The alarm went off rather early for Richie's tastes. He mumbled a greeting
to Heather as he leaned across her to stop the annoying beeping noise
coming from her nightstand.
"I could get used to waking up like this," she grinned up at him.
"Who knows," he smiled back. "You might get the chance." They kissed for a couple seconds then decided it would be more fun after they had both brushed their teeth. Still slightly uncoordinated because he wasn't fully awake Richie went into the hall bathroom to shower and Heather went into her bathroom to do the same. Once he had gotten partially dressed (dress pants, socks, and a dress shirt he was too lazy to tuck in or button) he made his way into the kitchen to either drink or make some coffee.
"Oh!" Richie turned to find the source of the squeal and found Courtney sitting at the table in only a T-shirt eating some cereal blushing profusely.
"Mind if I join you, or is that table reserved for the undressed?" he asked.
"Um, I don't mind," she told him putting a napkin in her lap. Richie got a bowl out of the cupboard and put some coffee on before pouring himself some Lucky Charms.
"So, how'd the date go?" he asked.
"It was really fun; we went to the movies and then out to play mini golf."
"Heather and I have done that."
"Really?" Courtney seemed very pleased at the idea of dating the same way her college sister did.
"Yeah, a couple times."
"I heard you and Alex last night," she said softly.
"Oh?"
"What did he say to Heather?"
"Nothing I'm going to repeat. Just suffice it to say I wasn't very happy when I heard it."
"You sounded pretty pissed."
"I was," he admitted as Alex shuffled into the kitchen similarly dressed as he was.
"Going the easy route this morning, eh?" Alex asked joining Richie and Courtney at the table. Richie waited a few minutes before getting up to get some coffee.
"Want some Alex?" he offered.
"Sure." By Alex's tone Richie either figured that the man had come to his senses or his threat had put a little scare into him. "Did you sleep well?" he asked as Richie handed him a cup.
"Like a baby, you?"
Before Alex could answer Brandon came running into the kitchen wearing only his Ninja Turtles underwear. Silently he stopped in front of the cabinets and looked pitifully up at the one containing the cereal bowls.
"How you doing big guy?" Richie asked. Brandon looked from Richie to the cupboard and back. "Are you hungry?" Richie patted his lap invitingly. With a wide grin Brandon walked over and crawled into Richie's lap. "What do you want to eat?"
"Cewiol," the child answered.
"You want something to drink?"
"Juz."
"You wanna help me get it?" Brandon's grin broadened. He knew what helping Richie get breakfast meant. "You ready?" Brandon nodded and slid off Richie's knees. Richie squatted behind him allowing the child to stand on his knees with his butt in his face. Richie grabbed him around his arms. "One, two, three!" On three Brandon jumped and with Richie's help did a little back flip before landing on Richie's shoulders. "Geeze, you're getting good at that." Richie walked around the kitchen stopping at the cupboards and refrigerator and stooping down a little for Brandon to get all he needed by himself. Richie took Brandon back to the table and poured everything for him and let the boy eat in his lap.
"Hi, Aleze!" Brandon greeted cheerfully as he began to eat his sugar-coated cereal.
"It's about time, little man, I was starting to feel neglected," Alex told him jutting his bottom lip out. "How come I didn't get to help you with breakfast?"
"I didn' know you wa hew," Brandon told him obviously feeling very bad about selecting his sister's boyfriend over his own brother. "You help me tomowo."
"So are you ready to be in the wedding?" Courtney asked. "You have a very important job."
"That's right, you're the ring bearer," Richie added. "Are you excited?"
"Yeah. I get to be the wing bewoaw."
"Do you remember what you are supposed to do?" Alex asked.
"Yeah, I waok down the ahlol like dis." Brandon gave everyone a demonstration. "Then I stay weawly still by Aleze until I go back to mommy."
"Well, you need to finish your breakfast so we can all go get ready," Alex reminded him. Brandon finished his breakfast in Richie's lap. Then Alex took him upstairs to change and Richie sent Courtney to change while he did the breakfast dishes.
