Disclaimer: I don't own Victorious or any of it's characters. I appreciate the opportunity to play with them, and promise they will be back where I found them when I'm done.
:}
"So whats for breakfast?" Tori asked as they descended the stairs.
"We have the classics." Jade chimed in. "Multiple types of cereal, as well as whatever leftovers this family didn't devour like the pack of piranha's they are. Two teen boys and an early teen girl. Mom and Mrs. Shapiro, they're to get their hand back if the reach for a plate early."
"I suppose I could cook us something." Tori announced as they walked into the kitchen. She went straight to the refrigerator. It was a big unit, but had no freezer. That was because they had a separate, sub-zero freezer next to the pantry. "How does an omelet sound."
"You any good at omelets?" Jade asked.
"Not that good." She replied. "But I can follow directions, make them."
"Go to Robbie's room, get him up." Jade told her. "He makes great omelets."
Tori didn't want to disturb the nerdy boy. However, while looking around she happened to glance out the window, and saw him sitting on a floating lounge chair in the pool. The singer slid the window open and screamed "Robbie, come make us omelets." Her reward was watching him jerk, then fall into the water. As she chuckled, she noticed Rex set up on a lounge chair on the patio. 'Even has shades on.' She noted to herself.
Robbie came trotting in a few seconds later, furiously drying himself before he could drip water all over the house. Tori did worry briefly as he tried to dry is legs while ascending the stairs to the balcony. From there, he entered the house and then the kitchen. "What did you need?" He asked.
"Omelets." Tori replied. "Jade said you make the best omelets."
"Oh." Was his reply. "But I taught Jade. I taught everyone. They make great omelets, almost as good as mine." At the look from Tori, he continued. "I was getting tired of everyone asking me to make omelets, so I made sure they were all nearly as good at making them as I was."
Tori looked at Jade. "Really?' She asked.
"Never said I couldn't make them." Jade replied casually. "He's just better."
"How?" Tori asked. "Would I taste the difference?"
"No, but I this way I won't have to make them." Jade said, as if that was all that needed to be said.
Robbie ignored them and pulled out various vegetables as well as some ham and bacon. He quickly made the bacon as he cut everything up and got all the preparations done. Then he got out another pan and made the omelet. Tori watched with a strange sense of fascination. She could make an omelet, but the way he moved, cutting and preparing showed a level of skill she hadn't seen before.
"How did you get so good at making omelets?" She asked as he served them.
"Dad likes omelets. Everyone likes them. So I make them for my grandma, among others." Robbie explained. "When we moved in with Jade, however, that was when I decided to teach them my secret omelet technique. My patented method of making sure the omelets come out fluffy and delicious every time." He reached down and grabbed a piece of bacon for himself.
"I thought you were Jewish?" Tori asked, pointing at the bacon.
"Turkey bacon. We try to find substitutes whenever we can." He said, shrugging. The omelets were finishing quickly, and the girls had each grabbed one. "Now, if you don't mind, now that the secrets out and blown over, I've invited some friends over to hang by the pool."
"Cat?" Jade asked, savoring her omelet.
"And her roommate." The curly haired boy said. "They were really interested in seeing the place. Practically begged."
"Joy." Jade said, sounding anything but happy.
"Robbie, wait." Tori said quickly, temporarily ignoring her food. "When did you know?"
"That Cat was coming over?" He asked. "They only called to confirm a few minutes ago."
"No, not that." Tori said. "I was wondering..."
"When I learned to cook?" He cut her off. "Back when I learned to cook omelets. I watched a lot of cooking shows. Long before I had one on the slap. Foods always been a passion of mine. Or rather, my dad's. I just wanted to make him proud." He sounded just a touch hurt towards the end.
"Robbie, stop. Do not answer until I ask the question." Tori said in her most firm voice. "When did you know Jade owned the house?"
"About a week ago." He replied. "I noticed Dad made Jade write nightly. After a while, my curiosity got the best of me, and I looked at what she was writing. That's when I knew the truth. Mom just confirmed it for me this morning."
"And why the drama? Avoiding answering?" Tori asked.
"Cause he was afraid of me." Jade growled. "Him, Mark, Stef, none of them were supposed to know."
