The alarm went off at six forty-five. "No school," Richie mumbled,
swatting blindly at the bedside table until the buzzing stopped. He
snuggled down under his comforter and buried his head in his arms. The
sweatshirt material felt good on his face. Missouri had been setting
record lows every night for a week. Richie had gotten cold in the middle
of the night and dug a sweatshirt out of the laundry. He was drifting off
to sleep again when the alarm went off. "No!" Richie shut it off again.
He repeated the process six more times until the phone rang. He groaned
and decided to let the answering machine pick up. He heard the tape start
up then stop when the caller hung up. Richie settled back into the pillows
and closed his eyes just in time for the phone to start ringing again.
Richie groped around on the floor until he found the cordless phone.
"Uh," he answered
"Grunt to you, too, caveman," Heather laughed on the other line. "This is your friendly wake up call."
"You are far too perky for this early in the morning."
"You're the one who asked me to call since I'm up anyway. Time for you to clean."
"Eh, Mac knows I'm a slob," Richie said.
"What about dinner?"
"You're family knows I'm a slob, too."
"Yes, everyone knows you're a slob. But we have to have room to sit."
"You have legs; you can stand."
"You're cranky this morning," Heather told him laughing.
"I was having a good dream until my rather persistent girlfriend called."
"Oh, poor baby. What about?"
"Eh, stuff," Richie shrugged under his blankets.
"Girls?"
"Naturally."
"Any one specific?"
"Now, what you have to remember is that it's not cheating if it's a dream."
"Good, so now I can tell you all about me and James Marsters. Now who is it?"
"And it's your fault I even know who she is."
"Who?"
"Amy Wynn."
Heather laughed. "From Trading Spaces?"
"I know, I know."
"She started out in theater, you know."
"I must have a thing for thespians."
Heather decided not to follow that line of thinking. Instead she decided to get back to what she had called Richie for. "Must. WAKE UP!"
"No!"
"If you're awake enough to argue, you're awake enough to clean."
"That's horrible logic."
"What do you expect from me? It's seven fifteen."
"I expect more from you, Heather O'Neal," Richie scolded playfully.
"Eh."
"You sound like me."
"Then you can't complain."
"I'd rather stay in my nice, warm bed and talk to you."
"Get up; get dressed!"
"I don' wanna."
"Too bad."
"What are you wearing?" Richie asked.
"Get up."
"Tell me what you're wearing."
"Stop changing the subject."
"I just want to know. Then I'll hang up and clean."
"A sweat shirt, pajama bottoms, and house shoes."
"Liar."
"How do you know?"
"Because."
"Clean."
"Fine. But if I catch pneumonia, it's all your fault."
"Fine with me. See you tonight."
"Love ya too."
. . . . . .
Three hours later, Richie looked around the spotless loft, which smelt of Windex and Lemon Pledge. He glanced at his watch and decided he had time for a workout before going to the store for the huge dinner he had planned for that night. He laced up his sneakers and ran across the street to the gym.
As he stretched, he watched the yoga class through the glass wall that separated the classroom from the rest of the gym. When he was done warming up, he went to get a jump rope off the peg in the corner where he ran into Collin, one of the gym regulars.
"Dual?" Collin asked, grabbing a rope, too.
"Sure."
They stood facing each other with a few feet between them. They took a few test jumps to make sure their ropes wouldn't collide then started. Collin jumped in a certain pattern and Richie followed. Richie made it a little more challenging and Collin followed, and then upped the challenge. Richie followed. Soon they were jumping, skipping, crossing, and crissing in a complicated pattern that both men could barely keep up with. Just when Richie thought he was going to win, a buzz washed through his system. The momentary distraction was long enough for Richie to manage to tangle his rope around his ankle and pull his foot out from under himself.
Collin laughed. "I've never seen anyone do that before."
"I like to be the first," Richie mumbled accepting Collin's offered hand up.
"What happened to you? You were here one second, and then gone the next."
"Got distracted."
"You didn't hurt yourself, did ya?"
"Nah, I'm hard to hurt. May ass is a little sore. but I'll live." Richie went to hang his rope back up.
Collin followed. "Have any plans for Christmas?"
Richie smiled. "I'm Jewish."
"Oh, sorry."
"No worries. I actually have a big dinner planned for tonight. Heather's family and my family all in the same room for the first time."
"That could be interesting."
"Should be." Richie looked at the clock on the far wall. "Speaking of, I gotta get to the store. Lots of people to feed. And I have a class at five. And I still have to make the lasagna."
"And the panic sets in," Collin added.
"Yeah. I gotta go. See you later, man."
Richie ran back across the street, into the side door of his building and up the stairs. He heard Alex out in the hall talking to someone and was going to quietly sneak by until he saw who Alex was talking to.
"Rachel! I didn't know you were coming!" He smiled and gave her a hug.
