Highlander
"Kith and Kin"
Summary: Richie's introduction to Tessa's family doesn't go smoothly.
Author's Note: Sequel to "Hearth and Home". Richie is only fifteen; takes place in season one after "Family Tree".
Warning: This story will contain spanking of a teenager. If this offends, PLEASE don't read it.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, nor will I ever. I am simply writing this story purely for my personal enjoyment.
(A.N.: Small correction from Ch. 1: It's Tessa's parent's 40th anniversary. Not 50th.)
Chapter 2: Who's Who?
"Were going to France!" Richie exclaimed the next morning at breakfast. "Tomorrow!" His fork froze in mid-air, his blue berry pancakes forgotten as he stared at the couple staring at him expectantly.
Tessa nodded. "Yes," she told him. "My parent's anniversary is next week and they wish us to come and celebrate it with them." She was smiling brightly, hoping against hope that the boy wouldn't take this news as if it were a death sentence.
"But…" Richie said, trying to think of a suitable argument not to go, "I haven't learned enough French yet. Besides, I don't even have passport!" He had actually been doing very well in his tutoring sessions.
Duncan and Tessa smiled at each other. "I'm taking care of the passport this morning, Rich," the Immortal told him. "I have a few "old" friends who owe me a favor or two."
"And my entire family speak fluent English, Richie," she told him, gently. "My grandfather was British, so we grew up learning both French and English. My sisters have taught my nieces, as well."
"Oh," Richie said, his brain going blank on him, "then I guess it'll be okay." He didn't think so, but hey what choice did he have?
Duncan chuckled. "It'll be okay, Tough Guy," he told him, getting up and patting him on the back. "We're not going to open the store this morning, so you can just relax and maybe get some packing done. I should be back around noon or so. If it'll take longer I'll call." He had already shrugged into his jacket, and now he came over and gave Tessa a kiss. For good measure, he kissed the top of his son's reddish-blonde curls.
"Ahh," Richie groaned. "Do you have to do that?" He wrinkled his nose at the show affection.
"Yes," Duncan told him, firmly. "I do." He then ruffled the boy's hair and headed down the stairs to the T-Bird.
Richie sighed, looking down at his forgotten breakfast.
Tessa grinned. "Richie," she said, gaining the boy's attention, "everything will be all right. My family will love you, just as Duncan and I do."
"I know you believe that, Tess," he told her, "but trust me. Their probably all ready hiding the family silver."
Tessa rolled her eyes at him. "Don't be silly," she scolded him, gently. "After we made the flight arrangements, I called Mama to tell her that we were coming. She was quite thrilled and can't wait to meet you. I know Papa will be overjoyed."
"Why do you say that?" Richie asked, curious.
"Because," Tessa told him, smiling, "my sisters both had girls. You will be the grandson he has always wanted."
Richie couldn't help grin at that. "So," he said, "you have sisters, huh?"
Tessa nodded. "Yes, two," she told him, taking a sip of her coffee. "Tori is three years older than I and Toni is three year younger."
"You're in the middle," Richie said, surprised. He had always thought she must have been an only child or at leas the youngest. "Your sisters have weird names."
Tessa grinned. "Their full names are Victoria and Antonia," she explained, "but Papa said those names were just too long for little girls, so he shortened them. They have been Tori and Toni ever since."
"That's cool," Richie said, getting up and taking his plate to the sink. "You said they have girls?" He came back and sat down. He really wanted to know who was who so that he didn't make a complete idiot of himself when he met them.
"Yes," Tessa said, "they both had twin girls. Tori's two, Tara and Tamara, are eighteen. Toni's two, Tina and Tami, are twelve. They are wonderful and I think you'll like them very much."
"All you're names begin with T," he said, "well, sorta."
Tessa chuckled. "It was their husband's idea," she explained. "They thought it'd be cute."
"Their husbands?" Richie asked, a little worriedly. Tessa's sisters might not have a problem with him but their husbands probably certainly would. It had been his experience that fathers didn't like him anywhere knew their daughters. Kinda cousins, or not.
"Yes, Victor and Antonio," she told him. "They were twins and both loved my sisters terribly. They met at a party one night and thought it such a funny coincidence that their names were alike. Victor married Victoria, and Antonio married Antonia. They were very nice men and I always liked them." There was a sad look on her face and in her voice that he picked up on.
"Were?" he asked, puzzled.
"Yes," Tessa said, sadly, "I'm afraid they were killed in a car accident a few years ago. My sisters moved back in with our parents after that. Though they understand, I think they do wish Duncan and I lived closer."
Richie bit his lip, not sure what to do or say next. "So," he said, "is that all who's going to be there. Just your parents, your sisters, and their daughters?"
Tessa nodded. "Yes," she said. "Their anniversary is next Friday and they'll be a big party that night that a lot of their friends and neighbors have been invited to, but as far as the rest of the week it will be just us and them.
Okay, maybe that wouldn't be so bad then. "I guess I better go start packing, huh?" Richie asked, sheepishly.
Tessa smiled. "Would you like me to help you?" she asked.
Figuring it would cheer her up a little bit, he said, "Sure." Getting up, they headed to his bedroom.
Tomorrow was going to be a busy day for all of them, especially Richie.
Please, don't let me blow it.
TBC…
