Disclaimer: I don't own Victorious or any of it's characters. Nor do I make any money from their use.
:}
Tori walked over to greet her, a fake smile on her face. "Why didn't you tell me they'd ALL be here?" The teacher asked. It was obvious how uncomfortable she was with the West's here. More then just being unexpected, Jade's family had made a lasting, negative impression on the Latina.
Jade responded with "Do you think Devin acted alone, or am I digging multiple graves in the desert?" Tori rubbed her arm to try and calm her down.
But despite her initial shock, and her misgivings, Jade could see her father wasn't making a scene. He was in business mode. Putting on the impression that he was friendly, showing his best side. Wanting to know what his intentions were, Jade started to mingle in his general direction, only to have Cory cut her off.
"You're late." The groundskeeper said. There was something in his voice, something that gave the director pause.
"By just over half an hour." She snapped back. "I could have been held up longer in traffic."
"Doesn't mean you can get away without eating something." The groundskeeper told her. "Now, grab a plate of something, and sit. We're ahead, already into the mingling as we get more food phase."
Jade didn't fight it, instead grabbing a plate and finding a seat at one of the three tables. Each table sat eight, but one was designated as a kids table, with Trina's brood there. The mother was sitting with her kids, trying to convince them to behave "for the family". Jade sat with them to avoid any other possible disasters.
"Didn't know your parents were invited, did you?" Trina asked.
"Not a clue." Jade replied as she stuffed food into her mouth.
"You know," Trina's voice was conversational, calm and collected, "That food is far too good to be shoveled in. You should slow down, enjoy it. My kids are eating some of the best mac and cheese ever cooked. Want some?"
Jade slowed down, her only acknowledgment to what Trina had said, while watching her father work the room. He was distant, but gave a commanding aura, like he was someone you could trust to run your finances. Jade had to admit, she'd never seen him like this. He managed to talk to everyone that looked important, including both Thomas and Stan, while not acting like he was shunning Cory. The man even spoke to Marge, giving his best chivalric spiel.
Jade wondered if her father would win them over. It worried her that she might lose her support to his public persona. It was her secret fear, the entire time they'd talk about how bad he or her mother had been to her, Jade worried that one day they'd all meet, and everyone would compare notes. After that, they'd all agree it was her fault, and she'd be alone again, with no one left to love her. 'Maybe Tori will stay?' She thought. 'She's seen him when he wasn't putting on the charm. Maybe she'll still love me?'
But when Mister West was done talking to Marge, the look she gave her husband told the director all she could have hoped for. In one look, it was clear that some people don't misinterpret cold as leadership. They just see cold and condescending. Marge had learned from the Hollywood players she and Stan dealt with, and knew how to tell the difference. And it wasn't just her. Stan, David and Gary all could tell her dad was full of it, since cops, detectives, sometimes need to be able to get past that kind of drek to do their jobs. Even Tom, still adjusting to the Hollywood lies, knew when he was being played. No, her father was working the wrong room.
"I kinda warned people about your dad." Tori said as she came to join her girl. The kids, who were happy to see auntie Tori, ignoring their building food fight to look for someone to play with them.
"It show." Jade replied. She was so intent on watching her father, she missed the figure that approached from the side.
"I know it's not my place." Jade's mother said to Trina. Jade jumped just a bit at the sound of her mothers voice. "But kids can't be expected to just sit and behave for hours. If you want, I could watch them. Maybe we can find a corner where they can play. Do you have some toys, perhaps?"
"Who are you, and what did you do with my mother?" Jade asked. She was trying to process this new information, things she hadn't realized before. That, and she was upset at herself for allowing anyone to sneak up on her.
"That's kinda cliché, isn't it, Jade? I mean, Even for you. Especially for you." Trina asked.
"I'm Rachael, by the way." The older woman introduced herself. "You're family is here. You should mingle."
"I don't know.." The young mother said.
"It's okay." The older woman insisted. "I'm good with kids. I volunteer at the church day care. Gives me something to do with my time while Michael is doing his deacon duties. Yes, my husband is a deacon." There was such pride in that last statement. It made Jade feel hollow again, just for that moment. Then she felt for her mother, so desperately in need of something to brag about.