"I was wondering why you were missing when she got here," Alex said. "It was nice meeting you, Ms. Ellenstien. I'll see you at dinner tonight."
"Call me Rachel, dear. And I'll see you tonight."
"I'm upstairs," Richie said, taking Rachel's bag in one hand and her arm in the other. "I'm glad I came home when I did, I wasn't expecting anyone for another couple hours."
"I hope you don't mind my just showing up. Conner and Duncan thought it would be a nice surprise."
"No, no. This is great," Richie assured her, unlocking and opening the door. "You're the first to see. Well, the first beside everyone here. you know what I mean."
"It's very nice."
"Thanks."
"But you," Rachel said, taking both of Richie's hands and holding his arms out. "You, I can't get over. So this is what you really look like."
"What?"
"Last time I saw you, you were a scrawny little thing with a broken arm, black hair and tattoos."
"You dyed my hair back to blonde," Richie reminded her. "And if I remember correctly you were the one telling Conner and Mac to use steel wool to scrub the tattoos off. The loofas hurt enough, thank you."
"Loofas don't hurt."
"You try being pinned to the floor while Mac scrubs off semi-permanent tattoos and yells at you."
"You've grown up since then, matured, fill out. You turned out quite nicely."
Richie blushed lightly. "I like to think so."
"I thought Tessa made you get rid of all these?" Rachel smiled, flicking Richie's left ear lobe.
"She did. This is new. About a month old, I guess. It was my Hanukah present to me," Richie said, yanking lightly on the small silver loop. "Five bucks says it's the first thing Mac notices. I'm just hoping he doesn't get mad. He didn't like them either. Not that he didn't have one, mind you. But it's different on me."
"Of course," Rachel laughed. "MacLeods are exempt from the laws they bestow on their charges."
"Conner did that to you, too, huh?"
"Yes. But at least you found a way around the no swords rule."
"I didn't have a choice."
Richie and Rachel went to the store to pick up everything for dinner. Richie was putting the lasagna in the oven when there was a knock at the door. He felt the buzz and insisted that he answer it himself. He didn't have caller ID and although he assumed the immortal was friendly he couldn't know for sure.
"What is that?" Duncan greeted him pointing at the earring.
"Told you!" Richie called into the loft, stepping aside so Duncan and Joe could come in.
"Honestly, Duncan, he's a grown man now. If he wants an earring." Rachel scolded playfully giving Duncan a hug.
"Joe Dawson, Rachel Ellenstien," Richie introduced.
"Conner's daughter," Joe said shaking Rachel's hand. "It's nice to meet you."
"The Watcher," Rachel returned. "It's nice to meet you, too."
"What smells so good?" Duncan asked, wondering further into the apartment.
"Dinner."
"Smells like lasagna."
"It is lasagna."
"Oh, well, that explains the smell."
"Any one want a drink?" Richie offered.
The four settled in the living room, which was to the left of the kitchen, to talk until Richie announced he had to go teach his class. Duncan decided to go watch while Joe and Rachel decided to stay at the loft and talk. Richie changed into his gi and told them to make themselves at home before he and Duncan went across the street.
Duncan watched with a proud smile as Richie ran his class of young children through their paces. Richie seemed a natural teacher as he walked though the rows praising and correcting as the children ran though a kata. Surprisingly, Richie was a strict teacher who allowed no talking or goofing off. The kids, all twenty-six seven to ten year olds, were very well behaved and didn't seem the slightest bit put off by their sensei's insistence on perfection. They were all very eager to please. They all worked diligently and Richie continually praised them for their hard work.
Duncan watched with a proud smile as Richie ran his class of young children through their paces. Richie seemed a natural teacher as he walked though the rows praising and correcting as the children ran though a kata. Surprisingly, Richie was a strict teacher who allowed no talking or goofing off. The kids, all 26 seven to ten year olds, were very well behaved and didn't seem the slightest bit put off by their sensei's insistence on perfection. They were all very eager to please. They all worked diligently and Richie continually praised them for their hard work.
"Hey, I got an idea!" Richie announced in the middle of class when he usually gave the kids a short break. "See that guy back there?" he pointed to Duncan. "He taught me karate. His name is Duncan MacLeod. Everyone said hi!"
The class turned to face Duncan. "Good evening, Master MacLeod," they said in unison bowing. Duncan bowed back, knowing fully well that Richie had had this all planned out.
"He taught you, sensei?" a little girl asked.
"Sure did. Started five years ago. He's really good. And I bet if you ask nicely, he'll give you a little demonstration." The class turned their fifty-two expectant eyes on Duncan. "What do you say, Mac?" Richie said with a grin.
"I say you had this planned."
"Prove it."
"Okay, I'll do a demonstration. if you spar with me," Duncan returned with a grin. Richie got his 'how dare you turn the tables on me' look. "Don't you want to see your sensei fight?" he encouraged the kids.