"No food?" Richie asked as he went back into Heather's room.
"In a minute," Heather told him. Melinda was putting the finishing curls in Heather's hair. Richie stood in the door and watched. Girls doing their hair had always fascinated him; Tessa had caught him watching her a couple times when she and Duncan would go out. Melinda was already dressed and ready to move onto Courtney's hair so after spraying on the last coat of hair spray she scurried off to do that.
"So, always a bride's maid never a bride, huh?" Richie asked as Heather did a little spin for him.
"I don't plan on being a bride, yet," she told him. "I want to finish school first."
"I'll keep that in mind. Can I do anything for you?"
"Shouldn't you be getting ready?"
"From here, I've got like, three minutes of work to do. My hair curls naturally so I don't have to bother with all that."
"In that case, to the kitchen with you! I'm hungry."
Richie laughed. "What do you want?"
"Gemme a pop tart."
"Kay." Richie left to his task buttoning and tucking in his shirt on the way.
Twenty minutes later they all piled into two cars and headed to the church. After the photographer took pictures of the wedding party, that included Heather, Courtney, Alex, and Brandon, everyone took their seats and waited for the wedding to begin. Not ten minutes into the ceremony Richie realized he was very out of place at a Catholic wedding. There was lots of sitting and standing and kneeling and prayers and words. and he didn't have the slightest clue what to do or say. So he just kept his mouth shut and followed everyone else's lead. Once they got to the boring part Richie kept an eye on Brandon who seemed very annoyed that he had to stand still for so long. He started tossing the pillow and catching it (luckily the rings were tied to it with a ribbon), dancing from one foot to the other, and tugging on Alex's sleeve trying to get his attention. Alex looked down at him and cast a questioning look at his mother, who gave him the go ahead. Within seconds Brandon was on his older brother's hip whispering to him. Alex looked back to his mom and caught Richie's eye instead. Richie grinned at him and shook his head a silent admission that he'd do the same thing. The next thing Richie knew Brandon was out of Alex's arms and in his own lap.
"I wanna play," the child whispered in Richie's ear.
Richie smiled sheepishly at the people who had turned in their pews to see where the ring bearer had gone to. "You can't now," Richie whispered back. "Go back up with Alex."
"No."
"Your mommy's going to say the same thing. It's almost your part."
"Brandon, sweetie," Melinda leaned over. "Go back up with Alex."
"No, wanna play."
"Not now, but soon."
"No."
"Brandon," Steven whispered as loudly as he dared in the warning tone that men magically received when they became fathers. "Go."
"Wishie come to?" Brandon asked.
"Can't big guy, I'm supposed to stay here."
"Wishie come too," the four year old ordered raising his voice.
"Shhh!" Melinda hissed. "Now get up there."
Richie was intently aware of how many people were watching (including the bride and groom, both grinning broadly) as he stood up and walked Brandon back to the alter. Luckily the wedding was in a small church with only two rows of pews and Richie had been sitting on the outer edge on the groom's side. So he only had to go as far as the front of the church before giving Brandon a little shove toward Alex. Once the bride and groom's attention was back to what the priest was saying Richie tried to go back to his seat only to stop when he hear Heather urgently whisper his name. He turned and saw Brandon coming back down the aisle toward him. Sighing and blushing, Richie took Brandon's hand and sent him back to Alex who held the child firmly in position. Brandon let out a small shriek as Richie tried to once again walk away and, now blushing harder than he ever had before, Richie resigned to squatting by the wall next to the pew where the groom's parents sat for the rest of the ceremony for no other reason than to keep Brandon where he was supposed to be. At the end of the ceremony instead of walking down the aisle with the flower girl, Brandon was escorted down the aisle by Alex and a bridesmaid and the flower girl (who had behaved beautifully for a six year old girl) went with Courtney and a groomsman.
