Wow, it's been exactly two months since I've updated. Jeez. Sorry for the long update time guys. I'm really sorry. I've just been busy and didn't have a single clue on what to write. But here you guys go. A chapter full of Spencer's and Spencer's to be. Enjoy!
With the O'Hara's on the other side of the table talking about wedding plans, Henry and Shawn had to make do. Neither of them had been asked another question since Maryanne's remark. Henry was currently cutting his ham into small pieces while Shawn was doing something on his phone- texting Gus. Henry nudged Shawn, who quickly dropped his phone and looked up. Henry rolled eyes and watched the other family converse. Maryanne was talking nonstop to Juliet who was nodding, but looked rather bored. Lloyd was eyeing everyone that came into the diner. Henry even noticed Lloyd watching Shawn closely.
Henry stiffened and had to stop himself from yelling at Lloyd. Even though Shawn and Henry rarely got along, Shawn was still his only child. He felt a need to protect his son. Just as a male lion would do to his own cubs. He would protect his cubs from any harm. Shawn was his cub, no matter how old and Lloyd was the unseen predator. Henry could just tell Lloyd was up to something, and that upset him greatly. Henry felt a small growl in his chest as Lloyd gave Shawn another hungry look. It looked as if Shawn was a piece of meat and Lloyd was a hungry wild animal. Henry locked eyes with Lloyd and waited until Lloyd dropped the contact.
"Well Mom, I think that's enough for today." Juliet thankfully stopped her mother.
"But Julie dear, this needs to be planned." Maryanne protested.
"And it will be. Shawn's mother gets in today, and that's when the real planning can begin. Right Shawn?" Juliet looked at Shawn. He nodded and gave a thumbs up. Lloyd rolled his eyes and Henry felt another surge of protection for Shawn.
"My Mom is very good with the whole, uh, party planning thing." Shawn said.
"This isn't a party young man, nor a game." Lloyd snapped at Shawn.
"He knows that." Henry found himself saying to Lloyd in a harsh voice. Everyone went silent as Henry and Lloyd wordlessly battled for the Alpha Male position in this little grouping of the family.
"Dad?" Shawn placed a hand on Henry's shoulder. "I think he's still a little messed up from last night. Drink water Dad." Shawn placed a cup of water in front of Henry. Henry's muttered his thanks and took a sip of the water.
"Lloyd, stop it." Maryanne barked at her husband. Juliet sighed and looked at Shawn pleadingly.
"Well, not that this hasn't been fun- I'm sure the two of you would like Jules to show you around a bit." Shawn changed the subject. "I have some work to do before I go and get my Mom."
"Oh yes! Many things I'd look to do." Juliet took Shawn's hint and began to field her family out of the booths.
"We still have to pay the check." Lloyd began to say pulling out his wallet.
"I got it." Henry beat him to it by plopping a fifty dollar bill on the table. Lloyd gave Henry a nasty look before following his wife outside. With Shawn's persistence, the rest began to walk outside. "I'll see you later." Henry told Shawn, walking to his car the moment his foot was on the ground.
"Do you need a ride?" Juliet asked placing a hand on Shawn's arm.
"Huh?" he looked back at her as his father's car went out of sight.
"We came together." She reminded him.
"Oh, yeah, sorry Jules. I just- what the hell got into my dad?" Shawn crossed his arms across his chest.
"I have no idea," Juliet tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "Your mom will hopefully make him behave. Speaking of which, you take the car." She reached into her pocket and pulled out the keys.
"Are you sure?" Shawn took the keys from her.
"Yeah, I'll get a ride from my parents. Call me when you get her?" Juliet wrapped her arms around Shawn's waist.
Shawn smiled and hugged her back, "I will." He assured. He pulled back, cupped her face and kissed her soundly. Juliet sighed into the kiss and inched forward a little. She felt one of Shawn's hands move into her hair as the other pressed the cool metal into her cheek.
"Julie?" Shawn and Juliet reluctantly pulled apart, her arms still wrapped around him. Shawn's hands fell to his side and a light blush began to spread on his cheeks.