"Yeah!" they all yelled.
"Alright, you're on." Richie was never one to back down from a challenge. "First to five." Duncan nodded his agreement and started across the mat. "Ah, ah!" Richie stopped him. "What are you doing on the mat with your shoes on? You would throw my shoes at me if I did that." The kids laughed.
Duncan took off his shoes and once again started across the mat, meeting Richie in the middle. They took their positions and went at each other. Not two seconds into the fight, Richie landed a side kick solidly on Duncan's chest, sending him to the ground.
"One," he smiled.
"Oh, you're going to play that game are you?" Duncan laughed, getting back up as Richie pranced around him. They started again and this time Duncan flipped Richie to the mats. "Don't think I'm going to go easy on you because it's your class."
"Wouldn't have it any other way, old man."
Duncan round housed Richie to the mats next. Then, Richie pulled a tricky move Adam had taught him that sent Duncan sprawling. Richie grinned his most mischievous grin as he appeared to try the move again only to change his mind at the last second and got Duncan down again.
"Uh-oh, all tied up."
"Next point wins," Duncan said.
"We agreed to five," Richie protested.
"But we have a nice dinner to get to after this," he reminded him.
"Next point," Richie agreed.
With a smirk, Duncan swept Richie's feet out from under him with the same move Richie had just sprung on Duncan. "If you bother to learn a move like that, bother to learn the defense," Duncan said under his breath as he helped Richie up.
"Gotcha."
"Did he beat you, sensei?" a boy asked.
"He beat me," Richie agreed. "But only because I let him."
"Yeah, right!" someone from the back yelled.
"Okay, that's it; you cause mutiny," Richie said to Duncan. "They used to respect me."
"You have to give them something to respect."
Richie grinned. "Get out of my classroom."
"What if I promise to sit in the back and behave?"
"Deal."
Richie started the class on a new move that most caught onto quickly. He then turned them on each other, pairing them off by size and skill level. They class went to work and Richie started up and down the rows again stopping at each pair.
"Okay!" Richie called twenty minutes, attracting the sparring children's attention. "Time to cool down! Ichie, ni, son," he counted off and the children started a slow kata. "Good job, guys," he said when they were done. "Remember no class next week, but keep practicing. See you next class. Dismissed." He bowed, they bowed, and Duncan smiled. Richie said goodbye to each student as they left. Once all but one had gone, Richie walked over to Duncan with a little blonde haired boy in tow.
"He's not going to hurt you," Richie smiled down at the little boy who was hiding behind his leg and peeking around. He squatted down so he and the boy were the same height. "Brandon, this is Mac. I live with him sometimes," he explained. "Mac, this is Brandon, he's Heather's little brother."
"It's nice to meet you, Brandon," Duncan said offering his hand. Brandon turned and hid his face in Richie's shoulder.
"Brandon has decided that he's shy," Richie said picking Brandon up as he stood. "He was fine earlier this year, but now.He'll warm up to you though. Come on, little man, let's go to my place." Richie got Brandon into his coat and carried him across the street. They went up the stairs and stopped at Alex's apartment.
"Hey, man. We're back so I guess we can start hauling chairs and junk whenever you're ready," Richie said when Alex opened the door.
"Okay, I'll be up in a minute."
"Cool."
"What do you need chairs for?" Duncan asked as he, Richie and Brandon went up to the next floor.
"And plates," Richie added. "I have seven place settings and thirteen people coming, you do the math."
"Six," Brandon said from Richie's hip.
"Hey, you're right. Good job."
Between Alex, Duncan and Conner, who had arrived with Adam while Richie and Duncan were across the street, the chairs and plates and silverware arrived in plenty of time to figure out the sitting arrangements. Since Richie's table could only hold ten once the leaves were put in, Brandon, Courtney and Alex were going to sit at the breakfast bar, which separated the kitchen from the dining area so they wouldn't be left out of the conversations. Rachel and Amanda, who had showed up with Conner, helped Richie with dinner and Brandon watched cartoons.
The rest of the O'Neals arrived just as Brandon and Richie changed out of their gis. Richie ran through formal introductions then everyone sat down to dinner. Richie sat at one end of the table flanked by Duncan and Amanda, Heather was on the other end with her parents on either side, Conner, Rachel, Joe, and Adam filled in the middle of the slightly crowded table. They made pleasant conversation throughout the fancy home cooked meal. Once the meal was over, everyone moved in to the living room for dessert and coffee.
"That was wonderful, Richie," Melinda said as she and Steven settled on the couch.
"Thanks."
"I knew you could cook, but you out did yourself," Steven added.
"It's not like they're my recipes. Tessa's lasagna, Conner's garlic bread, Mac's salad dressing, Rachel's cheese cake."