Richie stood with Brandon on his hip out side the church apologizing over and over to the bride and groom who laughed it off and admitted they wouldn't have let someone so young in the wedding party if they hadn't hoped for a little childish disruption. That make Richie feel a little better, but he was still horribly embarrassed when various guests came over to introduce themselves and ask who he was.
"I'm his sister's boyfriend," he explained for the twelve billionth time, this time to an older couple.
"I thought you were his father," the man said as if he was trying to get Richie to confess to some crime.
"Arthur!" the man's wife scolded. "It's none of your business. Besides, I don't see a ring, do you?"
"They don't get married these days," the old man argued.
"I'm Heather's boyfriend," Richie used the hand that wasn't supporting the child to gesture to where Heather was standing looking as though she was very annoyed by the other elderly couple that had cornered her. "Brandon's her little brother. And just so you know," he leaned forward and whispered. "I intend to marry her before I make her pregnant." Reacting just as he hoped and expected the couple murmured their good byes and left him able to go rescue his girlfriend.
The reception was like nothing Richie had ever seen before. Heather's family sure liked to party. Heather's family was also very friendly. Richie was kidnapped by one family member after another and interrogated about where he grew up, why he was in Missouri, how he and Heather met, what does he do for a living, what does he plan on being when he grew up (most people seemed very pleased at the idea of being a lawyer), and when he was going to propose to Heather.
"I haven't thought about it," Richie said to the great Aunt that had most recently whisked him onto the dance floor.
"Well, she's a great girl, even if she comes from a slightly questionable background."
Richie bit his tongue and smiled politely. "She is great. And if this pans out past college you'll be the first to get an invitation." The answer satisfied the woman and they finished their dance. Once the music stopped Richie thanked Great-Aunt Whoever before seeking Heather's attention. "But we've been here how long and I haven't gotten to dance with the person I came with, yet," he whined playfully.
"Oh, honestly," she laughed getting up from the table and leaving her shoes abandoned under the chair.
Every time a new song started Richie thanked Tessa for her instance on teaching him to dance. She had successfully taught the somewhat awkward teenage Richie to do first the box step, then to waltz, fox trot, cha-cha and tango. Duncan's intensive training had improved his skills considerably, and now he was very smooth and graceful on the dance floor. Heather grinned as he twirled her around the floor.
"Where did you learn to dance like that?" she asked when they decided to call it quits for the time being.
"Tessa and Mac," Richie answered. "Mostly, and I picked up a few moves here and there." As Richie took a sip of his Pepsi a familiar feeling washed over him. "Ah, duty calls," he laughed nervously shaking the empty coke can. "Be right back." Hastily Richie made his way out of the rented out elk's lodge and glanced around the parking lot. His eyes darted around examining any place someone could hide. Taking his sword from its hiding place (he had to call his dad to figure out how to hide a sword at the wedding because Mac insisted he carried it when he was off campus and not at work) he rounded the corner. "Who's there?" he demanded.
"Marcus Witiker." An immortal met him on the side of the building with no windows with his blade hanging dully at his side.
"Richie Ryan, just passing through," he assure him blade still up. "Not looking for a fight."
"Pity, I am." Marcus lunged at Richie. Richie could tell Witiker was a good fighter, but he was determined to be better. For the first time in a long time Richie was glad he was still slightly obsessed with pleasing Duncan, if he hadn't he wouldn't have been learning from Miller, he wouldn't have his sword, he would be defenseless and dead. Much like Witiker would be when Richie was done with him.
"I'm gonna tell you this once; you stop now and I won't kill you," Richie said as he successfully deflected a blow intended for his neck.
"There can be only one!" Witiker shouted back.
Richie groaned inwardly while keeping his defenses up. He hated headhunters. He didn't understand how someone could travel around looking to kill people. For a five minute eternity, the immortals exchanged blows. Richie was beginning to pant a little and Heather started creeping into the back of his mind. How was he going to explain this one? Witiker's blade came dangerously close to making contact with Richie's flesh and the young immortal just barely avoided having to explain a gaping bloody hole in his suit. He forced the girl from his mind and concentrated on ending the fight as soon as possible. Getting his second wind Richie began to force blow after blow on his opponent and soon had the immortal disarmed.
