Golden Threads
Disclaimer: I don't own 9-1-1. All recognisable characters, c content, or locations belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Chapter Five:
Amelia doesn't make it home until the early hours of Sunday morning, but she somehow stumbles out of bed with enough time to shower, dress, and consume a truly prodigious amount of water before they have to leave. Beneath her makeup, she still looks haggard - from lack of sleep, from alcohol, from a truly wild night - but evidently, she's not going to let her misery deter her from their plans with her mom.
"Is Addison joining us today?" Evan wonders. He's driving, Mia a sorry heap in the passenger seat, and thus far, the trip has been quiet.
"I haven't asked," Amelia replies, "Mom hasn't said anything. I guess we'll find out."
Addison is Amelia's older sister. They get along well enough, can talk and laugh and enjoy each other's company when they're together, but they don't go out of their way to communicate beyond family gatherings. They're too different, but also, Addison is opinionated and stubborn, unwilling to accept when she's wrong - or when other people have opinions that differ from her own - and it's made for some unpleasant clashes between the sisters.
"Jake, Noah, and Emma will be there. Emma was texting me about it yesterday."
Jake, Noah, and Emma are three of Mia's half-siblings, products of her mom's second marriage. She has two more half-siblings from her dad's second marriage, and a handful of step-siblings from both of her parents' new spouses. In addition to her three 'full' siblings, it makes for an extensive family unit, and Evan is still as bewildered by it as he ever was.
"Is Jake still set on enlisting?"
"There's no changing his mind," Mia confirms.
Evan sighs, disappointed, but not overly surprised. All of the men in Jake's life are current or former military - his dad, his brothers, his brothers-in-law, his grandfathers - and Jake's idolised them all for as long as he was old enough to understand what the military was, and what it stood for.
Mia offers him a reassuring smile. "He'll be okay."
Evan hums. He's dubious, but all the same… "I hope so."
They eventually reach their brunch destination - a rather crowded establishment with table service and coastal views - and locate Amelia's mom and younger siblings on the balcony. Greetings are exchanged, hugs and kisses on cheeks and what have you, before they make themselves comfortable in the available seats, help themselves to the complimentary water, and take stock of the menu's available brunch options.
"How was the party last night?" Amelia's mom, Audrey, queries.
"Good," Amelia replies, absorbed in her menu, "Pretty wild."
"And how was your night, Evan?" Audrey queries.
"Pretty tame, in comparison," Evan replies, "I had dinner with my new coworkers. How has your weekend been?"
They chit-chat like that for some time, idle conversation as drinks are ordered and menus perused, and it's entirely unremarkable. Before long, however, Addison joins them, sans her husband and children, and she seems simultaneously worn and frazzled.
"Sorry I'm late," she says, exchanges a brief, one-armed hug with Audrey, and drops into the available seat between Mia and Emma, "It was a bit of a madhouse this morning."
"Is everything all right?"
"Everything's fine," Addison offers Mia a strained smile and a flippant wave, "Nate's spending the day with the kids. It's just - Herding cats, you know?"
Mia and Audrey's expressions are identical in their skepticism, but neither of them press the issue, and nor do they have much of an opportunity to do so. A server appears to take their orders, and once he's retreated, Addison sets about questioning everyone else about school and work and everything else, and before they know it, their meals have arrived.
It's only belatedly that Evan and Amelia realise Addison skilfully avoids any discussion about herself or Nate.
"You look green," Addison informs Mia.
Evan laughs. "Too much Tequila."
Mia agrees. "I regret everything."
"Not as fun as you remembered?" Addison wonders.
"It was fine. I enjoyed myself, but I'm not in any rush to repeat the experience." Mia shrugs. She's unconcerned. "I guess we're getting old."
"Positively ancient," Audrey deadpans.
Mia tilts her head, makes eye contact with Evan, and smiles. "I think I can live with that."
Evan winks, playful. "Here's to growing old together, then."
"Ugh," Noah opines, 12 years old and entirely unimpressed. Next to him, Emma sighs. At 15, she has romance on the brain. Audrey and Amelia laugh, Addison and Jake roll their eyes, and Evan considers it a win.
As they eat, conversation drifts. Jake's teased mercilessly by his siblings about his (first) girlfriend, Emma's questioned about school and sports and her (first) job, Evan's interrogated by Noah about what it's like to be a firefighter. Information is exchanged about the rest of the family, pointed questions about Evan and Amelia's longterm plans are carefully avoided by the pair, jokes and anecdotes and discussions are shared. It's an ultimately pleasant meal, and Evan and Amelia depart in high spirits.
"What do you think's going on with Addie and Nate?" Mia wonders. Her 90's boy band playlist filters from the car's speakers, and behind her sunglasses, her gaze is expectant.
"Nothing good," Evan replies, "You think Audrey knows?"
Behind her sunglasses, Amelia arches a peaked, judgemental eyebrow. "Doubt it."
As Evan offers his wife a sheepish grin, he ruefully wonders why he bothers asking. Audrey doesn't understand the concept of privacy within the family unit, and all of her children know to filter what they share with her. They'll complain to her about each other, talk about work and partners and children (where applicable), reminisce over days long gone, but anything requiring even the slightest semblance of discretion?
That'll be the day.
"Will you ask her about it?"
"Maybe." Mia pulls a face, but produces her phone regardless, "I guess."
Evan huffs a laugh. "Don't strain yourself."
Mia rolls her eyes and fusses with her phone, texting Addison, and Evan hums along to the Golden Oldies playlist his wife had selected to accompany their drive home. It's a warm, sun-drenched day - perfect for a detour to the beach - but Mia's dragging after her wild night, and Evan isn't dressed for the occasion.
He doesn't dwell on it too much. It's Los Angeles, after all, and a visit to the waterfront will keep for another day.
"I wonder if she'll actually reply? We've never been the type to share secrets."
"Things change."
Mia's noncommittal. "Maybe."
He thinks of his own sister, of the secrets they'd once shared and those they've never had the opportunity to speak of, and he wonders if she's well.
"I hope she's okay."
Mia sighs, tips her head against the window, and closes her eyes against the sunshine. "Me too."
Evan reaches for Mia's hand, twines his fingers through hers, squeezes briefly, and then returns his hand to the wheel.
He has nothing else to say.