Warning: Alcohol and drinking

Chapter 10

The dinner

Ruby did not change her mind so we were going to the dinner. We were dressed nicely. I kept my axes at home, just in case something went south, but I can still kick their asses should it come to that. I hoped it didn't though. I think that's why I stopped going to these things. Too many headstrong people, too many chances to fight. I parked the car and we got out. Ruby stayed close to me and Tersly as we got in the house.

Aunt Sophia and my mother were helping in the kitchen, "Montehue! We weren't sure you would make it!"

"Hi, Mom." I hugged her.

"Is this little Ruby?" She asked, trying to look at the red head girl.

"She's shy." I wrapped my arm around her and rubbed her shoulder.

"Looks like she's a daddy's girl." Mom cooed.

"Mom…" I groaned.

"So, where's your wife?" Mom turned her gray eyes on me.

"Ohmygod." I sighed.

"Actually, Mrs. Mariksa, you don't have to be married to adopt a child. You just have to be able to provide for them." Tersly explained.

"Who are you?" She narrowed her eyes at him.

"This is Tersly, my assistant from work. I thought it best if Ruby had two people she knew." I cut in.

"Hmm." She looked him over. Tersly gulped.

"Leave the poor boy alone, Jamie. You have work to do," My grandmother shooed her away, "Monty, why haven't you visited me?! I could have died before you decided to come back." She smacked me.

"Ah, Grandma, stop!" I felt myself try to use Honorguard.

"I'm glad you came." She stopped and I bent down so she could hug me.

"Yeah…" I didn't exactly like the signs I saw so far.

"Who's this child?" She noticed Ruby.

"My daughter. I adopted her." I did not want to be accused of fooling around.

"Come closer, child. Let me see you." Grandma beckoned her.

Ruby hugged me tighter, "Ruby, she won't hurt you. We're right here."

She looked up and saw my sincerity. She slowly stepped out. My grandparent looked her over, "She looks like your guest."

"What? Oh, I guess she does. That's coincidental, I swear." I told her.

"Ruby, was it?" My daughter nodded, "See this ring? It's ruby. I've had it for years and no one to give it to…"

"Grandma, no." I said.

"Let's see how it looks on you," She continued. Ruby held her hand out and let the elder put the ring on her, "There. It looks lovely."

The thin, sliver band held the center gem to catch light. Ruby looked at the ring and played with it, getting the light to make it sparkle. I smiled.

"Monty- Montehue, we should go introduce Ruby to the rest of your family." Tersly corrected himself.

"I suppose so. Come on, kiddo." I took Ruby back and we went to the living room. She hid as family members hugged me and asked how I was. They noticed Ruby and tried to talk with her, but she wasn't having any of it. Tersly tried to get her to go somewhere with him, it didn't work because I wasn't going with them. We ended going out on the porch so she could calm down before dinner.

"It's ok, Sweetie. You did great." I told her.

"I didn't talk to any of them." She rested her head on my shoulder.

"And that's fine. Sometimes, progress is small." Tersly said to her.

Tersly sighed and looked at me. I shrugged. It was going to be slow. We sat in the cool night air. Tersly let himself lean against me and rest his hand on my leg. Ruby perked up as the door opened. Tersly scrambled to sit upright.

"Oh, don't mind me. His mother won't let me do anything." Grandma told us.

"Um, hi." Tersly smiled nervously.

"Monty, why didn't you tell me you were married?" She sat in a lawn chair she had just for herself.

"What?" I gulped.

"You don't think I wouldn't know a relationship when I see one? Even if it is with a man." She pointed to Tersly.

"We're doomed." Tersly groaned.

"Now, don't be so rash. The rest of my kin isn't as keen as I am." She told him.

"Well, um, we kinda got married when it was, uh, illegal." I reluctantly told her. Ruby tried to comfort me.

"Your grandfather dated a few men before he met me. Maybe you got it from him." The white haired woman said.

"Yes, I suppose I did." I wasn't going to get into the whole sexuality-isn't-genetic thing right now. But that was nice to know.

"Dad won't tell anyone he's married to Tersly because it's been a secret too long. I think it's stupid." Ruby poked her head out to look at her great grandmother.

"RUBY!" I scolded her.

"It is." She said quietly.

"Well, it's better me than your mother, Montehue. She'll demand another wedding. I don't blame her though." She said.

"I don't want another wedding." I groaned.

"It'll be fine." Tersly told me, holding my hand.

"Look, Monty, you don't have to tell 'em right yet. It's a hectic enough time as is. I suppose you have another year before everyone settles down from Maria's marriage. But you best not stay away now that you have my great grandchild." She warned.

"We'll visit." I said, looking at Ruby. She nodded.

"Good. Now, introduce me to your husband." Grandma said seriously.

