Here's the chapter Starfly20 wanted. Enjoy!
~Lisa.
Chapter Thirteen: Telling the Family
"Hey, my boys, I've missed you," Jesse gave each of them a high five. "Did you have a good time at Grandma and Grandpa's?"
"We played poker with Grandpa." Alex said promptly.
"Really?" Jesse raised his eyebrows at his father. "Pop, you're teaching my seven year-olds poker now?"
"Well a form of poker anyway." Nick whispered in Jesse's ear, "Alex in particular is very good."
"Ma!" Jesse appealed to his mother.
"Yes, your father's an idiot," Irene sighed.
"Nicky, Alex, take your bags upstairs, and start unpacking. I will be up in a minute," Jesse said.
"Okay dad, bye Grandma, bye Grandpa," Alex raced up the stairs.
"Thanks for having us. We had a great time," Nicky followed Alex.
"Hey, where are my hugs?" Irene called after them, but they had already disappeared.
"Ma, I was hoping you and dad could come back for dinner tonight?" Jesse hesitated. "I have some news that I want to share with everyone."
"What sort of news?" Nick asked curious.
"Tonight, Dad. Can you guys make it?"
"Of course we can," Irene confirmed on their behalf. "Stephanie mentioned you are seeing someone?" she said, attempting to fish for information.
"She did?" For an awful moment Jesse thought that Stephanie knew about Kimmy, and then quickly realized his mom was probably talking about Carmen. "No Ma, we were never really seeing each other – Steph was just hoping."
Irene looked disappointed, "Okay, honey, give me a hug, I may have missed my grandsons but you're not getting away."
Smiling Jesse gave her a hug, and just as quickly jumped back as she grabbed his backside. "Ma, how many times do I have to tell you not to grab my tush – jeez."
Irene gave him a small wave backing out the door. "See you tonight Jesse."
"Bye Jesse," Nick said.
Jesse waved closing the door behind them. Okay, that was everyone invited now, he had mentioned it over breakfast this morning, and had caught Stephanie before she left for 'Girl Talk' practice. Now it was time to talk to his sons. Taking the steps two at a time he arrived at the second level, and turning quickly he raced up the next lot of stairs to the attic. Upon entering the twin's room he was surprised to see that they were indeed unpacking. He smiled noticing the differences in their unpacking styles. Alex had his bag positioned up side down and was haphazardly shaking the contents onto his bed, while Nicky was removing each item one at a time, putting it away as he went. Nicky had inherited a lot of Becky's traits, while Alex was definitely more like Jesse; the irony was not lost, as Becky had named Alex, while Jesse had chosen Nicky's name.
"Sons, I need to talk to you about something important," Jesse decided to cut right to the chase.
"Okay Dad," Nicky regarded him somberly.
Alex didn't answer; instead he simply swept the pile of clothing aside so he could sit down on his bed.
Jesse wasn't quite sure where to start. "Um you guys like Kimmy right?" he said, knowing it was a stupid question.
Nicky nodded, and Alex looked perplexed. "Of course Dad, you know we do," Nicky confirmed.
"Well how would you feel if I started seeing Kimmy?"
The boys looked confused. "But Dad, you see Kimmy everyday already?" Alex said not grasping his meaning.
Jesse could see that he wasn't explaining himself very well. "No, I mean how would you feel if Kimmy was my girlfriend?"
Alex's face lit up in a smile, "Do you mean it Dad, you want Kimmy to be your girlfriend? Does that mean you are going to start kissing her?"
Jesse hid a smile, "Well, only if it's okay with you two?"
Nicky answered, "It's fine with us Dad, we like Kimmy better than Carmen, right Al?"
Alex nodded, "Yeah, Kimmy is the coolest."
Jesse shook his head, "How did I ever get so lucky to have such wonderful sons? Come over here and give your old dad a hug." The boys complied and Jesse put an arm around each of them holding them close.
Pulling back slightly Jesse said, "Now this is very important boys, you have to promise to keep Kimmy and I a secret just until tonight. I'm going to tell the family over dinner – kapeesh?"
Alex nodded smiling secretively and Nicky said, "You can count on us Dad."
"Thank you!"
"Dad, now that Kimmy is your girlfriend, does that mean you are going to marry her?" Nicky asked curiously.
Jesse laughed, but then broke off as both boys were regarding him seriously waiting for an answer. "Normally people go out for a long time before they get married. I promise, you will be the first to know if and when Kimmy and I ever decide to get married – does that answer you question?"
"Yes!" Nicky said. "But I have another one."
"Of course you do," Jesse muttered. "Go ahead, Nick."
"A boy in our class, Evan!" Nicky stressed the word 'Evan' like it was important that Jesse knew the boys name. "His dad has a girlfriend, and she lives at his house. Is Kimmy going to move in here with us?"
Jesse looked horrified at the suggestion, and for just a moment was unable to breath. This was the space he had remodeled with his own hands for him and Becky. Recovering quickly he decided he was overreacting to an innocent question. "Don't you think enough people live here already?" he attempted to joke. "No Nicky, Kimmy will remain living next door. It's not like it's far away."