"Next time leave me alone," Richie grumbled as he brought his blade down for the final blow. The quickening was not one of the nicest he had ever gotten. He was nearly thrown off his feet more than once. The only thing that kept him standing was his desire to keep himself as clean as possible to avoid probing questions.
"Where were you?" Heather asked when he staggered as gracefully as possible back to their table and sat down.
"Um, bathroom," Richie answered. He had splashed some water on his face and tried to hide any signs of his fight.
"Did the lights go out in there, too?"
"Oh, good, I thought it was just me. Thought I hit a wire or something without noticing." He smiled his innocent smile and winked at her.
"You're disgusting!" she exclaimed with a laugh.
"But you love me for it," he reminded her.
He leaned in to steel a kiss, but they were interrupted by a yell. They looked up and saw a stampede of kids headed their way with Brandon mixed into the pack. It seemed to Richie that a family wide game of hide-and-go- seek had broken out. Kids dashed behind curtains, under tables, under coats, behind adults and a particular four year old O'Neal sought refuge under the bride's train.
"Don' moob," he whispered loudly. The bride remained still and everyone acted as if nothing was going on. Richie could immediately tell all the O'Neal family wedding first timers because they all seemed as confused as he did.
"So, this is normal?" Richie asked Heather who seemed none too surprised by the sudden disruption.
"Every get together."
"Does Brandon always hide under someone's skirt?"
"Every wedding someone does," she shrugged. "Alex started it," she whispered.
"You're family is weirder than mine. and that's saying something."
"Heather, can I talk to you?" Alex approached them. "In private," he added. Heather cast a glance at Richie who shrugged and turned into the table. Alex took Heather's hand and led her to the dance floor.
"Son, can I have a word with you?" Steven asked sitting in the chair Heather had previously occupied.
"Um, wa'id I do?" Richie asked. In his previous experiences being called 'Son' by your girlfriend's father was a bad thing.
"I've been hearing rumors that you want to marry my daughter."
"Oh, um. It's just. I'm at a wedding and people keep asking me about it."
"And you tell them you want to get her pregnant?"
Richie grinned out of nervous habit. "That was a joke, this couple kept accusing me of being Brandon's father."
"They always do," Steven assured him. "Since he's adopted they think that every semi-adult male we bring with us is his father."
"Oh," Richie laughed, feeling the mood of the conversation change. "So I'm semi-adult?"
"And you're not marring my daughter," Steven added. "Or getting her pregnant until I say you can, you hear me?"
"Yes, sir," Richie answered.
With that, Steven got up and walked away. Richie just shook his head and noticed that Heather had stopped dancing with Alex. Just then, the D.J. announced the last dance of the evening so Richie walked over and asked his girlfriend to dance.
"What did dad have to talk to you about?"
"Nothing. Well, he heard what I said to those people that thought I was Brandon's dad. He was just warning me that I couldn't marry you or impregnate you without his permission." He smirked at her shocked expression.
"What! I'm going."
"What are you so worked up about?" Richie asked.
"Alex must have heard too, because he oh so subtly asked me if I was pregnant. He must have told Dad."
"Heather it is a reasonable assumption. though I don't think it's any of Alex's business."
"Sorry," Heather apologized. "My family tends to jump to conclusions."
"Hey, it's okay, really." Richie dipped her to get her mind off the conversation just as the music ended. He and Heather headed over to the parking lot and met up with her family. Richie bid them good night and walked over to his car and drove back to Greg's.
AN: Sorry it took so long. I had a hell of a time getting this chapter out. Many thanks to Lori who was very patient and was a HUGE help. I'm going to try to get out one more chap before I go on vacation where I will be doing plenty of writing. I just won't have access to a computer. So don't worry this story is not being abandoned, just I'm not here to work on it.
