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Fiona Gallagher sighed as she heard her little brothers clamoring in their room. After so many months of living in the car , this place was new. Old but new to them. There was heat for now and beds although Ian still curled around Lip at night clutching the GI Joe his siblings unearthed at the sandbox. Ian was still so small and unlike his siblings sunny and happy at small things. The toy was scruffeed but he heaved himself onto Lip and Fiona nuzzling them in thanks. He skipped back to the house and had not let the toy out of his sight since. At 10 Fiona was in charge of her brothers most of the time. Ian was now 5 and Lip 7. They had heard Monica was pregnant again so most likely she would come home right before she had the baby, like she did with Ian.
They had a routine. Fiona would get the boys up often shoving Lip out of bed. Ian was usually up playing quietly near Lip. They would all walk to school dropping Ian off in kindergarten before heading to the main school rooms. She was glad Ian had made a friend a girl named Mandy Milkovich. Her brother Iggy was in Fionas class and everyone was scared of him because of his dad. Terry was a bad man everyone said , but Mandys mama, Laura was really nice. She was a small omega but fierce everyone said with the bluest eyes Fiona had ever see. She was overjoyed that Mandy also had a friend in Ian and when she noticed Ian’s gloves had small holes, she knitted him mittens like Mandys.
Everyone knew that Monica would leave and Frank was not always helpful. Since Ian was only half day the school allowed Fiona with “ Franks signature “ to go at lunch take him to Mrs. McCurdy next door then run back for next class. Mrs. McCurdy was sweet and believed Frank struggling to find work . She took Ian until her and Lip could grab him after school. Often he would be having tea with her looking through picture books about handsome alphas on adventures or napping on the chair. Mrs. Mcurdy sometimes made wonderful soups she would send home with Fiona.
Fiona would try to get all her homework finished right after school , then have the boys help her with chores before dinner. She would usually stick the boys in the tub together with the hope of getting some dishes done and figuring out dinner for the next night. Fiona would always take bills and change from Frank when he was passed out.Even if it was just ramen and milk for dinner and jam sandwiches for school, Fiona always made sure her brothers had something to eat each meal. Many days though she would be up to the bathroom mediator to the tussles in the tub. Lip and Ian were thick as thieves . Lip the big brother protector and Ian the wanting to please baby. It worked in siblings dynamics until it did not. The age closeness also brought out scuffles and teasing or worse Lips ideas with Ian willing to carry it through. Often it was banishing them to separate ends of the tub but some nights with water and soap flying and name calling she would stand each of them up and deliver a firm slap to their bottoms. Lip would glare but Ian’s face would crumple.
Today though she was trying to get math homework done but the thumps and growls were getting loud. She banged on their door “ Either you two figure out something quieter to do or I will find you something “
“ Yes Fiona”
Ian sat in the top bunk , legs swinging watching Lip dismantle the rope swing they made attached to the top bunk. Their swinging had bumped the dresser and knocked over a lamp.
” Lip do you know what we are having for dinner “
“ noodles with that creamy tomato sauce I think and stupid green beans “
” yeah I love noodles , I am hungry now “
” Ian no matter what the dinner you say you love it , why you hungry buddy? “
” mandys daddy took all the money and her mama was mad. Mandy only had a banana so I told her mama we could share. Mandy.s mama smells nice and she is a good hugger. Then at Mrs Mcurdys we had popcorn and watched her show. But still hungry “
” ok let’s figure out what to do til dinner, you can have my green beans. Hey since we can’t swing anymore , wanna make a parachute for GI Joe .”
ian hopped off the bunk, his toy in hand.He watched as Lip made a mini parachute out of rubber bands and a wash cloth.
“ where are we gonna drop him lip?”
“ let’s do the laundry shoot We can drop a few towels so he doesn’t get more scruffed, don’t wanna break your boyfriend “
” he’s not my boyfriend, your dumb”
” no you are ...Ian and Joe sitting in a tree k I s s I n g “
Ian charged and caught Lip in the stomach knocking him over. They locked and began to wrestle . They rolled knocking over the laundry Fiona told them to put away. Banging into the bed.
Suddenly they heard another bang in the wall “ you two, stop wrestling and play not kill each other. If I hear one more thump from that room you are both standing in the corner until dinner , PLAY NICE OR ELSE!”
Lip sat on Ian whose red hair was now wild and gangly legs still flailing.
” Ian ok ok sorry. Let’s drop GI Joe , I hate the corner more than green beans and you sniffle the whole time. C’mon “
The boys ran down the hall, tossing some laundry down the shoot and did the count down and dropped GI Joe. They clattered down the stairs retrieving the toy and ran back up. This time Lip made up a story about the toy flying as a spy and his plane blowing up. GI Joe then barreled down and the boys ran then walked past Fionas door then ran once clear down the stairs. Once at the bottom Lip looked at the toy and said “ Ian you go upstairs and drop him I will count see how quick he falls “
Ian nodded happily sometimes Lip just wanted to watch tv and not play so he would do anything to keep the game going, he ran up the steps, sneaked past Fionas room and ran again. Both boys were fascinated with the hole in the second floor and had been reprimanded before about just throwing things down for fun. He leaned down through the hole, his red head looking at Lip. “ Tell me when k” He heard Lip call and dropped his action figure.
“ 5 seconds cool “
Ian repeated the process to get downstairs and was rewarded by Lip swinging him around. They both jumped hearing a drunken snore, not realizing Frank was passed out by the door. Lip got a big smile “ Hey Ian we should do a test see if it takes something else falls at 5 seconds”
“ k, what?”
