlyn tried to pull away, still embarrassed by the suddenness, but Vi’s grasp was firm, unmoving.
“I’m serious, Vi,” Caitlyn sighed, the weight of her responsibilities pressing down. “I have to go; Captain Ahmadova is waiting.”
Vi only shrugged, mocking indifference. “Yeah, well, good luck to her.”
Caitlyn, still trapped and now giggling even as she struggled, could feel the lightness in Vi’s hold gradually turning teasing, playful rather than desperate. Then Caitlyn screeched in frustration, “VIOLET LANES, I SWEAR TO GOD.”
That did it. Instantly, Vi released her hold, her startled laughter filling the room. Caitlyn smirked down at her, seeing the effect her words had as Vi, now flushed red from the teasing, let out a breathy, “Woah - Cupcake, that was hot.”
Caitlyn couldn’t help but chuckle at Vi’s reaction, though it wasn't enough to relent. Her playful smile widened mischievously as she leaned over Vi and raised one eyebrow—deciding to go all the way with her teasing. “What? My calling you Violet?” she teased.
Vi snapped to full attention, already flushed beyond reason as her hands found Caitlyn’s thighs in a mixture of playful defence and need. “The-the accent is…”
Caitlyn leaned further in, dropping a thick British accent for full effect. "My dear, your eyes sparkle brighter than the crown jewels, and I'm utterly enchanted by you, Violet Lanes." She delivered several outrageous pick-up lines with exaggerated charm before finishing by saying Vi’s full name once more. Soon enough, she had lowered herself over Vi and pressed their lips together in a long, tender kiss, silencing the oncoming teasing with warmth. When Caitlyn pulled back, a contented giggle bubbled up from both of them, their laughter filling the room and softening the tension of the moment.
Powder’s voice rang out from behind the door, startling the air with her familiar call. “Hey, lovebirds—Gray said it’s time to go!”
Vi groaned, burying her head further into the pillow, clearly not ready to part with the comfort of Caitlyn’s presence. Caitlyn chuckled softly at the sound, reluctantly climbing off the bed. She started to gather her clothes from the floor, chucking them haphazardly into her bag before tossing it over her shoulder. As Caitlyn finished, Vi, looking like she had only reluctantly accepted that she had to leave, rolled out of bed and stood by the door, arms crossed as she waited.
Caitlyn, bag now slung casually over her shoulder, strode over toward her, getting so close she could capture the warmth of Vi’s presence without even trying. Gently, Caitlyn reached for Vi’s hand, her fingers slipping between hers for that familiar, comforting entwining. It was something Vi had noticed Caitlyn loved to do—a little habit that never failed to make Vi smile.
“Any chance Vander would let you stay at mine tonight?” Caitlyn asked, her voice soft but hopeful.
Vi, completely absorbed in the feel of their hands, lifted her gaze to meet Caitlyn’s eyes, a slight frown pulling at her features as she thought it over. “Eh, tonight might be pushing it,” she murmured, her thoughts obviously clouded with the conversations yet to be had and the financial decisions she didn’t want to confront just yet. But when she saw Caitlyn’s slightly pouting face, her resolve melted like it always did. “But tomorrow night—definitely.”
The glint in Vi’s eyes didn't go unnoticed by Caitlyn, and she gently raised her free hand, cupping Vi’s cheek with the most tender of touches. “Ask him, Vi,” Caitlyn urged, her voice soft yet clear. “Don’t sneak out. I can see the cogs turning in that head of yours.”
Vi groaned, frustration mixed with something else—something Caitlyn couldn’t quite name but was happy to see nonetheless. “Ugh, I will,” she promised, the words heavy with the usual determination Vi always tried to hide behind.