"Why not?" Tori asked.
"Probably so none of the children feel like their any less then Jade." A female voice chimed in. It was Edith, Mrs. Shapiro. "We decided, as a team, that the others didn't need to know. It also made it easier if Jade here couldn't threaten them. You know, throwing them out or that chiz."
"I would never..." Jade started, standing up to the older woman. Jade's sheer size, at five foot seven inches, caused her to tower over the five foot three inch mother of two. But the older woman stared the goth down. "You... He... You're probably right. I wouldn't do it, but I might threaten..." Her voice faded as she sat back down.
Robbie's mother smiled. "And we didn't want any power games in the house. Well, not counting your father, but he's a complicated man."
"It has to be complicated, working for your own teenage daughter." Tori commented.
"Look, I left Rex out there, and he gets annoyed if I'm not there to make sure he tan's evenly." Robbie said, pointing out the window. "So I'm gonna... Bye." He walked quickly out of the room, out onto the balcony, and down the stairs.
"Henry is just doing what's best for her." Mrs. Shapiro insisted. "I don't try to get involved in the business end of things. I just make sure the house runs smoothly. And with Susan working, that's Jade's mother, by the way. But with her working, I have to take up the parenting slack. I have twice the children to look after then just a few months ago."
"Mrs. West still has a job?" Tori said, to no one in particular.
"Please, it's Miss West. She was never married. But I'm sure she'd prefer if you called her Sue. Or mom." A devious smile crossed the face of the Shapiro matriarch. "Call her mom, let her know just where this is going."
"Edith." Jade warned.
"What?" The older woman said. "It'd be hilarious."
"I think I'll wait." Tori said, and concentrated on finishing her omelet.
"But Sue works. There are all kinds of things she feels a child should have that Henry doesn't agree with. Now that she doesn't have to worry about rent, she go's out and buys that stuff. Foods, amenities, sometimes toys. She even helped get Rex a new set of cloths." Mrs. Shapiro said. "Then there's the pork and other non-kosher foods that parade into this home. But in all fairness, we make them answer the phone on Saturdays." She chuckled. "Don't ask."
Tori watched Edith walk out of the room, chomping on a celery stick. Jade was busy watching her brother out the window of the breakfast nook. 'Weird to think of Robbie as Jade's brother.' Tori thought. She suspected that Jade wanted, or needed, something from her brother.
After eating, Jade and Tori walked down to the pool to get things ready for their friends to arrive. Before any of that could happen, Jade needed to get one thing figured out. Jade addressed Robbie, who was back in his floating lounge. "Did you know?" She asked.
"Your asking me if I knew you owned this house?" He asked back. "Not a clue."
"We didn need to be up in yo personal business." Rex added. "But can I use that? Tell my scrags I know Amanda Rothschild?"
"If you do, they will never find all the pieces." Jade assured the puppet.
"But you can tell our friends." Tori added. When Jade glared at her, she smiled and said "What? We trust them."
"Cat told the world I was Robbie's sister." Jade reminded her. "And I can't be sure how Beck will respond if we tell him."
"Well, we're telling Trina." Tori insisted. "And probably Mason. I'm not sure who else, maybe Andre. Just our friends."
"Why?" Robbie asked. His voice snapped through the air, almost startling the two girls.
Tori replied with "We trust them. They deserve to know Jade's been published."
"As a romance writer." Robbie pointed out. "Think about it. Jade, scary Jade, writes romance. You know most people don't believe she likes romance, and yet she writes stuff that guys quote when they propose to their girlfriends. And you just want to tell everyone?"
"What do you suggest?" Tori asked. "Let them continue to believe that Amanda Rothschild, reclusive writer, exists and is hold up on her exotic estate somewhere?"
"We're looking for our own private Robin's nest." Jade said as she headed to a recliner next to an umbrella. "So far, we haven't bought one. Maybe we need our own Higgins."
"Wha?' Tori asked.
"The point is, maybe we could trust Trina. She can keep secrets. But Jade doesn't want Beck to know, and I certainly don't need people bugging me for a signed copy of one of her books." Robbie said.
"I... Wow, when did you get all insightful?" She was looking at Robbie with new eyes.
