Author's Note: Chapter 10 is up and it's a long one!
Disclaimer: I don't own Primeval or any films/books/songs that are featured in my books.
Rating: T for mild swearing.
Crazy Wedding
Chapter 10 – Findings and Families:
2 days later…
###Thursday the 29th of May 2014###
Mr Parker stared over at Becker as he carried a couple of suitcases into the Living Room from his and Jess's bedroom. It had been two days since the arrival of Sid and Nancy. Mrs Parker had accepted the whole 'Chipmunk-Beaver' lie, but Mr Parker knew that there defiantly something more there. He'd known from the beginning that something was not right about Becker, or his job.
So he'd called up an Old Army Buddy for some information…
Yesterday…
Mr Parker entered his bedroom and quietly closed the door behind him. He set up his laptop on the nearby desk, then flipped open his phone. He quickly dialled a number and waited as the line began to ring.
"Hello, can I speak to Lieutenant-General Edward Simmons, please? It's General Harold Parker here. Yes, I'll hold, thank you."
After a few seconds the phone beeped again.
-"Harry Parker, is that really you?" asked a rough, yet cheerful, voice from the other end of the line.
"Hello, Edward. I heard you were promoted to the big-time. Didn't retire to like the rest of us, then?" Mr Parker said, coolly as he settled into his chair.
-"You mean I didn't take an early retirement to go live it up in L.A, you mean? What can I do for you, old chap?" Simmons replied brightly.
"I need a favour. You don't suppose you could give me the background checks for one Captain Hilary Becker, could you?" Mr Parker said, hesitantly.
-"Why on earth would you want that?" He asked, his tone full of concern.
"The Boy's marrying my daughter." The Old Army General explained darkly.
-"Little Jess is getting married? Blimey it felt just like yesterday when she was just a toddler. It feels the same about my girl, she's 19 now. She's off to University soon, you know. She's studying Zoology. It feels just like yesterday when I was teaching her how to-…" the Lieutenant-General said, distractedly.
"Big picture, Eddie." Mr Parker suddenly cut across him, seriously.
-"Look Harry, I can't just hand out classified information on people just because they're marrying my old Commanding Officer's Daughter." Simmons told him seriously.
"Oh c'mon, Eddie. You still owe me for Peru, '95! And I'd do it if it was your Amy getting married to some bloke you've never even met before." Mr Parker said quickly. He heard his old friend sigh deeply before speaking again.
-"I can't just give you the background checks. But I can tell you." Simmons said calmly.
"Good Man!" Mr Parker commented happily.
-"Right, his full name is Captain Hilary James Becker. Born 6th of May 1987. He started Sandhurst at the age of 17, and completed the training within a year, -blimey he's good. Anyway; after that he was assigned straight to the S.A.S. He rose up the ranks with ease. He's awards for heroism, leadership, all sorts. But he disappeared off the grid in early 2009, when he was 22, soon after he was promoted to Captain. No sign of him since."
"What about injuries? What injuries did he get when he was serving?" Mr Parker asked curiously.
-"Nothing too serious. One nasty bullet to the shoulder, but he recovered from that within a few months." Simmons asked, confused.
"Was he ever shot in…say…the leg?" The Daddy-Parker asked slowly.
-"No. Why?"
"Just curious. Well, that's all I need to know. Thanks Edward." Mr Parker said after a hefty sigh.
-"Look, Harold, don't do anything stupid. If Jess is happy with him, then what's the problem?" Simmons advised.
"I'll speak to you soon, mate. Bye." Mr Parker said after pressing the END CALL button. He sighed and leaned against the desk. Something wasn't right here. Why would Captain Becker say he was shot in the leg, when his file clearly says he wasn't? And how come he disappeared off the grid five years ago?
Present…
Jess packed up the last of her stuff. She was wearing a purple skirt that came just below mid-thigh, a baby blue see through blouse with white vest top underneath and purple opened toed criss-cross ribbon high heels.
Today was the day they'd be heading up to the Hotel Romsey. Today was also the day that the Parkers would finally meet the Beckers. And it was an understatement to say she wasn't looking forward to it. No, Jess was dreading it. Despite the families being alike on many fronts, (for example both were fairly rich) they were so different from each other. You could just see where this was going.
"Are these the last two?" asked a deep voice that brought Jess back to reality. She looked up and saw Becker picking up the second from last suitcase and gesturing to suitcase that still lay open on the bed.
"Yeah, I'll just put the last of my stuff in here and then I'm done." She replied, smiling brightly.
"Is everything okay, sweetheart?" The Young Captain asked, putting the suitcase back down and walking over to her.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Jess replied, not looking up at him as she closed the suitcase on the bed. Her fiancé put his hands on her hips, ducked down and pressed a soft yet meaningful kiss on her lips.
"What's on your mind?" Becker asked, after pulling away, but still holding her close.
"I was just thinking about our families. They're so like, ya know. They're both doing well money-wise and they're both sophisticated-…" Jess began to explain, looking thoughtful as she did.
