Topic: Cleaning up the mess.

Caitlin Rhovnik

Date: 2008-03-22 13:32 EST
Caitlin had let herself into the warehouse, she was fairly certain that the boys had gone out because it was dark and quiet, which was perfect for her. She went into the store front and turned on as few of lights as possible, because she didn't want to be caught. She was clad in black capri pants, an old work t-shirt and a wrap around her head holding her hair back. She had her camera with her and a basket of cleaning supplies.

The camera was set down and she set to work cleaning. Every glass case was cleaned until they sparkled and the black velvet lining in the cases was brushed off and straightened. She worked hard on her hands and knees scrubbing the floors and base boards and worked her way up the walls. Light bulbs were changed, shelving was dusted off, everything was perfect. She was so excited about her suprise for Ethan.

Walking into the back room she started to carefully collect all of the glass figurines that Ethan had made. They were so incredible. She paused on the small cat she had watched him make, it was so pretty. Perhaps she would have to buy it off of him. All of the items were carefully transported to the store front show room and set on the counters. One by one she put them into a small white box and set the lighting, then she took pictures of each one for the portfolio she was making. After all the pictures were taken, the figurines were put into the cases. She even catergorized them. Animals with animals, Scenary with Scenary, and so on and so forth.

Satisfied with her work she rushed back into the warehouse and went into the office where she had set down her camera dock and printer. She set to printing out the pictures, she even had a few that she had snuck of Ethan and of the building.

The portfolio was put together to showcase his work. There was a picture of him in the back and a picture of the store on the front. She looked through the book taking in all the beauty of his designs and then she went back into the store and laid the book on the top of the counter with a letter to him.

" Ethan,

I'm so happy that you are able to follow your dreams. Thank you for letting me be apart of all of this. You know where to find me if you need anything. Thanks for being a friend, Boss.

~Cait "

Gathering up her cleaning items and then her camera and docking station she headed for the warehouse door.

Ethan Kaiser

Date: 2008-03-24 17:46 EST
Things seemed to be going so slowly that Ethan and Bradley were beginning to argue. With Ethan stretching his time to fit in all of his different projects, it usually left Bradley to ready the shop alone. Brad had finally given up and worked on the apartment upstairs. He needed a place for his daughter to live without worrying about bothering his brother. The two were close, but even the closest of family can begin to aggravate each other after too long.

Ethan spent most of his time working on Jolyon's home. It was quite the fixer-upper and any time left over was spent at the Refuge. The youngest Kaiser found himself cleaning in the shop well into the wee hours of the morning. While he enjoyed working because he found great pride in completing different tasks, Ethan knew that things were just too much for him to handle. Luckily, he'd finished his work for Alain and the crew was beginning to lay foundations. The project was moving along quickly, so Ethan drew back. He'd probably return to the grounds when they were laying the roofs. For now, however, he needed to get his shop up and running and that soon became his top priority.

Rena offered her assistance. In addition to taking Adalia out for the day to a tea party, she sent some of her people to help Ethan clear out all the bulk. By the end of the day, just small tasks remained. The kinds of tasks Ethan loathed. He hated scrubbing floors and washing windows.

That was what he was prepared to do the day after Caitlin had unsuspectingly "broken in". What he found when he got there was spectacular. Everything was finished. The floors looked great. All the storage shelves had been cleaned off. Windows were spotless. After wandering into his office, he found the portfolio and even got a little choked up. Caitlin was such a sweetheart to have around the shop--he was glad he'd hired her. Each photo was looked over carefully and scrutinized; Caitie had done a wonderful job. He was proud.

After walking through the whole building, Ethan decided to rush home and inform his brother that they could open for business. Once a little more cash rolled in, they could furnish the upstairs apartment and they could begin life anew.

On the way home, Ethan decided a biiiig bonus was in store for Caitie.