missmara13

Another day, another gift. This one takes place when Jake is 12. Julie and Frank are horrible people in this 'verse. Ryan remains awesome, as does Kaitlin.

"You finish your homework?" Ryan asked as Jake came into the kitchen.

"You need to listen to this," Jake replied, holding his cellphone.

Ryan frowned, then nodded. "Okay..."

Jake accessed his voicemail, and Ryan's eyebrows climbed as the recording indicated he had almost three dozen messages. His brows dropped into a furrow as he heard the voice in the first message.

"You can't keep ignoring me, Jake Atwood!" came Julie's voice. "I'm your mother, and I will not let that piece of trash Ryan keep you from me! I don't care if you want to stay with him, you are a stupid little boy who belongs with his parents, and..."

Ryan didn't wait for the rest, snatching the phone and hanging it up. "Are all those messages from her?"

"And a lot more texts," Jake said. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you... but I... she said her and Frank are going to come get me back, and I... he'll hurt me..."

"No, he won't, because they won't get near you," Ryan said, opening up the texts to see dozens of messages there, all unread, under the name 'bitch'. "I'll get you a new phone, and new number... you don't tell anyone the new number unless you are one hundred percent sure they wouldn't give it out to anyone, understand?"

Jake nodded. "Okay."

"Maybe for winter break we'll go visit Kaitlin out in Texas? I know for a fact that they wouldn't dare go out there. Even if Kaitlin didn't kill them, Bullit has a LOT of guns and he would."

Jake nodded again. "Okay."

"It'll be okay," Ryan said. "Legally they both lost any chance they ever had of getting you back, and if they tried? Well, I have proof of their evil, so I'm pretty sure no jury would convict me. So, no worries, okay?"

"Says the guy who'll probably triple check all the locks, and the alarm system tonight, and then still not sleep at all?" Jake asked.

"Yup, says the guy," Ryan agreed. "I'm the adult, I'll do the worrying for the both of us, okay?"

"Okay," Jake agreed. "Thanks."

"For what?"

"Always protecting me."

"That is not even something that needs thanks," Ryan said with a smile. "I don't wanna think about my life without you in it, kid."

~~~

"Do you think the Bullit knows any hitmen he'd put me in touch with?" Ryan said by way of greeting when he called Kaitlin once Jake had gone to bed.

"Oh God... what have Julie and Frank done now?" Kaitlin asked, having long since stopped referring to Julie as her mom.

"They got ahold of his cell number, and they... or at least Julie... has been leaving voicemails and sending texts threatening to 'come get him' because they won't let him be kept from them by 'trash' like me," Ryan said. "I'm getting him a new phone and number, and I was thinking we'd come visit you for winter break?"

"That sounds awesome. Wait until you see in person the huge ass tree Bullit always gets. And you know the Bullit boys still consider Jake to be their brother, even if only a few of them have even met him. And Bullit is still a 'more the merrier' type of guy."

"Well, at the very least Jake is their brother-in-law..."

"Not for long, legally anyway," Kaitlin said. "I'm filing for Divorce. Bullit actually suggested it because he found out about Spencer cheating on me. Again."

"So Bullit is Team Kaitlin?"

"Absolutely," Kaitlin said. "He told me that my job is secure, because no one has ever kept his books in order and made as many awesome investments as I have for him..."

"Because you are the most badass investor ever," Ryan agreed.

"And without ever stealing from my clients!" Kaitlin agreed.

"How is your dad?"

"He is loving his job as Captain of Bullit's Yacht," Kaitlin said. "Nepotism, it apparently does Cooper's good. He's coming for Christmas, too."

Ryan laughed. "I look forward to hearing about his life on the high seas."

"And I am sure he looks forward to telling you about it." Kaitlin was quiet for a moment. "How's Jake holding up?"

"He's scared, but trying to put on a brave face, which only makes me want to hurt Frank and Julie more."

"Just remember, he needs you to be okay, because he will freak out if you get hurt protecting him. Tell the cops about the voicemails and texts, Julie's not suppose to contact either of you, or me, at all."

"I know, I already called the non-emergency line, asked them to have Detective Overman call me in the morning. He's the one who handled the kidnapping stuff back when Jake was 6, and he's kept in touch over the years, so... I trust him to do whatever he can."

"Good," Kaitlin said. "What about... therapy?"

"Jake has an emergency appointment tomorrow after school, and yes his school has been notified to be on alert. Only me, Sandy, or Kirsten can pick up, and if it's one of them, the school has to at least leave me a voicemail telling me they picked Jake up before they let him leave with them. But if the school calls..."

"You'll answer."

"Exactly."

"You're an awesome brother, Ryan. I hope you know that."

"Well, as my little sister, you would know," Ryan replied. "I wanna make sure you know that this still doesn't change that. You are, and always will be, my little sister."

"I know, big brother," Kaitlin replied. "I gotta go, Lubbock is trying to convince Bullit to invest in some Nashville singer's comeback tour and just... no. She's way too much of a diva."

"Okay. I'll see you in about a week, then."

"Alright, see you in a week."

The End