A smile tugged at Caitlyn’s lips, her thumb brushing across the soft skin of Vi’s cheek. Without a second thought, Caitlyn leaned in, pressing a sweet kiss to Vi’s lips. The kiss started tender and slow, but both knew it wasn’t meant to end quietly. The slight pressure of lips turned hotter, the hum of urgency seeping into both hearts until Vi pulled away, a little breathless, her eyes bright but full of exasperation. “Let’s not keep Gray waiting,” she said, a teasing edge creeping into her voice. “I’ve been on her bad side before, and it’s NOT fun.” Caitlyn couldn’t help but smirk as she pulled her bag over her shoulder again. “Fine, fine,” she relented, though her grin still had the distinct flavour of victory as she led Vi out of the room, and down to the kitchen.
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After saying goodbye to the Lanes family, Caitlyn gave Vi one more gentle kiss before stepping into the car with Grayson. Once they were alone in the car, Grayson turned toward Caitlyn with warm concern etched in her eyes. “How are you holding up, Your Highness?” she asked softly, though the familiar tone always made Caitlyn roll her eyes.
Caitlyn simply sighed and said, "Please don't call me that, my name's Caitlyn."
Grayson chuckled, "Ah, of course, apologies, young Kiramman."
Caitlyn couldn't help but smile at the nickname before replying, "I'm okay now, though, thank you for asking."
Grayson smiled sweetly, then reached into her breast pocket and pulled out Olivia's card, extending it toward Caitlyn. “Olivia, my wife, has looked into some people that would be willing to help you talk through anything, please give her a call, whenever you feel you need to,” Accepting it graciously, Caitlyn held the card tightly—a small token of care in that intimate moment on the road.
As they pulled out onto the highway, the gentle hum of the engine set the stage for some unexpected small talk. Grayson leaned forward, her curiosity mingling with genuine care. “So, how’s the troublemaker Jayce holding up these days? Are you excited for him to come? Been a while since I’ve seen him - or even heard about him.” Caitlyn’s eyes widened in surprise. “Wait - you met Jayce when he was here?” she asked, her voice trembling with a mix of shock and wonder.
Grayson laughed, a rich sound that filled the car. “Ha! I was one of the lucky officers who got to escort him back from Nevada.” Her tone, though light, carried an undercurrent of the wild chaos that had been that day. Caitlyn, still processing the revelation, asked in an awed whisper, “What was he like?”
In that moment, memories stirred within Caitlyn - fleeting images of a time when she was only six, too young to grasp the full extent of what had happened. No one had ever told her how unruly Jayce could be; His time in America was always a topic shrouded in hushed tones and avoidance. Yet here was Grayson, recounting the details with an honesty that was both astonishing and strangely comforting.
"He was... difficult, to put it lightly. Had to keep him handcuffed the entire time because, at every traffic light,he’d try to bolt - kept fighting us every chance he got. He spat at us and said a lot of rotten things that he didn’t really mean." She let out a breath before adding, "He’d snap - shouting, practically kicking the seat in front of him, swearing at the officers. And then just moments after, he'd go back to pleading, begging us that he didn’t mean it." Caitlyn could sense the heaviness that hung in Grayson’s words, the ghost of the harshness they had both witnessed. The thought of it made Caitlyn’s heart ache for Jayce. Grayson looked ahead, her hands steady on the wheel as she recalled more. "He kept saying how he let his mother and his family down, over and over."
“I never knew any of that,” Caitlyn whispered, her stomach twisting at the mental image of Jayce struggling with his demons in such a raw way, during a time she’d barely been aware of what was happening around her.
Grayson’s gaze softened, though deep sorrow still clouded her eyes. "It was a rough ride for everyone involved,” she said softly. "He was hurting, Caitlyn. It wasn’t him—it was the alcohol and the drugs. That’s the thing with addiction, it doesn't just affect the person; it poisons everything around them." The car grew quieter as Caitlyn processed the weight of Grayson’s words, the reality of Jayce's inner battle coming into sharper view.
Caitlyn shook her head, her eyes filled with empathy as she said, “Grayson, you really deserve an apology for having to go through that mess with Jayce.”