"We get the picture, Rich," Duncan interrupted with a fond smile. He had been doting over Richie all evening. "But you did make it all."
Richie shrugged, blushing lightly from all the attention. "I guess."
The conversation turned back to everyone getting to know everyone else. Various cover stories were shared of how Duncan, Conner and Rachel were related, how they respectively met Richie, who was in what line of work and various other half-truths. Much to Richie and Heather's pleasure, everyone seemed to get along. Richie grinned and mostly listened to the conversation only venturing in when directly asked a question. He could tell by the odd looks Duncan and Conner were giving him that they assumed his silence meant he was uncomfortable, but he was very comfortable. As a matter of fact, he felt everything was perfect. He'd heard many stories about potential in-laws not getting along, and been a little worried since his side of the family had many a secret to hide. But everything was going smoothly like a television Christmas special, and he liked it this way.
Brandon started yawning so Richie volunteered his bed for the boy until the O'Neals decided to go home. He also volunteered to be the one to tuck him in. He took him back into his little room and snuggled him into the queen- sized bed.
"Did you have fun tonight?" Richie asked, sitting on the bed next to the boy.
"Too many people," Brandon said.
"Ah, that's why you were so quiet. You'll get used to them being around. Conner, Mac and Joe know lots of stories if you ever wanna hear some. Sleep tight." He stood to leave.
"You're going?"
"Just in the other room to be with the grown ups. What's wrong?"
"Don't go," Brandon pouted.
"Are you scared?" Richie asked. "You've spent the night before. What's wrong?" Brandon didn't answer. "Is it all the strangers out there? Because you know that I wouldn't let anyone in here that would hurt you. I like you too much."
"Promise?"
"Pinky promise," Richie said, solemnly offering his pinky to the young boy. They hooked fingers and shook on it. "So you ready to go to sleep?"
"No."
"Do you want me to stay until you go to sleep?" Brandon nodded. "Okay, be really quiet and try to sleep."
Three minutes later, Richie joined everyone else in the living room.
"What did I miss?"
"We were just talking about how glad we were that you persuaded us to sign Brandon up for karate lessons," Steven said. "I never would have considered it before, but you are very persistent."
Richie shifted in his seat. "I like to get what I want."
"He's spoiled that way," Conner put in.
"A real brat until he gets what he wants," Joe added.
"He always was the favorite," Rachel smiled.
"Got what he wanted when he wanted it," Duncan joined in.
"A spoiled brat," Adam put in for good measure.
"I like Richard; I think he is a well behaved young man," Amanda said sitting up straighter. "I'm rather fond of him."
"At least someone is on my side," Richie mumbled.
"Aw, Rich, you know we're teasing," Duncan smiled at him.
"Doesn't make it any less embarrassing, Mac," Richie said, none too subtly telling him to knock it off. Which, unlike what Greg would have done, he did. The O'Neals ended up leaving around midnight. Everyone said cheerful good-byes. Once they were gone, there was the task of deciding who would sleep where. It was eventually decided that Conner and Rachel would sleep in Richie's room while Richie and Duncan slept in the sofa bed. Joe and Amanda would stay at Adam's on the bed and couch respectively while Adam took the floor.
Somewhere around two in the morning, three of the four occupants of Richie's loft were woken by the presence of another immortal. Richie jumped out of the sofa bed and grabbed his sword. He was running down the stairs trying to catch his stalker before Duncan could tell him to wait.
"Hey!" Richie yelled coming to a stop in the alley behind the ballet studio.
The stalker turned around. "Had a family gathering and didn't invite your father?" Greg asked, turning to face him. "You know you'll catch your death running around outside in your pajamas in this weather."
"You're the one that's been following me," Richie said holding his sword at the ready.
"Yes, you seem to have your hands full with that little immortal. He is a cute one."
"You stay away from Brandon," Richie ordered coldly.
"Or what? You're going to tell MacLeod on me?"
"Don't get smart." Richie took a few steps to close the gap between them.
"Now here's a change. You telling me to mind my attitude. I wonder if Heather hates me as much as you do."
"I swear, Greg, I swear to anyone listening that if you so much as look at any of my friends or their families the wrong way and I catch wind of it." He swung his sword so the blade was resting on Greg's neck. "I will take your head so fast; you won't even see me draw my sword." He drew the blade back and stepped away.
"Is that my first warning?" Greg laughed.
"Your only warning." With those final words, Richie stalked back into the building and up the stairs.
He filled everyone in then sat down to read the rest of the night.
"Richie, come back to bed," Duncan said from the couch.
Richie looked up from his book and cracked a smile. "Somehow it's less inviting when it's you and not Heather saying that. I'm fine."
"Staying up all night isn't going to help anything. He's just trying to get to you."
"Well, it's working."
"Because you're letting it. He's not going to do anything. He's too scared to make a move."
"Yeah, he's scared of me." Richie rolled his eyes.