Nicky was thoughtful for a moment. "I think that's all my questions." Jesse thought Nicky would make a great future lawyer, or judge.
"Okay, Al do you have anything to add?"
"No I'm good Dad."
Jesse stood up putting a finger to his lips, "Now remember not a word to anyone?"
Nicky and Alex both smiled at him, giving him the 'thumbs-up' sign in unison.
"This looks wonderful Jesse," his mom approved eying the moussaka on her plate. "It's so nice to have a son who knows how to cook. Your father wouldn't know how to turn the oven on!" She glared in Nick's direction.
"So what's the big news son?" his father quickly asked, digging his fork into a piece of potato, determined to get off the subject of his lack of culinary skills.
"Well … er …" Jesse paused unable to form the words, "um … the news is …" He glanced around the table nervously. Everyone's eyes were on him, waiting expectantly. He paused on Nicky and Alex, receiving a 'thumbs-up' sign from each of them, like they had done earlier. Unfortunately the action did little to decrease his anxious state. His palms were sweaty so he rubbed them quickly on his jeans. "The news is … um … more salad DJ?" he offered hopefully, noticing too late that she already had some on her plate.
"Jesse!" Joey had a forkful of his own salad halfway to his mouth. "Just spit it out will you? None of us are getting any younger."
Jesse reached over to grab his glass, taking a large gulp of water, wishing desperately that it contained brandy instead. Whacking the glass back down on the table he continued, "Okay – you're right – I should just get it out in the open." He clapped his hands together once, the sound echoing in the quiet room. "K …K … Kim … Kimmy and I …" Jesse didn't dare look at DJ, Stephanie or Danny, instead focusing his gaze on Joey and Michelle, who thankfully were sitting next to one another. "Kimmy and I – have started seeing each other – you know romantically!"
Outrage followed his revelation. Joey choked on his mouthful of salad; DJ dropped her fork with a clatter; Danny looked strangely unaffected; Stephanie wore a beyond shocked expression; and his parents and Michelle simply stared at him. Everyone started talking at once.
"Kimmy Gibbler!"
"Did he say Kimmy?"
"Nick! Did you hear what your son just said?"
"My best friend Kimmy?"
"No! No! No! This is not happening?" That came from Stephanie.
"Now guys, calm down!" Danny held up his hands for silence, sounding oddly serene. "I'm sure Jesse is referring to some other Kimmy, he couldn't possibly be
talking about Kimmy Gibbler!" he said unbelievably, the word 'possibly' coming out extremely high-pitched. He looked at Jesse for confirmation; Jesse shook his head slowly, giving him a wry smile. "Kimmy Gibbler! Jesse Katsopolis, have you lost your mind?" Jesse winced; Danny's voice was almost loud enough to shatter his eardrums.
"Danny, this is no time to place blame," Irene attempted to intervene. Turning to her son she said quietly, "Jesse, sometimes following a tragic event (and you have been through a lot over the past couple of years) we can become inappropriately attached to the wrong people, does that make sense?"
Jesse ran his hands through his hair. "Ma it's not like that. My feelings for Kimmy are genuine. I've been with other …" he paused remembering his sons were in the room. "I've been on dates with other woman since Becky," his meaning was clear. "But with Kimmy it's different."
"How long has this been going on?" DJ spoke for the first time.
Jesse searched DJ's face but her expression was difficult to interpret. "Only since Saturday!" he confirmed. "I'm sorry Deej, maybe I should have told you before the others – Kimmy wanted to – but I convinced her not to."
DJ's face altered slightly when he mentioned Kimmy's name, but aside from that her expression didn't change at all. "So it's been, what less than forty-eight hours, and in this time you've suddenly developed strong emotions for Kimmy, different from all the other woman you've been with, since Aunt Becky?"
Jesse shook his head to clear it, deciding not to address the comment in regards to heaps of woman. "You're right, I guess it's been going on a lot longer than that, especially for Kimmy, but neither of us acted on it until Saturday Night put it that way."
DJ blew out a breath, "It's too much to process Uncle Jesse. I need some time."
"Take all the time you need, DJ," Jesse said softly, relieved she wasn't shouting at least. Maybe her recent anger over Dartmouth had taught her something about acceptance and forgiveness. For his sake, and Kimmy's, Jesse hoped so.
"Saturday, that was the night you broke it off with Carmen?" Joey concluded.
"Joey, there was never anything going on between Carmen and I," Jesse stressed.
Joey nodded accepting his statement as the truth. "Jess, I can't even begin to understand your interest in Kimmy, and I can honestly say I have never imagined the two of you together, not in a million years. The difference in your ages is massive, however having said that it's your life, and you are free to date whoever you please, and I need to accept that, so you have my support."
"Thanks Joey!" Jesse was relieved. Stephanie looked at Joey incredulous.
"Wait a minute, who is Carmen?" Nick asked.