Grayson chuckled lightly, brushing it off with a casual shrug. “Nah, it’s part of the job, Kid. I mean, it’s what got me the promotion,” she said, almost as if it was some absurd twist of fate.
Caitlyn blinked, trying to process the strange logic. “So, in a roundabout way, Jayce helped you make Captain?” she asked incredulously, and Grayson grinned, clearly amused.
“Something like that,” Grayson replied with a wink. Caitlyn couldn’t hold back a small laugh at the absurdity of it all—it just seemed so twisted, yet strangely fitting in its own way. Grayson’s smile softened as she leaned back in her seat. “I’d love to see Jayce again, though. I’ve heard he’s doing better.”
Caitlyn brightened at the mention of Jayce improving. “You know, I would love to invite you over for dinner one night after he arrives.” Her expression turned just as enthusiastic as before as she added quickly, “And Olivia is invited too!”
Grayson met Caitlyn’s enthusiasm with her own warm smile. “Anything you would like, Young Kiramman,” she said, her voice filled with affection for the girl beside her—and whatever plans she was excitedly building.
As the car hummed quietly along the highway, Caitlyn, still processing Gray’s earlier recount of Jayce’s unruly behaviour, couldn’t contain her curiosity anymore. She shifted in her seat, glancing sideways at Grayson. “So,” Caitlyn began hesitantly, her voice tentative but genuine, “how did you and Olivia meet? Was it one of those love-at-first-sight moments, or did it take a while?”
Grayson looked at Caitlyn with a soft, introspective smile, clearly warmed by the question. “It wasn’t love at first sight,” she reflected, her lips curling the slightest bit. “But it was close. More like love at first realconversation. I remember thinking, ‘She’s so different from anyone I’ve ever met,’ but, of course, I didn’t express that immediately.”
Caitlyn grinned, noticing the fondness in Grayson’s voice. She leaned in a little, fascinated. “That’s so sweet. What about when you told your families, though? Was it a weird experience? Or did they sort of take it in stride?” Grayson’s expression shifted, her eyes lingering on the road for a beat before meeting Caitlyn’s gaze. “It was a mixed bag. Olivia’s family was - well, they were delighted the moment they figured out she had someone who ‘got’ her, you know? But my side of things…” An edge of hesitation crept into her voice. “It wasn’t exactly a smooth conversation. But everything worked out fine in the end.”
Caitlyn nodded, her curiosity lingering but tempered with understanding. Just as she was about to ask another question about how Grayson navigated those challenging conversations, she paused, suddenly flustered. “I’m so sorry,” she murmured, cheeks flushing. “I know I’m being overly intrusive - I’ve never met an openly queer couple before. Honestly, I didn’t even think it would be possible for me, given my status and my mother’s desperate insistence that I procreate as soon as possible, you know?” Caitlyn’s voice trailed off, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks as she realised just how much she had let slip. But then something clicked—something in Grayson and Olivia’s relationship gave Caitlyn hope for herself and for Vi. The weight of expectations could feel impossibly heavy at times, but seeing Grayson and Olivia - made Caitlyn feel just a little more possible, in a way. Clearing her throat, Caitlyn tried to recover, her face flushed. “I mean—I know it may sound strange, but seeing you two together - it makes me think maybe, one day... maybe, I could be like that, with Vi,” she half-mumbled, embarrassed that she’d let her feelings slip out so plainly. The admission made her blush madly, a tangled, unspoken confession that one day she might even possibly marry Vi.
Grayson chuckled softly at Caitlyn's awkwardness, the warmth of her laugh easing the tension in the car. A knowing smile tugged at her lips as she reached into her jacket pocket, pulling out another card before offering it to Caitlyn. “It’s perfectly okay to ask any questions you might have,” Grayson said kindly. “I’d be honoured to answer them. Take this,” she gestured toward the card in Caitlyn's hand, “and if you ever need anything or just want to talk, call me. I’ll always pick up, Caitlyn.” Caitlyn took the card graciously, her heart warmed by Grayson’s generosity.
