Inside the Hale house, Kat sat back with a smile, watching Ciara and Joey in the living room. Joey looked worn out, but that didn’t stop him from indulging Ciara. She had been the little sister he never had—until now. Today made it official. Joey was a Hale, and from the way the two of them giggled over doll games, it was clear he was already settling into the role of her older brother.
Kat couldn’t help but admire how seamlessly he fit into their family. Seeing him now, her thoughts wandered to Johnny. His younger brother had always been more interested in hanging out with Sandi at school events than spending time with Roni or Joey. Boys will be boys, she thought, recalling neighborhood days when Johnny and Sandi ruled the playground while Joey and Roni zipped around on their bikes. It felt like those moments were from another life entirely.
Her smile faded. The realization struck her like a dull ache—they’d never get to see Roni and Joey at prom together, or standing side by side at graduation. The weight of that thought lingered, stirring doubts in her heart. Were she and Jeff doing enough? Or were they leaving too much of this responsibility to their daughters?
The front door opened and Mrs. Hale started to smile before she saw her eldest daughter immediately head up stairs without acknowledging her, Joey, or Ciara. She was distraught about something, but as to what, Mrs. Hale wasn’t certain. She glanced at Joey, who watched Roni run upstairs just like she had, with a look of longing in his eye. But he sat on the couch next to Ciara, and Mrs. Hale knew that he saw that Roni needed some time alone.
A moment later, Mr. Hale entered. “Kat, I took Joey’s stuff into the garage. I hope you don’t mind, but a lot of it didn’t seem like clothes….” he trailed off as he saw Joey next to Ciara and sighed. “CiCi, JoJo needs some time to himself. He’s just too nice to say so” he smiled as he lifted his youngest daughter off the couch as she giggled, her legs kicking behind her.
“Daddy! He was gone all day!” she cried trying to keep her laughter down. “Please? I want to play with my brother!”
“Sorry, princess. He’s tired. Go upstairs and spend some time with Sandi, okay?” Mr. Hale suggested as he set his daughter down and ruffled her hair.
Nodding, Ciara ran up the stairs. “Sandi! Can we color!?” she called as she disappeared from sight.
Joey let out a breath as relief overtook him. He loved Ciara and Sandi, but after the day he’s had, playing with them, especially CiCi, seemed like the largest task of all. He stood up from the couch, setting the doll he had in his hands on the coffee table, and headed towards the kitchen, stopping just second in front of his father. “Thanks dad…” he said as he gave him a hug before moving over to Mrs. Hale, “you too, mom…thank you…” he gave her a hug before heading out through the kitchen and out the back door to the yard to take some time to himself.
Mrs. Hale was a little stunned, not necessarily from the hug, but from the mixture of sincerity and sadness in Joey’s voice. She watched her son disappear out the back door before turning to her husband, who was cracking his neck now that the two of them were alone.
“Jeff, what exactly happened today? you….Roni…Joey….you look exhausted” Mrs. Hale asked with genuine concern for her new family.
Sighing, Mr. Hale made his way over to his wife and wrapped his arms around her waist before pulling her in for a hug and kiss. “Babe…It’s a long story.”
The two sat at the dining room table for about 30 minutes. Mrs. Hale was seething, her hands balled into fists in her lap as her husband finished telling her about what happened at the Calhouns. “They…they’re fucking monters!” she spat, “How could they say such filth. About their own son no less! And how could you just…sit there and let it happen, Jeff?!”
Mr. Hale pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “It wasn’t easy, Kat. I wanted to pull Leonard across the table and throttle him. But I didn’t because of Joey.”
She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm down, but the anger wouldn’t go away. The way Joey’s parents talked about him, the way Jeff said they looked at him, and his own father hitting him—it brought her right back to her own childhood. Kat could still see it: the yelling, her brother deliberately pushing their parents’ buttons, and her curled up in the living room, wishing she could disappear. She hated those memories. And now, hearing what Joey went through, she couldn’t shake how much it reminded her of her own past.
But then, she thought about something that eased her anger a little. Joey had found the same kind of salvation she had all those years ago. When she met Jeff at 18, it had changed everything for her. She fell for him fast. He was a college baseball player with a kind heart, in town for a game against her junior college team, and he’d asked her out that same night.