"I-Uhh, fine. This is Tersly. We've been married for 10 years." I said and he waved to her.

"I wanted to meet you sooner, but he was being so stubborn." Tersly elbowed me.

"He takes after his father. The man didn't tell me he got Jamie pregnant until she showed me the ultrasounds." She told him.

"Well, you met my family now." I said to my husband.

"After Ruby forced you to." He added.

"I don't need this from you. Marcus is already on my ass about missing some get togethers." I snapped.

"Oh, Monty. You know I'm not mad anymore." He kissed me quickly.

I smiled and kissed his cheek, "I know, Bookworm."

"Ew, mushiness." Ruby whined.

"Just this once, you're right, Rubes. We'll get back to this later." I whispered to Tersly. He blushed.

"I think your mother wants us back inside." Grandma looked in the window.

"You ready to go into the fray, Ruby?" I asked.

"It has food." She replied. I laughed.

We went inside and filled our plates. Ruby sat between us and quietly ate her food. Everyone chatted and joked. I didn't really get what they were talking about, but that was to be expected. My cousins were drinking much more than I was. Tersly hated driving, it gave him anxiety. So, I could not drink this night out of my memory yet. I don't think Tersly will be too happy about that either.

The ice in my drink rattled, without me touching it. I looked and saw Ruby trying to scoot the jam closer to her, "Oh, Sweetheart, be careful."

"Let me." Uncle Mark moved it.

I noticed her glass was empty, "You want more Coke, Ruby?"

She nodded and we went to the kitchen and I got her can. When we got back, my cousin was picking on Tersly.

"I'm sure Tersly is a fine boy." Grandma tried to defend him.

"For paperwork maybe." Marcus laughed.

"We-well, I'm more of a researcher…" Tersly said shyly.

"So, he wasn't just picking the first nerd he saw." The black haired man finished off his beer.

"Yes, I have been called that before…" He played with his food.

"Marcus, cut it out. That's Montehue's guest." Maria jabbed her brother.

"Ah, yes, Montehue," He sneered and turned his attention to me, "You think it's ok to just hold back information from your own family? You didn't even think to tell Aunt Jamie you adopted a kid!"

"You leave my daughter out of this!" I growled.

"Marcus, please!" Maria tried to get him to sit back down.

"Are you going to say work got in the way again?" He slurred.

"Marcus, it was a hectic time." I gritted my teeth.

"You know, if you introduced Ruby sooner, she'd be talking instead of hiding behind you." He pointed out.

"That's enough!" I stood up abruptly, with Dragonfist ready.

"Montehue!" Tersly scolded me. I looked at him and took a deep breath. The power faded.

"We're leaving." I picked up Ruby and took her to the car. Tersly was close behind. Someone came out while I was strapping Ruby in.

"Montehue, Marcus was drunk. He didn't mean-" Maria tried.

"He meant every word. I'm not going to stand by and let him insult my friend, my decisions, or my daughter! I knew this was a bad idea." I said to myself.

"Monty, please come to my wedding." She pleaded.

"… I don't know." I admitted.

"Will you think about it?" She asked.

"…" I stayed quiet.

"Don't let Marcus drive you away. He's just upset." She defended her brother.

"I could have guessed." I said bitterly.

She held out a wrapped plate with food, "For Ruby."

"Should've used a different plate." I noted that it wasn't disposable and got in the car.

We got out on the highway before Ruby spoke, "Dad, you ok?"

"I'm fine, kiddo. I just- I just wish things went differently is all." I sighed.

"Are we going to visit Grandma?" She asked.

"Not for awhile." I answered.

The ride was quiet as we got closer to home. Ruby had fallen asleep. Tersly finally spoke, "Monty, I'm sorry."

"Ters, there's nothing you could have done. It was doomed when the drinking started." I told him.

"I know you missed them." He frowned.

"I did," I agreed, "But being a Seeker has its downfalls."

"I know." He nodded.

"I should have stopped Marcus sooner." I frowned.

"He didn't know about Ruby's-" Tersly started.

"He insulted you, Bookworm." I corrected.

"Montehue, I'm a grown man. I can take it." He huffed.

"You shouldn't have to." I looked at him bitter-sweetly.

"I'm ok, Monty. It's Ruby I'm worried about. What will she think?" He brought up.

"I'll tell her things are complicated. That she did nothing wrong." I was furious with Marcus for dragging Ruby into his beef with me.

"It's not your fault he said the things he did, ok?" Tersly put his hand on my thigh.

"I should have gone by myself." I sighed.

"Then Ruby would have been mad at you." The redhead smiled a little.

"It'd be better than this." I parked the car.

"I'm sorry, Monty." He told me again.

"Let's get inside." I unbuckled Ruby and carried her in. We changed and I drank some whiskey before I went to bed.