“Thank you,” she whispered, feeling a deep sense of gratitude.
As they neared the estate, the familiar sight of paparazzi gathered outside the gates greeted Caitlyn with uncomfortable familiarity. The weight of what awaited her at the grand house pressed against her like a stone. The high walls and imposing grandeur of her future loomed large in her mind, and as she turned her gaze toward Grayson, a shadow passed over her—a reminder of the transformation back into the role she was expected to play. Not the Caitlyn who could kiss a girl without consequence, but once again, “Princess Caitlyn of England.”
Grayson’s eyes softened as she noticed the subtle shift in Caitlyn’s demeanour—the way the carefree sparkle had dulled, replaced by a distant, guarded air. Smiling gently, Grayson offered reassurance, “Hey kid, remember, you’ve got people in your corner now. You don’t have to brave all this on your own.”
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Inside the chilly halls of the estate, Caitlyn’s footsteps felt heavier than usual until a burst of warmth cut through the cold. Elora, her presence as comforting as a soft blanket, approached with genuine concern. “Are you okay?” she asked, her tone gentle yet laced with exasperation. Then, with a playful scold, she added, “I nearly lost my job with that stunt, you know.”
Caitlyn only managed a numbly whispered apology. Sensing her mood shifting, Elora’s eyes twinkled. “Honestly, I kind of love the drama, keeps our conversations busy during morning tea.” she quipped, and that small, teasing remark pulled Caitlyn from her dissociative haze just a bit.
A faint smirk played on Caitlyn’s lips as she murmured, “Well, at least I’m not as dramatic as Jayce.”
Elora burst into a soft laugh. “Oh god, no—you’d never live up to that! He had me smoking a pack a day from the stress he put me through.” The absurdity of the comparison made them both chuckle. After their laughter subsided, Elora’s warm expression shifted back to practicality as she added, “Oh, also, by the way, Mel and Jayce aren’t arriving now until Wednesday morning.”
Caitlyn nodded in acknowledgment, a small smile lighting her face at the gentle reminder. With a light heart and a relieved smile, Caitlyn took her leave, turning to head up to her room, feeling just a little warmer despite the cold corridors and the weight of expectations awaiting her inside.
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Powder was practically vibrating with excitement as she paced the cluttered desk in her room. The plan for Vi’s birthday was back on—and better than ever. She had spent the last few hours meticulously working out every logistical detail before she’d dare bring it to Vander’s attention. Now, there was one more ingredient needed: her boyfriend’s ingenious mind. With a quick tap on her phone, she called Ekko over for an impromptu sleepover.
“Babe, you won’t believe it - the road trip is back on!” she announced as soon as he arrived, her voice a cocktail of adrenaline and giddy anticipation. Ekko’s eyes lit up when he saw her; there was nothing quite as invigorating as Powder when she was in full planning mode.
They spread out blueprints, maps, notes on fuelling costs and food supplies, and brochures of potential stops, alongside a half-finished prototype of a birthday gift they’d started last year— a gadget meant to capture the spirit of Vi’s last year as a teenager with a memorable and emotionally charged surprise. Though it was never fully completed, the project brimmed with promise and sentimental value.
“I want this birthday to be extra special,” Powder explained, running her fingers over the schematic drawings. “I want it to set off Vi’s last year as a teenager off with a bang.”
Ekko leaned in, planting a sweet, mischievous kiss on Powder’s cheek. “This is going to involve explosives, isn’t it?” he teased softly.
Powder grinned broadly, nodding without missing a beat. “Uh, obviously,” she replied, her tone equal parts sarcasm and genuine delight.
With their excitement mounting, they grabbed their tools and made their way to the garage - a makeshift laboratory where ideas were meant to spark into life. Amid the clatter of equipment and the low hum of anticipation, Powder and Ekko dove into experimentation, determined to craft a gift that would not only celebrate Vi but also mark a new, brilliant chapter in their chaotic lives.