Jack is contemplating if he should or should not attend Declan's wedding. Meeting people he does not want to makes him feel vexed and afflicted. And after all Declan made him go through...But then again, it is his little brother, all in all he still abides to his father's last wish.
He takes Emily as his date and she is all giddy because they are holding hands in public and he keeps telling her how cute she looks in her purple dress. Also, she is not afraid of being expelled by Victoria, Charlotte invited her personally, insisting she attended. It is a win-win situation, in Emily's book, and she is rejoicing.
They arrive less than ten minutes before the ceremony is scheduled to start and Jack couldn't care less about being late. Victoria, on the other hand, is fretting about everything and everyone.
She has already started her vile plan at the expense of the two making her daughter's white wedding disastrous by wearing a strapless dress that is an inch away from a wardrobe malfunction and adding to that her hair is in an updo so she can expose even more skin. Not one male guest refuted feasting their eyes on her cleavage. She is obviously showing herself off and loving all the attention.
Not everything is fun and games though. Victoria walks to Jack as soon as she sees him positioning himself at the altar as the best man. "Where is your bow tie?" she sibilates, keeping her back to the guests so they won't see her scowling at him. "I couldn't put it on." he shrugs. "Did you bring it?" She questions. He sticks his hand in his pocket producing the black strip. Victoria takes it from his hand and ties it on his neck in less than fifteen seconds. "And what is that on your face? Did you not get the memo?" she growls. Victoria demanded that all male adults attending should shave twice so they don't have a five o'clock shadow in the pictures. The only man allowed not to shave was her son Daniel, who, in his loving mother's eyes, could never do wrong.
Emily is sitting in the front row, covering her lips with her clutch bag, giggling away. Jack is acting obnoxious and she knows how much Victoria despises bad, lousy behavior and how she is holding herself not to slap him right in front of everyone.
The string quartet starts the Wedding March announcing the bride has arrived. Victoria is only happy her belly is not showing yet, she would be mortified if the neighbors found out. She had her daughter's size six figure fit in a size four just to be safe. Charlotte looks adorable in her simple, white dress, but Victoria is striking in her red ball gown and she knows it.
After the ceremony ends they all walk to the lavish reception set in Victoria's huge backyard. There the newlyweds open the dance floor, now as a married couple.
A few pictures are taken and then Conrad excuses himself and walks back to the mansion. Victoria observes him and is about to follow when she is distracted by the wedding planner, Madame Cèline. "Madame Victoriah," she calls in her strong French accent, "you must dance avec Mr. Porteir". She looks back at the older woman. "I have already waltzed with Declan, recheck your list." The woman looks at her small notepad. "Non, non. Monsieur Jaque Porteir. It is part of the formalité, you must- -" Victoria does her best to shake the woman off. "I will do it later. I have a few guests to greet now." she lies. "Non, non madame. It is important. The photographie must be taken, the wedding album will be incomplete." Victoria gives in. "Call him." She can burn the picture later.
Jack is not happy either. He pulls her to the dance floor and starts twirling around. The string quartet is playing Moon River, Jack is not following, just aimlessly twirling faster and faster. "Stop it!" she grumbles through gritted teeth. He ignores her.
Not surprisingly enough it is Emily who saves Victoria from complete public humiliation. "My turn now. You promised me, Jack."
When he finally lets her go Daniel is there to rescue his mother. "May I have the honor?" She falls into his arms. "Take me away from here or I will shred him with my nails." she whispers.
"Hey, where did you learn your dancing skills? Have you been watching Dancing With The Stars?" Emily mocks. Jack laughs.
The sun lazily goes down behind the far hills hinting the guests should leave. One by one they walk away. A few younger ones stay a little longer forming a small group, most of them are from Montauk. Declan is telling some dirty joke and they all respond laughing out loud. Victoria observes them from a far distance. Jack has untied his bow tie and has it hanging on his neck. Admittedly, after Conrad and Daniel, he is the most handsome man attending and she hates herself for thinking so. Emily has a hand resting on his shoulder and laughs whenever he laughs. The little slut is all over him, although he does not pay her much attention. Victoria keeps observing, she is anticipating the moment they will start slapping their knees, singing bad country songs and passing around a bottle of moonshine.
Jack finishes his last beer for the day and excuses himself to Emily. "I need to go somewhere." She smiles. "Take your time, I will be waiting in the car."
As he reaches the big house he amuses himself thinking how funny it would be if Victoria allowed Porta Potties in her garden. There are a few servants busying themselves around. They don't seem to care about his presence. He approaches a server and asks him where is the restroom. The man politely indicates a door down a long corridor.
Jack is washing his hands when the door opens. He instantly regrets not having the time to lock it. "I'm in here," he informs. "I know." It is Victoria. She closes the door quietly and leans against it. She has her hands behind her back. For all he knows she could be hiding a gun. Or a knife. The thought creeps him out. "I call a truce." She is smiling, that Cheshire Cat smile that always makes him fear what may come. "And I want out."
Victoria locks the door and places the small, golden key between the cleft formed by her low-cut dress. "We are family now. Why don't we behave like one?" Her voice is soft, he expects the worst. "Please, give me the key. I will walk away and we will never have to talk to each other again." His voice is calm, the tone complacent. She looks down at where the key safely rests and then back at him. "Family members don't walk out on each other, Jack. They stay and listen to what the other has to say." He huffs. "What do you want?"
"Civility. I am willing to start. Are you?" His phone goes off, stopping him from giving her an answer. It is Emily texting him. "I have to go. They are waiting for me." Victoria sneers. "Your girlfriend?" He looks straight at her. It is weird to hear her assuming Emily is his girlfriend when nothing could be further than the truth. "Listen, Victoria, you are not being reasonable. My friends are waiting for me. They will come after me if I don't show up in a couple of minutes. What are you telling Daniel if he finds you locked alone in here with me?" Much to his surprise she does not look worried about what they may think. Or what will happen. He steps closer to the door, risking his well-being. Jack is tempted to snatch the key from her and run but it just does not sound right. He feels trapped.
"Kiss me, Jack." She has one hand caressing his nape, the other palming his chest. "I don't want to be shot." He softens, inches away from her lips. She grins. "Don't make me ask twice."