One date turned into many. Jeff would make the long drive from Sacramento to Reno just to see her or spend time with her brother Roger. He noticed the bruises and how quiet she got whenever certain topics came up. At first, she’d tried to brush it off, but Jeff didn’t let it go. One day, he showed up at her house unannounced. Roger let him in, and it became the first of several visits where Jeff stayed by her side, offering quiet support while Roger dealt with their parents.
Eventually, Jeff convinced her to transfer to his college and move in with him. It was her way out. Roger had been fully on board, leaving home himself not long after she did.
Now, seeing Joey finally safe with their family, she couldn’t help but see herself in him. Like her, he’d escaped something terrible. But Joey seemed braver than she’d been back then. He’d taken the chance for a fresh start without hesitation, something she didn’t think she could’ve done at his age.
Mrs. Hales emotions steadied knowing that Joey wasn’t as stubborn and codependent as she had been in her young adult years. She look at Jeff with a softer expression. “He really gave them both a hug good-bye?”
Mr. Hale nodded. “Yup. You have to hand it to the boy, he’s much more forgiving than most. I don’t think I could have done it if I were him.”
“I never did…” Mrs. Hale added, thinking of when her mother eventually passed away, leaving her and Roger without parents four years ago. “Do you think that’s what’s bothering him? That he forgave people that he thinks don’t deserve it.”
Mr. Hale stroked his beard as he thought about it a moment, before shaking his head. “No. I think it had something to do with the Little paralegal he spoke to; Roni thinks the same. His parents at least gave him a gift that was sentimental. I don’t even think your parents did that when you left. No, whatever’s bothering him overtook what happened between him and his parents.”
The two of them sighed as they ran through what happened at the Generitech offices together. Mrs. Hale’s heart broke when her husband spelled out just what it meant to be a Little from a legal perspective. Sure, she had heard things here and there regarding littles, and knew some of the laws regarding their legal status, but to know of someone that signed an acknowledgment of what their future would hold, especially one so close to her, just completely shattered the views she had on the world at large.
His wife bit her lip in silent contemplation as Mr. Hale finished talking about what occurred. The other night, the stipulations on Roni being Joey’s guardian seemed to make so much sense, and they matched what was more or less recommended by the news and the local community. They even added some less standard agreements so that Roni wouldn’t be bogged down by watching over Joey while still ensuring he had some structure. That’s always what the news had mentioned. Littles need structure, they need a firm hand, strong guidance, and rigorous training. Mrs. Hale thought of the conferences for school that had occurred since the revelation of Smallara, ones where the school board would report the new curriculum regarding Littles and Smallara. They had repeated similar sentiments, some championing more extreme measures that, thankfully, not all of the parents agreed with or supported. While she neither agreed or disagreed with these ideas, Mrs. Hale also realized she had never put much thought into it. Now, though, she was adopting someone that would be directly affected by these ideals. Not only that, this person was already extremely aware of what his life could look like and had willingly signed an acknowledgment of it.
After a moment of silence, Mrs. Hale looked at her husband. “Are…you sure all of that hadn’t bothered him? I mean…it’s not too dissimilar from facing mortality…kind of”
Again, Mr. Hale shook his head. “No Kat,” he said firmly, “He even seemed more resolved to sign that..that..Government segregating garbage…but he seemed fine. Hell, if it weren’t for him being so resolute, Roni may not have had the courage to go through with it. You know how he is with her: he just pulls the confident side of her out on full display.”
Letting out a gloomy sigh, Mrs. Hale nodded, knowing full well what he meant. Roni was a lot more complex than some people realized. She had a great personality, to be sure. She seemed confident, outgoing, social, and just very well rounded. However, Roni’s extroverted personality didn’t prevent her from suffering from confidence and self-esteem issues. Her petite frame, average looks, and competitive nature tended to make her see herself as less than she actually was. Her friends all did their best to support her, some having gone as far as to take up Drama class and cycling so she didn’t have to do it alone, but Joey was the only one that seemed to really make her self-worth skyrocket. Neither of her parents could really understand why; maybe it was because he was so introverted but confident in himself, or maybe there was some merit in the Calhoun tradition of never letting their children succeed just by their name alone, but whatever it was, it was a trait that elevated Roni’s spirits.