"Does it make me all sexy?" He asked, too hopefully.
"Down boy." Jade interrupted her half brother. "Tori's mine. You wanna fight for her? Scissors at ten paces."
To no one's surprise, Robbie backed down, and Tori took the time to watch Jade. 'It was amazing how normal her life seems, after everything she'd been through.' Tori thought. She also decided, if they did stay together, she'd help the goth feel as normal as her life seemed to be at times.
Later, after Cat and Sam had arrived, the girls joined Robbie by the pool. Tori and Jade had both gone to inside and put on suits, and were ready to enjoy the Southern California sun. Cat called to her friend "Jadey, come swim with us."
"No." Jade replied. She didn't bother correcting Cat about her name.
"Why not?" Tori asked. The Latina was soaked, and enjoying every minute of the watery fun. The pool was just a hair bigger then the one her parents had, but the patio around it was nicer, with more expensive furniture. Mostly it was easier for her to enjoy someone else's pool.
"Sam's looking to get even with me for not telling about this place." Jade said without looking up.
"That's not true." Cat protested.
"That's why you hid the buckets." Robbie said as he suddenly understood Jade's reasons.
"Come in the water and take your dunking like a man." Sam added.
"Jade, swim with me and later, I'll let you mark me." Tori invited.
"No.." Jade said again.
"Get. In. the. Pool." Tori repeated, making it an order. Jade just laughed. "Robbie, where's the buckets?"
"I don't think I want to be a part of this." The nerdy boy said.
"Don't worry." Sam cut her off. "I have this. As a mater of fact, my revenge should be walking in the door any second now."
It was more like five minutes later when Beck and Andre walked in. "Sorry we're late, but someone forgot to let the front gate guard know we were coming. Sinjin and Burf will be along shortly. They wanted a tour of the house." The Canadian announced.
"YOU TOLD SINJIN WHERE I LIVE!" Jade screamed, and proceed to get into the water. However, she wasn't able to drown anyone. The others kept their distance until the goth calmed down. And despite people she didn't particularly like being there, Jade managed to have fun hanging with her friends. She even got a chance to dunk Sinjin. Beck and Andre made her let the nerdy boy back up before his need for air got critical.
Also during the party, Tori managed to have a conversation with Beck, between keeping Jade from drowning any of the guests, and ogling her discreetly. But after everything that had happened, Tori needed to fix one more thing before she felt right about her sleeping with Jade.
"So, Beck, we all right?" She asked.
"We're good." He replied. Beck looked more relaxed around her then he'd been in a while. Even while filming their project, he'd maintained a professional air with her.
"Yea," Tori shifted, feeling uneasy.
"It doesn't just go away." Beck added. "You took advantage of me. Man, never thought I'd say that to anyone, let alone a friend. But the thing is, I can't hold it against you. You weren't thinking. So I forgave you, and I'm trying to make this friendship work." He held Tori with his gaze, and for one more moment, she remembered how selfish she'd been before accepting she was into Jade.
"I just want to get to the place where it's not weird anymore." Tori said.
"It's always going to be a little weird." The Canadian said. "But thats cause your with Jade now. I can accept I was a stepping stone, but to think my ex is with a girl I was with..."
"And now it's weird." Tori smiled, feeling more uncomfortable.
"But what I said is still true." Beck emphasized. "Take care of her. Even with her daddy's money, she's a lot more vulnerable then most people think."
"I'm beginning to see that." Tori said. "But now, things are getting better. And we have a new place to hang out. Assuming Jade doesn't kill us."
"Not sure I like the idea of Robbie playing host." Beck said. "And I know we can't avoid inviting Rex to pool parties here."
"But you can't avoid Trina at my place." Tori pointed out.
"Trina looks better in swimwear then Rex." Beck countered.
"Just enjoy the water." Tori said with a huff, then went to join her girlfriend in the jacuzzi. 'Man, what does it take to get someone else to host.'