"I could get used to waking up like this," she grinned up at him.
"Who knows," he smiled back. "You might get the chance." They kissed for a couple seconds then decided it would be more fun after they had both brushed their teeth. Still slightly uncoordinated because he wasn't fully awake Richie went into the hall bathroom to shower and Heather went into her bathroom to do the same. Once he had gotten partially dressed (dress pants, socks, and a dress shirt he was too lazy to tuck in or button) he made his way into the kitchen to either drink or make some coffee.
"Oh!" Richie turned to find the source of the squeal and found Courtney sitting at the table in only a T-shirt eating some cereal blushing profusely.
"Mind if I join you, or is that table reserved for the undressed?" he asked.
"Um, I don't mind," she told him putting a napkin in her lap. Richie got a bowl out of the cupboard and put some coffee on before pouring himself some Lucky Charms.
"So, how'd the date go?" he asked.
"It was really fun; we went to the movies and then out to play mini golf."
"Heather and I have done that."
"Really?" Courtney seemed very pleased at the idea of dating the same way her college sister did.
"Yeah, a couple times."
"I heard you and Alex last night," she said softly.
"Oh?"
"What did he say to Heather?"
"Nothing I'm going to repeat. Just suffice it to say I wasn't very happy when I heard it."
"You sounded pretty pissed."
"I was," he admitted as Alex shuffled into the kitchen similarly dressed as he was.
"Going the easy route this morning, eh?" Alex asked joining Richie and Courtney at the table. Richie waited a few minutes before getting up to get some coffee.
"Want some Alex?" he offered.
"Sure." By Alex's tone Richie either figured that the man had come to his senses or his threat had put a little scare into him. "Did you sleep well?" he asked as Richie handed him a cup.
"Like a baby, you?"
Before Alex could answer Brandon came running into the kitchen wearing only his Ninja Turtles underwear. Silently he stopped in front of the cabinets and looked pitifully up at the one containing the cereal bowls.
"How you doing big guy?" Richie asked. Brandon looked from Richie to the cupboard and back. "Are you hungry?" Richie patted his lap invitingly. With a wide grin Brandon walked over and crawled into Richie's lap. "What do you want to eat?"
"Cewiol," the child answered.
"You want something to drink?"
"Juz."
"You wanna help me get it?" Brandon's grin broadened. He knew what helping Richie get breakfast meant. "You ready?" Brandon nodded and slid off Richie's knees. Richie squatted behind him allowing the child to stand on his knees with his butt in his face. Richie grabbed him around his arms. "One, two, three!" On three Brandon jumped and with Richie's help did a little back flip before landing on Richie's shoulders. "Geeze, you're getting good at that." Richie walked around the kitchen stopping at the cupboards and refrigerator and stooping down a little for Brandon to get all he needed by himself. Richie took Brandon back to the table and poured everything for him and let the boy eat in his lap.
"Hi, Aleze!" Brandon greeted cheerfully as he began to eat his sugar-coated cereal.
"It's about time, little man, I was starting to feel neglected," Alex told him jutting his bottom lip out. "How come I didn't get to help you with breakfast?"
"I didn' know you wa hew," Brandon told him obviously feeling very bad about selecting his sister's boyfriend over his own brother. "You help me tomowo."
"So are you ready to be in the wedding?" Courtney asked. "You have a very important job."
"That's right, you're the ring bearer," Richie added. "Are you excited?"
"Yeah. I get to be the wing bewoaw."
"Do you remember what you are supposed to do?" Alex asked.
"Yeah, I waok down the ahlol like dis." Brandon gave everyone a demonstration. "Then I stay weawly still by Aleze until I go back to mommy."
"Well, you need to finish your breakfast so we can all go get ready," Alex reminded him. Brandon finished his breakfast in Richie's lap. Then Alex took him upstairs to change and Richie sent Courtney to change while he did the breakfast dishes.
