A/N: For those of you wondering what JJ's dress looks like I found a picture really close to what I was envisioning. There only a few differences, the picture is full length and JJ's only went to her knees and in the picture the beading is white/silver and JJ's is bright blue and pink and the picture is slightly more puffy at the skirt than what I pictured in my head. But other than that its exactly what I pictured. The link to the picture is one my profile because I'm apparently a little computer impaired and could make it work here in the A/N. SRRY!!! :(
JJ was leaning into Gregori's side as they made their way back into the ballroom. The first thing JJ noticed was the huge crowd around one of the table to their right. Once she looked closer she realized the group consisted of her entire family. Great, she thought, good news travels fast. Before she could direct Gregori to the group his arm slipped from her waist and JJ turned to find him embracing another woman. When he pulled away he pulled JJ back to his side.
"Mom, I'd like you to meet my girlfriend. JJ this is my mother."
JJ smiled as she recognized the older woman. "Hi, Radinka it's been a while. How are you?"
Before Radinka could answer Gregori turned to look at JJ. He had a shocked expression on his face. "Do you know everyone?"
Radinka just shook her head at her son before turning and smiling at JJ. "I'm fine dear." The older woman looked between her son and JJ and her smile grew wider. "I always knew you were a special one JJ. Especially after seeing the effect you had on the boys." She reached out and patted JJ arm that was rest around Gregori's middle. "Perhaps years ago when Roman introduced went to introduce me as Mrs. Holstein I should have let him. Then I might have found out first, about you dating my son. But mystery adds to the adventure and love my dear is the greatest adventure of all."
JJ smiled before letting go of Gregori to hug the woman she had loved the first moment they had met. "You have always been the smartest person I know Radinka."
"I highly doubt that when you know Roman as well."
"There is more than one kind of smart." JJ countered playfully.
"That's true. Now I suppose I should collect your nephew and get him to bed. Oh and if this one," she pointed to Gregori trying to give the evil eye but failed, "gives you any trouble you let me know. I'll set him straight for you and come see me for embarrassing stories I have them all. I think you'd especially like the one about a missing understanding about the term 'birthday suit' on his fifth birthday and the pictures of a clothless Gregori chasing the dog around the coffee table."
"I'll be sure to remember that." JJ laughed. With a nod and a smile Radinka went to find Tino.
When his mother was gone Gregori groaned. "Now that my mother has completely embarrassed me shall we go let your brothers kill me?"
JJ kissed his cheek. "Your mother is one of the sweetest women I know. That has got to have been the farthest thing from embarrassing I could ever think of, she loves you. As long as I've known her all she ever talks about is her son and with the addition in the last few years of Tino. It was adorable and how much you love her is really very touching. Besides don't you dare try to pretend to me you wouldn't die for that woman if the need arose, it's one of the things I love about you. And as for my brothers I can fight them off, even in heels and a dress." Gregori laughed as they made their way over the group.
Before most of the family could realize they were there her mum had swept her into a hug. JJ smiled as she, being slightly taller that her mum; set her chin on her mother's shoulder. "Hi mum."
Emma stood back and held JJ at arm's-length. "JJ you look absolutely amazing." She turned her head to look at Jean-Luc. "You've outdone yourself again Jean-Luc. This dress is even more beautiful than her maid of honor dress."
Jean-Luc smiled and nodded in acknowledgement. "With a model as beautiful as JJ one must always strive to do better than the last."
"Aww, uncle Jean-Luc you say the nicest things." JJ smiled placing her hand over her heart. Jean-Luc chuckled. JJ looked to Gregori ready to introduce him when she noticed her brothers and some friends had already descended. Standing in a semi-circle blocking his escape was Connor, Ian, Phineas, Carlos, Howard, Phil, Robby, and Jack. They all stood there with their arms crossed just staring at Gregori. JJ looked from them to Toni who just rolled her eyes.
"Hey, boys? I'm getting testosterone poisoning over here." JJ called playfully.