Trina looked over at Jade. "She's safe enough." The director said. "Mom, whatever you and dad are up to..."
"Your father wanted us to come because we've never met your other 'family.' I guess we wanted to see how they measured up." Rachael said. "You know, it hurts, being replaced."
"I could never replace you…." Jade started.
"Oh, but you did." The older woman said. "Mother, father, and even a brother." Her words challenged the girl. Then she added "They care for you."
"They do." Jade replied. "I hired them to look after me, and after a few years, it just morphed into this… I don't know what it is."
"It's a replacement family." Rachael said. "What are the kids names, by the way?"
"The girls Cameron, and she's four." Jade said.
"She'll be five in a few months." Tori added quickly.
"And the boys Channing." Jade finished. "He's an advanced two."
"Such Hollywood names." Mrs. West said.
"Thinking of backing out?" Trina asked.
"No, I could never blame children for their names." Rachael replied. "Besides, I love children. I WAS hoping for grandchildren." Her body motioned as if giving a sigh. "I still have junior."
"Thats why people get replaced." Trina said dryly.
"Trina!" Tori said harshly. "Sorry, Mrs. West..."
"Rachael." The woman corrected Tori. "And it's okay. Comes with being a deacon's wife."
"Mom, I didn't seek out another family, it just happened." Jade tried to explain.
"You're father's hurt." Her mother said. "He doesn't like to think he was so easily replaced."
"I want him, all of you, in my life." The goth stated with an unexpected urgency. "But it has to be on fair terms. I won't try to change you, and you return the favor. You accept the life I lead, and I try to do the same."
"Plus, I intend to get her preggers." Tori added.
"TORI!" Jade voice cut through the crowed, causing everyone to stop and look over, just for that moment, before returning to their previous conversations.
"I know, science." Rachael sighed. "I suppose it's going to have to be enough. I'll wait for junior to be old enough for him to have children. You, if it happens, please lets at least raise them in the church."
"When did you get hyper religious?" Jade asked.
"Since it gave me a purpose, an identity." The goths mother answered.
'My god, she's so involved with the church because it's her first real identity, outside of being Mrs. West, in who knows how long.' Jade realized. Just like that, she could understand her mother so much more. It was more then Mr. West never cheating on her, he'd, they'd created a situation where she didn't have an individual identity.
"Mom, I think it's great that you want my children to be raised in the church. But Tori's family go to their own church, and they might want the kid to grow up in their faith." Jade said softly. "But I do want you in their lives, if and when they show up. I mean, Tori and me, we've only been together a short while."
"You're going to marry her." Rachael's voice held a certainty that defied any argument. "I'll bet even your substitute mother could see that."
"Jade, why don't you go talk with your father, while I talk with Rachael here." Tori suggested. "Don't worry, if anything happens, we have Channing. He's so adorable, who could do bad things where he could see?"
"Another argument for birth control." Jade commented. But she took the opportunity to walk to were her father was talking to Stan about something.
"I'm just saying, while the concept of us running out of resources is ludicrous, recycling is becoming a great way to make money." Mr. West told the man.
"Jade." Stan said. The director noted how just saying her name brought a smile to his face. "Your father was just telling me about the opportunities in waste management. Of course, he's only five years or so out of date. The world is starting to recycle. It's a good thing, but not as big a profit maker now. No, the bottom has fallen out of that market. But he's right about one thing, there is money to be made. Only, the big boys are the only one's to be making it."
Mr. Wests face contorted into a dark frown, emanating a glare that Jade could be proud of. But while being shown up wasn't the worse thing to happen to most people, Jade really didn't want to deal with the testosterone poising. 'Stan's more like a grandfather.' She thought. "Stan, could I have a moment with my father?"
"Sure." The ex cop said, walking over to talk with Gary.
"Jade?" Mr. West voice was cold, uncaring, once again.
"Dad, I… Who'm I kidding, I never expected you to walk into the lions den. This is my world, people who like me. You'd be fighting up hill the whole way." She couldn't believe he'd ever thought he could win these people over.