That night, Tori and Trina invited Jade over for Sunday dinner. However, it was soon discovered that David and Holly Vega were once again going to be out of town. Tori was starting to feel sad so Jade called home and arranged for Tori and Trina to have Sunday dinner with her family. So Sunday night Tori once again found herself at the dinner table with Henry Shapiro. This time the whole meal was a bit more relaxed, and she had her sister there for backup. It seemed that the patriarch was willing to tone it down now that the families last secret had bee revealed. He still set the rules, and the conversation, but he didn't insist everyone participate.
"Miss Vega?" He said, "Trina? I was wondering, you're going to collage now, right?"
"Nope, I'm a senior at Hollywood Arts." Trina replied.
"So you've given some thought to where you're going to school? What you're going to study?" He asked. The table remained silent, allowing this conversation to commence.
"Probably theater." Trina said. "But I might study Psych as well. I'm starting to like the idea of knowing what motivates people. And there's a lot you can do with a psych degree. Police profiling, therapy, or maybe I can be the next Doctor Phil."
"See." Henry Shapiro said to the table. "Is it that hard to have a plan. Admittedly, she'll never be Doctor Phil. But she can work with that degree."
"Speaking of working with the degree." Trina cut in, and the table fell silent, the budding noised dropping off like the last moments when the lights go down at a play. "I've been wondering, how does this," she gestured around the table "work?"
"We managed to merge the two families fairly well. As for the part your thinking of, thats really none of your business." Henry said, dismissing her.
"I was actually asking about working for your daughter." Trina said, and they could feel the tension rise. Trina looked at her sister. "What? I got Robbie to tell me. Or rather, Rex."
"How?" Tori asked, not sure she wanted to know.
"I flashed the puppet." She said.
"Thats right she did." Rex chimed in. Robbie looked uncomfortable.
"But back to this whole living arrangement." Trina pressed. "From what I've heard, you're trying to be an old fashion, respectable businessman with the lover on the side. You're taking care of your kids, all that chiz. But you wound up working for your kid. Doesn't that shift the power dynamics?"
"Thats none of your business." Henry snapped, slamming his hand on the table.
"And there it is." Trina said. "I remember an acting teacher tried to get us to understand guys by getting in touch with our rage. Cause, to him, girls are supposed to eat theirs. But how does that explain guys like Beck, who are usually so chill? So I figured it's not just about getting angry, but it's about a pecking order." She looked at their host. "Do you agree?"
"I don't think this is appropriate discussion for the dinner table." He said. "Drop it before I throw you out."
"And there's another problem." Trina replied. "I'd be afraid of Jade, cause I know she can be viscous when she wants to. But you, your Robbie's dad. You just don't have the physical presence to intimidate me."
"I don't know." Tori said, trying to reel her sister back. "He's pretty intimidating from where I'm sitting."
"And it's about time you started dating someone tough enough to protect you." The older sister said, then turned back to the head of the table. "But the thing I'm trying to establish is the whole second family secret, that wasn't what you were hiding, was it. No, you needed to make sure no one found out that your teenage daughter was your boss. Maybe thats not what you told yourself, but it's the most likely scenario."
Henry Shapiro, the Family Patriarch, was holding himself back. He wasn't used his anger getting the better of him. He was always so cold and critical, not showing his true emotions. But this girl, she came into his home and challenged him. Not just pressing his buttons, but slamming them. It made him so mad. However, there was something else hidden in what she'd been saying. The same part of him that told him he was better then everyone around him made him listen, just so he could tell this bitch how wrong she was. That, and the fear that he couldn't throw her out. He could lose a LOT of face if he tried and failed.
Trina addressed the whole table. "Has he been more bossy since you guys moved in here?" Both the younger children nodded, while Robbie looked nervous. "Mister Shapiro, the thing I'm aiming for isn't to embarrass you. I want you to realize that you are a success." She stopped for a moment. "Tori, help us out here."
Henry hesitated. That part that was listening heard himself being called a success, and he wanted to know more. He NEEDED to know more. 'Go on' he thought, not trusting his voice.
"Jade said you more then doubled what she made." Tori chimed in. "She's worth a fortune thanks to you. She can do whatever she wants with her life. Thats a successful father."
"Or is the thought that I'm planning on helping the family whats worrying you?" Jade added. "I've been trying to get Dad here to buy some investment properties. I want some place for Robbie and the others when they're ready to move out and have their own lives."