"Och, so ye're the one dating JJ?" Connor asked.
Phineas smiled. "G-man, you had better be good to her." JJ breathed a sigh of relief at one of them said something nice, well maybe not nice per say but it was non-threatening at least.
"I donna think I trust ye with her." Ian stated.
"Hey! Ian too late you already trusted him with me." Toni objected and winked at JJ.
"Nay, I asked ye to stay with him. It dinna mean I trusted him." Ian smirked.
"Just be careful with her is all I'm going to say." Howard supplied.
"Or we'll take a bite out of you amigo." Carlos finished.
"Gregori we've always like ye," Robby started.
"But if ever she sheds a tear because of you, we will kill you." Jack finished.
"Basically Gregori, what we're saying is if you hurt her you die. Plain and simple. So long as she's happy we're happy. And despite what it just sounded like we all do like you. Well with the exception of Angus of course." Phil smiled as everyone laughed. Phil came forward and shook his hand. "Just remember, she's our little sister. Cut us some slack."
Gregori laughed. "Slack Phil? You've got the length of a football field. Come on man there's like eight of you and one of me. If I didn't love her so much I might have already split."
JJ looked to her mum who was smiling at the guys. "You knew they were going to pull that." JJ accused.
Emma shrugged. "I had an idea. Especially when you're dad told them that it was Gregori and they all got this mutual smirk."
JJ shook her head before speaking to the rest of them. "Okay we're going to head out to the dance floor for a few more songs, then I gotta split cause unlike all you lucky assholes I have an eight o'clock class tomorrow morning."
Gregori held out his hand for her. "I'll drive you home." He stated.
"Don't worry about it. I can just as easily call a cab to come get me. Besides there's hours left before dawn you should stay and have fun."
"Not likely without you here. I'll drive you." JJ smiled and nodded as they joined the other couples on the dance floor.
Back at the group
"Well I actually hate to say this but I think she's in good hands." Howard said.
"No." Phil sighed. "Nobody's hands are good hands."
"But if it had to be anyone, I guess Gregori is the best out there." Jack said.
"If you boys so much as think about doing anything that remotely resembles hazing him into the folds you will all pay." Toni threatened.
"And how do ye plan on doing that lass?" Robby laughed.
"Well for starters I will let Bethany know that you have agreed to play dress-up with her for a week and a certain big wolf will be attending daily tea-parties for that same week." Heather said pinning both Phil and Robby with a threatening stare. Toni laughed as they both cringed.
"As for you Connor, when the baby is born how do after sundown diaper charges for a month sound to you?" Shanna smiled. Connor who had looked as if he was going to say something quick shut his mouth.
"As for you Carlos and Howard, I have lot of ideas for you too. And Ian my love can you say no more physical contact for a week?" Toni smiled as Ian glared at her.
"Hey!" Carlos exclaimed. "Why is Phineas not being threatened?"
"Because Phineas was the first and only one not to threaten Gregori." Emma stated as if Carlos was a child. She looked out to the dance floor where JJ was spinning back into Gregori's arms. "Look at them. They are such a picture perfect pair. What would be perfect now would be-" Before Emma finished the song changed and 'Tale as Old as Time' played. "Ha. Would be if that song began playing." She laughed. Together everyone watched as JJ wrapped an arm around Gregori's shoulders and her other hand was clasped tightly in his.
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DANCE FLOOR
Simone watched as Gregori dance with that mortal. She didn't care if she was Angus' daughter. It didn't change the fact that she was mortal and therefore below Gregori. "She doz not dezerve him." Simone said quietly to herself.
Someone stepped closer to her and spoke. "Perhaps I can help you with that."
A/N: This episode between Simone and our mystery character will not be discussed again for a few chapters (I'm not exactly sure how many yet). I put it in here because I thought it was the perfect scenario for the meeting. It will become clear later. I apologize to you readers if this confuses you later in the story.