A/N: By the way, this happens around April in the storyline.

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Welcome to the Family

It was quiet in 2J, which wasn't exactly usual. James and his girlfriend Dia sat on the orange sofa nervously, both of them staring at the door. James' hand gripped Dia's tightly.

"Could you stop crushing my hand please?" she whispered into his ear.

"Sorry," replied James, also in a whisper. He loosened his grip.

"Thank you."

"Why are we whispering?"

"I don't know."

There was a knock on the door, and the couple jumped to their feet. "She's here!"

"Well go answer the door!" Dia shoved James towards the door. He slowly walked over to it, placed his hand on the door handle, gulped, and opened the door.

"James!" He was engulfed in a tight and loving hug by his mother. "Oh, it's so good to see you!" She released him, taking his hands in both of hers. "How have you been?"

"I've been… I've been good, thanks," he replied, smiling back. "How about you?"

"Much better now that I'm here with you," replied Brooke, pinching his cheeks. Dia giggled, and the sound brought Brooke's attention past James' shoulder. "And who is this?"

Dia paled and her eyes widened. "Uh…" For once in her life, she could barely form a reply.

"Mom," said James, going over to Dia and bringing her over to Brooke. "This is Dia," he paused. "She's my friend." Dia punched him. "Girlfriend."

Brooke's eyes narrowed, and she looked Dia up and down.

"It's good to meet you, Mrs Diamond," Dia said, hiding her nervousness. Brooke's eyebrows raised at the sound of Dia's English accent.

"Hm."

James and Dia stared at her, waiting for a better response.

"You can do better."

Dia's jaw dropped, and her eyes began to well up with tears. James looked confused.

"What?" he said.

"She's British, it's just a novelty for you, sweetie. Her accent and mannerisms will eventually be too much for you. I'm just saving you the trouble."

Conflicting thoughts ran through James' head – he barely disobeyed his mother, but he and the guys had beaten her before. He looked over at Dia, who hadn't said a word, and realised how close she was to crying. Determination and anger became his first priority.

"I'm not breaking up with her, mom," said James. Dia looked up at him with hope.

"Pardon?" Brooke actually looked shocked.

"I'm not going to break up with her," James repeated. "I haven't been as happy with someone as I am with her, and I'm not going to let you make me take that away from my life."

Brooke breathed deeply, her nostrils flaring, obviously trying to keep her temper from exploding.

"I don't believe you," she said. "You're saying it just to defy me."

"No, mom!" James almost shouted. "I'm not just saying it. I love her."

"What?" Dia gasped, hardly daring to believe. "Really?"

James turned to her, took her hands in his, and looked her in the eyes. "I mean it, sweetpea," he smiled when she blushed at the nickname. "I love you."

Dia smiled back, unable and unwilling to hide her joy. "I love you too."

"Well," said Brooke before they had a chance to kiss. "If that is the case, and you really mean it, I suppose I could live with it." She looked Dia up and down again. "She is quite pretty, I suppose."

James laughed a little at his mother's change of heart, relieved that he was able to stand up to her on his own. "I think she's beautiful," he replied, pulling Dia close to him with his arm around her waist. "And," he looked down at her, "her British mannerisms are wonderful."

Dia punched him. "Shut up," she murmured, but she was smiling.

"I guess I could get used to those, too," Brooke said, a small smile on her face. She held out her hand for Dia to shake. "Pleased to meet you, Dia."

Dia shook her hand, practically beaming. "Pleased to meet you too, Mrs Diamond."

"Call me Brooke."