"Sorry." He apologized to Maryanne who was standing by the car.
"You know you look cute when you blush." Juliet whispered. Shawn chuckled and bent down for one last kiss. "I love you and I'll talk to you later." Juliet pecked his lips.
"You better mister." She let him pull out of her grasp as he turned and walked to the car. Once in the car and the engine was started, Shawn gave a final wave as he pulled into the street. Juliet waved back and blew a kiss before turning and heading to her parents and the waiting car.
"They hate me you know?" Shawn leaned back into his chair and sighed. "What did I ever do? I mean, I know I'm marrying their only daughter but can't the pretend to be happy?" Shawn asked.
"I know what you mean." Rachel answered.
"I love her and she loves me." Shawn squeezed the Football in his hands.
"And that's all that matters." Rachel agreed. Shawn nodded and took a look around.
"I know you called to talk to Gus, but thanks for listening." Shawn threw the ball across the room and watched as it smacked into the opposite wall.
"I don't mind talking to you Shawn. I just don't appreciate it when you interrupt Burton and I." Shawn heard some water running after Rachel spoke.
"Thanks Rachel. Ooh Gussy!" Shawn yelled when he saw Gus walk through the door.
"Shawn don't ever call me that again." Gus set his briefcase down on the ground by his desk.
"I think it's rather cute." Rachel spoke surprising Gus.
"Thank you Rachel." Shawn smiled as Gus rushed forward and took the phone from the desk. He covered the mouth piece and hissed at Shawn, "What I have told you about taking my calls?"
"You weren't here, and I needed a feminine approach." Shawn lifted his feet onto his desk.
"Next time, call me." Gus whispered.
"Shawn is allowed to talk to me whenever he likes." Rachel's voice sounded making Gus jump. "And anyways, aren't you supposed to be picking up your mother?"
"That's right!" Shawn jumped up and grabbed the keys from the hook. "Thanks Ray-Ray!" Shawn shouted as he rushed out of the office.
"Gosh, I wish he would stop calling me that." Gus chuckled and sat in Shawn's empty seat.
"You just get used to it." Gus looked out the window and saw Shawn moving his head in a manner not normal as he pulled out of the parking lot.
"Sure thing Gussy." Gus groaned and leaned back into the chair.
"That was some kiss." Juliet's mom commented looking back at Juliet. Juliet shrugged and looked out her window. "Does he always kiss you like that?"
"Only when he wants to show off." Juliet smiled at her mom. Maryanne nodded and joined Juliet with looking out the window.
"Does he show off all the time?" Lloyd said with a tone of disgust.
"Eh, every once in a while, but he's cute when he's being cocky and smug." Juliet answered. She looked at her mom and frowned when she heard Lloyd mumble, "Cocky."
"Shawn's a good man. He may seem childish, but he's very nice. He's takes very good of me, his friends and his family. I couldn't ask for a better man." Juliet said proudly.
"Of course not dear." Maryanne fingered the ring on her hand. Juliet rolled her eyes and leaned her head on her hand. A small buzzing caught her attention. Juliet reached to her pocket and seeing that it was Carlton- she answered in an appropriate manner. "O'Hara?"
"O'Hara, hey- um, I know this is your day off and everything, but, would you mind coming in and filling out some paperwork? Chief's really getting on me." Juliet chuckled when she heard her partner's voice.
"Of course Carlton, but can't it wait until later? I'm with my parents." Juliet asked.
"Look O'Hara, Vick wants it done so-," he began to speak but Juliet cut him off.
"You know Carlton, when Shawn and I get married, I won't be O'Hara anymore. I'm taking his name." Juliet said.
"I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. Now get down here." Carlton said through gritted teeth before hanging up.
"Lloyd can you drive to the station?" Lloyd nodded and headed towards the station.
"So you're officially taking his name?" Maryanne turned in her seat.
"I mean, we haven't talked about it, but I plan too." Juliet nodded placing her phone back in her pocket.
"Juliet Spencer… has a ring to it." Maryanne said smiling at Juliet.
"Mom!" Shawn yelled seeing his mother as she came into his sight.