"The point is, that had to be a shot to your ego." Trina continued.
"Did it ever occur to you that I wanted my daughter to have as normal a childhood as possible?" Henry growled back. No one was willing to risk his wrath. Even Rex had quieted down. But Henry was caught between the logic of the argument and his emotions. He'd been challenged. But he also secretly doubted he could take Trina. He secretly doubted he could take Jade. His primitive mind told him that his position as head of the family was threatened, and he might not bee able to enforce it, so he fell back on intimidation to control his brood.
Problem was, Trina wasn't Henry's child, and she had nothing to fear from him.
"I fully believe you want that." Trina replied. "But you still let her be shamed by the whole school, accused of being a whore, rather then tell either of your eldest children to go and let the people in on what was going on." She let that sink in for a second. "You didn't even try to come up with an excuse, help either of them through this difficult time."
"Didn't hurt that Robbie was looking more study from the rumors." Jade added.
"Look, Treen, Jade, I know what your trying to do. But this isn't the place. And certainly not in front of the mans family." Tori said. Then to Henry Shapiro. "I'm so sorry for all of this. I shouldn't have contributed."
"Yea, the last thing he needs is to show his son's that being taken down a peg isn't lethal." Trina added. "It's what you want, isn't it. For your son, the one carrying your name, to be seen as the kind of man you were?"
"I want my children to succeed." Henry said. Somehow, the rage was gone. Instead, he addressed Trina. "You gain nothing for challenging my authority, but you did anyways. Why?" His curiosity was getting the better of him. That, and she'd repeatedly called him a success.
"I was just going all doctor Phil on you." She joked. "But seriously, once I knew the dynamic, I realized that Tori benefits from you relaxing about Jade. You're set for life. You can be the big man, take care of both families. But you got lucky. Jade got lucky."
"Really?" Edith Shapiro asked. No one was sure if she was referring to the lucky comment, or the audacity to argue with Henry at the dinner table.
"Yea." Trina said. "They have each other."
Once again, Trina addressed the table. "Think about it. Lonely girl doesn't pay their authors squat. Maybe ten grand per book. Mister Shapiro here could have let Jade continue to write for them, and earn a small living. Great for a high school student, maybe. But the thing is, Jade got lucky when her father took control of her assets. And her career. Got her away from Lonely girl to where she could make some money, then turned that into a fortune."
"And your father, or husband to two of you, he got lucky that Jade was able to channel her hurt and pain into those books of hers. She understands characters, motivation, even drama. She wrote best sellers. And he was able to take risks with her money and make a lot more." Trina looked around. "So you both were lucky to have each other. Thats all I was saying."
"I see." Henry said, clearly impress even as his world struggled to reassemble itself. This was new to him, feeling okay about someone challenging him. "Psychology does seem like a descent fit for you. However, please never challenge me at the dinner table again. If you wish to talk, then make an appointment." Trina knew what he'd just said, and what a big step it was for him to accept her points might have merit. So she dropped it, and let them go back to business as usual.
For a short while, the end of Trina's impromptu therapy was the end of the dinner discussion. But Henry soon let them know it was okay for them to break down into smaller conversations, as long as no one disturbed any other conversation. A first for that family. Edith and Susan talked to each other, while Robbie spoke to Tori about something. Jade remained silent, watching her father talk to Trina, of all people, about how she'd learned so much. Apparently he respected her ability to say what was on her mind.
'Trina's a lot deeper then most people think.' The writer decided. "Trina, don't give up on that Doctor Phil dream yet. I think that may be your ticket to fame."
Trina laughed. "Maybe, but I'll be famous before I finish getting my degree."
:}
No prize for whomever can identify Robbin's Nest. Either you get it, or you don't. No worries. As for the rest, yes, Trina challenged Henry. But please, make sure you know what you're doing if you ever are in that kind of position. Men don't like having their authority challenged. Trina knew what she was doing, and got lucky that Henry was ready to hear what she had to say. Won't make him father of the year, but it does help build for the future.
So, thoughts, comments, please use that review button and let me know. There's still stuff to cover, and next time you will get to learn a bit more about the Vega family... Maybe.