A/N: Thanks, Oddi and dkAdeena for your reviews!

I've been wondering if I should write up that fluffy little sequel idea I had...what do you guys think? Or maybe it's too early to ask if you guys want a sequel? After all there's still Christmas and New Years and bad guys to deal with before this fic is done...

CHAPTER 36-Luncheon on the Lawn

Quatre's sisters had ordered the servants to set up twenty-five round tables with six chairs around each. There weren't enough seats for everyone, but it was anticipated that the children would not join them all at once and they came and went constantly as the adults took their time eating and talking.

Quatre had initially placed himself at a table with Riley, Marissa, Diane and his sister Lilah and her husband, Darren. Lilah was one of his oldest sisters, and he'd always gotten on well with her. Darren had always been helpful to Quatre and Quatre appreciated that Darren had never talked down to him or treated him like a child.

Unfortunately for Quatre, Mirah wanted him to get to know the women she'd invited for him. She quickly pulled him away from the group he'd chosen for himself and planted him at a table with Felicia and Tanya and Mirah's other three top picks. The remaining five women were at a table adjacent to the one he'd been deposited at. He knew it wasn't a coincidence that the only three women he could stand to have a conversation with were placed several tables away at on the outer ring of tables. He was sure he looked as trapped as he felt.

Lilah sighed. "I wish Mirah would just let him alone."

"She won't stop meddling until he's married," Darren said. "And even then, she might not if she doesn't like his choice."

"You're assuming she'll let him have a choice," Lilah pointed out.

"He'll probably just elope anyway."

"Don't even joke, Darren."

"Well, if we'd had the media circus he's going to have, we would've eloped."

They were served the first course.

"So, Miss Logan, how did you meet Mr. Winner?" Marissa asked, attempting to change the subject.

"You can call me Riley. I'm not big on formalities."

"In that case, call me Diane."

"I'm Marissa."

"To answer your question, we met through a mutual friend."

"Who?"

"He requested to remain anonymous."

"Too bad. I was hoping he knew someone he could introduce me to," Diane giggled.

"I'll try to remember to ask him the next time I see him."

"So what do you do for fun, Riley? Aside from traveling, I mean," Marissa asked.

"I like to read. I adore history. I've considered going back to school in order to study it when I get bored of travel."

"That sounds…fun," Diane tried. "Anything else?"

"Well, I dabble in art and music, but I don't consider myself any good at either. I just find them relaxing."

"So have you gotten to hear Mr. Winner play the piano? I hear he's really good," Marissa asked.

"I heard him play once. It was quite lovely."

The first course was cleared and the second one brought out. Marissa and Diane had gotten onto a topic of conversation that centered around a finishing school they'd attended. Riley was glad she wouldn't have to answer any more of their questions. They were nice enough, but they'd been raised the same way Felicia had and still saw her as a threat. She could feel it.

"Riley, what do you think of my brother?" Lilah asked. She'd been listening to the conversation and was curious about this girl her brother had brought out of nowhere.

"He's a perfect gentleman."

"I'd be surprised if he was anything less. I guess what I mean is, what are your intentions concerning my brother?"

Riley was a little surprised. "Well right now, we're just friends. I mean, we've dated a few times, but it's not really anything serious." She knew the answer was mostly true, but she still felt bad for misleading Lilah. Had it been Mirah that asked, Riley would have trumped up the answer just to annoy her, but Lilah was very nice and Riley could tell that she had Quatre's best interests in mind.

"Are you not going to pursue the relationship further?" Lilah was blunt, but was appraising Riley, trying to gauge just what her brother was up to.

"I don't know. I think it's too early to tell how our relationship is going to go." She glanced over at Quatre, who was trying valiantly to keep his expression neutral in the midst of the vultures preying on him. "He really can have anyone he wants, so I think it's best to let him choose."

"Why do I get the feeling you don't think you measure up?"

"Maybe because I've never really been the predatory type and Felicia kind of makes me nervous," she admitted, grinning ruefully.