"Goose!" she dropped her bags and embraced him in a hug. "Congratulations! Oh, I knew you were going to marry her. She's the perfect choice." Maddie patted her sons back.
"Thanks mom, I'm glad you're happy about it." They pulled apart. Maddie held Shawn at arm's length and viewed him.
"You've gained some weight. Grown a nice beard. Seems like you're all grown up." Maddie smiled.
"Mo-om." Shawn moaned.
"What? Am I not allowed to talk about you? I wiped your butt until you were potty trained." Maddie said.
"Mom, please stop." Shawn begged leaning down to pick up her suitcase.
"Am I embarrassing you Goose? " Maddie smiled and watched as her son picked up the case.
"Yeah, mom, very much so." Maddie laughed and hugged him again. "I love you so much." She kissed the side of his head.
"I love you too ma, now c'mon, I promised Jules we'd meet her and her parents for a late lunch." Shawn took Maddie's last bag from her hand and swung it over his shoulder.
"What are they like?" Maddie asked as they began to walk towards the car. "Her parents?"
"Uh, they're okay I guess." Shawn shrugged not knowing exactly what to say. He personally wasn't too fond of them, but they were Juliet's parents. She loved them, and he loved her. He was going to have to make it work. Shawn placed the bags onto the ground, and opened up the back. "Lloyd- Juliet's stepdad is very protective over her. I don't think he likes me very much." Shawn slowly loaded the bags into the trunk of Juliet's car.
"We'll, you are a very exceptional boy Shawn. An… acquired taste of you'd like to put it like that." Maddie smiled and handed Shawn the last bag. "Juliet is very fond of you, and that should be it for her parents. Regardless of their personal feelings, don't worry about it too much Goose." Maddie laid a hand on Shawn's shoulder.
"Why is it you always make me feel like a little kid?" he shut the trunk's door and turned to his mom.
"Because I'm your mom and you're my little Goose." She smiled and pinched his cheek for effect. Shawn stood there and let it happen. Once she lowered her hand, both proceeded into the car, and drove to meet Juliet and her family.
"I'll only be a few minutes, I promise." Juliet assured her parents.
"Take as long as you need too, Lloyd and I would love to have a look around at some of the shops down the street. Say hello to Carlton for us." Maryanne waved as Lloyd slowly back up.
"I will." Juliet waved back and then walked into the station. She sighed happily when the AC blasted against her skin. She'd been dying in the heat of the car. Juliet made her way over to her desk, where she found her partner sitting on the table top.
"I saw you coming." He pointed at the window and hurried off the desk. Juliet chuckled and set her purse down onto the chair.
"Where's this paperwork? I have to meet Shawn and his mom for lunch soon." Carlton produced a thin stack of paper from behind his back.
"Thanks for the help, I wouldn't ask but Vick was yelling for no reason. She's stressed about something." Both Detectives looked towards the Chief's office. The blinds were down and the door was shut.
"It's okay Carlton, I understand." Juliet took the paperwork and lifted the purse onto the desk; she slipped into the chair gracefully.
"So how are things going with that exactly? Not that I care or anything…" Carlton straightened out the tie around his neck.
"Uh, it's going well I suppose. Could be better and it could be worse. My parents were very shocked about the proposal. I can't blame them though; I guess I would've been too." Juliet answered starting to fill out the blank spaces on the white paper.
"And Spencer's been helpful?" Carlton dragged a chair over and sat in it.
"Which one? Henry's been firing looks at Lloyd, and vice versa. Shawn's done nothing but stare at his shoes. I think he's a bit nervous or scared of my mom. She kinda snapped at him, and he went all quiet. It wasn't like him." Juliet looked up momentarily to find her partner smiling.
"Spencer shut up? Really? Do you think the diner would let me see their security footage?" he looked like a kid who had been offered the world on a silver platter.
"Carlton." Juliet frowned.
"I'm just joking O'Hara. I'm sure Spencer is just… I'm not even going to try and defend him. He's an idiot. The sooner you learn that, the better." He stood up and put the chair in its rightful place before walking away. Juliet watched him go and shook her head softly. Juliet turned to her paperwork, and started to work silently. Almost an hour went by with no distractions, Juliet jumped out of her seat when she felt her phone vibrating in her pocket.