"No food?" Richie asked as he went back into Heather's room.
"In a minute," Heather told him. Melinda was putting the finishing curls in Heather's hair. Richie stood in the door and watched. Girls doing their hair had always fascinated him; Tessa had caught him watching her a couple times when she and Duncan would go out. Melinda was already dressed and ready to move onto Courtney's hair so after spraying on the last coat of hair spray she scurried off to do that.
"So, always a bride's maid never a bride, huh?" Richie asked as Heather did a little spin for him.
"I don't plan on being a bride, yet," she told him. "I want to finish school first."
"I'll keep that in mind. Can I do anything for you?"
"Shouldn't you be getting ready?"
"From here, I've got like, three minutes of work to do. My hair curls naturally so I don't have to bother with all that."
"In that case, to the kitchen with you! I'm hungry."
Richie laughed. "What do you want?"
"Gemme a pop tart."
"Kay." Richie left to his task buttoning and tucking in his shirt on the way.
Twenty minutes later they all piled into two cars and headed to the church. After the photographer took pictures of the wedding party, that included Heather, Courtney, Alex, and Brandon, everyone took their seats and waited for the wedding to begin. Not ten minutes into the ceremony Richie realized he was very out of place at a Catholic wedding. There was lots of sitting and standing and kneeling and prayers and words. and he didn't have the slightest clue what to do or say. So he just kept his mouth shut and followed everyone else's lead. Once they got to the boring part Richie kept an eye on Brandon who seemed very annoyed that he had to stand still for so long. He started tossing the pillow and catching it (luckily the rings were tied to it with a ribbon), dancing from one foot to the other, and tugging on Alex's sleeve trying to get his attention. Alex looked down at him and cast a questioning look at his mother, who gave him the go ahead. Within seconds Brandon was on his older brother's hip whispering to him. Alex looked back to his mom and caught Richie's eye instead. Richie grinned at him and shook his head a silent admission that he'd do the same thing. The next thing Richie knew Brandon was out of Alex's arms and in his own lap.
"I wanna play," the child whispered in Richie's ear.
Richie smiled sheepishly at the people who had turned in their pews to see where the ring bearer had gone to. "You can't now," Richie whispered back. "Go back up with Alex."
"No."
"Your mommy's going to say the same thing. It's almost your part."
"Brandon, sweetie," Melinda leaned over. "Go back up with Alex."
"No, wanna play."
"Not now, but soon."
"No."
"Brandon," Steven whispered as loudly as he dared in the warning tone that men magically received when they became fathers. "Go."
"Wishie come to?" Brandon asked.
"Can't big guy, I'm supposed to stay here."
"Wishie come too," the four year old ordered raising his voice.
"Shhh!" Melinda hissed. "Now get up there."
Richie was intently aware of how many people were watching (including the bride and groom, both grinning broadly) as he stood up and walked Brandon back to the alter. Luckily the wedding was in a small church with only two rows of pews and Richie had been sitting on the outer edge on the groom's side. So he only had to go as far as the front of the church before giving Brandon a little shove toward Alex. Once the bride and groom's attention was back to what the priest was saying Richie tried to go back to his seat only to stop when he hear Heather urgently whisper his name. He turned and saw Brandon coming back down the aisle toward him. Sighing and blushing, Richie took Brandon's hand and sent him back to Alex who held the child firmly in position. Brandon let out a small shriek as Richie tried to once again walk away and, now blushing harder than he ever had before, Richie resigned to squatting by the wall next to the pew where the groom's parents sat for the rest of the ceremony for no other reason than to keep Brandon where he was supposed to be. At the end of the ceremony instead of walking down the aisle with the flower girl, Brandon was escorted down the aisle by Alex and a bridesmaid and the flower girl (who had behaved beautifully for a six year old girl) went with Courtney and a groomsman.