"You arranged an internship for Junior at that school." He said, distaste dripping from the words.
"I arranged an internship, with a stipend, working with some of the best production people in the business." Jade defended the plan. "The plays they put on won't be just throw away plays. These are professional grade productions. People pay money to see them. And while the internship is through a grant I set up with the school, making me his boss, Junior is going to be in line to get multiple letters of recommendation. And some of those people know a lot of people."
"I see." Her father said.
"Look, I..." Jade was once again caught for words.
"I know." Her father replied. "Ollie explained to me what he thought might be happening. Your getting closer, with her, and it's time for the families to meet. I decided to face them now so as not to be forgotten." He watched her try to make words. "Jade, the house, in Florida, it does mean something. It means you do have some measure of gratitude. I realized that I couldn't just cede you to another family. Not without reminding them that I'm the man who shaped you. Didn't turn out the way I planned, but I'm starting to see that it's not all bad. No, you'll never be the child I wanted. But you're still My child."
Then it made sense. He would be the one to say if she was or was not in the family. His decision to use her contacts to help Junior WAS his reaching out. "Dad, you were invited, right?"
"A nice young man named Devin sent the invitations. Very professional. A step up form the riffraff you usually surround yourself with." Mr. West said. "He was insistent I come. Said some things needed to be worked out face to face. I was under the impression he didn't have the best relationship with his father."
"And here you are." Jade said. "Thanks."
"We still have a lot of issues." The West patriarch said. "We haven't even made it to Christmas visits yet. But I was willing to walk into your world, to show you I could do it without a bodyguard."
"You know, I send him Christmas cards." Jade commented.
"Who?" The older man asked.
"Cletus." Jade clarified, then after a moment of her father not recognizing the name, she added "The bodyguard. He's my favorite wall of meat."
"Lets just agree to get along for the sake of the family." Mr. West said. Evidently he didn't want to get distracted. "If things improve, then they improve. I still don't approve of anything you do."
"Not even donating time to help a high school?" Jade asked.
"If it's that acting school, than no." He continued. "But I'm willing to work on tolerating your flaws, so I can see the good in you. Plus, your a fighter. Like me." A tone of regret slipped into his voice as he added "I wish Junior had a bit more of you in him."
"Defiant to the end?" Jade asked, smirking.
"If you can't take a compliment..." Mr. West started.
"Sorry." Jade meant it that time. She just wasn't used to getting complimented.
"Besides, the food here is excellent. How could I pass up a chance to eat here on your dime." The patriarch added. "Now go talk to your brother."
While being so summarily dismissed was hard on her, Jade understood what her father was trying to do. 'He needs some measure of control. I give him this, but make sure he understands it's my choice.' She nodded to her father, and looked for her brother.
Junior was huddled in a corner, watching. He was watching the Vega's and the Mercers talk. He was watching how these two very different groups of people managed to come together and get along. And he was watching his father lower himself to talking with these people. People who avoided the topics of faith, football, and business. Like they didn't know the rules for talking to Michael West.
"You know, dad is far better at working a room then I'd remembered." Jade said as she sat down next to him. "Personally, I feel like you do. Place me in a room full of people I don't know, I just want to bunker myself into a confer. Had to force myself to learn how to network."
"Why'd you do it?" Junior asked.
"Before I answer that, why'd I do what?" The goth asked back.
"Defy him?" The boy asked. "Become a lesbian?"
"Wow, this is gonna be hard." Jade replied as she looked around the room to buy time. "Mike… Don't flinch, thats your name." She scolded him, only for her face to melt back into the soft, caring state it had been in just a second ago. "Now Mike, I didn't choose to be a lesbian. It chose me. I found myself involved with a terrific girl, and my life's better for it. But defying dad, thats a simpler, and more problematic, question. I guess the simplest answer is, I'm too much like him. Only, while he managed to bury whatever emotions he feels, I couldn't. It left me with a lot of insecurities, and hella anger. Made me hell to be around. But he also made me determined to succeed, and I did. It cost me. I'm still hurting, and as more then one person has pointed out, I got so lucky."