"Sophisticated? You've met Jake and Kyle, right?" He interrupted, arching an eyebrow. She gave him a sheepish look before continuing.
"They're also very different. You've got a big family; I've got a small one. Mum and Dad wanted to live in America, while your parents wanted to stay put Romsey. My Dad is Army, through and through; and your Dad hates the idea of joining the Army, himself." Jess compared them. "I'm just worried that they won't like each other."
"Jessica, our families are different but as you said, they're also very alike. It's going to be okay." Becker said, pulling her into a hug. He kissed her forehead before picking up the suitcases and heading to the door. He stopped and added over his shoulder brightly; "Anyway they liked Boots and Cookie, didn't they? It's just me they hate!" With that he left, Jess soon following.
The Doorbell rang just as Mr Parker brought his and Mrs Parker's suitcases out to the Living Room. Boots walked to the door and pulled it open; revealing the Core Team and Cookie, all of which were wearing wide excited grins.
"Come in." She said, leaving the door open as she went back into the Living Room. They all entered as Becker exited his bedroom with the last of their suitcases and Jess on his heels. Both of them smiled at their friends.
"Hey guys, everyone ready?" Jess asked, brightly.
"Yeah, you guys?" Cutter asked, leaning against the doorpost.
"Yup." Becker answered shortly, popping the 'P'.
"As are we." Mr Parker said in a strangely stern tone.
"Let's go pack up these cars, then!" Danny said, clapping his hands together. With that said the group carried the suitcases down to the large car pack beside the flat and started putting the suitcases inside.
"Are you going to be okay for the journey, Emily?" Jess asked, her friend as they watched the others. "I mean, you're over nine months pregnant with triplets and the journey to Romsey is a good hour and a half."
"It's okay, Jess. I should be fine. We may take some breaks, but we'll catch up with you." Emily told her kindly.
"Right, it's time to go, ladies." Becker said, with a small smile. Emily pecked Becker on the cheek in a sisterly fashion before being helped into the car by Matt. Mr and Mrs Parker would be hitching a ride with Connor and Abby, while Boots rode in Becker's and Jess's truck.
"Are you ready to go get married?" Becker asked Jess in barely a whisper as they stood alone in the car park while the others pulled out.
"Always." She replied, smiling brilliantly at him. He grinned back and took her hand. They made their way over to the truck, got in and then started off to Romsey, to get married.
The track up the Market Town felt like it took forever, but also no time at all. They pulled up to a large Hotel just on the outskirts of Romsey. It was like the place where Jenny and Michael had gotten married back in 2011, except ivy crept up the walls. Lester had managed to book the whole Hotel for the Wedding and the guests that would be coming.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Boots said when she noticed Abby and Sarah marvelling up at it as they unpacked their bags. "This is the same place our eldest sister Evy got married."
"It's also the place our Parents got married at too." Cookie added, her arms linked with Stephen's.
"Speaking of family; do you think anyone's here yet?" Becker asked as they made their way across the gravelly path way. He was answered as he soon as he step across the threshold and was winded by two young girls tackle-hugging him around the waist.
"Uncle Jamie!" Olivia and Victoria, his twin nieces and Evy's daughters, shouted in unison.
"Hey girls." He said breathlessly. Frankie, Evy's Husband, was laughing as he crossed the room and pulled his daughters away from his Brother In-Law.
"Good thing their Mother wasn't here, you'd be knocked out on the floor. She's practically bouncing off the walls with excitement." He said cheerfully, grinning at them all. "And for the record, everyone's here. So I'd go check-in before you come say heMllo or else you'll be stuck in the bar for hours."
"Thanks for the heads-up, Frankie. We'll see you in the bar, then." Becker said as they made their way over to reception. They checked in, dumped their bags in their rooms, before heading down stairs and together walked into the bar-lounge.
It was a large room with a mini-bar, a couple of tables and a group of sofas. Said sofas were being occupied by a large group of people who were chatting and laughing among themselves while the kids played together. As soon as the group entered, a small plump woman with brown hair and blue eyes leapt to her feet.
"Jamie! Jess!" Mrs Parker said happily as she quickly rushed over and hugged them both. She was soon joined by the rest of the family, getting to their feet and rushing towards the couple.
"Jamie, good to see ya lad. You too Jess." Said Mr Becker, a man with dark brown hair, an olive skin tone and hazel brown eyes, as he patted his son the shoulder and hugged Jess.
Meanwhile Cookie laughed when she was tackle-hugged by her twin sister; Lottie (aged 33). They two of them were very alike, but they weren't identical. While they both had dark brown hair and blue eyes, Lottie's hair was cut into a pixie cut.
Boots was being hugged by her older Irish Twin Brother; Shane (aged 21), who had light brown hair and blue eyes. Rocky (aged 16), had dark brown hair and hazel brown eyes, and Luke (aged 17), had dark brown hair and blue eyes, were laughing and giving hugs to their friends.