"He probably is or he would have challenged you instead of following you around for four months. You have an edge on him. Just keep your eye out for him."
"Okay," Richie relented. "But I'm not tired." There was too much adrenaline pumping through his system for him to sleep. He turned his attention back to his book and had it finished by the time the sun came up.
AN: Only three chapters to go! Next chapter: The Proposal!
"Uh," he answered
"Grunt to you, too, caveman," Heather laughed on the other line. "This is your friendly wake up call."
"You are far too perky for this early in the morning."
"You're the one who asked me to call since I'm up anyway. Time for you to clean."
"Eh, Mac knows I'm a slob," Richie said.
"What about dinner?"
"You're family knows I'm a slob, too."
"Yes, everyone knows you're a slob. But we have to have room to sit."
"You have legs; you can stand."
"You're cranky this morning," Heather told him laughing.
"I was having a good dream until my rather persistent girlfriend called."
"Oh, poor baby. What about?"
"Eh, stuff," Richie shrugged under his blankets.
"Girls?"
"Naturally."
"Any one specific?"
"Now, what you have to remember is that it's not cheating if it's a dream."
"Good, so now I can tell you all about me and James Marsters. Now who is it?"
"And it's your fault I even know who she is."
"Who?"
"Amy Wynn."
Heather laughed. "From Trading Spaces?"
"I know, I know."
"She started out in theater, you know."
"I must have a thing for thespians."
Heather decided not to follow that line of thinking. Instead she decided to get back to what she had called Richie for. "Must. WAKE UP!"
"No!"
"If you're awake enough to argue, you're awake enough to clean."
"That's horrible logic."
"What do you expect from me? It's seven fifteen."
"I expect more from you, Heather O'Neal," Richie scolded playfully.
"Eh."
"You sound like me."
"Then you can't complain."
"I'd rather stay in my nice, warm bed and talk to you."
"Get up; get dressed!"
"I don' wanna."
"Too bad."
"What are you wearing?" Richie asked.
"Get up."
"Tell me what you're wearing."
"Stop changing the subject."
"I just want to know. Then I'll hang up and clean."
"A sweat shirt, pajama bottoms, and house shoes."
"Liar."
"How do you know?"
"Because."
"Clean."
"Fine. But if I catch pneumonia, it's all your fault."
"Fine with me. See you tonight."
"Love ya too."
. . . . . .
Three hours later, Richie looked around the spotless loft, which smelt of Windex and Lemon Pledge. He glanced at his watch and decided he had time for a workout before going to the store for the huge dinner he had planned for that night. He laced up his sneakers and ran across the street to the gym.
As he stretched, he watched the yoga class through the glass wall that separated the classroom from the rest of the gym. When he was done warming up, he went to get a jump rope off the peg in the corner where he ran into Collin, one of the gym regulars.
"Dual?" Collin asked, grabbing a rope, too.
"Sure."
They stood facing each other with a few feet between them. They took a few test jumps to make sure their ropes wouldn't collide then started. Collin jumped in a certain pattern and Richie followed. Richie made it a little more challenging and Collin followed, and then upped the challenge. Richie followed. Soon they were jumping, skipping, crossing, and crissing in a complicated pattern that both men could barely keep up with. Just when Richie thought he was going to win, a buzz washed through his system. The momentary distraction was long enough for Richie to manage to tangle his rope around his ankle and pull his foot out from under himself.
Collin laughed. "I've never seen anyone do that before."
"I like to be the first," Richie mumbled accepting Collin's offered hand up.
"What happened to you? You were here one second, and then gone the next."
"Got distracted."
"You didn't hurt yourself, did ya?"
"Nah, I'm hard to hurt. May ass is a little sore. but I'll live." Richie went to hang his rope back up.
Collin followed. "Have any plans for Christmas?"
Richie smiled. "I'm Jewish."
"Oh, sorry."
"No worries. I actually have a big dinner planned for tonight. Heather's family and my family all in the same room for the first time."
"That could be interesting."
"Should be." Richie looked at the clock on the far wall. "Speaking of, I gotta get to the store. Lots of people to feed. And I have a class at five. And I still have to make the lasagna."
"And the panic sets in," Collin added.
"Yeah. I gotta go. See you later, man."
Richie ran back across the street, into the side door of his building and up the stairs. He heard Alex out in the hall talking to someone and was going to quietly sneak by until he saw who Alex was talking to.
"Rachel! I didn't know you were coming!" He smiled and gave her a hug.
"I was wondering why you were missing when she got here," Alex said. "It was nice meeting you, Ms. Ellenstien. I'll see you at dinner tonight."
"Call me Rachel, dear. And I'll see you tonight."
"I'm upstairs," Richie said, taking Rachel's bag in one hand and her arm in the other. "I'm glad I came home when I did, I wasn't expecting anyone for another couple hours."
