Can we maybe see the next instalment to the Otto-Brooksie-Annie drama? Will Annie finally find out about Brooksie’s infidelity? 🥺
Okay, so the next installment isn't as much about Otto/Annie/Brookie. It's a bit of a bonding moment between Carter and his kids. But does Brookie show up to the family vacation? Keep in mind that EVERY one of the Baizen's will be there. Along with Annie and Daisy. Even Zephyr's daughters Veda and Rosie are there. Story and Carter wanted Z to be able to enjoy himself, Veda always needs to have someone around her. She always needs to be touching someone. We'll eventually get into that mess.
🖤🖤🖤🖤
I’m Bringing Blankets
Summary: First night with the Baizen’s in the Hamptons
Pairings: The Baizen’s
Rating: mild
Warnings: language, underage drinking, drug use (marijuana/mushrooms), Illiana's mouth, 18+ ONLY
Word Count: 3.2K
Desperate Lives AU Masterlist
Otto Baizen Masterlist
Otto tags a swig of his beer, trying to watch the girls. Trying to get out of his head, and remove Annie. It was a failing game. It was the last night of just him and the girls before his family came for the rest of the week. And of course Illiana had used her puppy dog eyes to let them go out to a local bar. He of course thought it was a terrible idea, but Illiana had appealed to his better nature. He loses focus on them dancing with each other the moment that Annie sat down at their table.
“You look deep in thought?”
“Are you not?” he asks her with a smirk. She nods her head, and reaches for his beer bottle. “Careful now, you’re underage, Annie Gables.”
“One sip won’t hurt anyone,” their conversation was too easy. She had thought about Brooks less and less. And even dreaded the thought of going home. Scared of what she would find. Over a week of him alone, and his favorite excuse for his recent behavior was right in front of her. His own brother.
He gives her a timid smile, before looking back down at the table. Otto didn’t get nervous in front of women, and here he sat, unsure what to say to the pretty redhead. “You ready for the rest of your family to be here?”
“Ready for ten more Baizen’s? I guess. Brookie coming?” Annie is the one to look at the table shrugging.
“Haven’t heard from him. He’s really busy at work,” really busy working on another woman. She has to bite at her lip, so she doesn’t cry. Unsure of how she’s going to go back. Ashamed that it’s him sleeping with someone else, and not the drugs that makes her want to leave.
“Annie, you deserve so much more than that. You need someone who will love and cherish you,” she looks up at Otto, and he reaches over to cup her cheek. The two having one of the many tender moments they’d had the past few days.
Iclynn stops her dancing to stare at the two. Confusion wasn’t even the word. She knew something was going on between Brooks and Annie, but now there was something blooming between her and Otto. “Ow, jackass,” she shouts at an older man who bumps into her.
“Well, look what we have here. Aren’t you girls a pretty bunch?”
“In your fucking dreams, asshat. Leave,” Illiana gives him a less than polite shove, while Daisy moves further away. Looking over to the table where Otto and Annie are, and bites at her lip. “Excuse me, I didn’t fucking stutter.”
“Ills, shut up,” Iclynn pulls her little sister back.
“A bunch of college girls, trying to sneak into this exclusive club. Which dick did you suck to get in here? I’ll give you another, and we can go to the VIP room,” Iclynn pulls at Illiana to get them away from the situation. “Oh, come on sweet cheeks. You’re ruining all the fun.”
“My pussy cost a lot more than you’re willing to spend.”
“Sugar baby, huh? You want daddy’s money?”
“Oh my god. I already got daddy’s money. Leave us alone!” Iclynn tries dragging her sister away, but Illiana was just getting started.
“You looking for a new daddy?” his eyes look hungrily at Daisy who rubs along her chest, tears in her eyes, and she only looks at Otto.
“My father has more than enough money. I don’t need your cheap ass,” Iclynn begins to get uncomfortable with the talk of money, even giving a yell of Otto’s name. The crowd backs further away from them, and she grabs Daisy's hand.
“You fucking bitch.”
“What did you just say to me?”
“Ills! Stop,” Iclynn reaches for her hand, and starts dragging her over to Otto, who finally takes a glance at the girls, and sees Iclynn trying to drag his sister, while Daisy has worried her chest to a deep red shade. “Just leave us alone. We’re leaving.”
“Shit,” Otto jumps up, jogging over to the situation. Looking over the girls, before pushing them behind his back. “What the hell are you doing to a bunch of high schoolers?”
“New money.”
“It’s the fucking Hamptons, man. Most of us have money. Who cares where it’s from.”
“These your bitches?” he squares up with Otto who gives him a devilish smirk.
“They’re my sisters.”
“Yeah, you’re a bitch, too.”