"I guess she's Joey's girlfriend?" Jesse grinned at Joey, and he returned the grin. Jesse moved onto his youngest niece, "Michelle, are you okay with my dating Kimmy?"
"Well!" Michelle was thoughtful. "It's definitely weird, but I think I'm okay with it."
"Thank you honey! Ma? Pop?"
Irene shook her head, not looking convinced, "I still think of Kimmy as a young girl."
"I know Mom, but we're talking about here and now! I was in no way interested in Kimmy in that way – well actually in any way – prior to a couple of months ago, so I don't believe there is anything untoward in regards to my having a relationship with her. Let's say you'd never met Kimmy …"
"Now there's your silver lining!" Danny interrupted.
Jesse continued, "I mean let's say you met Kimmy for the first time today as a twenty one year-old? Yes you might notice the age difference, but I bet my bottom dollar that you would be much more accepting of our relationship than you are now?"
"I don't know Jess, even if we just met Kimmy today, it would probably only take her five minutes to alienate most of the table," Joey joked.
"You're not helping Joseph!" Jesse glared at him.
Irene sighed, still struggling to understand Jesse's reasoning. "Maybe you're right Jesse, but that's not the situation is it? You have known her for the past eleven years; she's the same age as our eldest granddaughter, young enough even to be your own daughter!"
"Jesse, let me put it to you another way," Danny suggested. "How would you feel if it were DJ in this situation? What if she were the one bringing a man your age home to the dinner table? In fact let's make it your friend Pete? Are you saying you would be fine with it?"
"Alright, Danny, I wouldn't be," Jesse reluctantly admitted. "But Pete is – Pete. He's never been serious about any woman."
"Well what if Pete said it was special with DJ, like you're saying it is with Kimmy, and DJ felt the same way. How is it any different from your situation? That's my point!"
"Okay, okay," Jesse held up his hands in defeat. "I see where you're coming from, and I don't have an answer for it. Look I'm sorry I know it's a lot to take in, but you guys are my family and I was hoping you'd understand."
"Yes we are your family, therefore we have your best interests at heart and we don't believe a relationship with Kimmy is in your best interest," his mother said.
"So that's why you've been so tired lately?" Stephanie suddenly spat, recovering from her earlier catatonic state.
Michelle looked mystified, "What does him being tired have to do with anything? She was thoughtful for a moment her eyes widening as she came to the same conclusion as Stephanie, "Oh! I see! Eww gross!"
"Michelle! Stephanie!" Danny looked from one to the other frantically. "I really don't think this is an appropriate conversation for a twelve year-old, or seven year-olds. Michelle, please go to your room, and take your cousins with you."
"Aww dad …" Michelle started to say, but seeing the look on her father's face she decided it was wise not to continue. He was so red in the face he looked like he was going to explode. Leaving her chair she indicated up the table, "Come on Nicky, Alex. Let's see what's on TV?" Michelle reluctantly left the room via the kitchen staircase, the twins trailing after her their eyes wide.
"What about Nicky and Alex, how do they feel about you seeing Kimmy?" Nick asked.
"I discussed it with the boys this afternoon dad; they like Kimmy, and were happy for Kimmy to be my girlfriend." He didn't dare mention that Nicky had suggested marriage. Thank god he had just left the table.
"See Irene, my grandsons are fine with it, isn't that the main thing?" He quickly fell silent as his wife glared at him.
"Thanks Pop!" Jesse said quietly, running out of ideas. "Ma, Danny, Steph, I knew before tonight that you three would almost be impossible to convince. I really don't know what else to say, but the bottom line is I'm going to continue seeing Kimmy, so you are going to have to learn to accept it. I love all of you, and I wish you were on my side, but I'm not going to change my mind."
"Jess!" Danny said reluctantly. "I'm always on your side, but it's going to take me a while to comprehend that you are dating Kimmy Gibbler, possibly a life time." He shot Jesse an ironic smile.
"Dad, is that all you have to say? I don't believe this! Do you have any idea how much I hate Kimmy Gibbler?" Stephanie practically screamed, jumping up from the table, her chair falling to the floor with a loud crash. Looking in Jesse's direction, she added pleadingly, "Don't you remember Aunt Becky at all?"
"Steph, I will always love Becky, and I will never forget her," Jesse answered quietly attempting to reassure her. "But Becky's no longer with us – and I'm ready to move on. Can you understand that?"
"Just forget it! Dad may I borrow your car. I need to get out of here for a while?" Stephanie begged.
"Well I don't really like the idea of you going out so upset – but okay!" Danny conceded.
Whirling around Stephanie gave Jesse one final look. Walking past him over to the kitchen door, she grabbed the car keys off the hook exiting quickly. Everyone at the table flinched as she slammed the door behind her.
"Well that went well" Jesse muttered. "I'm sorry Danny – I knew Steph wouldn't take it well … Becky's death was hard on her, they were very close towards the end. I never realized she hated Kimmy though?"
"She doesn't really," DJ said quietly. "She's just mad."
"It's okay Jesse. Steph's a smart girl, she'll come around," Danny said with more conviction than Jesse felt.