"I hope you don't mind my just showing up. Conner and Duncan thought it would be a nice surprise."
"No, no. This is great," Richie assured her, unlocking and opening the door. "You're the first to see. Well, the first beside everyone here. you know what I mean."
"It's very nice."
"Thanks."
"But you," Rachel said, taking both of Richie's hands and holding his arms out. "You, I can't get over. So this is what you really look like."
"What?"
"Last time I saw you, you were a scrawny little thing with a broken arm, black hair and tattoos."
"You dyed my hair back to blonde," Richie reminded her. "And if I remember correctly you were the one telling Conner and Mac to use steel wool to scrub the tattoos off. The loofas hurt enough, thank you."
"Loofas don't hurt."
"You try being pinned to the floor while Mac scrubs off semi-permanent tattoos and yells at you."
"You've grown up since then, matured, fill out. You turned out quite nicely."
Richie blushed lightly. "I like to think so."
"I thought Tessa made you get rid of all these?" Rachel smiled, flicking Richie's left ear lobe.
"She did. This is new. About a month old, I guess. It was my Hanukah present to me," Richie said, yanking lightly on the small silver loop. "Five bucks says it's the first thing Mac notices. I'm just hoping he doesn't get mad. He didn't like them either. Not that he didn't have one, mind you. But it's different on me."
"Of course," Rachel laughed. "MacLeods are exempt from the laws they bestow on their charges."
"Conner did that to you, too, huh?"
"Yes. But at least you found a way around the no swords rule."
"I didn't have a choice."
Richie and Rachel went to the store to pick up everything for dinner. Richie was putting the lasagna in the oven when there was a knock at the door. He felt the buzz and insisted that he answer it himself. He didn't have caller ID and although he assumed the immortal was friendly he couldn't know for sure.
"What is that?" Duncan greeted him pointing at the earring.
"Told you!" Richie called into the loft, stepping aside so Duncan and Joe could come in.
"Honestly, Duncan, he's a grown man now. If he wants an earring." Rachel scolded playfully giving Duncan a hug.
"Joe Dawson, Rachel Ellenstien," Richie introduced.
"Conner's daughter," Joe said shaking Rachel's hand. "It's nice to meet you."
"The Watcher," Rachel returned. "It's nice to meet you, too."
"What smells so good?" Duncan asked, wondering further into the apartment.
"Dinner."
"Smells like lasagna."
"It is lasagna."
"Oh, well, that explains the smell."
"Any one want a drink?" Richie offered.
The four settled in the living room, which was to the left of the kitchen, to talk until Richie announced he had to go teach his class. Duncan decided to go watch while Joe and Rachel decided to stay at the loft and talk. Richie changed into his gi and told them to make themselves at home before he and Duncan went across the street.
Duncan watched with a proud smile as Richie ran his class of young children through their paces. Richie seemed a natural teacher as he walked though the rows praising and correcting as the children ran though a kata. Surprisingly, Richie was a strict teacher who allowed no talking or goofing off. The kids, all twenty-six seven to ten year olds, were very well behaved and didn't seem the slightest bit put off by their sensei's insistence on perfection. They were all very eager to please. They all worked diligently and Richie continually praised them for their hard work.
Duncan watched with a proud smile as Richie ran his class of young children through their paces. Richie seemed a natural teacher as he walked though the rows praising and correcting as the children ran though a kata. Surprisingly, Richie was a strict teacher who allowed no talking or goofing off. The kids, all 26 seven to ten year olds, were very well behaved and didn't seem the slightest bit put off by their sensei's insistence on perfection. They were all very eager to please. They all worked diligently and Richie continually praised them for their hard work.
"Hey, I got an idea!" Richie announced in the middle of class when he usually gave the kids a short break. "See that guy back there?" he pointed to Duncan. "He taught me karate. His name is Duncan MacLeod. Everyone said hi!"
The class turned to face Duncan. "Good evening, Master MacLeod," they said in unison bowing. Duncan bowed back, knowing fully well that Richie had had this all planned out.
"He taught you, sensei?" a little girl asked.
"Sure did. Started five years ago. He's really good. And I bet if you ask nicely, he'll give you a little demonstration." The class turned their fifty-two expectant eyes on Duncan. "What do you say, Mac?" Richie said with a grin.
"I say you had this planned."
"Prove it."
"Okay, I'll do a demonstration. if you spar with me," Duncan returned with a grin. Richie got his 'how dare you turn the tables on me' look. "Don't you want to see your sensei fight?" he encouraged the kids.
"Yeah!" they all yelled.
"Alright, you're on." Richie was never one to back down from a challenge. "First to five." Duncan nodded his agreement and started across the mat. "Ah, ah!" Richie stopped him. "What are you doing on the mat with your shoes on? You would throw my shoes at me if I did that." The kids laughed.