“Mr. Baizen,” the owner of the bar, steps beside the two of the men, eyeing up Otto. “Is everything okay?”
“This man has had too much to drink. And he was making advances on a minor.”
“What?”
“She didn’t give you the time of day, and she’s only seventeen, asshole,” with a snap of the owner’s fingers, he apologizes having the gentleman escorted. “Ills, I’ve told you about running that damn mouth of yours.”
“I can’t help it. He started it. Made it out like we just snuck in here. I didn’t even mention that Archie invested in this place.”
“Doesn’t matter. Grab your stuff. We’re going to the house,” Illiana whines at Otto, but Daisy and Iclynn scurry off to the table. “Ills, I’m not playing, and I’m not in the mood.”
“Can we have a drink? Please? Please? Please?”
“Fine, a bottle of wine or something,” he tells her as he pulls her to the table. Giving a quick, sorry to Daisy and Annie. “Wait, have any of you three had a breakup?” Annie snorts, looking between the three of them.
“No.” “Not recently.” “I’m a virgin.”
“Right,” he says, giving an odd look to Daisy. “If you stay in the house, away from water, you can have either a bottle of wine to share or some Ciroc and raspberry lemonade. Not both Illiana or I’m telling dad.”
“Narc, but honestly, thank you for being so generous with our alcohol consumption. Annie joining this time? I mean,” Otto narrows his eyes at her. “We’ve stayed in the room, and you didn’t notice. I stop them before they puke.”
“I stop you, before you make a fool of yourself on the phone,” Illiana shushes Iclynn quickly, giving her brother a sweet smile. Otto knows he’s in over his head with them, but tomorrow his family was arriving. “Can’t take it back, Otts. We’ll be good.”
_______________________________
Annie sits on the couch too close, and not close enough to Otto. The two nursing a beer as they watch some stupid movie and for the first time at ease. Able to hear the triplets giggling loudly on the other end of the house, but they were in their own bubble. Annie didn’t think about Brooks. Just carries on an easy conversation with Otto.
The next morning Carter walks in with Zephyr and slams the door to the house, when he sees Annie and Otto asleep on the couch. Both of them sit up, staring wide eyed at the man. Zephyr gives a quick little chuckle, “You’re in trouble.”
“Zephyr, go help your mother with the girls. Rosie can’t carry her own luggage.”
“Yep.”
“Annie, I need a moment with my son,” Annie had never seen Carter angry before, and it didn't take much for her to run towards the door, “Go get my daughters and Daisy. They can help bring in everything else,” she nods her head, and hopes she can wake them up. “Otto.”
“Not in the mood,” he says, going to stand, and walk towards the back balcony.
“I really don’t give a fuck what you’re in the mood for,” Carter follows right along with Otto, before his son stops. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Dad, it’s not what it looks like.”
“Not what it looks like? It looks like you were sleeping on the couch with a pretty redhead, who just so happens to be your brother’s girlfriend. Otto, we don’t do this. We’re Baizen’s.”
“I’m not,” Carter’s angry stare turns more into a hurt confused look. “I’m not a Baizen. I’m a fucking Barber. Isn’t that what Lydia calls me? This is what I do. I sleep with my brother’s girlfriends. Except we didn’t do anything. She…Brooks hasn’t even talked to her.”
“You are too a Baizen. That’s all you’ve ever been. Because I chose you and you chose me. You don’t remember it, but you reacted to my touch more than your bastard sperm donor ever did. If I ever hear you talk about you not being a Baizen again, I’m cutting you off.”
“I’ve made my own money.”
“Otto, this isn’t you. This insecure person who is doing whatever that is, with his brother’s girlfriend. Brookie looks up to you.”
“And looks down to his girlfriend. God, I know you don’t see it, because he wants to pretend he’s got everything under control, but he’s an ass to her. He expects her to be just like mom, and do everything for him with a smile on her face. The difference is he’s demanding it, and doesn’t treat her with respect. I know not every woman is going to be like mom and do everything for her husband and kids first. But you’ve always respected her, and never expected it. Dad, it’s not fair. He doesn’t love her. I do.”
Carter looks up at his son, looking more like an eighteen-year-old instead of his thirty-year-old self. He’s never been in love, or loved a girl for the past few months. Never had a girl meet the family. Never got personal with them. “This isn’t happening. Her and Brooks need to come to that conclusion. Otto, Baizen’s don’t cheat,” Otto scoffs at him, starting to walk into the house, hearing Rosie giggle, while Veda is begging to be held. “Otto, you put a stop to this. Your brother’s girlfriends are off limits. And if you think your mother won’t notice.”
“I got it. Baizen’s don’t cheat. We’re faithful, honorable. Just remember that.”
