Family Portrait
Standard Disclaimers apply
van der Woodsen's home-
Five of their six children along with Maxie were gathered around the table as Lily and Rufus entered the room.
"Well if it is a girl I bet she and Maxie will gang up on you at every turn," Serena said.
Chuck shook his head and glared at his step sister before looking to Spinelli.
"Nah, she'll be daddy's little girl and have this one accompanying her on the ivory while she practices for her ballet recitals."
"You play the piano Spinelli," Maxie said surprised, "what else are you hiding from me."
He was hiding the baby's sex but that was something she already knew he was doing.
"Mom, dad, welcome home," he said changing the subject as Lily and Rufus entered the room.
"Wow, the gang is all here," Rufus said.
"You called us to meet you here dad," Dan said causing the older man to nod. He knew that. He only wished that Jenny wasn't in Port Charles and was instead around the family table when he and Lily made their announcement.
-
"So," Lily said, "your talking about our grandchild, did you cave yet."
"Kind of," Maxie said, "he knows but if he tells anyone and I mean ANYONE he looses naming privileges."
His mom nodded.
"Gotcha, so what else has gone on since we left."
"No calls from the police," Rufus said, "that's a good sign."
The kids simply laughed as dinner was served.
--
"I meant to tell you when you asked what was going on earlier," Serena said giving her parents an innocent look, "Aaron's back in town."
"Who's Aaron," Rufus asked.
"Aaron Rose, Cyrus's son."
Rufus nodded as he now remembered the young man.
"Isn't Aaron your ex," Eric said hoping to stir up some drama.
Serena nodded.
"Yes, Aaron is my ex and my ex he will stay, I'm with Nate now and couldn't be happier."
Everyone nodded and that was the last that Aaron's name was mentioned that evening.
--
"I'm thinking about going to Port Charles," Eric said in a later moment of conversation.
All eyes fell on him.
"Just for a few days, to visit Jenny."
"I'm sure Jenny doesn't want visitors," Dan said.
All eyes fell on him.
"What, you don't go away to camp and expect your best friend from home to pop up out of the blue."
Eric simply smiled.
"Well your sister isn't at camp is she and I'm sure she wouldn't mind a drop in from me would she."
"I think going to Port Charles for a few days to see Jenny is a lovely idea Eric," Lily said thinking at least Jenny didn't have to hear about the news that was about to come via phone call and she could hear it face to face.
Rufus thinking the same thing decided this would be the perfect time to share the news with the rest of the family.
"Well, while Lily and I were away we did something."
"Please," Maxie said, "if this is about your sex life I'm sure I speak for all your children that they don't want to hear it."
The others shook their heads in agreement with Maxie.
"It's not about our sex lives," Rufus said, "I asked Lily to marry me and she said yes."
"Oh my god," Serena squealed, "it's about time you guys."
"So, did you two lovebirds set a date yet?"
"Why Spin," Maxie asked her fiancé, "are you thinking about having our wedding be a double wedding with your parents."
Spinelli made a face.
"No, that would just feel awkward to say the least."
"Agreed," Rufus said, "and no we haven't set a date thought we want to make sure everyone is home and with Jenny gone now and Serena and Dan leaving in August for school we were thinking Christmas perhaps."
Maxie clapped thinking to the past Christmas when her cousin Robin got married.
"Oh, I love Christmas weddings in fact I planed one single handedly last December."
Lily and Rufus smiled knowing if they needed help with details then Maxie would be the first one to call.
After that announcement Dinner wasn't any more eventful other then Chuck and Spinelli trying to coax Rufus into getting Lincoln Hawk to play at the club eventually.
--
THE CLUB THE FOLLOWING DAY-
"So dinner was a bust last night, any other suggestions for live entertainment."
Spinelli grinned.
"Are you holding out on me Spinelli?"
"Eli Love."
Chuck rolled his eyes.
"Eli Love, that's like a throwback to the eighties."
Spinelli grinned as he knew just where things were going.
"Exactly, well not for opening night of coarse but I was thinking that the new and improved Victrola could have like theme nights."
"Like eighties night."
Spinelli nodded as he clapped his hands.
"Exactly or like my brilliant beyond brilliant idea for opening night."
Chuck looked at him intrigued.
"Let's sort of go back to the original idea of the club, not the whole burlesque..."
"You mean sex club," Chuck interjected as Spinelli nodded.
"Yea, not that but like a 20's theme."
"I love it...so anyway what's with the napkin."
Chuck pointed to the cocktail napkin that Spinelli was scribbling on. Picking it up he read it to himself:
Damian Spinelli
Damian Humphrey
Damian Spinelli-Humphrey
Damian Humphrey-Spinelli
Taking back the napkin he smiled.
"Maxie mentioned to me you were pondering changing your name; I didn't think you were serious."
Spinelli nodded.
"I am."
"If you want my opinion I'd keep Spinelli, I mean your dad has Dan to carry on his family name and well you wouldn't be the same man if you weren't Spinelli."
The young man smiled and thanked his friend for that.
"Anyway back to the club," Chuck said as the men continued to work.
--
TBC