Duncan took off his shoes and once again started across the mat, meeting Richie in the middle. They took their positions and went at each other. Not two seconds into the fight, Richie landed a side kick solidly on Duncan's chest, sending him to the ground.
"One," he smiled.
"Oh, you're going to play that game are you?" Duncan laughed, getting back up as Richie pranced around him. They started again and this time Duncan flipped Richie to the mats. "Don't think I'm going to go easy on you because it's your class."
"Wouldn't have it any other way, old man."
Duncan round housed Richie to the mats next. Then, Richie pulled a tricky move Adam had taught him that sent Duncan sprawling. Richie grinned his most mischievous grin as he appeared to try the move again only to change his mind at the last second and got Duncan down again.
"Uh-oh, all tied up."
"Next point wins," Duncan said.
"We agreed to five," Richie protested.
"But we have a nice dinner to get to after this," he reminded him.
"Next point," Richie agreed.
With a smirk, Duncan swept Richie's feet out from under him with the same move Richie had just sprung on Duncan. "If you bother to learn a move like that, bother to learn the defense," Duncan said under his breath as he helped Richie up.
"Gotcha."
"Did he beat you, sensei?" a boy asked.
"He beat me," Richie agreed. "But only because I let him."
"Yeah, right!" someone from the back yelled.
"Okay, that's it; you cause mutiny," Richie said to Duncan. "They used to respect me."
"You have to give them something to respect."
Richie grinned. "Get out of my classroom."
"What if I promise to sit in the back and behave?"
"Deal."
Richie started the class on a new move that most caught onto quickly. He then turned them on each other, pairing them off by size and skill level. They class went to work and Richie started up and down the rows again stopping at each pair.
"Okay!" Richie called twenty minutes, attracting the sparring children's attention. "Time to cool down! Ichie, ni, son," he counted off and the children started a slow kata. "Good job, guys," he said when they were done. "Remember no class next week, but keep practicing. See you next class. Dismissed." He bowed, they bowed, and Duncan smiled. Richie said goodbye to each student as they left. Once all but one had gone, Richie walked over to Duncan with a little blonde haired boy in tow.
"He's not going to hurt you," Richie smiled down at the little boy who was hiding behind his leg and peeking around. He squatted down so he and the boy were the same height. "Brandon, this is Mac. I live with him sometimes," he explained. "Mac, this is Brandon, he's Heather's little brother."
"It's nice to meet you, Brandon," Duncan said offering his hand. Brandon turned and hid his face in Richie's shoulder.
"Brandon has decided that he's shy," Richie said picking Brandon up as he stood. "He was fine earlier this year, but now.He'll warm up to you though. Come on, little man, let's go to my place." Richie got Brandon into his coat and carried him across the street. They went up the stairs and stopped at Alex's apartment.
"Hey, man. We're back so I guess we can start hauling chairs and junk whenever you're ready," Richie said when Alex opened the door.
"Okay, I'll be up in a minute."
"Cool."
"What do you need chairs for?" Duncan asked as he, Richie and Brandon went up to the next floor.
"And plates," Richie added. "I have seven place settings and thirteen people coming, you do the math."
"Six," Brandon said from Richie's hip.
"Hey, you're right. Good job."
Between Alex, Duncan and Conner, who had arrived with Adam while Richie and Duncan were across the street, the chairs and plates and silverware arrived in plenty of time to figure out the sitting arrangements. Since Richie's table could only hold ten once the leaves were put in, Brandon, Courtney and Alex were going to sit at the breakfast bar, which separated the kitchen from the dining area so they wouldn't be left out of the conversations. Rachel and Amanda, who had showed up with Conner, helped Richie with dinner and Brandon watched cartoons.
The rest of the O'Neals arrived just as Brandon and Richie changed out of their gis. Richie ran through formal introductions then everyone sat down to dinner. Richie sat at one end of the table flanked by Duncan and Amanda, Heather was on the other end with her parents on either side, Conner, Rachel, Joe, and Adam filled in the middle of the slightly crowded table. They made pleasant conversation throughout the fancy home cooked meal. Once the meal was over, everyone moved in to the living room for dessert and coffee.
"That was wonderful, Richie," Melinda said as she and Steven settled on the couch.
"Thanks."
"I knew you could cook, but you out did yourself," Steven added.
"It's not like they're my recipes. Tessa's lasagna, Conner's garlic bread, Mac's salad dressing, Rachel's cheese cake."
"We get the picture, Rich," Duncan interrupted with a fond smile. He had been doting over Richie all evening. "But you did make it all."
Richie shrugged, blushing lightly from all the attention. "I guess."