If anything, this trait was one of the biggest reasons why they were okay with Joey being her little. Of course they love Joey, and they want the best for him and see him as the son they never had, but selfishly, they just couldn’t see their daughter falter because he wasn’t around to support her. Soon she would be off to college, at any school of her choice, and potentially would be doing so alone. That kind of move is monumental to a teenager, and to go through it without having the right resources would make anyone struggle. Neither of the Hales wanted to see their eldest daughter go away and be miserable, but attempt to hide it beneath her extroverted personality. They both feared her cracking from the pressure and self-isolating. With Joey as her little, though, that risk seemed to be nonexistent. He cared for her in a way that other just didn’t, and he understood her. The two of them probably would have gone to the same college anyway, so this just seemed to make sense to them.
Before either of them could say anything else, the door to the dining room opened and in walked Roni herself. Compared to when her father last spoke to her, she seemed to be in a better mood. Roni smiled warmly at the two before looking out the window to the backyard. “Is Joey outside?”
“Yes dear, probably on the hammock.” replied Mr. Hale, “Are you going to go talk to him?”
Nodding her head, Roni made her way to the kitchen. “Yeah…he texted me. He said he was too relaxed to move, but I think he just wanted to dodge Ciara a little longer,” she chuckled softly, “Anyway, he wants to tell me what’s going on.”
“Well, we’re here if either of you need us sweetheart,” Mrs. Hale offered, giving her daughter a warm maternal smile.
“Thank you Mom,” replied Roni, before heading into the kitchen to the backyard. Roni wasn’t too certain what this would be about, but she felt better knowing that she would have support no matter what happened.
1) “it was clear he was already settling into the role of her older brother” I reckon he’s been in that role for a while.
2) “His younger brother had always been more interested in hanging out with Sandi at school events than spending time with Roni or Joey” Interesting that those two are close as well
3) “They’d never get to see Roni and Joey at prom together, or standing side by side at graduation” now is the time for such revelations, (Though technically Kat wouldn’t know that for sure, for all she knows Joey would be years from shrinking.)
4) “Were she and Jeff doing enough? Or were they leaving too much of this responsibility to their daughters?” responsibility she chose to accept.
5) “CiCi, JoJo needs some time to himself. He’s just too nice to say so” Jeff knows him pretty well too.
6) “Daddy! He was gone all day… Please? I want to play with my brother!” That is so cute.
7) Hugging his new parents would be a good feeling.
8) “And how could you just…sit there and let it happen, Jeff?!” because he had a job to do that would have become more difficult if he lost control.
9) Kat’s childhood seemed rough. I’m glad Jeff was there for her.
10) “he’s much more forgiving than most. I don’t think I could have done it if I were him.” I’t certainly not something his parents deserved.
11) “No, whatever’s bothering him overtook what happened between him and his parents.” and by a lot.
12) “but to know of someone that signed an acknowledgement of what their future would hold, especially one so close to her, just completely shattered the views she had on the world at large” Man that’d suck for her.
13) “That’s always what the news had mentioned. Littles need structure, they need a firm hand, strong guidance, and rigorous training” What was this ‘news’? An interview with Cindy Wessen?
14) “Mrs. Hale also realized she had never put much thought into it” Those in the Ivory Tower often don’t.
15) “it’s not too dissimilar from facing mortality…kind of” That’s definitely a good comparison.
16) “Her petite frame, average looks, and competitive nature tended to make her see herself as less than she actually was” that’s normal for a teen. Still hope she get’s past it though.
17) “some merit in the Calhoun tradition of never letting their children succeed just by their name alone” that’s a pretty good tradition from terrible people.
18) “Of course they love Joey, and they want the best for him and see him as the son they never had, but selfishly, they just couldn’t see their daughter falter because he wasn’t around to support her” It’s an ulterior motive, but ultimately a harmless one.
19) “Compared to when her father last spoke to her, she seemed to be in a better mood” that’s the power of composing herself.
20) ““Yeah…he texted me. He said he was too relaxed to move, but I think he just wanted to dodge Ciara a little longer,” that’s a big brother move right there.
1) “it was clear he was already settling into the role of her older brother” I reckon he’s been in that role for a while.
good point. I think it’s more of a comfort to Kat to know that Joey wasn’t just there for the girls because it was an escape from his home.
2) “His younger brother had always been more interested in hanging out with Sandi at school events than spending time with Roni or Joey” Interesting that those two are close as well
lol close for different reasons. He has a crush on her
3) “They’d never get to see Roni and Joey at prom together, or standing side by side at graduation” now is the time for such revelations, (Though technically Kat wouldn’t know that for sure, for all she knows Joey would be years from shrinking.)
that’s a good point. kind of an oversight on my part lol
4) “Were she and Jeff doing enough? Or were they leaving too much of this responsibility to their daughters?” responsibility she chose to accept.
lol you’re making a lot of good points today. I think part of them is starting to feel guilty for originally not wanting to take part of Joey’s life once he becomes a little.
