Modern Family

The shock of gaining a teenage son who had spent most of his life in the foster care system, having Kyle come live with him full-time would have been enough for most people. Horatio and Kyle had come a long way since they met when the boy had just turned fifteen. Kyle had officially added "Caine" to his name three years ago. He had been more than welcoming of Aimee into their new family. Despite Aimee not being old enough to be his mother the two quickly had established a warm bond, both knowing how it felt to have a biological mother's rejection. Rather than rolling his eyes and sighing like most teens Kyle was excited to become a big brother at 17, then again at 19. Kyle was waiting at the hospital during Aimee's labor and deliveries of his sisters Rachel and Cheyenna. He had met each one and held her just a half hour after she was born, or as soon as his stepmother was "decent" again. He wasn't surprised to be waiting on the birth of a little brother now at 21.

Four-year-old Rachel and two-year-old Cheyenna adored their big brother who lived above the garage and often helped them get into mischief. They weren't sure what they thought of the little brother thing. Rachel thought their parents "had enough kids" because she already had to share her room and toys with her sister. Cheyenna said she liked babies but didn't want one to live with her. For their dad, having all his children under one roof was a dream. Kyle was on a waiting list to start a veterinary technician next year. Even after he completed this he didn't have to move out if he didn't want to, he would only have to contribute to utility bills. Horatio in particular, didn't want Kyle to move out. He and Aimee had one rule as long as Kyle lived at home.

Kyle was welcome to spend the night anywhere he liked. But no girlfriends spent the night or moved into the apartment above the attached garage. Seeing how much work went into relationships Kyle Harmon-Caine was in no hurry to be in one.

Fatherhood?

No fucking way. As much he loved them, he saw how exhausting his sisters could be, not to mention, expensive. He didn't want fatherhood that any time soon. Being a big brother was enough. That was all the fun without the responsibilty. He could deal with his parents' rule. It might even help him in avoiding premature parenthood. Girls he met so far didn't like the fact he still lived at home and was so close to his family. That was their problem to deal with. They hadn't lived his life.


"So. Your mom is not due till when?"

Kyle was doing his usual shift at the animal shelter. It wasn't the first time someone had referred to Aimee as his mom. He didn't mind, she was the only maternal figure he had ever had. Usually he called her "mom" anyway.

"The end of March. Rachel and Cheyenna would much rather me bring home a puppy than have another baby in the house," Kyle said.

"What do your parents say about that?" Kyle's co-worker, Haley was starting her second career and had only had been working at the shelter a week. "The girls not wanting another sibling around."

Kyle chuckled. "I think they would it put more delicately but they don't have a say."

Kyle had shown her, and practically everyone he worked with, the 4-D ultrasound print of his unborn brother, who he got to name. He had chosen the name Hunter, leaving the middle name up to his parents. The name Hunter also been one of Aimee's choices for a boy with her first two pregnancies. Kyle hadn't known that until he announced his decision. No matter what he was to be named the new baby was going to be quite an adjustment to two little girls who didn't like the idea of a new baby in the first place.