Richie stood with Brandon on his hip out side the church apologizing over and over to the bride and groom who laughed it off and admitted they wouldn't have let someone so young in the wedding party if they hadn't hoped for a little childish disruption. That make Richie feel a little better, but he was still horribly embarrassed when various guests came over to introduce themselves and ask who he was.
"I'm his sister's boyfriend," he explained for the twelve billionth time, this time to an older couple.
"I thought you were his father," the man said as if he was trying to get Richie to confess to some crime.
"Arthur!" the man's wife scolded. "It's none of your business. Besides, I don't see a ring, do you?"
"They don't get married these days," the old man argued.
"I'm Heather's boyfriend," Richie used the hand that wasn't supporting the child to gesture to where Heather was standing looking as though she was very annoyed by the other elderly couple that had cornered her. "Brandon's her little brother. And just so you know," he leaned forward and whispered. "I intend to marry her before I make her pregnant." Reacting just as he hoped and expected the couple murmured their good byes and left him able to go rescue his girlfriend.
The reception was like nothing Richie had ever seen before. Heather's family sure liked to party. Heather's family was also very friendly. Richie was kidnapped by one family member after another and interrogated about where he grew up, why he was in Missouri, how he and Heather met, what does he do for a living, what does he plan on being when he grew up (most people seemed very pleased at the idea of being a lawyer), and when he was going to propose to Heather.
"I haven't thought about it," Richie said to the great Aunt that had most recently whisked him onto the dance floor.
"Well, she's a great girl, even if she comes from a slightly questionable background."
Richie bit his tongue and smiled politely. "She is great. And if this pans out past college you'll be the first to get an invitation." The answer satisfied the woman and they finished their dance. Once the music stopped Richie thanked Great-Aunt Whoever before seeking Heather's attention. "But we've been here how long and I haven't gotten to dance with the person I came with, yet," he whined playfully.
"Oh, honestly," she laughed getting up from the table and leaving her shoes abandoned under the chair.
Every time a new song started Richie thanked Tessa for her instance on teaching him to dance. She had successfully taught the somewhat awkward teenage Richie to do first the box step, then to waltz, fox trot, cha-cha and tango. Duncan's intensive training had improved his skills considerably, and now he was very smooth and graceful on the dance floor. Heather grinned as he twirled her around the floor.
"Where did you learn to dance like that?" she asked when they decided to call it quits for the time being.
"Tessa and Mac," Richie answered. "Mostly, and I picked up a few moves here and there." As Richie took a sip of his Pepsi a familiar feeling washed over him. "Ah, duty calls," he laughed nervously shaking the empty coke can. "Be right back." Hastily Richie made his way out of the rented out elk's lodge and glanced around the parking lot. His eyes darted around examining any place someone could hide. Taking his sword from its hiding place (he had to call his dad to figure out how to hide a sword at the wedding because Mac insisted he carried it when he was off campus and not at work) he rounded the corner. "Who's there?" he demanded.
"Marcus Witiker." An immortal met him on the side of the building with no windows with his blade hanging dully at his side.
"Richie Ryan, just passing through," he assure him blade still up. "Not looking for a fight."
"Pity, I am." Marcus lunged at Richie. Richie could tell Witiker was a good fighter, but he was determined to be better. For the first time in a long time Richie was glad he was still slightly obsessed with pleasing Duncan, if he hadn't he wouldn't have been learning from Miller, he wouldn't have his sword, he would be defenseless and dead. Much like Witiker would be when Richie was done with him.
"I'm gonna tell you this once; you stop now and I won't kill you," Richie said as he successfully deflected a blow intended for his neck.
"There can be only one!" Witiker shouted back.
Richie groaned inwardly while keeping his defenses up. He hated headhunters. He didn't understand how someone could travel around looking to kill people. For a five minute eternity, the immortals exchanged blows. Richie was beginning to pant a little and Heather started creeping into the back of his mind. How was he going to explain this one? Witiker's blade came dangerously close to making contact with Richie's flesh and the young immortal just barely avoided having to explain a gaping bloody hole in his suit. He forced the girl from his mind and concentrated on ending the fight as soon as possible. Getting his second wind Richie began to force blow after blow on his opponent and soon had the immortal disarmed.