The conversation turned back to everyone getting to know everyone else. Various cover stories were shared of how Duncan, Conner and Rachel were related, how they respectively met Richie, who was in what line of work and various other half-truths. Much to Richie and Heather's pleasure, everyone seemed to get along. Richie grinned and mostly listened to the conversation only venturing in when directly asked a question. He could tell by the odd looks Duncan and Conner were giving him that they assumed his silence meant he was uncomfortable, but he was very comfortable. As a matter of fact, he felt everything was perfect. He'd heard many stories about potential in-laws not getting along, and been a little worried since his side of the family had many a secret to hide. But everything was going smoothly like a television Christmas special, and he liked it this way.
Brandon started yawning so Richie volunteered his bed for the boy until the O'Neals decided to go home. He also volunteered to be the one to tuck him in. He took him back into his little room and snuggled him into the queen- sized bed.
"Did you have fun tonight?" Richie asked, sitting on the bed next to the boy.
"Too many people," Brandon said.
"Ah, that's why you were so quiet. You'll get used to them being around. Conner, Mac and Joe know lots of stories if you ever wanna hear some. Sleep tight." He stood to leave.
"You're going?"
"Just in the other room to be with the grown ups. What's wrong?"
"Don't go," Brandon pouted.
"Are you scared?" Richie asked. "You've spent the night before. What's wrong?" Brandon didn't answer. "Is it all the strangers out there? Because you know that I wouldn't let anyone in here that would hurt you. I like you too much."
"Promise?"
"Pinky promise," Richie said, solemnly offering his pinky to the young boy. They hooked fingers and shook on it. "So you ready to go to sleep?"
"No."
"Do you want me to stay until you go to sleep?" Brandon nodded. "Okay, be really quiet and try to sleep."
Three minutes later, Richie joined everyone else in the living room.
"What did I miss?"
"We were just talking about how glad we were that you persuaded us to sign Brandon up for karate lessons," Steven said. "I never would have considered it before, but you are very persistent."
Richie shifted in his seat. "I like to get what I want."
"He's spoiled that way," Conner put in.
"A real brat until he gets what he wants," Joe added.
"He always was the favorite," Rachel smiled.
"Got what he wanted when he wanted it," Duncan joined in.
"A spoiled brat," Adam put in for good measure.
"I like Richard; I think he is a well behaved young man," Amanda said sitting up straighter. "I'm rather fond of him."
"At least someone is on my side," Richie mumbled.
"Aw, Rich, you know we're teasing," Duncan smiled at him.
"Doesn't make it any less embarrassing, Mac," Richie said, none too subtly telling him to knock it off. Which, unlike what Greg would have done, he did. The O'Neals ended up leaving around midnight. Everyone said cheerful good-byes. Once they were gone, there was the task of deciding who would sleep where. It was eventually decided that Conner and Rachel would sleep in Richie's room while Richie and Duncan slept in the sofa bed. Joe and Amanda would stay at Adam's on the bed and couch respectively while Adam took the floor.
Somewhere around two in the morning, three of the four occupants of Richie's loft were woken by the presence of another immortal. Richie jumped out of the sofa bed and grabbed his sword. He was running down the stairs trying to catch his stalker before Duncan could tell him to wait.
"Hey!" Richie yelled coming to a stop in the alley behind the ballet studio.
The stalker turned around. "Had a family gathering and didn't invite your father?" Greg asked, turning to face him. "You know you'll catch your death running around outside in your pajamas in this weather."
"You're the one that's been following me," Richie said holding his sword at the ready.
"Yes, you seem to have your hands full with that little immortal. He is a cute one."
"You stay away from Brandon," Richie ordered coldly.
"Or what? You're going to tell MacLeod on me?"
"Don't get smart." Richie took a few steps to close the gap between them.
"Now here's a change. You telling me to mind my attitude. I wonder if Heather hates me as much as you do."
"I swear, Greg, I swear to anyone listening that if you so much as look at any of my friends or their families the wrong way and I catch wind of it." He swung his sword so the blade was resting on Greg's neck. "I will take your head so fast; you won't even see me draw my sword." He drew the blade back and stepped away.
"Is that my first warning?" Greg laughed.
"Your only warning." With those final words, Richie stalked back into the building and up the stairs.
He filled everyone in then sat down to read the rest of the night.
"Richie, come back to bed," Duncan said from the couch.
Richie looked up from his book and cracked a smile. "Somehow it's less inviting when it's you and not Heather saying that. I'm fine."
"Staying up all night isn't going to help anything. He's just trying to get to you."
"Well, it's working."
"Because you're letting it. He's not going to do anything. He's too scared to make a move."
"Yeah, he's scared of me." Richie rolled his eyes.
"He probably is or he would have challenged you instead of following you around for four months. You have an edge on him. Just keep your eye out for him."
"Okay," Richie relented. "But I'm not tired." There was too much adrenaline pumping through his system for him to sleep. He turned his attention back to his book and had it finished by the time the sun came up.
AN: Only three chapters to go! Next chapter: The Proposal!