Lilah wrinkled her nose. "Yes, I can see that. Mirah seems to think she's wonderful, but personally, I'd rather not have her around."

Riley sipped at her water, not sure how to respond to the woman's candor. Another of Quatre's sisters came and sat at the empty chair.

"Lilah, I'm going to strangle her. I mean it this time."

"Calm down, Irea. I know Mirah's gone off the deep end, but-"

"Not Mirah."

Lilah was confused. Riley tried to be interested in the rest of her salad, but couldn't help overhearing the conversation.

"Felicia."

"Oh, her." Lilah's voice was disgusted. "How long before we can politely request her departure?"

"Too long. I just don't know what to do with her. The stuff she's spouting is ridiculous."

Just then a group of children barreled past. Near the back of the pack a boy about three years old tripped just as he was passing Riley. She saw it coming and reached out, grabbing the back of his shirt barely keeping him from a face plant.

She set him upright and asked, "Are you okay?"

"Me fine. Do it again!"

Riley giggled. "Better not. I don't know how many times your shirt will survive that."

He eyed her solemnly with deep blue eyes. "You 'Tra's frien'?"

She didn't quite understand him. "Beg pardon?"

"He wants to know if you're Quatre's friend," Irea supplied, a grin on her face.

"Oh." She looked the boy in the eye and said, "Yes, I am Quatre's friend."

"Me like you." He turned and abruptly ran off.

Lilah and Irea chuckled. "Well, you have Ashton's approval," Lilah noted.

The next course was brought around and Irea returned to her original seat, which Riley noticed was at the table closest to where Felicia was sitting. She could hear every word of the conversation surrounding Quatre and it made Riley wonder just what Felicia was saying to irk the woman so much. Quatre certainly didn't seem to be overly enthusiastic. He glanced in her direction, his eyes screaming 'shoot me now.'

It wasn't funny, but at the same time, it really was. Riley was sure that if he saw her laugh he'd never forgive her, so she tried to shoot him a sympathetic look and shrugged her shoulders. He turned back politely to his conversation and Riley looked down and coughed into her fist, trying to disguise her giggle.

She looked up to find Lilah giggling behind her hand. "Oh, poor Quatre…"

"He'll be fine, Auntie Lilah. The lucky bastard." Jamal turned the empty chair and sat on it backwards, his arms draped over the back.

"JAMAL! You will not use that language in this house. And you may not refer to him that way ever again."

He rolled his eyes. "Sorry, Auntie. I can't believe he isn't enjoying all this attention…" He looked over Diane, Marissa and Riley. "…From such lovely ladies." He instantly turned predator. "And what might your names be?"

Diane and Marissa giggled and introduced themselves, not seeming to be too picky about who was giving them attention. Riley chose not to respond. She could practically feel the slime coming off of him.

"And this must be the famous Miss Logan that Miss Felicia was harping about."

Riley really didn't like the way he was eyeing her.

"It seems that your presence has made some waves. Rest assured, if Quatre isn't interested, I'm available."

"Available for what?" Riley asked, sweetness flooding her tone.

"Anything you want." He flashed a predatory smile at her.

"You mean, like taking a long walk…off a short pier into shark infested waters?" She smiled sweetly at him and batted her eyelashes.

He was completely taken aback. His status as a member of the Winner family usually meant that girls fell for him without question. Unable to come up with a suitable retort, he settled for giving her a dirty look and removed himself from the table.

"Ugh, Riley! Why did you do that? He was just being friendly." Marissa was appalled.

Riley just shook her head in amazement. How shallow did you have to be to find anyone that slimy desirable? Just because he was a member of the Winner family didn't guarantee him to be a gentleman.

"Oh look, there are two seats with Lisa, Denise and Michelle." Diane and Marissa moved to sit with their friends.

Darren gave Riley a smile. "Good on you, Riley. It's nice to see you have some sense. Those girls are shallower than spit. He's too old for you anyway."

"I'm not as young as I look," Riley told him, trying not to be hurt at the thought that she'd been ditched, even if it was by people as shallow as Diane and Marissa.