Abby was talking to Mel, who's light brown hair was long and straight making her hazel eyes pop, and her husband Richard, who was holding their 3month old baby-girl Rachel. While Jenny and Cutter was talking to Evy (aged 37) who was now 5 months pregnant, had thick wavy brown hair and blue eyes.
Becker was suddenly rugby tackled onto the nearest sofa by two identical skinny lanky boys (both aged 18). Both of them had blue eyes, but one of them had dark brown hair while the other had lighter brown hair. Becker put them in a head-lock and got to his feet.
"Honestly, haven't we been through this, boys?" He asked with a smirk as he banged their heads together causing them to fall to the ground, disorientated.
"Good to see you're still as lively as ever, Hilary." Came a voice from behind him. Becker turned and grinned widely when he came face to face with Grandfather, who was beaming at him.
"Hello Granddad, but it's Jamie, James or Becker, remember?" Becker said, hugging the elderly man.
"It's good to see ya, lad." Granddad said, patting him on the shoulder and smiling fondly up at his eldest grandson.
Throughout all of this Mr and Mrs Parker stood watching from the sidelines as Becker, Jess and the Core Team re-united with the Becker Clan. Eventually all the excitement died down and they all sat down around the sofas.
"So, you must be Becker's Mother. I'm Elizabeth Parker, Jessica's Mother." Mrs Parker said, shaking Mrs Becker's hand.
"I'm Miranda. And this is my Husband; Edward." The woman replied, cheerfully.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Mr Becker said, holding out his hand to shake Mr Parker's. But the Old General refused and simply cleared his throat.
"My name is General Harold Parker." He said, completely un-emotional. Becker and Jess exchanged confused looks. He had been quiet to everyone since yesterday, but now he was just being strange.
Kyle and Jake folded their arms. Rocky and Luke exchanged bemused looks. The Core Team, Richard, Frankie and Harry exchanged worried glances. Mel and Shane arched an eyebrow each. Lottie and Cookie looked concerned. But Mrs Becker, Boots and Evy all looked at Mr Parker with a very dark look in their eyes.
"And I'm Hilary Becker. But please, call me Granddad; everyone does." Granddad suddenly interjected, trying to lighten the mood. Mr Parker looked at the elderly man with the same emotionless look in his eye.
"So, you have 11 children, I see." Mrs Parker said awkwardly trying to start up a conversation. However, after Mr Parker's strange rudeness; Mrs Becker took this completely the wrong way.
"And what's wrong with that?" She said, scowling at the other woman.
"Nothing. I was just-…" Mrs Parker began but Mrs Becker cut her off.
"You were just assuming that we are just some strange group of people, who breed like rabbits? Well, let me tell you Mrs Parker; that is not the case. But we wanted to have a large family." She said, her nostrils flaring.
Now of course, Mrs Parker would not take this lying down.
"Well, I can see that Mrs Becker. You have a big enough family that you can't actually keep track of who's who, I'm guessing?" Mrs Parker retorted, her words cold and her lips thinning
"How dare you speak to my mother, that!" Evy said, angrily.
"It's alright Evelyn, I'm not intimidated by her, -the woman who went to America, without her own daughter." Mrs Becker said, coldly.
"How dare you speak that way to my wife!" Mr Parker roared and he jumped to his feet.
"We'll you look at that, the pompous git does show emotion." Lottie said, getting to her own feet along with Mel.
"Excuse me?" Mr Parker said, staring at the younger woman.
"You need to understand one thing about us Beckers; we are all about family. So back off from my Mum." Shane said, getting up, squaring his shoulders and standing at his tallest.
"Do you think you can threaten us?" Mrs Parker asked coldly, getting to her own feet.
"Back off from our brother, Lady." Jake said, as he and Kyle got up.
"You're just children." Mr Parker said, stepping up to stand tall above them.
"You keep my children out of this." Mr Becker said, getting up also.
"Well maybe you should have left my daughter, out of this." Mr Parker spat angrily.
"ENOUGH!" Jess shouted, getting up and standing between the two families. "Look, Jamie and I are getting married in a couple of days. So you could please stop being so horrid to each other. All we want from you is for you guys to get along."
There was a silence.
"She's right, my apologies, Mrs Becker. I was wrong." Mrs Parker said, sitting back down. But there was this icy hint to her polite words.
"It's quite alright, I'm sorry too. I was also in the wrong." Mrs Becker said, also sitting back down but also sounding like she didn't mean a word of it. Each of the family members sat back down, but they glared daggers at each other. "I need a Whiskey." Granddad said, getting to his feet and going over to the mini bar.
Though they seemed to get along, there was a cold and tension filled air about the way they all spoke to each other. After about half an hour; Mr and Mrs Parker made an excuse to leave and did so quickly just as Matt and Emily entered. There was a tense silence in the room.
"Did we miss something?" Matt asked curiously as he helped his girlfriend sit back down.
"Oh, no. Everything's just dandy." Boots said sarcastically.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Author's Note: Nothing like an argument between Future In-Laws to make everyone feel uncomfortable, is there? Especially when you're as strong-minded as a Becker or a Parker, eh?
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