“What does that even mean?”
“I’m sure it’ll eventually come out.”
“I’ve never even noticed another woman, besides your mother, since she was seventeen.”
“Not you! God, not everything is about you! Not all of us have this picture perfect life with the woman of our dreams. Just drop it. I’ll stay away from Annie,” spinning on his heel he walks inside to see Audriana squeal at seeing Annie.
“Is he here? Annie, is my Brookie here?”
“No, sweet girl. Maybe we can call him later,” Audriana’s face falls for a moment before Carter comes up behind her, to pick her up, spinning his baby around in a circle. “Mr. Baizen, it’s not what it seems.”
Story looks over at Carter, with a toddler Rosie in her arms, giving him and Annie an questioning look, “I understand. I think you have some things to think about, and process though. How about, the rest of you lot, go get bathing suits on. We’re going on the boat.”
“My king?”
“Story, not now. Go get Veda and Rosie dressed. Zephyr’s going to help me get the boat ready. Arlo, you, too. Don’t go near the girls’ bedroom, just straight out to the boat.”
“Yes, sir,” Arlo says. He walks past Zephyr who gives him a playful smack to the back of the head.
“Baizen, you go easy on that sweet boy. He’s done nothing wrong, but start dating your oldest princess. Come on, Rosie Osie, let's get you and sissy your new bathing suits on.”
“And then, I get to be back with Daddy?”
“Yes, Veda. You’ll get to be with daddy the rest of the day, okay?” Zephyr grabs up his oldest daughter, tossing her in the air, before he peppers kisses all over her. Thanking his mom for getting them dressed. “Maybe daddy can find him a nice girl to bring home.”
“Ma!”
“I’m just saying. I made pretty babies. And not one of you but Brookie has a steady girlfriend.”
“Hey!”
“Baby, I’m sorry,” she walks past Raiden, giving him a sweet little belly rub. “I just like grandbabies, not from you, though. You finish school first. Sorry Birdie,” the sweet girl gives her a smile, but agrees completely. “Come on girlies, let's get dressed, and go on the boat.”
_______________________
Otto sits on the sand, hearing his family giggling and laughing in the pool behind him. This had been a draining day at best. Every part of him had longed to keep touching Annie. He doesn’t want to toot his own horn, but he’s pretty sure she wanted it, too. He looks out to the horizon, wishing he would have grabbed a joint from Zephyr, because he could really use the escape.
He hated this. Hated feeling that he was in a constant losing battle. “Otts,” Zephyr laughs, throwing a plastic shovel at Otto’s back. “I brought the good stuff,” lighting up the joint, he passes it over to Otto for a quick toke. “So, what’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing, as in a pretty redhead, Otto obsessed with redheads, said redhead is dating baby brother?”
“Nothing,” Otto deadpans, taking another drag.
“You were on the couch sleeping together.”
“Nothing happened.”
“Yeah. My wife had a man sleeping on our couch, too. A few of them actually. Passed out in various rooms of our house, remember that? Remember me finding her passed out in the bathroom, with Rosie crying on the floor? I couldn’t find Veda.”
“This is different. Don’t guilt trip me.”
“It’s different, because you’re not on drugs?” Otto shrugs, unsure where to take this conversation. “Look, you could seriously get any girl.”
“So could you.”
“I’m healing. Gimme that shit,” he grabs the pot from Otto, taking a long puff. “Man, sometimes I just want something to pound into. But I don’t know about relationships,” Otto snorts, looking at his brother. “Yeah, I know. I fall in love fast, and that’s how I ended up with a psycho bitch. Got two of the most beautiful girls in the world though. And Otto who doesn’t date, but is falling for your brother’s girl. You know he’s only dating her because she’s a redhead. He only wants to be just like you.”
“Yep, it’s true,” Archer reaches for the joint, before sitting down. “Raiden won’t be joining us. He’s in training. He doesn’t just know I brought some mushrooms.”
“God, don’t give that giant psychedelics. Who is going to carry him when he’s tripping? Archie don’t! You hit send. Explain that to mom.”
“Explain what to your mother?” Carter asks, sitting down between Zephyr and Archie, his hands already reaching for the joint.
“That Archie brought hallucinogens for Raiden.”
“Hey, I want that guy to have fun. It flushes out of your system. Practice will be a breeze for him. Why is he getting drug tested? He’s not in season. It’s spring,” Zephyr shrugs, while Carter laughs. “Ah! There he comes now. Big guy,” reaching in his pocket, he throws the bag of pills to him. “Arleigh made these last week. You’re good.”
“You’re giving me drugs my future mother-in-law made? This feels wrong. Dad, have you ever taken drugs from Mimi?”