"Really? So my little brother isn't robbing the cradle?" Lilah teased.

"No. He really isn't. I'm sure he was concerned that's what you'd think, too."

"Would you mind terribly if I asked how old you are?"

"Not at all. I'm 30."

"Honey, I need to know your secret."

Riley smiled at her. "Just lucky genetics."

"Too bad. I guess you're stuck with me the way I am, Dare."

"I like you the way you are," Darren told her and gave her a peck.

Quatre slid into the seat next to Riley. "Finally managed to escape," he said looking apprehensively back at the table he'd come from. Jamal was sitting in Quatre's vacated seat, making eyes at Felicia and saying something that had all twelve women leaning over to hear.

"I guess that makes him good for something," Riley muttered.

Quatre gave her a look. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Don't worry about it."

"Lilah? What did he do?" Quatre was a little peeved.

"Quatre, you worry too much. He told Riley that if you picked someone else, he was interested and Riley told him to take a long walk off a short pier."

"Into shark infested waters," Darren added with a smirk.

Quatre chuckled. "I should've known."

The pack of kids ran by again, grabbing cookies from the trays the servers were bringing out of the house for them. Ashton stopped and waved at Riley before chasing after the older kids, a cookie in each hand. Irea and another of Quatre's sisters joined them.

"Quatre, I don't know how you tolerated Felicia so long," Irea said, shaking her head.

"Practice."

"I wouldn't let Mirah hear you say that. She's set on you hooking up with Felicia," the other sister said.

"I don't think I need to worry about Felicia, Nadia," Quatre said nodding towards the other table. Jamal was offering his arm to Felicia and she took it, allowing him to escort her away from the group.

"Well, all I have to say is that Mirah brought that on herself. And she would deserve Felicia for a daughter-in-law," Lilah said.

"You realize that if she marries Jamal, she'll be around more often, right?" Irea pointed out.

"Maybe, but at least she'll be at Mirah's the most," Nadia said.

"Serves her right for meddling," Darren said.

"So, Quatre, that friend of yours that sells the scrap hasn't been around lately. Any idea where he is? Andrew has an order he needs filled."

"He's been busy with a personal matter. But I'll pass the message on to him and I'm sure he'll take care of it, Nadia."

"No hurry," she said, waving her hand. "So Miss Logan, what is it you want from my brother?"

"Nadia!" Quatre was scandalized and dropped his face into a hand. "Will you please quit acting like Felicia?"

Nadia pouted. "That was harsh, Quatre. I just want to get to know your girlfriend."

"Do it another way."

"So you don't deny that she's your girlfriend?"

"All right, Nadia, that's enough," Irea broke in. "Sorry, Miss Logan. Some of us have a little less restraint than the others."

Riley shrugged. "It's okay. I kind of expected more than just the few questions I've gotten today."

"Quatre warned you, huh? Can't say I blame him," Darren said. "Shoot, if Lilah wasn't one of the older ones, I probably would've run screaming from the rest of them."

Lilah slapped him playfully. "Stop it or you'll run her off."

"If Mirah doesn't, no one will."

"What am I going to do with you?"

"Make me behave?"

"I think that's our cue to leave," Quatre said, standing and turning slightly pink.

"Oh sit down, Quatre. I need to talk to you for a minute," Irea said.

He sat. "What's up, Irea?"

"Just thought I'd warn you that Mirah's mad at you."

"For what this time?" Mirah was the oldest and bossiest of his sisters. She'd been telling them all what to do since she learned how to talk.

"Your outfit for one, and bringing a girl for another." Irea was trying not to laugh. "Personally, I like the look and your choice in friends." She winked at Riley, who blushed a little. "Expect to hear about it from Mirah in detail."

"Just what I needed today."

"Speak of the devil…" Darren said quietly.

The group followed his gaze to see Mirah storming towards them. Quatre braced himself.

"Quatre, dear, I need to have a word."

He turned in his chair. "About?"

"In private."

"Can't it wait?"

Mirah glared at him. "No."