"Hello?" she asked not looking at the caller I.D.
"Hey beautiful." She smiled when she heard Shawn's voice.
"Hey baby, what's up?" She set her pen down and leaned back into the chair.
"Nothing much, waiting for my mom." Shawn answered. From his end of the line, Juliet heard numerous noises. Telephones, other people talking, she even heard a baby crying.
"Oh yeah? How much longer?"
"She should be out any second. How are your parents?" Juliet cracked her hand and switched the phone to the other ear.
"I'm actually at the station, needed to fill out some paperwork. I'm almost done, so I can still meet you for lunch." Juliet informed him.
"Well, I don't want you working too hard Jules. This is your day off, you're supposed to relax." Shawn said.
"I will relax. And if you really want me to enjoy this day, you can give me a massage later." Juliet told him with a smile.
She heard Shawn chuckle, "It would be my honor. Anything for you gorgeous. Ah, they're letting my mom's flight out. I'll see you in a bit. Love you."
"Love you too." She barely said before he hung up. Juliet glanced at the clock on her phone and stood up. Her back popping as she did so. Juliet sighed happily and picked up the pile of paper. She walked across the room and plopped it on Carlton's desk.
"I'm all done. Now, I'm going to go and spend the rest of the day with my fiancé. Please don't call again unless it's absolutely necessary." She said before turning around.
"You've been around him too much already O'Hara." Carlton called to her as she grabbed her things from her desk and walked outside, waiting for her parents to arrive.
"Hello Henry." Maddie greeted as Shawn and she walked into the restaurant.
"Hello." Henry smiled giving her a hug. Shawn watch as Maddie pecked him on the cheek.
"Can you two stop?" Shawn asked shifting on his feet.
"Grow up." Henry simply answered.
"Are the other's here?" Maddie grabbed Shawn's arm and forced him closer.
"Not yet. I'm first to arrive." Henry said. "I'm sure they wouldn't mind if we went ahead and had a seat."
"You two go sit. I'll wait here." Shawn nodded.
"Oh Goose," Maddie chuckled pinching his cheek. "Nothing is going to happen. Don't worry sweetie." Maddie finished off her affection with a pat to his nose.
"Please stop mom, I'm begging you." Shawn closed his eyes.
"Begging what?" Juliet asked appearing at his side.
"Jules!" Shawn nearly shouted pulling her into a hug. "I missed you."
"Wow. Okay, I missed you too sweetie. Hi Mrs. Spencer." Juliet patted Shawn's back and smiled at Maddie.
"Now please Juliet, call me Maddie." Maddie smiled and hugged Juliet when Shawn finally let go of her. Maddie released Juliet and eyed her up and down. "You look very beautiful. I couldn't ask for a better woman for my little Goose than you."
"Mo-om." Shawn whined.
"She just loves you Shawn, as do I." Juliet stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
"Aren't they just adorable Henry?" Maddie beamed at them folding her hands.
"Oh yes, so adorable. Can we eat now?" Henry asked.
"Henry…" Maddie turned to scold him but he was saved when Juliet's parents arrived.
"Sorry it took us so long, parking was a nightmare." Maryanne announced as she and Lloyd stood next to Juliet. "I'm Maryanne, you must be Shawn's mother." She held out a hand for Maddie.
"Yes, that would be me. It's nice to meet you, I'm Maddie." Both women shook hands with a great small on their face. "I look forward to getting to know you both and your family. That's going to be very important seeing as how our families are going to be merging soon." Maryanne nodded and didn't say anything. Both Henry and Maddie did however notice how her faced pinched.
"Merging?" Shawn whispered. Juliet turned to look at him and just shook her head. "What?" he said a little louder.
"Let's eat shall we?" Henry suggested putting a hand on Maddie shoulder.
Hope you all enjoyed. And I promise to update sooner than I did last. I'll try my best, but my promises probably mean nothing -Sighs- enjoy your life!