“No. From Papa, yes. Gummies.”
“Papa doesn’t,” Carter nods his head at Archer, who starts laughing. “I want to see Papa high.”
“No. You don’t. Trust me on that. I wish Brooks could be here.”
“Yeah, but he’s working,” Carter shoots a glaring look at Otto, taking another hit from the joint before handing it to Zephyr. “He’s always working.”
“And you’re always here. By the way, I moved into your spacious office. I figured you weren’t coming back. Ow,” Archer grabs his arm, where Otto had elbowed him. “What’s the deal with Brookie? Is he starting a branch or a company? Should have already had that up and running,” Zephyr gives a quick nudge to Otto, shaking his head. “Rai, how many of those did you take?”
“Five. Me big boy. Me handle it fine.”
“You caveman. It’s a wonder how you’ve managed to get Birdie Mae.”
“Because I’m not looking for someone to replace mom? Just a thought. Stop it, or face the wrath of Rai Man,” he gives Archer a karate chop. “There’s only one mom. Dad’s already scored her.”
“Ten times,” all the boys groan, and kick a bit of sand at him. “Easy. Boys, all I have ever wanted is for you to feel fulfilled in your life. Whether it’s alone, with a man or with a woman. Just be fulfilled and happy.”
“And happy!” Zephyr reaches behind him to a cooler, passing everyone a beer, but Raiden. “Sorry, you’re a minor.”
“For like four months. Gimme that.”
____________________________________________
Story stands at the top of the steps watching her boys. Their laughter is carried on the wind, but she never goes to sleep without telling Carter goodnight. Veda and Rosie already asleep in her bed beside Audriana, so she has a small window. She wishes that her itty bitty baby could be here. Misses him more everyday since he doesn’t call.
This is what she had always hoped for. Carter surrounded by his boys, being able to be their friend instead of just their father. And her husband looked so happy. Even with his high as a kite laugh. With a sigh, she picks up her dress, hearing her biggest baby cry in distress.
“Raiden, quit your screaming.”
“It’s no good. Ma!” he gets excited as she walks down to them. Leaning over Carter to give him a kiss. “Mom, I need belly rubs.”
“How is she going to rub your belly with chicken feet for hands?” Zephyr laughs laying back on the sand.
“Mama, why do you have chicken feet on your hands?”
“Oh, good grief,” she says, placing a hand on Raiden’s belly, giving him a little belly rub. “Zephyr Christopher, would you please stop it.”
“That’s not my name.”
“It is now. You want to torture my baby. You get a new name.”
“You called me Zephyr Christopher. I’m Zephyr Anders. Take it back.”
“Yeah, well, I can’t put you boys in timeout anymore, so I call you the wrong name,” she gives Raiden a pat to his belly, and kisses the top of his head. Making her rounds, to kiss all of them good night.”
“I mean, she’s called me Carter James Baizen.”
“You called dad after uncle Jamey,” Zephyr’s eyes completely closes, as he gives his dad a dopey laugh.
“No she didn’t!” Archer squeals.
“I’ve been Otto Steven before.”
“I’m Archer Beck. Caught her calling Brookie, Brooks Buchanan Baizen.”
“Ma! You are over here switching are names passive aggressively. What’s Raiden’s? Go on. Tell us what the baby boy’s name is,” Zephyr asks, still laying back on the sand, his own hands starting to rub his belly.
“I’m Raiden Jensen. Mom? Seriously, what are we gonna do about your hands? My belly still feels funny.”
“Go find Birdie Mae.”
“Oh! Okay. Burd-Dee! I’m coming, baby. No I’m not,” he sits back down, falling back to look up at the moon. “When will it stop?”
“What is he on Baizen?” giving Carter a little tug to his hair, to look up at her. “Baizen?”
“I didn’t do it. That was Archie.”
“He would never.”
“He did, Ma. And Zeph turned you into a chicken.”
“I’m bringing blankets. Baizen, don’t let any of you drown. I’m quite fond of you guys most of the time, but maybe you need to sleep out here.”
“My Queen, I’ll make sure all of us make it up to the house shortly. I’ve spent enough nights away from you. I won’t be spending another. How many are in our bed?”
“The youngest three. Audi is a bit upset that her Brookie isn’t here. Maybe you should call him?” Otto rolls his eyes, before laying into the sand. “He can at least spend a day and a night. Take Annie home with him. It’s out of the way for us. We’ll make sure she gets home, but still.”
“I’ll call him,” she turns to leave, but Carter grabs her hand, “I love you Story Baizen.”
“Love you, too, Sir Lancelot.”
“Eh!”
“I love you Carter Rory Baizen.”
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