Quatre stood up. "Fine." He didn't want to hear what she had to say, but he knew it would only be worse later because Mirah would have time to stew over it.

She led him inside to an office that guaranteed privacy. She laid into him immediately.

"I cannot believe your behavior today, Quatre. It's inappropriate and I am appalled."

Quatre didn't know what to say, he had no idea what she was talking about.

"I told you we were inviting guests for you to associate with and you ignore them in favor of some girl you brought off the street. She's entirely too young for you and just when were you going to tell us she's pregnant?"

"Whoa! Wait a minute. What are you talking about?"

"That girl you brought. She's pregnant isn't she?"

"No!" Quatre wasn't sure if he was madder that someone told his sister he'd gotten Riley pregnant or because she was suggesting that the only reason he'd brought her was because he'd gotten her pregnant.

"Why else would she be hanging all over you like she is? Felicia told me that the instant we left you alone the two of you were all over each other like rabbits. And the other girls confirmed it. I want that little tramp out of here. All we need is for the little ones to—"

"THAT'S ENOUGH MIRAH!"

She shut up immediately. Quatre had never raised his voice at any of his sisters before and she was in total shock.

"You listen to me." His voice was low and dangerous, barely concealed anger evident. "You are not to say anything against Miss Logan ever again. She is a lady and of higher breeding than those gold diggers you try to foist on me. And sitting next to her on the couch with my arm over her shoulders is not 'all over each other like rabbits.'"

"Now, Quatre—" she started, her voice patronizing.

"DON'T. Just don't, Mirah. I'm an adult. I know you find that concept hard to grasp, but I do NOT need you telling me how to live my life. I have an entire Board that goes out of its way to tell me how to run the company and I don't need the same shit from you at home."

"Quatre, I just want what's best for you." The line sounded rehearsed.

"What's best for me or best for you? I don't like Felicia. I can't stand to be in the same room as her, or any of the other girls you picked out for that matter. If you want what's best for me you'll leave it alone."

"I don't want to see you grow old all alone." Again, it sounded rehearsed.

He exhaled and looked at the ceiling, resting his hands on his hips. "I don't plan to. But I'm not going to marry someone just because you want me to."

"You are interested in women, aren't you? Because if you're not we can always—"

"MIRAH! I am interested in women, just not the ones you pick."

"Well you could at least find someone closer to your own age. People will talk."

Quatre laughed mirthlessly. "Miss Logan is one of those fortunate women who gets to look younger than she is. She happens to be 30, which is older than every single one of those girls you're trying to push on me."

Mirah had run out of arguments and stood gaping at him like a fish.

"Now if you're done treating me like a 5-year-old, my guest is waiting." He stalked past her and out the door.

Quatre took a few minutes to collect himself before venturing outside again. As mad as Mirah had made him, he had to admit that telling her off felt really good. He'd never been able to stand up to any of his sisters before and he felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He allowed himself a satisfied smile. Maybe the day wasn't a total loss after all.

Heading outside, he looked around; spotting Rashid, he gave him a nod. Rashid nodded back and continued observing the area. Quatre headed towards the table where he'd left Riley and his sisters and was mildly alarmed to see his sisters in conversation and Riley nowhere in sight.

"That didn't take as long as I thought it would," Lilah commented.

"I don't think I let Mirah say everything she wanted to," he answered. "Where did Riley go?"

"Ashton pulled her off to play," Irea said, nodding in the direction of a small group of younger children playing a very simplified version of soccer. Riley was standing off a bit to the side and every time the ball came her way, she sent it gently back to one of the smaller children, who were running back and forth giggling. "He's already given her his approval, just so you know."

Quatre allowed a small smile and sat.

"Come on, spill," Nadia pressed. "Just what is your relationship status?"

"We're friends."

"Good friends?"

"Nadia, please don't read too much into this. She wants to go slow and I'm respecting that."

"She said your relationship was up to you," Lilah said, smirking.

Quatre blinked at her. "Um…well, I guess…um…"

"Sounds like she's waiting for you to make the next move if you ask me," Nadia observed. "You might want to do it before someone else snatches her up."