"Next time leave me alone," Richie grumbled as he brought his blade down for the final blow. The quickening was not one of the nicest he had ever gotten. He was nearly thrown off his feet more than once. The only thing that kept him standing was his desire to keep himself as clean as possible to avoid probing questions.
"Where were you?" Heather asked when he staggered as gracefully as possible back to their table and sat down.
"Um, bathroom," Richie answered. He had splashed some water on his face and tried to hide any signs of his fight.
"Did the lights go out in there, too?"
"Oh, good, I thought it was just me. Thought I hit a wire or something without noticing." He smiled his innocent smile and winked at her.
"You're disgusting!" she exclaimed with a laugh.
"But you love me for it," he reminded her.
He leaned in to steel a kiss, but they were interrupted by a yell. They looked up and saw a stampede of kids headed their way with Brandon mixed into the pack. It seemed to Richie that a family wide game of hide-and-go- seek had broken out. Kids dashed behind curtains, under tables, under coats, behind adults and a particular four year old O'Neal sought refuge under the bride's train.
"Don' moob," he whispered loudly. The bride remained still and everyone acted as if nothing was going on. Richie could immediately tell all the O'Neal family wedding first timers because they all seemed as confused as he did.
"So, this is normal?" Richie asked Heather who seemed none too surprised by the sudden disruption.
"Every get together."
"Does Brandon always hide under someone's skirt?"
"Every wedding someone does," she shrugged. "Alex started it," she whispered.
"You're family is weirder than mine. and that's saying something."
"Heather, can I talk to you?" Alex approached them. "In private," he added. Heather cast a glance at Richie who shrugged and turned into the table. Alex took Heather's hand and led her to the dance floor.
"Son, can I have a word with you?" Steven asked sitting in the chair Heather had previously occupied.
"Um, wa'id I do?" Richie asked. In his previous experiences being called 'Son' by your girlfriend's father was a bad thing.
"I've been hearing rumors that you want to marry my daughter."
"Oh, um. It's just. I'm at a wedding and people keep asking me about it."
"And you tell them you want to get her pregnant?"
Richie grinned out of nervous habit. "That was a joke, this couple kept accusing me of being Brandon's father."
"They always do," Steven assured him. "Since he's adopted they think that every semi-adult male we bring with us is his father."
"Oh," Richie laughed, feeling the mood of the conversation change. "So I'm semi-adult?"
"And you're not marring my daughter," Steven added. "Or getting her pregnant until I say you can, you hear me?"
"Yes, sir," Richie answered.
With that, Steven got up and walked away. Richie just shook his head and noticed that Heather had stopped dancing with Alex. Just then, the D.J. announced the last dance of the evening so Richie walked over and asked his girlfriend to dance.
"What did dad have to talk to you about?"
"Nothing. Well, he heard what I said to those people that thought I was Brandon's dad. He was just warning me that I couldn't marry you or impregnate you without his permission." He smirked at her shocked expression.
"What! I'm going."
"What are you so worked up about?" Richie asked.
"Alex must have heard too, because he oh so subtly asked me if I was pregnant. He must have told Dad."
"Heather it is a reasonable assumption. though I don't think it's any of Alex's business."
"Sorry," Heather apologized. "My family tends to jump to conclusions."
"Hey, it's okay, really." Richie dipped her to get her mind off the conversation just as the music ended. He and Heather headed over to the parking lot and met up with her family. Richie bid them good night and walked over to his car and drove back to Greg's.
AN: Sorry it took so long. I had a hell of a time getting this chapter out. Many thanks to Lori who was very patient and was a HUGE help. I'm going to try to get out one more chap before I go on vacation where I will be doing plenty of writing. I just won't have access to a computer. So don't worry this story is not being abandoned, just I'm not here to work on it.