"How are you hurting?" Mikey asked, both doubting she could feel any pain, and amazed she was feeling hurt.
"Dad was right, the things I used to think were important, weren't. I grabbed the trappings of success, and it felt empty. Then I went looking, just not knowing what I was looking for." Jade smiled, loving the chance to explain it to her brother. "I found Tori, but I also found out so much about what makes people happy. I even found out that people I used to think were as determined to make it as I was, had dropped out of the life, and instead were happy living their lives. Does that make sense?'
"Not really." Her brother said. "Are you saying that it was the material things that didn't fulfill you? Reverend Tailor says that money doesn't buy happiness."
"Just because he's right about one thing doesn't mean I'm gonna come running back to that church." Jade stated, working to not let the distaste that church left in her mouth tarnish her chance to talk to her brother. "But yea, thats part of it. Finding joy in what you do is important. Several of my friends were, are, creative. They need a creative outlet. One runs the drama department for the High Schools in Canon City, Colorado. Another writes music for childerns programming. Yet another runs an on line program, while his wife makes cloths. It's about using that creativity. I needed to create. Dad, he just didn't understand the need to create."
"Any chance there are any hot chicks here tonight?" The boy asked. The change of subjects was abrupt.
"No one single." Jade replied. 'Am I so hard to understand, or threatening his safe little world.'
"I think I saw a group of them outside, with one adult." Her brother commented. She could see something in his eyes, a desire of sorts.
"When?" The thespian asked. 'Is he thinking of hitting on some girl during their dinner? Is he that desperate to get out of talking to anyone here? Or am I just that boring?'
"When I went to the bathroom. A mixed group, maybe six kids, and an adult. They didn't look related." The boy said.
"Please don't let the adult look like a cleaned up homeless man." Jade prayed out loud.
"No, he looked nice. He shouldn't have been drinking, however." Mike replied.
"He was drinking?" She asked.
"One of those fancy drinks, served out of a coconut." The boy elaborated.
Jade was up, pulling her brother along as she sought out Tori. The poor boy had never realized how strong his sister was until he was dragged by the writs to the table where her girl was. Meanwhile, Jade found her lover talking to the mothers while they were watching Trina's kids. "Ping Pong." She said.
"Yes, we still have a team." Tori replied, smirking.
"When's their tournament?" Jade asked.
"Let me check." Tori replied as she pulled out her phone, checking the Salp. "Oh, says here they got into a tournament this weekend. Last minute."
"Whats going on?" Junior asked.
"They're here." Jade growled.
"Sit down, Junior, and I'll tell you a tale about your sister." Tori started, ignoring the glare Jade was sending her. "Back when I was first at Hollywood Arts, as a student, not faculty, there came a time when all my friends would sometimes be busy with something that didn't involve me. They tried to avoid telling me about it, but it turns out, they were involved with a school activity. They all belonged to the Hollywood Arts Ping Pong Team."
"Really?" Jade whined. "The one thing they never caught me for, and your telling him?"
"One things?" Tori's question left no doubt about her beliefs that Jade had done so much more.
"I, um..." Jade glanced between her girlfriend and brother, trying to decide what answer would get her out of this situation. "Okay, the one thing that can be linked to me but never was."
"Now I think I have to know how this ends." Junior quipped.
:}
Ever notice how much fun it is to end a chapter right when things are getting interesting? Hope you enjoyed the chapter, cause this was fun to write. The next one was too. You'll see, in time.
I know that if you change an element in a system, the system has to somehow change. When jade's dad decided he needed something from Jade, he accepted that his safe world was gonna change. And so his world changed, just a bit. He also realized his son didn't have the drive he felt was needed. The real thing he's hoping Jade will help the boy develop. So, it starts to mend fences. I'd original never intended the West family to find it's way back, but as the story grew, this option came to me. Jade and her father are finding something, anything, they can love about one another. It's their only road back to each other.
So, whats your thoughts? I'm thinking there's gonna be some explaining to do when Tori tells Junior about the Hollywood Arts Ping pong Team.
Reviews are wonderful places to express your opinion.