Quatre turned pink but was saved from having to come up with answer by Ashton, who was leading Riley back over to the table.

"'Tra!" He let go of Riley's hand and ran over to Quatre, lifting his hands to be picked up.

"Hey, Ash!" Quatre said lifting him up and sitting the boy on his lap. "Having fun?"

"Uh-huh. Me like Ri."

Quatre grinned at the tiny blonde's open honesty. "Good. Did you get enough cookies?"

"No. But Mommy said no more." He climbed off Quatre's lap. "Me play now. Bye!" He ran off to join the other kids as the adults laughed.

Quatre checked his watch. "Looks like we've got to get going." He stood and gave his sisters each a quick hug and shook Darren's hand.

"Quatre, a quick word?" Lilah requested, standing and pulling him aside a little.

"Um, yeah?"

She leaned in so no one else could hear her. "Don't let this one get away." She winked and sat back down. "I'll tell Mirah you said goodbye."

"Uh, thanks, Lilah. See you next year, if not before."

"Better not be that long," she said with a smile. "It's been lovely meeting you, Riley."

"And you as well," Riley replied.

Quatre put his arm around her shoulder and led her towards the front yard. Seeing Felicia and Jamal eyeing them, Riley got a gleam in her eye.

"Want to send them over the edge?" she asked, indicating the two skulking in the shadows.

"How?" Quatre was up for a little revenge for the inane conversation he'd been forced to endure.

She slipped her hand into his back pocket. He reddened a little, surprised at the move, but followed her example, slipping his hand into her back pocket. The glares they got as they walked past the disagreeable pair made his discomfort completely worth it. "Thank you, Riley. I appreciate you coming with me. It really did make it easier."

"My pleasure," she said, the comment not lost on him.

He chuckled as he opened the car door and she slid in.

Once Rashid pulled out of the driveway, Quatre asked him for the envelope. He poured out the coins again and took a closer look at them.

"These are really cool, Riley. So are the guys on these coins really dead Presidents of the Former American States?"

"Yeah. This one is Abraham Lincoln, he was responsible for ending slavery. This one is George Washington, he was the first President. This one is Thomas Jefferson, he wrote the Declaration of Independence. This one is Franklin Roosevelt, he helped bring the country out of the Great Depression after the stock market crashed in 1929. He was also the only President to serve three consecutive terms."

"Money now only has buildings on it."

"The back of the paper money usually has buildings. And the back of the nickel, the one with Jefferson, has a picture of Monticello, which I think was his summer home. The back of the penny has the Lincoln Memorial and if you use a magnifying glass, you can see the statue of Lincoln in it."

He flipped the coins over and looked at them. "This really is cool, thank you."

"Well, I meant it when I said I wanted to give you something you didn't have." She was blushing a little.

"I thought you didn't know it was my birthday," he teased.

"Well, I wasn't going to worry about it but then the idea hit me and I decided to go with it. Although," she said ruefully, "I was going to wait until now to give it to you."

"And miss out on the looks on those girls' faces? I'm glad you gave them to me earlier."

Riley shook her head. "I can understand why you don't want to be attached to any of those girls. Diane and Marissa were appalled that I didn't flirt with Jamal."

Quatre frowned a little. "He didn't say anything inappropriate, did he?"

"Just suggested that he was available for anything I wanted." She wrinkled her nose in distaste. "I think you could package and sell the slime coming off of him."

"Well, I apologize that you had to tolerate that."

"It's okay. Lilah and Darren were really great about it. Irea and Nadia were really nice, too."

"Well of course Irea likes you. Ashton's her little boy and if he likes you, Irea likes you. He tends to be really shy about who he'll talk to. What'd you do to get on his good side?"

She shrugged. "Not much. Kept him from face planting when he tripped is all."

"Well, I'm sure Irea appreciated that as much as Ashton."

They pulled up to the house and Quatre opened her door. Extending his hand, he helped her out and placed a kiss on her hand before releasing it. "Thank you again, Riley."

She felt herself blushing again as they walked inside.