5) “CiCi, JoJo needs some time to himself. He’s just too nice to say so” Jeff knows him pretty well too.
I’ll work on reflecting that a bit more, but Joey and Jeff have gotten pretty close over the years.
6) “Daddy! He was gone all day… Please? I want to play with my brother!” That is so cute.
lol Ciara’s a cute kid
7) Hugging his new parents would be a good feeling.
absolutly
8) “And how could you just…sit there and let it happen, Jeff?!” because he had a job to do that would have become more difficult if he lost control.
exactly. granted, she was a bit upset about what had happened, rightfully so.
9) Kat’s childhood seemed rough. I’m glad Jeff was there for her.
it was. Roger alleviated a lot issues by being the main target on purpose, but it didn’t completely stop her parents
10) “he’s much more forgiving than most. I don’t think I could have done it if I were him.” I’t certainly not something his parents deserved.
I agree. I was thinking he probably wanted to at least be at peace with everything, but his parents didn’t really deserve the love he gave them before he left
11) “No, whatever’s bothering him overtook what happened between him and his parents.” and by a lot.
I like to think it’s how a lot of people would feel if they found out the change was that close
12) “but to know of someone that signed an acknowledgement of what their future would hold, especially one so close to her, just completely shattered the views she had on the world at large” Man that’d suck for her.
she’s also dealing with the fact that things surrounding littles seem to be a lot more different than she first thought.
13) “That’s always what the news had mentioned. Littles need structure, they need a firm hand, strong guidance, and rigorous training” What was this ‘news’? An interview with Cindy Wessen?
lol funny enough, that’s what it was alluding to. California is a little more progressive though and there’s a bit more push back against these ideas.
14) “Mrs. Hale also realized she had never put much thought into it” Those in the Ivory Tower often don’t.
just speaking truth all day today lol
15) “it’s not too dissimilar from facing mortality…kind of” That’s definitely a good comparison.
thank you!
16) “Her petite frame, average looks, and competitive nature tended to make her see herself as less than she actually was” that’s normal for a teen. Still hope she get’s past it though.
I think she will. She’s going to have to get to a point where she can be more sure of herself soon lol for hers and joey’s sake
17) “some merit in the Calhoun tradition of never letting their children succeed just by their name alone” that’s a pretty good tradition from terrible people.
the family is pretty serious about it. As an adult, leveraging it is different as it benefits the family and business, but until then, it’s just a form of coddling and letting their kids think they are higher in their station than they actually are.
18) “Of course they love Joey, and they want the best for him and see him as the son they never had, but selfishly, they just couldn’t see their daughter falter because he wasn’t around to support her” It’s an ulterior motive, but ultimately a harmless one.
agreed. They feel a bit guilty still. They have different expectiation for Joey as a little and I think as they peel back the propaganda and see what he’s like as a little, it’s going to really gnaw at them.
19) “Compared to when her father last spoke to her, she seemed to be in a better mood” that’s the power of composing herself.
for sure. taking some alone time always helps.
20) ““Yeah…he texted me. He said he was too relaxed to move, but I think he just wanted to dodge Ciara a little longer,” that’s a big brother move right there.
lol Ciara would have hopped on his back had he gone to Roni’s room.
Very good, I really appreciated the deepening of the characters’ past history, allowing us to look at and try to understand the characters’ personalities in the present. The delve into Mrs. Hale and Mr. Hale’s past was very well done. I continue to follow it, I confess that it is the only story about giants that I am following. I used to read stories from the giantesworld website but the quality of the stories and the authors has dropped in a frightening way, characterized by a dive into fetishes and sex with empty stories. I liked the story that started here about the little brothers and the teenage actress but it seems that whoever is writing it has given up. A hug.
That story was called “The Brothers” and it’s only a one-shot. The author didn’t give up he’s just not intended that story continue.
He’s also the main author on this website with 667 chapters in the Smallara universe, which he created.
I know, maybe the only good thing he did, but someone picked up his story and continued it, was following and liking it, but he stopped posting unfortunately, I don’t know if he gave up on continuing the story or if he will just post more slowly.
I expected a jump to future in the story. though, good chapter!
lol if I was more detailed and planned, I’d be able to tell you when that happens. There will be one in the near future though