” If you put on your camo pj’s we can make you something and you jump.If we move Frank you can land on him, just run away real quick “
They eyed Frank passed out and headed his way. Like Fiona they went through his pockets pulling out 11 dollars and 40 cents.
“ maybe Fiona will let us get a doughnut on the way to school “ Ian said wistfully
They then eyed their father still passed out . Lip grabbed one leg and Ian the other and the tugged at Frank stopping every foot or so to regroup. Once he was under the shoot , the boys went upstairs, Ian putting on his camo jammies and Lip looking for something comparable to size match for Ian to hold into . He handed him a pair of underwear.
“ ok I am going down and count to three on one jump “
Lip entered the kitchen and looked up “ three , two , one and boom , Ian came down, hard thud on Frank who just rolled over.
” Lip ‘ tats sooooo cool did you count?”
“ forgot go do it again, let’s hope it doesn’t make Frank pee”
” He always does he has more accidents then me Lip”
” yeah buddy it’s cause your getting to be a big boy and he is just a big drunk”
” yeah he is dumb , ok I go up and when I say now , count k “
As Ian ran up the steps, Fiona was came down the others, seeing Frank she kicked him until he wandered out to the living room passing back out there. She looked at Lip “ Tell Ian to come down , you guys can watch a show til dinner”
Lip nodded running up quickly trying to stop Ian. Fiona stood were Frank had been crinkling her nose thinking she would need to wipe up that spot when she heard an excited giggle and “ NOW!” She looked up in time to see her baby brother barreling down the shoot , she caught him in time and they both banged to the floor. Once the shock wore off she looked Ian over checking for injuries while he flashed a big puppy dog look hoping it would lessen whatever punishment was forthcoming.
“ Ian Clayton Gallagher what were you thinking , you could have really been hurt landing on the floor. “
” wasn’t gonna land in floor, moved Frank gonna land on Frank again “ realizing his mistake he covered his mouth. Fiona wanted to laugh at those big green eyes and small freckled hands covering his mouth but she knew she had to step up. If the neglect people got called it would be most likely they would be split up and none of them could handle that.
” Sweetface remember don’t narc on yourself. I need you to listen Ian about the safety things at least. Give me one good reason you shouldn’t get a spanking before dinner “
She watched his little face just fall and tears spring to his eyes , a tiny hand petting her face pleading .
” Fi don’t spank Ian, was my idea he just did it “ Lip came from the stairs where he had been hiding. He gulped as she gestured to him. She smoothed his hair and sighed .
” ok you two the only thing that is getting you out of a spanking is you made Frank stop stinking the kitchen. I hate eating dinner smelling him. But you two really need to listen ok . When I say something I know you want to have fun but things that mean you getting hurt over not being supervised can get us all in trouble . So here go watch your shark week show. To make up for this stunt , you guys are pulling weeds for Mrs McCurdy this weekend. Go before I change my mind “
Two bodies barreled into her giving hugs and running as she heard them jump over Frank , then jump on the furniture . A deep sigh at their attention spans like goldfish. However knowing they were on thin ice , she did not hear any fighting over couch spots or remotes. Looking at the fridge , she saw they had enough bread and peanut butter for lunches . She was helping a neighbor paint this weekend and figured that would get them groceries for a few days too. She quickly got their dinner together , knowing Lip would try to sneak Ian his green beans. Their little brother was not a picky eater and was happy claiming no matter what the dinner it was his favorite. He was however a disaster eating, usually Lip or Fiona needing to clean his whole face and fingers. They had recently started with table manners for him.Calling the boys she got out of the way to keep from being mowed down.
Once he heard Frank stumble out , Lip gave Fiona the money “ we got that from his pants “
” thanks guys “
She saw Ian looking at her softly , “ what’s up sweetface “
” know we didn’t listen , but maybe ...”
” Ian yes buddy I know that look . Finish your dinner and on our way to school we can each get a donut “ she watched both the boys light up .
” Thanks Fiona, I gonna save mine for lunch case Mandys mama still has no money so I can share .They don’t have a Frank to get pants money from.”
” your a good friend buddy “
Lip finished his milk and said “ maybe Mandy will be an omega and you can marry her instead of GI Joe”
“ NO Mandy my best friend “ a green bean was thrown .
” your so small maybe you will be an omega and maybe marry a boy and then you will have weiner in your butt to have a baby “ a green bean tossed back .
” LIP” Fiona shot him a warning look which he did not see as he was making faces at Ian “ maybe your mate will be a boy mega and to have babies you will have to put your weiner in his Poop place. “
A piece of spagetti was tossed as Ian began a pitiful whine before Fiona could jump in , Lip realized Ian was not playing but genuinely upset. He opened his arms and Ian jumped off his seat and climbed up in Lip , smearing his tomato sauced face against Lip.
” Hey buddy c’mon , just teasing ok “ Ian clung to to his brother “ buddy it’s a long time away, please Ian , sorry little man “
stuttered coughs “ don’t even wanna spanking on my butt , really don’t want in my butt lip, never gonna mate , scary “
” buddy you’ll feel different older but right now how about you just play with me and your friends and have a donut in the morning. Tell you what, let’s go wash both our faces and I won’t be a jerk face and you can pick whatever story you want “
” two stories?”
”yeah buddy two stories, let’s go , sorry Fiona “
” thank you for apologizing Lip , you gotta realize he feels things a lot more to heart. You guys get cleaned up and ready fot bed . I will come up to tuck you in.”
Ian let Lip grab his hand and take him upstairs. Fiona did dishes and prayed for patience and the new baby to be a sister.